The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 208
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 208.
Yu Hoon Gok.
This valley, nestled within Gwang Jeong San under the jurisdiction of the Righteous Path, was once home to a sect known as the Nok Hyul Bang.
The Nok Hyul Bang harvested poisons from Gwang Jeong San to craft lethal toxins, which they refined through rigorous cultivation within hidden chambers.
When poison cultivation reached the tenth celestial stage, even their blood transformed into an emerald hue—and from the blood of those who had become Poison Humans, they distilled an even more devastating toxin.
That toxin was none other than the Five Water Blood Crystal, deemed the most vicious poison in all the Murim.
Using the Five Water Blood Crystal—capable of slaughtering hundreds with a single drop—the Nok Hyul Bang threw the Murim into chaos and amassed tremendous power.
Yet they ultimately faced condemnation from the righteous sects and, branded as public enemies of the Murim, were annihilated in an instant.
The Nok Hyul Bang—a sect of legend whispered by elders to their grandchildren, a memory of ruin.
Now transformed into a valley of the dead where no living thing could survive, it had been renamed Yu Hoon Gok.
“Sects that traffic in poison rarely meet pleasant ends.”
Hyuk So Jin, moving toward the direction of Yu Hoon Gok, grimaced as he spoke.
“Though the sect crumbled long ago, even its stench lingers across generations.”
As we ventured deeper into the mountain, a sour stench seeped into my nostrils.
Beyond that, an inexplicable malevolence seemed to coil through the heavens and earth in all directions.
“A trait shared by Poison Humans and the wicked alike.”
Bu Eunseol murmured softly.
“Even when their flesh decays into corrupted soil and crumbles to dust… their infamy, like a foul stench, endures.”
Her words carried the weight of a sage’s reflection, born from witnessing the full arc of human existence.
As Hyuk So Jin pondered her words, he noticed the gravity in Bu Eunseol’s expression and offered a jest with a smile.
“Are those two stenches not one and the same?”
Yet Bu Eunseol received even his jest with utmost seriousness.
“They differ little. The corpses of the wicked and Poison Humans are disposed of by identical methods.”
“Identical methods?”
“The bodies of Poison Humans are toxins unto themselves. Bury them in the earth and the surrounding soil becomes contaminated. Burn them carelessly and the poison fumes become a miasma that lays waste to the entire region.”
My eyes deepened as memories from my time as a Yeomsa surfaced.
“Thus, disposing of Poison Humans required venturing to places untouched by human feet and secretly cremating their remains.”
“But what does that have to do with the wicked?”
“The wicked commit countless atrocities, so even in death, those who harbored grudges against them desecrate their graves.”
“I see.”
“Therefore, the wicked, like Poison Humans, must be buried in secret, in places where human feet dare not tread.”
“Ah.”
Hyuk So Jin slapped his knee and nodded in understanding.
“Indeed, the principles of this world are all alike.”
He then surveyed the surroundings, his face contorting in disgust.
“Moreover, since the Nok Hyul Bang were both Poison Humans and perpetrators of heinous acts… their stench seems all the more unbearable.”
Myo Cheon Woo, who had been listening silently to their exchange, wore a faint smile.
‘She has changed greatly.’
During our time on Hell Island, Bu Eunseol possessed an exceedingly cold temperament and spoke scarcely at all.
Yet now, she engaged in conversation with ease, employing a uniquely captivating manner of speech that drew genuine interest.
‘Now that I think about it….’
Suddenly, an image surfaced in his mind—Bu Eunseol fighting back-to-back with Seo Jin Ha, their eyes meeting in the midst of combat.
“Bu Eunseol.”
Myo Cheon Woo, lost in deep contemplation, approached her side and asked with a grave expression.
“Do you trust me?”
It was an abrupt question.
Bu Eunseol furrowed her brow as if unable to comprehend.
“Trust?”
“You included me in this scheme against Geuk Sal. That means you trust me to some degree, doesn’t it?”
At his unexpected words, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“No.”
“No?”
“It’s merely a hollow word.”
With her gaze fixed upon the distant sky, she spoke in a low voice.
“In the Murim, all one needs is enough faith that they won’t stab you in the back.”
“So that’s how it was…?”
“What do you mean?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Only now did Myo Cheon Woo truly understand.
Bu Eunseol’s essence remained unchanged—whether on Hell Island or now.
‘The selection process on Hell Island awakened madness and the instinct to kill….’
Most of those on Hell Island had lost their sanity, left only with madness and destructive impulses.
But Bu Eunseol was different.
She had not been consumed by madness; she still regarded everything with cynical rationality.
When she fought alongside Seo Jin Ha. And even now…
Bu Eunseol maintained her nature—one that believed in neither loyalty nor trust.
‘When I think about it, perhaps it couldn’t be otherwise.’
While on Hell Island, Bu Eunseol had focused solely on survival.
Therefore, Seo Jin Ha’s character or trustworthiness would have been irrelevant.
All that mattered was enough faith that he wouldn’t stab her in the back.
‘But this place is not Hell Island.’
Myo Cheon Woo wore a bitter smile.
Bu Eunseol still dwelt as if on Hell Island…holding values scarcely different from those she possessed there.
‘There must be a purpose. A reason she must survive and grow stronger.’
During the journey to Yu Hoon Gok, the words exchanged between Bu Eunseol and him would not have numbered even ten.
Yet Myo Cheon Woo could perceive her nature as clearly as one who had been her companion for decades.
And this was possible because he genuinely cherished her.
Friendship.
Countless heroes across the world proclaim friendship.
But most people turn away the moment loss befalls them.
Rather, those who push their friends into the abyss of despair during hardship, or wish for their downfall, are scattered everywhere like dust.
But Myo Cheon Woo was different.
He was a true man capable of maintaining the great emotion of friendship unchanged.
‘Perhaps we could become close quickly.’
Myo Cheon Woo smiled faintly.
Bu Eunseol held no expectations of others.
Which meant conversely that if I offered even a small measure of trust, I could approach her at any time.
‘Then what about Yu Woon Ryong as well….’
Myo Cheon Woo’s expression hardened.
Only then did I realize the reason I could confidently seek out Yu Woon Ryong.
‘Because she doesn’t trust him, she could bring him along.’
Bu Eunseol had not come to the Destruction Spear Sect out of infinite trust or deep friendship with Myo Cheon Woo.
She had simply given him sufficient reasons and benefits that he had no choice but to follow her.
And she would certainly employ the same method with Yu Woon Ryong.
‘But….’
Myo Cheon Woo resolved inwardly.
Someday, I would instill in Bu Eunseol the emotion of trust.
“We’ve arrived.”
In the meantime, Wi Cheon Gyeong, who had been walking ahead, came to a stop.
Among the three unit leaders, Wi Cheon Gyeong possessed the fastest and most cautious movement technique.
Therefore, whenever they ventured to places with potential dangers, he always took the lead.
“This is Yu Hoon Gok.”
Yu Hoon Gok.
Contrary to its name, which suggested corpses scattered about everywhere, the vegetation flourished in beautiful bloom.
Yet the stench was so overwhelming that without maintaining a firm circulation of inner energy, one would retch immediately.
After winding through the twisted paths and walking for some time, a vast bamboo forest tinged with verdant green came into view.
“It appears to be traces of someone cultivating martial arts.”
At that moment, Wi Cheon Gyeong, who had been examining the split bamboo, narrowed his eyes.
“Remarkable martial skill. To split bamboo in such a manner.”
The shattered bamboo had been split vertically rather than horizontally, with hundreds of fragments maintaining a uniform size.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been carefully examining the bamboo Wi Cheon Gyeong indicated, closed her eyes for a moment.
In that instant, the image of a long whip moving like a living creature flashed through my mind.
The whip traced straight and curved lines, executing sixty-one transformations in a single breath.
“Divine Technique Manifestation….”
Bu Eunseol surmised that this was the Divine Technique Manifestation method, one of the supreme techniques of the White Horse Sect.
“Without question, it must be Yu Woon Ryong’s traces.”
At Myo Cheon Woo’s words, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“No, these are not traces created by Yu Woon Ryong.”
“What?”
“He refined a far more intricate Protective Whip Garment technique long ago. There’s no way he’d produce a mere sixty-one variations.”
“You can discern the initial variations just by observing the split bamboo?”
“It’s not particularly difficult.”
As Bu Eunseol answered without concern, her brow furrowed while gazing down the path leading into the Bamboo Forest,
A sharp whistling sound pierced the air!
With a sound of tearing space, thirty-odd shadows descended from the void to the ground.
They wore white martial robes as pristine as snow and had lustrous white whips coiled around their waists.
“Bu Eunseol.”
The figure at the very front of the martial artists’ formation’s eyes flashed with recognition.
He was Go Gun Pyeong, the commander of the Muk Ryong Unit of the Demon Hall, who had once tested Bu Eunseol on five techniques.
“It’s been a while.”
“Commander Go.”
Bu Eunseol offered a light bow.
Though they had met as enemies, Go Gun Pyeong was a martial artist who understood pride.
Therefore, when he tested Bu Eunseol on the five techniques, he had held back to some degree.
Had he truly intended to kill her, he would have unleashed the tenth technique from the first, severing her life in an instant.
“Don’t tell me you’ve come searching for Yu Woon Ryong.”
“I have.”
“Simply turn back.”
Go Gun Pyeong spoke coldly, regarding Bu Eunseol.
“Yu Woon Ryong has refused the Sect Master’s orders to return to headquarters and is currently in hiding in this region.”
“Why does the commander of the Demon Hall chase after one of the Ten Demon Immortals of the White Horse Sect?”
“Hmph, this is headquarters’ business. It’s none of your concern.”
“It is my concern.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Bu Eunseol spoke with conviction.
“He must come with me.”
“Hahahaha!”
Go Gun Pyeong’s expression turned contemptuous as he gazed toward the distant sky and burst into laughter.
“Bu Eunseol. You’ve obtained the position of commander of some third-rate unit, and now your mind has gone astray.”
His laughter ceased abruptly as he spoke in a cold voice.
“Yu Woon Ryong is a disciple of headquarters. If you wish to interfere, then become the successor to the Demon Hall first.”
“There’s no need for me to become successor.”
Bu Eunseol calmly withdrew a single spirit token from her robes.
“I already possess the authority to do so.”
The spirit token, gleaming with five-colored light, bore the character for “Chief” inscribed upon it—the very token symbolizing the Grand Sect Master, Yeop Hyo Cheon.
“Why do you possess the Grand Sect Master’s token?”
Bu Eunseol answered calmly to the bewildered Go Gun Pyeong’s question.
“The Grand Sect Master permitted it. He said that for any sect among the Ten Demonic Gates that has not produced a successor candidate, I may take Ten Demon Immortals as my subordinates.”
“Such a thing… the Grand Sect Master truly permitted this?”
“Indeed.”
―There is a favor I must ask of you.
Before departing the Demon Palace, Bu Eunseol had made a secret request of Yeop Hyo Cheon.
It was to grant the remaining Ten Demon Immortals the power to break free from the shackles of the Ten Demonic Gates.
Yeop Hyo Cheon then granted Bu Eunseol a conditional power.
―I shall permit it only for the Ten Demonic Gates that currently lack a successor candidate to the Demon Palace.
‘Currently’ meant the Ten Demonic Gates without a successor candidate to the Demon Palace.
In other words, Yeop Hyo Cheon had promised to grant the power to free the Ten Demon Immortals belonging to Hell Blood Sect, White Horse Sect, and Saryeong School from their shackles.
However, Seo Jin Ha, the Ten Demon Immortal of Hell Blood Sect, had become a member of Cheon Sal Unit and thus freed himself from those shackles.
And the Ten Demon Immortal of Saryeong School had long since become a cold corpse at the hands of a master of the righteous path…
In the end, this token held power only over Yu Woon Ryong.
“Do not jest with me!”
Go Gun Pyeong erupted in fury.
“What right does even the Supreme Leader have to claim a Ten Demon Immortal raised by our own sect!”
“The Ten Demon Immortals have suffered endless harm at the machinations of the Ten Demonic Gates all this while.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with solemn gravity.
“This is sufficient. Now release him.”
“Hmph, nonsense.”
“Are you defying the Supreme Leader’s command?”
“Hehehehe. If this were the Demon Palace, such a thing would be impossible, naturally.”
Go Gun Pyeong’s lips curved into a cruel smile.
“But this is the Deep Mountain Valley where no one treads. Moreover, the dead tell no tales.”
“A sound plan indeed.”
Bu Eunseol nodded with unhurried composure.
“Yu Hoon Gok, untouched by human footsteps, would be the perfect place for silencing witnesses through murder.”
“You understand well.”
“But do you possess the confidence?”
“Confidence?”
“The confidence to slaughter my entire unit?”
Go Gun Pyeong then let out a scoff of utter disbelief.
“Hehehehe. So disposing of those fleeing Maban Sect rabble has made you blind to reality? You dare stand against my Muk Ryong Unit?”
The Muk Ryong Unit possessed the most exceptional prowess among all secondary units.
Every member was not only a carefully selected disciple from White Horse Sect, but had been personally trained by Go Gun Pyeong himself.
Each possessed peak-level mastery, and they were elite warriors who had successfully completed countless missions over many years.
“Ah, of course I am well aware that your martial prowess differs greatly from before.”
He nodded coldly.
At that, the Muk Ryong Unit members, who had been standing rigidly at attention, surged forward in unison.
“But these warriors all possess peak-level mastery. Do you comprehend what that means?”
Crash!
At that very moment, a deafening explosion rang out, and a massive boulder beside Bu Eunseol shattered to pieces.
Myo Cheon Woo, enraged by Go Gun Pyeong’s arrogant demeanor, unleashed the full force of his Destruction Spear Sect technique.
“Bu Eunseol. How much longer will you listen to this chatterbox?”
Go Gun Pyeong’s eyes widened as he stared at the shattered fragments of rock.
The surface of the stone, broken into several pieces, was riddled with countless tiny holes.
“The Destruction Spear Sect technique…?”
He stared at Myo Cheon Woo’s face and opened his mouth.
“Are you one of the Ten Demon Experts of the Destruction Spear Sect?”
“Hmph, Ten Demon Experts? If you’re curious, speak up. I’ll be your opponent.”
Go Gun Pyeong’s complexion shifted.
Weren’t the Ten Demon Experts supreme masters who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Bu Eunseol?
With Hyuk So Jin, the successor to Jeol Cheon Myeol Ji, present as well, there was no way the Muk Ryong Unit members could win, no matter how hard they fought.
“Director Go. I have a proposal.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly as she gazed at Go Gun Pyeong, who was now beading with cold sweat.
“There’s no need to sacrifice the lives of innocent Muk Ryong Unit members, is there?”
“What do you mean?”
“Simply endure five moves from me. Then I’ll leave peacefully.”
In that instant, Go Gun Pyeong’s body trembled.
He recalled the trial of five moves that he had once forced upon Bu Eunseol in the past.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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