The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 217

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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 217.
Ihwajang stood empty.
The Sa Yeong Dae, having utterly annihilated the Beggar Squad at Bu Eunseol’s command, had withdrawn entirely to the Demon Palace.
There were two reasons for this.
First, by risking their lives to decisively crush the Beggar Squad, they had shattered Gae Bang’s prestige in a single stroke.
If Sa Yeong Dae remained at Ihwajang, it would inevitably provide Gae Bang with justification to launch a full-scale offensive.
But the truly vital reason was the second: only by remaining alone could I ensure that Geol Wang would come seeking me without hesitation.
Whiiiish.
A desolate wind swept across the vacant manor.
With Sa Yeong Dae’s presence gone, the manor seemed to revert to its former desolate state as an abandoned estate.
Creak.
Then the inner door opened, and a young scholar carrying a tray with a teapot and cups walked toward the pavilion in the flower garden.
It was Heuk Pyo.
Near the pavilion sat a man in composed meditation. It was Bu Eunseol.
‘Perhaps some refreshing tea would help.’
For three days, I had engaged in meditation without consuming food or even water, like an ascetic monk in rigorous practice.
Unable to bear it any longer, Heuk Pyo had prepared chilled fragrant tea and set it nearby.
Slowly.
Then I opened my eyes gently.
Despite not having drunk a single cup of water for three days, my eyes gleamed with vitality and my skin radiated with vigor.
“I… I apologize.”
As I opened my eyes, Heuk Pyo scratched his head and spoke hesitantly.
“I cautiously placed this refreshing tea nearby, but I thought that when you opened your eyes, you would surely seek something cool first…”
He seemed to believe he had disturbed my meditation and stammered through his words.
“You did not wake me.”
I shook my head calmly.
“My throat was parched regardless.”
“I see. Then I’m relieved.”
Heuk Pyo smiled and carefully poured the chilled fragrant tea into the cup.
I sipped the tea slowly while gazing toward the distant sky.
Unlike before, my eyes had grown sharper, as if I had sensed something.
“Gae Bang’s intelligence network is truly formidable.”
Then Heuk Pyo looked toward the distant sky with a worried expression.
“If they learn that you are here alone… wouldn’t they send another unit from Gae Bang?”
“They have already employed such tactics once and suffered humiliation for it.”
I shook my head.
“The Orthodox Sects place great importance on face and prestige. They will not resort to such cowardly and shameful tactics a second time.”
Then, gazing toward the distant sky, I murmured softly.
“By now, through their intelligence network, they have surely discerned my identity and purpose entirely.”
“Then…”
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath and nodded slowly.
“Geol Wang will surely come for me. Alone.”
Thud, thud.
As if to prove her words, faint footsteps echoed from somewhere in the distance.
Those with deep inner energy move with stability, and those with superior lightness techniques leave barely a whisper of sound.
Thus, from footsteps alone, masters of the Murim could discern a person’s weight, stride length, and even the depth of their martial prowess.
‘An extraordinarily formidable master.’
Bu Eunseol’s expression shifted slightly as she listened to the approaching steps.
When body and spirit become one, the speed and length of each stride achieve perfect uniformity.
The footsteps that reached her ears possessed the mechanical precision of flawless timing—each step identical in pace and distance. It was unmistakable proof that this person possessed every quality a true master of the Murim must cultivate.
Thump.
The footsteps ceased beyond the gates of Ihwajang.
In that moment, Bu Eunseol felt the surge of tremendous inner force.
The power of the one standing outside the gate was so formidable it could alter the very flow of air itself.
Had Geol Wang finally arrived?
‘How strange.’
Yet Bu Eunseol shook her head.
Though the power of the one outside was considerable, it differed markedly from the overwhelming, tyrannical aura that Geol Wang had emanated.
As she fixed her gaze upon the gate with a puzzled expression,
Creak.
The gate swung open, and a figure emerged from the shadows.
Upon seeing the person who entered, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
The figure was a young monk clad in monastic robes.
“…!”
The moment their gazes met in the air, both Bu Eunseol’s and the monk’s pupils dilated simultaneously.
From that single exchange of eyes, each had instantly discerned the other’s identity.
“You are Bu, the Ten Demon Expert of Nangya Sect, are you not?”
As Bu Eunseol nodded, the monk pressed his palms together and spoke.
“I am Gwang Yeon, a disciple of Shaolin.”
Gwang Yeon, having revealed his dharma name, offered Bu Eunseol a faint smile.
“And I am also a great master selected by the Murim Alliance.”
―Though he practices as a minor monk, he is Shaolin’s greatest talent.
These were the words Song Ak, the great master of Wudang whom Bu Eunseol had once faced, had used to describe Gwang Yeon.
And upon meeting him in person, Bu Eunseol came to understand two truths.
That Gwang Yeon possessed far superior skill compared to Song Ak.
And that Gae Bang had no desire to see her and Geol Wang fight.
“I wonder when Shaolin began to move at Gae Bang’s behest.”
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Gwang Yeon pressed his palms together once more and spoke.
“Has not your path, Bu, continuously demanded the blood of countless souls?”
He spoke as if reproaching Bu Eunseol for targeting Geol Wang.
“I merely wish to prevent such a thing before it comes to pass.”
“Everyone has their own circumstances.”
Bu Eunseol waved her hand dismissively and stepped forward, drawing her vital energy upward.
“There is no need for needless complications. Come.”
The two of them stood at the pinnacle of the late stages—one from the Demonic Path, one from the Righteous Path.
Under ordinary circumstances, even with malice between them, a few courteous words would have been exchanged.
But the moment Gwang Yeon’s words threatened to lengthen, Bu Eunseol cut straight to the matter without hesitation.
“Very well.”
From Gwang Yeon’s body, a faint smile playing at his lips, the shimmer of vital energy grew visibly dense.
“Let me be clear beforehand—this is not a mere contest of skill.”
He spoke to Bu Eunseol with a grave expression.
“I intend to do my utmost to seal your martial prowess. Therefore, I ask that you fight with all your strength.”
Having finished speaking, Gwang Yeon slowly lowered both arms into a stance—relaxed and full of openings, the kind a martial artist would take before a fight.
Yet to Bu Eunseol’s eyes, that comfortable posture felt far more threatening than any aggressive stance.
“Heuk Pyo.”
“Yes.”
“Leave this place at once and depart Gaebong immediately.”
“I will remain at your side.”
At Heuk Pyo’s words, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“If you do, he will never accept defeat, even in death.”
And pointing to Gwang Yeon, she continued.
“Your presence here would split his focus into two. Moreover, there is no guarantee he would not act at the decisive moment—thus my own concentration would be divided as well.”
“Indeed, you truly deserve to be called a master of Gangho.”
Gwang Yeon exclaimed, his gaze fixed intently upon Heuk Pyo.
“However, if you depart with a melancholy or worried expression, Bu Eunseol’s mental fortitude will also be consumed.”
And with a gentle smile, he spoke.
“If instead you show confidence in her and depart with that assurance, it will be of great benefit to Bu Eunseol.”
Gwang Yeon seemed equally versed in the intricacies of human nature.
Heuk Pyo recognized the truth in Gwang Yeon’s words and, forcing a bright smile, replied.
“Do well and return safely. I will be waiting for you.”
He then immediately unfurled his movement technique and departed Ihwajang.
“Remarkable lightness skill.”
Gwang Yeon, watching Heuk Pyo’s trajectory as he soared skyward and vanished in a single breath, let out an exclamation of admiration.
“At that level, before he reaches thirty, he will surely become one of the foremost masters of evasion techniques in Gangho.”
Then, sensing Bu Eunseol’s cold gaze upon him, he smiled and extended his hand.
“I have spoken at length. Please, make the first move.”
“You came seeking me.”
“Very well.”
Gwang Yeon did not demur and lightly extended a fist.
Whoosh!
The sound of the blade cutting through air was barely audible.
Yet a terrifying force capable of piercing through cascading steel burrowed into Bu Eunseol’s chest.
It was the Hundred Pace Divine Fist, the signature palm technique of Shaolin.
Bu Eunseol did not retreat. Standing firm, I unleashed the Fist Demon’s Initial Form, sweeping away the torrent of force.
Boom!
With the explosion, shockwaves rippled outward in all directions, and both Bu Eunseol and Gwang Yeon staggered back a single step.
“Huh.”
Gwang Yeon’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Benefactor Bu, your internal strength is truly remarkable.”
He had entered Shaolin wrapped in iron chains. Moreover, born with the Heavenly Yin Severed Meridian, he would have perished without receiving the Muscle Reversal Scripture.
Ultimately, the Shaolin Abbot deemed it fate and personally bestowed the Eight Extraordinary Meridians Technique upon him, teaching him the Muscle Reversal Scripture.
As a result, his internal power was unmatched within Shaolin, save for a handful of masters.
Yet Bu Eunseol, barely different in age, displayed internal strength comparable to his own?
‘Truly Shaolin’s legacy.’
But Bu Eunseol was not greatly surprised.
Shaolin’s internal cultivation secrets were supreme among the Righteous Path.
Gwang Yeon must have begun cultivating from an even younger age, so his formidable power was only natural.
“Beware!”
Gwang Yeon pressed his palms together, then extended both hands forward.
Crack!
In that instant, eight hand shadows enveloped Bu Eunseol’s entire body.
It was the Thousand Hand Tathagata Palm, one of Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Absolute Techniques.
“Hmph.”
Bu Eunseol let out a short scoff and used the Fist Demon’s Seven Forms to continuously erase the incoming palm strikes.
Yet the Thousand Hand Tathagata Palm spread far more rapidly than my fists could counter.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Before long, Gwang Yeon’s hand shadows had multiplied to thirty-two.
Ordinarily, the more variations a palm technique possesses and the more complex its forms, the more dispersed its internal force becomes.
Yet Gwang Yeon’s Thousand Hand Tathagata Palm, despite generating thirty-two hand shadows, imbued each strike with dense, concentrated power.
Tsk tsk tsk tsk.
As the Thousand Hand Tathagata Palm’s forms grew increasingly intricate, Bu Eunseol abandoned defense and deployed the Extreme Speed Shadowless Movement, escaping the technique’s range.
The intent was to observe Shaolin’s absolute techniques in detail while evading the assault.
Whoosh!
Yet in that moment, the hand shadows of the Thousand Hand Tathagata Palm had already multiplied to seventy-two, cutting off all retreat.
‘Excellent!’
Unable to completely evade the Thousand Hand Tathagata Palm, Bu Eunseol’s pupils dilated as light flowed from both fists.
Boom boom boom boom!
Simultaneously, my fists began adhering to Gwang Yeon’s palm strikes like iron filings drawn to a magnet.
Unable to shake off the endlessly multiplying hand shadows, I deployed the Fist Demon’s Seven Forms once more to neutralize Gwang Yeon’s technique.
Whoosh, crack!
For a time, the two exchanged moves at close range.
Yet while Bu Eunseol’s strikes grew progressively swifter, Gwang Yeon’s palm techniques began to slow.
Though the Fist Demon Seven Forms was a formidable martial art, it could not match the decades Gwang Yeon had spent perfecting the Seventy-Two Absolute Techniques.
In pure fist technique, I could not yet rival Gwang Yeon.
‘Each strike contains dozens of variations within it.’
Even amid combat, Bu Eunseol could discern and comprehend the principles of martial arts her opponent unleashed.
Yet Shaolin’s martial techniques wove subtle principles and transformations into every single move.
It was a level that even Bu Eunseol could not fully grasp in so brief a span.
With a soft whisper of sound.
Realizing she could not shatter Gwang Yeon’s palm technique in one decisive blow, Bu Eunseol drew her Silent Sword.
Flash!
As her blade technique unfurled in an instant, brilliant radiance cascaded forth, and the hand shadows dancing through the void vanished in a heartbeat.
And before long, the sharp sword point pierced toward Gwang Yeon’s throat.
“Ah!”
Gwang Yeon, startled, shifted his footwork.
His form blurred, and he repositioned himself to Bu Eunseol’s flank in an instant.
It was the marvel of the Buddha Shadow Divine Step, Shaolin’s supreme footwork technique.
Shatter!
Yet the radiance from Bu Eunseol’s Silent Sword cascaded in layers, cutting off Gwang Yeon’s escape as he deployed his footwork.
Now the situation had reversed.
“Excellent!”
Realizing he could not evade Bu Eunseol’s blade, Gwang Yeon bent his middle finger.
Simultaneously, he poured forth formidable inner power and flicked his finger repeatedly.
Boom!
In that instant, accompanied by a piercing sound like bending bamboo, sharp finger winds erupted, erasing the sword shadows one by one.
It was the Finger Flick Divine Ability, Shaolin’s signature absolute technique.
Flash!
At that moment, Bu Eunseol’s Silent Sword slashed through the void once more.
Simultaneously, strikes as heavy and swift as a great sword and thick cross-shaped blade qi poured forth like dark clouds.
She unleashed Meteor Chasing Moon and Remnant Moon Reflecting Stars in succession.
“Hah.”
Judging that the Finger Flick Divine Ability could not repel Bu Eunseol’s strikes, a solemn Buddha light illuminated Gwang Yeon’s form.
“Beware!”
With a thunderous shout, he extended his right hand forward, forming a mysterious hand seal that was neither fist nor palm.
Boom!
Simultaneously, a sharp palm force like a beast’s claw erupted, scraping away the sword strikes and piercing toward Bu Eunseol’s left and right flanks.
The Lion Muni Seal.
Shaolin’s most supreme absolute technique, one that could not even be deployed without thirty years of inner power.
‘It resembles the Fist Demon Seven Forms.’
Gwang Yeon freely manipulated his inner force to deflect the sword strike and even attempted a counterattack.
In other words, the Shaolin Sect’s revered martial techniques contained a family of methods like the Six Palms of Subduing Demons—techniques that borrowed force through inner energy. This allowed him to control the power he unleashed with absolute freedom.
Screech!
As the cascading Lion’s Roar descended, violet lightning flashed down like a bolt striking the earth.
The Unparalleled Thunder Sword—a technique of supreme swiftness—had unfurled.
Whoosh!
Having severed through his inner force, Bu Eunseol pushed her movement technique to its absolute limit, closing the distance between herself and Gwang Yeon in a single breath.
Simultaneously, her sword blade condensed with lethal intent, striking at both his crown and his lower dantian at once.
Clang!
Rather than evade, Gwang Yeon pressed his palms together, and a faint luminescence flowed from his hands.
Boom!
As he spread both hands wide like a fan, the grinding sound of metal against metal erupted, and Bu Eunseol’s body was sent flying backward three zhang.
It was the Great Vajra Palm—the most formidable and fierce technique among all Shaolin palm methods.
Thud!
Yet Bu Eunseol closed the distance once more, unleashing another torrent of sword strikes.
The two figures spun in dizzying circles, moving like spinning tops.
Bu Eunseol continuously deployed her sword techniques, but Gwang Yeon’s palm and fist methods blocked her every move.
Shaolin martial arts were as adhesive as glue and as deep as the ocean. No matter what attack was unleashed, they were gently deflected with overwhelming inner force.
So this is the pinnacle of Shaolin martial arts—the antithesis of the Demonic Path.
If Demonic Path techniques were a sharp blade, then Shaolin’s arts were like thick cloth that could gently envelop that blade.
Regardless of what technique was employed, they could neutralize it without malice and pour forth profound inner strength.
This was why my Demonic sword techniques, focused on lethal intent, were repeatedly blocked.
It seems this won’t work.
The martial skills I’ve relied upon thus far cannot overcome Gwang Yeon.
If this battle continues as it is, frustration and helplessness from having my techniques blocked again and again will seize control of my spirit.
Whooom!
In that moment, accompanied by a deep vibration, my sword strikes became gentle and flowing.
Simultaneously, the cascade of brilliant light points faded, and my dark sword began to sway like a deflated rubber vessel.
Rumble.
Gwang Yeon’s loose monk’s robes began to swell taut.
The night before a storm arrives is the most serene and tranquil. He had anticipated that I would gather all my strength to unleash a devastating technique.
Roooaarrr!
The inner energy flowing from my body transformed into a raging whirlwind that shot skyward.
Simultaneously, a faint radiance began to pour forth from my entire being.
I was about to unleash the Eighth Form of the Boundless Celestial Stream—Heavenly Resonance and Earthly Retaliation—the technique I had honed to defeat Geol Wang.

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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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