The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 228

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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 228.
Baek Yeon nodded once more, his gaze burning with fervent intensity.
Bu Eunseol couldn’t help but clear her throat awkwardly before speaking.
“In a duel between martial artists, victory hinges on who can draw their blade faster. But in conflicts between sects, it depends on who possesses more information.”
Bu Eunseol spoke sparingly, yet once she opened her mouth, her words flowed with eloquence.
She addressed her disciples, whose eyes gleamed with eager attention, her voice carrying undeniable conviction.
“The Fengyun Corps gathers the finest members with exceptional talent, and it is the place that handles the Murim’s most crucial intelligence. And if the Fengyun Corps had not existed, I would never have stood where I am today.”
Those words, too, were grounded in truth.
A rumbling sound echoed.
Moved by Bu Eunseol’s words, the disciples rushed not toward So Jeon, but toward where Baek Yeon stood.
“Baek Yeon.”
So Jeon, watching this unfold, whispered softly with thick veins bulging across his forehead.
“Show some restraint this time. The Fengyun Corps has been poaching all the disciples worth their salt.”
Baek Yeon shook his head as the disciples crowded around him.
“It’s not my doing. The disciples chose this path themselves.”
Footsteps approached steadily.
At that moment, a solidly-built elderly man ambled toward the Martial Arts Arena.
It was Wang Gyeol, the Iron Master—one who not only managed all of Nangya Pavilion’s equipment but also provided invaluable knowledge and wisdom to the disciples.
“Iron Master, what brings you to this place?”
As So Jeon, who had been growling, blinked, Wang Gyeol smacked his lips and spoke.
“The Pavilion Master has ordered me to begin recruiting members for the Geum Sung Dae.”
“The Iron Master will be commanding the Geum Sung Dae?”
“The Pavilion Master is busy, so he entrusted this task to me.”
Wang Gyeol sighed, his expression turning bitter.
“Besides, many disciples have been entering the Blacksmith Shop lately.”
The Geum Sung Dae was a defensive unit that protected Nangya Pavilion when external forces invaded.
In other words, it was the final bastion—a corps that would establish defensive lines and repel the flood of enemies when they came.
But the young disciples showed no reaction whatsoever.
There were no sects bold enough to invade Nangya Pavilion, which was teeming with formidable masters, and besides, one had to painstakingly master martial techniques specialized solely in defense.
“We’ll accept fifty recruits on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Yet Wang Gyeol, seemingly unbothered by the lukewarm response, raised one hand and gazed at the disciples.
“Any disciples wishing to join the Geum Sung Dae, step forward.”
But the Martial Arts Arena fell into a silence as deep as death.
“Ha ha ha. Iron Master, you certainly dream big.”
So Jeon, witnessing this, laughed heartily.
“Recruiting fifty members from a hundred disciples for the Geum Sung Dae? Who would volunteer for—”
“Ah, I forgot to mention something.”
The Iron Master added, as if recalling something important.
“The disciples who volunteer for the Geum Sung Dae this time will be stationed at Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong. Until the facilities of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong are restored…”
Before he could finish,
A rumbling sound echoed across the Martial Arts Arena.
All the young disciples rushed toward the Blacksmith Shop.
“….”
So Jeon and Baek Yeon stood gaping like dogs chasing chickens, watching the scene unfold.
Several days later.
Before the main gate of Nangya Pavilion stood an eight-horse carriage drawn by a lustrous black steed.
Around it, five mounted martial masters stood in solemn formation, with roughly thirty sword-bearing warriors arrayed behind them.
The elite honor guard of the Demon Palace had assembled to escort Bu Eunseol away.
A soft rustling sound.
Bu Eunseol emerged from the main gate adorned in an ornate martial robe embroidered with twin dragons contending for supremacy.
She had donned the formal robes of a Grand Master to mark her return to the Demon Palace.
Her appearance was so solemn and noble that she seemed like a martial deity descended from the heavens themselves.
All the people of Nangya Pavilion had gathered to witness her departure.
She was the pride of Nangya Pavilion.
Not only had she created a new environment for them to focus on martial cultivation, but she had also restored the prestige of Nangya Pavilion, which had fallen to the lowest rank among the Ten Demonic Gates.
From now on, none would dare call Nangya Pavilion a fallen sect.
“The Pavilion Master said to depart as he is in the midst of cultivation.”
At Dan Cheong’s words, Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
Though he had granted permission, it was clear he was displeased about her departure to the Demon Palace.
“I shall return soon.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together, the masters of Changsin Squad and Fengyun Corps, along with Wang Gyeol and countless members of Nangya Pavilion, waved their hands.
“Go forth and do us proud!”
Bu Eunseol offered them a light bow before ascending the carriage.
With a sharp crack of the whip, the carriage departed, and the Ma Young Dae members swiftly deployed their movement techniques to maintain a strict perimeter around it.
Baek Yeon, watching the scene, exhaled a long sigh.
“She will face even greater trials ahead.”
“Indeed.”
So Jeon shook his head as he spoke.
“It seems that is her destiny.”
“Not destiny… but refusal to evade.”
Baek Yeon’s face bore a proud smile.
Bu Eunseol had endured more trials than anyone, and would face many more in the future.
Yet she would not shy away from the cascading tribulations, but would walk the thorny path with quiet resolve.
“I see. I should teach the new recruits the same way.”
So Jeon smiled as well.
“To walk their own path in silence.”
Perhaps it might feel frustrating… or one might even wonder if it were a step backward.
But when reflected upon in time, they would come to understand it was the fastest path of all.
For this exceptional prodigy’s extraordinary talent proved it.
* * *
A shocking rumor spread throughout the Murim.
One of the Ten Demon Experts of Nangya Pavilion and a candidate for succession to the Demon Hall had slain one of the Four Gods Seven Kings.
Every intelligence organization in the Murim moved to verify the truth of this rumor.
The Orthodox Sovereigns and Demonic Sovereigns.
The Three Demons and Three Sovereigns.
The supreme masters who had reached the Infinite Realm—called the pinnacle of martial arts—were produced equally by both the Demonic Path and the Orthodox Sects.
However, among the Four Gods Seven Kings, only three were masters of the Demonic Path. And only one belonged to the demonic faction, while the rest were all Orthodox Sect members.
In other words, the current Murim demonstrated that the Orthodox Sect forces and masters were flourishing, while the Demonic Path still could not keep pace.
Yet a young prodigy in their twenties had killed Geol Wang? The Orthodox Sects were on high alert.
―It was confirmed as fact that Geol Wang fell in a one-on-one duel with him.
And every intelligence organization in the Murim finally solidified Geol Wang’s defeat as established truth.
―The Grand Elder has been suffering from a grave illness for a long time!
Eventually, Gae Bang began to tarnish Bu Eunseol’s victory once more.
They spread rumors through intelligence networks that Geol Wang had suffered from a chronic illness for years and his martial power had already drastically declined.
Moreover, they even slandered her by claiming that the Ten Demon Expert of Nangya Pavilion had secretly planted helpers to achieve victory.
―What on earth is the truth?
In fact, no one had witnessed the fight between the two, so no one could uncover the truth about it.
Yet even if the rumors spread by Gae Bang were true, the fact that he had been killed by a rising master of the Demonic Path remained unchanged.
―Regardless, shouldn’t he ascend to the position of the Four Gods Seven Kings? Unless we’re to call them the Four Gods Six Kings instead?
As the people of Murim maintained continuous interest in Bu Eunseol, Gae Bang, after much deliberation, began spreading a humiliatingly absurd epithet.
―Since he is fortunate, we should call him the Fortune King!
It was a ridiculous epithet.
Yet from the perspective of the Orthodox Sect, Bu Eunseol was someone who absolutely should not ascend to the position of the Four Gods Seven Kings.
Moreover, the majority of sects outside the Demonic Path also subtly opposed elevating the young prodigy to the position of the Four Gods Seven Kings.
Eventually, the talk of the epithet faded away, but every intelligence organization in the Murim watched him with keen eyes.
The successor of Nangya Pavilion and a candidate for succession to the Demon Hall—Bu Eunseol.
He had become a tempest that shook the very foundations of the Murim.
* * *
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
An escort procession and eight-horse carriage raising clouds of dust in the distance came rushing straight toward the Demon Hall.
Whoosh.
As the massive gates slowly opened, the carriage immediately passed through and continued forward.
Upon reaching the heart of the Demon Hall, the escort and carriage came to a halt.
Creak.
Bu Eunseol, descending from the carriage, blinked at the unexpected sight.
Numerous people stood in lines surrounding the carriage.
Upon examining their faces closely, they were the high-ranking officials of the Demon Hall who had been lined up in front of the Holy Demon Pavilion in the past.
“Sa Yeong Dae Master. It has been a long time.”
“Your countenance has become even more radiant.”
They approached Bu Eunseol one by one, speaking to him in a familiar manner.
Not long ago, I was dismissed as a pathetic disciple of the Nangya Pavilion with no backing whatsoever.
Now I’ve gained the support of Jeol Cheon Myeol Ji and Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong, and the Nangya Pavilion has been reorganized to accept disciples in abundance.
Moreover, by slaying Geol Wang, I’ve become a strong candidate for succession—so now they’re shameless enough to try currying favor with me.
‘Of course they would.’
Unlike the Orthodox Sects, there’s no respect earned through virtue or righteous deeds in the Demonic Path.
The Demonic Path operates on a single principle: the strong dominate the weak through sheer power and authority.
Thump, thump.
At that moment, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man escorted by dozens of guards approached Bu Eunseol.
It was Dan Wol Hon, the Jipma Clan Master.
As he appeared, the Demon Hall officials who had gathered withdrew respectfully and bowed.
“Master Dan.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands and bowed, and Dan Wol Hon nodded in acknowledgment.
“You’ve stirred up quite the commotion recently. The entire Murim is abuzz with talk of you.”
Yet despite his words, Dan Wol Hon’s face betrayed neither interest nor curiosity.
This meeting seemed purely coincidental, not arranged through Dan Seo Ok’s request.
“However, that alone doesn’t mean the succession to the Demon Hall has been decided.”
He was the Jipma Clan Master who commanded the Demon Hall’s forces—a man of such authority that even Ma Cheon Je couldn’t treat him carelessly.
Therefore, regardless of how much my standing had risen, it meant little to him.
“I am well aware of that.”
“Hmm.”
Dan Wol Hon let out a low grunt, nodded, and walked past Bu Eunseol without further ado.
‘He must be heading to see Ma Cheon Je.’
The direction Dan Wol Hon was heading was toward the Holy Demon Pavilion.
As Bu Eunseol fell into deep contemplation,
“Bu Dae Ju. It’s been a while.”
A low, gentle voice came from behind her.
She turned to see a refined middle-aged man in scholarly robes smiling warmly. It was Baek Jeon Cheon, the Man Bak Dang Master.
“Master.”
Bu Eunseol bowed deeply.
The Man Bak Dang Master had consistently shown her favor since the days of the Ten Demon Experts.
“A high-level conference is currently being held in the Holy Demon Pavilion, bringing together the Demon Hall’s top leadership, including Ma Cheon Je.”
And as proof of this, he was providing Bu Eunseol with various pieces of information she needed.
“The matters handled by you and the other succession candidates have been quite significant, you see.”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed.
I had deliberately avoided monitoring the movements of other candidates like Do Cheon Rin.
This was partly because my desire to become the Demon Hall’s successor wasn’t particularly strong, but…
More importantly, the moment I learned of a rival’s movements, anxiety could cause me to bungle my work.
“Shall we talk while walking? Your quarters have changed anyway, so you’ll need someone to guide you.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression turned puzzled.
“Why not simply have your own subordinates do it?”
Man Bak Dang Master was always humble, yet his rank was far from low, and his hidden martial prowess was formidable.
The fact that he would personally guide Bu Eunseol to her quarters and share various stories with her was an act of profound humility on his part.
“Haha, it’s no trouble at all. I’m the most idle person in Man Bak Dang right now.”
He then extended his arm toward Bu Eunseol.
“Come, let us go together.”
Bu Eunseol and Man Bak Dang Master walked side by side toward the East Gate of the Demon Palace.
“The successor of the Blood-Dyed Sword School has succeeded in obtaining the Extreme Spirit Immortal Fruit, which bears fruit once every thousand years in the Geuk Ji.”
As they reached a quiet path where martial artists did not frequent, Man Bak Dang Master spoke in a low voice.
“And the successor of the Hwawoo Sword Sect has caught the trail of Gong Gong Sin Tu, the mysterious figure who vanished thirty years ago.”
Only then could Bu Eunseol discern what tasks Do Cheon Rin and Wi Ji Hye Sang had chosen.
‘Indeed, they selected missions that are difficult but certainly achievable.’
The Blood-Dyed Sword School had long held the Geuk Ji under its dominion.
Of course, it was said that the Extreme Spirit Immortal Fruit bloomed only once every thousand years, and without destiny, it could never be obtained…
Do Cheon Rin would certainly have known the time when the Extreme Spirit Immortal Fruit would bear its fruit. And upon reading the words inscribed on the secret letter, he would have immediately chosen it.
‘But…’
What I could not comprehend was Wi Ji Hye Sang.
He had confirmed all the tasks chosen by others, then selected the optimal mission suited to himself separately.
Yet why, of all things, did he choose the worst secret letter—finding Gong Gong Sin Tu, who had vanished thirty years ago?
‘Was he not once a target of pursuit by Jeongsayang-do?’
Bu Eunseol narrowed her eyes.
Gong Gong Sin Tu. He was said to be the only person who had ever glimpsed both the Secret Libraries of the Murim Alliance and the Demon Palace.
The problem was that the Secret Library he had entered contained a jade tablet inscribed with the names of traitors.
―I absolutely never saw such a jade tablet!
Gong Gong Sin Tu had insisted he never saw the jade tablet in the Secret Library, but there were no fools foolish enough to believe him.
He had simultaneously become the target of pursuit by Jeongsayang-do, and ultimately vanished without a trace from the Murim.
‘Yet Wi Ji Hye Sang caught Gong Gong Sin Tu’s trail?’
Bu Eunseol could not comprehend it at all.
The Hwawoo Sword Sect was the foremost orthodox sword school of the Demonic Path.
It was a place far removed from the tracking techniques used to capture those with obscure whereabouts or those in hiding.
“The tasks undertaken by the successors of Geuk Sal Mil Gak and Destruction Spear Sect are still in progress, but they do not appear to be easy.”
At that moment, Man Bak Dang Master spoke again.
“These are matters that even our sect could not easily handle. Even with the full force of the Hwawoo Sword Sect deployed, considerable time would be required.”
“What is the situation with the other successor candidates?”
The task of Yong Jeok Bi, the successor of Geuk Sal Mil Gak, was to eliminate the Twelve Earthly Branches, a problem-solving organization of the upper realm.
And Sin Do Woon Hui, the successor of Destruction Spear Sect, had been absorbed into the Demon Palace but was tasked with normalizing the sects that could not be integrated.
At first glance, it seemed simple, but in reality, these were tasks requiring vast manpower and considerable time.
“The successors of Destruction Spear Sect and Geuk Sal Mil Gak are still in progress.”
Man Bak Dang Master smiled contentedly.
“They would never have anticipated that you and the Blood-Dyed Sword School would complete the secret letter missions in such a short time.”
His expression was filled with satisfaction.
Baek Jeon Cheon had always supported Bu Eunseol. Because of this, whenever she overcame a trial, he felt a sense of pride as though he had played a part in her success.
“Could it be that Ma Cheon Je is holding this conference because of matters related to the Successor’s duties?”
“Precisely. You always strike at the heart of the matter, Lord Bu.”
Baek Jeon Cheon’s eyes grew serious as he spoke.
“The Geuk Ryeong Seon Gwa is one of the greatest treasures in the Murim, and consuming it can easily cure any severed meridian. Among the people of our Demon Palace, are there not many born with severed meridians?”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol recalled the grave expression on Dan Wol Hon’s face from moments before.
Dan Seo Ok. She too was unable to cultivate martial arts due to her triple severed meridians, and her body had always been frail, had it not?
If she could obtain the Geuk Ryeong Seon Gwa, she would not only be able to master powerful martial techniques, but could rise to the position of Chief Administrator in one swift motion.
“As you well know, Lord Bu, Gong Gong Sin Tu is said to be a man who has memorized the entire list of high-ranking spies from the Orthodox Sects embedded within our ranks.”
Baek Jeon Cheon’s eyes narrowed as he gazed toward the distant sky.
“According to rumor, the reason he was able to vanish so suddenly despite being surrounded by masters of the Orthodox Sects was due to the assistance of Baek Ri Mu Ha, one known as the First Secret of the Murim.”
‘Baek Ri Mu Ha….’
How strange.
The moment Bu Eunseol heard that name, her heart raced without reason.

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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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