The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 252
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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 252.
Her translucent skin, kissed by sunlight, emanated a subtle luminescence, and the smile playing at her lips was refreshingly serene.
“Bu Eunseol.”
Upon spotting Bu Eunseol, Wi Ji Hye Sang offered a bright smile and clasped his hands together respectfully.
It was a pure smile, utterly devoid of any shadow.
‘How deceptive.’
Yet to my eyes, he resembled an ancient demon who had lived for centuries, grinning with his eyes closed.
Swallowing my true thoughts, I acknowledged him with an indifferent nod.
“What brings you here?”
“Are you returning to Sa Yeong Gak?”
“Indeed.”
“I see. I happen to be heading toward the East Gate myself.”
Though this was clearly no coincidence, Wi Ji Hye Sang spoke with shameless composure.
“Shall we travel together?”
“Very well.”
I had been eager to discern Wi Ji Hye Sang’s true intentions anyway.
For him to initiate conversation so readily was almost a blessing.
“In any case, allow me to offer my congratulations.”
Wi Ji Hye Sang flashed a brilliant smile.
“By slaying Geol Wang and completing your mission, you have solidified your position as successor beyond question.”
“I hear the Blood-Dyed Sword School has also settled all its affairs.”
“Even if you obtained the Geuk Ryeong Seon Gwal from the Blood-Dyed Sword School, that is merely retrieving something already in your own storehouse, is it not?”
Wi Ji Hye Sang, his teeth still bared in a grin, fixed his gaze upon me.
“Moreover, you have yet to complete your tasks with Geuk Sal Mil Gak and the Destruction Spear Sect….”
He spoke with evident delight.
“Should you secure the backing of the Ten Demonic Gates alone, the position of successor is yours for the taking.”
I offered no response.
Such pleasantries were merely preamble to the true matter at hand.
“I hear you endured considerable hardship during this campaign.”
As silence continued to stretch, Wi Ji Hye Sang finally broached the substantive topic.
“You pursued Gong Gong Sin Tu alone and were the first to discover his corpse, or so I’m told.”
“Mere fortune favored me.”
“Surely not. Is Gong Gong Sin Tu not a mysterious figure who has eluded the Righteous Path’s pursuit for decades?”
Wi Ji Hye Sang spoke as though he himself had accomplished such a feat, his expression brimming with pride.
“To pursue such a man without hesitation and discover him first—you must have devised a meticulously calculated plan beforehand.”
‘Still far from the true point.’
The Palace Hall where Sa Yeong Dae was stationed had come into view in the distance.
Yet Wi Ji Hye Sang continued his idle chatter without pause.
“Gong Gong Sin Tu—he was quite a fascinating individual. During my pursuit of him, I learned something intriguing….”
The smile blooming across Wi Ji Hye Sang’s face showed no sign of ceasing, nor did his endless prattle.
“I thought he was making sacrifices for the Murim. In reality, I’ve never seen any roster with the names of the moles planted within the Jeongsayang-do….”
Then he turned his head and fixed Bu Eunseol with a piercing gaze, speaking each word with deliberate precision.
“He merely spent decades as a fugitive to divert the attention of those lurking in the shadows.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression stiffened slightly.
Those were words Gong Gong Sin Tu had spoken to Bu Eunseol only as he lay dying.
‘Could this truly be something he learned by mere coincidence?’
As I fell into contemplation, Wi Ji Hye Sang suddenly pointed toward the Sa Yeong Gak.
“I’ve been talking so carelessly that we’ve already arrived.”
Then he clasped his hands together and spoke playfully.
“Well then, I shall take my leave.”
In the end, he never broached the main subject.
“Safe travels.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands, Wi Ji Hye Sang made a sound as if remembering something.
“Isn’t it curious?”
“….”
“That a figure like Gong Gong Sin Tu would go about like some third-rate assassin, embedding poisoned fangs and all.”
Stiff.
Bu Eunseol’s expression hardened like stone.
Only she herself had witnessed Gong Gong Sin Tu embedding those poisoned fangs.
Yet Wi Ji Hye Sang knew of it?
The answer had to be one of three possibilities.
Either he had coincidentally learned the information that Gong Gong Sin Tu had embedded poisoned fangs.
Or he had been hiding nearby when Bu Eunseol and Gong Gong Sin Tu encountered each other…
‘Could Wi Ji Hye Sang be the one who drove a blade through Gong Gong Sin Tu’s heart?’
As Bu Eunseol’s eyes grew serious and she opened her mouth to speak, Wi Ji Hye Sang clasped his hands together.
“Then I shall see you next time.”
His demeanor seemed to declare that no matter what questions came his way, he would never answer them.
In the end, Bu Eunseol swallowed the question that had risen to her mind.
Wi Ji Hye Sang was the successor of the Hwawoo Sword Sect.
With only the status of a candidate successor to the Demon Hall, I lacked both the authority to detain him and the power to force him to speak.
“Safe travels.”
Bu Eunseol ultimately let him depart without hindrance.
“Yes.”
Wi Ji Hye Sang turned with a friendly smile.
Bu Eunseol watched his receding figure with sharp, penetrating eyes.
Though his appearance was that of an innocent boy who knew nothing, he was in truth a more dangerous figure than Do Cheon Rin.
Perhaps Wi Ji Hye Sang was entangled in some profound conspiracy, or perhaps he was the orchestrator of that very conspiracy.
‘I can delay no longer.’
Bu Eunseol made her decision.
She would seek out the mysterious assassin collective—and Saixiang, known as the grandmaster of hidden blades.
* * *
A thick night mist hung over the River, shrouding everything in its ethereal veil.
With each stroke of the oar, the small boat glided forward, its hull whispering against the water.
Bu Eunseol stood at the bow with arms crossed, her gaze fixed upon the mist-draped landscape of Gyerim.
Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.
I intended to use the Demonic Path’s most extensive intelligence network to trace Saixiang’s movements.
Thud, thud.
Upon finally reaching the entrance of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong, I disembarked and walked inward.
Unlike the past, no mechanisms were installed at the entrance anymore.
Thanks to my assistance, Baek Hwa Nang Rang’s martial prowess had surged dramatically.
Moreover, this place was garrisoned by the formidable masters of Nangya Sect, and the great demons of Jeol Jeon Myeol Ji had taken positions as martial instructors.
Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong had thus acquired the formidable military strength befitting its status among the Ten Demonic Gates.
“Bu Soheop.”
Mi Ryeong, who oversaw the entrance, recognized my face and greeted me warmly.
“What brings you here without prior notice?”
“I have urgent matters to discuss with the Sect Leader.”
“I understand. I shall inform her at once.”
Mi Ryeong sent a disciple to guide me to the Palace Hall where Geuk Hye Ryeong resided.
Originally, that place had been a barren landscape densely covered with silver-toned stones necessary for laying formation arrays.
But now it had been transformed into a beautiful garden, complete with a small pond and a pavilion.
And before it sat a small silhouette crouched in contemplation of the flowers.
It was a young girl dressed in pale pink robes, her long hair braided into two neat plaits. It was Geuk Hye Bin.
“Oh?”
Upon spotting me, she sprang to her feet and rushed over.
“Ah!”
Geuk Hye Bin ran toward me with a delighted smile and bowed her head.
“Have you been well?”
“Ah!”
Geuk Hye Bin grasped both my hands and smiled brightly. From that smile alone, I could discern one truth.
The child who could no longer empathize with others, who merely pretended to do good—she had completely vanished.
Geuk Hye Ryeong had faithfully implemented my counsel, reducing her workload and showering her with abundant attention and affection.
Thanks to that, Geuk Hye Bin had blossomed into a healthy girl, both in body and spirit.
Rustle, rustle.
Then, accompanied by the sound of robes brushing, an elderly woman emerged leading a dozen disciples.
Her face was lined with wrinkles, yet her eyes gleamed with clarity and spiritual brilliance. She was Geuk Hye Ryeong, the Sect Leader of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.
“Sect Leader.”
I bowed deeply.
Though Geuk Hye Ryeong was a woman, she possessed far greater integrity than any bearded man.
In a short span of time, she had grasped my true nature, offered me her support, and spared no effort in providing substantial aid to Nangya Sect.
Furthermore, in the conflict with Saryeong School, she had broken her principle of non-interference in other sects’ disputes and sent disciples to aid me.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without Bu Eunseol first demonstrating her unwavering trust by risking her own life.
“It has been far too long.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong nodded, her face brightening with genuine warmth.
“I have heard much of your accomplishments all this while.”
Rather than respond with words, Bu Eunseol withdrew a small wooden box from her robes and offered it forward.
It contained the mysterious honey of the jade bee, retrieved from Wu Huang’s Secret Vault.
“What is this?”
“Honey from the jade bee. While it cannot completely restore the vocal cords, it will provide considerable aid.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong could not conceal her delight.
“Honey from the jade bee, you say….”
This legendary elixir, long vanished from the Murim, was said to restore even severely severed muscles in an instant.
Of course, it could not perfectly restore vocal cords damaged so long ago…
Yet it would allow Geuk Hye Bin to regain at least some measure of her voice.
“Thank you, thank you so much!”
Geuk Hye Ryeong, her expression overflowing with emotion, grasped Bu Eunseol’s hand.
What brought her even greater joy was that Bu Eunseol had not forgotten to care for her granddaughter, Geuk Hye Bin.
Bu Eunseol smiled serenely.
“I merely repay a fraction of the kindness that the Master of Jeongju has shown me.”
‘I have chosen my people well indeed.’
She rose with a radiant smile and led Bu Eunseol by the hand.
“We should not linger here. Come, let us go.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong did not ask why she had come.
Bu Eunseol was the highest honored guest of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong and would one day become the master who ruled the Demon Palace.
“Let us speak while we refresh ourselves.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong’s weathered face creased with a warm smile.
Jeong Geum Gak.
This was where the Masters of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong had dwelled through the generations, never once opened to outsiders.
For this place was connected to the Secret Vault where the treasures of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong lay hidden.
Yet today, the doors of Jeong Geum Gak stood wide open to receive Bu Eunseol.
However, in contrast to the ornate interior, the banquet table was arranged with modest simplicity.
Ordinarily, the finest delicacies would have been laid out, and countless disciples would have served the finest wines.
But knowing well that Bu Eunseol disliked ostentation, she had prepared only a modest gathering.
“Now then, speak freely, if you will.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong filled Bu Eunseol’s cup with wine with her own hands as she spoke.
“Whatever the matter, I shall do all within my power to aid you.”
She read the gravity in Bu Eunseol’s expression and dimly perceived the reason for her visit.
That she had come to make a difficult request.
“Saixiang….”
Bu Eunseol spoke with solemn composure.
“I wish to obtain information about that place.”
In that instant, Geuk Hye Ryeong’s leisurely expression shifted.
Within the Murim, there exist mysterious sects whose true locations remain hidden.
And such sects must never be touched. For generations to conceal one’s base—what did that mean?
It could only be because they had never tolerated those who sought to uncover their secrets.
“Are you sincere?”
“I am.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong took a sip from her cup and nodded without hesitation.
“I understand.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong did not ask.
Why Bu Eunseol pursued them, nor what great harm would befall Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong if Saixiang were touched.
If it were Bu Eunseol’s request, she would unhesitatingly execute it—even if it meant exposing the entirety of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong to danger.
Because Bu Eunseol, too, would stake everything to protect Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.
“It may be possible. Let me attempt it.”
“How long do you think it will take?”
“Secret sects like Saixiang have invested considerable effort over generations to block pursuit.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong spoke with a grave expression.
“I cannot say how long it will require.”
“I see.”
As disappointment flickered across Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Geuk Hye Ryeong smiled faintly.
“There is no need for despair. By chance, when we gather intelligence, they may inadvertently reveal their weaknesses or make mistakes.”
Then she spoke with conviction.
“Should that occur, there is a chance we may find them quickly. I shall mobilize the information network of the Demon Hall to its fullest capacity. Wait and see.”
“Thank you.”
“Is that the sole reason you sought out the Demon Hall?”
“It is.”
Through the matter of Gong Gong Sin Tu, Bu Eunseol had come to realize that the Demon Hall possessed countless eyes and ears.
Whether by messenger hawk or human courier.
Information passed through intermediaries carried great risk of exposure.
“And there is one more thing I must ask of you.”
“Speak.”
“The Seven-Finger Demon Blade…”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.
“I wish to know everything about Bu Chanyang, he who was called the First Blade of the Demonic Path.”
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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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