The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 253

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 253.
Bu Eunseol remained at Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong for some time.
She waited for information about Saixiang to arrive while thoroughly examining all the books kept in the Yocheon Pavilion.
The Yocheon Pavilion.
It was where Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong stored records of all the information they had collected.
From baseless rumors that circulated through the Murim to high-level intelligence that profoundly affected sects and factions, everything was arranged chronologically.
Along with the Murim Directory, I was meticulously reading through the records to gather information about Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang.
Whoosh.
I rapidly scanned through rumors from thirty years ago and records of the Murim’s political landscape up to the present day.
I had determined that if I examined the records from the era when Chil Ji Ma Do suddenly disappeared until now, I might find a clue.
‘This is strange.’
As I turned the pages quickly, I shook my head.
Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang, the foremost master of the Demonic Path, had never used poison or assassination techniques.
Naturally, there was no record of him having learned the Heavenly Pillar Flowing Skill.
‘Did Gong Gong Sin Tu speak nonsense before he died?’
Moreover, Chil Ji Ma Do’s skill and reputation were utterly unparalleled.
Especially during the time he roamed the Murim, there was no one capable of opposing him. He had no need to wield Saixiang’s assassination techniques.
‘There’s also a discrepancy in timing….’
The period when Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang suddenly disappeared.
And the period when my grandfather Bu Chanyang, who served as a Yeomsa in the Constabulary, appeared also had a gap of several years.
Of course, that gap could have arisen because it included a preparation period for completely transforming his identity.
‘Doesn’t the Murim have the Fengmayuse, specialists in identity transformation?’
Sects like Hao Moon or Wan Gyeong Bang, or the Twelve Earthly Branches—criminal underworld factions with close ties to the Black Gang.
Or there were sects like Sabi Moon and Blood Dragon Bang that specialized exclusively in identity laundering.
In the Murim, these sects were collectively called Fengmayuse—”places ground by wind and washed by rain.”
Tap.
I set down the book and shook my head.
In the end, I found no connection between Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang, the foremost master of the Demonic Path, and my grandfather Bu Chanyang.
‘If my current position won’t suffice, then I must climb higher.’
I clenched my fists tightly.
This was merely the beginning.
If I ascend to a higher position, if I gain a higher status… I will surely be able to find various clues.
‘I couldn’t find information about the murderer either.’
Shaking my head, I finally left the Yocheon Pavilion.
In the past, I had already tried to use the Guusal Unit’s information network to find information about the murderer who killed my grandfather.
Someone who favored using the poison of the Six Corpse Plague, who wielded both Saixiang’s assassination techniques and the Heavenly Pillar Flowing Skill, and possessed exceptional Demonic Path sword mastery.
Among the masters revealed in the current Murim, there was not a single person who matched these conditions.
‘The information I can find is far too limited.’
Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang, who was the greatest master of the blade in that era.
Ordinarily, finding the hidden activities of a famous figure is not particularly difficult.
But he vanished far too abruptly, and no trace of his whereabouts had ever surfaced since.
‘Yet… I must find him.’
Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang was the only one with any probability of leaving a trail to follow.
Bu Eunseol intended to methodically hunt down the culprit, starting with him as her focal point.
“My lord.”
As Bu Eunseol emerged from Yocheon Pavilion, a graceful woman approached her. It was Mi Ryeong, keeper of Hye Bong Gak.
“The director seeks you.”
“Understood. Where should I go?”
“To Jeong Geum Gak.”
‘Have they found something?’
Bu Eunseol’s heart quickened.
That Geuk Hye Ryeong had specifically summoned her to Jeong Geum Gak could only mean one thing—she had uncovered information about Saixiang.
* * *
Where Gae Bang gathered intelligence through merchants, inns, and informants like Jeomsoi, Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong extracted information through the underworld—brothels and gambling dens.
In essence, though the targets differed, the greatest intelligence network of Jeongsayang-do operated through remarkably similar structures.
Of course, such a system generated an overwhelming torrent of information, requiring a proper filter to refine it.
And when that filter functioned as intended…
Intelligence and traces that might take a year to uncover could be discovered in a single day.
Jeong Geum Gak, Geuk Hye Ryeong’s office.
Her expression was deeply shadowed as she sat at the table.
A soft clink.
Geuk Hye Ryeong sipped her tea and spoke in a hushed voice.
“Despite mobilizing all of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong’s intelligence resources, discovering Saixiang’s main headquarters proved impossible.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in understanding.
It was unrealistic to expect to uncover the headquarters of a mysterious sect rooted in the Murim for centuries in one swift effort.
“However, fortunately, we managed to locate a place closely connected to Saixiang.”
“Where is that?”
“Seonggacheoljang in Jeol Gang Yong Cheon.”
“Seonggacheoljang…”
Bu Eunseol’s expression grew puzzled.
Yong Cheon, renowned for producing high-quality iron, housed numerous blacksmith shops.
Yet she had never heard of a place called Seonggacheoljang.
“A small blacksmith shop built near Okryusan Mountain. It has produced agricultural tools for generations.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong’s voice remained very low.
“Though it claims to manufacture agricultural implements, it has been acquiring tin and brass in massive quantities.”
“Tin and brass…”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with sudden understanding.
“They’re manufacturing springs for concealed mechanisms.”
“Precisely.”
The springs used in concealed mechanisms are typically made by mixing tin and brass.
A blacksmith shop that forges agricultural tools would never acquire such items in bulk.
“The intelligence operatives who were investigating Seonggacheoljang vanished without a trace. That alone suggests a connection to Saixiang.”
She exhaled deeply and spoke.
“Go to Seonggacheoljang. You’ll surely find information about Saixiang there.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re leaving immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Be careful.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong spoke in a low voice.
“Saixiang is an assassination sect that has remained hidden from the Murim for generations. Its roots run deeper than imagination.”
Her eyes were filled with concern.
Bu Eunseol possessed both exceptional intellect and martial prowess, yet she sometimes undertook reckless ventures and harbored no fear.
While such fearlessness was a common trait among the exceptional, confronting a mysterious sect like Saixiang demanded extreme caution.
“Please take care of yourself as well.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together.
Without delay, she departed Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.
‘I must hurry.’
If Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong’s operatives had vanished, they would surely realize their own movements had been exposed.
I had to arrive swiftly before they erased all traces and escaped.
* * *
Upon leaving Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong, Bu Eunseol immediately unleashed her full speed, deploying her lightness technique.
Having reached the perfect mastery of the fifth stage of the Reverse Extreme Heart Method, Bu Eunseol could maintain this pace for four days and nights without exhaustion.
Three days had already passed, yet I continued without a single sip of water, pouring all my strength into my movement technique as I headed toward Jeol Gang Yong Cheon.
Whoosh!
My extreme speed shadowless movement, unrestricted by the sound barrier, cut through the earth like a meteor.
Yet the weather was strange.
As I drew closer to Jeol Gang Yong Cheon, the clear sky darkened and heavy clouds began to gather.
As if foreboding something ominous.
Finally, as my form entered a small village nestled deep in the mountains beneath Jeol Gang Yong Cheon,
“…!”
A sharp gleam flashed across my eyes.
In the distance, gray smoke billowed upward in thick plumes.
Thud.
Landing on the ground, my brow furrowed.
‘No.’
The small mountain village was already engulfed in flames.
And the blacksmith shop at its edge was also burning fiercely.
It seemed that Saixiang, realizing they had been discovered, had set the entire village and blacksmith shop ablaze.
Rumble.
The warehouse of the blacksmith shop, which had maintained its form until the very end, was now collapsing.
Based on the state of things, it was clear that less than half a day had passed since the Village and Blacksmith Shop were set ablaze.
‘A mere assassin sect operating an intelligence network rivaling the Ten Demonic Gates?’
The moment Bu Eunseol obtained this intelligence, she deployed her full speed and arrived at this place in just three days.
Yet they could sever their trail so quickly?
Wasn’t that proof that Saixiang’s intelligence network was comparable to Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong’s?
‘I can pursue them now.’
To reduce the Village to ruins and set it ablaze in such a short span of time would have required a vast number of masters.
If I act now, I can surely catch those fleeing from this region.
“….”
Bu Eunseol, about to swiftly deploy her movement technique, suddenly halted.
She had spotted shadowy figures—like ghosts—materializing between the flames of fire that engulfed the Village’s surroundings.
“Thorough, aren’t they.”
Bu Eunseol let out an exclamation.
Those who set the fires had stationed assassins here to deal with Bu Eunseol, who would arrive shortly.
“How convenient.”
Bu Eunseol instead wore a pleased smile.
Even if these weren’t Saixiang’s assassins, it mattered little. There would certainly be those who hired them.
If I captured and interrogated them, I could definitely trace back to their employers.
Swish, swish, swish.
Finally, all the assassins revealed themselves—nearly two hundred in total.
Given the bulging around their shoulders and arms, it appeared they wore various concealed weapon mechanisms beneath their assassin garb.
‘They weren’t hired contractors—Saixiang sent their own assassins.’
Crash!
The two hundred assassins attacked Bu Eunseol without hesitation.
Yet their method was somewhat unusual.
They maintained a considerable distance from Bu Eunseol while unleashing projectiles—weren’t they?
Pap, pap, pap, pap!
The blue sky darkened completely.
The projectiles they unleashed were extraordinarily unique, rarely seen in the Murim.
Not only their shape but the manner of their discharge differed markedly from ordinary concealed weapon mechanisms.
‘These are definitely Saixiang’s assassins.’
Their mechanisms operated not only with springs but also with gunpowder,
and some used small bows fixed to the forearms with drawn strings, or carried large quantities of projectile tubes mounted on the back or shoulders, firing in rapid succession.
Bang, bang, bang!
With no space to evade, Bu Eunseol deployed the Returning Wheel technique, deflecting the projectiles back.
Whoosh!
Yet among the barrage, some projectiles burst into flames or scattered toxic powder upon impact.
Boom!
In that moment, one projectile grazed her sword and exploded near Bu Eunseol’s body, scattering fragments.
Rumble, rumble.
A massive crater formed where Bu Eunseol had been standing.
Had she not swiftly escaped the blast radius, the damage would have been catastrophic.
‘So these are Saixiang’s hidden weapons.’
Within the Murim, there existed martial clans that primarily wielded firearms and explosive projectiles.
Yet their numbers were virtually nonexistent—only the Byeokryeokdang, renowned for their lightning bombs, and the Geukryeolmun, who employed heaven-shattering explosive spheres, came to mind.
But for Saixiang to freely manufacture both firearms and explosive projectiles?
Boom!
In that instant, a torrent of hidden weapons engulfed the space around Bu Eunseol in flames and fury.
Each time, the ground beneath her feet cratered with a thunderous concussion.
‘A trap that would challenge even masters of the Transcendent Realm.’
The assault unleashed by these assassins armed with hidden weapons possessed the destructive force to obliterate a modest martial sect in a single sweep.
Had I lacked the Beast Sense to perceive every projectile hurtling toward me.
Had I not mastered the Extreme Speed Shadowless Form, capable of shifting direction ninety-nine times in a single leap.
Had my inner force not surpassed forty heavenly stems, allowing me to cloak myself in a barrier of true qi like the Protective Body Tremor Technique?
I would never have survived this trap.
Crash! Boom!
The barrage of hidden weapons began to noticeably diminish.
No matter how vast their arsenal, there existed a finite limit to what they could expend.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
From within the billowing dust, a pair of keen eyes gleamed with lethal brilliance.
“Now it’s my turn.”
Muttering beneath my breath, I unleashed my movement technique at full speed and plunged into the throng of assassins.
Whoosh!
As I deployed the Extreme Speed Shadowless Form, a shadow like lightning itself wove through their ranks,
And then—
A brilliant sword light erupted.
It appeared as though a colossal beam of radiance had burst forth from the very center where the assassins clustered.
The Meteor Chasing Moon technique, brimming with tremendous inner force, had been unleashed.
Clang!
Yet something extraordinary occurred.
Ten assassins nearby simultaneously deployed their sword techniques, intercepting the Meteor Chasing Moon.
Swish!
But I had anticipated this, closing the distance further with each exchange.
The hidden weapon devices they wore were designed solely for unleashing massive barrages from afar.
At close range, their effectiveness plummeted, and worse, they risked striking their own allies—rendering them utterly useless.
Slice!
A chilling sound of severance accompanied a crimson line across an assassin’s throat.
Deploying the Thunder Unmatched Form, I severed one assassin’s neck in a single fluid motion.
Thud!
In that instant, the remaining nine assassins surged forward, encircling my position in a coordinated assault.
At a glance, it was a charge devoid of any regard for life itself.
The moment Bu Eunseol unsheathed her blade without hesitation, severing their necks in succession,
Boom!
A tremendous explosion erupted with a deafening roar.
As wind swept through and white smoke scattered in all directions, a silhouette stood resolute amid the chaos.
Crackle, crackle, crackle.
Bu Eunseol stood firm, her entire body wreathed in black vital energy that sparked like flames.
The instant the explosion occurred, she had activated Yeui Jin Gyeol to shield her body with materialized vital energy.
‘She’s using her own body as a weapon.’
Bu Eunseol’s expression, which rarely wavered even in dire circumstances, hardened.
She had not anticipated that the assassins would charge forward with explosives strapped to their bodies, heedless of their own lives.
‘They’re under the influence of drugs.’
The eyes of the assassins surrounding her were as lifeless as those of a dead fish, their whites barely visible.
Clearly, they had been injected with a special drug to suppress their emotions and control their minds.
“There’s no need for capture.”
At last, Bu Eunseol understood.
No information could be extracted from their lips.
There was only one way to obtain answers from them: slaughter them all and examine their corpses.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————