The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 263

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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 263.
Before the Holy Demon Pavilion, Ma Cheon Je stood towering upon a lofty platform.
Below him, three thousand warriors stood in solemn formation, their preparations for departure complete.
They were the Hyeol Mu Dan, who had recently returned after completing their mission in Gwan Oe.
Now, under Ma Cheon Je’s command once more, they were tasked with eliminating Heuk Ryeon—a coalition of bandit gangs that dominated the Cheong Hae region.
Their preparations for this campaign were complete.
Standing alone beneath the sun, Ma Cheon Je swept his gaze across them.
Then he spoke, his words brief and commanding.
“Annihilate Heuk Ryeon.”
—We obey!
The thunderous voices of three thousand warriors shook the heavens.
At last, war with Heuk Ryeon had begun.
* * *
In the vicinity of the Nu River, which flows between the steep mountain ranges of Cheong Hae, lies a vast plain known as Yao Jian Plain.
There stands a massive fortress, its exterior as shabby and unremarkable as the headquarters of Gae Bang itself.
Yet within, the buildings were arranged with cunning design and strategic placement, capable of withstanding large-scale assaults.
This was the stronghold of Heuk Ryeon—the bandit collective that held dominion over the Cheong Hae region.
Several li away from Yao Jian Plain, where Heuk Ryeon was established, a massive encampment began to take shape.
At last, the Hyeol Mu Dan had established their forward base for the annihilation of Heuk Ryeon.
At the heart of the Hyeol Mu Dan’s encampment.
Outside, armed warriors stood guard with solemn expressions.
Within, a table had been set up, upon which lay a detailed map of Yao Jian Plain’s terrain.
Twelve martial artists in combat attire stood arrayed around the table, while a middle-aged warrior stood before it.
At his waist hung a blood-stained sword sheath, and his eyes gleamed with the sharpness of a blade.
This was Jwa Dae Baek, the leader of the Hyeol Mu Dan.
“Hmm.”
He swept his gaze across the warriors arrayed before the table.
Ten of them were captains of the Hyeol Mu Dan. At the far end stood two young warriors of striking beauty, their faces turned toward each other.
One possessed a radiant beauty as straight and luminous as sunlight itself.
The other emanated a melancholic and decadent beauty, like moonlight.
They were Bu Eunseol and Do Cheon Rin—the successor candidates of the Demon Palace.
“The purpose of this campaign is the annihilation of Heuk Ryeon.”
Jwa Dae Baek’s gaze fixed not on the captains, but on Bu Eunseol and Do Cheon Rin.
“You likely believe this battlefield will determine who becomes the successor.”
He regarded them with a gaze that was utterly merciless.
“But the decision of succession has nothing whatsoever to do with me.”
Bu Eunseol and Do Cheon Rin were the orthodox successors of the Ten Demonic Gates and the future heirs of the Demon Palace.
Among the later generations of the Demonic Path, they possessed the most exalted status.
Yet now was wartime.
Absolute obedience to command must be maintained—and should they disobey, I possess the authority to execute them on the spot.
“Commander of Sa Yeong Dae.”
Jwa Dae Baek spoke again with a solemn voice, as if reminding her of the situation.
“Your Sa Yeong Dae may be recognized as a first-class unit, but currently it remains nothing more than a subordinate force under my command.”
“I understand.”
As Bu Eunseol replied, he withdrew his gaze and spoke in a loud voice.
“Heuk Ryeon commands thirty thousand troops. Though they originated as bandits, even the lowest-ranking soldiers have mastered martial arts to a considerable degree. In other words, they are roughly equivalent to our three thousand forces.”
Jwa Dae Baek pointed at the map again as he spoke.
“Despite our entry into Cheong Hae, they show no intention of surrendering and are openly constructing defensive lines.”
And he spoke to the cold-blooded commander beside him, Seo Baek Myeong.
“First, we must ascertain the enemy’s movements and morale. The Cold Blood Unit will immediately relocate to this area to monitor Heuk Ryeon’s activities.”
“Understood.”
Thereafter, Jwa Dae Baek issued various orders to his subordinate commanders.
And he spoke to Do Cheon Rin.
“You brought fifty masters from the Blood-Dyed Sword School?”
“Yes. The Chong Gyo Ryeong permitted me to bring a force equal in number to Sa Yeong Dae.”
The fifty-odd swordsmen Do Cheon Rin brought were the finest elites of the Blood-Dyed Sword School.
It was tantamount to bringing an entire elite unit of the Demon Palace wholesale.
Jwa Dae Baek nodded with an indifferent gaze.
“I shall additionally assign the Bloodless and Dark Enemy units under your command.”
And pointing at the map, he continued.
“When the general offensive begins, my forces will carve open the path to Yao Jian Plain. At that moment, you are to immediately penetrate Heuk Ryeon’s core.”
And Jwa Dae Baek turned his head to regard Bu Eunseol.
“Since you already command well-trained forces, you shall operate as a separate detachment.”
“A separate detachment, you say….”
“You are to undertake the mission of disrupting Heuk Ryeon’s rear.”
Jwa Dae Baek spoke in a low, solemn voice.
“Take this route to immediately cross Du Ak Mountain and move to Heuk Ryeon’s rear positions. Then repeatedly strike and withdraw from their rear, dispersing their attention.”
In that instant, my eyebrows twitched.
‘It’s not just obvious—he’s doing it completely openly.’
Heuk Ryeon was no fool.
The moment they heard rumors of the Demon Palace’s offensive beginning, they immediately constructed solid defensive lines from the Nu River to Du Ak Mountain.
To lead my troops around Du Ak Mountain and reach Heuk Ryeon’s rear from this point onward would require deploying light martial arts continuously for roughly half a month without rest.
Even if we arrived after such a forced march, we would be incapable of achieving any merit. Instead, my troops would be exhausted from fatigue.
Repeating hit-and-run tactics would only result in the annihilation of the entire force.
‘He intends to elevate Do Cheon Rin as successor no matter what.’
There was no way Jwa Dae Baek, as commander of Hyeol Mu Dan, would execute such a scheme independently.
True to the rumors circulating among the Demon Palace’s upper echelons, there was clearly some sort of transaction between Do Cheon Rin and the Ten Demonic Gates.
‘If I refuse… they will seize upon it as a pretext.’
Jwa Dae Baek is a unit commander with absolute authority over his forces.
What if I disobeyed this order?
He would undoubtedly assign me even more absurd and troublesome missions.
‘Hmm.’
Bu Eunseol did not answer immediately, instead studying the map.
As I gazed at the map for a long while, a brilliant gleam flickered across my eyes.
‘Cheong Hae….’
The moment Bu Eunseol sank into deep contemplation,
‘Hehe, naturally she’ll have no choice but to refuse.’
Jwa Dae Baek did not press for an answer, instead observing Bu Eunseol intently as she studied the map.
‘She couldn’t possibly fail to understand that this is merely bait.’
A sinister smile played across his lips.
In truth, the very notion of Sa Yeong Dae acting alone to circle Du Ak Mountain and disrupt Heuk Ryeon’s rear was an absurd mission.
Jwa Dae Baek intended to use this impossible task as a pretext to diminish Bu Eunseol’s prestige, while simultaneously…
assigning her another mission that was perilous beyond measure yet would yield no merit whatsoever.
“Understood.”
Yet an unexpected answer emerged.
Bu Eunseol nodded and clasped her hands together—was she truly doing this?
“My unit shall undertake the disruption of Heuk Ryeon’s rear.”
‘What?’
Confronted with this unforeseen response, Jwa Dae Baek blinked in bewilderment.
“You’re saying you’ll disrupt Heuk Ryeon’s rear with merely fifty-odd operatives?”
“That is precisely what you commanded.”
Only then did Jwa Dae Baek regain his composure and nod.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Jwa Dae Baek, who had worn a bewildered expression moments before, suddenly blazed with intensity once more.
“You’re truly accepting this mission?”
“I am.”
Bu Eunseol went even further, adding:
“If an opportunity presents itself during the rear disruption, would it be permissible to immediately breach and assault Heuk Ryeon’s core?”
“What?”
Jwa Dae Baek furrowed his brow deeply, utterly flabbergasted.
‘Is this woman jesting with me, the unit commander?’
It was obvious that Sa Yeong Dae’s forces couldn’t even pierce the enemy’s defensive line, let alone break through their rear—they would be annihilated.
Yet she spoke of breaching their core?
A sudden thought struck Jwa Dae Baek.
‘Has she seen through my scheme?’
He had intended to use her refusal as a pretext to assign her another perilous mission.
But now he judged that Bu Eunseol, having discerned his plot, was employing a stratagem merely to preserve her life.
‘She means to escape this crisis first, then report it later.’
―Since I received such an absurd mission, naturally I could achieve no merit!
Undoubtedly, upon returning to Demon Palace, she would use this very excuse to vie once more for the position of successor.
Jwa Dae Baek’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
‘Such a thing will never come to pass.’
Ma Cheon Je was a man who would never tolerate such pitiful excuses.
Jwa Dae Baek concealed his sinister smile beneath a solemn expression and nodded gravely.
“Very well. Then depart at once.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together without hesitation and left the camp.
Do Cheon Rin watched her departure with piercing eyes before speaking to Jwa Dae Baek.
“Commander. Have the swiftest messengers from Hyeol Mu Dan shadow Bu Eunseol and Sa Yeong Dae.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Jwa Dae Baek let out a scornful laugh as he spoke.
“This is Cheong Hae. Even if she possessed the skill to soar into the heavens, there would be no way for her to strike at Heuk Ryeon from behind.”
‘He refuses to listen to reason.’
Do Cheon Rin’s eyes narrowed to slits.
Bu Eunseol had completed every mission deemed impossible until now.
There was no chance she would meekly abandon everything simply because of Jwa Dae Baek’s obstruction.
“Understood.”
Do Cheon Rin nodded without further protest, then whispered softly to Du Young, his trusted subordinate.
“Select the swiftest among the masters we brought and have them keep watch over Sa Yeong Dae.”
“Will Commander Jwa permit us to move our forces at will?”
“He is already a man under our sway. He won’t object to one operative being reassigned.”
“Understood.”
As Du Young bowed and departed, Do Cheon Rin gazed up at the distant sky.
‘This matter must not fail under any circumstances.’
Even if I myself gain no merit from it.
After all, I already command the support of the majority within the Ten Demonic Gates.
But this time, I must ensure that Bu Eunseol cannot claim credit. If she were to achieve merit equal to mine here… the position of successor would slip through my fingers forever.
‘Bu Eunseol. This time, there is nothing you can do.’
Do Cheon Rin clenched his lips tightly and spoke in a low voice.
“For the future of the Demonic Path itself… I must become the successor to the Demon Palace.”
* * *
Inside the camp where Sa Yeong Dae was stationed.
As Bu Eunseol explained the mission, the atmosphere became as somber as a funeral house.
Under normal circumstances, every member of Sa Yeong Dae would have erupted in protest.
But now they remained silent. They understood that Bu Eunseol herself bore a heavier burden than any of them.
After a long silence, Myo Cheon Woo finally stepped forward.
“Bu Eunseol.”
Normally, the operatives spoke to Bu Eunseol without formality, often interrupting her mid-sentence.
But in times of crisis, they never used casual speech.
However, Myo Cheon Woo and Yu Woon Ryong were Bu Eunseol’s former comrades, so they always spoke to her comfortably, regardless of circumstances.
“The Demon Palace is ultimately an alliance of power. In other words, to rise within it, one must necessarily have a formidable force backing them.”
With a bitter smile, he spoke to Bu Eunseol.
“But you became a first-rank commander through your own strength alone. That alone is a remarkable achievement.”
It was the warmest consolation a friend could offer.
Yet Bu Eunseol turned away as if she hadn’t heard his words.
“What did you just say?”
“Huh? Oh, no, never mind.”
Myo Cheon Woo assumed Bu Eunseol was too shocked to comprehend anything.
But that shock soon came back to haunt him.
“Everyone, prepare yourselves. We move now to strike Heuk Ryeon.”
“What?”
Myo Cheon Woo blinked rapidly.
“Bu Eunseol. Are you in your right mind?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“How can we create a rear disturbance with this many people? If we truly assault their rear, we won’t even set foot in Yao Jian Plain before being annihilated by the forces guarding Du Ak Mountain.”
“Myo Cheon Woo is right.”
Yu Woon Ryong stepped forward, unable to stay silent.
“Regardless of other locations, they will certainly fortify the passages around Du Ak Mountain where we could be cut off, and the Nu River banks where we could strike their flank.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been listening quietly, furrowed her brow.
“Who said we were heading directly to Yao Jian Plain?”
“What?”
Yu Woon Ryong’s expression twisted in confusion.
“Then where are we going?”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“Sak Geom Ridge.”
The soldiers exchanged glances with one another.
Wasn’t the area around Sak Geom Ridge where sword sects that called themselves the Qinghai Demonic Sword Sects gathered—groups that weren’t on good terms with the Demon Palace?
“You’re not planning to borrow ships from the Qinghai Demonic Sword Sects to reach Yao Jian Plain, are you?”
At Yu Woon Ryong’s question, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“That’s exactly it.”
“Impossible.”
Yu Woon Ryong shook his head firmly.
“That place is where demonic sects hostile to the Demon Palace gather. There’s even a decent chance they’ve made some kind of pact with Heuk Ryeon.”
He paused before continuing.
“And now we, the previous generation of the Demon Palace, are supposed to show up and ask to borrow their ships?”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke with utmost seriousness.
“Bu Eunseol. I know you possess abilities superior to anyone else.”
“….”
“But this operation is a pitched battle where large-scale forces converge in a specific region. It’s not something you can accomplish through individual strength alone.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
The fact that Yu Woon Ryong, who was usually taciturn, had spoken at such length—it meant he was fulfilling his duty as the commander of Sa Yeong Dae in his own way.
“Do not worry.”
Bu Eunseol’s smile carried the warmth of spring breeze.
“I have a plan for everything.”
At her words, the eyes of all the members, who had been staring blankly, suddenly gleamed with purpose.
―Who is our commander?
Unwavering trust radiated from their gazes.
Among all the missions Bu Eunseol had undertaken thus far, there had not been a single ordinary or easy one.
She had accomplished everything that had once seemed impossible.
“…Very well.”
Yu Woon Ryong nodded reluctantly.
Then Myo Cheon Woo exchanged glances with Won Se Moon and Wi Cheon Gyeong before speaking.
“Let us prepare to depart soon.”
Sak Geom Ridge.
Originally, this region bore the name Tuoermu.
However, because the Sak Geom Sect—the birthplace of the Qinghai Demonic Sword Sects—had established itself here, the area had long been called Sak Geom Ridge.
Bu Eunseol and Sa Yeong Dae departed the camp immediately and arrived at Sak Geom Ridge after a full day’s journey.
This place was home to seven demonic sword sects influenced by the Sak Geom Sect.
Though their martial prowess and influence could not compare to the Demon Palace, they had established considerable power in Qinghai and enjoyed great prosperity.
And the place Bu Eunseol led Sa Yeong Dae to upon arrival at Sak Geom Ridge.
It was the Wind Shooting Sword Gate, the most formidable among the demonic sword sects.
“What brings you here?”
Wi Sa maintained his composure despite witnessing the terrifying presence of Bu Eunseol and Sa Yeong Dae.
With disciples numbering in the thousands and generations of disciples positioned throughout key posts in the Gwan Bu and upper echelons…
Even if the Demon Palace’s vanguard arrived, his spirit would not be broken.
“I have come to see the sect master.”
“Who might you be?”
“I am Bu Eunseol from Hyeol Mu Dan.”
Apart from slaying the Four Gods Seven Kings, Bu Eunseol’s name was known only through the Donghyo Seorang Jeong Mu Dae Hoe and her clash with the Great Righteous Masters.
She had rarely revealed herself publicly in the Murim.
Moreover, with her strikingly beautiful appearance and slender frame, without titles such as “Nangya Sect’s True Successor” or “Candidate for the Demon Palace’s Heir”…
Most people could not easily recall her identity.
“Hyeol Mu Dan, you say….”
Wi Sa’s expression grew tense.
There was no martial artist in the Murim who did not know that Hyeol Mu Dan was a vanguard force dispatched from the Demon Palace to strike at Heuk Ryeon.
“Please wait a moment.”
Wi Sa entered and returned only after considerable time had passed.
“Please come in.”
Creak.
As the massive gate swung open, Bu Eunseol and the members of Sa Yeong Dae stepped inside.
The interior of the Wind Shooting Sword Gate, known as Qinghai’s First Sword Sect, was remarkably spacious.
Yet the atmosphere was oppressive beyond measure. Particularly, armed guards wielding spears were stationed at every narrow passage.
―They stand ready to strike the moment an order is given.
Tension flickered in the eyes of the Sa Yeong Dae members as they surveyed their surroundings.
If they were attacked in such a state? Even if an army many times larger than Sa Yeong Dae had entered, they would be utterly helpless to resist.
Yet Bu Eunseol walked forward with an untroubled expression, completely unperturbed.
―I cannot fathom what the leader is thinking.
The members remained tense, though they harbored no particular concern.
As long as Bu Eunseol was present, they could walk even through the depths of hell with a smile on their faces.
“This is the place.”
At that moment, Wi Sa, who had been walking ahead, carefully pointed to the palace hall bearing the nameplate “Feng Yu Pavilion.”
“You all wait here for now.”
As the members nodded in acknowledgment, Bu Eunseol stepped into the palace hall without hesitation.
Unlike the ornate exterior, the furnishings within were remarkably sparse.
Moreover, a simple and pristine forest fragrance—the kind one could only encounter in mountain valleys—drifted from somewhere within.
“Welcome.”
An elderly man tending to orchids by the window slowly turned his body.
With hair combed smoothly and dyed silver, dressed in robes of ample cut, his appearance faintly recalled the Dark King Yeop Hyo Cheon.
Yet his bearing differed greatly, so much so that to Bu Eunseol’s eyes, he seemed like nothing more than an ordinary old man.
“I hear you’ve come from the Hyeol Mu Dan dispatched by the Demon Palace.”
“I am Bu Eunseol.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together, the old man smiled gently and shook his head.
“I am Gu Yang Jung Hak.”
This elderly man was none other than the sect master of the Wind Shooting Sword Gate and the one once called the Qinghai Sword Immortal, Gu Yang Jung Hak.

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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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