The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 269

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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 269.
‘There’s no need to match the rhythm of his opening moves.’
With concentration at its peak, I grasped the underlying principles of the techniques Dong Ri Jeok was deploying in a single glance.
The Black Blood Heavens was a supreme technique unfolding based on movement.
Then I would maintain stillness, waiting for the decisive moment to strike.
Pap pap pap pap!
The instant the black blood force enveloped me, a single point of light materialized in the void.
Ching!
A crystalline blade ring sang out as a powerful mass of light erupted from where I stood.
Simultaneously, that mass transformed into millions of points of light, wrapping around Dong Ri Jeok’s body.
The eighth form of the Flawless Heaven Stream—reading every attack of the enemy and driving home a perfect counterattack in a single stroke.
The Heavenly Retaliation had been unleashed.
Thud. Thud….
As the light dissipated, the darkness of the Great Hall revealed itself once more.
“Impressive.”
Before me stood Dong Ri Jeok, his hand clutching at his throat.
“Is this the martial prowess of the Demon Hall’s successor?”
Though his neck bore a crimson line from the alchemical poison that had saturated his body, Dong Ri Jeok did not perish in an instant.
He desperately grasped at his throat, clinging to life with every ounce of will.
“Had I but a little more time, this master would have grown far stronger….”
Dong Ri Jeok’s voice carried profound regret and anguish.
From a nameless bandit, he had risen to become the master of Heuk Ryeon, commanding thirty thousand soldiers.
Yet what he truly desired was martial prowess mighty enough to bring the masters of Murim to their knees.
To achieve that ambition, he had endured the agony of his organs dissolving, saturating his body with alchemical poison—yet before a master of supreme technique, he was nothing but a novice’s opening move.
Sheathe.
I returned my blade to its scabbard and spoke without emotion.
“Who is controlling Heuk Ryeon?”
In the past, the Blood Poison Valley, which had threatened the Sichuan Dang Family, had likewise achieved rapid growth within a decade, much like Heuk Ryeon.
Such a thing would be impossible without a hidden power behind it.
“Controlling? Hehehehe.”
Dong Ri Jeok released a low laugh, still gripping his throat.
“Every warrior born into this world harbors a glory they wish to achieve.”
The light in his eyes, stained a sickly gray, was gradually fading.
“…I have no regrets.”
Pshhh! Thud.
Blood poured from the severed line at his neck, and as his head separated, he breathed his last.
“….”
I gazed down at Dong Ri Jeok, still clutching at his own head.
Even though life had already fled, his hands continued their desperate motion, trying to reattach what had been severed.
I could feel, indirectly, how fiercely he had clung to existence.
Outstanding martial prowess, honor, influence….
Any warrior in the Murim would desperately desire such things.
And there exist forces that manipulate martial artists by exploiting these very desires.
“Desire has become a shackle.”
Bu Eunseol murmured softly as she gazed upon the lifeless form of Dong Ri Jeok.
Perhaps it was an irresistible temptation for any warrior. Yet I had entered the Gangho solely for revenge.
Even now, as I strove to become the successor of the Demon Hall, my gaze never wavered from that singular objective.
Creak.
Upon stepping outside the Great Hall, Myo Cheon Woo and Yu Woon Ryong were leaning against the wall, breathing heavily.
And before them lay the five clan lords of Heuk Ryeon, once called the Five Slayers of Righteousness, now cold corpses sprawled upon the ground.
“Did you…succeed?”
Myo Cheon Woo, leaning against the wall, spoke between labored breaths.
“Those madmen must have consumed something—their martial power suddenly surged. I nearly died this time.”
“I see.”
At that moment, Yu Woon Ryong spoke, looking toward Bu Eunseol.
“What of Heuk Ryeon Ju?”
“He remains inside.”
“Well done.”
“Let us depart now.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Myo Cheon Woo extended his hand as if it were only natural.
“You’ve endured much. Could you not lend me your hand?”
After staring at him for a long moment, Bu Eunseol reluctantly extended her hand.
Myo Cheon Woo then grinned and grasped her hand, grunting as he pulled himself to his feet.
….
Yu Woon Ryong, too, was staring intently at Bu Eunseol from where he leaned against the wall.
But before Bu Eunseol could approach, Myo Cheon Woo swiftly moved forward and extended his hand.
“Here. Take my hand.”
….
Yu Woon Ryong, clearly offended, swatted away Myo Cheon Woo’s hand and rose to his feet on his own.
* * *
―Clang! Clang!
Do Cheon Rin and the masters of the Blood-Dyed Sword School were desperately breaching Heuk Ryeon’s defensive lines.
And the main forces of Hyeol Mu Dan were likewise exerting every effort to pierce through the final defense spread before Heuk Sa Gung.
‘Just a bit more!’
Upon the face of Do Cheon Rin, who wielded the Blood-Dyed Sword, an urgency never before seen was etched.
This annihilation of Heuk Ryeon was a mission crafted in alliance with the sect masters of the Ten Demonic Gates to remove Bu Eunseol from the succession race.
A large-scale battle.
Only such a battle could render Bu Eunseol’s astounding martial prowess and genius-level talent utterly useless.
Do Cheon Rin had long since persuaded the Ten Demonic Gates’ masters to move Ma Cheon Je, and had even brought the lord of Hyeol Mu Dan into the fold.
Yet it had come to this?
Death itself was acceptable, but Do Cheon Rin could never tolerate this outcome.
‘This cannot continue!’
Do Cheon Rin bit his lip.
Heuk Ryeon’s defensive line, clinging with the persistence of a water ghost, showed no signs of crumbling.
Moreover, after prolonged combat against forces ten times their number, even Hyeol Mu Dan was gradually succumbing to exhaustion.
‘I have no choice but to take a gamble.’
Snap!
Do Cheon Rin drew upon his inner power at full strength and unleashed the Eogi Chung Sho technique.
As he rose into the air, hundreds of arrows erupted from the Heuk Ryeon swordsmen below.
Clatter-clatter-clatter!
Do Cheon Rin unfurled the Blood Flame Sword, deflecting every arrow in mid-air before leaping over the Heuk Ryeon forces in a single bound and charging toward the entrance of Heuk Sa Gung.
―Stop him!
As he approached Heuk Sa Gung, roughly a hundred Heuk Ryeon swordsmen surged forward to attack Do Cheon Rin.
Yet he pressed onward without regard for defense, willing to sustain whatever wounds necessary to breach the palace.
Whoosh!
In the moment he launched himself upward once more, finally approaching the entrance of Heuk Sa Gung—
Creak.
The massive doors of Heuk Sa Gung swung open of their own accord.
And dozens of figures emerged slowly, drenched in blood.
Bu Eunseol and the Sa Yeong Dae members. And the successors of the Cheong Hae Seven Sword Sects.
“Bu Eunseol!”
Do Cheon Rin’s eyes widened as he cried out softly.
If she and Sa Yeong Dae had emerged unscathed, the outcome was unmistakable, was it not?
“The Sa Yeong Dae Master has severed the head of Heuk Ryeon Ju!”
Won Se Moon channeled his inner power and shouted once more with tremendous force.
―The Sa Yeong Dae Master has severed the head of Heuk Ryeon Ju!
That resounding cry became an echo that reverberated through the surroundings of Heuk Sa Gung, spreading in all directions.
At that proclamation, every warrior on the battlefield froze, and silence fell for a moment.
―Waaaaaaah!
A roar that shook heaven and earth erupted.
For Hyeol Mu Dan to breach Heuk Sa Gung, they had no choice but to shatter Heuk Ryeon’s formidable defensive line.
Yet their defenses remained intact, and if this stalemate persisted, Hyeol Mu Dan would suffer grievous casualties.
―What a relief!
Relief shone in the eyes of the Hyeol Mu Dan members as they roared.
In truth, this annihilation of Heuk Ryeon was little more than a stratagem to redirect all credit to Do Cheon Rin.
Jwa Dae Baek, the commander and Master of Hyeol Mu Dan, should have devised tactics and strategies to crush Heuk Ryeon while minimizing casualties.
But he harbored only thoughts of channeling all merit to Do Cheon Rin.
Indeed, had he not even launched this assault recklessly, following Do Cheon Rin’s counsel and forgoing a measured offensive?
As a result, Hyeol Mu Dan found itself locked in a stubborn frontal assault against enemies outnumbering them tenfold.
Just as they forcibly breached layer upon layer of defensive lines and Hyeol Mu Dan’s exhaustion reached its peak—
Bu Eunseol rushed into Heuk Sa Gung in a single breath and severed Heuk Ryeon Ju’s neck, ending the battle.
From the perspective of the Hyeol Mu Dan members, Bu Eunseol was nothing short of a beacon of light.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Bu Eunseol nodded as she gazed at Do Cheon Rin, who had stopped before Heuk Sa Gung.
He happened to be in a posture of lowering his body and preparing to leap,
which from a distance appeared as though he were about to kneel before Bu Eunseol.
“Bu Eunseol….”
Do Cheon Rin’s expression, as he looked up at her, was contorted as if he were spitting blood.
“How did you come all the way here?”
“I came by boat.”
“By boat….”
A light of despair flowed from Do Cheon Rin’s eyes.
Bu Eunseol had deceived not only herself but also Heuk Ryeon’s attention, breaking through the Nu River’s coastal defenses.
‘Everything is finished.’
This annihilation of Heuk Ryeon was a golden opportunity created by forcibly leveraging the support of the Ten Demonic Gates’ leaders.
Yet this time, far from toppling Bu Eunseol, he had instead solidified her position as successor… Do Cheon Rin no longer had any opportunity left.
―Waaaaaah!
The successive roars of the Hyeol Mu Dan sounded to Do Cheon Rin’s ears like the howl of a demon dragging him into the abyss of hell.
Do Cheon Rin, his head bowed, finally closed both eyes slowly.
* * *
The Hyeol Mu Dan, with merely three thousand troops, annihilated Heuk Ryeon, which dominated Cheong Hae, and severed the neck of Heuk Ryeon Ju, Dong Ri Jeok.
Through this, the prestige of Demon Hall pierced the very heavens.
And at the center of it all stood Sa Yeong Dae’s leader, Bu Eunseol.
Leaving three thousand troops behind, Bu Eunseol alone led Sa Yeong Dae and in a single breath breached Heuk Sa Gung where Heuk Ryeon Ju resided.
That legendary tale grew with each retelling…
Until it eventually spread as an absurd rumor that Bu Eunseol had ridden forth alone on horseback, crushed Heuk Ryeon, and severed the Heuk Ryeon Ju’s neck.
―The successor has been decided.
By this point, all factions within Demon Hall had no choice but to acknowledge Bu Eunseol’s ascension to the position of successor.
Even the Ten Demonic Gates could not help but acknowledge it.
For all practitioners of the Demonic Path now took it as given that Bu Eunseol would become Demon Hall’s successor.
The legitimate successor of Nangya Sect and candidate for Demon Hall’s successor, Bu Eunseol.
She was receiving the support not of the Ten Demonic Gates, but of the entire Demonic Path.
Yet an unexpected matter arose in an unlikely place.
―The Main House cannot acknowledge this.
Do Mu Jeok, the leader of the Blood-Dyed Sword School, refused to acknowledge what the entire Murim recognized as fact.
And he went directly to Ma Cheon Je with such a proposal.
―Open the Blood Dragon Seven Gates.
The Blood Dragon Seven Gates.
Seven gates that the Ten Demonic Gates had once installed in Demon Hall to determine each sect’s supreme successor candidate.
Mechanisms and formation breaking, improvisation, divine techniques, weapon mastery, mental fortitude, and wisdom as well…
They created gates that could assess abilities across seven different fields, and victory would go to whoever passed through them most quickly.
―Whenever successor candidates were evenly matched, didn’t we always settle it through the Blood Dragon Seven Gates?
Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess was already widely known.
But Do Cheon Rin’s martial abilities had never been proven. And the successor to Demon Hall must be proficient not only in martial arts but in all fields.
In other words, Do Mu Jeok, called the Prodigy of All Trades, was insisting that Do Cheon Rin, who was versed in multiple disciplines, surpassed Bu Eunseol as the superior successor.
―Let the Master of Sa Yeong Dae decide.
Ma Cheon Je gave Bu Eunseol the choice.
And Bu Eunseol spoke as though it were obvious.
―I will enter the Blood Dragon Seven Gates.
At that, everyone in Demon Hall nodded in admiration.
―He is already the successor to Demon Hall!
Even the lords who had viewed him unfavorably. Even the clan leaders who had dismissed him as lacking foundation…
They felt the full weight of Bu Eunseol’s magnanimity—one who shrank from no trial or challenge.
The Blood Dragon Seven Gates had opened, yet they already sensed that Bu Eunseol would become Demon Hall’s successor.
―Begin.
Ma Cheon Je wasted no time.
The moment the discussion ended, he immediately sent Bu Eunseol and Do Cheon Rin into the Blood Dragon Seven Gates.
* * *
The Blood Dragon Seven Gates.
It was situated near Stone Mountain, connected to the Ma Jeon North Gate.
The first gate began with mechanism destruction, the second tested puzzle-solving, the third measured adaptability, the fourth assessed the excellence of movement techniques…
The fifth gate tested weapon mastery, the sixth measured spiritual fortitude, and finally the seventh gate tested wisdom.
And each gate was equipped with deadly traps that would claim one’s life if not passed.
In other words, to traverse this place required outstanding qualities and abilities across all fields—complete martial prowess, wisdom, courage, and mental fortitude.
From that perspective, the Blood Dragon Seven Gates was decidedly favorable to Do Cheon Rin.
The Prodigy of All Trades.
He had earned that epithet by displaying genius-level aptitude not only in martial arts but in scholarship and the arts—in every field.
Thud, thud.
Bu Eunseol and Do Cheon Rin stood side by side before a massive stone gate carved with the emblem of twin dragons contending for supremacy.
Creak.
As the stone gate opened, the two entered without hesitation.
From now on, whoever broke through all seven gates and emerged from the exit first would be victorious.
* * *
The epithet “Prodigy of All Trades” was far from undeserved.
Do Cheon Rin’s abilities were nothing short of genius.
He displayed exceptional aptitude not only in martial arts but in every field, and such brilliance shone brightly within the Blood Dragon Seven Gates.
No matter how difficult the obstacles before him, he solved them in a single breath and broke through each gate.
‘This time, I can win!’
Rumble.
A confident smile bloomed at the corners of Do Cheon Rin’s mouth as he entered the fourth gate.
He was the successor of the Blood-Dyed Sword School, and from the beginning, he had been groomed as the designated heir to the Demon Hall.
Not merely devoted to martial arts, but also to economics, politics, religion, and military strategy…
He had continuously cultivated the abilities necessary to become a leader capable of governing a million demonic practitioners.
‘But….’
Suddenly, the image of Bu Eunseol huddled inside the boat heading to Hell Island flashed through his mind.
‘I thought she was just some strange fellow wearing monastic robes.’
When he first saw Bu Eunseol aboard that vessel, his heart had been greatly shaken.
Certainly, she possessed no superiority over him.
Yet strangely, curiosity and fear had taken root within him.
―Become my ally.
Afterward, Do Cheon Rin had ceaselessly attempted to seduce and manipulate Bu Eunseol.
Much was not required.
Only once. If she would accept his proposal merely once, that would suffice.
―Once a human tastes sweet assistance, they cannot sever themselves from it.
Do Cheon Rin could have sworn to it.
The moment Bu Eunseol accepted his proposal, he could keep her beneath his command forever.
Yet unfortunately, Bu Eunseol had never once accepted his proposal.
And she had walked the thorny path without hesitation.
At that time, he could not comprehend such conduct, but now he understood it with absolute clarity.
That Bu Eunseol’s choice had been correct.
That the difficult and arduous path she had chosen… was the shortest route to arrive fastest.
“But I will certainly prevail.”
Do Cheon Rin clenched his fists tightly.
Now the position of heir to the Demon Hall no longer mattered. If I win this contest. If I can crush Bu Eunseol even once…
I would have no regrets even if I never became heir to the Demon Hall.
A peerless prodigy—Do Cheon Rin.
Like Seok Woo Haeng before him, he too yearned to place Bu Eunseol beneath his feet, even if only once.
Thud, thud.
As he ventured deep into the Divine Gateway,
Crash!
Suddenly, all around him was collapsing.
The Divine Gateway was the threshold of divine law. One must pass through faster than the crumbling speed—with speed like light itself.
Whoosh!
The shadow of Do Cheon Rin, wrapped in electric light across his entire body, cut swiftly through the collapsing corridor.
‘I will shatter all these trials and surpass you!’
Now Do Cheon Rin resolved to seek no easy path.
Like Bu Eunseol, he would collide with everything he possessed at full strength, seeking to shatter it completely.
Since birth, he had never exerted his full power. Bu Eunseol could never have kept pace with him.
The Second Gateway, the Sixth Gateway, and finally the Seventh Gateway….
Do Cheon Rin, exerting his full strength, finally broke through the Seventh Gateway.
Rumble.
The stone door swung open, and as I stepped outside, the exit finally came into view.
Thump, thump.
Emerging from the exit, a vast open ground stretched before me.
‘I’ve won!’
No matter how carefully I examined it, there was no trace of anyone having exited before me. I checked dozens of times just to be certain, and the result remained the same.
Do Cheon Rin stepped outside, his face radiant with elation.
“Bu Eunseol!”
Overcome with joy, Do Cheon Rin clenched both fists and shouted.
“In the end, you couldn’t surpass me!”

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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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