The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 270
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 270.
Do Cheon Rin trembled with surging exhilaration.
Especially the seventh gate—the Gate of Wisdom—was a notoriously brutal trial that trapped even the most brilliant prodigies of Tianxia for three to four days without respite.
Yet Do Cheon Rin, driven by a single obsession to surpass Bu Eunseol, had poured every ounce of his being into the challenge. He had conquered all seven gates of the Blood Dragon Seven Gates in merely half a day.
“The Blood Dragon Seven Gates is a trial that verifies one’s capabilities across every discipline.”
Do Cheon Rin drew a deep breath, his hands rising triumphantly.
“Bu Eunseol. There is no way you could ever surpass me….”
His face, raised high with both hands aloft, turned cold and rigid.
A man in grey robes was walking steadily toward him from the opposite passage. It was Bu Eunseol.
“You’ve arrived.”
Astonishingly, Bu Eunseol had already passed through the Blood Dragon Seven Gates and had been waiting for him outside.
Not a single bead of perspiration marked her brow.
Tremor.
Do Cheon Rin’s pupils quivered violently.
Are you truly not human? In this brief span of time, have you become a divine being who surpasses me—one who has studied imperial arts since childhood….
“Your words are correct.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“In terms of varied abilities, I cannot match you, who has studied many disciplines since childhood.”
“Then how….”
Do Cheon Rin asked with unfocused eyes, and Bu Eunseol replied matter-of-factly.
“I simply broke through.”
“What?”
Bu Eunseol spoke without emotion.
“Whatever gate it was, I simply broke through it.”
Do Cheon Rin let out a hollow laugh.
Now he understood—Bu Eunseol had shattered every gate of the Blood Dragon Seven Gates through sheer force alone.
“But why did you wait for me? If you had simply returned to the Demon Palace, you would have been recognized as the successor immediately.”
“Because I didn’t think you would accept defeat that way.”
Bu Eunseol slowly extended her hand.
And spoke in a low voice.
“Let us clash. Without regret.”
In that instant, Do Cheon Rin drew a deep breath.
There had been times when he believed he could surpass him through martial prowess. But now he understood that even if he committed his full strength, victory was impossible.
Yet Do Cheon Rin willingly drew the Blood Flame Sect.
“Very well.”
As he passed through the Blood Dragon Seven Gates, Do Cheon Rin had sworn many times.
Never again would he think through everything with his mind.
Even if it seemed impossible, he would face it head-on like Bu Eunseol, without evasion.
Boom!
As Do Cheon Rin drew upon his inner energy with full force, a terrifying aura erupted from his body alongside a violent wind.
A metallic ring.
As I drew the Blood Flame Sect blade, a rainbow of five-colored light bloomed across its silver-gleaming blade.
“Let me say one thing before we fight.”
“Go ahead.”
Do Cheon Rin slowly raised the Blood Flame Sect blade, swallowing his anguish as he cried out.
“Bu Eunseol… you are the successor of the Demon Hall!”
A brilliant flash!
At that very moment, a dazzling radiance erupted from the Blood Flame Sect blade.
* * *
Inside the Sa Young Gak.
The Sa Yeong Dae members moved about with flushed, animated faces.
This morning, Bu Eunseol’s succession ceremony was to take place before the Holy Demon Pavilion.
The official successor of the Demon Hall.
This was proof that she would become the next master of the Demon Hall, leading a million practitioners of the Demonic Path including the Ten Demonic Gates, and that she was the greatest prodigy of the Demonic Path.
“But where is the Lord?”
Won Se Moon, dressed in unusually clean martial robes, lingered outside Bu Eunseol’s office.
“She hasn’t been seen since this morning.”
Then Wi Cheon Gyeong, standing with arms crossed, answered.
“She went to the Holy Demon Pavilion.”
“Ah, I see. What about Myoung and Youhyung?”
Jo Nam Cheon answered that question.
“I saw them earlier when someone from the Chu Mil Won came and took them away.”
“Why the Chu Mil Won?”
“That’s beyond me.”
Light footsteps suddenly echoed.
Then beautiful women dressed in ornate martial robes walked toward the Sa Young Gak.
Following them came a cute young girl in pale pink clothing and an elderly woman with white hair, entering side by side.
“Who are they?”
Won Se Moon, picking his nose, alternated his gaze between the old woman and the girl as he asked.
“Who is this little one…?”
A sharp crack!
Jo Nam Cheon struck the back of Won Se Moon’s head with all his might.
Then, grabbing his hair, he forcibly bowed his head toward the old woman.
“My apologies. This fool’s mind is naturally defective…”
“What are you doing!”
When Won Se Moon shouted in protest, Jo Nam Cheon covered his mouth and whispered urgently.
“Shut your trap, you madman.”
Jo Nam Cheon brought his bloodshot eyes close to Won Se Moon’s face.
“How were your eyes made that you don’t recognize the Lord of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong?”
“Mu Ha Soo Yu…!”
Won Se Moon’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
Could this withered old woman truly be the Patriarch of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong, one of the Ten Demonic Gates renowned for its formidable power?
At that moment, Wi Cheon Gyeong stepped forward and clasped his hands respectfully.
“Sa Yeong Dae’s First Division Commander Wi Cheon Gyeong pays respects to the Patriarch.”
“Hmm.”
The old woman, Geuk Hye Ryeong, surveyed her surroundings.
“The successor… is not present in this place, then?”
“The Grand Master ascended Holy Demon Pavilion early this morning.”
“I see. So it is.”
As Geuk Hye Ryeong clicked her tongue with evident disappointment, Geuk Hye Bin’s expression grew melancholy.
“Grand… mother.”
Remarkably, her voice was clear and melodious.
“Bu Eunseol… older brother. I miss him…”
Yet her voice was soft, barely more than a whisper.
The jade bee’s honey that Bu Eunseol had gifted her.
That miraculous elixir had partially restored the muscles of her vocal cords.
“Do not worry. Once the ceremonies conclude, you shall see him soon enough.”
A rumbling sound echoed forth.
In that instant, martial artists clad in violet robes swept into the Sa Young Gak.
At their head strode a robust young man in azure garments, his face radiant with a brilliant smile—none other than Hyuk So Jin, the successor of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji.
“How has everyone been faring?”
“Vice Master―――!”
Those who had spent the most time with Hyuk So Jin were Won Se Moon and the First Division members, who had primarily trained in swordsmanship.
Won Se Moon and the First Division members rushed forward and embraced him.
“It has been far too long!”
“Your countenance has grown even more radiant, Vice Master!”
As not only the First Division but all the Sa Yeong Dae members gathered and surrounded Hyuk So Jin,
an elderly man with white hair combed neatly walked forward—Hyuk Gong Baek, the Master of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji.
―The Sa Yeong Dae pays respects to the Master!
Upon spotting Hyuk Gong Baek, the members thundered their salutation and bowed their heads in reverence.
An aura as imposing as Mount Tai radiated from his entire being, and his eyes bore a striking resemblance to Hyuk So Jin’s.
Hyuk Gong Baek nodded with a benevolent smile.
While at Jeol Cheon Myul Ji, he had heard detailed accounts from Hyuk So Jin of his travels through the Murim.
In particular, he was well acquainted with the deep bonds forged between Hyuk So Jin and the Sa Yeong Dae members.
“Indeed, a gathering of prodigies worthy of facing a hundred foes alone.”
Hyuk Gong Baek nodded with evident satisfaction, his gaze sweeping across the assembly.
“Yet I do not see the successor present.”
“The Grand Master ascended Holy Demon Pavilion early this morning.”
As Wi Cheon Gyeong answered with deference,
“It has been a long time, Master.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong recognized Hyuk Gong Baek and approached with a smile.
“It has been ten years since we last met at Hoeng Gang.”
“Hehe. Indeed. You seem even more vigorous than before, Jeongju.”
Originally, the two had not been on particularly good terms.
Hyuk Gong Baek disapproved of Geuk Hye Ryeong, who expanded her influence through broad networks without regard to Jeongsayang-do’s boundaries.
And Geuk Hye Ryeong cared only for the elders’ wellbeing; she did not particularly favor Hyuk Gong Baek, who was closed-minded and solitary.
However, through Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin, the two factions began to exchange with one another…
As a result, the two sects now possessed military might and influence that rivaled any faction within the Ten Demonic Gates.
Because of this, they had become the kind of allies who could not help but smile at the mere sight of each other.
“Jeongju.”
Hyuk So Jin also approached Geuk Hye Ryeong and greeted her warmly.
“I trust you have been well all this time?”
“Ah, it’s you.”
Geuk Hye Ryeong’s face brightened with genuine affection.
If Bu Eunseol had cured Geuk Hye Bin of her mental affliction,
then Hyuk So Jin was the one who diligently taught martial arts to Baek Hwa Nang Rang, thereby addressing for the first time the chronic weakness of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.
Of course, that too had been at Bu Eunseol’s command.
“Geuk Hye Bin… sees… older brother So Jin…”
When Geuk Hye Bin greeted him in a clear voice, Hyuk So Jin’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets in astonishment.
“What? You can speak now?”
“Older brother Eunseol… obtained… good medicine for me…”
As Geuk Hye Bin whispered with a shy smile, Hyuk So Jin beamed.
“That’s wonderful! I’m so glad!”
He then extended both hands, looking between Hyuk Gong Baek and Geuk Hye Ryeong.
“Would it not be better to retire inside and enjoy some conversation?”
As the deputy commander of Sa Yeong Dae, Hyuk So Jin guided them through Sa Young Gak as though it were his own home.
“It seems Brother Bu will take quite some time.”
“Indeed.”
As Hyuk Gong Baek and Geuk Hye Ryeong laughed and followed Hyuk So Jin, the disciples of the other two sects trailed behind them.
“Truly remarkable.”
Won Se Moon, watching from afar as Hyuk Gong Baek and Geuk Hye Ryeong conversed, let out an exclamation of admiration.
“Now our commander stands shoulder to shoulder with the lords of the Ten Demonic Gates.”
Bu Eunseol, who had become the successor of the Demon Hall that oversees the entire Demonic Path, now answered only to Ma Cheon Je’s commands.
In terms of rank, Bu Eunseol had effectively become another lord of the Ten Demonic Gates.
At Won Se Moon’s words, Jo Nam Cheon tilted his head in confusion.
“Then what becomes of us? Our commander is no longer a commander?”
Just as the two were whispering to each other, a beautiful woman in a blue robe entered Sa Young Gak.
She was Jin Seol, the Shang Hua who ensured all ceremonies held at the Demon Hall proceeded without hindrance.
Tap, tap, tap.
As she walked in like a butterfly, accompanied by two attendants, she gazed at Wi Cheon Gyeong standing before the door and asked.
“Are the Sa Yeong Dae squad leaders present?”
“We are, but…”
Wi Cheon Gyeong pointed to both Jo Nam Cheon and Won Se Moon.
“Follow me.”
“What is this about?”
Jin Seol offered no answer, instead turning with an enigmatic smile playing at her lips.
She was no ordinary attendant—she served formidable figures like Ma Cheon Je and Jeok Bung of the Elder Council itself…
Wi Cheon Gyeong followed her in a daze, as if entranced despite his bewilderment.
Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon had no choice but to trail behind them as well.
They arrived at none other than the interior of the Chu Mil Won.
Jin Seol issued a few commands to a disciple of the Chu Mil Won, and they promptly presented three sets of robes to Wi Cheon Gyeong and the others.
“Change into these garments.”
Sensing something amiss, Wi Cheon Gyeong questioned her.
“What is all this?”
“These are official robes of rank.”
“Official robes of rank?”
Wi Cheon Gyeong blinked as he looked between Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon, and Jin Seol’s smile deepened.
“What is happening?”
“The Sa Yeong Dae has been reorganized into the Sa Yeong Battle Division. The two of you who became vice-commanders have been granted the rank of second-tier commander. The remaining three have received reinforcements for your units and been elevated to a status equivalent to third-tier commander.”
“Third-tier commander? Us?”
“Sa Yeong Battle Division? What is that?”
Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon leaped up in astonishment and asked, while Jin Seol continued.
“Originally, a direct unit under the successor called the Jam Ma Dan was to be established. However, the Lord Commander has reorganized the Sa Yeong Dae into the Sa Yeong Battle Division and made it her own personal unit.”
“Lord Commander?”
“Ma Cheon Je has formally invested Bu Eunseol, the new successor, with the title of Martial Soul Lord Commander.”
Wi Cheon Gyeong and the others stood with their mouths agape.
The Martial Soul Lord Commander was the head of the inspection agency that monitored corruption within the Demon Hall.
With just cause, they could even oppose Ma Cheon Je’s opinions, and they held the supreme authority to mobilize entire divisions independently—was it not the most exalted position?
“Attend the enthronement ceremony in these official robes. That will be all.”
Jin Seol gazed at them standing in stunned silence, smiled, and turned to leave.
As she departed, Won Se Moon stared intently at Jo Nam Cheon.
“What? Why are you looking at me?”
Crack!
Without answering, Won Se Moon struck Jo Nam Cheon’s cheek with full force.
“You madman! Why did you hit me?”
“Does it hurt?”
“Of course it does!”
Won Se Moon then stood dumbfounded, his mouth falling open.
“This isn’t a dream?”
* * *
Following the narrow path connected to the Western Gate of the Holy Demon Pavilion, one would encounter a vegetable garden where various crops were cultivated.
At its center stood a pavilion where one could rest and admire the surrounding landscape.
A gentle breeze rustled through.
Beneath the clear sky, a refreshing wind swept past the pavilion.
Bu Eunseol stood facing Ma Cheon Je before the pavilion of this vegetable garden, just as she had before.
When they first met, he held the rank of Ten Demon Expert, not even a candidate for succession to the Demon Hall.
Yet now she faced him as the next successor destined to lead this vast Demon Hall.
“The coronation ceremony approaches soon.”
Ma Cheon Je, gazing toward the distant sky, spoke slowly.
“To become the successor of this hall means to become one who will lead a million practitioners of the Demonic Path, including the Ten Demonic Gates.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression was peculiar.
From Ma Cheon Je, she sensed neither the mysterious aura nor the resonance that pierced the soul as before.
In fact, his current demeanor exuded more “humanity” than any person she had ever encountered.
“You never desired power or fame, yet why did you strive so earnestly to become the successor of this hall?”
Bu Eunseol answered Ma Cheon Je’s question.
“Because it was necessary.”
“Necessary.”
Ma Cheon Je, pondering her answer, smiled faintly.
“That is indeed a worthy reason.”
“There are things I wish to ask you.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
And she conveyed to Ma Cheon Je a question she had harbored all along.
“Why me?”
From the moment she first met Ma Cheon Je, Bu Eunseol had known.
That he intended to elevate her to the position of successor.
That is why he had shown her the path to Jeol Cheon Myul Ji and Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong, and left the secret techniques on the second floor of the Manma Yujin Pavilion.
And with each achievement, he had systematically raised her position.
So that she would become the successor of the Demon Hall.
So that no one could deny that Bu Eunseol had become the successor of the Demon Hall.
“I must give the same answer.”
Ma Cheon Je smiled very faintly.
“For now, at least.”
―The Master too acted out of necessity.
This was how Ma Cheon Je was answering.
Yet Bu Eunseol sensed intuitively that this answer was not the truth.
And a strange thought crossed her mind.
‘Perhaps Ma Cheon Je is a more cruel demon than anyone else?’
Perhaps the attempt by Yeop Hyo Cheon to kill her during their sparring match was also Ma Cheon Je’s command?
In truth, he is an incomprehensibly wicked great demon, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts, and out of boredom…
Does he manipulate human fates without any emotion? Such a thought.
A peculiar thought, indeed.
“Still, as the successor in name, was my answer too cold?”
Had Ma Cheon Je seen through Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts?
Ma Cheon Je opened his mouth with a deep smile playing at his lips.
“Now that you’ve become the official successor… I can help resolve some of the questions you’ve been harboring.”
At those words, a tremendous upheaval stirred in Bu Eunseol’s spirit, which had maintained its composure until now.
Confusion.
Nausea churned within.
An impulse even arose to draw her blade and attack Ma Cheon Je right then.
‘Just how much does he know?’
Ma Cheon Je always carried himself as though he knew everything.
No—he surely did know.
Why she had become the successor, and what she intended to do going forward.
Her grandfather’s vengeance.
And the true identity of the force that was reaching toward her.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————