The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 28

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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 28.
In that moment, I felt the searing pain tearing through my abdomen gradually fade away.
Dan Cheong had stepped forward and was deflecting the torrential formless energy pouring down.
“That should suffice.”
Dan Cheong, who had been watching Wi Hyuk Gyun, scratched his disheveled hair.
“After all, the main hall must take at least one person anyway. Since someone has volunteered of their own accord, I have no choice but to accept.”
The formless energy Wi Hyuk Gyun unleashed was of such magnitude that even the masters gathered here could not easily overcome it.
Yet Dan Cheong’s expression was as serene as if he had merely encountered an acquaintance while taking a stroll.
“Hmm.”
Wi Hyuk Gyun, who had been staring intently at Dan Cheong, raised his eyebrows.
‘Dan Cheong…’
The Nangya Sect, with so few members and disciples constantly falling in battle, earned the reputation of a dying faction.
Yet they maintained their firm position among the Ten Demonic Gates precisely because of the extraordinary martial prowess of each individual member.
“Hmph.”
Wi Hyuk Gyun, still staring at Dan Cheong, let out a cold snort.
“If you’re taking her, then leave quickly. I fear my blade might unsheathe itself without my consent.”
“I am grateful for your understanding, Wi Hyuk Gyun.”
Dan Cheong, as though nothing had transpired, led me out of the Eternal Demon Hall with unhurried movements.
“Hmm.”
Once we had left the Eternal Demon Hall, Dan Cheong glanced at me and asked matter-of-factly.
“Are you well?”
“I am fine.”
“Endurance is not everything. From now on, if anyone asks, answer honestly.”
Then he grasped my wrist meridian.
Simultaneously, a scorching warmth coursed through my entire body, and I felt as though I were floating upon clouds.
‘He is healing my body.’
I stole a glance at Dan Cheong’s profile as he channeled his inner energy.
With his robust frame and an appearance that bore not a trace of concern—like some idle nobleman from a wealthy household.
Yet in truth, he was a supreme master capable of effortlessly deflecting the formless energy of the First Blade of the Demonic Path.
“Remarkable. There is truly no trace of martial arts training.”
Dan Cheong withdrew his hand from my wrist meridian and asked me.
“I hear you learned the Beast Path without any martial arts foundation whatsoever. Is that correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
As I nodded, a flash of pride flickered across my eyes.
Everyone who had heard that I mastered the Beast Path while on Hell Island had been astonished.
But Dan Cheong’s reaction was different.
“That is troublesome.”
“Pardon?”
“If that is the case, then the martial knowledge you have acquired thus far consists only of the foundational techniques of the main hall and the Hwawoo Sword Sect learned on Hell Island.”
Dan Cheong, looking down at me, exhaled a sigh.
“You’re going to have a hard time ahead.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Master.”
“If I were to describe the martial arts of this sect in a single phrase, it would be the synthesis of the strengths found in the countless martial disciplines scattered throughout the Murim, applied in actual combat.”
Dan Cheong, his narrow eyes fixed on the distant sky, continued speaking.
“In other words, to master the martial arts of this sect, one must diligently cultivate their skills from childhood, building their body and establishing a solid foundation.”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze, wearing an expression of bewilderment, remained completely fixed on Dan Cheong’s face.
“But since you have never properly learned martial arts until now… you will have to train several times harder than the other disciples.”
“The harder I train, the deeper what I learn will embed itself in my body compared to something learned easily.”
“Hehehehe. Let’s look forward to it then.”
Dan Cheong took a deep breath and gazed at Bu Eunseol.
“Shall we head out now?”
Dan Cheong tapped Bu Eunseol’s shoulder lightly and smiled warmly.
“To Nangya Pavilion.”
* * *
Nangya Pavilion was originally situated in the barren lands of Xinjiang.
But when the Demon Hall, known as the Demonic Path’s Murim Alliance, was established in the Changsha Region, Nangya Pavilion also expanded into the Central Plains.
Geommi Mountain.
This place, famous for its treacherous terrain, was where Nangya Pavilion, known as the most practical martial art among the Ten Demonic Gates, was located.
“We’ve arrived.”
Dan Cheong, walking across the treacherous mountain terrain as if it were flat ground, murmured.
A grand mountain lodge stood majestically at about the midpoint of the mountainside.
From a distance, it resembled Nok Rim Chong Dan, but as one drew closer, its grandeur and scale were incomparable.
‘So this is Nangya Pavilion.’
Bu Eunseol, following Dan Cheong into Nangya Pavilion, opened her eyes wide.
From the start, she had expected an atmosphere similar to the Demon Hall—quiet and solemn, with numerous palace halls erected throughout.
But upon entering, the interior unfolded like a small village rather than what she had imagined.
“This is…”
Bu Eunseol unconsciously wore an expression of surprise.
Before her eyes, people dressed in various colors passed by, showing no particular reaction upon seeing Dan Cheong.
Moreover, few carried weapons, so at first glance, it resembled the landscape of a village settlement.
“Surprised?”
As if reading Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, Dan Cheong smiled broadly.
“Unlike other sects, this pavilion maintains a self-sufficient way of life.”
Most Demonic Path sects control the territories surrounding their sects and monopolize commerce.
But Nangya Pavilion had no interest in anything other than cultivating martial arts and did not build power, so there was no source of wealth.
Consequently, most of the masters of Nangya Pavilion lived self-sufficiently, traveling between Geommi Mountain and nearby villages.
“Is it perhaps necessary to be older to enter Nangya Pavilion?”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol asked an unexpected question.
Among the people filling Nangya Pavilion, there were none her age, and even the youngest appeared to be men well past their early twenties.
“The young elites of this sect—the disciples and leaders—are currently away.”
“No, I’m referring to people my own age.”
“Well, before that… many young disciples came seeking us after hearing the legends of Nangya Sect.”
Dan Cheong cleared his throat and closed his mouth.
In short, those who remained here were survivors of Nangya Sect’s brutal training regimen.
Dan Cheong, avoiding Bu Eunseol’s gaze, continued speaking.
“Once the sect master returns before long… many will seek out our pavilion again.”
“The sect master isn’t here?”
“He is in seclusion.”
“I see.”
As Bu Eunseol nodded blankly, Dan Cheong pointed to a corner at the edge of the village.
“Yes, this place would be suitable.”
It was a modest house surrounded by a bamboo fence.
However, as if no one had lived there for a long time, part of the wooden gate was broken, and sections of the outer walls had crumbled.
“Some repairs will be necessary.”
Dan Cheong pointed to a blacksmith’s forge not far from the vacant house.
Various tools and different types of timber were stacked there.
“I hear you have such fine craftsmanship that you can carve fake rocks from wood.”
‘So he’s been watching everything from the beginning.’
Bu Eunseol finally understood.
Now it became clear—the Killing Ghosts hadn’t merely observed the Third Trial, but had been observing all the youths from the first trial to the last.
‘No wonder… they decided on the Ten Demon Experts without hesitation based solely on what the Killing Ghosts reported.’
The Ten Demon Experts tournament, despite its fierce selection process, seemed somewhat careless in how it chose the final experts.
But now it made sense. Demon Hall had been meticulously observing the trainees from start to finish.
“This is Master Wang Gyeol, the blacksmith. We call him the Iron Master.”
At that moment, Dan Cheong pointed to a muscular old man hammering iron inside the forge.
“He crafts not only weapons but all manner of tools. If you need anything for repairs, simply ask the Iron Master.”
When the man’s eyes met Bu Eunseol’s, they burned with a heat like the interior of a furnace.
“By the way, despite his appearance, the Iron Master is the kindest and most knowledgeable person in our sect. Feel free to ask him anything.”
It was impossible to tell whether this was a joke or serious.
Dan Cheong spoke matter-of-factly to Bu Eunseol.
“Then begin the repairs.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
The way he stood there suggested he wanted to witness firsthand just how skilled Bu Eunseol’s craftsmanship truly was.
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol entered the forge without hesitation and pointed to a table where tools were neatly arranged.
“May I use the tools here?”
Wang Gyeol stared at Bu Eunseol with eyes blazing like molten fire.
“Do as you wish.”
Despite his expression, his voice was gentle.
It seemed Dan Cheong’s words were no jest.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol picked up the tools and began repairing the house throughout.
Tap, tap, tap.
With each movement of her hands, the deteriorated and broken sections were meticulously restored.
Bu Eunseol possessed such skilled craftsmanship that she could fashion a coffin from wooden pieces. Before long, the crumbling cottage had been thoroughly repaired.
Whoosh. Swish.
After finishing the repairs, Bu Eunseol began digging the earth in front of the house.
Observing the pit growing progressively deeper, Dan Cheong’s eyes narrowed.
‘That wretch Sa Woo. He must have even transmitted the dharma of the Void-Breaking Mind’s Eye.’
He had discerned that Bu Eunseol had mastered the dharma method of expanding one’s senses like a wild beast.
‘So he doesn’t consider even the interior of Nangya Sect to be safe.’
A satisfied smile played across Dan Cheong’s lips.
He was thoroughly pleased by Bu Eunseol’s cautious disposition.
“Your craftsmanship is quite respectable. At that level, you’ll never go hungry anywhere.”
“But is there no initiation ceremony for Nangya Sect?”
“Initiation ceremony?”
“I mean, like bowing before the patriarch, or being taught the sect’s precepts.”
To join the Wudang Sect, one must bow at the True Martial Hall, and to enter Shaolin, one receives the precepts from the abbot.
And in most Demonic Path sects, one becomes a disciple by obtaining the sect master’s approval.
After that, it was customary to be taught the sect’s precepts or assigned duties.
“Bu Eunseol.”
But suddenly, Dan Cheong uttered something shocking.
“Unfortunately, you cannot yet be called a disciple of Nangya Sect.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened in an instant.
She had barely survived the brink of death to become one of the Ten Demon Experts and arrive at Nangya Sect, yet she was not a disciple of Nangya Sect?
“You have become one of the Ten Demon Experts, but you have not yet become a disciple of Nangya Sect.”
“Why is that?”
Dan Cheong spoke in a low voice, solemnly.
“Because there are no weak disciples among Nangya Sect’s members.”
A cryptic statement.
Looking into Dan Cheong’s eyes, Bu Eunseol could somewhat grasp the meaning of his words.
She was not yet strong.
And if she continued to grow stronger, one day she would be recognized as a disciple of Nangya Sect.
“So if I simply grow stronger, I can become a disciple of Nangya Sect without any other procedures?”
“Hehehehe. If the procedures you speak of refer to empty formalities, then you’re correct. This sect has no such thing.”
Dan Cheong spoke with an expression full of pride.
“Each and every one of my sect’s disciples can be said to be Nangya Sect itself. There is no need to force oaths or a sense of belonging.”
This time, even Bu Eunseol could not accept it.
Nangya Sect possessed a philosophy that was utterly incomprehensible for a sect.
“Stay here for a while, and you’ll come to understand. You’ll see why our sect maintains such small numbers, yet still commands a place among the Ten Demonic Gates. You’ll witness our greatness.”
“Then what should I do here going forward?”
Dan Cheong smiled softly at Bu Eunseol’s question.
“Master martial arts. Become recognized as a true disciple of Nangya Sect. Everyone here is your teacher.”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide her astonishment.
Did that mean she could learn martial arts from every master within Nangya Sect?
But as Dan Cheong watched the delight bloom across her face, he added one more thing.
“However, whether they choose to teach you is entirely their decision.”

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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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