The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 280

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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 280.
The Assassin Leader stood motionless, like a statue carved from stone.
Thick beads of sweat streamed down his forehead like rain, while his gaze remained fixed upon the ground.
Trembling… trembling…
He shook like a herbivore confronted by a predator.
Around his body, fragments drenched in blood and bodily fluids scattered in all directions.
These were the traces of over a hundred assassins, reduced to pulp and dispersed by the force of Bu Eunseol’s power.
‘This person… is death itself.’
The Leader’s mind conjured the martial prowess Bu Eunseol had just displayed.
She was a blazing inferno, and the hundred-odd assassins were merely thin wisps of straw.
Each time the assassins rushed at her, their lives extinguished like fleeting embers, and in that same instant, fragments of flesh and bodily fluids scattered in all directions.
Not a single one could withstand even one of her strikes.
“…Who are you?”
A sharp crack split the air!
Bu Eunseol extended her hand instead of answering.
A powerful vacuum force erupted, tearing the Assassin Leader’s garment to shreds.
A soft sound.
In that same instant, a small wooden tablet adhered to Bu Eunseol’s palm as if magnetized.
Terror flickered anew in the assassin’s eyes as he witnessed this.
‘Such martial prowess at that age.’
After witnessing the technique of that powerful vacuum force, he realized Bu Eunseol was not merely strong—she was one of the supreme masters who looked down upon the entire Murim.
“Who sent you.”
It was the voice of death itself.
The assassin trembled as he spoke.
“If I speak… will I be allowed to live?”
Bu Eunseol, her eyes gleaming with crimson light, spoke in a low voice.
“I will permit you to take your own life.”
Strange words indeed.
To say she would permit him to end himself.
Yet the Leader could dimly sense the truth.
Even if he severed his own meridians, it would be futile. Even if he bit his tongue, it would be futile.
The reflexes of masters who had reached her level surpassed those of ordinary martial artists by tenfold or more.
He instinctively understood that if he did not speak truthfully, that terrifying monster would render him neither dead nor alive.
“I was far too ambitious.”
The assassin, having abandoned all will to live, lowered his head.
And he spoke in a low voice.
“Dan Ri Muk, the Deputy Chief of Jip Beop Dang.”
The assassin, his head bowed, spoke in a low voice.
“He orchestrated this entire plan. To kill Jong Jeong Yak, the Jip Beop Dang inspector investigating him.”
“And you all.”
“Wol Young Moon. An assassin organization that has held a contract with the Murim Alliance since ancient times.”
Bu Eunseol nodded after hearing a sufficient answer.
Then she slowly turned her body.
Thud.
The Assassin Leader collapsed like a felled log. Only then did I feel safe enough to bite down on the poison capsule.
Footsteps echoed softly.
Bu Eunseol gazed at Neung Jo Woon’s face, his acupoints sealed and his body unconscious.
In his eyes, he was nothing more than a naive fool ignorant of the world’s ways, yet he possessed a certain depth of loyalty and an unwavering sense of justice.
A faint smile.
Bu Eunseol, wearing that smile, hoisted him onto her shoulder with one hand and immediately fled the Song Family Estate.
A blur of motion.
As Bu Eunseol deployed her divine technique like a raging gale and arrived back in the forest, there was Jong Jeong Yak, kneeling in prayer.
“Vice Commander Neung!”
She who had been praying spotted Bu Eunseol and Neung Jo Woon being carried in her arms, and rushed forward in alarm.
“You’re both safe! Thank the heavens.”
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol withdrew a small wooden box from her bosom and handed it over.
“This is the Ja So Dan.”
“How is this… possible?”
As Jong Jeong Yak’s eyes widened, Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“The one behind this was the Deputy Patriarch, Dan Ri Muk. He devised a plan to use the Ja So Dan as bait to kill you.”
“Dan Ri… the Deputy Patriarch orchestrated this?”
Jong Jeong Yak’s mouth fell open.
How had Bu Eunseol uncovered such information? How had she found the Ja So Dan and rescued Neung Jo Woon?
“Who exactly are you?”
It was a fundamental question of suspicion about Bu Eunseol.
What she had just accomplished was something that even a high-rank wanderer could not achieve, no matter how swift their divine technique.
‘Perhaps this is unavoidable.’
Bu Eunseol pondered for a moment.
If I did not dispel her doubts now, she would never trust me in any situation that lay ahead.
If that happened, even if I managed to enter the Murim Alliance through her, I would instead find myself constrained in my actions.
‘There’s no choice.’
Having made her decision, Bu Eunseol opened her mouth.
“I am a top-rank wanderer of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.”
“Top, top-rank wanderer?”
“That’s correct.”
Jong Jeong Yak’s mouth fell open.
Even in Jeok Cheon Mak Ji, the greatest wanderer market in Seomseong, there were fewer than ten top-rank wanderers.
Yet this unassuming man was a top-rank wanderer who received tens of thousands of taels for a single commission.
‘If she’s a top-rank wanderer, that means she’s entered the initial stages of the Transcendent Realm.’
Only now did Jong Jeong Yak begin to understand the mysterious martial prowess Bu Eunseol had displayed.
“How is it that you, a top-tier wanderer, have taken on this commission as a mid-tier wanderer?”
Her voice carried thick suspicion.
Bu Eunseol let out a deliberate sigh and shook her head.
“I received a request from Dam Yoo Yeon.”
“From Sister Dam?”
“Yes. She asked me to help you, but to keep this matter secret. She said you would feel burdened if you found out.”
Jong Jeong Yak’s eyes sparkled as if she had grasped something.
“Did Sister Dam give you separate payment?”
“She did.”
“How much…?”
“One hundred thousand nyang.”
“What did you say?”
As she looked ready to faint from shock, Bu Eunseol quickly added.
“That’s just the advance.”
In that instant, Jong Jeong Yak’s face burned as if she had been slapped.
“One hundred thousand nyang just as an advance? What about the completion fee?”
“Another one hundred thousand nyang.”
Jong Jeong Yak hung her head, eyes wide open.
Dam Yoo Yeon had readily offered two hundred thousand nyang for her sake.
“I truly had no idea….”
“Don’t worry about it. I only care about receiving payment anyway.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Jong Jeong Yak spoke with an expression of exasperation.
“Two hundred thousand nyang for something like this? It’s too much. Don’t ask Sister Dam for any more money.”
“The way you say it makes me sound like a con artist who takes money without doing anything.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“I have no idea.”
As Bu Eunseol spoke curtly, Jong Jeong Yak seemed to have made a decision.
“Fine. I’ll pay the completion fee myself. So please don’t ask Sister Dam for any more money.”
Bu Eunseol held back a smile.
“Do you have one hundred thousand nyang?”
“I don’t have it now, but once I resolve this matter….”
As she stammered, her face flushed red, and she turned away coldly.
“Please reduce it.”
“By how much?”
“T-twenty thousand nyang.”
“You’re asking me to reduce it by twenty thousand nyang?”
“N-no. Would it be possible to receive only twenty thousand nyang…?”
At her naive words, Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Bu Eunseol turned and immediately released Neung Jo Woon from the pressure point.
“Gasp!”
Neung Jo Woon awoke with a cry, his eyes darting around the room in confusion.
“What happened? Why am I here?”
“Well, about that…”
Jong Jeong Yak tended to his wounds while explaining the events that had transpired.
How she had found So Ja Myeong, and that all of this had been orchestrated by Dan Ri Muk, the vice-leader of Jip Beop Dang.
“A top-tier wanderer?”
Yet Neung Jo Woon’s shock came from an entirely unexpected quarter.
Bu Eunseol, whom he had dismissed as an arrogant and unremarkable wanderer, was actually a top-tier wanderer?
After learning this, the disdain vanished from his gaze—only to be replaced by the burning light of rivalry.
It was the misguided jealousy of a young man, secretly harboring affection for a woman, now terrified of losing her attention.
“Well, even if she is a top-tier wanderer, it doesn’t change anything…”
Though he spoke thus, Neung Jo Woon’s spirit visibly deflated upon learning of Bu Eunseol’s rank.
“After all, you’re merely a wanderer contracted to the Jip Beop Dang commander.”
“I’m aware.”
Then Jong Jeong Yak spoke.
“So, what do we do now?”
She gazed toward the distant sky and exhaled a weary sigh.
“We’ve recovered So Ja Myeong and discovered who orchestrated this, but we still lack concrete evidence of wrongdoing.”
Neung Jo Woon’s expression darkened as well.
If they returned to the Murim Alliance like this, knowing Dan Ri Muk was the culprit yet unable to arrest him—it would be nothing but a maddening frustration.
“Wait! There is a way!”
Jong Jeong Yak’s eyes suddenly gleamed as she spoke.
“Seol So heard directly from the assassins that the vice-leader orchestrated all of this, didn’t he?”
“Yes, but…?”
“We’ll request that the Council of Ten be convened.”
The Council of Ten was a gathering held to investigate suspicions of misconduct by high-ranking officials.
Should the Council be convened and the resolution pass, the Inspection Bureau would launch a rigorous investigation.
Once that happened, Dan Ri Muk would have nowhere to hide—his guilt would be exposed.
“But without evidence, how can we possibly pass the motion? We’re dealing with the vice-leader of Jip Beop Dang, a man who doesn’t let even a bird escape.”
“We don’t need absolute proof. Mere suspicion is enough to set the Inspection Bureau in motion.”
Jong Jeong Yak spoke with conviction.
“Seol So is a registered wanderer of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji. If his testimony is deemed credible, the Inspection Bureau will investigate Vice-Leader Dan Ri Muk.”
“I see your point.”
Neung Jo Woon nodded, then suddenly shook his head.
“Still, won’t it be difficult?”
“Why?”
“It’s too dangerous. If it comes to that, the vice-leader will stop at nothing to have him killed.”
“Hmm.”
Jong Jeong Yak sighed and lowered her head.
No matter how exceptional a wanderer Seol So was, the Murim Alliance harbored countless masters who transcended his abilities.
Moreover, this task lay outside the scope of their contract.
Without Bu Eunseol’s consent, she could not forcibly bring him into the Murim Alliance.
“Seol So.”
Yet she refused to abandon hope, her gaze fixed upon Bu Eunseol.
“Please help me. Only your testimony can bring this matter before the Council of Ten.”
Bu Eunseol offered no response.
In truth, what I desired was to enter the Murim Alliance naturally.
But accepting Jong Jeong Yak’s proposal too readily might invite suspicion, so I exercised caution.
An inspector from the Inspection Bureau would overlook no detail, however slight the doubt.
“Seol So.”
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, Jong Jeong Yak made her plea once more.
“A high-ranking official of the Jip Beop Dang, the Deputy Chief, is embezzling the Murim Alliance’s sacred texts and manipulating assassins. If we allow him to continue unchecked, it will bring calamity not only upon our Alliance but upon all of Murim.”
“I am a wanderer.”
“I beg your pardon?”
After a long deliberation, Bu Eunseol finally spoke.
“The affairs and circumstances of Murim hold no bearing upon me whatsoever.”
Jong Jeong Yak, momentarily at a loss for words, found her voice again.
“Did not your contract include escorting me to the Murim Alliance? Cannot this be considered an extension of that duty?”
Receiving no further response, she began to stake her own position and that of Dam Yoo Yeon.
“Dam Yoo Yeon and I are the closest of friends. I shall speak highly of you to her. And incurring a debt to the Inspection Bureau would surely benefit you as well.”
After a moment of deep contemplation, Bu Eunseol fixed Jong Jeong Yak with an unwavering gaze and spoke.
“If you wish for my aid, we must draw up a new contract.”
“A new contract?”
“Indeed. The original agreement concluded upon my entry into the Murim Alliance.”
Jong Jeong Yak could not conceal her astonishment.
“So you are demanding payment in exchange for your testimony.”
“Payment is an odd term. I seek a success fee.”
Though taken aback, she felt a measure of relief wash over her.
It was natural for a wanderer to seek compensation. Had I proclaimed justice while offering aid, that would have been truly suspicious.
‘Perhaps I worried for nothing.’
In truth, she had not fully trusted Bu Eunseol.
Her journey to Jeok Cheon Mak Ji to recruit a wanderer was public knowledge.
Those who commanded intelligence networks could easily approach her with such information.
“What sum do you require?”
“Two hundred thousand nyang.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a measured tone.
“I have quoted a modest price, given that this is an additional contract.”
“Even if I liquidate my entire fortune, I cannot raise two hundred thousand nyang.”
“That won’t do.”
Bu Eunseol turned away coldly.
But in that instant, Jong Jeong Yak’s gaze fixed upon the wooden box she had received from Bu Eunseol.
“Do you only accept compensation in currency?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m asking if you won’t accept payment in goods instead.”
And with a smile, she pointed to the wooden box containing the Ja So Dan.
“Wouldn’t half of the elixir that sold for five hundred thousand nyang at the auction be sufficient payment?”
“Commander of the Inspection Bureau.”
“It’s fine. Without him, recovering the Ja So Dan would have been impossible anyway.”
Bu Eunseol blinked in surprise.
“Are you saying the Commander of the Inspection Bureau of the Murim Alliance intends to embezzle the Ja So Dan?”
“Embezzle is such a harsh word. What I mean is that with half of this Ja So Dan, I will certainly capture the person who is festering and poisoning the Alliance.”
‘Indeed, that’s how it is.’
Bu Eunseol harbored an inward smile.
The words of Guusal Unit Commander So Ja Myeong had been correct.
Jong Jeong Yak spoke of justice, yet in truth she was consumed by the desire for advancement.
“Commander of the Inspection Bureau. No matter what, this is…”
Just as Neung Jo Woon began to dissuade her with a wave of his hand,
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol nodded readily.
“If you give me half the Ja So Dan, I will go to the Murim Alliance and testify.”
* * *
The Murim Alliance, located in Hanan Changdeok Prefecture, has a far simpler entry procedure than the Demon Palace.
One need only state their purpose and sign the visitor’s log to enter.
In fact, even practitioners of the Demonic Path or the Dark Way can enter freely if they simply sign the log.
Confidence.
No matter what ill intent someone might harbor upon entering, they could never cause harm within the Murim Alliance.
Indeed, the supreme masters who traverse Tianxia are far more numerous in the Murim Alliance than in the Demon Palace.
A true dragon’s den and tiger’s lair.
Because the greatest masters of the Orthodox Sects are stationed here, its gates can be thrown wide open to anyone.
But there is a trap here as well.
Entry is easy, but departure is exceedingly difficult. Once someone enters the Alliance, they are kept under strict surveillance to prevent them from leaving freely.
“Welcome back.”
Upon arriving at the Murim Alliance, Wi Sa recognized Jong Jeong Yak and Neung Jo Woon and clasped his hands in greeting.
But when he saw Bu Eunseol in her gray martial robes behind them, he tilted his head in confusion.
“Who is this person?”
Normally, Jong Jeong Yak would have either created a false identity for her or simply had her sign the visitor’s log and glossed over the matter.
But she spoke to Wi Sa with confidence.
“She is a witness who will provide crucial testimony at the Ten Elders’ Council that will soon convene.”
“A Council of Ten Elders?”
Wi Sa’s mouth fell open.
Did that mean a council would soon convene to punish someone of the faction leader’s rank?
“That’s right.”
Jong Jeong Yak wore a confident smile.
By spreading word beforehand, she intended to prevent Dan Ri Muk from using his power to suppress the Council of Ten Elders.
“Ah, please, come right in.”
As Wi Sa opened the door, Jong Jeong Yak, Neung Jo Woon, and Bu Eunseol stepped inside with assured confidence.
The Murim Alliance provided three categories of lodging for visitors.
General accommodations where merchants and laborers conducting business at the Murim Alliance stayed.
Guest quarters with private bedrooms, and exclusive VIP accommodations with not only private bedrooms but also attendants assigned to them.
“Use this place for the time being.”
However, the quarters Jong Jeong Yak assigned to Bu Eunseol were neither general, guest, nor VIP—they were Neung Jo Woon’s personal residence.
“Since we cannot predict what Deputy Faction Leader Dan Ri Muk might attempt, please stay with Deputy Commander Neung for now.”
Jong Jeong Yak ignored Neung Jo Woon’s expression of despair and pointed to one of the rooms in his quarters as she spoke.
“Even if a request is made now, it will take several days for the Council of Ten Elders to convene.”
‘She still doesn’t trust me.’
Of course, this decision could have been made for her own safety.
But this was the Murim Alliance, and she was the Inspection Bureau Commander.
She could not open a Council of Ten Elders based on the word of a wanderer like me, merely to appease a Deputy Faction Leader of the Inspection Bureau like Dan Ri Muk.
‘She’s likely conducting thorough background investigations over the next few days. Not just on me, but on Dan Ri Muk as well.’
Even if a Council of Ten Elders convened, punishing someone of faction leader rank was difficult, and therefore no mistakes could be made.
She was clearly determined to protect Bu Eunseol from Dan Ri Muk’s grasp while simultaneously investigating both Bu Eunseol and Dan Ri Muk more thoroughly.
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol looked at Jong Jeong Yak and nodded readily.
‘No matter how thoroughly they investigate, they’ll find nothing.’
Even if the Murim Alliance mobilized every intelligence network to conduct a meticulous investigation, there was nothing to uncover about Bu Eunseol.
The wanderer identity of Seol So had been established long ago and was absolutely genuine.
“It’s late today, so please rest comfortably.”
After Jong Jeong Yak left, Neung Jo Woon stretched his body and yawned.
“I’ll rest a bit too, so please make yourself comfortable.”
Neung Jo Woon, who had given his room to Bu Eunseol, reclined in a chair in front of the reception room used for entertaining guests.
“I can sleep here just fine.”
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol closed her eyes as she entered the room.
How much time had passed?
Around the third watch, Bu Eunseol slowly opened her eyes.
‘He’s not sleeping.’
Bu Eunseol could sense it.
Neung Jo Woon in the reception room lay sprawled as if asleep, but his consciousness was directed outward.
Bu Eunseol approached the door without a sound, slipping a finger through the narrow gap.
If she flicked her finger to strike Hyeol Do’s acupoint, the sharp crack and impact would alert him before the strike landed.
So Bu Eunseol intended to use the Serpent’s Seal to secretly strike his vital acupoint instead.
A deep hum resonated through her body.
Drawing upon my inner energy to channel the Serpent’s Seal, a thread-thin strand of vital force flowed from my fingertip.
It slithered forward. Forward still.
The vital force moved like a living creature, burrowing deep into Neung Jo Woon’s acupoint as he lay sprawled on the bed.
A dull thud echoed softly.
The moment his acupoint was struck, Neung Jo Woon began to snore.
He had already exhausted himself from the forced march, and his mental energy had been drained from maintaining surveillance over Bu Eunseol.
Now that his acupoint was sealed, he fell into deep sleep.
“Hmm.”
Before leaving, Bu Eunseol tucked a pillowcase into her robe.
Should she need to conceal her face, it would serve as a makeshift mask.
‘Let me search the nearby areas first.’
Bu Eunseol slipped out and surveyed her surroundings.
If the Murim Alliance had connections to Saixiang, there would surely be a storage room for related secret documents, or evidence of some kind.
Now I would search for them discreetly.

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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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