The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 287

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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 287.
Several days later.
Bu Eunseol, who had been composing letters at her desk in the Office, suddenly rushed out of the Jamma Pavilion in a panic.
She had received word that Baek Yeon, the Commander of the Fengyun Corps from the Nangya Sect, had come to visit personally.
“Commander.”
As Bu Eunseol hurried out to greet him, Baek Yeon smiled broadly and offered a jest.
“So the future successor of the Demon Palace welcomes me barefoot. It seems this old Commander’s life has not been entirely in vain.”
“What brings you here without prior notice?”
“Hehehehe.”
Baek Yeon spoke with a satisfied expression.
“Though you have become the successor of the Demon Palace and dwell here now, your roots remain those of a disciple of the Bon Gak, do they not?”
It was an unexpected answer, but Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together earnestly.
“Of course.”
I had never been intoxicated by the power of the Demon Palace, nor had I ever forgotten my fundamental identity as a disciple of the Nangya Sect.
“Please, come inside first.”
Bu Eunseol personally guided Baek Yeon to the Guest Hall within the Jamma Pavilion.
Once seated, Baek Yeon took a sip of the dragon well tea that Si Bi brought out, then smiled broadly.
“You’ve accomplished great deeds this time as well. Wherever one travels in the Murim, there is nothing but talk of your exploits.”
“It was nothing of great importance.”
“Hehehehe. So you’ve begun to harbor secrets you cannot share even with this old Commander.”
“How could I dare.”
Just as Bu Eunseol was about to speak, Baek Yeon waved his hand.
“It was merely a jest. There is no need to recount such matters one by one.”
And he wore a benevolent smile.
“You are now the successor of the Demon Palace, after all. Operating an intelligence organization privately is both natural and fitting.”
Baek Yeon’s tender smile bore a striking resemblance to Yeop Hyo Cheon’s.
Yet the quality differed.
Where Yeop Hyo Cheon’s smile concealed truth, Baek Yeon’s smile reflected genuine pride in Bu Eunseol’s accomplishments.
Upon seeing that smile, a sense of ease settled within Bu Eunseol’s heart.
“But what brings you to visit without notice?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Baek Yeon finally placed the cloth bundle he had been holding upon the table.
“What is this?”
“A portrait collection.”
“A portrait collection?”
“I have gathered the finest daughters of the Demonic Path families who would be worthy of you. To accomplish this, I mobilized every resource and intelligence network of the Fengyun Corps.”
In that instant, focus drained from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Yet Baek Yeon, as if he had not noticed, spoke with a firm voice.
“No matter what else, you are a disciple of the Bon Gak. How could we allow the Demon Palace to decide your marriage?”
‘So he’s searching for a bride for me…’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed gradually.
She had grasped that all of this was Yeop Hyo Cheon’s scheme.
Three men make a tiger.
It meant that a lie, when spoken by many, becomes accepted as truth.
Yeop Hyo Cheon had clearly spread rumors that Bu Eunseol was searching for a suitable husband, intending to pressure her into a betrothal as soon as possible.
“There is no need for concern. The Lord Commander and the exceptional members of the Fengyun Corps have all pooled their efforts in selecting these candidates.”
Baek Yeon, misinterpreting Bu Eunseol’s hardened expression, spoke with confident assurance.
“Of course, the women of the Demon Palace are excellent as well. But you are a martial artist of the Nangya Sect. A refined lady from a prestigious family skilled in supporting her husband would suit you far better.”
He was eagerly drinking the broth before even considering whether the rice cakes would be offered.
Baek Yeon smiled and slowly unwrapped the cloth bundle.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
The unfolded cloth was piled high with portrait albums—easily numbering three to four hundred.
“Is this why you came personally, Lord Commander?”
“Of course. Is marriage not one of the great matters of human relations?”
Baek Yeon smiled contentedly and patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
“Lord Commander, I have no intention of establishing a family at this time.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head, but Baek Yeon quickly cut her off.
“Yes, that is precisely what I mean. There is absolutely no need to rush.”
And he slowly rose from his seat.
“You must think carefully, and think again.”
Baek Yeon, his expression utterly solemn, patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder and nodded.
“Whenever you have time, review them slowly and send word to me.”
And with that, without waiting for a response, he departed hastily.
Baek Yeon had rushed to the Demon Palace in a panic, fearing Bu Eunseol might become betrothed to a woman arranged by the Demon Palace.
“….”
Bu Eunseol’s expression felt as though she had been struck across the face.
“Rumors are truly terrifying things.”
At mere whispers of a betrothal, Baek Yeon, burdened with such demanding duties, had come to the Demon Palace in a single stride.
It was absurd, yet in another sense, understandable.
The Nangya Sect could be called her true home.
If she were to suddenly establish a family in the Demon Palace, how disappointed would the members of the Nangya Sect be?
Of course, such a thing would never happen.
“Are you there?”
At Bu Eunseol’s call, one of the members outside rushed in urgently.
“You called for me?”
“Clear all of these away at once.”
“Understood.”
Yet Bu Eunseol could not have imagined.
The truly frightening ordeal was only now beginning.
* * *
Yu Woon Ryong had become a proper strategist of the Sayoung Battle Division.
Aside from training the corps members or cultivating martial arts, I handled all manner of administrative work—finances, accounting, and the like within the Jamma Pavilion.
Consequently, my office was stacked high with books and documents of every description.
As I was thus occupied, wrestling with brush and ledgers…
Before I knew it, Myo Cheon Woo, Won Se Moon, Wi Cheon Gyeong, and Jo Nam Cheon had gathered before my desk.
These were all the corps commanders who led the Sayoung Battle Division and could be called Bu Eunseol’s closest confidants.
Each possessed a forceful personality and harbored little affection for one another, yet they were bound together by their singular devotion to Bu Eunseol.
But today that unity had shattered, and they glared at each other as though ready to kill.
“This simply won’t do.”
“What won’t do?”
“In any case, I cannot explain it, but this won’t do.”
“Commander Myo. If you’re going to speak, speak plainly.”
Myo Cheon Woo and Wi Cheon Gyeong escalated their quarrel with sharp, cutting gazes,
“Did you attach those portraits because your eye sockets felt empty?”
“And you—is your head sitting atop your shoulders only because the space above felt vacant?”
Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon were tearing into each other.
Stacked upon the table where they sat were numerous portrait albums that Baek Yeon had brought.
These were precisely the albums Bu Eunseol had ordered to be put away.
“You truly don’t understand the Palace Lord at all.”
Won Se Moon snorted derisively, pointing to the portrait album Jo Nam Cheon held.
“The Palace Lord speaks barely a word or two in a day. So how could she possibly suit a daughter of the Nam Young Se Ga, a family that lives by their tongue?”
The portrait album Jo Nam Cheon ultimately selected was that of Nam Young Dong Ri, a daughter of the Nam Young Se Ga known as the Demonic Zhuge Liang.
“Hey, you blockhead.”
Jo Nam Cheon gestured toward the portrait album Won Se Moon had presented, his expression bewildered.
“So you’d recommend a daughter of the Ak Jung Se Ga to the Palace Lord? Have you lost your mind?”
“You understand nothing. The epithet of the Ak Jung Se Ga’s daughter is ‘Crystalline Jade of Frost and Purity’—meaning not only is her face beautiful, but she possesses great compassion.”
“You fool! That epithet didn’t arise from her compassion—it was bestowed because she cultivated the Crystalline Jade Sash Technique!”
As it turned out, these men had gathered in my office to earnestly deliberate on prospective brides for Bu Eunseol.
“Ugh….”
At that moment, I, who had been attending to administrative duties at the desk, began to tremble,
“If you’re going to fight, take it outside!”
I shot to my feet and shouted.
“Why must you all huddle together in my office doing such things!”
Myo Cheon Woo and the others, who had been studying the portraits, froze like ice at my outburst.
“Well… aren’t you our Sayoung Battle Division’s strategist?”
After a moment of silence, Myo Cheon Woo’s words were met with Won Se Moon’s quick nod.
“That’s right. Among us, you’re the one whose mind works the sharpest.”
And Jo Nam Cheon added another remark.
“Besides, you have a keen grasp of our Palace Lord’s temperament.”
At that, my flushed and angry face gradually softened.
“What does that have to do with this?”
“The Lord Commander excels in martial prowess and strategy, yet he is not indifferent to women, is he?”
This time, Wi Cheon Gyeong stepped forward.
“Will not the Lord Commander’s consort become our future mistress? Should we mistakenly bring the wrong person into the fold, the consequences could easily splash back upon us.”
His words held merit.
Bu Eunseol was not a poor superior. But what if she were to encounter a truly wretched shrew?
Her subordinates would simply perish under such circumstances.
“Hmm.”
Yu Woon Ryong, who had been silent, nodded as though he had reached a decision.
“If that is the case, put away the portrait collection.”
Yu Woon Ryong exhaled deeply and spoke.
“The women in that collection have no chance anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
When Myo Cheon Woo asked, Yu Woon Ryong crossed his arms.
“The person rumored to have exchanged marriage negotiations with Bu Eunseol is Jin Seol, the Precious Flower.”
“What?”
As those gathered gasped in shock, he spoke in a low voice.
“Therefore, it would be far better to understand the character of the Precious Flower Jin than to concern ourselves with the women in this portrait collection.”
“The marriage negotiations were with the Precious Flower Jin!”
Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon, who cried out simultaneously, felt their faces darken.
These two had fallen for Jin Seol at first sight when she came to the Chu Mil Won not long ago to deliver the Lord Commander’s robe.
Though they knew she was beyond their reach, the fact that she was exchanging marriage negotiations with Bu Eunseol, whom they served with their very lives, was unbearable.
“Well, they make a fitting pair. The Lord Commander will simply have to yield.”
“Miss Jin. May you find happiness.”
As Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon spoke their hollow words,
“Hmm, if it is the Precious Flower Jin, then the matter becomes quite different.”
Myo Cheon Woo spoke, crossing his arms.
“Her beauty and bearing need not be mentioned, and as a Precious Flower, her status is excellent. She is favored by Ma Cheon Je, the Elder Council Lord, and the Chong Gyo Ryeong.”
“Her scholarship is exceptional, and she is skilled in the arts of zither, calligraphy, and painting, I have heard.”
Wi Cheon Gyeong also nodded in agreement.
“As the Lord Commander’s consort, she lacks nothing whatsoever.”
“Then is it decided that all of you favor the Precious Flower Jin?”
As the four men regarded one another with grave expressions and nodded,
“Lord Commander. It is I, Mu Gwang.”
At that moment, the voice of Mu Gwang, Yu Woon Ryong’s adjutant, came from beyond the door.
“Enter.”
As Mu Gwang stepped into the office, he was startled to see the portrait collections piled high upon the table and the assembled commanders.
“I did not realize you were in conference. My apologies.”
“Pay these fools no mind. What is the matter?”
Mu Gwang bowed his head and spoke.
“Shin Nyeo Gung has sent someone to meet with you, Lord.”
Yu Woon Ryong furrowed his brow.
“Shin Nyeo Gung? Why?”
“They say they have something to tell you, Lord.”
“Then they should send word to the Lord, not come looking for me.”
“That is… the Lord instructed me to have you handle it as you see fit and send them away.”
“Me?”
As Yu Woon Ryong’s brow deepened, Mu Gwang bowed his head.
“It is because… the Lord believes you possess a steadfast heart, and thus you would be able to refuse her request.”
“He’s asking me to refuse her request?”
Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes widened, and Mu Gwang bowed once more.
“The Young Palace Lord of Shin Nyeo Gung is currently standing at the entrance of the main hall.”
In that instant, a chill swept through the office.
A glance worth a thousand gold—Yeon So Ha.
She was one of the Three Beauties of Tianxia, renowned as a peerless beauty whose single glance was said to be worth more than gold itself.
Moreover, while Shin Nyeo Gung was nominally a sect of the neutral path, had it not walked the way of the Righteous Path for generations?
So why had the Young Palace Lord of such a sect come here?
Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes narrowed.
“She came herself?”
“Yes. She has already met privately with Chong Gyo Ryeong and is now on her way to Jamma Pavilion.”
“Could it be about the betrothal?”
Myo Cheon Woo interjected with wide eyes, and Mu Gwang shook his head.
“I do not know the exact circumstances.”
“If you dislike it, you can simply send her away. Ah, I see.”
Myo Cheon Woo struck his knee as if remembering something.
“Though Shin Nyeo Gung is called a neutral sect, it is in truth a deeply rooted faction of the Righteous Path. For such a Young Palace Lord to boldly visit the main hall… we cannot simply turn her away.”
Yu Woon Ryong sighed in agreement with Myo Cheon Woo’s words.
“Still, I cannot fathom it. Of all places, Shin Nyeo Gung.”
Yu Woon Ryong, who had been shaking his head, nodded to Mu Gwang.
“Very well. I shall go meet her myself and send her away directly.”
As Yu Woon Ryong stepped outside, Myo Cheon Woo and the others exchanged glances before hurrying out after him.
Before the main gate of Jamma Pavilion stood three women with single-bladed spears slung across their backs.
Behind them stood a woman dressed in white, her posture perfectly upright.
Though she wore a veil, her eyes were so luminous and beautiful that they could be seen clearly even from ten li away.
“Forgive my intrusion, young lady.”
Yu Woon Ryong approached the woman in white and clasped his hands respectfully.
“I am Yu Woon Ryong, strategist of the Sayoung Battle Division.”
“I am Yeon So Ha, Young Palace Lord of Shin Nyeo Gung.”
As the woman in white, Yeon So Ha, spoke, the faces of the guards nearby flushed crimson.
Her voice was so crystalline and gentle that it felt like a whisper caressing the ear.
“What brings you to this place…?”
Yu Woon Ryong, who had been cautiously observing Yeon So Ha’s surroundings, tilted his head in confusion.
If she were the Palace Lord of the Seventh Celestial Palace, she should have arrived with a guide leading the way and the grand sound of ceremonial bells announcing her passage.
Yet here she was, arriving at the Demon Palace alone with merely three guards in attendance.
“I came to see… no, to meet Bu Eunseol.”
‘Bu Eunseol?’
Yu Woon Ryong pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands respectfully and spoke.
“I apologize, but the Lord is away on business and is not at the Main House. If you were to send word in advance….”
Yu Woon Ryong could not continue.
Pearl-like tears were streaming down from the eyes of Yeon So Ha, who wore a veil.
“Palace Lord.”
As the flustered Yu Woon Ryong stammered, Yeon So Ha shook her head and wiped away her tears.
“I apologize. I have shown unseemly conduct by failing to control my emotions.”
“Please, do not say such things.”
As Yu Woon Ryong shook his head, Yeon So Ha took a deep breath.
“Please convey a message to Bu Eunseol. No, to the Lord of Muhonjung.”
And with a long, heavy sigh, she whispered:
“Will you truly abandon the marriage vow we made in the Secret Cave of our palace?”
“A marriage vow made in the Secret Cave…?”
As Yu Woon Ryong stammered, the middle-aged women carrying long spears spoke to Yeon So Ha.
“Palace Lord, let us simply return!”
“Indeed. Why give your heart to such a heartless man?”
“This was never meant to happen without the Palace Lord’s knowledge!”
Yu Woon Ryong, startled, drew in a sharp breath.
The words of these spear-bearing women aside, above all, Yeon So Ha did not appear to be lying.
‘Surely the Palace Lord of Shin Nyeo Gung would not come all this way to tell a falsehood?’
Yu Woon Ryong gathered his thoughts and asked again.
“You made a marriage vow with the Lord?”
“Yes. I waited long for him to return to Shin Nyeo Gung….”
Yeon So Ha’s eyes reddened once more. Yet as if suppressing her emotions, tears did not fall.
Watching her, Yu Woon Ryong felt his mind grow dizzy.
Bu Eunseol always maintained an indifferent demeanor, but…
Was he actually a man who possessed women and then coldly cast them aside?
‘That cannot be.’
Yu Woon Ryong shook his head.
If Bu Eunseol were such a man, he would have sown countless romantic entanglements by now.
His appearance was handsome enough to captivate any beauty.
Yet during all his time in the Demon Palace, where beautiful women abounded, had he not always regarded women as coldly as a monk of the Buddhist Order?
“Are you saying our Lord discarded the Palace Lord like a worn-out rag?”
“Was our Lord a flower-plucking rake who plucked and abandoned beautiful blossoms?”
Won Se Moon, who had been watching from behind, jumped up and rushed over to Yu Woon Ryong’s side.
“What in the world are you saying, Yu Dae Ju?”
Won Se Moon was arguably the most reckless among those in the Sayoung Battle Division.
Yu Woon Ryong immediately gestured urgently to Myo Cheon Woo behind him.
“Myo Cheon Woo. Take him and go, now!”
Yu Woon Ryong turned his head as he shouted coldly, his mouth falling open.
Myo Cheon Woo’s fists were already clenched tight, his body trembling with barely contained rage.
‘You believe it too?’
Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes grew hollow and vacant.

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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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