The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 288

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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 288.
Myo Cheon Woo stood alongside Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon, his entire body trembling with rage.
It was clear he too believed Yeon So Ha’s words without question.
Of course, that was hardly unreasonable.
Yeon So Ha’s eyes and voice transcended the beauty of the mortal world, and her character appeared as pure and noble as that of a saint.
Even if someone claimed that ivory sprouted from a dog’s mouth, one couldn’t help but believe it was the truth.
“Lord Yu.”
At that moment, Wi Cheon Gyeong spoke in a low voice.
“Would it not be wise if I first explained the full circumstances to the Lord Commander? I fear that if we simply let her leave as things stand, it might cast a shadow upon the Lord Commander’s reputation.”
At least Wi Cheon Gyeong, like Yu Woon Ryong, maintained an unshakeable composure.
‘A reasonable point.’
“Palace Lord. You’ve traveled far—please, have some tea while you wait.”
Yu Woon Ryong quickly composed himself and spoke to Yeon So Ha and the women standing behind her.
“I shall immediately inquire when the Lord Commander will return.”
* * *
Bu Eunseol sat in her office, continuously writing out correspondence.
The annihilation of the Ohdok School this time had sent shockwaves not only through the Demonic Path but across the entire Murim, including the Orthodox Sects.
It had become the catalyst for bringing to light the disappearances of children occurring throughout Zhong Yuan.
In response, the Murim Alliance and various Orthodox sects, as well as the Unorthodox and Evil Sects, had been contacting the Demon Hall seeking cooperation.
It was an extraordinary phenomenon arising from Bu Eunseol, an outstanding successor.
Then came the sound of knocking at the door, followed by a familiar voice.
“It’s Yu Woon Ryong.”
Bu Eunseol, absorbed in writing correspondence, spoke softly.
“Come in.”
Yu Woon Ryong entered, his complexion dark. Seeing this, Bu Eunseol let out a sigh.
She didn’t need to ask to understand the situation.
“Why couldn’t you send her away?”
“All the Lords, including Myo Cheon Woo, were in my office.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol let out a small groan.
This was something she hadn’t anticipated.
She had merely hoped Yu Woon Ryong would handle it quietly—but of all things, all her subordinate Lords had gathered together in his office?
“There’s no helping it then.”
In truth, this wasn’t something that could be avoided.
But I had no time to spare on this ‘fiancé search commotion.’
I had discovered the Ohdok School, which hidden forces had cultivated for decades, and annihilated it in one fell swoop.
There was no way they would let this pass quietly.
‘I had hoped it would simply fade away unnoticed.’
But now that Yeon So Ha had come seeking me based on rumors, I could no longer ignore it.
Moreover, I needed to discover how she had seen through my true identity.
“Understood. I’ll go.”
Bu Eunseol sighed and rose from her seat.
Hwa Hong Pavilion.
It was the name of a pavilion built within the internal gardens of Jamma Pavilion.
Following the pathways where exotic flowers bloomed, one would encounter a small arched bridge and a beautiful pond.
And before it stood Hwa Hong Pavilion, designed so that on sunny days, one could sit there sipping tea or admiring the scenery.
As Bu Eunseol arrived before Hwa Hong Pavilion, a woman in white of breathtaking beauty stood upon the small bridge spanning the pond, gazing up at the sky.
Her beauty was truly dazzling to behold.
Between her three-layered hair, which held a faint sun-kissed glow, were eyes dark as obsidian, brimming with the light of the entire world.
Below them, a proud nose; and lowering one’s gaze, between lips of pale rose, one could glimpse teeth arranged in perfect order.
Truly, she possessed the kind of beauty that every man had dreamed of in his deepest sleep.
It was Yeon So Ha.
“It has been a long time, Miss Yeon.”
As Bu Eunseol approached, she who had been gazing into the void turned her gaze toward me.
“Bu Sohyeop.”
Within her large eyes, a veil of moisture had begun to form.
Love, hatred, resentment, and longing….
With but a single glance, Yeon So Ha conveyed to Bu Eunseol everything she wished to express.
“Ah, I suppose I should address you as Palace Lord now.”
Ashamed, Bu Eunseol shifted her gaze slightly toward the pond.
In the past, when Bu Eunseol lived as a vagrant under the name Seol So, she had desperately wished to face Jeong Cheon, the Lord of Hoengkongbu.
Driven by that impatience, she had carelessly accepted the task of stealing the Treasure of the Original Source without properly gathering information.
Of course, she had barely escaped the palace by exploiting the displeasure of Yeon Ja Mi, the Palace Lord of Shin Nyeo Gung, toward her…
But she had inflicted a grave wound upon Yeon So Ha, who had opened her heart to me.
“But how did you know and find me?”
As silence continued, Bu Eunseol could not help but ask the question that had been weighing on her mind.
Only Heuk Pyo knew the true identity of the vagrant named Seol So.
If Heuk Pyo had not revealed her identity, Bu Eunseol would have to completely revise all her plans up to this point.
The fact that Shin Nyeo Gung had discovered Bu Eunseol’s hidden identity would mean that her past actions had been completely exposed by an intelligence organization.
“A vagrant named Seol So appeared once more in Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.”
Yeon So Ha spoke in a trembling voice, barely suppressing her emotions.
“Since the Palace Lord cut off contact and did not return, I had no choice but to mobilize all the resources of this palace to find the vagrant named Seol So.”
Yeon So Ha knew well that Bu Eunseol would eventually appear under the identity of Seol So.
So she directed all her intelligence toward Seomseong’s Wanderer Market, Jeok Cheon Mak Ji, and searched for me there.
And finally, she traced Bu Eunseol’s movements as she appeared once more in Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
But after departing for the Murim Alliance, the trail had grown obscure once again. In the end, Yeon So Ha deployed her final measure.
She went to find Heuk Pyo at Donghyo Seorang and pleaded with him.
―Please help me find her.
Understanding Yeon So Ha’s sincerity, Heuk Pyo reluctantly revealed Bu Eunseol’s true identity.
It was not simply because his heart had weakened, but because he had sensed that she was Bu Eunseol’s other half…
He insisted that she relay his pathetic excuses to Bu Eunseol without fail.
“I see.”
After hearing the entire account, Bu Eunseol exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.
Scolding that infuriating Heuk Pyo severely could wait for later.
What mattered most was that her dual identity as Seol So remained undiscovered.
“Truth be told, even after learning the Lord’s true identity, I chose not to seek you out.”
Yeon So Ha spoke with the expression of someone bearing a deep wound.
“You are now the successor to the Demon Palace, and you have much to accomplish ahead. I could have waited a little longer.”
As she fell silent, pearl-like teardrops streamed from her eyes once more.
“But recently, I heard that the Demon Palace’s successor was choosing a bride for a betrothal. All the promises made to me were forgotten in the process.”
Yeon So Ha’s sorrowful weeping appeared so pitiful that even the cold-hearted Bu Eunseol felt a pang of guilt.
And for the first time, I came to despise the existence called Yeop Hyo Cheon.
I knew not what schemes he harbored.
But wasn’t it he who spread such rumors, causing Yeon So Ha at the Shin Nyeo Gung to seek me out?
“That is merely a false rumor.”
“A rumor known even to the Wi Sa of the Demon Palace—are you saying I misheard it?”
“Of course. I would stake my life on it.”
Bu Eunseol pointed solemnly to her own neck.
The gesture was so grave and solemn that…
Yeon So Ha, without realizing it, burst into laughter with tears still glistening in her eyes.
“What kind of thing is that to say?”
Bu Eunseol calmly explained the circumstances that had unfolded.
How it all began with a proposal from Chong Gyo Ryeong Yeop Hyo Cheon, and how he deliberately spread such rumors.
And that I had no intention whatsoever of entering into a betrothal.
“Very well. I shall believe your words.”
Fortunately, Yeon So Ha chose to trust Bu Eunseol’s words.
“There would be no reason for the Lord to fabricate such falsehoods to persuade me.”
“I am grateful for your understanding.”
For the first time, Bu Eunseol felt genuine gratitude toward Yeon So Ha.
Had she been merely a woman blinded by jealousy, matters would have become quite troublesome indeed.
“However, if the Chong Gyo Ryeong harbors such schemes, I cannot rest easy.”
“Then what would set your mind at ease?”
Yeon So Ha spoke with a composed expression.
“I shall remain here for a time and personally witness the rumors fade away.”
“You mean to stay at Bon Gak?”
“Did the Lord not stay at Bon Gung as well?”
Yeon So Ha was a gentle and composed woman, but she was no mere fool who wept and yearned for love.
As befitted the future Palace Lord of the Shin Nyeo Gung, she possessed unwavering resolve and unstoppable momentum.
“Or is it that you cannot offer lodging to a small sect’s Palace Lord like myself?”
“That cannot be. It is simply….”
“If there’s no room here, I’ll have to ask Ma Cheon Je or Chong Gyo Ryeong for help.”
That was absolutely unacceptable.
Bu Eunseol, moving with the swift grace of Jeomsoi, gestured toward Jamma Pavilion.
“Bon Gak has plenty of comfortable places to rest. Since I owe a debt to Shin Nyeo Gung as well… please don’t hesitate and make yourself at ease.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll go get some rest.”
“Please do.”
As Yeon So Ha turned to leave, she glanced back with a confident expression.
“I don’t ask for much from the Lord.”
She spoke with a gentle smile.
“If only the rumors about the betrothal would disappear, I’d leave right away. So please don’t feel troubled by my presence.”
Bu Eunseol found herself in a predicament.
Even if she had to resort to force, she should have sent Yeon So Ha back to Shin Nyeo Gung immediately.
Because the moment she stayed at Jamma Pavilion, strange rumors began circulating through the Demon Palace again.
―Does the Muhonjung Lord have an unmarried wife?
The rumor had started at Jamma Pavilion.
Even Yeon So Ha herself had no qualms explaining her identity and circumstances.
―That’s right. I’m his betrothed and his unmarried wife.
When she boldly proclaimed this throughout the palace, the people of the Demon Palace actually found themselves doubting the rumor.
―It must be false gossip.
Bu Eunseol, the successor of Nangya Sect, was truly a genuine practitioner of the Demonic Path.
Yet she was to become the son-in-law of Shin Nyeo Gung, which followed the Orthodox Path? Wasn’t the gap between them far too great?
―I heard the Palace Lord of Shin Nyeo Gung fell ill because of the runaway Palace Lord.
But when rumors spread that Yeon So Ha had run away from Shin Nyeo Gung and that the Palace Lord had fallen ill, the atmosphere in the Demon Palace shifted to acceptance.
―Ah, so it was a lovers’ escape.
It was not uncommon for people of the Demonic Path and the Orthodox Path to fall in love with each other.
For a time, the Demon Palace buzzed with talk of Yeon So Ha.
And within Sayoung Battle Division, there was an unusual vitality.
A beautiful woman counted among the Three Beauties of Tianxia stayed at Jamma Pavilion and carefully looked after the subordinates.
When she left Shin Nyeo Gung, she had brought many treasures to distribute to Bu Eunseol and her subordinates.
Not to mention the major commanders, she even generously gave money to ordinary Wi Sa.
Moreover, while staying at Jamma Pavilion, she prepared delicious meals and treated the subordinates kindly…
There were already some impatient martial artists calling her ‘Great Lady!’
Yu Woon Ryong’s office.
As always, Yu Woon Ryong sat at the office desk organizing books.
And at the table before him, the major commanders of Sayoung Battle Division, including Myo Cheon Woo, had gathered without fail.
“Jin Sang Hwa is beautiful, but… compared to Yeon So Gung Ju, one of the Three Beauties of Tianxia, she does seem to fall a bit short.”
Won Se Moon nodded at Myo Cheon Woo’s words.
“That’s right. Moreover, the Palace Lord possesses wealth comparable to Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.”
Jo Nam Cheon clapped his hands together.
“And her cooking skills are excellent too. That tofu dish I had the other day was truly the finest.”
“With such a mild temperament, there’s little cause for concern unless she commits some grave error.”
As Wi Cheon Gyeong agreed, Myo Cheon Woo spoke with a grave expression.
“Then, taking it that all are in accord, let us designate Yeon So Ha as the consort to the Lord.”
Clap, clap, clap.
As they applauded, Yu Woon Ryong waved his hand with an irritated expression.
“If we’re finished, leave at once.”
“Yu Woon Ryong. You agree as well, yes?”
At Myo Cheon Woo’s earnest question, thick veins bulged across Yu Woon Ryong’s forehead.
“I’m swamped with work—stop spouting nonsense and get out.”
“Why are you so irritable? Just leave.”
As Myo Cheon Woo grumbled and departed, the remaining lords filed out en masse.
“Phew.”
With those dark-minded fellows gone, the air seemed to clear.
Yu Woon Ryong drew a deep breath and regained his composure.
Though I loathed admitting it, I seemed better suited to administrative work than martial pursuits.
‘Is there truly such a thing as aptitude in one’s blood?’
When Bu Eunseol first assigned me all manner of paperwork and management duties, I was quite displeased.
Yet upon actually attempting it, I found it suited my nature remarkably well.
Each time I engaged in paperwork, my spirit grew serene as if in meditation, and my mental fortitude seemed to deepen.
Of course, this did not mean I neglected martial cultivation or instruction of my subordinates.
Unlike other martial artists, through my administrative work, I was tempering my spirit.
‘Perhaps it’s time to compile the Ten-Fold Cudgel Treatise.’
Moreover, recently I had acquired a rather pleasant pastime.
It was the composition of a martial manual called the Ten-Fold Cudgel Treatise.
The Ten-Fold Cudgel was a weapon I had devised after much deliberation, yet it possessed such unique properties that even my hands had not fully mastered it.
‘Bu Eunseol. Your martial prowess may surpass mine, but one day this treatise will exceed yours.’
I knew that Bu Eunseol was composing her own martial manual.
And I too would write the Ten-Fold Cudgel Treatise, leaving another technique for the Murim to inherit.
The moment I withdrew the Ten-Fold Cudgel Treatise from the bookshelf and reached for my brush,
“Lord.”
A knock sounded at the door, followed by the voice of my aide, Mu Gwang.
“It is Mu Gwang.”
“Enter.”
Mu Gwang entered cautiously and clasped his hands together.
“What is the matter?”
“The Geomgak Successor has requested a martial contest with the Lord.”
Thud.
I dropped my brush.
What manner of bolt from the blue was this?
“What do you mean? Why would the Geomgak Successor come to our hall?”
Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes widened as he asked, and Mu Gwang calmly explained.
“Haven’t multiple sects requested cooperation due to this Ohdok School incident?”
“And?”
“Geomgak has dispatched their next successor to Bon Gak.”
The Orthodox Sects had discovered incidents of children being abducted across various regions of Zhong Yuan and were investigating them.
Many sects had requested information sharing about the Ohdok School to find their clues.
“But?”
“Doesn’t the Lord monopolize information about the Ohdok School? So when I guided her to the Lord, she suddenly requested a martial duel, or so I heard.”
“She suddenly requested a duel?”
“From what I understand, she had some prior acquaintance with the Lord. She was apparently surprised by how greatly the Lord’s martial prowess had improved and requested a duel.”
Yu Woon Ryong furrowed his brow as if he couldn’t comprehend.
“Then just have the duel. Why did you come to me?”
“Well, that’s…”
Mu Gwang scratched his head as he spoke.
“The Lord told her to first defeat all the masters of Sayoung Battle Division and then come back.”
“What?”
“Master Myo just said that since Master Jo has been knocked senseless, you should hurry to the Martial Arts Arena as well.”
Thump.
Yu Woon Ryong set down the documents he’d been holding and sank into his seat.
‘These water demons!’
They could have just had a casual duel until someone got tired or fell.
Why were they dragging him away from his work in the office?
‘Why are they doing this to me?’
Yu Woon Ryong gazed at the documents with a gloomy expression.
Whenever he had spare time, studying the Ten-Section Staff Technique was his pleasure.
But lately, he hadn’t even had a moment to sit peacefully in his office.
“Tell them I’m not going.”
“Sir?”
“Tell them this Lord is currently borrowing books from the Sagyeong Library…”
Rumble rumble rumble.
Just then, Won Se Moon’s direct subordinates burst into Yu Woon Ryong’s office.
“Lord Yu! Come quickly. Master Wi is barely holding on right now.”
From the way they spoke, it seemed the Geomgak Successor had defeated Won Se Moon in the meantime and was now fighting Wi Cheon Gyeong.
“Ugh…”
Yu Woon Ryong clenched both fists tightly.
True to form as Won Se Moon’s subordinates, they stormed into the office like ruffians.
“Tell Myo Cheon Woo to go first!”
Finally, Yu Woon Ryong’s patience snapped and he shouted.
“I am a civil administrator! I don’t do martial duels!”

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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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