The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 289
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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 289.
Before Jincheon Hall, at the Small Training Ground.
There, Ah Yeon, the legitimate successor of Geom Gak, wielded a treasured blade that had turned white along its entire length.
And Wi Cheon Gyeong circled rapidly around Ah Yeon, searching for openings in her defense.
With each passing moment, Ah Yeon’s sword technique accelerated, and Wi Cheon Gyeong’s movement technique grew correspondingly faster.
‘Indeed, so that’s it.’
Bu Eunseol, observing the two’s sparring from a distance, nodded faintly.
‘She’s attempting to break through the Transcendent Realm using the Perspective Rotation technique.’
Ah Yeon’s martial prowess had not yet reached the Extreme Heavenly Realm.
And yet, she now displayed martial skill as though she had already stepped into that realm.
By analyzing every circumstance—the opponent’s height, physical characteristics, the direction of sun and wind—she could discern the opponent’s techniques in advance.
This was because she was employing the Perspective Rotation.
‘Now I understand why she requested a sparring match with me.’
Won Se Moon, who had studied numerous sword techniques under Bu Eunseol’s guidance, had become an exceptional swordmaster.
Moreover, Jo Nam Cheon’s Black Poison Demonic Art was so resilient that even a treasured blade could not cut his skin.
Yet Ah Yeon had subdued both of them effortlessly.
She had perceived the gaps and flaws between Won Se Moon’s sword forms, where his technique lacked continuity, and shattered his sword energy.
Against Jo Nam Cheon’s hardened body, she had deployed ever-changing sword techniques, denying him any approach and securing victory.
And by explaining these reasons in detail alongside the principles of martial arts, she had imparted profound insights to both of them.
‘She wishes to teach me as well.’
Her magnanimous attitude was clearly calculated.
‘She has even abandoned the pride of being a Geom Gak successor.’
Ah Yeon’s demeanor reflected the desperate struggle of a martial artist who had cast aside all ego, yearning to ascend to greater heights.
The spirit of a warrior.
Since meeting Bu Eunseol, a burning martial spirit had ignited within her heart.
‘Now that she has mastered the Perspective Rotation, she will gain much from sparring with me.’
The Perspective Rotation—analyzing opponents from multiple angles, discerning their techniques and movements in advance.
With such a technique, she would be able to perceive the level Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess had reached, and even identify which supreme techniques she employed.
Ching! Clang!
Meanwhile, the sparring between Ah Yeon and Wi Cheon Gyeong reached its climax.
Wi Cheon Gyeong had mastered not only evasion techniques and footwork, but also complex sword techniques, and possessed keen insight and prudence.
Though she had discerned the flaws of Won Se Moon and Jo Nam Cheon in mere seconds, her match with Wi Cheon Gyeong had now stretched beyond forty seconds.
‘There it is.’
At last perceiving Wi Cheon Gyeong’s weakness, Ah Yeon’s eyes gleamed.
Whoosh!
As she approached swiftly, Wi Cheon Gyeong quickly unleashed an evasion technique.
But Ah Yeon struck the very tip of the evasion with precision and drove her blade toward Wi Cheon Gyeong’s throat.
Click.
As the blade’s point touched her throat, Wi Cheon Gyeong raised both hands in surrender.
“I yield.”
As Wi Cheon Gyeong bowed his head, Ah Yeon brought her hands together.
“I learned a great deal.”
“Yet I cannot comprehend it.”
Wi Cheon Gyeong asked carefully.
“How were you able to block my flying blade technique and strike my throat in a single moment? That should require at least two separate movements.”
“You released your flying blades with absolute precision, not a hair’s breadth of deviation.”
Ah Yeon responded calmly to Wi Cheon Gyeong’s question.
“That’s precisely why I preempted the trajectory your flying blades would follow and deployed my swift sword technique. Since your blades would inevitably target my throat with flawless accuracy, I simply intercepted that path.”
Now it became clear—Ah Yeon had recognized that Wi Cheon Gyeong’s flying blade technique never missed, and she had turned that certainty against him.
“Perfection itself became a weakness.”
As Wi Cheon Gyeong’s expression grew hollow, Ah Yeon spoke.
“Techniques that are too exquisite and refined actually allow your opponent to predict your sword path. Going forward, you should practice blending feints and variations to keep your enemies confused.”
Having gained profound insight, Wi Cheon Gyeong brought his hands together.
“I am grateful. This has been invaluable instruction.”
“You are too kind.”
With Wi Cheon Gyeong defeated, Bu Eunseol’s gaze turned toward Myo Cheon Woo.
It was his turn now.
Thud, thud.
Myo Cheon Woo, who had been standing at a distance, slowly ascended the Martial Arts Arena and brought his hands together.
“I concede defeat.”
“Without even fighting?”
As Ah Yeon blinked her large eyes, Myo Cheon Woo smiled faintly and spoke.
“The spear techniques I recently developed are composed of lethal moves unsuitable for sparring.”
Myo Cheon Woo’s martial prowess had grown dramatically through numerous battles under Bu Eunseol’s command.
In particular, his spear techniques had evolved beyond the methods of the Destruction Spear Sect, forming a distinctly unique style.
Moreover, to wield weapons with bare hands required drawing forth formidable inner force.
To face a master like Ah Yeon, one would need genuine combat, not mere sparring.
Myo Cheon Woo chose not to stake his pride on a match, given her generous approach to instructing the lords’ martial arts.
“Then what if I faced you using only technique, without channeling my inner force?”
Grasping his intentions, Ah Yeon made her proposal, and Myo Cheon Woo wore a bitter smile.
“If I use spear techniques without inner force, wouldn’t that strip away the essence? I fear I might suffer a narrow defeat against you, Miss Ah Yeon.”
Yet despite his words, Myo Cheon Woo’s martial foundation was not inferior to Ah Yeon’s.
He was showing consideration so that she could face Bu Eunseol.
“I see.”
Understanding Myo Cheon Woo’s thoughtfulness, Ah Yeon brought her hands together.
“I understand. Thank you.”
“Well then, only one remains.”
As Myo Cheon Woo turned his head, there stood Yu Woon Ryong, dressed in scholarly robes and practically dragged forward by the lords.
“Good. Give it a try.”
Originally, Yu Woon Ryong had intended to concede defeat just as Myo Cheon Woo had.
However, upon witnessing Ah Yeon’s martial prowess, his thoughts shifted entirely.
Not only was her martial mastery remarkably exceptional, but…
He realized she was the perfect person to demonstrate the techniques of the Ten-Jointed Staff he had recently innovated.
“Captain Sang Hak of the Martial Corps, Yu Woon Ryong, shall learn a thing or two from Miss Ah Yeon.”
With a sharp metallic sound.
At the same moment, Ten-Jointed Staffs cascaded from Yu Woon Ryong’s sleeves.
When infused with inner energy, they became rigid like staffs, yet in their normal state, composed of ten articulated joints, they could be wielded like whips—the Ten-Jointed Staff.
At last, he was about to unveil its refined essence.
* * *
The next day, in Yu Woon Ryong’s office.
Once again, the captains had gathered there.
But this time, Yu Woon Ryong himself was not attending to work; instead, he was huddled together with them in discussion.
“Indeed, he would be well-matched with a companion whose martial prowess is exceptional.”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke with great eloquence this time.
Ah Yeon, the successor of Geom Gak and the future Sword Lord.
Not only was her martial skill outstanding, but her talent was comparable to Bu Eunseol’s.
“She will undoubtedly transcend being merely the finest among women and become a master encompassing all of Tianxia.”
At Yu Woon Ryong’s forceful words, the captains, including Myo Cheon Woo, nodded in agreement.
“There is merit to that argument. Both of them are indeed somewhat obsessed with martial arts.”
The remaining captains nodded their heads as well.
“And her appearance is hardly inferior to Yeon So Ha’s.”
If Yeon So Ha were the radiant sun illuminating the morning, then Ah Yeon was like moonlight suspended in the night sky.
Though she did not rank among the Three Beauties of Tianxia, Ah Yeon’s appearance was equally remarkable.
“That is not acceptable.”
At that moment, Wi Cheon Gyeong spoke.
“Have you forgotten that Geom Gak is a branch of the Hyun Moon sect? How could the successor of Geom Gak possibly marry?”
“Ah, that is true.”
As Won Se Moon struck his forehead, Yu Woon Ryong shook his head.
“Even if she is a nun of the Hyun Moon sect, once she leaves that place, it is over. Among the disciples of Geom Gak, there are cases of those who have returned to secular life and married, are there not?”
“But she is the successor, is she not? Moreover, she did not come here as a bride for our Lord.”
At Wi Cheon Gyeong’s words, Myo Cheon Woo spoke.
“Look well at your Lord. Martial prowess, character, status—there is nothing lacking, is there? Of course, there is the drawback of a cold temperament, but…”
He spoke with confidence.
“With that face and bearing, if he presses his suit, Miss Ah Yeon will ultimately pretend to be unable to resist and accept his heart. And since his character is composed, he would indeed make a fine match, as Yu Woon Ryong says.”
In the first place, given Bu Eunseol’s nature, the notion of him pressing his suit with a woman was utterly impossible.
Yet the captains, entirely oblivious to this reality, nodded their heads.
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause erupted once more.
At last, Bu Eunseol’s consort had been decided.
* * *
I sat in my office, massaging my temples.
“This is troublesome.”
The situation Yeop Hyo Cheon, the current Chong Gyo Ryeong, had created was spiraling beyond control.
Before long, the desk had become cluttered with portrait albums and envelopes.
These were not the ones left by Baek Yeon, the Lord of Fengyun Corps.
Once rumors spread throughout Murim that I was seeking a marriage partner, even minor clans and sects with any standing began sending portrait albums.
The saving grace was that my appearance had not become widely known despite my reputation.
Had my otherworldly beauty—like moonlight scattered across a river—become known to the world?
The Demon Palace would have been paralyzed by visits from Demonic Path clans for quite some time.
“Let me handle what’s in front of me first, one by one.”
Today was the day of my martial match with Ah Yeon.
Originally, Ah Yeon had intended to proceed with a match against me immediately after defeating Yu Woon Ryong.
However, Yu Woon Ryong had unexpectedly held out with such tenacity that she too had expended considerable energy.
Besides, I still needed to copy the materials from the Ohdok School stored in Jamma Pavilion and deliver them to Geom Gak…
So we had decided to rest for a day before holding the match.
At that moment, Si Bi outside spoke in a trembling voice.
“Forgive the intrusion, Lord.”
“What is it?”
“The Jipma Clan Lord requests your presence.”
“The Jipma Clan Lord?”
I furrowed my brow in confusion.
He had left for Hang Ju to recuperate with Dan Seo Ok. When had he returned?
“Understood. Tell him I will be there shortly.”
Leaving my office, I immediately made my way to the Guest Hall.
There sat a large, middle-aged man with an irritated expression.
His skin was somewhat dark, and his eyes carried the majesty of a mountain. It was Dan Wol Hon.
“Clan Lord.”
I clasped my hands and bowed respectfully, but
“Hmph!”
Dan Wol Hon snorted and rose abruptly, stepping toward me and speaking in a low voice.
“Are you defying me, the Clan Lord, now?”
“I do not understand what you mean.”
“So because I refused permission, you decided to betray me?”
Dan Wol Hon drew a deep breath, his voice resonating like a temple bell.
“Do you think I, the Clan Lord, would fall for such a petty scheme?”
“Clan Lord.”
“Impossible. Utterly impossible.”
Trembling with rage, Dan Wol Hon pressed his face, hard as stone, directly against mine.
“I cannot forgive anyone who makes my So Yok cry.”
“Clan Lord. It seems there has been a misunderstanding. I…”
“How noisy.”
Dan Wol Hon seemed to be deliberating over something intensely, then slowly raised his fingers with effort.
He formed three fingers—the middle finger, ring finger, and index finger.
“Three years.”
Dan Wol Hon, wearing an expression of deep grievance, brought his fingers close to Bu Eunseol’s face and spoke again.
“So, three years.”
And he spoke with eyes bloodshot and flushed crimson.
“If it’s just about three years of time… that should be acceptable, right?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“What do you mean, what’s the rush! You can’t even wait three years?”
Dan Wol Hon suddenly turned his head away sharply.
“This is impossible! Even I need time to prepare my heart!”
Dan Wol Hon, speaking in a rambling manner with bizarre threats,
“Remember that!”
stared at Bu Eunseol for a long moment with an expression of deep indignation and grievance, then left abruptly.
“….”
Bu Eunseol gazed after him with unfocused eyes.
Only then did I realize that the rumor about seeking a bride had reached Dan Wol Hon’s ears.
‘Chong Gyo Ryeong!’
If Bu Eunseol had become the Master of the Demon Palace now, I would have immediately removed Yeop Hyo Cheon.
‘What on earth is his scheme?’
Bu Eunseol had much to accomplish ahead.
Jeol Cheon Myul Ji and Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong. And though I had gained the support of Hell Blood Castle through the previous matter,
I still had not achieved harmony with the rest of the Ten Demonic Gates.
Yet to spread rumors about seeking a bride without any regard for the situation?
“Hmm.”
As turbid energy filled my chest, I stepped outside and walked toward where Hwa Hong Pavilion stood.
I breathed in the clear air, trying to organize my complicated thoughts for a moment.
How long had I walked? Upon arriving at Hwa Hong Pavilion and gazing at the flowers scattering in the breeze with vacant eyes,
“Lord.”
Si Bi came scurrying over to me and spoke.
“Jin Sang Hwa has visited Bon Gak and requests your presence.”
“Her?”
I couldn’t understand.
Jin Seol. Why did she seek me out again?
Upon returning to the Guest Hall, the chair where Dan Wol Hon had been sitting now held a beautiful woman in a pale pink dress, sitting demurely. It was Jin Seol.
“Jin Sang Hwa.”
As I approached and clasped my hands in greeting, she also offered a light bow.
“Lord.”
“What brings you here so suddenly?”
“I heard that Chong Gyo Ryeong offered his fourth disciple to you, Lord.”
“Ah, well, Chong Gyo Ryeong didn’t even ask for my opinion on that….”
“It’s fine. I have no intention of entering into a betrothal with anyone yet.”
Jin Seol regarded Bu Eunseol with a cold expression.
“However, before such rumors have even settled, drawing women to Jamma Pavilion seems rather hasty, don’t you think?”
Bu Eunseol, observing her expression, immediately grasped the situation.
Jin Seol believed that I was deliberately spreading gossip with multiple women to reject Chong Gyo Ryeong’s proposal.
Given that Jin Seol and Hyun Moon were at odds, she must have felt this as considerable insult.
Furious to the tips of her hair, she had come at once to confront me about this.
“There were circumstances for it. It was never an act to disgrace Jin Sang Hwa.”
“Circumstances, you say?”
Bu Eunseol hesitated for a moment.
She couldn’t grasp where to begin explaining this.
“First, Ah Yeon of Geom Gak is recovering her stamina to spar with me.”
“And the Palace Lord of Shin Nyeo Gung?”
“She is….”
As Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath to explain,
“Pardon me.”
A beautiful woman dressed in snow-white garments like falling snow entered the Guest Hall.
It was Yeon So Ha.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to intrude deliberately… but I happened to overhear my name being mentioned as I passed by.”
The Guest Hall of Jamma Pavilion was certainly not a place one could pass by by chance.
It was clear that Yeon So Ha had heard the news that Jin Seol had come to find Bu Eunseol and had come here.
“So you are Jin Sang Hwa.”
A woman’s intuition is formidable.
Yeon So Ha immediately discerned at a glance that the woman before her was the very person with whom Bu Eunseol’s betrothal had been discussed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am So Gung Ju of Shin Nyeo Gung, Yeon So Ha.”
Yeon So Ha, having removed the veil that covered her face, offered a respectful bow.
“I’ve heard that in the Demon Palace there is a beautiful flower and a gleaming jewel.”
Yeon So Ha regarded Jin Seol with a soft yet confident gaze.
“Meeting Jin Sang Hwa in person like this, I realize such rumors were not mere fabrication.”
In the Murim, Jin Seol, known as the Demon’s Flower, and Dan Seo Ok, known as the Silver-Scaled Jade Leaf, were together called the Flower and Jade Twin Phoenixes.
“For one counted among the Three Beauties of Tianxia to speak such words is overwhelming.”
Jin Seol spoke words of modesty, yet her expression remained cold.
She had perceived that Yeon So Ha deliberately removed her veil and offered this greeting.
It was to diminish her own presence.
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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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