The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 298

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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 298.
“Very well. Then what do you need us to do?”
When Myo Cheon Woo asked, Bu Eunseol drew in a long breath.
The fury that had consumed her expression dissipated like mist, and she returned to her usual state of cold, composed clarity.
“The reason we kept losing them despite grasping their trail was that they were always one step ahead of us.”
At Seonggacheoljang. At the Murim Alliance.
Whenever Bu Eunseol found a clue and pursued them, they would sever their tail in an instant.
But this time would be different.
Bu Eunseol would no longer chase them alone. She would mobilize all her status and power to pursue them in one swift motion.
“I deliberately announced at this conference that I would strike the Geum Jeok Sang Dan. And surely this news will reach their ears as well.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“But I will not go.”
Myo Cheon Woo, who had been lost in thought, nodded in admiration.
“A feint to the east while striking the west.”
It meant making noise in one direction while attacking from another.
Yu Woon Ryong let out a quiet laugh.
“More like beating the grass to startle the snake.”
In Murim, beating the grass to startle the snake is commonly used to mean “do not act rashly.”
But in military strategy, it refers to a tactic of striking the perimeter to expose the enemy’s true position.
Bu Eunseol’s apparent target was the Geum Jeok Sang Dan, but her true intention was to provoke those behind the scenes and force those lurking in the shadows to reveal themselves.
“In truth, you could call it a diversionary operation. I will genuinely send forces against the Geum Jeok Sang Dan.”
“I understand the strategy. But… will they fall for it?”
Yu Woon Ryong, with his arms crossed, spoke with a serious expression.
“Even so, striking a merchant organization without justification is no simple matter. They might even predict your plan.”
“That will not be possible.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with conviction.
“I mobilized the Cheon Sal Unit and mercilessly annihilated the Sahwa Alliance, a coalition of evil sects. And I did not hesitate to draw my blade against the Cheon Sal Dae Ju to save Seo Jin Ha.”
Bu Eunseol wore a faint smile.
“They will judge that I am not merely angry, but truly capable of carrying out such deeds.”
“…”
“Even if there is but a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they will certainly attempt to erase all traces.”
Bu Eunseol had drawn her blade against the Cheon Sal Dae Ju, the symbolic vanguard of the Demon Hall, to save Seo Jin Ha.
There was no way they would not have heard such rumors.
They would judge that Bu Eunseol was the type to pursue her objectives without hesitation.
“You mean… even the recent incidents?”
Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes widened.
“You deliberately caused them to be seen? To deceive them this time?”
Bu Eunseol offered no answer.
In truth, she had not planned such matters in advance nor deliberately provoked the Cheon Sal Dae Ju.
No matter how keen her strategic mind, she could not have devised such a plan beforehand.
In truth, he was genuinely angered by Cheon Sal Dae Ju’s attitude.
He was merely exploiting what had already transpired for strategic advantage.
“So you’re attempting to deceive those who possess superior information and power, to uncover the true enemy.”
As Myo Cheon Woo murmured, Bu Eunseol nodded in acknowledgment.
“Precisely.”
“But this method is flawed. Even if you dispatch forces immediately, it’s already too late.”
Myo Cheon Woo shook his head.
“If they’ve managed to sever their trail so cleanly despite your immediate pursuit… they’ve already begun erasing all traces within Geum Jeok Sang Dan.”
“Of course.”
Bu Eunseol nodded and turned to So Ja Myeong, who had been listening silently.
“What is the current situation with Geum Jeok Sang Dan?”
“Exactly as you anticipated, my lord.”
So Ja Myeong spoke slowly, his voice low.
“According to reports from our agents, large numbers of personnel have already been secretly departing Geum Jeok Sang Dan, heading toward an unknown destination.”
“What? You’ve already stationed agents within Geum Jeok Sang Dan?”
Myo Cheon Woo asked in surprise, and Bu Eunseol nodded matter-of-factly.
“When we struck at Cheon Sal Unit and Sahwa Alliance, it was revealed that funds had already flowed into Geum Jeok Sang Dan.”
A sharp gleam flickered in her eyes as she gazed into empty space.
“From that moment, I instructed the Guusal Unit to monitor Geum Jeok Sang Dan. They would certainly attempt to erase all traces connected to Sahwa Alliance and sever their ties.”
Until now, these mysterious forces had always stayed one step ahead of Bu Eunseol.
The moment word spread that Sahwa Alliance had been struck, they would undoubtedly eliminate all related evidence and cut their connections.
Instead, Bu Eunseol had turned the enemy’s superior intelligence and power against them, laying a trap.
“While we have yet to find evidence of connection to Saixiang… we have definitively captured traces of funding provided not only to Sahwa Alliance but to multiple assassin sects.”
Upon hearing So Ja Myeong’s words, Myo Cheon Woo let out an exclamation of admiration.
“So you’ve secured evidence sufficient to ensnare Geum Jeok Sang Dan at minimum.”
Bu Eunseol had not dispatched forces without evidence—she had already obtained information sufficient to topple Geum Jeok Sang Dan.
―Her mind works with terrifying brilliance.
―I’m grateful we’re not her enemies.
Myo Cheon Woo and Yu Woon Ryong exchanged glances and swallowed hard.
What was truly fearsome about Bu Eunseol was not her devastating martial prowess, but her cunning stratagems and wisdom that struck at vulnerabilities.
Yet because this truth remained unknown to the world, others could only fall victim to her machinations helplessly.
“Then what should we do?”
When Myo Cheon Woo asked, Bu Eunseol handed two rolled scrolls to Myo Cheon Woo and Yu Woon Ryong respectively.
“The details are written here.”
Both men unrolled their scrolls simultaneously.
As Myo Cheon Woo glanced at what was written on the other’s scroll, he threw out a jest.
“Well, Yu Woon Ryong, you’re advancing faster than I am. Commanding first-class Lords under your authority, no less.”
He then turned to Bu Eunseol and asked.
“Is it sufficient to proceed exactly as written here?”
“Yes. Select the most capable members of Sayoung Battle Division as much as possible.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with careful deliberation.
“Provoke them into a hair-trigger situation, but do not attack under any circumstances. If we do, the main operation will become difficult.”
She took a deep breath and gazed into the empty air.
“If this strategy succeeds….”
Bu Eunseol did not finish her thought.
But all three understood perfectly.
The Sal Mun—an organization that had roiled the Murim for generations without revealing its true base.
They would finally be able to locate Saixiang’s headquarters.
* * *
Geum Jeok Sang Dan.
In its early days, it had conducted modest business with landowners in Hang Ju who cultivated tea leaves, generating meager profits.
But over the past decade, it had nearly monopolized the trade in high-quality leather produced in Sichuan, reaping substantial wealth.
As its scale expanded, Geum Jeok Sang Dan cultivated broad connections not only with the Gwan Bu but also with various Murim factions, sending considerable sums of silver each year.
Growing rapidly with each passing season, rumors circulated that Geum Jeok Sang Dan would soon be counted among the Ten Great Merchant Houses of Zhong Yuan.
Yet over the prosperous city of Im Hyeon, where this prestigious merchant house stood, an ominous atmosphere hung heavy.
Martial artists dispatched from the Demon Hall had surrounded Geum Jeok Sang Dan with an airtight cordon.
Their numbers reached nearly five hundred.
Moreover, every single one of them was a first-rate martial artist—equivalent to the total military force of a major faction mobilizing in full.
Yet the martial artists of Geum Jeok Sang Dan, its retainers, and hired ronin prepared for battle without fear.
―No matter how formidable the Demon Hall, to send such overwhelming force without justification?
―Could it be because of the Hyeol Sa Gok incident? We have only sent silver annually to the Sahwa Alliance.
―Hmph! Even if they were to sweep us away, the Demon Hall would not emerge unscathed!
Creak.
At that moment, a side gate on the flank of Geum Jeok Sang Dan opened, and dozens of people walked out.
All the children and women from within Geum Jeok Sang Dan were being evacuated.
Unless one harbored blood-sworn enmity, it was an unspoken rule never to harm children and commoners ignorant of martial arts.
Moreover, the opponent was the Demon Hall—a coalition of demonic and orthodox Murim forces. Such magnanimity would naturally be shown.
Thud.
At that moment, fifty-odd martial artists blocked the path of the departing children and commoners. They were warriors of the Sayoung Battle Division and Myo Cheon Woo.
“You cannot leave.”
“What did you say?”
A middle-aged woman’s eyes widened, and Myo Cheon Woo spoke in a voice laden with killing intent.
“Surely there are those among you connected to the Sahwa Alliance.”
The woman spoke pleadingly, as if resigned.
“Then please, at least let the children go. Taking children as hostages in a matter between martial factions….”
Boom!
At that moment, a stone ornament standing before the main gate shattered into powder with a deafening explosion.
Myo Cheon Woo had unleashed his internal force.
“I said return inside.”
Rumble.
The children, frightened by Myo Cheon Woo’s cold gaze, hurried back inside.
Thud.
At that moment, the grand gate bearing the Geum Jeok Sang Dan plaque swung open, and an elderly man in formal robes slowly emerged.
It was Yeo Woon Sang, the patriarch of Geum Jeok Sang Dan.
“Under the heavens and before all, what is the meaning of this!”
He swept his gaze across the martial artists surrounding the merchant house and cried out loudly.
“What crime has this merchant house committed that the Demon Hall would dispatch such forces!”
As befitted the leader of a merchant house that earned hundreds of thousands of silver taels annually, Yeo Woon Sang’s demeanor was confident, and he showed no fear before the martial artists.
“Moreover, why are you not releasing the children? What crime have innocent children committed?”
“Father! This is unwise.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man who appeared to be Yeo Woon Sang’s son rushed forward and blocked his path.
“You must not provoke them.”
“Yeo Gye Woon, return inside!”
As the father and son struggled with each other,
Clop, clop, clop.
The man at the front slowly advanced, still mounted upon his horse.
Though his face was concealed behind a mask, his tall frame was unmistakable, and at his waist hung a black-stained sword in its scabbard.
From his eyes poured forth a sharp, piercing light that seemed to pierce the very body.
Thump.
Dismounting, he looked down coldly upon Yeo Woon Sang and his son, Yeo Gye Woon.
Whoosh.
As he cast aside his mask, the sharp gaze of the man was revealed. It was Yu Woon Ryong.
―What?
The expressions of the first-class Lords observing this grew distorted.
They had believed the one commanding them was the Master of Muhonjung, yet it had been Yu Woon Ryong, his subordinate.
“Geum Jeok Sang Dan has funneled funds not only to Sahwa Alliance but to numerous evil sects to expand its influence.”
As Yu Woon Ryong spoke in a loud voice, Yeo Woon Sang burst out in protest.
“Is it wrong to provide money to the forces positioned at the crossroads through which we transport furs?”
“Since when have the Sal Mun sects been collecting tolls from merchants?”
Yu Woon Ryong regarded Yeo Woon Sang with a cold stare.
“Reckless assassins who did not hesitate to kidnap children.”
“That, that is absurd! I have never committed such acts!”
Though he spoke thus, Yeo Woon Sang’s complexion had become deathly pale.
“Did you underestimate the intelligence network of this division?”
Yu Woon Ryong smiled coldly and withdrew a scroll from his robes.
It contained evidence gathered by the Guusal Unit, which had been stationed in Im Hyeon for some time, monitoring Geum Jeok Sang Dan.
“Evidence of all your misdeeds, laid bare.”
Toss.
Yu Woon Ryong threw the scroll to Yeo Woon Sang.
With trembling hands, he read the contents written upon it, as did his son beside him, Yeo Gye Woon.
“Ah, Father….”
Yeo Gye Woon’s complexion darkened to black.
The scroll contained shocking revelations.
There was undeniable evidence that Geum Jeok Sang Dan had not only funneled funds to the assassin sects but was also implicated in the abduction of children.
Thud.
Yeo Woon Sang, who had been biting his lips, dropped to his knees before Yu Woon Ryong.
“I simply could not refuse the proposal of a patron who wished to expand our merchant house greatly.”
He lowered his head with a devastated expression.
“Because I operated the funds in secret, only I knew of this fact! My son and his wife are innocent of any crime—I beg you, spare their lives.”
As he confessed his guilt, not only the subordinates of Geum Jeok Sang Dan who had been preparing for battle but all the household members opened their mouths in shock.
The merchant lord Yeo Woon Sang, who had always been benevolent, was connected to the assassins who had been abducting children in recent times?
“There is no question of whether I will spare you or not.”
Yu Woon Ryong, holding the reins of his horse, laughed coldly.
“I have already handed over all the evidence to Gwan Bu. Since you were involved in the abduction of children, you shall face the judgment of the law.”
“But, why?”
Yeo Woon Sang looked across the forces of Demon Hall with an expression of incomprehension.
“If you were not going to punish me, why did you bring such a massive force?”
“Had I not turned things upside down like this, all the martial artists and household members of Geum Jeok Sang Dan would never have witnessed your confession.”
Yeo Woon Sang’s face turned pale.
If Demon Hall destroyed Geum Jeok Sang Dan, everything would end there.
But if he faced punishment from Gwan Bu, not only would Geum Jeok Sang Dan lose all its assets, but the family’s disgrace would be passed down through generations for eternity.
“We return.”
As Yu Woon Ryong turned his horse and shouted, the forces of Demon Hall moved in perfect unison.
‘I wonder how things are progressing on her end.’
Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes narrowed as he gazed toward the distant sky. The matter of Geum Jeok Sang Dan was merely trivial.
What truly mattered was that Bu Eunseol had to seize Saixiang’s tail.
* * *
At that very moment, Bu Eunseol had arrived at Hoe Dang Mountain in Cheon Ju Bu alongside So Ja Myeong.
This was the destination where the covert personnel who had slipped away from Geum Jeok Sang Dan had arrived.
Whoosh.
One of the Guusal Unit members who had been hiding in the forest revealed himself before Bu Eunseol and So Ja Myeong.
It was Bi Hong, the vice-commander of the Guusal Unit.
“Vice-Commander of the Guusal Unit, Bi Hong, pays respects to the Muhonjung Lord.”
Bu Eunseol nodded lightly. But she could not speak easily.
Those palace halls visible in the distance were the place that the Guusal Unit, which had waited at Geum Jeok Sang Dan for so long, had finally discovered.
“That place… is Saixiang.”
“Yes, it is.”
Bi Hong bowed his head and spoke in a low voice in response to Bu Eunseol’s question.
“We have confirmed that all the abducted children were taken into that place.”
Bu Eunseol and So Ja Myeong’s faces hardened like stone.
Saixiang.
The reason they had become a mysterious assassin sect that revealed itself to Murim only once every generation was…
because they had made their nest in a place no one could ever anticipate.
“However, it seems only a handful of people know that place is Saixiang. All of Saixiang’s facilities are concealed, and most of the inhabitants are ordinary commoners.”
As Bi Hong continued his explanation, So Ja Myeong carefully opened his mouth with a grave expression.
“Lord. This is a place where we cannot deploy forces, not just from the main hall, but from anywhere.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in agreement as well.
Saixiang was not a place where even the Demon Palace, the Murim Alliance, or any martial sect dared deploy forces.
Moreover, most of the people there were ordinary commoners. It was impossible to know which among them were members of Saixiang.
“Hmm.”
After deep deliberation, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“You have labored well. Have all the Guusal Unit members, including the Lords, return to the main hall.”
After taking a deep breath, she spoke again.
“Conquering that place will be impossible through mere force alone. I shall investigate their internal affairs thoroughly, then handle it myself.”
“Understood.”
So Ja Myeong and Bi Hong bowed respectfully, then quietly led the unit members away from Hoe Dang Mountain.
“Saixiang.”
Bu Eunseol clenched both fists as she gazed at the distant palace halls.
The main body had already been captured.
Now only the task of uprooting the hidden roots buried below remained.

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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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