The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 303

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 303.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened as she posed her question.
“You’re telling me that Lord Chim Wang engaged in a fierce battle with Chilji Mado?”
“Yes? Yes, that’s right.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head in disbelief.
After pondering for a long moment, she spoke again.
“Chilji Mado is a legendary swordmaster of the Demonic Path. So why hasn’t such a fact become known throughout the Murim?”
“Well, naturally….”
Just as she was about to answer with a bewildered expression, she noticed Bu Eunseol standing there with her eyes still wide open.
“But why are you standing like that?”
“….”
“What’s wrong?”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize she had made a grave mistake, and slowly took her seat.
“Ah, no. My vital energy has simply become unstable for a moment.”
It was a rather unconvincing excuse.
Yet Bu Eunseol was too startled to recognize it as such.
“I see. I’ve heard that masters with profound inner strength sometimes experience discomfort precisely because of their overwhelming vital energy.”
As if recalling something, Jong Ri Sa Yu spoke in a measured tone.
“Ah! As you know, my grandfather’s acupuncture has reached the realm of divinity. Moreover, with his Harmonized Golden Needles, he can disperse the formidable vital energy gathered in the dantian throughout the Conception Vessel.”
The claim about unstable vital energy was merely something Bu Eunseol had hastily invented.
Yet she spoke with utmost sincerity.
“If you wish, I could introduce you to my grandfather.”
As Jong Ri Sa Yu finished speaking, her cheeks flushed slightly.
To think of introducing a man she’d seen only twice to her grandfather…
Even for someone as honest with her emotions as she was, this moment brought genuine embarrassment.
“But about Lord Chim Wang fighting Chilji Mado….”
“Oh, that? Grandfather said the match was conducted in secret, which is why it never reached the Murim.”
Jong Ri Sa Yu’s eyes held an innocent gleam.
Though she possessed exceptional medical skills, she seemed to display an artless charm before those she favored.
‘How frustrating.’
Her appearance was beautiful enough to captivate countless men…
Yet from Bu Eunseol’s perspective, seeking accurate information, she appeared rather foolish.
‘If this continues, it would be more reliable to hear directly from Lord Chim Wang himself rather than from her account.’
Having made her decision, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“You truly can introduce me to Lord Chim Wang?”
“Yes? Well….”
“Then let’s go.”
“Right now?”
Jong Ri Sa Yu’s face flushed crimson.
She hadn’t expected Bu Eunseol, who had maintained such an indifferent demeanor, to be so bold.
“Do not misunderstand.”
Noticing the flush spreading across her cheeks, Bu Eunseol offered a transparent lie.
“In truth, I have long admired Chim Wang. When I heard the opportunity to meet him in person had arisen, how could I possibly let such a chance slip away?”
In reality, this explanation was riddled with contradictions.
When I first encountered her, I had already discerned that she was Chim Wang’s granddaughter, yet I maintained an indifferent demeanor.
So suddenly claiming to admire Chim Wang was utterly absurd.
Yet Jong Ri Sa Yu, basking in Bu Eunseol’s fervent gaze, smiled shyly without considering that inconsistency.
“Is that… so?”
‘She has taken a liking to me.’
Bu Eunseol tilted her head slightly, studying Jong Ri Sa Yu’s embarrassed expression intently.
Exploiting a woman’s affection was something my nature could never permit.
But this was not the time to deliberate over methods.
Those who had stolen even the eternal rest of my grandfather, who met such a cruel death.
They must be made to pay the price.
“However, all I know is that you are a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Society?”
In that instant, several thoughts flickered through Bu Eunseol’s mind.
The Chim Wang Family had long refrained from revealing themselves in the Murim, yet they had secretly dispatched disciples to investigate numerous matters.
If I continued to maintain the flimsy guise of a Heavenly Sword Society member, the likelihood of exposure would only increase.
‘Chim Wang, Chim Wang…’
From the moment I resolved to strike down Geol Wang, I had conducted thorough investigations into the Four Gods Seven Kings.
And Chim Wang proved to be far more intricate and singular than his reputation in the Murim suggested.
Particularly because successors constantly sought him out, begging him to perform the Harmonious Golden Needle Technique, he went to great lengths to avoid meeting young people.
Even if Jong Ri Sa Yu were to bring me before him, whether I would receive the answers I sought remained uncertain.
‘Chim Wang’s sole object of reverence is said to be Shaolin.’
His temperament was lofty—he rejected all whom he did not acknowledge, regardless of their standing.
Yet in his youth, he had once received salvation from a great master of Shaolin, and thus held Shaolin in profound esteem.
‘There is no other way.’
Bu Eunseol nodded faintly.
To approach Chim Wang, I had no choice but to disguise myself as someone from Shaolin.
Moreover, as a figure like a divine dragon who had never revealed themselves in the Murim, ensuring I could never be exposed.
“I am not a member of the Heavenly Sword Society.”
Having reached her decision, Bu Eunseol answered slowly.
“You mistook me for one because I traveled alongside Yu Hwa Ryeong, a Heavenly Sword Society disciple.”
“Ah, so that was it.”
Jong Ri Sa Yu nodded.
Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess was far too exceptional to belong to the Heavenly Sword Society.
In fact, only Yu Hwa Ryeong had revealed his identity back then; Bu Eunseol had said nothing.
Since my only lead to Bu Eunseol was the Heavenly Sword Society, I had investigated their headquarters.
“Then which sect do you belong to?”
“I cannot reveal my sect due to my master’s orders. However…”
Having meticulously orchestrated every detail of her plan in her mind, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“My name is Baek Mu Seong. I swear I shall never bring harm to you or the esteemed Chim Wang.”
“Baek Mu Seong… I see.”
She blinked her eyes softly.
No matter how hard she racked her mind, she had never heard of a young master of such renown bearing that name in the Murim.
“I trust Baek Hyungryeo. But if you don’t reveal your background honestly, Grandfather may not bestow the Honyeon Geumchim Technique upon you.”
“The Honyeon Geumchim Technique is unnecessary. I merely wish to meet the esteemed Chim Wang in person and share a conversation with him.”
Bu Eunseol gazed directly into Jong Ri Sa Yu’s eyes, a faint smile gracing her lips.
“Are we not companions who overcame crisis together in the Underground Fortress? Based on that alone, I believe the esteemed Chim Wang will not coldly cast me aside.”
As Bu Eunseol deliberately sent forth that penetrating gaze, Jong Ri Sa Yu felt her breath catch.
“V-very well.”
After taking a deep breath, she leaned her head out the window for a moment.
Then she whispered strange words in an extremely low and soft voice.
Bu Eunseol discerned that this was a secret language being conveyed to the subordinates hovering around her.
‘She intends to send word.’
It seemed she was simultaneously issuing a recall order to her subordinates while informing them that she was bringing Bu Eunseol along.
“Then I shall formally invite you to the Main House.”
At Jong Ri Sa Yu’s words, Bu Eunseol respectfully clasped her hands together.
“I am grateful.”
She clenched her fists tightly.
Soon she would meet someone who knew the whereabouts of the Seven-Fingered Demon Blade from forty years ago.
* * *
The Manor where the Chim Wang Family resided lay on Geum Wang Mountain in Chim Province, not far from Hwangju.
Originally, the Jong Ri Clan had been established near Sho Ho in An Hui, but in the generation of Chim Wang, they relocated to Chim Province.
Relocating the ancestral seat of a clan that had endured for generations meant abandoning countless accumulated advantages.
Yet for reasons unknown, Chim Wang had unhesitatingly moved his nest to this Geum Wang Mountain.
At the foot of Geum Wang Mountain lay Chim Wang’s Manor.
The Manor where Chim Wang resided was built with its back against the densely forested Deep Forest of Geum Wang Mountain.
The surroundings of the Manor, which embraced a mirror-like crystalline lake, were filled entirely with plum blossom trees.
Whenever the spring breeze blew, white petals scattered like snow, and the subtle fragrance of plum blossoms diffused in all directions.
Bu Eunseol and Jong Ri Sa Yu, having descended from the carriage, walked shoulder to shoulder up the steps until they reached the Manor’s entrance.
Creeeeak.
The door swung open, and a middle-aged man dressed as a servant emerged.
“Welcome.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression shifted slightly with surprise.
The middle-aged man’s gait was not merely stable; his eyes radiated a blade-like aura.
Moreover, that subtle presence.
It was unmistakably the kind of aura only a Demonic Path master of considerable cultivation could emanate.
Why was a Demonic Path master serving as a servant in the Chim Wang Family?
“Do.”
Jong Ri Sa Yu broke into a bright smile, and the Middle-Aged Man spoke with a grave expression.
“The patriarch has taken great offense. You should go at once.”
In truth, Jong Ri Sa Yu had been ignoring Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s summons to return, continuing instead to wander the Gangho.
She had used the pretext of dispensing medical care, but her true purpose was to search for Bu Eunseol.
“I understand. I’ll go see him now.”
“However, this person here….”
As the Middle-Aged Man gestured toward Bu Eunseol, she let out a soft cough.
“Ah, she’s Baek So Hyeop—the one who saved me in the Underground Fortress of Sichuan long ago.”
“I see. Then I shall keep Baek So Hyeop here for the time being.”
Jong Ri Sa Yu hesitated briefly, then shook her head.
“No. She’s coming with me.”
“That is not possible, Miss. Surely you know your grandfather’s iron rule well.”
Chim Wang Jong Ri Sa Hyeon possessed such exceptional medical skill that he had been greatly troubled by countless martial artists in the past.
Because of this, even moderately powerful sects would not gain an audience unless their sect leader came personally,
and especially those late-stage masters desperately seeking the Primordial Golden Needle Technique harbored a pathological aversion to him.
“That’s precisely why I’m bringing her along.”
Jong Ri Sa Yu’s expression was resolute.
Knowing all too well the iron rule of never meeting with late-stage masters, she intended to bring Bu Eunseol with her as cover.
“You have to help me with this, Uncle.”
“What do you mean….”
「My entire future depends on it.」
As she transmitted her voice with a flushed face, the Middle-Aged Man finally grasped the situation.
And with an expression of resignation, he nodded.
Even if a strict order came down, he had no choice but to let her through first.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol followed Jong Ri Sa Yu toward the heart of the Manor.
Throughout the Manor, disciples who appeared to serve under Chim Wang moved busily about, brewing medicinal broths from various ingredients.
The fragrance was quite pleasant—it seemed they were producing spiritual medicines in large quantities.
‘So that’s it.’
Bu Eunseol suddenly recalled the faces of those addicted to Inhwa.
It appeared that Chim Wang was crafting an antidote to neutralize the drug’s effects.
‘If that’s the case, then he is much like Tan Wang.’
Though Chim Wang was known to abstain from Murim activities, he had even sent his granddaughter into the Gangho to gather intelligence on the situation.
This suggested a high probability that he, like Tan Wang, was pursuing certain individuals for reasons of his own.
“Please don’t be so nervous.”
She mistook Bu Eunseol’s deep contemplation for anxiety and offered a gentle smile.
“Grandfather may seem stern on the surface, but he is actually quite compassionate.”
The word grandfather was to Bu Eunseol like the word home—always longed for, always warm in memory.
I gazed at Jong Ri Sa Yu with a faint smile.
“I can see that. Looking at you.”
It was a longing for her grandfather and an empathy for her own tomboyish nature.
However, Jong Ri Sa Yu misunderstood the remark and her cheeks flushed crimson.
“You’re quite the trickster, aren’t you?”
Bu Eunseol, seeing her flushed face, quickly changed the subject.
“That servant I saw earlier—he seemed like a master of the Demonic Path. How does he come to be here?”
“Your eye for detail is remarkable. No one has ever recognized at a glance that Do is from the Demonic Path.”
She answered softly, unable to hide her astonishment.
“Long ago, my grandfather saved him when he was dying near Seo Ho in Zhejiang. To repay that debt, Do chose to become a servant of our Main House.”
“I see.”
In truth, it was not particularly surprising for a master of the Demonic Path to defect to the Righteous Path.
The Demonic Path offers no respect to those whose power and influence wane.
Moreover, when one reaches the pinnacle of extreme demonic cultivation, not only does the tyrannical spirit fade, but one’s very nature can transform.
Thus, in their twilight years, those from the Demonic Path sometimes find themselves embracing the Righteous Path instead.
‘It seems he harbors no prejudice against the Righteous Path after all.’
Bu Eunseol nodded as if surprised.
Most Righteous Path martial artists would scoff at anyone from the Demonic Path.
Yet here was Chim Wang, a dyed-in-the-wool orthodox figure, sheltering a Demonic Path master? Unexpectedly, he was showing remarkable leniency toward the Demonic Path.
‘Perhaps he could even be from the Blood Flame Sect.’
This middle-aged man called ‘Do’ not only possessed exceptional skill but also carried a distinctive sword.
Bu Eunseol immediately wondered if he might be from the Blood Flame Sect.
However, to this day, no master from the Ten Demonic Gates had ever defected to the Righteous Path.
Therefore, Bu Eunseol’s deduction remained merely a possibility.
“This is where my grandfather resides.”
As they passed through a moon gate with an opening in the great wall, a small path lined with brilliantly blooming flowers stretched before them.
On both sides of the path, plum blossom trees had been planted.
Beyond the narrow path, an elegantly constructed residence came into view.
As the wind blew, plum blossoms swirled around the house, making it appear as though an immortal dwelled there.
And before the Flower Garden stood an elderly man of transcendent bearing, hands clasped behind his back.
Though his frame was lean, he stood over six feet tall, his eyes sharp and phoenix-like, radiating overwhelming authority.
It was Jong Ri Sa Hyeon, known as Chim Wang among the Four Gods Seven Kings.
“Grandfather.”
Upon seeing Jong Ri Sa Hyeon standing as solemnly as a crane, Jong Ri Sa Yu spoke with a tense expression.
“Grandfather.”
“You wretch.”
As their eyes met, Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s expression grew stern and his gaze pierced like daggers.
“When did I order your return? Where have you been gallivanting about all this time before finally showing your face?”
His voice resonated like a temple bell, and from his entire being emanated an authority as overwhelming as a thunderstorm.
Jong Ri Sa Yu, usually brimming with confidence, dared not lift his head and spoke in a low voice.
“It’s just that… as I traveled here and there, I came across many suffering people…”
“Nonsense.”
Jong Ri Sa Hyeon gazed down at her with solemn eyes.
“I hear the Chak Chun Squad has been ransacking every information network in the realm, searching for disciples of the Heavenly Sword Society or some such nonsense. What in the world were you thinking?”
“G-grandfather!”
Jong Ri Sa Yu’s face flushed crimson as she raised both hands in protest.
“That’s not it at all—there were truly so many people suffering.”
“Hmph.”
With a dismissive snort, Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s gaze finally settled upon Bu Eunseol, who stood behind his granddaughter.
“Who is this person?”
“The one who saved me back in Sichuan—”
“Sichuan?”
As Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s eyes widened, Bu Eunseol stepped forward and clasped her hands respectfully.
“This disciple, Baek Mu Seong, pays respects to Lord Chim Wang.”
He tilted his head, his brow furrowing as he regarded his granddaughter.
“Don’t tell me this is the disciple of the Heavenly Sword Society you’ve been praising endlessly?”
“That was… a misunderstanding on my part. She isn’t actually from the Heavenly Sword Society.”
“Hmm.”
Observing his granddaughter’s embarrassed downcast gaze with displeasure, Jong Ri Sa Hyeon finally turned his attention to Bu Eunseol’s face.
‘Remarkable. She possesses a beauty that could captivate the soul itself.’
Her features appeared as though sculpted by the heavens with meticulous care, her skin luminous with a subtle radiance.
Even Jong Ri Sa Hyeon, who had always regarded appearance as mere surface, found himself involuntarily gasping in admiration.
Yet her bearing seemed unremarkable, and I sensed no profound inner force emanating from her.
According to my granddaughter’s account, her martial prowess was exceptional enough to suggest she had reached the realm of returning to simplicity.
Yet in person, she appeared far too ordinary?
‘Sa Yu would not misjudge.’
My granddaughter, who had inherited my medical expertise, could not possibly err in assessing martial cultivation.
‘If that is so, then she has reached the pinnacle of returning to truth…’
I shook my head.
To reach such a realm required not merely martial skill, but inner force cultivated to its absolute zenith.
No matter how gifted one might be, there were limits to the power a young person could accumulate through cultivation.
“So you saved our Sa Yu back in Sichuan.”
Swallowing the rising questions, Jong Ri Sa Hyeon spoke,
“You are too kind. I merely did what needed doing and offered a small measure of assistance.”
Bu Eunseol replied in a clear, resonant voice, her hands clasped respectfully.
Like a confident disciple of the Righteous Path itself.
“Hmm.”
Jong Ri Sa Hyeon hummed thoughtfully and nodded.
“In any case, since you’ve come this far, we shouldn’t stand about like this. Let us share some tea before you depart.”
And he naturally extended his hand toward Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
‘He means to test my martial prowess.’
Though I immediately discerned Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s intention, I did not evade his touch.
‘This is precisely what I desired.’
His counter-concealment had already reached the state of perfect mastery.
Even if a great master of the Demonic Path who had attained the Infinite Realm were to examine him.
Unless Bu Eunseol actively displayed her martial prowess, there was nothing to be discovered.
Tap.
At last, a wrinkled hand gently tapped Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
In that instant, the smile hanging at the corner of Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s lips slowly vanished.
Simultaneously, a blade-like gleam kindled in his eyes.
“You.”
Jong Ri Sa Hyeon, who had stopped in his tracks, stared at Bu Eunseol for a long moment before speaking.
“Which sect’s disciple are you?”
“I’m not certain what you mean by that.”
As Bu Eunseol asked calmly, Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s lips curved upward, and he extended his palm.
Between his middle and index fingers was wedged a golden needle thin as a hair.
It was the Primordial Golden Needle—the sacred treasure symbolizing the Chim Wang Family.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————