The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 316

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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 316.
Bu Eunseol carefully touched the metal attached to the combination mechanism once more.
Whoosh!
The poison needles that had protruded from the sword hilt vanished without a trace.
“So that’s what it was.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been examining the hilt intently, nodded in understanding.
This hidden mechanism served two purposes.
Likely, it prevented theft of the weapon when the short and long blades were combined.
And the loaded poison needles would be fully ejected for surprise attacks at close range.
“Quite a unique material.”
The blade of the short sword was stained pitch-black.
My beloved blade, the Muk Geom, was also stained black, but as a divine sword, it possessed a peculiar luster on its surface.
However, this short sword absorbed all light from the world, bearing no radiance whatsoever.
Without the hilt, it would appear as though a black fissure in the shape of a blade had materialized from thin air.
“This is not a sword I would use.”
One blade—the Muk Geom—was sufficient.
Besides, I had never even learned any sword techniques worth mentioning…
Without greed for weapons, I felt no particular interest in this short sword.
“I seek the traces of Chil Ji Ma Do, not his weapons.”
Whoosh.
Yet contrary to my words, I tucked the short sword into my robes.
While it was good to lack greed for treasures, I could not simply abandon what might become a crucial clue.
Tap.
Then, as my blood-stained glove touched the short sword,
Hummmmm.
The blade suddenly began to vibrate intensely, and simultaneously, a faint clicking sound echoed from near the hilt.
“Was there another mechanism for ejecting hidden weapons?”
As I drew upon my Gongshim Tongyeong, white radiance flowed from my eyes.
Examining the hilt stained with fingerprints closely, my gaze suddenly halted on a dark, grimy ornament at the end of the hilt.
Click.
As I infused a minute amount of energy near the ornament,
Pop.
The ornament at the end of the hilt opened, and a tightly rolled, worn piece of paper shot out.
“A sword manual?”
My eyes gleamed as I gazed upon the aged paper stained with blood.
Blood Tears Seven Forms.
Remarkably, what had been hidden in the hilt was not a hidden weapon, but a sword technique consisting of seven moves.
“Blood Tears Seven Forms, then.”
I could not comprehend it.
The names of demonic martial arts typically reflected their power or characteristics.
However, the name Blood Tears Seven Forms carried a melancholy resonance far too sorrowful for a martial technique.
“This is….”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes, fixed upon the characters inscribed on the yellowed paper, grew increasingly luminous with white radiance.
Blood Tears Seven Forms.
Could it be that the sword techniques she had only imagined in theory—assuming she had reached the Limitless Realm—were now written here as actual martial principles?
The martial prowess of Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang, who had created this technique, was far more unfathomably distant than she had anticipated.
“Remarkable.”
As I read through the martial principles, my eyes could not tear away.
This technique unleashed the unstoppable power of nature itself.
Moreover, it was a unique method that could only be executed by burning both body and soul.
“How could he, who was once the Vice Lord of the Demon Hall, have created such a sorrowful and wretched technique?”
―First Form: Life Visits, Death Returns.
This world is merely a temporary dwelling. Death is but a return to one’s origin.
―Second Form: Seeking Life Within Death.
In a situation where death is inevitable, a single thread of survival was found….
―Third Form: Half-Life, Half-Death.
One reaches a state where neither death nor life is certain.
―Fourth Form: Desiring Death Yet Finding No Place.
Even when seeking death, no suitable place can be found,
―Fifth Form: Death Without Closed Eyes.
Even at the moment of death, the eyes cannot close.
―Sixth Form: Death Without Lingering Regret.
Though death comes, no regret remains,
―Seventh Form: Death Yet Guilt Persists.
Even in death, sin endures…only sorrow remains.
All seven forms of Blood Tears were centered upon death itself.
I could sense it.
Bu Chanyang, who had conceived this technique, had always carried death within his heart, and ultimately, he yearned for death himself.
“How could it be….”
I could not comprehend it.
“How could one who created a technique reaching the Blade Dao fall into such despair?”
The Blood Tears Seven Forms that Chil Ji Ma Do had inscribed upon his blade was not merely the foremost technique of the Demonic Path.
It could truly be called the Supreme Blade Technique of All Under Heaven.
Yet despite possessing such an ultimate technique and the noble position of Vice Lord of the Demon Hall…
How could he have lived such a tormented and arduous existence?
“Was he not my grandfather?”
My grandfather Bu Chanyang had always offered me hope and encouragement, teaching me not to dwell upon past mistakes.
This stood in stark contrast to the mindset of Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang, who had created this technique.
“It cannot be understood.”
Originally, I had intuited that my grandfather and Chil Ji Ma Do were the same person.
However, upon seeing this sword technique, I realized the two individuals were completely different people.
“Moreover, this sword technique….”
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
The seven sword forms were beyond my current level of comprehension.
This was because each of the seven forms in the Blood Sacrifice technique had corresponding mental formulas inscribed within them.
And unless one harmonized spirit and flesh according to those formulas, one could not unleash their true power.
In other words, each sword form required perfect unity of spirit and flesh to even be executed—it was an extraordinarily unique and superior martial art.
Currently, I could only comprehend the teachings of the first form: Life-Returning Seventh Form.
―This world is merely a place of temporary dwelling. Death is simply returning to one’s original state.
This aligned perfectly with my own philosophy of treating life and death as one and the same.
“So he was not a cruel murderer after all.”
According to Jong Ri Sa Hyeon’s account, contrary to what the world believed, Chil Ji Ma Do was not a particularly vicious person.
And I could sense it as well.
Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Janyeong.
He had lived drowning in sorrow and anguish, and moreover, he had yearned for his own death.
That is why he could create such a martial art…and achieve invincibility.
“Chil Ji Ma Do.”
I gripped the small blade I held in my hand more tightly.
I felt that using this sword was my destiny.
Click.
As I drew the scabbard, faint characters reading “Journey” were inscribed on its lower portion.
Likely, he had named the sword himself.
“Journey, then.”
I sighed deeply and shook my head.
To give such a desolate name—”a wanderer’s path”—to a blade he carried with him always.
Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Janyeong had lived in solitude through long years, and…
He must have viewed the life of a martial artist, with its bloodshed and suffering, as merely a fleeting “wanderer’s path” passing through.
Click.
I sheathed Journey in its scabbard.
As the blade entered the worn and rusted sheath, the sinister dark luster vanished. To the eye, it appeared as nothing more than an unremarkable, weathered sword.
“Let us return.”
After taking a deep breath, I turned my body.
I had recovered from the collapse of my spirit on Youling Island, and I had come to understand that martial arts were not about raw power.
Rather, they must achieve the pinnacle of subtlety.
And having now mastered even the ultimate technique of Chil Ji Ma Do, the Blood Sacrifice Seven Forms…I was now prepared to sever the neck of that cunning Cheon Geom.
* * *
The Murim was thrown into upheaval.
On the island known as Youling Island, the renowned heroes of the Orthodox Sects were slaughtered en masse.
Their bodies bore various wounds. However, the most fatal wound was the internal explosive force that shattered the flesh like pastry.
It was the supreme technique of Tan Wang.
―Did Tan Wang really kill the righteous sects’ renowned experts?
Throughout Murim, especially among the Orthodox Sects, an atmosphere of disbelief permeated.
Tan Wang Beok Goong Ryung.
He was a celebrated master who had wandered Murim with noble solitude, performing countless righteous deeds—a paragon of integrity that embodied the very ideals of the Orthodox Sects.
Yet the bodies of the slain experts bore the unmistakable marks of the Chil Ji Ma Do’s signature technique, and upon a cave entrance on Youling Island, the character for Tan (彈) had been carved, bearing his name.
But Tan Wang had vanished, and none possessed knowledge of the truth behind it.
The Orthodox Sects deployed their intelligence networks to track Tan Wang’s movements, but he had disappeared without a trace, as if he had evaporated into thin air.
―This matter cannot be judged hastily.
In the end, the Orthodox Sects held their tongues.
Without Tan Wang himself stepping forward, the true circumstances could never be known.
Yet this was merely the surface reaction of the Orthodox Sects’ leadership.
―Find that masked murderer!
―How could the great patriarch of the Orthodox Sects, revered for decades, commit such slaughter!
Word spread that the friends, blood relatives, and sects of the experts who had perished on Youling Island were pursuing Tan Wang, some even dispatching hunting parties at the cost of millions.
Tan Wang Beok Goong Ryung.
The celebrated master of the Orthodox Sects who had long protected Murim, acting with righteousness and justice, had ultimately…
become infamous as a serial killer who had concealed his true identity for decades.
Upon returning to the Demon Palace, Bu Eunseol immediately entered seclusion.
It was to master the Blood Dew Seven Forms of Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang.
‘Elder.’
Before entering seclusion, Bu Eunseol recalled Beok Goong Ryung with a bitter expression.
He too had heard all the rumors shaking Murim about Tan Wang.
‘As expected, it was a scheme to destroy his reputation first.’
Seeing how the incident that had occurred on Youling Island, that isolated realm, had spread so rapidly, I could immediately discern that it was the work of the same forces behind the Jang Bo Do affair.
Originally, I had anticipated all of this and promised to shoulder the blame myself.
But Beok Goong Ryung refused and moved according to their intentions.
Because I could become the foundation of Murim’s future structure.
‘It will take considerable time.’
Bu Eunseol, having entered the Cultivation Chamber, took a deep breath and murmured.
‘I will restore the elder’s honor.’
Every time I met Beok Goong Ryung, he always granted me opportunities with his boundless generosity.
To repay that debt, I resolved that I would one day restore Beok Goong Ryung’s honor.
Four days later.
Bu Eunseol, locked away in the Cultivation Chamber studying the technique, shook his head with a weary expression.
“Still no progress.”
I had memorized all of the Blood Dew Seven Forms hidden within the hilt of Yeoro’s blade and burned the manual.
And then I devoted myself day and night to mastering the technique.
The area beneath my eyes in the mirror had darkened considerably.
Though I had not slept for four nights and remained perfectly alert, the technique manual for the Blood Dew Seven Forms was nearly on par with the most profound supreme techniques.
It was far more difficult to master than even the Sak Jeong Bi Gyeol, the supreme technique of both the Demonic Path and Orthodox Sects, or Mu Hwang Jeong Gak combined.
“But with just this single technique, I could cut down the entire Tianxia.”
I had achieved my objective.
I had mastered the first technique of Life Seizing and Death Returning, one that allowed me to align my spiritual essence with my sword intent.
I could say with absolute certainty.
There were few in this vast Tianxia who could withstand the sword path of this technique.
Click.
As I stepped outside, the midday sun blazed down upon me.
Upon leaving my quarters, I immediately headed toward Hwa Hong Pavilion.
Having ended my long seclusion, I intended to take a walk and clear my mind.
But then Mu Gwang, Yu Woon Ryong’s deputy, approached from afar.
“Lord.”
He spoke carefully, clasping his hands respectfully.
“Lord Yu Woon Ryong and Lord Myo Cheon Woo await you in the conference hall.”
My eyes gleamed at that moment.
The two had sought me out.
That meant the investigation into Cheon Geom had finally been completed.
I immediately moved toward the conference hall.
Upon entering, Yu Woon Ryong and Myo Cheon Woo sat at a large table with exhausted faces.
They had likely been awake all night, meticulously investigating Cheon Geom and refining the information into something coherent.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Before even hearing their report, I commended the two for their efforts.
Then Myo Cheon Woo spoke with a weary smile.
“Hard work? This is our matter as well.”
Avenging Young Moon Ho against Cheon Geom was not just my responsibility, but that of all the Ten Demon Immortals.
“The Guusal Unit was truly invaluable.”
Yu Woon Ryong, sitting with a haggard face, opened his mouth.
“Now I understand why you invested such a fortune to make the Guusal Unit your direct unit. Without their assistance, it would have been nearly impossible to gather this much information on Cheon Geom.”
I nodded.
Cheon Geom had always wandered through Gangho in secrecy.
Moreover, now that he had become a first-rank sword unit commander of the Murim Alliance, an official intelligence organization would have concealed his movements.
Therefore, only the Guusal Unit, which stood as an equal to Bi Young Gak, could uncover his information.
“To summarize briefly, that madman is currently following your example.”
Yu Woon Ryong explained calmly.
“He leads his own unit independently, dealing with sects that have troubled the Murim Alliance and those who harm common people. All to further magnify his reputation.”
“Hmm.”
“His martial prowess is formidable, and he knows no fear. It seems to stem from a head injury he sustained in childhood.”
“A head injury?”
When I asked, Yu Woon Ryong nodded and continued.
“Cheon Geom was the only child to survive a village that was completely annihilated by a band of demons in his childhood.”
He let out a brief sigh before continuing his account.
“The bandit gang’s final massacre was at Cheon Geom’s home… and Geom Joon appeared just before the child died.”
* * *
The bandit gang descended upon the village, slaughtering its people with brutal savagery.
During the final cleanup, they discovered a child hiding in the barn.
The moment the bandits spotted him, the child clenched both fists tightly.
Then he charged at the gang that had annihilated his family, flailing his small hands desperately.
“Hmph.”
The bandit regarded the charging child with annoyance and delivered a vicious kick.
Thud.
The child flew back over a dozen paces, his head striking a boulder as blood gushed forth in torrents.
Yet his breath did not cease, and he struggled to rise once more.
“A stubborn one, aren’t you.”
Seeing the child still clinging to life, the bandit approached with heavy, deliberate steps.
Boom!
At that moment, thunder roared and a white silhouette descended from the heavens to the earth below.
It was Geom Joon, Heon Won Dam Cheong, drawn to this place by the horrific screams while passing through the region.
But the village had already been completely annihilated by the bandits, leaving only one child—a bloodied, broken form.
“Worthless creatures.”
In his fury, he dispatched hundreds of bandits in less than half a moment.
“….”
Heon Won Dam Cheong’s eyes wavered as he gazed upon the surviving child.
The child writhed upon the boulder.
Not only was the child’s fate cruel—the sole survivor in such devastation—but his bone structure was remarkably exceptional.
“Hmm.”
Heon Won Dam Cheong already had mature disciples.
And having lost all attachment to Gangho, he was on the verge of departing Murim entirely to journey far away.
Yet upon witnessing this child, the sole survivor of the bandits’ massacre, he felt an inescapable destiny.
“Perhaps this is heaven’s will.”
Though born of a farming family, the child’s aptitude was that of a natural martial prodigy. Having made his decision, he spoke in a low voice.
“What is your name, child?”
But the child, having struck his head severely against the boulder, stared at him with vacant eyes.
“The brain meridian is damaged.”
The impact had stripped the child of all memory.
Boom!
Thunder and lightning flashed as a downpour began to fall.
Heon Won Dam Cheong approached the child and asked.
“Will you follow this old one?”
The child, sitting with vacant eyes, nodded his head.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a blue radiance erupted from Heon Won Dam Cheong’s body, and an aura as immense as Mount Tai began to pour forth.
“So that these wicked souls may not walk freely upon this world, causing harm—you shall become Heaven’s Sword and eliminate the evil that plagues the land.”
“Heaven’s… Sword.”
“Indeed.”
Heon Won Dam Cheong, observing the child murmuring softly, spoke with solemn gravity.
“From this moment forward, your name shall be Cheon Geom.”
* * *
“And thus, Cheon Geom became the disciple of Geom Joon, or so the tale goes.”
Myo Cheon Woo stroked his chin as he listened to Yu Woon Ryong’s account.
“How contrived. Anyone hearing this would mistake it for some legend from ancient times.”
“It was likely deliberately spread by Geom Joon’s faction themselves.”
Yu Woon Ryong shrugged his shoulders.
“Otherwise, such detailed information known only to the two of them would never have circulated so thoroughly throughout Murim.”
He then turned his gaze toward Bu Eunseol and continued his narrative.
“Thereafter, Cheon Geom became Geom Joon’s disciple and inherited all of his extraordinary swordsmanship, it is said.”
Cheon Geom possessed a martial talent so prodigious that even Geom Joon was astounded, or so the legends claim.
Could it have been the blow to his head?
Not only did he possess an innate genius for mastering martial arts, but from the beginning, he was incapable of experiencing fear or doubt.
Moreover, he took no interest in the weak, finding pleasure only in confronting the strong.
His sole flaw, if it could be called such, was his utter lack of mercy and his cruelty when dealing with the wicked—yet…
From the perspective of the Orthodox Sects, this could hardly be considered a true weakness.
“So he possesses no weaknesses whatsoever.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, a gleam flashed across Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes.
“No. He does.”
And he spoke with forceful conviction.
“Through meticulous investigation of his every movement and action, I have discovered it—a fatal flaw in this Cheon Geom.”

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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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