The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 317

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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 317.
“What do you mean?”
As Myo Cheon Woo asked urgently, Yu Woon Ryong replied with conviction in his voice.
“That man is a madman who cannot possibly comprehend the emotions of others.”
“Huh?”
Myo Cheon Woo couldn’t help but express his bewilderment.
“But isn’t it true that madmen don’t understand others’ emotions in the first place?”
“It’s different. Entirely different.”
Yu Woon Ryong smiled faintly at the corners of his mouth.
“He is a madman who merely pretends to be sane.”
“Pretends to be sane….”
Myo Cheon Woo, who had been contemplating something for a moment, furrowed his brow and shook his head.
“Even if that were true, how can you know such a thing with certainty? It could be something you’re not sure about.”
“A month ago, the Yo Jin Geom Dae led by Cheon Geom subjugated Bun Ta of Gwang Hyeol Dok Ji.”
Yu Woon Ryong continued speaking matter-of-factly.
“When he saw his subordinate suffering from a poison dart strike, he claimed to help by creating a vacuum with his palm and tore it out in one motion.”
A poison dart is a solidified concealed weapon created by Gwang Hyeol Dok Ji.
When struck by such a dart, the sharp needles on its surface curve like fishing hooks.
Therefore, to remove it, one must very carefully cut away the barbs and then extract it with great caution.
Yet Cheon Geom, claiming to save his subordinates, ripped out the poison dart in a single motion.
“Isn’t that just a sign of a cruel nature?”
Yu Woon Ryong nodded at Myo Cheon Woo’s question.
“If this were the only incident, one might think so. But something similar happened when he dealt with the Red Blade Sect.”
“What happened?”
“A fire broke out in a village, yet he simply passed by. His reason was that if he didn’t hurry to the Red Blade Sect, they would establish their defensive lines.”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke with absolute certainty.
“I investigated various other incidents and his actions. In conclusion, the reason Cheon Geom’s subordinates are cruel and fearless is… because he himself cannot comprehend the emotions of others.”
Bu Eunseol, understanding the meaning, nodded faintly.
She too had already suspected to some degree that Cheon Geom was someone who could not properly empathize with others’ emotions.
But Yu Woon Ryong, through meticulous investigation, had driven the nail home with “cannot comprehend.”
There was a vast difference between not doing something and being incapable of doing it.
If that analysis was accurate, Bu Eunseol could devise various stratagems to bring down Cheon Geom.
“I am certain.”
As if reading Bu Eunseol’s innermost thoughts, Yu Woon Ryong spoke with force.
“You must have sensed it as well.”
Yu Woon Ryong’s abilities as a strategist had now fully blossomed, and his temperament and analytical acumen had become equally refined.
Moreover, having observed and analyzed Cheon Geom’s actions for so long, his assessment would be flawless.
“I see.”
As Bu Eunseol nodded, Yu Woon Ryong continued his explanation.
“Furthermore, for some reason, he seems to be in a state where his body burns with the desire to achieve merit.”
“He intends to rise to the rank of Lord.”
Bu Eunseol nodded as if it were obvious.
“If that happens, he’ll become someone I can’t possibly touch.”
Cheon Geom was building merit relentlessly, aiming to become a Lord-ranked figure beyond Bu Eunseol’s reach.
The Demon Palace and the Murim Alliance.
These two colossal powers rarely encroached upon each other’s domain. Especially those of Lord rank—they were the leadership and absolutely untouchable.
One misstep could trigger a war between the Orthodox and Demonic sects.
“I’ve investigated as thoroughly as I could, though I’m uncertain if it’s sufficient.”
As Yu Woon Ryong’s expression grew troubled, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“It’s enough.”
Simply hearing Yu Woon Ryong’s analysis of Cheon Geom’s character was sufficient.
I had methodically organized all the plans I’d conceived thus far, refining them into a flawless framework.
“My original plan required twelve stages.”
I spoke in a low voice.
“But now that I’ve identified Cheon Geom’s weaknesses with certainty, I can reduce it to five stages.”
“Hmm.”
Yu Woon Ryong stroked his chin and let out a contemplative sound.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t predict how Bu Eunseol would bring Cheon Geom to ruin.
What was certain was that Bu Eunseol always advanced plans methodically, deploying complex tactics that pierced through an enemy’s psychology.
By the time all the plans became apparent, the enemy would already be trapped in an inescapable quagmire.
“From now on, I’ll drag that madman down step by step to the very bottom.”
At that moment, a cold gleam spread through Bu Eunseol’s eyes, which held a frigid smile.
“Until he can no longer set foot in the Murim Alliance.”
* * *
The intelligence networks of Nangya Pavilion and Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong, and even the Guusal Unit—the Demon Palace’s most elite secret force—under my command.
My information network rivaled that of Biryeong Sect, the Demon Palace’s foremost intelligence division.
Moreover, dealing with Cheon Geom was not merely my personal affair. It was a clash between the Ten Demon Immortals and the greatest masters.
Thus, having secured even Biryeong Sect’s cooperation, I possessed the Demonic Path’s supreme intelligence capability.
This allowed me to predict Cheon Geom’s next move in an instant.
Sal Yak Moon.
A vile assassin organization where murderers gathered—those who would kill even children for coin.
As their atrocities escalated beyond measure, the Murim Alliance had attempted multiple times to annihilate Sal Yak Moon.
But Sal Yak Moon had established itself in a deep ravine of Wolbaek Mountain.
The only path leading there was a single iron chain stretching between cliffs.
Moreover, the chain’s load capacity was barely sufficient for one person to cross.
At the slightest sign of a small force approaching, they would sever the bridge.
After much deliberation, the Murim Alliance attempted to use this to their advantage by cutting the bridge entirely to isolate Sal Yak Moon.
But an unexpected force objected—the Green Forest.
“This region near Wolbaek Mountain falls under the Namgang Faction’s domain. The Murim Alliance should not interfere.”
Though the Green Forest dared not truly oppose the Murim Alliance, Sal Yak Moon was situated in a remote frontier far removed from Zhong Yuan.
Particularly around Wolbaek Mountain, there were no Orthodox Sects at all, and it was the region where Green Forest’s influence was strongest.
Moreover, as Sal Yak Moon sent massive sums of money to Green Forest every year, they were desperately blocking any intervention from the Murim Alliance.
In the end, Sal Yak Moon had built a natural fortress on Wolbaek Mountain and, backed by Green Forest, was running rampant throughout the Murim.
Cheon Geom intended to annihilate that place and establish yet another merit.
* * *
“This should be about right.”
A massive shadow arrived before Wolbaek Mountain, where Sal Yak Moon was located.
With a build like a bear and a great sword strapped across his back.
It was none other than Cheon Geom.
“It’s been a while since I’ve stretched my muscles.”
Cheon Geom chuckled, shaking his head.
He had brought all the members of the elite Yo Jin Geom Dae unit that he commanded out into the Murim.
However, upon arriving near Wolbaek Mountain, he had the unit members stay at an inn in Geun Dong.
―You all wait here.
The unit members could not hide their bewilderment at Cheon Geom’s command.
They had come all this way to deal with Sal Yak Moon, yet suddenly he was telling them to wait here?
―If you go up Wolbaek Mountain, Sal Yak Moon will detect the movement and cut off the path. So I’ll handle it alone.
The unit members all frowned and asked.
―Then why did you bring us along in the first place?
They were well aware of how formidable Cheon Geom’s martial prowess was.
But if he was going to handle it alone anyway, why had he brought the unit at all?
―If I go alone, I’ll get criticized, won’t I? The Alliance won’t even grant permission.
The commander of a Murim Alliance unit is not allowed to act independently without their members.
Cheon Geom was shamelessly explaining to the unit members that he had brought them along only because of such regulations.
The unit members looked at each other and bit their lips.
Even if he was Geom Joon’s disciple, he was treating his own subordinates like baggage?
―Then I’ll be going.
But Cheon Geom had come here alone, paying no mind to the unit members’ reactions.
“Sorry, but I don’t have much time.”
Cheon Geom muttered lowly, recalling the unit members’ expressions.
He had to establish merit as quickly as possible and climb to an even higher position.
Because he had to reach the position of youngest Lord as rapidly as possible.
“The position of unit commander is fine, but it’s not quite the rank of Lord.”
The position of elite Lord in the Murim Alliance was by no means low.
But it did not guarantee lifetime security of status, and demotion was possible depending on merit and fault.
But a Lord was different.
Unless one committed an unforgivable crime or grave misconduct that would warrant a Ten Elders Council, one could be guaranteed the position indefinitely.
Moreover, one could conduct operations independently, possessing virtually the same formidable authority as a sect leader.
“Once I establish the position of Lord, that woman will surely become restless and eager, won’t she?”
Recalling Bu Eunseol’s cold face, Cheon Geom’s eyes narrowed into crescents.
What if I were to ascend to the position of Pavilion Lord?
Bu Eunseol would ultimately have no choice but to accept my proposal and relinquish her position as successor.
Because she would need to pursue her revenge.
“Hehehehe. Hahahaha!”
Cheon Geom burst into exultant laughter at the thought of Bu Eunseol’s eyes burning crimson with fury.
As a disciple of Geom Joon, he had never encountered anyone who dared to provoke him or match him in martial prowess.
Yet at last, from the Demonic Path itself, he had discovered a worthy rival of exceptional caliber.
And those eyes—the madness inscribed within them.
Was that not an indiscriminate frenzy that only kindred spirits could truly comprehend?
“How delightful. Absolutely delightful.”
Cheon Geom licked his lips with an expression of rapture.
To him, the world had been painted in gray—neither bright nor dark.
But since meeting Bu Eunseol, the world had regained its vibrant hues.
The tedium and suffocation of his daily existence had vanished entirely, replaced by a tautness of tension he had never before experienced.
Bu Eunseol, successor to the Demon Palace.
She possessed the strength to sever his neck whenever she wished.
“When will that wretch abandon everything?”
Cheon Geom hummed as he unfurled his movement technique once more.
“A year? No, perhaps half a year? By then, she will have no choice but to surrender all.”
The position of Demon Palace successor was like the sun suspended in the heavens.
Cheon Geom would plunge Bu Eunseol from that height into the abyss in a single breath.
And that spectacle would deliver a thrill more exquisite and electrifying than anything else.
“I’ve arrived.”
Having deployed his movement technique like a violent gale, he stood before the chain that led to Sal Yak Moon.
“Shall we begin?”
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.
Before combat, he merged body and spirit into one, drawing his senses and reflexes to their peak and amplifying the power of his blade technique.
‘Hmm?’
Yet something felt amiss.
The moment he heightened his senses, faint groans and the clash of weapons echoed from the opposite cliff in succession.
‘Could it be…?’
Sensing foreboding, Cheon Geom rushed to cross the iron chain bridge in a single bound,
when a dark silhouette emerged from the opposite cliff.
A black blade stained with ink hung across its back, and black robes were drenched in blood.
“You…!”
Cheon Geom’s eyes widened.
Standing before him was none other than his rival—Bu Eunseol herself.
The iron chain bridge swayed in the wind.
Bu Eunseol walked across it as though treading on level ground and arrived before Cheon Geom.
Bu Eunseol walked across the swaying chain bridge as if it were flat ground, buffeted by the wind, and arrived before Cheon Geom.
A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
Bu Eunseol regarded Cheon Geom with a cold smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Without uttering a word, she turned and brushed past him.
“Quite the coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”
Cheon Geom called out to her with an exaggerated laugh.
Yet Bu Eunseol walked on with measured steps, as though deaf to his words.
A low, mirthless chuckle.
Cheon Geom watched her retreating figure with amusement dancing across his features.
Though his lips curved upward in a grin, his eyes blazed with barely contained fury.
“So this is how you intend to obstruct me?”
Bu Eunseol was the successor to the Demon Hall.
In terms of intelligence networks alone, she rivaled the Information Lord of the Murim Alliance—or perhaps even surpassed the Chief Strategist himself.
“But what a pity. There are countless other ways to accumulate merit.”
Cheon Geom turned away with a dismissive sneer.
* * *
Yong Mu Gang of the Colorful Flower Blade.
A vile libertine who delighted in violating the daughters of wealthy families.
He possessed a commanding physique, handsome features, exceptional martial prowess, and extraordinary lightness of body.
Had he chosen differently—whether as a martial artist or as a wanderer seeking fortune—he might have achieved great success.
But Yong Mu Gang had elected instead to pursue crime and the pleasures it afforded.
Over the past five years, he had roamed the Murim committing countless unspeakable atrocities.
Yet he had eluded the pursuit of masters, a feat made possible by his original profession: thievery.
He had once been a disciple of the renowned bandit known as Dok Haeng Do.
Thieves meticulously plan every detail before stealing even a single object.
They account for thousands of contingencies and prepare flawless escape routes, with multiple contingency plans should the first fail.
Moreover, Yong Mu Gang possessed an innate, animal-like instinct.
This combination of talent and technique had allowed him to evade countless pursuers and survive to this day.
―Capture Yong Mu Gang!
Recently, the Orthodox sects of the Murim had been thrown into turmoil in their efforts to apprehend him.
The reason was that his latest victim had been Wang Seo Eon, the daughter of Wang Woon, a magnate of Jenam and an outer disciple of the Ami Sect.
Devastated by what Yong Mu Gang had done to her, Wang Seo Eon had taken her own life.
When word of this tragedy spread, the enraged Ami Sect mobilized their disciples to pursue Yong Mu Gang.
Unable to catch even a trace of him, they appealed to the Murim Alliance for assistance.
―Please, you must find this vile criminal!
The Murim Alliance immediately deployed over a dozen sword units to track him down.
Not only that, but countless wanderers pursued him for coin—yet Yong Mu Gang, having already grasped the situation, had vanished without a trace.
Even numerous intelligence organizations and capable investigators from the government had pursued him, only to fail utterly in their capture.
Yeon Ju Province, Nong Ga Hong.
This region was home to a settlement of the disabled and deaf-mute, those whose bodies bore affliction.
To the casual observer, it appeared merely an ordinary village, yet Nong Ga Hong was in truth a branch of the Murim underworld.
This massive village of Nong Ga Hong was the headquarters of Jangyeol Bang, a faction that gathered the disabled and infirm.
Though it might seem unremarkable—a gathering of those whose bodies were broken—Jangyeol Bang wielded considerable influence rivaling any major faction.
All those with crippled bodies flocked to Jangyeol Bang, banding together in solidarity. And like Gaebang, they scattered across all of Zhong Yuan to gather intelligence.
Jangyeol Bang sold such information at exorbitant prices while involving themselves in various profitable ventures and enterprises.
Inside a dilapidated thatched cottage nestled in the innermost reaches of Nong Ga Hong.
Splash, splash, splash.
A man sat leaning against the wall, drinking.
His frame was sturdy and his features handsome, yet dark circles shadowed his eyes and his gaze was sharp and narrow.
An inexplicably sinister and eerie light lingered in his pupils—so unsettling that even a bold and fearless man would avert his gaze upon meeting those eyes.
This was Yong Mu Gang, the Blade of Calamity.
“I’ll need to stay another month.”
He stared into empty space with a bored expression.
In truth, even before becoming a disciple of Dok Haeng Do, he had been a leader within Jangyeol Bang.
Jangyeol Bang was so overlooked by the Murim factions that they paid it no mind, and for the right price, they would do anything.
After receiving martial arts and assassination techniques from Dok Haeng Do, he had used the Jangyeol Bang branches scattered across the eighteen thousand li of Zhong Yuan as hideouts.
With the disabled and infirm gathered there, few would bother conducting searches.
If a search turned up nothing, those conducting it would face considerable criticism instead.
“As if those fools would even know about Jangyeol Bang.”
He chuckled softly, then sprawled out on the floor.
“Whether it’s the Murim Alliance or Ami Sect, their pursuit won’t last even a month.”
A sneer played across his lips.
The pursuit of factions was never particularly relentless.
After all, destroying hostile sects or rival forces brought fame, power, and various supplementary gains…
But expending resources merely to capture a single criminal made no financial sense.
“Since they’ve put out a bounty through the Golden Heaven Chamber, the Murim Alliance got involved. Once time passes, only wandering mercenaries chasing the reward will remain.”
Gulp, gulp.
Yong Mu Gang finished the remaining wine in his bottle and lay back comfortably.
After another month or so, the pursuers from the Murim Alliance and Ami Sect would abandon the chase on their own. Then he would return to the Murim and wreak havoc as he pleased.
“That was quite enjoyable, I must say.”
He licked his lips, recalling the image of Wang Seo Eon, whom he had violated not long ago.
He had touched her despite knowing she was a lay disciple of the Nine Sects One Alliance—simply because her beauty was utterly irresistible.
“Why did she take her own life? Had she lived, I would have found her again.”
At that moment, a low voice came from the opposite direction.
“Then search for her in the afterlife.”
Yong Mu Gang’s skin crawled with dread.
Having inherited all of Dok Haeng Do’s techniques, his senses were keener than most Murim masters.
Yet he had felt no presence as someone entered the room—not even a whisper of warning.
‘If I move carelessly, I die.’
Yong Mu Gang swallowed hard,
“There’s no need to be tense.”
The shadow standing behind him spoke in a low voice.
“If I had wanted you dead, you would have died long ago.”
Upon hearing those words, Yong Mu Gang quickly rose to his feet and turned around.
There stood the Gray-Black Robed Man, his form now visible before me.
His features were as exquisitely beautiful as those of a celestial being, yet his eyes burned with the crimson gaze of death itself—cold and utterly composed.
In that instant, Yong Mu Gang felt a suffocating terror grip his chest.
The stark contrast between his breathtaking beauty and the terrifying coldness in his gaze created an inexplicable dread that seized my very soul.

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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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