The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 326

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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 326.
Upon returning to the Demon Palace, Bu Eunseol began preparing to enter seclusion once more.
However, she entrusted the task of investigating Chil Ji Ma Do’s whereabouts—which had been her initial priority—to the Guusal Unit and Yu Woon Ryong.
More than thirty years had passed since his disappearance, and even the Biryeong Sect, the Demonic Path’s premier intelligence organization, could not confirm whether he lived or died.
Moreover, those who had come into contact with Chil Ji Ma Do thus far were all from the Orthodox Sects—and specifically, individuals who had reached the pinnacle of power.
No matter how brilliant Bu Eunseol’s strategic mind might be…
Even if she concentrated all the power of the entire Demonic Path, it would be impossible to uncover Chil Ji Ma Do’s whereabouts and secrets in a short time.
‘Obsessing over problems that cannot be solved immediately is merely a waste of time.’
Bu Eunseol resolved to tackle the problems she faced directly, one by one.
Her first task was to transform the subtleties of the Two Heaven Reversal Force she had grasped during her confrontation with Cheon Geom into a formal technique.
To reapply the principles of martial arts learned in actual combat at any time, she needed to systematically rewrite them as formal doctrine.
There were limits to relying solely on instinct and sensation without establishing a theoretical foundation.
She also conducted research on the Blood Furnace Seven Techniques in parallel.
Originally, the Blood Furnace Seven Techniques were a path technique.
Deploying it as a sword technique was, in essence, diminishing its original power.
Yet suddenly wielding a greatsword while having achieved unity between silent sword and sword water seemed equally strange.
Moreover, without knowing Chil Ji Ma Do’s true identity, she could not openly use his unique heterodox techniques…
So Bu Eunseol continued her research, converting it into a sword technique.
‘And as for the Icebound Soul Sword….’
Merely from colliding with the sword technique Geom Joon had deployed like branches, cracks had formed in the blade’s spirit.
Yet Bu Eunseol had no intention of discarding this sword. Somehow, it felt remarkably comfortable in her hand.
‘Sending it to Cheol Sa Bu should work fine.’
Wang Gyeol’s alias was Cheol Sa Bu.
His metallurgical mastery was among the finest in Murim, capable of handling any metal with perfect freedom.
After sending the sword to Geommi Mountain, a reply came from Wang Gyeol not long after.
―To repair this blade, I must obtain Northern Sea Mystic Iron, so the repair period will easily exceed a year.
Moreover, since this is a sword through which the energy of Mystic Yin flows, it would be wise not to carry it on your person unless you intend to cultivate Yin-class martial arts.
As Bu Eunseol read through the letter, she could not hide her astonishment.
An unexpected statement had been written at the end.
―It is possible that this sword is not a demonic blade at all, but rather a sword crafted by the Baek Ri Family three hundred years ago.
They would occasionally blend metals such as Kunwu and Wujin with Northern Sea Mystic Iron to create weapons with wondrous properties.
The Baek Ri Family.
A mysterious clan with roots stretching through generations in Murim.
They all possessed the ability to discern the mandate of heaven and possessed mysterious knowledge. Based on such knowledge, they directly crafted and wielded weapons with unique properties, it is said.
Yet three hundred years ago, they vanished as if evaporating. Their manor, their possessions, even the utensils they used—everything disappeared completely.
However, the truth behind this bizarre incident was never revealed. Now their name appears only when grandfathers tell their grandsons amusing tales of Murim.
But if the Icebound Soul Sword was not a demonic blade,
Could it possibly be a sword crafted by the Baek Ri Family, who had vanished without a trace—from the servants down to a single chopstick?
Cheol Sa Bu was Murim’s foremost weapons expert and a master blacksmith of his generation, capable of discerning the authenticity and value of scattered divine weapons throughout Murim as well as ancient armaments.
His words could not be dismissed lightly.
Baek Ri Mu Ha.
The name suddenly surfaced in Bu Eunseol’s mind—one she had heard from Man Bak Dang Master Baek Jeon Cheon.
A mysterious master called the greatest in Murim thirty years ago. Could he also have been a member of the Baek Ri Family?
Not everyone bearing the surname Baek Ri could be considered a descendant of the Baek Ri Family.
Bu Eunseol shook her head and set down the letter.
Idle thoughts could wait. There was far too much to accomplish right now.
After finishing her miscellaneous tasks, Bu Eunseol prepared to enter seclusion for serious martial cultivation.
But that plan was destined to be interrupted.
Creak.
Just as I was closing the Cultivation Chamber door, a man dressed in official robes hurried toward me from the distance.
It was Yu Woon Ryong.
“Bu Eunseol.”
His eyes were sharp, yet the pupils within gleamed with composure and wisdom.
I barely recognized him.
In the past, he had possessed a typical rebellious countenance, and his temperament was simple and impulsive.
But when given a position befitting his talents, the latent qualities of a strategist emerged.
Not only had his nature transformed into something composed and wise, but even his appearance seemed to have changed.
“I finally found it.”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
Had he uncovered all the information regarding Chil Ji Ma Do’s movements?
But Yu Woon Ryong continued with a bright expression.
“The Yunhai Biyeok Palace.”
Bu Eunseol had been searching for a sect possessing the inner cultivation method capable of completely restoring Seo Jin Ha’s body, whose dantian had been destroyed.
That sect was none other than the Yunhai Biyeok Palace, said to possess the most superior inner energy cultivation techniques in the Hae Seo region.
―Many sects beyond the borders open their upper dantians and cultivate inner energy, but fundamentally, only the Yunhai Biyeok Palace’s secret of the Myriad Transformation Dharma Wheel can achieve the Three Elements Three Harmonies and the Primordial Spirit Emergence.
When I learned the Counteracting Extreme Heart Method at Cheol Jang Peak, Hyul Geum Gang had taught me the characteristics of inner cultivation secrets from various sects throughout Tianxia.
And he had also mentioned that the secret capable of perfectly opening the upper dantian lay with the Yunhai Biyeok Palace in the Seo Jang region.
―The remarkable aspect of the Myriad Transformation Dharma Wheel is that, unlike other cultivation methods, it never fails in opening the upper dantian.
Because Seo Jin Ha had mastered solitary cultivation, ordinary secrets could not perfectly restore his inner strength.
So I had Yu Woon Ryong mobilize the intelligence network to continuously search for the location of the Yunhai Biyeok Palace.
“We were truly fortunate.”
Yu Woon Ryong drew a deep breath as he spoke.
“Finding a sect that reveals itself to no one is genuinely difficult.”
Bu Eunseol wore a bitter smile.
That was likely an allusion to Saixiang, which she had been pursuing all along.
“I’ve written the detailed information here.”
Yu Woon Ryong produced an envelope and a small bundle from his robes.
“I sensed you would hurry.”
Restoring Seo Jin Ha’s inner strength was something I had yearned for all this time.
He had instinctively understood that upon hearing this news, I would set aside everything else and prioritize this matter.
“Well done.”
As Bu Eunseol took the envelope and bundle and turned to leave, Yu Woon Ryong spoke with a worried expression.
“You’re going with just the two of you?”
Bu Eunseol nodded, and Yu Woon Ryong spoke firmly.
“Absolutely not.”
Until now, Bu Eunseol had wandered the Murim alone, encountering countless crises she should have avoided.
Moreover, not long ago, hadn’t Geom Joon himself appeared to avenge Cheon Geom?
Bu Eunseol was now the successor to the Demon Palace and a commander responsible for numerous subordinates. She could not possibly travel without an escort.
“Mm.”
Bu Eunseol wore an expression of resignation.
Yu Woon Ryong and Myo Cheon Woo were her deputies.
If those closest to her in service objected, she had to respect their opinions.
And it was precisely because of Bu Eunseol’s approach that not only Yu Woon Ryong but all her subordinates devoted their loyalty to her.
“If you truly dislike it, I’ll assign members of the Guusal Unit.”
The Guusal Unit members rarely revealed themselves, making them most suitable for escorting Bu Eunseol.
“Woon Ryong. Let the two of them go.”
Then a man in a dark blue martial robe walked up from behind. It was Myo Cheon Woo.
“It’s better if just the two go this time.”
Myo Cheon Woo spoke with a slight smile.
“Honestly, I’d like to go with them too. But I suppose I should yield this time.”
“Myo Cheon Woo. This isn’t something to treat as a joke.”
Yu Woon Ryong’s irritation flared at Myo Cheon Woo’s playful tone.
“This is important not just for Seo Jin Ha, but for her as well.”
“I know. That’s why I understand you’re in a hurry.”
“What do you understand?”
As Yu Woon Ryong spoke curtly, Myo Cheon Woo replied with utmost seriousness.
「You wanted to give her a respite.」
At Myo Cheon Woo’s telepathic message, Yu Woon Ryong fell silent.
Recently, Bu Eunseol had endured far too much. Young Moon Ho, whom she had struggled to find, was dead, and she had fought a life-or-death battle with Cheon Geom.
No matter how much a martial artist lived with a sword at their throat, her path had been stained with exhaustion.
Moreover, mountains of tasks awaited her in the future.
Yu Woon Ryong had simply wanted to give Bu Eunseol a brief respite from that complicated situation.
「Knowing that, you’d send her alone with Seo Jin Ha?」
As Yu Woon Ryong sent his telepathic message, Myo Cheon Woo nodded.
「If she travels that long distance, she’ll concern herself with the unit members’ wellbeing too. That would exhaust her further.」
Yu Woon Ryong closed his mouth.
Thinking it over, he was right.
Even if an escort secretly followed, they couldn’t escape Bu Eunseol’s perception.
If she worried about the escort members as well, her mind and body would grow even more weary.
‘I hope it will be alright.’
In truth, Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess was hardly a cause for concern.
Even in the direst circumstances, she possessed the capability to extricate herself.
What truly weighed upon Yu Woon Ryong’s mind was Seo Jin Ha.
Should a perilous situation befall him—a man who had lost half his cultivation—Bu Eunseol would inevitably find herself ensnared as well.
“Hmm.”
Yu Woon Ryong exhaled softly and gazed into Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Eyes that remained eternally still.
They regarded the world with cynical detachment, as serene as an enlightened sage who harbored no attachment to anything.
Not even to her own life.
‘So that was it.’
Only now did Yu Woon Ryong comprehend Myo Cheon Woo’s intention.
Bu Eunseol cared nothing for her own safety, yet those around her, though appearing indifferent, observed her with meticulous care.
If one truly wished to grant her respite, it would require accepting some risk—sending her alone with Seo Jin Ha.
“Seo Jin Ha possesses a wealth of emotion; he will become a source of solace for Bu Eunseol.”
Myo Cheon Woo smiled knowingly at Yu Woon Ryong.
As Bu Eunseol traveled with Seo Jin Ha and witnessed the world through his eyes, perhaps she might come to realize that Murim was not merely a desolate and solitary realm.
Should that occur, such time would be far from wasted.
“I understand.”
Yu Woon Ryong drew a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
“Then I ask only that you erase her tracks from the Guusal Unit’s records.”
Yet despite his words, unease lingered—his brow furrowed as he spoke again.
“At the very least, alter your appearance. That alone should suffice to avoid unnecessary conflict.”
“You sound like a fussy mother-in-law.”
Myo Cheon Woo chided him with a smirk, giving Bu Eunseol’s shoulder a gentle push.
“Go now. And give Seo Jin Ha my regards.”
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol, uncharacteristically, offered a faint smile as she departed the chamber.
She had sensed the transmission of their voices, though she could not discern their words.
Yet in their eyes alone, she could feel how deeply they cared for her, how much they worried.
* * *
Two men rode swift steeds across the endless plains.
On the left sat a pallid man with long hair braided into two strands; on the right, a man clad in dark gray martial robes.
They were Seo Jin Ha and Bu Eunseol.
‘His body has recovered remarkably well.’
Bu Eunseol glanced sideways at Seo Jin Ha as they rode and nodded to herself.
Seo Jin Ha, trained at Nangya Pavilion, had regained his full vitality.
Nangya Pavilion cultivated martial arts through real combat, staking one’s very life as the price.
Thus, they possessed unparalleled knowledge of the human body and commanded diverse secret techniques for healing injuries.
The sinews that had grown rigid now moved with suppleness, and his flesh radiated vibrant energy.
His complexion remained somewhat pale, not from illness, but because he had received the foundational teachings of the Beast Path in the darkness of a cave.
‘Cheol Sa Bu has accepted my opinion.’
Bu Eunseol had presented a new method for the disciples of Nangya Pavilion to learn the Beast Path.
Rather than striking the Shengyin acupoint to blind the eyes and elevate the body’s senses to their peak, she proposed refining the fundamentals of the Beast Path in a lightless chamber where no light could enter.
―The Beast Path is difficult to master because it suddenly strips away sight, humanity’s greatest sense.
Bu Eunseol had researched a method of cultivating the Beast Path in a dark chamber instead of removing sight, and transmitted it to Nangya Pavilion.
And during the process of recovering her body, Seo Jin Ha also came to learn that cultivation method.
―Huff. Huff.
At that moment, the horse’s breathing grew rough as if exhausted.
“Whoa.”
Bu Eunseol and Seo Jin Ha stopped the horse at a place where a large tree stood, and rested for a while.
“But why do I need to learn Sae Oe’s inner cultivation secret?”
When Bu Eunseol came to Nangya Pavilion and suggested going to Seo Jang, Seo Jin Ha was not particularly surprised.
If it was Bu Eunseol, she would surely restore his inner power as promised.
But by the time they actually arrived at Seo Jang, a question had occurred to him.
He had learned martial arts from various masters at Nangya Pavilion.
Thanks to that, he came to realize that the Murim contained far more diverse cultivation methods than he had thought.
In particular, Nangya Pavilion Master Ak Moo Ryung possessed mysterious power, and had even restored the inner power of Hyul Geum Gang, a high monk of Cheon Ryong Temple whose dantian had been completely destroyed in the past.
He had even heard this legendary anecdote.
“If the dantian could be restored, I wouldn’t want to learn Sae Oe’s cultivation method.”
To Seo Jin Ha’s question, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“The dantian will not be restored.”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“We are not learning Sae Oe’s inner cultivation method, but rather opening the upper dantian.”
Bu Eunseol explained calmly.
“Even if the dantian were restored, it would require at least ten years of rigorous training to rebuild one’s original power.”
“Well, that would certainly be the case.”
“However, the inner cultivation method that uses the upper dantian does not accumulate inner power in the dantian to use it, but rather generates vital energy within the body immediately.”
Bu Eunseol recalled the blue-eyed Masked Assassin she had met in the Underground Fortress with Yu Hwa Ryeong in the past.
Although he had enhanced his inner power through human transformation, despite his young age, he had opened the upper dantian and displayed formidable power.
“If one who possessed great power through the lower dantian opens the upper dantian, they can recover all their accumulated power in an instant. Moreover, they can build even more formidable inner power.”
“Then why don’t the people of Murim open the upper dantian?”
“How many martial artists would willingly destroy the power they have accumulated throughout their entire lives?”
Bu Eunseol explained matter-of-factly.
“Moreover, if one destroys all their power and fails to open the upper dantian, everything becomes futile.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a serious expression.
“That is why we go to Sae Oe. There exists a method there that absolutely guarantees success in opening the upper dantian.”
After their rest, the two rode the horse again.
They continuously changed horses and carriages, and when that was not possible, they deployed their lightness skill.
Since Seo Jin Ha had rebuilt and trained his body at Nangya Pavilion, he could deploy a certain level of lightness skill with just a little help from Bu Eunseol.
The two had arrived at Lhasa, the capital of Seo Jang.
“Are you going to keep changing your appearance?”
Upon entering Seong Do, Bu Eunseol deployed the Face Transformation Technique and altered her features to resemble Seol So.
However, Seo Jin Ha found something unsatisfying about it.
The open, river-like countenance was gone, replaced by an ordinary, plain face topped with a topknot.
“Call me Seol So. I’m in disguise right now.”
“Understood.”
Seo Jin Ha shrugged and smacked his lips.
“Still, this is wonderful. I’ve always wanted to see that place someday.”
Seo Jin Ha gazed at the expansive landscape with a faint smile.
“We’re heading to Potala Palace, right?”
“No.”
“What?”
Seo Jin Ha spoke in surprise.
“Weren’t we coming here to learn the inner cultivation secrets of Potala Palace?”
Potala Palace was renowned not only for its Secret Scripture of the Esoteric Sect but also for its inner cultivation techniques that utilized the Upper Dantian.
When Bu Eunseol mentioned going to Hae Seo to open the Upper Dantian, I naturally assumed we were heading to Potala Palace.
That’s why I hadn’t asked any questions until now.
“Then why did we come to this desolate place?”
“Yunhai Biyeok Palace.”
Bu Eunseol spoke matter-of-factly.
“I need to obtain their secret cultivation manual.”
“What? Yunhai Biyeok Palace?”
Seo Jin Ha couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
Yunhai Biyeok Palace was a mysterious sect of Hae Seo that had never revealed itself to the world, and no one had ever confirmed its true location.
Yet it remained famous because of the exceptional martial prowess of its members.
They occasionally sent very young boys and girls into the Gangho to recruit disciples.
Even so, the martial skills of these youths were said to overwhelm seasoned masters of the Gangho.
If they were to reach adulthood and master their martial arts fully, their power would be truly unimaginable.
“How on earth did you find it?”
“Yunhai means the sea of clouds seen from a mountain peak—clouds spread out like an ocean.”
Bu Eunseol wore a subtle smile.
“So I had Yu Woon Ryong investigate every mountain in Hae Seo from which one could see clouds spread like a sea.”
“What?”
Seo Jin Ha couldn’t conceal his astonished expression.
Hae Seo had countless high mountains from which clouds could be observed. Yet she intended to find Yunhai Biyeok Palace using only this clue?
“There was no other way.”
To restore Seo Jin Ha’s inner cultivation, Bu Eunseol had spared no expense in deploying vast manpower and resources.
“So Yunhai Biyeok Palace is in this area?”
“Yunhai Biyeok Palace is located near Namok Forest.”
“Then why did we come here?”
“To enter that place, one must obtain the Great Vow Mirror from Gwangyang Temple, which lies not far from Potala Palace. It’s necessary to pierce through that Yunhai barrier to gain entry.”
The Great Vow Mirror was a treasure of Gwangyang Temple—a mirror that, when infused with inner energy, would emit light imbued with the power of breaking illusions.
Seo Jin Ha opened his mouth once more.
“You’re saying we’ll obtain a treasure of Gwangyang Temple? How?”
“I have a plan for everything.”
Bu Eunseol possessed not only exceptional strategic insight but also the ability to devise plans that accounted for every conceivable variable.
Among all the schemes he had orchestrated thus far, not a single one had failed.
“However….”
Seo Jin Ha realized there was a critical flaw in this plan.
“Setting aside the Great Vow Mirror, what sect would ever teach their inner cultivation techniques to an outsider?”
A sect’s inner cultivation method was, in essence, the sect itself.
Therefore, a sect’s supreme inner cultivation technique was transmitted only to disciples carefully selected not merely for their exceptional talent, but for their unwavering loyalty.
Yet an unrelated outsider was to receive such transmission?
“They will teach it.”
Yet again, Bu Eunseol spoke with absolute certainty.
“Without fail.”
“Hmm.”
Seo Jin Ha pressed no further.
Having come this far, there was nothing to do but trust.
The two had now ventured into the heart of Market Street, where a remarkably large inn bustling with patrons came into view.
Upon entering, merchants in distinctive garments and figures of every description had established their positions.
The moment they stepped inside, every eye in the inn fixed upon Seo Jin Ha.
Unlike Bu Eunseol, who had deliberately adopted an unremarkable appearance, Seo Jin Ha’s exceptional visage was on full display, and an air of noble refinement emanated from his entire being.
Yet Bu Eunseol had reached the realm of returning to truth, while Seo Jin Ha possessed virtually no actual inner energy…
To any observer, the two appeared as young masters from prestigious families utterly ignorant of martial arts.
“Young master. This way, please.”
Fortunately, one table remained, and the two were able to take their seats.
“Do you have any fine wine?”
At Seo Jin Ha’s inquiry, the tavern servant bowed respectfully.
“Our establishment sells green fruit wine that we brew ourselves.”
Upon hearing this, Bu Eunseol recalled the green fruit wine that Gu Yang Cheong Jeong had given him at the Feng Sha Sword Sect.
‘That was quite excellent wine.’
Just as Bu Eunseol was about to place his order, Seo Jin Ha spoke first.
“Then five bottles of green fruit wine. Three of your finest dishes. And, ah, one bowl of thin noodles as well.”
“I apologize, but our establishment serves only meat noodle soup, thin noodles, and barley bread….”
“Then one meat noodle soup and one bowl of thin noodles.”
“Wine is sufficient for me.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Seo Jin Ha smiled broadly.
“I’ll eat both. That bowl of thin noodles you had before looked delicious.”
In that moment, Bu Eunseol found himself laughing softly without thinking.
Back then, after surviving Hell Island, the first food I ate was thin noodles.
And the first person I spoke with was Seo Jin Ha.
He remembered that time and was trying to eat thin noodles like I was.
‘I haven’t seen that smile in a long time.’
Seo Jin Ha felt it too.
I lived in a desolate and lonely world of my own making.
But the world was worth living in, and whenever I stepped outside like this and ate delicious food, my mood improved.
Seo Jin Ha hoped that I would experience even small moments of happiness.
And that I would see the world differently.
Tap.
The Tavern Servant set down the wine pitcher in an instant.
I eagerly drank the clear fruit wine in one gulp, delighted.
“Hmm?”
“What’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I set down the cup with a bitter smile.
Only after drinking the clear fruit wine here did I realize that what Gu Yang Cheong Jeong gave me was not ordinary clear fruit wine.
‘I was too naive.’
The clear fruit wine I had just gulped down tasted like fermented vinegar, and with each sip I had to contort my face.
Just as I was shaking my head and about to refill my cup,
“Please, don’t do this.”
“Hehehehe. Your pouting makes you even cuter.”
At that moment, a woman’s voice and sinister laughter mixed together echoed from a corner of the inn.
Looking closely, the Middle-Aged Man who had been sitting near the entrance suddenly approached the woman sitting by the window and began to harass her.
On his back was a large circular saw-like wheel, and his solar plexus protruded prominently.
‘Twin Blood Wheels?’
My eyes and Seo Jin Ha’s eyes gleamed simultaneously.
At a glance, I recognized that the Middle-Aged Man was a master of an exotic weapon technique who had earned a fearsome reputation in Dae Mak.
A lustful demon who had killed countless women and was listed on the Murim’s wanted list for brutally murdering numerous martial artists who pursued him.
Twin Blood Wheels—Maeng Muk Geuk.
The people in the inn also seemed to recognize Maeng Muk Geuk, remaining silent with their mouths shut.
His martial prowess was so formidable that even the sect leaders of major factions could not stand against him.
But why was someone who operated in Dae Mak causing trouble all the way out here?

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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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