The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 346

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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 346.
Yu Cheong Rim’s eyes widened in shock.
“What do you mean by that?”
“She is….”
Crack!
At that moment, the Black-White Witch’s hair split into hundreds of strands and cascaded toward Bu Eunseol.
Whoosh!
Bu Eunseol’s Silent Sword spun like a windmill, severing the incoming hair into fragments.
Thud, thud, thud!
The Black-White Witch then extended her long fingers and moved them through the air as if playing a stringed instrument.
Immediately, formidable earth force poured down not only from above but from all sides, coiling around Bu Eunseol’s body as if to tear it apart.
“Hmph.”
With a scoff, Bu Eunseol lightly swung her Silent Sword, and with a soft sound, the earth force vanished without a trace.
This was the subtlety of Orthodox Sect swordplay—she had dispersed the sharp force she released like water vapor in all directions.
It was none other than Cheon Geom’s Myriad Forms Solar Eclipse, the mystery of the Two Heavens Reverse Force.
Thud, thud, thud!
The moment the earth force dissipated, the Black-White Witch moved her fingers rapidly through the air.
With each graceful, butterfly-like flutter of her fingers, the number of earth forces multiplied into dozens and hundreds, pouring down relentlessly.
“Futile.”
Yet Bu Eunseol, unfolding successive imitations of the Myriad Forms Solar Eclipse, dispersed the earth forces like mist.
Slash!
In one breath, she closed the distance and moved to sever the Black-White Witch’s neck when—
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the Black-White Witch’s body became an afterimage and vanished, reappearing behind Yu Cheong Rim.
Was she trying to take him hostage and escape?
“Move!”
At that moment, a sharp cry came from above, and a fist force as massive as a mountain crashed down upon the Black-White Witch standing behind Yu Cheong Rim.
Boom!
Her fist force was so overwhelming that the earth trembled and dust rose in all directions.
“She is not here!”
As the dust settled, Yu Cheong Rim cried out.
Looking around, the Black-White Witch had already vanished without a trace.
“She deceived my eyes and escaped? That cannot be.”
So Ok Rim, landing beside Yu Cheong Rim, closed her eyes and perked up her ears.
She was using the Strike Force Theft Listening Technique to track the Black-White Witch’s movements.
“Damn it. She’s already gone.”
So Ok Rim opened her eyes again and shook her head.
“Unbelievable. The Black-White Witch’s martial prowess was only this much?”
Her superhuman perception, like Bu Eunseol’s, reached nearly a hundred paces.
Could the Black-White Witch’s martial arts have reached the Limitless Realm, allowing her to move hundreds of paces in a single breath?
“It is not martial arts.”
Bu Eunseol opened her mouth calmly at that moment.
“That witch is employing a technique that confuses the senses.”
“Confuses the senses? How could you possibly know that?”
“Bon Gak’s martial techniques include a secret method called Air-Flow Perception Eye.”
“Perceiving the flow of air?”
“Indeed. Even if she were to transform into a flying insect and vanish, she could not deceive my senses.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with confidence.
“But since she disappeared without a trace, she must be employing a technique to confuse perception.”
“Hmm.”
So Ok Rim’s expression darkened as she recognized the logic in those words.
“Is she truly a descendant of Hyeol Hwang?”
She placed a hand to her brow and muttered something incomprehensible.
“Now that I think about it, when I first pursued that witch, there was one of her, but later she split into two paths. It seems…”
“Why did she suddenly disappear?”
At that moment, Yu Cheong Rim cried out as if aggrieved.
“You promised to protect me, yet both of you vanished! I nearly died!”
“Hey, you think I broke my promise?”
So Ok Rim exhaled a sigh.
“I was watching over you in secret when the Black-White Witch suddenly appeared behind us.”
“Really? That cannot be…”
“It is true.”
She spoke with utmost gravity.
“I immediately pursued the Black-White Witch, but suddenly her fleeing form split into two. So I chased each one separately.”
Only then did Yu Cheong Rim recall Bu Eunseol’s words.
―The Black-White Witch is not one.
That strange statement had been the truth.
“Then you are saying the Black-White Witch is actually three people?”
“I do not know that either. But the Black-White Witch I was pursuing suddenly vanished as if evaporating. So I thought it was a trap and returned to you.”
As So Ok Rim looked at Bu Eunseol, she too nodded in agreement.
“It was the same for me.”
“This cannot be.”
Yu Cheong Rim gripped her hair.
“Three witches with such terrifying power? This is a battle we cannot possibly win, is it not?”
While he trembled in despair, Bu Eunseol bent her body and gazed intently at the spot where the Black-White Witch had stood.
As I drew upon the Hollow Heart Penetrating Technique, a faint white light began to emanate from my eyes.
Simultaneously, faint footprints invisible to normal sight became visible.
‘Could it be.’
Footprints are the traces of continuous human movement—the head, shoulders, pelvis, calves, knees, and so forth.
And by analyzing these footprints in detail, one can predict not only stride length but also the movement during walking and even height.
‘So that’s how it was.’
Bu Eunseol suddenly recalled the Black-White Witch’s finger movements as she poured her experience into her.
In that instant, a flash of lightning streaked through her mind.
“Perhaps I can find her quite easily.”
“How?”
As So Ok Rim’s eyes brightened, Bu Eunseol spoke matter-of-factly.
“The Black-White Witch is likely a courtesan.”
“A courtesan?”
“Given her age, she probably doesn’t entertain clients directly anymore. She’s likely a madam running a pleasure house.”
So Ok Rim shook her head with a bewildered expression.
“You’re saying someone with martial prowess exceptional enough to evade both our pursuit in one breath operates a pleasure house?”
“It’s merely speculation, but her background as a courtesan is certain.”
“How could you possibly know that?”
Bu Eunseol spoke with unwavering conviction in her eyes.
“When I observed the Black-White Witch’s movements as she channeled her energy and the way she carried herself, I recognized the ingrained habits of a courtesan who spent years in a pleasure house.”
“The habits of a courtesan? What do you mean?”
“Courtesans, regardless of their posture, habitually accentuate their appearance and allure.”
Bu Eunseol gazed toward the place where the Black-White Witch had vanished.
“They understand their body’s lines, master the angles and movements that showcase their beauty, and unconsciously maintain those postures as habit.”
She then explained in detail to So Ok Rim the Black-White Witch’s movements, gait, and other mannerisms.
“In other words, she has lived all this time without realizing that the characteristics from her courtesan days are etched into her very body.”
“A courtesan.”
So Ok Rim, lost in thought, smacked her lips.
“Come to think of it, Hyeol Hwang himself came from a gambling den, so it’s not entirely implausible.”
Among the masters of the Demonic Path and Evil Sects, there were indeed those who originated from gambling dens, pleasure houses, or the Black Gang.
Since Hyeol Hwang’s martial arts could be considered heterodox techniques, it was possible he had traditionally chosen disciples from similar circumstances.
“But you know, looking at her, no matter how I think about it, she doesn’t seem like Hyeol Hwang’s successor.”
“I agree.”
Bu Eunseol also gazed up at the distant sky with dim eyes.
“Because Hyeol Hwang’s martial techniques wouldn’t include anything like this.”
What if the Black-White Witch wasn’t Hyeol Hwang’s successor?
Would it be worth wasting precious time pursuing her?
Murim is filled with villains.
Beyond the Black-White Witch alone, the number of demonic practitioners committing atrocities is beyond count, and catching them would only increase one’s reputation.
In truth, Bu Eunseol had no interest in Murim’s politics or gaining fame.
―Shouldn’t an elder who has lived one more year take care of such matters?
The image of Beok Goong Ryung, who had been willing to go to Hell Island to protect the righteous sects’ renowned experts, surfaced in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
He was protecting Murim without any compensation, and even now, bearing false accusations, he remained in hiding to prevent the Wuneishiping incident.
―If one possesses even one thing more than others, one must share it.
Then Beok Goong Ryung’s voice transformed once more into Bu Chanyang’s warm tone.
Despite being in circumstances where he couldn’t even enjoy a simple bowl of noodles without worry, Bu Chanyang had carefully prepared the corpse for burial and compassionately dressed it in a funeral shroud.
‘Does it truly matter whether one follows the Orthodox Sects or the Evil Sect?’
Having devoted himself entirely to vengeance, he had paid little attention to other matters.
Yet Bu Eunseol had inherited Bu Chanyang’s teachings directly.
Somewhere along the way, the noble spirit of the Orthodox Sects’ righteous heroes had taken firm root in her heart.
“Still, we ought to capture her, shouldn’t we?”
It was then that So Ok Rim spoke, as if reading the depths of Bu Eunseol’s thoughts.
Awakening from her reverie, Bu Eunseol replied calmly.
“Of course.”
“Hyeol Hwang, you say?”
At that moment, Yu Cheong Rim’s face grew pallid, as though he had glimpsed a sinister curse doll.
“What exactly is Hyeol Hwang?”
So Ok Rim waved her hand dismissively as she spoke.
“You needn’t know.”
“No, but I’m risking my life here—shouldn’t I at least understand what we’re facing?”
So Ok Rim, finding herself with no choice, provided Yu Cheong Rim with a rough explanation of why they were pursuing the Black-White Witch.
“I see.”
Yu Cheong Rim felt inwardly relieved.
In truth, he had assumed So Ok Rim was merely a bounty hunter chasing the Black-White Witch for the reward on her head.
But now it seemed she was engaged in something far more righteous, didn’t it?
“Very well. So she’s a former courtesan, then? What else?”
When So Ok Rim asked again, Bu Eunseol opened her mouth.
“Her height is approximately five feet eight inches. She has a somewhat lean build with well-developed shoulders. Furthermore….”
From her stride alone, Bu Eunseol was making rough estimations of the Black-White Witch’s height, physique, knee thickness, chest and waist dimensions, thigh width, and hip span.
In other words, she knew a considerable amount about her aside from her face.
“That’s impressive.”
So Ok Rim pointed to the footprints left by the Black-White Witch and opened her mouth in wonder.
“You can deduce so much from just footprints?”
“It seems you must be from the Constabulary, Elder Brother Seol.”
Yu Cheong Rim smiled as the memory struck him.
“The Constabulary’s investigators can infer many things from stride length, footwear, and how worn the soles are, or so I’ve heard.”
Yu Cheong Rim smiled faintly as old memories surfaced.
“In my childhood, I didn’t know any better and left footprints everywhere, so the investigators would often catch me and beat me senseless. Ha ha ha.”
“Boasting, are we? You were stealing things since you were a child?”
“Indeed.”
When So Ok Rim chided him, Yu Cheong Rim straightened his shoulders proudly.
“Do you think the name ‘Divine Thief’ was given to me for nothing? It was only possible through painstaking effort and countless trials since childhood.”
So Ok Rim regarded him with disdain as he puffed out his chest and preened, but then something occurred to her.
“Still, it seems difficult to locate her based on physique alone, doesn’t it?”
And stroking her chin, she continued.
“If there are a hundred pleasure house courtesans, wouldn’t seventy or eighty of them have that body type?”
Pleasure house courtesans generally maintained heights between five feet four inches and five feet, with slender frames.
“There’s bound to be some margin of error in predicting body type, isn’t there? Besides, she’s wearing clothes—how exactly do you distinguish body type through fabric?”
Bu Eunseol answered firmly.
“I can distinguish it.”
“Master Bu. Even if that were true, there’s still a problem, isn’t there?”
Yu Cheong Rim interjected with a serious expression.
“The Black-White Witch has evaded countless pursuits until now. There’s a chance she’s already realized that Master Bu is a courtesan.”
He was thinking through various scenarios like a true strategist.
Especially since the Black-White Witch now knew that masters like Bu Eunseol and So Ok Rim were pursuing her, there was a probability she would be even more cautious with her movements.
“On the contrary, that would be fortunate. We could expose her all the faster.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, So Ok Rim’s eyes widened.
“How?”
“By disguising myself with my face hidden and a body type identical to hers, then wandering through the Red-Light District—it’s quite simple.”
Bu Eunseol explained slowly.
“If I move about with my face concealed but a matching body type, there will surely be someone who recognizes her.”
“Indeed, that makes sense.”
So Ok Rim exclaimed in admiration.
Though people seem to distinguish others by appearance alone, the contours of the body, gait, and movements—
In reality, humans unconsciously store considerable information.
Bu Eunseol intended to use this principle to find someone who knew the Black-White Witch’s true identity.
“But who will disguise themselves as her?”
Bu Eunseol looked at Yu Cheong Rim.
Aside from lacking prominent chest and hip development, his height was around five feet five inches with a slender build.
With his face hidden, his body lines were lean enough to pass for a thin woman.
“Since I remember her measurements and gait precisely, the disguise would be perfect—”
Before she could finish, Yu Cheong Rim grabbed Bu Eunseol’s right arm and dropped to his knees with a thud.
“Master Bu, please spare me.”
“We’re almost done. Just endure a little longer.”
“I can’t take any more. Just kill me instead. Waaah.”
Yu Cheong Rim wept with tears streaming down his face, his hands clasped together.
Though his pitiful weeping might have stirred compassion, So Ok Rim coaxed him with an even softer voice.
“You’ve already seen the Black-White Witch’s face twice. Once things settle down, she’ll definitely come after you, won’t she?”
“Master So.”
“We need to handle this properly this time. Otherwise, you’ll be target number one on the Black-White Witch’s assassination list.”
“I’d rather die while being chased. I absolutely cannot endure doing something like this again.”
Though Yu Cheong Rim’s eyes glistened with tears, his expression remained resolute.
Seeing that persuasion would be futile, So Ok Rim sighed and grabbed his shoulder.
“Dying while being chased sounds like your own preference.”
“What do you mean by that—”
Yu Cheong Rim’s words trailed off.
So Yok had clamped down on the vital pressure point with a grip of overwhelming force.
“Ugh!”
“Would you rather die now, or die while running?”
Crack.
My shoulder no longer merely ached—my forearm felt as though it might tear clean away.
I wanted to weep.
Yet as the unbearable agony washed over me, the tears retreated back into my eyes instead.
“Nngh….”
Of all the wretched timing—to steal Gu Yang Chun’s precious blade while this monster So Yok was present… how had such catastrophe befallen me?
‘Once this is over, I swear I’ll never steal again!’
“Please… release your grip and speak.”
Just as my vision began to white out from the agony, So Yok swiftly withdrew her hand.
“Actually, there’s a silver lining.”
She spoke with a comforting, gentle expression.
“You’ll be indebted to someone like me. Do you realize how valuable that is?”
Then she pointed toward Bu Eunseol again.
“And you’ve probably figured it out by now, but she’s also someone with tremendous influence. This arrangement won’t be a loss for you at all, will it?”
I shook my head.
Even if So Yok and Bu Eunseol were of imperial blood, I had no desire to accept this burden.
But as she reached for my shoulder once more,
“I understand.”
I flinched and answered hastily without thinking.
I wanted to strike my own mouth, but So Yok beamed radiantly and embraced my shoulder with easy familiarity.
“That’s right. Good thinking.”
I found myself wondering.
Who had said one cannot spit at a smiling face?
If commanded to spit at So Yok’s brilliantly smiling visage, I could spit until my throat ran dry.
“This time, I’ll definitely catch her for you. Don’t worry.”
I wanted to punch her face, but instead I forced a smile and nodded.
“Then, I’m counting on you.”
* * *
I ventured into the night streets once more, disguised anew.
This time, however, I was not the Black-White Witch, but rather a refined middle-aged woman wearing a veil and elegant attire.
Bu Eunseol, who knew the Black-White Witch’s physique well, had completely altered my silhouette using cotton padding and rubber.
With elaborate clothing, a hat, and my face concealed by the veil, I was the very image of a proprietress running a pleasure house.
―In this guise, wander the Tavern District near Geun Dong. Perhaps someone who knows her might reveal themselves.
If the Black-White Witch operated a pleasure house, it would surely be situated not in some small village, but in a grand metropolis teeming with diverse crowds.
Bu Eunseol had instructed me to patrol the most bustling red-light district in Pyeong Do while disguised.
Swish.
Suddenly, martial artists with swords at their waists poured out from the alley and began to encircle Yu Cheong Rim.
‘What is this now?’
As the bewildered Yu Cheong Rim tilted his head while keeping the face veil raised,
“Finally caught you.”
A confident middle-aged man walked forward from among the surrounding martial artists.
His features were refined, but his eyes gleamed with sharpness and his gaze radiated authority.
On his sleeves was embroidered the symbol of the Murim Alliance—the Twin Phoenixes in Flight, two soaring phoenixes intertwined.
It was Baek Woon Sang, who oversaw the entire Shandong Branch of the Murim Alliance.
‘Why did he come here?’
As Yu Cheong Rim felt a chill run through his chest,
“I am Baek Woon Sang, the head of the Shandong Branch of the Murim Alliance.”
Baek Woon Sang shouted in a loud voice.
“Kneel at once.”
In that moment, Yu Cheong Rim’s brow furrowed.
‘Was I caught stealing from the Shandong Branch?’
Three months ago, he had stolen the Jade Blissful Buddha Statue that was stored in the Shandong Branch of the Murim Alliance.
The fact that Baek Woon Sang, the leader of the Shandong Branch, had come out personally suggested he had been persistently investigating that incident.
“So your tail has finally been caught.”
Baek Woon Sang spoke with a satisfied expression.
“I heard you were appearing in this area, so I’ve been conducting a covert investigation all along.”
As Yu Cheong Rim panicked and stepped backward, Baek Woon Sang, thinking he had seized the momentum, smiled.
“Are you trying to flee? Black-White Witch?”
‘What?’
Only then did Yu Cheong Rim, understanding the situation, open his eyes wide.
Until now, due to So Ok Rim’s coercion, he had been impersonating the Black-White Witch in Pyeong Do.
But Baek Woon Sang had mistakenly been tracking Yu Cheong Rim’s traces all along, believing him to be the Black-White Witch.
“Kneel!”
He spoke solemnly while presenting the phoenix badge symbolizing the Murim Alliance.
“Otherwise, I will execute you immediately according to the laws of our Alliance!”
Flap, flap!
Yu Cheong Rim kept his mouth shut and waved his hands left and right.
If he opened his mouth and spoke in a man’s voice, all his suffering until now would come to nothing.
‘You stupid fools! It’s not me!’
“You’re going to resist?”
Baek Woon Sang laughed as if it were ridiculous.
He had received a report that he had definitely found the Black-White Witch’s trail, so he had brought all two hundred elite martial artists from the Shandong Branch.
Even if she possessed extraordinary martial prowess, she could not withstand two hundred skilled martial artists.
‘Damn these stupid Murim Alliance bastards!’
Unaware of Yu Cheong Rim’s seething frustration, Baek Woon Sang extended his finger with a triumphant expression.
“Arrest that witch at once!”

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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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