The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 353

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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 353.
In the depths of a bitterly cold winter dawn.
Bu Eunseol slept soundly on the back of her grandfather, Bu Chanyang, cradled in his arms.
He had urged her countless times to stay indoors on such frigid days.
Yet Bu Eunseol, driven by a single resolve to aid her grandfather, had labored relentlessly at the Taepyeong Morgue despite the brutal cold.
This exertion had brought illness upon her.
“This old man will infuse his vital energy directly and open her meridians—she’ll recover in no time.”
Bu Chanyang turned his head slightly to gaze at his sleeping granddaughter, murmuring softly to himself.
“But that is merely a temporary measure. Without true remedy, she will fall ill again in this manner.”
He paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“It is time I taught her how to generate vital energy and pierce through her meridians herself.”
Bu Chanyang began to recite the divine cultivation scripture to his sleeping granddaughter, as though singing a lullaby.
It was a mystical technique of inner energy that could synchronize the vital circulation of a contacted person with one’s own body.
“This Heavenly Garment Heart Method, as its name suggests, grants one the celestial robes of heaven—bestowing miraculous abilities instantaneously.”
Bu Chanyang continued in a low voice.
“Once you master this secret, you will not only perceive this old man’s vital energy circulation, but also synchronize with it immediately.”
Yet Bu Eunseol lay in deep slumber, unable to hear all that her grandfather spoke.
However, the characters of the scripture he recited were being etched into her mind like a brand.
Wisdom Light Heart Imprint.
Bu Chanyang was employing a Buddhist technique to forcibly implant the scripture directly into Bu Eunseol’s consciousness.
And as she slept deeply, Bu Eunseol unconsciously began to master the secret transmitted by Bu Chanyang, mirroring his vital energy circulation.
* * *
“Nonsense.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been sleeping soundly on Bu Chanyang’s back, suddenly opened her eyes.
She spoke in a tone of disbelief.
“Though the Murim is said to contain countless martial arts, there cannot possibly exist a secret that allows one to perceive another’s vital energy circulation?”
She pouted her lips as she continued.
“If such a forbidden technique existed, couldn’t one steal the inner cultivation methods of every sect under heaven?”
At this, Bu Chanyang smiled.
“Do you truly believe it does not exist?”
“Of course.”
Bu Eunseol nodded firmly.
“I would wager my life on it.”
Transmitting inner cultivation methods is comparable to the effort of raising a child into an adult.
If one could steal such complex and wondrous vital energy circulation in a single breath?
That sect would either become the greatest power under heaven and stand supreme in the Murim, or it would be destroyed by the Righteous Path’s assault.
Such is the importance of inner cultivation methods to any sect.
“Hehehehe. So you’ve become a martial artist and studied inner cultivation methods extensively, have you?”
Bu Chanyang chuckled warmly.
“You are correct. In this world, there is no secret that allows one to steal another’s vital energy circulation.”
And he continued speaking in a low voice.
“However, there may well be a secret to synchronizing with an opponent’s true energy circulation.”
“Synchronizing?”
“Indeed.”
Bu Chanyang spoke with a gentle tone.
“If you could temporarily synchronize another person’s true energy circulation with your own body, would that not be the same as comprehending their cultivation method?”
“Synchronizing… I see.”
Bu Eunseol’s entire body shimmered faintly as enlightenment dawned upon her.
And her consciousness withdrew one step further from the illusion, observing herself being carried on her grandfather’s back.
The conversation between Bu Eunseol and Bu Chanyang that had begun since waking from sleep.
It had not actually taken place.
Rather, it was merely self-questioning and self-answering created by Bu Eunseol’s mind as she observed the illusion.
For within her mind lay the Heaven’s Heart Sutra that Bu Chanyang had inscribed using the Radiant Light Heart Method—truly embedded there.
‘The Heaven’s Heart Sutra….’
As Bu Eunseol recalled the dharma text that Bu Chanyang had unconsciously inscribed, she gradually broke free from the demonic obstruction and began to reclaim her true self.
Crack. Shatter shatter shatter.
The landscape of her grandfather and the Pyeong-an Funeral House within the illusion began to crack like a mirror.
And Bu Eunseol’s consciousness fully returned to reality.
Upon opening her eyes, I could see Ah Yeon suffering as though her body were burning in agony.
‘This secret method will make it possible.’
Having awakened from the illusion, I drew upon the Heaven’s Heart Sutra.
And I extended my hand to slowly grasp her pulse gate.
Then the true energy circulating within my body began to perfectly mimic the true energy circulation occurring within Ah Yeon’s body.
Whoosh!
The true energy that had been operating through the Opposing Extremes Heart Method instantly began to circulate according to the Single Shadow Secret Origin Divine Technique that Ah Yeon had mastered.
Simultaneously, a faint light began to shimmer between my brows once more.
The heart method of Geom Gak, unlike ordinary Orthodox Sect cultivation methods, cultivated both the lower and upper dantians simultaneously….
Accumulating formidable inner power while simultaneously fortifying the solidity of the spirit.
‘This could be called an excessively greedy heart method.’
However, such a method was difficult even for disciples possessing ordinary talent to master.
Particularly, if one forcibly circulated energy without establishing a solid foundation in inner power, not only the true energy within the body but even the spirit could split into two streams.
‘Being a female sect, greater strength would have been necessary.’
The history of Murim had been particularly harsh toward female sects.
Yet Geom Gak could stand tall precisely because it had created this wondrous and miraculous heart method that opened both the lower and upper dantians simultaneously.
‘I’ve hit a barrier here.’
As I synchronized with Ah Yeon’s true energy circulation, I felt discomfort in my lower abdomen.
That place was the Qi Sea acupoint, the reservoir for accumulating true energy. There, unexcreted glacial true energy had accumulated.
Because of this, the smooth circulation of the true energy was obstructed.
Whoosh!
I quickly unfolded the Absorption Seal from the Glacial River Heaven Flow Sutra.
The icy true energy that had accumulated deep within her qi sea began to be reabsorbed into Bu Eunseol’s body.
A soft hissing sound.
As the cold vanished in an instant, Ah Yeon’s dantian warmed, and color gradually returned to her complexion.
‘Two days should be enough for complete recovery.’
Bu Eunseol smiled as she observed Ah Yeon’s condition.
With all the cold removed, by the time dawn broke, Ah Yeon would be fully restored.
‘But there’s no need to wait two days.’
Concentrating her focus, Bu Eunseol drew upon the Danyeong Milyeon Heart Method once more.
By infusing anti-extreme true energy in a manner similar to Geom Gak’s inner cultivation technique, her recovery would accelerate significantly.
A deep, resonant hum.
Soon, a majestic light emanated from Bu Eunseol’s forehead.
She began ceaselessly channeling formidable true energy into Ah Yeon’s Dachu acupoint.
* * *
Ah Yeon was dreaming.
More precisely, through the illusions of the Gongryeong Chohon Secret Art, she was recalling past memories as if in a dream.
Her first memory began before a dilapidated inn.
A creaking sound.
Opening the weathered inn door, Ah Yeon fixed her gaze upon a man seated by the window.
He possessed a dark complexion, a prominent nose bridge, and wore his long hair unbound.
Though his visage was breathtakingly beautiful—a peerless countenance that dazzled the eyes—there was an air of solemnity and melancholy about him.
Upon meeting his gaze, Ah Yeon felt as though lightning had pierced through her mind.
Fate.
Witnessing his eyes, she sensed an inexplicable destiny.
‘What am I thinking?’
Steadying herself, Ah Yeon walked before the man and spoke coldly.
“You are Bu Eunseol, one of the Ten Demon Immortals of Nangya Pavilion, correct?”
The moment their gazes met, her breath caught.
His unfathomable eyes were brimming with sorrow, and simultaneously, a strange sensation crawled up her spine, unsettling her heart.
To maintain eye contact with this man, she had to draw upon her inner strength.
“Since you emerged in Gangho, you have continuously slain masters of the Orthodox Path. Do you acknowledge this?”
At that time, Ah Yeon had ventured into Gangho to deal with one of the Ten Demon Immortals who had been killing Orthodox masters.
After countless hardships, she had finally found him.
But this man was unreasonable.
“I, Ah Yeon of Geom Gak, challenge you.”
She had issued the challenge confidently, yet—
“I must decline.”
He gave an unexpected response.
“Go ask the Murim Alliance Master why the Ten Demon Immortals must fight the Orthodox masters.”
It seemed there was a hidden story between the Orthodox masters and the Ten Demon Immortals that she had yet to discover.
Unable to refuse, she decided to travel with him and uncover the truth of the situation.
But traveling with him was not easy.
He was the very embodiment of a blood path.
Despite being one of the Ten Demon Immortals, he was being hunted by masters from the White Horse Sect and Hell Blood Castle.
Yet he possessed exceptional martial prowess and never yielded to any crisis or trial.
Moreover, whenever he eliminated an enemy, he would always observe the corpse’s wounds to refine his martial arts.
‘A strange man.’
At first, I thought he was a vicious demonic being of the Demonic Path.
But watching him closely, his cold temperament and the burning warrior’s spirit in his heart made him seem more like a true martial artist.
Furthermore, his martial prowess was not inferior to my own.
“I am Song Ak, a disciple of the Wudang Sect.”
Finally, after breaking through the encirclement of Hell Blood Castle and the White Horse Sect, Song Ak, a master of the Wudang Sect, came and challenged him.
‘I do not wish to see this.’
This man of the Demonic Path was not a wicked person.
And Song Ak was likewise a person as clear and pure as an autumn breeze.
For the first time, I hesitated to observe another’s sword technique.
I did not wish to witness both of them perish in combat.
‘I should return.’
In the end, I returned once more to Geom Gak.
And I immersed myself deeply in the way of the sword.
To become as strong as that man of the Demonic Path.
So that when we met again someday, I could test my skills against his.
―The successor of Demon Hall has destroyed the Ohdok School and discovered traces of systematically kidnapped children.
By then, that man had become the successor of Demon Hall.
And at that very time, Geom Gak was investigating the kidnapping of children.
―I will go directly to Demon Hall to request information.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I headed toward Demon Hall.
And at last, I saw him again.
Time had passed, yet the man’s appearance had not changed at all.
Despite his elevated position, his sorrowful gaze and lonely atmosphere remained unchanged. And the solitary warrior’s nature, as if drenched in blood, persisted.
The only thing that had changed was the level of his martial prowess.
Unlike when I first saw him, it had now reached a height I could not follow, so vast that the gap could not be closed in a short time.
―I will challenge you.
If I faced him again, I thought I could uncover the secret behind his remarkable martial advancement.
But he told me to spar with his subordinates first.
And I willingly fought them, ultimately achieving a narrow victory by a hair’s breadth against a man named Yu Woon Ryong.
That I could not easily defeat even his subordinates meant that a match with him would be a certain defeat.
The gap was so vast that there might be nothing to learn from it.
‘Did I lack even the qualification to face him?’
I had already felt it in my heart.
That defeat was inevitable if I were to test my martial arts against his.
But I forced the duel to happen anyway.
I harbored no hope that crossing blades with him would grant me some profound enlightenment.
I simply wanted the two of us to face each other and exchange sword techniques.
After recovering my cultivation and waiting an entire day, he never came to the appointed place.
―I have already formed a betrothal with Lord Bu.
When I finally sought him out, I found a beautiful woman weaving sinister schemes before two other women.
‘He formed a betrothal?’
In that moment, something that had filled my chest seemed to crumble away.
For reasons I couldn’t fathom, anguish and suffocation surged through me.
―It’s a lie.
But I could soon discern the truth.
Not a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.
Had he truly been betrothed, he would have shown his assent before everyone, even without displaying affection.
―What betrothal gifts did you exchange with him?
In the end, I couldn’t hold back and inserted myself into their confrontation.
That flirtatious beauty simply irritated me for some reason.
―Even if the Lord knelt and proposed to you?
One of the surrounding women asked this upon hearing that I had never treated him as a romantic interest.
For a moment, I imagined him kneeling with a solemn expression.
My breath quickened and my head spun.
But such a fantasy was something a disciple of Hyun Moon should never entertain.
―Of course.
In the end, I lied and fled from Demon Palace.
But from that day forward, only his phantom haunted my thoughts.
‘Was I someone who should never have set foot in Hyun Moon?’
I was suffocated and tormented.
And I transformed that torment and suffocation into my swordplay.
Instead of sleeping, I cultivated; the moment I opened my eyes, I devoted myself entirely to my sword techniques. My power swelled like a snowball, and my swordplay advanced rapidly.
My martial prowess grew stronger with each passing day, yet my heart felt increasingly hollow and empty.
And whenever I closed my eyes, that man still appeared before me.
―The Black-White Witch has appeared!
It was a convenient excuse.
Bon Gak always sent disciples whenever a crisis threatened Murim.
This was my chance to wander Gangho, eliminate evildoers, and organize my thoughts.
And to forget him.
Forever.
I made that vow.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
With the sound of birds singing outside the window, I opened my eyes.
How strange.
My last memory was of fighting the Black-White Witch, yet here I lay in Geom Gak’s quarters. How could this be?
Was everything that had transpired merely a dream?
With vacant eyes fixed upon the void, she gradually felt sensation returning to her entire body.
Then came a gentle warmth at the Dachui point on her back.
When she turned, her eyes met those of a man whose hand rested upon that very acupoint.
His topknot was neatly bound, his eyes slightly narrow and elongated—an utterly ordinary countenance one might encounter anywhere.
“You’ve awakened.”
As their eyes met, the man’s warm hand withdrew from her Dachui point.
Ah Yeon felt an inexplicable emptiness at his departure.
“Who are you…?”
“Rest now. You must be exhausted from all that has transpired.”
The man’s voice carried an undeniable authority.
A faint golden radiance shimmered across his entire frame, and simultaneously, Ah Yeon felt warmth suffuse her body once more.
‘Internal transmission technique?’
She realized he was channeling formidable vital energy through direct transmission to restore her body.
“You.”
Through her hazy consciousness, Ah Yeon spoke.
Then she glimpsed crimson eyes hidden within his narrow, elongated gaze.
Were those not the very eyes she had always envisioned in her dreams?
“Why are you here?”
No answer came.
Yet his eyes brimmed with concern and affection for her.
It was undeniable—he had been the one healing her all along.
‘Why are you…?’
Ah Yeon opened her mouth again, but no sound emerged.
The overwhelming surge of warm vital energy rendered her limbs languid, as though her body floated upon clouds.
As her eyes closed, the boundless warmth dispersed through her meridians and limbs.
And Ah Yeon descended into profound slumber, as if her consciousness had been severed.
She opened her eyes again two hours later.
As she rose, her body thrummed with vitality, and her meridians overflowed with vital energy.
“You’ve awakened.”
A white shadow approached slowly, as though it had been waiting. Her beautiful visage bore white-streaked hair at her temples.
It was Ok Yu Ha, the master of Jeong Sim Won and her own teacher.
“Master.”
As Ah Yeon rose, her teacher extended a hand to stop her.
“Lie back down. Your cultivation has only just recovered. You have no physical strength yet.”
“I’m fine.”
Ah Yeon held herself upright and surveyed her surroundings.
But the peculiar man from before had vanished.
“Well then. How does your body feel?”
Ah Yeon circulated her vital energy through one complete cycle and shook her head.
“There’s nothing wrong at all. But what on earth happened?”
“You don’t remember?”
“After I unfolded my sword technique to face the Black-White Witch… I remember nothing after that.”
“I see.”
Ok Yu Ha sighed and spoke.
“You lost consciousness due to the Black-White Witch’s soul-binding technique. And you only awakened exactly two days after arriving here.”
“How did I come to this place?”
“I sent a disciple who secretly follows you.”
“I understand.”
After hearing all the explanations, Ah Yeon’s expression darkened.
All this time, I had diligently cultivated my martial arts and prided myself on never losing to anyone, yet I was ultimately subdued by the Black-White Witch.
“But who was he?”
“Who?”
“When I first awoke, there was a man who infused vital energy into me.”
“It was Chung Hyeon Jin In.”
Ok Yu Ha smiled with effort as she spoke.
“Chung Hyeon Jin In, who is staying at Bon Gak, expended considerable energy to restore your body.”
“He was… a young man.”
“A young man? There was no such person. You must have seen it incorrectly while unconscious.”
“I see.”
Ah Yeon touched her forehead and shook her head.
‘Did I see something that wasn’t there again?’
The signs of heart demon had already been present for a long time.
As a disciple of Hyun Moon, I had entertained many delusions I shouldn’t have.
But this was strange.
The sensation of that hand touching my back still seemed to linger.
Could it really have been a mistake?
As she shook her head, her eyes suddenly widened.
Ah Yeon’s gaze fixed on the bed beside her.
There was a blanket spread there, and traces of someone having sat remained.
“Chung Hyeon Jin In must have infused vital energy here.”
When Ah Yeon pointed to the blanket, Ok Yu Ha nodded.
“Yes.”
‘It was a lie.’
Only then did Ah Yeon realize that she had not seen something that wasn’t there.
Chung Hyeon Jin In was so gaunt that he weighed barely a hundred catties.
But the traces left on the blanket were those of someone weighing over one hundred thirty catties.
‘He was here.’
Ah Yeon’s heart swelled with emotion.
And that burning emotion filled my mind, overflowing until it set my eyes ablaze with heat.
Bu Eunseol.
The man I could not forget even in my dreams and deepest slumber was the one who had healed me and remained by my side.

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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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