The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 36

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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 36
Dan Cheong blinked several times in succession.
He simply could not comprehend what Baek Yeon had said in such a brief span.
“Trust this child? What in the world are you talking about?”
To Dan Cheong’s question, Baek Yeon replied with composure.
“This child’s aptitude is nothing short of extraordinary. At this level, she will certainly pass the trials demanded by the Demon Palace.”
“The Hwawoo Sword Sect aside, do you truly believe Kang Yang Cheon—that treacherous wretch—will conduct this affair with any semblance of fairness?”
Dan Cheong waved his hand dismissively, as though the matter held no merit whatsoever.
“They will surely resort to foul schemes to end this child’s life.”
“Of course they will.”
Baek Yeon’s expression remained unmoved as he accepted the premise.
“Precisely because we understand their demands to be unreasonable, the Demon Palace has chosen to conduct the trials within its own halls.”
“Whether it is the Demon Palace or the White Horse Sect—what difference does the location make?”
“The Demon Palace’s sole purpose is to preserve the dignity of the White Horse Sect Master, who grieves his grandson’s death. Had they truly intended to kill this child, they would never have summoned her to the Demon Palace.”
“Impossible.”
Dan Cheong spoke with grave seriousness.
“No matter how extraordinary this child’s aptitude may be, she is nothing but a fledgling at present. I cannot possibly send her to the Demon Palace.”
“Pavilion Master.”
Baek Yeon spoke with utmost gravity.
“Should you refuse this proposal, the Nangya Pavilion will face a succession of troublesome matters that will demand your personal intervention.”
“Do as you wish. Pay me no further mind.”
It was then that Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
“I will go to the Demon Palace.”
“This is not a time for you to act on impulse.”
“It is not impulse.”
Bu Eunseol glanced sideways at Baek Yeon before continuing.
“Had the Demon Palace agreed to harm me, they would not have conveyed their intentions through Master Baek.”
“So you intend to go to the Demon Palace and submit to this sham trial?”
To Dan Cheong’s sigh-laden words, Bu Eunseol replied with measured calm.
“What they truly desire is face. They would realize that killing someone as insignificant as me would only damage their dignity further.”
“Hmm.”
Dan Cheong exhaled slowly.
Perhaps the Demon Palace had indeed summoned her merely for the sake of appearances.
Yet he could not bear to see Bu Eunseol shoulder such risk because of the unreasonable demands of the Hwawoo Sword Sect and the White Horse Sect.
“This will happen eventually regardless.”
It was then that Baek Yeon spoke once more.
“These are not people who will abandon their designs simply because you refuse this proposal. Rather, it would be wisest to accede to their demands now, so they can never again find grounds for complaint.”
“What if something goes wrong with that child?”
Baek Yeon took a moment to steady his breath before responding to Dan Cheong’s question.
“It is your duty as Pavilion Master to judge this matter with strategic foresight, not emotional sentiment.”
A moment of silence settled over Cheongmyeong Platform.
In truth, Nangya Sect harbored no desire to kill exceptional masters or great experts. I had simply lived as flowing water does, always devoted to the martial arts.
Yet upon recognizing Bu Eunseol as a peerless prodigy—not as one of the Ten Demon Experts, but as my successor—my heart could not help but be drawn to her.
“I also….”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
“I too am a disciple of Nangya Sect.”
These were the very words Dan Cheong had spoken moments before.
Yet hearing Bu Eunseol speak them, Dan Cheong felt an indescribable sense of pride wash over him.
‘With this one, it seems she truly will overcome everything.’
Dan Cheong exhaled softly and turned his gaze toward Baek Yeon.
“Is it merely a test they seek?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then convey this: should she pass the trial, the matter concerning Baek Ma Sa shall be dismissed without further mention. And withdraw the unreasonable demands of Hwawoo Sword Sect as well.”
As Dan Cheong spoke, his eyes blazed with an authority that could split mountains asunder.
“Should either of these two conditions be rejected, I shall consider this entire affair null and void.”
* * *
Cheong Pung Jae.
This was where Dan Cheong, the vice-master of Nangya Sect, resided.
Around Cheong Pung Jae, built along a winding stream, towering trees stood scattered throughout the grounds.
The leisurely, tranquil atmosphere seemed to mirror Dan Cheong’s own characteristic languor.
“Though Nangya Pavilion is said to lie not far from Demon Palace, it will take the messenger four days to arrive.”
Walking along a narrow path before Cheong Pung Jae, Dan Cheong spoke to Bu Eunseol, who followed behind him.
“During that time, there is work for you to do.”
“Is it to learn martial arts?”
“It could be said so, or it could be said otherwise.”
A cryptic answer indeed.
Yet Bu Eunseol did not press for clarification. As always, she sought to find the answer herself.
“Then perhaps it is not learning new martial arts, but rather developing and refining what I have already mastered.”
“Mm-hmm. Close enough.”
Dan Cheong’s satisfied laugh soon gave way to a bitter expression.
“The martial arts of Nangya Pavilion pursue practical application above all else, and thus remain unsystematically established. Strictly speaking, they are an incomplete martial art.”
His voice grew solemn as he expounded upon the principles of martial arts.
“And yet, the martial arts of Nangya Pavilion can be expressed through a single character: enlightenment. For they can develop infinitely according to one’s understanding.”
Dan Cheong sighed as he looked down at Bu Eunseol.
“But there exists a paradox even in this truth. No matter how exceptional one’s talent, one cannot completely disregard or leap over the stages of martial arts.”
Having accepted the unreasonable demands, Dan Cheong demanded certain compensation from Demon Palace in return.
And during the time awaiting their response, he intended to transmit his martial arts to Bu Eunseol.
“Then, is there a martial art that can be perfected within four days?”
“Of course not.”
Dan Cheong shook his head firmly in response to Bu Eunseol’s question.
“The true martial arts of Nangya Pavilion are as profound and boundless as those of Shaolin. No matter how gifted you are, there is nothing you can master in a short span of time.”
In the meantime, Dan Cheong and Bu Eunseol had emerged from the narrow path and arrived at a vast Reed Field.
“Then what should I learn?”
“Not learning, but observing.”
As they exchanged words like a Zen dialogue,
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Two shadows came rushing from the Bamboo Forest.
The two figures rushing through the reed leaves wore distinctive martial robes with both forearms exposed.
One wielded a sword in his right hand, while the other carried a broadsword.
Clang!
As the weapons of the two men rushing at full force collided in mid-air, sparks scattered in all directions.
Clang! Crash, crash, crash!
The sword and broadsword unfolded like a fan, tangling chaotically with one another.
“In the battles of masters, weapons rarely collide.”
Dan Cheong spoke while observing the two men fighting with all their might.
“Yet do you understand why their weapons are colliding?”
Clang!
Bu Eunseol, who had been watching the weapons collide once more, answered calmly.
“Because the distance between them is too close.”
Just as she said, the two men wielded their weapons in short, controlled motions, fighting at close quarters.
“Is there nothing else?”
At Dan Cheong’s words, Bu Eunseol observed the fierce battle once more.
Slash! Whoosh!
Each time the weapons passed by, blood sprayed across their entire bodies.
The weapons wielded by the two men unleashed sharp and brutal killing intent.
“And because they are fighting in earnest, not merely practicing.”
“Precisely.”
Dan Cheong spoke gravely, his arms crossed.
“This Reed Field and the Bamboo Forest beyond are where the masters of Nangya Pavilion refine their combat techniques.”
“Combat techniques….”
“Yes. They develop their skills not through sloppy practice, but through actual combat.”
Dan Cheong stared intently at Bu Eunseol’s unfocused eyes.
“From now on, you will remain in this Reed Field and Bamboo Forest for four days, observing the duels of Nangya Pavilion’s masters.”
“You mean only observe?”
Bu Eunseol’s expression showed incomprehension.
In four days, something might unfold at Demon Palace. Yet I was being asked to leisurely watch the battles of masters.
“To master combat techniques, you must reach a level where observation alone allows you to perceive and comprehend an opponent’s momentum and techniques.”
“You mean to say that merely watching with one’s eyes allows one to perceive an opponent’s momentum and techniques?”
“Yes.”
Dan Cheong pointed once more at the two people fighting in the Reed Field.
“Earlier, you said their duel was a fight for their lives, but truthfully, that’s only half correct. What they’re doing is fundamentally a practice bout. However, because they account for every move their opponent might make and deploy their techniques accordingly, it merely appears as though they’re engaged in a blood feud.”
Dan Cheong continued his explanation.
“Combat martial arts doesn’t mean fighting recklessly. Rather, before that, one must directly witness countless battles.”
Speaking with deliberate precision to Bu Eunseol, who listened intently, he articulated each word.
“Possessing eyes capable of rapidly discerning an enemy’s information through observation alone—that is the foundation of combat martial arts.”
“Eyes that discern an enemy’s information….”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze narrowed.
Having yet to formally study Nangya Sect’s martial techniques, I had been thinking of combat martial arts somewhat too simply.
‘So the foundation of combat martial arts isn’t fighting itself, but rapidly discerning an enemy’s information and responding accordingly.’
Listening to Dan Cheong’s explanation, I realized that combat martial arts contained far more subtlety and depth than I had imagined.
“Should you reach such a realm, you could gain immense benefit merely by observing others’ fights without engaging directly yourself.”
Having finished his explanation, Dan Cheong turned his body.
“Just as the martial world’s code dictates, within Nangya Sect, secretly observing others’ practice bouts or battles is forbidden. For merely by watching, one can steal an opponent’s weaknesses and insights.”
Turning to face her, Dan Cheong spoke with solemn authority.
“However, given the circumstances, I shall grant you special permission to observe.”
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol bowed deeply.
Only now did I realize the immeasurable benefit Dan Cheong was bestowing upon me.
“Apply yourself earnestly.”
Dan Cheong left those words behind and gradually departed the Reed Field.
* * *
From that day forward, Bu Eunseol continually moved between the Reed Field and Bamboo Forest near Cheong Pung Jae, observing practice bouts.
Though called practice bouts, they were fights that resembled actual combat.
Had this been a martial expert at the pinnacle of power, they would have gained immense insight merely from witnessing such fierce battles.
The fourth day.
As this was the final day, Dan Cheong stood beside Bu Eunseol, observing the practice bout together.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Today’s practice bout unfolded in the Bamboo Forest, where bamboo stalks grew densely packed.
Clash! Bang, bang, bang!
Five martial artists surrounded a single man in the forest’s center, forming a circle.
The man standing at the center was remarkably blocking all attacks from the five opponents using only his bare palms.
Whoosh.
Then the positioning of the five martial artists shifted subtly.
Witnessing this, Dan Cheong questioned Bu Eunseol.
“What technique comes next?”
“It appears they will employ Heaven and Earth Splitting Strike.”
The moment Bu Eunseol’s quiet murmur escaped while observing the battle, five blades rose toward the sky.
They were about to unleash the first move of Heaven and Earth Splitting Strike.
Shring.
Simultaneously, the bare-handed man drew a very short blade from behind his back.
It was a medium sword used by assassins.
“What’s the next technique?”
“Based on his stance, it appears he’ll use Absolute Abundance to create a sword barrier.”
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Just as I predicted, the man with the medium sword moved swiftly, wielding it to create a transparent sword barrier.
‘Impressive.’
Dan Cheong, who had been glancing at my profile, tilted his head.
‘But he’s too fast.’
To execute sword techniques, one must grip the blade; to execute fist techniques, one must clench the fist.
All techniques have a starting point. Recognizing it is the first step of practical martial arts.
Yet wasn’t I discerning the initial move with such ease, as if I had been laying the foundation of practical martial arts for a long time?
‘Even a seasoned master who has fought countless battles would need three months to learn how to anticipate initial moves.’
Dan Cheong couldn’t even fathom how I had learned to gauge initial moves so quickly.
‘Regardless, she’s doing well, so I should offer praise.’
“Impressive indeed. It’s rare to grasp the fundamentals of practical martial arts so quickly.”
At Dan Cheong’s praise, I shook my head with a troubled expression.
“I merely predicted the movements from muscle contractions. I couldn’t anticipate the initial move by understanding the principles of martial arts.”
“Hmm?”
“True masters display movements that transcend the body’s limitations, don’t they? In the end, I’ve only built half the foundation.”
Dan Cheong opened his mouth in astonishment.
Predicting movements according to the principles of martial arts was something only masters of martial arts like Dan Cheong could accomplish.
Yet I was blaming myself for my shortcomings, unaware of this.
‘I wonder if she’s simply ignorant, or if she hasn’t been studying martial arts for long.’
Bu Eunseol, who always amazed those who taught her. And Dan Cheong was no exception to that category.
‘I’m truly looking forward to what comes next.’
Just as Dan Cheong was quietly forming a pleased smile,
A sharp sound cut through the air.
A figure approached rapidly with the sound of wind-breaking.
“Pavilion Master Bu.”
The figure who approached Dan Cheong was a young man.
His attire closely resembled the martial robes Baek Yeon had worn before.
“I am Bi Woon of the Fengyun Corps.”
The man bowed and produced a small letter from his robes.
“A reply from Demon Palace.”
“I see.”
Dan Cheong accepted the letter and read it, nodding.
“So that’s how it is.”
Then, looking at me, his eyes gleamed.
“Demon Palace has agreed to accept all of Nangya Pavilion’s requests.”
I nodded with a solemn gaze.
Now the time had truly come to journey to the Demon Palace.

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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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