The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 363

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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 363.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s pupils trembled.
Until now, Bu Eunseol had been convinced that Chilji Demonic Sect was very likely her grandfather.
But her grandfather Bu Chanyang had transmitted a secret technique that belonged to Jeong Cheon Je and Sin Do Mu Bi?
‘Does Gak Ju know of Jeong Cheon Je’s martial arts?’
Jeong Cheon Je, Sin Do Mu Bi.
A legendary master of martial arts who had reached the pinnacle of Orthodox Sect martial knowledge, and the current leader of the Murim Alliance.
Yet what martial arts he employed, and to what degree of mastery, remained entirely unknown.
This was because he had never once engaged in a public decisive battle. Though there were those who occasionally challenged him, they recognized the vast chasm between them and admitted defeat of their own accord.
“You have sparred with Jeong Cheon Je?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Dan Cheong let out a soft chuckle.
Seeing that smile, Bu Eunseol instantly grasped one crucial fact.
“Gak Ju and Jeong Cheon Je have sparred.”
“Indeed. After that encounter, Gak Ju spoke with great emotion, saying, ‘That cunning fox’s one supreme technique—it synchronizes the qi circulation to extract the heart method through a most ingenious technique!’ That is what he said.”
Dan Cheong’s eyes grew distant as he recalled that memory.
“Well, not just Gak Ju, but all the Lords of the Ten Demonic Gates surely know this already.”
In that moment, Bu Eunseol’s expression became as if she had been struck from behind.
“The Lords of the Ten Demonic Gates have also sparred with Jeong Cheon Je?”
“Yes. The lord of the Hwawoo Sword Sect and the lord of the Blood-Dyed Sword School fought him individually, while the remaining lords of the Ten Demonic Gates have even combined their forces against him, or so I’ve heard.”
Bu Eunseol’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
“Why have such matters not spread throughout the Murim?”
“Does not our Muhonjung’s lord also conceal his martial prowess and deeds with great care?”
“That is….”
“Precisely. It is only natural.”
Dan Cheong smiled faintly.
“The abilities of the supreme masters who have reached the pinnacle of the Murim are truly boundless. No matter how excellent an intelligence network, they cannot perceive anything unless those masters wish it.”
Bu Eunseol nodded slightly.
Indeed, even Hyun Ma Wi Ji Moo Ah, whom she had met not long ago, was beyond her ability to gauge—she could not even estimate the level of his martial prowess.
“Now then, speak. How did you manage it?”
Dan Cheong asked, his eyes gleaming.
“Did you meet Jeong Cheon Je?”
Cold sweat trickled down Bu Eunseol’s spine.
Originally, she had intended to speak honestly about the Heart Method of Heaven’s Physician.
But if the Heart Method of Heaven’s Physician was Jeong Cheon Je’s martial art?
She must not reveal this fact to anyone in the Demonic Path—not even Dan Cheong.
Because this martial art had been implanted by her grandfather Bu Chanyang, and its true identity remained undisclosed.
“The truth is… while pursuing the organization that creates the Ren Fire, I discovered the method in a scripture they left behind.”
Bu Eunseol offered a plausible explanation.
“There are only ten blood sealing points capable of holding inner qi. I thought they must have filled them in the order written, so I attempted to open them one by one.”
Even if Bu Eunseol’s words were true, it would be a reckless gamble from a probabilistic standpoint.
However, Dan Cheong nodded as if he understood.
“I see.”
“Then I shall return to the Demon Palace.”
At that, Cheol Sa Bu spoke.
“The Bing Hun Sword is still undergoing repairs. Once the repairs are complete, I will send it to you immediately.”
“Understood.”
As Bu Eunseol bowed deeply to the two men, Dan Cheong drew a long breath.
“Bu Eunseol.”
And he spoke in the gentlest of tones.
“Should you face troubles or matters you cannot resolve, visit Bon Gak anytime.”
‘So he saw through it after all.’
Dan Cheong had read the bewilderment and shock in Bu Eunseol’s eyes just moments before.
And he must have dimly perceived that she had covered it with falsehoods as well.
Yet he deliberately pretended not to notice and feigned understanding—his trust in Bu Eunseol was truly beyond measure.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol bowed once more, deeply.
And she felt it again.
No matter how much the successor to the Demon Palace she might be, no matter what vast power she wielded, her true home was here.
Nangya Sect.
* * *
Upon returning to the Demon Palace, Bu Eunseol secluded herself in her quarters.
The truth she had learned from Dan Cheong was far too shocking.
―In this world, there is but one person who possesses the secret to steal another’s true qi circulation method.
‘Jeong Cheon Je.’
Bu Eunseol bit her lip.
Her grandfather had been a master from Shaolin.
Therefore, it was hardly surprising that he had learned martial secrets from the greatest master of the Orthodox Sects.
Those of the Righteous Path valued karmic bonds deeply, and if fate allowed, they freely transmitted their martial arts without reservation.
But what if, by some chance, her grandfather was Chil Ji Ma Do, and had learned martial arts from the Murim Alliance Lord?
‘A double agent.’
If that were true, her grandfather would likely have been a double agent dispatched by the Orthodox Sects—or rather, by the Murim Alliance itself.
‘Was that it?’
Only now did the scattered fragments in Bu Eunseol’s mind fall into place.
Why her grandfather had hidden his identity. And why he had been killed.
‘If this is true, then the arrow of blame must rightfully point toward the Demon Palace.’
If her grandfather Bu Chanyang had inherited all the martial teachings of Jeongsa Yangdo and become the invincible Taoist Chil Ji Ma Do?
Then whoever had reason to kill him could only be the Demonic Path and the Demon Palace.
Indeed, had not Hyung Su wielded the terrifying sword techniques of the Demonic Path?
‘Thinking back, that was the sound of weapons colliding.’
The ominous yet distinct metallic ring that Bu Eunseol had heard when she emerged from the iron coffin during the corpse play.
Thinking about it, that was definitely the sound of weapons clashing against each other.
But Grandfather wasn’t even carrying a weapon, was he?
Then why did I hear the sound of weapons colliding? Could he have seized the enemy’s weapon and fought with it?
‘That can’t be right.’
Yet Hyung Su had forced Grandfather to extend both his arms willingly, then severed them.
He must have used my life, which I was holding hostage at Pyeong-an Funeral House, as leverage for coercion.
From the start, Grandfather hadn’t been in a position where he could kill Hyung Su.
‘What’s certain is that Hyung Su’s martial prowess is formidable enough to look down upon the entire Murim.’
What’s certain is that Grandfather mastered Shaolin’s supreme inner cultivation secrets and even knows Jeong Cheon Je’s exclusive techniques.
To be able to launch attacks against such a master speaks volumes.
That alone proves this person possesses extraordinary martial skill.
If we were to limit those with such martial prowess within the Demonic Path, it would only be Ma Cheon Je, the Samma, the Ten Demonic Gates Lords, and Chong Gyo Ryeong.
‘Perhaps the culprit might be within this Demon Palace itself.’
Bu Eunseol clenched her fists tightly.
Whether Grandfather was Chil Ji Ma Do or not no longer mattered.
But if Grandfather was connected to Jeong Cheon Je?
Then Hyung Su’s identity could only belong to the Demonic Path.
‘And the forces that created the artificial cores are surely not unrelated to Grandfather’s death.’
Those at the pinnacle of Murim would inevitably become entangled in Murim’s affairs.
Perhaps those who created these artificial cores also have a high probability of being connected to Hyung Su, who killed Grandfather.
‘Then I must first find those who manufacture the artificial cores.’
Until now, all information about Chil Ji Ma Do had come coincidentally, as a byproduct when handling other matters.
But rather than pursuing the movements of Chil Ji Ma Do without clues, following a lead I’ve found this clearly is.
The better choice for now.
“Summon the Lords.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice, her thoughts concluded.
She intended to pursue the clues of the artificial cores and unearth their true nature once more.
* * *
Using Seol So as her disguise, Bu Eunseol slipped out of Demon Palace discreetly.
‘Just how much of Murim have the descendants of Pal Hwang Sam Seong come to control?’
Creating artificial inner cores using the artificial cores was revolutionary, yet nearly impossible.
Yet they had ultimately succeeded.
And to achieve such results would have required decades, perhaps centuries or more of research.
Then it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Murim has always been in the grasp of Pal Hwang Sam Seong’s descendants.
―It’s possible that the descendant of the Medical Sage among Pal Hwang Sam Seong orchestrated this.
It was Yu Woon Ryong’s assessment.
If artificial inner cores could be created, it would mean possessing medical skills that could touch the heavens.
Then the probability that the Medical Sage’s descendant among Pal Hwang Sam Seong was involved until now is high.
―As the Lord anticipated, recently figures worthy of being called Sal Soo have appeared throughout various regions of Murim.
It was So Ja Myeong’s response to the advance investigation I had requested.
What if, long ago, Wi Ji Moo Ah had fed the artificial inner elixir to children kidnapped from Saixiang? It was obvious he would have tested it on numerous other individuals as well.
The artificial inner elixir appeared to have no significant side effects on the surface. However, it possessed a distinctive characteristic: when one became excited, an uncontrollable killing intent would burst forth.
This meant that those who consumed the artificial inner elixir were inevitably destined to cause incidents.
Therefore, Bu Eunseol predicted that individuals worthy of being called killing stars would soon appear in the Murim.
―Recently, a tremendous killing star has emerged in the Imgang Province region.
Upon hearing So Ja Myeong’s words, Bu Eunseol concluded the meeting and immediately set out for Imgang Province.
If she could capture that killing star, she would surely be able to trace the tail of the forces behind the artificial inner elixir’s creation.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol deployed her lightness technique without pause, arriving at Seomok Mountain in Imgang Province in a single breath.
Through her dealings with the Black-White Witch, Bu Eunseol had become adept at tracking and investigating the movements of individuals.
Upon investigating in Geun Dong, she learned that a killing star who had triggered a massacre frenzy was indeed appearing in the Seomok Mountain region, attacking Murim practitioners.
‘Reliable intelligence.’
Bu Eunseol’s gaze grew distant as she looked toward the far sky.
‘From now on, I must handle as many matters as possible alone.’
Originally, she had intended to inform the Demon Hall about the artificial inner elixir and send a large force of pursuers.
However, through this incident, she had come to realize there was a high probability that the influence or schemes of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars had taken root within the Demon Hall or the Ten Demonic Gates.
This meant Hyung Su, who had killed her grandfather, might be among them. She had to handle all possible matters in secret and alone.
‘I no longer understand what the Demonic Path and Righteous Path truly are.’
The Murim was divided into the Demonic Path and Righteous Path, and they seemed to unite with unwavering solidarity.
Yet ultimately, what distinguished these two paths was nothing but profit and power.
The Demonic Path pursued gain and loss, while the Orthodox Sects devoted themselves to fame and expansion of influence. And schemes existed everywhere.
As Bu Eunseol continually experienced these realities, the distinction between the Demonic Path and Righteous Path grew increasingly blurred in her perception.
Whoosh.
Before long, she arrived at the village near Seomok Mountain.
Upon arrival, Bu Eunseol surveyed the surroundings and gathered information by questioning the locals.
And finally, she found the trail.
She detected that the killing star, presumed to possess the artificial inner elixir, was currently hiding near Okryusa Temple, which had become an abandoned temple.
Clang! Clash!
However, an unexpected situation unfolded.
The moment Bu Eunseol arrived near Okryusa Temple, the sound of weapons clashing rang out repeatedly.
‘There’s someone ahead of me.’
Bu Eunseol, her movement technique doubled, rushed toward the source of the sounds in a single breath.
Inside Okryusa Temple. In the courtyard before the crumbling Daeung Hall, two figures were chaotically clashing their weapons together.
Screech! Whoosh.
The figure in black robes wielded a broadsword, while the masked man in blue robes used a thin, slender blade.
However, contrary to their weapons, the swordsmanship of the Black-Robed Masked Killer was swift and agile.
And the man in blue robes, wielding the thin blade, displayed heavy and solemn sword techniques.
‘That one must be the killing star.’
Bu Eunseol immediately discerned that the figure in black robes was the killing star hiding near Okryusa Temple.
Not only was there dense killing intent crystallized in the black-robed figure’s eyes, but dark waves also emanated from his entire body.
It was clear that the Blue-Robed Assassin intended to track down Sal Soo before Bu Eunseol and capture him.
Whoosh!
At that moment, the Black-Robed Assassin’s technique shifted.
Suddenly, wielding his great blade like a raging tempest, he unleashed a torrent of blade wind to pressure the Blue-Robed Assassin.
Whip!
The Blue-Robed Assassin’s mask was torn away by the wind, revealing his face.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol was greatly shocked.
The Blue-Robed Assassin, who wielded a slender, delicate blade, was none other than Nam Goong Woon, the youngest son of the Nam Goong Family.
His strength had grown tremendously.
The weightless, paper-thin aura he once possessed had vanished entirely, replaced by the sharp, piercing energy waves that only master swordsmen could emit.
Nam Goong Woon had transformed into a swordsman of remarkable caliber.
Brilliant flash!
Yet the Black-Robed Assassin, unleashing blade strikes with frenzied intensity, bent his great blade in a peculiar manner.
Despite pouring his full strength into the blade strikes, Nam Goong Woon did not yield, so the Black-Robed Assassin seemed to be unleashing his final, desperate technique.
Whip!
The great blade, bent like a whip in that strange manner, drove toward Nam Goong Woon’s flank.
But Nam Goong Woon remained unperturbed, raising his golden needle sword toward the heavens.
Boom!
With a strange resonant sound, a tremendous pressure began to pour down from the sky.
Simultaneously, the Black-Robed Assassin’s great blade failed to penetrate the flank and struck the ground uselessly instead.
Nam Goong Woon was not employing the Soaring Bow Flying Swallow Sword technique, but rather a heavy, formidable heavy-blade method.
That sword technique…
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened as she observed the display.
The sword technique Nam Goong Woon had unleashed.
Was it not exactly the same as the heavy-blade method used by the mysterious masked assassin who had once targeted Dan Seo Ok?
Groan.
The Black-Robed Assassin, unable to withstand the crushing pressure, let out a loud cry and retreated backward.
“We shall meet again!”
The Black-Robed Masked Killer deployed his lightness technique above the void and made his escape.
He had realized that his strength could never match Nam Goong Woon’s.
Boom!
At that moment, a tremendous fist force fell from the sky, sealing off the fleeing assassin’s escape route.
It was the fist force Bu Eunseol had unleashed.
Groan.
The Black-Robed Assassin quickly twisted his body, but the fist force grazed his shoulder.
The Black-Robed Assassin cried out in pain, landed back on the ground, and attempted to flee in another direction.
Slash!
But in that moment, Nam Goong Woon’s sword extended like lightning, piercing slightly into the Black-Robed Masked Killer’s chest.
Ugh!
The Black-Robed Assassin let out a cry of agony.
The wound on his chest was not particularly deep.
However, a torrent of formidable inner force erupted forth, crushing his internal organs in a single breath.
“Hack—”
As the Black-Robed Masked Killer spewed dark crimson blood and staggered, Nam Goong Woon moved like lightning to strike his blood sealing point.
Thud. Crash.
The moment the man’s blood sealing point was struck and he collapsed,
“Phew.”
Nam Goong Woon exhaled a long breath and surveyed his surroundings.
“Who might you be, honored one?”
A soft shimmer.
As Bu Eunseol descended from the air, Nam Goong Woon’s eyes widened as if they might split.
“You are….”
Nam Goong Woon, who had been staring blankly at Bu Eunseol’s face—now transformed into Seol So’s appearance—suddenly spread his arms wide and rushed forward.
“Bu Hyung!”
Like a child, he embraced Bu Eunseol tightly and bounced with joy.
“How long has it been! Hahahaha!”
Bu Eunseol held a faint smile.
Nam Goong Woon had grown tall enough to stand beside Bu Eunseol, who was over six feet, and his frame had become robust and imposing.
Yet his pure, childlike laughter and unblemished smile remained exactly as they had been.
“You’ve made remarkable progress.”
Bu Eunseol offered the praise and asked,
“Moreover, that technique you just used didn’t seem to be the Chuang Gong Bi Yeon Sword.”
“Haha, that?”
Nam Goong Woon laughed sheepishly and scratched his head.
“Despite my repeated objections, the Family Head forcibly placed me as a candidate for succession… and so I came to learn the Imperial Sword Form’s First Three Stances from the Main House.”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes grew heavy with gravity.
‘The sword technique that masked assassin used… was it truly the Nam Goong Family’s Imperial Sword Form’s First Three Stances?’
“Is the Imperial Sword Form’s First Three Stances something only you have inherited?”
“That cannot be.”
Nam Goong Woon shook his head.
“My elder brothers above me all learned it long ago. However, since I was not a candidate for succession, I had been unable to master it until now.”
“I see.”
A deep furrow etched itself between Bu Eunseol’s brows.
So the masked assassin who had commanded the assassins and attacked Dan Seo Ok was one of the Nam Goong Family’s direct bloodline.
“But what’s wrong, Bu Hyung?”
Noticing Bu Eunseol’s hardened expression, Nam Goong Woon asked carefully,
“Your expression has become so grave.”
‘There is no need to inform him of such matters yet.’
“No. I was merely startled and asked out of surprise.”
Bu Eunseol quickly adjusted his expression and let out an exclamation.
“The Nam Goong Family’s intermediate sword technique is truly unparalleled in all of Tianxia.”
The praise was genuine.
The Emperor Sword Form was known to be extraordinarily difficult to master.
Because of this, those without natural talent in swordsmanship could practice their entire lives without grasping even its fundamentals.
Yet Nam Goong Woon, having received the transmission of the Jeon Sam Sik only recently, was already wielding it with remarkable proficiency.
His true abilities had long been obscured by his playful nature, but he was indeed a rare talent—an exceptional martial artist of uncommon gifts.
“What are you saying? Has Bu been well?”
Nam Goong Woon scratched his cheek.
“Ah, no. Should I be calling you Lord now?”
“You knew.”
“When I fought Cheon Geom… I happened to be lucky enough to witness it.”
Nam Goong Woon rubbed his nose sheepishly.
He had witnessed the duel between Bu Eunseol, the successor of the Demon Palace, and Cheon Geom, the disciple of Geom Joon.
Because of that, Bu Eunseol, whom he had only thought of as the slayer of the Hell Blood Castle Blood Ghost Party Lord and the victor of the Jeong Mu Dae Hoe…
He had come to understand that she was truly the successor of the Demon Palace, shaking the entire Murim of Tianxia.
“How could I presume to call myself your brother?”
Bu Eunseol held a faint smile.
“To one who will become the head of the Nam Goong Family.”
It was different now than when they had met as a wanderer.
She was the successor of the Demon Palace, and Nam Goong Woon was a candidate to become the head of the Nam Goong Family, which stood at the forefront of the Eight Great Families.
She had already reached the pinnacle of the position she could attain, so it mattered not to her.
But Nam Goong Woon still had a long path ahead. Bu Eunseol was concerned that her position might bring him harm.
“You speak words that sadden me.”
Nam Goong Woon revealed his white teeth in a smile.
“Have you forgotten my oath? That even if Bu were pointed at as an evil person by all of Tianxia, my faith in you would never waver.”
―I trust my own eyes. Even if you were pointed at as an evil person by all of Tianxia… I will believe in you, Bu.
At that time, Nam Goong Woon had spoken these words when parting from Bu Eunseol.
And still, he remembered and upheld that oath.
‘Nothing has changed.’
Nam Goong Woon was rumored to be a reckless fool, but in truth, he possessed both a generous nature and broad-minded character.
That Bu Eunseol had been able to swallow her contempt for humanity during her time in the Murim back then was also
because she had met such a fine person as Nam Goong Woon.
“Regardless, Bu, you remain unchanged.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just… everything.”
Nam Goong Woon laughed broadly.
Even having become the successor of the Demon Palace, he showed not the slightest hint of arrogance.
His manner of speech and presence remained the same, while his martial prowess had ascended to a realm incomparably distant from before.
Nam Goong Woon was immensely proud that Bu Eunseol was his sworn brother.
“Likewise.”
Nam Goong Woon remained a good person, one who saw the world in a bright light.
And the playful, unrestrained nature that defined him had not faded in the slightest.
“Haha. One’s true nature doesn’t change easily, does it?”
Nam Goong Woon laughed, revealing his white teeth.
“But what brings you here?”
Bu Eunseol spoke frankly.
“An artificial inner core.”
“Ah, how did you know about that?”
Nam Goong Woon blinked, then uttered something peculiar.
“Could it be that Shin San Ja has also approached my brother Bu?”

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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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