The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 369

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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 369.
Gae Bang Headquarters, Geol A Dong,
This was the office where Bu Fang’s deputy leader Hae Poong handled various matters.
Seated at the table with his hands clasped, Hae Poong’s brow was deeply furrowed.
He had been continuously tracking and intercepting the artificial inner core that No Bong was creating. Yet even now, there remained limitations in generating truly formidable combat power.
“I cannot fathom what forces No Bong is coordinating with.”
He had long known that No Bong was not truly bedridden.
That was why he had obtained the Green Tiger Seal to drive No Bong from his position and claim the leader’s seat for himself.
But when Gu Hong Cheong was slain by Bu Eunseol, he could not become the leader of Gae Bang.
After all, he had become someone who cooperated with the Demonic Being who murdered the Supreme Elder.
―If I cannot become leader, then why not have my disciple take the position?
After much deliberation, he had attempted to elevate So Hwa, the most talented among his disciples, to the leader’s seat.
Should that succeed, it would be as though he himself had become leader.
But problems arose here as well.
To use the Green Tiger Seal to remove No Bong from the leader’s position required unanimous consent from all the elders.
Yet Jang Bong Gae and Mak Hoong, elders of the Eight Paths, had raised objections.
―We agree to removing the leader through the Green Tiger Seal. However, Hae Poong, the notion that your disciple would command Gae Bang is utterly absurd.
Having discerned Hae Poong’s true intentions, Mak Hoong had already rallied the elders who followed him.
Should matters proceed that way, even if So Hwa became leader, Gae Bang’s strength would be compromised.
Hae Poong had no choice but to propose open competition.
―Why should brothers of the same organization shed blood? Rather, let us compare our respective forces, and let the one with superior power ascend to the leader’s seat.
Mak Hoong accepted Hae Poong’s proposal as well.
If they truly engaged in a power struggle, brothers would have to shed blood.
And so Hae Poong and Mak Hoong had agreed that whoever possessed greater forces by the next elder council would claim the leader’s seat.
“This will not suffice.”
The elder council was now imminent.
Yet Mak Hoong’s forces were actually greater. To overturn this, he needed formidable military strength.
“I must become leader this time, without fail.”
Hae Poong had already borne the infamy of having murdered the Supreme Elder to become leader.
Should he fail to secure the leader’s seat now, there would be no place left for him in Gae Bang.
A shadow swept across the room.
At that moment, Black Shadow entered the office.
Sensing the presence, Hae Poong turned his head and beheld the face of a man as handsome as a celestial being.
Yet to Hae Poong’s eyes, he appeared as a malevolent spirit risen from the depths of hell.
It was none other than Bu Eunseol, the Demonic Being of the Demonic Path who had cast him into the abyss.
“How dare you enter this place!”
Hae Poong drew upon his inner strength, preparing to strike.
A crushing force descended.
But from Bu Eunseol’s form flowed such overwhelming vital energy that it began to crush Hae Poong’s body.
Hae Poong found himself unable even to breathe, his face growing gaunt. It was a display of inner power so formidable that resistance was utterly impossible.
“Do not be alarmed. I have come to help you.”
“Don’t… don’t mock me.”
“At this rate, Jang Bong Gae will seize control of Gae Bang.”
Hae Poong clenched his teeth.
“What business is that of yours?”
“If someone like Jang Bong Gae becomes the leader, it would be far better for my position if you became the leader instead.”
“….”
“Of course, No Bong will have to die.”
A low hum resonated through the air.
Bu Eunseol withdrew her energy in an instant. The murderous intent that had been flickering in Hae Poong’s eyes had vanished completely.
“What are you saying?”
“You already know well enough.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with unhurried ease.
“That No Bong has created a separate organization and stationed it to prevent losing his position as leader. And that it is maintained by the strange power of an inner elixir.”
Hae Poong clenched his teeth.
How could this ghostly woman possibly know such a thing?
“If this fact were to be revealed… Gae Bang would either become a public enemy of Murim and face annihilation, or at best be sealed away.”
Hae Poong’s chest trembled.
He had sacrificed everything to become the leader. Yet if Bu Eunseol made a single move, all of it would crumble to dust.
“So. What are you proposing?”
As Hae Poong steadied his breathing and asked, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“I need the inner elixir that Leader No Bong possesses.”
“What?”
“Being the successor to Demon Palace is no simple matter. But with that inner elixir, could I not create forces equal to his own?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“However, if Gae Bang faces annihilation, would not the Murim Alliance simply destroy that inner elixir?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I will take the inner elixir for myself.”
Bu Eunseol spoke matter-of-factly.
“You will become the leader of Gae Bang. I will simply recover the inner elixir that No Bong possesses.”
Hae Poong furrowed his brow.
“What connection is there between you recovering the inner elixir and me becoming the leader?”
“I will eliminate the current leader for you.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with resolve.
“I have no use for the foul military forces of Gae Bang, so you may keep them. With that, you should have more than enough strength to defeat Jang Bong Gae, would you not?”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“In truth, it matters little to me who becomes the leader of Gae Bang.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression was indifferent.
“But to properly solidify my position as successor, I need personal forces that can operate without interference from the Ten Demonic Gates.”
Hae Poong now grasped Bu Eunseol’s true intention, nodding faintly.
Through various intelligence networks, it was already well-known that Bu Eunseol had friction with the Ten Demonic Gates.
“Are you asking this Bu Bangju to absorb No Bong’s forces?”
“Indeed. If that comes to pass, regardless of who opposes it, you could become the Bangju of Gae Bang.”
Hae Poong’s heart stirred for a moment.
Bu Eunseol’s plan offered only gains for him—it was an extraordinarily favorable condition with no drawbacks whatsoever.
‘But then…’
What if this fact were to leak to the outside world once more?
He could become a traitor who had joined hands with a Demonic Being for the seat of Bangju.
“You’re asking me to become a traitor who has grasped hands with the Demonic Path once again?”
“That is not my concern.”
Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
“You will do it or you will not.”
“I shall refuse.”
In truth, Hae Poong had no intention of refusing Bu Eunseol’s proposal.
He merely rejected it once so that he could negotiate for even better terms.
But an unexpected response erupted.
“Then I shall have to go to Jang Bong Gae.”
“What did you say?”
“He is a man who pursues practical gain, so he will certainly not refuse my proposal.”
“He would not know about the Inner Dan.”
“It matters not.”
Bu Eunseol smiled and turned her body away.
“Regardless of what becomes of Gae Bang, it has nothing to do with me.”
Hae Poong clenched both fists tightly.
There was no further room for negotiation.
‘There is no choice.’
Though Bu Eunseol walked the path of the Demonic Path, she was one who kept her promises.
Rather, was it not they themselves who had spread rumors about the Fortune King and such without cleanly resolving matters?
“Very well.”
He had already resolved to do whatever it took to become the Bangju of Gae Bang.
He would not hesitate even to sell his soul to that demon, so desperate and yearning was he.
“Is it truly only necessary to kill the Bangju and take the Inner Dan?”
At that, Bu Eunseol, who had been walking away, turned her body back.
“Of course.”
“What do you ask of me?”
“When I kill the Bangju, all the Bangdos at Cheonhwa Mountain Estate will pursue me. Should that occur, my identity may be exposed.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with force.
“When I kill the Bangju, deploy the Heaven’s Net at Cheonhwa Mountain Estate in timing with my strike. And while feigning pursuit of me, prevent the forces at Cheonhwa Mountain Estate from being able to chase after me.”
“Because the forces of Demon Palace cannot enter Gaebong.”
“Precisely so.”
“Hmm.”
Hae Poong nodded in acknowledgment.
Bu Eunseol’s plan was simple and elegant, and most importantly, it posed no risk to him whatsoever.
‘She must believe I keep my promises as steadfastly as stone.’
A smile played at the corners of Hae Poong’s lips.
In truth, one of his lifelong regrets was having honored his promise to Bu Eunseol with such integrity.
Had he slain her alongside Geol Wang after obtaining the Nok Ho Ro? Or had he killed her with the forces he brought?
By now, he would have already ascended to become the Bangju, commanding all of Tianxia.
“Very well.”
Hae Poong deliberately wore a humiliated expression, biting his lip.
“But you must keep your promise without fail.”
“Of course.”
“When?”
Bu Eunseol spoke matter-of-factly.
“The sooner, the better.”
“Then four days hence.”
Hae Poong spoke in a low voice.
“Come around noon four days from now. By then, I will have completely cut off all troop movements to and from Cheonhwa Mountain Estate.”
The Elder Council convenes in a fortnight.
Hae Poong intended to settle No Bong’s matter before then and ascend to the position of Bangju.
“Excellent. On that day, I shall kill No Bong and seize the Inner Core.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“However, you must bring as many forces as possible. The troops stationed at Cheonhwa Mountain Estate rival more than half of Gae Bang’s total military strength.”
“Have no concerns. I shall handle that myself.”
But before his words had even finished, Bu Eunseol had already vanished.
“Hehehehe.”
Hae Poong’s smile was radiant and unbridled.
“Now everything is finally concluded.”
Not only could he now achieve his lifelong ambition,
but an opportunity had also presented itself to completely eliminate that Demonic Path disciple who had brought him such humiliation.
* * *
Mak Hoong could not comprehend it.
Nam Goong Woon, a direct bloodline member of the Nam Goong Family, had suddenly appeared in his office.
And what followed was even more absurd.
He claimed to have suddenly negotiated with No Bong, the current Bangju, to place himself in the position of Bangju?
“The Bangju No Bong is currently staying at Cheonhwa Mountain Estate. Under the pretense of being ill, you see.”
At Nam Goong Woon’s words, Mak Hoong’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
‘How did the Nam Goong Family come to know of our organization’s internal affairs?’
“Ahem.”
Mak Hoong cleared his throat and spoke.
“It seems improper for the Nam Goong Family to meddle in Gae Bang’s internal affairs.”
“It’s not meddling—this is actually a matter the Murim Alliance should address.”
“What do you mean?”
Nam Goong Woon withdrew a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Mak Hoong.
“What is this?”
“Evidence that No Bong, the Gae Bang Master, colluded with external forces and created a sinister inner cultivation method that has thrown the Murim into chaos.”
Mak Hoong’s expression grew troubled as he read through the letter.
“This is…”
His fingertips trembled.
If this were true, Gae Bang would have to close its doors today.
“If you harbor doubts, investigate the truth. In fact, it would be best if you did.”
Nam Goong Woon sighed as he spoke.
“Because Hae Poong, the Vice Master, is also implicated in this matter.”
“Hae Poong? That man? Surely not?”
Mak Hoong shook his head.
“He’s trying to overthrow No Bong and become Master himself. So how could he be conspiring with No Bong to do such a thing?”
“He’s not conspiring with No Bong. Rather, even after uncovering No Bong’s truth, he’s employing a shallow scheme to absorb the inner cultivation method and military forces for himself.”
In that moment, Mak Hoong clenched his teeth.
In the past, he had conspired with a Demonic Path figure and killed Geol Wang, the Grand Elder.
Now was he trying to swallow Gae Bang by absorbing the military forces that No Bong had cultivated in collaboration with external powers?
“As a member of the Nam Goong Family myself, I have long admired Gae Bang, which has upheld cooperation through generations.”
Nam Goong Woon spoke with a sorrowful tone.
“But we cannot allow Gae Bang’s honor to crumble due to the greed that No Bong has unleashed, can we?”
“What is it that you desire?”
“The Main House will resolve this matter.”
Nam Goong Woon spoke in a measured voice.
“All I ask of you, Elder Mak, is to open the path to Cheonhwa Mountain Estate. To ensure No Bong does not resort to force.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m simply requesting that you allow entry from within.”
Nam Goong Woon spoke with a grave expression.
“If you station forces to allow our family’s masters to enter, I will handle the rest. Of course, it goes without saying that you will become the new Master.”
“How could I become Master?”
“To crush No Bong’s ambitions beforehand, we joined forces with the Main House, tears in our eyes. And did we not save Gae Bang from the brink of destruction?”
Nam Goong Woon added one more thing.
“Having exposed the treacherous Vice Master’s conspiracy, it is only natural that you become the Master of this generation.”
“Hmm.”
Mak Hoong swallowed hard once more.
Had anyone else spoken these words, he would have dismissed them as nonsense.
But the Nam Goong Family is the head of the Eight Great Families, wielding influence no less than the Nine Sects One Alliance.
Moreover, with them offering to push him toward the position of Master simply by opening the path to Cheonhwa Mountain Estate to meet No Bong, he had no grounds to refuse.
“Very well.”
Mak Hoong nodded in agreement.
“I shall aid you, trusting in the honor of the Nam Goong Family.”
And he received their pledge once more.
“In return, I hope you will honor your promise without fail.”
Nam Goong Woon smiled broadly and pressed his palms together.
“Of course.”
* * *
Hae Poong had positioned every disciple he could muster at the base of Cheonhwa Mountain, where the Cheonhwa Mountain Estate stood.
Perhaps No Bong might have noticed that he had relocated his forces.
But it mattered not.
Encirclement alone would not provoke conflict. No Bong, knowing this well, would merely observe quietly for any response.
“Yet I cannot fathom it.”
Hae Poong gazed up at Cheonhwa Mountain, his expression one of bewilderment.
“The Cheonhwa Mountain Estate is garrisoned with formidable forces. How does he intend to break through them and capture No Bong, who is entrenched like a water dragon?”
Thud-thud.
Something extraordinary was unfolding.
A beggar whose face was covered with bristling whiskers was walking toward them from the distance.
“Mak Elder?”
Hae Poong’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The beggar ascending toward the Cheonhwa Mountain Estate was none other than Jang Bong Gae—Mak Hoong.
“What brings you here?”
At Hae Poong’s words, Mak Hoong’s eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
“I have come to meet with Patriarch No Bong.”
Hae Poong, despite knowing of Patriarch No Bong’s conspiracy, feigned ignorance and instead sought to exploit it to expand his own influence.
Knowing all of this, Mak Hoong regarded Hae Poong with eyes filled with profound contempt.
“To meet the Patriarch?”
“Indeed.”
In truth, the one who would meet Patriarch No Bong was he who had made a solemn vow with him—
Nam Goong Woon of the Nam Goong Family bloodline, who would arrive shortly, along with their forces.
But Mak Hoong lied with complete composure.
“I have urgent matters to discuss with him.”
“How curious.”
Sensing something amiss, Hae Poong’s eyes flashed with sharp suspicion.
“You suddenly come to meet the Patriarch?”
Mak Hoong spoke calmly.
“Has not the Patriarch neglected the affairs of the organization for some time, using his illness as a pretext? Today I have come to meet with him and consult directly on such matters.”
“Hmm.”
As Hae Poong made a sound of acknowledgment, Mak Hoong surveyed the disciples stationed before the open ground and spoke.
“Why has the Vice Patriarch brought so many disciples to this place?”
‘Bu Eunseol. How could I possibly cooperate with such a person?’
Hae Poong also cleared his throat evasively.
“No Bong’s movements have been exposed to the outside world.”
“What did you say?”
“The Demonic Path’s intelligence network has revealed No Bong’s activities. Upon hearing such intelligence, I sought to fortify Cheonhwa Mountain Estate.”
Mak Hoong made no effort to hide his bewilderment.
“Deputy Chief. You expect this Elder to believe such an absurd claim?”
“Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant.”
Hae Poong averted his gaze from Mak Hoong.
His agreement with Bu Eunseol was simple: encircle Cheonhwa Mountain Estate until sunset, preventing No Bong from making contact with outside forces.
If he honored that commitment, he could absorb all of No Bong’s power and claim the position of Chief.
“I see. Much obliged to you.”
As Mak Hoong nodded and turned to enter, Hae Poong shook his head.
“I said you cannot enter.”
Mak Hoong’s expression turned incredulous.
“Did you not say you were blocking outside forces? Are you calling this Elder an outside force?”
“I cannot exclude the possibility that you might communicate with outside forces. I ask for your understanding.”
“Hahaha.”
Mak Hoong laughed as if utterly dumbfounded.
“Is communicating with outside forces not the Deputy Chief’s specialty?”
His scornful smile deepened as he continued.
“Did you not orchestrate the circumstances that led to the Grand Elder’s death at the hands of that Demonic Path figure?”
That incident was a fatal blunder that Hae Poong would regret for the rest of his life.
As Mak Hoong seized upon it mockingly, murderous intent flickered in Hae Poong’s eyes.
“Mind your words, Mak Elder.”
Hae Poong spoke with utmost gravity.
“Do you truly believe you can maintain your position as Elder for the rest of your life?”
“Hehehehe. Such words are better spoken after you’ve claimed the position of Chief.”
Mak Hoong chuckled softly as he spoke.
“Though I doubt that will ever happen.”
Hae Poong spoke with an unwavering expression.
“So you insist on entering?”
“It seems strange for an Elder to be prevented from meeting the Chief.”
Finding himself at a loss for words, Hae Poong clenched his fists tightly.
If Mak Hoong entered, he would break his promise to Bu Eunseol. And if he did, Bu Eunseol would not honor her promise to him.
“Mak Elder.”
A pale, icy killing intent emanated from Hae Poong’s eyes.
“Do you truly find my words unreasonable?”
“That is what I wish to ask you.”
Mak Hoong narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
“What scheme are you plotting that you would besiege Cheonhwa Mountain Estate and block my path?”
“Did I not explain earlier?”
“You ask me to believe words that even a three-year-old child would reject, Mak Elder?”
“Mak Elder.”
As a solemn light emanated from Hae Poong’s eyes,
Footsteps echoed—thud, thud.
At that moment, a figure in azure robes stumbled forward along the path leading to Cheonhwa Mountain Estate.
A young man of robust build and commanding presence, with delicate and distinct features that conveyed an impression of clarity and virtue.
Yet his entire body bore countless wounds both great and small, with fatal injuries inflicted upon him, and his azure robes were soaked through with blood.
It was Nam Goong Woon.

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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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