The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 379

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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 379.
Upon leaving the Namgung Family, Bu Eunseol made her way directly to the Nangya Pavilion.
Initially, she had intended to return to the Nangya Pavilion, recover her exhausted body and spirit, and seek assistance.
But soon, she came to understand two critical truths.
She was no longer a disciple receiving care within the Nangya Pavilion’s embrace.
And the Nangya Pavilion itself could not escape the grasp of that shadowy force.
‘It is hardly surprising that the Orthodox and Demonic sects harbor spies. Then the Nangya Pavilion cannot be beyond their reach either.’
Until now, I had inadvertently shattered or destroyed conspiracies orchestrated by this shadowy force, which had planted spies throughout the Orthodox and Demonic sects.
But seeing that even Poong Elder, a direct descendant of the Namgung Family, had become their pawn, I realized the situation was far more grave than I had imagined.
The supreme ruler of Murim.
To control and manipulate the leadership of both Orthodox and Demonic sects? Could they not be called the very embodiment of Murim’s supremacy?
Moreover, their actions were not merely about dominating or controlling Murim arbitrarily. They surely harbored grander ambitions.
And to achieve those goals, they were inserting spies into the Orthodox and Demonic sects and manipulating their leaders.
As the successor to the Demon Hall and the legitimate heir of the Nangya Pavilion, this was not something I could overlook.
‘In terms of intelligence gathering, they already hold the advantage.’
Bu Eunseol mobilized her intelligence network with all her might, yet she could not locate Poong Elder after he escaped the Namgung Family.
Of course, this was expected.
The shadowy force I had encountered thus far had consistently surpassed even the Demon Hall’s intelligence capabilities.
But Bu Eunseol had no intention of surrendering.
I invested time, moving my intelligence network slowly yet relentlessly.
Someday they would make a mistake, or by chance, an opportunity to capture them would surely arrive.
‘The Nangya Pavilion certainly has spies within it as well.’
No Bong, who had been at the Cheonhwa Mountain Estate in Gaebong, could clearly see that an artificial core had been discovered within the Nangya Pavilion.
This meant they could see through the internal affairs of the Nangya Pavilion just as clearly.
Bu Eunseol first informed Jeol Cheon Myul Ji and Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong of these facts and issued orders to root out any potential spies.
And now she was going directly to the Nangya Pavilion to inform Dan Cheong of this situation and discuss it with him.
Nangya Pavilion, Cheong Pung Jae.
This was the office of Dan Cheong, the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Nangya Pavilion.
Due to the recent explosive growth in disciples and administrative duties, his workload had increased exponentially.
As a result, he had almost no idle days, constantly wrestling with various documents in his office.
But currently, no documents were visible in the office, and Dan Cheong sat at leisure, enjoying tea.
The reason such a leisurely life was possible.
It was because, as the Nangya Pavilion’s scale grew beyond control, after much deliberation, a Chongui Bureau divided into three departments was established to assist Dan Cheong’s duties.
The Chongui Bureau was structured into three departments to support the Deputy Pavilion Master Dan Cheong, who practically managed the Nangya Pavilion in place of the Pavilion Master.
The First Bureau assisted the Deputy Pavilion Master Dan Cheong and coordinated and consolidated information between each division.
The Second Bureau efficiently managed and operated assets, while the Third Bureau oversaw various events and ceremonies of the Nangya Pavilion.
Thanks to the Chongui Bureau, Dan Cheong finally escaped the endless abyss of administrative work.
And now he could enjoy a leisurely life, merely reviewing documents that came up from the Chongui Bureau.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a soft knock on the door was followed by Si Bi’s voice.
“The Lord of Muhonjung has arrived.”
“Let them in.”
Dan Cheong set down his teacup and spoke in a leisurely tone.
He had already received word from the Fengyun Corps that Bu Eunseol was heading toward Nangya Pavilion.
“Pavilion Master Bu.”
The door opened, and a tall figure bowed respectfully in the conference hall.
It was Bu Eunseol, who had rushed here directly from the Namgung Family.
Clack.
Dan Cheong, who had been observing Bu Eunseol, set down his teacup with a startled expression.
‘The fluctuation of true energy has completely vanished?’
For the true energy’s fluctuation to disappear at Bu Eunseol’s level of martial prowess…
That would only be possible upon reaching the Realm of Six Harmonies and Golden Source—where internal energy is not stored in the dantian but distributed evenly throughout all meridians and blood sealing points, wouldn’t it?
“Y-yes.”
Dan Cheong nodded with an expression of complete enlightenment and spoke.
“The air at the Demon Palace must be quite beneficial, it seems.”
His eyes had lost all focus.
Come to think of it, Bu Eunseol had never once walked the path of ordinary martial cultivation.
“The air… you say?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Dan Cheong shook his head.
He had decided not to even attempt to understand or rationalize the speed of Bu Eunseol’s martial advancement.
“But what brings you here? Surely the busy Lord must have pressing matters elsewhere?”
Dan Cheong noticed Bu Eunseol’s complexion was troubled and gestured to the seat across from him.
“Please, sit first. Let us talk over a cup of tea.”
When Si Bi brought the tea, Bu Eunseol reflexively checked what kind of tea had been brewed.
She had suffered enough at the hands of tea connoisseurs over the years.
‘Pavilion Master Dan drinks simple loose leaf tea.’
The tea Dan Cheong was drinking was inexpensive—wild tea leaves roasted and fermented as they were.
‘I see.’
Bu Eunseol nodded inwardly.
Tea was a luxury.
No matter how much their circumstances had improved, Nangya Pavilion remained Nangya Pavilion. Dan Cheong upheld the warrior’s duty and maintained a frugal existence.
Slurp.
Bu Eunseol took a light sip of the tea.
Though it was an ordinary taste found anywhere, it filled her with the warmth of home-cooked comfort.
“Now then, tell me. What troubles you?”
“There is something I have not yet told you.”
Bu Eunseol set down her teacup and opened her mouth.
She laid out in detail the various matters she had encountered during her travels through the Gangho.
However, she did not speak of Chilji Demonic Sect. That was not yet the time to mention it.
“…Not only have they rapidly restored the utterly decimated faction, but they’ve positioned the Gae Bang Pavilion Master as their puppet, and they’re a shadowy force capable of recruiting the direct bloodline of the Namgung Family.”
Despite hearing the entire account, Dan Cheong showed little surprise.
“Well, it’s uncommon, but it’s hardly an unheard-of occurrence in the Murim, is it?”
“Is that…so?”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t hide her expression of bewilderment.
She had expected that upon hearing the full story, Dan Cheong would leap to his feet and summon Baek Yeon to immediately investigate the truth.
Yet his demeanor was so serene—indeed, so indifferent—as if he were merely listening to gossip about a distant relative he scarcely cared about.
“When one reflects upon the long history of the Murim, shadowy forces that manipulate it while concealing their identities and purposes have always existed.”
Dan Cheong spoke matter-of-factly.
“Unlike the Orthodox Sects, which proclaim the banner of establishing the Murim’s righteous spirit, the Demonic Path and the shadowy underworld have always prioritized profit and power. In essence, these two forces walk entirely different roads.”
Dan Cheong took a sip of his now-cooled tea as he spoke.
“Yet the simultaneous emergence of coalitions like the Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance occurred precisely because shadowy forces have always been an inevitable presence in the Murim.”
“Are you saying the coalitions emerged because of these shadowy forces?”
“Indeed. Secret societies and shadowy forces always possess formidable unity and overwhelming power, do they not?”
Dan Cheong’s expression held a knowing smile.
“Toppling a single sect is hardly difficult…but destroying a colossal coalition like the Demon Hall or the Murim Alliance is extraordinarily challenging. Thus, such coalitions could not help but arise naturally.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
What Dan Cheong was describing was an entirely different perspective from anything she had previously conceived.
“We have yet to uncover their true purpose…but I’ve heard that they manipulate the various factions as they wish, and that all the blood calamities that have befallen the Murim thus far were orchestrated by them.”
Bu Eunseol posed the question with utmost gravity.
“Are you saying such things are also natural occurrences?”
“Hmm. While it may sound grandiose…viewed from a broader perspective, it differs little from what I’ve described.”
Seeing that Bu Eunseol remained utterly perplexed, Dan Cheong explained calmly.
“Regardless of whether they are righteous or demonic, the sects of the Murim constantly strive to expand their influence. The Demonic Path does so by devouring other sects or controlling nearby commercial territories to extract tribute.”
“….”
“The Orthodox Sects, too, forge alliances with various powers and wield tremendous influence across multiple domains through their overwhelming information networks.”
He met Bu Eunseol’s gaze directly as he continued.
“Thus, the forces of the Murim can be said to be entities that necessarily employ various stratagems to exert considerable influence across multiple fronts. The only difference lies in whether their targets are individual sects or the Murim itself.”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s expression became as if she had been struck on the back of her head.
Dan Cheong’s words represented a concept she could scarcely have imagined until now.
“As I said, secret societies have long been prevalent in the Murim. Placing puppets within various sects or covertly manipulating people to achieve one’s aims is far too common.”
“By ‘common,’ you mean….”
“The Imperial Palace.”
Dan Cheong crossed his arms as he spoke.
“The Imperial Palace has, for generations, attempted to manipulate the Murim to its liking. Consequently, most shadowy forces have originated from the Imperial Palace.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
When she had cultivated the Inhwa in the Underground Fortress, the Dong Chang had been among those forces involved.
“However….”
Bu Eunseol could sense it instinctively.
The true mastermind behind all these machinations was never a figure from the Imperial Palace.
“From what I’ve experienced, I suspect the Imperial Palace itself might be nothing more than a chess piece in their hands.”
“That’s possible. Listening to your account… they’ve essentially seized control of the entire Murim.”
Dan Cheong gazed at Bu Eunseol’s conflicted expression and offered a faint smile.
“In any case, because such incidents kept recurring, alliances like the Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance were born—to prevent themselves from being manipulated when powerful shadow forces emerged.”
The Murim Alliance, ostensibly dedicated to peace in Murim, naturally compelled various sects to unite their strength.
But the Demonic Path was different.
It was governed solely by the logic of power and prioritized profit.
Yet the Demonic Path could maintain such iron solidarity precisely because of these circumstances.
To protect themselves from the shadow forces that inevitably emerged.
“If the shadow forces became powerful enough, couldn’t they manipulate alliances like the Demon Hall or Murim Alliance as well?”
“Of course they could.”
Dan Cheong smiled faintly.
“Then that too would become inevitable.”
He paused briefly before speaking again.
“The First of the Demonic Path serves as the leader, and the Demon Hall is where nearly half the Demonic Path’s power is concentrated. Yet if they can manipulate the Demon Hall… doesn’t that mean they possess sufficient power and qualifications to do so?”
Dan Cheong’s words were lucid.
If a force could sway even alliances themselves? That wasn’t ‘manipulation’—it was inevitable ‘dominion’.
‘So this is the Demonic Path.’
After hearing Dan Cheong’s explanation, Bu Eunseol nodded in understanding.
And she felt anew how different the paths of the Demonic Path and the Righteous Path truly were.
If someone used power and schemes to dominate others? The Righteous Path would call it evil.
But in the Demonic Path, if someone used power and schemes to dominate them?
That was a superior existence, a stronger being—and they acknowledged it as natural.
“Are you surprised?”
Dan Cheong gazed at Bu Eunseol’s face and smiled faintly.
“I’ve known for a long time that you possess the qualities of the Righteous Path.”
“That’s not true. I…”
“It’s fine. Bon Gak has pursued only martial arts for generations. It’s a place where the very boundaries between Demonic Path and Righteous Path are faint.”
Dan Cheong slowly rose from his seat and gazed out the window.
“Only those of the Righteous Path chase and unearth such things—saving Murim, the existence of shadow forces, and all that.”
He turned his head to look at Bu Eunseol.
“If you’re to reach the pinnacle of the Demonic Path, why not cultivate power and influence so formidable that these shadow forces cannot even touch you?”
Dan Cheong’s words struck Bu Eunseol with yet another profound shock.
Though I had lived as one of the Demonic Path all this time, I had never dominated or oppressed anyone.
Rather, examining my own conduct, it was closer to the righteousness of the Righteous Path.
Yet Dan Cheong believed that the emergence of secret societies and shadow forces in Murim was inevitable.
And that the strong dominating the weak was only natural.
And he was telling me to become someone powerful enough to even devour those very forces if possible.
‘If I simply grew stronger… would that be enough?’
From the perspective of those who walk the Demonic Path, that would be the solution.
If one grows stronger, if one gains a power that no one can touch, then it becomes possible.
“Of course, to achieve that, one must first unearth the enemy.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize she had forgotten the greatest reason she had come to Nangya Pavilion.
“Could Bon Gak also harbor such schemes?”
“Ha ha ha. Is that why you came so suddenly?”
“Yes.”
When Bu Eunseol answered honestly, Dan Cheong laughed heartily.
“Even if Bon Gak harbors such schemes, it matters not.”
Then he opened his mouth with an expression brimming with pride.
“For that schemer too shall become a true disciple of Bon Gak.”
In that moment, Bu Eunseol could understand.
No one could dominate or shake Nangya Pavilion, bound together by the warrior’s spirit.
If a schemer entered, they would either have to leave Nangya Pavilion, or be reborn as a true disciple of Nangya Pavilion.
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol felt a sense of pride.
Under any circumstance, Nangya Pavilion would not waver. No matter how formidable a force emerged.
Nangya Pavilion was Nangya Pavilion.
That truth remained unchanged.
Dan Cheong, who had been watching Bu Eunseol, held a faint smile.
“Baek Yeon will return in a few days. After that, we shall mobilize the Pung Woon Dae to gather information on that shadowy force together. We must discover who the enemy is.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol felt her heart lighten considerably.
It was because she had a reliable backing in Nangya Pavilion.
And she had confirmed that even in the Demonic Path, governed by the logic of power, there existed something unchanging.
* * *
Upon returning immediately to the Demon Palace from Nangya Pavilion, Bu Eunseol convened another meeting of the Sayoung Battle Division Lords.
Naturally, she included So Ja Myeong, the Guusal Unit Lord, given the importance of information.
“…Thus it stands.”
Bu Eunseol revealed that the Gae Bang Lord and direct bloodline of the Nam Goong Family belonged to the shadowy force.
And she told them all that there was a high probability that the shadowy force existed within every faction and leadership of the Demon Palace.
“….”
The conference hall fell into silence, and a heavy atmosphere settled over the room.
Puppets.
If such a force existed in the Murim, were they not all puppets on a board, dancing to their tune?
“It seems we must postpone the time when our unit steps into the light a bit longer.”
After a long silence, So Ja Myeong, the Guusal Unit Lord, opened his mouth with a bitter smile.
“If what you say is all true, our unit must not yet step into the light.”
All the Lords nodded their heads.
What Bu Eunseol needed most now was a secret unit capable of gathering covert information and executing clandestine operations from the shadows.
“Ah, and one more thing.”
Myo Cheon Woo spoke at that moment.
“While you’ve been away, a deranged serial killer has been turning the Ho Gwang region into absolute chaos.”
During Bu Eunseol’s journey through the Gangho, a brutal killer known as Sal Gwi had emerged in the Murim.
He wandered across the vast Ho Gwang region, indiscriminately slaughtering not only martial artists but also innocent civilians day and night.
Countless martial artists and experts dispatched by the Murim Alliance had begun investigations, yet they had found no trace of him whatsoever.
“He’s not acting alone.”
Bu Eunseol spoke matter-of-factly.
“A mere Murim killer couldn’t possibly evade the Murim Alliance’s pursuit.”
Without exceptional intelligence networks, it would be impossible to shake off the Murim Alliance’s chase.
“That seems likely.”
Myo Cheon Woo spoke with his arms crossed.
“Since nothing has been revealed so far, the martial artists are calling him the Shadowless Killer.”
Then Wi Cheon Gyeong, who had been listening silently, spoke.
“However, to suggest there’s a mastermind behind this, this killer displays a completely different pattern from the killers we’ve encountered thus far.”
After this, Bu Eunseol discussed several matters regarding the Murim situation with various Lords.
“Then let’s conclude today’s meeting here.”
As Bu Eunseol rose from her seat, Yu Woon Ryong spoke.
“Ah, and this is nothing major, but…”
He hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth with an embarrassed expression.
“There’s some unexpected news.”
“Unexpected news?”
“Jin Sang Hwa has become engaged to a disciple of Man Bak Dang.”
At that, not only Bu Eunseol but several of the Lords wore puzzled expressions.
Someone of Jin Sang Hwa’s caliber becoming engaged to merely a disciple of Man Bak Dang?
“That makes no sense. It must be a baseless rumor.”
Won Se Moon waved his hand dismissively.
“What could Jin Sang Hwa possibly lack that she’d marry some nobody disciple of Man Bak Dang?”
But Bu Eunseol nodded and spoke.
“Sim Wol.”
“What? You already knew?”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke in surprise.
“That’s right. The name of the one engaged to Jin Sang Hwa is Sim Wol, I heard.”
“I didn’t know. I simply… have encountered him several times.”
“You’ve crossed paths with him?”
“Yes. For someone claimed to be merely a disciple of Man Bak Dang, he possesses exceptional martial prowess and wisdom.”
Bu Eunseol recounted her past encounters with Sim Wol.
And even that he had attempted to draw her under the Elder Council’s authority.
“He likely has another identity, or perhaps he has a separate reason for joining Man Bak Dang.”
So Ja Myeong nodded at Bu Eunseol’s words.
“You had already suspected this, hadn’t you, Lord?”
And he revealed a startling fact.
“Sim Wol. He is not merely an ordinary disciple of Man Bak Dang, but a registered disciple of the Won Ro Jeon Master.”
“A registered disciple?”
Myo Cheon Woo, who had been listening, asked with a look of great surprise.
“How could a disciple of Samma enter Man Bak Dang?”
“Man Bak Dang handles the various major and minor affairs of this hall, does it not? It is precisely the best place to make an impression on the leadership of this hall.”
So Ja Myeong spoke while looking at Bu Eunseol.
“Had there been no plan involving the Ten Demon Immortals, he would have been recommended by the Won Ro Jeon Master and become a candidate for successor to the Demon Palace.”
Bu Eunseol nodded as if in agreement.
Both Ma Cheon Je and the Won Ro Jeon Master possessed the authority to select one successor each, apart from the Ten Demonic Gates.
And Bu Eunseol had long suspected that Sim Wol was connected to Jeok Bung.
If that were true, she had anticipated that he too would eventually become a candidate for succession to the Demon Palace and compete with her.
But contrary to expectations, he had not entered the succession competition.
And ultimately, after undergoing various trials, Bu Eunseol, who had gained the support of all demonic practitioners, became the successor.
“For such a person to abandon his ambitions and marry Jin Sang Hwa—isn’t that strange in its own way?”
At Yu Woon Ryong’s words, So Ja Myeong shook his head.
“The Won Ro Jeon Master holds those without achievements in extreme contempt. It seems that even his disciples are no exception to this.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes deepened.
Even if Jeok Bung possessed such a temperament, would he truly cast aside such an excellent piece as Sim Wol merely to marry him off to Jin Sang Hwa?
Moreover, the marriage of these two would exert no influence whatsoever on the power structure of the Demon Palace.
No matter how she considered it, from Jeok Bung’s perspective, the calculation simply did not add up.
‘There is something more to this.’
Bu Eunseol felt an ominous premonition unlike any she had experienced before.
And such intuition had never once proven her wrong.

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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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