The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 380

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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 380.
“Something does seem odd.”
Jo Nam Cheon furrowed his brow as he spoke.
“No matter how you look at it, Jin Sang Hwa had been involved in marriage discussions with the Palace Lord, yet suddenly she’s become betrothed…”
The answer came not from Bu Eunseol, but from Wi Cheon Gyeong.
“The Palace Lord has already exchanged betrothal gifts with Yeon So Ha and the Young Palace Master. Even if the Palace Lord harbored feelings for her, he would have set them aside.”
“Exactly my point.”
Jo Nam Cheon tilted his head as he continued.
“Which is why I suspect Jin Sang Hwa became betrothed to an unremarkable person in a fit of anger.”
It was a somewhat absurd remark.
Yet somehow, the Lords felt there was a ring of truth to it.
“Enough.”
As the Lords’ attention threatened to fixate on this trivial matter once more, Bu Eunseol cut the discussion short.
“We shall not comment further on Jin Sang Hwa’s betrothal. Such remarks would be disrespectful not only to Jin Sang Hwa, but to both parties involved.”
At Bu Eunseol’s solemn command, the Lords clasped their hands in reluctant acceptance.
“Understood.”
After concluding the meeting, Bu Eunseol departed from Jamma Pavilion and made her way toward Biryeong Sect.
Through this incident involving the artificial core formation, I had discovered that spies from the shadowy forces had infiltrated the leadership of various righteous sects. The Demon Palace would surely be no exception.
To discuss this matter further, I sought out the Biryeong Sect Master, who held all the intelligence threads of the Demon Palace in his grasp.
“Palace Lord.”
At that moment, a sturdy man in an indigo martial robe appeared from the opposite path.
His eyes were clear and profound, gleaming with the light of wisdom. His refined features were the kind that would naturally draw favor from anyone who beheld them.
It was Sim Wol.
“It has been quite some time.”
Bu Eunseol greeted him warmly, and Sim Wol offered a gentle smile in return.
“Indeed. I cannot say how long it has been since we last met.”
He laughed somewhat bashfully.
“It feels like only yesterday when you entered the Ten Demon Immortals before the Palace Lord, yet now you have become the successor.”
“So it is.”
Sim Wol had treated Bu Eunseol quite well during her time as one of the Ten Demon Immortals.
Whether it had been at Jeok Bung’s command or not, I could not say, but Sim Wol had always left a favorable impression on me.
“My belated congratulations. I heard the news only recently.”
As Bu Eunseol offered her greeting, Sim Wol lowered his head awkwardly.
“My apologies. You were the one involved in marriage discussions with the Palace Lord, yet somehow…”
“Think nothing of it.”
In truth, I too felt the awkwardness keenly.
As a brief silence fell between them, Bu Eunseol withdrew a jade vial from her robes and extended it to him.
It was the Ten Thousand Spirit Jade Nectar that I had received as a gift from Dan Cheong when departing Nangya Pavilion.
―He told me to consume it at Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong. But that would only be if I had reason to venture into Gangho.
Bu Eunseol spoke, recalling Dan Cheong’s affectionate yet languid smile.
“It’s modest, but a personal gift.”
Presenting a gift without a wedding or betrothal ceremony was an act reserved for the closest of friends.
Sim Wol shook his head, waving both hands in refusal.
“No, that’s not necessary.”
“It’s nothing much. Please accept it as a token of my sincerity.”
As Bu Eunseol extended the glass bottle again, Sim Wol reluctantly accepted it.
“Then I gratefully receive it.”
*Zing.*
Yet something felt odd.
The moment their hands brushed, Bu Eunseol’s pupils dilated sharply.
It was that unpleasant, peculiar sensation she had only felt from those harboring artificial inner cores within their bodies.
‘That can’t be right.’
Sim Wol was a disciple of Jeok Bung, the Blood Demon.
What would he lack that he’d need to store a demonic artifact like an artificial inner core within himself?
Moreover, Sim Wol’s gaze was clear and pure—there was no trace of such corruption in his eyes.
“Is something wrong?”
“Nothing at all.”
Bu Eunseol smiled softly and clasped her hands together.
“I have pressing matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
Sim Wol quickly clasped his hands in return, offering his respects.
*Thud, thud.*
As Bu Eunseol passed Sim Wol with quickened steps, her gaze deepened.
‘Sim Wol.’
If he had consumed an artificial inner core, did that mean the Elder Council Lord was also colluding with those shadowy forces?
Or had Sim Wol simply ingested the artificial inner core through his own personal transgression or scheme?
Bu Eunseol pondered for a moment.
She possessed the Heavenly Heart Sutra, which allowed her to temporarily synchronize another’s inner energy circulation.
Moreover, if she wished, she had the authority to summon Sim Wol at will. Though he was Jeok Bung’s disciple, his position was merely that of a martial artist under Man Bak Dang’s command.
“….”
Lost in deep contemplation, Bu Eunseol ultimately shook her head.
She redirected her steps away from Bi Young Gak, heading instead toward the Sole Brightness Pavilion where Chong Gyo Ryeong awaited.
Whether Sim Wol had consumed the inner core or not was of little consequence.
She sought to uncover something far more fundamental—the root of the problem itself.
Upon arriving at the Sole Brightness Pavilion, Chong Gyo Ryeong greeted her as though he had been expecting her arrival.
“Chong Gyo Ryeong.”
“Muhonjung Lord.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon offered a faint smile, as one greeting an old friend.
“It’s been quite some time since we’ve had a private audience like this. You’ve been so occupied, after all.”
A faint glimmer passed through Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s tone suggested he suspected her of conducting secret activities throughout Gangho.
“I apologize.”
“There’s no need to apologize. The fact that you’re so busy simply means you’re handling many matters of the Demon Hall.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon spoke with a smile.
“So, what brings you to visit me?”
“Previously, you told me that to become the master of the Demon Hall, I would need to marry Jin Sang Hwa.”
“That’s right. And?”
Bu Eunseol didn’t dance around the subject and asked directly.
“Could you explain the reason for that now?”
“Heh heh.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon smiled faintly.
“You’re not the type to regret past decisions, and you’re certainly not here because you’re worried about failing to become the master of the Demon Hall now, are you?”
He saw through her nature with precision.
“That means…”
Yeop Hyo Cheon, lost in thought for a moment, stroked his chin and spoke.
“The reason for such a question isn’t about Jin Sang Hwa, but rather there’s a problem with the disciples of Man Bak Dang.”
A sharp deduction.
Bu Eunseol was slightly surprised but didn’t show it and asked again.
“About marrying Jin Sang Hwa to become the master of the Demon Hall… could you explain that now?”
“Hmm.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon let out a leisurely sigh.
Though we’re family of the Demon Hall, this place too operates on the logic of power.
Realizing that he held the sword, Yeop Hyo Cheon’s demeanor became even more relaxed.
“At that time, I made such a proposal out of affection for you.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon spoke with a regretful expression.
“But you rejected that proposal outright, didn’t you? And then you brazenly exchanged betrothal gifts with the Young Palace Master of Shin Nyeo Gung, Dan Cheong.”
Bu Eunseol wore a bitter smile.
I thought he was being magnanimous.
But he was using his advantageous position as an elder of the Demon Hall to force me to bow my head.
“My investigation into this matter isn’t simply because I regret that decision.”
“I know. As I said, you must have discovered something problematic with the disciples of Man Bak Dang.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon smiled faintly.
“But that’s your personal judgment. Moreover, no matter how much I am the leader, how could I simply reveal important information?”
Even if Sim Wol were plotting treason, he wouldn’t reveal it willingly.
“What must I do?”
Bu Eunseol realized that Yeop Hyo Cheon wanted something and spoke immediately.
“If you have a command, I will listen.”
“The Guusal Unit.”
Then Yeop Hyo Cheon also spoke directly without further delay.
“The Guusal Unit that was under my command has somehow become your loyal force.”
“….”
“Moreover, with his formidable wealth and support, he’s expanded the Guusal Unit to more than three times its original size.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon wore a faint smile.
“I’ll need to reclaim that Guusal Unit.”
The Guusal Unit was Bu Eunseol’s most elite secret force, and its importance could not be overstated.
If the Guusal Unit were to disappear, it would be as though one of Bu Eunseol’s wings had been broken.
Moreover, the current Guusal Unit had been expanded to more than three times its original size through Bu Eunseol’s substantial financial support and specialized training.
To simply swallow it whole?
“Very well.”
Yet Bu Eunseol nodded readily.
At this, Yeop Hyo Cheon’s expression shifted slightly in surprise.
Regardless of other considerations, given the critical importance of the Guusal Unit, he had assumed she would never consent.
“Are you sincere?”
“I am.”
“I cannot fathom your reasoning.”
Surrendering the Guusal Unit was something Bu Eunseol’s position could never permit.
Yet she was relinquishing it without hesitation?
After a moment’s contemplation, Yeop Hyo Cheon nodded.
“In any case, this pleases me. The Palace Lord won’t go back on his word, will he?”
“Of course not.”
“Then explain your reasoning.”
After a brief silence, he spoke in a low voice.
“By marrying Jin Sang Hwa, I can obtain Ma Cheon Je’s True Divine Martial Arts.”
An entirely unexpected answer had come forth.
By marrying Jin Seol, one could obtain Ma Cheon Je’s True Divine Martial Arts?
“Jin Sang Hwa is a child Ma Cheon Je himself brought back from the front lines twenty years ago. And he cherishes her as though she were his own daughter.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon spoke matter-of-factly.
“And Ma Cheon Je made a promise to Jin Sang Hwa—that he would certainly arrange for her to marry the foremost master of the Demonic Path.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol grasp the full picture.
Ma Cheon Je had essentially proclaimed that he would transmit his True Divine Martial Arts to whoever married Jin Seol.
In order to secure Jin Seol a husband who was the foremost master of the Demonic Path.
If one inherited Ma Cheon Je’s martial arts, the probability of becoming the next foremost master of the Demonic Path would skyrocket.
‘Does Chong Gyo Ryeong wish for me to become the master of the Demon Palace?’
Yeop Hyo Cheon had always concealed his true intentions when dealing with me.
Yet surprisingly, he was promoting this marriage to Jin Seol in order to make me the foremost master of the Demonic Path?
“Now do you understand the intention of this Chong Gyo Ryeong?”
Having seen through Bu Eunseol’s inner thoughts, Yeop Hyo Cheon’s expression grew wistful once more.
“This Chong Gyo Ryeong merely wished for you to become the foremost master of the Demonic Path as soon as possible. That is why I promoted this marriage.”
With his eyes narrowed slightly, Yeop Hyo Cheon held a smile.
That smile and gaze were impossibly deep and distant, and Bu Eunseol could not even fathom where their depths ended.
“Thank you. I have heard you well.”
After finishing her thoughts, Bu Eunseol brought her hands together.
“As promised, I will ensure the Guusal Unit is returned to you through proper procedures immediately.”
“Indeed.”
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully once more before stepping outside.
Thump, thump.
As I left the Sole Brightness Pavilion, my expression grew infinitely darker.
I had learned the secret concerning Jin Seol, yet somehow the conversation with Chong Gyo Ryeong left my chest feeling heavy and suffocated.
If Ma Cheon Je was chaos itself, then Chong Gyo Ryeong was like a well filled with black ink.
So dark and impenetrable that no matter how deeply I peered into it, I could never fathom what lay within.
* * *
Demon Palace, Shin Jeon Gak.
Officially, this place served as a repository for all manner of letters and documents flowing into the Demon Palace from the outside world.
Yet deep within Shin Jeon Gak lay the secret headquarters of the Demon Palace’s covert unit, the Guusal Unit.
Bu Eunseol had first met So Ja Myeong here when seeking to bring the Guusal Unit under her command.
And now she had returned to this place to part ways with him.
“Your prediction proved accurate, my lord.”
So Ja Myeong, who had listened silently to Bu Eunseol’s account, sighed and spoke.
“That Chong Gyo Ryeong would inevitably demand the return of the Guusal Unit in the future.”
From the moment Bu Eunseol had placed the Guusal Unit under her authority, she had anticipated that Chong Gyo Ryeong would eventually reclaim it.
The Guusal Unit was the Demon Palace’s most closely guarded secret force.
There was no way to keep it hidden from Chong Gyo Ryeong’s eyes indefinitely.
“What of the progress regarding the Sa Hon Dae?”
“It is sufficiently prepared. Your lordship will likely notice no difference in intelligence capabilities or the abilities of the operatives compared to the original Guusal Unit.”
In preparation for this day, Bu Eunseol had quietly recruited the most capable members of the Guusal Unit and established a new covert force—the Sa Hon Dae.
In the end, what Chong Gyo Ryeong would receive was merely So Ja Myeong and the remaining members who were hardly exceptional.
“This separation will be a lengthy one.”
With command reverting to Chong Gyo Ryeong, contact between So Ja Myeong and Bu Eunseol would become impossible.
For some time, they would be people who could not even look upon each other’s faces.
“Mu Heun will do far better than I could.”
In preparation for this day, So Ja Myeong had cultivated Mu Heun as his own alter ego.
With him at the helm, the Sa Hon Dae would become a covert force surpassing even the Guusal Unit.
“My only regret is that we have yet to find a suitable deputy commander.”
So Ja Myeong’s expression turned bitter.
If a commander managed the Guusal Unit as a whole,
then a deputy commander required exceptional analytical ability, superior lightness of step, and stealth skills to maintain close contact with Bu Eunseol, conveying information and seeking counsel on various matters.
So Ja Myeong had yet to find a suitable successor to Mu Heun for this role.
“Do not worry. I will search for one slowly.”
Bu Eunseol offered a faint smile.
“Before you go, let us share a drink together.”
“Alcohol… are you suggesting?”
“Haven’t you grown quite close to the Lords during this time?”
“But wouldn’t it be acceptable? Don’t you think Chong Gyo Ryeong might believe you’re breaking your promise?”
“Chong Gyo Ryeong isn’t the type to be bothered by a single drink before departure. He’s not that petty.”
At this, So Ja Myeong wore the same faint smile as Bu Eunseol.
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol left Shin Jeon Gak behind, setting aside her regrets.
It would only be temporary anyway.
Soon enough, the Guusal Unit would return to her hands.
Chong Gyo Ryeong required enormous resources, and he wouldn’t hold onto the Guusal Unit—now merely a hollow shell—for long.
“Muhonjung Lord.”
As Bu Eunseol emerged from Shin Jeon Gak and made her way back toward Jam Ma Gak, she encountered a woman dressed in a pale crimson robe.
It was Jin Sang Hwa.
“Jin Sang Hwa.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands lightly in greeting.
The world possessed women called peerless beauties, each bearing their own distinct character.
Jin Sang Hwa’s defining trait was coldness.
She appeared not as a human of flesh and blood, but as a sculpture carved from crystal.
One would never expect her to rage, weep, or laugh.
In truth, no one in the Demon Palace had ever witnessed her smile broadly or shed tears.
Even when she came to confront Bu Eunseol over the matter of her former betrothed So Dong, despite her evident fury, she had merely displayed eyes colder than usual.
Perhaps the only person who had ever seen her weep or laugh was Ma Cheon Je, who had cared for her since childhood.
“I heard the news. My congratulations.”
Originally, Bu Eunseol had not intended to offer Jin Sang Hwa congratulations.
If it was certain that Sim Wol had consumed the artificial core pill, and if he was connected to the shadowy forces…
I could not afford to leave him alone.
Yet upon facing Jin Sang Hwa, I found myself unable to refrain from offering my congratulations.
“Thank you.”
As Bu Eunseol offered a respectful greeting, Jin Sang Hwa clasped her hands lightly in return.
“The Lord also exchanged betrothal gifts, yet I failed to offer my congratulations at that time.”
As she continued speaking, her gaze and voice grew progressively colder.
Though they had shared no particular conversation, Bu Eunseol found herself avoiding her stare like a child caught in wrongdoing, clasping her hands together.
“Then.”
Bu Eunseol, attempting to withdraw, halted her steps.
Jin Sang Hwa was fixing her with an icy stare.
‘Hmm.’
Ignoring her gaze felt awkward somehow. In the end, Bu Eunseol found herself asking with an uncharacteristic, sheepish expression.
“Is there… something you wish to say?”
Jin Sang Hwa found him truly peculiar.
With flawless appearance, martial prowess, and intellect alike—lacking nothing—why did he seem so uncomfortable when dealing with women?
Jin Seol found Bu Eunseol’s demeanor utterly infuriating.
‘So she truly harbored no affection for me after all.’
After organizing her thoughts, Jin Seol shook her head.
“No.”
“I see. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
Bu Eunseol fled from her side as though she had glimpsed a plague spirit whose very proximity invited calamity.
Jin Seol stood motionless like a stone monument, her gaze following Bu Eunseol’s departing silhouette with vacant longing.
‘When did it all begin?’
She had first encountered Bu Eunseol when he arrived at the Demon Palace as a newly trained member of the Ten Demon Immortals.
At that time, due to pressure from the White Horse Sect, he had fought against Go Gun Pyeong, the Muk Ryong Unit Lord, and O Cho Sik, barely escaping with his life.
‘What a remarkable person.’
How could someone with so little martial training not only survive an assault from the Muk Ryong Unit Lord, who wielded great renown throughout the Murim, but emerge unscathed?
―Truly a mad fool. To stare directly at me and talk back before this old man.
Moreover, Jeok Bung, the Elder Council Lord who was sparing with praise, had lauded him profusely.
This Ten Demon Immortal, whose appearance would suit him perfectly as a Peking Opera performer, had dared to defy Jeok Bung, an absolute demon ranked among the Samma.
Perhaps it was from that moment that curiosity had first stirred within her.
Though they met several times afterward, they merely exchanged glances and passed by.
Finally, when he became the successor to the Demon Palace and Chong Gyo Ryeong arbitrarily bestowed upon him the Saju Talisman, she could at last regard him properly.
He was surrounded by numerous women and caught in a predicament.
Then Jin Seol too found herself inexplicably angered.
―After all, he would become mine.
Jin Seol was confident.
For only by marrying her could he inherit Ma Cheon Je’s true martial technique.
Even if he did not know it now, once he learned this truth in the future, she believed he would surely marry her.
But that expectation was ruthlessly shattered.
Bu Eunseol had exchanged betrothal gifts with Yeon So Ha, the Young Palace Master of Shin Nyeo Gung, and Dan So Ok, the Secret Order Lord, and become engaged.
And then, another unexpected turn of events unfolded.
―Jin Sang Hwa. Would you not consider forming a connection with my disciple?
Suddenly, Jeok Bung, the Elder Council Lord himself, had stepped forward to arrange a match.
The other party was none other than Sim Wol, his most distinguished disciple and a student of Man Bak Dang.
Though she had encountered her several times in passing, she harbored no particular feelings toward her.
―This old man’s earnest plea. Could you not meet with him just once?
Yet when the Elder Council Lord himself made this request, Jin Seol had no choice but to agree to one meeting.
After all, Jeok Bung had always treated her like a granddaughter.
―It is an honor to meet you.
Upon meeting her, she found her truly different.
Sim Wol possessed not only refined appearance and character, but also understood her heart with remarkable insight.
A woman is most happy when she feels loved. If she were to spend a lifetime with him, it seemed she would surely be content.
‘He would be better than that taciturn man.’
As time passed, she gradually opened her heart to Sim Wol’s tenderness and consideration.
And finally, she had accepted his proposal of marriage and become engaged to him.
But Jin Seol had come to understand something.
It was because she had not encountered Bu Eunseol for so long that she had made such a choice.
Now, facing her directly, Jin Seol realized her heart was trembling beyond her control.
‘Did I commit such foolishness merely to forget him?’
Jin Seol could not help but admit it.
She had always harbored affection for that taciturn man. Her engagement to Sim Wol had been nothing more than a desperate struggle to forget him.
‘But it is already too late.’
She wanted nothing more than to call out to him immediately and confess her heart.
But now it could not be undone.
She had become engaged to Sim Wol.
For the rest of her life, she could never again express the yearning she had harbored for that man.
Bite.
Watching Bu Eunseol’s receding figure, Jin Seol bit her lip.
She must not entertain such thoughts any longer.
This was truly the end.
‘Farewell. And may we never meet again.’
Jin Seol drew a deep breath.
And slowly, she turned her body away.
But how could she have known?
That someone from a distance had been watching her struggle to suppress emotions beyond her control.
It was none other than the fiancé with whom she had promised her future.

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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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