The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 393

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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 393.
‘I have no choice but to trust him now.’
In truth, these thoughts had plagued me since I first sought out Shin San Ja.
Bu Eunseol, realizing there was no other option, slowly opened her mouth.
“Who killed Bu Chanyang, who was once an assassin of the Hwang Ju Bu Po Cheong?”
A brief silence fell within. After a long pause, an aged voice drifted from behind the door.
“That would be myself.”
In that instant, anger flashed across Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
She had always known that her grandfather had deliberately allowed himself to be struck by Hyung Su to protect her.
But this question was not meant to confirm that. Surely she was asking about the identity of Hyung Su, who had attacked her grandfather so brutally?
“Are you playing word games with me now?”
“It is the truth.”
The voice from behind the door carried a final weight of conviction.
“He abandoned his own life. To protect someone.”
“I already know that much.”
Bu Eunseol suppressed the surging emotions and spoke coldly.
“I am asking about the person who attacked Bu Chanyang.”
“How unfortunate.”
A sigh-laden voice drifted from behind the door.
“But the questions have ended.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol unexpectedly nodded in agreement.
“Is it truly over?”
At So Yo’s question, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“It is not yet finished.”
In the same moment, she hurled a fist, striking the sturdy wooden door before her with tremendous force.
Crash! Splinter!
With a deafening boom, the solid wooden door shattered like brittle candy.
Crackle.
A strange energy flashed through the air and scattered in all directions. An intricate formation had been installed on that door.
At the same time, the figure of an old man crouching inside became visible.
Thud, thud.
Into the thatched cottage where dust swirled in all directions, Bu Eunseol stepped forward, her entire body wrapped in pitch-black vital energy.
Her eyes had turned completely black, and a sharp wave of energy surged toward the heavens.
“If you know that much, then you surely know who Hyung Su is.”
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol, now standing directly before the old man, spoke in a voice as cold as death itself.
“Who is Hyung Su?”
There was no need for threats about what would happen if he refused to speak.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes and voice said it all.
It was a resolve potent enough to condemn one to neither death nor life should they speak anything but the truth.
Trembling.
The elderly man, who had been crouching, slowly raised his face as his body quivered.
Then I saw the old man’s visage, covered in age spots. It was a common face—the kind you’d inevitably encounter at any village entrance.
“Please, spare my life!”
Yet from the trembling lips of the old man came an unexpected answer.
“I merely answered as I was instructed to.”
My pupils shook violently as I continued exhaling the black mist.
What in the world was happening?
“I was blinded by mere gold and fell into such folly.”
The old man, unable to meet my gaze, spoke haltingly while prostrate.
“I am but a wandering fortune-teller… A month ago, an old man who resembled an immortal gave me a coin and told me something.”
“….”
“He showed me a coin identical to the one you possess… and said that a month later, in this place, I should divine for those who presented such a coin.”
When the old man lifted his head and saw my blackened eyes, he quickly lowered it again and pointed to the left wall.
There, written densely, was the secret method for treating the Yin Meridian Severing Technique that I had just revealed to So Yo.
And even the answer regarding the death of Bu Chanyang, a Yeomsa belonging to Hwangju.
“Where is that old man?”
“I… I do not know.”
I gazed down at the old man intently.
If everything this old man said were true, then Shin San Ja had predicted my and So Yo’s visit a month in advance.
He had deliberately set up a fake.
‘He gave So Yo the correct answer, yet gave me a false one?’
A gleam flashed across my eyes.
Could it be that Shin San Ja disapproved of me using the Boeun Coin?
Was he trying to reclaim it? Because I am of the Demonic Path?
Then what was the meaning of this farce? He surely knew I wouldn’t simply accept such an absurd answer and leave.
“I… I shall return this to you.”
The old man, his voice trembling, respectfully extended the Boeun Coin from the container to me.
I gazed at the Boeun Coin intently.
In that moment, a subtle gleam flickered across my pupils, but the old man did not see it.
“Where did you meet that old man?”
As my terrifying presence dissipated and my tone softened, the old man relaxed slightly and spoke.
“It… it was a small village in Deung Bong Hyeon.”
“Deung Bong Hyeon.”
I narrowed my eyes.
A coincidence? Deung Bong Hyeon in Hanam is where Songshan stands, the seat of Shaolin, the patriarch of the Orthodox Sects.
Could it be that Shin San Ja is hiding within Shaolin?
I gazed once more at the Boeun Coin resting in the old man’s weathered, wrinkled palm.
Then I slowly grasped it in my hand.
As expected.
Bu Eunseol, having grasped something, pushed the Wild Beast Sword to its absolute limit.
Her pupils dilated dramatically, and white light began to pour forth.
Empty Heart Penetrating Vision. Using that extraordinary perception, she was meticulously examining the Boeun Coin.
This is…
Light gleamed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes as she traced the patterns on the Boeun Coin.
Two hundred fifty.
Remarkably, the coin Bu Eunseol had recovered bore characters engraved as if by the finest needle.
Bu Eunseol fixed her gaze upon the trembling elder.
After a moment of contemplation, she grasped both of his hands.
“Forgive me. I was unaware of your circumstances and nearly inflicted grave harm upon you.”
“Please, think nothing of it.”
As the old man laughed awkwardly, Bu Eunseol’s lips curved upward.
Without another word, she and So Yo slipped out of the thatched cottage.
Thump, thump.
Once they had departed Myo Ga So, Bu Eunseol posed a question to So Yo.
“Shall we go rescue the child suffering from Yin Meridian Severance?”
A nod.
As she nodded, Bu Eunseol spoke again.
“And after that?”
A shake.
So Yo shook her head.
Beyond that, there was no objective. Moreover, Baek Ryeol Sal Moon would never leave So Yo in peace.
As long as breath remained in her body, she would face his relentless pursuit.
“Come to the Demon Palace.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly, regarding So Yo.
“Gathering five masters of the third tier of inner strength in Zhong Yuan, where you have no connections, would be no simple feat.”
Bu Eunseol harbored a faint smile.
“You saved me with that very consideration in mind, did you not?”
She had not fled during her battle with Jo Cheon Wang, but witnessed it to the end, and when the assassin appeared, she risked her life to aid So Yo.
This was because she foresaw the probability that the Boeun Coin alone could not cure Yin Meridian Severance.
Should she fail to meet Shin San Ja.
Or even if she heard his answer, conditions might arise that she herself could not fulfill.
Yet as the successor of the Demon Palace, he would surely be able to help.
In other words, despite her youthful appearance, So Yo possessed wisdom and insight no less formidable than Bu Eunseol’s own.
“That alone is not why I saved you.”
So Yo spoke in a low voice.
“It was to repay a debt.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol nodded and spoke.
“Bring the child to me before you leave. I will mend her Lunar Meridian and… protect her safety for the rest of her life.”
“For the rest of her life?”
“Yes. Even if I am gone, even if I die. I will take responsibility to ensure that child’s life is peaceful.”
“Why?”
“Because you saved me. Should I not repay a debt of life?”
“You.”
So Yo turned her head sharply and muttered in a low voice.
“Quite… cunning.”
She understood as well.
That taking lifelong responsibility for the child she had saved was a way to bring her to the Demon Palace.
For there were only two places to escape the pursuit of the Western Regions’ mightiest assassin organization: the Murim Alliance and the Demon Palace.
“Cunning?”
“You’ve made it so I can never leave your side for the rest of my life.”
“You’ve misunderstood. That wasn’t my intention…”
Bu Eunseol waved her hand dismissively, and So Yo’s silver eyes gleamed as her cheeks flushed red.
“It’s fine.”
“What do you mean?”
“I won’t leave you for the rest of my life.”
It was a touching statement.
Yet upon hearing those words, my complexion grew terribly dark.
And I spoke with utmost gravity.
“Forgive me. Forget everything the Lord has said until now…”
“You need me.”
So Yo was no mere kindred spirit to Bu Eunseol.
From her expression alone, from the light in her eyes alone… I could sense that Bu Eunseol needed my abilities.
“I’ll help you.”
So Yo’s voice was flat and cold as a winter’s north wind.
Like Bu Eunseol’s voice in childhood.
Yet in her eyes, it felt as though a warm spring breeze was blowing.
Bu Eunseol avoided her piercing gaze and coughed awkwardly.
“Then I shall explain precisely. I have established a secret intelligence unit, but the commander to lead the field operations…”
“I’ll do it.”
So Yo nodded.
“Then it’s settled?”
Bu Eunseol could not refuse.
For it would be impossible to find another Sa Hon Dae commander so capable and so aligned with her heart, even if I searched all of Murim.
“Then, take this.”
Bu Eunseol held out the spirit token she possessed to So Yo.
“With this, if you go to the nearest station, my subordinates will come to greet you.”
And then I continued speaking.
“I’ll ensure that everything is arranged so you face no inconvenience at the Demon Palace. Rest comfortably there.”
So Yo gazed at me and spoke in a low voice.
“You’re going to Songshan to capture Shin San Ja?”
Remarkably, So Yo had seen through my very thoughts.
“You knew?”
“No matter how much an old man’s scent clings to the clothes, the flesh scent of a young person is unmistakable.”
Her sense of smell seemed to rival that of a hunting hound.
To detect the true scent of youth beneath the garments of that false elderly Shin San Ja.
“There was no need to mention that we met at Deung Bong Hyeon.”
“Mm.”
I nodded in agreement.
“It seems he’s testing me. He is.”
I only realized the false elderly Shin San Ja was a master of the Murim after accepting the coin he offered.
Two hundred fifty.
Moreover, the Boeun Coin I received in return bore microscopic characters that could only be sensed through the perception of an Empty Heart Celestial Lord—did it not?
In other words, Shin San Ja had given me a new Boeun Coin through the false Shin San Ja.
And by leaving a clue that he was in Deung Bong Hyeon… it was unmistakably an invitation to find him once more.
“Though you possess exceptional abilities, you will require refinement to become a member of the Information Division.”
I changed the subject.
“Go to the main hall and rest comfortably for now. We can discuss what comes after in due time.”
“Alright.”
The two of us parted ways.
I headed to Shaolin, while So Yo went to the Demon Palace.
And at that very moment, in the thatched cottage where the false Shin San Ja had been,
“Master. You’ve chosen quite a formidable opponent.”
The false Shin San Ja murmured softly, gazing at the distant sky.
“This one doesn’t seem like the type to move according to your intentions.”
The voice that emerged was not that of a senile old man, but of a man possessed of great strength and clarity.
“Well, if it’s fate, then it’s fate.”
The false Shin San Ja stretched and slowly removed the human skin mask covering his face.
Beneath it was revealed the strikingly handsome visage of a man in his prime years.
His dark brows and prominent nose rose like Mount Tai, and between them lay a pair of eyes long as a phoenix’s and commanding as a dragon’s.
And his appearance and bearing… bore a striking resemblance to me in ways I could not quite place.
* * *
Upon arriving in Seong Do, I immediately relayed information about So Yo to Yu Woon Ryong.
There was no guarantee that the assassins of Baek Ryeol Sal Moon would not strike again, and I needed to ensure preparations were made so the child could be treated the moment I returned to the Demon Palace.
And I issued Yu Woon Ryong one additional secret command.
It was something only Yu Woon Ryong and I knew… a grave matter that would need to be revealed upon my return to the Demon Palace.
In a flash of blue light,
Having conveyed all the news, I deployed my divine technique and immediately headed toward Songshan, where Shaolin lay.
After meeting the false Shin San Ja, he could sense it instinctively.
That Shin San Ja was testing him.
The false Shin San Ja he’d encountered at Myo Ga So was no mere copy, but a peerless master who had ascended to a realm of martial prowess that defied imagination.
‘He had inscribed characters finer than a hair directly onto the Boeun Coin in secret…’
Otherwise, there was no way he could have carved such microscopic traces onto the surface of the returned Boeun Coin—traces so subtle that only someone with Gong Sim Tong Ryeong could detect them.
‘I shall gladly accept this challenge.’
Shin San Ja was no senile old man. When he orchestrated such an affair, he surely did so with a clear purpose.
And only by passing this test would Shin San Ja grant him an audience.
‘Whatever his purpose may be, I will certainly obtain answers.’
Bu Eunseol swelled with anticipation.
The question that had haunted her all this time.
Shin San Ja would provide the answer—who was the murderer who killed her grandfather?
Otherwise, there was no way he could have known of Bu Chanyang, who lived as a poison master in a remote village of Hwangju.
And if she could obtain that answer… even if Shin San Ja dragged her down to hell itself, she would accept it willingly.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol, who had deployed her divine technique without rest day and night, finally arrived at Deung Bong Hyeon, where Shaolin stood.
She took no moment of respite and immediately ascended Soshil Mountain, though she concealed her dark sword in a hidden place where her identity might be revealed.
“…!”
As she approached the Mountain Gate vicinity within Soshil Mountain where Shaolin Temple stood, countless people walked through that area.
They were incense pilgrims—those who had come to Shaolin Temple to offer incense and seek blessings.
‘The timing is perfect.’
Shaolin Temple was currently receiving an exceptional number of incense pilgrims.
Because of this, Soshil Mountain was crowded with pilgrims heading to Shaolin to light incense.
Shin San Ja had likely predicted when Bu Eunseol would arrive at Myo Ga So, and when she would arrive at Shaolin, orchestrating this entire affair accordingly.
Crack.
Standing before the stone steps, Bu Eunseol immediately transformed into the appearance of Seol So.
Upon finally entering Shaolin Temple, the grand interior of the temple came into view, mingled with countless incense pilgrims.
‘Under normal circumstances, there would have been absolutely no way to enter Shaolin like this.’
Though Shaolin’s grounds were vast, it was not a place like the Murim Alliance, where expansive territory was filled with diverse individuals.
The situation would have required entering alone with concealed identity, then hiding and investigating.
But Shaolin’s security was even more stringent than the Murim Alliance, and it was filled with terrifying masters.
In other words, conducting such activities within Shaolin would have been impossible.
But with incense pilgrims filling the temple like this, she could move about freely even in broad daylight.
‘This is Shaolin.’
As Bu Eunseol surveyed the temple grounds, she felt a strange sensation wash over her.
Originally, Bu Eunseol had no connection to Shaolin whatsoever.
But her grandfather Bu Chanyang was certainly from Shaolin. And within her body dwelled Prajna Great Ability, Shaolin’s supreme power.
Since entering the Gangho, Shaolin had become a sect inseparably bound to her.
Murmur, murmur.
As she arrived before the Daeung Hall, the sound of countless people murmuring reached her ears.
The main gate stood wide open, and numerous incense-bearing pilgrims streamed inside.
I naturally made my way into the Daeung Hall and lit incense.
‘Security doesn’t seem particularly tight around here.’
Up to the area where pilgrims entered the Daeung Hall, I could move freely without any obstruction.
‘Let me see how far I can go.’
Wandering through Shaolin like a casual tourist, I naturally ventured deeper inside.
Before long, I passed through two courtyards and reached a place where a massive monk’s quarters stood.
Suddenly, monks in robes appeared on both sides of me and pressed their palms together in salute.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
The monk on my left, who had chanted the Buddha’s name, spoke respectfully.
“This area is where our temple’s disciples engage in cultivation. Outsiders are not permitted to enter.”
“My apologies. I wandered here without realizing it.”
I bowed respectfully and turned back.
Then, extending my hypersensitive perception to survey my surroundings, I walked slowly away.
‘Quite rigorous.’
As I expanded my sensory range, I could feel the presence of monks within the halls and quarters.
Moreover, they all seemed to have cultivated exceptional martial techniques—their entire bodies radiated a calm yet viscous undulation of inner energy.
As long as these warrior monks kept their eyes open, the probability of being discovered, no matter how stealthily I moved, was high.
‘I’ll have to wait until nightfall.’
Even the most formidable warrior monks needed sleep at night. Infiltrating under cover of darkness would be far easier than in broad daylight.
“Please don’t mention it.”
Just then, a clear, melodious female voice came from the opposite direction.
Looking up, I saw an Old Monk with elongated eyebrows and a Blue-Clad Beauty walking together in conversation.
“Father always regrets not being able to visit in person.”
The woman seemed quite familiar with Shaolin’s Old Monk, speaking to him without pause.
‘Her.’
Upon seeing the woman’s face, I froze momentarily.
I didn’t know who the Old Monk was, but I certainly knew who the woman was.
She was the precious jewel of the Sichuan Dang Family’s lord—my first and only close friend. She was Dang Cheong, Dang Gon’s younger sister.
“You must be busy. Please attend to your affairs.”
The perceptive Dang Cheong sensed that the Old Monk had pressing matters to handle and extended her hand gracefully.
“While the attendants carry the luggage, I’ll take a brief walk around the temple grounds.”
Now I realized Dang Cheong hadn’t come merely to light incense—she had made a substantial donation on behalf of the Dang Family.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
The Old Monk smiled faintly and departed.
I watched his figure disappear with an expressionless gaze and passed by her side.
“…!”
But at that moment, as I passed her, Dang Cheong’s expression stiffened slightly. Simultaneously, a peculiar emotion flickered across her eyes.
“Wait.”
Dang Cheong approached me and cupped her fist in salute.
“Pardon me.”
Dang Cheong scrutinized Bu Eunseol with a polite yet piercing gaze as she spoke.
“I am Dang Cheong, from the Sichuan Dang Family.”
Bu Eunseol found it somewhat peculiar that she would address him, but he responded with an indifferent expression.
“What brings you to speak with me?”
“Forgive my presumption, but might I inquire of your name?”
Bu Eunseol felt a strange unease stir within him.
He had deliberately concealed his dark sword before entering Shaolin, and had dressed in the loose-sleeved robes of a merchant to blend in.
Merchants often made substantial donations to temples in hopes of gaining greater fortune and prosperity. Such pilgrims were common enough among the faithful.
Especially with his mastery of the Gyemyeong Nine-Fold Technique, Bu Eunseol exuded the unmistakable aura of a merchant to any observer.
Yet Dang Cheong had addressed him as “Small Hero” without hesitation.
“Your words are indeed presumptuous.”
Bu Eunseol had intended to provide a false name.
But Dang Cheong’s eyes gleamed with such intensity that instinct warned him—any lie would be seen through immediately.
“I’m afraid I must decline to answer.”
“You won’t even share your name?”
Dang Cheong’s eyes sparkled as she stepped closer, drawing a deep breath before speaking.
“Then might I ask what it is you do?”
“I merely operate a small shop near the Namgang. That is all.”
Bu Eunseol answered curtly and quickened his pace to pass by her.
But suddenly, a cold voice transmission reached his ears.
「So now that our paths diverge, you pretend not to know me?」
As Bu Eunseol feigned ignorance and hastened his steps, Dang Cheong’s confident voice transmission came again.
「Muk Hon Ryeong Ju. Bu Eunseol.」
Bu Eunseol rarely startled at anything. But this time, he was genuinely shaken to his core.
His Illusory Face-Changing Technique was flawless, and his Gyemyeong Nine-Fold Technique was perfectly mastered.
How could she possibly have recognized him at a glance?

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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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