The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 400

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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 400.
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath and steadied her mind.
‘I must not lose my composure.’
A clash between the Ten Demon Immortals and a master of the righteous path was an unavoidable confrontation.
Moreover, hadn’t Young Moon Ho deliberately taken a strike from Cheon Hwa In’s blade to escape the shackles of the Ten Demon Immortals?
In the end, Young Moon Ho’s loss of power was his own choice, and there was no reason to resent Cheon Hwa In.
‘Can I truly accept this?’
No matter how coldly I tried to reason with myself.
The moment I recalled Young Moon Ho’s face as he died screaming, I couldn’t help but despise Cheon Hwa In.
―Hahaha. If you hadn’t been a lord back then….
Regardless of my inner feelings, Cheon Hwa In’s voice grew louder as he continued his boasting.
Around the table where he sat were figures who appeared to be from the Nine Sects One Alliance.
Cheon Hwa In spoke loudly, flaunting his connections to draw the attention and admiration of those around him.
―Since I had already selected capable individuals beforehand… it’s all smoke and mirrors, but if it were you, couldn’t you easily dismantle his schemes?
Bu Eunseol nodded, recalling Shin San Ja’s words.
‘Then that man must be the predetermined candidate.’
Originally, Cheon Hwa In was considered a candidate for the next sect leader position.
There was no reason for such a prominent rising star to attend the Renowned Masters Conference and pursue a mere third-rank lord position in the Murim Alliance.
‘Which means… the rumors that he fell out of the succession race are true.’
Recently, unfavorable rumors about Cheon Hwa In had circulated through the Murim.
It was said that his true nature, which he had hidden, revealed itself once he rose to a high position.
He was arrogant toward his superiors and harsh toward his subordinates.
As if he were already confirmed as the next sect leader, he had commanded fellow disciples of the same generation.
Seeing this, the Huashan Sect’s supporting factions had all turned their backs on him, or so the rumors went.
‘With no chance of becoming the Huashan Sect leader, he seeks advancement through the Murim Alliance instead.’
“You seem envious.”
At that moment, a young man with long, sharp eyes and clear gaze approached Bu Eunseol.
“Indeed, coming from a master of the righteous path and being a candidate for the Huashan Sect leader… you could call him a young grandmaster rather than a rising star.”
This man seemed to think that Bu Eunseol’s intense stare at Cheon Hwa In stemmed from envy.
When Bu Eunseol lifted her gaze, the man who met her eyes broke into a smile, revealing white teeth.
“I am Tae Mu Ryong.”
Tae Mu Ryong, the Crimson Star Grave Digger.
He was a disciple of the Sacheon Sect, a righteous path faction, and quite a renowned figure.
Though he walked the path of the orthodox sects, the Sacheon Sect’s primary weapon was the grave digger’s rake—a claw-like tool used for excavating graves and earth.
Moreover, the methods of wielding the grave digger’s rake were so bizarre that they were called the Esoteric Gate Lateral Learning, with many strange techniques among its practitioners.
However, unlike their martial techniques, the Sacheon Sect was an orthodox righteous path faction that consistently upheld the principles of chivalry and righteousness.
Tae Mu Ryong himself had done many good deeds, which was why he received an invitation to this Renowned Masters Conference.
“My name is Seon Woo Jin.”
“Seon Woo Jin? Seon Woo Jin, you say?”
After tilting his head in thought for a while, Tae Mu Ryong blinked his eyes.
“The renowned Cheon Ae Bi Do from Sae Oe! And the successor of Seon Hwa Trading Company, no less.”
He uttered his admiration, yet a flicker of disappointment crossed Tae Mu Ryong’s eyes.
The grandiose epithet of Cheon Ae Bi Do had been bestowed upon him merely for disposing of countless bandit gangs.
From the perspective of a Murim master, he was neither a figure from an orthodox martial clan, nor was he particularly distinguished as the descendant of a trading company that primarily frequented Sae Oe.
“That’s correct.”
As Bu Eunseol smiled and clasped her hands together, Tae Mu Ryong’s eyes gleamed.
Despite having clearly witnessed his disappointed expression, a smile lingered at the corners of his mouth, and he wore an expression of utter certainty?
‘This is no ordinary person.’
Tae Mu Ryong possessed not only a keen intellect but also exceptional observational prowess.
He discerned that the figure before him was far from commonplace and felt genuine admiration bloom within him.
“Come now, let us rise and mingle.”
Tae Mu Ryong stood and gently tugged at Bu Eunseol’s sleeve.
“Though I myself am but an unknown nobody, I have been fortunate enough to befriend several worthy individuals. I should like to introduce Seon Woo Jin to them.”
Leading Bu Eunseol along, Tae Mu Ryong began introducing her to several Murim masters with whom he shared acquaintance.
‘I’ve caught two rabbits with one stone.’
A subtle gleam flickered in Bu Eunseol’s eyes as she was led about by Tae Mu Ryong’s hand.
By introducing Bu Eunseol to others, Tae Mu Ryong had drawn people’s attention to himself while simultaneously earning her favor.
‘At this level, his martial prowess must have reached considerable heights.’
To cultivate superior martial arts, one required not only sound bones and physique, but also exceptional perception and intellect.
Judging by the brilliance in Tae Mu Ryong’s gaze, his wisdom and insight were formidable. He had surely cultivated martial techniques far superior to what was publicly known.
‘Naturally, he must be desperately coveting the position of Lord.’
From Tae Mu Ryong’s demeanor alone, Bu Eunseol could discern his innermost intentions.
The founder of Sacheon Sect had originated as a groundskeeper managing a cemetery.
Son Sam Muk, the founder who attained great enlightenment through the process of tending graves and excavating earth, had established Sacheon Sect. His primary weapon was the spade he always carried with him.
Yet in Murim, those who wielded unconventional weapons like the spade were rarely accorded respect.
The disciples of Sacheon Sect harbored an inferiority complex stemming from their founder’s origins—being branded as a cemetery keeper’s sect.
Tae Mu Ryong surely carried the same burden.
He sought to seize this opportunity to become a Lord of the Murim Alliance and boldly establish his name throughout Murim.
“Haha. I never realized Brother Tae possessed such an entertaining nature.”
Before long, laughter bloomed around the table where Tae Mu Ryong sat.
He possessed not only striking features but also considerable eloquence.
Only his affiliation with Sacheon Sect had prevented him from mingling freely with many.
Yet as he circulated with Bu Eunseol and his wit began to flow freely, he swiftly captured the attention of the entire banquet hall.
“The first disciple of Sacheon Sect has graced us with his presence. How delightful.”
At that moment, Cheon Hwa In, who had been seated across the way, approached Tae Mu Ryong and addressed him.
As the attention that had been focused upon him shifted to another, curiosity stirred within him.
Upon learning that this person was indeed the first disciple of Sacheon Sect, he approached with a subtle smile playing at his lips.
“I am Cheon Hwa In.”
“Tae Mu Ryong.”
“The Renowned Masters’ Gathering is indeed splendid.”
Cheon Hwa In spoke in a gentle voice.
“It’s rare to see so many legendary figures from the Murim gathered together like this, at the same place and time.”
In that instant, Tae Mu Ryong’s expression hardened.
The phrase “legendary figures rare to see” carried the implication that Tae Mu Ryong was an unknown, nameless soldier.
Moreover, the arrogant expression on Cheon Hwa In’s face as he looked down upon him wounded Tae Mu Ryong’s pride.
“Indeed. I have long admired you, the Hwasan One Sword, Cheon, whose fame echoes across the four seas. It is an honor to meet you like this.”
Yet Tae Mu Ryong used an exceptionally respectful form of address for someone of his own generation, clasping his hands together in deference.
Cheon Hwa In, the foremost disciple of the Hua Shan Sect, was positioned closer to the next generation’s sect leader than a mere successor.
“Indeed. Brother Tae. Since we meet like this, it must be fate—please accept a cup of my wine.”
Cheon Hwa In smiled like an elder and extended his right hand.
Then a wine cup placed on the opposite table rose gently into the air and drifted slowly toward Tae Mu Ryong.
Sending an object through the air with inner force was nothing remarkable.
But to send a wine cup at such a leisurely pace required tremendous inner power.
With this single move, Cheon Hwa In was showcasing his inner strength to everyone present.
‘Damn.’
Yet Tae Mu Ryong’s complexion changed dramatically.
‘Was he trying to humiliate me?’
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he watched the slowly approaching cup.
The Sacheon Sect’s weapon techniques with the pa du were unparalleled in the Murim, but their inner cultivation methods could not match them.
Therefore, Tae Mu Ryong had achieved victory through ever-changing techniques alone—he had never once relied on superior inner power.
If he failed to catch the cup before all these people?
It would be the ultimate humiliation, and he would bear the mark of defeat at Cheon Hwa In’s hands.
There would be no need to participate in the Combat Tournament; he would have to leave the Murim Alliance with tears in his eyes.
‘I have to try.’
With a resolute expression, Tae Mu Ryong drew upon his inner power and reached out toward the descending cup.
But no matter how much he channeled his inner force, he could not slow the cup’s leisurely approach.
‘No, this won’t work.’
Just as the cup, its speed completely undiminished, was about to spill across his chest,
Zing.
A low vibration resonated, and a strange inner force blossomed throughout Tae Mu Ryong’s entire body, causing the cup’s speed to gradually decrease.
Tap.
The cup descended naturally onto his outstretched hand.
It appeared as though he had effortlessly caught it by displaying tremendous inner power.
“…!”
Cheon Hwa In’s eyes flickered slightly as he witnessed this.
Though he had sent the cup as if it were nothing, he had actually infused it with over a century of accumulated inner power.
Yet he had caught it slowly without any apparent effort?
‘How is this possible?’
Meanwhile, Tae Mu Ryong, having caught the cup, was utterly bewildered.
The moment his body began to be pushed back from failing to deflect the cup, someone had injected inner power into him through contact transmission.
‘Who on earth?’
Tae Mu Ryong glanced subtly around, but no one gave him any hint.
‘Could it be?’
He gazed at Seon Woo Jin, the heir of the Seon Hwa Trading Company, who sat calmly beside him.
Could he have used his body-control technique to help me?
‘That can’t be it.’
No matter how carefully I examined him, there was no trace of inner energy being exerted from Seon Woo Jin’s form.
Besides, he hadn’t moved a single hand and sat there completely still, didn’t he?
If he had unleashed such a body-control technique, a powerful wave of true energy would have been generated around his body.
In the end, Tae Mu Ryong couldn’t figure out who had helped him.
‘I don’t know who it is, but someone is helping me.’
Tae Mu Ryong wasn’t particularly strong in martial arts, but he was quick-witted and perceptive.
Realizing that someone was secretly assisting him, he acted with confidence.
“That was excellent.”
Tae Mu Ryong drained his cup in one gulp and hurled it at Cheon Hwa In.
However, his inner strength was not particularly formidable, so compared to the cup Cheon Hwa In had sent flying, it was merely a weak push.
Zing.
Yet with a low vibration, the cup began to crawl forward like a snail.
Slowly, slowly.
Its speed was only a tenth of what Cheon Hwa In had sent moments before.
Cheon Hwa In was greatly startled, but true to his nature as a master who shook Tianxia, he immediately deployed the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand to diminish the force of the incoming cup.
No matter how formidable the inner energy infused, the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, which disperses that energy, should easily handle it.
But how could he have known?
That the person who had sent the cup at him was a next-generation supreme master of martial arts belonging to the Four Gods Seven Kings.
Whoosh.
Suddenly the cup trembled faintly and easily disrupted the force of the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand.
‘Ugh.’
But that was not the end.
Astonishingly, the cup contained alternating forces of attraction and repulsion.
Thud.
Ultimately, Cheon Hwa In, pulled forward and then pushed back by the force within the cup, fell on his buttocks.
“….”
A silence like death fell over the hall.
Cheon Hwa In was evaluated as the most outstanding martial artist among those attending this grand conference.
He couldn’t block a single cup and fell on his buttocks?
Pat, pat.
Cheon Hwa In quickly rose and dusted off his clothes, his expression hardening visibly.
No matter how tremendous the power contained in a cup, if one cannot block it, one simply avoids the spot.
But how could Tae Mu Ryong infuse multiple streams of inner energy to unleash alternating powerful suction and repulsion forces?
“Indeed. You’ve been hiding your true strength all along.”
Cheon Hwa In, thoroughly humiliated, opened his eyes wide and spoke with solemn gravity.
“I’ve always been curious about the Sacheon Sect’s signature technique—unleashing ten streaks of cold radiance in a single instant.”
In that moment, everyone in the banquet hall felt the air vanish, replaced by a suffocating pressure that threatened to crush them.
A gulp echoed through the silence.
Tae Mu Ryong swallowed hard as well.
The Combat Tournament would begin tomorrow anyway.
But Cheon Hwa In, impatient by nature, intended to settle the matter here and now.
‘If I meant to avoid this confrontation, I wouldn’t have entered the tournament in the first place.’
It was merely a difference in inner power cultivation.
His Sacheon technique had never suffered a single defeat until now.
Just as Tae Mu Ryong was about to speak—
Light footsteps approached.
A woman dressed in white entered the banquet hall, accompanied by two attendants, her gait graceful and unhurried.
Her eyes shone with crystalline clarity like a meteor, yet her entire presence radiated an untouchable aura.
She was Yuk Cheong Ah, the only daughter of Yuk Jang Cheon, the Lord of the Deng Wu Dian, and the youngest Lord appointed to lead the Murim Alliance—the Lord of Yeonseong Hall.
Yuk Cheong Ah surveyed the assembled guests and clasped her hands together.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’m Yuk Cheong Ah, overseeing Yeonseong Hall.”
Standing upon the platform installed in the banquet hall, Yuk Cheong Ah clasped her hands and spoke in a clear, melodious voice.
“As you’ve likely heard, our alliance intends to select a new Lord for the newly established Third-Rank Pavilion from among the participants of this tournament.”
She swept her gaze across the seated figures once more before continuing.
“Those of you invited to this tournament possess talent and renown so exceptional that they cannot be easily ranked. Therefore, our alliance has decided to discern jade from stone through a simple combat tournament.”
Since this had been announced beforehand, everyone present nodded in acknowledgment.
Yet among them, certain individuals harbored considerable displeasure—particularly the rising talents from smaller sects.
The position of Lord within the Murim Alliance required excellence not merely in martial prowess, but in character, integrity, strategy, and military tactics across numerous domains.
Yet they would select a Lord through combat alone?
Moreover, they had invited Cheon Hwa In—a rising prodigy from the great masters, hardly fitting the description of a “rising talent.”
The intention seemed transparently clear: they meant to appoint Cheon Hwa In.
“Of course, participation in the combat tournament is entirely voluntary.”
Yuk Cheong Ah, sensing the discontent among several guests, wore an apologetic expression.
“Those wishing to challenge for the position of Lord should arrive at the Combat Stage near the West Gate of our alliance tomorrow around the hour of Si.”
Having finished speaking, she clasped her hands once more and departed.
“….”
A peculiar silence descended upon the hall.
All eyes turned toward Cheon Hwa In and Tae Mu Ryong, seated in the middle of the banquet hall.
Now that Yuk Cheong Ah had left, everyone wondered if they would resume their confrontation.
“Hmm.”
Cheon Hwa In exhaled softly.
If he fought Tae Mu Ryong after hearing about the tournament?
Such rumors spreading would leave a poor impression on the leadership of the Murim Alliance.
“Tomorrow’s combat promises to be quite interesting.”
Cheon Hwa In muttered coldly and rose from his seat, immediately departing the Palace Hall.
Those seated around him followed in his wake.
The way they trailed after him with obsequious bows suggested they were already convinced of his appointment as Lord.
“So that’s how it is.”
Once Cheon Hwa In’s faction had left, a man carrying the Triple-Pointed Spear erupted in frustration.
“I wondered why someone from the Righteous Path Sect would attend such a gathering….”
“Exactly. If that were the case, why not simply appoint him quietly? I don’t understand why they’re going through the trouble of holding a martial competition for this.”
When another voice cried out, a man with a curved blade at his waist rose and spoke.
“Didn’t the Murim Alliance suffer greatly when they arbitrarily placed a man named Cheon Geom in the position of Lord?”
He was Jeong Jong Do of the Iron Sword Sect—like Tae Mu Ryong, a skilled martial artist whose reputation suffered somewhat due to his sect’s origins.
“I heard that afterward, the Alliance Leader issued a stern decree forbidding the selection of Lords through personal connections and networks.”
Jeong Jong Do sighed, gazing toward the open door.
“So even if someone wished to appoint a particular person as Lord, they must appear to do so publicly and fairly—like through a martial competition.”
Despite his fierce appearance, Jeong Jong Do was well-informed about Gangho affairs and possessed keen analytical abilities.
Then Tae Mu Ryong, who had been listening silently, added his own words.
“Indeed. Cheon Hwa In was pushed aside in the succession struggle of Hwasan Sect. With many connections to those above him, he likely manipulated the participants in this gathering to be manageable opponents.”
At those words, the atmosphere within the Banquet Hall grew heavy.
Everyone had attended the gathering with aspirations of advancement, only to discover they were merely stepping stones for Cheon Hwa In’s appointment?
“Then, are you all saying you’ll give up?”
When the man carrying the Triple-Pointed Spear asked this while listening quietly, Jeong Jong Do shook his head with a faint smile.
“Hardly. Whether we become heroes or fade into obscurity, we must challenge ourselves once—otherwise we’ll live with regret.”
Then Tae Mu Ryong spoke in agreement.
“Hehehehe. Well said. Even if only out of spite, I must challenge myself.”
He spoke with conviction, a grin spreading across his face.
“Even in defeat, there is something to be gained.”
Several martial artists in the Banquet Hall began clapping in agreement.
“That’s right. We must challenge ourselves regardless, mustn’t we?”
The heavy atmosphere of the Banquet Hall transformed instantly through their exchange.
‘A crane among chickens.’
Bu Eunseol nodded, observing Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do.
Since my time on Hell Island, I had made it a habit to analyze the characteristics and martial prowess of every person in a gathering.
And such information would prove invaluable in smoothing the path of my future plans.
“Then let us all raise our cups to tomorrow’s competition.”
At someone’s call, those in the hall lifted their cups.
Bu Eunseol too quietly raised her cup amid the cheerful chatter.
The next day.
Around the hour of Si, near the West Gate of the Murim Alliance.
A small Combat Stage had been erected there, and before it gathered some forty martial artists.
They were the martial artists waiting to participate in the competition.
Originally there had been about fifty participants, but roughly ten had withdrawn and abandoned their matches.
On the platform opposite the Combat Stage, a small table and chair had been set up, and two figures sat there.
A middle-aged man with a sturdy, compact build like a tumbler doll, and an elderly man with a goat beard in his twilight years.
They were Yuk Jang Cheon, the Lord of the Deng Wu Dian of the Murim Alliance and a Martial Lord, and Gu In Jeong, an Elder of the Chang Sheng Dian, which corresponded to the Elder Council of the Demon Hall.
―That man is the root of all this trouble.
The martial artists standing around the Combat Stage shook their heads upon spotting Gu In Jeong.
Gu In Jeong—he was an Elder from the Hua Shan Sect and the master of Cheon Hwa In.
“Then I shall commence the martial competition.”
Yuk Cheong Ah, standing in the center of the Combat Stage, spoke.
“As you know, this competition is merely a test to select the new Lord of the newly established pavilion. Therefore, lethal techniques must not be deployed, and once a victor is determined, all movements must cease immediately.”
She continued in a clear, resonant voice.
“The preliminary rounds are passed by defeating three challengers. Those who advance through the preliminaries will then compete according to the bracket to determine the champion.”
In that instant, the eyes of the martial artists standing on the Combat Stage blazed with fervent intensity.
Though called a small martial competition, this was the selection of a Third-Rank Lord of the Murim Alliance itself.
Being an opportunity not easily obtained, one had to fight with their life on the line.
“Then, the first challenger—please step forward.”
As Yuk Cheong Ah’s cry rang out, a man in blue robes bearing a Hua Shan Sect sword leaped onto the Combat Stage.
It was Cheon Hwa In.
He swept his gaze across the martial artists below the stage, then spoke with an arrogant smile.
“I shall be the first to challenge.”

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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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