The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 402

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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 402.
“Hah!”
In that instant, dozens of sword qi streaked down upon Bu Eunseol’s body in chaotic torrents.
The Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword, one of the three supreme sword techniques of Hua Shan Sect, possessed not only exquisite subtlety in its form, but also unleashed its strikes with the speed of a swift blade.
Thus, no matter how formidable a master might be, they could not find even a momentary opening, and were forced to retreat and prepare a counterattack.
‘With such swift footwork, he will surely fall back.’
Cheon Hwa In wore a satisfied smile.
‘The moment you retreat, you are finished.’
Cheon Hwa In had already received supplementary techniques from the Murim Alliance to compensate for the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword’s weaknesses.
If Bu Eunseol retreated, he intended to exploit that gap and unleash his ultimate technique.
“….”
Yet Bu Eunseol stood motionless, her expression vacant as though she perceived nothing.
―Do not blame yourself.
As explosive killing intent erupted, the voice of Young Moon Ho, one of the Ten Demon Immortals of the Saryeong School, resonated within her.
He who had lost his martial prowess and become a humble herb gatherer, finally finding peace—he whose heart was far too tender to be a true warrior—had ultimately breathed his last in her arms, a smile upon his lips.
Worried that she would suffer from his passing.
How could such a harrowing and anguished memory ever be forgotten?
Shhhhh!
In that moment, dozens of sword qi streaked past before Bu Eunseol’s eyes as she stood like a statue.
Because she remained motionless, her mind seized by sorrow, she inadvertently evaded the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword’s flaws with perfect composure.
‘What?’
Cheon Hwa In was shocked beyond measure at the sight.
‘Does this wretch understand the variations of the Dark Fragrance Shadow Sword?’
Yet he was a master of considerable Gangho experience.
Even as Bu Eunseol broke through his technique, he did not panic, instead transforming his sword form to thrust toward her lower abdomen.
Screech!
As the keen sword qi pierced toward her abdomen, Bu Eunseol’s consciousness finally returned.
‘What am I doing?!’
Rebuking herself sharply, Bu Eunseol barely twisted her body to evade Cheon Hwa In’s sword form.
Had she not reached the Extreme Heaven Realm, where she could divide time into more than five times that of Cheon Hwa In’s,
her lower abdomen would have been pierced clean through in a single move.
‘This is the Murim Alliance. I must never lose myself in sentiment again!’
The Murim Alliance was a den of masters who surpassed her—the Bok Ma Jeon.
Had she lost consciousness while deploying Shadowless Heaven Flow or the Serpent Formation?
Not only would she fail to avenge her grandfather—she would lose her life or become the catalyst for a righteous path conflict.
Due to her lack of composure as a secret agent, she had nearly committed a grave error.
“Hah!”
In the next breath, Cheon Hwa In, who had clung to her like a phantom, was about to unleash his ultimate technique with a shout,
Clang!
A loud metallic ring interrupted Cheon Hwa In’s technique.
As Cheon Hwa In unleashed a torrent of sword energy, Bu Eunseol instead charged forward, gripping her short blade.
A sharp metallic ring echoed.
When the short blade and long sword collided, both fighters were pushed back a single step.
Since Bu Eunseol’s inner force could not exceed Cheon Hwa In’s, she deliberately retreated.
‘This one is trouble.’
Cheon Hwa In felt a chill run down his spine as he realized Bu Eunseol’s inner power was no less than his own, and she had interrupted his moment of resolve with a single decisive strike.
Moreover, how could she parry his long sword—which moved in endless, subtle variations—with such precision using only a short blade?
It was a display of fearless audacity and absolute concentration.
‘So it was you.’
Only now did Cheon Hwa In realize that the person who had aided Tae Mu Ryong before was Bu Eunseol.
‘How did someone from a merchant guild cultivate such formidable martial arts?’
From this single exchange alone, he could discern that she had broken through the wall of the elite realm.
Yet why, possessing such power, had she only been dealing with bandit gangs?
A sharp sound cut through the air.
Cheon Hwa In halted his assault and swiftly retreated.
Then he regarded Bu Eunseol with measured calm.
“So you were a master who concealed your true strength.”
A keen aura began to rise from Cheon Hwa In’s body.
Having recognized that his opponent’s martial skill was not to be underestimated, he resolved to face her with utmost seriousness.
“Excellent. Truly excellent.”
A piercing whistle rang out.
From Cheon Hwa In’s sword, as he spoke in low tones, a sharp blade wind spiraled forth.
Judging by the mysterious and ominous aura, it was clear he intended to unleash his most superior sword technique.
A violent slash tore the air.
Accompanied by a sound of rupturing space, sword energy suddenly erupted from the long sword that had shown no movement.
It was so swift and violent that there was no moment to perceive a defense.
A sharp whistle.
Bu Eunseol hastily retreated backward, and in that instant, a sharp pain lanced across her back.
An invisible thread of keen sword energy was piercing toward her back, targeting the Yingmen acupoint.
Now she understood—Cheon Hwa In had sent forth a hidden strand of sword energy, aiming at her back.
A violent slash tore the air.
The sword energy contained blade-like strands of inner force.
If struck directly, Bu Eunseol’s meridians would suffer severe damage.
‘So this is how Young Moon Ho lost his cultivation.’
The sword technique that had stripped Young Moon Ho of half his power.
It was the secret form of the Dark Fragrance Silent Pine Sword, layered covertly beneath the sword techniques transmitted by the Murim Alliance.
A deep resonance hummed.
Blood light flickered in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
She wanted to deflect this sword form in one motion and cripple him as she had Young Moon Ho.
But if she crippled him in this duel, her true martial prowess would be exposed, and suspicion would fall upon her.
‘Not now, but…’
Having finished her thoughts, Bu Eunseol hurled her flying blade.
‘Soon enough, I’ll repay Young Moon Ho for the suffering he endured!’
In the same instant, she twisted her body diagonally through the air, spinning rapidly.
Crack!
The sword energy barely grazed past her body.
At that very moment, Bu Eunseol’s flying blade pierced into Cheon Hwa In’s chest.
Clang!
Cheon Hwa In, having split the flying blade in two, descended to the ground and cleaved at Bu Eunseol’s body with his sword.
Yet another flying blade was already gripped in Bu Eunseol’s right hand.
Whoosh!
She launched the razor-sharp blade toward Cheon Hwa In’s brow, attempting to suppress his overwhelming momentum.
‘This is it!’
But Cheon Hwa In knew that Bu Eunseol would launch her flying blade at him.
And he knew that blade would strike his brow with absolute precision.
Crack!
He unfolded the Xuanliang Ci Gu technique from the Dark Fragrance Ethereal Sword Method.
It was a technique where the body retreated like a bowstring being drawn back, yet immediately shot forward like an arrow to pierce through the enemy’s form with devastating speed.
Thud!
He perceived the trajectory of Bu Eunseol’s flying blade and executed the Xuanliang Ci Gu to match it perfectly.
The movement was faster than lightning, leaving Bu Eunseol no time to evade as his long sword pierced through her chest.
‘I’ve won!’
Just as Cheon Hwa In felt a satisfied smile bloom within,
Whoosh!
Something extraordinary occurred.
The moment the sword tip touched her chest, the blade mysteriously slid away, passing beside his body instead of piercing through.
‘What is this?’
Cheon Hwa In’s eyes widened in shock, but he quickly shifted his sword technique to slash at her ribs.
Swish!
Yet a strange rotational force flowed from her body, causing the blade to slip away once more.
‘Is she deflecting the sword with Jade Butterfly Technique?’
The true skill of Seon Woo Jin, known by the alias Celestial Flying Blade, was the Jade Butterfly Technique combined with flying blade mastery—a method to redirect attacks across the body.
But the Jade Butterfly Technique was only useful for deflecting palm strikes; it was useless against sharp weapons like swords.
Yet she was freely redirecting the sword tip’s trajectory?
‘Impossible!’
Enraged, Cheon Hwa In drew upon his full power.
Crack!
His sword bent mysteriously like a whip, spinning ferociously as it bored toward Bu Eunseol’s neck.
It was the Inevitable Fate technique from the Escape Life Cyclone Sword—a move forbidden by Hwasan except in moments of absolute desperation.
As the irresistible sharp blade pierced toward Bu Eunseol’s neck,
Clang!
A clear, ringing blade song echoed across the arena.
A sharp flying blade had struck precisely against the tip of the long sword that Cheon Hwa In had extended.
Crack.
The edge of the flying blade in Bu Eunseol’s grip shattered, yet Cheon Hwa In did not press his attack further and retreated backward.
A deadlock.
The two combatants were evenly matched—no victor had emerged.
―Cheon Hwa In had lost.
Yet both Yuk Jang Cheon and Gu In Jeong, watching from the stands, understood the truth.
Why Bu Eunseol had intercepted Cheon Hwa In’s final strike while gripping her flying blade.
She had perceived the precise moment to pierce his throat in a single, devastating motion—but could not bring herself to take his life, so she had refrained from unleashing her blade.
“Hmm.”
Knowing this truth himself, Cheon Hwa In ceased his assault and withdrew.
‘Must I fight again with the resolve to die?’
Cheon Hwa In hesitated.
The match was decided. Yet if it were a battle where lives hung in the balance, the outcome would differ entirely.
‘Then…’
The moment Cheon Hwa In began to summon his inner power once more,
“Since no victor has been determined, let this round be declared a draw!”
Gu In Jeong, seated in the spectator stands, cried out loudly and walked forward toward the Combat Stage.
“This is a martial contest to select a Lord, not a life-or-death duel, you understand.”
Yuk Jang Cheon, observing this, could not hide his bewildered expression.
Had Bu Eunseol truly unleashed her flying blade, Cheon Hwa In would have been defeated.
Yet despite knowing this plainly, he insisted it was a draw?
‘No matter how much Cheon Hwa In was predetermined, this is not right.’
Until now, whenever a difference in martial prowess became apparent, he had used his authority to decide the outcome.
But to render such an unjust and biased judgment?
‘If the successor of that Seon Hwa Trading Company cannot accept this, the matter will escalate.’
Yuk Jang Cheon’s expression grew heavy with concern.
The Murim Alliance had already suffered irreversible humiliation by biasedly selecting a figure named Cheon Geom.
If such an incident were to occur again?
In the worst case, the Alliance Master himself might intervene, and should that happen, neither Gu In Jeong nor Yuk Jang Cheon could escape responsibility.
“Understood.”
Yet, fortunately for all, Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully with clasped hands and accepted the decision.
Gu In Jeong then relaxed his stern expression and nodded.
“Since you are now co-champions, we shall determine the next Lord by another method. I trust you understand.”
“Understood.”
“Then, let the martial contest end here.”
Yuk Cheong Ah wore a dazed expression, but under Gu In Jeong’s urging gaze, she reluctantly announced in a loud voice:
“Since no victor could be determined, both combatants are declared co-champions.”
The martial arts tournament ended inconclusively.
Cheon Hwa In, who had been designated as the next Lord, could not defeat Seon Woo Jin, the successor to the merchant guild, resulting in the awkward outcome of a joint championship.
“Gu Elder. Regardless of how modest the scale, this was a martial arts tournament held under the auspices of our Alliance.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Yuk Jang Cheon made a suggestion to Gu In Jeong.
“If you change the rules like this, the problem could spiral beyond control.”
“I’m not changing the rules—it was genuinely a draw. Both of them acknowledged it willingly, so there shouldn’t be any gossip.”
But Gu Jeong In’s brazen response came back.
“Actually, it worked out well.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if the previous Lord handled minor matters throughout Gangho, a Lord of the Murim Alliance is still a Lord, isn’t he? We must consider not just martial prowess, but various other abilities.”
That was true.
The figure of Cheon Geom had clearly demonstrated that a Lord who commands subordinates cannot rely on martial strength alone.
Yet despite ignoring such considerations and insisting on selecting a new Lord through a martial arts tournament, the one responsible for this stubbornness was none other than Gu Jeong In, the Gu Elder.
That was the very person who had pushed for it.
The reason Yuk Jang Cheon had not stopped this obstinacy was singular.
The establishment of this Elite Division was backed by the Elder Council.
More precisely, it was supported under the backing of the Hua Shan Sect and the initiative of Gu Jeong In.
Moreover, the leadership had already aligned with Gu Jeong In’s proposal and designated Cheon Hwa In, who came from the ranks of master-level experts, as the provisional Lord of the Elite Division.
Yuk Jang Cheon had no particular thoughts or complaints about this.
But as the remarkable figure of Seon Woo Jin emerged, his feelings began to shift.
“Then what do you suggest?”
“We should do it the way our Alliance has always selected Lords. We should assign them a mission that can verify their comprehensive abilities.”
“You mean for these two?”
“Precisely.”
Gu Jeong In spoke calmly.
“After all, this division was created to handle the minor and major matters of Gangho that our Alliance’s Lords cannot manage.”
“Hmm.”
Yuk Jang Cheon let out a sigh.
‘It would have been better if we’d done this from the start.’
He wanted to say something sharp, but he held his tongue.
There was nothing he could say to someone who had stubbornly insisted on holding the tournament and now suddenly wanted to select the Lord properly.
“Very well. Let us proceed that way.”
* * *
Bu Eunseol and Cheon Hwa In, the joint champions of the martial arts tournament, were granted the status of provisional Lords.
Since the tournament had not produced a clear victor, they appointed both as provisional Lords and assigned them missions.
The purpose was to evaluate their abilities from multiple angles befitting a true Lord.
And Yuk Cheong Ah, under Yuk Jang Cheon’s orders, explained these circumstances to Bu Eunseol while also conveying her apologies.
“I’m sorry. Rightfully, Seon Woo Jin should have been selected.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head at Yuk Cheong Ah’s sincere consolation.
“No. I believe this is the right decision as well.”
I found myself actually relieved by how things had turned out.
If Gu Jeong In had continued to insist stubbornly, he would have been the most critical figure in establishing the Elite Division, and I would have faced considerable difficulty.
But now that he was offering me another fair chance, I could only feel grateful.
“And I’m afraid I have another apology to deliver.”
“Please, speak.”
“Ideally, we should have formed the temporary division fairly, but… all the exceptional martial artists the Alliance could support were already taken by Cheon Hwa In’s temporary division.”
She spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“So Seon Woo Jin doesn’t even have enough personnel to form a temporary division.”
Gu Jeong In had openly given all the high-level experts from the Murim Alliance that could be assigned to the temporary division
to ensure Cheon Hwa In could successfully complete his mission.
“Then I’m to receive no personnel at all for my division?”
“That’s why the Lord suggested you bring the lower-ranked participants from the Martial Arts Tournament, and asked for your opinion.”
“The participants from the Martial Arts Tournament…”
I paused to consider this, then nodded.
“There’s no helping it. I’m grateful for even that much.”
As I answered readily, Yuk Cheong Ah found herself thinking something peculiar.
‘I can’t tell if this person is genuinely kind or simply foolish.’
A person with normal reasoning would protest or demand compensation for such biased treatment.
Yet this Seon Woo Jin accepted unreasonable circumstances far too easily.
‘Not my concern, I suppose.’
“That’s fortunate, then.”
She adjusted her expression and continued.
“I’ve already selected those among the lower-ranked participants from the Martial Arts Tournament who expressed interest in joining the Alliance.”
Yuk Cheong Ah presented me with a small scroll.
It contained the names of roughly ten people from those who had participated in the Martial Arts Tournament.
“They’ve agreed to join the temporary division?”
“Yes. They’ve expressed willingness to join the temporary division under Seon Woo Jin’s command. The reason is… we promised them they could become members of the Alliance in exchange for their cooperation.”
Yuk Cheong Ah wore a faint smile.
“Even if they become lower-ranked members rather than Lords, they desperately want to join the Alliance.”
“I see how that came about.”
Understanding the situation, I nodded.
“Then I’ll take these two.”
“Only two? Wouldn’t it be better to keep all ten as your subordinates?”
“Since the tournament has ended, we won’t be given missions requiring overwhelming force.”
I smiled faintly as I spoke.
“Since I can’t command a large team like extensions of myself in such a short time, it’s better to effectively lead a smaller group.”
Yuk Cheong Ah inwardly nodded.
‘Perhaps not entirely foolish after all.’
The two people I had chosen possessed exceptional qualities and outstanding martial talent that impressed even her.
“Very well. I’ll prepare it that way.”
Yuk Cheong Ah folded the scroll as she spoke.
“Then I shall report that we will form a temporary division with these two for now.”
“Thank you. Ah, and one more thing.”
Bu Eunseol gazed at Yuk Cheong Ah with a smile, revealing her white teeth.
“I suppose you could call it a consultation. There is a favor I wished to ask of you….”
* * *
After Yuk Cheong Ah departed, about an hour passed before Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do arrived before Bu Eunseol.
They were the temporary division members I had selected.
Despite their exceptional abilities, they had never received proper opportunities due to their humble origins or minor sects.
It was precisely because of this that they desperately yearned to join the Murim Alliance.
If they could accumulate merit here, becoming a Lord was no mere dream.
“Tae Sohyeop, I would be grateful if you would serve as the vice-commander of this division.”
At my words, Tae Mu Ryong let out a quiet laugh.
“A temporary division with merely two people, and you’re already appointing a vice-commander?”
“Does it seem to you that this will remain temporary?”
In that moment, Tae Mu Ryong fell silent.
He had glimpsed the fierce yet solemn light concealed within those docile eyes.
“Well, setting that aside. This is truly excessive.”
Then Jeong Jong Do, a man with an iron sword at his waist, pointed toward the quarters and spoke.
“You call it the same temporary division, yet you provide only us with such a crude camp.”
Cheon Hwa In’s temporary division had been given a proper building, as if preparing for official establishment.
But my temporary division’s quarters had been set up in a camp within the Bamboo Forest at the far end of the North Gate of the Murim Alliance.
“No matter how temporary, it’s shameful to walk about with our heads held high.”
At Jeong Jong Do’s words, I nodded.
Living in such a wretched camp would naturally erode morale.
No matter how excellent my leadership, whether the members could properly complete their missions remained uncertain.
“There’s no helping it. Gu In Jeong Elder holds full authority over this division’s establishment, and the expenses are being covered by the Hua Shan Sect.”
When Tae Mu Ryong offered his reproach, I shook my head.
“Do not worry. I have already resolved that matter.”
“Resolved? How exactly?”
The moment Jeong Jong Do furrowed his brow and asked,
A rumbling roar. Clatter. Clatter.
Suddenly, hundreds of workers and some forty carts came flooding toward the camp in the Bamboo Forest.
“My lady.”
An elderly man who appeared to be the oldest among the workers approached me and asked.
“Shall we construct here?”
I nodded, and the old man bowed his head.
“Understood.”
Then he shouted toward the workers and carpenters behind him.
“Then let us begin at once!”
Tap, tap, tap.
At that, hundreds of workers began constructing a massive building in front of the Bamboo Forest using the materials they had brought.
Most of the workers were skilled carpenters, and some even carried enormous logs with ease as if they possessed martial prowess.
“What on earth is happening here?”
Tae Mu Ryong asked in astonishment, and Bu Eunseol smiled.
“Since the Alliance has already granted us the land, shouldn’t we construct a proper residence?”
“You brought workers from outside?”
“Indeed.”
“How in the world did you manage that?”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
“With money from my own purse, naturally.”
Tae Mu Ryong swallowed hard.
Seon Woo Jin—the heir to a prestigious merchant guild, having conducted trade between Sae Oe and the mainland since childhood—possessed wealth rivaling that of any great magnate.
“But still, constructing such a massive building for a temporary residence?”
“I already told you.”
Bu Eunseol smiled calmly.
“Does it look temporary to you?”
Tae Mu Ryong’s mouth fell open.
She was right.
The workers were not simply erecting a temporary structure.
They were laying blue stone tiles on the ground, excavating a pond, planting ornamental rocks and trees, and even constructing a Training Grounds for martial practice on one side.
This was not a temporary building at all—they were constructing an entire Manor.
Tae Mu Ryong had to shake his head vigorously to regain his composure.
“Still, there’s no need to go this far…”
“One can rest properly and work effectively only when staying in a suitable residence, wouldn’t you agree?”
As Bu Eunseol shrugged, both Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do stared at each other with gaping mouths.
They were mobilizing hundreds of workers to construct a massive Manor in a place where they might not even stay long?
Moreover, the scale and facilities rivaled those of a high-ranking executive’s residence, not merely a third-tier Lord’s quarters.
“Did the Murim Alliance approve this?”
At Jeong Jong Do’s question, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Of course. I obtained prior permission from Yuk Dang Ju.”
She looked around and smiled.
“The Murim Alliance suffers from chronic deficits due to its enormous scale. When I mentioned I would construct the residence at my own expense, they granted permission while appearing quite apologetic about it.”
A rumbling sound.
Then, over a hundred servants approached from in front of the Bamboo Forest, each carrying bamboo containers.
“We’ve arrived from Eun Ha Ru, my lady!”
“We’ve brought the food you ordered from Cheong Do Ban Jeom!”
The hundred servants each announced their affiliation while removing dishes from their bamboo containers.
As Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do gazed upon the dishes, their jaws dropped once more.
What they had brought were not ordinary meals, but premium dishes worth at least five silver coins per plate.
“First, let’s eat. We can’t do our best work on an empty stomach, can we?”
At Bu Eunseol’s call, the laborers rushed over and began their meal.
“My lord. We’ve prepared a table for you here.”
The elderly man directing the workers pointed to a wooden table and chairs he had fashioned.
So that’s what the old man had been making all this time—a table and chairs so Bu Eunseol could dine comfortably.
“Then let’s eat as well.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do followed behind him like men in a daze.
―So this is the caliber of a merchant guild’s successor….
Both men were disciples of second-rate sects and had never experienced a truly luxurious meal.
Yet the table before them was laden with sumptuous dishes—the kind that couldn’t even be ordered at a common inn, let alone seen before.
“We should have a temporary residence built by today, so don’t worry.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do could only nod blankly.

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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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