The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 406

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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 406.
The Bamboo Forest at the Murim Alliance North Gate.
There stood a landscape resembling a manor surrounded by walls.
Beyond the grand gate painted in vibrant colors lay a sprawling flower garden and a beautifully adorned courtyard.
Before the small pond stood a pavilion designed for enjoying the scenic views.
Further inside were an impressive palace hall, quarters where members could lodge, and even a dining facility.
It was the temporary residence of the Elite Division that Bu Eunseol had arranged.
“Sigh.”
Yuk Cheong Ah, who had been gazing at the Elite Division’s building, drew a deep breath and stepped inside.
―Hah!
With a shout, twenty young members could be seen training on the Martial Arts Arena within.
They were all exceptional new martial artists of the Murim Alliance who had been formally inducted into the Elite Division.
“Seon Woo So Hyeop.”
Yuk Cheong Ah approached a young man standing at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, observing the members’ training.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Congratulations.”
She drew near and clasped her hands together respectfully.
“Now we’ve truly become family sharing the same table.”
“Thank you.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands in return, Yuk Cheong Ah smiled brightly and opened her mouth.
“There will be an appointment ceremony this afternoon. However, according to the original plan, you should have become directly subordinate to Jangsaeng Hall. But since Gu Elder has relinquished control of the Elite Division….”
Originally, the Elite Division had been established almost single-handedly by Gu Elder, and it was supposed to become a direct unit under Jangsaeng Hall where he belonged.
However, when he abandoned management of the Elite Division, the Murim Alliance also expressed reluctance.
While the purpose of handling major and minor affairs of Gangho was sound, finding a leader capable of commanding a third-tier unit proved difficult.
“Then what becomes of the main unit?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Yuk Cheong Ah spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“After discussion, it was decided that Deungmu Hall would take command of the Elite Division. However, since Deungmu Hall only commands second-tier units… the Elite Division’s affiliation was placed under one of the Seven Great Units.”
“The Seven Great Units?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed.
If Shin San Ja’s words were true, one of the Murim Alliance’s Seven Great Unit Lords was Hyung Su, who killed my grandfather.
Didn’t that mean this was an opportunity to observe Hyung Su closely?
“Unfortunately, as I mentioned, the affiliation is only under the Seven Great Units.”
Yuk Cheong Ah believed the reason Bu Eunseol’s eyes sparkled was
the joy of belonging to the Seven Great Units, which possessed greater power than anywhere else and allowed for rapid advancement.
“The Seven Great Units also only require the recruitment of second-tier units… so currently, there is no official place for a third-tier unit to belong.”
“Then the Alliance Leader and other executives won’t attend the appointment ceremony?”
“Correct. Since the Elite Division is also a third-tier unit, the ceremony will be concluded simply with a private audience with the affiliated unit lord.”
For a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossed Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
If an appointment ceremony were held, I might see the foremost figure of the Orthodox Sects,
the Alliance Leader, whom I had expected to encounter.
However, there was no way a figure as prominent as the Alliance Leader would attend the appointment ceremony of a mere third-rate unit’s leader.
‘Still, meeting one of the Seven Great Lords is fortunate enough.’
My objective was to identify the Sam Gye agents lurking within the Murim Alliance.
And to discover which of the Seven Great Lords was Hyung Su, the one who killed my grandfather.
Yet this time, I would have a private audience with one of the Seven Great Lords—a stroke of fortune for Bu Eunseol.
‘There’s no need to rush.’
After all, I had to climb the ranks of the Murim Alliance methodically.
Of course, I would accumulate merit swiftly, but the timeframe would be comparable to my ascension as the successor to the Demon Palace.
Or perhaps even longer.
“I see. Then this unit will belong to which division of the Murim Alliance?”
Yuk Cheong Ah spoke with a faint smile.
“The Sungwi Unit.”
“The Sungwi Unit…”
I narrowed my eyes.
The Sungwi Unit was tasked with protecting all the important figures of the Murim Alliance.
In other words, its nature differed somewhat from the Elite Division, which handled major and minor affairs of Gangho.
Due to Gu In Jeong Elder’s arbitrary decisions and irresponsible actions, the Elite Division had become suspended in limbo—its affiliation and command authority severed.
“Then this unit is formally affiliated with the Sungwi Unit only in name.”
“That’s right.”
As Yuk Cheong Ah nodded, I took a deep breath.
I had entered the service of Baek Ri Mu Jo, a mysterious figure who exercised extreme restraint in Murim activities—at least nominally under an affiliation.
Baek Ri Mu Jo was said to be the most enigmatic among the Seven Great Unit Lords.
I clasped my hands together.
“I see. Thank you for informing me.”
Yuk Cheong Ah regarded me and spoke in a subtle tone.
“It’s remarkable, though. Even masters with extensive Gangho experience and high positions take considerable time to command and manage their members.”
Her eyes gleamed with admiration as she continued.
“Yet you’ve established discipline and order among your members in such a short span.”
“It’s probably because I come from the merchant realm.”
I smiled faintly.
“Unlike Murim practitioners, we merchants learn first and foremost how to deal with people.”
“Hehe. So Seon Woo So Hyeop speaks as though you’re not a Murim practitioner?”
“Is that so?”
I gazed toward the distant sky and murmured softly.
“I’ve engaged in merchant work for so long that I’m actually unfamiliar with Murim’s nature. I merely traveled between Sae Oe and dealt with bandit groups, which is why I’ve earned a modest reputation and received some consideration in Murim.”
Yuk Cheong Ah shook her head and spoke.
“But Seon Woo So Hyeop will do better than anyone.”
A mysterious emotion flickered in her eyes as she continued.
“Unlike Seon Woo So Hyeop, I’ve been separated from my family since childhood and lived in the Murim Alliance. Because of that, I’ve witnessed countless exceptional individuals.”
She turned her gaze to my profile and spoke with conviction.
“That’s given me a keen eye for recognizing those destined to succeed in the Murim.”
“Is that so?”
Bu Eunseol tried to brush it off as a jest, but Yuk Cheong Ah’s gaze grew increasingly fervent.
“It is. And Seon Woo So Hyeop will absolutely… rise to great heights.”
‘How ambitious.’
Yuk Cheong Ah’s eyes sparkled with intensity.
It was not merely the discovery of exceptional talent, but rather the look of someone who had found a treasure capable of fulfilling her ambitions.
“As I take on more responsibilities for the Alliance, I’ll need considerable assistance. When that time comes, don’t hesitate to seek me out.”
Yuk Cheong Ah’s eyes gleamed with an almost bewitching brilliance in the sunlight.
“You understand?”
“I do. Thank you.”
“Soon, warriors will arrive to escort you to Seongwi-gak.”
Yuk Cheong Ah flashed a bright smile and bowed slightly.
“Then, until we meet again.”
As I watched Yuk Cheong Ah’s retreating figure, my expression grew somber.
‘A woman brimming with ambition. One capable of dragging men into the depths of hell.’
The Murim Alliance possessed many individuals of exceptional talent.
Yuk Cheong Ah had recognized that I possessed remarkable qualities, and she sought to place me beneath her heel from the start.
‘Does she aspire to become an empress?’
I shook my head as I observed the ambitious fire in Yuk Cheong Ah’s eyes.
Yuk Cheong Ah held the distinction of being the only daughter of Jang Wang and Yuk Jang Cheon, and the youngest Lord of the Murim Alliance on record.
She had already secured a sufficiently advantageous position to aim for the very pinnacle of the Murim Alliance in the future.
“Lord.”
At that moment, Tae Mu Ryong approached me, clasping his hands respectfully.
“A warrior from Jimyeong-dang seeks an audience with you. It appears to be regarding the appointment ceremony.”
I smiled faintly.
Currently, I had not formally appointed a deputy here.
Yet when Yuk Cheong Ah arrived, no one had stopped her, and she had entered freely.
But when an unfamiliar warrior attempted to enter, they were immediately halted and questioned about their identity.
In other words, even without my explicit orders, the Elite Division was already establishing itself as a perfectly organized system.
“Understood. I shall go meet them.”
As I nodded, Tae Mu Ryong clasped his hands once more.
“Lord, now that you’ve officially become the Lord… please speak more naturally.”
I hesitated for a moment.
If I suddenly adopted a commanding tone of speech, I feared that my true nature as Bu Eunseol would inevitably surface without my awareness.
‘There’s nothing wrong with maintaining a distinction between my role as heir to the Demon Palace and my position as Lord of the Murim Alliance.’
Having reached this conclusion, I smiled and replied.
“In time, once I’ve grown accustomed to it.”
Following the warrior from Jimyeong-dang, I arrived at a mountain path near the North Gate of the Murim Alliance.
After winding around the mountain for some time, a Plum Forest came into view, its blossoms in full bloom, and beside it stood a grand palace hall three stories high.
It was Seongwi-gak, where the leader of the Sungwi Unit resided.
Bu Eunseol, who had been following Wi Sa, paused for a moment.
The palace hall was constructed in a remarkably unique and mysterious form, and a subtle luminescence seemed to emanate from within.
It was not a sheen reflecting from the exterior of the hall, but rather as if light pouring from inside passed through the walls themselves.
‘Perhaps I’m imagining things.’
Shaking my head, I resumed walking behind Wi Sa.
Around the palace halls where ordinary members of the Murim Alliance resided, guards stood watch without gaps.
Yet as I approached Seongwi-gak, I saw not a single guard.
The same held true even upon reaching the hall’s entrance.
“You may enter through there.”
“Thank you.”
As Wi Sa turned to leave, I stepped into the hall.
Within this magnificent palace hall resided one of the seven pillars that sustained the Murim Alliance—the leader of the Sungwi Unit.
‘I must observe as carefully as possible.’
I had only recently ascended to the rank of third-tier Lord, and there was no telling when I might find myself in private audience with one of the Seven Great Lords again.
Whenever the opportunity arose, I needed to gather every detail of information about the Seven Great Lords.
‘Mechanical devices.’
My eyes flickered with interest as I ventured deeper.
Faint metallic sounds echoed from all directions.
Judging by the friction sounds, the interior of the hall was covered with mechanical devices to an extraordinary degree.
‘Would one really install mechanisms to such an extent in a Lord’s private quarters?’
Typically, mechanisms within a hall meant only hidden chambers or storage rooms.
Or perhaps secret passages leading to the outside.
Yet this hall resonated with faint metallic tones as if it were entirely composed of mechanisms.
‘What kind of mechanisms could they have installed?’
Just as I was about to extend my perception to examine the interior, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
‘I am not Bu Eunseol—I am Seon Woo Jin.’
The one residing here was none other than one of the Seven Great Lords of the Murim Alliance.
If Bu Eunseol expanded her sensory range, the leader of the Sungwi Unit might detect it.
“Hah.”
I deliberately took a deep breath and resumed walking.
Step by step.
As I walked forward without hesitation, another door appeared. Upon passing through it, a guest hall came into view.
The furnishings within—tables and chairs—possessed a simple form, yet…
Their arrangement and spacing were uniform and achieved a harmony so near perfect it seemed almost divine.
If I were to touch or move even one piece of furniture here?
That perfect harmony would shatter instantly, and the interior would descend into chaos.
At that moment, a tall shadow emerged from across the room.
‘This cannot be.’
In an instant, every hair on my body stood on end.
Even with his heightened senses honed to the peak of mastery, I could detect the sound of leaves falling beyond a hundred paces—yet I failed to hear the footsteps of the figure approaching directly before me.
How was that possible?
Swish.
Shadow, clad in simple white robes devoid of ornament, glided across the ground toward me like silk sliding over stone.
He appeared to be a refined middle-aged man in his early forties.
An aura of majesty permeated his entire being, and his lips curved with a smile as refreshing as a river breeze.
Upon seeing Shadow’s visage, I received an impression so profound it bordered on shocking.
A pair of eyes.
Once you met them, their mysterious radiance would remain unforgettable until death itself.
The Holy Sword, Baek Ri Mu Jo.
He wielded the most flawless and stable swordplay in the current Murim, and those who faced his noble and majestic sword technique…
…could not dare resist and would kneel—the very leader of the Murim Alliance’s Sungwi Unit stood towering before my eyes.
Shiver.
My body trembled faintly.
‘Harmony.’
The energy flowing from Baek Ri Mu Jo’s entire being achieved perfect harmony.
This was how he could unleash swordplay so flawless and stable that none dared oppose it.
“Welcome.”
The moment Baek Ri Mu Jo spoke, I felt as though the blood vessels throughout my body might burst.
My heart raced and my breath quickened.
‘I must compose myself.’
I focused my mind and forcibly steadied my body.
“Seon Woo Jin of the Murim pays respects to the leader.”
I clasped my hands together with an impassive expression.
Then a pair of eyes brimming with mysterious light swept across my entire form.
“A dragon has emerged from the merchant realm as well.”
When Baek Ri Mu Jo smiled faintly, my heart stirred once more.
With merely that smile, it felt as though warm and gentle currents suddenly filled my entire being.
Simultaneously, I felt a peculiar nostalgia—as if I had discovered a box filled with memories while organizing an old warehouse.
‘I cannot fathom why this is happening.’
Was it because I stood before one of the Seven Great Leaders whose name shook Tianxia? Or was it because I faced someone who might be Hyung Su, the one who harmed my grandfather?
Excitement and tension, along with inexplicable emotion—overwhelming feelings poured forth all at once.
“Yuk Jang Cheon spoke highly of you. He said that beyond inheriting Moo Ae Ja’s progress, your martial prowess is exceptional and your wisdom equally remarkable.”
“You honor me with excessive praise.”
“Hehehehe.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo chuckled softly and extended his hand toward the table.
“Please, sit.”
I hesitated.
If I were to sit at this table, the harmony that had been stably filling the interior would shatter.
Swish.
Baek Ri Mu Jo sat down without hesitation.
The internal harmony shifted completely in response.
Only when Bu Eunseol took her seat did the arrangement transform into one that provided the perfect balance and stability as before.
‘So this is the extent of it.’
Bu Eunseol could not hide her astonishment.
Within this Guest Hall, Baek Ri Mu Jo was like a god.
He had dismantled the perfect harmony that had filled the interior and planted a new one in its place.
‘Even among Lords, the difference is as vast as heaven and earth.’
Bu Eunseol had engaged in fierce combat with Jo Cheon Wang, the Lord of Wu Tian Duan.
In martial prowess and experience, he held an edge, yet not so great that Bu Eunseol could never catch up.
But the martial mastery of the Sungwi Unit’s Lord was incomparably higher than Jo Cheon Wang’s.
In fact, she could not even gauge the extent or level he had reached.
―If the Seven Great Lords had been active in Gangho, the rankings and positions of the Four Gods Seven Kings would have been entirely different.
The rumors circulating in Gangho were not false.
Baek Ri Mu Jo’s strength was above Bu Eunseol’s level, and it was formidable enough to contend for the highest rank even among the Four Gods Seven Kings.
Then Baek Ri Mu Jo opened his mouth.
“I hear the Elite Division handles and investigates various matters in Gangho that our Alliance’s sword units or sword divisions cannot manage.”
A profound light emanated from his eyes as he continued speaking.
“While it cannot be called a Secret Intelligence Organization, most missions will proceed in secrecy. You will face considerable trials ahead.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo gazed at Bu Eunseol and smiled faintly.
“The Seon Hwa Trading Company, contrary to what is known, possesses financial power that rivals the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of Zhong Yuan.”
“….”
“If you desired it, you could live a life of luxury that would rival an emperor. Why then throw yourself into this harsh and desolate Gangho?”
It was a question she had already anticipated.
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath and answered in measured tones.
“The position of successor to the Trading Company may appear glorious on the surface. But in reality, it means traveling between Sae Oe and meeting with nobles and merchants… constantly negotiating deals and haggling over prices.”
“Hmm.”
“A merchant’s power lies in business acumen and financial strength. Both of these I inherited from birth.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with conviction.
“I simply wish to stand tall in this world through my own abilities and what I possess.”
“I see.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo smiled faintly and nodded.
“I shall appoint you as the official Lord of the Elite Division, a third-tier unit under this organization.”
Bu Eunseol respectfully pressed her palms together and bowed her head.
“Thank you.”
“However, your orders and missions will come from Deng Wu Dian. This organization has no position for third-tier units, you see.”
“Yes. I understand.”
“I hope you will exert your utmost effort in the tasks entrusted to you. Then you will be able to climb steadily upward.”
“I will do my best.”
As Bu Eunseol respectfully pressed her palms together once more, Baek Ri Mu Jo smiled faintly.
“Yes. Then you may go.”
Whoosh.
The moment Bu Eunseol stepped out of the palace hall, the smile that had graced Baek Ri Mu Jo’s lips vanished entirely.
His entire body seemed to transform—flesh replaced by cold steel, blood supplanted by thick, viscous oil coursing through his veins.
With nothing more than the erasure of that smile, he had become something altogether different.
“Excellent. Perhaps a fresh wind is finally blowing through this stagnant Murim Alliance.”
He shook his head slightly, his voice dropping to barely a whisper.
“What are the results?”
As if he had always been there, a shadow knelt before Baek Ri Mu Jo with his head bowed in submission.
「There were no issues whatsoever.」
Despite being directly before Baek Ri Mu Jo’s eyes, the shadow deliberately employed a secret transmission technique to communicate.
“The possibility of a forged identity?”
A voice of utmost deference and restraint resonated in his ears.
「None whatsoever. If the identity were forged, it would have to be crafted from birth itself. There would be no reason to go to such lengths merely to become a third-rank Lord of our Alliance.」
“I see.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo nodded slowly.
It was the unwavering confirmation of a trusted subordinate who had never once been wrong.
“Seon Woo Jin… a most intriguing individual indeed. The way he conceals excellence beneath ordinariness—even his methods are refined.”
The shadow’s body trembled at Baek Ri Mu Jo’s words.
For he knew that Baek Ri Mu Jo was not one to express such approval of anyone.
“Keep close watch over him.”
As Baek Ri Mu Jo’s lips curved into an enigmatic smile,
「As you command.」
the shadow pressed his head to the ground in profound obeisance.
“So that I may guide him whenever the moment arrives….”
With those words, Baek Ri Mu Jo slowly turned away.

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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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