The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 414

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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 414.
The next day.
Sichuan Dang Family, Bong Jeong Gak Great Conference Hall.
Outside, rain pattered softly against the windows.
Dang Gon gazed out through the window where a cold wind swept in.
‘How peculiar.’
Upon hearing the situation at Dok Ma Mun from his trusted subordinate, Dang Gon found the matter bewildering.
‘Ghosts weeping—it’s absurd. Lord Seon Woo Jin. He couldn’t have lifted a finger.’
I had always treated Seon Woo Jin, a third-rank Lord of the Murim Alliance, and his subordinates with utmost courtesy and respect.
Yet I harbored no expectation that this third-rank Lord would resolve this matter.
I understood well that war was inevitable. Thus, whatever Seon Woo Jin did scarcely troubled me.
But something extraordinary occurred.
Jin Cheon Gon, the patriarch of Dok Ma Mun who had been incorporated into the Demon Hall, and his subordinates suddenly fled with their tails between their legs.
The Dang Family’s intelligence organization, greatly alarmed, scrambled to uncover the truth, yet reached only one conclusion: it remained unknown.
‘Hmm.’
As I stroked my chin, lost in contemplation,
The door creaked open.
Two figures entered side by side—Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk.
Before I could even smirk, Jang Song seized the initiative.
“It seems Lord Jin could not bear the consequences of his own reckless words and has withdrawn. Surely involving the Demon Hall in such a matter is excessive, is it not?”
Jang Song spoke with an utterly grave expression.
“Though called the San Dok Mun, Dok Ma Mun has always walked its own path.”
A pathetic excuse.
I regarded the two with an icy stare and spoke coldly.
“Say what you truly wish to say.”
An utterly insulting remark.
Yet Jang Song opened his mouth with a most leisurely expression.
“I request a martial contest.”
“A martial contest?”
“Indeed.”
Jang Song wore a sinister smile.
“Having come all this way from Yunnan, how could we not witness the Eight Great Techniques of the Dang Family?”
‘So they intend to press their advantage to the bitter end.’
Even if Jin Cheon Gon has withdrawn, the conflict with the San Dok Mun will not end here.
‘Unable to wage full-scale war immediately, they wish to break our momentum.’
Though Dok Ma Mun has retreated, the other two sects have grown into formidable forces not to be underestimated.
If a martial contest could settle the dispute, it was not an entirely unfavorable proposal.
‘As the Main House, this is not a bad offer.’
Victory was assured regardless. Having finished my deliberation, I nodded.
“Very well. Where shall it be held?”
“Is there any need to go far? I understand the Dang Family has many fine Training Grounds within its walls.”
At Jang Song’s words, Dang Gon’s expression shifted with surprise.
To request a martial contest meant they possessed absolute confidence in victory. He had assumed they intended to hold a grand public duel to tarnish the Dang Family’s prestige.
Yet they planned to conduct the contest quietly within the Dang Family compound?
‘So their aim is to defeat me and shatter the morale of the Main House.’
Dang Gon saw through their intentions.
With Dang Pae incapacitated, I bore responsibility for the Dang Family. If I were to lose before the direct bloodline members of the family in this contest…
—The Lords of the Yunnan San Dok Mun have defeated the young master of the Main House. Should we go to war with them, victory seems impossible.
The Dang Family bloodline would harbor doubts about my abilities, and in the forthcoming full-scale conflict, they would have no reason to expect victory.
“Very well.”
Yet Dang Gon replied with perfect composure.
After all, I harbored not the slightest doubt that I could defeat the Lords of the San Dok Mun.
“Since it rains today, let us meet tomorrow at the hour of Wei, in the Main House Training Grounds for a proper contest.”
Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk exchanged glances and smiled.
They nodded while grinning.
“Excellent. We shall see you then.”
As they turned their bodies, their eyes gleamed with a dark luster.
But Dang Gon did not see that glint, for they had already turned away.
* * *
Jeongsim Pavilion.
The quarters in the Outer Quarters that the Dang Family had provided to Bu Eunseol and the Elite Division members.
When word spread that Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk had requested a martial contest, I issued a command to Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do.
“When the contest takes place tomorrow, upon my signal, the Main Force is to arm itself and stand ready before the Dang Family’s main gate.”
In that instant, Tae Mu Ryong’s complexion hardened.
In other words, a formidable enemy might assault the Dang Family tomorrow?
When Tae Mu Ryong fell silent, Jeong Jong Do, standing beside him, ventured to speak carefully.
“Commander. Aside from the two of us, the remaining members are only newly trained recruits, are they not? If a force capable of deliberately attacking the Dang Family were to strike… our contingent would be utterly helpless.”
“We are not fighting. We are defending. Ensuring that no one can pass through.”
“Ensuring no one can pass through…”
Jeong Jong Do, momentarily dazed, let out a sound of realization.
“Ah, I see. As long as we stand guard, no matter who they are, they cannot pass. To breach the Elite Division is to challenge the Murim Alliance itself.”
“Precisely.”
I smiled softly.
“It matters not who the opponent is. To be honest, the probability of such an event occurring is nearly zero. But this is merely a precaution, and secondly, since the Dang Family has treated us so generously, we should at least earn our keep.”
Then Tae Mu Ryong, who had been listening silently, grasped something and asked.
“Commander, you judge there is a high probability that forces within Sichuan are coordinating with the San Dok Mun?”
“That is correct.”
I nodded.
“Seeing how the three Lords of the San Dok Mun entered the Dang Family Territory and provoke so boldly, there is a likelihood they have secretly positioned coordinating forces in the vicinity.”
Jin Cheon Gon had indeed stated that assassination squads had been deployed within Sichuan.
Of course, the assassins would never attempt to enter through the main gate.
However, there was a possibility that other forces in league with them might exist, and it was for this reason that I intended to position the Elite Division.
“Surely that’s not an impossible task?”
At that moment, Jeong Jong Do spoke.
“No matter how much the Yunnan San Dok Mun has flourished recently, it’s unthinkable. How could they possibly move troops into Sichuan?”
“These plans weren’t put together in just a day or two.”
Tae Mu Ryong turned to address Jeong Jong Do.
“If they’ve been preparing to strike at the Dang Family for a long time, they could have gradually and discreetly positioned their forces over that period.”
“Gradually….”
Jeong Jong Do’s eyes narrowed as if he had grasped something.
If the San Dok Mun had infiltrated small contingents of troops bit by bit in advance, the Dang Family might not have detected it.
“That’s certainly possible.”
As Jeong Jong Do nodded, Tae Mu Ryong turned to address me.
“The fact that Dok Ma Mun is requesting a martial contest despite their retreat suggests a high probability that they’ve already positioned troops.”
I nodded faintly at Tae Mu Ryong’s analysis.
‘Indeed, they’re quite similar. Both in intellect and temperament.’
Like Yu Woon Ryong, Tae Mu Ryong possessed the natural disposition of a brilliant strategist—sharp insight and keen intellect.
It was my good fortune.
To have acquired such a capable strategist meant the probability of success in any endeavor was remarkably high.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock sounded on the door, followed by the low voice of a young member.
“My Lord. A martial artist from Cheol Jung Pavilion requests your presence.”
‘Cheol Jung Pavilion.’
Cheol Jung Pavilion was where the Young Master, Dang Gon, resided.
“Understood.”
I answered immediately and spoke to Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do.
“In any case, once I send the signal, have the members prepared to mobilize swiftly.”
“Understood.”
As the two cupped their fists in salute, I stepped outside the Palace Hall.
A young martial artist with sharp eyes and an aura of cold composure radiating from his entire being cupped his fists in greeting.
“Woon Jung of Cheol Jung Pavilion pays respects to my Lord.”
“What brings you here?”
“Before the Young Master entered cultivation, he commanded that I escort you to Cheol Jung Pavilion at the hour of Shin.”
“Understood. Let us go at once.”
Woon Jung immediately led the way through the Inner Quarters of the Dang Family and guided me to the Guest Hall within Cheol Jung Pavilion, where Dang Gon resided.
“The Young Master will emerge shortly. Please wait here for a moment.”
“Understood.”
After Woon Jung departed, Si Bi brought tea.
I sat calmly, sipping the tea.
Thump, thump, thump. Zing, zing, zing.
Something felt off.
From somewhere, a faint, discordant noise reached my ears—an unpleasant, grating dissonance that set my teeth on edge.
‘Does he have an interest in music?’
As I shook my head at the strangeness of it,
—Ugh…
Through that faint noise came a barely audible moan tinged with pain.
‘Demonic Possession?’
I immediately recognized the moan as Dang Gon’s.
During cultivation, such agonized sounds could only mean one thing—he had fallen into Demonic Possession.
‘Dang Gon!’
Rising from my seat, I didn’t rush toward the sound. Instead, my expression hardened as I stomped my foot.
Thump.
As the low vibration rippled outward, my Void Heart Perception naturally activated.
I needed to map the structure of the Palace Hall first, in case something worse was happening.
‘There.’
I sprinted toward where the long corridor led and found a firmly sealed door.
Thud-thud-thud. Clang-clang-clang.
From inside the door came the unpleasant noise that had been grating on my nerves, now far louder.
‘A Cultivation Chamber? Accessible so easily?’
I couldn’t comprehend it.
Cultivation Chambers were normally kept in secret locations, protected from disturbance and absolutely sealed against outsiders.
They were built with sturdy iron gates and internal locking mechanisms as standard.
And Dang Gon was the Young Lord of the Dang Family.
The second most precious person in the family—using a solitary cell within his quarters as a Cultivation Chamber? One where sound leaked outside, no less?
Click.
I yanked the door open and found Dang Gon sitting in lotus position, cultivating.
‘As I thought…’
My eyes widened as I surveyed the chamber.
Dang Gon wasn’t cultivating in any ordinary way.
Sharp needles were planted around his seated position, the chamber was filled with Qi-Scattering Powder that dispersed spiritual energy, and Consciousness-Stealing Incense that clouded the mind. Meanwhile, long ropes hung from the opposite wall, connected to drums and gongs outside that continuously produced sound.
He was deliberately creating an environment where cultivation was nearly impossible—one that could trigger Demonic Possession.
‘He was tempering his spirit alongside his cultivation.’
Dang Gon had intentionally constructed conditions designed to prevent normal cultivation, conditions that could induce heart demons.
He was simultaneously forging both his martial power and his spirit.
‘He’s also refining poison techniques.’
Arranged on one side were jars containing deadly toxins—poisons lethal from a single drop.
“Ugh…”
Dang Gon moaned again, eyes still closed.
It seemed that the strain from preparing for the martial tournament had pushed him past the point of self-recovery from Demonic Possession.
“Snap out of it.”
Bu Eunseol called out clearly and immediately placed her hand on Dang Gon’s back, channeling her inner energy into him.
‘The breakthrough failed. Multiple times at that….’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes darkened as she examined Dang Gon’s condition.
His body bore the cruel marks of relentless training.
Countless failures and frustrations. And the harrowing traces of walking the razor’s edge between life and death again and again….
Yet Dang Gon’s talent remained unawakened, forcing him to endure these brutal cultivation sessions repeatedly.
Hummmmm.
As Dang Gon’s cultivation reached its peak from absorbing Bu Eunseol’s vital energy, a faint vibration rippled through his body.
Whoosh.
Finally regaining consciousness and completing his cultivation, Dang Gon quickly pushed Bu Eunseol’s hand away.
“I’ve wasted precious vital energy.”
Dang Gon’s embarrassed smile was filled with blood.
It seemed he had been clenching his lips tightly throughout to maintain consciousness.
“How did you come to this place?”
“I heard a loud noise. So I came.”
Only then did Dang Gon grasp the situation and smile faintly.
“My apologies. The cultivation session ran longer than expected… the noise must have been quite loud.”
Had Bu Eunseol not arrived, he would have fallen into demonic possession, suffered severe depletion of his cultivation, or endured grave aftereffects.
Despite crawling back from death’s threshold, Dang Gon’s expression remained utterly composed.
“Why did you establish a Cultivation Chamber in such a place?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Dang Gon smiled bitterly.
“When the family head saw me cultivating, he had this Cultivation Chamber prepared for me here.”
An odd answer.
As Bu Eunseol tilted her head in confusion, Dang Gon spoke.
“I apologize, but my cultivation is not yet complete… would you wait a moment? It will be finished soon.”
“Understood.”
The moment Bu Eunseol’s reply ended, Dang Gon walked toward the poison jar emitting a foul stench.
Bu Eunseol watched his figure calmly, then exited the Cultivation Chamber.
Outside, Bu Eunseol discovered traces of many people coming and going near the entrance.
As she carefully examined these traces, she finally understood Dang Gon’s words.
‘So that’s it.’
Since Dang Gon cultivated with his life on the line, he must have found himself in dangerous situations repeatedly.
Therefore, Dang Pae had arranged the Cultivation Chamber in a place where people could come and go freely, where anyone could easily hear Dang Gon’s voice.
So that help could be provided immediately if danger arose.
‘Why go to such lengths.’
Dang Gon’s cultivation method bordered on ascetic practice—something even the Nangya Sect, which emphasized practical martial arts, considered
a training method only for those who staked their lives on martial prowess.
A perilous training method from which even a single misstep could bring irreversible consequences.
The young family head who would lead the Dang Family forward was undertaking this.
And even on the eve of the martial competition at that.
Hmm.
I swallowed hard.
Judging solely by the traces of bitter refinement lingering in Dang Gon’s body, he had more than enough to reach the Breaking Realm.
He should have already attained a lofty state, yet he remained trapped behind that thin shell, unable to break through.
Breaking through is something that occurs naturally when all conditions are fulfilled.
In other words, Dang Gon still lacked something.
Despite possessing talents and aptitude no less than the Family Lord himself.
The world judged the Young Lord Dang Gon’s talents and aptitudes as unremarkable.
But I knew better.
If Dang Gon were to begin his breakthrough, he would leap several stages at once and become a formidable master of martial arts.
Creak.
As the door opened, a heavy thud echoed through the hall.
Thud, thud.
With heavy footsteps, Dang Gon entered the Guest Hall where I sat, his body tattered like rags.
“I fear I’ve shown you an unsightly state.”
As Dang Gon collapsed heavily into a chair, Si Bi promptly presented a cup of chilled fragrant tea.
After steadying his breathing for a moment, he drank deeply and spoke with a bitter expression.
“Normally I could finish without difficulty. But with the martial competition approaching, my mental focus seems to have scattered somewhat.”
“Why push yourself to such extremes?”
I wore an expression filled with concern.
“The Dang Family possesses many excellent martial teachings. Is there truly a need to cultivate both spirit and power simultaneously in such a manner?”
“Ah, so you recognize this cultivation method.”
Dang Gon smiled sheepishly.
“Indeed, such methods are far too crude and dangerous to befit the descendants of a great family.”
Dang Gon muttered with self-deprecating expression and sighed.
“But I must grow stronger quickly. If I follow the path others take, I’ll only become as strong as they are.”
“Does the Dang Family doubt the Young Lord’s aptitude?”
“Well, that could be one reason.”
Shaking his head, he walked toward the window.
“But that is not the only reason.”
Dang Gon gazed at the full moon visible beyond the window and murmured faintly.
“I have a wonderful friend. And I have only ever received help from him.”
As if searching through distant memories, Dang Gon’s eyes deepened.
“Thanks to him, I became Young Lord, but with my current abilities, I cannot offer him any assistance. So I simply devote myself to reaching his level as quickly as possible.”
I fell silent.
I could surmise that the friend Dang Gon spoke of was myself.
“If he is truly your friend, there is no need to stand as equals.”
I offered a gentle smile.
“A friend who shares heart and soul will be a great source of strength simply by existing.”
“He walks a thorny path that others do not tread.”
Dang Gon exhaled deeply and spoke.
“That path will be far too lonely and fraught with danger. That is why I merely hope you will stand tall soon and become someone capable of lending him aid.”
Dang Gon must have been hearing news of Bu Eunseol all this while.
And to assist him, the successor to the Demon Palace.
He was striving to reach a level comparable to his own.
“I spoke needless words.”
Dang Gon shook his head and fixed Bu Eunseol with an unwavering gaze as he spoke.
“The reason I summoned the Lord so urgently is….”
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“When the martial competition begins tomorrow, I intend to position the Main Force in front of the Dang Family residence. To ensure they do not attempt any reckless schemes.”
“Just as I thought. I knew it would be so.”
Dang Gon smiled faintly.
“Lord Seon Woo possesses not only formidable martial prowess but also keen intellect and considerable resolve.”
And he spoke with resolute conviction.
“But there is no need for that.”
He spoke with confidence, uttering words entirely unexpected.
“Whatever schemes they devise, whoever assaults the Main House—leave it be.”
Dang Gon spoke with forceful intensity.
“That is what I asked of you in summoning the Lord here.”
Remarkably, Dang Gon had also seen through the true intentions of Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk.
Yet he was asking them not to thwart their sinister plot.
“I find the Young Master’s words difficult to comprehend.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression showed surprise, and Dang Gon continued.
“As I mentioned before, it was Uncle Dang Sung who contacted the Murim Alliance. After the Family Head fell, Uncle’s resolve has weakened considerably.”
The Dang Family’s power rested absolutely upon its Family Head, and Dang Pae was among the most exceptional figures in the family’s history.
When such a steel-like figure suddenly collapsed and could not rise from his sickbed, Dang Sung too became restless.
He could find no purchase, no direction.
“That the San Dok Mun had long prepared to assault the Main House was hardly new knowledge. Moreover, with the Family Head fallen, he must have believed the present moment was the opportune time.”
From Dang Gon’s eyes flowed a formidable aura that commanded the Tianxia.
“But I intend to transform this crisis into opportunity. I shall boldly shatter the sinister schemes of the San Dok Mun’s lords and make known far and wide the dignity of our Main House.”
From the eyes of Dang Gon, who clenched his fists, radiated a heat fierce enough to melt steel.
“How the Main House took root in Sichuan. Who the true hegemon of Sichuan is!”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
‘He has already become a worthy Family Head.’
Dang Gon did not shy from adversity; rather, he was using it as a stepping stone to prepare for yet another leap forward.
And that was surely influenced by the cherished friend he had always wished to stand beside.
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol nodded and spoke.
“As you have said, the Lord and I shall not intervene.”
After all, it wouldn’t be Seon Woo Jin’s position to help Dang Gon.
Acting covertly as the Muhonjung Lord is not a breach of my promise.
“Thank you for understanding.”
Dang Gon clasped his hands together.
“Had we met at a better time, we would have spent the night in conversation and camaraderie. What a pity.”
Bu Eunseol smiled softly.
It was a sentiment I shared as well.
As my smile blossomed, an identical expression bloomed across Dang Gon’s face.
True men of honor need no lengthy words. With but a glance, the two of us had reached perfect accord.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Of course.”
“Why does the Lord exert such effort for the Main House? The Murim Alliance’s intentions were quite clear from the start.”
It was abundantly evident that the Murim Alliance had no intention of aiding the Dang Family in this matter.
Otherwise, they would never dispatch a third-rank Lord to mediate a dispute between sects.
Yet contrary to that, this young third-rank Lord was wholeheartedly assisting the Dang Family…
From Dang Gon’s perspective, it was both wondrous and perplexing.
“Might I hear the reason?”
Bu Eunseol casually adjusted my ear as if it were nothing.
“It would be somewhat awkward to explain to the Family Head.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it’s truly trivial.”
“If possible, I would very much like to hear the reason.”
Dang Gon gazed at me with a serious expression. His eyes gleamed with innocent curiosity, like those of an inquisitive child.
Though he ordinarily maintained the solemn and dignified bearing of a Family Head, before those he favored, he reverted to his true nature.
‘Unchanged, as always.’
Suppressing my inner amusement, I scratched my cheek with an embarrassed expression.
“Simply…”
And I spoke with an offhand tone.
“I dislike the San Dok Mun.”
Dang Gon’s eyes widened.
His expression was as if he’d been struck from behind.
“Hehehehe. Hahahaha!”
Dang Gon burst into hearty laughter and nodded.
“So the Murim Alliance harbors a young eccentric after all.”
In that moment, he recalled the most peculiar oddity he knew.
Though he did not know if those two were the same person.
“Then I shall take my leave first.”
As Dang Gon clasped his hands together, Bu Eunseol asked.
“Are you heading to the Cultivation Chamber again?”
Noticing the concern etched across my brow, Dang Gon’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“After all, isn’t the Murim a place where one must stake their life every single day?”
“….”
“A martial artist can only rest in peace… when they’ve lived out their entire life.”
Those words were something Bu Eunseol had once spoken to Dang Gon.
Thud, thud.
Turning his body, he walked solemnly toward the Cultivation Chamber, his bearing transcending life and death itself.
He lacked the circumstances to abandon everything and venture into the Gangho…
So he had always been risking his life in cultivation within the Dang Family like this.
‘Don’t worry about anything.’
Bu Eunseol watched Dang Gon walking away, a faint smile playing at her lips.
‘The Dang Family will be fine.’
A crimson radiance flickered in her eyes as she turned her body.
Helping as Seon Woo Jin ends here.
From now on, as the peerless grandmaster of the Demonic Path… I will sweep away all the rabble lurking around the Dang Family in one fell swoop.

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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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