The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 417

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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 417.
Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk fled the Dang Family Territory and immediately moved to Yunnan with their subordinates.
Jang Song, now half-dead, rode in a carriage while Hyeong Geuk stared out the window with a bewildered expression.
Jin Cheon Gon’s sudden retreat.
Dang Gon’s exceptional martial prowess, which defied all expectations.
And the assassins who should have infiltrated the Dang Family during the martial contest had been completely annihilated by someone.
Only then did they realize that a force of tremendous power had intervened and ruined their entire plan.
―It couldn’t have been that young Lord’s doing.
The series of events unfolding now wasn’t the work of a first-rank Lord of the Murim Alliance.
Even if one claimed the Alliance’s Supreme Leader orchestrated this, it would be barely believable.
Especially the complete severing of all communication networks around the Dang Family Territory. That required simultaneously mobilizing the vast intelligence organizations and military forces of the Alliance at the highest level.
In other words, it was impossible without the direct intervention of the Murim Alliance’s leadership.
‘Regardless, everything has gone wrong. We have no choice but to withdraw quickly and receive their orders again.’
As Hyeong Geuk, clutching his head, shook it with his gaze lowered,
Whinnnnng.
Suddenly, with the cry of a horse, the carriage came to an abrupt halt.
“What’s happening?”
At Hyeong Geuk’s shout, his subordinate’s trembling voice rang out.
“Lord, you should come out and see this.”
Sensing something amiss, Hyeong Geuk descended from the carriage and saw a shadow standing rigidly on the narrow path.
It was a man wearing a mask with an eerie, lustrous sheen.
A wave of true energy like heat shimmer radiated from his entire body, making his form appear hazy and indistinct.
“An envoy.”
Realizing the Masked Assassin was an envoy of the Three Realms, Hyeong Geuk hastily clasped his hands together.
“I don’t understand what’s happened here.”
Hyeong Geuk continued speaking incessantly with a bewildered expression.
“The Lord of Dok Ma Mun suddenly fled in the dead of night. Moreover, an enormous intelligence organization surrounded the Dang Family Territory and severed all contact with the outside world.”
“….”
“Fearing that retreat would ruin everything, I requested a martial contest first to break their momentum, but….”
As silence continued, Hyeong Geuk sensed something was wrong yet pressed on.
“The Young Lord Dang Gon is far more exceptional than anticipated—so much so that the Heavenly Poison Blood Martial Art you transmitted to us proved ineffective….”
Hyeong Geuk abruptly fell silent.
His head was twisting in an unnatural manner.
It felt as though an invisible, massive hand had seized his throat.
Crack, crack, crack.
As his neck continued to bend, Hyeong Geuk’s vision was forced to look backward instead of forward.
“What?”
In that instant, his eyes widened in shock.
All the subordinates standing behind him lay dead on the ground, and dozens of assassins stood in their place.
“What, what is this.”
Hyeong Geuk screamed, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
“Master, what is the meaning of this?”
[All members of San Dok Mun connected to the Dang Family have been cleanly eliminated.]
“What do you mean by eliminated?”
[You are the last.]
Hyeong Geuk’s eyes widened in shock.
What was this supposed to mean? After providing vast wealth and even transmitting martial techniques.
Why would they attempt to kill him?
[It would be troublesome if anyone else came asking questions.]
Crack.
With those final words, Hyeong Geuk’s vision turned toward the blue sky above.
Thud.
With his neck completely broken, Hyeong Geuk collapsed like a felled log.
The masked master fell silent for a moment, then suddenly gazed toward a distant tree and spoke.
[Have you seen enough?]
And the eyes visible above the mask narrowed to slits.
[Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, Bu Eunseol.]
At those words, a faint shadow seemed to fall from the tree before suddenly standing upright before the master.
It was Bu Eunseol, having released her reverse cultivation state.
“You knew.”
[There is only one person capable of moving the Demonic Path’s intelligence organization with a single command to sever all information networks within Dang Family Territory.]
Merely the Sa Hon Dae would have been insufficient to completely cut off all communication networks surrounding the Dang Family Territory.
Therefore, Bu Eunseol had no choice but to mobilize every intelligence organization at her disposal.
Of course, she did so knowing that Sam Gye could detect it.
‘As long as Seon Woo Jin’s identity remains concealed, it matters little.’
[Quite the remarkable friendship.]
At that moment, the master spoke in a low voice.
[Coming in secret to aid the Dang Family based on a bond formed in the past.]
When Bu Eunseol had first forged her connection with Dang Gon, she had not yet relied heavily on transformation techniques or intelligence organization support.
Therefore, Sam Gye was well aware of the friendship between Bu Eunseol and Dang Gon.
Thus, it seemed Sam Gye thought little of her providing modest assistance to the Dang Family.
Of course, this too had been factored into Bu Eunseol’s calculations.
“What is your identity?”
Bu Eunseol asked coldly, and the master let out a low chuckle.
[You must already know.]
“I will not ask twice.”
A blood-red gleam ignited in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
If the master spoke evasively or played games, she was signaling her willingness to resolve this immediately through force.
[Still overconfident in your abilities?]
“Or do you trust your subordinates?”
[How amusing.]
The emissary dismissed the assassins with a wave of his hand as if to prove his point.
Then he walked forward confidently toward Bu Eunseol.
[Use your strength. I’ll completely dismantle the unity of the Dang Family that you’ve barely managed to achieve.]
I had already suspected it.
That all of these plans thus far were designed to consolidate the Dang Family’s cohesion and awaken Dang Gon’s latent potential.
Yet even knowing this, I couldn’t hide my astonishment.
Why would Sam Gye support San Dok Mun for the sake of Dang Gon’s awakening and the Sichuan Dang Family’s unity?
“Let me rephrase the question.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
“What is your true purpose?”
[Due to Dang Pae’s illness, the Dang Family’s unity crumbled and their power weakened considerably. Moreover, despite Dang Gon’s exceptional talent, he had not yet awakened.]
The emissary spoke calmly.
[But through this incident, Dang Gon has awakened, and the Dang Family will unite once more around him. That is our purpose. Does that answer your question?]
Then he slowly turned away.
Bu Eunseol wanted nothing more than to seize this emissary of Sam Gye through force immediately.
Even if I couldn’t capture him, I wanted to test my skills against him and gauge just how formidable this emissary of Sam Gye truly was.
But I couldn’t do it.
The moment I resorted to force, they could topple the Dang Family once more.
Bu Eunseol had to use Seon Woo Jin’s identity for the time being, remaining ensconced in the Demon Palace and directing subordinates.
There was no way I could protect the Dang Family otherwise.
“What is your faction’s purpose?”
Bu Eunseol called out to the departing emissary.
“If you’re not from the Infinite Realm, surely you can reveal your purpose.”
The factions that had supported San Dok Mun were not from the Infinite Realm that had clashed with me all this time, but from another faction of Sam Gye.
This was something I had already suspected since the time I swept away Blood Cliff.
Therefore, this was the best question I could ask.
[Impressive.]
The emissary who had turned around narrowed his eyes.
[Indeed, there has been no one your age who clashed with the Main Realm and survived.]
The emissary, having uttered his admiration, fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
[Cheonghae Gye.]
The emissary turned once more,
[If you wish to know more, discover the rest yourself.]
Whoosh.
In an instant, he vanished like mist. It was a divine technique as ethereal as a ghost.
“Cheonghae Gye….”
Bu Eunseol’s pupils trembled as I stared at where the emissary had departed.
If it meant more than simply clear waters, it must derive from the phrase “the Yellow River runs clear and the seas grow calm.”
The Yellow River runs clear and the seas grow calm—a metaphor meaning that when a sage-king appears, peace and prosperity reign over all the land.
So then, was Cheonghae Gye aligned with the Imperial Palace? Or were they striving to create a peaceful world, unlike the Infinite Realm?
―The Three Realms are divided into three factions, true to their name.
Suddenly, the words of the Blue-Eyed Man, who had once registered with the Murim Alliance, came to mind.
According to his account, even the Artificial Core Formation itself.
Was created by the three factions to check one another, or perhaps to wage war against each other.
“So they’re all active in the same era?”
Until now, only the Infinite Realm had revealed itself in Murim.
I had suspected that the Three Realms’ factions might appear alternately in Gangho.
But looking at the current situation, doesn’t it seem as though they’re competing for different objectives?
“Or perhaps there’s a dominant faction with a certain goal, and the others are conducting covert operations to stop it….”
Regardless, one thing was certain: the Three Realms were clashing, and simultaneously revealing themselves.
And for me, that wasn’t necessarily a bad situation.
“Then the Three Realms that has infiltrated the Murim Alliance might not be the Infinite Realm either….”
I furrowed my brow as I gazed toward the distant sky.
The Three Realms’ factions were so deep and secretive that I still couldn’t find their roots.
“No. Either way, they’re manipulating the factions to their taste and obtaining the results they desire.”
What if Cheonghae Gye were absolute good?
They wouldn’t have threatened me using the Dang Family as leverage.
A brilliant flash, like the sun itself, blazed in my eyes.
“I’ll uncover and destroy them all.”
My infiltration into the Murim Alliance was ultimately to find the commander of the Three Realms who killed my grandfather and his vicious subordinate.
Whether they’re unified or divided into three, the Three Realms remain the Three Realms.
In the end, they are an existence incompatible with me.
* * *
Murim Alliance, Deng Wu Dian. Yuk Jang Cheon’s office.
Yuk Jang Cheon wore a peculiar expression as he gazed down at the report on his desk.
‘I don’t understand how this happened.’
San Dok Mun had achieved remarkable growth over the past decade, and it was a foregone conclusion that they would join forces for an all-out war against the Dang Family.
And the Murim Alliance had essentially dismissed the Dang Family’s request for mediation.
Though it appeared peaceful enough, the current state of the Murim Alliance was quite complex.
If we set foot under the guise of mediation?
We would never be able to withdraw afterward—that much was obvious.
Moreover, because the Dang Family had consistently pursued independent action, the Murim Alliance felt no necessity to risk a confrontation with Demon Hall.
In the end, we turned a blind eye and entrusted the mediation to the Elite Division, yet the situation unfolded in an entirely unexpected direction.
Suddenly, Dok Ma Mun fled in the middle of negotiations, and when circumstances became difficult, Dokyeom Sect and Dok Bong Mun requested a martial contest.
Dang Gon, the Dang Family Patriarch.
He had earned the epithet “Dang Family Patriarch” by subjugating Blood Poison Valley in the past, and had finally ascended to the position of Minor Lord.
But since then, he had become known as a recluse, showing no particular achievements or distinct martial prowess.
Yet suddenly, he defeated Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk—who displayed tremendous martial skill wielding the Heavenly Poison Blood Technique—in a great victory.
As a result, San Dok Mun’s momentum was broken, and they could no longer afford to touch the Dang Family.
Moreover, through this incident, the Dang Family was rallying anew—not around Dang Pae, but around Dang Gon, the young family head, as their focal point.
In the end, the San Dok Mun’s ambitions were crushed, and the reputation of both Dang Gon and the Dang Family soared.
Given this turn of events, the Murim Alliance found itself in an awkward position.
They had dispatched a third-rank Lord to mediate between factions—in essence, the Murim Alliance had callously turned a blind eye to the Dang Family’s crisis.
Yet despite this, the Dang Family sent numerous treasures and secret techniques to the Murim Alliance as a token of gratitude.
―The Dang Family shall never forget the kindness shown by the Murim Alliance and Lord Seon Woo, the Elite Division Master.
In particular, Seon Woo Jin played a crucial role in negotiations with the San Dok Mun, which forced the Dok Ma Mun to withdraw.
―Lord Seon Woo risked his very life at the negotiation table with the San Dok Mun to support the Main House.
As matters unfolded in this manner…
The Murim Alliance, which had been gradually severing ties with the Dang Family, found itself forced to reverse its stance.
The frozen relationship had thawed thanks to the outstanding contributions of Elite Division Master Seon Woo Jin.
‘Hmm.’
Yuk Jang Cheon, closing the report, let out a low hum.
‘I cannot fathom this.’
In truth, he had abruptly severed all expectations and goodwill toward Seon Woo Jin.
A third-rank Lord of the Elite Division stepping forward to mediate disputes between factions? Such audacity was sheer madness.
Yet when Seon Woo Jin was given the task and sent forth, he returned having accomplished something entirely unforeseen.
At this point, even Yuk Jang Cheon found himself in profound confusion.
‘Could it be that Lord Seon Woo possesses such a vast capacity that ordinary judgment cannot measure him?’
Great men, after all, are always regarded with peculiar eyes by ordinary people.
This is because, unlike common folk, they possess grand ambitions and exceptional abilities, accomplishing things no one could have predicted.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock sounded from beyond the door, followed by Si Bi’s voice.
“Master. Lord Seon Woo has come to visit.”
“Show him in.”
Creak.
The door opened, and a man in white robes approached, bowing respectfully with both hands clasped.
Tall in stature, yet slender in frame. His eyes gleamed brightly, yet somehow conveyed an impression of weakness and frailty.
One might think him perfectly suited to work an abacus at a merchant guild.
Yet in reality, he was a prodigy—possessing martial prowess that rivaled masters of the great way, coupled with outstanding strategic acumen.
‘So that is why Baek Ri Mu Jo spoke thus.’
―Once the Elite Division reaches the second rank, I was thinking of having them work directly under my command. Would that be acceptable?
These were the words of Baek Ri Mu Jo, the Sungwi Unit Master, whom he had encountered at the Chong Sa Hoe not long ago.
He was a man who pursued perfection, and never kept those of inferior talent under his command.
Yet he was now setting his sights on a third-rank position that had become a useless ornament, merely a name on the roster?
‘That must never come to pass.’
Yuk Jang Cheon shook his head.
The establishment of the Elite Division had originated from the Deng Wu Dian and the Elder Council.
The Elder Council had simply withdrawn from the plan contrary to expectations, and due to the nature of the Deng Wu Dian, it could not keep the third-rank position under its direct authority.
After much deliberation, they had placed it within the Sungwi Unit instead.
Moreover, hadn’t the Deng Wu Dian always handled all the duties and management of the previous generation? Yet now they’re trying to hand it over to the Sungwi Unit?
It was absolutely unthinkable.
“Elite Division Master Seon Woo Jin pays his respects to the Lord.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together, Yuk Jang Cheon, who had regained his composure, shifted his expression.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Then, with an unusually warm expression, he extended his hand.
“Please, sit.”
As Bu Eunseol took her seat, Yuk Jang Cheon had Si Bi bring tea.
“I had no expectations for this matter whatsoever. Yet you’ve brought an unexpected result.”
Yuk Jang Cheon gestured toward the report.
Bu Eunseol, sensing Yuk Jang Cheon’s complex feelings—unable to simply rejoice—shook her head.
“I accomplished nothing in this matter. The Young Master of the Dang Family handled everything.”
“There’s little of note in this report. The negotiations with San Dok Mun were conducted in strict confidentiality, after all.”
Yuk Jang Cheon pointed to the documents on the table.
Beside Bu Eunseol’s submission lay another document.
‘Is it always like this?’
In that moment, a gleam flashed across Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Was it because she held the rank of third-tier Lord? Or was it because she lacked clear organizational affiliation?
Every mission Bu Eunseol resolved was invariably subjected to a second investigation by the Murim Alliance to verify its authenticity.
“The information that San Dok Mun was deliberately planning to attack the Dang Family was something the Man Gyeong Jeon Master had confidently assured us of. How did this come to pass?”
“Young Master Dang Gon proved to be an extraordinary individual. He had long suspected San Dok Mun’s ambitions and had already made various preparations.”
Bu Eunseol calmly explained once more the contents she had documented in her report.
Yuk Jang Cheon, who had been listening in silence, stroked his chin.
“So in the end, you took it upon yourself to… boast to the leaders of San Dok Mun that Ben Maeng would absolutely participate in the conflict between the Dang Family and San Dok Mun.”
“That is correct. Young Master Dang Gon already possessed unwavering resolve to engage them in full-scale warfare. It was the Outer Quarters Master Dang Sung who requested mediation from Ben Maeng.”
“But what if things had gone wrong? That would not have been a burden you could bear alone, would it?”
Yuk Jang Cheon regarded Bu Eunseol with a sharp gaze.
“What if a true all-out war had erupted and the Demon Hall had intervened? How would you have taken responsibility? Ben Maeng had no intention of doing so.”
“Merchants are exceptionally sensitive to even the smallest gains and losses. Therefore, when negotiating, we analyze every card the opponent might play.”
Bu Eunseol met Yuk Jang Cheon’s eyes and spoke in a low but resolute voice.
“After careful analysis of this negotiation, my conclusion was that the Demon Hall could absolutely never intervene in San Dok Mun’s conflict.”
“Why is that?”
“Because Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, the successor of the Demon Hall, shares considerable personal ties with Young Master Dang Gon.”
In that instant, Yuk Jang Cheon’s eyes widened and he struck his knee.
“You knew.”
The reason the Dang Family’s mediation request could reach even the Council of Lords.
It was because the Man Gyeong Jeon had already ascertained the relationship between Muk Hon Ryeong Ju and Dang Gon.
―No matter what San Dok Mun attempts, the Demon Hall will not intervene. The Dang Family’s mediation request can be handled perfunctorily.
Based on the Man Gyeong Jeon Master’s confident assertion, the leadership had sought a minor organization to handle the Dang Family’s mediation request.
Yet she had already known this fact?
“I see.”
As all his questions found answers, Yuk Jang Cheon’s face brightened with a genuine smile.
He would certainly need to explain this matter once more at the Grand Council.
To claim this achievement entirely as his own without reservation, he needed an explanation that would convince the leadership.
“I must emphasize again—I have done nothing.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol added a remark.
“I merely guessed at the Young Lord’s intentions and spoke boldly to lend weight to his opinion.”
“Not at all. You acted with confidence and wisdom as an envoy of the Ben Maeng, which is why such favorable results came about.”
With all suspicions resolved, Yuk Jang Cheon lavished praise upon Bu Eunseol’s accomplishments.
“The Dang Family has shown considerable goodwill toward the Ben Maeng through this matter. We must certainly acknowledge that merit.”
“The Young Lord of the Dang Family possesses remarkable breadth of vision. His martial prowess exceeded the rumors, and it seems he has taken a favorable view of me.”
“I see.”
Yuk Jang Cheon had no interest in the Dang Family’s affairs.
His greatest concern now was how to bring Bu Eunseol under his command.
“In any case, not only I but several senior figures have begun to take notice of you. If you handle a few more matters well….”
Yuk Jang Cheon trailed off deliberately.
“You will likely be promoted to Second-Rank Lord before long. Then you would have a proper position to belong to.”
Realizing he had revealed too much of his true intentions, he quickly changed the subject.
“In any case, you’ve worked hard. You have no assignments for the time being, so rest comfortably.”
“I have one request to make of you, Master.”
“Speak.”
“It seems there may be some force behind the San Dok Mun’s attempt to attack the Dang Family.”
“That cannot be. The San Dok Mun has harbored old grudges against the Dang Family for a long time and wished to expand into Sichuan. Having grown their power considerably, they likely sought revenge.”
“That may not be the case.”
Bu Eunseol explained calmly.
“Though called the San Dok Mun, they are three separate sects. The fact that all three expanded their power simultaneously troubles me.”
“Hmm. So your request is….”
As Yuk Jang Cheon stroked his chin, Bu Eunseol spoke carefully.
“I wish to venture into Gangho and investigate who stood behind the San Dok Mun.”
Though I spoke thus, I harbored different intentions.
‘I have been away for far too long.’
To maintain this dual identity, I needed other arrangements.
I intended to venture into Gangho and execute my plan to create a perfect dual identity.

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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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