The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 420

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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 420.
Poison.
It was an extraordinarily convenient and formidable weapon that martial artists had favored across generations.
Even the smallest quantity could dramatically amplify lethality or render an opponent helpless.
Consequently, the vast majority of sects—excluding the Orthodox Sects—either employed poison or mastered martial techniques utilizing it.
From this perspective, poisoning had become as mundane as daily life for those wandering the Gangho.
Where demand existed, supply inevitably followed.
Because martial artists throughout the Gangho perpetually suffered from poisoning, the Medical Guild specializing in antidotes flourished abundantly.
Mist Valley Forest.
This institution had consistently produced exceptional physicians across generations.
And Gu Gyeom, the master of Mist Valley Forest, was renowned throughout the Gangho as a preeminent expert in detoxification.
“Fortune truly smiled upon us.”
Gu Gyeom wiped the perspiration from his brow and spoke, shaking his head.
“It was providential that I recently obtained a single root of Dragon Spirit Purple Crimson Grass from Hoe Jeong Mountain. Without it, this young man would have surely perished.”
Gu Gyeom continued, gazing at Seon Woo Jin sleeping peacefully upon the bed.
“The detoxification is complete, so once he awakens from a deep slumber, he shall recover fully.”
“Thank you.”
Jong Jeong Yak bowed, and Gu Gyeom shook his head in return.
“Please, think nothing of it. That our valley remains free from external invasion and can harvest the spiritual herbs of Hoe Jeong Mountain—is this not entirely due to the Murim Alliance?”
Hoe Jeong Mountain abounded with spiritual herbs, from which Mist Valley Forest crafted spiritual medicines.
Consequently, bandits and dark path forces had converged upon this region, and even Mist Valley Forest itself had become the object of covetous designs.
When the Murim Alliance, unable to ignore the situation, established a branch office in Hoe Jeong, the bandits and dark path factions that had threatened Mist Valley Forest quietly withdrew.
“Had the Murim Alliance not existed, this valley would have either abandoned Hoe Jeong Mountain long ago or become subordinate to some dark path faction.”
Gu Gyeom rose from his seat, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
As Gu Gyeom departed, Jong Jeong Yak fixed her gaze intently upon Seon Woo Jin lying upon the bed.
His face bore no color whatsoever from the detoxification he had just undergone, and his lips were parched as a desert.
‘He is certainly no spy.’
Jong Jeong Yak had observed Seon Woo Jin’s battle from beginning to end.
He had given his all, yet nearly lost his life.
What if she had not intervened? What if Mist Valley Forest had not possessed the Dragon Spirit Purple Crimson Grass?
He would already have become a wandering ghost.
‘If he were a spy, he would naturally have multiple safeguards arranged in his surroundings.’
Had Seon Woo Jin been an agent of some faction, there would necessarily exist individuals monitoring or protecting him.
Even if not, a spy would naturally possess one or two hidden trump cards to escape perilous situations.
But Seon Woo Jin possessed neither supervising forces nor concealed ultimate techniques.
He was merely a passionate young talent thirsting for success.
‘Hmm.’
Jong Jeong Yak was forced to acknowledge that she had been overly sensitive and harboring excessive suspicion.
I was the same once.
In the past, I too overflowed with passion and a sense of mission, along with the confidence that I could change or resolve everything.
But such things could never change the world.
What was truly necessary was a strength powerful enough to shatter anything without yielding to any external force.
And it was a mere wanderer who sold himself for coin that taught me this truth.
I wonder how he’s doing now.
The image of the wanderer who had suddenly saved me surfaced in my mind.
He always concealed his abilities, conducting himself with restraint while resolving all matters.
Even now, he was likely wielding his exceptional prowess throughout Murim.
Sigh.
Jong Jeong Yak gazed at the sleeping Seon Woo Jin and exhaled deeply.
If you wish to play the hero, you must cultivate your abilities further, Lord Seon Woo.
Then she turned away coldly.
Click.
As she left, Seon Woo Jin—
No, Bu Eunseol slowly opened his eyes.
She has grown considerably.
He gazed at the door through which Jong Jeong Yak had departed, a faint smile crossing his face.
The once reckless Jip Beop So Ryeong had quietly become one of the most capable inspectors in the Murim Alliance.
Had Bu Eunseol not already discerned her nature and persistence beforehand?
He would never have so easily dispelled her suspicions.
She’s gone.
Just then, a young man dressed as Haeng Rim entered.
The Murim Alliance seems to possess truly exceptional individuals. That a mere disciple of the Inspection Bureau reaches such a level is remarkable.
Crack.
As his face contorted several times, the young Haeng Rim’s appearance shifted into that of a cold-faced man.
It was none other than Mu Heun, Lord of Sa Hon Dae.
Since So Yo, the Deputy Lord of Sa Hon Dae, has not completed her training, you have endured considerable inconvenience, my Lord.
Originally, when Bu Eunseol ventures into Gangho, So Yo, the Deputy Lord of Sa Hon Dae, should secretly follow and assist his journey.
However, since So Yo had not yet completed her training as Deputy Lord of Sa Hon Dae, Mu Heun had no choice but to continue appearing in Gangho.
You’ve worked hard.
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
He had executed several plans to quickly dispel Jong Jeong Yak’s suspicions regarding him.
First, he had spent a substantial sum commissioning the Pungma Group and Ja Yeom Pa Pa, positioning Mu Heun on standby in Mist Valley Forest accordingly.
Jong Jeong Yak is a cautious person.
Even if a third-rank Lord of the Murim Alliance faced danger, she would never risk her life to intervene in combat.
But if she were fleeing from pursuers and wandering at death’s door?
She would dispel her doubts and help him. She would never suspect he would deceive her at the cost of his own life.
However, it was an exceedingly precarious plan.
Mu Heun shook his head.
In Geun Dong, there existed the Master of Mist Valley Forest, who could be called an expert in detoxification.
And I had already confirmed that he had recently acquired the Crimson Lotus of Eternal Youth.
But would Jong Jeong Yak truly carry the unconscious Bu Eunseol on her back and head to Mist Valley Forest?
That was something no one could guarantee.
“If she had hesitated or gone elsewhere, the Lord would have been in mortal danger.”
This plan seemed simple on the surface, but in reality, it was extraordinarily perilous.
Bu Eunseol had to deliberately refuse to resist the poison and truly walk the edge of death.
Had it been otherwise, Jong Jeong Yak would never have been deceived.
Moreover, if she had not come to Mist Valley Forest but sought another physician instead? She might have truly died without receiving the antidote.
“It was unavoidable. No clumsy act could have fooled her.”
And I added one more thing.
“And she would certainly have come to Mist Valley Forest.”
Jong Jeong Yak had already become an exceptional member of the Inspection Bureau.
Then she would have thoroughly surveyed the surrounding geography in advance. Poisoned and walking the edge of death? I was certain she would head to Mist Valley Forest.
“I see.”
Mu Heun exhaled a sigh and nodded.
“Now that your body has recovered, you should return to the Demon Palace quickly. Lord Sang Hak is requesting your presence.”
“Him?”
“Yes.”
Mu Heun spoke with an exceptionally grave expression.
“The whereabouts of Hyuk Ryeon have been detected.”
“Hyuk Ryeon.”
In that instant, brilliant light blazed from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The spy of the Demon Palace who had given Sim Wol the artificial core.
At last, I had found Hyuk Ryeon Eung, one of the roots of the Three Realms.
* * *
Upon leaving Mist Valley Forest, Bu Eunseol immediately returned to the Demon Palace.
And Mu Heun continued to track the movements of Elite Division Lord Seon Woo Jin.
The training of Seo Jin Ha and So Yo would soon be complete.
Soon the Sa Hon Dae would be perfected, and I would possess a perfect dual identity, capable of creating two separate trails.
“Then let us conclude this meeting.”
After Bu Eunseol finished a brief meeting with the Lords, I immediately entered the secret chamber installed in the office.
There sat Yu Woon Ryong with a grave expression.
“Where is Hyuk Ryeon?”
Bu Eunseol asked directly, and Yu Woon Ryong drew a deep breath.
Then spoke with an exceptionally serious expression.
“He is at Wei Wang Palace.”
“Wei Wang Palace… you say.”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze deepened.
The Dharma Protector Lord of the Demon Palace was at Wei Wang Palace? Could he possibly be connected to the Imperial Palace?
“Hyuk Ryeon serves as Nam Myeong Seongsaeng, a scholar-tutor in the Wei Wang Palace.”
Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes grew intensely grave.
“He has remained in the Wei Wang Palace for twenty years, teaching various individuals in the scholarly arts.”
It was a shocking revelation.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung, who could be called the supreme leader of the Demon Palace, had been a member of the Wei Wang Palace for twenty years?
That was utterly absurd, was it not?
Yu Woon Ryong shook his head as if he could not believe his own words.
“The Demon Palace is not some provincial martial hall. I cannot fathom how it is possible to maintain a dual identity for decades.”
“A dual identity.”
A sharp gleam flickered across Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“Hyuk Ryeon. Like me now, he created a Shadow and maintained a perfect dual existence.”
Only then did Yu Woon Ryong’s eyes widen as understanding dawned.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung.
Like Bu Eunseol, who moved between the Demon Palace and the Murim Alliance.
He had been living a double life, moving between the Demon Palace and the royal palace.
Surely with a perfect Shadow in place.
“But why, exactly?”
Yu Woon Ryong could not comprehend it.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung, who led the Dharma Protector Division, was one of the core figures of the Demon Palace.
Though he had received punishment to handle affairs outside Gwan Oe for arbitrarily ending the Ten Demon Hall Conference…
That was merely the Demon Palace’s consideration—a temporary respite from the criticism and pressure of the Ten Demonic Sect Lords.
He had even become the Chief Coordinator of the Ten Demon Conference in place of Ma Cheon Je, receiving such tremendous trust that…
He had possessed a dual identity from long ago and was serving as the Royal Tutor of the Wei Wang Palace?
“He must be a key figure of the Three Realms.”
Bu Eunseol bit her lips firmly.
“At that level, it would make sense.”
Hyuk Ryeon Eung was the Three Realms that had been stirring up the Murim.
And he would be a core figure, not merely a messenger.
Otherwise, he could never have maintained both identities—the Dharma Protector Lord of the Demon Palace and the tutor of the royal palace—for so long.
Neither of those two positions would make him a puppet moving at the command of the Three Realms’ messenger.
“Hmm.”
Yu Woon Ryong exhaled deeply and spoke.
“I cannot fathom what these Three Realms are doing or how they are structured.”
And he shook his head with an expression of exasperation.
“Hyuk Ryeon is a senior pillar of the Demon Palace, enjoying the tremendous trust of Ma Cheon Je. What could possibly be lacking…”
“We will understand once we meet him.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with conviction.
“If he was caught in our intelligence network, it means he was calling for me from the start.”
The Three Realms had always possessed intelligence far surpassing that of the Demon Palace and the Murim Alliance.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung, a core figure of the Three Realms and no mere subordinate, could never have his movements and identity exposed.
“Yes. He likely deliberately leaked information to our intelligence network.”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke with utmost gravity.
“That way, it would reach you immediately.”
His expression darkened.
Sa Hon Dae was a secret intelligence division that Bu Eunseol had painstakingly built over many years.
Yet Hyuk Ryeon Eung had brazenly exposed his movements through Sa Hon Dae itself.
Which meant there was a high probability that a spy from Sam Gye existed among the Lords.
“This is troubling.”
Bu Eunseol felt genuine distress for the first time.
Myo Cheon Woo, Won Se Moon, Wi Cheon Gyeong, Jo Nam Cheon.
They were subordinates I trusted as deeply as I trusted Yu Woon Ryong and Seo Jin Ha.
Yet the possibility that one of them might be a traitor who had deceived me all this time—that was what caused me pain.
“It might not be the case.”
Yu Woon Ryong forced a bright smile.
“Sam Gye’s intelligence network has always been several steps ahead. It’s possible this has nothing to do with a spy among the Lords.”
Of course, Yu Woon Ryong knew well that such a probability was virtually nonexistent.
But he thought there was no need for Bu Eunseol to suffer over something not yet confirmed.
Life is always a series of unexpected events.
Things that seemed clearly visible before one’s eyes often deviate completely from expectation as time passes.
“For now, let’s do the best we can. That’s all that matters.”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke with a bright smile.
“By the time you return, Seo Jin Ha and Deputy Lord So’s training will be nearly complete. When that happens, a perfect dual identity will be created—one that no intelligence organization could detect.”
“Much like Hyuk Ryeon, the clan lord.”
“Bu Eunseol….”
“I’m simply stating a fact.”
Bu Eunseol laughed softly, exhaling through my nose.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
“You’re planning to go alone?”
Yu Woon Ryong’s expression was filled with concern.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung is a high-ranking official of Sam Gye who has lived a dual life for decades.
That means his strategic mind and martial prowess are far greater than what is known.
Moreover, the fact that he deliberately revealed his dual identity.
It meant he was summoning Bu Eunseol alone while concealing some scheme.
“Why not inform Ma Cheon Je or Chong Gyo Ryeong instead? The information must be reliable anyway.”
“He deliberately leaked his dual identity. That means he can abandon the identity he created in the palace without hesitation.”
Bu Eunseol sighed.
“The moment this becomes known externally, he will vanish. Cleanly, without a trace.”
Yu Woon Ryong fell silent.
He already knew that. He simply disliked sending Bu Eunseol alone.
Because the probability of this being a trap was far too high.
In truth, Yu Woon Ryong wanted to stop her.
There was no need to move according to the enemy’s intentions. Why not take a leisurely step forward and strike at their weakness instead?
He wanted to say this.
But he could not.
Throughout this long journey, Bu Eunseol had uncovered precious little—one could hardly overstate how limited her discoveries were.
Her grandfather’s enemy. And what kind of organization Sam Gye was, what they desired—these remained mysteries.
Now that she had finally found a thread to unravel one of these enigmas, Bu Eunseol would never let this opportunity slip away.
“Go carefully.”
In the end, Yu Woon Ryong sent her off with a smile.
When there was nothing else he could do, a smile brimming with trust would be the greatest strength of all.
Yet Yu Woon Ryong would soon come to regret this choice.
He should have told her there was no need to rush.
He should have counseled her that the proper course was to advance slowly without falling into the enemy’s trap, gathering intelligence as she went.
Offering such prudent advice was, after all, the duty of a strategist.
But having placed such faith in Bu Eunseol’s exceptional abilities, he had long forgotten this responsibility.
* * *
Upon leaving the Demon Palace, Bu Eunseol deployed her lightness technique in a single breath, racing toward Tae Pyeong Prefecture.
As she traveled, questions about Hyuk Ryeon Eung kept surfacing in her mind.
Why had Hyuk Ryeon Eung exposed his location? Why had he lured her to the palace?
Could it be that he was an imperial figure, and sought to recruit her there?
‘That cannot be.’
Her thoughts spiraled endlessly, one leading to the next.
‘If he is truly a pawn of Sam Gye, then his reason for saving me on Hell Island must be something else entirely.’
He was the man who had saved her life, willing to relinquish his position as Lord of the Dharma Protector Division.
Before Bu Eunseol could suffer a fatal wound, he had halted the Ten Demon Immortals’ plan and preserved her life.
To anyone’s eyes, this appeared to be unwavering loyalty to Ma Cheon Je and the Demon Palace, all for the sake of selecting an exceptional member of the Ten Demon Immortals.
But why would he, a pawn of Sam Gye, do such a thing?
What possible reason could there be for such an action?
Deploying her lightness technique without pause, Bu Eunseol soon arrived before the Wei Wang Palace within Tae Pyeong Prefecture.
The main gate stood firmly closed, its plaque bordered in gold leaf gleaming in the light.
Within the Wei Wang Palace, which sprawled across more than ten thousand square meters, stood over thirty buildings, and a garden reminiscent of the Imperial Palace’s Flower Garden.
‘There is no need to slip in secretly.’
Sam Gye’s intelligence network surpassed even that of the Demon Palace.
Moreover, she had made no effort to conceal her movements on the journey here. Hyuk Ryeon Eung could not possibly be unaware of her arrival.
Creak.
As Bu Eunseol stood before the gate, it opened as if waiting for her.
A young martial artist who appeared to be the palace’s steward emerged, cupping his fists in salute.
“Lord of the Muhonjung.”
Though dressed in steward’s garments, his eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence, and a cool aura emanated from his entire being.
He was clearly no ordinary steward, but rather Hyuk Ryeon Eung himself—or perhaps someone who served Sam Gye.
“I have been waiting for you. Please, come inside.”
Bu Eunseol showed no surprise, offering a light nod before stepping through the entrance.
Before her eyes unfolded a garden as exquisite as a landscape painting.
‘The terrain has been reshaped, and waterways deliberately carved through.’
Every element—the trees, flowers, and stones—had been positioned according to the subtle mysteries of an arcane formation.
On the surface, it appeared to be nothing more than a beautiful garden.
Yet to Bu Eunseol’s discerning eye, it resembled a forest of blades and mountains of swords—one misstep would lead to certain death.
“This way.”
Wi Sa gestured toward a narrow path behind the Wei Wang Palace, leading past the garden.
After walking for some time along this route, a mountain path leading to a sheer cliff came into view.
Upon ascending, a pavilion as picturesque as a painted scroll stood silhouetted against the beautifully tinted sunset.
And before it stood a figure with hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the vast sky.
Footsteps echoed softly.
As Bu Eunseol approached, the figure gazing skyward slowly turned around.
The weathered face of an elderly man appeared—one with eyes like a tiger’s and a frame as sturdy as a bear’s.
It was Hyuk Ryeon Eung, the Dharma Protector Lord of the Demon Palace and the Grand Arbiter of the Ten Demon Immortals Conference.

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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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