The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 435

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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 435.
―When one knows sufficiency, one does not fill to the brim… Within peril, the true Yeol Ha Dae Jeong Jin Gi shall bloom.
‘Why would such a divine technique be inscribed here?’
As I read the dharma carved into the stone wall, I could not comprehend it.
Given that the highest secret art of Yeol Ha Sung Palace was inscribed here, the mummified corpse was likely the remains of Yeolha Seongjun.
Yeolha Seongjun, who had quietly ceased breathing and been respectfully enshrined in the memorial chamber within Yeol Ha Sung Palace… why had he become a mummy while sitting in meditation?
Why had he left his divine technique inscribed in this place?
―The sinner who destroyed Murim… leaves to a future successor who shall become Murim’s savior, this seat’s true secret art. The Yeol Ha Dae Jeong Jin Gi.
At the end of where the divine technique was inscribed, there was a passage left by Yeolha Seongjun.
―This seat committed an unforgivable grave sin, consumed by the desire to reach the pinnacle of extreme yang cultivation.
Specifically, by joining hands with Sam Gye and eliminating those who stood against them.
―(Omitted)…
In the end, this seat obtained the Yeol Ha Sung Ki and the Jiguk Hwa Ryun Gi, but thereby came to realize that the power of this palace would diminish with each passing day.
Moreover, having fallen into a fate where no more outstanding disciples could be produced… this is truly the consequence of one’s own karma.
‘Sam Gye existed even in Yeolha Seongjun’s era?’
My eyes widened as I read the passages carved into the stone wall.
I had believed Sam Gye’s origins lay four hundred years ago, when the Eight Emperors and Three Stars first appeared.
Yet Sam Gye had existed even in the time of Yeolha Seongjun, a figure from five hundred years past?
“Then the Eight Emperors and Three Stars were not the true source.”
This meant that while the Eight Emperors and Three Stars were core members of Sam Gye, they were not its origin.
―Fortunately, Sam Gye broke its promise to appear in order, constantly clashing among themselves. Had it been otherwise, not only this seat but the very bloodline of Yeol Ha Sung Palace would have been severed long ago… (Continued)….
According to what was inscribed on the stone wall.
Sam Gye is a place where different banners are raised, and they take turns appearing in the world in sequence.
Yet for such mighty powers to obediently maintain their order is an impossible situation.
Therefore, conflict was inevitable, and paradoxically, it was through this conflict that Murim was preserved rather than destroyed.
“So that was it.”
I nodded as I finished reading the passage.
I had long wondered why Sam Gye, despite possessing the power to dominate the world, never openly revealed itself.
A king may die, but the shadow that manipulates the king does not.
Because Sam Gye remained hidden, it could dominate the world…
And because it needed to rule the world for a long time, it remained concealed.
Looking back through long history, those powers and individuals who stepped forward inevitably perished.
But the hidden forces behind the scenes always survived.
“So they remained hidden and enjoyed orchestrating fights, using the people of Murim like chess pieces.”
Upon reflection, Sam Gye had never stepped forward openly.
They only used others, manipulated factions, and incited conflict.
And even a peerless great master like Yeolha Seongjun made the wrong choice.
In the end, he seemed to have spent his final years in disgrace and solitude.
“Hmm.”
Having grasped the full truth, I suddenly gazed upon the crumbling Hwa Ryun Shin Yak.
“Could I fashion another staff of such length?”
If I obtained Yeolha Seongjun’s divine treasure, the Flame Wheel Divine Scroll, I could drive Hwa Jeong, the Palace Lord, away without engaging in a prolonged battle.
But since it had shattered… there was no choice but to rely on raw power alone.
“Hmm.”
As Bu Eunseol shook her head, her gaze suddenly fell upon the dharma inscriptions carved into the stone wall.
Her eyes halted upon the phrases “Palm of the Hot River” and “Scripture of Creation’s Divine Mystery.”
“Surely not.”
Bu Eunseol began rapidly reading through the dharma text of the Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique.
The Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique was the secret to freely wielding the extreme yang energy accumulated within one’s body, known as Yeol Ha Sacred Qi.
It resonated with the martial principles of the Frozen River Eternal Flow Scripture and the Flexible Truth Scripture.
Therefore, Bu Eunseol could immediately comprehend the dharma text of the Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique.
A faint hum.
As I drew upon the Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique, wisps of ethereal smoke rose from my hands,
and with a sharp whistle,
a staff-shaped flute glowing crimson red materialized.
It was the Flame Wheel Divine Scroll.
“So this is what the Flame Wheel Divine Scroll truly is.”
That flute was merely a form created to symbolize the Flame Wheel Divine Scroll.
The true Flame Wheel Divine Scroll was the Yeol Ha Sacred Qi contained within it.
“Indeed… with such a divine treasure, there can be no doubt whatsoever.”
The Flame Wheel Divine Scroll, crafted through the Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique that only the Palace Lord could master.
It was undoubtedly the supreme divine treasure of Yeol Ha Sung Palace.
“I must not surrender this dharma text to Hwa Jeong, the Palace Lord.”
Bu Eunseol drew upon her power and rubbed the wall, and the inscribed characters were cleanly erased.
Then Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully once more to Yeolha Seongjun’s remains.
“Rest assured.”
With a deep bow, I gazed upon Yeolha Seongjun’s remains and spoke.
“I shall pass this Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique and Yeol Ha Sacred Qi to the disciple who will protect Yeol Ha Sung Palace.”
With a soft whisper,
Yeolha Seongjun, as if having completed all his duties, scattered like sand in all directions.
A low rumble echoed through the chamber.
Simultaneously, a tremor began reverberating throughout the Stone Chamber where Yeolha Seongjun had rested.
Stones and sand poured down from all sides, and that place vanished without a trace… as if he had found peace and attained enlightenment upon witnessing the appearance of a successor to protect Yeol Ha Sung Palace.
As if he had found peace and attained enlightenment upon witnessing the appearance of a successor to protect Yeol Ha Sung Palace.
“May you rest in eternal peace.”
Watching this unfold, Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together once more toward the vanished Stone Chamber.
* * *
Bu Eunseol returned to the Great Hall where Hwa Jeong, the Palace Lord, was staying, as if nothing had happened.
“You’ve returned safely.”
Hwa Jeong then descended from the dais of the Great Hall, forgetting all propriety, and grasped Bu Eunseol’s hands.
“You cannot imagine how worried I was when you suddenly disappeared.”
And she spoke with boundless joy in her expression.
“What on earth happened?”
“There was a trap.”
“A trap?”
“Indeed. It appears there was a mechanism installed to filter out intruders once more—those who were not disciples of Yeol Ha Sung Palace.”
Bu Eunseol spoke as if it were the most natural thing.
“It was a trap with all sides sealed, but fortunately, there was a small opening like a mouse hole. I entered through there and escaped the danger.”
“I see. How fortunate.”
A bright smile appeared on Hwa Jeong’s lips—one that had not been there before.
Perhaps it was not merely relief at Bu Eunseol’s safe return, but joy at the prospect of recovering the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir.
“Then you found the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir?”
“When I fell into the trap, the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir disappeared somewhere as well. It is likely stored somewhere within the Secret Palace.”
“Somewhere within the Secret Palace… How fortunate.”
Though her voice carried emotion, disappointment filled the eyes of Palace Lord Hwa Jeong.
She had already sent her disciples to search the Secret Palace thoroughly, yet they had found no trace of the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir anywhere.
“I believed the Lord had perished and immediately reported the matter to the Murim Alliance.”
Palace Lord Hwa Jeong corrected her gaze and forced a smile.
Upon seeing the charred marks, she had assumed Bu Eunseol’s body had been consumed by flames.
Thus she had immediately reported this fact to the Murim Alliance, but now that he had returned safely, she needed to correct the record quickly.
“It is no matter. I shall report the correction myself when I return.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with an unconcerned expression.
“Since the Secret Palace is now open, I should take my leave.”
As he turned without hesitation, Palace Lord Hwa Jeong extended her hand.
“How could I simply let you go, when the Lord risked his life to open the doors of the Secret Palace?”
And she drew closer, speaking softly.
“From now on, this palace shall forge an alliance with the Murim Alliance. For that to happen, would it not be necessary for the Lord to remain here a while longer and discuss various matters?”
Hwa Jeong grasped both of Bu Eunseol’s hands with an affectionate expression.
“…!”
In that instant, Palace Lord Hwa Jeong’s eyes widened, and a strange light flickered within them.
She had detected the subtle aura of Yeol Ha Sung inner energy flowing naturally from Bu Eunseol’s right hand.
It was an extremely faint energy that only the masters of Yeol Ha Sung Palace could perceive.
‘This one lied.’
In that moment, Palace Lord Hwa Jeong’s eyes curved like crescents.
‘All the better.’
The presence of Yeol Ha Sung inner energy within Bu Eunseol’s body was proof that he possessed the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir somewhere, was it not?
Hwa Jeong smiled broadly and spoke.
“If that is the case, then Lord Seon Woo could also rise to a high position within the Murim Alliance.”
‘I have discovered it correctly.’
From the start, Bu Eunseol had no intention of leaving Yeol Ha Sung Palace.
That’s why I deliberately unfurled the Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique, letting the aura of Yeol Ha Seongjun’s technique leak out.
So she would carry out her sinister scheme to the very end.
Only then would those backing her emerge from the shadows.
“Understood. Then I shall remain a while longer.”
As he answered readily, she spoke in a gentle voice.
“Then this evening, let us consult once more with the Palace Lord and discuss matters concerning him.”
That evening.
After resting in her quarters, Bu Eunseol entered Chuk Yung Palace where Hwa Jeong, the Palace Lord, resided.
Yet the place Si Bi guided her to was a Secret Chamber sealed on all sides.
Within stood a table with furnishings and a small bed.
It seemed Hwa Jeong had created this room to conduct business, then rest lightly with tea or take brief respite.
A small drinking table was prepared atop the main table, but there were only two chairs.
‘She never intended to forge an alliance from the start.’
When a martial sect joins an alliance like the Murim Alliance, the process requires extensive discussion even among the leadership.
Since so much must be coordinated and negotiated, one must first gather and unify opinions within the sect itself.
No matter how formidable the Palace Lord’s authority in Yeol Ha Sung Palace, this was still the early stage of negotiations.
Yet here she was, arranging a drinking table and conversing alone with me.
There’s no way the leadership could have unified their opinions already. From the start, she invited Bu Eunseol for some other scheme.
“You’ve arrived.”
As Bu Eunseol stepped inside, Hwa Jeong wore a faint smile.
She gestured toward the drinking table and spoke.
“Shall we talk while we wet our throats?”
Bu Eunseol did not refuse and drank the prepared wine.
Then a scorching heat bloomed in her belly, and her mind grew hazy.
Clearly, it was laced heavily with aphrodisiac and soul-binding poison.
‘She means to catch two rabbits with one stone.’
Bu Eunseol knew well that Hwa Jeong was a lackey of Sam Gye.
Curious about how she would steal the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir, I deliberately did not resist the aphrodisiac and soul-binding poison.
A sharp sound.
Yet as the aphrodisiac and soul-binding poison entered her system, a thread of scorching energy spontaneously rose from Bu Eunseol’s dantian.
It was not Bu Eunseol’s inner force, but the combined aura of Yeolha Seongjun’s Yeol Ha Seongjun Technique and the Extreme Sun Wheel Technique sealed within the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir.
A sharp hiss.
The pure, sun-like scorching heat instantly incinerated the aphrodisiac and soul-binding poison injected into her body in one breath.
‘I must properly refine the Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique to control this phenomenon.’
Bu Eunseol wore a bitter smile.
Because she had not refined the methods of the Yeol Ha Grand Perfection Technique, the formidable extreme yang force latent within her body reacted of its own accord.
If she did not control this phenomenon while maintaining Seon Woo Jin’s identity, her true nature would be exposed.
Just like now.
“How remarkable. The Lord of the Murim Alliance is using the martial techniques of this Palace?”
Hwa Jeong watched this unfold, then narrowed her eyes into crescents.
“Should I congratulate you on obtaining such a fortunate opportunity?”
When Bu Eunseol offered no response, she smiled softly and whispered.
“Where is the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir?”
She pulled her chair closer and spoke in hushed tones.
“Don’t worry. I will promise peace with the Murim Alliance.”
Her voice carried a peculiar, mesmerizing power.
“Since you have obtained Yeolha Seongjun’s martial arts, if you wish, you may remain in this palace. I will guarantee you power and status incomparable to that of a Murim Alliance Lord.”
When Bu Eunseol did not answer, Hwa Jeong leaned close to his ear and whispered.
“Now then, where have you hidden the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir?”
“I have never seen such a thing as the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir.”
“Is that so?”
Hwa Jeong sighed with an indifferent expression and shook her head.
“How unfortunate.”
Seeing that Bu Eunseol would not be persuaded, she resorted to a second method.
Riiip!
Suddenly, she tore open one side of her garment and cried out loudly.
“How could the Lord of the Murim Alliance commit such a shameless act!”
Thwack! Thwack!
Before Bu Eunseol could even respond, Hwa Jeong swiftly sealed his vital acupoints and death points.
Thud.
As he collapsed to the ground like a felled log, she quickly searched his body.
However, only a Secret Blade and several antidote pills emerged—the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir was nowhere to be found.
“Guards! Seize this man at once and throw him into the Underground Prison!”
Rumble.
At that very moment, the guards who constantly maintained watch around the palace came pouring out.
Thwack!
In the meantime, Hwa Jeong sealed even Bu Eunseol’s qi sea acupoint, suppressing his inner energy, and cried out in feigned anger.
“A third-rank Lord of the Murim Alliance would never dare attempt such treachery against this Palace Lord. We must find who orchestrated this!”
“Yes!”
At the guards’ affirmations, Hwa Jeong smiled.
She had framed Bu Eunseol as a criminal and lawfully imprisoned him in the Underground Prison.
Now she could torture him to extract the location of the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir.
* * *
The Underground Prison of Yeol Ha Sung Palace was situated deep beneath the earth.
As I descended the long stone staircase endlessly, a damp, moldy stench accompanied the sight of a dark underground cavern.
Along both sides of the cavern corridor stood prison cells, sealed off by stone walls.
Wi Sa opened the door to the final cell and hurled Bu Eunseol inside roughly.
Crash.
With his Blood Sealing Point suppressed, Bu Eunseol fell hard to the ground, and Wi Sa coldly shut the iron gate.
Clang.
As the iron gate shut, Bu Eunseol lay motionless on the floor of the Underground Prison, her eyes closed in silence.
‘So this is where it begins.’
Bu Eunseol remained pinned down without releasing her Blood Sealing Point, lying still in her suppressed state.
Though the interior was shrouded in darkness, she could clearly discern the walls surrounding her on all sides, their whitewash peeling away.
A small opening existed in the far corner to allow air circulation, yet it was so narrow that only a single rat could barely squeeze through.
‘So this was their method.’
Her eyes, fixed in her prone position, remained cold and unwavering.
‘Sa Ja will arrive soon enough.’
When Hwa Jeong had branded me as a traitor and imprisoned me in the Underground Prison, I had already anticipated that someone from Sam Gye—or Sa Ja themselves—would make an appearance.
In this damp subterranean cell, there would be no need to conceal identities, and through torture, they could immediately extract the whereabouts of the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir and recover it.
‘All while maintaining Hwa Jeong’s status as Palace Lord.’
The position of Palace Lord of Yeol Ha Sung Palace wielded tremendous authority and afforded access to countless opportunities.
Sam Gye would surely treasure Hwa Jeong as a valuable asset, ensuring she never revealed her true nature.
‘In the end, this is a decision only I can make.’
Bu Eunseol exhaled slowly.
What if I waited for Sam Gye’s emissary to arrive?
I believed I could easily subdue someone of Seon Woo Jin’s caliber—a third-rank Lord.
I could seize the opportunity, overpower him, and uncover which faction within Sam Gye orchestrated this, and why they desired the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir.
Such revelations were within reach.
But what if I failed to subdue Sam Gye’s emissary in a single decisive strike?
Seon Woo Jin’s identity would be exposed, and everything accomplished thus far would crumble to nothing.
‘I cannot risk exposure under the Seon Woo Jin identity.’
*Click.*
At that moment, the prison door swung open, and a woman dressed in crimson armor stepped inside. It was So Gung Ju, Jeok Mu Mi.
So she had arrived before Sam Gye’s emissary.
*Whoosh.*
She unleashed a palm strike that released the pressure points binding Bu Eunseol.
“Do you believe me now?”
Before Bu Eunseol could respond, Jeok Mu Mi continued.
“She not only harmed Father but has also conspired with external forces to destroy this palace.”
“There is something I cannot comprehend.”
Bu Eunseol spoke.
“Why did Gwang Yang Ja brutally slaughter vagrants and create an artificial core?”
“Gwang Yang Ja was loyal. But to raise forces capable of opposing her, he was forced to steal the Demonic Essence and create an artificial core.”
Jeok Mu Mi calmly explained how Gwang Yang Ja had been seduced by Palace Lord Hwa Jeong.
She detailed why he had stolen the Demonic Essence and the Hwa Ryun Divine Crystal and fled.
“I see.”
Having heard all the explanations, Bu Eunseol nodded in acknowledgment.
Gwang Yang Ja had committed the heinous act of murdering vagrants to extract their cores. Had those orders come from Jeok Mu Mi?
Bu Eunseol would have concluded that Jeok Mu Mi was no different from Hwa Jeong.
To callously take another’s life for one’s own purpose would make one no different from Sam Gye.
However, that was merely Gwang Yang Ja’s unilateral judgment, and fortunately, Jeok Mu Mi seemed to possess righteous character.
“Would it suffice if I provided you with the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir?”
In the end, rather than uncovering Sam Gye’s conspiracy, he had decided to give the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir to Jeok Mu Mi—thereby removing Hwa Jeong the Palace Lord and restoring Yeol Ha Sung Palace to its proper state.
That alone would be enough to achieve the objective of reconciliation between the Murim Alliance and Yeol Ha Sung Palace.
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Jeok Mu Mi’s eyes widened.
“You found it?”
“I did.”
“Where?”
“Within my own body.”
“What do you—”
*Pop.*
Bu Eunseol released her Blood Sealing Point and rose to her feet.
*Zing.*
As she opened her right palm, a crimson flute-shaped form materialized, accompanied by scorching heat.
The Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir—the crystallized essence of extreme yang martial arts crafted through the Yeol Ha Sung technique—had appeared before her eyes.
“How is this possible?”
“While searching for the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir under the Palace Lord’s orders, this power became unwittingly stored within my body.”
“Stored within your body…?”
“Yes.”
“You’re saying you’ve stored the Yeol Ha Sung technique inside yourself? That cannot be.”
She shook her head.
“The Yeol Ha Sung technique is a force that only those who have reached the pinnacle of extreme yang martial arts—like the Founder, Yeolha Seongjun—can contain. How could you possibly—”
“I do not fully understand the reason myself.”
Bu Eunseol, having retrieved the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir, spoke.
“However, according to the secrets of the Yeol Ha Great Perfection Technique, there exists a method to transfer this Yeol Ha Sung technique to another.”
“You’ve mastered the Yeol Ha Great Perfection Technique?”
“It was inscribed in the secret stone chamber within that Secret Cave. Since the chamber had collapsed, I was forced to commit the teachings to memory in order to pass them on to you.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with conviction.
“Even if Hwa Jeong the Palace Lord has colluded with external forces, her current station remains that of Palace Lord. She could never dare to defy the sacred treasure of Yeolha Seongjun.”
Jeok Mu Mi took a deep breath.
The Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir was Yeol Ha Sung Palace’s greatest aspiration and treasure.
No matter how much authority a Palace Lord possessed, she could never ignore the prestige of such a sacred artifact.
Now that it had finally been found, Jeok Mu Mi could cast out Hwa Jeong and reclaim the former power and glory of Yeol Ha Sung Palace.
“Thank you.”
Jeok Mu Mi suddenly knelt before Bu Eunseol.
“An ordinary martial artist would never have considered returning the Yeol Ha Sung technique to me.”
The Yeol Ha Great Perfection Technique, wielded through the Yeol Ha Sung technique, represents the highest essence of extreme yang martial arts—mastering it properly would make one an unparalleled expert commanding all of Tianxia.
Yet this young person before her harbored no such ambition whatsoever.
Instead, she was promising to transfer it back into Jeok Mu Mi herself.
“I shall never forget this kindness for the rest of my life, and I shall remain forever a companion to Seon Woo So Hyeop.”
“There is no need for you to become my companion.”
Bu Eunseol spoke while wiping her nose.
“I merely hope that once Yeol Ha Sung Palace is stabilized, the Murim Alliance will become our companion.”
Jeok Mu Mi, understanding the meaning behind those words, smiled faintly.
“I understand. Since you have saved this palace, it is only natural that I propose peace to the Murim Alliance.”
“Then I shall quickly infuse you with this power before Hwa Jeong arrives.”
“There is no need to hurry.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Jeok Mu Mi laughed and spoke.
“After dawn breaks and the conference concludes, she will send an expert to interrogate you. She intends to maximize your fear by keeping you confined for a day.”
“Then tomorrow morning’s conference shall become the moment a new Palace Lord is born.”
“Will she willingly step down from her position?”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a smile.
“Of course. Before the senior officials of Yeol Ha Sung Palace, she cannot deny the authority of the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir.”
“Mm.”
“Rather, she will pretend to willingly relinquish the Palace Lord’s seat. She must find the Hwa Ryun Divine Elixir at all costs.”
“Are you suggesting she will attempt to steal it?”
“That is correct.”
“That is impossible.”
“It is possible.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression became gravely serious.
“Because there is a force behind her capable of controlling the entire Murim.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Bu Eunseol, realizing that she was Seon Woo Jin, hesitated for a moment.
Normally, a third-rank Lord of the Murim Alliance would have no reason to know information about Sam Gye.
‘In any case, she is not someone who will remain loyal to the Murim Alliance.’
“In truth, this is information I obtained through my personal intelligence network—highly classified information that even the Murim Alliance’s own people do not know well….”
Bu Eunseol, having left herself a way out, briefly explained Sam Gye.
After hearing the entire explanation, Jeok Mu Mi let out a soft laugh.
“If such a force truly existed, even if this palace joined forces with them, resistance would be impossible?”
“Fortunately, Sam Gye never steps into the foreground.”
Bu Eunseol displayed the facets of a true strategist without reservation.
“Moreover, they would not easily abandon the formidable position of Yeol Ha Sung Palace’s Palace Lord. In the end, they will attempt to reclaim the Palace Lord’s seat through simple and easy methods.”
And she began to explain the plans she had devised, step by step.
Jeok Mu Mi’s eyes, which had been listening silently, gradually began to widen.

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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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