The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 442

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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 442.
For a long moment, Cheol Jang Peak fell into a silence as profound as death itself.
Whirrrrr.
As the energy currents dissipated completely, Ak Moo Ryung’s figure came into view.
‘Was it an illusion?’
I had clearly seen him sent flying by the full force of my attack, yet somehow.
He now stood before me with an indifferent gaze, completely unscathed.
Despite unleashing a full-powered strike born from a moment of enlightenment, I had inflicted no damage whatsoever.
‘No, that’s not quite right.’
My eyes suddenly gleamed as I perceived something crucial.
Ak Moo Ryung remained standing exactly where he was.
But every tree and boulder surrounding him had vanished without a trace.
It was as though someone had meticulously erased a beautiful landscape painted upon a canvas.
Moreover, the positions where Ak Moo Ryung and I had been standing had been completely reversed.
Illusory Heart Transformation, Phantom Displacement.
Ak Moo Ryung had sensed the danger in the power I unleashed and attempted to seize control of my spirit in that fleeting instant.
But when he found himself unable to touch my spirit at all, he had instead unleashed an exquisite martial technique.
He had switched our positions and redirected my overwhelming attack in an entirely different direction.
‘So Gak Ju suppressed my physical body in the meantime.’
Ak Moo Ryung had entered a state of Supreme Demonic Path that transcended even the limitations of Demonic Arts.
Though he had failed to seize control of my spirit.
He possessed more than enough power to arbitrarily alter the position where I stood.
‘Extraordinary. Truly.’
I felt a renewed sense of reverence for Ak Moo Ryung.
The martial realm he had attained remained beyond anything I could predict or imagine.
He had reached the Supreme pinnacle of existence itself.
Yet there was a twist to this as well.
Though Ak Moo Ryung’s expression remained impassive, he was actually shocked to the point of losing consciousness.
―This woman?
If one did not stand at an equal level, one could not resist the power of Phantom Displacement.
Yet Bu Eunseol, despite not having reached the Limitless Realm, remained completely unaffected by the power of Phantom Displacement?
‘What in the world has she done?’
I already knew that Bu Eunseol’s inner strength was abnormally elevated.
But I did not know that she had undergone two Bone Marrow Transformations, broken through the sixth level of the Reverse Extreme Heart Method, and reached Perfect Meridian Circulation.
[Hmm.]
As Bu Eunseol’s power and martial prowess far exceeded my expectations, I resolved upon something decisive.
Suddenly, I spread both arms wide with tremendous force.
Whoooosh!
Then something extraordinary occurred.
Though Bu Eunseol was not being consumed by the power of Phantom Displacement, a strange vision suddenly unfolded before her eyes.
That place was a desolate world devoid of anything, and the sky was tinted in shades of gray.
The entire world seemed as though everything had perished, and I felt as though I alone stood solitary in this dying realm.
In that instant, I understood why this phenomenon had occurred.
‘Gak Ju has mastered the secret of assimilating spirits.’
―Sin Do Mu Bi. That fox-like bastard created some bizarre secret art for synchronizing inner energy, and Gak Ju was furious about it.
These were words Dan Cheong had once shared with me.
Ak Moo Ryung, who had clashed with Jeong Cheon Je, had grasped the function of the Heaven’s Heart Method that Sin Do Mu Bi employed and grew enraged.
But Ak Moo Ryung did not stop at merely feeling that fury… Instead, he studied that technique and began creating his own unique martial secret art.
If Jeong Cheon Je synchronized the flow of inner energy… then Ak Moo Ryung developed the power of illusory manifestation and created a secret art that assimilated the spirits of his enemies.
‘Is this Gak Ju’s mental landscape?’
A desolate natural vista untouched by human hands.
It must be the scenery unfolding within Ak Moo Ryung’s mind.
As I gazed upon this barren landscape, everything felt chaotic and overwhelming.
I wished to abandon all the martial techniques I knew and simply sleep quietly here.
I wanted to erase every secret art filling my mind in a single breath.
―Ahhhhh!
But then a scream echoed from somewhere.
When I turned, I saw a burning manor and people dying in agony.
My eyes trembled as I beheld that hellish landscape.
‘That dream again.’
The scene before my eyes was a dream I had experienced during my time as Mu Mu, when I had lost my memories.
Perhaps, as I became attuned to Ak Moo Ryung’s barren and desolate spirit, the painful and harrowing memories from that time resurfaced.
Boom.
At that moment, the plaque burned and fell to the ground.
And as I beheld that sight, my eyes snapped open.
Hae.
Remarkably, I could now clearly discern a single character on the manor’s plaque that I had never seen in the dream before.
My heart pounded violently.
I found it. Finally.
At last, I had discovered a clue that could reveal the truth of my origins.
As I synchronized with Ak Moo Ryung’s mental landscape, hot emotions began surging once more within my spirit, which had been barren and desolate.
Crack. Crackle… Shatter!
In that moment, the landscape I was seeing shattered like glass, and the actual scenery of Cheol Jang Peak gradually revealed itself.
And Ak Moo Ryung stood directly before me.
Judging by the passage of time, those illusions I had just witnessed were apparently mere instants in reality.
[Hmm.]
For the first time, emotion flickered in Ak Moo Ryung’s eyes as he regarded me.
But it vanished without a trace just as quickly.
[What thoughts guided that attack you just unleashed?]
Since the power of illusory manifestation had no effect on me whatsoever, Ak Moo Ryung had failed to seize control of my spirit.
In the end, I resorted to using the secret of synchronizing my own spirit.
Because of this, he remained completely unaware of the illusion I had just witnessed.
“Disciple….”
Coming to my senses, I couldn’t bring myself to admit that I had mimicked Baek Ri Mu Jo, the Sungwi Unit Master, and instead deflected.
“Upon witnessing the power you displayed, Gak Ju, I experienced a sudden enlightenment… and attempted to harmonize the forces I possess.”
[Hmph, a rather reckless enlightenment, but what you have chosen is merely temporary.]
Ak Moo Ryung gazed down at me standing there in a daze, then slowly turned his body.
[In particular, those extreme yin and extreme yang forces. Do your best not to use those two powers.]
“I understand.”
[If you fail to erase all unnecessary things within your body and return completely to the Demonic Path….]
His voice carried the weight of a judgment handed down by the King of Hell itself.
[One day, the same calamity will befall you again, and when it does, no power will be able to stop it.]
In essence, Ak Moo Ryung was telling me that unless I dismantled all my heart methods and martial arts except for Demonic Path techniques,
I would eventually meet my death.
[Go.]
“Thank you, Gak Ju.”
I bowed deeply before Ak Moo Ryung, offering my profound respect.
Then I carefully descended Cheol Jang Peak.
From this ordeal, I had come to understand two truths.
‘Gak Ju was not merely a great demon cultivator.’
Ak Moo Ryung was neither a madman obsessed with martial arts nor a great demon whose emotions had been completely obliterated.
He was simply striving to transcend his limits again and again, reaching for the position of the strongest under heaven.
‘He even healed me.’
And he was not one to discard the master-disciple relationship, regardless of righteousness or propriety.
When Ak Moo Ryung unleashed his energy, it was not with the intention to attack.
He had poured tremendous true energy into that release, completely restoring my tangled and congested meridians.
The inner power he had cultivated nearly matched my Dual Extreme Heart Method and carried the pure essence of nature itself.
If he had not used that initial energy release to restore my body,
I would never have dared attempt to deploy four martial arts simultaneously.
‘I can only feel apologetic toward Gak Ju.’
According to Ak Moo Ryung’s words, to avoid the heart methods and forces within my body from colliding with each other,
I must dismantle everything except Demonic Path martial arts.
But learned martial arts cannot be intentionally abandoned or cast aside.
The only way was to cultivate Demonic Path martial arts with absolute dedication, entering a state of formless demonic cultivation like Ak Moo Ryung.
‘It was as if I refused to receive new martial arts.’
Instead of pursuing formless demonic cultivation, I chose a different path.
A way to harmoniously utilize the forces inherent within my body—
I would seek such a path.
Perhaps this was possible because I had witnessed Baek Ri Mu Jo, one who had artificially achieved harmony.
And the Nangya Pavilion Master sensed this resolve in my move… so instead of transmitting the power of illusory non-illusion, he merely healed my body.
‘If the Sungwi Unit Master can do it, then I must be able to do it as well.’
Even if the end result is failure.
Even if it leads me to death.
Bu Eunseol was prepared to unhesitatingly choose a path that no one else dared to walk.
* * *
‘That woman.’
As Ak Moo Ryung turned away, his eyes blazed with golden light.
No matter how much enlightenment one achieved, it was impossible to simultaneously deploy four martial arts that blended righteous and demonic techniques.
‘So that’s what it was.’
In Ak Moo Ryung’s gaze fixed upon the distant sky, a scorching intensity burned.
He had originally intended to use the power of Chui Jeong Hwa Shin’s illusory transformation to erase all the miscellaneous martial art formulas etched into Bu Eunseol’s mind.
And then transmit to her the pinnacle of martial wisdom he had mastered thus far.
But Bu Eunseol’s mental barrier was far too formidable, impenetrable even by the power of illusory transformation.
When he had no choice but to fight Jeong Cheon Je, he had gained inspiration through the Cheon Ui Sim Gyeol.
He had attempted to use this newly created power to synchronize with his own spirit, guiding her toward the boundless demonic path.
Yet in that very instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes wavered greatly, and even the synchronization of spirits was severed.
In that moment, Ak Moo Ryung could perceive it.
Bu Eunseol was walking an entirely new path. She intended to harmonize the martial wisdom of the righteous and demonic schools she had learned thus far.
‘That such a thing was possible beyond him.’
To simultaneously wield different righteous and demonic martial arts with a human body of flesh and blood.
Throughout all of history, only one person had ever been capable of such a feat.
That peerless, unparalleled Grand Master who had vanished—was there anyone else?
Of course, it was not a perfect simultaneous deployment, but rather a rapid alternation between two at a time… yet to accomplish such a thing and remain physically unharmed meant…
Bu Eunseol was likewise a transcendent genius of the highest caliber.
‘Is this also destiny?’
The moment he became aware that he had recalled that word—destiny—which his rival Ma Cheon Je carried with him.
[Hmph.]
Ak Moo Ryung let out a low chuckle.
[Bon Gak chose its successor poorly.]
With that quiet murmur, he slowly vanished into the depths of Geommi Mountain.
* * *
When Bu Eunseol descended from Cheol Jang Peak and returned to Dan Cheong’s office.
There, gathered closely together, were not only Dan Cheong, but also Baek Yeon, So Jeon, and Cheol Sa Bu.
They all knew.
Though the Nangya Pavilion Master Ak Moo Ryung was said to be a fearsome demon, he was nonetheless a man who loved Nangya Pavilion more than anyone.
Because of this, he would not simply observe the anomalies of his successor Bu Eunseol.
And they had harbored the hope that perhaps through this incident, he might transmit to her Nangya Pavilion’s greatest martial secret art.
“He did not transmit any martial arts to you?”
But contrary to their expectations, Bu Eunseol had only received a stern rebuke from the Nangya Pavilion Master. She had not received the power of illusory transformation.
“That is correct. The Pavilion Master used his power only to organize the scattered energy within my body. He did not separately transmit any martial arts to me.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Dan Cheong, Baek Yeon, and So Jeon exchanged bewildered glances with one another.
Bu Eunseol had already reached the pinnacle of the Extreme Heaven Realm and was prepared to cultivate Nangya Pavilion’s supreme secret arts.
So why hadn’t she been transmitted martial techniques?
“The truth is, my condition became this way because….”
Bu Eunseol spoke candidly about the state of her body.
She had learned Mu Hwang’s martial arts in the Wu Huang Secret Chamber, absorbed the power of Prajna’s great ability when eliminating the Saixiang Master, and
had even cultivated the secret techniques of Buk Hae Bing Gung and Yeol Ha Sung Gung—the two supreme arts representing extreme yin and extreme yang.
―Hah….
Upon hearing her account, Dan Cheong and the others wore grave expressions.
Throughout Murim history, no one had ever simultaneously mastered martial arts that reached the pinnacle of the four extremes of righteousness and demonism.
Only then did they truly comprehend how severe the abnormality afflicting Bu Eunseol’s body had become.
“You have no intention of abandoning any of them, do you?”
Dan Cheong, who had been listening silently, nodded his head.
“Gak Ju also understood that, which is why he did not transmit his martial arts to you.”
At those words, everyone present nodded in agreement.
Bu Eunseol evades no trial and walks a path uniquely her own, one that others do not tread.
Ak Moo Ryung understands this well, so rather than making her a second Human-Demon,
he chooses to observe as she forges her own new path.
“That appears to be the case.”
As Bu Eunseol answered, Baek Yeon nodded.
“Yes, that is also a method available to a disciple of Nangya Pavilion.”
This time, So Jeon wiped his nose.
“Damn it. I thought Gak Ju would transmit his martial arts, so I was ready for a match…. Once your body is whole, we’ll have to settle it then.”
Afterward, Bu Eunseol shared many stories in that place.
In truth, until now, the members of Nangya Pavilion except for Baek Yeon had shown little interest in the state of Gangho or the Three Realms.
But everything changed because of Bu Eunseol.
They now kept their ears attuned to developments in Gangho and, with one voice, supported the path Bu Eunseol was walking…
and sought to give her strength.
After leaving Nangya Pavilion once more, Bu Eunseol summoned So Yo to return to Seon Woo Jin.
―Contact Sa Hon Dae and activate all intelligence networks to search whether, among the manors destroyed in the last twenty to thirty years, there exists one with the character for “Hae” (霞) in its name.
If the memories from my dream are accurate,
I cannot determine the exact age or period, but based on my apparent age, it would have been between twenty and thirty years ago.
The manor I saw in my dream must have existed, and I must have been living happily there.
―Understood. I’ll contact them and return.
After So Yo departed, Bu Eunseol switched roles with Seo Jin Ha, who had been maintaining Seon Woo Jin’s activities.
All this while, Seo Jin Ha had been pursuing Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma’s trail and had finally reached Cheol Jeong Valley.
Now that Bu Eunseol had returned, the two of them had to exchange identities once again.
“You’ve made quite thorough preparations.”
As Seon Woo Jin, Bu Eunseol surveyed the various energy formations laid around Cheol Jeong Valley and clicked her tongue.
“Unable to evade pursuit, you intend to make your final stand here, then.”
This place was likely one of the safe houses Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma had prepared in advance.
There was no way he could have installed such intricate formations while fleeing from pursuit.
Bu Eunseol dismantled the formations with ease and entered Cheol Jeong Valley in one stride, immediately locating the hidden Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma.
The turbulent energy that had plagued her body had completely vanished, so if she wished, she could have severed his neck with a blade from a hundred paces away.
But Seon Woo Jin could not do that.
She had to employ techniques that matched her own martial prowess precisely.
“You’ve prepared your escape routes quite thoroughly, haven’t you?”
Bu Eunseol, who had reached Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma, furrowed her brow.
“Why didn’t you apply such dedication to cultivating martial arts?”
Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma’s expression turned weary at Bu Eunseol’s appearance, and he gritted his teeth.
“Fine. I’ve known all along that you’ve been chasing me relentlessly!”
Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma’s eyes were darkened from prolonged pursuit, and his face twisted with resentment.
Bu Eunseol sighed and surveyed her surroundings.
“You were counting on the explosives and poisons you’ve set up here?”
At that moment, So Yo spoke in a low voice.
“Already taken care of.”
“This woman.”
Upon hearing the exchange between the two, Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma clenched his teeth.
He had finally realized that no matter what methods he employed, he could not shake off this persistent adversary.
“Die!”
Bu Eunseol, watching Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma charge forward, moved her sleeve slightly.
Flash!
In that instant, light glimmered through the air and Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma was hurled backward.
She had hurled a hidden blade in a single motion, piercing his throat.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol gazed upon the fallen Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma.
‘Hmm.’
Then she looked down at her own hand.
Fortunately, since meeting Ak Moo Ryung, she had suffered no disruption or pain to her qi and blood from the Bingha Cheonryu Gyeol or Yeol Ha Dae Jeong Jin Gi.
But she had to remain vigilant at all times.
Her body was not completely healed, and if she unconsciously unleashed those supreme techniques through Seon Woo Jin’s body, her true identity could be exposed.
‘I must deepen my mastery of Mu Hwang Jeong Gak.’
Mu Hwang’s supreme heart method, Mu Hwang Jeong Gak, was a technique that amplified the power of martial arts by stirring up overwhelming emotions.
Bu Eunseol had always avoided deeply mastering either the Sak Jeong Bi Gyeol or Mu Hwang Jeong Gak in order to walk the middle path.
But to maintain her dual identity as Seon Woo Jin, she had to master Mu Hwang Jeong Gak and minimize mistakes as much as possible.
“Is something wrong?”
Whoosh.
So Yo, who had been hiding at a distance, approached when she noticed Bu Eunseol standing blankly while gazing at her own hand.
Concern evident in her movements.
“No, I was just thinking about something for a moment.”
“Mm.”
Her response was barely a murmur, and her gaze drifted toward Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma, who lay dead with a flying blade embedded in his throat.
To prove that I had eliminated this target, I would need to sever his head and deliver it to the Murim Alliance.
“I’ll handle this.”
So Yo drew out a short blade with practiced indifference.
Her movements resembled those of a devoted older sister caring for her younger sibling.
Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“So Yo. From now on, you cannot reveal yourself unless there’s something truly urgent.”
“It’s fine. There’s no one around.”
Click.
At that moment, a metallic sound rang out from near Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma’s waist belt, followed by a sharp pop as invisible powder scattered in all directions.
Whoosh!
So Yo moved like lightning to evade, but still inhaled a trace of the substance.
“Even in death, he acts like a true demon cultivator.”
Bu Eunseol’s brow furrowed.
Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma had known all along that a substantial bounty was placed on his head.
And anticipating that someone would claim his head upon his death, he had
installed a cunning hidden mechanism on his body as a final act of vengeance.
“I’m fine. It’s nothing serious.”
So Yo spoke calmly.
“I have resistance to most poisons.”
Since assassins like myself handle various toxins regularly, even if not to the degree of true poison masters,
we build up resistance to common poisons through prolonged exposure.
“Saixiang’s hidden weapons are still circulating.”
Bu Eunseol clicked her tongue while examining the device attached to the waist belt.
At the center of the belt was a slightly protruding button that, when pressed, could release the powder with a time delay.
An intricate mechanism of springs and gears had been ingeniously installed.
“Huh?”
But then So Yo made an odd sound.
She sniffed at the powder that had touched her, and suddenly her face flushed crimson.
“Ecstasy Powder.”
What Hyeol Yeol Eum Ma had dispersed was not poison at all, but the most vicious aphrodisiac in the Murim—one with no known antidote: Ecstasy Powder.

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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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