The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 445

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 445.
Bu Eunseol unfurled her lightness technique in one fluid motion, racing toward Yunnan.
Pushing the Extreme Shadow Movement to its absolute limit, she shot forward as if wielding the legendary Shrinking the Earth technique, bounding across the land itself.
Whoooosh!
Without pausing to drink even a single mouthful of water, she continued her relentless sprint until at last she entered the region near Namhwa in Yunnan.
“This way.”
The moment Bu Eunseol stepped into the forest, So Yo vanished instantly.
She had been ordered to guide Bu Eunseol only to the vicinity where Hyul Geum Gang could be found, then depart.
There was a risk that if Hyul Geum Gang detected So Yo’s subtle presence, he might mistake her for a member of his escort.
Hyul Geum Gang always kept his word—and if he mistook her for an escort, he might immediately take his own life.
“You’ve done well, So Yo.”
Bu Eunseol spread her heightened senses wide, then gathered her strength once more to unfurl her lightness technique.
‘That must be it.’
Bu Eunseol moved swiftly toward the forest where she sensed a massive concentration of presences.
As she arrived at the Deep Forest Clearing, she found dozens of people surrounding a blood-soaked monk.
It was clearly Hyul Geum Gang and the Murim warriors who harbored grudges against him.
‘Thank heavens he’s unharmed.’
Bu Eunseol suppressed her presence and quickly concealed herself behind a tree.
If she revealed herself in such a situation?
Hyul Geum Gang would immediately strike himself down with the Heavenly Spirit Palm.
“Hyul Geum Gang, do you remember me!”
At that moment, a pockmarked man wielding an axe among those surrounding Hyul Geum Gang spat blood as he spoke.
“I am Han Sang of the Iron Blade Sect, who lost my one and only brother by your hand.”
Then Hyul Geum Gang nodded and replied.
“I remember. The Sour Scholar Han Soo Gyeom died from a single palm strike of mine.”
Han Soo Gyeom had challenged Hyul Geum Gang after he slaughtered the Orthodox Sect’s dignitaries, declaring he would restore justice to Gangho.
But he proved no match for Hyul Geum Gang and fell instantly from a single palm strike.
Now his younger brother, Han Sang, had come seeking Hyul Geum Gang to avenge his brother.
“Are you prepared?”
Hyul Geum Gang held up his severed left fingers, pressed them against his right hand, and spoke with palms joined.
“Take your revenge. I will not resist in the slightest.”
“Don’t mock me!”
Han Sang drew his axe and shouted with fury.
“When you were slaughtering the heroes of Tianxia, where was this monkish act? And now you play the part of a monk?”
Han Sang swung his axe and brought it down toward Hyul Geum Gang’s neck.
But Hyul Geum Gang stood serene, his eyes closed, unwavering.
Click.
In the end, Han Sang could not bring the iron blade down and froze in place.
“My brother lived righteously his entire life and showed mercy to those who did not resist!”
And he cried out as if his heart would burst.
“But how can I betray the conviction that my brother upheld his entire life, all in the name of revenge?”
Crash!
He swung his axe and shattered a distant boulder, then turned his body.
This time, Jang Han, whose fists were remarkably large, stepped forward and shouted.
“Jeol Soo Woon Pyo Cho Wook was my brother. You killed him.”
“That’s true. Jeol Soo Woon Pyo certainly died by my spear.”
Though I spoke with composure, straightening my waist, my appearance was utterly wretched.
For over a month, I had been beaten and cut by countless Orthodox Sect members, leaving not a single part of me unscathed.
Jang Han, his expression twisted in anguish, slapped my cheek.
“My brother too lived his entire life as a proud Orthodox Sect member, and he never killed those who did not resist.”
Crack! Crack!
Tears streamed from Jang Han’s eyes as he continued to strike my face.
“You live thanks to that. Remember it, Hyul Geum Gang! Ptui!”
With that final insult, he even spat, then turned away.
From a distance, Bu Eunseol exhaled a deep sigh.
Those trained in martial arts believe it better to die than suffer such humiliation.
Yet Hyul Geum Gang simply stood there with a pained expression, unmoved.
Then an elderly Taoist wearing a Wudang sword stepped forward.
It was Chung Yeop Jin In of Wudang.
“Hyul Geum Gang. You killed Woon Heo Ja, the master of Bin Seung. Do you remember?”
“Yes. Woon Heo Ja died by my hand.”
“Why did you kill your master?”
“He believed he could guide Bin Seung to enlightenment. But he could not, and so I attacked him.”
I spoke words I had never uttered before.
“Bin Seung never once initiated an attack against anyone. But the sole evil deed he committed was killing Woon Heo Ja.”
I closed my eyes and bowed my head.
“Had I not struck first then, Bin Seung would surely have been defeated.”
Shing.
Chung Yeop Jin In immediately drew his sword.
“Hyul Geum Gang. Bin Seung has long dreamed of the day he could take revenge upon you. But when Bin Seung entered the Gangho, you had already returned to Nangya Pavilion, so his wish went unfulfilled.”
I closed my eyes in silence.
Chung Yeop Jin In swiftly swung his blade at my neck.
Clang! Crumble.
Yet the sharp sword shattered like a biscuit before it could touch my neck.
Chung Yeop Jin In had used his martial power to obliterate the blade.
“The Venerable One grieved that such outstanding talent had fallen to the Demonic Path, and he staked his life to guide you to enlightenment.”
“….”
“And finally he achieved that purpose—how could Bin Seung allow that effort to be in vain?”
He gazed at the distant sky, then turned away.
“Let us sever the karmic bond between you and our sect with this.”
Hidden away and observing everything unfold, Bu Eunseol felt a profound surge of emotion.
Wudang was truly Wudang.
Realizing that Hyul Geum Gang had genuinely undergone a transformation of heart, Chung Yeop Jin In had ceased his pursuit of vengeance, thereby honoring his master’s legacy with remarkable grace.
And Bu Eunseol was not alone in her moved state.
Rumble.
More than half of the Murim practitioners who had witnessed everything turned and departed.
They were moved by Chung Yeop Jin In’s noble conduct, yet simultaneously recalled a singular truth.
―Hyul Geum Gang had never initiated an attack against anyone save the disciples of Cheon Ryong Temple.
In truth, those who fell by Hyul Geum Gang’s hand had only struck first under the pretense of converting him or passing judgment upon him.
Ultimately, his only transgression was the act of defending himself.
A prolonged silence settled over the forest.
Then a one-eyed woman approached Hyul Geum Gang.
“Do you remember the Iron-Faced Guest, Cho Ui Jung?”
“I do.”
“He was my husband.”
The one-eyed woman drew her blade and spoke.
“He had no connection to you whatsoever. Why did you kill him?”
Hyul Geum Gang hesitated briefly before clasping his hands together.
“Bin Seung has nothing to say.”
In truth, the Iron-Faced Guest Cho Ui Jung was renowned throughout Gangho as a righteous hero, yet he was in reality a man consumed by lust and avarice.
Moreover, he operated an intelligence organization for personal gain, sowing discord between martial sects and profiting through the manipulation of information.
He had met his end at Hyul Geum Gang’s hands because he had led his subordinates in an assault, seeking to enhance his own reputation.
Had these truths been revealed, Cho Ui Jung’s reputation would have crumbled into ruin.
Hyul Geum Gang had chosen silence to preserve the honor of the already-deceased Cho Ui Jung.
“When my husband died, everything crumbled. Brigands stripped me of my wealth, and I lost my eye.”
The one-eyed woman walked toward Hyul Geum Gang as she spoke.
“But Hyul Geum Gang, you suddenly feigned a change of heart and journeyed to Yunnan in penitence. And the people of Gangho, believing in you, spat upon you or merely waved their hands in forgiveness.”
‘Dangerous.’
Observing the murderous gleam in the one-eyed woman’s gaze, Bu Eunseol grasped the secret blade concealed within her garments.
She had discerned that this woman had truly come to end Hyul Geum Gang’s life.
“But I absolutely will not!”
The one-eyed woman spoke as though spitting blood.
“Forgive you!”
She strode forward toward Hyul Geum Gang and raised her long blade high toward the heavens.
The long blade was an exceptionally sharp treasure sword, and even one of Hyul Geum Gang’s formidable inner cultivation could not withstand it.
Bu Eunseol, watching from a distance, found herself compelled to unleash her secret blade.
Regardless of what Hyul Geum Gang might say afterward, she had to preserve his life first.
Clang.
With a crystalline metallic ring, the one-eyed woman’s treasure sword was deflected away.
Yet it was not due to the secret blade Bu Eunseol had thrown.
Among the martial artists still lingering on Cheol Jang Peak, a veiled woman named Ayon picked up a stone and knocked away the other woman’s treasured sword.
“So Hon Mi Rang. You possess absolutely no shame whatsoever.”
Ayon, a one-eyed woman, walked toward So Hon Mi Rang and released a weary sigh.
“Iron Mask Guest Cho Ui Jung committed far more atrocities than what is known throughout the Gangho. Moreover, he laid vicious traps for Hyul Geum Gang in pursuit of fame, clashed with his subordinates, and was slain.”
“….”
“Yet Hyul Geum Gang remained silent to preserve his honor. How can you speak of avenging yourself against him while knowing this truth?”
Remarkably, Ayon possessed complete knowledge of Cho Ui Jung’s misdeeds and understood precisely how he had fallen to Hyul Geum Gang.
“He was called Hyul Geum Gang, but save for Woon Heo Ja, he never once struck first against another soul.”
Ayon regarded So Hon Mi Rang with beautiful, piercing eyes.
“Furthermore, your ruin came not from bandits, but from your scheming to seduce Hyuk Bung Bang Ju. In the end, you were stripped of your entire fortune, were you not?”
“What, what?”
“And your eye wound—you suffered it at the hands of Chu Jung, the betrothed of Nam Ja Ryong, whom you call the Righteous One of the Gangho, when you attempted to seduce him.”
“Who are you to meddle in another’s affairs!”
So Hon Mi Rang, unable to contain herself, raised her treasured sword toward Ayon.
“Mind your business and leave!”
“I too came to avenge myself against Hyul Geum Gang. Surely anyone has the right to involve themselves in his affairs?”
“You….”
“Moreover, I cannot stand idle while you fabricate false grievances to end his life. There are those with true cause for vengeance.”
So Hon Mi Rang trembled but dared not swing her blade.
From Ayon’s form emanated the razor-sharp, invisible force that only masters of the sword could unleash.
“Who are you!”
So Hon Mi Rang shrieked in fury.
“I do not contend with the nameless and obscure. If you wish to fight, reveal your name.”
“You lack the standing to know my name.”
“What?”
Ayon spoke with chilling coldness.
“If you desire it, draw your blade. I shall not refuse.”
Yet So Hon Mi Rang dared not point her weapon and retreated.
She instinctively sensed that she could never overcome Ayon.
“This is not over!”
With that, she unleashed her lightness technique and departed swiftly.
Ayon turned her gaze to the remaining martial artists and spoke.
“Among those still present, is there anyone whom Hyul Geum Gang attacked without cause?”
The martial artists fell silent at her words.
Not a single soul had been struck down by Hyul Geum Gang without provocation.
“Did you not come seeking vengeance?”
When Ayon took his side, Hyul Geum Gang spoke with solemn gravity.
“If you did not come for vengeance, then depart.”
“On the contrary. I too came for vengeance.”
She approached Hyul Geum Gang and spoke.
“You once fought a female swordmaster known as Jang Han Sword Guest and inflicted a mortal wound upon her.”
“Indeed. I remember.”
“You believed Jang Han Sword Guest merely threw herself at you to gain renown. But in truth, she was an Orthodox Sect knight-errant called Gui Jian Chou—Sa Ma Yu seeking vengeance.”
Ayon regarded Hyul Geum Gang with a solemn expression.
“Yet you inflicted a mortal wound upon her simply because she challenged you. Do you acknowledge this?”
“I do.”
Hyul Geum Gang lowered his head as he spoke.
“At that time, having just completed my inner cultivation, I was consumed by the Demonic Path and could not control my killing intent. Thus I did not comprehend the preciousness of another’s life and abused my martial arts.”
“In the end, Jang Han Sword Guest’s wounds worsened from your strike, and she lost her life. All because she dared challenge you seeking vengeance.”
Hyul Geum Gang clasped his hands together.
“Your accusation is just. I will not resist—take your vengeance.”
At this, Ayon shook her head.
“One cannot simply call a person evil because they struck down their attacker, or because they once walked the Demonic Path.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I came merely to verify whether you had truly reformed, or whether you sought to unleash another storm of blood.”
Then she exhaled deeply.
“But you have reformed with genuine sincerity, and you are willing to forfeit your very life to repay the debts of your past.”
And she slowly turned away.
“Killing you would only bring me the shame of slaying one who offers no resistance. I shall end this here.”
Leaving behind those brief words, Ayon turned to depart.
All the martial artists who met Ayon’s solemn gaze turned to follow her.
Among them were those who genuinely sought vengeance, but most were merely hoping to gain renown by slaying Hyul Geum Gang.
Yet faced with Ayon’s grave and noble bearing, they all turned and departed.
‘So it was her.’
Bu Eunseol, hidden in the shadows, watched Ayon and released a breath of relief.
Unlike others, I could discern Ayon’s true identity.
For I had long gazed upon the white-stained sword sheath at her waist—a precious blade.
She was none other than Ah Yeon, a disciple of Geom Gak.
‘She came deliberately because of me.’
For the first time, I felt profound gratitude toward Ah Yeon.
‘Knowing that my master is my teacher, she came to help.’
Ah Yeon had long owed me a great debt.
Moreover, when she had once requested a martial contest with me at Jamma Pavilion in the past,
she had questioned the terrifying depth of my inner force and asked what inner cultivation technique I had mastered.
And at that time, I had honestly told her that I learned my inner cultivation technique from Hyul Geum Gang at Nangya Pavilion.
So when my master-like Hyul Geum Gang fell into crisis, Ah Yeon stepped forward willingly to help.
‘Thank you. I shall never forget this kindness.’
I felt deep emotion and gratitude toward Ah Yeon.
When she pointed out So Hon Mi Rang’s wrongs and persuaded the remaining martial artists, rescuing Hyul Geum Gang from danger,
I wanted nothing more than to rush forward, embrace her, and express my thanks.
As everyone departed, the Deep Forest Clearing fell into a silence as heavy as stone.
After standing motionless for a long while, Hyul Geum Gang exhaled a deep sigh, then
“Come out.”
he spoke in a low voice, his gaze fixed directly on the tree where Bu Eunseol was hiding.
“Bu Eunseol.”
The hidden Bu Eunseol could not conceal her astonishment.
Hyul Geum Gang’s body, having endured countless trials on the journey to Yunnan, was in a state of complete ruin.
With neither his cultivation nor his flesh intact, how could he possibly have known?
“Master.”
Bu Eunseol emerged from the ancient tree and bowed deeply, her waist bent in profound respect.
“How did you know?”
Bu Eunseol’s concealment, having transcended the realm of Returning to Stillness and reached the state of Serene Clarity, was something even a master of the Wuji Realm would struggle to perceive.
Yet Hyul Geum Gang, bearing grievous wounds with not a single unblemished place on his body, had detected her presence instantly.
“My body grew weary walking this far, but my spirit became clearer and my senses grew sharper still.”
Hyul Geum Gang spoke calmly, his eyes upon Bu Eunseol.
“Sharp enough to sense the ripples of your distant emotions.”
Remarkably, he had not detected the aura of her hiding place—he had sensed the emotions she could not suppress.
It was as though the Heavenly Eye, one of the Six Divine Penetrations spoken of in the Buddhist Order, had opened within him.
“I thought I had explained the situation clearly.”
“That is why I came alone.”
Bu Eunseol lowered her head, unable to meet the solemn gaze in Hyul Geum Gang’s eyes.
“You are my master, who taught me the inner cultivation methods as vital as life itself. It is only natural that I should accompany you on your final journey.”
To stand vigil over a master’s final departure is the duty and obligation of a disciple.
Bu Eunseol had once again emphasized that Hyul Geum Gang was her master.
“Master.”
Hyul Geum Gang gazed toward the distant sky and sighed.
“I have said it many times—it was merely a promise made with Gak Ju. Therefore, there exists neither gratitude nor debt between you and me.”
“You may speak of debt, but to me, you gave me the strength to survive in the Gangho.”
“Strength to survive?”
“An infant cannot grow alone. You nurtured me and gave me the strength to flourish in the Gangho. How could I ever repay such kindness by abandoning you?”
Hyul Geum Gang drew in a deep breath.
The face of Jeong Young, the abbot of Cheon Ryong Temple who had once taught him, his master and father figure, rose unbidden in his mind.
“Mm.”
Jeong Young had been the one who raised Hyul Geum Gang when he arrived at the temple wrapped in swaddling clothes—a master and parent in one.
His pilgrimage of repentance to Cheon Ryong Temple was itself undertaken so that, though he could not become a disciple again, he might kneel before Jeong Young and atone for his sins.
And now Bu Eunseol too spoke of following at his side to uphold the duties of master and disciple.
How could he possibly refuse?
“Your tongue has grown smooth from eating sword rice for quite some time.”
“It is all thanks to your teaching, Master.”
Understanding that his words were a form of permission, Bu Eunseol smiled with relief and drew closer to Hyul Geum Gang’s side.
Whoosh.
In that instant, my finely honed senses triggered an alarm.
An enormous contingent of assassins had woven a net of heaven and earth around this entire area.
I didn’t need to see them to know.
They were assassins of Sam Gye.
‘So they’ve finally made their move.’
I gazed toward the distant sky with a melancholic expression.
‘Myo Cheon Woo.’
Only those who knew I had ventured into Gangho to protect Hyul Geum Gang.
And among the Lords of Sayoung Hall, only one could be the traitor.
I had long known that Myo Cheon Woo was the one colluding with outsiders.
So Ja Myeong, the Lord of the Guusal Unit whom Chong Gyo Ryeong had returned to me.
The secret task I had entrusted to him was to identify the spy among the Lords of Sayoung Hall—a mission he had completed brilliantly long ago.
Swish, swish, swish.
By then, the forest was completely surrounded by assassins clad in black robes.
Their numbers reached approximately one hundred.
Judging by the aura emanating from their bodies, they possessed a caliber far superior to the Sam Gye assassins I had faced until now.
‘Or perhaps this time they truly meant to end it.’
My eyes darkened as I assessed the situation.
If they had wanted to ambush me, there had been countless better opportunities before now.
Yet the assassins only revealed themselves after I had met with Hyul Geum Gang.
They had calculated that the wounded Hyul Geum Gang could not properly employ his martial arts, and that I would prioritize his safety above all else.
In other words, whoever orchestrated this plan.
Possessed the strategic brilliance to predict how Hyul Geum Gang would divide my focus…
And was someone who understood my nature completely.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————