The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 454

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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 454.
Even as I averted my gaze hastily, the image of her eyes lingered in my mind like an afterimage.
Eyes that sparkled with countless hues, unlike ordinary pupils.
‘The Profound Heart Eyes?’
Among the martial artists of Murim, there were occasionally those born with eyes that wielded unique abilities.
The Profound Heart Eyes were known to leave various colors in the minds of those who beheld them, and simultaneously, without requiring deep contemplation or discernment, they could instinctively distinguish truth from falsehood.
If she possessed the Profound Heart Eyes, then all of Bu Eunseol’s lies could be exposed.
‘No, that cannot be.’
Bu Eunseol had achieved the Unity of Spirit and Form.
That is, he possessed a spirit that no technique or external force could penetrate—equivalent to possessing the Repelling Spirit Flame Eyes of the Ghost Gate.
He was confident that even such eyes could not pierce through his spiritual essence, which even a supreme demon like Ak Moo Ryung could not see through.
‘I will not avert my gaze.’
Bu Eunseol lifted his head and met Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes calmly.
An ordinary person would have felt their heart pounding wildly, unable to suppress the turmoil in their mind.
This was the very heart of the Murim Alliance.
Among the martial artists filling the platform were formidable masters fully capable of matching Bu Eunseol in combat.
If everything were exposed here, there would be no escape unless he could fly away into the sky itself.
“Indeed, that is so.”
At that moment, Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke again.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol could sense it.
‘She did not detect it.’
Just as he had anticipated.
The mysterious power contained in Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes had no effect on Bu Eunseol.
“Why have you researched such a formation technique?”
To Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s question, Bu Eunseol composed himself and spoke with a deliberately bitter expression.
“I had no choice. From childhood, I had to traverse Sae Oe. To survive in that place, such research was essential.”
With these words, Bu Eunseol conveyed that
his ability to consistently display superior martial prowess and resourcefulness was not merely because he was the successor of Moo Ae Ja.
Rather, it was possible because he had strived ceaselessly in a barren environment, living as though in constant struggle.
“There appear to be no particular issues.”
At Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s words, the leadership nodded.
Even Jong Gu Ryeong, who had been consistently dissatisfied, was nodding his head.
“Then we shall advance the Elite Division to the third trial.”
At Yong Myeong’s words, all the leadership nodded.
At last, the final third trial of the Phoenix Tournament had begun.
The newly formed Elite Division had advanced to the finals.
And facing them was the Hoyeon-dae, a prestigious division with two previous championships in the Phoenix Tournament and known to gather those with the fastest divine techniques.
So Geom Pyeong, the lord of Hoyeon-dae, and his subordinates regarded the Elite Division with great caution as they prepared for this final three-match confrontation.
―Those fellows possess something extraordinary.
―We must not let our guard down simply because they are a newly formed division.
Crunch, crunch.
The two contingents moved from the Great Training Arena into a small forest behind the Murim Alliance West Gate.
“The final test requires you to decipher the ciphers of the Ben Maeng and Demon Palace hidden throughout the forest, then proceed to the intermediate assembly point.”
Yong Myeong spoke while observing the two contingents.
“And at the intermediate assembly point, the final destination will be written. In other words, you must decipher the ciphers scattered throughout this place as quickly as possible… arrive at the intermediate assembly point, and confirm the final destination to reach there first.”
He explained the mission in detail.
“However, victory goes to the contingent that reaches the final destination first with all members present without exception. You must keep this in mind.”
In other words, if the Hoyeon-dae’s nineteen members arrived first, and the Elite Division’s twenty members arrived later?
The Elite Division would be victorious once all twenty members had arrived.
After finishing his explanation, Yong Myeong wasted no time.
“Then, begin!”
At that moment, the Elite Division scattered in all directions like sand, beginning their search for ciphers.
The Hoyeon-dae also formed groups and began searching through the forest. They started looking for the ciphers scattered throughout.
Or rather, they pretended to search.
“These fools don’t understand the true meaning of the Phoenix Tournament.”
So Geom Pyeong, concealed in the forest, wore a sinister smile as he observed the members following him.
“Though it’s impressive that a new contingent has come this far.”
The Murim Alliance held the Phoenix Tournament every year.
It was not simply to select the most exceptional contingent in the traditional sense.
Rather, it was to identify contingents capable of finding answers in any situation—those with superior adaptability.
Otherwise, the Phoenix Tournament’s test content would not change every year.
‘In conclusion, this test isn’t about reaching the intermediate assembly point, but about all members arriving quickly at the final destination.’
So Geom Pyeong smiled faintly as he watched the Elite Division scatter throughout the forest.
‘The ciphers leading to the intermediate assembly point are scattered throughout this forest. And at the intermediate assembly point, the location of the final destination is written directly.’
As a lord who had led the Murim Alliance’s contingents for many years, So Geom Pyeong quickly grasped the loophole in this mission.
‘In short, if we simply follow the Elite Division to the intermediate assembly point, our contingent can seize victory.’
This mission ends once all members are assembled at the final destination.
That is, even if one quickly deciphers the ciphers leading to the intermediate point, it has no bearing on victory or defeat.
So Geom Pyeong had anticipated this loophole beforehand, tracked the Elite Division’s movements to the intermediate point, then.
He intended to use his superior speed of movement to rush directly to the final destination.
‘Since the Information Division is known for its prowess, they’ll likely decipher the ciphers faster than anyone.’
So Geom Pyeong was confident.
Even if Bu Eunseol discovered his intentions, she could never move her Hoyeon-dae members faster than him.
‘This is taking quite some time.’
So Geom Pyeong and the Hoyeon-dae carefully observed the Elite Division while pretending to search the forest.
Since there appeared to be many places where ciphers were hidden, the Elite Division members repeatedly gathered and scattered, searching for the intermediate assembly point.
Whoosh.
How much time had passed?
At last, having discovered the intermediate assembly point, they suddenly unleashed their lightness technique toward some destination.
Yet sensing something amiss, the Elite Division members split into two groups and immediately began employing their lightness technique—what was this?
“Lord Commander, which group should we pursue?”
When Seo Mun Ho, the vice commander of Hoyeon-dae, asked, So Geom Pyeong hesitated for a moment before answering.
‘No matter how quickly they move, they cannot move faster than the main force. Seon Woo Jin surely knows this as well.’
Seon Woo Jin was known to be a man of exceptional strategy. He could not possibly be unaware that they were being followed.
Therefore, he must have deliberately split his members into two groups to create confusion, then intended to rapidly reassemble all his forces as quickly as possible.
‘The slower members must reach their destination quickly. Then those with superior lightness technique will buy time.’
As So Geom Pyeong pondered, a gleam of insight flashed across his eyes.
If that were the case, the members led by Seon Woo Jin would possess the fastest lightness technique, while the other group would be slower.
Then it would be more advantageous for Hoyeon-dae to pursue the group led by Tae Mu Ryong, not Seon Woo Jin.
‘But this could also be a trap.’
Having finished his deliberation, So Geom Pyeong spoke.
“We pursue both groups separately.”
“Sir?”
“Our main force’s lightness technique is far superior regardless. Even if it’s a trap, it doesn’t matter. We only need the remaining ten to return faster.”
Even if one of the two was a deception, Hoyeon-dae would inevitably surpass the Elite Division during the return journey.
In other words, So Geom Pyeong was securing victory safely and decisively.
“Understood, sir.”
Whoosh.
So Geom Pyeong and Seo Mun Ho divided their members and each pursued the Elite Division.
‘Foolish. Was it such a shallow trick after all?’
The Elite Division, split into two groups, eventually merged covertly and rushed forward together?
So Geom Pyeong let out a cry of triumph and silently deployed his lightness technique to follow them.
Before long, the Elite Division arrived near the West Gate of the Murim Alliance.
There, above the gate’s nameplate, large characters reading “Seryou Hermitage” were written on paper.
It was a small hermitage built on a mountain near the West Gate of the Murim Alliance, a place where high-ranking officials often visited to clear their minds.
‘Seryou Hermitage! Of course!’
So Geom Pyeong, who had been silently pursuing the Elite Division, brightened his eyes and transmitted his voice to his members.
「The final destination is Seryou Hermitage, built on the back mountain of the main alliance! Follow the Lord Commander!」
And he led his members forward, deploying his lightness technique with reckless abandon.
No matter how hard the Elite Division tried to follow from behind, they could not catch up to Hoyeon-dae, who had mastered movement techniques to perfection.
“Huff, huff.”
At last, So Geom Pyeong and all the members of Hoyeon-dae arrived at Seryou Hermitage.
Fortunately, not a single member of the Elite Division was visible.
“We did it!”
So Geom Pyeong smiled brightly.
To lose to a newly formed, inexperienced second-rate division would be the greatest humiliation.
Fortunately, by quickly grasping the nature of the mission, they had reached the final destination first.
“But I don’t see Lord Yong Myeong anywhere.”
After waiting for some time, no one appeared near Seryou Hermitage.
Normally, after the final match concluded, the observing leadership and all divisions participating in the match would stand in formation to offer congratulations.
Yet even after a quarter of an hour passed, not a single ant appeared in sight.
‘Something is wrong.’
Only then did So Geom Pyeong, sensing the irregularity, speak to his deputy commander, Seo Mun Ho.
“Search the surroundings to see if there are any officials from the Phoenix Tournament present.”
“Commander, if someone defects, wouldn’t the Elite Division descend upon us at that moment?”
“That is also quite a sharp observation.”
So Geom Pyeong nodded while speaking thus.
“Yong Myeong clearly stated beforehand that the contingent whose members all arrive first wins. If he had left a loophole in the time limit, he would surely have given us a hint.”
He too, looking uneasy, glanced around as he spoke.
“Let us wait a bit longer—perhaps another quarter hour—and if no one arrives, we shall conduct an investigation.”
“Understood.”
Yet even after another quarter hour passed, no one came.
Just as Seo Mun Ho was about to descend from Seryou Hermitage to investigate the surroundings, So Geom Pyeong spoke.
“No, I shall go myself. Should anything arise, I can return the fastest.”
“Understood.”
Whoosh.
He unfurled his lightness technique in one breath and descended from Seryou Hermitage.
Yet even as he surveyed the surroundings, not a trace of Murim Alliance warriors was to be seen.
“How can this be?”
Sensing that something had gone gravely wrong, he rushed toward the main gate of the Murim Alliance.
Just then, several warriors were pouring out through the gates.
“Commander So. What is the meaning of this?”
At that moment, Jeong Sim Gu, commander of the Bogwang-dae and an old friend who recognized So Geom Pyeong from afar, asked.
“Where on earth has the Hoyeon-dae gone that they show no sign until the tournament ends?”
“What do you mean? The tournament has ended?”
So Geom Pyeong’s mouth fell open as if he had seen a ghost, and he quickly explained the situation.
“My contingent has just passed through the final third gate and is waiting. But Yong Myeong has not arrived, so….”
“What are you saying, Commander So?”
Jeong Sim Gu blinked, as if confused.
“The Phoenix Tournament champion contingent has been confirmed as the Elite Division, and they have even received the oath from the leadership.”
“What do you mean? The Phoenix Tournament has ended?”
“It ended a quarter hour ago. The Elite Division returned first to the Great Training Arena, which is the final destination. And….”
“The final destination is the Great Training Arena within the Ben Maeng?”
So Geom Pyeong’s eyes widened.
Had he not pursued the Elite Division, and was there not a large inscription reading “Seryou Hermitage” on the plaque above the Seo Moon gate?
How could this possibly be?
‘I have been deceived.’
Only then did So Geom Pyeong realize that everything had been a stratagem of the Elite Division commander.
‘That is why it took so long in the forest.’
The Elite Division, contrary to their nature as an intelligence unit, had wandered through the forest for quite some time.
But in that time, Seon Woo Jin would have already detoxified all of the poison and slipped away in secret.
And after setting a trap at the false gathering point, he returned covertly.
To evade pursuit, he divided his forces into two groups and lured them toward the location marked as the false final destination.
Because he had seen through the fact that they were secretly pursuing him.
‘I was wrong.’
So Geom Pyeong, having grasped the entire situation, closed his eyes.
Failing to win the Phoenix Tournament was one thing, but this was an embarrassingly thorough defeat.
For some time to come, the Hoyeon-dae would have to move quietly, away from public scrutiny.
* * *
“You’ve worked hard.”
In Yuk Jang Cheon’s office at Deng Wu Dian.
A smile played at the corners of his mouth.
In truth, he hadn’t harbored great hopes for a championship.
He had thought it would be enough to simply inform the leadership that a newly established division was performing quite excellently.
Yet they had claimed the championship outright.
And with the kind of strategic brilliance and capability that would astound the newly appointed Chief Inspector, Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“No matter how exceptional a person may be, finding the blind spots in the Phoenix Tournament’s trials or the weaknesses of other divisions is quite difficult… You truly are remarkable.”
Yuk Jang Cheon had received a full report of all circumstances.
Bu Eunseol had grasped the entire scheme of the Hoyeon-dae’s Lord, So Geom Pyeong, the outstanding championship favorite.
And instead, she had turned their own strategy against them to seize a clean and perfect victory.
At such remarkable strategic acumen, not only Yuk Jang Cheon but also the leadership observing the situation had been left speechless.
“I simply kept in mind that the Hoyeon-dae not only had many masters skilled in lightness techniques, but had also won the Phoenix Tournament twice before.”
At Bu Eunseol’s response, Yuk Jang Cheon nodded with a satisfied expression.
“In any case, you’ve worked hard. Thanks to you, our division has gained face, and the Elite Division has certainly caught the leadership’s eye.”
“But for some reason, I heard that the Chief Inspector Division summoned me before I came here.”
“Hehehehe.”
Yuk Jang Cheon laughed softly.
“The reason we hold the Phoenix Tournament is to identify in advance which divisions possess the exceptional capabilities needed for the operations our Alliance requires.”
“You mean a mission?”
“Precisely. Given that this mission involved deciphering the formation arrays of the Ten Demonic Gates and decoding the poison of the Demon Hall… they will likely begin a mission related to that.”
The light in Yuk Jang Cheon’s eyes, which had been smiling, grew solemn.
“If I had to guess, it would likely be an assault on either the White Horse Sect or Hell Blood Castle.”
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
Until now, the Murim Alliance and the Demon Hall had never directly clashed even once.
So they were suddenly considering a preemptive strike?
“Thanks to that brilliant successor of the Demon Hall, hasn’t the power of the Ten Demonic Gates been significantly weakened?”
Yuk Jang Cheon smiled faintly.
“As a result, Hell Blood Castle lost its lord, and the White Horse Sect has been refraining from external activities due to that suffering and scrutiny.”
That was the truth.
Both sects had persistently targeted Bu Eunseol, only to suffer a counterattack instead.
Right now, I’ve merely refrained from withdrawing my forces. The situation is virtually equivalent to sealing myself away.
Yuk Jang Cheon revealed this with a smile.
“Since you’ve demonstrated your capabilities this time, tasks related to that will likely be assigned to you.”
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath, her expression complicated.
She couldn’t predict how the Murim Alliance would move against the Ten Demonic Gates, but it would certainly be an extraordinarily perilous mission.
Yet if she were to complete such a mission?
She would once again establish great merit and draw attention to herself.
‘But this is far too dangerous.’
Even if Seo Jin Ha perfectly mimicked her, it would only extend to moving between the Sayoung Battle Division and the Gangho.
If the Murim Alliance’s forces were to clash directly with the Ten Demonic Gates, Bu Eunseol herself would command that battle from the Demon Palace.
There was always the possibility that Seo Jin Ha might make a mistake.
“There’s no need to be so tense.”
Yuk Jang Cheon, who had been observing Bu Eunseol’s rigid expression, smiled.
“It’s merely a matter of strategy—the Ben Maeng and the Demon Palace won’t be clashing head-on in reality.”
“I’m not certain what you mean.”
“Take Hell Blood Sect and White Horse Sect, for instance—their forces have visibly weakened. All this time, the merchant guilds supporting Ben Maeng have had to pay substantial sums whenever passing through their territories.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol grasp Yuk Jang Cheon’s—or rather, Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s true intention.
“You mean to reclaim the major trade routes they’ve seized through their territories.”
“Precisely.”
Yuk Jang Cheon seemed pleased with the word “reclaim,” smiling contentedly.
“As you know, the Ten Demonic Gates are no different from the Black Gang—they extort money from traveling merchant caravans, don’t they?”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke decisively.
“Chief Inspector Gong Son intends to restore the merchant trade routes to Ben Maeng so the guilds won’t face such hardship.”
‘At least that’s a relief.’
Bu Eunseol exhaled an inward sigh of relief.
It wasn’t a direct collision with the Demon Palace’s forces, but rather a confrontation with either White Horse Sect or Hell Blood Sect.
‘So that was her plan.’
Bu Eunseol had discerned Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s true design.
When one obtains a new position or status, the first thing to do is
understand what lies in one’s grasp and how to wield it.
She had newly acquired the staff of Chief Inspector, and she likely wished to test what form it took and how to brandish it.
And her first move was to mobilize the Murim Alliance’s excellent forces to reclaim one of the weakened Ten Demonic Gates’ territories.
‘She has ambition. She doesn’t intend to merely preserve her position.’
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, having just become Chief Inspector, lacked the extensive connections that Tae Sa Hyeon possessed.
Moreover, unlike Tae Sa Hyeon, she seemed unwilling to cling to her position and was prepared to move boldly.
She had likely noticed that Yuk Jang Cheon was accumulating merit to rise to the rank of Lord and had extended her hand to him.
And Yuk Jang Cheon seemed willing to become Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s sharp blade.
Their interests aligned.
They had willingly boarded the same vessel.
‘I should remain in the Murim Alliance a while longer.’
After concluding the Phoenix Tournament, I returned to the Demon Palace intending to handle various matters.
However, with such critical developments unfolding, postponing my return to the Demon Palace became unavoidable.
“Soon enough, we’ll reach a conclusion on how to reclaim territorial control. Hehehehe.”
I drew a deep breath while observing Yuk Jang Cheon’s sinister smile.
The fact that this ambition-laden Yuk Jang Cheon possessed such unwavering confidence meant one thing.
It was now certain that I would soon clash with Hell Blood Castle and White Horse Sect in my capacity as a Lord of the Murim Alliance.
“Understood.”
Bowing my head and clasping my hands together, I withdrew from Deng Wu Dian.
‘From now on, I must move with greater caution and deliberation.’
Returning to the Elite Division’s office, I prepared to methodically assess the plans that would unfold ahead.
But that was merely a vain hope on my part.
―Iron Sect Lord No Dok Cheong had been assassinated in the Yeoggyeong Region!
No Dok Cheong, the Iron Sect Lord of the Murim Alliance, had been suddenly murdered in the Yeoggyeong Region—territory controlled by Hell Blood Castle.
And Chief Inspector Gong Son Dan Gyeong seized that opportunity, beginning to move with unprecedented urgency.

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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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