The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 455

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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 455.
Was Heaven itself favoring Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s success?
No Dok Cheong, the Iron Tyrant Lord of the Murim Alliance, had suddenly been murdered in the Yeoggyeong Region—territory under the dominion of Hell Blood Castle.
The cause of death was poisoning. Multiple toxins had been deliberately combined to disfigure the corpse, making the method impossible to discern. The culprit’s identity remained unknown, but…
In Yeoggyeong, only someone capable of poisoning a master of No Dok Cheong’s caliber could be responsible.
That could only be the experts of Hell Blood Castle.
Upon meticulous examination of the corpse, traces of Du Kang Ma Gyeol—the poison technique of Hell Blood Castle’s Poison Sect—were finally discovered.
The Chief Inspector, Gong Son Dan Gyeong, personally dispatched a letter of protest to the Demon Palace.
―The Demon Palace must immediately clarify this matter!
This was an opportunity.
Guizhou had been the Demonic Path’s domain for generations.
Ordinarily, deploying a massive force from the Murim Alliance into the Guizhou Region, where Hell Blood Castle held sway, would be nearly impossible.
―Commander Yuk, Vice-Leader Yuk shall garrison one-third of the Shin Wi Dan forces at the Guizhou border.
However, due to the Dae Woon Rim incident, the Lord of Hell Blood Castle had stepped down from his position, and Hell Blood Castle’s influence had been severely diminished.
Moreover, when the Iron Tyrant Lord fell to someone presumed to be a Hell Blood Castle expert, she—with shrewd calculation—
demanded clarification and compensation not from Hell Blood Castle itself, but from the Demon Palace, the demonic alliance.
Should an agreement be reached between the two alliances, Hell Blood Castle would have no choice but to comply with that decision.
Furthermore, the Murim Alliance now possessed justification through No Dok Cheong’s death.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong immediately deployed Vice-Leader Yuk Jang Cheon of the Shin Wi Dan and one-third of the main contingent forces to the border region between Sichuan and Guizhou.
―Have the Wei Long Party’s Party Leader conduct negotiations with the Demon Palace.
She entrusted the negotiations to Yeon Ja Gang, the Wei Long Party Leader known as a strategist and eloquent speaker affiliated with Deungmu Hall.
Of course, had she personally stepped forward as Chief Inspector, the negotiations might have proceeded even more brilliantly.
However, since this concerned a dispute over territorial influence within the Yeoggyeong Region, it would have been beneath her station to appear directly.
Days later.
Bu Eunseol emerged from Jeol Jeong Gak and walked for some time before finally arriving at the Palace Hall, erected near the heart of the Murim Alliance.
Eun Wol Gak.
This was the Chief Inspector’s residence where the Chief Inspector of the Murim Alliance dwelt.
In the past, Tae Sa Hyeon, who bore the grand title of Heaven’s Strategist, had resided here.
But now, Gong Son Dan Gyeong—known as the wisest woman in Murim, the Star of Wisdom—made her home within these walls.
And Bu Eunseol had been summoned by her.
‘She intends to deploy the main force.’
Having already received hints from Yuk Jang Cheon, Bu Eunseol could discern her plan.
Though the Shin Wi Dan was garrisoned there, it would be the Wei Long Party that would actually negotiate with the Demon Palace to secure control of the Yeoggyeong Region.
Should direct conflict arise, she would undoubtedly send Bu Eunseol’s Elite Division to support the Wei Long Party.
Bu Eunseol, victorious in the Phoenix Tournament, possessed the ability to shatter the formations of Hell Blood Castle and others in a single breath.
“How do you come to be here?”
As Wi Sa entered the entrance of Eun Wol Gak, he stepped forward to block Bu Eunseol’s path and inquired.
“I am Seon Woo Jin, Leader of the Elite Division. I have come in response to the Chief Inspector’s summons.”
“Please follow me.”
Having been briefed on the situation, Wi Sa guided Bu Eunseol deeper inside.
Around the Palace Hall, elite sword units of the Sungwi Unit, tasked with protecting the highest echelon of the Murim Alliance, were stationed.
And deeper within, exceptional masters, including the sword unit commander, were positioned with meticulous precision.
As Bu Eunseol followed Wi Sa into the interior of the Palace Hall, a sudden question arose in her mind.
‘How in the world did she ascend to the position of Chief Inspector?’
The Orthodox Sects of Murim placed great emphasis on allocation and hierarchy.
So much so that even the selection of the next Alliance Lord was conducted from among the Seven Great Lords who had entered their middle years.
No matter how exceptional her wisdom and talent might be, to bestow the rank of Chief Inspector—a position within the top ten of ceremonial precedence—upon a young prodigy barely into her thirties?
What in the world had transpired among the leadership?
“Chief Inspector, the Elite Division Lord has come to visit.”
At Wi Sa’s words, spoken from before the Office door,
“Please, come in.”
A clear voice emerged.
“You may enter.”
As Wi Sa opened the door, the expanse of the spacious Office came into view.
As Bu Eunseol stepped inside, she saw bookshelves densely packed with volumes, and beyond them, a large desk.
And before that desk sat a beautiful woman, her brush moving continuously as she wrote something.
It was none other than the Chief Inspector, Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“Elite Division Lord Seon Woo Jin offers her respects to the Chief Inspector.”
As Bu Eunseol brought her hands together and bowed, Gong Son Dan Gyeong set down her brush and smiled.
“Welcome.”
Their eyes met, but unlike before, no light that threatened Bu Eunseol’s spirit emanated from her gaze.
It seemed the power of the Profound Heart Eye no longer affected Bu Eunseol.
“It’s been a while since we last met, after the Phoenix Tournament.”
Her voice was low but exceptionally clear and distinct.
‘She possesses not only profound wisdom but also considerable stubbornness.’
From Bu Eunseol’s experience, people with clear and distinct voices not only possessed superior intellect but were generally quite headstrong.
Unaware of such thoughts, Gong Son Dan Gyeong rose from her seat.
“Please, sit.”
Having offered her a seat, she spoke without preamble.
“Time is limited, so I’ll be brief.”
As she turned to the matter at hand, her beautiful demeanor faded, replaced by a heavy and solemn gaze.
It was the bearing befitting a Chief Inspector who led the vast Murim Alliance.
“Immediately lead your forces to Yeoggyeong, where the Wei Long Party is stationed.”
“Is there a separate directive you wish to give to the Main Force?”
Bu Eunseol emphasized the word ‘separate.’
The Shin Wi Dan had already been deployed, and the Wei Long Party Lord, rumored to be a master of negotiation, had already departed for Yeoggyeong.
In such circumstances, to deliberately send a secondary sword unit—and one known as the Elite Division, an intelligence warfare unit at that.
That meant Gong Son Dan Gyeong must have separate intentions for Bu Eunseol.
“The Demon Hall won’t easily relinquish the Yeoggyeong Region. Though the Ben Maeng holds advantageous ground for negotiations, clashes both great and small are inevitable.”
She regarded Bu Eunseol intently as she spoke.
“The Elite Division has proven its exceptional martial prowess in this Phoenix Tournament.”
Bu Eunseol nodded as if she had grasped something profound.
“You designed the Phoenix Tournament’s trials anticipating a situation like this.”
She had already formulated a plan to reclaim the Yeoggyeong Region before the Phoenix Tournament even began.
She had foreseen that a confrontation with Hell Blood Castle would inevitably occur.
“Precisely. Every trial in the Phoenix Tournament was designed with combat against Hell Blood Castle in mind.”
She spoke with a faint smile.
“Ever since the Demon Palace produced its successor, Hell Blood Castle’s influence has steadily weakened. I believed an opportunity to reclaim its territory would soon arise.”
At Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s words, Bu Eunseol’s expression darkened.
It was not sympathy for Hell Blood Castle—rather, a troubling question arose: was she somehow involved in No Dok Cheong’s death?
If, to seize Hell Blood Castle’s territory and establish her authority as the newly appointed Chief Inspector,
she had orchestrated this by sacrificing No Dok Cheong?
Then she would be a person of terrifying and ruthless nature, utterly unlike her outward appearance.
“The Lord of Deng Wu Dian strongly recommended you. The Elite Division is not only an exceptional intelligence unit but also possesses outstanding martial skill, which will be of great help in these negotiations.”
Yuk Jang Cheon seemed intent on impressing not only the Wei Long Party Lord but also the Elite Division in Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes.
He needed to accumulate merit quickly and convert many high-ranking officials into his supporters to ascend to the position of Wu Tian Duan Lord.
Of course, this was not disadvantageous for Bu Eunseol either.
Yet something left an unpleasant aftertaste.
‘An exceptionally talented individual who rose to Chief Inspector of the Murim Alliance at such a young age would never meet alone with me based solely on one recommendation from a mere Hall Lord.’
Moreover, if she intended to issue a deployment order, there would be no need to arrange a private audience—she could simply command her subordinate officials or issue an official decree.
There was no reason to specifically request a private meeting with someone who could exert no influence on the negotiations, merely to issue a deployment order.
“Understood.”
But analysis could wait.
For now, she must immediately execute the command issued by Chief Inspector Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“I will lead my unit down to Yeoggyeong and provide support to the Wei Long Party.”
“I look forward to it.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands and bowed, Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke.
“I hear that Lord Seon Woo transforms any crisis into opportunity.”
In that instant, an unpleasant premonition flickered through Bu Eunseol’s mind.
‘She disapproves of me.’
When Bu Eunseol raised her head and met Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s gaze, she could be certain.
‘No—she suspects me.’
Just as Yuk Jang Cheon had done initially.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong was also harboring suspicions about Bu Eunseol, likely due to her abilities being far too exceptional for someone of her rank.
‘She has been suspicious since the Phoenix Tournament itself.’
To demonstrate that the Elite Division excelled in every domain,
Bu Eunseol had shattered the Demonic Path formation during the Phoenix Tournament using unconventional methods and speed that defied expectation.
Moreover, anticipating that high-ranking officials would cast suspicious glances, she had prepared texts in advance to provide an explanation.
And though Gong Son Dan Gyeong had appeared to accept it at the time, nodding in understanding—in reality, she had been suspicious of Bu Eunseol all along.
“Is there anything else you wish to say?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Bu Eunseol brought her hands together respectfully.
“Then I shall return to investigate further.”
As Bu Eunseol stepped outside Eun Wol Gak, her eyes had grown distant and grave.
Yuk Jang Cheon had harbored deep suspicions about Bu Eunseol as well, only setting them aside after Jong Jeong Yak conducted a thorough investigation.
How much more so with Gong Son Dan Gyeong, the Chief Inspector of the Murim Alliance? Given her cunning intellect, her suspicions would run far deeper and darker.
‘Perhaps this was inevitable.’
Bu Eunseol needed to elevate her position swiftly and become a core figure within the Murim Alliance.
Because of this, she had deliberately not concealed her excellence, and it was only natural that such brilliance would invite scrutiny.
‘They suspect me of being a Demonic Path operative.’
With negotiations with the Demon Palace looming, sending a second-rate contingent seemed utterly pointless.
Likely, they suspected Bu Eunseol of being a spy for the Demonic Path.
If that were true, they would certainly attempt to sabotage the negotiations to prevent them from proceeding smoothly.
‘I must dispel their suspicions quickly.’
A high-ranking leader holding the position of Chief Inspector—no less—harbored doubts about her.
If she failed to resolve these suspicions promptly, the future consequences would be boundless.
‘Decisively.’
Bu Eunseol’s gaze, fixed upon the distant sky, had turned glacially cold.
Had she truly been a Demonic Path agent, this situation would have been deeply troubling and precarious.
But Bu Eunseol felt no hesitation whatsoever—rather, a sense of exhilaration coursed through her.
She moved for vengeance alone. She bowed to neither the Demonic Path nor the Orthodox Sects.
Moreover, Hell Blood Castle was a place she had long resolved to destroy.
A mere sword dance to evade Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s suspicions was something she could perform a hundred times over.
* * *
Demon Palace, Sole Brightness Pavilion, Great Conference Hall.
The Grand Leader Council was convening under the chairmanship of Chong Gyo Ryeong Yeop Hyo Cheon.
It was due to the incident involving No Dok Cheong, a Lord of the Murim Alliance who had been killed in the Yeoggyeong Region of Guizhou.
Though the culprit who had slain No Dok Cheong remained unfound, it was virtually certain that a master from Hell Blood Castle was responsible.
Chief Inspector Gong Son Dan Gyeong of the Murim Alliance, seeking to resolve the matter swiftly, had sent a formal protest to the Demon Palace rather than Hell Blood Castle.
Yeop Hyo Cheon had summoned all the Lords to convene this council in order to address the situation.
“Stationing the Shin Wi Dan at the border regions of Guizhou is merely a show of force to gain leverage in negotiations. There is no intention of actual armed conflict.”
Yeo Bul Hoe, Vice Lord of Bi Young Gak, continued his explanation to Yeop Hyo Cheon.
“However, the region where the Iron Tyrant Lord No Dok Cheong was killed is Yeoggyeong, and they have ostentatiously dispatched forces toward the Guweol Mountain vicinity. Under the guise of negotiations, they seize this opportune moment to position their troops.”
“An opportune moment, indeed.”
As Yeop Hyo Cheon narrowed his eyes, Yeo Bul Hoe nodded in agreement.
“Recently, Hell Blood Castle’s Gong Ya Sung Ju has withdrawn from his position, and their forces have correspondingly contracted. Thus, they barely maintain control over the Guweol Mountain region—the most valuable territory in Yeoggyeong.”
He continued his analysis.
“By using investigations and accountability as a pretext for negotiations, they have firmly planted themselves near Guweol Mountain… their intentions are transparent.”
“They seek to bring the Guweol Mountain vicinity under Murim Alliance control.”
Having heard Yeo Bul Hoe’s explanation, Yeop Hyo Cheon immediately grasped the Murim Alliance’s true intentions.
“Under the guise of negotiations.”
“Indeed.”
“Then it would be best to resolve this matter immediately at Hell Blood Castle.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon surveyed the assembled members before speaking.
“If anyone has thoughts on this matter, speak freely.”
At that moment, Baek Hyo Myeong, a faction leader from Hell Blood Castle, spoke up.
“Since the Murim Alliance sent a letter to our faction first, shouldn’t our faction be the one to resolve this?”
He spoke with an expression of deep grievance.
“After all, wasn’t this entire situation caused by someone from our faction?”
He suppressed his indignation, speaking with visible effort.
“Had the Sovereign not stepped down from her position… had we not weakened our faction’s influence in the first place, it would have been impossible for the Murim Alliance to launch an assault.”
Though Baek Hyo Myeong did not name anyone directly, he was clearly referring to Bu Eunseol as the cause.
“Well, that’s not entirely wrong.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon wore a subtle smile.
“Moreover, since the Murim Alliance came with sleeves rolled up, it seems only proper that our faction handles the resolution.”
As all the assembled members nodded in agreement, he continued.
“Who did the Murim Alliance send as their negotiator?”
Yeo Bul Hoe answered Yeop Hyo Cheon’s question.
“The Murim Alliance sent the Wei Long Party leader under the Deng Wu Dian as their negotiator.”
―So that’s why the Chong Gyo Ryeong convened the leader council.
Only then did the faction leaders in the hall grasp the situation and nod.
After all, it was merely a minor factional dispute, and the Murim Alliance had sent a party leader to conduct negotiations.
Therefore, the Demon Hall’s upper echelon did not need to gather for a meeting.
“The Wei Long Party, is it.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon chuckled softly.
“The Murim Alliance certainly values propriety.”
Had the Murim Alliance sent a formidable first-class sword unit or combat division instead?
There would be no room for negotiation—only battle stations.
But to suddenly send the Wei Long Party under the Deng Wu Dian and an intelligence unit meant something.
Whatever their true intentions, they were outwardly demonstrating a commitment to negotiation first.
Propriety. For the Murim Alliance, propriety mattered above all else.
“Then we must send someone of appropriate standing in return…”
The upper echelon members, grasping Yeop Hyo Cheon’s meaning, nodded.
For instance, if the Murim Alliance sent a third-class lord, sending a first-class lord from the Demon Hall would diminish their prestige.
Furthermore, if the Murim Alliance sent a party leader but the Demon Hall sent a unit leader, the disparity in authority would be too great for negotiations to proceed at all.
“Then shouldn’t our faction send someone one rank higher?”
At that moment, Yeo Bul Hoe spoke.
“Because the Murim Alliance is positioning themselves as the injured party.”
In any case, the Murim Alliance had lost a lord.
Therefore, they would make various demands, and in that case, rather than someone of the same party leader rank…
It would be more prudent to dispatch someone of higher rank to lead the negotiations smoothly and amicably.
“This matter involves not merely negotiation but a struggle for territorial influence, so it must be entrusted to someone of exceptional strategic acumen.”
Though one might call it a trivial territorial dispute, the region near Guweol Mountain is a crucial trade route frequented by merchant caravans.
Substantial wealth flows through this area, and this territorial struggle is tantamount to a power contest between the Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance.
Therefore, losses must be minimized.
An outstanding strategist capable of maximizing profit must take the lead.
“Hmm.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon pondered briefly, then stroked his chin.
“Then the only suitable candidate is Muk Hon Ryeong Ju himself.”
He then spoke calmly while regarding Baek Hyo Myeong.
“The Hell Blood Sect’s power has been weakened due to the audit initiated by Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, and consequently even Gong Ya Sung Ju was forced to withdraw.”
The conference hall erupted in murmurs.
Regardless of the significant damage Bu Eunseol’s actions had inflicted upon the Hell Blood Sect,
he was the successor to the Demon Hall—one of the supreme leaders within the top ten of the ceremonial hierarchy.
If such a figure were to negotiate with a faction leader sent by the Murim Alliance, it would only diminish the Demon Hall’s prestige and dignity.
“Supreme Leader.”
Baek Hyo Myeong, sensing the delicate situation, addressed Yeop Hyo Cheon.
“Would that not diminish the honor of our Demon Hall?”
Yeop Hyo Cheon shook his head with a faint smile.
“That is merely a matter of perspective. As you rightly note, Muk Hon Ryeong Ju bears no small responsibility in this affair….”
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke with an unhurried expression.
“It would be best if someone close to Ryeong Ju were to resolve this matter.”
Having apparently reached a decision, a subtle smile played at the corners of Yeop Hyo Cheon’s mouth.

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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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