The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 458

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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 458.
The Jeok Su Gang region had remained untouched by the Demon Palace’s forces, with merchants voluntarily hiring wanderers to protect their commercial interests and territories.
Donghyo Seorang.
As Guizhou’s largest Wanderer Market and a neutral organization unaffiliated with any faction of the Demonic or Righteous Path, it had established itself as a bastion of stability.
The Jeok Su Gang region, free from all sects and factions, had been shrouded in an aura of peace.
Yet now, an unexpected tide of conflict was sweeping through that place.
Following the death of the Iron Tyrant Lord No Dok Cheong, the Demon Palace and Murim Alliance appeared to be negotiating, but suddenly armed clashes erupted.
Manmadang, which had been advancing and retreating through successive battles, was pushed back by Shin Wi Dan and retreated beyond Yeoggyeong.
And now they had firmly established themselves in this vicinity of Jeok Su Gang.
—We cannot permit the Demon Palace to station its forces here.
Donghyo Seorang finally stepped forward.
—The Jeok Su region has been managed jointly by merchants and wanderers, and no faction of the Demonic or Righteous Path has taken root here.
Even Hell Blood Castle, which once dominated all of Guizhou, did not easily interfere with this place.
They were not the sort to tolerate the arrival of even a portion of the Demon Palace’s forces.
—It seems there may be some misunderstanding.
Dan So Ok, the Mil Mil Territory Lord of the Demon Palace leading Manmadang.
She first requested a dialogue with Donghyo Seorang.
—Let us speak first and understand one another.
At this, Ok Ho Bang, the Money Master overseeing the overall operations of Donghyo Seorang, stepped forward.
He was a capable administrator who had led Donghyo Seorang for a long time in place of Rang Ju, and was also an exceptional negotiator.
Once an ambitious man who had attempted to supplant Rang Ju and join hands with Hell Blood Castle to consume Donghyo Seorang.
Yet moved by the grace of Rang Ju and Do Myeong, who watched over him despite knowing everything, he now served Do Myeong and Donghyo Seorang with unwavering loyalty above all others.
Hanrim Guest Inn, Banquet Hall.
A middle-aged man with a fleshy face sat there with his arms crossed.
Though his overall build was portly with a greasy sheen, his eyes were clear and sharp.
This was Ok Ho Bang, the Money Master of Donghyo Seorang.
He waited here to negotiate with the Mil Mil Territory Lord Dan So Ok.
“This will not be easy.”
Ok Ho Bang narrowed his eyes.
I had thought they were driven out of Yeoggyeong territory by Wei Long Party and Shin Wi Dan.
Yet they turned crisis into opportunity, feigning retreat while firmly establishing themselves in the Jeok Su Gang region?
That ingenious stratagem had astonished not only Ok Ho Bang but the entire Murim.
It was proof that Dan So Ok was a woman of far superior wisdom and cunning.
“But we absolutely cannot yield.”
Pat, pat, pat.
Then light footsteps sounded, and a middle-aged man in an indigo martial robe entered.
His eyes were long like a phoenix’s, and a gentle smile graced his face.
Though he appeared as weak as a scholar unable to catch a single chicken, he was in truth a master of formidable martial prowess.
This was Do Myeong, the Rang Ju of Donghyo Seorang.
“Rang Ju?”
Ok Ho Bang rose from his seat upon discovering Do Myeong’s arrival.
“How did you come to be here?”
Do Myeong had recently achieved a profound breakthrough in martial arts and entered seclusion in the Deep Mountain Valley.
Ok Ho Bang had known that Do Myeong was attempting to ascend to a new realm of martial mastery, so he had refrained from informing him of the Manmadang situation.
Yet here he was, arriving of his own accord?
“How could I remain idle when such a matter concerns our Rang Ju?”
“Rang Ju.”
Do Myeong smiled and grasped Ok Ho Bang’s shoulder.
“Do not burden yourself with so much alone.”
Ok Ho Bang exhaled a breath of relief in his heart.
In truth, this matter was no simple affair, even for one who had weathered countless storms.
The Mil Mil Territory’s lord was a figure of the Demon Palace, so such a significant negotiation rightfully belonged in Do Myeong’s hands.
“Yet I remain troubled.”
Ok Ho Bang’s expression grew grave.
“The Mil Mil Territory’s lord is a schemer of such cunning that he devised plans to seize the Jeok Su Gang region under the guise of the Murim Alliance’s assault. He will never yield his forces willingly.”
“Why, would it not be preferable to surrender peacefully rather than spill blood?”
Do Myeong’s unexpected words caused Ok Ho Bang to respond with surprise.
“Our Rang Ju has protected the Jeok Su Gang region without yielding to any faction until now. If the Demon Palace claims dominion over this territory, do we not simply become wanderers under the Demon Palace’s banner?”
Do Myeong spoke with an unhurried demeanor.
“I have observed the sects recently brought under the Demon Palace’s dominion, and they receive remarkably generous treatment. Their independence and essential rights remain entirely intact—the Demon Palace merely collects tribute in modest amounts.”
“That arrangement is only possible because they are great sects from beyond our borders, such as the Yunhai Biyeok Palace and the Buk Hae Bing Gung.”
Ok Ho Bang spoke with conviction.
“Moreover, what begins as modest demands will only grow heavier with time. It is a truth as old as the ages themselves.”
“Hmm.”
“If our Rang Ju and Manmadang clash, the merchants will suffer grievously. When that occurs, the Murim Alliance will surely emerge as if waiting for precisely such an opportunity.”
Ok Ho Bang spoke with forceful conviction.
“The Mil Mil Territory’s lord is not ignorant of this reality, so armed conflict is absolutely—”
Thud, thud.
At that moment, the sound of measured footsteps approaching the Banquet Hall echoed through the chamber.
Ok Ho Bang tensed instantly.
With Do Myeong’s arrival, the only figure who could enter here was the Mil Mil Territory’s lord who commanded Manmadang.
Whoosh.
Yet the figure who entered the Banquet Hall was none other than a masked man.
“Who are you?”
When Ok Ho Bang inquired, the masked man replied calmly.
“What if the Demon Palace were to acknowledge the authority of Donghyo Seorang, collecting only the commercial territories as its domain? Modest tribute should suffice.”
Remarkably, the masked man appeared to have heard the entire conversation between Do Myeong and Ok Ho Bang.
“Have you come from the Demon Palace?”
Ok Ho Bang scrutinized the masked man intently.
Though his frame appeared lean, his eyes gleamed with noble bearing—he was clearly no ordinary figure.
At that moment, the masked man stared intently at Do Myeong and asked.
“What is Rang Ju’s opinion?”
“Hmm.”
Do Myeong crossed his arms and let out a sigh before speaking.
“A full ten percent seems excessive. I’d prefer around five percent. As you know, work has been drying up lately….”
“Rang Ju.”
Ok Ho Bang jumped to his feet.
After all that explanation, what kind of deflating response was this?
The masked man crossed his arms and spoke.
“Are your circumstances truly so difficult?”
“Well, unlike other Wanderer Markets, this organization charges the wanderers very modest introduction fees.”
“Very well. Then I shall lower it to five percent. However, the condition is that nothing regarding this matter must be exposed to the outside.”
“Hehehehe, how remarkably generous. Would that even cover a day’s wages?”
“For generations, the Jeok Su Gang region has remained untouched by the Murim Alliance’s influence. What importance could money hold in bringing such territory under our protection?”
At the masked man’s words, Do Myeong extended his hand.
“Indeed, how refreshingly straightforward. Then we must seal this with a handshake oath.”
Ok Ho Bang’s face went pale.
Typically, agreements between martial sects are formalized in written documents to establish clear evidence.
But this wasn’t children playing territory games—they were sealing an oath with a handshake?
‘Has Rang Ju lost his mind from his closed-door training…!’
“No, I cannot consent to this. Rang Ju is currently in poor health….”
Clap clap clap.
In the meantime, the masked man and Do Myeong struck their palms together forcefully, sealing their oath.
“From this moment forward, I entrust Donghyo Seorang to your care. Ensure that the wanderers and merchants of the Jeok Su Gang region are never drawn into conflict.”
At Do Myeong’s words, the masked man’s eyes narrowed faintly.
“I shall do my utmost.”
Ordinarily, such words are merely courteous platitudes.
Yet when the masked man spoke of doing his utmost, it carried a resolve far stronger than any oath sworn upon one’s life.
This was perhaps because the masked man’s voice and gaze were so profoundly grave and sincere.
The masked man continued.
“I shall immediately withdraw Manmadang’s forces, and subsequently establish a branch office in this region.”
“A branch office?”
“Of course, merely an intelligence division to gather information about the Jeok Su Gang area, so as not to inconvenience Donghyo Seorang or the merchants.”
“Ah, I see. You intend to establish a Demon Palace branch as a symbolic gesture of withdrawing territorial control—to prevent the Murim Alliance from entering.”
“Precisely.”
Do Myeong nodded in agreement.
“I understand. Let us proceed accordingly.”
“No, this cannot be!”
Ok Ho Bang cried out, wedging himself between Do Myeong and the masked man as he spoke urgently.
“The merchants and pawn shops of the Jeok Su Gang region place great trust in this organization! Yet if they are absorbed into Demon Palace so suddenly….”
“Didn’t we agree to merely claim symbolic control over the territories?”
Do Myeong placed a hand on Ok Ho Bang’s shoulder.
“I’ll persuade the merchants and pawn shop owners myself. So they won’t be anxious.”
“Rang, Rang Ju.”
“Given the current state of Murim, this was bound to happen eventually.”
Do Myeong glanced at the masked man and spoke with unhurried ease.
“So shouldn’t we quickly climb aboard with the best terms possible? Wouldn’t you agree?”
Ok Ho Bang felt dizzy.
He realized that no matter what he said, it would be futile.
“It seems my opinion was never necessary to begin with.”
Ok Ho Bang, shoulders drooping, turned away.
“Then I’ll take my leave first.”
“Ok Ho Bang.”
The masked man called out to him at that moment.
“Do you have any orders for me?”
Ok Ho Bang asked weakly, and the masked man stepped forward.
“It seems you’ll need to raise your son more strictly from now on.”
And looking down at him, he spoke.
“That insufferable brat forced me into a betrothal I never asked for.”
“What do you mean—”
“That wretch has been in Sae Oe recently, playing king among the wanderers and accumulating military achievements. When he returns, tell him to come directly to me, the Ryeong Ju.”
Then he strode out without hesitation.
Ok Ho Bang blinked as he watched him leave.
What had that masked man just said? And Ryeong Ju?
“Surely not!”
Only then did Ok Ho Bang realize the masked man’s identity and jumped to his feet.
“Rang Ju! Could it be that he…?”
“Indeed. That’s exactly who it is.”
Do Myeong smiled faintly, and Ok Ho Bang’s mouth fell open.
“You already knew?”
“How could I? I merely predicted it from the sound of his footsteps.”
Do Myeong had once been a disciple of Nangya Sect.
Therefore, he had sensed the aura of the Beast Path technique from the footsteps the masked man deliberately let slip.
“But then why didn’t you step forward directly…?”
“Didn’t I say? He was forced into a betrothal he never asked for.”
In that moment, Ok Ho Bang understood everything.
The Ryeong Ju of Mil Mil Territory was betrothed to Muk Hon Ryeong Ju. And since this mission was inseparable from her… he was secretly stepping forward to help her.
Tap, tap, tap.
Then light footsteps sounded, and a shadow walked into the Banquet Hall.
Click.
At last, the figure who entered was a peerless beauty clad in deep indigo robes, her long hair coiled like clouds atop her head.
It was none other than Dan So Ok, the Ryeong Ju of Mil Mil Territory.
“You arrived first, I see.”
Dan So Ok, about to offer a respectful greeting, sensed something amiss and tilted her head in confusion.
Do Myeong, the Rang Ju of Donghyo Seorang, and Ok Ho Bang, his subordinate Jeon Ju.
Were they not staring at her intently, their lips curling with smiles?
Their gaze was so peculiar and their amusement so evident that Dan So Ok grew flustered and touched her cheeks self-consciously.
“Is there… something on my face?”
* * *
―The Jeok Su Gang region had been incorporated into the Demon Palace’s sphere of influence!
―Donghyo Seorang, which had guarded the righteous path for generations with roots deep in Guizhou, had likewise been incorporated into the Demon Palace!
The Murim fell into shock for a time.
An autonomous domain of merchants and wanderers that no righteous faction had ever penetrated.
The Jeok Su Gang region incorporated into the Demon Palace?
Even when Hell Blood Castle’s might had echoed across all of Guizhou, Donghyo Seorang had refused to bend. Yet now it had knelt.
And without the slightest resistance or conflict.
As proof of this, a branch of the Demon Palace was established in the Jeok Su Gang region.
Though modest in scale, the establishment of a branch meant that the region was now recognized as part of the Demon Palace’s domain.
―The Murim Alliance gained little and lost much…
In the end, the Demon Palace had surrendered flesh to seize the enemy’s bones.
And this was all due to the remarkable stratagems of Dan So Ok, the Ryeong Ju of Mil Mil Territory within the Demon Palace.
The warriors of Murim could not help but marvel at her wisdom—achieved at such a young age, she had secured a complete victory against the Murim Alliance itself.
―How could this have happened!
Meanwhile, Gun Ok Sang, the Vice Lord of Shin Wi Dan, burned with fury upon hearing this news.
Because of Yeon Ja Gang’s greed, he had effectively handed over Jeok Su Gang—a territory as precious as gold—with both hands.
Moreover, there was no justification to reclaim it… The Murim Alliance had never suffered such humiliation.
In the end, Shin Wi Dan, unable to act either way, returned to the Murim Alliance in a state of bewilderment, or so it was said.

―The Wei Long Party is to return to the Alliance immediately upon the arrival of the Muhonjung.
Yuk Jang Cheon, the Lord of Deng Wu Dian, had reassigned the forces stationed in the Yeoggyeong Region from the Wei Long Party to the Muhonjung.
It was likely an order made after sufficient consultation with Gong Son Dan Gyeong, the Chief Strategist, so if they returned to the Alliance, what punishment would befall the Wei Long Party was as clear as day.
“Ugh…”
Upon hearing all this news, Yeon Ja Gang could not contain the fury erupting within him.
This could not be called his mistake. He could not accept it.
Donghyo Seorang had never bowed even to Hell Blood Castle all this time.
Yet suddenly, the Demon Hall.
Who could have foreseen that they would submit to Dan So Ok, the young strategist leading Manmadang?
How could anyone have anticipated that Rang Ju of Donghyo Seorang would personally come forth to establish a Demon Hall branch near Jeok Su Gang and obtain the merchants’ consent on their behalf?
“This is not my fault!”
This was not his mistake.
It was a calamity that should never have occurred, that could never have occurred.
“Ugh…”
As Yeon Ja Gang raged while gripping his head, he suddenly recalled a single fact.
The Elite Division.
The intelligence unit had been specially dispatched even to this negotiation, basking in the favor of the Lord of Deng Wu Dian, and now stood right before his eyes.
“Summon the commander of the Elite Division at once!”
At Yeon Ja Gang’s cry, his subordinates immediately called for Seon Woo Jin, the commander of the Elite Division, and brought him to the camp.
“The Elite Division is the intelligence unit, is it not?”
As Bu Eunseol, disguised as Seon Woo Jin, entered the camp, Yeon Ja Gang shouted abruptly with eyes bloodshot and flushed.
“The Lord said to assist the Chief in his work, did he not? Yet you failed to anticipate such circumstances?”
It was a petty and cowardly excuse.
But Yeon Ja Gang had absolutely no intention of dying alone.
Due to the lax attitude of the Elite Division, the intelligence unit, he had failed to obtain information about the Jeok Su Gang area.
He was prepared to insist that this failure was due to that negligence.
If he bore this failure alone, he could not even maintain his position as Chief.
“I had anticipated it.”
But a response different from Yeon Ja Gang’s expectations came back.
“And because of that, I sought an audience with you several times.”
“What?”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“But did you not refuse my request for an audience?”
Crash!
Yeon Ja Gang slammed the table and shouted.
“Is that what you call an excuse? If I had refused, you should have informed me through my other subordinates!”
He glared at Bu Eunseol as if to kill her, then cried out again.
“You merely say I refused the audience? You claim you did not convey this critical information?”
Yeon Ja Gang began to make unreasonable demands deliberately.
Even if it meant his death, he was determined to drag that detestable Elite Division commander down with him like a vengeful spirit.
“Of course, I tried to inform the disciples of the Wei Long Party multiple times. But whenever I arrived, the Party Lord would refuse, claiming he was busy.”
Yet as Bu Eunseol continued her explanation, Yeon Ja Gang’s eyes began to widen progressively.
“After numerous attempts, the situation kept repeating itself, so I had no choice but to report this matter to the Deng Wu Dian Lord.”
“What, what did you say? Report?”
Only then did Yeon Ja Gang understand why the Deng Wu Dian Lord had been so furious.
Why the military forces stationed in the Yeoggyeong Region had been changed.
“How could you report such a matter!”
“We are the Elite Division.”
Bu Eunseol met Yeon Ja Gang’s gaze directly as she spoke.
“As the Party Lord instructed, we had to convey that critical information by any means necessary.”
Bu Eunseol had foreseen it all clearly.
That Yeon Ja Gang’s fury over ruining everything would ultimately be directed at her and the Elite Division.
Which is why she had deliberately approached Yeon Ja Gang multiple times with an air of wanting to accumulate merit.
That way, Yeon Ja Gang would dismiss her and refuse to even listen to her words.
And she had conveyed to the Deng Wu Dian Lord the contents about how the Jeok Su Gang region might fall into the hands of the Demon Palace.
Of course, including the fact that the Wei Long Party Lord and his subordinates were completely ignoring her reports.
“Seon Woo Lo—!”
Just as Yeon Ja Gang was about to shout, he closed his mouth upon seeing the coldly gleaming eyes of Bu Eunseol.
‘This woman anticipated even this situation and made her move!’
A tremor ran through him.
Only now did Yeon Ja Gang, who had tried to drag the Elite Division down with him like a vengeful spirit, comprehend the entire situation.
‘By thoroughly blocking the Elite Division to avoid sharing any credit, she created this very outcome.’
That he had handed over the Jeok Su Gang region to the Demon Palace due to his own greed was already an irreversible blunder.
Yet even his petty actions had been reported in detail to the Deng Wu Dian Lord.
There was no turning back now.
“Yes. It’s all my fault.”
Only then did Yeon Ja Gang come to his senses.
Seon Woo Jin bore no fault.
Rather, she had faithfully carried out his orders all this time and had merely tried to offer counsel in preparation for any unforeseen crisis.
No matter how many times he examined it, everything was his own mistake.
“Our contingent must remain in Yeoggyeong until the Mujin Sword Division arrives.”
Yeon Ja Gang, who had been gazing at the distant sky with a desolate expression, spoke.
“The Elite Division is to return immediately. I will handle the rest myself.”
“Understood.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together and turned to leave, she heard Yeon Ja Gang’s voice.
“Lord Seon Woo.”
When Bu Eunseol turned her head, Yeon Ja Gang’s face appeared to have aged ten years, and his hair at the temples had turned white.
“I’m sorry. And… I ask for your continued support.”
Having committed an irreversible blunder, he would not only fail to preserve his position as Party Lord.
Upon returning to the Alliance, only punishment awaited him.
In that case, I could only hope that Seon Woo Jin would handle the matter with a bit more finesse.
After meeting with Yeon Ja Gang and returning, Bu Eunseol made her way back to the camp where the Elite Division members were waiting.
“The main contingent will now return.”
Bu Eunseol addressed the members in a calm voice.
“Though the Wei Long Party Lord did not accept our counsel, and the outcome was not favorable, I am immensely proud of this unit’s capabilities.”
Tae Mu Ryong and all the other members had grasped the situation in the Guizhou Region and created a map marking every single faction in a remarkably short time.
At this level of competence, their skills were not inferior to any intelligence division within the Murim Alliance.
Furthermore, through that map, they had devised a strategy to aid Dan Seo Ok, and they had also reported to Deung Mu Jeon that there was a probability of the Jeok Su Gang region falling under their control…
Thanks to the members’ efforts, I had achieved results that accomplished both objectives.
“Then let us depart.”
At my words, the members laughed with satisfaction.
Though their efforts had not borne visible fruit, they had a commander who recognized their work.
That alone was enough to make them smile.
‘Now comes the most crucial matter.’
I turned my body and gazed toward the distant sky.
In truth, what I had considered most important in this expedition was not what others might assume.
It was neither about earning merit nor about aiding Dan Seo Ok.
Rather, it was resolving the subtle suspicion that the Commander-in-Chief, Gong Son Dan Gyeong, harbored toward me.
‘Now it truly begins.’
My eyes gleamed as I gazed at the distant sky.
Having already issued covert instructions through So Yo, I would soon be able to completely dispel her doubts.
“By the way, have you all prepared the items I mentioned beforehand?”
For this plan, I had instructed the members to prepare certain materials in advance.
“We have each carefully secured everything.”
At their response, I nodded.
My plan was only now truly beginning.

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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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