The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 47

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

Chapter 47.
Geommi Mountain, Cheol Jang Peak.
The most jagged summit rising from the eastern edge of Nangya Pavilion, a place of terrain so treacherous it defied description.
Whoosh.
A shadow traversed the sheer cliff face as though walking on level ground.
Between strands of long, flowing hair gleamed eyes frozen like ice—unwavering, resolute. The firm set of lips between sharp cheekbones spoke of an unshakeable will and imperturbable spirit.
It was Bu Eunseol.
With each breath I exhaled, I covered more than thirty paces.
A testament to my profoundly deep inner cultivation.
Tap.
Bu Eunseol, moving with swift strides, finally reached the summit.
“Exhale.”
Catching my breath lightly, I gazed upward at the crystalline blue sky.
Cheol Jang Peak.
This was where I had formally begun my martial training after entering Nangya Pavilion. I had received instruction in the Banjuk Heart Method—a technique I boasted was the supreme inner cultivation art of Gangho—from the eccentric master Hyul Geum Gang.
‘But I’ve only learned it.’
I was acutely aware of this truth.
I had learned martial arts far too suddenly. Consequently, I lacked the absolute time needed to truly digest and internalize them.
Most critically, what I needed first was clarity regarding my inner cultivation method.
‘There’s definitely been a change in my inner power.’
Since my acupoints had awakened, my body contained several strands of formidable vital energy.
Yet I still did not know the true extent of my inner cultivation level, nor at what stage my heart method had progressed.
“It’s been a while.”
Then, a low voice accompanied a muscular middle-aged man in a kasaya robe who slowly approached from behind Bu Eunseol.
It was Hyul Geum Gang.
“Master.”
I clasped my hands together and bowed respectfully.
Inner cultivation methods form the foundation of martial arts. Though we were not formally master and disciple, I regarded Hyul Geum Gang as my true teacher in my heart.
“I’ve heard well of your accomplishments during this time.”
Hyul Geum Gang observed the subtle radiance in my eyes and nodded approvingly.
“You’ve grown further in the interim.”
“It is all thanks to your teachings, Master.”
“Your eloquence has improved as well.”
Hyul Geum Gang nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Have you come because questions about inner cultivation methods have arisen?”
“Yes.”
I spoke with proper deference.
“Only after experiencing various trials did I realize my ignorance regarding my inner cultivation level and the stages of the Banjuk Heart Method.”
“Hmm.”
Hyul Geum Gang nodded as though he had anticipated this.
“It’s time I imparted my final teachings.”
His eyes, fixed upon Bu Eunseol, brimmed with pride and astonishment.
“Even if you are a prodigy of the highest order, I believed it would require at least three years of rigorous cultivation to reach the third stage of the Inverse Extreme Heart Method.”
Hyul Geum Gang spoke in a low voice, a faint smile playing at his lips.
“Yet my expectations have proven wrong.”
He raised his hand and grasped Bu Eunseol’s wrist pulse point.
“Your current inner power level slightly exceeds one full cycle.”
“My inner power surpasses one full cycle?”
“Your latent meridians have been activated. Because of this, the pure vital energy I had accumulated through breathing exercises has been converted into Inverse Extreme vital energy.”
“Fifty years…”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
She had sensed the activation of her own latent meridians.
But she had not known that pure vital energy generated through breathing exercises would snowball into exponential growth when converted through a cultivation method.
“Can you discern anything by reading someone’s pulse point, as you do, Elder?”
“Not quite. You and I have learned the same cultivation method, which allows me to easily perceive the flow of vital energy.”
Bu Eunseol paused in thought before asking again.
“Then how is inner power level measured?”
“It can be estimated through rebound force. When pressing a pulse point, the force capable of pushing it back by roughly one-tenth of an inch corresponds to approximately three years of inner power cultivation.”
“Is there no other way to determine it?”
“There is one more method—through direct inner power confrontation. By calculating the rebound force of an opponent’s inner power pushing against mine, I can roughly estimate their cultivation level.”
Hyul Geum Gang continued his explanation without pause.
And I was able to hear detailed accounts of the stages of the Inverse Extreme Heart Method.
“For reference, your Inverse Extreme Heart Method has already entered the third stage. The Inverse Extreme radiance is manifesting in your eyes, which corresponds to reaching the threshold of the Pinnacle stage in terms of martial mastery.”
“The Pinnacle…stage?”
As Bu Eunseol blinked, Hyul Geum Gang’s expression grew hollow.
“I see. You haven’t even learned the stages of martial mastery.”
He smacked his lips and continued his explanation.
“The Pinnacle is a state where one transcends the First-Rate stage, and both body and inner power reach their limits. Breaking through the Pinnacle state is called the Transcendent Realm.”
“The Transcendent Realm…”
“Yes. The state of reaching the ultimate point of acquired martial arts is called the Transcendent Realm. Beyond that lies the Celestial Extreme Realm.”
Hyul Geum Gang’s expression grew solemn.
“Upon reaching the Celestial Extreme Realm, one can freely control body and spirit, transcending the constraints of inner power and the limitations of flesh.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“All the overlords and masters who dominate a region have reached this stage. Of course, even within the same realm, there are distinctions between the threshold and the peak.”
“Are there realms beyond that?”
“Of course. When one reaches the ultimate pinnacle of martial arts, achieving absolute perfection in all things, this is called the Martial Extreme Realm. However, depending on one’s enlightenment, this perfection can be fractured, so even within the Martial Extreme Realm, subtle differences exist.”
Bu Eunseol answered after a moment of contemplation.
“Then the masters who dominate the world must have reached the Martial Extreme Realm.”
Hyul Geum Gang nodded.
“Indeed. Among them, the Demon Palace Master and the Murim Alliance Master are both said to have reached the pinnacle of the Martial Extreme Realm, which is why they are called the Dual Celestial Emperors of Righteousness and Demonism.”
“The Dual Celestial Demons….”
Two supreme masters who governed the two great martial sects had ascended together to the pinnacle of the martial world.
“Beneath them stand the Three Demons and Three Sages. Below that are the Four Divine Kings and Seven Sovereigns.”
‘The martial world harbors countless masters.’
The more Bu Eunseol listened to Hyul Geum Gang’s explanation, the more acutely she felt the vast distance between her martial knowledge and her understanding of the world.
Then, something suddenly occurred to her, and she asked again.
“If someone has reached the Boundless Realm, surely there must be a realm beyond that as well.”
“Indeed. It is called the Heavenly Intent Realm. One transcends human limitations and comes to understand the very will of heaven itself. A boundless state of unity with primordial existence, one might say. However, no one in martial history has yet reached such heights….”
Bu Eunseol caught her breath.
Hearing of martial realms she had never known before, the path she must walk began to reveal itself.
“Are your questions finished?”
At Hyul Geum Gang’s question, Bu Eunseol regained her focus.
She reminded herself that now she needed to ask about inner energy, not martial realms.
“Then what happens upon reaching the third stage of the Extreme Reversal Heart Method?”
“First, one attains the state of water and fire immunity.”
“Water and fire immunity….”
Only then did Bu Eunseol understand why she had remained unharmed by the frigid cold of the ice crystals within the lake.
“Moreover, because one gains complete control over the flow of inner energy, one can deploy the Finger of Severing Poison. In short, reaching the third stage means one’s inner energy is perfected to the level of renown in the martial world.”
Bu Eunseol did not cease her questioning.
She had made a resolve before coming here. And because of that resolve, today might be the last day she could see Hyul Geum Gang.
“Then what of the fourth stage?”
“Upon reaching the fourth stage, one can generate protective true energy that shields the entire body, like the Mysterious Gate Celestial Energy. In terms of martial realms, it is equivalent to breaking through the peak and reaching the Transcendent Realm.”
“The Transcendent Realm….”
“Yes. And upon reaching the fifth stage, one can materialize inner energy. At this point, one surpasses the Transcendent Realm.”
Hyul Geum Gang continued his explanation.
“According to the scripture, at the sixth stage, one’s inner energy reaches an infinite state that never depletes, and at the seventh stage, one can transcend the constraints of the physical body. Upon reaching the final eighth stage, one gains the power of nature itself and can participate in the creation and dissolution of all things.”
“I do not fully comprehend the meaning. How can a human wield the power of nature and participate in creation and dissolution?”
“A scripture is merely a scripture. Realms beyond our reach are often filled by the limits of human imagination.”
Hyul Geum Gang smiled bitterly.
“Bin Seung merely reached the cusp of the fifth stage, yet he never lost a single confrontation of inner energy against the greatest masters under heaven. But afterward, no matter how hard he strived, he could not break through into the sixth stage.”
He released a deep sigh and murmured softly.
“Perhaps those realms exist only in imagination.”
All the doubts in her heart had been resolved.
Hyul Geum Gang, gazing into Bu Eunseol’s eyes, smiled and spoke.
“So. Have you resolved to venture into the martial world?”
“How did you know?”
“Now that you have reached the third stage, your inner energy will accumulate thicker with each passing day, even without daily cultivation.”
Hyul Geum Gang spoke matter-of-factly, as though he had already discerned her true intentions.
“If you were not going to venture into the martial world, there would be no need to seek out Bin Seung and ask all these questions.”
Hyul Geum Gang fell silent for a moment, then his expression grew serene.
“With this, I have repaid all my debts to Nangya Sect. Now Bin Seung can leave this place with a clear conscience.”
“Are you planning to depart immediately?”
“Well…”
Based on his tone and gaze, it seemed he had no intention of leaving Nangya Sect just yet.
“It matters not where Bin Seung goes. Wherever you are, you remain beneath the same sky.”
Hyul Geum Gang, smiling faintly, patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
“The storms of Gangho are treacherous. I pray you take care of yourself.”
His voice was gruff yet carried profound warmth.
Bu Eunseol suppressed the surging emotions in her chest, clasped her hands together, and bowed deeply.
“Until we meet again, please take care of yourself, Elder.”
Returning to her quarters, Bu Eunseol fell into deep contemplation.
Though she had acquired sufficient inner strength to operate in Gangho, she realized she knew virtually nothing about martial arts themselves.
‘Looking back, I have learned far more martial arts than I initially thought.’
On Hell Island, I learned the fundamentals of Beast Claw and Hwa Woo Geom, and even mastered the supreme technique of Killing Blade—the Thunderous Unparalleled Form.
At Nangya Sect, I learned genuine inner cultivation methods, movement techniques, and footwork. And from Dan Cheong, the basics of practical combat arts.
Through missions with Changsin Squad and real combat, I faintly grasped Heavenly Tyrant’s Extreme Mastery, Mind Splitting Technique, and the secrets of heavy sword combat.
‘Yet… none of it is truly mine.’
I learned martial arts far too suddenly, and lacked the absolute time needed to digest them.
In fact, I cannot even freely deploy Cheon Woon Gwang’s Thunderous Unparalleled Form yet.
‘The real problem is that I have no time.’
I am now marked as a person of concern by Baek Ma Sa, Hwawoo Sword Sect, Jeok Bung of the Demon Palace’s Elder Council, and even the Murim Alliance.
Rather than mastering Nangya Sect’s martial arts within three years, I must grow strong enough to escape their grasp in a much shorter timeframe.
‘There is only one way.’
I have no time to leisurely cultivate martial arts.
‘I must acquire martial arts through real combat.’
Bu Eunseol clenched her fists tightly.
All of Nangya Sect’s martial arts are practical combat techniques.
There are limits to learning through conventional martial instruction—incantations, doctrines, and practice forms.
‘It was the same when I learned from Sa Woo.’
Sa Woo actually attacked me to teach me Beast Claw.
Go Wol, who taught me Extreme Speed Shadow, and Dan Cheong, who taught me the basics of practical combat, both demonstrated through real combat rather than mere forms.
Knowing this well, I myself entered Changsin Squad to perform missions and learn martial secrets through actual practice.
‘By experiencing real combat rather than mere training, I can truly internalize all the martial arts I have learned so far.’
Having resolved this, Bu Eunseol rose to her feet.
“To do that…”
Her eyes suddenly gleamed as she gazed at the distant sky reflected in the window.
She had realized what was most necessary to venture into Gangho.
* * *
“The state of affairs in Gangho?”
Baek Yeon, sitting in the pavilion sipping tea, blinked his eyes.
Bu Eunseol had appeared before me out of nowhere, asking about the current state of affairs in Gangho.
“Taking an interest in the state of Gangho means… you intend to become a formal member of this organization?”
The Fengyun Corps was the intelligence division of Nangya Sect.
All members assigned to it traveled throughout Gangho, handling information and secrets of the highest purity.
Yet Bu Eunseol, who had earned Dan Cheong’s recognition for her martial talent, was now showing interest in the Fengyun Corps?
“That’s not it. I simply wish to obtain information about the current state of Gangho and the various sects.”
“Information about Gangho’s circumstances and the sects, you say…”
Only then did Baek Yeon, having seen through Bu Eunseol’s true intentions, furrow his brow.
“You always insist on walking the most difficult and treacherous path.”
He sighed deeply, shaking his head as he spoke.
“The information I possess could influence the very landscape of the martial world. I have nothing to share with one who is not yet a member of the Fengyun Corps.”
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol withdrew without hesitation, her hands clasped respectfully before her.
Seeing her resolute demeanor, Baek Yeon spoke in a low voice.
“Seek out Master Wang.”
“…?”
“What you wish to know, Master Wang likely understands better than anyone.”
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol made her way directly to the Blacksmith Shop where Wang Gyeol, her master, was located.
Leaving the narrow path that ran through the pavilion, a sprawling market street came into view. As I walked past shops lining the street like the Market Street itself, the distant sound of rhythmic hammering reached my ears.
It was the sound coming from Wang Gyeol’s Blacksmith Shop.
Clang. Clang.
Watching Wang Gyeol strike his hammer with indifferent precision, a peculiar question suddenly arose in my mind.
‘Now that I think about it, something feels odd.’
Those called “masters” in Nangya Sect were figures equivalent to “elders” or “senior elders” in other sects.
Yet Wang Gyeol deliberately crafted weapons at the entrance of Nangya Sect, and answered whatever questions were posed to him.
But upon reflection, it felt as though such a life was not something Wang Gyeol himself had chosen.
Thud. Thud.
As Bu Eunseol approached the Blacksmith Shop, Wang Gyeol, still striking his hammer, spoke without glancing up.
“What brings you here?”
“I have something I wish to ask you about.”
“Speak.”
“I wish to know about the current state of affairs in Gangho.”
“The state of Gangho…”
At that, Wang Gyeol ceased his hammering and straightened his posture.
Observing the light in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, he nodded slightly.
“Follow me.”

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