The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 470
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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 470.
Jeong Cheon did not hesitate.
Drinking this was nothing at all.
If he could become stronger.
If he could perfectly master this formidable technique, he could even offer his own soul directly to The Demon.
From that day forward, Jeong Cheon began gradually mastering the two forms of Hyeol Roo Chil Sik.
Yet he still could not perfectly grasp the technique’s principles and forms.
Paradoxically, this was because—
His inner energy amplified several times over, his tireless steel-like physique, and the drug’s essence that made even death feel numb.
He should have faced death without fear and savored its meaning.
Instead, his amplified martial power and physical strength, along with his hardened spirit, prevented him from perfectly mastering the technique.
‘I can deploy the technique however I wish, but it becomes a different technique than the original principles.’
Though I had grasped it in my own way, compared to what the Black-Robed Sage unleashed, it felt considerably lacking.
If that were the case, I would not achieve victory against my equal—the successor of the Demon Hall who shakes all of Tianxia.
‘I must try harder. More.’
Jeong Cheon increased his dosage of the elixir and consumed the artificial inner cores and various medicines they provided.
As a result, the technique’s power grew ever greater, but his body deteriorated and his spirit became numb beyond rigidity.
“Hehehehe! Hahahaha!”
Finally, Jeong Cheon completed his mastery of the Hyeol Roo Chil Sik technique.
Leaving Gugok Mountain, he slaughtered both the Shil Hon In members and the martial artists who had come to this place.
And not long ago, he was able to strike down an old man who appeared to be Tan Wang with just a single form.
“Now I should be able to devour him.”
But then, a masked elder appeared.
Having learned that the technique was complete, he had found me with uncanny precision.
Clang!
Yet Jeong Cheon could not defeat the old man.
Within merely ten forms, I suffered fatal wounds and collapsed to the ground.
“So it cannot be done after all.”
The masked elder muttered, looking down at Jeong Cheon crumpled in blood.
“So Hyeol Roo Chil Sik is indeed a technique that can only be mastered by those whose martial talent, Chilji Demonic Sect, and spirit are perfectly aligned.”
Then he clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“Tsk, what a waste of time.”
The masked elder spoke coldly, gazing at Jeong Cheon curled up like an insect.
“Since you’re no longer useful, you’ll serve as an experimental subject.”
After that, Jeong Cheon was led away by their hands, his body wrapped in chains.
And he underwent human experimentation, injected with all manner of drugs.
That was the last memory Jeong Cheon could recall.
* * *
Finishing his recollection, Jeong Cheon smiled bitterly.
“And so it came to this.”
As Bu Eunseol absorbed the entire story, blood-red light blazed across her pupils.
Sam Gye. It was always Sam Gye.
They had exploited their desire for strength, casting the brilliant talent Jeong Cheon into an irreversible abyss.
And in the end, they had perpetrated cruel experiments that should never have been conducted.
When the Underground Fortress collapsed because of Bu Eunseol and Gong Son Dan Ah, they abandoned Jeong Cheon, who had become Shil Hon In, and fled.
“There is no one to blame. After all, it was I who made the wrong choice.”
“Jeong Cheon.”
“From the beginning, I was a person who could never surpass you.”
Dark blood trickled from his lips.
Somewhere along the way, black blood had begun to flow from the corners of his mouth.
“I tried to master the Hyeol Roo Chil Sik to surpass you, yet the true scripture was absurdly in your possession.”
Jeong Cheon spoke with a sigh.
“Were you truly the legitimate successor of Chil Ji Ma Do?”
Bu Eunseol nodded with a grave expression.
“I obtained the true transmission by chance.”
“I see. So that was it.”
Deep and shadowed light swirled in Jeong Cheon’s eyes.
The very person he had so desperately wished to surpass possessed the complete authentic scripture of Chil Ji Ma Do.
Even if he had perfected both techniques, the confrontation he had envisioned could never have come to pass.
“Jeong Cheon. Where did the Black-Robed Sage who taught you the Way go?”
Bu Eunseol had to find that Black-Robed Sage.
Only by finding him could she uncover the truth about Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang.
“He did not state his destination precisely. However.”
Jeong Cheon smiled faintly.
“I could discern it. That he had returned to Cheon San.”
“Cheon San.”
“Yes. The place where I was training at that time was near Cheon San, and his garments were thick, made from beast hide.”
If he were being hunted by the vast organization Sam Gye? If there were nowhere left to flee?
Cheon San, endlessly sprawling beneath eternal snow, would make an excellent refuge.
“Jeong Cheon. Gather your strength. Let us descend quickly and treat your wounds.”
Bu Eunseol placed her hand on his vital point and infused her qi.
But Jeong Cheon shook his head and offered a smile.
“It is well. I am beyond hope, so do not waste your precious qi on me.”
“Jeong Cheon.”
“Still, to receive the blade of the next Lord of the Demonic Path at the end… I am truly grateful.”
With trembling hands, he grasped Bu Eunseol’s hand.
“Yoo Yeon. That child will now be alone. I have raised her on my back since childhood.”
He spoke of Dam Yoo Yeon, the Master of Su Gyeong Jeon of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji and her sworn sister.
“Jeong Cheon!”
“That child… I entrust to you.”
Thud.
Jeong Cheon released his final breath while holding Bu Eunseol’s hand, a peaceful smile gracing his lips.
He had been a martial prodigy and an optimistic soul.
But everything changed after he crossed blades with Bu Eunseol, who possessed a burning warrior’s spirit.
He too had pursued the martial way, yearning to achieve mastery that would yield to no one.
Yet in the end, he succumbed to the temptations of the Three Realms and became their experimental subject.
But heaven’s grace granted him this mercy—his final resting place would be beneath the sword of Bu Eunseol, the young Grand Master of Demon Hall, the very one he had so desperately wished to surpass…
Thus, he could say his death was not without dignity.
“Brother Jeong.”
Bu Eunseol carefully cradled his remains in her arms.
Dam Yoo Yeon, the Master of Su Gyeong Jeon in Jeok Cheon Mak Ji, had loved Jeong Cheon.
It was only right that his remains be delivered to her in the end.
Creak.
As I stepped outside through the opened door, a clear sky came into view.
At last, I had escaped this suffocating underground facility beneath Moshan.
“Ryeong Ju.”
It was then that Gong Son Dan Ah spoke.
“Are you the predecessor of Chil Ji Ma Do?”
Ordinarily, this was information that should never be revealed.
But I sensed instinctively that I could trust Gong Son Dan Ah.
Though I could not find the basis for that trust.
“Having obtained the Jade Essence, one could say so.”
“Is he well?”
A strange question.
I shook my head with a puzzled expression.
“Did he not disappear some thirty years ago?”
“Then it seems another Chil Ji Ma Do has been active.”
“Another Chil Ji Ma Do? What do you mean?”
Gong Son Dan Ah spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“It’s merely something I happened to overhear, but I’ve heard that our Palace Lord and Chil Ji Ma Do share considerable connection.”
My eyes gleamed.
The Black-Robed Sage who had taught Jeong Cheon the Blood Weeping Seven Techniques was not Chil Ji Ma Do himself.
That meant there was another figure who had transmitted the Demonic Path techniques to the Black-Robed Sage.
Could it be that Chil Ji Ma Do is not only still alive, but has forged a connection with the Shen Shui Gong Master?
“He is alive?”
“I don’t know. The Palace Lord spoke of it as though it were a very old matter.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“I don’t know that either. I only happened to overhear our Palace Lord speaking with the Namga Party Lord.”
I gazed toward the distant horizon.
It seemed I would have to visit Shenshui Palace after all.
“Will you be returning to Shenshui Palace?”
“Yes.”
“Would it be possible for someone from the Demonic Path to visit that place?”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Gong Son Dan Ah nodded with a pleased expression.
“Of course. Our Palace Lord doesn’t concern herself with righteous or demonic distinctions—she favors talented individuals. Moreover, when she learns that you are the predecessor of the Chilji Demonic Sect, she will be absolutely delighted.”
“Why would she be pleased?”
“It doesn’t matter. Our Palace Lord has said that the true Chilji Demonic Sect was quite a righteous figure.”
“The true Chilji Demonic Sect?”
Gong Son Dan Ah spoke matter-of-factly.
“According to our Palace Lord, there were multiple individuals operating under the name Chilji Demonic Sect back then.”
“Multiple?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
It seemed the Shen Shui Gong Master possessed considerable knowledge about the Chilji Demonic Sect, did she not?
“Yes. Our Palace Lord said she conducted secret activities in Gangho in the past.”
This was new information.
The Shen Shui Gong Master, who was known to have never revealed herself in the Murim.
She had secretly ventured into Gangho and encountered multiple individuals claiming to be the Chilji Demonic Sect? Why had the Murim never learned of such matters?
‘The Murim is far more complex than I imagined.’
I had believed that the leaders of the sects concerned themselves only with matters within their own organizations.
But in reality, they were secretly orchestrating various schemes or creating alternate identities…
exerting great and small influence throughout the Murim.
“And she encountered several individuals who revealed themselves as the Chilji Demonic Sect. Well, it’s common enough for people to peddle the names of renowned figures in the Murim.”
Gong Son Dan Ah spoke without concern.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there were many people somewhere selling the name of the Muhonjung Lord as well.”
Bu Eunseol scratched her cheek and nodded.
She too had once peddled the name of Geum Jeong Shin Ryong, a name equally sacred.
“Then I shall certainly visit Shenshui Palace in the future.”
What I needed to find urgently now was not the Shen Shui Gong Master, but the Black-Robed Sage who had taught the Way to Jeong Cheon.
Yet there was one fact that Bu Eunseol could never have known… that before long, she would visit Shenshui Palace to restore a certain person.
“Take care of yourself in the meantime, my lady.”
Bu Eunseol, uncharacteristically, offered a slight smile and bowed respectfully.
Gong Son Dan Ah laughed in return, clasping her hands together.
“I shall look forward to your visit, Ryeong Ju.”
Both possessed transcendent beauty and shared an indifference toward their own appearance.
Because of this, they could treat each other with ease, and having weathered trials both great and small together… a small friendship was beginning to blossom.
* * *
Beneath an autumn sky so brilliantly blue it stung the eyes, an enormous snow-capped mountain range stretched into view.
Cheon San.
In ages past, there existed a mysterious sect called the Tianshan Sect, and throughout the endless reaches of the mountain range, there grew a miraculous herb that granted eternal youth.
The White Pure Flower Essence Grass, it was said, bloomed abundantly in countless places.
Furthermore, the mountain was perpetually blanketed in eternal snow that never melted, and it harbored countless mysterious caves… So not only did the Tianshan Sect dwell there, but Daoists seeking to cultivate the Way also made their homes in these peaks.
However, as the spiritual energy waned, the spirit herbs that once bloomed throughout the mountain vanished, and many of the caves scattered across its slopes collapsed.
There was no longer anywhere suitable for people to dwell.
Thus, nowadays, only those seeking the legend of the White Jade Flower or herb gatherers ventured to these heights—few others climbed Cheon San anymore.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
At that moment, two shadows ascended the frozen Cheon San with remarkable speed.
One was a young man clad in thin, unpadded martial robes despite the bone-piercing cold, and the other was a woman draped in a white fur coat.
They were Bu Eunseol and So Yo.
Sam Gye possessed an intelligence organization and network superior to even the formal organizations of the Murim.
Had Bu Eunseol mobilized a large force, her movements and destination would have been exposed immediately.
So I had no choice but to summon So Yo, whom I had left with Seo Jin Ha, and ascend Cheon San with only her.
Of course, before that, I had visited Jeok Cheon Mak Ji and respectfully delivered Jeong Cheon’s remains.
Dam Yoo Yeon could not accept Jeong Cheon’s death, and she was mistaken in believing that his death was caused by Bu Eunseol.
This was because the sword techniques inscribed upon his body were those of the Demonic Path.
But I offered no explanation.
Once Dam Yoo Yeon regained her clarity of mind, she would surely investigate the circumstances. It would not take long for her to discover that I was not the culprit.
And while she suffered so… having someone to resent would bring her a measure of comfort.
‘If one who is not of Chilji Demonic Sect knows the Blood Severing Seven Forms, then they must be a disciple of Chilji Demonic Sect.’
Emerging from my reverie, I refocused on the matters I needed to address.
Upon reflection, it was indeed strange.
The Blood Severing Seven Forms could not be learned by ordinary practitioners, and its power was an exceptional martial art that could be called the finest of this age.
And a warrior’s supreme secret technique is as precious as their very life.
So why did the Black-Robed Sage give Jeong Cheon a secret manual inscribed with such a technique?
What could he have possibly desired?
‘Moreover, the fact that there are multiple Chilji Demonic Sects.’
Did Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang create a shadow like myself and Seo Jin Ha, sharing everything with them?
Or did the Shen Shui Gong Master simply encounter Gangho practitioners who merely imitated his reputation?
What was certain was that if I found that Black-Robed Sage,
I could uncover the movements and secrets of Chilji Demonic Sect.
“There doesn’t seem to be a better place than this.”
At that moment, So Yo, who had been running alongside me, spoke.
“If one were being pursued by a large force.”
I turned my head to look at So Yo.
Wearing black martial robes on a snow-covered mountain like this would stand out starkly.
That was why I had specially obtained a white fur coat suitable for the Snow Mountain and dressed her in it.
So Yo, who was already small and slender with a pale complexion, now wrapped from head to toe in white garments, looked like
a fairy born from snowflowers.
‘So Yo must not have experienced such things.’
After meeting Gong Son Dan Ah, I had learned one thing.
That beautiful appearance could invite the envy, jealousy, and discrimination of others.
“Why?”
So Yo blinked, noticing Bu Eunseol’s piercing gaze fixed upon her.
“Did I have something on my face?”
“No, I meant I agree with you.”
Bu Eunseol quickly averted her eyes and changed the subject.
“A place like this could withstand even tens of thousands of troops for an extended period.”
Cheon San was divided into South Cheon San, North Cheon San, and Central Cheon San—its scale was immense, and with its barren terrain and treacherous peaks, only masters of exceptional martial prowess could survive here for long.
Though Sam Gye held the entire Murim in its grasp, it could not deploy enough forces to thoroughly comb through these vast mountains.
Even if tens of thousands of soldiers were sent, finding someone in hiding without knowing their location would be impossible.
“But a place excellent for prolonged concealment…”
So Yo gazed at the snow-blanketed peaks and spoke calmly.
“…is equally disadvantageous for us.”
“True enough.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in agreement.
For just two people to find someone hiding alone in these expansive mountains was fundamentally impossible.
Moreover, the Black-Robed Sage who had taught Jeong Cheon had not only mastered the Blood Severing Seven Forms deeply—a technique I myself had yet to perfect completely.
He was skilled enough to evade Sam Gye’s pursuit, so his martial prowess and cunning must be formidable; such a person would never leave obvious traces behind.
“Let’s rest for a moment.”
Bu Eunseol spotted a cave in the distance and headed toward it.
“How exactly do you plan to find him?”
When So Yo asked, Bu Eunseol replied.
“You said he’s been under relentless pursuit for a long time. If so, he would have chosen a place here where he could endure for extended periods and observe anyone approaching in advance.”
“Mm.”
“No matter how vast Cheon San is, there aren’t many locations meeting all those conditions. I’ll search through such places quickly first.”
“But surely the pursuers have already done that.”
“Of course. However, I possess a rather special tracking technique. No matter how long ago something occurred, I can meticulously uncover every trace left behind.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with confidence.
“If I carefully distinguish and examine those traces, I should be able to find him.”
Yet So Yo’s expression seemed odd.
Wasn’t there a glimmer of sympathy and regret flowing from her eyes?
“Why are you looking at me that way?”
“I was thinking it must be exhausting.”
“What do you mean?”
So Yo spoke with eyes full of compassion.
“You’ve never had a single day of ease. Always calculating everything, anticipating every possibility… you’ve lived like that all along.”
“Isn’t that natural?”
Bu Eunseol seemed puzzled by the question.
“Every person in Murim lives that way. Gangho is a place where those who anticipate and calculate more survive.”
So Yo gazed at her instead with eyes of admiration.
That gaze seemed like an invisible hand gently stroking Bu Eunseol’s head.
Perhaps because of the age difference, he always seemed to think it was his responsibility to protect Bu Eunseol.
Jingle. Jingle.
But then, from somewhere, a faint bell chime echoed through the air.
Bu Eunseol and So Yo exchanged glances simultaneously and stilled their presence.
They sensed that the bell chime was drawing steadily closer, and it was heading directly toward them.
Jingle.
As the bell chime finally grew distinct, shadows emerged from the ridge of the mountain.
Their eyes were darkened to black, and they moved with a staggering gait as though intoxicated.
From a distance, it appeared as though boneless figures were shambling forward in a horde.
They were Shil Hon In created by Sam Gye.
“A clever tactic indeed.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in acknowledgment.
The Shil Hon In were impervious to cold and heat, and possessed stamina many times greater than ordinary humans.
Across this vast Cheon San, if one were to unleash countless blood-thirsting Shil Hon In…
It was a calculated method to easily locate those in hiding.
“And they even devised a way to detect anomalies quickly.”
Bells were fastened to the waists of the Shil Hon In, chiming with each movement.
Until they discovered an enemy, they would walk slowly, so the bell chimes would ring at a steady pace.
But once they discovered an enemy, they would move rapidly, and the bell chimes would ring frantically.
By releasing vast numbers of Shil Hon In, they had created an effective method to flush out those in hiding.
“I’ll handle this.”
As So Yo stepped forward, Bu Eunseol nodded.
She was traveling through Gangho in her revealed form for the first time in a while. It was only right to give her the opportunity to stretch her limbs.
Twang!
So Yo drew her short bow and unleashed a torrent of arrows at the Shil Hon In.
Whoosh!
As the arrows flew, the Shil Hon In hastily attempted to swing the great blades they wielded.
Swish.
But the arrows had already vanished.
And at the same moment,
Thunk!
Arrows were already embedded in the back of their skulls. Though it appeared as though a single arrow had been fired, it was actually the Revolving Absolute Technique—two arrows fired in succession.
Jingle. Jingle.
The Shil Hon In with arrows lodged in their skulls collapsed. But the Shil Hon In that remained unharmed showed little reaction.
Jingle jingle jingle!
Then, apparently spotting So Yo, they suddenly began charging forward at tremendous speed.
―Urrgh!
Closing the distance in an instant, the Shil Hon In swung their massive blades at So Yo.
The sword techniques employed by the Shil Hon In were extremely monotonous and posed little threat individually, but the problem was their overwhelming numbers.
Clang!
As the Shil Hon In rushed forward to close the distance, So Yo leaped into the air and unleashed a barrage of arrows in rapid succession.
Thunk! Thunk!
The arrows that fell in sequence did not strike the bodies of the Shil Hon In, but instead embedded themselves in the ground around where they stood.
Then the Shil Hon In exhaled a metallic stench, their great blades raised high, waiting for So Yo to descend.
But something unexpected occurred.
Whoosh! Whiiiish!
Sharp steel wires burst forth from the arrows embedded in the ground, severing the legs of the Shil Hon In in a single stroke.
The moment the strange beings lost their balance, their ankles severed,
Scrape.
So Yo landed on the ground and drew her dagger, moving like lightning to sever the necks of the Shil Hon In.
“A most distinctive technique.”
Bu Eunseol exhaled in admiration.
Baek Ryeol Sal Moon was renowned as an assassin organization for crafting diverse and ingenious arrows.
So Yo, who had been an elite assassin there, had inherited the techniques of Baek Ryeol Sal Moon.
During her training as Deputy Lord of Sa Hon Dae, she had developed arrows with various specialized functions.
And now she wielded these distinctive arrows whenever necessity demanded.
Jingle. Jingle. Jingle.
But then, once again, the clamorous sound of bells echoed from the surroundings.
Though So Yo had swiftly eliminated the Shil Hon In, the ringing of the bells
had summoned yet more Shil Hon In from the vicinity.
Jingle-jingle-jingle!
The newly arrived Shil Hon In rushed at So Yo once more.
Boom!
But before So Yo could fire her bow again, a crimson whirlwind swept past her form,
hurling the attacking Shil Hon In dozens of paces away.
Bu Eunseol had unleashed the Demon Child Lock technique.
“So Yo. There is no need to engage each of these individually. It seems they have released quite a number.”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Bu Eunseol successively employed the Demon Horse Seven technique, hurling the charging strange beings into the distant cave.
The person from Sam Gye controlling the Shil Hon In was attempting to erase all traces of the fierce battle so their movements could not be discovered.
Only by evading their gaze discreetly could they pursue the Black-Robed Sage smoothly.
“Let us move again.”
“Understood.”
Just as Bu Eunseol and So Yo were about to depart,
“Hey!”
Suddenly, an irritated cry erupted from deep within the cave.
Crash!
The strange beings that had entered the cave were not merely bouncing back out—
they were being hurled outward in pieces.
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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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