The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 48

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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 48
When I opened the door at the corner of the Blacksmith Shop, a small office came into view, furnished with a desk and various implements.
Wang Gyeol, seated at the rectangular desk, looked at Bu Eunseol and asked.
“When you speak of the current state of Gangho, what exactly do you mean?”
“It is fundamental knowledge that any martial artist should possess.”
“I see.”
Wang Gyeol retrieved a thick tome from one end of the office’s bookshelf and placed it on the desk.
“What is this?”
“Everything you wish to know.”
Judging by its condition, the book had clearly been made recently.
As Bu Eunseol carefully opened it, her eyes widened considerably.
Within its pages lay not only a general overview of Gangho’s current state, but also the characteristics and intelligence of each sect, along with biographical information about renowned masters throughout the martial world.
‘It was made recently.’
The tome even contained detailed information about the Ten Demon Experts.
‘Could he have written this for me?’
Wang Gyeol, who carved out every moment to forge weapons and tools, would have sacrificed his sleep to write this himself.
Yet the book’s contents addressed precisely what Bu Eunseol would have wondered about, explaining each point with exactitude.
“Will you venture into Gangho?”
At Wang Gyeol’s question, Bu Eunseol could not hide her astonishment.
“How did you know?”
“You have no time to waste.”
Wang Gyeol, like Hyul Geum Gang and Baek Yeon before him, saw right through Bu Eunseol’s heart.
“Once you finish reading this, you will at least not suffer from ignorance. After you’ve read it all, burn it.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
The moment I gathered the book and turned to leave, I felt something strange wash over me.
It was intuition.
Wang Gyeol, the iron master who seemed to know everything.
Perhaps he also knew something of the murderer who killed my grandfather.
And asking such a thing—he would not press me for reasons.
“There is one more thing I wish to ask.”
Bu Eunseol forced her ragged breathing to steady as she fixed her gaze upon Wang Gyeol.
She was about to ask about the characteristics of the murderer—something she had never asked anyone until now.
If Dan Cheong or Baek Yeon were asked about the murderer, they would certainly press relentlessly for her reasons or conduct their own investigations.
But the iron master Wang Gyeol seemed like he would answer without asking such things.
“One who manipulates bone and muscle with absolute freedom, wielding a sword strike that erupts upward from below, with skill precise enough to sever both hands of a moving target without even a hair’s breadth of error.”
Wang Gyeol spoke with an intensity in his gaze that I had never seen before.
“Furthermore, one who employs the extreme poison of the Flesh Butcher’s Severing Technique—something only human butchers use—along with hidden weapons from Saixiang.”
Silence hung over the study for a time.
After roughly half an hour had passed, Wang Gyeol spoke in a low voice.
“If such a person truly exists, then questioning their martial prowess or sect affiliation would be meaningless in itself.”
“Why is that?”
“Because if someone possesses such formidable swordsmanship yet resorts to poison and toxins… the likelihood they’re a spy conducting seditious schemes without revealing their identity to the martial world is quite high.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes rippled like water as she absorbed Wang Gyeol’s words.
‘The murderer who killed grandfather might not be a renowned Demonic Path master… but could actually be a spy?’
She had simply assumed the killer was a Demonic Path expert with exceptional swordsmanship.
After mastering the martial arts of Nangya Pavilion, she believed she could find them without difficulty by examining the renowned Demonic Path masters.
But what if they were actually a spy concealing their identity from the martial world?
“Of course, this is merely speculation.”
Wang Gyeol continued calmly.
“Even if they were a spy, possessing such martial prowess would certainly mean they occupy a high position or have undergone rapid promotions.”
In other words, the likelihood of them being a major figure was considerable.
And that statement also suggested Bu Chanyang could be an equally significant figure.
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol quietly swallowed the shock she had received and clasped her hands together.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
And just as she was about to step outside,
“Wait.”
Wang Gyeol spoke in a low voice.
“I have a proposal for you.”
* * *
Cheong Pung Jae.
The residence of Dan Cheong, the deputy sect leader of Nangya Pavilion.
With the current sect leader in seclusion, Dan Cheong had considerable responsibilities to manage.
Despite occupying the lowest rank among the Ten Demonic Gates and having no disciples, it was merely fewer compared to the major Demonic Path factions.
In terms of scale and personnel, it was comparable to any faction within the Nine Sects One Alliance.
‘Hmm.’
Dan Cheong scratched his head while reviewing the stack of correspondence piled on his desk.
‘Even I think it’s a bit loose. Anyone who wants can just barge in for guidance… sigh.’
The moment Dan Cheong saw Bu Eunseol entering his office abruptly through a servant, he resolved to change the reporting system.
“So. What brings you here?”
“I wish to venture into the Gangho.”
“The Gangho?”
As Dan Cheong blinked, Bu Eunseol spoke.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To complete practical martial arts quickly, I must gain enlightenment through actual combat experience.”
“Well, that’s not wrong, but it’s impossible.”
Dan Cheong spoke firmly.
“To venture into the Gangho, one must be affiliated with a branch or unit of the Root Sect. And one must receive permission from the leader or master of that affiliated place. That is the law of the Root Sect.”
Dan Cheong picked up the documents stacked high on the table as he spoke.
“Just because I am the sect leader does not mean I can simply let you do as you please.”
“I understand.”
“You understand?”
Bu Eunseol spoke as though she had been waiting for this moment.
“I wish to join the Guusal Unit. Please grant me permission.”
“What did you just say?”
Dan Cheong, who had been reading a letter he held, suddenly rose from his seat, his eyes gleaming.
“Where did you hear the name Guusal Unit?”
His voice was solemn, and his gaze carried a hint of anger.
“I heard it from Master Cheol.”
The ‘proposal’ Wang Gyeol had made to Bu Eunseol.
It was an invitation to join the Guusal Unit, which handled the covert missions dispatched by the Demon Hall.
Dan Cheong fell silent for a moment, his brow furrowing.
“Master Cheol spoke out of turn.”
“Does this mean you grant your permission?”
“Do you even know what the Guusal Unit does?”
The Guusal Unit.
Assassination, abduction, sabotage, theft of vital resources—it was a place where the Demon Hall carried out secret missions it would never officially acknowledge.
Every faction under the Demon Hall was required to conscript a certain number of personnel to the Guusal Unit, regardless of circumstance.
“I do understand.”
Bu Eunseol nodded gravely.
“The moment I enter the Guusal Unit, my existence vanishes, and I must undertake missions where I stake my life with every assignment.”
In truth, Master Cheol—Wang Gyeol—had once been the commander of the Guusal Unit.
Recognizing not only her exceptional talent but also her desire to walk the bloody path of the Gangho, he had urged her to become a member of the Guusal Unit.
“Listen well to what I, as sect leader, am about to tell you.”
Dan Cheong spoke with an intensely serious expression.
“Every orthodox faction systematically cultivates spies. Needless to say, this applies to alliances like the Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance.”
“You speak of spies.”
“Indeed. In conflicts between individuals, victory depends on who draws their blade faster. But in wars between factions and forces, it hinges on who operates the superior intelligence network.”
Dan Cheong paused to collect himself, then continued.
“A single piece of high-grade intelligence can topple a thriving sect, transform an allied faction into an enemy, and in the hands of exceptional spies, allow for easy infiltration of enemy strongholds or assassination of leadership.”
Dan Cheong, his gaze fixed on Bu Eunseol, pressed on.
“In the past, the Demon Hall directly cultivated its own spies. However, those trained in a single location presented numerous problems.”
“What sort of problems?”
“Since they were all trained in one place, rosters of operatives existed. And if a traitor emerged, the damage would spread to all the spies.”
Dan Cheong exhaled slowly.
“To remedy this, the Demon Hall began conscripting elite masters from each faction and assigning them covert missions.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
If the operatives were anonymous spies conscripted from multiple factions rather than belonging to a single organization, there would indeed be no trace of them.
“Instead, no one asks who carried out the mission or which faction they belong to. That is precisely what the Guusal Unit is. Do you understand?”
The Gangho was not a place where victory went to the strongest martial artist alone.
Upon hearing Dan Cheong’s words, Bu Eunseol realized there existed another facet of the Gangho she had yet to comprehend.
“Most importantly, the reason the Root Sect Master opposes this is that the moment you enter the Guusal Unit, you cease to be a disciple of the Nangya Sect, nor do you belong to the Demon Hall—you become nothing at all.”
In other words, should anything go wrong, no one would take responsibility for you.
“Disciples of the Root Sect voluntarily enter the Guusal Unit for only two reasons: either they have committed grave sins, or they desperately need money.”
Dan Cheong spoke in a low voice.
“By completing missions for the Guusal Unit, one can have certain crimes pardoned. Furthermore, the Demon Hall pays substantial sums for each mission, which is why those in dire need of funds join the Guusal Unit.”
Dan Cheong continued.
“However, you are destined to become a representative figure of the Root Sect. There is no need for you to become an executor of the Guusal Unit, undertaking such perilous work.”
“It does not matter to me.”
“You, one of the Ten Demon Experts of the Root Sect, wish to become a Guusal Unit member?”
“I wish to become stronger.”
“You can become sufficiently strong even in your position as one of the Ten Demon Experts.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head firmly.
“I must become stronger quickly.”
Bu Eunseol had already laid the foundation in practical martial arts.
The more she repeated real combat that danced between life and death, the faster she would grow.
“I have heard that rather than wandering the Gangho aimlessly, it is better to be a Guusal Unit member receiving official missions, despite the danger.”
Dan Cheong had nothing more to say.
Indeed, it was true that those who underwent real combat dancing between life and death grew stronger faster than anyone else.
“Is there a reason you wish to become strong so urgently?”
At Dan Cheong’s question, Bu Eunseol pressed her lips firmly shut.
Realizing that even repeated urging would not elicit an answer from her, Dan Cheong let out a sigh.
“Very well. Let me tell you one more thing.”
Dan Cheong spoke in a low voice, as if he had made a decision.
“The Ten Demon Experts is a plan pushed forward by the Demon Hall Master. Even if the Ten Demonic Gates were to produce an excellent Ten Demon Expert, they cannot abandon the loyal disciples they have cultivated thus far, nor their direct blood relatives.”
After collecting his breath momentarily, Dan Cheong spoke again.
“The Ten Demon Experts is merely a blade forged to be wielded without hesitation against the great masters of the Orthodox Sects.”
“I am aware.”
“You are aware?”
Bu Eunseol answered, recalling the story Baek Jeon Cheon had told her at the Demon Hall.
“The Man Bak Dang Master told me the same thing.”
“Man Bak Dang Master? You mean Baek Jeon Cheon?”
“Yes.”
Dan Cheong, momentarily puzzled, soon nodded in understanding.
‘I see. He has taken a liking to this girl as well.’
Bu Eunseol possessed a talent that made the hearts of those with a warrior’s spirit race.
It was the sensation of something one had sought throughout a lifetime standing right before one’s eyes.
“I see.”
Dan Cheong, clearing his throat awkwardly, gazed intently at Bu Eunseol.
“But the Root Sect is different.”
Dan Cheong’s eyes blazed like the sun as he fixed his gaze upon Bu Eunseol.
“The Root Sect intends to forge you into a true master.”
Dan Cheong regarded Bu Eunseol not as a disposable pawn among the Ten Demon Experts, but as the successor who would shoulder the future of the Nangya Sect.
After a brief pause, Dan Cheong posed his question to Bu Eunseol.
“Will you still become a member of the Guusal Unit?”
“I will.”
Dan Cheong had nothing more to say.
Even if she despised the position of Provincial Inspector, she could resign. If she refused to listen despite his words, there was nothing he could do.
“Perilous trials forge warriors into strength. Yet the missions of the Guusal Unit are less trials and more akin to gambling with one’s life.”
Dan Cheong sighed as he spoke.
“The Guusal Unit’s original name was the Guusa Unit—those who seek death. Its members undertake their missions without expecting to return alive.”
“I understand well what you are trying to convey, Sect Leader.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes remained unwavering as she replied.
“But I seek only to grow stronger. The fate you fear will not come to pass.”
“Why is that?”
“I am not one of the Ten Demon Experts—I am a disciple of the Nangya Sect.”
―Disciples of the Nangya Sect are not weak.
These were words Dan Cheong had spoken in the past.
Bu Eunseol wished to echo them now.
“I cannot fathom it.”
Dan Cheong let out a soft chuckle.
The Nangya Sect had never fostered bonds of master and disciple, nor deep-rooted ties.
It was merely a gathering of wolves hungry for strength, endlessly transmitting and inheriting their techniques.
Yet why did Bu Eunseol devote herself so faithfully to the Nangya Sect?
This time, as if Bu Eunseol had glimpsed into Dan Cheong’s very thoughts, she answered calmly.
“Because the Nangya Sect is my home now.”

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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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