The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 493
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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 493.
“Is that so?”
Bu Eunseol, having regained her composure, let Neung Bi Hon’s words pass and asked with a gentle expression.
“How is your body feeling?”
“Thanks to you, I’ve recovered splendidly.”
Neung Bi Hon offered a serene smile.
“My appetite has returned, and all my pain has vanished.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes grew distant.
Watching him smile calmly, unaware that he himself was the Thunder God, something felt peculiar stirring within her.
Had he not been living for revenge against his son’s death, Bu Eunseol would never have entertained the thought of restoring his memories.
His current appearance was utterly serene and at peace.
“But this is troublesome.”
At that moment, Neung Bi Hon set down his chopsticks and folded his arms, asking a question.
“I remember nothing and know nothing. What am I to do?”
“Do not worry.”
Bu Eunseol spoke matter-of-factly.
“We shall now set out to recover your memories and your strength.”
“My memories and strength?”
“Indeed.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with composure.
“To recover your memories, we must first restore your original power.”
“Hmm.”
Neung Bi Hon stroked his chin thoughtfully.
And with an expression of utmost gravity, he spoke.
“Before that, I have something to ask.”
“Please, speak.”
“You keep calling me ‘Elder Brother,’ ‘Elder Brother,’ but—”
A hazy light flickered in Neung Bi Hon’s eyes.
“What is my name?”
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
And she began to explain everything.
That he was the Thunder God, Neung Bi Hon, who held the Murim beneath his feet, and that he had lost his memories temporarily after defeat at the hands of a formidable adversary.
However, she did not speak of the Three Realms.
To do so would require her to recount the memories of his family, who had perished so miserably.
“So I was once a figure who dominated the Gangho.”
Neung Bi Hon shook his head in disbelief.
“I cannot fathom it.”
His voice was gentle, and his eyes were calm and composed.
Perhaps this was Neung Bi Hon’s true nature.
But having lost his family so miserably at the hands of the Three Realms, and having witnessed it with his own eyes, he had descended into madness.
Bu Eunseol’s heart ached even more as she watched Neung Bi Hon, stripped of his memories, present himself with such gentleness and composure.
Yet he yearned for vengeance—enough to abandon everything and wander the Gangho.
Which was precisely why she had no choice but to restore his memories, however reluctant.
“Was I truly such a formidable master?”
“Indeed. In your time, few masters could rival you, Brother Neung.”
“And yet I still fell to defeat and lost my memories.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head at Neung Bi Hon’s self-deprecating words.
“That was likely because your state of mind has not been favorable of late. If you recover your strength, victory will surely be yours.”
“But must I truly recover my strength?”
“What do you mean?”
“There are no eternal victors in this world. Just because I was defeated, does that truly necessitate recovering my power?”
These words could never have come from the lips of one once called the Thunder God—an absolute master.
And if it were possible, Bu Eunseol would have wished for Neung Bi Hon to remain as he was now, peacefully forgetting everything.
‘Would this not be enough?’
He who had relentlessly pursued Sam Gye, consumed by bitter vengeance and madness, now questioned whether he truly needed to reclaim his strength.
Bu Eunseol’s resolve wavered once more.
‘I can find that old demon myself.’
Neung Bi Hon had the right to be forgotten.
When he himself did not wish to remember.
When the memories would not come.
Was it not presumptuous for an uninvolved stranger to dredge them up?
Could his amnesia be a gift from Gu Cheon, bestowed by his family who could not bear to see Neung Bi Hon suffer?
If one had forgotten the past,
Should not others also forget it for his sake?
“Brother Neung.”
Just as Bu Eunseol, having made her resolve, opened her mouth to speak, she understood.
That her judgment had been wrong.
“…You are the same, Brother Neung.”
“What are you saying?”
Bu Eunseol offered a melancholy smile instead of an answer.
Neung Bi Hon had not forgotten. He simply could not remember.
Though his lips smiled,
His eyes were drowning in infinite sorrow.
‘He is just like me.’
Neung Bi Hon harbored a hatred incompatible with coexistence alongside Sam Gye.
Just as she did.
For now he dwelt in oblivion, but ultimately, what he desired was vengeance.
“Regardless, we must find him.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with unwavering resolve.
“Had Brother Neung truly meant those words, this younger sister would have gladly agreed with you.”
“….”
“But Thunder God’s words right now aren’t sincere. If he recovers his memories, he’ll bitterly regret what he just said. That’s why I must find them.”
“Regret.”
“Yes. Because Thunder God has something he must do, even if it costs him his life.”
Neung Bi Hon fell silent.
From the look in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, it was undoubtedly the truth.
“But that path is far too difficult. Even if I exert all my abilities, success is uncertain.”
While Neung Bi Hon was unconscious, he had immediately summoned So Yo and Sa Hon Dae.
He had grasped the situation of the sects that Jong Ri Sa Hyeon had described.
And he had devised all the schemes to obtain those three treasures, but…
He couldn’t be certain of success.
“How intriguing.”
Neung Bi Hon spoke while stroking his chin.
“The fruits harvested through hardship and adversity taste all the sweeter.”
Though he had lost his memories, his grand spirit seemed to remain alive.
For Bu Eunseol, this was fortunate.
“Then shall we depart?”
Bu Eunseol nodded at Neung Bi Hon’s words.
“First, please recover your strength. Once all preparations are made….”
But then,
Flutterflutter.
A faint sound of wings echoed from outside.
It was So Yo’s signal urgently summoning him.
“Once all preparations are complete, I’ll come fetch Thunder God.”
Neung Bi Hon nodded at Bu Eunseol’s words.
“Very well.”
Immediately stepping outside the Jongli Estate, Bu Eunseol unfurled his long-distance telepathy.
[So Yo.]
Then a thin telepathic message pierced his ear from somewhere.
[Nangya Pavilion. Cheol Sa Bu has summoned you.]
[Cheol Sa Bu?]
[He’s been informed of the situation so far by Fengyun Corps. Rescuing Thunder God. And even your clash with the Taoist Emperor’s Successor.]
So Yo’s telepathy was gravely serious.
[He said you must absolutely not clash with the Taoist Emperor’s Successor. And he said to come hear the rest directly.]
Bu Eunseol’s expression grew puzzled.
Cheol Sa Bu Wang Gyeol knew about the Taoist Emperor?
‘In any case, to execute this plan, I need Sa Hon Dae’s intelligence along with various other preparations.’
Bu Eunseol nodded.
Before departing for Sae Oe, he would meet with Cheol Sa Bu Wang Gyeol and hear what he knew about the Taoist Emperor.
Geommi Mountain, Nangya Pavilion.
Bu Eunseol departed immediately from the Jongli Estate and arrived at the Nangya Pavilion in one breath, where she sought out Cheol Sa Bu Wang Gyeol.
Wang Gyeol, who had always repaired weapons at the entrance of the Nangya Pavilion,
had now become the Chief overseeing all disciples of the Nangya Pavilion.
Thud, thud.
Bu Eunseol gave Dan Cheong only a brief report of her return and headed toward the Palace Hall where Wang Gyeol was.
And the moment Wang Gyeol saw Bu Eunseol, he spoke in a resolute voice without preamble.
“You must never clash with the Taoist Emperor’s Successor.”
“What do you mean….”
As Bu Eunseol questioned him, Wang Gyeol immediately lifted his upper garment.
Then a long scar stretching from his shoulder to his navel became visible.
The violet-tinged scar was unmistakably a grave wound—one that suggested he had nearly lost his life.
“Because the Taoist Path that the Taoist Emperor’s Successor employs cannot be blocked by your current level.”
Wang Gyeol spoke with an expression of anguish.
“His Taoist techniques annihilate any martial art and power in an instant. Moreover, if struck by his Taoist energy, it affects both internal force and vitality.”
“You fought him?”
“I did.”
Wang Gyeol spoke while taking a deep breath.
“The reason I eventually ceased my wanderings through Gangho and remained at the Nangya Pavilion was because I lost confidence in my martial prowess after encountering him.”
Bu Eunseol could not hide her astonishment.
Cheol Sa Bu Wang Gyeol was a man of exceptional insight and wisdom, one who had not only led the Guusal Unit in his youth but had also accumulated tremendous martial renown as a master.
That such a man had lost confidence after meeting the Taoist Emperor’s Successor and had since remained on Geommi Mountain?
“In the past, I claimed invincibility and believed that none save Gak Ju could stand against me. Yet I came to face someone thought to be the Taoist Emperor’s Successor among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, and ultimately the match remained undecided.”
Bu Eunseol could not comprehend this.
An undecided match meant a draw. Then why had Wang Gyeol lost confidence?
“His Taoist techniques were flawless, and no technique of mine could bring him down.”
Wang Gyeol spoke with an expression of torment.
“Whatever martial art I unleashed, whatever technique I employed—all became futile. To the point where every martial technique I had cultivated and mastered felt like child’s play.”
It was astounding.
Cheol Sa Bu Wang Gyeol possessed not only the most extensive knowledge in the Nangya Pavilion but was also proficient in diverse martial arts.
Moreover, in his youth, he had earned the name “Master of the Thieving Gate” for his ability to instantly mimic an opponent’s methods while swiftly grasping the principles of their martial techniques.
Yet he had displayed such a disparity that his martial arts felt like child’s play?
Wang Gyeol opened his mouth with an expression of utmost gravity.
“I heard you intend to eliminate him—to aid Neung Bi Hon and to avenge Gwan Hae Geum, the Southern Heaven Great Hero who once helped you.”
“That is correct.”
“A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years. If you wish to fight him, spend ten more years honing your martial skills.”
Before Bu Eunseol could respond, he continued.
“I know you have achieved a level of martial mastery unattainable for one of your young age. Yet his Taoist techniques lie completely beyond the boundaries of martial cultivation realms, and….”
He paused briefly before speaking with conviction.
“He employs a bizarre combat method that renders an opponent’s techniques futile and instills despair.”
Wang Gyeol gazed directly into Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“You currently stand at the threshold of the Heavenly Extremity Realm, having ascended through gradual cultivation. And if you are to enter the Boundless Realm in the future, you must never allow doubt to creep into your martial arts.”
“….”
“Should confusion take hold in circumstances like these, the Waves Rise and Clouds Scatter—just as waves surge and clouds swirl into chaos, all the power and martial knowledge you have accumulated will crumble in an instant.”
It was a regret Wang Gyeol knew all too well from his own past.
During his journey through the Gangho, he had claimed victory in every confrontation, growing arrogant and confident that none could defeat him.
But when he faced the Do Hwang’s Taoist methods—
He could neither withstand nor unravel them, and despair consumed him as he realized the martial arts he had mastered were utterly useless.
As confusion and emptiness persisted, even his supreme cultivation level crumbled, plummeting to the depths.
“Should you face him now, you too could suffer as I did. Such is the nature of the Do Hwang’s Taoist arts.”
“Cheol Sa Bu.”
“I know you do not shy away from any trial, and that you grow through them. You are the pride of Bon Gak, after all.”
Wang Gyeol understood this as well.
He knew it was wrong to speak such words—words unbecoming of a disciple of Nangya Pavilion.
Yet he could not remain silent.
He could not allow this proud successor to endure what he himself had suffered.
Before the wings were ready to soar toward the heavens, they must not be broken.
‘You have been worried all this time.’
Bu Eunseol could understand Wang Gyeol’s heart.
He feared that she would repeat the agonizing experience he had endured.
The Thunder God, Neung Bi Hon.
Even that mighty warrior who once dominated the Murim was defeated in a single encounter and lost even his memories.
‘His Taoist methods not only sever the life force but also inflict upon his opponents an indelible despair.’
Bu Eunseol felt a strange sense of awe wash over her.
‘Is the Do Hwang’s martial prowess truly so formidable?’
A martial art capable of stripping away the confidence of an exceptional master like Cheol Sa Bu Wang Gyeol in an instant.
She found herself genuinely curious about the true extent of that Taoist method.
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol cleared her mind of tangled thoughts and clasped her hands respectfully.
That such a figure as Wang Gyeol would share his shameful past—it could only mean he cherished her deeply.
And so Bu Eunseol spoke with unwavering resolve.
“I will ensure that Cheol Sa Bu can forget such a painful past.”
“What did you say?”
“It is neither recklessness nor blind confidence.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with conviction.
“I have learned much martial knowledge over this time. Unable to properly utilize it, I received Gak Ju’s aid to reorganize my vital energies.”
“Hmm.”
“This is my opportunity to develop what I possess into my own martial arts.”
Wang Gyeol, observing the light in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, exhaled slowly.
As she said, it was neither recklessness nor foolish confidence. It was the resolve of a Nangya Pavilion disciple determined to use this crisis as a stepping stone to ascend one level higher.
“Very well, I understand.”
Realizing that Bu Eunseol could not be dissuaded, Wang Gyeol nodded his head.
“Then I shall offer you one piece of advice.”
After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low voice.
“How do the disciples of Bon Gak fight their enemies?”
Though the question seemed somewhat tangential, Bu Eunseol answered immediately.
“The combat method of Bon Gak is to develop one’s own martial arts through understanding the enemy’s techniques, then dismantle that martial knowledge to deliver a decisive blow.”
“Do not fight in such a manner.”
Wang Gyeol spoke with conviction.
“Forget the combat methods and martial arts of Bon Gak. Then you will be able to win.”
“Forget the combat methods and martial arts of Bon Gak… is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes. You are a clever one, so you will surely be able to do this.”
As if he had nothing more to say, Wang Gyeol turned away.
Bu Eunseol, who had been lost in deep thought for a moment, nodded her head.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Wang Gyeol merely waved his hand without looking at Bu Eunseol.
Yet from his retreating figure alone, I could discern it.
That he took pride in me and believed in my victory.
Click.
Stepping out of the Palace Hall, Bu Eunseol gazed toward the distant sky.
Now what remained was to restore Neung Bi Hon’s memories and martial prowess. Only then could I uncover the identity of the Taoist Emperor’s Successor and eliminate him.
“I must begin now.”
To accomplish this, I had devised several plans, and executing them would require extensive preparation.
There was no time to delay further.
Nam Man, Ya Soo Gung.
The divine beast ancestor, the Ten Thousand Beast Golden King, could not only converse with beasts but also freely wielded Beast Force, allowing him to command the strength of all creatures.
However, with each successive generation, Ya Soo Gung produced no one with such superhuman abilities as the Ten Thousand Beast Golden King.
Instead, Ya Soo Gung created and established martial techniques capable of manifesting similar powers.
The method of communicating with animals became the Ten Thousand Beast Ancestor Technique, which could subdue all beasts.
The utilization of all beasts’ strength was achieved through the technique of Beast Force, leading to the Way of Beasts.
Bu Eunseol traveled to Nam Man together with Neung Bi Hon.
This matter required utmost caution and infiltration into the sects of Sae Oe, so So Yo did not accompany us.
Even during the journey, Neung Bi Hon continually struggled to recover his memories.
As a result, while he could not recover memories of the past, he occasionally recalled the martial teachings of Lei Ling Men.
But that was all.
No matter how much time passed, Thunder God’s Divine Technique would not activate again, and he could not remember anything concerning Do Hwang.
Murmur, murmur.
Upon arriving near Taeyang Valley in Nam Man, Bu Eunseol and Neung Bi Hon entered the Market Street.
He assumed the identity of the wanderer Seol So.
Since this matter required visiting the sects of Sae Oe, neither Bu Eunseol’s nor Seon Woo Jin’s identity could be used.
In contrast, Neung Bi Hon wore a blue scholar’s robe and a long coat that covered his knees, appearing like a young scholar.
Even if he encountered someone who knew his face, they would never recognize him as the Thunder God.
The Market Street was crowded with merchants and onlookers, while the narrow passages were packed with peddlers.
Bu Eunseol walked through the market shoulder to shoulder with Neung Bi Hon, taking in the sights around them.
They then entered an Inn with a good view of the surroundings and leisurely drank wine.
“You said we needed to go to Ya Soo Gung, so why did we come here?”
Neung Bi Hon tilted his head and asked.
Taeyang Valley was quite far from Ya Soo Gung, and it had nothing to do with them at all, did it?
Tap.
Bu Eunseol emptied her wine cup and spoke calmly.
“Ya Soo Gung absolutely refuses to allow outsiders inside.”
“With your martial prowess, it shouldn’t be difficult.”
Although Neung Bi Hon had lost all his Thunder God’s divine energy, he had not lost his senses.
He had some inkling that Bu Eunseol was a formidable master.
“This matter cannot be resolved through martial prowess or status alone.”
Bu Eunseol explained patiently.
“Ya Soo Gung is the most unique sect even among those in Sae Oe. They are prideful and prioritize their own rules above all else.”
“Hmm.”
“If we approach them through status or martial strength, they will only resist and reject us further.”
“Then why not just borrow it quietly and bring it back?”
Though Neung Bi Hon, having lost his memories, had conducted himself with propriety, he was not a gentleman at heart.
If a clever scheme presented itself, he would employ it without hesitation, even if it bent the rules of righteousness—such was his uninhibited nature.
Of course, Bu Eunseol was also not a gentleman, and her temperament was similar to the free-spirited Neung Bi Hon.
“I considered that too, but the masters of Ya Soo Gung possess strength and senses superior to most Murim experts. In short, they are a force comparable to the Murim Alliance or Shaolin.”
“I see.”
“Moreover, they possess a relentless nature. They would pursue their quarry to the ends of the earth… but we must visit several sects, do we not? If we attract pursuers, it would certainly hinder our progress.”
At Bu Eunseol’s explanation, Neung Bi Hon smiled faintly.
“So you have another method in mind.”
Neung Bi Hon nodded.
With his madness gone, he had become not only far more composed in temperament, but had transformed into a person of exceptional insight and wisdom.
Knowing that Bu Eunseol had already prepared a method, Neung Bi Hon was not particularly worried and leisurely continued drinking his wine.
“Hehehehe, this is quite appetizing.”
Just then, a small commotion arose from a corner of the Inn.
Turning to look, a Crude Man was harassing a Beautiful Woman.
“You’re so beautiful, I could eat you raw without a hint of fishiness.”
Why did those lustful degenerates, unable to restrain their carnal desires, always spout such similar vulgarities?
“What is this behavior in broad daylight?”
Eventually, several people with strong sense of justice stood up to block the man.
But they were all knocked down in a single exchange.
Crash! Bang!
It turned out he was no ordinary person, but a skilled Murim master with formidable martial prowess.
Several indignant Murim practitioners drew their weapons and stepped forward,
Clang!
Yet even after being struck by their weapons, not a single scratch appeared on his body.
He had cultivated tremendous palm force, and it seemed he had also mastered an external technique that hardened his body like steel.
“Ugh.”
The Murim practitioners who had been struck by the crude man all collapsed to the ground in pitiful states.
“Hahaha. Come here then.”
In the end, the man placed the beautiful woman upon his lap.
But no one else in the inn stepped forward. There was no master left who could match this man.
“Hmm.”
Then Bu Eunseol rose calmly.
And she walked slowly toward the man who was trifling with the woman.
“And who are you?”
Smirk.
Bu Eunseol answered with a faint smile instead.
The man, greatly displeased, shoved the woman aside and extended his palm.
“Get lost!”
That ferocious palm force was impossible to evade.
But Bu Eunseol twisted her body diagonally as if she had anticipated his attack.
“You have some skill, I’ll grant you that.”
The man realized Bu Eunseol had mastered superior martial arts, and this time he unleashed three consecutive palms in rapid succession.
As axe-blade-sharp palm force poured down before her eyes, Bu Eunseol drew a circle with her left arm while extending her right arm slowly forward.
Her left hand tracing the circle was light as a feather, while her right hand pushing forward was heavy as Mount Tai.
Whoosh.
Then soft yet powerful force erased the sharp palm strikes without a trace.
At the same moment, Bu Eunseol stepped forward lightly and extended a single palm.
It contained no technique, no variation—only pure speed.
Boom!
As her palm struck the man’s body, a thunderous explosion erupted.
“Heh.”
But the man merely had his chest garment torn and did not even budge.
Judging by the subtle radiance flowing across not just his skin but his entire body, it appeared he had cultivated an internal technique that hardened his flesh.
“You’re quite skilled for a youngster. But you’ll never be able to defeat me!”
The man wildly swung both arms, unleashing a torrent of palm force at Bu Eunseol.
The power was so tremendous that even before the palms reached her, a gust of wind swept through, pushing tables and chairs aside.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol then moved her hands gently, dissipating each palm strike one by one.
When the man approached with fierce, overwhelming force and unleashed his palms,
she unfolded a sticky, supple fist technique that instead pulled his body forward.
When he retreated to widen the distance, she drew dozens of fist shadows while unleashing an offensive like a tempest and torrential rain.
His fist technique appeared simple at first glance, yet each move contained profound martial principles.
The power was like stone wrapped in cotton—soft on the surface, but devastating in force.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
The man had cultivated considerable inner energy and palm techniques, but they were utterly useless against Bu Eunseol’s subtle fist method.
After taking twenty-six fist strikes, he retched and spat blood.
“W-wait and see!”
He quickly deployed his movement technique and fled the Inn.
Bu Eunseol did not pursue the man and calmly turned around.
He extended his hand toward the woman.
“Are you unharmed?”
“Yes.”
As the woman bowed her head, Bu Eunseol clasped his hands together.
“These are troubled times. I advise you not to travel alone if you can help it.”
Then he turned to leave,
when suddenly applause rang out.
Clap, clap, clap.
A young scholar stood at the entrance of the Banquet Hall, clapping his hands.
Though lean, he was tall, with sharp eyes and dark skin.
His ornate clothing and the attendants standing nearby suggested he held a very high position.
“Your martial prowess is remarkable, brother. To display such power without even using inner energy… thanks to you, I have gained enlightenment.”
“You flatter me.”
Bu Eunseol turned to leave, but the young scholar spoke again.
“This is fate. Would you not join me for a drink? It seems we cannot drink here any longer.”
The third floor of the Inn had been reduced to chaos by the fight between Bu Eunseol and the Crude Man.
“I am with Yi Hyung.”
“If Yi Hyung is your companion, he must surely be no ordinary person.”
The young scholar smiled brightly and nodded.
“I would be honored to receive you both.”
‘Perfect.’
Bu Eunseol allowed himself a silent smile.
That man he had summoned to the Inn to commit misconduct, that Sa Hon Dae member he had orchestrated this farce with—
it had all been to attract the attention of this young scholar, Dae Gu Hwi.
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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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