The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 494

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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 494.
Dae Gu Hwi.
He was the son of the Ya Soo Gung’s third consort, and from childhood, he had proven himself a prodigy of Tianxia with exceptional Beast Mastery power.
Because of this, he monopolized the affection of Ya Soo Gung Lord Dae Gon.
However, the first consort, jealous that the succession structure had crumbled, ordered her subordinates to poison Dae Gu Hwi.
Yet it was his mother, who cared for him, who fell victim to the poison, and Dae Gu Hwi was forced to witness her agonizing death.
Though the truth was eventually revealed and all perpetrators were punished, the shock left Dae Gu Hwi unable to manifest his Beast Mastery power ever again.
As a result, he fell from the Lord’s favor, and all his supporting forces abandoned him.
Moreover, he suffered hatred and ostracism from his brothers.
Currently, Ya Soo Gung stood on the eve of the Beast Grand Tournament—a competition to select the greatest warrior among the subordinates of the successors.
However, due to his brothers’ interference and exclusion, all of Dae Gu Hwi’s subordinates who had been preparing for the tournament suffered severe injuries.
Having learned of these circumstances in advance through Sa Hon Dae, Bu Eunseol traced his movements and then.
orchestrated an elaborate performance with Sa Hon Dae members.
If she demonstrated the ability to subdue opponents through the profound principles of martial arts without expending inner power?
She would surely capture Dae Gu Hwi’s interest and receive an invitation to enter Ya Soo Gung.
And indeed, the stratagem succeeded.
“Mm.”
Bu Eunseol hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Very well.”
The young scholar, Dae Gu Hwi, was overjoyed and spoke to the servants standing nearby.
“Provide ample funds to repair this damaged inn.”
Then the young scholar extended his hand.
“Come with me. I have prepared a carriage.”
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage departed from the inn and galloped endlessly forward.
Neung Bi Hon, seated in the carriage, quietly asked Bu Eunseol.
“That young man appears to be someone from Ya Soo Gung.”
Though Neung Bi Hon had lost his memories, he was far from foolish.
Rather, the keen insight and observational prowess that had been obscured by his madness now shone even more brilliantly.
He had immediately sensed that the battle at the inn was orchestrated by Bu Eunseol.
The man’s martial prowess was considerable, but with Bu Eunseol’s abilities, there would have been no need to prolong the engagement.
“He is Dae Gu Hwi, the youngest son of the Ya Soo Gung Lord.”
Bu Eunseol calmly explained the circumstances surrounding Dae Gu Hwi.
“But will gaining his favor truly allow us to obtain the Sacred Spirit Beast Ranch?”
“Ya Soo Gung currently stands before the Beast Grand Tournament. It is an event where the most valiant among the subordinates are selected and rewarded.”
Bu Eunseol continued.
“The Beast Grand Tournament selects those skilled in taming beasts and those proficient in Beast Martial Arts.”
“I see.”
“However, Dae Gu Hwi has no subordinates left to participate in the tournament. His brothers have injured them all.”
“A situation where he is driven to the edge of a cliff.”
“That is correct.”
A faint gleam flickered in my eyes.
“If I fail to achieve proper results in this Beast Palace Tournament, I will be completely eliminated from the succession race.”
“But we are merely outsiders. We are not disciples of Ya Soo Gung, are we?”
When Neung Bi Hon pointed this out sharply, I laughed calmly.
“Ya Soo Gung has a unique principle. They believe that a successor’s capability is also measured by their ability to recruit talented individuals from outside.”
“So you intend to temporarily serve under him and participate in the tournament.”
“Precisely. The successors of Ya Soo Gung actively recruit external talent to pursue victory.”
Neung Bi Hon’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“Impressive. Your intelligence network is formidable.”
He had conducted detailed investigations into other sects, particularly those from Sae Oe like Ya Soo Gung.
He had predicted all of Dae Gu Hwi’s movements and orchestrated everything in advance.
To accomplish such a feat required not merely an intelligence organization, but intelligence capabilities on the scale of an entire sect.
“In the current Murim, there is nothing that cannot be purchased with money. With sufficient funds, one can even command major intelligence forces privately.”
“I see.”
Finally, the carriage came to a halt before a grand manor that overlooked Ya Soo Gung.
“That is Ya Soo Gung.”
I gazed at Ya Soo Gung in the distance.
The magnificence of Ya Soo Gung, carved entirely from a mountain, resembled the Nangya Sect, which utilized Geommi Mountain in its entirety.
However, its scale was more than ten times larger than the Nangya Sect.
Like Buk Hae Bing Gung, retainers surrounded the main palace in protection, and the successors too had established independent forces.
They resided separately, centered around Ya Soo Gung.
“We have arrived.”
The place where Dae Gu Hwi stayed was located at the outermost edge of Ya Soo Gung.
As befitted a successor of Ya Soo Gung, he occupied land equivalent to a small village in size.
Yet there were more attendants and servants visible than martial artists of Ya Soo Gung.
“Please come this way.”
Dae Gu Hwi smiled and led me and Neung Bi Hon to his quarters.
The servants prepared a banquet swiftly.
Neung Bi Hon and I drank with Dae Gu Hwi through the night.
Unexpectedly, Dae Gu Hwi got along better with Neung Bi Hon.
The two conversed openly and drank as though they had formed a lifelong friendship.
Perhaps it was because their personalities and temperaments were remarkably similar.
“Surely you are not the Thunder God, Neung Bi Hon, one of the Sasin who dominates the Gangho Murim?”
Dae Gu Hwi joked with a laugh.
Thunder God’s body always radiates Thunder Divine Energy, making it impossible to conceal his identity.
Therefore, Dae Gu Hwi could only assume that Neung Bi Hon was someone who shared the same name as Thunder God.
“If that were the case, there would be no need to intervene at the Inn. Thunder would have handled it with a single finger.”
When I answered, Dae Gu Hwi laughed brightly.
“That is true indeed.”
As the drinking session reached its peak, Dae Gu Hwi broached a delicate subject.
“In truth, there is something I wish to ask of you both most earnestly.”
“Please, speak freely.”
“Soon, our palace will hold the Beast Tournament.”
“We are aware. It is a competition to select those among Ya Soo Gung’s subordinates who possess the most courage and exceptional followers, is it not?”
“Outwardly, that is how it is known, but in truth, it amounts to selecting which successor possesses the strongest subordinates. The actual elite warriors of Ya Soo Gung do not compete there, you see.”
Dae Gu Hwi spoke with a grave expression.
“However, the subordinates I cherish have all sustained injuries. I cannot afford any complications to arise.”
At that moment, Neung Bi Hon, who had been listening silently, posed a question.
“What exactly does the Beast Tournament test?”
“It is divided into two categories: the Bare-Handed Combat—where inner energy is forbidden and only the body’s natural strength is tested—and the Beast Taming Tournament, where one’s mastery over beasts is measured.”
In essence, the Bare-Handed Combat tested physical prowess, while the Beast Taming Tournament tested one’s power to control and command animals.
“Until now, I have never distinguished myself in the Beast Tournament. This year I turn eighteen, and I must secure victory in at least one of these competitions to maintain my position as a successor.”
Dae Gu Hwi explained his circumstances in detail.
After my mother’s untimely death, I have been unable to manifest Beast Force.
My siblings have ostracized me, and all my supporting factions have abandoned me.
“At the inn, I witnessed Bu Eunseol employ a subtle martial technique without using inner energy to subdue an enemy. I believed such skill would be more than sufficient to succeed in the Bare-Handed Combat.”
“So you did not invite us purely to build genuine friendship.”
At Neung Bi Hon’s words, he spoke with evident embarrassment.
“That was my initial intention, but it is no longer so. I have come to genuinely admire you both.”
Dae Gu Hwi spoke with awkward sincerity.
“If you are unwilling, you need not participate. It was merely my thought, after all.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“You are remarkably forthright in character, Dae Gu Hwi.”
From the beginning, my purpose was to use Dae Gu Hwi to gain entry to the Beast Tournament.
Yet witnessing his pure and honest demeanor, I felt a measure of guilt.
“However, as outsiders, can we truly participate in Ya Soo Gung’s tournament?”
When Bu Eunseol deliberately asked as though ignorant of the rules, Dae Gu Hwi quickly responded.
“Of course. One of the conditions for becoming the leader of this palace is the ability to recognize exceptional talent from outside, and the capacity to recruit such talent.”
And he released a weary sigh.
“In fact, among my brothers’ subordinates, there are truly many masters who do not hail from this palace.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol and Neung Bi Hon exchanged glances and nodded in understanding.
Dae Gu Hwi had laid bare his circumstances with complete honesty and without deception.
Bu Eunseol and Neung Bi Hon found themselves growing genuinely fond of Dae Gu Hwi.
“Should Bu Eunseol achieve victory in the Bare-Handed Combat, I shall surely offer substantial rewards—”
Before he could finish, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Very well. I shall participate.”
“Truly? Thank you most sincerely.”
As color returned to Dae Gu Hwi’s face, Bu Eunseol subtly broached the main matter at hand.
“But if I were to win the championship, could I obtain something like a treasure that Ya Soo Gung possesses? For instance… the Divine Spirit Beast Pasture?”
“The Divine Spirit Beast Pasture?”
Dae Gu Hwi blinked, as if an entirely unexpected word had emerged.
“If I could give it to you, I would have done so already. But that is something beyond my ability to obtain.”
Dae Gu Hwi shook his head.
“If you wish to receive a treasure from this palace, you must win the championship in both the Jeoksu Tournament and the Wiwi Tournament. Only then will the Palace Lord ask if there is anything you desire.”
“I see.”
Neung Bi Hon nodded in agreement.
“Then I shall participate in the Wiwi Tournament.”
It was an unexpected statement that even Bu Eunseol had not anticipated.
“Brother Neung, to win the Wiwi Tournament, one must master the Ten Thousand Beast Manipulation—the ability to command all animals freely.”
Ten Thousand Beast Manipulation.
It was the most difficult secret art of Ya Soo Gung, the supreme technique capable of subduing all creatures in existence.
Ten Thousand Beast Manipulation was particularly difficult to master because innate temperament was paramount.
No matter how exceptional one’s talent, without the natural ability to commune with animals… one could never achieve mastery.
Yet how could Neung Bi Hon, whose Thunder God Divine Technique was sealed and who had never even learned Ten Thousand Beast Manipulation, possibly participate in the Wiwi Tournament?
“That is impossible.”
Before Bu Eunseol could even speak, Dae Gu Hwi stated firmly.
“You are thinking of using your inner power, are you not? But the Wiwi Tournament also prohibits the use of inner power.”
“I had no intention of using inner power in the first place.”
“So you intend to subdue them with bare hands? That is even more impossible.”
Dae Gu Hwi shook his head.
“The beasts that appear in the Wiwi Tournament are no ordinary creatures. Most of them are ferocious and impossible to tame.”
“Did you think I planned to beat them into submission?”
“Did you not?”
“Of course not.”
Neung Bi Hon spoke with a leisurely expression.
“Beasts are no different from humans. I believe Ten Thousand Beast Manipulation was created with such understanding.”
“Brother Neung.”
“What is there to lose? Since I harbor no expectations, I cannot be disappointed.”
As he spoke with such confidence, Dae Gu Hwi relented.
“Very well. But if it seems truly impossible, withdraw immediately. Then you will not suffer grave injury.”
“Agreed.”
As the conversation ended, the gathering grew more convivial.
Dae Gu Hwi spent the entire night drinking with the two of them before departing.
When night fell, Bu Eunseol and Neung Bi Hon rested in the spacious chamber that Dae Gu Hwi had prepared.
“Brother Neung.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with bewilderment.
“What are you thinking? You have not even mastered Ten Thousand Beast Manipulation, yet you insist on participating in the Wiwi Tournament.”
“That young sprout is striving alone with such determination.”
A strange light flickered in Neung Bi Hon’s eyes as he gazed at the ceiling.
“Since he strives so desperately to survive, I merely offer what aid I can.”
Had his son lived, he would have been about Dae Gu Hwi’s age by now.
Though his memory had faded, Neung Bi Hon’s instincts unmistakably yearned for his child in the depths of his unconscious mind.
“However, I have never commanded beasts before… so I must make certain preparations.”
“Preparations, you say?”
“All I possess is this body, after all.”
Neung Bi Hon’s eyes gleamed as he chuckled softly.
In that moment, he resembled not the Thunder God who shook Tianxia, but a strategist weaving intricate schemes.
* * *
At last, the day of the Beast Tournament arrived.
Two massive structures had been erected at the heart of Ya Soo Gung.
One was a colossal iron cage resembling a prison, while the other was a peculiar building with only an entrance and exit visible.
The iron cage served as the Combat Stage for the direct confrontation matches, while the bizarre structure was the apparatus for the beast-taming matches.
Before them stood a towering platform upon which sat a middle-aged man of enormous stature, appearing nearly eight feet tall.
It was Dae Gon, the Lord of Ya Soo Gung.
Born with a perfect beast physiology, he emanated an aura more akin to a wild creature than a human.
Yet his eyes blazed with wisdom, as though a colossal beast had merely assumed human form.
―Now we shall commence the Beast Tournament.
Heo Jeong Bang, the Chief Administrator of Ya Soo Gung, oversaw the proceedings.
―We begin first with the direct confrontation matches!
At his cry, the massive iron cage—spanning dozens of zhang—opened on all sides.
Thereupon, numerous muscular men who had been waiting nearby entered within.
“Bu Eunseol. We are grateful for your participation.”
Bu Eunseol nodded calmly and stepped into the iron cage.
Immediately, jeers erupted from all directions.
Tall in stature alone, yet with a gaunt frame and neither presence nor sharpness in her gaze.
The masters of Ya Soo Gung could discern at a glance the power dwelling within a body.
Thus they deemed Bu Eunseol to possess negligible strength.
“Consume this.”
As Bu Eunseol moved to enter, a pill lay before the iron cage.
It was a Qi-Sealing Pill that rendered one utterly incapable of channeling inner force.
Moreover, within the cage itself, mist that dispersed inner force continuously rose and swirled.
Furthermore, judges positioned on all sides watched with piercing eyes, ensuring that inner force could absolutely not be employed.
She swallowed.
Bu Eunseol consumed the pill without hesitation.
‘There is poison in it.’
Bu Eunseol smiled bitterly to herself.
The pill contained not only a substance to disrupt inner force, but also a stupefying component that would cloud the mind.
Someone had ensured that Dae Gu Hwi could not possibly achieve victory.
What a pointless effort.
Bu Eunseol let out a soft chuckle.
As long as the Inverse Extreme True Qi flowed through his veins, he was essentially a body immune to all poisons.
Even if he consumed poison hundreds of times more potent, it would have no effect whatsoever.
Thud.
The moment he stepped inside, dozens of men crouched within the iron cage.
The Ya Soo Gung’s death match was unlike ordinary combat tournaments.
One had to fight indiscriminately within this iron cage, and only the last one standing would claim victory.
Grrrrr.
The men, emitting bestial growls as they surveyed their surroundings, bared their sharp claws.
Only the body served as a weapon. Nothing else was permitted.
Roar!
There were no ceremonial greetings or formal opening rituals.
The moment one entered the iron cage, the battle began, and one had to fight until only a single person remained standing.
Tap-tap-tap-tap.
A large built man suddenly rushed toward Bu Eunseol.
He was Gwa Cheok, a subordinate of Dae Woon Poong, the third son of Ya Soo Gung.
He had decided that Bu Eunseol would be his prey.
Screech!
While Bu Eunseol stood motionless, Gwa Cheok flashed past like lightning with incredible speed.
Blood sprayed from Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
Beast Martial Arts.
It demonstrated remarkable movement and power without any inner qi whatsoever.
So this is the Beast Martial Arts of Ya Soo Gung.
The Beast Martial Arts of Ya Soo Gung were said to allow practitioners to reach the absolute limits of the human body.
And seeing it in action, the reputation was well-deserved.
Without inner qi, they displayed strength and agility that rivaled masters of the Murim.
But something felt strange. Why did their movements leave afterimages in my vision?
It was peculiar.
The bestial movements that Gwa Cheok unleashed lingered in Bu Eunseol’s field of sight like afterimages.
Beast Sense.
The keen perception inscribed upon Bu Eunseol’s body was responding to Ya Soo Gung’s Beast Martial Arts.
Could the accounts written in the Nangya Iljon have been true?
Bu Eunseol had once entered the Man Ma Yu Jin Pavilion in the Demon Palace to undergo the trials of the Five Forms.
There, I had read a book called the Nangya Iljon, written by a master of the Nangya Sect.
It contained the origins of Beast Sense, tracing its lineage to the Beast Martial Arts of Nam Man’s Ya Soo Gung.
At that time, I had not given much thought to such accounts. But now, feeling how every movement of Gwa Cheok connected to Beast Sense,
I could confirm that it was indeed true.
How exquisite. Those movements.
Though Gwa Cheok appeared to move chaotically in all directions, his movements were actually highly refined and subtle.
And all of those movements were being instantly absorbed into my body.
‘Swish.’
Without conscious thought, Gwa Cheok’s fingernails grazed across my cheek.
Simultaneously, he opened his sharp jaws to tear into my throat.
Screech!
But something unexpected unfolded.
I moved my body with agility, evading Gwa Cheok’s assault and sank my teeth into his neck.
Splash!
Shocked by having his neck bitten, Gwa Cheok flipped his body through the air and retreated backward.
Thud, thud, thud.
Though I had avoided his vital points, his neck wound left crimson droplets flowing endlessly from Gwa Cheok’s throat.
“Grrrrr.”
Upon seeing blood, he crouched on all fours in fury, emitting a bestial growl.
It was not a mimicry of a beast—it was the form of a beast itself.
Beast Force.
Realizing he could not easily lose to me, he was about to invoke the supreme technique of Ya Soo Gung—the art that transcends the body’s limitations.
Beast Force.
Riiip.
As his garments tore, his body doubled in size and his muscles became even more imposing.
“Hehehehe.”
From Gwa Cheok’s form emanated only the killing intent to end my life.
Yet something extraordinary occurred.
As I drew a deep breath, I was absorbing even the killing intent flowing from Gwa Cheok’s body through pure sensation.
“Grrrrr.”
Having absorbed all of Gwa Cheok’s instincts, I released a low growl, straightened my body, and spread my back muscles wide.
It was as though a beast standing on two legs was inflating its form toward an enemy.
―What is this?
The Ya Soo Gung members watching from above the iron cage were greatly shocked.
The overwhelming killing intent flowing from my body.
Was this not Beast Force—something that could only be wielded by one who had perfectly mastered beast martial arts?

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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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