The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 5

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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 5
A single sailing vessel cut through the vast expanse of the endless sea.
Though its outward appearance differed little from an ordinary merchant ship, its sixteen sails were dyed a deep, menacing black.
Whoooosh.
Upon the deck of this wind-cleaving vessel stood an elderly man, his hair flowing like a lion’s mane in the gale.
He was Hyuk Ryeon Eung, the Dharma Protector of Demon Hall and the supreme architect of the Ten Demonic Gates’ grand design.
“Hmm.”
As he gazed toward the distant Isolated Island, he spoke in a low voice.
“I simply cannot fathom it.”
“What troubles you, sir?”
Baek Jeon Cheon, who followed at his side, inquired. Hyuk Ryeon Eung shook his head slowly.
“This child called Bu Eunseol.”
“Ah.”
“Her bone structure is unremarkable, and there is no trace of martial training whatsoever. Yet she dispatched someone who had mastered Muk Hon’s techniques in a single exchange.”
Hyuk Ryeon Eung was a master of practical combat, forged through countless life-and-death battles.
Yet even he could not comprehend how Bu Eunseol had defeated Neung Woon Gang.
“From her movements, it appears she already knew the counter-technique. This simply defies logic.”
Baek Jeon Cheon, standing beside him, smiled faintly.
“From what I observed, it seemed she witnessed Neung Woon Gang’s technique at the Training Grounds and studied its countermeasure.”
“How could that be?”
Hyuk Ryeon Eung shook his head.
“If one could discern the flaws of a technique merely by observation, that child would surpass even the legendary Heavenly Demon Emperor in genius.”
“No, sir. I noticed she would gaze intently at those who had fallen.”
“Reading wounds to discern an opponent’s techniques—only seasoned veterans who have wandered the martial world for decades could accomplish such a feat. And even then, they would need mastery of orthodox martial philosophy.”
“That is certainly true.”
Both Hyuk Ryeon Eung and Baek Jeon Cheon possessed exceptional perception.
Yet they could never have known that Bu Eunseol had spent her childhood following Bu Chanyang, studying the causes of death in corpses.
“Even if she had identified the flaw, a counter using a single technique would have been suicide. Had Neung Woon Gang not been careless and instead deployed techniques in succession, there is no way this could have succeeded.”
“Regardless, she did succeed.”
Baek Jeon Cheon laughed calmly.
“Perhaps she simply wagered her life on a gamble.”
“A gamble, you say?”
Hyuk Ryeon Eung shook his head.
“In a battle where lives hang in the balance, fortune can never exist. That child possesses something—something definite.”
Though he spoke no further, Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s expression betrayed his dissatisfaction that Bu Eunseol had defeated Neung Woon Gang and secured a place among the Ten Demonic Gates candidates.
“Whatever it may be, it will be revealed this time.”
Baek Jeon Cheon shrugged.
“Our task is merely to birth the new Ten Demonic Gates member.”
By now, the vessel had nearly reached the island of Isolated Island.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung, lost in contemplation, nodded slowly.
“I see.”
* * *
Bu Eunseol opened her eyes.
As I slowly rose and surveyed my surroundings, my expression grew strange.
There were two reasons for this.
‘The wounds…’
Covered in large and small wounds across my entire body, I had lost consciousness the moment I passed through the ordeal without even realizing it.
Yet now, the wounds that had been torn and gaping from the ordeal were meticulously stitched, treated with wound salve, and wrapped in bandages.
Given the absence of pain and the lightness in my body, it seemed the renowned Haeng Rim had treated me personally.
‘We’re traveling by ship somewhere.’
The second reason for my shock was that I lay in a cabin aboard a vessel.
From all directions, boys and girls dressed in various martial garments stared at me intently.
Recognizing some of their faces, they appeared to be participants who had passed the ordeal with superior bone structure and physique.
“….”
Bu Eunseol rose calmly, but the expressions of the boys and girls in the cabin were far from welcoming.
While curiosity occasionally flickered across their faces, most bore looks of indifference and contempt.
‘Such gazes are familiar to me.’
An ordinary person would have shown some discomfort under such piercing stares.
But throughout my years as a corpse handler, I had endured immeasurable contempt from countless people.
Even if hundreds of times more people stared at me like this, it would not trouble me in the slightest.
Thrum.
Then a low vibration echoed, followed by a quiet voice from outside the cabin.
“Disembark.”
The boys in the cabin descended with mechanical precision.
Before us, the desolate landscape of an island came into view.
“This place is…”
Someone murmured, and the Black-Robed Warrior leading the boys at the front spoke.
“Hell Island.”
Hell Island.
The name matched the island’s desolate appearance perfectly.
An isolated island from which one cannot escape without a ship. At its center stood a massive Stone Mountain, devoid of a single blade of grass or tree.
Gazing upon the barren landscape, one felt as though stepping into hell to atone for sins committed in life.
“Why are you standing there dazed?”
The Black-Robed Warrior standing ahead struck Bu Eunseol’s shoulder sharply as I stood vacant at the rear.
“Move quickly.”
In that instant, my pupils dilated.
‘It was only that much?’
The shoulder the Black-Robed Warrior had struck was a place where flesh and muscle had been torn away in chunks.
Yet it had recovered so completely that even a sharp blow caused no pain whatsoever.
―As long as one does not die, Haeng Rim in this place can treat even the most severe wounds perfectly.
This was a very important fact.
And only Bu Eunseol, who had survived the Demon Palace, knew it.
“This is where you’ll be staying.”
Following the procession that stretched out like a serpent, we arrived at the massive Stone Mountain I had glimpsed when disembarking from the ship.
Looking closer, I could see countless caves scattered across the mountain’s surface.
‘Did humans carve this? No, that can’t be.’
The colossal Stone Mountain was far too vast to be human-made, yet the caves were far too numerous to be naturally formed.
“Leave behind all your old clothes and weapons. Take one set of clothing and one sword from here.”
The Black-Robed Warrior pointed to a wide table beside him.
On the table lay drab, loose-fitting garments.
While the sizes weren’t varied, each had drawstrings at the waist and sides that could be tightened, making them wearable regardless.
Beside them lay ordinary iron swords—the kind you could buy from a blacksmith for twenty taels.
“Choose any cave you wish. The selection is yours to make.”
Thud-thud-thud.
The moment the Black-Robed Warrior finished speaking, the youths in formation scrambled frantically for clothes and bolted toward the caves.
The location and structure of each cave were clearly distinct from one another.
The difference between a pleasant cave and a filthy one was substantial. Some might require time to clean, while others could be so foul that cleaning seemed impossible.
Above all, since this was where they would rest, everyone wanted to choose the best available option.
‘Caves…’
But I didn’t rush. I climbed the Stone Mountain slowly.
Having lived in a single room at the Pyeong-an Funeral House on the outskirts of the Bu clan, I cared little where I stayed as long as I had space for my body.
“This one will do.”
“I thought caves would be damp, but this is quite pleasant.”
The spacious and cozy cave had already been claimed by the quick-footed participants.
The problem was that the remaining caves had sparked commotion, with people arguing over who would take the better ones.
“Listen, I’m taking this one, so why don’t you give it up?”
“I think it would be better if I, being female, took this one?”
As the argument grew heated, one boy who couldn’t bear to watch pointed to his own cave.
“Don’t fight. I’ll take somewhere else instead.”
A strange light flickered in my eyes as I observed them.
‘They don’t know what the Demon Palace holds!’
If they had known? If they had witnessed the brutal outcome of that slaughter?
Such gentle conversation would never occur.
Yet the clothing of all the participants here was luxurious, and some of the youths even carried an air of elegance and nobility.
‘Are they all descendants of prestigious clans?’
Only then did I recall a terrifying truth.
Come to think of it, those who remained in the Demon Palace were mostly self-taught martial artists or members of minor sects.
In other words, only those whose deaths wouldn’t matter.
Crunch.
I clenched my teeth.
‘I must survive.’
The faces of those who had died at the Demon Palace still haunted my mind.
The Demon Hall showed discrimination even in something as impartial as death itself.
“Still haven’t decided?”
Then a low voice came from behind me.
I turned to see the Black-Robed Warrior looking down at me with solemn eyes.
“You’ve been moving slowly since earlier.”
As I bowed my head, the Black-Robed Warrior waved his hand dismissively.
“We have no time. Choose quickly.”
“Then… I will take this place.”
After carefully inspecting each cave, I pointed to the most remote and secluded spot.
It was filled with dirt and refuse, and the entrance was so narrow that one had to crouch to enter.
“That place?”
The boys around me held back snickers.
It wasn’t a good location, but there were many cleaner caves remaining.
Yet she was deliberately choosing to enter this filthy, cramped cavern.
“She must like dirty places.”
“Wearing those official robes, she’s probably grown accustomed to filth.”
Despite the mockery around me, I walked calmly deeper into the cave.
Then the Black-Robed Man’s eyes flashed with recognition.
‘Shrewd.’
The cave I had chosen appeared dirty and cramped, but it actually possessed many advantages.
The entrance was so narrow that there was no risk of ambush, and the interior had enough space to practice martial arts alone.
Moreover, because no light entered, one could achieve deep, restful sleep.
“Once you’ve changed, come back out.”
At the Black-Robed Man’s words, the candidates who had changed clothes in the cave lined up again in the clearing.
“This Hell Island has ten martial halls where you can learn the martial techniques of the Ten Demonic Gates.”
The Black-Robed Man swept his gaze across the gathered youths as he spoke.
“You may learn all of them or choose just one. That is your decision.”
The boys stirred with excitement.
Naturally, even if they couldn’t master everything, learning the martial techniques of the Ten Demonic Gates would be invaluable, wouldn’t it?
“Furthermore, your daily schedule is also free.”
The Black-Robed Man unfolded a large parchment on the table.
It was a map with the precise locations of the ten martial halls established on Hell Island marked out.
“If you wish to sleep, sleep. If you wish to learn martial arts, learn them.”
The faces of the gathered participants brightened.
They could freely master whatever martial techniques they desired and use their time freely without any set schedule.
‘Something feels wrong.’
But my expression grew cold and rigid.
These were cruel people who had orchestrated a plan to slaughter the participants.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the fate of Demon Hall rests upon the Ten Demonic Gates disciples—there was no way they would be trained in such a lax manner.
“Then, I shall wish you fortune.”
With those words, the Black-Robed Man turned and vanished into the distance.
“Let’s hurry.”
The gathered participants glanced at their maps and most rushed off in a single direction.
That location housed the martial grounds of the Hwawoo Sword Sect—the mightiest force among the Ten Demonic Gates, where one could master the Absolute Blade Technique.
“I’ve already mastered the Demonic Path, so I’ll head to the Blood Flame Sect.”
“I’ve long desired to learn the White Horse Style of the White Horse Sect.”
“Since spear techniques are my specialty, I must go to the Destruction Spear Sect.”
“I hear the poison cultivation of Hell Blood Sect causes no harm to the human body.”
Several youths selected martial grounds that matched the disciplines they had already cultivated.
Before long, all the participants who had gathered before Stone Mountain had dispersed, leaving only Bu Eunseol standing alone.
‘What I need to learn now is not advanced martial arts.’
I had never received systematic martial training.
And on Hell Island, there was no telling what might unfold ahead.
As I stared blankly at the parchment marking the locations of the martial grounds, my eyes suddenly gleamed with purpose.
Thump, thump.
And I turned my steps toward the northern direction—the path no one else had chosen.
What I arrived at was a small thatched hut.
‘Is this the martial ground?’
The Black-Robed Man had clearly stated that martial grounds were established here.
Yet upon arrival, there were no martial grounds to speak of—only a single thatched hut standing before a barren expanse.
“Pardon me.”
After surveying the surroundings, I approached the front of the hut.
“Is anyone here?”
Thud.
The courtyard before the hut rippled like a belly, and then a massive head suddenly burst forth from the earth.
“What is it?”
Eyes sliced upward like a wolf’s, with cheeks and whiskers completely covered in sharp stubble.
The man who had thrust only his head from the ground possessed the visage of a beast—a wolf incarnate.
“I’ve come to learn the martial arts of Nangya Pavilion.”
At my words, the man furrowed his brow and asked.
“Have you come wishing to become one of the Ten Demonic Gates disciples?”
“Yes.”
“Then go.”
The man with the arrogant expression muttered dismissively.
“Learning the martial arts of this pavilion would be a waste of time anyway. Don’t strain yourself for nothing.”
‘An honest fellow.’
I already knew the truth.
Nangya Pavilion was in such a state of decline that it barely qualified as part of the Ten Demonic Gates.
Yet the Ten Demonic Gates still occupied the lowest seat among the Demonic Path’s hierarchy, sustained only by the glorious legacy of its past—a sect that had produced countless masters of unparalleled skill.
‘But I need the martial arts of Nangya Pavilion.’
Bu Chanyang had taught me how to discern the cause of death from a corpse, and shared countless stories about the martial world’s sects and their notable figures.
Naturally, those tales included accounts of the Ten Demonic Gates.
“I will learn the martial arts of Nangya Pavilion.”
“You think this is a jest.”
Despite Bu Eunseol’s resolute answer, the man yawned as if thoroughly annoyed.
“And do not deceive yourself. The time available to learn martial arts on Hell Island is not infinite.”
The man yawned once more, then made a clicking sound with his tongue.
“If you understand, go elsewhere and learn martial arts. Do not waste time.”
“I will learn the martial arts of Nangya Pavilion.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost sincerity.
“Please teach me your martial arts.”
The man regarded Bu Eunseol with bewilderment.
“Why? If you desired it, you could master the sword techniques of the Hwawoo Sword Sect—said to be the mightiest martial art among the Ten Demonic Gates. If the sword does not suit you, you could learn the Blood Flame Sect’s methods, which rival the Hwawoo techniques. There is no need to learn our pavilion’s martial arts.”
At the man’s question, Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“Because survival comes first.”
“Survival?”
“The martial arts of the Ten Demonic Gates cannot be mastered in a single moment.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with fierce determination in her eyes.
“I have heard that by mastering Nangya Pavilion’s martial arts, one can possess the most tenacious vitality under heaven.”
At this, the man laughed outright.
“True. Our pavilion’s martial arts begin with reforging the body itself. To wield our practical techniques, one must first attain a physique far more powerful than any other.”
The man’s expression grew solemn.
“But that is all it is. Possessing greater tenacity of life than others does not make one the supreme master of the Demonic Path. Do you understand what I am saying?”
“I understand perfectly.”
“Good, then.”
As the man moved to bury his head in the earth once more, Bu Eunseol prostrated herself completely.
“Please, I beg you to teach me the martial arts of Nangya Pavilion.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes burned with an intensity as if she had embedded the sun itself within them.
“A madwoman….”
The man realized that Bu Eunseol was not jesting—she was genuinely determined to learn Nangya Pavilion’s martial arts.
“Very well.”
“Thank you.”
As Bu Eunseol moved to prostrate herself again in gratitude, the man waved his hand dismissively.
“Do not misunderstand. I teach you only by order of Demon Hall.”
“I understand.”
With a soft, slithering sound.
The earth around the man began to thaw like melting ice, and his body, which had been buried in the ground, slowly emerged into view.
A deep rumble echoed.
The man who emerged from the ground had shoulders twice as broad as an ordinary person’s, and his height approached seven feet.
“Nine out of ten die while learning the martial arts of this pavilion.”
“I understand.”
Seeing no wavering in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, the man bared his fangs in a sinister grin.
“Your name.”
“Bu Eunseol.”
“No. Your name is merely Nangya Pavilion Trainee Number One. Do you understand?”
The man smacked his lips before speaking.
“There may come a time when you earn a second number.”
“I understand.”
As Bu Eunseol nodded, the man pointed to his own face with his thumb.
“I am Sa Woo, the Secret Transmission Master of Nangya Pavilion. From now on, address me as Master Sa.”

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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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