The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 50
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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 50.
Ma Woon’s expression grew peculiar.
When Bu Eunseol, who had remained expressionless until now, allowed a smile to grace her lips, the dark stone chamber seemed to brighten as though illuminated by sudden sunlight.
‘Clearly an ordinary face with no distinguishing features whatsoever….’
As he stood there dazed, Bu Eunseol shifted the conversation.
“Then the Class A mission is the most difficult, is it not?”
Ma Woon felt puzzled, but answered nonetheless.
“Indeed. Class A missions are undertaken only by our organization’s most formidable masters, and they come as directives, not options.”
“Then any mission other than Class A can be freely chosen?”
With that, Bu Eunseol picked up the dossier.
“Then I shall take this one.”
“Did you not hear the explanation?”
Ma Woon’s eyes widened sharply.
“No crude assassination technique could possibly kill him….”
“I never said I would kill him through assassination.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with unwavering confidence in her gaze.
“I undertake it because it is worth attempting.”
The dossier Wang Gyeol had given me at Nangya Pavilion contained not only evaluations of martial sects but also assessments of renowned masters.
By my own reckoning, it was a cold and rational judgment, yet Ma Woon exhaled with visible displeasure.
‘There is no helping it.’
The selection of missions rested entirely upon the discretion of the Guusal Unit members.
“Do as you wish. Mission selection is the inherent right of each operative.”
Having gathered his thoughts, Ma Woon began his explanation.
“Seok Jeong is a figure deeply hostile to the Demon Hall. As the Vice-Master of the Soul Absorption Sect, he manages the medicinal compounds necessary for the Soul Absorption Grand Method….”
Even as he spoke, Ma Woon’s eyes remained furrowed with concern.
The Blood Yin Evil Sect, though not directly subordinate to the Demon Hall, wielded considerable influence as one of the factions operating near Dongjeong Lake.
A single misstep in executing this mission could bring calamity upon the entire Ayang branch of the Guusal Unit.
‘I shall not see this one again soon.’
This Ayang branch was infamous enough that even seasoned operatives fell silently to their deaths.
Even if Bu Eunseol possessed exceptional skill, the probability of eliminating Seok Jeong, who had made his name over more than a decade, was virtually nonexistent.
‘I cannot fathom which sect sent such a fledgling.’
Having finished his explanation, Ma Woon brought his hand toward the oil lamp hanging on the wall.
“All clothing and tools necessary for the mission are stocked here.”
As he twisted his fingertips beneath the lamp, a metallic click sounded, and the bookshelf-lined wall flipped inward, revealing a vast chamber beyond.
Within lay not only various weapons but also assassin’s garb, night-travel robes, and even the clothing of servants and merchants.
Along one side were arrayed all manner of tools and hidden weapons used by professional killers.
“However, nothing here is free. You must pay to purchase what you need.”
“Mm.”
Bu Eunseol released a troubled sigh.
She had prepaid a month’s lodging at the nearby inn, leaving her with no remaining funds.
“You must come from a sect with meager resources.”
Ma Woon, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, tossed me a night-travel robe from the warehouse, a assassin’s blade, and a belt with a crescent knife wedged into it.
“Take them. I’ll extend you special credit.”
Clang.
Ma Woon hurled the items to the floor.
The assassin’s blade that clattered down was corroded with rust, and the crescent knife’s edge was snapped.
The night-travel robe bore bloodstains, making it clear someone had worn it before.
‘Hmm.’
It was a clear insult, yet my eyes remained unmoved.
“I don’t know how to use a crescent knife, so I’ll just take another blade instead.”
After placing the broken crescent knife bundle back in the warehouse, I took another worn assassin’s blade.
Then I spoke to Ma Woon without emotion.
“I’ll pay you when I return.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Click.
As I left, Ma Woon sighed while looking at Sang Ryang.
“That one. I doubt we’ll see her again.”
“What do you mean?”
“She chose a terminal-class mission.”
“A terminal-class mission?”
“The elimination of Seok Jeong of the Black Fiend Blade.”
“What?”
Sang Ryang’s eyes, small as a mouse’s, widened in shock.
Seok Jeong’s martial prowess had long since reached its zenith. Moreover, he always remained deep within the Blood Yin Evil Sect’s inner sanctum, making approach nearly impossible.
Even the elite Guusal Unit members had failed, so it was a mission that had been issued nine times over without success.
Yet this newly arrived recruit dared take on such a task?
“You just stood there and watched her choose that?”
“Of course I tried to dissuade her, but she was resolute.”
“Now that I think about it, it’s strange. Which sect sent such a young prodigy to the Guusal Unit?”
For the sake of secrecy, each branch remained ignorant of the recruits’ sect affiliations or even their names.
“She probably came for the money. It’s not uncommon among young people these days, is it?”
Among the young masters of the Demonic Path, many sought to earn great fortunes and retire from the martial world.
Ma Woon seemed to believe that I, too, had chosen this work for money.
“No matter how few recruits join the Guusal Unit, I think our headquarters should be more selective about who we accept.”
Sang Ryang clicked his tongue and shook his head, turning away.
“The Blood Yin Evil Sect will have one more corpse to dispose of.”
* * *
Manhyang Tea House.
A tea house near Dongjeong Lake with somewhat worn facilities but affordable prices, it was primarily frequented by failed scholars and merchants.
The third floor window of Manhyang Tea House.
Seated at the table, my gaze remained fixed beyond the window.
Though it appeared I was idly observing the scenery of Dongjeong Lake, I was in fact meticulously studying the people moving through the streets below.
‘Indeed, so that is how it works.’
I nodded, recalling the secret technique Cheol Master had entrusted to me before I departed Nangya Sect.
The Art of Resonant Concealment.
A covert technique that allowed spies to naturally alter the atmosphere of any location they inhabited.
It was an indispensable secret art for agents who disguised themselves through various professions.
‘Each occupation cultivates its own distinctive aura and mannerisms.’
I resolved to observe even more diverse individuals to deepen my mastery of both the Art of Resonant Concealment and the Technique of Bone Transformation.
Jeomsoi, who worked at the Inn, possessed a unique manner of speech and bearing when attending to guests.
The street vendor who crafted dumplings constantly glanced about, fearful that someone might steal his wares.
‘Yet the most crucial element remains the eyes.’
The Art of Resonant Concealment was not merely about mimicking the movements of one’s target—it also required capturing their distinctive presence.
And what made this possible was the transformation of one’s gaze.
‘If I could master the expression in my eyes alone, I would arouse suspicion nowhere.’
Thereafter, I remained at the Inn, spending days practicing the gazes of the various professions I had observed.
After several days of practice, I found that regardless of which profession I assumed, my eyes conveyed perfect authenticity.
‘That will suffice.’
Days later, I gazed into the mirror installed within my chamber and nodded with satisfaction.
At last, my preparation to infiltrate the Blood Yin Evil Sect was complete.
* * *
Blood Yin Island.
This place, controlled by the Blood Yin Evil Sect, was originally merely one of many small islands floating upon Dongjeong Lake.
However, after the Blood Yin Evil Sect took root here, the island itself came to be known by their name.
Yet how had the Blood Yin Evil Sect, which belonged to neither the Demon Palace nor any orthodox faction, managed to maintain its power in Hunan Province, where the righteous sects were sharpening their blades?
The first reason was their isolation.
The Blood Yin Evil Sect remained confined to the island, researching forbidden techniques, and took a passive stance toward activities in the Gangho.
The second reason was that the Blood Yin Evil Sect had emerged from the roots of the Blood Cult, the foremost demonic sect in all the Demonic Path.
As long as the Blood Cult maintained its formidable power, there were few who would dare target the Blood Yin Evil Sect, isolated though it was on its island.
“Move faster!”
At the Dock of Blood Yin Island.
A merchant vessel was moored there, and laborers began frantically unloading cargo.
It was a trading ship that had long conducted business with the Blood Yin Evil Sect, delivering provisions.
“Hmm.”
Wi Sa, a member of the Blood Yin Evil Sect who had been carefully observing the laborers, gestured with his hand and spoke.
“You there, come over here.”
The laborer Wi Sa pointed to appeared to be a young man barely past his coming of age.
“You’re far too young to be a common laborer.”
As Wi Sa examined the youth more closely, he suddenly drew his blade.
“And I’ve never seen your face before.”
The Ship Captain, who had been directing the laborers, saw this and rushed over, bowing deeply.
“Great Master. This boy is my nephew.”
“Your nephew?”
The Ship Captain wore a good-natured smile as he patted the shoulder of the young man standing motionless.
“Work has been so scarce lately… He happened to come down from our hometown, so I brought him along.”
“Hmm.”
Wi Sa, after a moment of silence, sheathed his sword.
Just as the Ship Captain was about to release a sigh of relief at the sight,
“But I should verify whether he’s learned any martial arts!”
Flash!
Suddenly, Wi Sa drew his sword with blinding speed and slashed toward the young man’s throat.
The young man, who had been standing motionless, couldn’t even cry out—his mouth fell open.
Drip, drip.
The razor-sharp blade’s edge pressed against the young man’s carotid artery. Though it hadn’t pierced through his neck, the skin was torn and blood flowed freely.
“G-Great Master.”
“Occasionally, there are those who try to infiltrate our sect without purpose.”
Wi Sa, looking down at the Ship Captain and young man trembling in fear, narrowed his eyes.
“He hasn’t learned any martial arts.”
Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned and left the Dock.
“Hyun Ah! Are you alright?”
The Ship Captain tore his garment to wrap the young man’s neck, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop easily.
Flustered, the Ship Captain suddenly seemed to remember something and shouted toward the laborers.
“Call that Haeng Rim we took aboard last time!”
Their vessel wasn’t a cargo-passenger ship, but they had recently taken aboard a young Haeng Rim for a fee.
“I’m already here.”
A man in white robes had descended from the merchant ship.
He gently pressed the vital points along the blood vessels near the young man’s neck, from which blood was pouring.
As the bleeding stopped immediately, the man in white robes withdrew a needle from his garment and stitched the wound with lightning-fast skill.
Then he produced a bandage from within his robes, applied wound salve, and wrapped the neck securely.
“Your, your skill is truly remarkable.”
The Ship Captain was astounded by the man in white robes’ flawless technique.
Though he had seen countless Haeng Rim over the years, he had never encountered one so young with such masterful medical skill.
“Refrain from strenuous labor for a while.”
“Th-Thank you.”
As the young man bowed his head, the man in white robes turned back toward the merchant ship as if nothing had occurred.
“Th-Thank you!”
At the Ship Captain’s words, the man in white robes gave a light nod and entered the ship.
‘That was a close call—I nearly drew unwanted attention.’
The man in white robes, having entered the merchant ship, exhaled a low breath.
It was Bu Eunseol.
To infiltrate the Blood Yin Evil Sect, I had paid passage aboard a merchant vessel bound for Gunsan Island via Blood Yin Island.
‘Deceiving ordinary commoners is far easier than fooling martial masters.’
Having mastered the Face-Changing Bone Technique and the Resonant Cry Poison Method, I altered my features slightly and disguised myself as Haeng Rim to approach the Ship Captain.
It was easier to deceive the captain than to deceive Wi Sa, who had long been watching the laborers.
‘No sailor would refuse passage to Haeng Rim.’
In truth, cargo vessels did not take passengers.
But Haeng Rim was different—a profession always welcomed aboard, since one could never predict when illness might strike during a voyage.
‘This ship will remain here for only one day.’
During this time, I intended to infiltrate the Blood Yin Evil Sect and eliminate Seok Jeong, the Black Assassin.
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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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