The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 500
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 500.
“Let me make one final appeal. There is a way, after all.”
“You speak, Bu Eunseol?”
“Indeed. However, it may take some time, so wait below with Neung Bi Hon.”
Dae Gu Hwi nodded, sensing the extraordinary aura emanating from Bu Eunseol’s form.
“Understood.”
“Do not worry. I shall return.”
Unlike Bu Eunseol’s burning heart, Neung Bi Hon spoke as though things were proceeding favorably.
“I shall spend the time training martial arts with this fellow whenever I have a moment.”
He was deeply satisfied merely by spending time with Dae Gu Hwi.
Bu Eunseol watched the two descend before turning away.
A soft crack echoed.
And immediately, I recovered my original appearance.
‘No matter how one looks at it, he belongs to the same Sasin organization. Why then does he refuse to even open the gates?’
Under normal circumstances, I had no intention of visiting Shenshui Palace in my true identity.
I had hoped to follow Gong Son Dan Ah’s counsel and obtain a portion of the Sinsu Divine Energy to stabilize my condition.
Yet Sa Cheong Ha treated Neung Bi Hon as though he were an enemy.
If I were to step forward as the Muk Hon Ryeong Ju in such circumstances? The acquisition of the Sinsu Divine Energy could be jeopardized.
‘There is no choice, then.’
According to Gong Son Dan Ah’s words, to fully recover my body and freely employ my martial arts, I would need the power of Sasin.
In particular, the Sinsu Divine Energy was intimately connected to the Extreme Yin technique known as Bing Ha Cheon Ryu Gyeol—it was essential that I obtain it.
But if a confrontation were to arise in bringing Neung Bi Hon into Yao Jian Plain?
Far from obtaining the Sinsu Divine Energy, I could become enemies with Shenshui Palace itself.
‘Still, Neung Bi Hon’s recovery is more important.’
Even if I were to sacrifice the Sinsu Divine Energy—one of the keys to restoring my body—
I would unhesitatingly meet the Shen Shui Gong Master in my identity as the Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.
Footsteps echoed steadily.
Without hesitation, I ascended the stairs leading up to Shenshui Palace.
Then a disciple of Shenshui Palace, wearing a blue mask across his face, blocked my path.
“What brings you here?”
“The Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.”
I released a terrifying aura, spreading blood-red light.
“The successor of Demon Palace, Bu Eunseol, requests an audience with the Palace Lord.”
And immediately, I displayed the Dual Dragon Contending for Supremacy token that symbolized the Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.
The disciple of Shenshui Palace, flustered, hurried inside.
The gates creaked open.
And not long after, the gates of Shenshui Palace, which had remained firmly shut, swung wide open.
Trees are known by their shade; people are known by their name.
The gates of Shenshui Palace, which had remained sealed even against the Thunder God’s visit, opened fully at the mere mention of the name Bu Eunseol.
No matter how prestigious Shenshui Palace might be, it could not afford to ignore the successor of Demon Palace, who wielded tremendous influence throughout the Murim.
“Please follow me.”
As I entered under the disciple’s guidance, the mysterious interior revealed itself before me.
Unlike the typical structure of a martial sect, beautiful flower gardens and plants bloomed on all sides, and clear springs flowed throughout the grounds.
Since Shenshui Palace wielded water as a weapon, they had constructed small streams that flowed endlessly within their halls.
“This way.”
The disciple led Bu Eunseol to the most ornate palace hall within Shenshui Palace.
Upon entering, a brilliantly shimmering curtain hung across the front, and the shadow of a figure wearing an elaborate headdress became visible.
Though I could not see their face, the shadow alone emanated an air of solemnity and majesty.
It was Sa Cheong Ha, the Deputy Master of Shenshui Palace.
Bu Eunseol immediately clasped her hands together.
“A disciple of Nangya Pavilion, Bu Eunseol, pays respects to the Deputy Master.”
Out of respect for Shenshui Palace and to facilitate smooth negotiations, Bu Eunseol lowered her status to that of a Nangya Pavilion disciple in her greeting.
“Hmm.”
At that moment, a low and cold sigh emanated from the shadow behind the curtain.
“Our paths diverge, and we share no connection—what business brings you to visit this palace?”
The voice was sharp, carrying an unmistakably irritable edge.
It seemed the sudden visit had put them in a foul mood, and displeasure was evident.
“I am aware that arriving unannounced and disturbing the Deputy Master’s peace is discourteous… yet I find myself compelled by most urgent circumstances to seek this audience.”
For the successor of Demon Palace, it was an extraordinarily respectful and courteous manner of speech.
Sa Cheong Ha’s displeasure seemed to ease considerably, and they nodded before speaking.
“Very well, what is the matter?”
“I wish to visit the Yao Jian Plain within Shenshui Palace for a brief time.”
“The Yao Jian Plain?”
“Yes.”
“Are you seeking to cultivate new martial techniques?”
The Yao Jian Plain was a place where lightning constantly struck, and its surroundings were saturated with thunder essence and violet lightning essence.
Therefore, if one cultivated martial arts such as Thunderous Palm or Wind-Thunder Palm, one could advance one’s cultivation at an incomparably rapid pace.
Sa Cheong Ha likely assumed that Bu Eunseol was visiting the Yao Jian Plain to cultivate such techniques.
“That is not my purpose. Rather, I seek to restore my sworn brother’s martial power.”
“To restore your sworn brother’s martial power? Wait—you don’t mean to say—”
“Yes. Neung Bi Hon, Thunder Brother—he is my sworn brother.”
A sharp gust erupted.
In that instant, a frigid wind poured forth from behind the curtain.
Simultaneously, a voice as cold as falling frost echoed out.
“I shall pretend I did not hear those words.”
“Deputy Master.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost courtesy.
“There is no way to restore his martial power save through the Yao Jian Plain. I humbly beseech your kindness…”
“Though our paths diverge, should you cultivate martial arts, I could perhaps grant you access to the Yao Jian Plain.”
“….”
“No, even if you were the greatest villain in Tianxia, I could surrender Yao Jian Plain. But Neung Bi Hon—him alone, I can never yield. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Sa Cheong Ha’s voice carried a resentment so bitter it could freeze the heavens themselves.
It was clear she harbored a personal vendetta against him.
“Palace Lord, my intention to restore Neung Bi Hon’s martial prowess is not for personal reasons.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost courtesy.
“Only by recovering his martial arts can he do what is right.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Neung Bi Hon was attacked by a vicious enemy and lost not only his martial prowess but also his memories. He is a villain who disturbs Tianxia, and to track his movements, we must….”
“He lost his memories?”
Sa Cheong Ha didn’t react to the crucial matter itself, but was startled by the revelation that Neung Bi Hon had lost his memories.
“So he brazenly came seeking me… that’s why he shamelessly sought me out.”
Her voice, humming low, was laden with glacial resentment.
Hearing that tone, Bu Eunseol could discern the situation to some degree.
‘It was a matter between a man and a woman.’
There was likely an affair between Neung Bi Hon and Sa Cheong Ha, and she harbored fierce hatred because of it.
‘But there’s no helping it.’
Normally, I would never have interjected in matters between a man and woman.
But I owed Neung Bi Hon a debt, and I had to capture the Taoist Emperor’s Successor.
To do that, I had to convince the Palace Lord, who handled all matters great and small of Shenshui Palace.
“Palace Lord.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together.
“I know not what past you share with Neung Bi Hon, but for the sake of Murim, could you not set aside your personal feelings for now?”
“You speak carelessly.”
Sa Cheong Ha spoke in a voice like cascading ice.
“Has the successor of Demon Palace become the supreme master of Murim? Why do you presume to dictate the affairs of others?”
“Then what must I do to change your mind?”
Bu Eunseol responded with patience and respect.
Without her permission, I could never enter Yao Jian Plain.
“Neung Bi Hon. If he kneels before me and apologizes.”
Sa Cheong Ha spoke in a frigid voice.
“If he can withstand my three strikes a second time, then I will allow you to use Yao Jian Plain.”
“Agreed.”
Bu Eunseol accepted readily.
“However, since Neung Bi Hon has lost his martial prowess, I will receive those three strikes in his stead.”
“You?”
After a moment’s consideration, she nodded readily.
“That is not an unreasonable proposal.”
Sa Cheong Ha’s voice was laden with bitter resentment.
“If you become crippled, Neung Bi Hon’s heart will be devastated as well.”
From her manner of speaking, it was clear that Sa Cheong Ha intended to use the promise as a pretext to gravely injure Bu Eunseol’s body.
“If you’re afraid, it would be wise to withdraw now, Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.”
Sa Cheong Ha spoke with utmost gravity.
“A promise is a promise. I have no intention of showing mercy in this matter, even if other sects bear witness to it.”
She had made it clear through this wager that she would either kill Bu Eunseol or inflict serious injury upon her.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s expression remained composed, utterly devoid of fear.
“There’s no need for that.”
Bu Eunseol extended her finger and traced it across the ground.
Screech! Screech!
Fine characters were etched into the hard blue stone slab.
Through this three-strike wager, she had written in her own hand a vow that even if she died, she would harbor no resentment.
“Good.”
Sa Cheong Ha turned within the curtain.
“Bring Muk Hon Ryeong Ju to the front of Sinsu Pavilion!”
Sinsu Pavilion.
It was a flower garden at the heart of Shenshui Palace.
At the center of Sinsu Pavilion stood a grand sculpture—a miniature replica of the spiral-shaped Shenshui Palace.
Surrounding it were exquisitely crafted decorative flowers in vibrant hues.
A stream flowing from the sculpture descended along the spiral’s graceful curves.
Sa Cheong Ha intended to conduct this austere three-strike test within this beautiful landscape.
“Are you prepared?”
At that moment, a middle-aged woman in blue robes stepped forward to face Bu Eunseol.
Her face was obscured by a silk veil woven from heavenly silk, yet her eyes were piercingly sharp and her brows deeply furrowed.
Moreover, a pale, deathly aura flickered within her pupils, making it instantly clear that this wager was no mere jest.
“Whenever you wish to begin.”
Bu Eunseol did not even gather her inner strength.
I had been cultivating Moo Ae Ja’s supreme technique, Flower Butterfly Jade Embrace, which allowed me to deflect any external force with ease.
Of course, since this was Seon Woo Jin’s supreme martial art, I had to adapt and apply it in the manner of the Demonic Path.
“First strike!”
She immediately unleashed a palm strike directly at Bu Eunseol’s chest.
It was a swift and razor-sharp palm strike, showing no mercy whatsoever.
Boom.
Bu Eunseol stood motionless as the palm strike connected with her chest.
Splash!
Though the palm force had been unleashed bare-handed, moisture sprayed across Bu Eunseol’s chest.
She had used water manipulation to deliver the palm force.
Whoooosh!
Yet as the water droplets scattered in all directions, the sharp palm force glided past Bu Eunseol’s body.
By applying the subtle principles of Flower Butterfly Jade Embrace, I had deflected the sharp palm force.
“Indeed, your martial prowess is formidable.”
Sa Cheong Ha offered praise, yet her voice was utterly frigid.
Techniques like Flower Blossom Jade Touch existed in nearly every sect, differing only in mastery.
This praise was merely forced admiration to lower Bu Eunseol’s guard.
“Second, initial move!”
She extended her right hand once more.
But no force came flying.
A low hum resonated.
At that same moment, a deep vibration sounded from Bu Eunseol’s chest.
‘So that’s the technique.’
In that instant, Bu Eunseol grasped Sa Cheong Ha’s true intent.
The water droplets that had clung to her body when she unleashed the palm strike.
She had deliberately scattered them to strike an inescapable receiver directly into Bu Eunseol’s body.
A deafening crash erupted.
The water droplets embedded in her chest transformed into a massive iron hammer, slamming against Bu Eunseol’s chest.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Bu Eunseol was driven backward five paces.
The water droplets clinging to her body vibrated violently, and sharp energy burrowed into her meridians.
If she failed to completely dissipate this force, her chest would collapse and she would suffer severe internal injuries.
A sharp whistling sound.
Bu Eunseol began spinning fiercely in place.
Using the Flower Blossom Jade Touch method to expel the receiver’s force clinging to her chest in one breath.
But as if anticipating such a technique, Sa Cheong Ha unleashed sticky force in succession.
No matter how rapidly she spun, she could never shake off the receiver.
A burst of heat erupted.
But then a strange heat blazed from Bu Eunseol’s body, annihilating all the receiver’s energy.
She had ultimately used the Infernal Heavenly Perfection Technique to instantly incinerate the moisture burrowing through her body.
‘This is reckless.’
Unlike the Glacial Heavenly Flow Seal, each deployment of the Infernal Heavenly Perfection Technique left her qi-blood strained and her head spinning.
“Indeed.”
Sa Cheong Ha showed little surprise that Bu Eunseol had dispelled the receiver’s power.
The force she had unleashed thus far used less than one-third of her true strength.
“If you can withstand my final move, Neung Bi Hon—I shall grant you the sight of him kneeling.”
A deep rumbling echoed.
The interior of Sinsugung trembled, and massive torrents of water surged from all directions.
They converged and rose above Sa Cheong Ha’s head.
Dozens, hundreds of transparent water dragon torrents bloomed from her body.
Using Flowing Nature Like Rushing Water, one of Shenshui Palace’s supreme techniques, she had created hundreds of forces.
‘This is… excessive.’
Bu Eunseol clenched her teeth, gazing at the hundreds of water torrents surging skyward.
Exploiting the enemy’s inability to counterattack, continuously gathering power through receivers, then attacking—the ultimate move of Flowing Nature Like Rushing Water.
To call that a single technique was absurd.
If I had accepted that attack, Bu Eunseol would have been struck simultaneously by hundreds of palm strikes.
No matter how formidable one’s martial prowess, there existed no one in Murim capable of withstanding hundreds of Shen Shui Gong’s supreme palm strikes.
“If you fear now, you may withdraw.”
Sa Cheong Ha spoke coldly.
“I have no wish to make enemies of the Demon Palace.”
“Not at all.”
Bu Eunseol replied calmly.
“Proceed.”
“Very well!”
Boom!
An explosion erupted from Bu Eunseol’s body as vital energy scattered in all directions.
She had drawn upon her inner strength to withstand the first strike of the Shengyou Palm Technique.
‘This is the only way!’
Whoosh!
At last, the first strike of the Shengyou Palm Technique engulfed Bu Eunseol’s body.
It was as though hundreds of transparent serpents of energy coiled around her form, burrowing deep within.
“She must be crippled now.”
Sa Cheong Ha remained utterly composed despite having rendered the Demon Palace’s successor disabled in a single exchange.
After all, they had promised three strikes, and he had merely fulfilled that promise.
As long as Bu Eunseol had carved characters with wind blades herself, Ma Cheon Je could raise no objections.
“Hmm?”
Yet something was amiss.
The hundreds of palm strikes that should have burrowed into his body remained materialized and suspended, unmoving.
“What is this?”
Only then did Sa Cheong Ha realize his palm strikes had halted in mid-air.
More precisely, they had not stopped—they had frozen solid.
“Such formidable ice technique…”
Bu Eunseol had employed a terrifying ice technique to freeze the first strike of the Shengyou Palm Technique instantly.
‘Success.’
Bu Eunseol exhaled a breath of relief in her heart.
Of course, it would have been possible to block Seongyudan Soo’s attack with the Yeolhadaejeongjinggi as well.
However, according to the principles of mutual suppression among martial techniques, fire cannot overcome water in this instance.
To block the receiver with the Yeolha Daejeong Jingi, you would need to use internal energy that is at least twice as powerful as Sa Cheong Ha’s.
Even if she had evaporated the palm strikes, she would have suffered a loss.
Thus, Bu Eunseol employed the Bing Ha Cheon Ryu Gyeol, which shared a similar elemental nature, to freeze it instantly.
“It is finished.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, a blue light emanated from Sa Cheong Ha’s eyes.
“Why do you claim it is finished?”
“Did we not promise that I would receive three strikes?”
“Indeed. Three strikes.”
A malevolent gleam flickered across Sa Cheong Ha’s eyes.
“But the final three moves of that technique were never fully deployed—they were interrupted, were they not?”
*Clang!*
As Sa Cheong Ha channeled his power, Seon Woo Jin’s lance technique shattered the ice once more, transforming it back into water.
Water could become ice, and ice could just as easily become water again.
*Whoooosh!*
Hundreds of razor-sharp water needles coalesced into transparent hands, latching onto Bu Eunseol’s vital acupoints.
Realizing not only the overwhelming power of his cultivation but also that he wielded the Extreme Yin technique, she completely altered her approach.
Water Spirit Qi.
Mastered to its zenith, it could compress even a flowing river into a handful of water—the supreme power of Shenshui Palace was now unleashed.
Sa Cheong Ha shattered the frozen lance technique once more.
Then, driving transparent hands like lances deep into Bu Eunseol’s body, he poured the Water Spirit Qi forth in one overwhelming torrent.
*Whoooooosh!*
The most mysterious force in Murim—the Water Spirit Qi—cascaded forth.
In that same instant, pale water vapor rose from Bu Eunseol’s body.
Sa Cheong Ha intended to use the Water Spirit Qi’s power to evaporate every drop of moisture within Bu Eunseol’s body to the outside.
Since he had already laid hands upon her, he would kill her completely and leave no lingering threat.
*Hisssss!*
Yet something strange occurred.
As the Water Spirit Qi was injected into her body, she instead felt a strange comfort, as though floating upon water.
‘This is odd.’
When the Water Spirit Qi’s power caused the moisture within one’s body to boil, death came in an instant as the throat burned away.
But from Bu Eunseol’s body, moisture was not being expelled.
Rather, the turbid qi within her was being driven out, was it not?
“If you obtain all the Sasin Qi, you will be able to harmonize everything that has been injected into your body.”
Suddenly, words that Gong Son Dan Ah had spoken surfaced in my mind.
“And should fate bring you together, and the Palace Lord were to inject the Water Spirit Qi into you… you would be able to perfectly command the Extreme Yin force.”
At that time, I had been certain such a thing would never come to pass.
The Shenshui Palace Master would never inject a power like the Water Spirit Qi into the successor of the Demonic Path, and I had no intention of ever going to Shenshui Palace.
Yet fate had ultimately guided me to Shenshui Palace.
And now Sa Cheong Ha was pouring the Water Spirit Qi into my body with all his might.
Solely to kill me.
But instead, it was restoring the body that held the Extreme Yin force.
“By not grasping, one does not lose—”
Thus, nothing is ever lost.
As Sa Cheong Ha poured forth the Water Spirit Qi, the Taoist scripture that Gong Son Dan Ah had imparted endlessly circled through my mind.
The subtlety of this secret lay in its difference from the inner cultivation methods scattered throughout Murim.
It stored no force whatsoever within the body.
‘Whether water or cold qi, I need only use them when necessity demands, do I not?’
With this realization, I began to accept the vast Water Spirit Qi into my body.
Water exists everywhere in this world. One simply draws upon it as needed.
‘So the Icy River Confluence is the same.’
Bu Eunseol possessed a formidable reservoir of extreme yin energy within her body.
However, storing such extreme yin energy internally was ordinarily possible only for those who had devoted themselves exclusively to ice cultivation and reached its pinnacle—
individuals like Bing Ha Dae Je.
Moreover, since Bu Eunseol harbored multiple forces within her body, carrying such extreme yin energy had become a poison unto itself.
‘Store it only when needed…’
Bu Eunseol, who naturally accepted the crystalline divine energy that Sa Cheong Ha was pouring in ferociously, closed her eyes.
Ice and water shared the same fundamental nature.
If she could harness crystalline divine energy?
Bu Eunseol could wield the Icy River Confluence freely without storing extreme yin energy within her body.
Shwoosh. Shwooooosh.
The incoming crystalline divine energy did not evaporate the moisture within her body; instead, it accumulated ceaselessly,
expelling the extreme yin energy that had been ravaging her form to the outside.
Simultaneously, the power of the crystalline divine energy began dispersing and accumulating throughout Bu Eunseol’s meridians and vessels.
In that moment, she felt as though she had become an immortal, drifting weightlessly upon clouds.
Meanwhile, Sa Cheong Ha sensed something amiss even as she unleashed the crystalline divine energy.
‘What is happening?’
All the moisture within the body should have evaporated, yet why did this person wear an expression of relief and clarity?
‘This is extreme yin energy…’
Only then did she realize that what she was expelling was not the moisture within the body, but rather the extreme yin energy that froze to the very marrow.
‘She has mastered ice cultivation, so possessing extreme yin energy is hardly unusual. But why…’
Why was the extreme yin energy being expelled rather than the body’s moisture?
This was a phenomenon that even Moo Hak Dae Jong Sa of this era could not comprehend.
Who could have suspected that Bu Eunseol harbored the intermingled forces of the four cardinal directions and the five elements?
Who would believe that the successor of the Demon Palace had mastered the secret techniques of the Jeon Jin Sect, which combined the Five Metal Breath Technique and Taoist mystical methods capable of absorbing crystalline divine energy?
Even if Bu Eunseol had explained while spitting words, Sa Cheong Ha would not have believed her.
‘This infuriating wretch is withstanding the crystalline divine energy!’
Unaware of this truth, Sa Cheong Ha bit her lip.
Had she stopped injecting the crystalline divine energy even now, Bu Eunseol might have fused the Icy River Confluence with the crystalline energy,
yet she would have suffered no harm.
But when her stubborn pride flared, refusing to yield, she even mobilized her original true energy, pouring in a tremendous torrent of crystalline divine energy.
Zzzzzzzt.
The extreme yin energy gushed from Bu Eunseol’s body at an accelerating pace, and the crystalline divine energy flooding into her meridians and vessels surged like a deluge.
The volume exceeded half of what Sa Cheong Ha had refined and stored throughout her entire lifetime.
Zing. Zing.
Bu Eunseol’s body, having absorbed the crystalline divine energy, began to shine with translucent radiance.
At last, she had completely stored the power of one of the Four Divine Energies within her body.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————