The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 504

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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 504.
Neung Bi Hon suppressed the surge of emotion welling up inside him and continued to feign ignorance, his voice sharp.
“What nonsense are you spouting? You two—”
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with unwavering resolve.
“You remember everything, Neung Bi Hon.”
“What do you mean—”
“If you had truly lost your memory, there would have been no need to impart your divine techniques to Dae Gu Hwi at Yao Jian Plain.”
At that time, I had observed Neung Bi Hon rescuing Dae Gu Hwi and discerned that he had not lost his memories.
This was because I had witnessed him transmitting the Thunder God’s Divine Technique to Dae Gu Hwi.
Had he merely sought to save a life, stabilizing the Thunder God’s essence within him would have sufficed.
Yet Neung Bi Hon deliberately drew out the Thunder God’s essence that had permeated Dae Gu Hwi’s body and transmitted the Thunder God’s Divine Technique, which allowed one to command that essence.
Perhaps this stemmed from his desire for Dae Gu Hwi to grow stronger through the power of the Thunder God’s essence and eventually become the Palace Lord of Ya Soo Gung.
“Hmph.”
When his true intentions were exposed, Neung Bi Hon let out a sharp cry and attempted to deflect.
“I merely thought it would be useful to have another person capable of wielding the Thunder God’s essence. If I lose my power again, I can simply use that boy, can’t I?”
It was a pathetic excuse coming from the Thunder God who shook all of Tianxia.
Bu Eunseol waved his hand dismissively and spoke.
“Very well then. Shall we move to a different location?”
“Move? Why?”
“If we assault the Paeng Family so recklessly, aren’t we simply repeating the same mistake?”
Bu Eunseol spoke with measured calm.
“This matter requires caution. Should things go awry, you yourself could be branded a public enemy of Murim.”
“I fear no such condemnation.”
“Of course you wouldn’t.”
Bu Eunseol smiled gently.
“But surely you must consider my reputation and the position of Dae Gu Hwi, who will become your disciple in the future?”
At those words, waves of emotion surged through Neung Bi Hon’s chest.
Though we shared no blood relation, the successor of Demon Palace had humbled himself to become my younger brother.
And Dae Gu Hwi, the youngest son of the Palace Lord of Ya Soo Gung, revered and followed me as his master.
As something hot rose within his chest, Neung Bi Hon turned his head away sharply.
“Hmph.”
With a cold snort, he spoke harshly.
“Of all things, the successor of Demon Palace becomes my brother, and the youngest son of Ya Soo Gung becomes my disciple. My fate is truly cursed.”
His voice was glacial, yet his eyes trembled faintly.
Bu Eunseol and Dae Gu Hwi.
Were they not gifts sent from heaven to compensate for the lonely days I had lived until now?
Neung Bi Hon followed Bu Eunseol into a secret residence of Demon Palace located near Hebei.
Secret chambers always existed within such residences, making them invaluable for conducting confidential discussions.
“Now then, please tell me about the circumstances of that time.”
Bu Eunseol entered the secret chamber and spoke to Neung Bi Hon.
“From now on, we need to devise a plan to bring them down.”
Neung Bi Hon immediately relayed in detail the story of his battle with Gwae Noin.
After listening carefully to everything, Bu Eunseol stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“I see.”
Pal Hwang Sam Seong were masters who appeared four hundred years ago, and since then, neither their successors nor descendants had publicly emerged in Murim.
Moreover, except for So Ok Rim, the descendants of Pal Hwang Sam Seong were likely all figures from Sam Gye.
What if the members of the Paeng Family were descendants of Pal Hwang Sam Seong?
Then the current descendants of Pal Hwang Sam Seong would all have different identities and likely be the leadership figures established in Murim.
‘Then did the Taoist Emperor’s Successor create the Paeng Family?’
The Paeng Family’s history was not particularly long—they first appeared later than the period when Pal Hwang Sam Seong had emerged four hundred years ago.
That meant the Paeng Family itself could be a clan created by the Taoist Emperor’s Successor.
“But something seems odd.”
Bu Eunseol tilted her head in puzzlement.
“He seemed to regret that he couldn’t compete with Chilji Demonic Sect. If he were the family head of the Paeng Family, there’s no way he couldn’t have matched Chilji Demonic Sect.”
“It could be orders from Sam Gye.”
“That’s possible. But there’s something even stranger.”
Bu Eunseol told him about the matter concerning the Southern Heaven Great Swordsman.
“If he were the former patriarch of the Paeng Family, he absolutely couldn’t have pursued the Southern Heaven Great Swordsman for so long. As a member of the Paeng Family, he would have duties to fulfill, and all his movements would be exposed.”
“He could be a puppet. In Murim, anyone with even a bit of reputation has a dual identity.”
“That’s true as well.”
Bu Eunseol stroked her chin.
“We need to investigate thoroughly. After all, we’re talking about the Paeng Family, one of the Eight Great Families.”
Even if we had definitive evidence, the Demon Hall could never bring a large force into Hebei territory.
Therefore, this matter required extreme caution.
“First, we should have our subordinates gather information about the Paeng Family’s situation, and then discuss how we’ll bring them down.”
Neung Bi Hon swallowed hard.
For years of endurance, he had searched for his enemies, sharpening the blade of his vengeance.
And now, finally, the nest of his enemy lay before his eyes… In the past, he would have never hesitated, charging in without delay, come what may.
But now Neung Bi Hon’s madness had been completely cured, and he maintained a clear mind. Therefore, he would never act recklessly.
“There’s no helping it.”
Neung Bi Hon nodded.
The vengeance had already begun.
Then he must fully understand the enemy’s situation before destroying them completely.
At Bu Eunseol’s command, the intelligence networks of Sa Hon Dae and Jeol Jeong Dae began operating actively.
The Demonic Path’s intelligence forces were generally well-informed about Orthodox Sect matters, and the Orthodox Sect’s intelligence forces were well-informed about Demonic Path matters.
As the investigation into the Paeng Family continued, Bu Eunseol began to sense something unusual.
The Demonic Path’s intelligence forces paid little attention to other Demonic Path forces unless they were hostile.
But the Murim Alliance’s intelligence network was somewhat different.
They were investing considerable resources and time to obtain information not only about the Demonic Path but also from within the Orthodox Sects.
This meant that there was a high probability that members of Sam Gye were heavily positioned among the leadership and senior figures of the Murim Alliance.
After all, they desired access to the vast array of information circulating throughout the entire Murim.
Moreover, the irregularities were far more than one or two.
The Paeng Family was perfectly sealed off by an exceptional intelligence organization, and no matter how much investigation was conducted,
it was impossible to properly grasp the internal situation.
―The current patriarch of the Paeng Family is refraining from external activities.
The only thing that could be ascertained was one fact.
The patriarch of the Paeng Family, Peng Mun Cheon, was suffering from a strange illness and had secluded himself indoors.
“How peculiar.”
Neung Bi Hon, who had been listening to the information provided by Bu Eunseol, stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Then are you saying that the Emeritus Patriarch Peng Ak still holds actual power?”
An Emeritus Patriarch was a title bestowed upon patriarchs who had made their names resound throughout Murim or achieved remarkable accomplishments and subsequently retired.
It was merely a position of honor.
The fact that the family’s internal affairs ran smoothly despite the patriarch’s seclusion was evidence that Emeritus Patriarch Peng Ak still wielded actual authority.
“That may be the case, but the Paeng Family grants considerable discretionary power to the heads of each division, so it could function even without a patriarch.”
The reason the Paeng Family had rapidly grown to become one of the Eight Great Families within its short history
was partly due to the family’s characteristic of guaranteeing the rights of the heads of each organization.
For matters pertaining to organizational duties, the heads of each division could independently execute their missions without the patriarch’s approval.
Therefore, the Paeng Family could continue functioning reasonably well even in the patriarch’s absence.
“However, given that information is completely sealed off, it is certain that something has occurred within the Paeng Family.”
Bu Eunseol could sense this intuitively.
The Paeng Family was not in a normal state.
Otherwise, Sa Hon Dae and Jeol Jeong Dae would not have failed to detect the internal situation at all.
“Then infiltration would be our only option.”
Dae Gu Hwi, who had been listening silently, spoke.
“The martial arts of my Ya Soo Gung are highly specialized for infiltration. What if I were to conduct reconnaissance of the situation within the Paeng Family?”
The Ya Soo Gung martial arts were modeled after the abilities of various animals,
so they could demonstrate exceptional capability not only in martial prowess but also in infiltrating diverse locations.
Moreover, since Dae Gu Hwi could even alter his Thunder God’s aura, he could perform reconnaissance missions far better than any ordinary intelligence operative.
“That is not possible.”
However, Bu Eunseol spoke with firm resolve.
“The fact that information within the Paeng Family is completely sealed off means that the Paeng Family is as fortified as an iron fortress with excellent defenses.”
Even if it was one of the Eight Great Families, obtaining information through spies was always possible.
But complete information blackout suggested a high probability that the place had become a perfectly fortified stronghold.
“Furthermore, the Paeng Family is one of the Eight Great Families that has stood tall in Murim for generations. Numerous mechanisms to detect enemy infiltration are surely hidden discreetly within it. A hasty infiltration attempt would only expose our hand.”
“Then there is no way forward.”
Neung Bi Hon spoke as if spitting out something he had placed in his mouth.
“I should have quickly snatched up that Emeritus Token back then. If I had, that vicious bastard Peng Ak would have crawled out of the Paeng Family just to find it.”
Upon hearing those words, Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed brightly.
His words had sparked an excellent stratagem in my mind.
“Our Demon Hall’s warehouse contains many treasures. Among them are not a few spoils of war seized from the Orthodox Sects’ factions.”
Bu Eunseol recalled the ledger that Yu Woon Ryong had once written for her.
That ledger contained a list of treasures that she, as the Muhonjung, could own or dispose of.
And at the end of that list was written the name: Five Tiger Blade.
* * *
Peng Seo Woon, the chief steward of the Paeng Family, could not hide his bewilderment.
The Muhonjung of the Demon Hall had suddenly requested a visit.
Muhonjung, Bu Eunseol.
It was true that she had done much good for Murim during this time.
But that did not mean the Demonic Path and Orthodox Sects could coexist peacefully.
Especially the Paeng Family—they maintained a more hostile stance toward the Demonic Path Sects than any other faction.
So much so that when the Demon Hall held the Ten Demon Hall Conference, they had even sent assassins to attempt the murder of outstanding talents.
Yet the successor of the Demon Hall wished to visit the Paeng Family? It made no sense whatsoever.
That is, until he read the end of the letter sent by the Muhonjung.
―I have recently come to realize that our Demon Hall has been safeguarding the Five Tiger Blade. I wish to visit the Paeng Family to discuss its return.
Remarkably, the reason for the Muhonjung’s visit was to return the Five Tiger Blade, a treasure of the Paeng Family.
The Five Tiger Blade could cut iron as easily as tofu, and it contained the refined essence of the Five Tiger Single Stroke Technique, which the early Paeng Family had pioneered.
If they could recover it?
The Paeng Family’s martial techniques could experience great development once more.
“I cannot fathom why she would return it.”
At Peng Seo Woon’s murmur, his deputy Seo Wook spoke carefully.
“She will become the future lord who leads the Demon Hall. Moreover, her relations with the Orthodox Sects are not poor. It seems she intends to forge a connection with the Main House as well.”
“Hmm.”
“In fact, recently she is said to have returned the Jade Immortal Blade, a treasure of the Je Gal Family.”
Peng Seo Woon stroked his chin.
It was an established fact that the successor of the Demon Hall was building relations with the Orthodox Sects without hesitation and walking the righteous path.
That she wished not to accumulate karmic debts with the Orthodox Sects and would return their treasures as the future lord was, indeed, a reasonable justification.
“Then why not simply return it? Why insist on a private audience?”
“Perhaps she wishes to ascertain whether she can build relations with the Main House. It seems she will decide whether to return the Five Tiger Blade only after confirming this.”
“A shrewd individual, as the rumors suggest. Confirming whether it is beneficial, and then returning the treasure… I see.”
Peng Seo Woon nodded.
Moreover, she desired not an official visit, but a secret one.
That meant she was considering the Paeng Family’s position of rejecting the Demonic Path.
If word spread that the successor of the Demon Hall had visited, it would place the Paeng Family in a difficult position.
“There is not a single thing to fault her for.”
Peng Seo Woon shook his head.
“This is a matter I cannot judge alone.”
He rose from his seat and spoke.
“I must consult with the Patriarch and let him decide.”
Peng Seo Woon entered a magnificent palace hall at the center of the Paeng Family compound.
Upon touching the hidden mechanism that had been installed, a grinding sound echoed forth, and a passage leading underground revealed itself.
Footsteps echoed softly as I descended.
After walking inward for some time, a spacious Great Hall came into view, faint light spilling from within.
Passing through the Great Hall and entering a narrow corridor, a small door appeared.
“I am Chong Gwan Peng Seo Woon.”
As Peng Seo Woon spoke with a respectful bow, the door opened of its own accord.
As he stepped inside, the sound of a curtain being drawn reached his ears, and a small figure emerged from within.
Though not particularly tall, his gaze was piercing, and an aura sharp as frost radiated from him.
It was none other than Peng Ak, the Grand Patriarch of the Paeng Family.
Peng Seo Woon immediately lowered his head to offer a respectful greeting, but—
In a swift motion.
Peng Ak passed by him without ceremony.
Witnessing this, Peng Seo Woon let out a small sound and shook his head.
“The Grand Patriarch is not present, it seems.”
He then offered a respectful bow to Peng Ak and turned to leave.
“There’s nothing to be done about it.”
Returning outside, Peng Seo Woon’s expression turned bitter.
“Since the Grand Patriarch is absent… I have no choice but to make my own judgment.”
Stepping outside the Palace Hall, he gazed toward the distant sky.
“Regardless of his intentions, it matters not. The fact that Muk Hon Ryeong Ju approached first is proof that the Main House holds the advantageous position.”
He narrowed his eyes and murmured to himself.
“First, I must ascertain what he desires.”
Several days later.
A clandestine visitor arrived at the Hebei Peng Family Estate.
It was none other than Bu Eunseol, the successor to the Demon Palace and Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.
However, since this meeting was conducted in secret, the fact remained unknown to the outside world.
‘So this is the Paeng Family.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as I entered the Paeng Family grounds.
The interior of the Hebei Paeng Family, regarded as a symbol of Orthodox Sect doctrine, resembled a vast Martial Hall rather than an ornate great house.
Most of the structures were Martial Arts Arenas for cultivating martial prowess, Library Pavilions, and weapon arsenals, with scarcely any quarters designated for residence.
“I am Chong Gwan Peng Seo Woon.”
Peng Seo Woon received Bu Eunseol personally, without delegating to servants.
“I am Bu Eunseol.”
Bu Eunseol responded with a smile.
“Please, come this way.”
Peng Seo Woon led the way personally, guiding Bu Eunseol forward.
However, the place he brought her to was not the Guest Hall for receiving visitors, but rather a tea chamber where the leadership of the Paeng Family conducted confidential discussions.
“My apologies.”
Peng Seo Woon, having shown Bu Eunseol to the tea chamber, opened his mouth with a somewhat apologetic expression.
“Ordinarily, it would be proper for the Family Lord to receive you, but due to his current illness, I, the Chong Gwan, have taken it upon myself to entertain the Ryeong Ju.”
“It matters not.”
I waved my hand dismissively, yet something felt peculiar about this arrangement.
When the family head was absent, it was customary for those capable of wielding his authority to step forward.
I had come to the Paeng Family to negotiate the return of a treasure they had lost long ago.
If we recovered it, the Paeng Family’s martial techniques could advance to a new level.
Yet at such a critical juncture, only the Chong Gwan—who managed the household affairs—had appeared?
“It is simply that managing the Main House’s treasures falls within my duties as Chong Gwan.”
Peng Seo Woon, having discerned my thoughts, cleared his throat and spoke.
“As you know, the Main House grants considerable discretion to the head of any organization under its purview.”
“I see.”
“Recovering the Oho Blade naturally falls within my responsibilities. That is why I have come to receive you, Ryeong Ju.”
“It makes no difference to me.”
“Pardon?”
I allowed a faint smile to grace my lips.
“To speak plainly, it would not have mattered who appeared before me.”
“I fail to understand your meaning.”
“Does the Paeng Family not harbor considerable disdain for the Demonic Path? One cannot be satisfied with a single bite, so I too intend to proceed slowly, one step at a time.”
My eyes burned with the fierce light of ambition as I continued.
“Is it not true that unknown forces now dominate Murim? Rather than dividing factions simply into Orthodox and Demonic, I believe we must distinguish them by whether they can envision the same future.”
Peng Seo Woon, grasping my meaning, allowed a faint smile to appear.
“Then your proposal to return the Oho Blade was merely a means to open the channels of exchange?”
“Precisely.”
“Yet I find it difficult to comprehend.”
Peng Seo Woon tilted his head.
“The Main House is the one among the Eight Great Families that despises the Demonic Path most. Surely you could cultivate relations with numerous Orthodox sects, so why would you struggle to establish ties with us?”
“That is precisely why.”
I smiled.
“If I can establish relations with the Paeng Family, which holds the Demonic Path in such contempt, could I not do so with any sect?”
Peng Seo Woon’s eyes widened.
‘A formidable one indeed.’
If he could forge ties with the Hebei Peng Family, which scorned the Demonic Path, then he could easily establish relations with any Orthodox sect.
For if he gained recognition from the Hebei Peng Family, which despised the Demonic Path, no one would hesitate to cultivate relations with him.
“Very well. Since you speak so candidly, Ryeong Ju, I too shall be forthright.”
Peng Seo Woon, having grasped my intentions, spoke calmly.
“Even if we return the Oho Blade, the Main House’s position will not change.”
“Is that so? What a pity.”
“However….”
A subtle smile crossed his face.
“I myself could establish relations with you, Ryeong Ju.”
‘An old fox, indeed.’
Bu Eunseol harbored a cold smile inwardly.
In other words, she could not build a relationship with the Paeng Family itself, but she could build one with Peng Seo Woon.
‘He merely intends to recover the Oho Blade and accumulate merit. After that, he’ll wash his hands of the matter.’
“Can one be satisfied with just the first taste?”
Bu Eunseol, swallowing her thoughts, spoke with a smile.
“If we gradually build such connections, even the firmly closed doors of the Paeng Family might open.”
“Hehehehe, indeed, the Ryeong Ju communicates quite well.”
Though Peng Seo Woon wore an expression full of goodwill, he could not suppress an inward smirk.
‘The young one certainly has ambitious dreams.’
Whether he built a relationship with Bu Eunseol or not mattered little. The negotiation would succeed simply by recovering the Oho Blade.
“It seems the Ryeong Ju shares the same thoughts as myself.”
“Of course.”
Peng Seo Woon wore a smile brimming with goodwill.
“To return the Oho Blade merely for friendship with this Chong Gwan—I am truly honored.”
After all, relationships could vanish as easily as they formed.
Even if Bu Eunseol began exchanges by bringing the Oho Blade, ultimately there would be nothing to gain.
Yet Bu Eunseol, seemingly oblivious to Peng Seo Woon’s thoughts, smiled brightly.
“Then, on my next visit, I shall bring the Oho Blade.”
“Thank you.”
Peng Seo Woon laughed broadly and clasped his hands together, and Bu Eunseol responded with a respectful bow.
“Then.”
Bu Eunseol immediately departed from the Paeng Family Estate.
On the surface, there seemed to be no particular gain.
Though she had met with Chong Gwan Peng Seo Woon, she had neither spied within the Paeng Family nor discerned its internal circumstances.
Ultimately, the only conclusion from her private audience with him was the unconditional return of the Oho Blade.
Yet as Bu Eunseol climbed into her carriage, a faint smile lingered at the corners of her mouth.
‘The Paeng Family is certainly not normal.’
Her visit to the Paeng Family this time had not been for the purpose of extracting information under the guise of the Oho Blade.
For even if she visited a hundred times, the Paeng Family would keep their internal affairs tightly sealed.
Rather, there was only one thing Bu Eunseol aimed for.
―If some calamity had befallen the Paeng Family, surely there must be someone attempting to resolve that situation?
The fact that the Paeng Family’s Grand Patriarch was the Taoist Emperor’s Successor could be interpreted in two ways.
Either the Paeng Family itself was subordinate to Sam Gye, or the Grand Patriarch Peng Ak had pledged himself to Sam Gye.
Yet coincidentally, the current Paeng Family Lord Peng Mun Cheon had remained secluded for over a decade under the pretext of illness.
This strongly suggested that some calamity had indeed occurred within the Paeng Family, and Peng Mun Cheon was likely concealing himself as a result.
―If it were more likely that not the entire Paeng Family, but only the Grand Patriarch and a few others belonged to Sam Gye, then might there not be someone within the Paeng Family striving to overturn this situation?
Bu Eunseol had formed this hypothesis.
Over a decade had passed since the Paeng Family Lord secluded himself.
In that time, might those who opposed the Grand Patriarch Peng Ak and sought to restore the Paeng Family to normalcy
not have sought assistance from various factions?
Yet the fact that nothing had changed made me wonder if all my attempts had simply failed.
Hearing those words, Neung Bi Hon spoke.
―Perhaps failure was inevitable. After all, Sam Gye stands behind him.
Peng Ak, the patriarch of the Taoist Emperor’s lineage, not only wielded the formidable Taoist techniques of Do Hwang, but could also command the exceptional intelligence network of Sam Gye.
Even with outside assistance, failure was only natural.
It was then that Dae Gu Hwi spoke.
―What if a remarkable figure from the Demonic Path were to approach instead?
Dae Gu Hwi’s gaze remained fixed on Bu Eunseol.
What if the successor of Demon Hall, Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, who had continuously clashed with Sam Gye, were to appear before the Paeng Family?
Would the Paeng Family not grasp at straws and approach Bu Eunseol?
―A rather intriguing proposition.
Neung Bi Hon nodded in agreement.
If the Paeng Family were under the control of Peng Ak or Sam Gye?
And if Bu Eunseol, who opposed them, were to enter the Paeng Family?
Moreover, if the reason for entering the Paeng Family were to build rapport with them?
Then there existed a probability that someone wishing to resolve the Paeng Family’s troubles would make contact.
―Very well. Let us attempt it.
Using the Oho Sword as a pretext, I entered the Paeng Family’s inner sanctum and conveyed my desire to build relations with them.
‘Will they come?’
Having finished my recollection, I did not return immediately to Demon Hall, but instead headed toward Seong Do.
Then I made my way to the bustling Market Street, wandering about as if sightseeing.
How much time had passed?
“…!”
My eyes widened.
Someone had sent me a transmission.

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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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