The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 512

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 512.
The Paeng Family had sealed its gates.
The reason, it was said, stemmed from internal conflict between Tae Sang Family Head Peng Ak and Family Head Peng Mun Cheon.
The father, fearful of his son’s potential, had forcibly confined him to Face Wall Cave.
The son escaped that place, gathered the power of three families, and struck down his father, or so the story went.
―Utter nonsense and fabrication.
As such rumors spread, the martial artists of Murim scoffed openly.
Such a scenario—a violation of filial piety—scarcely occurred even among the Demonic Path sects or the dark ways, did it?
In all of Murim’s history, among the families of the Righteous Path,
there existed no record of a clan being utterly destroyed through mutual slaughter between father and son.
Yet as the rumors spread beyond control, the leaders of various sects came to the Paeng Family to verify the truth.
However, Peng Mun Cheon locked the gates firmly and allowed no one inside.
―The Main House is currently in a dire state, and many have lost their lives. We wish to handle the aftermath quietly, so we ask for your understanding.
The leaders could not hide their shock.
Though the truth of the rumors remained unclear, the collapse of the Paeng Family was undeniable. Peng Mun Cheon had lost his father and forfeited all the family’s power.
And when he even requested to handle it quietly, the people of other sects could not forcibly prevent it.
In the end, the martial artists who had sought out the Paeng Family turned back.
Yet not all of them had willingly acknowledged Peng Mun Cheon.
―It seems he really did strike his father, just as the rumors said.
―Then isn’t the collapse of the Paeng Family a natural consequence?
―No matter how much one calls it a family matter, how can such a filial transgressor become the head of one of the Eight Great Families?
Most martial artists cursed Peng Mun Cheon and called it a disgrace to the Righteous Path.
Yet Peng Mun Cheon endured those accusations in silence.
Rather, he felt grateful that they believed it to be his son’s unfilial power struggle.
If the truth of what Peng Ak had committed were to leak out?
If it were revealed that he was one of the core forces behind the cruel human experiments that had continuously produced Shil Hoon In across Murim?
The Paeng Family could never wash away such a vile stigma, even after a thousand years.
Peng Mun Cheon could only hope.
If not in his lifetime, then in the next generation. And if not then, perhaps the generation after that…
That someday he might rebuild the Paeng Family and step forth into Murim with dignity once more.

Three men stood facing each other before the Pavilion at the Village Entrance, exchanging farewells.
Partings between men and women carry a tender ache.
But farewells between men burn with an intensity and solemnity all their own.
Bu Eunseol, Neung Bi Hon, and Dae Gu Hwi.
All three held elevated stations and wielded considerable influence over the current Murim landscape.
Moreover, they possessed the potential to grow far greater in the days ahead, and they shared a common enemy in Sam Gye.
And they carried a fierce friendship—one where each would stake his very life for the others.
“Brother.”
Neung Bi Hon gripped Bu Eunseol’s hand firmly.
Words were unnecessary.
The exchange of glances alone revealed the unwavering bond of brotherhood they had forged between them.
And beside Neung Bi Hon stood Dae Gu Hwi.
Though they were not bound by blood as father and son, the affection flowing between them ran deeper than kinship itself.
“Where will you go?”
“First, I must train this boy Gu Hwi until he becomes worthy—so he can become the legitimate successor of Ya Soo Gung.”
Neung Bi Hon drew a deep breath.
“After that, I intend to rebuild Noe Ryeong Gate.”
Though Dae Gu Hwi was not of Noe Ryeong bloodline, fortune had granted him the Noe Ryeong Divine Technique.
Should Dae Gu Hwi, who had mastered the martial arts of Ya Soo Gung, also acquire the techniques of Noe Ryeong Gate…
Then a new powerhouse would be born into the Murim.
“Should you ever need strength, come find me anytime.”
Neung Bi Hon had already achieved his vengeance and harbored no regrets.
Yet still he devoted himself to rebuilding Noe Ryeong Gate—solely to become a pillar of support for Bu Eunseol.
Though vengeance was complete, Sam Gye remained unbroken.
To uproot them and their generations of dominion over Murim would require formidable power.
For Bu Eunseol, who fought tirelessly to bring down Sam Gye… he would rebuild Noe Ryeong Gate.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol smiled calmly and pressed his palms together.
“Brother Neung, whenever you wish to see this younger brother, come to the Demon Palace.”
“I will.”
Neung Bi Hon smiled broadly and patted his shoulder.
“Go first.”
Neung Bi Hon and Dae Gu Hwi had to depart together.
So they wished to see off Bu Eunseol, who would travel alone, first.
“Bu Dae Hyeop. Take care of yourself until we meet again.”
As Dae Gu Hwi bowed respectfully, Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“See you again, Gu Hwi.”
Whoosh!
With those words, he vanished in an instant like mist.
Neung Bi Hon and Dae Gu Hwi gazed endlessly in the direction Bu Eunseol had disappeared.
Perhaps because we had been together for so long, a hollow emptiness settled in my heart as he departed.
“There will be no time for rest.”
Dae Gu Hwi nodded at Neung Bi Hon’s words.
“It seems that way.”
The two of them had far too much to accomplish in the days ahead.
Neung Bi Hon had to rebuild Noe Ryeong Gate, while Dae Gu Hwi needed to return to Ya Soo Gung, defeat his brothers, and become the legitimate successor.
And beyond that, they had to grow stronger as quickly as possible so they could become a force to support that young Grand Master.
* * *
Murim Alliance, Eun Wol Gak.
Within this place dwelled the wisest woman in all of Murim.
Jida Seong, Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
She had become the Chief of the Murim Alliance in her thirties and had been conducting various affairs ever since.
However, nearly everything she did proceeded in absolute secrecy.
In fact, aside from the conflict in the Yeoggyeong region, none of the matters she had orchestrated thus far had been revealed to the outside world.
“It is Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
After parting with Neung Bi Hon, I immediately returned to the Murim Alliance.
This journey had granted me much, and my martial prowess had advanced another level. Yet I had no time to savor such progress.
I had been absent from my duties far too often, and the situation within the Murim Alliance had become increasingly urgent.
Seon Woo Jin still held the rank of second-tier Lord.
If I did not accumulate merit quickly, my primary objective—rooting out Hyung Su—and the matter of Sam Gye would be indefinitely delayed.
Upon entering the Murim Alliance, I immediately sought out Eun Wol Gak where Gong Son Dan Gyeong resided.
Before I could even meet with Yuk Jang Cheon, the Chief had summoned me urgently.
“Welcome.”
As I entered the office, Gong Son Dan Gyeong offered me a seat and then proceeded directly to the matter at hand.
“What transpired at the Peng Family Estate was far too unexpected.”
“I have heard the rumors as well. A father and son turning blades upon each other, they say.”
“The Peng Family Head remains silent, but the circumstances clearly indicate a grave breach of familial duty. However, the situation itself is far too strange and peculiar. I attempted to uncover the truth through various intelligence networks, but to no avail.”
“Then…”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded.
“I would like you, Seon Woo Dae Ju, to investigate the true circumstances within the Peng Family Estate.”
Peng Ak and Peng Ryun had been absorbed into the Infinite Realm and had been involved in human experimentation for decades.
Therefore, Peng Mun Cheon was desperately concealing the atrocities committed by these two.
In all of Murim, only I, Neung Bi Hon, and Dae Gu Hwi knew the true circumstances of the Peng Family.
“That the prosperous Peng Family suddenly descended into patricide, and through it, self-destruction—none of it makes sense.”
“Mm.”
“Moreover, normally they would require assistance from various sects and the Alliance itself to rebuild, yet they insist on reconstructing themselves with sealed gates. This too is incomprehensible.”
A brilliant gleam flickered across Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s large eyes.
“There must be hidden circumstances that outsiders do not know of. I hope you will uncover them for me.”
The fact that even her intelligence networks could not discover the truth revealed just how tightly Peng Mun Cheon was guarding his secrets.
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together without hesitation.
Since she already knew all the details, she could simply present them through Seon Woo Jin’s abilities as appropriate.
In other words, she merely needed to report selectively, excluding only the matter concerning the Three Realms.
* * *
“The Main House is currently sealed. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
As Wi Sa’s cold words fell, the gates of the Peng Family Estate closed firmly once more.
Under orders from Gong Son Dan Gyeong, Bu Eunseol returned to Hebei and began investigating the Peng Family Estate.
But the gates would not open, let alone allow her inside.
For the sealed Peng Family Estate, even if the Murim Alliance’s Lord himself came calling rather than a mere Second-Rank Lord, they could not open their gates to receive him.
If even a hint of the truth were revealed, the Peng Family could never rise again.
‘This is where it becomes critical.’
Bu Eunseol gazed up at the towering gates of the Peng Family Estate.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong had sent her hoping to obtain results different from those of the intelligence operatives investigated thus far.
If that were the case, she could not simply return empty-handed; she had to find some clue, any clue.
‘Though there’s little need to search.’
Excluding those within the Peng Family Estate itself, no one understood the situation more thoroughly than Bu Eunseol.
Yet she could not state this confidently, and even if she did, she would need substantial evidence to support it.
After pondering for a moment, Bu Eunseol made her way to a nearby marketplace.
‘No matter how sealed a place is, people still need to eat to survive.’
The Peng Family had accumulated vast wealth over generations, so even with the sealing, they would not face immediate hardship.
Yet they too were human, and humans must eat to live.
Bu Eunseol searched the marketplace until she found the shop supplying provisions to the Peng Family Estate.
She located the merchants dealing with the Peng Family, distributed a considerable sum of money, and gathered various information from the laborers transporting the provisions.
Afterward, Bu Eunseol attempted every investigation that intelligence operatives could conduct.
Yet she obtained nothing of value.
‘Was I meant to infiltrate?’
Only then did Bu Eunseol grasp Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s true intention.
No intelligence organization could learn what transpired within the Peng Family Estate.
This meant no intelligence operatives had successfully infiltrated the estate.
Moreover, if the Murim Alliance sent operatives to extract information from the Peng Family and they were discovered?
That would be a situation beyond what even a Chief could handle.
‘There is no choice.’
Since she already knew the internal circumstances, she merely needed to feign an infiltration attempt.
The question was whether Seon Woo Jin’s abilities could penetrate the Peng Family Estate, complete the investigation, and
escape safely.
As one of the Eight Great Families, no matter how sealed the Peng Family Estate might be, it remained the Peng Family.
Infiltration would not be easily accomplished through ordinary means.
‘This is a test of all his capabilities.’
If he could infiltrate one of the Eight Great Families, extract information, and return safely?
Then she could gauge not only his martial prowess but also his adaptability, insight, resourcefulness, concealment techniques, and knowledge of mechanisms—all his abilities combined.
‘Wasn’t I already planning to rise above the Murim Alliance anyway?’
I couldn’t remain in the Murim Alliance forever, no matter what.
In that case, to Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing to quickly make known that Seon Woo Jin was an exceptional talent beyond comparison.
She too was a person of ambition, plotting something.
‘Is she trying to draw me in?’
If that weren’t her intention, she wouldn’t continuously test Seon Woo Jin and seek to confirm his excellence.
‘This is definitely a test to assign me some task.’
Whenever Gong Son Dan Gyeong planned and began something.
She always assigned tasks to select people suited for those missions.
What someone like her sought to accomplish would never be easy work.
‘There’s no reason to refuse a more solid foundation than Yuk Jang Cheon.’
Bu Eunseol intended to complete this task, make an impression on her, and secure a foothold on her ladder of ascension.
* * *
“Something happened within the Peng Family that absolutely couldn’t be revealed to the outside world, and they chose self-destruction to hide it…”
Eun Wol Gak, Murim Alliance. Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s office.
Bu Eunseol had ultimately infiltrated the Peng Family under the identity of Seon Woo Jin, completed her investigation regarding them, and returned to the Murim Alliance.
“However, these are merely assumptions Seon Woo Dae Ju reached after confirming various circumstances…”
A cold gleam flashed in Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes as she set down the report Bu Eunseol had written.
“There is no concrete evidence for it.”
“That’s correct.”
Bu Eunseol explained confidently.
“Since the sealing began, the Peng Family Head appears to have disposed of all evidence. Even the deceased Tae Sang Family Head was cremated rather than given a proper burial.”
Peng Mun Cheon was already branded as a traitor to the family line.
He had even cremated his own father to leave no trace of connection to the Infinite Realm.
“What is certain, however, is that the Peng Family destroyed itself through internal division. There were no traces of external attack, and all the deceased were masters of the Peng Family.”
Bu Eunseol continued her explanation.
“Particularly, the Peng Family Head is extremely cautious about security even during the sealing. This indicates there is a secret that must never be revealed to the outside.”
“Mm.”
“Not only did internal division occur within the Peng Family, but despite resulting in near self-destruction, they chose sealing. And they exercise extreme caution regarding internal security. I could only reach that conclusion.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded.
Bu Eunseol had attempted an infiltration that even her excellent intelligence operatives dared not try.
And she had returned discreetly without leaving any evidence.
Furthermore, though lacking concrete proof, she had accurately analyzed the situation within the Peng Family and derived appropriate conclusions.
In other words, Seon Woo Jin possessed abilities and insight as an intelligence operative that left nothing more to be desired.
“Indeed, Seon Woo Dae Ju possesses far greater ability than I anticipated.”
She exhaled a long breath—whether a sigh or an exclamation—and withdrew a small envelope from her drawer.
“Take this.”
“What is this?”
“A new mission for you to undertake. I’ve already obtained prior consent from Yuk Jang Cheon.”
Bu Eunseol’s prediction was accurate.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong hadn’t been curious about the internal affairs of the Paeng Family.
She was simply verifying whether Bu Eunseol was suitable for the mission she needed to execute.
The envelope rustled softly.
As Bu Eunseol began to read the letter inside, her eyes widened with surprise.
“You’re asking me to investigate the Cheon In Sect?”
The Cheon In Sect.
A religious organization with roots along the Yellow River, known to have over fifty thousand followers.
However, rumors circulated that they demanded excessive donations from their believers, and despite their name, they were said to employ sinister and arcane mystical arts.
For this reason, the Cheon In Sect was viewed with suspicion by the Righteous Path sects of Murim.
“To be precise, it’s an investigation into the Sword Tomb that the Cheon In Sect Tae Pyeong Branch constructed.”
A Sword Tomb.
It was a mysterious legend passed down through generations in Murim.
Known as the “Graveyard of Swords,” Sword Tombs are said to be hidden throughout Murim, containing divine blades and precious swords imbued with mystical power.
And it’s said that whoever is chosen by a sword within a Sword Tomb can become a supreme master who dominates Tianxia.
“The Cheon In Sect Tae Pyeong Branch has been artificially constructing a Sword Tomb near Tae Pyeong Mountain for several years now, and they’ve been bewitching martial artists with it.”
—Our sect has discovered a portion of the Sword Tomb!
Bu Eunseol had heard those rumors before.
The Cheon In Sect branch claimed to have discovered part of a Sword Tomb hidden on Tae Pyeong Mountain and opened the location to martial artists.
—Those fools are spouting nonsense.
At first, martial artists dismissed the claim with scorn and disbelief.
It was already unbelievable that a branch of an Evil Sect based along the Yellow River had discovered a Sword Tomb.
But to reveal it to martial artists?
If they had obtained a Sword Tomb, wouldn’t they simply keep it hidden for themselves? Why would they need to share the swords with martial artists?
—The Sword Tomb of the Cheon In Sect Tae Pyeong Branch was real!
Yet a strange rumor soon spread through Murim.
The Cheon In Sect Tae Pyeong Branch had produced swordsmen of extraordinary skill, and they all wielded blades obtained from the Sword Tomb.
Enticed by this rumor, martial artists flocked to search for the Sword Tomb, but afterward, no further news emerged.
“Is that actually true?”
Most martial artists believed the rumor was a scheme by the Cheon In Sect—that they had artificially created the Sword Tomb to lure martial artists to them.
After all, no one had obtained a sword since then, and the rumors about the Sword Tomb had quickly faded away.
Bu Eunseol herself hadn’t paid it much attention.
Yet Gong Son Dan Gyeong was asking her to investigate it?
“The Cheon In Sect Tae Pyeong Branch has established various rules for entering the Sword Tomb. One of them is requiring visitors to sign a waiver stating that their lives cannot be guaranteed once they enter.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong continued speaking calmly.
“I dispatched skilled agents to investigate what they were plotting, but after they entered that place, all contact was lost and they disappeared.”
“Then wouldn’t the Murim Alliance conduct a large-scale investigation?”
“That organization includes not just martial artists but also common people. Without any evidence, a martial sect has no authority to investigate them.”
“Even though people have disappeared and died?”
“As I mentioned, the Cheon In Sect has visitors sign a waiver absolving them of responsibility for any deaths before entering the Sword Tomb. We found no evidence whatsoever linking them to our agents’ disappearances.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been pondering deeply, nodded her head.
“In the end, what you’re saying is that the Murim Alliance has no justification to intervene on the surface.”
“That’s right.”
The Murim Alliance was a coalition of Righteous Path sects, and what it could resolve through its authority was limited to the Righteous Path sects belonging to the Murim Alliance.
Of course, if there were suspicious points, it would have thoroughly investigated under the guise of upholding justice in Murim, but.
Regardless, there was no authority to forcibly investigate a religious organization that even ordinary citizens had joined.
‘So that’s why they demanded infiltration of the Peng Family.’
If I could secretly infiltrate the Peng Family and escape safely.
Then successfully infiltrating the Cheon In Sect Tae Pyeong Branch would be a relatively simple matter—or so the calculation must have been.
“Understood. I’ll conduct an investigation.”
As Bu Eunseol answered as if it were nothing serious, Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes grew grave.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju. This task is by no means an easy one.”
Her expression became increasingly serious.
“Even though it’s called a branch of the Cheon In Sect, if they’ve gone so far as to fabricate counterfeit divine swords, there must have been powerful support from the main headquarters.”
“I’m already anticipating that.”
“And all the capable agents sent there have died. Among them, there wasn’t a single one weaker than you, Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
“….”
“To be honest, this mission is far too dangerous. That’s why I had you investigate the Peng Family—to test not only your martial prowess but also your various other abilities. I believed that investigating the Cheon In Sect would require not just martial skill but also exceptional insight and wisdom.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong drew a deep breath before speaking.
“Even so, my calculations put your probability of surviving this mission and returning alive at thirty percent.”
It was a shocking statement.
Given her genius, such a thirty percent conclusion would carry considerable basis and credibility.
In other words, if Bu Eunseol took on this mission?
The genius known as the Prodigy of Fate.
Even while acknowledging her superior martial prowess, wisdom, and insight, she was essentially guaranteeing that there was an eight in ten chance she would die.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————