The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 528

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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 528.
‘I’ll master every single variation of this technique.’
As Bu Eunseol finished her thought, a fierce intensity blazed from her eyes.
Without a concluding formula, she could neither compress these three hundred variations into a single thread nor deploy them flawlessly.
So she resolved to memorize every variation contained within the secret manual of Geom So Heon Won Style in its entirety.
‘I must force it into my mind, no matter what.’
Bu Eunseol focused her consciousness and continued reading through the secret manual relentlessly.
How much time had passed?
“Exhale.”
She took a deep breath and slowly closed the secret manual.
At last, she had memorized every variation contained within the Geom So Heon Won Style.
‘Of all the martial techniques I’ve learned so far, this is the most difficult to grasp.’
If a concluding formula had existed, she could have unified these variations into a single flow, allowing her to master them easily through repetitive practice.
But without a concluding formula.
Bu Eunseol had forcibly crammed three hundred ninety-five variations into her mind without truly understanding them.
Even with a genius-level memory, this was a reckless attempt.
Those variations had to form one perfect whole to become a complete Sword Initial Style.
Therefore, if she forgot even a single one, all her efforts until now would become worthless.
‘By now, the time should have elapsed.’
Fortunately, she no longer felt any watchful gaze.
Bu Eunseol began placing the numerous secret manuals on the table back onto the shelves one by one.
And she returned the secret manual of Geom So Heon Won to the very top of the bookshelf.
Thud, thud.
Then, footsteps echoed from a distance.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
The approaching figure was Mok Do In, who managed Yeongak Dojeon.
He smiled broadly as he looked at Bu Eunseol.
“Your allotted time has expired.”
“Is that so?”
Bu Eunseol deliberately looked around as if just regaining her senses.
Light was fatal to book preservation, so Yeongak Dojeon had no windows.
Therefore, one could not perceive the passage of time.
“Understood. I shall exit immediately.”
As Bu Eunseol clasped her hands and turned to leave, Mok Do In spoke up.
“Tell me, what have you gained from this place?”
It was an unexpected question.
As Bu Eunseol turned back, Mok Do In smiled with his eyes narrowed to crescents.
“Since Ben Maeng was founded, no Second-Rank Lord has ever entered this floor of Yeongak Dojeon. Well, of course, you’ll be promoted to First-Rank Lord soon enough.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m curious what martial technique you’ve mastered.”
Mok Do In’s face was brimming with laughter, yet his eyes remained utterly devoid of mirth.
“Your Iron Sword Thirteen Forms are impressive in many ways, but the lack of a decisive finishing move must be troubling you.”
“….”
“That’s why I’m curious whether you’ve found something to compensate for it.”
I had to forcibly suppress my expression of surprise.
‘He even knows the shortcomings of my Iron Sword Thirteen Forms?’
That meant he had been tracing the traces of my Iron Sword Thirteen Forms throughout all this time.
If that were the case, then Mok Do In was either someone belonging to Sam Gye, or someone aligned with Shin San Ja.
“There’s nothing surprising about it.”
When I didn’t respond, Mok Do In spoke with a bright smile.
“Aren’t you the one who has been accumulating merit and received approval from First-Rank Lords in the shortest time possible? You’re receiving attention not just from Bon Gak Master, but from several of the higher-ups as well.”
Mok Do In continued speaking.
“Every time you accumulated merit, the investigation team consistently verified it. Your swordsmanship and its traces as well.”
It was an explanation that left no room for objection—perfectly clear.
Yet I couldn’t take his words at face value.
“Thank you for your interest.”
I answered calmly without revealing my true thoughts.
“As you say, I’ve been sensing the limitations of my swordsmanship and researching such matters.”
“Have you found a solution?”
“I’ve been repeatedly studying the Flawless Sword Manual and the Iron Heart Secret Technique.”
“Hmm….”
After contemplating something for a moment, Mok Do In closed his eyes and nodded.
“An excellent choice.”
“Indeed.”
“Quite right. The Flawless Sword Manual and Iron Heart Secret Technique are swordsmanship and mental techniques no inferior to the supreme arts of the Nine Sects One Alliance.”
Mok Do In stared intently at me, then wore a satisfied smile.
“Your discernment in choosing martial arts alone speaks volumes of your talent. I look forward to your future accomplishments.”
“Thank you.”
I clasped my hands together respectfully once more.
Then I slowly turned and exited Yeongak Dojeon.
‘Which side could it be?’
Recalling Mok Do In’s closed eyes, I clenched my fists tightly.
Just as it was with the Demon Hall, the Murim Alliance was no different.
There were always those who were the true substance, forming relationships among themselves.
Unless I entered that place directly.
Or unless I climbed to a position so impossibly high that I could look down upon it.
I would never be able to discern its true nature.
‘I will climb. Faster.’
Now that I had grasped Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s hand, I had made my decisive move to rise to the position of Lord in the shortest time possible.
If I accumulated more merit, I might even ascend to the third level of Yeongak Dojeon.
And perhaps, there, I might even discover the remaining secret techniques of the Geomso Heonjeon.
‘I must reach the very summit.’
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol, who had been gazing coldly up at the Gunkon Pavilion—the residence of Yeongak Dojeon and Jeong Cheon Je—turned her body around without hesitation.
Upon returning to the Elite Division, Bu Eunseol transmitted the refined essence of the Mujul Geombo and the Iron Heart Secret Technique to Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do.
And she retaught martial arts to the division members according to their respective levels.
―You’re transmitting the martial arts of this level of Yeongak Dojeon to us as well?
All the division members were astonished.
They had believed that the martial arts of the first level of Yeongak Dojeon would be sufficient, yet Bu Eunseol was transmitting new martial arts to them once more?
―Isn’t our division now members of a first-rank unit? We must strengthen our abilities quickly.
Though her words suggested one thing, Bu Eunseol’s true heart harbored different sentiments.
The higher I climb, the sooner the time of parting from the Elite Division members approaches.
I wish to teach them as much as possible, cultivating their abilities so they can live with confidence anywhere.
Only then, in the future.
Can I erase, even if only gradually, the shackles and stigma of having served under a commander who was an agent of the Demonic Path.
In the office of Gong Son Dan Gyeong within Eun Wol Gak.
“My sword…you say?”
Bu Eunseol, standing respectfully before Gong Son Dan Gyeong, blinked her eyes.
Since leaving Yeongak Dojeon.
Bu Eunseol and the Elite Division had held a grand promotion ceremony at the Grand Training Ground where all units gathered, officially recognized as a first-rank unit.
Yet at the ceremony itself, when Bu Eunseol attempted to wear an iron sword without even a scabbard.
Sun Pung Gak Master, who was conducting the event, apparently felt that the dignity of a first-rank Lord was diminished.
So he lent her one of his own treasured swords.
And Gong Son Dan Gyeong, who witnessed this, summoned Bu Eunseol and proposed to purchase a treasured sword for her at the Man Hwa Antique Shop in Hanam.
“Chief, there is no need for such consideration. One weapon is sufficient for me.”
Bu Eunseol wore an embarrassed expression.
Though it appeared outwardly to be a dull iron sword, it was in truth the Salmaseom—a legendary demon blade that could even shatter legendary weapons.
It was incomparable to those things peddled expensively in the markets under the guise of divine blades.
“You use a sword without a scabbard?”
“Then I shall request the Weapon Storage to provide a scabbard suited to my blade.”
“Hehe. I’m afraid I must insist on my refusal.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong wore a mysterious smile.
“You see, this isn’t simply about purchasing a weapon.”
“I don’t understand your meaning.”
“There are two reasons. First, I wish to publicly demonstrate, as Chief, that I am repaying the Lord who risked her life to protect me during the Cheon In Sect’s surprise attack.”
She continued in an unhurried voice.
“Second, it seems the time has come to seriously begin driving a wedge between Yuk Cheong Ah and Yuk Dang Ju.”
It was a somewhat abrupt statement.
As Bu Eunseol blinked, she opened her mouth with a smile.
“Those with great ambitions and keen intellect, like Yuk Dang Ju, possess strong possessiveness.”
“….”
“Seon Woo Dae Ju is a hero without flaw in any regard, so it would be even more so for him.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes flickered like starlight, pulsing with silent intensity.
“Once you leave here, meet with Yuk Dang Ju first. And….”
With confident expression, she whispered several instructions to Bu Eunseol.
Deungmu Hall, Yuk Jang Cheon’s office.
Yuk Jang Cheon sat at his desk, diligently composing correspondence.
“Sigh.”
After half a double-hour of uninterrupted work, deep furrows etched Yuk Jang Cheon’s brow.
Throughout this period, he had labored ceaselessly to become the Master of Wu Tian Duan, cultivating connections with influential figures across all circles.
There were two paths to elevation within the Murim Alliance.
Outstanding merit, or extensive connections.
Though Yuk Jang Cheon was a capable administrator, his late entry into the Murim Alliance meant his supporting faction remained modest.
His ascension to Master of Deungmu Hall had only been possible through his connection to Yuk Cheong Ah.
To become Master of Wu Tian Duan, he now had to build his own merit and cultivate broader networks.
‘It has been quite a grueling period.’
Leaning back in his chair momentarily, I reflected on the past.
My rise to the position of advisor to the Four Gods Seven Kings stemmed not only from mastering spear techniques that none could rival.
It also came from founding an organization called Gu Tian Hui in the past, which wielded tremendous influence throughout Murim.
Yet that once-thriving Gu Tian Hui collapsed due to an absurd internal schism.
A great conflict erupted to expel me, the founding master, from the organization.
At that time, I possessed a nature that demanded dominion over all, and I made every decision within Gu Tian Hui unilaterally.
Originally, Gu Tian Hui had been founded by myself and eight kindred spirits whose ideals aligned, pooling our strength together.
But those whose hearts were not satisfied with my methods and temperament ultimately dissolved the organization.
Though I raged greatly, no one remained to follow me.
Thus, approaching my fifties, I lost all my foundations and influence in a single stroke.
Then, someone unexpected came to me.
―I shall invite Father to serve as a senior figure in the Ben Maeng.
It was the proposal of an only daughter who had become the disciple of Nam Hae Shin Ni, the previous Master of the Elder Council of the Murim Alliance.
Yuk Cheong Ah.
She had inherited both my martial talent and the brilliance of her mother, who hailed from Gui Gu Seo Won.
Recognized for her excellence from childhood, Yuk Cheong Ah eventually became the disciple of Nam Hae Shin Ni, the Elder Council Master of the Murim Alliance, who had heard of her reputation.
Having spent her youth within the Murim Alliance, upon reaching adulthood Yuk Cheong Ah formally became a martial artist under the Murim Alliance’s banner.
She swiftly accumulated merit and distinguished herself.
And at last, she ascended to become the youngest Lord in the history of the Murim Alliance.
But an unexpected tragedy occurred.
Nam Hae Shin Ni, who had supported her throughout her life, saw her chronic illness worsen, and she passed away prematurely.
In truth, Yuk Cheong Ah’s rise to youngest Lord had been possible only through Nam Hae Shin Ni’s tremendous efforts.
With much still to be accomplished, yet the one who would have served as her backing now gone, Yuk Cheong Ah fell into deep concern.
Then, at that very moment, her direct superior, the Master of Deungmu Hall, fell gravely ill and took to his bed.
Eventually, when the Deungmu Hall Master stepped down due to illness,
―Yuk Jang Cheon, known as Jang Wang, my father, would be able to immediately take over the Deungmu Hall Master’s duties.
She put forth the opinion to invite her father, Yuk Jang Cheon, as the Deungmu Hall Master and persuaded the senior officials of the Murim Alliance.
Unlike handling various duties as it was now,
in the past, Deungmu Hall had been a place to instruct and manage the martial arts of lower-ranked warriors.
Therefore, one had to be versed in diverse martial disciplines and possess abundant experience in Gangho.
Yuk Jang Cheon had mastered not only spear techniques but various other martial arts, and as the leader of Gu Tian Hui, he possessed rich experience in training and commanding his subordinates.
As Yuk Cheong Ah said, he was the most suitable candidate to become the next Deungmu Hall Master.
―Bring him here once and see.
Yuk Cheong Ah immediately invited Yuk Jang Cheon to the Murim Alliance and arranged for him to meet with the leadership.
And finally, with unanimous consent from the senior officials, he was invited to become the Deungmu Hall Master.
After entering the Murim Alliance, Yuk Jang Cheon led a reasonably satisfactory life within it.
With Yuk Cheong Ah’s steadfast support, he lived up to the reputation of being one of the Four Gods Seven Kings.
Though they were lower-ranked warriors, he had obtained a powerful position commanding tens of thousands of martial artists.
However, not long after, a problem arose.
As the newly arrived Yuk Jang Cheon rose to become Deungmu Hall Master and wielded his influence, the Seven Great Unit Masters grew displeased.
―From now on, all lower-ranked warriors shall receive training within their respective units.
When the Seven Great Unit Masters reached this conclusion at the Grand Council, Yuk Jang Cheon was utterly dumbfounded.
If that happened, the duties of Deungmu Hall, which oversaw the training of lower-ranked warriors, would disappear entirely. What was he supposed to do then?
―Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything.
Then Yuk Cheong Ah stepped forward.
As if she had anticipated everything,
she began bringing all manner of unresolved matters from each department to Deungmu Hall to be processed.
At that very moment, Hwa Mil Won Ju quietly left the Murim Alliance.
Officially, it was said she had stepped away from all duties and retired to her hometown, but in reality, she had been discovered conducting sedition and was executed.
Yuk Cheong Ah persuaded the senior officials once more and brought the Lords-ranked personnel and subordinate departments under Hwa Mil Won Ju’s command into Deungmu Hall.
And she reorganized Deungmu Hall’s system to handle various tasks.
Thanks to Yuk Cheong Ah’s outstanding wisdom and management skills, Deungmu Hall became operable once again.
―Wu Tian Duan Master Jo Cheon Wang stepped down from his position of his own accord.
But amid all this, an opportunity came that made Yuk Jang Cheon’s eyes widen.
Jo Cheon Wang, who had been the Wu Tian Duan Master, had relinquished everything and returned to life as a commoner.
―The opportunity has come!
Yuk Jang Cheon’s eyes practically turned upside down with excitement.
Currently in the Murim Alliance, there were only three people with the stature to become the Wu Tian Duan Master: himself, the Yong Ban Hall Master, and Yong Myeong.
From that day forward, he made efforts to build broad connections with numerous senior officials of the Murim Alliance.
But that alone was insufficient.
It was difficult to directly earn merit with the status of Deungmu Hall Master.
Therefore, he found himself in a situation where he needed capable subordinates under his command to earn various merits.
―There’s no way capable people would come to this hall….
Already, outstanding talents were affiliated with the Seven Great Units, and those who might display exceptional abilities in the future as well.
They all simply hoped to belong to the Seven Great Units.
In the end, Yuk Jang Cheon abandoned all such aspirations.
That is, until he brought under his command a certain individual named Seon Woo Dae Ju, who had been lying low in the Merchant Realm.
Seon Woo Dae Ju, possessed of remarkable strategic brilliance and exceptional martial prowess, consistently achieved far greater accomplishments than the tasks assigned to him.
And finally, in the subjugation campaign against the Cheon In Sect, he accumulated tremendous merit and ascended to the rank of First-Rank Lord in record time.
And through this, the probability of Yuk Jang Cheon becoming the Master of Wu Tian Duan surged dramatically.
“Hmm.”
Yuk Jang Cheon, awakening from his reverie, shook his head slowly.
“Truly, heaven itself has blessed me.”
Yuk Jang Cheon drew a deep breath, envisioning Seon Woo Dae Ju’s face.
What if he had failed to acquire such talent?
No matter how extensively he cultivated relationships with senior figures or commanded subordinates to accumulate merit… he would never have possessed the certainty of ascending to Master of Wu Tian Duan.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Si Bi’s low voice.
“The Master of Yeonseong Hall has arrived.”
“Show her in.”
With a soft creak, the door opened and a graceful woman in azure robes stepped inside.
It was Yuk Cheong Ah.
“What brings you here?”
“Father.”
Yuk Cheong Ah glanced subtly toward the Secret Chamber within the office.
Understanding her intent, Yuk Jang Cheon opened the Secret Chamber door and stepped inside.
Once within the Secret Chamber, Yuk Cheong Ah’s expression grew grave as she broached the matter directly.
“I believe the time has come to cast out Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Yuk Jang Cheon’s brow furrowed.
“What are you suddenly saying?”
“You deliberately brought Seon Woo Dae Ju as your deputy to this subjugation campaign against the Cheon In Sect, did you not? Yet the Chief Inspector Division is filled with talented individuals.”
A sharp glint flashed across Yuk Cheong Ah’s eyes.
“It was as though you intentionally concentrated all the merit upon Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
“Is it not advantageous for your father to place great value on Seon Woo Dae Ju?”
“That is not necessarily the case.”
“Hmm?”
“Should someone like Gong Son Chong Sa extend her hand, would Seon Woo Dae Ju’s heart not waver?”
Yuk Cheong Ah spoke in a hushed voice.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju might very well switch his allegiance to Gong Son Chong Sa at this juncture.”
“Does that make any sense?”
Yuk Jang Cheon let out a hollow laugh.
“Why would Seon Woo Dae Ju go under the Chief Inspector Division? There is no position there befitting him.”
The highest position a young man could attain was Deputy Commander of the Seven Great Units.
No matter how much Gong Son Dan Gyeong desired to keep Seon Woo Dae Ju at her side, the Chief Inspector Division could not offer him such a rank.
“It has to be one of two things. Either the Chief promised Seon Woo Dae Ju a new position….”
Yuk Cheong Ah’s voice dropped to barely a whisper.
“Or she’s harboring romantic feelings for him.”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke as if bewildered.
“You’re saying Gong Son Chong Sa has romantic feelings for Seon Woo Dae Ju? For someone who just became a First-Rank Lord?”
“Being a First-Rank Lord is merely a title. And with Seon Woo Dae Ju’s abilities, he could easily rise even higher.”
“What’s your evidence?”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke with an expression of utmost gravity.
“Do you have any basis for thinking that way?”
“I do.”
Yuk Cheong Ah spoke in a hushed tone.
“I heard that after finishing her duties, Gong Son Chong Sa went out to take the air with Seon Woo Dae Ju at the Man Hwa Antique Shop in Hanam.”
“….”
“Under the absurd pretext of buying him a sword. Given her character and conduct up until now, such a thing should be absolutely impossible….”
“Cheong Ah.”
Yuk Jang Cheon cut her off abruptly, exhaling a long sigh.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju risked his life to protect the Hwan Woo Sword Brigade and the Chief. Having achieved such merit, isn’t it only natural to gift him a sword?”
“If she wanted to give him a sword, couldn’t she simply open the Ben Maeng’s Weapon Storage?”
“She might be seeking advice about the Man Hwa Antique Shop, just as before.”
“If that were the case, she wouldn’t have announced their outing so openly.”
Yuk Cheong Ah’s brow was deeply furrowed.
It was far from her usual demeanor of analyzing and judging every situation with cold rationality.
“Gong Son Chong Sa definitely harbors special feelings for Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
“Does it bother you that the Chief and Seon Woo Dae Ju are together?”
“What do you mean, Father?”
Yuk Jang Cheon sighed and shook his head.
“You simply dislike Seon Woo Dae Ju being with the Chief, that’s all.”
“Father.”
“Seon Woo Dae Ju came to see me just now.”
Yuk Jang Cheon opened his mouth with a distinctly displeased expression.
“Fearing any such misunderstanding, he calmly reported the entire situation to me before leaving.”
He continued in a solemn voice.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju apparently refused several times. But because Gong Son Chong Sa said she had matters to discuss regarding both the Cheon In Sect incident and the Man Hwa Antique Shop, he was reluctantly dragged along.”
“….”
“He even asked me to have members of Deng Wu Dian accompany them, worried that false rumors might spread.”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke as if unable to comprehend.
“Yet you, driven merely by jealousy, would cast out this loyal subordinate I’ve worked so hard to gain.”
“It’s not just because of that. Seon Woo Dae Ju is….”
“Then I’ll ask you one thing.”
Yuk Jang Cheon cut off Yuk Cheong Ah’s words sharply, fixing her with an unwavering stare.
“Have you ever felt even the slightest rational affection for Seon Woo Dae Ju, even once until now?”
“Father.”
“Just answer me. Whether it exists or not, that’s all.”
Yuk Cheong Ah stammered, unable to respond.
There had certainly been such moments.
But whether it was the ambition and possessiveness she had harbored for so long,
or a genuine desire to grow closer as a woman, she could not say with certainty.
“No.”
After taking a deep breath, Yuk Cheong Ah nodded with confidence.
“I have never felt rational affection for him. Not once.”
“I see. What a pity.”
“Pardon?”
Yuk Jang Cheon clicked his tongue regretfully and shook his head.
“Earlier, when Seon Woo Dae Ju reported to the Chief about matters, he subtly conveyed his intentions.”
After taking a deep breath, he fixed Yuk Cheong Ah with an intense gaze and spoke in a low voice.
“He wishes to become betrothed to you.”

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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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