The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 530

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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 530.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong of the Jida Clan.
She was a figure envied by every woman.
Her family background, beauty, wisdom, character—she had been born blessed with every advantage a woman could possess.
So what reason could such a woman have to harbor such bitter resentment toward the Infinite Realm?
“Are you afraid, Seon Woo Dae Ju?”
Her cold voice sent a chill down the back of his neck.
“Can you do it?”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
‘A single answer will completely change my future.’
Should I leap from this ship that seems ready to sink even now?
Or should I ride this ship to the very end and see where it takes me?
‘No, there was never a choice to begin with.’
If I refused this proposal?
Gong Son Dan Gyeong would do anything to keep her secret.
From the moment I entered the secret chamber of Eun Wol Gak… I had boarded a ship from which I could never disembark midway.
“I understand.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong rested her chin on her hand, her eyes gleaming.
“Your answer came faster than I expected.”
“….”
“I thought you might hesitate a little, or deliberate further. Surely you weren’t already suspecting this plan?”
“That couldn’t be. It’s simply.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head bitterly.
“I realized I had no choice.”
“Hehehehe.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong let out a low laugh.
“I like that you don’t need to be told twice, unlike Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Bu Eunseol’s instinct had been accurate.
If she had refused this proposal?
That beautiful woman with the appearance of an immortal would have become a witch dragging Bu Eunseol down into hell.
“But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you never regret that choice.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke with a clear and confident voice.
“After all, you came to Ben Maeng to fully realize your abilities, didn’t you?”
“….”
“With your abilities, Seon Woo Dae Ju, you’ll surely reach the very pinnacle of Ben Maeng.”
Her face was impossibly beautiful and serene.
Yet to Bu Eunseol’s eyes, she resembled a water ghost smiling while drawing people to their doom.
Only now did I realize that this beautiful woman smiling so purely…
actually possessed madness no less than my own.
‘Indeed, there’s no way to achieve this without losing one’s mind.’
I had accumulated tremendous achievements at such a young age that it seemed unbelievable.
And Gong Son Dan Gyeong had similarly set an unprecedented record by ascending to the position of Chief of the Murim Alliance in her thirties.
The reason this was possible was simple.
Both of us possessed a madness—an unwavering obsession that drove us blindly toward our goals, allowing nothing to stand in our way.
* * *
A shocking rumor suddenly spread throughout the Murim Alliance.
Geum Jeong Shin Ryong, Baek Mu Sung.
Word circulated that this rising master of the new generation had suddenly become a formal member of the Murim Alliance.
―What absurd nonsense.
People initially dismissed it with hollow laughter.
As a disciple of Bul Jon, he possessed not only extraordinary martial prowess but also an exceptionally lofty status.
There was no need for him to join the Murim Alliance at all.
He could address the leaders of the Orthodox Sects without hesitation and even request favors from them.
Yet the rumor eventually proved to be true.
He had indeed joined the Murim Alliance and officially become a member.
―This makes no sense.
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion.
Baek Mu Sung had never formally joined the Murim Alliance; he had consistently maintained close contact with the Alliance’s leadership.
A man who had no need to register with the Alliance, who had long conducted his affairs in the Gangho with the secrecy of a divine dragon.
Why would he deliberately lower his status and become a formal member of the Murim Alliance?
―Geum Jeong Shin Ryong Baek Mu Sung had become a secondary Lord of the Yong Ban Jeon.
The members of the Murim Alliance had to face yet another bewildering revelation.
Considering his status—one who could speak to the elders of the Nine Sects One Alliance as equals—he should have received at least a position equivalent to a clan lord.
Yet he had become merely a secondary Lord of the Yong Ban Jeon?
As the rising master representing the Orthodox Sects, lacking nothing whatsoever, why would he make such a choice?
In a secret chamber of the Murim Alliance.
Not a single ray of light penetrated that place, and black mist swirled throughout.
The air inside felt like a vacuum, making each breath difficult.
A murderous atmosphere hung heavy, as if a fanged monster might suddenly emerge.
Had an ordinary person entered this place, they would have fled in uncontrollable terror.
But the man who entered the secret chamber stood with perfect ease, as if he had simply walked into an inn.
Dressed in white robes, the man possessed features as refined as jade, with clear, luminous eyes.
His entire being emanated a mysterious aura, as if the filth of the mortal world could not touch even a hair on his body.
It was Geum Jeong Shin Ryong, Baek Mu Sung.
[Have you lost your mind?]
Suddenly, eyes gleaming with a sickly yellow light materialized in the void.
At the same moment, a chilling voice echoed through the chamber.
[Why did you join the Murim Alliance now?]
“Whether sooner or later, does it truly matter?”
Baek Mu Sung spoke with a composed expression.
“Surely you must register with the Murim Alliance anyway?”
At that, a piercing gleam flashed from eyes glowing in the darkness.
And an utterly frigid voice flowed forth.
[Even if you enter the Murim Alliance, you will not receive assignments.]
Baek Mu Sung had entered as a Lord of the Second-Tier Division under Yong Ban Jeon.
Did that mean the eyes in the darkness belonged to the Yong Ban Jeon Master?
Or was this one of the Alliance’s upper echelon, capable of imposing any sanction upon him?
“I had no intention of receiving any.”
Baek Mu Sung spoke with absolute confidence.
“I will obtain assignments from elsewhere, after all.”
[Are you referring to the Yeonseong Hall Master?]
Yuk Cheong Ah was a disciple of Nam Hae Shin Ni, who had been the Elder Council Master, and through her exceptional abilities, she had ascended to become the youngest Hall Master in the Murim Alliance.
Moreover, she enjoyed the favor of numerous senior figures throughout the organization.
She was skilled at selecting and obtaining assignments worthy of merit.
“Indeed.”
Baek Mu Sung revealed his white teeth in a smile.
“Regardless of other matters, her ability to procure assignments is beyond question.”
And he spoke with unwavering confidence.
“If I accumulate merit rapidly through her, I could even rise to the position of youngest Danjoo.”
Remarkably, he too was eyeing the vacant position of Wu Tian Danjoo.
[Does he intend to tear down everything he has built thus far for the sake of one woman?]
“What have I built? It is merely an empty name, after all.”
Baek Mu Sung had long desired to enter the Murim Alliance.
There was a woman he admired in this place.
He had yearned for a long time to remain by her side.
But he could not enter due to opposition from the faction he belonged to.
Furthermore, the Murim Alliance is not a place where one can ascend through ability alone—one must have someone to guide them, no matter how exceptional one’s talents.
Yet a fortuitous opportunity had arrived.
Yuk Cheong Ah had extended her hand to him.
If he became a Second-Tier Lord of Yong Ban Jeon.
She promised to shower him with assignments that would ensure his rise to Danjoo.
Baek Mu Sung no longer needed to deliberate.
Yeonseong Hall Master, Yuk Cheong Ah.
With her abilities, she would certainly funnel assignments worthy of elevating him to Danjoo.
And with his own capabilities.
Becoming the youngest Danjoo would be entirely possible.
“Is not once enough?”
Baek Mu Sung spoke with a pained expression, as if pleading.
“To sever what has taken root in one’s heart.”
[A lamentable affair indeed.]
But the voice flowing from the darkness was utterly merciless.
[Because of that weak heart, you squandered countless years without ever coming to your senses.]
“I am not weak.”
Baek Mu Sung spoke with confidence.
“I will no longer be bound by the past.”
He gazed into the darkness with assured eyes.
“And do not worry. I will stop at obtaining the position of Mu Cheon Danjoo.”
Whoosh.
Then the eyes gleaming in the darkness vanished.
Baek Mu Sung clasped his hands together toward the darkness and slowly departed the Secret Chamber.
[That one is indeed hopeless.]
Then a low voice echoed once more from the darkness.
[Though his fate to fall into the abyss is already sealed.]
With those words, no further sound emerged from the darkness.
* * *
Yuk Jang Cheon’s expression in his office had turned rigid.
Geum Jeong Shin Ryong Baek Mu Sung.
That brilliant young master had entered the service of Yong Myeong, the Lord of Yong Ban Jeon—none other than his rival and competitor.
And the person who had led him to Yong Ban Jeon was none other than his own daughter, Yuk Cheong Ah?
“Are you certain?”
To Yuk Jang Cheon’s question, the aide standing across from him lowered his head.
“Yes, sir. In fact, the Lord of Yong Ban Jeon even proposed the position of Chief Administrator of Yong Ban Jeon to the Lord of Yeonseong Hall.”
“Hehehehe.”
Laughter burst from Yuk Jang Cheon.
He had known that Yuk Cheong Ah possessed decisiveness.
He had known she harbored no sentimental attachment to her father.
But he had not anticipated she would sever their relationship so boldly.
“Cheong Ah, you are no different from the cunning and shrewd ones of Gu Cheon Society.”
Yuk Jang Cheon muttered in a low voice.
He had already been betrayed by those close to him, and the Gu Cheon Society to which he had devoted his life lay in ruins.
And now his only daughter, over a single harsh word he had spoken—
She had severed their relationship in an instant and committed betrayal?
Moreover, bringing a talent comparable to Seon Woo Jin to Yong Ban Jeon meant—
It was a declaration not merely of severing the father-daughter bond, but of becoming adversaries.
“Immediately suspend the Chief Administrator’s duties.”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke coldly.
“Transfer all affairs of Yeonseong Hall to Sang Gu Baek from this moment.”
“Lord.”
Ho Woon Jong, his aide, spoke carefully.
“The Chief Administrator of Yeonseong Hall is the head of this hall. We cannot simply let her go like this.”
“Your head? Yes, your head.”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke with eyes blazing with fury.
“And with that head, you’re drawing a blade against the Lord of Ben Maeng.”
“The Lord.”
“There’s no need for further words.”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke coldly.
“Carry out my orders as stated.”
Ho Woon Jong bowed his head with a grave expression.
“Understood.”
Then he turned away and exhaled a long sigh.
‘I was wrong.’
Ho Woon Jong gazed toward the distant sky.
Yuk Jang Cheon possessed extensive connections and was a master manipulator of people.
Yet he was remarkably strict with the failures of his subordinates and others, prone to wild mood swings over a single word.
When Yeon Ja Gang, who had served faithfully for over a decade, failed in his negotiations with Dan Seo Ok, Yuk Jang Cheon had flown into a rage and cast him out immediately.
‘Moreover, he places excessive trust in Seon Woo Dae Ju.’
The reason Yuk Jang Cheon could overlook the void left by Yuk Cheong Ah.
It was because he had Seon Woo Jin, the Elite Division Lord whose wisdom and martial prowess rivaled Yuk Cheong Ah’s own.
“The situation grows increasingly complicated.”
Ho Woon Jong shook his head.
If Yuk Cheong Ah and Baek Mu Sung joined forces, they could plan and execute much.
But the only card remaining to Yuk Jang Cheon was Seon Woo Jin alone.
The success or failure of Deungmu Hall and Yuk Jang Cheon’s future rested entirely in his hands.
* * *
Bu Eunseol, having returned to the Murim Alliance, was holding a conference with the Elite Division members.
Not only had they entered the Yeongak Dojeon.
Those who had received from Bu Eunseol the modified Flawless Sword Technique and the Iron Heart Secret Method now emanated an aura of solemn gravity unlike before.
They had to grow stronger.
Because eventually, they would leave the Murim Alliance because of Bu Eunseol.
And their eyes all burned with fierce determination.
Now, to the members, Bu Eunseol was no longer merely a commander.
She was like a lord worthy of their devoted loyalty unto death.
Of course, Bu Eunseol understood her members’ hearts well.
If she could, she wished to tell them everything about her circumstances, even setting aside the fact that she was the successor to the Demon Palace.
But she could not.
Ultimately, she would have to leave the Murim Alliance. For their sake, it was better that they knew as little as possible.
“From now on, this division will be reorganized into two sections.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a measured tone, addressing the members.
“This division will be split into two groups. The first group will continue to classify and handle intelligence as before. The second group will travel throughout Gangho gathering information while establishing an independent intelligence network.”
A brief silence fell.
“So you’re planning to take on classified missions that cannot be disclosed to the public.”
Tae Mu Ryong, who had been deep in thought, looked at Bu Eunseol and spoke in a low voice.
“Building an independent intelligence network means you’ll have to conduct operations that remain hidden from the outside world.”
“Precisely.”
Bu Eunseol nodded readily.
“And the outcome will be one of two possibilities.”
He took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
“Either you climb to unprecedented heights… or you fall into a bottomless abyss.”
Those who carry out classified missions gain corresponding power and rewards.
In exchange, the risks are substantial.
If things go wrong, one plunges into an abyss from which there is no return.
“I will undertake whatever mission you assign.”
At Tae Mu Ryong’s words, all the members, including Jeong Jong Do, spoke with determined expressions.
“Since you, our Lord, have made such a choice, we must do our best as well.”
“When would we ever have risen in rank so quickly on our own merits? It’s all thanks to you, Lord.”
The members spoke freely and laughed among themselves even in Bu Eunseol’s presence.
This was not a sign of carelessness, but rather evidence that they had gained both skill and confidence.
What made Bu Eunseol’s command style formidable was this:
She would normally grant them such freedom that it seemed almost negligent, yet the moment a mission began, she transformed them into a force of terrifying discipline.
“Have you heard the rumors?”
It was then that Jeong Jong Do spoke cautiously.
“The White Swordmaster known as Geum Jeong Shin Ryong has become a secondary Lord of the Yong Ban Jeon. He even created a division called the Cheon Jeol Team, which didn’t exist before, and assigned outstanding members to it.”
The Murim Alliance had been abuzz with talk of Baek Mu Sung for some time.
With his martial prowess and reputation, he had no need to join the Murim Alliance at all.
A man of such standing that he could converse freely with the senior leaders of the Murim Alliance, possessing martial skills and renown worthy of the title Geum Jeong Shin Ryong.
Yet he had chosen to become a secondary Lord and start from the bottom of the Murim Alliance hierarchy.
“There’s a rumor that the reason Baek Dae Ju joined the main alliance is because of Gong Son Chong Sa.”
Jeong Jong Do spoke with a worried expression.
“They say he had quite an intimate relationship with her in the past.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Tae Mu Ryong asked.
Jeong Jong Do replied in a low voice.
“It’s just that I’m concerned because you maintain a close relationship with the Chief.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, starting with her work at the Man Hwa Antique Shop, had even been secretly brought along as a deputy on the mission to annihilate the Cheon In Sect.
Rumors circulated that she not only recognized Seon Woo Jin’s abilities but was quite intimate with him.
And Jeong Jong Do hoped those rumors were true. The two of them were quite a well-matched pair, after all.
“It is merely a matter unrelated to me, the current Lord.”
Bu Eunseol, having discerned Jeong Jong Do’s true thoughts, changed the subject.
“Then shall we discuss what we need to do going forward?”
The Cheon Jeol Team, which had become a first-class division, was reorganized into two units.
Tae Mu Ryong, as vice-lord, took on the existing duties, while Jeong Jong Do became the new intelligence division commander.
I was tasked with traveling through Gangho alongside my subordinates to establish a new intelligence network.
Once the meeting concluded, I left the Murim Alliance immediately.
I then met with Seo Jin Ha at a secret safe house near the Changsha Region and changed my identity.
All while explaining that Gong Son Dan Gyeong wished to make contact with me, the Moo Hon Ryeong Ju.
“I don’t understand.”
After hearing everything, Seo Jin Ha stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“The Chief of the Murim Alliance wants to meet you in secret? If word of that got out, wouldn’t it be fatal for her as well?”
“In my estimation, she likely harbors an intense grudge against the Infinite Realm.”
“Hmm, I should probably have the Sa Hon Dae investigate this matter.”
“I’ve already given those orders. But considering her position as Chief… there’s likely nothing we’ll uncover.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong understood the importance of information even better than I did.
She would never have done anything that might expose her past.
“Hmm.”
Seo Jin Ha, who had been thinking deeply with his arms crossed, suddenly spoke as if remembering something.
“Actually, I was meaning to call you. A few days ago, the Chong Gyo Ryeong suddenly summoned me.”
“The Chong Gyo Ryeong?”
“Yes. The fact that he called me alone suggests he’s plotting something again. Nothing good ever comes from that old man’s summons, does it?”
I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
“Understood. Once I return to the Demon Palace, I’ll meet with the Chong Gyo Ryeong first.”
“But how are you planning to make contact with Gong Son Chong Sa? If you establish the connection too easily, she’ll become suspicious.”
“I’ve arranged for the Sa Hon Dae Lord and Tak Gong Bong to gradually establish a thread of contact between a man named Seon Woo Jin and the Sayoung Battle Division.”
I shrugged as I spoke.
“And this time, I’ve also reorganized the Elite Division to create an intelligence unit that will venture into Gangho to establish an information network.”
I explained in detail the decisions made during this meeting.
“Ah, then things will become much easier.”
If the Elite Division establishes its own independent intelligence network, even if Seon Woo Jin creates a connection with the Sa Hon Dae and reports back to the Demon Palace,
there would be no risk of exposure from the outside.
“When you think about it, all the senior members of the Murim Alliance seem to be building their own independent intelligence networks.”
I spoke with a serious expression.
“Just the other day, Yuk Cheong Ah independently obtained information that the Jongri Clan had developed an antidote to Inhwa poison.”
“Ah, the Jongri Clan.”
Only then did Seo Jin Ha’s eyes widen as if he had just remembered.
“Do you have any idea how much I suffered that day?”
As the memory of that day came back to him, Seo Jin Ha felt his nose sting and his cheeks burn.
Never mind the hands of Jong Ri Sa Hyeon, who was called Chim Wang.
The destructive power emanating from Jong Ri Sa Yu’s delicate hands… those fiery palms were a pain he would remember for the rest of his life.
“That’s why I brought alcohol.”
I pointed to the large jar of liquor I had placed on the table earlier.
“It’s a hundred-year-old premium spirit brought directly from the Shanxi Haenghwa Brewery. I managed to persuade them to part with one remaining jar.”
“Hmph, you think one jar of alcohol will make up for it?”
Though he said that, Seo Jin Ha tore open the wine jug with an eager expression.
As the fragrant aroma of the liquor spread, it felt as though my mind suddenly cleared.
Then Bu Eunseol withdrew a small bundle from her bosom—blanched wild vegetables.
“What is this?”
“I’ve tried various things, but nothing compares to this as an accompaniment. Have a drink and try it.”
“Hmm.”
Seo Jin Ha drained the wine refreshingly, then began chewing the blanched vegetables with relish.
The wine had the characteristic of leaving a soft fragrance and subtle sweetness in the mouth even after drinking.
Yet as he chewed the slightly bitter wild vegetables for a long time, remarkably, the lingering aroma of the wine grew richer and persisted even longer, did it not?
“Hmm, so you were sorry after all.”
Seo Jin Ha seemed pleased with the wild vegetable accompaniment, chewing continuously.
“To see the Moo Hon Ryeong Ju herself blanch the vegetables and present them personally.”
Seo Jin Ha seemed to appreciate the fact that she had blanched the wild vegetables herself far more than bringing expensive wine.
“Ahhh.”
Bu Eunseol, watching Seo Jin Ha drain a full bowl of wine refreshingly, asked.
“But how exactly did you resolve it?”
“Resolve what?”
“The matter of the Jongri Clan.”
“Well, I did it the way you suggested.”
Seo Jin Ha spoke casually.
“Courage and a firm countenance, plus extra patience.”
“So it really ended with just one slap?”
Bu Eunseol knew the temperaments of Jong Ri Sa Hyeon and Jong Ri Sa Yu well.
Perhaps Jong Ri Sa Hyeon, who was obsessed with medicinal herbs, might let it slide. But Jong Ri Sa Yu, with her tenacious nature, was certainly not someone who would let the matter pass easily.
“Other than having a heavy hand, there was nothing bad about her.”
Seo Jin Ha spoke while continuously chewing the vegetables.
“Her appearance is beyond mention, and she possesses elegance and refinement, with considerable learning as well. It seems Chim Wang’s old master taught her well—her hand is quite formidable indeed…”
Seo Jin Ha drained the wine again and spoke with a slight grin.
“She would make an excellent wife.”
Thud.
At Seo Jin Ha’s words, Bu Eunseol’s motion to drink froze.
A chill had swept across the back of her neck.
“A wife?”
‘Oops.’
As a flash of light flickered in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Seo Jin Ha quickly redirected his words.
“What I meant was… the young lady of the Jongri Clan would be an excellent wife regardless of whose partner she becomes.”
Though he spoke confidently, his gaze kept falling downward for some reason.
Bu Eunseol followed Seo Jin Ha’s gaze as it continually dropped and asked.
“How do you know she would make an excellent wife?”
Seo Jin Ha forced his chest out and spoke with feigned confidence.
“Can’t you tell just by looking?”
“Explain in detail. What conversation did you have with her?”
“Well, like you said, I told her it was an unavoidable circumstance that arose from doing work for the sake of Gangho.”
“And then?”
“What do you mean ‘and then’? I said that finding the whereabouts of the Chilji Demonic Sect is also work for the sake of Gangho, and after persuading her earnestly, she eventually understood. That’s what I’m saying.”
“She understood just from you saying that?”
“Of course. I conveyed exactly what I said, without changing a single word or syllable.”
Seo Jin Ha raised one hand and spoke with confidence.
“If what I said was a lie, I deserve to be struck dead by lightning!”
He was confident.
Everything he had said so far was the truth.
He simply hadn’t mentioned that the phrase “after persuading her earnestly” included the part where he said “I will take responsibility for it.”
And as long as that fact remained hidden, he could always face Bu Eunseol with a clear conscience.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol fell silent.
Seo Jin Ha was speaking loudly and confidently.
But his gaze kept dropping downward.
“If you speak honestly, I won’t blame you.”
In that instant, Seo Jin Ha’s eyes widened.
Bu Eunseol was not the type to say one thing and mean another.
This was a perfect opportunity to unburden himself of that nagging unease.
“I said I would take responsibility.”
Seo Jin Ha laughed brightly and scratched his head.
“I said I would take responsibility for anything. Haha.”
In that moment, Bu Eunseol’s fists clenched tightly.
She instinctively sensed that the inexplicable foreboding she had felt when watching Seo Jin Ha’s smile as they left the Jongri Estate had become reality.

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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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