The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 536
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 536.
Whirrrrr!
In that instant, my body began to spin with ferocious intensity.
Finding no way to evade the earthen wind, I unfurled the Harmony of Flowers and Jade to dissipate its force.
Ping!
The earthen wind swept past my body and struck the massive warehouse behind me.
Crash!
The warehouse exploded in an instant, shattering into pieces that scattered in all directions.
Whirrrrrrr!
Even after redirecting the earthen wind’s power, my body continued spinning like a top.
Despite unleashing the Harmony of Flowers and Jade, I hadn’t completely neutralized the earthen wind’s force, so my body kept rotating endlessly like a spinning top.
[Hmph, it seems you’ve cultivated the Harmony of Flowers and Jade for quite some time.]
Sa Ja’s eyes gleamed with intrigue as he watched my spinning form.
[But that won’t be enough.]
Goooooo.
Just as Sa Ja was about to extend his finger technique again,
Piiiii.
A very faint flute melody echoed from somewhere, causing him to furrow his brow.
[Lucky.]
He slowly withdrew his hand and spoke to Wang Cheol.
[This one must have heard everything. If that’s the case, Wang Cheol, you’ll be in trouble too.]
Wang Cheol was known as someone who understood discretion.
But tempted by the promise of dominating Murim, he had been conversing obediently with Sa Ja, who had slaughtered innocent civilians.
And if it became known that one could become the supreme master of Murim through the Demon Sword?
Countless martial artists would undoubtedly come swarming to seize it.
“I understand. I’ll handle this one myself.”
[Hehehehe. Well thought.]
Sa Ja let out a cold laugh while watching me still spinning round and round.
[Dispose of them without a trace.]
Poof.
At that moment, Sa Ja vanished instantly above the Half-Sky.
Sling.
Wang Cheol wore a cold smile as he drew the short blade from his waist—the Extreme Rock Demon Sword.
“When one eavesdrops on others’ conversations carelessly, one’s life is forfeit…”
But something strange happened.
Whirrrrr, thud.
The moment Sa Ja departed, my fiercely rotating body came to an abrupt halt.
When the earthen wind was unleashed, I had deliberately evaded it using the reverse flow principle of the Harmony of Flowers and Jade combined with the secret of the Vortex Body technique.
I had deliberately concealed my true strength, appearing unable to withstand the earthen wind’s recoil from Sa Ja’s attack.
If it became known to the Three Realms that Bu Eunseol or Seon Woo Jin possessed such knowledge?
They would be relentlessly pursued otherwise.
“You do enjoy the ways of the Sword Vagrant.”
As Bu Eunseol gazed down at Wang Cheol, crimson light flickered across her eyes.
“What righteousness can there be in one who clings to a murderer who slaughters the innocent?”
“Silence!”
Wang Cheol immediately unleashed the Extreme Rock Demonic Blade.
This demonic blade possessed numerous capabilities, and one of them was that when the sword technique unfolded,
it could release a massive sword aura as if one’s martial power had been amplified tenfold.
Boom!
A sword aura the size of a watermelon came hurtling toward Bu Eunseol.
By the nature of sword auras, defense was impossible unless one countered with equal force.
Moreover, blocking an aura of such magnitude would be impossible even for someone with fifty years of accumulated martial power.
Crash!
Yet before Wang Cheol’s eyes, something unbelievable occurred.
That young man in the face cloth—
as if it were merely a nuisance, he drew the blade still in its scabbard from his waist and batted the sword aura away like a ball.
Boom! Rumble.
The deflected aura tore through the air with a deafening roar, completely obliterating an entire house in the village.
“Die.”
Whoosh.
Closing the distance of five zhang in an instant, Bu Eunseol unleashed the Thousand Hand Shattering Palm technique in one breath.
Splatter! Thud thud.
Engulfed in crimson energy, Wang Cheol became nothing but scattered fragments of flesh.
“Scattering demonic blades to choose a successor… I see.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head, watching the direction Sa Ja had departed.
Sam Gye would never search for a successor so carelessly.
“From what they say about ‘Empty Spirit Body’ and such, they’re clearly searching for someone with a special power.”
Bu Eunseol fell into thought.
She had not been born with a special body like an Empty Spirit Body or Heavenly Martial Body.
But if the power of the Heterodox Technique resonated with the power an Empty Spirit Body possessed… she might be able to deceive the people of Sam Gye.
“Perhaps I should try one more thing.”
If she could enter the most fearsome faction among Sam Gye? If she truly became their successor,
she could uncover the secrets of Sam Gye without needing to become the Lord of the Murim Alliance.
“But I must not act rashly.”
Judging by the strength of Sa Ja she had just witnessed, he was incomparably superior to the messengers of the Infinite Realm and Cheonghae Gye.
Moreover, since the Muk Hon Blade had become her cherished sword that never left her body… she could not approach using the Muk Hon Blade.
“At least I should hold onto this.”
Bu Eunseol picked up the Extreme Rock Demonic Blade lying on the ground and tucked it into her robe.
Since demonic blades resonate with one another, she intended to use this to find other demonic blade wielders and seize their blades.
Sa Ja had already witnessed that Wang Cheol wielded the Extreme Rock Demonic Blade, after all.
“Let’s head back first.”
He stopped by the Constabulary to report what had happened to the village that was wiped out, then turned his steps toward the Murim Alliance once more.
Until this point, I still didn’t understand why Sam Gye had scattered Demonic Blades throughout Gangho, nor what purpose lay behind such an action.
But it wouldn’t be long before Bu Eunseol would discover the answer.
The purpose behind Sam Gye’s scattering of the Demonic Blades.
And that which I had been searching for so desperately.
* * *
Murim Alliance, Eun Wol Gak. Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s office.
Having returned to the Murim Alliance, Bu Eunseol sat across from Gong Son Dan Gyeong, conversing with measured calm.
I was reporting on the atmosphere of the Demon Hall and matters concerning Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, which I had investigated thus far as Seon Woo Jin.
“Muk Hon Ryeong Ju proved to be far more strategically brilliant than the rumors suggested, and his emotions remain utterly inscrutable.”
Having completed my report, I spoke with a grave expression.
“I believe it would be unwise to maintain a prolonged relationship with him.”
“Is that so?”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong wore a subtle smile.
“Even if we were to conduct business with him for a long time, I don’t believe we would ever suffer losses.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Bu Eunseol, that man is genuinely committed to dealing with the Infinite Realm. Moreover, he shows little attachment to his position as successor.”
Remarkably, from just a single meeting, she had grasped several aspects of Bu Eunseol’s nature.
“Furthermore, he is consumed by obsession. And those consumed by obsession will disregard profit or loss if it means achieving their goal.”
A piercing gleam flashed across Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes.
“Which means negotiations with him will always proceed in our favor.”
‘Indeed, she is no ordinary person.’
In that brief span of time, she had grasped me with considerable depth.
To perceive a person’s thoughts and nature at a glance—such a thing cannot be accomplished through superior intellect alone.
And given that this brilliant woman was confident I would not suffer losses…
I would need to remain sharp and vigilant in any future negotiations with her.
“What I should warn against is something else entirely.”
“What might that be?”
“Presence.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong made a jest uncharacteristic of her.
“Your presence truly is remarkable. Now I understand why you became engaged while holding the hands of two beautiful women on both sides.”
As if something amusing had occurred to her, she delivered a somewhat whimsical joke.
“If that man were to employ charm as a tactic, I suspect one could easily fall for it. Especially those eyes of his…”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong trailed off and closed her mouth.
Seon Woo Jin, who always maintained a composed expression.
His eyes had widened in surprise, and his mouth hung slightly agape—was he not startled?
“It was a jest. A joke—there’s no need to be so shocked.”
Bu Eunseol closed my gaping mouth and corrected my expression.
“My apologies. I was caught off guard.”
In the current Murim, the most difficult and troublesome person to deal with was none other than her—Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, it wasn’t even about charm or attraction.
As Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, I didn’t want to spend even a moment in her presence.
“In any case, maintain a close communication network with Muk Hon Ryeong Ju going forward. We never know when we might need cooperation again.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s expression grew serious as something occurred to her.
“It seems the Yeonseong Hall Master is preparing to formally relocate to Yong Ban Jeon.”
Yuk Cheong Ah was originally the one who brought Bu Eunseol major assignments so she could achieve great merit.
But at some point, no more missions came to Bu Eunseol.
Geum Jeong Shin Ryong, Baek Mu Sung.
He, a second-rank Lord of Yong Ban Jeon, was continuously being given various assignments instead.
“She must be convinced that you’ve become the Chief’s person under Seon Woo Dae Ju. And from now on, she’ll formally elevate Baek Dae Ju to first-rank Lord status.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes gleamed with insight.
“And the ultimate goal would be to raise Baek Dae Ju to Mu Cheon Danjoo.”
“That’s likely the case.”
A figure like Baek Mu Sung wouldn’t come merely to remain as a first-rank Lord or Hall Master of the Murim Alliance.
Yuk Cheong Ah clearly saw through Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s scheme and was trying to elevate Baek Mu Sung to Mu Cheon Danjoo.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju, you must also refuse the assignments given by the Chief from now on.”
She was laying out her carefully devised strategy to Bu Eunseol.
“When that happens, Yuk Jang Cheon and Yuk Dang Ju will view the Yeonseong Hall Master even less favorably. They’ll think their only daughter is destroying their grand ambitions.”
She had already grasped the cold relationship between Yuk Jang Cheon and Yuk Cheong Ah in every detail.
There was no affection between the father and daughter—only mutual interest bound them together.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong intended to exploit that point to completely drive a wedge between them.
“From now on, Seon Woo Dae Ju, act as though you’re loyal to Yuk Dang Ju, and maintain a firm distance from the Chief.”
A sharp gleam flashed in Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes.
“When that happens, the conflict between the Yeonseong Hall Master will intensify, and eventually Yuk Dang Ju will give assignments directly to you. And the Yeonseong Hall Master will ultimately become the Administrative Master of Yong Ban Jeon.”
‘Am I like that too?’
Gong Son Dan Gyeong wore an innocent and beautiful face to the world, but in reality, to achieve her goals,
she was a schemer who would employ any means without hesitation.
That might very well be the reflection of Bu Eunseol herself—someone rushing forward for revenge without regard for method or morality.
“Understood.”
“Then go.”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands respectfully.
Afterward, Bu Eunseol carried out Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s orders meticulously.
She never went near Eun Wol Gak again, and whenever Gong Son Dan Gyeong tried to summon her or subtly offer assignments,
I would instead seek out Yuk Jang Cheon and offer counsel to distance myself from Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“Dang Ju, the Chief keeps trying to give me assignments from the Chief Inspector Division under the pretext of needing me. Her intention to gather capable talent and strengthen her own faction is obvious.”
“Hmm.”
Yuk Jang Cheon nodded in agreement, his expression sympathetic.
“No matter how much we call it a cooperative relationship, it’s certainly excessive. That’s why Yuk Cheong Ah’s heart has turned away.”
He spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“As you know, that child no longer concerns herself with the Main Force’s affairs and instead lavishes her attention on Geum Jeong Shin Ryong, who has joined the Yong Ban Jeon.”
Yuk Jang Cheon’s eyes blazed with indignation.
To place Baek Mu Sung in the Yong Ban Jeon—the very organization with which he competed—of all places?
That could only mean she intended to become his enemy.
“It is of no concern.”
Bu Eunseol spoke.
“The Yuk Dang Ju surely has deeper intentions behind such actions. I am certain there is no desire to harm the Lord.”
Seeing her composed yet earnest gaze, Yuk Jang Cheon sighed deeply.
“The truth is, Yuk Cheong Ah—that child has never been one to trust others easily.”
And he revealed something he had never shared with anyone.
“Not even her own father.”
“Are there not misunderstandings even between parent and child?”
Bu Eunseol spoke with unshakeable composure.
“Even if the Lord feels wounded now, once she understands the Yuk Dang Ju’s true heart, she will turn her feelings around as well.”
Yuk Jang Cheon nodded with a pleased expression.
‘Her loyalty is undeniable.’
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, Yuk Cheong Ah’s departure could even be advantageous.
Yet she advised maintaining good relations with Yuk Cheong Ah regardless of her own advancement—how remarkable.
This person called Seon Woo Jin
was far more capable than I had anticipated.
“Your daughter treats her father coldly, yet you remain unwavering in your loyalty.”
“Did the Lord not take me in from the very beginning? I merely fulfill my duty.”
“Heh heh.”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke with a bitter expression.
“If only that child had inherited even half of your character, how much better it would be.”
And he nodded as if reaching a decision.
“I had originally intended to observe carefully for some time before considering your treatment. After all, even if Yuk Cheong Ah is narrow-minded, she is not foolish.”
He cleared his throat and spoke in a low voice.
“But there is no need to delay further. Sang Gu Baek. Come in.”
The door opened, and a middle-aged man with a goat beard entered carefully.
It was Sang Gu Baek, the Lord of the Tae Seong Dang under the Deng Wu Dian.
‘He has already found a strategist to replace Yuk Cheong Ah.’
Yuk Jang Cheon does not trust others.
This held true even for his own daughter.
Knowing that Yuk Cheong Ah would not reverse her decision, he immediately presented her replacement.
“Sang Gu Baek.”
Bu Eunseol brought her hands together, and Sang Gu Baek gave a light nod before bowing respectfully to Yuk Jang Cheon.
“Lord Danjoo.”
“Have you given thought to what tasks would be suitable for Seon Woo Dae Ju?”
Sang Gu Baek tilted his head slightly and opened his mouth.
“The farming communities near Woo Gyeong are currently suffering severe flood damage. I believe it would be best to dispatch Seon Woo Dae Ju there first.”
“To a flood-stricken region?”
“Indeed. Recently, Seon Woo Dae Ju has accumulated considerable merit. Now would be the opportune time for him to build a favorable reputation externally.”
“But hasn’t the Ben Maeng already sent many members there?”
“That’s precisely the point. Seon Woo Dae Ju must demonstrate his abilities there and earn recognition as the one who handled the flood recovery most effectively.”
‘A task perfectly suited to this moment.’
Bu Eunseol nodded in approval.
Sang Gu Baek was not a strategist of extraordinary cunning, but he possessed experience.
His eye for analyzing situations and his insight were no less than Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s.
“That seems reasonable.”
At Sang Gu Baek’s words, Yuk Jang Cheon nodded and looked toward Bu Eunseol.
“What do you think?”
When Yuk Jang Cheon’s gaze fell upon me, I brought my hands together respectfully.
“I shall depart immediately and lead the members there.”
Yuk Jang Cheon nodded and gestured toward Sang Gu Baek.
“From now on, your tasks will be determined by careful deliberation from both the Lord Danjoo and Sang Dang Ju.”
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol then brought her hands together respectfully toward Sang Gu Baek.
“Though I am insufficient, I shall do my utmost. Lord Dang Ju.”
Sang Gu Baek, pleased by Bu Eunseol’s respectful demeanor, stroked his goat beard and nodded.
“The Lord Danjoo certainly has high expectations for Seon Woo Dae Ju. Do your best.”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol bowed once more to both Yuk Jang Cheon and Sang Gu Baek before stepping outside Deung Mu Jeon.
‘So that’s why he was expelled from Gu Cheon Society.’
Recalling Yuk Jang Cheon’s face, I shook my head.
One glance reveals everything.
Yuk Jang Cheon possessed ambitious drive and the charisma to maintain broad connections.
Yet he trusted others far too easily, and abandoned them just as readily.
He should have listened more carefully to his own blood, Yuk Cheong Ah, and observed me longer.
But the moment he detected that Yuk Cheong Ah harbored affection for me and had awakened to romantic feelings,
he rejected all her words, wounded her pride, and made no effort to win back her heart.
Because he had me as a replacement.
In the end, such autocratic and poor judgment of character cost him the respect of others, and he was forced to step down from his position as Gu Cheon Society Lord.
‘History repeats itself.’
I gazed up at Deung Mu Jeon and smiled.
People do not change easily, and they repeat the same mistakes again and again.
Going forward, Yuk Jang Cheon will remain unchanged, and the history of the past will repeat itself once more.
The Elite Division had left the Murim Alliance for the first time in a while.
With the mission handed down by Deng Wu Jeon Ju to aid in flood recovery in the Woo Gyeong region, all members of the division had departed from the Murim Alliance without exception.
The faces of those who stepped outside were filled with smiles.
Though it could not be called a journey through Gangho, the members were satisfied and delighted simply by undertaking this mission alongside Bu Eunseol.
Their hearts were as content and joyful as if they were embarking on a leisurely outing.
“I see that many warriors from the main force have already been dispatched to provide support.”
Tae Mu Ryong spoke, surveying the surroundings.
As soon as they entered the vicinity of Woo Gyeong, Murim Alliance warriors were visible in every direction.
They moved about, each assisting the common folk with flood recovery.
Upon hearing Tae Mu Ryong’s words, Bu Eunseol, as if having considered something beforehand, pointed beyond the mountain of the village.
“Let the main contingent aid Woo Ga Chon over there.”
In that instant, the faces of Tae Mu Ryong and the members hardened.
Woo Ga Chon was nothing more than a small village in a remote mountain region, and even if they were to aid it, word would scarcely spread beyond.
Moreover, since there were many vagrant settlements in that vicinity, they would need to care not only for flood recovery but also for the vagrants themselves.
Any clumsy intervention could backfire.
Though numerous Murim Alliance warriors were gathered there, no one paid it any attention.
“Woo Ga Chon, you say?”
Tae Mu Ryong whispered, taken aback.
“Dang Ju, even if we go there, we won’t hear much praise. It’s a place the authorities don’t pay much attention to either.”
Then Jeong Jong Do also spoke in a low voice.
“That’s right. And there are far too many vagrants there. Rather than flood recovery, we’d need to help the vagrants more. Even when we offer them aid, they don’t think to be grateful.”
“I understand.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“Of course, it would be nice to receive praise, but it doesn’t matter if we don’t, does it? After all, we came to help the common folk.”
Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do exchanged glances.
Though they had not served Bu Eunseol for a long time, they could read his expression and the light in his eyes.
He was not simply helping people indiscriminately without thought.
Surely he was employing some subtle stratagem or had a separate plan in mind.
“That is indeed a worthy endeavor.”
As Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do nodded, Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“Then shall we go?”
Clack, clack, clack.
The flood recovery in Woo Ga Chon proceeded with remarkable speed.
―The common folk would each ask for help with their own homes or damage first.
But that cannot be. Work must proceed according to the scale of damage and order of urgency.
Bu Eunseol had once led members of Sayoung Hall to aid a disaster-stricken village, and thus possessed rich experience in such matters.
Because of this, unlike other Murim Alliance divisions that rushed in to help indiscriminately, I systematically and swiftly restored the village.
First, I drew from my personal funds to provide food to the villagers and the nearby vagrant settlements.
With something in their bellies, their minds would clear and they could grasp the situation.
Next, she cleared away the earth and debris that had rushed in, repaired the collapsed walls and houses.
She also removed the stones and timber blocking the water channels in the farm roads that had worsened the flood damage.
Bu Eunseol commanded her contingent with the precision of someone who had spent a lifetime in flood recovery,
and in what seemed like mere moments, she had completely restored the damage to Woo Ga Chon and the Vagrant Settlement.
This pace of recovery far exceeded what a single division could ordinarily accomplish.
“Now, let’s move to the next village!”
―So this was what the Lord intended.
The contingent members finally understood.
Bu Eunseol intended to use this remarkable speed to visit only the remote regions that the Murim Alliance’s other divisions would not reach, restoring damage wherever she went.
―Vagrants’ gossip spreads faster than anyone’s.
Even if contingents of equivalent strength gathered to restore a prosperous village adjacent to the administrative offices,
only those living there would sing their praises.
But Bu Eunseol would restore small, isolated villages without discrimination, covering far more ground.
It was as clear as day that she would receive far more acclaim than any other division commander.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————