The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 559

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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 559.
Whoosh.
The moment Cheon Joon finished speaking, two members of the Special Divine Guard surrounded Bu Eunseol and assumed an unusual stance.
[Now we shall extract everything from you, and then you will tell us the whereabouts of the Dharma Merchant.]
With those words, Cheon Joon vanished.
Or rather, only his form disappeared—his presence still lingered somewhere within the Plains.
Swish.
At that same moment, the two remaining Special Divine Guards advanced toward Bu Eunseol.
As they lowered into their stance, the sky darkened to pitch black, and the air across the Plains grew heavy as lead.
Under normal circumstances, I would have waited to observe the Special Divine Guards’ martial techniques.
I would have allowed them to make the first move.
But this situation was different.
I instinctively sensed that if they attacked first, I would lose the initiative and be forced into a defensive position.
The moment I prepared to strike—
‘…!’
A subtle sensation washed over me.
It felt as though something massive was hurtling toward me from thousands of miles away.
It was only a fleeting instant, yet it scattered my focus.
Boom!
The Special Divine Guards seized the opening and unleashed tremendous pressure from their palms.
My body buckled under the force.
Pressure powerful enough to bend someone with five hundred years of cultivation in a single move?
Slash, slash, slash!
I exploited the mysteries of Dou Zhuan Xing Yi to escape the pressure instantly, then unleashed three consecutive sword strikes.
These seemingly ordinary strikes were the essence of Nangya Sect swordplay—they pierced directly through openings and severed the breath in a single decisive move.
The two Special Divine Guards were forced to abandon their stance and retreated rapidly.
Whoosh!
Yet they were no ordinary masters.
Even as they retreated, they continuously unleashed palm force toward my vital points.
They sealed off all escape—left, right, and retreat—with thick layers of palm force so I could not evade.
‘This is the martial arts of Sam Gye.’
Even while defending, even while transitioning to offense.
They deployed a flawless technique that not only unleashed a decisive strike but also cut off all retreat.
The subtlety of their technique transcended the power of martial arts itself, rendering every sword technique I unleashed utterly futile.
‘They stake victory on the subtlety of martial arts?’
I had thought that Special Divine Guards brought directly by Cheon Joon would wield
unprecedented, world-shattering martial arts that would split heaven and earth asunder.
Instead, they came at me with subtle techniques that barely channeled any inner force?
Boom! Whoosh! Whirl!
As techniques were exchanged back and forth, dust and stone fragments scattered in all directions.
Boom!
In that instant, thirteen palm shadows wrapped around my body.
Bang, bang, bang!
I deflected their palm force by utilizing the subtle principles of half-upper, half-lower stance and the Heavenly Reversal Force, sending it bouncing back.
Whoosh!
Yet the moment I deflected their palm force, the Special Divine Guard members deployed a ghostlike movement technique and retreated slightly.
Neither side sustained any real damage.
Still, I felt myself being pushed back in this initial exchange.
‘They’re not fully deploying their supreme techniques…’
Now I could see it clearly—the Special Divine Guard members were not fully deploying their supreme techniques.
The problem was that even stopping midway, their power was formidable, and they were blocking all of my attacks.
‘Why isn’t Cheon Joon stepping in?’
I steadied my breathing and surveyed my surroundings.
These Special Divine Guard members possessed such extraordinary martial prowess that if Cheon Joon joined them, I would be completely overwhelmed.
Yet why was he merely hiding and watching?
‘Does “drawing out everything” mean he’s observing my martial techniques?’
That was certainly possible.
But why did it feel like Cheon Joon wasn’t choosing not to intervene, but rather couldn’t intervene?
‘There’s no need to match his rhythm.’
Whoooosh, crackle, crackle.
My body became half frozen and half ablaze.
Until now, I had refrained from deploying energy-based martial techniques that relied on the power of my inner force.
While such techniques could easily fell enemies, they contributed nothing to the advancement of my martial arts.
But now that the Special Divine Guard members were using the subtlety of martial arts as their advantage, I would suppress them with the superiority of my power.
[Your power cannot withstand his inner force.]
Suddenly, Cheon Joon’s voice resonated on the wind.
[Deploy the domain of the Nine Wounds Inferno.]
He had merely hidden his form.
He had been watching this battle from the very beginning.
Roooooar!
But I was already pouring forth alternating waves of extreme yin and extreme yang energy.
The Glacial Heavenly Stream Technique combined with the Scorching Inferno True Energy, merged with five hundred years of accumulated inner force, was like the very wrath of nature itself.
No matter how subtle the martial technique, it could not withstand such overwhelming power.
Zing.
Yet something strange occurred.
Suddenly, the area within several zhang was engulfed in darkness, and an eerie silence descended.
And from the ground, wisps of unknown smoke began to rise.
Simultaneously, an unpleasant light and nine transparent shadows seemed to cling tightly to my body.
Shhhhh.
And in that moment, the extreme yin and extreme yang energy gathered in my palms vanished in an instant.
‘A true formation? No.’
Had these warriors shown any sign of deploying a true formation, I would have seized the moment without hesitation and severed their necks.
―Deploy the domain of the Nine-Layered Jade Prison.
‘A domain?’
As I furrowed my brow, reconsidering Cheon Joon’s words,
A sharp whistle cut through the air!
A vicious killing intent descended upon my back.
I spun my body like a top in an instant, but a blade-like qi energy grazed past my shoulder.
A dull thud.
The Special Divine Guard had already repositioned themselves, encircling me from left and right.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
They surrounded me in the center,
Unleashing axe-blade sharp qi energy back and forth like a ball, relentlessly pouring it down upon me.
‘This is a new martial art.’
I had initially assumed all the Special Divine Guard would employ the martial techniques of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
But the martial arts they wielded differed fundamentally from any technique in Murim.
Even I, who had honed my ability to instantly grasp the subtleties of martial arts and devise counter-methods,
Could not easily break through their techniques.
A deep rumbling sound!
I attempted to deploy the Jade Maiden Formation.
But my inner qi refused to take physical form.
The Thirteen Night Technique was the same, and even the sword energy bound within the Muk Hon Blade had vanished.
‘They have created a new secret method capable of suppressing qi-based martial arts.’
I could not hide my astonishment.
This domain they had deployed
Had essentially created a space where inner qi could not be wielded.
Which meant that in this space,
Victory could only be determined by the subtlety of martial technique and the profundity of skill.
‘Why is this?’
Something felt wrong.
Both Mu Gyeol, Jeong Cheon Je’s disciple, and these Special Divine Guard of the Infinite Realm
Were employing battle methods and secret techniques designed to seal the martial arts of masters with formidable inner power.
‘Why on earth?’
Whoosh!
But I had no time for deep contemplation.
Unlike me, they relentlessly unleashed tremendous force and qi energy, pressing me harder with each moment.
‘Is the disparity in inner power truly this vast?’
My greatest strength had always been
Inner power that yielded to no one, and the qi-based martial arts I deployed through it.
Now that it was sealed, I found myself continuously overwhelmed by the exquisite attacks of the Special Divine Guard.
Whoosh!
As a sharp force grazed my shoulder, my body was thrust backward.
‘Simple yet refined, mysterious and formidable.’
The martial techniques these warriors displayed could neither be seen nor felt, and they even halted mid-strike.
Because of this, I could not anticipate their moves beforehand, yet their power surpassed any supreme technique.
―Are there no martial techniques outside the framework of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars’ arts, or ones that deviate from their principles?
Suddenly, a memory from the past surfaced.
When I had visited the Nangya Sect, I had discussed the Eight Emperors and Three Stars’ martial techniques with Dan Cheong.
The Eight Emperors and Three Stars’ martial techniques wielded power that transcended the principles of martial arts.
Even I could not instantly absorb their mysteries.
That was why I had discussed this matter with Dan Cheong, who was versed in all martial techniques scattered throughout Murim.
―Of course there are.
At that time, Dan Cheong had shared something remarkable.
―Imperial Palace martial techniques, especially those scattered in the Imperial Palace Secret Repository, operate on different principles from the Eight Emperors and Three Stars’ arts, just as they do from Murim techniques.
Imperial Palace martial techniques are divided into two categories.
Those primarily learned by the military’s soldiers.
Techniques that severely restrict inner energy usage and can exert power in battles involving multiple opponents.
Martial arts specialized for the battlefield.
And there are the Imperial Palace Secret Arts from the Imperial Palace Secret Repository, which can professionally suppress Murim practitioners.
―The Imperial Palace Secret Arts especially consist of secret methods that extremely suppress inner energy and vital force. It is an unavoidable choice to gain an advantage over Murim practitioners who cultivate their inner energy even while sleeping.
Could it be that these Special Divine Guards are using the Imperial Palace Secret Arts?
‘It’s possible.’
In the past, the Infinite Realm had commanded masters from Dong Chang in the Sichuan Underground Fortress.
In other words, it would not be strange for the Infinite Realm to command masters from the Imperial Palace.
If so, the martial technique that created this ‘domain’ likely had its roots in the Imperial Palace Secret Repository.
Boom!
In that moment, two strands of overwhelming force coiled around my body.
Before the technique had even fully unfolded, my meridians had gone limp and sluggish.
A subtle force burrowed into my energy channels as if to damage them.
‘I think too much.’
To achieve victory against formidable opponents,
I must focus my spirit into one and face them with all my strength.
Yet even during combat, I think far too many thoughts.
I must uncover the enemy’s martial lineage and identity, and in doing so, I attempt to develop my own techniques as well.
Because of my exceptional insight and wisdom, I repeatedly allow my mind to scatter at critical moments.
‘Forget Cheon Joon. Forget Sam Gye.’
I steadied my resolve.
Forget Sam Gye, forget Cheon Joon, forget everything.
I returned to being a disciple of the Nangya Sect, one who learned, mastered, and sought victory in all things.
Swish!
The Special Divine Guard attacked once more.
Even though I hadn’t fully deployed my technique.
A sharp force as keen as an arrowhead poured forth, and the attack unfolded with predictions of my evasion patterns.
Since my true qi martial arts were sealed, I naturally had to respond with equally profound and mysterious techniques.
‘In terms of martial arts profundity, Bon Gak reigns supreme!’
I didn’t dodge the incoming qi attacks but continuously rotated my blade to deflect them.
It was the subtle principle of Nangya Sect swordsmanship—a method of flowing the enemy’s attacks like petals scattering against jade.
Whoosh!
Closing the distance in an instant, I lowered my body slightly and thrust the Muk Hon Blade toward the Special Divine Guard on my right.
Simultaneously, my left arm formed a Tiger Claw, raking across his chest.
Swish!
Seizing that opening, the Special Divine Guard on my left struck my back with tremendous force.
But that was precisely my trap.
Boom!
The moment he struck my back, a thunderous explosion erupted, and the Special Divine Guard’s body was instead hurled three zhang away.
“Ugh.”
The Special Divine Guard, suffering grave internal injuries, groaned and retreated.
The domain they had established prevented me from deploying true qi martial arts.
But that didn’t mean the inner power within my body disappeared.
While attacking the two of them, I deliberately exposed the Spirit Platform acupoint on my back.
The Special Divine Guard didn’t miss the opportunity and immediately unleashed a force, but I had accumulated five hundred years of sharp counter-qi in my body.
When he struck that point, the rebound not only sent him flying backward but inflicted a fatal internal injury.
[Use the Dual Light Seal.]
Cheon Joon’s voice resonated once more.
The Special Divine Guard then rapidly extended both arms.
Flash!
Intense light poured forth in succession, enveloping my body.
It was an unexpected attack, and as swift as Neung Bi Hon’s Trust-Shattering Technique.
Several strands of light pierced into my body.
Sizzle.
Then an intense force capable of burning all things in the world burrowed into my meridians.
‘Was it the power of thunder qi?’
The reason the Special Divine Guard could freely unleash qi attacks within the domain.
It was because they were using a unique force like Sasin qi, not inner power at all.
Flash!
Normally I should have suffered grave wounds, but within my body dwells Thunder Divine Qi, which is the source of thunder qi itself.
Therefore, their attacks caused no damage whatsoever and vanished in an instant like a stone cast into the sea.
―The reason Ben Gye began systematically creating artificial inner cores was to artificially generate the Four Divine Qi.
I recalled Peng Ak’s words from beneath the Paeng Family Taesan Hall Underground in the past.
If that were the case, then their research had achieved some degree of success.
It was clear that I had generated lightning divine energy similar to that of masters like the Special Divine Guard.
‘I must hide this!’
“Ugh.”
Bu Eunseol deliberately let out a groan.
Only now did I realize that I absolutely could not let them discover that I possessed heterodox divine energy within my body.
‘Then there is a way.’
The domains and techniques they had devised ultimately only suppressed true qi cultivation.
A power like divine energy could never be suppressed.
In other words, the power of divine energy was the key that could easily shatter all the domains and techniques they wielded.
Zzzzzt.
Meanwhile, the Special Divine Guard members unleashed lightning energy in rapid succession, pressing down on Bu Eunseol.
“Argh!”
Bu Eunseol groaned in pain and dropped to one knee.
‘Perfect.’
Having completed the strategy to cut down the Special Divine Guard members in one stroke,
Click.
I sheathed the Muk Hon Sword and cried out loudly.
“If I die, we die together!”
And I charged at the Special Divine Guard with all my strength.
In this place where I could not unleash sword energy, I had no choice but to wield the blade directly.
Whoosh! Zzzzzzzt!
As I closed the distance, they unleashed lightning energy at full power as if they had been waiting.
“Uuugh!”
As Bu Eunseol’s expression twisted in pain, they slowly closed the distance and unleashed even more intense lightning energy.
Finally, when they came within a single zhang of distance, something extraordinary happened.
Bu Eunseol, whose body had stiffened from being struck by lightning energy, suddenly moved with the speed of lightning, closing the distance in an instant.
Sling!
At the same moment, the Muk Hon Sword was drawn from its sheath.
Time seemed to freeze, and a crimson radiance bloomed from the sword’s tip.
Scrape.
A red line was drawn across the necks of the Special Divine Guard members.
I exploited the moment when they believed they had completely suppressed me with their lightning energy.
I made them unleash it with all their strength.
Then I pierced through that lightning energy effortlessly and unleashed the Tal Yoo Seong Chu Wol Sik.
“You bastard.”
The Special Divine Guard member clutching his throat spoke in a trembling voice.
“How are you unharmed after being struck by lightning energy?”
“Hehehehe.”
Bu Eunseol laughed with deliberate menace.
“With Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s help, I created a counter-technique to all the methods you’ve deployed.”
“What did you say?”
“If you doubt me, find your sect’s law enforcement merchant and ask them. They’ll all confess the truth.”
It was a lie.
But they would have absolutely no way of discovering it.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung had been completely erased by my hand.
Splash!
Blood fountains erupted from the necks of both Special Divine Guards.
Thud.
As their heads rolled away, the sky cleared, and the domain of the Nine-Layered Purgatory slowly dissipated.
Then Cheon Joon, who had remained invisible until now, appeared once more in the form of a pitch-black shadow.
[How entertaining.]
Despite having slaughtered all his subordinates, his voice remained leisurely.
[It was worth venturing into Murim for once.]
“You couldn’t have come out anyway.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a cold smile.
“Even if you wanted to.”
I couldn’t discern the exact reason.
But I understood that Cheon Joon was unable to conduct proper activities within Murim.
That even if he wished to emerge, he could not—this much I had already surmised.
“That’s why you manifested in this ghostly form.”
[This simply won’t do.]
Cheon Joon’s voice softened, yet within it flickered a keen and razor-sharp killing intent.
[Even if I cannot emerge for some time, I have no choice but to strike you down.]
“Try if you can.”
I answered with composure, but inwardly I was drawing upon my full power with all my might.
The probability of victory in this battle.
No—the probability of survival was infinitesimally small, and I sensed this instinctively.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
I had not rested for a single day during all this time, striving and cultivating relentlessly.
I would pour forth every ounce of power I possessed without reservation.
Boom!
In that instant, with a deafening explosion, my body was hurled dozens of zhang backward.
There was no time to evade, and I couldn’t even discern what had struck me.
“Ptui.”
I spat out a clot of blood the size of a pebble from my lips.
Considering my martial prowess.
To cough blood after taking an attack I couldn’t even avoid—this should have been impossible.
Cheon Joon must either be a master of the Infinite Realm, or possess some power that transcends martial arts altogether.
“Ah, it was merely a grapple.”
I wiped the blood from my lips and chuckled as understanding dawned.
“I adjusted the domain or whatever it was, eliminating the distance restrictions.”
Though it hadn’t been a life-or-death struggle.
I had crossed hands with masters of the Infinite Realm like Ak Moo Ryung and Geom Joon.
It was impossible that I couldn’t even sense an attack, even if I couldn’t evade the assaults of such transcendent masters.
Bu Eunseol had grasped that Cheon Joon was using something like the domain the Special Divine Guard had deployed.
Pouring it down directly onto his body in an instant.
[So you know.]
From Cheon Joon’s black shadow, triangular-shaped, elongated eyes suddenly formed.
[What difference does that make?]
Boom.
At that same moment, darkness consumed Bu Eunseol’s vision.
And an inescapable realm of death engulfed his body.
Defeat.
It felt as though an overwhelming force seized Bu Eunseol’s body and dragged him into an irreversible domain.
Death.
In mere moments of Cheon Joon’s hand, Bu Eunseol was crossing the threshold of death.
‘This is Cheon Joon’s power.’
Bu Eunseol was being dragged into endless darkness.
His vision filled with black despair, and all he heard in his mind was a whooshing sound.
That destination’s end would be the completion of death.
‘Should I just die?’
Five-colored radiance began to bloom from Bu Eunseol’s body.
But that darkness began to devour even the radiance emanating from Bu Eunseol’s body.
―A fitting end for a foolish wretch who doesn’t even know who he is or what power he possesses.
Then a strange voice echoed in Bu Eunseol’s mind once more.
In that instant, a light blacker than the darkness Cheon Joon had poured out flowed from Bu Eunseol’s body.
―Erase everything….
Like Bu Eunseol’s body stained pitch-black, an abyss darker than the depths flooded into his spirit.
His consciousness sank into infinitely deep waters, and pitch-black darkness crammed into the void he left behind.
―Destroy it….
Flash!
But suddenly his vision brightened, and a soft light emerged.
And that light gradually took the form of Buddha, shining brightly.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
With a low Buddhist invocation, an angry voice resonated in all directions.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s ears perked up.
‘Bul Jon?’
Wasn’t that the voice of Bul Jon, the one I heard when I infiltrated the Murim Alliance in the past?

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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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