The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 561

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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 561.
The next day.
Hwa Jung Cheon, the Lord of Bi Young Gak, sat in Bu Eunseol’s office.
Though his expression remained composed, his complexion had flushed a sickly crimson, like rotted liver.
‘I never imagined she would station elite masters from the Sayoung Battle Division to coincide with my visit.’
Nominally, it was called protocol observance.
But to any outside observer, it appeared no different from a prisoner being dragged away to the Sayoung Battle Division.
“It has been some time, Lord.”
Bu Eunseol offered a respectful bow, and Hwa Jung Cheon returned the gesture with clasped hands.
“You have been well, I trust.”
“What brings you to visit?”
She knew perfectly well, but chose to feign ignorance.
Yet since urgency favored him, Hwa Jung Cheon dispensed with pleasantries and proceeded directly to the matter at hand.
“Ryeong Ju. Do you recall the conversations you once had in private with the previous Lord?”
“I’m not certain what you mean.”
“I ask whether you remember his words—that the previous Lord remained neutral in all matters.”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
“Of course. I remember it well.”
Yet her eyes betrayed no warmth, contradicting the curve of her lips.
It was an icy demeanor that even seasoned Hwa Jung Cheon found unsettling.
“Therefore, I too have been conducting a neutral investigation into this matter. Had I not been…”
Her gaze paused, and within her eyes burned a radiance as brilliant as the sun itself.
“I would have torn down Bi Young Gak immediately.”
Silence stretched between them.
Hwa Jung Cheon drew a deep breath before speaking.
“Do you believe this incident—the ambush on the Ryeong Ju—is connected to me?”
“You did not say you were connected, Lord.”
Bu Eunseol’s voice turned glacial.
“Rather, I said Bi Young Gak was connected.”
Hwa Jung Cheon lifted his teacup.
Under normal circumstances, he would never have fallen for such provocation and bluster.
Those who dealt in intelligence understood this principle well.
They never spoke damaging words aloud until concrete evidence emerged.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s wisdom and schemes had consistently defied convention.
And she had never once left unpunished anyone who dared touch her.
If the rumors were true—if Bu Eunseol had already identified all suspects and was investigating them—
And if she obtained even a single thread of connection to Bi Young Gak…
Then something truly irreversible would unfold.
“Do you understand that if you touch Bi Young Gak, the Sayoung Battle Division could crumble?”
“Is Bi Young Gak some sacred sanctuary?”
“The term ‘sacred ground’ is beyond my authority to grant. However, I trust that the Ryeong Ju understands the unique nature of Bon Gak well enough.”
Hwa Jung Cheon spoke with an utterly composed expression.
“Given the current state of Bon Jeon, we cannot simply bury this matter quietly. After all, isn’t the Ryeong Ju the next Master of Demon Hall? Considering the very possibility that Bon Jeon could be fractured….”
“Hahaha.”
Bu Eunseol burst into a hollow laugh.
“The Ryeong Ju was returning to Demon Hall when he nearly died at the hands of some unknown force mere steps away.”
“….”
“And now you ask me to understand the unique nature of Bi Young Gak? To understand because Bon Jeon might crumble?”
A crimson blood-light flickered in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“Are you truly saying such things?”
Hwa Jung Cheon fell silent.
There was no further negotiation to be had.
One more word and he would be cast out like a dog—that much was certain.
After a moment’s hesitation, Hwa Jung Cheon made a grave decision.
“Very well. In exchange, as of today, Bon Gak withdraws from the neutrality promised to the Ryeong Ju.”
And he spoke with an expression of utmost gravity.
“From this day forward, until the Ryeong Ju becomes the Master of Demon Hall, I shall provide neither command nor information. Is that acceptable?”
“How amusing.”
Bu Eunseol let out a scoff.
“When have you ever shown goodwill?”
“You understand nothing. You have no idea how much consideration the Gak Ju has shown you all this time.”
“Is that so.”
Bu Eunseol nodded with an indifferent expression.
“I understand. Then speak.”
From his pupils emanated a chill as ancient as ten-thousand-year ice.
“Whether the Gak Ju withdraws from neutrality or shows me favor—it matters not to me. Speak.”
“Ma Yeong Dang Lord, Yu Jeok Do.”
Hwa Jung Cheon spoke with finality.
“He, the Chong Gyo Ryeong’s trusted subordinate, leaked the Ryeong Ju’s return route to outside forces.”
Ma Yeong Dang Lord Yu Jeok Do.
He was Yeop Hyo Cheon’s longtime trusted aide.
And the second-in-command of Sole Brightness Pavilion, overseeing all operations executed by the Chong Gyo Ryeong.
In other words, this meant Yeop Hyo Cheon was the mastermind behind the assassination attempt.
“Then….”
“There is a possibility the Chong Gyo Ryeong gave the order. However, no such evidence could be found.”
“But responsibility cannot be evaded.”
“Not at all.”
Hwa Jung Cheon spoke with certainty.
“Yu Jeok Do oversees and manages numerous affairs on behalf of the Chong Gyo Ryeong. Thus, the Chong Gyo Ryeong granted him authority nearly equal to his own.”
He continued his explanation.
“Moreover, Yu Jeok Do possesses not only exceptional strategic acumen but also the unwavering loyalty to offer his own neck to Chong Gyo Ryeong without hesitation.”
“….”
“Even if Ryeong Ju were to present irrefutable evidence, accountability for Chong Gyo Ryeong could never be established. He has prepared far too meticulously for that.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in acknowledgment.
The fact that a figure like Yeop Hyo Cheon maintained connections to Sam Gye was hardly surprising.
Yet whether he belonged to the Infinite Realm or what purpose he harbored remained a mystery.
“In essence, Ma Yeong Dang—his trusted subordinate—will bear all the blame.”
“Likely so.”
‘So I am to be satisfied with merely uncovering that Chong Gyo Ryeong maintains ties to Sam Gye.’
Still, the objective had been achieved.
Through this incident, Yeop Hyo Cheon’s connection to Sam Gye now lay completely exposed.
From this moment forward, he could never touch me directly again.
“I am grateful.”
Bu Eunseol brought her palms together in respect.
“Indeed, Gak Ju proves to be exactly the person I envisioned.”
The reason for spreading such rumors through Dan Wol Hon from the outset.
It was to draw out Hwa Jung Cheon, who had remained coiled within Bi Young Gak under the guise of neutrality.
Hwa Jung Cheon could hardly be ignorant of what transpires when one touches Bi Young Gak, Ma Cheon Je’s direct instrument.
And I had anticipated he would inevitably approach me with a negotiation.
“Sigh.”
Hwa Jung Cheon, having seen through my intentions, released a deep breath.
“Ryeong Ju, might I offer you one piece of counsel?”
“Please speak.”
“From this point forward, exercise extreme caution. Your actions will generate countless adversaries—both within Demon Palace and among the Demonic Path—beyond your ability to contain.”
Hwa Jung Cheon continued.
“You may find it impossible to maintain your position as successor….”
He trailed off mid-sentence.
Bu Eunseol’s expression was far too serene.
To her, the position of successor to Demon Palace was….
Like fallen leaves scattered carelessly along a path—utterly devoid of value.
‘Ah, so that is it.’
Only then did Hwa Jung Cheon comprehend everything.
Bu Eunseol had never harbored the slightest interest in the succession to Demon Palace.
She simply would not cease until her true objective was achieved.
‘Ma Cheon Je will be most pleased.’
Hwa Jung Cheon smiled faintly and nodded.
“Then.”
He turned and departed Jam Ma Gak.
Hwa Jung Cheon gazed toward the distant sky, his expression serene.
If Bu Eunseol, unaware of her role as successor to Demon Palace, were to roil the Demonic Path itself?
There is nothing better than that.
* * *
Armed with the information obtained through Hwa Jung Cheon, Bu Eunseol had identified Ma Yeong Dang’s Lord as the culprit and proceeded with swift efficiency.
A rumbling sound.
The warriors of Sayoung Hall and the investigators of Muhonjung immediately infiltrated the interior of Ma Yeong Dang.
“Yu Jeok Do. Kneel at once.”
Upon witnessing this spectacle, Yu Jeok Do burst into laughter, utterly bewildered.
“Hehehehe. Have these fools all gone mad together?”
He was the trusted subordinate of Yeop Hyo Cheon, who managed the affairs of Sole Brightness Pavilion.
Save for a few exceptions, he wielded power nearly identical to Yeop Hyo Cheon’s—a true power broker of Demon Hall.
Yet these minor lords from Sayoung Hall dared to swarm forth to apprehend him?
“Yu Jeok Do. You surely know your own crimes well enough. Come quietly.”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke with solemn gravity.
“Unless you wish to be beaten like a dog and dragged away while making a show of your authority as a lord.”
“I see.”
Only when Yu Woon Ryong, the strategist of Sayoung Hall, made his appearance did Yu Jeok Do finally grasp the situation.
“Faster than I anticipated.”
He had meticulously erased all traces of his actions and had even selected a scapegoat from within Bi Young Gak to sever his connection.
Yet all of it proved meaningless.
Bu Eunseol.
She invariably dismantled every carefully laid plan in a single, decisive stroke.
A creaking sound.
At that moment, the inner door swung open, and an elderly man in formal robes slowly revealed himself.
His appearance was unremarkable, his frame unimposing—the sort of old man one might encounter in any village.
Yet in truth, he was the left seat among the Four Gods Seven Kings and the second-in-command who led Demon Hall.
It was none other than Chong Gyo Ryeong, Yeop Hyo Cheon.
“What is the matter?”
Upon Yeop Hyo Cheon’s appearance, the representatives of Sayoung Hall wore expressions of embarrassment.
No matter how clear the evidence, Ma Yeong Dang’s Lord was Yeop Hyo Cheon’s subordinate.
They could not drag away his retainer like a dog before such a powerful figure.
“Sang Hak, Lord of Sayoung Hall, Yu Woon Ryong pays his respects to Chong Gyo Ryeong.”
Yu Woon Ryong stepped forward and clasped his hands respectfully.
“We have secured evidence that Ma Yeong Dang’s Lord was involved in the assault on Moo Hon Ryeong Ju. Therefore—”
“I see.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon nodded his head.
“Then the matter must proceed.”
“Thank you—”
“However, is the procedure not amiss?”
Yeop Hyo Cheon wore a faint smile.
A deep rumble.
At that moment, the warriors of Sayoung Hall simultaneously bent their waists.
An overwhelming pressure that seemed to crush the entire world came pouring down.
“The truth of the evidence will be revealed during the investigation, and for now, guilt has not been proven. Yet… you intend to drag Lord Yu away like a dog?”
Black heat shimmered in Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyes.
“Can that be called a just procedure?”
The way the Lords of Sayoung Hall treated Yu Jeok Do, his trusted subordinate, with disrespect was the same as disrespecting him.
Yeop Hyo Cheon was enraged as never before.
Yu Woon Ryong, whose inner strength ran deep, and the Lords could barely withstand the pressure.
“Ughhhh.”
The remaining members could not endure the pressure, groaning with their eyes bulging from their sockets.
“Come back later. Once guilt is clearly proven through proper procedure.”
Even at Yeop Hyo Cheon’s gentle voice, no one could respond or leave their place.
Despite the quiet and composed tone, the pressure grew increasingly fierce.
Thud, thud.
Then, slow footsteps were heard approaching from the main gate of Ma Yeong Dang.
Simultaneously, a sculpted handsome man dressed in black martial robes embroidered with elaborate patterns appeared.
It was Bu Eunseol.
Whoosh.
His gaze was fixed solely on Yu Jeok Do, standing in the center—not on Yeop Hyo Cheon or Yu Woon Ryong.
His eyes burned crimson, and sharp winds swirled across his entire body.
Thud, thud.
The overwhelming pressure that Yeop Hyo Cheon had unleashed poured across the entire Flower Garden of Ma Yeong Dang.
Yet he walked into the garden without the slightest concern.
Shing.
Suddenly, he drew the Muk Hon Sword at his waist.
And he walked toward Yu Jeok Do, who stood about three paces away from Yeop Hyo Cheon.
“Ryeong Ju, what are you—”
Just as the bewildered Yu Jeok Do widened his eyes,
Slash!
Along with a spray of blood, his head shot skyward.
Thud.
As the severed head separated from the body and fell to the ground, a silence as profound as death filled the hall.
Even Yeop Hyo Cheon had thought Bu Eunseol was merely drawing his sword to create momentum.
There was no way he could swing a blade before him.
But an unbelievable sight unfolded before his very eyes.
Bu Eunseol had approached without hesitation and severed Yu Jeok Do’s head.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
Then numerous warriors of Ma Yeong Dang and many other figures from Demon Palace rushed toward the front of Ma Yeong Dang.
As the sounds of weapons being drawn and explosions rang out, warriors immediately swarmed in.
Click.
Bu Eunseol calmly sheathed the Muk Hon Sword and turned to face Yeop Hyo Cheon.
“Chong Gyo Ryeong.”
She bowed respectfully, pressing her palms together.
“I have committed a breach of etiquette.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon felt fury rising to the crown of his head, yet laughter burst forth instead.
“Hehehehe.”
To sever the neck of a loyal subordinate who had served at his side for decades, right before his eyes.
And to describe it merely as a “breach of etiquette”?
“Yu Jeok Do not only leaked confidential secrets of Bon Jeon to outsiders, but also conspired with external forces to assassinate me.”
She then produced a single document.
It contained irrefutable evidence that Yu Jeok Do had made contact with the Infinite Realm and leaked information about Bu Eunseol.
“There was no need to bring this matter before Hyung Dang for judgment. I had already imprisoned all those involved before coming here.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyebrows twitched.
With Ma Cheon Je absent, the Demon Palace was virtually within his grasp.
Yet how could Bu Eunseol have overturned the Demon Palace and imprisoned the guilty without his knowledge?
‘Ah, I see. It was the Bi Yeong Gak Ju.’
Only then did Yeop Hyo Cheon comprehend the full picture.
Bu Eunseol had been able to obtain perfect evidence against Yu Jeok Do and imprison all those involved in a single stroke.
This was possible only through the assistance of Bi Yeong Gak Ju.
“So now you intend to arrest even the Chong Gyo Ryeong?”
“I do not understand why you would say such a thing.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened as she spoke.
“Does the Chong Gyo Ryeong perhaps have some connection to Yu Jeok Do?”
When Yeop Hyo Cheon said nothing, Bu Eunseol exhaled sharply and continued.
“I will hold all those connected to Yu Jeok Do accountable and imprison them. If anyone aided him in any way, I will execute them immediately.”
“….”
“But since the Chong Gyo Ryeong has always shown me such kindness… that could not possibly be the case, could it?”
Despite her courteous words, a keen and piercing light blazed from Bu Eunseol’s flushed eyes.
She had wielded her blade to behead a loyal subordinate right before the second-in-command of the Demon Palace.
And now she was openly declaring that she would execute everyone connected to that subordinate.
―Will the Chong Gyo Ryeong make a move against me?
Before coming here, Bu Eunseol had been intensely curious about this.
Would Yeop Hyo Cheon’s rage drive him to strike at her, or would he restrain himself?
And if he did strike… that would be precisely the situation she had dreamed of.
‘Hmm. I see.’
But contrary to Bu Eunseol’s expectations, Yeop Hyo Cheon assessed the situation with terrifying clarity.
Bi Yeong Gak Ju had not betrayed him.
Determining that Bu Eunseol had obtained perfect evidence, he had unhesitatingly delivered the body rather than merely the tail—
Preserving the head, which was Yeop Hyo Cheon himself.
“Was Yu Dang Ju not a subordinate under the Chong Gyo Ryeong’s command?”
After finishing his thoughts, Yeop Hyo Cheon spoke with a leisurely expression.
“Since the Vice Commander committed a crime, naturally I bear responsibility as well.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon regarded Bu Eunseol with an expression unchanged from before.
Then he turned his gaze to the headless corpse of Yu Jeok Do and clicked his tongue.
“What a pity. He was quite a capable Vice Commander.”
He shook his head with a regretful tone, yet his expression was as if he had merely broken a cherished teacup.
“I’ve lost a valuable talent.”
“….”
“I must apologize, Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon spoke with a bitter expression.
“No matter how much I trusted him as a subordinate, I granted far too much power to a mere Lord. It seems this incident arose from that mistake.”
“Do you not require evidence?”
“Well, since the Ryeong Ju conducted the investigation, I’m sure it was handled appropriately.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon gazed around with a forlorn expression.
“Still, he was my Vice Commander. Though he committed a crime, he has paid the price with his life… I would hope the Ryeong Ju would cease here.”
“….”
“Among those who cooperated with Lord Yu, surely some were coerced into participation? I would prefer that the warriors of Bon Jeon cease spilling blood amongst themselves.”
Excluding the Sayoung Battle Division members.
The warriors of Ma Yeong Dang who heard those words, and
the warriors of Demon Hall observing this scene, all wore expressions of profound admiration.
Despite Muk Hon Ryeong Ju using a weapon to sever his subordinate’s neck before the Chong Gyo Ryeong,
despite committing such disrespect,
he was instead bowing his head in apology, shielding the subordinates of his guilty aide, and even securing their futures.
―Truly, the Chong Gyo Ryeong!
Upon witnessing such conduct,
Yeop Hyo Cheon became a magnanimous figure who cared nothing for rank or dignity, sheltering his subordinates’ faults.
Bu Eunseol, relying on her power, acted with arrogance and disregard,
and earned the reputation of a cruel figure who tolerated no mistakes.
Had Bu Eunseol clung to her position as successor to Demon Hall, this incident could have become a bitter blunder.
‘Indeed.’
Yet Bu Eunseol remained unmoved.
And she admired Yeop Hyo Cheon’s cunning.
A master strategist of such caliber reveals nothing of his true intentions and handles all matters with utmost discretion.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As Yeop Hyo Cheon personally lifted and carried Yu Jeok Do’s corpse, a chilling light flickered in his eyes.
Crack.
The force in his hands as he held the body caused Yu Jeok Do’s forearm bones to shatter.
‘I never expected Bul Jon to appear so suddenly.’
This opportunity was his final chance to confirm what leverage he held in his grasp.
But with Bul Jon’s interference, he had failed… and could never again verify the truth.
‘That means I’ll need to lie low for a while. I’ll forget about the Muk Hon Ryeong Ju matter.’
Yeop Hyo Cheon silently swallowed his confident smile.
‘For now, I retreat, but only temporarily.’
No matter what methods were employed, they would prove useless.
After all, as long as ‘that’ remained in his possession, the victor of this struggle was already determined.
A faint hum.
Yet he sensed a piercing aura from behind him, as if it would tear through the skin of his skull.
Yeop Hyo Cheon instinctively recognized it as Bu Eunseol’s gaze.
‘She’s frustrated.’
She had likely wanted a fierce confrontation.
After all, she had severed her loyal subordinate’s neck without hesitation before him, the second-in-command of the Demon Palace.
With both justification and evidence in hand, she must have been confident she could claim victory by any means necessary.
But Yeop Hyo Cheon, cunning as a serpent, had deployed an unexpected tactic and reversed the situation entirely.
In the end, all Bu Eunseol had gained were resentful glares and the stigma of arrogance.
And nothing more than Yu Jeok Do’s severed head.
A soft rustle.
Yeop Hyo Cheon slowly turned his head.
Typically, a grand master of his caliber would never look back once he had chosen his path.
But he desperately wanted to see the expression on Bu Eunseol’s face, now burning with barely contained rage.
“…!”
His expression froze instantly as he turned.
Contrary to his expectations, Bu Eunseol was smiling.
Her eyes, gleaming with an ethereal radiance, were half-hidden beneath her eyelids, and a smile played at her lips—pure yet somehow bewitching.
A sharp intake of breath.
Yeop Hyo Cheon found himself turning his head back without conscious thought.
The moment their gazes met, a bone-deep chill seized his entire body, as if he had stepped into the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Cave.
‘Was that it?’
Yeop Hyo Cheon swiftly reclaimed his composure, his expression turning cold once more.
He continued forward with an untroubled countenance, as though nothing had occurred.

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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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