The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 582
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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 582.
“What brings you all to this place?”
Do Cheon Rin’s question was answered as Do Jong Moo, the Lord of Do Geuk Dae, rose to his feet.
“Allow us to first dispose of these rabble!”
Crash! Boom!
They unleashed the Blood Flame Sect techniques, striking down the warriors of Huk Ki Hoe who rushed toward them.
Though merely a small contingent of fifteen, their martial prowess was formidable.
In mere moments, they had neutralized the dozen or so soldiers in the vicinity.
“Do you have any idea how long we have searched for you since the Young Master left the Main House?”
Do Jong Moo spoke between labored breaths.
When Do Cheon Rin quietly departed from the Blood-Dyed Sword School, they too had abandoned their posts and wandered the Gangho in search of him.
“Why.”
“Why, you ask? Are we not your people?”
Do Cheon Rin shook his head with a bitter expression.
“I am no longer the Young Master.”
“It matters not.”
Do Jong Moo continued to wield his blade relentlessly as he spoke.
“Our loyalty was sworn to the Young Master.”
Do Cheon Rin drew in ragged breaths.
Beyond training them, he had done little else—shown them no particular kindness, paid them no special attention.
Yet the warriors of Do Geuk Dae had searched for him all this while, determined to fulfill their duty to the end.
“First, let us deal with these vermin.”
“Yes!”
The warriors of Do Geuk Dae were all elite fighters personally trained by Do Cheon Rin himself.
With merely fifteen additional warriors reinforcing their ranks, they swiftly restored the crumbling defensive line.
“Warriors of the Blood-Dyed Sword School?”
Dam Woong, his eyes widening, caught sight of a dozen or so warriors who had suddenly emerged from the flank, his mouth falling open.
“The Ten Demonic Gates are interfering with our organization’s affairs? That cannot be.”
Though not yet rivaling the Murim Alliance and Demon Hall, Huk Ki Hoe was an alliance of dark sects.
Should the Blood-Dyed Sword School, one of the Ten Demonic Gates, become entangled in this conflict, it would spark a war of massive proportions.
“No, no indeed.”
After observing for some time, Dam Woong finally discerned Do Cheon Rin’s identity and laughed heartily.
“Is this not the first son cast out from the Blood-Dyed Sword School?”
Screech.
Dam Woong ceased his offensive.
The battle momentarily reached a lull.
Dam Woong approached Do Cheon Rin, who fought fiercely at the forefront of Nangindae, drenched in blood.
“The Perfect Scholar, Do Cheon Rin.”
Dam Woong spoke with a sinister smile playing at his lips.
“Why does one cast out from the Blood-Dyed Sword School find himself clashing with our organization here?”
“Dam Woong.”
Do Cheon Rin called out to him in a solemn voice.
“If you withdraw your forces even now, your miserable life might be spared.”
“Hehehehe!”
Dam Woong laughed heartily.
“Of course, if the patriarch of the Blood Flame Sect himself has graced us with his presence, I would flee with my tail between my legs.”
He chuckled as he spoke.
“But if it’s someone cast out from the Blood Flame Sect, that’s a different story entirely.”
Do Cheon Rin’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing the word “cast out.”
In truth, he had not simply left to wander the Gangho.
He had quarreled fiercely with Patriarch Do Mu Jeok and severed his ties with the Blood Flame Sect before venturing into the Gangho.
Yet this fact had never been revealed to the outside world—so how did Dam Woong speak as though he knew everything?
Then Do Jong Moo stepped forward with his great sword raised, his voice booming.
“Do you truly believe you can stand against the Main House and survive?”
“Hehehehe. It would be even better if the Blood Flame Sect intervened.”
Dam Woong spoke with unhurried ease.
“If the great Blood Flame Sect mobilizes just to save the Wanderer Market, the results would be most entertaining.”
Do Jong Moo fell silent.
Dam Woong’s words held no falsehood.
This conflict was fundamentally a power struggle within the Wanderer Market. It was Do Cheon Rin’s side that had interjected without any legitimate cause.
Moreover, the Ten Demonic Gates had already suffered considerable loss of prestige due to Bu Eunseol.
If the Blood Flame Sect were to move for the sake of a mere Wanderer Market power struggle?
They would only invite tremendous humiliation upon themselves, and the Blood Flame Sect would no longer stand tall in the Murim.
“We have no connection to the Blood Flame Sect. We severed all ties when we left!”
Do Jong Moo cried out in panic, and Dam Woong grinned widely.
“Whether you came from the Blood Flame Sect or not, you are currently interfering in the Wanderer Market’s power struggle and obstructing us.”
Dam Woong spoke with a grave expression.
“I will give you one chance—withdraw from this fight.”
“And if we refuse?”
“Then you will meet a shameful death alongside the wanderers. Even if you claim severance, the patriarch will spend that very night sleepless, tormented by the disgrace.”
In that instant, Do Jong Moo’s expression changed.
Now he understood why Do Cheon Rin was willing to stake his life here at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
“Young Master.”
“You may withdraw.”
Do Cheon Rin spoke to Do Jong Moo.
“I will hold this place.”
His eyes burned with unwavering resolve.
“Understood, sir.”
Do Jong Moo asked no further questions.
After all, he had chosen to follow Do Cheon Rin and abandoned all rank and status to leave the Blood Flame Sect.
Even if the destination were Hell itself, I could walk there with a smile on my face.
He bellowed toward the Team Members with a thunderous voice.
“Do Geuk Dae! All units, prepare to attack!”
Whoosh!
At Do Jong Moo’s cry, the Team Members simultaneously raised their Blood Flame Swords horizontally above their heads.
“Crown Prince. These fools are willing to die alongside you out of misguided loyalty. Will you truly stand idle and watch?”
In that instant, crimson killing intent blazed from Do Cheon Rin’s eyes.
“Even if I cannot slaughter them all, I can certainly behead you alone.”
“How reassuring.”
Dam Woong smiled and raised his right hand.
“Then shall we begin anew? For real this time.”
But then something unexpected unfolded.
“Aaaagh!”
“Kugh!”
The wanderers stationed at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji’s final defensive line suddenly turned and began attacking their own allies.
It turned out that Huk Ki Hoe had not only bribed Gu O, Dam Yoo Yeon’s adjutant, but had already purchased the loyalty of countless wanderers.
With the situation deteriorated to this degree, even if Do Cheon Rin and Do Geuk Dae were prepared for mutual destruction,
there was no way they could win this battle.
“It was never merely about coveting the wealth Jeok Cheon Mak Ji had accumulated.”
Do Cheon Rin murmured as understanding dawned upon him.
“The demand for her black book was merely a pretext. They were after this land all along.”
Only then could he comprehend the full picture.
Why Huk Ki Hoe had specifically had Dam Woong establish the Wanderer Market and approach Dam Yoo Yeon, demanding both the black book and marriage.
While they certainly coveted the vast wealth Jeok Cheon Mak Ji had amassed,
they had chosen this place as the location to relocate Huk Ki Hoe’s headquarters from the borderlands.
Having unified numerous dark forces, they absolutely needed to establish themselves in Zhong Yuan to wield even greater power in the future.
“You catch on quickly.”
Dam Woong nodded.
“Jeok Cheon Mak Ji possesses all the ideal conditions for our organization to take root.”
If the Huk Ki Hoe leader seized the land directly, it would be an invasion.
But if they invested capital to have Dam Woong establish the Wanderer Market and fought under the banner of Poong Woo Ji?
Then this became merely a power struggle between wanderer factions.
Huk Ki Hoe had provided Dam Woong with formidable military forces and capital, having long since bribed the wanderers of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji,
and created the Wanderer Market nearby to transform it into a territorial dispute between wanderer markets.
“Kugh!”
“Aaaagh!”
Meanwhile, screams from the rear grew increasingly louder.
It seemed they were targeting Dam Yoo Yeon, who was directing forces from the camp.
“The lady could very well die at their hands. You have no time to cross blades with me.”
At Dam Woong’s words, Do Cheon Rin spoke to Do Jong Moo.
“Hold this position!”
Whoosh!
Then he immediately rushed toward the rear.
‘Dam Yoo Yeon!’
The camp where Dam Yoo Yeon was located had already collapsed.
Fortunately, roughly two hundred wanderers surrounded Dam Yoo Yeon, clashing fiercely against those who had been absorbed into the Huk Ki Hoe.
“Clear the way!”
Do Cheon Rin leaped into the air and unleashed the Evil Dragon Scattering Form.
Boom!
The wanderers who had been attacking Dam Yoo Yeon could not withstand the pressure and instantly collapsed to the ground, coughing blood.
Thud.
Do Cheon Rin descended from the air and stood beside Dam Yoo Yeon.
“Young Master Do.”
Do Cheon Rin, glancing sideways at Dam Yoo Yeon, spoke while raising his sword high.
“Let us fight together.”
It was a moment of absolute desperation, yet a faint smile played across both their lips.
To die at the same time as the one you cherish.
Was that not the most blessed death for a martial artist?
Clang! Whoosh!
Do Cheon Rin and Dam Yoo Yeon stood back-to-back, slashing madly at the enemies pouring toward them.
The Huk Ki Hoe had not only bribed existing wanderers with money but had also infiltrated them into Jeok Cheon Mak Ji as wanderers under false identities.
Those attacking Dam Yoo Yeon from behind in betrayal were wanderers who had been embedded in Jeok Cheon Mak Ji long ago.
“Activate the Demon Flower Evil Ghost Formation!”
They possessed not only exceptional martial prowess but were also deploying formation techniques.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
As the formation’s power manifested, Do Cheon Rin and Dam Yoo Yeon found themselves struggling.
Combat in the Murim differs from ordinary warfare.
Through formations like these, the strength of martial artists is unified, allowing the power of martial techniques to transcend their limits.
It also creates opportunities to strike down formidable masters who are otherwise difficult to overcome.
This was not only true for Do Cheon Rin but also for the members of Do Geuk Dae who were fighting Dam Woong on the battlefield.
Zing.
The surroundings had turned to darkness, and their senses had dulled.
Do Jong Moo realized they were trapped within the formation and shouted to his members.
“Engage the enemy through sensation!”
Demonic martial arts, which prioritize raw power, place far greater emphasis on human sensory perception than the Orthodox Sects do.
This is why the Ten Demonic Gates possess unique secret techniques to heighten the senses, much like the Beast Path of Nangya Sect.
“Ugh.”
Yet ultimately, groans escaped from the lips of Do Geuk Dae’s disciples.
With so many troops deploying bizarre formations and attacking relentlessly, victory was impossible.
But they fought without fear of death.
The same held true for Do Cheon Rin and Dam Yoo Yeon.
“Haah. Haah.”
Both were drenched in the blood of their fallen enemies and their own wounds.
No matter how many enemies they cut down, the formation remained unbroken. Whenever a gap appeared, there were always fresh reinforcements to fill it.
Because of this, the two never ceased their relentless assault through the darkness, their blades singing an endless song of death.
Screech!
At that moment, a sharp blade pierced toward Dam Yoo Yeon’s back.
But she was too occupied with the enemies before her to evade it.
Clang!
Do Cheon Rin hurled his demonic sword to deflect the blade.
Thud!
In that instant, a vicious blade carved deep into his flank.
“You!”
Only then did Dam Yoo Yeon grasp the situation, her voice trembling with alarm.
Yet Do Cheon Rin merely smiled gently and asked her instead.
“Are you hurt?”
It was Do Cheon Rin himself who bore the grievous wound, yet his concern was solely for her.
“It’s only a matter of time. Please don’t do that again.”
At her words, Do Cheon Rin’s expression darkened.
Death was already written in stone.
Even if he saved her for a moment, Dam Yoo Yeon would still perish.
And eventually… he too would fall.
Whoosh!
Do Cheon Rin seized his sword again, the air trembling around him as he muttered softly.
“I cannot fathom why I lack such talent.”
He sighed, his gaze sweeping across their surroundings with bitter regret.
“Had I possessed it, I could have broken through this place alone.”
He was speaking of Bu Eunseol.
Bu Eunseol, who had long ago reached the realm of the Transcendent, would have been utterly unmoved by warriors of this caliber.
Even if thousands descended upon her, she would not have faltered.
But Do Cheon Rin had not attained such heights, and now he could not protect the woman he had come to love for the first time in his life.
“There’s no need for comparison.”
Dam Yoo Yeon, sensing his anguish, spoke with quiet composure.
“You’ve done your utmost, and you are strong enough.”
“Are you consoling me?”
“It’s not consolation—it’s the truth.”
Do Cheon Rin shook his head with a bitter expression.
“Perhaps, but she is formidable yet utterly cold and devoid of humanity. Despite having the power to help, she chose not to.”
“The successor of the Demon Palace cannot carelessly clash with other factions. Especially since the Huk Ki Hoe has deep ties with Gwan Bu, and Seomseong is a stronghold of the Orthodox Sects…”
Dam Yoo Yeon, instead, defended Bu Eunseol.
“Without justification, there’s no way he could involve himself in this conflict.”
Do Cheon Rin let out a sound of realization.
No matter how much Bu Eunseol dismissed trivial information, she couldn’t have failed to learn that Huk Ki Hoe had mobilized a massive force to Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
Yet even if he wanted to help, his position made it impossible for him to join this battle.
“And here I was, resenting him bitterly for it.”
“Disappointment is disappointment, after all. I feel it too.”
At Dam Yoo Yeon’s words, Do Cheon Rin smiled faintly and drew up his inner energy.
“Then we must prepare for the end now.”
Heat shimmer rippled across his entire body.
“One last time, let us gaze upon a clear sky together.”
Do Cheon Rin drew upon his primordial energy and unleashed the greatest swordsmanship he could muster.
He meant to shatter the formation that had spread before him and see the clear sky once more.
“There’s no need for that.”
Dam Yoo Yeon grasped Do Cheon Rin’s hand with her left palm.
“Since your resolve to remain together until the very end is unwavering, let us depart for the afterlife together.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve long suspected Huk Ki Hoe’s vile methods. Yet I endured because I wanted to deal them one final blow.”
She smiled faintly.
“I’ve buried thirty thousand pounds of gunpowder around the main stronghold. They may seize this place, but Dam Woong and all his forces will be sent straight to Hell.”
Dam Yoo Yeon had sensed Huk Ki Hoe’s ambitions long ago.
Perceiving that they would open the Wanderer Market and drag the conflict to its bitter end as a struggle between wanderer factions,
she realized there was no way to eliminate them.
So she spent all her resources to secretly bury gunpowder around Jeok Cheon Mak Ji to perish together with them.
And enduring to the very last,
she had planned to draw their forces to this vicinity and detonate them all at once.
“Can you trigger it now?”
Dam Yoo Yeon nodded and moved aside a boulder where the camp had once stood.
A transparent cord suddenly emerged from beneath it.
“Excellent.”
Do Cheon Rin smiled and nodded.
“Let us meet again in the next life.”
“Do Cheon Rin.”
Dam Yoo Yeon suddenly found her courage and kissed him.
Then she immediately reached down to pull the cord and trigger the gunpowder.
But something strange occurred.
A deafening roar erupted!
The pitch-black darkness vanished, and suddenly agonized screams pierced the air from all directions.
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
Those anguished cries came not from the wanderers of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji, but from Huk Ki Hoe’s forces.
“Who are they?”
Do Cheon Rin and Dam Yoo Yeon blinked in astonishment.
Suddenly, a cavalry unit clad in black appeared from the rear of the Huk Ki Hoe forces.
They all wore armor that gleamed with an obsidian luster, and as their black cloaks billowed around them, they tore through the Huk Ki Hoe ranks.
Screeeee!
With the cry of a hawk.
Following the cavalry, a torrent of Black Shadows executing impossibly swift lightness techniques began pouring forth.
Whoooosh! Whoooooosh!
Like hawks in low-altitude flight, they swept across the battlefield, and in mere instants, they shattered the Huk Ki Hoe forces with each bound.
“What in blazes are those things!”
Dam Woong roared in fury.
They had been mere moments away from swallowing Jeok Cheon Mak Ji. Where in the heavens had these forces suddenly emerged from?
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
At that moment, the figure leading from horseback drew two short blades from his waist and leaped from his mount.
Shhhhwing!
He became a flash of lightning, ruthlessly cutting down the Huk Ki Hoe soldiers.
With a movement technique as swift as lightning itself, and draped in a black wind-cloak, he resembled a dark cloud sweeping across the battlefield.
Thunk. Thunk-thunk.
With each slash of his short blades through the air, warriors fell like autumn leaves in a gale.
One of the wanderers from Jeok Cheon Mak Ji watching this spectacle cried out.
―The Wanderer King!
The Wanderer King.
A young wanderer who had been active in Sae Oe for several years, single-handedly completing missions that others could not.
He had accumulated tremendous exploits.
Moreover, he had saved the lives of countless commoners and wanderers who had been dying helplessly.
As time passed, numerous wanderers began voluntarily following him, and before long, he had created an enormous faction.
The king of wanderers.
The wanderers had come to call this young wanderer the Wanderer King.
Whoooosh!
The Black Shadow became a flash of lightning, flying toward Jeok Cheon Mak Ji while cutting down enemies.
Finally reaching the location where Do Cheon Rin and Dam Yoo Yeon stood.
He flipped his body once in mid-air, then landed before the two.
Haaaah!
As waves of true energy rippled outward in concentric circles, a masked man’s face was revealed.
“Lord Dam.”
“Who are you?”
When Dam Yoo Yeon asked, the masked man removed his mask.
Then appeared the dazzling visage of a young scholar whose eyes gleamed like morning sunlight.
“I am Heuk Pyo. I wonder if you remember me.”
“Heuk Pyo…”
Dam Yoo Yeon paused, searching through her memories, before her eyes widened in recognition.
“Don’t tell me… you’re that Heuk Pyo who served under Lord Bu?”
At Dam Yoo Yeon’s question, Heuk Pyo’s face brightened with a warm smile.
“Indeed. I’m honored you remember me.”
How could she forget?
In the past, Bu Eunseol had registered herself under the name Seol So and worked alongside Heuk Pyo as a wanderer at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
For a time, she had lived that wanderer’s life with him, traveling through Gangho.
Yet the Wanderer King who now made his name resound across Sae Oe was none other than that very Heuk Pyo?
“I trust you’ve been well all this time.”
“Thanks to your kindness. But what brings you here?”
Heuk Pyo regarded the bewildered Dam Yoo Yeon with respectful courtesy and spoke.
“Lord Bu said that she could not directly aid Lord Dam herself, so she instructed me to help instead.”
Do Cheon Rin and Dam Yoo Yeon exchanged glances, their mouths falling open.
In truth, Bu Eunseol had already received a complete report from So Yo regarding the situation at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
She understood that as the successor to the Demon Palace, she could not directly intervene or take action herself.
So rather than stepping forward personally,
she had moved the Wanderer King of Sae Oe—
Heuk Pyo—to aid Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
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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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