The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 589
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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 589.
Baek Ri Mu Jo spoke calmly.
“It seems you’ve blended some other sword technique into the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms.”
Bu Eunseol nodded with a slightly surprised expression.
“That’s correct.”
“Could it be you learned martial arts from Eun Rim Gak’s master?”
Admiration flickered in Baek Ri Mu Jo’s eyes.
“Otherwise, there’s no way you could transform the Orthodox Sects’ sword techniques to such a lethal level.”
‘Does the Lord not know the Sword of Soheon’s Circle?’
If Baek Ri Mu Jo was the murderer who killed my grandfather, he couldn’t possibly be ignorant of the Sword of Soheon’s Circle.
A flash of light crossed Bu Eunseol’s eyes, but she spoke calmly.
“That’s not it.”
“That can’t be.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo furrowed his brow.
“If it wasn’t him—the one who taught demonic sword techniques to masters of great righteousness—then who on earth transmitted such extraordinary sword knowledge to you?”
Bu Eunseol was inwardly shocked.
Until now, I had consistently heard that there was a master versed in demonic sword techniques within the Murim Alliance, and I had been curious about their identity.
But that person was Mok Do In, the master of Eun Rim Gak?
‘Then Shin San Ja’s words were incorrect?’
I had always believed that the murderer had either mastered the Sword of Soheon’s Circle or stolen its secrets.
The demonic sword technique that attacked my grandfather.
It was a distortion of the Sword of Soheon’s Circle transformed into a bizarre demonic sword art.
But Shin San Ja had said the murderer was likely one of the Seven Lords.
Because of this, I had focused solely on the Seven Lords.
‘But Mok Do In… it’s possible.’
As the administrator of Yeon Gak Do Jeon, Mok Do In had a high probability of having seen the Sword of Soheon’s Circle secrets.
Moreover, being proficient in various Orthodox Sects’ sword techniques and even capable of teaching demonic sword arts to masters of great righteousness… there was certainly a possibility he could be the murderer.
‘Then was the elder who escaped from the Namgung Family in the past Mok Do In?’
The elder who served as a spy for the Namgung Family also wielded sword techniques extremely similar to the scars left on my grandfather’s body.
‘All possibilities exist.’
Bu Eunseol, having organized her thoughts, answered.
“In truth, I happened to gain insights from secret techniques discovered while wandering Gangho, and I attempted to create a new Iron Sword Thirteen Forms based on those principles.”
“You created it anew? By yourself?”
“Yes.”
“If you can already pour forth such sword essence at this stage, then this Lord’s teachings would be meaningless.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo nodded.
“With your talent, you could become a great master of the sword who dominates Murim within ten years.”
His expression appeared pleased.
It was as if he were delighted that Seon Woo Jin possessed such exceptional skill.
It matched perfectly with the demeanor of the Holy Sword, the Lord of the Sungwi Unit, making it hard to believe he had been unleashing killing intent just moments before.
“I shall observe your future endeavors with great interest.”
“Thank you.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo nodded and spoke.
“You may return.”
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol turned, offering a respectful bow.
Click.
The moment she stepped beyond the office threshold, Baek Ri Mu Jo’s benevolent smile froze into an icy mask.
“The Heaven’s Heart Technique.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo smiled faintly.
“I wonder how many hidden disciples that man truly possesses.”
Bu Eunseol’s final gambit.
It was none other than Jeong Cheon Je’s secret technique—the Heaven’s Heart Technique.
During the final exchange of moves with Baek Ri Mu Jo, she had employed the Heaven’s Heart Technique to synchronize with his true qi circulation.
Of course, accounting for Seon Woo Jin’s capabilities.
She had deliberately suppressed the Heaven’s Heart Technique to its lowest efficacy, synchronizing only a fraction of his true qi flow.
“Pity. Had I captured that woman from the Yang Seol Family, I could have peered into all her suspicious secrets.”
Shaking his head, he murmured in a voice barely above a whisper.
“I fear your plans shall not come to fruition, Alliance Lord.”
Baek Ri Mu Jo’s lips curved into a confident yet savage smile as he recalled Jeong Cheon Je’s visage.
Thump, thump.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Bu Eunseol’s spine as she emerged from Cheonbyeong-gak.
‘That was far too close.’
From the office’s arrangement, Bu Eunseol had discerned that Baek Ri Mu Jo harbored profound suspicion toward Seon Woo Jin.
Even if she had completely resolved his doubts, he would have disposed of her without hesitation.
The Murim Alliance was a den of demons far worse than the Demon Palace.
Whether it was the coiled forces of the Three Realms or the machinations of the leadership seeking to preserve their existing power—
rising talents from below who displeased them were pruned without mercy.
There was no difference between the two.
Baek Ri Mu Jo had emanated killing intent, as though using martial training as a pretext to eliminate her.
Before arriving here, Bu Eunseol had anticipated all of this, and the moment Baek Ri Mu Jo’s sword momentum shifted,
she immediately invoked Jeong Cheon Je’s Heaven’s Heart Technique.
After all, the Murim Alliance Lord was Shin San Ja, who remained in seclusion, revealing himself only for matters of exceptional importance.
Yet in truth, he conducted martial activities in secret.
He possessed a disciple named Mu Gyeol, whose identity remained concealed from the world.
There was no way Baek Ri Mu Jo, the Sungwi Unit Lord, could be ignorant of these facts.
She had calculated that deploying the Heaven’s Heart Technique in a moment of crisis would lead Baek Ri Mu Jo to mistake her for the Alliance Lord’s disciple.
Even if Baek Ri Mu Jo possessed close relations with the Murim Alliance Lord and conveyed such information to him,
while Shin San Ja might marvel at her mastery of the Heaven’s Heart Technique, he would never expose Bu Eunseol’s true identity.
For the identity of Seon Woo Jin was one he himself had granted her.
‘But all of this was merely my speculation.’
The greatest concern was that Baek Ri Mu Jo might not sense the Nangya Heart Eye.
Though we had clashed once before in single combat, his martial prowess transcended the ordinary stages of martial arts.
I could not fathom what realm he had attained.
―No, he would surely sense it.
Ultimately, trusting my instincts, I made my decisive move.
And that gambit had paid off.
Crunch.
I bit my lip.
Baek Ri Mu Jo.
His first impression lived up to his epithet of the Holy Sword—gentle, serene, and possessing an inexplicable charm that drew others to him.
But it was all a mask.
To attempt eliminating such an unsettling figure under the pretense of a martial exhibition—was that not the very conduct of a Demonic Path practitioner pursuing tyranny?
It was no different from the actions of those who walked the path of demons.
‘I must also investigate Mok Do In, the lord of Eun Rim Gak.’
If, as Shin San Ja said, one of the Seven Lords was Hyung Su, who had harmed my grandfather, then he was currently the most suspicious.
‘I must find concrete evidence, and grow stronger.’
A chilling coldness emanated from my eyes.
Though we had not fought with our full strength, the final Holy Sword that Baek Ri Mu Jo had unleashed—
It was an absolute sword technique that had made me experience despair for the first time.
* * *
After concluding all business at the Murim Alliance, I emerged back into Gangho and switched to my Seo Jin Ha identity.
There was urgent news that demanded I leave immediately.
―A message has arrived from Sa Hon Dae.
Tae Mu Ryong discreetly conveyed the intelligence that had come from Sa Hon Dae.
Now all members of the Elite Division knew my true identity.
Therefore, instead of letters which carried high risk of exposure, they were relaying information directly through So Yo.
―It appears that Do Cheon Rin has located the gathering place of those who scattered the Demonic Swords, and is summoning the lords.
Remarkably, Do Cheon Rin had discovered the assembly point where those possessing Demonic Swords congregated.
The Secret Safe House of Demon Palace in Xian Prefecture.
“Sam Gye truly seems to gather remarkable individuals.”
Do Cheon Rin, facing me in the Secret Chamber, drew the sword from his waist with an expression of admiration and placed it upon the table.
It was the Demonic Sword he wielded—Hwan Ma’s Blade.
Perhaps from drinking deeply of countless enemies’ blood during the battle at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji, the blade gleamed with an eerie luminescence.
“I cannot fathom what one must do to make characters appear in such a manner.”
“Characters, you say?”
“Infuse your true energy into it.”
As I infused my true energy upon sensing something amiss, faint characters suddenly became visible upon the blade.
Murim至尊, 如果爾想, 來江沃地.
The characters were extremely faint and written in a flowing script like wind-swept brushstrokes, requiring me to gaze intently with enhanced vision for a considerable time.
“So you’re saying they went to Gang Og Ji.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with recognition.
Gang Og Ji—a den where vagrants and criminals gathered to nest.
“Presumably so.”
Do Cheon Rin, arms crossed, gazed down at the Hwan Ma Sword and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“But no matter how I think about it, something doesn’t add up.”
“What do you mean?”
“If this is a genuine demonic blade, then they’ve collected numerous demonic swords scattered throughout Murim and orchestrated something this extraordinary.”
Do Cheon Rin furrowed his brow as he spoke.
“Why would a faction with such power scatter demonic blades and go through such a convoluted process? If they wanted something, they could locate any person instantly.”
“We’ll need to investigate.”
“Investigate.”
Do Cheon Rin murmured softly, his eyes flashing with sudden intensity.
“Why not lead the Demon Palace’s armies there instead? We could uproot this faction that’s been toying with Murim in one stroke.”
“That won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“Because this place isn’t Gwi Il Gye’s true headquarters.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with measured calm.
“If it were their main base, they would never inscribe its location on a demonic blade that could be possessed by anyone.”
“If it’s not their headquarters, then…”
“It’s likely a testing ground of sorts. A place to verify whether candidates meet their criteria or to assess their suitability.”
“Hmm. You could be right about that.”
Do Cheon Rin smacked his lips.
“I’ve always believed I was second to none in strategy and cunning, but whenever I see you, I feel like a fool.”
“There’s no need for self-reproach. I’ve simply clashed with Sam Gye multiple times until now, so I understand their methods and tactics better than most.”
“Hmm.”
Do Cheon Rin exhaled a long sigh.
Sam Gye had always manipulated the martial sects from the shadows, bending them to their will.
Even my father, Do Mu Jeok—a peerless swordmaster who had nothing to fear in all Tianxia—deliberately ignored them.
In my childhood, I once asked Do Mu Jeok why he didn’t eliminate them.
―They are like air itself. They cannot be eliminated, and even if they were, they would inevitably be recreated.
The expression on Do Mu Jeok’s face as he explained was deeply troubled and conflicted.
After that day, I no longer questioned their existence.
If the patriarch Do Mu Jeok said such a thing, then nothing would change regardless.
But Bu Eunseol was different.
She confronted head-on the very faction that even my father—a master swordsman who dominated Tianxia and was said to rival the Sword Demon—had deliberately turned away from, slowly, methodically destroying it piece by piece.
‘I have no choice but to see this through to the end.’
Do Cheon Rin resolved inwardly.
I don’t know how Bu Eunseol’s journey will end, but I swear I will stand beside her until that day comes.
“So what do you plan to do?”
“I’ll go to Gang Og Ji myself.”
“Then you’ll need to take my sword.”
“That was my initial plan.”
“What do you mean?”
Bu Eunseol drew in a deep breath.
“I don’t believe they scattered the swords randomly throughout Murim. They’ve likely already identified who possesses each blade.”
“Even so, we can use misdirection.”
“Misdirection isn’t infallible. If I take the Hwan Ma Sword and an unavoidable battle erupts there? If even one of their operatives survives?”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost gravity.
“Gwi Il Gye will immediately suspect you and pursue you.”
Gwi Il Gye—known as the most terrifying of the Three Realms.
In the end, Bu Eunseol was simply worried that Do Cheon Rin might fall into danger.
“Enough.”
Do Cheon Rin exhaled sharply and waved his hand dismissively.
“Did you think I joined hands with you without such resolve?”
“This is my burden, and I’m merely asking for your assistance. If anyone must be sacrificed in this process… I’d rather abandon it altogether.”
Do Cheon Rin’s expression grew complicated.
I had heard much of his conduct over these years, and experienced it firsthand as well.
When Jeok Cheon Mak Ji faced crisis, he outwardly feigned indifference.
Yet in truth, hadn’t he protected and safeguarded them with meticulous care?
‘His heart is far too tender.’
Bu Eunseol is now one of the pivotal figures moving the Ma Do Cheon Ha.
Those great masters who govern the realm must inevitably abandon the small to seize the great.
Yet he still…
cherished those around him more than his own life, driven forward solely by the flame of vengeance.
‘It cannot be helped.’
Yu Woon Ryong and Seo Jin Ha merely follow Bu Eunseol blindly with their loyalty; they lack the capacity to reshape his tender heart.
Only I can transform Bu Eunseol.
‘I have no choice but to help.’
Having resolved this inwardly, Do Cheon Rin nodded.
“Very well. Assuming you go yourself. What comes next?”
“Do you remember those you fought before?”
Grasping Bu Eunseol’s meaning, Do Cheon Rin smiled faintly.
“Ah, yes. They all fell from the cliff.”
“Precisely. Since that place was remote and secluded… the fallen sword likely remains there.”
Do Cheon Rin, listening thoughtfully, shook his head.
“But there’s a chance the inscriptions on each sword point to different locations.”
The number of demonic swords scattered by the Three Realms was considerable. Thus, there was a possibility the inscriptions could be exposed externally.
Considering that, Gwi Il Gye would not have designated only Gang Og Ji as the destination.
“If they unified it into a single location, knowing just the information would draw everyone there.”
“That would make sense.”
“Moreover, even if we obtained a different demonic blade, preliminary work would be necessary.”
The reason characters suddenly appeared on Do Cheon Rin’s Hwan Ma Sword.
It was because I had slaughtered countless enemies at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
Which meant that even if we obtained another demonic blade… we would need to repeat that same level of carnage.
“No, there must be another way.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with conviction.
“After hearing your account, I continued to ponder. Did Gwi Il Gye truly awaken the characters through mass slaughter?”
“What do you mean?”
“What they wanted was conflict between demonic blade wielders themselves.”
“That’s true.”
“If characters appeared on the blade through mass killing, the blade’s owner could potentially be branded as a Murim criminal.”
Do Cheon Rin nodded.
This battle was a confrontation between two sects—Jeok Cheon Mak Ji and Huk Ki Hoe.
For ordinary Murim practitioners, experiencing large-scale combat was rare.
“I see.”
Do Cheon Rin nodded again.
An organization like Sam Gye would certainly not overlook such considerations.
“Then the characters appearing on the demonic blade wasn’t because I killed numerous enemies in the Jeok Cheon Mak Ji battle… but because I fulfilled some condition they created?”
“Exactly. That’s why they made the demonic blade users fight each other.”
“Hmm.”
Do Cheon Rin nodded, lost in deep contemplation.
I desperately tried to recall the circumstances of the Jeok Cheon Mak Ji battle.
“Then…”
Do Cheon Rin spoke as if something had occurred to me.
“It seems they desire the blood of masters above a certain level.”
Do Cheon Rin’s eyes suddenly gleamed with realization.
“When I cut down all of Chung Bi Geom Dae, the Hwan Ma Sword reacted particularly violently.”
“The blood of masters.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“That could very well be it.”
The struggle between demonic blade wielders was itself a process of seeking out masters.
Making the blade respond to the blood of those slain above a certain threshold would be the most logical condition.
“But it’s only speculation.”
Do Cheon Rin shook my head, lacking certainty.
“The meaning of ‘masters’ blood’ is too abstract. The very idea that they could distinguish such things doesn’t make sense.”
“It could very well be possible for them.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“Looking at the Infinite Realm alone, they created actual Inhwa that had only been passed down through legend, and accomplished the impossible feat of human modification. Creating conditions for characters to appear on a blade should be within their capabilities.”
“Through great techniques or mystical arts?”
“Perhaps.”
“Hmm.”
Do Cheon Rin fell silent.
As the successor to the Ten Demonic Gates, he had studied and learned much.
Because of this, he understood well how absurdly powerful and functional great techniques and mystical arts could be.
“Well, that’s fine.”
Do Cheon Rin, brushing aside his cascading thoughts, spoke with resolve.
“First, let’s search for the demonic blade again.”
Bu Eunseol headed toward the cliff where she and Do Cheon Rin had slain the three demonic blade wielders back then.
Surely one of the demonic blades had fallen over the precipice at that time—if fortune favored them, they could recover it.
“There it is.”
Do Cheon Rin, conducting a thorough search below the cliff, let out an exclamation.
The demonic blade hadn’t fallen to the cliff’s base but was wedged deeply between protruding rocks.
Though the hilt was barely visible, his innate spiritual sensitivity allowed him to locate the demonic blade’s aura with ease.
*Scrape.*
Do Cheon Rin retrieved the demonic blade from the rocky crevice and climbed back up the cliff.
“Hmm.”
Do Cheon Rin examined the demonic blade carefully in the sunlight.
Despite enduring wind and rain all this time, the blade still gleamed with a sharp luster.
“It’s the Wol Young Ma Geom of Wol Young Ma Jon. So that’s why it unleashed crescent-shaped sword energy back then.”
“Let me test it.”
Bu Eunseol, taking the demonic blade from Do Cheon Rin, unhesitatingly drew it across her forearm.
*Slice.*
The demonic blade instantly absorbed and evaporated the blood flowing from Bu Eunseol’s forearm.
The blade trembled faintly before beginning to emit a mysterious radiance.
“Indeed.”
Do Cheon Rin exclaimed.
From merely a scratch on the forearm, it unleashed such radiance in an instant.
*Hum.*
Yet the demonic blade only trembled faintly; no characters appeared.
“It seems insufficient.”
Bu Eunseol deepened the wound, letting more blood flow.
The blade’s radiance intensified. Yet still, no characters manifested.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol finally pressed the blade deep, drawing fresh blood.
“Stop. You mustn’t continue.”
Do Cheon Rin immediately restrained Bu Eunseol.
The blood she had shed must have amounted to at least a basin’s worth.
Yet the demonic blade showed no restraint, ceaselessly demanding more blood.
“Why not have your subordinates provide blood instead?”
“If that happens, all of Sayeong Hall’s subordinates will learn about the Demonic Sword.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head firmly and spoke in a measured tone.
“If the light has grown this bright, characters should appear soon. Let’s try a bit longer.”
But no matter how much blood I shed, the light only intensified while the characters remained hidden.
“This might not be just one person.”
Do Cheon Rin, struck by a sudden realization, seized the sword.
“You’re stronger than me, but what if I add my blood to the mix?”
He immediately grasped the sword and began feeding it his blood.
Sizzle…
As Do Cheon Rin’s blood saturated the blade, the light flowing from the sword’s spirit grew far more vivid.
And at that very moment, delicate characters began to gradually reveal themselves.
“So it required the blood of two people after all.”
Do Cheon Rin nodded with a relieved expression.
It seemed the Demonic Sword’s condition was that it needed two or more masters of considerable strength.
―Lengyue Island.
The moment the characters appeared, Bu Eunseol and Do Cheon Rin exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with understanding.
Indeed, each Demonic Sword bore its location engraved in a different place.
In the end, the Three Realms was not selecting all Demonic Sword owners at once.
Instead, it was summoning them to different locations as each one’s conditions were fulfilled.
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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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