The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 606

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 606.
Bu Eunseol stared at Gong Son Dan Gyeong, her mind sinking into deep contemplation.
‘Then… could Mu Jon be Shin San Ja?’
Whether Jeong Cheon Je lived or died was crucial information that could completely overturn the landscape of Murim politics, yet truthfully, it held little importance for Bu Eunseol.
What truly mattered was whether Mu Jon and Shin San Ja were the same person.
‘This theory actually holds more credibility.’
Shin San Ja had given her the identity of Seon Woo Jin despite knowing she was the successor to Demon Palace.
That would have been possible only if he were Mu Jon rather than Jeong Cheon Je.
After all, Mu Jon had no foundation within the Murim Alliance.
Instead, he would have devised a strategy of using poison to counter poison—drawing her in as someone opposed to the Three Realms to eliminate internal enemies.
‘So that’s why he subjected me to so many trials.’
Shin San Ja had installed various mechanisms throughout Shaolin to test Bu Eunseol’s temperament and character.
‘Even if I were brought into the Murim Alliance, the Righteous Path sects must suffer no harm.’
This was the finest deduction Bu Eunseol could make at present.
In the end, it was highly probable that Shin San Ja was another identity of Mu Jon.
“Chief.”
After a moment of deliberation, Bu Eunseol opened her mouth to ask the question: ‘Is Mu Jon Shin San Ja?’
But she caught herself—vital truths one absolutely must know should never be heard from another’s lips.
This was a principle Ma Cheon Je had imparted to her.
Moreover, asking whether Shin San Ja and Mu Jon were the same person might arouse her suspicions unnecessarily.
It could even become the catalyst for her to see through Bu Eunseol’s true identity.
“Is it possible that Mu Jon holds another identity beyond being the Alliance Lord?”
In the end, Bu Eunseol posed her question indirectly.
“The fact that Mu Jon stands in for the Alliance Lord must be strictly confidential.”
She continued speaking calmly, her gaze fixed on Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes.
“Since Mu Jon has no foundation within the Alliance, he may well require another identity to handle various matters.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes flickered for a moment, but she shook her head.
“I handle those various matters on behalf of the Chief.”
And she added one more thing.
“Only I know that Mu Jon stands in for the Alliance Lord.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression betrayed disbelief.
A figure like Mu Jon could never have planned such matters alone with Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“Of course, Mu Jon could consult with someone privately or receive assistance on such matters.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke calmly, having seen through Bu Eunseol’s true thoughts.
“But I cannot know the extent of that.”
“Then those who ambushed Jeong Cheon Je within the Alliance must be forces of the Infinite Realm.”
Bu Eunseol posed another question.
“And that’s why you’ve been trying to deal with the Infinite Realm all along.”
“I’m not sure.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke calmly.
“I don’t see the necessity of explaining that to Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
“No, you must.”
“What did you say?”
“Depending on your answer, I’ll decide whether to stand with the Chief or not.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes grew cold, seemingly taken aback by Bu Eunseol’s sudden shift in demeanor.
“Does the Chief find me amusing now that I’ve continued this conversation?”
“The situation has changed.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“I now know the Murim Alliance’s greatest secret, and haven’t I also gained backing equal to the Chief’s?”
That backing was none other than Beok Goong Ryung, who had become a Sealed Immortal.
In truth, Beok Goong Ryung wielded power comparable to the position of Chief Inspector of the Murim Alliance.
Seon Woo Jin was known to have inherited a portion of his martial prowess.
With his name inscribed on the Monument of Heroes while still living,
even the Alliance Lord or Deputy Lord could not treat him carelessly—making him backing superior even to Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“Hehe. A satisfying answer indeed.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, who had maintained a cold expression, suddenly smiled.
“If Seon Woo Dae Ju had shown blind loyalty to me for the sake of the Alliance despite knowing such facts, I would certainly have grown suspicious.”
Every person harbors their own desires.
If Seon Woo Jin had risen to equal standing with me yet showed no such desires,
Gong Son Dan Gyeong would have felt deep suspicion toward him once more.
“That is precisely what I’m saying.”
Contrary to Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s now-favorable gaze, Bu Eunseol’s expression grew increasingly frigid.
“Even now, the Chief continues to suspect me, again and again.”
“….”
“Not even a moment has passed since you said we would end this tug-of-war of suspicion.”
Bu Eunseol continued, deliberately adopting an intense expression.
“Until now, I have made endless efforts to dispel the Chief’s suspicions.”
Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
“But there will be times when suspicion cannot be completely dispelled. In the end, this will repeat infinitely.”
“Hmm.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong fell silent.
Her family had been cruelly slaughtered by the Infinite Realm, and the children she had suffered alongside by the Jung Sun Ga.
From the day she entered the Gong Son family with Chu So’s help and finally came to understand the true power of the Infinite Realm and Jung Sun Ga,
she had trusted only herself, made her plans, and manipulated every situation.
Never once had she trusted another. Rather, she could not.
They existed everywhere.
She had suffered countless great defeats from carelessly trusting others.
But if what Bu Eunseol desired was trust, it was something she could never give.
“You’re right. The Chief doesn’t trust people. And I cannot suddenly grant trust to Seon Woo Dae Ju either.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong admitted it readily.
And she presented an utterly honest solution.
“But from now on, I won’t display any tone or attitude of suspicion in front of Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. I will never show such an attitude before Seon Woo Dae Ju. Unless clear evidence of betrayal emerges, that is.”
She spoke again, her eyes burning with sincerity.
“Can we leave it at this for now?”
In other words, she would harbor suspicions, but would neither voice such thoughts nor let them show on her face.
“Even if I do suspect, such doubts will merely circle within my own heart.”
It was an unconventional solution, admittedly.
Yet her gaze remained resolute. Her desire to sail the same ship as Bu Eunseol was genuine and desperate.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol reluctantly nodded.
She could sense the sincerity in Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s heart.
“I’m relieved.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong exhaled in relief.
Had she failed to win his trust, all her carefully laid plans could have unraveled.
“Then I should finish answering your earlier question.”
Since Bu Eunseol had demanded an answer, she would speak honestly.
“My grudge against the Infinite Realm is personal. It’s separate from Jeong Cheon Je’s injury or Mu Jon.”
“I see.”
From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, this was something she’d long suspected.
Yet there was a vast difference between suspecting it and hearing Gong Son Dan Gyeong speak it aloud.
“Shall we discuss the real matter now?”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong took a deep breath.
“What we must do going forward. And what Seon Woo Dae Ju must do to become the Lord.”
At last, the true discussion began.
As Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed, Gong Son Dan Gyeong continued.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju must have wondered why Mu Jon doesn’t remain within the Alliance and keeps entering seclusion repeatedly.”
“Of course he can’t stay in the Alliance. Jeong Cheon Je himself was ambushed.”
He continued speaking.
“And there are many within the Alliance who have served Jeong Cheon Je for years. If he continued to remain and conduct business, his identity could be exposed.”
“Exactly.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded.
“But there’s an even more serious problem. There could be more cases like Yong Ban Jeon Ju.”
Her gaze deepened with gravity.
“Mu Jon discovered that not only the Alliance, but figures from multiple branches including the Gu Pa Sect have been replaced with fakes.”
After a moment of silence, she continued.
“Mu Jon also suspects that the attack on Jeong Cheon Je itself may have been an attempt to plant a fake.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“If Jeong Cheon Je falls, the Alliance could be annihilated by the Demonic Path. So rather than eliminate Jeong Cheon Je, they sought to replace him with someone new.”
“No, it’s not that simple.”
Yet Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke with unexpected candor.
“Mu Jon believes there may be figures in the Three Realms comparable to Jeong Ma Ssang Cheon Je.”
“That hardly seems possible. If that were true…”
“Exactly. There are forces opposing the Three Realms as well.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
Wasn’t what Mu Jon was suggesting similar to the “tip of the iceberg” Yang Seol Rin had once mentioned?
“Nothing is certain. Mu Jon is simply considering various possibilities—even that the assassination attempt may not have been the Three Realms at all.”
“If Jeong Cheon Je was wounded, he must still live. Why not simply ask him directly?”
“From what Mu Jon said, it doesn’t seem like such a conversation is possible… He appears to be clinging to life by the thinnest thread.”
“So only Mu Jon knows Jeong Cheon Je’s whereabouts.”
“Yes. That’s why even the Chief can only accept this situation through words alone.”
Through her answer, Bu Eunseol finally understood.
Why would someone like Gong Son Dan Gyeong trust only Mu Jon’s words and not seek to see Jeong Cheon Je herself?
Why would Mu Jon, who had given her such tremendous support to assume the role of Alliance Leader,
tell her that no one could be trusted? Now the answer became clear.
If Jeong Cheon Je was barely clinging to life, even a child could easily end him.
Mu Jon could never reveal Jeong Cheon Je’s location to anyone—not even to Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“But the existence of someone comparable to Jeong Ma Ssang Cheon Je is merely speculation, is it not?”
Bu Eunseol, after a moment’s silence, posed another question.
“Regardless of how the assassination was carried out, only Ma Cheon Je and Sam Ma Sam Jon could possibly fell the foremost master of the Orthodox Path… Shouldn’t their movements be investigated first?”
“It already has been. Mu Jon confirmed the whereabouts of both Ma Cheon Je and Sam Ma Sam Jon at the time, but found no evidence of suspicion.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong sighed.
“That’s why he’s now considering the possibility of the Three Realms—and other forces as well.”
Only then could Bu Eunseol grasp the full picture.
If not Sam Ma Sam Jon, then perhaps the Three Realms. If so, the Three Realms’ power must be far greater than anticipated.
And if not the Three Realms either? Then there must exist forces capable of opposing them.
From Mu Jon’s perspective, he had no choice but to keep all possibilities open.
The victim of the assassination was none other than the Sky of the Righteous Path, Jeong Cheon Je—Sin Do Mu Bi, the foremost master of the Orthodox Sects.
“Are all your questions answered now?”
At Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s words, Bu Eunseol bowed her head.
“Yes. Thank you for your honest answers.”
“Then let’s return to the main point. In any case, Mu Jon has been traveling throughout Murim, apprehending fraudsters posing as genuine masters.”
“You believe they’re connected to the assassination of Jeong Cheon Je.”
“Correct. After extensive investigation within the Alliance yielded nothing, he shifted his focus in that direction.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong continued calmly.
“However, Mu Jon often finds it inappropriate to act directly, which causes him considerable difficulty.”
Bu Eunseol nodded faintly.
No matter how extraordinary Mu Jon’s martial prowess, if such a master were to move openly throughout Murim,
his actions and methods would inevitably be exposed.
Mu Jon, who held the critical position of Murim Alliance Lord, could absolutely never take such risks and wander away from the Murim.
“Then…”
“Exactly.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke calmly.
“Now Seon Woo Dae Ju can handle that task instead. And by faithfully completing such work, he can naturally ascend to the position of Branch Lord.”
Bu Eunseol, grasping the meaning behind her words, drew a deep breath.
Just as Gong Son Dan Gyeong had done, if Bu Eunseol protected Mu Jon’s secret and followed his orders… she too could naturally rise to the position of Branch Lord.
A soft rustling sound.
She withdrew a thin ledger and extended it toward Bu Eunseol.
“Then let’s begin with the Hua Shan Sect first.”
“The Hua Shan Sect?”
Bu Eunseol opened the ledger with a surprised expression.
It contained detailed information about Chae Ju Hong, an elder of the Hua Shan Sect.
“You’re saying the Hua Shan Sect elder is a fake?”
“We haven’t found conclusive evidence yet.”
“So an investigation is necessary.”
“That’s right.”
Bu Eunseol examined the contents of the ledger once more with careful attention.
It documented how Chae Ju Hong, the Hua Shan Sect elder, had secretly constructed a manor and indulged in mysterious pursuits.
However, the location where that manor was built remained unknown—they hadn’t even managed to determine where it was constructed.
“We’ve consistently sent outstanding intelligence agents, but none of the Team Members have returned.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong continued her explanation.
“Only the secret message left by the last Team Member who conducted the investigation remains.”
As Bu Eunseol turned the page of the ledger, a hastily scrawled secret message from the Murim Alliance was inserted there.
―The martial techniques he employs are extremely peculiar… and the black sword he wields surpasses the capabilities of the Divine Sword Codex.
‘The Black Divine Artifact?’
Upon reading the message, Bu Eunseol felt a strange intuition.
A weapon mentioned in the message that surpassed the capabilities of the Divine Sword Codex.
She had an intuition that it might be the Black Divine Artifact.
“Cryptic words indeed.”
“Exactly. What’s even more puzzling is how he’s managed to hide his headquarters and traces of his crimes for such an extended period.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong furrowed her brow.
“We still cannot determine his location, nor the frequency of his visits.”
Bu Eunseol stroked her chin thoughtfully.
In the end, nothing had been clearly revealed.
“Then I should conduct close surveillance on this Hua Shan Sect elder.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong handed over another thin ledger.
“Through the sacrifices of the female Team Members who infiltrated before, we’ve already determined the method of infiltration.”
“Female… Team Members?”
Bu Eunseol gazed at the book.
Her eyes widened in shock.
The Huashan Sect elder’s secret hobby, indulged in that hidden manor, was none other than the pursuit of beautiful women.
* * *
Seomseong, Fengshan. Bangyeji Temple.
This place was said to be blessed with the Buddha’s miraculous presence, and rumors spread that prayers offered here would grant wishes.
Because of this, countless pilgrims flocked here daily in endless streams.
Patter, patter.
Around noon, a woman with her hair pinned up was lighting incense inside Bangyeji Temple alongside her maidservant.
She entered the Daeung Hall and removed her veil.
In that instant, the interior of the temple seemed to brighten momentarily.
Her eyes gleamed with a brilliant, mysterious light like shattered gemstones.
Her skin was remarkably pale, and her lips held a rosy hue—as if gazing upon a crimson rose blooming upon a snow plain.
What stood out was a large scar faintly visible near her neck.
The purplish discoloration suggested it was a grave wound that had left a permanent mark.
Murmur, murmur.
She bowed before the Buddha statue, her expression grave and solemn as she earnestly whispered her prayer.
Whoosh, whoosh.
After completing her obeisance, the woman gestured to her maidservant.
“Shall we depart now?”
Nod.
The woman nodded lightly.
It appeared that the wound to her neck had damaged her vocal cords, leaving her unable to speak.
Patter, patter.
The two stepped outside the main hall, briefly surveyed the temple grounds, then departed Bangyeji Temple.
‘Hmm.’
At that moment, a middle-aged man who had been observing the woman’s profile as she passed through the gate nodded to himself.
‘Excellent.’
The middle-aged man had been watching her since she entered the Daeung Hall.
His name was Du Il Chung.
He was tasked with identifying beautiful women among the pilgrims visiting Bangyeji Temple and secretly abducting them.
‘Without even needing to take her pulse, I can tell she’s definitely premium quality.’
A sinister smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.
‘It’s unfortunate about her damaged vocal cords, but… that also provides a special kind of pleasure.’
Du Il Chung nodded and spoke quietly to a subordinate standing behind him.
“Follow her discreetly and investigate everything—where she lives, her background, all of it.”
“Understood.”
The subordinate secretly trailed after the woman.
Unaware—or perhaps aware—the woman walked along the narrow path beside her maidservant.
Yet when she sensed the faint presence of someone secretly following her, a faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips.
‘Caught.’
The beautiful woman was none other than Bu Eunseol in disguise.
According to the information Gong Son Dan Gyeong had provided.
At this Bangyeji Temple, there was supposedly a Chae Hong Agent constantly on standby, tasked with finding women who suited the tastes of Chae Ju Hong, an elder of the Hua Shan Sect.
―He prefers women with delicate, slender features and a gentle aura. Fair skin, a nose as dainty as a garlic clove, and large, innocent eyes….
According to the investigation by Team Members, Chae Ju Hong’s preferences were remarkably consistent.
However, all the exceptional operatives who had infiltrated thus far remained unaccounted for—a desperate situation.
Bu Eunseol had no choice but to disguise herself as a woman and devise a plan to infiltrate the secret manor that the Hua Shan Sect elder had established.
‘I had to conceal my voice, of course.’
I had mastered the Gyemyeong Guido technique perfectly, allowing me to mimic not only children and elderly people.
But also the voices of women across various ages.
Yet mimicry was merely mimicry.
If one listened to the voice long enough, inconsistencies could be detected.
Therefore, I had sought out a woman whose vocal cords were damaged, rendering her unable to speak.
And I was now executing a perfect performance by switching identities with her.
That night.
Du Il Chung received a letter from his subordinate filled with dense handwriting and nodded with a bright expression.
“Excellent.”
The woman’s name was Yu Seol.
She was the only daughter of a merchant in Fukken.
Apparently, while fleeing from bandits, she had been struck in the throat by a blade and lost her ability to speak.
Yet she had come to Bangyeji Temple to pray, hoping for a miracle to restore her voice.
‘No loose ends. Perfect.’
Her father, who ran a cloth shop, had no connections whatsoever to the martial arts world, and was quite advanced in age.
Even if she were abducted, there would be no complications.
‘Lately, even when I encounter women of exceptional beauty, I haven’t been able to touch them.’
Generally, strikingly beautiful women came from wealthy families.
Even a mere provincial notable typically had connections with martial arts figures and ties to the government.
A beauty from such a family? No matter how stunning, it would be absolutely impossible to abduct her.
‘This should be executed immediately.’
Dragging things out would only cause problems if she returned to Fukken.
Besides, the day for presenting the women was drawing near, so every hour counted.
“Time is short. Execute the plan tonight.”
At Du Il Chung’s command, the subordinates standing by bowed their heads and clasped their hands.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————