The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 619

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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 619.
In the north, Shaolin is revered; in the south, Wudang is honored.
The north venerates Shaolin’s martial arts, while the south respects Wudang’s teachings.
Thus, the Orthodox Sects have long been sustained by both Shaolin and Wudang across generations.
Yet in this era, the Wudang Sect had adopted a remarkably low profile.
They no longer dispatched disciples into Gangho, and even Song Ak, who had been active as a master, was summoned back to Wudang Mountain for quiet cultivation.
In truth, this was done to quietly accumulate strength, knowing the current state of Murim was turbulent.
But to outsiders, it merely appeared as though they had withdrawn from Murim affairs, living in leisurely seclusion.
Bu Eunseol, Beok Goong Ryung, and Song Ak were ascending Wudang Mountain, having just descended from their carriage.
As they passed through beautiful landscapes of winding streams and lush forests, Daoist halls shrouded in thin mist came into view.
Wudang Mountain, structured around seventy-two peaks with the main peak being Cheon Ju Peak, was
adorned with countless Daoist halls forming vast architectural complexes.
Upon entering, a white-haired Daoist emerged to greet Beok Goong Ryung, as if Ji Gaek Do In had sent word in advance.
It was Young Heo Ja, an elder of the Wudang Sect who had demonstrated righteousness during Hyul Geum Gang’s atonement journey in the past.
“Welcome, Sovereign.”
Young Heo Ja bowed respectfully toward Beok Goong Ryung.
“We are deeply honored by your visit to our humble sect.”
“I merely joined the Murim Alliance by circumstance. Call me as you did before, without formality.”
Young Heo Ja smiled gently as he spoke.
“How could I dare do so, now that you are Sovereign of the Murim Alliance?”
He paused for a moment, then exhaled a heavy sigh and lowered his head.
“I am only ashamed that we must trouble you with such a matter.”
Disciples of the Wudang Sect held prominent positions throughout Murim, the Merchant Realm, and Gwan Bu.
Therefore, the Wudang Sect had no need to seek external aid, and could easily summon countless influential figures if required.
Yet the reason they sought help only from Beok Goong Ryung was singular.
Despite roaming Murim alone for decades, he had not cultivated extensive connections with its figures.
And he was known for his discretion—never speaking of what he witnessed or heard, nor spreading rumors.
“Do not worry.”
Beok Goong Ryung, understanding Young Heo Ja’s concerns, nodded.
“What transpires here shall never reach the outside world.”
“But who is that young man?”
Only then did Young Heo Ja gesture toward the man standing beside Song Ak.
It was Bu Eunseol, currently disguised as Seol So.
“He is my disciple.”
“Your disciple… you say?”
Young Heo Ja could not hide his bewilderment.
Beok Goong Ryung was known to stand alone in Murim, never taking disciples.
Yet he suddenly arrives with a disciple? At such a critical gathering, no less.
“Your disciple Seol So greets Immortal Young Heo Ja.”
“He has lived as a wanderer for a long time without revealing his status as my disciple.”
Young Heo Ja’s displeasure became evident.
If he brought his disciples here, wouldn’t there be a risk of the secret leaking out?
Beok Goong Ryung, having discerned Young Heo Ja’s thoughts, quickly continued.
“I stake my honor as No Bu upon this promise. Whatever circumstances surround the Wudang Sect, not a whisper of its inner workings shall ever escape these walls.”
“But….”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.
“I have lived as a wanderer for over a decade without uttering a word about being the Master’s disciple.”
Bu Eunseol, clasping her hands together, spoke respectfully with earnest eyes.
“Would you not trust me based on that alone?”
As Bu Eunseol stepped forward at the opportune moment, Beok Goong Ryung quickly added a word.
“This one has cultivated the Inner Qi Explosion Technique to the seventh star level and beyond, and possesses a remarkably keen intellect. She will surely prove invaluable in this matter.”
Tan Wang’s Inner Qi Explosion Technique was a method that had reached the pinnacle of internal martial arts, requiring formidable inner power to sustain.
Yet this youth, who appeared to be barely thirty years old, had cultivated the Inner Qi Explosion Technique—a technique that shook all under heaven—to the seventh star level and beyond?
She must surely possess extraordinary talent.
“I see.”
Thinking about it, the fact that Song Ak had brought her all at once meant he had already heard the circumstances beforehand.
Given that she was Beok Goong Ryung’s disciple and a wanderer, she would possess far broader knowledge than ordinary Gangho figures.
Young Heo Ja nodded reluctantly.
“If we can resolve this matter, that would be best.”
The two entered Ja So Gung under Young Heo Ja’s guidance.
Before Ja So Jeon, the main hall, they received an audience with Young Cheong Ja, the Sect Leader of Wudang.
“Master, you have come in person.”
Young Cheong Ja greeted Beok Goong Ryung with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
It was likely the shame of having failed to resolve this matter as Sect Leader.
“Do not worry yourself, Sect Leader.”
Beok Goong Ryung spoke with confidence.
“I shall swiftly uncover the connection and resolve this matter.”
“I am grateful.”
Young Cheong Ja was well aware of how extensively knowledgeable Beok Goong Ryung was, having walked the Gangho unrivaled.
The reason Young Heo Ja and Song Ak had agreed to summon him was precisely because they trusted in Beok Goong Ryung’s vast learning.
“Then let us begin at once.”
Beok Goong Ryung took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
“We must resolve this quickly.”
* * *
Beok Goong Ryung and Bu Eunseol began a thorough investigation of the Wudang Sect.
As Song Ak had said, the elders of Wudang were taking turns falling into sleepwalking.
The problem was that upon waking from their dreams, they remembered nothing of their actions.
―Sleepwalking could not occur in rotation like this.
Sensing that something was amiss, Bu Eunseol and Beok Goong Ryung began a thorough investigation of Wudang Mountain and its surroundings.
At night, they waited to observe the sleepwalking elders. But for two days, nothing unusual occurred.
By the fourth night.
Around the third watch, Song Ak hurried to the place where the two were staying.
“It has begun!”
Bu Eunseol and Beok Goong Ryung exchanged glances and quickly headed outside.
As they approached Sam Cheong Jeon, dozens of Daoists stood before it, while an elderly man in thin robes staggered about on one side.
He was none other than Young Jin Ja, an elder of the Wudang Sect.
“He won’t wake even if we try to rouse him?”
To Beok Goong Ryung’s question, Song Ak whispered softly in reply.
“He does wake if forced, but the symptoms don’t improve. Shall we try waking him?”
“Mm, let us observe for now.”
Beok Goong Ryung and I followed quietly as Young Jin Ja staggered about.
‘My, my.’
After wandering for some time, Young Jin Ja began clawing at the earth beneath a tree.
Soon, several large centipedes were caught in his hands.
“Crunch, crunch.”
Without hesitation, Young Jin Ja brought the centipedes to his mouth and began chewing them.
For a while, he caught all the centipedes hiding beneath the tree and shoved them into his mouth.
Yet his belly seemed unsatisfied, and his vacant gaze continued to scan the surroundings.
Flap.
Then, above the tree where Young Jin Ja stood, a large bird suddenly began to flutter.
A hidden owl spread its wings and flew away to the other side.
Whoosh!
But Young Jin Ja swiftly unleashed a finger strike.
Thud.
The owl struck by the finger strike plummeted to the ground in an instant.
Thud, thud.
Young Jin Ja began walking slowly toward the fallen owl.
His face was expressionless, yet it was clear that once the owl was caught, he would tear it apart with his teeth and swallow it.
“Shouldn’t we stop him now?”
As Song Ak whispered, Beok Goong Ryung was about to nod when—
“No, we must watch until the end.”
I, disguised as Seol So, spoke in a low voice.
“Didn’t the elders say they perform the exact same actions?”
As Song Ak blinked, I continued.
“We must observe to the end if we are to find the answer.”
At my words, Song Ak reluctantly nodded.
Crunch! Tear!
In the meantime, Young Jin Ja began tearing and devouring the owl with his teeth.
After watching this for a while, I narrowed my eyes.
‘It’s not meat.’
Young Jin Ja appeared to be frantically devouring the owl.
Yet in truth, as he tore away feathers and skin with his teeth, he was only greedily gulping down the blood that flowed forth.
Thud.
Young Jin Ja chewed the owl to pieces with his teeth, then began staggering back toward the Do Gwan.
“Perhaps it would be wise to awaken the True Cultivator now and have him wash himself.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Beok Goong Ryung spoke.
“Yes, we have witnessed all. Let us awaken the True Cultivator now.”
Rumble.
At Beok Goong Ryung’s command, the young cultivators who had been watching began shaking Young Jin Ja awake.
“No.”
Upon awakening in that state, Young Jin Ja—
—saw the blood and feathers caked around his mouth and covering his robes, and his sanity shattered.
“So I was like this too.”
Once he regained his senses, he looked around before bolting away to wash himself.
“Do you have any notion why this is happening?”
At Young Heo Ja’s question, Beok Goong Ryung swallowed hard.
Despite watching throughout, it remained only grotesque. He could discern nothing whatsoever.
「What of you—do you perceive anything?」
Beok Goong Ryung transmitted his voice to Bu Eunseol.
In truth, even Bu Eunseol had never witnessed such a case, nor could she identify any peculiarity.
Had she not heard the elders speak of this occurring repeatedly among themselves—
—she would have dismissed it as merely severe sleepwalking.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol shook her head faintly.
「We must observe once more to understand.」
“It seems we must verify this once more.”
At Beok Goong Ryung’s words, the cultivators of the Wudang Sect nodded with grave expressions.
The next day passed quietly.
But when the day after came, this time the sleepwalking seized Young Song Ja.
Yet this time, at Bu Eunseol’s instruction, Beok Goong Ryung awakened Young Song Ja immediately.
Thus Young Song Ja, who had been wandering the mountain in frenzy, regained his senses at once and returned to the Do Gwan.
As dawn broke, Bu Eunseol sent a secret transmission to Beok Goong Ryung.
“Is that so?”
After listening to Bu Eunseol’s account for some time, Beok Goong Ryung’s eyes gleamed as if he had grasped something.
“No Bu shall investigate this himself.”
As Beok Goong Ryung departed, Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath and gazed out the window.
Her eyes sparkled ceaselessly, as though she were contemplating something without pause.
‘I have a rough sense of why the elders are afflicted with sleepwalking.’
Having observed the elders for several days, I had already discerned the reason for their sleepwalking.
And I had come to realize that all of this was an intentional act perpetrated by someone.
‘But why?’
Yet the fundamental reason behind these strange occurrences remained elusive.
Click.
The door opened, and two figures entered—a gaunt-faced Daoist and an elderly man with silver-streaked hair.
It was Song Ak and Beok Goong Ryung.
“Your suspicion was correct.”
He had come at Bu Eunseol’s request to assess Young Jin Ja’s physical condition.
“The body shows no abnormalities, but the vital essence within has been significantly depleted.”
Beok Goong Ryung’s expression betrayed utter bewilderment.
“How did you discern that their vital essence had been drained?”
Vital essence is the primordial source from which all things arise, the very breath that sustains life.
The elders afflicted by sleepwalking had all suffered severe depletion of this essence.
“Our sect has conducted thorough examinations of their bodies, yet we detected no such critical damage to their vital essence.”
Song Ak inquired with evident curiosity.
“How is this possible?”
“It is quite logical, actually.”
With three others present in the chamber, Bu Eunseol spoke in her natural manner, her tone measured.
“When the elders were first discovered wandering at night, they likely underwent no thorough pulse diagnosis. After all, everyone assumed it was merely ordinary sleepwalking.”
“That would be reasonable.”
“But once they began exhibiting such bizarre behavior—drinking blood and acting strangely—surely someone would have suspected something amiss and conducted a proper examination?”
“Yes, that follows.”
Beok Goong Ryung nodded, understanding dawning upon him.
“By then, they had already consumed blood, so their vital essence would have been partially replenished.”
“Precisely.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in agreement.
I had observed that Young Jin Ja, when consuming centipedes and owls, did not chew their flesh.
He sought only their blood and vital fluids.
The Wudang Sect does not forbid meat consumption.
Yet elders of such standing typically cultivate Daoist secrets like the Jade Dew True Qi, and thus abstain from meat as much as possible.
This practice, regardless of age, renders the body robust—yet paradoxically, it becomes like that of a child who has never experienced desire.
Should such an elder suffer seminal loss through intimate relations or self-indulgence,
a considerable portion of their vital essence would be irrevocably lost.
Moreover, the fastest means of replenishing vital essence is blood consumption.
In other words, by drawing the blood of other creatures, one can restore a measure of vital essence.
“But why?”
Beok Goong Ryung shook his head.
“The elders and senior disciples of the Spirit Child Assembly are all masters who have deeply cultivated Daoist secrets. Surely they have not indulged in self-pleasure or carnal relations at their advanced age?”
“That would be absurd.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with composure.
“Someone has been covertly siphoning the vital essence from these elders.”
“Their vital essence was drained? Are you saying the elders were possessed by a virgin ghost?”
Excluding masturbation or intercourse.
It was known that a man lost his vital essence only when bewitched by spirits.
Then could it truly be that the elders were possessed by ghosts or malevolent entities?
“That does have merit.”
Though Bu Eunseol answered as if joking, Beok Goong Ryung regarded Song Ak with a serious expression.
“Can the Wudang Sect use talismans and chant incantations to drive away demons?”
Song Ak could not hide his bewilderment, dark circles forming beneath his eyes.
“Our sect possesses no such secret techniques.”
“Yet you claim to be a Taoist—surely you can at least recite an incantation to ward off minor spirits?”
“That would be the domain of the Moshan Sect’s Taoists.”
While the two continued their trivial exchange,
I found something peculiar.
Bu Eunseol contemplated deeply.
There must be another method to absorb human vital essence.
The Infinite Realm extracts human essence and blood to manufacture Essence Elixir.
But even they merely extract blood to harvest vital essence.
To extract the vital essence from a healthy person was impossible.
Moreover, those who fell ill with sleepwalking on Wudang Mountain were all elders of the Wudang Sect with exceptional martial prowess, were they not?
No matter how I considered it, such a method or tool could not possibly exist…
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened as she murmured softly.
A tool?
She recalled the protective artifact of Chae Ju Hong, the Sect Master of the Hua Shan Sect.
The Black Divine Artifact.
Bu Eunseol pressed her forehead.
If the Black Divine Artifact possessed such absurd functions, could it not also have the ability to absorb human vital essence?
“Could you bring me my sword now?”
Before entering the Taoist temple, Bu Eunseol had entrusted her Muk Hon Sword to Ji Gaek Do In.
The Sword Dissolution Pool, where weapons were left before ascending Wudang Mountain, no longer existed.
Bu Eunseol had left her weapon with Song Ak as a gesture of respect for the Wudang Sect.
“Have you identified the culprit?”
Song Ak asked eagerly, but Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“Not yet. But to uncover the cause, I believe I shall need my sword.”
“The cause through a sword?”
“Indeed.”
Beok Goong Ryung and Song Ak blinked in confusion.
Could it be that the iron sword Bu Eunseol always carried possessed some mystical power to ward off malevolent spirits?
“Trust me on this. If my suspicion proves correct, we may yet find the answer.”
Bu Eunseol was not one to speak nonsense.
Song Ak, realizing there was indeed a method to her reasoning, nodded in agreement.
“I shall bring the sword at once.”
Song Ak, protecting the Do Gwan, immediately brought the Muk Hon Sword to Bu Eunseol.
With the Muk Hon Sword at her side, Bu Eunseol began visiting each Do Gwan where the elders were staying.
‘The Muk Hon Sword will surely react.’
The Black God’s Instrument does not respond like a demonic sword when in close proximity.
However, through the wrist guard that Chae Ju Hong possessed, I had confirmed that the Muk Hon Sword was not a Killing Sword.
It could be a Killing God’s Instrument instead.
What if the Black God’s Instrument existed within Wudang?
And if it had been used to torment the elders?
Surely the Muk Hon Sword would react.
Bu Eunseol examined every room where the elders stayed. Unfortunately, the Black God’s Instrument was not detected.
‘Could I have been mistaken?’
Bu Eunseol shook her head and turned to leave the Ja So Gung.
Zing.
Yet a faint and subtle aura was felt.
It was a low, delicate resonance as the Muk Hon Sword rang out softly.
Bu Eunseol approached where the Muk Hon Sword was pointing.
The direction led to none other than the Sang Bang, where the Wudang Sect’s robes were stored.
“Can you examine that place?”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Song Ak nodded.
Upon entering the Sang Bang, Daoist robes and various furnishings lay scattered about.
Zing.
As Bu Eunseol drew near the robes, the Muk Hon Sword emitted a subtle vibration.
‘So that was it.’
At last, Bu Eunseol understood.
The Muk Hon Sword was reacting only to the robes worn by Young Jin Ja and Young Song Ja, not ordinary Daoist garments.
In other words, I had not found the wielder of the Black God’s Instrument, but had discovered the aura left by its use.
Which meant…
Just like Chae Ju Hong, a Huashan Sect elder, someone had infiltrated under the guise of a Wudang disciple and was draining the vital essence of the elders using the Black God’s Instrument.

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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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