The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 626
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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 626.
The Yin-Yang Grand Technique.
It was a supreme method capable of awakening latent potential through the union of man and woman, or healing a body on the brink of death, among other functions.
The problem was that to practice the Yin-Yang Grand Technique, both man and woman had to be virgins.
“Are you serious?” I asked.
“Half serious?”
As I furrowed my brow, Bi Yeon laughed as if she had expected this reaction.
“I’m joking. How could this old woman dare covet a young hero like you?”
After chuckling, she composed herself and spoke solemnly.
“Stay here with me and cultivate yourself. Then you’ll be able to ascend the Tower.”
“For a hundred days?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of cultivation are you talking about?”
“First, you must purify your body and mind.”
Bi Yeon drew a deep breath.
“All the barriers within the Tower cannot be broken by force—they exist in the realm of enlightenment.”
“So it’s not like a formation, but rather a spell barrier?”
“It’s somewhat different from those. Think of it as utilizing the forces of nature.”
And she added one more thing.
“By the way, even if you construct a mental barrier, it won’t help. Because it’s not an illusion.”
Remarkably, Bi Yeon seemed to have deduced that once I reached the state of Spiritual Mastery, neither illusions nor mind-affecting techniques would work on me.
“You have such formidable martial prowess that you can suppress Seok Chi Haeng. If you study the principles of martial arts for enlightenment just a bit more deeply, you should be able to do it.”
“I have no intention of studying martial arts here. I don’t have time for such things.”
“To ascend the Tower, you must possess both martial techniques and spiritual strength capable of overcoming the functions of the Black Divine Technique. Otherwise, you cannot even approach it.”
Bi Yeon spoke calmly.
“I mentioned a hundred days precisely because I know you possess exceptional talent. Ordinary people could not reach that Tower even if they tried for a hundred years.”
It was a statement difficult to comprehend at first glance.
The Black Divine Technique itself possessed functions that transcended the boundaries of martial arts.
Yet she claimed I needed martial techniques and spiritual strength to surpass them?
“Is Rim Ju definitely in the Tower?”
I felt a moment of doubt.
“If he were such a remarkable person, wouldn’t it be unnecessary to set up such layered traps?”
“Does it sound like a lie?”
“If that were the case, Rim Ju would have to deactivate the mechanisms every time he climbed the Tower. Wouldn’t that be rather inconvenient?”
“There’s an easy way to deactivate all of them.”
“Regardless, I must decline.”
I spoke plainly.
“I am quite knowledgeable about mechanical formations. I can disarm traps without needing to break through them, so let’s skip the cultivation.”
“That won’t work, I’m telling you.”
“Well, that’s just not going to work.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed to slits.
She sensed that Bi Yeon was hiding something from her.
“Then negotiations have failed.”
Bu Eunseol turned away coldly.
“I’ll ascend the Tower on my own terms. Do not interfere.”
“Fine. Do as you wish.”
Bi Yeon watched Bu Eunseol’s retreating form, a playful smile dancing at the corners of her lips.
“Unless you wish to wear the Mask of Oblivion for the rest of your life.”
Bu Eunseol stopped and turned back.
She had grasped that the Mask of Oblivion referred to this circular iron mask.
“You cannot remove it without my power.”
Bu Eunseol grasped the iron mask and attempted to lift it.
Immediately, a searing pain tore through her skull.
It felt as though invisible needles protruded from the mask, stitching flesh and blood vessels together.
“Did you truly believe I placed the Mask of Oblivion upon you out of mere goodwill?”
“There is no way to remove it?”
“Do not worry.”
Bi Yeon spoke with unhurried ease.
“Train with me for one hundred days, and I shall release you immediately.”
“I do not have such time.”
“That is not my concern.”
“I despise repeating myself.”
“Will you resort to force?”
Bi Yeon flicked her finger with a sharp snap.
Immediately, Bu Eunseol’s throat constricted, and breathing became difficult.
Like the golden fillet that the Tripitaka Master used to control Sun Wukong, the Mask of Oblivion responded to Bi Yeon’s will, strangling Bu Eunseol’s breath.
“Do not mistake my desire for death as a sign of weakness compared to you.”
Thud, thud, thud.
Even as an unknown force tightened around her throat, Bu Eunseol spoke with icy composure.
“You have made the worst choice.”
Crack.
In an instant, she unleashed a piercing wind strike to seal Bi Yeon’s vital points, then injected a razor-sharp counter-force into the Mingmen acupoint.
Whoosh.
As the force flooded in, scalding tears poured from Bi Yeon’s eyes.
The Mingmen acupoint was the nexus of the nervous system.
It governed the original qi and was meant to be struck with pure force to save a life.
Conversely, injecting sharp force here would immediately cause excruciating pain radiating from the spine.
The slightest miscalculation would transform it into a death point, severing all breath in an instant.
“Tell me how to remove the mask.”
Yet her expression remained utterly unmoved.
I was injecting Anti-Extreme True Qi into Bu Eunseol’s meridians, thinner and sharper than a needle.
The agony transcended anything a human body could endure.
Yet she bore it in silence, not uttering a single cry.
“What lies within that tower? What do you truly want from me?”
Despite my relentless questions, Bi Yeon merely wept, her gaze upon me remaining serene and unwavering.
‘Has her pain sensation been severed?’
As I examined Bi Yeon’s vital signs, my eyes widened.
Her pain sensation had not been severed—rather, upon closer inspection, her meridians and organs had lost all elasticity, withered like those of an elderly person.
Her outward appearance was that of an eighteen-year-old woman, yet her internal organs had aged completely.
‘Could it be true?’
Bi Yeon had referred to herself as an old woman earlier. That was no jest, then?
‘And these scars…’
Upon closer examination, countless scars marked the nape of her neck.
The exact circumstances remained unclear.
Yet it seemed she was over a hundred years old despite her youthful appearance, and having endured countless torments in her past, she could bear such suffering with composure.
Whoosh.
At last, I ceased the qi injection.
Click.
And immediately released the pressure points.
“Why do you stop?”
“I concede. Let us end this.”
“It’s useless. I will never release the Soul Binding Seal.”
“How can I undo it?”
Bi Yeon spoke.
“Swear an oath. That you will train with me for one hundred days. Then I’ll release it.”
“I cannot afford to remain here for one hundred days.”
“Then negotiations are at an impasse.”
After a moment’s deliberation, I reached for the Muk Hon Blade at my waist to sever the Soul Binding Seal.
Yet the seal, as though alive, perceived my intent and—
It seized the nerves beneath my neck, rendering me immobile.
“Attempting to destroy it with a blade is futile.”
Bi Yeon spoke with leisurely composure.
“The moment you harbor the will to remove it, your body becomes paralyzed.”
…
“Even if you possessed the greatest martial arts under heaven, you cannot escape it. So heed my words.”
So this is what comes from researching Black Divine Qi.
Gokgeomrim had created a bizarre artifact that could bind a person without even touching them.
‘A mere object dares to restrain me?’
Blood light blazed in my eyes as fury consumed me.
Whirrrrr.
The fury in my chest transformed into violet lightning, blooming across my entire body.
Crackle. Crackle-crackle.
The lightning enveloping the Forgotten Shackle began to form a spherical shape, erupting with violent intensity.
Crackle-crackle-crackle! Boom-crackle!
The Forgotten Shackle began to glow crimson under the Thunder Divine Technique that seemed capable of incinerating the entire world.
Since the Thunder Divine Technique flowed through my body, fortunately the heat could not penetrate my skin.
Sizzle.
Finally, as pale smoke rose from the Forgotten Shackle, now glowing deep red rather than bright crimson,
Whoosh.
I immediately removed the Forgotten Shackle.
I had removed the Forgotten Shackle with my own hands—the very shackle that masters of the Murim swore could never be removed, no matter what martial arts one mastered.
Sizzle.
Staring at the Forgotten Shackle melting the ground beneath it, I opened my eyes wide.
Still, a sense of oppression remained, as if something was still connected to my head.
Despite having cast off the Forgotten Shackle, I could not remove whatever was clinging to my head.
“I told you. No matter what martial arts you master, you cannot remove the Forgotten Shackle.”
At Bi Yeon’s words, something flashed through my mind.
In truth, nearly all tools created by mankind bear names that allude to their utility or defining characteristics.
‘Forgotten. Forgotten.’
The word “forgotten” does not exist in this world.
That meant I had to interpret it literally.
The character for “forgotten” combines “heart” and “to perish”—the absence of mind itself.
‘Could it signify perfect mindlessness?’
The moment I resolved to cast off the Forgotten Shackle,
it immediately constricted my throat.
At first, I thought Bi Yeon was controlling the Forgotten Shackle, but upon reflection, it had sensed my intention and tightened around my neck accordingly.
‘Then…’
I closed my eyes and immediately focused my spirit.
But maintaining perfect mindlessness in such circumstances was extraordinarily difficult.
“What? Have you given up?”
Bi Yeon asked playfully, but I kept my eyes closed, concentrating my spirit.
Yet unlike usual, I could not calm my mind with ease, and countless distracting thoughts poured forth.
‘Perhaps…’
A sudden realization struck me, and I placed the Forgotten Shackle back upon my head.
And as I focused my spirit once more,
I entered meditative stillness far more rapidly than I ever could in a silent meditation hall where nothing could be heard.
Was it due to the nature of the Forgotten Shackle?
The entire world gradually grew quiet,
and I could instantly penetrate to the deepest reaches of my unconscious mind.
―What is this?
As I descended into the profound depths, there crouched a dark boy in that place.
The child who had resembled my past self had grown into a young boy without my notice.
―You’ve grown enough to find me on your own?
The boy smiled brightly toward me.
―You came faster than I expected.
The boy’s eyes were clear and his expression brimmed with joy.
I made no resistance as the boy approached, simply observing him.
―I’m glad to see you.
Rrriiip.
Suddenly the boy’s mouth began to tear open as wide as my body.
The darkness within his mouth was blacker than darkness itself, deeper than the Abyss.
―Don’t be afraid. Accept me.
I gazed blankly at the darkness within the monstrous mouth that had grown so large,
Whoosh!
Then I shoved the boy away with all my strength.
Clang.
With a sound like something shattering, I managed to escape from the realm of the unconscious.
Coming to my senses, I hastily tore off the Dream Mask I had been wearing.
“Huff, huff.”
My breathing was ragged as though I had run at full speed.
Having ventured into such profound depths, I had nearly been consumed by the unknown entity that dwelled there.
“You.”
Bi Yeon’s eyes widened as she watched me tear off the Dream Mask on my own.
“Were you from the Baek Ri Family?”
“What are you talking about?”
I asked in great surprise,
“This Dream Mask belongs to the Baek Ri Family.”
Bi Yeon tilted her head and spoke.
“They created this Dream Mask to either manifest or control their abilities, or so the story goes.”
She spoke with evident amazement.
“Only those of the Baek Ri Family, whose Baihui acupoint opens from birth, can put on and remove this on their own.”
She picked up something that had fallen to the ground.
It was a needle so fine and transparent that the eye could scarcely perceive it.
The reason my head remained foggy even after removing the Dream Mask was because this transparent needle had remained lodged in my Baihui acupoint.
But I put the Dream Mask back on my head and reached the State of No-Mind,
And extracted the needle that had been embedded in my Baihui acupoint myself.
“So that’s how it was.”
Had Bi Yeon not offered her explanation, I would have believed some mystical technique had unfolded within the Dream Mask.
But to think it was a needle as fine as a strand of hair, secretly embedded in the Baihui acupoint.
“Then contrary to legend, the Baek Ri Family has not been annihilated and their bloodline continues to this day?”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
According to what she had heard, the Baek Ri Family had vanished three hundred years ago as if they had simply evaporated.
According to Yang Seol Rin’s account, the Baek Ri Family had been annihilated by Murim practitioners who feared their abilities.
But what if the artifacts they once used had been passed down to the present day?
Wouldn’t that mean there was a possibility that they, like the Yang Seol Family, continued their activities within Murim?
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Wouldn’t there be people at Gokgeomrim who gave the Baek Ri Family’s artifacts to others?”
“It was already made when I first entered Gokgeomrim.”
Bu Eunseol immediately drew upon her spiritual power and examined the Mang In Gu meticulously.
However, because it had been absorbed into the Brain Divine Qi, she could not discern how long ago it had been created.
‘The people of the Baek Ri Family wore this to control their abilities.’
Bu Eunseol’s pupils trembled.
If what Bi Yeon said was true.
Then wasn’t there a possibility that I myself could be a legendary figure from the Baek Ri Family?
“But my Baihui point has never been opened.”
Newborn infants have a small opening at the crown of their heads.
But as one ages, it closes.
What if the Baihui point remained perpetually open?
One could naturally absorb the Natural Qi, and the brain would become activated.
It was said that one would possess high intelligence and could display genius-level abilities across various fields.
But Bu Eunseol’s Baihui point was sealed shut like that of ordinary people, and there was not even a trace of it ever having been open.
“That’s unknowable. Perhaps because I grasped the Way of No-Mind, I was able to remove the Mang In Gu.”
At Bi Yeon’s words, Bu Eunseol stroked her chin.
Perhaps when I manifested the Brain Divine Qi, the Baihui point had temporarily opened as a result.
After all, the Brain Divine Qi was also a part of Natural Qi.
‘I must meet Rim Ju regardless.’
Whatever purpose Gokgeomrim held.
I absolutely had to meet Rim Ju and ask about their intentions as well as inquire about the Baek Ri Family.
“Since you possess the ability to remove the Mang In Gu on your own, you won’t need a hundred days of training.”
Bi Yeon nodded as if she had seen through Bu Eunseol’s thoughts.
“You can ascend the Tower immediately.”
Her gaze had softened.
Like an elderly person in twilight, standing at the threshold of a long journey’s end.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol gazed at the Tower visible outside the window, breathing deeply.
“We can discuss the rest after I return.”
Bu Eunseol immediately moved toward the Black Tower at the heart of Gokgeomrim.
Thanks to wearing the Mang In Gu, no one stopped her on the way to the Tower.
Even upon entering the first floor of the Tower, it was the same.
‘As expected.’
No matter how formidable the mechanisms installed here might be, if Rim Ju were staying in this place?
At the very least, Wi Sa should be standing guard at the entrance.
Yet despite having ventured past the entrance and deeper inside, no one had moved to stop me.
Which meant only one thing—Rim Ju was not here.
‘There must be a reason.’
I had already anticipated everything.
Still, the reason I had come to this Tower was simple.
Bi Yeon, who had gauged my martial prowess and abilities to some degree, had said that only after a hundred days of training could I ascend this Tower.
‘Perhaps it is connected to the Baek Ri Family.’
The Mang In Gu was said to belong to the Baek Ri Family.
Of course, there was a possibility of stumbling upon the Baek Ri Family’s belongings by chance in Gokgeomrim.
But perhaps this Gokgeomrim held a deep connection to the Baek Ri Family.
Perhaps it could become an opportunity to unravel another secret of the Three Families.
Clang.
As I opened the massive door on the first level of the Tower, a steeply inclined corridor leading upward came into view.
There was not a single trace of light within—only absolute darkness enveloped it.
Neither the presence of people nor any signs of mechanical traps could be detected.
Yet I did not lower my guard and stepped into the corridor.
Thud, thud.
As I moved endlessly through the darkness-shrouded passage, at its far end loomed an enormous iron gate that appeared to be at least ten feet tall.
It was a towering, massive gate as if built for the legendary giants of old.
Creak.
As I approached, the great iron gate swung open of its own accord.
Upon entering, a vast Great Hall revealed itself, and from the ceiling studded with night-luminous pearls, a soft glow descended.
Blue pillars stood throughout, and the floor was laid with bluish-green stone tiles.
‘Something is here.’
Though the interior of the Great Hall was bright, I sensed as if a colossal beast were coiled somewhere within the darkness.
After walking for some time, a doorway leading out of the Great Hall came into view, upon which the character for ‘Martial’ was inscribed.
It seemed to signify a gateway for testing martial prowess.
‘They said I would need martial arts surpassing the Black Divine Technique.’
Pondering this, I stroked my chin.
‘Then whatever emerges from the gateway, I must pour everything into the first strike.’
Battles between masters are typically decided in a single exchange.
Since the Black Divine Technique possessed power transcending martial learning itself, I would need to concentrate equivalent power into that initial moment.
Shing.
As I drew the Muk Hon Sword and stepped forward, a Black Shadow slowly revealed itself from across the way.
It wore black robes, and its eyes burned with crimson fire.
At its waist hung a single iron sword, rusted as if from ages past.
Its form was strikingly similar to the Muk Hon Sword I carried.
[Haa.]
Black Shadow lowered his stance and grasped the sword hilt at his waist.
That posture bore a striking resemblance to Tal Yuseong Chuwol-sik’s foundational stance.
Had Bu Eunseol not possessed knowledge of the Black Divine Technique, she would have dismissed this Black Shadow as mere illusion.
But this was undoubtedly real, and it possessed the ability to cleave her in a single stroke.
The killing moment.
Moreover, like Jo Cheon Wang’s swordsmanship of old, this Black Shadow was seeking that fleeting instant to end Bu Eunseol with a single technique.
Bu Eunseol watched the shadow without blinking once.
Should she reveal even the slightest opening?
The shadow would unleash a killing technique that she could never evade.
How much time had passed?
Drip, drip.
Sweat beaded upon Bu Eunseol’s brow.
At such a level of martial prowess, perspiration was nearly impossible to produce.
‘Swift and nimble.’
But the truth was different.
The shadow sought to find Bu Eunseol’s weakness.
And Bu Eunseol, in turn, subtly shifted her stance to defend against the shadow’s killing moment.
Only the movements themselves lacked intensity.
Bu Eunseol had already exchanged more than a hundred blows with the shadow.
Tap.
At that moment, a bead of sweat flowing from Bu Eunseol’s brow struck the blade of Muk Hon’s sword.
This caused Bu Eunseol’s movement to shift microscopically.
It was a motion no larger than a hair’s breadth, yet the shadow did not miss that instant.
Whoosh!
A flash of light erupted from the Black Shadow’s right hand.
In that instant, he seized the killing moment and unleashed a swift sword killing technique akin to Yuseong Chuwol-sik.
It was a killing moment far more refined and precise than anything Jo Cheon Wang had ever displayed.
In that moment, the form of death flickered before Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
In this situation, no movement, no swordsmanship could shatter that swift killing technique.
‘Impossible.’
Bu Eunseol had become a martial artist for revenge.
To survive and survive again, to drive her blade through Hyung Su’s throat without fail.
Therefore, the heights of martial skill and victory or defeat mattered not.
‘I will survive!’
There was no time to evade, nor time to block.
Crunch.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s teeth clamped down upon the tip of the rusted iron blade.
She caught the sword boring in at ultra-high speed by turning her head and biting down with her teeth.
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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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