The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 636

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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 636.
“Lord Baek.”
Jo Choong, Baek In Cheong’s adjutant, hurried into the camp with quick strides.
“The imperial forces sent by the court will arrive in about two days.”
“Hehehehe. Much faster than anticipated.”
For eight days, the Special Divine Guard had engaged in relentless clashes with the Hyeol Mu Dan of the Demon Hall.
The Hyeol Mu Dan deployed diverse tactics and countless stratagems in attempts to breach the Special Divine Guard’s defensive lines, yet.
they merely repeated cycles of offense and defense.
They had not even managed to break through the first division’s defensive perimeter.
“Soon, I shall witness the pitiful downfall of Moo Hon Ryeong Ju with my own eyes.”
Once the imperial forces arrived, Bu Eunseol would be forced to withdraw her troops.
Merely for attempting to destroy a sacred place like the Cheon Hye Medicine Forest, she would face severe sanctions from the court.
By then, even the Demonic Path would have no faction willing to support him.
He could no longer maintain his position as Moo Hon Ryeong Ju and would be immediately stripped of power.
Tap tap tap.
Yet at that moment, a messenger from the rear rushed toward his camp.
“Lord Baek!”
“What is it now?”
“Jang Bong Gae, the former elder of Gae Bang, requests an audience with you.”
“Jang Bong Gae?”
Baek In Cheong blinked.
Gae Bang had been dissolved due to the Bangju’s misdeeds, and except for those recruited into the Murim Alliance’s intelligence organization,
all disciples had scattered in different directions.
Yet suddenly, in this wartime situation,
an elder from Gae Bang sought him out at his camp?
“Something is afoot.”
Baek In Cheong instinctively sensed trouble and nodded.
“Let him in.”
The man who entered the camp was an elderly figure with a weathered face and a goat beard.
It was Yeon Cheol, the former Gae Bang elder Jang Bong Gae, once renowned by the epithet “Loyal Spirit and Righteous Soul.”
“Lord Baek.”
As Yeon Cheol bowed respectfully, Baek In Cheong returned the courtesy with equal formality.
“What brings Elder Yeon to these quarters?”
Though Gae Bang had fallen into ruin, many figures still active in the Murim Alliance remained.
Therefore, Baek In Cheong continued to treat him as an elder of Gae Bang.
“You must cease this battle immediately.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Moo Hon Ryeong Ju of the Demon Hall speaks the truth. The Cheon Hye Medicine Forest is a den of villains.”
Baek In Cheong’s eyes widened in shock.
“What are you saying?”
“We have been investigating the area around Cheon Hye Medicine Forest for a long time with the assistance of the Wudang Sect.”
Yeon Cheol continued his explanation swiftly.
“All the poor and sick patients who entered Cheon Hye Medicine Forest became subjects of cruel experiments, and numerous influential figures were being injected with deadly poisons like Inhwa.”
“At Cheon Hye Medicine Forest… that cannot be true?”
Baek In Cheong shook his head.
“The Ben Maeng conducted a thorough investigation, but we found no such evidence.”
“That is only natural. Even the practitioners affiliated with Cheon Hye Medicine Forest are unaware of the internal affairs, as they maintain such rigorous security.”
Yeon Cheol spoke.
“After months of effort, we barely managed to infiltrate and uncover their internal operations.”
“Can you take responsibility for what you have just said?”
“Of course.”
Yeon Cheol withdrew a document from his garments.
“We have already secured conclusive evidence.”
Baek In Cheong examined the document.
There it was—evidence of Cheon Hye Medicine Forest’s heinous human experimentation, along with detailed records of all those who had perished as a result.
“Is all of this true?”
“These are findings our disciples risked their lives to investigate.”
“Jo Choong!”
Baek In Cheong immediately summoned his adjutant Jo Choong and handed him the materials Yeon Cheol had provided.
“Use the messenger birds to send word immediately to the Ben Maeng… no, wait.”
He paused mid-sentence and shook his head.
“Take all our forces stationed at the rear and conduct a thorough investigation of Cheon Hye Medicine Forest. Verify whether the contents written in this document are true. Do it at once!”
“Understood.”
As Jo Choong left the camp, Baek In Cheong bit his lip.
‘This is a grave matter.’
If everything written here proved to be true?
Not only would the Murim Alliance be exposed as unable to match the Demon Hall’s intelligence capabilities,
but it would also mean they had fought on behalf of sinister forces hiding behind the guise of the Medical Guild.
‘What am I to do about this?’
Baek In Cheong bit his lip.
Until now, they had clashed with the Demon Hall multiple times, and both sides remained in tense confrontation.
But if such facts were revealed?
This was not a situation that could be resolved with mere apologies and ignorance.
‘Moreover, does the Imperial Army not arrive the day after tomorrow?’
If he could not quickly suppress this matter…
The Special Divine Guard would have to inform the Imperial Army of the Demon Hall’s grievances and bow their heads in apology instead.
Should that happen, Baek In Cheong, as the commander, would suffer such humiliation that he could never show his face in Murim again.
After such an anxious day passed, Jo Choong returned leading his forces.
“It is all true.”
Jo Choong’s face, upon returning to the camp, was flushed with agitation.
“Cheon Hae Yak Rim addicted numerous patients to Inhwa, and many members of noble houses were being held hostage there.”
“Hostages?”
“Yes. As a last resort, they were planning to use those addicted to Inhwa and the patients as leverage to suppress this entire matter.”
Thud.
Baek In Cheong’s vision darkened.
“Did you clash with them? How did you complete the investigation so quickly?”
“When we led our forces back to Cheon Hae Yak Rim, young martial masters who had infiltrated the interior were secretly destroying hidden chambers and attacking those within.”
Jo Choong, continuing his explanation, gazed at Jang Bong Gae with admiring eyes.
“It seems Gae Bang must have positioned remarkable young masters there beforehand.”
Jang Bong Gae, receiving that gaze, shook his head.
“No, our Gae Bang merely conducted a discreet investigation.”
Then, as if remembering something, he made a sound of realization and spoke.
“They were likely masters infiltrated by the Wudang Sect.”
“Wudang?”
“Yes. As I mentioned before… the fact that we were able to investigate Cheon Hae Yak Rim at all was due to Wudang’s covert support.”
The reason Gae Bang, which had scattered in all directions, was able to regroup and investigate Cheon Hae Yak Rim.
It was because of the covert support from the Wudang Sect, which dominated Hubei.
“The Wudang Sect?”
Baek In Cheong’s eyes flashed with incomprehension.
“Then why didn’t Wudang convey such information to the Murim Alliance?”
Surely Wudang couldn’t be unaware that the Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance were clashing.
If they had Gae Bang investigate Cheon Hae Yak Rim even before Moo Hon Ryeong Ju led the Demon Hall’s great army…
Why hadn’t they given the Murim Alliance a hint?
“Wudang said this to us.”
Yeon Cheol, sensing Baek In Cheong’s inner thoughts, spoke carefully.
“This matter is far too shocking and carries tremendous repercussions, so they absolutely had to verify it properly first.”
“Well, that may be so.”
Baek In Cheong sighed.
He couldn’t fault the Wudang Sect for exercising caution.
Besides, hadn’t they themselves thoroughly investigated Cheon Hae Yak Rim?
There was no room to blame the Wudang Sect even if he wanted to.
“Lord Baek.”
At that moment, a young team member entered the camp and spoke loudly.
“The Demon Hall’s forces are withdrawing.”
“What?”
“The Demon Hall’s forces are retreating.”
Baek In Cheong jumped up and quickly rushed out of the camp.
There was no time to mount a horse.
He immediately deployed his lightness technique and headed toward the plains at the front where they were in standoff.
Just as the team member said, the Demon Hall had finished its business and was withdrawing its forces without hesitation.
‘Had they already grasped the entire situation?’
Baek In Cheong’s eyes widened.
If they withdrew like this?
And if rumors spread that they had failed to deal with Cheon Hye Medicine Forest because of it?
That would cause chaos in its own right.
‘I cannot let them leave like this.’
Whoosh!
Deploying his lightness technique once more, he rushed toward the Demon Hall forces that were holding back the enemy troops.
“Lord! This is unwise!”
Despite Jo Choong’s protests from behind, he unleashed movements swift as lightning.
“Moo Hon Ryeong Ju!”
As he charged forward like a madman, the retreating forces quickly reformed their lines and blocked his path.
It was a display of ruthless and solemn military discipline.
Baek In Cheong immediately raised both hands, showing he had no intention to fight, and called out loudly.
“Moo Hon Ryeong Ju, where are you!”
As he continued shouting, the Demon Hall forces parted solemnly to both sides with a sharp sound.
And Bu Eunseol, dressed in black martial robes, slowly walked forward.
“Why did you call for me.”
“Moo Hon Ryeong Ju.”
Baek In Cheong, disregarding all dignity, rushed toward her and clasped his hands together.
“My apologies!”
This was all he could say at the moment.
If he did not apologize immediately and seal this matter,
the criticism directed at the Murim Alliance would spiral beyond control.
“Your words were correct! Cheon Hye Medicine Forest was manufacturing Shil Ho In and poisoning countless patients by feeding them essence pills!”
He spoke urgently while maintaining a respectful expression.
“I, as the Lord, shall apologize. So regarding this matter…”
“It is unnecessary.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“The Murim Alliance will not face criticism.”
“What do you mean.”
“The Murim Alliance can simply eliminate the remnants of Cheon Hye Medicine Forest.”
At this unexpected response, Baek In Cheong’s eyes widened in shock.
Why would she extend such grace to him, who had stubbornly insisted on pushing the Demon Hall into a corner and branded them as evil?
“Why.”
Baek In Cheong spoke with unfocused eyes.
“I cornered you and defined you as evil.
“Neither side suffered significant losses.”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
“Though your forces vastly outnumbered ours, you chose only to maintain your defensive lines. Thanks to that, my warriors suffered no casualties either.”
“That’s because I was only ordered to prevent you from entering. The imperial forces will arrive soon.”
The Murim Alliance chose to delay rather than attack Bu Eunseol directly,
planning to use the imperial army arriving later to completely annihilate the Demon Palace’s forces.
“That’s precisely why it was possible.”
“What in the world—”
Bu Eunseol answered with an enigmatic smile instead.
‘So this was the plan all along.’
Only then could Baek In Cheong understand.
Bu Eunseol had foreseen this entire situation and orchestrated it.
The withdrawal of forces was likely a decision made without hesitation, having completed all planned objectives.
‘Everything was a setup from the beginning. Even the actions of our Lord.’
Baek In Cheong’s expression turned sheepish.
In the end, the Murim Alliance, the Shin Wi Dan—
they were nothing but puppets dancing to Bu Eunseol’s design.
“You used the Ben Maeng.”
“Think as you wish.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with confidence.
“It mattered not who brought it down.”
“What do you mean—”
“I simply wished for everyone to know the truth about Cheon Hae Yak Rim.”
A solemn light radiated from his entire being.
‘It wasn’t for the honor of the Demon Palace or personal advancement?’
Just as a bewildered Baek In Cheong was about to speak again,
“Then.”
Bu Eunseol turned calmly and began to leave.
The Lords around him followed with proud, satisfied smiles, their shoulders squared as they trailed behind him.
Watching them depart, Baek In Cheong felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.
It was the Murim Alliance that had sought glory, that had harbored ambition.
That he, the Moo Hon Ryeong Ju, had launched this expedition despite opposition and criticism—
it was solely to eliminate the dark forces lurking in Cheon Hae Yak Rim and rescue those suffering there.
“Our Lord was mistaken!”
Baek In Cheong called out loudly to Bu Eunseol as he departed.
“Thank you for considering the position of the Ben Maeng!”
Bu Eunseol turned his head, leaving only a gentle smile as he slowly walked away.
Witnessing this, Baek In Cheong felt an overwhelming sense of shame.
“Moo Hon Ryeong Ju!”
Unable to bear the conscience erupting within him, he cried out loudly.
“This Lord will report all the facts accurately to the Alliance!”
He spoke with a raised voice.
“And we shall provide appropriate compensation for the damages caused by this expedition!”
It was an extraordinary offer, but Bu Eunseol simply walked away without responding.
Neither profit nor honor.
Such things held no value for her.
“Moo Hon Ryeong Ju.”
Baek In Cheong stood dazed until Bu Eunseol’s figure vanished from sight.
Once she disappeared, the soldiers arrayed on either side reformed their ranks and advanced forward.
When the forces of the Hyeol Mu Dan and Sayoung Battle Division reached the vicinity of Changsha Region, Bu Eunseol halted her advance.
She turned and spoke to the young man and woman following behind her.
“You’ve worked hard. So Jin. And Hye Bin.”
Bu Eunseol was able to leave the battlefield with ease and face Cheon Joon because
she had Hyuk So Jin, who could command the Hyeol Mu Dan like extensions of her own limbs.
“You’re too kind.”
Hyuk So Jin scratched his head as he spoke.
“I understand that you’re trying to give us valuable experience, Bu hyung.”
Under Bu Eunseol’s command were seasoned warriors like Yu Woon Ryong and Seo Jin Ha, Wi Cheon Gyeong—those who had seen many battlefields and handled intelligence well.
Truly exceptional heroes.
Yet despite this, Bu Eunseol entrusted Yu Woon Ryong with commanding the Sayoung Battle Division in the rear and
gave Hyuk So Jin command of the Hyeol Mu Dan, who fought fiercely at the vanguard. The reason was…
―To give them a fair opportunity to become the next successor.
In the past, Bu Eunseol had made such a promise to Hyuk Gong Baek, the lord of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji, and to Geuk Hye Ryeong, the leader of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.
To honor that promise,
she had given these two the opportunities and experiences necessary for them to lead the Demon Palace in the future.
“I haven’t done anything worthy of praise.”
Geuk Hye Bin lowered her head in embarrassment, and Bu Eunseol smiled.
“Not at all. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue Cheon Joon immediately.”
Geuk Hye Bin had led the Hundred Flower Battle Corps of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong from the rear and swiftly relayed information about Cheon Hae Medicine Forest’s movements to Bu Eunseol.
Thanks to that, Bu Eunseol was able to easily detect the movements of Cheon Joon and the Special Divine Guard.
And she could pursue them immediately.
Moreover, Geuk Hye Bin had personally commanded the young boys from Nangya Sect that had been infiltrated into Cheon Hae Medicine Forest and
secretly coordinated with Yu Cheong Rim to discover the secret chambers and laboratories hidden within Cheon Hae Medicine Forest, earning considerable merit.
“By the way, what happened to Yu Cheong Rim?”
“He left with all the ten-thousand-year fire lotus inner cores hidden in Cheon Hae Medicine Forest. He said it was a promise he received from you, Seol Dae Hyeop.”
At Geuk Hye Bin’s words, Bu Eunseol smiled bitterly.
She had never made such a promise to Yu Cheong Rim.
“Well done. I was planning to give them to him anyway.”
Though it hadn’t been openly acknowledged,
Yu Cheong Rim’s contributions to breaking through the Infinite Realm had been substantial.
She would have given him even greater rewards without hesitation if he had asked for them instead of the ten-thousand-year fire lotus inner cores.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Then, accompanied by a low chant, a blue shadow descended from the sky toward Bu Eunseol’s side.
They were Song Ak, the foremost disciple of the Wudang Sect, and Young Heo Ja, one of its elders.
“Ryeong Ju, are you departing now?”
At Young Heo Ja’s question, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Yes, we are.”
“I see.”
He gazed alternately at Song Ak and Bu Eunseol standing beside him, then asked as if utterly bewildered.
“There is something I simply cannot fathom.”
“What is it, Elder?”
“Why did the Demon Hall bestow such great favor upon the Gae Bang?”
Before striking at the Cheon Hae Medicine Forest.
Bu Eunseol had asked Song Ak to arrange a covert visit to the Wudang Sect under her true identity.
She then informed Young Cheong Ja, the sect leader, of the situation at the Cheon Hae Medicine Forest, and secretly coordinated with Jang Bong Gae to ensure he would achieve the same merit.
By doing so.
Through the accomplishment of tracking down and exposing the vicious forces of Tianxia, the Gae Bang would be able to lift its closure once more.
And they would gain the opportunity to reclaim the glorious name of the Greatest Sect Under Heaven—a place where righteous and noble-hearted heroes gathered once again.
“I owe a debt to the people of the Gae Bang.”
Bu Eunseol recalled In Guk, who had lived righteously and died in solitude.
He was a true knight-errant of the Gae Bang, a righteous man who had sacrificed his life to protect the wanderers in their final moments.
The mere existence of such a person made her believe the Gae Bang was worth rebuilding.
Only the leader had been corrupt. The Gae Bang itself had always been noble.
“I understand now.”
Young Heo Ja nodded and smiled warmly.
“It is a blessing for the Murim that the Ryeong Ju acts with such righteousness.”
Then Song Ak spoke.
“Elder, should we not ask the sect leader to properly inform the Murim Alliance of the Ryeong Ju’s accomplishments in this matter?”
“Indeed, we should.”
Young Heo Ja nodded.
“I shall ask the sect leader to reveal that this entire affair was planned by the Ryeong Ju.”
“Please do not.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“Why not?”
As Young Heo Ja blinked, Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“Because this was not done to earn merit.”
And she clasped her hands together calmly.
“The road ahead is long… We must depart now.”
And she turned away.
Then Hyuk So Jin and Geuk Hye Bin walked alongside her as they left.
And the lords of the Sayoung Battle Division followed behind them with confident strides.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Young Heo Ja watched their departing figures and uttered a Buddhist invocation.
Moo Hon Ryeong Ju, known as a ruthless figure devoid of blood and tears, was actually such an upright person in reality.
“What kind of connection do you have with him that you’re contacting him separately?”
In fact, Bu Eunseol had already revealed her true identity to Song Ak through Tan Wang Buk Gung-ryeong and had gone to Wudang Mountain under the name Seol So.
However, Young Heo Ja and the others, who had no idea of this fact, found it curious that Song Ak and Bu Eunseol knew each other.
“Didn’t we meet briefly during my days as one of the Ten Demon Immortals?”
Song Ak told a benevolent lie for Bu Eunseol’s sake.
“At that time, I formed a modest connection with the Geomgak Successor as well.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Young Heo Ja gazed at Song Ak and smiled faintly.
“Be sure to maintain good relations with him.”
And he spoke with conviction.
“He will surely become a guiding star of the Murim.”
Song Ak watched Bu Eunseol’s receding figure disappear into the distance, a smile playing on his lips.
“Of course.”

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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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