The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 641

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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 641.
“Ugh…”
Seok Chi Haeng bit down on his lip.
Bu Eunseol’s sword energy still surrounded him in his exact posture.
If he moved even slightly, that razor-sharp sword energy would engulf his body in an instant.
“Surrender.”
After Bu Eunseol halted Seok Chi Haeng’s technique,
she did not unleash the terrifying inner power she had molded into his form as sword energy,
but instead held it suspended in mid-air.
Tremor.
Bu Eunseol’s hand gripping the Muk Hon Sword trembled slightly.
Even with her formidable inner power, maintaining the sword energy of Geom So Heon Won for long was beyond her limits.
“Surrender, I said…”
A light of resentment flickered in Seok Chi Haeng’s eyes as his dazed expression cleared.
“How can I surrender when I haven’t even taken my revenge yet!”
Without hesitation, he pushed through the transparent sword energy surrounding his body.
Slash!
Crimson blood sprayed across Seok Chi Haeng’s back as he broke through the sword energy shaped in his own form.
The bloodstains that fell to the ground traced his exact posture as well.
Geom So Heon Won.
This supreme technique of the Heavenly Sword School, which captured all transformations of the world,
created sword energy perfectly drawn to match the enemy’s body and movements,
unleashing an absolute sword technique that could neither be evaded nor blocked—one that guaranteed no survival upon being struck.
“I will kill you without fail!”
Yet fortunately, thanks to the Black Essence Pill he had consumed earlier, Seok Chi Haeng did not perish.
There were no side effects, nor did he lose his reason. If anything, his mind felt clearer after drinking it.
And yet… his thirst for revenge had not diminished one bit.
Boom!
An explosive sound erupted from Seok Chi Haeng’s body.
He was squeezing out his last remaining shred of life force to strike Bu Eunseol.
Crack.
A strange bone sound echoed from his body.
At the same moment,
Crunch.
Seok Chi Haeng’s solid body, which had gleamed with black luster, began to shrivel.
Even the hardened flesh from the Black Essence Pill
could not withstand Geom So Heon Won’s sword energy, and his body collapsed from within.
Thud.
At last, he fell to his knees.
His body was slowly dying, yet his eyes still burned with resentment.
“Why!”
Seok Chi Haeng cried out, blood spilling from his lips.
“Why did you destroy that place! Why!”
「It was her own wish.」
Bu Eunseol finally sensed that Seok Chi Haeng had recovered enough clarity
to hold a conversation, and transmitted her words with eyes full of compassion.
「All the people of Gokgeomrim, including her, were yearning for death. They said they had lived far too long…」
And she conveyed the circumstances of that time concisely.
After hearing the entire story through her transmission, Seok Chi Haeng’s gaze grew strange.
He could not witness Gokgeomrim’s collapse with his own eyes, yet he could instinctively sense that Bu Eunseol spoke the truth.
‘Is that so.’
He had thought that the young man had brutally killed the woman he loved and destroyed the tower…
But it turned out that she had destroyed everything herself.
“Ha ha.”
Seok Chi Haeng let out a hollow laugh.
As his resentment faded, he finally understood.
He had been happy merely by remaining at her side for all those years, asking for nothing more.
Yet during all that time…he had failed to perceive what the woman he loved truly desired.
“Though I cherished her so deeply, I could not fathom what the one I loved truly wished for…”
Seok Chi Haeng, now fully restored to clarity, gazed toward the Distant Sky with an expression of regret.
“After atoning for my sins in Hell…”
And he spoke in a low voice, as if swearing an oath.
“I will be reborn at her side. Whether a hundred years or a thousand years…forever.”
Though in this lifetime he had not been bound to her.
Seok Chi Haeng vowed that through countless rebirths and cycles of reincarnation,
he would surely remain at her side once more.
Thump.
And with an expression of no regrets, he closed his eyes.
That was the final image of Seok Chi Haeng, known as Gwon Wang among the Four Gods Seven Kings.
* * *
―The bloodthirsty Gwon Wang has been defeated by Seon Woo Jin, a First-Rank Lord of the Murim Alliance!
A great upheaval had occurred.
Following Bu Eunseol, the successor of the Demon Palace, slaying Geol Wang alone at a tender age…
Seon Woo Jin, a First-Rank Lord of the Murim Alliance from the Sang Gye,
had single-handedly struck down Gwon Wang, who had fallen into a frenzy of slaughter and massacred countless Murim practitioners.
―Who exactly is Seon Woo Jin?
The Murim practitioners could not hide their astonishment.
For Seon Woo Jin had only achieved great merit within the Murim Alliance, and was not a particularly renowned figure in Gangho.
Typically, masters who astound the world build their martial reputation from childhood.
But when the nearly nameless Seon Woo Jin defeated Gwon Wang, Murim fell into shock.
―Investigate him!
Everyone rushed to begin investigating the man named Seon Woo Jin.
And soon, they uncovered something astonishing.
He was virtually unknown within Murim alone.
But in the Murim Alliance, he had established tremendous merit on multiple occasions, rising to the rank of First-Class Lord in record time—a prodigy of the new generation.
―He had felled Seok Chi Haeng with a single strike of his terrifying swordsmanship.
―The Sword King! The ascension of a new member to the Four Gods Seven Kings!
Seon Woo Jin. His name was now shaking the entire Gangho.
Murim Alliance, Eun Wol Gak. In Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s office.
“You’ve done it.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, observing Bu Eunseol’s return, could not hide her astonishment.
She had suspected that Seon Woo Jin had been concealing the true extent of his power all along.
But to have single-handedly defeated Seok Chi Haeng—a peerless master rivaling Jang Wang and Yuk Jang Cheon—before the eyes of all Murim…
To ascend to the Four Gods Seven Kings in an instant?
“It was merely fortune.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“In truth, he suffers from a slaughter mania, so while his martial prowess was formidable, his technique had deteriorated considerably.”
“I see.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong smiled faintly.
In reality, even a master like Seok Chi Haeng afflicted with slaughter mania…
Even if his martial subtlety had declined somewhat…
He was absolutely not an opponent one could fell through mere luck.
“At this rate, he should be able to become a candidate for Lord.”
“Of course. It’s sufficient.”
Seon Woo Jin had consistently proven his exceptional wisdom, military strategy, and troop command through numerous missions.
And now that he had defeated Gwon Wang Seok Chi Haeng… there was no one who could object to his nomination as a Lord candidate.
The gossip-loving dilettantes of Murim were even saying…
If the Demon Palace had Muk Hon Ryeong Ju…
Then the Murim Alliance now had Seon Woo Jin as its representative prodigy of the new generation.
“It was truly close, though.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong drew a deep breath and spoke.
“In two days, the conference to determine Mu Cheon Danjoo’s successor will begin. Lord Baek has already become Cheon Mu Dang Lord under the Elder Council, and Lord Yuk has also completed the groundwork to become a Lord candidate.”
“Fortunate indeed.”
Bu Eunseol also exhaled heavily.
If Gwon Wang had not become Sal Gwi at precisely this moment, and if Sa Hon Dae and the Elite Division had discovered the news immediately…
Becoming a Lord candidate would have been nothing but a dream.
‘Shin San Ja, Mu Jon. He is indeed an unreliable figure.’
I had long considered Shin San Ja as something of an ally… but through this incident, I came to understand clearly.
There were no allies within the Murim Alliance.
If interests did not align, one could be abandoned at any moment, or must prepare to be abandoned.
“I understand.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong sighed as she observed the cold, settled depths of my eyes.
“But you’ve been working hard to protect the Righteous Path Murim. Since you’re conducting various matters while concealing your identity, you must have difficulties you cannot speak of.”
I quickly offered an explanation.
“I was merely considering who or what force might be causing trouble for the Murim Alliance Lord.”
Currently, Mu Jon held the position of Murim Alliance Lord.
In other words, those who could trouble him or the forces capable of doing so were extremely limited.
“That’s unknowable. But don’t worry.”
As the atmosphere grew heavy, she swiftly changed the subject.
“If Seon Woo Dae Ju becomes the Lord, he’ll no longer need to watch anyone’s face and can fully display his talents.”
“Then we need not worry further about the candidate selection?”
“Ah, there is one thing.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes sparkled.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju’s true master, that is.”
Seon Woo Jin’s foundational martial arts are known to derive from Moo Ae Ja, a master of Sae Oe.
However, by killing Gwon Wang, that explanation became utterly untenable.
“Mu Hwang.”
I continued with words I had prepared in advance.
“I happened to open Mu Hwang’s Secret Chamber.”
“Mu Hwang from among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars… is that what you mean?”
“That is correct.”
I had been thinking about this since the time I killed Seok Chi Haeng.
If I were to establish Mu Hwang as the foundation of Seon Woo Jin’s martial arts at this opportunity? Not only would there be another true lineage besides the Sword of Frugal Virtue, but
no one could object even if he displayed a mixture of various Righteous Path martial techniques.
“So that’s how it was.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded.
Until now, Seon Woo Jin’s abnormally high level of martial prowess was sufficiently explained by the single word Mu Hwang.
“Are there any other problems?”
“Of course.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes sparkled.
“For this matter, I’ve met many people, spent vast sums of money, and mobilized numerous intelligence organizations.”
She smiled beautifully.
“I hope Seon Woo Dae Ju will appreciate that.”
After the Yeongak Dojeon secret passage incident.
She no longer showed any signs of suspicion toward me and pledged that we were in the same boat.
And proving that, she had never once displayed an attitude of doubt.
This matter too—she had completed all the behind-the-scenes work to raise him as a candidate for Lord with her utmost effort.
“I look forward to the results of the conference.”
At my words, Gong Son Dan Gyeong smiled and nodded.
“Then I’ll see you at the conference that opens the day after tomorrow.”
Two days later, at the Great Conference Hall of Jeong Ui Gak.
Present were Deputy Alliance Leader Buk Ri Seung and Chief Inspector Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
Along with them sat the heads of the five organizations—Hall, Garden, Pavilion, Forest, and Tower—as well as all the Lords and senior figures.
However, those Lords who could not participate in selecting the new Lord were absent.
Additionally, since the position of Lord of Yong Ban Jeon remained vacant, Yuk Cheong Ah attended in his stead.
In essence, this gathering was equivalent to holding a Grand Council, with only the Alliance Leader and current Lords absent.
“We shall now formally select the candidate to become the next Lord of Wu Tian Duan.”
At Buk Ri Seung’s words, those assembled drew sharp breaths, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The Seven Great Units symbolized the power of the Murim Alliance.
They sought to formally select a candidate to replace the Lord of Wu Tian Duan among them.
“If anyone wishes to apply or nominate a candidate for Lord of Wu Tian Duan, please speak.”
At Buk Ri Seung’s invitation, the senior figures in the conference hall exchanged cautious glances.
All present held the position of either an organization head or a Lord.
In truth, every one of them possessed sufficient qualifications to become Lord of Wu Tian Duan.
Yet the position of Lord demanded not only mastery of both martial and administrative arts, but also expertise in military strategy and tactics.
Among the organization heads currently present, only one had demonstrated verified capability worthy of the Lord’s position.
Only one.
“I recommend Lord Deng Wu Dian.”
Yuk Cheong Ah, who held the position of Deputy Lord of Yong Ban Jeon, opened her mouth as she gazed toward Buk Ri Seung.
“Lord Yuk’s martial prowess is beyond question, and Deng Wu Dian was once the training ground for lower-ranked warriors of the Alliance. Even after its reorganization, it remains the division that has contributed most significantly to the Alliance.”
At her words, all the senior figures nodded in agreement.
Without Yong Myeong, the Lord of Yong Ban Jeon, there was simply no other candidate worthy of becoming Lord of Wu Tian Duan besides Yuk Jang Cheon.
“We shall proceed with formal registration of the candidate by show of hands.”
Buk Ri Seung spoke with measured calm.
“If you agree that Lord Deng Wu Dian shall become a candidate for Lord of Wu Tian Duan, please raise your hand.”
At those words, roughly half of those in the conference hall raised their hands.
Watching this, Yuk Jang Cheon exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.
The connections and relationships he had carefully cultivated were now bearing fruit.
“Excellent. Lord Deng Wu Dian is hereby formally registered as a candidate for Lord of Wu Tian Duan.”
‘Perfect.’
Yuk Jang Cheon rejoiced inwardly.
There was no other candidate of note besides himself.
If he stood as the sole candidate, there would be no need for extensive verification—he could be appointed Lord immediately.
“Are there any other candidates?”
As silence fell over the conference hall, Yuk Jang Cheon felt like dancing with joy.
But then a low voice rang out.
“I nominate Baek Mu Sung, Lord of Cheon Mu Dang.”
It was Hwa Mun Sung, the head of Cheon Hye Won.
He gestured toward Baek Mu Sung, who sat in a corner, as he spoke.
“Lord Baek possesses more than sufficient capability to become Lord of Wu Tian Duan.”
Then Gyo Jin Gak Yu Jeong Bong furrowed his brow and spoke.
“He lacks the qualifications to become a candidate for Danjoo.”
“Lacks them? Baek Mu Sung became the Cheon Mu Dang Lord under the Elder Council by capturing Hyuk Ryeon Eung, one of the Demon Palace’s chief architects, didn’t he?”
At Hwa Mun Sung’s words, Yu Jeong Bong furrowed his brow and spoke.
“But that is merely a qualification on paper, is it not? There has never been a history of someone at the rank of Lord ascending to Danjoo until now.”
The qualifications to be promoted to Danjoo of the Seven Great Units were officially set to begin from the rank of Lord.
Yet in reality, only those holding even higher positions had consistently risen to the position of Danjoo.
“As long as it doesn’t violate the Alliance’s rules, what’s the problem?”
Hwa Mun Sung swept his gaze across the assembled members and continued.
“Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s hands were stained with the blood of countless Orthodox Sect disciples. The merit of eliminating him alone is sufficient to qualify as a candidate.”
At Hwa Mun Sung’s words, everyone nodded in agreement.
Golden Jade Blood Eyes—Hyuk Ryeon Eung.
He had slaughtered countless Orthodox Sect disciples.
The Orthodox Sect’s members had gnashed their teeth in rage, but because he had suddenly entered the Demon Palace and become a core member,
they had been unable to lay a hand on him until now.
But the opportunity had come again.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung became a traitor to the Demon Palace and was hunted by the Demonic Path.
The Murim Alliance immediately mobilized all intelligence organizations, but ultimately failed to find him.
Yet Baek Mu Sung, who wandered the Gangho, tracked him down and finally severed his head.
That merit was too great for anyone to deny.
“Moreover, Lord Baek is a disciple of Elder Bul Jon and has done good deeds throughout the Gangho. Furthermore, as a Lord of this Alliance, he has proven through numerous missions that he can command and control vast armies.”
Hwa Mun Sung cleared his throat and spoke.
“Did not the Demon Palace itself choose an unknown prodigy named Muk Hon Ryeong Ju as their successor? There is no reason to believe that this Alliance cannot produce a young Danjoo.”
Suddenly, he turned his gaze toward Gong Son Dan Gyeong and spoke.
“This Alliance has tended to underestimate the abilities of young talents until now.”
At those words, the assembled members followed Hwa Mun Sung’s gaze toward Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
Initially, there had been complaints that Gong Son Chong Sa’s appointment was the Mengjoo’s arbitrary decision.
But once she took office and began handling matters, she proved to be among the most capable Chiefs in history.
Considering such points, even the senior members who had long obsessed over seniority and position
were gradually feeling the necessity to eliminate the Alliance’s shortcomings and achieve renewal.
“Very well. Then I shall decide by show of hands.”
In the end, Buk Ri Seung’s approval came down.
Yuk Jang Cheon, observing this, held back a bitter smile.
No matter how outstanding one’s abilities, the Murim Alliance ultimately operated on connections and seniority.
There was absolutely no way they would nominate a young figure like Baek Mu Sung as a Danjoo candidate.
‘What?’
Yuk Jang Cheon, watching the interior of the conference room, widened his eyes.
An unexpected result had emerged.
‘Unanimous approval?’
Even Gyo Jin Gak Yu Jeong Bong, who had opposed Hwa Mun Sung’s opinion moments ago, was now voting in favor?
‘So he was deliberately pretending to oppose.’
Yu Jeong Bong hadn’t been interrupting Hwa Mun Sung’s words.
Rather, he had simply added a comment to guide the justification for why Baek Mu Sung should become a candidate for Lord.
‘But unanimous consent…’
That meant Baek Mu Sung had completed all preparations and groundwork to become a Lord candidate even before returning to the Murim Alliance.
‘There’s no helping it.’
In truth, when I brought forth Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s head, I had already anticipated a situation like this to some degree.
“Then two people would suffice, would it not?”
As Buk Ri Seung added another comment while surveying the hall,
“I shall recommend as well.”
At that moment, Gong Son Dan Gyeong stepped forward with a clear voice.
“I recommend Seon Woo Dae Ju as a candidate for Lord.”
Murmur, murmur.
The hall stirred at the sudden statement.
“Chief.”
At that moment, Jae Gyeong Gak Ju Geon Myeong shook his head.
“He is a first-rank Lord, not someone of Lord-tier status, is he not?”
“It’s the same as Lord Baek.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke calmly.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju slew Gwon Wang, who had transformed into Sal Gwi, and achieved great merit. At a young age, he ascended to assist the Four Gods Seven Kings.”
She spoke calmly while observing those around her.
“As I mentioned, he is also the successor of Mu Hwang.”
In truth, the Murim Alliance found it far too sudden and difficult to believe that Seon Woo Jin had killed Gwon Wang.
However, according to Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s report, before Seon Woo Jin became a first-rank Lord, he had by chance inherited Mu Hwang’s true transmission.
And he had been concealing it all along.
Upon receiving such a report, Vice-Leader Buk Ri Seung immediately verified the truth.
And he confirmed that Seon Woo Jin had indeed mastered Mu Hwang’s secret techniques.
“I issued a Chief’s Decree to promote him to Lord-tier status without going through the Grand Leader Council. His qualifications are sufficient.”
The assembled members fell silent.
It made no sense for Baek Mu Sung to qualify but not Seon Woo Jin.
“However, that would be your personal opinion, would it not?”
Yuk Jang Cheon spoke calmly.
“He is a Lord under the jurisdiction of the Ben Jeon Lord. I have no intention of nominating Seon Woo Dae Ju as a Lord candidate.”
“I told you. I promoted him to Lord-tier status through the Chief’s Decree.”
“Surely not.”
“That’s right. An intelligence organization was established in this Ben Chong Sa Jeon. I transferred Seon Woo Dae Ju and the Elite Division entirely through the Chief’s Decree.”
Yuk Jang Cheon’s complexion hardened.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, as the Chief of the Murim Alliance, possessed authority over personnel appointments of Lords.
Especially when vacancies occurred in the Chief Inspector Division, she could use the authority of the Chief’s Decree to bring personnel from any organization except the Seven Great Units.
However, no Chief throughout history had ever exercised the Chief’s Decree to fill vacancies without the consent of an organization’s commander.
After all, the Chief Inspector Division naturally attracts the most talented administrators.
Moreover, given the Murim Alliance’s nature of operating through distribution and connections, absorbing an entire organization through the Chief Inspector would inevitably damage harmony among the leadership.
That’s the reality of the situation.
“Still, shouldn’t you have at least given the Lord of Ben Jeon advance notice?”
“I hope Lord Yuk Jang Cheon will show his understanding. It was an extremely urgent matter.”
“Urgent, you say?”
“The elimination of Gwon Wang, who had become Sal Gwi. The Ben Chong Sa Jeon executed it as an emergency operation.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke calmly.
“I intended to seek Lord Yuk Jang Cheon’s understanding afterward, but I noticed he’s been away frequently of late.”
Yuk Jang Cheon had been conducting endless behind-the-scenes work for this succession conference.
As a result, he had no time to remain leisurely at Deng Wu Dian.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju leads the Elite Division and acquires news from Gangho faster than anyone, implementing it immediately. If he remained at Deng Wu Dian, that would be impossible.”
“Very well.”
Yuk Jang Cheon cut off the conversation.
If he continued this verbal sparring with Gong Son Dan Gyeong?
Ultimately, it would appear that he was obstructing a talented young disciple to secure his own position as Danjoo.
“I acknowledge that Seon Woo Dae Ju is a member of the Chief Inspector Division.”
“Then may we put him forward as a candidate?”
“Many in today’s conference are directly exercising their authority as prescribed.”
At Yuk Jang Cheon’s sarcastic remark, Gong Son Dan Gyeong smiled faintly.
“If Lord Yuk Jang Cheon opposes, I won’t proceed with this matter.”
“Not at all. I willingly consent to Seon Woo Dae Ju becoming a candidate.”
Yuk Jang Cheon harbored a hidden smirk.
In truth, he had heard advice from Yuk Cheong Ah, who had anticipated such circumstances, and had already made moves among the senior members beforehand.
The senior members of the Murim Alliance were extremely wary of placing young prodigies in important positions.
However, Baek Mu Sung was somewhat different.
As a Shaolin native who had cultivated deep connections with the Murim Alliance’s senior members since childhood, such a thing was possible.
Seon Woo Jin could not even be compared to him.
“Good then. Let us proceed with a vote.”
As Buk Ri Seung surveyed the conference hall, Yuk Jang Cheon smiled.
No one would approve of Seon Woo Jin.
Thump.
Yet something strange occurred.
Hands began rising one by one, and before long, nearly a majority had voted in favor—was this not so?
Yuk Jang Cheon’s eyes widened.
How could Seon Woo Jin receive such support?
‘The Chief must have made a move.’
Yuk Jang Cheon bit his lip.
Yuk Cheong Ah was right. She had, from long ago—indeed, from the very beginning.
Intended to elevate Seon Woo Jin to become Mu Cheon Danjoo.
“Hmm. Two votes short.”
At that moment, Buk Ri Seung, who had been surveying the assembly, murmured.
They were precisely two people short of a majority.
‘Se Myeong Dan Ju, O Seong Gak Ju.’
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s gaze fell upon the two who had not raised their hands.
Originally, Gong Son Dan Gyeong had orchestrated behind-the-scenes arrangements to ensure that supporters of Seon Woo Dae Ju would constitute exactly a majority.
There would be no senior figures genuinely supporting Seon Woo Dae Ju at this point.
If he received more than a majority of support, her influence would become far too obvious.
Yet Se Myeong Dan Ju and O Seong Gak Ju, whom she had recruited, had raised their hands contrary to their promise.
“Unfortunately, Seon Woo Dae Ju becoming a candidate would….”
Just as Buk Ri Seung continued speaking,
A hand rose.
Shadow, seated at the very back, raised his hand.
“I will support him.”
He was none other than Baek Mu Sung.

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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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