The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 645

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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 645.
A deafening roar echoed through the void.
As if all the air in the world were vanishing, Sang Je began pouring forth his overwhelming power once more.
[I merely wished to confirm the depth of your vengeance. I harbored no intention of mocking Bu Chanyang’s death.]
Sang Je’s voice grew somewhat softer.
Suppressing Bu Eunseol’s defiant strength proved far from effortless.
[Whether you truly intend to avenge Bu Chanyang will determine your fate henceforth.]
And with a voice tinged with earnestness, he continued.
[Even now, Ben Gye deliberates whether to end your life or spare it.]
Within Sang Je’s shadow.
Bu Eunseol’s gaze, fixed upon the young boy’s form, shifted subtly.
He differed greatly from Cheon Joon.
His voice remained consistently gentle, and he displayed considerable favor toward Bu Eunseol.
“So you came not to kill me, but to test me.”
[Indeed.]
“You presume to manipulate my destiny and subject me to trials at your whim?”
[Yes. Yet I have come to understand that such must not be.]
At those words, the fierce torrent of Bu Eunseol’s power diminished, and the murderous intent blazing in his eyes began to wane.
Seeing this, Sang Je spoke with evident relief.
[Have you finally recovered your reason?]
“State your purpose plainly, then. I grow weary of this.”
Once more, killing intent surged violently through Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“My patience is not boundless.”
[To speak plainly—you must not die. Rather, you must survive to the very end.]
When Bu Eunseol ceased his manifestation of Ishin Ki, Sang Je likewise lowered his hand, releasing the pressure he had exerted upon him.
[And for you to survive Ben Gye’s judgment, you must accomplish one task. Having toppled the axis of the Infinite Realm, its backlash will inevitably draw the Inbiyin forth into Gangho.]
“Inbiyin… What in the world are they?”
[A faction within the Murim that has never once revealed itself to the world. The Infinite Realm has long suppressed them, so few know of their existence.]
In essence, the Inbiyin were.
One of the forces dwelling in the Abyss.
[The Infinite Realm’s purpose in containing the Inbiyin is simple—to slaughter all the weak.]
Bu Eunseol could not comprehend this.
“Why would they kill the weak?”
[Because they deem it salvation.]
Sang Je spoke thus.
[They believe that by eliminating those born inherently weak, they themselves shall be reborn as superior and mightier beings.]
“Surely not.”
Bu Eunseol’s narrow eyes grew even more slender.
In the distant past, in the primordial Murim, there existed a sect that accumulated virtue through the slaughter of people.
Though they possessed doctrines so bizarre and cruel as to defy all comprehension.
Possessed of mysterious and formidable power, none could stand against them.
“You speak of the Ma Gyo?”
[They were called by that name once.]
The Cheon Ma—the supreme sovereign of demons, whose teachings formed the foundation of this malevolent sect.
They were none other than the Inbiyin.
[They shed the name Ma Gyo and appeared ceaselessly throughout Murim under countless guises.]
“Ceaselessly…”
Bu Eunseol finally understood why the figures of Sam Gye had spoken so often of noble sacrifice.
The mysterious sect that vanished a thousand years ago—its lineage had endured still.
It had appeared without end in Murim, changing its name and form with each emergence.
“So the remnants of Ma Gyo are what you call Inbiyin.”
[Not remnants of Ma Gyo, but rather a force that began as Ma Gyo and has continuously transformed—that would be more accurate.]
Sharp eyes formed within Sang Je’s shadow.
[Perhaps they are an entirely new sect altogether. They took root in Murim far longer ago than Ben Gye itself, and have undergone endless transformation.]
“So you’re telling me to stop what even Sam Gye cannot?”
[There’s no need to worry. The force you command will be more than sufficient to eliminate them.]
Sang Je spoke in a bitter tone.
[Most of what appears in Gangho are not Inbiyin themselves, but rather the Gui Ah they command.]
‘Gui Ah.’
That was a term I had heard in passing at Gokgeomrim.
Now that I thought back, I had heard mention of Inbiyin at Gokgeomrim as well. Did that mean Gokgeomrim was also connected to Ma Gyo?
‘If so, then the great technique created by Cheonghae Gye also originated from them?’
—Cheonghae Gye joined hands with Inbiyin for this brainwashing, they said.
Ah Yeon, whose brainwashing had been undone, had spoken thus at the time. And those who underwent the brainwashing could also become Inbiyin, she had said.
Then undergoing brainwashing was a ritual of initiation into Ma Gyo?
[They conduct experiments, sending Gui Ah into Murim in very small increments.]
The eyes formed in Sang Je’s shadow grew dim.
[The Infinite Realm detected them immediately and dealt with them.]
“Using that as a pretext, they conducted cruel experiments and created vast numbers of Shil Hoon In.”
[Mock it however you wish. It was the will of the Infinite Realm, and it has succeeded admirably in holding back Inbiyin.]
Sang Je spoke again.
[Soon, signs heralding their emergence will appear. And if you can deal with them…]
A smile formed at the corners of Sang Je’s mouth.
[The Infinite Realm will not rise again. And the fact that you destroyed the Infinite Realm will no longer be a problem.]
He continued swiftly before Bu Eunseol could even open her mouth.
[Survive to the end in this barren Gangho. If you do, you will meet someone beyond imagination in the days to come.]
Though interest filled Sang Je’s voice, Bu Eunseol turned the conversation cold.
“If you don’t know Hyung Su, then tell me the location of Sam Gye’s main base and who the realm lords are.”
[There’s no need to rush. Even if I told you all of that now, you still wouldn’t be able to defeat them.]
Sang Je spoke as though trying to persuade her.
[Focus on growing stronger and surviving, just as you do now. In time, you will come to understand everything.]
Boom!
A surge of intense energy erupted from Bu Eunseol’s body once more.
I was tired of these riddles.
Whether it was the Ma Gyo or the Inbi Organization, whether Sang Je favored me or not.
All I desired was vengeance.
Bu Eunseol would strike down Sang Je and tear out the very roots of the Sam Gye.
[And do not use this Divine Technique until you are certain you can kill with it.]
Sang Je extended both hands.
[And you must obtain the remaining Divine Techniques.]
Whoosh.
In that instant, Sang Je became pure light and vanished somewhere.
Boom!
Bu Eunseol became a streak of lightning, pursuing the disappearing shadow.
Simultaneously, I unleashed the third technique of the Blood Dew Seven Techniques—the Half-Life Half-Death Form—in the shape of sword energy.
With the Blood Dew Seven Techniques, even if it were merely a spirit form, death could reach its true body.
Slash!
But as Bu Eunseol severed the shadow, I felt the blade’s power fail to touch the true body.
The shadow was completely hollow.
“He was escaping while we spoke.”
Sang Je had split his shadow in two.
While conversing with Bu Eunseol, he was already fleeing this place.
“So the leaders of the Infinite Realm use sorcery rather than martial arts?”
Both Cheon Joon and Sang Je primarily employed strange mystical arts rather than martial techniques.
This suggested that the forgotten sorceries of Murim were gradually being revived.
Click.
Bu Eunseol sheathed the Muk Hon Sword and stared blankly at where Sang Je had vanished.
Seeing Sang Je, it was clear the leaders of the Sam Gye knew both my true identity and my purpose.
That meant their involvement in my grandfather’s and parents’ deaths was undeniable.
‘But.’
Sang Je had said he learned how my grandfather died by examining the corpse.
Perhaps he did not know who Hyung Su was, the one who killed my grandfather, or perhaps he was not among the highest echelon of the Sam Gye.
“Sigh.”
Bu Eunseol’s mind grew complicated as I gazed at the sky with weary eyes.
Then, between the clouds, I seemed to see my grandfather’s kindly smiling face.
‘Gwi Il Gye.’
As I recalled the transparent Glass Chamber holding the corpses, my eyes burned hot once more.
The place that took my grandfather’s body was Gwi Il Gye. Their purpose was surely the resurrection of Chil Ji Ma Do.
‘Grandfather.’
Gwi Il Gye had always selected individuals possessing the same constitution as the martial artists of the previous generation.
I was researching methods to create masters with the same capabilities as those of the previous generation.
If that were the case, then like the corpses of the Demon Lords I witnessed on Lengyue Island…
My grandfather’s remains would have been subjected to cruel dissection while sealed within a transparent glass chamber.
“I will absolutely annihilate Gwi Il Gye.”
Even if I leave all other places untouched.
I cannot forgive Gwi Il Gye for taking my grandfather’s corpse—not under any circumstances.
“And I will send to Hell all those who participated in stealing my grandfather’s remains.”
To accomplish this, I must seize Gwi Il Gye’s tail as quickly as possible.
Bu Eunseol immediately turned her body toward the direction of the Demon Palace and unleashed a divine technique as fierce as a gale wind.
[Whoosh.]
Yet immediately after Bu Eunseol departed, a low sigh echoed, and a white shadow revealed itself once more.
Sang Je. He had not truly left this place.
Instead, he had concealed his shadow using a concealment technique so subtle that Bu Eunseol could not sense it.
[It won’t be long now.]
Sang Je gazed down at his own hands.
The hands formed from shadow had grown dim, losing their white radiance.
In attempting to suppress the power erupting from within Bu Eunseol’s body, my true essence had instead suffered grave damage.
And a portion of my original vital energy had been lost as well.
[If I could obtain the Sasin’s power, it would be worth facing her in battle.]
Sang Je smiled.
Throughout the long ages in which I protected Murim, all that remained was a withered body and a shadow capable of moving like my true self.
[Now I wish to rest a little.]
Sang Je gazed toward the Distant Sky.
Having coordinated the conflicts among the Three Realms and handled all the troublesome matters for so long, it seemed I had earned some respite.
“I will grant you eternal rest.”
But then a strange voice echoed from the heavens.
At the same moment, white energy surged forth from the ground in a radius of dozens of zhang around where Sang Je stood.
[Surely not.]
Sang Je turned his head.
Then pure white light erupted from the Distant Sky and began pouring down upon Sang Je’s body.
[You are….]
But Sang Je’s words did not continue.
The surging light was gradually annihilating the shadow.
[Boom!]
The shadow’s annihilation was trivial in itself.
But that light was bringing calamity even to Sang Je’s true body, located hundreds of li away from this place.
Like the Blood Dew Seven Techniques of Chil Ji Ma Do, where death descends upon all things that touch the blade.
[Crack.]
Had both the shadow and true body perished?
Sang Je’s shadow had completely vanished.
* * *
In mere moments, I traversed dozens of leagues, my divine technique unfurling even as my mind sank into profound contemplation.
Originally, I had been certain that Yeop Hyo Cheon had leaked my whereabouts to Sam Gye.
But upon encountering such a formidable figure as Sang Je, a different possibility began to take shape in my thoughts.
‘Chong Gyo Ryeong is no fool.’
Having once exposed my movements to the Infinite Realm,
I had severed the neck of a loyal subordinate who had served Yeop Hyo Cheon faithfully for years, right before his eyes.
Yet not long after that incident, my whereabouts are exposed once more?
Unless he had resolved to abandon Demon Palace or relinquish his position as Chong Gyo Ryeong,
such an act would be utterly impossible.
‘Then…’
My eyes narrowed as I cut through the wind.
There was one other person who could have revealed my movements to the outside world besides Chong Gyo Ryeong.
‘Ma Cheon Je.’
The master of Demon Palace and the supreme lord of the Demonic Path who governed all under heaven—Ma Cheon Je.
There was no one else who could have leaked my whereabouts to Sam Gye.
Demon Palace, Sole Brightness Pavilion. Yeop Hyo Cheon’s office.
Upon my return to Demon Palace, I found myself seated across from Yeop Hyo Cheon, sipping tea.
There was a time when we exchanged favorable glances with one another.
Though we still nested together in this place called Demon Palace, unlike the past, between us
there seemed to flow an uncrossable river.
Yet despite this, I harbored no ill will toward Yeop Hyo Cheon.
For reasons I could not explain,
there was only evidence of him riding the currents of circumstance around him, or
attempting to manipulate situations to suit his own interests.
He had never directly attacked me or orchestrated any vicious schemes against me.
Having endured countless trials within the Murim Alliance thus far,
I found Yeop Hyo Cheon to seem almost naive compared to the leadership of the Orthodox Sects.
“I hear your whereabouts have been exposed again.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon struck first this time.
He not only grasped the situation as clearly as reading one’s palm, but had also discerned the reason for my visit.
“Surely you haven’t come to confront this sect leader about it.”
Instead of answering, I calmly lifted my teacup.
Yet I did not drink it all at once; rather, I inhaled the fragrance deeply through my nose before taking a light sip.
“Tieguanyin, I see.”
I opened my eyes wider anew, gazing down at the golden liquid within the cup.
“Its clear and fragrant aroma seems to wash through one’s very bones.”
“Hmm.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s expression became subtle.
Everyone who mattered knew that I did not enjoy tea.
Yet now he was scrutinizing tea varieties and flavors as though he had suddenly become a connoisseur.
“I heard Ryeong Ju doesn’t enjoy tea. Has your taste changed so quickly?”
“Tastes are always subject to change, are they not?”
Bu Eunseol wore an enigmatic smile.
“In the past, I couldn’t understand why one would drink tea at all.”
Setting down his cup, he fixed Yeop Hyo Cheon with an unwavering gaze.
“Back in those ignorant days, I would critique tea’s flavor without even comprehending its essence.”
“Hmm. There seems to be substance beneath those words.”
“It is merely a matter of concern.”
A chilling coldness emanated from Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he gazed down at his teacup.
“Whether I should now truly begin to drink tea in earnest.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyes narrowed.
He was a man who had long served Ma Cheon Je, who embodied chaos itself.
And Ma Cheon Je—
had never uttered a single word carelessly, possessing the habit of embedding multiple layers of meaning within his speech.
Therefore, Chong Gyo Ryeong Yeop Hyo Cheon, who had served Ma Cheon Je for so long, had achieved mastery in discerning the intricate meanings concealed within a single utterance.
One could scarcely overstate his position as among the highest echelons of Murim.
Slurp.
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyes gleamed as he took a light sip of tea.
―Are you asking whether I should now alter my principles and inclinations as other great masters governing Tianxia do?
This was what Bu Eunseol was truly saying.
“There’s no need to change your tastes at this stage.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon smiled gently as he set down his cup.
“Ryeong Ju possesses convictions uniquely your own, which is precisely why you’ve garnered the absolute support of the Demonic Path.”
“My convictions alone prove insufficient for certain matters.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flickered with a sallow radiance reminiscent of Ak Moo Ryung’s gaze.
“Thus I have come to consult with you on this matter, Chong Gyo Ryeong.”
A brief silence fell.
“Is that so.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon exhaled softly through his nose.
“Regardless of your intentions, this Gyo Ryeong has no objection. However… governing Tianxia demands commensurate responsibility.”
“Then you do not oppose this.”
“Well.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon wore a faint smile.
“When have I ever opposed Ryeong Ju’s endeavors?”
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s smile carried an unprecedented depth.
It held two meanings.
The first was acknowledgment.
Until now, Bu Eunseol had been nothing more than a dormant dragon.
Yet he had now recognized that I too was preparing to ascend toward the heavens to seize the pearl of rulership.
The second was compassion.
I realized that Bu Eunseol was in the same predicament as I was.
Yeop Hyo Cheon possessed power similar to that of the Demon Palace Lord, yet ultimately did not actively manage the Demon Palace.
He was merely Chong Gyo Ryeong, managing those beneath him.
And Bu Eunseol, despite bearing the title of successor,
remained beneath Ma Cheon Je, who held the power of life and death, uncertain of when she would become the master of the Demon Palace—she was Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.
‘Misery loves company,’ as they say.
Bu Eunseol, who had been observing Yeop Hyo Cheon, smiled faintly.
“In truth, I was worried. I feared that Chong Gyo Ryeong might not share my sentiments.”
No matter how diminished his authority might be, Chong Gyo Ryeong was still Chong Gyo Ryeong.
As long as he remained within the confines of the Demon Palace, he could impose any restrictions upon me.
Had Ma Cheon Je and Chong Gyo Ryeong been of one mind and purpose, I would have been forced to abandon the plans I harbored in my heart.
Yet through this private audience today, Yeop Hyo Cheon made his position abundantly clear.
That he did not walk the same path as Ma Cheon Je.
“I see.”
“The tea was excellent.”
Bu Eunseol rose from her seat and clasped her hands together respectfully.
“Then.”
Upon leaving the Sole Brightness Pavilion, Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
Looking toward the Distant Sky, I could faintly hear the cry of a hawk from somewhere.
‘Now it begins.’
I made my resolve.
I would slowly shatter the cage that Ma Cheon Je had constructed and escape beyond it.
To accomplish this, I must first begin something that even Ma Cheon Je could not imagine.
‘If what Sang Je said is true.’
If Sang Je’s words were correct, then everything was merely following its natural course.
I must become infinitely stronger and gather infinitely powerful forces.
And I had long been preparing for such things.
―Prepare the Lords’ General Assembly.
Returning to Jamma Pavilion, Bu Eunseol convened all her subordinates and opened the general assembly.
The Lords of Sayoung Battle Division, Protector Tak Il Hon, So Yo and Sa Hon Dae Lord Mu Heun, and even Seo Jin Ha, who was acting in the role of Seon Woo Jin.
She had summoned all those who could be called her trusted confidants.
Creak.
Yet the place where she had assembled them was none other than Jamma Pavilion’s Secret Chamber, known only to Bu Eunseol and Yu Woon Ryong.
“Have you made peace with your resolve?”
At Yu Woon Ryong’s question, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Yes.”
And drawing a deep breath, I spoke.
“It seems the time has come.”
Now I would reveal everything to those I held dear, and shatter even the cage that had confined me all this while.

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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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