The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 649
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 649.
A faint hum resonated through the air.
It was then that Bu Eunseol detected something peculiar.
Not through heightened senses, but through pure intuition—a stirring of energy that demanded attention.
It felt as though an explosive force was being suppressed somewhere to the northwest.
Yet Do Cheon Rin and the other Lords showed no reaction, as if they sensed nothing amiss.
‘As expected—this is intuition at work.’
My intuition had never once led me astray.
Gazing toward the distant horizon, I spoke to the assembled Lords.
“Return first. I shall investigate this area further.”
“Understood.”
“As you wish.”
Do Cheon Rin and the Lords of Sayoung Hall departed with their retinues.
Detecting that strange sensation once more flowing from the northwest, I launched myself upward into Half-Sky in an instant.
Whoosh!
Unleashing my Extreme Speed Shadowless Movement, I traversed fifty li in a single breath. Before me stretched a densely forested expanse.
‘This way, then.’
Ascending the mountain using my lightness technique, I directed myself toward the highest peak.
Burst!
As I reached the summit using my supreme aerial technique, the strange sensation I had felt vanished completely.
This place was shrouded in mystical mist as if inhabited by immortals, adorned with nameless flowers and plants blooming in ethereal beauty.
‘Could this possibly be their base?’
Could this place, beautiful enough to be called a celestial realm, truly be the headquarters of the Inbiyin?
‘Hmm.’
As I surveyed the surroundings, a flash of insight crossed my eyes.
The faint energy I had sensed from dozens of li away had vanished upon arrival—it made no sense.
‘Then it must be a barrier technique.’
Whoosh.
Transparent energy began swirling around my left hand.
I dispersed my Crystal Divine Qi, dissolving the mist rising in all directions.
Crack.
The beautiful landscape wavered like ripples on water, and a faint doorway began to materialize before me.
‘An illusion technique.’
Footsteps echoed softly.
As I stepped through the doorway.
The beautiful scenery remained unchanged, yet the mist that had swirled in all directions had vanished.
And standing directly before me was a figure that had been invisible moments before.
A maiden of mysterious age.
Perhaps eighteen winters old? In the sunlight, her form resembled a single white plum blossom—elegant and breathtaking.
Yet her gaze was shadowed, as if concealing some profound sorrow.
Thump-thump, thump-thump.
Bu Eunseol’s heart raced wildly. It was not because of her beauty.
This mysterious aura that could be sensed from dozens of miles away.
She had realized that this aura was emanating from the woman’s body.
A glimmer.
Then the woman turned her head and looked at Bu Eunseol.
Eyes as deep and fathomless as gazing into the ocean’s depths—melancholic yet beautiful.
“….”
Meeting her piercing gaze, Bu Eunseol felt flustered.
“Greetings to you.”
When she offered her salutation, the woman’s long eyes narrowed slightly.
Her expression suggested she could not comprehend why Bu Eunseol had appeared here.
“I sensed an unusual aura and came to investigate.”
When the woman remained silent, Bu Eunseol spoke again.
“Seeing as I can sense your aura from dozens of miles away, it seems you must be… deceased.”
Then the woman murmured in a low voice.
“I’m only nineteen years old. How could I possibly be dead?”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol rubbed her nose with an embarrassed expression.
“Might I inquire of your name, young lady?”
To suddenly ask a stranger’s name was considered quite impolite.
Yet Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost composure and a grave expression.
“I am Bu Eunseol, a disciple of Nangya Pavilion. I currently lead forces from the Demon Palace in efforts to prevent the atrocities committed by the Inbiyin.”
“….”
“Given your extraordinary aura, you are no ordinary disciple of some minor faction….”
“I know.”
The woman spoke calmly all of a sudden.
“I’ve seen everything you’ve done.”
Her voice was very low, with a metallic quality threaded through it.
Yet it harmonized perfectly with her melancholic gaze and was not unpleasant to hear.
“Capturing all the Gui A.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
If she knew the term Gui A, then she must be either from Sam Gye or from the Abyss forces that had remained hidden from the Murim until now.
“Their slaughter cannot be restrained. It would be better to kill them immediately.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’ve tried.”
She spoke matter-of-factly.
“The Gui A exist solely to kill the weak. No matter what method is employed, their nature cannot be changed.”
Bu Eunseol’s gaze grew grave.
“Who exactly are you?”
“My name is Man Wol.”
There was no such surname as Man in the world.
It was likely an alias of hers.
‘Her name suits her perfectly—like a crescent moon.’
Her long, delicate eyebrows and slender frame
resembled a crescent moon spirit hidden within night clouds, descended to earth as human form.
“Miss Man Wol.”
Finding it awkward to call her simply “Miss Man,” I chose to use her full name instead.
“Where did you hear the term ‘Gwi’? Do you know their true origins?”
“….”
“If you continue to conceal your identity, I will have no choice but to regard you as an enemy.”
“Will you capture me and torture me for information?”
Man Wol’s expression grew melancholy.
“Martial artists always coerce others with strength to obtain what they desire. You are no different, it seems.”
I swallowed bitterly.
‘Regardless of her affiliation, she does not strike me as someone who commits atrocities.’
I could not force her mouth open, nor did I wish to plead with her while questioning her.
“Then, I apologize for the intrusion.”
As I turned to leave without hesitation, Man Wol spoke.
“When something is born, an opposing force inevitably emerges to counter it. Like a mirror, you see.”
“What do you mean?”
“Gaining strength is not everything. For your enemies may grow stronger as well.”
Since entering Gangho, the thing I despised most was twenty questions.
As Man Wol spoke in riddles, I furrowed my brow.
“If you wish to speak in enigmas, find another person to entertain you.”
“I apologize. It is simply that those called Gwi are difficult to touch, and….”
Man Wol gazed toward the distant sky, her voice low.
“I merely wished to tell you that your sensing my presence and standing before me feels like an inescapable fate.”
“The same meaningless words. I despise sudden, baseless talk most of all.”
I spoke with a hint of irritation.
“If you cannot provide precise information, there seems little point in continuing this conversation.”
“I see.”
Man Wol lowered her head slightly.
“I apologize for the confusion I have caused.”
Then she spoke in a hushed voice.
“We shall meet again soon.”
Whoooosh.
Suddenly, mist rose from all directions.
Man Wol then walked into the thick fog.
My eyes narrowed as I watched her disappear from sight.
Just as she had said.
I had a premonition that I would see her again before long.
‘So this is why the great masters of Murim who once dominated Tianxia became obsessed with the word “fate.”‘
The more I involved myself in the affairs of Murim.
The more I learned of the mysterious organizations that remained unknown and hidden from the world.
An inexplicable force seemed to pull at me. If I had to express that feeling in a single word, it would be “fate.”
‘I must not believe in fate.’
Bu Eunseol shook her head.
This world was far too absurd to believe in something called fate.
Besides, hadn’t Cheon Joon left behind a curse, saying that she was born to carry the fate of Cheon Am Sung?
‘Because one cannot see even a step ahead in this world, humans seek out fate like a map.’
As I became a member of Gangho and handled various matters, I gradually began to perceive things intuitively.
Perhaps what I felt as fate
was simply because my senses had become more acute.
‘Let us return.’
Bu Eunseol turned around.
Now that I had finished matters with the Inbiyin, I needed to proceed with the plan to formally establish the Muhon Society.
* * *
―This is too much!
The atmosphere in Murim grew increasingly tense.
This was because the forces from Sae Oe who had entered the Murim of Zhong Yuan showed no intention of leaving.
All they had done was capture young Killing Ghosts who had attacked vagrants and commoners.
Of course, those Killing Ghosts were said to possess extraordinary skill, surpassing even peak masters.
Yet they were few in number and merely children.
They were skilled at evading pursuit and cunning, making them difficult to capture.
There was no need to bring so many forces from Sae Oe to deal with them.
―Immediately withdraw the Sae Oe units from beyond the Jade Gate.
Not only the Murim Alliance
but also the Black Path factions, including the Huk Ki Hoe, sent letters of protest to the Demon Hall.
―I heard they established some sort of organization while stationed at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
What is clear is that our cooperation with the Sae Oe faction has ended, and their future actions have no relation to the Bon Jeon or myself.
Bu Eunseol left only these words.
After that, there was no further response.
The place where the Sae Oe forces had settled was Jeok Cheon Mak Ji in Seomseong—territory of the Orthodox Sects.
If the Sae Oe forces quietly rolled in and clashed with the Orthodox Murim Alliance?
The Demon Hall had nothing to lose.
They sent letters to Chong Gyo Ryeong as well, but the result was the same.
As long as it did not violate the rules of the Demon Hall, Chong Gyo Ryeong could restrain no one.
―We cannot leave things as they are.
The Demon Hall and Bu Eunseol remained unmoved.
In the end, with the Murim Alliance as the backbone, they came together with the Black Path factions whose interests were entangled with the Sae Oe forces that had arrived in Seomseong.
They proposed inviting Bu Eunseol, who had caused this turmoil, to conduct a conference.
―If you do not attend this gathering, full-scale warfare will commence immediately.
Bu Eunseol finally showed a reaction.
―Very well.
At last, the conference was held at Hwasan.
Since military forces were stationed at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji in Seomseong, Hwasan openly hosted the conference.
It was called the Cheok Sa Hoe Ui—the Conference to Repel Evil.
The Murim Alliance openly designated the Sae Oe forces gathered at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji as ‘malevolent forces’.
They were proclaiming that this conference was convened for their annihilation.
Bu Eunseol attended the conference at Hwasan alongside Dae Gu Hwi.
It was a place that any figure from the Demonic Path would have avoided, yet Bu Eunseol ascended to Hwasan without hesitation.
A low murmur filled the air.
Vast numbers of troops had already gathered near Hwa Eum Hyeon.
They were forces dispatched by the Murim Alliance and the Black Path coalition, numbering at least eight thousand.
Only Bu Eunseol and Dae Gu Hwi came with nothing but their bodies.
From the Murim Alliance and Black Path sides,
To demonstrate that they could launch full-scale warfare immediately depending on the conference’s outcome,
They had brought vast numbers of troops.
Bu Eunseol and Dae Gu Hwi paid them no mind and passed through them to ascend Hwasan.
Upon reaching the mountainside, ten figures descended in a group to receive Bu Eunseol.
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence.”
They were young, yet their eyes were remarkably clear and filled with vitality.
Judging by their age, it appeared that Hwasan’s leadership had ordered some of their most exceptional young disciples to receive the guest.
“Please follow us.”
Bu Eunseol followed them up the mountain.
The path upward was meticulously maintained.
Throughout, shaded areas to escape the heat and refreshments had been prepared.
Martial artists, being swift of foot, could ascend to the summit of Yeon Hwa Bong in a single burst of lightness technique.
However, with such courteous reception, they had no choice but to ascend slowly while sipping the tea offered by their hosts.
After climbing for some time, the sound of water became audible, and a waterfall cascading from a sheer cliff came into view.
The Hwasan disciples continuously explained the scenery as they climbed.
Bu Eunseol showed little interest, but Dae Gu Hwi listened with sparkling eyes, utterly captivated.
In truth, such treatment was, from Hwasan’s perspective, a form of welcome extended to guests who had come to visit their sect.
Dae Gu Hwi, who had scarcely traveled through Zhong Yuan, listened with gleaming eyes and great enthusiasm.
He even pointed to various locations and asked about their origins.
―That young man seems to have come for sightseeing.
The Hwasan disciples were inwardly bewildered.
Currently, Hwasan had arranged a gathering where the leaders of the Orthodox Sects, the Black Path, and one of the heads of the Demon Hall would meet.
The tension was so palpable it seemed ready to explode at the slightest touch.
Yet here she was, listening to their words at a leisurely pace as if she were merely sightseeing a famous mountain, her expression bright and serene.
“We’re almost there now.”
After winding back and forth along the mountain path for some time,
a broad clearing suddenly came into view on the way to Yeon Hwa Bong.
Tap, tap, tap.
The Hwasan disciples ahead immediately rushed forward to announce Bu Eunseol’s arrival.
Soon after, about twenty figures approached Bu Eunseol and Dae Gu Hwi, clasping their hands in salute.
“Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.”
At the forefront stood a middle-aged man in dark blue robes, towering above the rest.
He stood over six feet tall, his frame as imposing as three strong men combined.
His face was covered in scars, and his tiger-like eyes blazed upward with fierce intensity.
He resembled a roaring lion that had taken human form.
This was Seok Woong Cheon, the Chong Cheon Dan Ju of the Murim Alliance and master of the Extreme Circle Divine Sect, who had organized this Cheok Sa Hoe Ui.
“Chong Cheon Dan Ju, Seok Woong Cheon.”
The Murim Alliance had openly appointed the most aggressive of the Seven Great Units,
the Chong Cheon Dan Ju, who bore the responsibility of vigilance against the rising forces of Sae Oe, to host this conference.
‘Is this the extent of it?’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
Her conviction remained unchanged—that Sung Wi Dan Ju Baek Ri Mu Jo possessed the greatest martial prowess among the Seven Great Unit Lords.
Yet seeing Seok Woong Cheon this close,
he radiated an overwhelming aura far beyond what she had witnessed on the Murim Alliance Platform before.
‘The Murim Alliance, the Murim Alliance!’
Inwardly, Bu Eunseol sighed deeply.
The true depth of the Murim Alliance was far more than what met the eye, and even their openly displayed military strength slightly surpassed that of the Demon Palace.
Moreover, the Seven Great Unit Lords….
They harbored a singular ambition to become the Alliance Lord and govern the Orthodox Martial World.
Thus they handled only internal Alliance matters discreetly, never appearing in the broader Gangho.
This was why their renown and martial prowess had not become widely known.
“I am Bu Eunseol.”
Unlike Seok Woong Cheon, who radiated overwhelming pressure, Bu Eunseol offered her greeting with gentle grace.
“Indeed, a true dragon among men.”
From Bu Eunseol’s composed demeanor alone, Seok Woong Cheon discerned that her cultivation was far from ordinary.
“This way, please.”
The sky was crystalline blue, and Yeon Hwa Bong rose majestically, as if surveying all of Tianxia from above.
Within the peak stood a grand structure resembling a temple, apparently built by the Hwasan Sect for conducting ancestral rites of previous generations.
Upon entering, contrary to its exterior, a spacious conference hall furnished with exquisite furnishings came into view.
Within sat figures who appeared to be the leadership of various sects.
They were the leaders of the Huk Ki Hoe, which had recently shown great prosperity, as well as the Sect Leaders of Hyun Cheon Bang and Ya Cha Moon.
The major faction leaders of the Dark Path had all gathered for this conference.
However, the Sect Leader and elders of the Hwasan Sect were nowhere to be seen.
Though this conference is being held at Hwasan, Seok Woong Cheon, the Lord of Changcheon Unit, has come to represent the entire Orthodox Martial World.
‘How absurd.’
Bu Eunseol harbored silent ridicule in her heart.
Since this was a gathering of the Orthodox leadership, they should have pooled opinions from equal positions and reached consensus.
Yet those faction leaders who harbored goodwill toward the Muhon Society or could lend their strength were completely excluded.
Instead, the conference hall was filled with the heads of Black Path factions bearing ill will.
‘So Hwasan did send representatives.’
Looking more carefully, I could see figures who appeared to be elders of Hwasan seated in one corner of the conference hall.
However, they sat in the corner of the hall with relaxed expressions.
Since Seok Woong Cheon had come, they seemed content to simply observe and enjoy the show without taking an active role.
A heavy silence fell.
As Bu Eunseol and Dae Gu Hwi took their seats, the Black Path leaders, including the Lord of the Black Banner Society,
glared at the two as if they could kill them with their eyes alone.
If the forces of Sae Oe took root in Seomseong, the Murim Alliance would be displeased.
But the Black Path factions, with their various vested interests at stake, could not help but be even more sensitive to the matter.
“Well then, now that everyone has gathered, shall we begin our discussion?”
Once all the assembled members had taken their seats, Seok Woong Cheon opened his mouth with gravity.
“Muk Hon Ryeong Ju. As you know, this conference is convened to discuss the matter of you unilaterally stationing the forces of Sae Oe in Seomseong.”
His voice was soft, but his gaze was utterly solemn.
“First, I ask on behalf of the Murim Alliance. Why did you summon the forces of Sae Oe?”
“I believe the Murim Alliance would know better than anyone.”
“True. The Alliance initiated this first. Gong Son Chong Sa detected those strange murders, and the Alliance attempted to handle it.”
Seok Woong Cheon spoke calmly.
“But that alone would not justify it. No matter how formidable those strange young Killing Ghosts are, they would not warrant bringing in the forces of Sae Oe.”
“Then attempt to handle them yourselves.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with confidence.
“Then you will understand why this Ryeong Ju sought aid from Buk Hae Bing Gung and Ya Soo Gung.”
“Are you saying the Demon Palace lacks the capability or military strength to deal with them?”
As Seok Woong Cheon spoke with subtle sarcasm, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“It is not a matter of military strength, but rather the nature of their martial techniques.”
“Nature? Then you are saying the martial techniques of Buk Hae Bing Gung and Ya Soo Gung are necessary to capture them?”
“That is correct.”
“Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, such a vague explanation does not seem appropriate for this matter.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and eyes sharp as blades fixed his gaze upon Bu Eunseol and spoke.
It was none other than Jeong Cheol Shim, Lord of the Black Banner Society.
The Black Banner Society had suffered complete annihilation when attempting to seize Jeok Cheon Mak Ji, defeated by the Vagrant King’s forces, and Dam Woong, the Lord of Hwa Geum Party, had returned with his head severed.
After that, Jeok Cheon Mak Ji fell into the hands of the Demon Palace—so without needing to ask, the architect behind it was clearly the Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.
The very person who had destroyed the work he had labored so long to accomplish now stood before his eyes.
His entire body burned with rage, his blood boiling, the whites of his eyes flushed crimson with fury.
“This conference includes not only the Murim Alliance but also the leaders of the Black Path factions, including our society. It would be a grave miscalculation to think such an explanation alone would satisfy us.”
Bu Eunseol turned her gaze toward Jeong Cheol Shim.
“You wouldn’t believe anything I say anyway, would you?”
And she smiled.
“You’ll all simply pursue your own interests and self-preservation.”
“Muk Hon Ryeong Ju!”
As Jeong Cheol Shim cried out, Hyun Cheon Bang’s master and Yeom Mu interjected with cold voices.
“Ryeong Ju. We’ve heard that even the Demonic Path doesn’t welcome such unilateral decisions of yours?”
Yeom Mu tilted his head slightly as he regarded Bu Eunseol.
“No matter if you’re the successor to Demon Palace, creating an alliance rather than a sect—isn’t that an act of rebellion? I wonder how Ma Cheon Je could possibly accept such a thing.”
“I’m not sure what rebellion you’re referring to.”
“Ryeong Ju. If you conclude matters in such a manner, this conference will have no choice but to dissolve immediately.”
“That’s fine.”
As Bu Eunseol answered, this time Ya Cha Moon’s master Song Sam Do spoke.
“Muk Hon Ryeong Ju. Are your eyes blind? Or do the heroes of the Dark Path gathered here appear to you as mere scarecrows?”
Bu Eunseol offered no reply, only maintaining her smile.
Then flames of fury blazed forth from Song Sam Do’s eyes.
No matter that Bu Eunseol was the successor to Demon Palace, they too were sect masters of their respective factions.
Seeing her consistently dismissive attitude toward them, Song Sam Do could no longer contain himself.
“Fine!”
Song Sam Do rose abruptly and spoke.
“Now that you’ve become the leader of the Sae Oe forces, you won’t be able to flaunt your authority by relying on Demon Palace anymore!”
“Leader, you say.”
Bu Eunseol let out a soft laugh and glanced at Dae Gu Hwi with a shrug.
“Great Hoe Ju. The Ya Cha Moon master is calling you the Great Hoe Ju rather awkwardly.”
The expressions of those gathered grew strange.
They had been curious about why Bu Eunseol brought Dae Gu Hwi, the youngest son of Ya Soo Gung’s master Dae Gon, to this place.
But he was a Hoe Ju?
“If you throw down a challenge, it should be accepted.”
As Dae Gu Hwi smiled brightly, Song Sam Do’s brow furrowed.
“What are you trying to do now?”
“Master Song. Surely you don’t think I stationed the Sae Oe forces at Jeok Cheon Mak Ji?”
“You summoned the Sae Oe forces. Are you now speaking nonsense?”
“It’s true that I summoned them to resolve this matter. But I made it clear that was all.”
Bu Eunseol spoke at her leisure.
“As I said, their stationing has nothing to do with me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
As those gathered blinked in confusion, Dae Gu Hwi stepped forward.
“We’ve formed the Muhon Society by joining forces with Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.”
“The Muhon Society?”
Those present exchanged glances with one another, their eyes blinking in bewilderment.
Muhonjung.
It was a word that had always symbolized Bu Eunseol—one who had been called only Muk Hon Ryeong Ju without any special epithet until now.
They had brazenly named the organization Muhon Society, and now they claimed Bu Eunseol had nothing to do with it? What kind of absurd nonsense was this?
“What—what the hell are you talking about!”
Finally, Song Sam Do, the Lord of Ya Cha Moon, erupted.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————