The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 650

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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 650.
As Song Sam Do sprang to his feet, spewing curses as though ready to unleash his martial power at any moment, Seok Woong Cheon raised a hand to restrain him.
“Song Sam Do. Compose yourself.”
“No, that damned dog——”
Song Sam Do was about to unleash another volley of curses, but the moment he met Seok Woong Cheon’s stern gaze, he swallowed his words.
To provoke one of the Seven Lords was to provoke the Murim Alliance itself.
Moreover, faced with Seok Woong Cheon’s towering presence, he could no longer afford to be reckless.
“I apologize. I lost myself to emotion.”
As Song Sam Do returned to his seat, the atmosphere in the conference hall settled.
Then Dae Gu Hwi spoke again.
“This conference hall has become little more than a place where street rabble air their grievances on a whim.”
Though his words were insulting, Song Sam Do did not lose control again.
Dae Gu Hwi shrugged with evident boredom and continued.
“In any case, it has nothing to do with Moo Hon Ryeong Ju. It is merely a designation referring to warriors without souls.”
“Explain precisely. What exactly is the Muhon Society?”
Seok Woong Cheon stepped forward to ask, and Dae Gu Hwi answered.
“The Muhon Society is an alliance of righteous and evil sects. We have united our strength to deal with the ghost-children lurking throughout Zhong Yuan, preying upon the innocent.”
“Ghost-children?”
“Indeed. We refer to the young ones who committed these massacres by that name.”
“Hahahaha.”
Jeong Cheol Shim, who had been listening silently, burst into laughter as though finding the matter absurd.
“Why do you, a faction from the Western Sea Region, presume to intervene in matters of Zhong Yuan? Does the Murim of Zhong Yuan appear to you a place where you can enter freely and play at children’s games?”
“That could never be the case.”
“Then leave at once. Unless you wish war with the Murim of Zhong Yuan.”
“We cannot leave.”
“What did you say?”
Dae Gu Hwi smiled faintly.
“My origin lies with Ya Soo Gung, but that is no longer true.”
Dae Gu Hwi spoke matter-of-factly.
“I departed from Ya Soo Gung, renouncing all claim to the position of successor.”
Thump.
At this unexpected revelation, all the assembled figures widened their eyes in shock.
Dae Gu Hwi, who had been virtually designated as the next successor of Ya Soo Gung, had abandoned the sect entirely.
What in the world did this mean?
“Wait.”
Seok Woong Cheon, who had been listening in silence, suddenly grasped something and spoke.
“Then the Palace Lord of Buk Hae Bing Gung as well——”
“Indeed.”
Dae Gu Hwi nodded.
“The Palace Lord has also departed from Buk Hae Bing Gung and has agreed to lead our Bing Ha Jeon Dan within the Muhon Society.”
A stunned silence fell over the room.
The assembled leaders sat with their mouths agape.
The Palace Lord of Buk Hae Bing Gung, who had been steadily rising in power, had suddenly abandoned his position and joined the Muhon Society?
What manner of absurdity was this?
“Where do you get such nonsense!”
Jeong Cheol Shim’s voice thundered with fury, and Dae Gu Hwi responded calmly.
“Mind your words, Hoe Ju.”
Dae Gu Hwi’s eyes blazed with brilliant white lightning.
“I too am the leader of the Muhon Society.”
“Hah! Who would acknowledge a wretch like you as a leader?”
“A wretch?”
Dae Gu Hwi rose from his seat with an icy smile.
“Then there is nothing more to discuss. Ryeong Ju, let us depart.”
As Dae Gu Hwi turned to leave, Jeong Cheol Shim’s expression shifted dramatically.
If this meeting collapsed because of his own rudeness, the responsibility would fall squarely upon his shoulders.
“Wait.”
Jeong Cheol Shim bit his lip until his molars ached, then pressed his palms together in apology.
“This Hoe Ju momentarily lost his composure and acted without courtesy. I offer my sincere apologies.”
Seok Woong Cheon quickly interjected.
“Since Jeong Hoe Ju has apologized so graciously, let us set aside our grievances. Now that we know you are the leader of the Muhon Society, we shall show you proper respect.”
“You are acknowledging me as the leader of the Muhon Society?”
At Dae Gu Hwi’s words, Seok Woong Cheon fell silent.
‘He would not have spoken falsely in a gathering such as this.’
If Dae Gu Hwi and Bing Han Poong had truly abandoned their sects to come here?
Whether by coercion or of their own will, such matters could not be openly questioned.
“What is there to acknowledge? If the great leader is a leader, then a leader he is.”
Though Seok Woong Cheon’s cunning words left much to be desired, Dae Gu Hwi reluctantly resumed his seat.
“Very well.”
Seok Woong Cheon immediately continued.
“I understand that individuals from the Sae Oe sects, including yourself, have abandoned their identities and formed this organization called the Muhon Society. But what exactly is this matter of ‘righteous and evil coexistence’?”
“Our sole purpose is to eliminate the demons scattered throughout Murim, regardless of whether they belong to the Orthodox or Evil sects.”
“And why should you be the ones to deal with them?”
“To protect the common people and the weak from these demons.”
Dae Gu Hwi smiled with genuine sincerity.
It was a pure expression of will to protect Murim, untainted by any pursuit of gain.
But unfortunately, those before him were leaders whose eyes burned only for power and profit.
Whether his words were sincere or not, they could never permit such an organization to take root in their domain.
“I’m afraid that simply will not do.”
Seok Woong Cheon shook his head.
“You speak of righteous and evil coexistence, but Buk Hae Bing Gung and Ya Soo Gung are, if I may be frank, aligned with the Demonic Path, are they not?”
He laughed coldly and spoke.
“Seomseong has long been under the Orthodox Sects’ sphere of influence, as you well know. We cannot possibly tolerate the Demonic Path taking root there.”
”
Seok Woong Cheon was a Lord of the Murim Alliance.
His refusal meant the Murim Alliance opposed it.
If the Demonic Path sect, the Muhon Society, attempted to forcibly establish itself in Seomseong?
It was tantamount to declaring they would be eliminated without question.
―Hehehehe.
At Seok Woong Cheon’s words, all the leaders in the hall wore sinister smiles.
With Seok Woong Cheon openly opposing them, there was no way they could survive unless they went to war with the Murim Alliance itself.
“How unfortunate. We clearly stated we were neutral, yet you classify us as the Demonic Path.”
Dae Gu Hwi, shrugging his shoulders, spoke to Seok Woong Cheon.
“Then our society shall enter the Murim Alliance and receive its command.”
“What did you say?”
Seok Woong Cheon’s eyes widened in shock.
A force comprising more than half of the Buk Hae Bing Gung and Ya Soo Gung suddenly wished to become subordinate to the Murim Alliance?
“We abandoned our sect only because we wished to preserve peace in the Zhong Yuan martial world.”
Dae Gu Hwi spoke with perfect composure.
“We clearly stated we were neutral, but since Lord Seok has declared otherwise, we have no choice. We can only enter under the Murim Alliance.”
And he added one more thing.
“However, if we become part of the Orthodox Sects, our Wanderer Market will operate exclusively for the Orthodox Sects, so the profit from joining the Murim Alliance will not be substantial.”
Seok Woong Cheon blinked.
While the exact military strength of the Muhon Society remained unclear, what was known included two core forces among the major factions of Sae Oe and the Wanderer Brigades.
Yet they wished to join the Murim Alliance?
If that happened, they could not only resolve the troublesome matter of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji, which had become the Demon Palace’s force.
But wouldn’t formidable military power simply roll into the Murim Alliance?
“Moo Hon Ryeong Ju. Are you sincere?”
Seok Woong Cheon ultimately asked not Dae Gu Hwi, but Bu Eunseol.
“The Great Society Leader doesn’t seem to be joking.”
Bu Eunseol shrugged her shoulders.
“As I said, our Ryeong Ju sought their assistance to deal with the demons disturbing the Murim.”
“….”
“However, they pointed fingers at our Ryeong Ju as the one behind their establishment and blamed us, so out of responsibility I came to this conference. Again, the Muhon Society has absolutely no connection to our Ryeong Ju.”
The fact that such words were spoken in a place where the leaders of the Orthodox and Demonic factions gathered.
Regardless of the actual truth behind it.
Officially acknowledged that Bu Eunseol and the Muhon Society were separate entities.
“Ahem.”
Seok Woong Cheon cleared his throat.
“If you say it that way, there’s no helping it.”
He nodded, unable to hide his delight.
“Great Leader. You wish for us to submit to the Ben Maeng, so we should immediately bring all our forces….”
“Nonsense.”
It was then that Hyun Cheon Bang Ju, who had been listening silently, spoke loudly.
“Why should the Muhon Society enter the Murim Alliance?”
And he turned his gaze toward Seok Woong Cheon.
“Your intentions seem suspicious.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s strange, isn’t it? You’ve formed an alliance force, and now you speak of joining the Murim Alliance.”
Hyun Cheon Bang Ju, regarding Seok Woong Cheon, spoke with a suspicious expression.
“Could it be that you orchestrated everything beforehand, and held this conference to create justification for the Murim Alliance to absorb the factions of Sae Oe?”
“That couldn’t possibly be.”
Though Seok Woong Cheon felt offended, Hyun Cheon Bang was a major faction comparable to the Black Flag Society, which had consolidated thirteen branch organizations.
Moreover, he was one of the Mado Sipgyeol, ranking above Seok Woong Cheon himself, so he restrained himself and opened his mouth.
“If such an agreement had been made beforehand, why would the Lord of Ben Jeon have come out like this?”
Seok Woong Cheon wore a resolute expression.
“Even if they were to come to the Ben Maeng, whether they would be accepted remains uncertain. And even if accepted, the process of their submission to the Ben Maeng would not be easy.”
“How unfortunate. The Murim Alliance finds itself in such a difficult position.”
It was then that Dae Gu Hwi uttered something completely unexpected.
“Then we shall place ourselves under the Black Flag Society Leader.”
“What?”
This time, Seok Woong Cheon and Hyun Cheon Bang Ju leaped to their feet.
Already, with the Demonic Path weakened somewhat, the Black Flag Society’s power had grown unchecked in the gap.
But if the Muhon Society became a faction under the Black Flag Society? The very landscape of Seomseong’s Murim would be transformed.
“Are you serious?”
At the Black Flag Society Leader’s words, Dae Gu Hwi pressed his palms together.
“Of course. How could I speak nonsense in this place?”
And he spoke with an utterly solemn expression.
“We merely declared our position to protect the Murim of Zhong Yuan. In truth, our affiliation matters little.”
The Black Flag Society Leader’s mouth twitched.
This was a conference where all the leaders of the Orthodox and Demonic sects had gathered.
Once words were spoken, they could never be taken back.
“Then it cannot be helped.”
Just as the Black Flag Society Leader was about to nod, Seok Woong Cheon, Hyun Cheon Bang, and the Yaksha Sect Leader all leaped up simultaneously.
“Both factions are from the Demonic Path—why are they going to the Dark Path?”
“We cannot accept them entering under the Black Flag Society.”
The hall erupted in chaos.
The conference hall descended into complete disorder.
As the confusion persisted beyond half an hour, Seok Woong Cheon felt his head throbbing.
But suddenly, his eyes widened.
Only then did he grasp the plan—Dae Gu Hwi’s, or rather Bu Eunseol’s plan.
‘So this was their plan all along.’
The Murim Alliance had convened the Cheok Sa Society, inviting not only its own members but also the leaders of the Dark Path.
Their intention was to decisively suppress Bu Eunseol, a figure of the Demonic Path.
The incident of carelessly allowing Sae Oe forces into the Zhong Yuan Murim.
Bu Eunseol would undoubtedly drive a wedge between the Murim Alliance and the Demon Hall, creating conflict.
And she would exploit the precarious standoff between the Jeongsayang-do alliance forces to carve out an escape route for herself.
But Bu Eunseol had anticipated the Murim Alliance’s scheme and turned it to her advantage instead.
She had created the very circumstances that would establish the Muhon Society as a legitimate neutral faction.
‘We’re already riding the tiger.’
Seok Woong Cheon bit his lip.
With the leaders of both the Orthodox and Demonic paths gathered here like this.
The Muhon Society could ultimately belong to neither.
If I cannot have it…
Then no one else must have it either—such is the way of the world.
“Enough.”
Seok Woong Cheon, having grasped the situation, nodded his head.
“I understand what you’re saying, Great Leader.”
And he spoke with solemn gravity.
“The Murim Alliance will formally recognize the Muhon Society as a neutral faction between Orthodox and Demonic paths.”
Thus Seok Woong Cheon, standing as the representative of the Murim Alliance, swiftly granted recognition to the Muhon Society.
Otherwise, a powerful faction that could immediately threaten the Murim Alliance might defect to the Dark Path.
“Hmm.”
The leaders of the Dark Path all swallowed hard.
Only then did they truly comprehend the situation.
If the Muhon Society were to join the Murim Alliance, it would eventually become a formidable enemy capable of turning its blade against them.
That was something they absolutely could not allow.
“What are the thoughts of the Dark Path?”
At Dae Gu Hwi’s question, they clenched their teeth and answered.
“Very well. We too shall recognize the Muhon Society as a neutral alliance.”
Thus all the leaders of the Dark Path also granted recognition to the Muhon Society.
Even if the Muhon Society’s scale was considerable, as long as Moo Hon Ryeong Ju did not intervene.
Even as a neutral faction, it would not pose an overwhelmingly threatening force.
Rather than having it belong to either the Orthodox or Dark Path, recognizing it as a neutral alliance was far preferable.
“How fortunate. This way, we can operate the Wanderer Market in parallel without being bound by either faction.”
At Dae Gu Hwi’s words, everyone’s faces fell as though they’d been struck.
―We keep falling deeper into their schemes.
Alliances inevitably require vast sums of money.
But for the Wanderer Market to flourish, it’s best not to belong to either the Orthodox or Demonic paths.
Otherwise, they cannot accept commissions from both sides.
Now that the Muhon Society has been recognized as a neutral faction, it can freely accept commissions from Jeongsayang-do.
Now they could rake in massive fortunes just like this.
“Well, that’s fine.”
Seok Woong Cheon nodded.
“Though the Muhon Society has become a coalition of Orthodox and Evil sects, there is something you absolutely cannot do.”
He spoke with a solemn expression.
“You claim to handle the Killing Ghosts, but such matters are strictly the business of Zhong Yuan’s Murim. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
If the Muhon Society had joined the Murim Alliance or the Black Flag Society, they couldn’t have used their origins from Sae Oe as leverage.
But through this conference, the Muhon Society had gained recognition from the Murim Alliance and the Black Path coalition as a unified force of Orthodox and Evil sects.
In other words, their origins remained Sae Oe.
That fact would never change.
Now the Murim Alliance and the Black Path were determined to prevent them from becoming a coalition powerful enough to influence Zhong Yuan’s Murim.
“Why is that? The Killing Ghosts will continue to appear.”
“As I’ve said repeatedly, Zhong Yuan’s Murim will handle that themselves.”
“Even if all the common people die? Can you keep that promise?”
“What promise are you talking about? It’s Zhong Yuan’s Murim’s responsibility from the start.”
“Surely not.”
Dae Gu Hwi spoke with a mocking tone.
“We are the ones who have been catching the Killing Ghosts.”
“You think we cannot catch them?”
“Anyone can make promises.”
Dae Gu Hwi smiled as he gazed at Seok Woong Cheon and the leaders of the Black Path factions.
“Surely the Black Path coalition wouldn’t undertake such grueling, unprofitable work, would you?”
In that instant, the faces of the Black Path leaders seated in the conference hall grew cold and rigid.
When someone as gentle and honest-looking as Dae Gu Hwi wore a mocking smile, the impact was considerable.
“You’re saying we won’t do it? Can you guarantee that?”
At Song Sam Do’s outburst, Dae Gu Hwi replied calmly.
“We are not martial artists—we seek to protect common people and vagrants. But those here… well, perhaps the Murim Alliance might manage it, but I doubt the Black Path or Evil Sects will.”
“Are you saying you’ll use the Black Path as an excuse to conduct Murim activities?”
“It’s not an excuse—it’s the truth.”
Dae Gu Hwi wore a mocking smile.
“If the Black Path factions can truly handle such matters, our society will never intervene.”
And he added one more thing.
“The eyes of common people are surprisingly fearsome. Even if you merely promise temporarily and turn a blind eye, eventually our society will step forward.”
―That was a valid point.
All the leaders seated in the conference hall nodded faintly.
Public opinion among common people was terrifying.
The Murim Alliance might be different, but the Evil Sects and Black Path would not openly commit themselves.
If that happened, the Muhon Society would emerge as the saviors of the common people.
And as they gradually expanded their influence, they could become a coalition rivaling even the Black Flag Society—or perhaps the Murim Alliance and the Demon Hall itself.
―Their growth must be stopped at all costs.
The same thought flickered through all their minds.
“The Ben Hoe Ju made a promise.”
Then Jeong Cheol Shim spoke.
“That if those creatures called Sal Gwi appear within Ben Hoe’s sphere of influence, we would absolutely eliminate them.”
“The Ben Maeng is no different.”
At Seok Woong Cheon’s words, Dae Gu Hwi gazed at the other Dark Path faction leaders.
“And what of them?”
Dae Gu Hwi asked.
“How can we trust that promise?”
Then Seok Woong Cheon clapped his hands as a brilliant idea struck him.
“Indeed. Why not create a joint petition document right now?”
The faction leaders who grasped Seok Woong Cheon’s intent gleamed with understanding.
Dealing with Sal Gwi was trivial.
But if all the leaders participating in the Cheok Sa Society were to draft a jointly signed document?
Under the pretext of aiding the common people.
They could completely prevent the Muhon Society from taking root and conducting martial activities in Zhong Yuan.
“Excellent.”
“Let us do so.”
Jeong Cheol Shim and Song Sam Do stepped forward eagerly.
“Let us promise that whether it be Sal Gwi or any other malevolent creature that appears in each faction’s territory, we shall eliminate it immediately.”
“Splendid. Splendid indeed.”
All the leaders in the conference hall gave their consent.
And they all gazed at Bu Eunseol and Dae Gu Hwi with triumphant satisfaction.
―How is that? You will absolutely be unable to operate now.
Yet something was strange.
Were they not smiling faintly instead?
“Very well.”
Dae Gu Hwi spoke readily.
“Since you have made such a promise, our society shall provide information immediately upon discovering Sal Gwi.”
“Information?”
“Indeed. Our information network is quite extensive. The wanderers operating throughout Murim serve as our eyes and ears.”
The eyes of everyone present narrowed.
The Muhon Society was a place that could grow substantially whenever opportunity arose.
They absolutely had to prevent it from becoming involved in Zhong Yuan’s affairs.
“Information provision is acceptable. But you must absolutely not interfere.”
At Seok Woong Cheon’s words, Dae Gu Hwi nodded.
“Of course.”
“Then let us create the joint petition document immediately and make the promise.”
He spoke with utmost resolve.
“Unless each faction requests otherwise, you shall absolutely be unable to interfere.”
It was not the Murim Alliance, but rather the Black Path factions that had to absolutely prevent the rise of the Muhon Society.
At Seok Woong Cheon’s words, the leaders of the Black Path nodded once more.
“Very well. Should anyone break this covenant, let them face simultaneous assault from both the Black Path and the Murim Alliance.”
Here in this place, the Lords of the Murim Alliance and the leaders of the Black Path had gathered, conducting their conference openly.
If the covenant written in blood seal here were to be violated?
Even Bu Eunseol, the successor to the Demon Hall, could never escape that responsibility.
It was then that Dae Gu Hwi spoke.
“However, should our society request assistance… we would inevitably need to engage in Gangho activities. You must not obstruct our society from operating as a unified body of the Orthodox and Righteous Paths.”
―As if that would happen?
The leaders gathered in the conference hall wore barely concealed smirks.
To merely deal with Sal Gwi, they would never need to borrow the strength of the Muhon Society.
And to make such a request, allowing them to take root in Zhong Yuan? That was utterly unthinkable.
“Agreed.”
All the leaders present nodded in unison. Dae Gu Hwi then nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Excellent.”
The blood covenant was drawn up in an instant.
It contained provisions recognizing the Muhon Society as a unified body of the Orthodox and Righteous Paths in Seomseong.
And it stipulated that they could never involve themselves in the affairs of Zhong Yuan’s Murim until other factions made their request.
Additionally, it included a clause that they would provide only information regarding Sal Gwi.
“Is there anything that differs from the terms?”
When Seok Woong Cheon asked, Dae Gu Hwi shook his head.
“There is not.”
He then immediately inscribed his name in his own hand and pressed his seal upon it.
“Well then, everything has been concluded.”
Bu Eunseol looked around at those gathered and nodded.
“Having confirmed that this matter of the Muhon Society has no connection to Ben Jeon or Ben Ryeong Ju, I shall take my leave.”
Hearing those words, Seok Woong Cheon smiled faintly.
“Please do.”
“Then I shall also depart.”
Dae Gu Hwi likewise clasped his hands together and departed with Bu Eunseol, walking shoulder to shoulder.
“Forgive us for not seeing you out properly.”
“Think nothing of it. Farewell.”
The moment Bu Eunseol and Dae Gu Hwi left, the leaders of the Black Path erupted into sinister laughter without restraint.
“Hehehehe.”
“Hahahaha!”
They gazed at one another and laughed with satisfaction.
Had they not united their strength?
The Muhon Society would have risen as an influential force in Zhong Yuan’s Murim, coming to dominate the martial world itself.
“It seems the Moo Hon Ryeong Ju wanted to carelessly plant the Sae Oe forces supporting him into Zhong Yuan. But what a foolish notion that was.”
Jeong Cheol Shim opened his mouth with a sinister laugh.
“It seems your influence within the Demon Hall has waned considerably from what it once was. You must have sensed the danger.”
If the Muhon Society were to rise as a force within Murim?
Whether the Orthodox Sects or the Demon Hall, anywhere at all—they would have scrambled about, attempting to shift the balance of power.
But these men anticipated it all.
While they would offer no advantage to one another, they affixed their seals to a joint agreement, ensuring none of them would be manipulated by a single faction.
“It appears Moo Hon Ryeong Ju intended to create yet another force under the name of the Muhon Society, seeking to exert influence not only over the Demonic Path but also the Orthodox Sects, the Dark Path, and the Evil Sects.”
Hyun Cheon Bang Ju nodded and spoke.
“By claiming he would join the Orthodox Sects, then the Dark Path, conducting fraudulent negotiations to maintain a foothold in the Zhong Yuan Murim, so to speak.”
At this, Jeong Cheol Shim laughed with supreme confidence.
“But now that we have obtained their seals so firmly and secured their oaths, there is nothing left for them to accomplish.”
Song Sam Do wore a scornful smile.
“They officially declared he was never the Society Leader and put forth a fraudulent leader to evade punishment for treason, it seems….”
He chuckled as he spoke.
“Because of that, he can no longer involve himself in the affairs of the Muhon Society going forward. In the end, there is nothing left for him to do.”
All those in the Conference Hall brightened with expressions of relief.
Moo Hon Ryeong Ju, Bu Eunseol.
A follower of the Demonic Path known thus far to have committed righteous deeds.
Yet upon closer inspection, all of it had been a stratagem to establish the Muhon Society.
The Murim Alliance and the Dark Path Coalition, recognizing this scheme immediately, joined forces to crush such ambitions.
“Henceforth, the Muhon Society shall be nothing more than another name for the Wanderer Market of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.”
Seok Woong Cheon rose from his seat and clasped his hands together.
“Thank you for traveling so far. Let us conclude this conference here.”
Thus the Cheok Sa Society came to an end.
They departed the Conference Hall wearing smiles across their faces, never imagining what was to come.
Unaware that they had assumed the burden of what the Infinite Realm was meant to do.
Their countenances radiant with satisfaction.

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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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