The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 656
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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 656.
The letter Bu Eunseol had sent contained
news that the Heavenly Sword Society had already been annihilated by Tong Cheon Dan’s master.
“Because of me.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong bit his lip.
As a result of the plan he had executed, the Heavenly Sword Society, which had barely maintained its lifeline,
had been uprooted entirely.
A heavy sigh escaped him.
He hung his head, consumed by guilt.
He had merely intended to end his revenge by sacrificing his life to perish together with Tong Cheon Dan’s master.
Yet instead, the entire Heavenly Sword Society had been swept away because of it.
“What is there left to live for?”
Yu Hwa Ryeong, tears streaming down his weathered face, began to draw upon his inner force.
He was attempting to sever his meridians immediately.
“Palace Lord. Do not act rashly.”
The Hwa Mi Palace Master, sensing his intentions, spoke quickly.
“If you take your own life as well, the departed brothers of your sect will not be able to rest in peace, tormented by injustice.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong shook his head.
“But I have no strength to seek revenge.”
“Read the rest of the letter.”
“The letter?”
Yu Hwa Ryeong wiped away his tear-filled eyes and continued reading the letter.
It stated that Bu Eunseol was taking action to deal with Tong Cheon Dan’s master,
and urged him to recover well at Yun Hae Byeok Ryeong Gung until his dantian was restored.
“He… is saying he will kill the Murim Alliance’s master for my sake?”
Bu Eunseol is the successor of the Demon Palace.
If he killed Tong Cheon Dan’s master without reason, not only would the Murim Alliance be thrown into chaos, but a war between the Orthodox and Unorthodox sects would erupt.
“Do not worry. You know well the wisdom of Ryeong Ju. He will handle it without any complications.”
The Hwa Mi Palace Master smiled warmly.
“There is no need for concern. Ryeong Ju has long classified Tong Cheon Dan’s master as a target for elimination.”
“There is no such content in the letter.”
“Ryeong Ju conveyed such matters separately to this Palace Master.”
The Hwa Mi Palace Master wore a faint smile.
“Of course, he also mentioned another reason. He said that by avenging the blood-soaked grudge of the Heavenly Sword Society in his stead, he could invite you as Chong Gwan.”
“Chong Gwan?”
Yu Hwa Ryeong read to the end of the letter.
At the end of the letter was written an invitation for him to serve as Chong Gwan, managing the affairs of the Muhon Society.
In exchange for killing Tong Cheon Dan’s master.
“So he created the Muhon Society.”
The Muhon Society had been established due to the emergence of bizarre forces called Gwi Ah,
I had heard in passing that they were finally recognized as a new force in Murim.
But Bu Eunseol was inviting him to serve as Chong Gwan?
“Then contrary to the rumors, it seems he truly did establish the Muhon Society.”
“Indeed. Ryeong Ju created the Muhon Society to save countless lives.”
Hwa Mi Palace Master spoke.
“But without a Chong Gwan, it’s difficult to operate it properly, or so I’ve heard.”
And she gazed directly at Yu Hwa Ryeong.
“She says that to recruit Yu Hwa Ryeong as Chong Gwan, the Tong Cheon Dan Lord must be eliminated.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong stared down at the letter, suppressing his emotions.
Taking one’s own life is easy.
But living with the weight of those who died because of him upon his shoulders—that is not easy.
What if, thanks to Bu Eunseol, he could complete his blood-soaked revenge?
And what if he could enter the Muhon Society and save countless lives?
Then perhaps that agonizing, endless existence
would hold some meaning… and one day he could face his master and martial siblings in Gu Cheon with pride.
“I understand. Thank you, Palace Master.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong wiped away his tears and smiled.
Now all his duties were complete.
From now on, he would remain at Bu Eunseol’s side and help her save countless lives.
Murim Alliance, Tong Cheon Tower.
Yang Dae Ryang, sitting in his office reviewing correspondence, wore an expression of shock.
The Heavenly Sword Society had never openly involved itself in Gangho affairs, yet this incident had resulted in their complete annihilation.
Eradication without trace.
The Heavenly Sword Society had always been a potential threat waiting to happen.
Though their martial prowess had supposedly declined to unremarkable levels, they possessed accumulated wealth built over generations.
He had thought they were perfectly eliminated, yet it seemed an unexpected weed remained.
A letter had been sent to his office bearing the seal of the Heavenly Sword Society.
“That bastard is still alive?”
Of course, it was possible Yu Hwa Ryeong survived.
Murim possessed elixirs, so perhaps he had been fortunate enough to restore his body.
But no matter how wealthy the Heavenly Sword Society was, no matter if Yu Hwa Ryeong had obtained some fortuitous opportunity and perfected his body,
secretly sending a letter to his office within the Murim Alliance was… absolutely impossible.
“It’s inconceivable that the Heavenly Sword Society possesses a hidden intelligence network.”
This defied all common sense.
Moreover, the letter contained something even more absurd.
It stated that if he accepted a duel, the mother’s memorial tablet stolen from Banyak Temple would be safely returned.
“I had stationed elite members of the Tong Cheon Dan to constantly guard Banyak Temple for precisely such contingencies.”
Yang Dae Ryang furrowed his brow.
The masters secretly stationed at Banyak Temple were among the Tong Cheon Dan’s finest operatives.
So how could anyone have infiltrated Banyak Temple like a ghost, taken the memorial tablet without detection, and escaped?
“Ten days hence, at sunset. Yeong Pa Island.”
Yang Dae Ryang stroked his chin as he recited the location written on the letter.
It was a tiny uninhabited island near Dongjeong Lake.
Moreover, since it was a small island with open vistas on all sides, it was unsuitable for concealing troops.
“So they truly desire a one-on-one duel.”
What if another faction had sent this to assassinate him?
They would never have invoked the name of the Heavenly Sword Society.
In short, whoever sent this letter was genuinely from the Heavenly Sword Society and sought to duel alone.
“How intriguing.”
Whether it was the Heavenly Sword Society or even the full military might of another sect, he harbored no fear.
With Young Seon’s Jigong technique at his disposal, he could perfectly defend against any assault, and he possessed secret martial arts unknown to the world.
There were few in Murim capable of killing him in single combat.
“At last, some worthwhile entertainment has presented itself.”
Yang Dae Ryang smiled.
He would search for the ancestral tablet while accepting this challenger’s invitation.
After that day.
Yang Dae Ryang immediately mobilized his intelligence network, conducting intensive investigations into troop movements and factions around not only Yeong Pa Island but the entire Dongjeong Lake region.
Yet nothing seemed amiss anywhere.
He even sent elite operatives to Yeong Pa Island in advance, but found no hidden formations or traps.
The letter’s sender truly intended to appear there ten days hence.
Ten days later.
Upon arriving at Yeong Pa Island by small boat, Yang Dae Ryang surveyed his surroundings with keen curiosity.
Half a double-hour remained before sunset.
The moment he reached the island, he began meticulously examining its terrain and the position of the descending sun.
Battles between masters are decided in an instant.
And by the most trivial of factors.
As befitted the Lord of the Murim Alliance that dominated Tianxia, he scrutinized every minute element that could influence the outcome.
Crunch, crunch.
As the sun descended toward the horizon, a faint shadow emerged from within the island.
The figure wore an ordinary face one could see anywhere, dressed in the gray martial robes commonly worn by wanderers.
“A disguise.”
Yang Dae Ryang immediately discerned that the man had employed a disguise.
As the Lord of the Tong Cheon Dan, there were few in Murim he could not recognize.
If someone possessed such cultivation yet remained unknown to him?
He could confidently assert without further confirmation that a disguise had been used.
“If you’ve used a disguise, then you’re not from the Heavenly Sword Society?”
“That’s correct.”
The man in black spoke matter-of-factly.
“I am a wanderer.”
“A wanderer?”
“Indeed.”
Yang Dae Ryang’s eyes narrowed to slits.
Many masters throughout Gangho operated under various identities.
Yet few willingly chose the status of a wanderer.
They received the same contemptuous treatment as assassins—the lowest caste among sword-wielders who lived by their blades.
“You presented yourself as a wanderer with no apparent advantage… I see.”
Yang Dae Ryang tilted his head, studying me intently.
“Which means you hold a position so elevated that your true identity must remain concealed?”
“You grasp quickly.”
“You admit it so readily?”
Yang Dae Ryang’s eyes widened slightly.
“Then there must be another reason you adopted this guise.”
Tong Cheon Dan’s master, Yang Dae Ryang, was renowned for one particular trait—his love of difficult discourse.
That is, he delighted in questioning and answering matters of suspicion.
When curiosity seized him, he could not rest until he had unraveled the answer.
“You live up to your reputation for enjoying such exchanges.”
The wanderer in the grey robes was none other than Bu Eunseol.
I had come to strike down Yang Dae Ryang personally—the one who had slaughtered the Ten Seats of the Heavenly Sword Society, and possibly the one who had killed my grandfather, Hyung Su.
“I have accepted a contract from the Heavenly Sword Society to take your head.”
“Hehehehe. Hahahaha!”
Yang Dae Ryang burst into laughter as though witnessing the most entertaining spectacle in the world.
A wanderer accepting a contract to behead one of the Seven Lords of the Murim Alliance?
“Why not claim a street thug from the Black Gang became the Dark Path’s master? Hahaha.”
“If the price is right, what is there I cannot do?”
“Enough of this crude theater.”
Yang Dae Ryang’s laughter ceased, his voice turning glacial.
“I care not whether you are truly a wanderer or an agent of the Heavenly Sword Society. There is only one thing this lord desires.”
His eyes flashed with intensity.
“Where is the ancestral tablet?”
“Why would you ask me such a thing?”
“What?”
“There is one misconception common to all villains who trample upon the lives of others.”
I spoke with measured calm.
“They believe that because they themselves act in such ways, others naturally possess the same capacity for such deeds.”
“What do you mean?”
“I did not touch the remains or the ancestral tablet kept at Banyak Temple.”
A chilling killing intent radiated from Yang Dae Ryang’s pupils.
“My subordinates have already confirmed the tablet has vanished.”
“It is difficult to deceive the warriors of Tong Cheon Dan.”
A faint smile crossed my lips.
“Bribing the monks of Banyak Temple who are obsessed with money is not particularly difficult.”
“You didn’t touch the memorial tablets or the remains?”
“That’s correct. Check again yourself if you wish.”
“I find this incomprehensible.”
Yang Dae Ryang shook his head.
“Moreover, for a mere wanderer to show such composure while knowing my identity as a Danjoo… remarkable.”
Even if the Wanderer King who ruled Sae Oe himself came to face me, I wouldn’t blink an eye.
Yet this special-grade wanderer dares to face me alone?
“Shall we begin then?”
Bu Eunseol extended her hand with leisurely grace.
Yet her vigilance never wavered for a moment.
Yang Dae Ryang, the Tong Cheon Dan Danjoo.
To conceal the fact that he had cultivated a terrifying martial art,
he had spread a false legend that he had been struck by fortune like lightning.
The Dok Moon technique revealed to the world was
Young Seon’s Finger Technique—an Orthodox Sect’s supreme skill that could catch any attack with mere fingers.
But the martial art he kept hidden must be far more formidable.
‘This is a good opportunity.’
I had faced two of the Seven Lords: Mu Cheon Danjoo Jo Cheon Wang and Sung Wi Dan Ju Baek Ri Mu Jo.
However, the gap in martial prowess between those two was so vast that I couldn’t gauge the average level of the Seven Lords.
But by defeating Yang Dae Ryang now, I would finally be able to measure the true strength of the Murim Alliance’s Seven Lords.
‘And if this man is the Demon that the Heavenly Sword Society sought… he could be Hyung Su, who killed grandfather.’
My heart pounded fiercely.
Once the battle began,
I would know whether Yang Dae Ryang possessed the strength to kill my grandfather, and what martial arts he had cultivated.
The answer would be revealed.
*Shing.*
As I drew the Muk Hon Sword, surprise flickered in Yang Dae Ryang’s eyes.
“You’re no special-grade wanderer.”
Masters could gauge ability from merely watching a sword being drawn.
Yang Dae Ryang immediately perceived that Bu Eunseol was an extraordinary expert, someone fully capable of matching him in combat.
“You…”
He couldn’t finish his words.
Bu Eunseol had closed the distance in an instant and unleashed a torrent of sword strikes.
He immediately deployed Young Seon’s Finger Technique, desperately attempting to catch the Muk Hon Sword repeatedly.
*Whoosh.*
But the sword strike transformed mid-air and thrust toward his throat instead.
*Clang!*
Yang Dae Ryang swiftly flicked the tip of the Muk Hon Sword away lightly.
“…!”
In that instant, his complexion shifted subtly.
The inner force contained within the blade was far thicker than he had anticipated.
“Impressive inner power.”
Yang Dae Ryang laughed lightly and straightened his posture.
“But that’s all there is.”
Flash!
A violet-hued, razor-sharp blade aura traced a zigzag pattern, slashing toward Yang Dae Ryang’s neck.
The supreme killing sword technique, the Cheonroe Musang Form, had unfolded.
Clang.
Yet something astonishing occurred.
Bu Eunseol’s Muk Hon Sword froze in mid-air.
Yang Dae Ryang had deployed the Yeong Seon Finger Technique, trapping the Muk Hon Sword between his index and middle fingers.
“Heh heh.”
He immediately exerted force to cleave the Muk Hon Sword in two.
Screech!
But at that moment, the Muk Hon Sword began rotating violently.
Once caught by the Yeong Seon Finger Technique, a weapon would not escape—even if the blade shattered.
Yet Bu Eunseol unleashed the Yihua Jieyu from the Iron Sword Thirteen Forms, and the Yitian Yili from Geom Joon’s teachings.
And the subtle principles of the Wangwo Tongshui contained within the Fist Demon Seven Forms—the Chuan Si technique.
All at once, she broke free from the crushing pressure of the Yeong Seon Finger Technique.
“Huh.”
Yang Dae Ryang could not hide his astonishment.
To harmonize and deploy three supreme martial principles in a single sword strike?
At this level, was she not a master absolutely equal to himself?
Yang Dae Ryang’s expression, as he gazed silently at Bu Eunseol, hardened.
“Fine, I acknowledge your skill.”
He always feigned a genial demeanor, yet his true nature was cruel and arrogant.
From wherever she had emerged,
he could never forgive her for standing so brazenly before the Tong Cheon Dan Lord.
“In truth, the Yeong Seon Finger Technique was merely a public martial art.”
A pristine killing intent bloomed in Yang Dae Ryang’s eyes.
“I could not employ the techniques I perfected through slaying enemies.”
Twang!
At that very moment, an extremely slender chain sword erupted from Yang Dae Ryang’s right hand.
He had discarded both his previous sword and scabbard, instead keeping a specialized chain sword coiled within his wide sleeves at all times.
Whoosh!
As Yang Dae Ryang extended his hand, a sharp wind swept across Bu Eunseol’s cheek.
It was the Brahma Radiant Sword of the Heavenly Sword Society’s Second Seat, Seok Song’s exclusive sword technique.
Crash crash crash!
As Bu Eunseol wielded the Muk Hon Sword, a tremendous explosion erupted and the chain sword was instantly severed.
However, regardless of breaking through the initial strike, a sharp inner force pierced through Bu Eunseol’s body.
Upon closer inspection, it was merely disguised as the Beom Cheon Gwang Yo Sword, but in reality, it was the Yu So Sword Technique of the Gwang Il Moon.
Clang, clang, clang!
Each time Yang Dae Ryang’s sharp inner force collided with the weapon, it burrowed into Bu Eunseol’s meridians.
Hiss.
White vapor began rising from his body.
He had annihilated all the inner force burrowing through with his Anti-Extreme True Qi.
“Impressive technique. Both inner force and swordplay.”
As Yang Dae Ryang offered his praise, Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
“Have you plundered the martial arts of the Righteous Path sects like the Gwang Il Moon, not just the Heavenly Sword Society?”
The Gwang Il Moon, like the Heavenly Sword Society, had become a fallen sect after its leadership perished in a single stroke.
“Plundered? Hahahaha.”
A cold aura emanated from Yang Dae Ryang’s eyes.
“Does it seem like I would infiltrate places like the Heavenly Sword Society and Gwang Il Moon to steal their secret techniques?”
‘Then…’
A sharp gleam flashed across Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“You’re saying you kill enemies and absorb their martial arts?”
“Hehehehe. You’re quite clever.”
An indecipherable light flickered in Yang Dae Ryang’s eyes.
“I have mastered the martial art of Absorption.”
“Absorption?”
There was no such martial art as Absorption in Murim.
What was certain was that he was not a man of fortune—he was saying he had continuously killed others and stolen their martial arts.
“Would it be wise to reveal such secrets so freely?”
As Bu Eunseol asked, Yang Dae Ryang spoke in a low voice.
“Of course.”
White heat shimmered in Yang Dae Ryang’s eyes.
“Because I can only wield such power if my enemies know I possess the Absorption force.”
Flash!
Suddenly, Yang Dae Ryang unfolded his sword technique once more.
It was the Clear Rain Purple Lightning Sword Style of Maeng Jo Hyeok, the third seat of the Heavenly Sword Society and wielder of the Yang Hui Sword.
Screech, screech, screech, screech!
Purple sword energy wrapped around Bu Eunseol’s body.
The Clear Rain Purple Lightning Sword Style unleashed a barrage of continuous strikes like purple lightning,
yet in reality, it was a supreme technique for discovering the enemy’s vulnerabilities.
Crash!
Bu Eunseol no longer observed his sword technique and immediately poured forth his power to sweep it away.
Whoosh!
The Clear Rain Purple Lightning Sword Style then melted away like snow and instantly transformed into mist, burrowing into Bu Eunseol’s vital points.
‘A walking compendium of martial arts.’
Now I could see that he had merely mimicked the Cheonwoo Self-Transmutation Sword Style on the surface.
In reality, he had unleashed the Baek Haeng Moon sword art—the Hundred Dreams Return to Origin Sword.
Splash!
As mist erupted around her body, Bu Eunseol immediately leaped into the air.
In that instant, sword qi like arrows burst from Yang Dae Ryang’s hands, piercing straight toward Bu Eunseol’s throat.
It was the Four Extremes Sword Method of Jeom Chang Sect.
Whoosh.
But Bu Eunseol, as if anticipating this move, the moment she leaped up, she deployed Thousand Pound Weight and descended back to the ground.
Crash!
Landing, Bu Eunseol unfolded her sword techniques in rapid succession.
Though she failed to seize the perfect moment to deploy the Musang Cheon Ryu style.
Her sword methods, flowing freely without constraint to any single technique, were more than capable of matching Yang Dae Ryang’s assault.
Clang clang clang!
Bu Eunseol, utilizing the mysteries of No Beginning and No End, unraveled each incoming attack one by one.
Yang Dae Ryang, meanwhile, wove together the sword arts of the Orthodox Sects in an exquisite manner, then unleashed them anew as a unified force.
Zing!
As blade met blade, a storm-like wave of force rippled outward in all directions.
Screech.
Both fighters retreated exactly one zhang backward.
The offense and defense of these two martial masters.
Still could not be separated.
“Perhaps it is time to unleash true power.”
Yang Dae Ryang wore an enigmatic smile.
“Any further games, and your head will roll from your shoulders.”
Click.
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol sheathed the Muk Hon Sword and assumed a new stance.
It was the posture for deploying the Falling Star Chasing Moon style.
“Hmm, your energy signature has changed.”
Yang Dae Ryang nodded with evident interest, then gazed down at his soft sword.
Zing.
At that moment, a mysterious light flowed from Yang Dae Ryang’s soft sword, and a strange sword resonance began to spread.
He was injecting tremendous inner force into his blade to unleash true power.
But Bu Eunseol detected an infinitesimal flaw in his movements as he channeled that force.
Swoosh.
With a low sword cry, the Muk Hon Sword revealed its crimson-heated blade.
The Falling Star Chasing Moon style—the ultimate killing technique that deals death through the eyes first—had been deployed.
Time seemed to flow slowly, yet the Muk Hon Sword pierced toward Yang Dae Ryang’s throat at incomprehensible speed.
Flash!
Then something extraordinary occurred.
From Yang Dae Ryang’s soft sword erupted a brilliant crimson light.
Was it not thrusting toward Bu Eunseol’s Muk Hon Sword?
It was a sword technique that perfectly matched the Escape Meteor Chasing Moon technique that Bu Eunseol had unleashed.
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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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