The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 675

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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 675.
Yuk Cheong Ah fell into deep contemplation.
After weighing countless considerations in silence, she suddenly let out a cold laugh and flatly rejected the proposal.
“I refuse.”
“May I ask why?”
“If the Alliance Lord truly harbored such intentions, there would be no need to put forward the Cheong Myeong Unit Lord and create such a complicated process, would there?”
Yuk Cheong Ah’s lips curved upward.
“No matter how much support you receive from the Vice Alliance Lord and the other high-ranking officials, if the Alliance Lord wished it, removing Seon Woo Dae Ju would be child’s play.”
It was a ruthlessly logical analysis.
Mu Gyeol nodded and readily acknowledged the point.
“That is true.”
“Yet for you, the Mu Lord, to present such a proposal to me, the Vice Lord, isn’t that treating me with contempt?”
“The Vice Lord is mistaken about something.”
Mu Gyeol explained calmly.
“First, the method of the Alliance Lord pressuring the Vice Alliance Lord and other high-ranking officials to remove Seon Woo Dae Ju carries far too much risk.”
“Risk?”
“If word were to spread that the Alliance Lord issued such an order? When public sentiment within the Alliance is already unfavorable, it would cause chaos.”
Yuk Cheong Ah nodded in understanding.
Jeong Cheon Je and Sin Do Mu Bi had spent far too long in isolated cultivation.
Moreover, having conducted various matters unilaterally without showing themselves…
The support of the high-ranking officials and their evaluations had become increasingly divided.
“There is merit to your words.”
From the Alliance Lord’s perspective, pitting Mu Gyeol as a rival competitor was far cleaner.
Even if things went wrong, he could evade responsibility by claiming it was Mu Gyeol’s independent action.
“But for that very reason, I must refuse your proposal all the more.”
Yuk Cheong Ah made no effort to hide her contempt.
“If things go wrong, you, the Cheong Myeong Unit Lord, will become a discarded pawn. Why should I, the Vice Lord, board a sinking ship?”
“Even so, the Vice Lord will have no choice but to select me.”
Mu Gyeol spoke with utmost gravity.
“Because Yuk Jang Cheon will betray you.”
“Betray?”
“Indeed.”
Mu Gyeol stared directly into Yuk Cheong Ah’s eyes as he spoke.
“A person like Yuk Jang Cheon never truly trusts anyone. And you have suffered countless betrayals from your subordinates.”
“And therefore?”
“Yuk Jang Cheon has compiled a record book documenting all the misdeeds of your subordinates.”
A faint glimmer flashed in Mu Gyeol’s eyes.
“Including those of your blood relative, Yuk Cheong Ah.”
Yuk Cheong Ah maintained her silence for a moment before asking.
“On what grounds do you make such a claim?”
“Search through them. Among the documents that Lord Yuk is hiding, there should be records of the improprieties that the Deputy Lord committed to assist Lord Yuk.”
Yuk Cheong Ah’s expression remained impassive.
Though Yuk Jang Cheon lacked exceptional strategic brilliance,
she had come to realize recently that he was far more cunning and calculating than she had initially thought.
It was hardly surprising that such a man would have compiled records documenting the misdeeds and weaknesses of his subordinates.
“As Lord Mu said, my father doesn’t trust others. He’s been betrayed by his subordinates countless times. Recently, he was even betrayed by Seon Woo Jin, a subordinate he trusted so deeply.”
Yuk Cheong Ah spoke with an air of indifference, as though it were a trivial matter.
“Records of improprieties, you say? It’s only natural that he would employ such measures to prevent subordinate betrayals from long ago. There’s nothing surprising about it.”
“I wonder if you’ll still be able to say such things after seeing what’s written in them.”
“What’s written in them?”
“There’s no point in me telling you—you wouldn’t believe me anyway. Deputy Lord, search for them yourself.”
At Mu Gyeol’s confident response, Yuk Cheong Ah’s brow furrowed.
When she thought about it, such an action was entirely plausible from Yuk Jang Cheon’s perspective.
Even Seon Woo Jin, whom he trusted so deeply,
had betrayed him. And she herself had betrayed him once. From his standpoint, there was no one left to trust.
She had long anticipated that he would gather evidence of impropriety against all his subordinates, including herself.
In truth, Mu Gyeol’s words held little that was surprising.
But seeing his confident expression, it was clear he possessed far more than mere records of impropriety.
What if he held fatal leverage over her?
Even if she were to die and be reborn, she could never afford to take Yuk Jang Cheon’s hand.
“Very well.”
Yuk Cheong Ah spoke calmly.
“Let me hear more of the Cheong Myeong Unit Lord’s proposal.”
* * *
“Does the Lord intend to visit one of the Eight Great Families personally?”
In the Great Conference Hall of the Elite Division,
Bu Eunseol was discussing the upcoming examination with her team members.
“Even though the Patron received a separate letter of recommendation from the Wudang Sect, there should be no need to seek another one.”
Though Seon Woo Jin was spoken of as a rising talent, he was not in a position to easily gain the support of the sect leaders of the Gu Pa Sect or the lords of the Eight Great Families.
Yet when Beok Goong Ryung heard the details of the examination, he obtained,
for Seon Woo Jin—or rather, for Bu Eunseol—a letter of recommendation bearing the support of the Wudang Sect Master himself.
“According to the Murim Alliance Lord’s announcement, there was no mention of how much support would be necessary. I believe one recommendation from Wudang would be sufficient for a candidate to become Lord.”
At Tae Mu Ryong’s words, Jeong Jong Do nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. I don’t believe the Lord needs to visit the Three Great Sects or the Gu Pa Sect.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Of course, I’m not fixated on numbers. However, that support comes from the Patron—I cannot claim to have obtained it myself.”
Bu Eunseol continued speaking calmly.
“I must obtain support through my own strength. I believe that is the true focus of this examination.”
At those words, the team members swallowed and nodded.
It was a reasonable assessment.
Obtaining the Wu Tian Duan’s true formation methods, securing Fang Seong Jeon Do’s support, and even gaining backing from various factions—
none of it had worked in my favor until now.
Moreover, there was always a hidden meaning concealed within these trials.
Which meant this time, securing mere support wouldn’t be the whole picture.
I believed the true test was to obtain backing directly from the Gu Pa Sect or the Eight Great Families.
“After hearing the Lord’s words, it does seem quite plausible.”
All the Team Members, including Tae Mu Ryong, spoke in unison.
“However, the Eight Great Families won’t work. Aren’t they closer to Baek Mu Sung or Yuk Jang Cheon?”
Jeong Jong Do also opened his mouth.
“That’s right. Regardless of others, Yuk Cheong Ah and Yuk Jang Cheon, who have connections with the Eight Great Families, will roll up their sleeves and cause trouble. After all, they can easily obtain recommendation letters from elsewhere.”
The Team Members’ opinions aligned perfectly with my thoughts.
“That’s precisely why I’m going.”
I smiled faintly.
“Since I obtained a recommendation letter from one of the Gu Pa Sect without difficulty, I should secure the Eight Great Families’ backing on my own terms.”
It was deliberately walking into a difficult ordeal—no, stepping into a blazing inferno.
Ultimately, the Team Members abandoned any attempt to see through my true intentions.
Deep schemes and far-reaching considerations.
I always anticipated several moves ahead of others.
“Understood. Then we shall prepare thoroughly on our end.”
Instead, they would each work from their positions to gather intelligence on the Eight Great Families, ensuring my visit would succeed.
‘Starting with the Information Division was the right choice.’
I felt a sense of satisfaction.
The Elite Division members had not only dramatically increased their martial prowess through rigorous training,
but also possessed exceptional intuition and analytical abilities as members of the Information Division.
While no single individual’s wisdom stood out remarkably, when their opinions converged, they could reach conclusions rivaling those of brilliant strategists.
“Judging by your expression, Lord, you already have a destination in mind.”
At Tae Mu Ryong’s words, I nodded.
“Indeed.”
“Where do you intend to go?”
I smiled faintly.
“The Namgung Family.”
No one knew the Namgung Family as well as I did.
I had grasped not only the family head Namgung Jeong’s nature, but also the personalities and internal affairs of all his children.
I would not reveal my true identity, but only under the guise of Seon Woo Jin.
I would obtain recommendation letters from the leaders of the Eight Great Families and the Namgung Family, ensuring no whispers arose about this trial.
Having left the Murim Alliance, I immediately headed toward the Namgung Family.
It was best to visit places where I could secure an advantage as quickly as possible.
Because the places offering recommendations were limited, and there were four candidates.
Ultimately, my destinations were already determined.
And from my perspective, where I needed to go was already set.
The Namgung Family is the head of the Eight Great Families.
A letter of recommendation from this place would carry far greater weight than one received from any other family.
In contrast, Baek Mu Sung, Mu Gyeol, and Yuk Jang Cheon had far broader options to choose from.
In particular, Baek Mu Sung, a disciple of Bul Jon, and Yuk Cheong Ah, a disciple of Nam Hae Shin Ni, had cultivated friendships with the leaders of the Nine Sects and Eight Gates since childhood.
Therefore, no matter which they chose, they could easily obtain letters of recommendation.
Especially from Yuk Cheong Ah’s perspective, she would desperately want to ensure Bu Eunseol’s failure.
Whoosh!
As Bu Eunseol dashed forward at high speed, I unleashed the Righteous Path’s Flowing Cloud Body Technique.
Yet its velocity and concealment were scarcely different from the Celestial Dragon Great Luo Movement.
With such profound mastery of body techniques, and now that Extreme Speed Shadowless had reached the pinnacle, I could freely manipulate and deploy even the Righteous Path’s techniques with perfect control.
Whoosh!
But then something strange occurred.
Suddenly, a blue flash of light glimmered across the distant sky, and a shadow began rapidly closing in on Bu Eunseol.
Glancing back, I recognized the familiar silhouette.
It was Baek Mu Sung.
‘Not Yuk Cheong Ah, but him.’
As a disciple of Bul Jon, he had cultivated connections with countless leaders of the Righteous Path sects since childhood.
Therefore, wherever he went, he could easily gain support.
Clearly, Baek Mu Sung’s true intention was not to obtain a letter of recommendation, but to obstruct Bu Eunseol from acquiring one.
‘He’s changed completely.’
The Baek Mu Sung of old would never resort to such petty methods, even if it meant taking his own life.
‘Can human nature truly change so easily?’
Baek Mu Sung is a man of great pride.
Even when he knew that Bu Eunseol’s strength surpassed his own, it was not jealousy he felt.
Rather, he experienced shame and despair.
Yet now he would resort to such childish and contemptible methods?
‘Perhaps it is his desperate longing for the position of Chief.’
Bu Eunseol found herself feeling pity for Baek Mu Sung.
When humans blindly desire what they cannot obtain, they inevitably fall into suffering and despair.
Baek Mu Sung, who had desired only Gong Son Dan Gyeong, seemed to have lost himself entirely, transformed into a completely different person.
Swoosh!
Upon arriving in the Hwang San region, Bu Eunseol finally reached the Namgung Family.
‘Still the same.’
The Namgung Family appeared far more prosperous than before, with dignitaries from all walks of life constantly passing through the Manor, inscribing their names in the guest register.
Walking toward the main gate, Bu Eunseol presented a calling card to Wi Sa.
“The Murim Alliance Elite Division Lord, Seon Woo Jin, has come to meet with the family head.”
“I see. Please wait a moment.”
Out of caution, Bu Eunseol had sent a letter in advance under the name of the Murim Alliance.
Yet the Namgung Family seemed intent on verifying the calling card once more before informing the family head.
Footsteps echoed.
Then Baek Mu Sung, who had followed behind, entered the Namgung Family compound.
The Wi Sa members who recognized him bowed respectfully.
“Minor Lord Baek. It’s been quite some time since your last visit.”
The Wi Sa members then hurriedly guided him inside.
“Please come this way. We shall announce your arrival to the Family Lord.”
Baek Mu Sung didn’t even need a formal announcement card.
A tree is known by its shade, a person by their name.
Not only had he built connections with the leaders of the Eight Great Families since childhood as a disciple of Bul Jon,
but Baek Mu Sung, who had long cultivated his reputation throughout the Gangho, was a guest the Namgung Family could not afford to slight.
He let out a soft chuckle.
As Baek Mu Sung turned to enter, he glanced back at Bu Eunseol with a mocking smile.
It seemed to suggest that no matter how hard I tried, I would not receive recognition in this place.
Regardless of his attitude, Bu Eunseol waited patiently.
Finally, the Wi Sa members returned and began to guide me.
“Would you mind waiting here? We have informed the Family Lord, so he should arrive shortly.”
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol sat at a table and waited calmly for Namgung Jeong.
But even as afternoon passed and the sun began to set, the Family Lord did not appear.
“So this is why the Orthodox Martial World figures go to such lengths to cultivate connections.”
Seon Woo Jin had also risen to become an advisor to the Four Gods Seven Kings, becoming a renowned young Grand Master in the Gangho.
Had I been from the Demon Palace, I would have received ample courtesy without needing special connections or status.
But the Orthodox Martial World is different.
Regardless of martial prowess or exceptional wisdom and reputation,
one cannot easily break through the walls of the firmly established leadership and vested interests.
Of course, within the Murim Alliance, I held a position equivalent to a Lord, granting me some influence.
But to the leaders of the Gangho, the title of Murim Alliance Lord held no sway whatsoever.
“So that’s why Yuk Jang Cheon so desperately desires the position of Alliance Master.”
As Alliance Master, one could personally mobilize the entire Murim Alliance forces.
One could freely control sect-level military power, and each of one’s actions would have enormous repercussions throughout the Gangho.
In other words, only by wielding such power could one establish connections with the Orthodox Martial World’s vested interests without appearing subordinate.
“But the Namgung Family Lord will come.”
An ordinary person would have felt insulted and already left.
But Bu Eunseol waited quietly for the Namgung Family Lord.
The Namgung Jeong I knew led the Namgung Family, which had risen to the highest seat among the Eight Great Families,
yet was never arrogant or dismissive of others.
The fact that he had not come despite my formal announcement meant either he was occupied with pressing matters, or it was Baek Mu Sung’s doing.
The door creaked open.
As if to prove my suspicion, a tall silhouette appeared.
It was Baek Mu Sung.
“So you were here.”
Baek Mu Sung regarded Bu Eunseol with a peculiar expression and opened his mouth.
“Are you still waiting for the Lord?”
“I am.”
“Hehehehe.”
Baek Mu Sung shook his head.
“Give it up. The Lord has already decided to support me.”
When Bu Eunseol offered no response, he chuckled softly.
“Does it sound like a lie?”
“I don’t believe you’ve fallen so far as to resort to lies.”
“Hahahaha.”
Baek Mu Sung laughed with apparent delight.
At last, he thought, Bu Eunseol had abandoned her composure and was criticizing him.
But his laughter did not last long.
Bu Eunseol’s gaze was not merely calm—it held a glimmer of compassion.
“If you know it’s not a lie, why are you lingering here?”
Baek Mu Sung asked sharply, observing Bu Eunseol’s unruffled expression.
“Shouldn’t you leave for somewhere else as soon as possible?”
Bu Eunseol answered with a smile instead.
Baek Mu Sung scoffed, his mood souring.
“So you believe you can persuade the Lord.”
“It seems you have much leisure time, Baek.”
“I have no need to go seeking Mu Gyeol’s approval.”
“….”
“Even as I sit idle, letters of recommendation bearing Mu Gyeol’s seal arrive at my doorstep. So I have nothing but leisure.”
“I see. Do accept many of them.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with equanimity.
“I shall be content with the approval of the Namgung Family Lord.”
“Hehehehe. We shall see.”
Baek Mu Sung turned to leave.
Yet the composure that had adorned his face moments before had vanished entirely.
The sun was setting.
Bu Eunseol gazed out the window at the twilight sky burning with color.
She had believed Namgung Jeong to be a man who valued righteousness over rank and station.
Had he truly decided not to show his face, swayed by Baek Mu Sung’s honeyed words and schemes?
“My lady.”
A young servant of the Namgung Family opened the door to the Guest Hall and spoke hesitantly.
“I apologize for the long wait.”
“It is no trouble.”
“I’m afraid the Lord will not be able to meet with you today.”
“Pay it no mind. I am the one who chooses to wait.”
Bu Eunseol spoke matter-of-factly, and the young servant bowed his head again with an awkward expression.
“The truth is, all the reception hours at the Main House have ended….”
“Reception hours?”
“Yes, my lady. You would need to visit again tomorrow, or perhaps arrange another appointment.”
From time to time, visitors arrived at the Namgung Family without prior arrangement, insisting on meeting the Lord of the House, or stubbornly waiting without invitation.
Because of this, reception hours had been established, and when evening arrived,
those whom the Lord had not specifically mentioned,
were all escorted out by rule—those who had been waiting without invitation.
“It’s fine.”
“Pardon?”
“The Lord will be here soon.”
The servant scratched his head with a troubled expression.
“My lady, the rules of the Main House are absolute. Even if the Murim Alliance… no matter who comes, they never change.”
The servant had spoken euphemistically of ‘the Murim Alliance,’ but his meaning was unmistakable.
He was saying that even if the Alliance Master himself were to arrive, the rules would not bend.
“I understand. But the Lord has simply forgotten that I am waiting here, distracted by someone.”
That ‘someone’ was Baek Mu Sung.
But the servant, who could not possibly know this fact, bowed his head in embarrassment.
“Well, that is….”
“Why haven’t you shown her out yet?”
At that moment, a massive middle-aged man—as if three strong men had been bound into one frame, with deep scars etched around his eyes—suddenly entered the Guest Hall.
He was the Iron Wood Lord of the Namgung Family and oversaw the security of the Outer Quarters,
Nam Goong Gwang, who had earned the epithet “Wind Dragon Great Hero” in his youth for his bold swordsmanship.
“It’s already past the hour of the Rooster, so why is the light still burning in the Guest Hall?”
At Nam Goong Gwang’s voice, which roared like a tiger, the servant bowed his head.
“This lady insists on continuing to wait….”
“What? Didn’t you tell her the rules of the Main House?”
“I did explain it….”
Hearing this, Nam Goong Gwang looked at Bu Eunseol with blazing eyes.
“Once the hour of the Rooster arrives, all guests except Inner Guests must leave.”
He spoke with a respectful yet solemn tone, as if aware of her status.
“There are no exceptions, even for those from the Murim Alliance.”
“I understand.”
“Then why don’t you leave?”
“The Lord will come here.”
“What kind of….”
Nam Goong Gwang, about to let out a scoff, hesitated for a moment when he saw the madness flowing in Bu Eunseol’s clear eyes.
‘What kind of gaze is that….’
But matters of the Murim could not be resolved by mere eye contact and momentum alone.
Moreover, if he did not immediately have her removed, the prestige of the Namgung Family would be damaged.
“I do not repeat myself.”
“….”
“If you do not rise from your seat once my words are finished, I trust you understand that I shall have no choice but to resort to force.”
Even at this threat, Bu Eunseol merely smiled faintly.
It was a blatant provocation.
‘This bastard!’
Just as Nam Goong Gwang, unable to contain himself any longer, began to muster his power,
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol turned her head and pointed toward the outside of the Guest Hall.
Nam Goong Gwang, failing to grasp the meaning of her gesture, furrowed his brow.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you not hear it?”
“Hear what? What nonsense are you——”
Just as Nam Goong Gwang was about to bark a response,
Thud, thud.
A faint sound of footsteps echoed from outside.
In that instant, Nam Goong Gwang’s eyes wavered.
‘She can hear sounds from beyond thirty paces away?’
His hearing was exceptional enough to detect sounds within thirty paces.
Yet this young Lord before him had been gazing toward the door long before——
He possessed superhuman senses that far surpassed his own.
‘Far stronger than the rumors suggest.’
Gulp.
As Nam Goong Gwang tensely fixed his gaze upon the door,
Thud, thud.
With light footsteps, the door opened, and a middle-aged man in azure robes stepped into the Guest Hall.
His refined features and the lustrous beard adorning his chin gave him an almost scholarly appearance.
Yet his eyes gleamed with crystalline clarity like a lake, and an untouchable aura radiated from his entire being.
It was Namgung Jeong, the current patriarch of the Namgung Family.

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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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