The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 678
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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 678.
In that instant, Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes widened as if they might tear apart.
“Dan Ah?”
Gong Son Dan Ah was cultivating martial arts at Shenshui Palace, and as far as she knew, was currently in closed-door training.
Yet she suddenly appeared at the Murim Alliance?
‘It seems her closed-door training has ended.’
However, Gong Son Dan Ah was renowned for never revealing herself in public.
So to suddenly and openly visit the Murim Alliance like this to seek her out?
“Bring her in at once.”
“Understood.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong took a deep breath.
There was one person in this world whose requests she could never refuse.
That was Gong Sun Hwa Wook and his wife, along with Gong Son Dan Ah.
Her happiness and status were both gifts bestowed upon her by Gong Sun Hwa Wook and his wife.
And she was not truly Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
Whatever she could do for these three people would never be too much, and she granted every request they made.
The door creaked open.
A woman of indescribable beauty stepped inside.
She wore a sea-blue palace robe and had cultivated luxuriant, lustrous hair that cascaded to her waist.
Her skin was translucent, and her lips held a vivid pale pink hue.
Her eyes were beautiful and pure, as if they contained all the goodness in the world—merely gazing upon them seemed to purify one’s spirit of all turbidity.
She was none other than Gong Son Dan Ah, known as one of the Three Beauties of Tianxia.
“Sister.”
She rushed toward Gong Son Dan Gyeong and clasped both her hands.
“It has been so long.”
“Dan Ah.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong grasped her hands warmly, yet could not hide her astonishment.
“What brings you here? And what of your disguise…?”
Gong Son Dan Ah had suffered countless envies and jealousies because of her beautiful face.
Thus, whenever she ventured into Gangho, she always wore a hideous disguise—yet now she appeared at the Murim Alliance with her true face exposed?
“Ah, I have decided to stop wearing a disguise from now on.”
“Hmm?”
Gong Son Dan Ah touched her own face and smiled softly.
“As I traveled through Gangho, I realized that not everyone judges by appearance alone.”
She spoke with playful candor.
“If I carry myself with integrity, then appearance ultimately matters little. Though I must admit, enduring such heated gazes is quite taxing.”
“Indeed, I am grateful you have come to understand this at last.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong had lectured Gong Son Dan Ah countless times about breaking her habit of wearing such hideous disguises.
Yet she had remained utterly unmoved.
But it seemed that through her travels in Gangho, she had finally awakened to how strange such habits truly were.
“But what brings you here all of a sudden, visiting the entire Ben Maeng?”
“By the Palace Lord’s orders, I stopped by Hwawol Manor to deliver the Seolgyeon Piyok Dan to Manager Mak, and came here on the way back.”
Gong Son Dan Ah added one more thing.
“I also wanted to convey that Father and Mother wish to see you, Sister.”
Since entering the Murim Alliance, Gong Son Dan Gyeong had deliberately avoided Gong Sun Hwa Wook and his wife.
They had treated her even better than her own biological parents.
Yet guilt gnawed at her for exploiting their kindness, and she feared her thirst for vengeance might weaken in their presence.
Indeed, whenever she spent time with them, her resolve would crumble endlessly.
“Our parents feared they might hinder your path, so they haven’t visited all this time.”
Conversely, Gong Sun Hwa Wook and his wife felt the same way.
Both were remarkably principled—after sending Gong Son Dan Gyeong to the Murim Alliance, they had deliberately never visited even once.
They feared people might say her success came from their connections or their influence.
“I see.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded, feeling a pang of guilt.
“I was actually planning to visit them soon, now that my recent busy affairs have concluded.”
“Is that so?”
Gong Son Dan Ah spoke with a radiant smile.
“Since I’ve come all this way, would it be alright if I stayed with you for a few days?”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong let out a sigh.
Gong Son Dan Ah still possessed a pure heart, untouched by the dust of worldly affairs.
She constantly worried that someone might exploit such innocence.
‘I am indebted to her as well.’
She was not her true sister, after all.
In the end, Gong Son Dan Gyeong could not refuse her sister’s request and nodded.
“Very well. Since you’ve come, stay as long as you wish.”
“Thank you. But who is this person…?”
Only then did Gong Son Dan Ah notice Bu Eunseol standing awkwardly to one side.
“I am Bu Eunseol, Elite Division Lord Seon Woo Jin.”
Bu Eunseol cupped her hands in greeting toward Gong Son Dan Ah.
At that moment, something shifted in Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes. She found Bu Eunseol’s greeting far too bland and emotionless.
‘She truly cherishes my sister.’
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, who had always been admired and courted by countless men, had long felt her pride wounded by Bu Eunseol’s indifferent gaze.
And now, seeing her own proud younger sister greeted with such coldness, her mood soured.
“Ahem.”
Bu Eunseol cleared her throat and cupped her hands once more.
“To behold in person the peerless beauty of the Second Young Lady whose fame has spread throughout Tianxia—truly, this is the blessing of three lifetimes.”
Gong Son Dan Ah found Bu Eunseol’s elaborate greeting delivered with such a deadpan expression amusing, and she giggled softly.
“What is that supposed to be?”
As Gong Son Dan Ah broke into a bright smile, the office seemed to light up from within.
While Gong Son Dan Gyeong could also be called a supreme beauty of Tianxia, her countenance was far more reserved.
Compared to Gong Son Dan Ah, who possessed a brilliant yet refreshing beauty, she appeared rather plain.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong waved her hand toward Bu Eunseol as she spoke.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll go to the Man Hwa Antique Shop alone.”
“Understood.”
Just as Bu Eunseol turned to leave, Gong Son Dan Ah’s eyes sparkled.
“Wait, the Man Hwa Antique Shop?”
Shenshui Palace could be considered part of Hyun Moon, and it maintained a life of austere simplicity and solemnity.
Though Gong Son Dan Ah had parents who were among the wealthiest in Tianxia, ever since she entered Shenshui Palace, which belonged to the Hyun Mun Sect,
she had never once visited the Man Hwa Antique Shop, which dealt in expensive items and luxuries.
“Can I come with you?”
“What?”
“Wasn’t this person going to the Man Hwa Antique Shop on business?”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke with an animated expression.
“Our palace discourages extravagance, of course. But if I simply follow along on my sister’s official errand, there’s nothing they could say about it.”
“Dan Ah.”
“I won’t be in the way. All right?”
As Gong Son Dan Ah clasped her hands together and blinked her large eyes, Gong Son Dan Gyeong pressed her forehead.
Though she had always treated her coldly since childhood, Gong Son Dan Ah paid it no mind.
And whenever she made a request, she would gaze up like this with those enormous eyes, looking impossibly cute.
“Hmm.”
As Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s expression softened, Gong Son Dan Ah quickly spoke.
“I won’t ask you to buy anything. I’ll just look around.”
Gong Son Dan Ah rolled up her sleeves confidently and declared,
“If needed, I can even lend a hand. After all, there’s hardly any chore I haven’t done in our palace.”
Unable to resist Gong Son Dan Ah’s charm, Gong Son Dan Gyeong shook her head.
“Fine. Let’s go together then.”
“Really? Thank you!”
Gong Son Dan Ah suddenly threw her arms around Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
As Gong Son Dan Gyeong reluctantly patted her, she finally noticed Bu Eunseol’s fixed stare and raised her brows sharply.
“What are you doing?”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong deliberately acted petulant toward Bu Eunseol.
“Don’t just stand there gawking. If you’ve heard what we said, prepare yourself to head to the Man Hwa Antique Shop.”
* * *
The Manhwa Antique Shop remained prosperous, contrary to Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s concerns.
Numerous families streamed through the entrance, browsing the merchandise displays, while the tavern servants greeted them with courtesy.
“I cannot identify any particular problems.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded at Bu Eunseol’s assessment.
After all, sales had not truly declined—she had merely sought to dispel the recent scandal.
“I shall take tea with my sister. Please maintain a discreet distance.”
“Understood.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong led Gong Son Dan Ah toward the Palson Tea House within the Manhwa Antique Shop.
Martial artists from the Sungwi Unit maintained a rigorous perimeter around the shop’s vicinity.
However, since Bu Eunseol remained close at hand, they refrained from closer escort duties.
“Sister, is that the person we spoke of?”
Gong Son Dan Ah asked, her eyes gleaming as she sipped her tea.
“The one who rose from Third-Rank Lord to become a candidate for Unit Lord—Seon Woo Jin?”
Seon Woo Jin, who had single-handedly defeated Gwon Wang and ascended to serve the Four Gods Seven Kings at such a young age.
He had become the most celebrated figure in the Orthodox Martial World of late.
Moreover, rumors had spread that at his tender age, he and Baek Mu Sung had become candidates for the Murim Alliance Lord position.
His renown now reverberated throughout Gangho.
“Yes.”
“As expected. He does seem to be the exceptional talent you would elevate as a Unit Lord candidate.”
Yet despite her words, Seon Woo Jin’s bearing and appearance were utterly unremarkable.
Observing her elaborate discourse, Gong Son Dan Gyeong sensed ulterior motives beneath the surface.
“You have taken an interest in him?”
“Yes, quite considerably.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong was profoundly taken aback.
“Why? What could possibly be the reason?”
“It is peculiar.”
“What is?”
“That man. Throughout all our encounters, his gaze has never wavered once when looking upon me.”
Gong Son Dan Ah gazed toward the distant, dignified profile of Seon Woo Jin as he stood guard over them.
“Most men either display curiosity or deliberately avert their eyes. Yet he stares directly at me while revealing no discernible emotion whatsoever.”
“When martial masters attain the pinnacle of their art, their composure becomes as immovable as stone. It is hardly unusual.”
A lie.
Men, whether young or old, invariably become captivated by feminine beauty.
Yet Seon Woo Jin remained extraordinarily indifferent to women, regardless of his martial prowess.
As though he could not distinguish beauty from plainness in the female form at all.
Because he had shown her that same perfect indifference.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong had never encountered a man like him in all her life.
“Is that so?”
Gong Son Dan Ah smiled casually as she spoke.
“But there’s something oddly familiar about him. He doesn’t feel like a stranger at all.”
“Familiar?”
“Yes, it doesn’t feel like I’m meeting him for the first time.”
In truth, this sensation stemmed from the fact that she had indeed seen Bu Eunseol before.
But she began to extrapolate from that feeling.
“Moreover, there’s a sense of closeness and comfort. Like fellow disciples who have cultivated martial arts together for years.”
In reality, this was because Bu Eunseol, like her, harbored the crystalline divine energy within her body—but…
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, unaware of this truth, received yet another profound shock.
‘Has this girl truly fallen for Seon Woo Dae Ju?’
Despite her beautiful appearance, Gong Son Dan Ah possessed a temperament indifferent to others’ judgments of beauty.
Could it be that she was developing affection due to their similar dispositions?
“You don’t have romantic interest in him… do you?”
“I’m not sure.”
Gong Son Dan Ah shook her head.
“But my gaze does keep drifting toward him.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s vision darkened.
Gong Son Dan Ah had never once broached the subject of romantic interest in her presence.
Yet she was casting such bold glances toward Seon Woo Jin?
‘Seon Woo Jin. He is absolutely unsuitable.’
Despite his gentle appearance, Seon Woo Jin was a tempestuous figure destined to shake the world—a man who could never be devoted to family.
Gong Son Dan Ah possessed the pure innocence of a maiden.
She must encounter someone of utmost sincerity who would love her with fervent devotion.
She must never develop affection for such a heartless individual.
“He is a contemptible person.”
“Pardon?”
“He is exceedingly fond of women. With marriage proposals arriving from all quarters, he loses his senses, constantly pursuing the women of various sects.”
“That doesn’t seem to be the case?”
“It merely appears that way. The reality is different.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke with utmost seriousness.
“Everything I say is the truth.”
“Doesn’t the abundance of marriage proposals simply indicate he’s quite popular?”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong offered a pure smile.
“Wouldn’t that also be evidence that he receives favorable evaluations externally?”
‘Tsk.’
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, concealing her frustrated expression, spoke again.
“In fact, he speaks very little. Often, it’s difficult to discern what he’s thinking.”
“That’s simply a sign of depth, isn’t it?”
“I’ve heard that when he ventures into Gangho, he knows so many people there. He is absolutely not the type to be devoted to family.”
“Isn’t that evidence of harmonious interpersonal relations? Or perhaps it shows he knows how to respect others.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes were beginning to roll back in exasperation.
“The author possesses an extremely indifferent temperament. Even when others criticize him, he pays them no mind.”
“Or perhaps he maintains a positive outlook? He seems like the type who draws strength even under pressure and adversity.”
“I hear he trains his Team Members with brutal intensity. Poor souls.”
“That would suggest exceptional ability as a commander. Without trust, subordinates cannot endure such training.”
‘Ugh!’
Gong Son Dan Gyeong marshaled every disparaging remark she could conjure, ceaselessly maligning Seon Woo Jin.
Yet Gong Son Dan Ah was accepting it all as virtues, was she not?
‘No, this won’t do!’
At this rate, wouldn’t Gong Son Dan Ah genuinely fall for Seon Woo Jin?
Just as Gong Son Dan Gyeong prepared to speak again, Gong Son Dan Ah wore a peculiar smile.
“Come to think of it… this is the first time I’ve heard you understand someone so deeply.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve heard many stories. They say you’ve been spreading rumors throughout the Murim Alliance.”
“Ah, well that’s actually…”
Just as Gong Son Dan Gyeong was about to deny it, something occurred to her, and her eyes gleamed.
‘Yes, that method exists!’
This approach might be faster than spouting irrelevant nonsense.
Gong Son Dan Ah possessed not only a pure heart but also knew no surrender.
If she forcibly tried to eliminate her affection, it might only deepen her feelings for Seon Woo Jin instead.
“You’re right.”
With solemn resolve, Gong Son Dan Gyeong whispered as if resigned to fate.
“The truth is, I have an interest in him.”
In that instant, Gong Son Dan Ah’s eyes widened as if struck by shock.
“Truly?”
As her voice trembled from the impact, Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded with inner relief.
“Yes. But he is rather indifferent to women. That’s what has been troublesome.”
“I see.”
As Gong Son Dan Ah lowered her head, Gong Son Dan Gyeong bowed hers apologetically.
“I’m sorry for not being honest about it sooner.”
In the eyes of the bowed Gong Son Dan Gyeong burned a solemn light.
This was sacrifice.
If her sacrifice allowed her younger sister to meet a good man, nothing could be better.
Even if she were misunderstood a hundred times for taking away the man her sister fancied…
She could smile and hold her head high with pride.
“How wonderful!”
Yet Gong Son Dan Ah suddenly burst into laughter and clapped her hands.
“I actually wanted to ask you directly about this anyway. Thank you for being honest with me.”
“About what?”
“About Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong was dumbfounded.
What nonsense is this cunning child spouting?
“What are you talking about?”
“My parents have always been curious. What kind of person is Seon Woo Jin that you not only keep him by your side for so long, but also… risked your position as Chief to elevate him to a candidate for Lord?”
Gong Son Dan Ah spoke with a bright smile.
“That’s why my parents sent me. To find out what kind of relationship the two of you actually have.”
“What?”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s face instantly turned ashen.
“You came to the Murim Alliance… to find out what kind of relationship Seon Woo Dae Ju and I have?”
“Yes.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong smiled beautifully.
But conversely, her eyes had turned white with fear.
I couldn’t even grasp how to clear up this misunderstanding.
“Dan Ah, listen to your sister. It’s all a misunderstanding. The truth is….”
“It’s fine. From what I can see, he seems like a good person.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t say anything bad about him.”
“No.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong spoke firmly.
“Never tell our parents such things. He is….”
She finally closed her lips.
Because you seem to like him.
Because you might have feelings for Seon Woo Dae Ju.
That’s why I couldn’t say that I lied….
‘Even if I said that, she’s not the kind of child who would believe me.’
Gong Son Dan Ah already wore an enchanted expression and gaze, as if she had tasted something sweet.
Since I had expressed interest in Seon Woo Jin, she completely believed it.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, who never loses.
Because she had never spoken a single lie in her entire life until now.
“It’s fine.”
Gong Son Dan Ah spoke calmly, as if to reassure her.
“Such matters will never reach the people of the Murim Alliance.”
And Gong Son Dan Ah smiled beautifully and winked with one eye.
That appearance was so beautiful.
But to Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes… it looked like a water ghost dragging people to hell, smiling.
A few days later.
Sitting at the desk in my office, I slowly unfolded it with trembling hands.
―I’ve heard everything through Dan Ah. This father would like to meet him in person.
It had finally come.
My father, Gong Sun Hwa Wook, had sent a letter to me.
―It’s been far too long since I’ve seen your face. Come down with him.
And at the end of the letter, it was written thus.
―If you’re truly too busy and don’t have time, I’ll visit the Alliance with Mother.
Thud.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes lost all focus as the letter slipped from her fingers.
This was practically a notification.
No—it was a command that could shake even her own position, something that absolutely could not be ignored.
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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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