The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 68

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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 68.
Thud.
Yi Gok’s breath severed as he crashed face-first into the floor. Simultaneously, the Inn fell into suffocating silence.
Click.
Yet Bu Eunseol sheathed her sword as though nothing had transpired, descending the stairs with unhurried grace.
―A formidable swift-blade master has emerged.
The martial artists within the Inn watched Bu Eunseol depart, their eyes gleaming with intrigue.
Another rising talent worthy of attention at the Martial Arts Tournament had appeared.
“Hmm, hmm, hmm.”
The Young Scholar, who had been observing Bu Eunseol’s departure, nodded slowly.
“A distinctive swift-blade technique. Unleashed through lightning-fast reflexes and elastic musculature…I see.”
The Young Scholar immediately grasped that Bu Eunseol’s strike differed from ordinary swift-blade techniques—it was executed through supple muscles and razor-sharp reflexes rather than conventional speed alone.
“Yet swift-blade mastery alone will prove insufficient for survival in that place.”
While others stared in astonishment with gaping mouths, the Young Scholar remained composed.
Instead, he gazed at Bu Eunseol’s receding silhouette with a playful smile.
“Her path stretches far ahead….”
He grasped his wine cup and drained it in one long draught, murmuring softly.
“I must save one person.”
The expansive plaza at the heart of Donghyo Seorang.
Across the vast open ground capable of accommodating thousands with ease stood a colossal structure—the Combat Stage and viewing galleries.
Typically, Combat Stages are constructed at great height, forcing spectators to gaze upward at the matches while reserving elevated seating for dignitaries.
Yet the Martial Arts Tournament Grounds constructed by Donghyo Seorang featured a sunken Combat Stage surrounded by concentric stone tiers, allowing anyone to observe with ease.
―One glance at the Combat Stage alone reveals Donghyo Seorang’s meticulous nature!
Martial artists attending the Martial Arts Tournament for the first time nodded in admiration, exclamations escaping their lips.
Donghyo Seorang, which expanded its influence by welcoming the most exceptional martial artists and wanderers throughout Gangho.
From the Martial Arts Tournament Grounds alone, one could gauge their wealth and influence.
“Welcome, esteemed martial artists of Gangho.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man standing at the center of the Combat Stage spoke.
“I am Cho Mun Cheon, Chief Administrator of Donghyo Seorang.”
With hands clasped lightly, he continued.
“This Martial Arts Tournament, hosted by Donghyo Seorang, has now reached its fourth iteration. This is entirely thanks to the martial artists of Gangho who have regarded our organization with such favor.”
Though Cho Mun Cheon’s voice, infused with inner energy, was not loud, it reached the ears of all gathered in the plaza with crystalline clarity.
“This Martial Arts Tournament exists solely to introduce Donghyo Seorang throughout Gangho, with no ulterior motives.”
After a brief pause, he resumed.
“Therefore, regardless of martial cultivation level, age, or origin, anyone may participate. However, all matters arising here remain the sole responsibility of the participant!”
Cho Mun Cheon proceeded to explain the tournament rules at length.
First: Anyone may register and participate without restriction by providing only their name. However, all matters arising here remain the sole responsibility of the participant.
Second: Preliminary rounds are cleared by defeating three or more challengers, or by waiting half a day without any challengers appearing.
Third: Once thirty-six preliminary winners are determined, a bracket is drawn and the tournament proceeds with two matches daily.
Fourth: Those who interfere with Donghyo Seorang’s operations or harm its members shall receive no prize money, regardless of achieving victory.
“Well then, let us now commence the Fourth Martial Arts Tournament!”
―Roaaaaar!
Ding.
As the gong erected at one end of the Combat Stage rang out, a thunderous roar of cheers erupted from the crowd.
Yet even as the clamor persisted, no one ascended the Combat Stage. Perhaps it was only natural.
Even for a seasoned veteran, stepping onto the Combat Stage carried considerable weight.
In an atmosphere not yet fully ripened, one could easily stumble into careless mistakes.
Whoosh.
Then a young scholar in a worn grey robe ascended the Combat Stage without hesitation.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“Bu Eunseol.”
As Bu Eunseol announced her name, Cho Mun Cheon’s eyes gleamed with recognition.
‘The swift blade master who cut down Yi Gok at the Inn in one stroke, I presume.’
The movements of all martial artists present here were being monitored through the intelligence network of Donghyo Seorang.
Upon hearing Bu Eunseol’s name, he nodded inwardly with satisfaction.
‘She will pass the preliminary rounds without difficulty.’
One who could fell the Sangsan Ghost in a single stroke was a swift blade master of considerable renown in the martial world.
Having displayed her prowess in an Inn filled with countless martial artists, she would undoubtedly advance through the preliminaries without issue.
“Very well. Young Master Bu.”
Cho Mun Cheon called out in a loud voice.
“Is there anyone who would challenge this Young Master Bu?”
After waiting for some time, it unfolded as expected.
No challenger ascended the Combat Stage, no matter how long the wait.
“Then I shall count to five!”
“Wait.”
Then, with a sharp whistle, a figure ascended the Combat Stage.
A young man clad in resplendent silk garments, adorned from head to toe with exquisite ornaments.
It was the young scholar who had shared a table with Bu Eunseol.
“Do you wish to challenge?”
At Cho Mun Cheon’s words, the young man nodded.
“I do.”
“State your name.”
The young man spoke in a low voice, his shoulders relaxed.
“Young Ji Wi.”
At those words, the martial artists gathered in the plaza began to murmur.
―Young Ji Wi, the great master of the Jeom Chang Sect?
In an instant, the tournament grounds erupted into chaos.
One of the eighteen great masters of the Murim Alliance, cultivated with all their might as a shared prodigy, whose movements had always been as elusive as a divine dragon—he had appeared at the Martial Arts Tournament?
“You don’t seem particularly surprised, friend.”
Young Ji Wi was rather taken aback by Bu Eunseol’s composed expression.
Since entering Gangho, I had never once encountered someone who wasn’t astonished upon hearing my name.
“You knew who I was?”
Bu Eunseol answered calmly.
“Only that you’re from the Jeom Chang Sect.”
Bu Eunseol didn’t know that Young Ji Wi was a Grand Master, but she inferred he was a master of the Jeom Chang Sect possessing techniques worthy of such surprise.
This was because all masters of the Jeom Chang Sect wielded swords with exceptionally narrow blades and shortened lengths.
‘Ma Woon. He was also a master of the Jeom Chang Sect.’
Ma Woon—an enemy, yet one who had sacrificed himself and ended his life without hesitation.
I carried a debt of gratitude toward the Crown Prince of the Orthodox Sects, who had always possessed a playful demeanor.
Thus, upon learning he was a warrior of the Jeom Chang Sect, I remained silent despite his verbose manner and disrespectful attitude.
“I see. Your eyes are truly keen, friend.”
Young Ji Wi, who had been observing Bu Eunseol, waved his hand.
“Ah! Please don’t misunderstand. I’ve stepped forward not to harm you, but to protect you.”
It was an absurd statement.
As Bu Eunseol’s brow furrowed, Young Ji Wi scratched his head.
“As you know, this Martial Arts Tournament is a brutal affair where lives cannot be guaranteed. Your swift blade technique is impressive, but it alone won’t sustain you through it.”
Young Ji Wi paused briefly before smiling softly.
“I haven’t forgotten your kindness in sharing a table with me, and I’m trying to keep you alive. Since there will be many opportunities ahead, you should gain experience elsewhere rather than in tournaments like this.”
Shing.
As Young Ji Wi drew his blade, a chilling aura spread in all directions.
Young Ji Wi, Grand Master of the Jeom Chang Sect.
He had only become a disciple of the Jeom Chang Sect as late as fourteen years old.
Yet despite this, his dazzling talent gradually distinguished him, and three years later, he became one of the ten representative disciples of the Jeom Chang Sect and participated in the Grand Master Tournament.
Upon becoming a Grand Master, he studied martial arts for only about a year before immediately leaving the Murim Alliance.
Though naturally gifted in martial prowess, he desired to wander Gangho far more than to deepen his martial training.
“Then, begin!”
At that moment, Cho Mun Cheon’s voice rang out.
Flash!
Young Ji Wi moved with the speed of lightning.
Yet his blade passed not through Bu Eunseol’s neck, but beside it.
“Our sect’s sword technique also relies primarily on swiftness.”
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, Young Ji Wi assumed she was startled by his swift blade and wore a faint smile.
“You should abandon this tournament if possible. Why taste defeat unnecessarily?”
No matter how exceptional her swift blade technique, from Young Ji Wi’s perspective, Bu Eunseol was merely a novice freshly emerged into Gangho—incomparable to the rising sun of the Orthodox Sects, a Grand Master.
His words were sincere from his standpoint, yet utterly laughable from hers.
“You talk too much.”
“Then, shall we begin?”
Young Ji Wi, a prodigious swordsman who had taken up martial arts late yet risen to Grand Master status.
He extended his blade with a confident smile.
“Be careful!”
Evil.
With the sound of wind splitting, a blade of light pierced toward my chest.
I had unleashed the Jeom Chang Sect’s supreme sword technique—the Sunshot Sword Method—which was not only swift as light but could sever an enemy regardless of distance.
Whoosh.
Yet Bu Eunseol shifted her body lightly, evading the blade.
Young Ji Wi, as if he had anticipated this, moved his sword in a chaotic pattern.
Trembling.
The gently quivering blade transformed like mist, instantly sealing off her escape route. It was a flawless execution of the Sunshot Inevitable Severing technique.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol gazed at the cascading sword tips and stepped forward as leisurely as one taking an evening stroll.
Whoosh!
Each time, sharp blades grazed past her body lightly.
‘What?’
Young Ji Wi’s eyes widened as he watched her movements.
‘How does she know all the sword paths of the Sunshot Sword Method?’
Bu Eunseol’s evasions were neither instinctive nor the result of footwork techniques.
She had grasped every form and sword path of the Sunshot Sword Method, evading the blades in advance.
‘There’s only one possibility.’
Young Ji Wi’s mind raced as he momentarily slowed his assault.
‘She must have survived hundreds of exchanges against a master of our sect who wielded the Sunshot Sword Method.’
The Sunshot Sword Method had never been leaked to outsiders.
Yet if she could see through every technique, it meant Bu Eunseol had engaged in prolonged combat with a master who wielded this method.
“Have you ever faced a master who uses the Sunshot Sword Method?”
Bu Eunseol nodded as she lightly evaded the overwhelming barrage of sword techniques Young Ji Wi unleashed.
“Yes. But he wielded an esoteric weapon, not a sword.”
“An esoteric weapon?”
“Even so, the variation and speed of his techniques were far more refined than yours.”
Snap!
Finally drawing my sword, I exploited the flaws in Young Ji Wi’s Sunshot Sword Method.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic ring, Young Ji Wi’s Sunshot Sword Method ceased immediately.
Identifying flaws and breaking techniques in actual combat like this was nearly impossible.
One had to grasp every sword technique of the opponent while also executing moves at least twice as fast as theirs.
‘She was far more skilled than I thought.’
In truth, Young Ji Wi had entered the martial arts world late and, relying on his talent, had not cultivated his skills deeply.
But that was only in comparison to the great masters who overlooked the world. Against any other master in the martial realm, his abilities were formidable.
“I underestimated you, brother.”
The smile that had lingered on Young Ji Wi’s lips faded.
“Shall we do this properly then?”
Slash!
Young Ji Wi’s swordplay suddenly transformed.
It was a sword technique as sharp as the Four Directions Blade Method, yet concealing countless hidden follow-up strikes within its form.
‘A profound sword technique indeed.’
Bu Eunseol deployed her footwork for the first time, evading the sword strikes.
Slash, slash, slash!
But the sword strikes she thought she had completely avoided suddenly transformed mid-air and began raining down upon her body.
“The Seven Severing Sword Technique!”
Someone watching from above the Combat Stage cried out.

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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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