The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 690

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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 690.
Pae Ryuk Gyeol’s sorcery infiltrated the deepest recesses of an enemy’s spirit with stealth.
It was said to inscribe seeds of fear and dread upon the soul itself.
―In the end, isn’t it identical to Ma Cheon Je’s methods?
―The reason all people feel fear and dread toward Ma Cheon Je is because of his unpredictability—his nature defies all prediction.
According to Bu Eunseol’s words.
Ma Cheon Je as an entity was chaos itself, utterly beyond foresight.
This bred unease within the spirit, and those anxieties swelled like snowballs into something unbearable.
And the Blood Cult Master Pae Ryuk Gyeol’s sorcery likewise exploited the very essence of fear and dread.
―Then….
Seo Jin Ha’s eyes gleamed with sudden clarity.
This time, Bu Eunseol had shattered the chaotic nature that Ma Cheon Je possessed through actions no one could have anticipated—through a gambit staked with her own life.
Because of this, Ma Cheon Je realized.
that he could no longer manipulate Bu Eunseol within the palm of his hand.
Unable to kill her outright.
he instead assigned her an impossible mission through the Sayoung Battle Division, choosing to stimulate her spirit from without.
―I shall attempt the same.
And Seo Jin Ha likewise.
would step entirely beyond the Blood Cult Master’s range of prediction, refusing to hang his neck on mere negotiation.
Instead, he resolved to display a countenance that transcended fear and dread.
―At the very least, he won’t resort to something as crude as severing my neck outright.
He could stake his life on this.
If the Blood Cult Master, like Ma Cheon Je, was one who tested and studied human nature and will.
Then in any circumstance.
he would refuse to tolerate a situation that slipped beyond his control.
“If you intend to act, do so swiftly.”
Seo Jin Ha spoke with ease, having banished his wandering thoughts.
He spoke as though desperately hoping Pae Ryuk Gyeol would make his move.
“Waiting grows tedious, after all.”
‘If you kill me, all the better.’
As Seo Jin Ha fixed his gaze upon Pae Ryuk Gyeol, a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
If he were to strike him dead in a single blow, that too would not be unwelcome.
After all, he would die in Bu Eunseol’s stead—he could fulfill that wish.
[He’s not feigning madness… he’s genuinely mad.]
Pae Ryuk Gyeol’s expression grew peculiar.
No matter how bold a person might be, fear and dread invariably dwelt in the depths of their spirit.
Yet in this audacious young man before him, he sensed not even a trace of fear?
[Hmm.]
Pae Ryuk Gyeol exhaled softly.
Pae Ryuk Gyeol let out a sigh.
Though young in years, Muk Hon Ryeong Ju Bu Eunseol was already a rising master of the Demonic Path.
That such a person would risk their life to negotiate with him?
Rather, Pae Ryuk Gyeol’s lingering concern—
the dissatisfaction of “Why did the Demon Hall send only a Muk Hon Ryeong Ju?”—began to fade.
For Seo Jin Ha had come to negotiate not with medicinal herbs as a bargaining chip, but with his own life on the line.
[Very well. I shall accept, if only for the audacity of coming alone to this sect.]
It had worked.
Seo Jin Ha’s madness—the willingness to smile and die for Bu Eunseol at any moment, that transcendent disregard for life and death itself—
had finally moved Pae Ryuk Gyeol’s heart.
[I also wish to hear clearly the reason behind those words about striking the Demon Hall.]
“It is nothing of consequence.”
Seo Jin Ha spoke calmly.
“In truth, the fate of the Demonic Path means nothing to me. Whether it be the Demonic Path or Ma Cheon Je, I care not. I simply walk the path that is mine to walk.”
And he added one more thing.
“Should the Sect Master resolve to invade Zhong Yuan, then strike the Demon Hall first. I shall discreetly lend you a hand in that endeavor.”
Pae Ryuk Gyeol, who had maintained silence behind the curtain for some time, burst into laughter.
[Hehehehe, hahahaha!]
The offer to lend a hand was surely a jest.
But he had discerned that the words about caring nothing for political affairs were genuine.
[The Demonic Sect Master has been properly trampled.]
Only then did Pae Ryuk Gyeol nod, as if grasping something.
[So that is why you were sent here.]
He had come to understand why the Muk Hon Ryeong Ju had come alone to the Blood Cult and negotiated.
[Very well. I shall immediately withdraw the Blood Cult to the Western Frontier. And I pledge that this sect shall not invade Zhong Yuan.]
As Pae Ryuk Gyeol answered readily, Seo Jin Ha clasped his hands together.
“I am grateful for the Sect Master’s decisive judgment.”
And he rose from his seat.
“Then I shall take my leave and report back.”
[Merely words?]
Typically, such important agreements were always documented and sealed with a signature.
But Seo Jin Ha shook his head.
“What meaning would such things hold?”
The Blood Cult was not a sect of Zhong Yuan.
Moreover, they believed in heretical doctrines and did not value honor or face as martial artists did—
even if he received a hundred seals, a broken promise would be a broken promise.
“However, I would hope that the timeline might be extended somewhat. To speak frankly, there is still much for me to extract from the Demon Hall—”
As Seo Jin Ha murmured words of uncertain jest or sincerity and clasped his hands, Pae Ryuk Gyeol let out a low chuckle from behind the curtain.
[Hehehehe.]
“Well, if the Sect Master would send a single document bearing a seal to Bon Jeon, it would at least preserve my face.”
Seo Jin Ha clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and turned to depart.
Myo Cheon Woo, who had been standing beside him, quickly followed him out.
“How on earth did you manage that?”
Once outside, Myo Cheon Woo, who had maintained silence the entire time, thrust out his thumb in approval.
“Even if that bastard had come himself, he wouldn’t have negotiated so flawlessly.”
“Hehe, hardly.”
Seo Jin Ha shook his head, feeling the cold sweat trickling down his spine.
“I merely imitated Bu Eunseol. If that bastard had come directly, he would have secured the agreement from the Blood Cult Master regardless of herb and spirit pill supplies.”
And to Myo Cheon Woo, he explained.
That Pae Ryuk Gyeol and Ma Cheon Je were kindred spirits. And that he had gleaned the thread of negotiation from Bu Eunseol’s words.
Once Seo Jin Ha finished his account, he spoke with a wry smile.
“In the end, all I’ve gained from this negotiation is merely time. As the Sect Master said, once the Blood Cult restores its strength, invasion is merely a matter of when.”
“That could very well be.”
Myo Cheon Woo smiled faintly.
“But when that time comes, that one will devise another brilliant stratagem. After all, he always predicts situations two or three moves ahead with precision.”
“Hmm.”
Seo Jin Ha nodded in agreement and then straightened his chest.
“In any case, I’ve earned my keep.”
Though he had received help from Bu Eunseol and Myo Cheon Woo, I had conducted myself properly against Pae Ryuk Gyeol.
That alone was enough for me to hold my head high.
“Will you return to the Demon Palace now?”
At Seo Jin Ha’s question, Myo Cheon Woo nodded.
“I suppose I must. Things are about to become truly difficult from here on.”
Myo Cheon Woo drew a deep breath.
The Demon Palace was no longer the cozy nest of the Sa Young Dae, and Ma Cheon Je could turn hostile toward Bu Eunseol at any moment.
There was no more comfortable position as heir.
From now on, Bu Eunseol would not merely inherit the Demon Palace as its successor, but would have to topple Ma Cheon Je and seize that throne herself.
Drip, drip.
At that moment, blood began flowing from Myo Cheon Woo’s shoulder once more.
The Yeui Jin Gyeol that Seo Jin Ha had deployed was extremely sharp and had been crafted like a saw blade, so the wound would not heal easily.
“Are you alright?”
At Seo Jin Ha’s question, Myo Cheon Woo frowned.
“How could I be alright? The Bing Hon Sword with its saw-like qi blade tore through bone and flesh.”
“Then why did you step in? You could have simply stayed put.”
“Is that what you call talking? That bastard’s eyes rolled back pitch black, spouting nonsense about killing and saving—who does he think he is?”
“What bastard? Are you done talking?”
The two bickered back and forth as they walked.
Even as they rode in the carriage until they arrived at the Demon Palace…
No, by the time they arrived, they were cursing and fighting with flushed faces and gripping each other’s collars.
Unbeknownst to them, friendship was blossoming between the two.
* * *
Having completed both tasks assigned by Chong Gyo Ryeong, Bu Eunseol immediately returned to the Demon Palace and ascended to the Sole Brightness Pavilion.
“You’ve labored well.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyes, fixed upon Bu Eunseol seated across from him, trembled faintly.
Considering that he was known to remain unmoved even if the heavens themselves collapsed, this was a reaction profound enough to make him leap from his seat.
‘Even Shadow would not provoke such a response.’
Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyes trembled once more.
Through the Bi Young Gak, he had learned that Sa Young Jeon achieved a great victory at Eum Gyeol Ma Ji.
And upon hearing that Yong Moon Gyeok’s head had been severed, he could deduce one crucial fact.
Then it was not Bu Eunseol who went to the Blood Cult directly, but rather Shadow who was dispatched.
And he had already anticipated that this matter would be resolved in such a manner.
But how.
How could the one sent as Shadow possibly negotiate with the Blood Cult Master himself?
Could it be that among his subordinates there existed someone whose abilities and martial prowess rivaled his own?
‘This is incomprehensible.’
In truth, the reason this mission could be completed was.
The relentless determination of subordinates willing to sacrifice their very lives to aid Bu Eunseol.
And Bu Eunseol’s foresight in devising strategies over considerable time to ensure all her subordinates returned safely.
Yet from Yeop Hyo Cheon’s perspective, it was nothing but incomprehensible mysteries.
“However, the retreat of the Blood Cult to the frontier is merely temporary. They will strike again at any moment.”
“Well, naturally. Even if they swore a blood oath, they are not the sort to honor it.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon nodded.
“You have completed the mission flawlessly. You have labored greatly.”
“Thank you.”
“However, another difficult task may soon fall upon you, so it would be wise to remain vigilant.”
―Ma Cheon Je may issue orders at any moment.
This was what Yeop Hyo Cheon was implying.
Moreover, he was Chong Gyo Ryeong—an observer.
Therefore, regardless of what commands Ma Cheon Je might issue to Bu Eunseol,
he could instead observe them with great interest.
“Understood. Then I shall take my leave.”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together without apparent concern.
Yet as she turned, a crimson gleam flickered in her eyes.
‘He calculates that I must either bow my head in submission or relinquish my position as heir to the Demon Palace and depart.’
From the moment I returned to the Demon Palace,
I have harbored suspicions of Ma Cheon Je and anticipated that he would move against me.
‘The problem is that the Muhon Society is not yet prepared.’
Currently, Murim finds itself in a struggle for dominance between the allied forces of the Demon Palace and the Murim Alliance.
And I intend to exploit this circumstance,
cultivating the Muhon Society into a vast coalition between the orthodox and demonic paths, creating a three-legged balance of power.
Much like the Three Kingdoms strategy of Zhuge Wuhou.
‘No matter how much the Muhon Society grows in power, it cannot match the Demon Hall and Murim Alliance in the short term.’
But if I exploit the power struggle between the two? I can become a coalition capable of standing equal to them.
‘That’s why I cannot abandon my position as Muk Hon Ryeong Ju just yet.’
If I were to discard the title of Muk Hon Ryeong Ju now and join the Muhon Society?
Regardless of anywhere else, the Demon Hall would immediately roll up their sleeves and come at me.
Now is not the time to leave the Demon Hall—rather, I must seize dominion over it.
“Did you think I would simply sit idle and accept this?”
Bu Eunseol turned her gaze toward the Holy Demon Pavilion standing tall in the distance, her smile turning glacial.
“Master of the Sayoung Hall.”
A cold gleam flashed across her eyes.
Though spoken as a murmur, this was the first time Bu Eunseol had addressed him not as “the Sky of the Demonic Path,” but as the Master of the Demon Hall.
“From this moment forward, I will ensure that no one within the Demon Hall can ever touch me again.”
The most urgent matter was to prevent Ma Cheon Je from assigning her death missions or allowing anyone to interfere with the Sayoung Hall.
Bu Eunseol was preparing to execute her carefully laid plans one by one.
Seo Jin Ha, having returned safely from the Blood Cult, would soon depart for the Murim Alliance.
At the moment Bu Eunseol left the Demon Hall to execute her strategy for restraining Ma Cheon Je—
The Great Conference Hall of the Jamma Pavilion.
A Lords’ Council was being held there under Yu Woon Ryong’s direction.
“The Ryeong Ju should have given us advance notice.”
Won Se Moon, recalling the battle against Eum Gyeol Ma Ji, pouted as he spoke.
“If you had, my subordinates wouldn’t have suffered such severe injuries.”
Fortunately, from this subjugation of Eum Gyeol Ma Ji, there were almost no team members who sustained critical wounds threatening their lives.
But given how fierce the battle had been, more than a third of the Sayoung Hall warriors bore injuries both great and small.
“We had to maintain secrecy, you fool.”
Jo Nam Cheon rebuked him.
“With a loose-tongued one like you around, if the Ryeong Ju had given advance notice, wouldn’t the information have already leaked?”
“That wasn’t the only reason.”
Wi Cheon Gyeong spoke up then.
“Beyond maintaining secrecy, the Ryeong Ju likely intended to give us the opportunity and experience to make a breakthrough.”
“Experience?”
“Yes. We haven’t had a true battle until now. But through this conflict with Eum Gyeol Ma Ji, we’ve come to understand something.”
Wi Cheon Gyeong spoke with pride.
“That our training all this time has not been in vain.”
A smile crossed the lips of the Sayoung Hall Lords.
Bu Eunseol, no matter how busy, had ordered them to undergo rigorous training every single day.
And throughout that time, she continuously developed training methods suited to each division’s characteristics and imparted martial knowledge.
It was training so grueling and arduous that it defied description as merely “difficult”—
But having grown accustomed to intense training since their days in the Sayoung Dae, they followed without significant complaint.
Yet on the other hand, they had harbored doubts: would this actually be effective?
But through this incident, they now understood.
They had now reached the pinnacle of the Murim—a level where they would never be outmatched in any confrontation.
No matter whom they faced, they would never falter.
“That said, where exactly has Ryeong Ju gone?”
Jo Nam Cheon’s question drew a response from Yu Woon Ryong.
“With Ma Cheon Je and Chong Gyo Ryeong burning with such intensity, he must have gone to address that matter.”
“Surely he’s not trying to mobilize the Ten Demonic Gates?”
The Ten Demonic Gates had never enjoyed favorable relations with Ma Cheon Je.
Historically, the masters of the Demon Palace had always emerged from the Ten Demonic Gates.
Thus, whenever Ma Cheon Je pursued any endeavor, the Ten Demonic Gates invariably found fault with it.
If one could exploit that dynamic, might it not be possible to restrain Ma Cheon Je? So the thought went.
“The Ten Demonic Gates are out of the question.”
It was Wi Cheon Gyeong who spoke then.
“Because of Ryeong Ju, the authority of the Ten Demonic Gates has actually declined. They despise Ryeong Ju even more than Ma Cheon Je—they would never aid us.”
“Well, that’s something Ryeong Ju will handle himself. You needn’t concern yourselves with it.”
At that moment, Yu Woon Ryong, cutting off the discussion, turned his gaze across the assembled members and spoke toward the door.
“And you—since you’ve come, enter. Are you planning to stand outside all day?”
Creak.
The door swung open, and a man clad in a worn brown martial robe stepped into the conference chamber.
It was Myo Cheon Woo.
“My apologies for the delay. Has everyone been well?”
As Myo Cheon Woo spoke with a composed smile, the lords fell silent, their expressions vacant.
He had betrayed the Sa Young Dae and exposed Bu Eunseol’s whereabouts.
Yet despite this, Bu Eunseol had granted him leave without a word, citing the need to treat his wounds for the sake of his honor.
But all the lords of the Sa Young Dae understood the circumstances perfectly.
And now he had suddenly returned like this?
“Lord Myo risked his life infiltrating the Blood Cult and aided Lord Seo’s negotiations.”
Yu Woon Ryong continued.
“That is how Ryeong Ju was able to assist us.”
When the response remained tepid, he spoke again.
“In short, we survived this mission thanks to Lord Myo.”
Yet silence still pervaded the chamber.
In the Demonic Path, traitors are treated with a harshness incomparable to the Orthodox Sects.
In a realm driven solely by profit and dominion, there exists no code of honor capable of forgiving betrayal.
Crash.
Won Se Moon suddenly rose and approached Myo Cheon Woo.
Without a word, he struck him across the face with his fist.
Thud.
Though Won Se Moon had not channeled his inner force, he possessed innate divine strength.
Boom!
Myo Cheon Woo flew backward several paces and crashed through a table, collapsing in a heap.
He was a master of long-range combat, and his martial prowess ranked among the highest of the Sa Yeong Dae Lords.
Yet he had not dodged Won Se Moon’s fist—he had taken it head-on.
“I apologize.”
Myo Cheon Woo offered his contrition.
If he did not convey his sincere heart even now, he would have no face to remain in this place.
“The truth is, I….”
“Myo Cheon Woo, if your body had healed, you would have come sooner. Why are you so late?”
Before he could even open his mouth, Won Se Moon spoke with irritation.
“Because of you, we’ve been left doing all the work alone. Do you know how busy we’ve been lately?”
“Won Se Moon.”
As Myo Cheon Woo’s expression turned blank, Jo Nam Cheon stepped forward.
“Well, judging by your appearance, your body seems to have recovered completely.”
He frowned with disdain, then waved his hand dismissively.
“Did you think we’d give you time for a speech just because you’ve returned after so long?”
“….”
“Now that you’re here, keep quiet and sit down quickly. We have mountains of work ahead of us.”
Myo Cheon Woo’s eyes wavered like ripples on water.
The Sa Yeong Dae Lords were true practitioners of the Demonic Path—they knew not how to forgive a traitor.
Yet Myo Cheon Woo had abandoned the Demonic Path and fought as a comrade and friend, risking his very life.
For this reason, they would not even open their mouths about his betrayal—they simply let it pass.
“Lord Myo Cheon Woo.”
At that moment, Wi Cheon Gyeong approached and extended his hand.
*Clasp.*
Myo Cheon Woo grasped that hand firmly and rose with a grunt.
“Welcome back.”
Wi Cheon Gyeong’s casually thrown words carried profound trust within them.
“Yes.”
Myo Cheon Woo felt hot tears about to fall.
If Bu Eunseol concealed burning friendship within ice, then the Sa Yeong Dae Lords were like a roaring inferno itself.
They illuminated one another brilliantly, leaving no shadow in darkness.
“Well, enough idle talk.”
Once the atmosphere had settled, Yu Woon Ryong withdrew a large ledger and spoke with a grave expression.
“Let us begin the meeting now. We have much work ahead of us.”
He spoke with utmost seriousness.
“The Ryeong Ju will surely attempt to transform the system of the Demon Palace. Therefore, we must….”
* * *
Before a small lake in the Martial Arts Training Hall.
Beneath a tranquil yet beautiful landscape, a picturesque manor stood.
*Clop clop clop clop.*
Yet before this manor, a single eight-horse carriage had come to a halt.
The carriage gleamed with a lustrous black finish, and atop it flew a flag bearing the emblem of two dragons contending for a pearl.
The wheels creaked softly as it approached.
As the carriage rushed toward this place, a veil of mist suddenly rose from all directions.
A formation had been installed to conceal the Manor from outsiders.
Yet the carriage stopped precisely before the Manor’s gate, unaffected by the illusion.
The door swung open with a creak.
A striking man with long hair cascading freely stepped into view.
His eyes, deep as ink, glistened with melancholy, and his skin was as pale as fresh snow.
With refined eyebrows and crimson lips, one might easily mistake him for a beautiful woman.
It was Bu Eunseol.
The gate creaked open of its own accord.
A Young Servant in neat attire bowed respectfully toward Bu Eunseol.
A Young Servant in neat attire bowed respectfully toward Bu Eunseol.
“Welcome, honored guest.”
“Hmm.”
“The Master awaits you.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression flickered with surprise.
He had arrived at the Manor without prior notice.
Yet the Manor’s master had known of his coming and had even instructed the servants in advance.
His footsteps echoed softly as he proceeded.
Upon entering the Manor, a beautifully arranged Flower Garden came into view.
Yet with each step, the landscape seemed to shift and transform.
The flowers of this lovely garden, which should have appeared warm and inviting, seemed cold and sharp as metal.
The rigid, artificial arrangement alone revealed much about the character of the one who dwelt here.
One could discern how stern and merciless their nature truly was.
“This way.”
The Young Servant guided Bu Eunseol toward a small Pavilion at the heart of the Flower Garden.
There, an elderly man with piercing eyes and an aura of solemnity was savoring tea.
His gaze shifted.
As the old man’s eyes fell upon Bu Eunseol.
Dark clouds suddenly seemed to gather in the sky above, and from somewhere came the wailing cry of a phantom.
Though a gentle spring breeze whispered through the air, merely meeting the old man’s gaze transformed the world into an atmosphere of impending apocalypse.
For this elderly man was none other than.
The Great Demon known to have slain more Orthodox Sect members than any other in the current Murim.
The Blood Demon, Jeok Bung.
“Your disciple Bu Eunseol pays respects to the honored master.”
As Bu Eunseol bowed with deference, Jeok Bung asked as if perplexed.
“Such formality is excessive.”
Given the position and renown of Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, there was no need to show such deference to Jeok Bung.
Yet Bu Eunseol, just as when first meeting the Blood Demon Jeok Bung in the past, just as during the days of the Ten Demon Immortals.
He was bowing with utmost respect and formality.
“Though I have ascended to the position of Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, my reverence for you, Elder Hall Master, remains unchanged.”
Bu Eunseol spoke these words.
“Unchanged, you say.”
Jeok Bung discerned her true intent and replied with measured calm.
“Indeed. What brings you here?”
His tone was composed, yet his gaze was piercing.
It was perhaps a natural demeanor.
Jeok Bung’s disciple Sim Wol had been corrupted by outsiders and received the bizarre drug known as Artificial Core Elixir.
Unable to overcome the murderous impulse it induced, he became Sal Gwi, slaughtering countless innocents.
When these facts were exposed by Bu Eunseol, Jeok Bung accepted full responsibility and temporarily relinquished his position as Elder Hall Master.
Now he dwelt here in a form of seclusion—not quite retirement, yet not quite active service.
Though the fault lay with his disciple, there was no reason for him to regard Bu Eunseol favorably, she who had meticulously unraveled every detail of the affair.
Regardless, Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together respectfully.
“I have come to invite you to return, Elder.”

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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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