The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 697

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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 697.
Bu Eunseol, concealing her inner astonishment, shook her head.
“Quite the opposite. It was the martial arts I wield that drove his spirit toward death.”
That too was half-true.
After all, I had pushed Cheon Joon beyond the Abyss into complete death using Grandfather’s Blood Dew Seven Techniques.
“I see.”
“If I were suspected of being Cheon Am Seong, shouldn’t I have been kept even further from the Murim Alliance?”
Bu Eunseol shifted her strategy.
Rather than offering any answer to Mu Jon, she resolved to continue pelting him with questions alone.
“I told you. It was merely a confirmation.”
Mu Jon spoke with composure.
“I have known for a long time that you are not Cheon Am Seong.”
“For a long time?”
“Yes.”
“You mean you knew my background and origins.”
Mu Jon spoke with composure.
“No Bu has long been searching for traces of Chil Ji Ma Do.”
“For what reason?”
“I judged that he stood on a higher path than Sa Do Moo Myung, who is called Ma Cheon Je. His Way could not be stopped by anyone.”
“….”
“Though he concealed his tracks, I sensed he lived somewhere. And after a long, arduous pursuit, I finally found him….”
Mu Jon’s gaze deepened.
“He was wiping corpses and raising some child.”
In that instant, a faint gleam flickered across Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
According to Ak Moo Ryung’s words, Ma Cheon Je had also found Grandfather long ago and become aware of my existence.
But Mu Jon had discovered Grandfather as well?
‘So that’s how it was.’
Bu Eunseol’s expression turned vacant.
She had thought she was simply living an ordinary life with Grandfather, day by day.
But it turned out that the supreme masters of Murim had found Grandfather long ago and had been watching him all along.
‘That makes sense.’
Ma Cheon Je had left after learning of the relationship between Grandfather and herself.
Then Mu Jon, the strongest among the Sammasamjon and bearing the title of the Murim’s greatest sage, would naturally
have grasped all the circumstances and simply departed—there was nothing particularly strange about it.
“I spent a long time observing Chil Ji Ma Do, striving earnestly to create an opportunity to fight him. But then, quite unexpectedly… I discovered that the child he was raising was of Baek Ri Mu Ha’s bloodline.”
“How could that be?”
“Sa Do Moo Myung.”
Mu Jon opened his mouth calmly.
“He suddenly appeared before me. And he told me that the child Chil Ji Ma Do was raising was the son of Baek Ri Mu Ha, who possessed the greatest martial prowess of the current age.”
And he uttered a shocking statement.
“And I tried to kill you. But I couldn’t because of Bu Chanyang.”
“Why would you have tried to kill me?”
“I don’t know. After that point, their conversation shifted to telepathic transmission.”
Mu Jon spoke in a low voice.
“All I know is that Sa Do Moo Myung examined your body thoroughly in front of Bu Chanyang. After exchanging a few more words through telepathy, he simply left.”
Bu Eunseol was bewildered.
Ma Cheon Je had tried to kill her? Then why hadn’t he made a move when they had that private audience under his guise as one of the Ten Demon Immortals?
‘So Mu Jon found my grandfather before Ma Cheon Je, and to create an opportunity to fight… he waited patiently for a long time. Then Ma Cheon Je suddenly appeared, and that’s when he learned the truth?’
There were several holes in that explanation.
But I couldn’t scrutinize each one right now. There was something far more important I needed to ask about.
“Who attacked Sa Ha Manor? Who killed my parents?”
“I don’t know that either.”
Mu Jon shook his head faintly.
“I only began investigating Sa Ha Manor and Baek Ri Mu Ha after overhearing such facts.”
In the end, Mu Jon was
saying he knew nothing about the truth of Sa Ha Manor, nothing about my parents’ deaths.
He knew nothing at all.
‘Dam Jeung said that Jeong Cheon Je knows the truth about my father’s death.’
I immediately wanted to ask him about that.
But if I did, it would immediately reveal that I had met Dam Jeung.
‘Let me ask several other questions first.’
Having finished my thoughts, I spoke again.
“Did you have no connection whatsoever with my father or mother?”
“That’s correct. I only learned later that Baek Ri Mu Ha was a major figure of considerable influence in Murim, and I tried to ascertain his true identity.”
“What is Baek Ri Mu Ha’s true identity?”
I asked the question without harboring much hope.
There was no reason Mu Jon would answer honestly.
But contrary to my expectations, he spoke without hesitation.
“Baek Ri Mu Ha was a terrifying figure. His martial prowess was so extraordinary that he was called the greatest master under heaven of his era.”
Mu Jon paused for a moment, then spoke with an expression of incomprehension.
“More than that, he possessed an enormous status—he was the successor to the Sam Gye, which dominates Murim.”
“How could the greatest master under heaven become the successor to Sam Gye?”
“Because he was the successor to Sam Gye, he could become the greatest master under heaven. With their power, they could certainly cultivate such a master.”
Mu Jon’s answer was nothing but speculation.
I asked another question.
“But why did he die?”
This too was a question I hadn’t expected him to answer, yet Mu Jon replied honestly.
“Perhaps he tried to change the direction and principles that Sam Gye had followed for hundreds of years.”
And he added one more thing.
“Though that’s just my speculation, not something I know for certain.”
In short, Mu Jon was saying that Baek Ri Mu Ha was the successor of Sam Gye, but because he acted against Sam Gye’s principles.
They had him killed.
‘Did Dam Jeung lie?’
Dam Jeung had been cornered by Cheon Am Seong.
He said that only Jeong Cheon Je knew the truth about his father’s death.
Yet Mu Jon, without naming them directly…
Was saying that Sam Gye had killed his father.
‘He is Jeong Cheon Je’s sworn brother.’
Of course, it was possible that Jeong Cheon Je had hidden the truth about Sa Ha Manor even from his closest sworn brother.
But someone as relentless as Mu Jon in pursuing the truth.
Wouldn’t he have pressed Jeong Cheon Je for various facts regarding Sa Ha Manor?
The probability of that was virtually nonexistent.
‘If what Venerable Dam Jeung said is true…’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
It was highly likely that everything Mu Jon had said so far was not the truth.
“You believe there is another reason.”
Mu Jon was now reading Bu Eunseol’s innermost thoughts not only through his words, but through the gleam in his eyes.
“You doubt No Bu’s words. And you’re hiding something.”
Mu Jon, possessing the dual identity of the First Master of Murim…
Had reached a realm of martial skill and wisdom that ordinary people could scarcely fathom.
Moreover, the moment he let his guard down or revealed his emotions, he deduced various facts with uncanny precision.
‘If I ask questions while hiding the cards I hold, I will ultimately gain no truth at all.’
If I question Mu Jon while concealing everything I know?
I realized there would be nothing I could ask him.
Even if he answered falsely, I would be unable to discern the truth.
Then at the very least, by laying down one card I possess, hearing Mu Jon’s response about what he means.
That would give me the highest probability of grasping the truth.
In the end, Bu Eunseol played one of the cards he had been holding.
“Where exactly is Jeong Cheon Je hiding?”
Mu Jon’s brow furrowed.
“Hiding?”
“Venerable Dam Jeung said he saw Jeong Cheon Je not long ago.”
Bu Eunseol stared intently at Mu Jon.
All he could do now was discern through intuition whether he was speaking truth or falsehood.
That was all that remained.
“And you said it was Jeong Cheon Je who killed Baek Ri Mu Ha.”
And he had mixed falsehood into the truth.
If he knew something?
Mu Jon would immediately refute it.
“That cannot be.”
A strange radiance flowed from Mu Jon’s eyes.
Whether it was Mu Jon’s original gaze or a divine light created by imitating Jeong Cheon Je remained unknowable.
“You saw it directly, so why speak such words?”
Mu Jon’s gaze turned toward the Eternal Ice Pavilion standing behind him.
“You entered this corridor and must have seen my brother’s corpse.”
“Is that truly Jeong Cheon Je’s body?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I could not examine the corpse in detail. I only observed it from the surface.”
“So traces of the Facility’s interference remained.”
“Indeed. I suddenly became a rectangular metal block and could not examine the corpse carefully.”
Bu Eunseol spoke.
“To be honest, it is difficult to believe that Jeong Cheon Je was killed by anyone. And…”
She was about to ask about the sword technique marks on the surface.
But somehow those marks had been erased, and where faint sword scars had been inscribed, the surface had become smooth and polished.
Bu Eunseol discerned that Mu Jon had erased those sword marks.
‘He is telling me not to ask about the Sword of the Heavenly Immortal.’
Bu Eunseol, having grasped Mu Jon’s intention, shook her head.
“In any case, that is so.”
“Yes, No Bu thought the same.”
Mu Jon walked toward the Eternal Ice Pavilion, now a rectangular block of metal.
“There is no one in this world who could kill my brother.”
Clang.
As he placed his hand upon it, faint lines were drawn across the solid metal.
The metal blocks covering it began to shift downward beneath the Eternal Ice Pavilion.
Then the transparent form of the Eternal Ice Pavilion gradually revealed itself once more.
“Look for yourself. With your own eyes.”
Bu Eunseol drew near and examined Jeong Cheon Je’s corpse.
“This is…”
His eyes widened in shock.
He nearly stumbled backward from the sheer astonishment.
Jeong Cheon Je lay straight within the Eternal Ice Pavilion. Or rather, appeared to be lying there.
Upon closer inspection, his corpse was completely split in half from the back of the head.
In short, it merely appeared peaceful and still on the surface.
In reality, from the skull to the spine, split with perfect precision, the entire back half of the body was simply gone.
‘I must observe this coldly.’
Suppressing his shock, Bu Eunseol examined Jeong Cheon Je’s corpse once more.
The intact front side was also not in perfect condition.
Across the arms, legs, and torso were inscribed countless traces of supreme martial techniques, including the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
‘So many martial techniques inscribed upon a single human body…’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes brimmed with astonishment that threatened to overflow.
How could such a thing be possible?
“Is it truly Jeong Cheon Je himself?”
“If it were not my younger brother, how could he endure receiving so many martial techniques?”
Bu Eunseol found herself nodding without realizing it.
The marks etched upon the corpse were
each one a terrifying absolute technique capable of shattering mountains.
If one were not a master of Jeong Cheon Je’s caliber…
it would be impossible to maintain an intact form after being struck by so many martial techniques.
‘Could it have been Gwi Il Gye who killed him?’
Gwi Il Gye gathered the corpses of masters from previous generations and, through mysterious great methods, recreated their martial techniques.
It would not be impossible for them to restore the techniques of masters from previous or even earlier generations in this manner.
“Gwi Il Gye.”
At that moment, Mu Jon nodded as if he had seen through Bu Eunseol’s thoughts.
“They are restoring the martial techniques of masters from previous generations through their physical bodies. And perhaps…”
He did not finish his words, but their meaning was clear.
Mu Jon also judged it highly probable that the force responsible for Jeong Cheon Je’s death was Gwi Il Gye.
“Did Dam Jeung lie to us?”
“That cannot be known. Perhaps someone merely imitated my younger brother.”
Mu Jon spoke with a confused expression as well.
“Yet here his corpse remains so clearly before us.”
In truth, this was an outright lie.
Mu Jon had already discovered the Gyeong Seong Jade at Jeong Cheon Je’s earlobe and knew there was a probability he was still alive.
But he was not
honestly revealing such facts to Bu Eunseol.
‘Their accounts differ far too greatly.’
Bu Eunseol was equally confused.
She had certainly believed that if she met Mu Jon, she could either tear away his detestable mask
or discover where the living Jeong Cheon Je might be.
Yet did Mu Jon’s demeanor not suggest he had anticipated none of these things?
‘For now, even if Mu Jon is lying, there is no way to discern it.’
Bu Eunseol swallowed her complicated feelings and asked again.
“So, do you intend to take revenge upon them?”
“Not I—you must do it.”
At this unexpected response, Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean?”
“The position of Alliance Master carries many constraints. Moreover, because it emphasizes balance and status, any action taken as Master invites rigorous verification and investigation.”
‘I see.’
Mu Jon controlled many sects under the identity of Shin San Ja.
Yet under that identity, he could not exert influence over the Murim Alliance itself, which represents the very essence of the Righteous Path.
“My conflict with Sam Gye stems from the fact that they are harming innocent commoners.”
However, Bu Eunseol harbored no intention of clashing with Sam Gye for the sake of avenging Jeong Cheon Je.
“We haven’t even ascertained precisely what they’re plotting… so there’s no reason to recklessly provoke them.”
“You’re lying.”
Mu Jon spoke with unhurried ease.
“Who do you think took the corpse of Chil Ji Ma Do Bu Chanyang that you buried?”
Bu Eunseol’s pupils gleamed with sudden intensity.
Mu Jon already knew that those who had stolen his grandfather’s remains were from Gwi Il Gye.
‘Of course it would come to this.’
Bu Eunseol’s sole, deeply bitter mistake throughout her entire life.
It was that she had failed to honor her grandfather’s dying wish, instead meticulously preparing his corpse and burying it in the earth.
Mu Jon was fully aware that Bu Eunseol had ventured into Gangho to avenge her grandfather, and that this desire burned with fierce intensity.
She had even wagered her position as successor and infiltrated the Murim Alliance with schemes—there was no way she could let Gwi Il Gye, who had desecrated her grandfather’s remains, escape unpunished.
Mu Jon delivered another shocking revelation.
“Your brother breathed his last within the Gunkon Pavilion. In other words, the forces that have taken root in secret within the Murim Alliance… are highly likely to be Gwi Il Gye.”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s fists clenched tightly.
Since entering the Murim Alliance, she had known well that Sam Gye’s leadership had established itself there.
But that it would be Gwi Il Gye.
That meant within the Murim Alliance itself.
There could be those who stole her grandfather’s remains.
“In any case, you were destined to inevitably bring down Sam Gye.”
Mu Jon’s gaze blazed with certainty.
“It is my conjecture, but Baek Ri Mu Ha’s lifelong aspiration was surely to end Sam Gye as well. Yet instead, he was driven to Cheon Am Seong and met an unjust death.”
He spoke with quiet composure.
“Is it not natural that a son fulfills the unfinished aspiration of his father?”
Just as Mu Jon said, Bu Eunseol’s strike against Sam Gye was akin to destiny itself.
Yet she maintained only silence.
For a peculiar sensation had seized her.
―All truth must be discovered directly, not through the words of others.
Ma Cheon Je had imparted this principle to her. Was he not foreseeing that she would one day encounter Mu Jon?
Was he not trying to prevent her from becoming a puppet, deceived by his words?
Because… she must become only her own puppet.
‘Perhaps this suspicion is excessive.’
“Still doubting, I see.”
Having heard Mu Jon’s murmur, Bu Eunseol nodded with candor.
“Of course. Until now, I have never once relinquished my suspicion of you.”
“Naturally, you can trust no one.”
Mu Jon spoke with measured calm.
“But the same applies to me. I cannot trust anyone in Ben Maeng. It would be no surprise if any of them were already compromised by Sam Gye at any moment.”
And he added one final remark.
“Like Baek Mu Sung.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been watching Mu Jon, drew a deep breath.
She had already suspected that Baek Mu Sung had thrown himself into Sam Gye.
“Only you and Gong Son Chong Sa. Because only you two harbor such bitter resentment toward Sam Gye… you will not fall prey to their temptations.”
He spoke with a melancholy tone.
“In truth, there are not many trustworthy people around me.”
Bu Eunseol did not believe those words.
If he truly trusted Gong Son Dan Gyeong so deeply, if he believed in that exceptional talent of hers.
He would not be concealing his movements and conducting affairs in secret as he was now; he would have consulted with her on everything.
‘This man, despite his face bearing a resolute and unyielding spirit, harbors at least ten serpents coiled within his belly.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with insight.
Otherwise, he could never have maintained the dual identity of the greatest sage of Murim.
“It matters not whether you trust me. I do not perfectly trust you either.”
Mu Jon added.
“To be honest, when I first heard that you were looking for Boeun Hall, I didn’t want to meet you. Because regardless of whether you were with Cheon Am Seong or not, you were a member of the Demonic Path.”
“….”
“But I changed my mind when I found out that you have Seon-geun.”
Mu Jon sighed deeply.
“I need only to accomplish the eradication of Sam Gye, which has taken root in the Murim Alliance.”
His gaze appeared utterly sincere.
As if he could do anything, so long as he could shake off the shadow of Sam Gye that had turned the Murim Alliance into a demon’s lair.
Even knowing that Bu Eunseol harbored suspicions of him, he showed not the slightest wavering.
“After all, is it not the same objective?”
Mu Jon spoke as if persuading her.
“I do not ask for trust. I merely hope that you will continue to roil the Alliance as you do now, and that like the Infinite Realm… in the end, all those entrenched ones will be dragged into the light.”
Bu Eunseol maintained her silence.
She could not trust Mu Jon.
Yet it was certain that they shared a common objective, so there was no need to break the alliance.
“Setting that aside.”
Bu Eunseol calmly asked what curious her.
“By what method did Sam Gye drive my father to Cheon Am Sung? If he was such an exceptional man, it would not have been easy to corner him without evidence.”
According to the false Tak Ma’s account.
Jeong Cheon Je had driven Baek Ri Mu Ha to Cheon Am Sung.
And since no one doubted the words of the greatest figure of the Orthodox Sects, such a thing had come to pass.
But upon reflection, it made no sense. Bu Eunseol posed this point again to Mu Jon.
“It would have been power.”
Mu Jon gazed toward the Distant Sky and shook his head slowly.
“From what I know, Baek Ri Mu Ha possessed an ability that far transcended human power. It was a formidable force that could not be expressed through martial arts or sorcery of any kind… and because of it, he could not help but fall under suspicion of being Cheon Am Sung.”
‘It is different.’
As expected, Mu Jon’s opinion differed.
And he continued ceaselessly.
By using phrases like “what I know” or “speculation,”
he was subtly revealing that he did not possess accurate facts regarding the incidents at Baek Ri Mu Ha or Sa Ha Manor.
In the end, both Tak Ma and Mu Jon were likely speaking tales far removed from the truth.
“Ability?”
Bu Eunseol, turning over Mu Jon’s words in her mind, furrowed her brow.
“Are you saying such a thing was possible merely because someone possessed abilities superior to others?”
“Merely… You still understand nothing.”
Mu Jon gazed into the void with an expression brimming with contempt.
“For generations, the people of Gangho have envied and slain countless divine beings simply because they were different, simply because they possessed greater power.”
He continued.
“Merely because they were different. Merely because they were superior. And this is the endlessly repeating history of Gangho.”
Bu Eunseol, perceiving a trace of anger in Mu Jon’s voice, felt bewilderment.
‘Has Mu Jon been oppressed by the people of Gangho?’
Most masters of the Orthodox Sects rose to high positions while receiving the respect of ten thousand.
Of course, Mu Jon, revering the martial way, had wandered alone for years and maintained no particular relations with the leaders of the various sects.
Yet the Orthodox practitioners generally viewed him favorably.
Why, then, did he feel anger at such a discourse?
“Even if such history has repeated itself, I cannot agree that the people of Gangho are foolish and ignorant.”
“Whether you agree or not matters not. Even now, they endlessly covet weapons that lead the world to annihilation.”
Mu Jon spoke words she had not anticipated once more.
“In truth, Baek Ri Mu Ha likely fell to Cheon Am Sung precisely because he wielded such a weapon. Though it is said human ability knows no limit, flesh and blood possess a clear boundary.”
“You speak of the Black Divine Artifact?”
“So you already know of the Black Divine Artifact.”
“I do.”
When Bu Eunseol readily acknowledged this, Mu Jon spoke again.
“Since you disposed of the Black Divine Artifact that the Hwasan elder wielded, you must well understand its power. How tremendous the Black Divine Artifact’s function truly is.”
“You sent it intentionally.”
Bu Eunseol finally understood.
“Hoping I would learn of the Black Divine Artifact.”
“Of course that too. But above all, it was to advance your martial prowess.”
Mu Jon spoke astonishing words.
“The more you grow within the Murim Alliance, the weaker the forces of Sam Gye coiled within it become. And they will not leave you unscathed.”
He paused briefly before speaking again.
“The same reasoning applied to what I sent to the Snowflake Sect.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I know you have learned the martial arts of Buk Hae Bing Gung. If you master the Snowflake Ice Technique of the Snowflake Sect, your extreme yin arts will soon enter the realm of perfection.”
Bu Eunseol blinked her eyes.
Mu Jon had deliberately assigned her difficult tasks to advance her martial cultivation?
It was a situation she could scarcely comprehend.
“I told you—it was because of our shared objective: Sam Gye. So there is no need to be so moved.”
“Does my growth not concern you?”
At that question, Mu Jon’s lips curved upward.
“Even if you cultivate for a hundred years, you will never surpass me.”
“Your confidence is remarkable.”
Bu Eunseol had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Regardless of Mu Jon’s true intentions.
Just as with the Black Divine Technique, he revealed truths unknown to the Murim while simultaneously
advancing his own martial prowess.
“Then why did you accept Baek Mu Sung and summon Mu Gyeol?”
Bu Eunseol asked as if she could not comprehend.
“If that happens, the probability of me not becoming the Danjoo increases.”
“That is precisely why I wished to see you directly.”
Mu Jon spoke with a grave expression.
“Originally, I summoned him to elevate you as Danjoo. But you must never become the Wu Tian Duan’s Danjoo.”
This was already anticipated.
Even if Mu Jon offered me the position, I would have had to refuse it.
Yet I deliberately hardened my expression and cried out.
“So you intend to break your promise after all?”
“Not at all. Rather, I am keeping it.”
Mu Jon shook his head and drew a deep breath.
“As you well know, the position of Danjoo does not merely grant immense power. For one like you who must traverse the Gangho, it could become a tremendous constraint.”
“….”
“Becoming Danjoo means spending most of your time within the Alliance. As your subordinates and authority increase, so too do the matters requiring your management.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
I had already grasped
that the position of Danjoo was not merely a seat granting great power.
Rather, I felt grateful that Mu Jon was opening this path for me.
“You are constantly moving between the Demon Palace and the Murim Alliance. Even with an excellent Shadow and even if you perfectly erase your tracks, a long tail will eventually be stepped upon.”
Mu Jon’s eyes gleamed as he asked.
“Still, do you merely desire the position of Danjoo?”
Becoming Danjoo would grant immense strength and authority.
But beneath that lay heavy responsibility and constant scrutiny.
“I say again—what you desire and what I desire are the same. So answer after careful deliberation.”
The annihilation of the Gwi Il Gye.
Mu Jon gazed upon only that.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Then grant me a different position.”
“Your expression tells me you already anticipated this.”
Mu Jon narrowed his eyes.
“I anticipated this situation beforehand and gave it considerable thought.”
“I had my suspicions, it must be said.”
Bu Eunseol did not speak in roundabout terms.
“Observing how the Demon Palace operates, you see.”
Tremendous power invariably carries weighty responsibility.
Bu Eunseol had fragmented the Demon Palace’s authority into three separate branches, protecting herself and her Sayoung Hall subordinates from Ma Cheon Je.
The Murim Alliance operated under the same principle.
Even if one were to become the Danjoo, ultimately the Murim Alliance’s power structure would need to be divided, much like the Demon Palace.
Otherwise, one could be manipulated by any sufficiently powerful figure at any moment.
To prevent such circumstances from arising, Bu Eunseol could not ascend to become the Wu Tian Danjoo.
“What position do you desire?”
At Mu Jon’s question, Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
Ever since realizing she could not become the Danjoo, she had been contemplating this matter.
Was there a position that possessed power comparable to the Danjoo, yet came with fewer constraints and greater freedom?
And ultimately, the answer had already been determined.
“Grant me the position of head of the Cheop Mil Won.”

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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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