The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 736
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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 736.
‘Yeon Wol’s memories…’
The memories I was witnessing now
were not Bu Eunseol’s own.
I realized these were Yeon Wol’s memories, that this place was his mental world.
‘Was he present when Sa Ha Manor collapsed?’
If so, then despite Yeon Wol’s youthful appearance, he must be far older in truth…
And in the deaths of his father and mother,
there was a high probability that the Inbi Organization was involved.
Murmur, murmur, murmur.
At that moment, the bizarre voices of sorcerers chanting incantations erupted around me with ear-splitting intensity,
Whoosh!
The flames spreading from around his mother’s body, bound to the pillar, grew increasingly vivid.
Roooar!
And finally, those flames surged skyward as if they would set the entire world ablaze,
transforming into an indescribably beautiful radiance that began to paint the world in its glow.
―Waaah!
Then from somewhere, the vigorous cry of a newborn infant echoed forth.
Bu Eunseol sensed that it came from the opposite side of where the incantations were being chanted,
from another gathering of people assembled in a different place.
The flames that had been surging began to gradually extinguish, and his mother’s burning face started to become visible.
Screeeech!
But suddenly, the image of the mother I was witnessing and the landscape of Sa Ha Manor…began burning like paper.
Perhaps as Yeon Wol’s life was ending,
his mental world contained within his memories was collapsing.
‘No!’
I had no way of knowing when these memories would return again.
Moreover, if these were Yeon Wol’s memories,
from this angle, I could clearly see his mother’s face once the flames died down.
‘Just once…’
Bu Eunseol unconsciously poured every ounce of her inner energy into halting those flames that were erasing the landscape.
‘It’s working!’
As I desperately channeled my strength, the momentum of the raging flames gradually began to diminish.
‘Just a bit more.’
Though I couldn’t explain why, I could sense it.
That I possessed the ability to reconstruct the mental world anew.
Shhhhh.
And so the raging flames extinguished,
and the image of his mother and the surrounding landscape became visible once more.
‘Ughhhh.’
As the surrounding scenery gradually reconstructed itself, I writhed in agony.
Forcibly rebuilding the mental world of one on the verge of death.
My body felt as though it were being torn to shreds, and my mind seemed ready to burst from the unbearable pain.
‘Please.’
Even as my spirit fractured and my body collapsed,
I did not stop, pouring forth all my strength, my gaze fixed upon the face visible within the flames.
And then, at last.
The face of my mother, whom I had yearned so desperately to see, began to appear.
‘Ugh.’
I cried out in horror.
The face visible within the raging flames.
Was it not strikingly similar to Man Wol, the priestess of the Inbiyin?
‘How could this be.’
How could my mother’s face resemble hers so closely? Could I possibly be seeing illusions?
‘They are merely similar.’
Upon closer inspection, their features were not entirely identical. Yet this could be due to differences in age and bearing.
Had my mother been somewhat younger… I would have thought them nearly twins in resemblance.
A sharp sound pierced through.
But suddenly, an indescribable agony overwhelmed me.
Was it because I had poured all my strength into the mental world?
Or was it the price of forcibly witnessing the memories of Yeon Wol, who had already breathed his last?
Abruptly, my mind blazed with fire and my organs seemed to melt away.
‘Aahhh.’
I released a pained groan.
It was a suffering that no amount of endurance could ever withstand.
A crackling sound.
In that instant, the scenery of Sa Ha Manor before my eyes fractured,
And burst forth.
Once more igniting like burning paper consumed by flames.
And all the scenery gradually vanished. Even the image of my mother, swallowed by the roaring inferno.
“Cough!”
Ejected from the collapsed mental world, I spewed forth a mouthful of blood.
“Mother.”
Forgetting even the pain, I knelt and whispered softly.
If my suspicions were correct…
The Ma Gyo had surely employed strange sorcery to work some scheme upon my mother.
“Or could my own memories have interfered?”
She was the mother I had yearned for so desperately.
I had thought that seeing her face even once would leave me with no further desires.
Yet my mother’s face bore such a striking resemblance to Man Wol…
Considering the age difference and atmosphere, they felt almost like sisters.
Could it be that what I’ve seen so far has been Yeon Wol’s Mental World, with my own memories somehow interwoven?
But even so, why does my mother’s appearance resemble Man Wol so closely?
‘Could Man Wol be connected to my mother somehow?’
A sharp pain pierced through me.
But such questions were not important now.
The agony I had endured in the Mental World was now becoming vividly tangible in reality.
My head felt as though it were burning, and every organ seemed to be melting away.
The sky and earth spun dizzily, and scorching blood surged violently through my chest.
With a wet sound, I spewed forth another mouthful of blood essence.
‘Something has gone terribly wrong.’
My body had no strength left.
The inner energy remaining within me amounted to barely a decade’s worth of cultivation.
My body felt as heavy as a water-soaked cloth, as though I had regressed to the days before I ever learned martial arts.
A bone-chilling crack echoed through my frame.
As my inner energy reserves fell below thirty years of cultivation, the Illusory Bone Technique shattered.
A hollow rumble reverberated through me.
I tried desperately to draw upon my remaining power, but the inner energy left within my body was so pitifully weak that
I could not even circulate my energy properly.
A faint whisper escaped me.
Finally, even the Heterodox Qi that lay dormant in the deepest recesses of my being vanished.
Only then could I dimly comprehend what had happened.
‘I forcibly maintained the Mental World of one whose breath was fading.’
The price for forcibly sustaining the Mental World of a dying man was catastrophic.
I had expended every ounce of energy within me
to artificially preserve Yeon Wol’s crumbling Mental World.
My body and spirit—which had never wavered under any assault—had completely collapsed,
and I had suffered irreversible, fatal internal injuries.
‘Even the Zamma Divine Pill cannot help.’
Though I had swallowed one Zamma Divine Pill from my pouch, the blockage remained completely impenetrable.
‘This is no ordinary internal injury.’
To forcibly maintain the crumbling Mental World, I had unleashed all my power at once.
But in the midst of it, Yeon Wol died.
All that power suddenly ceased—and the full force of my technique rebounded upon my own body.
In essence, the harmony I had unleashed at full strength had crashed back into me like a tidal wave.
“This was inevitable.”
Witnessing the memories of the dying defies the natural order of things.
That all my inner energy became blocked as a consequence was only natural, and I should count myself fortunate not to have lost my life.
“This is grave trouble.”
“We’re in big trouble.”
Bu Eunseol gazed toward the distant sky, her lips trembling as she bit down on them.
“Should I go to Nangya Pavilion?”
If Gak Ju Ak Moo Ryung, versed in the martial arts of all the great sects under heaven, were to examine her…
He could uncover the cause of this phenomenon blocking the flow of power within her body and immediately treat her internal injuries as well.
“No, that won’t do.”
After deliberating in silence, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
Nangya Pavilion had become a massive sect rivaling the Hwawoo Sword Sect, unlike in the past.
There might be spies from external forces like the Three Realms embedded within Nangya Pavilion.
Or perhaps the Ten Demonic Gates, hostile toward Bu Eunseol, had also planted their own operatives there.
And if her injuries were beyond even Gak Ju’s ability to treat?
Failing to heal her body would be a secondary concern.
The fact that she had sustained irreversible internal injuries would inevitably spread through various intelligence networks.
The forces lurking in darkness would never miss such an opportunity.
‘First, I must move discreetly to An Ga.’
It just so happened that Sa Hon Dae and the Elite Division were currently reorganizing their intelligence systems for integration with the Muhon Society.
In other words, Bu Eunseol’s current intelligence network had a high probability of having its internal situation detected by external intelligence organizations.
That is, even to So Yo.
She could not reveal the fact that she had sustained fatal internal injuries.
Footsteps echoed softly.
But then.
From across the way, a figure wearing a large bamboo hat was slowly walking toward her.
Clad in a worn monk’s robe, and not just on the face.
Bandages stained with blood and pus were wrapped tightly around every exposed patch of skin.
It was impossible to discern not only their appearance, but even their age.
‘This is no ordinary person.’
Bu Eunseol could tell at a glance that the monk walking calmly toward her was far from ordinary.
Those still, unmoving eyes.
Were they not maintaining a state of perfect stillness, the kind seen only in the great masters who ruled the heavens?
If that monk were an enemy?
Bu Eunseol would have to end her brief life today.
“Hah.”
The monk gazed at Bu Eunseol, then let out a sigh and opened his mouth.
“Your body is severely damaged. You’ve sustained grave internal injuries.”
Heaven had blessed her—the monk was fortunately not an enemy.
Moreover, with merely a single glance.
He possessed a mysterious ability to perceive at once that Bu Eunseol had suffered fatal internal injuries.
“Your inner energy has reversed and become blocked. Sadly, you will become a cripple.”
Shock upon shock.
The monk had not only discerned that Bu Eunseol had sustained internal injuries.
He had perceived at a glance the very circumstances and process by which she had come to suffer them.
“Master.”
Bu Eunseol realized that the monk before her
was an otherworldly being like a divine dragon who had yet to reveal his true identity, and she asked respectfully.
“If you know the cause of the illness, shouldn’t you also reveal the way to survive?”
“Do you wish to live?”
Pus flowed from the eyes of the bandaged monk, yet a mysterious light lingered in his pupils.
“You seem like an old man facing twilight, showing no attachment to life.”
“Because I still have work to do.”
“Work to do. Does that become a reason to live?”
“Not a reason to live, but the reason I have been able to live until now.”
At Bu Eunseol’s answer, the monk nodded while gazing toward the distant sky.
“If there is work to be done, then it must be done.”
The monk, who had released a deep sigh, slowly approached Bu Eunseol.
And he spoke in a very low voice, as if murmuring.
“The human body was created in imitation of the universe with countless stars floating in it.”
“….”
“And in this world, there exists a space created in imitation of the universe with countless stars floating in it.”
The monk continued speaking as he slowly walked forward.
“Such a space contains the essence of the universe… so it should be possible to unblock the stagnant energy within the body.”
‘A space created in imitation of the universe with countless stars floating in it.’
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s pupils wavered like ripples on water.
She immediately grasped where the monk was referring to.
Mujok’s Secret Chamber.
Inside Mujok’s Secret Chamber, which I had entered not long ago, there was a universe with floating stars.
Wasn’t there a stone chamber that seemed to have been transplanted as is?
‘Who exactly is this person?’
How could a mere monk know about Mujok’s Secret Chamber?
Could there be another place where a space like this universe exists?
If Bu Eunseol’s conjecture was correct.
The space hidden within Mujok’s Secret Chamber would be precisely that space imbued with the power of the universe.
And with that power, I could unblock the stagnant meridians and restore my body to its original state.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
In the meantime, the monk recited the Buddhist invocation as he passed by Bu Eunseol’s body.
Softly.
And the bandages on his face began to slowly fall away.
But the monk simply continued walking slowly with his back turned to Bu Eunseol.
“Thank you….”
Bu Eunseol, who had offered her gratitude, was startled.
When I turned around, the monk who had been walking slowly had already vanished.
‘The range of my perceptible senses has diminished.’
Though my body was far from normal and blood churned ceaselessly within, the senses of the Beast Path remained embedded in my flesh.
However, since I could not project my inner force’s vibrations far, my hypersensory range had become drastically narrow.
‘No, even if my body were intact, I doubt I could have sensed it.’
The monk walking away with his back turned was merely three paces distant from Bu Eunseol.
Even if the Beast Path’s range had been complete.
The monk would have vanished quietly using a mysterious power that transcended that hypersense.
“It’s as though he left it for me to use.”
Where the monk had disappeared, a bandage stained with scabs and pus remained, along with a bamboo hat.
Swish.
Bu Eunseol unhesitatingly seized the bandage, wrapped it around her face, and donned the bamboo hat.
If one concealed their visage with a bandage soiled by pus and blood?
No matter how formidable a person might be.
They would never recognize Bu Eunseol.
‘I’ll proceed to Mujok’s Secret Chamber while concealing my identity this way.’
Since entering the Murim, Bu Eunseol had consistently used intelligence organizations to obscure her movements.
But this time, without any assistance from intelligence organizations.
She would travel alone, disguised as a sickly third-rate martial artist.
* * *
The monk, who had been watching in secret as Bu Eunseol staggered toward Seong Do, shook his head.
“It was unavoidable.”
As he lifted his head.
A grotesque visage was revealed—skin like tree bark with clots of blood gathered around his mouth.
The one who had taught Bu Eunseol the healing method was none other than Mok Bul.
“That child must not die now, under any circumstances.”
Drip, drip.
From Mok Bul’s mouth, black blood clots the size of pebbles streamed forth.
“I beg your forgiveness for Bin Seung.”
Mok Bul, who had been murmuring while gazing at the sky, bowed his head and pressed his palms together in reverence.
As he turned his body, a space encircled by radiant light appeared before him.
Within it unfolded the landscape of a mysterious forest unknown to the people of this world.
Step by step.
Mok Bul slowly walked and disappeared into that luminous space.
* * *
―I shall now enter secluded cultivation, so arrange my movements carefully.
Bu Eunseol, having reached Seong Do, issued this command through So Yo.
―And all intelligence team members are to return to the main force and continue the work of consolidating the intelligence network.
She also added one further instruction.
―And rebuild the Xian’an Funeral House and provide support to hire a young funeral director and servants.
Old Seo An is a man of great integrity.
Even if offered substantial wealth, he would refuse it, and if forced upon him, he might instead become a target for villains.
Because of this, Bu Eunseol merely provided support to ensure Seo An could live comfortably.
She had the funeral house building repaired.
And hired young embalmers and servants to assist with various tasks within—nothing more than what was necessary.
‘Even if such information leaked to outside organizations, it would pose no danger.’
Should hostile forces learn of these arrangements,
they would merely assume I had gone into seclusion for cultivation, and search only for that location.
With blood-stained bandages wrapped around my face,
they would never discover the true identity of this sickly third-rate martial artist wandering the Gangho.
‘I’ll need to travel by carriage all the way to Ha Nam Province.’
My internal energy reserves had only ten years remaining. Moreover, the severe internal injuries had left my body utterly drained of strength.
Executing lightness of foot was now nothing but a distant dream.
Bu Eunseol immediately went to Seong Do and headed straight for the station.
“*Cough cough.*”
But upon entering the station, the coachmen’s gazes turned cold.
With blood-stained bandages wrapped around my face and severe internal injuries evident,
the appearance of a sickly third-rate martial artist naturally revealed itself.
“*Hack cough.*”
Seeing my disheveled appearance and the blood-stained bandages wound tightly around my face, the coachmen
sensed unprofitable business and either rose to leave or avoided my gaze.
‘Hmm.’
Bu Eunseol paid them no mind and carefully surveyed the interior of the station.
Then her eyes fell upon an old coachman in the corner.
His hands bore thick calluses, and his body was bent with age.
Moreover, his carriage was the oldest and most worn.
Yet Bu Eunseol approached him as though she had discovered treasure and spoke.
“I’ll pay generously. Let me hire your carriage.”
“I can take you, but…”
The Old Coachman sighed, gesturing toward a long procession moving out of Seong Do.
“If we depart now, we’ll inevitably have to follow that merchant guild’s procession.”
He pointed to a large merchant procession currently moving out of the city.
They were not a single massive guild, but rather a collective of smaller merchant groups.
Since poorer merchant guilds could not afford to employ skilled martial artists,
when passing through territories outside the influence of Jeongsayang-do and the Green Forest, they traveled together like this.
Numbers were as good as military strength, after all.
Even small merchant groups banding together could defend against bandit attacks.
‘Actually, this works perfectly.’
No one in Tianxia would ever imagine the supreme Muk Hon Ryeong Ju traveling with a merchant procession.
Bu Eunseol nodded readily.
“Let’s travel with the merchant guild.”
“You seem to have martial training. Wouldn’t it be better to ask that merchant guild directly for passage?”
Ma Bu spotted the Muk Hon Sword, which resembled an iron blade, and spoke carefully.
“Then you could receive payment and travel comfortably.”
Bu Eunseol smiled brightly.
She was pleased not only by the old man’s honesty but also by his consideration for her.
“Then the deal is struck.”
Bu Eunseol then handed over an entire purse containing twenty taels of silver from her bosom.
“That’s far too much payment.”
“It’s easily a fortnight’s journey to Ha Nam Province. Surely you deserve that much compensation, don’t you?”
Bu Eunseol smiled brightly.
“Your skills must be the finest as well.”
Bu Eunseol had perceived at a glance that this old man
possessed not only the most refined techniques at this station, but also maintained his carriage with meticulous care.
“Cough, cough.”
After finishing her words, she coughed severely once more.
The internal injuries sustained this time were grave indeed.
Even speaking much was becoming overwhelming.
“Please board the carriage at once, Warrior.”
The Old Coachman, sensing that Bu Eunseol’s condition was poor, prepared warm blankets separately for her to rest comfortably in the carriage.
And just as he was about to climb onto the carriage,
“I need a carriage for a long journey.”
A clear but somewhat cold voice accompanied the White-Robed Woman as she entered the station.
She wore a face veil, yet her eyes were exceptionally bright, and twin swords were strapped to her back.
‘A daughter of a merchant family, it seems.’
The scabbards of the twin swords she carried gleamed with dazzling silver light,
and large gemstones were embedded in the sword hilts.
Anyone would assume her to be a true martial artist, but Bu Eunseol immediately discerned that she was descended from a merchant family.
‘A genuine martial artist would never wear such ornaments.’
The woman wore a face veil woven from silk gauze.
Expensive gemstone ornaments adorned her ears and fingers.
While women do enjoy adorning themselves, martial women of the Murim are different.
They absolutely never wear ornaments that would hinder them when executing martial techniques.
Yet descendants of wealthy families or merchant families, even after learning martial arts, always display their wealth and adorn themselves in such manner.
“I shall serve you, Miss.”
As one coachman stepped forward, the woman shook her head.
“No.”
And she pointed her finger at the carriage Bu Eunseol was about to board.
“I’ll take that one.”
“Miss, this carriage has already been rented by this warrior.”
As the Old Coachman pointed to Bu Eunseol, the woman furrowed her brow and was about to speak,
but upon seeing the bloodstained bandages wrapped around her face, she sighed instead.
He pulled out a money pouch from his bosom and tossed it to Bu Eunseol.
“This should be more than enough to purchase another carriage.”
The pouch contained approximately eighty silver taels.
She spoke with genuine kindness.
“Use whatever remains for medicine.”
Sixty taels earned simply by yielding a carriage?
No matter how indifferent to wealth a Murim master might be, it was an offer impossible to refuse.
A soft whistle cut through the air.
Yet Bu Eunseol did not even open the pouch before tossing it back to the woman.
“I must decline.”
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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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