The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 743

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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 743.
Joil Kwon Mun.
A modest Martial Hall located in Hwangju.
It is operated by Seok Chung Myung, a second-rate martial artist who once earned fame under the alias “Silent Lightning Fist.”
After Sa Hon Dae’s prolonged pursuit,
the culprit behind the murders that had plagued the Hwangju region was revealed to be Go Jeok Yang, a cook working in the Martial Hall’s kitchen.
A mere kitchen cook, not even a martial artist of the sect, committing murder?
It was a case that defied all logic.
Moreover, Go Jeok Yang had continued his duties as a cook without the slightest disturbance since committing those murders.
He seemed to have no memory of such acts whatsoever, conducting himself with a gentle and cheerful demeanor.
Thus, Bu Eunseol infiltrated Joil Kwon Mun and began investigating Go Jeok Yang.
‘This is utterly impossible.’
After observing Go Jeok Yang for some time, I shook my head.
Killing Ghosts possessed a common trait—their gaze toward others was distinctly different.
A Killing Ghost viewed the lives of others as objects of amusement.
Thus, no matter how ordinary they appeared, a murderous intent that could not be hidden flickered in their eyes,
and they displayed a gaze that treated people as objects rather than living beings.
Yet Go Jeok Yang treated people with extreme tranquility and composure, as if he had never committed such acts at all.
As though the memories of that night had been erased.
‘I should wait and observe.’
I realized there was certainly some hidden complexity to this matter.
For several days, I remained concealed within Joil Kwon Mun, carefully monitoring Go Jeok Yang’s movements.
‘There must be something.’
An ordinary person would have given up by now.
But I possessed exceptional intuition and patience that surpassed most.
Without so much as a sip of water, I observed Go Jeok Yang’s every action in the Martial Hall without rest.
Four days passed in this manner.
Finally, Go Jeok Yang’s abnormal behavior was detected.
Whoosh.
On the night when the full moon rose, Go Jeok Yang suddenly stirred from his quarters and stealthily departed from Joil Kwon Mun.
His eyes swept the surroundings with piercing sharpness, his movements deliberate and cautious.
He resembled a predator stalking its prey.
‘Can temperament and nature change so drastically?’
My eyes narrowed with intensity.
Had I not observed Go Jeok Yang continuously until now, I would have mistaken him for having altered his temperament and character through a treasure like the Gyeong Seong Jade.
Whoosh!
Once outside Joil Kwon Mun, he dashed toward another village with a terrifyingly swift movement technique.
A cook who possessed no martial prowess whatsoever was suddenly mimicking the movement technique of a master at the pinnacle of cultivation.
He left the Joil Kwon Mun and began running toward another village with a terrifyingly swift movement technique.
A skilled master with no martial arts accomplishments whatsoever is suddenly imitating the divine techniques of a Jeol Jeong expert.
‘He’s changed.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes, following him in secret, grew peculiar.
Though Go Jeok Yang had shown no signs of abnormality before, his eyes now gleamed with the distinctive madness of a serial killer afflicted with homicidal mania.
‘There must be a secret to concealing one’s killing intent.’
In the meantime, Go Jeok Yang arrived at a small village.
“Hehehehe.”
And with a low, sinister chuckle, he began licking his lips.
He was planning to unleash indiscriminate slaughter upon this village.
‘I cannot allow this.’
Though I had failed to uncover his true identity, I could not permit him to commit such carnage.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol immediately blocked his path.
“Are you about to destroy this village now?”
“Hrrgh.”
As Bu Eunseol blocked his way, Go Jeok Yang’s pupils began to glow crimson.
Saliva dripped from his mouth, and his fangs seemed to elongate.
‘He won’t listen to reason.’
“Kaaagh!”
As Go Jeok Yang charged forward on all fours, Bu Eunseol flicked away his strike with ease.
Crack!
Despite striking his acupoint with precision, he moved with casual indifference.
‘The location of his acupoints has shifted.’
Go Jeok Yang had transformed into something entirely different—even the positions of his vital acupoints had changed.
Slash! Swipe!
The beast-like Go Jeok Yang lashed out with sharp claws.
The power concentrated in those claws was so keen it could cleave iron itself.
But his opponent was Bu Eunseol.
Thump! Thump!
With another flick of her fingers, Go Jeok Yang’s knee bent at an unnatural angle, and his movement ceased.
Since the acupoint technique proved ineffective, she immediately shattered his knee joint instead.
Bu Eunseol gazed down coldly at Go Jeok Yang as he thrashed about on the ground.
Then she unleashed another strike of wind energy, injecting her internal force into his body.
This was to prevent him from severing his own meridians and taking his own life.
“Who sent you?”
“Ughhhh.”
But Go Jeok Yang only emitted rough, ragged breaths.
Bu Eunseol swallowed her frustration and immediately channeled her inner force.
Whoosh.
Go Jeok Yang’s body then lifted into the air.
“I will make you speak, no matter what.”
Go Jeok Yang was no mere Killing Ghost; his body exhibited multiple anomalies.
If I could not uncover the truth immediately, I would drag him to the Demon Palace and expose everything through interrogation.
After all, there were torturers more skilled than myself there, and masters of soul-searching techniques.
Just as I was about to return to the Demon Palace with Go Jeok Yang suspended in the air,
“Cough!”
Suddenly, Go Jeok Yang spewed forth a thick clot of blood.
I lowered him back to the ground, but his eyes had already rolled back and his breathing had ceased.
‘The Spirit-Sealing Heart-Drawing Grand Method?’
I had clearly infused his meridians to prevent self-termination, yet he expired while coughing blood?
‘He cannot be dead.’
Tap-tap-tap!
I immediately pressed thirty-six major acupoints in a single sequence and injected counter-extreme qi.
But it was futile.
Go Jeok Yang had already become a cold corpse.
‘For his breath to cease so rapidly.’
Even if one’s heart meridians were severed, a person would not die so swiftly.
Yet Go Jeok Yang had become a cold corpse in the blink of an eye.
‘I must find some clue.’
As a last resort, I drew upon the Thousand-Medicine Heart Seal and synchronized my perception with Go Jeok Yang’s qi circulation.
But I sensed no inner force within his body.
‘What is this?’
Instead, a strange aura flowed throughout his entire form.
It was not inner force.
Rather, it was an eerie presence that seemed to emanate only from the body of a jiangshi freshly emerged from a tomb.
‘Ghostly aura?’
In truth, “ghostly aura” was merely a convenient term—a vague sensation that defied precise definition.
‘Then.’
I drew upon the Crystal Divine Qi.
And immediately dispersed it around Go Jeok Yang’s corpse.
Crystal Divine Qi possessed the power of evil-breaking.
If what I sensed was not mere unease, it would surely respond to this force.
Shhhhh.
As the pale Crystal Divine Qi spread like mist over the corpse, the eerie sensation that had lingered vanished.
‘As I thought.’
My eyes grew sharp.
‘Someone deliberately cast a grand method or secret art to transform him into a Killing Ghost.’
The fact that it responded to Crystal Divine Qi meant
someone had artificially imposed a grand method or force upon Go Jeok Yang’s body.
However, exchanging body and spirit was
something even the Sam Gye, with their vast wealth and martial secrets, could not easily accomplish.
This meant it wasn’t the work of an individual, but rather a high probability that a specific faction was involved.
‘This is not something that can be resolved in a short time.’
What was fortunate was that the sensation of spectral energy felt through the Heavenly Heart Sealing Technique remained in my body.
If I utilized this, I could track down the Killing Ghosts they had created once more.
* * *
Injecting spectral energy into the bodies of ordinary civilians to transform them into Killing Ghosts consumed by murderous madness was something unprecedented in the Murim.
It was a bizarre occurrence without precedent in the martial world.
Fortunately, Bu Eunseol had mastered the Heavenly Heart Sealing Technique, an ancient technique of supreme caliber, and thanks to it, she could clearly sense the spectral energy flowing through Go Jeok Yang’s body.
Since that sensation remained within her body, if there were another Killing Ghost with the same energy signature… tracking its trail would not be difficult.
Bu Eunseol began to meticulously search the vicinity of the villages where the murders had occurred.
‘Spectral energy of this level should be detectable without even touching the body.’
The circulation of inner energy is as complex and intricate as the circulation of heavenly qi.
However, the faint energy flowing through the physical body should be detectable without necessarily placing one’s hands upon it.
Bu Eunseol, utilizing her formidable inner energy,
spread the power of the Heavenly Heart Sealing Technique broadly like an energy wave, expanding it greatly.
Using this method, she could instantly perceive the energy of ordinary civilians within a radius of several zhang.
‘There must be someone hiding an enigmatic energy like Go Jeok Yang’s.’
Go Jeok Yang had lived an ordinary life before suddenly transforming into a Killing Ghost.
Then in the other villages where the massacres had occurred,
there must be someone similarly living an ordinary existence who would transform into a Killing Ghost.
Bu Eunseol traversed the villages, attempting to uncover the Killing Ghosts hidden beneath ordinary faces.
‘Found one.’
After two days of relentless searching, Bu Eunseol finally discovered someone concealing an eerie energy.
He was none other than the owner of the Fabric Shop on Market Street.
His appearance was merely that of a corpulent middle-aged man.
Yet within his body flowed spectral energy comparable to what she had sensed from Go Jeok Yang before.
‘This time, I should try a different approach.’
Previously, the Joil Kwon Mun’s elder Go Jeok Yang had coughed blood and died the moment he was subdued.
It was likely he had been placed under a vicious curse technique like the Soul-Sealing Heart-Binding Method.
So this time, she would alter her strategy.
Shhhhh.
As deep night fell, the Cloth Shop Owner emerged discreetly from his establishment.
Crunch.
With the sound of bones, the owner’s visage grew increasingly grotesque as he walked down the dark path.
Like Go Jeok Yang, his appearance changed somewhat as he was consumed by murderous intent.
Thud. Crash.
But suddenly, the Cloth Shop Owner collapsed unconscious to the ground.
Before his form could completely transform,
Bu Eunseol, hidden in the shadows, unleashed a wind blade to subdue him preemptively.
“So the Soul-Sealing Heart-Binding Method only activates once they’ve completely transformed into the Killing Ghost form.”
After observing the Cloth Shop Owner for a long while with bated breath, Bu Eunseol nodded.
By subduing him before his appearance transformed completely into that of a beast, the pressure point strike proved ineffective, and he did not resort to self-destruction.
‘Which means.’
Lost in deep contemplation, I examined the Cloth Shop Owner’s body carefully, then placed my hand upon him and unfolded the Heavenly Physician’s Heart Method.
‘This is.’
Only after Bu Eunseol unfolded the Heavenly Physician’s Heart Method upon the living Cloth Shop Owner
could I clearly discern what that sinister aura I had sensed from Go Jeok Yang before truly was.
‘This lies within the realm of sorcery and demonic great techniques.’
Within the Cloth Shop Owner’s body flowed
a vile and malevolent evil qi capable of transforming not merely human nature but the flesh itself.
‘Even the Purification Divine Qi cannot address this.’
Bu Eunseol’s expression grew grave.
Even the Purification Divine Qi, imbued with the power of the Demonic Path, could not fundamentally eradicate such evil qi that had seized complete dominion over the body.
To forcibly inject the Purification Divine Qi
would not restore the Cloth Shop Owner to his former self—instead, his life would be snuffed out instantly.
Zing.
In that moment, a bizarre sensation pierced through my mind.
It was not a matter of extrasensory perception,
but rather an intuition only Bu Eunseol could possess, having been exposed to countless bizarre great techniques and mystical arts.
‘Someone approaches.’
Bu Eunseol hesitated briefly, then swiftly released the pressure points binding the subdued Cloth Shop Owner.
Then I quickly ascended into the high branches of a nearby tree and concealed myself completely.
Rustle.
With his pressure points released, the Cloth Shop Owner looked about his surroundings.
Then, gazing at the moonlit distant sky,
Crack.
his eyes shifted and his body began transforming once more.
Whoosh.
In that instant, a subtle breeze swept forth, and a black shadow gradually materialized before the Cloth Shop Owner.
It was a masked figure clad in lustrous black robes.
The area around the eyes above the mask was darkened as though charred, appearing hollow as if he had not slept for days.
“How strange.”
The masked figure observed the transforming Cloth Shop Owner and tilted his head in puzzlement.
“I sensed the connection had been severed.”
Thud.
The beast-transformed Cloth Shop Owner approached the Black-Robed Masked Killer,
prostrating himself before him like a beast greeting its master.
“Proceed with your task at once.”
Upon receiving the command, the Cloth Shop Owner launched himself forward with a sharp sound.
‘So that one is the Leader.’
At last, I found them.
The Black-Robed Man in dark garments was the very one who had transformed the Cloth Shop Owner into Sal Gwi.
Whoosh!
Bu Eunseol’s covertly launched finger wind pierced toward the Masked Assassin’s Dantian point.
Thud!
Remarkably, the finger wind penetrated the Masked Assassin’s body as easily as if it were piercing paper.
Yet he remained unmoved, and instead gazed down at the hole in his chest with a contemptuous smirk.
“So there was a rat lurking about.”
Crack.
In an instant, Bu Eunseol reversed her technique to become Seol So, descending from the tree to reveal herself before the Masked Assassin.
“You are….”
The Black-Robed Man gazed upon Bu Eunseol’s face as she manifested in Seol So’s form, his eyes narrowing to slits.
“So you are that Seol So, Tan Wang’s disciple.”
A flash of light streaked across Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
It was true that I had become a rising talent worthy of attention among the forces that even Seol So would recognize.
But to identify me instantly by appearance alone?
If so, then this Masked Assassin not only possessed intimate knowledge of Murim’s political landscape.
He certainly belonged to a faction that operated an exceptional intelligence network.
“Reveal your identity.”
Bu Eunseol extended her finger.
Thereupon, a concentrated inner energy crystallized at her fingertip.
“How tedious your methods are.”
The Black-Robed Masked Killer murmured softly, his eyes flashing with intensity.
Swish!
At that moment, accompanied by the faintest sound of air being torn.
An inexplicable force materialized around Bu Eunseol’s body, beginning to coil around him.
It felt as though invisible, tenacious cords were wrapping tightly around my form.
‘A sealing technique.’
As the strange force ensnared me, the continuously flowing counter-extreme true energy was instantly blocked.
The Masked Assassin had severed Bu Eunseol’s power without lifting a single finger.
“Murim practitioners always harbor the same delusion.”
The Masked Assassin regarded Bu Eunseol with a sinister smile.
“That with their martial prowess alone, they can overcome any adversary.”
“Murim practitioners…”
Only then could Bu Eunseol discern the Masked Assassin’s true identity.
“You are Inbiyin.”
Only the Three Families and the Inbiyin
would speak of Murim practitioners as though they were entirely separate beings.
“Indeed, none but the Inbiyin would target innocent commoners so callously.”
The Masked Assassin’s expression shifted slightly with surprise.
“You think a mere disciple of Tan Wang can stop us?”
“I also know you will die soon.”
Boom!
As Bu Eunseol flicked her finger, a sword energy capable of splitting the world itself poured forth.
Splurt!
Simultaneously, a spray of blood erupted from near the Masked Assassin’s wrist.
The overwhelming sword energy had severed his entire hand.
“How is my inner energy not being suppressed?”
“I ask the questions.”
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol, concentrating power once more into her fingertip, spoke in a low voice.
“What purpose do you have in turning innocent civilians into killing ghosts?”
The Masked Assassin stared with wide eyes, not even attempting to stop the bleeding.
He had realized that Bu Eunseol was a master of a level he could not handle.
“We shall see.”
The Masked Assassin, muttering softly,
Whoosh.
Suddenly his entire body grew faint, then slowly vanished like mist.
He was not employing a movement technique, but rather a mysterious sorcery to escape this place.
Shhhhh!
But the Masked Assassin could not flee.
Bu Eunseol had already deployed a crystal barrier around the area.
“What is this?”
The Masked Assassin stared at the transparent walls spread in all directions, his mouth falling open.
“A disciple of Tan Wang wielding such techniques?”
“If that same question leaves my lips again, you will die.”
Bu Eunseol extended her finger.
“Answer me.”
“Hmph.”
In an instant, the Masked Assassin overlapped his index and middle fingers, then thrust them toward the sky.
Boom!
Yellow talismans then spread out from behind his back,
Whoosh.
As the talismans ignited in the void, the power of the crystal barrier blocking all sides vanished in an instant.
Whoooosh!
The Masked Assassin then deployed sorcery again to escape this place.
But it was merely a futile wish.
Boom!
Purple lightning crashed down upon the Taoist’s head as he faded away.
This time, Bu Eunseol had employed a lightning barrier technique.
Crackle, crackle, crackle.
The Masked Assassin, exposed to the Heavenly Lightning Divine Technique, ceased all movement and breathed his last in an instant.
Though the span was mercifully brief.
Exposed to the terrifying Heavenly Lightning Divine Technique, more than half his garments had dissolved away.
Pale wisps of smoke rose from his body.
“Is he truly a Taoist master?”
Around the melted corpse of the Masked Assassin lay.
Various ritual implements and talismans crafted from yellowed Sophora paper, made by steeping Sophora fruits, heaped in abundance and burning.
All consumed by flame.
“Did he use sorcery to infuse malevolent energy and transform someone into a Killing Ghost?”
Using ritual magic to drive a person’s mind to madness was hardly an impossible feat.
The Moshan Sect and other Taoist sects, as well as certain Evil Sects.
Had long ago begun merging methods of brain damage through hallucinogenic toxins with sorcerous techniques.
Researching ways to control humans as puppets.
Hiss.
Yet something strange occurred.
Whoosh!
The body of the Taoist master, now lifeless, suddenly erupted into flames like dry leaves catching fire.
As if dozens of Fire Stones had been poured upon him, the withered corpse ignited in an instant.
It seemed they had installed some mechanism to destroy evidence should they be subdued or killed.
“So this one was merely a pawn after all.”
―Ahhhhh!
Then, a piercing, anguished scream echoed faintly through the distance.
‘Ah, I forgot.’
Bu Eunseol suddenly remembered that the Cloth Shop Owner, transformed into a Killing Ghost, had left this place, and she launched herself forward.
Crash! Boom!
Upon arriving at the village from which the sound had come.
The Cloth Shop Owner, now a Killing Ghost, was indiscriminately slaughtering people.
‘If he’s subdued in that state, he’ll immediately take his own life.’
Unable to find a solution, Bu Eunseol hesitated briefly before unleashing a barrage of Wind Blades.
Crack.
With a dull sound of destruction, the Cloth Shop Owner’s arms and legs bent at grotesque angles.
By breaking his limbs rather than sealing his Blood Sealing Point—which would lead to coughing blood and death—I hoped to at least preserve his life.
Twist!
Yet the Cloth Shop Owner, seemingly oblivious to pain, continued attacking people even with his shattered limbs.
‘Is there truly no way to break this curse?’
Bu Eunseol bit her lip.
Subdue him and he kills himself.
Leave him be and innocent civilians die one after another.
And there was no way to awaken him from this murderous frenzy…
‘This should work.’
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol’s gaze fell upon the farming tools scattered across the ground.
Whoosh!
As she channeled her energy, the farming implements stored in the Farm House’s warehouse pierced through the ceiling and soared into the air.
Creak.
They twisted like taffy in the void before beginning to wrap around the Cloth Shop Owner’s body.
“Ugh! Ugh!”
The Cloth Shop Owner exerted tremendous force, attempting to shatter the metal.
But Bu Eunseol bent the metal with precision, binding him so he could not muster his strength.
‘I will take him to the Demon Hall and uncover the cause of his murderous frenzy and the means to break it.’
The moment Bu Eunseol was about to unleash her movement technique,
Zing.
A peculiar sensation arose from somewhere.
It was a strange gaze, as though someone from an immensely distant place was looking down upon her.
‘Man Wol.’
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s heart raced.
This distinct presence, perceptible even from dozens of li away.
It was none other than Man Wol’s aura.

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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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