The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 756

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 756.
Crack.
Thick veins bulged across Bu Eunseol’s body.
The potency of the Hwan Cheon Hee Ji coursed through his veins like a raging torrent.
In his mind, only Yu Baek’s dizzying visage and graceful form remained, seared like a brand of fire.
Soft footsteps.
Yu Baek approached him with languid, deliberate movements.
It was an irresistible, intoxicating allure.
Moreover, his body had gone rigid from the aftermath of her kiss.
His first kiss in all his years.
That sweet and tender sensation lingered long within him.
He was not addicted to the poison.
Rather, his very soul had been stolen by Yu Baek’s fantastical beauty and honeyed kiss.
She drew close.
As she finally came within inches of his face, he could see eyes of unparalleled purity and beauty.
Within those dark pupils swirled an inexpressible sorrow and an indescribable beauty.
Her face, reflected in the moonlight, was pale as marble, and her lips trembled slightly. Now he saw it—she too was afraid.
―I’m sorry.
Yu Baek’s eyes, subtly shifting with the light, seemed to speak those very words.
‘Is that so.’
Seeing the beauty yet sorrow in her gaze,
Bu Eunseol felt as though ice water had been poured over him, his mind suddenly clear.
For those eyes bore the imprint of years of suffering endured within Mujeong Blood.
Just as Yu Baek was about to embrace him,
“It is futile.”
Crimson light exploded from his eyes as his scattered power returned to him.
“No poison in all of Tianxia can touch me.”
Boom!
In that instant, a tremendous shockwave erupted from his body, spreading in all directions.
Along with scorching heat, flames rose like an active volcano.
He was drawing upon the Yeol Ha Dae Jeong Jin Gi, burning away every trace of the Hwan Cheon Hee Ji within his body.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol’s body became a single mass of flame.
Yet nothing within was consumed; the fire remained only around his form.
To incinerate the poison within.
He unleashed the technique of Dok Yeon Gi Sin—burning only oneself.
Sizzle.
White smoke began rising from every part of Bu Eunseol’s body.
The Hwan Cheon Hee Ji, which once absorbed could never be expelled or detoxified save by the Orthodox Sects,
was burned away entirely in a single breath, leaving not a drop of its potency behind.
“Ryeong Ju.”
At that moment, a low voice came from outside, followed by the voice of the Blood War Commander who was responsible for Yu Baek’s protection.
He had rushed into the chamber after sensing the wave of true energy Bu Eunseol had released and the explosive sound.
“Is something the matter?”
“Nothing at all.”
Bu Eunseol answered calmly, her gaze fixed on Yu Baek, who lay collapsed on the floor, pushed down by the shockwave that had spread when she released her internal power.
“During cultivation, I lost control of my inner strength and the energy wave simply dispersed.”
“I understand.”
The Blood War Commander bowed from outside and withdrew once more.
Drip, drip.
Yu Baek could not detoxify the Huangtian Xiji poison and was breathing heavily, beads of sweat streaming down her face.
‘Hmm.’
Bu Eunseol sighed deeply and approached her.
“I will detoxify you.”
Yu Baek looked at Bu Eunseol with a puzzled expression.
She could not understand why Bu Eunseol would save her despite her assassination attempt.
“Even if I were to kill you, would I allow you to die in such a grotesque manner? It would only tarnish my name.”
It was a lie.
Whether she died wearing the Nasan or succumbed to Huangtian Xiji poisoning, a quiet disposal would suffice.
He simply pitied Yu Baek’s life.
Abandoned by her father, she had spent her entire existence in darkness within a cave.
In the end, she would be used by the Demon Hall and discarded as a worthless piece, destined to die.
Even if he were to kill her, he did not wish to inflict such a shameful death upon her.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol injected the Yeolha Dae Jeong Jin Qi through the Gyeok Che Jeon Gong technique.
However, because Huangtian Xiji was so virulent, he could not detoxify it without direct contact.
“Forgive me.”
Bu Eunseol immediately placed his hand on her Myeongmun acupoint.
Ahhhhh!
Then a pale energy spread from her body as well.
Flash!
But at that moment, a brilliant light erupted.
Without missing this opportunity, she seized the short blade that had fallen to the floor and stabbed at Bu Eunseol.
Thud.
Bu Eunseol twisted his body in time, fortunately taking the blade deep in his shoulder rather than his heart.
“Remarkable instinct for an assassin.”
When one receives an injection of Yeolha Dae Jeong Jin Qi, it feels as though one is being burned alive in hellfire.
Yet even in that agony, she maintained a terrifying clarity of mind and stabbed Bu Eunseol with the blade that had fallen to the floor.
Sizzle.
Finally, all the poison within her body was completely incinerated.
Bu Eunseol slowly rose to her feet, the short blade still embedded in her shoulder, and spoke.
“From now on, attempt assassinations through different methods. This approach has grown tedious.”
Yu Baek’s gaze remained fixed on the short blade lodged in Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.
She had coated it thoroughly with extreme poison and poured all her assassination force into it to shred the muscle, yet how was she standing there so unscathed?
Thud.
At that moment, the short blade embedded in her shoulder became gelatinous like taffy before shooting outward.
“I anticipated you would strike, so I had already arranged Extreme Yang Qi around myself beforehand.”
With those words, Bu Eunseol turned away.
Yu Baek slowly rose and bowed respectfully at the waist to express her gratitude.
She had realized that Bu Eunseol was letting the assassination attempt slide.
Unable to face the dizzying figure of her revealed above the waist, Bu Eunseol quickly turned her head away and waved her hand dismissively.
“Go.”
Yu Baek turned to leave.
Had she internalized the Severing Emotions Scripture so deeply that all feelings had vanished? Or was it the instinct of an assassin from Mujeong Blood?
Her eyes remained unchanged.
She was ready to attempt another assassination on Bu Eunseol the moment opportunity presented itself.
Kill or be killed.
She regarded taking human life as something perfectly natural.
Click.
Once Yu Baek left, Bu Eunseol leaned against the bed and drew a deep breath.
“How vicious.”
When she lifted her upper garment, a deep wound remained on her shoulder.
The claim about burning the blade with Extreme Yang Qi had been a lie.
Even she could not understand why she had told such a lie.
“Hmm.”
She retrieved a spirit pill from her bosom, tossed it into her mouth, and circulated her inner energy through one complete cycle.
The poison on the blade was Yeom Wang’s Smile—a toxin that even a poison master who had cultivated poison arts for decades could not easily neutralize.
Hissss.
Bu Eunseol’s inner energy had surpassed nine cycles, so rather than using ordinary poison-suppression techniques,
she employed the secret methods of Dispersing Poison Qi and Purifying the Body to instantly eliminate even the notorious Yeom Wang’s Smile.
‘Ugh.’
Bu Eunseol suppressed a groan.
Though the poison had been eliminated, the shredded muscle would require considerable time to heal.
‘So this was the scheme.’
Recalling Yu Baek’s innocent eyes, Bu Eunseol clenched her fist tightly.
She had vaguely suspected it before.
But now, through this incident, the reason Ma Cheon Je had placed Yu Baek at her side became crystal clear.
Amusement. Testing. Manipulation.
Ma Cheon Je was once again delighting in testing and manipulating her.
Having always walked the righteous path and protected the weak, he had discerned her very nature and—
Through Yu Baek, a pure-hearted soul.
I would test myself once more, and observe it with pleasure.
‘If I wish to remain bound to the Demon Palace, I must sever all ties.’
Bu Eunseol bit her lip.
‘Just as with the Severing Heart Secret.’
Was it because he hoped I would plunge into the Boundless Demonic Path?
Or did he believe that only by severing all ties could one become a true successor to the Demon Palace?
―If you wish to become the successor who will lead the Demon Palace, it would be wise to erase such concepts as comrades and brotherhood. Such things will soon become cumbersome burdens that obstruct your path.
Those were the words Ma Cheon Je had given me when I returned to the Demon Palace with Hyuk So Jin.
He had constantly forced me toward callousness.
And through the Severing Heart Secret learned at the Manma Yujin Pavilion, I had nearly had my emotions annihilated several times.
It was certainly the supreme secret of the demonic arts, reaching the pinnacle of Demonic Path cultivation.
But for me, raised in Bu Chanyang’s hands and blessed with abundant emotions… it was a poison as deadly as any toxin.
‘Perhaps Ma Cheon Je was confident that I would completely sever all ties through the Severing Heart Secret.’
But that expectation was wrong.
I had gradually mastered the Severing Heart Secret in my own way.
And my spirit could now maintain perfect equilibrium between the two paths.
―Then I am curious whether you can kill the bloodline of Hyuk Ryeon Eung, who was born into a tragic fate and lived a harsh life.
And Ma Cheon Je, observing how my spirit increasingly resembled my grandfather’s,
was testing me once again.
Could I kill Yu Baek, who had lived such a miserable life?
I do not pity my own tragic past.
But toward the hardships of others, I always harbor deep sympathy and compassion… What choice would I make?
“I will do it.”
Sizzle.
Blood light flickered in my eyes as I cauterized the muscle wounds with the Lieyang Great Purification Qi.
Yu Baek’s death was already sealed.
Because Ma Cheon Je had decided it so.
Even if I did not kill her, someone else would.
And through that, my spirit would be shaken profoundly once more.
I would end up blaming myself, thinking her death was because of me.
Because I could not prevent that innocent assassin’s death.
“But I will do it my way.”
In the end, I cannot prevent her death.
So I have decided to annihilate her with my own hands.
* * *
The next day.
Despite assassination attempts during the night, despite even receiving physical attacks,
Bu Eunseol faithfully taught Yu Baek.
As if nothing had happened at all.
Even though there was no chance she would formally become the Blood Robed Commander, even though it was already decided that she would be used and then die.
Bu Eunseol was treating her with genuine sincerity.
They always sat across from each other to eat, and when they went outside, they walked shoulder to shoulder.
Their conversations were always conducted through sign language, exchanging glances.
Had the plan changed?
Yu Baek no longer attempted assassination.
Whether she had given up after realizing that assassination would never work.
Or whether she had realized that Bu Eunseol was treating her with genuine sincerity… there was no way to know.
Like a child studying at a school.
She eagerly learned everything Bu Eunseol taught her, and she was finding joy in traveling through Gangho together with him.
“All training is now complete.”
Bu Eunseol, who had taught Yu Baek for four days, spoke.
“Now that all instruction has ended, return to the Demon Palace. If your abilities are suited for the position of Blood Robed Commander, Ma Cheon Je will bestow such a rank upon you.”
Though his words were thus spoken, Bu Eunseol’s eyes were dark.
It could never be so.
The ending of this story was already decided.
Yet Yu Baek wore a radiant smile.
Perhaps she too understood.
As an assassin of the Mujeong Blood, she had carried out countless executions, and she had been trained to discard her life whenever necessary.
For the fate of assassins was always such an ending.
Perhaps Yu Baek’s smile was.
A smile meant to soothe Bu Eunseol’s anguish.
* * *
[I have some personal matters to attend to. I will return to the Demon Palace within four days, so there is no need for you to follow.]
After parting with Yu Baek, Bu Eunseol sent a long-distance transmission to So Yo, then headed alone toward some destination.
He rushed forward day and night with great speed.
He arrived at a certain Deep Mountain Valley where strangely shaped cliffs sculpted as if by hand and countless peaks created a breathtaking vista.
It was that very rock face where he had first seen Tan Wang Buk Gung-ryeong, where the Wu Huang Secret Vault had slumbered.
“Even if the martial arts scriptures were destroyed, they would surely leave the warehouse intact.”
Within Wu Huang’s Secret Vault lay stored the honey of jade bees.
And this mysterious elixir possessed the wondrous property of partially restoring even damaged vocal cords.
Just as Bu Eunseol had once treated Geuk Hye Bin, who had damaged her vocal cords in the past.
He now sought to obtain the jade bee honey once more to treat Yu Baek’s vocal cords.
Yet no matter how much he searched, the Wu Huang Secret Vault, which had sunk deep into the earth, could not be found.
Zing.
Bu Eunseol drew up the Hollow Heart Passage and searched through an entire day and night.
But still, no trace of the Wu Huang Secret Vault was discovered.
“I had hoped at least the warehouse would remain.”
Thump.
Eventually, exhausted, Bu Eunseol lay sprawled on the ground, gazing up at the night sky where stars flickered in and out.
Even for someone with steel-forged stamina like him, maintaining the Empty Heart Heavenly Wheel throughout an entire day was beyond his limits.
“Mu Hwang….”
Mu Hwang, said to possess the greatest power among the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
Four hundred years ago, he had stood as the most towering figure in that glorious Murim.
In that instant, a single thought flashed through my mind.
Why would such an exceptional figure as Mu Hwang
immediately seal the Secret Vault after transmitting his martial arts to the destined successor, without hesitation?
“It must have been because he did not wish for another to acquire those martial techniques.”
But here arose another question.
What if the destined successor who inherited his martial arts were to return to this place once more? And what if they desperately wished to enter Mu Hwang’s Secret Vault?
How would Mu Hwang have distinguished the true successor?
‘The Thirteen Heavenly Technique.’
Whoosh! Whoosh!
As Bu Eunseol deployed the Thirteen Heavenly Technique while lying down, nine razor-sharp blades whirled in all directions.
Rumble.
Then, from the opposite side of the rock where Bu Eunseol lay, a small door opened with the sound of the earth trembling.
Bu Eunseol quickly entered through that door.
Inside, a warehouse filled with jade bee honey came into view.
“Indeed.”
Bu Eunseol, filled with wonder, picked up a jar containing the honey with a face radiant with joy.
Honey does not spoil even after hundreds of years.
With this, I could surely heal Yu Baek’s throat.
“Later, I must tell Woon Ryong to store this honey separately.”
The jade bee honey was not only a spiritual medicine in itself, but also served as the ingredient for the Soul Restoration Pill that could save countless lives.
Bu Eunseol intended to transfer this jade bee honey to Sayeong Hall
to save those who might be injured or wounded.
* * *
Returning to the Demon Palace, Bu Eunseol swiftly processed the accumulated duties.
And she began preparing to head to the Murim Alliance.
The fortunate thing was that there had been no significant incidents at the Murim Alliance recently.
If matters had piled up from both sides, it would have been impossible to maintain any semblance of sanity.
“Bu Eunseol.”
At that moment, Yu Woon Ryong suddenly appeared at the office.
And he spoke with an unusually grave expression.
“Chong Gyo Ryeong has summoned you.”
“Chong Gyo Ryeong?”
Bu Eunseol felt puzzled.
In the past, during a private audience before bringing Jeok Bung, Yeop Hyo Cheon had said he would absolutely not obstruct my actions.
And now Ma Cheon Je has begun attending to duties again, yet he requests a private audience?
“It must be Ma Cheon Je.”
Bu Eunseol could assert it with certainty.
Without Ma Cheon Je’s command, there was no reason for Chong Gyo Ryeong to summon her.
“Perhaps that’s the case.”
Yu Woon Ryong spoke with bitter resignation.
“In any case, this incident has revealed that if Ma Cheon Je deliberately orchestrates something, it cannot be stopped.”
I had restored Jeok Bung and invigorated the Elder Council’s influence.
Thus I had blocked Ma Cheon Je’s absurd, unilateral orders.
But I could not control even these covert commands issued through Chong Gyo Ryeong.
“And the outcome of this matter is predictable, isn’t it? No matter what happens, your heart won’t be at ease.”
Yu Woon Ryong also knew well the fate that awaited Yu Baek.
“Isn’t death commonplace among those of the Murim?”
“Bu Eunseol.”
“I am fine.”
Answering with composure, I turned away without concern.
“First, let me go hear what they have to say.”
Sole Brightness Pavilion, Yeop Hyo Cheon’s office.
Yeop Hyo Cheon wore a somewhat enigmatic smile.
It resembled a pitying laugh directed at Bu Eunseol, who had repeatedly endured unwanted trials imposed by Ma Cheon Je.
“Since you must be busy, I’ll keep this brief.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon offered no tea and exhaled sharply toward Bu Eunseol, who sat across from him.
“Yu Baek. An order has come down to conduct his final trial—whether he possesses the qualifications to become the Blood Robed Commander.”
And he spoke in an utterly bleak tone.
“The Sword King, Seon Woo Jin. His assassination.”
In that instant, a flash of light crossed Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyes.
“If he succeeds in assassinating him, no one in the Demon Hall will oppose his ascension to Blood Robed Commander.”
My pupils trembled like ripples on water.
Kill Seon Woo Jin and be promoted to Blood Robed Commander? What manner of absurdity was this?
“I wonder why you would tell me this specifically.”
“I wanted to hear your opinion.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon spoke with an impassive expression.
“Since I’ve been teaching him all this time, you would know his abilities better than anyone.”
“It seems an impossible task.”
I opened my mouth with a composed expression.
“He is a young grandmaster who matches even Geom Ma in skill. No matter how accomplished one becomes in assassination techniques, no prodigy could overcome the Sword King.”
“I agree.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon smiled broadly.
“Ryeong Ju, I hear you command a formidable intelligence network, and moreover, you possess more experience in the Gangho than most, and have clashed with the Murim Alliance many times.”
“….”
“Your counsel would be more helpful than anyone’s, I suspect.”
I fixed my gaze directly upon Yeop Hyo Cheon’s eyes.
“If it’s advice you seek….”
“Do you know? With your divine cunning strategy, you might even bridge the gap in martial prowess.”
Bu Eunseol felt nausea rising within me.
Because the entire conversation so far felt not like Yeop Hyo Cheon’s own opinion, but rather Ma Cheon Je speaking through Yeop Hyo Cheon’s mouth.
“I understand what you’re saying.”
But I suppressed my emotions and answered with an utterly expressionless face.
“I will consider it and convey any counsel to Bi Young Gak.”
“Very well. Do take care of yourself.”
Upon returning from Dokryeong Pavilion, Bu Eunseol gathered with the Lords in the conference hall.
“Ma Cheon Je has given Yu Baek a final trial.”
Bu Eunseol explained calmly.
“The assassination of Sword King Seon Woo Jin. Should it succeed, he has decided to grant the position of Blood Robed Commander.”
In that instant, the atmosphere in the conference hall grew infinitely darker.
“Surely he doesn’t know the Commander’s true identity, does he?”
When Wi Cheon Gyeong asked carefully, Bu Eunseol shook my head.
“That cannot be. If he did, there would have been no need for the process of sending Yu Baek to me in the first place.”
If Bu Eunseol were Seon Woo Jin, I would become a traitor who deceived Jeongsa Yangdo.
With merely this weakness in hand, Ma Cheon Je could manipulate Bu Eunseol like a puppet on strings.
“Then this entire scheme is designed to shake the Commander’s resolve.”
At Wi Cheon Gyeong’s words, everyone nodded.
The Lords felt it too.
Not only had Ma Cheon Je decided to discard Yu Baek as a piece from the start.
Through her death.
He intended to shake Bu Eunseol’s spirit.
“Well, perhaps it’s turned out for the better. If we shift our perspective on this matter.”
At that moment, Myo Cheon Woo shrugged and spoke.
“If Seon Woo Jin were subjected to an assassination attempt by Demon Hall assassins? We would gain excellent leverage to pressure Demon Hall in the future, wouldn’t we?”
Since Seon Woo Jin is Bu Eunseol, the assassination attempt would naturally fail.
Even if Yu Baek were to flee in secret, we already know her true identity.
That an assassin from Mujeong Blood, belonging to Demon Hall, orchestrated a plan to kill the Chief Inspector of Murim Alliance.
This would be excellent leverage to pressure Demon Hall under the identity of Seon Woo Jin in the future.
“Correct. I think the same.”
As Bu Eunseol nodded, Myo Cheon Woo tilted his head.
“But why such a grim expression? We could simply kill her. Or if you don’t wish to kill her, we could capture her alive.”
At Myo Cheon Woo’s question, Bu Eunseol spoke with a grave expression.
“She must be killed. If I don’t kill her, Ma Cheon Je will certainly put her to a cruel death before my eyes.”
“She?”
“Yu Baek—she is a woman.”
In that instant, not only Myo Cheon Woo’s expression but those of all the Lords became distorted.
“A woman? Yu Baek is a woman?”
“That’s correct.”
The Lords fell silent, their mouths agape.
Then she wasn’t Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s son—she was his daughter?
“How did you discover that?”
At Yu Woon Ryong’s continued questioning, Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
Then she briefly recounted the situation when Yu Baek had attempted to assassinate her at the Inn.
However, she lied, claiming she had discovered it when her clothing tore during combat, rather than through the use of a truth serum.
“I see.”
Yu Woon Ryong, who had been listening silently, spoke.
“If she displayed such talent within Mujeong Blood, where the finest assassins gather, she must have been born with extraordinary aptitude.”
As all questions seemed to find their answers, Yu Woon Ryong’s expression grew hollow with understanding.
“Hyuk Ryeon Eung didn’t discard her as illegitimate—he abandoned her because she was female.”
The unparalleled martial arts of the Demonic Path differ from Orthodox martial arts; women rarely reach mastery in them.
Especially Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s secret techniques—they followed the Yang-dominant lineage.
Judging that continuing his legacy or establishing a successor would be difficult, he discarded her without hesitation.
Then Myo Cheon Woo spoke.
“Moreover, the fact that he specifically named Seon Woo Jin suggests he might be testing once more whether you truly are Seon Woo Jin… After all, it’s a piece he’s already decided to discard.”
Yu Woon Ryong nodded in agreement.
“Bu Eunseol.”
And as if he had seen through the turmoil in her heart, he spoke with finality.
“She’s already been decided as a disposable piece by Ma Cheon Je. Since she’s destined to die anyway… whether she’s female or anything else, don’t concern yourself with it.”
When Bu Eunseol didn’t respond, Yu Woon Ryong pressed further.
“What is it? Surely nothing happened between you two?”
Bu Eunseol couldn’t bring herself to answer.
She had recalled it—
Those sorrowful, desolate eyes illuminated by moonlight.
Even within the life of an assassin confined in darkness, her vocal cords severed, forbidden even to speak—
That innocent, radiant smile Yu Baek had shown these past few days while spending time with me.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————