The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 758

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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 758.
Crack.
I clenched my fists tightly.
Right now, I am Seon Woo Jin.
I have merely eliminated an assassin of considerable martial prowess.
I cannot grieve or pity Yu Baek’s tragic death.
I can only forcibly swallow the anguish rising within me.
“Barely escaped with my life.”
I muttered lowly and surveyed my surroundings.
Yet I detected no presence. Still, I deliberately raised my voice.
“I do not know where you sent this assassin from, but I will surely uncover the roots of this conspiracy!”
My cry echoed across the Reed Field.
But only the hollow wind answered, and no one responded.
Whoosh.
Then, from the distant sky came the sound of piercing air, and over a dozen masters descended beside me.
They were the Elite Division members.
They had detected intelligence of my being attacked and rushed to trace my location.
“Branch Master. Are you unharmed?”
Jeong Jong Do discovered Yu Baek’s grotesquely mangled corpse and jumped back.
“Was this man the assassin who attacked you?”
I nodded.
“I do not know which faction sent this assassin.”
And I sighed deeply before speaking.
“Well, since I have been stirring up trouble here and there until now, I must accept this level of assassination attempt.”
“We will pursue this to the end and certainly discover who is behind it.”
I nodded and gazed upon Yu Baek’s corpse, speaking calmly.
“Though he was an assassin, he was a martial artist of exceptional skill. Please bury him with proper rites.”
Seon Woo Jin is a righteous hero of the Orthodox Sects.
To match that persona, I would give proper burial to the assassin who had tried to kill me.
“Understood.”
“Once you finish, return immediately to the Alliance. I will handle a few matters before returning myself.”
“Contact the branch and have them assign guards. If I continue traveling alone like this, such incidents will occur again.”
“It is unnecessary.”
I answered briefly and waved my hand.
“Since this incident has occurred, I too shall investigate the mastermind behind this assassination attempt.”
As Jeong Jong Do and the team members bowed respectfully, I nodded and immediately deployed my movement technique, vanishing.
Once I had completely disappeared, Jeong Jong Do spoke.
“Search for any clues that might identify the assassin.”
The team members searched diligently but shook their heads.
They could not determine where his face came from, nor even where his shoes were made.
“This assassin gave the Ryeong Ju considerable trouble, so they’re undoubtedly a formidable faction member or belong to the Demon Hall. Let’s start by interrogating the intelligence networks in this region.”
“The Ryeong Ju instructed us to bury this assassin.”
When Gye Muk, one of the Team Members, spoke, Jeong Jong Do nodded reluctantly.
“Bury him quickly and let’s depart.”
Whoosh, rumble rumble.
As the Team Members unleashed their inner power, a massive pit opened in the Reed Field.
Thud.
After the Team Members buried Yu Baek’s corpse, they immediately deployed their movement technique and fled the Reed Field.
After the Team Members departed, considerable time passed before—
Whisper.
A Black Shadow gradually emerged into the Reed Field, and—
Swoosh.
Suddenly unleashing inner power, it exhumed Yu Baek’s corpse that had been buried underground.
“Hmm.”
Examining the traces of the Thirteen Night Blades inscribed across the entire body meticulously, it shook its head.
“Completely shattered.”
The skull was caved in, and fractured bones protruded through the skin of the chest and abdomen.
Moreover, the liver, spleen, and lungs were severely damaged by the tremendous shockwave.
The Thirteen Night Blades’ trajectory was not only razor-sharp but accompanied by an enormous shockwave.
“There’s no use for this regardless of what I’d want to do with it.”
The Black Shadow hesitated for a long while, as if lamenting.
After sighing deeply several times, it threw Yu Baek’s corpse back into the pit.
Then it promptly vanished like mist.

* * *
Bu Eunseol exchanged identities with Seo Jin Ha once more and immediately returned to the Demon Hall.
From this confrontation with Hyuk Ryeon and Yu Baek,
I had come to realize two fatal weaknesses within myself.
The first was the Sak Jeong Secret Art.
This profound technique, which could be called the supreme art of the Demonic Path, had taken deep root in my spirit and flesh.
Despite possessing terrifying power and boundless transformations,
it invariably demanded entry into the Infinite Demonic Way and constantly sought to dominate my spirit.
Paradoxically, it was hindering my advancement.
Since I had not entered the Demonic Path and had mastered diverse secret arts within a single body,
the solution lay in either uprooting the Sak Jeong Secret Art embedded in the realm of the unconscious,
or refining it to the level of an Elite Division master and perfectly harmonizing it with all other martial techniques.
The second weakness was the indirect provocation from Ma Cheon Je.
What happened with Yu Baek might be only the beginning.
Ma Cheon Je possessed the ability to shake my spirit whenever he desired.
By introducing another figure,
he could make my heart either colder or weaker.
Moreover, through Yu Baek, he had even proven that the Sak Jeong Secret Art was among the strongest martial techniques of the Demonic Path.
Due to the incident at Eumgyeol Maji,
I had managed to return Blood Demon Jeok Bung to the Elder Council and block the absurd orders being issued to Sayoung Hall.
But I could not prevent him from issuing various tasks under the pretext of Demon Hall business through Chong Gyo Ryeong.
‘Moreover, the problem is that I still cannot discern Ma Cheon Je’s intentions.’
The moment Ma Cheon Je becomes involved in any matter,
all proceedings and even my spirit fall into chaos. I cannot even be certain of what I believed to be truth until now.
Chaos.
Ma Cheon Je’s existence transforms everything around him, including myself, into chaos.
Ultimately, to resolve this,
like Seon Woo Jin of the Murim Alliance,
I must establish powerful backing such as Gong Son Dan Gyeong or Beok Goong Ryung,
or create a mechanism capable of blocking even Ma Cheon Je’s indirect commands.
If such measures are not taken first, I will never escape from Ma Cheon Je’s grasp.
Ultimately, I would have to leave the Demon Hall.
‘There is no need to hesitate any longer.’
I had actually been contemplating a solution to this for quite some time.
But I had continuously hesitated to act on it.
Ma Cheon Je had not directly touched me until now,
and above all, I could not verify whether he was someone I could trust.
But now, there was no longer any room for choice.
Thump, thump.
Walking toward the North Gate of the Demon Hall, I finally came to a halt before a grand palace structure.
Man Bak Dang.
This was the place led by Baek Jeon Cheon, a brilliant strategist who had once overseen the Ten Demon Hall Conference and shared a close bond with Hyuk Ryeon Eung.
The structure of Man Bak Dang was quite peculiar.
Despite being where the Demon Hall’s finest minds gathered to discuss all matters concerning the Hall’s operations,
the Palace Hall itself was remarkably small and shabby compared to other facilities.
This was because Man Bak Dang’s Palace Hall was merely a facade.
All actual work was conducted in the spaces constructed beneath the Palace Hall.
In particular, since Man Bak Dang housed critical documents related to the Demon Hall’s operations,
an underground Book Repository was installed where sunlight never penetrated.
And to ensure no sound leaked to the outside, all offices conducting business were constructed entirely as secret chambers.
‘Baek Jeon Cheon.’
He was the Man Bak Dang Master, the very brain of the Demon Hall.
From what I knew, aside from Elder Council Master Jeok Bung and Ji Ma Bu Ju Dan Wol Hon, he was the only one who addressed Ma Cheon Je as ‘Master’ with such ease.
And now I had to bring him to my side.
‘Without fail.’
If I could not immediately crush Ma Cheon Je and seize control of the Demon Hall right now,
I would need the cooperation of someone who perfectly understood Ma Cheon Je’s intentions and wielded considerable power within the Hall.
Originally, I had long intended to visit Man Bak Dang and seek Baek Jeon Cheon’s cooperation.
But I hesitated, and ultimately never went.
Because, like Ma Cheon Je himself,
he was a man whose thoughts and intentions I could not penetrate at all.
But now that circumstances had reached this point, I could not afford to hesitate. After much deliberation, I came here to join hands with Baek Jeon Cheon.
“Welcome, Ryeong Ju.”
Before I could even step into Man Bak Dang,
a man dressed like a scholar bowed and extended his hand.
“The Master awaits you.”
I was not particularly surprised.
If a brilliant strategist like Baek Jeon Cheon had failed to anticipate my visit, that would have been far more strange.
Following the man’s guidance, I entered the corridor connected to the underground levels.
As I emerged from the corridor, countless buildings came into view.
The scale of Man Bak Dang’s underground was far vaster than I had imagined, rivaling even the Infinite Realm’s Underground Fortress of old.
“You may wait here.”
The place the man guided me to was a secret chamber with floors, walls, and even ceiling all painted white.
With special mechanisms installed within, it absorbed all sound and vibration that arose.
Within the white-tinted space, the perfectly soundproofed secret chamber was so silent it induced vertigo.
But I stood there calmly, as if accustomed to such deathlike silence.
“Ryeong Ju.”
Not long after, Baek Jeon Cheon entered the secret chamber and offered a respectful bow.
“It has been a long time.”
“Master.”
Bu Eunseol, who had also bowed in return, now gazed upon Baek Jeon Cheon.
‘How serene he is.’
The expression on his face as he entered the secret chamber was as tranquil as that of a fisherman returning from leisurely hours spent by the riverbank.
Like all those blessed with genius intellect, Baek Jeon Cheon revealed not a shred of emotion upon his countenance.
‘Still possessed of impeccable courtesy.’
A man who always carried a refined smile, treating servants, attendants, and even beggars with unfailing politeness.
Such was the hallmark of Baek Jeon Cheon, the strategist of the Demon Hall.
‘Yet all of that is… merely a false facade.’
I knew Baek Jeon Cheon’s true nature.
Or rather, through Yu Baek’s affair, I could glimpse his genuine face.
Because.
The high-ranking official of the Demon Hall who had aided me at Mujeong Blood—that was Baek Jeon Cheon himself.
‘In the end, he too is a ruthless man capable of committing any deed for profit.’
I dismissed the thought and offered a respectful bow.
“I apologize for arriving so unexpectedly.”
“Please, think nothing of it.”
Baek Jeon Cheon replied without concern.
“I expected you would arrive about this time.”
He paused briefly, then fixed his gaze upon me and asked.
“How was she?”
Understanding that he referred to Yu Baek’s final moments, I spoke calmly.
“Pure and spirited. Hardly like an assassin….”
I let my words trail off.
Though Yu Baek’s death had not been officially announced, the senior figures of the Demon Hall knew she had fallen to the Master of Cheop Mil Won and become a cold corpse.
The body had been confirmed at Bi Young Gak, and disposed of without any loose ends.
“I see.”
Baek Jeon Cheon gazed into empty space with vacant eyes.
“In his youth, Hyuk Ryeon was originally a man of deep feeling.”
His gaze into the void grew more profound.
“But after his wife was killed by assassins of the Orthodox Sects, his nature became savage, and he eventually surrendered himself to the Three Realms.”
My expression remained unmoved.
I had no interest in Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s circumstances.
“I had heard you were quite close with Hyuk Ryeon.”
“That is correct.”
“I see.”
I let my lips curve upward.
“It seems Yu Baek was satisfied with her treatment at Mujeong Blood.”
Realizing my voice carried a thorn-like sharpness and cold mockery, Baek Jeon Cheon’s lips widened.
“If you had at least considered your friendship with Hyuk Ryeon… you should never have cast Yu Baek into such a dark abyss as Mujeong Blood….”
Baek Jeon Cheon paused briefly, then smiled.
“Is that what you’re trying to say?”
When Bu Eunseol neither denied nor affirmed, Baek Jeon Cheon spoke again.
“Or perhaps, since he carries the bloodline of Hyuk Ryeon Dang Ju, I should have brought him here with proper courtesy, in favorable circumstances, and raised him excellently?”
Baek Jeon Cheon sighed deeply and shook his head.
“Ryeong Ju. This is the Demon Hall.”
The Demon Hall does not value blood relations or master-disciple bonds the way the Murim Alliance does.
It is merely a place where those who pursue the Demonic Path gather to contend for power and supremacy.
No one could blame Baek Jeon Cheon for not saving Hyuk Ryeon Eung’s illegitimate child.
Rather, considering that Hyuk Ryeon Eung was a traitor to the Demon Hall, which he once served in the Three Realms,
it is only natural that his bloodline should endure a harsh existence.
“For your information, I only learned five years ago that the child had entered Mujeong Blood.”
Baek Jeon Cheon spoke with an impassive expression.
“From childhood, Yu Baek demonstrated such exceptional talent to the Mujeong Blood Master that she was already receiving treatment far different from the discarded assassins.”
Baek Jeon Cheon continued in an even tone.
“However, due to Mujeong Blood’s outdated and inadequate methods of instruction, she had become little more than a wild beast. So I merely entreated the Master to provide her with special education.”
Mujeong Blood is a secret organization of the Demon Hall, and only Ma Cheon Je can influence its operations.
In other words, Baek Jeon Cheon had even pleaded with Ma Cheon Je to have Yu Baek educated.
“Of course, it was not out of compassion or loyalty.”
Baek Jeon Cheon spoke again.
“Even as a daughter, she inherited the talents of Hyuk Ryeon Dang Ju, so I believed she would have considerable utility.”
“….”
“That is why I taught her various things so she could survive within Mujeong Blood.”
In the end, he had shown concern for her simply because Yu Baek was an exceptional talent with considerable potential utility.
In other words, exactly as Bu Eunseol had anticipated.
He was a ruthless man who would unhesitatingly pursue any course of action for profit.
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol changed the subject.
After all, that was not her true purpose.
“Do you understand why I have come to this place?”
“Of course. And I shall give you my answer immediately.”
Baek Jeon Cheon spoke decisively.
“I must decline your proposal.”
And he continued in a gentle voice.
“Such a proposal would be best directed to Dan Bu Ju. He is, after all, the most powerful senior figure in Ben Jeon.”
“Dan Bu Ju is not an option.”
“Why is that?”
“Ma Cheon Je is a man who demands only absolute obedience.”
Had Dan Wol Hon not been a man of unwavering loyalty to Ma Cheon Je,
he could never have become Ji Ma Bu Ju, commanding one-third of the Demon Hall’s forces.
“Hehehehe.”
Baek Jeon Cheon let out a low chuckle.
“It seems Ryeong Ju truly understands the temperament and nature of the Ben Jeon’s core members.”
“That’s correct. Which is why I’ve come seeking the Master.”
Bu Eunseol fixed her gaze directly upon Baek Jeon Cheon’s eyes.
“I believe the Master will surely take my hand.”
Baek Jeon Cheon regarded Bu Eunseol with an expression of surprise.
“Haven’t I always held your hand?”
“I wish to take the Master’s hand as a true Demonic Path practitioner.”
From Bu Eunseol’s eyes flowed an intensity that could melt steel itself.
“As a pure Demonic Path practitioner, untainted by impurities.”
Her words carried multiple layers of meaning.
The Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance.
In neither of these places could one find a purely devoted Demonic Path practitioner or a truly righteous one.
To survive, to seize greater power.
All of them consistently joined hands with external forces.
Yet Bu Eunseol was telling Baek Jeon Cheon this:
That only she was a pure Demonic Path practitioner.
“How intriguing.”
Baek Jeon Cheon regarded Bu Eunseol with eyes that had grown somewhat interested.
“Then you’re saying the Former Master is not a pure Demonic Path practitioner either?”
“I believe you understand that better than anyone, Master Baek.”
“I’m not certain what you mean.”
“If you were serving Ma Cheon Je with unwavering loyalty… I could never have entered Man Bak Dang in the first place.”
What if Ma Cheon Je had been a pure Demonic Path practitioner?
What if he had walked the Demonic Path purely, without colluding with other forces?
Baek Jeon Cheon would have devoted himself entirely to Ma Cheon Je’s service and would have blocked Bu Eunseol’s approach from the start.
But because he does not serve Ma Cheon Je with complete loyalty, because he keeps multiple possibilities open…
Bu Eunseol was able to come here.
In other words, Baek Jeon Cheon knows that Ma Cheon Je too has connections with external forces.
“Then I wish to ask.”
As Baek Jeon Cheon spoke, a mysterious light flickered in the depths of his eyes, and pure white demonic energy flowed from his entire being.
“What path does Ryeong Ju walk?”
Bu Eunseol was inwardly startled.
That Baek Jeon Cheon, who had always been as calm as water and as refined as a scholar, could unleash such powerful demonic energy.
“Answer me as a true Demonic Path practitioner.”
Even Ma Cheon Je, the supreme master of the Demonic Path, does not walk a pure Demonic Way.
All the warriors of Nangya Pavilion, including In Ma Ak Moo Ryeong, are closer to madmen obsessed with martial arts than true Demonic Path practitioners.
The Ten Demonic Gates likewise do not walk the pure Demonic Path, instead drawing in external forces to further their own prosperity.
Only Baek Jeon Cheon, the strategist of Man Bak Dang, proclaims a pure Demonic Path.
“To be honest, I used the term ‘pure Demonic Path practitioner’ merely as a negotiating tactic with Master Baek.”
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
“In truth, I walk neither the Demonic Path nor the Righteous Path—no path at all.”
She continued with disarming candor.
“But I can create a Ma Do Cheon Ha as pure as white jade without flaw.”
White jade without flaw.
It signified a state of absolute purity and perfection.
Bu Eunseol spoke of a Demonic Path untainted by any impurity whatsoever.
She was asserting her ability to forge such a Ma Do Cheon Ha.
“Why do you make such a bold claim?”
Baek Jeon Cheon’s eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
“Even true Demonic Path masters find such a thing difficult.”
“Because….”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utter honesty.
“I was never a member of Murim to begin with.”
“What did you say?”
“Is it not true that an outsider can observe and govern the greater scheme more impartially?”
She spoke with utmost gravity.
“Frankly, I have no interest in whether it is the Demonic Path or the Righteous Path.”
In that instant, Baek Jeon Cheon’s pupils dilated.
“Hehehehe.”
After a long silence, he seemed to find something amusing,
“Hahahaha!”
and released a tremendous laugh.
The roaring laughter that echoed through the Secret Chamber, which absorbed sound perfectly, was enough to send chills down one’s spine merely hearing it.
Thud.
Baek Jeon Cheon ceased laughing and spoke coldly.
“Unfortunately, a pure Ma Do Cheon Ha cannot be achieved with merely a Ryeong Ju’s power.”
“….”
“The senior figures of the Demon Hall do not understand. They do not grasp what becomes of things when mixed with other forces in the end.”
His meaning was clear: even if Bu Eunseol led the Demonic Path,
the foolish members would ultimately prevent the realization of Ma Do Cheon Ha.
“They need not understand.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“Once I sweep away the murky foam that has risen to the top, the depths below will naturally become clear.”
Baek Jeon Cheon’s expression turned momentarily blank.
Foam risen to the top.
That was a reference to Ma Cheon Je.
“So the Ryeong Ju is currently….”
“Precisely.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
“Ma Cheon Je. I will eliminate him.”
Baek Jeon Cheon’s eyes flashed with intensity.
Bu Eunseol was now.
Speaking of casting down the supreme master of the Demonic Path from the Demon Hall and ascending to that position herself.

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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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