The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 797

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

Chapter 797.
However, it did not manifest perfectly for just anyone.
Like Ok Jung, whose martial prowess was far inferior to mine.
I could only dimly glimpse the hearts of those brimming with resentment and bitterness.
‘I must have been such an easy person to read in the past.’
When I first ventured into Murim, I was consumed by the flames of vengeance.
That is why Ma Cheon Je could have seen straight through my heart.
The blazing inferno of my rage.
Would have illuminated every corner of my hidden spirit.
“You did that intentionally?”
At that moment, Ok Jung’s voice turned sharp as thorns.
“What do you mean by intention?”
Having discerned her heart, I offered a serene smile.
“You seemed to be troubled by something.”
It was a gaze untainted by malice, and a smile as comfortable as that of an old friend.
“In times like these, there is hardly a soul without some lingering sorrow….”
And gazing upon Ok Jung as tears streamed down her face, I sighed gently.
It was a sigh of empathy.
“If we are never to meet again, why not bare your heart as one might pour forth a song in drunkenness?”
My voice grew thin, as though intoxicated.
“A fleeting connection. There is no shame, no regret in it….”
Her suppressed sobs grew louder still.
I had touched her heart once more. Deliberately.
‘Am I becoming like Gak Ju?’
In truth, Ok Jung, a master of the Heart-Stealing Art, had fallen into this state because.
I had intentionally evaporated the wine I drank, filling the room with its vapors.
Making her feel intoxicated.
And secondly, like Ma Cheon Je, I had shaken the very spirit of her being.
Drawing forth the sorrow and pain that slumbered within her heart.
‘Though it was merely an imitation.’
The foundation of Nangya Pavilion’s martial philosophy.
Was to claim the enemy’s strengths as my own technique, and use their power against them.
I had directly witnessed Ma Cheon Je’s psychological warfare, and been exposed countless times to Ak Moo Ryung’s illusory transformations.
Thus, I had somehow become proficient in the techniques of striking at the spirit.
Tears fell silently.
She who had wept without words finally broke into anguished sobs.
“Mother! Mother passed away so miserably!”
It was the long-suppressed lament that Ok Jung had never voiced before.
I said nothing and simply lowered my head.
My silent empathy alone would bring her great solace.
As time passed and her sobs subsided, I spoke to her with warmth.
“Have you calmed yourself a bit?”
Ok Jung, having composed her heart, nodded.
“Thank you.”
And she released an extraordinarily deep sigh.
“You’re truly remarkable.”
Ok Jung was the Lord of Jo Ha Dang, having cultivated an exceptional heart-sealing technique.
Yet my method of controlling the spirit was entirely different from heart-sealing arts or the scattered soul-binding secrets scattered throughout Murim.
With merely a cup of wine and nostalgic reminiscence.
I had drawn out all the grievances of her past that tormented her endlessly.
The resentment and sorrow hidden within her heart.
And released the regrets of yesteryear.
“What do you mean?”
When I feigned ignorance, Ok Jung cast a sidelong glance.
“First with a cup of wine, then with your own story… you dismantled the Lord’s vigilance and the barriers of her spirit, step by step.”
She smiled faintly.
“And by having me expel the wounds within my heart, you ensured I would suffer no longer.”
I ceased my pretense and nodded.
“I merely sensed that the Lord carried similar pain to my own, and hoped you would unburden yourself freely.”
“I see.”
Ok Jung offered a sorrowful smile.
“Perhaps tonight will be the first time I can sleep peacefully.”
She rose from her seat and offered a respectful bow.
“You have passed, Ryeong Ju.”
“I am grateful.”
I returned the courtesy with a bow.
Then I turned calmly and stepped outside.
‘Has she already succumbed to heart-sealing arts and revealed her secrets?’
Hyang Elder wore a puzzled expression as I emerged so soon,
despite so little time having passed.
‘The one expected to resist longest has emerged first?’
Because the barrier of qi prevented her from hearing any words exchanged within,
Hyang Elder could not discern by what method I had obtained my passage.
Creak.
Just then the pavilion door opened and Ok Jung emerged.
“I should have spoken these words sooner.”
Ok Jung, wiping away her tears and smiling brightly, bowed deeply to me in gratitude.
“Thank you.”
It was an expression of sincere appreciation.
Witnessing this, Hyang Elder’s eyes nearly bulged from her head in astonishment.
Ok Jung was the coldest in temperament among all the disciples of Wind Divine Palace, and she never expressed her emotions under any circumstances.
For her to shed tears while gazing at the Mysterious Man and speak words of gratitude—what in the world had happened?
‘What on earth transpired?’
Hyang Elder was so curious she nearly leaped to her feet.
“You’re too kind.”
Bu Eunseol replied calmly in return.
Upon witnessing this, Ok Jung displayed an extraordinarily serene and gentle smile.
Then she turned and walked inside.
“Muk Hon Ryeong Ju.”
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Hyang Elder approached Bu Eunseol and asked.
“What on earth did you do to make Ok Ju so kind?”
“I merely had a conversation with her.”
“A conversation?”
Hyang Elder furrowed her brows.
Ok Jung was not only cold in temperament but also despised lengthy conversations.
She who spent every spare moment in meditation and reading—how could she have conversed with Bu Eunseol and worn such a spring-like smile?
‘Could it be a charm technique?’
That was impossible.
Ok Jung was a master of the Absorption Heart Secret Art and was cultivating the Cold Heart Technique.
Even if a man were a hundred or a thousand times more handsome than Bu Eunseol, she would show no interest whatsoever.
So how could she possibly display such a smile?
Footsteps echoed.
At that moment, as if by prior arrangement, the men who had entered various palace halls emerged.
Some wore expressions of disappointment, while others strode out with unmistakable confidence.
“Bu hyung.”
Among those wearing confident expressions was fortunately Hyuk So Jin.
However, he appeared utterly exhausted, his complexion ashen.
“Did you pass?”
“Yes, I did. It seems you passed as well, Bu hyung.”
“I did.”
Hyuk So Jin spoke while wiping his nose.
“Fortunately, mine was relatively easy. She possessed the temperament of a gambler.”
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol nodded faintly.
As he had anticipated, this trial had been designed by masters of the Absorption Heart Secret Art to compel people to bare their hearts.
Only those who proved they would cause no harm to Wind Divine Palace were permitted to pass.
“Those who have passed, follow the Elder.”
Hyang Elder then led the young people deeper into Wind Divine Palace.
At that, Yeo Mun Gi spoke with irritation.
“How much longer do you intend to subject us to these trials?”
Hyang Elder shook her head.
“This is the final trial.”
She spoke in a low voice.
“From here on, the place you shall venture to is the Secret Cave where you can obtain the Wind Cloud Essence of this palace.”
Wind Cloud Essence.
Unlike the power of Sasin—the Wind Cloud Divine Essence—it was the vital energy that naturally flowed from Wind Divine Palace.
The disciples of Wind Divine Palace cultivated this Wind Cloud Essence like an inner cultivation technique, refining their martial arts through it.
Hyang Elder continued with a solemn expression.
“Absorb the Wind Cloud Essence freely in that place. And based on the amount of Wind Cloud Essence you absorb, I shall select the Grand Duke who will become So Gung Ju’s consort.”
In that instant, Yeo Mun Gi’s eyes gleamed.
Obtaining the Wind Cloud Divine Essence would allow one to reign as one of the Sasin in Murim.
But even obtaining merely the Wind Cloud Essence could dramatically enhance one’s martial prowess.
When fused with martial techniques, it would unleash formidable power.
Yet there existed a Secret Cave where one could freely absorb the Wind Cloud Essence?
“Follow me.”
Hyang Elder led the young cultivators onward.
“We’re nearly there.”
Hyuk So Jin whispered excitedly.
“Could the Wind Cloud Essence perhaps heal you?”
“We’ll have to try.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression held little hope.
Even with the Heterodox Essence within her body, she could not eliminate the Demon Curse.
The probability of recovering her body with the Wind Cloud Essence—a power inferior to the Wind Cloud Divine Essence—was virtually nonexistent.
“Here it is.”
The Secret Cave spoken of by Wind Divine Palace was an artificially carved cavern that had bored through an entire massive mountain.
The interior was vast, with countless branching passages resembling a labyrinth.
Numerous doors dotted the walls—likely Cultivation Chambers where one could quietly refine the Wind Cloud Essence.
Creak.
As Hyang Elder approached, the cave entrance’s door opened of its own accord.
The dark, heavy door forged from Northern Sea’s mystical iron was nearly five feet thick.
At such thickness, none could break through without unleashing Limitless Power.
“The door will open again in six days.”
Hyang Elder spoke calmly.
“Cultivate freely until then.”
Boom.
As the door finally sealed shut, the faces of those who had entered the preliminary tournament lit up with joy.
All of them were those who had endured hardship throughout their lives, yearning for enhanced martial prowess and distinguished renown.
Even if they could not become Wind Divine Palace’s Grand Duke.
Simply obtaining the Wind Cloud Essence here would be enough to satisfy them.
“It seems less impressive than what I’d heard.”
At that moment, Yeo Mun Gi gazed coldly at Bu Eunseol and spoke.
“I’ve heard you’ve cultivated martial arts remarkable enough to match Tan Wang, yet now that I see you in person, you seem rather ordinary.”
Though his words were arrogant, he demonstrated quite keen insight.
Bu Eunseol’s body was not in normal condition, and the remaining inner force she possessed was now less than what this man carried.
“Ah, I see.”
Purple radiance bloomed from Hyuk So Jin’s eyes.
“Then shall I experience firsthand the Splitting Light Crescent Blade, the supreme technique of the Gangnam Martial Alliance Lord?”
As he wrapped his body in the Divine Flame Demonic Qi, a terrifying aura spread outward.
At this, Yeo Mun Gi shook his head as if turned to stone.
“Your subordinate’s power is indeed formidable.”
It was a remark that seemed to mock Bu Eunseol for not stepping forward while Hyuk So Jin did.
“Is the cultivation of the successor to Jeol Cheon Myul Ji deeper than that of the Ryeong Ju who shakes the heavens?”
Yet lacking the courage to actually fight, he simply turned his body and muttered softly.
“I should hurry and find where the Wind Cloud Qi flows and absorb it.”
As Yeo Mun Gi vacated the area, the remaining few scattered their gazes toward Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin before dispersing in different directions.
Among those present, only Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin represented the Demonic Path.
Except for the mysterious man wearing a smiling face, all others were from the Orthodox Sects, so their reaction was understandable.
“I wish you fortune.”
At that moment, Jegal Seowoon sent a sound transmission to Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin.
“Let us compete fairly.”
Then he too withdrew to somewhere within the cave.
As both a young lord of the Eight Great Families and a competitor in the Choeseo Tournament,
he seemed inclined to set aside personal connections for now.
“That fellow must have felt quite ashamed of his own abilities back then.”
Hyuk So Jin, watching where Jegal Seowoon had vanished, let out a quiet laugh.
“He had the appearance of a scholar, yet now he’s become a true martial artist willing to stake his life on a single blade.”
“To have defied that stern Je Gal Family Lord and left his clan, he must have truly desired to become stronger.”
Bu Eunseol exhaled softly through her nose.
At that time, the young lords of the Eight Great Families were so inferior in skill that they couldn’t even compare to Hyuk So Jin, let alone Bu Eunseol.
Yet the incident involving Yi Hun Gwang Ja became a great catalyst instead.
Now he was walking the path of a true martial artist.
“Bu Hyung, shall we head to cultivation as well?”
Bu Eunseol nodded and surveyed the cave in all directions.
The interior of the cave was labyrinthine, yet stone chambers where one could close the doors and cultivate were constructed throughout like signposts.
Because of this, there was no risk of getting lost, and one could quietly refine martial arts.
After surveying for some time, Bu Eunseol’s gaze settled on a small cultivation chamber, and she nodded.
“This place will do.”
It was where the Wind Cloud Qi rose most densely within this cave.
Because she harbored the Divine Qi within her body, Bu Eunseol could sense the Wind Cloud Qi more clearly than anyone else.
“I shall cultivate here.”
The Cultivation Chamber contained the method to absorb and store Wind Cloud Qi within one’s body.
After studying the method for a long time, Hyuk So Jin’s eyes widened as he turned his body.
“What about you, Bu?”
“After all, I am not the one destined to become the Palace Lord of Wind Divine Palace.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression turned apologetic, which was unlike him.
“Even an ordinary martial artist will greatly enhance their skills if they master Wind Divine Qi, so you should practice diligently.”
What Wind Divine Palace desired was a son-in-law.
However, Hyuk So Jin was the next lord of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji, so even if he passed all the trials, it would be difficult for him to truly become the Palace Lord of Wind Divine Palace.
“Not at all. I am sincere.”
Hyuk So Jin, having seen through Bu Eunseol’s true thoughts, spoke seriously.
“Jeol Cheon Myul Ji is a minor matter. If you cannot recover your body, then this sect will fall. And the Demonic Path will be finished.”
Bu Eunseol was one of the great masters who controlled the current Murim.
If he could not recover his body, what then?
Not only the schemes he had laid out so far, but also the Demonic Path Sects and Muhon Society that followed him would ultimately crumble.
“Yes. I understand.”
Bu Eunseol smiled.
Even if Hyuk So Jin became the Palace Lord, I had no intention of sharing the Wind Cloud Divine Qi with him anyway.
Rather, through the Choseo Tournament.
I had secretly prepared a contingency plan.
It was simply a matter of time.
To resolve any matter.
Devising a contingency plan was far too natural for me.
But how could I have known?
Before I could even use that contingency plan, I would become entangled in an unforeseen conspiracy.
* * *
Bu Eunseol emerged from the Cultivation Chamber where Hyuk So Jin was and looked around.
No Wind Cloud Qi emanated at all.
Discovering one Cultivation Chamber that was very spacious and comfortable inside, I walked toward it.
Click.
Before the Cultivation Chamber lay a small stone, and stepping on it caused the Stone Door to open automatically.
As I gazed at it, a strange thought suddenly occurred to me.
In such a vast Secret Cave, was it necessary to pack so many Cultivation Chambers of this scale and install mechanical devices in each one?
‘The scale doesn’t make sense.’
Come to think of it, for a mere Secret Cave for cultivating Wind Cloud Qi, this was strange.
From the outside, it clearly appeared as though an entire mountain had been carved out, and structurally, this place should have multiple levels.
Yet in reality, there was only a single cave?
“Then this place is…”
Just as I was about to examine the area around the Cultivation Chamber,
Click.
Another door opened, and a young scholar appeared with his eyes crescent-shaped in a smile.
It was none other than the mysterious young scholar whom Bu Eunseol had been observing all this time.
“Oh my, so the Muk Hon Ryeong Ju was here.”
The young scholar’s expression turned playful.
Though his demeanor was lighthearted, Bu Eunseol could sense that he was an extraordinarily exceptional individual.
“If you wish to use this place, please do. I shall withdraw.”
“Oh no, I’ll leave instead.”
The young scholar turned to go.
“Ah, but there is one thing.”
“….”
“Why would the renowned Muk Hon Ryeong Ju, whose name echoes across Tianxia, participate in an uninvited tournament?”
The young scholar scratched his head.
“I heard Wind Divine Palace conducted this in utmost secrecy, yet you somehow stumbled upon it… I find it both curious and intriguing.”
“It is a personal matter I prefer not to discuss.”
“I see. My apologies.”
The man smiled faintly and walked out of the Cultivation Chamber once more.
“But did you know something?”
Turning back, the man’s smile carried profound meaning.
“While it’s true that Wind Divine Palace organizes the tournament, the reason they hastily summoned talented individuals to conduct it so abruptly…”
Bu Eunseol’s brow furrowed.
She had already found this aspect puzzling.
Even if Wind Divine Palace had traveled throughout Gangho unable to find a suitable son-in-law.
For such a colossal sect as Wind Divine Palace.
There seemed no reason to gather people on such a small scale and conduct such a hastily arranged tournament.
“In fact, there are two reasons for this. Would you like to hear them?”
When Bu Eunseol nodded, the man spoke in a low voice.
“First, the previous Palace Lord was suddenly murdered by Ma Cheon Je, the foremost master of the Demonic Path. Thus, Wind Divine Palace had no choice but to make hasty preparations.”
In that instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
The previous Palace Lord was murdered by Ma Cheon Je?
Then as the successor to Demon Palace, she surely harbored a profound grudge against her as well.
‘So that was it.’
Only then did Bu Eunseol understand why Hyang Elder.
Had deliberately made her, someone completely devoid of Five Elements Qi, participate in the tournament.
The elder clearly harbored schemes to bring her harm.
“As for the second reason….”
The young scholar paused and shook his head.
“You’re glaring at me so fiercely while I’m sharing valuable information. How can I possibly continue speaking like this?”
As the man continued his teasing, Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
“If you don’t wish to speak, then don’t.”
“Hehe. I was only joking. Don’t be so stern.”
And he resumed his tale.
“Second, we’ve already internally designated So Gung Ju’s consort. That’s why the tournament began on such a modest scale.”
“If it’s already decided, why hold the Inaugural Martial Arts Tournament at all?”
“You might call it a comparison of sorts.”
The Young Scholar smiled faintly.
“Rather than suddenly telling So Gung Ju we’ve found her a consort, it’s far more convincing to hold a tournament like this and say an exceptional candidate emerged from it.”
A sharp gleam flashed across Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The fact that So Gung Ju needed such persuasion meant… Wind Divine Palace had been infiltrated by external forces, didn’t it?
“You’re saying that designated candidate is you?”
“Precisely.”
The man smiled broadly.
“Shadowless Heart, Yong Hoe. I belong to Gwi Il Gye.”
Fury ignited in Bu Eunseol’s eyes in that instant.
Gwi Il Gye—the organization that had taken her grandfather’s corpse—was the place she despised most.
‘Shadowless Heart?’
But she quickly regained her composure.
If she lost her temper now, she might miss crucial information about Gwi Il Gye.
“I’ve never heard of Shadowless Heart. Are you part of the Special Divine Guard?”
“Rather than a position, I’d call it an existence.”
The Young Scholar, Yong Hoe, spoke with a playful smile.
“Just a disposable tool, really. I act according to whatever mission is required.”
His expression was so whimsical it was impossible to tell whether he was lying or speaking sincerely.
“And we’ve secretly embedded Ben Gye’s forces into Wind Divine Palace. More than half of the senior members have already turned.”
Bu Eunseol clenched her fists tightly.
Sam Gye’s claws had already extended into Wind Divine Palace as well.
Moreover, they had already secured Wind Divine Palace’s senior members beforehand and orchestrated all of this, yet…
By coincidence, Bu Eunseol had become entangled in it.
“Why reveal all this to me?”
Yong Hoe’s eyes curved like crescents.
“Let’s have a match.”

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