The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 819

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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 819.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed as the full picture crystallized in her mind.
Even if Mu Gyeol hadn’t orchestrated the Black-Robed Masked Killer, he was certainly connected to that faction in some capacity.
“Of course—he couldn’t possibly stand against someone like Mu Jon alone.”
When he’d first sought her aid,
she’d wondered if he was struggling in solitude to unravel her master’s mysterious death.
But that couldn’t be it.
To confront a colossus like Mu Jon, one absolutely required either massive manpower or a powerful faction behind them.
The Black-Robed Masked Killers were likely either aligned with Mu Gyeol’s intentions,
or they were sleeper agents planted by a faction whose purpose was to topple Mu Jon.
“I need to search this Secret Cave thoroughly before Mu Jon arrives.”
Mu Jon had already permitted one external intrusion. He would have implemented far more rigorous security measures than before.
And by now, he might have sensed something amiss and be heading here.
Zing.
Bu Eunseol drew out the Cheong Sim Ryeong and began ransacking the Office.
But unlike before, she found neither a hidden Stone Chamber nor any Warehouse for storing valuables.
Even with the Pung Woon Sin Gi activated, she discovered nothing.
“No… I wouldn’t find anything here.”
A faint smile crossed Bu Eunseol’s face as realization dawned.
A story from a book she’d read long ago surfaced in her memory.
In her childhood, she’d loved reading the Buddhist sutras her Grandfather kept. They contained many fascinating parables.
One particular scripture held a remarkably intriguing tale.
A man had once obtained, by pure chance, an extraordinarily precious and valuable pearl that could make him wealthy in an instant.
Yet he could only live in constant anxiety, fearing thieves would steal it.
―Do you know the most perfect way to hide a treasure?
Eventually, the man sought out a sage renowned for his wisdom and asked how to hide his treasure perfectly.
The sage replied:
―Build a treasure vault, but do not store the treasure there. Instead, keep it in a place where many people pass through daily.
Struck by the sage’s brilliant insight, the man bowed deeply. He returned at once and constructed a formidable treasure vault within his Manor.
And he left the pearl casually in the Guest Hall, where the most people came and went.
Once the Manor’s owner built the treasure vault,
thieves searched it relentlessly, yet never found the treasure.
But the man remained uneasy.
Though he’d hidden the treasure perfectly as the sage advised,
leaving it where people constantly passed made him anxious every single day.
Eventually, the man, wasting away from worry, sought out the sage once more and asked for guidance again.
The sage answered thus:
―You have already become wealthy, and countless people passing through guard your treasure for you. What more could you possibly fear?
The man achieved great enlightenment from those words.
And he immediately took the pearl from his house and cast it into the River.
When Bu Eunseol first read that scripture, she could not help but marvel.
The narrative offered profound insights, after all.
The method the sage first presented was this:
To hide something perfectly, one must pierce the blind spots of countless people—a brilliant stratagem that cut to the very heart of the matter.
“To conceal treasure perfectly, one must not store it in a treasure vault.”
With a subtle smile playing at her lips, Bu Eunseol immediately stepped outside and unfurled the Cheong Sim Ryeong.
The forest path leading into this place was so completely severed from the outside world that one needed to collide three divine energies just to enter it.
In other words, that alone provided sufficient security. There was no need to create a treasure vault that would become a thief’s target.
Just as no lock in the world cannot be opened,
even the most heavily fortified place would eventually be breached.
“This is it.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed as she discovered something on the tree at the entrance.
It was an ordinary tree, yet it bore an extremely fine line drawn across it, thin as a hair.
As Bu Eunseol extended her hand to the tree after activating the Cheong Sim Ryeong,
a metallic click sounded.
The surface of the tree opened like a door, revealing a small space.
And within it lay a small wooden box.
Another soft click.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened as she opened it.
“The Spring and Autumn Annals.”
Here lay another section of the torn Spring and Autumn Annals that Jeong Cheon Je had left behind in the past.
As Bu Eunseol carefully read the characters written on the torn paper, her eyes sparkled.
“Perfect.”
An exclamation escaped her lips unbidden.
Through this Spring and Autumn Annals, I had finally found
the key that would allow me to safely leave the Murim Alliance under the identity of Seon Woo Jin—something that had remained unsolved all this while.
* * *
―I will activate the Cheong Sim Ryeong.
Upon her return to the Murim Alliance, Bu Eunseol took an extraordinarily shocking course of action.
The Cheong Sim Ryeong.
She activated the inspection decree directly under the Alliance Lord’s authority—one that had never been used since its creation.
―There are unauthorized secret organizations within the Alliance, it seems.
Bu Eunseol led the Jeol Jeong Dae Won and the martial artists of the Cheop Mil Won, turning over each organization within the Murim Alliance.
The leaders of the investigated organizations protested angrily, but Bu Eunseol spoke thus.
―Those secret organizations execute cruel and unethical missions without hesitation—missions that cannot be called the work of true martial artists of this Alliance.
And she added one more thing.
―Furthermore, among them are signs of collaboration with external forces. If you evade this investigation… you will only invite further suspicion.
At those words, the leaders of each organization ceased their protests and could only fall silent.
The crime of collusion with external forces was no trivial matter that could be glossed over with mere words.
One could easily be caught on some pretext and face severe punishment.
Once the protests from each organization ceased, Bu Eunseol resumed her investigation.
However, the senior officials could not simply stand by and watch.
Because it benefited the Murim Alliance.
Or because it benefited themselves.
Most of the top-ranking senior officials of the Murim Alliance operated covert secret organizations.
Particularly, there were countless missions that absolutely could not be revealed to the outside world.
If Seon Woo Jin, the master of Cheop Mil Won, began to expose these matters publicly?
Uncontrollable chaos would ensue.
―Has the Seon Woo master lost her mind?
Even the elders who could no longer bear it came forward to condemn Bu Eunseol.
No matter how much authority she possessed as an inspector.
No matter how righteous her intentions were.
She too was a martial artist belonging to the Murim Alliance.
If it became known to outsiders, the Alliance’s position would become precarious…
Conducting a public investigation into the misconduct of secret organizations was utterly unreasonable.
―If we do not handle this publicly, the secret organizations will not disappear, and the same incidents will simply repeat themselves.
Bu Eunseol explained calmly.
―If you intend to oppose Cheong Sim Ryeong, you must steel yourselves.
You will only face accusations that your opposition stems from collusion with external forces.
Whenever anyone attempts to oppose, they are immediately confronted with Cheong Sim Ryeong and branded as traitors.
In the Murim Alliance, no one remained to restrain Bu Eunseol’s rampage.
As the situation unfolded this way, Gong Son Dan Gyeong summoned Bu Eunseol to express her concerns.
“Seon Woo master. Simply because you have uncovered misconduct within the secret organizations does not mean you should broadcast it like this.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s expression, having summoned Bu Eunseol to Eun Wol Gak, was gravely serious.
“As you will discover through your investigation, most of the secret organizations are connected to senior officials within the Alliance. Without evidence sufficient to deal with all of them at once, recklessly touching this matter will ultimately result in backlash.”
“Are you including the Chief in that statement?”
“Seon Woo master.”
“You need not worry.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a certain coldness.
“I will absolutely not touch any organization connected to the Chief.”
“Do you think I oppose because I fear you will touch the current Chief? Right now, your actions are becoming…”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong trailed off and closed her mouth.
She had realized that Bu Eunseol’s gaze had grown impossibly frigid.
This meant the inspection was proceeding according to a meticulous plan.
Given Seon Woo Jin’s inner strength and outer composure.
No matter how much one opposed her.
It was clear as day that she would not stop.
“I understand.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong finally sighed and shook her head.
“I apologize for taking up your time.”
“You are too kind.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with measured composure.
“Then.”
She clasped her hands together and departed from the office.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes wavered like ripples on water as she watched Bu Eunseol leave.
She knew well that Seon Woo Jin, once he had devised a meticulous plan, moved with precision and thoroughness.
Yet she had always believed they stood on the same side.
She had believed they could never become enemies.
But only now did she understand the truth.
That man regarded her as nothing more than his direct superior.
“In the past, I would not have cared what lay in your heart….”
Unable to continue the thought, she lowered her long lashes.
Through the matter with Gwon In, Gong Son Dan Gyeong had come to genuinely care for Seon Woo Jin.
Yet he, in turn, grew ever colder.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s expression as she gazed at the space Bu Eunseol had vacated seemed infinitely forlorn.
Murim Alliance, Gunkon Pavilion.
For nearly a decade, this place had remained empty save for rare occasions of necessity.
This was because the Murim Alliance Lord, Jeong Cheon Je, had repeatedly secluded himself, abandoning the Alliance’s affairs.
Yet today, for the first time in ages, numerous martial artists moved through its halls, and servants busied themselves with cleaning.
For the Murim Alliance Lord had returned.
Jeong Cheon Je, Sin Do Mu Bi, had emerged from seclusion and now conducted business in the Gunkon Pavilion.
There was but one reason he had returned after such prolonged isolation.
It was said to be because of Seon Woo, the director of the Cheop Mil Won, who had been turning the Murim Alliance upside down.
“Seon Woo, the director, has arrived.”
Wi Sa’s low voice came from beyond the door.
“Let him enter.”
A voice of incomparable gravity and depth resonated forth.
Click.
As the door opened, the interior of an antique office was revealed.
Bookshelves filled with tomes lined the walls, and a detailed map marking the positions and spheres of influence of the various sects throughout Zhong Yuan hung in the center.
Bu Eunseol had entered this place once before through a secret passage.
Thus the interior held no particular surprise or novelty for her.
What was remarkable, however, was the aura of Jeong Cheon Je—or rather, Mu Jon—seated in the office.
‘Extraordinary.’
Bu Eunseol swallowed a shallow breath.
Had his martial prowess advanced by leaps and bounds? Or had he been concealing his aura all along?
The aura of Mu Jon, who now fulfilled the role of Jeong Cheon Je in this office,
was entirely different from what he had shown her until now.
His gaze was infinitely serene, yet when their eyes met, it pierced through the soul with razor-sharp clarity.
His breathing was still as death, yet it seemed to draw in the vital essence of all creation itself.
‘So I’m still not a worthy opponent.’
Bu Eunseol had publicly eliminated Jang In, whom Dong Chang had sent for Yu Woon Ryong.
There was no way Mu Jon could be unaware of this, yet his gaze remained largely unchanged from before.
‘He’s already transcended it.’
Though Mu Jon wandered the Murim alone, he was Yi Hyung to Jeong Cheon Je and had maintained considerable contact with him.
Surely he had heard rumors of the mysterious forces within the Murim.
He too must have been striving for ages to break free from the confines of the Mujik Gyeong.
“Come now.”
Mu Jon, who wore the appearance of a middle-aged man like a coffin chamber, playing the role of Jeong Cheon Je, extended his hand.
“Be seated.”
Despite the gentle smile adorning his face,
as he lightly extended his hand, an overwhelming pressure washed over me—as if gazing up at a colossal mountain.
Once Bu Eunseol settled into her seat, Mu Jon spoke with measured calm.
“You must be busy with various matters, so I’ll keep this brief.”
Suddenly, Mu Jon abandoned his mimicry of Jeong Cheon Je’s voice, speaking instead in his own hoarse tone.
“Do not activate Cheong Sim Ryeong again.”
He neither deployed an energy barrier to block external sound nor used sound transmission.
Instead, he wielded a mysterious technique that delivered his voice directly into her mind with instantaneous clarity, much like the Wisdom Light Heart Method.
“As you’ve surely noticed, the Ben Maeng contains not only Sam Gye but numerous organizations intertwined together, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.”
“….”
“And that Murim Alliance has continued through generations alongside the history of the Murim itself. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Mu Jon was also saying that the Murim Alliance
was not merely a coalition of Orthodox Sects, but rather the headquarters of supreme masters and formidable organizations.
“The moment you meddle, consequences beyond your control will unfold. It’s the same as driving your blade directly at them.”
As Bu Eunseol opened her mouth to speak, Mu Jon cut her off.
“Moreover, you’re also touching the organizations I’ve cultivated in secret. Do you grasp what I’m saying?”
In short, Mu Jon was
telling her that she was not only touching various forces, but him as well.
“Doesn’t eliminating shadow forces like Sam Gye require a certain degree of sacrifice?”
Bu Eunseol opened her mouth with an unbothered expression.
“That’s precisely why I had myself inserted into the Murim Alliance.”
“Wasn’t the Seven Lords your target?”
Divine light exploded from Mu Jon’s pupils.
“You said your sole purpose was finding Hyung Su.”
“That’s correct. This is merely one method to find Hyung Su.”
Bu Eunseol continued.
“No matter how I mobilized my intelligence organization, I couldn’t perfectly track the Seven Lords’ movements. So ultimately, I had no choice but to employ this approach.”
“It’s futile.”
Mu Jon spoke with cold resolve.
“Had you been able to find him this way, I would have done so long ago.”
“If we proceed this way, even if we fail to locate Hyung Su, we can still drive out Sam Gye, which has entrenched itself within the Murim Alliance, can we not?”
“Driving them out is itself a contradiction.”
Mu Jon’s expression hardened.
“Their true body lies in darkness. The ones exposed to daylight are merely parasites feeding upon them.”
A shocking revelation.
So Sam Gye’s true headquarters was also the Murim Alliance. Then wasn’t even the position of Alliance Lord merely a gilded facade?
“Jeong Cheon Je and Sin Do Mu Bi, as the foremost of the Orthodox Sects, governed the Murim and accomplished countless feats.”
Bu Eunseol asked.
“Are you saying they were merely puppets of this monster called the Murim Alliance?”
“It seems you still don’t grasp the situation.”
“….”
“If you provoke me once more, or speak insults of my sworn brother… our agreement ends immediately.”
As Mu Jon’s eyes flashed with displeasure, Bu Eunseol nodded.
“I understand your meaning, and I shall conduct myself accordingly.”
And she spoke with resolve.
“I have devised my own methods to eradicate them.”
“This conversation is futile.”
Mu Jon’s expression grew increasingly sinister.
“Do I appear to be making a request?”
His frigid voice became a cutting north wind, tousling Bu Eunseol’s hair.
“If you continue acting recklessly, they will sever your limbs first.”
A crimson gleam danced across Bu Eunseol’s pupils.
Though he spoke of “them,” it was Mu Jon himself who truly bound her limbs.
In other words, he was using the lives of the Elite Division members as leverage.
“Wasn’t this what we promised from the beginning?”
Seeing Bu Eunseol’s gaze shift, Mu Jon believed his threat had taken hold.
He spoke with utter composure.
“We agreed to focus solely on finding Hyung Su hidden among the Seven Lords.”
And his expression became gravely solemn.
“Do not use the pretext of new methods to find Hyung Su. I say again—such methods cause me great harm as well.”
Mu Jon drove his point home once more, decisively.
“If you continue stirring things up this way, I will consider our cooperation at an end.”
Bu Eunseol clenched her fists tightly.
And with an expression of resignation, she spoke.
“I shall remember your words.”
“Then take your leave.”
After bowing respectfully, Bu Eunseol left the Gunkon Pavilion office with her fists still clenched.
Thump, thump.
Once outside, she halted her steps.
And gazing toward the distant sky, a cold smile graced her lips.
‘Are you still dreaming?’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes burned like smoldering coals.
The plan was already unfolding step by step.
Soon the Murim Alliance would be split in two, and she would leave this place forever.
* * *
The activation of Cheong Sim Ryeong had been halted.
Publicly, it was announced that all secret organizations within the Alliance had been identified and rectified.
But in reality, Mu Jon had applied pressure, and Seon Woo Jin had capitulated to it.
However, the timing had been slightly delayed.
Some of the intelligence Seon Woo Jin had gathered about the secret intelligence organizations within the Murim Alliance had leaked to the outside.
As this unfolded, the leaders commanding the secret organizations lurking within the Murim Alliance began to stir.
In the end, Seon Woo Jin had through this incident.
Touched the nerves of the forces coiled within the Alliance.
The Murim Alliance, Hoe Chun Gak.
That place was an elegant pavilion within the Elder Council.
Throughout the Orthodox Martial World, the power of the elders had always been strong. They had consistently served as the backbone, leading factions and sects.
The Murim Alliance was no different in this regard.
Though there was ostensibly a leader called the Alliance Lord, the structure could not ignore the influence of the elders.
In fact, not long ago, at the request of the Elder Council,
Alliance Lord Sin Do Mu Bi restructured the Murim Alliance, where all organizations had the Alliance Lord as their ultimate commander,
Allowing each organization’s leader to choose and affiliate with whichever faction they desired.
As a result, only about a third of the organizations under the Alliance Lord remained.
Afterward, the forces were divided among the Elder Council and the highest officials of the Murim Alliance.
Thump, thump.
Mu Jon, wearing the appearance of Jeong Cheon Je, advanced without hesitation toward Hoe Chun Gak in the Elder Council.
And there sat an elderly man like an immortal, enjoying tea in the pavilion.
He was called No Sa, and he was the figure who represented the opinions of the elders within the Murim Alliance.
However, few knew his true identity.
Because he was not a figure who operated publicly in the Orthodox Sects, but rather belonged to a secret organization.
“Alliance Lord.”
No Sa spoke with a calm smile.
“It has been a long time.”
“No Sa.”
As Mu Jon offered a light bow, No Sa smiled broadly.
“You must be busy, so I shall convey the conclusion quickly.”
….
“Regardless of other matters, the Director of Cheop Mil Won—he can no longer be left alone. Such was the conclusion of the Elder Council.”
Mu Jon fell silent.
The fact that such words came from No Sa’s mouth meant the decision was final.
It was something that could not be changed, even by Mu Jon acting as Alliance Lord.
“Hmm.”
Mu Jon nodded, swallowing hard.
“There’s no helping it.”
As long as Cheong Sim Ryeong existed, such incidents could repeat themselves.
And if such a thing were to happen again?
It could never be resolved as simply as it was now with mere words.
“I shall have the Alliance Leader handle this matter with time.”
Mu Jon spoke gently.
“The Alliance Leader gave Cheong Sim Ryeong to Seon Woo. And he has merely fulfilled his duties diligently, has he not?”
And he added,
“Let us give Seon Woo some time before taking action.”
“Even if we leave Seon Woo alone….”
No Sa shook his head, clicking his tongue.
“Gong Son Chong Sa will become a problem.”
“You speak of the Chief?”
“Is Seon Woo not in a special relationship with Gong Son Chong Sa? In the end, if we proceed this way… will we not repeat the mistakes of the past?”
Among the secret organizations that Bu Eunseol had stirred up covertly by activating Cheong Sim Ryeong,
there was not a single organization connected to Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
That was undoubtedly what had touched their nerves.
“Of course, considering the Alliance Leader’s position and dignity, I am not suggesting we cast out Seon Woo immediately. We cannot simply expel such a senior figure.”
“Then….”
“Gong Son Chong Sa’s organization is quite formidable. Especially that Blood Heaven Blood Life Group.”
Mu Jon’s eyes gleamed.
Only then did he clearly grasp what No Sa was saying.
―Before we can properly deal with Seon Woo, should we not first eliminate the Chief’s forces?
That was a valid point.
To deal with Seon Woo Jin, we must ultimately handle her forces first.
No matter what anyone says, Gong Son Dan Gyeong is Seon Woo Jin’s greatest backing in the Murim Alliance.
‘Faster than expected.’
Mu Jon took a deep breath.
Bu Eunseol, who played the role of Seon Woo Jin,
was destined to leave the Murim Alliance regardless.
And I had already resolved to deal with Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s secret organization someday.
I merely wished to postpone that time.
Because Bu Eunseol and Gong Son Dan Gyeong—
both were highly capable individuals, easy to utilize.
Bu Eunseol sought only revenge and tried to avoid involvement in Murim affairs, including those of the Murim Alliance.
And Gong Son Dan Gyeong was equally obsessed with revenge, desiring only the Jung Son Family.
‘Bu Eunseol. You made a grave mistake this time.’
Bu Eunseol, who had once cried out only for revenge, had changed from the beginning.
Before long, I was influencing the Murim’s political landscape through my identity as Seon Woo Jin, and ultimately sought to unearth the true nature of the Murim Alliance.
In the end, the hidden forces lurking within the Murim Alliance.
Could not forgive Seon Woo Jin for recklessly stirring up chaos within the organization.
They resolved to strike down even Gong Son Dan Gyeong, who had been steadily nurturing her own faction for the sake of revenge.

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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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