The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 823
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 823.
After leaving the Gong Sun Estate, Bu Eunseol
handled various matters under the identity of Seon Woo Jin, and under her true identity as well.
While managing diverse affairs within the Murim Alliance, she meticulously devised
multiple plans to safely depart the Murim Alliance alongside the Elite Division, reviewing them ceaselessly.
And now, all preparations for executing that plan were complete.
The original strategy was to consolidate all forces, including the Elite Division, into the Muhon Society
and complete the Three-Part Division of Murim.
The establishment of the Changcheon Alliance had always been a secondary option.
But the plan had changed.
If she proceeded that way, the Elite Division would be unable to freely conduct Murim activities,
and she could not guarantee the lives of Beok Goong Ryung and Gong Son Dan Gyeong within the Murim Alliance.
Had those two remained in the Murim Alliance,
they would be manipulated by the shadowy forces lurking behind it and ultimately meet a gruesome death.
‘But she is dead.’
Bu Eunseol’s pupils became transparent as she gazed toward the distant sky.
The forces behind the Murim Alliance had aimed their arrows at Gong Son Dan Gyeong first, not at her.
Or perhaps this was the natural course of events.
She had merely acquiesced to necessity; the shadowy forces had always planned to eliminate her.
Even Mu Jon, who had elevated her to Chief.
‘It is all my fault.’
Though Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s death was the inevitable sequence of an intricately woven conspiracy,
Bu Eunseol could not shed the weight of guilt.
Regardless, it was because of her that their resolve had been triggered.
‘Once I safely leave the Murim Alliance, I will first find the whereabouts of the Jung Son Family and make them pay the price.’
A crimson gleam ignited in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Once she safely escaped the Murim Alliance under the identity of Seon Woo Jin and established the Changcheon Alliance,
she would set aside all other matters and prioritize avenging Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
* * *
The primary duty of the Cheop Mil Won’s Lord
was to prevent the rise of forces threatening the stability of Gangho, or wicked sects and factions that opposed the Murim Alliance’s banner.
Sword King Seon Woo Jin.
He who defeated King Gwon Seok Chi Haeng and rose among the Four Gods Seven Kings with the epithet of Sword King
had ascended to the highest echelon of the Murim Alliance at a remarkably young age.
Yet he continuously traveled throughout Gangho, faithfully executing his duties as Lord of the Cheop Mil Won.
Even the senior officials who had initially opposed his elevation to high rank
could not help but acknowledge his sincerity and diligence.
But then something unbelievable occurred.
He who had been performing his role as Lord of the Cheop Mil Won so stably and receiving support from various figures
was imprisoned in the Murim Alliance as a criminal upon his return.
“Seon Woo, I am placing you under arrest on suspicion of treason.”
Upon returning to the Murim Alliance, it was none other than Hyung Dang Ju and his forces who greeted Bu Eunseol.
“Treason? Are you speaking as the Alliance Lord?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened in incomprehension.
“I have no idea what nonsense you’re spouting.”
“An order for detention has been issued. Come with me.”
This was strange.
Even if Hyung Dang Ju was known as someone who could make even flying birds fall, he could not treat the Cheop Mil Won Director—one of the Murim Alliance’s highest-ranking officials—so carelessly.
Yet now he spoke to me with the ease of addressing a subordinate.
This meant he already regarded Seon Woo Jin as guilty and possessed evidence to prove it.
“Do you not know that a Grand Council must be convened before the Director can be punished?”
Even with evidence, the Murim Alliance’s highest officials could not be arbitrarily punished.
The leadership’s consensus had to be reached through a Grand Council.
“A Grand Council is unnecessary for detention.”
Hyung Dang Ju withdrew a seal from his robes.
It was the Twin-Winged Phoenix Seal, which symbolized the Alliance Lord’s authority.
“The Alliance Lord has issued the command directly. Detain Director Seon Woo immediately and uncover the truth regarding the treason charges.”
Bu Eunseol’s pupils gleamed.
Mu Jon, who had dealt with Gong Son Dan Gyeong, had made his move first.
Before I could execute any scheme, he had already struck preemptively.
‘He must have thought that if he left me alone, I would certainly orchestrate something within the Murim Alliance.’
Otherwise, he would not have issued the detention order the moment I returned.
By confining me to the Underground Prison,
even if I had devised plans in advance, I would be utterly unable to execute them.
“You are welcome to refuse.”
Hyung Dang Ju stared at Bu Eunseol coldly.
“Should you ignore the Twin-Winged Phoenix Seal and resist arrest, you will immediately become a public enemy of this Alliance, and a death warrant will be issued.”
The Alliance Lord’s Twin-Winged Phoenix Seal held the highest authority in the Murim Alliance.
The moment one defied it, one became a public enemy of the Alliance and could be executed on sight without question.
If that happened, not only would I fail to preserve Seon Woo Jin’s identity, but the heads of the Jeol Jeong Dae Won members within the Alliance would roll first.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
Above all else, the safety of the Jeol Jeong Dae Won members was the priority.
If I could not protect their lives, all my efforts thus far would be for nothing.
“However, please summon Beok Goong Ryung.”
With Gong Son Dan Gyeong gone,
Beok Goong Ryung was now my greatest backing.
But Hyung Dang Ju, as if he had not heard my words, spoke to his subordinates.
“Take him to the Underground Prison.”
Bu Eunseol was escorted to the Underground Prison with both hands bound.
Given my status as a senior member of the Murim Alliance, they refrained from suppressing my inner energy.
The Underground Prison of the Murim Alliance—a place where only those convicted of grave crimes are imprisoned.
I found myself confined within the Iron Prison.
Yet Bu Eunseol waited with patience.
Beok Goong Ryung would come soon enough.
But something unexpected occurred.
Though I had summoned Beok Goong Ryung, it was Buk Ri Seung, the Deputy Alliance Lord, who appeared instead.
“Do not worry.”
Buk Ri Seung gazed at Bu Eunseol confined in the Underground Prison, his expression tinged with regret.
“If there is any injustice in this matter, I shall ensure it is brought to light.”
Until now, Seon Woo Jin had faced accusations of treason multiple times.
Yet each time, I had proven my innocence.
And finally, I had ascended to the rank of senior member, becoming a young Grand Master envied by many.
Buk Ri Seung had always harbored favorable feelings toward Seon Woo Jin, so his regret was inevitable.
“I cannot fathom why this has happened.”
Bu Eunseol pleaded earnestly.
“Could I not be released first, and then prove my innocence myself?”
“That is beyond even the power of the Deputy Alliance Lord.”
Buk Ri Seung shook his head.
“The Alliance Lord has issued an order for your detention until the Great Council convenes to determine your punishment.”
“Then…”
“It seems Hyung Dang Ju and others have presented conclusive evidence to the Alliance Lord.”
Buk Ri Seung’s expression was far less favorable than before.
Until now, Jeong Cheon Je had led the Orthodox Sects with fairness, and his judgments had never been wrong.
Given that even he was convinced, the probability that Seon Woo Jin was not a traitor seemed virtually nonexistent.
“Please summon Beok Goong Ryung. I have something to say.”
Bu Eunseol made an earnest request, but Buk Ri Seung shook his head with a troubled expression.
“The Alliance Lord has commanded it. This matter is grave and must be handled with absolute certainty.”
In other words, no one would be permitted to exert influence over this affair.
As despair clouded Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Buk Ri Seung spoke in a measured tone.
“However, do not despair. The Alliance Lord will visit you shortly, it is said.”
“The Alliance Lord himself?”
A nod.
Buk Ri Seung nodded and turned to leave.
“He comes for a private audience to grant you one final opportunity, so make your case well when the time comes.”
‘A final opportunity?’
There was no such thing.
‘Could it be that he hopes I will escape?’
Escape from the Underground Prison was more certain than any perfect evidence.
Mu Jon would proceed without complicated procedures.
It was possible that he simply wished for Seon Woo Jin to leave the Murim Alliance.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
At that moment, Buk Ri Seung turned to go.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully.
Given the circumstances, anyone in the Murim Alliance would be certain that she was a traitor.
Yet despite this, Buk Ri Seung was making an effort to treat her fairly in his own way.
Clang.
As Buk Ri Seung left, Bu Eunseol’s brow furrowed.
The fire had reached her doorstep, so to speak.
For now, her inner energy remained unrestrained… but what if Mu Jon came to this place?
Everything would change entirely.
He would unfold the secret technique capable of binding her completely.
If she wished to save her own life…
This was essentially her last chance to escape.
But if she did, the necks of the Jeol Jeong Dae Won members would surely be forfeit.
And the identity of Seon Woo Jin would become that of a fugitive forever.
‘So that’s why he called it the last chance.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed in the darkness.
‘He’s saying he’ll completely annihilate me if I don’t leave now.’
It was not worth heeding.
If she fled from here, everything would crumble to nothing.
After pondering for some time, she sat down and closed her eyes in meditation.
How much time had passed?
Thud, thud.
Beyond the door, footsteps echoed softly through the corridor.
Clang.
An iron gate a hand’s breadth thick opened with a resounding noise.
A middle-aged man dressed in white robes embroidered with ornate phoenix patterns slowly walked into the Underground Prison.
His dark hair was combed neatly and pinned up, crowned with a golden dragon ornament.
He stood over six feet tall, his frame lean yet commanding, his gaze sharp and his bearing solemn.
It was none other than Jeong Pa Je Il In, Sin Do Mu Bi.
Or rather, it was Mu Jon wearing his guise.
“It has been a long time.”
Mu Jon smiled gently from Jeong Cheon Je’s face.
But to Bu Eunseol’s eyes,
it seemed as though an elderly man’s face was grinning sinisterly from behind the mask of flesh.
When Bu Eunseol remained silent, he shook his head.
“It is regrettable that things have come to this end.”
“Mu Jon.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes blazed with the fury of an active volcano.
“What is your true intention?”
“True intention?”
Mu Jon chuckled softly and shook his head.
“The Alliance Lord merely seeks to punish the Demonic Path’s agents who have infiltrated the Murim Alliance.”
“You think you’ll come out of this unscathed?”
“Hehehehe.”
Instead of answering, Mu Jon extended his finger.
Bu Eunseol’s body stiffened, and her complexion began to turn deathly pale.
“Heart-Striking Acupoint Method.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression darkened.
This technique was one that even those who had ascended to the Mujuk Realm and achieved bodies refined by the Law of Heaven could never escape.
It was the foremost acupoint-sealing technique of the Orthodox Sects, absolutely impossible to counter.
“I know well that your martial arts have reached an incomprehensible realm.”
Mu Jon smiled faintly.
“Even if you’ve reached the same level as Ak Moo Ryung, you won’t be able to break the Heart-Striking Acupoint Method within three days.”
And he fixed his gaze upon her lower abdomen.
“I’d like to shatter your dantian immediately, but if I do, the reverse technique will collapse, so I’ll have to leave just enough inner force for one cycle.”
“Mu Jon.”
Bu Eunseol clenched her teeth.
“Why do you betray me? I heeded your words and even stopped activating the Cheong Sim Ryeong.”
“My, did you take me for a fool?”
Mu Jon shook his head.
“Did you think I didn’t know that the reason you activated the Cheong Sim Ryeong was to perfectly escape the Murim Alliance under the identity of Seon Woo Jin?”
“….”
“Or perhaps you’ve forgotten what my shadow is.”
The greatest sage of Murim.
He was Mu Jon, most versed in the martial arts of all the sects under heaven.
And on the other hand, he was Shin San Ja—the wisest and most brilliant mind in all of Murim.
“Did you desire the identity of Seon Woo Jin so greatly? Then why didn’t you simply beseech me?”
Mu Jon spoke with unhurried ease.
“Had you done so, there would have been no reason I couldn’t grant it.”
A lie.
There was no reason to give him the identity of Seon Woo Jin, which he had spent long years cultivating to perfection.
He was simply mocking her for the predicament she now found herself in.
“Very well.”
Bu Eunseol suppressed her surging rage and spoke with composure.
“If you have grievances with me, let them end with me. Why did you kill the Chief?”
“I didn’t kill him.”
“….”
“I merely agreed to deal with her secret organization since the senior figures of the Alliance found it troublesome.”
“Are you playing word games with me now?”
Killing intent surged through Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“You must have told the Jung Son Family something like this: the Chief is cultivating a secret force capable of threatening your family.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Mu Jon shrugged.
“Otherwise, would the Jung Son Family move based on mere hearsay?”
Mu Jon had known for a long time.
That Gong Son Dan Gyeong was not only cultivating the Blood Heaven Blood Life Group, a secret organization to topple the Jung Son Family.
But through Ma Deung and mysterious cultivation methods.
He possessed the secret to suppress the power of Baek Pal Sung.
In fact, he truly.
Would have conveyed such information to the Jung Son Family instead of ordering them to kill Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
But from the Jung Son Family’s perspective, more than the Blood Heaven Blood Life Group and Ma Deung.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, who could devise such methods, was far more troublesome and irritating.
As long as she lived.
She could cultivate forces to suppress Baek Pal Sung’s power again at any time… so they had no choice but to eliminate her.
“The Jung Son Family must have judged that she, who devised such methods, was a greater threat than any force opposing them.”
Bu Eunseol stared directly at Mu Jon as she spoke.
“You knew full well they wouldn’t leave her alone, yet you still conveyed it.”
“Well, from the Jung Son Family’s perspective, that’s how it could be.”
Mu Jon shrugged.
“But I had no room to intervene beyond that point.”
In the end, just as Bu Eunseol said, Mu Jon was indeed playing word games.
To provoke his anger.
To make him more miserable.
“So. What do you intend to do from now on?”
“A Grand Council will be convened soon. Publicly.”
Mu Jon looked down at Bu Eunseol, whose complexion had turned pale as his inner force suppressed hers.
“If you have grievances, settle them there.”
“Are you planning to reveal my identity there?”
Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
“Will you expose my identity to all under heaven and spark a righteous confrontation?”
“Who knows.”
Mu Jon laughed calmly.
“I gave you a chance to escape through Buk Ri Seung. But you refused.”
With his arms crossed, he swept his gaze over Bu Eunseol’s form and lifted the corners of his mouth.
“You must have been confident. You probably had plans to defend yourself in your own way.”
“…”
“From the moment you investigated the secret organizations within the Alliance, you must have already foreseen that the old men behind the scenes wouldn’t act directly and would use me instead.”
A cold star flickered in Mu Jon’s eyes.
“But you underestimated me far too much. Did you think that because I played the role of a false Alliance Lord, my power was equally false?”
And he let out a contemptuous laugh.
“Of course, someone like you would have anticipated even this imprisonment in the Underground Prison and prepared contingencies, wouldn’t you?”
“….”
“Let’s see then. I’m curious what miraculous scheme you’ll employ.”
Mu Jon’s expression brimmed with confidence.
Whether Bu Eunseol escaped from the Underground Prison,
or remained imprisoned and deployed some mysterious stratagem at the Great Council Meeting,
I had already prepared countermeasures to crush them all.
‘And the fact that it’s public.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
By holding the Great Council Meeting publicly, Mu Jon clearly intended to expose her identity there.
Or perhaps even that was merely a gambit to weave further deception.
After all, Mu Jon was also Shin San Ja, known as the greatest sage of Murim.
He was absolutely not an opponent to be taken lightly.
“I even verified just now—I have not yet detoxified the poison afflicting the Team Members.”
Mu Jon smiled faintly.
“Surely you’re not thinking of sacrificing yourself for those Team Members you cherish so dearly? Or were you planning to escape after meeting with me?”
“….”
“Given your abilities, escape wouldn’t be impossible even now.”
“Wouldn’t it be wiser to simply kill me right now?”
Bu Eunseol spoke coldly.
“Unless you plan to seal my blood meridians at the Great Council Meeting.”
If Bu Eunseol exposed Mu Jon’s identity at the Great Council Meeting where all the senior members gathered,
then he too could not escape the consequences.
“Try whatever you wish.”
Mu Jon instead displayed a confident smile.
Which meant he had certainly prepared countermeasures for when Bu Eunseol revealed his identity.
‘After all, I hold the position of Alliance Lord.’
Bu Eunseol clenched her fists tightly.
Mu Jon currently served as the Murim Alliance Lord.
Even if she publicly exposed his true identity, he could easily devise countermeasures to neutralize it.
This situation, this space called the Murim Alliance, was absolutely not in Bu Eunseol’s favor.
“In truth, I had great expectations of you. I believed you would eliminate the Seven Lords and find Hyung Su among them.”
A chilling light spread from Mu Jon’s eyes.
“But in the end, you’ve been indulging in the power of the Murim Alliance, choosing only what’s convenient for you. Quite disappointing, really.”
Mu Jon turned away.
“And don’t bother trying to find a way to unseal your meridians. Clumsy attempts could leave you crippled.”
“Mu Jon.”
Bu Eunseol turned to face Mu Jon as he turned away. “Why do you go so far as to make an enemy of me?”
“Why are you going so far as to make an enemy of me?”
Mu Jon, turning his head, wore a bitter smile.
“Your greatest mistake was rashly touching the Murim Alliance’s secret organization. It was truly disappointing. You should have known what kind of place this is.”
“….”
“Did you wish to manipulate the Ben Maeng? Or did you think you could move the Murim Alliance’s forces and intelligence network as you pleased for your own purposes?”
He carried a sharp, contemptuous smile.
“You were the first to break your promise. When I gave you the position of Cheop Mil Won Chief and the Cheong Sim Ryeong, you swore an oath—that you would seek only revenge.”
Mu Jon spoke coldly.
“Yet you used your position for personal gain and deliberately overturned the Ben Maeng. You committed nothing but useless acts.”
And he added one more thing.
“Still, I showed my trust in you by sowing discord among the Jeol Jeong Dae Won.”
After a long silence, he shook his head and spoke in a low voice.
“But in the end, it has come to this.”
With those words, Mu Jon turned and left the Iron Prison.
Bu Eunseol kept her lips firmly sealed.
She could only glare at Mu Jon’s retreating figure as he vanished into the darkness.
* * *
―A grand assembly will soon convene to address the treason allegations against Seon Woo Branch Chief.
The atmosphere within the Murim Alliance had grown heavily subdued.
Because the Alliance Lord himself had directly.
Announced the punishment of Seon Woo Jin, the Sword King who could be called the idol of young martial artists.
Would be discussed at the grand assembly.
―Treason allegations again?
―What exactly did the Seon Woo Branch Chief do wrong for the Alliance Lord himself to step in?
―Then does that mean all the treason allegations he’s faced until now had valid reasons?
The young martial artists were shocked.
Seon Woo Jin, the Sword King, had built his merits by handling countless missions alongside Chief Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
Coming from the Merchant Realm, he had endured all manner of contempt and began as a third-rank Lord.
Yet he had ceaselessly proven his abilities, and finally ascended to the position of Cheop Mil Won Chief.
Even after becoming a senior member, he showed no arrogance and devoted himself relentlessly to his duties.
Recently, despite opposition from senior members, he had exposed the secret organization that could be called the shame of the Murim Alliance.
Demonstrating integrity and fairness—and now he was called a spy of the Demonic Path?
The young martial artists could not help but feel a sense of betrayal beyond mere shock.
―The discussion of punishment for the Seon Woo Branch Chief will be conducted openly at the Great Training Arena of the Ben Maeng. Fairly, I assure you.
The Alliance Lord made a surprising proposal.
The grand assembly to discuss the punishment of Cheop Mil Won Chief Seon Woo Jin would be.
Conducted openly at the Great Training Arena so that all martial artists of the Murim Alliance could witness it.
This meant.
That no matter what scheme Seon Woo Jin might devise, he could never escape.
From that day forward, every sin I had committed until now would be laid bare in the light of day, exposed in its entirety.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————