The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 83

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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 83.
The Cheon Geom Hoe’s assembly was being held in Ja Yang, a short distance from Sichuan’s Seong Do.
This place was home not only to renowned Buddhist sites like Bo Guk Sa and Won Gak Dong, but also to many historic relics worth seeing, such as the Tae Geuk Go Jin and the Seon Hak Gwan.
Because of this, it was a gathering place for Orthodox Sect martial artists, skilled masters from both righteous and unorthodox circles, and sightseers alike.
The air hummed with countless voices.
As we entered Seong Do, a vast crowd came into view.
Under Yu Hwa Ryeong’s guidance, my eyes deepened as I surveyed my surroundings.
‘Similar, yet different.’
During my year of activities in the Gangho, I had operated primarily around Honam Dong Jeong Lake.
Like Ja Yang, that place too had many visitors coming to admire its scenic mountains and waters.
However, since it was a place where the Orthodox Sects, the Demonic Path, and the Unorthodox Sects engaged in evenly matched power struggles, there was an undercurrent of violence to the atmosphere.
But Ja Yang was different.
It was bustling and vibrant, and there seemed to be far more armed martial artists than sightseers.
Conversely, this was evidence that frequent conflicts erupted in this place.
“My, there are certainly many people here.”
I wished Yu Hwa Ryeong would hurry along, but he kept venturing deeper into Market Street.
“Master Yu. Did you not say the assembly was being held at Geum Jeong Mountain?”
Unable to bear it any longer, Heuk Pyo posed the question, and Yu Hwa Ryeong flashed his pearly white teeth.
“If one comes to Sichuan, one must surely drink Geom Nam Chun.”
“But Geom Nam Chun can be drunk anywhere in Sichuan, can it not?”
At Heuk Pyo’s response, Yu Hwa Ryeong’s expression grew serious as he spoke.
“Not all Geom Nam Chun is the same, my friend. The Geom Nam Chun sold at So Baek Ru here in Ja Yang is the only one with the proper taste.”
He dragged me and Heuk Pyo along as though he were the very manager of So Baek Ru.
“Come now, this way. Let me show you what Sichuan’s finest wine truly is.”
As it happened to be around lunchtime, every inn and tavern we passed was packed with patrons.
But So Baek Ru was quiet.
This was because it was a high-end establishment that charged more than thirty taels for even a simple dish.
“Welcome!”
The moment our party entered, the server at So Baek Ru quickly guided us to a window seat with an excellent view.
“Master Yu. This place seems far too expensive.”
As Heuk Pyo whispered while glancing around, Yu Hwa Ryeong slapped the table and laughed heartily.
“Have no worry. My martial skills may be unremarkable, but my coffers are more than sufficient, I assure you.”
Then he began ordering from Jeomsoi without hesitation.
“Five bottles of Geom Nam Chun, and bring me five of your finest dishes. Use large cups for the wine, and make sure the chilies are of the highest quality.”
“Understood!”
“Take this.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong flicked a large silver ingot onto the table, and Jeomsoi bowed so deeply his nose nearly touched the ground.
“Thank you so much! I’ll bring the wine at once!”
After wiping the table clean with a cloth, Jeomsoi soon returned with five wine vessels emanating a fragrant aroma.
It was Sichuan’s finest wine—Geom Nam Chun.
“It seems this is your first time in Sichuan, isn’t it?”
Yu Hwa Ryeong’s question was met with Bu Eunseol’s flat response.
“That’s correct.”
“Haha, how fortunate.”
“What do you mean, fortunate?”
“The martial atmosphere in Sichuan has been rather unusual of late.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong spoke in hushed tones, as though imparting information of great importance.
“The Sword Pavilion alone has produced masters of considerable renown, and even the Dang Clan, which had secluded itself for ages, has sent direct descendants into the Gangho.”
After pouring wine generously into the cups of Bu Eunseol and Heuk Pyo, he continued in a low voice.
“Recently, a swordsman named Yu Rim Wi, known as the Crimson-Faced Blood Blade, defeated Nam Cheon Pung, who was called the fastest blade in all of Sichuan. Since then, challenge matches have suddenly become fashionable throughout Sichuan.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong poured wine into his own cup as he spoke.
“Because of this, countless masters and renowned figures have flocked to Sichuan. I’ll introduce you to them soon enough.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Why not?”
“I have no interest.”
Bu Eunseol had absolutely no interest in cultivating relationships with martial artists.
“Well, it’s not my place to interfere, but if you wish to survive long in the Gangho, you must cultivate connections with renowned figures far and wide.”
“….”
“With broad connections among the renowned, you can obtain valuable intelligence and receive their assistance.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong sighed and spoke in hushed tones.
“There are no lone wolves in the martial world.”
There are no lone wolves in the martial world.
Those words carried multiple meanings. Yet Bu Eunseol’s eyes merely gleamed as if in refutation.
“Ahem.”
As the atmosphere grew cold, Yu Hwa Ryeong cleared his throat and spoke again.
“Even the Cheon Geom Hoe was founded by senior swordsmen who, after much deliberation, felt the limitations of walking the path alone in the Gangho, wasn’t it? Haha!”
He laughed heartily, believing his jest to be rather amusing.
“Come now, let’s have a drink!”
Heuk Pyo, who had been listening quietly, wore a bitter smile.
If Bu Eunseol were an ordinary person, it might be different, but this advice was entirely mismatched with his station.
From the start, Bu Eunseol was the master of the Nangya Sect, one of the Ten Demonic Gates—a pillar of the Demonic Path itself.
With such formidable backing and considering his status alone, it was extraordinarily difficult to even encounter someone capable of forming connections with Bu Eunseol.
“What one must obtain in the martial world is not connections, but fine weapons.”
Bu Eunseol drained his cup in one gulp and shook his head.
“A good weapon can certainly ward off immediate danger. What use are connections?”
“Haha. If a weapon can block immediate danger, then connections can eliminate conflict itself.”
At Yu Hwa Ryeong’s response, Bu Eunseol nodded readily and spoke.
“Then try to prevent this.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“Those fellows.”
In the corner Bu Eunseol indicated, three sinister-looking men sat with their eyes fixed upon her.
More precisely, their greedy gazes were locked onto the ink-black sword strapped across her back. Their expressions dripped with avarice.
“Hmm.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong swallowed hard.
While fine blades were plentiful throughout Gangho, swords with sheaths and hilts stained completely black were extraordinarily rare.
The ink-black blade, its rust stripped away, emanated an enigmatic luminescence from its sheath—a mystical radiance that captivated the covetous eyes of all who beheld it.
“There’s no helping it.”
Just as Yu Hwa Ryeong rose from his seat, a corpulent man from the opposite group approached Bu Eunseol and asked with arrogant presumption.
“I am Heo Nam Yeol, the third of the Three Heroes of Ye Jung Sam Gwi.”
“Ah, I am——”
Yu Hwa Ryeong clasped his hands together and stood, but the portly man ignored him and addressed Bu Eunseol instead.
“You are the champion of the Jeong Mu Dae Hoe, are you not?”
Heo Nam Yeol’s gaze remained fixed upon the ink-black sword at Bu Eunseol’s back.
“I am.”
As Bu Eunseol answered, his lips curled upward.
“Yet rumor has it you did not truly win the Jeong Mu Dae Hoe, but rather conspired with Donghyo Seorang to rig the competition?”
After the Jeong Mu Dae Hoe concluded, peculiar whispers had circulated among certain circles.
The tale claimed that Bu Eunseol, the champion, had colluded with Donghyo Seorang to smuggle away the sword.
This rumor possessed considerable credibility, particularly because the championship favorites—Mu Sam Rang and Yang Myeong—had both withdrawn from their matches against Bu Eunseol under suspicious circumstances.
Because of this gossip, several masters who had witnessed the tournament directly even questioned whether Bu Eunseol had genuinely defeated the renowned experts Young Ji Wi and Seo Mun Gyeong.
“There are even whispers that the true blade was spirited away by Donghyo Seorang, while a counterfeit divine sword was presented to the champion.”
As Bu Eunseol gazed at him in silence, Heo Nam Yeol grinned widely.
“I possess considerable skill in appraising blades. If you have no objection, I would be honored to examine your sword for you.”
Bu Eunseol did not even respond.
To a martial artist, a weapon was as precious as life itself. For another to request inspection of one’s blade without the owner’s invitation was an act of profound disrespect and tactlessness.
“Fear not. I shall merely observe and return it to you.”
Bu Eunseol did not answer, instead raising her cup to her lips.
“How insolent. I speak to you with such courtesy, yet you will not even acknowledge me?”
Heo Nam Yeol’s true nature began to surface.
“Perhaps my gentle words are the problem? Would you prefer I make my request more… forcefully?”
“Listen here, friend. Do not be unreasonable. Hear me out.”
As he made his threat explicit, Yu Hwa Ryeong rose from his seat.
“I am affiliated with the Cheon Geom Hoe, and I have acquaintance with many heroes throughout Sichuan——”
Thunk.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol unstrapped the ink-black sword from her back and placed it upon the table.
Sunlight streaming through the window reflected off the sheath, casting forth an ethereal radiance. It was unmistakably a magnificent divine blade—no appraisal necessary.
“You wish to appraise this sword?”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly, uncharacteristically.
“Very well. If you are capable.”
“Hehehehe. Now we are speaking the same language.”
Heo Nam Yeol assumed Bu Eunseol was frightened of him and let out a soft chuckle.
“Don’t worry. I’m quite skilled with the blade, so this should be an excellent opportunity.”
Though the atmosphere seemed to lighten, Heuk Pyo swallowed hard, his expression tense.
He knew well that when Bu Eunseol faced combat, her eyes would grow luminous and a gentle smile—like a spring breeze—would grace her lips.
Of course, unfortunately, Heo Nam Yeol was unaware of this fact.
“Let me try—”
As he approached the table and reached out his hand,
“Aaaahhh!”
A piercing scream echoed through the Inn.
Heo Nam Yeol’s hand, severed from the wrist, had crumpled to the floor.
“Ugh…”
He stared at his severed wrist in disbelief.
He hadn’t even seen when or how she’d drawn her blade. There was no flash of steel, no warning whatsoever.
What was even more astonishing was that the divine sword, which had been resting on the table, was now strapped across Bu Eunseol’s back.
“That wretch!”
The first and second of Ye Jung Sam Gwi leaped to their feet at the sight.
“How dare you commit murder in broad daylight!”
As they drew their weapons and rushed forward, Bu Eunseol scoffed.
“Ye Jung Sam Gwi, it’s amusing to hear such words from you.”
The two men fell silent like stones.
Their true alias wasn’t Ye Jung Sam Young—it was Ye Jung Sam Gwi. They were notorious bandits who committed all manner of crimes throughout the Sichuan region.
Though they had perpetrated countless misdeeds over decades, they had cunningly concealed their appearances and crimes, so no one knew their true identities.
However, Bu Eunseol, who had worked with the Guusal Unit, possessed detailed knowledge of hidden villains, and Ye Jung Sam Gwi was among them.
“You three always strike simultaneously, don’t you?”
Bu Eunseol spoke, watching Heo Nam Yeol stumble back to his group, cradling his severed arm.
“No need for lengthy words—come at me all at once.”
“You’re hastening your own demise!”
Ye Jung Sam Gwi had remained hidden not only because of their martial prowess but also because they were skilled with poison and hidden weapons.
They unleashed a torrent of poisons and hidden weapons from their garments, determined to eliminate Bu Eunseol.
“You will die here—!”
But their words never finished.
A crimson line appeared across Ye Jung Sam Gwi’s throat as they spewed poisons and weapons.
Crash! Splatter!
The flying hidden weapons clattered to the floor as blood sprayed in all directions. In that instant, screams erupted throughout the Inn.
―Ahhhhh!
Bu Eunseol left the Inn as though nothing had happened.
Heuk Pyo followed calmly, as if accustomed to such scenes, but Yu Hwa Ryeong stood frozen, unable to close his mouth.
“No matter how vicious a person is… this is too much.”
He snapped back to reality, staring at the three mangled corpses, and called out as he hurried after Bu Eunseol.
“What if they send assassins after us?”
Bu Eunseol stopped in her tracks, her voice turning glacial.
“Ye Jung Sam Gwi are irredeemable degenerates beyond salvation.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong had heard of Ye Jung Sam Gwi’s notorious reputation before.
Yet even so, Bu Eunseol’s actions were utterly inexcusable.
“All they did was ask to see your sword, did they not?”
“Do you truly believe that?”
Of course not. Ye Jung Sam Gwi had coveted Bu Eunseol’s silent sword and would have stolen it by any means necessary.
What infuriated Yu Hwa Ryeong was that despite her martial prowess being so formidable, she had unleashed merciless killing techniques upon those villains.
“One cannot simply take the lives of evildoers without restraint.”
“I am no enlightened Buddhist sage. If I do not make an example of them, those seeking to steal my sword will line up at my door.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with utter composure, as though nothing had transpired.
“Of course, while word spreads, this will likely repeat itself three or four more times.”
“You’ll kill them again?”
“Do you see another option?”
Yu Hwa Ryeong exhaled deeply, his voice taking on an authoritative tone.
“If you rely solely on martial prowess and hold human life in contempt like some villain, I cannot travel with you!”
Despite Yu Hwa Ryeong’s declaration, Bu Eunseol merely smiled coldly.
“Do as you wish.”
“What?”
“It was you who wished to travel together.”
And with that, she rose gracefully from her seat.
Yu Hwa Ryeong watched in a daze as Bu Eunseol slowly departed the Inn, her back receding into the distance.
“Wait, hold on!”

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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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