The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 831
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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 831.
“Palace Lord.”
Bu Eunseol offered an exceptionally respectful bow.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Jeok Mu Mi’s face brightened with a warm smile.
Her cultivation had deepened considerably, and her bearing now surpassed anything from the past by an immeasurable margin.
The inner fire of her heart had converged into one, achieving the realm of Simhwa Gwi Il—where the heart’s flame returns to unity—and Naehwa Il Hap, where inner fire becomes one.
Her hair blazed with a crimson hue, as if ignited by living flames.
Moreover, her beauty had transformed even further, making her appear like an exquisite fairy born from within the fire itself.
“It has been far too long. Have you been well?”
Jeok Mu Mi, her smile radiant with joy, clasped Bu Eunseol’s hands and spoke with warmth.
“You still hold the rank of Dae Ju here. Are you not advancing too slowly?”
Yeol Ha Sung Palace was situated in Sae Oe.
Unlike the martial artists of Zhong Yuan, they paid little attention to trivial formalities and etiquette.
“It is only natural, given how little I have accomplished.”
Understanding this well, Bu Eunseol grasped her hand warmly and shook it with genuine affection.
“Palace Lord, you have achieved great merit during this time. I offer my sincere congratulations.”
“How could the meager cultivation of this palace compare to the divine sword of the Dae Ju, who is called the Sword King?”
As she lavished praise upon Bu Eunseol, Jeok Mu Mi’s eyes suddenly widened as she noticed So Eun Hyang.
“The Sect Leader of the Snowflake Sect, So Eun Hyang.”
Sensing Jeok Mu Mi’s gaze, Bu Eunseol quickly introduced the two women to each other.
“Sect Leader, this is Jeok Mu Mi, Palace Lord of Yeol Ha Sung Palace.”
Though the two appeared similar in age, Jeok Mu Mi’s status and position were considerably higher.
So Eun Hyang had no choice but to clasp her hands respectfully in greeting.
“Palace Lord Jeok.”
So Eun Hyang’s gaze swept across Jeok Mu Mi’s form with a cool, measured assessment.
This was because the woman was not only young and beautiful, but also directed affectionate glances toward Bu Eunseol.
“The Snowflake Sect—is that not the mysterious sect of Zhong Yuan that stands as an equal to Buk Hae Bing Gung?”
Jeok Mu Mi spoke to So Eun Hyang with a warm, approachable manner.
“To meet the Sect Leader of that renowned mysterious sect in person like this is truly a great honor.”
When Jeok Mu Mi addressed her without regard to rank or status, speaking with genuine warmth, So Eun Hyang softened her cold expression and replied.
“You are too kind. However, our sect has been inactive for a long time, and in Zhong Yuan, we have become an obscure, forgotten faction.”
“That cannot be true. Simply by observing your cultivation, one can discern how prestigious the Snowflake Sect is, and how carefully and meticulously you nurture your disciples.”
Jeok Mu Mi possessed the eloquence of a palace lord—the ability to captivate hearts and minds.
As pleasant words were exchanged in the warm atmosphere, Bu Eunseol asked carefully.
“But Palace Lord, what brings you here?”
“I heard that Seon Woo Dae Ju had joined a new sect, so I thought I would come to lend some prestige.”
“You mean to join the Changcheon Alliance?”
“After all, was my joining the Murim Alliance not also because of Seon Woo Dae Ju?”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands together.
“I appreciate your kind words, but there’s truly no need to go to such lengths.”
She spoke with candor.
“Though the Ben Maeng has established its own structure, it remains merely a fledgling alliance. I fear we would offer little of value to the Palace Lord.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Jeok Mu Mi smiled as she spoke.
“We’ll become family regardless. Why concern yourself with such details?”
“Family? What do you suddenly mean by—”
Jeok Mu Mi declared with confidence.
“Don’t you remember? Our palace maintains certain rules and precepts unknown to the outside world.”
―Surely you don’t think it’s merely a matter of loyalty?
In the past, Jeok Mu Mi had placed her trust in Bu Eunseol, a third-rank Lord, and forged peace with the Murim Alliance.
When explaining her reasons, she had said this.
―Our palace maintains certain rules and precepts unknown to the outside world.
―What rules do you speak of?
―I’ll tell you about that when we meet again.
Bu Eunseol’s expression darkened as she recalled their parting words from that time.
“Then these rules you mention… surely not—”
“Yes.”
Jeok Mu Mi, beaming brightly, glanced toward So Eun Hyang as if to say something.
‘Oh no.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
So Eun Hyang, who had barely managed to compose herself and maintain her calm demeanor,
was now glaring at her with the blazing fires of jealousy burning in her gaze.
―After orchestrating this entire atmosphere, did you lie to marry the Yeol Ha Sung Palace Lord?
Bu Eunseol read the accusation in So Eun Hyang’s eyes and shook her head.
―No, it’s a misunderstanding.
She quickly turned to Jeok Mu Mi.
“My apologies, Palace Lord. I haven’t even offered you tea, and I’ve kept you standing in the conference hall. Please, come this way.”
Then she addressed So Eun Hyang.
“Lady So. The Palace Lord and I have urgent matters to discuss, so I must beg your pardon for a moment.”
Bu Eunseol made a wise tactical retreat.
No matter how fierce So Eun Hyang might be, she was the deputy sect leader of the Snowflake Sect—the future sect leader who would guide the faction.
She could hardly obstruct a confidential discussion with a Palace Lord as prestigious as the Yeol Ha Sung Palace.
Click.
Before So Eun Hyang could lose her composure, Bu Eunseol opened the office door with the nimble grace of Jeomsoi.
But as the door swung open,
an exquisite beauty in a distinctive robe that flowed like cascading water passed through the threshold.
Her long hair rippled softly like the surface of a lake, and with each step, tiny droplets seemed to dance in her wake.
She was none other than one of the three most beautiful women in Tianxia—the Tianxia Three Beauties.
Specifically, Gong Son Dan Ah, known as the Flower of Understanding.
“Gong Son Dan Ah?”
Bu Eunseol, who had been frozen like ice, was about to speak when—
“Dan Ah.”
At that moment, So Eun Hyang, who had been standing behind Bu Eunseol, stepped forward with delight.
Gong Son Dan Ah’s eyes widened.
“Hyang Yi.”
Though unknown to Murim, the Snowflake Sect and Shenshui Palace had maintained intimate relations for ages.
Moreover, the two were of similar age, so they had been very close companions for a long time.
“It’s been so long. How have you been?”
As Gong Son Dan Ah grasped both her hands warmly, So Eun Hyang nodded.
“Quite well.”
“But what brings you to the Changcheon Alliance?”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol quickly stepped forward.
“The Chief of the Changcheon Alliance is someone who has rendered me considerable assistance in the past…”
As she continued speaking—
Rustle, rustle.
From the opposite corridor, a woman in white robes with her hair pinned up walked toward them.
She possessed exquisitely balanced features, fair skin, and large eyes that held a serene yet mysterious luminescence—a beauty of rare grace.
It was none other than Gong Son Dan Gyeong, Chief of the Changcheon Alliance.
“Seon Woo… Dae Ju.”
As Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s gaze met Bu Eunseol’s, her eyes widened—
“I came to see my sister.”
Gong Son Dan Ah seized Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s sleeve at her timely arrival and beamed brightly.
“Now that my sister has become Chief of the Changcheon Alliance.”
“Senior Sister.”
So Eun Hyang greeted Gong Son Dan Gyeong warmly.
Though not of the same sect, they were close enough that disciples of both sects addressed each other as senior and junior siblings.
“It’s been a while. Chief.”
When Gong Son Dan Gyeong acknowledged her, So Eun Hyang unhesitatingly grasped her hand and spoke affectionately.
“Congratulations on becoming Chief of the Changcheon Alliance.”
Unlike the bright and cheerful Gong Son Dan Ah, Gong Son Dan Gyeong had possessed a remarkably composed and aloof demeanor since childhood.
Yet So Eun Hyang’s nature was buoyant and pure, and she approached even the intimidating Gong Son Dan Gyeong with warmth.
“But what brings—”
Just as Gong Son Dan Gyeong opened her mouth, Gong Son Dan Ah suddenly interjected and cut off her question.
“Hyang Yi, what are you doing here?”
At her question, So Eun Hyang bit her lip.
Then, pointing to Bu Eunseol, who stood beside Jeok Mu Mi, she declared confidently—
“I came to see my husband.”
At her bombshell revelation, not only Gong Son Dan Ah but even Gong Son Dan Gyeong and Jeok Mu Mi’s expressions turned cold.
Only Bu Eunseol resembled a thief caught by the authorities.
She stood with her eyes closed, wearing an expression of utter resignation.
“What did you just say? Brother-in-law… No, you’re saying Seon Woo Dae Ju is your husband?”
Gong Son Dan Ah’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Seon Woo Jin was bound to her sister Gong Son Dan Gyeong, and had he not recently visited the Gong Sun Estate and been publicly acknowledged as her betrothed?
How could he possibly be So Eun Hyang’s husband?
“Seon Woo Dae Ju. Are you saying you’ve married in the meantime?”
Jeok Mu Mi, who had been observing the situation, asked him in disbelief.
“That cannot be. I…”
Just as Bu Eunseol was about to respond while waving her hand, So Eun Hyang stepped forward and spoke with firm resolve.
“He took my chastity. And afterward, we pledged our future together.”
Her answer, far more devastating than before, froze the atmosphere in the hall.
After a prolonged silence,
“It seems I have nothing more to discuss with Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Jeok Mu Mi, her expression turning cold, turned away as she spoke.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“A lie.”
At that moment, Gong Son Dan Ah lifted So Eun Hyang’s forearm and spoke.
“The Shuigong mark is clearly visible here. What do you mean your chastity was taken?”
A distinct red mark was clearly imprinted on So Eun Hyang’s pale forearm.
“I lost it. But my husband restored it for me.”
As she spoke with such casual confidence, Gong Son Dan Ah’s expression became utterly bewildered.
“What are you talking about? How can chastity that’s been lost once be restored?”
So Eun Hyang had no choice but to
explain how Bu Eunseol had absorbed her true essence and how it had been returned to her.
After listening to the explanation for some time, Gong Son Dan Ah let out a laugh.
“That’s not the Yin-Yang Great Method through dual cultivation. You simply had your true essence restored.”
“But the Shuigong mark disappeared and then reappeared, didn’t it? It’s no different from him taking my chastity and then restoring it.”
So Eun Hyang spoke with confidence.
“His vital energy flows through my body. In essence, we have become one.”
At her stubborn insistence, everyone present released a sigh filled with relief and exasperation.
Jeok Mu Mi, too, spoke to Bu Eunseol with an apologetic expression.
“I apologize. I seem to have misunderstood.”
Only then did she realize that So Eun Hyang, though beautiful as a radiant flower,
possessed a personality that was both innocent like a mischievous child and willfully capricious.
“So Mun Ju. Such words should not be spoken carelessly.”
Jeok Mu Mi admonished So Eun Hyang as one would scold a child.
“Don’t you realize such words could damage Seon Woo Dae Ju’s reputation?”
“Why would it damage his reputation? I’m simply speaking the truth.”
“That’s precisely the problem…”
The two of them stood in the corridor, bickering back and forth for quite some time.
However, Gong Son Dan Ah, who had been observing the scene, sensed something amiss.
‘Why hasn’t my sister openly declared that she’s courting Seon Woo Dae Ju, even though she brought him to the Main House?’
After examining the situation for some time, she discovered that Bu Eunseol’s complexion had grown extremely dark.
In stark contrast, Gong Son Dan Gyeong maintained a composed expression, as though merely observing someone else’s affairs.
‘Seon Woo Dae Ju lacks courage, and my sister is embarrassed.’
Gong Son Dan Ah, having arbitrarily interpreted Bu Eunseol’s expression, exhaled through her nose.
‘Then I must help!’
Gong Son Dan Gyeong excelled at many things, yet she was clumsy with emotional expression.
Even when she had visited the Murim Alliance before.
Despite adoring Seon Woo Dae Ju so deeply, she couldn’t express it properly, and instead had been speaking ill of him, hadn’t she?
“Seon Woo Dae Ju is…!”
Just as Gong Son Dan Ah was about to cry out,
A murmur of voices.
A group of people approached from afar, engaged in pleasant conversation.
It was Dang Cheong, the younger sibling of Sichuan Dang Family Lord Dang Gon and now the Poison Sect Lord of the Changcheon Alliance.
Along with her subordinates.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Upon spotting Bu Eunseol standing at a distance, Dang Cheong approached with a radiant smile.
In truth, she had only known that Seol So and Bu Eunseol were one and the same.
But through Dang Gon’s hint, who had played a crucial role in the establishment of the Changcheon Alliance,
She had come to learn that the Sword King Seon Woo Jin was also Bu Eunseol’s identity.
Of course, this was not Dang Gon’s attempt to humiliate Bu Eunseol.
Rather, it was because Dang Cheong had threatened him, saying that whenever she grew bored, he should bring Bu Eunseol to her, or else she would go to the Demon Palace.
―Since Cheong has made up her mind anyway, I can only position her by his side beforehand.
Dang Gon had resolved.
Bu Eunseol’s betrothed were none other than.
One of the Three Beauties of Tianxia, the Thousand Gold Single Gaze Yeon So Ha, and one of the Demon Palace’s supreme beauties, the Twin Peaks of Fire and Jade Dan So Ok.
Even Dang Cheong, called the First Beauty of Sichuan, would appear somewhat plain before them.
And with her spirited temperament, she was never truly a contender to begin with.
Yet what remained somewhat hopeful was.
That Bu Eunseol had shown no interest in women thus far.
Moreover, was he not his one and only close friend?
―But he would never become a son-in-law of the Dang Family.
No matter how much he cherished Bu Eunseol, he could not break the Dang Family’s rules with his own hands.
After much deliberation, Dang Gon recommended Dang Cheong as the Poison Sect Lord, overseeing poison techniques and hidden weapons, under the pretext of assisting the Changcheon Alliance.
And Beok Goong Ryung, the Alliance Lord, naturally accepted it readily.
―This elder brother has done what he could. The rest is now up to you.
Thereupon, Dang Cheong immediately entered the Changcheon Alliance and sought to meet Seon Woo Jin frequently.
But she had not yet realized.
That in the early days of a newly formed alliance, work poured down without even a moment to blink.
Yet to encounter Bu Eunseol here of all places?
‘This is an opportunity!’
Dang Cheong inwardly cried out in jubilation.
They had been so occupied with their respective duties that seeing each other’s face had become difficult, a source of frustration.
To meet by chance like this? She absolutely could not let this opportunity slip away.
“Poison Sect Lord.”
Upon discovering Dang Cheong, Bu Eunseol offered a respectful bow.
She had intended to use her to escape this situation.
“I actually had business with the Poison Sect as well….”
“Is that so? What sort of business?”
But seeing Dang Cheong’s expression—as though she had just tasted something delightfully sweet—Bu Eunseol immediately grasped the situation.
‘I miscalculated.’
She had fled from the fox only to stumble into the tiger’s den.
Bu Eunseol observed Dang Cheong’s expression.
She realized that Dang Gon, whom she had trusted, had revealed her true identity.
“Ah, rather than here, let us first go to my office and discuss this matter.”
Dang Cheong, seemingly oblivious to the presence of Gong Son Dan Gyeong and others nearby, boldly took Bu Eunseol’s hand and led her away.
‘This will not do.’
Gong Son Dan Ah, observing the situation, let her eyes gleam with purpose.
‘If I remain silent, my sister will fall prey to those foxes!’
Having made her decision, she drew strength into her lower abdomen and cried out to So Eun Hyang.
“I apologize, but Seon Woo Dae Ju cannot become your husband. Because he is already betrothed to my sister.”
At this shocking declaration, a cold northern wind swept through the corridor once more.
A betrothal? Suddenly?
“Seon Woo Dae Ju. What is the meaning of this?”
As Dang Cheong asked with a bewildered expression, Gong Son Dan Ah spoke.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju is already betrothed to our sister.”
“Betrothed?”
At that moment, So Eun Hyang blinked her eyes.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong was roughly ten years older than Seon Woo Jin.
How could they possibly be betrothed?
“But he hadn’t even been born yet? What betrothal are you speaking of?”
Gong Son Dan Ah let out a sound of realization.
“Ah, my apologies. What I meant to say was….”
Gong Son Dan Ah was beautiful but had favored martial training since childhood, neglecting her studies.
Thus she had failed to recall the simple word “betrothal” and instead blurted out something absurd.
“Betrothal—I meant to say betrothal.”
“You are betrothed to the Lord? That seems strange.”
At that moment, Dang Cheong spoke.
“Several years ago, when the Gongsun Family Lord visited our Main House, he mentioned in conversation with my late father that the Chief Inspector had reached marriageable age but was troubled in finding a suitable match…?”
Gong Son Dan Ah’s eyes grew clouded.
When had her father met with the Sichuan Dang Family Lord and spoken such words?
“Ah, well, you see…”
She wiped the perspiration from her brow and spoke hastily.
“The truth is, I was recently betrothed to him, but as time passed, my relationship with my sister improved, so… I yielded, and we became betrothed again instead.”
It was nothing short of utter nonsense.
Yet unfortunately, So Eun Hyang as well…
possessed such a pure disposition and had devoted herself solely to martial cultivation since childhood that her thoughts were remarkably simple.
Because of this, she alone believed Gong Son Dan Ah’s words.
“If yielding is possible, couldn’t Sister Dan Gyeong yield to me again?”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard by this unexpected response, Gong Son Dan Ah glanced sideways at Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
Yet Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s expression remained composed, betraying no change whatsoever.
Gong Son Dan Ah interpreted this as…
embarrassment born of ignorance regarding matters of the heart, frozen in place.
‘I’m sorry, Sister. I’ll set everything right!’
With renewed determination, Gong Son Dan Ah turned toward Bu Eunseol and began to prattle on.
“Further yielding would be difficult, wouldn’t it? Right?”
Gong Son Dan Ah was not skilled at deception.
Thus, with each word she spoke, she created increasingly self-destructive consequences.
“Oh, how fortunate.”
Before Bu Eunseol could even respond, So Eun Hyang nodded her head.
“Then I’ll become one family with Sa Ja?”
And looking toward Gong Son Dan Ah, she smiled brightly as if seeking confirmation and asked again.
“Isn’t that right?”
So Eun Hyang’s gaze was so pure it overflowed with an almost manic intensity.
In the end, Gong Son Dan Ah could say nothing and averted her eyes.
“How fortunate indeed.”
It was then that Jeok Mu Mi, who had remained silent throughout, spoke.
“Since Seon Woo Dae Ju became the Grand Consort of our palace long ago… I too have gained many sisters, it seems.”
She was a woman of keen judgment.
Knowing that Bu Eunseol had not married, yet many women admired him,
she had entirely changed her thinking to preempt the position of principal consort.
Much like Yeon So Ha, who had once visited Demon Palace.
“What do you mean by that?”
When Gong Son Dan Gyeong asked, Jeok Mu Mi replied.
“Seon Woo Dae Ju obtained the true transmission of Yeolha Seongjun, the founding ancestor of our palace, during his time as a Third-Rank Lord. And according to our palace’s rules, one who obtains the martial teachings of the founding ancestor becomes the Grand Consort and must lead our palace.”
Jeok Mu Mi was a seasoned woman.
She did not reveal her affection for Seon Woo Jin, instead invoking the rules of Yeol Ha Sung Palace, and by emphasizing his time as a Third-Rank Lord,
she reminded the women that she had known him since he first became a Lord of the Murim Alliance.
“I came here because of that matter. But it was difficult to bring it up, and now that things have turned out this way, I feel oddly relieved.”
“Third-rank Lord.”
At that moment, Dang Cheong stepped forward.
“The Dang Family Lord has known Seon Woo Dae Ju since before he entered the Murim Alliance. My late father also acknowledged him as family.”
And she looked at Bu Eunseol, asking,
“Am I lying?”
Dang Cheong’s rhetorical skill was exquisite.
Everything she said was true, yet—
The phrase “acknowledged as family” made it sound as though she had acknowledged the bond between herself and Seon Woo Dae Ju.
And if one considered the special relationship with the previous Dang Family Lord, Dang Pae?
Bu Eunseol could not refute it.
Just as everyone was sinking into profound silence at this unexpected move from Dang Cheong,
“Seon Woo Dae Ju.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, who had been watching silently, approached Bu Eunseol.
Her eyes gleamed like crimson jewels, and a confident smile played at her lips.
Soft footsteps.
She gazed intently at Bu Eunseol’s somewhat dazed face.
Then she straightened her disheveled robes and brushed the dust from her shoulders.
“No matter how preoccupied you are, you shouldn’t leave your authority badge lying about like this.”
And she naturally placed the Elite Division’s authority badge into Bu Eunseol’s hand.
Since the days of the Murim Alliance, Gong Son Dan Gyeong had always been Bu Eunseol’s superior.
Therefore, tapping shoulders or
handing over authority badges according to assignments—such minor physical contact was entirely commonplace.
In other words, the way she touched Seon Woo Jin possessed…
a naturalness that none of the women here could dare to emulate.
“Then once you’ve finished your business….”
Drawing even closer, Gong Son Dan Gyeong leaned her face near Bu Eunseol’s ear and whispered,
“Come to the Chief Inspector Division.”
At her bold demeanor, Bu Eunseol’s cheeks flushed crimson.
As she lifted her head, Gong Son Dan Gyeong offered an utterly captivating smile.
Then she slowly turned and departed.
“….”
In that instant, the expressions of the women standing in the corridor hardened like stone.
It was as though an infinitely dark and heavy atmosphere pressed down upon their very crowns.
That effortless grace none could dare to challenge.
The composure of one who possessed, the gleam of absolute certainty.
The dignity of a primary consort….
That was what they felt emanating from Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
“Ah.”
Then, as though remembering something, Gong Son Dan Gyeong turned back around.
And she cast a clear, deliberate gaze upon So Eun Hyang, Dang Cheong, and Jeok Mu Mi in turn as she spoke.
“If all of you do nothing but quarrel, in the end, none of you will be able to remain at Seon Woo Dae Ju’s side.”
And she added further.
“But if you support and respect one another… perhaps you might all obtain what you desire.”
“What do you mean by that?”
When Dang Cheong asked, Gong Son Dan Gyeong answered not with words, but with a sweet smile.
And that smile bestowed upon all who beheld it an inexplicable sense of defeat.
Patter, patter.
As Gong Son Dan Gyeong finally rose to leave.
Thud.
As if a piece of metal had fallen from somewhere, all sound around them abruptly ceased.
The corridor was suddenly filled with a suffocating silence.
The women’s gazes remained fixed upon one another, yet as though invisible hands had sealed their lips, the silence persisted.
“Wait… shall we all have a talk?”
It was Jeok Mu Mi who finally broke the silence.
“I suspect we have much to discuss among ourselves.”
Nod.
They nodded with expressions that were endlessly grim and dark.
And like corpses following a Taoist priest, they trailed after Jeok Mu Mi.
“Ah, no, I…”
Gong Son Dan Ah waved her hand.
She had no connection whatsoever to Seon Woo Jin.
But overwhelmed by the fierce, burning intensity blazing in Dang Cheong’s eyes as she approached.
She found herself dragged along like a puppy seized by the scruff of its neck… into the Office.
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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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