The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 832

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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 832.
The Changcheon Alliance began accepting numerous factions, starting with the Gae Bang.
From its inception, it displayed the form of an almost perfectly unified Orthodox Sect alliance, so the martial artists of Murim were watching closely to see what the Changcheon Alliance would accomplish next.
However, Beok Goong Ryung had never deeply involved himself in Murim politics, nor had he commanded numerous subordinates.
Even Gong Son Dan Gyeong, despite her exceptional wisdom.
Had never led a completely newly established alliance, so she was struggling somewhat as she assisted Beok Goong Ryung in operating the Changcheon Alliance.
‘There’s no helping it.’
In the current Murim, Bu Eunseol was virtually the only person who had established and operated a massive alliance.
‘Given Seon Woo Jin’s position, I have no choice but to help the Changcheon Alliance for now.’
What was fortunate was that Dok Go Jin, the Chief Administrator who oversaw the Changcheon Alliance’s overall operations, proved far more capable than Bu Eunseol had anticipated.
Because he handled his duties as Chief Administrator flawlessly, each organization began functioning properly, and Gong Son Dan Gyeong could finally breathe easier.
Changcheon Alliance, Great Conference Hall.
Under Beok Goong Ryung’s direction, the senior members gathered to discuss how to begin the Changcheon Alliance’s first activities.
They were holding a conference.
Present were young talents from the Murim Alliance, including Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
And outstanding talents from the newly joined Wudang Sect, Gae Bang, and the Eight Great Families were positioned throughout the hall.
Yet even so, they could not easily decide on the Changcheon Alliance’s first course of action as Murim’s new Orthodox Sect alliance.
The first move after establishing the alliance.
It was an extremely important matter that would reveal the banner and identity of a faction or force.
‘Hmm.’
Bu Eunseol had a goal in mind from the very founding of the Changcheon Alliance.
But the Alliance Lord was not herself—it was Beok Goong Ryung.
If she stepped forward at a time when he should demonstrate his leadership as Alliance Lord?
Then Beok Goong Ryung would unconditionally follow her opinions from that point onward.
In the end, she would become the one truly operating the Changcheon Alliance.
Her plan to establish a proper new alliance of Orthodox Sects would crumble to nothing.
Murmur, murmur.
The conference continued with no sign of ending.
If the discussion dragged on like this, she would inevitably have to propose an opinion herself.
‘No, that cannot happen.’
Bu Eunseol, having resolved something internally, nodded to herself.
‘I can only hope that the old man Beok Goong and I share the same vision.’
“May I offer a word?”
As Bu Eunseol, who had maintained silence throughout, opened her mouth, Beok Goong Ryung nodded.
“Go ahead.”
Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully, then spoke in a clear, resonant voice from her seat.
“Our Alliance was founded with the goal of establishing justice in Murim.”
She continued, gazing toward Beok Goong Ryung, who sat in the highest seat of the conference hall.
“And this banner is also the Alliance Lord’s philosophy. Therefore, I believe our first action must be something that can reveal such conviction and ideals.”
“In other words, what the Lord is saying is….”
“Perhaps the Lord should make this decision with the same resolve you held when establishing the Changcheon Alliance.”
Beok Goong Ryung’s eyes widened at those words.
The Changcheon Alliance.
It had been created at Bu Eunseol’s suggestion.
Yet it was ultimately an Orthodox alliance that he would have to manage—a place meant to restore the justice that the current Orthodox Martial World had lost.
“There’s no need to undertake such grandiose endeavors.”
In that moment, Bu Eunseol’s words from before echoed in his mind.
“Don’t get caught up in the word ‘alliance.’ Simply act according to your values and convictions.”
‘That woman.’
Beok Goong Ryung exhaled deeply.
I cannot fathom why I keep forgetting this simple truth, this clear resolve.
“The original Lord desires only one thing.”
Having gained clarity from Bu Eunseol’s words, Beok Goong Ryung gazed upon the younger core members.
“There is no need for the grandiose goal of establishing justice in Murim. There is no need to wield the power and influence befitting a great alliance.”
And with an expression of utmost solemnity, he continued.
“It is enough if we simply humble ourselves and help the people directly.”
In that instant, the younger core members felt ashamed.
Their original aspirations had been no different from Beok Goong Ryung’s.
Yet as the Changcheon Alliance unexpectedly grew from its inception, and numerous factions gathered like any other major alliance,
they had begun to harbor greater ambitions than before.
They had been seized by pride and compulsion—the notion that they must accomplish deeds befitting a massive alliance.
‘Indeed, I have judged people correctly.’
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
Beok Goong Ryung was Beok Goong Ryung.
He alone maintained his original heart, utterly indifferent to the scale of the Changcheon Alliance.
“Abandon the ambition to govern Murim, and it is sufficient to help people by humbling oneself.”
And Beok Goong Ryung’s philosophy aligned perfectly with my own thoughts.
If that were the case, there was no harm in revealing the strategies I had been contemplating.
“Upon hearing the Lord’s words, a clever stratagem has occurred to me.”
Realizing that Beok Goong Ryung’s heart had not changed—and would not change in the future—I
began to speak of the things I had long been considering.
* * *
At last, the Changcheon Alliance’s first Martial World activity was decided.
“Our alliance shall restrain the Black Gang factions and Dark Path sects that exploit commoners and engage in loan sharking.”
As this content spread,
the Martial World’s people could not hide their bewilderment.
An Orthodox alliance was, in its truest sense, a place where the power of Orthodox factions was concentrated.
It focused on maintaining order in Murim.
That is, mediating conflicts between sects, punishing factions or sects committing atrocities,
or driving out Demonic Path forces that contradicted Orthodox principles and engaging in factional struggles.
Yet their first action was merely to crack down on Black Gang thugs and Dark Path factions that bled the common people dry?
―Did they truly have nothing better to do?
As this rumor spread.
Not only the Demon Hall, which had been watching the Changcheon Alliance’s activities closely, but even the Murim Alliance—their own Orthodox faction confederation—couldn’t help but snicker.
―So in the end, they have nothing to do and resort to picking up such trivial matters.
Their mockery was hardly without reason.
The Dark Path factions staked their lives on money and profit.
Therefore, rather than clash with Murim forces.
They generally clashed endlessly with the Gwan Bu and Merchant Realm, or formed connections to pursue their gains.
Moreover, Black Gang thugs were literally thugs—criminals living wretched lives that couldn’t even be called the path of a martial artist.
Yet here was the Changcheon Alliance, not merely a single faction but an Orthodox confederation, involving itself in Black Gang affairs?
It was so absurd that people couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
―A newly formed alliance touching the Dark Path would gain nothing but trouble, wouldn’t it?
The martial artists simply couldn’t comprehend it.
The Changcheon Alliance had only just been established.
Therefore, harmony with existing powers was crucial at this juncture.
Yet they would suddenly encroach upon the Dark Path’s territory?
―If the Changcheon Alliance does such a thing, the Dark Path confederation won’t sit idle!
Just as the martial artists had feared.
Upon hearing such news, the Dark Path side strongly objected and began moving to designate the Changcheon Alliance as a hostile force.
But regardless of their protests, the Changcheon Alliance proceeded methodically with their work.
―Our alliance’s sphere of influence is not particularly vast. Therefore, we must dispatch martial artists from within the alliance directly and resolve matters one by one.
Bu Eunseol, having proposed the opinion herself.
Personally commanded the martial artists and systematically began eliminating the Black Gang forces that bled the common people dry throughout the Sichuan Region.
The Demonic Path cared nothing for benevolence and virtue, and would stop at nothing—employing any means necessary—in pursuit of power and authority.
Then they wielded that power and authority to forcibly extort money.
The Orthodox Path pursued righteous and correct ways, valued justice and moral ethics, defeated evil and aided the weak, but…
In the end, they too consolidated their spheres of influence and received voluntary donations.
The Evil Sects generally operated as heretical organizations.
Using bizarre doctrines, they bewitched common people or wealthy merchants to reap enormous profits.
Thus the mainstream forces of Murim—spanning the Orthodox Path, Demonic Path, and Evil Sects—all possessed stable revenue sources regardless of their nature.
But the Dark Path was different.
As individuals from the Black Gang learned martial arts and gradually expanded into Murim forces.
Their history was relatively short, and whenever they attempted anything, they clashed with the spheres of influence of the Orthodox Path, Demonic Path, or Evil Sects, making it difficult to establish fixed revenue sources.
Moreover, always inferior in martial prowess, they couldn’t rashly engage in conflict and could only operate while watching the faces of the existing orthodox powers.
Consequently, they unhesitatingly engaged in smuggling, plunder, kidnapping, loan sharking, and other lucrative crimes to maintain their forces.
The problem was that because they earned money through such illegal activities.
They had no choice but to squeeze the common people.
They had no choice but to employ back-alley Black Gang thugs as their subordinates.
I have no choice but to use the back alley Black Gang thugs as my subordinates.
The tributes flowing to Gwan Bu were inevitably astronomical.
What made it even more infuriating was this:
Within the territories where they operated, Orthodox Sects or Demonic Path factions typically established themselves.
Ultimately, they had to make a “gesture of goodwill” to seek their understanding as well.
―Damn it. This is so filthy I can’t stomach it.
―Admiral, do you think we do this because we want to?
With each passing day, the Dark Path’s grievances accumulated further.
Though the Dark Path Alliance supposedly existed,
they were ultimately nothing more than a coalition pursuing self-interest, and the Dark Path factions still had to watch the faces of the Orthodox forces.
But Bu Eunseol…
understood the Dark Path’s hardships better than anyone.
Martial artists rarely suffered at the hands of the Dark Path.
But commoners in every village were tormented daily by the Black Gang thugs who had established themselves there.
During my time as a Yeomsa, I witnessed such scenes with nauseating frequency.
Thus, Bu Eunseol personally led the warriors of the Changcheon Alliance
and methodically directed the task of eliminating the Dark Path and Black Gang forces.
“As long as commoners and merchant families exist, the Dark Path’s loan-sharking will never disappear.”
And she issued a firm command.
“Eradicate the brutal acts of Black Gang thugs who torment commoners, but when they operate within the territories of families or factions enrolled in the Ben Maeng, instruct them to accept only one-tenth of the usual tribute.”
The warriors receiving the order exchanged puzzled glances.
“Wouldn’t it be better to lower it significantly? One-tenth won’t amount to much anyway.”
“If we accept nothing, they’ll grow suspicious of our motives. And thinking we’ll never accept payment, they won’t take the bait at all.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“But with one-tenth, they’ll find it reasonably acceptable and be satisfied.”
And she added:
“If they voluntarily restrain the Black Gang thugs’ misdeeds, inform them that the tributes from Dark Path factions operating within the Ben Maeng’s territories will also be reduced to one-tenth.”
The warriors were bewildered.
They wondered if these rough Dark Path figures would truly control the Black Gang thugs properly just for a reduction of one-tenth in tributes.
But since it was an order, they promptly executed it as instructed.
Then something remarkable happened.
The Dark Path factions actually began eliminating the Black Gang forces spilling out from their ranks.
And their consistently hostile attitude gradually began to change.
―It feels like they’re actually recognizing us in their own way….
The factions within the Murim Alliance’s territories had always collected tributes while viewing Dark Path activities with disdain.
But the Changcheon Alliance reduced the amount by that sum merely by properly managing the Black Gang?
In truth, within Murim, the Dark Path was treated as bandit gangs that belonged nowhere in the Orthodox world,
and the Black Gang thugs’ vicious behavior stemmed from the tributes they had to distribute from Dark Path factions.
Most cases involved them straining themselves to meet those quotas.
But when the Changcheon Alliance recognized this and reduced the tribute amounts within their territories,
the Black Gang thugs’ outrages decreased, and commoners’ resentment toward the Dark Path factions diminished.
And that proved beneficial to the Dark Path as well.
The more cooperative the common folk and merchants became, the easier their work grew.
―So they weren’t trying to crush us like rats—they were trying to help us?
The Dark Path finally grasped that the Changcheon Alliance’s actions were ultimately for their own benefit.
Once they sensed the situation to some degree.
Bu Eunseol conveyed her intentions clearly to the Dark Path forces.
―If you squeeze the common folk, the Dark Path will only lose more ground. You must find a way to coexist with them.
Not just the Dark Path forces within Changcheon Alliance territory, but all Dark Path factions.
―If you wish to become a necessary evil that even the common folk and martial artists acknowledge.
When word of this spread, the Dark Path’s reaction was one of surprise once more.
Perhaps the Demonic Path might do such a thing.
But the Orthodox Sects would never acknowledge the Dark Path.
Because from the Orthodox perspective, the Dark Path—committing every conceivable crime—was evil itself.
Yet Bu Eunseol, or rather, the Changcheon Alliance.
Understood that as long as merchant families and common folk existed, the Dark Path could never truly disappear.
And so they acknowledged them as a necessary evil.
―At least, it doesn’t seem to be about expanding their power.
If it were merely about broadening their influence, they could simply crush us like rats and be done.
There would be no need to undertake such complicated measures.
Coexistence.
That the Orthodox Sects—that rigid, closed alliance—could speak of such a thing to the Dark Path was… a refreshing shock.
―I’ll observe them for a while.
The Dark Path alliance softened their hostility toward the Changcheon Alliance.
Of course, even if they showed goodwill, it would be temporary—ultimately, the Orthodox and Dark Path could only clash.
Coexistence and symbiosis were possible with common folk and merchant realm figures, but not with them.
Yet the Changcheon Alliance’s activities produced unexpected results.
―The Black Gang ruffians are restraining themselves because the Changcheon Alliance is keeping them in check.
―Is that place as good as the Muhon Society?
As the Black Gang’s tyranny diminished, common folk with no interest in the martial world began speaking of the Changcheon Alliance.
For common folk utterly unconnected to the martial world, a sect’s name rising favorably among them is an extraordinarily positive phenomenon.
Hadn’t the Muhon Society also first made its name known among the common folk and gained their support?
―So that was their intention.
Through this mission, the Changcheon Alliance not only won the Dark Path’s favor but also made a lasting impression on the common folk.
Martial sects can shift between favorable and hostile circumstances depending on the situation.
But the support of common folk is different.
Once they support a sect, that sect naturally gains renown.
And based on that renown, the sect can expand its sphere of activity, and its authority naturally emerges.
Most importantly of all.
This allows them to occupy an advantageous position in conflicts with the government authorities.
No matter how many well-connected martial artists they recruit who have previously dealt with the authorities.
Newly formed alliance forces are inherently vulnerable to pressure from local officials and the imperial court.
This is because the imperial court has no desire to see martial sects forming alliances indiscriminately.
But what if the common people supported the sect? Then it would be far easier to escape their interference.
―This cannot be allowed to stand.
The Murim Alliance realized from this incident
that the Changcheon Alliance would swiftly emerge as a threatening force to them.
However, since they had not opposed the Changcheon Alliance’s founding and had even acknowledged it, they could not suddenly raise objections.
Moreover, the Evil Sects showed no interest, and the Dark Path along with the common people naturally accepted them.
―By using the Demonic Path, that is.
From the Demonic Path’s perspective,
the Changcheon Alliance, like the Murim Alliance itself, could become a blade threatening their own forces.
The Murim Alliance began pressuring the Changcheon Alliance by provoking the Demon Hall.
―The reason Seon Woo Jin had continuously been suspected as a spy for the Demonic Path was, surprisingly, a scheme created by the Demon Hall itself.
The Murim Alliance, with cunning sophistication, spread rumors that pierced through human psychology.
In reality, Seon Woo Jin was constantly suspected of being the Demonic Path’s agent, and because of this, he had no choice but to leave the Murim Alliance.
And after leaving the Murim Alliance, he joined the Changcheon Alliance founded by Beok Goong Ryung.
But the reason such events occurred was ultimately a scheme of the Demon Hall?
That was quite a credible claim.
―So the enemy of Seon Woo Dae Ju was the Demon Hall.
Most of the young martial artists in the Changcheon Alliance had belonged to the Murim Alliance, so they revered Seon Woo Jin.
Yet it was the Demon Hall that had driven him from the Murim Alliance?
And the Murim Alliance added one more meticulous scheme to this.
They continuously leaked false information that the enraged young warriors of the Changcheon Alliance would attack the Demon Hall’s branches.
―The Changcheon Alliance is attacking Bon Jeon?
The Changcheon Alliance was already positioned at the border of the Sichuan Region, making them geographically closer to the Demon Hall than to the Murim Alliance.
The leadership of the Changcheon Alliance saw through the false information and issued stern warnings to their warriors, forbidding any conflict, but…
the Murim Alliance was not one to let such matters rest.
They mobilized secret organizations within the alliance, ordering them to don the garb of Demon Hall warriors and attack the Changcheon Alliance’s fighters.
Conversely, they also attacked the Demon Hall’s subordinate organizations while wearing the Changcheon Alliance’s colors.
Someone once said,
divided only by the path of righteousness.
There is no difference between the Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance.
The leadership of both the Demon Hall and the Changcheon Alliance immediately ordered investigations and discovered this was indeed the Murim Alliance’s machination.
However, the subordinate organizations that had been attacked and needed a target for their fury did not wait for the investigation results and immediately launched counterattacks.
Thus, genuine conflicts, both large and small, erupted.
Changcheon Alliance, Jeong Hyeop Hall.
This was where Changcheon Alliance Lord Beok Goong Ryung resided.
Unlike a typical Murim Alliance office,
the doors here stood wide open for anyone to enter freely, and no guards were stationed.
Within the completely open Jeong Hyeop Hall, there was only one place that was perfectly sealed off.
It was a secret chamber covertly installed within the Office itself.
From the design phase, the secret chamber had been constructed to house confidential matters necessary for running the Alliance, or to provide a place for discreet discussions.
And within the secret chamber of Jeong Hyeop Hall sat an elderly man in plain robes and a young man facing each other.
It was Bu Eunseol, who had assumed the identities of Changcheon Alliance Lord Beok Goong Ryung and Sword King Seon Woo Jin.
“I will handle it.”
Bu Eunseol calmly explained her intentions to Beok Goong Ryung.
“The Murim Alliance will have perfectly concealed everything they’ve done, so we won’t find any evidence anyway.”
“Hmm.”
“In the end, the only way is for the leadership of both sides to meet and announce that all of this was a scheme orchestrated by the Murim Alliance.”
“Why not entrust it to the Chief instead?”
Beok Goong Ryung shook his head.
“It would be better not to go to the Demon Palace under that identity anymore.”
He continued, releasing a heavy sigh.
“After all, you going to the Demon Palace is likely the Murim Alliance’s final scheme.”
“So you’ve truly become the Alliance Lord now.”
Because of the identity of Seon Woo Jin, the status of the Murim Alliance Lord had hit rock bottom.
Therefore, Beok Goong Ryung discerned that Mu Jon, or his trusted subordinates, had been grinding their teeth in resentment.
The plan was either to prevent Bu Eunseol from using the identity of Seon Woo Jin any longer,
or it could be a scheme by the Murim Alliance’s inner circle to finally confirm or eliminate the true identity of Seon Woo Jin, whom even the Alliance Lord had doubted.
“To be precise, it’s likely a plan to either verify or erase the identity of Seon Woo Jin through the Demon Palace.”
“I don’t understand why those fools are so obsessed with the identity of Seon Woo Jin.”
“It’s an identity they painstakingly crafted over a long time, even sacrificing the real Seon Woo Jin.”
Bu Eunseol laughed bitterly.
“How much must it gall them that I’m using it arbitrarily?”
Beok Goong Ryung’s expression grew gravely serious.
“Then they’ve devised this scheme so that you cannot avoid going to the Demon Palace as Seon Woo Jin, and when you arrive at the Demon Palace, they plan to secretly leak the information that Seon Woo Jin is Bu Eunseol.”
“That’s likely what they intend.”
“You’re going knowing that?”
The Murim Alliance spread rumors that Sword King Seon Woo Jin was framed because of the Demon Palace.”
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
“This is truly a brilliant move—the situation cannot be resolved unless I go myself, and the rumors will snowball larger and larger.”
“I see.”
“It’s fine. I anticipated that Mu Jon would pull a trick like this at least once.”
“But it’s strange. I heard he had entered closed cultivation.”
“It could be a performance to rampage through Murim under the identity of Shin San Ja. Even if it’s not, he has plenty of trusted subordinates who can handle such matters.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with resolve.
“So it seems best to handle this completely while we have the chance.”
“You have no choice in the matter, then.”
Beok Goong Ryung released a deep sigh.
It was always like this.
The circumstances Bu Eunseol faced were an unrelenting succession of trials and tribulations—so severe that even I, worn and weathered by countless years in the Murim, could only sigh deeply.
Yet Bu Eunseol never once avoided them; she pushed through every obstacle with unwavering resolve.
“There’s no need to look at me that way. I’m simply doing what I’ve always done.”
Bu Eunseol shrugged her shoulders.
“I’ve freely moved between the two great powers of the Murim, orchestrating schemes as I pleased. Naturally, I must bear the consequences of my own actions, mustn’t I?”
Beok Goong Ryung exhaled heavily and opened his mouth.
“How many hardships have you endured to reach this point…”
Then, as if sensing something, he suddenly fell silent. His gaze fixed upon Bu Eunseol’s composed face.
“Hardship…”
Only then did understanding dawn upon him.
A profound sigh escaped him, his voice strained and hollow as he shook his head in despair.
“That cannot be.”
Beok Goong Ryung’s expression twisted into something tragic.
Now, at last, he truly understood.
Bu Eunseol’s spirit had already…
been completely shattered beyond repair.

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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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