The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 85

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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 85.
Clack-clack-clack.
Bu Eunseol and Heuk Pyo rode in a carriage that Yu Hwa Ryeong had borrowed, making their way out of the Village.
During the journey to their destination, Yu Hwa Ryeong shared many stories with them.
The Cheon Geom Hoe and the Nangya Sect had considerable points in common—both pursued boundless martial arts, and neither indulged in empty formalities.
“Now I suppose I owe you an answer.”
As they finally arrived at Geum Jeong Mountain, where the Cheon Geom Hoe’s assembly was to be held, Bu Eunseol posed her question.
“Why did the Cheon Geom Hoe send people into the Gangho to search for prodigies? What specific conditions were necessary?”
From the moment Bu Eunseol first met Yu Hwa Ryeong, she had immediately discerned that they were searching for prodigies with ‘particular conditions’.
If the Cheon Geom Hoe were simply seeking exceptional talents to whom they could transmit their sword techniques regardless of faction, they would only need to spread word that they were recruiting such talents—and countless skilled individuals would flock to them.
Moreover, they had even offered the unprecedented condition that it didn’t matter which Orthodox Sect one belonged to! This made no sense whatsoever.
“Very well. I shall tell you now.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong released a long sigh before speaking.
“As I mentioned before, this assembly is being hosted by the Second Seat, Seok Song, my master’s master. And present as well is my own master and the Seventh Seat of this organization, the venerable Woo Hak.”
Seok Song and Woo Hak—both were masters of the previous generation who had once wandered the martial realm alone.
“This sword technique was created by those two after much deliberation. The problem is that not only the disciples of this organization, but even those two themselves, could not master it.”
Bu Eunseol found this incomprehensible.
The creators of a sword technique unable to master their own creation? That could only mean they had fabricated an imaginary technique.
“Of course it is not a fabrication. It is simply that one particular condition is necessary to properly unleash the technique’s true power.”
“And what is that condition?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Yu Hwa Ryeong offered a bitter smile.
“Killing intent.”
He exhaled deeply before continuing.
“To properly execute the sword technique those two created, one must naturally possess an extraordinarily intense killing intent.”
Heuk Pyo asked with a bewildered expression.
“Why would those two create such a technique? Do they harbor some vendetta?”
“I do not know the reason myself. Only those two could answer that.”
Bu Eunseol did not accept Yu Hwa Ryeong’s words at face value.
What fool would transmit a supreme martial art to just anyone? Such a thing did not happen.
Once the truth was revealed, there would certainly be conditions and reasons to justify it.
Screech.
At that moment, the carriage came to a halt.
Before them rose a gentle mountain, its peak catching the setting sun like a crown. It was Geum Jeong Mountain.
“You will remain here while all the proceedings take place.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong pointed toward a large building standing before the mountain as he spoke to Heuk Pyo.
“You will lack for nothing during your wait.”
“Understood. And also….”
Heuk Pyo whispered as if remembering something.
“Last night, when you were away, Rang Ju sent word. He says all the matters you requested have been completed as of yesterday.”
“Excellent.”
Bu Eunseol nodded, and Heuk Pyo pressed his palms together.
“I wish you fortune in your endeavors, young master.”
Following Yu Hwa Ryeong up the mountainside again, I found a massive iron gate blocking the way.
It appeared they had used mechanical engineering to construct an artificial building within the mountain.
“Is this the headquarters of the Cheon Geom Hoe?”
Yu Hwa Ryeong shook his head at my question.
“Of course not. This is merely one of several secret locations our organization has established. With so many hidden mechanisms, it’s ideal for transmitting sword techniques.”
Judging by the deepening of his eyes, it seemed Yu Hwa Ryeong had also received sword technique instruction in this very place.
Yu Hwa Ryeong, observing my expression, wore a slightly embarrassed look.
“I lacked the aptitude to receive that sword technique. In fact, most disciples of the Cheon Geom Hoe were the same.”
As if to dispel the thoughts crossing his mind, he shook his head and spoke.
“Never mind such trivial matters. Come now, put this on before we enter.”
In his extended hand lay a rabbit mask capable of concealing one’s entire face.
“Keep it on until we leave Geum Jeong Mountain. And once inside, reveal your name to no one.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Cheon Geom Hoe seeks to acquire talented individuals, not to witness Orthodox Sect masters slaughtering one another.”
“I see.”
Understanding Yu Hwa Ryeong’s meaning, I nodded.
Inside that building would be gathered numerous Orthodox Sect masters brought by the Cheon Geom Hoe’s disciples.
And among them, there could be individuals harboring grudges against one another.
“Quite the meticulous arrangement.”
“Hehe. Gathering talented individuals regardless of sect affiliation is no simple task.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong also donned a rabbit mask from his robes as he spoke.
“Enter first. I shall follow shortly.”
Upon entering, a long corridor illuminated by lanterns came into view.
Following the passage, I discovered a vast open plaza with a floor of blue stone tiles, stretching roughly thirty paces wide.
There stood approximately thirty martial artists, all wearing masks, and at the far end of the plaza rose a towering platform.
‘It seems one person can bring multiple individuals.’
Among the masked martial artists, I spotted three or four wearing identical masks.
Since only one Cheon Geom Hoe disciple had accompanied me, it appeared one disciple had brought several people.
‘That one…’
Surveying the martial artists within the plaza, I caught sight of a man wearing a fox mask and my eyes brightened.
With a sturdy build, wearing a yellow robe and a leather pouch at his waist—it was Dang Gon.
“Well.”
Dang Gon, the man in the fox mask, immediately recognized me in the rabbit mask and let out a gasp.
“So you were invited here as well.”
Dang Gon’s low voice was filled with bitterness.
Not long ago, I had rejected his goodwill and friendship.
―Because we might one day cross swords against each other.
When selecting those to teach martial arts, most rely on martial contests to judge aptitude.
However, now that I had become a competitor to receive the martial techniques of Cheon Geom Hoe, the probability of that actually happening had materialized.
Boom.
At that moment, a door opened at the edge of the wall where the platform was installed, and two elderly men dressed in white, resembling immortals, revealed themselves.
They were Seok Song, the Second Seat of Cheon Geom Hoe who led this gathering, and Woo Hak, the Seventh Seat.
“Pleased to meet you. I am called Seok Song. I hold the second position in this organization.”
As Seok Song spoke calmly, the elderly man beside him said,
“I hold the seventh position. I am Woo Hak.”
Seok Song and Woo Hak.
They were masters of the previous generation, having earned their names by standing alone and unrivaled in the Gangho.
However, after joining Cheon Geom Hoe, they had never appeared in the Gangho. Yet now they had emerged to transmit a newly created sword technique.
“You must have heard the story on your way here. We have combined our efforts and, after a long period, created a single sword technique.”
Woo Hak, glancing at Seok Song, spoke with a bitter expression.
“However, this sword technique can only be learned by those who naturally possess a thick killing intent. Unfortunately, among our disciples, there was no one with such a quality.”
Woo Hak, who had been observing the thirty-odd martial artists remaining below the platform, spoke again.
“So we sent disciples into the Gangho to find talented individuals capable of learning this sword technique. To find those naturally brimming with killing intent, that is.”
At those words, several martial artists looked puzzled.
Among those gathered here were members of the Demonic Path, but quite a few appeared to be masters of the Orthodox Sects.
“Killing intent is merely a quality. It matters not whether one belongs to the Orthodox Sects or the Demonic Path.”
Seok Song, who had discerned the hearts of the crowd, smiled and spoke.
“For our organization, which stands between the Orthodox and Demonic, to concern ourselves with such distinctions would be absurd.”
In that instant, the expressions of the martial artists gathered in the Stone Chamber brightened.
The proposal from Cheon Geom Hoe had been uncertain on the way here. But was it not true that they would truly transmit this supreme technique regardless of one’s original sect?
“Then, can everyone gathered here receive the transmission of the sword technique?”
At that moment, a man wearing a bear mask and carrying twin swords on his back asked loudly.
“Of course not.”
Woo Hak answered calmly.
“We must verify whether you can learn this sword technique. We intend to select through a trial.”
“A martial duel?”
“Not at all. We merely wish to teach the sword technique. The height or lowness of martial power is unimportant. If you simply pass the trials we have set, we intend to transmit the sword technique.”
Then Dang Gon, the man wearing a fox mask who had been listening silently, asked.
“Then, if everyone here passes the trials? Will you transmit it to all?”
“Such a thing is unlikely to occur, but if it were to happen, we would transmit the sword technique to everyone. However….”
Woo Hak, who had been silent for a moment, spoke in a solemn voice.
“We absolutely cannot transmit it to those of evil character.”
Then Seok Song, standing beside him, flashed his eyes and stepped forward.
“So if you have ever killed innocent commoners, leave this place immediately.”
Whether from the stirring of his inner power or not, Seok Song’s voice was as eerie as crows chirping beneath a gray sky.
“If such a person remains here even as the trial begins, death shall be delivered.”
In that instant, silence descended upon the Stone Chamber. Yet no one left.
“There is no evil person here who has killed innocent commoners.”
At that moment, the man wearing a lion mask standing at the very back spoke. From his tone, he seemed to be a disciple of Cheon Geom Hoe.
“All those who undertook this task were disciples with extensive experience in Gangho. Knowing your master’s principles as firm as stone, we would never have brought wicked individuals in the first place.”
“I see.”
Then Seok Song suddenly unfolded a divine technique swift as lightning.
A faint blue shimmer.
Seok Song’s form, now transformed into white clouds, had already materialized directly across from the Demon-Faced Masked Man who had been standing to Bu Eunseol’s left.
“What is this?”
“Did you not hear what I just said?”
“What are you talking about? I am no wicked man.”
Then a disciple of Cheon Geom Hoe, also wearing a demon mask, thrust his hand forward in protest.
“He is called ‘Half-Righteous, Half-Evil,’ so he cannot be called pure… but he has never killed innocent commoners…”
“This man slaughtered thirteen innocent civilians in Jenam and spilled their blood.”
Seok Song spoke in a grave voice.
“His only saving grace is that his cleanup was meticulous, and he always eliminated any witnesses. That is why it remained unknown…”
A sharp crack of energy.
In that instant, the Demon-Faced Masked Man launched a sudden strike, moving with lightning speed and utterly unpredictable.
A solid stance.
But before the Demon-Faced Masked Man’s blade could touch Seok Song’s neck, it halted.
“…”
A brief silence fell over the hall.
Seok Song, who had been watching the Demon-Faced Masked Man, suddenly turned as though nothing had happened and ascended onto the Platform.
A spray of blood.
In that moment, a fountain of blood erupted from the Demon-Faced Masked Man’s neck.
Seok Song had used a sword technique many times faster than the Demon-Faced Masked Man’s strike, severing his carotid artery.
The sound of blood flow gradually ceased, and the Demon-Faced Masked Man collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.
“I say this once more: I cannot teach swordsmanship to the wicked.”
Seok Song’s words resonated through the chamber again.
This time, however, Woo Hak’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
A faint blue shimmer.
Unfolding a divine technique that seemed to stretch light itself, he descended directly before Bu Eunseol, who wore a rabbit mask.
“You killed a man famous for his righteous deeds without cause, did you not?”
Then Yu Hwa Ryeong, who had been standing at the back wearing a rabbit mask, sprang forward with a bound.
“He was not an innocent commoner, was he? Moreover, it occurred during a legitimate martial duel.”
“Not at all. According to our organization’s intelligence, this man possessed sufficient skill to be subdued, yet you deliberately killed him.”
Yu Hwa Ryeong became as silent as one who had eaten honey.
That statement was true.
If Yang Myeong possessed the strength to kill Yeop Hwa outright, then Bu Eunseol could have dispatched him with a single finger.
Woo Hak fixed Bu Eunseol, who wore the rabbit mask, with a terrifying gaze.
“Killing a righteous man who performed good deeds is the same as killing an innocent commoner.”
The situation teetered on the brink of eruption. Just as Woo Hak’s hand moved toward his sword,
Suddenly, Bu Eunseol burst into laughter as though she could no longer contain herself.
“Hahaha!”

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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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