The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 867

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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 867.
“It wasn’t reversing time itself, but rather a grand technique that could penetrate the spirit using light.”
*Click.*
Bu Eunseol raised the Muk Hon Sword to the center position and spoke in a low voice.
“That black form and the light it emanates—if one stares at it long enough, it would possess a power equivalent to a grand technique that affects the spirit.”
The light flowing from the black shadow wasn’t merely meant to exert oppressive force.
It possessed a strength powerful enough to pierce even the spiritual barrier of Bu Eunseol, who had reached the realm of the Hollow Heart Penetrating Spirit.
And it had planted the suggestion that I had reversed my body’s time.
Even granting a thousand concessions—if it truly had reversed the body’s time—
only masters who had reached the Extreme Heaven Realm or beyond in martial prowess could have demonstrated it.
The ability to infinitely subdivide and manipulate time would not have been manifested.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh!*
Instead of answering, the shadow unleashed hundreds of sharp needle-like projectiles with tremendous force.
‘In the end, the answer is harmony.’
The grand technique this black shadow had unleashed was akin to a form of primordial resonance.
If I could wrap harmony around my body, I could easily escape from this power.
But having rushed here at full speed, the vital energy within my body remained unstable.
I couldn’t use harmony immediately.
‘I’ll attempt it through the Formless Art.’
Bu Eunseol decided not to break the suggestion.
Instead, I would employ the subtle principles of the Formless Art—
something even a child could unfold—to fight the shadow.
‘With four ounces of force, one can demonstrate the power of a thousand pounds.’
*Whirr.*
As the Muk Hon Sword spun in circles, the cascading attacks wrapped softly around the blade like strands of taffy.
I employed a technique that blended the mysteries of Four Ounces Deflecting a Thousand Pounds with the subtlety of Harmony and Jade Contact, blocking attacks while simultaneously launching counterstrikes.
*Whirr. Whirrrr.*
Each time the Muk Hon Sword traced a circle, the vicious attacks the shadow unleashed were redirected.
‘What happens if I eliminate this being?’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as she easily deflected the shadow’s assault.
An Executor capable of turning ordinary commoners into puppets in an instant.
If that black shadow were a puppet? Or if it were the Executor itself?
What would happen if I struck it down?
*Click, click.*
Then the shadow tilted its head.
Suddenly it ceased its attack and began surveying the surroundings.
A subtle aura had begun emanating from the formation array where Han Sang Ja was hiding.
‘Han Sang Ja has noticed my arrival.’
The moment combat with the shadow began, Han Sang Ja realized all his plans had fallen apart.
He was clearly in the process of gradually dismantling that formidable formation array.
‘So the author is nothing but a puppet.’
Click, click.
The reason that shadow kept nodding its head was unmistakable.
It must have detected Han Sang Ja hidden within the formation, having perfectly copied my spiritual essence.
Yet he had ceased his attacks, merely repeating those strange motions.
‘Could it be that the Executor possesses no physical form?’
The Executors were beings who prided themselves on safeguarding the laws of Murim.
If such methods were exposed?
At the very least, they would have shown some reaction, or brought more Executors with them.
But that shadow, like a hunting hound awaiting its master’s command—
merely watched over the formation.
Zing.
Then, accompanied by a mystical sound, faint light rippled outward in all directions.
Han Sang Ja had finally dissolved the formation and emerged.
“I fear my calculations have proven faulty.”
Han Sang Ja spoke to Bu Eunseol with an embarrassed expression.
“I believed I could contain Ryeong Ju for at least half a double hour.”
“Han Sang Ja.”
Bu Eunseol sighed as she spoke.
“After all this time together, you still haven’t grasped my nature.”
“I understand. That’s precisely why I deemed it worthwhile.”
Han Sang Ja spoke with a bitter expression.
“And I believed this method alone could force the higher existence behind the Executors to reveal itself, allowing us to uncover what this Covenant truly is.”
Click, click.
Han Sang Ja sighed as he watched the shadow, still nodding its head like a beast.
“But all my calculations have gone awry, and I’ve ended up confronting something—whether minion or hollow shell, I cannot say.”
He let out a lament upon seeing the darkly stained shadow.
“My sincerest apologies. I’ve been of no use whatsoever.”
“It matters not.”
Bu Eunseol drew upon her inner force.
“The Executors may be watching from somewhere. Should I remain at your side, I would become their puppet. I shall depart now.”
Han Sang Ja’s plan to lure out the higher existence behind the Executors and shatter the Covenant had completely unraveled.
From this moment forward, until I discovered a way to counter those beings, I would have to wander the Gangho alone.
“Take care, Han Sang Ja.”
“Wait a moment, please.”
Han Sang Ja spoke hurriedly.
“Surely you wouldn’t leave me without any face, would you?”
And he rummaged through his robes.
“Even if it costs me my life, I will at least reveal to you how the Executors transform someone into a puppet.”
Then he withdrew a single bead that gleamed with mysterious radiance.
The true treasure vault of Hyeonja Forest.
The Infinite Light Seal—a treasure capable of measuring all things that exist in this world.
“If they attempt to turn me into a puppet, the Infinite Light Seal will react.”
“Han Sang Ja.”
“Before I become a puppet, I will reveal what power they wield, what school of sorcery or grand technique they employ… I swear it.”
Han Sang Ja was determined to aid Bu Eunseol.
And to expose the Executor’s true power.
Even if it meant my own body would explode, I would stand beside him, clutching the Infinite Light Seal.
“You can discern the very nature of their power through that alone?”
“Of course. Though the interpretation falls to my judgment… I am confident I can penetrate their secrets.”
Han Sang Ja spoke as befitted a sage of Hyeonja Forest.
Versed in all manner of sorcery and grand techniques, I could interpret whatever power flowed through the Infinite Light Seal.
“If that’s possible… ”
Bu Eunseol blinked, then pointed toward the Black Shadow Being still nodding its head.
“Why not simply measure his power directly?”
“Ah.”
Han Sang Ja slapped his forehead, embarrassment flooding his features.
“This is always my failing. My master constantly chastised me for letting excessive zeal obscure the fundamental truth.”
He immediately activated the Infinite Light Seal to measure the Shadow’s power.
After observing the flowing light for some time, Han Sang Ja’s eyes gleamed with understanding.
“The Executor’s method of creating puppets appears to be a transference technique—similar to Qi Channeling Transmission, where one’s own power is transferred to another.”
“Qi Channeling Transmission?”
“Indeed. The flow suggests not an original power, but rather an external infusion of force.”
He observed the light streaming from the Infinite Light Seal once more before continuing.
“Rather than seizing another’s spirit and body to create a puppet… it appears they inject a supernatural ability akin to sorcery itself, issuing commands through that conduit.”
The Infinite Light Seal was a divine artifact capable of measuring all things in existence.
It had measured the very essence of the power the Shadow possessed.
“Much like the domain of Baek Pal Sung—a secret art such as Mystic Extreme Return to Origin. The black radiance emanating from its body, as if it were a supernatural entity, stems from that same power.”
Han Sang Ja spoke matter-of-factly.
“Such methods are uncommon in the Murim, yet from the perspective of ancient secret arts, they are hardly extraordinary.”
“Then… creating puppets in vast numbers would be impossible.”
“Precisely so.”
“No wonder they send them one at a time… ”
This was crucial intelligence.
The Executor was not creating puppets infinitely.
Instead, they selected individuals one by one, transferring their own power to them.
“And given that they employ such a method… ”
Han Sang Ja spoke with absolute conviction in his eyes.
“Whether it is the Executor or some higher entity commanding them, they are not transcendent beings—merely humans who have mastered sorcery and grand techniques.”
A flinch.
At that moment, the Black Shadow Being’s eyes trembled violently, and he fell to his knees.
As the Infinite Radiant Seal revealed the source of that domain and its power… did the mysterious force within his body lose its efficacy?
Gurgle.
The Black Shadow Being had transformed into the pallid face of a Mysterious Man.
Though he didn’t appear particularly old, his face was deeply lined as though he had endured countless hardships.
He trembled continuously, like someone who had just emerged from ice-cold water.
“It seems his power has been reclaimed.”
At Bu Eunseol’s murmur, Han Sang Ja’s expression grew grave.
“Then the Executor has been observing this entire situation.”
“It appears so.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression grew troubled.
“He may have reclaimed the power to turn Han into a puppet.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Han Sang Ja spoke loudly, gripping the Infinite Radiant Seal in his hand.
“If the Executor employs grand techniques or sorcery, I have countermeasures prepared.”
‘He’s deliberately provoking the Executor to force him to reveal his presence.’
Understanding Han Sang Ja’s intent, I channeled the Wind Cloud Divine Technique to its fullest.
Hummmmm.
A mysterious wind swept across my entire body, accompanied by tremors that shook the earth itself.
I immediately dispersed the Wind Cloud Divine Technique to detect whether the Executor existed in the vicinity.
‘Nothing.’
Yet there was no presence whatsoever in the surrounding area.
However, thanks to dispersing the Wind Cloud Divine Technique, I discovered an unexpected truth.
The trembling man before me was no ordinary commoner.
I sensed he possessed an extraordinarily subtle sorcerous technique or perhaps the power of an esoteric art—a being akin to a Sorcerer-Priest.
“He’s not a puppet, but rather a subordinate under the Executor’s command.”
“What do you mean?”
Han Sang Ja asked in surprise, and I turned my gaze toward the man.
“Like the old man we encountered before, I sense a peculiar sorcerous aura.”
And I spoke decisively.
“If one can transform an ordinary commoner into a martial master, surely one could transform a martial master into an even stronger being, could they not?”
Han Sang Ja’s eyes widened as understanding dawned.
“Then the Executor prepared for this matter by first turning one of his subordinates into a puppet, then sending him here.”
“Likely.”
I approached the man and asked with a solemn expression.
“Who do you serve?”
The man opened his mouth wide.
A half-severed purple tongue became visible.
“You have fingers and toes, so you can write characters, can’t you?”
I spoke coldly, and massive characters were etched into the ground beneath his feet.
Revelation.
It meant that a transcendent being like a god was imparting truth.
It seemed to suggest they regarded the Executor as God’s agent.
“Nonsense.”
Han Sang Ja spoke coldly upon seeing that word.
“If this were divine revelation, why would you transform innocent civilians? Isn’t that something only the wicked do?”
The Mysterious Man shook his head with his eyes tightly shut.
It seemed to mean that was none of his concern.
“What’s certain is that the Executor… carefully observes the target, then launches an attack through various preparations.”
Han Sang Ja pointed at the Mysterious Man as he spoke.
“The moment the Shim Hyang split was detected… rather than transforming someone close to the target, they sent their own subordinates. That tells us much.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
In the end, the Executor was merely a human capable of wielding mysterious techniques and forbidden arts.
The fact that they had subordinates made it clear they belonged to some organization.
“And the legends passed down through Murim for generations were fabricated by them.”
If the Executor was human and belonged to some faction?
There was no way their identity could have remained hidden so thoroughly until now.
“Precisely. They must have expended vast resources and wealth to erase their traces, just as they damaged the Jae Gyeong.”
Han Sang Ja’s expression grew hollow.
The Executor.
Those who acted like transcendent beings and imposed laws even upon the supreme masters of Murim.
In the end, they were merely subordinates belonging to another faction lurking within the Abyss.
“Tell me where your Main Base is located.”
A mysterious light flowed from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
When the Executor had not revealed their true nature,
I had regarded them as a transcendent being with unfathomable power, and dared not attempt interrogation.
But now that I knew they were a secret society employing forbidden arts,
they seemed pitiful enough to inspire contempt.
Moreover, if I could locate the Executor’s Main Base?
If I revealed it to all of Murim?
The Executor, that existence which had tormented the strong throughout Murim’s history, would be completely erased.
“If you refuse to answer, so be it.”
A deep hum resonated.
Bu Eunseol drew upon her full power, channeling her inner energy to its peak.
She was attempting to pierce through the Mysterious Man’s spirit using a power akin to Phantasmal Illusion Reversal.
Trembling.
The moment the Mysterious Man’s gaze met Bu Eunseol’s eyes, which gleamed with a sickly pale radiance, his body shook like an aspen leaf in the wind.
“It’s futile.”
Han Sang Ja shook his head, having discerned that she was employing a power to pierce the spirit.
“From the start, a grand technique has been deployed to prevent any interrogation.”
As if speaking on behalf of Han Sang Ja.
Black liquid began to seep from the Mysterious Man’s eyes.
Sizzzzz.
It was as though a vicious curse had been laid upon him—one where the physical body melts when the spirit is attacked.
He was dying, streaming black liquid from every orifice.
Thud.
In the end, the Mysterious Man couldn’t even muster a final scream before he expired, pouring black liquid from his seven apertures.
Drip drip drip.
The curse was so malevolent that even after death, his entire body had turned pitch black.
“I find this incomprehensible.”
Bu Eunseol shook her head as she gazed at the blackened corpse.
“How could they coerce the supreme masters of Murim if they themselves are not transcendent beings?”
“It is quite simple.”
Han Sang Ja spoke without concern.
“They possess an intelligence network capable of perfectly tracking the movements of supreme masters.”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“They command such vast wealth and manpower that they can locate and destroy any books that mention them, and…”
His eyes gleamed as he continued.
“If they possess the power to transform ordinary commoners into formidable masters in a single breath… would such a thing not be possible?”
Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“This time, I activated Ben Jeon’s intelligence network to perfectly conceal both your movements and mine—so thoroughly that even Sam Gye could not detect us.”
Han Sang Ja grasped the situation immediately, as befitted a sage.
“Yet in the end, Ryeong Ju never revealed himself at Ben Rim, did he?”
“Hmm.”
“They likely already knew that Ben Rim was situated at Cheop Chae Mountain.”
“They had surveillance watchers positioned in advance.”
“Since Ben Rim has always sought to investigate transcendent beings like the Executor… they would have established a surveillance network there.”
In the end, the forces behind the Executor
possessed informants throughout Murim and possessed perfect intelligence on the figures of each sect.
“Since Ryeong Ju and I went to Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong, they would have already known what we intended to do.”
Han Sang Ja continued.
“And upon sensing my plan, they sent such a powerful puppet to kill me.”
“Hmm.”
“Ryeong Ju can torment us by sending puppets whenever he wishes, but a sage who can uncover their secrets must be eliminated as soon as possible.”
A strange thought occurred to Bu Eunseol.
It was because Han Sang Ja grasped every aspect of the situation with such clarity.
“You must have suspected such circumstances all along, yet deliberately proceeded with this plan anyway.”
“That is not the case. Rather.”
Han Sang Ja wiped the tip of his nose with an apologetic expression.
“If they were transcendent beings, there would be no stopping them anyway… but I did consider that if they were ordinary humans, they might attempt something like this.”
If the Executor were truly a transcendent being beyond mortal comprehension?
Even the most meticulous plan would have failed.
But if they were merely ordinary martial artists with special abilities?
They would have recognized Han Sang Ja, who orchestrated this scheme, as a dangerous threat and sought to eliminate him first.
Though I failed to achieve my ultimate objective, I did accomplish something worthwhile.
After all, I’ve uncovered that the Executor is no transcendent being—merely a puppet dancing on the strings of some sorcerous faction.
Splurch.
The corpse of the blackened man dissolved completely into liquid, seeping into the earth.
Witnessing this, Han Sang Ja drew a deep breath.
“It seems they’ve abandoned this attempt and are waiting for their next opportunity.”
“That appears to be the case.”
“Ryeong Ju possesses both formidable martial prowess and exceptional wisdom. Even traveling alone, you will surely seize their tail eventually.”
Bu Eunseol nodded in acknowledgment.
Through this incident, I learned that the Executor was no transcendent entity—merely another force of the Deep Abyss.
Which meant that by continuously operating my intelligence network and pursuing investigation,
Success in tracking them would come eventually. No matter how formidable their power, I would one day trace them to their roots and uproot them entirely.
Keeeeeeing.
Then, a strange sound echoed from the distant sky.
Simultaneously, a figure wrapped in mystical radiance began descending slowly.
Clad in white robes as pure as snow, with eyes of stark black and white—it was So Dong.
Descending as if from heaven itself, So Dong gazed upon the liquefied man and Han Sang Ja, then spoke in a low voice.
“The outsider shall be excluded.”
In that instant, Han Sang Ja’s eyes turned white, and he collapsed like a felled log.
Whoosh.
Simultaneously, thirty-two Sa Hon Dae members who had escaped the formation lost consciousness in a heartbeat.
“Who are you?”
Bu Eunseol drew upon her inner strength, her expression grave.
Though appearing as a child of merely ten years, I perceived the power of a demon who had lived for centuries.
“The Executor, as you call it?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
The very being Han Sang Ja had sought so desperately.
The true Executor who could explain the laws—had finally revealed itself.
“You seem prepared for this.”
So Dong gazed at Bu Eunseol and smiled.
“Indeed. I have come to execute you, one who has not joined the Covenant.”
“I cannot comprehend this.”
So Dong moved not a single finger,
Manifested no power, displayed no presence whatsoever,
Yet stripped Han Sang Ja and the rigorously trained Sa Hon Dae members of consciousness in an instant.
Why would such a peerless master, possessing such ability, force the strong of Murim into this Covenant?
“Why would someone with abilities like yours fear anything? What makes you so desperate to control the strong of Murim?”
“Hehehehe. Ah, so that part was truly incomprehensible to you?”
So Dong smiled faintly.
“That’s why I orchestrated all this—to evade assassination.”
“I see.”
He shook his head while gazing into Bu Eunseol’s composed eyes.
“You are truly dangerous. You handle the unpredictable, and you’ve reached a level even I cannot foresee.”
“….”
“So before I execute you, I’ve come to reveal the truth. Exceptionally so.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
At last, I could reach the truth about the Executor.
“I must tell you everything, or you’ll commit such absurd follies again.”
So Dong regarded Bu Eunseol with the gaze of one looking upon a naive grandchild.
“What I’m about to say can only be heard after a covenant is sworn. Listen well.”
So Dong extended his hand.
The surroundings darkened, and the space where Bu Eunseol and So Dong stood began to separate,
like a world beyond glass.
A power similar to the Absolute Boundary.
So Dong had created it with a mere gesture of his hand.
“No Bu belongs to a place called the Sacred Realm.”
‘The Sacred Realm?’
―Divine essence consumed, heavenly gods made mortal? Was he a figure of the Sacred Realm?
In that instant, Bu Eunseol recalled the old man’s words from the cave—how he had confirmed I was a descendant of Jin Ma.

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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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