The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 93

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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 93.
Dang Bi continued to squeeze Dang Sa Woon without thinking of anything else.
“In any case, the Family Head has roughly a month left to decide on the successor.”
Dang Sa Woon spoke in a measured tone.
“Perhaps it would be wise to set aside the matter of the Third Young Master for now and focus on persuading the elders of the Inner Quarters to build your faction.”
“True enough… that bastard can be dealt with in due time.”
Dang Bi’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
Dang Ryeong, as the eldest, enjoyed the support of his blood relatives, but many of the elders viewed him unfavorably as a successor due to his frail constitution and reclusive nature.
Dang Bi had to win over their hearts as soon as possible and secure the successor’s ratification within the month.
“Very well. Then let us apply pressure to those old men of the Martial Arts Training Hall once more.”
“Understood.”
Dang Sa Woon bowed and carefully made his way out.
“Sigh.”
A breath escaped unbidden.
Dang Bi was not even the official successor, yet he was arrogant and tyrannical. If he were to receive the successor’s ratification, his insufferable nature would only grow worse.
“A troubling situation indeed.”
As he shook his head and reached the gate of Soo Woon Gak,
“Oh?”
A clear voice accompanied a beautiful young woman who blinked her eyes.
“Miss.”
Dang Sa Woon, whose gaze had met the beauty’s, respectfully clasped his hands together.
She was none other than the Family Head’s youngest daughter, Dang Cheong.
“It seems the Second Brother has worn you down again.”
As Dang Cheong smiled brightly, Dang Sa Woon hastily shook his head.
“Not at all.”
And he quickly changed the subject.
“But where are you headed?”
“To see my Third Brother.”
“You mean the Third Young Master?”
Dang Sa Woon’s eyes wavered.
Though born a woman and unable to ascend to the position of successor, Dang Cheong had completely captivated the hearts of the family elders.
In terms of supporting forces, she surpassed Dang Bi and rivaled Dang Ryeong.
‘This is troublesome.’
The problem was that Dang Cheong kept showing interest in Dang Gon, the illegitimate son.
‘If the Young Miss were to change her mind… that would be a problem.’
The succession struggle was already divided between Dang Ryeong and Dang Bi.
But if Dang Cheong were to change her allegiance and support Dang Gon? The entire landscape would shift dramatically.
“What? The youngest has come?”
At that moment, the inner door burst open and Dang Bi hurried out.
“Cheong, what brings you here?”
Dang Bi spoke to Dang Cheong with an unusually gentle expression, his tone warm and affectionate.
“Did you come to have tea with your older brother?”
“No. I ran into Sa Woon on my way and we were just chatting.”
“I see.”
Dang Bi’s expression fell slightly with disappointment.
“Soo Woon Gak is always open, so come visit whenever you’re bored.”
“Okay.”
Dang Cheong smiled brightly and waved her hand to both Dang Bi and Dang Sa Woon.
“Then I’ll see you next time.”
As Dang Cheong departed, Dang Sa Woon’s eyes grew clouded.
An ominous premonition gnawed at him. But the moment he voiced it, Dang Bi’s fiery nagging would surely begin.
“Why are you standing there looking so dazed?”
At Dang Bi’s words, Dang Sa Woon forced a laugh and shook his head.
“It’s nothing. Well then.”
He clasped his hands together and hurriedly excused himself.
* * *
The study of Dang Pae, the patriarch of the Dang Family.
The study of the patriarch whose name shook Tianxia was filled not with luxurious furnishings, but with bookshelves densely packed with volumes.
Tap.
Dang Pae sat in his study, reading a worn tome inscribed with “Chronicle of a Thousand Poisons.”
“I heard that the patriarch has permitted the Jeol Dok Dae to withdraw.”
A middle-aged man standing quietly before him spoke with careful deliberation.
He was none other than Dang Sa Woon’s father and Dang Pae’s brother, Dang Sung.
“Heh heh heh. Have you come to lodge a complaint about that?”
“How could that be?”
As Dang Sung’s expression shifted and he waved his hand, Dang Pae spoke calmly.
“The eldest came to plead with me. He said that no matter what, brothers shouldn’t shed blood before the family gates.”
“Well, there were certainly many eyes watching.”
Though his words were measured, Dang Sung’s expression was far from pleased.
Whether Dang Pae noticed or not, his gaze remained fixed upon the book.
“This time, the third has brought along quite a formidable ally.”
Dang Sung cleared his throat and spoke again.
“Apparently, the champion of the Donghyo Seorang Jeong Mu Dae Hoe.”
“The Jeong Mu Dae Hoe? You mean that martial tournament held in that desolate vagrant market buried in Guizhou?”
“Originally it was an unremarkable tournament, but this one, with the Yeong Sa Shin Geom at stake, was of considerable caliber.”
“Hmm.”
“According to rumor, his skill is quite formidable. Though there was some controversy, he defeated both Young Ji Wi, a master of the great way, and Seo Mun Gyeong, called the Sword Ghost of the Seo Mun Family.”
“Young Ji Wi and Seo Mun Gyeong, you say…”
Dang Pae lifted his gaze from the book and let out a soft chuckle.
“Both are well-known as rather mediocre talents, are they not? One cannot call such achievements particularly impressive.”
Dang Sung finally broached the main topic once Dang Pae lifted his gaze from the book.
“Is there truly a need to postpone this for another month? Would it not be better to decide swiftly?”
“What are you suggesting?”
“The succession dispute seems to be growing excessively heated, sir.”
“Let it be. It is merely the growing pains of the main family’s prosperity.”
Dang Sung’s expression darkened with displeasure.
Had Dang Pae not granted Dang Ryeong’s request, Dang Gon would have been decisively eliminated this time, regardless of the circumstances.
But when Dang Gon entered the Dang Family unscathed, anxiety seized him.
In Dang Sung’s eyes, Dang Gon possessed talent that was far too exceptional.
‘Dang Bi need not become the successor. But that wretch Dang Gon—he must never ascend to that position.’
Dang Ryeong and Dang Bi were successors of legitimate bloodline. No matter what, they would always prioritize their blood relatives.
But Dang Gon harbored no goodwill toward the bloodline that had rejected him or the elders. And that uncertainty gnawed at Dang Sung.
“It seems the family head has taken a liking to the third child.”
At last, Dang Sung voiced the question that had been burning in his mind all along.
Unlike other families, illegitimate children in the Sichuan Dang Family could never be considered as successor candidates from the outset.
Yet Dang Pae had granted Dang Gon the same position of successor candidacy.
“Favoritism?”
As Dang Pae’s eyes grew sharp, Dang Sung spoke while beads of sweat formed on his brow.
“I merely wondered if I might be mistaken about something.”
“You speak of trivial matters.”
Dang Pae’s keen gaze softened, and a faint smile played at his lips.
“Whichever child you support is of no concern to me. That is your inherent prerogative, is it not?”
“Still… I feared my choice might displease the family head.”
“Did it appear so?”
Dang Pae sighed and closed the book upon the table.
“The reason I placed Dang Gon on equal footing as a successor candidate is singular: his talent, intellect, and character lack nothing compared to the others.”
“Is that so? Then that child possesses sufficient qualifications to become the successor.”
At Dang Sung’s words, Dang Pae let out a soft chuckle.
“Only if he demonstrates such qualifications.”
A terrifying aura rose from Dang Pae’s form.
“A family head must display unwavering strength and merciless resolve. That is the secret by which this main house has endured through generations in the Murim.”
Only then did Dang Sung realize he had misunderstood Dang Pae.
‘The family head merely desired an exceptional successor. He was not showing favoritism toward that child.’
Dang Pae, as if perceiving Dang Sung’s inner thoughts, chuckled softly.
“The eldest excels in strategy and unites people well, but he tends to rely too heavily on intellect alone.”
“That is true.”
“The second possesses exceptional martial talent, but his temperament is hasty and he easily makes enemies of others.”
Dang Pae smiled with a hint of bitterness.
“In truth, Dang Cheong would be the most suitable successor. If only that child had been born male.”
Dang Cheong possessed both exceptional strategy and martial prowess, and she had the quality to inspire loyalty in her subordinates.
Yet her only regret was that, born as a woman, she could never inherit the position of family head.
“The third son—if only his temperament would change, he’d be every bit as talented as Dang Cheong. That’s the only reason I’ve given him this opportunity. Does that answer your question?”
Dang Sung bowed deeply, clasping his hands together.
“I failed to grasp the family head’s true intentions. Please forgive me.”
“Think nothing of it. The pity is simply that temperament doesn’t change easily.”
Dang Sung nodded quietly.
Temperament does not change easily.
Dang Gon possessed exceptional talent, yet unfortunately his nature was far too benevolent and trusting of others.
While he might be called a paragon of virtue or a great hero, such a temperament was ill-suited to the position of family head.
“Then I shall allow the children to proceed with whatever they scheme, without interference.”
Dang Pae nodded.
“A wise decision. After all, this is something they must settle among themselves.”
“Understood.”
Dang Sung swallowed hard.
At last, a storm of blood was about to sweep through the Dang Family.
* * *
Dang Cheong hummed softly as she walked.
She had left the Inner Quarters and passed through the Outer Quarters where the Dang Family’s servants and visiting masters gathered, now heading toward a small building at the western edge.
It was Cheong Yang So Chuk, where Dang Gon resided.
Within Cheong Yang So Chuk lay a beautiful garden adorned with rare flowers and exotic plants. Originally the residence of Dang Gon’s birth mother, it was a garden Dang Pae had commissioned for her.
A soft hum escaped her lips.
In that garden stood a young scholar with a dark sword strapped to her back, arms folded as she admired the flowers. It was Bu Eunseol.
“Oh?”
Upon arriving at Cheong Yang So Chuk, Dang Ryeong let out a small exclamation upon spotting Bu Eunseol standing alone in the Flower Garden.
“Is the third brother not here?”
Bu Eunseol, who had been lost in thought while gazing at the garden, turned her head at last.
Her face was as pure and radiant as a blooming lotus.
Bu Eunseol glanced briefly at Dang Cheong, who was staring intently at her, then nodded.
“So you are Dang Cheong.”
Her appearance was striking, and the aura emanating from her body surpassed even Dang Gon’s.
Most of all, from the mention of “third brother,” Bu Eunseol could deduce that she was the youngest daughter of the Dang Family head and the family’s most precious jewel—Dang Cheong herself.
“You must be the champion of the Jeong Mu Dae Hoe whom the third brother brought back—Bu Eunseol, the heroic maiden Bu?”
Bu Eunseol nodded at Dang Cheong’s candid manner of speaking.
“He went to the Martial Arts Training Hall.”
“Ah, so he went to give a gift to the young servant who traveled with you, the one who suffered through the journey.”
Dang Gon had decided to gift Heuk Pyo, who had endured hardship throughout their travels, with throwing needles, and had taken him to the Martial Arts Training Hall.
Yet remarkably, Dang Cheong seemed to be keenly aware of Dang Gon’s every move and action.
“How did you know?”
“Gam Gok, who oversees the Weapon Armory, mentioned that the third brother was withdrawing several sets of throwing needles. So I inquired as to the reason.”
“Gam Gok, the Gam Dong-ju in charge of the Weapon Armory, said that the Third Brother was taking out a few encrypted codes. So I asked him the reason.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with interest.
‘The one who manages the Weapon Armory reports to her… I see.’
Dang Cheong lived up to the rumors—her talent and martial prowess were exceptional, and her standing among the masters of both the Inner Quarters and Outer Quarters was remarkably high.
“Sigh.”
Dang Cheong suddenly exhaled and murmured softly.
“If she’s taking him to the Martial Arts Training Hall under the guise of gifting him throwing needles, she’s clearly planning to teach him the techniques as well.”
Her deduction proved accurate—Dang Gon was indeed imparting several throwing needle techniques to Heuk Pyo.
Though Heuk Pyo was Bu Eunseol’s servant, Dang Gon had grown quite fond of the clever and affectionate boy.
“Third Brother always wished he had a younger sibling growing up. It seems the boy Bu Eunseol brought has captured his heart.”
Dang Cheong prattled on about matters no one had asked her about.
Growing weary of her chatter, Bu Eunseol silently departed the Flower Garden.
“Wait, please.”
Dang Cheong hurried after her with a question.
“Where are you headed?”
“Is there business between us?”
“I originally came to see Third Brother. Since I’ve returned to the main residence, I was thinking of reconsidering my future arrangements. However…”
Dang Cheong fixed her unwavering gaze upon Bu Eunseol and smiled brightly.
“I find that speaking with you is far more appealing.”

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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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