The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign – Chapter 398

Returning to Majeon, Bu Eunseol was dealing with a backlog of various matters.

After meeting the Divine Mountain Sage, Bu Eunseol had a new goal. To achieve it, he would need to leave Majeon for an extended period.

Moreover, around the same time, Soyo, an assassin who had left the Hundred-Split Assassin Sect, and the child she brought with her joined the sect.

Before heading to Shaolin, Bu Eunseol had sent a letter to Yoo Unryong, instructing him to ensure Soyo and the child could safely enter Majeon. Upon receiving the letter, Yoo Unryong immediately dispatched Won Semun, his trusted aide, to escort them into the sect.

Their arrival coincided closely with Bu Eunseol’s return.

The child Soyo brought resembled her like a sister, with an exceptionally cute appearance.

The problem was that Yoo Unryong had, of all people, entrusted Soyo’s escort to Won Semun, the most notorious troublemaker in the Death Shadow Corps.

“What exactly is your relationship with our Lord?”

It seemed Won Semun had interrogated Soyo about various things while escorting her to Majeon.

And Soyo had given a “brief” response, which ultimately caused a commotion.

“Our Lord took responsibility for the daughter born between him and Lady Soyo for life!”

According to Won Semun, Bu Eunseol had been tormented by guilt for abandoning the child and finally brought Soyo and her daughter into Majeon.

“What nonsense comes out of that filthy mouth?”

Naturally, the leaders of the Death Shadow Corps didn’t believe Won Semun’s words.

But Soyo’s speech, behavior, and even her aura… didn’t they strikingly resemble Bu Eunseol?

Though her frame was thin, she was charmingly beautiful and possessed the unique allure of someone with foreign blood. Moreover, the daughter she brought looked just like her mother, making Won Semun’s story oddly convincing.

However, Bu Eunseol, the person at the center of this, was completely unaware of the situation.

Murmur, murmur.

As he moved through Majeon handling tasks, Bu Eunseol noticed strange looks directed at him—unlike the usual gazes of admiration and reverence, these were peculiar, as if something was tickling the back of his head.

Though he found it odd, he brushed it off.

During his days as a mercenary, he had endured looks of contempt; as a mortician, he faced disdain. Now, as the heir, he received respect and admiration, but he knew that could be fleeting.

He had never lived caring about others’ gazes. No matter how people looked at him, he moved confidently without showing any reaction.

But this time, his indifference was a mistake.

If most people were looking at him strangely, he should have asked why.

Rumble.

As Bu Eunseol headed to his office to handle the backlog of work after returning to the sect, the leaders of the Death Shadow Corps, except Yoo Unryong, suddenly swarmed him.

“What’s going on?” Bu Eunseol asked.

Pushed forward by the others, Myo Cheonwoo cleared his throat and asked, “Lady Soyo entered the sect with a child.”

“I know,” Bu Eunseol replied calmly.

Emboldened, Myo Cheonwoo asked directly, “Did you really say you’d take responsibility for her for life?”

He was referring to the responsibility for the child Soyo brought.

The two were destined to be hunted by the Hundred-Split Assassin Sect for life, and Bu Eunseol had brought Soyo in as the deputy leader of the Death Spirit Corps.

Unfortunately, Bu Eunseol wasn’t the type to explain things in detail, and he had a mountain of work to address.

With a nonchalant expression, he nodded. “Yes.”

Silence fell.

Myo Cheonwoo and the other leaders narrowed their eyes and nodded.

Then, like insects scattering, they dispersed.

“It’s a bit late, but it’s a manly decision,” Myo Cheonwoo said, regaining his composure and giving a thumbs-up. “I support you.”

Then he quietly left.

The strange events continued.

“My Lord.”

As Bu Eunseol sat in his office reviewing letters, Dan So-ok, who rarely visited him, appeared.

She abruptly placed an envelope on his desk.

“It’s a letter from Sister Soha,” she said.

“Soha?”

Bu Eunseol only realized it was from Yeon Soha, the young mistress of the Divine Maiden Palace, after opening the letter.

“My husband is a hero of the martial world, so I would never resent him for taking three wives and four concubines. However, in the future, please consult with me, your lawful wife, regarding such matters.”

As he read the letter, Bu Eunseol’s expression was as if he’d found a giant fly in his soup bowl.

“What is this nonsense?” he asked.

“That was too much. How could you do that to such a frail child…” Dan So-ok began, then shook her head. “Fortunately, Father is away on business, but… make sure this doesn’t leak outside Majeon. I’ll take my leave.”

Before Bu Eunseol could respond, Dan So-ok left abruptly.

Stunned, Bu Eunseol furrowed his brow. What was all this about?

Knock, knock.

A knock at the door was followed by Yoo Unryong’s voice. “It’s Yoo Unryong.”

“Come in.”

The door opened, revealing Yoo Unryong in a gray scholar’s robe, holding the hand of a small figure.

She looked about seven years old, with gentle, deer-like eyes and a strikingly beautiful appearance.

But she seemed gravely ill, her face pale and her skin darkened.

If not treated soon, her life appeared to be in danger.

Bu Eunseol immediately recognized her as the child Soyo brought.

“Preparations for her treatment are complete,” Yoo Unryong said with an unusually gentle expression. “Lady Soyo, Myo Cheonwoo, and the Death Spirit Corps’s leader will arrive soon.”

All were masters of the Transcendent Realm, with over two hundred years of inner power.

With Bu Eunseol, Soyo, and Yoo Unryong, there were five masters with over three hundred years of combined inner power.

“Why bring her here when the treatment will be done at the prepared location?” Bu Eunseol asked.

“The child hasn’t eaten properly and is physically weak. What if she can’t withstand the energy we infuse?” Yoo Unryong replied.

“That won’t happen,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “I’ll oversee the energy infusion, ensuring it’s perfectly controlled to avoid strain.”

“Still, there’s always a chance something could go wrong,” Yoo Unryong insisted.

“What are you getting at?”

With a gentle smile, Yoo Unryong led the child forward. “Hold her once.”

“Why?”

“Why? That’s harsh,” Yoo Unryong said, his voice trembling with shock. “Can’t you do that much as her father?”

“Father?” Bu Eunseol echoed.

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

Bu Eunseol finally understood everything.

There was no need to ask for details. Only one lunatic in the Death Shadow Corps would spout such nonsense.

“Where’s Won Se… no, that twin swords idiot?” he demanded.

***

Won Semun nearly became the first in the Death Shadow Corps history to be thrown into the Thunder Prison for running his mouth.

Dan So-ok, furious and on the verge of losing it, tried to use her authority as the deputy leader to lock him up. Had the Death Shadow Corps captains not rushed in to beat him down, and had that not calmed Dan So-ok’s anger, he would have been imprisoned for a long time.

“Let’s begin.” While Won Semun lay battered in the Medicine Hall, the five gathered to treat Soyo’s child began infusing energy according to the Divine Sage’s secret method.

Jo Namcheon and Wi Cheongyeong stood guard diligently, though their presence wasn’t strictly necessary.

“It’s done.”

After half an hour, they stopped the infusion, wiping sweat and smiling. 

The child’s darkened skin had turned fair, and vitality radiated from her.

The life-threatening Yin Meridian Blockage had been completely cured.

Afterward, at Bu Eunseol’s suggestion, Soyo became the deputy leader of the Death Spirit Corps. Her calm demeanor and keen insight, combined with her mastery of transcendent movement techniques, made her uniquely suited for the role.

No one in the martial world was better suited to be the deputy leader of the Death Spirit Corps.

However, the Death Spirit Corps was an unofficial secret force created by Bu Eunseol. Thus, Soyo wasn’t officially registered in Majeon and was instead listed as a martial arts instructor in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, like So Okrim.

The child Soyo brought became a servant assisting with menial tasks in the Suppressed Demon Pavilion. But this was only a formality. Bu Eunseol summoned the sect’s scholars to teach her academics, arts, and martial arts.

This was so she could one day leave Majeon and choose her own path if she wished.

Having cleared the backlog of tasks, Bu Eunseol convened another meeting.

However, Mu Heon, the leader of the Death Spirit Corps, and Soyo, the deputy leader, did not attend.

As part of a secret force, they didn’t appear publicly unless necessary.

Soyo, in particular, required extensive training. Unlike typical intelligence organizations, the Death Spirit Corps was unique. Having lived in the outer regions, Soyo needed to learn the martial world’s dynamics, various knowledge, military strategies, formations, and martial arts to function as the deputy leader.

This would take a long time.

But once her training was complete, she would be a significant asset to Bu Eunseol.

Scramble.

Won Semun, guilty of causing trouble, arrived at the meeting room earlier than usual and took a seat.

As the leaders gathered, Bu Eunseol calmly recounted his experiences.

“Contrary to rumors, the Divine Sage isn’t just a martial world sage.”

He revealed that the Divine Sage was deeply involved in martial world politics and wielded enough power to manipulate Shaolin, the leader of the Nine Great Sects. He even deduced that the Divine Sage was likely the Martial Alliance Leader, the Heavenly Emperor Shin Domubi, using a dual identity.

“Indeed, the leaders of both righteous and demonic factions have often held secret identities,” Yoo Unryong said gravely.

“But it could be a deliberate ploy.”

“A ploy?” Myo Cheonwoo blinked.

Yoo Unryong, eyes sharp, explained, “The Divine Sage is known as the most knowledgeable and intelligent figure in the martial world.”

“True.”

“Such a person wouldn’t carelessly leave clues allowing someone to deduce he’s the Martial Alliance Leader.”

The attendees nodded in agreement.

The Divine Sage was astute enough to predict Bu Eunseol’s movements in Shaolin.

Would such a person carelessly reveal clues about his identity?

It was more likely intentional.

“Of course, he’s probably one of the top figures in the righteous factions,” Yoo Unryong added. “Sending a Boeun coin to the Namgung Clan to investigate the artificial inner core incident is one thing, but using Shaolin’s secret mechanisms freely requires not only immense authority but also a close relationship with the Shaolin Abbot.”

“Hmm,” Myo Cheonwoo shook his head, arms crossed. “It’s chilling to hear. So, spies are embedded in every righteous and demonic faction, and the martial world’s leaders have always accepted it.”

The leaders nodded in agreement.

Even when spies colluding with external forces were exposed or incidents like the artificial inner core occurred, neither the Demon Emperor nor the Martial Alliance Leader reacted strongly—because they already knew.

Then, Wi Cheongyeong, who had been listening silently, spoke seriously. “Don’t you suspect us, my Lord?” With sharp eyes, he scanned the room. “Couldn’t there be a spy among us, swayed by the Martial Alliance or those strange people?”

It might seem far-fetched, but given Bu Eunseol’s experiences, it was a plausible theory.

Silence fell.

Bu Eunseol spoke in a low, resolute voice. “I don’t suspect you.”

The captains’ eyes wavered like ripples.

Bu Eunseol was known for his cold, rational nature. Yet he was expressing unconditional, boundless trust in them.

How could they not be moved?

“You’ve all been nobodies so far, haven’t you?” he continued.

The emotion faded instantly.

“No faction, no matter how deranged, would recruit you as spies.”

The Death Shadow Corps leaders were outcasts from their original sects: Myo Cheonwoo and Yoo Unryong, the Ten Demon Warriors, and the other captains, called the rootless brigade.

They were consistently rejected by their factions and had no interest in martial world politics.

No matter how wealthy or powerful a faction, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to recruit such rogues as spies.

“Oh,” the leaders sighed, their expressions gloomy, finally understanding.

Bu Eunseol’s trust wasn’t unconditional—it was grounded in reason.

“But shouldn’t we give her a name?” Jo Namcheon suddenly said.

“The little girl Deputy Leader Soyo brought.”

The captains smiled, thinking of the child.

In the grim atmosphere of the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, the innocent child’s presence brightened the warriors’ mood.

It wasn’t just her appearance but her pure, endearing nature.

“Neither Deputy Leader Soyo nor anyone else has named her, so they just call her ‘Someone’ or ‘Whoever,’” Jo Namcheon added.

“Hmm.” Bu Eunseol crossed his arms.

It was indeed odd for a child registered in Majeon to be called “Someone.”

Myo Cheonwoo turned to Yoo Unryong. “You’re the Scholarly Leader. Why don’t you come up with a good name?”

“Me?” Yoo Unryong hesitated, then shook his head. “How could I? It should be our Death Shadow Corps’s leader.”

“I’m fine with naming martial arts, but not people,” Bu Eunseol said.

Silence filled the room again.

Then Won Semun spoke. “Since Lady Soyo considers her like a sister, how about using the surname So?”

“That’s good. What about the name?” Yoo Unryong nodded.

Won Semun stammered, not having thought of a name.

“Well, since she’s been unwell, how about Okrim, meaning to grow strong like General Guan Yu?”

Smack!

“Are you joking?” Jo Namcheon slapped the back of Won Semun’s head. “You can’t just copy Instructor So’s name!”

“Then you suggest something!” Won Semun retorted.

“Hmm. Surname So, and since her eyes are pretty, how about Ban?”

“So Ban? Come on!” Smack!

“Then, to strive in cultivating energy, So Nogong.” Smack!

“To see the world broadly, So Banggwan.”

As Won Semun and Jo Namcheon traded nonsense and slaps, the other leaders’ expressions darkened.

‘No wonder the Lord trusts us.’

Even if the Three Realms thought them fools, they wouldn’t use such idiots as spies.

“Let’s decide later,” Bu Eunseol said, standing as the nonsense continued. “The meeting is over.”

Returning to his office, something felt off.

He stared into the air, then began searching the room like a thief, even closing his eyes to inspect the floor carefully.

“Well made,” he muttered, approaching the bookshelf and flipping a few books.

Grind.

A wall flipped, revealing a secret chamber.

The ceiling and walls were thick iron, ensuring no one, not even a master, could eavesdrop when closed.

“How is it? To your liking?” Yoo Unryong, inside the chamber, smiled at Bu Eunseol.

“I’m genuinely surprised this time,” Yoo Unryong said, shrugging as he surveyed the chamber. “You asked for a secret chamber in your office before returning.”

Before, Bu Eunseol had instructed Yoo Unryong regarding Soyo and issued another covert order: to build a secure secret chamber in his office.

Yoo Unryong had faithfully executed it, creating a secret passage and chamber connected to Bu Eunseol’s office and meeting room. As Bu Eunseol’s deputy, Yoo Unryong could freely access his office and handle all matters in his absence.

“It’s good,” Bu Eunseol nodded, entering the chamber as the wall closed with a grind.

“But in the end… you suspect someone, don’t you?” Yoo Unryong said cautiously, his expression dark. “Among our Death Shadow Corps leaders.”

Silence followed.

Staring into the air, Bu Eunseol sighed deeply. “It’s just a possibility. Nothing’s certain.”

When he visited the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, Weiji Hyesang had said:

“Have you found the descendant of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars?”

At the time, only his trusted leaders knew that information.

He had thought it was a coincidence Weiji Hyesang learned of it, a ploy to sow discord among his captains. But this journey made him realize it wasn’t mere wordplay.

Only he and his captains knew he was seeking the Divine Sage alone.

Yet, as if waiting, the Martial Alliance had acted immediately.

“I trust you,” Bu Eunseol had told his leaders.

But it was a lie.

He had concluded there was a high chance a spy was among them.