The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign – Chapter 178

A Demonic Killing Technique.

It refers to a brutal demonic martial art, akin to the Hundred Killing Secret Techniques of assassins, designed solely to end an enemy’s life.

It was utterly incomprehensible. To teach such a vicious demonic killing technique to her granddaughter, to make her be called a demon witch?

What kind of absurd request was this?

“This child has a gentle heart and dislikes harming even plants or small insects. But as the next Pavilion Master, such compassion will only hinder her path.” Geuk Hyeryeong sighed as she spoke. “I’ve tried every possible method, but I couldn’t instill a venomous heart in her.”

“Hmm.” Bu Eunseol let out a heavy breath.

He had hoped it wasn’t true, but Geuk Hyeryeong was genuinely asking him to teach this innocent girl a demonic killing technique.

“This doesn’t seem right, Pavilion Master.” Hyeok Sojin, who had been listening silently, shook his head. “I acknowledge that the next successor of the Affectionate Blossom Sect doesn’t need a gentle or compassionate heart. But…”

With a look of disbelief, Hyeok Sojin continued.

“Is the position of Pavilion Master so harsh that a ten-year-old child needs to learn killing techniques or develop a venomous heart? Her disposition could change as she grows.”

Geuk Hyeryeong, who had been silent, nodded with a calm expression.

“In the past, I thought the same way.” A terrifying murderous intent flashed in her eyes as she gazed at the distant sky. “And because of that, this child lost her voice.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Have you heard? About the incident that occurred in this Pavilion two years ago?” Suddenly, Hyeok Sojin recalled a rumor that had quietly spread within the Ten Demonic Sects two years prior.

Dongbang Jungri, a former master of the unorthodox sects and the notorious Lustful Demon Blood Soul, a great thief of women. It was said he had secretly infiltrated the Affectionate Blossom Sect and was ultimately killed.

“Could it be… Dongbang Jungri, that man…?”

“Exactly. That vile fiend was hiding in this Pavilion, injured, and this child found him.” Geuk Hyeryeong’s face was filled with anguish. “This child’s heart is as pure as silk, so she helped the injured man without hesitation. But that wretched fiend took her hostage to escape.”

Her eyes gleamed with a white-hot murderous intent as she recalled that time.

“But when his escape failed, he stabbed Hyebin’s throat with his sword. The sword struck a pure child who had tried to save him.” Hyeok Sojin finally understood Geuk Hyeryeong’s heart completely.

“I see.”

“Even after such a cruel ordeal, Hyebin still retains her purity.” Geuk Hyeryeong, her eyes wide with intensity, spoke as if shouting. “If time passes like this, far from becoming the next Pavilion Master, she’ll be taken advantage of by wicked people!”

Her lips pressed tightly together, her expression one of despair.

As a grandmother, not just a Pavilion Master, she likely wanted to protect her granddaughter’s noble character to the end. But because of that pure and gentle disposition, she had lost her voice…

Thus, she was determined to instill a venomous heart to ensure such an incident would never happen again.

“I had originally planned to give her the Extreme Demon Flame Pill.” At Geuk Hyeryeong’s words, Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with realization.

‘The Death Spirit Sect.’ Now he understood who the other Ten Demonic Sects successor who had arrived earlier was and why Geuk Hyeryeong had accepted their proposal.

The Extreme Demon Flame Pill.

It was a secret treasure of the Death Spirit Sect, crafted based on the Demon Spirit Pill of the demonic sects, designed to unleash ferocity and cruelty.

“The Extreme Demon Flame Pill is made from the inner core of the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Carp, allowing one to amass powerful internal energy.”

Bu Eunseol responded. “You intended to use the fiery energy of the inner core to change this child’s temperament.”

“Exactly.”

The inner core of the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Carp greatly enhances internal energy and contains intense fiery energy. That searing energy circulates endlessly through the body, causing an imbalance in one’s qi that alters emotions.

Isn’t it said that physicians describe the rage bursting from the heart as Heart Fire?

“But controlling human emotions with a pill has its limits, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed. That was a major concern for this Pavilion Master as well.” Geuk Hyeryeong nodded. “But with two successors of the Ten Demonic Sects joining forces, I thought you could produce a better outcome than such a pill.”

Geuk Hyeryeong believed that the exceptional successors of the Ten Demonic Sects could achieve better results than feeding her granddaughter a toxic pill.

At that moment, Hyeok Sojin, who had been deep in thought, asked, “So, do you want her to learn only a venomous killing technique? Or do you want her entire temperament to become cold and ruthless?”

“I’d be satisfied if she could master just one demonic killing technique. No matter what efforts we’ve made, teaching her even such a technique has been impossible.” Geuk Hyeryeong gave a faint smile. “If she learns a killing technique, her temperament could gradually change as well.”

Hyeok Sojin let out an inward sigh of relief. If she had asked to transform Geuk Hyebin’s temperament into that of a cold-blooded assassin, it would have been utterly impossible.

‘But teaching a killing technique to an innocent child isn’t easy either.’ A killing technique cannot be executed without murderous intent. As Hyeok Sojin hesitated to respond, Bu Eunseol stepped forward.

“Give me one month.”

“One month?”

“Yes. Within that time, I will ensure she masters one demonic killing technique.”

“Brother Bu, take more time. One month is…”

“It’s enough. For mastering just one killing technique.”

“Heh heh heh.” At Bu Eunseol’s bold assurance, Geuk Hyeryeong let out a rough laugh and nodded.

“As expected of a former Nangyang member, you’re decisive. Very well.” Rising from her seat, she nodded again.

“If you can teach this child a demonic killing technique within one month… this Pavilion will gladly support you as the successor of Majeon.”

***

The next day.

Hyeok Sojin had stayed up all night, unable to sleep. Normally, he would have practiced his energy circulation, but his mind was too cluttered with distracting thoughts to focus.

‘What on earth is Brother Bu thinking?’ Standing up, he gazed out the window at the breaking dawn. ‘He’s not equating this with my situation, is he?’ It was true that, with Bu Eunseol’s help, Hyeok Sojin had shed his laziness and become a new person.

But deep within him, there had always been a yearning for martial arts. His encounter with Bu Eunseol had merely awakened that desire.

‘Teaching a demonic killing technique to a pure girl who wouldn’t harm an ant? That’s near impossible.’ A killing technique is, as its name suggests, a martial art designed to take an enemy’s life. It’s not about swinging a sword in prescribed forms but requires the resolve to end a life in a single strike.

Click.

At that moment, the door opened, and a tall figure carrying a large bundle stepped inside.

It was Bu Eunseol.

“What brings you here so early in the morning?” At Hyeok Sojin’s words, Bu Eunseol placed the large bundle on the table.

Rustle.

The bundle contained empty books.

“What are these?”

“Starting today, write the secret manuals in this order.” Bu Eunseol handed over a sheet of paper.

Hyeok Sojin examined it and saw a densely written list of forty-eight Demonic Auxiliary Techniques possessed by Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.

“I’ve selected ones that women can easily learn.”

“Wait, you expect me to write forty-eight secret manuals alone?”

“You’ll need to demonstrate martial arts to the disciples, along with teaching practical methods and oral formulas. So finish writing the manuals within fifteen days.”

“That’s tedious. Do it yourself, Brother Bu.” Though his desire for martial arts had overshadowed his laziness, Hyeok Sojin’s innate nature was still idle and prone to boredom. Writing manuals for fifteen days straight? Absolutely not.

“If you refuse, so be it.” Bu Eunseol nodded. “Then I’ll write the manuals, and you teach the Pavilion Master’s granddaughter a demonic killing technique.”

“With time so tight, I’ll start writing the manuals diligently now.” As if he’d never complained, Hyeok Sojin picked up brush, ink, and paper, waving his hand. “Don’t worry and go.”

Most sects’ training grounds are wide, open spaces.

But the White Lotus Pavilion, the Affectionate Blossom Sect’s training hall, was built like a study hall for scholars. Inside, chairs and tables for reading were densely arranged, and one side held bookshelves filled with secret manuals on mental techniques and sound-based martial arts.

If not for the stone-paved courtyard extending from the bookshelves, Bu Eunseol might have thought the Affectionate Blossom Sect had no training ground.

“Ah.” In front of the courtyard stood a girl in loose, pale pink martial attire—Geuk Hyebin, standing with a tense posture.

‘They don’t even have proper martial attire.’ The loose clothing Geuk Hyebin wore was clearly made by cutting and sewing everyday garments.

“Ah.” Seeing Bu Eunseol, she rounded her lips and bowed politely.

To a passing elder, her cute and pure appearance would have elicited an “Oh my!” of delight.

‘Hmph.’ Staring into her large, dark eyes, Bu Eunseol let out a silent sigh. ‘So this is why they failed.’

Geuk Hyebin’s clear, transparent eyes were filled only with purity. Teaching a demonic killing technique to such a girl… was as difficult as teaching a Shaolin monk to commit robbery.

“Hmm.” After a moment of thought, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice. “Can you perform movement techniques?”

“Ah.” She nodded, and Bu Eunseol turned.

“Follow me.” At the western edge of the Affectionate Blossom Sect lay a beautiful forest with a flowing waterfall.

Beyond it stretched a dense jungle filled with towering trees.

Thud.

As Bu Eunseol ran through the forest, he occasionally struck rocks or trees. Using the Empty Breaking Mind Eye, he was thoroughly scanning the entire forest. When the terrain leveled out into a flat clearing, he suddenly leaped into the air.

Tap.

Landing on a branch about five jang (roughly 15 meters) high, Geuk Hyebin also kicked off the ground and lightly landed beside him.

“From now on, suppress your presence.”

Nod.

Geuk Hyebin, with bright, clear eyes, held her breath. Her presence vanished completely, as if she had blended into nature.

Bu Eunseol realized another fact.

Geuk Hyebin, this small girl, was a martial arts genius on par with Hyeok Sojin. Suppressing one’s presence so naturally meant complete control over one’s internal energy.

If this small girl properly mastered martial arts? She could very well have the potential to become a successor of Majeon.

‘Because she has such potential to become a Majeon successor… the Pavilion Master accepted my proposal.’ By the time Geuk Hyebin grew into adulthood, Majeon successor struggle would likely be resolved. If Bu Eunseol became the successor, he would, as promised, grant this girl the right to challenge for Majeon succession.

Flap.

At that moment, a hawk landed on a tree about ten jang away. After standing for a while, as if reading the wind, the hawk spotted a rabbit crouching far off.

Tap tap tap.

The rabbit, noticing the hawk, began to run swiftly. Zigzagging rapidly, the rabbit fled, but the hawk, with a whoosh, began to glide.

Screech.

No matter how fast the rabbit was, it couldn’t outrun the hawk. The hawk swiftly caught up, seizing the rabbit’s nape with its sharp talons.

Flap flap.

As the rabbit struggled, the two animals tumbled together for a while. Blood splattered in all directions, and when the rabbit was finally subdued, Geuk Hyebin let out an “Ah.”

“Do you want to save it?” At Bu Eunseol’s words, Geuk Hyebin hurriedly nodded. “Do as you wish.”

As if waiting for permission, she swiftly used her movement technique to descend, quickly freeing the rabbit from the hawk’s talons. The rabbit, its skin torn and bleeding, fled into the bushes as soon as it was released. Watching silently from the side, Bu Eunseol used his movement technique again.

“Follow me.”

Tap. Whoosh.

Climbing a steep cliff like a staircase, Bu Eunseol arrived at a hawk’s nest nestled at the cliff’s edge. There, hungry fledglings were crying, waiting for their mother to bring food. Some, having starved for so long, were too weak to even cry, their bodies emaciated.

“If you hadn’t interfered with the rabbit hunt, these fledglings wouldn’t be starving to death.”

“Ahh.” Geuk Hyebin’s eyes darkened as she looked at the exhausted baby hawks.

Watching her, Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.

“I’m not blaming your actions. Humans naturally feel sympathy for weaker creatures.”

“…”

“But animals don’t spare their prey out of sympathy or feel pity. Only humans apply the standards of good and evil.”

Bu Zhanyang had always said this about good and evil:

“Humans divide good and evil based on their own perspectives. Thus, good can become evil, and evil can be disguised as good…”

Back then, Bu Eunseol couldn’t understand those words. He was too young and far too pure.

Just like Geuk Hyebin now.

“And by those standards, your actions are closer to evil.”

“Ahh.” As Geuk Hyebin blinked her large eyes in confusion, Bu Eunseol spoke solemnly.

“Now, I’ll show you how cruel it is to help others…” But the more he looked into her large, dark eyes, the more an inexplicable sense of unease crept over him.

Suddenly, a scene flashed through Bu Eunseol’s mind. It was the moment when Geuk Hyebin had saved the rabbit from the hawk.

‘Wait… It wasn’t just compassion.’ Recalling that moment, Bu Eunseol realized a shocking truth.

This girl was not pure at all.

Geuk Hyeryeong and everyone in the Affectionate Blossom Sect had completely misunderstood this girl.