The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign – Chapter 204

Looking up at Solitary Light Pavilion, Bu Eunseol’s brow furrowed slightly.

‘This is incomprehensible.’ 

Majeon had always encouraged competition among heir candidates. Yet now, they were summoned together? Were they planning a martial contest in Solitary Light Pavilion?

“We’ve arrived,” Hyeok Sojin said, stopping before the pavilion.

He wasn’t an heir candidate.

He had come to escort Bu Eunseol, sensing something significant was afoot, hoping to offer even a little support.

“Come back safely, Brother Bu,” he said.

Understanding his intent, Bu Eunseol nodded. “I will.”

As Bu Eunseol stepped toward Solitary Light Pavilion, one of the solemn guards approached, clasping his hands. “Follow me.”

The warrior cautiously led Bu Eunseol, not to the main hall but to a corridor by the west gate. Passing a neatly arranged garden, a small annex came into view.

“Enter here,” the warrior said.

Nodding, Bu Eunseol opened the annex door without hesitation.

Inside was a simple interior, like earthenware. A large table and bookshelves lined with books stood neatly arranged. It seemed a place where Majeon’s senior figures gathered for meetings.

Step.

As he entered, the calm air inside turned icy in an instant. Steaming teacups sat on the large table, and four young men were seated within.

Bu Eunseol had shed his leader’s uniform for casual clothes. In contrast, the others wore vibrant, luxurious martial uniforms that stood out from afar.

The legitimate heirs of the Ten Demonic Sects, recognized as Majeon heir candidates, were finally gathered in one place.

Four pairs of piercing eyes.

Bu Eunseol calmly met the gazes of the four men, their eyes gleaming with intensity. A tension like the heavens collapsing and the earth shaking swept through the room.

‘They’re strong.’ Bu Eunseol realized anew.

They were formidable.

As much as he had grown through countless trials, so had they.

‘As expected of the Ten Demonic Sects’ legitimate heirs.’

They were born with innate talent, trained rigorously from childhood, and had endured grueling refinement to hone their skills. Moreover, as long-designated heirs, they held advantages over Bu Eunseol in martial arts and many other areas.

Step, step.

Bu Eunseol moved to the table.

The air grew even more hostile. A single finger’s movement could spark a bloody battle.

Sit.

Bu Eunseol sat calmly in an empty seat. The precarious atmosphere dissipated, and the heavy air returned to peace.

“You finally came,” said Do Cheonlin, seated opposite, breaking the long silence. “I hoped you wouldn’t show.”

Do Cheonlin.

He had never directly displayed his martial prowess. But since Hell Island, he had manipulated events from behind, always wearing a relaxed, confident expression.

As if he controlled every situation.

“It’s been a while,” Bu Eunseol said with a subtle smile. “I appreciated the warm welcome from the Blood Flame Blade Sect.”

“…”

“Though it wasn’t from you.”

“My troublesome sister has shamed me,” Do Cheonlin sighed, as if expecting the remark. “Her actions have long been beyond my control.”

From his perspective, Do Chaeryeong’s attack had damaged his reputation. Though he smiled, much of his usual composure was gone.

“Nangyang, Bu Eunseol,” said the man opposite Do Cheonlin, looking directly at him. 

“I’ve long awaited this meeting.”

His appearance was strikingly refined, his eyes and voice clear, giving him an almost childlike purity. Seated across from the decadent beauty of Do Cheonlin, he evoked a strange contrast.

As if a god had crafted Do Cheonlin and then created his opposite.

“Who are you?” Bu Eunseol asked.

The man revealed white teeth, smiling brightly and clasping his hands. “Weiji Hyesang, heir of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.” Shockingly, the heir of the greatest demonic sword sect was this delicate, youthful man.

Meeting Bu Eunseol’s gaze, Weiji Hyesang’s eyes curved like crescent moons. “Sword Demon Elder spoke of you often, Brother Bu.”

Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes.

Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun.

When Bu Eunseol refused to join the Hwa Wu Sword Sect, Wi Hyeok-gun had unleashed intangible energy in rage. Without Vice-Sect Leader Dan Cheong’s intervention, Bu Eunseol might have suffered irreparable internal injuries.

To mention Wi Hyeok-gun so cheerfully in his presence?

“And you’re the sole inheritor of Lord Cheon’s exclusive sword art, the Unmatched Thunderbolt,” Weiji Hyesang added.

“Sole?” Bu Eunseol asked.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Weiji Hyesang smiled innocently. “The essence of Lord Cheon’s Unmatched Thunderbolt was taught only to you, Brother Bu.”

Only then did Bu Eunseol understand.

Why Sword Demon Wi Hyeok-gun was so furious with him, and why Cheon Ungwang faced severe punishment for teaching him the Unmatched Thunderbolt.

‘So that’s how it was.’ As Bu Eunseol’s expression grew heavy, Weiji Hyesang continued with a pure smile. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m just relaying what I heard.”

“It’s fine,” Bu Eunseol said, smiling and nodding. “It’s all true.” Even if spoken with malice, Bu Eunseol could only laugh.

Not only Cheon Ungwang but also Jingak, a junior instructor, had taught him basic sword arts.

Elder Dan Cheonyang of the Hwa Wu Sword Sect had imparted advanced sword principles.

Though it was part of selecting the Ten Demon Warriors… Bu Eunseol owed much to the Hwa Wu Sword Sect.

“Ridiculous. Anyone would think this is a friendly gathering,” snorted the man to Weiji Hyesang’s left.

His gaze and aura were sharp as a blade, yet his clothing was loose and oversized. Bu Eunseol instantly recognized him as the heir of Extreme Slaughter Sect. Assassins wore loose clothing for concealed pockets and hidden weapons.

“No need to sharpen your blade already, Yong Jeokbi,” said the young man beside him, chuckling.

With long, wavy hair and large hands, he was Shin Do-unhwi, heir of Extinction Palace.

“We won’t see this guy again anyway.”

A cryptic remark.

As Bu Eunseol frowned, step, step.

Soft footsteps approached, and the annex door opened. An elderly man with neatly combed hair entered. He looked ordinary but was a master of fearsome demonic arts.

Yeop Hyocheon, the Chief Instructor, second only to the Demon Emperor.

“All here,” Yeop Hyocheon said, smiling softly as he scanned the heir candidates. “Seeing the Ten Demonic Sects’ heirs together stirs deep emotions.”

His expression held an unreadable regret.

Having spent his life with the Demon Emperor, he might be recalling the Demon Emperor’s own candidacy days.

“The future of this order rests in your hands,” he said.

Suddenly, Bu Eunseol felt something odd.

Majeon had said heir candidates could come from the Ten Demonic Sects, the Elder Council, or the Demon Emperor’s designation. Why, then, were only the Ten Demonic Sects’ heirs summoned?

Yeop Hyocheon spoke in a low voice. “To be Majeon’s heir, one needs the talent and qualifications to lead the entire demonic path. You’ve all passed the order’s trials.” Pausing, he continued, “Now, assuming you’re the heir, we’ll test your capabilities.”

He nodded toward his back.

A warrior carrying a large wooden chest approached cautiously and placed it on the table.

Click.

Yeop Hyocheon opened the chest, revealing a pile of scrolls.

“These scrolls detail tasks the heir must handle,” he said softly, almost inaudibly. “You each choose one and complete it.”

A warrior began carefully unrolling the scrolls on the table.

“Is there no deadline?” Bu Eunseol asked.

Yeop Hyocheon nodded. “None of these can be completed quickly. Even determining success or failure will take a long time.”

He added, “But completing it faster than others will have its advantages.” In other words, swiftly completing the assigned task would favor one’s heirship.

As the warrior placed the scrolls on the table,

“This will do,” Do Cheonlin said, swiftly grabbing one after scanning it. “Perfect for our sect.”

Seizing the moment when attention was on Bu Eunseol’s question, he quickly assessed and took a scroll advantageous to him. He even shuffled the scrolls to obscure which one he took.

“As expected of the Blood Flame Blade Sect’s young master,” Weiji Hyesang said, nodding approvingly. “No set order, so picking the best one quickly is wise.”

Yong Jeokbi snorted. “What does it matter what others choose? I just need to complete my task.”

He picked up a scroll from the table.

“Eliminate all of the Twelve Earths.”

The Twelve Earths.

A group of fixers handling shady dealings for the upper and financial worlds. They’d do anything for money, akin to unprincipled assassin sects. Majeon had long sought to eradicate them, but their decentralized structure and ties to the underworld’s lowest strata made it difficult.

“Impressive! As the master of assassination, Extreme Slaughter Sect is well-suited to deal with underworld sects,” Weiji Hyesang said, never missing a chance to praise.

Shin Do-unhwi gave a subtle look. “Isn’t it better to pick quickly? You’re too relaxed.”

“Perhaps,” Weiji Hyesang smiled. “But waiting to see what others choose before picking isn’t a bad strategy.”

Caught off guard by the sharp reply, Shin Do-unhwi’s eyes gleamed. Despite his carefree appearance, Weiji Hyesang was making coldly calculated decisions.

“But such matters aren’t solved by scheming,” Shin Do-unhwi said, examining the scrolls and picking one.

It detailed resolving issues with smaller sects absorbed into Majeon but failing to integrate.

“Quite a difficult choice,” Weiji Hyesang praised, and it wasn’t empty flattery.

Resolving chronic issues of sects and integrating them into Majeon’s alliance was a task of managing and expanding influence—far harder than destroying a single faction.

“Not an easy choice,” even Yeop Hyocheon remarked with admiration.

Shin Do-unhwi gave a faint smile. “I’m not very confident in martial arts.”

Though he said this, as Extinction Palace’s heir, he could rival top masters with his six-foot frame. Shin Do-unhwi was clearly a genius hiding his true skill behind a humble facade.

As Bu Eunseol approached the scrolls, he glanced at Weiji Hyesang. “Still planning to yield the order?”

“Of course,” Weiji Hyesang replied.

Bu Eunseol smiled coldly. “You don’t plan to choose today.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Chief Instructor said there’s no deadline, meaning it’s fine not to choose a task now.” Yong Jeokbi and Shin Do-unhwi’s expressions shifted, while Do Cheonlin wore a faint smile.

He, too, had noticed this loophole and Weiji Hyesang’s strategy. Yet he chose first, likely picking the most advantageous and manageable task.

“Then you won’t choose either, Brother Bu,” Weiji Hyesang said, eyes sparkling.

Having seen through the loophole, he assumed Bu Eunseol would wait or observe before choosing.

“No, I’ll choose now,” Bu Eunseol said, shaking his head. “Because no one else should take this task.”

Weiji Hyesang blinked. None of the tasks seemed easy or particularly desirable.

Swish.

Bu Eunseol approached the scrolls and picked one without hesitation.

The atmosphere turned frigid.

Even Yeop Hyocheon’s expression hardened.

The scroll Bu Eunseol chose bore these words:

“Assassinate one of the righteous figures among the Seven Kings of Death.”