The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign – Chapter 484

‘No way.’

Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.

The Absolute Demonic Blade Project didn’t align with the Demon Emperor’s age or generation. He had already risen to the side of the demonic path’s number one before the Seven-Finger Demon Blade even appeared.

So why was such a book on the Demon Emperor’s shelf?

Bu Eunseol hurriedly pulled out the booklet.

‘This is…’

It was written in the Tibetan script used by lama monks. He didn’t know the meaning, but he instantly recognized it as a sutra.

‘The Demon Emperor, ruler of the demonic path, reads sutras?’

Grandmasters of the Demon Emperor’s level had long transcended orthodox and demonic, entering the Heavenly-Human Realm. Studying profound sutras for spiritual cultivation wasn’t particularly strange.

‘Blood.’

The corner of the book’s last page was stained dark crimson. Old blood.

Why? For what reason?

Why would the Demon Emperor read a sutra used by lama monks?

Why was it deeply soaked in blood?

Was this not a sutra but a secret martial manual?

Bu Eunseol’s spirit grew extremely turbid; his thoughts chaotic.

Staying here any longer felt like he’d vomit.

Click.

Rushing out of the office, Bu Eunseol gasped for breath.

‘The Demon Emperor.’

Merely seeing the office…

Had plunged Bu Eunseol’s spirit—despite achieving Spirit Regulation Harmony—back into chaos…

His martial prowess and stratagems were unfathomable.

“Are you all right?” Looking up, a pair of beautiful eyes stared straight at him.

Jin Seol.

“I’m fine.” Regulating his breathing, Bu Eunseol composed his expression.

But the lingering chaos still shook his mind.

“Here. Cool cold-fragrance tea.”

“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol drank without refusal.

The cool tea slid down his throat, clearing his mind.

‘I was certain I’d never suffer another spiritual blow…’

Chills ran down Bu Eunseol’s spine.

The Demon Emperor had brought chaos to his spirit in a new way.

And that chaos…

Clearly came from knowing some truth Bu Eunseol did not.

‘Demon Emperor. So you too are a mountain I must surpass.’

Fwoosh.

Bloodlight flared in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.

‘No one can thread strings on my body and puppet me.’

“Martial Soul Command Lord.” Jin Seol’s soft voice came then. “The Demon Emperor cares deeply for you.”

Somewhat out of the blue.

Bu Eunseol calmed his anger and asked evenly,

“The Demon Emperor?”

“Yes. He often spoke of you to me.”

An ordinary person would ask what was said.

But Bu Eunseol didn’t want to hear.

Even stories from Jin Seol’s mouth…

Would surely be what the Demon Emperor intended.

“Then I’ll be going.” 

As Bu Eunseol pressed his palms together, Jin Seol lightly called, “Wait a moment.”

Turning, Jin Seol lowered her head and said,

“Are you… perhaps blaming my narrow-minded actions?”

“I don’t understand.”

“You trusted my wisdom and gave me a chance. But I was stubborn and caused great harm to innocents.”

She was speaking of the past with Shim Wol.

“Likewise.” Bu Eunseol said calmly, “If I had been wiser, I would have understood the Flower of Majeon’s heart and not made such a suggestion.”

His response was sincere.

Bu Eunseol could grasp many things, but not a woman’s heart.

He only remembered her kindness and wanted to repay it.

He tried to naturally break her engagement with the demonized Shim Wol to save her face. But that action wounded her pride and led to the worst outcome.

“I worried you might blame yourself. Thinking everything—now—is your fault.” Jin Seol opened calmly, “But that’s wrong. It was all my fault.”

And she apologized sincerely. “Though late, I’m truly sorry.”

Traces of her suffering lingered deeply in Jin Seol’s eyes and voice.

She had always been arrogant, overconfident in her judgment. In truth, such traits were common in talented youth. Only… 

The price of her misjudgment was too great.

“No need to apologize to me.” Bu Eunseol could only offer a dry smile.

It was the only comfort he could give.

“Then I’ll return.” As Bu Eunseol turned, Jin Seol bowed deeply.

It felt like sending off someone departing far away, never to return.

“Command Lord.” Jin Seol suddenly said something odd. “Do you know this Sacred Demon Pavilion’s original name?”

A rather random question.

“I don’t.”

“Venerable God Pavilion. It was where the noble, god-like ruler of the demonic path resided.”

“……”

“But when the Demon Emperor arrived, he renamed it the Sacred Demon Pavilion.”

Jin Seol looked at Bu Eunseol and said calmly, “The character ‘sacred’ can mean a sage with transcendent ability, but also a wise man who listens well and judges well.”

She stared into Bu Eunseol’s eyes.

“The demonic path is said to be full of schemes and plots, ruled by force and power. But the Demon Emperor said the force moving this vast Majeon… is merely rotten desire.” In a whisper-like low voice, “He probably wanted to change such things.”

Twitch.

Bu Eunseol felt strong resentment at those words.

“The Demon Emperor too.” With a sardonic smile, he said coldly, “Seems unable to escape that principle.”

“So perhaps that’s why he believes in you?” Jin Seol gazed at Bu Eunseol with clear, unblemished eyes.

“That you… will be different.”

In the end, without being asked…

She had indirectly conveyed the Demon Emperor’s words.

“I’ve spoken out of turn.”

“I’ll leave.” As Bu Eunseol turned coldly, Jin Seol bowed politely.

And quietly closed the door.

Would she serve the Demon Emperor for life? Or was there another reason?

He didn’t know, but Bu Eunseol sensed…

It would be a long time before he saw Jin Seol again.

***

Returning to the Suppressed Demon Pavilion, Bu Eunseol met with the Death Shadow Corps’s captains.

And handled various duties.

He had to be diligent as Martial Soul Command Lord while in Majeon.

So no void was felt whenever he left.

After two days of work, Bu Eunseol left Majeon again and headed straight for the secret safehouse in Xi’an Prefecture.

Both Seo Jinha and Yoo Unryong were there.

To secretly discuss Shaolin matters.

“Blood Shaolin is even wilder than the rumors said.” Hearing Bu Eunseol’s full story, Yoo Unryong and Seo Jinha gaped. “Turning villains into reformed monks to protect Shaolin? Is that what monks do?”

Seo Jinha shook his head; Yoo Unryong gave a hollow laugh.

“Indeed. I heard Blood Shaolin ignores precepts unlike Shaolin’s monks… but not to that extent.” Bu Eunseol shook his head. “It’s an organization even Shaolin doesn’t acknowledge. They never minded Buddhist rules.”

However, he didn’t mention the Absolute Demonic Blade Project to either.

He had sworn to Dam Jeung not to reveal it, and if they knew…

They too could be assassinated by the Three Realms or the hidden force.

This was his vengeance.

Having seen the nameless old man’s end, Bu Eunseol never wanted anyone sacrificed because of his revenge. Moreover, even Dam Jeung, pursuing for decades, hadn’t uncovered the force’s true nature.

Slowly.

If he couldn’t find them immediately, he’d travel the martial world, moving between Majeon and the Martial Alliance… to catch their tail.

Bu Eunseol asked Yoo Unryong, “Tak Ilhon. How is he?”

“The Medicine Hall Lord says recovery will take time. The injuries are old.”

“He spent fifteen years in the Repentance Cave, after all.” Placing Tak Ilhon as Seo Jinha’s deputy would take considerable time. “Once fully recovered, assign him as Seo Jinha’s deputy.”

“Understood.”

Hearing this, Seo Jinha grinned.

“Still, this martial world trip was fruitful. Subduing the infamous Flying Demon, of all people.”

He beamed, “And that old man’s light-body skill is renowned. Once recovered, it’ll ease things for Deputy Leader Soyo.”

Soyo had been frantically shuttling between Bu Eunseol and Seo Jinha.

But with Tak Ilhon as deputy, workload would drop significantly.

“But can we trust him? A great thief and slaughter demon, public enemy of the martial world.” Yoo Unryong looked worried.

Bu Eunseol nodded.

“That prideful old man volunteered servitude. Not fully reformed, but with firm desire… he’ll be fine.”

He then shared the Ten Demon Warrior-like plan found in the Demon Emperor’s office.

Seo Jinha, listening silently, sighed deeply. “So they’re doing it again.”

Yoo Unryong said, “From Majeon’s view, not doing it would be strange. It was highly successful.”

The Ten Demon Warriors Plan allowed multifaceted evaluation of prodigies previously judged only by bone structure and talent.

And it produced the outstanding Bu Eunseol…

From Majeon’s perspective, not continuing would be more strange.

“But it might be directly under the Demon Emperor. And considering Majeon’s stance, you can’t blindly oppose.”

Yoo Unryong’s view matched Bu Eunseol’s.

But Seo Jinha flared up.

“If we didn’t know, fine—but knowing they’re repeating it and staying silent?”

“Our Martial Soul Command Lord is Majeon’s heir, not a righteous apostle. Interfering in Majeon affairs only shrinks your position.”

“But—”

As their words lengthened, Bu Eunseol said, “First, track Manbak Hall Lord Baek Jeoncheon’s whereabouts. We need to know where he is and what he’s doing to oppose it later.”

“Understood.” Yoo Unryong answered.

Seo Jinha said to Bu Eunseol, “Anyway, you should head to the Martial Alliance soon? Morale among the Supreme Corps is dropping.”

Bu Eunseol nodded.

The Supreme Branch Corps was a newly formed multi-purpose unit. Unlike the Death Shadow Corps captains and members, long with Bu Eunseol, it still needed much guidance and command.

“Understood. I’ll enter the Martial Alliance.”

“Cozy up to the Ascendant Martial Hall Lord. The Supreme Corps say he researches daily how to earn merit.”

“Will do.” Bu Eunseol looked at Yoo Unryong and Seo Jinha. “Then you two return to Death Shadow Corps. I’ll go to the Martial Alliance.”

Yoo Unryong asked, “But is it really okay?”

“What?”

“The Seon Woojin identity. It came from the Divine Mountain Sage, after all. I’m uneasy.”

“He won’t draw a blade yet. If he intended that, he wouldn’t have invested so long to give the Seon Woojin identity,” Bu Eunseol replied calmly.

The Divine Mountain Sage’s intent was clear.

Exterminate the Three Realms who had infiltrated the Martial Alliance.

It aligned with Bu Eunseol’s goal so, at least until it was achieved, he wouldn’t expose the identity.

Without that trust, Bu Eunseol would never have accepted Seon Woojin.

“Then come back safe.”

Seo Jinha then changed his appearance to Bu Eunseol’s. Since Bu Eunseol hadn’t yet disguised as Seon Woojin, they looked like mirror images.

Crack.

Bu Eunseol disguised as Seon Woojin, instantly swapping sword and clothes.

“I’ll go first.” 

Bu Eunseol facing him like a mirror disappeared, leaving Seo Jinha alone.

Watching quietly, Yoo Unryong felt odd.

‘He wouldn’t, but…’

According to Bu Eunseol, even the Seven-Finger Demon Blade who confined himself in Blood Shaolin had a shadow.

Living as another’s shadow meant completely abandoning one’s life.

Seo Jinha willingly walked that path… but like the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s shadow, might it not lead to a sorrowful life?

“Why the look?”

Seo Jinha smiled brightly, but Yoo Unryong’s nose tingled for no reason.

People live for themselves. Yet some gladly live for others.

“Is it hard?”

“Useless talk.” Seo Jinha grinned, “And when I’m Martial Soul Command Lord, never make that face. People might misunderstand.”

Yoo Unryong’s face reddened; he snapped,

“What face? I was just worried living in disguise is hard.”

Deeply offended, he turned and stormed out.

Seo Jinha gave a wry smile, watching, and muttered softly,

“You’re the same, Yoo Unryong.”

He knew too.

Yoo Unryong’s concern for him. And that he too had become someone living for another.

“But the most pitiful is that guy.”

Seo Jinha looked where Bu Eunseol had left.

He came to the martial world only for revenge… yet fate endlessly toyed with him, leading to an unknown destination.

‘First, I should do my part.’

Shaking his head, Seo Jinha stepped out and called to Yoo Unryong ahead.

“Captain Yoo. Prepare the carriage for this Command Lord.”

“Yessir.”

Yoo Unryong answered politely but didn’t look back.

***

Martial Alliance, Ascendant Martial Hall. Yuk Jangcheon’s office.

Luxurious paintings, scrolls, and high-end furnishings—absent before—were piled up. Returning to the Martial Alliance, Bu Eunseol bowed and entered.

“You’re here.” Yuk Jangcheon beamed. “You’ve worked hard handling matters day and night in the martial world.”

“Not at all.” Bu Eunseol answered brightly, surveying, “But what is all this?”

“Bought from the Myriad Goods Store’s Henan branch.”

Myriad Goods Store.

A revolutionary large shop created by the Martial Alliance, selling everything from rare books and art to clothing, fabrics, and daily necessities in one building. It was to protect merchants from Black Rooms’ extortion, collecting modest periodic stall fees instead.

Merchants could trade freely with peace of mind. The Martial Alliance resolved chronic deficits with regular fees, greatly easing funding issues.

“Soon the General Assembly will be held in this hall’s conference room.”

Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.

The Martial Alliance General Assembly was originally in the Silver Moon Pavilion. But it was currently under renovation by Gongsun Dankyung’s order. Thus, this time in Ascendant Martial Hall’s conference room.

Of course, Yuk Jangcheon’s efforts to curry favor with Commander Gongsun Dankyung played a part.

‘He cozies up wherever possible.’

Admirable in a way.

Yuk Jangcheon never stopped trying to catch the leadership’s eye, always watching for ascent.

He bowed low when needed, stepped forward boldly when not.

Most youths have ambition but lack effort.

But past fifty, he never rested, constantly striving. Treating anyone—regardless of age or gender—potentially helpful with liver-extracting friendliness.

Given his status and age, no easy feat.

“How is it? Doesn’t this conference room now suit the General Assembly’s dignity?” Yuk Jangcheon said, lips twitching with an ambition-filled voice, “And no less for future Commander meetings.”

“Of course.” Surveying, Bu Eunseol exclaimed in admiration, “The Vice-Lord’s majesty and eye already exceed a Commander’s.”

“Hahaha. You know flattery too?” Though he said so, pleased, Yuk Jangcheon laughed heartily, “This Lord lived frugally, but this time I paid attention. Leadership will gather here often henceforth.”

“Well done. Decorating later wastes time. Like the Silver Moon Pavilion now.”

“Hehehe. You always match this Lord’s thoughts.” Wanting to boast, Yuk Jangcheon pointed to a nearby scroll. “How about it? Know anything about paintings? It cost a fortune, but luckily got it from the Myriad Goods Store’s rare book section.”

“Is that so.”

Bu Eunseol looked at the indicated painting.

A graceful pine under moonlight; even at a glance, refreshingly open.

“What do you think?” Yuk Jangcheon smiled, “Can you tell the work? Ah, of course you can.”

Merchant conglomerate heirs receive knowledge and education in rare books and art from childhood.

Naturally, as Sunflower Merchant Guild heir, his appraisal eye would be exceptional.

‘I actually know nothing about paintings.’

Bu Eunseol learned many things from grandfather Bu Zhanyang.

But never appraising calligraphy/paintings or valuing art.

‘Hmm.’ Bu Eunseol inwardly hummed.

Come to think, a merchant heir lacking art literacy made no sense.

Showing ignorance could raise suspicion.

“I’ll examine closely.”

Feeling Yuk Jangcheon’s blatant gaze, Bu Eunseol pretended to appraise.

Then something strange happened.

“It’s Master Chu Myeong’s previous-generation work, Moonlit Pine Radiance.”

He had never learned calligraphy or painting…

Yet upon seeing it, various knowledge instantly surfaced?

Like drawing out long-known memories.