The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign – Chapter 63

A brief silence fell over the bamboo forest.

Whooosh.

The clear and pristine bamboo swayed in the passing breeze, a scene of natural elegance. But the wind blowing around the pavilion carried a murderous intent, and the air felt as heavy as lead.

“So it’s been uncovered,” Shang Liang said in a nonchalant tone. “What a pity.” With a regretful expression, Shang Liang gazed up at the night sky.

“I was so looking forward to returning to Majeon.” They didn’t make excuses. No, they couldn’t make excuses.

They knew Bu Eunseol was not only cautious but also meticulous to a fault. For him to ask such a question meant he had already uncovered the truth.

“I had a faint suspicion,” Shang Liang said after a long silence. “Perhaps Majeon had already figured out our true identities.”

“If you suspected that, why didn’t you leave?” Bu Eunseol asked.

“Well,” Shang Liang said with a bitter smile. “Maybe we wanted to prove we were still useful.”

“Useful…?”

“Exactly. Yueyang is a region where the intelligence networks of both orthodox and demonic sects are entangled. We managed to keep the Yueyang Branch running smoothly without conflict, so I thought Majeon might have let us be.” Taking another sip of liquor, Shang Liang continued in a low voice.

“When you killed Seok Jeong on your first mission, I was overjoyed. I thought we’d finally earned enough merit to return to Majeon.”

Rustle.

A breeze swept through the pavilion.

“But that was our mistake.”

“…”

“You were far beyond our expectations—an exceptional individual.” Savoring the breeze for a moment, Shang Liang continued. “You single-handedly handled every mission in Yueyang. Among them were tasks that destroyed the orthodox sect’s intelligence networks.”

In just six months, Bu Eunseol had obliterated the orthodox sect organizations not only in Yueyang but throughout Hunan Province.

“Thanks to you, the orthodox sect’s influence in Hunan has been completely crushed. Because of that, the Yueyang Branch can now be managed effortlessly by anyone.”

The Gong Twin Demons had hoped an outstanding agent would join and earn merits. Ironically, because an overly outstanding agent arrived, their own usefulness had plummeted.

“A hunting dog that’s outlived its purpose is thrown into the pot. That’s the natural order.” Bu Eunseol sat with a vacant gaze, as if he hadn’t heard a word.

Hesitation.

For the first time since entering the martial world, he was hesitating. These were the first people he’d felt a bond with since stepping into the martial world. Yet now, he had to cut them down.

‘The martial world is merciless, merciless…!’ The martial world, where one lives by the sword, was a hell where neither feeling nor giving affection was allowed.

“That’s the fate of spies…” Shang Liang said, looking at Bu Eunseol with a calm expression. “Put your emotions aside. The outcome is already decided.”

Bu Eunseol closed his eyes instead of responding.

How much time had passed? When he slowly opened his eyes, the hesitation was gone, replaced by a sharp glint.

“I spoke needlessly,” Shang Liang said, nodding as he saw the cold light in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.

“Shall we begin?”

Swish!

A strange whooshing sound cut through the air as something sharp sliced toward Bu Eunseol’s back.

Shing.

With a slight twist of his body, Bu Eunseol dodged a dark gleam that grazed his shoulder. Ma Yun had launched a surprise attack, wielding a curved scythe with lightning speed.

“As expected, you never let your guard down!” Ma Yun laughed heartily, swinging his scythe again.

Whoosh!

At that moment, Shang Liang, standing in front, struck like lightning.

“In the martial world, you always watch your back.” From the front, Shang Liang’s Judge’s Brush unleashed a piercing cold light, while from behind, Ma Yun’s scythe, cold as frost, enveloped Bu Eunseol’s entire body.

Swish, swish, swish.

Using Swift Beyond Shadow, Bu Eunseol shifted his position thirty-six times in place.

Whoosh! Slash, slash!

But the Judge’s Brush rained down like hundreds of arrows, and the scythe carved arcs, cutting off all paths of retreat.

Clang!

With a loud metallic clash, the Judge’s Brush and scythe halted. Bu Eunseol’s longsword, silently drawn, had blocked their attacks.

Hiss, hiss.

As Bu Eunseol moved like a wisp of smoke, swinging his sword, sharp sword qi expanded endlessly.

“Incredible!” Shang Liang and Ma Yun exclaimed, fending off the onslaught of sword strikes.

The Gong Twin Demons were seasoned combat veterans. No matter how strong an opponent, they could predict movements and angles to some extent. Yet they couldn’t find a single flaw in Bu Eunseol’s sword strikes, forcing them to retreat continuously.

“Drop your weapons,” Bu Eunseol said coldly, pausing his attack. “You can’t defeat me.”

“We’ll see about that.” Shang Liang and Ma Yun exchanged a glance.

Whoosh!

With a whistle-like sound, Shang Liang’s Judge’s Brush technique suddenly changed.

The Judge’s Brush, a unique weapon with both ends sharpened like a brush, was used for calligraphy-based techniques and striking vital points. But now, the altered technique incorporated staff-like moves—striking, sweeping, and collapsing.

“Staff techniques?” Bu Eunseol realized the new technique was remarkably similar to staff martial arts.

“Exactly. This is the pride of our sect, the Striking Staff Technique,” Shang Liang revealed.

It turned out Shang Liang, originally from the Beggars’ Sect, had used the Judge’s Brush to conceal his true skills.

Unpredictable moves.

Boom!

When the Striking Staff Technique was added to the straightforward calligraphy-based Judge’s Brush, the moves became intricate.

“Ugh.” Bu Eunseol nearly got pierced by the Judge’s Brush several times.

Without the Beast Way’s ability to sense air currents, he would have been gravely injured.

“Where’s your focus?” Ma Yun roared like thunder as his scythe grazed Bu Eunseol’s back.

Bu Eunseol quickly raised his sword to block Ma Yun’s chain of attacks.

Slash.

The chaotically swinging chain scythe suddenly darted toward Bu Eunseol’s neck with a flash of light.

Snap!

Though he twisted his body quickly, a bloody mark appeared on Bu Eunseol’s neck.

‘This is…’ His eyes gleamed as Ma Yun grinned, picking up his chain scythe.

“This is the pride of our sect, the Four-Sun Sword Technique.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.

They’re masters from the Nine Great Sects!

It became clear that the Gong Twin Demons were masters from the orthodox Nine Great Sects. Moreover, as they revealed their sect’s ultimate techniques instead of demonic martial arts, their power and agility surged.

Clang! Clang, clang, clang!

The sword, Judge’s Brush, and chain scythe clashed repeatedly in the air. In front, the Judge’s Brush, using Striking Staff techniques, overwhelmed the space. Behind, the chain scythe of the Four-Sun Sword Technique shot freely, unrestricted by distance.

The rare weapons of the martial world, combined with the ultimate techniques of the Nine Great Sects, made it impossible to predict their attack patterns.

Fine!

Gazing at the Judge’s Brush and chain scythe filling the air, Bu Eunseol gripped his sword in a reverse hold.

Snap!

The single strike he unleashed was neither fast nor precise, almost drunkenly sloppy.

“What?” But Shang Liang and Ma Yun exclaimed in shock, hastily retreating.

The overwhelming pressure from Bu Eunseol’s strike disrupted their movements and intricate techniques.

“What sword technique is this?” Shang Liang asked, halting his attack in astonishment.

“It has no name,” Bu Eunseol replied.

The move he had just used was a sword technique born from blending all the techniques he’d learned and the insights gained from real combat.

“It’s merely my attempt to express what I’ve felt so far.”

At his words, Shang Liang exclaimed, “Incredible! To manifest your insights into a technique at your age.”

Ma Yun laughed heartily. “Brother, we’ll finally have a thrilling fight!”

“Indeed.” Taking a deep breath, Shang Liang’s eyes gleamed with lightning. “Let’s see this to the end!”

It was a brutal battle.

The Gong Twin Demons, combining the ultimate techniques of the Nine Great Sects, passed down through generations, with the demonic sect’s unique weapon skills.

Bu Eunseol, a prodigy of unparalleled martial arts, forging his own unique techniques through real combat experience.

The masters of the orthodox sect and the prodigy of the demonic sect clashed relentlessly, and finally, the end came into sight.

Now!

As the bloodbath neared its conclusion, Bu Eunseol summoned all his inner energy. Condensing the sword qi swirling in the air, he became a streak of light, charging into the net woven by the Gong Twin Demons’ combined techniques.

“Bring it on!” Realizing this clash would determine life or death, the Gong Twin Demons unleashed two blinding streaks of light with all their might.

Boom!

As their full-powered strikes collided, a gust of wind roared, and dust swirled in all directions.

Whooosh.

As the wind calmed and the dust settled, Bu Eunseol stood holding his sword, with the Gong Twin Demons positioned before and behind him.

“Why…?” Bu Eunseol’s voice trembled slightly.

Blood dripped from the tip of his sword.

Yet the Judge’s Brush and chain scythe touching his chest and back hadn’t pierced his clothes, frozen in place.

At the last moment, the Gong Twin Demons had held back their attacks.

“A spy whose identity is exposed has nowhere to return…” Shang Liang said with a wry smile, blood trickling from his mouth.

“Didn’t I say the outcome was already decided?” With a pained expression, Shang Liang looked at Ma Yun, standing behind Bu Eunseol.

Ma Yun, still gripping his chain scythe, stared wide-eyed. His heart pierced, he had died instantly.

“Ma Yun… he really liked you. Said it was like having a stubborn little brother.” Bu Eunseol said nothing.

No, he couldn’t speak.

Taking a deep breath, Shang Liang said in a low voice, “Number Eighteen. Or should I call you Bu Eunseol now?”

Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened as Shang Liang gave a faint smile.

“I’ve known for a long time that you’re the Ten Demon Warrior of Nangyang.” With fading eyes, Shang Liang continued with difficulty.

“The Martial Alliance, and even Majeon… they’re watching you closely. Do you understand?” Not only the Martial Alliance but also Majeon was keeping a close eye on Bu Eunseol.

It meant they still hadn’t let go of their suspicions about him.

“The storms of the martial world are treacherous. Trust no one, and be careful.”

Shang Liang placed a hand gently on Bu Eunseol’s shoulder.

With those final words, he quietly passed away.

***

On a small hill, two unmarked graves appeared.

Their occupants were Shang Liang and Ma Yun, spies of the Martial Alliance.

The Martial Alliance would never acknowledge the Gong Twin Demons’ existence. To do so would admit they sent spies to infiltrate Majeon. The same went for the Beggars’ Sect and Jeomchang Sect.

“A spy whose identity is exposed has nowhere to return…” As Shang Liang had said, they truly had no place to go.

Bu Eunseol carefully prepared the Gong Twin Demons’ bodies, giving them a proper burial in a sunny spot. It was the only thing he could do for them now.

“May you find…” Bu Eunseol’s eyes blurred as he gazed at the graves.

“…a place to return to in the afterlife.”

With an empty gaze, he slowly turned away.

He had resolved to return to Nangyang.