The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign – Chapter 770

At the masked man’s words, the Lotus Courtyard Director tilted his head slightly sideways. Then, a cloud-like aura rose up and enveloped the masked man’s surroundings.

[Terrifying inner power, indeed. But that provides a clear answer.]

The masked man nodded and said, “A philanthropist who does good deeds… It’s a somewhat old-fashioned way.”

He showed an admiring gaze.

“But it’s also a profession that can hide one’s identity well without the complicated help of an information organization.”

In the past, assassins disguised themselves as merchants traveling to foreign lands or created fake identities by getting married. Merchants don’t need to return home often and can freely traverse the martial world while carrying out assassinations. And if they build a normal family, even if pursued, their identity is unlikely to be exposed under normal circumstances.

But there was an even easier way to create a dual identity: being a philanthropist who does good deeds. They generally donate under anonymous names to hide their benevolence. And just by occasionally showing up at orphanages, they can maintain a perfect double life.

“You must be prepared.”

Shrring.

The masked man drew the sword from his back. For assassins, secrecy is life. They apply special oil to their scabbards so no sound is made when drawing the blade. Judging by the resounding sword cry, it seemed the masked man’s true profession wasn’t an assassin.

Tat-tat-tat.

But from far away, footsteps echoed. At the same time, a small shadow was running toward the forest.

This afternoon, the child whom the Lotus Courtyard Director had personally made a prosthetic leg for. It was So Bora.

“Director.”

So Bora, who had been sleeping, suddenly woke up and heard the Director leaving outside. Though he hadn’t been at the Lotus Courtyard for long, he had fallen for the Director’s kindness and generosity, and wanted to talk with him a bit closer. Just then, hearing the Director go out, he followed without a second thought.

But no matter how much he chased, the Director was nowhere to be seen. Finally, as a disheartened So Bora was about to turn back, a whoosh sound rang out, and a glow rose from the distant forest. So he ran here with all his might.

“Director. What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?”

So Bora approached the spot where the Lotus Courtyard Director stood, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Then, spotting the pitch-black masked man standing opposite, he was greatly startled.

“Ah, aah.”

Too shocked, So Bora stumbled backward and fell flat on his back.

Thud.

But the Lotus Courtyard Director quickly caught his body.

“Thank yo…”

But then, something sudden happened.

Drip.

Red blood flowed from So Bora’s mouth.

Swish.

So Bora couldn’t even let out a single scream and died on the spot. While supporting his body, the Lotus Courtyard Director had gently pressed his death acupoint.

[Ruthless. Even though it’s a child from the orphanage you created.]

At the masked man’s words, the Lotus Courtyard Director smirked.

“Children are better off crippled.”

And he said something shockingly terrifying.

“They’re young, and if their bodies are impaired, they can infiltrate anywhere without suspicion and carry out assassinations.”

The reason the Lotus Courtyard Director had established an orphanage to care for crippled children. It was to raise those children as assassins and use them like disposable tools.

[Indeed.]

The masked man extended his thumb at the Lotus Courtyard Director’s utterly cruel attitude.

[Well, if he weren’t that cold and heartless, he couldn’t have risen to that position.]

Instead of replying, the Lotus Courtyard Director lightly opened his palm.

Boom.

At that moment, a terrifying pressure began to crush the masked man’s face.

But the mask didn’t come off, and as the pressure poured in, mysterious patterns revealed themselves.

“It’s the Indestructible Mask that the Three Realms’ Emissaries always wear.”

The Lotus Courtyard Director, exerting his power—no, Baekri Mujo—stared at the masked man with cold eyes.

“A rat from the Three Realms.”

As he lightly extended his hand, rumble.

With a vibration shaking the entire world, this time the masked man’s body began to crumple.

It was a terrifying pressure that absolute inner power couldn’t resist.

Crack.

The masked man’s pupils, gradually bending even his back, dilated widely, then began to emit a strange light.

He too had started using his inner power.

Crack.

With a grotesque bone sound, a faint energy began to spread from the masked man’s body.

His body straightened rigidly, and blue essence burst from his eyes.

Shrring.

With a heavy sword cry, the greatsword he wore revealed itself.

Whoosh!

As the masked man swung the greatsword, a sharp tearing sound rang out, and storm-like air currents shot out in all directions.

Saaaa.

Then, holes riddled the rocks and trees around Baekri Mujo, and the aura of death began to spread throughout the forest in an instant.

“Hmph.”

From Baekri Mujo’s hand, exposed to the fierce currents, white light flowed out.

Kwaaang!

Then, the currents suddenly shattered like powder and fell to the ground.

Sacred Sword.

Baekri Mujo’s unique sword art, said to be unavoidable by anyone, was unleashed barehanded.

Paaaa!

A white beam of light filled the masked man’s eyes completely, soon enveloping the world.

As the afterimage of light filled his retinas, the masked man’s vision was blocked, and he lost the ability to discern the incoming sword forms’ changes.

Not only that, but due to the light spreading from the Sacred Sword, it felt like his entire body’s senses were being sucked into an endless abyss.

In such cases, all-out defense is the best policy.

In the light where he couldn’t see an inch ahead, the masked man retreated while wildly swinging his greatsword, creating a fan-like barrier.

Pshht!

But blood spurted from the masked man’s shoulder.

In the end, he couldn’t block the Sacred Sword and suffered a sword wound on his shoulder.

Flash!

Then, the shooting Sacred Sword sparkled once more brilliantly in the air.

But something astonishing happened.

Crack.

Not on the masked man, but near Baekri Mujo’s heart, who had unleashed the Sacred Sword, a deep sword wound was etched, and blood flowed out.

The light had already vanished, and the forest scenery began to regain its colors.

“A bit shallow.” The masked man muttered regretfully. “Though blocking senses is an impressive technique, it’s not omnipotent.”

His eyes, revealed above the mask, were full of triumphant light.

“I never imagined the Sacred Sword was an illusory sword form that temporarily blocks senses to seize them, inflicting fatal wounds on the enemy.”

The masked man had already seen through Baekri Mujo’s Sacred Sword, said to annihilate everything, which merely used sword light to rob all senses including vision.

It was actually a non-existent illusory sword energy.

In the moment the enemy’s senses are blocked, it unleashes swift and profound sword strikes—an illusory sword form. 

As the Sacred Sword unfolded, he pretended to lose his senses and retreat in defense. Seizing the opportunity, he struck a single blow near Baekri Mujo’s heart.

Drip, drip.

The falling blood echoed heavier than iron on the ground.

A life-and-death secret art is a martial artist’s face and their last resort.

If it’s broken… it’s the same as losing the weapon to stand tall in the martial world.

“……”

But there was no change on Baekri Mujo’s face. 

As if hearing a story unrelated to him, he extended his index and middle fingers again.

He intended to unleash the Sacred Sword barehanded once more.

Paaaa!

With explosive light, hundreds of afterimages scattered like fragments, and the masked man once again had all his senses, including vision, blocked.

[It won’t work!]

Muttering lowly, the masked man instead leaped into the spreading light.

Saaaa…

Finally, as the light cluster vanished, only Baekri Mujo stood there alone.

The masked man, who had charged toward Baekri Mujo, had vanished as if evaporated.

Splash!

At the same time, a pool of blood scattered on the ground.

Baekri Mujo, standing alone in the empty forest, silently looked down at his index and middle fingers.

A faint trace of blood clung to his fingertips.

It was blood from piercing the masked man’s body with a finger sword.

Thud.

As he flicked the blood from his fingertips, a deep hole formed in a giant tree ten paces away.

“Quick footwork in escape.” He sneered while looking at where the masked man had disappeared. “If the intent is this transparent, it’s no fun…”

Baekri Mujo, gazing at the distant sky for a moment, narrowed his eyes.

“It’s a bit regrettable to close the Lotus Courtyard.”

It had been a place to usefully employ otherwise worthless children.

But now exposed like this, it had to be shut down immediately.

“Clean it up thoroughly.”

As Baekri Mujo muttered lowly,

Whoosh.

From somewhere, the sound of qinggong unfolded, and a black shadow soared into the mid-air.

Whoosh.

Not long after, a great flame rose from the direction of the Lotus Courtyard.

Since it was in a remote place far from the village, despite the big fire, only death-like silence flowed.

“……”

Baekri Mujo’s form, watching the acrid smoke rising to the sky, blurred in outline, and finally vanished like a ghost without a trace.

[You failed?]

A secret chamber filled with endless darkness.

From the worn clothes placed in the center, an incredulous voice full of disbelief echoed.

[Even after breaking the Sacred Sword, you couldn’t cut off his head?]

“It was fake.”

The masked man said in an angry voice.

“The breaking method.”

[That can’t be.]

“It was all fabricated by him—the traces of the Sacred Sword discovered so far.”

[Then, for all that long time… he ascended to the lord position while hiding his true martial arts.]

The voice from the ragged clothes became somewhat sharp.

[But why did you run? Regardless of the breaking method, you could have dealt with him right now?]

As the echoing voice reached him, a flash sparked in the masked man’s eyes.

[He knew.]

He could intuitively feel it. That he had deliberately given him the fake breaking method for the Sacred Sword.

The figure hidden behind those worn clothes held all the world’s information in his grasp.

If he truly didn’t know the breaking method for the Sacred Sword was fake?

Such a reaction could never come out.

“The Indestructible Mask broke.”

The masked man pulled something from his bosom and threw it.

It was the Indestructible Mask, turned to rags after exposure to the Sacred Sword.

“If I hadn’t escaped immediately, my identity would have been completely exposed.”

[It can’t be helped.]

An enraged voice came from the worn clothes.

[It’s premature to touch him yet.]

“……”

[Hold off on killing him. Go back.]

The masked man briefly saluted and exited the secret chamber.

Whoosh.

As he spun his body once, the mask disappeared, revealing a sturdy build and a man with clear eyes. 

His upright and dignified appearance overflowed with righteous energy, as if not a speck of evil could invade. As the disciple of the Buddha Venerable, he had long made a name in the martial world with the nickname Golden True Dragon.

Now, he was Baek Museong, the lord of the Martial Heaven Division of the Martial Alliance.

Click.

He entered the office with a calm expression.

Sitting in the chair, he looked at the large bronze mirror on the side.

The face of Baek Museong reflected in the mirror had very dark skin and gloomy eyes. 

It was a completely different face from his actual one, with fair skin and eyes full of vitality.

“Why did you lie? The mask was intact.”

As the Baek Museong in the mirror asked, “They know. That we haven’t unified, and that we have other intentions.”

The Baek Museong looking at the mirror muttered lowly.

“If we unify our personalities now, we’ll become puppets forever, moving as they command.”

“Hehehehe.” The Baek Museong in the mirror nodded with a low laugh. “It was worth switching bodies again. You’re doing very well.”

And he wore an utterly wicked smile.

“If we continue like this, we’ll get what we want. Not only that foolish woman, but the real Baekri family’s…”

The whispering voice of the Baek Museong in the mirror gradually grew quieter, until nothing could be heard.

After a long silence, Baek Museong rose from his seat and turned his head.

Then, the other form of him visible in the bronze mirror was no longer there.

―How about we start selecting candidates for the next Alliance Lord?

At the Grand Assembly, the elders of the Martial Alliance gathered their opinions and suggested to the hall leader-level members.

―We can’t keep delaying the position of the next Alliance Lord any longer.

Due to the righteous faction’s unique atmosphere that values distribution and status, the Elders’ Hall itself exerts enormous influence on the Martial Alliance’s operations. However, since it wouldn’t look good for them to step forward directly, they had never come out in gatherings where all hall leader-level members assembled.

Yet, to openly convey opinions like this at the Grand Assembly. Were they challenging the Alliance Lord’s authority head-on?

―It’s not unreasonable for the elders to act this way…

On one hand, it was understandable.

Even for the most important Grand Assembly in operating the Martial Alliance, the Heavenly Emperor still did not attend.

He frequently entered closed-door training unless there was something special.

He was running a lax operation by dumping most duties on Vice-Alliance Leader Buk Ri-seong.

In the meantime, the incident occurred where the Divine Might Corps Lord Baek Incheong challenged the Demon Emperor, resulting in the loss of eight thousand elite troops.

Of course, this was his unilateral decision.

But considering that no one except the Alliance Lord can sanction the Seven Commanders, as the supreme head who can uniquely command the Commanders, he couldn’t be free from responsibility for this incident.

―What on earth is the Alliance Lord doing?

Once the elders opened the floodgates, eventually the hall leader-level members also vented their dissatisfaction at the Grand Assembly.

Even as the Demon Emperor finished his closed-door training and began to fully raise the demonic faction’s momentum, the Heavenly Emperor was still continuing his closed-door training without any particular reaction?

Moreover, even if the Divine Might Commander had made a unilateral challenge, he lost his life miserably and his entire unit was shattered. Apart from the Alliance Lord position, as the top figure of the righteous faction, he should have fought the Demon Emperor once more to break his momentum.

But as he only expressed sorrow at the Divine Might Division Commander’s death and continued his closed-door training… Even the martial artists who had long supported him were gradually turning away.

―Since the Alliance Lord is secluding himself, how about we select candidates for the next Alliance Lord among ourselves?

Gaining support from various hall leader-level members, the Elders’ Hall side put forth an unexpected opinion.

―We can’t replace the Alliance Lord right away, and we can’t just sit idle like this… Shouldn’t we at least prepare the next successor quickly? If martial arts are lacking, we can open the fourth level of the Solitary Enlightenment Hall.

The Solitary Enlightenment Hall had only three levels. The fourth level is where the ultimate arts of previous Martial Alliance Lords are stored, and only the Alliance Lord and the approved next successor can enter.

Since there was no one yet to immediately ascend to the Alliance Lord position, the elders intended to open the fourth level of the Solitary Enlightenment Hall to quickly facilitate generational change.

―Selecting a successor is the Alliance Lord’s inherent authority.

Eventually, unable to stand it, Vice-Alliance Leader Buk Ri-seong and some hall leader-level members stepped forward to oppose the Elders’ Hall.

―If we damage the Alliance Lord’s authority, won’t it ultimately lead to the fall of our alliance’s authority?

But the elders did not bend their stance.

―Even in this unprecedented crisis where an entire alliance unit vanished, the Alliance Lord only sent a few words to handle it well. He hasn’t shown his nose at all.

They had already prepared solid grounds to back their opinions.

―According to the alliance laws, if it’s judged an urgent matter within the alliance, and with the unanimous consent of the Elders’ Hall, we can urgently nominate Alliance Lord candidates.

The elders began raising their voices, citing laws that had been practically dead.

But using such laws to immediately decide a successor was absolutely impossible.

―If we must select the next Alliance Lord candidate now, it would naturally be Lord Baekri, right?

But as the elders openly stepped forward, something rather unexpected happened.

The middle-aged martial artists, who had been silent all along, began voicing opinions on the Alliance Lord candidates that hadn’t even started yet.

―Lord Baekri, as the Star Guard Division Commander, has consistently built remarkable achievements and outstanding martial prowess, not to mention the leadership, responsibility, and decisiveness required as a leader… He lacks nothing.

Sacred Sword, Baekri Mujo. He is a figure receiving absolute support from the middle-aged layer, which can be called the waist of the Martial Alliance.

Considering his skill, background, status, and past merits? It’s natural that he would become the next Alliance Lord.

―Selecting the next Alliance Lord is choosing the future. Shouldn’t a promising new figure take it?

As such an atmosphere continued, the elders supported a completely unexpected person as suitable for the next Alliance Lord.

―Martial Heaven Division Commander Baek Museong is young, but he has already proven abilities no less than Lord Baekri. Moreover, unlike Lord Baekri, he is a figure who can encompass both new and old generations, making him perfectly suitable as the next Alliance Lord.

As the Elders’ Hall unexpectedly supported Baek Museong, the younger generation also began voicing opinions.

―If we’re judging by ability alone, isn’t Lord Seon, who rose to the head of the Intelligence and Secret Affairs Division without any backing, the right one?

As the atmosphere in the alliance split with support for Baek Museong and Baekri Mujo, Gongsun Dankyung and Bukgung Ryeong put forth Seon Woojin, who received absolute support from the young martial artists of the Martial Alliance, as a new Alliance Lord candidate.

―He is not a Commander, so he can’t be the next Alliance Lord candidate.

As the elders put on the brakes, Gongsun Dankyung replied.

―Didn’t the Elders’ Hall suggest selecting Alliance Lord candidates based on laws, judging it an urgent situation? In those urgent conditions, even if not a Commander, heads of institutes, groves, or halls are eligible.

As she also cited the Martial Alliance’s laws, the Elders’ Hall had nothing to say.

Moreover, it was the Elders’ Hall that arbitrarily judged it urgent and stubbornly pushed such matters.

―It’s chaotic. If the Alliance Lord doesn’t come out now, something will really happen.

As the situation flowed this way, all martial artists in the alliance waited for the Heavenly Emperor’s appearance.

Because all that remained was the Alliance Lord’s decision.

If the Alliance Lord ignores it even in this situation? Ultimately, the Martial Alliance would fracture or fall into chaos.

―Fine. I acknowledge all three candidates as Alliance Lord candidates.

Fortunately, the Heavenly Emperor appeared and made a reasonable and extremely rational decision, preventing the Martial Alliance’s division.

―I can’t stop those who naturally became Alliance Lord candidates with the support of numerous martial artists.

And he followed with a shocking announcement.

―I will relinquish the right to select the next Alliance Lord. So, select the next Alliance Lord that all martial artists in the alliance can naturally accept and acknowledge, yourselves.

The Martial Alliance’s martial artists couldn’t hide their surprise.

To prevent division in the alliance, the Heavenly Emperor gave up the supreme authority of the Alliance Lord position and entrusted the next Alliance Lord selection to the support of the alliance’s martial artists.

Such a decision is not something anyone can make.

Moreover, he bought time with this decision.

Because the Alliance Lord induced a natural competition instead of directly selecting a successor… Gathering public opinion in the alliance and uniting to select the next Alliance Lord would take at least several years or more.

Now, all martial artists in the Martial Alliance intuitively knew.

Finally, like Majeon, the time had come for them to select the next successor.

Silver Moon Pavilion, the secret chamber in Gongsun Dankyung’s office.

There, Gongsun Dankyung and Bu Eunseol were facing each other, conversing.

“It’s flowing in a completely unexpected direction.”

Gongsun Dankyung said calmly, looking at Bu Eunseol.

“You didn’t foresee up to this point, did you?”

In truth, she had no plan to nominate Bu Eunseol as the next Alliance Lord candidate.

But Bukgung Ryeong and the young martial artists voluntarily supported Bu Eunseol.

Eventually, as it became an unstoppable wave, Gongsun Dankyung had no choice but to step forward.

“No way.” Bu Eunseol shook his head. “I have no intention of ascending to the Alliance Lord position.”

In the past, he had proposed to Gongsun Dankyung to create a Martial Alliance where young talents could freely unleash their abilities.

She accepted the proposal and began generously supporting young martial artists along with Bu Eunseol.

But that was it.

Bu Eunseol had never shown ambition to rise higher, nor such intentions.

Yet, as the time to select the next Alliance Lord came, the young martial artists voluntarily raised their voices so that he could become an Alliance Lord candidate.

This became another current, and if luck followed? Bu Eunseol could really become the next Alliance Lord.

“No way. Isn’t the Martial Heaven Corps matter something you did in preparation for this?” Gongsun Dankyung smiled playfully. “Until Lord Baek was selected, you kept the promised support without breaking it… Continuously supporting the Martial Heaven Corps.”

In the past, during his candidacy for Martial Heaven Division Commander, Bu Eunseol assessed the dire state of the Martial Heaven Corps and promised generous support. And indeed, until Baek Museong was appointed as Martial Heaven Division Commander, he continuously supported them.

The moved members of the Martial Heaven Unit spread to various martial artists what kind of person Seon Woojin was, that he kept his promises, and his character.

Since the young martial artists in the alliance knew how hard the Martial Heaven Corps members had it, hearing their words, they held even more respect for Seon Woojin.

“That was most effective in gaining the young martial artists’ support.”

“I just kept my promise.” Bu Eunseol said honestly. “At the time, I was sure I’d become the Martial Heaven Division Commander.”

“Well, let’s see.” Gongsun Dankyung shrugged. “Since the Alliance Lord permitted that the one gaining voluntary support becomes the next Alliance Lord… It’ll take quite a long time.”

Bu Eunseol held a calm smile without replying.

As long as the Buddha Venerable exists, it’s impossible for him to become the next Alliance Lord.

Moreover, the Martial Alliance was suspected to be the Three Realms’ main base.

Rather than becoming Alliance Lord… he must destroy the Martial Alliance.

“With this incident, the atmosphere in the alliance is very chaotic.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands. “Taking advantage of this opportunity, the demonic faction’s forces might rampage… I’ll go out into the martial world again.”

“Do so.”

“Then.”

Bu Eunseol saluted and exited the Silver Moon Pavilion.

‘Now is the perfect chance.’

He had long planned to expand the Martial Soul Society’s forces.

But fearing it might draw the Martial Alliance’s attention, he couldn’t attempt it rashly.

However, the current Martial Alliance is in extreme chaos and he could intuitively sense that someone lurking behind the Martial Alliance was deliberately fomenting this ongoing confusion.

‘Anyway, the Martial Alliance is a place I’ll leave soon.’

He had no interest in why they were stirring chaos or who would be selected as the next Alliance Lord.

For the time being, as the chaos continued….

He intended to seize this opportunity and proceed with the delayed plan to expand the Martial Soul Society’s forces.