Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 10

 

 

He had just come back from seeing Sophie.

Having held it in all day, everything burst out at once, leaving his lower abdomen feeling hollow.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been smiling brightly in relief, greeted his father who had just returned.

“Oh? You’re back early?”

But the joy was short-lived.

Zhuge Doyun, sitting with Han Siheon, spoke with a completely stiff expression.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Pardon?”

“How do you know formation techniques?”

“…”

“Speak up.”

Zhuge Munhyeon glared at Han Siheon.

That damn bastard.

Despite being defeated, did he already tattle on me?

That I broke through the Muyeondae formation in one go and came out?

It was a mistake.

I had decided to be a dullard, but my father found out because he was dying to brag about his son.

But what could I do?

It was no different from digging my own grave.

Since it had come to this, there was no need to beat around the bush.

It didn’t suit my straightforward personality either.

Let’s just spill it.

Though, with a bit of lies mixed in.

“I merely read formation books at the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.”

“What?”

“There were many books, weren’t there? Those that explain the basics of various formations and mechanisms.”

“You read basic texts?”

“Yes.”

“That, that’s…”

Confusion was added to Zhuge Doyun’s face, and Han Siheon shook his head with sharp eyes.

“Preposterous! You’re saying you broke through the Muyeondae formation just by reading a few books!”

Ow, my eardrums.

Why is a scholar using Lion’s Roar?

Zhuge Munhyeon frowned and picked at his ear in annoyance.

“Is that not allowed?”

“What?”

“It wasn’t particularly difficult…”

At his nonchalant words, both Zhuge Doyun and Han Siheon shut their mouths tight.

Breaking through a formation just by reading a few books?

At only seven years old?

“It’s impossible. To understand the principles of a formation just by reading books…”

“Captain Han, wait a moment.”

Zhuge Doyun stopped Han Siheon, who still couldn’t believe it, and looked intently at his son.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Is what you just said true?”

“Don’t you believe me?”

“I, I believe you. If a father doesn’t believe his son, who else would he believe? It’s just so unexpected. I understand why Captain Han can’t believe it. The Muyeon Formation isn’t written anywhere in the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion. That’s because Captain Han created it himself.”

“…”

“Being trapped in an unfamiliar formation and understanding its principles to find the life gate without any experimentation is quite difficult.”

“Hmm, then I suppose I accomplished that difficult task?”

“Hehe. This child…”

At his son’s attitude, Zhuge Doyun burst into hollow laughter.

How could he scold him?

Even if it was somewhat absurd and unreasonable, Zhuge Doyun was someone who knew how to listen to his son’s words.

“Munhyeon.”

“Please speak.”

“Could you perhaps tell me the process of how you found the life gate?”

“Of course.”

Zhuge Munhyeon’s explanation, after nodding, flowed as naturally as water flowing from high to low places.

Of course, it was only up to the process where the Five Elements were added with Yin-Yang as the axis.

It would be troublesome if he showed too much.

But even that seemed sufficient to cause amazement.

When he added diagrams to his explanation, his father’s eyes looked ready to pop out, and Han Siheon’s mouth seemed ready to tear.

From their perspective, it could only be called insane talent.

Right now, Zhuge Munhyeon was saying he had grasped the structural principles of formations just by reading books.

And when he reached the process of examining and breaking through formations, they looked ready to roll their eyes back completely.

“Su, surely his talent for formation techniques…”

“Wha, what!”

At Han Siheon’s muttering, Zhuge Doyun was startled and looked at him.

“What are you saying right now? Get a grip! Three talents? Isn’t that too excessive?”

“…I didn’t say that though?”

“Ah, I got carried away without realizing.”

Father smiled awkwardly.

Well, with talent in learning and talent in music, and now talent in formation techniques, it could indeed be called having three talents – a genius born with three different abilities.

“Ahem. Captain Han. That’s enough. Being born with three talents simultaneously is unprecedented in the history of the Zhuge Family. What kind of nonsensical talk is that?”

“No, I never said such a thing…”

“Now, now! Be careful with your words.”

Zhuge Doyun was shaking his head from side to side, but his mouth was gaping as wide as a washbasin.

It seemed Father was the one who had lost his mind more.

Well, what parent would dislike their child having outstanding talent?

‘Three talents… If I told them I’ve already formed a dan, they’d be absolutely shocked, wouldn’t they?’

Then it would be four talents.

No, if I put my mind to it, would ten talents even be a problem?

In my long, long life, I had tried this and that as hobbies, so there wasn’t just one or two things.

But I held back my words.

He already had that expression of “oh my, my precious child,” so if I surprised him too much, Father might have a heart attack.

‘But somehow this seems to be flowing in a completely different direction from what I was thinking?’

It was meant to drive Han Siheon away.

But why are not only Han Siheon but even Father’s eyes sparkling?

As if he had discovered a talent far better than academics…

Above all, Father was a doting parent when it came to bragging about his child.

It seemed keeping their mouths shut should be the priority for now.

“Father.”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Zhuge Munhyeon’s expression became serious.

“Please don’t go around talking about formation techniques. And please stop bragging about me too.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s nothing particularly amazing, it was just basic formation technique so it was possible to break through.”

“Basic?! What are you talking about? That was a formation technique that Squad Leader Han created after long deliberation. How can breaking through that not be amazing!”

Zhuge Doyun exclaimed as if it was absurd.

I understand the sentiment, but there’s no need to raise your voice.

Yes, being excellent is good.

Receiving attention is also good.

But there’s such a thing as timing.

There’s no need to become a target of petty people’s envy and jealousy by standing out too early.

Now is still the time to hide.

At least until I have the skills worthy of showing off to others…

“That’s right! I worked so hard thinking to create that formation! This is truly amazing.”

“…”

With Han Siheon joining in, I can’t help but sigh.

Why are you on the same side?

“Father.”

“Yes.”

“Do you want me to become uncomfortable?”

“Hmm?”

“Why do you think what happened at the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion occurred?”

“Well, that Mungi kid was being immature…”

“No. It was because of envy.”

“…En, envy?”

“Father, you are the third younger brother of the Family Head. I am his son. After Father’s generation passes, I’ll just be a branch member of the Zhuge Family.”

“Well…”

“But would it really be a blessing for that branch member to have such outstanding talent?”

“…”

“Everyone would say no, but deep down they can’t help but be concerned. The checks from other branch members would become more severe too. Then not only I, but more people would speak ill of Mother as well. Do you want that to happen?”

At these clearly stated thoughts, Zhuge Doyun frowned.

“Scholarship? If you want, I’ll memorize the Bright Heart Treasure Mirror and study the Four Books right away. Same goes for music and formation techniques. No, whatever else it may be, if it makes Father happy, I can do it for you.”

“…”

“But please don’t let any of that go beyond the walls of our pavilion. For Mother’s sake as well. If someone speaks ill of Mother again… then…”

Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t bring himself to say ‘I might kill them all,’ but Zhuge Doyun shut his mouth tight without hearing the rest.

The children’s envy and jealousy.

Though the underlying reason was somewhat different, his son’s words reminded him of his wife’s situation.

He wasn’t unaware that his wife had constantly been the subject of gossip because she was a musician’s daughter, and because he was a son of the Zhuge Family. He had always felt sorry about it.

And Baek Suhyeon, who had been listening to the entire conversation nearby, had her eyes completely reddened.

Her son’s heart touched her deeply.

Also, as a mother, she felt terribly sorry that her son was in such a position because of her background.

“Phew, alright. I’ll do as you say. This father failed to read your deeper thoughts.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. Rather, I’m proud. That you thought of it that way.”

Zhuge Doyun wore a gentle smile and patted his son’s head.

Fortunately, he was someone who would accept and acknowledge his mistakes if the reasoning was sound, even if it came from a child.

Usually it’s not like that.

“I say, Squad Leader Han.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Can you do as Munhyeon says as well?”

“Well… bragging is the Master’s specialty, so if the Master just stays quiet, there shouldn’t be much problem…”

“Ahem!”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

“Thank you.”

With that short commotion settled, dinner was prepared.

Was she grateful for her son’s heart?

It’s fine that she’s sticking close to my side, but she’s feeding me like I’m a baby.

“Mother, I’m already seven years old…”

“Don’t you like it?”

“Pardon?”

“Seven is still very young. Everyone else does this too. You’re the strange one.”

When Baek Suhyeon glanced at him with a hurt expression, Zhuge Munhyeon sighed and opened his mouth.

“…Please give me more. I want to eat meat.”

“That’s right, my son.”

Baek Suhyeon, looking delighted, picked up a large piece of meat and put it in his mouth.

I really can’t win against Mother.

I feel like I’ll always lose to her.

After the meal ended and while drinking tea to cleanse the palate, Father asked.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to formally learn about formation techniques?”

“Formation techniques?”

“Yes. Scholarship is scholarship, but studying formation techniques is also very important work. If you’re willing… Haha, aren’t I the Military Strategy Division Head? I’ll arrange a position. No, how about coming to the Military Strategy Hall with this father instead? Then you could learn scholarship from Squad Leader Han as well.”

“Oh! That’s a really good idea.”

When Zhuge Doyun casually suggested it, Han Siheon’s eyes sparkled.

As expected…

I was feeling uneasy about it, and he couldn’t hold back and is coveting his son’s talent.

But when it’s time to cut things off, I need to do it clearly.

I’m now seven years old, old enough to state my thoughts firmly.

“I don’t want to.”

“Hmm?”

“I have absolutely no intention of becoming a formation technique specialist.”

“But… why?”

“There’s something else I want to do.”

“Something else? Have you already thought about your future?”

“Yes.”

At the firm answer, Father looked very disappointed.

But still, a formation technique specialist?

The Heavenly Demon has his pride.

“So what does our son want to do?”

“I will cultivate martial arts.”

“Ma, martial arts?”

“Yes. Who knows? I might become the greatest warrior under heaven.”

Zhuge Munhyeon boldly declared the ambition he had harbored in his heart.

Since he couldn’t become mediocre anyway, he thought it would be much better to openly ask Father’s permission and start cultivation.

Come to think of it, he thought it would have been good to do this from the beginning.

“Actually, when I entered the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion, I read a martial arts manual. It was a martial art called the Small Heavenly Star Technique, and it was truly excellent martial arts.”

“Pfft!”

“Pfft!”

As soon as the words fell, the two people who had been staring blankly burst into laughter simultaneously.

Even spitting out their tea water.

“Small Heavenly… Kahahaha!”

“That’s the most amusing thing I’ve heard lately. To say that the Small Heavenly Star Technique, which was abandoned for being useless, is a good martial art.”

“Exactly, hahaha!”

At their reaction, Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes narrowed drowsily.

These, these…

Are they mocking me?

When they don’t even know anything about martial arts!

I’ll understand Father, since I can’t commit an act of unfilial piety.

But Han Siheon, you bastard… How dare you!

It was when he was glaring with wide eyes.

“Shut up, both of you.”

“…”

“…”

At the sight of Baek Suhyeon glaring at them with cold eyes as if she would devour them, both men shut their mouths tight.

Even so, to say “shut up” with those lovely lips…

It would be proper to point out that she was using words she normally didn’t use, but looking at her expression, it seemed they shouldn’t open their mouths.

“The child finally revealed his aspirations, yet instead of supporting him as adults should, you’re just mocking him.”

“W-Wife, that’s not it…”

“Enough!”

When Baek Suhyeon made an expression that was even spiteful, Zhuge Doyun couldn’t help but feel troubled.

“Captain Han, if you’ve finished your meal, please leave now.”

“What? Yes!”

Han Siheon, who quickly sensed the atmosphere, disappeared like lightning.

For a scholar, his lightness skills are quite something.

It seems his potential burst forth when faced with crisis.

And then.

“Lord, from now on, sleep in the separate quarters.”

“N-No, Wife. What do you mean by that?”

“Sleep! Separately!”

It was like a bitter north wind and snow.

They say when a woman harbors resentment, frost falls even in the height of summer.

Father with his shoulders drooping… it’s his own doing.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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