Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 103

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

 

 

Chapter 103

 

 

Only one middle-aged beggar entered the emptied inn.

The leader of the rebel forces, Yacho.

His subordinates were probably hiding all around the inn.

Waiting for the moment to approach.

Yacho looked quite surprised that he seemed to know in advance.

He probably never thought he would be discovered.

But would he be fooled once and then fooled twice?

How much his pride had been hurt when he realized he hadn’t noticed being followed by Jeokju.

To not notice the presence of an injured person.

Such complacency was unbecoming of someone who was once the Heavenly Demon.

“First, I thank you for the grace of saving our sect members.”

Yacho, standing at a distance, politely cupped his hands and expressed his gratitude.

He was a very cautious person.

Though he probably already knew his identity from Jeokju, he was observing the situation from a position good for escape.

It was probably because of Mujin.

I told him to reduce his killing intent…

But what kind of conversation could they have from so far apart?

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled slightly and stretched his hand toward the vicinity, releasing his internal energy.

Creak!

A chair came along with his internal energy.

“Hup!”

It was natural for Yacho’s eyes to widen.

“V-Void Grasping?”

…As if that were possible.

This was just a technique that looked like Void Grasping.

Of course, it was showing off and a wasteful formality that consumed internal energy unnecessarily. But there was nothing better for putting on airs. Wasn’t it an eternal truth to reveal one’s strength at first meetings to intimidate the opponent?

“A-are you at Gang Qi level?”

Even the surprised Mujin blinked his wide eyes and asked.

Kid, impressive, right?

But this wasn’t Gang Qi.

It was more like an application technique for showing off?

In fact, real Void Grasping required reaching the Gang Qi level to use smoothly, but if you knew the principle, moving a chair was sufficiently possible even at the Tan Qi level.

After all, it was about the manipulation of qi.

Manifest Hyeon, Project Tan, Attach to objects, and Pull In.

Combined: Manifest-Project-Attach-Pull.

Of course, not everyone could do it just by knowing the principle. It was such a sublime level that required having already grasped the Gang realm and knowing how to delicately manipulate one’s qi.

In the end, among those without sufficient skill, I could confidently say only I was capable.

And though I came with the intention of becoming allies, I needed to show this much to an opponent full of wariness to make conversation easier.

“What are you doing? I won’t eat you, so come sit here. The food has gotten cold, but I have liquor to offer.”

When he invited him to sit, Yacho, after brief contemplation, approached.

Not a far distance.

Just a few steps.

But that alone was enough to gauge Yacho’s skill.

Considering his build, he should weigh quite a bit, yet no creaking sounds came from the old floorboards.

It meant his light body technique was excellent.

His stride was consistent and his posture stable, meaning he hadn’t neglected his cultivation.

“Here, since you came late, have a drink first.”

When Yacho sat down, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and offered his own cup, then poured liquor.

Looking at the liquor cup that filled to the brim with a trickling sound and rippled, Yacho soon relaxed his guard and smiled.

“It seems the rumor about defeating a Namgung Family elder with the Second Strike was false.”

“Pardon?”

“From what I see, you seem to have hidden even that.”

At Yacho’s assessment, Zhuge Munhyeon twisted his lips and replied.

“Doesn’t the martial world’s maxim say to always hide thirty percent?”

“Well. To my eyes, what you’ve revealed looks like thirty percent.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon only smiled slightly without denying it.

His posture was good, and his eye for people was quite decent too.

Though it was probably a guess.

The stronger he appeared now, the better.

For Yacho might have to decide the fate of the rebel forces following him.

“I heard you would accept us under Zhuge’s shadow?”

“Zhuge’s shadow? Hmm, it seems that person called Jeokju misinterpreted and conveyed my words.”

“Pardon?”

“Zhuge is not yet a vessel for such things.”

“What do you mean?”

“How could we place something like the Beggar’s Sect under the small shadow called Zhuge?”

“…”

“The Beggar’s Sect is the Beggar’s Sect, Zhuge is Zhuge. It’s just that our mutual interests align and you stay at Yungzhong Mountain temporarily. Just because you rent a place temporarily doesn’t make you subordinates, does it?”

Though spoken with a light smile, it would have sounded quite different to Yacho receiving it.

He had explained the relationship between Zhuge and the Beggar’s Sect as horizontal rather than vertical.

This was very important.

What was the reason they had rebelled?

Because they were told to create the name Black Cat Room and be loyal to the Black River Gate.

But Zhuge emphasized the difference.

It also elevated the Beggar’s Sect’s pride.

Yacho’s complexion immediately changed as he asked with a serious expression.

“Is that Zhuge’s will? Or is it a thought you yourself harbor, Young Master?”

“Yacho.”

“Yes.”

“Does Zhuge look so insignificant that the will of a mere descendant somewhat outstanding in martial arts could influence the family’s will?”

“…!”

At the clearly displeased expression, Yacho flinched in surprise and showed embarrassment.

It was clear discourtesy.

Though he could speak for them, placing an individual descendant’s will on equal footing with the family’s will was no different from disrespecting the Zhuge Family.

“I am merely a son of the Zhuge Family. I do not arbitrarily judge the family’s will. I simply follow it.”

“…I apologize. I committed great rudeness.”

“I’ll accept the apology.”

A moment of silence flowed.

Yacho, who had made a mistake, couldn’t help his awkwardness as he pondered what to say next.

Then naturally I should open the channel from my side.

“My invitation for you to come to Yungzhong Mountain was a request, not an order. The choice is yours to make. Also, the one to make that decision won’t be me or the Zhuge Family Head, but the Bang Leader of Yungzhong Mountain. He’s the one who was betrayed, and it’s his will whether to accept you.”

“Hmm…”

Yacho’s face contorted.

“However, I could try to build a bridge.”

“Pardon?”

“If you make your intention to return clear, I could ask the Yungzhong Mountain Bang Leader to show consideration.”

“Ah…”

“Well, that also depends on Yacho’s choice.”

At his subtle addition, Yacho’s face clearly showed signs of contemplation.

He must not force it.

He had learned this while living as a descendant of Zhuge.

And having experienced it, he now understood.

Forcing something with power alone only has effect when it’s right before one’s eyes.

One must move the heart.

Only then can one use them to their heart’s content… no, obtain loyalty that springs from within.

“…I don’t know if Senior Brother will accept us back.”

After long contemplation and repeatedly emptying his wine cup, Yacho sighed with a regretful expression and revealed his inner thoughts.

“Why not?”

“The resentment won’t disappear easily.”

“…”

“Even if I regret it, even if I want to return, that’s just my feelings—Senior Brother’s feelings will be different.”

At those words spoken with drooping shoulders, Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been quietly watching, asked.

“So you’ll give up without even trying?”

“Pardon?”

“How long do you think a tree without roots can withstand the wind?”

“What do you mean?”

“Rebellion? Or an effort to make up for mistakes?”

“…”

“Yacho, you’re just stuck in between. Neither righteous nor evil.”

At those quiet words, Yacho’s head slowly drooped.

He must have worried about it.

About the future…

Because he was a leader guiding a group.

“If by any chance you bring down the Black Cat Faction, what will you do after that? Will you disband now that you’ve achieved your purpose? No, could you even survive? From then on, you’d become enemies of the Black River Gate.”

“Th-that’s…”

“Perhaps trying to bring down the Black Cat Faction itself might be like throwing eggs at a rock.”

“…”

“The situation in other places probably isn’t different from those who were captured in Akju. Though united under the name of rebellion, they must be trembling in fear, avoiding the eyes of the Black Cat Faction and the Black River Gate.”

“Mmm.”

Yacho’s groan deepened.

It was because Zhuge Munhyeon’s words pierced through and dug into his heart.

“A ship with no place to return is no different from hopeless duckweed. When the food in the ship runs out, internal strife will eventually arise and it will destroy itself.”

These were words like needles.

Each word from Zhuge Munhyeon struck Yacho’s vital points, making his breathing difficult.

“If I were Yacho, I would make the effort even if I might be rejected. To ask for forgiveness, to ask them to overlook my mistake just once.”

“…”

“And the Yungzhong Mountain Bang Leader I’ve seen is someone who would appreciate such efforts. He’s also someone who cherishes the Beggar’s Sect more than anyone.”

Yacho contemplated silently for another long while.

Perhaps if he had immediately decided and asked for help, Zhuge Munhyeon might have refused first.

Because one shouldn’t trust those who make judgments based on the flow of the times and the rise and fall of powers.

At least he was someone who knew shame.

About the actions his past self had committed.

He was also someone who cared for his subordinates.

Seeing him contemplate over and over, he must have thought about the difficulties his subordinates would eventually face.

“Think of it as having taken the wrong path for a moment. Is there any reason to give up? You just need to find the right direction and walk again.”

“…Will it really, really be so?”

“As I said, that’s not for me to decide. It’s something the Yungzhong Mountain Bang Leader will decide.”

“Hmm…”

“I hope you make the right choice for the sect members who follow you.”

Zhuge Munhyeon closed his mouth after those words, and Yacho contemplated no further.

What was the ultimate purpose of raising a rebellion?

To remain as part of the Beggar’s Sect.

Even if the end led to death.

But who would remember?

Who would acknowledge the fact that they had existed?

They would just be traitors.

Even if they fought against those who regretted and turned traitor, nothing would remain except their own pride.

They would just be dismissed as weeds trampled and crushed on the roadside.

At least they should be remembered.

As members of the Beggar’s Sect…

When Yacho, having finished his contemplation, looked at Zhuge Munhyeon, his eyes had changed from before.

They were full of vitality.

“Will you build a bridge with Senior Brother…?”

“That’s why I came to meet you.”

“Thank you. I will not forget this kindness you’ve shown me.”

Looking at Yacho’s brightened face, Zhuge Munhyeon wore a pleased expression.

Of course you shouldn’t forget.

If you forget kindness, wouldn’t that make you a beast rather than a person?

And now it was time to bring up the main point.

This is what I worked my mouth so hard for.

“So, speaking of which…”

“Yes?”

“Since we’ve met like this, let’s do something together.”

“Something?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of…?”

“Why? Will you listen first and then refuse if you don’t like it?”

“How could that be? Just saving my subordinates’ lives is enough reason to fulfill any request from you, young master.”

Yacho’s words made his heart feel pleased.

How fortunate that he thought that way?

If he had refused, I would have grabbed him by the collar and taught him the fate of beasts who abandon kindness.

Cooperate diligently.

I will guide you to the Yungzhong Mountain Beggar’s Sect.

The Bang Leader’s choice?

That was just something I said.

When I say I’ll do it, what decision does he need to make?

My will is the will of the Zhuge Family and the will of the Beggar’s Sect.

“Yacho.”

“Yes.”

“How many did you bring?”

“Pardon?”

“It would be good if there were quite a few people.”

Because from now on, we need to thoroughly search the area around Dongho Lake to find that Immortal bastard, or at least his traces.

Just like the Beggar’s Sect did sixty years ago.

Without fail!

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