Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 104

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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 104

 

 

“This many?”

“Yes.”

Wang Po, the fabric shop owner, was elated.

Akhyeon was originally such a small village that sales fluctuations were minimal, but today fortune had smiled upon him.

A whopping thirty sets of clothes.

And this at dawn when even passersby were scarce.

Not only new items, but he even managed to clear out old inventory that hadn’t been selling…

On top of that, payment was made on the spot.

“Thank you, sir!”

What did it matter if he was young?

The customer is king.

Wang Po displayed remarkable flexibility as he bent his waist all the way to the floor.

“However, let’s keep this secret.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s a small village, you know. I don’t like troublesome things.”

“Of course we should. Naturally.”

A secret?

There was no need to question it.

If a customer wanted it, especially a customer who was like a god of wealth, then so be it.

“Well then, take care.”

“Yes! Safe travels.”

For the customer leaving with thirty sets of clothes packed in a large wrapping cloth, not only Wang Po but even his wife came out to bow once more.

“Who on earth was that?”

“How would I know?”

“His attire looked quite expensive…”

“Oh my, woman. Can’t you tell by looking? Did you see that terrifying-looking martial artist who was with him?”

“Of course. Even standing nearby, I got goosebumps like winter had come.”

“Exactly. Judging by how he travels with such a martial artist as a guard, he must be a young master from a renowned demonic sect family out sightseeing at Dongho Lake.”

“I see.”

“Do you know what that means?”

“What?”

“Don’t you know the temperament of demonic sect people? If we say the wrong thing and upset them, people like us die without anyone knowing.”

“…”

“So make sure to strictly warn the women not to run their mouths unnecessarily. You understand what I mean?”

“Yes.”

Wang Po gave his warning with deliberate sternness.

The customers were naturally Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin.

The reason they purchased thirty sets of clothes from the fabric shop was because of Yacho and her subordinates.

While they themselves might be fine, if those who had bad relations with the Black Cat Gang were spotted by demonic sect people while wandering around Dongho Lake, troublesome situations could arise.

They could have told them to disguise themselves, but what money would beggars in dire straits have?

Being a rebel group fleeing from enemies and wandering here and there, they probably couldn’t even do odd jobs…

He spent generously for his purpose.

‘Hmm, raiding that water bandit stronghold was quite profitable.’

Indeed, people should do good deeds.

After raiding the water bandit stronghold to rescue kidnapped people and collecting a modest reward, wasn’t it proving this helpful?

“But is it okay to just buy them like this? There will be people who don’t fit the ready-made clothes.”

Mujin said while hoisting up the bundle of clothes on his shoulder.

What bourgeois thinking from this Taoist bastard!

Would you give custom-tailored clothes to beggars?

They just wear whatever roughly fits.

“Let’s hurry. Everyone’s waiting.”

“…Yes.”

Mujin asked nothing more.

What this action was for, what they were trying to find at Dongho Lake…

He had reached the point where he would believe Zhuge Munhyeon even if he said soybeans were made from red beans.

Whatever he did, he would always be by his side.

After all, he was the only one who could resolve the demonic energy sealed within his body.

If not for him, wouldn’t his life have been devoured by the Mad Soul Art left by the Evil Seed Baek Ganghwi, causing great damage to the Death Gate before dying?

If he went, he would follow; if he commanded, he would obey.

Even if his path didn’t seem right, there would surely be great meaning embedded within it…

“What are you dawdling for?”

“Pardon?”

“You’re so slow… Hurry up!”

“Yes!”

Carrying the large bundle, Mujin smiled brightly and scurried after Zhuge Munhyeon toward the deserted forest.

Though he thought his personality was a bit rough around the edges.

 

* * *

 

A group of people gathered in the forest near Dongho Lake, avoiding public eyes.

It was Yacho and her subordinates.

Having removed their Nine Gold White Steps and changed into new clothes, they didn’t look like beggars at all from a distance.

Some became fishermen passing time, others became fishers catching fish, and still others became tourists out for pleasure.

However.

“Pardon?”

Yacho was simply bewildered.

Probably the thirty-odd subordinates with her felt the same way.

She understood they were searching Dongho Lake to find something.

But…

“Look here. This is where flute sounds are heard every night.”

“…”

A place where the water was calm.

They said sorrowful jade flute sounds could be heard from the lakeside.

There was a legend that someone, overcome with sadness upon hearing that sound, had jumped into the lake…

“And this is where blue flames were witnessed entering the water in the dead of night.”

“…”

This time it was ghost fires.

They said that on nights when the full moon shone brightly, a blue flame would float above Dongho Lake.

No one who followed it had ever returned…

“And here…”

Everyone had the same expression as they listened to Zhuge Munhyeon’s explanation while he spread out a map of Dongho Lake.

Legendary tales passed down among the people.

Having lived as Gaebangdo, how many times had they heard such absurd stories floating around various places?

Chasing after empty legends…

This is truly nonsense.

Who would have thought I’d repay kindness with such nonsense.

And in the midst of it all, I’d even wear new clothes for this nonsense.

I feel unnecessarily ashamed.

“Hey! You lot! Can’t you listen properly!”

Seeing their tension loosen, Yacho shouted loudly to encourage his subordinates.

“Didn’t our benefactor say there’s something he absolutely must find? Open your ears and focus.”

“Yes.”

At Yacho’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon unclenched his tightly gripped fist.

He almost hit them.

These bastards are doing their best to explain things in their own way…

“Anyway, there are ten places in total to examine.”

“Yes.”

“I know, folk legends are dismissed as absurd stories. But please examine them carefully. Whether there’s anything strange about those places, and whether there are traces of someone having lived or currently living nearby.”

“Understood.”

“However, if you discover something, don’t approach rashly and report to me immediately. You must never approach first.”

Zhuge Munhyeon emphasized caution repeatedly.

Perhaps there really might be the dwelling of an Immortal, no, a Half-Immortal at Dongho Lake.

If they carelessly got caught by those beings, there’s no telling what might happen.

“Everyone heard our benefactor’s words clearly, right?”

“Yes!”

“As I said, our benefactor has agreed to build bridges with the new Beggar’s Sect that Purple Ghost Senior Brother, no, Bang Leader Purple Ghost established on Yungzhong Mountain.”

At those words, the loosened tension of the Beggar Sect members tightened again.

Everyone must have vaguely dreamed of that day.

“Though this may seem somewhat absurd, remember that our future depends on this. This is the first step toward returning as the Beggar’s Sect that was once renowned for righteousness, not a life of drifting like duckweed and withering like wildflowers.”

“Yes! Master Uncle!”

“Good. Ten places in total. Form groups of three and begin the search, but if you’re spotted by anyone, act naturally. Understood?”

“Haha! Master Uncle, who do you think we are? How long have we lived mixed among villages to avoid the eyes of the Black Cat Sect… Don’t worry.”

Yacho nodded satisfactorily at his subordinates’ words.

“Then scatter now. Don’t overlook even the smallest thing and examine everything carefully. Send signals through Soundless Communication.”

“Yes!”

The Beggar Sect members who received orders scattered around Dongho Lake.

Reliable.

Indeed, having many people to command makes life comfortable.

“Confucius, shall we return to the inn?”

“Why?”

“Since this is a search operation that shouldn’t attract others’ attention, it seems it will take quite some time. If you rest at the inn, I’ll inform you immediately.”

“Hmm…”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who pondered briefly at Yacho’s words, soon shook his head.

Though it’s characteristic of Zhuge Clan Members to hole up in rooms, listen to reports from all directions, and devise strategies, I’m different.

I need to be on site.

That way I can respond quickly to whatever happens.

Above all, what the Beggar’s Sect is searching for now isn’t something ordinary, but Half-Immortals, beings beyond human.

Those who have already formed spiritual bodies.

Those who have transcended the secular world and are free from the five desires and seven emotions.

How dangerous such beings are.

“I’ll search too.”

“There’s no need for even our benefactor to lend a hand…”

Yacho showed reluctance, but Zhuge Munhyeon’s will was firm.

How many long years have I waited…

“Don’t worry about me and do your best in the search.”

“Understood.”

Eventually Yacho also disappeared from sight.

Only Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin remained in the forest.

While walking leisurely, Mujin asked with an expression full of curiosity.

“But what exactly are you looking for at Dongho Lake?”

“Hmm.”

“Ah, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’m a bit curious. Like how you’re listening to folk legends…”

Seeing him scratch his head after speaking, he must have felt awkward.

Well, he would be curious.

I’ve never told him anything.

Now it’s time to tell him.

Everything began in Hyeoncheonja’s Secret Cave…

“You know about Heavenly Demon Baek Ganghwi, right?”

“That Evil Seed!”

As soon as I spoke, Mujin emitted tremendous killing intent and frowned.

I understand.

He thinks he fell into demonic nature because of the Heavenly Demon.

But isn’t this too much in front of the person himself?

Even if he doesn’t know, still.

“Mujin.”

“Yes!”

“Show some restraint.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. Just thinking about that Evil Seed makes my blood boil…”

I said in front of the person himself.

I can’t even say this, really…

And that’s your master, you fool!

Not even knowing he became strong because of the Mad Soul Art.

“Anyway, in his later years he came to Wudang trying to achieve Ascension to Immortality.”

“Hmm, I’ve heard that story too. The entire Murim was in chaos, right? But isn’t that also absurd? Though the disciples of the Main Mountain cultivate for ascension and learn alchemy… it’s unclear whether Immortals even exist.”

Oh my, this guy is really committing sacrilege properly?

And then he calls himself an Evil Seed.

When he’s clearly a demonic martial artist himself.

“Anyway, when I entered Master Hyeoncheonja’s Secret Cave, I learned that the Ascension Method truly exists.”

“What? It, it truly exists?”

“Yes. He said he met Half-Immortals.”

“No, how could such… then why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it’s absurd as you said.”

“Ah…”

“And that was Master Hyeoncheonja’s will. He said only those who entered the Secret Cave should know.”

“I see. Then is that Ascension Method at Dongho Lake?”

“It might be, or perhaps Half-Immortals might be there.”

“Half-Immortals?”

“Yes.”

“…Though it’s a story recorded in our ancestor’s records, it’s not easy to accept. Both that the Ascension Method truly exists, and that Half-Immortals exist.”

“I understand. That’s perfectly reasonable.”

“But why are you trying to find it?”

“That’s…”

Because I want to ascend to immortality.

Because it’s a dream I couldn’t achieve.

Since I’ve heard myself called the strongest in the Mortal World, I want to go to the Immortal Realm and fight to see if those so-called Immortals are really that great.

Furthermore, I want to tear apart and kill all those Half-Immortal bastards who taught me the Destruction Method and made me reborn instead of achieving Ascension to Immortality.

But he couldn’t speak so directly.

Since the one who had received respect and admiration would sound like a madman.

“…Because it’s a connection that came to me. One that stems from Hyeoncheonja.”

“I see.”

“So if you think of the Heavenly Demon’s Mad Soul Art coming to you as a connection, whether you wanted it or not, and accept it…”

He couldn’t bring himself to finish his words.

This kid… never mind, why is his killing intent so intense.

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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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