Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 112

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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 112

 

 

The entrance to Yeongsan County.

Right now, that place was controlling those coming and going from two directions.

The west side of the main road was controlled by Zhuge Family warriors, and the east side by Namgung Family warriors.

In charge of the Zhuge Family side was Jeok Un, the Third Group Leader of the Hyeonho Unit.

“Three hundred zhang! Carriage spotted!”

During that utterly peaceful moment, a warrior who spotted a carriage racing toward them, stirring up dust clouds in the distance, urgently reported.

“What’s their identity?”

“There’s a flag with ‘Yongsan’ attached.”

“Yongsan?”

“Yes!”

Neither the reporting warrior nor Jeok Un who received the report could be expected to know the flag of a rural escort agency.

“But… there’s another flag attached next to it?”

“Hm?”

“Well, on a white background… that is, the Big Dipper?”

“You mean the Big Dipper constellation?”

“Yes! I’m certain.”

How strange.

Flags have always been symbols of sects and families.

Therefore, it’s normal not to use just anything, but to use what befits one’s status.

If someone unsuitable uses an overly grand symbol, they become a laughingstock, and often trouble arises from it.

Therefore, not just anyone uses the Big Dipper.

Also, it’s rare to use two flags in normal circumstances.

If two were displayed, one would be their own faction’s flag, and the other would likely be the flag of a protecting force.

“Which side is the Big Dipper on?”

“On the right from our viewing direction.”

Then the Big Dipper represents the protecting force.

It’s customary to place the flag of a superior or higher-ranking faction on the left from the viewer’s perspective.

It’s the same with grave sites and ancestral tablets enshrined in shrines.

But was there any place in Hubei that used such a grand symbol as the Big Dipper?

It wasn’t even the symbol of the Black River Gate, which was confronting them across Muju Pass.

“Hmm…”

Jeok Un, frowning, immediately sent a signal to have the warriors form a defensive formation.

Negotiations were scheduled to take place soon.

At this point, the Young Family Heads of the Zhuge Family and Namgung Family were waiting inside the village, leading negotiation teams.

It would be troublesome if any unpleasant incidents occurred.

Especially discord coming from the Zhuge Family side would adversely affect the negotiations.

“Form the Thousand Hand Wall! Block their approach and confirm their identity!”

“Yes!”

The warriors moved swiftly, positioning themselves on both sides of the main road where the carriage would pass, while warriors standing in two rows at the entrance waited with drawn swords.

A defensive formation technique called building a wall with a thousand hands took shape like the character (conceal).

The approaching carriage only stopped when it reached the very end.

Deep within the formation.

As the dust-covered horses snorted, tension spread thickly.

The carriage was somewhat worn, and the warriors sitting on the horses didn’t look particularly strong.

But they all wore face coverings.

Though it was probably due to the dust, since their faces couldn’t be recognized, Jeok Un stepped forward and asked with sharp eyes.

“This place is temporarily under Zhuge Family control. Travelers, please dismount and identify yourselves.”

It was polite but full of threat.

The warriors revealed their aura as if they wouldn’t hesitate to fight if the control wasn’t followed.

However.

“Well, do the Zhuge Family warriors not even recognize a noble house’s flag?”

“A noble house’s flag? What do you mean by that?”

“My goodness, no matter how much time has passed, how can you not recognize the Seven Stars flag…”

At those rather lamenting words, Jeok Un’s face contorted.

Seven Stars flag?

Did the main house use such a pattern?

It was understandable that he didn’t recognize it.

The Zhuge Family’s Seven Stars flag had disappeared into the back alleys of history along with the era of decline.

Who would carry the flag of those who had been pushed back by the unorthodox factions and holed up in Yungzhong Mountain?

Meanwhile, Jeok Un was barely in his late thirties.

There was no way he could recognize the flag the Zhuge Family had used in the past.

But since the other party’s attitude was so confident, Jeok Un didn’t press further and waited.

“I am Jo Yeongdal, who operates a place called Yongsan Escort Agency in Hwanggang in the Yangtze River region.”

“…”

“Long ago, through friendship with the Zhuge Family, I had as my great-grandfather Jo Muryong, who perfectly completed twenty-five escort missions, and I’ve kept the Seven Stars flag received at that time like a family treasure, only bringing it out again today.”

At those spirited words, Jeok Un’s eyes narrowed slightly.

What was he supposed to do about that?

Who said they wanted to know about his family’s affairs?

But the Zhuge Family was a family of propriety and protocol.

Whether what he was spouting was nonsense or not, Jeok Un spoke with proper courtesy.

“It’s gratifying that your house treasures the connection with our family. However, no one can enter Yeongsan today, so please modify your route temporarily.”

“That won’t do.”

“What?”

“Right now, this carriage is carrying a distinguished person who must go inside Yeongsan.”

“A distinguished person?”

It was when Jeok Un was tilting his head at the puzzling answer.

“Huh? I thought the voice sounded familiar – is that you, Third Group Leader?”

“…?”

A man peeking his head out of the carriage and smiling brightly.

Recognizing his face, Jeok Un shouted with eyes wide open.

“Dissolve the Thousand Hand Wall! Clear the way and escort Yongsan Escort Agency’s carriage with honor!”

“Yes, Group Leader!”

The warriors didn’t say a word in response.

They too had seen him.

The man in the carriage.

The person the Zhuge Family warriors admired.

Zhuge Munhyeon.

As the gatekeepers instantly became escorts, forming rows on both sides of the carriage, Yongsan Escort Agency head Jo Yeongdal felt overwhelming emotion.

An escort from the Zhuge Family…

Where else could he experience something like this?

Meanwhile, he was riding on horseback.

He couldn’t even remember the past when he should have immediately dismounted and bowed obsequiously.

“Munhyeon, what on earth is going on?”

“How have things been… Have you been well all this time?”

“I’m always the same as usual.”

Jeok Un, who had approached the side of the carriage, conversed with Zhuge Munhyeon who poked his head out the window.

“But the Seven Star Flag? Was there such a flag at the main house?”

“It seems so.”

“Huh?”

“You know, like those symbols they used during the height of prosperity.”

“Ah…”

“Please treat them well. That escort agency master seems to have carefully preserved the Seven Star Flag while waiting for the Zhuge Family’s prosperity all this time.”

Even if he hung the Zhuge Family’s flag for his own advancement, that heart that didn’t forget was something to be grateful for.

Looking at Jo Yeongdal’s back as he rode ahead with his back straight and dignified on horseback, Jeok Un felt shame wash over him and his face grew hot.

The Zhuge flag.

They had forgotten it, but those people had not forgotten.

Perhaps it was because of the wishes of such people that the Zhuge Family was able to rise again…

“By the way, where is Elder Brother Munho, no, the Young Family Head?”

“He’s at the inn. He’s been eagerly waiting for you to come, so much so that he hasn’t been sleeping properly at night.”

“He’s always so timid. He does well on his own though… The Young Family Head has a tendency to severely underestimate his own abilities.”

“Haha.”

Jeok Un just laughed at Zhuge Munhyeon’s grumbling.

The one underestimating was him.

He didn’t know what level he thought it was, but currently within the family, the position Zhuge Munhyeon held was beyond what he thought.

To the warriors, he was the incarnation of victory.

He was also a strong warrior worth being proud of.

Just having him together changed the warriors’ mindset and confidence.

However.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, Sword Healer Namgung Ilhak, who is the master of the Blue Sky Sword Master, is included in the negotiation team.”

This was the reason tension flowed through the negotiation team despite having justification.

Though Jeok Un spoke with a stern face, Zhuge Munhyeon just stared back with a blank expression.

“Huh? Aren’t you surprised?”

“Should I be surprised?”

“That, that’s… he’s the Sword Healer?”

Sword Healer or whatever, what would he know about such a guy?

He probably knows how to use a sword a bit.

When Zhuge Munhyeon didn’t even pretend to be surprised, Jeok Un sighed and shook his head.

Whether he had no interest or no fear…

‘Well, that’s the kind of guy he is.’

Jeok Un sighed repeatedly.

When the Nine Wall Sword of Namgung came, and when he faced Gang Mugakju Mok Jaun too.

He showed no fear regardless of who the opponent was. Rather, that confident attitude was deeply imprinted in the minds of the Zhuge Family warriors.

But this time the opponent was the Sword Healer.

Though he might get scared in advance, it wouldn’t hurt to know.

“That person is a master of the previous generation of the Namgung Family. He’s the uncle of the current Family Head.”

“…”

“He can’t be called a supreme master, but his name has been known throughout All Under Heaven for a long time. I hear some say he’s at the Gang level, others say he’s approaching it… Whatever the case, he’s clearly come with the purpose of pressuring us in negotiations. So everyone’s quite worried. After all, his reputation is high and his martial arts level is outstanding.”

“Hmm.”

At Jeok Un’s explanation, Zhuge Munhyeon nodded indifferently.

What reputation?

From Zhuge Munhyeon’s perspective, he was a kid.

Thinking of when his past life self visited the Namgung Family, this guy wasn’t even born yet.

This was really a problem.

The right and wrong were already clear, yet they brought some kid with a bit of power to try to gain the upper hand in negotiations.

Meanwhile, this Sword Healer person was the same.

If he was “former,” it meant he had already retired from the front lines, so he should sit in the back room and tend to flowers or something, but what lingering attachment made him want to meddle in worldly affairs?

‘Just try to throw cold water on the negotiations and cut even a penny. I’ll pluck out every strand of your beard.’

If necessary, he was prepared to directly attack the Namgung Family.

They had broken their promise with him.

 

* * *

 

“Se, Seven Star Flag?”

Among those who came out of the inn upon hearing that Zhuge Munhyeon had arrived, Hyeonho Dan Leader Zhuge Domyeong was the only one who recognized the flag raised by Yongsan Escort Agency.

His heart could have been overwhelmed.

He too had only heard the stories passed down.

From his father, who had been the previous Family Head.

Even then, his powerless father, who was already walking the path of decline, would get drunk and ramble while suffering from heavy duties.

That once our family’s Seven Star Flag raced across all of Hubei…

That was the dream that the current Family Head and his brothers had always harbored.

They hoped that someday the Zhuge Seven Star Flag would flutter across all of Hubei again.

Though the hegemony of Hubei that they couldn’t achieve and had to give up due to lack of power had returned, so much time had passed that no one spoke of it anymore.

Yet the Seven Star Flag was fluttering before their eyes.

Even he, who was always expressionless, was so moved that his eyes reddened.

“Treat the guests with honor. To the main house, they are like family.”

“Yes!”

Zhuge Domyeong ordered that the people of Yongsan Escort Agency be treated with utmost care.

Then, Zhuge Munhyeon got out of the carriage.

“Munhyeon! You rascal, why are you so late? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”

Zhuge Munho, who as Young Family Head and representative of the negotiation team had been struggling inwardly but never showed it once, immediately poured out his complaints.

“Waiting for what, you would have done fine on your own.”

“You rascal, still, my mindset is different depending on whether you’re here or not.”

“Pfft!”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who burst into laughter at Zhuge Munho’s words, spoke to the warriors following behind.

“Oh? You got new clothes made? You look quite like proper guards?”

“Oh, don’t even mention it. It was better when you were here. Just because he got one hat, what a fuss he makes.”

“I’m also getting sick watching Gwan-i’s arrogant behavior. Can’t you just be the guard captain?”

When Hwi and Pyeong complained, Zhuge Gwan, who was beside them, widened his eyes and shouted.

“You rascals! How dare you disrespect the guard captain? Where on earth did you learn such manners!”

And beside him, Zhuge Junggi, who had come along as an advisor, sighed with an expression that said ‘These youngsters…’

Mujin stepped back for a moment.

He was trying to be considerate since it was a time for the brothers to catch up.

Watching this, Zhuge Domyeong felt proud.

The Zhuge future was so bright.

A smile naturally formed.

And.

“Uncle, is there something unpleasant going on? Are the kids not listening? Or is it because of the Namgung Family?”

“…”

Zhuge Munhyeon asked worriedly.

He had just smiled.

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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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