Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 116

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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 116

 

 

Thud!

The sound I wanted was ‘thump’, but there was quite a bit of moisture and the crushed reeds acted as a cushion, so the impact didn’t seem too severe.

But anyone who’s fallen from a tree knows.

When you fall on your back and take the impact, a tingling sensation spreads throughout your body, making you unable to move as if paralyzed, and your breath gets cut short.

Nevertheless, thanks to decades of cultivation, Namgung Ilhak quickly got up and took a defensive stance.

It was pointless.

I had already stepped back.

“Come to think of it… we didn’t properly greet each other before the martial duel.”

I could have attacked immediately.

But I stepped back as a courtesy.

That was roughly the meaning, and seeing his face flush slightly, he seemed to understand properly.

And right now, his wounded pride would hurt more than the pain in his back.

He had been full of confidence against a young junior, even trying to show mercy, but instead got slammed to the ground, leaving his hair disheveled and clothes covered in mud.

Normally, rage would surge and he’d get angry, spouting nonsense.

Then the martial duel would be over.

What great technique could someone who’s lost their composure possibly display?

A martial artist must remain cold and composed inside even when angry.

“Well then, shall we start properly?”

I wore a mocking smile and tried to provoke him further, but Namgung Ilhak quickly raised his hand to stop me.

“W-wait a moment.”

“…?”

“This person is quite impatient. It’s a martial duel, so it should be fine to give me some time to recover from the shock, shouldn’t it? Heh heh.”

He laughed.

He was embarrassed about falling.

He must feel ashamed too.

Those with good skills usually feel such emotions. Even more so if they’re older and skilled.

I could tell he was someone who wasn’t ashamed of being ashamed.

“I seem to have taken you too lightly. I apologize.”

He even apologized.

For being careless, for being arrogant.

At least Namgung Ilhak didn’t seem to be an idiot who acted superior as a senior and thought only his skills were the best.

Hmm, then I need to revise my plan.

I was going to defeat him immediately, but it seems I need to be more careful.

“Phew, that was truly an amazing technique. Just how many moves ahead did you see? To grab not my body but my trouser leg while leaping and slam me down. I haven’t experienced anything like this in over ten years.”

His face looked quite excited.

It seems my plan needs to be revised a bit more.

Someone who can honestly acknowledge their opponent’s skills and respond accordingly is inherently dangerous.

‘It seems his reputation wasn’t gained for nothing.’

Come to think of it, such a person wouldn’t have thought to change his family’s swordsmanship otherwise.

Finding problems means having an objective perspective, and making changes means going through countless attempts and contemplation.

Thanks to that, I became slightly interested.

“…Shall we rest for a moment?”

“No need. I’ve received enough consideration. What face would I have to ask for more time?”

“As you wish, then.”

I’ll do as he wants.

But Namgung Ilhak, having steadied his breathing, drew his sword.

“Eh? You’re using a sword?”

“It seems I should. Please understand.”

“Didn’t you say ‘Though it lacks a blade, trained hands are no different from a sword. Is there any need to cause harm?'”

“Shut up.”

His face turned slightly red.

“That’s harsh language.”

“Hmph!”

“Hmph? No, where did the respected elder of the Namgung Family sell off his previous dignified appearance…”

“With you, I mean you, that’s fine.”

“What? Even informal speech?”

“What’s the big deal about informal speech? I’m much older anyway. And anyone I acknowledge as an opponent is like a friend regardless of age. There’s no need to put on airs about being an elder or whatnot. It’s actually more comfortable this way.”

“My, how quickly you change.”

“In the turbulent jianghu, those who change slowly wither and die.”

“Hmm, I acknowledge that.”

“You draw yours too.”

“Very well.”

So he wants to do this properly.

He should have done so from the start.

The title ‘Chi’ (Governing) doesn’t easily attach to an unknown name.

Especially in a family renowned in the Central Plains for sword arts.

Among those who yield to no one when it comes to swords, knowing how to govern the sword means understanding the weapon’s characteristics and being able to imbue it with one’s will.

In other words, his skill with bare hands versus with a sword would be like heaven and earth.

The moment he drew his sword, even his aura changed.

As if he were a different person.

Zhuge Munhyeon, wearing a slight smile, drew the Silver Cold Staff from behind his back.

“Hm? What’s that?”

“My weapon.”

“So it wasn’t a sword but a staff?”

A staff is an iron club.

A weapon made for beating rather than cutting and stabbing.

In other words, a cruel weapon that doesn’t just kill but beats to death.

“Hmm, it has an unusual shape. Most have four edges, and even at most don’t exceed six, but this has eight sides.”

“Do you have knowledge of weapons too?”

“Of course I do. I once wandered all under heaven to train my sword arts. My skills weren’t improving at all, so I thought maybe a good sword would help, and I visited famous craftsmen. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go to the Demonic Sect.”

His words piqued my interest.

I had been thinking about looking for the creator of the Silver Cold Staff anyway.

“How mysterious, truly mysterious. Looking closely, there are strange patterns inscribed… It doesn’t seem like an ordinary item. Well, the Zhuge Family wouldn’t have given you just any weapon. Especially to a junior scholar who throws seniors around.”

“It seems you were quite hurt by that.”

“Want to try getting thrown around yourself?”

“I’ll pass. These are expensive clothes.”

“Damn brat.”

“But if you’ve visited famous craftsmen all under heaven, could you perhaps provide introductions?”

“Introductions?”

“Yes. I have a few things I need to look into as well.”

“Hmm.”

After pondering for a moment, Namgung Ilhak grinned wickedly.

Somehow his expression looks quite devious.

There’s definitely some scheme brewing.

“Then do your best.”

“Pardon?”

“Since you’ve already drawn your sword, we should properly clash once. If you hold back like before, I absolutely won’t tell you anything.”

“…”

It seems age doesn’t come without reason.

To know that I held back.

Sharp.

And to start bargaining the moment he thinks he’s holding something advantageous.

However.

“Won’t it be dangerous for you?”

“Me? Or you?”

Though he seemed incredulous, Zhuge Munhyeon asked again with a somewhat worried expression.

“Are you really sure you’ll be alright?”

“It’s like a dog worrying about a cat. From what I see, you don’t want to lose either.”

“No one feels comfortable losing.”

“I’m fine, so show off the Zhuge Family’s sword arts to your heart’s content.”

“Good. I’d hate for you to say you feel bad about losing later. I consider promises very important.”

“I feel the same way.”

“Then it seems this disciple didn’t properly learn his master’s character. You definitely demanded compensation from Nine Wall Sword.”

“…”

At those words, Namgung Ilhak’s eyes twitched.

It hit a nerve.

He had heard the story from his disciple.

That Zhuge Munhyeon had mercilessly beaten him while demanding compensation for the broken formation.

But how could a martial artist belonging to a family go against the family’s will?

“I apologize for that part. When even I couldn’t go against the family’s will, how could that child have decided on compensation by himself?”

“Mm, I’ll accept the apology. I’ll get much more in the upcoming negotiations anyway. But you must keep this promise.”

“Of course.”

“Good. Then let’s start again. The real martial duel begins now.”

“I look forward to it.”

Namgung Ilhak extended his sword straight.

Even without infusing internal energy, his aura seemed to bloom and ripple around his body, and for a moment it felt like sword energy stretched out to target the throat.

A manifestation of will.

‘Not quite at the level of True Storm Namgung Hyo, but he must have accumulated considerable harsh training.’

Feeling satisfied with his opponent’s strength, Zhuge Munhyeon gripped his Silver Cold Staff tightly.

“Won’t you tell me what swordsmanship you’ll use?”

“There’s no such thing for opponents I acknowledge.”

“How cold of you. Mine is the Small Heaven Star Sword.”

“What’s with all these small stars? From my perspective, it’s already a fully grown star!”

Did he not like the name?

They’re sister techniques.

Based on the Small Heavenly Star Technique – use fists and it’s Star Fist, use sword and it’s Star Sword, Star Spear, Star Blade… it depends on what you make of it.

Well, I sometimes frown at the Creator who came up with such names too.

There are so many other cool names…

Despite their bickering tone, both maintained tension toward each other, sending wary glances filled with vigilance.

Considering the age difference, one might think this was an unwinnable fight.

Meanwhile, the opponent was Geomchi.

Someone who had already established his own school.

But facing him, I was the Heavenly Demon.

I didn’t earn that title for having dignity or outstanding character.

It was because of strength that surpassed all of that.

In other words, I was the strongest in the Demonic Sect. Even searching through the Demonic Sect’s history, none could compare except the First Sect Leader.

So no matter how great a martial artist Namgung Ilhak might be, he couldn’t be my match.

At least in a contest of martial techniques excluding internal energy, I had seen a much higher realm.

The amount of training, the depth of techniques, adaptability, and even in cunning and underhanded methods, I was ahead.

Of course, if we used internal energy or it was a life-and-death battle, he might have been slightly more advantageous.

But the result would have been the same.

Not having reached the Gang realm, he would have slightly superior internal energy at best, and that was a level I could easily overcome with long experience.

In other words, this was instructional sparring.

I, who had been the Heavenly Demon, was teaching Namgung Ilhak, who was a junior and student.

But suddenly I had this thought.

What if I used the energy that had changed to something like half-Gang due to spirit energy?

Could I easily defeat a Gang Qi martial artist?

But it wasn’t time yet.

Familiarity was best for everything.

In situations where life wasn’t at stake…

It would be better to use spirit energy after properly training with it.

Meanwhile.

Clang!

Sword and staff collided.

Countless variations became sparks embroidering the air, and the two repeatedly clashed and separated.

Rolling and tearing.

When the cleanly cut reeds gradually lowered and almost touched the ground, their martial duel ended.

Though it was a fight where neither allowed a single strike on the other’s body, their expressions were opposite.

Zhuge Munhyeon slowly caught his rapid breath with a calm face, while Namgung Ilhak roughly heaved his chest with a grimacing expression.

“Damn it…”

That one word represented his entire state of mind.

None of his martial arts had worked.

Even compared to martial duels with the Family Head, the supreme master of the Namgung Family, this had been far more grueling.

“What the hell are you?”

“…Zhuge Munhyeon.”

I know he wasn’t asking for my name.

How do you possess such skill?

How can you be this strong?

It was a question containing many such complex meanings.

But as an answer, it was sufficient.

“Amazing. How at your age…”

“Does age matter for strength?”

“It matters.”

“…I acknowledge that.”

I agreed without particular objection.

Age is important.

Because the amount of training time differs.

“On top of that, someone of high status…”

“Pardon?”

I acknowledged age, but why is status a problem?

As Zhuge Munhyeon tilted his head, Namgung Ilhak, who had irritably sheathed his sword, said:

“The better one’s origins, the higher one’s status, the easier it is to obtain things. Good martial arts, good elixirs, even good masters. Therefore, not much worry is needed to become strong. Usually in such cases, they’re strong but not meticulous.”

“Mm, most strong people are meticulous.”

“I’m talking about the order of things.”

“The order?”

“Those born into high status worry about meticulous details after becoming strong. Becoming strong after meticulous consideration is mainly the way taken by dragons rising from streams.”

“Hmm…”

As expected, he agreed.

A dragon that rose from a stream.

They are meticulous.

Because they must survive against the strong with low-level martial arts and weak internal energy, they think about how to utilize what they have.

That’s what he was saying.

Since we had already crossed swords, he must have felt it.

Why had a descendant born into the Zhuge Family learned such meticulous aspects and become strong?

That thought was wrong.

The Zhuge clan I was born into had already collapsed and declined, I had modified the good martial arts myself, I learned directly because there were no decent masters, and spiritual medicine and such things… Keuk!

Come to think of it, it’s pitiful. I was a Zhuge, no less.

In fact, the reason all of that was possible was because I was the Heavenly Demon.

Kidnapped by the Demonic Sect and experiencing every process from the bottom-level low-ranking martial artist to Squad Leader, Dan Master, Elder, and Sect Leader.

But since it’s a secret I can’t tell… let’s just chalk it up to being a genius.

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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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