Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 119

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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 119

 

 

 

 

 

“Hmm, but what will you do?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“With that reason alone, convincing your mother won’t be easy.”

 

“Well, that’s…”

 

Indeed, he is the leader who guides the Zhuge Family.

 

To see through the purpose of my visit in one go.

 

Self-cultivation, family harmony, state governance, world peace—cleaning up the mess I made.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had only thought that far, couldn’t continue his words.

 

“Munhyeon. Do you think your mother would be pleased if you got involved in your uncle’s family discord?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Rather, with that reason, she would try to stop you outright.”

 

“Would she… really?”

 

“Of course she would. Don’t you remember that time? Your mother’s teeth would chatter just thinking about it. You nearly suffered hardship because of the humiliation she was bearing.”

 

Come to think of it, that’s true.

 

Mother Baek Suhyeon is a compassionate person.

 

Though I harbored the grand goal of promoting peace in uncle’s household, to do so would require bowing my head and apologizing to Dang Yeojin and Zhuge Mungi.

 

It would only be possible by swallowing my pride.

 

Baek Suhyeon couldn’t possibly not know this.

 

“Family Head… please teach me.”

 

I bowed low.

 

Now was the time to do so.

 

Though the Zhuge Family was full of clever people, it was the Family Head who made judgments encompassing all their words.

 

Beyond knowledge, he was a wise person.

 

Even if I remembered my past life and had much experience, this was an area where I had to defer to the Family Head.

 

“Before that, let me hear your reason for wanting to go to the Tang Family.”

 

“Well…”

 

Though I hesitated briefly, there was no need to hide it.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon took out the Silver Cold Staff tucked at his waist and placed it before the Family Head.

 

“It’s because of this item.”

 

“This is… the one you took from the Heroic Martial Armory back then, isn’t it?”

 

“Yes. It was only marked as an old item. No records remained and the maker was unknown.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Zhuge Dowon nodded as if understanding.

 

He too had been curious about it.

 

Most items in the Heroic Martial Armory were family treasures, so as Family Head, he needed to know their background.

 

Only then could he bestow them upon those who achieved merit.

 

But no records about this iron staff remained anywhere.

 

It was still unclear.

 

He seemed to immediately understand the reason for wanting to go to the Tang Family.

 

“You want to examine their records?”

 

“That’s right. Someone must have made it, and perhaps the Sichuan Tang Family has records related to this.”

 

“That’s possible. But why are you so interested in it?”

 

“Well. It’s just personal curiosity.”

 

“Personal curiosity?”

 

“Yes. Don’t they say martial artists naturally feel attachment to the items they use? Moreover, isn’t this my beloved weapon that’s responsible for my life?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

He nodded again at the reasonable words.

 

In truth, when Zhuge Munhyeon chose the iron staff, he couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

 

There were many other good weapons available.

 

But that’s how fate with weapons works.

 

No matter how good a weapon is, if it doesn’t suit your hand, you quickly tire of it. You just store it and don’t use it.

 

It must have appealed to him.

 

“Family Head.”

 

“Speak.”

 

“If I’ve achieved any merit for the family so far, please consider this as settling the score for that reward.”

 

Just as what’s important differs for each person, what was important to Zhuge Munhyeon now was finding a way to convince his mother.

 

Of course, from the Family Head’s perspective, it seemed incomprehensible to settle all the numerous merits achieved so far with such a trivial matter.

 

“What? Just for creating a reason to go to the Tang Family?”

 

“I don’t think there could be a better reward for me.”

 

“Ha! Your mother must be that important to you.”

 

In that moment, Zhuge Munhyeon and Zhuge Dowon harbored the same feelings for the first time.

 

There really isn’t much that’s more important than one’s mother.

 

Looking back on all of his lives, there was nothing comparable to the maternal love he felt from birth.

 

The desire to become strong, the desire to ascend to immortality.

 

Before all those yearnings, she was the person who filled what was most lacking in his life.

 

“Your father will be disappointed.”

 

“Father would probably take Mother’s side over mine too.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

The Family Head nodded in agreement.

 

When that promising young man stubbornly insisted on marrying a musician’s daughter, he himself had been the first to oppose it.

 

It was a marriage he reluctantly permitted only because the man threatened to hang himself if not allowed.

 

Contrary to worries, the two lived well together.

 

In some ways, they lived more harmoniously than anyone else.

 

Perhaps because he was a lonely widower, he sometimes envied their relationship.

 

The way they cherished and loved each other.

 

What if he had opposed them to the end back then, preventing their marriage, leaving his younger brother wallowing in disappointment, and Zhuge Munhyeon never being born?

 

Worries endlessly traced back.

 

How fortunate it was that he had permitted the wedding then, that he had yielded to his younger brother’s stubbornness…

 

“Sigh, my burden is not so light.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Never mind.”

 

When Zhuge Munhyeon looked puzzled, Zhuge Dowon shook his head with a faint smile.

 

“Um, isn’t there some way? It’s obvious she’ll oppose if I say I’m going to Sichuan…”

 

“Hmm, how about doing it this way?”

 

“How?”

 

Intrigued, Zhuge Munhyeon perked up his ears and listened like a seeker of truth.

 

Please bestow wisdom upon me.

 

“Munho is well past marriageable age.”

 

“…Why is that relevant?”

 

“That fellow, listen to the end before speaking. It disrupts my train of thought.”

 

“I apologize.”

 

“Ahem, anyway, Munho is long past the age to marry. The retainers’ urgings continue day after day. They say the Young Family Head’s wedding cannot be delayed like this. That he must quickly marry and secure an heir to stabilize the family.”

 

“An heir… Ah!”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes lit up like a chick that had just broken out of its shell and seen the world.

 

Ah, such amazing wisdom.

 

Typically, children of prestigious families often have arranged marriages.

 

This is even more so for Young Family Heads.

 

Therefore, when they reach marriageable age, they send their birth charts to families they wish to form alliances with to seek permission.

 

Accordingly, the family of the woman who would become the bride divines fortune and misfortune, judges how much help she would be to the family, and notifies the groom’s side of their acceptance or rejection.

 

In the case of martial families, they send the groom’s birth chart to several families they have in mind beforehand.

 

There’s no law saying the Tang Family can’t be included among them, and although Aunt is from the Tang Family, it doesn’t matter much.

 

After all, she’s from a branch family.

 

And there’s no law saying Zhuge Munhyeon can’t deliver that birth chart.

 

Usually when delivering birth charts, families send carefully selected people, and Zhuge Munhyeon is very suitable for that role.

 

“Family Head!”

 

“Hehehe.”

 

“I respect you.”

 

“Hehehehehe.”

 

The Family Head’s shoulders rose high with pride.

 

Today, that’s acceptable.

 

Even those raised shoulders are respectable.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“…So it seems I need to go to Sichuan this time.”

 

“Is that so? The Family Head always has good judgment in selecting people. To think you’re delivering the Young Family Head’s birth chart – this mother is truly pleased.”

 

At his carefully broached words, Mother, whose white hair had grown noticeably visible, smiled brightly and nodded.

 

The key envoy for delivering the birth chart for the Young Family Head’s marriage.

 

It was an appropriate reason.

 

Perhaps because it meant her son was receiving such recognition from the family, Mother didn’t say anything particular.

 

What a relief it was.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon was finally able to comfortably drink the rock sugar tea she had prepared.

 

Though it was hot, it felt refreshing.

 

His anxious stomach finally seemed to settle down.

 

He had overcome a great mountain.

 

Setting aside others, he had been constantly worried about how to persuade Mother.

 

“How will the procession be arranged?”

 

“Well, it seems… I’ll probably go together with Master Mujin.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon answered carefully.

 

He was worried she might scold him for having too few people.

 

“With Master Mujin? Not with people from within the family?”

 

“The Family Head said it would actually be better if a disciple of the Wudang Sect accompanied us.”

 

“That’s true. Even though our family’s prosperity has begun, having Wudang’s name alongside would be much more helpful. But I worry whether Master Mujin might be uncomfortable. We should prepare several sets of robes for him while we’re at it.”

 

“What? There’s really no need to…”

 

“Tsk! That’s no way for a person to act. No matter how close we are, we must pay attention to such detailed matters.”

 

Really, there was no need for that.

 

Rather, that fellow should be making clothes for him instead.

 

“Stop making excuses and prepare for your departure.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Whether Mujin’s clothes were newly prepared or not, he was fortunate to have persuaded Mother so easily.

 

At times like this, one must act quickly before words change.

 

He also had something to tell the Beggar’s Sect.

 

“Then I’ll take my leave now.”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Mother maintained a smiling attitude throughout.

 

What a relief.

 

Truly…

 

“Mujin.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Did you contact the Wudang Sect?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You got permission, right?”

 

“If it’s together with Young Master Munhyeon, the Main Mountain won’t say much.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

Coming outside and conversing with Mujin, Zhuge Munhyeon nodded with satisfaction.

 

In truth, permission had to be granted.

 

Mujin, who had returned to the Zhuge Family recently, immediately sent news of himself to Wudang Mountain.

 

That he had gained the power of the third seal and reached the mature realm of righteous energy.

 

That although he couldn’t remove the demonic nature, he had learned how to use it righteously.

 

They had no choice but to be pleased.

 

Because the Wudang Sect had gained another master.

 

Also, through Mujin’s case this time, they would learn the method of converting demonic arts into Taoist secret techniques.

 

Wujin Palace Master Yeonghwa even sent a reply asking if the ‘Yang-Yin Heart Technique’ wasn’t needed.

 

The Yang-Yin Heart Technique, a martial art that freely uses the power of yin and yang.

 

But he declined.

 

Following Zhuge Munhyeon’s teachings, he wanted to unite demonic energy and immortal energy rather than use them separately, advancing toward primordial unity.

 

“Later, Sohye will come to measure your size.”

 

“My size?”

 

“Yes. Mother said she’d make you several sets of robes while we’re at it.”

 

“Such a grateful thing…”

 

“You should be grateful. Our Mother will make them herself. She used to play the zither, so her touch is delicate.”

 

“I should offer prayers for her health and longevity later.”

 

“Of course you should.”

 

Though Taoist prayers usually made Zhuge Munhyeon cringe, when it was said to be for Mother, he readily nodded.

 

Praying for health and longevity…

 

“Let’s go to the Beggar’s Sect first.”

 

“The Beggar’s Sect?”

 

“Yes. There’s something they absolutely need to look into while we’re away in Sichuan.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Mujin followed behind without complaint, as he always did.

 

He planned to deliver the paper Namgung Ilhak had written to the Beggar’s Sect.

 

Since it wasn’t a problem he could handle alone.

 

At least they would be able to examine in detail the movements of craftsmen in the Hubei region.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Inside the room.

 

Baek Suhyeon was for some reason pressing her ear against the door, listening to sounds from outside.

 

As the voices of Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin conversing grew distant, Sohye’s voice could be heard from outside.

 

“Miss.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Young Master went to Gaebang Headquarters with Master Mujin.”

 

“Phew… I see. We need to go to the fabric shop, so prepare yourself.”

 

“Yes, Miss.”

 

Baek Suhyeon let out a long breath and finally spoke in a relieved voice, then looked at Zhuge Doyun who was sitting together in the room.

 

“What about Munhyeon’s Four Pillars?”

 

“Well… I delivered them to Squad Leader Han who will be overseeing the newly formed Marriage Bureau. They will be sealed together with the Young Family Head’s Four Pillars.”

 

“How many places?”

 

“Well… about six places?”

 

“Hmm, it feels somewhat few, but that should be sufficient. Munhyeon must absolutely not know.”

 

Her expression was full of some kind of conspiracy.

 

When she heard through her husband that their son would be sent as an envoy to Sichuan, she went to find the Family Head for a secret conversation.

 

Was it only the Young Family Head who had reached marriageable age?

 

Her own son had already been an adult for a full year now.

 

Since he was a son obtained late in life, there was a need to get him married as quickly as possible.

 

But being his mother, she knew her son’s personality well.

 

Since there was a high possibility he would refuse if marriage talks came up, she secretly had his Four Pillars enclosed together with the Young Family Head’s.

 

Asking them to consider it as a bonus.

 

In other words, Zhuge Munhyeon was now going to the Tang Family as a man of marriageable age to be considered for marriage.

 

“But will this be alright? The boy will hate it if he finds out…”

 

“It can’t be helped. If we don’t force it through, I’ll never see my daughter-in-law’s face until I die. Do you see these gray hairs?”

 

“You’re still beautiful.”

 

“Oh my! Lord, really.”

 

For some reason, she was full of enthusiasm and smiled softly at being called beautiful.

 

“Well then, shall we now put all our heart and soul into making Munhyeon’s clothes? Hehehe.”

 

“But didn’t you dislike the Tang Family?”

 

“Who? Me?”

 

“It seemed that way…”

 

“Don’t equate individuals with family clans. Even if I hate my sister-in-law, I don’t dislike the Tang Family.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

At those words, Zhuge Doyun let out a sigh.

 

But if their son found out…

 

He had a feeling that his back would burst from being caught between fighting whales.

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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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