Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 12

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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 12

Zhuge Family, Cheonseong Pavilion.

Standing at the entrance, Zhuge Munhyeon looked at the signboard and let out a sigh.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and go in.”

“…”

“This father has already spoken to the pavilion master about everything.”

Another sigh escaped him.

But that effort was truly admirable.

The descendants of the Zhuge Family accumulate knowledge from a young age, and only at ten years old do they finally encounter martial arts.

Here in this Cheonseong Pavilion, they build their foundation until they become adults at sixteen, then proceed down the path they desire according to their individual talents.

Seven-year-old Zhuge Munhyeon.

As is typical of scholarly families, given the Zhuge Family’s characteristic strictness with regulations, they wouldn’t have easily granted permission.

He must have persuaded and persuaded again.

For his son’s sake.

Though it was a useless endeavor, that heart caring for his son’s future was worthy of praise.

‘What the hell, what does it matter? It’ll be good to learn other martial arts too.’

Wasn’t he the type who would jump up even from sleep at the mention of martial arts? He just needed to think positively about it.

“Munhyeon, what’s wrong?”

“Yes?”

“You’re not going in, just standing there worrying.”

“Just… I’m feeling quite moved by this moment.”

“You rascal…”

“I’ll go in now.”

“Good. I’d like to go in together, but parents are forbidden from entering…”

At the sight of his father’s regretful expression, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled broadly.

“Don’t worry.”

“Worry about what… But, well… you can’t act like you did at the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.”

“…”

“Try to endure it when possible. You know what I mean, right?”

Seeing him full of worry and concern, though he didn’t say it, Father must have gone through a lot of hardship when the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion incident happened.

Well, hierarchy exists for a reason after all.

“I’ll try my best.”

As long as no one provokes me…

But at those words, Zhuge Doyun was greatly pleased and pushed his back.

Zhuge Munhyeon pretended to give in and knocked on the door of Cheonseong Pavilion.

Knock knock!

Soon the door opened and the interior was revealed.

A large man in black robes looked at the two from beyond the door and greeted Zhuge Doyun.

“Byeongjudang Master, I’ve been waiting after receiving word of your arrival.”

“Oh, Ganghu. It’s been a while.”

“Yes.”

After the greetings were exchanged, Zhuge Doyun spoke to his son.

“Munhyeon, pay your respects. This is Yu Ganghu, an instructor at Cheonseong Pavilion. He’s so outstanding that he’s called the Fierce Fist in the martial world. He’ll be in charge of your basic training from now on.”

“I am Zhuge Munhyeon.”

At his father’s urging, Zhuge Munhyeon bowed his head.

Fierce Fist, huh…

He looks like he could smash rocks pretty well.

“I’ll take him inside.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m merely following the pavilion master’s orders.”

“Ah, about that…”

“It’s fine. I didn’t mean to blame you, Byeongjudang Master. But from now on, please follow Cheonseong Pavilion’s regulations.”

“I understand. And I’m sorry. If you were offended, please let it go.”

“I’ll have you buy me a drink later.”

“Of course, anytime you say.”

“Yes.”

After bowing, Yu Ganghu looked at Zhuge Munhyeon coldly and said.

“Follow me.”

“…Yes.”

That guy, he’s going to be giving me the cold shoulder for a while.

Zhuge Munhyeon followed Yu Ganghu and stepped inside Cheonseong Pavilion.

As expected, the threshold is high.

For a seven-year-old.

“Munhyeon.”

“…?”

“You must do well. You know Father is always on your side, right?”

It’s not like he’s going on some long journey…

Anyone watching would think he was being drafted for war.

Thud!

The moment he turned around, the door closed, and another world opened.

Somehow his heart felt at ease.

Until now, he hadn’t been able to act freely because he was always watching others’ reactions, wanting to be a good son to his parents.

“What are you doing?”

“…”

“If you miss your father, you can leave right now. If not, hurry up and follow me.”

At Yu Ganghu’s words, maintaining his cold expression throughout, Zhuge Munhyeon slightly frowned.

Is this guy naturally hot-tempered?

Why is he so cold?

The interior of Cheonseong Pavilion they entered was quieter than expected.

A place with just two training grounds positioned along the path, and a central hall.

Perhaps because it was still early, no trainees were visible either.

Yu Ganghu, walking ahead without looking back, said.

“You will learn martial arts in Cheonseong Pavilion’s Lowest Grade Class from now on. Therefore, there are rules you must absolutely follow.”

“Please tell me.”

“First, do not flaunt your noble bloodline and family background within Cheonseong Pavilion.”

That’s what I want.

Like other disciplines, martial arts should be evaluated purely on skill.

“Second, obey the instructor’s commands.”

“…That’s right. If they’re reasonable commands.”

“And third, absolutely do not violate the hierarchy. I’ve already heard about you. If the same incident as at the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion happens again, I will absolutely not forgive it, and it won’t pass by as easily as it did then.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon stopped walking and stared directly at Yu Ganghu.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“If you know about the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion incident, then you must know the details too… What you just said sounds like you’re telling me to endure it even if someone insults my parents.”

At those words, Yu Ganghu finally stopped walking and turned around.

Then he smiled faintly at the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon looking straight at him with wide-open eyes.

Quite spirited, isn’t he?

He had already heard rumors about him.

Talent in scholarship and music?

Impossible.

Such things couldn’t capture Yu Ganghu’s interest.

What made him remember the name Zhuge Munhyeon was a story he heard during a drinking session with Manseogak Guardian Gwon Nosik not long ago.

-Well, he dodged not only the Suppression Hand but even the Grasping Hand, you know? A seven-year-old, I tell you.

Though it was only basic hand movements, for a seven-year-old child to evade an adult’s touch was truly remarkable.

So he looked into it and found that the boy had never learned martial arts.

In other words, it was natural talent.

He had been secretly looking forward to when the boy would enter Cheonseong Pavilion.

And just then, Zhuge Doyun had gone to see Zhuge Dohyeong, who was both the Cheonseong Pavilion Master and his younger brother, to persuade him that his son was born with martial arts talent.

Since the world was turbulent, wouldn’t it be right to teach him early if he had talent?

Naturally, he was consulted about it.

Bringing a seven-year-old into Cheonseong Pavilion went against the family’s regulations.

But because that name was Zhuge Munhyeon, he gave permission.

He decided to accept and teach him.

“Why don’t you answer? If I must endure even in such cases, then I’ll take my leave now.”

“That brat… Don’t you know what efforts the Byeongjudang Master made to get you into Cheonseong Pavilion?”

“Even if I know, wrong is still wrong.”

“Hmm.”

A faint smile appeared on Yu Ganghu’s lips at the firm answer.

This boy was a bit different from other children of the Zhuge Family.

Even ten-year-olds who came here would usually be intimidated by his gaze and sturdy build, but this one looked back at him almost defiantly and boldly stated his thoughts.

Perhaps because of this, rather than thinking him rude, he first thought the boy had backbone.

“Who told you to endure? I’m just saying that if you want to settle right and wrong, it must be done through martial duels.”

“Martial duels?”

“That’s right. Scholars persuade opponents with logic, but martial artists persuade opponents with their strength.”

“Hmm, that’s not very fitting words from someone who teaches descendants of the Zhuge Family. Isn’t it important who has the righteous cause?”

“That’s natural. So if you think you’re right, then do so.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Imposing one’s will through martial duels.

That was good enough.

He had no intention of deliberately picking fights or causing trouble, but he also had no intention of avoiding it if someone picked a fight with him.

‘As long as it’s in the form of a martial duel, right?’

Yu Ganghu felt a strange curiosity at the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon grinning.

How reckless.

Looking at his expression, wasn’t he full of confidence that he could win even in a martial duel?

‘He’s as interesting as I heard. I hope he has as much talent as I’m expecting.’

It was then, as Yu Ganghu was chuckling inwardly.

“There’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Speak.”

“Does the teaching process change depending on how well one learns?”

“What do you mean?”

“For instance, if I learn too quickly and have time left over, would you teach me something new?”

“What? Hahahaha!”

Yu Ganghu couldn’t contain his bewilderment and burst into laughter without realizing it.

There was no youthful arrogance like this.

It was the first time he’d heard such words while teaching children.

A boy who hadn’t even started learning yet claimed to know what kind of training he’d undergo and guaranteed his own achievements would be swift?

“That won’t happen. For now, considering the gap with other children, we’ll proceed with individual training, but we won’t exceed the set curriculum for each day. You’ll train according to the educational schedule.”

“Hmm, then what do we do when that day’s education is finished?”

“What?”

“I was wondering if I could go home early.”

“Hah!”

Yu Ganghu was dumbfounded.

A boy who hadn’t even started training yet…

Was it youthful arrogance? Or was it conceit?

Yu Ganghu, whose face had soured for no reason, answered curtly.

“If you finish early, you may go home.”

“Really? That’s fortunate.”

Zhuge Munhyeon stroked his chest in relief.

For now, cultivating the Small Heavenly Star Technique came first.

While techniques would improve quickly through the countless experiences in his head, internal energy was different.

There were no shortcuts.

It accumulated only as much as the time invested.

Well, since it was a path he’d already traveled, he’d be a bit faster than others.

Thus training began, and considering he was seven years old, Chief Instructor Yu Ganghu taught him directly.

It was consideration for the gap with other children.

However…

“May I go home now?”

“…”

In just one day, Yu Ganghu realized that Zhuge Munhyeon’s words weren’t mere youthful arrogance.

He had perfectly demonstrated all ten basic movement techniques of the Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps, which beginners learn first, in just half a day.

Even ten-year-olds who had started several months earlier still hadn’t moved beyond the fourth form, Position Changing Phantom Form…

“Is there more I need to learn today?”

“Huh?”

“If there’s more left, let’s proceed quickly. I can’t neglect my studies either because of Father.”

Yu Ganghu couldn’t say anything.

Youthful arrogance, what youthful arrogance?

Consideration?

Such things were unnecessary for this boy from the start.

This boy was a genius.

A boy sent into the world by heaven to learn martial arts.

Not only did he immediately understand difficult incantation formulas with a single explanation, but after a few practice attempts, he quickly demonstrated them perfectly.

And that wasn’t even on ground where footprints were deliberately drawn to show movement technique steps for trainees, but on bare ground…

Yu Ganghu, who had become quite excited, stared blankly at the footprints Zhuge Munhyeon had left behind and snorted through his nose.

Getting amazed by just basic forms.

“Instructor?”

“Huh?”

“If you have nothing else to say…”

“Ah! Yes, yes. You may go home now.”

“Thank you.”

Yu Ganghu could no longer say anything more, nor could he maintain his previous cold attitude.

After all, it was what he had promised.

He was simply amazed and fascinated by Zhuge Munhyeon before his eyes.

‘To think there would be someone who could learn the Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps in just one day.’

Of course, that amazement didn’t spread equally to everyone cultivating at Cheonseong Pavilion.

‘He’s just a little kid…’

For children at that age, even a one-year difference is significant. And here was someone a whole three years younger!

To the children who hadn’t finished their daily cultivation yet, and who were only receiving scolding for not doing it properly, Zhuge Munhyeon was merely an object of envy and jealousy.

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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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