Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 123

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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 123

 

 

 

 

 

The blackened garden.

 

The place that should have been full of lush greenery was filled with an eerie atmosphere even in broad daylight.

 

Corpses laid out in neat rows.

 

They were the only evidence of the massacre.

 

Everything else had been burned away, leaving only charred black remains.

 

Though burned by fire, examining the sword wounds and internal organs damaged by internal energy could provide some clues about the culprit.

 

Immediately, coroners from the Black Cat Organization were deployed.

 

These were people trained in autopsy, that is, investigating corpses.

 

With their faces covered by masks to block the smell, they examined the wounds on the corpses and used various reagents to identify the culprit.

 

This was because corpses contained more information than one might think.

 

However.

 

“Urgh!”

 

Decomposition had already begun.

 

The terrible stench and rotting flesh caused nausea that even experienced coroners couldn’t endure.

 

Meanwhile, the warriors covered themselves in soot as they endlessly searched through the debris.

 

Evidence of the culprit?

 

Of course that was needed too, but what mattered most was the wealth the branch had possessed.

 

For the unorthodox sects, recovering losses was as important as finding the culprit.

 

Rebuilding the burned branch.

 

Recruiting new warriors.

 

Even the wages of the Yidu Branch warriors who had been dispatched to begin the investigation.

 

Fortunately, gold and silver were being discovered here and there and washed clean, and they could even collect the accessories the corpses had worn, but the losses were enormous.

 

“Damn it, haven’t you found the contracts yet?”

 

At the question from Yangmun, the Yidu Branch Manager who was frowning as he watched the busy investigation scene, the warriors who met his gaze sighed and shook their heads.

 

It meant everything had burned.

 

Curses came out naturally.

 

What good would finding gold and silver do?

 

What mattered were the bundles of paper that had disappeared in the flames.

 

Land deeds, registration documents for shops and inns, and such.

 

Still, those could be restored through government offices.

 

The procedures were a bit complicated so it would be troublesome, but with a little bribe money, it wouldn’t be difficult to resolve.

 

However.

 

‘Stupid fools, loan contracts and such should always be stored separately.’

 

This was the most infuriating part.

 

Like most unorthodox sects, the Black River Sect operated various businesses, but the biggest source of income for subordinate branches was high-interest loans to local residents.

 

Of course, they didn’t charge outrageous interest rates.

 

That was what third-rate thugs did.

 

With a name like the Black River Sect, they made high-interest loans within legal limits.

 

Slightly more expensive than pawnshops.

 

Therefore, those loan contracts were carefully preserved.

 

Yangmun looked at the wealth that had been excavated from the debris.

 

It wasn’t much.

 

It made no sense for an unorthodox sect branch to have only this much wealth.

 

Especially the Dangyang County branch was close to the Yangtze River, so merchants borrowed emergency funds frequently, making it wealthier than other places.

 

Meanwhile, thanks to Demon Shadow Tower changing its name to Second Family Head and acting like a righteous sect, the loan business had flourished. It had become practically a monopoly.

 

Recently, the tribute money had increased tremendously, earning a golden cup from the Sect Master.

 

How envious that had been.

 

“If the culprits didn’t steal everything, it means there’s an enormous amount of money scattered in the market through loans…”

 

The problem was that if they couldn’t find the contracts, it would all be for nothing.

 

Everyone had seen everything burned and rumors were rampant that the branch had been attacked and everyone killed, so what crazy person would voluntarily come forward saying ‘I borrowed money’?

 

If there were at least some survivors it might be different, but since everyone had died, they couldn’t even know who had borrowed how much.

 

“Branch Manager, can we really find this?”

 

Deputy Branch Manager Yeom Ak approached with a frown.

 

“According to the coroner, the wounds remaining on the corpses are quite rare to see. The corpses are decomposing quickly because the weather is still warm.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“There’s not much evidence left, so it seems difficult to find the culprit… I’m worried we might end up taking the blame for this.”

 

At Yeom Ak’s words, Yangmun couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

 

The Black River Sect Master was sensitive about money.

 

Recently, his nerves had become extremely sharp because the Zhuge Family had taken control of northern Hubei.

 

All the northern commercial rights had gone over to their side.

 

“Damn it, what kind of situation is this when the neighbors died at the worst time? If we can’t find it, the Sect Master will go crazy and cause a huge uproar. No, why couldn’t these bastards properly manage even one loan contract… This is why I said we should hire a smart General Manager, right? If only we had that, it would have been fine.”

 

“…”

 

Perhaps out of frustration, Yeom Ak poured out complaints.

 

Yangmun felt the same way.

 

However.

 

“Yeom Ak.”

 

“Yes, Branch Manager.”

 

“Have you heard the saying ‘Crisis and body as one, ten thousand benefits’?”

 

“No.”

 

As expected… he had no shame about not knowing.

 

So confident.

 

A natural unorthodox sect member.

 

“I also heard it from a merchant who did maritime trade once.”

 

“…”

 

“He was someone who went through storms to distant foreign countries to trade. I once asked him why he always traveled to such dangerous places.”

 

“And?”

 

“Crisis and body as one – you must know how to become one with crisis. If you do, you’ll gain ten thousand benefits.”

 

“Hmph… What a crazy bastard. Profit is good, but why would anyone choose danger? There must be many other safe paths.”

 

“Hehe, right. He was crazy. But in the end, he became incredibly wealthy.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Yangmun nodded.

 

“As you said, it would have been better not to take on the Dangyang County massacre investigation. If we step forward and can’t solve it, the Sect Master won’t let it slide.”

 

“…”

 

“But do you know why I didn’t refuse and said I’d do it?”

 

“Why?”

 

“If we can’t find the culprit, we’ll face the Sect Master’s wrath, but if we do find them, we could become the owners of Dangyang County.”

 

“Then…?”

 

“The merger of Yidu and Dangyang County. We’d become the largest branch near Uichang.”

 

“Well, that’s true, but…”

 

“Is that all? Dangyang County is a treasure among treasures. If we’re lucky, we might even get our hands on part of the Uichang Ferry transportation rights.”

 

“Gasp! Don’t tell me the Sect Master made such a promise?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“So? Are we really going to take Dangyang County into our hands? Are we getting one of the Uichang Ferry?”

 

“Just thinking about it is exciting, isn’t it?”

 

“It is exciting! How much money is this worth? I feel like I could live it up every day at taverns with courtesans.”

 

“…”

 

Yeom Ak was already excited thinking about the rewards even though nothing had been resolved yet.

 

And in the midst of it all, he was thinking about having fun first.

 

What a reliable demonic sect bastard.

 

And such thoughts instantly boosted morale.

 

“You bastards! What are you dawdling around for! Why aren’t you moving quickly? We need to find the culprit before sunset!”

 

Yeom Ak forgot about his complaints from just moments ago and began urging them on, filled with anticipation.

 

Yangmun was someone who knew how to use reliable demonic sect bastards.

 

That’s why he was the branch manager.

 

Just when he was feeling truly satisfied, warriors emanating an even more ominous aura entered the already gloomy manor.

 

“Jin Yeorak?”

 

It was the guy he had sent to the Lee Family Branch for investigation.

 

But his condition was…

 

“What happened? And why is that guy like that?”

 

Yangmun said, looking at the warrior who was being carried back completely beaten up.

 

“Th-that is… we were kicked out.”

 

“What?”

 

“They said we didn’t send an official document requesting cooperation…”

 

“Official document?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Yangmun’s face contorted at Jin Yeorak’s words.

 

Since when did they send official documents to the likes of the Lee Family to request investigation cooperation?

 

They just did it if they wanted to.

 

“So? You got beaten up and just came back?”

 

“Well…”

 

“And that kid ended up like that, but why are you guys fine? Did you just watch while your subordinate got beaten?”

 

“Branch Manager, please listen to what I have to say first…”

 

“Shut up, you damn bastard! Don’t you know why I sent you there?”

 

“I do know, but…”

 

The reason for sending Jin Yeorak.

 

Partly because he suspected the Lee Family Branch might be the culprit, but if push came to shove, he planned to fabricate evidence and frame them.

 

It was perfect for creating justification.

 

Since they were competitors anyway.

 

Maybe he could even achieve the feat of driving out the Lee Family from Dangyang County as well.

 

But instead of carrying out the covert operation, his subordinates returned with no gains whatsoever.

 

And beaten up at that…

 

“These damn bastards, the Lee Family must have gone crazy after backing themselves with the Zhuge Family, right? Beating up Black River Gate warriors? Follow me right now! I will never let these bastards get away with this.”

 

Actually, this worked out well.

 

He was already troubled by not being able to find the culprit, so if the Lee Family came on strong, it would be much better for framing them.

 

If he pressed them saying they refused investigation because they had something to hide, what could they say?

 

The Zhuge Family wouldn’t be a problem either.

 

They liked things like justification.

 

A murder occurred, and they refused to cooperate with the investigation, so they would use force to subdue them.

 

After that, the fabricated evidence…

 

He found himself admirable for having the cold-headedness to devise schemes even while angry.

 

However.

 

“The opponent is Violent Dragon.”

 

“…”

 

His bold stride stopped after exactly two steps.

 

Yangmun slowly turned his head to look at Jin Yeorak.

 

“Who?”

 

“Violent Dragon, Zhuge Munhyeon. The guy who brought the Gang Mugakju of the Namgung Family to his knees in two moves. You know, right? He’s currently at the Lee Family Branch.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

It was something that happened far away in the outskirts of Wuhan.

 

But originally, words without feet run at tremendous speed, and all the Black River Gate warriors stationed along the Muju Official Road had heard that name.

 

The rising star born from the Zhuge Family.

 

Though there was no longer talk of elevating late-stage masters by calling them Five Dragons or Six Phoenixes like in the past… outstanding young masters still received the titles of Dragon and Phoenix.

 

Violent Dragon.

 

He didn’t know who coined the name, but according to rumors, he was uncharacteristically fierce for someone from the Zhuge Family.

 

Most importantly, he possessed such tremendous martial prowess that he defeated an elder of the Namgung Family in just two moves.

 

If he went there and got angry?

 

He’d get beaten up.

 

Like the guy who came back bloodied and carried…

 

“Ahem!”

 

Yangmun cleared his throat unnecessarily.

 

He was someone who could coldly distinguish between situations where he should fight and situations where he shouldn’t.

 

And.

 

“Was he… very angry?”

 

“It seemed so. That killing intent he showed for a moment was… whew.”

 

Jin Yeorak shuddered with a chilled expression. Even he was someone with first-rate skills…

 

“But fortunately, when I apologized, he seemed to accept it graciously.”

 

“Ah… hmm.”

 

“And this is something I thought about on my way here.”

 

“What thought?”

 

“How about… offering him a drink?”

 

“A drink?”

 

“If we do well, we might be able to get help finding the culprit of this murder, don’t you think?”

 

“Get help, you say?”

 

“Yes. Since he’s a descendant of the Zhuge Family, his excellence probably isn’t limited to martial arts… and isn’t he also commanding the Gaebangdo?”

 

“Hmm, that’s right.”

 

The story about the Yungjoongsan Beggar’s Sect headquarters had already spread throughout Hubei.

 

Because beggars had started openly walking the streets at some point.

 

There were widespread rumors that even forces that had rebelled against the Black Cat Room had been absorbed into their side.

 

“The Black Cat Room Branch offered to help, but wouldn’t it be better to have more people when gathering information?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Since we have to coexist anyway if we can’t drive them out, how about we get their help and show appropriate sincerity?”

 

It wasn’t a bad proposal.

 

Coexistence.

 

And friendship with Violent Dragon.

 

If they could mobilize the Gaebangdo, it might be a great help in finding the culprit.

 

Right, the orthodox factions couldn’t keep pointing swords at each other forever.

 

“…Try inviting him once.”

 

Yangmun.

 

He was a wise man who respected his subordinates’ opinions and knew how to accept help from the orthodox faction when necessary.

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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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