Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 124

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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 124

 

 

 

 

 

“Young Master!”

 

“…?”

 

Branch Manager Hwang Gal came running with his robes fluttering and prostrated himself with a thud.

 

“Branch Manager Hwang Gal, reporting!”

 

“…”

 

“Black River Gate Yidu Branch Manager Yangmun has sent a letter through a messenger.”

 

I understand the meaning.

 

But why is he kneeling and holding out the letter with both hands…

 

And why is everyone looking at this scene as if it’s natural?

 

It is familiar though.

 

In the past, even the Elder Bastards and Vice Sect Leader Bastard would prostrate themselves completely on the ground when delivering news to me, and when I walked the streets, no one would raise their head within fifty zhang of me.

 

But that’s all in the past.

 

I stopped that long ago.

 

“Please get up. Why are you acting so embarrassingly in front of others?”

 

“No! I’m doing this purely for my own comfort.”

 

“…”

 

It seems he still hasn’t fully shed his demonic sect ways.

 

Some demonic sect members think showing such behavior to superiors is loyalty.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon shook his head and received the letter with a bitter smile.

 

It’s not even far, so why a letter…

 

“Hm? An invitation?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“He says he’s sorry for sending the investigation team and wants to treat us to a meal?”

 

“Yangmun?”

 

“Yes. Look.”

 

Hwang Gal’s expression as he received the letter Zhuge Munhyeon handed over was worth seeing.

 

His eyes nearly split open.

 

Well, the content was sorry for this and sorry for that… completely covered in apologies.

 

“This, this can’t be! As expected of Young Master. To even receive an apology from the opposing branch manager! I never thought such a day would come in my life.”

 

Hwang Gal was overcome with emotion and couldn’t contain his admiration.

 

What’s so great about this?

 

If you do wrong, apologizing is natural.

 

But perhaps because of the respect and praise in the eyes of Hwang Gal and the branch warriors looking at him?

 

A feeling of pride in that natural thing slowly crept up.

 

“What will you do?”

 

“About what?”

 

“Weren’t you invited? And Moon Gazing Pavilion is the most luxurious place in Dangyang County.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Moon gazing.

 

Drinking wine while looking at the full moon, it has quite a charm and slightly stirs my interest.

 

Anyway, the appointment with Gaebangdo that Yacho arranged is around the end of the Hour of the Dog (9 PM).

 

There’s plenty of time.

 

I could receive food and lodging at the branch, but would their cooking skills match those of a famous tavern?

 

Since I’m traveling for once, it wouldn’t be bad to enjoy some fine cuisine for a while. Also, as they say, the most delicious food is food that others buy for you.

 

“Mujin.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It looks like we’ll be dining out for once.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

As always, Mujin followed Zhuge Munhyeon’s words without question.

 

“Then shall we prepare?”

 

“Prepare for what?”

 

“It’s an invitation from demonic sect bastards. Shouldn’t we prepare for any possible danger?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Since it’s an official occasion to receive their apology, I’ll prepare everything properly.”

 

Hwang Gal bowed deeply and then shouted orders to the branch warriors.

 

“Young Master is going to Moon Gazing Pavilion! Immediately assemble all branch warriors and arm them! Each squad leader must ensure perfect protection…”

 

Somehow I feel uneasy.

 

It seems like it’ll be excessive, but since he’s doing it out of joy, I can’t stop him.

 

 

 

“…”

 

I knew this would happen.

 

Something felt ominous about how enthusiastic he was.

 

It’s a four-person palanquin.

 

Soft-looking cushions are even laid on the seat.

 

Next to it, four strong-looking palanquin bearers were kneeling.

 

Meanwhile, the branch warriors all wore identical uniforms and lined up around the palanquin as if guarding it.

 

“Considering Young Master’s dignity, it may be somewhat lacking, but I’ve prepared it with my utmost effort.”

 

“…”

 

“Please board.”

 

Hwang Gal spoke with a serious expression.

 

Are you sane?

 

You want me to ride this?

 

Mujin covered his mouth and trembled.

 

He’s holding back laughter.

 

Right, there were occasionally such guys in the Demonic Sect too.

 

Bastards who used subordinates skilled in lightness techniques as palanquin bearers and rode around in four-person palanquins.

 

Their behavior was so ridiculous that I once scolded them saying “Don’t you have legs?” and smashed their palanquin.

 

“Since you prepared it specially… Pfft! Ri, ride it… Pffft!”

 

“…”

 

Mujin’s face turned red as he spoke.

 

Is this funny?

 

His face is going to burst soon.

 

This is way too excessive.

 

I appreciate his loyalty boiling over from an unfamiliar situation, but…

 

“Branch Manager.”

 

“Yes! Young Master!”

 

Hwang Gal answered forcefully.

 

“Put it away.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“You’ve prepared something useless… And dismiss the guards too. Do I look so weak that I need protection?”

 

“That’s not it, but… there is such a thing as dignity…”

 

“Put it away.”

 

When I spoke curtly with an annoyed expression, Hwang Gal made a dejected face.

 

I didn’t bother to appease him.

 

What kind of dignity is this supposed to be?

 

If I go riding in a palanquin with guards in tow, everyone will definitely stare. It’s not like I’m trying to make someone into a patient with attention-seeking disorder.

 

“And I’ll go with Master Mujin, just the two of us, so keep that in mind.”

 

“Just the two of you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But those demonic sect bastards invited you. If they’ve set a trap…”

 

“Branch Manager.”

 

“Haah, understood.”

 

His expression was full of regret.

 

I understand his feelings, but excessive loyalty might lead to unnecessary actions, so it’s better to block it from the source.

 

For a light meal meeting with just one demonic sect branch manager, why is everything so cumbersome?

 

“Around noon, a guest from the Beggar’s Sect will come, so if I’m late, prepare a place for them to rest and tell them to wait.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon shook his head while looking at Hwang Gal, whose shoulders had drooped completely, then left the branch office with Mujin.

 

Watching their retreating figures, a martial artist beside Hwang Gal quietly said,

 

“Hmm, perhaps a carriage would have been better?”

 

“…”

 

Oh no! I didn’t think of that.

 

I should have prepared a four-horse carriage instead of a palanquin.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“Good grief, getting all caught up in such useless formalities… Do they think I’m some Demonic Sect Leader or something?”

 

“You seemed to like it though?”

 

“What’s there to like about it?”

 

“It was probably a first for them.”

 

“What?”

 

“From what I heard, they’ve been unable to hold their heads up because of the Black Steel Gate Branch all this time, but Young Master scolded and drove away the investigation team, and those who were beaten even apologized instead. How happy they must have been.”

 

“Hmph, there’s plenty to be happy about. But the palanquin was too much.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Mujin chuckled at his grumbling words.

 

It must be amusing to him.

 

Sigh…

 

As I exhaled and looked at the street, merchants were busy calling out to customers, and women in front of accessory shops were trying on jewelry here and there.

 

Well, what does it matter to them whether something happened at the Black Steel Gate Branch or not?

 

It’s just Murim business.

 

The world is this peaceful as long as crazy Murim people don’t cause trouble.

 

“Mother, sweet confection.”

 

Just as a smile was spreading across my face, I saw a little child pulling on their mother’s hand.

 

It suddenly reminded me of my childhood.

 

I used to do that too.

 

When I went to Market Street with Mother, I would pull her hand and lead her to the candy shop.

 

Perhaps because I was reborn in a child’s body, sweet confections tasted so delicious.

 

I really ate a lot of them.

 

As if trying to compensate for those desperate times when I was captured by the Demonic Sect and had to risk my life from childhood.

 

“Shall we buy one to eat too?”

 

“Sweet confection?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“…You’re not even a child, why would an adult eat sweet confections?”

 

“Where’s the rule for that? What does age matter when it comes to food? If you like it, you eat it. Look there, even that bear-like man is happily buying sweet confections.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon pointed to a large-framed man standing in front of the candy shop.

 

Holding sweet confections in both hands and smiling, he had a very innocent expression.

 

But strangely, he was carrying a long, large box on his back.

 

“A musician?”

 

My maternal grandfather used to carry his guqin like that.

 

Since good guqins can be damaged by outside air, they often put them in boxes to protect them while traveling.

 

Judging by the size, it seems to be about a seven-stringed guqin.

 

“Sweet confections again? I really can’t stop you.”

 

“Elder Brother, they said this place has the best ones…”

 

“How old are you exactly that you’re still eating sweet confections? Hurry up and follow me!”

 

“…Okay.”

 

A rather small man, apparently his elder brother, scolded him.

 

Seeing this, Mujin chuckled and said teasingly,

 

“Look at that. That person is getting scolded too.”

 

“You lack innocence. The ultimate state of the Way is said to be approached through a child’s heart…”

 

“Oh? You know about the theory of childlike innocence too?”

 

“Of course I do.”

 

I’m someone who thoroughly studied all the Taoist scriptures in Taiji Cave while preparing for ascension to immortality.

 

The theory of childlike innocence.

 

Taoism teaches that to achieve the Way, one must return to a child’s heart.

 

A state that transcends the five desires and seven emotions.

 

A state that approaches purity.

 

That’s when I understood.

 

Why I become more willful as I age and cultivate more. Why I can’t resist when I want something.

 

It’s all because I’m approaching the Way…

 

“Wow, there’s really no matching Young Master Munhyeon. To be so knowledgeable even in Taoist scriptures, truly the wisdom of Zhuge is enough to astonish Heaven.”

 

“It’s nothing much. Let’s go. I’ll buy you sweet confections, so think of it as cultivating childlike innocence for once.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Mujin followed with a smile.

 

But his love for sweet confections wasn’t just because of their sweetness.

 

While that was true in childhood, as he grew up, it became meaningful because it represented his mother’s affection.

 

Sweet confections reminded him of the warmth transmitted to his small palm when he was reborn as Munhyeon and went to Market Street holding his mother’s hand in his early childhood.

 

As they approached the candy shop step by step,

 

The large man holding sweet confections in both big hands and smiling, and the small man who appeared to be his elder brother.

 

They passed by.

 

Since there were many passersby, the moment they slightly twisted their bodies to pass, Zhuge Munhyeon’s face hardened.

 

“Huh?”

 

His eyes widened.

 

His body automatically turned to stare blankly at where they had passed.

 

His gaze was directed at the backs of the two brothers with different builds.

 

‘What is this feeling?’

 

It wasn’t killing intent.

 

It wasn’t a dangerous feeling either.

 

It was a very familiar feeling that even brought longing. As if it carried such a strong fragrance that it made his nose tingle.

 

‘Were they martial artists, not musicians? Then that box is…’

 

Perhaps they might be masters of Sound Arts.

 

Even while feeling curious, they didn’t stop walking and soon disappeared among the passersby.

 

In the direction he had come from…

 

What could that have been?

 

That feeling that pierced through his chest like a sharp stab in an instant was…

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Because he suddenly stopped walking, Mujin looked puzzled and turned his head toward where Zhuge Munhyeon was looking.

 

And then.

 

“Hmm… I suppose it is about time for you.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“There’s no need to be embarrassed. After all, isn’t it a butterfly’s nature to seek out flowers? Since Confucius is already well past marriageable age, it’s only natural instinct for your heart to be stirred by a woman’s scent.”

 

“N-no, that’s not it…”

 

“Even so, secretly staring at a woman’s back like that is rude. People will speak ill of you.”

 

“…”

 

“No matter how vigorous your blood runs, really, how can someone who has even read the Taoist Scriptures be so lecherous? Amitabha…”

 

Shut up, you tiger-nosed Taoist bastard.

 

What I saw wasn’t the woman you’re looking at, but someone else.

 

And you should stop staring too.

 

I can see you chanting Buddhist prayers while pretending to smile, but secretly watching with narrowed eyes until the very end.

 

Demon Taoist Mujin.

 

Today I’m adding “lustful” in front of that title.

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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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