Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 125

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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 125

 

 

 

 

 

As they approached Mangwolru, they could see martial artists with menacing eyes guarding the entrance and surrounding area.

 

With swords at their sides and such fierce expressions, there was no way guests would enter.

 

Look at that – when a guest approached with a smile, they stretched out their hand and said something that made the guest flinch in surprise and turn away.

 

They must have cursed at him.

 

And surely they weren’t just chasing people away but also extorting money?

 

Such lawless bastards.

 

Even though they’re from an unorthodox sect, the Black Steel Gate’s reputation shouldn’t be so low, yet how could their actions be identical to third-rate rogues?

 

“How troublesome.”

 

“Exactly. They’re not even the owners of Mangwolru, yet they’re harassing people and interfering with business just to have a meal.”

 

At Mujin’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon frowned and nodded.

 

His appetite completely disappeared even before the meal.

 

If he sat there and ate, wouldn’t he be pointed at just like those people?

 

Even the Demonic Sect doesn’t do such things.

 

But then.

 

“Welcome, Young Master!”

 

Just as he was about to turn away with an unpleasant feeling, a familiar face came running over.

 

It was Jin Yeorak.

 

“What kind of behavior is this?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

When sharp words immediately flew out, Jin Yeorak looked bewildered.

 

This is the problem.

 

They think their actions are perfectly natural.

 

“Don’t you know? You invite me to a meal and then harass people like this. Did you forget that I’m from the Zhuge Family?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“Who are you people to interfere with business? I cannot sit at such a troublesome table, so tell your branch manager clearly.”

 

As he tried to leave after making threats, Jin Yeorak, looking even more bewildered, blinked and said.

 

“We rented it out?”

 

“No matter how much you rented… huh?”

 

“We paid extra money to reserve all of Mangwolru to serve Young Master…”

 

“…”

 

Rented out? Reserved? The whole place? Even paid extra?

 

Then they weren’t interfering with business but following proper procedures…

 

Feeling his face flush slightly from getting angry without knowing anything, Zhuge Munhyeon took an unreasonable attitude and found another fault.

 

“Renting it out… that’s fine, but why are you threatening passersby?”

 

“Pardon? Threatening?”

 

“Then what is that if not threatening? Look! They’re driving people away again.”

 

When he pointed with his finger, Jin Yeorak glanced over and said.

 

“Ah, that… they’re explaining.”

 

“Explaining?”

 

Just then, the voice directed at a passerby approaching the tavern could be heard faintly.

 

“We’re terribly sorry about this. Our Black Steel Gate branch made a sudden reservation to serve an honored guest, so how about using another place? This is a small amount for meal expenses as an apology.”

 

Money placed in the outstretched hand.

 

The startled passerby soon nodded, took the money, and turned away.

 

“…”

 

His face grew even hotter.

 

He had misunderstood everything from a distance.

 

Damn it, then they should have posted someone with a less fierce expression. With guys who looked ready to draw their swords at any moment standing guard, misunderstandings were bound to happen.

 

“Hmm, I see. What you said before about viewing the orthodox faction without prejudice must have referred to cases like this. To judge someone’s inner nature by their appearance alone – I still have a long way to go. Amitabha.”

 

Mujin cleanly admitted his mistake and chanted a Buddhist phrase.

 

Shut up, you hemp-robed barbarian!

 

“Shall we go in? The branch manager is waiting.”

 

“…Ahem.”

 

Pulled along by Jin Yeorak’s hand tugging at his sleeve, he moved while pretending to be reluctant.

 

“This is Young Master Zhuge Munhyeon from Yungzhong Mountain. Pay your respects.”

 

“We greet the Violent Dragon.”

 

At Jin Yeorak’s words, the martial artists guarding the entrance greeted him loudly.

 

They were very respectful.

 

His face became even more embarrassed.

 

“Amitabha, I still have far to go to properly see the world. My cultivation is lacking.”

 

“…”

 

Suppressing the urge to tear apart the self-reproaching Mujin’s mouth, he went inside where the shopkeeper came running out with a bright face to greet them.

 

“Welcome, honored guest! The guests are waiting on the second floor.”

 

At the energetic response, Zhuge Munhyeon, still feeling regretful, whispered slyly.

 

“You weren’t beaten, were you?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Were you harassed, threatened, or did they glare at you and curse? Don’t hide it and tell me, I’m a very strong person.”

 

“…”

 

The shopkeeper stared blankly and blinked.

 

He shouldn’t have asked.

 

He was only treated like a strange person.

 

Damn it…

 

“Ahem!”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon coughed awkwardly in embarrassment and looked up at the second floor.

 

Knowing that the guest had arrived, the sound of chairs being pushed back as someone stood up could be heard.

 

Feeling inexplicably angry, he stomped up the stairs.

 

When he reached the second floor, the men came rushing over to greet him first.

 

“Welcome. I am Yangmun, branch manager of the Black Steel Gate Yidu branch.”

 

A middle-aged man.

 

His clothes were also neat.

 

Seeing not a speck of dust, he had clearly dressed up anew to meet him.

 

His expression was full of smiles, and no arrogance or haughtiness could be felt.

 

He couldn’t bring himself to speak informally.

 

“I am Zhuge Munhyeon from Yungzhong Mountain.”

 

“I am Mujin from Wudang Mountain.”

 

“Haha! I must have great fortune today. To meet the famous Violent Dragon and a disciple of great Wudang whose reputation has been spreading recently. It’s an honor.”

 

“…”

 

Damn bastards.

 

For unorthodox sect members, why are they so polite?

 

He couldn’t bring himself to spit in a smiling face.

 

“Please, sit over here.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Once seated, Yangmun opened the conversation with an apology.

 

“We were in urgent circumstances and committed a great discourtesy.”

 

“Ah, that’s…”

 

“Please forgive us. As you know, we were out of our minds after seeing the massacre in Dongdo…”

 

Yangmun maintained his courtesy throughout, even filling the wine cup first. With both hands, respectfully…

 

I couldn’t refuse the apology.

 

I couldn’t refuse to share drinks.

 

The apologies continued after that.

 

Sorry for this and sorry for that.

 

He hoped there would be no unpleasantness during our travels in Dangyang County because of them.

 

After the apologies came praise.

 

How we defeated the Namgung Family’s Azure Sky Sword Unit, how we brought down an elder-level martial artist.

 

Having nothing to say, I just kept emptying my wine cup and chewed on the side dishes.

 

As the meal was coming to an end.

 

“Hah, but we still have no idea what kind of bastards attacked the branch office.”

 

“It was completely burned down, wasn’t it?”

 

“Yes. All that remains are the wounds on the corpses…”

 

Yangmun spoke while subtly gauging our reaction.

 

“If you have time, could you perhaps stop by our branch office for a moment?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Well, rather than us, I thought the Violent Dragon of the Zhuge Family, famous for his Divine Calculation Demon Strategy, might be able to figure something out if he took a look. Master Mujin is also here, so we could offer prayers for our poor dead comrades… Ah, my mistake! I misspoke. I was just so frustrated that I said it without thinking. Please don’t mind it. Haha! I invited you to apologize, yet I’ve said unnecessary things.”

 

“…”

 

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

Hmm, this little rascal…

 

So that’s why this demonic faction member was being so polite to young me.

 

Repeating apologies and praise to completely bewitch a person—it seems he had something he wanted.

 

“Though we’re all from the Four Seas, it’s not normal for neighboring orthodox and demonic factions to ask for help from each other. Please just ignore what I said.”

 

Not bad.

 

Speaking politely while wearing an expression full of regret.

 

Look at those eyes.

 

Even while saying it’s fine and not to worry about it, he’s hoping desperately.

 

“Young Master.”

 

“What?”

 

“How about helping them since they’re in such a difficult situation?”

 

“Help?”

 

“As they said, it wouldn’t be bad to hold a soul-pacifying ritual for those who suffered a surprise attack. We did misunderstand them earlier.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

A soul-pacifying ritual…

 

I’m not sure if such sinful demonic faction members who might have tormented the powerless need such a thing.

 

But Mujin had only lived in the mountains and was traveling for the first time.

 

Come to think of it, he was quite late compared to his fellow disciples in wandering the world for cultivation.

 

It was because of the Mad Soul Art.

 

He couldn’t leave the temple while suppressing his demonic nature.

 

Even after leaving to travel, he stayed as a guest of the Zhuge Family for a while, so his only real jianghu experience was fighting bandits and that ascetic.

 

My disciple who inherited my final insights needs experience.

 

Above all, while I don’t have the Divine Calculation Demon Strategy they speak of, when it comes to identifying culprits by examining wounds left on corpses, I’m second to none in all under heaven.

 

Of course, if you look hard enough, there might be more skilled people.

 

But at least in the current Black Steel Gate branch, there’s no one more skilled than me.

 

Having thought that far, Zhuge Munhyeon looked at Yangmun.

 

“Branch Manager.”

 

“Yes?”

 

His face lit up as his eyes widened.

 

He seemed to be secretly hoping for permission.

 

But when we might become enemies and draw swords against each other at any time, how could I help without any conditions?

 

“I’m not sure if my abilities will suffice, but instead of helping by examining the wounds on the corpses, I have one condition.”

 

“Please speak.”

 

“It may sound cold, but someone will have to replace the positions of the dead, right?”

 

“Ah, well…”

 

“From what I can see, the reason you came to investigate this place is also related to that, isn’t it?”

 

“Ah… hahaha.”

 

Seeing him laugh awkwardly, I seem to have hit the mark.

 

Otherwise, there would have been no need to ask for help even from the orthodox faction. Who would like to get beaten and bow their head?

 

Yet the fact that he brought me here and made a subtle request means this matter needs to be resolved quickly.

 

Which means there’s something to gain.

 

“So, will you promise me?”

 

“Please speak. If it’s something I can accommodate…”

 

“Treat the Lee Family Branch equally.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“That place is no longer a branch of the Demon Shadow Tower, but a branch led by a collateral line of the main house.”

 

“…”

 

“As neighbors living within the same boundary, acknowledge that we have equal status and share the interests as well.”

 

“Ah, that’s…”

 

“Didn’t you say we’re all from the Four Seas?”

 

“…”

 

“From what I can see, the branch manager will gain much more. If you accept the condition, I’ll help to the extent of my abilities.”

 

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Yangmun frowned and pondered, then soon nodded.

 

“Yes, I promise.”

 

“Good. Then since we’re talking about it, shall we go right away?”

 

“Would that really be alright?”

 

“What’s there to hesitate about? It’s something that benefits everyone. Let’s discuss methods for moving forward together later.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I found a way to live peacefully without using force.

 

I felt proud.

 

How could human growth be limited to just building strength?

 

A life lived under the name of Zhuge, not the Heavenly Demon.

 

Today, I became an even more mature member of the Zhuge Family.

 

However.

 

“Boy.”

 

“Yes, Young Master.”

 

“Can you deliver a message to the Lee Family Dangyang Branch for me?”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon took out a silver coin and held it out to the shopkeeper.

 

“Please speak!”

 

“Go find the branch manager and tell him that we’ll be cooperating in investigating the recent massacre, so if any guests come looking, they might have to wait a bit longer. If there’s anything urgent, tell them to come over there.”

 

“Understood.”

 

One silver coin for delivering a message.

 

What a windfall.

 

The shopkeeper, who had earned money he couldn’t make even working for a month, smiled brightly and nodded.

 

What a wonderful day.

 

Mujin getting new experience is good, the shopkeeper earning easy money is good, the Lee Family being treated well is good, Yangmun solving the case is good… and my heart feels good too.

 

It’s hard for everything in the world to go well, so I wonder if this is really okay.

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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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