Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 136

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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 136

 

 

 

 

 

Hogu (Tiger’s Mouth).

 

It was named so because the shape of the waterway curving in and out resembled a tiger opening its mouth.

 

It was the largest ferry terminal managed by the Tang Family of Sichuan.

 

“Today, there are five grain ships, four sand ships, and three passenger ships waiting to depart. Additionally, there are five government transport ships operated by the authorities.”

 

Along with the concise report, the documents were presented, and Dang Hun, the Hogu Branch Manager, nodded with a satisfied expression.

 

Rustle.

 

Turning the first page, it seemed there was no need to examine the documents closely.

 

The contents were organized so clearly that they could be understood at a glance.

 

But he couldn’t be careless.

 

If the one receiving reports becomes accustomed to neglecting their review, the one making reports will inevitably become lazy.

 

They would think, “What’s the point of working hard if they don’t even look?”

 

For the future of the young man standing at attention before him, it was better to examine each page carefully.

 

It wouldn’t be bad to occasionally show that he was properly reviewing the contents.

 

“Hmm, why are the records of the small boats missing today? Hogu Ferry is a very important place with many troublemakers, so I told you not to miss anything and to keep watch.”

 

Small boats were mainly used by common people for fishing or by outsiders for sightseeing in the vicinity.

 

So he knew they were difficult to track.

 

But he pointed it out deliberately.

 

To prevent complacency.

 

However, the young man answered without any hesitation or confusion.

 

“Today, a fishing festival is scheduled in Yakcheon.”

 

“A fishing festival?”

 

“Yes. It had been postponed due to rain for some time, and they’re finally holding it today… For smooth proceedings, we issued advance notice to the surrounding area to prohibit the operation of small boats.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Dang Hun nodded silently.

 

He had intended to criticize, but with such efficient work handling, he could find no fault.

 

Since it was a long-awaited fishing festival, it was indeed better to control nearby boats to prevent any inauspicious incidents.

 

It was a consideration for the people’s hearts.

 

“Well done. You must pay attention to village affairs too.”

 

“Thank you, Branch Manager.”

 

“Speaking of which, it wouldn’t be bad to show my face at the fishing festival.”

 

“If you do so, the villagers will be delighted. Ferry management is important, but if you bring peace to the people’s hearts, the Main House will greatly commend you.”

 

“You rascal, commendation indeed. I’m just doing what should be done.”

 

Perhaps not disliking the light flattery, Dang Hun smiled and looked at the young man with proud eyes.

 

It was good that he brought this fellow.

 

Hogu was a place where not only Sichuan merchants but also merchants from other regions came and went.

 

Not only merchant groups but also passenger ships and government vessels were abundant.

 

Those aboard ranged from ordinary common people to touring martial artists, and even criminals disguised as tourists.

 

Therefore, they had to manage not only the ferry but also maintain public order, making management difficult with various problems, large and small.

 

While disputes could be handled thanks to the power of the Tang Family name, ferry management had never been properly accomplished.

 

Ledger records were constantly missing, and criticism poured from the Main House.

 

Since the books didn’t match the actual amounts, receiving inspections was routine.

 

This was why the position of branch manager at this place, despite being the Tang Family’s most important ferry and a source of great profit, was classified as the most idle post.

 

Dang Hun too had felt like the sky was falling when he was first assigned here.

 

Anyone could see it was a demotion.

 

Being already quite distant from the direct line as a branch family member, keeping his position was already difficult, but this was a place where he couldn’t achieve results and would only receive daily criticism, leaving him in despair.

 

Then.

 

 

 

-Brother, please try taking my son with you.

 

 

 

At first, he had scoffed.

 

Though she claimed she had chosen to return on her own, she had essentially returned after being cast out even without divorce, making her practically a burden, so what recommendation could she make?

 

But perhaps it was true that he had inherited the blood of the Zhuge Family?

 

This fellow quickly grasped the work and began fixing the ledgers.

 

How perfectly everything fit together.

 

Even the inspectors who came with the intention of finding faults, as always, were left speechless.

 

His work handling was also clear.

 

Praise from the Main House naturally poured in.

 

Recently, even that fearsome Family Head personally sent congratulations, saying he was working hard.

 

Saying that someday he would call him to the Main House and assign him work befitting his abilities…

 

Crisis had become opportunity.

 

He had given up thinking there was nowhere higher to climb.

 

His sister’s son, his nephew, was a blessing.

 

“Mungi.”

 

“Yes.”

 

As Dang Hun put on his outer garments to attend the fishing festival, he spoke gently.

 

“I intend to recommend you for Deputy Branch Manager this time.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

The eyes of the young man, Zhuge Mungi, who had been calm throughout, suddenly lit up.

 

Deputy Branch Manager…

 

“You rascal, how long do you intend to remain as an assistant? You’re now of marriageable age, so you should start a family and bring smiles back to your mother’s face.”

 

“Ah, that’s…”

 

“Say no more. I’ve already prepared the report to submit to the Family Head. Though you use the Zhuge name, you’re clearly a descendant of the Tang Family’s branch line, so you should have a proper title. Only then can you win the daughter of a renowned merchant family in Sichuan, right?”

 

“Uncle.”

 

“Heh, you rascal. So you do know shame?”

 

“…”

 

Zhuge Mungi’s cheeks flushed red.

 

“When I asked your mother, she said your intention wasn’t to return to the Zhuge Family. Take this opportunity to marry and settle down in Sichuan. Though your martial arts are somewhat lacking, with your abilities, you’ll surely gain recognition from the Main House.”

 

“…”

 

“Who says the path for branch families lies only in martial arts? Being a General Manager in charge of finances is also a perfectly good path. Perhaps that might even be better for you. Your wisdom surpasses that of any Tang Family descendant.”

 

Having fully donned his outer garments, Dang Hun straightened his clothes and smiled at Zhuge Mungi.

 

“Why are you so quiet?”

 

“It’s just… I’m so moved.”

 

“You rascal.”

 

Knowing his nephew’s efforts thus far, Dang Hun patted his shoulder encouragingly.

 

“From now on, think of yourself as Deputy Branch Manager. And who knows? When I get promoted someday, you might become the Branch Manager managing this Hogu.”

 

“That’s too much honor. I’m still barely past twenty…”

 

“Hey, you rascal! A man should dream big. So what if you’re not a Tang? I think with your abilities, you could even aim for a position in the Main House’s General Affairs Department.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I’ll go to the fishing festival, so think of it as practice and inspect the ferry with the patrol warriors.”

 

“Me?”

 

“How long will you only handle internal affairs? Once you become Deputy Branch Manager, patrol will be one of your duties too.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Zhuge Mungi bowed his head, unable to contain his overwhelming gratitude.

 

Deputy Branch Manager.

 

At first glance, one might think it was a lowly position.

 

But what had his life been like until now?

 

When he came to Sichuan following his mother, he too had been full of confidence as a direct descendant of the Zhuge Family.

 

It was a miscalculation.

 

There was no place for him in the Tang Family.

 

His mother, who was essentially no different from someone who had been divorced and returned home though she wouldn’t admit it, had to remain in the back room the entire time, and he, as her son, received no respect from anyone except the servants.

 

When he got angry at servant girls who secretly mocked him, he was scolded for only causing trouble instead.

 

The warriors who had learned the Tang Family martial arts openly ignored him as a matter of course.

 

He was a stranger dropped into an unfamiliar place without any preparation whatsoever.

 

The thought that all of this was because of that bastard Zhuge Munhyeon made his anger boil.

 

If it hadn’t been for the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion incident, there would have been no scolding from Father, no leaving the Zhuge Family.

 

But that anger became his support.

 

He became vicious.

 

Zhuge?

 

He wished it would just collapse.

 

He even thought it was for the best.

 

That he had left at that time…

 

He learned the Tang Family martial arts until his hands were covered in blisters.

 

After all, the Zhuge Family martial arts were just basics learned at Cheonseong Pavilion when he was ten years old.

 

Compared to the Tang Family martial arts, such inferior martial arts with less power and lower class…

 

But it wasn’t easy.

 

He always fell behind.

 

Then an opportunity came.

 

Assisting his uncle who was designated as the Hogu Branch Manager.

 

It was the right choice.

 

For a descendant of the Zhuge Family who should read the Four Books at ten and learn mathematics as basic education, managing branch affairs wasn’t too difficult.

 

It was a skill that the Tang Family descendants, who could barely finish elementary learning even at twenty, could never match.

 

And finally, he gained his uncle’s recognition.

 

The Deputy Branch Manager position was the product of that effort and like a tremendous reward.

 

“Oh right, you heard that an envoy from the Zhuge Family will arrive soon, didn’t you?”

 

“…Yes. It seems about two weeks remain from the promised date.”

 

“Well, how impressive. I thought they would collapse, but they managed to survive and even got their hands on Hubei Province.”

 

“…”

 

Sparks flew from Zhuge Mungi’s eyes as he saw off Dang Hun, who spoke while leaving the branch office.

 

Hubei and Sichuan were not only far apart, but since Sichuan was an inherently closed-off place, detailed news didn’t reach them.

 

However, the story that Zhuge had defeated Namgung did reach his ears.

 

It was the most talked-about rumor in the Central Plains recently.

 

It would have been better if they had just collapsed…

 

What was most infuriating was the fact that Zhuge Munhyeon’s name was in all of that, and he was also included in this envoy roster.

 

“Anyway, since an elder from the main house will come early to oversee branch affairs while receiving the envoy, put your full effort into patrol. I’ll return quickly to match the timing.”

 

“I will do so.”

 

“As you know, Il Bangju who’s coming this time is someone with great influence within the family. If he arrives earlier than scheduled, you must never make any mistakes.”

 

“I understand. If I may suggest, how about borrowing the tavern’s back garden to host him?”

 

“The tavern?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“While it would be proper for him to stay at the branch office, since he’s taking a break from family duties, it might not be bad to help him relieve his mental and physical fatigue.”

 

“That’s a good idea. However, I’m worried since that person has a rather upright disposition.”

 

“I’ll prepare it simply. I’ll just prepare various things in case he might want them.”

 

“Alright, do as you think best.”

 

“I will live up to your trust.”

 

“You rascal.”

 

Dang Hun nodded with a satisfied expression.

 

It would have been better if he had been a Dang instead…

 

“Listen, patrol leader.”

 

“Yes! Branch Manager.”

 

“Mungi will soon take the position of Deputy Branch Manager. So even when I’m not here, you must not treat him carelessly. If there’s anyone who looks down on him like before, I will deal with them severely.”

 

“Of course. I know Assistant Zhuge’s abilities best, so don’t worry.”

 

“Then I’ll go to the fishing festival.”

 

Having finished his instructions, he got on a carriage and headed toward Yak Village.

 

The expression of patrol leader Cheon Giju, who had been watching the departing carriage, changed completely in an instant.

 

“Well, well, Assistant Zhuge has really grown up. It feels like just yesterday he was whining for me to teach him martial arts, and now he’s Deputy Branch Manager at that age. You’ll have to treat us properly, right?”

 

“Of course, naturally.”

 

“You won’t change just because you’re sitting in a high position, right? If you tattle to the Branch Manager like last time and make us suffer, that won’t be fun.”

 

“Th-that won’t happen.”

 

“Haha! This is why I like our Deputy Branch Manager!”

 

Cheon Giju freely patted Zhuge Mungi’s shoulder.

 

As if treating a subordinate.

 

But Zhuge Mungi only smiled awkwardly and shrank his shoulders.

 

Since their positions had reversed, he should naturally scold him and give him a punishment beating, but for Zhuge Mungi, this was one of the very familiar things.

 

Even though his standing had risen, there were still no subordinates who respected him—someone weak in martial arts but only good in ability.

 

He only groveled in front of Dang Hun.

 

He was the son of a declining family and still a stranger.

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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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