Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 14

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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 14

 

 

“What’s wrong?”

“The Instructor said so, didn’t he? If you want to settle right and wrong, have a martial duel.”

“Th-this is…”

“If you don’t intend to, then let go. Your breath stinks.”

“…”

Though his collar was grabbed, when he looked up with a languid expression without resisting and spoke, Zhuge Munho’s face turned bright red.

That was exactly what he’d intended.

In fact, he’d been feeling the children’s stares for quite some time now.

Of course, they weren’t kind looks.

They were full of contempt and disdain.

Originally, he’d tried not to care since children that age can’t hide their emotions, but it kept bothering him.

How should he put it?

Should he say it was similar to something he’d felt long ago, so long he could barely remember it?

Thanks to that, he was feeling nostalgic.

Hundreds of children thrown in with nothing but their bare bodies and a single short sword for training…

He was the one who survived among them.

Those were good times.

Though he couldn’t do such things in the Zhuge Family, if he didn’t want to be constantly bothered, there was a need to put these little ones in their place.

“What are you doing? Were you all talk?”

Come on, kid, make your move.

I’m waiting here with such anticipation, aren’t I?

Just how long are you going to keep trembling around the eyes and only getting angry?

“Fine, good! If that’s what you want, I’ll oblige!”

“…”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon’s lips stretched into a wide grin.

A good choice.

That’s exactly how you should respond.

Zhuge Munho, who had released his collar, stepped back to create distance.

At the unexpected commotion, all eyes in Cheonseong Pavilion focused on them, and children gathered around.

Naturally, Yu Ganghu, who had been sitting near the pavilion, also focused his attention.

Two children facing each other.

Since Cheonseong Pavilion’s training ground used different spaces according to skill level, only lower-class trainees were around them.

Five who bore the Zhuge surname.

And branch family children who used other surnames.

‘That boy’s first martial duel…’

Only Zhuge Munhyeon caught Yu Ganghu’s interest.

Starting cultivation at Cheonseong Pavilion at the young age of seven, he had mastered the basics of Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps in just one day and reached a position equal to those who had trained for years.

A level that wouldn’t fall behind even against Zhuge Munho, who stood opposite him.

It was amazing.

That someone who had just started was at a similar level to someone who had trained for two years.

So this was a situation where he should properly question the reason and stop it, but unable to suppress his curiosity, he wanted to watch for a moment.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to attack? Should I go first?”

Zhuge Munhyeon asked irritably at Zhuge Munho, who only glared and showed no intention of moving.

“Since this is supposed to be a martial duel, we can’t just do it casually, can we?”

“…”

“Let’s make a bet.”

“A bet?”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon sighed.

This kid had really learned a lot of bad things.

They say once you fall into gambling, there’s no answer.

“The loser becomes the winner’s subordinate.”

“Hmm.”

“How about it? If you’re scared, go fetch water or something.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled.

Just like kids, it seemed he suddenly wanted to play gang leader.

But that’s a really good idea.

When he’s volunteering to become a subordinate, there’s no reason to refuse.

“Fine, let’s do that.”

“Since you’re the younger brother, I’ll yield the first attack to you.”

“Huh?”

“Considering the difference in skill between you and me, it’s only right to do so.”

He sighed at Zhuge Munho’s arrogant display, conscious of the surrounding gazes.

Have you even seen what my skills are like?

Whether children or adults, this is the problem with Orthodox Sect guys.

Taoist Sect members say “Strike First to Control” is “Not Our Way,” avoiding attacking first to suppress as not being the true path.

Useless formalities.

When you die, it’s over, so what’s this talk of yielding?

Anyway, those without skill are really good at fancy words.

Still, when his cousin elder brother is yielding the first attack, there’s no particular reason to refuse.

Meanwhile, the surrounding children’s faces showed not even a hint of tension.

Well, seven years old versus twelve years old.

No one would expect him to win. At this age, even a year or two makes a clear difference in strength.

Generally speaking, that is.

Click.

Thud! Thud thud thud!

Iron rings successively released from his wrists and ankles.

“Huh?”

Everyone looked surprised.

Because the weight could be guessed just from the sound.

They never thought he’d be wearing such things on his body.

Not the children, not even Yu Ganghu.

And Zhuge Munho also seemed to sense something was wrong.

But it was still too early to be surprised.

“The first attack is mine, right?”

“You? W-wait…”

Before the words could finish, Zhuge Munhyeon grinned wickedly and took his first step.

“Oh!”

The children too.

“Wh-what?”

Even Yu Ganghu, who had been watching from afar, jumped to his feet.

Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps, Heavenly Energy Flash.

It was a method of rapidly closing distance by releasing internal energy all at once.

But the level was far too excellent.

As if the ground were an ice rink, he slid forward and reached right in front of Zhuge Munho in an instant.

But were the onlookers the only ones surprised like Zhuge Munho?

He couldn’t even react.

He stood there stupidly frozen with an expression as if he’d seen a ghost.

Until Zhuge Munhyeon’s fist drew a large arc and buried itself deep in his abdomen.

Thwaaack!

Thanks to diligently training his strength while wearing iron rings, his power was considerable.

Zhuge Munho’s body bent forward.

“Gack! W-wait…”

Wait for what?

You said you’d become my subordinate, right?

Then as your master, I need to carve a fear into your heart that you can never escape even as you age.

That way you won’t dream foolish dreams like betrayal in the future.

Grab!

Zhuge Munhyeon seized Zhuge Munho’s hair.

As he pulled, his rising knee exploded into Zhuge Munho’s face.

Crack!

From the impact, his head shot up and Zhuge Munho’s body stretched out straight.

But his hair was still being held.

Thud! Thud thud thud thud!

The punching was exhilarating and Zhuge Munho danced.

Following the direction of the swinging fists, he moved left and right.

He’s quite good at taking hits.

‘Ah, this feels so refreshing.’

How long has it been?

At the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion, it was all just poison energy.

But now with Zhuge martial arts permeating his body, all his movements were natural.

Martial duels are truly wonderful.

I can beat someone to my heart’s content and no one will say anything.

As he momentarily let go to savor the pleasure, Zhuge Munho’s body started to slump down.

‘Oops!’

That won’t do.

I’m still far from carving fear of me into his bones. Besides, it’s been so long since I had this kind of fun with my fists, so why end it already?

Thwack!

Hit in the chin by an upward kick, Zhuge Munho had to stand up again against his will.

And the beating continued.

It was like setting up a dummy and moving around it in all directions to practice fist and leg techniques.

There were no cheers for the already decided victor.

Everyone stared with mouths agape in shock, and several were trembling with thoroughly disgusted expressions.

“S-stop!”

Yu Ganghu couldn’t watch any longer either.

He thought they’d be similar, but wasn’t this difference too extreme?

But Zhuge Munhyeon ignored the command to stop as if he’d gone deaf and continued swinging his fists.

“You bastard! I said stop!”

Finally Yu Ganghu intervened to pull Zhuge Munhyeon away, then checked on Zhuge Munho who had collapsed and was trembling like a trampled bug.

“Ugh…”

He wasn’t dead, but he’d been beaten just short of death.

His face was swollen beyond recognition. Even his own parents wouldn’t be able to identify him.

But don’t worry.

I only planted fear, I didn’t cause any internal injuries.

“You bastard! What is the meaning of this!”

“…What do you mean?”

“What?”

“You were the one who told us to settle disputes through martial duels, Instructor. You also said warriors persuade with strength. Besides, I didn’t request this – that guy did, so you can’t say I violated the hierarchy.”

“…”

A martial duel?

Not a one-sided beating?

This was utterly absurd.

A seven-year-old had not just beaten a twelve-year-old but pulverized him, and wasn’t even breathing hard.

Also, it was his own fault for not stopping it, so he couldn’t blame Zhuge Munhyeon. But his methods had been too cruel.

“…You were already beyond Munho’s skill level. And yet!”

“Should I have held back then?”

“What?”

“From the outside, I was at a much greater disadvantage, wasn’t I? My training period was shorter and I’m smaller in build.”

“…”

“Most importantly, it’s strange that you’re scolding me instead of Zhuge Munho. Do the Cheonseong Pavilion rules you mentioned apply differently depending on the results?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“First rule: Within Cheonseong Pavilion, one does not flaunt their innate bloodline or family clan. In other words, regardless of social status, everyone is merely a trainee. Right?”

“Th-that’s…”

“Then naturally, shouldn’t everyone fetch their own water?”

“…”

“While the direct line children rest, the branch family trainees diligently fetch water even during break time and clean the training grounds after practice ends… You’re not just paying lip service to the rules while ignoring their violation, are you?”

Yu Ganghu couldn’t answer the point-by-point questioning.

Because there wasn’t a single wrong word.

“I followed the rules and acted according to the teachings I received, so I trust there won’t be any problems, Instructor.”

“…”

“If you have nothing more to say, may I go now? From the looks of it, Munho needs to be rushed to the medical room.”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Yu Ganghu nodded silently.

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

After bowing politely, Zhuge Munhyeon looked at the children still gathered around and said:

“If anyone wants to have a martial duel, just say so. I’ll make you my subordinate anytime. Got it?”

“…”

A martial duel? Why would we…

And suddenly offering to make them subordinates.

What kind of nonsensical talk was that?

But at Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, the children slowly lowered their blinking eyes.

Reverence?

That kind of thing isn’t necessary.

According to the Demonic Sect, true dignity comes from overwhelming strength.

 

* * *

 

That night.

“A m-martial duel?”

“That’s right.”

Yu Ganghu came to find Zhuge Doyun after returning from work.

It was essentially a home visit.

It was only natural that Zhuge Munhyeon was made to kneel beside them.

‘This damn bastard… He said martial duels were fine.’

But after being unable to say anything to his confident attitude, now he was coming to tattle to the parents, which was infuriating.

“What do you mean? There wasn’t a single wound on Munhyeon’s body?”

“It was one-sided.”

“O-one-sided? Our Munhyeon is only seven years old. And he hasn’t even been attending Cheonseong Pavilion for that long…”

“Even so, it was one-sided. His martial duel opponent was carried to the medical room.”

“What?”

Zhuge Doyun’s eyes widened as he looked back and forth between his son and Yu Ganghu.

Having experienced this once before, he felt a surge of worry.

“Th-the opponent was?”

“Munho.”

“Wh-what?”

Father was excessively shocked.

Why?

Just as he tilted his head in confusion.

“Does the Family Head know about this?”

“Yes.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon’s face contorted with confusion.

Why is the Family Head being brought up here?

Zhuge Munho wasn’t the Family Head’s son.

The Family Head, who had lost his wife long ago, had no children.

But then…

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Pardon?”

“How could you do that to Munho…”

It was strange.

Father’s attitude, who always took his side, had changed.

“Ah, right. You wouldn’t have known.”

“…?”

“Munho is…”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been listening with a sullen expression feeling somehow distant from his father, soon frowned.

Zhuge Munho.

He was the posthumous child of his second uncle who had died long ago.

A son who lost his father before he was even born.

‘Ah, so that kid was…’

He recalled something Sohye had said once.

About someone who had shown the most outstanding talent before him.

That must have been Zhuge Munho.

And despite his pitiful circumstances, the Family Head had wanted to adopt him as his son due to his exceptional talent and appoint him as the young master.

The kid was in a pitiful situation.

‘Damn, how was I supposed to know? And he was the one who started the trouble first.’

Either way, right and wrong didn’t change.

Rather, with that kind of personality, shouldn’t he be taught through discipline even if it was pitiful?

…Behind that thought was.

‘He won’t lose his chance at adoption just because he got beaten by me, right?’

He felt unnecessarily sorry.

He had seen it often in the Demonic Sect too.

Those whose personalities were warped due to harsh training… Perhaps like them, the child might have become a bit twisted due to his circumstances. He should have gone easier on him.

It was then that he understood his father’s heart for not taking his side.

“I explained the situation to the Family Head myself. So there would be no misunderstanding. Since it happened during a martial duel, there shouldn’t be any major problems. Rather, after hearing my explanation, he was impressed by Munhyeon’s outstanding talent.”

“Is that so?”

Zhuge Doyun showed a somewhat relieved expression, but he still didn’t look very pleased.

“Byeongjudang Master.”

“Speak.”

“If it’s alright with you, may I take charge of raising Munhyeon?”

“Hm? Take charge of raising him? Don’t tell me you…”

“Yes. I’m thinking of becoming his personal martial master.”

“What?”

“I can say with certainty that I’ve never seen such talent before. I’ve already submitted my resignation to the Regional Lord. Please allow me to teach him.”

These were words he never expected to hear.

Hey, I’m feeling really sorry right now, and you’re going to hit me with this?

Master?

It’s not like this guy’s crazy!

One is already annoying enough to death, why are you doing this too!

But he couldn’t even open his mouth.

Because Zhuge Munho’s situation was so pitiful.

—————
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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