Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 147
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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 147
In the end, he couldn’t achieve his goal.
Surrounded by the elders of the Tang Family, he had to listen to their rambling all night long.
How trivial it all was.
Who said they wanted to know?
He wanted to tell them all to shut up, but he held back, worried that the Tang Family would dislike him if he disrespected the family elders.
“Ugh, my stomach hurts. For people who aren’t exactly young, they sure have good stamina. Why do they drink so much alcohol?”
They didn’t even eat any side dishes.
Where they sat was filled only with empty wine bottles.
In the end, after filling and emptying wine cups all night while listening to their stories, he finally fell asleep at dawn and only woke up when the sun was high in the sky.
Snore, puff.
“….”
Snore snore… cough cough!
“….”
Puff.
It’s Mujin.
He’s snoring quite loudly.
I wonder if he might stop breathing like that.
This guy who calls himself a Taoist drank like alcohol was his mortal enemy, and he’s still lost in dreams.
Sitting there staring blankly at him, he couldn’t help but find him detestable.
Smack!
Ah, my mistake.
Seeing that face sleeping so obliviously, I unconsciously… damn reflexes.
“Argh!”
Mujin, struck in the face by a palm, screamed and bolted upright.
“Who is it! What bastard!”
“….”
He’s going crazy.
He’s talking nonsense after being woken up.
What’s the point of taking the Foot Sword Stance?
And if some bastard had been an assassin… both you and I would already be dead by now, you fool who slept so obliviously.
“What are you doing?”
“…Huh?”
“Did you have a dream or something?”
“….”
When scolded, Mujin blinked his eyes blankly.
“…You woke up early.”
“Unlike you, I’m quite diligent.”
At those words, Mujin rolled his eyes around, examining Zhuge Munhyeon and the room.
Two sets of bedding.
Clothes that couldn’t be mended and were left disheveled.
‘He’s also just waking up now… But anyway, my insides hurt, so why does my face sting so much?’
Mujin felt around his face.
“Ahem, get up quickly. We need to cultivate.”
“…Yes.”
Zhuge Munhyeon, who had recently become remarkably perceptive and might ask if he had been hit, quickly attempted to change the subject and hurriedly put on his clothes and opened the door.
“Are you awake?”
“Yeah.”
Outside, Zhuge Mungi was waiting.
Whether he had been cultivating while they slept, his face was slightly flushed with heat and his hair was damp with sweat.
Quite diligent.
That meant he had been that desperate.
However.
“Pay your respects. This is the Young Family Head.”
The man standing beside Zhuge Mungi.
He was a handsome man with a sharp jawline and a prominent nose.
His jet-black hair was neatly swept back, revealing a clear forehead, and his gentle eyes and the subtle smile playing at his lips put observers at ease.
This person, wearing navy blue clothes with a subtle luster and casually waving a fan that suited him perfectly… would be the general assessment.
However.
‘As expected of the Dang Family’s Young Family Head. He’s well-concealed his aura. A blade hidden behind a smile… the phrase “smiling with a hidden dagger” suits this guy well.’
And that fan.
It’s a folding fan reinforced with iron wire.
It couldn’t just be an ordinary fan, and the ribs that form the fan’s frame must certainly be hidden weapons. Since he’s the Young Family Head, it wouldn’t be something ordinary and must surely be one of the Dang Family’s treasures…
“Why do you look at me so intently?”
“…Ah, I apologize. The fan’s shape was quite unusual.”
“Oh! What remarkable perception. To recognize the Five Wolf Fan.”
He seemed quite surprised.
But Zhuge Munhyeon knew how to compliment others appropriately.
“Originally, fine objects can be sufficiently appreciated even by an ordinary person’s eyes.”
“Haha! For the Violent Dragon to call himself an ordinary person, where is there such excessive modesty? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Yeon of the Dang Family.”
“I am Zhuge Munhyeon.”
“I have long heard of and admired your noble name, Violent Dragon.”
Formal greetings were exchanged.
“The Family Head instructed me to guide Master Munhyeon during his stay.”
“The Young Family Head himself?”
“Because you are such a distinguished person.”
“Hmm…”
His face frowned at the excessive treatment.
If the Dang Family Head was the king of Sichuan, then the Young Family Head could well be called the crown prince.
At least in Sichuan, he held a position below one person and above ten thousand.
Such a person acting as a guide?
That’s nonsense.
This must surely mean there’s some other ulterior motive.
“The Young Family Head is called the Hidden Dragon in Sichuan.”
“…Hidden Dragon?”
“That’s right.”
At Zhuge Mungi’s additional explanation, Tang Yun’s expression seemed to become slightly proud.
Hidden Dragon.
What a truly straightforward title.
It was no different from saying ‘I use hidden weapons.’
Anyway, since it had ‘Dragon’ attached to it, it meant that among Sichuan’s rising talents, he was the most skilled.
“Well, since we’ve met like this through fate… how about we treat each other comfortably from now on?”
“…”
“In the past, the Nine Sects and martial families got along well, and exchanges between junior scholars were frequent. Those called by names like Dragon or Phoenix would share friendships and sometimes even form elder and younger brother relationships.”
“Hmm.”
“Wouldn’t it be good? If we revive such relationships in our generation and maintain friendly and harmonious relations with each other…”
At Tang Yun’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon inwardly smiled with amusement.
The purpose was obvious.
While it was grateful that he thought so highly of the Zhuge Family, since you’re older now, you want to be the elder brother, right? It also meant he wanted to take the initiative.
But would that work?
Not a chance.
Counting by days lived, he was much older than not only the Tang Family Head but also the old men he had drinks with last night.
Most importantly, the Zhuge Family was no one’s younger brother.
Once you bow down, you have to keep bowing afterward, and it wouldn’t be easy to change that relationship.
“If it’s alright with you, so there’s no discomfort between us…”
“I’m grateful, but I must decline.”
“Discomfort… What?”
“How could I dare to get along like brothers with the Young Family Head?”
When he abruptly cut off the conversation, Tang Yun closed his mouth as if speechless, and Zhuge Mungi looked dismayed and troubled.
There was no rudeness like this rudeness.
The Tang Family had extended their hand first.
Getting along like brothers with the Young Family Head who would inherit the Tang Family in the distant future was something that could pursue tremendous practical benefits.
But to refuse that…
“Yes.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“I am a descendant of the Zhuge Family. Since birth, I have learned etiquette and manners, treasuring propriety as much as my own life.”
“Hmm…”
Tang Yung nodded, while Zhuge Mungi secretly made an expression of disbelief.
Etiquette? Propriety?
You? When?
For a moment, Zhuge Munhyeon’s past nickname flashed through Zhuge Mungi’s mind.
A disrespectful bastard with no sense of hierarchy.
He had never spoken respectfully even to his older cousins.
When upset, he would throw punches.
Even now, he was speaking informally to him.
Though that was roughly his expression, Zhuge Munhyeon paid no mind and continued speaking calmly.
“While there is no one who is not precious, we cannot ignore differences in status. No matter how close we may be, acting like brothers requires consideration of what others might think.”
“Hmm…”
“If I were the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family, it might be different, but how could I form a brotherly bond with the Young Family Head of the Tang Family?”
“Ah, I’m not really the type to worry about such things…”
“The propriety of the Zhuge Family demands it.”
“Ah, I see…”
“I hope you will form such a relationship with my elder brother, the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family, but if others saw us acting that way, they would point fingers and call me someone who doesn’t even know propriety.”
Though he looked quite disappointed, Tang Yung nodded as if it made sense.
If that’s how the Zhuge Family’s propriety works…
“….”
He’s talking crazy.
At his sophistry, Zhuge Mungi swallowed his shock beyond bewilderment and glanced at Tang Yung’s expression.
Usually he couldn’t even dare to look at his face directly, but he had heard countless stories about him.
Cold, rational, and frightening.
Tang Yung would naturally refuse.
No, he would surely be displeased and angry.
What on earth, friends…
“Friends… hmm, that wouldn’t be bad.”
“…Pardon?”
However, at Tang Yung’s following words, Zhuge Mungi’s mouth fell wide open.
He would do it?
He would accept being friends?
That sophistry actually worked?
But contrary to his thoughts, Tang Yung had a very bright expression.
In fact, before meeting Zhuge Munhyeon, Il Bangju Tang Yung had said:
-He’s a mysterious fellow. Even I find it difficult to fully gauge his abilities. It would be good to stay close to him as it will be a beneficial connection.
Father, the Family Head, had also said:
-It’s remarkable. The Zhuge Clan has raised an extraordinary vessel. The aura I subtly felt from him was truly impressive. On top of that, he’s skilled in sound techniques and formations – truly a talent worthy of being called supreme. Moreover, seeing his good relationship with Wudang, it seems the Zhuge Family’s prosperity is quite significant. Guide him personally and maintain close relations.
Having heard such words when he couldn’t attend the Samyang Hall meeting due to other matters, Tang Yung was full of curiosity about Zhuge Munhyeon.
But seeing him in person was truly surprising.
He examined him as if seeing through him in an instant, and even possessed the observational skills to recognize the Orangseon at once.
People sometimes become close over long periods of time, but they can also connect in a single moment.
Above all, the word “friends.”
Though it might seem nonsensical at first glance, Tang Yung interpreted it as him subtly expressing his intention to take an equal position as friends rather than a hierarchical brotherhood.
Both as families and as individuals.
“Let’s do that. Let’s be friends, we two.”
When Tang Yung extended his hand, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled and said:
“Then I can speak casually, right?”
“…Huh?”
“We’re friends.”
“….”
“Using honorifics and maintaining formalities is damn uncomfortable.”
At the suddenly changed speech and behavior, Tang Yung blinked in confusion, but soon burst into laughter.
He had never seen someone whose attitude changed so drastically. Yet the transition process was more natural than a snake crossing a wall.
“You were going on about propriety and all…”
“Publicly, I have to act that way. I’m a Zhuge after all.”
“Pfft! Puhahahaha!”
Joyful laughter burst out.
“Right. Speak casually, speak casually.”
“That’s a relief. Thanks for understanding. Ugh, my stomach. Don’t you have anyone at home who makes good hangover soup?”
“Well, considering how much you drank… Let’s go out. I know a place that makes excellent hangover soup.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Zhuge Munhyeon followed behind Tang Yung as they walked.
Unable to hide his bewilderment at the sight of the two, Zhuge Mungi whispered to Mujin for help.
“…M-Mujin Seal, please say something. Friends all of a sudden?”
“Why is that a problem?”
“Pardon?”
“People can become friends when they meet.”
“…Pardon?”
“They say dragons recognize dragons, don’t they? To my eyes, it looks good.”
“…”
“You two, let’s go together. My stomach is killing me too.”
Mujin said this and hurriedly followed the two.
Watching those three, Zhuge Mungi let out a sigh with a dazed expression.
A scary guy, a crazy guy, a strange guy.
Those were the perfect words to describe the three of them.
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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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