Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 152

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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 152

 

“What’s the matter that has you so busy?”

 

“Ah, it’s nothing serious. Please don’t worry about it.”

 

When he showed his curiosity, the guard waved his hand dismissively and laughed.

 

But it felt quite awkward. His reaction suggested it wasn’t really nothing serious.

 

“Tell me. You looked quite busy…”

 

“Actually… they say someone who appears to be a Demonic Cult Member has appeared near Ssangryuhyeon.”

 

“What?”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon, who was dumbfounded, ended up making a rather sharp sound.

 

“This happens occasionally these days. Those crazy Demonic Sect bastards come all the way to Sichuan and cause trouble… Warriors from the Main House are already being dispatched to the Ssangryuhyeon Branch Office, so it should be resolved soon. I’m sorry for making you worry over such a trivial matter.”

 

The guard, who looked truly sorry and embarrassed, bowed and withdrew.

 

It was because of the Young Family Head’s orders.

 

Since he was an honored guest of the Tang Family, there must not be even the smallest mistake in serving him.

 

When the future master said such things, how could they carry it out carelessly?

 

“Hmm.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon frowned and stroked his chin.

 

The Demonic Sect…

 

On the day he came to the Tang Family, he had heard a few words from Bang Leader Tang Yung.

 

That the Demonic Sect’s recent movements were unusual.

 

But why are these bastards coming all the way to Sichuan where the Tang Family is located to cause trouble? When coming to the Central Plains, “avoid the Tang Family” was usually the advice given to Demonic Path practitioners setting out on journeys.

 

So those who come to the Central Plains usually don’t come to Sichuan.

 

No, they don’t choose the Qinghai route in the first place and instead cross through Yumen Pass in Gansu Province.

 

The Demonic Path and Central Plains have been at odds for a long time, so as long as they don’t cause trouble, passage isn’t blocked, but Qinghai has a different atmosphere.

 

Kunlun.

 

The Taoists who volunteered to be the last bastion of Central Plains protection and have guarded the boundary between the Demonic Sect and Central Plains.

 

How deep was the resentment they held toward each other over those long years?

 

If that resentment could be piled up by hand, even Mount Tai would seem laughable in comparison.

 

So Kunlun draws their swords first the moment they even suspect someone of being from the Demonic Path.

 

They call themselves Taoists, but they’re no different from the Demonic Path.

 

And how formidable their martial arts are.

 

Stories about how they brutally train their junior scholars to fight the Demonic Path were commonly heard in the world.

 

‘It’s strange that their numbers are maintained.’

 

Becoming part of Kunlun was the same as always standing on the front lines of war against the Demonic Path.

 

With that being the case, the number of Kunlun Mountains Taoists should decrease, yet they always maintained similar numbers and similar strength.

 

Do they kidnap people?

 

Even if not kidnapping, they surely entice vagrants, providing them shelter, clothing, and food while slowly brainwashing them.

 

They don’t even need vagrants specifically.

 

There should be more people driven mad by demonic influence running wild.

 

The northern border is exactly the place where countless people have lost family members at their hands. Probably five out of ten vagrants would be those seeking revenge against the Demonic Sect.

 

He would gather such fellows and teach them.

 

That the Demonic Sect is evil.

 

Therefore, the Taoist path should rightfully eliminate them and establish the proper Way on this land.

 

Destroy demons, revere the Way.

 

This was a phrase that Kunlun had posted like a slogan for a long time, not only in the temple grounds but throughout the nearby villages.

 

“I wonder if that flag is still fluttering at the edge of Daeryeong Valley.”

 

An old, massive flag stained with blood.

 

It was Kunlun’s will and served as the border point between the Demonic Path and the Central Plains.

 

“Come to think of it, is the west just cursed with bad luck? Both Kunlun and the Tang Family… why are they all so ruthless?”

 

There were also Qingcheng and Emei, but how could they survive next to such ruthless people without being ruthless themselves?

 

Those bastards were all the same.

 

They were just murim people wearing Taoist masks and nun masks.

 

There was a reason why the unorthodox sects had never been able to establish themselves there. There must be a good reason for the saying that one shouldn’t show off their strength in Sichuan.

 

“But what the hell are they trying to do? They should moderate their loyalty to the New Sect Leader. What do they want to make so badly that they’d come all the way to Sichuan and cause this chaos?”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon thought their actions were aimed at creating weapons for the New Sect Leader.

 

The situation pointed to that.

 

The attempted kidnapping of an engraver who would carve seals on sword blades, attacks on Sichuan craftsmen.

 

Anyone could see it was a scheme to make weapons.

 

But the extent was too severe.

 

“What are they thinking, causing problems before the New Sect Leader can even establish their position?”

 

No matter how grand the Demonic Path’s goal was to spread the law of the strong through conquering the Central Plains, there should be time to lay the groundwork.

 

Usually, the period when a sect leader change occurs is when the Demonic Path’s political situation is most chaotic.

 

The period right after a civil war ends.

 

Since massive purges take place, the Demonic Path should naturally take time to catch its breath.

 

If they recklessly waged war with the Central Plains, they wouldn’t be able to avoid internal and external troubles.

 

And of all places, the Tang Family?

 

Unless they had become close enough to join hands with Kunlun, there was no reason to come to Sichuan, so he couldn’t understand why they would try to pluck the nose hairs of these ruthless people.

 

The moment they carelessly gathered their will while carrying hidden weapons and shouting “March to Xinjiang!”, Kunlun, which harbored resentment against the Demonic Path, would be the first to lend their strength.

 

“Hmm, Ssangryuhyeon… should I go take a look?”

 

He eventually reached that conclusion.

 

But his muttering must have been too loud, as Mujin and Zhuge Mungi immediately began preparing.

 

“Why?”

 

“You said you were going to take a look.”

 

“We should go together.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon’s head tilted crookedly at the resolute appearance of the two.

 

“Why would you two?”

 

“What? Well, where the needle goes, the thread follows – that’s human nature. Also, eliminating the Demonic Sect is a Taoist’s duty.”

 

A Taoist who could be mistaken for a comrade of the Demonic Path was shouting about eliminating the Demonic Path.

 

At least cover your eyes properly, you black-eyed Taoist bastard.

 

“It’s a matter concerning the Main House. Also, since I’m currently serving you, if you wish to go, I should naturally follow. Since I’m idle, I might as well lend a hand.”

 

“….”

 

Zhuge Mungi’s words made him sigh.

 

Since when has the Tang Family been your main house?

 

Using the Zhuge surname and all….

 

Most of all, what could a brat who just awakened to martial arts do against the demonic path?

 

And who asked you to carry it out?

 

Learning a few martial arts techniques and then insisting on taking the lead yourself.

 

When Zhuge Munhyeon sighed, Zhuge Mungi, who had been reading the mood, spoke in a subtle tone.

 

“…You don’t know the way either. You’ll need a guide, right?”

 

“….”

 

He was immediately convinced.

 

Who would have thought this shit-like bastard would know to make himself useful.

 

Even if he’s useless for medicine, a guide is necessary.

 

Also, Zhuge Mungi was much more comfortable than Tang Family warriors he’d never seen before.

 

“Fine. Shit-head, go get the horses. Let’s go see what kind of commotion those demonic path bastards are causing.”

 

“What? Shit-head?”

 

“Don’t nitpick over nothing and hurry back.”

 

“…Got it. Let’s meet at the entrance.”

 

As Zhuge Mungi ran to the horse stable with a grimace, Mujin clenched his fist and said.

 

“Finally! Finally I can show the results of my efforts. The Wudang horsemanship I’ve been cultivating since that day!”

 

“….”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon just sighed without answering.

 

Shaking his head back and forth….

 

* * *

 

Someone else’s house affairs.

 

With that mindset, the journey wasn’t particularly urgent.

 

He was just going to watch as someone from across the river.

 

If he happened to meet Demonic Cult members, he could just ask why they were causing such reckless trouble.

 

He probably wouldn’t need to step in anyway.

 

The Tang Family wasn’t the type of compassionate place to just leave alone Demonic Cult members who caused trouble in their territory.

 

“They seem to have caused quite a big incident this time. When I stopped by the horse stable, they said the main forces of the Dark Room and Poison Room had moved to Ssangryuhyeon.”

 

“Main forces?”

 

“Right. The Dark Room’s Black Sand and the Poison Room’s Green Jade.”

 

According to Zhuge Mungi, these were places composed of the most outstanding warriors from each room.

 

He didn’t know much about Black Sand, but Green Jade was a place he knew well.

 

Also known as the Poison King’s personal guard.

 

He had even fought them directly during his time as the Heavenly Demon, so their history was quite long.

 

The saying that not even a blade of grass remains where they pass was made specifically for those bastards. Because the poison they use withers all vegetation.

 

‘The Tang Family must be really serious about this? If they’re sending out even Nokok, then as Mungi said, the incident caused by the Demon Cult bastards must have been quite significant.’

 

As his curiosity grew, he unconsciously urged his horse faster, increasing their travel speed.

 

The horse, startled by the sharp slap on its rump, began galloping frantically.

 

About half a day’s distance.

 

Having departed late in the afternoon, Zhuge Munhyeon arrived at the outskirts of Ssangryuhyeon only after dark and immediately realized the severity of the situation.

 

‘There are no guards.’

 

This was strange.

 

Even though this was within Tang Family territory, it was far enough away to require half a day’s ride on horseback.

 

There should have been guard warriors stationed here.

 

Moreover, the village he could glimpse was filled with traces of destruction.

 

Villagers were carrying water to extinguish fires that hadn’t yet been put out, working on firefighting efforts.

 

This meant the battle had been fierce.

 

However.

 

‘They attacked civilian homes?’

 

Zhuge Munhyeon pulled the reins to slow his horse and frowned as he looked at the village illuminated by the gentle moonlight and dying flames.

 

Of course, it wasn’t unheard of for martial artists to plunder civilian homes and torment people.

 

But only back-alley gangs or third-rate sects did such things.

 

Once they reached a certain scale, they didn’t touch civilian homes.

 

Because of face and prestige.

 

Because they would be condemned.

 

Moreover, the Demonic Path, which had competed with the Central Plains for supremacy, wouldn’t carelessly touch civilian homes due to their pride as strong warriors.

 

But what were these traces then?

 

Collapsed walls.

 

Destroyed thatched houses.

 

Not a single thing looked natural.

 

This meant they had destroyed everything without the slightest hesitation. As if they had been consumed by demonic nature…

 

“Stop!”

 

As he entered the village a bit further, a group of warriors finally appeared and blocked his path.

 

Their sharp eyes were full of wariness, and their aura was keen as if they would attack immediately at any rash movement.

 

From their exhausted appearance, it seemed they had suffered greatly.

 

Their clothes were torn in various places and there were traces of blood stains…

 

“I am Zhuge Mungi, who until recently served as advisor to the Hogu Branch Manager.”

 

“Hogu Mungi?”

 

Not Hogu Mungi, but Mungi of Hogu.

 

Though Zhuge Mungi, who was at the front, revealed his identity, the warrior didn’t lower his guard and tilted his head questioningly.

 

“I am Zhuge Munhyeon, staying at the guest pavilion.”

 

“I am Mujin of Wudang.”

 

“Ah! You are that… Yeon Wipyeong of the Dark Chamber’s Black Snake unit pays respects to Violent Dragon and the Taoist of Wudang.”

 

Warrior Yeon Wipyeong straightened his posture and gave a cupped fist salute as soon as he heard the two names.

 

For now, the names of Zhuge Munhyeon and the Wudang Taoist are still greater than Zhuge Mungi’s name.

 

The name of Violent Dragon, who had come as an envoy, had already spread from warrior to warrior through word of mouth.

 

Of course, this wasn’t the time to worry about such trivial matters.

 

“But what brings you here?”

 

“I heard there was trouble in Ssangryuhyeon and came to lend a hand.”

 

“I see.”

 

“I’d like to meet the head monk?”

 

“Unfortunately, he’s not here.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“He went after those damn Demon Cult bastards.”

 

“Ah…”

 

It seems he’s in pursuit.

 

But… them?

 

“How many culprits were there? To think multiple escaped even when the renowned Black Snake and Green Jade stepped forward?”

 

“A full ten of them.”

 

“Ten?”

 

“Yes. Their skills were quite considerable.”

 

“…”

 

Yeon Wipyeong’s words made the questions in his mind grow even larger.

 

Ten?

 

They weren’t people who had fallen to demonic nature.

 

Ten people couldn’t all hold hands and go crazy together in harmony.

 

That meant it was an organized attack with intent.

 

His questions deepened.

 

“Did they target the blacksmith shop here as well?”

 

“Ah, you heard about that?”

 

“Yes. The Bang Leader mentioned it to me before.”

 

“Well, that’s how it’s been until now… but not this time.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“They just attacked indiscriminately. They stormed into the branch office and slaughtered people… They attacked not only the village but even passersby on the road. The damage is considerable. Their skills were higher than expected, so quite a few warriors from the main house were injured too.”

 

“Good heavens…”

 

“The problem isn’t just Ssangryuhyeon.”

 

“Not just Ssangryuhyeon?”

 

“It hasn’t been confirmed exactly yet, but I heard the Daeup, Misan, and Ansu branches were simultaneously attacked as well. The scale of the attacks was all similar, and they apparently fled as soon as warriors from the main house arrived.”

 

“What?”

 

“I heard the main house has sent additional support teams. So you’d better return to the guest reception hall. There’s no telling what these bastards might do next.”

 

After finishing his words, as Yeon Wipyeong returned to his original position, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion at his retreating figure.

 

Have these bastards all gone crazy together?

 

To simultaneously attack multiple Tang Family branches.

 

Are they planning to offer the entire Tang Family instead of just weapons for the new sect leader?

 

‘No, that’s not it. The numbers are too small for that.’

 

About ten people per Branch Office.

 

And they fled as soon as the Warriors from the Main House appeared.

 

Damn descendants, what the hell is your intention?

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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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