Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 154

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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 154

 

Zhuge Munhyeon’s group, having left their horses far behind, approached the base of the mountain by choosing only the darkest shadows even though dusk had already fallen. Their steps were so nimble that neither the sound of trampling grass nor stepping on fallen leaves could be heard.

 

“Huu…”

 

The cold air mixed with his drawn breath seeped deep into his lungs.

 

The entrance to Silver Flower Mountain.

 

Hidden in darkness so thick they could barely make out the mountain path leading to the peak, they observed their surroundings with keen eyes.

 

It was quiet.

 

No sound of clashing spears and swords could be heard either.

 

Were their thoughts wrong?

 

Had they only caused confusion with idle speculation?

 

Just as they were falling into such worries, a smell tinged with a fishy scent reached their noses.

 

“Mujin!”

 

“Yes!”

 

Mujin, having already sensed it as well, swiftly launched his body toward where the smell was coming from.

 

“Huh? Why? What’s going on?”

 

Zhuge Mungi, who found the suddenly urgent behavior of the two puzzling, wore a bewildered expression.

 

When a martial artist’s cultivation deepens and their realm rises, their five senses also develop dramatically.

 

Though they couldn’t smell scents from dozens of li away like a dog, nor spot crawling insects on the ground like a bird, they were far superior to the level of ordinary people.

 

“It’s the smell of blood.”

 

“What?”

 

“It means our speculation was correct.”

 

His face grimaced.

 

The previous quietness, and now the smell of blood.

 

It meant there had already been a fierce battle, and since it had reached a lull, it meant quite some time had passed since the attack.

 

Perhaps those bastards had already reached the Silver Flower Mountain basin.

 

Perhaps they themselves were too late…

 

“Stay here. I’ll go look around and come back.”

 

“Ah, okay.”

 

When Zhuge Mungi nodded, Zhuge Munhyeon had already disappeared into the darkness.

 

He wanted to follow, but he knew his own level.

 

His skills were so weak they were no different from having just entered martial arts.

 

Since he couldn’t learn from the Zhuge clan and was shunned by the Tang Family, he still remained at the level of Abundant Qi (the level of operating internal energy). With his lack of combat experience, what help could he be when he had barely surpassed second-rate?

 

Just a guide.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon’s brother.

 

Those were the only titles he had.

 

So not stepping forward would be much more helpful to them.

 

If he got caught up in the fight and fell into danger, he would only become a hindrance to them.

 

“Will they be able to save them?”

 

A bitter laugh escaped him for no reason.

 

The situation had changed drastically.

 

His elder brother already had such great renown that he was known even in Sichuan, and his position had risen high enough to lead a delegation and meet face-to-face with the Family Head of the Dang Family, but he himself… still remained a ten-year-old little child.

 

Had it been nothing but a vain dream?

 

If he had just stayed at the Hogu Branch, he would have become an assistant branch manager and lived comfortably.

 

The thought that he might be a frog who had rashly jumped out of the well made his heart feel lonely and his shoulders droop with dejection.

 

“…Damn it, let’s just sit and wait.”

 

That would be better than hiding in the thicket and standing around blankly.

 

But who would have thought there would really be an attack?

 

In one way, it was fortunate.

 

What if the messenger pigeon sent to the Young Family Head was treated as needless worry? How would he handle the aftermath?

 

Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin could endure harsh glares and just leave, but he who had to remain would surely find himself sitting on a bed of thorns.

 

He might even be treated worse than a stranger.

 

“Really, to think I’m actually relieved that we were attacked.”

 

Zhuge Mungi’s head, which had been shaking at his excessive thoughts, suddenly stopped.

 

It was a very small sound.

 

It was a rustling sound like a small animal that had lost sleep passing by. No, it must be a small animal. It had to be an animal.

 

Zhuge Mungi’s ears perked up and his spine tingled as his eyes rolled to the far left.

 

Only after fatigue built up in his eyes from straining them to one side did Zhuge Mungi slowly turn his head. Just in case there might be a sound from turning his head, though that was unlikely.

 

And in his field of vision that turned back toward the path, he saw the figure of a black-clad person standing tall.

 

Had fear and terror surged up to suddenly awaken some transcendent sense?

 

Even in that deep darkness, the black-clad person’s figure was clearly visible.

 

Wearing even a face mask, he fixed his gaze on the thicket and narrowed his eyes as if he knew that Zhuge Mungi was hiding there.

 

He was smiling.

 

His heart pounded like crazy.

 

Even as he felt his fingertips tingle as if blood was rushing through all at once, Zhuge Mungi prayed inwardly again and again.

 

‘It can’t be, he couldn’t have discovered me.’

 

Though he repeated this countless times and hoped it would be so, the black-clad person’s eye-smile deepened, and the sword drawn silently created a pale radiance.

 

Swish!

 

Along with the sound of sharply cutting through the air, a chilling energy rushed toward him like a fierce wind.

 

“Damn it!”

 

He had been discovered.

 

The sword was clearly aimed at him.

 

Zhuge Mungi rolled his body with all his might and escaped outside the thicket.

 

Slash!

 

The spot where he had been staying just moments before was sharply cut away.

 

But Zhuge Mungi, who had no leisure to worry about the thicket, quickly straightened his body and took a stance.

 

No follow-up attack came.

 

The black-clad person was watching Zhuge Mungi making a fuss, with an eye-smile and his sword resting on his shoulder.

 

“…Are you alone?”

 

“…”

 

“Fortunate. I was wondering whether I should set off a signal flare to alert them… but seeing you trembling like that, it seems there’s no need.”

 

That must have been the black-clad figure’s role.

 

There was no need to confirm his identity.

 

A Demonic Sect watcher left behind in case support from the Tang Family arrived.

 

Which meant the attack wasn’t over yet.

 

The reason for the quiet was that the warriors from the attacked perimeter had chased the enemies toward the mountain peak.

 

There would be countless deaths.

 

However.

 

‘The signal flare mustn’t go off yet.’

 

Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin had briefly left to survey the surroundings.

 

If the Young Family Head had responded to their speculation, he would have sent reinforcements to Silver Flower Mountain, and they still needed more time to arrive.

 

Even as his body stiffened with fear, Zhuge Mungi quickly worked his mind.

 

It was thanks to his bloodline.

 

Warriors from martial families fight their opponents with deadly intent, but warriors from the Zhuge Family start by calculating first.

 

Right now, he was deeply grateful for that bloodline.

 

And the action he needed to take now was.

 

“P-please spare me.”

 

“…?”

 

Zhuge Mungi collapsed to his knees with a thud as if they might scrape raw, and begged.

 

“I didn’t see anything. I didn’t hear anything. If you just let me go, I’ll hide in some remote place and live without uttering a word.”

 

Did his desperate pleading, enough to wear down his fingerprints, work?

 

The black-clad figure’s eyes curved even more.

 

“Pfft, puhahahaha! I heard the Tang Family folks were ruthless beyond measure… but it seems the rumors were exaggerated.”

 

“Ruthless? When my life’s on the line, what madman would keep his neck stiff? Actually, I have nothing to do with those crazy Tang Family people. I’m not even a Tang. Really.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

At his desperate effort(?), the black-clad figure tilted his head sideways.

 

His smile grew even deeper.

 

This was fortunate. If he didn’t consider him an opponent, he would let his guard down, and such carelessness would extend his life.

 

“Poor fellow. But what can I do? Unfortunately, I received orders to kill anyone who approaches, regardless of reason…”

 

“What? W-warrior sir. What are you saying? I’m no different from a wild beast that couldn’t sleep at night. No, I’m a bug. A bug. There’s no need to exert yourself.”

 

“That may be true, but I have my position to consider. Instead, I’ll kill you without pain.”

 

The black-clad figure was a bastard.

 

What was so important about distinguishing between painful and painless death?

 

“Oh, warrior sir… Please spare me. Please. I have seven children below to feed and care for. There’s also a sick elderly mother.”

 

“Not my concern.”

 

Though he earnestly pleaded while banging his head on the ground, the black-clad figure paid no heed and walked over.

 

With his sword slung over his shoulder, not even hiding his footsteps.

 

He approached with great arrogance, drawing close as if he would smile and cut off his neck.

 

“Oh, warrior sir… Please spare this pitiful wretch.”

 

While continuously bowing his head and pleading, Zhuge Mungi slowly and carefully drew out his internal energy.

 

There was no chance of winning in a direct confrontation.

 

He was too smart to hope for a miracle.

 

Bowing his head and begging to an enemy was shameful, but his life had not been easy.

 

During his stay at the Tang Family, his knees had become light enough to kneel anywhere, and he had long since developed the skill of flattering those who oppressed him.

 

Just one chance.

 

The Three Yang Divine Palm technique, Yang Dan Shou, that he had practiced tirelessly since meeting Zhuge Munhyeon. That was all.

 

He had to aim for the precise opening.

 

He had to wait until the moment when his opponent was convinced he had severed his neck.

 

Half a zhang ahead (1.5M).

 

Still too far.

 

‘Just a little, just a little closer…’

 

Zhuge Mungi kept his head down to avoid showing his tension and only watched the black-clad man’s feet.

 

Where the feet would stop.

 

He had to slip through the momentary gap when the sword swept through the air.

 

‘One step forward, just one step…’

 

But that was merely wishful thinking.

 

The black-clad man’s steps stopped at an unwanted distant spot.

 

Zhuge Mungi quickly raised his face and saw the sword lifted high.

 

It was a mistake.

 

After all, distance differs between sword and arm.

 

He had forgotten that his opponent wielded a sword and only considered his own reach.

 

“Farewell, vermin of the Tang Family.”

 

Killing intent flickered in those eyes that seemed to grin wickedly, and the sword was ready to fall fiercely.

 

‘Damn it…’

 

The distance he had gauged was too far.

 

It was clear his hand wouldn’t reach.

 

He had to attack now, but the time and effort he had waited through while enduring humiliation had become meaningless.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

The black-clad man suddenly turned his head as if startled by something.

 

And the blurry human figure standing where his gaze was directed was…

 

“Mungi!”

 

It was Zhuge Munhyeon.

 

Before anyone knew it, his strike was pouring out pure white radiance, piercing through the darkness.

 

“Wh-what! You had a comrade?”

 

The startled black-clad man quickly raised his sword to block the attack.

 

Clang!

 

With a harsh metallic sound, the sword was knocked away, and the black-clad man’s body swayed greatly.

 

He had barely survived.

 

How welcome that detestable face was.

 

How much better would it have been if he had come just a little sooner?

 

But without even a moment to feel relieved, Zhuge Mungi’s eyes widened as he saw the black-clad figure’s hand moving toward his chest.

 

Signal flare.

 

Huh? It can’t go off right now!

 

Perhaps in that moment, Zhuge Mungi was more faithful to his instincts.

 

Thud!

 

Kicking off the ground as he rose, he thrust both palms toward the black-clad figure’s chest.

 

Because of this, the black-clad figure couldn’t take out the signal flare and had to block the attack first.

 

“You damn bastard!”

 

Frustratingly, the twin palm strike had no effect and was pushed away.

 

However.

 

“…Cut it short and the real one comes next.”

 

With a low mutter, Zhuge Mungi twisted his body and drove his elbow like a nail into the black-clad figure’s solar plexus.

 

Samyang, Iron Heart Chisel.

 

Thunk!

 

With a dull sound, the black-clad figure and Zhuge Mungi became entangled and rolled across the ground.

 

“Signal flare, signal flare!”

 

For Zhuge Mungi, that was more important than his opponent’s death.

 

He had to somehow search through his clothes and prevent the signal flare from being used…

 

Then he saw a cylinder rolling away.

 

And it stopped when stepped on by an approaching foot.

 

“…Kid, you really became useless as dog shit for medicine, huh?”

 

“…”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had firmly stepped on the cylinder, smiled brightly and extended his hand.

 

The black-clad figure who had been entangled collapsed lifelessly like a straw doll, and his face was covered in the blood he had coughed up.

 

He was already dead.

 

The moment Zhuge Mungi’s Iron Heart Chisel struck his solar plexus.

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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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