Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 156

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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 156

 

A cold sword blade hangs over his neck.

 

Dang Mun-cheong’s face, bloodied and kneeling, was stained with exhaustion and despair.

 

‘How could such people…’

 

They were all wearing face masks.

 

But anyone could see they were Demonic Sect members.

 

They had broken through the perimeter in an instant, defeated the martial artists guarding the craft workshop, and captured the craftsmen as prisoners.

 

Though they too possessed considerable martial arts, they were no match for the dozens of Demonic Sect members uniformly dressed in black.

 

Each and every one of them was beyond Tan Qi, having surpassed the peak level.

 

Above all, the middle-aged man looking down with eyes flashing with blood light.

 

He had approached through the gaps in the chaotic battle as if unrestrained by anything. Countless people had fallen unable to block even a single step he took, and he had finally arrived before him.

 

“Dang Mun-cheong.”

 

“…”

 

“Where is the Thunder Stone?”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“The Thunder Stone, I said Thunder Stone.”

 

“You bastard?”

 

“I already knew everything before coming. There were rumors that what fell on Qingcheng Mountain ten years ago with thunder and lightning appeared in the black market, and that the Tang Family secured it by spending a fortune.”

 

“How, how did you?”

 

“Why? Surprised that I know when you thought you had silenced everyone?”

 

“…”

 

“Rumors are like the wind – no matter how many barriers you put up to block them, it’s difficult to make them disappear as if they never existed.”

 

Dang Mun-cheong’s face contorted.

 

He finally realized.

 

The real purpose of the Demonic Sect members who had recently been attacking craftsmen in the Sichuan region.

 

They had been trying to gather information from rumors.

 

When the Thunder Stone appeared in the black market, the Tang Family had quickly secured it, but rumors naturally tend to spread. Someone would have babbled about it like tavern gossip.

 

But even with a blade at his throat, he couldn’t tell the truth.

 

The countless treasures possessed by the Tang Family.

 

The Thunder Stone was among the highest ranking of them.

 

It absolutely must not be stolen by the Demonic Sect.

 

Even if he lost his life.

 

Dang Mun-cheong, who had been glaring at the middle-aged man with a resolute light in his eyes, slowly shook his head.

 

“Kill me.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Threats are useless. As the craft workshop leader of the Tang Family, I can never carelessly hand over the family’s treasures.”

 

“Yes, that would be so. Everyone said the same thing. That the integrity of the Tang Family’s craft workshop leader is extraordinary. Then how about this?”

 

With a chuckling sound, as his hand rose, the sword of a martial artist guarding the captured craftsmen fell in an arc.

 

Thud, roll roll.

 

With a clean sword strike, the craftsman’s head rolled on the floor without even letting out a single scream.

 

Blood spurted out with a gush and splattered on nearby comrades, and fear spread like wildfire.

 

The craftsmen, pale with shock, swallowed dry breaths and trembled violently.

 

“Myeonghun!”

 

Dang Munqing called out with wide eyes, but no answer came back.

 

Only the lifeless eyes of Oh Myeonghun, the owner of the head rolling on the floor, faced him.

 

“You damned bastards who anger heaven and earth!”

 

“Why? Aren’t you used to it? How unexpected. I thought the Tang Family would pass over something like this without much concern.”

 

“You, you bastard…”

 

Blood vessels burst in his bulging eyes and his clenched teeth ground together like they were being sharpened.

 

He had already prepared for death, knowing he wouldn’t survive at the hands of the Demonic Sect…

 

You stupid fools…

 

His teaching had been wrong.

 

That was only about the character one should have as a member of the Tang Family.

 

Objects cannot exceed their own value.

 

No matter how precious something might be, it cannot be more important than human life.

 

Even if it meant losing the family’s secret treasure and stepping down from the position of Craft Bang leader… if someone had to die, it should only be himself.

 

“Grandfather. These people won’t spare our lives anyway. Please protect the family’s secret treasure. I beg you…”

 

“…”

 

At Tang Ihwa’s earnest plea, Tang Muncheong hesitated.

 

Even though he had already made up his mind.

 

“Hmm, what an admirable girl. She looks like she could pass for a man without any problem. Well then, I’ll have to kill you first.”

 

The blade of death approached at the end of his admiration.

 

But Tang Ihwa glared at the martial artist who raised his sword toward her with unyielding eyes.

 

“Kill me. I will never bow to the likes of the Demonic Sect.”

 

“That girl really… If she had been born a man, she would have made a great name for herself.”

 

The middle-aged man spoke as if praising her, but that didn’t change his decision.

 

When he signaled with his eyes, the martial artist gripped his sword tightly.

 

“There is a secret treasury.”

 

“…”

 

“Behind the blacksmith shop, if you press the snake’s eye carved into the rock wall, the entrance will open.”

 

Tang Muncheong answered weakly in the end.

 

“Grandfather…”

 

Tang Ihwa and the craftsmen all looked at him with dejected eyes, their shoulders slumped in defeat.

 

“It’s not because of you. Anyone else would have made the same decision. I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

 

“…”

 

Tang Muncheong hung his head, blaming himself for ultimately surrendering.

 

“Good, that was a wise decision. You have to save your family’s lives. But you’ll have to come with the Thunder Stone.”

 

“What?”

 

“Our mission included not only the Thunder Stone but also you, the Tang Family’s greatest craftsman.”

 

“You, you bastard…”

 

“I hope you won’t make any rash moves. These are lives we went to the trouble of sparing.”

 

“…”

 

“Now, let’s hurry, shall we? It’ll be troublesome for us too if the Tang Family’s reinforcements arrive.”

 

The middle-aged man with a sneer urged Tang Muncheong.

 

Tang Muncheong rose weakly, looked at his granddaughter and the craftsmen, sighed, and said.

 

“Fine. Keep your promise. It should only be me. Spare them.”

 

“Of course. The Demonic Sect doesn’t go back on its decisions. We won’t lay a hand on them.”

 

“…Let’s go.”

 

Behind Tang Muncheong as he walked ahead with heavy steps, the anguished voices of Tang Ihwa and the craftsmen could be heard.

 

“You mustn’t, Grandfather! How can you hand over the secret treasure? We will die with dignity!”

 

Dang Muncheong desperately covered his ears.

 

He couldn’t just leave them to die.

 

He also believed in the promise.

 

Though the Demonic Path was cruel, he thought they would keep their promise since they at least considered themselves strong.

 

There was no other choice anyway.

 

However.

 

[Yeom-ah.]

 

[Yes, Great Evil.]

 

[I will secure the cloud iron and withdraw immediately.]

 

[…I will clean things up neatly and divert the Tang Family reinforcements’ attention.]

 

[Do so.]

 

The sound transmission that passed between them was different from Dang Muncheong’s thoughts.

 

After giving his orders, the middle-aged man who had been watching Dang Muncheong’s dejected back wore a strange smile.

 

At least I won’t kill them with my own hands, so I’ve kept my promise.

 

As the man who had secured the Thunder Stone disappeared north with Dang Muncheong and a few subordinates, those left behind couldn’t help but lament.

 

Life gained through submission.

 

It was more humiliating than death.

 

But then.

 

Swish.

 

A martial artist approached Dang Ihwa and raised his sword.

 

His eyes looking down were filled with killing intent.

 

“You, you bastards?”

 

At her trembling eyes and chattering voice, the martial artist smiled wordlessly.

 

“Farewell.”

 

“Damn it…”

 

At their betrayal of the promise, Dang Ihwa and the craftsmen couldn’t shake off their despair.

 

It was going to end up like this anyway…

 

But they didn’t resent Dang Muncheong.

 

Grandfather had only made the best choice to try to save them.

 

They were only angry at the Demonic Sect’s shameless act of throwing away their promise like an old shoe.

 

Dang Ihwa did not bow her head.

 

If she was going to die anyway, she would die befitting the Tang Family.

 

She held her head high and glared at the martial artist.

 

“Heh, what a stubborn woman. Not knowing that it’s all useless when you’re dead…”

 

The martial artist Yeom put strength into his sword-holding hand.

 

At the same time, the martial artists nearby also raised their swords toward the craftsmen’s necks.

 

It was a strange sight.

 

Everyone was holding their heads up proudly in the face of death.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

An eerie presence was felt.

 

“…A master?! Could it be that reinforcements have already arrived?”

 

Swiiish!

 

Before the startled Yeom could even locate the position of the master who had revealed such a terrifying presence, a streak of light shot forth at tremendous speed.

 

“…Hup!”

 

The surprised Yeom hastily swung his sword to strike at the beam of light.

 

Claaang!

 

A harsh metallic sound.

 

But his sword was pushed back.

 

His palm tore open and blood spurted out along with stinging pain.

 

And then.

 

Thunk!

 

The beam of light that had deflected his sword without changing direction pierced through Yeom’s body.

 

“Kuk!”

 

Yeom, who had a hole punched through his body in an instant, couldn’t maintain his balance and staggered.

 

Then he collapsed with eyes that couldn’t believe what had happened to him.

 

“Sq-Squad Leader!”

 

While the shocked warriors couldn’t strike the craftsmen’s necks and were panicking, eyes filled with rage had already descended before them.

 

“These bastards…”

 

No, as soon as he landed, he mercilessly struck and crushed a warrior’s head.

 

Crack!

 

The head shattered completely and the body collapsed lifelessly.

 

“St-stop him!”

 

The moment they showed movement to respond hastily, another shadow appeared behind them.

 

“Demonic Sect bastards… to commit such barbaric acts!”

 

It was Mujin.

 

His hostility toward the Demonic Sect was stronger than anyone’s, and his hands held not even a trace of mercy.

 

Thwaaack!

 

The warrior who took a heavy palm strike to the abdomen flew violently and crashed down, spitting blood before his head snapped to the side.

 

He had died instantly.

 

Under attacks coming from different directions, the Demonic Sect members fell without even having time to assess the situation.

 

These were the same people that no one in the Craft Bang could stop.

 

But in the hands of these two, they looked like fallen leaves fluttering helplessly in the wind, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

 

“Wh-who are they?”

 

“Don’t you remember? It’s Violent Dragon who came with the Young Family Head.”

 

“Violent… the one who came about the marriage proposal back then?”

 

“Yes. The Taoist behind him is Wudang Sect’s first disciple.”

 

At the Taoist’s words as he finally caught his breath in relief after barely saving his life, Tang Ihwa wore a dazed expression.

 

Those people…

 

The delegation that had come to the Tang Family for the marriage proposal.

 

He didn’t know what reason brought them to the Craft Bang, but he didn’t feel particularly good about it.

 

Especially if it was because of him.

 

He had thought they came with the intention of just taking a look after hearing the name Iron Tree Flower.

 

But with a physique larger than most men, and a muscular build.

 

A large flower as sturdy as steel.

 

That was nothing but vulgar mockery directed at her.

 

But later, according to what she heard from her grandfather, they hadn’t come for marriage matters.

 

Curiosity about weapons made from thunder stones.

 

“Ah, then that’s?”

 

Dang Ihwa discovered the weapon stuck in the back of Zhuge Munhyeon, who had swept away the Demonic Sect members in an instant.

 

Meanwhile, Zhuge Munhyeon grabbed the collar of the one survivor, pulled him right up to his face, and growled with murderous presence.

 

“…Let me ask you one thing. You bastards aren’t from the Demonic Path but from the Blood Cult or something like that, right?”

 

“Keueu.”

 

“You better not say no. I’m very angry right now.”

 

Though the answer was obvious in this situation, as the former Sect Leader and one who had earned the title of Heavenly Demon, he absolutely could not acknowledge it.

 

Claiming to walk the path of demons.

 

How could he call scum like you, who treat even honor like shit, his descendants.

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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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