Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 165

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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 165

The remaining three divisions of the Tang Family, excluding the workshop and poison division, were located at the main house of Star Blade.

The medical division was the same.

Although quite a few physicians had been dispatched to the Silver Flower Mountain workshop to treat those injured by the troubles caused by the Demonic Sect, Tang Munqing, who had been kidnapped, was moved to the main house.

It was because he had lost consciousness and couldn’t wake up.

The technique was so clever that even Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been the former Heavenly Demon, couldn’t figure out the method.

When a full day had passed, he received word that Tang Munqing had awakened. Zhuge Munhyeon prepared to meet him along with Mujin and Tang Ihwa from the Iron Tree Group.

But people’s reactions were quite different from before.

The martial artists guarding the gates, the servant girls passing by carrying small tables, everyone from young children to the elderly.

Everyone he encountered stepped aside to make way and greeted him with smiles.

“…It’s because they regard you as a benefactor. You just need to smile back at them.”

Perhaps because he looked embarrassed, Tang Ihwa whispered quietly.

A benefactor…

The moment they regard me as such, the entire Tang Family changes their stance?

The feeling isn’t too bad.

This should be of great help to the relationship with the Zhuge Family as well.

In that case?

“Ah, how nice to see you.”

“It’s a good morning, isn’t it?”

“Have a wonderful day today as well.”

As they say, you can’t spit on a smiling face.

I am now someone who can freely use such fake smiles for the sake of my family.

Perhaps because the medical division was quite far, my neck was starting to ache and my facial muscles were cramping, but Zhuge Munhyeon did his best to pretend(?) to be a good person.

And finally, they arrived at the medical division.

Martial artists dressed in white robes with the character for “life” embroidered on their chests, indicating their affiliation with the medical division, politely greeted them.

“We greet Young Master Zhuge.”

Even though Tang Ihwa was part of the group, they greeted Zhuge Munhyeon first.

This meant he was a precious guest welcomed by the entire family.

“Nice to meet you. I heard the workshop leader has awakened?”

“That’s correct. As soon as he recovered his strength, he asked for Young Master Zhuge.”

“May we go in?”

“Of course! We’ll escort you inside.”

The martial artists politely stepped aside, and one of them took the lead to guide them, introducing himself as Yu Junghwa.

As they stepped on the flat stone floor and opened the door to the medical division, stuffy air rushed out.

It was due to the heat from boiling medicinal decoctions in large pots.

Counting them, there were twelve pots larger than an armspan. It seemed like hundreds of people could each have a bowl and there would still be leftovers.

When he made a surprised expression at the scale, Yu Junghwa explained with a smile.

“We’re reducing the medicinal ingredients.”

“Reducing them?”

“Yes. It’s the process of making Yosang Dan.”

“Ah….”

Yosang Dan is an elixir for restoring the qi and blood of those who have suffered internal injuries.

“Since there were many casualties at Silver Flower Mountain, the consumption of Yosang Dan was high, so we’re making reserves again.”

“I see.”

His head nodded naturally.

Yosang Dan is the most commonly used elixir among warriors.

It must be prepared when going on expeditions, and if insufficient, it must be procured locally.

However, locally procured ones couldn’t possibly have the same medicinal effects as those made at the main house. That’s why they make reserves in advance. It could be called a kind of stockpiled supplies in preparation for battle.

“Would you like to see other places as well?”

“Pardon?”

“The Family Head said to allow Young Master Zhuge access to any place he wishes. Except for places where the main house’s secret treasures are kept, of course.”

At Yu Zhonghua’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t hide his startled expression.

Any place….

This was extremely exceptional treatment.

Normally, no sect would bring outsiders into their inner sanctum, and the principle was not to let them freely observe the interior.

Even the Zhuge Family prohibited outsiders from entering the Military Strategy Hall where formation techniques and mechanisms were studied, or the Cheonchaek Hall where strategies were devised.

Moreover, even within the family, there were countless places with signs saying “No Entry Except Authorized Personnel.”

But allowing an outsider into the Medical Hall, one of the Tang Family’s five halls? And other places too?

That was no different from meaning they would treat him like family, beyond just showing secrets.

‘Huh, the Tang Family is quite generous. Such treatment just for one favor….’

They say that while there’s no one more troublesome when they become enemies, there’s no one more reliable when they become allies than the Tang Family.

Somehow he felt fortunate that he had saved Tang Munqing. He had only acted that way because he wanted to know the secret about the Silver Cold Staff….

‘In my previous life, I resented Heaven so much, but it seems the saying that Heaven gives blessings when you do good deeds is true.’

He suddenly felt sorry for misunderstanding Heaven.

Zhuge Munhyeon, wearing a pleased expression, shook his head and deliberately showed courtesy.

“No. First, I should meet the Hall Leader. I’ll take the tour gradually.”

“Yes! I’ve been assigned to attend to you while you’re in the Medical Hall, so please feel free to speak to me anytime.”

“Thank you.”

After passing the place where medicinal decoctions were being prepared, a long corridor appeared.

The scenery of that lengthy connected space also came as a fresh surprise.

Just like when he first went to the Military Strategy Hall, the Tang Family’s Medical Hall was full of physicians exhausted from research.

Grinding medicinal herbs, mixing them, recording….

Places where people live seem to be the same everywhere.

“This way. The Hall Leader is in the back garden.”

Guided by Yu Zhonghua, Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin entered the back garden of the Medical Hall and were once again amazed.

This is called a back garden….

First of all, the scale was enormous.

Meanwhile, along the pathways, unknown grasses were blooming flowers, each showing off their own beauty.

Though he had never particularly enjoyed appreciating flowers, the long stretch of flower paths was truly a magnificent sight.

But seeing how the fragrance reaching his nose gives such a refreshing feeling…

“Huh? Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass?”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who recognized one of the mixed flowers, seemed to have his eyes light up.

Purple leaves.

A shape that branched out into nine from the main stem.

He might not know other things, but he could recognize that immediately.

“Oh! Your knowledge is remarkable. You recognized it right away. That’s correct. It’s Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass.”

“No, why is this here…?”

Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass grows naturally in the wild.

It was known as a Spiritual Herb that was impossible to cultivate, and when fully grown, even its fragrance alone was said to heal mind and body.

“The Medical Bang of the Main House discovered the cultivation method and is growing them.”

“Cul-cultivation, you say?”

“Yes. Though the medicinal effects are less than half compared to those grown in nature… still, with this much we can prepare quite useful medicines.”

“Hah!”

This much?

This much!

This is innovation, innovation.

Being able to cultivate and use Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass.

“Would you like to try a root?”

“Pardon?”

“Since they’re cultivated ones. We sometimes pluck and eat them when passing by.”

“…”

Yu Junghwa, speaking as if it were nothing special, pulled out an entire Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass.

Hey, you fool!

Do you know how precious that is to just pluck it carelessly?

Don’t you know that even the smallest roots of Spiritual Herbs are precious?

He almost smacked the back of Yu Junghwa’s head for treating something precious so carelessly in his foolishness.

“Please try it. It’s good for cleansing the palate.”

“…”

The Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass he offered after brushing off the dirt.

Is dirt the problem right now?

With Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass, he’d even chew stones.

“Master Dao should have a root too. It’s good for recovering from fatigue.”

Recovering from fatigue…

Yu Junghwa seemed to have eaten quite a bit of it, as he immediately plucked a root for himself and put it in his mouth, chewing. So did Dang Ihwa.

Ah, what blessed fools reaching to the heavens.

Traditionally, when you discover Spiritual Herbs, you’re supposed to give thanks to Heaven, reverently adjust your clothes, and even bow before eating them.

Zhuge Munhyeon carefully brought the Spiritual Herb to his mouth.

Crunch.

The root melts as soon as it touches his saliva, it melts.

The bitter-sweet taste spread fragrantly in his mouth, and his head felt refreshed as if he had been doused with mint water.

Even without circulating qi, it felt like strength was flowing throughout his entire body.

“I recommend not eating the stems and leaves.”

“…?”

“They have little medicinal effect and taste bitter.”

Yu Zhonghua said, and Tang Yihwa spat it out with a “ptui.”

These damn bastards!

Can’t you pick it back up and put it in your mouth right now?

They don’t even eat sweet confections like that.

Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin enviously watched them while diligently chewing the stems and leaves.

So what if it’s bitter?

So what if the medicinal effect is weak?

It’s a spiritual herb….

After swallowing it down, he felt inexplicably sad. Envious.

Ah, it would have been nice if he had been born in the Tang Family instead.

If he could pluck and eat such spiritual herbs while walking down the road, and eat them as side dishes morning and evening, he would have already reached the realm of Gang Qi and more.

Of all things, to be born in the Zhuge Family and learn useless skills like scholarship, formation techniques, and mechanisms.

For the first time in his eighteen years of life, Zhuge Munhyeon regretted being born into his family clan.

Damn it all….

“Come, let’s go.”

Though he started walking at Yu Zhonghua’s urging, his gaze remained fixed on the ground the entire time.

Trying to find and pluck something even more amazing than the Goji Leaf Herb.

* * *

“Please, come in.”

When Zhuge Munhyeon, who had ultimately failed to find a spiritual herb better than the Goji Leaf Herb, arrived at the back garden pavilion with a dejected expression, Tang Munqing was sitting in the pavilion waiting for him.

He looked haggard, as if his energy had been greatly depleted, but his health seemed fine.

Still, it was proper etiquette to ask.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Heh heh, how could I be just alright? If you hadn’t saved me, I would have been dragged away by those Demonic Sect members by now and suffered who knows what terrible fate.”

Seeing Tang Munqing smile weakly, Zhuge Munhyeon wore a bitter smile.

Somehow his conscience pricked at him.

Since he had once walked the Demonic Path.

But had Tang Munqing always shown him such respect? He seemed to remember him being condescending….

His first meeting with him flickered through his mind.

But he didn’t need to deliberately recall it.

The gratitude toward him for saving his life was clear enough just from his expression and eyes.

Despite the considerable age difference, his speech had become respectful precisely because of that.

“Thanks to you, I was able to protect the Thunder Stone, our main house’s secret treasure. I don’t know how to express my gratitude… hundreds of words wouldn’t be enough.”

“Please don’t think too deeply about it. I simply did my best with what was happening before my eyes.”

“Hehe, this isn’t something that can be passed off so lightly. The Thunder Stone is a very precious treasure even at the Main House, so you deserve proper treatment.”

“Haha…”

Unable to be modest any longer, Zhuge Munhyeon could only laugh.

“However, I didn’t arrange this meeting just to express my gratitude.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m referring to what you asked of me the other day.”

“The other day… Ah! Did you perhaps find the records?”

“Yes.”

Suddenly my heart pounds loudly.

Even faster than when I chewed the whole Goji leaf.

The thought occurred to me that perhaps by following the records of the Silver Cold Staff and its creator, I might encounter an Immortal.

“There was no need to examine records from the beginning. There aren’t many with the skill to handle Thunder Stone. Since I don’t remember such an item, there’s only one person left from that era. If we show him the item, he might know something.”

“Who is that?”

“The Seven Craftsman of the Gongdong Sect.”

“The Seven Craftsman?”

“Yes. A Taoist who mastered seven different forging techniques.”

“Ah…”

The Gongdong Sect.

I knew about them to some extent.

Worldly fellows who, despite being Taoists, operated mines and accumulated vast wealth.

Well… there’s no law saying such a Taoist sect couldn’t have someone who learned forging techniques.

Since what’s needed for forging is minerals.

“I’ll have to go to Gongdong then.”

“No. You won’t be able to meet the Seven Craftsman at Gongdong.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s quite an old story that the Seven Craftsman was expelled from the Gongdong Sect and disappeared without a trace.”

“Ah…”

I thought I had gained something.

My racing heart becomes quiet as if it had stopped, and my face fills with disappointment.

That’s when it happened.

Tang Munqing smiled slightly and said.

“However, I know where he has secluded himself.”

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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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