Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 166

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 166

The heart that raced when he said he had found records.

The disappointment when he heard they had vanished without a trace.

And then giving hope that they could be found again.

He really knows how to toy with people’s emotions.

Whether he was the Heavenly Demon in his previous life or not, it was enough to make him lose his composure, and Zhuge Munhyeon found himself widening his eyes and asking urgently without realizing it.

“Where is that place?”

“Yunnan.”

“Pardon? Where?”

“Yunnan. The Seventh Young Master went there.”

“Yunnan…”

It’s not far.

South of Sichuan.

Though the land is connected, it’s a place treated as frontier territory by the Central Plains.

Just like they did with the Demonic Path.

But that’s only by the Central Plains’ standards.

As if they were the masters of the world, they would set various standards and make judgments accordingly.

And if those standards weren’t met, they would call them Yi, Rong, Man, and so on, dismissing them as barbarians or savages and treating them with contempt.

Fools, the world doesn’t even belong to them.

They simply have different ways of living, different cultures, and different thoughts.

From the perspective of those called barbarians, the Central Plains are the barbarians.

In the end, it’s a matter of who sets the standards.

‘Speaking of which, Yunnan… That’s quite a nostalgic name.’

Once upon a time, his footsteps had reached Yunnan as well.

There were those called strong warriors there too.

The martial arts that mimicked the movements of beasts were truly first-rate, lacking nothing compared to the renowned martial arts of the Central Plains.

Suddenly, a conversation with a man who had become his friend in the past came to mind, bringing a smile to his lips.

Beast Palace Master Ashin.

He was a capable fellow.

Did they fight for about three days?

Though he ultimately won, he was fascinated by his strength and became friends with him, staying there for quite a long time.

Occasionally, when he got drunk and felt good, he would ramble on, saying “I’m only telling you this, but my ancestors weren’t from this world.”

‘Did he say their ancestors were born from a great tree that supports the world?’

It was utter nonsense among nonsense, so he always listened with one ear and let it go out the other.

He said they grew from seeds, so what?

Then were your legs originally roots and your arms branches?

Good grief, how absurd.

Though it was ridiculous, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

He himself was revered as a god in the Demonic Path.

The reincarnation of the Demon God, the Heavenly Demon.

What nonsense.

How many people throughout history had been called by the name of Heavenly Demon… So were they all reincarnations?

But every family clan has creation myths scattered about, and isn’t that just a matter of how you make them up?

Even in the Central Plains, they say that in the primordial chaos, a giant god named Pangu was born from a huge egg and created the earth and sky, with his eyes becoming the sun and moon…

The Wudang Sect claims that an immortal called the Zhenwu Great Emperor descended from Heaven to drive away evil spirits, and they say Zhuge’s ancestors also possessed the ability to summon southeastern winds.

Perhaps because of such beliefs, the people of Beast Palace were remarkably familiar with nature.

Should I say they had an exceptional ability to harmonize with nature?

They were also quite skilled with bows.

While he was momentarily lost in reminiscence.

“I will go find the Seventh Young Master.”

“Pardon?”

At Tang Munqing’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon snapped back to attention.

Find the Seventh Young Master?

What did that mean?

“Yunnan is a treacherous place. One mountain has four seasons, ten li have different skies. That is, even a single mountain has its seasons, and the climate changes every ten li. Those who enter without knowing the way are likely to meet misfortune not from the savages there, but from the forest’s venomous insects or accidentally stepping into swamps.”

“…”

“Moreover, one could suffer calamity from the unpredictably changing weather.”

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded at Tang Munqing’s words.

‘True, it was weather I couldn’t adapt to. The Yunnan people mysteriously knew well when it would rain. They also handled beasts well.’

Since the Tang Family would have suffered from that bizarre weather many times while gathering poisons, it was certainly something worth worrying about.

“But do not worry. Our Tang Family has been exploring Yunnan for a long time.”

“To gather poisons, I suppose?”

“You know well. That’s correct. The Poison Bang still dispatches warriors to Yunnan every year. So I will go find him. I’ll find the Seventh Young Master and convey your story to him. If he hears about the weapon, he’ll surely come running without regard for the distance.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and shook his head.

“You don’t need to go to such trouble.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll go myself.”

“Young Master Zhuge… will go? Personally?”

“It’s my problem, so I can’t trouble the Tang Family unnecessarily.”

“No, what are you saying? Trouble? The Family Head has already ordered us to treat Young Master Zhuge as a benefactor. No one in the Tang Family would…”

“I’m going.”

Zhuge Munhyeon stated firmly.

These people want to settle the debt by going to Yunnan to find the Seventh Young Master? That won’t do. What kind of favor was that?

It was the kind of favor where I tore apart even his descendants with my own hands.

And you people… how far into Yunnan have you actually been?

You go every year to collect poisons?

At best, you probably just dabbled around the entrance.

The Yunnan people don’t like disturbing the forest, so they’re reluctant about outsiders visiting.

But!

‘I’m different.’

Even if sixty years, no, even more time had passed and Yunnan’s landscape had completely changed, he was still better than the Tang Family.

He might not know the nature, but he knew well the habits of the Yunnan people.

If he needed a guide, he could just find one there. In fact, he was much better than the Tang Family.

“Young Master, Yunnan is not such an easy place.”

“I know. One mountain has four seasons, ten li has different skies. Right?”

“That’s not all…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll solve my own problems. I also know quite a bit about Yunnan.”

Tang Munqing, who had been staring blankly at Zhuge Munhyeon speaking with a grin, made a troubled expression.

And.

“What do you mean you know something, Young Master?”

“Huh?”

“At most, it’s just something you read in a book, isn’t it? But Yunnan is said to be an incredibly treacherous place. Information from books doesn’t work there, you know?”

“…”

“The Tang Family is offering to help, so don’t be stubborn and just accept their assistance. The delegation mission is over, so you should return to the Main House. The Young Family Head’s marriage issue seems like it will be resolved well too.”

Mujin persuaded him on behalf of Tang Munqing.

Read in a book…

This guy seems to think he’s trying to go there after reading some travel guidebook.

“Why? Are you worried?”

“Of course I’m worried, shouldn’t I be? I’ve heard things about Yunnan too.”

His face was already full of worry at the thought of the hardships to come.

Cowardly bastard.

When did he say he’d stay with him to the end, that he’d listen to whatever he said… hmm, did he say that?

Anyway!

“I’ve made up my mind, so if you don’t want to, you can go back. You don’t have to join my journey.”

“No, how can you say such hurtful things?”

“What’s hurtful about it?”

“We’re not just ordinary acquaintances, and Master Uncle and Aunt even made new clothes for us while entrusting me with Young Master’s safety. How could I return alone? What would I say to Aunt, who would be waiting anxiously?”

“…”

Huh, this guy?

Since when has my mother been your aunt?

It was absurd, but in truth, he was the one who had first emphasized the relationship with Wudang.

Father and the famous sect leader who had been sworn brothers.

In a way, Father was like Mujin’s master uncle, and Mother was his aunt… that’s right.

“Moreover! What kind of relationship do we have? Though we were born on different days, we might die on the same day – aren’t we sworn brothers like that?”

“What? Sworn brothers? You and me?”

“Weren’t we?”

“Hah!”

This kid’s misunderstandings are getting worse and worse.

Sworn brothers, what nonsense?

If it were a subordinate, that might be different.

“Anyway, I’m going to Yunnan myself, so you handle things as you see fit.”

“This is… damn it. Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha.”

Knowing Zhuge Munhyeon’s stubborn personality, Mujin couldn’t say anything more and just chanted Buddhist prayers.

Once he made a decision, he was someone who wouldn’t listen to others even if they whispered in his ear.

After the small commotion passed, Zhuge Munhyeon spoke to Tang Muncheong.

“Craft Bang Leader.”

“Yes?”

“Please just tell me where the Seventh Young Master is.”

“Ah, well…”

Tang Muncheong still couldn’t hide his difficulty.

Why did he insist on going personally?

It would be dangerous…

“Craft Bang Leader?”

“Do you really intend to go personally?”

“Yes.”

The answer was firm, and from his tightly pressed lips, one could even sense subtle stubbornness.

Tang Muncheong, who was not young and had his own stubborn streak as a craftsman, immediately recognized it.

Stubborn people recognize other stubborn people.

No matter what anyone said, he probably wouldn’t change his mind.

“I understand. Then I’ll consult with the Family Head and arrange an escort.”

“An escort?”

“Yes, naturally…”

“Why go to such trouble?”

“Trouble? Naturally, since this is happening in Sichuan, we should provide protection…”

“Pfft!”

“…”

He burst out laughing.

Protection?

The Tang Family protecting me?

In all my life, this was the first time I’d heard such a joke.

Trying to hide his laughing expression, he couldn’t prevent his face from contorting strangely.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Tang Muncheong frowned and tilted his head in confusion.

“Do you really intend to go alone?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… then please take just one more person with you.”

“One person, heh… ah well, fine. One person should be…”

Actually, he didn’t need even one person, but he couldn’t refuse. If he spoke any longer, laughter might burst out.

“I’ll prepare Ihwa.”

“Yes, please do. Take Ihwa with you… What?”

His laughter stopped abruptly.

Take who… with him?

A martial artist from Poison Bang would be one thing, but Tang Ihwa? Why?

“The Seventh Master has a rather eccentric personality. Even if you reveal your identity, he won’t believe you. But since he knows Ihwa, it will be much easier for you to approach him.”

“No, there’s no need to…”

“Take her with you. Just as you are stubborn, I am stubborn too. I absolutely cannot allow you to go alone.”

“…”

Who are you to allow or not allow anything?

But he too had an equally stubborn expression.

“She will be helpful. Ihwa will.”

“Hmm…”

At Tang Muncheong’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon glanced at Tang Ihwa.

An indifferent expression.

Her strength was greater than most men, no, stronger than himself and Mujin…

His wife smiling brightly.

He had expected her to get angry immediately and go find the Family Head… but she was strangely calm. And what was with that smile?

“The Tang Family Workshop Leader sent me a separate letter without informing the family.”

“Huh? The Tang Family Workshop Leader, you say?”

“Yes.”

“What on earth did it say?”

“Cheolmokdan is the Workshop Leader’s granddaughter. She’s going to Yunnan with Munhyeon. If they suffer together, won’t affection bloom? Getting caught in the rain and bumping into each other… hohoho, ohohohohoh!”

“Ah…”

So that’s what she was thinking.

As expected, Baek Suhyeon seemed to be one step ahead of him.

Come to think of it, it wasn’t a bad marriage proposal.

‘That boy, to think he would make a deal with the Tang Family. He’s my son, but truly an amazing fellow.’

Not only himself, but the Family Head and retainers couldn’t hide their satisfaction either.

The Tang Family’s letter was filled with content about future exchanges, in addition to positively considering marriage with the Young Family Head.

Among them, the most crucial was undoubtedly the matter of dispatching formation technique masters and mechanism craftsmen.

Zhuge Munhyeon had done proper business.

True to the traditional jianghu style, they sent one hundred taels of gold as advance payment alone.

Since this was equivalent to several months’ income for the Zhuge Family, the General Affairs Department praised Zhuge Munhyeon endlessly.

Since the advance payment was one-tenth of the total amount… the completion fee would be one thousand taels.

Moreover, since he had rescued the Workshop Leader and even eliminated Demonic Sect members, the Tang Family said they would treat the Zhuge like brothers from now on.

And who was responsible for all this?

His very own son!

Unable to suppress the laughter that burst forth just thinking about it, he kept giggling shamelessly, not acting his age.

Thanks to this, Zhuge Doyun felt even more proud, and even when he held his head high during retainer meetings, no one found fault with him.

Rather, they considered it natural.

…What a filial son like none in history.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————