Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 167
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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 167
“What are you doing?”
“Hmm, my ear has been itching since earlier.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s itching. Very much so…”
Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been constantly digging at his ear with his pinky finger in irritation, glared at Mujin.
“Are you perhaps cursing me?”
“Pardon?”
“In your mind…”
“No, there’s no way that could be, right?”
“Then why is my ear itching?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
This is absurd.
It’s just superstition.
If ears itched because someone was cursing you, the Emperor would have died long ago from ear disease.
Since what the people constantly do is gossip and curse about the Emperor.
“I’m disappointed.”
“Disappointed my foot…”
“I’m disappointed!”
“…”
“How could you suspect me? What kind of relationship do we have? How many death lines have we crossed together, and you say such things? Don’t you know that I consider you my benefactor since I received life-saving grace from you, Confucius?”
Mujin’s sudden anger made Zhuge Munhyeon feel awkward for no reason.
Getting all worked up when I said “or not.”
Just like someone whose inner thoughts had been exposed.
“Alright, alright. It was just something I said casually…”
“Just something you said casually? There are things you should say and things you shouldn’t say.”
He’s even nitpicking every word, using formal language – he seems to have really picked a fight.
This guy’s motor mouth.
Saying unnecessary things for no reason…
“Th, that’s right. I’m sorry. I misspoke.”
“This is called Bungusin .”
“…Huh?”
Bungusin.
The meaning is quite nice.
It’s a term that emphasizes trust between friends… but somehow the sound of it… makes my fist clench involuntarily for some reason….
“I have always treated Young Master Munhyeon with the heart of Bungusin, so how can you say such things to me!”
“….”
Was it perhaps a desire to help Zhuge Munhyeon, whose face was all scrunched up?
Tang Ihwa, who had been quietly listening, interjected.
“What a wonderful saying. Bungusin… somehow the relationship between you two really seems like that.”
“Right? How beautiful it is. But I’m so disappointed that Young Master Munhyeon would say such things.”
“Please understand, Master Taoist. It was said in jest, it wasn’t meant with any other intention.”
“….”
She’s comforting and patting him.
I’m grateful for Mujin’s consideration for me, and for her mediation too.
But for some reason, I feel worse and worse.
It’s like someone is pointing fingers and cursing at me.
“Ahem! I get it, so stop it. I made a mistake. Bungusin, I’ll keep it in mind. Bungusin.”
“Really? Bungusin!”
“I said I got it, didn’t I? Bungusin!”
Tang Ihwa felt secretly pleased watching the two promise to trust and rely on each other.
One is a descendant of a scholar, and the other is a disciple of the Taoist Sect, yet they trust and rely on each other like that – isn’t it truly heartwarming?
If only she had such a friend….
The way they trust each other seems to shine with light, it could be called Bungusinseok .
Envious.
That Bungusinseok….
It was then.
“Ah, this is the entrance to Yunnan.”
While confirming the friendship(?) between the companions once more, Tang Ihwa changed the subject.
Turning my head, I could see a village in the distance.
Two mountains, a gorge thick with forest.
It had only been half a day since we crossed the southern border of Sichuan.
“Before entering the village, there will be an inspection by the Warriors of Namcheonbo , the martial sect of the Yeongin region.”
“Mm.”
At those words, a slight tension appeared on Mujin’s face.
Well, that was understandable.
Even though it was a familiar place in the past, decades had passed since he last visited, so even Zhuge Munhyeon felt it was unfamiliar, let alone a Taoist who had left the mountains.
This wasn’t even the Central Plains, but Yunnan, which had sometimes maintained hostile relations with the Central Plains.
“For now, I’ll introduce us as having come here while traveling.”
“Yes.”
They had already changed into the plain clothes prepared by the Tang Family, and their identity tokens were newly made as well.
Young masters of an influential trading company family from southern Sichuan.
There was no need to reveal their identities by saying they were from Wudang, the Tang Family, or the Zhuge Clan.
While revealing their identities wouldn’t create restrictions for passage, it could arouse unnecessary suspicion. After all, the martial families and sects of the Central Plains were objects of wariness even in Yunnan.
“I’ll take the lead, so please act naturally, you two. You absolutely must not give anything away. Understood?”
Tang Ihwa gave another reminder, as if she couldn’t put her mind at ease.
However, she seemed unaware that she herself stood out the most. What with the precious armor worn under her clothes and the large hammer in her hand…
As they approached the village, a long line stretched out in front of the checkpoint guarded by warriors.
They were merchants and escort agencies wanting to trade with Yunnan.
Yunnan, one of the frontier regions, had long been an important trading partner for Central Plains merchants.
Boundaries were something that existed only in the martial world, not in the commercial world.
This was because merchants wouldn’t hesitate to go even to the Uninterrupted Hell if there was profit to be made.
Of course, not everyone passed through the checkpoint.
Since profit naturally becomes much greater in illegal transactions than legal ones, smugglers and poachers used different routes.
The warriors of the Poison Bang dispatched by the Tang Family were the same.
What they sought to obtain were the poisonous substances that Yunnan prohibited from being taken outside.
From the perspective of the Yunnan people who valued harmony with nature, this was behavior that wouldn’t be satisfying even if they tore them apart and killed them.
Because of this, there had been several instances of friction, and there were even times when it nearly escalated to full-scale war.
“Next!”
The warriors of Namcheonbo examined the luggage and identities of those entering with fierce eyes.
Whether there were any unauthorized goods loaded in the carts, what the purpose of their visit was.
For those who seemed suspicious, they even conducted body searches, so time was considerably delayed.
Finally.
“Myeongga Trading Company?”
“That’s correct.”
It was Zhuge Munhyeon’s group’s turn.
The Namcheonbo warrior who received the travel pass Tang Ihwa handed over showed a slightly surprised expression.
It was the kind of reaction anyone would show when seeing her for the first time.
Since she was so large that one had to look up at her.
“Ahem!”
Perhaps thinking it was rude, the Namcheonbo warrior hid his expression and looked over the three with sharp eyes.
“What brings young friends like you to this place?”
“We heard rumors that Yunnan’s scenery is beautiful, so we came both for sightseeing and to conduct market research.”
“Market research?”
“Yes. If we’re to trade with Yunnan later, it seemed better to learn about it in advance.”
Tang Ihwa smiled brightly and subtly handed over a money pouch while receiving back the travel pass.
“You’re working hard, so please add this to your drinking money.”
“Oh my! This girl…”
He seemed to refuse for show, but Tang Ihwa forcefully pressed the money pouch into the warrior’s hand.
“Checkpoint Officer, really, who’s asking you to just let us pass? The inspection should be thorough. However, I mean please look favorably upon us later. We’ll be seeing each other often. You know what I mean, right?”
“….”
At her brazen words, the Martial Artist couldn’t help but chuckle.
By the way, was she the type of person who could do such things?
Well, I still don’t know much about her yet….
“So, which place are you planning to visit?”
The Martial Artist’s voice became much softer as he tucked the Money Pouch deep into his robes.
I saw him secretly peek into the opening of the Money Pouch.
A yellowish gleam peeked out slightly.
It would have been enough golden warmth to melt one’s heart.
Indeed, there’s no place under heaven where bribes don’t work, and nothing beats greasing palms.
“We plan to go through Yongin to Dali.”
“Dali? Does the Prestigious Family Trading Company deal in stone goods?”
“Oh! You figured it out immediately? Your insight is remarkable.”
“Haha! What insight? If you’re from a Trading Company going to Dali, that would be natural.”
While acting modest, the Martial Artist couldn’t hide his smugness.
The fact that Dali was famous for marble was something even neighborhood Little Children would know, with a bit of exaggeration.
After all, the name itself is Dali….
There were already countless mines, and since they valued sparkling stones, it was one of the goods that many Trading Companies from the Central Plains dealt with.
Should I call it a luxury item that wealthy people buy to decorate their homes?
In other words, the Prestigious Family Trading Company was doing quite profitable business, and befitting a family that dealt with stone goods, even their daughter had a sturdy build and carried a hammer that could smash rocks and more, so there would be no room for doubt.
Of course, the reason they were going to Dali was because they heard that the Seventh Young Master’s retreat was located there.
“Hmm, Dali is the territory of the Beast Palace… Be careful not to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Then perhaps… could you issue us a travel permit?”
“A travel permit?”
“Yes. With a travel permit issued by Namcheonbo, we wouldn’t get caught up in unnecessary troubles in Yunnan….”
The carefully offered words, backed by the power of bribery, had great effect.
“Of course. Between people who’ll see each other often, I can do that much. However, matters related to travel permits aren’t something I oversee….”
The Martial Artist glanced back as he spoke.
He was saying more money was needed.
Indeed, like a bastard who’s tasted meat, once someone has received a bribe, they never forget that taste.
“Come now, did I look like someone who would make requests empty-handed?”
Tang Ihwa, as if she had prepared in advance, took out and offered another Money Pouch.
Again with golden light leaking out….
“This person will do very well in business. I’ll definitely remember the Prestigious Family Trading Company.”
“Thank you, Great Hero.”
“What Great Hero? We’re all just trying to get along well together. Hahaha!”
“I’ll make sure to prepare generously in the future as well.”
The travel permit was issued immediately, and we didn’t have to undergo body searches either.
“I couldn’t help but admire Miss Tang’s Negotiation Skills.”
“Not at all. In our family clan, we learn how to handle people from a young age.”
When Mujin expressed admiration, Tang Ihwa smiled with a proud expression.
Negotiation skills, my ass….
She just threw money around from the start.
Well, someone did say this once.
If negotiations fail, suspect that there wasn’t enough money.
Well, thanks to that, we were able to enter Yunnan without much suspicion.
“Now then, since we’ve come all the way to Yunnan, shall we find the best inn and have a meal first?”
“…Huh?”
“Our official purpose is sightseeing, isn’t it? We should enjoy ourselves thoroughly.”
“….”
My ears perked up at Tang Ihwa’s words.
The best inn?
“A drink or so should be fine, right? The Tai people’s bamboo alcohol is supposedly so famous….”
“What? Bamboo alcohol? You mean rice wine in bamboo tubes?”
“Yes. A Poison Bang martial artist told me to definitely try it when I arrive in Yingren County.”
I gulped at her brightly smiling answer.
That stuff’s expensive….
Long ago, even that Beast Palace Lord bastard stingily hoarded it for himself….
“I’ll pay for it.”
She had been paying for everything throughout our entire journey to Yunnan.
But there’s a clear difference between saying it beforehand and just paying the bill.
“…Shall I carry the hammer for you?”
“Would you do that?”
She was an excellent negotiator, gently forming dimples as she handed over the hammer.
The person suddenly looked pretty.
It wasn’t a matter of who was buying alcohol or not.
Though we belonged to different places, we were true friends who trusted and relied on each other in foreign lands…
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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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