Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 169

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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 169

 

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been constantly picking at his ear, glanced sideways at Mujin.

 

“Why? Does your ear keep itching? Could it be that you’ve caught some kind of endemic disease? Should we find a physician?”

 

Mujin asked with a worried expression.

 

But I know.

 

This must be someone talking badly about me.

 

Mujin, or Tang Yihwa.

 

Damn, because of all that talk about friendship, I can’t even press them about it…

 

“Some dust must have gotten in. It’ll be fine soon.”

 

“Hmm, that could be it.”

 

Mujin nodded, saying that could indeed be the case.

 

They had gotten covered in dust while traveling from Yingren to Dali.

 

“By the way, where did you say the Seventh Young Master went into seclusion?”

 

“He said Byeoksan. It’s a place where there’s a closed marble mine.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Blue Mountain.

 

Marble mines don’t dig tunnels.

 

They carve directly into the rocky mountain, leaving traces that look as if parts of the mountain were sliced with a blade.

 

From a distance, it can look like smooth walls.

 

However, the marble from Byeoksan had a subtle blue tint, making it quite popular in the Central Plains, so hundreds of miners used to come and go before it was closed.

 

Of course, now vegetation had grown thickly between the traces where stones were once quarried, and only the blue light glinting in the sunlight remained visible on what looked like just another mountain.

 

Like most abandoned mines, it had an eerie atmosphere as a bonus.

 

And now they had to search through that mountain.

 

Tang Munqing had said the place of seclusion was Byeoksan, not somewhere specific on Byeoksan.

 

“Byeoksan? Oh my, why are you asking about that place full of ghostly energy?”

 

“Ghostly energy?”

 

“Of course. People say the vengeful spirits of those who died crushed by stones often appear there. Oh, and several herb gatherers who went there were bewitched and disappeared without a trace!”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t even mention Byeoksan.”

 

The owner of the inn they had stopped at to fill their stomachs before heading up the mountain spoke with disgust.

 

Ghosts…

 

Well, in a world where Immortals exist, there’s no reason ghosts couldn’t exist too.

 

Also, places with old traces of human habitation are much scarier than places with nothing at all.

 

Isn’t that sometimes the case?

 

An abandoned hut in the mountains.

 

When you encounter such a place, it feels like something might be there, like something other than human might appear…

 

“Then have you ever heard stories of a Taoist living on Byeoksan?”

 

“Well, all the travelers tell are stories about vengeful spirits. Recently, they even heard the sound of stones being broken, you know? It’s been decades since the mine was closed…”

 

At the muttering that sounded like talking to himself, Zhuge Munhyeon’s group looked at each other and smiled.

 

The sound of breaking stone?

 

It can’t be a ghost.

 

It must mean someone is there.

 

Most likely it’s Chiljaengja.

 

Being from the Gongdong Sect, he would be skilled in mining work, and he might be searching for some other mineral in the closed marble mine.

 

“But why are you asking so many detailed questions about Byeoksan?”

 

The inn owner tilted his head in puzzlement.

 

Probably because there were only ominous rumors about Byeoksan, so no one had asked about it before.

 

It would be better to give a vague answer.

 

Daeri is the territory of the Beast Palace.

 

If rumors spread that people from the Central Plains were asking around about a place no one visits, it might arouse unnecessary suspicion.

 

Human affairs are unpredictable, after all.

 

Perhaps thinking the same thing, Tang Yihwa smiled and quickly answered.

 

“Actually, we deal in marble.”

 

“Ah! That’s why you asked?”

 

“Yes, I heard the blue stone from Byeoksan is quite good.”

 

“But it’s been closed for a long time…”

 

“Haha! Merchants must see what others cannot see to make a profit. Even if it’s closed, there must be stone veins remaining somewhere, right?”

 

“That’s true, but… if there was anything to mine, others would have mined it already. Why don’t you go to the Red Stone mine instead? Recently, merchants have been flocking there.”

 

“If people have already gathered there, would there be any place left for us to make a profit?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Being a merchant himself, the inn owner nodded as if he understood, then carefully advised them.

 

“Then only go during the day. You might encounter trouble at night. Even if it’s not the wandering spirits of miners, there are many places that have been dug up here and there, making the paths treacherous. You never know when rocks that were cut and abandoned might collapse.”

 

“Thank you for your concern.”

 

“Don’t mention it! You ordered so many dishes and even a lot of jerky. Hehe!”

 

At the inn owner’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon’s group looked at their table.

 

Empty plates were piled high.

 

Since Tang Yihwa was covering the cost, they had eaten their fill of delicacies again.

 

Of course, most of it had been devoured by that pig Taoist.

 

Something about it being a sin to leave food uneaten…

 

That damn pig-nosed Taoist, when half the dishes were meat.

 

What could they do?

 

There’s a saying that food tastes best when someone else pays for it.

 

After packing plenty of jerky and leaving the inn, they stopped by shops to buy several items.

 

Since they didn’t know how long it would take to search Byeoksan for Chiljaengja, it was best to prepare for camping outdoors.

 

Blankets for the temperature that drops sharply at night, tools for catching and cooking animals, some seasonings, and so on.

 

Of course, Tang Yihwa paid for those as well.

 

Having a wealthy friend is such a wonderful thing.

 

No worries or concerns.

 

“Let’s start searching from the east. If he stayed there, there must be traces left behind.”

 

“Yes.”

 

They climbed Byeoksan Mountain when the sun was high in the sky.

 

Thanks to the rumors about vengeful spirits, there were no people around, which was even better.

 

No martial artist fears ghosts, beasts are food, and if there happened to be any bandits, it would mean extra income.

 

While searching here and there, darkness gradually fell over the mountains.

 

Night had come quickly.

 

As it was approaching the new moon, a crescent-shaped moon hung in the sky like a trimmed fingernail.

 

A full moon would have been nice for its bright light, but even a new moon was more than enough.

 

Unless it was complete darkness, even a little light was sufficient to distinguish objects, so they didn’t light any torches.

 

It would be troublesome if people saw from afar and rumors spread about ghost fires appearing on Byeoksan Mountain.

 

Awoooo!

 

Perhaps having heard human footsteps, the howl of a wolf echoed from the distance.

 

Rustle!

 

When he quickly turned his head, Mujin flinched in surprise and stepped back.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“…Nothing.”

 

“How boring.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon frowned at Mujin’s sheepish smile.

 

Snap!

 

Just then, something burst out from the forest.

 

“Aaaaah!”

 

“…”

 

Startled, Mujin screamed and wildly swung his sword.

 

Dense net-like sword energy scattered forward, leaving traces like a large clearing in the forest.

 

And…

 

“It’s a rabbit.”

 

Tang Ihwa said after confirming what had been chopped up by Mujin’s sword beyond recognition.

 

If rabbit fur hadn’t remained, they wouldn’t have known what it was.

 

When he frowned and stared intently, Mujin smiled awkwardly and said,

 

“I, I just reflexively…”

 

“Are you perhaps scared?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Are you afraid of ghosts?”

 

“…”

 

Mujin didn’t answer and only avoided eye contact.

 

He was scared.

 

To think such a guy was a Wudang Sect Taoist.

 

Chanting spells to drive away ghosts or writing and selling talismans was one of a Taoist’s roles.

 

“A Taoist afraid of ghosts – aren’t you ashamed in front of Miss Tang?”

 

“It’s because I heard unnecessary things from the inn owner.”

 

“What?”

 

“Something about dead vengeful spirits…”

 

Calling that an excuse.

 

“Is that something to say from a guy who fought an Ascetic not long ago? If you think about it, you were between good and evil yourself?”

 

“There’s a difference between what’s visible and what’s invisible. Amitabha Buddha.”

 

“Acting all dignified as a Taoist… If you’re that scared, why don’t you write an Evil-Warding Talisman or Ghost Gate Killing Talisman to carry around?”

 

“I didn’t bring Sophora Paper or Mirror Cinnabar, so even if I write one, it won’t be effective.”

 

Really, so many excuses.

 

They say you only know a person after watching them for a long time.

 

Traveling together, I seem to be getting to know what kind of guy Mujin really is.

 

A lustful, demonic, pig-like coward of a Taoist.

 

If you think about it, this guy drunk on demonic nature is scarier than ghosts… How can we be sworn brothers like this?

 

“Then do you want to go down?”

 

“…Alone?”

 

“…”

 

Since we’d already come deep into the mountains, it seemed he was scared to go down alone. Ah, what am I to do with this damn Taoist?

 

“Or are you going to scream in terror and swing your sword every time something appears?”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon said with a frown.

 

A scared guy wouldn’t stand in front anyway, so if this fool made a mistake someday, I might get stabbed in the back of the head.

 

After pondering for a moment, Mujin fluttered his clothes and pulled out a Taiji Token from his chest.

 

Click.

 

When he pushed the part with the Taiji pattern carved on it, a small bronze mirror revealed itself from within.

 

Moonlight gathered in the concave shape, emitting a yellowish glow.

 

He hadn’t carried a torch in case others might see and misunderstand, but since there was no one around anyway, that much should be fine.

 

“It’s fine now. Let’s go.”

 

“Haah…”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon shook his head at Mujin’s confident appearance and resumed the search.

 

Until the moon waned…

 

And then.

 

“Vengeful spirits of a million enemies, ghosts who wish to die, ghosts who don’t wish to die, let those who wish to die come to me and those who don’t wish to die avoid me…”

 

The sound of Mujin muttering the Evil-Expelling Sutra, which threatens and scolds evil spirits and wicked energies to drive them away, could be heard.

 

Haah…

 

That lacking fool, really.

 

* * *

 

Chirp chirp.

 

The sound of mountain birds chirping awakens me from sleep.

 

Meeting a late morning due to last night’s fatigue…

 

“Are you awake?”

 

“….”

 

Mujin greeted him.

 

His eyes were bloodshot red.

 

“You, don’t tell me you didn’t sleep?”

 

“Someone has to take turns keeping watch to see if there are any threats. Who else would do it? I can’t leave it to Miss Tang, and Young Master Munhyeon is my benefactor… Amitabha, I shall walk the thorny path alone.”

 

“….”

 

It sounded quite plausible, but there was a Taiji Token placed in front of where he had been sitting, and traces of drawn talismans were scattered messily on the ground.

 

He had definitely stayed up all night reciting the Exorcism Sutra with his eyes wide open out of fear.

 

“Light a fire. Let’s have breakfast.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Mujin quickly gathered some tree branches.

 

For breakfast, dried meat soaked in boiled water was sufficient.

 

That was all they had to eat anyway.

 

“We should catch a few animals while searching. We can’t keep eating only dried meat.”

 

“Should I try gathering some medicinal herbs?”

 

“Medicinal herbs?”

 

“Yes. Perhaps because people don’t come and go due to the rumors about vengeful spirits, there were quite a few that looked useful. Since eating only meat would be a bit much, I thought we could add them as a side dish.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded with a smile at Tang Yihwa’s words.

 

He had done so well to bring her along.

 

She paid money, gathered herbs, and even carried luggage.

 

She was a hundred times more useful than that Tiger Nose Taoist.

 

“Come on, let’s eat quickly and set off.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Just as they put the dried meat in their mouths and began chewing.

 

“…?”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon heard faint footsteps in his ears.

 

An herb gatherer? Or a hunter?

 

Since they had already come deep into Byeoksan Mountain, he could only think it was someone of that sort.

 

Even if Tang Yihwa didn’t notice, Mujin had already sensed the human presence and was quietly gripping his sword.

 

However, what soon appeared before them was a group of warriors holding swords.

 

“…Who are you bastards?”

 

One of them asked.

 

Their aura was menacing and their gazes were sharp.

—————
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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