Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 171

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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 171

 

“Over there!”

 

Byeoksan became chaotic.

 

Warriors tracking traces flew through the tree branches like flying squirrels.

 

Piiiiii-.

 

Even when beasts passed by making rustling sounds, the sound of signal flutes echoed throughout.

 

The quiet Byeoksan instantly transformed into a chase scene of hunters and hunted.

 

“Damn, those rat bastards…”

 

“What shall we do?”

 

At his subordinate’s question, Maenghun frowned and spoke angrily while grinding his teeth.

 

“Issue an alert order! Surround Byeoksan without leaving any gaps and search thoroughly from the base of the mountain to the peak. Contact nearby branch offices as well to request assistance.”

 

“Understood. However, we should also consider the possibility that they’ve already escaped.”

 

“Hmm… Send a report to the palace. Also send cooperation letters to Namcheonbo, Jongsagok, and Ihwamun, telling them to tighten their guard. Tell them that those who made enemies of the Beast Palace have fled, so they should control the routes leading to the Central Plains.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Also request help from the Spirit Wolf Unit. Tell them that those presumed to have conspired with the Seventh Young Master have escaped, so they must immediately search all nearby areas centered around Daeri.”

 

“Understood.”

 

After giving his orders, Maenghun once again sharply surveyed his surroundings before moving.

 

The commotion grew distant.

 

And in a thicket a short distance from where Maenghun had been staying just moments before.

 

“Damn… this has gotten completely tangled up.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon grumbled irritably and frowned.

 

“What do we do now?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

At Mujin’s words, his face became even more distorted.

 

Why did he have to swing his sword unnecessarily… but he had started it first. It wasn’t right to blame him.

 

Because of his excellent reflexes…

 

He should have endured it.

 

So why did he try to touch the precious Silver Cold Staff?

 

Do you know how expensive that thing is?

 

The moment the chase began, Zhuge Munhyeon had hastily followed Mujin and Dang Ihwa who broke through the encirclement, then hid in a nearby thicket and deployed a formation technique.

 

An illusion formation deployed in empty space could reveal one’s presence. Moreover, if hastily constructed due to lack of time, it would naturally become flimsy.

 

So what he deployed was the Azure Forest Concealment.

 

Meaning ‘hiding in the green forest,’ it was an escape formation technique that used surrounding terrain as its axis, demonstrating sufficient effectiveness even when hastily constructed.

 

If one suppressed their aura and made no breathing sounds, there was no possibility of being discovered even without learning stealth techniques.

 

Since the opponents were also in an urgent situation.

 

“Shouldn’t we escape from Byeoksan first?”

 

“It won’t be easy to escape.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“You heard it too. They’ve already started setting up an encirclement again from the base of Byeoksan.”

 

“That may be so… but we can’t just sit here doing nothing, can we?”

 

“I know. But even if we’re lucky enough to escape Byeoksan, the situation will be just as difficult.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“You both heard it, right? That bastard Maenghun immediately requested cooperation from the martial sects in nearby regions. Namcheonbo, Jongsagok, and Ihwamun are definitely sects located to the north and east of Byeoksan.”

 

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Dang Ihwa nodded her head.

 

“That’s correct. With Byeoksan as the center, Namcheonbo and Jongsagok block the north, and Ihwamun blocks the east.”

 

“They’re trying to issue a blockade order. The path to the Central Plains has been cut off.”

 

“But will the cooperation work properly? No matter how much the Beast Palace requests cooperation, they’re all from different factions…”

 

At Mujin’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon let out a bitter laugh.

 

“Mujin, Yunnan is different from the Central Plains. You’ve heard it’s closed off, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why do you think Yunnan, which is only about the size of a single province compared to the Central Plains, is classified as an outer region?”

 

“…”

 

“Because they stick together tightly. Unlike the Nine Sects or Five Great Martial Families who each think of their own interests, these people all flare up at once when even a spark is thrown.”

 

“Then, then?”

 

“It means if we want to escape to the Central Plains, we have no choice but to use the south or the west. But those places won’t be easy either. The south is spread with dense jungle and swamplands. Just one wrong step and you become prey to unimaginable poisonous insects and venomous creatures living there.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Dismay appeared on Mujin’s face.

 

“And even if we escape Byeoksan, we’ll probably be caught before entering the Central Plains.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Because the Yeongrang Unit has been mobilized.”

 

“The Yeongrang Unit?”

 

“Yes. The Beast Palace’s tracking unit.”

 

“…?”

 

“You know too, right? No matter how outstanding a person is, they can’t beat the keen senses of beasts.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Those damn Yeongrang Unit bastards use dogs trained to smell scents from ten li away. We won’t get far before being caught.”

 

It was hopeless.

 

Mujin unconsciously let his shoulders droop.

 

No matter how strong Zhuge Munhyeon was, even if he himself released the fourth seal to use his demonic nature, escaping Yunnan was impossible.

 

“That damn crazy Taoist bastard, why the hell did he rob the Beast Palace? What kind of Taoist is a bandit? This is really driving me insane.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon, whose irritation had reached its peak, kept grumbling and cursing the Seventh Master.

 

And.

 

‘What exactly is this guy? How does he know all these things?’

 

Dang Ihwa couldn’t help but feel bewildered by their conversation.

 

The son of the Zhuge Family.

 

The fact that he possessed martial arts skills that didn’t match his background was something she had already seen enough of, so that was acceptable.

 

But why did he know about Yunnan in such detail?

 

Even she, who was from the Sichuan Dang Family which was adjacent to this region, didn’t know anything beyond the information provided by the Poison Bang.

 

Yet he knew not only the general terrain of Yunnan, but even the detailed organizational structure of the Beast Palace.

 

And the Yeongrang Corps in the midst of all this?

 

That story was something even the Poison Bang hadn’t told her about.

 

“Young Master Munhyeon.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Have you perhaps ever been to Yunnan before?”

 

“….”

 

At Tang Yihwa’s question, Zhuge Munhyeon glanced at her briefly and let out a sigh.

 

I have been there.

 

Countless times.

 

But there’s no way to explain it.

 

Just then.

 

“He must have read about it in books.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“He read about it in books.”

 

At Mujin’s answer on behalf of Zhuge Munhyeon, Tang Yihwa unconsciously furrowed her brow.

 

In books… does that even make sense, you bastard?

 

For a moment, such a reaction almost burst out, but Mujin spoke calmly as if he understood everything.

 

“Surprising, isn’t it? Absurd, right? I understand. I felt the same way.”

 

“What do you mean by that…?”

 

“But you have to believe it. He really did read it in books.”

 

“….”

 

“I know. Everyone has a similar reaction at first. I was so shocked when I saw him know about Wudang scriptures I’d never heard of. And he’s not even a Taoist. Sometimes he knows everything about places he’s clearly visiting for the first time, you know?”

 

At the quietly continued words, Tang Yihwa just blinked her eyes blankly.

 

“But now I just accept it. I can’t even imagine how many books are stored in that head of his. Miss Tang will probably get used to it soon too. One thing’s for certain! Faith in Young Master Munhyeon is always rewarded.”

 

“Rewarded?”

 

“Yes. Just wait and see. He’ll surely come up with a solution we could never imagine.”

 

“Ah…”

 

There seemed to be no wavering emotions on Mujin’s face or in his eyes.

 

Just faith, following…

 

How could this be possible?

 

They weren’t even senior and junior brothers.

 

According to what that man Maenghun said and Zhuge Munhyeon’s analysis, they had already fallen into a dilemma.

 

It was such a dire situation that even the saying “there’s always a way out when the sky falls” seemed meaningless.

 

Nothing remained but despair.

 

It was even unclear whether they could escape from Byeoksan immediately.

 

But even so, he believed.

 

His expression showed not a trace of doubt.

 

Was it really possible to show such blind trust in someone?

 

Suddenly, she remembered a conversation they had shared before.

 

‘Ah! This is what friendship truly means…’

 

Trust between friends.

 

A feeling of envy quietly welled up within him.

 

“Young Master Munhyeon, what will you do now? You’re thinking of a method, aren’t you?”

 

“Shut up.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Though he grumbled with his brow deeply furrowed, Mujin smiled and closed his mouth.

 

The blockade order issued on Yunnan.

 

There was no way to break through it.

 

Even if he explained the situation now, they wouldn’t listen.

 

‘It’s fortunate that no one died.’

 

If someone had died during their previous escape, things would have reached an irreversible point.

 

From then on, he wouldn’t just be a fugitive but a murderer.

 

So what now?

 

They couldn’t keep hiding in Byeoksan Mountain.

 

That man called Maenghun would have started searching from the bottom of the mountain.

 

Though not as skilled as the Yeongrang Corps, those excellent at commanding beasts would bring creatures with keen senses of smell and hearing for the search.

 

Then even formation techniques would become useless.

 

In that case, the only method was for someone to become bait and divert their attention…

 

Zhuge Munhyeon briefly looked at Mujin and Dang Ihwa.

 

Could these two become bait?

 

If he thought it didn’t matter whether they lived or died, he could do it.

 

‘In the end, it’s me again. Damn it.’

 

The only person who could become bait was himself.

 

And without those two, he was confident he could escape sufficiently.

 

Though it would be difficult…

 

‘No wait, if I leave for the Central Plains from here, I’ll never be able to enter Yunnan again.’

 

Yunnan would likely use this incident as an excuse to control all trade with the Central Plains.

 

Who would the merchants, who suffered losses despite being innocent, curse?

 

He had already revealed his identity.

 

Wudang, Zhuge, and the Tang Family…

 

Because of him, his family clan would become the target of curses.

 

Most importantly, if that happened, the possibility of meeting the Seventh Elder would completely disappear.

 

‘That can’t happen. I’ve only just begun to learn even a little about the Silver Cold Staff’s secrets.’

 

Moreover, he wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.

 

The Beast Palace wouldn’t just leave alone the thief(?) who tried to steal their secret treasure.

 

Since the Seventh Elder was already excommunicated, the Gongdong Sect wouldn’t step forward, and the justification itself lay with the Beast Palace.

 

‘Sigh, is that the only method after all?’

 

After long contemplation, Zhuge Munhyeon sighed and looked at the two people.

 

“Mujin.”

 

“Yes!”

 

After calling for a while, Mujin responded with delight.

 

“First, let’s wait until those surrounding Mount Byeoksan get closer.”

 

“What? Then we’ll just get caught?”

 

“No, when the encirclement gets closer, I’ll move first.”

 

“Young Master Munhyeon… alone? Don’t tell me we’re supposed to attack when their attention is focused on you…”

 

“They’re not opponents that would fall for that. Once I start moving, you wait inside the formation. And when Byeoksan’s search party chases me down the mountain, immediately escape through the route closest to the Central Plains.”

 

At those words, Mujin stood dazed for a moment, blinking his eyes, then asked with widened eyes as if shouting.

 

“Wh-what do you mean? Are you planning to become bait?”

 

“Something like that. The blockade will probably weaken because of me. Use that opportunity to safely help Miss Tang escape to Sichuan. You understand what I mean, right?”

 

“Young Master Munhyeon! How can you say such nonsense! You’re telling me to use you as bait and escape?”

 

“Don’t worry, I have a method too.”

 

“A method?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“I’m going to find the Beast Palace and request the Cheongcheongyeol (Heavenly Judgment).”

 

“Cheongcheon… gyeol?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Mujin tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

 

There was no way he would know.

 

It was one of the very old customs of the Beast Palace and a way for everyone to survive, and the only method to save the Seven Young Masters while allowing them to escape safely.

 

Of course, this was only possible if the Beast Palace accepted the Cheongcheongyeol.

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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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