Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 175

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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 175

 

Only three.

 

Pfft!

 

How could they possibly face the Beast Palace with just that number?

 

Those blocking left and right watching, and those pursuing from behind.

 

All with such thoughts, they mocked the group and followed at a steady distance.

 

They intended to watch what they would do.

 

Mujin and Dang Ihwa maintained tense expressions throughout, scanning the ominous atmosphere on both sides while staying ready to respond at any moment.

 

But Zhuge Munhyeon walked through that place, no different from enemy territory, with a calm expression, confidently and slowly.

 

Eventually, where his steps stopped.

 

The buildings that had filled the area disappeared, and a gentle slope continued up to the top of a gently rising hill in a vast grassland.

 

And at the summit where the path ended.

 

A single pavilion stood tall in a shape somewhat different from those in the Central Plains.

 

“That’s the main pavilion of the Beast Palace.”

 

“…What?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Mujin and Dang Ihwa, who had just begun to observe their surroundings while being mindful of the enemies glaring at them from left and right, couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

 

Beast… Palace?

 

It’s just a single pavilion?

 

“Then are you saying that’s the main gate?”

 

“Main gate? Well… I’m not sure exactly where that would be, but we probably passed it already?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon’s answer only increased Mujin’s confusion.

 

They passed the main gate?

 

But they hadn’t even seen any walls separating the interior from the outside?

 

“We’ve been in the Beast Palace since earlier.”

 

“What do you mean? Where exactly is the palace?”

 

“The entire village and alleys we passed through. Names are just a matter of how you label things. Whether it’s a palace or a hall, what does it matter?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“The Beast Palace has no walls. The entire city is the Beast Palace.”

 

“…The entire city?”

 

Finally, Mujin and Dang Ihwa looked back at the places they had passed through.

 

The village, the alleys.

 

And the people.

 

What was strange was that the surrounding enemies only watched while encircling them, no longer moving.

 

None of them seemed to think of approaching.

 

“It’s the Beast Palace’s pride. That they don’t really need things like walls… It means they have enough power to stop anyone who comes looking for them.”

 

“H-how can that be…”

 

“Above all, they trust the owner of that place.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon stretched out his finger and pointed to the main pavilion.

 

Located at the summit of the hill, it had to be looked up to from anywhere around, appearing as if connected to the heavens.

 

Naturally, the current Beast Palace Lord resided within.

 

“But does that mean the Beast Palace will open the path to their most important place?”

 

“I told you. They trust me.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“From now on, stay tense. If we don’t get permission, everyone around us will become enemies, and we’ll become prey to fill the bellies of the beasts they raise. Even I can’t handle that many alone.”

 

“….”

 

Mujin and Tang Ihwa were simply dumbfounded by Zhuge Munhyeon’s words.

 

Tense?

 

They had been tense from the very beginning.

 

To the point where their hair stood on end.

 

But after saying he couldn’t handle them, why wasn’t he himself showing any tension!

 

“Wait here. I’ll go ask for permission.”

 

“P-permission?”

 

“I told you. I intend to request the Cheongcheon Resolution.”

 

With a grin, Zhuge Munhyeon patted Mujin’s shoulder and stepped toward where the vegetation began. Without giving them a chance to stop him.

 

‘Young Master Munhyeon!’

 

Mujin called out to Zhuge Munhyeon in the smallest voice he could manage, but he was already taking his second step.

 

Rustle.

 

Grass bent down under his feet.

 

Grrrrr.

 

The beasts filling all directions took attack positions as if waiting for their leashes to be cut, and the warriors’ killing intent concentrated in one place, transforming into a rushing wind.

 

Feeling the pressure of that aura crushing his entire body, Mujin grimaced and drew out his energy.

 

“Kup!”

 

Tang Ihwa, who had less internal energy than her companions, felt pain so intense she couldn’t suppress her groan.

 

She nearly collapsed to her knees from being crushed, but gritted her teeth and endured.

 

“Huuu….”

 

Mujin countered the surrounding aura with his own eerie energy tinged with demonic nature.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

“…Thanks to you. Thank you.”

 

Tang Ihwa, whose breathing had finally eased, caught her breath and was grateful for Mujin’s consideration.

 

Meanwhile, Zhuge Munhyeon advanced a bit further toward the pavilion in the grassland.

 

He appeared calm.

 

While they were suffering just from enduring the concentrated aura, he walked with a faint smile on his lips and his hands clasped behind his back.

 

‘Damn, we’re in the middle of the Beast Palace.’

 

Mujin, watching Zhuge Munhyeon’s back, couldn’t smooth out his furrowed brow.

 

They had essentially trapped themselves.

 

People commonly describe the martial world as Dosan Geomrim .

 

Mountains and forests made of blades.

 

A place teeming with hidden masters and filled with forces claiming to be the leaders of each region, where those lacking strength would find it difficult to preserve their lives even in small disputes.

 

However, unless actually waging war, very few pass through places that could be called a forest of swords and blades.

 

This is especially true for those with solid backing, like a Taoist of the Wudang Sect and a daughter of the Tang Family.

 

Because sectarian differences and political views come into play.

 

Carelessly provoking them could lead to making enemies with one of the Central Plains’ most prominent forces.

 

But here in this place, such considerations are not taken into account.

 

Yunnan.

 

A place where foreign tribes, not the Central Plains people, are the owners.

 

A place where all interests work for Yunnan’s sake, and backing provides no help whatsoever.

 

They were within that territory.

 

They had even become prey that had already passed through the tiger’s jaws and entered its belly.

 

There was nowhere to flee.

 

All directions were filled with warriors of the Beast Palace.

 

Now their life and death depended on the Beast Palace.

 

No, it depended on the man walking ahead of them, Zhuge Munhyeon.

 

‘Young Master Munhyeon, what exactly are you thinking?’

 

Unable to voice the question he wanted to ask, Mujin could only stare blankly at his back.

 

Whether he knew those feelings or not, Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been walking with a pleasant smile while feeling the wind blowing across the plains, finally stopped.

 

At the midpoint between the starting point of the plains and where the pavilions were located.

 

“Whew, the wind here is still wonderful.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled at the wind that blew coolly, fluttering his clothes as it passed, and looked down at the world spread out beneath his feet.

 

Though it was a shallow hill, he could see far into the distance.

 

While Yunnan had rugged mountains and dense jungles, the area where the Beast Palace was located had vast plains spread out.

 

Countless people lived within it, bustling together.

 

The Beast Palace Lord looked down upon all of it.

 

And protected it.

 

“It’s truly a magnificent view, both then and now.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon had liked this place even in the past.

 

It was a peaceful scene.

 

There must have been those who had worked generation after generation to maintain that peace.

 

But they built neither walls nor fortifications.

 

They didn’t try to hide by wrapping themselves tightly, but lived with all directions open as if welcoming anyone to come.

 

They let the wind that blew in flow naturally as it would.

 

It was the confidence of the strong.

 

If they had been lacking, if they had harbored fear of external enemies, they would have built the highest walls in the world.

 

That aspect was truly attractive.

 

The luxurious leisure that only the strong could afford.

 

Even the Demonic Path, which boasted of being the strongest in the Central Plains, stationed many warriors at the border with the Central Plains to keep watch, and built not only high walls but even massive fortresses.

 

“Well, enough admiring the view. Shall we now go meet the person who is the current owner?”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been standing there savoring the moment for a while, turned his head toward the pavilions.

 

This should be enough.

 

Having broken through the unified killing intent and climbed to the grassland was sufficient display of skill, and stopping below without reaching the pavilions showed proper courtesy.

 

“Hoo-heup!”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon filled his chest by breathing in the clear air deeply, then shouted powerfully toward the pavilions.

 

“Let the Supreme One of Beast Palace hear me!”

 

Though it didn’t echo in the open space on all sides, it spread far and wide with a resounding voice.

 

It was natural for the subordinates’ aura to waver at the sound calling their master.

 

Though his situation was precarious like a small sailboat in a storm-made tempest, Zhuge Munhyeon stood straight with dignity and continued speaking boldly.

 

“It is said that human life rests in Heaven’s hands! But how can a person simply wait without any effort? Though misunderstandings with Beast Palace have accumulated and I am pursued, my protests go unheard! I rightfully wish to petition the master, so tell me Heaven’s will!”

 

Cheongcheon (Petitioning Heaven).

 

Petitioning Heaven.

 

Cheonmun (Questioning Heaven).

 

Asking Heaven about fate.

 

In truth, it was merely a figurative expression.

 

The one being asked was the Beast Palace Lord. Here, Heaven meant him.

 

Also, entrusting to him and awaiting judgment.

 

That was the essence of the Cheongcheon Resolution.

 

“Is, is that bastard requesting the Cheongcheon Resolution?”

 

“Crazy!”

 

“How dare he! What does he think this place is!”

 

Indignant voices could already be heard from various places.

 

But among them, only one person glared at Zhuge Munhyeon with narrowed eyes.

 

Tamrang Group Leader Maeng Hun.

 

‘He was aiming for this from the beginning?’

 

He had thought it was an escape.

 

He just didn’t understand why that path led toward Beast Palace.

 

So he thought it might be a scheme to act as bait and help someone else escape.

 

But the Cheongcheon Resolution…

 

How on earth did that young one learn of their tradition? And what was the basis for that confidence?

 

“Well, well, this is absurd.”

 

“How dare a Central Plains whelp demand the Cheongcheon Resolution from Beast Palace!”

 

The anger gradually intensified.

 

Though they had been watching for a moment on Maeng Hun’s orders, this was intolerable.

 

The Cheongcheon Resolution was not something just anyone could request.

 

One had to have the proper standing.

 

Enough for everyone to acknowledge.

 

In other words, it wasn’t something a green young man should even speak of.

 

But then it happened.

 

Creeak.

 

The tightly closed pavilion door opened.

 

What emerged from the darkness and revealed itself under the sunlight was a massive tiger.

 

Its striped fur fluttered in the wind as it surveyed the world with eyes that seemed to shrink one’s heart.

 

The Mountain Lord.

 

Its long-grown whiskers and flowing fur exuded not sharp agility, but rather the deep dignity carved by time and a solitary atmosphere.

 

Its slow steps were not light, but each step was heavy and overflowing with intimidation.

 

‘The current Palace Lord is older than I thought.’

 

The moment Zhuge Munhyeon saw the tiger, he could vaguely gauge the Palace Lord.

 

The tiger was naturally the Beast Palace Lord’s trusted companion.

 

In the Beast Palace, when a child is born, they select the most outstanding among the tiger cubs that are no different from spiritual beasts and raise them together.

 

Originally their lifespan is not very long, but how can a spiritual beast be a spiritual beast? Strangely, the tiger that serves as the Beast Palace Lord’s companion lives alongside sharing that life.

 

The fact that the tiger had aged meant that its master, the Beast Palace Lord, had also grown old.

 

Krrrroooong!

 

When the tiger that had been looking down upon the world roared powerfully, the indignant outcries disappeared and the Beast Palace warriors all knelt in unison, paying homage with one voice to their master’s arrival.

 

“We greet the Palace Lord.”

 

Their heads bowed, and behind the tiger that was grooming its fur with its tongue, an elderly man with a robust build revealed himself.

 

It was Dan Chuyeong, the Tiger King, owner of the Beast Palace that ruled the strongest force in Yunnan.

 

‘He’s solid.’

 

Standing face to face and having to look up, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t help but admire inwardly.

 

It felt as if he was being overwhelmed by the gaze looking down with an arrogant and haughty expression.

 

The long beard that reached his chest suggested his age, but his face was taut without a single wrinkle and his limbs looked as sturdy as stone pillars.

 

When he extended his hand, the tiger that had been licking its fur made a purring sound and rubbed its head against him.

 

Even if it’s called a spiritual beast, it’s still an animal.

 

It instinctively recognizes him as its master and seeks to receive affection.

 

And after a long while, he spoke.

 

“…The Cheongcheon Resolution. Why should I grant your request?”

 

It was a low questioning voice.

 

But it approached with an even stronger sense of pressure than the aura that the warriors filling all directions had been emanating until now.

 

So much so that Mujin and Tang Ihwa, who had been enduring without bowing their heads until now, were crushed and collapsed to their knees.

 

They couldn’t endure it.

 

The tremendous intimidating presence he possessed.

 

But Zhuge Munhyeon paid no heed and instead smiled brightly as he answered.

 

“Because you’re strong. Strong enough that you could grant a request anytime.”

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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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