Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 176

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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 176

 

Smiles come in many varieties.

 

There are smiles that come from genuine sincerity, but sometimes they are forced and fabricated to win people’s favor.

 

But what exactly is this guy?

 

Pure.

 

Without a speck of dust, without hiding anything, he was smiling toward him.

 

Surely the aura of the Beast Palace disciples surrounding him from all sides must have gathered into one tremendous pressure, and his own intimidating presence must have been weighing down on the man’s entire body.

 

Yet he was relaxed.

 

Like letting a gentle mountain breeze pass by, he was smiling while refreshingly accepting all the energy.

 

Grrrr, grrrr.

 

“…”

 

The great tiger rubbing its head against his palm kept making purring sounds.

 

How strange.

 

Such is a beast’s instinct.

 

It should have glared with fierce eyes.

 

No matter how strong the opponent might be, it never tucks its tail and reads the situation.

 

It should have been the first to show wariness, baring its fangs and extending its claws.

 

‘Hmm, does Baekah not consider him an enemy?’

 

Had there ever been such a case?

 

This was a reaction not even shown to the Beast Palace disciples.

 

He felt favorably inclined.

 

Because beasts are actually much faster at reading people’s true nature.

 

Since they possess far more sensitive senses.

 

“…Baekah.”

 

When Dan Chuyeong spoke quietly, his curiosity intensifying, Baekah raised its massive body and leisurely descended.

 

He wanted to observe.

 

Baekah’s judgment…

 

Perhaps because of this, the gathering became so silent that not even breathing could be heard.

 

Everyone’s gaze focused on Baekah’s movements.

 

They shared the same thought as Dan Chuyeong.

 

They already knew.

 

If Baekah, who was like the Beast Palace Master’s alter ego, viewed him favorably, then Heaven would grant Zhuge Munhyeon’s request.

 

“Hmm, are you sending the beast down first to greet me?”

 

“Baekah, who follows instinct, is sometimes better than people.”

 

“I see.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded at Dan Chuyeong’s words and watched Baekah approaching.

 

It looked even larger up close.

 

After circling around as if examining the area and sniffing to catch scents, Baekah sat down in front of Zhuge Munhyeon.

 

He stood with his front paws stretched long and planted, just like Zhuge Munhyeon who was standing there.

 

The two stared at each other for a long while.

 

They say that when you meet a tiger’s eyes, all the energy in your body seems to stop in an instant, and you become dazed as if enchanted by that sense of depth.

 

It’s normal for your body to tremble as instinctive fear and primal terror threatening survival overwhelms your entire being.

 

In the silence, everyone watching waited for Baeka’s judgment.

 

But Zhuge Munhyeon was the first to extend his hand toward Baeka.

 

“…Hand.”

 

H-hand?

 

That crazy bastard!

 

Baeka isn’t some neighborhood mutt!

 

They thought he would immediately lift his paw and strike.

 

“Ah, is it paw?”

 

But when he just grinned by himself and changed his words, Baeka simply lifted his paw and placed it on Zhuge Munhyeon’s hand.

 

“Th-that…”

 

“Gasp!”

 

“B-Baeka did?”

 

Shock spread through the situation that was beyond bewildering and into the realm of absurd.

 

Meanwhile.

 

“That’s right, good boy. But I don’t have anything to give you? I’ll catch you a plump deer later.”

 

When Zhuge Munhyeon praised him and stroked his head, Baeka began to purr with narrowed eyes. Even lowering his head.

 

How could Baeka, who had only responded to the Beast Palace Master’s touch, show such behavior to an outsider?

 

Were they seeing an illusion?

 

The Beast Palace disciples, who had been full of killing intent until now, had to rub their eyes, unable to believe what they had witnessed.

 

“Kuk, kukukuk. Kahahahahaha!”

 

It was Dan Chuyeong who snapped the shocked audience back to their senses in an instant.

 

Bursting into loud laughter, he waved his hand toward the Beast Palace disciples who had densely surrounded the main pavilion.

 

The meaning was more than obvious.

 

Baeka had offered his hand—no, his paw—and even bowed his head to this person.

 

The killing intent was withdrawn and weapons were concealed.

 

“Huff, huff…”

 

And only then did Mujin and Tang Yihwa, finally able to breathe easily, gasp for air and release their tension.

 

They still couldn’t understand what exactly was happening or how.

 

“You are a guest.”

 

“I’m grateful you say so.”

 

At Dan Chuyeong’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been stroking Baeka’s head, smiled and replied.

 

“However, your suspicions haven’t been cleared.”

 

“You’re more cold-hearted than I thought.”

 

“Hmph! Do you think our Beast Palace is such an easy place? I don’t know what Baeka saw in you to feel such familiarity, but we cannot skip procedures.”

 

That’s a lie.

 

Procedures?

 

Such things don’t need to be strictly followed with just a word from the Beast Palace Master.

 

‘So you want to see what I’m capable of? Really, these old folks and their personalities.’

 

From the look in his eyes, it was clear he already felt favorably toward him, but he couldn’t suppress his curiosity to gauge his abilities.

 

It would be difficult for him to step forward directly due to appearances.

 

It wasn’t incomprehensible.

 

He too had an old man inside himself.

 

“It can’t be helped. I wanted the Cheongcheon Resolution from the beginning anyway.”

 

“Do you know what that means?”

 

“I do.”

 

“Tell me.”

 

“If you cannot prove your own strength, you don’t even have the right to speak. Moreover, even if you meet death in the process, you cannot protest.”

 

“Impressive. A young man from the Central Plains knows the laws of the Beast Palace.”

 

“Thank you for the praise.”

 

Dan Chuyeong unconsciously smiled at how he answered clearly and confidently without being intimidated for even a moment.

 

“Tam Group Leader!”

 

“Yes! Palace Master!”

 

At Dan Chuyeong’s call, Maeng Hun, who had been staying in formation, quickly ran over and prostrated himself.

 

“Announce the crimes of the Central Plains people to everyone.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Receiving the order and rising, Maeng Hun glared once at Zhuge Munhyeon, who was still petting Baeka’s head, then cleared his voice.

 

Dan Chuyeong would already know since he had received the report, but not all the Beast Palace members knew.

 

“These three Central Plains people here were staying near Byeoksan, and upon investigation, they knew about the Seventh Young Master!”

 

When the name Seventh Young Master came up, murmurs erupted from various places.

 

Judging by their unfavorable tone and expressions, the Seventh Young Master seemed to have earned quite a bit of hatred from the Beast Palace.

 

“Therefore, I judged them to be collaborators and immediately began pursuit, requesting cooperation from the Beast Palace and nearby forces.”

 

When his report-like account of the incident’s progress ended, the murmuring subsided, and the Beast Palace members’ gazes turned toward Dan Chuyeong.

 

“So the charge is that they may have conspired with that bandit to target our palace’s treasures.”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“And you claim this is a misunderstanding?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Dan Chuyeong nodded and glanced at Zhuge Munhyeon before shouting.

 

“Everyone listen! I accept the Central Plains person’s Cheongcheon Resolution and will ask Heaven. However, that trial must not be conducted carelessly. Prepare according to tradition!”

 

“Yes! Palace Master!”

 

The unanimous response echoed loudly and clearly.

 

“Child, I will go ahead and wait. Would you prefer tea? Or would you prefer alcohol?”

 

At the question directed at him, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled and answered.

 

“Alcohol would be good. If possible, please have it warmed up.”

 

“Warmed up?”

 

“I’ll come see you before it gets cold.”

 

“Puheu, puhathathathat!”

 

I just imitated Guan Yunzhang who beheaded Hua Xiong, but what’s so amusing that he’s laughing so heartily?

 

Actually, warm alcohol is good.

 

After the Cheongcheon Resolution ends, warmth will be needed.

 

“Baeka, let’s go now.”

 

Dan Chuyeong, who had laughed for a while, called out as he started walking, but Baeka remained unmoved.

 

He just enjoyed the hand stroking his head while watching for reactions.

 

“…Damn beast. Does this mean you prefer the young over the old?”

 

Though he scolded, he didn’t particularly look upset.

 

“Fine. When the Cheongcheon Resolution ends, guide the guest over.”

 

Baeka growled as if understanding his words, and Dan Chuyeong turned around sharply and headed toward the pavilion.

 

Meanwhile.

 

“Young Master Munhyeon, is it ready now?”

 

“What is?”

 

“Well, the killing intent has lifted too…”

 

“This is just the beginning.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“That stubborn old man agreed because he’s curious about my skills, so would he prepare carelessly? The Beast Palace isn’t such an easy place.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Still, don’t worry and stay back. Don’t try to interfere unnecessarily.”

 

“But…”

 

“Don’t worry. If I wasn’t confident of winning, I wouldn’t have started.”

 

When he reassured Mujin, the warriors selected through discussion began blocking the path to the main pavilion one by one.

 

As if guarding each crossroads.

 

He had to break through them and reach the main pavilion.

 

Of course, he couldn’t just go normally.

 

“Myeolsinju (Body-Destroying Alcohol). Please drink.”

 

A Beast Palace disciple brought a bowl on a small table and offered it.

 

Black liquid swirled inside.

 

“Body-destroying?”

 

Mujin immediately stepped in front to block it.

 

Drinking something with such a suspicious color before a duel made no sense.

 

Above all, the name itself suggesting it would ruin the body was suspicious.

 

“Wait a moment. What is this… Young Master Munhyeon!”

 

Mujin tried to block him, but Zhuge Munhyeon drank the liquid in one gulp before anyone could stop him.

 

“How can you just drink it like that? Do you even know what it is!”

 

“It’s fine. It’s Power Dispersal poison.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I told you. The Cheongcheon Resolution is challenging the Beast Palace with bare body.”

 

“No, what does that…”

 

“But you must remember something.”

 

“What?”

 

“I’m the one who requested the Cheongcheon Resolution from the Beast Palace. Keep that in mind.”

 

“…?”

 

Mujin tilted his head, unable to immediately understand what he meant.

 

Then suddenly, Tang Yihwa, who had been sniffing the air, widened her eyes and spoke.

 

“Don’t tell me? That Soul-Destroying Poison is… Seven Meridian Soul-Severing Powder?”

 

“You know it well. As expected of the Tang Family.”

 

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s grinning expression, Tang Yihwa’s eyes grew even wider, as if they might tear.

 

Seven Meridian Soul-Severing Powder.

 

That didn’t just have the effect of Power Dispersal.

 

“Since you know the name, you know its effects too, right? So now step back. There’s no time to delay anymore. Baeka, I’ll see you later too.”

 

As he waved cheerfully in greeting, Baeka obediently stepped back and lay down with a thud.

 

Watching Zhuge Munhyeon’s back as he walked up the path to the main pavilion, Mujin couldn’t help but ask in bewilderment.

 

“Seven Meridian Soul-Severing Powder? What does that mean? It’s not just a Power Dispersal poison?”

 

“Seven Meridian Soul-Severing Powder is… a delayed poison.”

 

“What?”

 

“It doesn’t just have the effect of Power Dispersal. If you don’t take the antidote within a certain time, it’s an extreme poison that severs the body’s major meridians.”

 

“…!”

 

At Tang Yihwa’s explanation with a grimacing face, Mujin’s mouth fell wide open.

 

This crazy bastard!

 

So he started this fight prepared to die?

 

Only then did Mujin understand why Zhuge Munhyeon had emphasized that he was the one who requested the Cheongcheon Resolution.

 

That even if he died, the Beast Palace bore no guilt.

 

To make that clear.

 

“This damn bastard…”

 

Mujin’s face contorted horribly, feeling so devastated he couldn’t even curse properly.

 

“We will escort you two to another location. When the Cheongcheon Resolution ends, we’ll guide you to the main palace.”

 

“You’re telling me to leave my friend’s side? Who knows what you people who made him take poison will do!”

 

“The Cheongcheon Resolution is an individual challenge. Watching is forbidden. If you refuse, we’ll have no choice but to escort you by force.”

 

“What?”

 

At the approaching Martial Artist’s words, Mujin glared with gritted teeth.

 

But he soon complied.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon had even swallowed poison and faced the Cheongcheon Resolution to solve the problem with the Beast Palace.

 

He couldn’t ruin that resolve.

 

Of course, their actions would change depending on the outcome.

 

After Mujin and Tang Yihwa left following the Martial Artist, only Maeng Hun and Baeka remained.

 

Maeng Hun, who had been quietly looking at Baeka, spoke.

 

“…Hand.”

 

At his words while extending his hand, Baeka turned her large head to look at him intently, then bit down on Maeng Hun’s hand.

 

Thud!

 

…It wasn’t something just anyone could do.

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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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