Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 18

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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 18

The Repair Corps that left the Zhuge Family early in the morning only arrived at the Yanghyeon Branch when dusk was falling.

Roughly one hundred li (40km).

For a martial artist skilled in riding horses or lightness skills, it was a distance that could be covered in just one hour, but since they had loaded quite a lot of supplies onto carts to repair formations and mechanisms, it took considerable time.

Having already received word from the Main Pavilion and waited eagerly, Branch Leader Zhuge Cheong was waiting with the doors wide open.

“Come in, everyone.”

“It’s been a long time, Branch Leader.”

Jeok Un, the Third Unit Leader of the Hyeonho Unit who was in charge of the Repair Corps, offered a respectful greeting.

According to what he heard from Yeo Mungi during the journey, when the Zhuge Family was at the height of its prosperity, he had belonged to the Hocheon Unit, whose main purpose was protection.

However, as the family declined and naturally the scale of the Warrior Corps also decreased, he became the Third Unit Leader of the Hyeonho Unit when it merged with the Hyeongi Unit.

Since two units had become one, it was clear what the Zhuge Family’s situation was like.

“Scholar Mun, it’s been a long time for you too.”

“Yes, Branch Leader.”

After exchanging greetings with Mun Ilhwa, who had led the Military Strategy Hall scholars, Zhuge Cheong asked.

“So, was the journey difficult?”

“Difficult? I’m only sorry we couldn’t arrive earlier.”

“Sorry for what? Don’t say such things. Rather, I’m the one who should be sorry for not being able to visit the Main House often due to the branch’s circumstances.”

“Haha! But with you guarding so reliably, Branch Leader, those rascals from Honyeon Territory can’t cross over recklessly, can they?”

“How could that be because I’m doing well? It’s thanks to the branch martial artists working hard. Recently there were various problems, but we got through them well thanks to everyone’s efforts.”

“I see.”

Jeok Un nodded, and Mun Ilhwa tried to hurry and start work.

“In such a situation, even the formations and mechanisms were lost… Don’t worry. We’ll begin repair work immediately.”

“My friend, immediately? Do you really think I’m the kind of person who wouldn’t let friends from the Main House rest even for a moment?”

“Rest? What do you mean? We need to repair things as quickly as possible to reduce the branch’s burden.”

“One day is fine. What we’ve always done… I asked my branch martial artists to be extra vigilant until today. So unpack your luggage and rest first. Work starts tomorrow.”

“But…”

“Come now! When I say this, are you going to refuse?”

“Sigh, understood. Since you put it that way, Branch Leader.”

Only after some back and forth did Zhuge Cheong speak to a young martial artist beside him.

“Deputy Branch Leader, make arrangements so the Repair Corps can rest comfortably.”

“Yes, Branch Leader.”

When Zhuge Cheong gave the order and went inside, the young martial artist began directing.

“Since space within the branch is limited, we’ve rented a separate inn for the Military Strategy Hall scholars to stay. After you unpack your luggage, I’ll guide you there.”

“Yes, Deputy Branch Leader.”

“Military Strategy Hall scholars, please follow the manager, and escort martial artists, please follow me.”

But this person called Deputy Branch Leader looked familiar.

‘Zhuge Munho?’

Though quite some time had passed and he had become a young man, I recognized him immediately.

But Deputy Branch Leader…

Could it be that he was distanced from the position of Young Family Head because of what happened back then?

Though it wasn’t intentional, I felt too sorry to acknowledge him.

* * *

Yanghyeon, Baekhwa Tower.

A tavern located not far from the inn where the Military Strategy Hall scholars were staying.

Since I’d come out on a rare trip, I couldn’t stand being cooped up.

The rule is that when you go to another region, you must try the local liquor!

I asked around and found this place that was supposedly quite famous.

However.

“Ah, I’m telling you it’s really not allowed! Acting alone without permission violates regulations!”

An obstacle had attached itself to me.

Yeo Mungi, who had followed me out without even being asked, kept nagging the whole time.

“Then go back, why did you follow me for no reason?”

“How can I go back alone when you came out? Please just go back. You can drink at the inn too.”

“I don’t like the inn.”

“Why on earth not?”

“It’s stuffy. Everyone there is just scholars…”

Zhuge Munhyeon said with a frown.

As Yeo Mungi said, I had thought about just drinking simply at the inn, but since the branch had rented the whole place, the only guests were Military Strategy Hall scholars.

At this table they talked about formations, at that table they also talked about formations…

Was there really a need to do that even during drinking sessions?

Just like Zhuge Family scholars.

If I drank in there, it would only give me a headache.

“Munhyeon, please let’s just go back. If Scholar Mun finds out, we’ll be in big trouble.”

“What big trouble?”

Though Yeo Mungi grabbed and pulled at my sleeve, his strength was so insignificant that he couldn’t stop my steps into the tavern and was dragged along.

He was the one who followed.

If he let go of my sleeve, he wouldn’t have to come…

“Welcome!”

As soon as we entered, the shopkeeper approached with a loud shout.

“Give us a table.”

“Yes!”

The shopkeeper guided us to a seat with a bright smile, while Yeo Mungi still wore a tearful expression trying to persuade Zhuge Munhyeon.

“Are you really going to do this? You’re still a trainee! You can’t cause trouble!”

“Who’s causing trouble? I’m just going to quietly have a drink and go back.”

“A trainee wandering around outside without permission is trouble!”

Since he wouldn’t listen and kept being stubborn, Yeo Mungi ended up shouting loudly.

Was it because his voice was loud?

Those on the first floor of the tavern turned their heads to look.

But then.

“Oh? He’s here too?”

“…?”

Where Zhuge Munhyeon looked, Zhuge Munho was sitting.

* * *

Zhuge Munho happened to meet his cousin brothers and ended up having a drinking session at the tavern he usually frequented.

“So you fellows made it to the Third Unit. I kept hearing news of failures, but you managed to pass.”

“Oh, don’t even mention it. I failed three times.”

“I failed four times.”

“Hahaha! You’ve had a hard time. But now that you’ve entered the Third Unit, success isn’t far off. The Third Unit Leader’s training is famously harsh.”

“It’s already killing us with difficulty. Training with Elder Brother was better.”

The young martial artists who met after a long time quickly became boisterous, reminiscing about past memories.

It was only natural.

For the martial artists of the Zhuge Family, their time at Cheonseong Pavilion held quite unique meaning.

Because they shared memories from their innocent childhood days.

“By the way, how is the deputy branch leader work treating you?”

“Don’t even get me started. I’m so swamped with intense work that I can barely catch my breath.”

“Hmm, I suppose so. Those damn Honyeon Alliance bastards keep causing trouble every time.”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. With fights breaking out every day, I can’t even get a deep sleep. I have to manage the merchants, and I have to manage the disobedient branch martial artists too. You guys probably have it easier.”

“What? There are disobedient ones? Which bastards are they? I’ll give them a punishment beating right away!”

“Haha! I appreciate the sentiment, even if it’s just words.”

“Just words? You know how much I’m rooting for you, Elder Brother.”

“Yes, yes. It puts my mind at ease to hear you say that.”

Zhuge Munho smiled brightly as he offered more drinks.

“Oh right, you haven’t seen that bastard, have you?”

“Huh? That bastard?”

“That piece of shit I’m talking about.”

“Piece of… shit?”

In an instant, Zhuge Munho’s face, which had been confident all along, hardened stiffly and even his hands began to tremble slightly.

“Th-that guy came too?”

Seeing him visibly anxious, one of his younger brothers looked at him with a worried expression.

“Elder Brother, are you still like this?”

“Ah, well…”

It wasn’t a memory that could be easily forgotten.

That piece of shit, Zhuge Munhyeon.

To him, it was a memory no different from a heart demon. Even now, he sometimes had nightmares about what happened that day…

Just thinking about that bastard still makes his hands and feet tremble.

“Elder Brother, don’t worry about anything anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, apparently he followed the Military Strategy Hall here.”

“Military Strategy Hall?”

“Yes. It seems Uncle sent him along with the Military Strategy Hall scholars to gain experience. You did that too, didn’t you, Elder Brother? Participating in missions as an apprentice before the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“That’s true, but… why is that guy with Military Strategy Hall?”

“Why else? He must have decided on that career path.”

“So you’re saying he’s learning formation techniques?”

“I don’t know about that yet, but it’s certain he doesn’t have talent for martial arts.”

“But…”

It didn’t make sense.

That guy had achieved faster than anyone else.

At first, he thought the guy had learned some superficial techniques from his uncle beforehand, but after experiencing it firsthand, he knew.

The weight of those fists wasn’t something that could be created through mere superficial training.

Above all, those iron rings back then.

Like everyone else at the time, he had followed suit, and even now he continued that training.

Because there was nothing better for building muscle strength.

But that guy turned to formation techniques?

“Elder Brother, he just had a brief moment of brilliance. You’ve seen plenty of guys like that, haven’t you? Those who had their talent bloom too quickly and burned out early. Wasn’t he originally someone who just briefly shined in academics too?”

“Hmm…”

“That’s what it is. That’s the limit of lowly bloodline. Otherwise, why would Uncle send that guy to gain experience as a Military Strategy Hall apprentice instead of a Hyeonho Unit apprentice?”

Zhuge Munho slowly nodded, thinking there was logic to it.

“I also saw that guy walking, and it was just normal walking as if he hadn’t even properly learned movement techniques. The irregularity of it was quite unbearable to watch.”

“Really?”

“Of course. So put your mind at ease now.”

At his younger brothers’ words, Zhuge Munho finally seemed to escape a little from his heart demon.

Indeed, it had been seven years.

He had engraved that incident in his heart and trained even harder, reaching the realm of Hyeongi at the young age of twenty and proudly taking the position of deputy branch leader.

It had been a long time since he was evaluated as talent who would lead the Zhuge Family in the future.

He had already repelled several attacks from the Honyeon Alliance.

Perhaps, as his younger brothers said, it was needless worry.

That memory was just too shocking…

‘Right, whatever that guy has become, what does it have to do with me? It’s time to let go.’

With his mind at ease, Zhuge Munho finally smiled and spoke to his younger brothers.

“I seem to have been trapped in the past for too long. Thanks to you guys, my heart feels a bit lighter.”

“Haha! That’s our Elder Brother alright.”

Just as they were laughing while lost in old memories, a commotion was heard from the tavern entrance.

Since it sounded like quite a loud argument, they had no choice but to turn their heads.

Military Strategy Hall Scholar Yeo Mungi.

He recognized the face since their training periods at Cheonseong Pavilion overlapped.

They probably came to have a drink too.

But then.

The young man with a sullen expression standing beside him.

Whether he hadn’t reached adulthood yet, the snow-white scholar’s robe draped over his body suited him remarkably well.

Straight eyebrows and lips red as if painted with rouge.

Despite his youth, his eyes held a depth that could shake the composure of many women.

Zhuge Munho tilted his head at that somehow familiar face.

Where had he seen…

“Gasp!”

He involuntarily let out a cry of shock.

How could he forget?

That face…

His heart felt like it stopped, and memories from the past seemed to fill his mind all at once.

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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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