Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 181

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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 181

 

“Whew….”

 

As he exhaled a long breath, his lower abdomen hardened and strength returned to his entire body.

 

The spirit energy that had been supporting his body completed its task, yielded its place to internal energy, and then mixed back within it once more.

 

‘The poison… well, it’s fine now.’

 

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled faintly.

 

Whether the antidote had worked properly, the Seven Meridian Soul-Severing Powder did not act up.

 

Well, there was no way the Heavenly Demon would give him a fake antidote, given his pride.

 

Even knowing how dangerous it was to be influenced by external factors during qi circulation, he had immediately begun circulating qi in front of him because he trusted that pride.

 

Since he had been in the same position before.

 

The position of absolute power.

 

Whether anyone was watching or not, he wouldn’t do anything shameful.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon slowly circulated the returned strength through his limbs, preparing to move.

 

Each time internal energy flowed through his blood vessels again, it felt like a dried riverbed being filled, and tingling sensations resonated through his body.

 

Trembling? Ecstasy? Or perhaps confidence?

 

Whatever it was, the thrill of that moment was an indescribable emotion.

 

Like someone who had lost everything savoring the moment of regaining all that was lost.

 

However, chills ran through his body.

 

Well, with all strength drained from his body and poison lingering within, how could there be no side effects?

 

His eyelids trembled and then opened wide.

 

A bright divine light seemed to burst forth, then was soon contained within.

 

Deep composure.

 

Like something sunk deep underwater, the light disappeared.

 

Since one’s eyes reflect the stirring of the heart, it was better to conceal them.

 

“Drink.”

 

“….”

 

When his vision returned, what lay before the seated Zhuge Munhyeon was a cup of alcohol with steam rising from it.

 

Perfect for dealing with the chills.

 

Once the warmed alcohol entered his body, it would breathe warmth into him and relax his tense muscles.

 

A grateful gesture.

 

He should offer his thanks first.

 

Right now, that man was far more his senior. He also held the untouchable position of Heavenly Demon.

 

However.

 

“I reheated it.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“It was a mistake to believe your words.”

 

“….”

 

“You said you’d return before it got cold… Tsk tsk, your initial momentum looked good so I had expectations and reheated it in advance.”

 

Dan Chuyeong clicked his tongue while wearing a mocking smile.

 

He was picking at the tail end of the words spoken when demanding the Cheongcheon Resolution, being sarcastic about it.

 

This, this guy….

 

The grateful feelings he had just moments ago completely vanished, and his nasty temper flared up.

 

However.

 

“I’m terribly sorry for not keeping my promise.”

 

Since it was a valid point, he only showed his irritation and downed the alcohol in one gulp.

 

Perhaps because his irritation had intensified, as soon as the warm heat spread through his stomach, fierce heat surged up and instantly swept away the trembling.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Creak.

 

The closed door opened, and along with the light, Dan Chuyeong’s pet(?) Baek-a came trudging in.

 

The Heavenly Demon’s alter ego.

 

Probably that creature was the only one who could come and go from the palace master’s residence without permission.

 

“Knowing you were circulating qi, it stood guard in front of the closed door.”

 

“Ah….”

 

“Tsk tsk, it must have taken quite a liking to you. Who said anyone could enter and leave this place without my permission.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon let those grumbling words go in one ear and out the other, smiling as he extended his hand toward the approaching Baek-a.

 

Lick.

 

His palm stung where the tongue had brushed it.

 

A tiger’s tongue was naturally like that.

 

But wasn’t that sentiment so very precious?

 

To show affection to a complete stranger and even protect them.

 

“Thank you.”

 

When Zhuge Munhyeon stroked the back of Baek-a’s neck, the pleased creature shook its head left and right and made a purring sound.

 

“Baek-a, I need to have a conversation with our guest, so step aside.”

 

At Dan Chuyeong’s words, Baek-a rose without complaint and walked to a corner of the residence.

 

There sat a Taoist on his knees.

 

He had seen him from the moment he entered the residence, but hadn’t bothered to acknowledge him.

 

That would probably be Chiljangjja.

 

He would be the only one wearing a Taoist robe in Beast Palace.

 

‘It looks like his pressure points and demon pressure points have been subdued.’

 

The kneeling man neither moved nor made a sound.

 

However, from that dim place, he was observing him with keen interest.

 

His eyes were full of curiosity.

 

Well, he and himself were strangers to each other.

 

“What? Shall I release him?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Since you requested the Cheongcheon Resolution because of Chiljangjja, I can grant that much. Though I cannot forgive the sins he has committed.”

 

At Dan Chuyeong’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon shook his head without a moment’s hesitation.

 

“No.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“…!?”

 

At the firm and concise answer, bewilderment appeared on Dan Chuyeong’s face.

 

Chiljangjja’s eyes widened even more than before.

 

You didn’t come to save me?

 

That was roughly the meaning contained in his gaze.

 

“I just came to clear up a misunderstanding because you were trying to capture me by associating me with someone called Chiljangjja?”

 

“What? So you’re saying you didn’t come to save Chiljangjja?”

 

“Me? Why would I? I don’t even know him. I heard that a Chiljangjja with excellent forging techniques was in Byeoksan and just thought ‘I see.’ In that process, when I heard Beast Palace was pursuing Chiljangjja, I asked why.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Dan Chuyeong unconsciously nodded his head.

 

Chiljangjja’s pupils were shaking like a small sail in a storm.

 

This was the art of negotiation.

 

Judging from the Heavenly Demon’s tone, Chiljangjja’s lifeline was in his hands. That was probably a fact both of them knew.

 

However, hadn’t the Heavenly Demon made it clear from the start of the conversation?

 

That he could not forgive the sins he had committed.

 

In that case, it was better to change the subject and attack from the periphery.

 

It was a strategy of not being led by what the opponent wanted, but striking when taking a completely unexpected direction.

 

So now he should become relaxed.

 

Having won the Cheongcheon Resolution, he had essentially become a guest of Beast Palace.

 

“By the way, this alcohol tastes really good? Is it a local specialty?”

 

“Ah… that’s bear gallbladder wine.”

 

“Bear gallbladder? So it’s wine made with bear gallbladder? It doesn’t taste bitter at all though?”

 

“That’s because honey was mixed in.”

 

“Ah, then it must be incredibly precious. Isn’t that more like a medicinal tonic than alcohol? No wonder I felt strength surging through me as soon as I drank it.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon naturally steered the conversation toward alcohol, and after the initial exchange, he didn’t spare Chiljangjja even a single glance.

 

As the topic shifted, Dan Chuyeong could no longer continue talking about Chiljangjja.

 

Hubei wine, Sichuan wine, Yunnan wine.

 

What kind of environment is needed to brew alcohol, what kind of effort is required.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon began to completely captivate Dan Chuyeong’s soul by mobilizing all sorts of miscellaneous knowledge.

 

The Heavenly Demon?

 

Yes, he must have accumulated experience that rivals anyone’s.

 

He has discerning eyes and listening ears, so he wouldn’t be easily swayed.

 

That’s the nature of an absolute position.

 

No matter how chaotic things get, one doesn’t lose their center.

 

Eyes that can see the entire forest rather than individual trees must have developed long ago.

 

But!

 

He had already been in a position much higher than that.

 

He was the one who had even controlled Ashin, the previous Heavenly Demon.

 

On top of that, a descendant of the Zhuge Family.

 

In terms of eloquence, he was of a bloodline that should never be defeated anywhere.

 

While his martial arts might still be similar or inferior, it would be impossible for Dan Chuyeong to defeat Zhuge Munhyeon with words.

 

Through various words and ongoing conversations, Dan Chuyeong’s wariness gradually crumbled.

 

Even his posture changed.

 

He sat comfortably, as if leaning back.

 

Now was the moment to strike.

 

“But what exactly was Chiljangjja trying to steal? It’s not a typical situation for a Taoist to commit theft.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Besides, the Palace Master I observed doesn’t seem like someone who would get angry over small mistakes.”

 

“Why did you think that?”

 

“Isn’t it obvious? You accepted a young man from the Central Plains who suddenly requested the Cheongcheon Resolution, readily gave him the antidote, and even protected him while he circulated his qi.”

 

“Well…”

 

“No matter how much you acknowledged him, that’s not an easy thing to do. Not unless you have an exceptionally broad heart.”

 

“Ahem!”

 

Dan Chuyeong cleared his throat at the subtle praise.

 

Who in the world would feel bad about hearing good things about themselves?

 

Praise can make even Baek-a dance.

 

It’s the same even if one has the same instincts as beasts.

 

Having gained recognition, Zhuge Munhyeon made maximum use of that recognition.

 

“That’s…”

 

It was the moment when Dan Chuyeong, who had been contemplating for a while, was about to speak.

 

“Father.”

 

“…”

 

“…?”

 

A low voice that suddenly interrupted.

 

Soft and pure…

 

It was her.

 

Dan Chuyeong’s daughter, who had been silent like a servant girl attending to the wine the entire time.

 

Tch, the flow was broken.

 

It was just the moment when he was about to get the answer he wanted.

 

“Ah, I introduced her earlier, didn’t I?”

 

“Your daughter?”

 

“Yes, my daughter. I was so absorbed in our conversation that the introduction was delayed.”

 

When Dan Chuyeong smiled warmly and sent a glance, she straightened up in her seat.

 

This was strange.

 

In the Central Plains, women’s status isn’t very high.

 

That means they don’t carelessly interfere in important matters.

 

Just speaking up could be considered rude.

 

‘Was the Beast Palace somewhat different?’

 

Probably not.

 

The evidence was that the proportion of men in key positions at the Beast Palace was overwhelmingly high.

 

Then?

 

‘She must have something different about her. Looking at the Heavenly Demon’s expression…’

 

Zhuge Munhyeon quickly hid his expression and smiled toward her.

 

“As the Palace Master said, our conversation was so enjoyable that my greeting was delayed, young lady. I am Munhyeon of the Zhuge Family.”

 

“I am Dan Yeonhwa.”

 

She briefly introduced herself while wearing a gentle smile.

 

She had a strange aura.

 

The level he could sense was extremely low.

 

Was she hiding it?

 

Could she possibly evade his eyes to that degree?

 

But then, as she swept her long hair back, her eyes were revealed.

 

Unfocused gray eyes.

 

She was blind.

 

Zhuge Munhyeon unconsciously showed a startled expression before immediately apologizing.

 

Even if she couldn’t notice, the Heavenly Demon had seen his reaction.

 

“I apologize. I couldn’t help myself…”

 

“It’s fine. I’m used to it, so you don’t need to apologize.”

 

“…”

 

He couldn’t speak and only showed an awkward expression.

 

But the Heavenly Demon remained quiet.

 

As if waiting for her words.

 

‘Why on earth?’

 

Zhuge Munhyeon waited for her next words while harboring repeated bewilderment.

 

“Young Master Zhuge.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I have one question.”

 

“Please speak.”

 

“How did you accumulate spirit energy in your body?”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

He was so surprised for a moment that he couldn’t hide his expression.

 

Spirit energy?

 

How could she pinpoint and ask about that so accurately?

 

“Haha! I see. I was curious about what that other power you possessed was, and it turns out you were accumulating spirit energy?”

 

“Ah, well, that’s…”

 

The son of the Zhuge Family couldn’t properly display his eloquent speaking skills.

 

The shock was beyond ordinary.

 

How exactly should he understand this?

 

The Heavenly Demon completely trusted her words? Why? For what reason?

 

His head was complicated.

 

He couldn’t grasp how to begin the conversation.

 

“Haha! You look quite surprised.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Well, you can’t help it. Yeonhwa’s ability is indeed that remarkable.”

 

“How on earth?”

 

“That child has been familiar with spirit energy since young. Though she has a body that cannot learn martial arts, she was born with the ability to read spirit energy. All the beasts born in our Beast Palace are raised after going through that child’s judgment.”

 

“She reads spirit energy?”

 

“That’s right. I don’t know the reason for it either.”

 

“…”

 

“If what you possess is spirit energy, then that child is probably seeing you very clearly.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon could only blink at this unbelievable story.

 

“And Chiljangjja was caught while approaching that child without permission.”

 

“What?”

 

“The treasure he tried to steal was that very child.”

—————
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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