Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 19

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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 19

 

 

“Mu, Munhyeon?”

Was it because of his reaction, where even his tongue had frozen stiff for a moment?

His cousin brother Zhuge Pyeong, who was sitting with him, sighed and stood up while looking at his cousin who still couldn’t escape from what happened when he was twelve years old.

Who was Zhuge Munho?

He was the youngest branch office deputy director of the Zhuge Family, and their idol who had pioneered the realm of first-class at the youngest age.

Perhaps he might even become the Young Family Head someday.

It was time to overcome this now.

He would show him.

That bastard was nothing.

“Speak of the tiger and it comes.”

“Huh?”

Before Zhuge Munho’s puzzlement could fade, Zhuge Pyeong, who had left the desk, sneered mockingly.

“Well, well, who do we have here? Isn’t this our cute cousin brother?”

It was perfect provocation disguised as a greeting.

“Pyeong.”

“Wait and see, Elder Brother.”

Though Zhuge Munho hurriedly grabbed his sleeve, Zhuge Pyeong shook him off and said with a smile.

“I’ll show you how pathetic that bastard has become.”

“Stop it.”

“Elder Brother, really… I keep telling you it’s fine, so why do you keep doing this? That guy is nothing now. How long will you remain bound to the past?”

Normally he would have listened to Zhuge Munho’s words, but perhaps because he was getting drunk, he stubbornly shook off his hand again.

He knew it was for his sake.

He was trying to show him.

But they weren’t twelve-year-old kids anymore.

They had grown far too much to squabble while blinded by envy and jealousy. Moreover, disputes between brothers in areas under the branch office’s jurisdiction wasn’t a good look.

Even though he had such thoughts, he ended up hesitating.

When he discovered Zhuge Munhyeon, his body had momentarily shrunk back.

He thought he was fine now…

Perhaps because of that, a thought arose in one corner of his heart that he wanted to watch.

Had Zhuge Munhyeon… really lost his talent for martial arts?

“Hey you, when you see your elder brothers, you should greet them. What are you doing just standing there blankly?”

“Hmm.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon frowned.

The flush on his face, his slightly slurred pronunciation.

Why was this guy picking a fight with him after drinking so much?

He was already in a bad mood after hearing them whispering about him being a complete waste.

When Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes narrowed at the blatant provocation, Yeo Mungi, sensing that the situation was becoming serious, hurriedly grabbed his sleeve.

“Wa, wait! Munhyeon, you can drink, so let’s go somewhere else. Okay?”

“…”

“Munhyeon, please.”

At Yeo Mungi’s earnest request, Zhuge Munhyeon let out a small sigh.

Well, his position would be awkward too.

Wasn’t he just a trainee?

If he caused trouble, it would be him who’d be in difficulty.

Well, it wasn’t just that he was weak – there was no fun in bickering with drunk guys.

He didn’t particularly want to fight with Zhuge Munho either.

“Fine, let’s do that. Looking at those faces will just ruin the taste of alcohol anyway.”

He smiled bitterly and was about to pretend to give in and follow Yeo Mungi.

“What did you say, bastard? Those faces? How can you have no manners no matter how old you get?”

Zhuge Pyeong deliberately got on his nerves again and stopped his departing steps.

Since they were weak, their hearing seemed sharp.

But they had no sense.

So he kindly added a word to tell them not to cross the line unnecessarily.

“If you’re going to drink, drink nicely. Don’t pick fights with people who are minding their own business.”

“What’s with this attitude? You bastard!”

Zhuge Pyeong glared and strode over to grab his collar.

Even when he tried to be considerate, they acted like this.

“Don’t do that. I’m in a position where I can’t cause trouble, you know? You might get hurt at this rate.”

“You bastard!”

Whether he was angry, he suddenly clenched his fist threateningly.

Zhuge Munhyeon instinctively grabbed and twisted the hand that was holding his collar.

Ah, these damn reflexes.

Zhuge Pyeong was thrown back, spun half a turn, and fell to the floor.

Thud!

Immediately, all eyes in the tavern focused on them.

“Ah, this was a mistake. I did it reflexively without thinking, so don’t worry about it too much.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled brightly as he made his excuse.

Of course, Yeo Mungi beside him was dying inside.

Would they listen?

Would they not worry about it?

You could tell just by looking at their expressions.

“You bastard!”

As he had feared, as soon as Zhuge Pyeong fell, those who had been beside Zhuge Munho stood up with faces flushed red.

It was a disaster.

Since they originally didn’t get along well, a fight was bound to happen.

But their opponents were the branch office deputy director and the Family Head’s third son along with his cousin brothers.

Even if they had started the provocation first, wasn’t there a reason why the word prejudice existed?

If a fight broke out, even though they were cousins, Zhuge Munhyeon, who had the nickname ‘complete waste with no respect for hierarchy,’ would inevitably be in trouble.

“Wait a moment!”

Yeo Mungi quickly stepped between them.

“Please listen to me first.”

“…”

“This is a place with many outsiders. Showing the descendants of the Zhuge Family fighting each other within the branch office’s territory is not proper. So I beg you, please end it here.”

Would the mediation work?

Zhuge Munho’s group also seemed concerned as they glanced around the inn.

Sure enough, other customers were watching them with bated breath due to the sudden commotion.

“Ahem!”

They seemed conscious of the gazes and cleared their throats while backing down, making Yeo Mungi feel relieved.

“Munhyeon, Mungi is right. Apologize to Pyeong and come over here for a drink before you go. Since we’ve met after so long, cousins should at least exchange greetings.”

Another cousin, Zhuge Gwan, spoke in a calmed voice.

How fortunate this was.

He had barely managed to stop it.

Now if he just apologized… Contrary to Yeo Mungi’s relieved thoughts, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled.

“Why should I?”

“What?”

“What ridiculous bastards. Why do people who claim to be from the Zhuge Family think like that? Isn’t it common sense that those who started the quarrel first and grabbed collars first should be the ones apologizing?”

“Th-this bastard?”

“Well, whatever. I don’t particularly want to argue. Damn it, and what kind of alcohol is that? I’m sure it goes down your throat just fine.”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Yeo Mungi could only despair.

Yes, everything you’re saying is right.

But hey!

I just worked hard to mediate, so how can you talk like that!

The faces of Zhuge Munho’s group, which had barely regained their original color, turned red hot again. They were even snorting through their noses, looking ready to fight at any moment.

“Wait a moment. You can’t do this.”

Yeo Mungi tried with all his might to block Zhuge Munho’s group.

“Mungi, you stay out of this!”

“You can’t. If you fight like this…”

“Can’t you hear me telling you to get out of the way?”

Though it was an effort close to pleading, Yeo Mungi was swept aside by Zhuge Gwan’s hand and crashed to the ground.

“I must receive an apology, Munhyeon.”

“…”

Though Zhuge Gwan glared with sharp eyes, Zhuge Munhyeon’s gaze was fixed on Yeo Mungi who was sprawled in one corner.

He had been trying to endure it, thinking Zhuge Munho might have been pushed to the branch office because of him…

But they shouldn’t have done that to innocent Mungi.

“Hmm, now I can recognize your faces. You guys are those Cheonseong Pavilion bastards from back then, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“Hah, alcohol really is the enemy. It unnecessarily boosts kids’ courage.”

“You bastard!”

“Don’t get heated, you’ll lose strength before we even fight.”

At his laughing appearance while waving his hands, Zhuge Gwan tried to step forward with a furious expression.

But Zhuge Munhyeon remained calm.

“Let’s see, it wouldn’t be right to avoid a fight when you started the quarrel first. But if we fight in front of others, it could cause problems. So… let’s do this.”

“What?”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been muttering as if to himself, grabbed chopsticks from the table.

“I used to just throw punches first in the past, but now I have a position to consider.”

Snap!

When Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and flicked his finger, one chopstick flew and stuck into the floor.

“You know the Qi Gate Formation, right?”

“What?”

“Even though it’s hastily made, it can produce enough effect of Hidden Form Heaven Escape. Making the inside invisible and blocking sound. You’ve heard of formless and soundless, right?”

Snap, snap, snap!

Smiling, Zhuge Munhyeon slowly moved his steps and continuously shot chopsticks to stick them in the floor.

“This is the last one. Formation activation.”

The moment Zhuge Munhyeon grinned wickedly with the last chopstick, the surrounding scenery completely changed.

As if a giant curtain had been drawn around them, cutting them off from the outside.

“Now, the barrier is set… If you’re confident, try and get that apology.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled broadly, looking almost sinister.

But as he approached closer, Zhuge Munho’s expression changed rapidly.

It wasn’t because he had deployed the Qi Gate Formation.

It was Zhuge Munhyeon’s footsteps making loud noises.

Creak, creak.

Though the tavern floor was made of wood, it normally wouldn’t make such loud sounds.

Tremendous weight was clearly being applied.

‘N-no way?’

Zhuge Munho’s eyes widened.

He who seemed not to have learned movement techniques and walked with normal steps.

Thinking about it now, that meant he didn’t ride horses or carts.

A full hundred li journey…

Then wasn’t that walking itself cultivation?

And as if to confirm such speculation, Zhuge Munhyeon rolled up his sleeves and removed dark iron rings while smiling.

Clank, thuuud!

The floor cracked from the fallen iron rings.

That sound awakened Zhuge Munho’s carefully buried memories.

Twelve years old, memories from that time.

His body instantly stiffened and his breath caught.

“…Refreshing. One arm should be enough, right? To guide our dear brothers onto the right path.”

At the sight of him removing iron rings and stretching his fingers, Zhuge Gwan and the other brothers rushed forward with furious expressions.

“St-stop!”

Zhuge Munho quickly shouted, but his cousins had already approached within arm’s reach of Zhuge Munhyeon.

“Pyeong, step back! I’ll teach this bastard some manners!”

Replacing Zhuge Pyeong whose wrist was twisted, Zhuge Gwan leaped up and swung his fist powerfully.

Truly pathetic.

Trash, wasn’t that what he called it?

I’ll smash that mouth of his!

The moment energy gathered in Zhuge Munhyeon’s clenched fist.

“Munhyeon! Please…”

“…”

Yeo Mungi’s cry pierced his ears.

Hah, really…

At his plea, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t bring himself to throw his punch and stepped back.

Whoosh!

His nose stung as Zhuge Gwan’s fist grazed past.

But Yeo Mungi was right.

What’s the point of deploying the Qi Gate Formation to cut off from the outside if the kids get hurt? He’d definitely face questioning and just be called trash again.

That would be troublesome.

He’d just taken his first step – would it be wise to fall out of favor with the family?

And he couldn’t chase Zhuge Munho out of even his assistant manager position for no reason.

“Bastard, you got lucky. But there won’t be a second time!”

“Hmm…”

At the sight of Zhuge Gwan taking his stance again and the cousins surrounding him, Zhuge Munhyeon frowned.

They don’t even know I held back and are getting cocky…

“Tch, beating them would be best, but it can’t be helped. For the sake of my reputation, it’s better not to leave injuries.”

“Talking about reputation! All talk, no action!”

Zhuge Gwan, wearing a sneer, began attacking again.

Easily avoiding the not-very-threatening punches and kicks, Zhuge Munhyeon raised one finger and lightly poked.

Under Zhuge Gwan’s armpit.

Poke!

The sound was so light it was barely audible, but as soon as he was poked, Zhuge Gwan collapsed powerlessly and began writhing.

“Aaaaaaahhhhh!”

Everyone blinked with dumbfounded expressions.

He just ‘poked’ him?

But perhaps startled by Zhuge Gwan rolling on the floor and trembling all over, the cousins quickly backed away.

“You, what exactly did you do? D-did you learn evil arts?”

Zhuge Munhyeon let out a quiet laugh at their reaction.

Evil arts my ass…

Anyway, these Orthodox Sect bastards have the same habit now as they did back then—calling anything they can’t understand with their own heads “evil arts.”

This is an improved version of Muscle Severing Bone Dislocation.

While it doesn’t go so far as to twist qi and blood or sever muscles and bones, it can inflict comparable pain.

Without leaving any visible wounds on the surface.

Poke! Poke!

“Aaaaaargh!”

Moving like lightning, Zhuge Munhyeon bestowed pain upon Zhuge Pyeong and the remaining one as well, making them roll on the ground, then walked up to Zhuge Munho.

Zhuge Munho, tense all over, gritted his teeth and glared at him.

He’s afraid.

Memories from the past constrict his entire body.

But he too had never stopped his cultivation.

If he could just shake off the fear and cast aside the memories…!

“Are you going to fight too?”

“…”

“Let’s stop here. I don’t want to touch you.”

For Zhuge Munhyeon, this was consideration for past events, but for Zhuge Munho, it was humiliation.

However, he couldn’t shake off the memories from the past that filled his head. The moment he met Zhuge Munhyeon’s eerie smile and those eyes, his entire body seemed to freeze and he couldn’t move at all.

“Tsk, how boring. But if you’re not going to fight, keep your eyes down nicely.”

At the threatening words accompanied by flickering eyes, Zhuge Munho unconsciously lowered his gaze.

The fierce madness and brutality contained in Zhuge Munhyeon’s gaze seemed to crush and grind down his entire body.

He had resolved not to lose…

Yet his spirit broke helplessly, making all the time he had spent in effort seem meaningless.

“Mungi, are you alright?”

“Mm.”

Perhaps having lost interest, Zhuge Munhyeon approached Yeo Mungi and helped support him.

“Let’s go, the mood for drinking is completely ruined.”

“Wh-what about them?”

“They’ll be fine soon. I only made them feel pain, so there shouldn’t be anything wrong with their bodies. As for the Qi Gate Formation… they’ll figure out how to dispel it themselves. They’re Zhuges too, after all.”

Yeo Mungi looked back at those remaining in the formation as Zhuge Munhyeon walked out of the formation with an indifferent, swaying gait.

“Aaaaaargh!”

Those who had been stabbed somewhere on their bodies were still rolling on the ground, while Zhuge Munho, with a devastated expression, was trapped in memories from the past and couldn’t do anything.

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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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