Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 190
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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 190
“But did Uncle Yeongmun actually accumulate spirit energy?”
“Yes. Although it was only at a weak level, the power I felt from him was completely different from ordinary internal energy.”
“I see.”
Zhuge Munhyeon slowly nodded his head.
Wudang Taoist Yeongmun.
When he visited Wudang Mountain to repair Hyeoncheonja’s Secret Cave, he had left for somewhere.
‘He’s also pursuing ascension to immortality.’
Well, there’s no law saying only he should pursue ascension.
Rather, Taoists are much more interested in ascension.
They serve immortals, follow their teachings, and live cultivating the Way for ascension.
‘Amazing. To think he found a method to accumulate spirit energy on his own without an ascension method.’
He’s actually better than himself.
Though placed at the boundary between good and evil, he had tried to achieve ascension by relying on someone else.
‘What’s easily obtained can’t be good.’
A bitter smile emerged.
He had nearly been destroyed trying to ascend with what he obtained by relying on Wudang.
Anyway, the records of Eunhangon.
Though the journey might become longer, he thought he’d like to see them at least once.
Though he was afraid of Mother’s hand that would strike his back, since he was already late anyway, getting hit and hearing nagging would be the same thing.
“Could you possibly tell me the location of that cave said to be in the Kunlun Mountains?”
“It’s not difficult, but… it would be useless even if you went there.”
“Why?”
“Around the time I left that place, there was an attack by the Demonic Sect.”
“The Demonic Sect? Why would they?”
“I don’t know the reason. Hasn’t the Demonic Sect been at war with Kunlun for more than just a day or two? Unfortunately, fighting broke out near the cave where I was staying… That cave collapsed. I barely escaped myself.”
“…”
Damn it.
That means it’s useless to go there.
How vast is Qinghai, yet why would they attack specifically the cave where Chiljangjja was?
And why collapse a perfectly good cave?
Those damn descendant bastards are of no help to life at all. What grudge do they have against him that they keep getting in the way?
‘Damn, should I just completely destroy the Demonic Sect this time? Looking at what these bastards are doing, they’ve abandoned their identity as demon practitioners and are acting however they please.’
It wouldn’t be bad.
They’re the ones who abandoned the proud will of the demon way and are doing the same things as the Blood Cult scum of the past.
Calling themselves the Demonic Sect…
How can they utter with their own mouths words that Central Plains people created to look down on them?
Even insulting ancestors has limits – they can’t be made to receive such curses.
But!
If he went there now, his own buttocks would be on fire instead… he’ll postpone it for now.
If they interfere again by any chance, then he’ll definitely teach them why the demon way is the demon way.
“But, may I also ask you one thing?”
“…Go ahead.”
“How did you know?”
“Know what?”
“The method to treat Young Lady Dan’s blindness. It’s not even an acquired condition, and treating an illness one has had since birth is very difficult… Are you perhaps really cultivating spirit energy as you told the Heavenly Demon?”
Chiljangjja’s expression was full of curiosity.
He still doesn’t know.
What kind of power he possesses within his body.
He’s just asking because he heard the conversation with Dan Chuyeong before being imprisoned.
There was no need to hide it particularly.
He’s someone walking toward the same path.
Though by a different method than his own.
“…Seeing once would be better than hearing a hundred times.”
“Hm?”
Seeing once would be much better than asking and answering to understand.
Zhuge Munhyeon grasped the Silver Cold Staff in his hand and pushed internal energy into it.
As the spirit energy mixed within seeped in, the Silver Cold Staff trembled slightly and emitted a clear sound.
Wuuuuung!
The sound filled the quiet prison and echoed, emitting a pale light that illuminated the dim space.
“Gasp! Th-this is?”
Chiljangjja recognized it immediately.
He had already experienced Yeongmun and had been pursuing that power, so it would have been constantly in his mind.
“You, you really cultivated spirit energy!”
“Yes.”
“Immeasurable Buddha, immeasurable Buddha…”
Chiljangjja, unable to hide his amazement, muttered the Buddhist invocation several times with wide-open eyes.
Though there’s no way to know what level the current Yeongmun is at, this is far superior to the level he saw in the past.
How on earth…
Though there are occasional cases of obtaining fortuitous encounters, generally the results of cultivation are proportional to time.
Could a young man who has just entered his early twenties have surpassed the realm of a Taoist who has cultivated for decades?
“Do you perhaps possess spiritual roots? Like that child Dan Yeonhwa, do you also see the world differently?”
“No. It’s entirely acquired. I’m not yet at such an amazing level as to reach spiritual sight like her.”
Zhuge Munhyeon’s ability to use spirit energy was entirely due to the death thread that swept through all the blood vessels in his body.
“Then you’re saying it’s a power achieved purely through cultivation?”
“Yes.”
“Ha! What a marvel. A marvel indeed. No one would have taught you that method… It can truly be called heaven-sent talent.”
It was a series of admiration.
He couldn’t quite regain his composure.
His eyes were full of the envy that those who pursue the Way typically have.
A Taoist with the same goal.
However, unfortunately, he couldn’t teach him the method of accumulating spirit energy.
The beginning of what he knew was the Destruction Method, and it had been altered by Hyeoncheonja to become a path of rebirth.
Perhaps he might fail at rebirth.
Cultivation is something that can vary from person to person.
“I’m sorry, but since I also obtained it by chance, I cannot teach you the method of accumulating spirit energy. There’s also the possibility that my method might not suit you, Chiljangjja, and cause you harm.”
“…”
At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Chiljangjja, who had been looking at him for a moment, chuckled and shook his head.
“Haha! Why do you say such things?”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t worry. I don’t covet what you’ve achieved. If I were to obtain something by coveting what’s yours, how could that be called the true Way?”
“Ah…”
“Also, I believe in your sincerity. If you knew, you would have tried to teach me, but you’re truly sorry because you don’t know. I prefer being incomplete. Doesn’t it mean there’s still a path left to go?”
It seems his considerate heart had gotten too far ahead of him.
In Chiljangjja’s eyes, there was envy, but no greed was visible.
He also understands that feeling.
Being incomplete.
Perhaps that’s why people live.
If one were already complete, how boring would that life be?
Because they are incomplete, because they seek completion, they can overcome trials and move forward.
He himself had been the same.
Because he was incomplete, he wandered All Under Heaven seeking to become complete, and felt the greatest joy when he obtained something new.
‘He lacks social skills, but his character isn’t bad.’
Pleased by his appearance of not being greedy, Zhuge Munhyeon put the Silver Cold Staff behind his back and stood up.
“Are you leaving?”
“You should come out with me.”
“Hm? Together? Does that mean the Heavenly Demon has given permission?”
“No.”
“No? Then how?”
Toward the puzzled Chiljangjja, Zhuge Munhyeon said with a smile.
“I’ve become someone of that level. Someone who can take you out of this prison without needing permission.”
“What?”
He answered by grabbing and bending the iron bars.
Enough for one person to pass through comfortably.
It was an act of damaging Beast Palace property, but as he said, he had become someone of that level.
Clang!
He also released the restraints binding Chiljangjja’s hands.
However, he couldn’t release the pressure point strike.
Since it was done by another person, and the Heavenly Demon at that, it was difficult to undo.
Because their methods of using energy were different.
Well, it wasn’t impossible if he tried, but it would take quite a long time to examine.
So he planned to go outside and ask for help.
There was no need to struggle and worry when an easy method existed.
“The Heavenly Demon will release the pressure point strike.”
“Ah, no… I don’t think this is right though…”
Looking at his hesitation, he thought.
Why couldn’t someone who understood that not understand that his own actions constituted kidnapping?
What a strangely developed sense of social awareness this person had.
“Oh right! The matter about spirit energy is a secret. Not many people know about it.”
“Hehe, don’t worry about that. How could I carelessly reveal another’s affairs?”
That chuckling appearance seemed trustworthy.
At least he didn’t seem like someone who would lie.
His social skills were… just a little lacking.
His thinking was just a tiny bit different from others.
* * *
The misunderstanding was resolved so easily it made one wonder why there had been such trouble before.
Chiljangjja revealed his intentions for approaching Dan Yeonhwa, and the Heavenly Demon nodded in understanding despite wearing a displeased expression.
Of course, it was all thanks to me.
Because I’m so capable.
His daughter had opened her eyes – surely he could understand at least that much?
However, the problem was.
“That’s all! Do you find me so laughable!”
“…”
Why is he angry…?
He was saying that just releasing Chiljangjja wasn’t enough to satisfy him.
He was making a fuss about giving something more.
Meanwhile.
“Good heavens! What do you take Beast Palace for, wanting only such meager compensation! This is an act of disrespecting Beast Palace!”
“That’s right. You healed the Young Lady’s eyes and want nothing in return! Tell us immediately. What do you desire?”
Even Wi Jungsan and Seong Yeonghoo were shouting frantically.
Really, they make a fuss whether you accept or not.
“Master Zhuge, I think the Palace Lord and the others are right. How can you do such a great deed and refuse to accept anything?”
Even Chiljangjja joined in.
What’s it to you?
After I went to the trouble of saving you.
Anyway, judging by the atmosphere, it seemed the Palace Lord and everyone else would be seriously offended if he didn’t ask for something.
They had even sent a letter saying they would live like blood brothers with the Zhuge Family from now on, and even said they would expand trade with the Tang Family…
What more should he ask for?
“Then… the honor of having a martial duel with the Palace Lord…”
“That’s a given! If anything, I’m the one who wants to request it!”
“…”
Really, getting angry over nothing.
Is this something to shout about?
“Then something like spirit pills…?”
“I’ve already prepared those. Not just yours, but also for the Wudang Taoist and the Tang Family’s daughter! So ask for something else! Quickly!”
He really seemed intent on giving generously.
Damn, if I’d received things before, something would come to mind, but I’d never particularly wanted anything from others in my life.
At that moment, he saw Baek-a, the Heavenly Demon’s pet tiger, beside him.
That’s it, he thought.
“Then please give me one of Baek-a’s cubs.”
“Baek-a’s cub?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
The Heavenly Demon’s brow furrowed deeply, making his previous anger seem pointless.
“Well… that’s difficult.”
As expected.
There was no way he’d give it up easily.
In Beast Palace, the existence of spirit beasts was incomparably more important than spirit pills.
They were like strategic weapons.
Moreover, Baek-a was like the Heavenly Demon’s alter ego, so giving away its cub was absurd…
“That fellow is sterile.”
“Pardon?”
“When he was young, he fought with another beast and got bitten right there… Ahem! Anyway, he can’t have cubs.”
“Ah…”
With a short sigh, he glanced at Baek-a.
You… poor… ah, poor fellow.
That seemed to be why the Heavenly Demon had been troubled. Because he couldn’t give Baek-a’s cubs.
That’s when it happened.
“Father.”
“Oh! Yeonhwa. What is it?”
At Dan Yeonhwa’s call, Dan Chuyeong immediately responded as if he would set aside everything in the world to look only at her.
The people present also looked at her.
“How about finding a suitable spirit beast for Master Zhuge on this occasion?”
“What?”
“Don’t they say that if there’s a connection, you’ll meet anywhere?”
“Hmm…”
“It happens to be time for the Wild Spirit Festival as well.”
“That’s true, but….”
It was an event held annually by the Beast Palace.
Similar to how other factions recruit new martial artists, the Beast Palace, which values the power of beasts, has its descendants search for new beasts around this time every year.
That is the Wild Spirit Festival.
However, until now, Dan Yeonhwa had played a major role in the Wild Spirit Festival.
Because she could discern beasts imbued with spirit energy.
But now that her eyes had been treated, her ability was gone, making it difficult to find good beasts.
“Yeonhwa, I think we should postpone this Wild Spirit Festival.”
“Why?”
“Well, for several years we’ve continuously relied on your ability to conduct the Wild Spirit Festival… It seems we’ll have to use different methods from now on.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“Yeonhwa.”
“Father, I never said I lost my ability to read spirit energy.”
“…Huh?”
At those words, Dan Chuyeong’s eyes widened.
And so did Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes.
You can read spirit energy?
Really?
Damn it, wasn’t the treatment done wrong?
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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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