Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 203

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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 203

Damn it all…

I thought once I gained spiritual energy, I’d be able to fly through the sky and all that.

Turns out I can’t.

I can leap a bit higher and farther, but I didn’t gain the ability to fly like a bird.

“Well, even that tiger bastard who reached the Half-Immortal realm couldn’t do it, so how could I?”

That bastard couldn’t fly either.

Though it did chase after me by running up the cliff face like it was flat ground.

In a way, that’s fortunate.

If that bastard could fly, Yeongmun would have become tiger dung without ever meeting me.

“Ugh, damn. This is disgustingly high. When will I ever climb all the way up?”

Zhuge Munhyeon climbed the cliff with an extremely irritated expression, grabbing onto protruding rocks and trees.

Setting aside the strength aspect, somehow my lightness skill is worse than when I was the Heavenly Demon.

Back then I could even walk on air, and could leap dozens of zhang in a single step, making even Bodhidharma, who supposedly crossed the wide Yellow River on a single reed leaf, seem laughable.

Thud! Thud!

Where there were no protrusions, I had to endure by driving my hands into the rock.

Of course, I could have changed direction.

Since cliffs ultimately connect to the base of the mountain, there was no real need to climb straight up the cliff face.

But!

“You tiger bastard. I absolutely won’t let this slide.”

They say persistence pays off.

Paying back what I’ve suffered is my usual philosophy.

Yeongmun told me never to confront it, but the human heart doesn’t work that way.

I’m originally a nasty-tempered bastard.

Even after receiving proper character education at the Zhuge Family, that didn’t change easily.

It would probably be the same even if I achieved Ascension to Immortality.

I don’t particularly want to change either.

“Tiger bastard, just wait a little! I’m coming!”

It’s better to climb up to where I fell rather than go down the mountain and search around.

Because that bastard’s traces would remain there.

Also, innocent people might get caught up in this by chance.

“These people better not have done something stupid like searching the mountain while babbling about repaying kindness or whatever.”

Perhaps because I’m irritated, such worries come to mind.

I desperately hoped they hadn’t done that.

Good heavens, who could possibly face that monster of a tiger?

It’s a beast that has already transcended the boundaries of being an animal.

Though I haven’t fought it properly, even Beast Palace Lord Dan Chuyeong wouldn’t be a match for that tiger bastard.

Compared to that beast, Baekmyo is no different from a house cat.

It would be the same even if the Beast Palace warriors swarmed it in groups.

Spiritual energy originates from the Five Elements, which form the foundation of natural energy.

It means the fundamental source.

Though internal energy is also power obtained from nature and refined within the body, it cannot surpass the fundamental source.

“If things go wrong, they’ll all die…”

As my worries increased, my speed climbing the cliff face gradually quickened.

* * *

Aenoe Mountain, Saja Plain.

The flat terrain stretching about a hundred zhang that appeared as soon as one left the dense mountain forest was truly a spectacular sight.

At the edge of the plain, it dropped vertically as if the mountain had been cut off, with the world below so deep that its end couldn’t be seen.

And a massive tiger was guarding that place.

Its blood-stained fur fluttering in the rising gales.

But there were no wounds on it.

Meaning the blood flowing on its body wasn’t its own.

The carnage spread behind the tiger sitting facing the cliff was proof of this.

Corpses scattered everywhere.

Those gasping and barely breathing out what little breath remained, the light fading from their eyes.

Arms and legs mixed together so thoroughly that it was impossible to tell which had belonged to which body.

From the various snake patterns clearly visible on their clothing, one could tell they were Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists.

Grrrrr…

The tiger turned its gaze from the cliff and growled low while glancing toward the forest.

It sensed human presence in the forest.

These were Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists who had been horrified by the tiger’s cruelty after the first battle.

Though they had lost countless comrades, they could neither show anger nor launch another attack.

They were in such a state that they stumbled backward in shock even at the tiger’s low growling.

The spiritual creature of Aenoe Mountain.

It was nothing short of a calamity.

Not only the reconnaissance assassination unit, but over a hundred members of the Poison Blood Squad, one of their main forces, had been annihilated.

They hadn’t faced it carelessly.

They had fought with their utmost effort, enough to feel no shame.

But their formation for capture was torn to shreds by sharply raised and swung claws.

Poison?

It wasn’t that they hadn’t tried it.

They had spread poison so strong that the forest adjacent to the plain withered yellow.

But the tiger roamed leisurely through the poison formation as if mocking them, creating a scene no different from hell.

The poisonous insects, venomous snakes, and toxic creatures deployed afterward.

The sight of it crunching and devouring the extremely vicious poisons possessed by the Ghostly Poison Sect was truly spine-chilling.

It showed with its entire body that poison had absolutely no effect.

Then how should one face such strength?

It was a worry bordering on despair.

The only fortunate thing was that the beast didn’t leave Saja Plain and didn’t pursue the retreating Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists.

So for now, they had to wait.

Since they had already reported the battle situation, the Ghostly Poison Sect’s main force would send more martial artists.

How could they let such a magnificent tiger slip away?

They absolutely had to capture it.

The Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists set up camp near the plain and built an even more solid wall to prevent the tiger from escaping.

“Elder, we can no longer approach due to the Ghostly Poison Sect.”

“Hmm…”

At the words of Woo Yong, Dan Yeonhwa’s guard captain, Jeong Haeryong frowned.

A different choice from the Ghostly Poison Sect.

They had moved following the spiritual creature’s location, while Jeong Haeryong had moved following Zhuge Munhyeon’s traces from the point where they had retreated.

The tracking wasn’t particularly difficult.

Whether there had been quite a long battle even after they retreated down the mountain, the traces of the tiger and Zhuge Munhyeon’s clash remained clearly visible.

But in the end, their destination became the same as the Ghostly Poison Sect’s.

Saja Plain on the mid-slope of Aenoe Mountain.

When Jeong Haeryong and his guards arrived, the area around Saja Plain was already sealed off by the Ghostly Poison Sect.

The problem was that they had directly witnessed that horrific scene.

The scene of those whose power rivaled the Beast Palace’s being slaughtered.

But why isn’t the tiger moving? What reason could it have for staying there as if guarding the plains? And why is Zhuge Munhyeon nowhere to be seen?

Could it be that he fell off the cliff while fighting the tiger…?

A devastating thought comes to mind.

Beast Palace has lost the righteous man who showed them kindness.

They had turned away from him.

Grind.

Jeong Haeryong gritted his teeth to steady his mind and decided to hold onto hope.

The fact that the spiritual beast hasn’t left and is standing guard might mean that Zhuge Munhyeon could still be alive somewhere on that cliff.

Please let it be so.

“I must confirm this.”

“Elder, but…”

“If he’s alive, we must save him somehow. Miss has regained her sight, and thanks to him blocking the way, the young martial artists didn’t lose their lives and safely retreated down the mountain. We cannot turn away from such a benefactor again, can we?”

“…”

Woo Yong didn’t answer.

He had guarded Dan Yeonhwa’s side for a long time and pitied her situation more than anyone.

When she recovered her sight, he was one of those who rejoiced the most.

Therefore, his gratitude toward Zhuge Munhyeon was beyond words.

“Elder, then I’ll break through.”

“You will?”

“The Ghostly Poison Sect’s martial artists are a problem, but beyond there is full of poison energy. I, who developed poison resistance to guard the young lady, am more suitable than you, Elder.”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway, I just need to confirm. I should be able to check below the cliff without necessarily approaching the tiger.”

Those words were right.

Guard Captain Woo Yong was someone who had undergone various training to protect Dan Yeonhwa.

Especially since they bordered the Ghostly Poison Sect, poison resistance training had been essential.

“Elder.”

“Speak.”

“Since Confucius Zhuge Munhyeon’s traces led toward that cliff, there’s probably no need to check from above.”

“You mean to go up from below?”

“Yes. The fight between the spiritual beast and the Ghostly Poison Sect will start again anyway.”

“That’s right. Since the Shadow Strike Unit and Poison Blood Squad suffered near-total losses, Goedeokmunju can’t retreat now either. He’ll definitely try to get his hands on the spiritual beast.”

“Exactly. So while they’re focused on the spiritual beast, we can quickly move below the cliff and search while climbing up.”

“Understood.”

Jeong Haeryong nodded and called one of the guard warriors to relay Woo Yong’s opinion down the mountain.

Searching the cliff face wouldn’t be too dangerous.

There would be little friction with the Ghostly Poison Sect, who were currently focused on the spiritual beast.

Above all, searching cliffs was what Beast Palace could do best.

If the Tamrang Squad or Yeongrang Squad from the main palace had arrived, they could send out the birds of prey they commanded or move beasts skilled at climbing cliffs.

“I’ll move first.”

“I’ll hold the position.”

“Yes.”

Woo Yong bowed his head and approached the Ghostly Poison Sect’s capture formation set up like a barrier.

Since everyone was looking toward Saja Plain, they had to be somewhat slow to movements approaching from behind.

Swoosh!

As he instantly increased his speed and approached the formation, the Ghostly Poison Sect’s martial artists tried to block him with displeased expressions.

However, since guards had to protect their masters, their martial prowess had to be of the highest level, and Woo Yong, Dan Yeonhwa’s guard captain, was a strong martial artist who could compete with elders without falling short.

Since it was about breaking through the formation rather than fighting, Woo Yong instantly entered Saja Plain.

The Ghostly Poison Sect’s martial artists were angry at letting him slip by but couldn’t pursue him.

The formation prepared for the spiritual beast might collapse, and inside the formation was no different from a death trap.

‘That crazy bastard.’

‘Going alone to such a place…’

Most only had such thoughts.

“Gasp!”

Having safely passed through the formation, Woo Yong quickly swallowed an antidote pill due to the thick poison energy.

It was a general-purpose one, not prepared for a specific poison.

Since all kinds of poisons had been poured out because of the spiritual beast, it was impossible to know what poisons were mixed together and how.

Therefore, he had to escape the range of poison as quickly as possible.

General-purpose antidote pills couldn’t withstand poison energy for long.

Thus he set foot on Saja Plain.

The moment he carefully stepped on the ground soaked with blood, between scattered torn limbs.

Squelch.

At the squishy footstep sound, the tiger’s perked ears moved.

Woo Yong held his breath without moving an inch after taking his first step.

He didn’t know how the spiritual beast would react.

Cold sweat ran down his spine and tension reached its peak.

He reduced his killing intent lest it recognize him as an enemy, but prepared for an attack that might come flying.

The tiger didn’t move.

Soon losing interest in Woo Yong, it continued to look down steadily at the bottom of the cliff with its back turned.

‘Whew…’

Woo Yong inwardly sighed in relief and slowly lifted his foot.

Why was this ground so squishy?

With each step making squelching sounds that added to his tension, Woo Yong watched the tiger’s mood while slowly, bit by bit, approaching the cliff.

The Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists watching him, and Third Elder Jeong Haeryong, also held their breath and swallowed dry saliva.

Near the cliff like that.

He was in a situation where he could look down below if he went just a little further.

But then.

Grrrrr.

“…”

Along with a low rumbling cry, an aura that made all his body hair stand on end was felt right beside him.

“Woo Yong!”

The moment Jeong Haeryong’s urgent shout was heard from afar.

Whoooosh!

The tiger’s front paw, fiercely swung, struck Woo Yong.

Thwack!

Woo Yong’s body, having raised his arms and curled up to block, was violently flung away and crashed into the ground.

Fortunately, it was ground on the opposite side from the cliff.

But whether it was the wounds scratched by the claws or the severe impact, he couldn’t get up.

Roooooar!

And the tiger turned its heavy body and walked toward Woo Yong.

“Damn it!”

Jeong Haeryong and the guard warriors watching this scene had no choice but to move.

They had to save Woo Yong.

But the Ghostly Poison Sect no longer allowed them to approach inside the capture formation.

“Stop!”

“…”

They glared fiercely and pointed their sword energy at them.

A fight with the Ghostly Poison Sect was about to break out immediately, but Jeong Haeryong had no time to delay.

Woo Yong was about to die.

Without question or answer, Jeong Haeryong’s form flew toward the Ghostly Poison Sect’s martial artists. The guard warriors immediately followed behind him.

Claaaang!

A battle broke out between those who wouldn’t let them pass and those who had to save their comrades.

The ones who had been holding their breath while forming the capture formation now swarmed toward Jeong Haeryong and the others, preventing them from easily advancing forward.

The Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists were relentless, as if taking out their frustration from being beaten by the spirit beast.

But then.

Whiiiiik!

A pure white beam of light shot forth like wind, piercing through the formation in one strike, and someone with tremendous presence appeared on the battlefield, unleashing their intimidating aura.

Kuuuung!

The person who deliberately created a heavy noise by stomping and crushing the ground stopped the ongoing battle with their mere appearance.

Beast Palace Lord Dan Chuyeong.

“Get out of the way. Unless you all want to die.”

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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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