Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 211

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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 211

No fight broke out.

Ju Okmon didn’t reach the position of elder for nothing, it seemed, as he quickly assessed the gains and losses.

Though the Beast Palace hadn’t mobilized their council of elders, their forces were no less than the Monstrous Poison Gate dispatched to Aenoe Mountain.

And in the midst of it all, the young man who had intervened.

He had seen him fight directly.

The same man who had fought on equal terms with a spirit beast that even the Heavenly Demon had struggled against.

A master.

Perhaps even stronger than his own sect master.

Sometimes such martial artists could rival the military might of an entire faction, and the young man certainly possessed such ability.

If he were to help the Beast Palace?

It would be certain defeat.

He was someone who could distinguish between shit and soybean paste without having to fight.

“If you’re not going to fight, then get out of the way.”

“…”

“You’re just blocking the path and causing a fuss.”

Zhuge Munhyeon spoke to Dan Chuyeong, showing his irritation.

“Palace Lord, shall we head down now?”

“…Ah, shall we?”

“I will escort you.”

“Mm.”

Unlike when dealing with Ju Okmon, he spoke respectfully and stepped aside, bowing his head, which made Dan Chuyeong feel an inexplicable sense of pride.

What kind of place is Murim?

A world where the strong rule supreme.

Though no one said it aloud, everyone there would know who was the strongest.

But Zhuge Munhyeon openly showed respect to him, bowing his head for all to see.

He had shown everyone that he considered himself beneath him.

It was incomparable to someone like Ju Okmon who spoke down to him and showed disrespect.

Though he wasn’t the type to feel smug about such things, today his shoulders straightened and a smile crept onto his lips.

“Ahem! Though I find the Monstrous Poison Gate’s conduct most unpleasant, since you put it that way, I shall take my leave.”

“Oh my, of course! It’s not like we’re avoiding them because we’re afraid of shit, right?”

“Really, you make those listening embarrassed. Ha ha ha!”

As befitting the Heavenly Demon, he was eloquent and quick-witted.

He scolded while not denying it.

The Monstrous Poison Gate had suddenly been reduced to shit, but they had no choice but to open the path with grimaced faces.

An injured monster and a healthy monster.

They knew it would be too much for them to face two monsters.

“Damn it…”

Ju Okmon ground his teeth as he watched the Beast Palace leisurely walk between the Monstrous Poison Gate warriors who had stepped aside, withdrawing from Aenoe Mountain.

But then.

“Wait! That bastard… why is he carrying nothing?”

Doubt crept in.

This was someone who had just finished battling a spirit beast.

The inner core might be hidden in his robes, but there should be traces of the corpse.

Wasn’t it a spirit beast the size of a house?

No matter how skilled a skinner might be, it would take at least a day to skin such a large creature.

Also, wasn’t there a saying that “even a tiger’s breath is precious, so nothing should be wasted”?

Everything from hide to teeth, bones, claws, organs, and flesh had various uses.

And if it was a spirit beast of that caliber…

“The corpse! The corpse must still be there! Find it quickly!”

Ju Okmon was quick to assess situations.

Rather than just getting angry about being ignored by the Beast Palace, he knew how to devise the next course of action.

The target was the spirit beast.

More precisely, its inner core.

But it had already fallen into someone else’s hands.

So he had to secure something else.

That way he’d have something to say when he returned to the Monstrous Poison Gate and faced his sect master.

Seeing the Monstrous Poison Gate urgently begin climbing the mountain, Elder Jeong Haeryong, who had turned his head, frowned.

“They’re climbing the mountain again?”

“Mm, probably to find the corpse. Since Master Zhuge didn’t bring anything back.”

Dan Chuyeong, who responded, glanced at Zhuge Munhyeon.

After all, he was the owner.

Since he had returned unharmed, he must have dealt with the spirit beast, but why hadn’t he brought back the corpse?

The tiger’s corpse was…

“They won’t find it.”

“Huh?”

“They absolutely won’t find it.”

Dan Chuyeong and Jeong Haeryong looked puzzled at Zhuge Munhyeon’s confident statement and sly smile.

“…Don’t tell me you hid it? To come back for it later?”

“Ah! That’s possible. If you set up a formation technique somewhere to hide it?”

“That’s right! Of course. The Zhuge formation techniques are renowned throughout All Under Heaven.”

Somehow… that’s why you withdrew so easily. Master Zhuge had it all planned out.”

“Ha ha! Exactly. After all, there’s no way you’d just abandon a tiger’s corpse that’s like a treasure. Of course!”

“Those Monstrous Poison Gate bastards will just waste their effort.”

Dan Chuyeong and Jeong Haeryong exchanged words and came to their own conclusions.

Formation techniques, they say.

I would have liked to do that too.

Who doesn’t know how valuable a tiger’s corpse is?

Since ancient times, there’s been a folk belief that tiger bones are a cure-all.

And how massive was its body?

Throughout history, there would never be another creature with such size, such hide.

But it had already scattered.

Its flesh had returned to nature, leaving only something like an inner core – a single golden spirit bead.

And even if the Hwangyo’s corpse had remained, even if he had left it behind, the Monstrous Poison Gate would never find it.

The barrier of Baekryeongwa.

Through it, the boundary between the immortal and human realms had been divided.

Humans who hadn’t awakened their spiritual sight could never find that place.

Yeongmun had said that once he consumed the Baekryeongwa, the barrier would strengthen for the next hundred years, making it impossible for even ascetics or Half-Immortals to escape.

It would become safe.

At least from humans…

‘Uncle Yeongmun, I hope you get what you desire.’

Zhuge Munhyeon briefly thought of him with fondness, then quickened his pace down the mountain.

He would set aside the world of immortals for now.

Right now, he needed to see Mujin.

He had to check if he was being treated well, and whether the seal he had entrusted to Dan Yeonhwa was intact.

* * *

The place where Mujin was being treated.

Not only the leadership of the main forces dispatched to the Heavenly Demon and Aenoe Mountain, but also the masters of the Council of Elders who had rushed over upon hearing the news had gathered.

“Are you alright?”

“…Yes.”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Mujin nodded with a bitter smile.

Alright, indeed…

He seemed to have no trouble moving around, but his chest was wrapped tightly with bandages.

Still, it seemed he had fortunately recovered from his internal injuries.

The sealed demonic power also didn’t seem to have gone berserk.

“You worked hard, Yeonhwa.”

“What did I do?”

“No, you learned properly. It must not have been easy since it was your first time performing it.”

“Thank you. But it would have been difficult without Chiljangjja’s help. He stayed awake all night, repeatedly circulating qi and providing treatment.”

She smiled brightly as she redirected the credit to Chiljangjja.

Indeed, it would have been impossible without Chiljangjja.

Dan Yeonhwa might have provided the explanation, but it was he who suppressed the demonic energy with immortal qi.

“You worked hard.”

“Hard work, what… Consider it repaying the debt for saving my life.”

Sitting in his chair and smiling, he was drooping like waterlogged cotton.

Having suffered greatly, the area under his eyes was dark and he looked utterly haggard.

I felt grateful.

Saving his life had been purely for my own purposes.

I hadn’t expected repayment.

But he had provided sufficient repayment…

[Chiljangjja.]

“…?”

[The legend of the Bagua Heavenly Cycle was real.]

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s sudden sound transmission, Chiljangjja’s tired eyes widened.

[Since you’re advancing toward immortality for good, let me tell you one thing. The world of immortals exists. Perhaps the path to ascend as a craftsman is also possible. Since beings called immortal craftsmen actually exist…]

Chiljangjja’s body trembled as he gripped the armrest of his chair.

As if vitality had suddenly returned to him.

[There is something called Taesik. It’s a breathing technique for cultivating spiritual energy. This is…]

Zhuge Munhyeon transmitted the Taesik to him.

It was a connection that had come to him anyway.

The decision to transmit it or not was made by my own will, not by someone else’s permission.

Chiljangjja listened intently to Zhuge Munhyeon’s sound transmission for a long time, his eyes wide open.

So as not to miss a single word.

And when the transmission ended, Chiljangjja looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with trembling eyes and asked.

[Why do you transmit such things to me?]

[Well. Think of it as offering small help to someone walking the same path.]

[But…]

[I hope you achieve what you desire. Thank you for saving Mujin.]

Zhuge Munhyeon showed a clear smile, and Chiljangjja repeated a Buddhist chant with a complex expression.

“Amitabha, how can I ever repay this kindness?”

Though it was a muttered question, Zhuge Munhyeon only smiled.

The kindness had already been repaid.

He had told me about Eunhangon, which I wanted to know about, and had saved the life of someone I cherished, though I couldn’t call him a disciple.

So I told him that the world of immortals exists and taught him the Taesik. I also informed him of the taboos between immortals and humans.

Achieving it would be his responsibility, but that path would not be easy.

If Heaven wills it, he too will someday obtain what he desires.

That connection with Chiljangjja was sufficient.

“Yeonhwa.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Always cultivate the Small Heavenly Star Technique. Someday you will obtain what you seek. Since you have a good father, seek his help when things are difficult.”

“Yes… Yes?”

Dan Yeonhwa, who had been answering respectfully, suddenly raised her head and looked at Zhuge Munhyeon.

Why does this sound like a final farewell?

As if he’s about to depart on a long journey…

“Palace Lord.”

“Speak.”

“I would like to return now.”

“What?”

“My travels have been long. Though I sent a letter, I’m worried that my mother, who cherishes me dearly, must be greatly concerned.”

“No, but still, so suddenly like this…”

I’m sorry about that too.

Though I’ve lived twenty years since being reborn, the personality developed during my demonic path days hasn’t changed much.

The habit of immediately departing once achieving my purpose has become ingrained…

But how could Dan Chuyeong’s heart be like that?

When I suddenly expressed my intention to return, he was startled and tried to dissuade me.

“My friend, what’s so urgent? Once Mujin’s condition fully recovers…”

The moment Dan Chuyeong brought up Mujin as a means of persuasion.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

“…”

Mujin had already prepared himself.

That was when.

“This won’t do! If we let you go like this, what will others think of our Beast Palace? We cannot send you away so quickly after receiving such great kindness!”

“Right! Palace Lord, hurry and persuade them!”

It was Council Elder Wi Jungsan and Grand Elder Seong Yeonghoo.

These old men, really…

But I had already made up my mind.

Since I said I’m leaving, I’ll go whether they try to stop me or not.

Mujin seemed capable of moving around sufficiently, and the remaining treatment would be enough with myself and Dang Ihwa.

“I understand your reluctance, but I want to act when I’ve made up my mind. Please understand.”

“Look here.”

“I said I’m going.”

“Still…”

“Really, you’re being unnecessarily stubborn.”

When Zhuge Munhyeon shook his head and showed no intention of changing his mind, Wi Jungsan and Seong Yeonghoo looked at each other and exchanged glances.

After countless silent conversations in a brief moment.

“Still, this isn’t proper!”

“Indeed!”

“How can we just send away our benefactor? That’s impossible!”

They still insisted stubbornly.

Shall we see whose stubbornness is stronger?

“Zhuge Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“Then at least give us time to prepare a carriage.”

What carriage? If a martial artist has two good legs, thousands of miles are sufficient.

“Even if you’re fine, sending a patient away like this wouldn’t be proper.”

“Hmm…”

Dan Chuyeong’s words made me think a little.

A patient.

Hmm, is that so?

In my time, most of those guys would keep walking even with their arms severed and dangling, their guts spilling out… but a lot of time has passed.

I suppose I could make that much of a concession.

A few days’ delay wouldn’t change much anyway.

“Then I’ll stay until the carriage is ready.”

And so time passed.

Eating, drinking, and mingling.

It took longer than expected.

They were even making a new one from scratch, saying they’d provide the most comfortable carriage possible.

* * *

On the day of departure, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the entire Beast Palace had come out to see them off.

“Pardon?”

Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

Mujin and Dang Ihwa, he could understand, but…

“Take Yeonhwa with you.”

“…Pardon?”

“She’ll go as an envoy to convey our intention to begin exchanges with the Zhuge Family.”

“Ah…”

It made sense.

As the Palace Lord’s daughter, she would be perfect as an envoy for their first exchange.

But then.

“Ah, is Dan-mae going together too?”

“Yes.”

At Mujin’s words, Dan Yeonhwa blushed and looked embarrassed.

What are these two up to now…

But wait, what did he just say?

Dan… mae? Mae? Sister? He’s calling her so affectionately?

And what’s that supposed to be?

A warm breeze, no, a pink-tinted aura formed around the two facing each other.

Neither internal energy nor spirit energy… it’s some kind of strange flow.

He was frowning and tilting his head at this peculiar aura he’d never seen before when.

“Dan Sojo is going together too. That’s wonderful. To think the Zhuge Family would have direct exchanges with Beast Palace.”

Dang Ihwa nodded with a warm smile.

I haven’t given permission yet.

Who are you to… but Dang Ihwa’s condition was also a bit strange.

Why is she so excited about this?

“Well, let’s depart!”

“Yes!”

“…”

Mujin shouted energetically and helped(?) Dan Yeonhwa’s hand as she boarded the carriage.

Has he lost his mind?

Why is he making the decisions?

I’m the one with decision-making authority here.

But having already boarded the carriage, they only urged Zhuge Munhyeon on.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

“Let’s go quickly.”

“…”

Haah…

A sigh escaped him naturally.

Why are these people suddenly acting like this?

But Dan Yeonhwa going to the Zhuge Family wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

The daughter of the Beast Palace Lord.

When would the Zhuge Family ever get to exchange with a major power of Yunnan?

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

The carriage began moving.

It was a long journey.

They had to stop by the Tang Family first, then switch to a boat, and after arriving in Hubei, take the land route again to return to the Zhuge Family.

At least there were no worries about expenses.

The carriage was full of treasures that Beast Palace had loaded—gold, jade, precious leather… why did they load marble though? Even if it’s a four-horse carriage, still.

As for bandits or water bandits… Pfft!

Beast Palace said they’d provide escort to the Tang Family for safe passage, but it wasn’t really necessary.

While having such thoughts, the carriage had already left Beast Palace far behind.

Wi Jungsan and Seong Yeonghoo, who had been waving goodbye, looked at each other and smiled.

“Hehehe, it’s done. It’s happening.”

“You’re truly amazing, Elder Brother. An envoy, how did you think of that? Age really doesn’t come for nothing.”

“Of course! Going on such a journey, how could young people not develop feelings for each other? There’s absolutely no way he’d refuse our Young Lady. Didn’t we already send letters to the Zhuge Family Head and his parents?”

“Hahaha!”

At the two old men’s scheming, Dan Chuyeong, who was nearby, shook his head.

But he said nothing.

Because he too wished for that marriage.

And so everyone was barking up the wrong tree.

“Ah!”

“…?”

Jeong Haeryong startled as if remembering something important.

“Oh no… I forgot to ask where he hid the body!”

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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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