Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 212

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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 212

Inside the carriage heading to Sichuan.

Zhuge Munhyeon looked at the three people sitting in front of him with half-closed eyes.

“Aren’t you guys sitting a bit too close?”

“The seats are…”

“The seats are what?”

“They’re a bit cramped, you know.”

“Cramped?”

“Well…”

“Hmm.”

His eyes became even more half-closed.

Since the Beast Palace Lord had put considerable care into it, it was a large four-horse carriage comfortable enough to even lie down in.

Just look now.

Even with three of them sitting side by side across from him, there was still room left.

It seemed like two more people could easily sit beside them.

And yet it’s cramped?

How strange. Meanwhile, am I imagining that there’s enough space between those two guys stuck together and Dang Ihwa for another person to sit comfortably?

“Well, didn’t Dan-mae just become Young Master Munhyeon’s disciple? When you think about it, I’m also like a disciple, so this could be called senior and junior brothers…”

“Senior and junior brothers?”

“Yes. So I thought I should take better care of her…”

“Hmm. But why Dan-mae? Not junior brother or junior sister.”

“Well, that’s… I mean…”

Mujin’s excuses became increasingly feeble.

“…I thought it would be good to be a bit closer, so I decided to call her that, Master.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

They’re just playing around.

These guys should fool someone who can actually be fooled.

It’s obvious to see.

But he was secretly pleased by the warm atmosphere surrounding them.

What did it matter to him whether the two of them were lovey-dovey or not?

Moreover, hadn’t Wudang long since abandoned taboos about marriage?

Also, since he was only thinking about ascending to immortality anyway, he didn’t care who had feelings for whom.

However, the important thing was… that word, Master.

Had this word always sounded so pleasant?

Until now, Mujin had only called him a ‘benefactor’ who had saved his life and a trustworthy friend.

This was the first time.

Whatever the reason, this was the first time someone had called him Master.

Though he was actually the Heavenly Demon’s disciple.

But what did it matter?

Someone who had learned the Mad Soul Art that he created in his later years was calling himself a disciple.

One step at a time would do. One step at a time.

There was no need to leave descendants as traces of having lived in this world.

If they resembled me… Ahem.

Instead, he could leave behind disciples who were like children.

How wonderful would that be?

The traces of the Heavenly Demon, and someday his own traces when he ascended, would be engraved in their lives.

Also, wouldn’t there come a day when Mujin would be deeply grateful to the Heavenly Demon?

“So you’re saying you’re both my disciples?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes.”

“Good. There should be loyalty between senior and junior brothers. Even when there are difficulties, it would be better if you share them with each other.”

“Of course! That’s exactly right.”

Mujin and Dan Yeonhwa, who had barely succeeded in making excuses, were secretly relieved.

“But what is Miss Dang looking at so intently? It doesn’t seem to be a book…”

“Pardon?”

Meanwhile, Mujin quickly changed the subject, and Zhuge Munhyeon’s gaze naturally turned to her.

Was it because all eyes were suddenly on her?

Dang Ihwa hastily closed the book she had been reading.

“Oh, I was just checking if the various things I recorded during our stay were accurate. You know, right? Since this was my first time in Yunnan… and now that we’ve become friendly… well, something like that.”

“Hmm…”

Her evasive words and expression were very suspicious.

It seemed like she was hiding a lot…

She even seemed to be breaking out in a cold sweat…

Judging by that reaction, he could roughly guess what was written in the book.

Information about Yunnan.

The kind that would be very important for the Tang Family to use.

In other words, this girl had been essentially doing spy work until now.

In preparation for future trade between the Tang Family and Yunnan.

He didn’t blame her.

Although marriage was a major life event, from Zhuge Munhyeon’s perspective, Dang Ihwa seemed to be living much more appropriately for her situation than the lovey-dovey pair.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who soon lost interest, fell into contemplation for a moment.

They weren’t the only ones who gained something from the trip to Yunnan.

He had gained even more.

Meeting Chiljangjja and Yeongmun, he learned a bit more about Eunhangon.

He also realized how to use it.

He had melted the spiritual energy sealed in his body to gain Half-Immortal level power, and learned about the parts they considered taboo.

‘Yes, this is how I gradually get closer. It’s not quite Half-Immortal level, but it’s Half-Immortal grade, isn’t it? If I advance slowly, step by step, someday I’ll reach ascension to immortality.’

Thinking this way made him satisfied.

The Immortal Realm – he still didn’t know much about that place… but what amazing beings must live there?

Even Hwangyo, who hadn’t yet left the mortal realm, was formidable.

‘I almost really died.’

If he hadn’t met Yeongmun, if he hadn’t realized his new power, if there had been no Eunhangon…

The strength of a Half-Immortal was indescribable.

The realm of Gang Qi was useless.

If he hadn’t stopped it, the creature that escaped the barrier would have easily turned Yunnan into ruins.

It had lived only in the mountains and didn’t know that crossing the boundary between immortal and mortal realms was taboo.

A realm beyond human.

It felt like his eyes were opening wide.

His heart pounded at the strength of a completely different world.

The desire to become stronger burned ever more fiercely.

At the same time, anxiety that he might never reach it also surged, driving him to pour effort into cultivation.

‘But not yet. Not yet…’

He hadn’t escaped the bonds of humanity.

No, he still wanted to enjoy it more.

‘Tch, I should have let them have a younger sibling back then.’

He felt regret anew.

His childish foolishness of wanting to monopolize their love and interfering with his parents was lamentable.

He only had cousins, didn’t he?

What would it have felt like to have a real younger brother?

‘Hmm, should I encourage Father to make an effort even now when I return? Mother is over fifty, but… if people put in effort, there’s nothing that can’t be done…’

It was then, as he continued his selfish and rather unfilial but pleasant imagination.

Clatter!

The carriage that had been moving smoothly suddenly came to a stop.

“What’s the matter?”

Zhuge Munhyeon poked his head out the window.

Passersby wanting to cross the checkpoint at the border were forming a long line.

“Looking at the flags, it seems the Tang Family is controlling the crossroads up ahead.”

“The Tang Family?”

“Yes.”

Eom Ho, Dan Yeonhwa’s former(?) guard captain who had come along to protect her, answered respectfully.

Since the current guard captain Woo Yong had suffered serious injuries and couldn’t come along, he was leading the guard unit.

But the Tang Family?

The path from Daeli, where the Beast Palace is located, to Sichuan isn’t very far.

They had chosen the shortest route, and with the Beast Palace’s flag leading the way, even the warriors of Nanchenbao guarding the northernmost tip of Yunnan hadn’t inspected them.

But why would the Tang Family be controlling the crossroads between Yunnan and Sichuan?

The Beast Palace’s message should have already reached them, and with Dang Ihwa in their party, there might be expectations of forming friendly relations with Yunnan…

“I’ll go find out what’s happening first.”

“Go with Ihwa.”

“If you do that, the conversation will be much easier.”

At Eom Ho’s pleased response, Zhuge Munhyeon looked at Dang Ihwa.

She had already finished preparing and was just waiting for permission.

A moment later.

“Stand back!”

A group of warriors approached, pushing the passersby to either side.

Dark green robes.

Tang Family warriors.

“I greet Young Master Zhuge. I am Song Ban, Patrol Leader of the Muli County branch office.”

“I am Zhuge Munhyeon.”

Zhuge Munhyeon stepped out of the carriage and returned Song Ban’s greeting.

The status of being another family’s benefactor is truly wonderful.

Even without prior acquaintance, they’re this respectful.

“But what brings the Tang Family’s branch office here? It didn’t seem like there were separate inspections before.”

“Well, there have been numerous kidnapping incidents recently…”

“Kidnappings?”

“That’s right. In Muli County alone, where our branch office is located, there have already been two kidnapping incidents.”

“Hmm…”

He couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion.

Kidnapping.

It’s quite a common occurrence in the Central Plains.

Sometimes a vagrant sleeping nearby disappears without a trace, and children vanish while their parents look away for a moment. Sometimes even housewives are abducted in the middle of the night.

But if it’s serious enough for the Tang Family to get directly involved, the kidnapping targets probably aren’t vagrants…

‘Did this happen to quite high-ranking families?’

Thinking that made it even more puzzling.

This is Sichuan, after all.

Unlike other provinces, demonic sect forces can’t establish their nests there.

Because the Tang Family won’t allow it.

Even in the ghost markets where buying and selling kidnapped people is routine, they rarely trade people from Sichuan.

If they accidentally trade someone connected to the Tang Family and get caught, annihilation is just a matter of time.

As his face was frowning, Song Ban continued his explanation.

“This kidnapping issue isn’t just a problem for our branch office alone.”

“Pardon?”

“Similar kidnapping incidents have occurred throughout Sichuan. The Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect have also sent down disciples to begin searching.”

“It was that serious a problem?”

“There’s never been kidnapping this severe before…”

“I see…”

“Therefore, by order of the main house, which realized the seriousness of the problem, we’re also inspecting the border areas with Yunnan.”

“Ha! Whoever it is must have quite the nerve. Kidnapping in Sichuan of all places. The atmosphere must already be tense from the recent Demonic Sect commotion. Have you caught any leads?”

“Not yet. We are investigating, but… they’re quite elusive.”

“Hmm…”

“However, since the situation has become serious, the main house has directly formed an investigation team, so it should be resolved soon.”

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded at Song Ban’s answer.

The main house of a major sect has decided to act in earnest.

Well, if Qingcheng and Emei have stepped forward, it would be strange for the Tang Family to remain idle.

They’re in a competitive relationship, even if not officially.

The Tang Family falling behind other forces?

They’d hate to hear such words more than death.

Probably not only Sichuan but also the demonic sects in nearby regions will be anxious.

They’ll request cooperation from various places, and if cooperation isn’t forthcoming, the Tang Family will forcibly investigate.

Who would refuse?

Making an enemy of the Tang Family would obviously make life miserable.

“If the main house has started investigating directly, there shouldn’t be much to worry about.”

“We think so too.”

“I hope it gets resolved quickly.”

“Thank you.”

“Well then, may we pass through now?”

“About that? Orders actually came down from the main house upon hearing of your return. They said to treat you well if you pass through. Please come to the branch office. Rest and recover from your journey for a while…”

“There hasn’t really been time for travel fatigue to accumulate.”

He chuckled and glanced at the carriage, and Song Ban nodded as if he understood.

Anyone with eyes would know.

How comfortably they were traveling.

“Then are you planning to go straight to the capital? Shall I send word ahead?”

“No. There’s no need to trouble the Tang Family unnecessarily. I’m on my way back to Hubei. I’ll probably transfer to a boat at Hougu Port.”

“What? You’re going directly?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, the main house will be waiting.”

“Please tell them I appreciate the sentiment.”

At the polite refusal, Song Ban couldn’t hide his disappointed expression.

But he couldn’t insist.

The order to escort him had been accompanied by instructions to absolutely avoid any rudeness.

He would just have to report those intentions.

“Then I’ll escort you to the outskirts of the branch area.”

“Well, that would be appreciated.”

Zhuge Munhyeon didn’t refuse even that.

When someone wanted to show courtesy, not accepting it wouldn’t be proper.

He could return home with peace of mind.

Sichuan’s problems were for Sichuan to handle.

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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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