Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 216

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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 216

“However, the Central Plains are scattered like this, each pursuing only their own interests… It’s truly a regrettable situation.”

“It is regrettable indeed.”

He nodded, but his sincerity was only half-hearted.

Mado’s conquest of the Central Plains.

What was there that couldn’t be done?

It wasn’t as if the owner of the Central Plains had been decided.

But that was merely a Mado-like way of thinking.

His position was different now.

Why would he think fondly of those who had become not Mado but the Demonic Sect?

Moreover!

Though Ascension to Immortality was his goal, he had not yet severed his ties with the world and was still living as a descendant of the Zhuge Family.

If war broke out?

He wouldn’t just sit back and watch the fire across the river.

The Zhuge Family’s participation in the war was certain, and the damage would be incalculable.

If they were to lose, his brothers and parents would be in danger.

‘That cannot happen. I was planning to rest for a while and then visit a place called Bosan Pavilion…’

The place where Yeongmun belonged.

Having just entered the path of an ascetic, what he knew was not very much.

If he visited Bosan Pavilion and met a higher ascetic or someone who had reached the Half-Immortals, he would be able to learn much more.

But first, he had to deal with the immediate problem.

“Therefore, I wish to unite our intentions.”

“Pardon?”

“Like in the past. Like when the Central Plains gathered their strength to oppose the Demonic Sect.”

At Zhuge Dowon’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon tilted his head.

“Surely you don’t mean the Murim Alliance…?”

“Heh heh, I haven’t thought of something so grand yet.”

“Then what?”

“First, we must gather those who share our intentions.”

“Hmm…”

It was a good idea.

If they moved after Mado had risen to power, it would be too late.

Preparedness prevents calamity – if they prepared in advance, they could respond quickly even when disaster struck.

Also, if the Central Plains were united as one, Mado wouldn’t be able to rise to power easily either.

In the end, it was strength that protected peace.

“That’s why I called for you.”

“Pardon?”

“You rascal, are you going to pretend not to know?”

“Know what?”

“Oh my, the one whose thoughts were always ahead of others – why are you acting so slow today?”

“…”

He just blinked his eyes.

Just get to the point.

What was he supposed to do when someone threw out a topic and then asked why he couldn’t catch the hint?

It wasn’t as if he could read minds.

“Wudang, the Tang Family, and even the Beast Palace.”

“…”

“Who else in the family has such extensive connections as you?”

“Um… so what you’re saying is that I should…”

“Yes, I want you to take the lead.”

“Pardon?”

“I plan to spread the information the Beggar’s Sect discovered to All Under Heaven and gather our strength.”

“…”

“Wudang’s name, the Tang Family’s name, and the Beast Palace’s name will serve as solid pillars of support. How about it? Would you take the initiative and unite at least the righteous faction forces?”

At the subtle question, Zhuge Munhyeon thought.

Ah, so he wants me to…

“Your name has been making quite a stir throughout Hubei recently, so it should be quite possible, shouldn’t it?”

“W-wait a moment, Family Head. So you’re asking me to become a retainer?”

A retainer was roughly a face put forward as justification for a faction.

“Heh heh, you rascal. A retainer? How could I use you in such a way? That’s nonsense. I just mean to maximize the promotional effect.”

“…”

Family Head, that’s the same thing though?

With me backed by personal connections and fame gathering people, everyone please help out.

That’s what you mean, isn’t it?

“Uniting the forces of Hubei Province shouldn’t be much of a problem, and recently even the Black River Gate wants to establish relations with us. Wudang, the Tang Family, and the Beast Palace seem likely to cooperate.”

“…”

“If Wudang moves, the Taoist sects can probably be persuaded too… In the end, the martial families are the problem. The Namgung Family probably still holds a grudge, so that might be difficult… What should we do about this?”

The Family Head muttered as if talking to himself.

But his pronunciation was so clear that it was perfectly audible.

‘This man… he’s already made all the plans! Is this supposed to be a discussion?’

Just as he was making a dumbfounded expression.

“Should we also convey our intentions to Shaolin?”

“To Shaolin?”

“If Shaolin moves, wouldn’t there be many who would follow their lead?”

“That’s true, but… whether they’ll easily listen…”

“I’ll do my best with that. When the Beggar’s Sect was intact, we had quite a lot of exchange with them.”

“Good. Then Gaebangju will take charge of Shaolin, and I’ll try to contact the martial families.”

“Yes.”

“The Byeongjudang Master and Heavenly Strategy Master should devise plans to win over each martial family and establish countermeasures.”

“Understood.”

Everything was proceeding very smoothly.

He had clearly laid out a perfect plan and intended to use him as a chess piece.

These people who called themselves family elders…

Trying to exploit a young descendant’s fame.

But refusal was difficult.

Because he knew that the Central Plains’ strength had to unite as one to complete preparations against Mado.

The formation of the Murim Alliance was the beginning of that.

But then.

“Where will we gather? And who will be the alliance leader? There will probably be chaos with everyone wanting to do it, and in the process, feelings might get hurt and everyone might scatter again.”

“We’ll have to think about the meeting place gradually. And as for the alliance leader, shouldn’t we first gather and unite our intentions? Something like voting would be good too. I haven’t thought that far yet.”

“Pardon?”

What was this supposed to mean?

First gather and then unite intentions?

Voting in the midst of it all?

So it didn’t matter if someone else became leader?

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been tilting his head, soon contorted his face completely.

Look at those expressions.

This time he knew exactly what they were thinking.

“You’re not thinking of making me some kind of strategist, are you?”

“….”

They’re calm.

Not one of them finds it strange.

‘They’ve made up their minds, they have. They planned to gather people and play strategist from the start.’

Even when things are going well, it always ends up like this.

The damn family identity built up over generations.

Don’t any of you find this strange?

Handing over information discovered by the Beggar’s Sect, personally gathering people, and then doing good deeds for others?

It’s ridiculous.

I agree with uniting our forces, but I’ll die before playing second fiddle.

After going through the trouble of setting the table, why put someone else’s spoon on it?

I was once the Heavenly Demon!

I’ll completely root out this damn second-in-command mentality.

“Family Head.”

“Speak.”

“I agree with uniting the Central Plains’ forces. And with me becoming a retainer as well.”

“You’ve thought well.”

“However! There are conditions.”

“Conditions?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… let’s hear them.”

“First! The gathering must be hosted by the Zhuge Family.”

“What? By us?”

The assembly stirs.

They furrow their brows and express worry and concern.

It’s because they’ve never done it before.

They’ve held banquets, but never organized gatherings like this.

Well, until recently they were trembling before even demonic sect riffraff, just waiting for their doom.

“Furthermore, our family must lead the meeting itself.”

“L-lead it?”

“Naturally.”

“….”

The stirring grew louder.

Father’s eyes widened like oil lamps as he stared at him.

“Munhyeon, wait. Just wait.”

“Please speak.”

“Hosting an event isn’t too difficult, but leading a meeting is somewhat…”

“Why?”

“Well, that’s…”

“What’s the problem?”

“….”

“Did we reclaim Hubei with someone’s help? Did someone assist us in driving out the Namgung Family? We accomplished everything with our own strength. We devised the strategy, and our family’s warriors bled and fought to achieve it.”

At those words, everyone fell silent as mutes.

They had never once considered it.

A gathering led by the Zhuge Family.

Even searching through history, there was no such record.

Wasn’t this originally a family of strategists who had served others as kings from the beginning?

Even after entering Murim, they had always served the alliance leader, Murim’s representative.

Having naturally accepted a life of being second-in-command since birth, Zhuge Munhyeon’s words were somewhat shocking.

However.

“I think it’s a good idea.”

Though it had been a conversation among adults, Young Family Head Zhuge Munho suddenly stepped forward in agreement.

He’s confident.

He expresses his opinion without being intimidated.

The boy has grown much.

Teaching him was worthwhile.

“Family Head, and uncles.”

“….”

“How long will you remain trapped in that shell? Do you intend to keep living within others’ prejudices?”

Zhuge Munho, as if his tongue had been loosened, freely expressed his thoughts.

“When everyone speaks of Zhuge, they call it a family of strategists. They naturally assume that’s what we are. But why must we live that way?”

“….”

“When we defeated the Namgung Family, I believe everyone here felt the same as I did. I want to become the head of a Zhuge Family that’s not under anyone! A family that receives recognition with dignity anywhere!”

The impact is considerable.

It was indeed wise to have the Young Family Head speak.

The family elders, who had been filled only with worry and concern, nodded with determined faces.

As Zhuge Munho said, their hearts were likely no different.

They had already confirmed with their own eyes that they could be equal to the Namgung Family.

They were being reborn.

Not as a family of strategists that everyone wanted to keep under them! But as a martial family that competed shoulder to shoulder!

“Ahem! How truly shameful. Munho, Munhyeon. I have no face to show you both.”

“Don’t say such things.”

At the Family Head’s apology, the retainers nodded.

Everyone seemed to be of one mind.

“Good. You two take the lead on this matter. The adults will firmly support you from behind.”

“Thank you.”

Zhuge Munho, having successfully led the persuasion, looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with a proud smile.

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled back and then said.

“Now for the second condition.”

“Huh?”

Did they think there was only one condition?

Though I’m now part of the Zhuge Family, I was the Heavenly Demon in my previous life, and they’ve dragged me into leading an orthodox sect gathering, so there should naturally be more for you to do.

That would be a fair trade.

“Family Head, and uncles.”

“…Speak.”

“Since I’ll prepare this gathering as a retainer!”

“….”

Due to his deliberately serious expression, everyone swallowed and listened intently.

“Please persuade Mother.”

“…?”

“If that’s not possible, then today’s discussion never happened.”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Zhuge Dowon’s eyes trembled.

He never imagined such a condition.

But is there anything more important than this? Why such a bewildered expression?

I’ll do it, I’m saying I’ll do it.

Whether as a retainer or a drunk, I’ll step forward as you wish. If you want, I’ll even become the Murim Alliance Leader.

Just persuade Mother for me.

Zhuge Munhyeon looked at the adults with such eyes and expression.

“Hmm…”

“Ahem.”

“Heheh.”

“….”

Everyone began to be engulfed in even deeper worry and concern than before.

And then.

“Byeongjudang Master.”

“Yes?”

“I’m counting on you.”

“…Yes?”

The Family Head patted Father’s shoulder with eyes full of determination.

“N-no… Family Head, Elder Brother!”

“Hehe, as you know, I’ve been widowed for a long time, so I wouldn’t know methods like persuading a wife, would I?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Father asked back with a distorted face, but the Family Head only nodded silently without answering.

“Elder Brother, please.”

“Even you, Domyeong?”

“I’m currently separated from my wife.”

“….”

Zhuge Domyeong spoke while making his already serious expression even more serious.

Widowed, and separated….

Damn it! How are all the brothers….

Zhuge Doyun, who had suddenly become tearful, looked at Heavenly Strategy Master Zhuge Doeung with the desperation of grasping at straws.

“I only know how to devise strategies, I don’t know how to persuade sister-in-law. I’ve hardly ever tried to persuade my own wife either.”

“….”

That bastard was just like the others.

He had no choice but to bear it alone in an eternally unbreakable marital relationship.

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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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