Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 220

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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 220

Instantly improving the skills of martial artists is actually close to impossible.

Fundamentally, bone-grinding cultivation must be backed by achievements in internal energy.

Only when experience accumulates on top of that can one finally grow.

It’s impossible with the current Zhuge.

So what I chose was the traditional cultivation method of the demonic path.

Much time has passed and I don’t know how it is these days, but at least during the era when Zhuge Munhyeon was active, they trained like this.

First, cultivate poison arts.

When fighting against strong enemies, if your skills are lacking, you need at least poison arts. If your arm is cut off, fight with your legs, and if your legs are cut off too, bite with your mouth.

Only when the mind to definitely kill the enemy is cultivated can you avoid easily losing even when fighting martial artists stronger than yourself.

When you want to give up, what lifts you up once more is precisely that kind of poison arts.

And you must fight a lot.

You must be exposed to various experiences.

The formation was precisely the cultivation method for that – belonging to the Zhuge Family, no, to Zhuge Munhyeon alone.

Using illusion formations to place them in combat situations every day.

Once they become accustomed to that, I plan to begin training for full-scale growth… but looking at it, they’re still far off.

For poison arts, and something beyond that, to be cultivated.

Of course, not all participants received the same training. There were already those who had advanced through the same method of cultivation.

That was precisely Gwan Hwiping.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Training like this.”

“Ah, that… that is…”

Gwan Hwiping, facing Zhuge Munhyeon for the first time in a while, smiled awkwardly.

He had eyes and ears.

He had already heard that Zhuge Munhyeon had killed his uncles.

A guy who didn’t care about the unfilial conduct that others would point fingers at – how much courtesy would he show to mere elder brothers?

He was originally a guy who had no such courtesy toward them anyway.

“Hey, why are we doing this separately?”

“We also seem to need basic training still…”

“Right. Watching other people train, it looked like it would be incredibly effective?”

Gwan Hwiping tried his best not to get involved with Zhuge Munhyeon.

As long as it wasn’t this guy.

No matter how hard the training was, he would endure it.

His heart was full of such thoughts.

However.

“What for? There’s no need for you elder brothers to train exactly the same as them. You’ve already done it all.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Right! What do you mean by that? We’re still lacking.”

“Exactly!”

Really consistent guys.

The three of them stick together every day, so when one speaks, the others always add a word each.

I wanted to smack their heads, but I had already figured these guys out long ago.

Guys so simple that they were unlike the Zhuge Family, to the point where you might think they were picked up or someone had left them outside the gate.

“It’s level-based customized education.”

“What do you… huh?”

“Level-based?”

“Customized?”

Gwan Hwiping, who had been waving his hands dismissively, stopped and looked up.

“Should I say it again? Level-based, customized, education.”

“…Level-based?”

“Then we are?”

“Because we’re far superior to them?”

At Gwan Hwiping’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon nodded.

“Right, for elder brothers who have already become incomparably stronger than them, it’s training that’s not really necessary. You’ve been wearing iron rings for a long time.”

“…”

“And you’ve become accustomed to formation cultivation too. Actually, further development through formation cultivation is difficult.”

“…”

“Since it’s ultimately a formation developed for cultivation purposes, the illusions can only attack in certain fixed patterns. You know that much, right?”

Gwan Hwiping closed his mouth for a moment.

After thinking for a while, a smile deepened at the corners of his mouth.

“Hehehe, as expected, you acknowledge us.”

“Of course, of course. You know, you know well. How could they compare to us?”

“Right! We’re the Young Family Head’s guards. Our skills are already well-known within the Zhuge Family.”

“…”

A quiet laugh was contained at Gwan Hwiping’s attitude of immediately becoming happy.

Simple guys.

If you praise them just a little, they’d happily jump into a fire pit carrying kindling.

But half of it was sincere.

I had already made them do iron ring cultivation when we traveled together years ago, and following Zhuge Munho’s instructions, they had continued wearing them ever since, so they were guys who had developed enough muscle strength to endure considerable weight.

Also, cultivation formations are simpler than you’d think.

For those who haven’t experienced it or beginners, avoiding the illusions’ attacks is difficult enough to kill them, but Gwan Hwiping, who had already undergone formation cultivation for a long time, had learned the structure and form of formations with his body, so he could avoid them even with his eyes closed.

To train them, a new formation would be needed.

But formations aren’t something that can be created so quickly.

Meticulous calculations are required, and stabilization alone takes quite a long time.

In other words, there’s no formation for them right now.

So what I prepared was level-based customized education.

“So what kind of cultivation should we do, younger brother?”

“Just give us anything.”

“We’ll do our best.”

When Gwan Hwiping showed confidence, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled and said.

“You need to continuously receive instructional martial duels from opponents stronger than you.”

“Instructional martial duels?”

“Then we’re learning from you?”

“Hmm, your lives might be a bit precarious, but let’s try it once.”

“…”

What are they saying…

The three are dividing it up among themselves.

“No, the gap between me and you is too large. Mujin will have martial duels with you.”

“Mujin Dojang?”

“Right. That guy needs cultivation too.”

“Hmm… understood.”

“However, since Mujin is busy helping other trainees during the day, let’s do the full-scale training at night.”

“Then what do we do now? Individual cultivation?”

“No, education.”

“Education? Us? Who?”

When Zhuge Gwan tilted his head, Zhuge Munhyeon glanced at Dan Yeonhwa who was waiting behind.

“Her.”

“Huh? Dan Sojo?”

“Right.”

“…”

“She’s the daughter of the Heavenly Demon and came as the delegation leader, but to me, she’s a disciple who learned the Small Heavenly Star Technique.”

This was something Gwan Hwiping had already heard about.

Zhuge Munhyeon’s disciple.

He felt sorry for her.

To have this bastard as a master, she really has no luck at all.

“But as you know, I’m quite busy. So during the day, I want to entrust her cultivation to you guys.”

“To us? Why?”

“Because you learned from me. You should know how it’s done.”

“Hmm…”

“Do it exactly as you learned. While reflecting on how I taught you guys… But you know what happens if you go easy on her because of her status, because she’s a woman, or because you’re charmed by her pretty looks, right?”

When Zhuge Munhyeon glared coldly and threatened them, Gwan Hwiping immediately nodded.

Of course he knew well.

He’d get beaten up.

Even though he now held the title of Chief Instructor, this guy would even lay hands on his uncles.

“So we just do it the same way we were trained?”

“Right.”

“You won’t complain later?”

“I won’t. But if you go easy on her, then you’ll really die.”

“I promise. I’ll give back exactly what I received.”

“…”

Seeing the determined expressions of Zhuge Gwan and Hwiping as they showed their resolve, Zhuge Munhyeon thought.

Give back exactly what you received?

What are you guys, seeking revenge?

But since they were showing such determination, he didn’t need to worry.

“Good. Then start the training. I’ll go to the Military Strategy Hall.”

“Okay!”

“Leave it to us!”

“Trust these elder brothers.”

Gwan Hwiping nodded simultaneously.

“Yeonhwa.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Don’t slack off and learn properly.”

“Of course. I’ll do my best so that Master won’t be disappointed.”

“Good. Work hard.”

“Yes, Master.”

Zhuge Munhyeon left her with Gwan Hwiping and headed to the Military Strategy Hall.

“Dan Sojo, stand up straight. Your posture is wrong from the start.”

“Spread your feet shoulder-width apart!”

“After putting on the iron rings, let’s start with the horse stance!”

Gwan Hwiping performed exactly what Zhuge Munhyeon had instructed.

Just as they had learned.

It would be extremely painful training.

Extremely painful.

But they didn’t know.

What consequences their actions of earnestly training Dan Yeonhwa would bring.

“Hehehe, hahahahaha!”

Only Zhuge Munhyeon, who was secretly bursting into laughter toward the sky, knew that.

* * *

Zhuge Family’s Military Strategy Hall.

Zhuge Doyun, sitting across from his son who had come to see him with teacups between them, frowned deeply.

“Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“You brat! Even if you received the title of Chief Instructor, to treat your uncles like that…”

“Why? Are they complaining?”

“It’s not about complaining! Doming’s buttocks are all torn up! His pants stuck to him and the physician had a hard time removing them! And Dohyeong will need hot compresses on his back for a while!”

“That’s pretty mild then.”

“What do you mean mild?”

“It’s just some torn buttock flesh and needing some back compresses… but the warriors will train more earnestly now. Thanks to the uncles.”

“You, you crazy bastard!”

When his son, who had committed the unfilial act of beating up his uncles, answered so nonchalantly, Zhuge Doyun felt like he was getting dizzy.

He couldn’t even beat this damn kid…

How did he end up with such a son.

“More importantly, Mother is still sighing, isn’t she?”

“What?”

“Every time she sees Dan Sojo, she makes an expression like she’s dying of regret… You haven’t forgotten my condition, have you?”

“…”

“Should I go visit the Family Head and tell him once more?”

At his son’s words, Zhuge Doyun clamped his mouth shut.

And Zhuge Munhyeon just smiled inwardly.

Father, this is Munhyeon.

Now that my head has grown thick enough, arguing with Father is nothing at all.

Without even needing to get angry or irritated.

“…I’m working on it.”

“Work a bit harder. I don’t want Mother to develop heart problems because of me.”

“You, you… Haah.”

Though Zhuge Doyun gritted his teeth and trembled with anger, he could only sigh in the end.

If they just held a wedding ceremony, everything would be solved.

Damn son.

It was lamentable that he had become such a cunning snake without even a speck of cuteness.

“Ahem! But what brings you to the Military Strategy Hall? I heard you’ve installed enough formations for training.”

“This time there’s something I need.”

“Something you need? What’s that?”

“Please make me a formation that can conceal energy.”

“A Qi Concealment Formation?”

“Yes.”

“Why that? You already know that well, don’t you? You’re already proficient in concealment formations for form, sound, and qi…”

“This time I need to hide a slightly different kind of energy.”

“A slightly different kind of energy?”

When Zhuge Doyun asked in puzzlement, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and circulated his positive energy to draw out the spiritual power contained in his energy center.

Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.

As he subtly released his spiritual power, Zhuge Doyun’s eyes, who had been frowning in confusion, widened greatly.

It wasn’t the power of ordinary internal energy.

It was something more fundamental, profound, and frighteningly pure.

“Wh-what is this?”

“Spiritual power.”

“Spir…itual power?”

“Yes.”

“What are you talking about? Suddenly spiritual power?”

“Actually, when I went to Yunnan, I met Uncle Yeongmun.”

“Elder Brother Yeongmun? He was there?”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had withdrawn his power, began telling a story he hadn’t told anyone else.

Except for a few, of course.

“This is the power I learned from Uncle Yeongmun back then.”

“Huh, so that’s what happened.”

“Uncle Yeongmun said I must never reveal this power to the outside world until it’s complete.”

“Hmm…”

“So I need formation techniques that can conceal it during cultivation.”

This was the reason he had come to see Father.

Using the barrier Yeongmun had taught him carried great risks.

Seon would surely know.

But he couldn’t fully release his power either.

Seon would know that too.

So he thought of formation techniques.

There are formation techniques that suppress and conceal bursting internal energy, so there’s no reason they couldn’t work on spirit energy.

It would be difficult for him.

But Father would be able to do it.

After all, he was called the greatest formation technique master of the Central Plains and the Eight Gates Genius.

“Hmm, understood. I’ll try making one. But since you can’t stay by my side the whole time, it’ll probably take quite a while…”

“I’ll give you this.”

Zhuge Munhyeon took out the Spirit Fruit from his robes and offered it.

“This will be sufficient. It’s not quite the same as what I felt from your body, but I can sense a similar type of energy.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“What thanks…”

Father scolded him, but his heart for his child never changed.

* * *

And when evening had already darkened.

Mujin, who had come after hearing the request to help with Gwan Hwiping’s cultivation, witnessed a strange sight.

“Hey! Can’t you raise your hands properly?”

“Why are your legs shaking like that?”

“Look here, look here. Don’t slack off again!”

“…”

Gwan Hwiping was tormenting Dan Yeonhwa.

She was sweating like rain and trembling in her arms and legs like someone with malaria…

“Young Master Gwan Hwiping?”

“Oh? Mujin, you’ve arrived?”

“You heard the story, right?”

“I’ll be receiving training from today. Please take care of me.”

When he called out as coolly as the chilly evening breeze, Gwan Hwiping pretended to be pleased.

Mujin nodded indifferently and spoke with an expression devoid of any emotion.

“Let’s begin… the training.”

“Yes!”

Gwan Hwiping answered energetically, but due to the darkened evening, he couldn’t properly see the obsidian-black pupils beneath the hair scattered by the wind, and didn’t know the fearsome nature of a Taoist who had just begun burning with romantic feelings.

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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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