Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 221

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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 221

The massive mountain range of Mount Tai, located south of Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province.

At the foot of that mountainside lies a manor with walls stretching over ten li in length.

This is the Hwangbo Clan Estate, known for their heroic and chivalrous nature.

Perhaps because it was a family steeped in the aura of great valor, the descendants of the Hwangbo Clan were generally large in stature and often born with divine strength.

Thus, they developed martial arts utilizing their natural physiques, never once losing the glorious title of the Central Plains’ strongest martial artists.

How else could there be a saying that when counting martial techniques, there is Shaolin among the Nine Sects and the Hwangbo Family among the martial clans?

They had long been a pillar supporting one axis of the Orthodox Faction.

But in this era of warring factions where orthodox and unorthodox coexist.

Though even sturdy pillars might shake, they rather saw such situations as opportunities.

The Murim Alliance.

Those who had coordinated All Under Heaven by encompassing both the Nine Sects and martial clans had long been divided into separate entities.

Who would claim it first?

And who would protect it?

This was an era of competing over such matters.

There was no one to point fingers.

Strength itself became justification.

Like all those who lived according to the times, the Hwangbo Clan was also preparing for a future that would take them beyond Shandong to All Under Heaven.

After all, the Murim was such a place.

Either stand tall as the owner, or bow your head beneath them.

* * *

The time when dawn’s first light seeps through the Mount Tai ridges, pushing away the darkness.

On the mountainside where gentle mist lingered, a robust middle-aged man who had awakened earlier than others was taking a horse stance.

Despite his age with graying sideburns, his bare upper torso revealed a back where rugged muscles rose like mountain ranges.

The current Family Head of the Hwangbo Clan.

However, people were more familiar with the title Fist King than that official position.

Fist King Hwangbo Yun.

A man who stood at the pinnacle of Central Plains martial artists.

“Huuu…”

From the lips of the man who had been frozen like a stone statue for who knows how long in the same posture, a long breath escaped and his pulse became active.

His aura intensified, and the surrounding air grew heavy.

After briefly regulating his breathing, he slowly clenched his fist as if grasping heaven and earth.

The moment he completely closed his grip.

Thud!

As he stepped forward and extended his stance, the ground beneath his foot sank deeply and fine cracks spread outward.

The earth trembled and groaned, and the low-hanging mist was swept away with a whoosh.

First was the fist.

The heavy arm that had been pulled back and folded at the waist straightened and extended forward.

Whoooong!

Though he hadn’t even infused internal energy, a gale followed his fist, causing nearby trees to sway violently and shed their leaves in a rustling cascade.

Second was the leg.

The foot that had somehow risen high dropped down at a right angle.

Bang!

The moment it struck the ground, the vibration that shook the mountain transmitted all the way to the nearby Hwangbo Clan Estate.

The Hwangbo morning began this way.

Without anyone waking them, the Family Head’s cultivation that started with dawn opened the morning.

With such intense trembling, there would be no one lazy enough to linger in bed.

Hwangbo Yun’s cultivation continued immediately with a series of strikes hitting the air.

Movements that extended left and right, twisted, pulled, and tore.

He moved his body with all his might as if surrounded by dozens of enemies.

The air that was continuously pummeled distorted and undulated, and the pile of broken stones from his stomping feet repeatedly rose and fell.

Heavenly King Three Fists.

This was the martial arts representing the Hwangbo Clan.

“Huuu…”

The following exhale.

A satisfied smile formed at the corners of his mouth.

Now that the basic martial techniques were finished, it was time to infuse internal energy.

The Mount Sumeru Heavenly King Divine Art, said to create monstrous strength that supports mountains and shakes heaven, was added.

Energy surged and boiled up, flowing like rapids through his blood vessels.

“Mountain Body: Contains the sturdiness of mountains.”

As he finally activated his power, everywhere his stepping feet touched became deeply dented.

Then the energy that had risen like a whirlwind spread in all directions following Hwangbo Yun’s outstretched hands.

“Heaven’s Weight: Contains the heaviness of the sky.”

As he grasped the expelled aura and pressed it toward the ground, the earth within a dozen zhang sank deeply.

Crrrack!

Hwangbo Yun, wearing a smile, unfolded the Heavenly King Three Fists. Thunderous power was contained within.

The two fist arts representing the Hwangbo Clan.

Heavenly King and Thunderbolt.

He who had constantly pondered and sought answers to advance toward All Under Heaven finally saw fruition and combined the two powers.

“Giant Force Suppression: Suppress the world with great strength.”

Infusing giant force into his extended fist, his raised foot, each and every movement to suppress, the atmosphere undulated and the ground twisted and tore.

Kwarrrrrung!

With the power of fists and feet that created a thunderous roar as if lightning was striking, the earth overturned and trees were uprooted and toppled.

After the martial techniques that had begun like a solo performance, like presenting a dance, came to an end.

“Huuu…”

As he regulated his breathing and calmed his power, the surroundings became quiet as if nothing had happened.

The startled birds that had flown up returned to their original residence.

As if nothing had occurred.

Of course, the traces of cultivation did not disappear.

The twisted earth, spider web-like cracks, fallen trees, and such.

This was why he didn’t use the training ground but came out to the mountainside every dawn to cultivate.

Because it wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

And the repair costs wouldn’t be trivial either.

Just as he finished cultivation and was about to cool his sweat.

“Father.”

“Have you come?”

“Yes.”

As if he had been waiting in advance, a handsome young man who appeared to be just past his coming of age offered a bowl and cloth carried on a small table.

Hwangbo Yun received them as if it were a familiar daily routine.

Young Family Head Hwangbo Yeonwu.

As if replacing morning greetings, whenever cultivation ended, he would always approach carrying water and cloth to wipe sweat.

“Let’s sit.”

“Yes.”

As always, they sat on the rock placed under the tree that had become bare from fallen leaves.

“Your cultivation?”

“I have completed it.”

“Always strive diligently.”

“Yes.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu nodded calmly and then reported what had happened throughout the night.

“During the night, a letter arrived from the Hwanju Trading Company.”

“From the Hwanju Trading Company?”

It was a trading company that didn’t stay in Shandong but conducted business in the Hebei and Henan regions.

It would be new information.

While Hwangbo Yun emptied the water from his cup, Hwangbo Yeonwu nodded and held out the letter he had brought.

“It seems the Zhuge Family is trying to call the Tang Family and Wudang for a meeting.”

“The Zhuge Family?”

“Yes.”

Hwangbo Yun frowned and then wore a mocking smile.

“Wudang might be understandable, but the Tang Family is unexpected. They’re not ones to open their hearts easily… Have they decided to accept the marriage proposal?”

The marriage proposal for Young Family Head Zhuge Munho.

Usually, family marriages are political arrangements, so such proposals are sent to various places.

The Hwangbo Clan Estate was one of those places, and an envoy had already visited.

If their interests aligned, close discussions would have followed.

But the conditions were insufficient.

They wanted only a pure marriage, not a political one, so they had postponed their answer and were still considering it.

“However, it seems the Tang Family’s visit to Yungzhong Mountain isn’t solely because of the marriage proposal.”

“What do you mean?”

“The letter from the Hwanju Trading Company contained somewhat different content.”

“Different content?”

“It’s said to be related to the numerous kidnapping incidents that occurred in the west recently.”

“Kidnapping… It’s unfortunate, but aren’t the lawless criminal acts of slave traders something that has always happened?”

“That’s true, but this time the atmosphere is a bit different.”

“Different?”

“Rumors are spreading that those who were kidnapped are being disguised as refugees and taken to Xinjiang.”

“Xinjiang? You mean the Demonic Sect?”

“Yes. It seems this meeting is likely to discuss issues related to that.”

Hwangbo Yun’s brow furrowed slightly as he nodded.

The Demonic Sect had begun to move.

In response, Zhuge called the Tang Family and Wudang to hold a meeting?

But what was even more puzzling was how the Hwanju Trading Company had obtained such information.

“It must be the Beggar’s Sect, right?”

“I think so. We can only assume they deliberately spread the rumors.”

“Those Zhuge Family bastards… Their cunning nature remains the same as always. They pretended to give the Beggar’s Sect a room, but their real scheme was this all along.”

No matter how much a trading company crossed regional boundaries, it couldn’t grasp such detailed information.

The source of those clearly intentional rumors must have been Zhuge.

They surely had something they were aiming for.

“You must have some thoughts. Tell me your opinion.”

“…”

Hwangbo Yeonwu seemed to ponder for a moment at Hwangbo Yun’s words, then slowly opened his mouth.

“You’ll remember the recent incident where the Namgung Family deployed the Azure Sky Sword Corps to Hubei Province and suffered a crushing defeat.”

“It was quite surprising. I never imagined the Zhuge Family would defeat the Namgung Family.”

It was quite some time ago.

Zhuge had defeated the Namgung Family.

The detailed aspects of that war weren’t made known at the time.

Though the victory and defeat were clear, both Zhuge and Namgung were reluctant to speak about it.

“At that time, the Zhuge Family subjugated the unorthodox sects scattered in the northern region of Hubei Province and recovered most of their past influence.”

“They did.”

When a family they thought would collapse suddenly expanded its power, rumors spread far and wide.

However, none of the families or sects of similar scale felt anxious about the Zhuge Family’s expansion of power.

Because it was the Zhuge Family.

But Hwangbo Yun, who was concerned about his son’s expression, asked again.

“Is there something that bothers you?”

“Yes.”

“Speak freely.”

Hwangbo Yun knew his son well.

A family that had revered strength.

Those who had endured in the same place without being swayed by trends.

But his son was a bit different.

His martial talent wasn’t different from other descendants, but he had an eye for reading the world.

His vision didn’t remain at Mount Tai like his own, but surveyed All Under Heaven through rumors.

So he was curious.

How was his son viewing this situation?

When he stared intently, Hwangbo Yeonwu, who seemed to be organizing his thoughts for a moment, cautiously began.

“I’m concerned about… the Tang Family.”

“Why?”

“They don’t unite with others without benefit.”

“And so?”

“What reason would they have to deliberately spread rumors and draw people’s attention? Perhaps they’re considering what comes after?”

“After?”

“It’s still just speculation, but I wonder if Zhuge has chosen the Tang Family as their new master.”

That made sense.

The Zhuge Family was a family of strategists.

Everyone didn’t mind having them under their command.

Their strategies had the power to change the landscape of the Central Plains.

“There are many aspects of the Zhuge Family’s changes that are hard to understand. Perhaps their victory in the war against the Namgung Family, and their rapid growth of influence in Hubei Province…”

“You think the Tang Family is behind it?”

“That’s right. Meanwhile, the justification for this meeting is too good.”

“Justification?”

“As I mentioned, what would happen if they hold a meeting using the Demonic Sect’s activities as their cause?”

“…?”

“It might become the signal for the revival of the Murim Alliance.”

“The, the Murim Alliance?”

“That’s right. Don’t you know the Tang Family’s power well? If they gain Zhuge’s strategies and move Wudang to gather the power of the Nine Sects… Above all, I hear an envoy from Beast Palace has come to the Zhuge Family.”

“Beast Palace?”

“Yes.”

Hwangbo Yun’s eyes flashed open.

Though information about them was scarce due to the distant region, Beast Palace was called strong even in Yunnan, which was called the frontier.

There was no reason for Zhuge to communicate with them.

In the end, it was the Tang Family.

Because Sichuan and Yunnan bordered each other.

If the Tang Family and Beast Palace had already joined hands?

The Tang Family could turn their attention to the Central Plains without any worries.

Also, Qingcheng and Ami in Sichuan were close to the Tang Family.

In such a situation, if Zhuge helped them and Wudang showed support?

It would be an alliance.

The Tang Family might be the first to advance on the path toward All Under Heaven.

“Yeonwu.”

“Yes.”

“Summon a retainer meeting immediately.”

“Understood.”

Having received the order, Hwangbo Yeonwu ran toward the manor without delay.

“How dare those Sichuan country bumpkins… join hands with those ink-stained scholars and try to become masters of the Central Plains?”

Both Hwangbo Yun and his son.

They never even dreamed that the Zhuge Family could be at the center of the meeting.

Because the Zhuge was a family that had never grown strong on their own.

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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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