Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 223

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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 223

“However, there are conditions.”

“Conditions?”

“Hmm, let me correct that. It would be more accurate to call them constraints.”

“…?”

While the warriors who had perked up with interest showed puzzlement, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled alone and spoke.

“Righteous Energy, Supreme Peak is the limit.”

“…?”

“Achievement beyond that is impossible.”

“What do you mean? Righteous Energy?”

As if representing everyone’s questions, Zhuge Domyeong asked with an expressionless face.

Though his expression didn’t change, those close to him could tell his reaction was close to shock.

“It’s exactly as you heard. The realm that can be achieved with the heart method I’ll teach is up to the level of Righteous Energy. No matter how hard you try, anything beyond that is difficult. If you become too greedy by any chance, your blood vessels will burst and you’ll die.”

“….”

“I know. How painful it is to have a predetermined wall. But you can achieve results quickly. So I won’t force the choice. I’ll leave the judgment to you all, so if you don’t want this, you may leave Cheonseong Pavilion right now.”

Having finished speaking, Zhuge Munhyeon closed his mouth and waited for them to organize their thoughts.

It was because of the Heaven Defying technique.

Since what was pure had been reversed, how could there not be problems?

If they exceeded the limit, they might fall into demonic nature.

Therefore, the blood channels must be sealed in advance to establish clear constraints.

The choice wouldn’t be easy.

Having a clear limit.

That was like drawing a line for those who had entered the path of martial arts, telling them they could no longer dream.

Of course!

That was only Zhuge Munhyeon’s thinking, who always looked toward bigger dreams and goals.

“Righteous Energy!”

“Is it really true?”

“Can we really reach that dreamlike realm?”

Somehow the atmosphere was completely different from what he had expected.

He thought at least half would leave… what was this murmuring about?

They liked it? Their eyes were sparkling? And why was their breathing getting rough?

It was when Zhuge Munhyeon, who couldn’t understand their reaction, tilted his head sideways.

“Chief Instructor! Can we really reach Righteous Energy?”

“Yes?”

“I asked if it’s really possible.”

“Well, that… it would probably depend on individual effort, but if you show quick achievement, ten years, no wait. If Beast Palace and the Dang Family cooperate and the family provides full support by making elixirs, it could be shortened to seven years.”

“Se-seven years?”

“….”

Jang Gokseong’s eyes widened.

His pupils were trembling roughly like a sailboat caught in a storm.

Why was he moved?

Why did he look like he had gained the whole world?

I’m sure I explained clearly that the limit was definite…

You guys will just grow old and die at that level?

If your body isn’t reconstructed beyond the Gang realm, you’ll die of old age!

Don’t you know what that means?

A martial artist! Growing old and dying!

“Righteous Energy! Righteous Energy!”

“Supreme Peak!”

“….”

But it was already a festival atmosphere.

They were hugging each other and shedding tears, shouting with joy…

Those who had been looking at him as if they would devour him suddenly had expressions as if they were writhing in gratitude as vast as the ocean.

“Munhyeon.”

“…Yes?”

“Is it really possible? Did you truly create such a heart method?”

“Ah, well… that’s right.”

“Ah…”

Zhuge Domyeong and Zhuge Dohyeong.

When he nodded reluctantly, even his two uncles were amazed and speechless.

How could they doubt it?

It wasn’t just anyone, but Zhuge Munhyeon.

He was the genius who transformed the Small Heaven Formation Heart Method into a peerless divine technique at age ten and became the greatest master of the Zhuge Family at the age of twenty, truly someone who wouldn’t be inferior anywhere.

Righteous Energy…

How important could the limit be?

In the Zhuge Family, the realm of Righteous Energy was an incredibly high level.

The absolute majority were martial artists who would at best achieve Tan Qi and grow old.

These people would become equal to the Family Head or masters representing the family.

Moreover, thirty martial artists of that level would be cultivated in seven years, not even ten?

Just thinking about it was like a dream.

The Zhuge Family’s strength would finally be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with sects like Wudang or families like Namgung, Hwangbo, and Paeng.

Of course, only Zhuge Munhyeon didn’t understand their reaction.

Why exactly?

Why were they happy?

“We’ll work hard!”

“What should we start with?”

“Let’s begin cultivation right away!”

The warriors’ reactions became strange.

What was contained in their eyes was definitely the poison arts he had intended to cultivate in them… but somehow it seemed like poison arts in a slightly different direction?

Sigh, you guys just live like that.

If you like it that much, what can I do?

Though I don’t know what’s so good about a life with predetermined limits.

* * *

Zhuge Munhyeon sat facing his two uncles.

Clatter, clatter.

“….”

Rattle rattle rattle.

“Excuse me, could you please calm down?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Zhuge Munhyeon frowned and spoke.

Under the table, his two uncles kept shaking their legs, making the teacups unable to stay still.

Precious tea kept spilling, making the table surface soaked.

“Ah, sorry. I just can’t seem to calm my excitement.”

“That’s right. Righteous Energy… Hehe, really.”

“….”

His uncles still seemed unable to calm their excitement.

“I still feel like I’m dreaming.”

“About this? We’re fortunate to have such a nephew.”

“Is it just us? The family has been blessed with good descendants.”

“That’s right, indeed. How could such a blessing be born… Hahaha!”

Listening to their conversation, they seemed like people who had already achieved everything.

The full-scale mental cultivation training hadn’t even started yet, but what had them grinning so widely?

It seemed necessary to bring them down a notch.

“Uncles.”

“Yes!”

“Speak.”

“…”

They responded so quickly to being called.

Their eyes sparkled as they focused intently, perking up their ears.

“Sigh, it’s not as easy as you think.”

“Of course!”

“Who said it was easy?”

“…”

Zhuge Munhyeon sighed again at their reactions and spoke with an awkward smile.

“What I mentioned only applies to the best-case scenario.”

“Who said otherwise?”

“Not everyone will succeed just because they’re taught! But among them, one or two might reach the realm of Intent Energy… At minimum, Explosive Energy should be possible, right? Don’t you think?”

Watching them exchange words, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Gwan Hwiping was like this too…

Could this be a family trait?

A place full of people who all want to speak?

Even Zhuge Domyeong, who was usually so taciturn, couldn’t hide his excitement like this.

He had explained so thoroughly that there were clear limitations…

Still, it was good that they were happy.

They said even reaching Intent Energy would be more than enough.

In fact, the martial artist unit he wanted to create didn’t need to be at too high a level.

Throughout all sects and families, there actually weren’t many who could be called renowned masters.

The martial artists under them were mostly composed of lower-level martial artists.

Even the Namgung Family he had fought before – the main martial artists of the Azure Sky Sword Unit were at the Manifest Energy level.

Only squad leaders reached Explosive Energy.

Of course, the number of Manifest Energy level martial artists would be incomparably greater than the Zhuge Family’s.

Because they had focused on martial arts.

Other families probably weren’t much different.

In such a situation, what if an Intent Energy, or at minimum Explosive Energy level martial artist unit appeared on the battlefield?

Even just thirty would be enough to change the tide of war.

A formidable martial artist unit composed of Explosive Energy level martial artists was rare even in the demonic path.

If they grew to the Intent Energy level as he expected?

Among all forces, they would be called the strongest in average combat power among martial artist units.

Their very existence would ensure that no one could ignore the Zhuge Family.

“From now on, both uncles will need to help even more diligently.”

“You bet!”

“Just say whatever you need!”

Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled at their expressions full of enthusiasm and explained the training plan in detail.

“Good then. As soon as the preliminary preparations are finished, we’ll start cultivation from the Hour of the Tiger (3 AM).”

“That early?”

“After mental cultivation training ends, we’ll have a meal, then proceed with the basic physical conditioning and formation training we’ve always done.”

“Hmm… Understood. It can’t be helped if we want to become stronger. Nothing is gained without effort.”

“And from evening onward, we’ll conduct individual sparring training.”

“Individual sparring?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll need to help them.”

“No, I’ve already arranged separate instructors to conduct that training.”

“…?”

Watching his uncles tilt their heads in confusion, Zhuge Munhyeon wore a sinister smile.

“Now then, for smooth progress, Cheonseong Pavilion Master, please report to the Family Head. We need spirit pills to help improve the martial artists’ internal energy. Since they need to be made as quickly as possible, intermediate potency will suffice. Please seek cooperation from the Dang Family. Tell them we’ll accept medicinal herbs instead of money as payment for the mechanisms and formations installed at Eunhwa Mountain.”

“Understood.”

“Hyeonho Dan Leader, please work with the Military Strategy Hall to devise formations for them to use going forward. Divide personnel into groups of three, five, and ten, and the types of formations must be subdivided to respond to all situations. Please serve as an advisor by recalling your past experiences.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Having given instructions to both uncles as Chief Instructor, Zhuge Munhyeon immediately called for Dan Yeonhwa.

This was to perform preparatory work on the bodies of the martial artists who would learn the mental cultivation technique.

Though it was something he could do alone, she who had learned the Sealing Heart Technique was an excellent assistant.

Also, seeing it performed in practice would be of great help to her as well.

* * *

The Small Heavenly Star Reverse Heaven Heart Method was transmitted in a solemn atmosphere.

This was truly a moment when orthodox and demonic martial arts cooperated with each other.

Through Zhuge Munhyeon.

The doors of Cheonseong Pavilion were firmly closed, and formations were activated to prohibit outsiders from entering.

In an atmosphere so quiet that even a falling needle could be heard, Zhuge Munhyeon’s voice continued.

“The martial arts you learn now must never be transmitted to others. You must not speak of it even to family members.”

“…”

“If anyone violates this, I will personally cut off their head.”

“Yes!”

The martial artists answered with bright, attentive eyes.

Though he spoke of not transmitting to unworthy people, in reality he was worried about problems that would arise if the martial arts leaked outside.

Its appearance was that of orthodox sects, but it contained the way of reversal.

It was unorthodox leftist doctrine.

It was evil arts.

If someone learned the inside story, they would surely say such things.

In truth, even if they wanted to transmit it, they couldn’t.

Because it was incomplete martial arts from the beginning.

Since forward and reverse directions were different, teaching and learning recklessly would inevitably cause problems.

Therefore, preliminary work was important.

Unless one knew the Sealing Heart Technique, if they transmitted this heart method to someone, the learner would inevitably fall into demonic nature.

In other words, it was martial arts that couldn’t be transmitted at all without Zhuge Munhyeon.

That’s why the number thirty was quite good.

Until the Cheonseong Pavilion disciples who were learning proper Small Heavenly Star Technique grew up to become the force supporting the family, they would serve as the sword protecting the Zhuge Family.

The choice was theirs.

Because even though the limitations were clear, these were people who perhaps had never even dreamed of such possibilities.

And for the exhausted them, new instructors arrived.

“From now on, Gwan Hwiping will guide you after daily duties.”

“The three young masters?”

They understood so well.

Now it seemed everyone in the family was more familiar with the title Gwan Hwiping than their actual names.

“Understood. We’ll work hard!”

The martial artists answered in unison.

Their voices were bright.

They probably don’t properly understand the situation they’ll be facing.

The instructor who will teach them is Gwan Hwiping.

Over the past two months, they too have continued their cultivation.

Under the teachings of the hellish Taoist Mujin, who became vicious after witnessing his lover’s pain…

Grrrr.

Look at that, they’re no different from beasts.

With poison gleaming in their eyes, each wearing an expression that says they want to slowly crush someone underfoot.

It was wise to entrust Dan Yeonhwa’s training to them.

Didn’t Mujin train so earnestly for her sake?

Now, go.

Go and crush those hopeful ones without a shred of sympathy, making them grow stronger!

From that day forward, Cheonseong Pavilion was filled only with the furious shouts and striking sounds of the three instructors, along with agonizing screams.

Everything was going according to plan.

Hell would continue, and the martial artists who grew within it would develop rapidly.

The Zhuge Family was taking another step forward in this manner.

And then.

“Young Master Munhyeon, the Family Head is looking for you.”

“Why would the Family Head? If it’s about the Dang Family, the Young Family Head went out to meet them. Have they already arrived?”

“I don’t know the details either. He said to come to the Family Head’s Hall immediately.”

“…”

The messenger’s words filled him with puzzlement.

The person who had said he would entrust everything to the Young Family Head and support from behind was suddenly calling for him.

Had some problem arisen?

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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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