Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 224

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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 224

“Huh? You came… here?”

The Family Head’s residence.

Facing those who filled the not-so-spacious room, Zhuge Munhyeon spotted Dangyan and was about to greet him when he became conscious of his surroundings and changed his tone.

He couldn’t bring himself to speak casually in the presence of Family Head Zhuge Dowon and the family elders.

Dangyan was the young family head of another clan and was older too.

“It’s been a while.”

“…Indeed it has.”

But Dangyan spoke without reserve.

This bastard is doing it on purpose…

His expression clearly showed he found the reaction amusing.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

At Zhuge Doyun’s words, he took a seat, and Zhuge Junggi spoke with a frowning face.

“The Hwangbo Clan has made the first move.”

“Huh?”

“It just arrived a moment ago.”

Given the formal setting, Zhuge Junggi, who was using a different tone than usual like himself, held out a letter.

There were two sheets.

One addressed to the Zhuge Family and one addressed to the visiting Tang Family.

Rustle.

In the quiet atmosphere, the sound of tearing open the outer envelope and extracting the contents continued.

The sender was the Family Head of the Hwangbo Clan.

The content was…

“Dragon and Phoenix Gathering…?”

As he asked with a furrowed brow, everyone nodded silently.

Something about celebrating the Hwangbo Family Head’s birthday, promoting friendship, worrying about the future of the Central Plains’ martial world – it was verbose, but… the core was the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering.

“It’s an excuse.”

“…”

It seemed that way.

He could also guess what intention they had in sending the invitation.

Even the timing was too coincidental.

Right after they spread rumors about the demonic cult’s activities and the meeting through the Beggar’s Sect, a letter arrived inviting them to the Family Head’s birthday banquet.

When they normally had no exchanges whatsoever.

Probably everyone present had figured out the Hwangbo Clan’s intention.

“We intended to spread rumors about the gathering to draw attention before making our move, but we didn’t expect them to make the first move.”

As Zhuge Junggi made an expression of regret, Zhuge Dowon calmly continued.

“Furthermore, they’re suggesting we discuss the Young Family Head’s marriage as well.”

“What? Wasn’t that already rejected?”

When Zhuge Munhyeon asked incredulously, Zhuge Dowon smiled bitterly.

“It wasn’t a rejection but a postponement. Meaning they wanted to observe the situation a bit more.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“You must know why the Hwangbo Clan is inviting us?”

“Well, isn’t it the same as us? They’re probably thinking of making the first move to seize the initiative since they don’t want to fall behind.”

“Hmm…”

“Since the justification for the meeting is concern about the demonic cult’s rampage, they’d also be worried about what would happen if the Martial Alliance were to be revived.”

As Zhuge Munhyeon spoke without reserve, the expressions of the Zhuge Family members stiffened slightly.

“Ahem! Munhyeon.”

They were being mindful of Dangyan.

Since he had just arrived, they hadn’t told him the detailed contents yet.

But Zhuge Munhyeon, who caught Zhuge Dowon’s hint, pouted.

What’s wrong with that?

He had just said in advance what they were going to discuss anyway.

And it wasn’t proper etiquette to call someone over to sit down and then whisper among the Zhuge members.

“Haha! Family Head, it’s fine. I had somewhat expected this part.”

“Ah… you did?”

“I happen to have a quite decent strategist by my side.”

Dangyan grinned and looked back at Zhuge Mungi behind him.

He had grown a lot.

A guy who used to be ostracized by warriors at a mere branch office was now serving as a strategist for the Tang Family’s young family head.

Perhaps due to Dangyan’s words, pride flashed across the faces of the Zhuge Family members.

They seemed so pleased that their family’s descendant was serving as strategist to another family’s young family head.

Anyway, this damn second-place mentality.

It would probably take a generation to change.

“I merely offered my shallow perspective. Since not only the Tang Family but also Wudang was invited to this Yungzhong Mountain gathering. Also, since it originated from the kidnapping incident that occurred in the western part of the Central Plains…”

Though his words were modest, Zhuge Dowon and the retainers nodded with satisfaction.

“So please don’t mind me and discuss freely. Actually, whether the Martial Alliance is revived or not, whoever takes the position of Alliance Leader doesn’t interest me. What matters is only whether they’ll be helpful to the Tang Family or not.”

His words, spoken openly with a smile, were very much like the Tang Family.

Come to think of it, the Tang Family had never stepped to the forefront of the martial world.

The ruler of Sichuan.

They had always maintained that position.

That confidence of not even considering the Martial Alliance was newly enviable.

While someone else was being grateful even for the position of second place…

But Zhuge Dowon’s face was still somewhat stiff.

He probably needed something more certain.

“Young Family Head. Can I consider those words just now as the Family Head’s intention?”

“You may consider it the Main House’s intention.”

“…”

“Also, the Family Head told me to follow the Zhuge Family’s will. Under the premise that no harm comes to the Main House, we will support you. Of course, we won’t exclude benefits either. We can’t do business at a loss.”

Even in that situation, Dangyan showed the Tang Family’s characteristic faithfulness to profit and loss calculations.

Someone might point fingers and call it materialistic, but in the current setting, that honesty of not hiding one’s true feelings provided even greater reassurance.

“Ahem! Then we can continue, right?”

As the gathering seemed to be organized, Zhuge Munhyeon turned his head to look at Zhuge Junggi.

“So Junggi, no, what does the Executive think?”

“Pardon?”

“Although the Heavenly Strategy Master is present, since you’re leading this matter, tell us your thoughts.”

“Ah, well…”

The designated Zhuge Junggi made an awkward expression and looked at Heavenly Strategy Master Zhuge Doeung.

“Munhyeon is right. State your thoughts.”

With permission granted, Zhuge Junggi took small breaths to organize his thoughts and soon his eyes sparkled.

“The intention is too clear. It’s probably espionage disguised as an invitation. But I think we need to consider attendance.”

“Why?”

“Your guess about why they sent us the birthday banquet invitation is probably correct. Seeing that there are two invitations, they were likely more conscious of the Tang Family than us.”

“Hmm.”

The elders nodded in agreement, and Zhuge Munhyeon just listened silently.

There was no need to butt in.

When smart people were going to analyze, worry, and even present solutions on their own… why bother?

“Even if we don’t know about their relationship with Wudang, they won’t want an alliance with the Tang Family.”

“That’s right.”

Insignificant alone, but threatening when helping someone else.

That was the Zhuge Family’s current position.

“They’ll be thinking of somehow breaking our relationship with the Tang Family.”

“I see it the same way. Nominally it’s a birthday banquet or Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, but… in reality, they intend to pressure us by showing they’re united.”

“Yes. So I think the other families might have received slightly different invitations than ours.”

“That’s likely.”

“Perhaps through this banquet, the leadership we thought we had might pass to the Hwangbo Clan.”

“What’s your reasoning?”

“First, we expanded our territory and subjugated demonic faction forces. Though they’ve now changed their names to Second Family Head and Jade Family Head, perceptions of their origins haven’t changed.”

“Right. They’ll emphasize that point. And the small and medium families that reject the demonic faction will support their position.”

“Exactly. In the battle of public opinion, they’re already in a better position than us.”

“Continue.”

“Yes. Second is… because of perceptions about the Tang Family.”

When Zhuge Junggi openly brought up what everyone had been thinking but couldn’t voice, the Family Head and retainers immediately frowned.

It was rude in front of the person concerned.

“Haha, I said it’s fine. Why are you all like this? If you keep this up, I’ll be embarrassed.”

“But, still…”

“It’s fine. I’ve heard plenty of talk about being between orthodox and unorthodox, following profit over righteousness, being despicable people who use hidden weapons and poison.”

“I’m sorry. But know that our main house absolutely doesn’t regard the Tang Family through such rumors.”

Zhuge Dowon apologized politely.

“You apologize so much it makes me feel ashamed instead. Don’t worry. The Tang Family regards Zhuge as a trustworthy brother family. Otherwise, would I have brought a reply to the marriage proposal you sent? Not only that, but regarding Munhyeon’s marriage…”

Yu Gilcheon, who had been lightening the mood with laughter, suddenly stopped speaking with a stiffly frozen face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. Haha!”

When Zhuge Dowon looked puzzled, Yu Gilcheon laughed awkwardly and glossed over it.

The chilling words that had just reached his ears.

[…Should I rip your mouth open?]

If he said more, it really seemed like it would be ripped open.

He was someone who would do it even with family elders present.

“Ahem! Anyway, I’ll continue. The prejudice against the Tang Family will be an even greater misfortune for us.”

“Hmm…”

“And lastly, there’s our relationship with the Namgung Family.”

Everyone’s expressions became serious at that point.

The Namgung Family.

The negotiations ended well, but there was no law saying resentment wouldn’t remain.

They had given up many things.

And what was lost must someday be reclaimed – that’s the essence of martial world families.

Even if Geomchi Namgung Ilhak showed goodwill in the negotiations, that was merely his personal opinion.

Once the family’s will is decided, even he would have no choice but to take hostile action.

Moreover, Namgung’s forces at that time couldn’t be considered the main strength.

Just a portion.

In others’ eyes, it would have seemed like just a careless cat getting its nose bitten by a mouse.

“A difficult problem. It’s trouble whether we attend or don’t attend.”

“There’s a high probability the initiative will pass to them. That’s why they invited both the Tang Family and us together.”

“Hmm…”

Everyone fell into contemplation with closed mouths.

That’s when it happened.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been quietly listening, chuckled and joined the conversation.

“What’s the big problem with something so trivial?”

“Huh?”

“You don’t think others couldn’t have had the same thoughts we did, do you?”

“It’s not that, but this requires more careful consideration. If we want to seize the initiative as you say…”

“Exactly.”

“What?”

“Avoiding it won’t solve anything. When a wall appears, you break through it and advance. Isn’t hesitating like this more ridiculous? It makes us look scared.”

“…”

“And thinking about it, isn’t this actually a better situation?”

“A better situation?”

“We were going to unite with the Tang Family first, then think of ways to gather the other families in one place… but the Hwangbo Clan is gathering them for us, aren’t they? Where could we find a better opportunity? We don’t even need to spend money – just bring a birthday gift and that’s it.”

“Who doesn’t know that? It’s because meeting at the Hwangbo Clan estate puts us at an extreme disadvantage.”

“If it’s disadvantageous, just make it advantageous.”

“What are you talking about?”

At Zhuge Dowon’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and turned his head.

“Junggi.”

“…Yes?”

“In the end, it’s three against two, right?”

“Three against two…?”

Zhuge Junggi blinked in confusion.

“The Tang Family and us on one side, and Hwangbo, Paeng, and Namgung families as three on the other side.”

“…”

“Looking at the big picture, that’s what it comes down to. The small and medium families will have no choice but to follow the big ones’ will. Right?”

He really lived life so simply.

Three against two.

An extremely simple way of choosing sides.

But there was no clearer expression than that.

“Then the answer is obvious, isn’t it?”

“Obvious?”

“We just need to pull one of the three to our side.”

“…”

Everyone thought at his clear answer.

Who doesn’t know that – is that why we’re struggling?

So who are you going to pull in?

Paeng family? Hwangbo? Namgung?

What nonsense…

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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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