Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 225
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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 225
The adults who couldn’t agree with Zhuge Munhyeon’s opinion to expand their allies this time ultimately failed to reach a conclusion.
This is the problem with scholarly people.
Trying to discuss the world while sitting at a desk without even experiencing the field firsthand.
But he didn’t say more.
It wouldn’t be easy to persuade them, who were superior to anyone else in debates, even if it were someone else.
Zhuge Munhyeon also remained quiet afterward.
When Wujin Palace Master Yeonghwa came from Wudang, only Mujin stepped forward to receive him together with the family elders, while Zhuge Munhyeon didn’t come forward.
As always, he encouraged(?) the Cheonseong Pavilion trainees and spent time at the Military Strategy Hall.
One day while spending time like this.
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“I’ll go first, so depart leisurely with Dangnyeon.”
“….”
Zhuge Munho couldn’t hide his bewilderment at Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, who had come in the middle of the night prepared to travel.
Going first?
Where?
If you’re going, you go; if you’re coming, you come.
It’s certainly grateful that he’s telling him beforehand, but shouldn’t he reveal the destination?
Of course, judging from his words, it clearly meant he was going to the Hwangbo Family….
“Hey, the Family Head and the elders haven’t decided on attendance yet.”
“I know. They’ll just waste time worrying again. That’s why I’m moving first. To make them decide quickly.”
“Huh….”
Really, his occasional impulsive actions are giving me a headache.
“You brat, but this time it won’t do.”
“….”
“I understand your feelings, but this isn’t something that will end within our family. It’s completely different from power struggles within Hubei Province.”
“From my perspective, it’s all the same.”
“What?”
“What’s different between Hubei and the world?”
“….”
“It’s just that the scale has gotten a bit bigger.”
Zhuge Munho could only stare blankly.
Just a difference in scale?
This guy really….
“But Munhyeon. Still, it won’t do. If you act rashly, you might lose the initiative you talked about. If you go to the Hwangbo Family without any preparation….”
“Who said I’m not prepared?”
“What?”
“It’s a birthday, so bring plenty of gifts. Also organize the congratulatory delegation meticulously so we won’t be looked down upon.”
“No, what I mean isn’t that….”
“Don’t be late.”
“Mu, Munhyeon.”
He was being unreasonable.
I should stop him, but I don’t have the power to do so.
Who could stop him?
Even the Byeongjudang Master, his father, would find it impossible. Then Mujin…I heard he’s assisting the Yeongeun Palace Master who came from Wudang.
Ah! Aunt!
Just when I thought of an appropriate person.
“Oh right! Handle Mother’s persuasion well yourself. If you say it was a measure for the family, she probably won’t be stubborn.”
“….”
It seems he’s already made up his mind firmly.
No wonder he even brought light luggage….
But suddenly I felt something a bit strange in his words.
Since he’s decided to go, he’ll definitely go no matter who tries to stop him… but why go separately? And telling me to depart leisurely since he’ll go first?
“You? You’re not going to the Hwangbo Family, are you?”
“Right. I have a place to stop by first, so let’s meet at the Hwangbo Family later.”
“Stop by first? Where exactly are you trying to go?”
“Anhui Province, Hefei.”
“Anhui… what?”
Zhuge Munho’s eyes widened as he repeated the words.
“What do you mean what? You already know.”
“You crazy bastard! You’re going to the Namgung Family now?”
“Yes.”
“Are you in your right mind?”
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry unnecessarily.”
“….”
The absurdity is indescribable.
The Namgung Family?
He’s really not in his right mind.
Looking at what he’s prepared, it’s clear he intends to go alone.
I must stop him.
It’s not a matter of whether I’m capable or not.
How would the Namgung Family think of him?
Although they made an agreement, they must feel like tearing Zhuge Munhyeon apart wouldn’t be enough to cool their anger.
And he wants to go alone?
“Don’t worry too much. During the previous negotiation, Geomchi told me to come visit sometime, so I’m going.”
“That was just courtesy! Don’t you know how the Namgung Family might treat you?”
“It doesn’t matter how they treat me.”
…Wouldn’t it matter?
Yes, the family’s level has improved somewhat.
Our influence has also grown.
From small and medium sects led by the Second Family Head and Jade Family Head to merchant groups, escort agencies, and martial halls established in Hubei, all have come under the Zhuge Family’s shadow.
The Black River Gate south of the Yangtze River is also busy reading the Zhuge Family’s mood these days.
At least on the Yangtze River flowing through Hubei Province, even water bandits avoid ships flying the Zhuge Family flag. Mountain bandits also pretend not to see them.
Meanwhile, we’ve established trade with the Tang Family and are called brother families, and Yasu Palace has sent their only daughter as an envoy.
But if you remove Zhuge Munhyeon from all that?
There’s not much left.
The foundation that achieved all of that was precisely Zhuge Munhyeon.
“I’m going first. Prepare well and come. Don’t get humiliated in front of other families. You understand, right?”
Startled by Zhuge Munhyeon suddenly standing up, Zhuge Munho spread both arms wide and blocked the door.
There was no other way.
Bringing Aunt would be most effective, but since he was trying to leave right now, there wasn’t time for that either.
“Munhyeon, please don’t do this. Okay?”
“….”
“Let’s have a conversation with the Family Head first. Even if you go, not alone….”
Seeing Zhuge Munho on the verge of tears, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled and said.
“You’re going to try to stop me?”
“Huh?”
“Then go ahead and try.”
The moment he felt Zhuge Munhyeon’s smiling figure become momentarily blurry, his body stiffened.
His blood points had been suppressed.
Standing in front of the door with both arms spread wide.
‘Wh, when?’
Zhuge Munho, who had been staring with wide eyes, used all his strength…
No voice came out.
‘Ah… this meticulous bastard. Did he suppress my mute points too in that short time?’
Unable to move a muscle or utter a single word, Zhuge Munho could only stare ahead with a resentful expression.
“Oh my, Elder Brother Munho. Still in this state? When will you ever get stronger?”
“…”
Ridiculous words.
He was already exchanging decent moves with the Family Head.
You’re just too strong.
It’s not that I’m weak…
But since his body wouldn’t move and no voice would come out, Zhuge Munho could only glare at the innocent wall on the opposite side.
“Remember this. To become the master of a family, it’s important to untie knots, but sometimes you need the decisiveness to cut them off.”
At his younger brother’s whispered words near his ear, Zhuge Munho could only shed tears.
Knots and whatever…
What am I to do with this damned bastard?
“Oh, I’ll borrow your money pouch. I was trying to leave secretly and forgot to prepare travel funds.”
“…”
He even untied and took the money pouch from his waist.
Ah, why did Heaven bestow such a younger brother upon me?
Creak, thud!
The door closed.
The retreating footsteps quickly disappeared.
He had really gone to the Namgung Family.
What am I to do about this?
Please, please someone needs to come and be informed.
I need to hurry and chase after him to catch him.
Did Heaven hear such earnest wishes?
After a long time had passed, when dawn came with pale light pushing away the darkness.
“Young Family Head.”
“…!”
It was Zhuge Gwan.
Though he served as head guard, he hadn’t been able to visit often lately due to receiving training at Cheonseong Pavilion.
What great fortune.
Though quite some time had passed, it wasn’t too late yet.
The Beggar’s Sect! I can use the Beggar’s Sect.
No matter how fast a person is, can they be faster than messenger birds?
Since he said he was going to Anhui, there must be places where the routes overlap.
I just need to send messenger birds to each branch office to track down Zhuge Munhyeon’s whereabouts.
Gwan! Hurry! Hurry and come inside!
Zhuge Munho hoped and hoped again.
Praying that he would please hear that cry echoing in his heart.
“Young Family Head!”
Please, please…
“My, have you already gone out? It’s not time for your morning cough yet…”
Please…
Creak!
At that moment, the door opened.
When no answer came from inside, Zhuge Gwan, worried about his safety, couldn’t overcome his curiosity and entered.
Yes!
Gwan, we must hurry and stop Munhyeon!
But he only heard the sound of the door opening, no footsteps.
Why?
The back of his head felt prickly.
As if someone was staring at him intently…
“Huh, truly amazing.”
‘Huh?’
“Are you training right after waking up?”
‘What?’
“Horse stance at this hour, I truly cannot help but admire the Young Family Head’s dedication.”
‘Hey, you fool! Does this look like horse stance? This is just…’
But that’s how his posture looked.
Arms spread left and right in a half-crouching stance.
Unfortunately, his blood points had been suppressed in that exact position…
“I came thinking that boy Munhyeon was here, but I apologize. I’ve interfered unnecessarily. Please continue your training.”
“…”
Creak, thud.
His heart collapsed at the sound of the door closing.
The footsteps grew distant.
“…”
That damn bastard, Zhuge Gwan you…
Zhuge Munho hurled every curse and profanity he knew at his younger brother.
Of course, only in his mind.
* * *
The method of going from Yungzhong Mountain in Hubei to Anhui is quite simple.
Just keep going east.
If there’s a mountain, climb over it.
Whether there’s a road or not doesn’t matter.
If I keep going and going, won’t Anhui Province eventually appear?
There’s plenty of time.
There are still three months left until the Huangbo Family Head’s birthday banquet.
I had prepared thoroughly for departure.
First, the Cheonseong Pavilion training.
Since I’ve passed on the mental cultivation method, those with sense will train on their own, and my two uncles and Gwan Hwiping will handle encouraging the rest of the training well.
Even though it’s training with set limits, they’ve been quite enthusiastic lately, so three months should be enough to look sufficiently trained to others.
The spirit pills that the family poured quite a budget into making will also be provided, so there should be quite a few who reach the Tan stage.
Mujin is busy serving Uncle Yeonghwa who came from the Wudang Sect, and Dang Ihwa is losing track of time at the Heavenly Workshop.
Craftsmen, really…
Is creating something that enjoyable?
One concern is that when Dang Ihwa came, Mother’s gaze seemed unusual.
It was like the eyes of a predator eyeing its prey.
‘No, that can’t be right?’
Though I was slightly uneasy, I had firmly requested the Family Head, retainers, and Father regarding marriage matters, so it should be fine.
If Mother were to torment me again over that issue… I plan to go straight to the adults and torment them.
I’d be happy to bet on who would suffer more.
Anyway, that should be sufficient.
By now, news that he would be heading to the Hwangbo Family via Namgung through Zhuge Munho would have been delivered, so he could no longer hesitate.
Whether it turned out well or badly, he had no choice but to accept the Hwangbo Family’s invitation.
In the meantime, he would visit Namgung and make them his ally.
First, he would politely persuade them to join with the Zhuge Family, as befitting a descendant of Zhuge.
But if that didn’t work…
“I’ll just make it so they can’t attend at all. Hehehe.”
That was his purpose in visiting the Namgung Family.
Then it would be at least two against two.
He didn’t care about small and medium sects.
Anyway, if the Namgung Family was out, the Hwangbo Family wouldn’t be able to take control either.
“Well, if that still doesn’t work, I’ll just go all out…”
For a moment, he imagined the cruel scene of the Hwangbo Family’s feast day being stained with blood.
Of course, that was the worst-case scenario.
He was Zhuge Munhyeon, not the Heavenly Demon.
“By the way, is this the right path?”
Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been running along the mountain path, suddenly felt doubtful.
He had come eastward without any plan.
When he encountered streams, he lightly leaped over them, and when he met mountains, he traveled in straight lines whether there were paths or not.
But no villages appeared.
He had departed at dawn and it was getting dark again…
“How is there not a single light visible?”
He should have roughly passed through Hubei Province and be passing through southern Hanam Province by now.
“Damn, I’m hungry too…”
His hunger was getting increasingly severe.
Since departing, he hadn’t seen a single village and had been starving the whole time.
Perhaps because of that, irritation was rising.
‘What wealth and glory am I trying to enjoy that I’m starving for the family’s development?’
Should he just go straight to the path of Ascension to Immortality?
Cut off all ties with the world?
Anyway, since he had already reached the Half-Immortal level, he could practice ascension cultivation anytime…
“Huh?”
That’s when it happened.
A faint smell penetrated his nostrils.
Th-this is?
The smell of grilling meat.
He was certain.
The moment he imagined meat being grilled golden brown over a fire, his eyes snapped open and his throat moved vigorously.
“Me-me-meat!”
Bang!
Zhuge Munhyeon kicked off the ground powerfully and launched his body like someone wandering the desert in thirst who had discovered a mirage.
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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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