Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 226

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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 226

Southern Henan, Jeongyang Mountain.

A very small mountain known only to those living nearby. It’s not particularly steep, and compared to other regions, it could be called a low mountain.

At some point, a bandit group called the Palgong Gang had established their base there.

However.

“Why Palgong Gang? If you’ve settled on Jeongyang Mountain, shouldn’t it properly be called Jeongyang Stronghold or Jeongyang Gang?”

A young bandit grilling meat over a campfire asked.

“Haha! Right, that makes sense.”

The middle-aged bandit nodded and laughed.

It was a natural question to have if one didn’t know the stronghold’s history.

“The reason is that we once operated on Palgong Mountain, a great mountain in northern Anhui Province.”

“Palgong Mountain?”

“That’s right. We were once a stronghold that made quite a name for ourselves. We bore the name of Palgong, the largest mountain in northern Anhui Province.”

That’s how bandits are by nature.

The stronger the force, the larger the mountain they claim and act as its owner. Forces that don’t match their names are soon absorbed by other forces and disappear.

The notorious Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds throughout All Under Heaven also claim the largest mountains in each region as their territory.

In other words, we were a bandit group that ranked among the best in Anhui Province.

“You must have heard of it. The Guhua Mountain Gang of Anhui.”

“I know it. It’s like a dream destination for Anhui bandits, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

Guhua Mountain Gang.

The place where someone who is also a sworn brother of the Green Forest King serves as the stronghold leader.

In other words, the great leader of Anhui.

For bandits operating in Anhui, that place was truly a paradise.

“Our previous stronghold leader was the direct younger brother of that Anhui great leader. That’s how we were able to claim Palgong Mountain, the largest in northern Anhui.”

“Ah…”

“Those were really good times. When the Murim Alliance disappeared and unorthodox factions rose up everywhere to expand their territories. Our power in the mountains was truly formidable. We had three hundred gang members.”

“Don’t tell me… you’ve been a bandit since then?”

When the young bandit tilted his head with a puzzled expression, the middle-aged bandit glanced at him sharply and said.

“…is what I heard from the seniors.”

“Ah…”

The young bandit averted his gaze and nodded, then carefully asked again with renewed curiosity.

“But why did we, the Palgong Gang, abandon Palgong Mountain and come to this small mountain in Henan? Is this perhaps a branch office?”

“What branch office? This is the main stronghold.”

“What?”

“It was about ten years ago. Before you came to our stronghold.”

“I was kidnapped and then converted, wasn’t I?”

“…”

What an honest fellow.

He should have explained that countless people had died from speaking too frankly, but since this guy showed promise for the future, he decided to let it slide once.

“Anyway… about ten years ago, there was a calamity at Palgong Mountain.”

“A calamity?”

“Right. It started from a branch-like stronghold at nearby Seoseong Mountain.”

“…”

“Those Namgung Family bastards, crazed with territorial expansion, came attacking… Well, those bastards devastated Seoseong Mountain and then came all the way to Palgong Mountain.”

“Such a thing happened. But if you had asked the Guhua Mountain Leader for help…”

“Guhua Mountain? We couldn’t even send word.”

“What?”

“Those damn Beggar’s Sect beggars had somehow snuck in and first destroyed our messenger pigeon network. You know, right? How those pigeon bastards are greedy and just pick up and eat anything.”

“I know.”

“They scattered poisoned beans.”

“Those cruel beggar bastards! How could they do that to poor messenger pigeons…”

“Exactly. But it was fortunate. I heard later that those vicious Namgung Family bastards killed all the beggars too.”

“I see.”

The young bandit finally understood why they called themselves Palgong Gang despite being settled on Jeongyang Mountain.

They had been driven out.

From Anhui…

“Anyway, we’re currently building our strength to regain the prestige worthy of Palgong Mountain. You heard about it, right? Those guys we kidnapped this time.”

“Ah, that young master with the greasy face?”

“Right. That bastard seems to be from a family with considerable influence in the Anhui area.”

“He did look valuable.”

“It was heaven’s fortune, heaven’s fortune. Who would have known that bastard would pass near our stronghold?”

“He was returning to Anhui after holding a memorial service for his mother at Cheonjoongsan, right?”

“You heard too?”

Cheonjoongsan was a mountain in central Henan.

At its peak was an altar for offering sacrifices to heaven, and there was a story that if you enshrined a memorial tablet there and burned incense, the soul would go to a good place.

“Anyway, this incident is no different from an opportunity heaven has given us.”

“Don’t tell me we’re returning to Palgong Mountain?”

“You crazy bastard, would we go back?”

“Then what?”

“After securing a solid fortune, we’re going to Daebyeolsan, they say.”

“Daebyeolsan?”

“Right. I heard Daebyeolsan Gang is also having a hard time these days. Because of those Zhuge bastards expanding their territory.”

“Zhuge?”

“Right, those Zhuge bastards.”

“Ah…”

Daebyeolsan formed a massive mountain range crossing southern Henan and Hubei.

The ones claiming to be its masters were the Daebyeolsan Gang.

One of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds.

“I also heard this from what the seniors were saying…”

Just as the middle-aged bandit was lowering his voice to continue the story.

“Myeongchun!”

“Yes! Third Squad Leader!”

“These guys are just chattering away! When will the meat finally be done? We’ve been out of side dishes for a while!”

“It’ll be ready soon, very soon!”

At the irritated shout, the middle-aged bandit, Myeongchun, bowed deeply as he answered.

“Honestly, so slow… Hurry up! Don’t ruin the good atmosphere.”

“Of course! Don’t worry. Geumhan, add more wood. The fire’s dying.”

“Yes!”

That’s right.

Middle-aged bandit Seol Ga Myeongchun and young bandit Gung Ga Geumhan were the lowest-ranking members of Palgong Gang.

They mainly grilled meat on feast days, guarded the stronghold, and did laundry…

Today too, they were grilling meat.

Because there was a feast due to a big haul at the stronghold.

Of course, they were far away from the feast table.

They couldn’t let smoke spread and disturb the feast.

Even as their movements quickened slightly from being cautious, the conversation continued.

“But will Daebyeolsan accept us? Daebyeolsan Gang is one of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds.”

“I was saying earlier but got interrupted – recently those Zhuge Family bastards have been acting up, claiming to protect merchant groups, so that side has also become quite difficult.”

“But then going would be a problem too, wouldn’t it? We might end up dying fighting the Zhuge Family for no reason.”

“Haha! You still don’t know much about the Zhuge Family, do you?”

“Pardon?”

“Zhuge is different from Namgung. They’re only smart, but they don’t have much strength.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s a military strategist family. I heard they even wear things like scholar’s robes? Yes, just like that guy over there.”

Seol Myeongchun, who had turned around to transfer the grilled meat, spoke while looking at the white-robed man sitting where he had been cutting meat earlier.

“Ah, that kind of… clothing?”

Gunggeumhan’s nodding motion, as if he understood now that he could see it, suddenly stopped.

The white-robed man.

Who had somehow approached them without them knowing and was eagerly devouring the grilled meat with relish…

Seol Myeongchun and Gunggeumhan’s heads tilted sideways simultaneously.

“Who… are you?”

When you’re too flustered, your mind naturally goes blank.

He had only spoken respectfully because the man’s attire looked so noble.

But the man, who had been filling his belly greedily like a glutton, spoke with oil-glistening lips.

“Hey, don’t you have any alcohol?”

“Pardon?”

“Damn, I ate too fast because I was hungry and now my throat’s blocked.”

“…”

What the hell is this guy?

It’s not like he’s looking for rice water at a well.

Coming to a mountain inn, wolfing down the meat they worked hard to grill, and now asking for alcohol too?

“Hey! These bastards said the side dishes ran out, so what are you… doing… huh?”

Third Squad Leader, who had come running in anger because no meat was coming, stopped in his tracks and blinked.

There was some guy in pale, loose clothing with them.

A stranger who was neither a bandit nor a hostage.

Then naturally…

“What are you!”

Third Squad Leader Moon Eungseong picked up a nearby tree branch and shouted.

He had left his weapons behind since they were in the middle of enjoying a feast.

“You crazy bastards! What are you two doing just lying around! A stranger appeared and you’re just watching?”

“Ah!”

At Moon Eungseong’s words, the two bandits quickly took defensive positions.

Each picking up a meat-cutting knife and a burning piece of firewood.

“Oh? There’s alcohol over there.”

But their opponent paid no attention to their threats whatsoever and looked toward the main building of the mountain inn in the distance with delight.

“This crazy bastard! Attack…!”

Moon Eungseong, who had been shouting in surprise at the white-robed man grinning and taking a step, couldn’t finish his words.

Thud.

The man had vanished without a trace from before his eyes, and Seol Myeongchun and Gunggeumhan had already collapsed.

And.

“You bastard, when a person is hungry in the deep mountains, they can at least scavenge some meat from others. What’s such a big deal that you’re making noise and causing a ruckus in the middle of the night?”

“…”

Right beside him.

A voice coming from right next to his ear.

‘H-how?’

Though he was surprised by the speed that was invisible to the eye, he reflexively twisted his body and swung the tree branch.

Of course, given who his opponent was.

Crack!

Moon Eungseong collapsed unconscious without even getting to swing properly.

“Who goes there!”

The bandits’ reaction was natural.

It was because Moon Eungseong had shouted so loudly that he drew everyone’s attention.

It was also a perfectly natural sequence for murderous aura to rise while each grabbed their weapons and prepared to fight.

After all, three bandits were lying collapsed next to the white-robed man.

The mountain inn was filled with thick tension.

The only one who seemed completely at ease was the white-robed man, Zhuge Munhyeon.

“Boys, don’t do that. I just wandered through the mountains starving and came running, lured by the smell of meat. Thanks to that, I filled my belly and… I’m in a good mood. So don’t throw your lives away for nothing and stay quiet. Then nothing will happen. Got it?”

Such a kind explanation.

With a full belly, his heart had become generous.

If there was just a warm fire nearby, he felt like he could even fall asleep.

But would the bandits be able to put themselves in his shoes?

Some guy had come to their feast, silently stolen and eaten their meat, and even beaten up their men.

For those who considered themselves masters of the mountains, this was absolutely unacceptable behavior.

“Well I’ll be, the world’s gone so crazy that even scholars are going mad and running wild.”

The leader of the Eight Peaks Gang, Han Bulhae, let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

It was because of his attire.

Snow-white clothing embroidered with splendid patterns.

Accessories hanging from his waist that were modest but seemed to have passed through a craftsman’s hands.

Instead of wide sleeves, it was tied up for easy movement, but it was definitely a scholar’s robe.

And with that pale, clean appearance as if he’d never fought once in his life.

If such a guy was wandering mountain paths hungry in the middle of the night, he was definitely crazy without exception.

Look, he’s not even surprised to see bandits.

He must have lost his mind from the shock of failing the civil service examination.

“Boys, escort him here nicely. Since we’re having a feast anyway, let’s listen to some refined poetry for once.”

“That’s a good idea, leader.”

“What are you doing? The leader is waiting.”

At Han Bulhae’s words, the sub-leaders grinned and gave orders, and the bandits below stood up arrogantly.

These guys who dress so carelessly…

“Hmm, poetry… That’s not bad. Will you give me a drink too, by any chance?”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled, curling up both corners of his mouth grotesquely.

Golden cups and fine wine, the blood of a thousand people.

The delicious wine in golden cups isn’t the blood of all the people… from now on, it’s your blood! Hurray!

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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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