Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 228

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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 228

“Oh my, Young Master. How much hardship you must have endured! Are you alright? You’re not injured anywhere, are you? Have you eaten? You mustn’t skip meals during your growing years.”

Zhuge Munhyeon acted as warmly as someone who had lived their entire life through flattery.

There was a need to become close.

However, the boy who had just been freed, Lee Sangyun, couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

Only fifteen years old.

Having studied nothing but academics under his strict father, the current situation was extremely frightening for him.

All the warriors who had been guarding him were dead, and he had been kidnapped and imprisoned in a bandit den.

But then some young warrior… no, scholar?

Someone whose identity he couldn’t fathom had rescued him.

First, he needed to express his gratitude.

“I am grateful for your benevolent grace. I am Lee Sangyun, born of the Yi Family Estate in Xiaohu.”

“So you’re Young Master Lee? I am Zhuge Munhyeon from Yungzhong Mountain in Hubei Province.”

“Zhuge… you say?”

“Have you perhaps heard of it?”

“Indeed. Isn’t it a family renowned as the wisest under heaven? My father told me that those who bear the Zhuge surname are intellectuals who advance in government, martial arts, and commerce alike, reading the flow of the world and changing the tide of eras.”

At Lee Sangyun’s words, his eyes widening slightly in surprise, a smile naturally formed on Zhuge Munhyeon’s lips.

Wisest under heaven, intellectuals.

Ha, this fellow speaks quite prettily too.

Yes, that’s exactly what my family is.

“But how is it that someone from the Zhuge Family…”

Just as he was feeling pleased, Lee Sangyun glanced at the bandits standing behind and shrank his neck.

Despite being rescued, the trauma from what he had endured didn’t easily fade.

Just seeing the bandits’ appearance still made his body tremble.

Meanwhile, their appearance further stimulated his fear.

Covered entirely in blood, their faces were bruised red and blue like autumn leaves, and their hair was disheveled… they looked exactly like ghosts in disguise.

“Hmm.”

Sensing this, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and covered Lee Sangyun’s eyes.

Crack crack crack crack crack!

From Lee Sangyun’s perspective, a hand had briefly covered his eyes and then disappeared.

About the time it takes to blink?

But in that short moment, the scene before his eyes had completely changed.

The bandits were all kneeling and bowing their heads.

For some reason, they were holding their heads with both hands in pain.

“You seemed uncomfortable, so I took care of it slightly.”

“Pardon?”

Took care of it slightly?

In that brief moment?

A full ten men had simultaneously collapsed, clutching their heads. A person couldn’t move that quickly…

Growl.

Fear and hunger were separate matters.

It was a natural sound since he hadn’t eaten while imprisoned in the storehouse.

But from Zhuge Munhyeon’s perspective, it was deeply pitiful.

The noble benefactor who appeared like destiny had skipped a meal.

Those heartless bandits.

They gorged themselves on meat and alcohol, holding a feast…

“The Young Master is hungry?”

“Yes!”

As soon as the words fell.

The bandits who had been writhing in pain jumped up and brought meat before Lee Sangyun.

“Please eat.”

“…”

Lee Sangyun looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with bewildered eyes.

He was smiling throughout.

To consider him a descendant of the wisest family under heaven, he seemed like a natural-born warrior… somehow he became even more frightening.

It felt like if he didn’t force the meat into his stomach, even bigger problems would arise for his safety.

“Since the night is late and the roads are dangerous, please satisfy your hunger comfortably today and return home early tomorrow morning. I happen to have business in Anhui, so I’ll escort you there.”

“If, if you would do that, I would be truly grateful.”

“Grateful? Please don’t say such things.”

Zhuge Munhyeon tried his best to accommodate his mood.

He had to.

This fellow was no different from the key to achieving his purpose for visiting the Namgung Family.

“I say, Chief.”

“…Yes?”

While Lee Sangyun was eating, Zhuge Munhyeon called Han Bulhae with a much softer voice.

He worried that a threatening tone might make Lee Sangyun more frightened for no reason.

“Please look after his sleeping arrangements. Wouldn’t it be terrible if the precious young master caught a cold from the chill? And you mustn’t let mountain beasts disturb his sleep either…”

“…”

The long list of accommodation orders continued, but Han Bulhae remembered every single word without missing any.

No matter how his tone had changed, his life was at stake right now.

“Well then, please sleep comfortably, Young Master.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Sangyun lay on a bed with blankets made of soft animal fur, though it wasn’t silk and gold bedding.

But would sleep come just because his belly was full and his back was warm?

His startled heart hadn’t completely settled yet… but the moment Zhuge Munhyeon’s touch gently brushed over him, his eyes closed and soon the sound of peaceful breathing flowed out.

Zhuge Munhyeon watched him sleep for a moment, then quietly closed the door and came outside.

“Hey, Chief.”

“Yes!”

At the immediately changed tone and eyes glittering with killing intent, Han Bulhae instinctively knelt and answered.

“Listen carefully to what I say.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll take care of the problem with the Namgung Family myself, so leave for somewhere else right now.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t care where you go, and you can do whatever you want. But don’t even come near Hubei.”

“…Are you sparing our lives?”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“No!”

Han Bulhae shouted at the top of his lungs.

How could he dislike being spared?

He was just curious about the reason.

This was the son of the Zhuge Family, tremendously strong enough to perform musical techniques with a human body.

Usually in such cases, bandit subjugation became a means to enhance one’s reputation.

It wasn’t a recent phenomenon for sons of wealthy families to eagerly pursue bandit subjugation to build achievements.

“Sometimes in life, you have lucky days. So don’t question it and just accept it.”

“I will do so.”

“Pack your things simply and go. Before I change my mind.”

“Yes!”

The bandits who had been worrying about their lives immediately brightened and moved in perfect order.

They gathered weapons and clothes, and brought out the luggage from the storehouse, picking up items one by one.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been watching this scene indifferently, slightly frowned.

Hmm… come to think of it, just sending them away doesn’t seem right.

“Leader.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have any gold?”

“…Yes?”

“Gold, I mean gold. You must have some stashed away from robbing other people’s belongings, right?”

“That, that is…”

“Why? Do I need to go through your luggage piece by piece?”

“No!”

Han Bulhae hurriedly unloaded his luggage and took out valuables to offer.

“Just pick out the gold. You guys need to eat and live too. You can’t go empty-handed if you want to settle somewhere else, right?”

“Thank you!”

I don’t rob indiscriminately like someone else, I only want compensation for the work done.

That is the way of a gentleman and proper business ethics.

Before long, the money pouch borrowed from Zhuge Munho had become heavy.

Satisfying.

‘Who would have thought that someone calling himself Young Family Head would be so frugal.’

He had learned that his current location was Henan.

To escort the noble person to Hefei in Anhui Province where the Namgung Family was located would take several more days.

Naturally, travel expenses were needed.

Good food, good lodging, and some new clothes to change into…

“Now go. Make sure to cover your tracks well.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Han Bulhae and the bandits, carrying their luggage, repeatedly expressed their gratitude as they departed.

However, they looked back several times.

In case someone might chase after them…

Watching them disappear into the distance, Zhuge Munhyeon wore a satisfied smile.

Bandit subjugation?

Such achievements weren’t even necessary.

What would be the point?

They hadn’t particularly harmed him, and they were guys who had generously offered meat, alcohol, and even money before leaving.

Killing them would be as easy as breathing, but if the noble person who had slept soundly were to be startled upon waking, it would be troublesome to dispose of the bodies and clean up the bloodstains… Ugh, just thinking about it was bothersome.

It was better to just let them go.

Judging by his words and actions, he was quick-witted, knew when to advance and when to retreat, and was even quick to change tactics.

He was truly worthy of being a leader, and was a promising member of the unorthodox faction with a bright future ahead.

He probably wouldn’t starve to death anywhere.

His subordinates seemed to know this too, as they were following him closely as they departed together.

“Well, now only the negotiation with the Namgung Family remains? Hehehehe.”

Plans for the future were being laid out step by step in Zhuge Munhyeon’s mind.

He seemed to enjoy devising strategies for this kind of fun.

It would be enjoyable to see imagination become reality.

* * *

Anhui Province, Namgung Family.

“Still no word?”

“That is…”

Seo Maengdo, the Regional Lord of Hyeonyeong, couldn’t hide his difficulty in properly answering Family Head Namgung Cheongeuk’s displeased inquiry.

The recent problem that had befallen their family.

Kidnapping by bandits.

Even if it had happened in Anhui, it would be a matter to overlook, but it had occurred in Henan.

It wasn’t something they needed to particularly concern themselves with.

It wasn’t even within their territory, and if they wanted to make a request, they could just speak to Shaolin.

Meanwhile, hearing about the incident was absurd.

Those gutless bastards had even sent a letter to the Hanrim Scholar.

If he wanted to save his son, bring five hundred taels of gold.

They were crazy bastards.

The Hanrim Scholar’s son was the same.

He should do good deeds while alive, but what kind of filial piety was he showing to his already deceased mother by going to Cheonjoongsan every year to hold memorial services?

It was all because he was conscious of what others thought.

Because he unnecessarily displayed filial piety, he got kidnapped by mere bandits.

But he couldn’t help but be concerned.

Because the person who had made the request was none other than the Lord of Anhui Province.

Damn it…

It wasn’t even a distant relative, yet he had to worry about the safety of the Hanrim Scholar’s son who taught the children of the Anhui Provincial Lord.

It was bothersome, but what could he do?

When operating a large family like the Namgung Family, there were many such problems, and sometimes illegal acts had to be performed.

If he didn’t grant the request, the Provincial Lord would certainly interfere in the family’s affairs at every turn.

It wasn’t particularly difficult work, was it?

The Eight Villains of Jeongyang Mountain?

Such guys could be easily dealt with by sending a dozen or so Azure Sky Sword Masters.

However.

“When the Azure Sky Sword Masters arrived, the mountain inn had already been emptied…”

“The mountain inn was emptied?”

“Perhaps they fled to another location, being conscious of us.”

“…”

Namgung Cheongeuk’s face contorted at Seo Maengdo’s report.

Hyeonyeong Division.

It was the place in charge of the Namgung Family’s intelligence.

The only thing the head of that place had to say was that they had lost the bandits.

“And so?”

“Yes?”

“And so what do you plan to do next?”

“For now, we’ve organized a tracking team to search the Jeongyang Mountain area, but their whereabouts are mysterious…”

“…”

“We’ve also asked the street beggars for help, but… that is…”

Seo Maengdo’s voice grew smaller and smaller, while a subtle anger began to appear on Namgung Cheongeuk’s face.

He could tell without being told.

Beggars referred to vagrants wandering the streets.

But of all places, southern Henan.

Recently, he had heard that the influence of someone who had established a headquarters on Yungzhong Mountain, called himself a Bang Leader, and dreamed of the Beggar’s Sect’s revival had expanded, and the beggar gangs of southern Henan had joined under his command.

The problem was.

“Damn Zhuge bastards…”

The fact that they were behind the Beggar’s Sect.

To find the escaped bandits, the Beggar’s Sect’s help was desperately needed, and for that, they had to seek cooperation from the Zhuge Family.

The Regional Lord of Hyeonyeong couldn’t bring himself to say those words and was trailing off.

“Regional Lord of Hyeonyeong.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“You must find those bastards in the name of Hyeonyeong Division and rescue the Hanrim Scholar’s son.”

“….”

“Your neck depends on his survival.”

“…I, I will keep that in mind.”

Seo Maengdo’s expression twisted as he bowed his head.

The Family Head found it utterly detestable.

Having to ask the Zhuge Family for help.

But then it happened.

“Family Head.”

“What is it!”

At the messenger’s voice from outside the door, Namgung Cheongeuk replied with a clearly displeased expression.

“The Hanrim Scholar requests an audience.”

“…I understand. Escort him to the Guest Reception Hall.”

He must have come because he was worried about how the rescue operation was progressing.

What choice did he have but to meet him?

If he treated him carelessly, that displeasure would immediately be conveyed to the Castle Lord.

But the messenger, who had been hesitating for a moment, continued speaking.

“…The son who was supposedly kidnapped is also with him.”

“What?”

“And also someone called Zhuge Munhyeon from the Zhuge Family.”

“….”

The messenger who had spoken cautiously heard what sounded like an armrest breaking from within the Family Head’s room where silence had fallen.

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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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