Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 230

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 230

“Please support the Zhuge Family.”

“What?”

“You already know, don’t you? What meaning this Hwangbo Family Head’s birthday celebration holds.”

“….”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Namgung Cheongeuk remained silent for a while before bursting into laughter.

“Pfft! Puhahahaha!”

“….”

“Support the Zhuge Family? Well now, I’ve heard something I never expected to hear. Not from anywhere else either. The Zhuge Family? Zhuge?”

Namgung Cheongeuk kept bursting into laughter as if something was so amusing, repeating the same words.

Zhuge Munhyeon said nothing.

He quietly waited for him to stop laughing.

“Child, do you know what you’re saying right now?”

“If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have bothered coming here.”

“And yet you’re asking me to support the Zhuge Family?”

“That’s right.”

“How bold. Truly bold. The Zhuge Family has raised quite a remarkable fellow.”

“….”

“But don’t you think you’ve got the wrong opponent?”

“Not at all.”

“Then did you think I’d listen to you just because you saved some mere scholar’s son?”

“How could that be? Yi Yongbaek and his son were merely a means to create a private meeting with the Family Head. Thanks to that, we’re having this conversation, aren’t we? Quite a few procedures were skipped.”

Curiosity filled the face of Namgung Cheongeuk, who had stopped laughing.

“In fact, the Castle Lord’s request was sufficiently fulfilled by dispatching warriors.”

“Continue.”

“From the Family Head’s perspective, whether Lee Sangyun is saved or not doesn’t matter. Even if he couldn’t be saved, the Namgung Family wouldn’t lose anything.”

“….”

“Yet he had to be saved because of the Namgung Family’s pride. If rumors spread that you acted but achieved no results, it would damage your reputation. But what’s the big deal about losing face temporarily? The Namgung Family has years of accumulated prestige.”

“Quite impressive. I’d only heard you were remarkable, but meeting you directly, you’re truly impressive.”

“Thank you for the praise, even if it’s empty words.”

“No, this is sincere. It’s truly regrettable that our main house doesn’t have someone like you. I’d want to make you my son-in-law if I could.”

“I’d have to decline that. People are already too interested in my marriage as it is.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and shook his head, then looked straight into Namgung Cheongeuk’s eyes and spoke.

“How about giving me an answer now? I’d prefer it if you supported the Zhuge Family.”

“Ridiculous.”

“….”

“I understand your excellence. Though you call it coincidence, even using Yi Yongbaek and his son to arrange a private meeting with me is a praiseworthy scheme. Also, enhancing the Namgung Family’s prestige through them is appreciated. But I am a Family Head. Gratitude and the family’s future are separate matters. I don’t make decisions that don’t benefit the family.”

“Why do you think it wouldn’t be beneficial?”

“Isn’t it obvious? What benefit would I gain by supporting Zhuge?”

“….”

“Above all, this matter was approached wrongly from the start.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not supporting Zhuge doesn’t mean I support Hwangbo.”

It was a smile full of mockery.

The desire reflected in those eyes clearly revealed his true intentions.

“Ah, I see. Come to think of it, there was no need to support the Hwangbo Family. Everyone would be competitors anyway.”

“Exactly. Why would I yield a good position to others? Once I become the leader of the martial families, I can dream of an even higher position.”

“Do you wish to become the Alliance Leader?”

“Well… if the flow of the world goes that way, it wouldn’t be impossible.”

“Even if you somehow embrace the martial families, it would be difficult to receive support from the Nine Sects, wouldn’t it?”

“At least it would be better than the Zhuge Family, wouldn’t it?”

“Why? Why do you think it’s better than the Zhuge Family?”

“With your mind, you should already know more than enough, but do you really want to hear it from my mouth?”

“Please tell me.”

“Does Zhuge have the power to unite all under heaven?”

“….”

“Yes, Zhuge defeated Namgung. But it was such a small battle. Do you think that alone means Zhuge has surpassed Namgung?”

“You’re right. That was just a very small battle.”

“You understand well. If I had truly intended to destroy Zhuge… what would have happened by now? Could you really have had a private meeting with me like this?”

“Hmm….”

Zhuge Munhyeon groaned softly and nodded.

“You took Hubei? You secured power by subjugating the unorthodox sects? Nonsense. That much can collapse in an instant.”

“….”

“I heard you met with Wudang and the Tang Family? So what? How long do you think Wudang will support you? What about the Tang Family? In the end, it’s all bound by interests. The one who ascends to the Alliance Leader position is ultimately the strongest one, strong enough to represent the Central Plains.”

“You speak truly. That’s right. In the end, the strongest person will receive the support of the martial artists and claim the Alliance Leader position.”

“Such a well-informed fellow….”

“Then let me ask again. Are you confident, Family Head?”

“What?”

“You said it yourself. The Alliance Leader must be strong enough to represent the Central Plains.”

“….”

Silence followed.

Namgung Cheongeuk’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Zhuge Munhyeon for a long while again.

And soon, he slowly opened his mouth.

“I am confident.”

“….”

“The will of the Azure Heaven will someday shine beyond the Central Plains to embrace the Outer Lands and even in the sky of the Demonic Sect. Because I will surely make it so.”

“Hmm….”

His eyes are truly good.

Except for pointing his sword at the Zhuge Family, he’s a man worthy of respect as a martial artist.

That confidence probably stems from his own abilities.

But I must suppress him.

That’s why I came here.

I’m someone who has never backed down when facing my objectives.

“I acknowledge it. The Family Head’s words.”

“Then you understand that no further conversation is necessary. Since I’ve personally revealed my intentions without beheading you, be satisfied with that and return. I’ll ensure the reward for saving this scholar’s son won’t be disappointing.”

“I can’t do that.”

“What?”

“I also acknowledge it. That the Zhuge Family’s power is truly insignificant.”

“….”

“Furthermore, I agree that even Wudang and the Tang Family, who we’ve recently befriended, will choose better families for the sake of the Central Plains. But one thing.”

“…?”

At the final addition, Namgung Cheongeuk tilted his head and looked at him.

One thing?

“Family Head, I don’t think you’ll be my match. The will of the Azure Heaven will stop before me.”

“What?”

Bewilderment appeared on his face.

A situation where a mere youth around twenty had uttered provocative words to the head of a family.

This was rudeness and disrespect.

A subtle anger rose from his body, and his previously subdued presence became fierce again.

“Son of Zhuge, just because you have a mouth doesn’t mean you should babble carelessly. If it weren’t for Yi Yongbaek’s request to attend the banquet, your head would have already rolled on the ground. So go back. If you say more, I’ll hold you responsible for your rudeness before an elder.”

Rumble rumble rumble rumble.

The table is trembling.

No, the entire Guest Hall is vibrating finely.

It’s because of Namgung Cheongeuk’s intensified aura.

Indeed, it was power worthy of eyeing All Under Heaven.

But Zhuge Munhyeon, who chuckled, slowly pressed down on the table with his hand.

“….”

At that sight, Namgung Cheongeuk’s brow furrowed.

He’s resisting?

It wasn’t an easy task.

Opposing an aura that had already dominated the space could result in internal injuries.

Especially touching a table already infused with energy was tantamount to suicide.

Yet wasn’t his expression far too calm?

Then did that mean he was strong enough to overcome his own internal energy?

It was unpleasant.

That arrogance of a mere youngster who had just reached adulthood, truly trying to compete with him.

“It seems the Family Head of the Zhuge Family didn’t teach manners to young junior scholars.”

“I’m not the type to learn easily even when taught.”

“You reckless brat. Your name became known among mediocre ones, so you don’t know how high the world is.”

Namgung Cheongeuk no longer controlled his power.

His vigor overflowed to the point of arrogance piercing the heavens, so as an adult, it seemed he needed to properly teach him a lesson.

Even if he got slightly injured.

Since it was a contest between martial artists, neither the Castle Lord nor Yi Yongbaek could say anything.

The Zhuge Family would be the same as well.

It was Zhuge Munhyeon who came and committed rudeness first.

He didn’t draw his sword.

He had no intention of severing limbs and beheading him.

Thud.

He merely placed his hand on the table.

Crack crack crack!

When he released his internal energy, cracks formed and spread through the rosewood table, said to be the hardest among woods.

He intended to crush it.

So he could no longer endure.

As it suddenly became a contest of internal energy, Zhuge Munhyeon’s face contorted.

A master of the Gang stage.

If it were the past when he had reached a supreme realm, it might be different, but now he had no means to withstand the internal energy he was pouring out with determination.

Because he hadn’t yet reached the Gang stage.

But he had another method remaining.

Yeongmun said that immortals influencing the human world was like a taboo.

But that ascetic bastard kidnapped newborn children to use them for making death threads, and the tiger cub who reached Half-Immortal mercilessly tore people apart.

Taboo?

I don’t really know about such things.

The reason I don’t carelessly bring it out and use it is because of pride.

Because it goes against fairness.

However, at this moment, I will definitely achieve my purpose.

Either gain Namgung, or completely destroy it.

‘Yang Ui….’

The moment Namgung Cheongeuk’s power that shattered the table entered through his palm, Zhuge Munhyeon immediately withdrew the Small Qingcheng Technique and operated Embryonic Breathing according to Yang Ui.

Boom!

The table exploded and burst apart.

The shattered pieces shot out like hidden weapons to various parts of the Guest Hall.

Crack crack crack!

The pillars and walls cracked as if they would collapse from the force of that impact.

“Tsk tsk…. You’re needlessly bringing disaster upon yourself.”

Namgung Cheongeuk clicked his tongue and withdrew his energy.

Each of their internal energies had been clashing and maintaining tension.

But the table that served as their medium being destroyed meant the balance was broken.

Having to bear the shock entirely, he must have suffered internal injuries.

“Foolish bastard.”

But he couldn’t leave him be.

Wasn’t he someone who would sit at a banquet that even the Castle Lord would attend?

He should tell the medical office to provide healing pills….

“…!?”

But just as he was about to say to call a physician, Namgung Cheongeuk felt a strong sense of alienation.

The space was divided.

As if the interior of the Guest Hall had become a new space.

Also, Zhuge Munhyeon, who should have collapsed coughing up blood, was standing intact and looking at him.

How?

Then, at a thought that crossed his mind, the tips of Namgung Cheongeuk’s eyebrows shot up.

“You bastard! Without me realizing it! Did you deploy a Formation Technique!”

Though his resonant voice spread with fierce anger, Zhuge Munhyeon remained unmoved.

Since energy was contained in his voice, even if it wasn’t quite a Lion’s Roar, it should have been enough to make his eardrums fall out.

That’s when it happened.

“Hmm, I did deploy something like a Formation Technique.”

“Are you trying to trap me?”

“Please don’t misunderstand. This is just to avoid revealing my power.”

“What?”

“I didn’t want to use it if possible, but I’m in a position where I must persuade the Family Head. It doesn’t seem like there will be another opportunity for a private meeting like this.”

“What do you….”

Namgung Cheongeuk, who was asking back, soon shouted in bewilderment.

“Wh, what is this?!”

A strange energy spreading from Zhuge Munhyeon’s body began to encroach upon all directions.

It gradually expanded its influence as if devouring everything.

It was spiritual energy.

Of a Half-Immortal level martial artist who had transcended humanity.

Of course, it was after activating a barrier with the talisman he received from Yeongmun.

It would be troublesome if another Half-Immortal bastard who sensed the spiritual energy came looking for him.

At least for now….

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————