Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 232

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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 232

The conversation continued.

“I acknowledge your strength, but my position of not being able to support Zhuge remains unchanged.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the only strong one.”

“Hmm….”

As expected, Zhuge Munhyeon nodded obediently.

However, that didn’t mean he agreed with those words.

I’m the only strong one?

How could that be?

It just takes time.

Because they were weak, because they have experience being oppressed due to lack of power, they will desperately strive to become strong. I intend to make it so.

Of course, there’s no need to reveal such facts right now.

Would Namgung Cheongeuk show everything?

However, I had prepared hundreds of persuasive arguments with this conversation in mind.

The order just got switched around.

“But you must already know that Namgung cannot become the owner either, right?”

“Yes, that might be true. But my intention doesn’t change.”

“Do you mean there’s no benefit in supporting Zhuge?”

“You understand well. The moment Zhuge gains the upper hand, there will be no benefit for us.”

“Oh my, aren’t you underestimating us too much?”

“It’s not underestimation, it’s fact.”

“Then who are you thinking of supporting? The head of a martial family wouldn’t openly support the Nine Sects… Hwangbo? Paeng Family?”

“….”

“From what I see, there seems to be even less to gain from that side?”

“Why is that?”

“Because they’re in the exact same position as the Namgung Family.”

“The same position?”

“Yes. Is there anything to share with them? Negotiations require exchanging what each side lacks.”

“Hmm….”

Those were valid points.

You can only gain more when you can fill each other’s lacking parts.

Forces with the same nature tend to covet the same things.

“If it were me, since I can’t become the owner anyway, I’d rather support the Zhuge Family and take the highest position among the martial families under them.”

“The highest position among martial families… Interesting words. Isn’t bowing your head under Zhuge the same either way?”

“Why would that be?”

“Don’t you know? Or are you pretending not to know?”

“Are you referring to the prejudice against the Zhuge Family, who have been in second place their entire lives?”

“You understand well.”

“Then isn’t that rather good?”

“What?”

“It makes it easy to dream of the future, doesn’t it?”

“The future?”

“Yes. You could consider the position of alliance leader for the next generation, or at least the highest position in the martial family alliance.”

“….”

“At least Zhuge won’t struggle to protect their position like other families would.”

Namgung Cheongeuk stopped speaking and stared at him intently again.

Is having staring contests a habit of his?

“You’re telling me to believe those words?”

“Because it’s the truth.”

“Are you still young? You don’t know how terrifying power can be.”

How could I not know?

I understand the greed that power brings better than anyone.

Though I never claimed the position of owner, I’ve had All Under Heaven beneath my feet.

I also know well how free one can be from such things.

Because I’ve become strong enough to transcend even greed.

“I know, why wouldn’t I? But the elders of my family told me something.”

“….”

“They said that from being in second place for so long, that mentality remains, so if there’s someone superior to them, they naturally want to hand it over. Assistance is truly in their nature.”

“What?”

“When discussing the necessity of the Murim Alliance due to suspicions about the Demonic Sect’s rise, they all said the same thing. Which family would be good to support?”

“….”

“But I didn’t like that. Providing assistance isn’t bad either. But look at the current situation. How long has it been since the Murim Alliance disappeared? Someone needs to rebuild the system.”

“So that’s Zhuge?”

“Could there be a family more suitable than this? A family trying to reorganize Murim again with pure intentions and no greed?”

“….”

“There wouldn’t be. Everyone else would try to solidify their own position.”

“Hmm.”

He had no choice but to agree.

The Namgung Family would have done the same once they took the owner’s position.

They probably would have tried to eliminate potential political enemies first.

“And if another family took charge and Zhuge assisted and advised from below, would things go as intended?”

“….”

“You know that’s impossible, right? Their advice would be ignored based on interests, and their intentions wouldn’t be properly realized, so the Murim Alliance would fall to being a force in name only.”

Namgung Cheongeuk thought for a long while again.

And then.

“…Did the Dang Family accept that intention?”

“Yes.”

“Th-they accepted it?”

“I didn’t directly ask their intentions, but I’m sure I’m right. They want to remain as kings of Sichuan. Ah, come to think of it, seeing that the Dang Family sided with us, Namgung’s decision should be quick.”

“What do you mean?”

“When it comes to calculating gains and losses, is there a family quicker than the Dang Family?”

“Th-that’s….”

“Even that Dang Family supports the Zhuge Family.”

“….”

“How about it? With Dang Family on the left and Namgung on the right, doesn’t it seem quite feasible? Since the Dang Family wants to remain as kings of Sichuan, you’d have an advantage in competing for the next alliance leader position too.”

“Groan.”

Namgung Cheongeuk’s groaning grew louder.

Though he must be deliberating over and over, it meant he was being tempted by his words.

“…Why Namgung?”

“What do you mean why?”

“With the power you’ve shown me, it seems you could sufficiently persuade the Hwangbo Clan or Paeng Family too.”

“Unlike me, what my family aspires to is peace.”

“Peace?”

“Of course, we can’t ignore geographical location either.”

“Geographical location….”

Namgung Cheongeuk had no choice but to nod.

Hubei where Zhuge is located and Anhui where Namgung is located border each other.

Connected by the Yangtze River, they can quickly help each other.

However, Shandong where the Hwangbo Family is located and Hebei where the Paeng Family is located are too distant to expect immediate assistance.

“In the midst of all this, you’ve formed an alliance with Wudang to secure the north… I can roughly understand your intentions.”

“Then will you support us?”

“Not yet, there’s one more thing.”

“Good grief, there are many obstacles.”

“It can’t be helped. As the Family Head, I must always consider the family’s future.”

“Please speak.”

“Namgung was once defeated by Zhuge.”

“It was a minor skirmish.”

“That’s right. But if we support you like this, the martial artists won’t think of it as minor.”

“Hmm, the pride of the Namgung Family… That’s true. They’ll think we’re tucking our tail between our legs.”

“…Even when you speak.”

Namgung Cheongeuk felt momentarily irritated but didn’t bother to deny it.

They had already been defeated twice.

First in Hubei, second at the Namgung Family’s main manor.

And by just one person – Zhuge Munhyeon.

“Let’s do it this way.”

“…?”

“I’ll open the Yangtze River.”

“What?”

“I’ll make a request to the Tang Family. To allow free passage through all places where the Yangtze flows – from Anhui, Hubei, to Sichuan.”

“…!”

“Also, the previous agreement we discussed will be considered null and void. If trade becomes free, there’s no need for us to hold the ferry terminal in Anhui Province.”

“You?”

These were words that made his eyes flash open.

The Yangtze River originates from Qinghai, passes through Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, goes through Jiangsu, and reaches the sea.

In other words, it’s a waterway that crosses through the heart of the Central Plains.

Therefore, all nearby sects have fought countless bloody battles to secure the rights to the Yangtze River.

Even among the same orthodox factions, they had to pay enormous tolls to enter other forces’ territories, making it difficult for merchant groups to trade freely.

But if the Yangtze River opens?

If the three families join forces to protect that waterway?

The traveling merchant groups would no longer have to live in constant fear of bandits’ threats.

In other words, an era of free competition among merchant groups would arrive.

The scale of merchant groups would grow, and tax revenue would increase.

Success or failure would be determined solely by each merchant group’s efforts, but the profits obtainable through this would obviously be enormous.

“Do you know what you’re saying right now?”

“I know. Very well.”

“Then, have the owners of the Tang Family and Zhuge Family already agreed to those words?”

Namgung Cheongeuk’s voice was trembling finely with excitement.

This would be the greatest achievement he could accomplish as Family Head.

Though it wasn’t monopolizing the Yangtze River alone, the meaning was similar. It was something no previous Family Head of Namgung had ever achieved.

“No one has agreed yet.”

“…What?”

Suddenly it felt like the wind was being let out of his sails.

No one agreed… at all?

So it’s just your own imagination?

“Instead, let me get their agreement right now. There’s still some time left until Family Head Hwangbo’s birthday celebration.”

“You’ll get their agreement?”

“Yes.”

“Setting aside Zhuge, do you think the Tang Family will follow your words?”

“For them too, it’s about opening the waterway all the way to Jiangsu Province, so they can’t help but agree. Isn’t it a family that’s quicker than anyone when it comes to profits?”

“Ha! What kind of…”

“Now then, do we have sufficient reason to support the Zhuge Family?”

Namgung Cheongeuk looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with his mouth closed out of habit.

The Tang Family will accept it?

With their pride?

Those closed-minded people will let merchant groups connected to other families trade freely in Sichuan territory?

“Just one more thing.”

“Good grief… Please ask.”

“How do you plan to persuade the Nine Sects?”

“Isn’t that a problem for later?”

“A problem for later?”

“First, we need to unite the martial families tightly. No matter how strong I am, for the Zhuge Family to receive support from the Nine Sects, we need to have solid backing.”

“Hmm…”

“Now decide. I’ve played all the cards I can play.”

“…Unexpected. I thought the Namgung Family would be grinding their teeth.”

“Of course.”

“…”

“But the past is the past, the present is the present. If our intentions align, even enemies can become friends at any time – that’s the martial world.”

Namgung and Zhuge.

Though some resentment remains, can family-to-family relationships continue to be hostile forever?

If it’s beneficial, they can reconcile at any time.

And they can also fight again at any time.

That is the martial world.

“I’ll decide after hearing the answers from the Tang Family and Zhuge.”

“No need to say it twice?”

“I am the Family Head of the Namgung Family.”

“Then that’s settled.”

At Namgung Cheongeuk’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled brightly and held out his teacup.

“Please give me one more cup. The tea tastes really good.”

“…”

Namgung Cheongeuk silently filled his teacup.

Carefully.

So it wouldn’t overflow.

The next day, two carrier pigeons flew up from the Namgung Family.

Though it was the fastest means of communication, what was sent in the morning wouldn’t arrive in the evening.

At least several days or more.

Not only the travel time, but those who received the messages would also need time to discuss.

Of course, neither side would refuse.

With this, it was as good as gaining the Namgung Family’s support.

Family Head Hwangbo’s birthday banquet was going to be quite interesting to watch.

“As expected, when strategy proceeds according to plan, it’s really fun.”

Those who haven’t tried it wouldn’t know.

How fun this is.

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled as brightly as a child who had found something more fun than fighting.

* * *

A small island located in the Zhejiang Zhoushan Archipelago.

A man who had been burning incense at the peak of Mount Putuo turned his head to gaze westward.

His neatly combed hair was completely white without a trace of black, yet his face was as taut and wrinkle-free as a young man in his twenties.

The sight of snow-white robes fluttering in the wind with mist-like incense smoke swirling around him created an eerie feeling.

A hint of surprise appeared on the face of the man who had been quietly muttering while squinting his eyes in concentration.

“…Spirit Fire Flower?”

The man’s brow furrowed slightly.

“How is that child’s barrier talisman, who headed to Yunnan, in Anhui…”

A murmur filled with questions.

When the wind blew again and the incense smoke scattered, the man’s figure was no longer visible.

As if the smoke itself had dispersed.

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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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