Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 233

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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 233

The delegation from the Zhuge Family that departed from Hubei passed through mountain paths and wilderness roads before entering the main official road.

The Jegok Official Road that stretched straight from Gokbu County in the south to Jinan.

Flutter.

The flag held by the warrior at the head of the lined procession was embroidered with golden thread, depicting a dragon crouched low along mountain ridges.

Jamsanbok-ryong .

A dragon hidden in the mountains, waiting for its time.

It was the Zhuge Family’s ceremonial procession flag that had been stored away unused for a long time.

Beside it fluttered a flag bearing a red spider web, revealing that the Dang Family was accompanying them.

“Munhyeon is coming, you say?”

“Yes. According to what the Gaebang branch reported, he departed together with the Namgung Family’s delegation.”

Zhuge Munho answered in a calm tone to Dangyon’s words.

Zhuge Munhyeon who had gone to Anhui.

When that fact was reported, there was quite an uproar within the family.

The retainer meeting that was immediately convened proceeded in a serious atmosphere.

Not only was the entire Hyeonho Unit summoned, but an emergency order equivalent to wartime was issued throughout all of Hubei Province.

And that wasn’t all?

The Family Head said he would personally march out to rescue Zhuge Munhyeon, and the Wujin Palace Master and Mujin, who were staying with the family at the time, hurriedly sent messenger birds to the Wudang Sect requesting support forces.

‘Back then I really thought war would break out…’

Who would have thought that the family members who had been calmly and coolly devising strategies would burn so fiercely like fire.

Of course, it was Zhuge Munho himself who had stood at the forefront alongside Gwan Hwiping advocating for war, but when he recalled that time, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

If Gaebangju Purple Ghost hadn’t persuaded them to first assess the situation, the Family Head and the family’s main forces would have headed to Anhui.

But then a messenger bird arrived just in time.

Cooperation for opening the Yangtze River for the Three Families alliance.

Sender: Zhuge Munhyeon.

Negotiator: Namgung Cheongeuk.

It was a letter containing an unprecedented agreement.

Another serious meeting was held, and the atmosphere was quite different from before.

It was cold and rational, as if they had never been inflamed.

The scholars from the General Management Office who were summoned to the great hall worked through the night calculating the gains and losses that would result from opening the Yangtze River, and finally reached a conclusion.

They would accept the request.

Of course, the Dang Family felt the same way.

Dangyon sent a letter to Sichuan without hesitation, and it took quite a long time for a reply to arrive.

And.

Permission from both families.

A brief letter was delivered to the Namgung Family.

The Three Families’ behind-the-scenes negotiations, unknown to the outside world, had quietly begun.

“Well now, you truly have an amazing younger brother. Who would have thought he could persuade the Namgung Family… And opening the Yangtze River on top of that? Isn’t that really an unthinkable strategy? It’s something everyone knew about but couldn’t put into practice, so I’m continuously amazed.”

“He’s always been an unpredictable fellow.”

At Dangyon’s somewhat exaggerated words, Zhuge Munho only wore a faint smile.

“Ah, we’ll soon reach Tai’an County. Shall we rest once more? We should properly dress ourselves and arrange our appearance.”

“Ah, well… let’s do that.”

Dangyon smacked his lips awkwardly at the sight of Zhuge Munho giving instructions to his subordinate warriors after asking for permission.

It felt like he had been making a fuss by himself.

They say it takes two hands to clap, but Zhuge Munho remained calm and composed throughout.

‘What a boring fellow. Is it because he’s a cousin? How can their personalities be so different?’

It had been the same the entire way.

Not only the Young Family Head but also his guards and all the people from the Zhuge Family were calm.

That fellow’s official hat was never crooked, and his scholar’s robe didn’t have a speck of dust on it.

He always maintained a neat appearance and acted courteously.

From Hubei to Shandong.

During the month-long journey passing through Henan, he had never once seen him in a disheveled state.

Even when invited to drinking sessions, it was the same.

He had never seen him get drunk.

Just to the appropriate limit.

Even when Dangyon had set aside his dignity and prestige to become closer and pestered him to drink more, he remained consistent.

He truly felt a terrible sense of distance.

‘Stuffy scholarly family.’

That’s when he realized.

Only Zhuge Munhyeon could be friends with him regardless of his unrestrained personality or age difference.

‘If I had known it would be like this, I should have begged even Mujin to come along…’

His regret was immense.

At least Mujin, who had spent a long time with Zhuge Munhyeon, had a refreshingly straightforward feeling despite being a Taoist.

He drank well too.

Sometimes he felt that only his appearance was that of a Taoist, and he seemed like someone from an unorthodox sect.

But he couldn’t come along.

‘Damn it, completely smitten with a woman.’

It was because of Dan Yeonhwa, who was staying at Yungzhong Mountain as an envoy from Yasu Palace and Zhuge Munhyeon’s disciple.

The two of them were absolutely lovesick.

Good grief, what’s a Taoist doing falling in love?

Judging by how Wujin Palace Master Yeonghwa chuckled while watching the two, it seemed Wudang had no taboos regarding marriage.

He had thought Taoists cut ties with the secular world and only practiced celibate cultivation…

Indeed, one must experience the world to truly know it.

‘That Ihwa fellow is the same. What’s so amazing about Zhuge techniques that she’s completely absorbed in them.’

Dang Ihwa, who had been included in the delegation due to her connection with Zhuge Munhyeon, had frequented the Byeongjudang Cheongongsa workshop so much she wore down the threshold.

Meanwhile, perhaps because she was a guest, the Byeongjudang Master and his wife took such good care of her that she was excluded from this trip to Shandong.

Thanks to that, Dangyon had no choice but to share this long journey with these stuffy and courteous fellows.

“Mungi.”

“Yes, Young Family Head.”

“According to Ihwa, Munhyeon and Mujin have a sworn brotherhood relationship, right?”

“That’s correct. She said they’re friends who trust and rely on each other.”

“Hmm, I’m envious. Just watch. I’ll also become sworn brothers with them this time. Absolutely!”

“You will surely succeed. There’s nothing lacking about you, Young Family Head.”

“Then shall I first try to become sworn brothers with the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family before Munhyeon?”

“Shall I set up the connection?”

“Let’s think about it once we arrive.”

It was around the time when Dangyon, who had made his resolution with Zhuge Mungi’s encouragement, and Zhuge Munho’s party arrived at Tai’an County.

Warriors dressed in neat martial uniforms were controlling the people coming and going like soldiers guarding a checkpoint.

Red tiger flags lined up at the entrance of the village.

They were warriors from the Hwangbo Family.

Since Tai’an County was like the southern gateway to Mount Tai where their estate was located, it was a place that anyone attending the birthday celebration would inevitably pass through.

They were undoubtedly personnel deployed to welcome guests.

‘Hmm, do I have no choice but to socialize with those Hwangbo Family fellows?’

A family of martial artists.

Since it was a place filled with people famous for their generous personalities matching their large builds, Dangyon harbored expectations inwardly.

“Welcome. I am Patrol Leader Hwangbo Suhyeon, assigned to greet guests for this birthday celebration. I welcome the delegations from the Tang Family and Zhuge Family who have come to Mount Tai.”

Perhaps because she had seen the flags from afar, the middle-aged woman, Hwangbo Suhyeon, who had come out to wait in advance, greeted them with proper courtesy.

Indeed, she was a woman who bore the Hwangbo surname.

Her imposing physique caught the eye.

“I am Munho of the Zhuge Family. It is an honor to meet you.”

Zhuge Munho, who had quickly dismounted from his horse, bowed his waist and conveyed his greetings respectfully.

Yu Gilcheon unconsciously frowned.

Being courteous was not something to criticize, but there were proper protocols – did he really need to go that far?

He was the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family.

Moreover, since he was attending in place of the Family Head, he didn’t need to be quite so humble.

Yet why did he bow his head lower than the other party?

“I am Yan of the Tang Family.”

“I heard word of your coming. To think you would come all this way from Sichuan to here – I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

“….”

At Hwangbo Suhyeon’s response, Yu Gilcheon frowned once again.

The order was wrong.

Since Zhuge Munho had greeted first, she should have responded to him first, and addressed himself afterward.

Yet she merely nodded to Zhuge Munho?

It was something anyone would find unpleasant.

But when he glanced at Zhuge Munho, he remained completely composed.

Why was that?

Did it not bother him at all?

It wasn’t just the Young Family Head.

The warriors under his command also showed not a trace of displeasure in their expressions.

If it were him, he would have immediately taken issue with that attitude….

Zhuge Mungi, who belonged to the Tang Family and had become his strategist but was from the same clan, also clearly showed dissatisfaction on his face.

“Since preparations for the birthday celebration are not yet complete and we cannot escort the guests to the main house, we have prepared a place for you to stay temporarily in Taehyeon.”

“…Yes.”

“Please understand that I must go ahead to guide the way.”

She asked understanding for every little thing.

But her subsequent handling was strange.

“I will escort the distinguished guest of the Tang Family, so Deputy, please guide the distinguished guest of the Zhuge Family to their lodgings.”

“Yes!”

At her command, one warrior approached Zhuge Munho’s side.

It wasn’t necessarily something to think about sensitively.

Distributing personnel according to duties within the welcoming party was perfectly natural.

But if that were the case, she should have provided equal treatment.

This meant Hwangbo Suhyeon should have waited for the next guests, and sent a deputy to guide both the Tang Family and Zhuge Family equally to their lodgings.

But why was this?

This was no different from dividing the families by rank.

From the Zhuge Family’s perspective, this was certainly a matter to protest.

“Then I’ll see you again later.”

“Ah, about that….”

Just as he was about to raise the issue on behalf of Zhuge Munho, Zhuge Munho spoke with a bright smile.

It didn’t bother him at all?

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

While he was speechless with bewilderment, Zhuge Munho urged the deputy along.

Watching him disappear into the distance, Yu Gilcheon ended up sighing.

‘Hah, really… I can’t stand to watch this. How can someone who’s the Young Family Head representing his family act like that? You have to argue what needs to be argued to maintain your position.’

Courtesy should be observed when it’s appropriate to observe it.

If you excessively consider others and only understand their wrongs, the one who suffers losses is yourself.

“Young Family Head, shall we go now?”

“….”

At Hwangbo Suhyeon’s words, Yu Gilcheon turned his body around sharply with a grimace.

Though he was working together with the Zhuge Family, he represented the Tang Family to the end.

There was no need for him to step forward and take issue with something the other party had accepted.

‘If the Young Family Head who will inherit the family has such a personality, our alliance might not last very long. I should reconsider forming a sworn brotherhood.’

It was merely a connection formed through Zhuge Munhyeon.

If interests clashed, their directions diverged, and their hearts didn’t align, it was the kind of relationship that could be severed at any time.

* * *

After parting from the Zhuge Family, Yu Gilcheon came to stay at the largest inn in Tae’an County.

Bongseonru.

Though that was its original name, perhaps because they had rented it entirely while the Tang Family delegation stayed, a signboard reading ‘Tangru’ was hanging there.

It was consideration for the distinguished Tang Family guests.

At other nearby taverns, signboards carved with ‘Paengru’ and ‘Namgungru’ respectively were also hanging.

But suddenly he became puzzled.

“Why can’t I see lodgings for the Zhuge Family?”

“There are only three lodgings on the main road suitable for hosting distinguished guests. To accommodate all the visitors the Zhuge Family sent in advance, the nearby taverns would be nowhere near sufficient….”

At Hwangbo Suhyeon’s words, Yu Gilcheon suppressed a bitter smile.

A problem of accommodating numbers?

That couldn’t be.

Having stayed with the Zhuge Family on the journey, he could more than guess the Hwangbo Clan’s intentions.

It was clear discrimination.

From the welcome to the lodging arrangements.

They clearly intended to separate the Tang Family and Zhuge Family who had met in advance.

“If this was inconvenient, I apologize. Though you came together, considering the Tang Family’s position, we had no choice but to assign the largest tavern. If you’re uncomfortable because of the Zhuge Family, I’ll look into lodgings where only that Young Family Head and some personnel can stay.”

Hwangbo Suhyeon maintained a respectful attitude throughout.

While greatly praising the Tang Family.

Meanwhile, wasn’t this a much better lodging than the other families?

Her intentions were transparent.

It was obvious that his words and actions would be reported upward too.

For now, it seemed best to keep some distance.

He also needed to observe the Zhuge Family’s reaction.

Whether they could go together to the end.

“You don’t need to go to such trouble. I don’t particularly need to look out for the Zhuge Family’s position.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Not at all, I’m grateful for the Hwangbo Clan’s consideration for the Tang Family.”

“I’m repeatedly grateful that you think so.”

After the courteous greetings ended and Hwangbo Suhyeon returned, Yu Gilcheon secretly called for Zhuge Mungi.

“Avoiding the eyes of the watching warriors, find out where the Zhuge Family is staying. And also which families are staying around there.”

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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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