Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 234

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

Chapter 234

The Namgung Family arrived in Taean around midnight.

Having already received news of their visit and with each branch office continuously sending messenger birds following their journey, Hwangbo Suhyeon came out to greet them with torches lit.

“Welcome, Young Family Head.”

“It’s our first meeting. I am San of the Namgung.”

“It’s an honor to meet the Sword Dragon whose reputation resounds from Anhui all the way to Shandong.”

“Yes, well…”

At Hwangbo Suhyeon’s words, Namgung San wore a lukewarm smile and glanced back.

Outstanding children of prestigious families are commonly called dragons for men and phoenixes for women.

The Sword Dragon of Anhui.

He had mastered exceptional swordsmanship for his age and people called him that because his future was promising.

His name was already famous beyond Anhui, reaching Jiangsu, Henan, and Shandong.

But today, being called that made him feel ashamed and his face flushed.

It was because of Zhuge Munhyeon.

The man who had visited the Namgung Family, met privately with the Family Head, and secured an agreement between the three families.

When he stayed at the Namgung Family’s Guest Hall, his father, the Family Head, had called him aside and spoken to him.

To get as close to him as possible.

Naturally, he had bristled.

How could he get close to someone with whom there was still bad blood?

His personality was terrible too, completely selfish.

His father, who had been watching him intently, threw a wooden pillow.

Saying if he was told to do something, he should just do it without so many words…

He couldn’t understand it.

What his father’s intention was in suddenly changing his stance.

But while serving him alongside his younger brother Namgung Yu, taking the place of servant girls and attendants, he realized.

He was a monster.

He witnessed with his own eyes Geomchi, who was like a grandfather and represented the Namgung Family, getting beaten to death after requesting a martial arts match without internal energy.

Yet Geomchi had actually expressed gratitude.

How could that be possible?

Their age difference was nearly threefold, and even their training time was different.

But watching the two of them discuss swordsmanship afterward, he understood.

Zhuge was teaching Namgung swordsmanship.

How shocked he was to see him listen to detailed explanations of techniques, think briefly, then point out deficiencies and suggest directions for improvement…

So he went to his father again and asked.

What exactly was this guy?

Instead of throwing the wooden pillow, his father spoke in a gentle, admonishing tone.

That he had lost.

Never to treat him carelessly.

That father.

The heaven of the Namgung Family.

It was the first time in his life seeing him plead like that.

His father had even said that serving by his side and learning martial benefits even through eavesdropping would be of great help.

Though what they had learned was different, when one reached a certain level, it all became one in the end…

That person was Zhuge Munhyeon.

His title was Violent Dragon.

But how could he be called at the same level in front of him?

Compared to him, he was a firefly lighting its rear in front of the full moon, an earthworm looking up at an ascending dragon.

Even Geomchi, who used to skip family affairs large and small because they were bothersome, had voluntarily joined the delegation saying he didn’t want to be separated from him even a little.

Following the negotiations with the Zhuge Family, this was already the second time.

Both were connected to Zhuge Munhyeon.

Now that the Yangtze River Beggar’s Sect had become a hot topic.

Zhuge Munhyeon had become such an important guest that he could ignore something like Family Head Hwangbo’s birthday celebration.

But perhaps because he kept glancing around, Hwangbo Suhyeon, who noticed his gaze, was startled while examining the group with her torch.

What a mistake this was.

Namgung San’s troubled attitude was immediately understood.

“Oh my! Isn’t this Geomchi? I didn’t receive notice that you were included in the delegation, so how…”

“Hehe, I should have let you know in advance, but I’m sorry for coming suddenly.”

“How can you say such a thing? I’m sorry for not recognizing you first.”

“Sorry for what? I have quite a connection with Family Head Hwangbo, so coming to congratulate like this isn’t bad either.”

“…”

Hwangbo Suhyeon couldn’t hide her surprise.

Who was Geomchi?

He was one generation higher than them and his name represented one of the masters of the orthodox sects.

In terms of the Hwangbo Clan, he was equivalent to an elder who once represented the family.

To have escorted such a person while putting gold on the Young Family Head’s face…

Even if she didn’t know he was coming, it was a situation where she had committed a breach of etiquette.

“If we had known you were coming in advance, the elders or senior members would have come to greet you… I’m sorry for the poor reception.”

“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t intend to make you uncomfortable.”

Though he waved his hands and smiled, Hwangbo Suhyeon could only feel embarrassed.

A delegation centered on the Young Family Head was one thing, but how could she have Geomchi wait outside the gates?

“The preparations for the birthday celebration aren’t finished yet, so we’ve prepared lodging for the delegation nearby… but I’ll inform the Family Head and arrange to escort you directly to the main manor.”

“Hehe, I said it’s fine. Don’t worry about me and just follow procedure.”

“B-but…”

“Oh my, if you keep doing that, this person will think he’s being rude and have to return to Anhui as is, won’t he?”

“No! Return? That absolutely must not happen.”

“So just pretend you don’t know.”

“…I understand. If you insist.”

Hwangbo Suhyeon had no choice but to nod.

Of course, after guiding them to their lodging, she planned to immediately inform the main house that Geomchi had arrived.

“By the way, are we the last ones?”

“No. The Paeng Family hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Hehe, that’s fortunate. We avoided last place, so we’ve saved face.”

“I’ll guide you to your lodging.”

“Mm.”

Namgung Ilhak, who had been nodding at her respectful words, looked at Zhuge Munhyeon beside him.

“It seems everyone except the Paeng Family has arrived, so what do you plan to do?”

“Well. Let’s go together for now.”

“Good thinking. We should have a drink. Taean has fine liquor too.”

“Th-that sounds good.”

When Zhuge Munhyeon licked his lips as if salivating, Namgung Ilhak burst into hearty laughter.

“Please guide us to the lodging.”

“Yes? Ah… let’s go.”

Hwangbo Suhyeon nodded at Namgung San’s words but couldn’t help feeling puzzled.

Who is that?

He seems quite close to Namgung Ilhak.

Could there be someone of that age who could interact so freely with him?

‘From their conversation, he doesn’t seem to be a disciple… but seeing him come with the delegation, he must be a very important figure in the Namgung Family.’

She couldn’t help but worry.

If Namgung Ilhak treated him with such an attitude, it meant he held a very important position in that family.

‘I see, the Namgung Family must also know the meaning of this birthday banquet… They definitely sent Geomchi and key family figures. There’s much to report.’

Hwangbo Suhyeon concealed her inner thoughts as she guided them to the lodging prepared on the main road.

However, when Namgung Ilhak arrived in front of the lodging, he didn’t go inside and frowned with displeasure.

“Strange.”

“Pardon?”

“Why can I see the names of Namgung, Paeng Family, and Tang Family, but not the Zhuge Family’s name?”

“Th-that is…”

At the sudden question, Hwangbo Suhyeon had to rack her brains frantically.

The reason Zhuge wasn’t there.

What should she answer to please him?

From the beginning, they had been excluded from the main road lodging…

“Tsk tsk, how unfortunate. It would have been nice to meet them.”

“…”

At his muttering words while clicking his tongue, Hwangbo Suhyeon immediately decided what to answer.

The relationship between Namgung and Zhuge was notorious throughout the Central Plains.

How bitter it must be for a tiger to have its nose bitten by a family that couldn’t even become a cat?

He must have wanted to see their faces.

That displeased expression must surely be directed at the Zhuge Family.

Looking around and approaching Geomchi, Hwangbo Suhyeon lowered her voice and said.

“Geomchi-nim, we actually put some thought into this.”

“Put… thought?”

“With Namgung attending, we couldn’t let Zhuge wander around nearby spreading their stench, could we? There are ranks among families – how could we put those who barely rose by joining forces with Hubei Province’s demonic sect rabble in the same place as martial families representing the orthodox faction?”

“…!”

“We prepared separate lodging where the minor families stay. Befitting their position.”

“Wh-what?”

At those words, the first thing Namgung Ilhak and Namgung San did after their eyes widened was to gauge Zhuge Munhyeon’s reaction.

This is insane…

Of course, it wasn’t her fault.

She couldn’t have known that Zhuge Munhyeon was among the Namgung Family delegation.

But how could she speak such harsh words to his face!

They wanted to immediately cover her mouth.

“Hmm, I see. Well, it’s not a place where the Zhuge Family could fit in and play.”

“N-now see here.”

“It’s fine. What can we do? It’s proper to be treated according to one’s position. The Zhuge Family’s current position is exactly at that level.”

“Uh, hmm…”

“I should deeply thank the Hwangbo Clan for their consideration.”

Far from getting angry, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled brightly and bowed, leaving Namgung Ilhak and Namgung San at a loss for what to do.

But Hwangbo Suhyeon went even further.

The atmosphere was like that.

This was someone even Geomchi and the Young Family Head were being careful around.

Though she couldn’t know his identity yet, this young man might be the most important person to be mindful of in the Namgung Family delegation.

“Thank you for saying so. We’ve arranged for you to enjoy food and drink to your heart’s content, so I hope you have a comfortable night.”

“Thank you. Did you perhaps take the same measures for the Zhuge Family?”

“Of course not? We arranged things befitting their rank.”

“Ah! Befitting their rank?”

“Since they haven’t entered the main house yet… even if we provide lodging, shouldn’t they properly pay for food and drink?”

“Oh! Is that so? I like the Hwangbo Clan’s measures even more!”

“Thank you, Young Master.”

Hwangbo Suhyeon smiled brightly and played along.

Namgung Ilhak and Namgung San truly felt like dying.

Even being tactless should have limits.

Claiming to favor Namgung while disparaging the Zhuge Family so thoroughly…

He was definitely angry.

Certain.

Having stayed together at the Namgung Family and traveled together to the Hwangbo Clan Estate, they had roughly learned his personality.

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled more when he was angry.

Like hiding a sharp blade within his laughter.

Especially when he stretched the corners of his mouth wide in a grotesque smile, trouble always followed.

They got beaten the most during martial duels at those times.

“I’ll be sure to remember the Hwangbo Clan’s consideration.”

“Don’t mention it… Then please rest comfortably.”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Munhyeon even waved his hand to see off Hwangbo Suhyeon as she departed energetically.

“Let’s go inside.”

“A-are you alright?”

“Why?”

“Well, that was… rather…”

“What does it matter? It just shows that’s exactly the level the Hwangbo Clan thinks at.”

“Hmm.”

“Ah, wait a moment. Would it be alright if I call one more drinking companion?”

“Drinking companion?”

“Yes. Since we’ve decided to be in the same boat anyway, I thought it would be good to become friends in advance.”

“Ah! You mean the Tang Family?”

It was only them.

The Paeng Family hadn’t arrived yet, and he already knew about the relationship between Zhuge and Tang Family.

“The lodging happens to be right next door, and they might feel left out if we don’t invite them.”

“Hmm, very well. Who should we call over?”

“Naturally the Young Family Head who came as the Tang Family’s representative. And please clear the area around us. There are too many watching eyes. Makes me want to stab them all.”

Zhuge Munhyeon frowned as he looked at the Hwangbo Clan warriors densely positioned around the lodging.

He was someone who might actually stab their eyes out.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll arrange it immediately.”

Namgung Ilhak quickly called over nearby warriors and spoke to them before any trouble could arise.

He appreciated their intention to guard, but it felt like being monitored, which was unpleasant.

It was a request from Geomchi himself.

The Hwangbo Clan warriors immediately moved to a distance far from the lodging.

And.

“Damn it! Do you know what happened while you were gone? The Hwangbo! The lodging! Complete disrespect! Agh! So infuriating!”

“…”

Yu Gilcheon, summoned to the Namgung Family’s lodging, was angry as if it were his own affair.

Like a child tattling.

Though he appeared much older on the outside.

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