Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 236

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

Chapter 236

Shortly before Zhuge Munhyeon arrived in Taean with the Namgung Family, following the guidance of a Hwangbo Family martial artist, the Zhuge Family’s delegation arrived at their assigned lodging.

“The Zhuge Family? Why are they here…?”

The martial artists from minor families who saw them tilted their heads in confusion.

They found it strange that a family that was once among the most prominent had been assigned to the same outer district lodging as themselves, away from the central main road.

“What a pitiful sight… How did they end up in such a state?”

“But didn’t they reclaim Hubei Province?”

“What does reclaiming it matter? What’s important is how they reclaimed it.”

“Right, they used to go on about being a family of gentlemen, but didn’t they join hands with demonic sect bastards?”

“Exactly, now they won’t be able to utter a word about being gentlemen anywhere.”

“Well, that’s why they’re being treated the same as us.”

Their voices were full of mockery.

Even though it was a family with an immense history and tradition that once was, and still is, incomparable to minor families.

And there was no way such voices wouldn’t reach Zhuge Munho’s ears.

But he stood calmly in front of the inn with a smile on his face.

“Choa (Grass Sprout)… We’ve been given quite a nice place to stay.”

“A nice place? To me, it looks like a shed on the verge of collapse.”

Zhuge Gwan, who was displeased with their treatment, pouted.

“That’s what they call the sprouts of wild grass.”

“Why?”

“Doesn’t it seem to describe our Zhuge Family’s current state?”

“Our current state?”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Munho nodded with a smile and looked around at his companions who were filled with disappointment as he spoke.

“Remember this, all of you. As you know, we once enjoyed comfortable power while hiding behind the massive shield called the Murim Alliance.”

“…”

“Masters of All Under Heaven, a family of gentlemen. What fine-sounding titles they were. Unable to even protect ourselves, with nothing to show for ourselves except strategy. But now we seek to advance. We have come out into the world to stand alone, abandoning our windbreak. We are no longer hothouse flowers or cultivated bonsai.”

At his quietly continuing words, the Zhuge Family martial artists closed their mouths and listened attentively.

“Now we must endure wind and rain on our own, overcome cold and heat. Like those weeds that grow carelessly by the roadside.”

“…”

“Steel your hearts. We must overcome any cold treatment directed at us. Like the word ‘choa’ suggests, we may still be tender and insignificant sprouts, but the Zhuge Family will now bloom. With a life force stronger and more tenacious than cultivated flowers.”

“Yes!”

“So do not be swayed by others’ words. No matter what anyone says to shake us, maintain your center.”

“We will keep that in mind!”

“Also, remember that we now represent the Zhuge Family. Not just my words and actions, but each and every one of your words and actions will lead to evaluations of the Zhuge Family.”

“Yes! Young Family Head!”

His gentle words swept through the hearts of his companions, who had been filled with disappointment, like a spring breeze that encourages weak but tenacious life force and ultimately lifts it up.

It instilled pride in being a Zhuge.

Though they are currently being pointed at by others for forming an alliance with the demonic sect, there’s no need to worry.

Someday, when they stand tall in that high place, no one will be able to look down on them.

And that depends on the descendants who will lead the future, not the present.

So they accept criticism.

They endure mockery.

“Hwi.”

“Yes, Young Family Head.”

Zhuge Hwi, who was no longer being swayed, answered Zhuge Munho’s call with all his strength.

“Set up the Sleeping Mountain Crouching Dragon Banner at the entrance. Fix it firmly so it won’t fall over in the wind. Though it’s a place we’ll stay briefly, let them know that the Zhuge Family is here.”

“Understood.”

Zhuge Hwi thought his appearance of accepting and seeking to grow rather than getting angry looked even more admirable.

While he was following orders, driving stakes into an appropriate spot in front of the entrance and setting up the flag, Zhuge Munho opened the inn door.

Creeeeak.

The old door opened with a labored sound.

“Welcome. I am Yeongssam, the innkeeper. It’s an honor to serve you.”

An elderly-looking old man bowed politely along with his only shopkeeper.

They were completely intimidated.

For them, it was natural.

Though they ran their business under the shadow of the Hwangbo Family, martial artists were always objects of fear for common people.

Regardless of which family received what treatment, what mattered was their own lives.

Also, if their service was inadequate, they would be the ones in trouble.

The Hwangbo Family wouldn’t look after the circumstances of a mere innkeeper.

Even if they did look after them, what use would it be if they died from a sword wielded by martial artists in anger?

With such thoughts, they couldn’t help but become extremely polite and extremely cautious.

“So you’re the innkeeper. Thank you for allowing us to stay here.”

“…Pardon?”

“Could you guide us to where we’ll be staying?”

“Ah, that… please come this way.”

However, at the unexpected response he received, the old man Yeongssam was inwardly flustered.

He had ears too, so he had heard various stories.

How could he not know the name of the Zhuge Family?

Whether other minor martial families mocked them or not, these were people in such a lofty position that he wouldn’t dare even look at them.

Hadn’t he already experienced it many times?

The martial artists of the Hwangbo Family’s patrol units.

Even lower martial artists were no different from death gods to those like himself who ran inns in the outskirts.

Eating without paying was natural, and when they got angry, they would cause trouble as a matter of course.

Yet they were in a position where they had nowhere to complain.

So how difficult would the Young Family Head of a great family like the Zhuge Family be?

Naturally, he should be acting arrogantly and frowning at the shabby appearance of the inn…

Instead, he showed an even more polite attitude than himself.

Though he was dumbfounded, he had no choice but to quickly guide them.

He couldn’t leave such an important person standing outside.

They might suddenly change and become angry.

The inside of the inn they entered was full of musty smells.

Yeongssam glanced around worriedly in case they might be displeased, but Zhuge Munho, who looked around the interior, spoke with a smile.

“Where are the rooms?”

“Ah, they’re attached behind the back gate, but to accommodate all the guests…”

“I see. It can’t be helped. Since there aren’t enough places to sleep, would it be alright if we moved the tables to one side and stayed on the floor? As you can see, we have more people than expected.”

“Oh my, of course. The Hwangbo Family has already paid, so however you use it, please do as you wish, Young Family Head.”

“Thank you.”

Zhuge Munho bowed his head once more toward Yeongssam and called Zhuge Pyeong.

“Pyeong.”

“Yes.”

“Push the tables to one side and stack them, and air out the place. Since it’s where we’ll sleep, clean the floor too.”

“Understood.”

As soon as he gave the order, Zhuge Pyeong gave instructions to the martial artists.

Yeongssam couldn’t help but be startled.

“Oh my, Young Family Head. Please leave it to us. How can such noble people…”

“It’s fine. Since it’s a place we’ll use, we should naturally take care of it ourselves. We can’t trouble you, old sir.”

“B-but how can the warriors…”

“Haha! Are warriors not people? Cleaning the place where we’ll stay is natural. Instead, please prepare alcohol and food for us, old sir.”

“Yes?”

“Everyone is hungry, but we don’t have the cooking skills for it.”

A smile lingered constantly on Zhuge Munho’s lips.

And he was even polite throughout.

‘Huh, they say it’s a family of gentlemen… They’re clearly different from those warriors who acted arrogantly.’

Yeongssam was inwardly impressed.

Since kind words were coming, naturally kind words would go back, and their behavior and mannerisms had to be refined as well.

“Wang Chun, quickly light the fire and bring out all the alcohol from the storage.”

“All of it?”

“You fool, these are people who came all the way here from Yungzhong Mountain. How can we be negligent in our hospitality?”

“Understood.”

While the Zhuge Family warriors opened the windows and doors wide and cleared away the dust that had accumulated inside the inn, Yeongssam and the shopkeeper hurriedly began preparing food.

Their worries about suffering humiliation disappeared, and they were sweating profusely for the first time in a while to serve their guests.

After a while, the food was prepared, and the Zhuge Family warriors gathered in a circle on the inn floor.

There was no distinction between high and low positions.

From the Young Family Head to the youngest member of the delegation, everyone sat in a circle, and the warriors volunteered to distribute food and pass around alcohol, so Yeongssam, the shopkeeper, and even Wang Chun joined them.

“It’s the first day and there’s no particular schedule tomorrow, so except for those standing guard, eat, drink, and rest to your heart’s content.”

“Yes! Young Family Head.”

Since it was a place where several families had gathered, the Hwangbo Clan was patrolling to prevent any unpleasant incidents, but they had no choice but to station guard warriors around the inn for security.

It was the procedure and regulation when staying in foreign territory.

“Come, let’s drink.”

At Zhuge Munho’s toast, everyone enjoyed their first meal in Taean with joyful hearts.

Although there was no song and dance to enliven the mood, it was a comfortable drinking session where they could leisurely share old stories.

Even as time passed midnight and approached dawn, they shared their individual concerns and reminisced about pleasant memories without distinction of rank, like family meeting after a long time.

That’s when it happened.

“I am Im Gonyou, a merchant from Hajin. I’ve come seeking an audience with the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family.”

Since it was a dilapidated inn, outside sounds could be heard clearly, so Zhuge Munho stood up immediately without waiting for a report and said.

“Bring him inside.”

“Yes!”

The warrior on guard duty answered and opened the door, and the visitor entered with his hands clasped behind his back.

He was a man with such a good build that his height nearly reached the door frame.

“I am Munho, Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Merchant Im Gonyou.”

Zhuge Munho smiled and bowed politely, but Im Gonyou barely nodded his head.

Not only his manner of speaking but also his expression looked very displeased, leaving Zhuge Munho puzzled.

The flush on his face showed he was quite drunk as well.

“But what brings you here at this late hour?”

“What would bring me here?”

“Pardon?”

“Making such a racket late at night, how can one try to sleep?”

“…”

At those words, the faces of the Zhuge Family warriors slightly contorted.

Noisy late at night?

Most of the small and medium families staying at nearby inns were located in the Shandong region or at its border points.

So they were meeting after a long time to foster friendship, and the commotion was everywhere.

The quietest place among the surroundings was Choaru where the Zhuge Family was staying.

But Zhuge Munho showed no displeasure and bowed his head with an embarrassed expression.

“Oh my, is that so? It seems we’ve caused unnecessary trouble. Since you say it was noisy, I’ll make sure to be more careful.”

Did he feel some superiority from seeing him bow first? Or had his words and actions become excessive due to courage born from alcohol?

Im Gonyou spoke in a swaggering manner with a sneer.

“I’ll accept your apology. How about it? Why don’t you have a drink with us while we’re at it to become friends?”

At those words, Zhuge Munho glanced outside through the open door.

The inn across the way.

People with expressions similar to Im Gonyou’s were peeking their heads out the window, watching.

‘Hmm, they must have made some kind of bet.’

It would be the rashness of young warriors.

Something like who would go and call out the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family.

There was no need to get angry, but since the attitude of the one who came asking as a guest wasn’t very good, Zhuge Munho declined as politely as possible.

“I appreciate the offer, but we’re tired from the long journey, so I’ll have to decline today. I might interfere with your enjoyable time if I joined you.”

“…”

“Please don’t think badly of it and return now. When day breaks, I’ll change clothes and come visit you.”

It was even a polite dismissal, but the sneer on Im Gonyou’s lips didn’t fade in the least.

Placing his hand on his waist and lifting his chin slightly, he looked down at Zhuge Munho and said.

“Hah! It seems the Young Family Head of Zhuge doesn’t read the world very well?”

“Pardon?”

“Well, I suppose that’s understandable. You were once a prominent family… But it seems you still don’t understand reality.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Think about it. Aren’t you in a position where you can barely maintain your lineage by associating with demonic sect groups, so you’re not treated equally with Namgung or the Paeng Family?”

“…”

“Then you should think about becoming friends with small and medium sects like us. Thinking only of the good old days and trying to play separately like this… Tsk tsk.”

At Im Gonyou’s words, Zhuge Munho’s expression turned cold.

“I see. It seems my thinking was short-sighted.”

“See? How about it? Why don’t we foster friendship over drinks even now?”

Im Gonyou, drunk and unable to notice that Zhuge Munho’s atmosphere had changed, urged again.

“I decline.”

“What?”

“If you truly think of us, let’s talk again after you’ve sobered up. I’ll serve you good tea that I brought from my family.”

It was a gentle refusal, but Im Gonyou’s face immediately contorted menacingly.

“Are you saying I’m making a drunken scene right now?”

“I didn’t say that. I just said it because conversations at drinking sessions can be informal and sometimes cause unnecessary fights, so please don’t misunderstand.”

“Damn it, that’s the same thing!”

When profanity finally burst out, the eyes of the Zhuge Family warriors sharpened.

“…Your words are excessive.”

“Excessive? So what are you going to do about it?”

“…”

His manner of speaking became crude.

It was a situation that naturally made one frown, but what was the point of arguing with a drunkard?

“Please return now.”

“Hmph! I can’t do that. If you have the strength, try dragging me out?”

A sigh escaped naturally.

People he’d never even heard of coming here to cause trouble like this.

‘We still have a long way to go. For it to be known that Zhuge has been rebuilt.’

He thought that by reclaiming Hubei Province, they would have regained some of their past prestige, but outside Hubei Province, Zhuge was still just a powerless scholarly family in decline.

“Acting like you maintain propriety, calling yourselves orthodox, when you’re weak and fell into ruin, then barely rose up with demonic sect power. I have to keep my promise to my friends.”

Im Gonyou suddenly reached out as if to grab him by the collar.

Was it because of the alcohol? Or did he think the excessive politeness was due to lack of skill?

Or perhaps Im Gonyou himself was a frog in a well who hadn’t learned how Zhuge had regained its prosperity?

Whatever the case, Zhuge Munho no longer held back.

Even if they were being careful because this place was within the Hwangbo Clan’s territory.

He wasn’t patient enough to continue treating politely someone who insulted his family.

He stared directly at the incoming hand.

Too slow.

Even slower than Zhuge Munhyeon, no, than Gwan Hwiping.

As he caught and deflected it before it could reach him, Im Gonyou frowned and threw a punch instead.

What choice did he have?

Against an opponent who not only disrespected his family clan but even attacked him…

Crack!

The moment Zhuge Munho’s elbow, having dodged the punch and closed in at point-blank range, drove deep into his solar plexus, Im Gonyou’s face, which had been full of mockery, was painted with pain.

At the same time, his body was sent flying powerlessly.

The door of the dilapidated inn couldn’t withstand his large frame.

Crash!

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