Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 237

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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 237

“Cough!”

Im Gonyou, who was sent flying outside after breaking through the door, couldn’t get up easily.

Whether the shock was severe, he even vomited on the floor while coughing violently.

Creak.

Zhuge Munho walked out slowly with an indifferent expression.

His steps were ordinary and light, as if he felt no anger.

However, the men from the inn across the street who saw this through the window came rushing out with startled faces.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

They surrounded Im Gonyou protectively and glared at Zhuge Munho with sharp eyes.

“I’m teaching manners to someone who lacks them.”

“What?”

“I clearly declined the invitation politely, yet he insulted my family instead. Shouldn’t I rightfully correct such wrongdoing?”

“This, this bastard?”

Im Gonyou’s companions burst with anger, but Zhuge Munho looked at them with a calm face.

“I must receive an apology for insulting my family, so step aside.”

“What?”

“Then will you block me?”

“That, that’s…”

“Should I consider you to share the same sentiment as this man?”

Im Gonyou’s group hesitated at the coldly spoken words with sharply glinting eyes.

Insulting a family.

This was no different from challenging someone to fight for honor.

No one tolerates it.

There are countless cases where people lose their lives in such fights.

For martial artists who value pride, family honor is more precious than life itself.

“Can you handle the consequences?”

“Consequences?”

“He is the young master of the Im Family.”

Zhuge Munho quietly observed the man glaring with bulging eyes, then asked with a cold expression.

“What does that matter?”

“What does it matter? How can your insight be so narrow… Young Master Im’s mother is the cousin sister of the Hwangbo Clan’s Family Head.”

“…A collateral relative?”

“That’s right!”

At the man’s exasperated exclamation, Zhuge Munho thought quietly before asking.

“Who are you?”

“I am Chu Jongdo of the Chu Family.”

“Thank you, Young Master Chu. I appreciate your concern for me. But what does Im Gonyou being a collateral relative of the Hwangbo Clan have to do with him insulting my family?”

“What?”

When Zhuge Munho frowned, Chu Jongdo, who had been shouting confidently, blinked in confusion.

This was a completely different reaction than expected.

A collateral relative of the Hwangbo Clan.

The Family Head’s cousin.

With such backing, it would be normal to feel intimidated.

They themselves did.

Even if unpleasant incidents occurred with Im Gonyou, most would smile and let it pass.

It would be fortunate if he apologized, but even if not, there was nothing they could do.

Because he was a collateral relative of the Hwangbo Clan.

Despite bearing the Zhuge name, since he was using lodging in the same area as small sects like them, they naturally thought he would be mindful.

But Zhuge Munho’s attitude was quite different from what they had expected.

“Family prestige or personal reputation doesn’t matter. Even if the Emperor insulted my family without reason, it would be the same.”

“…”

“I must receive a proper apology from him.”

At his sharp attitude, Chu Jongdo realized he had misspoken.

Occasionally there are such people.

People who won’t change their convictions even with a blade at their throat.

But even so, he couldn’t just leave it alone.

Chu Jongdo glanced at Im Gonyou, who was still coughing without regaining his senses, then spoke once more.

“Relations with the Hwangbo Clan might sour. Do you truly wish for that?”

“Relations souring… If that happens, I’ll have to accept it.”

“What?”

“If it’s a family that doesn’t think to judge right from wrong and makes decisions based on connections and friendships, there’s no need to maintain relations with them, is there?”

“…”

They too knew the underlying purpose behind this birthday celebration.

The Zhuge Family had no allies here.

Perhaps the Zhuge Family would be most desperate for this birthday celebration.

Yet Zhuge Munho seemed to pay no heed to such interests, leaving them speechless.

“Young Family Head, shall we pack up?”

“Let’s beat up that Im Gonyou bastard first.”

“Why don’t you leave it to us? That loose-mouthed fool speaking carelessly without knowing his place.”

Meanwhile, Gwan Hwiping, who had approached Zhuge Munho’s side, spoke with gleaming eyes.

His expression and tone were as vicious as street thugs.

A family of gentlemen?

What’s that?

When provoked, they become rogues… that’s what Zhuge Munhyeon had taught them.

Not only that?

The eyes of the Zhuge Family warriors who followed Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping outside even rippled with blue killing intent.

This too was Zhuge Munhyeon’s handiwork.

They were warriors specially selected and trained at Cheonseong Pavilion.

* * *

“See, wasn’t I right?”

“Hmm.”

“I told you he’s not someone who’d stay quiet if he felt disrespected.”

At the alley entrance, a little distance from the center of the commotion.

Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled as he finished assessing the situation, and Yu Gilcheon nodded.

Zhuge Munho’s backbone, whom they had mistaken for a scholar who wouldn’t know how to get angry even when ignored, was extraordinary.

His eyes glaring at his opponent even rippled with a blue light.

And to speak as if the Hwangbo Clan meant nothing to him in front of a collateral descendant.

“It seems I misunderstood him. He always treated me with courtesy and remained polite even to the Hwangbo Clan’s rudeness…”

“That’s natural. You were a guest.”

“Huh?”

“Did you forget? The Zhuge Family is a family of gentlemen. Both predecessors and successors learn to show courtesy to guests before they even learn to walk.”

“Ah…”

I see.

But then why are you like that?

Don’t tell me you still haven’t learned to walk?

Yu Gilcheon looked at him as if dumbfounded, but Zhuge Munhyeon paid no attention and continued speaking.

“It’s not because you’re the Young Family Head of the Tang Family, but because you’re a guest that they treated you with courtesy. We’re taught to show proper etiquette regardless of a family’s size or the strength of their power.”

“But we’re allies.”

“That’s exactly why they would have been even more careful. There’s a saying that the closer you are, the more caution you should exercise.”

“Damn, so they deliberately kept their distance from me?”

“Probably.”

“Tch, they’re overly particular about too many things. They could just treat me comfortably like you do.”

“Everyone has different personalities. And while I’m just a wild man, Elder Brother Munho is the Young Family Head who has to look after his family.”

Zhuge Munhyeon wore a pleased expression while Dangyon nodded his head despite pouting.

Was he envious of how the two looked?

Namgung San quietly approached and squeezed between the two.

“Still, blood can’t be deceived, it seems.”

“Hm?”

“Ah, it’s because I feel like I’m seeing the Young Master Munhyeon I experienced and observed at the main house. The three behind seem to have speech patterns somewhat similar to Young Master Munhyeon’s.”

“Similar my ass. If you felt they were alike, it’s because those guys are copying me. They learned even unnecessary things while I was teaching them…”

To be compared to Gwan Hwiping and the others.

There was no greater humiliation than this.

But Namgung San was inwardly surprised by Zhuge Munhyeon’s grumbling appearance.

He taught them?

His heart began to race for no reason.

The Zhuge Munhyeon he had observed so far was truly no different from a monster.

At an age younger than his own, he had the aggressive skill to beat Namgung Ilhak, one of the family’s top masters, like a dog, and the insight to give teachings after just hearing a martial technique and pondering briefly…

Just how skilled were those who learned from Zhuge Munhyeon?

It was when Namgung San’s eyes were sparkling with curiosity.

“But setting aside Zhuge, those guys are a bit strange. Seeing how they went on about external lineages, they’re sensitive about power… Why are those from minor families treating Zhuge so dismissively? Even though they stumbled briefly, it’s one of Murim’s prestigious families, and now they’re exercising influence in Hubei again.”

“We should consider that’s the extent of the Hwangbo Clan’s intelligence network.”

“What?”

“Either they’re blinded by something or don’t have time to look outward. There must be some reason, right?”

“Hmm…”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Dangyon nodded while frowning.

“Hey, but how long do we have to hide here and watch?”

Then he soon grumbled in a small voice, looking displeased.

The alley entrance.

Behind the luggage cart someone had left.

They were crouched close together, watching the situation.

“Let’s watch a little longer. If we appear here now, we’ll miss an interesting spectacle. With both the Tang Family and Namgung’s Young Family Head present…”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s appearance as he spoke with a wink, Dangyon shook his head.

It was clearly a situation where a fight would break out… and he wanted to watch?

What an incomprehensible guy.

It wasn’t even someone else’s family matter but his own family’s affair, yet he was excited like watching a fire across the river.

* * *

“What do you mean? You want me to apologize?”

Im Gonyou, who had been retching for a while and finally caught his breath, pushed away the support and stood up.

“Young Master Im, are you alright?”

“What if I’m not?”

“…”

“Khack, ptui!”

Im Gonyou spat out the remnants that he hadn’t been able to vomit and remained in his mouth.

“You there, bring a bucket of cold water.”

“…Yes.”

At Im Gonyou’s words, one martial artist hurriedly ran and brought a bucket of water.

Splash!

Im Gonyou poured the entire bucket of water over himself, exhaled deeply, and glared at Zhuge Munho.

“Whew, now I feel like I can live. After vomiting everything, the alcohol completely left my system.”

“…”

“Right, I took a hit while drunk… Are you done showing off now?”

At his sneering words as he stood up, Zhuge Munho’s expression became indifferent beyond cold.

“You succeeded in a lucky attack with a surprise assault, and now you think you’re invincible?”

“Surprise assault?”

“I showed kindness by trying to include you out of pity for your situation…”

Perhaps finding it absurd after listening quietly, Zhuge Munho let out a bitter smile.

“Ah, was that kindness?”

“If not kindness, what? Would I have bothered to include a mere scholar in a drinking session?”

“I see. I didn’t realize.”

“And what’s this about the Hwangbo Clan? A family that judges based on connections and personal relationships? Do you think this makes any sense!”

When Im Gonyou shouted angrily, Zhuge Munho burst out the bitter smile he had been holding.

“Oh my, I hit your solar plexus… Did your hearing get affected too?”

“What?”

“I only made a hypothesis, and I don’t think I ever said anything definitive about the Hwangbo Clan? Perhaps you’re the one thinking that way?”

“…”

Im Gonyou, whose words were blocked by the logical point, rolled his eyes and looked around nervously.

Thinking about it, that was true.

Zhuge Munho had never made any definitive statements about the Hwangbo Clan.

“Your actions and tone clearly show you’re thinking that way!”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

“Yes!”

It was unreasonable.

His face had turned even redder than before, despite claiming the alcohol had worn off.

“Well, since you’ve returned to your right mind, let me suggest again.”

“…?”

“How about apologizing for those words from earlier? Since you were invited to a good occasion, I don’t want to unnecessarily spoil the atmosphere.”

Zhuge Munho tried to give him another chance, but Im Gonyou suddenly burst into laughter.

“Puhahaha! Have you ever seen such a stupid bastard?”

“…”

“Why? You were acting tough until just now, but now you’re worried about your relationship with the Hwangbo Clan?”

That was his misunderstanding and misconception.

With his hand on his heart, he could say he had never worried about such things even once.

He simply… wanted to resolve it with words if possible.

Because that was the Zhuge Family’s way.

But if he wouldn’t listen?

“You’re truly pitiful.”

“What?”

“What are you without the Hwangbo Clan?”

“What did you say?”

“Don’t you have anything to show for yourself?”

“…”

Zhuge Munho’s words became a sharp blade that pierced Im Gonyou’s chest.

“You damn bookworm bastard!”

Unable to contain his rage, Im Gonyou rushed forward and drew his sword while swinging it simultaneously.

Swish!

Everyone watching showed shocked expressions at the sharp sword blade.

Disputes between congratulatory delegations could happen at any time. Since hot-blooded young men from various families were gathered in one place.

But while fistfights might be one thing, swinging swords was an entirely different matter.

When a martial artist draws their sword, it’s no different from being prepared for a life-or-death battle.

If left alone, the situation would spiral out of control.

“Young Master Im, Young Master Im!”

Chu Jongdo and his companions urgently threw themselves forward to stop him.

“Young Family Head!”

Gwan Hwiping also moved to protect Zhuge Munho.

But rather than avoiding the sword’s trajectory, Zhuge Munho actually dove deeper inside it.

A cold smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.

What happened inside the inn was only known to the Zhuge Family people and Im Gonyou.

In other words, it was difficult to determine who was right or wrong.

But now everyone was watching.

So he provoked him.

To make him attack first.

Swish!

The trajectory of the swung sword grazed over his lowered head, scattering his hair.

Im Gonyou’s body was wide open.

Zhuge Munho whispered just loud enough for him alone to hear, a cruel smile on his lips.

“Well done.”

“…!”

“Actually, I didn’t want to accept any apology.”

At that moment, his expression was the spitting image of Zhuge Munhyeon.

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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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