Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 239
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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 239
“What is this situation?”
Hwangbo Suhyeon frowned as she looked at the fallen Im Gonyou and the warriors of the two families confronting each other as if they would draw swords at any moment.
It was a situation she could understand without having to ask.
Both the culprit and the victor seemed clear.
Zhuge Munho, the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family.
She could also somewhat guess his strength.
Most of those gathered here were small and medium families with deep ties to the Hwangbo Clan Estate.
In other words, they were on the same side.
Yet they couldn’t step forward and could only watch.
His skills were certainly outstanding enough that they couldn’t think to interfere.
But even so, she demanded an explanation to break Zhuge Munho’s momentum.
He already knew her identity.
They had greeted each other earlier when she came out to welcome them.
So he would soon make a statement to defend himself.
As a descendant of the Zhuge Family, he would be eloquent, but what was most needed to resolve such problems was experience based on the relationships between various factions.
It was natural that the Young Family Head of a sect that had been cowering on Yungzhong Mountain would not be able to persuade her.
However, Zhuge Munho, who glanced at Hwangbo Suhyeon, showed not the slightest disturbance.
“Please step aside.”
“What did you say?”
“My business with Family Head Im’s young master is not yet finished.”
“….”
At this completely unexpected response, Hwangbo Suhyeon couldn’t find words to reply for a moment.
In the meantime, his reaction was so indifferent it reminded her of the saying about looking at a cow like it’s a chicken.
Moreover, despite her demand for an explanation, he paid no heed and approached Im Gonyou, causing anger to rise on Hwangbo Suhyeon’s face.
“I clearly told you to stop! Does the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family intend to disrespect the Hwangbo Clan Estate!”
“….”
Did her words, which sounded like a roar, have an effect?
Zhuge Munho hesitated and turned his head to look at Hwangbo Suhyeon.
But he was frowning.
His expression was full of displeasure.
“Then is the Patrol Leader of the Hwangbo Clan Estate disrespecting the Zhuge Family?”
“What?”
“Although the Patrol Leader is one generation higher than me and older, to speak down to the Young Family Head of another family in a public setting, not a private one?”
“…!”
“Has the Hwangbo Clan Estate established such a policy?”
Despite exchanging only a few words, she was completely speechless.
It was a mistake.
But to nitpick at words spoken in anger.
It meant he wasn’t flustered at all even though she had stepped forward.
He coolly accepted the situation and clearly analyzed what words would help him and what words would harm him.
‘Damn Zhuge bastard.’
This is why she hated them.
Even though those gathered here were people from small and medium families under the shadow of the Hwangbo Clan Estate, it could become problematic if it leaked out carelessly.
No, the Zhuge would somehow make it an issue no matter what.
“…I apologize for that part, Young Family Head.”
“Since you apologize, I’ll accept it.”
“But there must be a convincing explanation for the current trouble.”
“I clearly told you that my business is not finished, didn’t I?”
“But I am the Patrol Leader of the Hwangbo Clan Estate and am in charge of hosting duties for this birthday celebration. I cannot just overlook even small disturbances. If you ignore my warning to stop, I have no choice but to use force.”
“Hmm….”
At Hwangbo Suhyeon’s words, Zhuge Munho frowned and sighed.
“Fine. Then I’ll explain.”
“….”
“That person came drunk and insulted my family, saying we only rose through demonic sect power, and tried to drag me to their drinking party. I politely declined, but since he used physical force, I am delivering appropriate punishment.”
When Zhuge Munho calmly conveyed Im Gonyou’s words and the previous situation without embellishment, Hwangbo Suhyeon frowned.
These crazy bastards….
It was true that they had assigned lodging in the alley where small and medium families stayed, intending to insult the Zhuge, and chosen the most shabby inn with the name Choah (grass sprout).
But how could their reputation compare to that of small and medium families?
Though not comparable to the Hwangbo, they had already taken control of the Hubei region and built friendship with the Tang Family.
Small and medium families that couldn’t compare in tradition or scale had no right to carelessly insult them.
‘Damn, I didn’t think such a problem would arise.’
She hadn’t thought it through.
She had only planned to give them worse treatment than other families to humiliate them.
‘He deserves to die, he deserves it.’
Hwangbo Suhyeon gritted her teeth as she looked at Im Gonyou, who was barely managing to tend to his body with the support of his subordinates.
But she had to smooth things over.
What good would come from rumors spreading?
“If such a thing happened, I think it would be appropriate punishment. But as Patrol Leader, I cannot make a judgment based on only one side’s words, so I need evidence that Family Head Im’s young master said such things.”
“Evidence….”
At her words, Zhuge Munho smiled bitterly.
Evidence?
Weren’t everyone here witnesses?
“Patrol Leader, when everyone gathered here saw it, is evidence necessary?”
“You say everyone saw it?”
“That’s right. They saw him come drunk to the inn where the Zhuge Family was staying, heard what he said, and saw him draw his sword first and swing it. They also saw him pressure us with the Hwangbo Clan Estate backing him.”
“Hmm….”
At those words, Hwangbo Suhyeon nodded.
“Then let me ask. What did they see and hear.”
It was when Zhuge Munho turned his head to look around.
“Is what the Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family just said true? Is there not a single lie in what he explained? Anyone, please speak up. If you do, even though he is the young master of Family Head Im, who is an outer branch of the Hwangbo Clan Estate, I will have the main house take action.”
Hwangbo Suhyeon raised her voice first and asked the people.
When the internal energy contained in her voice spread subtly, pressing down on the surroundings, everyone avoided eye contact with awkward expressions.
It was avoidance.
They were denying what they saw with their mouths tightly shut.
“No way…?”
Zhuge Munho couldn’t help but be flustered.
Surely he couldn’t have been unaware that they were all on the same side?
But as Young Family Heads representing their families, at least one of them should have been able to act righteously.
But why was no one stepping forward?
Why weren’t they properly explaining what they saw?
Shouldn’t they say what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong?
That is the righteous path.
That is what it means to be orthodox.
But the world was not as just as Zhuge Munho thought.
Believing too readily was the mistake he had made.
The shadow of the Hwangbo Clan Estate.
Those who had lived within it thought that standing with the Hwangbo Clan Estate, even if it was unjust, was protecting their families.
Moreover, if they had even a little sense, they would know that Hwangbo Suhyeon’s polite question was actually a threat.
Go ahead and try saying it.
You’ll have to bear the consequences yourself.
With such meaning implied, who would open their mouth to explain what they saw?
Just close your eyes and keep your mouth shut tight, and injustice will pass by.
That’s how you preserve your family with a single action.
“These bastards!”
“You all saw it, didn’t you? How can you be like mutes who ate honey?”
“Speak up quickly! How did that bastard Im Gonyou behave!”
As the situation took a strange turn, Gwan Hwiping glared and pressed the people.
“Stop it.”
“Young Family Head!”
“Stop, just stop it.”
“But…”
Zhuge Munho blocked them with a stern face as they burst with frustration.
Speaking up now would rather backfire.
Because what had been directed at him as a handle had now turned into a blade.
“Hmm, Young Family Head. This is strange. Why is everyone silent?”
“…”
“This means there are no witnesses to support the Young Family Head’s explanation.”
A sneer formed at the corner of Hwangbo Suhyeon’s lips.
She found it amusing to see Zhuge Munho’s flustered appearance when no one spoke up for him.
‘Young fool… He thinks the world runs on passion and sense of justice alone. Though he’s deep inside and smart as a Zhuge, he lacks worldly experience.’
Did she divide the delegation’s lodging into zones for no reason?
There was no one here who would support Zhuge Munho’s words.
“It seems an investigation will be necessary, won’t it?”
“…”
“Don’t worry. Surely we wouldn’t be biased toward one side, would we? We must clearly reveal whose fault it is and judge right from wrong properly.”
At her sarcasm, Zhuge Munho could say nothing and only frowned.
She meant she would be biased toward one side.
She meant she would pin all the blame on the Zhuge Family.
With everyone taking one side.
What should he do?
What had started as someone insulting his family had suddenly turned into a situation where he was bringing shame to his family.
What words should he say?
How should he overcome this crisis?
But no good ideas came to mind.
If they planned to deny what they saw and pin the blame on him, they wouldn’t just hold him responsible but would surely use this to pressure the Zhuge Family.
At a time like this, if it were Munhyeon…
Just as his thoughts were turning in that direction.
“Huh?”
As if it were a lie, a very familiar figure appeared, squeezing through the gaps between the surrounding people.
“Tsk tsk, I knew this would happen. I really can’t take my eyes off you for even a moment, can I?”
“You?”
It was Zhuge Munhyeon.
Before Zhuge Munho, whose eyes had grown wide, could say anything, he entered the arena and approached Hwangbo Suhyeon.
“So the Patrol Leader has finally stepped forward.”
“Ah! Young Master. The Young Master of the Tang Clan and the Young Master of the Namgung Clan have come together as well.”
Her eyes lit up at their appearance as she greeted them warmly.
“But what brings you here?”
“We were drinking and came out for a night stroll to get some air and see what this place called Taean looks like.”
“I see.”
Their appearance was a situation Hwangbo Suhyeon hadn’t anticipated.
Because she had withdrawn the guard martial artists to the outskirts at Namgung Ilhak’s request.
But she maintained her courtesy.
The Tang and Namgung families were ones she needed to build friendship with for the future, and the young man of unknown identity was presumed to be a very important figure in the Namgung family.
“But it seems there’s been a problem?”
“It’s nothing for the three of you to concern yourselves with. It’s something that happened because the descendants of each family couldn’t overcome their hot blood and drunken spirits… We’ll handle it, so I hope the three of you have an enjoyable time. If it’s alright, I could introduce you to the sights of Taean.”
“At this hour? It seemed like all the lights were out except for the lodgings where the delegation is staying.”
“What does the time matter? If you wish, I’ll assign martial artists to guide you.”
“Hmm, that’s not bad… but I’m more interested in this situation here.”
“Pardon?”
At the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon smiling brightly, Hwangbo Suhyeon wore an awkward smile.
These young ones, really…
He must have found watching fights more entertaining.
“Young Master, this situation is already over. We just need to move the injured to the medical clinic and conduct an investigation.”
“Hmm, so you’ll start the investigation at the medical clinic? The injured person will be in distress. His body hurts too.”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“Actually, the three of us were watching everything from that alley entrance over there. From the moment the drunk fellow picked a fight with the Young Family Head of the Main House and got knocked back.”
“…”
Seeing Zhuge Munhyeon with an amused expression, Hwangbo Suhyeon barely held back her face from contorting and maintained a forced smile.
Damn, they saw everything?
Of all times… no, wait a minute? Main House?
Hwangbo Suhyeon’s head tilted crookedly as she recalled what she had heard.
“Ah, the situation wasn’t favorable for proper introductions, was it?”
“Pardon?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m called Munhyeon of the Zhuge Family.”
“Zhuge… Munhyeon? Then you are… that Violent Dragon?”
“I don’t like it much, but I hear many people call me that.”
“…”
Zhuge Munhyeon smiled, stretching both corners of his mouth wide.
Now, what will you do?
Since it’s come to this, why don’t you try conducting that investigation of yours properly?
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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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