Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 24

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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 24

 

 

“Eliminate the root cause?”

“Exactly as I said. We need to strike Honyeon Alliance.”

“That’s… I already explained.”

“I heard it too.”

Zhuge Munhyeon slowly stood up and walked around the conference room with his hands clasped behind his back.

Neither fast nor slow.

“Someone said this.”

“…”

“That this is an era of warring heroes.”

“Huh?”

“You know what that means, don’t you? It’s survival of the fittest. An era where you can’t survive if you’re not strong.”

A cold smile appeared on his lips.

Survival of the fittest.

Even saying it made his heart surge.

Ah, what a familiar expression this is!

Justice? Righteousness?

None of that exists.

The weak are devoured by the strong, and those who can’t adapt are eliminated.

‘The Demonic Sect indeed, the world is a demonic sect.’

Though he belonged to the Zhuge Family, all under heaven moved according to the Demonic Sect’s logic.

Then that was perfect.

I am the person most familiar with that world, and I have reached the pinnacle of that world.

In other words, this is a stage made for me.

I feel excited anew.

Though I became a trainee scholar at the Military Strategy Hall with a purpose, this probably isn’t what Father hopes for from his son!

But when the world calls for me, how can I pretend not to hear?

That wouldn’t be proper etiquette toward the world.

Let’s go, you bastards!

Come with me and let’s devour the Central Plains!

Honyeon Alliance will be the very first step.

Most importantly, if I achieve great merit here!

I can go to Wudang.

If that’s the case, then naturally!

“Let’s strike them.”

“St-strike them?”

When he presented the conclusion without any explanation, everyone looked bewildered.

Responses? Rebuttals?

I can’t give them time for that.

I wouldn’t be able to win logically against these eloquent speakers.

I’ll overwhelm them all at once.

I’ll drag their pride down to the floor.

“So we should just sit there and take it? Without being able to do anything? Is that the Zhuge way?”

“Th-that’s…”

They had no words to respond.

To the childish words of a mere fifteen-year-old…

“Tsk tsk, why are such knowledgeable people so slow to understand?”

“Huh?”

Now the words flowed freely.

Just like long ago, when he was rising in the Demonic Sect.

Just like when that confident and bold martial artist had declared his ambitions, surpassing renowned families and forces.

“How long will we wait for the Main House? Let’s do it ourselves. It’s not like we can’t, right?”

Of course, that boldness was limited to Zhuge Munhyeon alone.

“Nonsense! Honyeon Alliance’s forces number as many as two hundred.”

“Fifty died, so one hundred fifty.”

“…”

“And currently, roughly seventy martial artists and thirty Military Strategy Hall scholars are staying at the branch.”

“The scholars won’t be of help in combat.”

“Does it seem that way to you?”

“What?”

“You’re looking down on the Military Strategy Hall’s abilities too much.”

He glanced over at Mun Ilhwa.

He too was frowning, seemingly having his pride slightly hurt.

“What about you, Scholar Mun? Do you agree that you won’t be of help in combat? When this is practically the core of the Zhuge Family. Also, as far as I know, one Military Strategy Hall scholar should be able to face off against dozens of martial artists sometimes…”

“That’s…”

“Are you being modest?”

“What?”

“Hastily made formations. Even if you can’t kill them, you can trap them, can’t you? This is precisely the time when combat formation techniques are needed.”

“Well…”

“The moment you trap them, the enemy’s numbers decrease. Though hastily made formations won’t last very long, what if we kill the rest in the meantime?”

“Hmm.”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Mun Ilhwa frowned again.

But that expression was identical to when Han Siheon had been contemplating how to trap him.

Right now, Mun Ilhwa’s mind must be full of thoughts about what formation techniques to use to trap enemies.

“What about Third Unit Leader?”

“What do you mean?”

“As a martial artist from the Main House, doesn’t it hurt your pride to retreat after being attacked? Your subordinates died. The workers died too.”

“…”

“Let’s show them, those bastards. That the Zhuge Family isn’t weak enough to be defeated by the likes of them. That way, the young martial artists of the Zhuge Family who dream of a bright future will also have pride, won’t they? Surely you’re not afraid of those unorthodox rabble?”

“…Afraid! I am the Third Unit Leader of Hyeonho Unit! No matter how strong the enemy may be, I do not retreat.”

Good.

That attitude was very much to his liking.

Through individual persuasion, the two sent from the Main House were convinced, leaving only the two heads of the branch.

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled coldly and pressed down firmly on Zhuge Munho’s shoulder.

“What about you?”

“…”

Answer well.

Under the gaze filled with silent pressure, Zhuge Munho felt his spine grow cold.

Unable to properly meet his eyes, he smiled awkwardly.

That makes one branch manager.

Even by majority vote, I’ve won.

I absolutely, definitely must strike Honyeon Alliance.

Regardless of the Zhuge Family’s situation, retreating here is something my pride won’t tolerate.

“Branch Manager?”

“Hmm.”

“The decision is yours to make, Branch Manager. If you say no… I’ll have no choice but to step back. Though my pride as a son of the Zhuge Family would be trampled into the ground…”

At these words urging a decision, Zhuge Cheong’s face wrinkled even more than when the others were deliberating.

“How long will you remain satisfied with just the branch manager position? This is your chance to achieve merit and aim for higher places, don’t you think?”

He even scratched the itch just right.

Who doesn’t have dreams of success and fame?

“Fine, good. Let’s say we carry out the attack as you suggest. Let’s say we use the Military Strategy Hall to dig trap formations and disperse the enemies to overcome our disadvantage in military strength. But what about Honyeon Territory’s masters?”

“Don’t we have masters too?”

“The Alliance Leader’s four sworn brothers are all masters approaching the pinnacle level.”

“The deputy branch manager killed one of them. That leaves three, right? You take one, Branch Manager, Third Master takes one, and the remaining one… Elder Brother Munho can handle it, right? Everyone can manage that much, can’t they?”

With a bright smile, he made eye contact with each person one by one.

Zhuge Munho’s eyes were particularly full of resentment as he looked dejected.

That’s practically the same as you killing him…

Whatever his inner thoughts might be, since it seemed that way, he pressed down on his shoulder a bit harder.

Straighten your expression and smile.

Don’t sprinkle ash on cooked rice.

“But the Honyeon Alliance Leader is already a master who has surpassed the pinnacle and is looking toward the Ui Qi level.”

“I’ll handle him.”

“What?”

“If you just create the opportunity, I’ll kill the Honyeon Alliance Leader.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why? Don’t you think I can do it?”

Zhuge Munhyeon, smiling even more brightly than before, gently pressed down on the conference table.

Creak.

The wooden tabletop sank down uniformly following the shape of his fingers, as if it were made of tofu.

“Gasp!”

“Hmm.”

Since they had only heard about it but never seen it directly, everyone in the conference room was surprised and their eyes widened.

This was the divine power of a pinnacle master.

“Trust me. And think about it.”

“…”

“If the enemy that has been causing constant worry with just the branch alone, without help from the Main House, is annihilated? How pleased would the Family Head be? He must have lost a lot of sleep over this. What about the family members? We’re taking the first step toward a world where the people of the Zhuge Family can sleep peacefully with their legs stretched out.”

Zhuge Munhyeon’s words were thrown like stones into the hearts of the leaders, soon creating ripples. The waves gradually grew stronger and eventually drew out action.

“Let’s do it!”

“That’s right. It’s not entirely impossible.”

Mun Ilhwa and Jeok Un, who weren’t in positions of responsibility, persuaded the branch manager with eyes shining with determination.

Zhuge Munhyeon silently pressed down on Zhuge Munho’s shoulder.

Press.

You say something too.

“Let’s, let’s do it. We can’t keep retreating forever, can we?”

As everyone urged him to make a decision, Zhuge Cheong could no longer hold out.

“Alright. First, let me contact the Main House…”

“That won’t do.”

“Huh?”

“If you report to the Main House, will they tell you to do it?”

“But…”

“Think about it. This needs to be an achievement that the branch accomplished independently.”

“But what if things go wrong?”

“Are you thinking about failure before even trying anything?”

“…”

“Didn’t the branch manager originally have all the authority over branch operations anyway?”

Though it was somewhat challenging and impolite language, there was no one left in that place to blame Zhuge Munhyeon’s tone.

“Damn it… Fine! Let’s do it.”

“You made a good decision.”

Zhuge Munhyeon finally drew out what he wanted.

I am the Heavenly Demon.

I stood at the pinnacle of a hundred thousand demonic paths.

Could I have controlled all of them in the direction I wanted through powerful rule and fear alone?

Sometimes touching their pride, sometimes scratching their itches – that’s how I’ve endured.

Even if I can’t win with words, manipulating emotions to make them move is nothing.

“What strategy would be good?”

Having made his decision, Zhuge Cheong asked with eyes full of enthusiasm.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Huh? Well, obviously…”

“Come on, what would a fifteen-year-old know?”

The leaders couldn’t help but feel bewildered at his appearance of waving his hands and laughing.

A fifteen-year-old…

After convincing everyone to do something they said was impossible?

After boldly declaring he would handle the Honyeon Alliance Leader himself?

“What does the Military Strategy Hall do? Strategy, tactics, formation techniques, mechanisms! Isn’t that what that place is for?”

“Well, that’s…”

“There are thirty people gathered there who think about nothing but such things every day. Naturally, Scholar Mun should devise the strategy. Right?”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“That, that’s true.”

“Then it’s decided. Scholar Mun, I’m counting on you. You know I trust you second only to Father, right?”

Strategy?

That should be done by someone who’s good at it.

His specialty was fighting, not tedious things like strategy.

In fact, he wasn’t capable of it either.

Martial arts was something he always did, and formation techniques he happened to learn, but academics and strategy weren’t his thing, were they?

It wasn’t innate talent but just showing a bit of what he originally knew.

“But to devise a strategy, we need information about Honyeon Territory’s military strength. We need to know at least their numbers and deployment.”

“Hmm.”

That’s right.

Information is a very important asset in waging war.

‘Tsk, come to think of it, I haven’t seen any beggars in Yanghyeon.’

More precisely, I haven’t seen the Beggar’s Sect.

There were just a few vagrants at most.

In the past, there used to be at least branch divisions near orthodox sect branches.

‘Hmm, it’s hard to find Haomen in this situation too. Damn, doesn’t the Zhuge Family even maintain an intelligence organization?’

He grumbled for no reason, but what could he do? That’s how times were.

If you don’t have teeth, you use your gums.

“Information… I’ll look into that.”

“You will?”

“Yes. Start the meeting. Information will come pouring in from evening onward. Well then, I’ll be going now. To gather information.”

“Ah, alright.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who was heading outside, suddenly stopped walking.

Did he have something to say?

Just as everyone turned their heads to look.

“Elder Brother Munho, what are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“Come out.”

“Me too… go?”

You have to go too.

What help would you be in a strategy meeting? What are you even?

“Munhyeon, since I’m the deputy branch manager, I should stay here…”

“Come out.”

“Yes.”

At those words, Zhuge Munho jumped up and followed behind Zhuge Munhyeon.

It seemed like the words “if you don’t want to die” were implied after “come out.”

“Hah, this is really… It’s like he’s been bewitched.”

“Indeed. It seems to make sense and yet not at the same time… But still, my heart feels stirred for the first time in a while. Truth be told, the Zhuge Family has been too intimidated lately.”

“That’s true. It’s shameful that we’ve been cowering before mere small and medium Unorthodox Sects. But is it really possible with just our branch office?”

Those who remained shared their respective thoughts.

“How can one mouth speak two different ways? Since we’ve decided, I’ll take responsibility. Scholar Mun, devise a good strategy.”

“Phew, understood. Then please monitor the movements of the Honyeon Alliance first. It would be troublesome if they move first.”

“We three families will take care of that part.”

“Then I’ll gather the branch office martial artists and give instructions to prepare in advance.”

From the moment their tasks were decided, they each knew their roles.

They had simply needed a catalyst to shake off their hesitation.

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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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