Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 242

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

Chapter 242

The rumors spread far and wide.

As Namgung San had said, Patrol Leader Hwangbo Suhyeon was demoted for failing to handle matters befitting her position and causing discord.

A messenger who came at dawn delivered this news.

“The Family Head extends his sincere apologies and hopes you will graciously forgive him. He should come to see you personally to convey this, but he asks for your understanding as he cannot come due to being busy preparing for the birthday celebration.”

“Yes, please tell the Family Head I am grateful.”

“Also, regarding this incident, he has promised strict accountability for five minor families. The same goes for the perjury. However, he asks for your understanding that the punishment must be postponed until after the birthday celebration.”

While the drinking continued until dawn at Choaru where the Zhuge Family was staying, the Hwangbo Family had moved quite swiftly.

They intended to bury it before it became public.

Since this was already an expected situation, Zhuge Munho responded to the messenger courteously.

“I understand completely.”

“Thank you. And this is tiger bone wine that the Family Head personally sent, hoping you would not harbor unpleasant memories in your heart.”

It was both a hush money gift and a threat.

If he refused, rumors would spread that he didn’t accept even the Family Head’s swift resolution and gift.

“Please tell him I am deeply grateful.”

“Yes.”

After the messenger who delivered the gift returned, Namgung San spoke.

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Impressive. Everything happened exactly as you said, without a single error.”

Dangyeon couldn’t help but admire Namgung San.

From Hwangbo Suhyeon’s demotion to the swift punishment of those involved.

It was exactly as Namgung San had predicted.

Meanwhile, the messenger had scanned their faces once before leaving.

“Brother Munho.”

“Yes.”

“The real ordeal probably starts now.”

“….”

“Since they’ve cut off their blood relative, the Hwangbo Family’s gaze toward the Zhuge Family will become even sharper.”

“I suppose so.”

“The minor families of Shandong Province won’t look kindly on you either. Postponing punishment while granting a reprieve is no different from not punishing at all. Everything will probably end with just the Patrol Leader’s demotion.”

“I understand they intend to cover their eyes and play pretend.”

“Right. And because of that, the Zhuge Family’s reputation will fall even further.”

“It’s fine. I already know what kind of reputation the Zhuge Family has from previous events.”

“Hmm….”

Wudang accepted it as guidance, but other orthodox factions pointed fingers, calling them petty people who joined hands with unorthodox factions for survival.

Probably at the center of those rumors was the Hwangbo Family, trying to damage the Zhuge Family’s reputation by any means.

“Keep this in mind. Our two families have already joined hands centered on the Zhuge Family, but… the Hwangbo Family and Paeng Family will be different. Even so, if you can’t embrace them, things will go wrong.”

“….”

“To eventually unite even the Nine Great Families, it’s important that the Hwangbo and Paeng families come together too.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, elder brother.”

Zhuge Munho was truly grateful for Namgung San’s advice.

They had been enemies.

But the moment they became allies, they were indescribably reliable.

That’s when it happened.

Pop!

At the clear, cheerful sound, Zhuge Munho, who had been immersed in quiet emotion, turned his head.

Glug glug.

Zhuge Munhyeon was pouring alcohol.

“What are you doing? It’s tiger bone wine.”

“Huh?”

“To give us something this precious. The Hwangbo Family is really generous.”

“….”

“Don’t just stare blankly like that, have a drink. When will we get to taste this again? It’s impossible unless we raid the Hwangbo Family’s brewery.”

Seeing him giggle while savoring the alcohol, Zhuge Munho couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

He didn’t seem worried at all.

How could he be so calm?

But somehow, watching him made his heart feel at ease.

“Aren’t you tired after drinking all night?”

“We don’t have anything to do anyway, right?”

“Still….”

“They say tiger bone wine is a cure-all. How can I not drink it?”

“….”

“Come on, have a drink.”

Zhuge Munhyeon filled Zhuge Munho’s cup to the brim with alcohol.

“You really don’t have a care in the world.”

“…Who says that? Who says I don’t have worries?”

“Huh?”

“I worry every day too. Whether Mother is scheming something else with thoughts of marrying off her son, whether she’s sent my birth chart to some other family, whether Father will get scolded for no reason again.”

“….”

“Is that all? How to teach that lacking Gwan Hwiping to become stronger, how to work those guys to fill them with more fighting spirit, how to train the Young Family Head better—I’m someone who worries about something every day. You don’t know anything….”

Whenever Zhuge Munhyeon’s gaze reached them, the Zhuge Family warriors scattered here and there flinched.

That damn bastard….

His only worry was thoughts of tormenting others.

Zhuge Munho shook his head from side to side.

“You really are….”

“Really what?”

“Never mind. No, forget it. Let’s just drink. Elder brothers, come over here too.”

The drinking session continued again.

Occasionally, worries about the Hwangbo Family came up as drinking snacks.

Since their prestige had been damaged, they wouldn’t stay still, they would surely plot conspiracies to interfere with the three families’ alliance. The Namgung Family would have done the same.

There might be underwater contacts, so they should trust each other and unite….

Why did these young ones have so many worries like old men?

But Zhuge Munhyeon didn’t bother to interfere and left them alone.

Even if it seemed pointless, that was all part of learning.

Only by discussing and making plans would their thinking broaden.

‘Please become great people.’

Though his heart felt that way, the method to solve the problem with the Hwangbo Family was actually simple.

First, winning them over would be the priority, but if they couldn’t be won over?

‘I’ll have to crush them. Thoroughly.’

Orthodox, Righteous, Unorthodox.

These are words that distinguish groups with similar intentions.

Even within those, the orthodox are divided into various groups like Taoists, Buddhists, and martial families, each living in different ways.

But ultimately, the essence is the same.

Whether those divided into details, or perhaps those broadly categorized into orthodox, righteous, and unorthodox.

Because the martial world cannot escape the logic of power.

That is the one insight about the world gained after long years.

So, for now….

“Drink!”

Right now, he planned to get drunk on tiger bone wine.

Regardless of the gift’s intention, the liquor tastes good.

* * *

Mount Tai.

Though he had lost sleep at dawn due to the events of the previous night, Family Head Hwangbo Yun came out to the mountainside training ground as he always had.

Of course, he couldn’t train.

He sat on a nearby cliff, looking down below with half-closed eyes.

“I apologize, Family Head.”

Behind him.

Hwangbo Suhyeon prostrated herself with both hands on the ground, begging for forgiveness.

Her treatment had already been decided.

Demotion.

She was assigned as branch manager of the eastern coastal port, said to be the most desolate in Shandong.

It was the most insignificant of insignificant positions.

It was the farthest place from the main house, and once you went there, you could never return, so it was a position rarely given to blood relatives.

Especially not to the Family Head’s cousin sister.

“The road is long. Go now.”

“Family Head.”

“….”

She called again, but seeing Hwangbo Yun only staring at the cliff, Hwangbo Suhyeon’s cheeks trembled finely as she gritted her teeth.

His back, which had been as reliable as Mount Tai, now felt as cold as Tianshan Mountain swept by northern winds and snow.

Seeing that he wouldn’t even turn his head, he had no intention of seeing her off.

A single mistake.

With that, Hwangbo Suhyeon had lost all her foundation.

Many others had been cast out in the same manner, but she had never thought she would meet the same fate as them.

No matter how strict the family’s laws were, to have the loyalty she had devoted all this time ignored overnight.

“This cannot be. You cannot cast me out like this. I devoted my loyalty to the family.”

“Loyalty….”

Hwangbo Yun finally turned around and frowned.

“How dare you speak those words.”

“Family Head!”

“Due to your mistake, not only was the Hwangbo Sega’s prestige damaged, but we ended up doing good deeds for those Zhuge Family bastards instead.”

“But they had already joined hands with Namgung. Anyone would have done no differently than me.”

“Anyone?”

“That’s right. Even if it were you, Family Head….”

“Suhyeon.”

“…Yes.”

“If you spoke of loyalty, you should have accepted whatever decision I made.”

At that resolute voice, Hwangbo Suhyeon’s eyes became fierce.

“That’s sophistry.”

“….”

“Do you think I don’t know? You’re trying to cover up the incident by sacrificing me, aren’t you? Just like always… I cannot do that. Who was it that gave the order to classify the Zhuge Family with minor families and humiliate them? I merely moved according to your instructions, Family Head!”

“Is that so?”

“Please make a different decision. Otherwise, I will reveal everything you’re hiding!”

At her shrewish words, Hwangbo Yun’s thick eyebrows twitched.

“Different… different, you say…. If you truly wish it, then so be it. Despite opening a path to life out of kinship, you refuse it, so there’s no choice.”

“What?”

“Perhaps this way was better from the start. What I could have used you for to further stoke ill feelings toward the Zhuge Family…. I will remember your loyalty to the family.”

“…?!”

Loyalty?

What on earth did that mean?

It was then that she felt puzzled.

Step.

At the chilling footsteps, Hwangbo Suhyeon whipped her head around.

“You?”

“I’m sorry it came to this, Aunt.”

A man of sturdy build approaching with a faint smile.

It was Young Family Head Hwangbo Yeonwu.

His smile looked extremely cruel, and Hwangbo Suhyeon could immediately guess his intention.

“You bastard….”

“You should have accepted it obediently from the start, shouldn’t you?”

“What?”

“Unlike Father, I advocated for Aunt’s sacrifice from the beginning. I was planning to make it look like you died of illness on the long journey… It can’t be helped. Just think that moment came a little sooner.”

“What?”

“Actually, Aunt, you know too much just because you’re blood relatives. If you ever carelessly run that loose mouth of yours… wouldn’t that put the family in trouble?”

“Run my mouth! You bastard… how dare you to me….”

At that moment, Hwangbo Suhyeon realized.

That they had intended to eliminate her from the start.

Not just because of this mistake, but to protect other secrets.

Among the things the Hwangbo Sega had done to enjoy prosperity, some could instantly plunge the family’s honor into the abyss, and unfortunately, she was the one who had carried out those plans together with them.

“You planned this from the start. From the very beginning!”

“The fewer people who know secrets, the better. We were already erasing them one by one.”

“Al, already…?”

The moment Hwangbo Yeonwu smiled with his eyes, Hwangbo Suhyeon sprang up and flew toward the manor.

She had to escape.

She had to reveal what the Hwangbo Sega had been doing by securing all those commercial rights, how Hwangbo Yun was able to reach the realm of Gang Qi, and through what means Hwangbo Yeonwu had become strong.

She had to expose the ugly truth hidden behind the ambition to become the master of All Under Heaven.

But her efforts ended in vain.

“Aunt, did you forget my abilities?”

“….”

Hwangbo Yeonwu was blocking her path before she could take even a few steps.

And the moment that foot stepped forward, a large fist filled her entire vision.

Thwack!

A dull impact spread across her face before she could even react.

Even in the moment her mind became hazy, pain pierced through her body like an awl.

Thud! Thud thud!

Hwangbo Suhyeon, who had been coughing up blood from the fist technique that penetrated so deeply her back arched, collapsed helplessly.

Even when she opened her mouth, she couldn’t breathe.

“Aunt’s sacrifice for the family will be widely known. As someone who couldn’t bear the great trouble caused to the family and threw herself off the cliff in suicide. People will probably revere such noble intentions.”

“Grrgh….”

“Furthermore, thank you. For becoming part of me like this.”

A cruel smile and evil eyes.

Soon Hwangbo Yeonwu placed his hand on her head.

She tried struggling with wide eyes, but it was nothing more than powerless writhing.

When evil energy rose like a mirage from the hand she couldn’t remove, her hair turned white, and her body, which shrank with crackling sounds, withered and twisted like a mummy.

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