Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 244

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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 244

The dusky time when night approaches.

Fires are lit in bronze braziers placed here and there.

Thump, thump, thump.

With the continuing drum sounds, the grand banquet opened magnificently.

The moment one stepped into the banquet hall, it seemed as if all senses were consumed by dazzling splendor.

The walls were draped in golden silk, and overhead, massive silk decorations that seemed to have transported the flow of the Yangtze River hung like waves.

Between them, hundreds of red lanterns hung in layers, casting gentle light, making the banquet hall shine softly like a lake under midday sunlight.

The invited guests gathered in small groups, engaging in conversation.

Descendants of renowned families from various regions, owners of trading companies whose names alone commanded respect, and even officials and military commanders from the Shandong region with deep ties to the Hwangbo Family.

The musicians’ pipa performances resonated softly, filling even the gaps in conversation.

On the low, wide stage built in the center of the banquet hall, dancers wrapped in fluttering thin silk drew graceful movements with their dance.

A place where everyone was enjoying themselves.

But in reality, everything was divided by position, family size, and personal connections.

Of course, they were in the same space.

Inside the Great Hall within the banquet hall, with all doors wide open to give a sense of openness.

The Peng Family, Namgung Family, Dang Family, and even influential trading companies in the region.

This was the VIP section where family heads and key leaders holding major positions in the Hwangbo Family personally entertained guests.

The rest enjoyed the banquet in the space outside the Great Hall.

These were mainly small and medium-sized family factions.

They could have stationed sword-bearing warriors around the Great Hall to guard it or not.

It was only called a grand banquet in name.

Of course, it wasn’t that there was no one entertaining those outside the Great Hall.

Hwangbo Yeonwu, the Young Family Head of the Hwangbo Family.

He was receiving gifts from small and medium family envoys on behalf of the Family Head, exchanging greetings and sharing drinks.

Though it was a banquet with clear discrimination, the atmosphere was harmonious.

No one seemed displeased with the situation and accepted it as natural.

Well, for small families and weak trading companies, just being with the Young Family Head would be sufficient.

And the Zhuge Family was there.

“Damn it, everyone’s looks are…”

Zhuge Gwan glanced around and frowned.

Only after arriving at the banquet hall and hearing the murmurs of those around them did they learn.

About last night’s incident.

What should have been concluded as an incident stemming from the Hwangbo Family’s poor treatment had taken a strange turn.

Hwangbo Suhyeon, who was supposed to have taken all responsibility and been demoted, had suddenly thrown herself off a cliff at Mount Tai.

It was utterly absurd.

A martial artist of that level taking her own life because she dishonored the family’s reputation?

Thanks to this, public opinion was unfavorable.

Along with glances from all directions, they could hear not just murmurs but even criticism.

In a place where everyone was enjoying themselves, they felt like the only villains.

It wasn’t as if the Zhuge Family had pushed her off the cliff, yet it felt like they had attended the banquet just to be cursed at.

In that vast banquet hall, among countless people, they seemed isolated and alone.

“Gwan, don’t be needlessly irritable. Reacting unnecessarily will only increase suspicion.”

“But… we didn’t do anything wrong.”

“That’s how public opinion works. People are more interested in malice than goodwill and love to gossip. They’re more accustomed to curses and criticism than praise. If you make a fuss and argue back, it will only backfire. Accept it calmly.”

“…Yes.”

Zhuge Gwan answered with a sullen face at Zhuge Munho’s words.

“Leave him be, he has good reason to be angry.”

“…?”

It was Zhuge Munhyeon. Zhuge Munho looked puzzled at this uncharacteristic defense.

“Don’t tell me you also think there might be other intentions behind the Patrol Leader’s death?”

“Why? Don’t you?”

“…”

“Her death has made the Zhuge Family’s infamy even greater. Everyone is defending and sympathizing with the Hwangbo Family. If I were the Hwangbo Family, I would certainly…”

“Munhyeon, stop it. You don’t really think they would kill even blood relatives to incite ill feelings toward us? I heard she was the Family Head’s cousin.”

“What does that matter?”

“What do you mean what does it matter? It’s no different from the relationship between you and me. Do you think I could kill you? Don’t harbor needless suspicions.”

With such a serious expression scolding him, Zhuge Munhyeon closed his mouth.

You might not… but if necessary, I certainly could.

Brothers? Fellow disciples?

Those words only applied to Zhuge Munho.

He was different from them.

Though being raised as a descendant of the Zhuge Family had increased his patience and compassion, his essence was ultimately rooted in the demonic path.

The Throne of Blood.

He was the one who had passed through countless deaths to reach that position.

Wasn’t the demonic path precisely the place where one had to kill fellow disciples, brothers, even masters if they became threats, to seize what one desired?

Would the Central Plains be different?

What was commonly called the righteous path.

One should obtain results through proper processes, but after obtaining results, one could also package that process as righteousness.

It was then.

“I apologize for only greeting you now after having you here.”

Some man approached, accompanied by only one guard.

He had such a robust build that he seemed a head taller than others.

They naturally had to look up at him.

They immediately knew who he was.

Hwangbo Yeonwu, the Young Family Head of the Hwangbo Family.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I am Zhuge Munho, Young Family Head of the Zhuge Family.”

“I’ve heard much about you. I hear your martial prowess is as outstanding as your wisdom?”

“You flatter me.”

As the two exchanged greetings, Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes slightly narrowed.

The bodyguard behind was glaring at them with a furrowed brow.

Those eyes!

“…Munhyeon.”

At such an attitude, Zhuge Munho gave him a look as if embarrassed.

What was he supposed to do?

Everyone at this gathering was already murmuring about them being villains anyway, so he could afford not to observe etiquette.

“Ha ha! Don’t scold him. I was just about to sit down myself.”

“…Yes.”

Zhuge Munho smiled bitterly at Hwangbo Yeonwu’s words as he sat down with hearty laughter.

“Might that gentleman be Young Master Munhyeon, called the Violent Dragon?”

“That’s correct.”

“I’ve heard much about you. Your reputation is quite renowned.”

At Hwangbo Yeonwu’s pleased reaction, Zhuge Munhyeon had no choice but to exchange greetings.

He would have liked to just glance over and nod briefly, but Zhuge Munho kept giving him looks.

But the moment their eyes met, Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes slightly narrowed.

‘Huh?’

His pupils.

He was probably trying to probe.

Since he had been at the center of last night’s trouble, he would know by now.

Also, since you have ears, you must know that I was the one who played a leading role in the fight against the Namgung Family.

You must have been curious.

Perhaps even more so than the Young Family Head or Gwan Hwiping.

Naturally, the emotion in your eyes should be different from others.

But why… that black light?

‘Black Obsidian Eyes?’

It disappeared in an instant, but I couldn’t have seen it wrong.

It was the same when I first saw Mujin.

He possessed dual-colored eyes with both blood-red crimson moon and divine energy in his pupils.

If a Wudang disciple could be like that, there’s no law saying a son of the Hwangbo Family couldn’t be born with Black Obsidian Eyes.

How could one change what Heaven has given?

Even if born with it, there are many who live by changing their fate, and many who suppress evil hearts through various efforts.

But unlike what Mujin was born with naturally, Hwangbo Yeonwu’s was cultivated artificially.

The murkiness is proof of that.

But why on earth?

For Black Obsidian Eyes to develop artificially, one must cultivate Demonic Arts… Could it be that among the Hwangbo Family’s martial arts, there’s something originating from the demonic path?

Or perhaps…

My mood sours.

Artificial black obsidian doesn’t carry good meaning.

Above all, that murky and gloomy energy was proof that impure methods were used to learn demonic martial arts.

A curiosity greater than Hwangbo Yeonwu’s curiosity toward me surged up, and the corners of my mouth began to tear apart on both sides.

“Oh my, you’ve heard my name? I committed rudeness without knowing. Hahaha!”

“…?”

“Let me introduce myself again. The Violent Dragon of the Zhuge Family! I am Zhuge Munhyeon. Hahaha!”

At the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon suddenly changing his attitude and even bursting into laughter, Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping beside him couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

Why is this bastard suddenly acting like this?

Their eyes clearly conveyed that meaning.

But regardless, Zhuge Munhyeon filled his wine cup with an attitude of ‘I’m so grateful you know my name. I am indeed that person.’

“Come, let’s have a drink. I was just curious after hearing that the Hwangbo Family possesses divine strength like that which could uproot mountains, and seeing you, Young Family Head, I indeed think so. How do you usually train? Setting aside your build, such muscles aren’t created through ordinary training.”

Zhuge Munhyeon poured out complimentary words with an extremely friendly attitude.

“I hear the Hwangbo Family’s fist and leg techniques are that amazing? Could we perhaps have a martial duel sometime?”

It felt excessively clingy.

Meanwhile, his voice was so loud that people around began to look over.

“Munhyeon.”

“That’s too much…”

“You should stop…”

How bad must it have been for even Gwan Hwiping to frown and try to stop him?

But Zhuge Munho, who restrained them, came forward to defend Zhuge Munhyeon for some reason.

“Haha, please understand, Young Family Head. My younger brother has the personality to jump up from eating if martial arts are mentioned. He seems to have been very interested in the Hwangbo Family’s martial arts.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu, who had been somewhat flustered, soon smiled and nodded at Zhuge Munho’s calm words.

“All martial artists are like that. Especially among those our age, isn’t it even more so? We cannot contain our overflowing vigor.”

“Thank you for thinking that way.”

“Not at all. Actually, I too heard about the Violent Dragon and thought I’d like to have a martial duel someday.”

“Oh, really?”

“Of course. When the opportunity arises, I’ll arrange to meet you separately.”

Polite conversation flows between them.

Zhuge Munho handled the situation well in what could have seemed rude.

But Zhuge Munhyeon trampled on that effort by adding one more comment.

“Then let’s not do it separately, let’s do it now.”

“…Pardon?”

“Right now. Since we’re talking about it.”

Everyone, with expressions beyond bewilderment reaching shock, turned their heads to stare at Zhuge Munhyeon.

What did he just say he wants to do?

“Isn’t it good? At such an enjoyable gathering, it would add to the excitement. Actually, what use are music and dancing to martial artists? Nothing makes the heart race more than watching each other exchange moves.”

Though he smiled brightly, his eyes sparkled with competitive spirit, making even Zhuge Munho, who had been defending him, unable to hide his difficulty.

When his attitude suddenly changed, he thought there must be some plan behind it.

He wasn’t the type to act recklessly.

But to have a martial duel right now?

What on earth is this guy thinking?

“Haha! Young Master Munhyeon’s competitive spirit is remarkable. I understand that feeling too. Though I’m dying to test our skills, this place isn’t quite suitable. If we’re to have a martial duel, we’d need to clear the surroundings, so later I’ll…”

“Why? Are you scared?”

“…”

“Well, then it can’t be helped. Despite your build, you’re quite cautious about this and that.”

It wasn’t just the Zhuge Family present there.

It was also full of people from small and medium families or merchant groups, and Zhuge Munhyeon’s voice had been consistently loud.

Given his already notorious reputation, everyone would point fingers at his rudeness and more.

But the rude provocation from a martial artist younger than himself was enough to ignite a fire in one corner of Hwangbo Yeonwu’s heart.

“…Oseng.”

“Yes, Young Family Head.”

“Since he desires it so much, there’s nothing I can do. Prepare a space for the martial duel.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu said while staring intently at Zhuge Munhyeon, who wore a mocking smile.

Of course you should respond like that.

Because I need to find out right now why your eyes carry the energy of black obsidian.

And also how you defiled your proud demonic martial arts through what methods.

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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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