Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 246

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

Chapter 246

Zhuge Munhyeon’s body twisted low as he dug in, and his lightly clenched fist struck viciously at the ribs.

Thwack!

Hwangbo Yeonwu’s face contorted from the dizzying impact, but the armor-like muscles wrapping his body reduced the pain.

Whoooosh!

The moment a massive fist cut through the air creating fierce winds, Zhuge Munhyeon quickly retreated backward to create distance.

“Waaaaaaah!”

Cheers erupted from the spectators at the thrilling exchange of first moves.

Zhuge Munhyeon’s swift movement, and Hwangbo Yeonwu’s response that was intense enough to create air-splitting sounds.

However, only Namgung Ilhak and Hwangbo Yun accurately witnessed that instant clash.

‘That bastard… is he testing the waters?’

Namgung Ilhak, who knew Zhuge Munhyeon’s true abilities, thought about him hiding his claws.

‘Hmm…’

Hwangbo Yun, whose displeasure was evident, unconsciously gritted his teeth.

It had been a precise strike.

In contrast, Hwangbo Yeonwu’s response was quite sloppy.

He had merely swung his fist without properly targeting, affected by the shock to his body.

‘Son, this is not an opponent to be careless with.’

Hwangbo Yun watched his son, who was glaring at Zhuge Munhyeon with a frowning face.

Fortunately, the leisure had disappeared from that expression.

He had acknowledged his opponent’s skill.

That was good enough.

He wouldn’t be careless now.

“Whew, quite impressive. I never thought you’d close that distance in one go.”

“Oh my, I was too rude. I should have told you beforehand. Well, this is a friendly martial duel after all. I’ll tell you from now on. What I just did was a technique called Heavenly Energy Flash from our Main House’s movement technique, Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps. Please keep it in mind from now on. I can penetrate from unexpected distances at unexpected moments.”

“…”

At the words that not only showed kindness but also detailed explanation of his first move, Hwangbo Yeonwu’s eyes trembled as he tried to maintain his composure.

That little bastard, even explaining it is infuriating.

“Now then… next is a technique called Falling Star following Cloud Flow Pursuit Form.”

Grind.

His teeth had no choice but to grind.

It was only the first move.

The way he spoke as if he were the victor just for giving his body a little shock aroused anger.

‘I can’t be led around. He’s from the Zhuge Family. Since his skills are lacking, he’s definitely trying to shake me with cunning words.’

Hwangbo Yeonwu took a long deep breath and barely calmed his mind.

He must not be deceived by that bastard’s words.

‘First, I’ll bind his feet.’

Glaring fiercely at Zhuge Munhyeon, he finally took a proper stance.

“This is our Main House’s Thunderbolt Divine Fist.”

“Oh! That sounds quite exciting.”

“Since you yielded the first attack, I’ll start the second!”

“Do as you wish.”

To Hwangbo Yeonwu’s words as he bent both knees and pulled his left fist to his waist, Zhuge Munhyeon replied with continuous bright smiles.

“Hwangbo’s fist is merciless… please be careful!”

The moment his words ended, Hwangbo Yeonwu’s foot stomped the ground forcefully.

Rummmmmble!

It was an intense foot strike.

The sparring arena, which seemed quite sturdy, began to vibrate and then crumbled with creaking sounds.

‘Ho? This guy has some sense.’

His strength was quite something too.

He hadn’t even properly drawn out his internal energy yet, but to collapse this large sparring platform with just a foot strike.

His intention was obvious.

He was trying to bind his feet.

Though they had clashed only once, his swift movements must have bothered him.

Probably an attack would come targeting the moment of surprised confusion.

‘Then naturally I should act confused.’

Since this fight wasn’t about determining winner and loser but finding out what kind of power he possessed, shouldn’t he play along as much as needed?

Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and looked down at the sparring arena collapsing entirely.

“Oh no!”

The startled exclamation was a bonus.

Right after that.

Whoosh!

As expected, Hwangbo Yeonwu’s fist came flying as he swiftly launched his body.

“Hup!”

With a bewildered groan, Zhuge Munhyeon barely leaned back his upper body to respond to his attack.

“Think you can escape!”

Hwangbo Yeonwu, whose momentum had risen, bent his extended fist targeting the ducking Zhuge Munhyeon.

An elbow attack.

A kick would have been much better, but he too was suspended in air without ground to support himself.

‘Well, not too bad.’

He reached his hand toward the elbow, targeting the moment of impact.

Eagle Claw, Hidden Pressure.

A technique that pushes internal energy into blood vessels to strike from within.

His target was where the arm bends, the Quchi acupoint.

“Kuk!”

Hwangbo Yeonwu, who had never doubted his attack’s success, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his elbow and grimaced.

Thud!

Simultaneously, Zhuge Munhyeon crashed into the ground.

Bare ground.

His back ached from the debris of the collapsed sparring arena.

However, Hwangbo Yeonwu didn’t follow up with additional attacks and retreated.

‘This bastard… mutual strike?’

That’s what they call techniques similar to mutual destruction, taking hits while dealing them.

But the crowd, who couldn’t know the details, cheered once again.

“Waaaaaaah!”

“As expected of the Taesan Hidden Dragon.”

“Hwangbo’s fist techniques are as amazing as rumored.”

That’s how it must have looked.

Like Hwangbo Yeonwu had collapsed the sparring arena with tremendous foot strike power and slammed Zhuge Munhyeon into the ground.

At the praise from those who knew nothing, Hwangbo Yeonwu had to forcibly smooth his grimacing face.

He couldn’t show weakness.

“Ow, truly amazing. I thought my spine would break. The saying that Hwangbo’s fist is the best under heaven wasn’t an exaggeration.”

“You bastard…”

“Huh? You’re immediately calling me bastard just for landing one hit? Then… I should do the same. We’re in the same boat, growing old together.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What do you think? You’re speaking informally and wanting to be friendly just because we exchanged some punches.”

“…”

Hwangbo Yeonwu wanted to smash his mouth.

Wasn’t he constantly running his mouth without rest, scratching at his nerves?

Above all, for someone who had supposedly been struck hard in the elbow, he looked far too unharmed.

As if he hadn’t felt any impact at all.

On the other hand, his own arm was tingling.

He was forcibly suppressing the fine trembling to hide it.

“Well then, shall we go again?”

“Hmph!”

The collapsed sparring arena.

Racing across the broken debris, they clashed even faster than before.

As if their two bodies had merged into one, they exchanged offense and defense at close range.

The crowd’s fervor grew even more intense at the thrilling sight of the two fighters.

“…Zhuge Gongja’s understanding of martial techniques is quite exceptional. Even though he says he’s not using internal energy yet, to think he can hold his ground so evenly.”

At Hwangbo Yun’s words, Namgung Ilhak simply remained silent.

Now that it was clear Zhuge Munhyeon was hiding his true abilities, there was no need to respond and give him information when his intentions were unknown.

He could only watch quietly and wait.

But then.

“Kuk kuk, how interesting.”

“…?”

Yu Gilcheon, standing on one side of the sparring arena, drew attention as he chuckled about something he found amusing.

Perhaps sensing the stares directed at him?

“Ah, it’s nothing much. I just thought Munhyeon’s skills were quite impressive.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since Munhyeon specializes in staff techniques rather than close combat, I never expected he could fight so evenly with the Hwangbo Clan’s Young Family Head in hand-to-hand combat.”

“Hmm…”

At his casual response, Hwangbo Yun, who had asked the question, quickly turned his head to look at the sparring arena.

An even fight.

Fist techniques, not staff techniques.

He had to acknowledge that it was impressive.

But once they began using internal energy in earnest, the situation would change completely.

His son… had already reached the realm of righteous energy.

Unless their internal energy levels were similar, the conclusion would come quickly.

[Elder Brother, what are you hiding?]

[Kuk, you’re quick to notice.]

[Tell me. Why did you say it was interesting?]

Namgung San, who felt puzzled by the deflective words directed at Hwangbo Yun, sent a sound transmission to Yu Gilcheon.

He too knew that Zhuge Munhyeon could have decided the match with the first strike, yet was needlessly dragging it out.

[That guy is building up something.]

[What?]

[I didn’t notice at first either, but after about ten seconds I could tell. While reducing the impact when hit, he’s gradually inflicting shock on that Hwangbo Yeonwu fellow’s body.]

[Inflicting shock?]

[Well, from your position, you wouldn’t be able to see past that Hwangbo Yeonwu fellow’s bulk.]

Namgung Ilhak, Hwangbo Yun, and even the descendants of each family.

Because they were observing while standing in a circle around the sparring arena, they couldn’t see Zhuge Munhyeon’s movements clearly.

Hwangbo Yeonwu’s build was too large.

Only from Yu Gilcheon’s position could it be seen.

And Namgung San, who had quietly moved beside him to observe Zhuge Munhyeon’s movements, finally understood the meaning of Yu Gilcheon’s words.

It was true.

While it seemed like an evenly matched fight with both trading blows, their expressions were completely different.

Unlike Zhuge Munhyeon who was smiling playfully, Hwangbo Yeonwu’s face was continuously contorting.

Hwangbo Yun didn’t know because he was looking at his son’s back.

[That cunning bastard seems to have deliberately positioned himself like that. So the Hwangbo Family Head wouldn’t notice.]

[But why? It’s not like him to torment his opponent while fighting like that.]

[How would I know what’s in that bastard’s mind? Still, it’s satisfying to watch. Keu heh heh heh.]

“…”

At Yu Gilcheon’s smile, Namgung San sighed again.

What terrible taste.

But really, why?

He had seen him spar with Geomchi countless times, but had never seen this kind of approach.

‘What exactly is he aiming for…’

Now he too could only watch and wait.

Because he had become very curious about what Zhuge Munhyeon was targeting.

Thwack!

Meanwhile, Zhuge Munhyeon and Hwangbo Yeonwu continued their evenly matched close combat.

Perhaps thinking he had the advantage, Hwangbo Yeonwu rarely used his internal energy despite the accumulating pain.

‘That guy’s quite persistent. It’s about time he should show his claws. In that case… I’ll start first.’

Zhuge Munhyeon drew Eunhangon and threw it toward Zhuge Munho with a whoosh.

Even though he had learned the Yang techniques to distinguish between internal energy and spiritual energy, the weapon reacted even more strongly than before, so unnecessary commotion might arise.

“Well then, shall we get a bit more serious now? Since things have heated up enough…”

Aura suddenly burst forth from the grinning Zhuge Munhyeon’s body with a whoosh!

Because it erupted suddenly, the surrounding dust spread outward in circles like ripples on water, and a subtle light enveloped his body.

And at that moment, Hwangbo Yeonwu’s eyes flashed open wide.

He was already irritated anyway.

Who would have thought his understanding of martial techniques would be similar to his own.

No, he was falling behind.

Also, whatever he had done, each time his touch grazed him, shock accumulated within his body.

But if he used his internal energy properly?

He had the advantage!

He was confident he would immediately slam that damned bastard to the ground and trample him.

“Fine, let’s get serious as you say!”

As if he had been waiting, he drew forth his internal energy.

Crack crack crack!

Simultaneously, the debris around him was pushed away in all directions.

His aura seemed different from Zhuge Munhyeon’s from the start.

A much stronger and heavier energy instantly engulfed the surroundings.

And Zhuge Munhyeon saw it once again.

‘Black obsidian eyes… he’s definitely learned something.’

The murky black light in his glistening pupils – an incredibly turbid evil energy.

Though it was only contained in his pupils so others wouldn’t notice.

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