Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 250

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

Chapter 250

The sound of clashing weapons shattered the dawn’s silence.

Since there were other minor families staying near the Zhuge Family’s lodging, those who had been drinking late into the night began gathering one by one at the unexpected commotion.

This is the end.

Hwang Wol-hyang listened intently with a triumphant smile, thinking that the Zhuge Family’s shamelessness would be exposed to the entire world.

However.

‘Why is it so quiet?’

The reaction was less than expected.

“What’s that? Why is the Hwangbo Clan…?”

“Well… what on earth is happening?”

The people’s conversations were also strange.

Why were they worried about the Hwangbo Clan?

Moreover, there should have been a report from Gwak Soon as soon as the suppression was complete.

A strange uneasiness led her toward the Zhuge Family’s lodging.

‘Wh-what is this?’

The situation inside the wall, which she observed by barely poking her head out, was flowing completely differently from what she had expected.

Gwak Soon and his subordinates were kneeling with swords pointed at their necks.

And.

‘Yang Yeo is… captured?’

Beside Zhuge Munhyeon, Yang Yeo was kneeling with her head bowed.

She wasn’t violated?

According to the physician, he had definitely taken the drug?

The plan had gone awry.

The moment she realized this, Hwang Wol-hyang ran toward the Family Head’s Hall.

She had to inform them quickly.

If their scheme was discovered, it could lead to an irreversible situation.

* * *

“What? So that drug was an aphrodisiac?”

“That’s right.”

“No, how could such…”

“They probably planned to use me to drag the Zhuge Family’s reputation through the mud.”

“…”

Zhuge Munho’s face contorted with rage upon finally learning all the facts.

How could a family that had represented the orthodox faction commit such a despicable act?

An aphrodisiac…

“Let’s go right now!”

“Go? Where?”

“We need to inform everyone of this fact and confront the Hwangbo Family Head.”

“And if we confront him?”

“What?”

“Think rationally.”

“Rationally? Can you be rational in this situation?”

“Then what else can we do? Unfortunately, I’ve confirmed everything. From this woman named Yang Yeo.”

“What do you mean?”

It even reached the name Hwang Wol-hyang.”

“The leader of those courtesans?”

“Yes, she said she received orders from her. Probably this bastard Gwak Soon is the same.”

“You think they’ll cut off the tail?”

“Exactly. We’ve already experienced this once. And even if we confront them, would the Hwangbo Family Head allow us to investigate Hwang Wol-hyang and the physician? He’ll step forward saying it’s his family’s matter and he’ll investigate it internally.”

“Hmm…”

“There’s no evidence other than their testimony. That drug they consumed is all there is. Maybe they’ve already realized the failure and either moved Hwang Wol-hyang and the physician away or dealt with them.”

“Then what do we do?”

“Well… what should we do? I haven’t thought that far ahead either.”

As he smiled bitterly, Zhuge Munho frowned and fell into deep thought.

It was the Hwangbo Clan’s banquet that continued despite a family member’s suicide. Though it pained their hearts, they would excuse it by saying it was unavoidable for the sake of their guests.

‘It makes sense, but it’s behavior that defies common sense.’

Power and ambition.

Sometimes people become so obsessed with such things that they don’t hesitate to do what they shouldn’t.

They make obvious mistakes repeatedly.

No matter how smart or experienced a person is.

And such actions gradually become more daring and cruel, departing from common sense.

They create ten lies to hide one lie, rationalizing to themselves that they have no choice.

Because their eyes and ears are covered.

That is the blind spot of those consumed by desire.

So one must become even more cold-hearted.

Only then can one see properly.

That foolishness.

“Gwan.”

“Yes.”

“Deploy warriors immediately around the lodging’s perimeter in the formation of the Eight Gates Forbidden Path Formation.”

“Pardon?”

“Hurry, time is of the essence. The deployment must be completed before the Hwangbo Clan moves. Guard firmly so that no one can approach.”

“Yes!”

Zhuge Gwan, having received Zhuge Munho’s stern command, headed toward the wall with the warriors.

The Eight Gates Forbidden Path Formation.

A formation that uses warriors as axes to close all spaces, leaving only eight gates, then controls by closing all eight gates to block external intrusion.

“The Eight Gates Forbidden Path Formation? Why that suddenly?”

When he asked with curiosity, Zhuge Munho answered with a serious expression.

“I don’t know exactly what you were thinking yet, but they probably were confident of success. Seeing how boldly they schemed within the estate.”

“Hmm.”

“So they might not have prepared contingencies for failure yet. In this situation, these people are our only evidence to expose the Hwangbo Clan’s scheme. We absolutely cannot let them fall into the Hwangbo Clan’s hands.”

“Oh?”

To think of such a thing in an instant.

He’s grown up well.

No, perhaps the talent of Zhuge blood emerged in this moment of crisis.

Of course, the Eight Gates Forbidden Path Formation couldn’t be considered that impressive. The Hwangbo Family Head, or even the Elders’ skills, would probably be enough to force through it.

Since the warriors forming the formation weren’t as skilled as them.

But at least it would serve as a minimal measure to prevent evidence destruction.

“Hwi, go to the Tang Family and Namgung Family lodgings and inform them that there was a conspiracy involving aphrodisiacs.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t let them enter the formation. Since the Hwangbo Clan already knows we have friendly relations with them, meeting inside the formation could give others cause for misunderstanding. Tell them that since the investigation isn’t complete, we’re keeping everyone under suspicion.”

“Yes! Young Family Head.”

Zhuge Hwi quickly ran out of the lodging.

His quick response was truly gratifying.

“You plan to make them anxious?”

“Yes. Anxiety surprisingly makes people make mistakes in unexpected places. And if this is the only card we have, we must protect it.”

“Good thinking.”

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded as if agreeing with his thoughts.

Upon failure, all evidence must be erased simultaneously. Hwang Wol-hyang, the physician, and the attackers.

However, this measure made perfect evidence destruction impossible.

Though they only reached Hwang Wol-hyang, the leader of the courtesans, Hwangbo Yun would be trembling with fear that his name might come up, thinking they might discover more.

Also, if they left the Namgung Family and Dang Family outside and informed them they were also under suspicion, they could never enter the formation.

They would have to watch Namgung Ilhak’s reactions.

“We can’t pin Hwangbo Gaju as the culprit yet. Even if he’s behind it all, if he cuts off the tail as you said and covers it up as something his subordinates did on their own… we’ll gain nothing.”

“You’re right. That’s what I’m worried about too.”

“For now, we can buy time with the formation. Not for long, though. So tell me. About your actions from yesterday until now.”

“…”

“The duel with the Young Family Head, and about the aphrodisiac… what exactly do you suspect about the Hwangbo Family?”

Satisfaction grew at the sight of Zhuge Munho asking with a serious expression.

“Heh, as expected of the Zhuge Family’s Young Family Head, your situational judgment is quick. You’ve grown well, very well.”

“This bastard!”

Zhuge Munho flared up, but still seemed to be waiting for an explanation.

Now he had to tell him.

He needed to know too.

“Hwangbo Yeonwu seems to have learned demonic arts.”

“What? De-demonic arts? What are you talking about?”

“People born with malevolent nature show traces in their eyes – Obsidian that absorbs everything like darkness, Blood Moon tinged with the color of blood, Nine-tail filled with demonic energy, Dark Thunder hiding destructive tendencies in stillness, and Specter that’s fickle and unpredictable.”

“Ah… but how do you even know such things?”

Zhuge Munho blinked in surprise, but Zhuge Munhyeon continued his explanation without stopping.

“However, what heaven determines and one is born with can’t be helped… but when cultivated later in life, it can be problematic.”

“Later in life?”

“Whether demonic or righteous arts, when one operates mental techniques and deepens enlightenment, the eye color changes, but when purely devoted to martial arts, there should be a lustrous glow. But Hwangbo Yeonwu’s eyes had heavy turbidity.”

“Turbidity?”

“Consider it a kind of impure energy.”

“…”

“That kind of turbidity mainly occurs when internal energy is obtained through forceful means. You must have heard of such vile things as essence absorption, yin harvesting, and yang harvesting.”

“Su-surely not?”

“Essence absorption has been lost for ages, and since Hwangbo Yeonwu is a man, he must have learned a type of yin-harvesting yang-nourishing technique.”

“Su-such…”

Zhuge Munho couldn’t hide his shock.

If his words were true, it meant the Hwangbo Family’s Young Family Head had learned demonic arts.

This could bring about a tremendous storm.

While there were cases of learning various martial arts to become stronger, there was no case of a righteous sect member learning demonic arts.

They would face concentrated fire from all of Murim, and in the worst case, would have to forfeit their life.

“Is-is this speculation?”

“Certainty.”

“You’re certain?”

“I confirmed it through the duel. Unfortunately, the moment I tried to reveal it before everyone, it was thwarted by Hwangbo Gaju’s interference.”

“Then… that means Hwangbo Gaju also knows this fact.”

“That would be the case.”

“Hah…”

Zhuge Munho felt all strength drain from his body.

“Why would the head of the Hwangbo Family make such a choice?”

“I don’t know that either. Human greed can go in any direction.”

“But even so…”

“Well, that’s how the times are.”

“Hmm… anyway, if he learned demonic arts, we’d be at an advantage.”

“But there’s a problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hwangbo Yeonwu hid it very well. Unless the leaders of each sect take turns checking his pulse points, it would be difficult to reveal. Without solid evidence, they would never hand him over.”

“Hmm… then there’s no way?”

“There is one.”

“What is it?”

“If Hwangbo Yeonwu used yin-harvesting yang-nourishing methods as I think, he must have kidnapped women. They were probably killed.”

“Kidnapping… then if we just catch that evidence?”

“Right, if we just reveal the evidence and Hwangbo Yeonwu’s connection, everything will become clear. If public opinion is swayed well, even the Paeng Family won’t be able to help. The Dang Family, Namgung, and Zhuge can all pressure the Hwangbo Family together.”

“Evidence, evidence… I understand.”

“Huh?”

He looked back questioningly at what he understood, but Zhuge Munho had Zhuge Pyeong bring paper, brush, and ink.

Then he immediately began writing a letter.

“Pyeong.”

“Yes.”

“The Hwangbo Family hasn’t moved yet. Hurry and escape this place to find the Gaebang branch office. This must be delivered to the Family Head and Gaebangju at Yungzhong Mountain.”

“Understood.”

Zhuge Pyeong carefully stored the letter whose ink hadn’t even dried and ran out of the lodging.

“You’re having them investigate?”

“Yes.”

“Not bad. Fortunately, we have the Gaebang.”

“I wrote that it’s an opportunity for them to expand their territory.”

“Heh heh, Purple Ghost Bang Leader will go crazy and rush in. He’ll be able to expand his influence to Shandong in one stroke.”

“But that’s not enough.”

“You plan to move the Namgung Family and Dang Family?”

“Yes. Since kidnapping is already rampant in the western Murim, we can use that to expand the investigation. The Dang Family would have difficulty coming here due to distance, but Namgung in Anhui can definitely move.”

It’s a good strategy.

Once the letter reaches Zhuge, Cheonchaek Hall will move swiftly.

‘That Junggi fellow will be overworked again.’

Namgung will definitely move.

They’ve been facing the Hwangbo Family across the border for a long time, and if lucky, they could seize Shandong’s interests.

Perhaps this incident could even draw the Paeng Family to their side.

“Then we should meet Elder Geomchi first?”

“We should. Before the Hwangbo Family moves.”

“Good, let’s go. They seemed quite curious about my actions too.”

Having quickly solidified their future plans, the two stepped outside the newly activated formation.

One move to reverse the entire situation.

The Hwangbo Family had given them an opportunity through an unexpected mistake.

It was an opportunity they absolutely couldn’t miss.

To overturn the board.

“But Munhyeon.”

“Yeah?”

“From now on, discuss things right away.”

“What?”

“I, and Gwan Hwiping too, we’re all blood brothers. You can trust us.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon stared at Zhuge Munho intently, then smiled.

“Right. I will. From now on.”

* * *

While the situation inside the Hwangbo Clan Estate was flowing urgently, deep in the darkness of Mount Tai’s valley.

Something massive twisted its heavy body and awakened from sleep.

“Hmm….”

Eyes round like glass orbs looked toward where the Hwangbo Clan Estate was located.

Puzzlement dwelled in the vertically slit pupils.

What could it have been?

Even while sleeping, the identity of the power so intense it made his eyes snap open was spirit energy.

And not the crude energy he had devoured until now, but something like a perfectly refined pure concentrate.

“At the Hwangbo Clan Estate… why….”

He coveted it.

Enough to make saliva pool in his mouth.

It was incomparable to anything he had consumed so far.

But his eyes, which had been staring at that distant place without moving, soon narrowed.

“Hidden it?”

Ominous.

The energy that had awakened him had disappeared without a trace.

Intentional.

If he made an effort to search, it wouldn’t be impossible to find, but the moment he released his sensing power, his own location might be revealed.

That wouldn’t do.

The intensity he had felt rivaled the power of a Half-Immortal who had reached the energy accumulation stage.

If they could hide their energy in an instant on top of that, perhaps they might be even beyond that level.

Three hundred years had already passed since he had hidden his body in Mount Tai, making contracts by inciting human greed.

What if the one who had visited the Hwangbo Clan Estate now was a ‘Hunter’?

“…They wouldn’t be alone.”

Though he coveted it greatly, there was no need to risk his life.

But that didn’t mean he could just sit and watch.

If the Hunters had come looking for him, he needed to hurry and move his hiding place.

“It seems I’ll have to meet with the Owner of the Hwangbo Clan Estate.”

Rumble.

The sound of the massive body colliding with the cave walls lasted only briefly.

The gradually contracting body soon took human form.

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