Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 252

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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 252

“So, what did they say?”

Hwangbo Yun’s eyes gleamed sharply, having been flustered by losing control of the conversation’s flow.

“That… I cannot tell you.”

“What? Didn’t you just say you would explain it a moment ago?”

“That’s correct.”

“…”

His words didn’t make sense.

Saying he would explain while claiming he couldn’t tell him.

“What I intended to explain was that the Zhuge Family must investigate this incident from now on.”

“What? This happened within the Hwangbo Clan. How can the Zhuge Family conduct the investigation?”

Though Hwangbo Yun bristled and glared, Zhuge Munho nodded without the slightest disturbance.

“Exactly.”

“Ex-exactly?”

“That’s the problem. Because this incident occurred within the Hwangbo Clan.”

“What do you mean?”

“They climbed over the walls while we were asleep after finishing the dawn banquet.”

“So you’ll investigate, won’t you? I’ve already captured Hwang Wol-hyang and extracted a confession. With the purpose already revealed…”

“Hmm, you moved quite quickly.”

“Isn’t that natural? How could I hesitate when guests who came to visit the main house were attacked by an insider?”

“You’re right. You absolutely shouldn’t hesitate.”

“…”

“That’s precisely why we must conduct the investigation ourselves.”

“What?”

The words went round and round, ultimately returning to the same place.

“Someone related to this incident won’t hesitate either. They’ll try to cover it up as quickly as possible.”

“…”

“Also, regardless of the circumstances, as you said, Family Head, this happened within the Hwangbo Clan. Since the interrogation results differ from what you mentioned, their intentions are unclear.”

“Unclear?”

“It means we must consider purposes other than harboring resentment over the incident with the Young Family Head.”

“What are you talking about? Other purposes?”

“We need to investigate further.”

“…”

“We also reach the conclusion that someone else from the Hwangbo Clan besides Hwang Wol-hyang might have participated in this incident.”

“What? Are you saying you suspect the main house?”

“Wouldn’t you do the same if you were the Family Head? I think there’s a high possibility that a third party, not Hwang Wol-hyang, will interfere with the investigation.”

“Interfere! Who would dare interfere with an investigation ordered by me!”

When things didn’t flow as intended, Hwangbo Yun shouted angrily.

“Your anger is understandable. But… didn’t you already say you only found out after investigating?”

“Th-that’s…”

“In other words, someone carried out the attack without your permission. It means they’re someone who doesn’t consider your authority.”

At the calm explanation of the situation, Hwangbo Yun clamped his mouth shut.

‘As expected, he’s quite something. They say he’s truly the best in the world with logic, don’t they?’

Watching Hwangbo Yun’s expression grow increasingly stern, Zhuge Munhyeon secretly smiled to himself.

It was an act carried out while ignoring the Family Head.

The mastermind wouldn’t hesitate to interfere with the Family Head’s direct investigation either.

Therefore, they reached the conclusion that the Hwangbo Clan’s investigation couldn’t be trusted.

Of course, making such claims alone would be meaningless.

That was precisely why Zhuge Munho had called the Namgung Family and the Dang Family.

Observers.

Among them, Namgung Ilhak the Sword Tooth, who had retired from the front lines but was still respected by many.

They couldn’t ignore his opinion.

If Hwangbo Yun insisted here, it could raise suspicions like ‘Could the Family Head know something?’

“Ahem, Family Head Hwangbo.”

“…Please speak.”

“I understand your feelings, Family Head, but the Zhuge Family’s argument is also valid.”

“…”

“Since this happened within the Hwangbo Clan, you should naturally investigate directly, but it would be better to avoid having the mastermind involved in this incident.”

“However…”

“I know. I understand. It’s not an easy decision. But isn’t the nature of this gathering a place where families representing not only Shandong but each region come together to foster friendship?”

“Th-that’s…”

“In my view, having Zhuge handle this investigation would be somewhat more objective… If you say it’s a decision made to leave not even a trace of suspicion, everyone would praise the Hwangbo Clan instead.”

At Namgung Ilhak’s words, Hwangbo Yun gritted his teeth.

He kept racking his brain, but couldn’t think of anything to refute his words.

That’s when it happened.

“How about we do it this way?”

A compromise point that was hard to narrow down.

Zhuge Munhyeon interjected between them and presented a mediation plan.

“We’ll investigate jointly.”

“Jointly?”

“That’s right. Although we’re in the position of victims, how could we exclude the Hwangbo Clan from something that happened within the Hwangbo Clan?”

“…”

“We’ll proceed with all investigations under the Young Family Head’s observation.”

“Yeon U?”

“That’s right. At least a son wouldn’t deceive his father. And the fair and just Family Head wouldn’t deceive us either.”

“Hmm…”

Even Hwangbo Yun had to nod slightly at those words.

Jungakgye was originally his son’s scheme.

But if they investigated together with him as an observer, the Zhuge Family wouldn’t be able to hide anything.

However, he would need to be careful not to reveal anything about the Demonic Arts.

“Good. Let’s do that.”

“Thank you.”

The agreement was reached.

But Hwangbo Yun wouldn’t know.

The fact that Zhuge Munhyeon had deliberately lured his son to learn more details about not only this attack but also the Demonic Arts they had learned.

‘Trying to hide things in front of me? You should say something that makes sense. From now on, I’ll thoroughly expose every detail of those martial arts you’ve learned.’

Of course, there was still one more thing left.

“Family Head.”

“Speak.”

“For this investigation, please control all entry and exit to the estate for the next ten days.”

“Entry and exit control? What do you mean by that?”

“The mastermind behind those who attacked the Zhuge Family isn’t necessarily within the estate, is it?”

“…Don’t tell me you think there are also external parties? That’s excessive speculation!”

“You never know with human affairs. I’m considering all families who attended the banquet as suspects, not just the Hwangbo Clan.”

“What?”

“Therefore, I intend to investigate them all.”

“All of them?”

“Yes. Including Namgung, the Dang Family, the Paeng Family, as well as the merchant groups and minor families.”

He deliberately raised his voice to redirect the arrow.

So that everyone listening around could frown.

‘This bastard… his momentum is rising, but he’s digging his own grave.’

He was still young.

Thinking only they were clever, he didn’t realize that his words had just crossed the line.

Hwangbo Yun’s expression, which had been frowning all along, brightened considerably.

“Hmm, is there really a need to go that far?”

“I share the same thoughts as Elder Geomchi. To suspect the Tang Family.”

Not only Namgung Ilhak but even Dang Yeon retorted with an expression full of displeasure.

Hwangbo Yun couldn’t help but rejoice inwardly.

He had thought he was cornered, but wasn’t the other making such a huge mistake on his own?

Who would like it?

Being suspected and confined to the Hwangbo estate for ten days for investigation.

Zhuge Munhyeon’s words would quickly spread and incur public outrage.

‘Rather, this worked out well. If this investigation gets buried, it will bring us even greater benefits.’

In the end, the Zhuge Family would self-destruct without revealing anything.

So he should rather lend support and tell them to proceed.

“Hmm, it’s a somewhat excessive thought, but… your words also have some validity, so let’s proceed with that measure.”

“Thank you.”

Zhuge Munhyeon bowed, but Hwangbo Yun barely glanced at him and looked at Namgung Ilhak.

“I apologize, Elder Geomchi. Since the Zhuge Family desires it so much, please bear with it and wait.”

“Hmph!”

Namgung Ilhak couldn’t hide his displeasure.

“Everyone listen! The main house will jointly investigate this incident with the Zhuge Family and reveal everything clearly without a shadow of doubt! Therefore, I ask that you stay at the main house a little longer according to the Zhuge Family’s request!”

His words asking for understanding in a booming voice clearly contained the meaning ‘we have no choice because of the Zhuge Family.’

It was a scheme to build resentment against the Zhuge Family rather than the Hwangbo Family and shift all responsibility to them.

“Seongmudang Leader Jeon-ak, listen.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“Convey my decision to the Young Family Head and help him actively cooperate with the investigation with the Zhuge Family.”

“Understood.”

“Also, according to the Family Head’s order, lock all gates equivalent to a lockdown for ten days. Make it clear that anyone who violates this will be considered not unrelated to this Zhuge Family attack and will be severely punished.”

“I will convey this and carry out the order.”

“Now withdraw.”

“Yes.”

Jeon-ak sent a messenger to the medical hall, then stationed warriors around the lodging where the Zhuge Family was staying.

It was a double blockade.

By the Eight Gates Golden Path Formation and the Hwangbo Family’s Seongmudang warriors.

“Elder Geomchi, breakfast was delayed due to this sudden incident. Would you like to join us?”

“No thanks. Being suspected like this, all the food I swallow would feel like grains of sand. I’ll return to my lodging.”

Namgung Ilhak glared at Zhuge Munhyeon, then turned his body sharply and strode away.

“Young Family Head, this decision was hasty. The Tang Family has no choice but to reconsider everything we’ve been discussing with your noble house.”

Dang Yeon was the same.

He made a threat to reconsider the bilateral agreements and left.

“Oh my, you’re going to earn resentment unnecessarily. I’m sorry about this. I’ll spare no support if there’s anything needed for this investigation, so just say the word anytime.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll await good news.”

Hwangbo Yun, who patted Zhuge Munho’s shoulder encouragingly, also left.

Among the people from minor families and merchant groups who were leaving after watching, there were plenty of voices cursing the Zhuge Family.

“…Will this be alright?”

“Steel your resolve, Young Family Head. We cannot conduct a sloppy investigation out of fear of others’ eyes. Let’s go inside for now. We can only start the investigation after the Hwangbo Family’s Young Family Head arrives.”

“Understood.”

Zhuge Munhyeon entered the formation with the family members.

It was when the boundary between inside and outside was drawn, and only the Zhuge Family members remained.

“Kuk, kukukuk.”

Zhuge Munhyeon burst into laughter he had been holding back.

“Is it funny?”

“Didn’t you see Family Head Hwangbo’s expression? I had a hard time holding back my laughter seeing that.”

“Really… how is your mind so sharp in this kind of thing? Until now, you seemed to have no plan at all.”

“This kind of thing?”

“Something wicked…”

“This?”

Zhuge Munhyeon bristled, but inwardly he agreed.

For some reason, that was the case.

Should he say his mind worked better toward underhanded methods rather than normal ones?

Since he was born of demonic origins, his innate nature couldn’t be ignored.

It felt better to be worse to bad people.

“By the way, where did everyone learn to act? Even I thought it looked real.”

“I was impressed by that too.”

The reactions Namgung Ilhak and Dang Yeon showed in front of Hwangbo Yun.

That too was a situation where discussions had already concluded.

Why would he have called them first?

He was lucky.

If Hwangbo Yun had arrived first, things would have become difficult.

‘Now, with this the trap is set, so I just need to drive them.’

Originally, when hunting prey, they say you shouldn’t block every path and pressure them.

You have to show them a gap to squeeze through.

So they harbor hope that they might survive if they go that way.

Fortunately, when Namgung Ilhak and Dang Yeon expressed displeasure, Hwangbo Yun offered what they wanted.

Through joint investigation, they could observe Hwangbo Yeonwu, and focused all attention on themselves.

Also, due to the lockdown order issued by the Family Head’s direct authority, the Hwangbo Family would become insensitive to outside news for ten days.

It opened breathing room for the Beggar’s Sect and Namgung Family to secretly investigate the Shandong region.

“Now then… from now on, let’s stir up various places so they can’t look away and gather their attention.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s start investigating the Namgung Family first.”

“The Namgung Family? If we’re going to deceive them, wouldn’t it be better to investigate Yeonwu first?”

“Conventionally, that would be proper.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hwangbo Yun’s judgment is already clouded. His eyes are intoxicated with greed and ambition. Such people tend to focus on what they want.”

“…”

“Breaking ties with the Namgung Family is probably what he wants most. So I should throw it to him. The most appetizing thing.”

“But what if that arouses suspicion?”

“That would be good in its own way. He’ll suspect our intentions and monitor us more intensively, naturally reducing his interest in the outside.”

“Hmm…”

“You know, right? In this matter, the problem isn’t internal but how much evidence we can find externally.”

The attack?

That was merely to create confusion.

What’s important is through what route Hwangbo Yun and Hwangbo Yeonwu obtained demonic arts, and what they did for it.

‘Who could it be? The one who passed the demonic arts to them… If it’s truly martial arts related to dual cultivation, it would correspond to forbidden books and wouldn’t be easy to leak. Have the descendants become that corrupt?’

Like various other things, this was what Zhuge Munhyeon was most curious about.

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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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