Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 253

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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 253

“Namgung Sega?”

“That’s correct.”

At the words of Gwak Geo, the Yangmun Family Head directly under the Family Head, a smile formed on Hwangbo Yun’s lips.

With Seongmudang and the Young Family Head dispatched to support the investigation, Yangmun Family Head Gwak Geo, who was in charge of family laws and dispute mediation, was currently reporting on all situations occurring within the household.

But the first investigation target being Namgung Sega?

“So? You’re saying Geomchi got angry?”

“That’s right. They say his shouting was loud enough to cross the walls and reach the nearby pavilions.”

“Puhahahaha! Have you ever seen such a fool? He’s a know-it-all, a complete know-it-all. If Hwang Wol-hyang was involved, he should have naturally gone after Yeonbi first.”

At Hwangbo Yun’s satisfied smile, Gwak Geo frowned, unable to readily agree.

“What’s wrong?”

“Isn’t it a bit strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“The opponent is Zhuge. Though young, they are those with exceptional wisdom. Moreover, Zhuge Munhyeon is the son of Zhuge Gireui.”

“Zhuge Gireui… He is indeed a remarkable fellow.”

“But why would their starting point be Namgung Sega? They should also know that since Hwang Wol-hyang, the leader of Yeonbi, is involved, they should strike Geumgosa first.”

“Are you saying they have other intentions?”

“They might be aiming for a feint attack. They probably suspect as well that we hope for our relationship with Namgung Sega or the Dang Family to sour.”

“Hmm, continue.”

“The Young Family Head of Zhuge Family and Zhuge Munhyeon headed to Namgung Sega’s quarters, but their subordinate warriors scattered individually and are examining various places.”

“The real target is the subordinate warriors’ side?”

“The investigation process isn’t following normal procedures.”

“That makes sense. It might be so.”

“For now, I’ll consult with Jwapyeong and deploy not only Yangmundang but also Geumgosa’s warriors to observe where they’re headed.”

“Do that. There’s no harm in being careful. Those Zhuge bastards pretend to smile on the surface while scheming rotten plots behind the scenes.”

Hwangbo Yun nodded with satisfaction.

How fortunate it was to have cultivated the Three Divisions.

Weren’t they truly reliable?

The elders and the council of elders made judgments based on subjective thoughts and sometimes opposed wrong decisions, but the warriors of the Three Divisions were different.

They only obeyed his commands and devoted themselves to achieving what he desired.

As long as they existed, Zhuge Family wouldn’t be able to discover anything.

‘They’ve learned in vain, learned in vain. They may have read thousands of books, but having been cooped up only in Yungzhong Mountain, they’ve never accumulated experience.’

The family of the world’s greatest strategist?

Nonsense.

All military strategy books say that the most important thing in fighting enemies is securing advantageous terrain.

They had already made the wrong choice from the selection of location.

Investigating Hwangbo Sega within Hwangbo Sega?

They should say something that makes sense.

When they were meticulously tracking their words, movements, food intake, and even how many times they went to the outhouse per day, what investigation was there to speak of?

It was preposterous.

Whether they read his intentions and investigated Namgung or the Dang Family, it didn’t matter at all.

Hwang Wol-hyang and physician Jang Saeng were already dead, and the reason for the attack was buried.

Confessions from the captured ones?

‘Did they think I would fall for that?’

He already knew.

They wouldn’t make any other confession.

Because he had personally raised the warriors of the Three Divisions.

He was well aware that it was merely a ploy to shake him.

The next ten days.

No matter how much they flew and leaped around, as long as they were within Hwangbo Sega, they were no different from monkey cubs playing in his palm. In the end, they wouldn’t discover anything.

“Hehehe, nothing will change. In the end, you bastards will bow your heads beneath my feet and scheme to help me rise to higher positions.”

A murky black light flashed in the eyes of Hwangbo Yun, who laughed bleakly.

“Gwak Geo.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“Tighten the grip on Zhuge Family even more. Watch their every move without missing anything and report back.”

“Understood.”

It was when Gwak Geo finished his answer and withdrew, and a late meal was requested.

“Family Head.”

“Yongpae? What brings you here?”

Yong Tae, the warrior who managed the Family Head’s exclusive training ground on the mountain.

Since it was extremely rare for him to visit the Family Head’s quarters, puzzlement appeared on Hwangbo Yun’s face.

“The Medical Sage requests an audience.”

“The Medical Sage?!”

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

Hwangbo Yun’s eyes widened in surprise as he immediately put down his spoon and stood up.

Only three people in the family knew of that existence.

Father and son Hwangbo Yun and Hwangbo Yeonwu, and Yongpae who managed the training ground.

Even Hwangbo Yun only knew that he had quarters somewhere on the mountain, but didn’t know the exact location.

‘What business could the Medical Sage have?’

The only times he sought him out were when receiving gifts and providing Saryeolhwa.

And that was only once a month.

Since he had seen him before starting the birthday banquet, there should still be time left…

Well, it didn’t matter.

Rather, it was a good thing.

He had something he wanted to ask him anyway.

“Yongpae.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“Do you have any remaining gifts?”

“There’s nothing worthwhile.”

“Prepare even those. I cannot meet the Medical Sage without gifts.”

“Understood.”

* * *

Near the middle slope of the mountain, a little away from Hwangbo Sega’s main manor, this was the place Hwangbo Yun had used as his personal training ground.

It was where he first discovered Saryeolhwa and also the place where he met the Medical Sage and saved his life.

After he began using it as a training ground, he poured massive funds into installing formations and mechanisms around its perimeter and had warriors constantly guard it, making it a place completely cut off from the outside world.

It was essentially Hwangbo Sega’s inner sanctum prepared outside the main manor.

When the forest path ended and one entered the formation, a place distinctly different from other mountain scenery appeared.

Sheer cliffs.

Desolate flatland where all trees and grass had been uprooted.

That was understandable.

It was a place that had endured years of training by Hwangbo Yun, who had reached the Gangqi level.

Hwangbo Yun, who arrived at the training ground with hurried steps, looked toward the cliff.

A young man in sunset-colored robes was waiting with his hands clasped behind his back.

The sight of his robes and hair fluttering in the rising wind was truly elegant.

He didn’t age either.

‘Well, he wouldn’t be called an Immortal for nothing.’

Ten years since he had come to know him.

Yet he always looked exactly the same, as if time had somehow passed him by.

Not a single white hair had grown in his jet-black hair that was cut in three tiers.

His sunset-colored robes were always identical, as if he owned dozens of the same outfit, without a speck of dust on them, and they gleamed with such luster that one wondered what material they were made of.

Above all, this atmosphere.

The air felt heavy, as if dawn mist had been pressed down and spread across the floor.

His chest felt stuffy.

Even though he had now reached the mature stage of Gang Qi, just approaching his side made his entire body shrink.

Hwangbo Yun, who unconsciously swallowed dry saliva from tension, carefully approached him.

“Medical Sage, did you call for me?”

Hwangbo Yun folded his hands in front and bowed slightly as he paid his respects.

“Ah, you’ve come?”

Turning his head, he welcomed him warmly with his usual narrow-eyed smile.

He must have already known of his arrival.

“Yongpae.”

“Yes!”

When his name was called, Yongpae set down the luxurious silk wrapping cloth he had been carrying on his shoulder.

“Oh my, this person. You could have just come empty-handed…”

“Not at all. How could I come empty-handed to meet the Medical Sage?”

“I said it was fine, yet you still do this.”

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t obtain anything good, so I’m embarrassed.”

“Hehe.”

The Medical Sage nodded with his usual narrow eyes, as if this situation was very familiar to him.

Having finished his task, Yongpae bowed respectfully and left the training ground.

“But may I ask what business you have in calling for me?”

Hwangbo Yun asked carefully, watching for any signs that the Medical Sage might be displeased.

“My goodness, if someone heard that, they’d think I could only call for you when I have business.”

“Pardon? Oh, no. Please don’t misunderstand. How could I harbor such thoughts toward the Medical Sage? It’s just that this is the first time you’ve called for me like this…”

Hwangbo Yun, thinking it was a rebuke, was startled and began making excuses.

What good would reaching Gang Qi do?

His opponent was already an Immortal who had transcended the human realm.

Even during their conversation, just one breath from him sent chills down his spine.

“I’m joking, why are you so surprised?”

“That, that is…”

“After all these years, you should be comfortable by now, yet you’re always the same.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what? I mean it’s good that you’re consistent. You know your place and don’t act presumptuously.”

“…Thank you.”

Despite being the head of his clan, Hwangbo Yun broke out in cold sweat and tried to please him with every word the Medical Sage spoke.

“Actually, I called you because I became curious about something.”

“Please ask me anything at any time.”

“The Hwangbo Clan Estate was quite noisy, wasn’t it?”

“Ah, if it was disturbing, I apologize. It was because congratulatory delegations flocked from various places to hold a feast for this humble one’s birthday…”

Hwangbo Yun scratched his head in embarrassment, not befitting his age.

“Oh! It was your birthday?”

“That’s correct.”

“I see. I was truly thoughtless. Despite knowing you for such a long time, I didn’t even know your birthday. Congratulations. I didn’t pay attention to it. I didn’t even prepare a gift.”

“You are too kind. I’m grateful just for your words.”

“Hehe… But what kind of people were the guests?”

“Pardon?”

“You said congratulatory delegates came from various places, so I’m asking.”

“Ah… They are descendants of Murim clans.”

“Hmm…”

At Hwangbo Yun’s answer, the Medical Sage frowned.

Descendants of Murim families?

That couldn’t be right?

The energy he had felt was so intense it could be called that of a Half-Immortal.

A mere Martial Artist couldn’t possess such power…

Had he sensed it wrong?

As the Medical Sage seemed to fall into deep thought, Hwangbo Yun felt puzzled and asked carefully.

“What troubles you?”

“Hmm, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. I must have been mistaken.”

“Mistaken?”

“I felt a power like mine coming from the Hwangbo Clan Estate.”

“What? A power like the Medical Sage’s?”

“Yes.”

“How could that be? Among those who attended this time, there are no figures from Taoist Sect or Buddhist sects.”

“Is that so?”

“If you need it, shall I show you the list of attendees?”

“Haha! What would I do looking at it? If you say so, then it must be so. Perhaps I dreamed it while half-asleep.”

The Medical Sage let out a hollow laugh.

That could be possible.

It hadn’t been long since he received the gift from Hwangbo Yun.

Usually a month.

The reason he set a period for meetings with him was because he needed time to sleep in his residence.

Perhaps it really was just a dream…

“But Medical Sage.”

“What is it?”

“I have something I’d like to ask about the Sahyeolhwa you gave me.”

“Speak.”

“Might there be someone who knows its effects?”

“There isn’t.”

He answered curtly as if there was no room for consideration.

“Sahyeolhwa is a spiritual herb unknown to the human realm.”

“Then might there be someone who could overcome the effects of Sahyeolhwa?”

“What?”

The Medical Sage’s eyes, which had been thin as thread, widened slightly.

Golden pupils as thin as a single line were revealed against the golden background, but Hwangbo Yun, who had prostrated himself on the ground in surprise at that displeased voice, couldn’t see them.

The density of the air changed in an instant.

Just from his mood changing, he felt a crushing pressure throughout his body.

“I’m sorry, Medical Sage. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“…”

The Medical Sage looked down steadily at him trembling with his hands pressed to the floor, pleading for forgiveness, then asked.

“Why did you ask that?”

“Pardon?”

“There must be a reason you asked?”

“That, that is… I used Sahyeolhwa on an outsider.”

“Sahyeolhwa?”

“But he was completely unaffected, so I wondered if there might be cases where people are born with resistance… Please forgive me.”

“…”

The Medical Sage of Mount Tai, who had been quietly observing the bowed head, soon set aside his displeasure and sat down beside Hwangbo Yun with a warmed expression.

“Tell me that story in detail.”

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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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