Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 254

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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 254

After all explanations were finished, the Medical Sage of Mount Tai closed his mouth and fell into deep contemplation.

Four Heat Flower.

While Hwangbo Yun believes it to be a spiritual herb, it’s actually not something that occurs naturally, but a byproduct that grows within the impure energy he expels.

Therefore, it couldn’t possibly be known to the world.

Moreover, no human could withstand the power contained within it.

But why didn’t he show any reaction?

According to Hwangbo Yun’s words, it was certain that the one called Zhuge Munhyeon had consumed the Four Heat Flower.

Incomprehensible.

Unless one knows how to handle spirit energy, that power should have spread and burned his entire body.

Since he deliberately sent a woman, he should have lost his reason and fallen into lustful pleasure.

Because that’s instinct.

‘If he’s not from a Taoist or Buddhist sect… could he be one born with spiritual roots?’

That’s possible.

How could spiritual roots not dwell within a human?

They simply don’t manifest.

Though born with them, they harden without manifesting and become useless.

Like how unused things degenerate.

Of course, there are rare cases where spiritual roots don’t harden and do manifest.

But if there’s no way to control them, they become poison instead, causing disabilities or turning one into an idiot.

Because impure energy gets mixed in.

Therefore, some immortal forces send ascetics to the human world to find such people, and raise those of good quality.

Though they package it as saving lives, it’s ultimately to increase their power.

Just as in the human world, conflicts between forces are abundant in the immortal world too.

No, it’s far more ruthless and cruel.

Death needs no reason.

They’re just enemies.

He too had experienced crises several times while being pursued before settling on Mount Tai.

By hunters.

For the reason of violating taboos.

Crazy bastards.

Who wouldn’t know their true intentions?

It’s merely justification for eliminating those not included in their forces.

They desperately try to prevent those who’ve awakened spiritual roots from joining opposing forces.

That’s the real purpose behind all that taboo nonsense.

Should I call it a kind of agreement point created between forces?

Carrying that out is the hunters’ role.

‘Damn bastards…’

But does anyone violate taboos because they want to?

If you live absorbed into a force, when exactly would you achieve immortality?

Waiting for your turn to come, a hundred or two hundred years pass in no time.

Therefore, to accumulate power more quickly, one has no choice but to violate taboos.

Hunters?

Once you achieve Avatar Transformation after passing through Energy Accumulation and Resolution stages, commonly called the Half-Immortal realm, you no longer need to be pursued.

So he used the Hwangbo Family.

A kind of trick to avoid the hunters’ eyes.

Giving them what they want and obtaining what he needs.

In that sense, Hwangbo Yun was a very important partner.

Because his greed was stronger than anyone he’d ever seen.

Because he’s a human who wouldn’t hesitate to do anything to gain power.

‘So he’s not a hunter after all.’

If he were a hunter, he wouldn’t have bothered with the troublesome task of attending banquets.

There’s a need to confirm.

If he possesses vast spirit energy as he sensed, this could be called a fateful encounter.

He might gain in an instant the enormous power that would require a hundred years of cultivation.

Greed boils up within him.

It’s a temptation that even Half-Immortals who transcend the distinction between good and evil can never overcome.

“Family Head.”

“Yes.”

“Can you bring that person here?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems confirmation is necessary.”

“What kind of confirmation?”

“As you’ve experienced yourself, consuming Four Heat Flower creates side effects that force even those who’ve learned immortal arts to take a life.”

“Th-that’s…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to blame you. It’s unavoidable, isn’t it? Moreover, to wash away that sin, aren’t you offering tributes to me and guiding the unfortunate to better lives?”

Hwangbo Yun believes so.

That what the Medical Sage taught him to save his life were immortal Taoist arts.

Though he had to maintain his life by accumulating sinful karma, he thinks it’s for the family.

That it’s right.

That it’s an unavoidable situation.

The Medical Sage of Mount Tai wore a gentle expression as he met Hwangbo Yun’s eyes.

His thread-thin eyes opened wide, revealing elongated pupils within golden irises.

The moment he faced them, Hwangbo Yun trembled like someone with malaria and began losing focus in those eyes as if his soul had been stolen.

“Family Head.”

“Yes, Medical Sage.”

“Go and bring that child called Zhuge Munhyeon to me.”

“…”

“Something’s strange. It’s impossible to withstand the power of Four Heat Flower without learning immortal arts. He must have learned something sinister.”

“Pardon?”

“As one who walks the path of immortals, I cannot overlook such a person. He might bring great harm to the world.”

“Ah…”

At the Medical Sage of Mount Tai’s words, Hwangbo Yun’s eyes flashed open.

Something sinister?

That might be true.

Wasn’t Zhuge Munhyeon’s martial prowess at a level that transcended common sense?

Even if born with natural talent, even if born with a heaven-sent body, becoming that strong at that age makes no sense.

Moreover, it’s the Zhuge clan that rose again and enjoys prosperity despite everyone predicting their destruction.

‘That’s right, these bastards must have used underhanded methods.’

When the light disappeared from the Medical Sage of Mount Tai’s eyes and they became thread-thin again, Hwangbo Yun had a dazed expression like someone awakening from a stupor.

But already, one thought had taken root in his mind.

“I will bring him to the Medical Sage.”

“Thank you.”

“Not at all.”

“Go on then.”

“Yes.”

Hwangbo Yun bowed as if to bury his head in the ground and left the training ground.

A cold smile formed on the lips of the Medical Sage of Mount Tai as he watched his retreating figure.

Hwangbo Yun.

He cannot defy his will.

Because he has been taking the Four Heat Flowers that grew from the impurities he expelled.

Moreover, he is already intoxicated by power.

Drunk on greed and turned into a beast, he has no choice but to pledge loyalty like a trained dog.

In the process, he brainwashed him once more, making him regard Zhuge Munhyeon as ‘evil’ in his mind.

“Tsk tsk, it’s all good, but the downside is that he becomes as stupid as he becomes strong.”

It’s a flaw of the Four Heat Flowers.

Their effects influence the brain, so the more one takes them, the stronger their loyalty and power become, but their intelligence decreases.

“It seems it’ll be difficult to stay much longer.”

I might have to leave this nest I’ve stayed in for so long.

But Zhuge Munhyeon.

If I can just obtain the spiritual energy that bastard possesses…

* * *

Time passed quickly during the investigation, and the Zhuge Family’s position diminished day by day.

The Tang Family and Namgung Family had already turned their backs, and everyone who came and went looked at them with eyes full of criticism.

After stirring up the Hwangbo Family for a full ten days, they had found out nothing.

Except for what the Hwangbo Family revealed – that it was Hwang Wol-hyang’s independent action…

Of course, regardless of all that, Zhuge Munhyeon ate his three meals properly as always and enjoyed drinking sessions with his companions in the evenings.

“Young Family Head, would you like a drink too?”

“I would.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu, who had been put in charge of the joint investigation at Zhuge Munhyeon’s request, smiled and accepted the cup.

“By the way, this is the first time we’re having such a relaxed drinking session, isn’t it?”

“That’s how it turned out. Since I’m in the position of investigating, if I became too close, I wouldn’t be able to view things objectively… Please forgive me if I was too cold.”

At Hwangbo Yeonwu’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and shook his head.

“I understand. I would have done the same.”

“Thank you.”

Though he had always been around under the pretext of joint investigation, this was the first time they were having a drinking session alone together. And the first time having such a friendly conversation.

“It’s quiet today. You’ve always had drinking sessions with the others.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu glanced at the closed door and expressed his curiosity.

“What can we do? Everyone must be feeling uneasy. The investigation ends tomorrow.”

“Hmm…”

The promised ten days had passed.

In the end, despite investigating all the families that attended the birthday celebration, including the Hwangbo Family, they couldn’t find any connection to the attack.

“It’s all because of me.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t know what to say. Though Hwang Wol-hyang followed me well, who would have thought she’d commit such an act on her own?”

“…”

“I don’t know how to apologize to the Zhuge Family.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu wore an extremely apologetic expression.

I can’t help but laugh.

You bastard, do you think I don’t know what’s in your heart?

You must be pleased.

During the investigation, the Zhuge Family received all kinds of curses.

I heard that the Tang Family and Namgung Family have already had drinking sessions with the Family Head several times.

How delighted you must be to have pushed aside the Zhuge Family and shared intentions with the remaining families?

“People are truly heartless.”

“Is that so?”

“I watched from the side as you investigated thoroughly, leaving no room for doubt. And yet they curse the Zhuge Family?”

“…”

“They are truly foolish people. Just pointing fingers recklessly…”

From his voice to his expression to his tone.

His regret is evident.

If I didn’t know what was inside, I might have been completely fooled.

How pleased must he be to act so well?

Is acting a mandatory skill because martial arts alone aren’t enough to survive in this world?

“It can’t be helped. Things in this world sometimes flow differently from what we intend.”

“I’m just angry about it all.”

“Haha! Thank you for saying that.”

“What thanks? This opportunity has made me deeply respect Young Master Munhyeon.”

“Respect?”

“Of course.”

“…”

“I thought you were only exceptional in martial arts, but I couldn’t help but admire the sharpness you showed during the investigation. And that’s not all? I was amazed by how you pushed forward with your convictions without being swayed by others’ gazes.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I learned a lot. I hope to maintain our friendship even after this incident concludes.”

“Hmm.”

“Who knows? As they say, the ground hardens after rain – perhaps our relationship will grow stronger? No, I hope it does. I wish for that.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been quietly watching Hwangbo Yeonwu heap praise upon praise, couldn’t help but chuckle.

His lips are glistening with saliva.

At least he’s a conscientious bastard who applies saliva when lying.

But listening to more of this makes me nauseous.

However, it’s only until tonight.

The preparations to ensnare you bastards are already complete.

The Beggar’s Sect, Zhuge, and Namgung Family moved secretly.

When they thoroughly combed through Shandong and the surrounding areas, all sorts of things became visible.

How hard they must have worked to avoid being caught…

From vagrants to refugees to courtesans.

They only selected women who wouldn’t be missed if they suddenly disappeared one day.

It’s the worst.

How can the world be maintained if those with power freely abuse the weak?

That’s why even the demonic path only targets the strong.

That’s why it’s called a ‘path.’

Though it doesn’t seem to be the case now.

So I cannot leave you be.

Though you follow righteousness rather than evil, there are things that should never be done.

You asked earlier, didn’t you?

Why the others aren’t joining for drinks?

They’re racking their brains to synthesize what we’ve discovered so far. Figuring out how to drag you bastards into an even deeper pit.

Preparations to attack the Hwangbo Family are already complete too.

I received word that warriors from the Beggar’s Sect, Zhuge, and Namgung are standing by near Mount Tai.

The Hwangbo Family, having become insensitive to external movements due to the lockdown order, hasn’t noticed yet.

What if internal assistance and external attack happen simultaneously?

The moment they greet the morning, their gleeful faces will turn ashen.

But there’s still an unanswered question.

Despite observing for ten days, I still haven’t confirmed the identity of the martial arts Hwangbo Yeonwu has learned.

“May I ask you something?”

“Anytime.”

“I heard that a physician named Jang Saeng disappeared.”

“What?”

Hwangbo Yeonwu, who had been calm throughout, closed his mouth.

A look of confusion clearly appeared on his face.

“Ah, does the Young Family Head not know?”

“What do you mean?”

“On the night of the attack, when the Family Head graciously held a banquet exclusively for the Zhuge Family.”

“….”

“A physician named Jang Saeng prepared herbal medicine for me. Made with Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass that the Family Head personally bestowed… that herbal medicine, I mean.”

“Ah! You mean that story? I heard about it too.”

“I see. But there were no records left in the Medical Clinic.”

“What?”

“No matter if it’s the Family Head’s order, when bestowing spiritual herbs like Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass to outsiders, there should definitely be inventory records left…”

“….”

“Above all, that wasn’t Nine-Branch Purple Leaf Grass, was it?”

“What?”

“I read a lot of books, you see. A great many. Sometimes even things like herbology.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu could no longer display his excellent acting skills.

He just kept his mouth tightly shut with a rigidly hardened face.

“But why did the physician named Jang Saeng lie? I wanted to ask him but he’s nowhere to be seen… I suppose I’ll have to ask the Family Head?”

“….”

“Could you please arrange it? Tell him I have a few things I’d like to ask.”

This was the main point of his earlier investigation.

To reveal the connection between the kidnapping incident in Shandong and the father-son pair Hwangbo Yun and Hwangbo Yeonwu.

Even if it meant using a bit of force.

Though he tried to act otherwise, watching Hwangbo Yeonwu’s face turn black as if rotting in real time was quite entertaining.

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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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