Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 255

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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 255

Foothills near Mount Taishan.

Two men in shabby clothing gathered around a campfire, whispering to each other.

“Are the preparations ready?”

“They’re complete.”

“Has there been any contact from inside?”

“Not yet.”

“Hmm….”

At the young man’s words, the expressionless middle-aged man frowned.

However, it wasn’t a change that others would notice.

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

At the middle-aged man’s words, the young man chuckled and said.

“Has that guy ever done anything that made sense?”

“Hey! Watch your language.”

“….”

At the scolding, the young man pouted.

“It’s not just me, is it? Elder Brother Munhyeon also speaks rudely to everyone.”

“This kid, really?”

The middle-aged man who was about to scold him again soon sighed and shook his head.

Well, it wasn’t really something to scold him about.

The middle-aged man was Zhuge Domyeong, who led the Zhuge Family’s Hyeonho Unit, and the young man was his son, Zhuge Junggi.

Everyone just pretends not to know, but Zhuge Munhyeon’s foul mouth is famous within the family.

Why else would he be called a complete bastard?

“Sigh, when did the family hierarchy become like this?”

“That’s also because of Elder Brother Munhyeon, isn’t it? If you think about it, the adults are also at fault. They always coddle him, so that guy can’t fix his bad habits.”

It was too accurate to argue with.

He should rightfully be scolded, but since he only chooses to do things that elevate the family’s honor, they overlook small flaws (?).

In a ‘he can get away with it’ kind of way.

“Ahem! Let’s discuss that story later.”

“Tch, you’re going to avoid it anyway.”

“This kid!”

As he raised his hand in anger, Zhuge Junggi quickly turned his head away.

A sigh escaped naturally.

The family hierarchy was truly a mess.

When a father is speaking, his son….

“Anyway, tell me what you think. How do you view this situation?”

“I already told you, didn’t I? It’s really absurd. I had no choice but to do it since you ordered me to, but this could lead to discussing the family’s very survival, beyond just backlash.”

He was right.

When Zhuge Munhyeon’s letter arrived, the Zhuge Family was thrown into chaos.

Investigate Shandong?

It was no different from saying they would openly make enemies with the Hwangbo Clan.

If handled poorly, it could become the starting point of a war.

“He found traces of the Hwangbo Family Head and his son practicing Demonic Arts… Although the Beggar’s Sect secretly tracked rumors and confirmed countless cases of women being kidnapped in Shandong, this is a problem common to any region. That alone doesn’t give strength to the claim that they practiced Demonic Arts.”

“Hmm….”

His head nodded naturally.

One of the main activities of evil sect members was kidnapping people to sell them.

“Also, it wasn’t only women who were kidnapped, was it?”

“That’s right.”

“There were plenty of cases where children with disabilities were kidnapped. Like other places, it could be the work of evil sects. It could end up being just a matter of the Hwangbo Clan’s negligence regarding public safety.”

That was true.

According to what the Beggar’s Sect confirmed, there were plenty of kidnapping cases that were completely different in nature from the women kidnappings.

“In the end, what’s important is finding the connection to the Hwangbo Clan….”

“Exactly. That’s the only key and justification that can solve this problem, but those under lockdown have no answers… I don’t know what he’s trying to do. The Namgung will arrive soon, but I don’t know what answer to give them either.”

Everything Zhuge Junggi pointed out as problems was correct.

The investigation was complete, and the Hyeonho Unit warriors were waiting in disguise near Mount Taishan.

But Zhuge Munhyeon’s answer was only one thing.

Wait for the signal.

It was frustrating.

Only one night remained until the promised date.

When dawn broke, they had to make a decision.

Attack or retreat.

If it were only the Zhuge Family, it wouldn’t be a problem since they could just return the way they came.

But the situation had grown too big.

Setting aside the Beggar’s Sect, even the Namgung Family’s Heavenly Wind Unit and Blue Sky Sword Unit were secretly surrounding Mount Taishan.

“He probably emphasized the benefits the Namgung would gain.”

“That would be it.”

Let’s join forces and attack the Hwangbo Clan together.

Would the Namgung move just because he said that?

That was nonsense.

There must be interests involved.

Since Shandong and Anhui bordered each other, they had been competing in various fields.

It was a structure where if one side weakened, the other side inevitably had to strengthen.

If the Hwangbo Clan fell, the Namgung Family would gain enormous interests in the southern Shandong region.

They couldn’t help but be greedy.

From the Namgung Family’s perspective, they would desperately want to attack the Hwangbo Clan. Since it wasn’t just them alone but the Zhuge and Beggar’s Sect helping, the damage would be minimal too.

However, the prerequisite for all of this to happen was solid justification.

No matter how much the martial world had become a battlefield, they couldn’t just attack a martial arts leader like the Hwangbo Clan without reason.

“If we fail to prove the connection between the kidnapping cases we investigated and Demonic Arts… the alliance with the Namgung will become null and void. The Hwangbo Clan won’t let this slide, and without proper justification, we don’t know how the Paeng Family or other minor families might react.”

“Right. Perhaps even our relationships with the Tang Family or Wudang might be shaken.”

“Yes, that’s correct. In the end, it’s because of the problems the main house carries. The fact that we’ve subjugated evil sect forces.”

It was an unavoidable choice to survive the war with the Namgung Family.

There was no other way.

“Do you regret it?”

“Sometimes…I do.”

Zhuge Junggi’s face was colored with complexity.

He only learned later why the adults didn’t use that easy method.

It was a kind of label.

In his young mind, he couldn’t see the distant future.

“Junggi.”

“Yes.”

“You came up with the right strategy back then.”

“But….”

“Thanks to that, the Zhuge survived.”

“….”

“That’s enough. No matter what people point fingers and say, we haven’t become an evil sect, have we? Also, the subjugated forces are repenting for their past wrongs and governing well, so you don’t need to regret it anymore. So for now, just think about what’s in front of us.”

“…Yes.”

Though he answered, his heart couldn’t help but grow heavy.

“It’s problematic either way. We’ll need to handle things well from the inside… Let’s wait and see for now. Munhyeon isn’t one to recklessly start trouble, and he’s never failed to clean up the messes he’s made.”

“That’s true, but…”

Zhuge Junggi nodded and trailed off.

He knew.

Though Zhuge Munhyeon seemed recklessly driven to the point of appearing foolish, the results were always good.

The problem was that you never knew which direction he might go.

This incident could very well result in yet another label being attached to him.

It was then, as they continued their conversation filled with worry and concern.

“I’m late.”

The one who naturally approached the campfire was a warrior sent by the Namgung Family.

Former Deputy Commander of the Azure Sky Sword Unit, So Rokpa.

After the battle with the Namgung Family ended, he had stayed at the Zhuge Family as a prisoner for some time, so his face was immediately recognizable.

“You’re late. Please sit here. Have you eaten?”

“Haha, what meal? Give me alcohol first.”

Since he was disguised, he acted quite familiar as he took his seat.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Indeed it has. I heard you were put in charge of this operation.”

“Yes. Thanks to that, I’ve been given an important responsibility.”

At So Rokpa’s words, Zhuge Domyeong could only smile bitterly.

It was because of the phrase “thanks to that.”

Like the saying that bonds form through fighting, he had grown surprisingly close to Zhuge Munhyeon.

Meanwhile, the story of how they had tried to win him over only to be rejected was already widely rumored.

This personnel selection was also highly valued for his loyalty in choosing Namgung even when his life was in danger on the battlefield.

In other words, while there was friendship, there was almost no possibility of him betraying Namgung. Above all, he would prioritize the Namgung Family’s interests first.

“Still, it’s unexpected that the unit commander came personally when a messenger would have sufficed.”

“This isn’t something to handle carelessly.”

“Are the preparations complete?”

“Yes. But is there still no news from inside?”

“That’s right.”

“Time is running short…”

As So Rokpa muttered and frowned, Zhuge Domyeong couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

“First, let me convey the Family Head’s intentions.”

“Please speak.”

“We will cooperate, but the safety of the Young Family Head and the main house warriors is to be the top priority.”

“I understand.”

“We will attack and suppress them, but if Young Master Zhuge Munhyeon fails to properly clarify the suspicions about demonic arts, we will immediately withdraw.”

“I understand that as well.”

“After that, all agreements with the Zhuge Family will be treated as if they never existed, and he said we will not intervene in the war between the Hwangbo Clan and the Zhuge Family.”

“Hmm…”

He had no choice but to nod.

It meant they would step back if the justification wasn’t solid.

It was expected.

Furthermore, as a condition for withdrawing, they would undoubtedly make a peace treaty with the Hwangbo Clan.

The Hwangbo Clan wouldn’t refuse.

They would be in a situation where they needed to reduce their enemies by even one.

Who could blame Namgung?

From the beginning, their relationship wasn’t a blood alliance sealed in blood, but an agreement formed through mutual interests, so if they thought it would harm their faction, they had to turn away in an instant.

Even so, the Zhuge Family was in a position where they could only be grateful for the Namgung Family’s help.

“Please convey our gratitude to the Family Head.”

“Yes.”

“Now then, let me inform you of the strategy we’ve established.”

“I’ll listen carefully.”

“Junggi.”

“Yes.”

At Zhuge Domyeong’s words, Zhuge Junggi spread out the paper he had been carrying on the ground.

It was a map that detailed not only the area around Mount Tai, but even the interior of the Hwangbo Clan Estate.

It was the result of ten days of legwork.

The Beggar’s Sect and Zhuge handled the outskirts, while the Zhuge Family warriors who had been poking around everywhere under the pretext of investigation handled the interior.

“There are a total of five places we must strike first. Please have the Namgung Family take charge of two. You must move as soon as the safety of the noble family members is secured.”

Zhuge Junggi explained in detail the strategy he had devised.

Zhuge, Beggar’s Sect, Namgung.

Though the warriors of the three factions had formed an alliance, it would be difficult to achieve victory in an all-out war against the Hwangbo Clan unless all their forces were committed.

If it had been on the plains, it would have been certain defeat.

But this was a surprise attack.

If they quickly seized control of the interior and subdued the warriors, there was sufficient chance of victory.

“The important thing is time. The key is to neutralize their warrior units as quickly as possible. Once we enter, we must avoid petty skirmishes and go straight for the leaders. If the heads of each warrior unit, retainers, and elders are subdued, the situation will resolve easily.”

“Hmm, then what about the direct family members?”

“That’s to be handled from the inside. Since they’re in the inner sanctum, defenses will be established as soon as the surprise attack begins.”

Measures regarding family members.

Since it was a family established by bloodline, they prioritized the safety of family members above all.

If the family members were detained, the Hwangbo Clan wouldn’t be able to resist easily.

Taking hostages was an extremely despicable method, but it was also the most efficient choice.

“It will be a difficult battle. This fight must be a suppression operation, not an all-out war that washes the Hwangbo Clan in blood.”

“I know. Minimizing the Hwangbo Clan’s casualties is also our Family Head’s policy.”

“Unless absolutely unavoidable, please emphasize once more to forbid slaughter.”

“I will do so.”

As the discussion of strategy was ending, sunlight began to filter into the dim forest.

Now that darkness had lifted, if the siege continued much longer, the positions of the waiting warriors might be discovered.

Now they could only hope that the attack signal from inside would arrive quickly.

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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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