Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 256

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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 256

Early dawn.

Just as he finished his qi circulation, Hwangbo Yeonwu came to visit.

“At this hour?”

“Yes. After I visited him following the drinking session and conveyed your words, he pondered for quite a while before saying he wanted to meet before announcing the investigation results. It seems he didn’t want to leave any inadequate parts unaddressed.”

“Hmm.”

Though he had told him to go and relay the message, who would have thought he’d come looking as soon as dawn broke.

Anyway, when these guys get caught with their backs against the wall, they move as fast as lightning.

Jang Saeng must be dead by now.

He would have shared the same fate as Hwang Wol-hyang.

Though it hadn’t been long, until now they had shown the meticulousness to immediately erase evidence whenever something problematic arose.

Actually, this worked out well.

Hwangbo Yun and Hwangbo Yeonwu.

Though he hadn’t figured out the specific type yet, it was certain they had learned demonic arts.

Meanwhile, the place they suggested meeting was said to be a private training ground.

He couldn’t yet judge what they were thinking, but how thoughtful of them to call him there.

An isolated place cut off from outside access.

A place where no one would interfere, where even if he acted somewhat rudely toward the Family Head, no one would take issue with it… that kind of place.

“Then would you wait a moment? I should observe proper etiquette when meeting the Family Head. I need to change clothes and inform the Young Family Head of my destination.”

“Understood.”

Taking a brief moment, Zhuge Munhyeon changed his clothes and went to find Zhuge Munho.

Around him as he sat on his bed groaning, Gwan Hwiping lay sprawled asleep, exhausted from staying up all night.

“Elder Brother Munho.”

“Oh, you’re here?”

His face looked haggard from not sleeping while discussing how to effectively neutralize the Hwangbo Clan Estate.

Well, considering his discussion partner was Gwan Hwiping… he must have had a hard time on his own.

If he had known it would be like this, he should have brought that Junggi fellow.

“The plan?”

“Roughly…”

He still seemed uncertain about the plan he had devised.

Pat.

Zhuge Munhyeon placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Have more confidence in yourself.”

“That’s…”

“It’s fine. Others will fill in the lacking parts. Don’t think you have to do everything alone.”

“I understand. But what about you?”

“The Hwangbo Family Head is looking for me?”

“What?”

“I’ll be back.”

“…Don’t tell me? Are you planning to meet him and have a showdown?”

“Whether it’s a showdown or whatever, I need to find the last piece.”

“Munhyeon.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that would harm the family.”

“That’s not what I mean!”

“Then what do you mean?”

“If something happens to you… wouldn’t it be better to take Gwan Hwiping with you?”

“…”

He didn’t answer.

What help would those guys be?

“Remember this, I’ll send you a signal.”

“A signal?”

“There will be a loud noise. Definitely.”

“You? What exactly are you planning to do?”

“I told you. Whether it’s a showdown or whatever, this will only end when I find and fit the last piece.”

“Are you planning to fight?”

“If words don’t work, then yes.”

“Your opponent is a Martial King.”

“I don’t care who it is.”

“You…”

Zhuge Munho’s face crumpled at the sight of his younger brother who only smiled without any wavering or tension.

“Elder Brother’s role is the most important. The success or failure of this matter depends on how quickly you can detain the direct family members of the Hwangbo Clan Estate.”

“…”

“You know, right? That absolutely no blood should be spilled in this fight?”

“I know. I know.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Zhuge Munho sighed at the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon patting his shoulder encouragingly and smiling brightly.

The one who should be receiving the most encouragement.

The one who might end up in the most dangerous situation.

Though he said his own role was most important, Zhuge Munho knew.

Subduing the Hwangbo Clan Estate’s family members, and the success of external attacks.

In the end, if Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t obtain evidence, it would all be useless.

Everything they had prepared would end in failure.

“Act with confidence. Elder Brother is the center. Everyone will be watching you, and they’ll be swayed by your expression and attitude.”

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind. But… you must survive. If it’s dangerous, run away.”

“Hah, run away?”

“…”

The family would be finished.

Though he knew running away was absolutely impossible, it was something he had to say.

“I’ll be back. Keep your ears perked up. Move immediately when I send the signal.”

“Okay.”

Having finished speaking, Zhuge Munhyeon inserted the Silver Cold Staff behind his back.

Because this time he would need to use it.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Munho sighed again as he watched Zhuge Munhyeon’s retreating figure disappearing with Hwangbo Yeonwu.

‘Damn it, the one who’s actually going to be in danger acts like it’s nothing, while only I’m being solemn. Only me…’

But this wasn’t a situation to be spacing out.

There was no telling when Zhuge Munhyeon would send the signal.

He needed to steel his resolve.

Resolve…

Zhuge Munho’s expression turned cold as he glanced around.

He saw Gwan Hwiping, who had spent the night making plans with him and had only just fallen asleep at dawn.

He had worked hard.

But at this moment, he was annoying.

Setting aside martial arts levels, the youngest brother was taking on the most dangerous task while these guys were just sleeping.

“You bastards! Won’t you get up? Is this the time to be sleeping?”

Thud! Thud thud!

Gwan Hwiping, who was kicked awake from his brief sleep, couldn’t help but feel wronged.

“It’s starting now. Everyone snap to attention. Gwan-i, prepare the warriors, and Hwi and Pyeong go to the Tang Family and Namgung Family to move together. Just as we discussed yesterday.”

“…Yeah.”

Gwan Hwiping answered sullenly, unable to speak and just pouting his lips.

They also knew what the situation was.

But still, even so.

‘He would have woken up if we just gently roused him.’

‘Getting angry for no reason.’

‘Just like that copycat elder brother. His Munhyeon disease has gotten worse. For sure.’

The grumbling group didn’t even know that Zhuge Munhyeon had visited.

* * *

The back road of Daejangwon leading to Mount Tai.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who was following behind Hwangbo Yeonwu, looked around and said.

“The training ground must be on Mount Tai?”

“That’s right. Since Father’s martial power is so profound, it’s difficult for him to train properly within the manor.”

“Ah….”

That made sense.

How could walls and pavilions withstand the fighting spirit emitted by a master of Gang Qi?

With one strike, the blue stones laid on the ground would shatter to pieces.

Since they couldn’t leave broken blue stones in the Family Head’s training ground, they’d have to replace them daily, and that all costs money.

But then.

‘What about the mountain? They really don’t think about protecting nature, and Mount Tai’s scenery is so beautiful.’

As he was internally nitpicking about everything, he felt traces of subtle energy around the path.

‘Hmm, guards? Quite a lot of them.’

They were hidden so well that not even a hair could be seen, but there were plenty of them.

Their presence was also formidable.

Well, they wouldn’t have arranged mediocre people as guards.

Since others shouldn’t see the demonic arts the Family Head had learned, they must have selected and stationed only the most outstanding members of the family.

‘Then… I can at least tie up these guys.’

No matter how outstanding a family might be, the number of martial artists is limited, and the Family Head’s guards would occupy a large portion of the Hwangbo Clan’s military strength.

If he tied them up, it would naturally make the movements of others much easier.

‘Then I’ll need to cause a bigger commotion than expected.’

Guards who must prioritize the Family Head’s life even when problems arise in the family can never leave his side.

They probably won’t get involved in the fight.

Protecting the Family Head’s dignity is also their role.

“The mountain terrain is nice. To think only the Family Head enjoys such scenery….”

“Haha! That’s true. I’ll petition Father later to relocate the training ground.”

Hwangbo Yeonwu laughed heartily and played along.

But how could he not know what was inside?

Perhaps this path might become a road to a death ground.

Of course, we’d have to see who it would be a death ground for.

After climbing for a long time, the narrow path ended and flat ground full of yellowish clay color appeared.

It was the training ground.

Traces of digging were everywhere.

And on one side of the flat ground, the back of Hwangbo Yun sitting in meditation on a flat rock could be seen.

“Father. I have brought Young Master Zhuge Munhyeon. I will withdraw to the vicinity.”

“…Do so.”

When permission was given, Hwangbo Yeonwu nodded in greeting and withdrew.

He was left alone.

It was within the training ground anyway.

“Sit.”

“I shall.”

When he obediently sat down, Hwangbo Yun poured tea he had prepared in advance and said.

“You said you have something to ask about Jang Saeng?”

“More precisely, about the medicinal herbs he used.”

“Hmm.”

“He said that you gave him Gujijayeopcho to help restore my energy.”

“I did.”

“But there was no record left in the medical room.”

“It was a personally owned item, so it wouldn’t have been recorded in the medical room ledger.”

“Ah, no wonder. But it wasn’t Gujijayeopcho.”

“Correct.”

Hwangbo Yun wasn’t flustered at all.

He must have already heard.

Since he had roughly told the story to Hwangbo Yeonwu.

“What was its true identity?”

“A spiritual herb called Saryeolhwa.”

“Saryeolhwa?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm….”

Since it was the first time hearing the name Saryeolhwa, he couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

But his expression was too calm to say he had made it up.

‘Well, it’s not like I know all medicinal herb names.’

Zhuge Munhyeon, who soon accepted it, continued his questioning.

“What effects does it have?”

“You should have heard from the physician that it has the effect of restoring energy?”

“Is that so? My thoughts are a bit different.”

“Different?”

“It seemed like an aphrodisiac.”

He probed once.

To see his reaction.

But he just stared quietly without showing any sign of surprise.

‘Like son, like father….’

He couldn’t tell whether they were skilled at acting or truly didn’t know.

But then he gave an unexpected answer.

“How did you know?”

“Pardon?”

“That Saryeolhwa contains aphrodisiac components. It’s something unknown to the world.”

“…!?”

He had asked to test him, but ended up being surprised instead.

He answered honestly?

Could it be because there was no one else here besides them?

Because he thought that even if he told the truth, there would be no one to believe his words anyway?

Questions flooded in, but from his expression and tone alone, he couldn’t figure out what was inside.

Seeing that his acting skills were much better than his son’s, it seemed age wasn’t gained for nothing.

“I’m surprised. I didn’t expect you to answer so readily.”

“Because it’s the truth.”

“Then sending the servant girls was also aimed at me.”

“Correct.”

He was surprised again.

Right….

This isn’t even confessing to a crime or anything.

‘Damn it, what the hell? Why did he suddenly change his attitude? Could he have some other scheme? Or maybe… did he notice our plan?’

Because Hwangbo Yun’s attitude was so confident, he felt inexplicably anxious.

“Does that answer your question?”

“It’s so refreshingly honest that I’m dumbfounded.”

“Then now let me ask.”

“…?”

“Have you learned Demonic Arts?”

“What?”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had intended to return an honest answer since he’d received one, found himself completely speechless.

Suddenly asking if he’d learned Demonic Arts?

He was caught off guard.

He never thought he’d be counterattacked like this.

“Why no answer? I honestly answered your question.”

“Ah, well….”

“Come to think of it, your achievements are rather incomprehensible. Among your peers, no, even throughout all of Murim, the achievements you’ve made are too strange.”

“….”

“The Zhuge Family too. How exactly were you able to recover so quickly?”

Now he seemed intent on lumping not just him but his entire family together and branding them as followers of the Demonic Path, but it was such an unexpected question that he was too flustered to know what to say.

Seeing that brief moment of hesitation, a smile formed on Hwangbo Yun’s lips.

“As I thought, you really have learned Demonic Arts.”

“What?”

“I wonder how people will react when they learn this fact. And I’m truly curious what excuses the Zhuge Family will come up with.”

“….”

So that was the plan?

This was the epitome of shameless victim-blaming.

Meanwhile, seeing the air around him distort as if heat waves were rising and even his clothes fluttering, it seemed he intended to pin the Demonic Arts accusation on him even if it meant killing him.

But what could he do?

I was thinking the exact same thing as you.

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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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