Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 271

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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 271

Spirit Binding Technique .

It is a technique of the Gwi.

With the power of the fire spirit contained in the flame pattern added on top, the net became even tougher.

Hanmyeong twisted his massive body to break free from the Spirit Binding Technique.

Crackle!

The net stretched as if it would tear.

‘Tch!’

Hyeok Wollim added more spirit energy until his stomach churned and blood burst from his bitten lips.

He couldn’t hold out for long.

The difference in their fundamental power was too great.

But the Spirit Net was merely a technique to bind the creature temporarily.

The real thing came after that…

[You fool! Do you think a lowly human could wound my body! And you cannot bind me with such a trivial thing!]

“No. Not if they were ordinary humans.”

[What?]

“I told you. Those Blood Sect bastards have many strange techniques. Things like Soul Loss and Bewilderment match very well with my techniques.”

[You’ve subdued their souls?]

Spirit energy drained to the bottom.

A body full of wounds.

When confidence filled the face of Hyeok Wollim, who could collapse at any moment, Hanmyeong felt unease and carefully examined the people rushing toward him.

‘Their eyes… have no focus?’

Their pupils, dyed ash-gray, seemed intoxicated by something.

Come to think of it, they showed no fear even when looking at him.

“Could it be? You used Gwi techniques?”

“No? It wasn’t me, but them.”

Only then did Hanmyeong notice the presence of sinister figures surrounding the mountain peak beyond the rushing people.

Sorcerers.

With both hands spread wide, they continued muttering something.

“Of course, that’s not all.”

[…?]

“Before meeting you, I planted some spirit energy in those whose souls were subdued.”

The moment Hyeok Wollim retreated and the Spirit Binding Technique was released, a small child clung to Hanmyeong’s massive body.

Bang!

And exploded.

The child’s body was shattered beyond recognition.

[Graaah!]

Hanmyeong’s body swayed.

His tough hide tore, and flames caught on the exposed flesh.

Considering that massive body, it was merely a scratch. But that was just the beginning.

The people who rushed in while he staggered clung to Hanmyeong’s body without a moment’s hesitation.

Then each one exploded, emitting scorching heat.

Bang! Boom!

They were like moths rushing toward flame.

Wounds appeared all over Hanmyeong’s body, and with each explosion, the scratch-like wounds grew wider.

As the pain of tearing flesh combined with the agony of searing heat, Hanmyeong let out a thunderous scream and writhed his body.

But even so, the soul-lost ones continued to cling to his body and explode.

He couldn’t shake them off.

Because of the restriction.

Though he was a earth vein spirit with infinite power, that power was limited to immortals, yokai, gwi, and spirits.

He could not harm humans.

The moment he used his power against them, even if they were soul-lost, as long as they lived, he would fall to become a corrupted beast.

Among those who crashed, exploded, and burned away, Hanmyeong, engulfed in flames, cried out in agony.

[Graaaah!]

And then, Hyeok Wollim leaped into Hanmyeong’s embrace.

“I knew you would choose noble death over living as a beast.”

The flame pattern he thrust with a sneer pierced into Hanmyeong’s body.

Thunk!

“This is my ceremonial weapon, made in imitation of the god-killing weapon Eight Trigrams Heaven Wheel. Tempered in the deepest lava of Tianshan, it has the power to amplify fire spirit energy several times over. Though it’s single-use.”

[Graaah… Aaaaargh!]

When the heat that burned Hanmyeong’s body evaporated even all the lake water, only a fist-sized blue orb remained on the ground.

“This world, where you creatures have been playing master, will become quite interesting now.”

Behind his smile, the heat disappeared and ash-colored snow fell for a while, covering Tianshan.

What remained on the ashen earth was only the wounded Hyeok Wollim.

Drip, drip.

Blood from his wounds stained the earth.

It was because Hanmyeong’s power that had frozen everything had disappeared.

Swoosh.

Bending his waist, he picked up the blue orb that had already been covered with snow.

The earth vein spirit’s orb.

A pure crystallization of cold energy.

Even as extreme emptiness rushed in from spirit energy drained to the bottom and pain from wounds tormented him, he wore an utterly satisfied smile.

“Hehehe. With this, I’ve barely taken the first step?”

It had been a difficult fight.

He had to sacrifice hundreds of explosive humans he had painstakingly created to catch that creature.

Of course, he felt no sympathy.

Just regret.

“Sect Leader.”

When the fight ended, an old man of bizarre appearance approached Hyeok Wollim.

Wubeowang, Mo Jaggyeom.

He had once been the leader of the Blood Sect, expelled from the Demonic Sect and living in hiding.

“Congratulations.”

Pale skin, sunken eyes, an unpleasant voice cracked like a crow’s cry.

Withered and twisted like a dried tree, it was questionable whether he was even alive.

No, he was already dead.

When Hyeok Wollim, having learned about the Blood Sect, found him, he had already breathed his last.

He had been revived.

A Gwi technique, Necromancy.

Hyeok Wollim had captured his soul wandering with resentment and made him into his undead servant.

Left with only blind loyalty, he removed the thick fur coat he wore to cover Hyeok Wollim’s body, then took out a small jade box from his bosom and offered it.

“This is the Life Spirit Dan made as you instructed.”

“…”

Inside the opened jade box, a pill glowing red.

Created through Gwi techniques, it had the effect of helping recover spiritual power.

Examining the energy contained within, Hyeok Wollim made a displeased expression.

“Low grade.”

“I apologize. Among those we captured, there were insufficient ones with Spirit Solidification… I will try harder.”

Spirit Solidification refers to spirit energy that failed to manifest within the human body and hardened.

While large amounts of spirit energy affect the body and cause disabilities, minute amounts change like sediment stuck to the bottom, so no one lives feeling that power.

The more Spirit Solidification put into the pill furnace, the better quality superior products could be made, but for now, he had to be satisfied with this.

Moving directly would be too conspicuous.

The movements of the Blood Sect and Demonic Sect are humans attacking humans, but if he moved, it would become immortals attacking humans.

“It can’t be helped.”

As Hyeok Wollim sat in meditation after taking the Life Spirit Pill, Mo Jaggyeom called his subordinates to form a formation.

It didn’t take very long.

Since the medicinal effect was weak, there wasn’t much spiritual energy to absorb.

But the bleeding stopped and his wounds healed.

“It’s somewhat regrettable that I used too many explosive techniques to catch that bastard.”

“I’ll tell the Blood Flame King to increase the kidnappings. After all, to make additional Life Spirit Pills, we need to gather those who possess spiritual essence.”

“Hmm… I heard that the martial artists of the Central Plains have recently started showing interest? It’s still not good to draw attention.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already told the Left Dharma King to devise other measures to divert their attention.”

“Other measures?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Hyeok Wollim, who had been staring intently at Mo Jaggyeom, smiled and spoke.

“You intend to provoke their desires.”

“That’s right. Isn’t conquering the Central Plains the Demonic Sect’s long-held dream? If you give the order, those who haven’t learned how to retreat will move on their own.”

“That should be interesting.”

“Also, I’d like to mobilize the Eight Ghosts.”

“The Eight Ghosts?”

“Yes.”

Hyeok Wollim tilted his head sideways.

The Eight Ghosts.

A sect of Ghost Immortals secretly established in the Qilian Mountains of northern Gansu.

Wars fought whenever dynasties changed.

Wars between Murim forces fought time and again.

The Qilian Mountains stretching long across Gansu and Qinghai were lands of death.

Since corpses were collected but vengeful spirits that couldn’t ascend remained wandering, it was the perfect place for ghost sects that dealt with their malice and spirits to establish themselves.

“There might be those interested in the deaths of the ascetics who were staying near Tianshan. Also, to soon obtain another Earth Vein Spirit, we need to temporarily divert their attention elsewhere…”

“Another Earth Vein Spirit? Have you already found its location?”

“That’s right. We’re confirming the exact location, so you should be able to depart as soon as you recover.”

At Mo Jaggyeom’s words, a bright smile spread across Hyeok Wollim’s face.

The mission entrusted to Right Dharma King Mo Jaggyeom.

Finding Earth Vein Spirits that would serve as materials for the sorcery to cause upheaval.

“Quite good, very good indeed.”

“It’s all thanks to the Sect Leader’s grace. I’m still far from repaying the kindness of bringing me back to life.”

At Mo Jaggyeom’s respectful attitude, Hyeok Wollim nodded with satisfaction.

Making him into an undead was truly fortunate.

‘It won’t be long now.’

But before that, he had to absorb the cold energy from the orb containing Hanmyeong’s essence.

If he suppressed that energy with the fire energy of the lava flowing inside Tianshan, it wouldn’t be too difficult.

‘Heavenly Demon, you’re being such a great help. Later, when I take Wudang, I’ll erect a tombstone for you in Taiji Cave.’

* * *

“Achoo!”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had sneezed refreshingly, wiped his nose with his finger.

It felt like the energy inside his body had been drained out.

His nose tip was also itchy.

Since spring had long passed, it couldn’t be pollen flying around…

“Dan Mae, you need to attack like this from there.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

“You’re doing well as expected. You have talent.”

“Thank you. It’s all because of you, Senior Brother.”

“Haha!”

It’s definitely because of those two.

Those damn fools being lovey-dovey with each other in front of someone else’s manor without any sense…

Every time those two whisper sweet nothings and create a spring breeze, sharp cold gazes pierce through his entire body.

It’s Mother.

With Dan Yeonhwa out of the picture, she keeps trying to pair him with Dang Ihwa, but since it’s not going as she wishes, she’s glaring at him.

Being a filial son, he understands Mother’s heart more than enough, but he absolutely cannot compromise.

‘I’m sorry, Mother. I have a different path.’

The second day since returning from Shandong.

The family held a banquet for them who had achieved great merit.

They can’t remember being tadpoles, so when did they become so wealthy to be this wasteful?

Meanwhile, the situation with the Tang Family and Beggar’s Sect alone is overwhelming, so why did that bastard Namgung San follow along to enjoy someone else’s feast?

Moreover, he spoke seriously on the way here.

That he too wanted to become a sworn friend like the others.

What nonsense.

He had even changed the name of the late-stage expert gathering to Qingyuan (Clear Pond), meaning to brighten the future of the orthodox sects.

Since when have you been close enough to me to act like a trusted and reliable friend?

And he even brought his younger brother along.

Namgung Yu, who once had bad blood with the Zhuge Family.

The family elders are the same.

No matter how much it was just once, what’s so lovely about this ill-mannered bastard who was bound by bad blood that they’re even considering a political marriage?

It’s all espionage.

Where are there eternal allies in the Turbulent Jianghu?

It’s the nature of Murim people to immediately bite and seize benefits when they see weakness.

The Nine Sects might be different, but martial families are definitely like that.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been lost in thought with an unpleasant expression for a while, quietly got up from his seat.

He couldn’t endure it anymore.

Neither that damn lovey-dovey sight nor Mother’s glares.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“The main pavilion.”

“What? You haven’t been back for long, why don’t you rest a bit more? Didn’t the Family Head also tell you to rest more?”

“Where’s the time to rest? Spies are everywhere. If I don’t diligently build up my strength, I’ll quickly be devoured by other families.”

“Come on, how could that happen? You’re here, Young Master Munhyeon, who even defeated a Transcendent expert.”

Mujin burst into hearty laughter.

That guy has a good nature too.

Right, having only walked the bourgeois path, how would he know the cruel workings of Murim?

Just go date.

Your in-laws are rich.

“Well, then let’s go together.”

Mujin stopped his training and prepared to follow along.

“I’ll come along too.”

“Dan Mae too?”

“Well, the needles…”

“Ahem!”

Perhaps inferring the omitted words from Dan Yeonhwa’s appearance of blushing and avoiding eye contact, Mujin’s face also reddened as he cleared his throat.

At that, Mother’s gaze became even sharper, making him feel like his body would be pierced through.

Damn them…

This won’t do at all.

Disciples and all that nonsense aside, he needed to quickly send back those freeloaders from other families who were just wasting food after begging the Family Head.

And with them, he too had to depart for Mount Hua.

That thought was all that occupied his mind.

Taeuldong, another righteous faction recommended by the master of Bosan Pavilion.

He had even thought of an excuse.

Since an alliance between martial families had been formed, they should now seek exchanges with the Nine Sects.

He planned to argue this actively.

Naturally, it would be accepted.

The Family Head was already hurrying preparations for the martial family gathering, Wudang was moving to unite the Taoist sects, and the Beggar’s Sect was seeking Shaolin’s cooperation. In Sichuan, they said the Dang Family was stepping forward to persuade Qingcheng and Ami.

How much easier would it be for Wudang if he alone persuaded Mount Hua in Shaanxi?

Contributing his strength as a member of the family while also obtaining what he wanted.

It was what they called a strategy of digging ditches and catching crayfish at the same time.

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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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