Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 272

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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 272

“Huashan?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, didn’t you say you’d refrain from stepping forward out of consideration for the Young Family Head?”

That was true.

Since they kept trying to push him to the front, he had used Zhuge Munho as an excuse.

The family now had a bright future ahead.

There was no need for him to interfere unnecessarily, so unless any major problems arose, he planned to focus on cultivating his spiritual energy.

However, there was a problem – it was hard to endure his mother’s nagging.

At times like this, it was time to change his tune.

“Me? When did I say that?”

“…Huh?”

“I said I wouldn’t be the center, but I never said I wouldn’t step forward, did I?”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Family Head Zhuge Dowon made an expression of bewilderment.

But soon he just laughed.

There was no reason to refuse when Zhuge Munhyeon was offering to help on his own.

The overall framework for the martial family alliance had already been completed anyway, and all that remained was to coordinate the details through meetings between the family heads.

It would be nothing but good if Zhuge Munhyeon, who had grown into Hubei’s strongest master by defeating the Fist King Hwangbo Yun, could serve as a representative face, but the issue of uniting the Nine Sects later was much more urgent.

The Nine Sects were already moving swiftly.

There was an intention not to lose the initiative since the martial families’ movements were unusual, but it was because the Demonic Sect’s situation was rapidly changing.

Kidnapping incidents were increasing exponentially, so the government offices had begun requesting cooperation.

The Beggar’s Sect had already established temporary branch offices at two northern gateways in Gansu Province – Yuwen Pass and Jiayuguan – for surveillance, and with the Kunlun Sect’s cooperation, they were also establishing branches in the Qinghai region.

Though the messenger pigeon network wasn’t connected yet, belated news was arriving.

The Demonic Sect’s stirring was imminent.

Since their martial arts had strong radical tendencies, they might show noticeable changes within ten years at the earliest.

They had no choice but to prepare.

Both the Nine Sects and the martial families.

Everyone recognized the necessity of a Murim Alliance.

However, an alliance wasn’t something that could be completed overnight.

How could uniting all under heaven and gathering their will be an easy task?

In the case of the martial family alliance, swift negotiations were only possible because heavenly fortune had overlapped and they had discovered the fact that Hwangbo Yun had learned demonic arts.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“Let me ask you something.”

“Please speak.”

“Is your intention to make me the master of the Murim Alliance still unchanged?”

“Why are you stating the obvious? If someone has to take that position anyway, it’s better for you, the head of our family, to take it.”

“Hmm…”

After pondering for a moment, Zhuge Dowon looked at his nephew with gentle eyes.

It was natural order for those above to occupy higher positions.

Eldest son succession.

Legitimate lineage.

The most stable and lawful procedure.

Therefore, all factions adhered to such principles.

If the Zhuge Family were to be praised as the foremost family in the martial world and stand at the highest position in the Central Plains as they intended, the family head should naturally become the alliance leader.

That way there would be less opposition.

However, an alliance was not a place that represented a family, but a place that represented the martial world.

Moreover, in rapidly changing circumstances, it was better for someone with ability to become the leader.

And the person with that ability was right before his eyes.

A fellow born into a family of the world’s wisest, yet capable of dreaming of the position of the world’s strongest, a fellow already walking that path faster than anyone else.

“Munhyeon, listen carefully to what I say.”

“Please speak.”

“It is said that the Mandate of Heaven cannot be chosen or received by people.”

“Pardon?”

“The generation is already passing. I think that not someone with a high position, but someone more suited to that position should lead the martial world.”

“…”

“When you defeated the Hwangbo Family Head, exposed his crimes, and achieved the martial family alliance, I thought of the Mandate of Heaven. If the world looks to you, then that will must have been passed to you. Haven’t you already reached the strongest level among the martial families? Also, many warriors of Zhuge follow you, not me. Munho leads Zhuge in his own way, and Junggi leads Zhuge in his own way. So…”

“Pfft!”

“Hey! This fellow laughs? After requesting a private audience with the family head…”

When Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been staring intently, suddenly snorted, Zhuge Dowon made an expression of bewilderment.

Of course I’d laugh, would I cry instead?

You should say something that makes sense for me to even pretend to listen respectfully.

Last time you were anxious because you couldn’t make me Young Family Head, and now you’re telling me to become alliance leader?

Yes, in the past I might have dreamed of it once.

Heavenly Demon in my past life and Murim Alliance Leader in this life – as a person, I could say I’d achieved everything worth achieving.

There’s also the position of Emperor, but that’s not the path of martial arts, so I’ll leave that aside.

But I’ve seen a bigger world, haven’t I?

The world of immortals.

No, since Huabuyuan mentioned something about the Three Realms, there might be something even greater.

And even Huabuyuan alone felt immeasurably distant in strength, yet I’ve also learned of Sangson’s existence, who’s incomparable even to him.

And you want me to just be a Murim Alliance Leader?

What nonsense!

They say people should play in big waters.

I will become someone who stands shoulder to shoulder with Sangson, not some mere Murim Alliance Leader, transcending that framework.

Of course, I couldn’t say all of that.

Organizing his thoughts, Zhuge Munhyeon continued speaking in words he could understand.

“Family Head.”

“What?”

“Are you planning to dump all the troublesome work on us and already thinking of sitting in the back room?”

“Ba, back room?”

“Isn’t that right? You want to make Elder Brother Munho the family head, make Junggi the strategist, and tell me to become alliance leader.”

“You brat, my words don’t mean that, but rather the Mandate of Heaven…”

“What about the Mandate of Heaven?”

“Huh?”

“What fun is there in living according to what heaven has decided?”

“…”

“Destiny is something you carve out yourself.”

He spoke quite seriously.

He even lowered his voice to sound impressive.

“You should naturally pass the family head position to Elder Brother Munho. And you should become the alliance leader.”

“You brat, I know myself well. I have no way to break through the level where I’ve already stopped at the Righteous Energy stage…”

“Does an alliance leader necessarily have to be strong?”

“What?”

“The alliance leader I know always waited until the very last moment before appearing, you know? Sometimes he even appeared after all the fighting was over.”

“…The alliance leader you know?”

“Ah, I read it in some book in the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.”

“There’s such a book?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Damn brat, he’s truly a descendant of the Zhuge Family – he’s read all sorts of books.

He couldn’t argue back.

Even Zhuge Dowon hadn’t read all the books in the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.

“So you should do it, Family Head. You don’t necessarily need to be strong. Let those who are good at fighting handle the battles, and you can focus on management. Just like now.”

“But the Zhuge Family and the Murim Alliance are completely different in scale.”

“Being big doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”

“What?”

“You’re perfectly capable of it. You’re still young.”

“….”

He could only let out a hollow laugh.

‘This kid who hasn’t even lived half my life yet….’

Of course, Zhuge Munhyeon was thinking the exact same thing.

‘Counting my previous life, he hasn’t even lived half as long as me, yet he’s making such weak excuses… Tsk.’

Clicking his tongue inwardly, he continued speaking.

“You mentioned the Mandate of Heaven earlier, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“Then you’ve also received the Mandate of Heaven, Family Head.”

“What?”

“The Family Head of the crumbling Zhuge Family, miraculously reviving it in his generation. Isn’t this Heaven openly supporting you? And you have talented people like Elder Brother Munho under you, smart ones like Junggi… Most importantly, you have me. This is practically Heaven showering you with human blessings.”

“How can you say such things… so shamelessly.”

“You need to be shameless to live well. Anyway, don’t think about anything else and just prepare to become the Alliance Leader. I’m determined to make it happen.”

“Hmm….”

He was indeed determined to make it so.

At least until he crossed the boundary.

He intended to help them not as an immortal, but as a human.

Seeing the expression that contained such firm resolve, Zhuge Dowon could only frown and let out a sigh.

His nephew was becoming increasingly eloquent.

It was probably due to his confidence in his own abilities.

It wasn’t wrong either.

His human blessings were indeed beyond compare.

Had there ever been a generation in the family’s history where so many talented descendants were born at once?

That too could be called the Mandate of Heaven.

And most importantly, when his nephew spoke with such conviction, he didn’t want to sound weak anymore.

“Anyway, you’ll allow the trip to Huashan, right?”

“Sigh, fine. I’ll write a letter to send to Huashan.”

“Thank you.”

This seemed to be enough for him to understand.

Surely after saying this much, he wouldn’t say he couldn’t do it again.

“What about support?”

“I don’t need any. Huashan isn’t a dangerous place, and I think taking just Mujin will be enough.”

“Just Mujin Dojang?”

“He’s already waiting outside. Since he’s a Taoist, there’s nothing special to prepare. I thought it would be good to bring along at least one Wudang Sect Taoist. The rest are busy with Martial Alliance matters anyway.”

“Will that be enough?”

“Who do you think I am? I’m Zhuge Munhyeon.”

Seeing him beat his chest and display confidence, Zhuge Dowon shook his head.

Indeed, who was worrying about whom?

The kid had clearly already reached the realm of Gang Qi….

“When do you plan to leave?”

“Now.”

“What? Now?”

“Yes. Right now! Immediately!”

“B-but even so, you should let your parents know….”

“Absolutely not! Don’t tell my parents or anyone else. Where I’ve gone should also be kept secret.”

He was firmly opposed.

He had to leave right away.

If Mother found out, she might somehow instigate Yu Gilcheon to send Dang Ihwa along.

Yu Gilcheon, who was already dying to travel together, would never refuse.

He would try to stick to him somehow.

Father was also out of the question.

He was Mother’s faithful spy.

It was obvious he would run and tell her.

“You really are something….”

Chuckling and shaking his head, Zhuge Dowon wrote the letter to send to Huashan.

Zhuge Munhyeon, sitting beside him and respectfully grinding ink, spoke as if suddenly remembering something.

“Ah, and it would be good to send the guests back now.”

“The guests?”

“They’re all Young Family Heads and hold important positions in their families, so staying away from their posts too long isn’t good. Since only the Family Heads’ decisions remain regarding the Martial Alliance, there’s no need for them to stay at the Zhuge Family any longer.”

“Hmm.”

“Let’s gradually send them off and arrange the next meeting.”

“Still, if you leave for Huashan without a word, they’ll all be disappointed.”

“They’re not thoughtless people.”

“You think so?”

“Of course.”

“Hmm, alright. Come to think of it, starting with the Hwangbo Clan, they have been away from their respective families for quite a while.”

Seeing Zhuge Dowon nod, Zhuge Munhyeon sighed in relief and patted his chest.

Fortunately, he understood.

With this, he had gotten rid of all the troublesome things.

There was still that affectionate pair left, but they were his disciples.

“Here it is. Be careful on your trip.”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Munhyeon tucked the sealed letter into his robes, finished his respectful farewell, and was about to leave when he stopped.

“Ah! Family Head.”

“Yes?”

“Please give me some money.”

“….”

“I left in such a hurry that I don’t have travel expenses. If I stop by the General Affairs Department, it’ll just get troublesome.”

Seeing Zhuge Munhyeon suddenly extend his hand with a smile, Zhuge Dowon let out a hollow laugh.

What a brazen nephew.

First he beat up his uncle, now he’s extorting money from the Family Head?

But what could he do?

It was all for the development of the Zhuge Family.

…Still, he didn’t expect him to snatch the entire money pouch the moment he took it out.

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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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