Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 273

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 273

From Yungzhong Mountain to Huashan is roughly a thousand li apart.

Walking at normal pace would take about ten days.

Of course, that’s only for ordinary people.

For martial artists who fly several zhang with each step and cover hundreds of li in a day, it’s not such a distant journey.

Actually, even if it were far, it wouldn’t matter.

In my previous life, I roamed All Under Heaven, and not long ago I even went as far as Yunnan, so Huashan is nothing.

What’s important isn’t the distance but secrecy.

No matter how tight-lipped the Family Head is, it would be troublesome if others saw me leaving Yungzhong Mountain.

It would immediately reach Mother and Father’s ears, and those guys dying to follow along might stick to me.

So Zhuge Munhyeon, who secretly escaped Yungzhong Mountain with only Mujin and Dan Yeonhwa, immediately ran north.

Since he ran straight through mountains, rivers, and forests, his clothes quickly became dirty.

“Whew.”

Finally reaching Dangang District, he caught his breath.

As dusk fell around them, village lights could be seen in the distance.

Now he probably didn’t need to worry about anyone following.

His pleased expression was brief.

Suddenly turning his head to look at Mujin, Zhuge Munhyeon’s face scrunched up.

“Mujin.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you think you could put her down now?”

“Put what down?”

“What do you think?”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words as he opened his eyes narrowly, Mujin, who had been wearing a blank expression, was startled when he felt a hand tapping his shoulder.

“Ah! Oh my… she was so light I forgot I was carrying her. Get down now, Dan Mae.”

“…Yes, Senior Brother.”

At Mujin’s playful words, Dan Yeonhwa’s cheeks turned red enough to be visible even in the darkness.

What complete nonsense.

Forgot you were carrying her?

I saw the whole way to Dangang District where your hands were and how tightly you were gripping…

Anyway, this lecherous demon Taoist is no less perverted than anyone.

If Wudang hadn’t taken him in, he surely would have become a notorious lecher who stirred up the world and had his head cut off by some righteous hero’s blade.

“Since it’s late at night, let’s go rest over there.”

“Yes!”

Shaking his head, Zhuge Munhyeon clasped his hands behind his back and slowly walked toward the village.

But as the lights drew closer, he felt puzzled.

‘Torches?’

Those weren’t the lights of lanterns illuminating the front of an inn.

Blazing flames.

Torches.

Many people were gathered in one place holding torches in their hands.

Some were running busily through the alleys.

Martial artists.

And they were…

‘What!’

Recognizing the identity of the martial artists, Zhuge Munhyeon hurriedly hid by the roadside.

Startled, Mujin and Dan Yeonhwa also hid along with him.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Damn it… it’s the Zhuge Family.”

“What?”

Mujin was just bewildered.

So what?

And “it’s the Zhuge Family”?

Aren’t you part of the Zhuge Family?

“Damn it, even the Beggar’s Sect is spread out everywhere?”

At the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon frowning deeply, Mujin couldn’t help but feel absurd.

So why is that a problem?

Dangang District had been Zhuge Family territory for quite some time.

Previously, Zhuge Munhyeon had driven out the Palmun gang that controlled the area and established a branch office.

Since then, it became a region jointly managed by Wudang and the Zhuge Family, with many Beggar Sect members staying there as well.

So Mujin, who couldn’t understand why Zhuge Munhyeon was acting this way, just tilted his head.

“Should we go back then?”

“Why would we? Why exactly are you acting like this?”

“Because I came secretly.”

“What?”

“I came secretly, secretly. Only the Family Head knows we’re going to Huashan.”

“…”

Even more puzzling.

Was there a need to come secretly?

Just when he couldn’t guess the intention, Dan Yeonhwa spoke.

“It’s because of Mother, isn’t it?”

“Right.”

When Zhuge Munhyeon nodded, Dan Yeonhwa smiled bitterly.

A woman’s heart is known by women.

Dan Yeonhwa, who had stayed near Zhuge Munhyeon with Mujin all along, had felt Baek Suhyeon’s gaze toward her.

A gaze filled with some kind of regret.

She must have thought of her as Zhuge Munhyeon’s match.

She had also seen how, after learning about her relationship with Mujin, she tried earnestly to connect him with Dang Ihwa.

Meetings disguised as coincidences, inviting them to dinner and deliberately trying to seat them next to each other…

But it couldn’t be helped.

Though she respected Zhuge Munhyeon, he was too difficult to approach, and wasn’t he her teacher?

She had already given her heart to Mujin long ago.

“Should we go back? There seems to be a village if we go a bit further.”

“I’d like to, but… I’m curious about what’s happening. Seeing them running around with torches like that, something must have definitely happened.”

“Then shall I go find out?”

“Huh? You?”

“Yes. Unlike you two, my face isn’t known even to the branch office.”

“Could you do that?”

“It’s just eavesdropping, so it’s not too difficult. If worst comes to worst, I’ll remove my iron rings and run away.”

She wore iron rings on her limbs for training purposes.

She still needed more physical conditioning.

Come to think of it, that Mujin guy is really a liar.

Even if she wasn’t heavy, the iron rings she wore must have been heavy.

“Then go find out.”

“Where should we meet?”

“There’s a place called Hoeunru by the southern riverside. It’s quite large, so you’ll be able to find it quickly.”

“Understood. Then I’ll see you later.”

Dan Yeonhwa bowed and stepped back onto the road.

“Huh? Dan… Ack!”

Though he still didn’t understand the situation, Mujin instinctively tried to follow Dan Yeonhwa but his head was suddenly yanked backward.

It was because Zhuge Munhyeon had grabbed his hair and pulled it.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Shut up and lower your voice.”

“What?”

“Why are you so clueless?”

“What did I do?”

“Ugh, you fool.”

Sometimes this guy is so frustrating.

His respect for me remains unchanged, but his awareness comes and goes.

It’s gotten worse since he became involved with Dan Yeonhwa.

All his attention seems focused on her.

If the Wudang ancestors saw this, how heartbroken they would be, Amitabha Buddha…

“We agreed to meet at Hoeunru, so let’s hurry.”

“But how can we leave Dan Mae alone? There are wolf-like bastards everywhere. From the situation, it looks like there will be inspections too… What if they touch her body under the pretense of searching!”

“…”

You see what you want to see.

He seems to think everyone is a lecher like him.

How does he view the Zhuge Family branch warriors?

Watch your words.

“Sigh, I’ll explain later, so just follow me for now.”

“But…”

“Do you want to be dragged by force?”

When I growled in a low voice and glared at him, Mujin pouted his lips and sulked.

I understand he’s blinded by love, but his worries are unfounded.

She’s been learning martial arts from me whenever she had time.

Though she started quite late in life, perhaps inheriting the talent of Yasu Palace Lord Dan Chuyeong, her achievements were remarkable.

Her internal energy built through the Small Heaven Achievement has reached the Manifestation stage, and since her sparring partner is Mujin, her combat ability is unmatched.

Mujin may be clueless and floundering in love, but his martial arts skills are genuine.

He’s already broken through the fourth seal.

Though I haven’t properly fought him, without using spiritual energy, I’d barely be able to win.

His martial prowess when he draws upon his demonic nature for explosive power would be comparable to masters of the Strong Energy level.

In other words, he’s about the level of Wudang’s hidden supreme master.

And yet this guy…

“Dan Mae is still weak and might be in danger. If she meets some bad guys and gets hurt…”

I sighed at his muttering.

This corrupt Taoist who would betray his sect for Dan Yeonhwa.

No matter how good love is, how can he change so much?

“Do you like Yeonhwa that much?”

“…”

When I asked that, Mujin glanced at me and a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.

As if saying, “Do you know what love is?”

I didn’t read his next expression.

Because I felt very unpleasant.

Instead, I immediately grabbed his hair.

Tight.

“Ahhh! Wait a moment. It hurts!”

Shut up.

Where do you get off rolling those dark eyes at me?

I grabbed you because I wanted it to hurt.

I wish I could tear off the scalp entirely.

There are always those who won’t listen unless you use force.

* * *

Dangang District’s Hoeunru.

A place with the elegant name meaning “where clouds return.”

Of course, unlike its poetic name, I have bad memories here. It was used as Palmun’s headquarters.

The place where they took my maternal grandfather.

Back then I had thoroughly smashed everything here…

“They completely renovated it.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had obtained a bamboo hat to hide his face and conceal his identity, couldn’t help but admire the entrance of Hoeunru.

The signboard written in bold, dragon-like calligraphy gave the impression it was completely rebuilt.

The Hoeunru building lord must have saved money like a squirrel gathering acorns in winter.

The renovation costs must have been considerable.

“Welcome!”

Perhaps noticing them standing at the door, a shopkeeper came running out and bowed in greeting.

“Are you here for a meal? Or drinks?”

“…”

“Please come inside first. I’ll guide you to a good seat.”

The brazen shopkeeper’s solicitation was naturally admirable.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

‘Well, look at this guy?’

Zhuge Munhyeon looked at the shopkeeper with strange eyes.

About fifteen years old.

A friendly smiling expression.

A boy who looked like a tomboy with his hair tightly bound.

And.

[Young Master Munhyeon, this kid…]

[I know.]

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled at Mujin’s telepathic message as he rubbed his nearly torn scalp.

Mujin noticed too.

That the shopkeeper was learning martial arts.

Of course, very few people would be able to notice this.

You’d have to be able to subtly release energy sense to feel the opponent’s internal power.

And after following his guidance inside, I was certain.

It wasn’t just the exterior that changed.

The interior had also become luxurious, unlike before.

The positioning of tables, the placement of windows and doors.

Even the stairs to the second floor were designed with traffic flow in mind.

‘The building lord wasn’t rich for nothing.’

Zhuge Munhyeon immediately understood the identity of Hoeunru and its building lord.

If there was a shopkeeper who learned martial arts, this place was most likely a branch of the Underworld Gate.

They probably took over the destroyed tavern after I visited.

While the Beggar’s Sect has branches everywhere in All Under Heaven, the Underworld Gate only creates branches where needed.

Mainly because of the cost difference.

Guandi temples are sufficient for beggars, but the Underworld Gate must have proper residences.

That doesn’t mean their information network is inferior.

Even if there are no branches, there’s nowhere without the lowest classes of society: drivers, boatmen, shopkeepers, porters, and brokers.

‘Their instincts are good as expected. They must have seen the Zhuge Family’s potential.’

If they took over Hoeunru as their residence, it means they view Dangang District as an important stronghold.

Perhaps they were the first to recognize the Zhuge Family’s potential.

Perhaps they were the first to recognize the potential of the Zhuge family.

‘No matter what, this is too much—establishing a branch office where Maternal Grandfather resides. Their guts must have jumped out of their stomachs.’

Just as he was grinning to himself.

“This way, please.”

The shopkeeper guided them to a corner table on the first floor.

Naturally, he refused.

Now that he knew this was a Haomen branch office, a position where he could observe the entire tavern would be much better.

“Guide us to the second floor.”

“Pardon?”

“Second floor.”

The shopkeeper, who had been flustered by his firm attitude, soon smiled and guided Zhuge Munhyeon’s group to the stairs.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————