Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 275

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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 275

“Wh-what do you mean by that?”

The middle-aged musician, Do Yeong, scratched his head while wearing an awkward smile.

“Oh my, why are you acting like this? You don’t think I just poked at you based on a feeling, do you?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t do that. You’ll get hurt if you keep playing dumb for no reason. I’m not exactly overflowing with patience.”

“What on earth are you talking about…?”

“Geez, I’m telling you it’s useless. Are you trusting in that thing perhaps?”

“…?”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled coldly and lightly flicked the hand he had placed on the table.

Thwack!

The scroll with holes in it fluttered and fell to the floor.

…Thud!

Two holes had been pierced through the wall.

And a faint noise came from behind the wall, as if someone had collapsed.

“Or maybe that one?”

When Zhuge Munhyeon’s finger flicked again while maintaining his smile, two strands of Jipung flew and pierced through the door at the entrance.

Thwack thwack!

Then the sound of someone else collapsing was heard, and bewilderment appeared on musician Do Yeong’s face.

“The device that activates the mechanisms seems to be behind the wall, so I don’t think you need to worry about it.”

“Grr!”

Thinking that everything had been discovered, Do Yeong quickly grabbed his pipa with a contorted face.

But grabbing it was all he could do.

Due to the cold sensation felt at his neck and the chilling sword aura, he couldn’t use the hidden weapon concealed within it.

“Move and you die.”

“…”

“Put down the pipa.”

A spine-chilling voice whispered in his ear.

Before he knew it, Mujin had positioned himself behind the musician and was holding his sword to the man’s nape with eyes that glittered like obsidian.

“He’s less attentive than I thought. He was so distracted by the wall and door that he didn’t even notice Mujin moving.”

“…”

Do Yeong had no choice but to put down the pipa.

“Why exactly are you doing this?”

“Why am I doing this? I told you just a moment ago. Tell me what you know about the kidnapping incident that occurred in Dangang District.”

“Th-that is…”

“Why? Your position is too low so you don’t know much? Then tell me where the Building Lord is. It’s fine to call them over too.”

“…”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s smile, Do Yeong clamped his mouth shut.

He already seemed to know everything.

Even that they were Haowen.

But they too had rules they absolutely had to follow.

Don’t sell out Dongdo’s name.

And don’t reveal information to those whose identities are unclear.

“…Kill me.”

“Oh? Not bad. You have loyalty too.”

“…?”

“But even if I kill you when it comes to killing, I’d really like to hear the answers to what I asked.”

“Do you think I’ll talk?”

“Yeah. I know about fifty-eight thousand ways to make you open your mouth. It might be interesting to test how long you can endure. Or I could skip all the troublesome processes and just capture the Building Lord to interrogate them. Even if they’re hiding carefully, if I smash up all the taverns, wouldn’t I discover at least a strand of hair?”

“You’re saying that even knowing we’re Haowen?”

“Haowen? Pfft!”

At the sight of him revealing the sect’s name as a threat, Zhuge Munhyeon snorted.

Of course, it was a threatening statement.

Making an enemy of Haowen was more troublesome than one might think.

Not because their power was tremendously strong.

Beggars could be avoided easily enough, but Haowen was deeply involved in people’s basic needs.

Inns, taverns, shops, musicians, even workers who took care of odd jobs.

The problem was not knowing which of them belonged to Haowen.

Probably even they themselves didn’t know.

They were originally a cell organization.

In other words, if you made an enemy of Haowen, you’d have to worry about poison even in the cheapest noodles at an inn.

But!

“I’m a person who has absolutely no fear. Whether it’s Haowen or whatever, I’ll just smash them all as they come. Then someday I’ll meet the guy at the very top.”

At that smile that seemed like he would really do such a thing, Do Yeong frowned while keeping his mouth tightly shut.

That’s when it happened.

Step, step.

Multiple footsteps were heard from outside the door.

Mujin’s eyes sharpened, and Dan Yeonhwa also drew her sword in preparation.

“That’s enough. It seems they came on their own before I had to look for them. Let the musician go too.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s not just footsteps.”

The sound of skirt hems sweeping the floor was added to it.

A woman.

Probably the Building Lord or their representative.

Creak.

What entered through the door that finally opened was, contrary to expectations, the dancer who had been performing on the central stage of the first floor.

The woman wearing fluttering thin clothes looked around inside and waved her hands.

Then those who followed bowed their heads and closed the door.

“You’re Young Master Zhuge Munhyeon, aren’t you?”

“It seems you finished investigating me?”

“You’re a famous person, after all.”

“…And you recognized me right away because of that? The shopkeeper didn’t seem to have such good eyesight? It was a busy time and there were quite a few people coming and going.”

“You have a striking appearance, after all.”

Her gaze briefly swept over Dan Yeonhwa.

An appearance that would make many people look twice in surprise.

Beauty wasn’t a sin, but when hiding, it became a very big disadvantage.

Because it drew attention.

Probably the shopkeeper, captivated by her beauty, had scurried off to report it.

“But this is unexpected. I thought the Building Lord would be the leader, but a dancer?”

“The Building Lord’s status is too conspicuous. The main sect is also pursuing diversification in disguises.”

She maintained a smile throughout.

That appearance was rather unpleasant.

This type was harder to deal with than cold-hearted ones.

Those who smile while bleeding are usually more tight-lipped than those who seem like they wouldn’t bleed a single drop even if stabbed.

“Could you give me a seat? As you can see, I just came up after finishing a performance downstairs, so my legs hurt.”

“…”

She deliberately lifted her skirt hem to show her bare legs.

Dan Yeonhwa frowned and averted her gaze more than Zhuge Munhyeon did.

Well, having been treated as the only daughter of Beast Palace, she probably thought it was promiscuous.

But she was a broken flower.

She’s currently the Hao Gate branch leader, but she’s a dancer by status, and may have once been a courtesan.

She would have had to bend to survive, and sometimes would have bent herself for other purposes.

Shaking a man’s heart is also strategy for them, and she’s currently doing her best.

However.

“Don’t do useless things. I’m not lacking enough to be intoxicated by beauty.”

“Oh my, what a shame. I thought honey traps would work well enough on someone of such vigorous age. Well, since you travel with someone like Dan Sojo, ordinary beauty wouldn’t stand a chance, would it? I’ll have to add information that Young Master is like stone when it comes to such matters.”

She fluttered her flowing clothes and took a seat without being invited.

Across from him.

“I haven’t told you to sit yet.”

“You were going to.”

“What?”

“You created this situation because you have something to gain from me, right?”

Her appearance, showing no expression other than smiles, was irritating.

A woman’s smile without sincerity was always unwelcome. In the demonic path, they always hid cruel aspects behind such smiles.

“Do Yeong, you’ve worked hard. You went through trouble for nothing.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Rather, I should be sorry. I gave you an unreasonable task without properly assessing the opponent. Please go out now.”

“Yes.”

Do Yeong gathered his pipa and went outside with drooping shoulders.

“I’d appreciate it if you two would also leave.”

“What?”

At her words, Mujin bristled and glared.

“Surely you’re not going to have three people together against one powerless woman?”

“…”

“And in such cases, it’s usually proper etiquette to give space so those at the highest levels can have their conversation.”

“Hmm.”

At her playful words, Mujin glanced at Zhuge Munhyeon.

“Go out.”

“…Understood.”

Though his expression was displeased, he didn’t raise any particular objection. He thought she couldn’t do anything to Zhuge Munhyeon.

After they left, she briefly adjusted her attire and formally greeted him.

“Let me introduce myself again, I’m Seolhui, Dangang branch leader.”

“Seolhui? Is that a code name?”

“It’s my real name.”

“Unexpected. I know your side usually doesn’t reveal names.”

“You know our sect’s secret name law? That’s more surprising than I thought.”

“I read it in a book.”

“A book?”

“The Ten Thousand Books Pavilion at the main house has various books.”

“I see.”

When he gave a vague answer, Seolhui smiled and nodded.

“But you’re bolder than I thought. To reveal your identity while knowing who I am. You must know this is Zhuge Family territory?”

“Of course. If it became known that a Hao Gate branch exists here, not only the Zhuge Family but the Beggar’s Sect branch would be in an uproar.”

“Then why?”

“Because Young Master can’t do anything to me.”

“What?”

“I’m a dancer.”

“So what? Do I look like someone who’d spare you because you’re a woman, because you’re a dancer?”

“Of course not. I’d say I’m trusting someone above you.”

“Above?”

“Oh my? Even after I’ve said this much, you don’t catch on? That would be too disappointing…”

“Stop playing with words. I’m not in a very good mood.”

“How scary.”

“…”

“But since you’ve warned me, I’ll be careful. You know dancers are close with musicians, right? I’m quite famous around Dangang District, so I’m acquainted with a renowned musician.”

“Renowned… Wait? Don’t tell me?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. I’d say I’m something like a kindred spirit with Ok Eumgeumhyeon, your maternal grandfather. If you don’t believe me, you can check directly. He’s someone who would come running if I asked.”

Ok Eumgeumhyeon Baek Hansang.

The most famous musician in northern Hubei and his maternal grandfather.

“I heard you barged in here recklessly to save your maternal grandfather and smashed the Palmun formation to pieces.”

“…”

“If you harm me, that person would be terribly hurt. He’s cherished me since I was a child courtesan. Back then I had a story too sad to hear without tears, so I received much help from your maternal grandfather. It’s also thanks to him that I could become a dancer.”

“Damn it…”

A curse escaped without him realizing it.

Seolhui was weaker than expected for someone serving as Dangang District branch leader.

But connections were more important than skill.

It seemed she had secured that position thanks to her relationship with his maternal grandfather.

Hao Gate, having judged the Zhuge Family as a target of interest, probably thought of ways to get Dangang District in their hands, and determined she was suitable.

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything that would trouble your maternal grandfather.”

“…”

“If you agree to overlook Hao Gate, I’ll tell you everything I know. You have nowhere else to ask anyway, right? The fact that you didn’t visit your maternal grandfather or go through the Beggar’s Sect means this is a secret visit. There’s probably some reason for it.”

She smiled brightly.

But at that moment, Zhuge Munhyeon’s expression changed completely.

The hand that shot out with killing intent was too much for her skill level to avoid.

Thud! Thump!

As soon as he grabbed her throat and slammed her to the floor, Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes gleamed with killing intent.

“Y-Young Master, why are you doing this…”

“Shut up. Did you think being a woman would always be a weapon?”

“…”

“I was going to wait and see, but what’s this? You won’t do anything that would trouble my maternal grandfather? So depending on the situation, you might do something troublesome?”

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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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