Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 276

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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 276

It felt like being crushed under a massive boulder.

Unable to escape from his tightly clenched grip, her complexion instantly turned pale.

Creak!

Perhaps they had been keeping their senses sharp to assess the situation inside, as the warriors waiting outside suddenly burst through the door.

“Branch Manager!”

The weapons in their hands emitted a bright blue light.

It meant their internal energy was infused, and they were ready to charge at any moment.

However.

“Stop… please.”

Seolhui barely managed to squeeze out her voice while flailing her hand weakly.

A fight must not break out.

Dancer, courtesan.

Having lived her life reading others’ moods and pleasing them since childhood, she was quite good at reading people.

A single slip of the tongue had instantly changed his peaceful demeanor to one filled with murderous intent.

He was someone who deviated from the concept that people had always held about ‘people from the Zhuge Family…’

If necessary, he wouldn’t hesitate to fight against Haowen.

There was no need to pluck the tiger’s whiskers.

Even if she were to die.

“That’s an order. Go out… and wait… outside.”

Even while suffering from dizziness due to her blocked airway, Seolhui restrained the warriors.

“B-Branch Manager.”

“Hurry.”

At her words as she endured with a face that looked ready to faint at any moment, the warriors who had been glaring at Zhuge Munhyeon finally retreated and closed the door.

Creak.

The space was left with just the two of them again.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been looking down at Seolhui intently, slowly released his grip.

“Huff, huff, huff…”

As her airway finally opened and she breathed roughly, color returned to her pale face.

Red handprints remained on her neck.

“I could have broken it.”

“…”

“I spared you considering my relationship with Maternal Grandfather. But that’s as far as it goes. Don’t try to carelessly cross the line. When that happens, I’ll crush not just you but all of Haowen.”

At his threatening words that growled lowly, cold sweat formed and her back became damp.

What kind of look in his eyes…

Even the smile he wore was chilling.

Seolhui, who felt as if she had been to the threshold of hell and back, caressed her neck with trembling hands.

“…I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for sparing my life.”

While she bowed her head, Zhuge Munhyeon swept away the broken dishes on the table and calmly filled his cup with alcohol.

Zhuge Munhyeon.

They hadn’t been watching him from the beginning.

Haowen began to take interest in this place after learning of the Seven Kill Gang’s scheme.

At that time, they had secretly joined hands with the Eight Gates Gang to seize control of Dangang District’s interests.

It was something anyone would covet.

Dangang District, which bordered Shaanxi, Hubei, and Henan.

Taking control of that place was equivalent to controlling waterway usage rights.

In other words, enormous profits would be generated.

But no one had been able to obtain it.

Huashan and Zhongnan in Shaanxi, Wudang in Hubei, and Shaolin in Henan.

What madman would think of taking control of Dangang District, which corresponded to the central point of those three places?

To prevent any problems that might arise, the Seven Kill Gang had recruited one of Shaolin’s affiliated families and even obtained control of an escort agency established by Huashan’s affiliated family.

They had agreed to share the profits.

And finally, only the Eight Gates Gang, which originated from the Beggar’s Sect, remained.

Haowen naturally didn’t miss that opportunity.

By making an agreement with the Seven Kill Gang and taking control of just a few taverns, they would be able to get their hands on the most important information in the Central Plains.

But the Seven Kill Gang’s plan was shattered in an instant.

Because of the man before her eyes, Zhuge Munhyeon.

It was something neither Haowen nor the Seven Kill Gang had anticipated at all.

It was from that time.

Haowen watched Zhuge Munhyeon closely, thoroughly understanding his every move, and couldn’t help but be amazed as time passed.

Not only did he strengthen his friendship with Wudang, but he even defeated the Namgung Sega that had targeted Hubei.

Haowen’s leaders placed great weight on the Zhuge Family’s—no, his—potential for development and elevated him to the position of a ‘Seed of Giant Tree.’

Someone who could well become the seed of a giant tree.

It was their own classification method.

The Dangang District branch was also established around that time.

But judging him as a Seed of Giant Tree was a miscalculation.

His activities didn’t end in Hubei but extended to the Tang Family in Sichuan and even Yunnan.

And he had built such good relations with those two places that they sent delegations.

It was something accomplished with just a single visit.

‘Seed of Forest Formation.’

A seed that would form a forest.

Of course, it might be a hasty judgment.

But hadn’t Haowen survived those long years by distinguishing and managing those who were different from the very beginning, building friendships regardless of orthodox or unorthodox distinctions?

And their eyes were accurate.

Through what happened at the Hwangbo Sega, the Zhuge Family had laid the foundation to become the center of martial families.

The judgment of Seed of Forest Formation had been correct.

Because of that one person, the Zhuge Family had already formed what was tantamount to a small forest within the vast murim.

‘But I was too hasty.’

Seolhui, with her head bowed, couldn’t help but regret her words and actions from moments ago.

A secret visit.

In this situation where the Beggar’s Sect and Zhuge Family branch were in turmoil over the kidnapping incident…

So she had taken a strong approach.

If he wanted something, she had planned to negotiate from an equal position.

‘They said he had great attachment to his family.’

Though it was conveyed differently than intended, she had nearly lost her life and almost made him hostile toward Haowen.

While one mistake might be a common occurrence in military affairs, it felt painfully sharp right now.

She had completely lost the initiative.

There was no choice but to bow her head and wait until he spoke again.

Making excuses would only fuel his anger.

“Ah, the alcohol tastes good. Now it seems like you’re ready to have a conversation.”

“…I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled at her changed attitude.

“Be careful about mentioning my family in the future.”

What about this? Shall I pour you a drink?”

“If you want.”

“Thank you.”

At the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon extending his empty cup, Seolhui finally felt relieved and patted her chest.

Though she couldn’t stand on equal footing, she had managed to open the channel for conversation.

Now she needed to demonstrate her usefulness.

How much help Haowen could be to him.

“You have something you want to ask me, don’t you?”

“That’s why I came looking for you.”

“I assume it’s about the recent kidnapping cases occurring in Dangang District… Am I right?”

“Isn’t that kind of guessing only natural?”

Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled and set down his empty wine cup.

Though he said that, he was inwardly satisfied with her quick wit.

Finding the words he needed wouldn’t have been too difficult.

But she no longer asks about things like the reason for his secret visit.

After suffering a setback once, she now distinguishes between what should and shouldn’t be said.

“To get straight to the point, it’s the Green Forest.”

“What?”

“They’re behind the kidnappings.”

“Hmm.”

His face scrunched up.

Green Forest.

Those commonly called bandits were kidnapping people?

It didn’t make sense.

According to what Dan Yeonhwa had investigated, the kidnapped victims were vagrants or prostitutes, regardless of age or gender.

‘Why?’

This was different in nature from their usual crimes.

Above all, even the Green Forest had their codes.

No matter how hungry they were, they never left the mountains, yet now they’re coming down to the city to commit kidnappings?

Bandits aren’t horse thieves or fire bandits.

“How did you find out? The Beggar’s Sect Branch and Zhuge Family Branch in Dangang District don’t seem to know yet.”

“They observe the flow, but we examine the inner workings.”

“Hmm.”

Flow and inner workings.

It’s about the difference in priority when dealing with information.

The Beggar’s Sect reads the flow through rumors collected by beggars spread across All Under Heaven, then finds the inner workings within that. But Hao Gate pieces together the flow through intimate information.

In other words, obtaining both would significantly shorten the time needed to grasp information.

“Not bad. You have a way with words.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Good, continue.”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Seolhui raised her head and wore her usual smile.

Realizing she had escaped danger and been recognized as someone qualified to converse, she finally regained her composure.

“The problem is that bandits aren’t the only ones involved in these kidnappings.”

“If not just bandits… Don’t tell me? Are you saying water bandits are also committing kidnappings?”

“Your insight is remarkable.”

“Skip the unnecessary praise.”

“Yes.”

After her brief answer and the words that followed, deep furrows gradually formed on Zhuge Munhyeon’s forehead.

Bandits and water bandits.

Those who had left the mountains and rivers were conducting large-scale kidnappings.

But why?

For what reason?

Kidnapping is usually done for money.

Also, feeding, housing, and clothing the kidnapped victims would cost more money than expected.

‘These crazy bastards aren’t trying to provide relief to All Under Heaven’s vagrants…’

Then suddenly, Zhuge Munhyeon widened his previously furrowed eyes and asked.

“Don’t tell me they’re trafficking them?”

“That’s our assumption. According to what we’ve discovered, the kidnapped victims seem to be selling for high prices.”

“That’s ridiculous! What crazy bastards would buy vagrants or beggars at high prices?”

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to determine that part. If you wish, we could investigate, but moving our disciples would require permission from our superiors…”

Trailing off her words while subtly gauging his reaction, Seolhui brought up her original purpose.

“If you could just write us a commission letter stating this is an official request from the Zhuge Family to Hao Gate, we would actively investigate.”

“What?”

At Seolhui’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon’s brow furrowed.

“Are you saying you want to join hands with the Zhuge Family?”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm. I see, so that’s why you established a branch here.”

She remained silent, only wearing a smile.

‘Hao Gate…’

Not bad.

The Beggar’s Sect and Hao Gate.

Obtaining both would be no different from holding All Under Heaven’s information in his hands.

But the Zhuge Family’s roots were in the orthodox faction.

Joining hands with Hao Gate, an information organization of the unorthodox faction, could cause bigger problems than expected.

“Impossible. That’s not something I can decide. The Family Head would never allow it either.”

In such cases, it’s best to refuse outright.

But Seolhui didn’t seem ready to give up.

“Then how about a deal with you personally, Young Master?”

“What?”

“We understand the Zhuge Family’s position. If the fact of dealing with Hao Gate became known to the world, you might face criticism. But if it’s just an individual’s transgression, the family wouldn’t have to take responsibility, would they?”

“An individual’s transgression…”

“The decision is yours to make, Young Master.”

“Hmm.”

Zhuge Munhyeon furrowed his brow again.

It wasn’t a bad deal.

Even if it became a problem later, if it was just his personal transgression, even if political enemies rose up to criticize, it wouldn’t harm the family.

‘Hao Gate, too valuable a card to let slip away.’

After pondering briefly, Zhuge Munhyeon said to Seolhui.

“Bring me writing materials.”

“Yes.”

He’d been pointed at his whole life anyway, so what’s a little more criticism?

Of course, it’s an individual transgression.

The family must not be involved.

Zhuge Munhyeon wrote a commission letter with his name and even left his seal, then handed it to Seolhui saying.

“At least I’ll turn a blind eye to the Dangang District Hao Gate Branch.”

“Thank you.”

“In return, investigate this kidnapping case thoroughly. Find out what crazy bastard is behind those bandits and water bandits.”

“We’ll find out as quickly as possible.”

“For contact…”

“We’ll find you wherever you are.”

“…Right.”

Well, unless he disguised himself and hid from people’s sight, there’s no way they couldn’t find him.

He wouldn’t be sleeping rough forever and would have to stop at inns somewhere, so they could just ask then.

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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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