Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 28

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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 28

 

 

The leaders of the Yanghyeon Branch stared blankly at the woman Zhuge Munhyeon had brought.

“Be, Beggar’s Sect?”

“Yes. What a coincidence that we met, right?”

It was absurd, but anyone could tell she was from the Beggar’s Sect.

Her clothes were dirty with dried mud, and she was filthy beyond measure…

Meanwhile, a sect token knot dangled beneath the cloth ornament at her waist.

However.

“Her face…?”

“There were circumstances.”

“Hmm.”

The circumstances were roughly predictable.

Anyone could see it was a face that had been thoroughly beaten.

The culprit was probably Zhuge…

“Ahem. But how on earth did you know to bring her?”

The Beggar’s Sect hadn’t shown hide nor hair near Yungzhong Mountain or the Yanghyeon Branch recently.

They couldn’t even guess where Zhuge Munhyeon had found a disciple of sect token rank.

“Let me introduce myself first.”

“…”

“My name is Sayo. How I came to meet Young Master Zhuge was while secretly observing Honyeon Territory, when he followed me, driven mad by lust… reed field… assault…”

“Hey, that’s enough.”

“Yes! I was trying to explain the series of events in detail and… I’m sorry.”

Is she really crazy?

It’s good to explain in detail, but why explain unnecessary things too?

She’ll just create strange misunderstandings.

“Ahem, anyway…”

Zhuge Munhyeon explained the Beggar’s Sect’s situation on Sayo’s behalf.

He was worried she might say something strange again if left to her.

It started with the story of the branch manager captured by Honyeon Territory.

Everyone listened intently to his calm, continuing words.

The content was about winning this battle to rescue the branch manager, and furthermore, receiving the family head’s approval to form a mutually beneficial relationship.

Of course, if approval wasn’t granted, he was also considering maintaining the relationship separately.

The Beggar’s Sect was an organization that would definitely be helpful to have nearby.

“So they agreed to provide us with information in the fight against Honyeon Territory.”

“Hmm.”

They understood the situation, but it was still hard to believe.

Zhuge Munhyeon.

It was doubtful that he was only fifteen years old.

He was the kid who had gone out like a bird hunting for prey, saying he’d bring back information.

But what he actually brought back wasn’t some bug that would satisfy them briefly, but an entire food warehouse that could sustain them abundantly for a year.

“Sayo.”

“Yes.”

When Zhuge Munhyeon called her, she laid out all the information she knew about Honyeon Territory like someone who had been preparing.

The eyes and mouths of the Yanghyeon Branch leaders, who had looked flustered, gradually opened wider.

The number of martial artists, the level of masters, the strategies they frequently used, even the surveillance network inside Honyeon Territory.

The content was beyond doubt.

“…I’ve only covered the general parts for now. If you need detailed information, please feel free to ask. I’ll answer sincerely to the best of my knowledge.”

“…”

“…”

Silence flowed.

Everyone just stood there with their mouths agape.

Her words contained everything they had wanted to know and everything necessary to formulate a strategy.

Soon Mun Ilhwa became belatedly flustered.

“Fo, food…”

Why food?

“Where’s the paper?”

He was so urgent that he even spilled the items on the desk.

He seems quite flustered.

Since they had agreed to help anyway, she would be staying nearby until the Honyeon Territory matter was finished, so they could ask whenever needed.

“How is it?”

“…Huh?”

“With that much information, you should be able to formulate a strategy to attack Honyeon Territory, right? Or what else do you need?”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Mun Ilhwa, who had been standing there dazed with a brush he hadn’t even used yet, rose from his seat.

Why is he approaching?

And what’s with those eyes?

They seem full of moisture…

“You rascal, Munhyeon.”

“…”

“Admirable. Truly admirable. The Military Strategy Division Head has truly raised an admirable son. Yes! That’s right.”

Mun Ilhwa was so moved that he even embraced Zhuge Munhyeon tightly.

Though the elder called him “you rascal” despite being younger and lacking manners, he’d let it slide.

Just this once.

Hey, don’t pat my back.

Why is he so happy when he’s not even a Zhuge clan member?

Zhuge Cheong and Jeok Un watched Mun Ilhwa, who couldn’t contain his emotion, with similar expressions.

They knew too.

How necessary the Beggar’s Sect’s existence was to the current Zhuge Family.

Seeing them look so proud made his nose tingle somehow…

Damn, his blood must be acting up again.

Why does this body occasionally go wild on its own?

The name Heavenly Demon is wasted on it.

“Good grief, what are you doing so unsightly? Why are you crying? Did someone die?”

“I’m moved.”

“My word, the war hasn’t even started yet and you’re already intoxicated with victory?”

“That may be true, but…”

“Stop!”

Though he treated him like a child, Mun Ilhwa smiled even more brightly.

“Now, now, there’s no time. Those bastards will start moving soon too. According to Sayo, they’re secretly forming alliances among themselves, so if they ask other bastards for help before we move, it’ll be trouble.”

“Understood. I’ll work through the night to devise a strategy.”

“Of course you should. And Branch Manager…”

“I’ll observe their movements.”

“I’ll also move with the Branch Manager and assist him.”

Zhuge Cheong and Jeok Un found their tasks and moved before even being asked.

Thus, only Zhuge Munhyeon and Sayo remained in the conference room.

“Somehow, you seem more like a Branch Manager than the actual one. Everyone’s eyes are filled with trust…”

“They’re excited about the idea of attacking Honyeon Territory. Since it was my suggestion. I’m just one martial artist, so don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Just one… rather strong martial artist, aren’t you?”

“Something like that.”

For now, at least.

Just somewhat strong…

But Sayo wasn’t unaware that Zhuge Munhyeon was at the center of this whole affair.

The Gaebang specializes in observing people.

So even with a brief look, one could roughly gauge someone’s character.

In her eyes, Zhuge Munhyeon was not someone who belonged beneath others.

Whether in the Zhuge Family or in this Murim in the future, she felt he would surely be in a position of leadership.

“What should I do now? Should I attend the Military Strategy Hall scholars’ meeting to help concrete the strategy?”

“Before that, go wash up first.”

“Wash… up?”

She suddenly widened her eyes and looked at Zhuge Munhyeon.

This is really…

Why does she even bother covering her chest?

“Want to get hit more?”

“I was just joking. You seemed too serious, so I thought I’d lighten the mood a bit.”

“I’m naturally serious.”

“Ah…”

She looked unconvinced.

How serious and solemn I am… well, something like that.

“Sigh, just wash up first and attend the meeting. Change your clothes too.”

“Even my clothes? The Nine-Fold Hundred-Patch is Gaebang’s identity, you know?”

Nine-Fold Hundred-Patch.

Clothes that have had their collars adjusted nine times and been mended a hundred times.

The expression sounds fancy, but it’s just rags.

What’s so proud about that?

Gaebang folks have always had this strange pride in their clothing.

“Then are you planning to spread rumors throughout the neighborhood that Gaebangdo are helping the Zhuge Family’s Yanghyeon Branch?”

“Hmm, I didn’t think of that. Understood. I’ll tell the Bangdo who came with me as well.”

“Good. Tell the servant girls too. To prepare bath water and clothing.”

“Thank you.”

“And during the meeting, mention the Branch Manager rescue plan too. So Scholar Mun can concrete that plan as well.”

“Yes.”

After parting with Sayo, Zhuge Munhyeon headed straight to the back garden.

Are these guys doing well?

Zhuge Munho aside, Gwan Hwiping would definitely be slacking off…

“The guys are more diligent than I thought.”

Seems my worry was unnecessary.

Even if lacking, they’re still blood of a prestigious family?

Come to think of it, it was like that before too.

Those who live under the name of righteous sects…

They envy and are jealous of talented people and sometimes make mistakes, but underneath it all lies honor and pride.

“Well then, shall I prepare as well?”

The strategy would be concreted based on Gaebang’s information and scholars would participate to make up for the difference in military strength, but it was undeniable that they were still at a disadvantage.

The initial battle would be advantageous.

With the formation technique suddenly deployed, they would have no choice but to panic when their numbers started decreasing.

But this was enemy territory.

The situation would soon be reversed.

They say even a dog gets a thirty percent advantage in its own home, so how much more so for humans?

Once they started being pushed back, there would be no end to it.

The scholars, whose martial arts were somewhat weak, couldn’t withstand their attacks.

“What the Zhuge Family needs after information and strategy are prepared…”

In the end, it’s strength.

No matter how excellent a strategy you devise by grasping the enemy’s movements, it’s useless without the strength to execute it.

“I’ll become that strength.”

Zhuge Munhyeon sat in meditation in a corner of the back garden.

Of the originally expected three days, one had been used, leaving two days…

He couldn’t become strong enough to reach a different dimension immediately, but even so, he had to do his best.

He had to refine his internal energy and raise his senses to their peak condition.

Small Heavenly Star Technique.

Originally, the Zhuge Family’s heart method builds the foundation with Small Heavenly Star and expands it by learning Great Heaven Star.

In other words, the Small Heavenly Star Technique’s purpose was to have children who had just entered martial arts repeatedly create dan and circulate internal energy for one heavenly circuit, creating a solid foundation.

Zhuge Munhyeon modified that incantation formula and incorporated various advantages.

The stability of righteous sects.

The radical nature of the Demonic Sect.

The enlightenment gained as the Heavenly Demon.

The Small Heavenly Star Technique, completely transformed by incorporating only those advantages, had a different flow altogether.

It doesn’t remain at the basics but advances, reaching All Methods Return to Origin where all principles return to their source.

It would take some time, but with that alone, one could reach the strong energy level.

“Kuhaha, I made it myself, but I really made it well.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been laughing while praising himself, soon slightly frowned.

“I should definitely change the name. It’s martial arts that will remain in Zhuge history forever, but ‘Small’ doesn’t quite fit.”

His thoughts had gone on too long.

Now was the time to cultivate.

Zhuge Munhyeon closed his eyes and drew up his internal energy.

Wooooong!

This was the Great Heavenly Circuit, not the Small Heavenly Circuit that uses the governor and conception vessels and designated blood paths.

The flow that started from the dantian encompassed the twelve regular meridians and eight vessels, spread throughout the entire body, awakened the three vessels, and then reached the dantian again.

The energy in the lower dantian, which had swollen as if about to burst, repeatedly circulated more vigorously and quickly than before.

When he opened his eyes after being so absorbed that he lost track of time, Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping were waiting in front of him.

But… why do they look surprised?

No, not just surprised, but there’s a feeling of slight reverence mixed in…

“Ahem, were you waiting?”

“A little…”

“Are you ready?”

“We finished and were on standby. Waiting for you to wake up.”

“Good.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled at Zhuge Munho’s words and stood up, brushing himself off.

His clenched fists overflowed with strength, but his body felt incredibly light.

“Let’s go.”

Zhuge Munhyeon led the way and Zhuge Munho followed behind him.

Gwan Hwiping came next.

‘You saw it too, right?’

‘Yeah.’

‘That was Star Response, right? Right?’

Before Zhuge Munhyeon woke up.

Having finished their grueling cultivation and emerged from outside the formation, they couldn’t help but be shocked at the situation unfolding before their eyes.

A strange light was emanating from Zhuge Munhyeon’s body as he seemed to be circulating qi.

While the realms that divided martial arts were established, each sect had slightly different ways of addressing those who had grasped the true meaning of martial arts.

Just as Huashan called it the Sword Fragrance Realm.

When the meaning of martial arts that the Zhuge Clan sought to achieve aligned with supreme righteousness, the entire body would emit brilliant rays of light.

This was called the Star’s Reply, Star Response.

‘Damn, I thought I could catch up if I tried just a little more…’

‘Forget it, it would take at least a hundred years.’

‘This is real!’

At Gwan Hwiping’s muttering, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t help but chuckle.

Star Response or whatever, I can hear everything, you fools.

Did you learn Sound Transmission just for show?

But why was it?

When he glanced back at the faces of Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping, they seemed to overlap with the faces of certain people he had known in the past.

He had been so focused on walking ahead that he rarely looked back, so he hadn’t remembered.

But…

It seemed like this had happened before.

Someone walking while looking at his back.

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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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