Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 281

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

Chapter 281

“Form rows and columns! Can’t you line up properly?”

The bandits of the Gyegong Mountain Faction who had fallen to their knees formed orderly rows and columns despite their much greater numbers.

Resistance was meaningless.

With their limbs all broken by Mujin and Dan Yeonhwa’s ruthless(?) methods, even kneeling was difficult for them.

“Everyone get down!”

Han Bulhae shouted excitedly.

His subordinates were equally excited, their eyes gleaming as they gripped well-crafted clubs in one hand.

Was it a feeling of ‘I can’t be the only one suffering’?

Still, telling them to lie down when none of them had intact limbs was harsh.

“Young Master, just give the word! I’ll make these damn bandits open their mouths!”

“…”

Zhuge Munhyeon shook his head as he looked at the spirited Han Bulhae.

Somehow it felt like the flock of ducks would grow larger.

But he had no business with the small fry.

Whether they became ducks or something else.

What he needed now was only that bastard Jang Kwae, the leader of the small stronghold.

Zhuge Munhyeon waved his hand dismissively as if to say ‘do as you please’ and glanced at Jang Kwae, who had been knocked unconscious after taking a hit to the face.

“Is that bastard dead?”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Mujin hurriedly ran over, grabbed Jang Kwae by the hair, and put his hand near his nose.

Why grab him by the hair…?

“He’s still alive.”

Those blazing obsidian eyes.

Still alive…?

So he’ll be dead in a little while?

For a guy calling himself a Wudang Taoist to be so murderous.

Didn’t he learn that even vicious criminals need guidance and reformation?

“Bring him here. I need to wake him up and ask him a few things.”

“…Yes.”

Mujin answered through gritted teeth, wrapped his hand around Jang Kwae’s hair, and dragged him over.

Such a cruel Taoist bastard.

He wouldn’t even drag a corpse like that.

“Wake him up.”

“Right.”

Mujin, with an expression barely containing his anger, reached out toward Jang Kwae’s body, which he had placed at Zhuge Munhyeon’s feet.

He seemed about to stimulate pressure points to wake him up.

But then.

Smack!

“…”

“…”

An unexpected hand flew out.

Dan Yeonhwa, who had been behind them, pushed Mujin aside and slapped Jang Kwae across the face.

“He’s not waking up. Not with just one hit.”

Smack!

Smack!

Smack!

The sound was crisp.

Her eyes were filled with venom.

This was probably revenge for the lewd jokes from earlier.

She couldn’t kill him, so she was beating him as if she would kill him.

Meanwhile, a chilling coldness flowed from her expression, making it impossible to stop her.

Jang Kwae’s cheeks accumulated red handprints, gradually swelling up like balloons.

“Ugh…”

Finally, Jang Kwae woke up.

Smack!

…Huh? He’s awake though?

Didn’t she hear?

Smack!

Dan Yeonhwa’s hands moved even faster.

She slapped him at tremendous speed, not even allowing him to groan.

No, was there really a need to use continuous strikes for slapping?

This wasn’t what the Zhuge Family martial arts were taught for, but with her eyes full of murderous poison, she seemed ready to kill him with slaps alone.

‘Sigh, she really is the Heavenly Demon’s daughter. Just how many hidden personalities does she have?’

He understood her anger.

The bastard deserved to die.

But since there were things he needed to ask, he couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“Mujin.”

“Yes.”

“Stop her.”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to let her kill him?”

“…He deserves to die though.”

This one’s severely affected too.

He’s even worse than Father (Zhuge Doyun), who would go through fire and water for Mother’s (Baek Suhyeon) sake.

“Just stop her.”

“Tch!”

Tch, tch?

This was absurd.

Did you want that bastard to die too?

These impudent disciples of mine.

Fortunately, Mujin stopped Dan Yeonhwa before the guy died.

“Let go! Let me go! I’m going to kill him! I’m definitely going to kill him!”

Dan Yeonhwa screamed at the top of her lungs as she was dragged away with both arms held.

Now there wasn’t a single person who would stare at her, entranced by her beauty. They would flinch just from meeting her gaze, covering their cheeks and averting their eyes.

It wasn’t even them who got slapped.

“Are you awake?”

Zhuge Munhyeon shook his head and sighed, then asked Jang Kwae, who had lost his original face.

“You bastard… I’ll kill you even if…”

With his nasal bone collapsed and his face swollen, Jang Kwae’s pronunciation was unclear as he glared with eyes stained with bloody tears.

“Want to get hit more?”

“…”

Perhaps knowing to distinguish between important matters, Jang Kwae quickly shut his mouth and lowered his gaze.

It seemed he didn’t want to get hit anymore.

“Where is the main building?”

“…?”

“Just tell me the location of the main building. Then you won’t suffer anymore.”

Though he spoke with a smile, Jang Kwae didn’t open his mouth easily.

Zhuge Munhyeon slightly lifted his club, then glanced at Dan Yeonhwa.

Sometimes leaving it to her might be…

“Yeonhwa. This guy won’t talk?”

“Leave it to me!”

As soon as the words fell.

Dan Yeonhwa shook off Mujin and rushed forward in an instant, slapping Jang Kwae across the face.

It was such a magnificent (: vigorous and refreshing) strike that Jang Kwae’s face turned completely to one side.

Using Heavenly Energy Flash to close the distance and delivering a slap infused with Meteor Flash…

“Speak! Tell us!”

Even grabbing him by the collar and shaking him.

At this rate, his neck might snap.

“…Mujin, stop her.”

Dan Yeonhwa was restrained by Mujin again and dragged away.

“Now, let me ask again. Where is the main building located?”

“…”

What a truly remarkable fellow.

That should have been enough to make him answer.

No matter how much bandits share drinks and become sworn brothers, there’s no need to take such a beating.

It’s just a cup after all…

“Slap.”

“…”

“You there.”

Though it was a sudden form of address, as soon as he pointed again, Dan Yeonhwa flew over and slapped Jang Kwae across the face.

Whoosh, slap!

Well done, our Slapper.

This time she closed the distance following the teachings of Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps while delivering an uppercut slap with Small Heavenly Star Technique.

Hmm, a new method of cultivation.

But that Mujin fellow, whenever I call for Yeonhwa, he releases her right on cue.

Dan Mae, go hit him!

…That’s what it seemed like he was saying.

Really, none of them are normal.

After calling for Yeonhwa several times and the slapping continued, Jang Kwae finally couldn’t endure any longer and opened his mouth, shedding tears of blood.

“Yanggol, it’sh at Yanggol.”

“…”

He’d been beaten so much that his mouth was completely torn up, blood flowing every time he spoke.

The problem was that it was hard to understand.

Perhaps because of this, Dan Yeonhwa flew over even though I hadn’t called her.

Slap!

Now she seemed to be enjoying it too.

She was smiling, as if she’d properly vented her frustrations.

“Yanggol, it seems to be Yanggol.”

Han Bulhae, unable to watch any longer, spoke up.

“Yanggol?”

“That’s right. It’s a valley that’s sunken below the main peak. But for the main building to be there… That’s strange. I’ve been there several times but never saw a mountain inn.”

When Han Bulhae looked at him with suspicious eyes, Jang Kwae startled and shouted.

“It’sh really there, I shwear!”

Seeing him tremble while watching Dan Yeonhwa prepare to charge again, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

“Hmm, didn’t see it… Then is it a formation?”

That was probably correct.

They wouldn’t have left the main building openly exposed.

“The Daebyeolsan gang is out of luck. Of all things, it had to be a formation.”

My arrival would be the worst possible situation for them.

Formations are the Zhuge Family’s specialty!

Some crude formation deployed by mere bandits.

“Leader Han.”

“Yes! Young Master.”

“You know the location of Yanggol, right?”

“Of course.”

“Can you guide us there?”

“What do you mean? I’ll do my absolute best to escort you comfortably.”

Han Bulhae generously expressed his usefulness.

And then.

“Um… Young Master.”

“What?”

“I don’t know how this might sound, but if this matter goes well… could you perhaps open a path for us to live?”

“What?”

“Since we attacked the small stronghold, we can no longer live on Daebyeolsan, and even if we go elsewhere, we’re in no position to remain in the bandit world.”

Seeing him speak as politely as possible, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled.

Well, that’s true.

There would be no other option but to convert.

Moreover, the Zhuge Family had now grown enough to compete not just in Hubei but across the entire Central Plains, making it worth clinging to.

“Can you live honestly without bringing shame to the Zhuge Family’s name?”

“Of course! If you’ll just accept us, I’ll set aside greed and devote myself to the Zhuge Family. I’ll walk only the righteous path!”

When Han Bulhae shouted vigorously and gave a signal, all his subordinates knelt down on the spot and cried out loudly.

“We’ll walk only the righteous path!”

“…”

Right, what does it matter if they’re bandits?

The Zhuge Family had already embraced even the unorthodox factions of Hubei under the noble cause of guidance.

Orthodox and unorthodox?

For someone like me who started from the demonic path, such distinctions are meaningless.

The moment they gain the Zhuge name and convert to the orthodox path to do righteous deeds, that too wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“You’ll need to perform enough good deeds to wash away your sins.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Good. What do you want to do?”

“Pardon?”

“After converting, you’ll need something to make a living, won’t you?”

“Ah, that… um… could I think about it a bit more? I need to discuss it with my younger brothers too.”

“Do that. First, finishing this matter takes priority.”

“Thank you. I’ll guide you to Yanggol immediately.”

Han Bulhae took the lead with an enthusiastic expression.

Thus, I had reformed the bandits.

That’s when it happened.

Flutter flutter!

A messenger pigeon flew up vigorously from behind the mountain inn.

“Oh?”

Startled, Han Bulhae quickly gave orders to his subordinate.

“There’s a rat! Quickly capture him!”

“Yes!”

Having shed his bandit skin and volunteered to become a member of the Zhuge Family, he took very appropriate action.

Of course, Mujin moved even faster than that.

Whooom!

Mujin launched his body so fast that the kicked-up dirt soared and the air seemed to burst, instantly catching the rat who was trying to send off the messenger pigeon and escape.

No matter how much you jump, a flea is still a flea.

Look, a man with his face swollen black and blue from who knows how many beatings was dragged over by his hair.

“Look at this rat-like bastard.”

When Zhuge Munhyeon frowned at the man who had been thrown down with a thud, Han Bulhae was startled.

“…Did you know each other?”

“Huh?”

“No, you called him a rat, so…”

“…?”

“This is Budullyeong Seochung.”

It seemed he had accidentally guessed the name correctly.

But a name meaning rat insect… who on earth would give such a name.

“What should we do? The messenger pigeon has flown off, so news will spread throughout Daebyeolsan soon.”

“It’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

“It’ll just be news that one minor branch collapsed, and even if they write it in detail, it’ll be at most three culprits and the betrayal of a gang inferior to a minor branch.”

“Ah…”

Han Bulhae nodded.

Even if they received the news, they would surely respond halfheartedly.

“What should we do with the remaining ones? Should we persuade them to join our side? Or…”

At Han Bulhae’s words as he gleamed his eyes cruelly, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled and shook his head.

“Why go that far.”

“Pardon?”

“Just strike their pressure points so they can’t move properly.”

“But if they try to take revenge…”

“Revenge?”

Laughter burst out.

Revenge is only possible if one has the ability for it.

“Let’s go. We don’t have time. If they come in droves, they’ll just get in the way.”

“Ah, understood.”

After Han Bulhae’s response, for some reason Dan Yeonhwa approached with determined eyes.

“Master.”

“What?”

“Then would you entrust the cleanup to me?”

“Huh?”

“Please.”

Her gaze was chilling.

Though he wondered what she was thinking, his spine tingled and he didn’t dare ask.

“A-alright then.”

“Yes. Then I’ll follow shortly.”

On the way heading to Yanggol first, around the time they crossed the first mountain, Mujin and Dan Yeonhwa returned.

They had expressions of satisfaction.

Though there wasn’t particularly any blood on their clothes…

While having such thoughts, howls of wolves could be heard consecutively from afar.

Awoooooo!

And a cold smile he had never seen before formed on Dan Yeonhwa’s lips.

Ah, Beast Palace’s beast taming techniques.

She’s quite ruthless too.

They say when a woman harbors resentment, frost falls even in the height of summer, but who would have thought she’d punish them in such a way.

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