Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 29

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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 29

Joyang County, Honyeon Territory.

Territory Lord Jang Hongsik sat facing his secret visitor.

“So you’ve finally made up your mind?”

“Not yet…”

“Not yet? Your master is withering away without even a sip of water, yet the disciple is remarkably leisurely. New clothes and all cleaned up too.”

Jang Hongsik smiled as he looked over the woman before him, Sayo, examining her from head to toe.

He hadn’t noticed when she was dressed like a beggar, but with the grime washed away, she was quite a sight to behold.

The ripe scent of a mature woman, perhaps?

Meanwhile, the tight-fitting clothes that prevented her garments from fluttering seemed to stimulate lustful thoughts with the curves they revealed.

“Well, since you’ve come all this way, how about a drink? I couldn’t prepare dog meat, but still.”

“Hmph, as if I’d know what you might slip into the wine. I’ll pass.”

“Tsk, what a shame…”

Sayo’s brow furrowed at the sight of him licking his lips while staring at her with snake-like sticky eyes.

‘Lecherous bastard.’

But she had to calm her mind.

She hadn’t come here to reproach him for his lustful thoughts.

“So, what’s the reason for coming when you have no intention of cooperating?”

“Yeom Sangcheol and fifty martial artists were completely annihilated.”

“Damn it, that’s old news!”

Irritated that she was presenting information from several days ago as if it were new, Jang Hongsik roughly slammed down his emptied wine cup.

“The culprit was Zhuge Munho.”

“Zhuge Munho? That little brat deputy branch manager?”

“That’s right. I heard he suffered severe injuries and is hovering between life and death.”

“Must have been struck down by the Three Brothers. Lucky him. But what do you expect me to do by telling me this now? Take revenge on the culprit?”

“No, I came because of an even bigger problem.”

“What?”

“Yanghyeon Branch has mobilized.”

“…!?”

Startled, Jang Hongsik unconsciously shifted in his seat. Even the lust that had filled his eyes vanished.

“I haven’t decided on cooperation yet, but for my master’s safety, I felt I should inform you of their movements.”

“So the Main House, the Zhuge Family has moved?”

“No, only Yanghyeon Branch.”

“Yanghyeon…?”

“I saw them preparing for deployment and rushed here. Excluding those who died in the previous attack, thirty branch martial artists led by Zhuge Cheong, plus twenty from three Hyeonho Units sent as support from the Main House.”

“Fifty total?”

“And thirty scholars from Military Strategy Hall are coming. They should have crossed the pass by now.”

Contrary to the serious expression with which Sayo delivered this information, Jang Hongsik, who had been staring at her intently, suddenly burst into laughter.

“Puhehe, puhahahahahaha!”

“…”

“Who’s coming? Military Strategy Hall scholars? Not even the Main House moving?”

“That’s right.”

“Well I’ll be, so it’s really just the branch guys moving?”

“They seemed resolute, as if seeking revenge for the attack.”

“That bastard Zhuge Cheong must have gone mad. Attacking Honyeon Territory with just Yanghyeon Branch. And with scholars no less… You’re not hiding anything else, are you?”

“I wouldn’t do something so reckless when my master’s life is at stake.”

“Hmm…”

He seemed suspicious for a moment, but soon Jang Hongsik’s expression relaxed as he refilled his wine cup.

Well, there’d be no reason to lie.

But has Zhuge Cheong really gone mad?

Attacking them with just the branch’s power?

He must be completely out of his mind.

“Aren’t you going to respond?”

“Respond? Why should I? They’re willingly abandoning their safe stronghold to come to dangerous foreign territory.”

Jang Hongsik wore a sinister smile at Sayo’s words.

Eighty total.

Thirty of whom are stuffy scholars who just dig into books.

Well, they’d have basic skills.

But what help could scholars be, fluttering around in their robes with their leisurely gait, even with swords in their hands?

“If you won’t respond, you’ll just watch them attack?”

“Obviously.”

“Why? Didn’t your sworn brother die?”

“Tsk tsk, for someone from the Beggar’s Sect, you’re quite foolish.”

“…”

“Do you think attacking Yanghyeon Branch would be so easy?”

“What?”

“Yes, losing my sworn brother and fifty martial artists was quite regrettable. Stupidly dying to a little brat…”

“…”

“But attacking Yanghyeon Branch isn’t easy.”

“What do you mean?”

“Those petty bastards have set up formations all around the village to make up for their lacking forces. The Zhuge guys may be weak, but inside formations they possess tremendous power.”

“So?”

“We should leave them be. They’re coming to find their own death…”

A cruel smile spread across Jang Hongsik’s lips as he spoke as if giving a lesson.

The bastards crawled out on their own.

Those who can’t even use their power on the plains, and with small numbers at that.

Of course we should leave them be.

What if we respond early and the scared bastards run away?

We’d end up like a dog that lost the chicken it was chasing.

“So you won’t request support from other places either?”

“Support? This Beggar’s Sect woman doesn’t understand the nature of Unorthodox Sects well. Do you think there’d be anyone to help even if we requested support?”

“That’s…”

“Unorthodox Sect bastards are no different from wolves. Our alliance isn’t for helping anyone either.”

“What does that mean?”

“If we had overextended, when Yeom Sangcheol died, we could have brought everyone and destroyed Yanghyeon Branch. The Zhuge Family probably would have had to send their main force too.”

“…”

“Then what next? What do you think would happen?”

Sayo looked at Jang Hongsik without answering.

As if seeking guidance.

Satisfied with such a gaze and expression, Jang Hongsik continued speaking.

“We would have been hit by others before the Zhuge Family. That’s how Unorthodox Sects work. They never leave weakened ones alone.”

“How could that be…”

“That’s the nature of Unorthodox Sects. You’d better learn it well if you’re going to work with me from now on.”

Jang Hongsik spoke arrogantly as if the Beggar’s Sect had already joined his side.

“At times like this, we need to draw them in sufficiently. So they can’t escape. Once they come within proper range, we strike them down in one blow.”

“But eighty-five.”

“No, subtract the carriages and cannons, and it’s not much at all. Numbers are just for show.”

“…”

“There’s a saying called ‘Attack with Triple Force’ – you need three times the troops to attack an enemy formation. The closer they get, the more advantageous it becomes for us anyway.”

“Then what do you plan to do afterward? After destroying Yanghyeon Branch, the Main House will make their move, won’t they?”

“Of course. They’ll naturally have to step forward. They’ll need to mobilize quite a large number. But that will be the moment the Zhuge Family collapses. Those waiting for the right time will swarm in from all directions like bees to tear them apart.”

“Hmm…”

“Getting the picture now? We just need to wait. While watching other forces fight the Zhuge Family… What choice do I have? I can’t be the only one getting hurt. When everyone has weakened, that’s when we move.”

“Impressive. To think you had such thoughts.”

“Why? After experiencing my strategy, are you suddenly feeling cooperative?”

“To some extent…”

“That’s fortunate.”

Jang Hongsik wore a satisfied expression after hearing the answer he wanted.

However.

‘Indeed a Zhuge, even if their power has weakened, their strategy remains intact.’

He wouldn’t know.

That everything he had just said matched exactly what Mun Ilhwa had told him.

Also, coming first to deliver information was merely part of the strategy.

Wait?

Go ahead and try.

You’ll soon find out who dies.

But it was becoming harder to endure any longer.

That look in his eyes again.

Humiliation surged at his gaze that swept over her entire body.

“Anyway, I’ve delivered the news, so I’ll be going now.”

“Already?”

“You’d better keep my master alive. If anything happens to him… I’ll find out everything about you and tell the Zhuge Clan, and the neighboring Unorthodox Sects.”

“Threats are… but for now, you’ll stay here for a while.”

“What?”

“You should watch, shouldn’t you? How I annihilate those Yanghyeon Branch bastards.”

“What do you…”

Sayo’s eyes widened as she tried to quickly step back, but Jang Hongsik’s movement was much faster.

A Martial Artist who had reached the peak of perfection.

No matter how quick her movements were, the difference was too great.

Thud!

The desk pushed by his kick hindered her movement, and simultaneously Jang Hongsik’s hand pressed down on her vital points as he closed the distance.

Goosebumps rose and shame surged at that touch that made her body stiffen rigidly.

“You, you bastard! What do you think you’re doing!”

“You look even prettier when you’re being defiant… But don’t worry. What’s the point of taking you by force?”

“You…”

“Watch from the side. How amazing a person I am. And I’ll wait. For you to fall for me and come into my arms yourself. Hehehe.”

Sayo gritted her teeth at the eerie laughter mixed with gloom and lewdness.

His harassment?

His hands caressing her body?

No, she could endure that much anytime against someone whose throat she wanted to slit.

It was just frustrating that she couldn’t return to report that the scheme was working properly.

‘Damn… I thought I entered the gambling den without stakes.’

In the end, she had wagered her life as the stake.

“I’ll let you stay by your master’s side for now. You brought good news, so I should show that much consideration. I’ll bring you news of victory soon.”

It was then that Jang Hongsik grinned wickedly.

Clang clang clang!

The sound of bell tolling rang out.

“Hehehe, those bastards have finally come.”

Jang Hongsik threw open the door and left the room, asking a nearby Martial Artist.

“Is it the Zhuge Family?”

“Y-yes, it is.”

“Puhehe, they moved quickly. How far have they come?”

“Well… they did cross the mountain ridge but stopped about halfway across the plains.”

“Halfway across the plains?”

“Yes. The front ranks seemed to be forming a formation… But they’re kicking up so much dust that we couldn’t get an accurate assessment.”

“What? Hahahahaha! These bastards are playing so cutely. Just like those Zhuge Family bastards. What difference does forming a formation make.”

They were clearly changing formation for an attack.

But it was still too early.

The plains were quite far from the village, so to completely draw them in and massacre them, he had to wait a bit longer.

“Who’s in command?”

“The two sworn brothers are currently preparing for battle.”

“Battle preparation, what useless nonsense…”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind. I’ll go see for myself. You take this woman to her master’s side. I’ve used Pressure Point Strike on her, but make sure she doesn’t escape.”

“Understood.”

Having handed over Sayo, Jang Hongsik walked briskly with improved mood, leaving the manor and heading toward the village outskirts.

The Martial Artists’ war preparations were in full swing, and dust was rising thickly from the Zhuge Family formation that had approached and stopped in the distance.

They were trying to hide their numbers.

Not knowing that everything was already known through the Beggar’s Sect.

“Branch Leader.”

The armed sworn brothers approached.

Though Yeom Sangcheol’s death had left a gap, they were still reliable younger brothers.

“What about them?”

“According to our observation with the Thousand Li Mirror, they’re divided into two groups with Zhuge Cheong and Jeok Un leading at the front.”

“A two-pronged attack? Stupid bastards, they should stick together even if it’s not enough… Well, they didn’t have other options.”

A clear sneer formed on Jang Hongsik’s lips.

“Hoin.”

“Yes!”

Island Wind Four Tigers Hoin answered vigorously.

“The possibility is slim, but guard the manor with fifty Martial Artists in case of enemy surprise attack.”

“Understood.”

“Byeongil.”

“Yes.”

“Your opponent is Zhuge Cheong. Are you confident?”

“Just leave it to me. I’ll bring back his head.”

“Wangi. Your opponent is Jeok Un. Since he’s from the Main House, he won’t be easy.”

“Don’t worry! I won’t go down easily either.”

“You bastard… Good. If they’re coming with a two-pronged attack, we’ll respond the same way. I’ll watch from behind and help wherever support is needed.”

“Understood.”

“We wait until they cross the plains. It would be troublesome if they get scared and run away.”

“We’ll do so.”

The sun was gradually setting and the sunset was descending, painting the plains in red light.

It looked as if blood had already been spilled across the entire field.

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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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