Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 293

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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 293

The three massive gorges connecting Shanxi, Henan, and Shaanxi – Sanmen (Three Gates).

In Hajin County, where the northern tributaries meet, there was a place called Yeon Manor that held quite a solid position in Shanxi’s merchant circles.

It was a place that did many good deeds, such as distributing grain during famines to help those in need, so it maintained good relationships with both the government and the martial world.

Thus, people also called Yeon Manor Hongdeok Manor (Manor of Great Virtue).

And when Zhuge Munhyeon arrived there on a cart.

“Are you certain it’s Yeon Manor?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

The middle-aged Taoist with a refined appearance, Hyeonmuk, looked down at the brightly lit manor below the mountain with eyes full of concern.

‘Of all places, it had to be there…’

Hyeonmuk belonged to the Huashan Sect and was known in Shaanxi’s martial world as the Silent Sword of Huashan.

The fact that his title included his sect’s name was enough to show just how remarkable a martial artist he was.

After all, not just anyone is allowed to represent a sect.

He was next in line after the Sect Leader and Elders, and one of the owners of the pavilions. The reason he had come all the way to Yeon Manor in Shanxi was because of the kidnapping incidents that had been occurring frequently recently.

Stabilizing people’s livelihoods and maintaining public order.

This wasn’t a matter of choice but a necessity.

Because that was the great cause of the orthodox sects.

Therefore, orthodox forces had to contribute their strength to solving problems that occurred in their territories, if not throughout the entire Central Plains.

Huashan had also sent disciples down to investigate the kidnapping incidents that occurred in Shaanxi, and Hyeonmuk was put in charge of the northern region.

In the process, he had subjugated a bandit group on Luo’an Mountain, which was quite far to the north, and while tracking the whereabouts of the kidnapped people, he had come all the way to Sanmen Gorge based on uncertain suspicions.

But Yeon Manor of all places.

It was a place that received people’s respect.

If Yeon Manor was related to the kidnappings, it would mean rooting out a group with human faces but beast hearts, but if their suspicions were wrong, they could face a backlash.

“Unjin.”

“Yes, Master Uncle.”

“First, scatter the disciples. If it becomes known that we’re investigating Yeon Manor when we haven’t secured solid evidence yet, nothing good will come of it.”

“Understood.”

“Also, from now on, we’ll search the surroundings. Secretly examine everything related to Yeon Manor. We must not provoke them unnecessarily.”

“Then… how about asking the beggars of Shanxi for help?”

“The beggars?”

“Yes. After all, they would be better than us when it comes to detailed rumors. I heard that the Beggar Sect, which has regained power in Hubei Province, has also established a branch in the Shanxi region.”

“Hmm…”

At Unjin’s words, Hyeonmuk nodded while frowning.

The influence of the Beggar Sect, which had established its headquarters on Yungzhong Mountain with the help of the Zhuge Family that had regained power in Hubei Province, was growing increasingly stronger recently.

People openly said that the Beggar Sect was being rebuilt.

Its power had already extended beyond Hubei – westward to Sichuan, and northward beyond Henan to Shanxi.

Recently, martial families established in the four provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Hubei were forming alliances, and the Beggar Sect’s influence was rapidly expanding.

So it was natural that a mountain Taoist would be slower with news than street storytellers.

Also, regarding this matter, a message from Wudang had arrived at Huashan.

‘The Martial Alliance…’

The alliance of Central Plains martial world, which had been nominal for a long time, was showing signs of trying to emerge again.

Though it was still unknown who would stand at its head, Wudang was urging that the Nine Sects should unite their strength, citing that the movements of the demonic path were not ordinary.

If the flow was such, they had to follow it.

That had been the way to protect the Central Plains since ancient times.

“Try to make contact. Since the kidnapping incidents haven’t been happening for just a day or two, the Beggar Sect must also have gathered information.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps they were already investigating.

But this was before Unjin, who had received the order, could move.

“Master Uncle, several carriages are approaching Yeon Manor.”

“What?”

The disciples who were scouting the perimeter sent a signal.

“Quickly scatter, hide your presence, and identify the approaching people. Hurry!”

“Yes.”

At Hyeonmuk’s command, Huashan’s disciples hid their presence like assassins and concealed themselves in the darkness.

But the identity of the carriages turned out to be carts loaded with food supplies.

They had made a fuss for nothing.

However, not long after the carriages entered inside.

When Huashan’s disciples had scattered around Yeon Manor and hidden themselves, new movement was detected.

A group of roughly twenty or more people of unknown identity approached Yeon Manor as if they had been following the carriages.

‘Who are they?’

Hyeonmuk’s eyes became sharp.

Their aura was not ordinary.

Especially the one leading the group at the front had energy comparable to his own.

Moreover, they began to form a formation as if they were about to attack Yeon Manor directly.

Bandits?

Their clothing suggested so.

But why would bandits try to attack Yeon Manor? Could this also be related to the kidnapping incidents?

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, but first priority was to prevent them from acting rashly.

It was still just suspicion.

If they attacked Yeon Manor, everything Huashan had been investigating could come to nothing.

First, he needed to find out the bandits’ identity.

And also what purpose they had for trying to attack Yeon Manor.

“Unjin.”

“Yes.”

“Deploy the Ten Direction Plum Blossom Formation. We’re capturing them.”

“Yes! Master Uncle.”

Unjin quickly ran out.

Soon, Huashan’s disciples who had been scattered quickly formed a formation and began closing the distance toward the people of unknown identity.

* * *

“Yeon Manor, you say?”

“That’s right. It’s said to be a place with one foot in the orthodox sects.”

“Hmm.”

At his subordinate’s answer, Deng Fei raised his head to look at a tree branch near the manor.

A bird with a red knot tied to its ankle was perched there.

It was the bird that Dan Yeonhwa had sent to follow Zhuge Munhyeon.

They had been running desperately, following only that bird until now.

He heard that Yeon Manor was a place that had gained quite a reputation.

But he had seen plenty of the hypocrisy of orthodox sect bastards who pretended to be good on the outside while not hesitating to do all sorts of dirty deeds behind the scenes.

Those bastards were probably the same.

He didn’t have any grand sense of justice like bringing down the hammer on those who had taken the kidnapped people.

What bandit would have such a thing?

He had made a promise, but even if he lost them during the chase, that would be that.

But there were two reasons why he had to desperately pursue them.

First was Jin Yalim of the Heavenly Vigor Star.

Of all people, he had disguised himself as kidnapped and gone off with Zhuge Munhyeon.

The successor of the Green Forest.

If by any chance something bad happened to him, the headquarters wouldn’t stay still.

They would definitely investigate and hold someone responsible.

Though Deng Fei led one of the Seventy-Two Strongholds of the Green Forest and had been granted the name of an Earth Fiend Star, he couldn’t be more important than the son of the Chief Standard Bearer.

And second.

‘That damn bastard.’

Deng Fei grimaced as he rubbed his chest.

According to that bastard, he had used some bizarre technique called Blood Explosion Art because he was worried about potential betrayal.

The time limit was five days.

If it wasn’t dispelled within that time, his blood vessels would burst and he would die.

But three days had already passed.

What remained was one day?

At most, it would be two days.

Though he had thought countless times ‘surely I won’t die?’, his chest grew increasingly tight. He could even feel something like a lump.

‘There’s no way that master, who even Cheongang Seongjo couldn’t match, would lie.’

His heart grew anxious.

He had to quickly attack the place called Yeongajang and meet Zhuge Munhyeon.

What if that bastard died before the five days were even up?

Perhaps because of such thoughts, his eyes could only see Yeongajang.

The place where the food cart had entered.

There were two guards at the gate.

No, whether there were guards or not was completely irrelevant. He could break down the gate or leap over the wall.

“Everyone prepare. Upon entry, we’ll cut down all visible enemies and search for Master Zhuge and the Honored Guest.”

“Yes.”

At Deng Fei’s command, the bandits split into two groups and formed an assault formation.

When the order was given, one group would charge with full power, leap over the wall and unleash killing techniques, while the remaining group would arm themselves with bows, occupy the wall, and provide cover.

This was the so-called Twin Strike Formation.

Though it was the most basic type of formation, it was also the most effective formation for attacking enemies.

Now, once Deng Fei charged, a massacre would occur at Yeongajang.

“Go…”

Just as he slowly raised his hand to signal and was about to rush out with a battle cry, Deng Fei felt a chill down his spine and widened his eyes, turning his head frantically.

What was this now?

It wasn’t from just one direction.

He felt the sharp aura of swords from all directions – front, back, left, and right.

They had been surrounded without him even noticing.

‘Could it be those from Yeongajang?’

His urgency and obsession with attacking had been a mistake – he hadn’t properly surveyed his surroundings.

The startled Deng Fei quickly changed his signal, and the bandits formed a circle, changing their formation.

And then.

“Who are you?”

“…”

Deng Fei found himself at a loss for words.

Not because he was surrounded.

He had only thought of Yeongajang, but before his eyes stood a middle-aged Taoist with a neat appearance.

Most notably, their clothing and the flaming flower pattern on the swords in their hands were clearly visible.

A burning flower, the Hwa-mun.

There was only one Taoist group in Murim that used such a pattern.

“Huashan?”

“You know well. Then you should also know well that resistance is meaningless. Lower your weapons.”

At the words of Hyeonmuk, the Huashan Taoist, Deng Fei grimaced and glanced toward Yeongajang.

‘I don’t have time for this.’

At his hesitation, Hyeonmuk’s eyes grew cold as he raised his sword and pointed it at him.

“I said to lower your weapons.”

At the threatening words, Deng Fei’s face contorted.

This little runt who wasn’t even worth a punch.

This was all because the perception that bandits were weak was deeply rooted.

How much effort had the Green Forest put in until now to break that prejudice.

He was clearly just around the Ui Qi level.

The Green Forest was full of such people.

But what was the point of fighting?

It would only delay time.

The people at Yeongajang might notice the commotion, and with their main force having been defeated by Zhuge Munhyeon and that Mujin fellow, their strength was insufficient.

The conclusion was.

“Wait a moment. Please wait just a moment, Taoist.”

“…?”

Deng Fei urgently waved his hands while forcing a smile.

Thinking that one couldn’t spit on a smiling face.

“First, let me reveal my identity. I am Deng Fei, leader of the Daebyeolsan faction, one of the Jihap Stars of the Green Forest.”

“…”

“Ah, I know well. It must seem strange. Why we bandits are here. Why we’re trying to attack Yeongajang. But this stems purely from a sense of justice.”

“Justice?”

“That’s right. In that Yeongajang, kidnapped people are currently imprisoned.”

“…”

“It’s true. You must believe my words.”

At Deng Fei’s words, a strange light flickered in Hyeonmuk’s eyes, who had been snorting in derision.

Kidnapped people?

Then was Yeongajang really related to kidnapping?

“I don’t know if you saw, but in the boxes loaded on the food cart that entered there a moment ago, there were actually kidnapped people.”

“What?”

“We followed it here. It’s true. We don’t know what might be done to them, so we must hurry to rescue them. Rather than this, let’s move together with us.”

Hyeonmuk seemed to ponder Deng Fei’s persuasion for a moment, but soon tightened his grip on his sword.

“Ridiculous. I am from Huashan.”

“…”

“Moreover, I came here after subjugating the Nagan Mountain bandit faction and following traces of kidnapping. And you’re telling me to believe a bandit’s words?”

“Ah, that’s…”

“For a bandit to speak of justice – how truly laughable. Surrender immediately by dropping your weapons. I’ll verify the matter of Yeongajang myself.”

At Hyeonmuk’s words, the smile disappeared from Deng Fei’s face.

He understood.

What orthodox sect member would believe a bandit’s words?

But even so, when someone swallowed their pride and acted this friendly, couldn’t they believe him just once!

This damn, flower-like pretty boy bastard!

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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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