Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 294

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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 294

It was a sharp confrontation.

Neither Hyeonmukdo nor Deng Fei could move easily.

Wasn’t this a night when sounds carried far? If they carelessly caused a commotion, Yeongajang might notice.

Both sides faced off, unable to do this or that, glaring at each other with eyes full of wariness.

But usually it’s the thirsty one who digs the well, and the one with more to gain who bows their head first.

Jin Yalim, and his own life.

Deng Fei smiled once more and swallowed his pride.

“Taoist, let’s not do this. From what I see, even Huashan suspects Yeongajang, so what good would come from us fighting?”

“….”

“First, let’s put away our swords. Boys, lower your swords. Swords.”

Deng Fei gestured to restrain his subordinates.

“See, we’ve lowered our swords. Taoist, you put away your sword too.”

“You haven’t let go of them, have you?”

“….”

Sharp-tongued little bastard.

As befitting a Taoist, he seemed like he would never bend his stubbornness.

“Drop your swords. If you surrender, I’ll listen to what you have to say.”

At Hyeonmuk’s words, Deng Fei grimaced.

No matter how much he had swallowed his pride, how could he trust the Taoist’s words?

Drop their swords and surrender?

That was nonsense.

That would be like entrusting their lifeline to him.

Just as they couldn’t trust the bandits, the bandits couldn’t trust the Taoist either, so the standoff continued without resolution.

“Do you truly intend to shed tears only after seeing the coffin?”

As Hyeonmuk spoke in a cold tone and raised his hand, the encirclement began to emanate killing intent in the silence.

Now even Deng Fei couldn’t bear it.

“Damn it! Why can’t you trust us? If we fight here! And Yeongajang kills all the kidnapped people and runs away? Will Huashan take responsibility for the aftermath?”

He lowered his voice in case Yeongajang’s side might hear, but his explosive feelings were fully contained in it.

“Fuck, then let’s see how far this goes. But Huashan will take responsibility! We will absolutely never put down our swords or surrender.”

“….”

It was Hyeonmuk who was taken aback by Deng Fei’s attitude.

Because commotion wouldn’t be good for them either.

What to do….

This place could get noisy, so he couldn’t suggest leaving Yeongajang to fight elsewhere.

“What? Scared? Then damn it, listen to what people are saying!”

“Hmm….”

It was then, as he pondered without reaching a decision.

He felt an unfamiliar figure approaching at high speed without concealing their presence.

‘Additional enemy?’

‘Damn it, what now?’

What Hyeonmuk and Deng Fei saw as they simultaneously turned their heads was a man carrying some woman on his back.

Soaked with sweat from how hard he had been running, he flew through the sky and landed between them as they faced off.

“Mujin Dojang!”

“…?”

Deng Fei immediately recognized his face and shouted with more joy than ever before, while Hyeonmuk tilted his head and frowned.

Mujin Dojang?

Though he wasn’t wearing Taoist robes but neat martial attire, if he was a Taoist using the character ‘Mu’ in today’s Murim….

“Wudang…sect?”

And the character ‘Mu’ belonged to the high ranks even within Wudang.

Right below the current Sect Leader and elders, the same generation as Hyeonmuk.

Occasionally outstanding individuals received such generational names despite their young age… but.

No matter how long ago Wudang had revised its precepts, holding weddings and teaching female disciples to realize gender equality and the harmony of yin and yang, for a Taoist who had severed ties with the secular world to shamelessly stick so close to a woman.

Even with people watching, he had no intention of putting her down.

And that hair hanging down messily like some back-alley degenerate….

In every way, it was an appearance he didn’t like.

“Who are these people?”

“They’re from Huashan. Huashan!”

Deng Fei answered with an aggrieved expression as if tattling.

That his lifespan kept shortening because of that stubborn Taoist bastard.

That there was no time.

His expression seemed to cry out that even at this moment his lifespan was decreasing.

Only then did Mujin notice the clear plum blossom emblem on Hyeonmuk’s chest.

“…Please put me down. Elder Brother.”

“Ah!”

And only after Dan Yeonhwa’s whisper did Mujin hurriedly set her down and bow toward Hyeonmuk.

“Mujin’s Mu… Wudang’s Mujin greets the Senior from Huashan.”

“Ahem!”

When the flustered Mujin made a verbal mistake, Hyeonmuk showed an even more displeased expression and answered curtly.

“I am Hyeonmuk of Huashan.”

It was respectful speech.

If he used the character ‘Mu’, then despite his young age, he was of the same generation as himself.

Of course, that was if his status and words were all true.

But upon hearing Hyeonmuk’s name, Mujin was startled and asked back.

“What? By any chance, the one called Huashan’s Silent Sword…?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh my, I apologize. My knowledge was lacking and I failed to recognize you. I have long admired that lofty name throughout Shaanxi.”

“Hmm….”

Though he softened slightly at Mujin’s words showing respect, Hyeonmuk’s face was still full of disapproval.

Both the woman issue and his acquaintance with bandits….

“First, fix that hair of yours.”

“Ah, I have some circumstances with this.”

“What?”

What an impudent fellow.

He can’t arrange his hair because of circumstances?

Even if they were the same generation, he was clearly the senior….

“More importantly, what brings Huashan to Shanxi?”

“Ahem! I cannot yet be certain of your identity. Therefore, merely revealing your status isn’t enough for me to answer.”

“I understand. That’s a proper course of action.”

When Hyeonmuk, who hadn’t been in a good mood, refused to reveal his intentions, Mujin immediately realized his mistake.

‘Such a mistake…. In this turbulent Jianghu full of conspiracies and schemes, there’s no reason to believe me just because I say I’m from Wudang.’

Meanwhile, there was no Taoist temple or Taoist robes.

It was naturally something to be suspicious of.

Rummaging through his clothes, Mujin took out a palm-sized plaque from his waist and handed it to Hyeonmuk.

“This is Wudang’s Taiji plaque. I belong to Jasogoong and serve the current Wudang Sect Leader as my Master.”

“….”

Only after receiving the Taiji plaque and seeing the inscription carved on it did Hyeonmuk’s eyes soften a little.

Wudang Mountain Taiji True Sect.

Direct disciple Mujin under Yeongyu.

Usually sects classify disciples in various ways, and among them, direct disciple means legitimate lineage.

Mujin was not the sect’s heir apparent (a disciple raised to be the next sect leader), but he was essentially a disciple who carried on the current sect leader’s martial learning.

“I learned Wudang’s Flowing Cloud technique from the sect leader and once held the title of Taiji Cave Master. If you still need confirmation, I will demonstrate the Flowing Cloud technique.”

“Hmm… that’s fine. Your etiquette is not at the level of merely imitating tradition, so I’ll trust you for now and listen to your explanation.”

Though he nodded, he still seemed unable to fully trust.

“How did a disciple of the Wudang sect leader come all the way to Shaanxi? And being acquainted with bandits…”

“Ah, that… it would be quite long to explain.”

“…”

“Since the situation is urgent, I’ll tell you what’s necessary first.”

“Do so.”

“Right now, people kidnapped by the Daebyeol Mountain bandits are being held captive over there.”

“The Daebyeol Mountain bandits?”

Hyeonmuk looked at Deng Fei with a frown.

“Yes, that’s right. They are the ones who kidnapped those people.”

“Ha! The ones who committed kidnapping are now rescuing the kidnapped? Does that make sense?”

“It doesn’t make sense. But the situation is a bit complicated. An assassin organization was also involved… In any case, it’s certain that the Daebyeol Mountain bandits’ leader Deng is helping us.”

“Hmm…”

“And right now, Munhyeon, a descendant of the Zhuge Family, has become a hostage to find out their base of operations.”

“What?”

Volunteering to become a hostage to find out their base?

How could he do such a dangerous thing…

“But when you say Zhuge Munhyeon… do you mean the Violent Dragon of Hubei?”

“That’s right. He’s a righteous hero who doesn’t care for his own safety when it comes to doing what’s right.”

“Ha!”

Huashan was well aware of the Violent Dragon’s reputation.

Shaanxi and Hubei were neighboring regions, and the Zhuge Family was currently at the center of a storm.

From the war with the Namgung Family, to the reconstruction of the Beggar’s Sect, to uniting the northeastern martial families.

Their relationship with Wudang was also well known.

Some said they were at the center of this Murim Alliance’s re-establishment.

And the person deeply involved in all these affairs was none other than the Violent Dragon, Zhuge Munhyeon.

He was one of the most famous people in the current murim.

“I’ll explain other details after everything is finished and we have time. So please don’t be bound by distinctions between orthodox and unorthodox, and lend your strength to rescuing those who were captured. Infinite Buddha.”

“…”

At his pleading words as he bowed his head, Hyeonmuk frowned.

“But listen, Yeon Manor.”

“Yes?”

“I understand your words, but Yeon Manor receives respect from the people through good intentions. We cannot start an investigation recklessly without evidence.”

Mujin could only sympathize with Hyeonmuk’s words spoken with a troubled expression.

There are proper procedures that must be followed.

If they attacked based on suspicion alone and things went wrong, they would bear all responsibility, so someone leading a group of warriors couldn’t make decisions easily.

Because a hastily made judgment could damage the sect’s honor.

“Do you see that bird by any chance?”

“Bird?”

“The bird sitting on a tree near the manor wall. It has a red knot tied to its ankle.”

“Hmm…”

Hyeonmuk carefully looked where Mujin’s finger was pointing.

It was a dark night and somewhat distant, but it was faintly visible due to the manor’s lights.

“Dan Sojo here trained that bird in a short time. We had it follow Zhuge Gongja who disguised himself as a hostage.”

“She trained a bird? What kind of…”

“Dan Sojo is the only daughter of the Heavenly Demon.”

“Wh-what?”

Hyeonmuk’s eyes widened.

The daughter of the Heavenly Demon, one of Yunnan Province’s rulers?

“She’s here as an envoy for exchanges with the Zhuge Family.”

“…”

“As you know, Yasu Palace’s beast taming techniques are unmatched under heaven.”

“Hmm… but with just that evidence…”

Hyeonmuk glanced at the bird again and frowned. He seemed to be pondering.

But Mujin, whose heart was urgent, couldn’t wait any longer.

Zhuge Munhyeon wasn’t someone who could be easily rescued by others, but you never know what might happen.

“Then just let us pass.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will take full responsibility for this matter.”

“You will?”

“Yes.”

“That’s nonsense! Are you saying you represent Wudang’s will?”

To Hyeonmuk’s words, Mujin answered without changing his expression.

“I cannot represent Wudang, but Wudang will trust that I did the right thing in any situation.”

At those words, Hyeonmuk fell silent.

The disciple trusts the sect, and the sect trusts the disciple.

That action could potentially harm them, and the sect might even cast him out for honor’s sake.

It was speech impossible without firm belief.

Also, he seemed like he wouldn’t back down even if blocked.

Those who attain righteousness act without hindrance.

Those who establish the right path advance without hesitation.

‘I thought he was young… There was a reason the Wudang sect leader would keep him as a direct disciple.’

As he inwardly admired and hesitated for a moment.

“Senior, I’m sorry. I don’t have time to deliberate. If you still block me after this, I’ll have no choice but to resolve it by force.”

“…?”

At the same time as those words, Mujin’s aura explosively increased. Hyeonmuk, who was right next to him, momentarily felt his breath catch.

‘G-Gang qi?’

Meanwhile, his heart sank at the sharp killing intent he emanated like a cutting wind.

Was he planning to kill if blocked?

A Wudang disciple?

Startled, Hyeonmuk was quick-witted, and his words and actions were even quicker.

“Release the formation.”

“Yes? Yes!”

When one disciple urgently gestured, the Huashan warriors opened the path to Yeon Manor.

And.

“I’ll lead the way.”

“Yes!”

Mujin immediately ran toward Yeon Manor, and Deng Fei quickly followed behind him.

Hyeonmuk quietly watched Mujin’s retreating figure running toward Yeon Manor, then opened his mouth with a stern expression.

“Unjin.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go to Yeon Manor as well.”

Hyeonmuk decided to join Mujin’s unwavering steps.

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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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