Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 34

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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 34

 

 

The victory report set all of Yungzhong Mountain ablaze with excitement.

Though they hadn’t fought together, it was a long-awaited victory, and for the Zhuge Family, it was such an uncomfortable problem they had been suffering from all along.

In the midst of this, a great achievement accomplished with only the branch’s forces without support from the main house.

Moreover, strategy played a major role befitting the Zhuge Family, and the use of formation masters on the battlefield stirred excitement and continued to be talked about.

Was that all?

Who said the Zhuge were weak?

This was a battle where young rising stars faced off against strongmen of the unorthodox faction and won.

Since they had shown that their abilities were not lacking even in the power struggles that were always considered their weakness, it was natural for their pride to boil over.

The Zhuge were not dead yet.

They were alive.

The spark of such hope blazed again, and it must have felt like they were meeting a turning point where their reputation, which had been plummeting, was beginning to rebound.

Of course, there were minor issues too.

Omission of reports.

Though the branch manager took all responsibility, if they had been defeated, it could have endangered even the main house at Yungzhong Mountain.

As scholars who always kept in their hearts “process over results” and “doing one’s best over being the best”…

But!

They had to have done quite well.

Complete annihilation, they said…

Didn’t they do it because they were afraid the enemy might notice?

Now that they had achieved the best result of near-perfect victory, no one cared about such trivial details.

Rather, anyone who pointed out those aspects would receive cold stares.

This victory was no different from sweet rain sprinkled on a parched and cracked world.

 

* * *

 

The Great Hall of the Zhuge Family, Waryong Hall.

It was named in reference to their ancestor Zhuge Muhu having been buried in a grass hut.

Unlike usual, all four doors were thrown wide open.

This was so that everyone in the family could see and cheer for those who had achieved incomparably great merit recently.

The Family Head sitting in the Grand Master’s chair.

Elders and retainers lined up on both sides wearing colorful scholar’s robes.

The returning group led by Mun Ilhwa walked in formation through the center.

“We greet the Family Head.”

“We greet the Family Head!”

The returning group followed Mun Ilhwa’s lead as his voice rang thunderously through the Great Hall.

It was a moving moment.

The Family Head as well as everyone gathered in the Great Hall looked at the returning group with expressions full of emotion.

“Well done. Thanks to your efforts, the Zhuge Family has been relieved of great worry.”

“It is all thanks to the Family Head’s care. It is because the family elders have taught us well all this time. We merely did what we should do as members of the Zhuge Family.”

Common courtesy.

Praise and modesty.

Usually those called scholars think that’s proper etiquette.

But couldn’t they just show off?

They could say “I am just that kind of person!” and if they’re good, they could be a bit proud of their excellence, so why go to such lengths…

In the Demonic Sect, when you achieve merit, they immediately change your position.

Whether elder or senior, there are no exceptions.

Since they employ talent based on ability and performance, everyone is in competition.

So they don’t just stand with their hands behind their backs looking down on superiors. In the moment you let your guard down, subordinates climb up.

‘In that aspect, the Demonic Sect is much more practical.’

Though he didn’t like it, what could he do?

If you live in Zhuge, you must follow Zhuge’s laws.

‘But where is Father… Ugh!’

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been carefully raising his head to scan the retainers, suddenly felt his breath catch.

Father was glaring at him as if he would devour him.

He was clearly displeased with what he had done in Yanghyeon.

Damn, everyone else says it was good.

But how could he not understand that disapproval?

He had lived as his son for a full fifteen years.

Now he didn’t deny the fact that he was his father.

Since his blood and flesh came from him.

‘Sigh, it’s obvious he’ll nag me.’

Who told you to act on your own! Fighting with Jang Hongsik? Were you determined to die?!

He could already hear the nagging in his ears.

That was the scariest thing.

He’d rather endure being beaten with a rod, but being made to kneel and being scolded at length while having each mistake pointed out one by one was really difficult.

Saying the same thing over and over again…

Sometimes he had heard the same story more than ten times, and even felt the illusion of blood flowing from his ears.

But that’s what parents are.

Even if they’re proud that you created the best results for the family, their child’s safety comes first…

“Sigh, it’s going to be tiring for a while.”

Just as he was sighing deeply, the Family Head rose from the Grand Master’s chair and approached the returning group, giving commendation to each person one by one.

And then.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“Well done.”

“Of cour… naturally, am I not a son of the Zhuge Family? I merely did what I should do for the family.”

He had been about to swagger out of habit but quickly changed his words.

Why do something that would earn him criticism?

Given the occasion, he should be modest and respectful befitting a descendant of the Zhuge Family.

“Ha ha! Yes. You are a descendant of the Zhuge Family. Of course you are.”

At such effort, not only the Family Head but even the elders and retainers couldn’t hide their satisfaction.

“I hear it was also your doing that won over the Beggar Sect?”

“Yes. They said they would come visit once things are settled.”

“Well done again.”

The Family Head nodded with satisfaction and patted his shoulder, asking again.

“But to cut down Jang Hongsik, your achievement is truly remarkable.”

“I was lucky.”

“Lucky? You don’t need to be modest today. I’ve already received a detailed report from the Yanghyeon Branch Manager. Isn’t that right, brother?”

“…Yes.”

When the Family Head turned his head seeking agreement, Zhuge Doyun nodded despite his displeasure.

“You truly have a remarkable son. No matter that you have a personal master, to reach the peak through solitary cultivation. It seems the proficiency of the Great Heaven Sacred Art has deepened considerably.”

“Great Heaven Sacred Art?”

“Hm?”

“What I learned is the Small Heavenly Star Technique, though?”

At his honest words, the Family Head hesitated.

“Haha, you little rascal. How could you reach the pinnacle realm with the Small Heavenly Star Technique?”

“…”

He seemed unable to believe it.

That was understandable.

The Small Heavenly Star Technique was a basic art.

While it could form a foundation and build basics, it had clear limitations and contained no advanced progression, making it absolutely impossible to reach the pinnacle.

There was a reason it had been abandoned.

But wait a moment…

Zhuge Munhyeon subtly gauged his father’s reaction.

‘If I win the Family Head’s favor at this opportunity, won’t father be unable to treat me carelessly?’

His father was someone with such exceptional loyalty that he addressed him as Family Head rather than elder brother even in private settings.

And it wasn’t just the Family Head, was it?

If he played this well, he might receive the full affection of the family elders.

Good-for-nothing?

That kind of nickname would end today.

‘Hehehe. Good, good. I was planning to share it anyway.’

The timing was perfect.

He was already receiving praise for his achievements… no, his very great achievements.

What if another unexpected great blessing was added on top of this fortune?

No, it was more than just a blessing.

What did the Zhuge Family lack most?

It was power.

Weren’t they quite lacking in martial arts?

So he would give them the Small Heavenly Star Technique, transformed into a supreme martial art by his own hands.

How wonderful would that be?

That would make him the family’s blessing and benefactor.

He could solidify his position and avoid nagging.

Someone might ask if he’d really give away something so precious just to avoid nagging, but since he created it, whatever he did with it was his choice. Why worry about others’ opinions?

Having made up his mind, Zhuge Munhyeon straightened his posture and spoke with a serious expression.

“I have practiced only the Small Heavenly Star Technique from age seven until now.”

“What?”

“Of course, since its limitations seemed clear, I modified it.”

“What? Mo, modified it?”

The Family Head looked at him as if dumbfounded.

That was understandable.

Modifying it was impressive enough, but to have accomplished that at the mere age of seven.

Even himself during his active days as the Heavenly Demon would have scoffed first if a seven-year-old claimed to have modified martial art incantations.

But!

“Was it at the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion? I was reading the Small Heavenly Star Technique when… some old man appeared.”

“An old man?”

“Yes. It was strange. But he spoke to me, so we exchanged a few words. At the time, I was also reading formation texts, so I wondered if I’d been trapped in a formation.”

Witnesses to support his story: one and two, Father and Master Han Siheon.

“So, so then?”

“As we talked, there were quite a few points that needed correction. Only after the conversation ended and I came to my senses did I realize it wasn’t a vision but that I’d fallen into a trance. It had become evening!”

Witness three: Sohye.

“You… you truly saw the true meaning of the Small Heavenly Star? And you really modified the incantation through self-inquiry?”

“Ah, is that what you call the true meaning?”

Since he mentioned self-inquiry, the Family Head had probably experienced it too.

“But even if you grasped the true meaning, how on earth did you modify the martial art?”

Though he still wore a half-believing expression of disbelief, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled triumphantly.

You fools, the insignificant Zhuge Family will now receive the Heavenly Demon’s grace.

Starting with the Small Heaven Immortal Art, your destiny will change, so open your ears and listen carefully.

Here comes the incantation!

“Calm Heart Guard One – When containing energy, quiet the mind and focus on one thing. Qi Revolves Around Heaven – let internal energy circulate evenly throughout the body, Star Hangs Fine Intent – when stars are contained, draw out intent with delicacy. Qi Falls to Dantian – when energy gathers in the dantian…”

As the calm voice continued, the Family Head’s eyes grew wider and his expression changed drastically.

“Wa, wait! Everyone be quiet!”

Perhaps understanding the meaning of the incantation being recited, he shouted loudly to silence the Great Hall.

“…Intent Guides Qi Movement – intent leads qi, Qi Follows Intent’s Revolution – qi flows following intent’s rotation, One Thought Condenses to Extreme – when the desire to achieve condenses into a single thought, All Methods Return to Origin – all principles return to their source.”

When the long, long recitation ended, the Family Head wore an expression of shock.

Others might not know, but he would understand.

Since he was the only one in the Zhuge Family to have grasped Ui Qi.

That the Small Heavenly Star Technique he had created was presenting a new path beyond its original limitations.

“You, you, you…”

Hmm, was stuttering when surprised also a family trait?

Zhuge Munho had only gone “ta-ta-ta, ji-ji-ji.”

“Did, did you really modify the Small Heavenly Star Technique…”

“Shall I write it down for you?”

“Huh?”

“If you can’t believe it, you’re welcome to verify it. I reached the Tan Qi realm in eight years using the incantation I mentioned.”

“Ei, eight years?”

“Yes.”

It was a confident and dignified answer.

The assembly began to murmur.

It would have been truly shocking.

Tan Qi in eight years.

While his exceptional talent played a part, if properly utilized, the possibility of mass-producing Hyeon Qi level practitioners had opened up – anyone would be excited.

And.

“Family Head.”

Zhuge Munho, who had been standing at a distance, approached and reported in a respectful tone.

“Munhyeon’s words might be true.”

“What?”

“I witnessed it. Him reaching the Responding to Stars Realm while circulating qi.”

“He, he achieved Star Response?”

“Yes. Not only I, but Gwan, Hwi, and Pyeong saw it too.”

A well-raised subordinate was proving this helpful.

Thanks to Zhuge Munho, the murmuring in the Great Hall instantly transformed into shock.

Star Response.

Just as Huashan sought to achieve Sword Fragrance, it was the realm that Zhuge Family martial artists dreamed of.

He had achieved that?

Though hard to believe, they couldn’t help but believe it.

The evidence was right before their eyes.

“Mu, Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“Can you really write down the incantation?”

As if barely suppressing his agitated heart, the Family Head’s voice trembled finely.

Zhuge Munhyeon glanced at his father and nodded with a bright smile.

What was so remarkable about that?

Martial arts naturally took on a hundred different forms when practiced by a hundred different people.

Just because one knows the incantation formula doesn’t mean everyone achieves the same level of understanding.

“Of course. I am also a son of the Zhuge Family.”

“Ah…”

“And Zhuge martial arts are not weak.”

Considering the gazes around him, Zhuge Munhyeon clenched his fist and turned to address everyone.

The expressions of the Family Head and the family elders were quite a sight to behold.

Emotion, regret, even tears.

In this moment where everyone was being celebrated, Zhuge Munhyeon instantly drew all eyes to himself and made himself the protagonist.

Another joyous occasion layered upon victory.

“Prepare a banquet!”

A festive atmosphere.

After the official ceremony ended, people scattered in small groups to inquire about each other’s well-being.

Zhuge Munhyeon walked confidently toward his father.

Father, did you see?

I am truly a descendant of the Zhuge Family and your son. So please stop glaring at me, and though you must have worried greatly, let’s agree not to lecture me about this incident.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“…Well done. This father is truly proud.”

“…”

Something feels strange.

His words suggest he won’t lecture me, but… why does his expression still look so dark?

Does he have some other worry?

“But son.”

“Yes.”

“Your mother knows everything.”

“…”

“I… won’t be able to help you. I’m sorry. I also couldn’t go home for several days and stayed at the Military Strategy Hall because I sent you as an apprentice.”

So that’s why. His eyes, his expression…

A chill runs down my spine.

I failed to consider Mother, who must have offered pure water morning and evening, praying for her son’s safe return.

But now that she knows her son fought risking his life…

The Family Head? The family elders?

Something has happened that no one’s protection can prevent.

I’m worried about my back.

Even though I was once the Heavenly Demon and achieved great merit for the family, against Mother… there’s no winning.

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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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