Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 39

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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 39

 

 

“Grandfather!”

“Oh! Munhyeon!”

At the riverside of Dangang District, a small musician’s manor.

When dusk was beginning to fall, upon hearing news that Zhuge Munhyeon had arrived, the elderly musician ran out without even putting on his shoes.

Jade Sound Golden String Baek Hansang.

The most famous musician in northern Hubei and Zhuge Munhyeon’s maternal grandfather.

“Please accept my bow.”

“Oh my, you rascal. You’ll ruin your clothes.”

Though he fretted that even a speck of dust might soil the snow-white robe, Zhuge Munhyeon paid no mind and prostrated himself on the ground.

Gwan Hwiping, exhausted and tired from running while wearing iron rings, couldn’t show it and bowed together with him, but his face couldn’t help but grimace.

Of course, they were brothers and Baek Hansang was an in-law elder of the Zhuge Family, so it was proper to show respect.

However.

‘Damn… we could have done this inside.’

Even after standing up, his expression was only polite on the surface, while inside he was seething with anger.

“No, everyone…”

And Baek Hansang couldn’t help but be flustered as well.

His maternal grandchild was one thing, but even the other descendants of the Zhuge Family were showing such courtesy without minding the ground, leaving him at a loss.

And for good reason – how had things been until now?

Though he was an in-law of the Zhuge Family, he hadn’t been properly treated due to his status as a musician.

Normally, these people would have just nodded their heads and been done with it…

“You came well. You came well. I received a letter from your mother. You said you wanted to stay for a few days?”

“Yes.”

“I’m truly delighted. I’ve already reserved decent guest rooms for you and your companions to stay in.”

“Huh? Why guest rooms?”

“Why? Well, it would be uncomfortable for everyone to sleep here, and the food…”

“Don’t you have rooms? When I came last time, there were plenty of empty rooms.”

“It’s not that…”

Baek Hansang unconsciously glanced at Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping.

This was the first time other descendants had accompanied him, so he naturally thought that’s how it should be.

How could descendants of a prestigious family stay at a musician’s house?

But then.

“Hey, why waste money on guest rooms?”

“Huh?”

“Just give us an empty room. Since we need to cultivate, the spacious courtyard is nice too.”

“Mu, Munhyeon.”

Baek Hansang couldn’t hide his troubled expression.

An empty room?

How could he make distinguished guests stay in such a place?

But none of those who came with him objected to those words. This was a first. In the first place, this was the first time anyone from the Zhuge Family had visited besides his daughter’s family and Zhuge Munhyeon.

“There is a room, but I didn’t clean it since I naturally assumed you’d stay in guest rooms.”

“We can do the cleaning ourselves.”

“What?”

They would do the cleaning?

Descendants of the Zhuge Family, personally?

“More importantly, please give us some food. I’m starving to death.”

“…”

At the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon just grinning, Baek Hansang could only be bewildered.

Thus began the meal.

“Is it to your taste?”

“Yes.”

It was more than just to their taste.

As the saying goes, hunger is the best seasoning – having run all the way to Dangang District with their stomachs practically stuck to their backs, they emptied the prepared food before the steam even dissipated.

They looked almost ravenous.

The food wasn’t even that delicious…

Meanwhile, seeing the descendants of the Zhuge Family, who would have enjoyed golden cup fine wine and jade plate delicacies, eating so heartily made his chest swell with pride.

“Is there more?”

“Ah… there is. Of course there is.”

What could be more gratifying to the one who prepared food than having it eaten so well?

Baek Hansang hurriedly instructed the cook to prepare more food.

After the storm-like meal ended.

“Our grandchild has grown so much. So, how have you been all this time?”

“You know. I’ve been a troublemaker since I was young.”

“Heh heh! Who wasn’t like that when they were young?”

“These guys are the ones who got beaten up back then.”

“Huh…?”

When Zhuge Munhyeon pointed with his finger, Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping made awkward expressions.

“Mu, Munhyeon… your words…”

“What’s wrong with it? It’s all just memories now. Right?”

“…”

At that question, the four just smiled bitterly.

Memories?

It was still ongoing.

Just a moment ago, they’d been hit by an iron club while running, and their buttocks were still throbbing.

“But why do you keep speaking formally to those guys?”

“Well…”

“Just speak comfortably. Whether by age or seniority, you’re older than the Family Head of the main house, so why use formal speech with grandchild-like brats?”

“…”

His head felt numb.

What on earth was this kid saying?

To compare a musician to the Family Head of the main house in front of descendants of the Zhuge Family… even if it was said out of consideration for him…

“That’s right. Please speak comfortably, honored in-law elder.”

“Huh?”

Using formal speech like ‘yes’ to someone who’s like a grandchild to you? Please lower your speech. It makes me feel unnecessarily burdened. If the Family Head finds out, I’ll get in trouble.”

“No, that’s not…”

Though he became even more flustered, Zhuge Munho spoke of recent family matters with a smile.

About how many achievements Zhuge Munhyeon had accomplished.

The story continued until the meal was cleared and the tea grew cold.

“…Recently, there are even movements in the women’s quarters to learn child-rearing from Aunt.”

“Ho ho, is that so?”

“Of course. Munhyeon is the pride of the Zhuge Family.”

At Zhuge Munho’s words, Baek Hansang’s eyes even became moist.

It was from joy.

How much had he worried all this time?

He knew without needing to be told the hardships a musician’s daughter faced when marrying into a prestigious family.

But…

“Hehe, hehehe.”

Baek Hansang couldn’t speak and just laughed.

That’s when it happened.

“Master, you must hurry to prepare for the performance request.”

“Oh my! Has it already come to that? I lost track of time…”

At the sound from outside, Baek Hansang rose from his seat.

“You still go to performances?”

“Heh, what are you saying something so obvious for? A musician can’t stop playing.”

“But you’re quite old now?”

“If I rest just because I’m old, how would I manage my living expenses?”

“What? Doesn’t Mother send you spending money?”

“I actually threatened her not to send any.”

“Why?”

“You rascal, when my limbs are still perfectly fine, should I depend on your mother? She’s having a hard time too…”

She’s having a hard time too…

He was worried.

Afraid his daughter might get in trouble for sending spending money.

“I refused several times when I heard you were coming, but they kept pestering me so persistently that I couldn’t cancel. You know how famous this old man is, right? There’s no musician like me in northern Hubei.”

Perhaps feeling a bit more at ease, I couldn’t help but smile at Baek Hansang showing off.

“Well then, rest and recover from your travel fatigue. I’ll go earn your spending money. Don’t fight with your brothers.”

“Am I a child?”

“Hey, you rascal. It feels like just yesterday your mother sent a letter complaining about your troublemaking.”

“…”

Mother, really.

She must have written about all sorts of things.

Well, back then she didn’t have many people to talk to.

After Baek Hansang left the manor with a pleased expression, carrying his jade flute and guqin.

“Well then, since we’ve finished eating, shall we start training?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Training?”

“Why!?”

Different reactions, but they all meant the same thing.

“Oh my, haven’t you heard the saying that if a martial artist neglects training even for a moment, thorns will grow in their mouth?”

“…”

Who on earth!

Who said such righteous words!

Everyone’s eyes were filled with fierce rebellion, but now just taking out the Silver Cold Staff solves everything.

‘Damn it!’

‘Just wait, I’ll definitely get stronger!’

‘I’ll smash it!’

You guys, having such thoughts.

How satisfying.

I’m someone who once trained disciples to the point they begged me to kill them.

But that’s a very distant story, one that might not even come in this lifetime.

So for now, train diligently.

To become stronger…

“Um, may I join as well?”

When Sayo asked cautiously, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled wickedly and said.

“Did you think you wouldn’t have to?”

 

* * *

 

Having trained while still fatigued from travel, the group fell into such deep sleep that they wouldn’t have noticed if someone carried them away.

They fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow, so what cleaning?

Since grandfather who went to the performance hadn’t returned yet, he couldn’t sleep first either.

Now alone, Zhuge Munhyeon sat in meditation, feeling the atmosphere under the moon.

Small Heavenly Star Technique.

Finally, Ui Qi was within reach.

Martial artists typically consider that period their first wall.

But since heaven enjoys giving trials to people, nine out of ten fail to find a way over the wall and grow old.

But this was a path already traveled.

Would he lack understanding when he didn’t lack internal energy?

What’s a wall to others is merely a low threshold to Zhuge Munhyeon.

“Whoo…”

With short, steady breathing, Zhuge Munhyeon slowly stepped into the realm of Ui Qi.

 

Gathered like stars, the energy collected in the body is orderly like stars embedded in the sky, and scattered like clouds and mist, dispersing through the four limbs and hundred vessels is free like clouds and fog.

Intent guides qi movement, intent leads qi, and qi follows intent’s revolution, qi flows following intent.

 

The gently drawn internal energy squeezed through gaps in meridians not yet fully opened, expanding their territory.

Whooom!

A small light that started in the dantian spread along the blood vessels, and finally a subtle radiance emanated from his entire body.

Ui Qi, and complete Star Response had been achieved.

Someone might say it was too easy, but behind it was reflected the Heavenly Demon’s life of constant dedication to cultivation.

What remained now was gathering.

The energy that had spread to the four limbs and hundred vessels had to be sent back to the dantian and neatly arranged.

He could stop now, but he wanted to savor reaching Ui Qi again. The feeling of energy swirling through every corner of his body and making him tremble had been quite a while.

Bang!

“…?”

In the night dyed in silence with everyone asleep.

Zhuge Munhyeon, who was gathering his internal energy, suddenly opened his eyes wide at the unexpected noise.

The door flung wide open.

Clothes soaked with sweat.

“Young Master!”

A man who rushed inside with a tearful face discovered Zhuge Munhyeon sitting in the courtyard pavilion and ran over.

Who?

“Could you please call for Young Master Zhuge Munhyeon?”

“I am… that Zhuge Munhyeon.”

“Ah! I see. This is truly fortunate.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, you must come quickly. Musician Baek…”

He stood up after hearing just that much.

Though he was a stranger, he looked like he had come running urgently, and mentioning grandfather meant something had happened.

His heart became anxious.

What on earth could have happened?

The fact that someone came looking for him specifically rather than a manor person surely meant a big enough problem had occurred to require the Zhuge Family name.

He was already an elderly person.

What if something bad happened? How would Mother bear such sorrow?

“Please guide me.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s discuss the details on the way. This seems quite urgent.”

“Ah! Understood.”

The man’s name was Wang Il.

He said he was a musician working at Hoeunru, the most splendid tavern on the southern riverside of Dangang District.

Baek Hanseong had gone there for a performance.

And.

“He said he would return home after the promised performance ended, but there was friction with guests who wouldn’t let him go…”

“Friction?”

“Yes.”

“So the guests?”

“No. He did leave the banquet hall like that… but some of those who held grudges followed him out and dragged him away…”

“Dr-dragged him away?”

“Yes. They couldn’t cause a disturbance in the banquet hall. It was a place hosting distinguished guests…”

“Where on earth did they drag him to?”

“I know the place. Those bastards have a spot where they take people who won’t listen, away from prying eyes in case word gets out.”

At Wang Il’s words, the corners of Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes flashed upward as killing intent rippled through him.

A place where they take people who won’t listen.

He could imagine what would happen inside without even seeing it.

These bastards…

They don’t even know whose maternal grandchild that musician is!

Enraged, he didn’t even ask who the culprit was. No, even if he had been told, it wouldn’t have reached his ears.

Click. Whooooom!

The iron rings fell away.

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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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