Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 4

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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 4

Ting, tiding!

The pipa strings plucked by small fern-like hands spread a clear sound.

“Ahh…”

Sohye, who was hanging laundry, unconsciously stopped her hands and let out an exclamation.

Was it the feeling of distant mountain wind brushing through pine needles? Or the feeling of clear, cool water flowing between valleys?

Tiding!

The sound that followed spread out like ripples created by raindrops falling on water, making passersby stop and listen.

Tililing!

The deep sound created a penetrating resonance that stirred the heartstrings.

A satisfied smile appeared on Baek Suhyeon’s lips as she closed her eyes.

“Master, isn’t Munhyeon’s talent truly remarkable? Each note plucked from the strings is quiet like breath and free like wind.”

“Y-yes, it is.”

While agreeing with her poetic appreciation, Zhuge Doyun somehow had a bitter expression.

His seven-year-old son sitting on the wooden porch plucking the pipa.

His musical talent was extraordinary. Even the artists belonging to the family clan praised him endlessly.

However, the scholarly talent that had emerged when he began speaking at one hundred days old and recited the Thousand Character Classic and Elementary Learning fluently at three years old could no longer be found.

It wasn’t even from falling from a persimmon tree while playing, but like a flower that had bloomed only to stop flowering after suffering frost damage, his son had become dull-witted overnight.

Since he had mastered Elementary Learning in one go, they taught him the Bright Heart Treasure Mirror, but he still hadn’t gotten past the middle section. For a full four years, he had been struggling with just the Bright Heart Treasure Mirror.

They had tried coaxing and scolding, but there was no progress.

‘Sigh, was it just a brief moment of brilliance as others said?’

He couldn’t blame him.

How could he shout about neglecting studies and pursuing trivial skills when that would be like insulting the child’s mother?

Baek Suhyeon. She was the daughter of a musician, the greatest beauty in Dangang and Dangang’s finest musician.

He was the one who had fallen for her at first sight and persuaded the family against their opposition, saying how could one call the different talents each person is born with trivial, and held the wedding ceremony.

How could he speak ill of his son inheriting that talent?

He could only feel regretful.

“How was it?”

“It was truly excellent. Your performance made this mother feel as if she was wandering above the clouds for a moment, so I am deeply moved.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled at his mother wiping away tears and now looked at his father.

“Father?”

“Yes?”

“Was it not good?”

At his son’s dejected expression, he glanced at Baek Suhyeon and waved his hands in surprise.

“N-not good? I was just immersed in appreciation and couldn’t comment. This father is endlessly happy to be able to hear your performance.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. I kept worrying about how I could make Father happy.”

“Worrying? How can you say such things? That’s nonsense.”

“Actually… I thought you seemed quite disappointed that my studies haven’t improved recently.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t understand why I’m like this either. I want to do better…”

Zhuge Doyun’s face was colored with confusion at his son’s increasingly tearful appearance.

“Munhyeon, how can you say such things? I have never once been disappointed in you. Have you forgotten? The reason I first fell for your mother was precisely because of her pipa performance.”

“…”

“How can a person’s will be only in studies? If each person blooms their innate talent, that too deserves recognition. I am always supporting you.”

“Really?”

“Of course!”

Baek Suhyeon smiled at Zhuge Doyun’s words.

Of course, it goes without saying that all of this was Zhuge Munhyeon’s meticulous plan.

‘It was when I was five.’

While pondering ways not to disappoint Father even if he became dull-witted and ways to make Mother happy, he heard Mother’s pipa performance and thought this was it.

Precisely revealing musical talent.

He had heard their love story countless times through Sohye.

Pipa performance?

How difficult could that be?

Though he hadn’t reached the peak, there was a time when he had taken interest in music.

Sound Arts was also martial arts, so he would learn anything to gain enlightenment.

Anyway, learning pipa performance, though calluses formed on his tender fingertips, after repeated practice he became able to perform quite decently.

‘Sigh, being a good son is truly difficult.’

Fortunately, it worked because Father wasn’t narrow-minded.

Though he sighed inwardly, it was enough that he had put his parents’ hearts at ease.

He had learned the love between parent and child through them, so if something comes, something should also go.

And now the time had come.

He had waited seven years while receiving his parents’ love and caring attention.

The love he couldn’t receive in his previous life was now more than sufficiently fulfilled.

Since they were bound by natural affection anyway, he would continue to be loved.

Finally, seven years old.

Now his head reached below his father’s chest.

Perhaps because of the good environment, he was slightly taller than the average for children his age.

Having constantly hidden his true self while reading books and playing only the pipa for several years, he was restless and couldn’t bear it anymore.

It was time to subtly bring up the main point.

Those who received the family clan’s full support, were managed from the womb, and received blessings like careful nurturing from birth had sturdy bones and muscles from the start, so it didn’t matter if they began martial arts while toddling, but doing so with a body that had lived freely would be disastrous.

What business did martial arts have with a body whose five organs and six bowels weren’t properly formed?

Training also had its proper timing.

The age when bones finally solidify and internal and external first achieve balance – seven years old.

He had already secretly regulated his breathing to strengthen his blood vessels so energy could spread evenly, but he had reached the age when proper learning was necessary.

However, the Zhuge Family didn’t teach martial arts until after ten years old.

Foolish bastards…

Since they were fools who didn’t know they were missing the right timing, there was no way they would listen to what a seven-year-old child said.

So he had no choice but to move directly.

“Um, Father.”

“Yes?”

“I have a request.”

“Tell me. Since I heard a good performance, I should give you a suitable gift. Shall we go to the market? We three can eat out for once, and buy some sweet confections you like.”

“Sw-sweet…”

He flinched for a moment.

Damn body, damn child’s instincts.

But he gritted his teeth and looked at his father, bringing up what he originally intended to say.

“I want to enter the library.”

“Li…brary?”

Finally, he had shaken off the temptation of those sweet confections.

You might think that’s nothing special, but having overcome a seven-year-old child’s instincts, it was like crossing a great wall.

“Yes, I heard there are countless books in the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.”

Suddenly, Father’s eyes lit up.

He was so excited that his heavy breathing could be heard clearly.

That would be nice.

His son, who had always neglected his studies, suddenly said he wanted to enter the library…

“Are you truly saying your request is to enter the library?”

“Yes. I’m seven years old, a grown man—how can I continue neglecting my studies? You’re busy with official duties, Father, and my progress is slow, so I thought if I enter the library and encounter various books, my interest might be rekindled.”

“Oh, heheheheh.”

“They said I can’t enter the library yet because I’m still young. I heard I need an adult’s permission and also need someone to accompany me.”

“That’s right.”

Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.

The Zhuge Family’s library, which stores tens of thousands of books, boasts one of the largest collections in the Central Plains. From classics, mechanical arts, formation arts, miscellaneous studies to history—there’s no book they don’t have.

“Munhyeon, it’s truly admirable that you’ve had such thoughts. However, if you want to study literature, you have your father, and if you wish, I can assign you a literature teacher.”

“No. I want to try doing it alone.”

“Alone?”

“Yes. I know letters well enough, so I want to read various books by myself and find the field of study that suits me.”

“Hmm…”

At his son’s words, Zhuge Doyun furrowed his brow as if troubled.

He could just say ‘alright’ refreshingly, but what was he pondering so much about?

Watching this, Baek Suhyeon supported her son’s wish.

“My lord, please allow it. Doesn’t the child want it so much?”

“…”

“The reason children are forbidden from entering Ten Thousand Books Pavilion is the concern that they might damage the books stored inside. But what kind of child is Munhyeon? He’s more mature than other children and doesn’t even play pranks.”

“Well…”

Seeing Zhuge Doyun hesitating while inwardly pleased, Baek Suhyeon looked at her son and said.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“All the books in Ten Thousand Books Pavilion are precious. You understand what this mother means?”

“Of course. I only intend to read books quietly.”

“See, my lord.”

As Baek Suhyeon urged while taking her son’s side, Zhuge Doyun, who had been pondering for a moment, untied the authority token from his waist and held it out.

“Whew, alright. Fine. This is the Byeongjudang Master’s authority token.”

“…?”

“Show it to the Manseogak Guardian. I’ll get permission from the Manseogak Master for you. However, you must take Sohye with you. I trust you, but people’s eyes won’t be so trusting.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Zhuge Munhyeon quickly took the token and answered with a brighter smile than ever before.

Of course, his true intentions were somewhat different from what his parents thought.

What he wanted were beginner martial arts manuals.

Though he already remembered countless martial arts, they were all demonic arts.

Well, if he were to leave the Zhuge Family, he could learn them right away, but running away from home at seven years old?

That was nonsense.

How dangerous was the martial world… he’d likely die before even blooming.

That’s how the orthodox sects were.

They vehemently rejected the martial arts of heretical demons and outsiders.

What if traces of learning demonic arts were discovered and aroused suspicion?

They’d immediately sever his limbs’ meridians and cripple his internal energy… ugh, he didn’t even want to think about it.

And what reason was there to go to the Demon Cult anyway?

Those connections ended when he died.

He just needed to be faithful to his new life.

Most importantly, he had good parents, three meals a day would be provided, and he was born with direct lineage blood.

The name Zhuge Family bothered him a little, but so what?

“How wonderful, Munhyeon. Mother is always proud of you.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Baek Suhyeon gently embraced Zhuge Munhyeon.

It was warm and comfortable.

An indescribable emotion filled his heart.

With this, why would I return to the Demon Cult?

I really liked being a Zhuge.

* * *

“Welcome. I’ve heard from the Pavilion Master.”

The Manseogak Guardian respectfully bowed his head at the authority token Zhuge Munhyeon presented.

“Can I go in?”

“Yes. However, the permitted area is only up to the first floor, and you must be accompanied by your maid.”

“Thank you.”

After thanking the guardian, Zhuge Munhyeon crossed the threshold of Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.

Why did they make the threshold so high?

It was somewhat burdensome for his short legs, reminding him that he was still young.

“Young master, you absolutely must not damage the books, you know that, right?”

“I know.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Goodness, I said I know, didn’t I?”

“My life depends on it. Why do you think they made me accompany you inside? If any book gets damaged, you might just get scolded, young master, but I, who followed you, will get beaten.”

“That won’t happen, so don’t worry. Would I really cause trouble for Sohye?”

“I know that, but I’m still worried.”

“Oh my, really…”

At Sohye’s concern, Zhuge Munhyeon sighed and shook his head.

Watching this scene, the guardian couldn’t help but smile.

How could a servant speak so freely about her situation to a seven-year-old master?

In the Zhuge Family, which was a scholarly clan that particularly emphasized proper conduct, this wasn’t easy.

It was enough to show how Zhuge Munhyeon usually treated Sohye.

“Well, this is the first time I’ve envied a maid.”

Come to think of it, Byeongjudang Master Zhuge Doyun and his wife were the same way.

They truly cared for their subordinates.

Perhaps it was because of their origins, he thought.

They were different from other Zhuge couples.

Usually, people who inherited the Zhuge name would have arranged marriages with families befitting their status. With children from Sanggye or the Somun Sect.

But Zhuge Doyun had defied his family’s opposition and insisted on marrying a daughter from an entertainer family.

It would have been impossible if he hadn’t been the only person in Zhuge Family history capable of recreating the Eight Formation Diagram.

However, Baek Suhyeon never gained the family’s recognition and couldn’t get close to the family members either.

She was regarded as a kind of disgrace.

“I just hope this doesn’t cause another commotion. The rumors about him being a momentary genius who turned out dull had just died down…”

Zhuge Munhyeon.

How much must the other Zhuge clan members, who considered themselves superior, have been irritated by the genius he had shown?

“Sigh, if Ten Thousand Books Pavilion becomes a playground for young masters, that’ll be troublesome…”

The guardian grew anxious for no reason.

If rumors spread that Zhuge Munhyeon had entered Ten Thousand Books Pavilion, attention would naturally focus on him, and other children who were still too young to be granted access would naturally come looking too.

That didn’t matter.

If they damaged books, he could take responsibility.

The problem was that no matter how noble their status, kids were still kids.

Since emotional control was still difficult for them, they sometimes spoke thoughtlessly and even got into fights because of it.

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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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