Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 42

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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 42

“Something seems rather strange.”

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded at Sayo’s words after she had thoroughly beaten Yeom Dongmin to a pulp.

Right, it’s strange that I left him alive.

Here I go again, breaking my firm convictions like this.

Those who touch my family should never be forgiven.

But I couldn’t spill blood so violently in front of Grandfather, who had lived his entire life surrounded by gentle melodies.

Damn physician.

He did too good a job for the money he received.

If he had woken up just a little later, I could have dealt with everything and had the kids finish cleaning the manor.

Should I drag them outside to deal with them now?

It was while he was seriously contemplating this.

“It seems like there’s someone behind the Palmun Gang.”

“What? Someone behind them?”

“Otherwise, they couldn’t be this reckless. No matter how much they’ve become scoundrels, even if you combined all the Beggar Sect members in Dangang District, they wouldn’t be at a level to ignore the Zhuge Family. Looking closer, some of them weren’t even from the Beggar Sect.”

“Then Wudang?”

“That possibility is small. Though we haven’t established a complete system yet, we have roughly secured information about the northern region of Hubei Province.”

“Hmm, then?”

“It seems like Palmun has brought in outside forces.”

“Outside forces?”

“As you know, Dangang District is where Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei meet. Though not as much as Dongting Lake, it’s a region with considerable interests.”

I don’t really know that.

I had no interest in the power struggles of Central Plains people.

But since it was directly connected to the safety of the Zhuge Family and my maternal family, I couldn’t just ignore it.

“Continue.”

“Yes. With so many interests involved, the profits generated from controlling Dangang District are unparalleled. Though not as much as Sanmen Gorge further north, using the tributaries connected to Dangang District gives you access to waterway rights leading to the Great River, so there have been fierce power struggles here since long ago.”

The Great River, the Yellow River.

If the Yangtze River in the south leads to all under heaven, the Great River encompasses the north.

“Then couldn’t Wudang get involved? No matter how much they’ve left the secular world, they can’t give up money, right?”

“Of course. But as you know, Wudang didn’t jump into Dangang District’s power struggles even in the past. Even if the world has changed, they wouldn’t have abandoned their pride as Taoists. If they had, they would have attacked the Zhuge Family first.”

“Mm. True.”

Even rotten, it’s still a croaker.

Unlike the Zhuge Family, Wudang hadn’t declined. They had only reduced their external activities.

If they had stepped forward, the Zhuge Family wouldn’t have lasted long, and the unorthodox sects couldn’t have walked the streets openly in Hubei.

Come to think of it, they’re annoying.

They leave the Zhuge Family alone but step in to deal with the unorthodox sects. The Zhuge Family has such a hard time because of those bastards.

“If not Wudang, then what force has gotten involved? As far as I know, there are no unorthodox sects in northern Hubei Province?”

“There are some in the southern part of adjacent Henan Province.”

“So you’re saying those bastards want to take over Dangang District?”

“That would be rather difficult.”

“…”

This kid, this kid is making me confused.

Just pick one bastard and tell me clearly!

“Wudang doesn’t covet territory, but they won’t just stand by and watch unorthodox sects enter Dangang District. That would be a matter of pride.”

“Then?”

“It seems like the unorthodox sects of southern Henan are secretly backing the Palmun Gang.”

“So what you’re saying is, the Palmun Gang is pretending to take over Dangang District while outwardly wearing the skin of the Beggar Sect to avoid Wudang’s attention… and secretly colluding with the unorthodox sects?”

“That’s the speculation for now.”p>

“Mm…”

My brow furrowed and my head throbbed because it seemed like various forces were complexly entangled.

All this back-and-forth consideration and thinking didn’t suit my temperament at all. I was the type to cut through knots rather than untying them…

“I think we need to wake them up and confirm. We can’t be certain with just speculation.”

“Ah, you want to do that?”

“Yes.”

“Then go ahead. Tell me if you need help. I’m exceptionally good at interrogation.”

“I will do so.”

Sayo nodded and approached the fallen Beggar Sect members.

“I guess it was good that I didn’t kill them after all?”

Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping glared at him sideways at his muttering.

“What? Why?”

“Ah, no. Nothing…”

Though he answered that way, his face was full of dissatisfaction.

‘Damn it, he was throwing a fit about not killing them.’

‘You saw that look in his eyes, right? How he was looking at us like he’d kill us?’

‘Damn little brother.’

I let their complaining murmurs go in one ear and out the other. It wasn’t just a day or two. I’d gotten used to it by now.

“What are you all staring at?”

“Huh?”

“You saw them trying to escape. Strike their pressure points and tie them up before they all wake up. Make it easy for Sayo to interrogate them.”

“Got it.”

Anyway, they grumble but do what they’re told well.

“Mmm…”

Meanwhile, Sayo, who had awakened someone who appeared to be a Beggar Sect member by stimulating his pressure points, showed the unique knots of the Beggar Sect that she had hidden in her sash and began the interrogation.

“I am Secret Enchantress Sword Sayo, disciple of Purple Ghost, who was the branch manager of all of Hanyang Prefecture.”

“Se, Secret Enchantress Sword?”

“Do you not intend to show proper respect even though you’ve abandoned the Beggar Sect’s name?”

“I pay my respects to Senior.”

“Good.”

Thoroughly intimidated, he rolled his eyes and looked around nervously.

“Don’t be afraid. I have no intention of harming someone who was once a sect member.”

“Bu, but…”

“As you know, they are the Zhuge Family. And it’s the place where my Master has taken refuge.”

“What? Purple Ghost is with the Zhuge Family?”

“That’s right. The Zhuge Family saved him when he was driven out by the rebellion that Namcheon of Hanyang Prefecture started by joining hands with unorthodox sect bastards.”

“Ah… I see. Purple Ghost…”

“Master intends to rebuild our Beggar Sect with the Zhuge Family’s help. Many have already sided with us. So when we came to Dangang District, we found Palmun doing strange things.”

“Th, that’s…”

“I know. You’re allied with other forces. The person who came to the banquet today must be from that side too.”

When she asked based on the situation, the Beggar Sect member gulped. His eyes looked anxious. It meant the speculation was roughly correct.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m… Eunwoo.”

“Good. Eunwoo. As a fellow sect member, I’ll ask. Did all the sect members in Dangang District participate in what Palmun did?”

“Th, that’s…”

“Answer comfortably.”

Eunwoo, who had been frowning and pondering for a moment, asked as if he had made up his mind.

“If I answer, what will happen to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, don’t you? What betrayal means.”

“Betrayal… Do you think there’s value in being loyal to someone who abandons his subordinates and runs away? Who exactly are you talking about betraying in the first place?”

“…”

“Is exposing Palmun’s wrongdoings betraying the Beggar Sect?”

“Still, I need certainty. It’s not just my life at stake, but my family’s as well.”

“Hmm…”

At Eunwoo’s words, Sayo pondered for a moment.

Though very few in number, some Beggar Sect members did marry and raise children. There were quite a few villages created this way.

Now even those had scattered in all directions…

“Didn’t I tell you? Purple Ghost came to Dangang District to gather the Beggar Sect members of Hubei and rebuild the sect.”

“Then, then?”

“We’ll accept you and your family. If needed, we’ll even prepare a house for your family to live in.”

“Really?”

“This is what the Family Head of the Zhuge Family promised. We’ve already established a base on Yungzhong Mountain to rebuild the Beggar Sect.”

“Ah…”

“So tell me. Did all the sect members in Dangang District join Palmun’s cause?”

The deliberation wasn’t long.

Eunwoo, seeming to have made his decision, shook his head and said.

“No. We had no choice but to follow because the senior members decided so. We had nowhere else to go.”

“I see. I understand what you mean. Then who is Palmun meeting with right now?”

“It’s someone from the Seven Kill Gang of Henan Province. I don’t know his name, but I heard he’s an elder.”

“Seven Kill Gang?”

“Yes. I heard they’re after the water transport rights.”

“As expected… The interests in Henan alone aren’t enough, so they plan to take over the riverside of Dangang District extending into Hubei Province.”

“That’s right.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

“I’m relieved to be able to return to the Beggar Sect. I haven’t been at peace all this time.”

“I understand. As a family man, you must have worried about making a living. First, wake up those guys and persuade them.”

“Those who won’t be persuaded…”

“We’ll have to kill them. That means they’re going against the senior members’ will and agreeing to cooperate. There’s no mercy for those who violate the Beggar Sect’s code.”

Sayo answered coldly as if cutting with a blade, and Eunwoo nodded as if resigned.

“I understand.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Sayo, who patted Eunwoo’s shoulder, approached Zhuge Munhyeon.

“Did you hear?”

“Yes.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Hmm. So these Seven Kill Gang bastards are backing Palmun to devour the interests…”

Actually, that wasn’t even worth worrying about.

The answer was obvious.

Ownerless land that everyone covets but can’t claim because they’re wary of Wudang.

If left alone, it would only benefit others, and we might even make enemies in the north.

And if massive interests are at stake?

“Everyone gather around.”

“…?”

Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping, who had tied up the prisoners and approached, looked puzzled.

Zhuge Munhyeon’s mouth was stretched wide in a grin.

He’s definitely planning something.

What the hell is he trying to do…

“Let’s take Dangang District for ourselves.”

“…?”

Take Dangang District… for ourselves?

Is it food, you bastard!

Why do you say it so casually?

“Are you crazy?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Munhyeon, why are you doing this again?”

Startled, they looked at each other’s faces and made tearful expressions.

Why, again, why?

What did I do that you’re putting all that into one sentence?

I’m doing this so we can all live well.

“Why? Is there a problem? It’s not even difficult. Anyway, if Sayo persuades them, we won’t have to fight the entire Palmun Gang – we just need to kill a few senior members, that Seven Kill Gang elder, and a few guards. How great is that?”

“This guy really! Why do you always talk about killing… I meant it’s a bit dangerous, I wasn’t angry. Really.”

Zhuge Pyeong grumbled with an angry face, but when he met Zhuge Munhyeon’s gaze, he forced a smile and waved his hands dismissively.

“Munhyeon. I understand your intention, but this isn’t something to decide lightly.”

“Why not?”

“Let’s say we deal with the Palmun Gang and drive away the Seven Kill Gang elder as you said.”

“…”

“How will we defend it afterward? The main house currently lacks manpower. Even if we establish a branch office, we don’t have nearly enough martial artists to defend it.”

“Who says we need to defend it?”

“What?”

“We just need a branch manager and a few people to work with him.”

Zhuge Munhyeon’s words only created bewilderment.

If a branch office only has a branch manager, is that even a branch office?

“I told you before. Don’t think about why it won’t work, think about how to make it work.”

“…”

When?

Did you say that before?

But no one refuted it.

“Now, let’s think about it. If Sayo recruits the Beggar Sect, where will they go?”

“Huh?”

“The Beggar Sect members need a place to live anyway.”

“That’s true, but… what if the Seven Kill Gang attacks after their plan fails?”

“Wudang won’t stand for it.”

“Huh?”

“They hate it. Evil sects entering Dangang District.”

“Don’t tell me you’re?”

“Are you finally starting to use your brain?”

“Hmm…”

Zhuge Munho nodded while frowning.

Of course.

“Why? What is it?”

“What about Wudang?”

“Ah, are you two really going to whisper among yourselves and understand only between yourselves?”

Gwan Hwiping, who still didn’t understand, grumbled.

This is really a problem.

Those guys must have definitely been babies left in front of someone’s house one day.

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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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