Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 43

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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 43

“Munhyeon is just trying to plant a flag for now.”

“A flag?”

“That’s right.”

“So what kind of flag?”

When Zhuge Pyeong asked as a representative in response to Zhuge Munho’s explanation, Gwan and Hwi nodded eagerly, showing their curiosity.

“He’ll deploy the recruited Beggar Sect members to keep watch, and use Wudang’s prestige for defense. Even those Chilsaldang bastards won’t be able to attack easily. They’ll have to be mindful of Wudang.”

“Ah…”

“Once we plant our flag, rumors will spread that Dangang District has become Zhuge territory.”

“And then?”

“For now, we’ll operate with just a branch manager, but gradually fill positions with graduates from Cheonseong Pavilion.”

“I see.”

“That’s not bad, is it?”

“Exactly.”

Gwan Hwiping, who finally understood, nodded his head, and Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t contain his satisfaction.

Indeed, this is why I keep them around.

If you teach them one thing, they’re smart enough to grasp and think about two more.

However.

“It’s a good strategy, but it lacks justification.”

Sayo, who had been listening from the side, frowned and interjected.

“No matter how indifferent Wudang is to territorial matters, they’ll show displeasure at Zhuge’s movements.”

“That’s true.”

Justification.

It’s the most important aspect for orthodox sects.

Whether it’s a small fight or a big one, actions without justification are condemned.

When we’re in a position where we need to visit Wudang to repair the secret cave, what should we answer if the Dangang District issue comes up?

Depending on the response, it could become an issue that makes enemies of Wudang, so deep consideration was needed.

“You’re worrying about something pointless. Why wouldn’t there be justification?”

“What?”

“You already know the answer.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled slyly and glanced toward where Baek Hanseong was resting.

“Our grandfather was ambushed. Those bastards knew he was a relative of the Main House. Aren’t you curious about their intentions?”

“Huh?”

“Perhaps when Chilsaldang was taking over Dangang District, they planned to hold grandfather hostage to prevent the Zhuge Family from moving? We happened to come and stopped that plot.”

“Huh?”

Zhuge Munho, who had been blinking at Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, was startled and shouted.

“You? Are you saying you’ll use Maternal Grandfather now?”

An appropriate punishment came for the words he shouted without thinking.

Smack!

“Who said I’m using anyone? Do I look like that kind of person to you?”

“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant.”

“Did I tell them to attack? Didn’t those bastards attack first?”

“That’s true.”

“I’m just suggesting we make what already happened look a bit more provocative.”

“…”

“How about it? Doesn’t it sound plausible?”

“Hmm, it’s a bit forced, but… it does make sense.”

“See?”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled slyly and nodded.

As they say, even a dog at a village school can recite poetry after three years. Having spent his childhood at the Zhuge Family, he had learned to think this much.

The problem was that it leaned toward conspiracy and scheming.

Pangs of conscience?

There’s no such thing when dealing with bad guys.

Evil is repaid with evil.

Since grandfather was slapped, their cheeks should be torn, and since he was forced to kneel, their kneecaps should be shattered.

That’s the principle I know.

“And this must be accomplished for the Main House’s sake as well.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We barely escaped being surrounded on all sides by annihilating Honyeon Territory. We’re just starting reconstruction, but if these Chilsaldang bastards take over the north, will we even be able to breathe?”

“Ah!”

“And even if not immediately, think about us gaining water transport rights in Dangang District later. If massive finances come through that… wouldn’t it greatly help not only the Main House but also the Beggar Sect’s reconstruction?”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, both Zhuge Munho and Sayo’s eyes widened simultaneously.

Reconstruction of family and sect.

That’s not something possible just by being strong.

Sufficient capital is needed.

How much money does it take to raise martial artists?

Meanwhile, the Zhuge Family, which deals with mechanisms and formations, requires much more money.

But if it’s the water transport rights of Dangang District…

As Zhuge Munhyeon said, this becomes a region that the Main House must step forward to claim.

The situation is good, and the justification is good.

“You, really… how did you think of such a thing?”

“Amazing. To make such an excellent judgment at a crucial moment… it feels like you grasp the essence all at once.”

“…”

At the admiration from Zhuge Munho and Sayo, Zhuge Munhyeon just looked at them with a bewildered expression.

Are you guys idiots?

Don’t you remember what you two have been saying until now? I just synthesized what you said, so what essence am I grasping?

But if you think that way, let’s go with that.

That I’m naturally outstanding.

“Hmm, first we should send a letter to the Main House. We need to highlight that there was a hidden Chilsaldang plot behind the attack on our relative… and we should inform Wudang too, right?”

“Hmm, wouldn’t that be good?”

“You were thinking about that part too, I see. It would be good to give them advance notice. They need to know the situation so they won’t say something different later.”

“…”

I hadn’t thought that far.

Anyway, after talking by himself…

“Then I’ll move with the recruited Beggar Sect members. When the turncoats show themselves, those bastards won’t be able to help but waver.”

“If we do well, Dangang District might fall into our hands naturally.”

“That’s right. It’s repeatedly amazing. Just how smart is Young Master Munhyeon to come up with such thoughts instantly…”

“He’s my younger brother, but he’s an amazing fellow.”

“The future of Zhuge looks promising.”

“Hahaha!”

Listening to the conversation between Sayo and Zhuge Munho, Zhuge Munhyeon just nodded silently.

Those two get along really well.

Without bothering to join in, just nodding makes everything my achievement. Let’s stay quiet. As they say, if you don’t speak, you at least stay average.

“So, what is it?”

“What’s going on here?”

“Can’t you explain it in detail so we can understand too?”

At Gwan Hwiping’s words, both Zhuge Munho and Sayo sighed simultaneously.

“Good grief, you fools! Even if you can’t match half of Munhyeon, at least try to follow half of that half. How can members of the Zhuge Family be this stupid?”

“…I won’t say anything.”

Those two are really in sync…

Thanks to that, Gwan Hwiping, who was treated as an ‘idiot,’ couldn’t even argue back and just pouted.

But there was no time to be impressed.

“Elder Brother Munho.”

“Speak.”

“Let’s send the letter and start quickly. Once the banquet ends, things will get difficult. We need to annihilate them all while they’re gathered together.”

“Right.”

Zhuge Munho hurriedly wrote the letter.

Originally, descendants of the Zhuge Family were skilled at writing. The provocative content written in one flowing stroke would instantly captivate people’s hearts and draw out their anger.

What remained was.

‘How dare they touch our grandfather?’

He didn’t care about the others, but one of them would definitely die.

* * *

Hoeunru.

The largest and most splendid tavern in the southern part of Dangang District, and a place that the Palmun Gang had been backing all along.

Though night had deepened and all the shops on the main road had turned off their lights and closed their doors, that place where the banquet was in full swing still blazed with light like a city that never sleeps.

Nothing was more troublesome to people than making noise in the middle of the night, but this place had long become the Palmun Gang’s world.

Who could complain to the owners of the street?

Zhuge Munhyeon’s group hid at the alley entrance and looked toward Hoeunru.

“Hey, Munhyeon.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any attack strategy or something?”

“Do we need something like that?”

He asked just in case.

Since this was a guy who thought breaking down the main gate and entering was a surprise attack.

But as expected…

“We’ll go through the entrance, right?”

“Of course.”

“Hmm, you could handle it alone, right?”

“Why? Are you scared?”

“It’s not that… Anyway, just tell me whether you can handle it alone or not.”

At Zhuge Munho’s serious expression, Zhuge Munhyeon sighed and soon nodded.

He hadn’t told them yet, but while they were sleeping, he had reached Ui Qi. Now he had nothing to fear unless it was a Gang Qi martial artist.

“Good, then you take the main gate.”

“What will you elder brothers do?”

“We’ll handle our own part. Got it?”

“Hmm, well. Do as you please.”

Since it didn’t matter to Zhuge Munhyeon whether they were there or not, he readily agreed, and Zhuge Munho hurriedly called Gwan Hwiping and Sayo together.

“Miss Sa.”

“Yes.”

“Please ask the persuaded Gaebangdo if they know the structure of Hoeunru.”

“Understood.”

Before Zhuge Munhyeon could move on his own, Zhuge Munho quickly established a strategy.

“There are four entrances in total.”

“That’s right, excluding the windows.”

“Good. Then Gwan will take the kitchen side, and Pyeong, you head to the exit leading to the back garden. Since Hwi’s skills are somewhat lacking, he’ll block the side exit with me. While Munhyeon goes in and draws their attention, we’ll target their rear.”

“Yes!”

After giving orders to Gwan Hwiping, Sayo asked with curiosity.

“Then what about us?”

“When Munhyeon attacks from the front, please just wait outside.”

“What? We won’t help? Don’t tell me you think our skills are insufficient?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why?”

“Except for Miss Sa, they are those who were persuaded. Even if they’ve found their way back, could they attack those who were their comrades until just recently?”

“Th-that’s…”

“It will remain as a wound in their hearts for a long time. Please follow my wishes just this once.”

Not disregard, but consideration.

‘Though it wasn’t visible before, overshadowed by Zhuge Munhyeon’s excellence, now I can see it. That he too is no less remarkable…’

The current Zhuge Family had no heir.

Since the Family Head had no children, he hadn’t been able to appoint a Young Family Head yet. Of course, there were many trustworthy brothers and descendants below him, so anyone could represent the family.

When she first saw Zhuge Munhyeon, she thought he would become the master of the Zhuge Family.

But her thoughts changed a little.

If Zhuge Munhyeon was like a protruding awl, Zhuge Munho was someone with the embracing capacity to support his younger brother.

Even that Zhuge Munhyeon…

Perhaps the next generation’s Zhuge Family might have him as its master, she thought.

‘Is this the foundation of a prestigious family? As they try to rise again, outstanding individuals reveal themselves.’

Thinking so, Sayo smiled and nodded.

“Understood. I won’t forget your consideration.”

“Consideration? Anyone would have thought the same.”

At their conversation, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled.

He understood they were making strategies… but why were they being all lovey-dovey in the process?

“Are you done talking?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I’m going first.”

“Okay.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who seemed to have been waiting, immediately left the alley and walked toward Hoeunru with large strides. Sayo couldn’t help but feel puzzled and tilted her head.

“He’s going like that?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“He just goes like that, that guy.”

“No, without any strategy? I know he’s strong, but since Hoeunru is the only place with lights on, there will be an immediate reaction, right?”

She hadn’t directly seen what happened at Honyeon Territory.

She was confined at the time.

Meanwhile, everyone was intoxicated with victory and didn’t explain in detail, so she only knew that the Zhuge Family had executed an excellent surprise strategy to secretly attack the manor and rescue them.

“Miss Sa. Please remember this.”

“…?”

“That guy himself is the strategy. You’ll probably understand once you see it, Miss Sa.”

“What do you mean…?”

It was then, as she blinked at the incomprehensible words.

Crash!

Thwack thwack thwack!

Zhuge Munhyeon walked toward the main gate of Hoeunru and immediately struck down those who blocked his way with powerful swings of his Silver River staff.

That’s… a strategy?

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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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