Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 47

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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 47

Gyunhyeon had a close relationship with the Wudang Sect.

Even if those who had left the secular world showed detached reactions to worldly affairs, they paid special attention to Gyunhyeon.

This was because all supplies coming to Wudang were delivered through that place.

Gyunhyeon also took a considerably friendly stance since they made their living from the guests who came to visit Wudang.

Well, they had no choice.

They were making quite a profit from shops that rented Taoist robes to tourists and pilgrims to leave good memories, and guide services that introduced tours of Wudang Mountain.

Also, since all the land near Wudang Mountain was granted by the country, many people worked as tenant farmers. The tenant fees were cheap, so the population was said to be increasing every year.

But!

To Zhuge Munhyeon, Wudang had a slightly different meaning.

Hyeoncheonja’s Secret Cave.

The dream of Ascension to Immortality that he couldn’t achieve in his previous life might be there.

Thinking that he was approaching his life’s goal, his steps naturally quickened, and from the entrance of Gyunhyeon where he hurriedly arrived, his heart was beating fiercely.

“Ahem! That’s Wudang Mountain over there.”

Zhuge Munho pointed his finger at the distant high peak and cleared his throat, showing off his knowledge.

“According to the Records of Jingzhou…”

“Wudang Mountain is also called Seonshil (Immortal Chamber) or Taehwa (Great Harmony), and according to the Commentary on the Water Classic, Wudang Mountain was also called Taehwa Mountain, or Samsang Mountain, or Saera Mountain, Taeak (Great Peak), or Daeeak (Grand Peak).”

“Huh?”

“According to the Great Five Dragon Spiritual Response Longevity Palace Records, there was a mountain near Gyunbang in the Yang Han period with a circumference of eight hundred li, and the mountain’s name was Taehwa, but when the Primordial Martial God achieved enlightenment, it was named Wudang. The name Wudang Mountain came about because no one but the Primordial Martial God could withstand the energy of this mountain.”

“Ah, you know about it…”

Zhuge Munho, feeling awkward for no reason, shut his mouth tight.

It wasn’t to embarrass him.

It just automatically burst out as soon as he heard it.

How long had he lived on that mountain…

Do you know how many years he endured sitting in the dark Taiji Cave with candles lit, chewing and swallowing rock-hard Fasting Pills to achieve Ascension to Immortality?

That was really hard.

That bastard Yu Gilcheon blocked the entrance with rocks, so he couldn’t even come outside. He could have broken them, but he was afraid it would feel like losing.

But did he only cultivate the whole time?

A person couldn’t do that.

Wall Meditation was fine for a day or two, but boredom and loneliness became unbearably overwhelming.

So he read.

The books that were stored in Taiji Cave.

They weren’t martial books but texts related to Taoist history and mental and physical cultivation, so the content was incredibly boring, but he also thought it wouldn’t be bad to learn about Taoism in advance since he would have to enter the Immortal Realm after achieving Ascension to Immortality.

Thanks to that, even if I don’t know secret Taoist techniques, I’m confident that I’m a step above the Wudang Taoists when it comes to Taoist history or the attitude of Taoists.

I really read diligently, and thanks to reading the same books countless times, the content was imprinted to that degree.

But showing off in front of someone who lived there… Immeasurable Buddha.

“Where on earth did you learn such things?”

“Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.”

“Huh?”

“The Zhuge Family has it all.”

“Ah…”

When Zhuge Munho nodded at the answer thrown out in annoyance, Gwan Hwiping, who had been listening nearby, tilted his head.

‘Wasn’t he kicked out after just a few days?’

‘Right. He’s really a strange guy, isn’t he? Maybe he was a Wudang Taoist in his previous life, not a member of the Demonic Sect?’

‘Please stop that nonsense, Pyeong.’

For the first time, he was taken aback by Gwan Hwiping’s murmuring.

Pyeong is sharper than I thought?

“Ahem! Let’s hurry. Everyone must be waiting.”

“Right.”

The brothers of the Zhuge Family quickened their steps toward the inn where the repair team was staying.

* * *

“Oh! You’re here!”

“Yes.”

“You’ve worked hard. Really worked hard. I just heard from the Main House about your activities in Dangang District.”

Baek Mu welcomed them warmly.

Everyone else also had expressions as if they were looking at heroes of the family.

Zhuge Munhyeon had achieved great merit once again after Honyeon Territory, becoming imprinted in people’s minds.

As the future of the Zhuge Family.

“Has there been any contact from Wudang?”

“We just received permission to enter the mountain. Since you were coming, I requested that a Taoist come down to guide us.”

“That’s fortunate. I thought the mountain entry procedures would be complicated.”

“It probably means the Secret Cave repair work is urgent.”

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded at Baek Mu’s words.

As the saying goes, “Those who come are not good, and the good do not come.”

Therefore, those who visit without notice cannot enter the Taoist gate, and those who come must first inform and receive permission, then act according to guidance.

This was the long-established procedure set by Taoist sects including Wudang.

When he was the Heavenly Demon, he was always served tea whenever he visited any Taoist sect at any time, but now as part of the Zhuge Family, he had to follow procedures and rules.

“There’s still time left, so tell us about what happened in Dangang District. I heard you discovered and crushed the conspiracy of those called the Seven Kill Gang in advance?”

“Ah, that… I don’t know where to start.”

When curious gazes focused on him, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled awkwardly.

“That! I, who played a very important role, will tell you! Hahaha!”

As if he had been waiting, Zhuge Pyeong stepped forward with a triumphant expression.

“It was three days ago! It was the night when history began. We who were cultivating at the manor heard the news that our in-law elder had been kidnapped and then rescued.”

“…”

He really speaks well.

Even though he was just sleeping.

But heaven seems to be fair.

He gave excellent speaking skills to someone who lacked both awareness and ability.

Even Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been indifferent since he had experienced it firsthand, gradually began to listen as he heard the story.

It was even thrilling.

If that was the case for him, what about the others?

It was only a moment before they exclaimed “Wow!” and became absorbed in the story.

Just when they had been intoxicated by Zhuge Pyeong’s story for a while, a Taoist wearing a Taiji Taoist Crown with a clean impression and holding a white brush that looked similar to a large duster entered the inn and spoke to them.

“Immeasurable Buddha, you must be the repair team from the Zhuge Family?”

“That’s right.”

Baek Mu quickly came to his senses and greeted them.

“I am Yeonghwa who came down from the main mountain.”

“What? You have the character Yeong in your name?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Are you perhaps an Elder?”

“That’s right. I hold the position of Ujin Palace Master.”

At Yeonghwa’s words, Baek Mu was startled and bowed his head again.

“I had no idea you were one of the masters of the Eight Palaces and committed such discourtesy.”

“Please, dispense with the formalities. It’s merely a position… there’s no need for such excessive courtesy.”

That’s what he said, but how could I dispense with proper etiquette?

The Yeong generation.

In current Wudang, this corresponded to the elder level. And the Ujin Palace Master oversaw Wudang’s external affairs, primarily handling foreign cooperation.

In other words, he was a power holder of Wudang.

One closely connected to the conservative faction.

No matter how aged Baek Mu might be, this was a position difficult to approach casually in martial circles.

“Are you fully prepared to enter the mountain?”

“Yes, we are.”

“It’s fortunate you prepared in advance. The sect leader has been waiting for your arrival…”

“Thank you for saying so.”

Yeonghwa showed a satisfied expression at Baek Mu’s respectful demeanor.

“By the way, I heard there’s someone coming from Dangang District?”

“Ah! They’ve already arrived and are conversing with my family members.”

“Might I receive an introduction?”

“Pardon? An introduction?”

“A letter arrived from the Zhuge Family informing us of the general situation. Wudang failed to notice the conspiracy hatched by the ruffians of southern Henan, so I wanted to express our gratitude for handling it well.”

“Ah…”

It was a somewhat sensitive matter.

The incident at Dangang District.

While it was nothing but joyous news for the Zhuge Family, it was an unpleasant matter from Wudang’s perspective.

However, he couldn’t pretend not to know when asked.

“Children, come quickly and pay your respects to the Ujin Palace Master.”

At the deliberately stern voice, Zhuge Munho bowed his head first.

“I am Munho of the Zhuge Family.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Next, Gwan Hwiping bowed his head, and Yeonghwa responded with a smile across his face.

And then.

“I am Munhyeon of the Zhuge Family.”

Zhuge Munhyeon respectfully cupped his hands and bowed.

Thinking of the Ascension Method that bastard Yu Gilcheon had passed on, which had caused his rebirth, curses rose to his throat, but he had no choice but to endure for now.

After all, wasn’t he in the position of having come to work for hire?

At least until he entered Hyeoncheonja’s Secret Cave and confirmed the Immortality Secret Manual with his own eyes, he had to behave as courteously as possible.

However, the moment Yeonghwa received Zhuge Munhyeon’s greeting, a strange gleam flashed in his eyes.

‘Huh, what an unusual fellow. How does he know Taoist etiquette so well?’

Wudang values proper etiquette.

Because they believe it too is cultivation.

Since one’s mindset and posture must be correct to advance on the right path.

‘The way he clasps his hands, the angle of his waist, even his feet positioned neatly at an appropriate distance. There’s nothing to fault.’

Unlike the others before him, Zhuge Munhyeon’s etiquette was reverent and refined, as if he had long studied Taoist ways.

His aura was also quite impressive.

‘Hmm, he looks young… yet I cannot easily gauge him.’

This was surprising.

Martial artists who had reached a certain level could usually estimate an opponent’s approximate skill just by observing the aura subtly emanating from their body.

But it wasn’t visible.

Even to his eyes, which had already reached the realm of Ui Qi.

As if he had learned nothing, or was at the same level as himself, or perhaps even higher.

Curious, Yeonghwa asked.

“Young man, how old are you?”

“I am fifteen.”

“What? Fi-fifteen?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“…”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s counter-question, Yeonghwa was left speechless.

Though he looked young, he had expected him to be at least twenty… but only fifteen?

This was repeatedly astonishing.

There was no way someone that age could possess such spiritual energy…

“Have you perhaps received Taoist teachings before?”

“How could that be? I’ve only recently entered the martial world after spending my entire time within the family estate.”

“Immeasurable Buddha, then how is your knowledge of Wudang etiquette so exceptional?”

“…”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon realized why Yeonghwa was questioning him so persistently.

Apparently, in his desire to show proper respect, he had unconsciously adopted the etiquette written in the books he’d read in Taiji Cave. He had even practiced imitating it out of boredom when reading about etiquette…

‘Damn, should I say I read it in Ten Thousand Books Pavilion?’

But soon he found a better answer.

“Wudang’s Yeongmun Taoist has a connection with my father. I heard he even bestowed sincere blessings upon me.”

“Ye-Yeongmun? Don’t tell me you’re the son of the Zhuge Family’s Byeongjudang Master?”

“That’s correct.”

“Oh my! How can this be? So that’s it, that’s it. No wonder your etiquette was so exceptional from the start. You’re the child Yeongmun praised endlessly.”

Yeonghwa laughed loudly as if his questions had finally been answered.

Not a forced laugh, but a genuine smile.

Yeongmun was the Wudang Taoist who had been present when Zhuge Munhyeon was first held in his father’s arms on the day of his birth.

“How can such a connection exist? Truly delightful. I am Yeongmun’s immediate senior brother.”

“Ah!”

How long would I hold a grudge against that Taoist over something that had already passed?

I’m not such a narrow-minded person.

Zhuge Munhyeon exclaimed and immediately changed his bow, saying.

“I greet you, Uncle.”

“Hm?”

“If you are Uncle’s senior brother, then naturally you would also be my uncle, wouldn’t you?”

“What? Oh ho ho ho ho!”

Among family, father’s eldest brother is called Uncle, and the brother below him is called Second Uncle. But what did it matter if the title was slightly wrong? Yeonghwa, who found Zhuge Munhyeon’s friendly address endearing, laughed heartily.

“Oh ho ho ho! That’s right. That would be so. To meet Yeongmun’s connection like this is truly delightful.”

Unlike before, Yeonghwa’s expression became friendly.

See that?

This is the proper utilization of connections.

After all, arms always bend inward.

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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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