Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 52

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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 52

Near Yangbu Hermitage where boundary lines had been set up.

Though the night was deep, a few of Wudang’s second-generation disciples were patrolling with torches, worried that someone might unknowingly approach and fall into danger.

Rustle.

When the sound of dry leaves being stepped on came from the pitch-black darkness, a startled Taoist raised his torch.

“Who’s there?”

At the sudden noise, his voice was tense and his body shrank back.

After a moment, the figure that revealed itself in the torchlight was Zhuge Munhyeon.

“You’re all working hard.”

“Ah, you’re from the Zhuge Family.”

There was no way the second-generation disciples would know Zhuge Munhyeon’s face.

They were simply judging by his attire.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“There are a few things I need to check.”

“Check? At this hour?”

“Yes.”

“We haven’t received any such instructions…”

“Well, of course not.”

“Pardon?”

The second-generation disciples frowned, but Zhuge Munhyeon smiled brightly.

Sneaking in would be difficult.

The patrol was too close to the Secret Cave entrance.

There was the option of knocking them out and going in, but right now I am the Zhuge Family.

No matter how much my personality doesn’t discriminate between means and methods for achieving goals, I must first try to persuade with words.

Beating them down comes later.

“It’s not that someone ordered me to do this. There’s something that’s been bothering me, so I came to check.”

“Ah…”

They let out a small exclamation while looking embarrassed.

I know too.

Having lived a life that started from the very bottom of the demonic path and reached its peak, how could I not understand the hearts of subordinates?

Being a frog that remembers its tadpole days, I could clearly see the thoughts in these second-generation disciples’ heads.

An unscheduled visitor.

What if they get scolded for letting him in unnecessarily?

And dealing with these types isn’t difficult.

I understand your hearts.

I’m also someone like you who crawled on the ground and secretly badmouthed superiors.

It’s enough to let them know that.

“It must be tough working until late at night, right?”

“Not at all.”

“Come on, I know too. Middle positions are always like that.”

“…”

“Having first-generation disciples do it doesn’t fit their status, and having third-generation disciples do it might cause accidents since they’re too young… The second-generation always ends up handling all the dirty work, right?”

“Well, that’s…”

“The higher-ups really should know about this… It’s strange, isn’t it? They must have gone through their second-generation disciple days too. Did they forget or something…? Even if they don’t bring tea to comfort your late-night efforts, a warm word like ‘good work’ or ‘well done’ would be enough.”

As I clicked my tongue and shook my head with a gloomy expression, the wariness on the second-generation disciples’ faces faded.

Now, next it’s time to subtly reveal my connections.

“Uncle Yeonghwa earnestly asked me to hurry and find Master Hyeoncheon’s Cheongyang Sword, but thinking of you second-generation disciples working so hard, how could I sleep?”

“…Pardon? Un-Uncle Yeonghwa?”

“Huh? You didn’t know? I received Uncle Yeongmun’s blessing right after I was born.”

“Such a thing happened?”

“Of course. Maybe that’s why the Wudang people don’t feel unfamiliar to me. It’s like a hometown of the heart, like family.”

“Ah…”

“That’s why I came. To finish the Secret Cave repairs as quickly as possible, resolve Uncle Yeonghwa’s worries, and reduce the hardships of you second-generation disciples. You probably don’t even have time for cultivation.”

“I-I see.”

The second-generation disciples found themselves nodding without realizing it.

“May I take a quick look?”

“Well…”

“Just for a moment. I only need to examine the entrance anyway. It’s not particularly dangerous… I’m the type who can’t sleep when something bothers me.”

Their contemplative mood was evident.

What to do about this?

“Then we’ll report to our superiors first.”

“Report? At this hour?”

“Pardon?”

“Won’t you get scolded? For waking them over something trivial. They might say ‘Can’t you second-generation disciples make that much judgment on your own?’… I think I would if I were them…”

“…”

When I subtly observed their expressions, the second-generation disciples exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

Age brings cunning skills.

Reading minds just from the atmosphere is one of them.

Looking at the second-generation disciples’ expressions, I could clearly guess what they would say.

“You’re really only going to examine the entrance?”

“Of course. Naturally.”

“Hmm… Understood.”

Permission is granted.

This is just a very trivial matter to them.

“First, the torch… And don’t follow me, stay back. Though the mechanisms are dead, occasionally some misfired ones still move.”

“Understood.”

As Zhuge Munhyeon approached the Secret Cave, he suddenly thought.

This is clearly wrong.

Because I didn’t get permission.

Even if I offer the Cheongyang Sword, problems will naturally arise.

But how can I endure this?

One year?

My patience is insufficient to wait such a long time.

However, others shouldn’t suffer because of me.

I must bear the responsibility alone.

The second-generation disciples are innocent.

“Oh, and even if problems arise, don’t worry about being questioned. Just say that Zhuge Munhyeon suddenly came and acted on his own, and that he was so unreasonably stubborn that you couldn’t stop him. Make sure to say that. That this was all done by Zhuge Munhyeon alone.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“If you say that, they’ll probably understand. The people from our Main House all know my overly curious personality.”

Though Zhuge Munhyeon grinned as he looked back, the second-generation disciples couldn’t quite understand.

But before they could ask, Zhuge Munhyeon had already walked toward the Secret Cave.

Even watching him, they thought nothing much would happen.

Though he was holding a shovel, what could he do alone…?

Hadn’t the word from above been that even if all the people from the Zhuge Family worked together, it would easily take a year, so prepare patrols accordingly?

But why would he say such a thing?

He just said he’d look at the outside… unknowingly? By force?

“Come on, surely not?”

Even as he thought it couldn’t be, the moment he glanced over.

Dig dig dig!

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had approached the secret cave, dug out dirt at tremendous speed and slipped right into the secret cave that had been barely exposed.

“…”

The second-generation disciples stared blankly at the torch that had lost its master and was rolling on the ground.

And soon after.

Rumble!

With a loud noise, the nearby ground vibrated finely.

Only then did the second-generation disciples understand what Zhuge Munhyeon meant.

Unknowingly…

By force…

The thought that arose in the minds of the mountain Taoists looking at each other’s faces was unanimous. No matter how diligently they cultivated the Way, only one phrase came to mind.

Ah, we’re screwed.

* * *

Taiji Cave, located above Yangbu Rock.

Once a sacred place where countless Taoists practiced wall meditation, its fame had long since faded.

Because the Heavenly Demon had died there.

Did they think it had been somehow contaminated?

But even though it was neglected, with rocks covered in moss and grass growing thickly between them, there are always those who cannot hide their curiosity.

Mujin first visited that place when he was struggling against the wall of Tan Qi.

A wall he could not overcome no matter how hard he tried.

He thought of going to Taiji Cave, where the ancestors had practiced wall meditation in the past.

And on the day when heavy rain fell and Hyeoncheonja’s Secret Cave collapsed, a phrase hidden inside Taiji Cave was revealed.

Mad Soul Formula .

It was left by the Heavenly Demon.

His heart raced as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

It was something he should have turned away from, but he could not overcome the desire for martial arts that had penetrated deep into his heart.

And he saw it.

Boil blood with hatred, burn with rage.

Boil your blood with hatred and burn with rage.

The inherent awakening lies dormant, blood moon fills the sky.

Then the dormant nature shall awaken and crimson moonlight will fill the sky.

In an instant, my whole body trembled as if struck by lightning.

My heart pounded as if it would burst, and the entire world was stained crimson.

Feeling fear from the murderous intent that blazed like an active volcano, Mujin continuously recited the Six Yang Divine Art to resist it.

And the moment I barely managed to press the living, I crossed over the wall.

It was earth-shattering.

The world I had seen until now appeared completely different, as if it had all been a lie.

After that day, Mujin hid his achievements.

It was because when he channeled his inner energy, his bloodlust and killing intent became uncontrollable.

He gained martial arts skills but became estranged from the Wudang sect.

Moreover, Mujin began to devour the Taoist scriptures in the Jangseogak library. Like a person obsessed with words…

Because they had to solve the problems that arose in their own body.

But all the while, someone inside his heart was egging him on, whispering in his ear.

Take it out.

Don’t lock yourself away.

Drawn to that voice, Mujin found himself visiting the abandoned Taegeuk-dong in the dead of night when everyone was asleep, even though he knew he shouldn’t.

They pushed through the thick grass and searched the entire area like treasure hunters.

Thinking that perhaps if the wall crumbled, they might be able to find it, they tried pounding on it and even breaking it.

Then when dawn broke, I would writhe in the overwhelming feelings of emptiness and regret that came flooding in, and thinking that this couldn’t go on, I would recite Taoist scriptures day and night.

After months of diligent self-cultivation, he had finally managed to suppress his desires and hadn’t visited Taegeuk-dong for several months now…

Why was that?

‘Zhuge Munhyeon…’

The moment our eyes met, my blood surged wildly and I had to recite the Six Yang Divine Art to calm myself.

And in the end, I found myself returning to Taegeuk-dong once again.

Like being intoxicated by mind-numbing drugs, I pushed through the overgrown grass once again.

Even knowing that there’s nothing there…

But.

Rumble rumble rumble!

Suddenly, the entire Taegeuk-dong shook as if it would collapse, accompanied by a noise that erupted from deep underground.

“Wh-what is this?”

It was at that very moment when Mujin suddenly came to his senses and looked toward the entrance of Taegeuk-dong.

Rumble rumble.

A sound that makes your head turn involuntarily.

Part of the inner wall of Taegeuk-dong collapsed.

And another verse that had been hidden within was etched into those eyes.

“Boil your blood with hatred and burn with rage. Then your dormant nature shall awaken and crimson moonlight will fill the sky. As demon blood envelops your body and madness rules your soul…”

Mujin muttered as if entranced.

“The five desires and seven emotions are flames of wicked rage, and all sounds will become the roars of beasts.”

In the following passage, Mujin’s eyes grew larger and larger, and the blood-red light blooming within them grew increasingly intense, dyeing the interior of Taegeukdong crimson.

“Run wild. There are no more bonds, so freedom is destruction. The mad soul shall rule the flesh, and the bottomless abyss will stretch on for eternity…”

How much time has passed?

Is it night or day right now?

I didn’t really want to know.

When all the incantations of the Gwanghon Technique were etched into his mind and his trembling, like that of someone struck by a deadly blow, finally subsided, the red light that had filled the Taegeuk Cave was absorbed into Mujin’s eyes.

And.

“Kuhehehe.”

From his slightly parted lips escapes the cry of a beast that has just broken free from captivity.

Love brings unexpected consequences to those who are unprepared.

The Gwanghon Technique left behind by the Heavenly Demon was a power far too overwhelming for Mujin to accept, and it led him down the path of a demon.

“Kuhahahaha!”

The Taegeuk Cave shook once again with laughter that was no different from roaring with laughter toward the heavens.

Intoxicated by his rampaging power, Mujin no longer possessed anything resembling reason.

He didn’t bother to suppress his power with the Six Yang Divine Art.

I let that power spread through my limbs as it would, let it fill my body as it would.

At that moment, seething murderous intent erupted ferociously.

Mujin’s eyes, tinged with a crimson light, turned toward the outside of Taegeuk-dong, and his figure shot forth, leaving a streak of blood-red light in its wake.

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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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