Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 55

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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 55

 

 

He couldn’t kill him.

This was a disciple who hadn’t even had a chance to properly bloom yet.

But because of something that damned Heavenly Demon had hidden in Taiji Cave, the promising Mujin had been tainted by demonic nature.

He was at the prime age for growth.

Though he had long since made a name for himself in the martial world, he still lacked sufficient cultivation and couldn’t control himself.

Who among them hadn’t been captivated by the impulse to become stronger?

Even knowing it was a path he shouldn’t take, with a method to become stronger right before his eyes, he ultimately couldn’t resist.

There was still, still a chance to save him.

Despite being intoxicated by demonic nature, he retained enough reason not to take the lives of his fellow disciples.

That’s why he couldn’t unleash killing techniques.

He intended to subdue him.

…Though with such favoritism, that’s probably why he hadn’t been able to subdue him until now.

But would that be easy?

When consumed by demonic nature, one draws upon their potential and even their vital essence, becoming several times stronger than their original power.

Even if all the elders worked together to subdue him, it would inevitably be difficult.

Because they intended to save him, not kill him.

In such circumstances, for him to appear claiming he had a way to save Mujin must seem absurd.

“What are you talking about? You alone know a way to save him?”

“Don’t we not have time for explanations?”

“What?”

“If we leave him like this, he’ll enter True Demon state. Then we won’t be able to stop him. We’ll have to watch him die while burning through his vital essence.”

Just as with martial arts, falling into demonic nature also has stages.

Entry, True, Exhaustion, Ash.

Entering demonic nature, becoming a demon, power being depleted, crumbling like ash.

Mujin had just passed the entry stage.

He was still at the beginning.

But the blood-red aura was growing increasingly dense.

Red energy flowed from his body like crimson blood, extending in all directions.

He would soon reach True Demon state.

If left alone, he would become even stronger, cause tremendous damage, and then self-destruct. Like ash consumed by fire.

“…Do you really know a way to save that child?”

“Yes. I know.”

“How exactly?”

“I just know. Please hold onto this for now. I can’t let something I obtained with such difficulty get damaged.”

“This is?”

What he handed to Yeonghwa was a sword and a pouch.

“Cheongyang and the powdered remains of Hyeoncheonja.”

“Wh-what did you say?”

While Yeonghwa couldn’t hide her shock, Mujin reached out ruthlessly toward the elders. As if annoyed by his current trapped situation…

Craaaaaash!

With a violent explosion, the encirclement shook, and demonic energy that flowed outside the sword formation viciously clawed at the vegetation.

“Urgh…”

The supreme martial artists who had long since reached the Ui Qi level groaned and grimaced at the swirling demonic energy.

The aura was growing increasingly stronger.

Having now even contained murderous intent, the possibility of subduing him had diminished further.

“Damn, there’s no time! I’ll have to step forward now whether you permit it or not!”

“Mu, Munhyeon!”

Zhuge Munhyeon, having thrust the Cheongyang sword and pouch of remains onto Yeonghwa, threw himself into the sword formation.

He was already at the end of Entry Demon state.

The moment he crossed the boundary, fake would become real.

Wudang’s elders, who cherished their disciples, would hesitate to take action, someone would die. And Mujin wouldn’t survive.

He had no choice but to stop it.

“No!”

“What are you doing!”

The elders cried out in alarm at the sight of Zhuge Munhyeon suddenly diving into the sword formation.

Leaping into a formation technique that was already deployed and demonstrating its power was tantamount to suicide.

But I am a son of the Zhuge clan.

Did I learn formation techniques for nothing all this time?

Zhuge Munhyeon instantly found the flow of the sword formation and approached Mujin’s side.

“What is this…?”

The elders were startled by the sudden situation.

“Elders! Let’s expand the sword formation!”

“What are you saying?”

“Please, I beg you.”

“Palace Master Ujin!”

“…Let’s trust that child. I will take responsibility.”

Yeonghwa spoke through gritted teeth.

Trusting someone.

Sometimes even after spending decades together like close friends, trust can be lost.

Why else would they compare ten fathoms of water to one fathom of human heart?

But the Cheongyang sword in her hands.

How could this be?

Baek Mu had said it would take at least a year to disable the mechanisms one by one…

And the powdered remains of Master Hyeoncheon?

Did this mean that child had entered the secret cave alone?

Countless questions complicated her mind, but before that, Yeonghwa had seen the look in Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes when he spoke to her.

A strange sense of anticipation arose.

Despite not knowing him for long, perhaps he could do it.

In any case, no other solution came to mind in this situation.

Other than killing Mujin…

Did Yeonghwa’s complex feelings as she gritted her teeth and gripped her sword get through to them?

The Wudang elders, who had been frowning and pondering, slowly expanded the range of the sword formation.

From suppression to containment.

The sword formation changed from one aimed at subjugation to one that merely blocked escape routes.

‘Phew, if it hadn’t been Yeonghwa, that would have been disastrous.’

As the atmosphere of the sword formation changed and the surroundings became quiet, Zhuge Munhyeon breathed a sigh of relief.

But now wasn’t the time for admiration—he had to save Mujin.

‘The end of Entry Demon… I might get consumed if I’m not careful.’

Though he could feel external gazes watching him, Zhuge Munhyeon focused only on Mujin.

Grrrrr…

Suddenly feeling relieved as the righteous energy that had been pressing down on him disappeared, Mujin growled like a beast and glared at Zhuge Munhyeon.

What is this thing? What’s it doing swaggering in front of me? Should I play with it? Or should I kill it?

His gaze was like that of a well-fed beast pondering its options.

Damn it…

What kind of luck could be this fierce?

Just after suffering through hell in the Secret Cave, now I have to deal with a guy who’s fallen into demonic possession and become a beast.

But what choice do I have?

As someone said, I have to clean up the mess I made.

“You, your name was Mujin, right?”

“…”

“It’s going to hurt a bit from now on. You’ll get very angry too… But I’m trying to save you, so don’t thrash around too much. Got it?”

Zhuge Munhyeon slowly took his stance, explaining the situation even though it probably wouldn’t be heard anyway.

Right now, Mujin’s strength would match that of a Gang Qi master.

Madmen are originally strong.

He would pour out everything he had without reserve, and wouldn’t hesitate to commit murder.

But a beast that has lost its reason is faithful to instinct.

If I use that well…

‘First, I need to cut off his meridians so he can’t be further tainted by demonic nature.’

When Zhuge Munhyeon lowered his stance, Mujin flinched in surprise and backed away.

His instincts had warned him.

That it was dangerous.

Perhaps because of this, the blood-red light flowing from his eyes became stronger than before.

Grrrrr…

The moment he growled low in wariness, Zhuge Munhyeon kicked off the ground and slid forward rapidly.

And then he divided.

It was the seventh form of Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps, a technique called True Phantom Wandering Form, which appeared like the movement of supernatural transformation that left afterimages due to its speed.

Kraaaah!

As Zhuge Munhyeon moved, Mujin immediately responded.

But the demonic energy imbued with blood-red aura struck only an afterimage.

A decoy, so to speak.

Taking advantage of that gap, Zhuge Munhyeon deeply stabbed Mujin’s solar plexus with his finger.

Thunk!

The end of the path to the middle dantian that demonic nature had forcibly opened.

Block the flow… Huh?

Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes widened as he thought he had succeeded.

Because Mujin’s hand, which should have been staggering, was striking toward his side.

Damn, this guy’s too full of vigor.

Zhuge Munhyeon quickly covered his face with his forearm.

Thwaaaack!

His body flew like a thrown stone and crashed into the ground.

The impact of being hit was heavy, but crashing into bare ground was truly the worst. Amidst broken wood and stones…

“Ugh.”

The shock felt like all his bones were being crushed and the pain of muscles tearing strand by strand.

“Blech!”

Zhuge Munhyeon didn’t hold back the surging blood and spat it out.

Seeing this, the Wudang Elders tried to tighten the Sword Formation, but Yeonghwa urgently shouted.

“Wait! Please wait a moment!”

“Palace Master Ujin! What are you saying? At this rate, the Zhuge Family’s son might die!”

“Mujin’s movements…”

“What?”

At Yeonghwa’s words, the Elders looked at Mujin.

After striking Zhuge Munhyeon, he was looking at his own chest with an extremely angry expression.

Something had changed.

The moment Zhuge Munhyeon stabbed his solar plexus.

“Damn, that hurts. I almost got my head blown off. I clearly asked you to go easy…”

And Zhuge Munhyeon got up, spitting blood-mixed saliva onto the ground.

“Are, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“…”

Though he said that, Zhuge Munhyeon staggered slightly.

It really hurt.

Enough to make him lose consciousness for a moment.

But it was sufficiently effective.

Having cut the meridians so demonic nature could no longer run wild, this current strength would be his limit.

Grrrrr…

Don’t growl threateningly like that, you bastard.

I know you’re angry too.

But I haven’t just dealt with one or two guys who fell into demonic possession and went wild in my younger days, you know?

From now on, I’ll cut away the demonic nature dwelling in your body strand by strand.

Zhuge Munhyeon launched his body again.

After dozens of seconds of offense and defense, he once again stabbed a spot on Mujin’s body and severed a meridian.

Thwack!

He was kicked and rolled across the ground.

The blood he vomited seemed like it would fill a bowl.

But the blood-red light in Mujin’s eyes had noticeably diminished. As if regaining some consciousness, Mujin stopped attacking and shook his head vigorously.

Now five spots remain… Will this work?

If we keep trading blows like this, I feel like I’ll die first? Should I ask for help even now?

It was just as he glanced at Yeonghwa in the Sword Formation.

“As expected! I knew this would happen.”

Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping joined Yeonghwa’s side.

Those guys, they followed because they were worried?

Sometimes it’s fine to take in even black-haired beasts.

“What brings you here?”

“We followed Munhyeon. It seemed like he intended to help Wudang.”

“I see…”

“How is it?”

“I don’t know what method he’s using, but it seems effective.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

“Hmm… But perhaps we should help him now…”

At Yeonghwa’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon nodded.

I was just about to say that, so it’s fortunate he already noticed.

Right now, there’s not a single part of me that doesn’t hurt – arms, legs, back, knees. My stomach feels queasy too.

So…

“What? Help him?”

“Munhyeon’s injuries are severe. His blood is black, indicating serious internal injuries.”

But Zhuge Munho spoke with an expression that said it was nonsense.

“Palace Master, Munhyeon isn’t that kind of guy.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you know that guy’s true heart? He’s someone who considers you his uncle.”

“That’s not it.”

“Why do you think that guy faced this alone? He could have easily asked for help. It’s because he believes only he can resolve this situation. Also, he judged that it could become dangerous if others interfered.”

“Is, is that so? Then do you know what method that child is using?”

“I don’t know that. He’s incomparably superior to us, knowing many things we never even thought of.”

“Ah…”

“So please protect the pride of someone who is sacrificing himself for Wudang. I’ve watched him closely for a long time. He’s someone who can handle it well enough on his own.”

“Hmm…”

Yeonghwa, who seemed to be pondering, soon nodded his head.

And Zhuge Munho looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with an expression that revealed firm determination.

Munhyeon, I understand your heart.

You intend to solve this alone so that Wudang will feel grateful to the Zhuge Family, right? I barely managed to stop Master Yeonghwa from stepping in, didn’t I?

Zhuge Munhyeon looked wistfully at him as he conveyed his meaning with such eyes.

Ah, that bastard…

“Munhyeon! You can do it!”

“…”

Don’t cheer me on, you damn bastard!

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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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