Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 56

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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 56

 

 

The method for treating a martial artist whose demonic energy has gone berserk is simple.

Cut off their head.

These bastards are so numb to pain that they’ll keep moving even with severed limbs, but they can’t live without a head.

But after kidnapping ignorant children to train them, raising them with spiritual medicines, teaching them demonic arts, and distributing weapons to them…

How many years were spent raising them, and how much money was invested?

The demonic path of old concluded that consuming talent like that was too wasteful.

Thus, the Heart Sealing Art was created.

A vital point technique that forcibly blocks six key energy pathways to suppress rampaging demonic energy.

But it’s not omnipotent.

A demon who has already crossed into the state of true madness can never be cured. To prevent damage, killing them is the only answer.

Also, if demonic energy has invaded the brain, recovery is difficult. Those whose minds are completely broken will likely become mindless shells even if their demonic energy is sealed.

Fortunately, Wujin hadn’t missed the timing. What Zhuge Munhyeon used on Wujin while getting beaten and rolling around was precisely the Heart Sealing Art.

“Grrrgh…”

Wujin’s movements stopped as his demonic energy flow was blocked.

Having been consumed by demonic nature and exhausted even part of his true essence, he could no longer move.

Now for the final step…

Zhuge Munhyeon raised his exhausted body and slowly approached Wujin.

“Ugh…”

With the blood-red glow gone from his eyes, he slumped his shoulders and knelt while looking up at Zhuge Munhyeon.

‘…I hope his mind is intact.’

That part couldn’t be confirmed yet.

The demonic energy had been suppressed, not completely eliminated.

That could only be confirmed after Wudang treated his body with pure energy.

Thud!

“Kugh.”

As the final vital point was blocked, Wujin closed his eyes and collapsed helplessly.

“Haah…”

Zhuge Munhyeon also had no strength left to endure and slumped down beside him.

It was exhausting.

His whole body felt like it would shatter.

The internal injuries he had gritted his teeth and endured came rushing all at once.

“Munhyeon!”

The first to rush over was Zhuge Munho.

Supporting and embracing Zhuge Munhyeon’s body, he wore an extremely proud expression.

“Well done. You worked hard.”

“…”

He wanted to say something to the one holding him and patting his back.

You bastard…

Because of whom…

Without any help…

Do you even know what hardship means?

But only groans came out.

Just wait and see.

I’ll definitely get my revenge.

Meanwhile, Yeonghwa and the Wudang Elders approached to examine Wujin’s body.

They checked his pulse, but only tilted their heads with puzzled expressions.

Go ahead and examine him all you want.

As if you could figure out the Heart Sealing Art that contains the essence of the demonic path.

From their gazes, it seemed they had many questions, but Yeonghwa quickly organized the situation.

“Let’s move both of them to the main mountain first.”

“Understood.”

An Elder carried Wujin, while Zhuge Munhyeon was carried on Zhuge Munho’s back.

His steps were light as if saying “My dear brother, how could I entrust you to a Wudang Taoist’s back,” but what Zhuge Munhyeon wanted to say to him remained the same throughout.

You bastard…

 

* * *

 

Jinbu Hermitage.

The bitter scent of grass roots brushing past his nose seeped deep into his lungs. Somehow mixed with the earthy smell and rough fragrance of tree bark, it made his face scrunch up involuntarily.

But the Hyeoncheon Secret Records were still in his bosom.

Worried they might search his body under the pretense of treatment if he lost consciousness, he kept his mind firmly alert.

“It’s called Heart Protection Decoction.”

“…”

“I asked about it, and they said all sorts of medicinal herbs went into it. They said it’s the essence of Wudang’s alchemy.”

Zhuge Munho, grinning constantly, carefully spooned the herbal medicine into his mouth one spoonful at a time.

Such devotion…

But who said I’d forgive you?

Wait until the next training session.

I’ll make you roll around until you’re screaming.

…With that resolve, Zhuge Munhyeon gulped down the Heart Protection Decoction.

It’s good for the body, isn’t it?

They said it’s the essence of Wudang alchemy…

Mm, they said good medicinal herbs went into it, and indeed I feel strength surging through me.

“They’re outside, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Who came?”

“Well… everyone came.”

“Everyone?”

“Yeah. From the sect leader to the elders. The courtyard is packed.”

“Heh, they must be quite heated up.”

He could feel them pacing around since earlier.

“Master Wujin still hasn’t regained consciousness, so everyone’s very worried.”

“That’s expected. His true essence was damaged.”

“But how exactly did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“With Master Wujin, I mean. The sect leader apparently examined him thoroughly but just kept shaking his head.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

That’s understandable.

The Heart Sealing Art was treated as top secret even within the demonic path.

If by any chance a crazed demon escaped to the Central Plains and got captured alive, various secrets might be revealed, causing trouble.

Wudang probably couldn’t even guess.

Since it’s not exactly demonic arts but a vital point suppression technique, there’s nothing particularly suspicious about it, and no matter how skilled a physician examines it, they could never discover its true nature.

No matter how much you push internal energy in to examine the flow, it would be futile.

Before you could even try to move along the flow, it would be blocked, leaving you with nowhere to go.

Though his concern for his disciple was great, he would be curious about the method used to subdue his body.

“Hey, Munhyeon. If you’ve recovered enough…”

“Should I call them?”

“Yes. Everyone’s curious. It doesn’t seem proper to keep them waiting so long.”

After pondering briefly at Zhuge Munho’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon sat up.

Heavy.

It was because his wounds hadn’t fully healed yet.

Zhuge Munhyeon leaned against the wall, covered with a blanket, and spoke to Zhuge Munho.

“Tell them to come in, just the Sect Leader and Palace Master Woojin.”

“Just those two?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

After Zhuge Munho took the empty medicine bowl and went outside, shortly after.

“We’ll enter.”

Yeongyu, Wudang’s Sect Leader, asked permission with a voice full of dignity and opened the door.

“Since I haven’t fully recovered yet… please forgive my rudeness.”

“Don’t they say ‘the sick are without fault’? It’s fine, so don’t strain yourself.”

“Thank you.”

“We should be the ones thanking you. Isn’t that right, junior brother?”

Yeonghwa, who entered following Yeongyu’s words, nodded.

“That’s right, Sect Leader. The help we’ve received from Munhyeon is not just one or two things.”

“Indeed.”

Yeongyu, wearing a gentle smile, looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with soft eyes.

“First, thank you for finding Master Hyeoncheon’s Cheongyang Sword. And thank you even more for delivering his remains. I thank you on behalf of Wudang.”

“Please don’t mention it. It was something I had to do.”

“No. No, it’s not. Such thoughtfulness is not something everyone can show.”

“…”

“How were Master’s remains?”

“He was dignified. And upright.”

“I see. How did he appear?”

“He looked peaceful, without regrets.”

“Is that so. Truly fortunate. That someone like you was with him at the end.”

Yeongyu looked genuinely grateful, and Yeonghwa couldn’t hide his satisfaction.

A bitter smile emerged from embarrassment.

If only you knew I’m the very Heavenly Demon you call a villain…

“I heard you have a connection with Yeongmun.”

“Yes. I’m growing up healthy thanks to Uncle Yeongmun’s blessings.”

“How wonderful. I’m truly grateful you say that. I was lacking in virtue and failed to look after Zhuge’s difficulties, yet you’ve given such great help through mere human connections…”

After pondering briefly at those words, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and replied.

“There’s no big or small in connections, and Zhuge treasures them all.”

“Indeed.”

Shame appeared on Yeongyu’s face as he nodded repeatedly.

It was self-reproach.

While proclaiming to be fellow Orthodox Sects, he had kept distance calling them secular martial families, and despite being nearby, had neglected them as they were isolated by Unorthodox Sects and crumbling.

Indeed… it was good that I thought deeply before speaking.

It was quite a fine thing to say.

So now.

“Ask what you’re curious about.”

“Hm?”

“Weren’t you curious about Woojin’s condition and the method I used to subdue him?”

“Mm…”

When he pointed it out directly, Yeongyu’s face briefly hardened then relaxed.

“You’re right. I should sincerely repay you for what you’ve done for Wudang, but before that, I want to ask. What method did you use exactly? I’m inadequate and couldn’t understand at all.”

“…”

I pondered briefly.

I couldn’t explain the Heart-Sealing Technique.

No matter how much I’d resolved not to live as a demonic practitioner anymore, I had to keep secrets.

That was proper.

“I planted a formation inside his body.”

“…Hm?”

Both Yeongyu and Yeonghwa’s eyes widened simultaneously.

They probably never thought such an answer would come.

Actually, I just thought of it now too.

I didn’t really have anything else to say.

And I’m getting better at lying with practice.

At this rate, I might become the world’s greatest swindler instead of the world’s greatest martial artist.

“A, a formation? What do you mean? Can you deploy a formation inside a person’s body?”

“That is the greatness of the Zhuge Family’s formation techniques.”

“Ah…”

He seemed amazed but didn’t appear to understand.

If it hadn’t come from Zhuge Munhyeon’s mouth, it would have been words they could have scoffed at as unheard-of nonsense.

But!

“Formations are ultimately based on axes as focal points. Even in a human body, if you properly install the axes, you can activate a formation.”

“Incredible! How is such a thing possible…”

You’d want to say it’s impossible.

But Yeonghwa and the other Elders saw it with their own eyes, and the person involved confirms it, so what can you do?

Do you know formations?

If I say it’s so, then it absolutely is.

“Could you explain in detail?”

“That won’t do.”

“What?”

“Though I consider Wudang as family, I cannot give away my family’s secret techniques.”

“Mm…”

There was no argument against that.

Why are secret techniques called secret?

They’re secret because they’re hidden, and Wudang doesn’t teach outsiders carelessly either. No, even among the main mountain’s disciples, they only pass them to permitted individuals.

“However, I can explain that I planted axes in Daoist Woojin’s body and activated a formation to contain the rampaging demonic energy.”

“I see…”

The two could only nod.

“By any chance, are there any particular side effects to the method you used?”

“…”

At Yeongyu’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon looked at him with half-closed eyes.

“Side… ef… fects?”

When he emphasized each syllable separately, Yeongyu made an awkward expression.

It was like asking for a reward after being rescued from drowning.

That’s how it must have sounded.

Someone of the Sect Leader’s stature, a highly virtuous Daoist, couldn’t fail to notice.

He must think he’d become shameless.

“Well now, I never expected the sect leader of Wudang, whom I’ve considered family, to say such things.”

“N-now see here. That’s… what I meant wasn’t that…”

“Side effects, you say… well, really.”

As he pouted his lips in displeasure, the flustered Yeongyu glanced sideways at Yeonghwa.

‘Help me out here.’

‘Immeasurable Buddha…’

‘Hey!’

‘Immeasurable Buddha…’

‘Brother, are you really going to be like this?’

‘Immeasurable Buddha…’

From their expressions, it seemed like they were exchanging roughly those kinds of thoughts.

Let’s leave it at this.

Pushing too hard would only backfire.

“Sigh. Well, I suppose it’s understandable to be worried.”

“Y-yes, exactly. Please know I had absolutely no intention of blaming you.”

“Yes, yes. I understand, I tell you.”

“Thank you. I mean it sincerely.”

The sect leader, master of a martial sect representing Hubei, broke into a cold sweat.

This is exactly how to conduct oneself when holding the advantage.

Skillful and adept.

“Anyway, since you asked, I’ll answer. Mujin was at the edge of qi deviation. He was lucky to control the demonic energy, but if that energy had already flowed to his brain… even if he awakens, he won’t be able to maintain a sound mind.”

“Then?”

“He would become an idiot.”

“Ah…”

Unable to hide his despair, Yeongyu muttered like a sigh.

“That Heavenly Demon bastard… even in death, he troubles Wudang.”

“…”

Hey, why is the story going in that direction?

Really now, I prepared to die to save him and this is what I get.

“Sect Leader.”

“Speak.”

“Is that the Heavenly Demon’s fault?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t exclude the fault of the Taoist who couldn’t control his greed. How long will you keep blaming others?”

“…”

At those sharp words, the sect leader’s expression darkened.

This was rude.

It was tantamount to confronting the elder of a family, a situation that warranted punishment.

But right now, I’m in a position where I can do anything since I brought back the Azure Sun Sword and even saved his disciple!

Since we’re on the topic, let me confront you bastards once and for all.

What exactly did I do so wrong!

No one in Wudang died because of me, yet they even kept records to make me out to be the villain.

Even if this is the Taoist Sect and not Buddhism, still, you birds of a feather lack understanding and consideration!

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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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