Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 57

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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 57

 

 

“Can you really wake him up?”

“Since I’m the one who set up the formation.”

“Hmm…”

Mujin lay there unconscious.

Behind Zhuge Munhyeon who sat beside him, the Wudang elders including sect leader Yeongyu sat in a row.

Heads poking out and ears perked up.

It’s not like they’re a bunch of curious cats…

Well, am I just any ordinary guest?

I’m an important guest. A very important guest.

And the only person who can treat Mujin.

Of course I know the method.

Though I can’t guarantee he’ll wake up with his mind intact.

Zhuge Munhyeon placed his hand on the center of the six meridians and applied gentle pressure.

Thump!

Surprise flashed across the faces of Wudang’s leaders as Mujin’s body jerked so violently that his blanket was thrown off.

And then immediately.

“Ugh…”

Mujin opened his eyes.

“Ohhh!”

The elderly elders’ eyes widened as if they had witnessed something miraculous, and they let out exclamations.

Their eyes were filled with joy as if they had finally reached a long-awaited moment.

See that?

This is the kind of person I am.

Even if I can’t perform the miracle of making the lame walk, I’m certainly capable of waking up someone who lost consciousness after falling into demonic enchantment.

But this guy’s mind better be intact…

Just as he waited anxiously for him to fully regain consciousness.

“Sect…leader?”

“Oh! Do you recognize me?”

Mujin, who had barely regained consciousness, was startled to see not only the sect leader but also the elders present, and tried to sit up.

“It’s fine. You’re not well, so stay lying down.”

“B-but…”

“I said it’s fine.”

Instead of Yeongyu, Zhuge Munhyeon gently pressed Mujin’s chest with his hand.

His confused eyes turned toward Zhuge Munhyeon.

What are you looking at?

“He saved you.”

“What?”

“Hehe, give him your thanks.”

“Ah…”

He couldn’t understand.

He had no memory of anything after seeing the original copy of the incantation formula left by the Heavenly Demon in the collapsed space inside Taiji Cave.

But Zhuge Munhyeon saved him…

Though his head was confused, since it was the sect leader’s words, Mujin immediately expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“…”

Words spoken because someone told him to.

Though it seemed to contain about as much sincerity as a fingernail, Zhuge Munhyeon nodded.

This is typically how someone who awakens from demonic enchantment behaves.

Still, it’s fortunate.

He seems mentally sound.

If he had become an idiot, the grateful looks from the Wudang Sect toward him would have surely dimmed by half.

Also, thank you.

Thanks to you going wild under demonic influence, no one is questioning my reckless entry into the secret cave.

The wrongdoing disappeared and only gratitude remained.

“Sect leader, I… I…”

Mujin’s face contorted.

Since he knew he had been under demonic influence, guilt followed after the confusion.

For a Taoist cultivating the Way to fall under demonic influence, expulsion is natural, and furthermore, he should have his limb meridians severed and return everything he received from Wudang. That is the law.

“No. No. How can we say this is entirely your fault?”

Yeongyu comforted Mujin as if understanding his feelings.

“That’s right. How could this be Mujin’s fault? This is what that Heavenly Demon bastard did.”

“Exactly! To think he’d do such vicious things after borrowing our mountain claiming he wanted to ascend to immortality.”

“How could Mujin have resisted what that evil of the age left behind?”

“Damn Heavenly Demon.”

“That bastard!”

“May he fall into a cesspit and die!”

“…”

The elders each poured out words defending Mujin.

Of course, listening from the side…

‘These bastards!’

They’re busy cursing whenever they get the chance.

Zhuge Munhyeon had to suppress his killing intent while wondering if he should start with cleaning up Wudang, never mind ascension or whatever.

Even if they don’t know he’s the culprit! Their words are too harsh!

That’s when it happened.

“Enough!”

Yeongyu shouted angrily and glared at the elders.

“S-sect leader…”

“Tsk tsk, how long do you plan to keep blaming others?”

“What?”

“People who are elders leading Wudang… How desperate must Mujin have been to go all the way to Taiji Cave to fill his inadequacies?”

“…”

“How desperate must he have been to feel greed for the Heavenly Demon’s incantation formula! It’s our fault for not resolving this. It’s our fault for not properly teaching restraint!”

At Yeongyu’s stern rebuke, the elders became mute and bowed their heads.

All those words came from Zhuge Munhyeon.

Rather than blaming others, isn’t it proper to blame one’s own shortcomings!

How can we move forward that way!

That’s what he had said.

Because he couldn’t bear to keep listening to them curse him…

Fortunately, it seems Yeongyu’s mindset has changed.

I feel the reward of teaching.

Now please stop cursing me.

I even got you the Cheongyang Sword! And saved your disciple too!

Even though I was the cause… I did everything for you.

Youngyu, who had been glaring at the elders for a while, returned with gentle eyes and looked at Zhuge Munhyeon.

“My friend.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Thank you. I’ve already said this many times, but even if I said it countless more times, it wouldn’t be enough. I’m truly grateful.”

Youngyu said while firmly grasping Zhuge Munhyeon’s hand.

His eyes were sincere.

Then money…

No, something like the Taiqing Divine Pill…

Though such materialistic thoughts briefly crossed his mind, Zhuge Munhyeon gave a magnanimous answer.

“Aren’t we family?”

“…”

“That’s how I think of it.”

“Ah…”

At his words spoken with a smile, Youngyu couldn’t hide his emotion.

Why are you even trembling?

Though I admit it was a cool thing to say.

The expressions of the elders also changed to something close to reverence, and Younghwa was filled with the pride of ‘that’s my nephew.’

All the murmuring he heard was about Zhuge Munhyeon.

Roughly saying he was ‘the best.’

Should I say it felt like my shoulders were rising and I was getting cocky?

Hmm… what should I do?

Zhuge Munhyeon glanced at Mujin.

And made his decision.

What the hell, shouldn’t I row when the tide comes in?

When you think about it, he’s a disciple.

Though I didn’t want it, there’s a connection where late-life enlightenment was passed down.

Who knows?

This guy might be of great help later.

Of course, that’s only if he overcomes the trials that will come to him and grows properly.

“Sect Leader, and honored elders.”

“What is it?”

“May I have a moment to speak with Taoist Mujin?”

“With Mujin?”

“Yes.”

At the sudden request, Youngyu and the elders showed puzzled expressions.

Now it’s time for explanation.

“Mujin has used up his true essence, so even if he recovers, his life as a Taoist martial artist is over.”

“…”

“But fortunately, it’s not that there’s no method.”

The Wudang leaders who had been drooping suddenly opened their eyes wide.

Was he talking about recovery?

“Right now, there’s demonic energy I sealed remaining in Mujin’s body.”

“De, demonic energy? What do you mean? Don’t tell me…?”

“Doesn’t it say that yin and yang were born from chaos? Since Taiji also split from within that, good and evil were originally one. Therefore, wouldn’t achieving yin-yang unity be the final realm of the supreme Way?”

“…How do you know that?”

You’d be surprised again.

Since it’s something Wudang has taught for a long time.

The so-called yin-yang theory.

How do I know it?

I’m someone who practiced Ascension to Immortality cultivation on Wudang Mountain.

I’m someone who read every book in Taiji Cave and even went through the process of transformation to change the demonic energy in my body into pure power for ascension.

But your doubts shouldn’t be resolved that way.

“It was written in Master Hyeoncheon’s secret cave.”

“Wh, what? That master left writings?”

“Yes. Though it wasn’t long.”

“Ah… Immeasurable Buddha, Immeasurable Buddha. What a true connection. Since you who witnessed that master’s final moments saved Mujin, everything was predetermined.”

I only smiled at Youngyu’s words.

Talking about connections.

I just roughly pieced it together.

Anyway.

“Though Taoist Mujin gained demonic energy from the incantation formula left by the Heavenly Demon, that too is just one branch of power that originated from primordial chaos. If so, it should be possible to change that power into righteous energy.”

“What? Change demonic energy into righteous energy?”

“Fortunately again, don’t I also know that method?”

“What!”

Everyone’s eyes nearly popped out.

They’d think it was nonsense.

They’d be curious how I knew such a thing.

“It’s formation techniques. As you know, some formations change the nature of things that remain within them. But! Don’t ask. This too is a secret technique of the Zhuge Family.”

“…”

Questions were completely blocked by appropriately mixing ‘I know it’ and ‘it’s the greatness of formation techniques.’

What could they do when I said it was a secret technique?

In a situation where they owed such great kindness, would they immediately pressure me to speak?

“I will only tell Taoist Mujin. Also, don’t ask him either. Don’t reveal what I’m doing now to anywhere. For me, I’m breaking taboos. If you promise only that, I’ll pass it on to Mujin.”

The leaders fell into deep thought.

How could a Taoist contain demonic energy?

But without that method, there was no way for Mujin, who had become a cripple, to recover.

“Let me ask one thing.”

“Please speak.”

“Is there no danger of being consumed by demonic nature again?”

“Well. That would depend on how Taoist Mujin handles it.”

“Hmm…”

Youngyu, who had been pondering with furrowed brows for a long time, slowly got up.

“…I ask this of you.”

Then he went outside.

Along with the elders.

Only the lying Mujin and Zhuge Munhyeon remained in the room.

“Is, is it really true? Can I really…?”

“Yes.”

“…Pardon?”

When he suddenly changed his attitude, Mujin showed a bewildered expression. The man who had been so polite just moments ago…

“Does informal speech make you feel bad?”

“That’s not it, but…”

“From now on, I’m your master. You could say I’m something like an external master.”

“…”

“Then informal speech is natural, isn’t it?”

“Ye, yes.”

“Don’t call me Master. It would look like a strange relationship to others. Just think of it that way in your heart. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good. From now on, I’ll teach you the method to change the demonic energy sealed in your body into pure power.”

Mujin listened attentively while lying down.

When one has fallen to the depths where only despair remains, how desperate must they feel upon seeing a ray of hope?

“Six axes have formed in your body. Think of them as a kind of seal. While handling all of them would be difficult, you should be able to manage them one at a time.”

“But how can that be done with righteous qi…”

The moment Mujin, unable to contain his curiosity, opened his mouth.

Smack!

He got hit on the head.

“This bastard! Master is speaking and you’re interrupting with your nonsense. I’m trying to explain right now.”

“…Yes, I apologize.”

Getting hit on the head, Mujin immediately grasped Zhuge Munhyeon’s personality.

He doesn’t go easy on patients.

Even if they’re lying down…

“Righteous qi and demonic qi. People distinguish between them, but in the end, they’re just energy. Starting from the Primordial Unity you know. After all, nature has no good or evil. But if you let demonic qi that maximizes killing intent surround your body, chaos would ensue. So we change its nature. We erase the demonic qi and leave only pure power. This is called Purification.”

“Purification?”

“Right. Most importantly, you’re currently in a state where demonic nature has forcibly opened your middle dantian.”

“M-middle dantian?”

As he kept getting surprised at every word, Zhuge Munhyeon frowned and smoothly raised his hand.

“I apologize. I’ll keep my mouth shut and listen carefully.”

“Good.”

“Yes.”

“Anyway, it depends on your effort, but you’ve obtained the realm of Gang Qi that you can’t even use right now.”

“…”

“Should I say all the walls have completely crumbled? It’s a kind of heavenly fortune. And also a disaster. So cultivate well. You might become a Taoist representing Wudang someday.”

Listening to Zhuge Munhyeon’s detailed explanation of the purification method, Mujin thought.

How does this person know all these things?

And.

Smack!

He got hit on the head again.

“This bastard really! Aren’t you listening properly? I’m going through the trouble of explaining and you keep having random thoughts!”

“…”

Mujin realized once more.

Zhuge Munhyeon seemed to read thoughts too, so he’d better be careful.

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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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