Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 58

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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 58

 

 

Though the results were good, the mistakes made in the process weren’t completely buried.

While it was an incredibly joyful situation for Wudang, having recovered the Cheongyang Sword and saved their disciple, Baek Mu, who was responsible for the Repair Corps, was thoroughly angry.

A gathering where Wudang’s leadership had left and only the Zhuge Family members remained.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“Though you may have achieved great merit, there are procedures for everything. How could you make decisions on your own whim?”

“That, that is…”

“What if you had entered the secret cave and fallen into danger?”

“…”

“There would have been additional sacrifices trying to rescue you. Moreover, relations with the Wudang Sect might have deteriorated.”

I know.

Ignoring procedures, acting alone.

It was fortunate the results were good, but if it had been the opposite, it would have been a truly irreversible mistake.

“Grand Forge Master, but Munhyeon did well…”

“Did well? What did he do well!”

“That, that is…”

Zhuge Munho, who had tried to say a word in defense, shrank under Baek Mu’s cold glare.

Ugh, that guy has no sense…

Why would you pour oil on an angry person’s fire?

Zhuge Munhyeon glared at Zhuge Munho, who had intervened trying to help him.

“So as long as the results are good, the process doesn’t matter at all?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“You foolish thing! There are times to take sides and times not to! How can you be so thoughtless!”

“I’m sorry.”

Zhuge Munho, who had gained nothing from his intervention, shrank his neck and retreated.

I knew that would happen.

Please just shut up and stay quiet.

Just let him shout until his anger subsides naturally.

But contrary to such hopes, Scholar Yang Hun from the Military Strategy Hall intervened again.

“Grand Forge Master, surely he understands by now. Munhyeon is also seriously injured, so please calm your anger…”

“What’s this? Does being seriously injured block his ears too? A scholar of the Military Strategy Hall!”

“…”

Ah, seriously!

Did you guys plan this?

Are you doing this on purpose?

Just leave it alone!

Baek Mu originally has a stubborn personality.

With his clear sense of right and wrong, he absolutely never tolerates what’s wrong, and he gets angrier when people try to stop him!

And is that scolding?

It’s all said for our own good, so why don’t they understand?

He’s scolding to prevent repeating the same mistake again.

As they say, old man understands old man’s heart – knowing Baek Mu’s intention for getting angry, I didn’t argue back at all…

I can deeply feel his caring heart, but these idiots keep interfering and making things worse.

“These damn fools! Because everyone only values results like this, such incidents happen! Would you have defended him even if something had happened to Munhyeon’s body!”

“…”

Baek Mu, who had become even angrier, scolded with wide glaring eyes, and not only Zhuge Munhyeon but the entire Repair Corps just hung their heads low.

“I will absolutely not let this matter slide! I will report everything in detail to the Family Head to clarify merits and faults, and give Munhyeon punishment, not reward, for not following procedures!”

He seems to have made up his mind firmly.

Zhuge Munhyeon also understood, having dealt with subordinates as a cult leader.

That’s the heart of a superior.

You can’t just praise forever.

If you get drunk on the sweet taste of consecutive successes, only arrogance will grow.

But it’s fine.

Scolding?

When you deserve it, you have to take it.

I was prepared for this from the moment I entered the secret cave.

Fortunately, I obtained the Hyeoncheon Secret Records, so what’s the big deal about getting some harsh words?

That’s when it happened.

“Grand Forge Master.”

“What is it!”

At another interrupting voice, Baek Mu turned his head with an expression full of irritation.

It was a Wudang disciple.

“Ahem, what brings you here?”

“Well… the Sect Leader is looking for you.”

“The Sect Leader?”

Not only Baek Mu but also Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t help but tilt their heads.

It hadn’t been long since they returned.

But why call them again?

“He said to bring the Grand Forge Master, Zhuge Munhyeon, and those in key positions of the Repair Corps to Jasogung.”

“At this hour? For what reason? Is there perhaps some message he failed to convey?”

“I cannot fathom his intention either. However, the Sect Leader and all the Elders are gathered at Jasogung.”

“Hmm… I understand.”

Though it was late, when the host calls, guests cannot refuse.

Baek Mu, who had answered the Wudang disciple, looked at Zhuge Munhyeon and everyone from the Zhuge Family with eyes still unable to contain his anger and said.

“When we return, I’ll discuss again what punishment to give you. Munhyeon and Scholar Yang Hun, follow me.”

“Yes.”

Behind Baek Mu, who strode away, Zhuge Munhyeon and Yang Hun quietly followed, reading the atmosphere.

 

* * *

 

Jasogung, brightly lit with fires.

It was full of disciples who should have already been asleep.

But what was strange was…

As soon as the Zhuge Family members approached, they greeted first with a courtesy not shown before.

“Please announce us.”

“No need. He said to bring you straight inside upon arrival.”

To Baek Mu’s words as he adjusted his attire, the Wudang disciple answered respectfully and opened the door to Jasogung.

As the door opened wide, calming incense smoke tickled their nostrils.

Inside, not only the Sect Leader but all the Elders of Wudang and masters of the Eight Palaces were gathered.

It seemed they hadn’t returned to their quarters even after the urgent situation had ended.

“Welcome, Grand Forge Master.”

“I heard you summoned us.”

“Indeed. Come, come sit here.”

At Yeongyu’s invitation, Baek Mu approached his side, and Zhuge Munhyeon and Yang Hun also hurried in after them.

“Here, this is the Cheongyang Sword of Ancestor Hyeoncheon Sajo.”

“Yes.”

“Thanks to Munhyeon preserving and bringing back the remains, the memorial tablet to be enshrined in the ancestral hall has become even more meaningful.”

“…That’s fortunate.”

“Not only that? To think that Mujin can be revived… It’s truly joyous news. It seems the Heavenly Venerable foresaw such events and sent Munhyeon to Wudang. Immeasurable Buddha.”

Since it was all praise for Zhuge Munhyeon, Baek Mu didn’t respond further.

The situation had even brought up the Heavenly Venerable they served.

But if he agreed with that, what would become of the scolding he had just given?

One shouldn’t judge based on results alone.

Preventing Zhuge Munhyeon from becoming arrogant due to complacency was absolutely something that had to be stopped.

“Above all, his words about considering Wudang as family really struck my heart, you know?”

“Did he say that?”

“Indeed! I’m truly grateful.”

Yeongyu looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with a pleased expression.

“It should have been a meeting that ended earlier, but after hearing those words, I couldn’t just send the elders away, so we held an urgent conference.”

“Even though it’s so late at night?”

“Haha! I can’t live with unfinished business, you see. I suppose I haven’t achieved a high enough level of enlightenment.”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant…”

“I know. How could I not understand the Grand Forge Master’s heart?”

“Hmm…”

What does he know?

Sometimes praise can be poison, yet he had to call them out on this night…

“What are you doing? Palace Master Ujin, hurry and convey our intentions to Baek Mu.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

At Yeongyu’s words, Yeonghwa cheerfully brought a box and placed it in front of Baek Mu.

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

“Pardon?”

“Since you’ve rendered service, shouldn’t there be a proper reward?”

“A reward?”

“That’s right.”

After pondering Yeongyu’s words for a moment, Baek Mu shook his head.

“Sect Leader, we carried out the work at Wudang’s request, and there’s already a promised amount. Though it ended sooner than expected, we repaired the secret cave and recovered the Cheongyang Sword as you mentioned beforehand, so please withdraw any excessive reward.”

As expected, seeing him not stray from the proper path, Zhuge Munhyeon sitting behind couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

No, why is he being so righteous?

Fine, I admit I did wrong.

But they’re offering to give it, so why on earth won’t he accept it? It’s not like anyone asked for it – Wudang is offering it first!

Though his heart was frustrated, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Right now, it was Baek Mu who represented the Zhuge Family.

However.

“Haha! Still, open it. If you refuse so coldly, won’t my hands feel ashamed?”

“…I understand.”

At his repeated words, Baek Mu finally opened the box.

Inside was a single letter and a taiji medallion carved from jade.

“Sect Leader, this is…?”

“The Jade Spirit Taiji Medallion.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll convey my intentions through the letter, but isn’t it proper to prepare a ceremonial gift as well?”

“…?”

“Since the Zhuge Family considers Wudang as family, shouldn’t Wudang do the same?”

At Yeongyu’s words, Baek Mu couldn’t take his eyes off the jade glow in the box as if mesmerized.

The Jade Spirit Taiji Medallion.

It was a token of friendship that Wudang gave to families or sects of equal standing. It contained the meaning of walking together on the path they wished to take…

In these times when everyone had scattered in all directions, it was something rarely seen, far more valuable than gold or silver treasures.

It meant the Zhuge Family had gained a reliable ally, so Baek Mu’s hands couldn’t help but tremble.

“How about it? Will you convey my heart to the Family Head?”

“…”

“I say, Grand Forge Master?”

“I, I will convey it! I will take responsibility and deliver the Sect Leader’s and Wudang’s intentions!”

Baek Mu, who had suddenly come to his senses, grasped the box tightly with both hands and bowed.

“Hehehe! I hope the Family Head will understand my heart.”

“Of course!”

There was no greater treasure than this.

The cost for repairing the secret cave and finding the Cheongyang Sword didn’t need to be received.

“Please tell Munhyeon that I received great help from him.”

“…”

“Tell him he’s truly a precious descendant.”

Baek Mu couldn’t bring himself to answer.

He had just been scolding him until moments ago…

“Ah, and Munhyeon.”

“Yes.”

“Take this.”

Another small box that could fit snugly in one’s palm.

“What is this?”

“It’s Wudang’s Jayang (Nourishment).”

“Pardon? Jayang, you mean?”

Even while asking, his eyes couldn’t help but widen.

“If it were up to my heart, I’d like to give you Taecheong, but the alchemy isn’t finished yet, so it’s only Jayang.”

“…”

Th-that’s a bit disappointing.

After all, Wudang is known for Taecheong…

But what’s wrong with Jayang?

Though its efficacy might be less than Taecheong, it was something that concentrated Wudang’s alchemy techniques, and just eating it would grant twenty years of cultivation for free.

In the past, it wasn’t necessary.

For me who had learned demonic arts, spirit pills containing pure energy were no different from poison.

But now?

I did so well to learn the Small Heavenly Star Technique.

“Please don’t refuse…”

Before he could finish speaking.

Zhuge Munhyeon quickly received the box.

“Thank you. The Sect Leader’s heart is as vast as the ocean.”

“Hm?”

“I’ll put it to good use.”

“…Ahehehe! Yes, yes. I was worried it might be too modest, but I’m grateful you’re accepting it.”

“Oh my, modest? Please don’t say such things.”

It’s Jayang, after all.

“Is there perhaps anything else you need?”

“More… things I need?”

“Of course, I received a favor worthy of giving Taecheong but gave Jayang instead, so I should fill the lacking space.”

Ah, those Wudang fellows…

How can they be so kindhearted?

I only helped them because I had my own purposes.

But.

“Then would you grant me one favor later?”

“A favor?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Though he pondered for just a brief moment, Yeongyu soon nodded with a pleased expression.

A gentleman does not make unreasonable requests.

A gentleman does not ask for things recklessly.

Nothing that Zhuge Munhyeon had shown so far was wicked, and he had even performed forbidden family techniques to save Mujin, so how could his request harm Wudang?

“Very well. If it does not harm Wudang, I will certainly grant your request.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader.”

It was preparation for the future.

He still hadn’t read the Hyeoncheon Secret Records.

If by any chance the Ascension Method wasn’t left there, he would need to travel the Central Plains and gather information again.

He had left one favor with Wudang for that time.

“Now then, go back and rest. I feel relieved now that I’ve given you my gift.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

The night was deep, so they couldn’t have a long conversation.

They needed to rest.

And.

“Scholar Yang.”

“Yes, Grand Forge Master.”

“Tell the Main House.”

“Yes? Tell them what?”

“To prepare a feast for when the Repair Corps returns.”

“…”

“A very grand one.”

At Baek Mu’s words as he held the box tightly, Yang Hun chuckled and said.

“Didn’t you say you were going to scold him?”

“…”

“Have you already changed your mind?”

At Yang Hun’s teasing words, Baek Mu’s face flushed slightly and his pace suddenly quickened.

“Come on, tell me. How are you going to scold Munhyeon?”

“Ahem!”

“Just tell me, will you?”

The two looked like they were having a running race.

Scold him? What for!

The process?

The result was the Jade Spirit Taiji Fan…

They had become allies with Wudang, so how could he scold him? The entire family clan should unite to praise Zhuge Munhyeon, and even that wouldn’t be enough.

But.

“Really, why can’t you say it?”

Yang Hun was quite a persistent person.

Regardless of that, Zhuge Munhyeon only gazed fondly at the box clutched tightly in his hand.

Jayang pills…

He would have to savor them secretly.

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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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