Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 60

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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 60

Whoooosh!

It was the season when torrential rain fell without warning.

The rainy season had truly arrived.

The swollen river waters crashed in high waves, turning everything upside down as they flowed in a muddy yellow torrent.

It was a time when small boats could hardly even think of operating in the sometimes meandering rapids. Therefore, there was almost no traffic except for ferries crossing the river or boats moving short distances.

Not only was it difficult for anything but the sturdiest vessels to withstand the current, but operating boats during this season would make them targets for bandits who had thrown all laws to the dogs.

The Yangtze River Waterway Alliance.

Considering themselves the masters of the river, they divided the Yangtze into various sections under their control.

Usually, it was fine.

The peaceful method of collecting tolls worked.

The prices were reasonable too.

How many boats could there be passing through the toll stations that the water bandits had set up along the long Yangtze?

The saying “the more the better” didn’t exist for nothing.

Meanwhile, those paying the tolls weren’t exactly losing money either. When boats ran aground or had problems in their territory, the water bandits would actively help.

In other words, it was mutual assistance.

The water bandits earned tolls, and the merchant ships received safety guarantees.

But the rainy season was a bit different.

Principles?

Those were only kept when bellies were full.

The season when boats didn’t travel was like a lean period for the water bandits.

What economic sense could people who lived day to day have to save and prepare for the future?

With eyes bloodshot, they watched and watched the river again, hoping just one victim would come.

Their temperaments became violent too.

Instead of tolls, they would steal all the cargo loaded on boats and kidnap people to sell them.

Now was exactly that kind of time.

When the Yangtze was most dangerous.

Yet there was one massive boat cutting through the fierce current as if it owned the entire Yangtze.

No less than three sails.

It was a grain transport ship stretching ten zhang from bow to stern.

From the water bandits’ perspective, there was no better prize.

Grain transport ships were vessels built by officials or trading companies to carry grain.

Even if loaded with rice, it would be dozens of seom, and if loaded with treasure, it would be enough to survive the lean period.

The water bandits rowed frantically over the waves.

Like starving demons, they swarmed from all directions to be the first to board and devour the ship.

The raiding boats drew closer.

With murderous eyes, they drew their weapons – iron clubs, spears, and blades – preparing for war, ready to start with killing.

There might be an escort.

But they were people who lived with their lives on the line anyway, so it didn’t matter to them if a few died.

If comrades died, their own share would increase, which was actually better.

But then.

Flutter!

As the distance closed and they spotted the flag flapping vigorously above the sail, their faces contorted in dismay.

“Shit, never mind. Hey, turn the boat around!”

The cargo they’d been hoping for was nothing.

It was just loaded with people.

Meanwhile, on the fully unfurled flag, written in solemn and formal clerical script:

Azure Sky Commands All Swords, Clear Wind Travels Ten Thousand Li.

The azure sky governs all swords, and the clear wind blows for ten thousand li.

“What the hell are they doing sailing to Hubei during the rainy season looking for scraps? Damn it. They should just stay holed up in Anhui.”

The identity of the flag.

They were the Namgung Family.

Even though All Under Heaven was torn apart and divided without distinction between government and private forces, they were still the powerhouse of Anhui.

They could fight.

The Namgungs weren’t what they used to be either.

But the moment they touched them, the Yangtze would have to prepare for war.

At minimum, both sides would suffer.

No matter how difficult circumstances were, one had to distinguish between what could and couldn’t be eaten.

Since they were just passing through, there was no need to create unnecessary trouble.

“What are you doing? Turn the boat around quickly! Just ruined my appetite.”

“Yes!”

The boats turned back.

And on the grain transport ship, a young man who had been carefully watching the water bandits’ movements clicked his tongue.

About twenty years old.

As was typical for that age, he visibly overflowed with hot blood.

“Tch, what cowards. Then why did they even draw their swords?”

He seemed displeased with the water bandits’ action of turning their boats around without doing anything.

“Stop that and come sit down.”

Under the sunshade spread on the deck.

At the middle-aged man’s words, sitting under the covering that also blocked the occasional rain, the young man approached with pouting lips and sat down.

“Uncle, don’t you find it regrettable?”

“What do you mean?”

“It was a good opportunity to gain fame, wasn’t it? If we had subjugated the water bandits of Hubei Province beyond Anhui, how much would people praise our Namgung Family?”

The middle-aged man smiled slightly at the young man’s complaint.

“If we subjugated them?”

“Yes?”

“We would suffer no damage?”

“Damage? They’re just water bandits. How could such things compare to our Namgung Family’s name…”

“Tsk tsk, that’s your problem.”

“Pardon?”

“How can you be so lacking in self-restraint and always full of competitive spirit?”

“What did I do? You’re being unreasonable.”

As the young man pouted at the scolding, the middle-aged man shook his head.

“Sigh, there are plenty of ways to resolve things without fighting…”

No matter how much the world had become where everyone was enemies, there weren’t many forces that would ignore the Namgung name and pick a fight first.

The Namgung Family was the same.

Anhui was one thing, but there was no need to come all the way to Hubei for a purposeless fight.

Though the hot-blooded young man seemed to think differently.

“But Uncle.”

“What?”

“Do we really need the Zhuge Family?”

It was a statement loaded with considerable meaning.

“What do you mean?”

“Doesn’t the current Murim prioritize strength over wisdom?”

“…”

“I hear they’ve lost their former glory and are barely managing to guard Yungzhong Mountain, pushed back by the unorthodox sects…”

“Tsk, you fool. How can a direct descendant say such things?”

The middle-aged martial artist scolded the young man with a deliberately stern voice.

The young man’s name was Namgung Yu.

He was the second son of Namgung Cheongeuk, the current head of the Namgung Family.

Born with exceptional talent for the sword, he reached the Tan Qi realm at twenty and grasped the essence of the Changung Muae Sword Technique—a genius among geniuses.

He was evaluated as someone who would represent the Namgung sword in the future.

“It’s not wrong though, is it? I simply cannot understand Father’s intentions. There’s no reason for us to bring even the martial artists of the Cheonpung Unit, who are considered the most outstanding in the Changung Corps, to negotiate with them.”

Namgung Yu grumbled while glancing at the martial artists on the boat.

Exactly twenty Sword Demons.

They weren’t simple guards but the elite of the Namgung Family.

Changung Corps Cheonpung Unit.

Their name was already sweeping across all of Anhui.

It wasn’t for nothing that people said when Cheonpung was deployed, not even a blade of grass would remain—they had built countless achievements and elevated the Namgung name.

“And Uncle being the envoy? This makes no sense at all.”

“Makes no sense…”

The middle-aged man chuckled softly at Namgung Yu’s words.

Nine Cleaving Sword Namgung Cheonwoong.

Having reached the pinnacle level, he was such an outstanding martial artist that there was no one in Anhui who didn’t know his name.

“Yu.”

“Yes.”

“Where do you think the Namgung Family’s dreams reach?”

“Well… isn’t it governing All Under Heaven?”

“That’s right. The Main House has always looked toward the blue sky, dreaming of leading the Five Great Families on a small scale and encompassing the Nine Sects on a large scale, placing All Under Heaven beneath our feet.”

Namgung Yu’s eyes sparkled at Namgung Cheonwoong’s words.

Governing All Under Heaven.

Though he’d heard these words since he first held a wooden sword in his small hands, his heart always raced.

Because it meant becoming the master of the world.

“But with the power of the sword alone, one might become the best under heaven, but cannot achieve the goal of governing All Under Heaven.”

“…”

“The reason the Murim Alliance could once rule over All Under Heaven wasn’t because the Alliance Leader was strong, nor because they had a martial artist corps composed of the main forces of the Nine Sects and martial families under their command. It was because they had the Zhuge Family. Because they demonstrated wisdom from the position of strategists, the Murim Alliance could wield such influence.”

“Bah, if they’re such great people, why are they in such a state now?”

“Because they lack power.”

“Pardon?”

“The Zhuge Family was never outstanding in martial arts. They believed they could govern the world through wisdom rather than strength.”

“Then that wisdom isn’t much to look at either, is it?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Even those outstanding people couldn’t foresee how the world would change like this. Since they couldn’t prepare in advance, they must have declined as they are now.”

“Heh, they’re human too. Who goes through life without making a single mistake? It’s just that, as you said, their failure to read the flow became a fatal error. However, what if they had possessed power as well? Would they have declined like now?”

“Hmm…”

“I don’t think so. If they had been just a little stronger, the movement of All Under Heaven would have been different. Their wisdom could have made that strength several times more powerful.”

“…”

“Yu, All Under Heaven is moving again. The heroes are gathering strength to challenge for supremacy. Therefore, we need their power. To the extent that if they can’t be persuaded, we must obtain it by force.”

A cold light flickered in Namgung Cheonwoong’s smile, and the boat headed toward Hubei Province.

* * *

Quite some time had passed since returning from Wudang.

During that time, there had been quite a few changes in the Zhuge Family as well.

First, the Dangang District branch office began operating its business normally.

Wudang’s help was significant.

They actively helped the Dangang District Zhuge branch office stabilize, and unprecedentedly created a Wudang branch office and stationed disciples there.

They didn’t forget to mention that they were repaying the debt they owed to Zhuge Munhyeon.

At the recent coming-of-age ceremony of the Zhuge Family, Palace Master Ujin even attended personally with his disciples to honor the occasion.

Those guys…

Let me set aside my anger toward Hyeoncheon for now.

And on a certain day when I was sixteen, the Zhuge Family welcomed a new celebration they had long awaited.

“Are you really going to be alright?”

Zhuge Doyun asked with a worried expression.

“Of course? I’ve already prepared the breaking method. You know I installed the mechanisms together with the Heavenly Workshop.”

“I know. I know. But Munhyeon, it’s not such an easy task. That’s how newly created formation techniques are. Even if they seem perfect in theory, they’re completely different when you actually experience them.”

“That’s exactly why this is even better. Someone has to inspect it, don’t they?”

“That’s true, but… there’s no need for you to do it yourself.”

“Then who would do it? Among people with my level of skill, is there anyone with deep knowledge of formation techniques?”

Zhuge Doyun pressed his lips together and frowned.

Recently, the Eight Formation Diagram that had been researched for a long time was finally installed on Yungzhong Mountain after three months of large-scale construction.

The problem was that they couldn’t be certain it was working properly yet.

That’s how formation techniques are.

If it were something they’d always used, it would be different, but with newly installed ones, only the theory is certain—you can’t know what effects they’ll show until you actually experience them.

So Zhuge Munhyeon volunteered for the task of inspecting the formation technique.

He had already experienced the Eight Formations at Wudang. Though it was only half-complete, he was confident that when it came to breaking methods, he was far superior to his father.

“Come now, stop worrying and just activate the formation technique. You’re going to deactivate it within a day anyway.”

“Sigh, you too. Why do you always rush forward when it comes to family matters…”

Zhuge Doyun shook his head.

Family matters?

No, this is for my sake.

Because I need slightly harsher training to become stronger.

That’s the only way I can cut off the heads of those Anti-Immortal bastards wherever they might be.

I had already experienced it in Hyeoncheonja’s Secret Cave, but that was just a miniature version. For training, I needed the Eight Formations operating at full power.

“You know this is a secret from Mother, right?”

“Of course…”

Naturally he knows.

If I told her unnecessarily, I definitely wouldn’t even break even.

As Zhuge Doyun sighed and prepared to activate the formation, Zhuge Munhyeon looked at those nearby.

“Elder Brother, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

“Gwan Hwiping and the others too.”

“Huh? We’re going too?”

Heh, these guys.

Then who’s going to attend to me?

It seems they’re still not fully adapted to me.

Not leaving when I call them elder brother…

But since Father was still nearby, Zhuge Munhyeon maintained the kindest expression possible and spoke in a small voice.

“…Do you want to be dragged?”

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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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