Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 66

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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 66

 

 

But it seemed the others’ perspective was different.

Both the Zhuge and Namgung sides looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with shocked eyes.

Above all, Namgung Cheonwoong’s surprise was beyond description.

Namgung Yu, the Family Head’s son.

Even if he lacked experience, he was a martial artist who had reached the Tan Qi level. His movements and the internal energy in his body were formidable, so how could he be defeated in one strike…?

But this wasn’t a situation to be admiring.

“What is the meaning of this!”

Namgung Cheonwoong, who belatedly came to his senses, exploded in anger, and the warriors of the Heavenly Wind Sect revealed their killing intent.

Sorry.

I didn’t mean to do that either.

He suddenly threw a punch, so I reflexively reacted like that.

But if you’re going to glare at me while revealing such killing intent… it makes me feel bad, you know?

Should I just beat them all down?

It was when he was pondering while subtly clenching his fist.

“Namgung, withdraw your aura.”

“…”

The Family Head, wearing a displeased expression, approached slowly and with dignity.

“Family Head!”

“…”

“What will you do about this situation!”

“What do you mean, what will I do?”

“You saw it! That bastard attacked our main house’s…”

“Listen here.”

The Family Head quietly cut off Namgung Cheonwoong’s angry accusations.

“Before that, shouldn’t we first discuss your own wrongdoing?”

“What?”

“I heard the name Nine Wall Sword shakes the Four Seas, but is your courtesy worse than nothing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Who do you think I am, standing before you? No matter how powerful the Namgung family may be, I’ve never heard of etiquette where someone who handles menial tasks addresses the elder of another family as… Family Head?”

Menial tasks?

This bastard!

Though he had suddenly been completely disrespected, Namgung Cheonwoong immediately realized his mistake.

As he said, he was the one who had spoken carelessly first.

No matter how weak a family might be, ignoring an elder was rudeness worse than a third-rate thug.

“I, I apologize for that. I was momentarily excited. But throwing punches at an envoy? Yu is our Family Head’s son.”

“How is that a problem?”

“Pardon?”

“I understand it must be an important matter for the Namgung Family Head to send his son. But what did Munhyeon do wrong?”

“That’s obviously…!”

“To my eyes, it looked like he attacked first and Munhyeon had no choice but to counterattack. Moreover, it seemed there was even killing intent involved, so if Munhyeon hadn’t acted… it seems I would be in a position to hold him accountable.”

Since there were no flaws in those words, Namgung Cheonwoong couldn’t answer immediately and had to rack his brain.

Because it was true that they had attacked first.

But killing intent?

“Hmm, how should I protest to the Namgung family? Using killing techniques on the descendant of another family is no different from declaring war…”

“F, Family Head. War, you say?”

“If not that, then what reason was there for attacking out of nowhere?”

The plan to intimidate the opponent before negotiations had already gone down the drain.

Because they couldn’t break through the formation.

It’s not that he feared war with the Zhuge Family.

But if he got caught up in conversation with him, not only would he lose justification, but if he accidentally ended up taking the blame, getting the Zhuge Family in his grasp would become distant.

What would he say when he returned to the Family Head?

That despite attacking first, they failed and ruined relations with the Zhuge Family?

He couldn’t say such a thing.

‘Damn it, I have no choice but to back down for now…’

Though it hurt his pride, Namgung Cheonwoong, who had immediately decided his position, withdrew his aura and calmly settled his mind.

“Family Head. Though the situation appeared that way, this is a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?”

“Yes. Though Yu acted excessively, it was because the Zhuge son first trapped us envoys in the formation…”

“Trapped you in the formation?”

“That’s right.”

Zhuge Dowon, who had only been repeating the end of his words in response to Namgung Cheonwoong’s answer, turned his head.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

How different he is when dealing with others versus family.

Making me feel the pull of blood ties for no reason.

The gaze looking at me intently is warm like spring sunlight, and his tone is soft like a spring breeze, making me feel drowsy.

This is why I can’t just come out and say ‘I was the Heavenly Demon.’

“You told me they said they would help with our formation inspection… did you report falsely to me?”

“How could I? Look at this. Here’s a written agreement that Nine Wall Sword personally left his hand seal on.”

Zhuge Munhyeon took out the agreement he had carefully folded and kept in his bosom and presented it to the Family Head.

Evidence is better than words, isn’t it?

Namgung, do you guys have something like this?

I do.

The Family Head, who received the agreement fluttering in the wind and read it carefully, nodded and looked at Namgung Cheonwoong.

“Hmm… it says ‘I will help with the Zhuge Family’s formation inspection. The choice was made by myself, and the Zhuge Family bears no responsibility whatsoever.'”

“…”

“Are you saying the hand seal below this is forged?”

“Th, that’s…”

Namgung Cheonwoong could no longer argue and ended up grimacing.

Watching his face change through various shades of red and blue from the side, Zhuge Munhyeon had to struggle to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out because it was so amusing.

Well done, our Family Head!

As befitting the head of the Zhuge Family, you’re truly the best in All Under Heaven at verbal sparring.

“Hmm, what should I do? Since you came as envoys, I should properly receive you as guests, but after using killing techniques, if I treat you well, I’ll have nothing to say to my family members… This is unfortunate. Though I’m grateful you came to visit, please return now.”

“Pardon?”

“What can I do? Everyone looks so displeased… As a Family Head, I can’t ignore my family members’ feelings, can I? Please tell the Namgung Family Head that I’ll accept his sentiment alone.”

It was a clean order to leave.

He didn’t even give the opponent a chance to refute.

I’d like to applaud him.

However.

“Family Head!”

“What is it?”

“You must know the purpose of my visit?”

Namgung Cheonwoong’s eyes sharpened. His voice became lower and heavier.

His heart must have grown impatient.

All he did was watch Yungzhong Mountain from afar, and after struggling without being able to overcome the deployed formation, he was driven away, so he would have nothing to say when returning to his family.

But why are you opening your eyes like that?

Making even non-existent killing intent surge up.

“A purpose… You mean the request to become the Namgung Family’s strategist?”

“Depending on the situation, it might not remain a request.”

A cold blue light even flickers in his eyes.

That damn bastard is openly threatening our magnificent Family Head?

However, Zhuge Dowon remained calm without a single change in expression.

“Depending on the situation… Then so be it.”

“Pardon?”

“If you’re going to drop your family’s honor to the ground yourself, what can I do about it?”

“Drop our honor?”

“I say, do you think your current visit was conducted secretly?”

“…”

“No, no it wasn’t. Everyone is probably on high alert. Wondering if we might be joining hands with the Namgung Family. Though it has declined, the Zhuge name isn’t that low.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Exactly what I said.”

“Please clarify your meaning.”

“Hmm, since you don’t seem to understand, let me explain.”

Zhuge Dowon continued speaking solemnly like a teacher instructing a lacking child.

“The Nine Wall Sword’s name has stirred up all of Anhui, and they say Heavenly Wind is so outstanding that he leaves not a single blade of grass where he passes.”

“…”

“Yet such people as yourselves challenged the Zhuge Family’s formation and barely managed to preserve your lives.”

“Th-that’s…!”

“People will say, ‘The Namgung sword isn’t what it used to be,’ or ‘It’s not as impressive as we thought.’ And with you coming here making threats like this, I’m prepared to add a few words myself.”

Namgung Cheonwoong’s eyes bulged as if they would tear.

“Your pride might be hurt. So you might immediately return and try to threaten us. But would the Namgung Family alone be capable of that?”

“What did you say?”

“As I said, the Zhuge name isn’t low. Though weaker than anyone, I take pride in being needed by everyone. How about it? You were blocked at the second formation. If other formations are added to that, the power would be doubled. If I activate the Eight Formations to seal off Yungjoong and declare to the neighboring forces that I’ll become the strategist for whoever helps destroy the Namgung Family?”

“…!”

“Let me ask again. I’m prepared to use any means necessary to protect my family… Can the Namgung Family endure that?”

Namgung Cheonwoong’s bulging eyes couldn’t easily close, and even Zhuge Munhyeon beside him couldn’t hide his surprise and quickly turned his head to look at Zhuge Dowon.

He hadn’t thought of this.

To return the opponent’s threat right back with just a few words.

The Family Head had reversed the situation by mentioning the disadvantage of lacking power compared to other forces while simultaneously highlighting their advantages.

The Zhuge that all political forces desire.

Depending on how that position is handled, it could easily create a struggle for control.

Not everyone would be like that, but someone would jump into that battle and become hostile to the Namgung Family.

Of course, all of this was possible because of the Eight Formations.

Having already experienced it firsthand, Namgung Cheonwoong would have immediately realized that attacking the Zhuge Family had become troublesome.

When they couldn’t even break through two formations and were blocked, could they break through all eight formations even if the Namgung Family deployed their main forces?

And in such a situation, if external enemies attacked the Namgung Family, could they defend against them?

Probably countless worries were passing through his mind in a complex tangle.

‘Amazing, truly amazing. To consider all those situations in an instant and show such strategic moves.’

He could only offer praise to the Family Head.

When he was with the Demonic Sect, he found him quite annoying, but now that they’re family, he’s so reliable.

“If you have nothing more to say, please return now. I’ll provide a cart to carry the patient.”

“…”

It was another order to leave.

Namgung Cheonwoong could no longer argue or threaten, and commanded his subordinate warriors.

“…Carry Yu.”

Refusing the cart seemed to be his minimum pride.

Their retreating figures looked utterly pitiful.

“Family Head.”

Soon the retainers who came running wore bright smiles toward the Family Head.

Every one of them had expressions full of pride.

Beyond small unorthodox forces like Honyeon Territory, they had now sent away even the main warriors of the Namgung Family.

But did the Zhuge Family’s retainers truly not know how to overcome their situation?

What those trapped in their shell needed was simply determination.

And.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“How was it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if it was a proper response.”

“Pardon?”

“Heh heh, are you trying to be modest as befits the saying ‘like father, like son’? Someone like you would have already known everything I was going to say, wouldn’t you?”

“…”

“It’s fine. What’s wrong with showing excellence? After hearing your words and thinking it over, the answer became clear. Without needing to be pushed around, we could sufficiently overcome everything using what the Zhuge Family possesses.”

Hmm, me?

I just didn’t like seeing them act arrogantly, so I only tried to break their pride?

“Isn’t this what you meant by being the person who moves the sail? Whether it’s a favorable wind or adverse wind, the results differ depending on how you handle it.”

“…”

“Oh my, this boy. Playing innocent to the very end? Fine, I understand. I’ll try harder as the Family Head. Ha ha ha!”

The Family Head winked and laughed at the bewildered Zhuge Munhyeon, then instructed repairs to the damaged formations and mechanisms before returning to the main house.

Hmm, that’s really not it though…

I’m not that smart…

“Well done, Munhyeon. It seems this father misunderstood you for no reason.”

“…”

Father also couldn’t hide his pride, as if he finally understood the entire situation from the Family Head’s words.

The retainers are also full of praise.

…It feels good.

Then let’s go with that.

It was all calculated behavior from the beginning.

What does it matter?

The Zhuge Family has begun moving toward a new path.

However.

‘I can’t just let them go.’

A sinister light flickered in Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes as he watched the Namgung Family warriors who had already grown distant.

The Zhuge Family’s son had finished his duty, but the Heavenly Demon still had work to do.

So why did you open your eyes like that?

And the formation you broke in the process.

That’s all money.

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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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