Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 8

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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 8

 

 

Later, when Sohye came back with gossip from the family, she excitedly said that Father was truly the greatest debater in the world, capable of taking on a hundred opponents.

With his logical and articulate speech, he apparently crushed Dang Yeojin’s fox-like complaints to the Family Head and her husband.

Still, the house arrest order couldn’t be avoided.

Since the violence was a fact.

The result was a ban from entering the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.

Considering the family’s strict hierarchical order, it was said to be quite a light punishment.

Seeing Mother finally relieved after worrying constantly made me feel somewhat sorry.

But since that day, rumors have been spreading that I’m a ‘disrespectful bastard who assaults his siblings.’

‘Those Dang Family bastards, really.’

It was definitely spread by Dang Yeojin.

Her face said it all.

‘To think I couldn’t follow the rule of repaying evil with evil. I’ve grown much weaker.’

Repay good with good, and evil with greater evil, cruelly.

It was one of the great Demonic Sect’s rules that I had lived by like a creed my entire life.

Naturally, I should have crushed that mouth that insulted Mother and pulled out her tongue, then severed the tendons in her limbs to make her crawl like a dog for life.

But I showed mercy due to Sohye’s intervention.

Perhaps growing up receiving abundant parental love had softened my nature, or maybe it was from recently reflecting on the Bright Heart Treasure Mirror again.

‘Well, at least I got everything I needed from the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.’

Fortunately, there’s no reason to go to the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion anymore.

What I needed immediately was just a fragment of the Zhuge Family’s martial arts.

That was sufficient for now.

‘Hehehe, house arrest? I needed time for cultivation anyway.’

Since I’ve memorized all the incantation formulas, I can now earnestly accelerate my martial arts training.

Later, if someone asks in surprise, ‘Wait, how do you know this?’, I can just answer, ‘I learned it at the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion.’

Most importantly, I felt so much from Father.

Infinite trust, perhaps?

I was deeply moved by how he believed in his son without questioning or doubting.

In my previous life, I never trusted anyone, so I don’t know what that feeling is like.

Not only my subordinates, but even my disciples were all trying to kill me—how could I trust them?

Rather, I didn’t spare praise for those who put their best effort into such attempts.

Gaining loyalty through mighty power and fear.

That was the proper character a ruler of the Demonic Sect should have.

But Father was…

‘He was cool. Quite…’

Why did my heart race so much over something like that?

In that moment, Father looked far more confident and reliable than myself, who had once stood alone against hundreds of warriors.

‘Well, someone of that caliber is qualified to be my father.’

Though this reincarnation and birth were unwanted, I’m grateful to have gained a loving mother and truly dependable father.

Let’s be filial.

What’s the big deal about that?

Since I’ve received love, I can do at least that much.

But then.

“Munhyeon, pay your respects.”

“Pardon?”

A few days after the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion incident, Father brought some man with him.

A pale-faced scholar who appeared to be in his early thirties, with not a single blemish on his face and seemingly no calluses on his hands.

“This is Section Chief Han Siheon from the Formation Department of the Military Strategy Hall, who will become your literature teacher.”

“…”

“Though he’s currently researching formation techniques under the patronage of our main family, he once placed first in the regional examinations and received the title of Recommended Scholar.”

In other words, he’s highly learned.

Seeing that he belongs to the Military Strategy Hall as a formation section chief means he’s Father’s subordinate.

But suddenly a literature teacher?

Just when I was firmly resolving to begin martial arts training in earnest, what on earth are you saying, Father?

“Hey now, this boy. Why aren’t you greeting him quickly? Your master is waiting, isn’t he?”

“Ah… hello.”

At Father’s scolding, Zhuge Munhyeon greeted him in an awkward posture.

“Haha, please understand. Usually he’s excellent with etiquette, but he’s a bit flustered right now.”

“It’s fine. Indeed, as I heard, there’s something special about the intelligence in his eyes.”

“Thank you for seeing him that way.”

“Not at all. Rather, I should be grateful for being entrusted with the important responsibility of being your precious son’s literature teacher.”

Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t help but feel bewildered watching the two exchange pleasantries.

Wait, what are these two doing right now?

The person in question hasn’t even agreed yet, so why are these two in such perfect harmony?

“Father.”

“Speak.”

“Suddenly a literature teacher? What do you mean by that?”

“Munhyeon, this is a decision your father made after much consideration.”

“Consideration?”

“Yes. How could I not know your heart that was so literary? You must be angry. Though the violence you committed was wrong, you protected your mother’s honor. I highly value that heart of yours.”

“…”

“But because of that, you received house arrest and can no longer enter the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion, so how great must your heartbreak be?”

“Not, not particularly…”

“It’s alright. You can tell your true feelings to this father. As a fellow scholar, how could I not know? Your passion for learning, to be frustrated before even taking the first step.”

Father even frowned as he comforted me.

You seem to have no idea at all, do you?

“So, wanting to help you, I shamelessly asked Section Chief Han. To teach you during your house arrest.”

“Pardon?”

“The boy might well be surprised. Hahaha!”

That wasn’t why I was surprised.

Who exactly, when, and how was disappointed?

You should have at least given me a hint!

Even though my reputation worsened with the nickname of being a bastard, I was actually relieved that I could finally start martial arts training…

“From now on, Section Chief Han will become your literature teacher and teach you during the time after I leave for work.”

“Af, after… surely not all day?”

“That’s right.”

It was like a bolt from the blue.

I felt like my insides were completely collapsing.

No, why did you worry about it alone and decide alone!

You should have discussed it with me!

“Father, Section Chief Han surely has his own duties, so wouldn’t it be inappropriate for him to leave his post for such personal matters?”

“It’s fine.”

“…”

“I’ve already reported this matter to the Family Head.”

“The, the Family Head gave permission?”

“Of course, who do you think this father is? I persuaded and persuaded the Family Head again, saying this matter wasn’t your fault. The Family Head thinks that confining you over Mungi’s incident was excessive.”

What truly unnecessary persuasion.

There was no need to go that far.

“Oh, that boy… Look. That’s how he is. He’s frowning like that because he’s worried his father might have pushed too hard for no reason.”

“Indeed so. I’ll teach him even more diligently, Master.”

“Thank you, truly thank you.”

Father even grasped Han Siheon’s hands tightly to express his gratitude.

Wrong.

It’s resentment.

I’m angry.

Please don’t misunderstand on your own!

But I couldn’t bring myself to say ‘I don’t want to.’

Because Father’s back from that day kept flickering before my eyes…

“I look forward to working with you, Munhyeon. I’m truly happy to become your master.”

Looking at him smiling brightly, I thought.

‘Literature Teacher? Let’s see how long you last. I have quite some experience with this kind of stubbornness!’

 

* * *

 

The next day, as promised, Han Siheon took over from Father who left for work after finishing breakfast.

And the lesson began immediately.

“I heard you’re reading the Bright Heart Treasure Mirror.”

“That’s right.”

A somewhat indifferent attitude.

But his posture didn’t lose its courtesy.

Because he couldn’t disappoint Mother who was watching the literature studies from afar.

So he maintained courtesy on the surface while subtly taking an attitude that would be annoying.

When a child acts like this, how can an adult not get angry and endure it?

I’ve dealt with scholars plenty of times before.

“Open to the language section. I heard you’ve read up to there.”

“Yes.”

“Yu Hoe said, ‘Words that don’t align with reason are better left unspoken.’ What does this mean?”

“What does it mean?”

“Hm?”

“This disciple’s learning is shallow, so while I can read it, I don’t understand the meaning.”

“…”

“Will Master properly teach me?”

At the question asked while looking up with bright, sparkling eyes, Han Siheon smiled and kindly continued his explanation.

Now, let the clever stubbornness truly begin.

Let’s see you try to endure this.

“Yu Hoe said, ‘If words don’t align with reason, it’s better not to speak them.’ Since words are the voice of the heart, you should think about the meaning contained in ‘words’ before speaking them.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Words should have proper attitude rather than using learned vocabulary or elegant expressions. This is especially true when dealing with those younger or of lower rank than yourself, as it reveals one’s true nature. You should learn to think before speaking and learn to respect others.”

Look at this guy?

While seeming to give proper teaching, he’s roundaboutly scolding my current attitude.

But are you kidding me?

I’ve lived much longer than you.

“Hmm, I don’t understand what it means at all. Could you explain it a bit more simply?”

“Hm?”

“My learning is insufficient…”

“Ahem.”

Zhuge Munhyeon just blinked his eyes blankly with an expression of knowing nothing.

I am a cow.

Go ahead and recite scriptures all day.

At best, you’ll get a ‘moo’ sound.

From that day forward, Zhuge Munhyeon blatantly rejected his teachings.

I don’t know, I don’t understand.

Why do I have to read this?

Blah blah blah!

Being distracted was basic, and he did his best to make the teacher furious by twisting his whole body wanting to play, doing everything a seven-year-old could do.

“Do you dislike studying literature?”

“No? I really like it.”

“Then why is your attitude like that? Do you perhaps dislike me?”

“Not at all? I like you so much I could die.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Han Siheon, who had been quietly observing Zhuge Munhyeon, made a meaningful expression.

Zhuge Doyun had asked him to be his son’s literature master not only because of his high learning.

He was carefully chosen.

Teaching experience.

He had already taught and raised numerous children in the Zhuge Family.

So he knows.

The descendants of the Zhuge Family who were born with intelligence that couldn’t ignore bloodline.

Zhuge Munhyeon was special even among them.

He spoke at one hundred days, read the Thousand Character Classic and Elementary Learning at three, and understood musical rhythm at five.

Rumors said he was a briefly shining fool, but as a master, he couldn’t teach carelessly, so he observed the seven-year-old’s life in advance.

The result was… fool my ass.

This kid is real.

If he wasn’t born with talent, how could a seven-year-old clearly express his thoughts and speak without error?

On the day of the Ten Thousand Books Pavilion incident, Zhuge Munhyeon faced Dang Yeojin with a confident attitude, expressed his will, and even scolded her.

Just watching how he treats his mother during these few days as literature master shows it all.

He absolutely never says or does anything that might displease his parents. He only grumbles at me.

That means.

‘Our young master wants to have a battle of wills with me?’

That’s how those born with natural talent behave.

Do you have the qualifications to be my master?

I’ll test you, and if not, then get lost.

That must be the meaning.

‘First, I should break that stubbornness.’

Han Siheon had no intention of backing down either.

A child is ultimately a child.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes, Master.”

“It seems you need to develop your studying attitude first.”

“I suppose so. I seem quite lacking to learn from Master.”

“Therefore!”

“…?”

“I think I’ll change methods now.”

“What?”

It was then that Zhuge Munhyeon made a puzzled expression at Han Siheon’s words.

Swoosh!

Han Siheon, who had picked up nearby go stones, lightly flicked his fingers.

The go stones flew around Zhuge Munhyeon and dropped with soft taps.

But somehow the positions where the stones were placed…

“This is a formation technique called Muyeondae Formation.”

“…”

“I absolutely will not release you until you finish reading the entire Bright Heart Treasure Mirror, so know that well.”

It was his secret weapon to break the child’s stubbornness.

He had already done this several times before.

Children who trembled in fear and couldn’t overcome their hunger would cry and wail…

“Hm?”

But he could see Zhuge Munhyeon’s lips curving upward to an eerily high degree.

You’re saying I can’t leave until I finish reading it all?

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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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