Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 84

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

 

 

Chapter 84

 

 

The Blood Shadow Hall’s main camp, facing off against the Namgung family who had occupied the Jongsang Branch.

A heated meeting was taking place to discuss future strategy.

It was Zhuge Doeung who occupied the head seat.

Since this was their first gathering after forming an alliance, who would sit at the head was an important matter, but it was decided more easily than expected.

 

-What did Blood Shadow Hall do to rescue their own warriors? I’m truly disappointed.

 

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Ok Sayeong shut his mouth tight.

He never would have thought that Zhuge Muhyeon could hold back their vanguard.

With just five people…

Unlike orthodox sects, in unorthodox factions, who is stronger greatly influences the hierarchy of positions.

Orthodox sects prioritize bloodline and honor under long history and tradition, but unorthodox factions have no such thing.

Most appear and disappear overnight, and unless you’re from the same region, you might not even know such sects exist.

Often, a skilled person takes the leader’s position and establishes a sect, and that becomes an unorthodox faction.

Even Blood Shadow Hall was established just over fifty years ago.

And now it’s only the second generation.

Therefore, they follow profit.

Who fills their belly is the most important question.

Why else would they be cursed as a group of opportunists who scatter and gather at will?

Therefore, the Zhuge Munhyeon that the warriors were looking at now was more than the Blood Shadow Hall Master.

Moreover, with the warriors from the Jongsang Branch whose lives were saved eagerly spreading all sorts of exaggerated rumors…

Ok Sayeong, who already had a record of defeat against Zhuge Munhyeon, yielded the head seat to Zhuge Doeung without much resistance.

After all, without the Zhuge family’s help right now, it would be difficult to resolve the obstacle that was the Namgung family.

And then.

“Lord of Cheonchaek Hall!”

The meeting was briefly interrupted by the appearance of Sayo, who came running in with a loud voice.

“A message has come from Jongsang!”

“What happened?”

“We succeeded in planting a spy among them. Fortunately, they approached us first.”

“That would be the case. Information must be desperately needed right now.”

“We’ve also spread rumors to the nearby villages, so they’ll have no choice but to believe that Demon Shadow Tower has joined.”

“Well done. The Beggar’s Sect is truly being of great help.”

Not only Zhuge Doeung but everyone in the conference room smiled.

Their strategy.

It all started with the rumor that Zhuge Junggi created spreading properly.

“What about the counter-operation?”

“It should have started by now.”

At Zhuge Junggi’s words, Sayo nodded.

“I gave advance notice to Gwak Chu, the head of Jongsang. That the Beggar’s Sect remaining in Hubei Province had scattered in all directions. Gwak Chu said he would actively cooperate, so the Namgung family will think they have accurate information in their hands.”

“That’s fortunate. But will this person called Gwak Chu be alright? If he gets exposed someday…”

At Zhuge Junggi’s worried words, Sayo’s face darkened slightly, but she soon regained her composure.

“He volunteered for this. And he said he would escape once the initial intelligence operation is finished, so don’t worry and focus on strategy.”

“Hmm…”

Even though Sayo said it was fine, he seemed concerned. Zhuge Junggi’s expression looked complicated.

Well, it would be difficult to accept at such a young age. It’s completely different from go stones dying.

However.

“Do you think strategy is always perfect?”

“…”

“I know. That the sacrifice of the few for the many shouldn’t be taken for granted. But even so, a strategist must think of the greater good first.”

Zhuge Doeung scolded him sharply.

He was teaching.

Recognizing the talent of a young descendant and opening that path for him.

Actually, it’s the same not just for strategists but for warriors too.

If you decide to live in Murim, the first thing you must become accustomed to is death.

“Cast aside distracting thoughts and hurry to explain the strategy.”

“…Yes.”

Zhuge Junggi tried hard to compose himself.

Because overcoming death is also part of the path he must walk.

“Since Lord Gwak Chu leaked the information… they will gradually come to view the Jongsang Branch not as a base for attack, but as an isolated island surrounded by swords on all sides.”

“…”

“Mok Jaun will probably try to break through such an atmosphere. It would be troublesome if morale drops. So he’s thinking of acting quickly.”

Zhuge Junggi proposed a strategy of deploying Blood Shadow Hall’s warriors widely to completely surround the entire Jongsang Branch.

“You mean to force them into a siege?”

“That’s right. They’ll think it’s the combined force of Blood Shadow Hall and Demon Shadow Tower, so they won’t easily come outside.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon grumbled as if displeased.

“Then we don’t attack? Just squeeze them?”

“No, we have to attack.”

“…?”

“Just squeezing won’t make them feel threatened. So we need to attack persistently from different locations. If we cut off supplies too, they’ll suffer from fatigue and hunger, thinking they might die trapped here like this. The confusion will probably grow even greater.”

“Then the attacks…”

“Elder Brother will handle them.”

“Huh?”

“You’re not the type to just sit still anyway.”

“…”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been staring at him as he looked back with a smile, blinked.

Elder Brother?

He’s definitely that same brat… has this guy suddenly gained some sense he didn’t have before?

“Elder Brother, we’ll attack alternately from two locations.”

“Mm… alright.”

Doing something he’s never done before makes it even creepy.

“But don’t go in too deep. The warriors going with you might be in danger. Hit appropriately and withdraw.”

“Right.”

“Blood Shadow Hall Master, please prepare for attacks as well. Form units with those who are fast and have excellent martial skills.”

“Understood.”

“If we keep changing directions and attacking, they won’t be able to rest for even a moment. Remember that the purpose of the initial battle is to exhaust their stamina like this.”

Zhuge Doeung, who had been watching Zhuge Junggi lead the meeting with satisfaction, interjected as if to fill in the gaps.

“What if, by any chance, they decide to fight to the death?”

“We shouldn’t let them do that.”

“How so?”

“When they’re exhausted and filled with desperation, I plan to open a path of life for them.”

“A path of life?”

“Yes.”

“Ho? Feint to capture.”

It means deliberately letting them go in order to catch them.

If they build a bridge for escape in the desperate situation they’re in now, who would want to risk their lives? Once internal unity crumbles starting with those who want to live, naturally they won’t be able to fight to the death.

“Is that possible?”

“We have to make it possible.”

“What do you mean?”

“Gwak Chu, who infiltrated as a spy, will make them believe our scheme.”

“Gwak Chu?”

“Yes. They know too. The fact that Zhuge, Blood Shadow Pavilion, and Demon Shadow Tower hastily formed an alliance due to the threat of the Namgung Family.”

“That’s right.”

“But what if the alliance suddenly crumbles? What if they fell apart arguing over their respective achievements, thinking about the benefits after the fight ends?”

“Ha! You plan to deploy deception tactics too?”

“Yes. Of course, it’s only possible if Gwak Chu gains their trust…”

“Hmm, then have you prepared countermeasures for when Gwak Chu becomes unavailable?”

“I’m still working on it.”

“Hurry and establish them. The most important thing when devising strategies is dealing with unexpected situations. Originally, once you establish one strategy, you must keep at least five contingencies in mind and prepare for them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Zhuge Doeung was even more satisfied seeing Zhuge Junggi bow his head respectfully.

For Zhuge Munhyeon, it was a fascinating sight.

This was his first time seeing Zhuge seriously preparing for war.

In his previous life, he thought it would end if he just charged into enemy territory and took the enemy commander’s head…

But now he was a Zhuge.

Following their methods was the proper way.

Above all, this fight wasn’t a problem that could be ended by beheading an enemy commander. The bounty…

“Now then, since the strategy is established, let’s move quickly. We need to execute it before the night passes. Junggi, explain the formation plan.”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Junggi explained in detail how to construct the encirclement to squeeze the enemies and where to begin the attack.

He was like a fish in water.

As they say, position makes the person – that was exactly how Zhuge Junggi looked now.

Perhaps that’s why Zhuge Doeung didn’t particularly interfere.

And.

“Regional Lord.”

“Speak.”

Zhuge Munhyeon approached Ok Sayeong and whispered quietly.

“Let’s spare as many as possible.”

“Huh?”

“If possible, just wound them enough so they can’t move… You can do that, right?”

“Why would you want that?”

“It’s a very important matter, so you must do it that way.”

“…”

“Of course, don’t force yourself to spare them. You might get hurt doing that. Only when you can spare them without particular harm, understand? Oh, if you can capture and bring them, that’s fine too.”

Though Ok Sayeong didn’t understand why Zhuge Munhyeon was saying such things, he had come to trust him and nodded silently.

Probably thinking it was because he was a descendant of the Orthodox Sects.

However.

‘I need to spare as many as possible. As many as possible.’

Among all the wars he had experienced, Zhuge Munhyeon intended to practice saving lives for the first time.

Since it would be a loss if they died.

 

* * *

 

Late at night.

Fires blazed brightly around the Jongsang Branch.

The faces of the Namgung Family Warriors with sharply opened eyes were filled with tension.

‘Did you hear?’

‘That Demon Shadow Tower and Blood Shadow Pavilion went under the Zhuge Family?’

‘Damn Zhuge bastards… Have they decided to become completely Unorthodox?’

‘They’re struggling to survive.’

‘Damn, this is serious. Aren’t we getting into danger?’

The news about Hubei Province’s situation that Gwak Chu had brought quickly spread like wildfire among the Blue Sky Sword Corps Warriors.

Even Mok Jaun’s efforts to stop it out of concern for unrest were useless.

The anxiety started from the Pyeong Warriors who made up the largest number.

Only three hundred.

Though the Blue Sky Sword Corps consisted entirely of masters who had surpassed the Hyeon level, they couldn’t help but feel anxious under the pressure of numbers.

There were just too many.

Adding the Warriors of the Zhuge Family to Blood Shadow Pavilion and Demon Shadow Tower would easily exceed a thousand.

Squad Leaders at the Tan Qi level or above might be different, but how could Pyeong Warriors fight and win against Warriors numbering more than three times their own?

Meanwhile, the anxiety was further amplified by the leadership who couldn’t devise any countermeasures and just held meetings day and night.

‘Aren’t we all going to die at this rate?’

‘That’s what I’m saying… Wouldn’t it be better to retreat? In this situation, it would be hard to expect support from the Main House…’

‘Exactly. We came in too deep for no reason.’

Now they knew too.

The disadvantage when their strategy of scattering in small groups to quickly raid Blood Shadow Pavilion’s subordinate sects and strike the main force collapsed.

They had no way back.

The moment they retreated blocked by walls, it was the same as being isolated in enemy territory.

Everyone was keeping quiet about it, but rumors that they were already surrounded were circulating.

Just then.

Rustle.

“…!”

A Martial Artist startled by a nearby sound immediately drew his sword and swung it.

Swoosh!

A sword strike cutting through the air.

Growl!

What followed was the cry of a beast.

“Phew… What a scare.”

Their appearance of being startled by small sounds and only calming down after realizing it was just a beast seemed to clearly reveal the situation the Blue Sky Sword Corps was in.

And soon, the Martial Artist who had checked the dead beast’s corpse and was returning reassured noticed the puzzled expressions of his comrades looking at him.

They looked very surprised.

Why?

The moment he felt puzzled, the back of his neck felt eerie.

As if someone was behind him…

“Ugh!”

The startled Martial Artist hastily turned his body and swung his sword.

Clang!

A harsh metallic sound.

And a young face smiling after blocking the sword.

“Hehehe, bounty…”

“…”

Bounty?

The moment he wondered about the strange person’s words, his vision flashed.

Thwack!

It was a night raid.

Of course, for some it was a money-making opportunity…

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————