Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 88

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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 88

 

 

The air is filled with scorching heat.

That’s how the ridge is.

Being close to the sun, it’s hotter than the ground below.

But even the blazing heat couldn’t melt away the tension.

Despite squinting their eyes against the beating sun, everyone waits for that one moment.

Though this duel was conducted in the name of the Three Yielding Ritual, it was no different from one fought with the honor of the Namgung Family and Zhuge Family at stake.

“Are you really going to be okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your opponent is an elder of the Namgung Family. He’s different from those you’ve faced so far.”

“…”

“Elder Brother Munho is right. We know you’re strong, but.”

“Sigh, Munhyeon. Why did you really do that?”

“Just leave it to Uncle.”

These bastards…

We’ve spent such a long time together.

It’s disappointing.

That you don’t trust me.

It seems the problem was that I went too easy on them during training because they’re my brothers.

There’s a reason they call it the rod of love.

From now on, I’ll have to work harder and more intensely so their faith grows stronger.

“Elder Brother, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Zhuge Junggi, who had grown quite accustomed to calling me elder brother, spoke with a mysterious smile.

This bastard…

You’re the first one who makes me not want to hear you call me elder brother.

“On purpose?”

“You had another intention, right?”

“What would that be? Tell us too!”

Gwan Hwiping looked puzzled as he stared.

“Tsk tsk, how can the descendants of the Zhuge Family have such short-sighted thinking?”

“What’s that supposed to mean, you punk?”

When Zhuge Junggi clicked his tongue and shook his head, Gwan Hwiping flared up.

“Be quiet. Junggi’s words aren’t wrong either… How can you all be so lacking in thought?”

“Damn it, what about us? Then do you know, Elder Brother?”

“Sigh, you fools. Do you think I’m like you?”

“Huh? You know?”

“Sigh…”

Zhuge Munho, who had been sighing repeatedly, looked at Gwan Hwiping with pity and spoke.

“The meaning of this duel isn’t simply about victory.”

“What?”

“Can’t you hear it? The murmuring sounds from around us.”

“…?”

Come to think of it, everyone was glancing at Zhuge Munhyeon and Mok Jaun, who was recovering his energy in the shade.

But Gwan Hwiping still tilted his head in confusion.

“Do you live believing every rumor that goes around?”

“That’s not it, but…”

“It might be intriguing. But seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. It means seeing once is much better than hearing a hundred times.”

“Geez, we know that much too.”

“If you know, then tell me.”

“…”

Gwan Hwiping, who had spoken up unnecessarily, shut his mouth tight.

“Munhyeon’s excellence is a well-known fact within the family. We’ve heard about it constantly. But how many have directly witnessed that greatness?”

“Well…”

Not many.

Whether at Honyeon Territory, Dangang District, or Wudang.

They had only been excited hearing the known results and circulating rumors.

“Even within the family, many are half-believing. Despite hearing about Munhyeon’s skills, they’re worried whether he can defeat a Namgung Family elder. If even the Main House people are like that, how much more so the warriors of Blood Shadow Pavilion or the Namgung Family?”

“Ah…”

Gwan Hwiping nodded his head earnestly.

“Moreover, Munhyeon just emphasized in front of everyone that he’s a young descendant of the Zhuge Family and spoke of his lacking skills.”

“…”

“In such a situation, what do you think will happen if Munhyeon wins?”

“What will… happen?”

“Sigh, you idiots! The alliance’s unity will be strengthened. Even those who were half-doubting their cooperation with the Zhuge Family will change their minds after this fight ends. A rising star of the Zhuge Family defeated a Namgung Family elder—maybe there are even stronger masters at the Main House!”

“Ah! Is, is that so?”

“Is that all? Even if we drive out the Namgung Family, the Main House still has the problem of how to win over Demon Shadow Tower. Whether through war or persuasion, something must be done. But what happens when the Namgung Family withdraws?”

“Don’t tell me… you’re saying this was a measure that even considered Demon Shadow Tower?”

“That’s right, you fools. The reason I asked Munhyeon if he did it on purpose was exactly because of that. Isn’t that right, Junggi?”

At Zhuge Munho’s words, Zhuge Junggi chuckled and nodded.

“Damn it, such complicated things…”

“Don’t tell me all three of you knew?”

“Hey, be quiet. If we say more, we’ll just look more pathetic.”

While Gwan Hwiping couldn’t contain his surprise, Zhuge Junggi stuck out his tongue in admiration.

“Anyway, Elder Brother Munhyeon is really cunning, you know? When he suddenly stepped forward, I wondered what he was thinking… I only caught on after hearing him talk with Father.”

“Haha, Junggi. Do you think I beat you at Go for nothing? He’s originally someone who’s several moves ahead of others.”

“No, that Go game!”

“What? Going to say it was a mistake again?”

“Ugh…”

At Zhuge Munho’s words, Zhuge Junggi made a sullen expression with his brow deeply furrowed.

“Uncle also played along because he understood that guy Munhyeon’s intention.”

“He must have.”

“Haha! You rascal, don’t make that face. Bringing us this far is all your achievement, isn’t it? Without your strategy, we couldn’t have cornered the Namgung Family warriors without any damage. Isn’t that right, Munhyeon?”

Zhuge Munho looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with a bright smile.

I, I didn’t think that far either…

But I silently smiled and nodded.

Who would have thought my actions had such meaning.

In truth, I had never made such complex calculations.

I just stepped up because I’m the best at beating people up…

And I was worried that if I left it to Zhuge Domyeong, he might show mercy…

That’s the only reason I stepped forward, but if they’re interpreting it that way, I should just quietly nod.

While the conversation continued, a commotion arose in the distance under the shade.

It was because Mok Jaun, having finished his qi circulation, stood up with eyes gleaming with divine light and a face brimming with confidence.

Anticipation began to appear on the faces of the Namgung Family warriors around him.

It seemed like a light of hope that they might finally be able to return home.

When Mok Jaun signaled with his eyes that preparations were complete, Zhuge Domyeong turned his head.

“Munhyeon.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Are you ready?”

“I’ve been bored waiting since earlier.”

Though it might have seemed like bravado at first glance, it suited Zhuge Munhyeon perfectly.

“…I trust you.”

Words spoken while looking at him indifferently.

Worry flickered in those eyes.

But I’m going to win anyway.

I won’t kill him, but the only question remaining is how thoroughly I’ll beat him.

“Wait in the shade. The sun is hot.”

Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and immediately approached Mok Jaun.

He could feel the gazes watching his back.

Yearning for victory, worry… all of it mixed together, hotter than the blazing sunlight.

So this is what it feels like.

To show one’s back to someone.

To walk ahead carrying the heavy burden of expectations.

Even though he had always walked ahead, walking while feeling others’ gazes felt remarkably new to him.

And soon those steps came to a halt.

In that place without a single tree’s shade, Zhuge Munhyeon faced Mok Jaun.

It seems his stamina has recovered.

His Internal Energy also appears stable…

But that face full of confidence and wearing a bloody sneer is extremely irritating.

As if that bastard is saying he’s superior.

“Don’t you need to rest more? You’ve been chased for days, and a brief rest won’t solve that problem.”

“Hmph! That’s not for you to worry about!”

“How can you say that? You might say later that you lost because you lacked rest or hadn’t recovered enough.”

“What?”

“If you lose, you’ll acknowledge it this time, right?”

“…Of course.”

“Good.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled brightly and slowly raised his hands to offer a formal bow.

“The young descendant of Zhuge, Munhyeon! Pays the Three Yielding Ritual to Regional Lord Mok Jaun of the Namgung Family’s Gangmu Pavilion.”

“…”

Two hands extended forward, a slightly bowed torso and lowered head.

It was an extremely respectful attitude.

But Mok Jaun couldn’t help but grit his teeth.

Only the attitude was respectful.

Not only did his words emphasize being a young descendant of Zhuge, but he even omitted honorifics toward himself.

Regional Lord Mok Jaun?

‘This damn bastard is emphasizing equality? And saying he’s bestowing it!’

But there were many watching eyes, and since he was the one who had requested the Three Yielding Ritual, he had no choice but to return the courtesy.

“…Regional Lord Mok Jaun of the Namgung Family expresses gratitude for the Zhuge Clan’s grace.”

In the end, he returned the greeting.

An elder and a young descendant…

“Shall we begin then?”

Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and drew the Silver Cold Staff tucked at his waist.

Even this displeased Mok Jaun, making him frown.

Against him, not a sword but a staff?

There was no greater disrespect than this.

It was like bestowing mercy by declaring from the start that he wouldn’t target his life.

From someone who had barely surpassed Tan Qi, no less.

“Will that be sufficient?”

“Of course? I’m worried it might be excessive.”

“Excessive… Don’t regret it.”

“Naturally.”

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled cheerfully and slowly moved his staff into position.

“I begin the Three Yielding Ritual. If you block three strikes, the Namgung will be able to return home safely.”

“Come.”

Mok Jaun simply stood with his sword hanging downward.

How foolish.

There are always those who only learn after getting beaten.

“The first strike is the Main House’s Small Heaven Star Sword technique, Meteor Flash.”

“Explanations are unnecessary, so begin!”

Mok Jaun shouted angrily, contorting his face.

What a temper.

I was being kind by recalling old memories and following proper etiquette.

If he doesn’t want it, fine.

Then just get beaten.

Thump!

A forceful step forward.

Body weight shifting ahead.

Following the Heavenly Mystery Bewildering Steps, a sliding movement created a flash of light.

Mok Jaun’s contorted face immediately straightened.

It was natural for his eyes to widen as Zhuge Munhyeon’s form instantly closed the distance and approached right before his nose.

Above all, what about that energy gathered countless times on the staff, layered and compressed?

‘Ui, Ui Qi?’

Swallowing empty air, he quickly retreated and swung his sword. But Zhuge Munhyeon’s Silver Cold Staff, with eyes full of madness, was already being swung.

“Damn it…”

The Internal Energy infused in his sword hadn’t fully matured.

Claaaaaang!

Mok Jaun, who had deployed the Namgung’s proud Boundless Sky Sword to block the Silver Cold Staff, was pushed back a long way along with his sword.

Intense shock.

From the pain that felt like his grip would tear apart, Mok Jaun nearly dropped his sword.

Internal Energy penetrating afterward.

Pe, Penetration Technique?

He urgently drew up his Internal Energy to resist, but the penetrating energy surged like ocean waves, turning his insides upside down.

“Urgh!”

Though he tried to steady himself somehow, Mok Jaun eventually fell forward with both hands on the ground and spewed black blood.

Zhuge Munhyeon looked at him and grinned.

That’s what happens when something insignificant gets careless.

Would this have happened if he’d done his best from the start?

But now you’re going to be even more surprised!

Zhuge Munhyeon wore a bright smile instead of a sneer and cheered for Mok Jaun.

“As expected of an elder. You blocked the first strike. Now you just need to endure two more times.”

Sword or staff, they’re the same from the beginning.

It’s just the difference between killing by cutting and slashing or killing by beating.

Of course, the latter is more cruel.

So get up, you bastard!

There are still two more left!

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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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