Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 90

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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 90

 

 

For decades, the Zhuge Family had endured cold frost that made leaves fall and bare branches that held up the gently accumulated snow, but now events worthy of being called a complete transformation of heaven and earth had occurred.

It wasn’t just that new buds had sprouted on the bare branches – it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that leaves had flourished luxuriantly in an instant.

Of course.

‘It’s all thanks to me.’

At an early hour, standing in the courtyard with his Silver Cold Staff for dawn training, Zhuge Munhyeon’s mouth stretched into a wide grin.

What if he hadn’t activated the Eight Formation Diagram that day? What if he hadn’t beaten up Nine Wall Sword when he was leaving and threatened him to send compensation and an apology letter? And what if he hadn’t gone to Blood Shadow Pavilion to persuade them during the Namgung Family’s invasion?

See? It’s all thanks to me.

I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Munhyeon, well done.

Munhyeon, it’s thanks to you.

Munhyeon, Munhyeon…

Everyone he meets is busy praising him.

Modesty?

I don’t know such a thing.

Why would I attribute to others what I accomplished well because I’m capable?

Of course, in the process, Zhuge Munho, Gwan Hwiping, and Zhuge Junggi helped by about as much as an ant’s tears.

But in the end, it’s thanks to me.

It’s all because I did well.

“Hehehe.”

Thinking that he had become a pillar and contributed to the family’s development made him feel very good… feel very…

“Damn it, now it’s become a complete habit. A habit.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had unconsciously felt proud, scrunched up his face and grumbled.

How very much like a descendant of the Zhuge Family.

The years I lived in the Demonic Sect were longer than other people’s entire lives…

“Ahem! What’s important is that I can now breathe a sigh of relief.”

Zhuge Munhyeon cleared away his idle thoughts with a cough and slowly began swinging his Silver Cold Staff.

He had been constantly worried.

The Zhuge Family.

They had nothing but learning, mechanisms, and formation techniques, and their pitiful state of withering away on Yungzhong Mountain was so heartbreaking that he couldn’t bear not to help.

But now it’s different.

By winning the war against the Namgung Family, they instantly regained their position as a prestigious family.

Just like when they represented Hubei.

Moreover, their evaluation has completely changed from the past.

From a family that wore scholarly robes and only devised strategies to a family equipped with martial prowess that wouldn’t be lacking anywhere.

Thanks to that day’s war, Blood Shadow Pavilion, which had protected its territory, even changed its name to the very orthodox-sounding Jade Family Head and became subordinate to the Zhuge Family.

Is that all?

Having instantly occupied half of northern Hubei Province, even Demon Shadow Tower, frightened in advance, came requesting subordination.

Well, Black River Sect and the Zhuge Family.

Putting these two on a scale and thinking hard about it, the choice the Demon Shadow Tower Master could make was obvious.

The moment they went to Black River Sect, Demon Shadow Tower would have everything taken away and be subjugated.

They would fall to the level of something like Black River Sect’s Heungsan Branch Office.

But with the Zhuge Family?

They could live as grandly as before while keeping Demon Shadow Tower’s territory intact in their hands.

They could also have their safety guaranteed in the process.

…Following Zhuge Junggi’s opinion, the Beggar’s Sect diligently spread rumors to encourage their actions.

“Anyway, he’s a remarkable fellow. If the Orthodox Alliance were intact, he would have easily become the youngest military strategist.”

Thinking of him, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled.

In some ways, among all the Zhuge Family people he’d met so far, that guy might be the most Zhuge-like.

“His behavior and lack of manners are just like that bastard Divine Calculator.”

In the past, he was the guy who immediately came to mind when thinking of the Zhuge Family.

The Orthodox Alliance’s Chief Strategist.

A guy who was much more famous to enemies than the Alliance Leader.

Perhaps Zhuge Junggi might become the second Divine Calculator.

Well, that’s why Uncle from Heavenly Strategy Institute dotes on him so much.

Thanks to that, it seemed he wouldn’t need to worry about post-war settlement issues with the Namgung Family.

Anyway, if he got involved, negotiations would be difficult.

Because he doesn’t know their methods.

In the past, he just announced what he considered an appropriate level.

Hand it over. Don’t want to? Then let’s see you hold out to the end.

That was all.

Easy and fast…

Though he’d get cursed at and pointed at from behind…

Of course, if he did that now, there would be another big commotion.

So he leaves negotiations to the strategists.

He had already conveyed his clear intention to Zhuge Junggi, even glaring at him.

They must receive at least ten taels per head.

“Well, that guy will handle it well on his own.”

If he can’t, I can torment him later.

No matter how smart he is, he’s still my younger brother.

“Tsk, I can’t concentrate. Can’t concentrate.”

As various idle thoughts arose and the flow of his Silver Cold Staff became complicated, Zhuge Munhyeon eventually stopped his training.

Properly, one should govern the mind like Clear Mirror Still Water and focus solely on the sword tip for training to be effective…

“Well, it’s fine to rest for a day.”

That much is okay.

He’s been running breathlessly all this time.

Didn’t he also give Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping a few days of rest?

As he lowered his Silver Cold Staff, perhaps awakened early by the whooshing sound of it cutting through the air, Sohye approached carrying a bowl on a small table.

“Young Master, please drink this.”

“Thank y… Hm? Is this honey water?”

“Of course.”

“No, but why?”

“Oh my! Why, you ask? What kind of person are you, Young Master, to say such things?”

“Hm?”

“The rising sun of the Zhuge Family! The hope!”

“…”

“Come, please drink it quickly. Quickly.”

At her words while even clenching her fists, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t hide his troubled expression.

Even though it was training filled with idle thoughts, his body had warmed up this much, so why hot honey water?

Just cold water would…

“Munhyeon, drink it quickly.”

“Moth… er?”

“You can’t leave a single drop. That’s pine honey.”

“Pine honey?”

“That’s right. Didn’t the Cheonseong Pavilion Master’s wife recently obtain something precious and bring it over? I was just thinking about what kind of tonic would be good for you while watching your dawn training, so I was so grateful.”

The Cheonseong Pavilion Master’s wife is the wife of the Pavilion Master, which means she’s my aunt.

Hadn’t she been receiving something like ostracism all this time? When exactly did they become close enough to exchange honey? Moreover, if it’s pine tree honey, it’s top quality enough to have the nickname “Heavenly Honey” and is considered a medicinal tonic…

“It’s all thanks to you, Young Master.”

“Hm?”

“Since you’ve been succeeding continuously, everyone has been curious.”

At Sohye’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon tilted his head.

“These days, in the women’s quarters, they’re just waiting for the day Miss comes to visit. They want to ask how she raised such an outstanding descendant as you, Young Master. And that’s not all. The questions never end about what efforts she made when having you, what efforts she made while you were in the womb, and so on.”

“Ah…”

So it’s a passionate mothers’ gathering.

Well, if it’s Aunt from Cheonseong Pavilion… she would need that kind of information too.

“They say she might soon rise to the position of fairy in the women’s quarters.”

“What?”

There are positions in the women’s quarters too.

A fairy refers to the woman who becomes the leader among them.

Usually, the family head’s mother sits in that position, but the atmosphere in the Zhuge Family was a bit different.

The family head, who lost his wife early, did not remarry.

That was the reason he had no children.

Also, Second Uncle and his wife passed away early.

That was why Zhuge Munho was mentioned as the family head’s adopted son.

Then naturally the fairy position should have been Mother’s as the third, but she had been just drifting around talking about all under heaven and such things.

The reason she’s now being mentioned as a fairy and receiving support is probably because Mother’s position naturally rose due to myself.

‘It seems spring hasn’t come only to the Zhuge Family.’

Perhaps that spring had been quietly sprouting from the neglected ground beneath our feet.

“My goodness, I said I taught him nothing since he’s a child who grew up well on his own… Oh my.”

Though she said that, Mother had an expression that couldn’t hide her pride.

Then that’s good enough.

I hadn’t done anything that could be called filial piety recently anyway.

After all, it was written in the Myeongshim Bogam that the pinnacle of filial piety is not money or honor, but making parents smile comfortably…

But wait a moment.

“By any chance, were you awake every time I practiced?”

“I was.”

“Ah…”

“It’s fine. I have to prepare breakfast anyway, and I don’t sleep much at dawn these days.”

Mother waved her hands and smiled, but from a child’s perspective, how could that be okay?

She’s not at an age where dawn sleep should disappear yet.

Who would think she’s old when she still radiates such flower-like beauty?

It seems the wind sounds I made while practicing woke them up.

‘From now on, I should practice outside except for mental cultivation methods.’

I couldn’t disturb Mother’s peaceful sleep.

 

* * *

 

The Zhuge Family, where spring had arrived, was busy every day.

Blood Shadow Pavilion, which became the Jade Family Head.

Demon Shadow Tower, which became the Second Family Head.

And countless small sects in northern Hubei Province were competing to express their intention to belong to the Zhuge Family.

Just as when sprouts emerge it’s quietly noisy, as their power grew and territory expanded, naturally there was more work to do.

Although they preserved each other’s territories and acknowledged their positions, since they came under Zhuge, they couldn’t manage them carelessly.

Frankly speaking, who among those who lived as unorthodox sect members their whole lives would change overnight just because they received indoctrination saying ‘you are now orthodox sect members’?

As large and small problems erupted from various places, the Hyeonho Unit was torn apart and dispatched in all directions to solve them.

Quelling disputes, establishing branch offices…

Also, measures for the small sects that immediately expressed their intention to belong to the Zhuge Family were urgent.

What power could they have?

Even if they received help from the Zhuge Family to build their strength, it would take a generation for that effect to manifest.

Especially the sects near Muju Main Road that bordered with the Black River Gate had serious problems.

Therefore, Zhuge urgently dispatched the Military Strategy Hall to fill the insufficient power with mechanisms and military strength.

It’s been quite a while since Father hasn’t returned home.

It was such a time when everyone was moving busily to stabilize the newly acquired territory.

Since I don’t belong anywhere, I’m idle.

There’s nothing to do except train Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwiping even more intensively.

Meanwhile, those who got beaten are quick-witted, so now they do well on their own without me having to pay special attention.

“Hmm, should I start working on the things I’ve been putting off?”

Since the family has gained some power and is becoming stabilized, it’s time to take care of my own things.

The ascension method.

And though not immediately, I needed to find traces of those called half-immortals.

Once I become strong enough, I need to hold them accountable for trying to kill me by teaching me the Mountain Destruction Method.

So the place I found was.

“What do you want to find?”

“Records from sixty years ago.”

“Sixty years… what?”

At the western foothills of Yungzhong Mountain, Sayo, who had established herself as a Rear Beggar in the Beggar Sect headquarters that had taken shape, blinked her eyes as if bewildered.

She wouldn’t know, but I’m always sudden.

Because I’ve lived as I pleased.

In my previous life when I sought Wudang to ascend, and now when I sought Sayo to find the ascension method again.

Sayo sighed at Zhuge Munhyeon’s appearance of looking at her confidently and asked again.

Sixty years.

It’s a time when two generations would pass and the landscape would change six times.

But it was because she thought Zhuge Munhyeon wouldn’t ask a meaningless question.

“What kind of records from sixty years ago do you need?”

“There was a time when the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic sects joined forces to find the ascension method.”

“The ascension… method?”

“Yes, it was for the Heavenly Demon Baek Ganghwi who went to Wudang.”

“Hmm… that’s a name I want to unconditionally refuse for some reason. So what?”

“The Beggar Sect would have managed all that news at the time. They would have maintained close contact with unorthodox sects and the Demonic Sect too.”

“That’s probably how it was. Sixty years ago, the Beggar Sect was intact.”

“Can you find out who, where, how, and what was conveyed at that time?”

“Oh my, your orders are quite detailed.”

“…”

At her grinning appearance, Zhuge Munhyeon sighed.

She’s become much more brazen since getting comfortable.

“It’s not an order, it’s a request.”

“Whatever. But well, I can’t guarantee anything since it was so long ago and the Beggar Sect has collapsed… But why are you suddenly trying to find the ascension method? You’re not even a Taoist. Are you planning to commit suicide or something?”

It’s understandable that she doesn’t get it.

Ascension is an act of entering the Immortal Realm for Taoists, but for unrelated people, it’s no different from death.

But if I said ‘I want to ascend,’ she would definitely run to the family head and report it immediately.

Probably the entire family would join forces to try to stop me.

“It’s just scholarly interest.”

“Even so…”

“You know. I’m a Zhuge person.”

“You’re quite a unique Zhuge. I heard recently you’re even called the Violent Dragon.”

Sayo looks at him with a displeased expression.

This is…

Who’s calling me a violent dragon?

I live with such patience.

I show mercy, I spare lives…

That’s when it happened.

“Young Master Munhyeon.”

“Who is it?”

“The Family Head’s Hall is looking for you.”

“The Family Head? Understood.”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had responded to the messenger’s voice from outside, spoke to Sayo.

“Please help me. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. If you find it… I’ll help you properly master the Drunken Reason Step that’s been nearly lost.”

“What?”

“So that Heaven and Earth can be attached before that name like in the past.”

“…!”

Sayo’s eyes widened.

Heaven and Earth Drunken Carp Steps.

It was a Supreme Technique of the Beggar’s Sect that was now considered completely lost.

But how could he…?

Even though he knew the name, restoring martial arts whose lineage had already been severed was nearly impossible.

She wanted to ask, but Zhuge Munhyeon had already headed toward the Family Head’s Hall.

“Sigh, he really is an incomprehensible person.”

Sayo let out a sigh, but her heart was strangely pounding.

He was the very person who had instantly recognized the Drunken Reason Step and taught her that its core lay in the equal distribution of offense and defense.

Thanks to that, she had achieved great growth.

Perhaps…

“I must find it. The Ascension Method that the entire Murim joined forces to search for sixty years ago.”

Thus, the Beggar’s Sect gained a new goal.

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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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