Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 98

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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 98

 

 

In a thicket by the riverside, located about fifty li south of Danpung County.

Zhuge Munhyeon and Mujin, peeking their eyes through the tree branches, looked at several huts nestled in the forest a short distance from the riverside.

It was full of people.

Seeing those who had loosened their front garments and were practically half-naked with weapons placed nearby, they were definitely bandits.

It seemed the Black Cat Room fellows had done their investigation properly.

According to what they had marked on the map, that place was Silver Scale Stronghold.

He had never heard of it.

Since he’d been dead for sixty years, the names of water bandit strongholds would have changed several times.

Every time the Yangtze River Grand Bandit Chief changed, or whenever a new owner took over a stronghold, these fellows would change the name.

But they seemed to have pinpointed it correctly.

The wooden prison was packed with kidnapped people.

“Phew, fortunately they haven’t sold them yet.”

“What? Sold? Then are you saying those people engage in human trafficking?”

“That’s right.”

“How could they do such an outrageous thing…”

Mujin burst out in indignation with a small voice.

Outrageous?

This kid must have seen the world through rose-colored glasses.

Human trafficking was one of the common money-making methods of the unorthodox sects occurring throughout the entire Central Plains.

He himself had been kidnapped as a child and sold to the Demonic Sect.

Every year, children would enter the Demonic Sect’s training grounds through similar routes.

The first thing he had fixed upon becoming the Sect Leader was exactly that part.

Those damn bastards changing people’s lives as they pleased?

How many children lost their lives during training.

But it wasn’t a problem exclusive to the Demonic Sect.

Where did all those numerous slaves in every prestigious family come from?

They might have committed treason.

But most such people were sent to become government slaves.

Usually, people living as slaves were often cases where someone in their ancestry had been kidnapped and sold as slaves before taking root.

The unorthodox sects were especially worse.

Women were sold to pleasure houses, men were sold to mines or places with hard labor, children as shopkeepers, and the elderly…

‘Damn it, if they’re deemed useless, these kidnappers kill them immediately.’

Because if they couldn’t be sold, they just became burdens.

These fellows who only saw people as money never showed mercy from the start.

Zhuge Munhyeon observed those imprisoned with sharp eyes.

Though he couldn’t see everyone, he spotted some elderly people.

He should be among them.

If not…

‘I’ll grind them all to dust.’

While he disliked kidnappers and human traffickers due to childhood memories, he disliked even more not being able to achieve his purpose.

Grinding his teeth fiercely, Zhuge Munhyeon first assessed the full power of the bandits stationed at the water bandit stronghold.

Looking at the scale, it didn’t seem to be at the level of the eighteen, that is, the eighteen representatives of the Yangtze River, but appeared to be about a mid-level stronghold.

And around the wooden prison…

By nature, he wanted to rush in and smash everyone he encountered, but it would be troublesome to go in recklessly.

It wouldn’t do if the bandits ended up killing the kidnapped people.

“Young Master, shouldn’t we report this soon?”

“What?”

“Both the Black Cat Room matter and attacking the stronghold… It seems problematic for us to do this on our own. Since we’ve secured the location, after joining with the warriors from the branch office…”

That was nonsense.

Who would take responsibility if the exhausted old man’s lifespan ran out while waiting for them to join?

Zhuge Munhyeon glanced sideways at Mujin and soon asked with a grin.

“Why? Are you scared?”

“Sc-scared? That’s not it…”

“Let’s move quickly. They’ve probably been imprisoned for a long time. I don’t know if their stamina will hold out.”

Of course, he was referring to the old man.

Mujin, unaware of the inner circumstances, reflected again.

This man…

His heart is always concerned for the common people.

“You need to be careful. Unlike typical unorthodox sect martial artists, these bandits are no ordinary fellows. These bastards are originally branded as criminals, so they have nothing to lose. No matter how strong their opponent is, they just charge in first.”

“You know well about bandits too.”

“Well…”

Because I’ve fought them.

Those water ghost-like bastards…

They were fellows who stayed underwater for so long that I once created a martial art called ‘Water Bottom Needle’ specifically for catching those underwater.

It was a martial art that shot internal energy like needles to pierce through to the bottom of the water.

There was no need to specifically hunt down those in the water.

Just by sticking hundreds of densely made energy needles into the water, both fish and people would float up.

“Mujin.”

“Yes.”

“You attack first.”

“What?”

“First, jump out and draw their attention. In the meantime, I’ll rescue the people.”

“Hmm, understood.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

“…Right now?”

“Do you need preparation?”

“Not that, but I thought you’d establish some strategy like where to approach from and where to go…”

“Mujin.”

“Yes.”

“Today, you are my strategy.”

“Huh!”

When he gripped his shoulder firmly and spoke with eyes full of trust, Mujin put strength in his eyes and firmly closed his mouth.

Trust.

It was truly an important matter.

As they say, a warrior dies for one who recognizes him – don’t people sacrifice their lives for those who understand them?

Just as those words suggested, when he showed trust, deep fervor appeared in Mujin’s eyes.

Now one word would be enough.

“Don’t show mercy. They’re wicked bandits who kidnap and sell people.”

“Understood.”

“Go. Go and shout with all your might. That I’m here! That I’ve come to beat up all the bandits!”

“Yes, Young Master!”

Mujin, gaining strength, walked forward with a hundredfold courage.

And he shouted.

“These bastards! How dare you kidnap people, I cannot forgive your evil deeds!”

At his bold and righteous shout, the bandits who had been killing time with trivial activities turned their heads.

Of course, not one of them was surprised.

That’s the kind of scum they were.

“What are you?”

“I am Mujin, first disciple of Wudang!”

Mujin revealed his identity.

However.

“What’s a Wudang brat doing all the way here? And did you come alone?”

The bandits remained calm even after hearing the name of Wudang.

Rather, they sneered at Mujin with expressions as if looking at some neighborhood mutt.

“Hey guys, this one’s from Wudang.”

“What? Wudang?”

“Yeah, and he came alone?”

“Hmm, do Taoists sell well?”

“Wouldn’t that be something different?”

“Well, it’s our first time selling a Taoist, right?”

“Hehehe, he’s young so he should fetch a good price, right?”

The bandits began gathering one by one, showing interest in Mujin.

Now’s the time.

Since everyone in the water bandit stronghold was looking at him…

Zhuge Munhyeon stealthily moved toward the wooden prison while hiding his body in the thicket.

First, he had to rescue the people.

He also needed to confirm if there was a ninety-year-old man among them.

And then.

“What are you doing? A young Wudang Taoist has come to play with us. Play with him.”

“Yes!”

At the command of a bandit who seemed to hold some rank, those with sneers rushed toward Mujin.

Mujin, who had been momentarily flustered when the name Wudang held no power, soon drew his sword.

“I shall correct your evil deeds and bring peace to the world!”

“Bullshit! Damn brat!”

One approaching bandit kicked off the sandy ground and leaped above Mujin’s head.

A crude giant blade was swung with the momentum of a single strike bisection, creating a fierce wind.

Mujin glanced up and lightly stepped away, sliding.

Long ago, Wudang created martial arts by yearning for immortals who flew stepping on clouds, and this was the Cloud Ladder Technique.

The giant blade fell futilely onto the spot where Mujin had already disappeared.

“Huh?”

The moment the surprised bandit turned around, a streak of light cut across his body.

Splash!

The moment blood poured down like rain, soaking Mujin’s body, the suppressed bloodlust filled his eyes.

With killing intent rising like smoke, Mujin leaped in an instant and squeezed between the bandits.

A single sword created dozens of variations, scattering severed flesh in all directions.

“This damn bastard!”

However, the bandits didn’t flee in fear but charged with venomous eyes.

A full-scale battle began.

The entire water bandit stronghold rushed toward Mujin.

It was a chaotic battle with no sword formation or systematic combined attacks.

And meanwhile.

Slash!

Zhuge Munhyeon, who had approached the wooden prison, quietly cut down the two bandits guarding it.

The people inside the prison, who had been focused on the sudden battle, were startled by the blood that suddenly splattered and looked at him.

“Shh.”

Zhuge Munhyeon put one finger to his lips and smiled, then quickly examined the inside.

Old man, old man, the one who looks oldest…

Damn, I should have at least asked for a name.

I just heard the age of ninety and left.

“You’re the ones kidnapped from Danpung County, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Who is the ninety-year-old?”

“That would be me…”

A wrinkled old man cautiously raised his hand while reading the situation.

“Were you perhaps from the Beggar’s Sect before?”

“That’s right. But how do you know…?”

“Ah…”

He almost cried.

Could there be such joy?

I was so worried trying to find you, thank you for staying alive.

Now it’s done. It’s done.

We can talk later.

“Please rest easy now. You too, sir, and everyone else… I’ll rescue you all.”

“Y-you’ll rescue us?”

“Yes.”

“Then do you have reinforcements?”

“…”

Reinforcements?

There’s no such thing?

When Zhuge Munhyeon stared blankly, the people inside the prison also stopped talking and blinked.

There are so many bandits… but on this side there’s one fighting and one who came to rescue…

“Don’t tell me it’s just you two?”

“Yes.”

“Ah…”

The faces of the people who had been filled with anticipation became full of disappointment.

These people…

I can understand, but is that the attitude to show to people who came to rescue you!

And then it happened.

Crash!

With an intense collision sound, Mujin, who had been in the chaotic battle, was pushed back.

“Well now, I wondered what all the commotion was… you’re having this much trouble with one kid?”

Among the bandits, Janghan, holding a heavy-looking great battle axe, was frowning with irritation.

“Ha! Look at these guys? One is by the prison? Why? Trying to rescue people? Did these fools lose their minds in the midday heat?”

At his mocking words, Mujin, who had been pushed back, frowned and said.

“Young Master Munhyeon, it seems they are the leaders of the water bandit stronghold. Their skills are not to be underestimated. I alone cannot…”

Was it because of those words?

Even the faint hope remaining on the faces of the people in the prison seemed to disappear.

Hmm, if he could bounce Mujin back, his skills must be no ordinary matter. Meanwhile, his companions standing beside him with sneers also looked quite formidable.

But they’re still just a bunch of bandits.

And our Mujin is hiding something terrifying.

“Hmm, Mujin.”

“Yes?”

“Who says? That it’s difficult for you alone?”

“Th-that’s…”

“I told you, didn’t I? To see the stars, you must walk through darkness.”

“But…”

When Mujin made a troubled expression, Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and approached his side.

“Come, now is the time to walk through darkness.”

“What?”

“Look only ahead. Don’t look back.”

“What do you…”

Mujin, who had been puzzled, suddenly stiffened in shock at the sharp sensation he felt along his spine.

The third seal… has been released?

“W-wait a minute…!”

Startled, Mujin’s eyes widened in alarm.

It was so sudden that he couldn’t prepare for it.

As the demonic energy trapped within his body explosively spread out, Mujin couldn’t suppress it in time and was consumed by it.

A bloody light filled his eyes, dyeing his pupils bright red, and demonic energy radiating from his entire body scattered in all directions.

When the bandits looked on in bewilderment, startled by his murderous appearance, Zhuge Munhyeon stretched his lips into a wide grin and spoke.

“Mujin, bite them.”

And Mujin responded.

Grrrrr!

Having lost his reason and howling like a beast… he was truly reliable.

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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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