Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 99

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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 99

 

 

Kwaaaaang!

Mujin, filled with demonic energy, had no need for a sword.

He tore apart the five closest bandits with just a single gesture.

“Th-this bastard…”

The startled bandits gripped their swords again, but.

Kwaaaaang!

They crumbled helplessly under his successive strikes.

After all, Wudang is the best at internal energy cultivation, called Continuous Flow.

Internal energy flows and accumulates without interruption, and enemies crushed by that weight cannot dare to resist and are overwhelmed.

With rampaging demonic energy added on top, who could possibly withstand it?

Above all.

“Th-this bastard’s eyes are strange…”

Even the bandits who had been fearless and bold now had no choice but to hesitate.

Because of those eyes.

Spewing streams of crimson blood light and laughing like a beast even while covered in blood—how could that not be terrifying?

I had just unleashed a mad tiger from Wudang Mountain before these bandits.

Grrrrr…

Behold that majestic sight of him growling after losing his reason.

Kraaaaa!

Mujin’s sword, as he charged forward roaring, mercilessly slaughtered the enemies without hesitation.

Overwhelmed by his momentum, the bandits, unlike before, couldn’t easily attack and continued to fall.

“These stupid fools! Get out of the way!”

When his frightened subordinates couldn’t even mount a proper counterattack, Daewolbu’s bandit leaped up and attacked Mujin.

Kwaaaaang!

It was an attack that utilized the advantage of a heavy weapon.

This one knew how to properly use his weapon.

But would a madman listen just because you beat him?

It only stokes his anger.

Having his movements hindered seemed to make him extremely furious.

The blood light grew even deeper, and his disheveled hair fluttered in the surging demonic energy, giving off an almost ghostly aura.

“Th-this bastard…”

Daewolbu’s bandit had good reason to be flustered.

There was no hesitation, only thicker killing intent.

Now I could leave dealing with the bandits to Mujin.

He wouldn’t stop until all the unsealed demonic energy was completely exhausted.

‘Hmm, using a tiger to make it devour a pack of wolves—this is the Drive Tiger to Devour Wolf Strategy.’

I felt quite satisfied at how very much like the Zhuge Family this was.

“How is it? Are two of us enough…?”

Zhuge Munhyeon, who turned to look at the people in the cage, ended up wearing a bitter smile.

At the sight of Mujin indiscriminately beating down the bandits… they were trembling with their mouths agape. Some parents even pulled their children close and covered their eyes.

Right now, their rescuer might seem far more terrifying to them than the bandits.

What they saw was ultimately the same kind of murim person.

Kwaaaaang!

Daewolbu couldn’t overcome Mujin.

The more he attacked, the more maddened Mujin became, which terrified him, and he hesitated for a moment, ultimately becoming Mujin’s prey.

His head burst from the striking hand.

The fight ended more easily than expected.

That disciple of Janghan.

That’s how it should be.

The one who gained my final mental insights should be at least that capable.

The wounded, barely able to move, lost their fighting spirit and tried to get away from Mujin.

Mujin also seemed quite exhausted.

His upper body heaved roughly with each breath, and most of the demonic energy in his body had undoubtedly been depleted.

It’s fine.

Normally, when one falls into demonic possession, they don’t stop until all demonic energy is exhausted, walking the path of self-destruction, but Mujin’s demonic energy is in a sealed state.

Only up to the third time.

Beyond that, he cannot use it because he cannot break the seal.

His body might be somewhat tired, but there should be no danger to his life.

However, he was already captivated by madness and turned his eyes to search for new prey.

Grrrrr…

Soon he fixed his gaze on the people in the cage.

Kraaaaa!

With a strong desire to annihilate anything living, he leaped forward in an instant.

“Eek!”

The people in the cage, seeing his movement, were startled and crowded toward the back of the prison.

It’s futile.

How sturdy could a cage made of wood be?

One gesture would result in mass death.

However.

Crack!

Zhuge Munhyeon, blocking his path, vigorously swung his Silver Cold Staff and struck Mujin’s head.

Mujin was slammed straight into the sandy ground.

“No!”

Grrrrr…

Resentful of being hit, Mujin raised his head and this time burst with killing intent toward Zhuge Munhyeon, but.

Crack!

“Stop!”

Zhuge Munhyeon once again struck his head and slammed him into the sandy ground while speaking firmly.

Grrrrr… Crack!

Grr… Crack!

This bastard dares to try to bite his master… no, someone who’s practically his teacher!

If he doesn’t listen once, then until he does listen.

It’s useless even if he gets angry.

He had already exhausted most of his demonic energy fighting the bandits.

And if he receives severe shock to his head in such a state?

“Ugh…”

The demonic energy that had penetrated his mind cleared, and Mujin finally came to his senses, grimacing as if in pain.

This is precisely shock therapy.

The saying that if beating doesn’t make someone listen, you should consider whether you beat them too little—that’s exactly where it comes from.

“Confucius… what on earth?”

Mujin, whose demonic energy was depleted and could barely be suppressed, looked up with resentful eyes.

Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and looked down at him, saying.

“You fool! Don’t you understand?”

“Yes?”

“How did it feel to walk through the darkness?”

“Wh-what do you mean…?”

“It’s not something that can be resolved by simply suppressing it or burning it away. The demonic energy you possess is a power that amplifies based on emotions. Rather, you should release it and let it know that it too is part of you.”

“Ah…”

At those words, Mujin recalled the preface of the Mad Soul Art.

 

-Boil your blood with hatred and burn with rage.

 

It was a martial art faithful to emotions.

It was the type that used hatred and anger as kindling to amplify power in an instant.

‘Did he know? He’s never seen or heard the incantation formula…’

Mujin was once again struck by how remarkable Zhuge Munhyeon was.

“Now sit in meditation and control the demonic energy with the power of the immortal way. Since most of it has been exhausted and little remains, slowly envelop it with your own energy so they become one.”

“Su-surely not?”

“Indeed. All of this was for your enlightenment…”

Zhuge Munhyeon spoke like an enlightened immortal.

He even clasped his hands behind his back.

“Ahh…”

Being told that everything was for his sake, Mujin couldn’t help but be moved to tears.

His respect grew immensely.

Though he had been asked not to use the title, how could he not call him master?

He would engrave him not with words but in his heart.

With the name of master.

“Hey! Didn’t I tell you to sit in meditation! Are you going to waste this carefully created opportunity?”

“…No, sir.”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s shout, Mujin immediately sat in meditation and practiced the Six Yang Heart Method.

Blood was flowing from his head.

It wasn’t that he had hit him out of emotion, but to bring him to his senses… it’s just that his strength was a bit excessive.

Now only the bandits groaning from their injuries remained.

Looking at them with a satisfied expression, Zhuge Munhyeon soon spoke quietly.

“What are you doing? All of you kneel. Unless you want to die.”

At his threatening words spoken with a bright smile, the bandits quickly knelt and formed rows without needing to be shouted at.

Pain from injuries?

Having seen that terrifying tiger Mujin subdued with just a few beatings, what resistance could they possibly offer?

All their leaders were already dead…

With this, the subjugation of Silver Scale Stronghold was quickly completed.

And historically, it was customary to collect some spoils after subjugating mountain or water bandit strongholds.

It wasn’t that he was greedy for money.

Since they were ownerless items, he was just going to collect them.

“Bring everything you’ve hoarded. Every last bit.”

“…Yes!”

The bandits barely moved their limping bodies to drag out the wealth stored in the stronghold.

Quite a lot.

These squirrel-like bastards preparing for winter…

But.

“Is this all?”

“Pardon?”

“If I catch you hiding something for later, I’ll make you wish you were dead.”

“…”

Whether the threat worked, the bandits who had been watching nervously quietly took out items hidden in their pockets.

Oh my, these bastards…

True to form for bandits.

Shaking his head, Zhuge Munhyeon had all the luggage moved to the boat.

“Anyone who can steer a boat, raise your hand.”

Several raised their hands.

“Good. From now on, you’ll steer the boat to Danpung County.”

“What? But we’re injured…”

“Should I just kill you instead?”

“…!”

With just one threat and a slight display of his Silver Cold Staff, the terrified bandits showed an enthusiastic attitude.

They should have done that from the start.

What good would killing a few more bandits do? Would it produce money or food?

It was much better to have them steer the boat they’d ride.

He couldn’t make the exhausted villagers walk back. There were children and elderly among them.

“Oh, just in case, don’t think about escaping just because you can swim a little.”

As a precaution, Zhuge Munhyeon spread his fingers wide and thrust them toward the river water.

Swoosh!

Five streams of Jipung cut through the air and dove into the water.

And shortly after, fish floated up along with blood spreading on the surface.

“This is called Water Bottom Needle, and it’s perfect for catching fish, you know? You understand what I mean, right?”

The bandits gulped and nodded vigorously.

“Well then, let’s depart for Danpung County!”

“Yes!”

After subjugating the water bandit stronghold and commandeering the bandits’ boat, Zhuge Munhyeon leisurely headed to Danpung County with the kidnapped villagers.

The villagers only looked relieved after tying up all the injured bandits tightly as Zhuge Munhyeon instructed.

Mujin, who needed to control his demonic energy, required a bit more qi circulation, so he entered the cabin.

Now it was time to accomplish his postponed objective.

How long had he waited for this moment?

Zhuge Munhyeon approached the Ninety-Year-Old Elder he had identified earlier and spoke to him.

Time was of the essence.

“Elder.”

“Yes, young master!”

The Ninety-Year-Old Elder quickly stood up and answered respectfully.

“Please sit. And speak casually.”

“No, sir. How could I not show respect when you saved my life?”

“It’s fine. I only did what I should as a descendant of the Zhuge Family.”

“Ah…”

The old man had an expression of being moved, thinking ‘Even in these times, there are young people like this…’

“There’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Please speak.”

“You said you were once with Gaebangdo, correct?”

“I was, at one time. I was active as a Tongjeongae at the Yeongsan Branch under Hanyang Prefecture. My activity name then was Yangpunggae. After rising to the rank of Three Knots disciple, I retired due to old age. That was about thirty years ago.”

Three Knots at sixty.

It was reasonable to retire.

Unless one’s realm was high enough to prevent physical aging through internal energy, it would be difficult to continue activities.

At the Three Knots level, it was also difficult to be recognized as an elder.

But Tongjeongae.

One who transmits information.

He must surely know something.

“Then by any chance, do you remember when Wudang was searching for the Ascension Method about sixty years ago?”

“Of course. I remember. How could I forget when the entire Martial World joined forces?”

“Then do you also know how news about the Ascension Method was spread at that time?”

“Hmm…”

The old man Yangpunggae fell silent for a moment as if searching through his memories.

Since it was an old matter, it would be difficult to answer immediately. Also, those memories couldn’t be said to be perfect.

So much time had passed.

“Ah! That’s right. I vaguely remember now.”

“Would you tell me about it?”

“Well, at that time there was a story that Immortals lived in Dongho Lake.”

Dongho was a lake located below Wuhan.

But Immortals?

“Normally, it would have been something to laugh off as just rumors people made up, but it was different then. We had to find out everything. You may not know well, Confucius, but at that time the reason we came to search for the Ascension Method was because of the world’s evil…”

“Let’s skip the secondary explanations.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s start with the Immortals living in Dongho Lake.”

“Ah… I understand.”

I barely stopped him.

From the flow of conversation, he was definitely going to say something about the Evil Seed.

“Ahem, anyway, since there was a legend that Immortals lived in that Dongho Lake, I once combed through the area around Dongho Lake with my comrades at the time.”

“And then?”

“But… it was a Charlatan.”

“Pardon?”

“You know, those kinds of people who pretend to be Taoists and build something like a hermitage, then deceive people and sell talismans.”

“…”

“He was spouting absurd nonsense about learning Taoist Arts from Immortals living in the water or something… But at that time, we had to report anything, so we confiscated all the Taoist Manuals that guy had and sent them to Wudang.”

“Ah…”

Damn, it seems I guessed wrong.

Of course, I didn’t think it would be easy to find…

But just as I was about to end the conversation.

“Was it Return to Purity Enter Spirit, Spirit Body Enter Completion? So much time has passed, but because of that Evil Seed bastard, I was scolded so much by my superiors that I still remember it without forgetting. Anyway, there was a talisman with that incantation written on it inside the hut where that charlatan was staying.”

“Re, Return to Purity!”

At Yangpunggae’s muttering as he scratched his head, color returned to Zhuge Munhyeon’s face that had been filled with disappointment.

Return to Purity Enter Spirit, Spirit Body Enter Completion.

When energy becomes pure and enters the realm of spirit, preparation to form a spirit body is complete.

It was the first verse of the Ascension Method he remembered.

Then?

“Elder!”

“Yes?”

“Where is that place? The place where that hut was!”

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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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