Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Translator: Penny
Episode 24
"Eliminate the root cause?"
"Exactly. We must strike at the Honyeon Faction."
"That... I've already explained."
"I heard you."
Zhuge Munhyeon slowly rose, clasped his hands behind his back, and began pacing the conference hall at a measured pace.
"Someone once told me," he said, his voice calm, "that this is an era of warring factions."
"Huh?"
"You understand what I mean, don't you? Survival of the fittest. An age where only the strong survive."
A cold smile crept across his lips.
Survival of the fittest.
Even as he spoke the words, his heart swelled with fervor.
Ah, how familiar that phrase sounds.
Justice? Righteousness? Such things don't exist. The weak are devoured by the strong, and those who fail to adapt are culled. "The Demonic Cult is the world, and the world is the Demonic Cult." Though I belong to the Zhuge Clan, the world operates according to the Demonic Cult's logic. That's all that matters. I am the one most familiar with this world, having already stood at its pinnacle. In other words, this is my stage. I'm suddenly thrilled again. I became an apprentice scholar at Byeongju Hall for a specific purpose, though it's likely not what my father would have wished for his son! When the world calls to me, how can I ignore it? That would be disrespectful to the world itself. Let's go, you bastards! Let's devour the Central Plains together! The Honyeon Faction will be our first step. Above all, if we achieve a great feat here! We can go to Wudang. In that case, naturally!
"Strike."
"St-strike?"
Without a word of explanation, he cut straight to the conclusion, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
Counter? Argue? I can't give them that time. I'll never win a logical debate against these silver-tongued bastards. I'll overwhelm them in one swift blow. I'll crush their pride into the dust.
"So, we're just going to stand here and take it? Without even trying? Is that Zhuge's way?"
"W-well, that's..."
They had no answer.
To be silenced by the childish words of a mere fifteen-year-old...
"Tsk, tsk. How can people who should know better be so thick-headed?"
"Huh?"
Now the words were just flowing out of him.
It was just like the early days of the Demonic Cult, when it was still in its infancy.
Like when a confident and dignified martial artist had risen above prestigious clans and powerful factions, declaring his grand ambitions.
"How long will we keep waiting for the Main Clan? Let's do this ourselves. It's not like we can't."
Of course, this audacity was reserved for Zhuge Munhyeon alone.
"Nonsense! The Honyeon Faction's forces number two hundred."
"Fifty are dead, leaving one hundred and fifty."
"..."
"And currently, the Branch houses approximately seventy martial artists and thirty scholars from the Byeongju Hall."
"Scholars contribute nothing to combat strength."
"Is that how it appears to you?"
"What?"
"You underestimate the capabilities of the Byeongju Hall."
He glanced sideways at Mun Ilhwa, who was frowning, his pride clearly stung.
"Scholar Mun, what do you think? Do you agree that your skills aren't contributing to our combat power? This is supposed to be the heart of the Zhuge Clan, after all. And as far as I know, a single Scholar from Byeongju Hall can sometimes hold off over a dozen martial artists..."
"Well..."
"Is that humility?"
"What?"
"A hastily constructed formation. It might not kill them, but it can trap them, right? Now is precisely the time we need combat-oriented Formation Masters."
"That's..."
"The moment you trap them, the enemy's numbers dwindle. Even if the hastily made formation doesn't hold for long, if we kill the rest in the meantime?"
"Hmm."
Mun Ilhwa frowned again at Zhuge Munhyeon's words.
But that expression... it's the same one Han Siheon wore when he was struggling to trap me. Right now, Mun Ilhwa's mind must be racing with thoughts about which formation to use to trap the enemy.
"What about you, Third Cohort Leader?"
"What do you mean?"
"As a martial artist of the Main Clan, aren't you ashamed to have been ambushed and forced to retreat? Your subordinates died. Even the workers were killed."
"..."
"Let's show those bastards. Let's prove that the Zhuge Clan isn't weak enough to be defeated by the likes of them. That's how the young martial artists of the Zhuge Clan, who dream of a glorious future, will maintain their pride. You're not afraid of those Heretical Faction thugs, are you?"
"Afraid?! I am the Third Cohort Leader of the Black Tiger Corps! I will never retreat, no matter how strong the enemy."
Good. His attitude is exactly what I wanted.
Through individual persuasion, the two reinforcements from the Main Clan had been won over, leaving only the two leaders of the Branch.
Zhuge Munhyeon smirked and pressed down firmly on Zhuge Munho's shoulder.
"What about you?"
"..."
Watch your words.
Zhuge Munho felt a chill run down his spine under the unspoken pressure of Zhuge Munhyeon's gaze. He couldn't even meet his eyes properly, forcing an awkward smile.
One Branch Head secured. Even by majority vote, I've won. I absolutely, unequivocally must strike the Honyeon Faction. Regardless of the Zhuge Clan's situation, retreating now would be an insult to my pride.
"Branch Head?"
"Hmm?"
"The decision rests with you, Branch Head. If you say no... we'll have no choice but to withdraw. Though my pride as a son of the Zhuge Clan will be utterly crushed..."
At this urging, Zhuge Cheong's face twisted into an even deeper frown than the others' as they pondered.
"How long will you remain content as Branch Head? This is your chance to earn merit and climb higher, isn't it?"
Zhuge Munhyeon scratched exactly where it itched.
Who doesn't dream of fame and success?
"Alright, let's say we follow your plan and launch an attack. We'll use Byeongju Hall to set up a Trap Formation, scatter the enemy forces, and overcome our numerical disadvantage. But what about the Honyeon Faction's elite warriors?"
"Don't we have any skilled fighters?"
"The Faction Leader's four sworn brothers are all masters approaching the Peak Stage."
"The Deputy Branch Head killed one of them. That leaves three, right? The Branch Head can handle one, the Third Cohort Leader another, and for the last one... Elder Brother Munho should be able to handle it, don't you think? Everyone here is capable of that, right?"
He met each person's gaze with a radiant smile.
Only Zhuge Munho's eyes, filled with resentment, looked particularly gloomy.
It's practically your fault he died...
Regardless of his true feelings, his expression suggested otherwise, so Munhyeon pressed down on his shoulder a little harder.
Relax your face and smile. Don't spoil the feast that's already been prepared.
"But the Honyeon Faction Leader has already surpassed the Peak Stage and is now seeking Intent Qi."
"I'll handle him."
"What?"
"If you just create the opportunity, I'll kill the Honyeon Faction Leader."
"What are you talking about?"
"Why? Do you think I can't do it?"
Zhuge Munhyeon smiled even more broadly than before and subtly pressed down on the conference table.
Gooook.
The wooden tabletop sank evenly beneath his fingers, as if it were made of tofu.
"Gasp!"
"Hmm."
Everyone in the conference room stared wide-eyed in astonishment. They had only heard stories of such feats before, never witnessed them firsthand.
This was the divine might of a Peak Stage master.
"Trust me. And think about it."
"..."
"If we could annihilate the enemy that has been causing the Main Clan so much trouble, using only the Branch's resources, how pleased would the Patriarch be? He must have been losing sleep over this. And what about the rest of the clan? We're taking the first step toward a world where the Zhuge Clan can finally stretch out their legs and sleep soundly."
Zhuge Munhyeon's words struck the hearts of the leaders like stones, sending ripples through their minds. The waves gradually intensified, stirring them to action.
"Let's do it!"
"Exactly. It's not entirely impossible."
Mun Ilhwa and Jeokun, who held no positions of responsibility, urged the Branch Head with eyes burning with determination.
Zhuge Munhyeon silently pressed down on Zhuge Munho's shoulder.
Squeeze. Say something too.
"L-let's do it. We can't keep retreating forever, can we?"
As everyone urged him to make a decision, Zhuge Cheong could no longer resist.
"Alright. I'll contact the Main Clan first..."
"That won't do."
"Huh?"
"If we report to the Main Clan, do you think they'll approve?"
"But..."
"Let's think this through. This achievement must belong solely to the Branch."
"What if things go wrong?"
"You're thinking about failure before we've even tried?"
"..."
"Didn't the Branch Head have full authority over the Branch's operations in the first place?"
The words were somewhat defiant and disrespectful, but now no one dared criticize Zhuge Munhyeon's tone.
"Damn it... Fine! Let's do it."
"You've made the right decision."
Zhuge Munhyeon had finally achieved his goal.
I am the Heavenly Demon. I once stood at the pinnacle of the Hundred Thousand Demonic Path. Could I have controlled all those demons with sheer force and terror alone? No. I survived by sometimes stroking their egos and other times scratching their itches. Even if I couldn't win with words, manipulating their emotions was child's play.
"What strategy do you think would be best?" Zhuge Cheong asked, his eyes burning with fervor after making his decision.
"Why are you asking me?"
"Huh? Well, obviously..."
"Come on, what does a fifteen-year-old know about strategy?" Zhuge Munhyeon waved his hand dismissively, a smile playing on his lips.
The council members couldn't hide their astonishment.
A fifteen-year-old...
Who had convinced them all to attempt the impossible?
Who had even vowed to personally confront the Honyeon Faction Leader?
"What exactly does the Byeongju Hall do? Strategy, tactics, formations, mechanisms! Isn't that their domain?"
"W-well, of course..."
"Thirty people who think about nothing but this every day have gathered. Naturally, Scholar Mun should devise the strategy, right?"
"..."
"Why aren't you answering?"
"Y-yes, that's true."
"Then it's settled. Scholar Mun, we're counting on you. You know you're the person I trust most after my father, right?"
Strategy? That's something the capable should handle. His specialty was fighting, not some stuffy thing like strategy. Truth be told, he wasn't even capable of it. Martial Arts was something he'd always done, and he'd learned Formations by chance, but academics and strategy? Those weren't his forte. He'd merely shown a glimpse of what he already knew, not displayed any innate talent.
"But to devise a strategy, we need information about the Honyeon Faction's strength. At least their numbers and deployment."
"Hmm."
That was a valid point.
In warfare, intelligence is an invaluable asset.
Tch, now that I think about it, I've never seen a beggar in Yanghyeon. To be precise, I've never seen anyone from the Beggar's Sect. Just a few vagrants here and there. Back in the day, there used to be a branch of the sect near the Orthodox Factions' branch. Hmm, finding the Hao Gate in this situation will be tough. Damn it, doesn't the Zhuge Clan even have an intelligence division?
He grumbled to himself, but what could he do? Times change.
If you don't have teeth, you use your gums.
"Intelligence... I'll handle that."
"You?"
"Yes. Start the meeting. Intelligence will start pouring in by evening. I'll take my leave now to gather information."
"Ah, I see."
Zhuge Munhyeon, who was heading out, suddenly stopped.
Does he have something to say?
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Elder Brother Munho, what are you doing?"
"Huh?"
"Come with me."
"Me too...?"
Of course you too.
"A strategy meeting? What good will that do? Who do you think you are?"
"Munhyeon, as Deputy Branch Head, you should stay here for now..."
"Come with me."
"Okay."
At those words, Zhuge Munho leaped to his feet and followed Zhuge Munhyeon.
It was as if the command to "come with me" carried the unspoken threat: if you don't want to die.
"Hah, this is quite something... It's like we're under some kind of spell."
"I know, right? It sounds plausible and absurd at the same time... But still, my heart is pounding with excitement. To be honest, the Zhuge Clan has felt a bit too timid lately."
"That's right. It's embarrassing to have been so anxious about minor Heretical Factions. But do you really think we can handle this with just the Branch?"
The remaining members shared their thoughts.
"We can't go back on our word now. Since I made the decision, I'll take full responsibility. Scholar Mun, devise a sound strategy."
"Haa... Understood. Then first, please monitor the Honyeon Faction's movements. We can't afford for them to strike first."
"The Third Cohort will handle that."
"Then I'll gather the Branch's martial artists and order them to prepare immediately."
From the moment their roles were assigned, each member knew their part.
They simply needed the catalyst to shake off their hesitation.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny