Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Chapter 62
"M-Munhyeon."
Despite the icy atmosphere, Zhuge Munhyeon remained unfazed, leaving Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong in a panic.
Ha, what a bunch of fools. For all their supposed intelligence, why were they so slow to react in situations like this? It was because they lacked boldness. The mere mention of the Namgung name made them shrink back, clouding their judgment. Maintaining composure was the most crucial aspect of any battle... Well, don't worry. As long as they didn't attack first, there was absolutely no reason for a fight.
Could they really have failed to recognize the Namgung Clan at first glance? For Prestigious Clans, their attire was their identity. Their clothing was distinctive, and in this Martial World, they were the only ones who strutted around with azure headbands emblazoned with "Azure Heaven."
They had come.
Why?
Obviously, they wanted something.
Even though they treated the Zhuge Clan like dirt beneath their feet, these purposeful bastards wouldn't pick a fight with clueless young descendants before even meeting the Patriarch.
Still, this kind of petty conflict must amuse them.
The sight of us cowering and groveling before them, even while seething with resentment. Knowing this made it impossible to speak politely. Damn this temper...
"Well, well, we seem to be about the same age, yet you're calling me 'you bastard' already? Not exactly a warm welcome, is it?"
"What?"
He shoved Zhuge Munho aside and stepped forward, scowling. Namgung Yu's eyes narrowed, his gaze soaring skyward like a kite.
He must be furious. As the Patriarch's son, he must have lived a life of constant pampering. His arrogance had stunted his character, preventing it from maturing with his age.
But what could he do? He was once notorious throughout the Martial World for his recklessness, a living embodiment of "eyes above all others."
Of course, Zhuge Munho's frantic Sound Transmission kept buzzing in his ears, but he pretended not to hear.
What's the big deal? What's there to fear about a fight? Clashes between late-stage masters were commonplace in the Martial World. He'd never worried about the consequences before.
Yet as Namgung Cheonung observed the scene intently, a faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.
So the Zhuge Clan has some formidable talents after all.
His expression and demeanor showed no hint of subservience. Was this mere recklessness? Or genuine confidence?
He exuded a strange, compelling curiosity.
"Ha ha ha! I've committed a grave breach of etiquette. Yu, step back. The boy is right. As a guest, I should have dismounted immediately."
"Paternal Uncle!"
"Ahem."
Cutting off his nephew's protest with calm authority, the man dismounted and asked, "So, what is your name?"
"Zhuge Munhyeon."
"Zhuge Munhyeon? Ah! No wonder you carry yourself with such spirit. You're the one who killed Jang Hongsik, aren't you?"
His expression seemed more amused than surprised.
This bastard... He doesn't even look that impressive.
"It's been quite some time since that incident. I see word has finally reached the Namgung Clan."
"I heard on my way here. The inns and taverns are buzzing with talk of a rising star in the Zhuge Clan."
The sneer at the corner of his lips betrayed the insincerity of his praise.
"But perhaps you should be a little more cautious?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes young martial artists, after achieving a small success, fall into grand delusions. They act as if they've conquered the world, like frogs in a well, unaware of the vastness beyond. They forget the importance of watching their words."
His advice dripped with mockery, a thinly veiled warning: I've overlooked your arrogance this time because you show some spirit. But if you don't want to end up dead, you'd better watch your tongue.
This was... unfamiliar.
It was the first time anyone had dared to warn him, especially someone so much younger.
His first impulse was to sever the brat's head and send it as an urgent gift to Patriarch Namgung. But for the sake of his clan, he restrained himself.
I'm truly becoming an adult now, he thought. I can even control my temper.
But then...
"Now then, let's go inside. Announce our arrival and deactivate the formation. After all, we're here as guests. We wouldn't want to tire of waiting and accidentally ruin the Zhuge Clan's painstakingly crafted formation, would we?"
"..."
Zhuge Munhyeon's face, which had been composed with a smile as he calmed his mind, suddenly froze into a rigid mask.
What did he just say? Ruin the painstakingly crafted formation?
He had been trying to restrain himself.
He really had.
This was the Formation his Father had painstakingly researched and finally created after years of effort. Its installation alone had taken three months, requiring the tireless efforts of over a hundred Scholars and more than twice as many laborers, working day and night.
Yet this man spoke of it with such dismissive ease.
How could he overlook such disrespect for the culmination of his Father's life's work?
It would be a betrayal of his filial duty.
If this frog in a well, who only knew the Azure Heaven, didn't understand the importance of caution, then he would have to teach him.
Zhuge Munhyeon turned with a radiant smile.
"Hmm, then would you like to test it out?"
"What?"
"Actually, we've been inspecting it ourselves, but we lack confidence."
"..."
"It would be a great honor if the esteemed members of the Namgung Clan would assist us."
"...Are you asking us to break through this formation?"
Yes, that's exactly what I mean. You're remarkably perceptive.
Of course, Zhuge Munhyeon expressed it with a sly smile and his characteristic flair:
"What's wrong? Lacking confidence?"
"..."
"Ah, so you are lacking confidence. Well, it was a rather unreasonable request. I shouldn't have been so careless, asking guests to test a formation... It could have brought disaster upon them. No matter. Please wait a moment. This formation is still under testing, so only I can pass through it."
His polite tone and courteous demeanor were used to deliver the deepest possible insult.
"Heh, hahahaha!"
"..."
"Have you ever seen such a brazen fellow? I distinctly remember warning you to watch your tongue."
Namgung Cheonung's laughter abruptly ceased, his face hardening. The sudden shift in his aura sent a chill down Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong's spines, causing them to instinctively shrink back.
But.
"Me? I was just asking for help."
Zhuge Munhyeon's innocent smile seemed utterly guileless.
"Help? Are you sure you won't regret those words?"
"I haven't lived long enough to regret anything."
"Can you take responsibility for this?"
"Don't worry about that. I'm in charge of inspecting the formation."
"That's not what I meant..."
"Please sign here first."
"Sign?"
Zhuge Munhyeon handed over a hastily scribbled document along with a brush.
I need to get this done quickly, before he changes his mind.
"What's this...?"
Namgung Cheonung's brow furrowed deeply as he took the paper.
It was a waiver.
It stated that he would assist with inspecting the Zhuge Clan's formation, that his participation was voluntary, and that the Zhuge Clan bore no responsibility for any consequences.
"Actually, the formation's aura is so powerful that you could risk your life."
"..."
"What are you waiting for? If problems arise later, we'll be in trouble. We need to inform the Namgung Clan. Please sign first, Senior, and then have the others sign below. Hmm, but should we exclude Patriarch Namgung's son? He's a direct descendant, after all."
Namgung Cheonung's eyes narrowed at Zhuge Munhyeon's worried words, and he pressed his lips into a tight line.
This damned brat...
It was a childish provocation.
Did this child even realize the gravity of his actions?
Though disguised as a request for assistance, it was nothing short of a challenge.
Setting aside all other considerations, demanding that they breach the formation was tantamount to issuing a duel of pride.
The last vestige of the Zhuge Clan's waning dignity.
The moment the formation was breached, the Zhuge Clan's honor would plummet to the ground, trampled and crushed beyond recovery.
In such a scenario, revival would be nearly impossible.
There was no need to respond.
Why react to the foolish words of a child?
But...
This might actually be a good thing. Since he would have to demand their submission anyway, breaking their spirit in advance might not be a bad idea. They have no idea what they're up against. And they underestimate the power of the Namgung Clan. Young blood is ruining this clan.
Namgung Cheonung, his mouth twisted with disdain, nodded and scrawled his name across the agreement.
"I'll take care of the rest. You don't need any more signatures."
"Huh? Is that really okay? Well, if you insist..."
Zhuge Munhyeon remained unfazed, no matter what his opponent said. He blew gently on the ink to prevent smudging, folded the agreement, and tucked it into his robe.
This man is utterly infuriating. If Namgung Cheonung had his way, he'd slap him across the face right now.
But that satisfaction would come soon enough.
He would force Zhuge Munhyeon to confess his crimes and beg for forgiveness before Patriarch Zhuge himself.
And then, he would crush that arrogant mouth into silence.
"Go and wait. We'll break the Formation in about an hour."
"Will you really do that? Thank you so much! I'll tell the elders to prepare wine and food to show our gratitude for your help."
Zhuge Munhyeon bowed deeply, his face beaming with joy.
"You'd better get that done right away. It would be awkward if we arrived and nothing was prepared."
Zhuge Munhyeon nearly burst out laughing at his arrogant tone.
These fools thought they were Guan Yu or something... But there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell they'd be back before the wine got cold, you idiots.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
"Huh?"
"They said they'll help us."
"..."
"Hurry up before they change their minds."
Zhuge Munhyeon, his face beaming with a smile, gestured for his brothers to follow him into the formation.
Zhuge Munho, who had hurried after him, asked with a worried expression, "Hey! What are you thinking?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you making this decision?"
"Then who should decide?"
"What?"
"Aren't I the overall supervisor of the formation inspection?"
"Th-that's true, but... does that mean you should tell them to break through the formation? What were you thinking when you did that?"
Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled at Zhuge Munho's words.
He must be intimidated by the name Namgung, he thought. This guy, who usually flinched at just a glance from me, is actually questioning me now. Well, sometimes words work better than beatings.
"Elder Brother Munho."
"What?"
Despite Munhyeon's gentle tone, Munho replied curtly.
"Do you really think they can actually break through?"
"Huh?"
"Don't worry. Their level is nowhere near enough to break through."
"What do you mean? Their opponent is the Nine Splitting Sword."
"Is this Nine Splitting Sword guy supposed to be the Strongest Under Heaven or something?"
"What?"
Zhuge Munhyeon simply grinned.
The Eight Trigrams Formation deployed at Yungjungsan possessed vastly greater power than the one in the Virtuous Celestial's Secret Cave.
For one thing, the scale was completely different.
He had already attempted to breach the Zhuge Clan's Formation at the Byeongju Hall's Scaled Landscape as a test.
It was merely a mental exercise, but it was the imagination of a Heavenly Demon.
Yet he had failed to break through.
While imagination and reality could never perfectly align, if even he couldn't breach it, how could the Namgung Clan's brats possibly succeed?
That was absurd.
And more importantly...
"Hey."
"Yes, Supervisor!"
It was when he was passing through the final tendrils of the newly activated Formation, at the point where it connected to the next section.
Zhuge Munhyeon summoned a martial artist who had been waiting nearby.
"Immediately order all personnel within the Third Section to withdraw."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, understood."
After a moment's hesitation, the martial artist nodded and hurried off to relay the order.
Zhuge Munhyeon was the overall commander, after all.
But then...
"What are you talking about?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Withdraw personnel up to the Third Section?"
"Isn't that enough?"
"What?"
"Hmm, should we withdraw up to the Fourth Section instead? They'll probably be exhausted just getting through the Second Section."
Zhuge Munho stared blankly at Zhuge Munhyeon, who tilted his head in confusion. Suddenly, something clicked in Munho's mind, and his eyes widened as he exclaimed, "You... don't tell me? The Formation?"
"Of course I'll activate them all."
"What did you say?"
"I never said I'd only activate one section, did I?"
"..."
Zhuge Munho stared at him, dumbfounded, as Munhyeon grinned.
Ah, you madman. Was that your plan all along?
Only then did Munho realize why Munhyeon had insisted on the written agreement.
He'd thought it was just a provocation...
Just...
"Huh?!"
A sudden chill ran down the back of his neck.
The Eight Trigrams Formation was divided into eight sections. While activating each section individually might be manageable, activating two or more sections would create a linked chain, unleashing lethal power. Moreover, the formation's potency would double with each additional section activated...
"Wait, Munhyeon, this doesn't seem right."
"What doesn't?"
Before anyone could stop him, Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and activated the device that controlled the Formation in this section.
Rumble...
The entire ground trembled.
"Alright, let's move on to the Third Section now."
"M-Munhyeon, what if someone dies?"
"Why would anyone die? Stop saying such ridiculous things. This is just help, you know? Help. Hehehehe."
"..."
Zhuge Munhyeon's eyes were already wild as he let out a sinister chuckle.
If you're not going to kill anyone, why are you making that face?! Pride be damned—if this continued, even greater problems would arise. He had to warn them immediately. Patriarch, Head of the Byeongju Hall, all the elders of the clan must intervene to stop this madman's rampage.
📝 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