Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Rumble... Rumble...
The vibrations grew stronger.
"Hmm, still in this section?"
Zhuge Munhyeon, his hand pressed against the ground to gauge the situation within the Formation, couldn't suppress his laughter.
He had expected the Formation to be powerful, but its potency far exceeded his expectations.
"I thought that guy was at the Transcendent Peak..."
Nine Splitting Sword Namgung Cheonung.
Beneath his arrogant demeanor, the aura he exuded was far superior to Zhuge Munhyeon's own.
While it was difficult to assess an opponent's true strength during a brief encounter, Zhuge Munhyeon could tell.
He had already experienced it once before.
It was like a unique scent emanating from those who had reached the Transcendent Peak.
"In any case, the Eight Trigrams Formation has achieved Great Completion. To have a Transcendent Peak martial artist bewildered with just two sections... Father will be pleased."
Even after installing it himself, he still harbored doubts about its true power.
But if it exceeded expectations, how pleased would his father's elder brother be?
"Hmm, but... if he's already lagging this much in this section, won't they actually die when we reach the Third Section? Hmph, that could be a problem..."
Even if the fault lay with them, even if they had signed waivers stating the clan wouldn't be held responsible for their deaths, if someone actually died within the Formation, the consequences would be severe.
Justification? Waivers? What did such things matter? Power was its own justification. They could shout all day that they did nothing wrong, but who would listen to the words of the dead?
"Tch, these weaklings. They can't even break through two sections properly, yet they act so arrogant..."
In truth, he couldn't care less whether they lived or died, but he was concerned about the situation the Zhuge Clan would face afterward.
He wasn't afraid or frightened, but worry was inevitable.
After all, the Zhuge Clan was still weak at this point.
"Well, this should clearly demonstrate the Zhuge Clan's Formation's prowess..."
Satisfied that he had sufficiently broken their pride, Zhuge Munhyeon rose to dismantle the Formation.
But just then, a commotion of footsteps echoed from behind. He glanced over his shoulder and saw:
"Huh? Patriarch?"
Patriarch Zhuge Dowon was rushing toward them, using Lightness Skill, as if his life depended on it.
The reason was obvious. That coward Zhuge Munho must have alerted him, panicking about the Namgung Clan envoys facing imminent death. Well, he could understand his concern. He had been worried himself, after all...
"No, what on earth is going on here?"
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?! Is it true that the Namgung Clan's warriors have entered the activated formation?"
"Yes."
"Yes?! Is this something you can answer so casually? Disengage the formation immediately!"
"......"
That had been his intention.
But seeing Zhuge Dowon's desperate shouting, as if his insides were burning black, a perverse streak rose within him.
Even if he was worried, was it appropriate for the Patriarch to make such a fuss?
Why would someone representing the clan immediately think of bowing his head in advance?
Damn this stubborn personality of mine.
His earlier concern vanished completely, replaced by a twisted mood that showed plainly on his face, making his tone curt.
"Why?"
"......"
Huh?
Zhuge Dowon, who had been worked up into a fever pitch, suddenly found himself speechless.
Why... why?
"As Elder Brother Munho told you, this was their choice."
"Th-their choice? Do you mean you don't know what might happen if something goes wrong with them? We must open the formation immediately and apologize."
"Why should we?"
"Huh?"
"They came to the Main Clan as guests, presumably with a request."
"......"
"In that case, we should have treated them with the proper respect due to guests. Instead, they reversed the roles of host and guest, acted rudely, and mocked the Zhuge Clan's Formation. So why should we apologize to them? We should be reprimanding them instead. We need to show the Zhuge Clan isn't some pushover just because we have a little power."
Zhuge Dowon felt something heavy settle in his heart as he observed Zhuge Munhyeon's unwavering, dignified demeanor.
The honor of the clan.
It was only right to return disrespect in kind. To bow one's head simply because of weaker strength, when no wrongdoing had occurred, would be an act of submission.
He knew this well.
How could the Patriarch not understand?
Munhyeon was at the peak of his youthful vigor, possessing a talent unmatched throughout history.
Moreover, having witnessed firsthand his father, the Head of the Byeongju Hall, labor day and night to create that very Formation, it was only natural for his pride to be wounded.
In a way, Munhyeon's actions to protect the clan's honor deserved praise.
But he still didn't understand the world.
Untainted by the world, his purity needed to be awakened.
Even if it meant wounding the heart of his descendant, who was just spreading his wings to take flight, even if it meant admitting that the Zhuge Clan lacked the strength to act otherwise.
Yet he couldn't bring himself to reprimand him.
Though his actions were excessive, they couldn't be called wrong.
Besides, the child was clever enough to grasp the underlying meaning even through veiled words.
"Munhyeon, I understand your feelings."
"......"
"But pride alone cannot solve everything. When the winds are fierce and ominous, you must know when to tighten your collar..."
"I know."
Zhuge Munhyeon cut off the Patriarch's gentle admonishment, meeting his gaze directly.
What a foolish Patriarch. How could he have such a defeatist mindset? He understood, but he could not tolerate it. The very thought of surrendering before even trying... He wanted to strike his head right now and correct that foolish thinking, but he was his Father's Elder Brother, so he would restrain himself. Still, even if he earned his scorn, he had to speak his mind. Suppressing it would only make him ill.
"I know the world is in turmoil."
"......"
"The warlords across the land are all vying for power, each seeking to become the ultimate victor. War may erupt soon, and the Zhuge Clan might find itself at the heart of it."
"You...?"
"I also know why Namgung came here. They intend to use us as their sail, to navigate the winds more easily."
At Zhuge Munhyeon's words, the Patriarch fell silent.
Had this boy already grasped the current situation? Did he act this way knowing everything?
"Perhaps it would be much easier to be a sail, guided by someone else's hand, changing direction as needed to help the ship advance."
"......"
"But why must we be the sail?"
"What?"
"Can't we be the ones who move the sail?"
Zhuge Munhyeon's words, like a Zen koan, struck the Patriarch's heart like another heavy stone falling with a thud.
A hairline crack appeared in the Patriarch's long-held belief—a conviction he had always considered righteous and the very role of the Zhuge Clan.
The one who moved the sails.
"They say the Zhuge Clan's intent always lies in World Governance. They seek out those who share their ambitions and treats aiding them as if it were their sacred duty. But do you truly believe that changing course at every finger-pointing is what World Governance truly means?"
The hairline crack in his heart... spread like a spiderweb.
His once-unshakeable convictions crumbled weakly, shattering into fragments that fell away.
Who couldn't say such words? Yet why did the gaze of the clan's young descendant fill him with such shame? Why did his face burn with heat? Why did he feel as if he were being harshly rebuked for his past timidity and failure to properly manage the clan?
His teeth clenched involuntarily.
He could have refuted every point, but he didn't want to.
World Governance... How could that be dismissed as merely a strategist's ambition? He knew it was a reflection of the intent of the one who stood at the highest peak, even before any strategist's will.
After finishing his speech, Zhuge Dowon gazed steadily at Zhuge Munhyeon, who maintained a polite yet dignified expression.
He showed no further surprise or urgency.
He simply approached slowly.
Thwack!
He smacked Zhuge Munhyeon on the head.
"Ugh!"
Zhuge Munhyeon winced and glared up at him.
Was this paternal uncle serious? He hadn't even thought to dodge, never imagining he'd actually get smacked on the head...
"You impudent brat! Trying to lecture your paternal uncle?"
"Huh?"
He hadn't said it expecting praise, but being scolded instead made him bristle. Yet Zhuge Dowon wore an inexplicably relieved expression. Hmm... He let it slide because of his good mood. He had poured out his frustrations, but the decision remained his.
"Disengage the formation now."
"...Yes."
Zhuge Munhyeon obediently approached the core of the formation.
Clunk.
With a loud mechanical groan, the mechanisms ground to a halt.
The formation's power dissipated, and they finally returned to the real world.
And then...
Gasp, gasp, gasp...
Nine Splitting Sword Namgung Cheonung, his clothes tattered and hair disheveled, panted heavily, utterly exhausted.
The warriors behind him were in even worse shape, their appearances so grotesque that Zhuge Munhyeon had to squint.
So they protected him just because he's a direct descendant, huh?
Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled dryly at Namgung Yu's relatively unscathed condition.
But this was only the Second Section. They hadn't even reached the Third Section.
Just then,
"Ah, no, what on earth...?"
"How could this be?"
Zhuge Doyun, having belatedly summoned his retainers, rushed over with his feet practically on fire. The sight before them left them speechless with shock.
"Munhyeon!"
Zhuge Doyun's face twisted in fury as he stormed forward, his anger palpable.
"You!"
Here came the lecture. Even his father's deep affection for his son wouldn't save him this time. He had already braced himself for the consequences.
But then...
"Head of the Byeongju Hall, step down."
"...Huh?"
Zhuge Doyun, having failed to achieve his goal, glared at the Patriarch. But the Patriarch stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back, radiating an imposing presence that seemed to cow Doyun into silence. Without another word, Doyun retreated.
The retainers, who had been murmuring about the Patriarch's uncharacteristic demeanor, gradually fell silent.
"Munhyeon."
"Yes?"
"Go and escort our guests here."
Zhuge Munhyeon tilted his head at the Patriarch's gentle tone. Something felt different...
"...Me? But the Head of the Reception Hall is here too."
"Heh, you rascal. You cause all this trouble and then try to pass the buck to the Head of the Reception Hall?"
"...?"
"Since you started this, you'll finish it."
"Y-yes, but..."
Zhuge Munhyeon could only offer an awkward smile in response to the Patriarch's words.
He could do as asked. But...
"Are you sure about this? They seem to have... strong feelings toward me."
"Are you getting cold feet now?"
"Huh?"
"Then I'll send the Head of the Reception Hall instead."
"......"
That wasn't what he meant. Judging by their gazes and expressions, their reactions to his approach were predictable. He wouldn't be able to restrain himself... This would only complicate matters further...
"Lacking confidence?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you urge me to become someone who isn't a sail? Yet now that you have the chance to act on that, you hesitate?"
"Ah..."
Zhuge Munhyeon let out a short sigh, his smile deepening.
He had decided to become a person, not a sail. Was that what it was? And did he say "oneself"? Oneself? How could he speak so harshly to someone who had nothing but himself?
"I'll go greet the guests."
"Be careful."
"Yes."
Zhuge Munhyeon bowed deeply and approached the Namgung Clan warriors with a radiant smile.
"P-Patriarch."
"Observe."
"......"
"Ahem, you people. Why the long faces when guests have arrived? Greet them with dignity."
The retainers exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend the Patriarch's words.
Seeing the state of the Namgung Clan warriors, they were already worried sick about what came next. How could they possibly act with dignity...?
Forced smiles plastered their faces, but their hearts remained heavy with anxiety and dread.
"You fucking bastard!"
Namgung Yu, enraged by the Formation's torment, broke ranks and lunged at Zhuge Munhyeon.
"Yu, Yu-ya!"
Caught completely off guard and utterly exhausted, Namgung Cheonung watched in horror, unable to intervene.
How could he not understand Yu's fury? Trapped within the Formation, unable to unleash his martial arts prowess, he had suffered immensely. It was only natural he would struggle to contain his rage. But with the Patriarch and all the Retainers watching, harming the Zhuge Clan's son was out of the question.
And yet...
Whoosh!
Yu's fist sliced through the air with tremendous force.
Thud.
Zhuge Munhyeon casually twisted his body to evade the blow, then seized Yu's wrist and effortlessly spun him around.
Boom!
Namgung Yu spun violently through the air before crashing heavily into the ground. Everyone's eyes widened at the sight.
The scene that followed left them stunned.
Crack!
A single strike.
Zhuge Munhyeon's fist sent Namgung Yu's body, which had been buried in the ground, flying upward as if spat out by the earth itself, before it collapsed limply back down.
A profound silence settled over the arena, like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over the crowd.
The Zhuge Clan members felt as if the sky were darkening, while the faces of the Namgung Clan warriors were etched with shock.
"It was just a reflex," Zhuge Munhyeon said, scratching his head with an awkward smile. "I didn't mean to hit him that hard."
Really...