Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Translator: Penny
Chapter 74
Once he made a decision, he acted.
It had always been this way.
Hesitation only devoured time and amplified anxiety.
More importantly, why should he stand by and watch the surrounding Heretical Factions be devoured by the Namgung Clan?
If there was something delicious, he'd claim it first, even if it meant risking poisoning or illness.
Treatment could wait.
And if treatment failed?
He could deal with that after driving out the Namgung Clan.
Zhuge Munhyeon sprang to his feet, his eyes burning with an eerie intensity as he glared at Zhuge Junggi.
"Junggi."
"Yes?"
Zhuge Junggi flinched and reflexively answered respectfully, then immediately grimaced.
Damn it! That terrifying glare made me slip up and use honorifics!
"There must be a way to persuade them, right?"
"Persuasion? You're actually going to try that?"
"Yes."
"Y-you madman..."
Zhuge Junggi was so flustered he couldn't find the words.
He had explained that while it was the only possible method, it was absolutely unusable.
"Do you really think the elders will approve?"
"Of course not."
"Then what kind of persuasion are you talking about? Nothing can be done without their approval."
"Do you think we have the luxury to waste time on pointless discussions?"
Of course not.
The Namgung Clan's movements would tighten their grip on the Zhuge Clan with each passing moment.
"Once a decision is made, there's no room for hesitation. We must charge forward, focusing only on the path ahead. Even then, success is far from guaranteed."
"But..."
"Instead of making excuses about why it can't be done, focus on finding a way to persuade them."
This is like preaching to a deaf ear.
Zhuge Junggi stared blankly at Zhuge Munhyeon, completely unable to understand his words.
"If the elders find out..."
"The Zhuge Clan needs a catalyst right now."
"A catalyst?"
"Exactly. A catalyst to shatter the rigid shell of formality that prevents us from taking even the most urgent measures."
"..."
"So, preemptive action first, report later. We act before they can object or scold us. After all, we're not risking any losses, are we?"
"P-preemptive action? Are you completely insane?"
"I just have strong momentum. More importantly, as you said, this isn't a world where we can afford to debate outdated formalities like the distinction between righteous and heretical. If we waste time on such trivialities, we'll be devoured. By then, regret will be too late."
"So, we're just going to do this ourselves?"
"That's enough."
"Only five? No, six if you count me, and I'm not exactly a martial arts expert!"
"We can't fight without martial artists, but we have the skill to recruit powerful ones. And remember, this is just the catalyst."
Zhuge Junggi stared, mouth agape, at Zhuge Munhyeon's sly grin, blinking in disbelief.
"First, we'll use our recruited forces to contain the Namgung Clan."
"Contain? What does that even mean? You said this was just a catalyst!"
"Exactly. A slightly stronger one. Once the Main Clan learns we're involved in the conflict with the Heretical Factions, they'll have no choice but to act. At least, the Patriarch I know wouldn't stand by while his family is in danger."
"What if this escalates into a full-scale war with the Namgung Clan?"
"Let them come."
"What did you say?"
"Do you think the Namgung Clan can truly bring their full force to bear?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You know why the Main Clan hasn't been able to fight the surrounding Heretical Factions all this time, right?"
"W-well, that's..."
"The Namgung Clan is currently on an expedition. They can't commit their full strength. They have to protect Anhui. If they mobilize too many warriors to fight us, they risk having their main territory raided while it's undefended."
He was right.
But...
"What if they still throw everything they have at us?"
"Then we'll have to ask Wudang for help."
"What? Wudang? You think they'd actually help us?"
"Yes."
"On what grounds?!"
Zhuge Junggi roared, but Zhuge Munhyeon simply grinned and replied.
"You don't understand Wudang, do you?"
"What?"
"Right. Wudang doesn't approve of the Heterodox Path. But they believe even evildoers can be guided toward righteousness."
"...Could it be?"
"The moment we convince them we've recruited and reformed the Heretical Factions, those factions will be seen as forces that have turned to the Orthodox Path."
"They'll never believe that!"
"They will."
"Why are you so certain?"
"Because they have no doubt I'm capable of such a feat. No one suspects I'm a wolf in sheep's clothing."
"W-what does that mean?"
Zhuge Junggi was unaware of the true relationship between Wudang and Zhuge Munhyeon.
All the clan knew was the superficial fact that Zhuge Munhyeon had played a key role in establishing friendly relations with Wudang. To Wudang, Zhuge Munhyeon was a figure who even harbored the ambition to redeem disciples corrupted by the Demonic Nature. Guiding the Heretical Factions? Child's play. Just ask the Beggar's Sect to send a letter to their Sect Leader, and that's all it would take.
So that's why adults always nagged us to live virtuously. Regardless of one's true intentions, appearances are paramount. Though I was once the Heavenly Demon and still retained remnants of that nature, to the world, I was righteous, compassionate... After all, I was the son of the Zhuge Clan.
"Trust me. And start thinking hard. We'll need to persuade the Heretical Factions soon."
"Persuade them? You're asking me to take on that role?"
"You catch on quickly."
"I'm still just a trainee at the Heavenly Star Pavilion!"
"I know, but what does it matter? What does rank have to do with serving the clan? And what does age have to do with it?"
"It matters! What will we tell the Heretical Factions? To persuade them, I need a rank that represents the Zhuge Clan..."
"Don't worry about that."
"What?"
"See him?" Zhuge Munhyeon pointed at Zhuge Munho. "He'll soon be the Young Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan."
"What?!"
Zhuge Munho's eyes widened, not Zhuge Junggi's or Gwan Hwipyeong's.
Young Patriarch? Me? When? And why are you deciding this on your own?!
"Even if you have something to say, don't say it now. I'll make it happen, no matter what."
Zhuge Junggi stared at him with eyes demanding an explanation, but Zhuge Munho only frowned, offering no response.
Such was human nature.
Once a thought was etched into one's mind, it was nearly impossible to shake it off.
Zhuge Munho still couldn't overcome the oppressive aura of Zhuge Munhyeon. Especially when Munhyeon's eyes burned with such a murderous intensity, Munho's lips froze, unable to form words.
Elder Brother, are you becoming the Young Patriarch? When was this decided? Did you secretly make a promise to the Patriarch behind our backs? And what's this about persuading the Heretical Factions? It can't be what I'm thinking, right?
Despite Gwan Hwipyeong's anxious whispers, Zhuge Munho remained blank-faced, like a man whose soul had fled his body.
Co-opting the Heretical Factions... Young Patriarch... Preemptive Action... Ah, who will stop this madman? He should rush to the Patriarch and expose this bastard's scheme, but his feet wouldn't move.
"Then let's stop by the Beggar's Sect first."
"Huh? The Beggar's Sect? Now?"
"Isn't it obvious? From now on, it's a race against time. We should start right away while the idea's fresh."
"..."
"What are you waiting for? Move!"
Zhuge Munhyeon's relentless drive twisted Gwan Hwipyeong and Zhuge Junggi's faces into knots.
"U-um... Munhyeon-ah," Zhuge Munho ventured, speaking for the group, "shouldn't we at least pack some supplies?"
Zhuge Munhyeon grinned, gripping the Silver River Staff sheathed at his waist. "Why? Using packing as an excuse to tattle to the elders?"
"..."
"If you're thinking about it, just say the word. I can keep you unconscious for about three days. Ah, for the sake of the clan... a little sacrifice wouldn't be too much to ask, would it? How about this: 'In honor of the souls who sacrificed their lives for the clan, as easily discarded as straw.' That sounds fitting, don't you think?"
No one could stand up to this madman.
Why did we have to run into him...?
Zhuge Junggi watched Gwan Hwipyeong and Zhuge Munho lower their heads and follow behind, and he exploded in anger.
"Why isn't anyone stopping this madness? How dare you act without the adults' permission? Fine! If no one else will, I will! I can't stand by and watch this lunacy!"
"..."
His defiant declaration rang out.
Thwack!
And the Silver River Staff swung.
The impact of the blow to Zhuge Junggi's head sent him crashing to the ground.
"I'm not the kind of person who needs permission from anyone. I act on my own will. Then and now."
That low voice...
He should have said that before he lost consciousness. He probably heard every word. Why haven't the ghosts taken this madman yet?
Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong cursed Zhuge Munhyeon inwardly, their eyes softening as they gazed at their fallen youngest brother (?).
Junggi... You're wrong about one thing. We're not choosing not to do it; we can't. We're afraid of becoming like you.
"Carry him."
"...Okay."
"This kid never listens. It's a disaster, a disaster."
As he grumbled, Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong shared the same thought:
You're one to talk...
People said that the Yangtze River divided the world, with the Orthodox Factions dominating the north and the Heretical Factions ruling the south.
But the true boundary wasn't the river itself, but a road: the Muju Main Thoroughfare, stretching straight as an arrow for roughly five hundred li between Wuhan in the east and Jingzhou in the west.
Along this road, north and south clashed, and Orthodox and Heretical Intent clashed.
Though numerous Heretical Forces existed in the north, unlike the unified south centered around the Black River Gate, they remained fragmented into several competing factions.
The largest among these were the Blood Shadow Pavilion and the Demonic Shadow Lodge.
"What nonsense is this? The Namgung Clan attacking the Black Forest Gang?!"
Oksayeong, Pavilion Master of the Blood Shadow Pavilion, leaped to her feet in shock upon receiving the messenger's report.
The Black Forest Gang was a small faction under the Blood Shadow Pavilion, located near the Muju Main Thoroughfare.
"It's not just the Black Forest Gang. The Poison Dragon Gang in Cheonmun County, the White Night Hall in Hancheon County, and even our pavilion's branches have been destroyed."
"What?!"
Oksayeong couldn't hide her repeated shock.
"So? Where is the Namgung Clan now? What's the situation?"
"Their movements are too swift to track. Based on areas where reports haven't arrived, it seems they've already seized the entire Muju Main Thoroughfare region. They're likely continuing their northward advance."
"What?! How could this...?"
Oksayeong's legs gave way, and she collapsed into a heap.
Her head throbbed.
Why would those bastards suddenly come all the way to Hubei to attack them? It wasn't like they'd gone mad. She was already seething over the recent news that the Zhuge Clan had crushed the Honyeon Faction in Joyang County and seized Danggangu. And now, out of nowhere, the Namgung Clan? There was no reason for them to harbor ill intent, was there?
"What the hell is going on? Is there some lowlife among our ranks who's gotten entangled with a descendant of the Namgung Clan?"
"I... I'm not sure."
"Damn it! Then why the hell are these bastards suddenly causing this chaos?!"
She couldn't help but curse.
There had been no declaration of war, and she had no idea why they were attacking.
Even a sudden slap in the face on the street wouldn't have stung this much.
She couldn't even turn to the Demonic Shadow Lodge, a nearby Heretical Force, for help. They'd be the first to cheer at the Blood Shadow Pavilion's downfall, given their long-standing rivalry.
"Yonghwa!"
"Yes, Pavilion Master."
"Immediately contact our subordinate forces and have them prepare for a surprise attack. Also, reach out to the Namgung Clan to inquire about the current situation."
"Understood."
"Mukju! Round up the local beggar gangs at once. We need to gauge the Namgung Clan's scale and movements."
Mukju's face clouded with unease at Oksayeong's command.
"Pavilion Master..."
"What is it?"
"Well... it's been several days since any beggars have been seen in the area."
"What? What are you talking about? Just a few days ago, those beggars were swarming the streets, begging in droves. Why have they suddenly vanished?"
"I have no idea either..."
"Damn it! What the hell have you been doing all this time?!"
Mukju couldn't answer, his face twisting into a grimace.
Who even cared about the movements of beggar hordes these days? And how could he have predicted the Namgung Clan's attack? They'd been quiet as mice all along, only to suddenly raise hell when things went south.
Just then, a messenger burst through the main gate, approaching cautiously.
"Pavilion Master."
"What is it?!"
"We have a guest."
"A guest?"
"Yes. They insist on seeing you urgently..."
"Who the hell is it? What bastard would come looking for me in the middle of this chaos?! Tell them to get lost!"
Despite Oksayeong's furious outburst, the messenger didn't budge, his expression conflicted.
"Well... he claims to be the Young Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan."
📝 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