After riding the carriage all day, we finally arrived at the Zhuge family.

“Stop.”

The gatekeeper stopped the coachman and then approached the window for inspection.

“Who are you?”

“It’s me.”

“Huh?! Master Zhuge Cheonwu?”

Suddenly, the gatekeeper’s shout grew louder. His eyes were surprised at the unexpected face.

“Tell them inside. That I’ve arrived.”

“Y-yes! But who are these people?”

He asked stealthily, looking at the mountain keepers surrounding the carriage.

“They are my people. Treat them as guests.”

“Understood!”

While the gatekeeper, who had finished the confirmation, was guiding Go Du-gyeong and the mountain keepers, I headed for the family’s formation hall.

It was to meet Zhuge Hyeon-guk.

Originally, the order was to go and greet the family head right away, but I didn’t care.

Because he was essential for the plan I was about to carry out.

“It’s been a while. I heard you’ve been quite active throughout the Central Plains recently.”

In the reception room of the Dark Faction Formation Hall. Zhuge Hyeon-guk greeted me, sitting in a chair.

“I’ve come today to ask for a favor.”

“A favor?”

“From now on, I will enter the heir competition. With Zhuge Tae-seong.”

At the shocking declaration, the air inside the reception room instantly turned cold.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

The succession structure of the Zhuge family had long been decided with Zhuge Tae-seong alone. Since he had already obtained the position of young master.

But that didn’t mean the second sons had no chance at all.

That was the right to challenge the heir.

In the succession structure that usually went to the eldest son, the direct descendants were given the right to challenge it.

So that a more capable person could lead the family.

“So I would like you to support me in the upcoming family general meeting.”

At this side’s request, Zhuge Hyeon-guk’s expression hardened.

“I said I would support you in anything since I took you as my disciple, but aiming for the position of family head is a different matter. This is a decision that will divide the family.”

He was right. As an elder of the family, it was also a just point. But that wasn’t important to me.

“Didn’t you think highly of my potential?”

“That was as a formation master, not as a family head. Although you’ve also made a great name for yourself as a martial artist, that’s not enough to challenge for the position of family head.”

Zhuge Hyeon-guk shook his head and then hit the core.

“Above all, you should know that Zhuge Tae-seong’s power is overwhelming, right?”

It was a cold diagnosis.

Even if a miracle happened and Zhuge Hyeon-guk somehow took control of half of the council of elders, he couldn’t do anything about the opposition of the rest of the family’s executives, such as the council of elders and the armed forces.

‘I know that.’

In fact, I had no intention of becoming the family head. I just wanted to be able to borrow the family’s armed forces.

The challenge to the heir was just a card to negotiate for this.

Because I could shake the position of the young master using my fame, martial power, and formation ability.

I was planning to raise my own value within the family as much as possible and then negotiate.

To ask for the authority to move the family’s armed forces just twice when needed.

“Still, I’m going to give it a try. I’ve gotten quite strong too.”

“I don’t know what you’re up to, but give it up. I can’t be on bad terms with the next family head.”

“Wouldn’t it be the same to be on bad terms the moment I become the heir of the Dark Faction?”

“Then I have no choice but to use my skills.”

Zhuge Hyeon-guk’s gaze changed, and he soon took out a pipe from his bosom and lit it.

With that, a black curtain unfolded in all directions.

‘This is?’

Before I knew it, the scenery of the reception room was gone, and there was only endless darkness.

The shadow formation of Zhuge Hyeon-guk that I had experienced in the past. I was defeated then, but not now.

‘I already know how to deal with it.’

First, I took control of the surrounding space with psychokinesis. The process was the same as breaking Zhuge Ryu-hun’s unique domain.

Woooooo-

The space of darkness that began to distort like the voice of the dead.

Soon, as I poured in more mana, a crack formed in the entire formation, and it shattered.

“You can’t trap me now with a simple formation made on the spot.”

“…You’re truly a monster. To have already reached the special-grade level at that age.”

In the background of the reception room that had returned before I knew it, only Zhuge Hyeon-guk’s voice, filled with admiration, flowed out.

“So what are you going to do? I’m going to challenge him even if I’m alone.”

“With this much capability, there would be no one in the family who could match you in formations. I’ll help you. But I won’t support you.”

He was saying he would just set the stage. He was a cunning old man.

But that was enough. If I could just show my skills to everyone, there was enough room for negotiation.

Immediately after getting up from my seat, I headed for the central main building where Zhuge Hohyeon was.

The moment I stood in front of the family head’s office, a martial artist from the family head’s direct Cheongi Unit blocked this side.

“Stop.”

Whether he did or not, I asked.

“Is the family head inside?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Open the door. I have to see my father today.”

“I’ll send a message first. Ah, he says you can come in.”

It seemed he had detected this side with his Transformation Realm qi sense. I entered the office and paid my respects.

“The third son, Zhuge Cheonwu, greets the head of the Zhuge family.”

“What brings you here?”

It was a direct question. Even though it had been a long time since we had seen each other. It was no surprise, as he was originally that kind of man.

“I’m thinking of challenging for the position of heir.”

“You’re not unaware of what that means, are you?”

“Yes.”

It meant I would be competing with Zhuge Tae-seong. Although there would be political conflicts, first of all, since my personal capabilities would be seen, I needed to be prepared.

“The young master is on the verge of Transformation Realm. Are you really thinking of challenging him?”

As he said, Zhuge Tae-seong was a monster who had reached the pinnacle of the super-peak level at the age of around 30.

Since he was a person who had been called a genius among the many talented people in Hubei in the past, he was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

“It doesn’t matter.”

However, he was lacking compared to the real geniuses around me.

“It’s worth a try.”

I had surpassed such people so far, and I had to continue to surpass them in the future.

To ultimately face the Demonic Cult.

“Alright. I’ll prepare it.”

Finally, permission fell from Zhuge Hohyeon’s mouth.

***

“What is this all about?”

At the family general meeting. Before the family head arrived, the executives of the Zhuge family who had gathered inside were exchanging opinions noisily.

“What is this all about? A general meeting.”

“They say it’s a challenge for the heir.”

“Is it Master Zhuge Pae-gang?”

“Please at least grasp the topic of the meeting before you come. It’s Zhuge Cheonwu’s request.”

“That scoundrel?”

“Hasn’t he been active in the Central Plains for the past few months? He even got the title of Great Mage.”

“Heh, I’ve heard of it, but I can’t believe it. He was an incompetent scoundrel just last year. Can a person change that much in a year?”

“He must have been hiding his true colors all this time. He has revealed his true intentions this time.”

And so, as they were continuing their private conversation.

The door on one side of the conference hall opened, and everyone’s gaze was focused on one place.

Zhuge Cheonwu, the culprit of this incident, had arrived.

They all lowered their voices.

“To challenge for the heir now. Isn’t the young master’s position already solid?”

“It’s the right of a direct blood relative, so it can’t be helped. The family head has also given his permission.”

The moment I was listening to the gossip of the murmuring people with one ear and letting it flow out.

‘They’re coming soon.’

Soon, the front door of the conference hall opened, and everyone stood up from their seats.

“We greet the head of the Zhuge family!”

Zhuge Hohyeon had appeared.

As he sat at the head of the table, only then did the rest also sit down in their seats at once.

“Today’s agenda is the matter of the challenge for the heir. Since Zhuge Cheonwu wishes to compete with Zhuge Tae-seong, let’s talk about what kind of test to give the two of them.”

First, Zhuge Hyeon-guk, who was sitting at the head of the council of elders, stepped up.

“First, how about a formation battle?”

Then another elder immediately objected. It was a person from Zhuge Tae-seong’s side.

“Since they are both 1st-grade formation masters, isn’t it fine? No matter how much we are the Zhuge family, you don’t become the head of the family with just formation ability.”

It seemed he was trying to exclude elements that could be disadvantageous to Zhuge Tae-seong.

“Wouldn’t you say it’s one of the requirements for a young master?”

“If that’s the case, isn’t martial power much more important?”

“That’s right. A martial artist should naturally have martial arts skills.”

As someone set the mood, another person immediately agreed.

“Historically, among the heads of the Zhuge family, there were few special-grade formation masters, but didn’t most of them reach the Transformation Realm and lead the family? The current family head is also like that. Even if we think about the case of our ancestors, there’s nothing like martial arts!”

In the end, it was a scheme to verify his qualifications in an area that was advantageous to Zhuge Tae-seong.

No matter how much he had made a name for himself in the Central Plains, the gap between me, a student of the Martial Academy in my late teens, and Zhuge Tae-seong, who was around his 30s, seemed clear.

But that was also what I had been hoping for.

“Alright.”

In an instant, the reactions that had been competing came back to this side.

“Heh heh, as expected of a rising star, how hot-blooded.”

“You won’t go back on your word later, right?”

It was a look of trying to solidify the verification method somehow.

“However, my first brother and I have an age difference. I think it’s right to consider the potential for growth in a comprehensive way. In that sense, I have a proposal.”

“Ahem, where is there such a thing in the qualifications of a family head? A sword has no eyes. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old.”

“Don’t worry. The duel will be held normally.”

After dispelling their concerns first, I brought up the real matter.

“However, it’s true that I’m at a disadvantage in terms of age and the years and amount of support I’ve received from the family. So if I win. In addition to the qualification as a young master, I would like to receive a promise from the family head.”

“Where is there such a thing!”

“Stop.”

Just then, Zhuge Hohyeon stepped up.

Even if he was a parent, it was worth listening to his child, who had grown up like this and returned, at least once.

“Speak.”

“If I defeat my first brother, please give me the right to move the family’s armed forces just twice when needed, against an enemy of the Central Plains.”

Then, there were fierce reactions from the surroundings.

“What do you mean! The armed forces?”

“To ask for the family head’s military authority, how presumptuous!”

“Quiet.”

At Zhuge Hohyeon’s command, the commotion subsided in an instant.

“Is that your purpose?”

Zhuge Hohyeon asked, looking at this side. A gaze that seemed to want to grasp this side’s intention. A clumsy lie wouldn’t work.

“Yes.”

“I can’t grant all of it. But I’ll promise about half of the Hakseondan and two units of the Cheolhyeondae. Instead, the justification for dispatching the armed forces must be clear, and it must be an enemy other than an ally and an orthodox faction. Also, just by granting this proposal, you will not be able to receive a single penny of your achievements for this year, nor even the day of proof for next year. Above all, you must take all responsibility for the death and injury of the armed forces.”

Although there were quite a few conditions, this was a very generous offer.

It was a pity that I couldn’t borrow the family head’s direct elite unit, the Cheongi Unit, but since I hadn’t even hoped for that much in the first place, it was a satisfactory result.

Because even that much was a stronger force than all the mountain keepers, including Go Du-gyeong.

“Thank you.”

“Give your thanks when you’ve won.”

He was right. All these rewards could only be received if I could defeat Zhuge Tae-seong.

‘I’ll win.’

For sure.

***

A few days later, in front of the training ground. A stage for the challenge for the heir was prepared in a place where the family’s executives had gathered.

Soon, with the murmuring of the crowd, a man appeared. It was Zhuge Tae-seong.

Since he had been away, carrying out his duties as the young master, he was only able to compete today.

“I never thought you’d change this much.”

“What’s so new?”

At this side’s reply, Zhuge Tae-seong’s brow slightly furrowed.

“You have no manners. I’ll teach you how to behave towards your older brother.”

“You’ve never taught me anything in my life, and now you’re acting like an adult.”

“What?”

I know him. The existence he had never even glanced at in his life was Zhuge Cheonwu.

The only time he would talk to him was when he was encouraging a political marriage.

He was a cold person who treated his younger brother as such only when he needed him or was annoyed.

‘It seems the soul that the book of Zhuge Goya meant was me for sure.’

Since the memories and emotions of the original Zhuge Cheonwu were still in me.

It was as if our souls were mixed. That’s why I added one more word.

“This side will teach you. That I’m not a person you can treat conveniently.”

With those words, we drew our swords at each other. Soon, a shout from the announcer was heard from outside the duel ground.

“From now on, we will begin the duel for the challenge for the heir!”

Simultaneously, a battle with the fate of the family on the line began.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep