Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 109

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 109. Stage of Upheaval (3)

That night.

“….”

Ja Dam, who had been meditating alone on a wild mountain quite far from Juru, opened her eyes.

‘What is this?’

Whoooosh.

Her hair swayed in the cold wind, teasing her eyes and nose.

She brushed her hair back with her hand and slowly stood up.

‘Killing intent?’

Ja Dam’s face became serious.

‘It wasn’t ordinary killing intent.’

Could it have been the killing intent of a wild beast?

‘No, it wasn’t from a beast either.’

She had traveled through mountains and rivers with her master, encountering countless beasts.

When she asked her master, who hunted wild boars without hesitation, whether it was acceptable for a Taoist Priest to take life, her master had said this:

‘Have you apologized to the trees you’ve cut down?’

Hearing those words, Ja Dam understood.

The Tao is not far away. As long as one doesn’t fall into evil ways, everything – eating, drinking, hunting – can become the Tao.

Without eating, one cannot live; without clothing, one cannot endure.

Needless killing is forbidden, but each natural action taken to survive ultimately touches the Tao.

Being a Taoist Priest is nothing special, and being a beggar is not more vulgar. Human life is all the same in the end. What matters is cultivation, not being different.

But this energy was definitely different.

Whoosh.

Her movement technique as she leaped toward the direction of the killing intent was like a single gust of wind.

A moment later.

“Gasp!”

Ja Dam’s pale white face turned ashen.

Before her eyes spread a horrific scene.

Two wolves lay dead. More precisely, what had ‘been’ wolves was scattered about.

Their throats were torn, eyeballs dangling out. Their long tongues were shredded by sharp fangs.

There were no torsos.

Pieces of flesh torn into hundreds, no thousands of fragments were scattered everywhere.

In the center of the clearing was a massive circular pattern drawn with still-warm blood.

It looked like a child copying a picture with a brush. It seemed like some kind of ritual, yet also like a drawing made carelessly out of boredom.

The problem was that the drawing materials were blood and flesh.

“Gasp.”

The terrible stench of blood seemed to numb her sense of smell.

As Ja Dam examined the pattern with a disgusted expression, she suddenly looked up.

“…!”

Beyond the bushes in the darkness, a pair of blue eyes was watching her.

Even though the distance was well over ten zhang, the gaze was extremely clear.

Ja Dam unconsciously swallowed.

Whooom.

The Eight Methods Mysterious Yin Divine Art automatically activated, beginning to protect her mind and body.

The abundant energy of Taoist divine arts.

It was a clear and sacred energy blooming over the cruel and gloomy land of blood.

The eyes of the being emitting blue light gradually became bloodshot.

Ja Dam gripped her sword.

‘A demon?!’

The Song Gate Ancient Sword felt unusually heavy in her hand today.

Following her master through mountains and rivers, she had met numerous reclusive Taoist Priests, and had even crossed swords with some who were too violent to be considered Taoist Priests.

But the owner of those eyes was completely different from them.

It was a gaze that couldn’t be considered normal. Even when subduing bandits, even when pursuing a murderer who had been rampaging in a certain county, she had felt evil energy, but it couldn’t compare to those eyes.

A fundamental fear that transcended right and wrong, good and evil.

That was definitely a demon.

It was certainly a Ma In.

Rustle!

The speed at which it flew over, stepping on grass stems, was terrifyingly fast.

A swift and free-spirited movement technique that made its presence seem insignificant. It was like watching a gliding hawk.

Ja Dam immediately drew her sword.

Swish! Clang!

Blade met blade, erupting in a resonant sword cry.

Her eyes wavered for a moment.

‘A spear?!’

That’s right.

What the monster held was an iron long spear nearly seven ja in length.

Crack!

The monster took the right flank with two quick steps and thrust the spear forward fiercely.

Ja Dam’s Song Gate Ancient Sword spun rapidly.

Clang clang clang!

The sword blade and spear tip entangled madly, creating blue sparks.

Whoosh!

Their energies canceled each other out, creating thick smoke in the air.

Ja Dam unconsciously gritted her teeth.

‘Terrible!’

The energy mixed with the force was definitely Demonic Energy.

Just breathing seemed to cause problems with her Internal Power circulation. Her body kept contracting and her limbs grew heavy.

‘Wudang’s divine arts can repel even the greatest demon in the world.’

Both Taoist divine arts and Buddhist dharma power, when the mind is set straight, activate Qi naturally to protect the master and facilitate the transmission of power.

Whooom.

In her quiet mind, a thread of Fighting Spirit arose.

Sword energy naturally formed on the Song Gate Ancient Sword. It was the orthodox sword energy of the Wudang Sect, appearing gentle yet emanating a stern aura.

Rustle.

The Ma In stepped back one pace.

One who doesn’t waver even before powerful Demonic Energy. Before Ja Dam, who had mastered true Wudang martial arts, the Ma In seemed flustered.

“Haah!”

With a clear battle cry, she advanced and boldly deployed her sword techniques.

Clang clang! Ching!

Simple yet graceful. Soft, but the ever-growing flow of power created terrifying sword pressure.

The unique sword principles of the Wudang Sect, which grew exponentially stronger as momentum built, shone brilliantly.

‘Hyeon Cheon is blocked. I must decide the match with Dae Ra.’

It was a fierce art that appeared chaotic yet severed vital points.

The understanding of Hyeon Cheon swordsmanship couldn’t completely suppress it. Ja Dam’s sword path instantly swept in all eight directions, deploying fiercely.

It was the Dae Ra Swordsmanship.

Clang clang clang clang!

The sword strikes hitting the spear tip and shaft were fierce and rough, unlike typical Wudang Sect swordsmanship.

How could nature’s embrace be only comfortable? Storms are fierce, tsunamis are heavy, and lightning destroys any object.

Dae Ra swordsmanship was the same. The sword’s deployment ability varied according to one’s enlightenment, but typically, Dae Ra sword was among the top three chaotic strike sword techniques in the Muwang Sect.

Clang clang clang!

Under the divine power of Taoist martial arts and overwhelming ferocity, Ma In was continuously pushed back.

At that moment, Ja Dam realized.

‘This Ma In still has strength to spare.’

He wasn’t holding back.

However, he had the power to counterattack more strongly. Though not relaxed, he wasn’t being overwhelmed either. He was just flustered by the orthodox martial arts of Muwang Sect, but it wasn’t a lack of strength.

‘Why?’

At that moment, Ma In growled like a beast.

“…Damn it.”

A young voice.

Even though the moonlight was clear, his shadowed face couldn’t be seen properly.

“Consider yourself lucky, woman.”

Claaang!

Ma In roughly deflected the Song Mun Ancient Sword and retreated with tremendous momentum.

Ja Dam, who was about to pursue, suddenly staggered. The force contained in the final strike had shattered and grazed her thigh as it passed.

Hiss!

The Hyeon Um Divine Art pushed out the infiltrating demonic energy.

It was terrible pain. Pain so severe that even Muwang Sect’s heart cultivation technique couldn’t ignore it.

“Damn.”

In the end, Ja Dam couldn’t catch the fleeing Ma In and retrieved her sword.

‘He’s really a Ma In, right? Even if not, he’s someone who can’t be left alone.’

Elder Brother Ho Geom Jin In hadn’t been seen since last night.

Though he was someone impossible to get close to, she couldn’t avoid seeking him out even in this situation.

‘Should I also inform the organizers?’

First, she had to find her elder brother.

* * *

The next morning.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

Moyong Bi turned around.

Moyong Su Hyang stood there with her arms crossed and a sullen expression.

“What?”

“You, where did you go and just now return?”

It was just before the main tournament began. Moreover, Moyong Bi was the first match.

“I went somewhere to organize my thoughts. Why?”

“Where did you go?”

“Just the mountain.”

Moyong Su Hyang’s eyes trembled.

“By the way, haven’t Elder Sister and the Chief Administrator arrived yet? Well, they don’t have to come… What are you doing?”

Moyong Su Hyang strode over and suddenly grabbed Moyong Bi’s front lapel, opening it and sniffing.

Moyong Bi frowned.

“Even if you’re hungry, you can’t eat my flesh.”

“What’s this smell?”

“What smell?”

“Isn’t this the smell of blood?”

“Blood?”

Moyong Bi brought his nose to various parts of his body.

“I don’t smell anything?”

“No. This is definitely the smell of blood. My nose is like a dog’s.”

“Lucky you’re a dog, you bastard.”

“Hey, tell me straight. Where did you go?”

“Ah, how persistent. I told you I went to the mountain?”

“Which mountain!”

“Why are you suddenly acting like this? Are you worried I sucked human blood like some mosquito?”

The words were so calm that Moyong Su Hyang flinched instead.

Moyong Bi flicked her forehead.

“If you’re hungry, go buy some skewers. They’re delicious over there.”

“…”

“By the way, you don’t have to watch.”

“Pig.”

“Why, again?”

Her listless elder brother’s face was the same as usual.

Compared to when he was drinking in his room yesterday, he looked completely different.

“…Never mind.”

“Your blandness is beyond description. Sprinkle some salt on yourself and live.”

“Forget it, who’s your opponent?”

“Some son from the Golden Dragon Family, I heard?”

The Golden Dragon Family was a martial family with a renowned reputation throughout Hubei.

They were descendants of a branch house of the Zhuge Family, and about a hundred years ago, they developed tremendously and emerged as a powerhouse in eastern Hubei.

They were particularly close to the Zhuge Family, and the Golden Dragon Family was important enough in business relations to handle the bridging role with the Gold Flower Trading Company.

“Golden Dragon Family…”

Moyong Su Hyang looked toward the opposite side of the duel stage.

It was four times larger than the preliminary duel stage. Naturally, the spectator seats were also wider, and tremendously noisy sounds were exploding like firecrackers from the packed audience.

However, the man waiting below the opposite duel stage seemed not to care about the noise at all.

He quietly closed his eyes and clasped his hands behind his back.

A long sword was strapped diagonally across his back, and even from a distance, one could tell it was quite a magnificent blade.

“That person is Jin Cheon Gwang.”

“Cheon Gwang?”

“You’re speaking quite familiarly for someone who’s not even a friend.”

“So what, is he skilled?”

“Haven’t you heard? Jin Cheon Gwang, called the Golden Dragon Chivalrous Blade, is counted among the top ten late-stage experts throughout all of Hubei.”

“Even being counted among the top ten in the world would be questionable for fun, but top ten in Hubei? Why exactly is he famous?”

It was astounding confidence.

But she was used to it now. Though she didn’t hope for him to lose, if he showed this level of composure, there seemed no need to worry unnecessarily.

“If you’re that careless, you’ll get beaten up badly.”

“If I get beaten by that sword, I’ll become dumpling filling.”

Then, someone climbed onto the duel stage.

Flowing Taoist robes. Unlike a typical Taoist priest, he had a large build and eyes as fierce as a tiger’s.

He was none other than Ho Geom Jin In of the Muwang Sect. One of the eight elders representing the current Muwang Sect, he was evaluated as skilled in rough and aggressive Muwang swordsmanship.

Waaaah!

Cheers erupted from all directions.

“Th-that person is an elder of the Muwang Sect.”

A light of admiration rose on Moyong Su Hyang’s face as she swallowed her saliva.

One of the adults from the legendary sect Muwang Sect had appeared. As someone praised even among civilians outside the martial world, it was enough to make one’s heart race.

However, Moyong Bi’s eyes looking at Ho Geom Jin In were extremely clear.

Ho Geom Jin In began speaking with a voice filled with magnificent internal power.

After expressing gratitude to the Zhuge Family and Gold Flower Trading Company for their help in hosting the tournament, words of congratulations and encouragement for the main tournament participants followed.

After that, one person also came out from the Zhuge Family. He had a completely different impression from Ho Geom Jin In, with an upright posture and sharp eyes that reminded one of a stubborn scholar.

Once the person from the Zhuge Family side also entered, the judge finally appeared.

“Number one, Moyong Bi! Number two, Jin Cheon Gwang! Please come up to the Duel Stage!”

Moyong Bi waved his hand.

“I’ll be back.”

“Pig.”

“Huh?”

Moyong Su Hyang, who had been anxious, forced a smile.

“Win and come back.”

“Win what and come back?”

“Hm?”

Moyong Bi turned his body.

“I have to go show them. Who we are.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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