Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 111

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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 111. Stage of Upheaval (5)

 

‘The Golden Scale Dragon Blade!’

 

Thwack! Thwack thwack!

 

The supreme blade technique of the Golden Dragon Family crumbled before fast and simple fist techniques.

 

‘How, how is this…’

 

Compared to the Golden Scale Dragon Blade with its twenty-seven forms, his opponent’s fist technique didn’t even seem to have proper forms.

 

But every form of the Golden Scale Dragon Blade, renowned for its mystical prowess, was being shattered from the roots.

 

Bang!

 

“Kugh!”

 

Jin Cheon Gwang’s face showed no color as he retreated, unable to withstand the impact. But thin streams of blood flowed from his nose and mouth.

 

It was a sign of internal injury.

 

‘No! I can’t end it like this!’

 

He could lose.

 

But if he was defeated after only being pushed back without even showing the true martial arts of the Golden Dragon Family, the family’s reputation would fall to the ground.

 

“Uaaaah!”

 

He deliberately exposed an opening and gripped the Golden Tiger Blade with both hands.

 

The moment he tried to execute the strongest form of the Golden Scale Dragon Blade, three punches that didn’t miss the opening exploded like cannonballs.

 

Thwack!

 

“Kugh!”

 

Trying to unleash the strongest strike even by showing an opening was nothing but recklessness.

 

If he was going to endure the opponent’s attack and aim for a counterattack, he needed either the durability to withstand that attack or some means of defense.

 

But the moment he became obsessed with reputation rather than victory, his thinking as a martial artist flew away.

 

Whoosh!

 

Jin Cheon Gwang, who flew while spitting blood, ended up rolling on the ground.

 

“Cough! Uwaaek!”

 

The amount of blood he vomited was considerable.

 

He had taken three strikes of Tiger Form Fist, a technique from the Strong Fist method of Moyong Three Form Fist. It was fortunate that the energy release was withdrawn at the moment of impact, otherwise his upper body would have been crushed and he couldn’t have avoided instant death.

 

Swish.

 

A shadow darkened the world.

 

Jin Cheon Gwang, trembling as he raised his head, saw Moyong Bi.

 

Cold eyes. The gaze filled with sternness and disappointment was a hundred times sharper than any punch.

 

Even the sharp energy of the twin swords touching his throat couldn’t compare to that gaze.

 

“It was your pride that turned what could have ended as an individual’s defeat into the family’s defeat.”

 

“…!!”

 

“Your foundation isn’t bad, but you’re still far from ready.”

 

Words pointing out not martial arts, but heart and attitude.

 

Tears welled up in Jin Cheon Gwang’s eyes.

 

He couldn’t hide his emotions of frustration, shame, and disappointment in himself.

 

“…I lost.”

 

Moyong Bi withdrew his sword.

 

The judge raised his hand.

 

“Moyong Bi wins!”

 

Waaaah!

 

The entire duel stage became noisy.

 

Since he had also defeated a disciple of the Wudang Sect, many people predicted Moyong Bi’s victory in this match too, but since his opponent was a late-stage expert counted among the best in Hubei, many also expected a great match.

 

It was indeed a great match.

 

Moyong Bi’s blade techniques and fist techniques were fast and passionate enough to make viewers’ eyes spin.

 

Though it wasn’t a close fight, they witnessed more than enough of one person’s amazing martial arts. A strength that even non-experts could recognize, that magnificence captivated the audience’s hearts.

 

Moyong Bi descended from the duel stage receiving everyone’s cheers.

 

“Phew, got a good workout.”

 

“…”

 

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

 

Moyong Su Hyang, who had been staring blankly at her elder brother, hurriedly came to her senses.

 

“Y-you won?”

 

Moyong Bi frowned.

 

“Then should I have lost?”

 

“That’s not it but… no, anyway.”

 

If she didn’t swallow, saliva would probably drool down below her chin.

 

After swallowing three times, she asked carefully.

 

“Don’t tell me the martial arts you just used were the Red Sunset Blade Technique and Three Form Fist?”

 

Moyong Bi smiled.

 

“You recognized them well.”

 

“Gasp! Then you beat Jin Cheon Gwang with basic techniques?!”

 

“What’s wrong with basic techniques?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Why are basic techniques called basic? Basic techniques are the foundation. Foundation means the ground. Even an expensive, flashy golden pagoda can’t be built without ground.”

 

“I suppose…?”

 

“Depending on what kind of pagoda you build, the quality of the soil must also differ. In other words, without basic techniques, there would be no Subduing Dragon Martial Arts that you’re learning, nor would Elder Sister’s Primordial Martial Arts exist.”

 

“…!”

 

“You shouldn’t look down on basic techniques as simple. Good fundamentals have countless possibilities that will extend infinitely into the future.”

 

Moyong Bi naturally patted Moyong Su Hyang’s head.

 

Normally she would have frowned and swatted his hand away, but now she just silently stared at her elder brother’s mouth.

 

“Moreover, these are the Main Family House’s basic techniques. They’re complete enough to incorporate any enlightenment.”

 

“…Hehe.”

 

“You’ll face many obstacles while learning Subduing Dragon Martial Arts. Whenever that happens, look back to the basics. Don’t forget that right now, the Three Steps of the Two Light Three Steps comes from the footwork of Three Form Fist.”

 

Moyong Su Hyang, who had been nodding, asked once more with a sudden thought.

 

“Then can someone become the best under heaven by learning only basic techniques?”

 

“It depends on the person. Basically, if someone has high insight into martial studies or builds up martial principles highly in some way, I think it’s not entirely impossible.”

 

“Wow.”

 

“Of course, there hasn’t been such a person yet.”

 

But that wasn’t disappointing.

 

Jin Cheon Gwang was a truly famous late-stage expert. Though he couldn’t compare to the Four Dragons and Three Phoenixes, the strongest late-stage experts of the current martial world, being counted among the top ten in a region itself proved his talent was remarkable.

 

This foolish elder brother had completely destroyed that remarkable late-stage expert with only basic techniques and footwork.

 

And it was a one-sided victory like when he faced Woon Guk.

 

‘Moyong’s basic techniques can look down upon the world…’

 

She looked at Moyong Bi with stirring eyes, then suddenly frowned.

 

“Hey, stop it!”

 

“Your head is so round, it’s nice to touch.”

 

“You jerk!”

 

Her steps chasing Moyong Bi, who ran away laughing heartily, seemed much lighter than usual.

 

But that was only for a moment.

 

Gradually slowing down, she silently looked down at her feet.

 

“Huh? Why are you suddenly like that?”

 

“…”

 

“Su Hyang.”

 

“You know.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“…”

 

“…Don’t tell me you’re trying to make me let my guard down so you can grab and beat me up when I get close?”

 

Moyong Su Hyang wanted to ask. Were those terrible things happening on the mountain your doing?

 

Those eerie incidents so disturbing that even talk of Ma In appearances arose – were you really not involved in any of it?

 

Jegal Chung Ho’s words came to mind.

 

‘If I don’t believe in my own blood, the world will think even his family has given up on him and will go even more wild with their accusations. Even though my not believing doesn’t give them permission to curse him.’

 

Moyong Su Hyang took a small deep breath.

 

‘Right, if we don’t believe in this poor fool, who will? Let’s believe.’

 

We have to believe, naturally.

 

Moyong Bi slowly approached.

 

“Your eyes look terrible. Are you crying by any chance?”

 

“….”

 

“Ahem! I didn’t know it was that serious. I apologize. From now on, your head, no, your round head….”

 

“You bastard!”

 

“Look at this, damn it!”

 

“I’ll make your skull square!”

 

“Are you crazy?!”

 

Moyong Su Hyang leaped up using even Leopard Form Steps, climbed onto Moyong Bi’s shoulders, and pounded his head.

 

Just then, the Namgung Siblings came running from afar.

 

“Moyong Sohyeop! That was truly a magnificent sparring match! I thought you would win, but really, such a refreshing…!”

 

Namgung Gwan couldn’t continue his words.

 

Watching Moyong Bi staggering around with Moyong Su Hyang on his shoulders while screaming was pitiful enough to naturally evoke sympathy.

 

“Uh… hmm….”

 

He didn’t know what was going on, but it would be better to stop them, right?

 

There seemed to be quite a few people watching. Still, there was such a thing as human dignity, so it seemed best to intervene.

 

Just as Namgung Gwan was about to step forward, Namgung So So stopped him.

 

“Why are you doing that?”

 

“Just leave them be, Elder Brother.”

 

“But still, people are….”

 

“What’s wrong with that?”

 

A pleased smile appeared on Namgung So So’s face.

 

“They look good together, as siblings.”

 

“…Do they?”

 

“Don’t they look that way to you?”

 

Where exactly?

 

To Namgung Gwan’s eyes, it only looked like an immature girl ruthlessly planing away a respectable martial artist’s dignity with merciless violence, and a young man’s struggle as he staggered around with tears in his eyes, unable to abandon his blood relative.

 

Unlike Namgung Gwan who didn’t know what to do, Namgung So So felt relieved.

 

‘Elder Brother Bi couldn’t be involved in such things.’

 

Though she’d only known him for a few days, Moyong Bi was absolutely not the type of person to get involved in such sinister affairs.

 

Even though he grumbled on the surface, he was someone who strangely knew how to take care of people. In that aspect, the two siblings were really alike.

 

“Elder Brother’s match is tomorrow, right?”

 

“Right.”

 

“Once in the morning and once in the afternoon?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Huh? Then who’s fighting this afternoon?”

 

Namgung Gwan pulled out the tournament bracket from his chest.

 

“Let me see… Bang Hyo of the Flying Spear Gate and Lee Cheong, the Mountain-Piercing Sword of Gold Flower Trading Company.”

 

“Lee Cheong is Yi Yeon Ju’s younger brother, right? Unlike his elder brother, he’s said to have talent in martial arts?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“But where is the Flying Spear Gate? I’ve never heard of it.”

 

“It’s a sect located in Ikyang, Honam Province. It’s quite famous in that region. They’re especially renowned for handling short spears well, and it’s said that the Flying Spear Gate has subdued almost all the bandits in the northern Honam area.”

 

“That’s impressive?”

 

“It is impressive. I don’t know much about them either, but from what I’ve learned, they seem to be a sect that strives for righteousness.”

 

Namgung So So frowned.

 

“I really hope the Flying Spear Gate wins, but… it’s probably impossible, right?”

 

“Heh.”

 

Mountain-Piercing Sword Lee Cheong had been learning martial arts since he was five years old.

 

Born as the son of a wealthy family, he consumed elixirs like meals, and even had one of the Five Great Swordsmen of Shaanxi Province as his master.

 

Of course, the Five Great Swordsmen didn’t really mean they were among the top five of all swordsmen in Shaanxi. It was an evaluation that excluded the masters of the Huashan Sect and Zhongnan Sect, who were the established powers of Shaanxi.

 

Even considering that, the reputation of being one of the Five Great Swordsmen could be called remarkable. Lee Cheong was someone such a person had devoted ten years to teaching swordsmanship.

 

As he was evaluated to be a level above Jin Cheon Gwang, the chances of this Bang Hyo person winning were almost nonexistent.

 

“By the way, hasn’t Kang Suk arrived yet?”

 

“He’ll come.”

 

“He’s really too much. I’ll have to tell Father later.”

 

“So So, Kang Suk has also come out into the world after a long time. Moreover, he’s reunited with such a precious connection, so how could you say such….”

 

Just then, Moyong Bi’s booming voice was heard.

 

“Tongue! Come here and help me!”

 

“Ah! I’m coming, Young Master!”

 

Watching her elder brother run off like a colt with its tail on fire, anxiety settled on Namgung So So’s face.

 

The calm and dignified elder brother might no longer exist in this world.

 

* * *

 

There were no cheers, but the voices of countless people could be heard from here and there.

 

A smile graced Moyong Su Jeong’s face.

 

“It’s lively.”

 

“Indeed it is.”

 

Seok Woong’s face looked a bit haggard. Nevertheless, his expression was bright.

 

Kang Geun Cheong spoke in a subtle voice.

 

“Will the Family Head go meet the brothers right away?”

 

Moyong Su Jeong’s face reddened.

 

“Great Hero, as I mentioned before, please address me comfortably.”

 

“I cannot do that! You’re someone our Elder Brother Seok serves, so how could I treat you casually? If you keep saying that, I’ll feel awkward too, so let’s reach an agreement here, haha!”

 

His hearty personality was truly charming.

 

Just then, Jong Hweon came running from far away.

 

“Family Head! I came to greet you!”

 

“Have you been well?”

 

“Ah, yes!”

 

Realizing that Jong Hweon’s expression was somehow flushed, Moyong Su Jeong tilted her head.

 

“Why is your expression like that? Did Bi Ah lose by any chance?”

 

“Th-that couldn’t be. Young Master won his first main tournament match.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

“However….”

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Jong Hweon swallowed and said.

 

“Mountain-Piercing Sword Lee Cheong of Gold Flower Trading Company died during the sparring match.”

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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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