Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 140

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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 140. The Resonance of Sacred Fire (4)

 

Whoosh!

 

The moment the colorful flames filling all directions died down.

 

Moyong Bi read Namgung Gwan’s opening.

 

‘That won’t do.’

 

He intends to pour out everything he has in one final strike.

 

The preparation time after the attack is extremely short and concise. He’s reduced the gap by accepting internal injuries.

 

However, no matter how short the preparation time, a master’s eyes can see that opening.

 

‘You’re already dead to me.’

 

And it wasn’t just one or two spots.

 

His entire face including the space between his brows and philtrum, his entire neck, heart, solar plexus, collarbone, and so on – there were over ten vital points where a spear blade could be thrust, and countless areas that could render him unable to fight.

 

‘You must know that too.’

 

Yet still he gathers strength for a final strike.

 

He hopes and wishes. That I won’t target the opening he’s accepted and revealed, that I’ll wait sufficiently for his final strike.

 

A smile appeared around Moyong Bi’s eyes.

 

Any ordinary opponent would never have waited. They would have reversed their spear shaft to strike the opening and ended the match immediately.

 

But the entire fight with Namgung Gwan was already like giving him several moves.

 

There was no reason to end the fight now just because he’d discovered an opening.

 

‘Fine, I’ll accept it.’

 

Two people living in time faster than others, even if briefly.

 

Namgung Gwan read Moyong Bi’s gaze.

 

Come.

 

The gaze of a true warrior – dignified because it was calm, able to avoid arrogance because it overflowed with confidence.

 

‘I knew you would accept it.’

 

Whoooong!

 

In the moment that split an instant, an especially dense aura gathered on his long sword.

 

The translucent aura became a bit denser, transforming the long sword to look like a sky-blue ice pick.

 

Namgung Gwan’s left foot softly took one step.

 

His footwork was gentle, but his sword strike was different.

 

Flash!

 

The sky-colored long sword advanced with terrifying momentum.

 

Fast and strong. It was a single sword strike that needed no other modifiers.

 

One of the secret sword techniques of the Namgung Clan that Namgung Gwan could execute most confidently and most intensely.

 

The Solitary Soul Single Strike imbued with Azure Sky Limitless True Energy advanced toward Moyong Bi’s midsection.

 

‘Solitary Soul Single Strike.’

 

The Solitary Soul Single Strike was wickedly sharp and highly lethal, unlike typical Namgung Clan swordsmanship. It was martial arts that couldn’t be easily drawn unless against an opponent who absolutely had to be killed.

 

But Namgung Gwan’s Solitary Soul Single Strike was different.

 

Sharp but not sinister, wicked but not gloomy.

 

That single strike containing the power of heaven, Azure Sky Limitless True Energy, was fast and robust even if it looked lonely.

 

‘Excellent.’

 

This strike was showing exactly what kind of warrior Namgung Gwan was.

 

Martial arts lacking nothing as a final strike.

 

Moyong Bi thrust his spear in response.

 

With his left hand positioned in the middle of the spear shaft, he gripped strongly, while with his right hand holding the end of the spear shaft, he gripped so gently it could be called loose.

 

His left hand was a support that gave strength to the spear while guiding its path, and his right hand played the role of adjusting the spear’s point of impact while maximizing penetrating power.

 

Just before colliding with the long sword tracing the form of Solitary Soul Single Strike, Moyong Bi’s right hand suddenly gripped strongly and rotated.

 

The explosively rotating long spear created a pale blue whirlwind.

 

Whoooooosh!

 

Namgung Gwan’s eyes wavered.

 

‘It’s being disrupted.’

 

His long sword that had extended straight without wavering was caught in the spear’s rotational force and became minutely disrupted.

 

At that moment, the two weapons collided.

 

Crash!

 

“Urgh!”

 

The person who flew through the thick smoke was Namgung Gwan.

 

Thud!

 

He fell below the duel stage in an instant and stopped after rolling three times.

 

Conversely, Moyong Bi didn’t retreat a single step.

 

He stood at the source of the explosion in the same posture with his spear extended.

 

Whoooong!

 

Winter’s freezing wind wrapped around the spear blade, pestering it to fly away together. The grayish-white smoke that couldn’t resist the temptation scattered into empty air along with the freezing wind.

 

A moment of silence.

 

Swish.

 

Moyong Bi relaxed his posture and shouldered his spear shaft.

 

At that moment, thunderous cheers from the audience erupted.

 

“Waaaah!!”

 

“D-did Young Master Murong win?!”

 

“What tremendous destructive power!”

 

Moyong Bi had broken through the Namgung Clan’s secret sword technique head-on.

 

The martial arts of a sword family that was one of the Six Great Clans and competed for supremacy under heaven had been broken by the eldest son from a small martial family in Wuhan.

 

The audience’s cheers shook heaven and earth. Even the renowned masters couldn’t help but rise from their seats in amazement at the exhilarating collision.

 

‘It’s been quite a while indeed.’

 

Moyong Bi gripped his spear shaft tightly.

 

‘My wrist hurts a little, but it’s manageable.’

 

The One Hundred Eight Forms Coiling Dragon Spear Technique was martial arts that practically expressed all movements possible with a spear tip.

 

Combining simple and complex movements for a total of one hundred and eight forms, and since several forms are combined according to situations, the number of possibilities increases exponentially.

 

There were several martial forms created by combining so many movements and forms, and what he’d just demonstrated was one of them.

 

‘Whirlpool Dragon Cannon.’

 

A technique that maximized destructive power by adding rotation to the basic movement of thrusting.

 

It was the foundation of the Coiling Dragon Spear Technique’s secret arts, and in a sense could be called both the beginning and the end.

 

“Cough!”

 

Medics rushed toward Namgung Gwan who kept coughing up blood.

 

But he refused the medics’ assistance.

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“You may have suffered internal injuries.”

 

“I’m really fine. It’s not because of pride, so don’t worry and you may return.”

 

Since he said that much, they had no choice.

 

Namgung Gwan’s face as he climbed directly onto the duel stage was quite complex.

 

He seemed both troubled and relieved. He looked bitter, but from another angle, he also seemed satisfied.

 

“As expected of Moyong Sohyeop. That was tremendous martial arts.”

 

Even the judge’s voice declaring Moyong Bi’s victory was drowned out by the audience’s cheers.

 

But the two could hear each other’s voices clearly.

 

“That final technique, what was its name?”

 

“It’s a technique of the Coiling Dragon Spear Technique called Whirlpool Dragon Cannon.”

 

“Whirlpool Dragon Cannon… How fearsome. If you had put just a little more strength into it, my sword would have broken and my chest would have been pierced.”

 

It seemed he had even noticed the controlled strength.

 

Moyong Bi shook his head.

 

“There’s no need to be disappointed. While Whirlpool Dragon Cannon isn’t the highest form of Coiling Dragon Spear Technique, it’s also the martial arts that forms the foundation of the secret techniques.”

 

“The beginning and the end.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“It’s an honor.”

 

“The honor is mine for witnessing the Lonely Soul Single Sword.”

 

“You knew about it?”

 

“It was too similar to the Lonely Soul Single Sword of legend. However, it wasn’t cruel since it was well-tempered with Young Master Tongue’s nature.”

 

Namgung Gwan smiled brightly.

 

“If you saw that, I have no regrets.”

 

“Talking about regrets when you’ve already lost, doesn’t that look too pathetic?”

 

“Hahaha!”

 

A refreshing laugh.

 

What was contained in that laugh was a bitter sense of defeat. Though he acknowledged Moyong Bi, this was his first taste of defeat in a sparring match against a peer. Anyone would be disappointed and dejected.

 

Moyong Bi smiled.

 

‘He feels defeated but isn’t dejected. This guy will go far.’

 

Having exceptional martial arts talent alone doesn’t guarantee becoming a master.

 

Namgung Gwan was someone with great capacity. He would surely become a master who would shake not just Anhui Province but the entire world.

 

Namgung Gwan cupped his fists.

 

“I’ve learned properly. I came to learn just one technique, but I feel like I’m leaving having learned several.”

 

“You’re indeed different from those Fire Sword Group guys from the main house.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“They keep trying to learn just one technique at a time.”

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Straightening his back, Namgung Gwan spoke calmly.

 

“Do you remember? You agreed to grant me one favor if I lost.”

 

The area around the duel stage had become quiet. The sight of Namgung Gwan looking refreshed despite his defeat and the indifferent Moyong Bi sparked curiosity.

 

Moyong Bi openly frowned.

 

“Were you serious about that?”

 

“Of course. I believe Moyong Sohyeop will surely grant it.”

 

“…Good grief, this is absurd.”

 

There was no unreasonableness like this unreasonableness.

 

Moyong Bi reluctantly nodded.

 

“Fine, let’s hear it.”

 

“Please become sworn brothers with me.”

 

The spectators were shocked.

 

Moyong Bi tilted his head.

 

“Sworn brothers?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“I have a condition where I break out in hives all over my body when I hear such words to my face.”

 

Namgung Gwan’s face became serious.

 

“The heroes of old became sworn brothers regardless of age if their hearts were aligned. It was common for younger people to serve as elder brothers if they were worthy of respect.”

 

“…And so?”

 

“Though Sohyeop is younger than me, your martial arts as well as your perspective and attitude toward the world have already reached the realm of one who is free from doubt. You are more than worthy to be served as an elder brother.”

 

On top of that, he wasn’t even asking to become the younger brother but was going to serve him as the elder brother.

 

At this terrifying statement, the spectators, renowned masters, and even the Moyong Family members and Namgung So So were horrified.

 

“Don’t you know this will mess up the family lineage like hell?”

 

“You’ll just be my elder brother to me. I don’t care about others.”

 

Moyong Bi was dumbfounded.

 

“Why can’t we just get along well like we have been? Why suddenly become sworn brothers? And serve me as elder brother at that?”

 

You brat, if you’re going to do that, just call me grandfather.

 

Those words rose to his throat, but he swallowed them down.

 

Namgung Gwan bowed politely.

 

“You said you’d grant my request.”

 

“When did I?!”

 

“From now on, I’ll serve you as my elder brother.”

 

“I never gave permission!”

 

“Please take care of me, Elder Brother.”

 

“This crazy…”

 

Moyong Bi, who had been showing disgust, suddenly tilted his head.

 

‘Wait, hold on. Isn’t this actually good?’

 

A young master of the renowned Namgung Clan serving me as elder brother?

 

It might be annoying from my perspective, but others would see it differently.

 

That thought was proven true by the spectators’ reactions.

 

“Good heavens! Did I hear that right? Young Master Namgung is going to serve Young Master Moyong as his elder brother?!”

 

“Didn’t they say Young Master Moyong is still only nineteen?”

 

“Didn’t you hear? He respects Young Master Moyong that much?!”

 

“Was he that impressive? If Young Master Namgung would go that far, he must be quite different indeed?”

 

Moyong Bi’s ears kept perking up.

 

Namgung Gwan spoke seriously.

 

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while. And I’m not someone who cares much about the world’s opinion. Please don’t think this is a hasty judgment and please…”

 

“Younger brother.”

 

“Pardon? Me?”

 

“Yes, younger brother.”

 

Namgung Gwan’s face brightened.

 

“Are you accepting?”

 

Moyong Bi said with a very satisfied expression.

 

“Well, what’s so difficult about accepting or not? I’m counting on you, younger brother.”

 

“Thank you!”

 

“Help our family a lot from now on. Got it?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Spread the word far and wide that I’m your elder brother. Understand?”

 

“…Yes, well, that’s nothing.”

 

“Hmhaha! If we’re sworn brothers, this is no ordinary connection. How about we drink heavily today?”

 

“Sounds good!”

 

Namgung Gwan’s brightly smiling face looked particularly lovely today.

 

Moyong Bi couldn’t contain his bursting laughter.

 

Goosebumps? Nonsense? He could endure such things somehow for the family’s future.

 

Honestly, this situation was a bit awkward, but thinking about it, was there another young man as dignified and upright as this one? Such a kind and honest young man was rare even during his days as Martial Alliance Leader.

 

Of course, it was even harder to grow up kind during wartime.

 

‘Good for bossing around, and even better for the main house’s reputation.’

 

It was killing two birds with one stone.

 

Moyong Bi rubbed his hands together.

 

“Goodness, if that was the kind of request, I shouldn’t have been scared…”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Whiiiing.

 

An intense vibration that made his vision shake.

 

The Brain Gate Heart Technique sent a terrifying warning.

 

Moyong Bi’s face hardened instantly.

 

“By the way, Elder Brother’s martial arts are truly admirable. Even after displaying such tremendously powerful spear techniques, you delicately controlled them so I wouldn’t suffer internal injuries, which I can’t help but admire…”

 

“Look at this crazy bastard?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Namgung Gwan was greatly flustered by the sudden profanity.

 

Moyong Bi had no time to worry about him.

 

“I was about to go find him, but he came first… Huh? But how did he know to come here?!”

 

“Yes, yes?”

 

“Ah, no! That’s not what’s important right now!”

 

Moyong Bi’s eyes blazed with fury.

 

“Perfect, you bastard! I’ll kill you swiftly!”

 

Whoooosh!

 

Moyong Bi, who had launched himself into the air using the White Deer Forest Wind Lightness Skill, instantly disappeared from everyone’s sight.

—————
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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