Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 196

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

Chapter 196. Continuing Chains (4)

Heo Joong Jin In, who arrived at Ming Zhen Nunnery, witnessed a very strange sight.

Seong Geom Jin In had collapsed to one side, and all the Elders who had turned away from him were prostrating themselves before Heo Do Jin In.

Heo Do Jin In sat with his eyes closed, while beside him, Neung Hyeong grumbled as he wrapped his abdomen tightly with clean cloth.

“Elder Brother.”

At Heo Joong Jin In’s voice, all the Elders flinched.

Heo Do Jin In opened his eyes and spoke calmly.

“How did things go on your end?”

“It was successful.”

“What about that person?”

“He’s fighting with Gu Geom. It will probably… work out well.”

“Gu Geom was still there?”

“Bang Geom, Jeong Geom, and Myeong Geom were there too.”

“How are those children?”

At that moment, Winter Sword Immortal spoke while prostrated.

“The Elder Brothers said they could no longer teach children, yet they couldn’t bear to refuse the requests of the children who followed them, so they were teaching the disciples under my command.”

Heo Do Jin In nodded.

“How did the disciples seem?”

“They looked very confused, but they let the young master go.”

“I see.”

Heo Do Jin In sighed.

“So it has come to this after all.”

In one sense, the matter at Ming Zhen Nunnery had concluded rather anticlimactically, but looking at the content, no one could call it anticlimactic.

In fact, if they hadn’t brought the Elders here, Moyong Bi and Heo Joong Jin In would never have remained unharmed.

“So then.”

Heo Joong Jin In looked down at the Elders.

“What will you do about future matters?”

“I don’t know.”

“It seems that Moodang Mountain desperately needs Elder Brother’s strength right now.”

“I thought so at first, but if Gu Geom and the three children are there, there doesn’t seem to be any reason for me to step forward.”

He meant there was no reason to recover his body with the Taecheong Pill.

If not for the demonic energy, his body would have been fine from the start. Most of his internal energy was lost, but since his remaining life wasn’t long anyway, there was no need to waste the precious Taecheong Pill.

Heo Joong Jin In hardened his expression and spoke.

“Elder Brother, please listen without misunderstanding. The poison left by the demons isn’t only in the Mu Dang Faction.”

“…”

“Of course, Gu Geom and the children will do well. But surely Elder Brother’s strength will be needed. Even if not… as adults of Mu Dang, shouldn’t you and I burn our remaining lives for those who suffered from the atrocities of the disciples who were even called radicals?”

He meant they should do something, whether wandering the world helping those in need or seeking out those who suffered harm to bow their heads.

Of course, internal energy wouldn’t be strictly necessary for such work, but there would surely be moments when strength was needed.

Heo Do Jin In let out a bitter smile.

“Let’s put that matter on hold for now.”

“Understood.”

“Young Master Neung.”

Neung Hyeong answered while patting his side.

“What?”

“Are you alright?”

“I thought it went quite deep, but fortunately it didn’t reach my organs. It was actually better because my opponent was that guy.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know if this martial art was originally like this, but whenever I face demons, my qi becomes strangely active. It’s calmed down a bit now, but the dense qi automatically sealed the wound.”

“Truly amazing martial arts. Isn’t it demonic art?”

“Damn it.”

Just then.

“Hmm, that guy is coming too.”

Neung Hyeong frowned.

“But it’s not just that guy coming?”

A moment later.

“Divine Physician.”

Surprisingly, Moyong Bi, Gu Geom Ja, and all the first and second generation disciples who had gathered at the medicine hall arrived here.

They were surprised to see Heo Do Jin In and bewildered to see the Elders prostrating themselves.

Gu Geom Ja collapsed to his knees.

“I have failed to visit you for a long time. Please punish this unworthy disciple.”

“Stand up.”

Warmth appeared on Heo Do Jin In’s face. It was a completely different expression from when he looked at the Elders.

“How has your anguish been?”

“For over ten years I couldn’t shake off my anguish and couldn’t even refine my martial arts.”

“But now, as I see it, your eyes and spirit are truly clear.”

“It’s thanks to Young Master Murong.”

Heo Do Jin In looked at Moyong Bi.

Moyong Bi shrugged his shoulders. Though he looked quite rough, his characteristic playfulness showed through, so he didn’t seem seriously injured.

Heo Do Jin In expressed his gratitude to him with a glance and stood up from his seat.

Shock appeared on the faces of the disciples.

Most of them had never seen Heo Do Jin In. They only knew he was Mu Dang’s legendary sect leader.

But now, they realized the legend was true.

When Heo Do Jin In, who had almost no internal energy, rose to his feet, it was as if a mountain peak had risen.

Even without the aura generated by internal energy, the presence refined by natural talent and countless experiences doesn’t disappear. From Heo Do Jin In, who deliberately revealed himself, the unique gentleness of a Mu Dang Taoist Priest combined with the spirit of a warrior who had roamed battlefields created an indescribable dignity.

The disciples unconsciously shouted.

“We pay our respects to Great Uncle!”

Following them, the first generation disciples also bowed their heads.

“We pay our respects to Divine Physician.”

Heo Do Jin In spoke with an impassive face.

“You must also vaguely know how wrong Mu Dang currently is.”

Numerous Taoist Priests swallowed their saliva.

“My fellow disciples and I entrusted the succession to Jo Geom and his sworn brothers, but before we knew it, the shadow of demons had fallen over their hearts too, turning Mu Dang Faction, a righteous sect, into a den of villains no different from evil sects and demonic cults.”

Heo Do Jin In’s voice inevitably trembled. Truly, he had never imagined he would have to say such words in front of his disciples.

But he wasn’t the type to avoid saying what needed to be said just because it made him uncomfortable.

“Since we taught them, we too must share in that sin. But before apologizing to all people, we must first tear down and rebuild the corrupted Mu Dang.”

Heo Do Jin In looked at Winter Sword Immortal.

“Elder Winter Sword.”

“Yes, Divine Physician.”

“Do you truly wish to be buried in the mountain as people of Mu Dang?”

“I know that criminals don’t determine their own punishment. We will simply accept any punishment gladly and repent for our past wrongs.”

“Show that will yourself.”

Winter Sword Immortal didn’t hesitate.

Thud!

He struck his own Qihai acupoint, destroying his dantian.

“Kuhek!”

As his dantian shattered, terrible pain surged up.

Winter Sword Immortal’s face turned pale as he coughed up a bowl of blood.

Everyone looked at him in shock. Who would have thought he would so boldly destroy his martial arts.

But Winter Sword Immortal didn’t stop there.

Srrring.

Drawing his sword, before anyone could stop him, he severed the tendons in his left hand and right foot.

“Gasp!”

It was a horrific sight, yet Winter Sword Immortal’s face seemed rather relieved.

Heo Do Jin In’s eyes trembled slightly, but his expression remained calm.

Winter Sword Immortal spoke with a trembling voice.

“When a Taoist Priest of Wudang commits a grave sin, he must destroy his own martial arts and descend the mountain to face his crimes. I would like to sever all the meridians in my limbs, but to apologize to the common people who suffered because of us, I need at least one hand and one foot functional, so I stopped at this.”

Everyone held their breath as they watched Winter Sword Immortal.

Though his face was twisted in pain, Winter Sword Immortal’s mouth continued to move.

“But this is merely the punishment I have given myself. If Divine Physician and Uncle, and all the sworn brothers and disciples find it insufficient, I will gladly accept even eons of suffering.”

One who repents his own sins, punishes himself.

But saying even that was insufficient, Winter Sword Immortal showed his sincerity through action.

Heo Do Jin In turned his gaze to the Elders.

“What will you do?”

Yu Geom Jin In did not hesitate.

Srrring!

Starting with him, the Elders each drew their swords.

Of course, among them were those who swallowed nervously in fear. But at least they knew well that they had done wrong, that it would be difficult to wash away this sin without receiving punishment.

Yu Geom Jin In said.

“Though we are all equally sinners, since our fellow disciple Winter Sword showed the example first, how could we show a more pathetic appearance?”

Slash!

The Elders unhesitatingly severed one tendon each in their hands and feet.

Perhaps knowing that everything was already over? Rather feeling refreshed, they all shattered their dantians at once.

“Kheuk!”

“Uweeek!”

The Elders who collapsed coughing blood had now become complete cripples.

Sadness washed over the calm face of Heo Do Jin In, and Heo Joong Jin In turned his head away as if he couldn’t bear to watch.

“I am…”

Heo Do Jin In’s trembling voice was tinged with moisture.

“A sinner no different from you.”

Yu Geom Jin In smiled and said.

“We have realized our sins. And our sins are something that cannot be shared with anyone.”

“…”

“Divine Physician. Please do not carry our sins in our stead. I believe that would rather rob us of the opportunity to repent.”

It was comfort telling him not to feel responsible for teaching them wrong, since Wudang had reached this state solely because of themselves.

Heo Do Jin In finally shed tears.

“I’m sorry.”

“We are the ones who are sorry.”

As their qi drained away, perhaps the madness that had been disturbing their hearts was also washed away.

The Elders shed endless tears.

Yu Geom Jin In continued speaking while crying.

“Though it’s not something a sinner should say, if Divine Physician permits, I would like to say one last thing.”

“I permit it.”

“Fellow disciple Gu Geom knew of our wrongs, but feared that if he became tainted by madness he might even kill his disciples, so he couldn’t bring himself to rebel against us. However, fellow disciple Gu Geom always made us uncomfortable, and we treated him carelessly, mocking and cursing him while only exploiting his abilities.”

“…”

“Fellow disciples Bang Geom, Jeong Geom, and Myeong Geom are the same, but fellow disciple Gu Geom is someone with particularly outstanding qualities. Furthermore, he is someone who experienced the wickedness of the secular world yet never forgot Wudang’s spirit and strives daily, so he will be able to properly manage the Wudang we have ruined.”

Gu Geom Ja said.

“This inadequate fellow disciple lacks such ability.”

“What you lack, you can learn from Divine Physician and Uncle.”

Yu Geom Jin In looked at Heo Do Jin In.

“If Divine Physician, who has already retired, takes charge of Wudang as acting sect leader, you will inevitably become the subject of gossip. Though you wouldn’t fear such gossip, it’s also true that there’s no one as suitable as Gu Geom, so please don’t think this sinner’s words are false and consider them.”

Heo Do Jin In nodded.

“Yu Geom, I understand your will well.”

Yu Geom Jin In, who had been smiling, soon fainted. It was because he had overexerted himself while suffering extreme internal injuries from his shattered dantian.

And it was the same for the other Elders. They all collapsed one by one.

“Gu Geom.”

“Yes, Divine Physician.”

“Treat the sinners and confine them to the investigation hall.”

“Understood.”

At that moment, Moyong Bi swiftly swung his sword.

Thud!

“Kek!”

At the sudden scream, people looked at Moyong Bi in surprise.

Moyong Bi blinked and shook his sword.

The blood on his sword belonged to Seong Geom Jin In.

“This one was fine, so… wouldn’t it be rather gruesome if you handled it?”

The Taoist Priests’ mouths fell open.

Neung Hyeong openly sneered.

“Now that’s a real demon. How did we lose to such a lunatic?”

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