Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 203
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 203. Connecting Past and Present (3)
It was ambiguous to use the expression “after a long time,” but it really felt like returning home after a very long time.
“It’s home.”
Moyong Bi’s expression immediately brightened.
Neung Hyeong grumbled.
“What’s so fancy about this house anyway.”
The house itself was no different from before.
The stone walls had cracks here and there, and there was still no name plaque. At least the main gate seemed to have been repaired separately, looking much cleaner than before, but it still didn’t give off an impressive feeling.
This rather brought a warm feeling to Moyong Bi’s heart.
‘Life really is unpredictable.’
It was only a few months ago that he thought he would faint recalling the site of the once-great Moyong Clan, but now he truly liked this tiny house.
Moyong Bi asked with a proud face.
“How is it? The main family house?”
“It’s truly modest and nice.”
Ja Dam’s face was filled with sincerity as she answered with a smile.
She had originally lived in a hermitage with her master. Rather than a splendid palace or mansion-like house, this modest place was more comfortable for her too.
Neung Hyeong grumbled again.
“This is why poor people are no good.”
The two people cleanly ignored him.
Creak.
As if they had been waiting, Guo Lao and Dark Shadow approached from beyond the opened door.
“Have you arrived, Young Master.”
“Guo Lao.”
Guo Lao’s attitude as he bowed was as respectful as always. And beside him, the sight of Dark Shadow bowing even lower than Guo Lao was worth seeing.
“Welcome back.”
Restrained joy. Only when Moyong Bi faced Guo Lao’s face filled with loyalty did he finally regain his composure.
“Was there any trouble while I was away?”
“Except for the Family Head and steward being busy, it was the same as always.”
“Being the same as always is a very good thing.”
“But who might this person be?”
“Ah, this is Zadang Dogo. She’s Heo Do Jin In’s disciple.”
Surprise appeared on Guo Lao’s face.
“That Heo Do Jin In you speak of?”
“Yes.”
“My word.”
He was greatly surprised, but it couldn’t compare to Ja Dam’s surprise.
‘He’s a master!’
Ja Dam’s eyes widened.
‘And an incredible master at that.’
She couldn’t read his aura, but there was something called the atmosphere unique to masters.
Even though one of his legs seemed not entirely intact, she could feel something explosive. His scarred face looked somewhat frightening at first glance, but his eyes were clear and deep, appearing very kind and calm, yet strangely giving off an intimidating presence that made one feel they couldn’t treat him carelessly.
Ja Dam’s waist naturally bent forward.
“Ja Dam pays respects to the senior of Jianghu.”
“If you are Young Master’s guest, then you are precious to me as well. Such formal greetings are burdensome, so please feel comfortable calling me Guo Lao.”
“Ah, yes.”
Moyong Bi looked at Dark Shadow and asked.
“Oh? You’ve improved quite a bit in the meantime?”
Dark Shadow answered with an awkward expression.
“Is, is that so?”
“I can’t find a trace of that gloomy aura from before. This is the aura of a proper swordsman.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you for what, you worked hard for it.”
Dark Shadow’s face, colored with undeniable joy, looked much more human than before despite enduring that difficult training.
Moyong Bi clapped his hands.
“Now, let’s go inside.”
* * *
“Really.”
Dissatisfaction could be felt in the blunt voice.
“Was sending one letter that difficult?”
Though she spoke that way, her face was full of joy.
Moyong Su Hyang’s face, filled with smiles, seemed to have changed again. As if her growth had accelerated while training in the Moyong Clan’s martial arts, it wouldn’t be strange now to call her a proper young lady.
“Did you live well?”
“We lived well enough.”
“Your achievement is considerable. Let me see your martial arts later.”
Moyong Su Hyang’s face brightened immediately.
“Should I? But don’t you need to rest?”
“What rest do I need after just going on a little trip. I’m fine.”
“Hehe.”
The Fire Sword Group also came to visit immediately upon hearing the news.
“We greet Young Master!”
Joy and confidence could be felt completely in their resounding voices.
Surprise appeared on Moyong Bi’s face.
“Look at this? Your posture is very sharp?”
A deep smile also appeared on Jin Gwang’s usually stern face.
“We worked hard.”
“I can see that.”
The Fire Sword Group of the past no longer existed.
Though there were still overflowing shortcomings, it could truly be called remarkable progress. Their steps were as natural as flowing water, and their trained auras were also solid as rocks.
Even Neung Hyeong quietly admired them to such an extent.
“What’s this? Rather, the kids have grown noticeably while you were away? Should you be away more often?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Moyong Bi’s eyes turned to Jong Hweon.
Among the changed Fire Sword Group members, Jong Hweon’s growth was definitely the most noticeable.
“Jong Hweon.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Very good. Your aura is remarkably stable. It seems you’ve trained your mind as well as your body.”
One’s aura becomes stable only when the mind is trained. In that regard, Jong Hweon’s change was more remarkable than Dark Shadow’s or Moyong Su Hyang’s.
Jong Hweon bowed his head once more.
“I still have many shortcomings.”
“Knowing that is why you can keep moving forward. You’re doing well.”
“Thank you.”
The squad members looked at Jong Hweon with envious eyes.
Though he had been miserably defeated and humiliated in his first match with Moyong Bi, he had now blossomed more than anyone and was receiving recognition.
Jin Gwang said.
“If there’s nothing urgent, we’ll return to our schedule.”
“Yes, actually there was no need to come out like this.”
“Then.”
The Fire Sword Group returned to the training ground.
Moyong Bi spoke to Moyong Su Hyang.
“I’m going to the Family Head’s Office, so give Zadang Dogo a decent room here. There are a couple left, right?”
“Come to think of it, aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Handle the introductions yourselves.”
With those words, Moyong Bi headed to the Family Head’s Office, and Neung Hyeong also patted his shoulder and went to his own residence.
Moyong Su Hyang blinked her eyes and said with a scrunched face.
“What a selfish Elder Brother. Don’t you think so?”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
“I’m Moyong Su Hyang. I’m that fool’s younger sister.”
“I’m Ja Dam. I studied under Heo Do Jin In of the Mu Dang Faction.”
For a moment, Moyong Su Hyang flinched, but soon smiled. If he came with Elder Brother even though he was from the Mu Dang Faction, there must be a good reason.
“I’ll guide you to your room. This house is so tiny you won’t have to worry about getting lost.”
A smile appeared on Ja Dam’s face.
“You’ve come.”
Behind his indifferent expression was unmistakable joy.
“Have you arrived, Young Master?”
Unlike Moyong Su Jeong, Seok Woong’s face was filled with honest delight.
“Have you all been well? Oh my, our Elder Sister’s skin is glowing.”
“That’s because I’ve been playing around a lot.”
Seok Woong waved his hands dismissively.
“Playing around, indeed. You haven’t rested a single day since Young Master left.”
“Chief Administrator did everything.”
“Please don’t say that. I merely assisted.”
The sight of the two caring for each other was truly heartwarming.
Moyong Bi smiled and checked Moyong Su Jeong’s pulse. Whether it had become a habit, both Moyong Bi taking her pulse and Moyong Su Jeong extending her hand looked completely natural.
“Oh ho.”
Admiration appeared on Moyong Bi’s face.
“Did something happen to everyone while I was gone? You’ve all improved remarkably.”
He had thought Jong Hweon’s change was particularly notable, but checking her pulse revealed that Moyong Su Jeong had actually grown the most.
He could sense the change in her energy even before checking, but actually taking her pulse showed that her entire meridian system had become much more resilient and strong.
“I focused on the Heart Protection Formula of the Mixed Origin Mind Method. I thought it was time to build a proper foundation.”
Moyong Bi’s eyes sparkled.
‘Her instincts are excellent as always.’
Moyong Su Jeong had finished preparing to learn the Mixed Origin Unity Technique.
Of course, there wouldn’t have been much problem learning it earlier, but Moyong Su Jeong seemed to have wanted perfect preparation.
That was exactly what made her remarkable. Even after spending her childhood thirsting for power, having the mental strength to be patient before a first-rate martial art wasn’t something just anyone could possess.
“This is more than enough. Guo Lao and I will help, so let’s try entering it within three or four days.”
Moyong Su Jeong was honestly delighted.
“Thank you.”
“Why be so formal all of a sudden.”
Fatigue appeared on Moyong Bi’s face as he sat down.
“Coming here makes me feel relaxed.”
Though he had acted nonchalant in front of others, it was impossible not to be tired.
It wasn’t a matter of stamina or internal energy, but of the mind. Constantly thinking about the Main Family House, Sama Se Ga, Ho Yeon Clan, and the Blood Palace on the way back had given him a splitting headache.
Moyong Su Jeong placed tea she had just brewed in front of him and sat down.
“So, did your business go well?”
“Ah, I should give my report first, shouldn’t I?”
Moyong Bi told them in detail about everything he had experienced.
He didn’t add even the slightest exaggeration, nor did he omit or minimize even the most trivial details.
“…Huh.”
Seok Woong’s face became serious.
“To think that Ma In even targeted the Jegal Clan.”
It must have been especially shocking for him.
A generation ago, though they had been pushed back by Sama Se Ga, the Jegal Clan was still the family of scholars considered the best in the Central Plains. For Seok Woong, who was more skilled in learning than martial arts, the Jegal Clan was like what ordinary Murim Warriors thought of Shaolin and Mu Dang.
Moyong Su Jeong spoke with a stern face.
“This is no ordinary matter. If they infiltrated even a branch of the Six Great Clans, it means Ma In might be secretly active in other Gu Pa Il Bang and Six Great Clans as well.”
“The possibility is always open. But it won’t be as easy as with the Jegal Clan.”
“Why do you think so?”
Moyong Bi shook his head.
“The Jegal Clan has shown foolish behavior that makes a mockery of being called a family of scholars. I’d say it’s a case where pride blinded their eyes.”
He was referring to how they had invited all sorts of scholars from around the world out of jealousy and defeat toward Sama Se Ga.
“Even so, the Ma In were quite bold.”
“That’s hard to deny. And one of the reasons that was possible lies in their martial arts.”
“…They have techniques great enough to thoroughly conceal demonic energy?”
“Originally, demonic arts by their nature cannot be easily hidden. Unless one reaches the Manipulated Demon Realm. Even if one reaches the Manipulated Demon Realm, it’s difficult to avoid the eyes of similarly strong opponents or those sensitive to demonic energy.”
“Manipulated Demon Realm?”
“Ah, you don’t know about the Manipulated Demon Realm.”
Moyong Bi briefly explained the Manipulated Demon Realm.
Moyong Su Jeong nodded.
“Whatever the case, it’s true that they endured hardships and made painstaking efforts. If they lived in hiding and found such methods, their intentions are probably not peaceful.”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“Good observation. Well, just looking at how they immediately destroyed the Hong Clan Sword Family, it’s hard to say they thirsted for peace.”
“How frustrating. With the world already chaotic, now Ma In too… If we’re not careful, great turmoil will strike the Central Plains once again.”
“The turmoil has already come. Though it seems peaceful for now, famous figures in Jianghu probably know that Ma In have arrived. Just the Hubei Rising Stars Tournament incident alone must have put everyone on edge.”
“Then what should we do?”
“What do you mean what should we do? First we need to build our own strength. Just because Ma In appeared doesn’t mean what we need to do has changed. Whatever happens, we need power.”
Moyong Su Jeong smiled slightly.
“I like how simple it is.”
“Truth is inherently simple.”
“Yes, let’s stop talking about the Main Family House and Jegal Clan here, and I’d like to discuss the Mu Dang Faction.”
Moyong Su Jeong’s smiling face turned cold.
“You’re going to let a Disciple of the Mu Dang Sect stay at the Main Family House?”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————