Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 214

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 214. The True Enemy Was Different (4)
“Hmm.”
Moyong Bi stroked his chin as he reviewed the documents.
“Still no significant movements?”
“That is correct.”
Sama Hyeon spoke while rapidly stir-frying vegetables in an iron wok with a metal spatula.
“We conducted a covert investigation into the Five Gates Purification that the Grand Young Master mentioned, but we could not obtain any information regarding it.”
“The Five Gates Purification was information that only the highest echelons of the Martial Alliance could access back then.”
“Yes. In fact, Elder Sama Ryong did not even share that information with the Main Family House.”
“There should be similar content in the records, though?”
“There was not. He thoroughly excluded anything related to classified information.”
“From ancient times, he was always meticulous about separating public and private matters.”
Moyong Bi knew that Sama Hyeon was aware of his true identity, yet he treated him as Moyong Bi even when they were alone.
Sama Hyeon was the same. Though more cautious and respectful, he addressed Moyong Bi as the Grand Young Master of the Moyong Clan rather than the Former Martial Alliance Leader.
“I reached out to other branches just in case, but there were no similar incidents. Of course, there were a few murder cases that appeared to be committed by Demon People.”
“In other words, they are actively moving with Hubei as their center?”
“That is the only conclusion we can draw at present.”
“Please continue.”
“Since the investigation into the Five Gates Purification has been dragging on, we have learned nothing about the organization called the Black Sect. They are truly like ghosts. Despite our attempts to track down those who operated within the Jegal Clan, we could not catch their trail at all.”
“What about the Demon People captured as prisoners by the Jegal Clan?”
“All of them are dead.”
Which meant they had taken their own lives.
Moyong Bi’s eyes deepened.
“These creatures are certainly different in every way. Even the Sacred Blood Palace was not this reckless.”
“And on top of that, they are secretive. I cannot fathom what they truly desire.”
The descent of the Divine.
Moyong Bi contemplated those words.
‘I think it is absurd, but they are sincere about it. Whether it is a true god or something else, they will not hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve their goal, and indeed, they already have.’
After a moment of deliberation, Moyong Bi spoke in a subdued voice.
“It seems I have no choice but to investigate this myself….”
Though he muttered it to himself, Sama Hyeon could hear his words clearly.
“Grand Young Master.”
“Speak.”
Whoosh!
Sama Hyeon set the iron wok aside away from the fire and wiped his sweat with a towel as he spoke.
“If you were to search for those Black Sect creatures, where would you begin your investigation?”
Moyong Bi’s answer was immediate.
“The Martial Alliance Headquarters.”
Sama Hyeon’s eyes gleamed.
“Why is that?”
“The current Martial Alliance is not what it once was. That’s only natural, of course. The war has ended.”
“Indeed.”
“Because of that, the relationships between organizational members have likely become quite loose, and there are plenty of gaps to exploit.”
“When you say the Martial Alliance is not what it once was, doesn’t that also mean enemies have no reason to plant spies within it?”
“Quite the opposite. It’s highly likely they’ve planted at least a small number of spies—ones who will never be caught. And moreover….”
Moyong Bi’s eyes gleamed.
“At the highest levels.”
“Why do you think so?”
“The Martial Alliance is the central pillar. Even if it’s loose now, it’s a place where the Orthodox Faction’s strength can be mobilized at any moment when chaos erupts. If I were those Black Sect bastards, I would have definitely targeted the Martial Alliance.”
Sama Hyeon’s face hardened.
“You don’t mean to say…?”
“It’s merely a possibility at this point.”
Though he spoke bluntly, Sama Hyeon felt unease settle within him.
“Grand Young Master. If we think based on what you’ve just said, many of the Demon People’s audacious actions can be explained to some degree.”
“Phenomena don’t guarantee fundamentals. Of course, I won’t deny that the possibility is quite high, but if we get fixated on that single thought and move accordingly, only to get blindsided, then everyone will be exhausted.”
Sama Hyeon let out an exclamation.
“So I should do otherwise?”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“Well observed. Therefore, I intend to expand my thinking based on that possibility the Alliance Leader mentioned. You, on the other hand, should focus on other aspects.”
“I understand what you mean.”
Looking at it this way, Sama Hyeon certainly felt that he was indeed of Sama Clan bloodline.
“By the way, when did you start thinking about this?”
“A month ago, after the Alliance Leader brought news of the annihilation of five sects.”
Sama Hyeon’s face hardened.
“Such matters are better reported quickly—why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Moyong Bi shook his head.
“It’s merely conjecture, as I said. Besides, if they’ve planted spies at the highest levels, sharing information right now would be largely meaningless.”
“Why is that?”
“Because there’s a high probability it would only breed unnecessary discord. And in a situation like this, what matters is not speed.”
“Then what is it?”
“Finesse.”
Moyong Bi gazed up at the ceiling as he spoke.
“In the past, the Sacred Blood Palace sent many spies into the Martial Alliance. We did the same. But when the Martial Alliance and Sacred Blood Palace discovered those spies, did they immediately eliminate them?”
“They didn’t?”
“They didn’t. Initially, yes. But as the war dragged on, we came to understand something: we couldn’t stop all of the enemy’s spies.”
There are limits to what humans can accomplish. No matter how thoroughly one controls an organization, if the opponent is determined to send infiltrators, it’s difficult to prevent them.
“If you can’t stop them, you use them instead. We didn’t allow spies to reach the very top, but whenever spies were discovered in other parts of the organization, we would turn them around and feed false information to the Sacred Blood Palace.”
“Hmph!”
“The Sacred Blood Palace did the same. That’s how we had to endure suffocating information warfare day after day.”
Those arduous years when, even as we struck down enemies with spear and blade, we had to wage information warfare twelve times a day from within.
Sama Hyeon clicked his tongue.
“Is such a thing possible?”
“It is. People adapt to their circumstances. Of course, they had to sacrifice much to achieve it.”
It was somewhat amusing yet lamentable—more than half of the households among the high-ranking warriors of the Martial Alliance who had married at that time fell apart.
It was inevitable. While they understood that their husbands were striving for victory, few women possessed the patience and compassion to wait faithfully for a husband who could not devote himself to his family.
In the broader sense, they all fulfilled their roles as family heads, but nurturing one’s own bloodline well was equally important.
Many women understood their husbands as both warriors and men, yet many others found it unbearable to endure.
And it was such a natural occurrence that one could say it was simply unavoidable.
“The person who spearheaded that grueling work—so difficult it felt like one’s head would split—was none other than Sama Ryong, the Grand Strategist.”
“…!!”
“Without him, there were truly many moments of peril.”
Turbulence flickered across Sama Hyeon’s face.
Over the young, handsome visage of Moyong Bi, the face of the Former Martial Alliance Leader who once commanded All Under Heaven seemed to overlay like an illusion.
‘How strange.’
As he treated the other as the Grand Young Master of the Moyong Family, his face had grown familiar, and the relationship of mutual respect and courtesy had become natural.
Yet whenever he heard such stories, he was reminded anew that this young man before him was a legendary figure who had lived through turbulent times.
It was like watching a figure from a history book suddenly leap into reality.
Sama Hyeon felt a fresh surge of respect for Moyong Bi and the departed elder of his family.
It was because of such people that the Central Plains had not become a demonic realm. Had the Martial Alliance been defeated, all people under heaven would now be living in service to the god of an evil cult whose very existence was questionable.
“Thank you, Grand Young Master.”
“For what?”
“Simply… I wanted to say such things.”
Moyong Bi understood Sama Hyeon’s heart.
“Before gratitude, you must first be vigilant.”
“Pardon?”
“The war I experienced became a chapter in my history, but the people of this era also stand on the brink of another war, do they not?”
“…!”
“There is no time to be intoxicated by past victories.”
Sama Hyeon sighed.
“You speak truly.”
Moyong Bi rose from his seat.
“I have received your report well. But will you remain here for some time?”
“For now, I am a member of the Moyong Family. I am not the leader of the Huobei Alliance.”
“Ha, I understand.”
“Ah, one last question, if I may.”
“Please, speak.”
Sama Hyeon asked with a tense expression.
“If you intend to knock on the gates of the Martial Alliance to make your presence known, when do you plan to do so?”
It was then.
“Elder Brother! Elder Brother!”
“Hm? Su Hyang?”
The kitchen door creaked open.
Moyong Su Hyang stepped inside.
“Elder Brother, you should head to the Family Head’s Office right away.”
“Why? Did Elder Sister summon me?”
“We have a guest. A warrior affiliated with the Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance.”
Sama Hyeon’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Did you say affiliated with the Righteous Protection Squad?”
“Yes. That’s what I heard.”
Moyong Bi stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“The Martial Alliance Headquarters sent someone to the Main Family House… This is taking an interesting turn.”
* * *
“The tea is excellent.”
“I’m glad you enjoy it.”
Jung Hui, the Alliance Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad, was genuinely astonished.
‘Quite remarkable.’
The bearing of Moyong Su Jeong, the Family Head of the Moyong Family.
Her beauty was striking enough to draw admiration, yet what impressed him more was the indomitable spirit that no one could dare diminish.
Such spirit could not be cultivated merely through exceptional martial prowess. One’s character and experience were far more essential.
‘A family of legendary schemers, they say… yet their descendant carries far too much refinement for that reputation.’
Regardless of his private thoughts, he had come as an Alliance Member, and he would not cloud the atmosphere with unnecessary remarks.
Jung Hui opened his mouth to speak.
“I’ve heard that the Moyong Family’s name has been resounding throughout Hubei recently. Meeting you now, I understand why.”
Moyong Su Jeong replied without the slightest smile.
“We are simply living our lives quietly. We have yet to accomplish anything of significance for the world.”
“Ah…”
“Of course, my Younger Brother is different. But that is because he is exceptional, not because our family is great. To keep pace with such a talented sibling, we too are striving greatly.”
Jung Hui’s expression grew uncomfortable.
He sensed that this was a difficult person to converse with. His martial prowess surpassed hers, and as Alliance Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad, he held a rank that could dismiss the leaders of minor sects, yet he found himself unable to regard her as beneath him.
“The Moyong Family will grow even greater in the future.”
“That is my hope as well.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Then.”
Moyong Su Jeong asked calmly.
“What brings the Alliance Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad to visit our Main Family House in person?”
It was a clear signal to move directly to the matter at hand.
Jung Hui nodded and spoke.
“I shall speak plainly. The Martial Alliance wishes to formally accept the Moyong Family.”
“Accept us, you say?”
“Through a covenant, we wish to accept you as a member of the Martial Alliance.”
Moyong Su Jeong’s eyes turned glacial in an instant.

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