Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 216

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

Chapter 216. A Sinister Invitation (1)
Jung Hui strode out briskly and drew a deep breath.
‘Damn it, what is this mess?’
Moyong Bi’s words echoed in my mind.
His remarks showed absolutely no consideration for my position, yet I couldn’t deny a single word he’d spoken. Every organization in the world required money to sustain itself, after all.
But it was hardly appropriate to say such things openly before a warrior of that very organization.
‘How can someone be so arrogant?’
Honesty and rudeness are two different things. Moyong Bi had been undeniably rude just now.
As Jung Hui suppressed his anger, a bitter smile crossed his face.
‘…Though his words weren’t entirely wrong.’
I was well aware that the Martial Alliance was no longer what it once had been.
That’s precisely why I worked tirelessly as a warrior of the Alliance—so that no one could disparage it, so that the Martial Alliance would continue to appear as the traditional, universally respected righteous organization it had always been.
Yet my individual efforts couldn’t change the organization’s fundamental direction or reputation.
Instead, misunderstandings only accumulated, and the Martial Alliance sometimes even acted in accordance with those misunderstandings.
“…Yes, that’s right.”
Jung Hui exhaled heavily.
“His words weren’t wrong.”
That’s when it happened.
“What are you talking about?”
“Gah!”
Startled, Jung Hui spun around.
A well-built young man stood there.
He held a rather thick club in his hand, and his posture was casual.
Jung Hui’s jaw dropped.
The young man furrowed his brow and spoke.
“Anyway, who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”
“Y-yes?”
“I asked who you are.”
“Ah! I am….”
Jung Hui, flustered, assumed a respectful posture.
“I am Jung Hui, Vice Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance.”
Cold sweat dripped down his forehead as he bowed.
‘He’s strong!’
Extraordinarily powerful.
If I had to compare, he seemed roughly equal to Moyong Bi, or perhaps subtly inferior.
But given that my point of comparison was Moyong Bi, this terrifying young man’s martial prowess was nonetheless formidable enough to send shivers down my spine. His presence, his aura—both were overwhelming.
Moreover, his gaze was even more murderous and oppressive than Moyong Bi’s.
‘What kind of family is this?!’
I’d momentarily forgotten in my anger, but Moyong Bi’s aura was so intense that I’d never felt anything like it from the current Elders of the Martial Alliance.
Throughout the Hubei region, he was hailed as a once-in-an-age martial genius, with legends of Shuangduo and the Dragon-Tiger Guest spreading far and wide. Some even argued that Moyong Bi should be included among them, calling them the Five Dragons and Three Peaks.
In an era where hearing the name of a genius prodigy and pillar of the Jianghu was unremarkable, a single young master of extraordinary talent could elevate an organization’s prestige. Yet now, another monster of comparable caliber had emerged.
“The Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes.”
Neung Hyeong’s face twisted further in displeasure.
“Why is that stinking Martial Alliance bastard strutting around here spouting nonsense?”
Compared to Neung Hyeong, Moyong Bi’s manner of speech might have been deemed almost human.
Jung Hui hardened his expression and spoke.
“That is an excessive characterization.”
“Excessive? You pale-faced wretch.”
“P-pale-faced…?”
“Stop spouting nonsense and get out of the way! People are trying to pass, you fool!”
His voice erupted with arrogant irritation layered beneath.
Though Jung Hui wanted to match his anger, the sharpness radiating from him was so overwhelming that he could only step aside.
Neung Hyeong walked on, muttering complaints.
“This is exactly why I didn’t want to get involved with these types. What’s so special about this family that the Martial Alliance sends people to investigate? I should march straight to headquarters right now and uproot a few of their foundation pillars.”
It was a tone of utter exasperation mixed with disbelief.
Until Neung Hyeong disappeared from sight, Jung Hui couldn’t draw a single breath. He could only stare at his retreating figure, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
Only after he vanished completely from view did Jung Hui regain his composure.
“…What was that? Is he insane?”
But how could an insane person display such an aura?
That was when it happened.
“Who were you speaking of?”
“Kgh!”
Jung Hui, nearly collapsing without warning, steadied his legs and turned around.
Appearing without a trace seemed to be the specialty of the Moyong Family. There stood an old man with a sinister expression holding an elongated staff, and beside him, a middle-aged man who looked oddly rigid.
Jung Hui found himself asking without thinking.
“W-who are you?”
“That is a question we should be asking you.”
“Ah! Yes!”
Jung Hui hastily bowed his head again.
“I am Jung Hui, Alliance Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance.”
He had no idea how many times he’d given the same introduction today.
The old man Guo Lao’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“The Martial Alliance?”
Jung Hui’s hands trembled as he gripped his fists.
‘This… this is formidable!’
He was a master of an entirely different caliber from Moyong Bi and the young man he’d encountered moments before.
Not a trace of cultivated Internal Energy could be detected. Yet his gaze was sharper than those two combined. It was like a storm blowing across a calm sea—far more terrifying than it had any right to be.
Guo Lao relaxed his gaze and spoke.
“Have you come to meet the Family Head?”
“Yes, I’ve already met with them. I just needed a moment to settle my thoughts.”
“Heh, you seem quite troubled.”
“Ah, no. It’s just… well…”
Guo Lao turned to Dark Shadow with a question.
“Where is the Chief Administrator?”
“He’s stepped out for a moment. He should return soon, Senior.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Jung Hui felt a flicker of confusion.
Senior? Not Master or Elder?
Guo Lao bowed his head.
“I apologize for disturbing the peace of mind of one who comes from such an esteemed place.”
“No, no, that couldn’t possibly be the case.”
“Please, speak freely. Both he and I are merely servants of the Moyong Family.”
“…Pardon?”
“…?”
“Servants?”
“Indeed, is there a problem with that?”
The confident gleam in both men’s eyes—as if questioning what could possibly be wrong—left Jung Hui flustered instead.
‘Servants? How could these two possibly be servants? That makes no sense.’
If these two men, particularly one with the mastery of an elder, were truly servants, the Moyong Family would have long since earned the title of the greatest martial clan under heaven.
Yet it appeared they genuinely were servants.
“Ah, the Chief Administrator has arrived.”
“I see.”
The side door to Ga Ju Won opened in the distance, and Seok Woong and Moyong Su Hyang stepped through.
“Oh! Guo Lao! Where are you going?”
At Moyong Su Hyang’s spirited question, Guo Lao chuckled heartily and replied.
“It seems we need a more spacious training ground.”
“Oho! Are you teaching Dark Shadow some new martial arts?”
“That’s correct.”
Moyong Su Hyang regarded Dark Shadow with fresh interest.
“I heard you’ve achieved mastery of the Flame Sword Technique. Is that true?”
Dark Shadow bowed and spoke.
“I haven’t achieved mastery. Senior merely views me favorably.”
“Well, our Guo Lao is as kind as he is exacting.”
“Ahem, ahem!”
Whether from embarrassment, Dark Shadow let out a series of awkward coughs.
Guo Lao bowed to Seok Woong.
“Chief Administrator.”
“You’re working hard as always.”
“Heh, I’m beginning to find teaching quite rewarding.”
“Fortunately, that said….”
Seok Woong blinked and looked at Jung Hui.
“And who might this be?”
Since he had traveled such a long distance without wearing his uniform, no one could tell he was from the Martial Alliance.
Jung Hui bowed his head once more and repeated the same greeting he had given countless times before.
“I am Jung Hui, Vice Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance.”
“The Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance?!”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Seok Woong quickly lowered his head.
“I am Seok Woong, Chief Administrator of the Moyong Family. It is an honor to meet you, Vice Leader Jung.”
Now at last came a response befitting common sense, yet the cold sweat beading on Jung Hui’s forehead did not fade.
‘This is no ordinary person.’
His martial arts skill was unremarkable. No—he was not even at a level where one could assess his martial prowess.
But the moment their eyes first met, Jung Hui understood that this man was no ordinary person.
Eyes clear and profound beyond his years. A genius who had lost his natural talents wandering through harsh reality had now stretched himself awake, and now he emanated the presence of a great scholar that would make even the finest minds of the Central Plains fall silent in awe.
“Have you perhaps met the Family Head?”
“Yes, I came out for a moment to get some fresh air.”
“I see.”
Seok Woong smiled.
Was it because he had witnessed so many remarkably distinctive people in such a short time?
Even his friendly smile did not appear approachable in the slightest. There was a tension that made one feel as though a single misspoken word would result in being bitten on the spot.
“Then I shall go greet the Family Head, and please feel free to look around before coming back inside.”
“Understood.”
With that, Seok Woong entered the Family Head’s Office, and the remaining people exchanged awkward glances and scratched their heads.
“Young Miss, we shall go train.”
“Please do.”
Moyong Su Hyang stole glances at Jung Hui.
Among these exceptional people, she appeared relatively ordinary. Or rather, she had grown too much to be called a young girl anymore, but to Jung Hui, who was over thirty, she still seemed that way.
“You came from the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Hmm, hmm.”
“…?”
“What are the warriors of the Martial Alliance like? Are they as strong as the rumors say?”
Jung Hui spoke with an awkward expression.
“Though I myself am in this pitiful state, there are certainly many strong ones.”
“Is that so? I had a feeling.”
“…?”
“You all seemed strangely fragile.”
Jung Hui’s mouth fell open in shock.
Moyong Su Hyang, who had been muttering, soon realized her mistake and hung her head in shame.
“Ah, my apologies. I didn’t mean their martial prowess itself, but rather the atmosphere around them. I’m simply surrounded by exceptionally formidable individuals.”
After asking whether the Martial Alliance warriors were strong, what kind of excuse was this?
Moyong Su Hyang cleared her throat and quickly turned to leave.
“Well then, do enjoy your conversation. I’ll be taking my leave.”
Her departure could only be described as a hasty retreat. She vanished from Ga Ju Won so swiftly that one might have wondered if they’d just witnessed a ghost.
Jung Hui, who had been staring blankly at the open side door, soon muttered with a grave expression.
“…Is this really the Moyong Family?!”
* * *
“I see.”
Seok Woong’s expression grew serious.
Moyong Su Jeong spoke up.
“Truth be told, I don’t know much about the Martial Alliance. If the Main Family needs them, I’d like to join hands, but I’m not confident it will work out.”
“Hmm.”
After a moment of contemplation, Seok Woong turned to Moyong Bi.
“What do you think, Young Master?”
“About what?”
“About an alliance with the Martial Alliance.”
“Isn’t ‘alliance’ a term used only when two forces are evenly matched?”
“Pardon?”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“Regardless of how disagreeable their conduct may be, the Martial Alliance’s strength remains formidable. Though not what it once was, in terms of absolute martial capability, wouldn’t they rival two or three of the Nine Great Sects combined?”
“Ah, of course that’s true.”
“The problem is that their size creates many openings, and there seem to be plenty of people eager to seize power….”
Moyong Bi asked Moyong Su Jeong.
“What’s your thought on this, Elder Sister?”
“It’s not easy to make a definitive judgment either way. There’s simply too little information.”
“Even if we wait, it won’t be easy to gather sufficient intelligence. We might extract some information by asking the Sima Alliance Leader, but even the Sama Clan likely doesn’t know the inner workings of the Martial Alliance Headquarters in detail, do they?”
“In other words, we must make a decision based on limited information.”
“Exactly.”
Moyong Su Jeong’s response was immediate.
“Emotionally, I don’t wish to.”
“As Moyong Su Jeong, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“But as Family Head?”
“If necessary, we can join hands anytime. But can the Main Family truly utilize their strength? It seems obvious we’d be manipulated instead.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Hmm?”
Moyong Bi’s eyes gleamed like a bright star.
“Even with lesser strength, we can manipulate them. In fact, because they’re weaker, we can manipulate them.”
“…?!”
“How about I pluck a few scales off a pathetic dragon with just one spear?”

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