Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 219

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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 219. A Sinister Invitation (4)
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes deepened with thought.
“Build a foundation by using the Jegal and Moyong?”
“That is correct.”
Meng Ha Sung, who had been studying Gong Sun Baek intently, refilled his wine cup and spoke.
“I understand what you mean, but the people of both clans wouldn’t be pleased to hear such words.”
“Fortunately, only the Alliance Leader stands before me.”
“I have my Guards as well. Unseen.”
“They are merely the Alliance Leader’s hands and feet, are they not?”
He filled the cup but did not drink this time.
Meng Ha Sung, gazing at the brimming wine cup, soon released a heavy sigh.
“Grand Strategist.”
“Speak.”
“I confess—I lack the grand vision the Previous Alliance Leader possessed, or the conviction to achieve something for the world.”
Gong Sun Baek smiled bitterly and nodded.
“I am aware.”
“Yes, because they knew that, they elevated me as Alliance Leader. My martial prowess ranks among the top ten masters—sufficient enough. And lacking a foundation, they feared I wouldn’t seize their gains. They merely desired the status quo.”
“….”
“But you see, humans are creatures who can become entirely different beings through circumstance or the smallest catalyst, even without purpose.”
In that moment, Meng Ha Sung’s gaze transformed.
“I believe that at least one who holds the title of Martial Alliance Leader should, knowingly or unknowingly, benefit the lives of countless people—if not leave a mark in history.”
“I see.”
“Of course. Otherwise, why become Alliance Leader? There are far more capable than I.”
“That is not true.”
“Yet I lack the power, and I fear that acting on impulse might invite even greater chaos.”
Fatigue settled upon Meng Ha Sung’s face as he leaned back in his chair.
What exhausted even an absolute master ranked among the top ten under heaven? Politics itself.
“As Alliance Leader, I ask you, Grand Strategist.”
Tension descended upon Gong Sun Baek’s face.
Meng Ha Sung spoke with his eyes closed.
“Even if several of the Six Major Sects, renowned for history and tradition, were to fall, would you wish for me to draw my sword with resolve?”
“…!!”
“Innocent members of those sects and clans might suffer as well. Still, would you desire me to draw my blade?”
Gong Sun Baek was taken aback, but he neither lied nor spoke evasively.
“I would.”
The answer was simple, yet Meng Ha Sung understood well how much anguish lay behind such a plain response.
“I do not believe so, yet the Alliance Leader claims to be lesser than the Previous Alliance Leader. I share that view. No matter what, I cannot surpass the Grand Strategist of the Sama Clan, who wrote legend itself, nor do I possess such talent.”
“….”
“However… I understand well enough to feel it in my bones—stagnant water rots.”
Meng Ha Sung opened his eyes once more.
Gong Sun Baek bowed his head as he spoke.
“Demon People have appeared. This is happening less than thirty years after the war ended. Yet most prestigious families treat it as insignificant. No—even when they recognize its importance, they prioritize their own survival over addressing it.”
“….”
“The time for decision has passed. We must draw our swords.”
“And to do that, we need to establish a political foundation?”
“Indeed.”
“But won’t that mean we lose the opportunity that’s already slipping away? By the time we build that foundation, it’ll be too late.”
“The faster, the better, but there’s also wisdom in the saying that haste makes waste.”
Meng Ha Sung smiled.
“You must be quite frustrated as well.”
“Always, sir.”
Only then did Meng Ha Sung, having drained his cup, speak in a low, measured voice.
“Contact the Jegal Family Head. Tell him I wish to meet in secret.”
“Forgive my interruption, but the Mistress of the Jegal Clan passed away not long ago.”
“And they were attacked by Demon People not long ago either.”
“….”
“Send the message.”
“Understood.”
“When did you send word to the Moyong Family?”
“Ten days ago. It should have arrived by now.”
“We’ll hear back soon, then.”
“Most likely.”
Meng Ha Sung, who had been nodding, suddenly scratched his head at a passing thought.
“What do you think, Grand Strategist? Do you believe the Moyong Family will join hands with us?”
“I cannot say for certain. Our primary objective was to subtly inform the Ho Yeon Clan that we’ve sent people to the Moyong Family.”
“But you’ve prepared contingencies for whatever outcome follows, haven’t you?”
Gong Sun Baek nodded.
“If they accept our proposal, we will use the Moyong Family purely as a tool. Of course, we must arrange matters as humanely as possible, ensuring they gain something from us in return.”
“And if they refuse?”
“Should that occur….”
Hesitation crept into Gong Sun Baek’s voice.
“…they will have to endure the full pressure the Ho Yeon Clan brings to bear, alone.”
* * *
“Oh! Young Master!”
“Still swatting flies around here?”
“Ha, how could that be?”
“Seems rather empty?”
“…there were plenty yesterday.”
Yang Gu’s habit of scratching his head remained unchanged.
Moyong Bi laughed heartily as he spoke.
“With such excellent skill, why aren’t more people coming?”
“The location isn’t favorable, it seems.”
“When word spreads that a place serves good food, people will travel from villages across the river to find it.”
“Why must you torment me so?”
“Still, you know our Innkeeper Yang Gu has real talent. The Fire Sword Group held their gathering here last time, didn’t they?”
“Just the once.”
Yang Gu, whose lips had been pouting stubbornly, burst into laughter.
“You needn’t ever buy me a meal again—just show your face whenever you have time. It’s becoming harder and harder to see you, you know.”
“You must be busy with important matters, aren’t you?”
Watching Moyong Bi converse so naturally with Yang Gu, Jung Hui was genuinely astonished.
‘Such humble bearing.’
It wasn’t only Yang Gu.
On the way to the Hwawung Inn, Moyong Bi had spoken with countless people, most of them ordinary commoners who hadn’t learned even a shred of martial arts.
He made no distinction based on profession. Merchants, Gisaengs, laborers from fabric shops, even children—he knew them all.
‘This isn’t mere performance. This man is genuinely close to the people of the marketplace.’
He had even memorized nearly every one of their names.
When he was uncertain and forgot, he apologized sincerely, joking that if he ever forgot again, they should strike his shin—and he delivered such jests with genuine warmth.
The Grand Young Master of the most renowned family in Wuhan conducted himself this way. To some eyes it might appear shallow, but to Jung Hui, it seemed genuinely warm and endearing.
‘Had people feared and shunned the Moyong Family, they would have trembled even at such jests. Yet these people are laughing and applauding instead.’
It was a scene that revealed Moyong Bi’s character in its entirety. Moreover, it showed what position the Moyong Family held in the Wuhan Market.
“By the way, who is that person?”
“Ah, this fellow?”
“Yes. Is he perhaps a master you’ve invited? His build is quite sturdy.”
“He’s said to be the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance.”
“…What?”
Jung Hui bowed respectfully.
“I am Jung Hui, Deputy Alliance Leader of the Righteous Protection Squad of the Martial Alliance. It is an honor to meet you.”
Yang Gu, whose mouth had fallen open in shock, suddenly burst into delighted laughter.
“Well, I never thought I’d receive such a greeting from someone so high-ranking in the Martial Alliance!”
“Ah, I’m hardly that high-ranking….”
“I am Yang Gu of the Hwawung Inn. I struggle day after day, chasing away flies while barely scraping by.”
Though he returned the greeting with courtesy, his voice carried no sense of burden whatsoever.
Jung Hui felt refreshed.
‘A resilient man.’
Though he hadn’t trained in martial arts, his physique was well-developed.
And his strong body matched his resolute bearing, and his temperament seemed equally admirable. He was a rare sort of person.
“Young Master, since we’re here anyway, why not come inside and have a meal?”
“Why? Are you going to advertise that someone high-ranking from the Martial Alliance has arrived?”
“Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”
Moyong Bi let out a quiet laugh.
“I’d like to, but there’s so much to see around here. I’ll stop by another time.”
“That’s a shame.”
After parting ways with Yang Gu, the two of us resumed walking through the marketplace.
Wuhan Market was crowded as always today.
“Remarkable, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Given the geography, Wuhan naturally attracts countless travelers. Yet this is also a region where Demon People have recently appeared.”
Jung Hui’s face was filled with wonder as he gazed curiously at his surroundings.
“The rumors must have spread, and yet there are still so many people here.”
“Most of those passing through this place have no connection to the Martial World.”
“But surely the Demon People don’t discriminate when they kill—they’d slaughter anyone they encounter?”
“Of course they would. But there are things in this world far more terrifying than Demon People.”
“What do you mean?”
“Survival and regret, for instance.”
Many merchants pass through Wuhan to earn their livelihood, and many others come to see it so they won’t harbor regrets about what they’ve missed.
“The existence of Demon People is certainly a threat. But those creatures can at least be eliminated.”
Moyong Bi’s eyes grew distant.
“Poverty is more terrifying than tigers and wolves. And regret is more terrifying than poverty. The poison of regret that seeps from a past already gone is something that cannot be purged no matter what you do.”
“…!”
“Martial Artists dismiss ordinary people as insignificant, boasting of their Internal Energy and Martial Arts. But in my view, Martial Artists are nothing more than frogs in a well.”
“A frog in a well….”
“There are many values in this world more precious than Martial Arts. Most Martial Artists simply don’t know that.”
Jung Hui nodded in agreement.
“Today, thanks to Young Master Moyong, I’ve learned a great deal.”
Moyong Bi walked silently through the marketplace.
Though the surroundings bustled with noise, silence hung between the two of us.
Yet that silence was not awkward. It was serene and natural.
After a moment, Moyong Bi spoke.
“Do you understand now why I brought you to this street?”
“I’m not entirely sure.”
“I wish for my Family to soar once more into the heavens. You might say it’s the lifelong aspiration of my heart. But look around you. If I were asked to abandon these people for the sake of my Family’s future, could you do the same?”
Jung Hui’s eyes wavered.
“What do these people mean to Young Master Moyong?”
“Exactly what they appear to be.”
“…I see.”
Moyong Bi stopped walking.
“Alliance Leader Jung.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Report everything you witnessed today to your superiors.”
“Pardon?”
“I may not know much about the Martial Alliance’s situation, but I can hazard a guess as to why you’ve reached out to the Main Family House.”
Moyong Bi turned to face Jung Hui.
“This ‘certain person’ above you who sent you here—tell me, does he truly keep such close watch over so many people?”
“….”
“I consider it precious and important to remember the names of the many people I’ve just passed by, yet even that is no trivial matter for someone as dull as myself. So then, surely the esteemed leaders of the Martial Alliance must carry far more names than I do?”
Jung Hui’s face grew somber.
Moyong Bi smiled.
“Send a letter to the Martial Alliance. I will depart in four days.”

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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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