Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 220

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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 220. An Unsettling Invitation (5)
“Hmm.”
The Wind Cloak, garments akin to a windproof robe, were dark and auspicious.
Beneath the hood-like covering attached to the clothing, a prominent nose and thick, defined lips were revealed.
“So, you’ve completed everything?”
“Yes, I have.”
So Gwang’s lowered face was quite pallid.
The mysterious figure reading the reports asked in a cheerful tone.
“How are the aftereffects of the Ghost Spirit technique?”
“I’m managing.”
“You don’t look like you’re managing. Your complexion is still in that state.”
“….”
“Still, you succeeded nonetheless—truly worthy of Hwang Jag’s resolve.”
So Gwang merely bowed his head slightly further, saying nothing.
As if to speak on his behalf, the mysterious figure continued.
“I know well the extent of martial power you poured into creating even a crude substitute for the lost Ghost Spirit Obscuring Technique.”
“It is an honor.”
“So, was the puppet properly disposed of?”
“Hwang Ma, who directly cast the Ghost Spirit technique under my command, has returned to the Divine Physician’s side.”
“Heh heh, well done.”
Was it truly well done?
So Gwang recalled his subordinate.
The man who had orchestrated Hwang In Hwa’s assassination by placing the Ghost Spirit technique on a certain Swordsman of the Ten Swords Gate.
He had been my senior. More than that—my direct senior, and someone who had helped me adapt to the Divine Cult with both material and emotional support.
While I had achieved continuous success, he had nearly become a cripple after losing everything to Qi Deviation.
Was it truly the right choice to entrust him with research on the Ghost Spirit Obscuring Technique, which was being restored, when he wished to dedicate his life to the cult?
‘We shall meet again in the Underworld someday.’
I do not regret having transferred my martial power to him via Body-Separated Energy Transmission so he could master the Ghost Spirit Obscuring Technique.
That was sufficient.
“The Five Gates Purification in Hubei is complete, and only Honam remains. The Flying Spear Gate—the deputy removed them?”
“Yes.”
“That will be completed soon as well.”
“It will be finished within a month at the latest.”
“A month, then….”
The mysterious figure set down the documents.
“So Gwang.”
“Yes, Apostle.”
“What do you think of this place, Wuhan?”
So Gwang was taken aback. He did not know what answer his master wished to hear.
Yet he answered as honestly as he could.
“Large sums of money flow through this place, and with it comes the vivid display of human desire and life force.”
“And?”
“There are no particularly dominant powers here, which is precisely why I sensed the land brimmed with spiritual energy. When a strong organization rules a region, people may appear content on the surface, but their perception and senses inevitably become dulled and simplified.”
“Well observed.”
“In that regard, Wuhan is an ideal place. No overwhelming power dominates it, and with people from all across the Central Plains constantly arriving and departing, the residual Qi here is remarkably diverse.”
“Indeed.”
“Ultimately, I believe this is a fitting place for the Deity to establish a foundation.”
“Hehehehe.”
The Ninth Apostle, Gu Sa Do, burst into hearty laughter.
“How delightfully ironic. The essence of the Five-Gate Purification was originally centered, yet we have twisted the altar to recenter it upon the North.”
So Gwang recalled the Five-Gate Purification.
‘Nine hundred and ninety-nine souls.’
All the faithful dwelling in five regions of Hubei had been slaughtered.
Yet Hubei alone had not required such a vast number of lives. The sacrifices of Honam, which served as the true center of the greater Five-Gate Purification, numbered only half that.
And when combined with the remaining sacrifices from Guizhou, Guangxi, and Jiangxi, the total reached exactly nine hundred and ninety-nine.
“Thanks to the war once led by the recluses of the Sacred Blood, this land became the Deity’s womb. I never anticipated defeat in that conflict, yet it proved a blessing in disguise—tens of thousands of vengeful spirits have matured splendidly beneath soil saturated with blood and death.”
“….”
“But here is the matter.”
In that instant, So Gwang felt his entire body break into cold sweat.
The edge of the veil covering the eyes lifted in the breeze, revealing the master’s gaze that had remained hidden.
And that gaze, as always, burned with a madness that made the beholder struggle to breathe.
“I heard that the Swordsman afflicted by the ghost possession spoke peculiar words.”
“…That is correct.”
“So it seems the talk of the Deity’s descent and such was genuine after all.”
So Gwang lowered his head and continued.
“I suspect the unconscious mind of Hwang Ma, who cast the ghost possession technique, transferred into the Swordsman’s consciousness.”
“Ghost Possession Obscuring Technique is far more than mere hypnosis. That is why those who mastered it were few and far between, and throughout history, only one—the Hwan Hwan Ma Nyeo—ever achieved the soul-returning art.”
“….”
“Regardless, this incident constitutes a rather grave mistake.”
“I humbly apologize.”
The corners of Gu Sa Do’s mouth lifted.
“Well, we have lived hidden in the shadow of the Sacred Blood, so those who presume themselves masters of this land will merely stumble about in confusion. Yet all matters must be executed flawlessly. Overlook one small error, and the Grand Design itself crumbles.”
So Gwang prostrated himself completely on the ground.
“I shall repay this mistake with my life.”
It was an action without the slightest hesitation.
Gu Sa Do, who had been quietly observing So Gwang, sighed and spoke.
“You feel human emotion and live as humans do, yet you possess a peculiar numbness toward the fear of death.”
“….”
“It is not because you have devoted your life to the Deity. Your very existence is twisted.”
Gu Sa Do waved his hand.
A deep hum resonated through the air.
So Gwang’s body, which had been prostrating in full obeisance, rose naturally to its feet of its own accord.
So Gwang’s eyes trembled.
‘Extraordinary.’
A supreme technique of ascending energy that permeated through every joint in the body, raising it effortlessly upright.
It transcended mere Empty Air Manipulation. Who could possibly comprehend such Empty Air Manipulation—wielding dozens of strands of formless Qi with such precision as to control another’s flesh at will?
‘My body may be bound beneath this master’s dominion, but surely the other Apostles have not reached such heights?’
Gu Sa Do, his gaze returning to the documents, spoke.
“The price for this mistake shall be paid with the life of Hwang Ma, who cast the spirit technique.”
“…Yes.”
“Will you continue to remain in Wuhan?”
So Gwang reflected. This was precisely what distinguished his master from the other Apostles.
The other Apostles were absolute sovereigns and commanders.
Of course, his master was no different in that regard, but there was one distinction—he always granted his subordinates autonomy.
It bestowed both a sense of liberation and a burden simultaneously. So Gwang understood well that such conduct ultimately kindled an even deeper fear toward his master.
That is why he spoke so candidly.
“I have been observing a certain individual of late.”
“Who might that be?”
“Moyong Bi.”
Gu Sa Do paused.
“Moyong Bi of the Moyong Family? The one called Shuangduo?”
“Recently, he has been called a worthy guest of the Dragon and Tiger, and even one fit for the Four Dragons and Three Phoenixes. They now call him the Northern Dragon of Wuhan.”
“Northern Dragon—because he’s a dragon born in Hubei’s Wuhan? The naming sensibilities of these so-called Martial Artists are remarkably simplistic.”
“It appears the epithet will likely become fixed.”
“In any case, is this fellow remarkable enough to capture your interest?”
“He is undoubtedly remarkable. In the past, at the Marketplace…”
“Yes, I’ve heard the reports. A cripple once called Wuhan’s greatest troublemaker suddenly sprouted wings, defeated the Ten Swords Gate, won the Rising Stars Competition, and even distinguished himself with the Jegal Family.”
“Indeed.”
“The mere fact that he concealed his strength until now marks him as cunning. Come to think of it, though our purposes differ, there is something similar about us.”
“That is so. Yet I believe there is something more to him.”
“What might that something be?”
“That is…”
So Gwang hesitated briefly before bowing his head and speaking.
“I cannot say. But whenever I observe him from afar, I sense there is something beyond what meets the eye.”
“If that is your assessment, then it must be so.”
His words carried a profound trust.
Though he granted autonomy to his subordinates, he would never bestow such a gift upon those he did not trust. Because he had personally observed and selected them, he had faith in his subordinates.
“But do you know of this?”
“Sir?”
The Martial Alliance has sent an emissary to the Moyong Family.”
So Gwang’s eyes widened.
“From the Martial Alliance?”
“I only learned of it yesterday. I’m not certain who sent it, but it’s likely a high-ranking official from the Alliance Leader’s Faction. However, I can’t say for certain.”
“The Alliance Leader’s Faction…?”
“It probably wasn’t the Alliance Leader himself. It could have been General Gong Sun Baek, but… it’s ambiguous to say that such a headache-inducing figure specifically targeted the Moyong Family. Still, I’m keeping all possibilities open.”
“If it’s from the Alliance Leader’s Faction, they would have needed approval from at least one of the two.”
“True. In the end, we should act as though the Alliance Leader sent someone directly.”
Gu Sa Do’s gaze gleamed coldly.
“The question is whether they’re after the Moyong Family itself, or merely that young man who has recently taken flight with newfound wings… that’s the real question.”
“…”
“I trust your judgment. You said you felt something difficult to explain—but that’s another way of saying unease. Haven’t they always said that those blessed with Eagle Eyes possess intuition as sharp as their vision?”
Even as So Gwang received the praise, his expression remained unchanged.
Gu Sa Do, who had been watching him intently, asked in a measured tone.
“Are you confident?”
“Pardon?”
“To have your name inscribed among the Four Dragons and Three Phoenixes means your martial power exceeds that of an Ancient Sect Elder. It would be no exaggeration to say you possess the strength of a Sect Leader from the Nine Great Sects.”
“…”
“Can you defeat Moyong Bi?”
So Gwang spoke honestly.
“Based on his revealed power alone, I’m confident I wouldn’t lose. However, in this humble one’s assessment, he is certainly concealing something.”
“In other words, he’s beyond the Four Dragons and Three Phoenixes?”
“That is my belief, though I cannot be certain.”
“Then let me ask differently.”
“…”
“Should a confrontation occur, would escape present any difficulty?”
So Gwang’s eyes flashed.
“With thorough preparation… that would not be difficult.”
“Good.”
Gu Sa Do rose from his seat.
“If you felt this inexplicable unease, then verifying its source directly would be worthwhile.”
“…”
“I’ll assign two Shadows to you. Secure a location and arrange the meeting within two days.”
So Gwang’s eyes brightened.
“Two days?”
“If the Martial Alliance sent someone, time could be pressing regardless of their purpose. With sufficient preparation, the faster we move, the better.”
So Gwang bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
* * *
“So, you’ve decided to go?”
“Why not? It’s a chance to see the Martial Alliance Leader’s face.”
Even visiting some nouveau riche merchant at the Marketplace wouldn’t create this much tension.
Moyong Su Jeong clicked her tongue at her brother’s audacity.
“Do you understand? That man is counted among the greatest martial masters of our era. They say even the former elders of Shaolin yield to the Fist King.”
The Fist King, Meng Ha Sung.
Of course, Moyong Bi knew him well.
‘A promising fellow, he was.’
He remembered him as a junior who preferred wandering freely through the world and enjoying life’s pleasures over politics and power.
That such a man had become the Martial Alliance Leader made him realize how little one truly understands about the course of a person’s life.
“Don’t worry. The rumors say he’s overflowing with chivalrous justice—surely he wouldn’t raise a hand against the eldest son of some insignificant household?”
At Moyong Bi’s jest, Moyong Su Jeong let out a soft laugh.
“True. Who would dare stop you?”
That was when it happened.
“…?”
Moyong Bi rose from his seat without thinking, his gaze turning toward the window of the Family Head’s Office.
Moyong Su Jeong, who had been about to speak with a puzzled expression, also felt the sudden chill and stood up.
“What is this?”
“…Look at these bastards.”
A terrifying gleam of murderous intent flashed across Moyong Bi’s eyes.
“This sudden assault is like a bolt from the blue on a clear sky.”

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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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