Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 229

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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 229. Preparation and Meeting (4)
Ten days later.
“Welcome.”
“I greet the Alliance Leader.”
Jegal Dan’s posture as he bowed respectfully was remarkably courteous.
It could not have been otherwise.
Before him stood Meng Ha Sung, the Fist King—one of the ten supreme masters who shook the Jianghu itself, and the Martial Alliance Leader.
A master of his generation who traversed the turbulent Jianghu with nothing but his two fists, wielding no weapons; a man of principle who, in his youth, participated in the war against Sacred Blood Palace as a free Jianghu wanderer unaffiliated with the Martial Alliance, and bore the record of slaying countless Demon People.
“Your family must be occupied with pressing matters, yet I am grateful you answered my summons.”
“The Alliance Leader is the pillar of the Orthodox Martial World. That you would seek out this humble one fills me with nothing but gratitude.”
Though there was an age difference and their reputations in the Jianghu were incomparable, Jegal Dan still lowered himself unusually.
Meng Ha Sung smiled wryly and spoke.
“How fares your family’s situation?”
Direct and straightforward.
There was no pretense, no empty formality. Jegal Dan, who had grown weary of such tedious ceremonial acts that merely consumed time, found his heart oddly at ease.
“We are managing well.”
“I regret that I did not learn of the Jegal Clan’s crisis sooner.”
Considering the current state of the Martial Alliance and the Six Major Sects, it could sound somewhat sarcastic.
Jegal Dan chose not to dwell on such thoughts. Had he allowed himself to become entangled in needless complexity and stubborn pride, the Jegal Clan would have been scattered to the winds.
Now, it was simply the leader of the Martial Alliance meeting and conversing with the leader of the Jegal Clan. He decided to think of it only in those terms.
“I was negligent and failed to notice that Demon People had infiltrated my family. All fault lies with me alone, and I understand well that to resent another for not lending aid would be beneath even a petty man.”
“The Jegal Clan is a family of deep historical roots, descended from a legendary figure renowned as the greatest administrator in history. Even this man, who wandered the Jianghu with nothing in his head, does not fail to recognize the greatness of the Jegal Clan.”
Though his words might seem abrupt, their meaning was simple: he still regretted being unable to prevent such a great family from nearly collapsing.
Jegal Dan found himself surprised.
‘I had heard he was not like this.’
The character of the Fist King Meng Ha Sung could be explained in a single word.
Simplicity.
That was how Jianghu people evaluated Meng Ha Sung.
Of course, Jegal Dan was well aware that simplicity was not synonymous with foolishness.
Still, it was certain that he disliked pretense and had no interest in complex political matters. Yet it seemed this man had learned to speak with some indirection.
‘Position shapes the man.’
Whether willingly or not, once one ascended to such a station, the effort to cultivate dignity befitting that position was worthy of praise.
Though he did not believe the essential nature of Meng Ha Sung would fundamentally change.
“I am humbled.”
Meng Ha Sung, who had been gazing down at Jegal Dan, rose from his seat.
“Shall we have some tea?”
“That is not necessary.”
Meng Ha Sung smiled enigmatically.
“Do not worry. I will not poison the tea simply because you are from the Six Major Sects.”
He spoke with sudden, chilling directness.
Beneath the pavilion, a small tea table and steaming tea had been prepared in advance.
“Please, be seated.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
The two of them sat facing each other.
“This tea contains fine medicinal herbs for internal injuries. It may taste bitter, but it will serve well to restore your body.”
“I am grateful for your consideration.”
After moistening his throat with a sip, Meng Ha Sung spoke.
“My nature makes it difficult to speak indirectly. I hope the Family Head will understand this about me.”
“This humble one does not care much for empty formalities either.”
“What have you come to understand?”
“Pardon?”
“That Demon People were scheming within your family, that your clan nearly fell to ruin because of them—surely that was no pleasant experience.”
“….”
“People grow through their experiences. All the more so for the Family Head of the Jegal Clan—you must have gained much wisdom. I am curious what that wisdom is.”
Yet this was surely not the only reason he had summoned me here.
Though Meng Ha Sung asked so directly, he had not yet revealed his true intentions. Jegal Dan sensed no malice in him.
“I have learned much, but it is difficult to put such understanding into words.”
“Is that so?”
“One thing is certain—I must ensure such calamity never befalls us again.”
“That is far too obvious. But surely you understand as well—even a skilled charioteer cannot stop a tiger that suddenly leaps into the road.”
No matter how strong one’s skill, sudden calamity brings suffering to all.
Jegal Dan, who had been watching Meng Ha Sung intently, lowered his head and spoke.
“This humble one is unharmed. Please speak what is on your mind, Alliance Leader.”
“Should we not uproot them entirely?”
“Pardon?”
“No matter how perfectly the Family Head prepares defenses, as external threats grow, anxiety becomes inevitable.”
“…?!”
“To truly protect your family, it would be ideal to eliminate external threats altogether. Would you not agree?”
Jegal Dan’s eyes wavered.
“Do you mean to uproot the Demon People entirely?”
Meng Ha Sung spoke with a puzzled expression.
“Did you plan to simply leave them be?”
“Of course not, but… in our current situation, we do not even know where they are or precisely which Demon People they are, do we?”
“Then we begin from there.”
“…?”
“If you do not know what kind of Demon People they are, you must investigate. If you do not know where they are, you must discern their base of operations.”
“Of course, that is….”
“Surely you do not expect someone else to find them and take revenge on your behalf?”
Jegal Dan’s face flushed crimson.
Shame overwhelmed his anger, and confusion about himself overwhelmed his shame.
Yes, he certainly hated the Demon People.
But he had never seriously considered investigating them properly.
In truth, he had no choice. Restoring his collapsed Family Clan took priority over investigating the Demon People.
Moreover, he had lost his beloved Lady in this calamity. He endured only because he had cultivated his Self-cultivation well; an ordinary person would have become a Cripple in such circumstances.
However.
‘I never properly considered those wretches.’
A truth he had only now grasped.
In that moment, Jegal Dan found himself at a loss.
A situation where one would become a Cripple? Yes. For an ordinary person, certainly.
But he was the Family Head of the Jegal Clan.
Though his mind had grown rigid and his body was not sound from prolonged addiction, had he truly deteriorated so far as to lose even the will for Revenge?
Whoosh!
A terrifying Energy Wave erupted from Jegal Dan’s body.
He felt Rage toward himself and toward the Demon People ignite anew like wildfire.
‘What a foolish wretch I am!’
Properly managing the Family Clan was certainly a duty he must fulfill.
But Revenge was equally important. How many Family Members had died unjustly because of those mad creatures? Losing my Lady alone should have made us irreconcilable enemies—why had I forgotten this?
Whooooom!
The air in the Alliance Leader’s Residence grew scorching hot.
Once his Rage ignited, he could not contain it. Jegal Dan, still not fully recovered, unleashed a terrifying Energy Wave; his Internal Injuries churned violently, yet he felt no pain.
Then Meng Ha Sung waved his hand through the Empty Air.
Whish!
A gentle breeze seemed to rise, and Jegal Dan’s fierce Energy Wave was subdued.
Startled, Jegal Dan looked at Meng Ha Sung, then bowed his head once more.
“Forgive me. I have shown shameful conduct before you, Alliance Leader.”
“I understand the Family Head’s feelings. Who could remain unmoved in such circumstances?”
“I…”
A shadow fell across Jegal Dan’s face.
“It seems I have been giving up on everything.”
“Giving up.”
“Disappointment and despair at having led the Family Clan poorly have caused me to abandon all else.”
Jegal Dan spoke his emotions with candor.
Meng Ha Sung smiled.
“Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone experiences failure. Once you recognize and correct them, that is all. Cast aside this self-reproach.”
Jegal Dan looked at Meng Ha Sung with trembling eyes.
“Why do you offer me such words?”
“A foolish question. I am the Alliance Leader, and privately, I am a senior of the Jianghu. Cannot a senior offer such counsel to a junior?”
“…”
“Yet the Family Head’s words also hold merit.”
Meng Ha Sung released a sigh.
“We have lost something so utterly natural—counsel and laughter.”
“Pardon?”
“The Martial Alliance Leader must treat all equally, save for the wicked. Beyond political acumen, he must strive to uphold the righteous path.”
“…?”
“The relationship between the Martial Alliance and the Six Major Sects cannot remain as it is. We must grow closer, offer aid where we can, and excise what must be excised. Is that not so?”
“That is….”
“That is only natural.”
Jegal Dan exhaled deeply.
“It is indeed natural. Yet the world has been remade by the logic and methods of those who refuse to acknowledge what is natural as natural.”
“Will you abandon your revenge against the Demon People?”
“What?!”
“To refuse acknowledging what is natural as natural. Will the Family Head forsake both vengeance and punishment of evil?”
Jegal Dan’s eyes flooded with crimson.
“That is impossible.”
“Of course it is. Why? Because it is only natural.”
“…!!”
“If you accept that the world turns by those who cannot see what is natural as natural, then you must choose—either conform to this world or strive to change it.”
Only then did Jegal Dan understand why Meng Ha Sung had summoned him.
“Do you wish to improve relations with the Six Major Sects?”
“Improve?”
“Alliance Leader, you just said….”
“Of course relations must improve. But will they extend their hands to the Martial Alliance?”
“….”
“Perhaps in appearance, but their true hearts are otherwise. As they have always been.”
“Then peaceful dialogue cannot bring improvement.”
Meng Ha Sung nodded.
“The world grows chaotic once more. The Demonic has emerged, and innocent people perish.”
Jegal Dan’s expression darkened.
Innocent people. Among them was his own wife.
“In such a world, can you truly believe peaceful discourse will improve our circumstances with the powerful who think only of their own gain?”
“Then…?”
Meng Ha Sung raised both his fists before him.
“I have lived my entire life unarmed, but now I too must draw my sword.”
“…!!”
“It has been six years since I ascended to Alliance Leader. After the Previous Alliance Leader’s death, nearly fifteen years passed before a new leader was chosen.”
The smile vanished from Meng Ha Sung’s face.
Jegal Dan found that expression truly terrifying—a visage he had never imagined he would see from Meng Ha Sung, now hovering in the empty air before him.
“In six years at this position, I have learned only one thing: that slow collapse is far more terrible than sudden ruin.”
“…!”
“Six years of patience—I believe I have endured enough. What do you think, Family Head?”
“Are you saying you intend to strike at the Six Major Sects together with me, Alliance Leader?”
“Two things are wrong.”
“Pardon?”
“First, I am not striking at the Six Major Sects. I merely intend to handle them roughly.”
“…?!”
“And the second point is the important one.”
Meng Ha Sung smiled once more.
“I did not extend my hand to the Family Head alone.”
It was then.
“Alliance Leader. The second guest from Hubei has arrived.”

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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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