Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 231

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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 231. What Do You Seek? (1)
Moyong Su Hyang, Jin Gwang, Jung Hui, and even the gatekeepers stared at Moyong Bi in bewilderment.
Yet Moyong Bi remained oblivious to his own slip. He was swimming in a past that was neither distant nor near.
‘I never thought I would see him like this.’
Seok Woong—an immortal administrator who had earned renown as a genius in his youth.
Resurfacing amid the scattered ruins of a fallen family, Seok Woong had become a weary middle-aged man.
Fortunately, the brilliance of those days had not dulled, yet witnessing someone who should have soared through the heavens with wings now withered by the Moyong Family stirred a complex melancholy within Moyong Bi.
Then what of this Gong Sun Baek?
‘So you became the Supreme Commander.’
Gong Sun Baek was a talent who, as Deputy Leader of the Martial Alliance’s Outer Hall, had demonstrated both orthodox military strategy and audacious tactical innovation despite his early twenties.
If Seok Woong was a genius of administration, Gong Sun Baek excelled in military affairs. Though not quite called a once-in-a-generation prodigy, he possessed knowledge and battlefield experience rare for his age, and his exceptional ability to manage subordinates earned universal admiration as someone destined for great responsibilities.
And now that very Gong Sun Baek stood before him, transcending time itself.
Gong Sun Baek spoke with a smile.
“Indeed. I am Gong Sun Baek, Supreme Commander of the Martial Alliance. It is not a particularly famous name, yet I am grateful you recognized me so readily.”
Only then did Moyong Bi realize his mistake.
“I am Moyong Bi, Eldest Son of the Moyong Family… I greet the Supreme Commander.”
“Haha, you are even more striking than the rumors suggested. Your bearing is excellent. The ladies would surely compete to hold your hand upon seeing your face.”
In truth, Moyong Bi’s appearance was among the most exceptional.
His martial arts relearned and his inner and outer cultivation thoroughly refined, his figure was so striking that even the word “handsome” would be an understatement.
Of course, Moyong Bi paid such matters no mind.
‘This feeling is peculiar.’
It differed from his reunion with Seok Woong and Guo Lao.
They had been family, yet he had regarded Gong Sun Baek merely as a talent destined for great things. Now that relationship had reversed entirely.
‘How interesting.’
The feeling was not unpleasant. Rather, he found joy in witnessing a talent who had once displayed such brilliance now bloom so magnificently.
“Now I see. The world’s assessment of you seems rather understated.”
“…?”
“You are stronger than I anticipated.”
Though he showed no outward sign, Gong Sun Baek was genuinely astonished.
‘This young man is different.’
He had subsisted on the Martial Alliance’s provisions for nearly thirty years.
He had entered the Alliance when his upper lip had begun to darken, and there was scarcely a task he had not undertaken. Naturally, he had witnessed countless masters of renown throughout the realm.
Though he himself was no great master, he took pride in his judgment of strength—a discernment matched by few.
By his measure, Moyong Bi was decidedly extraordinary.
‘His gaze and aura are unlike those of a youth his age.’
His appearance was young. His actual age had only recently reached twenty, had it not?
Yet the presence that emanated naturally from him was as soft yet intense as that of an old master who had traversed the Jianghu for decades.
The more he observed, the more inexplicable it became.
‘What is this? It is as though…’
Like gazing upon a colossus who transcended the Jianghu itself and wielded dominion over all under heaven.
Gong Sun Baek, who had been staring blankly at Moyong Bi, was momentarily taken aback. He was astonished at himself for comparing even such a remarkable young man to masters who had briefly touched the pinnacle.
‘Absurd. And yet there is clearly something more to this youth than what meets the eye.’
Whatever it was, this was a young man who could not be treated carelessly.
If for no other reason, it was because of the Previous Alliance Leader’s face.
‘Alliance Leader. Indeed, the blood of Moyong runs true.’
The Previous Alliance Leader, Moyong Cheon, came to mind.
Eyes brimming with fatigue born from decades of accumulated duty. Yet those eyes had never been crushed beneath that weariness—they seemed ready to radiate a brilliance like the sun whenever preparation was complete, and that memory remained vivid even now.
‘He resembles the Alliance Leader of those days.’
Gong Sun Baek nodded and spoke.
“There is no need for lengthy explanations. You must be somewhat weary, but since you have come this far, would it not be better to meet the Alliance Leader as soon as possible?”
“Of course.”
“Good then, enter. Let Jung Hui wait here for a moment.”
Jung Hui bowed silently.
“Open the gates of the Alliance Leader’s Residence.”
“Yes!”
Creak!
The great doors of the Alliance Leader’s Residence swung open to both sides.
Though not as massive as the outer gates of the Martial Alliance, the sense of overwhelming presence seemed at least ten times greater.
Jin Gwang swallowed involuntarily.
‘I never imagined the day would come when I would enter the Alliance Leader’s Residence.’
His father had believed the legends of the Moyong Family to be truth, and that belief had passed to him.
He had always thought the Moyong Family would surely rise to prominence someday, but he never expected to be entering the Alliance Leader’s Residence so soon.
If Jin Gwang was greatly tense, Moyong Su Hyang felt somewhat different.
‘The place where Great Grand Uncle once dwelled.’
Gwangmyeong Mujon Moyong Cheon.
Though never called the Greatest Under Heaven, he was a towering figure of the Jianghu martial world who wielded influence surpassing even that title.
Rather than tension, she felt an inexplicable wistfulness. Coming to the place where her Great Grand Uncle, of whom she had heard so much, had once lived, the vivid image of an elder she had never seen face-to-face seemed to emerge before her.
A phantom of the strongest master of the Orthodox Martial World, leading tens of thousands of alliance members with a single sword.
Her heart raced.
Simultaneously, an inexplicable yearning rose from the depths of her heart.
‘Both our Grandfather and Great Grand Uncle were those who rebuked all under heaven.’
She gazed upon her Elder Brother’s back.
His confident silhouette stood as straight as bamboo.
‘The three of us siblings will surely restore the glory of our family.’
Thus Gong Sun Baek and the three of the Moyong Family entered the Alliance Leader’s Residence.
* * *
Meng Ha Sung recalled the past.
‘Calluses are well-formed on his fists. He has trained considerably, it seems.’
A voice tinged with amusement.
It was far too free and unrestrained to be the voice of an absolute master whom all in Jianghu acknowledged. The presence built through formidable martial prowess and countless experiences was terrifying, yet his voice overflowed with such vitality that it rendered even that tremendous presence seem faint.
‘Lately, there are many martial artists who rely solely on Internal Energy and neglect to train their fists. While there is no fixed path in cultivation, a martial artist whose fists are as soft as tofu is hardly useful. In that regard, you are well-trained.’
A smile appeared at the corners of Meng Ha Sung’s mouth.
‘Those were truly passionate days.’
At that time, I could not accept those words at face value.
It was a time when my pride in the Martial Arts I had cultivated truly pierced the heavens. Perhaps because of that? Even those words felt like he was disregarding me.
‘Would you care to test this well-trained fist of mine?’
‘Oh? You wish to spar with me?’
‘I believe the Martial World is wonderful because even seniors can learn from their juniors. Those incompetent fools who possessed nothing but age always avoided matches with me.’
Thinking back now, I wondered how I could have said such things to a master who dared discuss the greatest under heaven.
Remarkably, he did not grow angry. Rather, as if pleased by my competitive spirit, he laughed heartily and immediately rose from his seat.
He did not even suggest going to the Training Ground.
The fight broke out right there in the Grand Hall of the Alliance Leader’s Residence, where the Tae Sa family was present.
‘I was utterly defeated.’
The result was a futile loss.
It was only natural. No matter how much genius one possessed, the opponent was a key figure who had elevated an entire family to the greatest under heaven and a monster discussed as the strongest in the Orthodox Martial World. Defeat was inevitable.
Yes, it was inevitable.
Yet as I lay defeated, he grew angry instead.
‘You disappoint me.’
‘If you are insulting my Martial Arts for being weak….’
‘No fool would think you could defeat me. What disappointed me is your attitude.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You boldly challenged the Martial Alliance Leader to a match, yet you never entertained the thought of victory.’
‘…!’
‘I praised that drive and passion, yet you are no different. Did you challenge me thinking you would lose from the start? If by some chance I had deemed you arrogant and struck you dead with a single blow, where would you air that grievance?’
‘I, I….’
‘Your competitive spirit could not overcome your instinct. How are you different from those incompetent seniors who babbled before fighting?’
‘…!!’
‘You knew I would not unleash my killing intent, and you were certain of your own defeat. The fist of such a person is more clumsy than a toy sword wielded by a child.’
That conversation was so shocking that I still remembered it vividly.
‘I felt utterly exposed.’
That conversation with him, that fight which was hardly a fight at all, changed my life.
After wandering for over a year, I rose again to become a true master, and three years later I met him again on the battlefield.
Remarkably, he remembered me, and he spoke to me first with a smile.
‘Are your fists still calloused?’
‘They have softened somewhat.’
‘How about a warm-up match?’
‘I decline.’
‘Why? Afraid you will lose?’
‘I am not afraid of losing, but I cannot muster Killing Intent against you, Alliance Leader.’
‘Oh?’
‘To defeat the Martial Alliance Leader, I would need to be truly prepared to kill. Yet I lack the confidence to harbor killing intent toward the Alliance Leader.’
Meng Ha Sung smiled.
I recalled that person’s hearty laughter when they heard those words back then.
‘Come into my quarters. Let’s share a drink.’
That day, Meng Ha Sung met the one person he would respect throughout his life as a warrior.
The reason he had single-handedly crushed the Demon People of Sacred Blood Palace without any backing was to repay that person even a little. Not for the world, but for that person—a benefactor and a true senior in every sense.
‘That too was a profound lesson.’
It began for that person’s sake, but as time passed, I came to understand.
How exhausting war was for the common people. Why Sacred Blood Palace, which declared war, was called evil.
“…Alliance Leader.”
Meng Ha Sung let out an involuntary sigh.
“You should not have left like that, Alliance Leader.”
Today, I found myself missing the Previous Alliance Leader more than ever.
Perhaps the reason was because of the Moyong Family.
‘The bloodline of the Alliance Leader.’
Opening his eyes, he gazed toward the distant doors of the Grand Hall.
A moment later.
“Alliance Leader. The guests have arrived.”
“Show them in.”
The doors of the Grand Hall opened.
The heavy doors opened without making a sound.
As Meng Ha Sung watched the people walking through the open doors, he was momentarily startled.
Why was that?
The light streaming through the open doors seemed to form a halo around one young man.
That halo felt like the energy wave of a master who had once rebuked all under heaven made visible.
A phantom of the man he had so respected and longed to see.
Meng Ha Sung, who had been staring blankly at the approaching figures, came to his senses upon hearing Gong Sun Baek’s voice.
“Alliance Leader. The young master and warrior of the Moyong Family from Hubei have arrived.”
Moyong Bi and Moyong Su Hyang, along with Jin Gwang, knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.
“Moyong Bi of the Moyong Family from Hubei greets the Martial Alliance Leader.”
“Moyong Su Hyang of the Moyong Family from Hubei greets the Alliance Leader.”
Meng Ha Sung’s mouth opened involuntarily.
“Alliance Leader…?”

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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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