Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 232

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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 232. What Do You Seek? (2)
Moyong Bi lifted his gaze.
Transcending time itself, the moment when the eyes of the Former Martial Alliance Leader and the current Martial Alliance Leader became entwined.
Moyong Bi felt a wistful nostalgia, while Meng Ha Sung was seized by even greater astonishment.
‘How splendidly you have grown.’
The image of Meng Ha Sung in his younger years—reckless, throwing his fists forward without hesitation—surfaced in his mind.
He recalled too the Meng Ha Sung who returned from the battlefield far more mature, and the seasoned Meng Ha Sung who sought him out after the war ended, proposing they share a drink together.
‘You remain unchanged, my friend.’
A truly remarkable junior in every respect.
Not merely in Martial Arts, but in character as well—an exceptional man. Most would grow apprehensive before the Martial Alliance Leader, insisting on formality and protocol, yet Meng Ha Sung possessed none of that pretense.
He had been straightforward from the beginning, and remained so to the end.
That simplicity was his nature, yet he had cultivated it beautifully through his own earnest effort.
‘That warrior’s spirit which once blazed so brilliantly—it endures unchanged.’
And yet, he had grown cautious.
Even one so forthright had not escaped the withering winds of time. Though his advanced Martial Arts realm had preserved his appearance far better than the years would normally permit, his face now bore the subtle traces of profound wisdom and patience that lay beneath the surface.
“…Ah.”
Meng Ha Sung, who had been gazing blankly at Moyong Bi, quickly gathered his wits.
“My apologies. I was speaking nonsense for a moment.”
“Not at all.”
Meng Ha Sung settled composedly into his seat.
His movements were natural, his Aura steady and unwavering.
Moyong Bi’s eyes gleamed with recognition.
‘He has already reached that realm?’
He had transcended the domain of ordinary humanity.
A threshold where man ceases to be man, yet remains far removed from the realm of immortals—a mysterious chasm between.
He had entered that uncharted gorge where those called absolute masters take their rest.
‘Truly worthy of the title Fist King.’
Meng Ha Sung spoke with measured calm.
“It is a pleasure to meet you in this way. I am Meng Ha Sung, the current Martial Alliance Leader.”
“Your esteemed name, I have long heard of it.”
Moyong Bi’s etiquette was flawless yet unrestrained.
He did not overextend courtesy, thus placing no burden upon his counterpart. Simultaneously, despite standing before the Martial Alliance Leader of all under heaven, he showed neither intimidation nor tension.
Composed and at ease, yet never careless—such was his Aura.
Meng Ha Sung could not help but marvel.
‘How does such a man exist?’
That bearing of composure before the Martial Alliance Leader resembled his own past self.
No—it surpassed his former self by far. In those days, he had found everything in the world simple and light.
‘This one is different.’
He never belittles his opponent, yet neither does he grow tense. And yet, he remains fully prepared to respond should anything unfold at any moment.
Truly, the ideal Aura of a martial artist.
‘An aura like that cannot be created merely through talent. Countless experiences forge such an aura.’
What kind of life had a twenty-year-old young man lived to emanate such a presence?
Of course, Meng Ha Sung was not the type to discern everything about his opponent from their aura alone.
“Moyong Bi, the Northern Dragon. I am honored to meet the young master who has stirred Hubei into such commotion.”
Meng Ha Sung’s gaze turned toward Moyong Su Hyang.
“Despite your youth, the flow of your Qi is remarkably explosive. It seems you were born with exceptional talent.”
Moyong Su Hyang became flustered and stammered.
“Y-you are too kind, sir.”
“Heh, though I sit in this position, I am not so foolish as to fabricate flattery like some courtier. The blood of Moyong truly runs true.”
Moyong Su Hyang was at a loss before Meng Ha Sung’s praise.
“And….”
His eyes turned toward Jin Gwang.
Jin Gwang tensed greatly, yet merely bowed his head without any other reaction.
Meng Ha Sung smiled.
“A solid man. Still lacking, but your potential seems boundless. Of course, you must devote yourself to relentless effort.”
From those words alone, one could discern that Meng Ha Sung was not one to speak idly.
Jin Gwang bowed his head even lower in silence.
Meng Ha Sung spoke matter-of-factly.
“I do not know if you are aware, but I prefer casual conversation. I have no desire to stand on ceremony as an Alliance Leader. As you well know, until six years ago I was a wanderer roaming the Jianghu, unaffiliated with any faction.”
It was a remark meant to ease the tension. Smiles bloomed on the faces of Moyong Su Hyang and Jin Gwang.
At that moment, Moyong Bi rose from his seat and spoke.
“Would it not suffice to converse with one representative?”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes gleamed.
“I have no objection, but would your younger sister and warrior not feel slighted after traveling so far?”
Moyong Su Hyang sprang to her feet and spoke. Her frantic gestures seemed entirely out of character—she appeared genuinely flustered.
“N-no, that is not the case at all! I thought I would live my entire life never even seeing the Martial Alliance Outer City! This is already more than enough honor!”
“Heh, the sincerity in your voice is so vibrant that even a deaf man would hear it.”
Meng Ha Sung nodded.
“Good. General, escort these two to the Alliance Leader’s Guest Hall. I shall have a conversation with this young man here.”
“I obey your command.”
Gong Sun Baek departed the Grand Hall with the two of them.
With only the two of them remaining in the spacious hall, Meng Ha Sung gestured toward the tea table.
“Let us have some tea.”
“Very well.”
Even that single response was masterful.
Meng Ha Sung found this audacious young man even more appealing, yet precisely because of this, he resolved to become more dispassionate.
There are moments when one must trust one’s judgment. But such moments are as rare as the glimmer of stars. To truly understand another, one must cast aside first impressions and observe with absolute coldness.
Thus the two of them sat facing each other across the tea table.
Meng Ha Sung opened the conversation.
“Remarkable.”
“….”
“I’ve met them before—the Four Dragons and Three Phoenixes, said to be the pinnacle among the Rising Stars.”
“Is that so.”
“Each one possessed remarkable talent. Had I possessed such gifts, I might have earned the title of Fist King twenty years sooner.”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“They must have made quite an impression.”
“But you surpass them.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes gleamed with an intensity that was almost uncomfortable to meet.
“Looking at your physical form alone, your talent is neither exceptionally brilliant nor lacking. Yet the realm you’ve achieved surpasses the Four Dragons and Three Phoenixes.”
“You flatter me.”
“Of course, it’s been some time since I’ve seen those friends, so they may have progressed as far as you have by now. But you have something they didn’t—age. A twenty-year-old youth with martial power of this caliber… to put it without exaggeration, it wouldn’t be strange for you to aspire to become Number One Under Heaven next.”
Moyong Bi shook his head.
“As you well know, Martial Arts do not advance through talent or mere effort alone.”
“Of course I know.”
“When the depth of talent is similar, that’s when the battle of enlightenment begins. Even if I were called a once-in-a-century prodigy, that merely means my body and mind are superior to others—not that I advance the fastest.”
“Hahaha.”
Meng Ha Sung burst into hearty laughter without thinking.
“Those born with exceptional talent inevitably become arrogant, no matter how much they cultivate. They cannot bear the loneliness, for no one possesses talent equal to their own.”
“An interesting perspective.”
“Yet among them, there are those like you who can view themselves and the world with such clarity. It’s remarkable that someone of your age can be so dispassionate.”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“Were you not the same, Alliance Leader?”
“Me? Compared to you, I was no better than a stone rolling in the street. I was a fool of the highest order.”
Despite six years in the position of Alliance Leader, his unpretentious manner of speech remained unchanged.
“I’ve endured tremendous hardship throughout my life. Somehow I overcame such trials and reached this position, so I take pride in myself. Yet whenever I meet someone like you, I cannot help but feel envious.”
Envious, yes—but not jealous.
The reason was simple. I have lived my life properly.
Hypotheticals about what might have been had I been strong in my youth, or had I reached the peak early, stir no emotion within me.
Only those who have lived their lives with sincerity possess such dignity.
Meng Ha Sung was indeed the “real thing.”
“There are no clear endpoints in life or in Martial Arts, as I’ve said. My life is mine to live, and whether someone else reaches my goal first is of no consequence to me.”
“Hmm.”
“In the end, the person I must never shame is myself. In that sense, you have lived well, Alliance Leader.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes widened.
“First you astonish me with your overwhelming aura, and now you astonish me with mere words.”
“I’m simply speaking as it comes to me. I’m only twenty now, after all.”
“No, you’re right. Life and Martial Arts have no end. Your thoughts run deep indeed.”
Moyong Bi’s expression grew serious.
“Then it’s my turn to explain why I, with such deep thoughts, came rushing here like an eager dog at your summons.”
Time to get to the heart of the matter.
Meng Ha Sung smiled faintly and nodded.
“You have a gift for conversation. I appreciate directness as well.”
“Before we proceed, I have one question, if I may.”
“Ask whatever you wish.”
“Do you truly believe that the Previous Alliance Leader—the man the world calls Ho Yeon Cheon—is actually of the Ho Yeon Clan?”
It was a question that could not be answered carelessly before those who bore the Moyong surname.
Meng Ha Sung’s response was measured, yet immediate.
“I do not believe so.”
“I see.”
Moyong Bi nodded and leaned back against his chair.
A remarkably relaxed posture. In some respects, it might have seemed disrespectful before such an elder of the Jianghu, yet the gesture was so natural and composed that it was difficult to fault him for it.
“How curious.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Moyong Family has recently begun to stir. Before, you did not call upon us, yet now you extend your hand to us.”
Meng Ha Sung’s expression hardened.
“I would not have you misunderstand. I did not invite you because your family has grown stronger.”
“Ah, that was a poorly worded remark on my part.”
“Hmm?”
“Even if the Main Family has begun to gain renown, we remain mere fledglings. Though the Martial Alliance has changed from what it was, it remains the Martial Alliance—there is no reason for it to reach out to a small-medium martial family in Hubei, and yet you have done so at such a critical juncture.”
Meng Ha Sung’s expression became awkward. Moyong Bi referred to his own family as a small-medium clan without the slightest hint of self-deprecation or discomfort.
Perhaps because of this, the listener himself felt strangely embarrassed.
“A critical juncture… yes, the times are indeed troubled. Demons who once remained hidden have begun to emerge.”
“The emergence of demons is certainly a problem, but that is not the reason you wished to see us, is it?”
“…?!”
Meng Ha Sung, momentarily taken aback, soon composed himself and asked.
“Why do you think so?”
“Is it not obvious? If the times were truly so dire, you would call upon sects more powerful and useful than us, not go out of your way to draw in a small martial family from Hubei.”
“…Then why do you believe I summoned the Moyong Clan?”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“You said you believe the Previous Alliance Leader—my Great Grand Uncle—is truly of the Moyong Clan, did you not?”
“That is correct.”
“It seems the Ho Yeon Clan has been causing trouble lately.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes widened in shock.

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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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