Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 238
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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 238. Mud Puddle (2)
“….”
Moyong Bi’s gaze grew intensely serious as he regarded the two Divine Weapons propped against the wall.
The Seal Demon Divine Spear and the Beast Blade.
I never imagined Meng Ha Sung would willingly hand over these two Divine Weapons.
Of course, there was a reason behind his gesture.
‘I’ll explain the situation within the Martial Alliance in greater detail later. But understand this one thing clearly: the Ho Yeon Clan currently wields considerable influence within the Martial Alliance.’
‘I see.’
‘Being counted among the Six Great Families, they receive the treatment of honored guests and those serving the greater good, even without an official title. Other prestigious families are similar, but particularly many of the leadership have allied themselves with them.’
‘In other words, if I, as a member of the Moyong Clan, carry these Divine Weapons symbolizing the Previous Alliance Leader, they will focus their attention on me.’
‘…I intend to use you properly.’
‘Do not worry. I will move of my own accord before you even need to employ me.’
‘Can you manage it?’
‘I will forge my own place.’
Though he pretended otherwise, clear remorse was evident in Meng Ha Sung’s expression.
‘The Ho Yeon Clan… Listen, Meng Ha Sung. You cannot focus solely on the Ho Yeon Clan.’
They say when a single loach thrashes about, even clear water becomes a mud puddle.
I wondered just how much chaos those fools had caused if Meng Ha Sung needed to be wary of the Ho Yeon Clan before confronting the Six Major Sects entirely, but regardless, what mattered was the Martial Alliance standing firm—not crushing the Ho Yeon Clan.
It was a matter of process versus objective, one might say.
‘The Ho Yeon Clan’s influence appears to be formidable indeed.’
If they had accumulated power while disregarding public opinion, even the most formidable sect would find them difficult to oppose.
“In the end, handing me the Seal Demon and Beast Blade symbolically demonstrates that the Moyong Family has inherited my identity as the Previous Alliance Leader.”
From the start, it was meant to capture the Ho Yeon Clan’s attention decisively.
‘I’m curious how they will react.’
If they responded with intensity, that would work in my favor.
In fact, I hoped they would. Excitement breeds openings, after all. If they draw their blades first, I have justification to meet them properly.
‘But they won’t make it so easy. Not if they possess any sense.’
Then what should I do?
‘I cannot simply wait passively. I must move first, forcing them to become excited, forcing them to reveal their weaknesses.’
I have no intention of moving passively according to the strategy devised by Meng Ha Sung and Gong Sun Baek.
Regardless of who laid the foundation, if I wish to obtain what I desire from that board, I must move first.
“Elder Brother, what are you doing?”
“Hm?”
Turning my head, I found that Moyong Su Hyang and Jin Gwang had already entered.
I scratched my head as I spoke.
“Just thinking about various things.”
“Why? Do you like the new Divine Weapons that much?”
Like them? Of course.
“Try touching them yourself.”
Moyong Su Hyang shrank her neck back.
“I’ll pass.”
“Why?”
“Something tells me I shouldn’t touch it.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“I’m not sure. It’s just a feeling. If I carelessly grabbed it, I think it would just swing me around.”
Though she spoke half in jest, her words also revealed that Moyong Su Hyang possessed an exceptional Qi Sensitivity.
‘She sensed that the Divine Weapon’s divine aura doesn’t suit her.’
Why are Divine Weapons and Strange Artifacts called such?
It’s not because they never break under any impact or remain perpetually sharp without maintenance.
‘True’ Divine Weapons and Strange Artifacts possess an aura unique to the weapon itself. When a craftsman’s soul is poured into them, or when they’re refined through countless battles across many ages and tempered by diverse Qi, weapons develop their own distinctive essence.
Sealed Demons and Beasts operated by the same principle.
“Once your realm advances, such thoughts will fade. Even if the compatibility isn’t perfect, you’ll be able to suppress it with abundant Qi.”
“Is that how it works?”
“Of course, since the compatibility isn’t ideal, you still won’t be able to use it properly.”
Moyong Su Hyang tilted her head.
“But ultimately, it’s just a weapon—whether you use it properly or not comes down to the individual warrior’s skill, doesn’t it?”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“Exactly. That’s the important mindset. If you never forget that it ultimately depends on yourself, you’ll eventually master even weapons with poor compatibility.”
Moyong Su Hyang’s expression remained ambiguous, but surprisingly, Jin Gwang nodded in agreement. Having trained with countless weapons in his pursuit of greater strength, he grasped the essence of what Moyong Bi was saying.
“By the way, how was your walk through the Martial Alliance?”
“There wasn’t much to walk about. It’s so vast I didn’t even have the courage to explore further.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Just then, a familiar voice came from beyond the door.
“May I enter?”
“Please come in.”
The door opened, and Jung Hui appeared.
Moyong Su Hyang’s eyes sparkled.
“Oh? You look quite impressive.”
Dressed once more in the Ho Jeong Clan Vice Leader’s uniform, his appearance was distinctly different from when he first arrived at the Moyong Family.
Back then, he’d seemed somewhat tense, but now there was a sense of the right person in the right place. This was why environment mattered so much.
Jung Hui laughed awkwardly.
“Please don’t tease me. I’ll be taking it off soon.”
“Are you a pervert?”
“That’s not what I meant….”
“I know. I was just joking.”
Despite only having conversed a few times, Jung Hui had grown accustomed to her manner and wasn’t excessively flustered.
“For the time being, I’ve been assigned to serve as your guide throughout the Martial Alliance, so I’m currently under the Military Affairs Department, subordinate to the Chief Commander. Should you need anything or wish to visit anywhere, please don’t hesitate to inform me.”
Moyong Su Hyang laughed and waved her hand dismissively.
“I’m planning to rest thoroughly until tomorrow. The place is just too vast—I don’t have the courage to venture further.”
“Haha, I see.”
At that moment, Moyong Bi rose from his seat.
“You said I could go wherever I wished, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hmm.”
Moyong Bi’s eyes swept over Jung Hui from head to toe.
Jung Hui’s expression immediately grew awkward.
“Why… why are you looking at me like that?”
“Does anywhere truly suffice?”
“Except for restricted areas, yes, that would be the case.”
“Could I perhaps observe the Inner City garrison’s training exercises?”
“The garrison’s training?”
“Yes.”
Though Jung Hui’s face betrayed confusion, his response came swiftly nonetheless.
“It depends on which garrison. Of course, you would need formal permission from that organization’s leader.”
“What if the Alliance Leader’s Faction or the Military Affairs Department granted formal approval?”
Jung Hui nodded.
“Then as an official guest of the Martial Alliance, you could visit anywhere.”
Moyong Bi spoke to Moyong Su Hyang.
“You know where the Military Affairs Department is, don’t you?”
“The Military Affairs Department? Of course I do. General Gong Sun Baek even told me directly where it was in case I ever needed to find him.”
“The Alliance Leader’s Faction is a bit complicated… Fine. Su Hyang, go to the Military Affairs Department immediately and simply deliver your Elder Brother’s message.”
Moyong Su Hyang was taken aback.
“Me… I should go?”
“Didn’t you say you were tired of wandering around?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Just deliver the message to the Military Affairs Department and come back to rest.”
“What are you planning?”
Jung Hui interjected.
“If you have a message to convey, I can deliver it personally…”
“Vice Leader Jung, you’ll be guiding me to the garrison instead.”
“Yes… yes?”
Moyong Bi’s lips curved upward.
“Since I’ve brought a guest so suddenly, I should check how prepared the Alliance Leader and the General are. Vice Leader, you’ll accompany me.”
Jin Gwang asked.
“Young Master, then what should I do?”
“You’ll escort Su Hyang.”
“May I ask what this is about?”
Moyong Bi laughed and patted Jin Gwang’s shoulder.
“I’m going to create some exciting opportunities for you. Look forward to it.”
A peculiar smile bloomed on Jin Gwang’s face. He had just realized that this remarkable and troublemaking Young Master was about to cause some chaos.
“This is the Martial Alliance, after all.”
“Isn’t the Martial Alliance a place where people live?”
“I understand what you mean.”
“Good.”
Moyong Su Hyang found it difficult to comprehend what the two men’s exchange signified.
Moyong Bi linked shoulders with Jung Hui. Somehow, the Beast Sword was already fastened at his waist, and in his left hand he held the Sealed Divine Spear—yet no one had seen when he’d acquired them.
“Well then, shall we go?”
“W-where to, if I may ask?”
“Ho Jeong Clan.”
“…?!”
“Wouldn’t that be more convenient? Ah, but they’re training right now, aren’t they?”
* * *
“Alliance Leader.”
“Ah, the Commander-in-Chief has arrived.”
“What are you doing?”
The floor of the Alliance Leader’s Residence was scattered with countless organizational charts in complete disarray.
There, Meng Ha Sung bent at the waist without any sense of propriety, marking various spots with a large brush.
“Working, that’s all.”
Gong Sun Baek smiled.
“Somehow, the Alliance Leader’s Residence looks more like the Military Affairs Department than the actual Military Affairs Department.”
“It’s easier to see everything at once when you spread it out like this.”
“So then, what was your impression of that young man, Moyong Bi?”
As Meng Ha Sung straightened his back, his expression grew quite serious.
“A snake.”
“That’s a harsher assessment than I expected.”
“A snake, yes—but a strange one. Larger than a dragon, with rows of fangs as sharp as a carnivorous beast.”
“…?!”
“If it were hungry, it would swallow an entire mountain whole.”
“A snake, you say….”
“And terribly venomous on top of that. Provoke it, and it would spread poison across the entire region.”
There was a reason he chose to call it a snake rather than a dragon, a monster, or a tiger.
“You deemed him dangerous, then.”
“Dangerous and capable. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if he caused some incident today itself.”
Gong Sun Baek let out a bitter laugh.
“My judgment was accurate after all.”
“Hmm?”
“I admire you, don’t I? And I’m the only one who truly understands your abilities.”
“So you know how to praise others while gilding your own face?”
“Your judgment was accurate, Alliance Leader.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me that bastard has already caused trouble?”
“He hasn’t caused trouble yet, but he did give a warning.”
“Where to?”
“The Ho Jeong Clan.”
Meng Ha Sung was flabbergasted.
“He’s going to the Ho Jeong Clan?”
“That’s correct.”
The Ho Jeong Clan was a military force organization within the Martial Alliance’s Inner City.
Of course, they couldn’t be called the strongest, but the mere fact that they were an Inner City unit gave them the respect of everyone.
“What kind of trouble does he plan to cause there?”
“I’m not sure. To be honest, I’m wondering if he’ll actually cause trouble. No matter how ruthless a person is, this is the Martial Alliance, isn’t it? He’s only been here less than a day….”
“No, he’s definitely going to cause trouble.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes gleamed.
“That bastard inherited quite a bit of the Previous Alliance Leader’s blood. Setting aside talent and enlightenment, his intuition and temperament are faster and more dangerous than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Worry settled over Gong Sun Baek’s face.
“What should we do if he does?”
“What do you mean what should we do? Let’s call him in first. Goodness, I didn’t expect to see his face so soon.”
“It’s difficult to call him.”
“Why? Doesn’t he want to receive the Alliance Leader’s orders?”
“He’s already gone to the Ho Jeong Clan.”
“…?”
“He personally dragged along Jung Hui, the guide and Vice Leader. He only sent his younger sister and an escort warrior to deliver the message.”
What kind of audacious bastard does such a thing?!
Meng Ha Sung nearly cried out, but then he changed his mind.
“…Look at this guy.”
He had never considered Moyong Bi as his subordinate, nor did he think of him as inferior.
Therefore, he could read the hidden intention behind Moyong Bi’s actions.
Meng Ha Sung murmured with a peculiar expression.
“After throwing a probing move to see how things would play out in the sparring match with the Martial Alliance Leader, he’s doing the same thing again.”
“Pardon?”
“He’s asking me to prove my usefulness.”
“Moyong Bi is? To you, the Alliance Leader?”
“That’s right.”
Gong Sun Baek was astounded.
“What kind of way is he asking you to prove your usefulness?”
“Depending on how I handle the aftermath, he’s testing how far he can go forward. My usefulness is determined by where I draw that line.”
Meng Ha Sung let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.
“This is truly a case where the master serves the servant instead.”
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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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