Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 243

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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 243. Mud Puddle (7)
Meng Ha Sung’s face, resting on his chin, was intensely grave.
Gong Sun Baek, who had been watching him in silence, let out a sigh and spoke.
“What will you do about this?”
“…Hmm.”
“Before the Alliance Leader makes a judgment, might I offer a word as Grand Strategist?”
“Of course.”
“They have crossed the line.”
“That’s not advice—that’s a statement.”
Meng Ha Sung released his hand and took a sip of tea.
Gong Sun Baek continued.
“O Gyeong Ha is the younger brother of the Sect Leader of the White Tiger Sword Sect, and his influence is considerable.”
“I know.”
“And… he is connected to Gonryun.”
Meng Ha Sung let out a soft laugh.
“After searching everywhere and finding nothing, they finally grasped at the thread leading to Gonryun—the farthest sect from the Central Plains, wasn’t it?”
When the external activity ban was imposed in the past, the people of Gonryun were absent from the Martial Alliance.
From the beginning, the Kunlun Sect itself was located in the distant region of Qinghai Province, so they rarely sent representatives to the Martial Alliance. This had been true in every era.
Thanks to this, they had cultivated a reputation as a mysterious sect, and they were indeed counted among the foremost of the Taoist schools. Among the ancient sects distant from the secular world, Gonryun was the greatest.
It was less than a decade after the death of the Previous Alliance Leader when Gonryun began to enter the Central Plains and exercise influence.
“What I know, you also know. I speak of facts you already understand not to inform you, but to remind you once more of our current situation.”
“I am aware.”
“Over the past decade, Gonryun’s influence has grown to an undeniable degree. They even promote themselves as the sect inheriting the legends of Mount Gonryun from mythology.”
“They aim to seize the position left vacant by the Mu Dang Sect when the previous generation stepped back.”
“By now, Gonryun exercises influence not inferior to Hwasan. In fact, a considerable number of the Alliance’s Elders have aligned themselves with Gonryun.”
“….”
“The reason an incompetent O Gyeong Ha could become the leader of the Righteous Protection Squad lies precisely there.”
At least the commander of a combat unit has significantly reduced involvement in politics.
Still, the name of the Righteous Protection Squad carries considerable weight. From the White Tiger Sword Sect’s perspective, it was a reasonably good position to secure.
“In other words, touching O Gyeong Ha is no different from touching Gonryun and the Alliance’s Elders.”
“That’s incorrect.”
“Pardon?”
“To be precise, you’ve touched Yun Hak Ja—the Grand Elder of Gonryun and also an Elder of the Martial Alliance—and several Elders who have connections with him.”
It did not mean the entire Kunlun Sect had been touched.
“Of course, I understand there are voices of conscience within Gonryun itself. After all, there are Taoist priests with no interest in politics. However, the fact remains that Yun Hak Ja came to the Martial Alliance as Gonryun’s representative.”
“Even so, it makes a difference.”
Meng Ha Sung drained his tea in one gulp and furrowed his brow.
“Just because a foolish leader of the Righteous Protection Squad suffered greatly at someone’s hands does not mean the entire Martial Alliance steps forward to punish that someone. Rather, we must first examine the cause and effect.”
Gong Sun Baek sighed.
“Alliance Leader.”
“I understand what you’re trying to say. To be honest, that fellow has done something far more reckless than I anticipated. I suspected some kind of disturbance might occur, but I never imagined he would actually strike down the Righteous Protection Squad Leader.”
Gong Sun Baek furrowed his brow.
“He struck him down… though it was reportedly a completely one-sided match.”
Moreover, it was O Gyeong Ha who had attacked first.
Even if Moyong Bi had applied pressure, for someone of O Gyeong Ha’s standing as the Righteous Protection Squad Leader to launch a preemptive strike was quite scandalous.
Of course, when considering the full context, it could be interpreted as him being unable to contain his anger, but in the process, Moyong Bi was an honored guest acknowledged by the Alliance Leader’s Faction.
From an official standpoint, O Gyeong Ha was disadvantaged no matter how one looked at it.
At least, that was the case if one only considered the official perspective.
“You and I, the Grand Strategist, have prepared much for a counterattack. But that fellow simply scoffed and swung his sword recklessly.”
“Indeed.”
“The time has come.”
“Pardon?”
Meng Ha Sung rose from his seat.
“The time has come, I say. Just as you and I have done, there is a need for a period of extremely careful preparation. But when shall we ignite the spark that signals the beginning?”
“Once sufficient preparations are complete.”
“When will sufficient preparations be complete?”
“That is…”
“What is the standard for ‘sufficient’? Is it when we’ve gathered enough power to overwhelm the Six Major Sects? Or is the true moment to begin when we can face even half of them?”
Gong Sun Baek understood what Meng Ha Sung was trying to say.
“There are times when one merely prepares and ends up accomplishing nothing. But I have no intention of allowing that to happen.”
His words carried the pride of a Grand Strategist.
Meng Ha Sung smiled.
“I know how capable you are. And that you wish to reform the Martial Alliance even more than I do.”
“…”
“But you understand as well, don’t you? Currently, power within the Martial Alliance is divided, and their directions all differ. In such circumstances, finding an opportune moment is difficult.”
Gong Sun Baek shook his head.
“I do not see it that way. As I mentioned before, soon an opening will present itself for us to exploit.”
“Because of the Demon’s movements?”
“Yes, because of the Demon’s movements.”
Meng Ha Sung acknowledged Gong Sun Baek’s strategy.
After all, Gong Sun Baek was someone seasoned in Martial Alliance politics. However unimpressive he might appear at first glance, it would be foolish to dismiss the wisdom of one who understands the importance of timing and the value of patience.
“It is precisely on this point that my thinking differs from yours.”
“Pardon?”
“You are the Grand Strategist. You read the political currents within the Alliance well. Moreover, the current situation is one where it is difficult for us to act directly. Therefore, you believe we must proceed even more cautiously.”
“That is correct.”
“And so you seek to use even the matter of the Demon’s movements as a tool for the transformation of the Martial Alliance.”
“…?!”
Gong Sun Baek’s eyes widened.
Conversely, Meng Ha Sung’s eyes narrowed.
“Tell me—is the Demon’s movement a trivial matter?”
“Of course not.”
“The stirrings of the Demonic forces are far graver than we carelessly imagine. Yet those belonging to the Martial Alliance seem to regard it lightly. They treat it as a serious matter, yes, but as though it were not an immediate threat.”
“….”
“You yourself harbor such thoughts, whether consciously or not, do you not?”
Gong Sun Baek was taken aback.
Even in his confusion, his mind raced swiftly, turning inward to examine his own past conduct.
‘Indeed.’
He exhaled a heavy sigh.
“…The Alliance Leader’s words are not mistaken.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes warmed.
A man of such rank—a Grand Strategist no less—might bristle at such words even from the Alliance Leader himself. And even if he did not, admitting one’s fault so readily would be difficult.
Yet Gong Sun Baek accomplished what was difficult.
Though his station was high, he did not regard himself as a great man.
There was always something to learn, always reason to reflect upon himself. Such an attitude transforms a person’s worth.
Perhaps in wisdom he fell short of Sama Ryong, the Grand Strategist who had written legend alongside the Previous Alliance Leader, yet in greatness of character, Gong Sun Baek would not be inferior to Sama Ryong.
“Having gazed upon the Martial Alliance alone for so many years, I may have prioritized its changes above all else.”
“But the stirrings of the Demonic forces are not to be taken lightly. The Demonic is not a tool to be exploited—it is a poison to be eradicated.”
“And to remove that poison, the Martial Alliance must become one.”
“In other words, unifying the Martial Alliance as swiftly as possible is the priority.”
“…!”
“Do you understand? To speak of sufficient preparation requires the premise of time and circumstance in our favor.”
A shadow fell across Meng Ha Sung’s face.
“We have neither time nor such luxury.”
Gong Sun Baek felt a chill run through him.
‘How could I have overlooked such a crucial point?’
Meng Ha Sung, reading his thoughts, sighed and spoke.
“You seek to unify the Martial Alliance as peacefully as possible. That is truly the right thought. Yet if circumstances prove unfavorable, we must cut away what must be cut away, even at great cost.”
“…So that is why the Alliance Leader resolved to destroy the Six Major Sects.”
“Not entirely. We lack the strength for that. But the sword must be drawn nonetheless.”
Gong Sun Baek nodded heavily.
“I understand your meaning.”
“I am grateful for your understanding.”
“No. This is something I should have considered first. My shortcoming is grave.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes gleamed.
“Perhaps that fellow Moyong Bi meant to tell us something through this incident.”
“Pardon?”
“That the situation is already perilous. That now is the moment to bring down the hammer.”
“…!!”
“There is such meaning in observing how the Alliance Leader and the Grand Strategist respond.”
“Does that young man possess such discernment?”
Meng Ha Sung spoke with finality.
“I don’t believe the young man Moyong Bi is beneath me, nor do I think myself superior to him.”
He seemed to have formed quite a favorable impression.
“If that is what the Alliance Leader believes, then so it shall be. But how do you intend to handle this matter?”
Meng Ha Sung gazed down at his own fist.
A fist bearing only the calluses of old battles. His cultivation had reached such heights that it now resembled the ordinary hand of a middle-aged man.
Yet within that unremarkable fist lay a formidable power he could never have imagined in his youth.
“A fist exists to be wielded.”
“….”
“My fist struck a man—who would dare claim my fist moved of its own accord?”
Gong Sun Baek’s expression grew serious.
“Where shall we summon Righteous Protection Squad Leader O Gyeong Ha?”
“To the Law Enforcement Hall.”
“…!!”
“Furthermore, summon all the warriors of the Righteous Protection Squad who were present there as witnesses.”
Gong Sun Baek swallowed involuntarily.
Even if O Gyeong Ha were at fault, this incident hardly warranted a summons to the Law Enforcement Hall. Yet the Alliance Leader had commanded it.
‘He intends to use O Gyeong Ha as a sacrifice!’
Starting with him, he would shake the entire Martial Alliance.
“I accept the Alliance Leader’s command.”
“And this.”
Meng Ha Sung withdrew a reddish nameplate and a carefully folded letter from his robes.
“Deliver this to Moyong Bi.”
Gong Sun Baek’s eyes widened at the sight of the nameplate, then he smiled.
“You’ve already thought it through.”
“Indeed.”
“You understand it carries danger in another sense?”
“You said you trusted me, did you not?”
Gong Sun Baek bowed his head.
“I shall deliver it.”
* * *
Early morning.
Moyong Su Hyang entered her residence with a yawn, rubbing her eyes as she spoke.
“You’re already awake?”
“Why are you up so early?”
“My sleep was restless.”
“These days, even people over thirty don’t say such things.”
“Everyone’s different. Right?”
Moyong Su Hyang noticed the crimson nameplate and letter resting upon the table.
“What is this?”
Moyong Bi grinned wickedly.
“Evidence that your Elder Brother rose to prominence in a single day.”
“Rose to prominence? My Elder Brother?”
“Rose to prominence, yes—but it’s an extraordinarily perilous ascension as well.”
Moyong Bi smiled and gazed down at the letter once more.
…Therefore, I hereby appoint you as the Director of the Secret Law Court, directly under the Martial 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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