Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 249

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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 249. Invasion (5)
Ha Sang Il was taken aback. He had not anticipated the Alliance Leader would be so resolute.
Meng Ha Sung rotated his tea cup as he spoke.
“Since you came directly, Elder Ha must surely understand why Jong Mu Seok was detained.”
“Ah, yes.”
Even now, he addressed him not as Elder Jong, but by name alone—a deliberate refusal to grant him the courtesy due to his rank.
“Even if the Ho Jeong Clan’s actions were unjust, it is not the place of a Martial Alliance Elder to confront the Law Enforcement Hall Director directly. If you harbored doubts, you could have come to me personally or submitted a formal grievance through proper channels, could you not?”
“….”
“Jong Mu Seok bypassed all those necessary procedures and went directly to the Law Enforcement Hall Director, even resorting to intimidation.”
“I, Alliance Leader.”
“Is that all? He even demanded that the Ho Jeong Clan Leader be released while the Law Enforcement Hall Director was conducting his investigation. He claimed witnesses alone would suffice for the inquiry?”
“…!”
“Tell me, Elder Ha—do you believe Jong Mu Seok’s conduct and demeanor were appropriate?”
Ha Sang Il answered immediately.
“Of course not. Though Elder Jong outranks the Law Enforcement Hall Director by position, he clearly overstepped his bounds.”
“Indeed.”
“As the Alliance Leader well knows, Elder Jong possesses a rather volatile temperament. He is ordinarily astute, but once angered, he loses all discretion. I suspect this incident arose from Elder Jong’s characteristic nature rather than any deliberate intent.”
Ha Sang Il sought to emphasize that Jong Mu Seok harbored no malicious purpose. By framing this as a matter of personal temperament rather than official duty, he hoped to steer the matter toward leniency.
Meng Ha Sung spoke coldly.
“In other words, Jong Mu Seok and the Ho Jeong Clan Leader O Gyeong Ha share some personal connection, and when O Gyeong Ha was taken away, an aggrieved Jong Mu Seok went to confront the Law Enforcement Hall Director about it?”
In that moment, Ha Sang Il felt his composure slip. By that logic, Jong Mu Seok had clearly applied external pressure with deliberate purpose.
“That is not what I meant. I merely meant to say that Elder Jong has long harbored dissatisfaction with how the Law Enforcement Hall conducts its affairs.”
“Then is that not worse?”
“Pardon?”
“How can a man called the Number One Under Heaven, an Elder of the Martial Alliance no less, claim to hold the position of Elder when he cannot even master his own temperament?”
“A, Alliance Leader.”
“Furthermore, before we speak of character, what Jong Mu Seok displayed was unmistakably external pressure. Do not invoke sincerity on this matter. Whether his intentions were sincere or not, what Jong Mu Seok did was objectively wrong in every respect.”
“I understand. I do not dispute that. However, precisely because this incident arose from his inability to restrain his anger, I wish to suggest that his transgression might be viewed as a mistake worthy of leniency.”
“If I were to accidentally kill Elder Ha, would you forgive me as well?”
Ha Sang Il was visibly startled.
“Alliance Leader! How could you say such a thing…!”
“Perhaps that analogy is imperfect. I acknowledge that. But surely anyone, Elder or not, can grasp that a single instance of misconduct can shake the very laws and principles of the Alliance?”
“….”
“How did Jong Mu Seok ever become an Elder of the Martial Alliance? The position of Martial Alliance Elder is not so trivial that it can be obtained through reputation and martial prowess alone, is it?”
Ha Sang Il felt cold sweat gathering along his spine.
‘He is going this far.’
It seemed he had come prepared. Meng Ha Sung was now condemning not only Jong Mu Seok’s crimes and qualifications, but was casting aspersions upon the entire Elder Council as well.
‘He has no intention of backing down. If I continue defending Jong Mu Seok, the backlash could fall upon me as well.’
He was not afraid of a little backlash, but Meng Ha Sung’s demeanor was far too ominous.
‘From this point forward, I must be careful not to give him any opening.’
His long years of political experience had honed an instinct that now whispered its warning.
Ha Sang Il bowed and spoke.
“Hearing your words, Alliance Leader, I now realize how thoughtless it was for me to come all this way and defend Elder Jong Mu Seok.”
He lowered his head at once.
If necessary, he could wage a battle of wills for three months and ten days, but the moment he decided submission was required, he would kneel immediately.
That was what he considered the cultivation of a politician.
Meng Ha Sung spoke in a noticeably softer tone.
“I’m not sure if Elder Ha’s friendship with Jong Mu Seok runs too deep, but I must confess I’m somewhat disappointed.”
He laid bare even his personal feelings without reservation.
A chill ran down my spine.
‘What is this? Why is he suddenly acting this way?’
Meng Ha Sung was a typical magnanimous hero and benevolent man.
He was a master of his generation who had carved through Jianghu with nothing but his two fists, but having never belonged to any organization, he knew little about sensitive political matters.
Indeed, judging by how he’d presented himself over the past six years, this was evident.
Yet after this brief conversation today, I discovered he spoke of dangerous matters quite skillfully. And he wasn’t even openly angry—I couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.
“I understand that you sought me out regarding Jong Mu Seok’s affairs, but isn’t Elder Ha someone with considerable experience in the Elder Council? Surely you’re not unaware of how grave his actions are, yet you attempt to treat it lightly as a matter of personal feeling—I truly cannot comprehend such an attitude.”
Ha Sang Il reflected.
‘I underestimated him.’
This was not the Alliance Leader of old.
Whatever change of heart had occurred, Meng Ha Sung was undoubtedly different.
‘Could he have hidden himself for six years?’
That was impossible. If he were such a man, he would never have been elevated to Alliance Leader in the first place.
In other words, if Meng Ha Sung had hidden himself, he would have deceived everyone for decades, not merely six years. Naturally, that was impossible.
‘But… Meng Ha Sung is Meng Ha Sung.’
No matter how junior in rank, an Elder was still an Elder. For him to openly display such discomfort in conversation with an Elder suggested that Meng Ha Sung’s political acumen was still lacking.
‘I came too lightly, but he’s not so difficult a man either. I need only maintain the proper distance.’
At least for now.
Ha Sang Il bowed deeply.
“My thinking was shallow. Since we see each other from time to time in the Elder Council, it seems I too failed to judge him with proper detachment.”
Meng Ha Sung laughed inwardly.
‘From time to time, he says.’
They were far more than that—they were of the same faction. Beneath those gently woven words lay the rhetorical skill of placing distance between himself and a criminal, truly the cunning of an old fox.
“Since Elder Ha speaks thus, I have nothing more to say. I merely ask that you view Jong Mu Seok’s crimes with cold judgment, and understand this man’s heart as well.”
“Of course. I’m only sorry I could not do so sooner. Perhaps I too lack the qualifications to serve as an Elder.”
Though his tone was self-reproachful, this was simultaneously Ha Sang Il’s attack—he had cast the die to see how Meng Ha Sung would respond.
Meng Ha Sung waved his hand dismissively.
“No. I simply got carried away for a moment and spoke too harshly.”
“How could that be?”
“Indeed, there have been countless times I’ve felt frustrated in my duties as Alliance Leader. Even after being elevated to the position, I’ve struggled day after day, uncertain of what to do or how to proceed.”
“It is our great fault for failing to properly assist you, Alliance Leader.”
“Before that, my own incompetence weighs heavily. To be honest, even now I find myself quite frustrated.”
His voice carried a bitter edge.
Ha Sang Il’s eyes narrowed.
‘Hmm, could it be that he’s subtly extending a hand to us?’
Meng Ha Sung as he was now—that was the best version of him. And it would remain so.
But.
‘…No. I shouldn’t entertain such thoughts now.’
He was cleverer and more dangerous than expected, yet not someone who warranted excessive vigilance.
That was Ha Sang Il’s assessment of Meng Ha Sung in this moment.
In any case, since Meng Ha Sung had shown himself in ways that defied his expectations, it seemed he would need to discuss this matter with the faction’s people.
“I have needlessly consumed the Alliance Leader’s time. This humble one must now take his leave and reflect upon himself, reconsidering what duties befit an Elder.”
Meng Ha Sung smiled.
“Though you came bearing unfortunate news, it was refreshing to share such casual conversation. Let us meet often hereafter.”
Casual conversation?
‘He means he won’t treat my words as an official matter. In other words, he won’t use them against me.’
Ha Sang Il’s eyes gleamed.
‘Perhaps truly….’
The thought crossed his mind that the Alliance Leader might have summoned him first had he not come.
Ha Sang Il rose from his seat and bowed deeply.
“I shall visit you often.”
“Hehe, please do.”
“Then.”
“Ah, there is one thing I failed to mention.”
“Yes?”
Meng Ha Sung, having drained his tea cup completely, spoke in a measured tone.
“I made an additional accusation against the Ho Jeong Clan Leader. Jong Mu Seok used that matter to pressure Yeong, the clan head.”
“…!”
“Whether Jong Mu Seok knew or didn’t know that the Alliance Leader made the accusation directly is irrelevant. What matters is that Jong Mu Seok committed the act itself.”
Ha Sang Il’s eyes wavered.
It was no different from openly defying the Alliance Leader.
The Martial Alliance did have laws against treason. Though as a confederation, treason itself was not easily recognized, members had to be all the more careful with their conduct.
“While it cannot be called outright treason, the result is that he defied the Alliance Leader, making it difficult to overlook.”
“…I understand.”
Even as a chill ran through his chest, Ha Sang Il’s mind churned with complexity.
‘To reveal such a fact even now… Could it truly be?’
It was a moment when his thoughts multiplied.
Thus Ha Sang Il departed the Alliance Leader’s Residence, having initially thought he would break even at best, yet now believing he had secured a substantial prize by the end.
Alone, Meng Ha Sung turned his gaze toward the window.
A faint weariness rose to his perpetually composed face.
A moment passed.
“How was it?”
At Gong Sun Baek’s question, Meng Ha Sung let out a bitter smile.
“Uncomfortable.”
“One punch from the Alliance Leader would turn him into a pulp.”
“Even a real punch couldn’t reduce someone to pulp in one strike. Still, he’s an Elder of the Martial Alliance.”
“Then perhaps two strikes would suffice.”
At Gong Sun Baek’s jest, a smile settled across Meng Ha Sung’s face.
“How do you think Ha Sang Il will respond?”
“How Ha Sang Il responds isn’t the issue.”
“That’s true enough.”
“I’m curious about the Vice Alliance Leader’s intentions.”
Gong Sun Baek set down his tea cup as he spoke.
“Your statement that you would never show Jong Mu Seok mercy—what’s your purpose behind it? That’s what truly matters.”
“Exactly.”
“Ha Sang Il is more cunning and calculating than he appears. He eliminates threats decisively, but if someone could become a source of power for his faction, he possesses the greed to obtain them by any means.”
“I hope he plays the puppet well until the right moment arrives.”
“If it doesn’t work out, we’ll make it work. Leave the rest to me, Alliance Leader. Please don’t worry yourself too much.”
Still, I was grateful Gong Sun Baek stood beside me. Had I attempted to handle such matters alone, my head would have split by now.
“By the way, what’s that troublemaker New Spiritual Lord of ours doing these days?”
“He’s been confined to the Enforcement Hall Solitary Cell. What he’s doing inside, I couldn’t say.”
Meng Ha Sung chuckled softly.
“He clashed with the Alliance Leader upon entering the Alliance, became Tambi Ryeong-ju in a single night, and was promptly thrown into the Enforcement Hall. Quite the entertaining life.”
“What will you do with him?”
“What will I do? What can I do?”
Meng Ha Sung leaned back in his chair.
“I’ve overlooked his past transgressions, so now it’s his turn to prove himself to Gu Wol and me.”

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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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