Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 250

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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 250. Invasion (6)
“….”
Heat radiated from Moyong Bi’s body as he assumed the Horse Stance, shimmering visibly in the air.
Beads of sweat dotted his bare chest and shoulders. His upper torso was lean yet well-developed, the musculature carved with such precision it seemed a master craftsman had shaped it with a chisel.
‘Slower still.’
I extended my fist with such deliberate slowness that even wild beasts would tilt their heads in confusion.
This was a variant of Blunt Sword training—a Taoist martial discipline where one executed movements at maximum slowness to perceive the body’s responses and the flow of Qi. It was one of the foundational methods of Taoist martial arts.
‘Thorough.’
Though the Solitary Confinement Cell was reasonably spacious, I had restricted my movements deliberately.
My body was constrained, yet my mind and Qi moved with unprecedented complexity.
‘The Moyong Three Form Fist reveals something new with each iteration.’
Having surrendered my weapons, the only direct training available to me was unarmed combat.
Perhaps this was fortunate. Weapon mastery ultimately depends on the wielder—one must be formidable without arms to be formidable with them. I refused to train narrowly.
‘A Sword Form is ultimately the most certain path to suppress and eliminate an opponent. Therefore, depending on circumstances, the simplest Sword Form can become the supreme martial technique.’
In this regard, the Three Form Fist was an ideal foundational method.
The Sword Form was simple, yet it awakened the coordination of the entire body, and its subtleties could be woven into any martial art one learned.
‘Complexity and simplicity. The simplicity of the Three Form Fist contains countless possibilities. Conversely, my secret techniques are all supreme, yet without reaching Meng Suk’s level, they remain too intricate and abstruse to master easily.’
In the realm of fundamentals, the Three Form Fist stood at the highest level of martial arts. Therefore, it could be applied alongside one’s secret techniques.
Ultimately, my roots lay in the Moyong Clan’s martial arts.
‘How intriguing.’
Even after a quarter hour had passed, my fist had not advanced three inches.
Yet my thoughts moved with the speed of lightning and the flexibility of silk.
‘Softness does not always overcome hardness. But softness can lend power to hardness.’
This was where the Mu Dang martial arts differed while remaining similar. On the surface, my techniques resembled the Mu Dang Sect’s principle of Softness Subduing Rigidity, but in truth, my softness was closer to material of extreme strength.
Yet in this moment, Moyong Bi recognized anew the narrowness of his own perspective.
‘There is no necessity to rely solely on strength.’
If one could suppress and eliminate an opponent with swift, simple strikes, no martial art could be superior.
But opponents are not wooden planks or rocks—immobile objects. In combat, the possibilities are countless, and there is no reason to cling rigidly to the notion that truth reduces to simplicity alone.
‘I see now.’
Moyong Bi exhaled sharply.
‘Truth is unchanging. It is an absolute principle. Yet why have I not sought to forge my own truth?’
It was both a small and profound realization.
As the saying goes: “Ten Thousand Streams Return to One Source.” Though all paths begin differently, they converge upon the same road at their culmination.
‘Ten Thousand Streams Return to One Source is not wrong—it is an absolute law applicable to all. Yet at some point, did I not become obsessed with that singular truth and abandon the creation of my own path?’
Whoosh!
The Infinite True Qi surged, creating a wave of force.
By Taoist standards of cultivation, I had yet to transcend the Sun-Moon Convergence realm. My spirit wandered several stages higher, but my Qi and body could not keep pace with my mind.
Yet in this moment, this new enlightenment drew my Qi and flesh in a direction previously unknown.
‘If I have laid the foundation with the Supreme Ultimate, now I perceive what lies beyond.’
Sun-Moon Convergence referred to a state where Essence and Qi achieved perfect balance, neither leaning toward excess.
With perfect balance achieved, my ability to control Internal Energy greatly improved. Because I never lose my center regardless of circumstances, I can operate my Qi to its absolute limits.
But now I realized a different possibility than my days as the former Martial Alliance Leader.
‘I won’t end with the Taoist training method. I’ll forge my own path based on the Taoist training method as my foundation.’
Uuuoooong!!
Suddenly, the Wuji True Qi vibrated intensely.
Despite the unexpected resonance, Moyong Bi remained unperturbed and unshaken.
‘Literally Wuji—the state of absolute nothingness. My path lies not in Tai Chi, but in Wuji.’
Enlightenment is not merely understanding something new that was previously unknown.
If one receives a different ‘sensation’ from facts already known, that too could be called profound enlightenment.
Ziiiiing!
The Brain Gate Heart Technique opened of its own accord.
Simultaneously, the Wuji True Qi surged upward at a terrifying velocity.
From the lower Dantian to the middle Dantian, from the middle Dantian to the upper Dantian.
Flash!
Divine light ignited in Moyong Bi’s eyes.
‘I’m advancing!’
The Brain Gate Heart Technique, which had only accumulated power without truly opening until now, finally progressed from the First Method to the Second Method.
It was not of my own volition, yet simultaneously it was. My awakened consciousness in a different form desired the growth of the Brain Gate Heart Technique.
‘The Yin Yang Dual Method.’
Flash!
Lightning struck from one corner of my mind.
The lightning that descended centered on the space between my eyebrows spread throughout my entire body the moment it merged with the Wuji True Qi.
Countless neural pathways resembled lightning itself. By making each nerve thick and elastic, I expanded the vessel’s capacity to contain True Qi within.
Whoooosh!
Sweat evaporated instantly.
Even as the impure sweat evaporated, a fragrant aroma arose.
Fuuuoooong!
Between the Wuji True Qi below and the Brain Gate True Energy above.
The two merged energies descended to the middle Dantian, forming a vessel entirely different from before.
‘Done!’
A perfectly circular Dantian with not the slightest disturbance.
It was a Pill—I had formed an Internal Pill, the pinnacle of Taoist cultivation.
Of course, I had formed Internal Pills in the past, but something was different this time.
Moyong Bi, intoxicated with joy, suddenly grew alarmed.
‘What? Two?’
One. But behind the single Internal Pill, there was another transparent Internal Pill lurking like a shadow.
Though it had not yet formed Qi, the vessel for the Internal Pill had created itself. It was nature’s gift to Moyong Bi, who had transcended the truth of “all rivers return to the sea” and created his own laws.
‘That is the empty Internal Pill created by the Yin Yang Dual Method.’
Moyong Bi felt a profound chill.
‘The seat of the Forbidden Demon Formula.’
The seat of the Forbidden Demon Formula born from the unconscious mind.
The Dantian is formed when Qi increases in density. This is truth.
Yet Moyong Bi, who rejected the world’s truths and forged his own, reversed the process—first forming the vessel that would contain the Dantian itself.
‘How remarkable.’
One might call it truly uncharted territory.
It was far beyond merely rejecting the ordinary. He had abandoned the very framework of proper Martial Arts entirely, charging backward through the system, yet amid this reversal, he opened pathways for growth without any regression.
Whoooosh.
My mind became crystalline.
The Brain Gate True Energy, freed from the first stage, expanded my mental capacity and accelerated my thoughts.
My five senses grew keener, and the flow of Qi became far more natural.
Brilliant light!
The Qi from the upper Dantian surging at the Baihui Acupoint gradually radiated a resplendent golden luminescence.
The golden aura resembled a delicate flower.
‘Jade Stamen Golden Blossom.’
By Taoist standards, I had reached the Jade Stamen Golden Blossom—the realm beyond the Union of Sun and Moon.
‘But it is different.’
Since my beginning had always differed from others, even at the Union of Sun and Moon realm, I had possessed the martial power of a prestigious family’s leader.
Now it was different still.
‘This is no longer merely a matter of strength. From this moment forward….’
A smile graced Moyong Bi’s face.
‘I can master the Forbidden Demon Formula.’
The foundation was laid.
Of course, I would not master it immediately.
‘A new path has opened. First, I must understand how existing Martial Arts are applied. The Forbidden Demon Formula comes after.’
Regardless, the new always sets one’s heart racing.
As Moyong Bi smiled, he suddenly realized he was sitting in the Lotus Position.
‘When did this happen?’
It was then.
“May I enter?”
“Come in.”
The door opened and Young Ho Gyeong entered.
His eyes widened.
“Did you acquire flowers from somewhere?”
“Hmm?”
“The fragrance is quite strong.”
Moyong Bi lifted his arm and sniffed it.
“It seems to be coming from my body?”
“…Well, that’s not particularly important.”
Young Ho Gyeong glanced down at the floor.
“Why haven’t you eaten?”
Moyong Bi gazed toward the left side of the iron door.
Several rice balls wrapped neatly in bamboo leaves lay scattered about.
“When did you give me so much?”
“I’ve been providing three full meals a day for the past two days, so isn’t this only natural?”
Moyong Bi was startled.
‘Two days have passed?’
It seemed I had lost track of time while intoxicated by enlightenment.
Yet my stomach had not complained. My Qi was overflowing.
Rising from my seat, I donned my upper garment and asked.
“Is the matter proceeding well?”
Young Ho Gyeong offered a bitter smile.
“Regarding the O Gyeong Ha case, there were no complications.”
“Indeed?”
“Based on witness testimony, it appears that the Moyong Commander did apply some pressure to O Gyeong Ha. However, O Gyeong Ha was the first to employ assassins, which constitutes insubordination against a superior and attempted murder.”
Moyong Bi smiled faintly.
“Attempted murder?”
“…To be honest, O Gyeong Ha did not know you were the Tambi Commander at the time.”
“That’s right.”
“Even without knowing, he deployed assassins against a distinguished guest of the Alliance Leader’s Residence, which constitutes attempted murder. If we wish to compound his guilt further, we could emphasize his position as Commander in the verdict.”
“What does the Clan Head wish to do?”
Confusion appeared on Young Ho Gyeong’s face.
“Does my preference matter?”
“It’s merely a question.”
Young Ho Gyeong exhaled deeply and opened his eyes wide.
“While it is possible to impose heavier sentences for the same crime, by principle, increasing O Gyeong Ha’s guilt further would be excessive.”
Who he is does not matter. What matters is the crime itself that he committed.
Moyong Bi nodded.
“In any case, we must also investigate the Alliance Leader’s accusation, so you’ll be quite busy.”
The tone suggested I had no further interest in O Gyeong Ha.
“Then you’re saying you won’t provide additional testimony?”
“I have nothing more to add.”
“…I understand.”
Young Ho Gyeong exhaled and leaned his body against the iron door.
Glancing at his face, I adjusted my appearance and spoke.
“You seem unable to handle Jong Mu Seok?”
Young Ho Gyeong offered a bitter smile.
“To be frank, that is the case.”
The atmosphere was somewhat different from before.
“He is an Elder of the Martial Alliance. It is difficult to handle him carelessly.”
“Simply uphold your principles as the Head of the Law Enforcement Hall.”
“I’m not unaware of what the Tambi Ryeong-ju is saying. But surely an organization cannot always rely solely on principles, can it?”
Had Young Ho Gyeong still been in that wavering state from our first meeting, I would have offered him another bitter truth.
But Moyong Bi had witnessed his transformation. It was a small change—infinitesimal, even—yet as he observed the unfolding events, it seemed he too had come to understand something unconsciously.
“You’re not wrong. An organization is led by people, after all. If we cling only to principles, the organization itself will cease to function properly.”
“….”
“That’s why flexibility matters. We must use principles as our foundation, yet know how to conduct affairs within a range that doesn’t violate those principles.”
“Within a range that doesn’t violate principles….”
“That range is simple. If you recall the reason our organization was born—its very origin—then even bold flexibility won’t cause the organization to crumble.”
“Then, what would you have me do?”
Moyong Bi smiled with a slight grin.
“Have you forgotten that the Tambi Command also serves as an Apostle?”
“…?!”
“I specialize in substitutes.”

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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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