Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 251

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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 251. Crack (1)
“Hmm, the Alliance Leader said such a thing?”
“Indeed.”
Jeon Chil Sung stroked his beard and tilted his head thoughtfully.
“That’s quite a peculiar reaction. It’s not the Alliance Leader I knew.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Ha Sang Il’s face darkened as he caressed his tea cup.
“When you think about it, we may have viewed the Alliance Leader as far too naive. Truth be told, if someone has traversed the Jianghu for decades, it’s unreasonable to regard him as merely a good-natured man.”
The Martial World of the Jianghu is filled with things beyond imagination.
Truth and falsehood hold sway, while romance and ruthless reality toy with people as they please.
Meng Ha Sung was a powerhouse who had carved through such a world with nothing but his fists. Though his temperament was bold and he rarely resorted to violence, anyone who had wandered the Jianghu alone—where even absolute masters could perish through carelessness—was certainly not to be underestimated.
Jeon Chil Sung shook his head.
“Don’t say ‘we.’ I have never once thought the Alliance Leader was someone to be taken lightly.”
“…?”
“My surprise stems from the Alliance Leader’s sudden reaction, not from underestimating him.”
Ha Sang Il was taken aback.
“Is that so?”
“Of course. How could a powerhouse who backed no faction and survived countless battles possibly be naive?”
“Hmm…”
“However, these past six years weigh on my mind. I thought his abilities were certain, but he had grown somewhat soft, his edge dulled.”
Interest flickered across Jeon Chil Sung’s face.
“His edge wasn’t dulled—he was sharpening it. He was concealing his fangs behind thickened lips.”
“Regardless, this is the first time I’ve seen the Alliance Leader make such a bold move.”
“So, what is your assessment?”
Ha Sang Il shook his head.
“The current situation doesn’t allow for definitive conclusions. But if we consider only that one bold action…”
“…”
“The Alliance Leader used Jong Mu Seok as a sacrifice to prove his own worth.”
Jeon Chil Sung’s eyes gleamed.
“His own worth.”
“The Alliance Leader surely knows that Jong Mu Seok belongs to the same faction as us.”
“That would be true.”
“To completely devour such a Jong Mu Seok appears at first glance to be an attack on our faction. Yet simultaneously, he is subtly proposing an alliance with us.”
“In other words, he demonstrated the ability to topple someone of Jong Mu Seok’s caliber in a single stroke?”
“It was originally within the Alliance Leader’s authority. What matters is whether he possesses the will and magnanimity to execute it.”
“Do you believe the Alliance Leader wishes to stand with us?”
“For now, yes. Of course, I’m also considering the possibility that he doesn’t.”
Jeon Chil Sung shook his head.
“If the Alliance Leader extended his hand, then he is far more terrifying than we imagined.”
Ha Sang Il nodded gravely.
“On the surface, our faction appears rather mediocre. Yet if you chose us, it means you understand something of our potential.”
“Indeed.”
Jeon Chil Sung, who had been tapping the table with his index finger, tilted his head.
“I cannot fathom what the Alliance Leader intends, but if he has come this far, we have no choice but to abandon Jong Mu Seok.”
Ha Sang Il’s face grew even darker.
“Discarding a man of no standing is hardly a loss, but I fear how the other factions will perceive us.”
Even in factional disputes, there exists an aura of power.
One must care for even disagreeable members lest other factions look down upon us. Yet in this matter, the Alliance Leader has intervened, and if we do not abandon Jong Mu Seok, it appears we stand against the Alliance Leader himself.
Beyond fighting the Alliance Leader, the other factions will launch fierce offensives. Should that occur, potential becomes meaningless.
“Jong Mu Seok has crossed the line regardless. Frankly, he acted without consulting us and bolted on his own—was that not his transgression? We have nothing to regret.”
“But the other factions….”
“Which is precisely why the Alliance Leader’s course of action matters. If this is one step back for one step forward, is it not advantageous for us?”
“Yet can you truly be certain the Alliance Leader has resolved to stand with us?”
“We shall learn in time.”
Ha Sang Il shook his head once more.
“As I see it, speed is everything in this matter. If we respond with leisure, we shall suffer grievous losses.”
Jeon Chil Sung smiled faintly.
“Do you know why I favor you?”
“What do you mean so suddenly?”
“Because your grain differs from mine.”
“Hmm?”
“I see things broadly and boldly, so I overlook much in the details. You perceive the immediate reality with care, yet your broader vision falters. We are what each other needs.”
Ha Sang Il offered a bitter smile.
“Now is the time to see things broadly?”
“Leave this matter to me. You must comfort the faction members. When trouble arises, internal order must be restored first.”
Jeon Chil Sung rose from his seat.
“Where are you going?”
“For a walk.”
“How fortunate to have peace of mind.”
“Peace of mind aids digestion. Do not overtax yourself.”
“So we are truly abandoning Jong Mu Seok?”
Jeon Chil Sung’s smile deepened.
“A walk to make certain we abandon him.”
* * *
“Emerging from solitary confinement, the world feels rather pleasant.”
Moyong Bi, who had settled into a chair as though it were his own home, showed not the slightest tension.
Jong Mu Seok’s cheek twitched.
“What are you doing here?”
“I deliberately left your Mute Acupoint only partially sealed so you would have ample time to contemplate your crimes before it released.”
“What?!”
“It meant for you to reflect on yourself and approach the investigation with sincerity.”
Moyong Bi tilted his head.
“When a person loses the ability to speak, they begin to contemplate their past actions. Through that contemplation comes reflection, and they envision their future—yet somehow, you’ve only accumulated rage?”
Jong Mu Seok shouted abruptly.
“Stop spouting nonsense and get out! I…!”
“For every sound you make, I’ll extract a tooth, so feel free to squeal if you’re curious.”
“What, what did you say?”
Moyong Bi leaned a long blade against the table beside him.
“Extracting them barehanded would be fine, but since I have tools, I’d rather not get blood on my hands. Even if your gums bleed, I’ll use the blade.”
“You bastard…!”
I was truly furious enough to turn and leave, yet I couldn’t bring myself to cry out.
That man seemed fully capable of actually extracting my teeth. And since he was the one who had driven me to the point of imprisonment in the Law Enforcement Hall, there was nothing he wouldn’t do.
Moyong Bi chuckled calmly.
“Are you hot-tempered?”
“….”
“From what I can see, your rage is only ever unleashed when necessity demands it.”
“What?!”
“Excluding Demon People, I’ve never witnessed anyone truly incapable of controlling their anger. Well, of course, I was like that once too.”
To Jong Mu Seok, “once” could only mean a time when Moyong Bi was little more than a child.
“You only express your anger within limits you can manage. When facing someone of considerable authority, or in situations where death seems imminent, you restrain yourself.”
“…!”
“That’s why your rage is so base. Weak against the strong, fierce only against the weak—the typical behavior of a petty man.”
Jong Mu Seok’s face flushed crimson.
His body trembled, yet he couldn’t bring himself to shout. Being captured was already shameful enough; if his teeth were extracted, he would never be able to hold his head high again.
Moyong Bi smirked and unfolded the documents placed beside him.
Jong Mu Seok asked in a low voice.
“Why are you here?”
“A criminal needn’t concern themselves with such matters.”
“If I’m to be interrogated, it should be by someone from the Law Enforcement Hall. Whether it’s Tambi Ryeong-ju or whoever, I have no reason to be interrogated by you.”
“And yet this fool was shouting and spouting nonsense while the Alliance Leader himself was conducting the interrogation?”
“What?!”
“What good is any scheme against an idiot who can’t even be properly interrogated? You don’t even think about what you’ve done.”
Jong Mu Seok, trembling violently, suddenly shouted.
“Summon the Law Enforcement Hall Leader! Otherwise, I’ll formally report that you’ve overstepped your authority!”
Moyong Bi smiled faintly.
“The Law Enforcement Hall Leader has certain authorities. One of them is the power to delegate interrogation to trustworthy members of the Martial Alliance leadership.”
“…?!”
“While I’m not part of the Alliance leadership itself, as the head of an organization directly under the Alliance Leader, I possess certain legitimate authority.”
“That man invoked the interrogation delegation authority?!”
“That’s no longer your concern.”
Moyong Bi rose from his seat.
“I said I’d extract a tooth every time you made a sound. Did that sound like a joke to you?”
“Y-you bastard!”
“If you were harboring any false hopes, I’m afraid I must disappoint you. I’m not the type to indulge such things.”
Whoosh!
The wind blade struck Jong Mu Seok’s Mute Acupoint in rapid succession.
His jaw fell open involuntarily.
Remarkably, Jong Mu Seok couldn’t utter a single word. It was a dual acupoint strike of the highest caliber—one that sealed the vocal cords while forcing the jaw joint open.
Shing.
The long blade was drawn.
With teeth missing, the dual-edged sword now resembled a saw, emanating an ominous and sinister aura.
Jong Mu Seok’s eyes became severely bloodshot.
‘No! You madman! Don’t do this!’
Moyong Bi extended the long blade.
Jong Mu Seok’s complexion turned deathly pale. The blade’s tip had already touched the gum of his upper right front teeth.
“Come to think of it, my sword would find this distasteful too. I should ask for some tweezers instead.”
Moyong Bi tapped the handle end with his other hand.
The gum tore as the blade tip drove deep into the root. He twisted the long blade without hesitation.
Pop.
A tooth tumbled across the table.
‘Ahhhhhhh!’
Jong Mu Seok screamed silently within.
The tooth had been extracted raw, the gum split by the blade. The pain was excruciating, but what shocked him more was that his opponent was actually following through with this insane act.
Moyong Bi shook the blood from the blade’s tip, sheathed the long blade, then pulled a rope that descended from the empty air above.
Moments later, a member of the organization entered.
“Bring me a small pair of tweezers.”
“Pardon?”
The member, tilting his head in confusion, gasped upon seeing Jong Mu Seok’s state.
“Didn’t you hear? Bring tweezers. A sturdy pair.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
The member hurriedly closed the door and left.
As Moyong Bi sent another wind blade, Jong Mu Seok breathed heavily and roughly.
“Now then, shall we begin the interrogation?”
“You insane bastard, how dare you mock me?!”
Unable to contain his rising fury, he screamed once more.
Moyong Bi smiled.
“Excellent. Let’s wait until the member returns with the tweezers. Feel free to keep screaming.”
Jong Mu Seok’s face, which had been deathly pale, now turned ashen and lifeless.
‘Damn it!’
Alongside his rage toward his opponent, a strange emotion he had forgotten over the past years began to surface.
That emotion had a name: fear.
‘This bastard actually means it! He really does!’
He had even chosen to extract teeth himself. If provoked, he might create even more gruesome rules—severing fingers, gouging out eyes—turning this into something far worse.
“…I’ll cooperate with the interrogation.”
The words emerged strained through gritted teeth.
Moyong Bi broke into a broad smile.
“A wise decision. The sooner we finish, the better for us both.”
Just then, a subordinate brought the pincers.
“But I think one more tooth needs to come out. A man should keep his word, after all.”

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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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