Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 254

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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 254. Crack (4)
It was a peculiar choice of words.
Not “I will stand with you,” but rather “I will step beneath you.” Moyong Bi understood perfectly what this meant.
“From what I heard from the Alliance Leader, the Family Head has already agreed to join hands with him.”
“Of course I did.”
Jegal Dan spoke without the slightest change in expression.
“But the scope of ‘standing together’ and how far we can sacrifice in certain areas—these are matters that require careful consideration.”
Moyong Bi could not regard Jegal Dan as a cunning man.
‘It’s only natural.’
A Family Head determines the fate of his clan. Once a Family Head makes a decision, the members of his family must follow, whether they wish to or not.
Therefore, a Family Head must protect the lives of his family members more carefully than anyone else.
Even if allied with Meng Ha Sung, should the family face crisis, he could sever ties at any moment. Jegal Dan had accepted Meng Ha Sung’s proposal only ‘partially’—he had not formed a complete alliance.
But if the Moyong Clan enters this game, the situation changes entirely, he was saying.
“To speak frankly, in this age when Demonic forces rear their heads, the Martial Alliance must absolutely become one. I won’t insist on invoking the Previous Alliance Leader or returning to the formidable power of that era, but at the very least, we must not abandon our greater purpose through internal division.”
“You speak wisely.”
“Yet I doubt the current Martial Alliance possesses such strength. Many understand the importance of unity, but true unity requires a leader capable of binding all together. Though it may be irreverent to say, by my judgment, the current Alliance Leader lacks somewhat in such ability.”
Moyong Bi nodded slightly.
Meng Ha Sung is a remarkable man. Though his political experience falls somewhat short, his outstanding experience in the Jianghu compensates for that lack, and his eye for grasping the essence of matters is particularly keen.
Yet even that was insufficient.
To truly unite the Martial Alliance, one must transcend something. Whether it be stronger will, bold innovation, or unimaginable strategy.
The man himself is indeed exceptional, yet there remains a slight insufficiency. Jegal Dan saw Meng Ha Sung clearly.
“The Alliance Leader intends to deal with the Six Major Sects first. I thought his judgment was not poor.”
Moyong Bi smiled.
“From someone bearing responsibility for one of those Six Major Sects?”
“Pretending within a hollow fence often makes one a fool ignorant of the world’s ways. I learned that lesson well.”
He spoke of the years spent obsessing over trivial matters, unaware that Demon People had already infiltrated his own household.
“Truly, there are few who can genuinely help me and my clan. Though the Jegal Clan is one of the Six Families, when our family faced danger, scarcely anyone sent even a single letter asking if we were well.”
“….”
“In the end, the righteousness of the Six Major Sects amounts to nothing more than that.”
It was a calm reflection.
No disappointment showed on Jegal Dan’s face. Perhaps because he had already settled his heart, or perhaps because he had never harbored such expectations to begin with.
“You pulled the Main Family from the mire.”
“It was merely the result of coincidence upon coincidence.”
“Whether coincidence or inevitability, what matters is that a complete stranger risked his life for us. And you did not bring overwhelming forces—just two of you accomplished that perilous task.”
“Ahem.”
“I even sought aid from the Martial Arts Sect as a precaution, but had it not been for you two, the Main Family’s line would have ended.”
“How much longer will you keep opening old wounds?”
It was a jest meant to lighten the mood, but Jegal Dan did not laugh.
“You may have had confidence in your own abilities. Yet even so, it is no easy thing for anyone to stake their life for a stranger with whom they share not a drop of blood.”
“….”
“Yes, perhaps in the future we might have needed your help and you would have saved us. It doesn’t matter. Whether it was for your future or anything else, the fact remains that you risked your life for the Jegal Clan.”
Jegal Dan’s fists clenched with intensity.
“If you want to believe in someone, believe in people like this. Not in those blind fools from prestigious families who hold their heads high and abandon all interest in others.”
“….”
“I intend to join hands with the Alliance Leader. However, if I sense that the Main Family is in grave danger, I will disregard all courtesy and withdraw. It’s partly because I haven’t seen in the Alliance Leader the aptitude to unite the Martial Alliance, and partly because I don’t wish to push the Main Family members into misfortune once more.”
“….”
“But if you stand with us, that changes everything.”
Moyong Bi’s expression grew serious.
Each word from Jegal Dan’s lips carried an overwhelming weight that pressed upon the listener.
It was because his words flowed from genuine sincerity. Here stood a master who had once been consumed by arrogance and nearly brought his clan to ruin, now finally breaking free from his empty shell to convey his true heart to his benefactor.
Moyong Su Hyang swallowed hard, and Jin Gwang found himself taking a deep breath without realizing it.
“If the Moyong Clan says it will help the Alliance Leader reform the Martial Alliance, then even if he proves far more incompetent than I anticipated, the Jegal Clan will stake our lives alongside you.”
“….”
“Even if we truly face destruction.”
Moyong Bi, who had been gazing intently at Jegal Dan, spoke in a heavy voice.
“Are the lives of the Family Members not precious to you?”
“Without you, those people would have experienced a hell worse than death itself.”
“Even so….”
“Listen well, I say this clearly. Every member of the Main Family is prepared to stake their lives for you. You may not feel it since you haven’t witnessed it directly, but your existence—having saved the lives of our own bloodline—makes you more than a hero to the Main Family.”
“….”
“To exaggerate slightly, if you sent a letter asking the Main Family to attack the Martial Alliance, every single member would arm themselves completely and rush to your side without a moment’s hesitation.”
Moyong Su Hyang’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
Even accounting for exaggeration, the fact that such words came from Jegal Dan’s lips meant her Elder Brother’s status was truly extraordinary.
Moyong Bi shook his head.
“It will be very dangerous.”
“Dangerous? How could it be more dangerous than those demon bastards we’d tear to shreds? Sorrowful? Could it be more sorrowful than remembering the people I lost and had to abandon?”
“….”
“Of course, we are not prepared for the sake of the Martial Alliance.”
A smile spread across Jegal Dan’s face.
Haggard yet simultaneously strong and resolute, it was a smile that made the observer’s heart tremble.
“But for your sake, I have the resolve to smile even while drowning in the waters of the Sanzu River.”
It was truly boundless trust.
Such resolve could actually burden the other party. Indeed, Moyong Su Hyang and Jin Gwang were nearly overwhelmed and made uncomfortable by Jegal Dan’s words.
But Moyong Bi was different.
He understood how extraordinary one person’s resolve could become.
Moreover, if an entire group held such resolve, it would be more discourteous to push them away merely out of concern.
One should feel gratitude, not burden.
That was the proper way.
“I have heard the Family Head’s words well.”
Moyong Bi smiled mischievously.
“Very well. If you’re prepared to face injury, then let us proceed together.”
“I’m prepared for far more than that.”
In that moment, Jegal Dan felt something surge within his chest.
He couldn’t say why, but seeing Moyong Bi’s gentle smile brought his deceased wife and family members to mind.
Jegal Dan lowered his head and grasped both of Moyong Bi’s hands firmly.
“Thank you. I’m truly grateful that you’re saving the Main Family House.”
Moyong Bi regarded Jegal Dan in silence.
‘A leader who survives always carries a heavy burden.’
I experienced this countless times during my years as Alliance Leader.
Each time I received word that soldiers sent to battle under my command had been defeated, that they had fallen, my spine would chill and my hands would tremble with guilt.
Yet a leader must never waver.
There will be moments when one becomes intoxicated by emotion and loses oneself. But one must rise again. Rise, and push one’s own people back onto the battlefield.
To endure all of it, to persevere through it all, and finally to seize victory—that is the burden.
That is the very destiny of a leader, of one who stands at the helm.
“My abilities are insufficient, so I cannot promise to save every member of the Jegal Clan.”
Moyong Bi patted Jegal Dan’s hand gently.
“But I will ensure that none of them meet a meaningless death.”
Jegal Dan raised his head and smiled.
Though he held back his tears with all his might, his eyes glistened. Yet he smiled regardless—truly, his mental fortitude was remarkable.
“You pursue what you desire, and the Jegal Clan will support you from behind.”
“Since you offer such aid, might I make a request of you beforehand?”
“Speak freely.”
“I am also working alongside the Sama Clan.”
Jegal Dan’s expression hardened slightly.
Moyong Bi said nothing more, merely observing Jegal Dan with transparent eyes.
A moment passed.
“I shall meet with the Sama Family Head soon.”
It was his way of saying he would set aside all past grievances and cooperate fully.
Moyong Bi nodded.
“I am grateful that you would do this for me, but I ask that you not forget the greater cause—the eradication of the Demonic Path.”
“There is no need to worry about that whatsoever.”
A killing intent flickered across Jegal Dan’s face.
The rage of a leader who had lost his wife and blood relatives was so tremendous that even Moyong Bi flinched.
“If I would sacrifice my life for you, then for the eradication of the Demonic Path, all of the Jegal Clan will offer their very souls.”
“Excellent.”
Moyong Bi rose from his seat.
“Let me say one more thing—there is no perfect leader in this world. A leader becomes complete only when advancing together and growing together with others.”
It was his way of saying to trust in Meng Ha Sung’s abilities and to provide him with substantial support.
Jegal Dan shook his head.
“At least for the Martial Alliance, we need a leader who is flawless from the start. Like the Alliance Leader Moyong Cheon, who led us to victory in the war against Sacred Blood Palace in the past.”
Moyong Bi unconsciously scratched his cheek.
“But since we’re already in the same boat, I’ll do my utmost to assist the Alliance Leader, just as you say.”
“Thank you.”
“Rather, I should be thanking you.”
Jegal Dan rose slowly as well.
“If you’ve become the Tambi Ryeong-ju, you’ll certainly stir up quite a bit within the Alliance’s organizations going forward.”
“That’s likely to be the case.”
“What do you intend to do about the immediate problem? I hear the Elder Council has even convened regarding the expulsion of Jong Mu Seok.”
“It’s a matter of cutting off the tail, so to speak.”
“Indeed. Jong Mu Seok and his disciples will surely be dealt with, and those who maintained personal connections with him will likely be handled discreetly as well.”
“I’m thinking of using that to our advantage.”
“Hmm?”
Jegal Dan tilted his head, then suddenly let out an exclamation.
“You’re going to create a counterwind?”
“As expected of the Jegal Family Head. You grasp it immediately without explanation.”
“Understanding isn’t difficult, but it’s more impressive that you conceived of this so readily. Did you anticipate events would unfold this way?”
“That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“Then how?”
Moyong Bi shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve always had a rather unpleasant disposition. I genuinely enjoy tormenting my enemies. Since I’m constantly pondering how to inflict greater suffering, various methods simply occur to me.”
Jegal Dan let out a hollow laugh.
“Your thinking is certainly too unconventional to be called mere tactics. Perhaps it could be called the ultimate tactic itself.”
“It will likely begin shortly.”
“Then I must mobilize our forces.”
“Indeed.”
Jegal Dan’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
“I shall go to the Alliance Leader. You ensure thorough preparations for our response.”

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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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