Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 260

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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 260. The Great Demon’s Immortality (5)
Though Jeon Chil Sung did not let it show on his face, inwardly he was taken aback.
‘He knows about that?’
Upon reflection, it wasn’t particularly strange after all.
Meng Ha Sung had clearly investigated the various factions within the Elder Council. And among them, he had chosen not Jeon Chil Sung’s own faction.
Naturally, he would have been keeping watch over the Elder Council.
The question was how he had been gathering information.
‘The Military Affairs Department!’
The answer came immediately.
Without spies from the Military Affairs Department, there was no way he could have learned of this so quickly.
‘Delicate indeed. Still, there’s no reason to lie about it.’
Jeon Chil Sung bowed and spoke.
“My apologies. I did not realize the Alliance Leader was aware of this.”
Meng Ha Sung smacked his lips and spoke.
“To be honest, I’m somewhat disappointed.”
Disappointed.
This reaction, this response was truly subtle.
‘Is he revealing his true feelings?’
Though he had not actually seized practical control of the Martial Alliance, Meng Ha Sung was far from a fool.
Such a man would not speak of disappointment before him unless he truly felt it—had he genuinely felt betrayed, he would have concealed himself thoroughly.
In other words, this statement was both sincere and a proposal to open a more honest dialogue.
“I have nothing to say to the Alliance Leader.”
He spoke honestly, but offered no further explanation.
Even now, he wished to observe the other’s reaction. It was a sinister rhetorical technique he himself no longer consciously recognized.
Meng Ha Sung laughed inwardly.
‘So that’s how you’ll play it?’
Whether the other realized it or not, it was he who was now pressing the attack.
At this point, he needed to show a bit of vulnerability as well.
“Those documents you brought—neither Elder Jeon nor I wanted that outcome, did we?”
“….”
“The people Elder Jeon sent—my men eliminated them.”
In that instant, Jeon Chil Sung’s eyes widened.
For once, he could not hide his shock. Of course, as one who had spent long years as a politician in the shadows, he maintained his habit of not speaking rashly even in this moment.
Meng Ha Sung waved his hand dismissively and spoke.
“Do not misunderstand. I did not know they were sent by Elder Jeon. I was thinking of something else entirely.”
“Something else, you say…?”
This moment was crucial.
The line between suspicion and certainty. How Jeon Chil Sung reacted to words that touched that line would determine everything that followed.
“I thought they were warriors sent by the White Faction or the Black Faction.”
“…!”
Once again, Jeon Chil Sung could not hide his astonishment.
Yet inwardly, a chill ran through him.
‘He knows about the White Faction and Black Faction?’
Currently, the Elder Council had three major factions.
There was the White Faction and the Black Faction, and the third faction centered around Jeon Chil Sung was the Blue Faction.
When they began calling themselves by these names was unclear. At some point, they simply started being called that, and none of them found the designation strange.
However, this color-based faction classification was something that circulated only within the Elder Council and had never leaked to the outside. At least in this regard, even the Elders of other factions were trustworthy.
They all wished to prevent information about the Elder Council from spreading.
And Meng Ha Sung knew this.
‘How long has he known? Could it have been from the beginning of his tenure?’
Once you’ve shown the raw flesh, you must now cover it with beautiful silk.
Meng Ha Sung spoke with natural ease.
“Do not misunderstand. I learned of the existence of the three factions—Blue, Black, and White—only recently.”
“I see, then.”
His tone carried a hint of lingering doubt.
Meng Ha Sung pressed his point with conviction.
“If that were not the case, why would I have bothered to convey my intentions to Elder Ha Sang Il?”
“Pardon?”
“I must understand, at minimum, how the factions within the Elder Council operate before I can make a choice. How could I suddenly propose joining hands when I don’t even know how the Elders view one another?”
“…?!”
“I am not such a foolish man.”
The moment suspicion kindled, he overwhelmed the other’s mind with direct words.
‘He extends his hand….’
The seed of doubt that had been creeping upward subsided once more.
‘Indeed, Meng Ha Sung is far from a simple man.’
Though he had lived as a figurehead for six years, he was not the complete puppet others believed him to be.
In fact, there were several political matters in which Meng Ha Sung had participated as Alliance Leader, and in those instances, even the Elder Council did not dare challenge his authority.
And through those experiences, the judgment Meng Ha Sung displayed was undoubtedly considerable.
‘At this level, it would be difficult not to have confidence in him.’
Jeon Chil Sung decided to revise his assessment of Meng Ha Sung upward.
“I apologize. This humble one made an unfounded misunderstanding, unaware of your caution and noble intentions, Alliance Leader.”
His tone had become somewhat more relaxed.
The very admission of misunderstanding contained the confession that he had doubted the other. Jeon Chil Sung too was gradually letting go of his wariness.
Inwardly, Meng Ha Sung laughed coldly.
‘He’s taking the bait.’
Many people, even Jeon Chil Sung who was versed in schemes, saw Meng Ha Sung as an exceptional warrior, not as someone skilled in politics and psychology.
It was at precisely this point that they were destined to fall one step behind.
In truth, Meng Ha Sung was not such a person. But he had sat in the position of Martial Alliance Leader for six years, and at his side was the Chief Military Officer Gong Sun Baek.
Moreover, Meng Ha Sung was not an authoritarian by nature, and he was not ashamed to bow his head and learn from those who excelled in areas where he did not.
An experienced old master who had traversed the Jianghu for decades building multiple legends with nothing but his two fists had spent six years at Gong Sun Baek’s side learning politics and intrigue.
Knowing how to apply what I’d learned was also thanks to the countless perils I’d navigated through the Jianghu.
‘You’re all gravely mistaken about who I am.’
Despite his inner thoughts, Meng Ha Sung smacked his lips.
“Jong Mu Seok wasn’t affiliated with the Blue Faction, was he? I thought perhaps the opposing factions were orchestrating the kidnapping of his connections to pressure the Blue Faction.”
“Indeed, that was the case.”
“Naturally, I suspected as much. From my own investigation, the conflict between the three factions—Blue, Black, and White—proved quite fierce. Had I been in their position, I would have seized the opportunity from behind.”
Jeon Chil Sung was quite taken aback.
‘Was he always like this?’
He acknowledged that this man was more capable than expected. Yet didn’t he possess a rather sinister edge?
It wasn’t the concealment of his true nature that startled him—it was the very notion of dispatching people to exploit an opponent’s vulnerability.
‘One wouldn’t conceive of such tactics without experiencing considerable political intrigue. Indeed… he was hiding his claws all along.’
Meng Ha Sung let out a bitter laugh.
“I apologize. I acted with conviction, but it seems I’ve merely severed the limbs of those who knew of it.”
“Not at all, Alliance Leader.”
“Still, they weren’t the entirety of Elder Jeon’s subordinates. Even if somewhat regrettable, if we consider it a bond forged through favorable circumstances, it’s hardly a wasteful sacrifice, wouldn’t you say?”
Jeon Chil Sung smiled.
“A wasteful sacrifice? Hardly. Rather, isn’t it precisely through such trials that bonds with the ‘genuine’ become all the stronger?”
“Hah, I appreciate your understanding. Men do grow closer through bloodshed, as they say.”
Yet beneath his words, Meng Ha Sung felt indignation rising within him.
‘It’s because creatures like you are entrenched in the Elder Council that the Jianghu has fallen to such a state.’
Still, these were subordinates he had commanded, and he laughed without the slightest change in expression.
Though he wore a mask, he likely harbored no regret over his subordinates’ deaths. Rather, having allied with the Alliance Leader, he probably considered it a profitable exchange.
Meng Ha Sung’s assessment was precise.
‘Now the mystery unravels.’
It felt like a knot in his stomach suddenly loosening.
‘Yes, the Alliance Leader was involved all along.’
The way of the world rarely unfolds as one predicts.
Fortunately, this unpredictable turn of events had worked in his favor. Though his heart had raced, the brilliant reversal made every moment worthwhile.
Inwardly satisfied, Jeon Chil Sung suddenly felt a question arise.
“By the way, Alliance Leader.”
“Speak.”
“Do you happen to know of Bong Mu Geom?”
Meng Ha Sung regarded him with curiosity.
“I do. Isn’t he the one who cultivated the Martial Arts of the Taoist Sect? I understand he’s quite the lecherous old man.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“But why do you ask?”
Jeon Chil Sung was certain.
‘Bong Mu Geom doesn’t know of his connection to Jong Mu Seok.’
Indeed, there was reason for this.
Bong Mu Geom, despite his fondness for women, was authoritarian and arrogant. Though he was quick-witted and skilled with money, he was hardly a man of good character.
Naturally, someone like Bong Mu Geom could not help but despise Jong Mu Seok. Living off his own arrogance, he had even harbored jealousy when Jong Mu Seok became an Elder.
When Bong Mu Geom began to challenge Jong Mu Seok was unclear, but his true aim was to surpass him and enter the Elder Council.
After a moment of contemplation, Jeon Chil Sung nodded and spoke.
“Bong Mu Geom was indeed a person connected to Jong Mu Seok.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes widened.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I had no idea. In fact, given Bong Mu Geom’s temperament, it would be natural for him to despise Jong Mu Seok.”
“You see clearly. However, there are relationships that defy understanding from time to time, are there not?”
“Hmm, then among the subordinates sent by the previous Elder, only those sent to Bong Mu Geom would have returned.”
Jeon Chil Sung let out a bitter smile.
“It appears Bong Mu Geom was stronger than anticipated. Our forces suffered considerable losses, but we achieved our objective.”
“Still, that is fortunate.”
“Indeed.”
Meng Ha Sung smiled and picked up the Documents.
“Let us seal this first. It seems we have much to discuss going forward.”
“Understood.”
Meng Ha Sung stamped the Elder Council agenda Documents with a decisive seal.
Shortly after, someone from the Military Affairs Department approached and took the Documents. They would bring the official Documents to the Military Affairs Department’s secret base to be sealed away.
“Since we find ourselves in this position, let us share a drink together.”
Jeon Chil Sung laughed heartily. It was the first moment he had truly relaxed since entering the Grand Hall.
“If the Alliance Leader himself offers me a Wine Cup, I would run ten thousand leagues to accept. It is an honor.”
Thus the two men began their drinking session.
* * *
The drinking session between the two men extended into the late hours.
After sending off Jeon Chil Sung, Meng Ha Sung drank alone.
“…My heart feels quite bitter.”
Even necessary deeds do not sit well with one’s nature.
After drinking five cups of Alcohol in succession, Moyong Bi emerged from the darkness.
“It is bitter Alcohol.”
“I hear your capacity for Alcohol is quite considerable.”
“I drink quite a bit.”
“Care for a cup?”
“I am busy and cannot indulge in a long session.”
“Heh.”
Moyong Bi turned his head toward the door and spoke.
“You have rather clever subordinates following you.”
Meng Ha Sung’s eyes flashed.
“I did not sense them.”
“They were moving outside the range of your Qi Sensitivity. Had I not kept my guard fully raised, I would have missed them despite their proximity—their Stealth Technique is truly extraordinary.”
“Hmph, is that all?”
“It appears the Death King has grown accustomed to such perceptions.”
If a Stealth Technique of this caliber were truly remarkable?
‘…Could it be the Death King?’

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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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