Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 275
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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 275. Tangled Thread (6)
All eyes turned toward Moyong Bi.
He displayed no particularly remarkable aura, nor did he speak loudly or move in any conspicuous manner.
Yet the people gathered here naturally found their gazes drawn to him.
It was not because he was the legendary Tambi Ryeong-ju. Nor was it simply his sudden appearance in this oppressive, murderous atmosphere.
It simply happened.
Moyong Bi possessed something that captured and held people’s attention. While one might call it presence, there was something else about him—something subtle and indefinable.
As Moyong Bi walked forward, his eyes swept across the surroundings, and for a moment they gleamed with recognition.
‘Who is that?’
An Elder of the Black Faction.
Among them stood an elderly man draped in particularly ornate robes.
His appearance rivaled that of Yi Ja Gyun in its otherworldly grace, yet somehow his expression carried a sharper edge. His skin, bronzed by snow-light, gave him an air of formidable strength.
‘The aura of Kunlun? So that one must be Yun Hak Ja.’
He had rarely encountered the Taoist Priests of the Kunlun Sect. Though he had met a few of their leadership, including the Sect Leader, they had devoted themselves primarily to guarding the periphery of the Central Plains, so their presence in the heart of the Martial World was uncommon.
‘Kunlun’s strength was formidable indeed. They even crossed into Sichuan and held back the Sacred Blood Palace forces.’
He had heard that roughly four years after his death, they had entered the Central Plains and begun exerting genuine influence.
‘I should arrange to meet with them separately later.’
Standing before Gu Wol, Moyong Bi performed a respectful fist salute.
“Tambi Ryeong-ju Moyong Bi greets the Deputy Director of the Secret Law Court.”
It was a display of courtesy he rarely showed. Doubtless, there were many eyes watching.
Gu Wol spoke without changing his expression.
“Are you aware of the situation?”
“I have a general understanding, but it seems I require more precise details.”
Gu Wol briefly explained what had transpired in the Law Enforcement Hall.
Moyong Bi exhaled an inward sigh of relief.
‘That was close.’
When Yi Ja Gyun had come seeking Young Ho Gyeong.
It was he who had transmitted a message to Young Ho Gyeong without looking in that direction.
– The situation is grave. We cannot predict what someone might attempt, so invite the masters of the Secret Law Court to Jong Mu Seok’s testimony venue. If you tell the Deputy Director that Tambi Ryeong-ju Moyong Bi has personally requested this and that you will inform the Alliance Leader, he will readily send people.
Young Ho Gyeong had followed his counsel.
What surprised him was that he had not expected Gu Wol to come in person.
“Where is the assassin currently?”
“Detained in the Thunder Prison, the lowest level of the Law Enforcement Hall.”
“And the wounded warrior?”
“Under treatment.”
“May I examine them?”
Gu Wol’s eyes gleamed.
“Follow me.”
The two men entered the main building of the Law Enforcement Hall.
Those listening from a distance to their conversation murmured among themselves.
“Is that young man Moyong Bi?”
“Truly peculiar. He doesn’t appear particularly strong, yet there’s something about him that makes it difficult to act carelessly.”
“Indeed, he’s the sort of talent worthy of the Alliance Leader’s direct selection.”
“However… I’m not certain it will be without complications.”
Those expressing concern recalled the Ho Yeon Clan.
Among the Ho Yeon Clan, there was no one holding an official position in the Martial Alliance. To be precise, if one expanded the scope to include the extended family, such people existed—but not among the Ho Yeon Clan proper.
Yet the Ho Yeon Clan’s influence over the Martial Alliance was immense. Because they were present at the scene, seated in positions so elevated they could be called part of the leadership, they felt the Ho Yeon Clan’s power more keenly than anyone.
Moreover, there were even rumors that two members of the Ho Yeon Clan would soon be appointed as Elders.
“…A storm will sweep through the Alliance.”
* * *
“Cough!”
The man in the lotus position spat out blackened, coagulated blood.
His hair was disheveled, his face drained of color. He was attempting to suppress the vicious aura through energy cultivation, but his concentration seemed to falter.
Gu Wol sighed in a manner uncharacteristic of him.
“He’s already consumed two Life-Saving Pills. I’ve summoned a physician, but they haven’t arrived yet.”
The reason he wasn’t moving the man was that forcing such movement might cause the vicious aura to flare up and worsen his condition.
‘Indeed.’
Moyong Bi understood Gu Wol’s martial arts.
Gu Wol had inherited Gu Ja Woong’s martial arts. He hadn’t even unsealed them yet, and even if he had, since they were inherently solitary in nature, it would be difficult to treat another’s internal injuries unless he mastered the Divine Art to roughly eight-tenths of its potential.
“You’ve trained in Taoist martial arts. This peculiarly dry yet forceful qi is…”
“I’m from the Kongtong Sect.”
The Kongtong Sect of Gansu was one pillar of the Ancient Sects.
Though it was a Taoist school, having developed in such harsh environments, its martial arts had evolved to be sharp and formidable. The Divine Art of its root school, however, was renowned for being profoundly mysterious and deep.
‘He’s properly inherited the lineage of Guangcheng.’
The Kongtong Sect had developed with Guangchengzi as its founder, and Guangchengzi was a legendary immortal of ancient times who was said to have even taught the Tao to the Yellow Emperor among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.
His enlightenment was so profound that even among the Second Generation Disciples of the Kongtong Sect, it was rare for them to properly cultivate the Divine Art of Guangcheng’s direct lineage.
‘He appears to be in his early-to-mid thirties, yet achieving this level? A remarkable fellow indeed.’
Moyong Bi sat behind the man.
Gu Wol’s eyes widened.
“Are you attempting to guide his True Energy?”
“That is my intention.”
“It’s dangerous. I know your skill is considerable.”
“Do not worry. I too have trained in the Divine Art of the Taoist school.”
“You’re facing a man who’s mastered the Divine Art of the Kongtong Sect. Can you manage it?”
Of course.
‘If the Kongtong martial arts are the arts of immortals, then my Three Pure Formula is the martial art of the Jade Emperor himself, you fool.’
The difference lay not merely in level, but in depth itself.
The Three Pure Formula was the source from which nearly all Taoist Divine Arts flowed. Moreover, since he was the one who had mastered it, controlling the vicious aura was not difficult.
Moyong Bi placed his hand on the man’s Life Gate Acupoint.
– Focus on the movement of my True Energy.
A low and dignified voice transmission.
The man’s eyebrows twitched.
Whoooooosh.
The Infinite True Qi flowed unobstructed into the man’s Dantian, beginning to show him the path forward.
Without any backflow or collision between True Energies, his Internal Energy was drawn out naturally. Hwang In Soo, a First Generation Disciple of the Kongtong Sect, could not hide his inner astonishment.
Moments later.
Shudder.
The tip of Hwang In Soo’s right index finger had turned pitch black.
Gu Wol’s eyes gleamed.
Scrape!
As he created a thin Energy Release from his fingertip and cut Hwang In Soo’s index finger, black blood streamed out profusely.
Whoosh!
A vile stench rose from the blood that fell to the floor.
But the bleeding was not excessive.
‘Remarkable.’
Gu Wol looked at Moyong Bi.
His expression was serene. Not only was there no strain, there was not even a hint of difficulty.
‘He extracted all the poison with just this much blood loss. He drove out the vicious aura by raising its density to the extreme. An exceptional poison-neutralizing technique…!’
If one has mastered high-level Divine Techniques of the Taoist Sect, one can draw out the Qi of those who have mastered martial arts of the same lineage.
But driving out such a deadly poison to the fingertips in an instant was no ordinary feat.
‘Even if I were to unseal myself, could I employ a poison-neutralizing technique of this caliber?’
Moments later.
“Hahhhhh!”
With a deep breath, Hwang In Soo’s eyes snapped open.
Moyong Bi rose from his seat.
“Your cultivation is profound. Your True Qi is so pure and strong that it was not difficult.”
Hwang In Soo spoke with a weary face.
“I am grateful for your life-saving grace.”
“It is not a matter of life-saving grace.”
“Pardon?”
Moyong Bi chuckled softly.
“This poison is indeed vicious, but it is insufficient to claim the life of one with Internal Energy above a certain level.”
“…?!”
“Of course, it does inflict relentless pain. It is a poison specialized in torture rather than murder. Even without assistance, you could have purged it all within roughly a month on your own.”
“Y-you mean it was designed for torture?”
“Indeed.”
“Why…?”
Then Gu Wol spoke.
“You know something we do not.”
“Since it has come to this, allow me to explain the situation first.”
Moyong Bi spoke of the existence of Night Soul and Night Butterfly under Jeon Chil Sung’s command.
He also explained why they worked like slaves beneath him.
“The Death King…!”
Gu Wol’s eyes narrowed.
“I heard the Death King had retired.”
“There were circumstances.”
“And you’ve heard all about these circumstances?”
“I have.”
Gu Wol, who had been staring intently at Moyong Bi, nodded.
“I’ll hear the details later. The important question is whether we can trust them.”
“Without even coordinating our signals, I released torture poison rather than lethal venom. Isn’t that sufficient?”
“It’s not entirely sufficient, but if you’ve made that judgment, then I’ll trust your assessment.”
He trusted them surprisingly easily for a matter involving assassins.
It wasn’t that he was naive—it meant Gu Wol’s judgment and intellect were equally exceptional. Moreover, he had even detoxified Hwang In Soo and summoned them to protect Jong Mu Seok’s safety, making distrust difficult.
“So, how do you plan to proceed from here?”
“Wasn’t the Deputy Alliance Leader the one responsible for the scene?”
“That’s precisely why I’m asking as the one in charge.”
Moyong Bi let out a soft chuckle.
“For now, we’re told the plan is to target the Blue Faction first.”
He was conveying Meng Ha Sung’s will.
Gu Wol nodded.
“I’m aware. So what’s your strategy for the assault?”
“Jeon Chil Sung tried to eliminate the assassin, didn’t he?”
“He did.”
“If Jong Mu Seok isn’t a fool, he should have realized by now that Jeon Chil Sung tried to kill him. If we align our stories first and then act, it should work.”
“I heard the Alliance Leader had a private conversation with the Elder Council Leader. Then what’s the Elder Council Leader’s role in this?”
“He’ll handle it himself. Our job is merely to demonstrate the Alliance Leader’s will.”
Gu Wol let out a bitter laugh.
“What about the others?”
“We’ve already drawn in the Cheonryong Guardian Corps, so we can’t send them away immediately. But if we hold them too long, it could shake the Alliance’s authority, so it’s best to send them all away before dawn tomorrow.”
“The Elders who return will surely plot something else.”
“They will.”
The corners of Moyong Bi’s mouth rose.
“That’s exactly how it should be.”
* * *
Gu Wol and Young Ho Gyeong stepped forward to the platform.
“Deputy Elder Council Leader Jeon Chil Sung, come forward.”
His tone was oppressive.
Before Ha Sang Il could even open his mouth, Yun Hak Ja made the first move.
“What is this about?”
Gu Wol did not even glance at Yun Hak Ja.
Yun Hak Ja spoke with intensity burning in his eyes.
“Are you not going to ask what this is about? Surely you don’t intend to detain Elder Jeon Chil Sung?”
What a sinister bastard!
Ha Sang Il cursed Yun Hak Ja inwardly. On the surface, he feigned concern, but his expression betrayed his anticipation.
Jeon Chil Sung walked forward and asked.
“You intend to confront me with Jong Mu Seok?”
His voice remained composed and steady, but his inner turmoil was immense.
‘They’re clearly summoning me over the assassin matter. I can deny it consistently, but….’
The sense of foreboding only grew stronger.
The Law Enforcement Hall officers took positions on either side of Jeon Chil Sung.
Gu Wol spoke matter-of-factly.
“Put on the restraint cuffs and follow the officers’ guidance inside.”
Jeon Chil Sung obediently fastened the cuffs around his wrists.
At that moment, Yun Hak Ja spoke again.
“Regardless of the circumstances, to take an Elder without any explanation….”
“Speak one more word, and I’ll execute you on the spot for sedition.”
Not arrest—simply kill him where he stood.
Yun Hak Ja’s face, which had been secretly rejoicing, contorted violently. It was a remark far too insulting to his pride to let pass.
The fact that he could not curse in response only inflamed his rage further.
‘That madman!’
Gu Wol turned his body.
“Come inside.”
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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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