Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 277

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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 277. Revealing the Horse’s Leg (2)
Gu Wol was the one who greeted Moyong Bi as he emerged from the interrogation chamber.
“Did Jong Mu Seok confess everything?”
“Yes.”
His voice carried an unmistakable chill.
Gu Wol, who had been studying Moyong Bi intently, turned his head and issued a command to the man standing beside him.
“Bring that here.”
“Yes!”
Moments later.
A Master from the Secret Law Court arrived carrying an enormous shield.
“I haven’t witnessed your prowess firsthand, but I’ve heard you handle Spear and Blade exceptionally well. You must have considerable skill in Fist and Foot Arts as well?”
“The fundamentals, sir.”
“Those with solid fundamentals tend to master anything quickly.”
“The members of the Secret Law Court all seem to possess excellent foundational skills.”
“That’s why we excel with all manner of weapons. Some say it’s a method of never reaching the end of one path, but I see it differently.”
“I agree, sir.”
“Take it.”
Moyong Bi accepted the shield.
The circular shield, lighter than it appeared, was large enough to cover nearly his entire upper body. If he crouched and raised it properly, he could shield everything except his shoulders and knees.
“All Masters of our organization use this shield. It’s called the Mad Demon Wall.”
Moyong Bi’s expression grew bitter.
‘The Mad Demon Wall.’
Gu Wol continued.
“The Secret Law Court is an omnipotent organization—proficient in intelligence, schemes, assassination, all-out warfare, internal investigations, and even administration. This shield is issued precisely because of that.”
“A symbol and a weapon, then.”
“A symbol, a weapon, and a shield all at once.”
Gu Wol clasped his hands behind his back.
“The Mad Demon Wall is a masterwork crafted by the Martial Alliance’s finest artisans using secret alloy techniques. Lighter than steel yet appropriately substantial, it possesses such remarkable elasticity and durability that even Divine Weapons and Strange Artifacts rarely leave scratches upon it. In fact, it remains pristine even when struck by cannon fire—save for the dent itself.”
The person who blocked such a strike, however, would be far from pristine.
“Among these, the shields of the Commander and Vice Commander, as well as those of the Tambi Command, undergo special processing to achieve lighter weight. Do you know why?”
“I cannot speak to the Commander and Vice Commander, but wouldn’t the Tambi Command be deployed in actual combat far more frequently?”
“Precisely observed. Especially since they’re deployed in operations requiring high mobility, the lighter the better.”
“Was I not the first Tambi Command Commander?”
“That is also true.”
Moyong Bi, studying Gu Wol intently, let out an involuntary exclamation.
“Have you performed the duties of the Tambi Command several times without officially being part of it?”
Indeed.
The position of Tambi Command Commander is perilous. Naturally, the duties it entails are equally so.
Yet with the Secret Law Court already burdened by stepping forward openly, appointing a Tambi Command Commander capable of conducting covert investigations at any moment would intensify political pressure on the Alliance Leader’s Faction immensely.
This was why the position had remained vacant until now, and why Gu Wol had quietly performed the Tambi Command’s duties in secret.
“I’m barely managing my role as Deputy Director of the Secret Law Court. I’ve been deployed for Tambi Command operations a few times, but the results haven’t been particularly impressive.”
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Every task assigned by Tambi Command was fraught with danger. To put it bluntly, a single misstep could cost me my life and potentially damage the Alliance Leader’s Faction as well.
Regardless of how many times I’d been deployed, the fact that I hadn’t failed was precisely why I could hold this position now.
“The Secret Law Court possesses a unique martial art for handling the Mad Demon Wall. Someone of your caliber should master its essence in no time.”
Gu Wol withdrew a Secret Manual from his robes.
Moyong Bi’s eyes trembled as he accepted the Secret Manual.
‘Tai Shan’s Ten Walls.’
A martial art both familiar and achingly familiar.
“This technique was the exclusive martial art of a legendary captain from the Dark Soul Squad, a unit that once earned renown as a legendary force. We’ve adapted it somewhat for the Secret Law Court’s purposes, and only the first half has been transmitted to our members.”
I’d suspected as much when I saw everyone here carrying shields, but to think they were actually cultivating Tai Shan’s Ten Walls.
“We haven’t transmitted the Incantations. Since they all come from different sects, and while they joined for legitimate reasons, we can’t risk the Martial Alliance’s martial arts leaking out if any of them harbor ill intentions.”
“I see.”
Moyong Bi lifted his head.
“What is your reason for giving me this Secret Manual?”
“Because the Alliance Leader trusts you.”
It was such a straightforward answer that it seemed almost impossibly simple.
“Is that insufficient? Then let me give you one more personal reason.”
Gu Wol’s eyes deepened.
“Because you are of the Moyong Clan.”
“In other words, you’re doing this out of regard for the Previous Alliance Leader’s face.”
“I don’t particularly like the Previous Alliance Leader.”
“….”
“But I respect the achievements he made, his greatness as a martial artist, and the legends who fought alongside him on the front lines.”
“You believe the Previous Alliance Leader was not of the Ho Yeon Clan, don’t you?”
“Of course. Regardless of my personal feelings toward him, I’m certain of that much. That’s why I’m giving you this.”
Gu Wol smiled.
It was such an awkward smile that I wondered how many more times I’d see it.
“You said you inherited the Previous Alliance Leader’s martial arts? I hope what you’ve inherited isn’t merely his techniques. I hope you’ve also inherited his talent, his overwhelming force, and the destiny to achieve great accomplishments.”
“….”
“I acknowledge you as Tambi Ryeong-ju.”
The boy who had been so young and timid when we first met was now saying he acknowledged me.
“Haven’t all the impressions I’ve shown the Deputy Director been nothing but rude and disagreeable?”
“You seem to know that much.”
“Then why are you suddenly acknowledging me?”
“Because you’re angry.”
It was a cryptic statement.
“If I’m always angry like this, you’ll have no reason to suspect me.”
“You’re coming from meeting Jong Mu Seok, aren’t you?”
“….”
“Regardless of what he said, he must have confessed to something so terrible that it cannot be revealed to others.”
There was no need for conjecture. After all, I had reported to Jong Mu Seok that I would uncover everything before entering.
“For such a cunning and violent man to have lived like a puppet all this time, he must have committed grave wrongs. Yet you heard the full account, and now you’re angry.”
“….”
“You lack manners and luck, but you’re someone who knows how to rage against evil.”
“….”
“Personally, I don’t trust you. We’ve built no real relationship. But I’ve come to understand that Moyong Bi is a person capable of anger toward wickedness.”
Gu Wol turned his body.
“That’s character enough to be recognized as the Tambi Ryeong-ju of the Secret Law Court under the Martial Alliance Leader, the symbol of the Orthodox Faction.”
“….”
“That’s all we need.”
Moyong Bi felt an inexplicable sense of emotion.
While my spirits had sunk to their depths upon learning of Jong Mu Seok’s crimes, hearing Gu Wol’s words made me realize that even the current Martial Alliance was a place where people lived.
“As you said, I’ll send everyone back before dawn breaks tomorrow. For the rest, I’ll ask the Alliance Leader directly myself, so get some rest for now.”
“Deputy Commander.”
“What is it?”
Moyong Bi held up the Mad Demon Shield.
“Honestly, I don’t really need this.”
“I suspected as much.”
“Then why did you give it to me?”
“You won’t need it now. Though I’m not a great man, I’m not fool enough to put meat I can’t digest into just any mouth.”
With those words, Gu Wol vanished from sight.
Moyong Bi looked down at the Mad Demon Shield again.
It was a circular shield with no special ornamentation. Large enough that carrying it on my back would effectively block surprise attacks from behind.
‘Tai Shan’s Ten Walls.’
I didn’t know the Incantation for Tai Shan’s Ten Walls. However, it had once provided some assistance when the Dark Soul Squad’s three commanders completed their Martial Arts.
And now it had come to me.
“At this rate, there won’t be a single weapon in the entire world I haven’t wielded.”
* * *
Thud.
The door closed.
Jeon Chil Sung slowly opened his eyes.
“How is it? Is the seat uncomfortable?”
He rose from his seat and bowed his head.
“I greet the Alliance Leader.”
Meng Ha Sung waved his hand and sat down.
“Sit comfortably. There’s no need for such formality between us.”
“Yes.”
Jeon Chil Sung appeared far more composed than expected.
Regardless of his inner thoughts, he showed no signs of confusion in any situation. His mental fortitude exceeded that of an ordinary person.
Meng Ha Sung observed Jeon Chil Sung quietly, then spoke with measured calm.
“Why didn’t you inform me beforehand?”
It was a way of saying he already knew everything.
Jeon Chil Sung made no attempt to hide that he was the one who had sent the Assassin. Meng Ha Sung had proven his own efforts simply by visiting the Law Enforcement Hall in person.
“I have nothing to say in response, sir.”
“Is this because of Yi Ja Gyun?”
The Alliance Leader’s judgment was indeed exceptional.
I found myself wondering why I had been holding my breath like a fool all this time.
“Yes, sir.”
“Before one variable erupts, I trigger another variable that no one could have imagined… and through the chaos that follows, I seize control of the situation. That appears to have been the Elder’s calculation.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Jeon Chil Sung’s face.
‘Indeed.’
It was difficult enough to conceive such a strategy, but to articulate it so calmly was no trivial feat.
I had always known it, but now I felt it anew. Meng Ha Sung was no simple Martial Artist who merely swung his fists.
Even as Jeon Chil Sung felt a measure of relief, a chill suddenly ran through him.
‘…Not a simple Martial Artist?’
That was right. Meng Ha Sung was not such a man.
Then could his judgment, his brilliant mind, far exceed what I had anticipated?
‘It shouldn’t be that extreme.’
Though greatly surprised, considering the experience and reputation he had accumulated traversing the Jianghu, it was an ability entirely comprehensible. At least, that was what Jeon Chil Sung believed.
But.
But what if Meng Ha Sung’s intellect was far superior to what I had assumed?
What if, by some chance, he had deceived me not to seize power, but to dismantle the Elder Council?
‘…That cannot be.’
The possibility was not entirely absent.
Yet it was an exceedingly remote one. While conceiving such a scheme was simple, executing it was an entirely different matter.
Moreover, Meng Ha Sung lacked any significant political alliances. If he truly wished to dismantle the Elder Council, the logical approach would be to do so alongside me and then strike from behind—not to destroy everything at once, which made no sense.
At least, that was what common sense dictated.
Yet what was this nagging unease?
“Jong Mu Seok confessed to me. He revealed what leverage Yun Hak Ja held over him.”
Jeon Chil Sung’s eyes gleamed.
“He did?”
“He did.”
“Did he confess directly to the Alliance Leader?”
“He confessed to Tambi Ryeong-ju.”
“…Indeed, it seems there was reason for appointing Moyong Bi as Tambi Ryeong-ju.”
On the surface, it appeared to be praise for the other’s discernment, but beneath lay the true question: ‘Why did you appoint Moyong Bi as Tambi Ryeong-ju at this particular moment?’
Meng Ha Sung smiled.
“You should have asked that from the beginning, my friend.”
Leaning back in his chair, Meng Ha Sung’s voice grew distinctly colder.
“Jong Mu Seok murdered his own Elder Brother, violated his Sister-in-law, and then toyed with and killed the young twin sisters—his Nephews’ children.”
“…!!”
“Elder, it was your own faction member who spoke these words.”

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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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