Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 33

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 33. Winds of Change (3)

 

“Hmm.”

 

No fragrance came from the cold tea cup.

 

A smile spread across Hwang Gyu’s face as he stared at the tea cup.

 

“That’s how it always is.”

 

Just as tea should be drunk while warm, there exists an optimal time for everything.

 

“I thought it had grown so cold that there wasn’t even a scrap of meat left to bite into.”

 

He recalled the conversation he had with his daughter.

 

‘Some ancestor of the Moyong Family supposedly created a secret place for their descendants. I didn’t believe it, but Moyong Bi seemed certain about it.’

 

‘It wasn’t just the vague hope of someone with nothing to lose?’

 

‘Even if that were the case, I thought it was worth trying. Honestly, it’s not a losing proposition.’

 

Hwang Gyu stroked his chin.

 

‘A secret place?’

 

The world had forgotten the Moyong Family.

 

Rather, from the Moyong Family’s perspective, being forgotten was probably better. Until fifteen years ago, no, even ten years ago, the world’s gaze toward the Moyong Family had been extremely cold.

 

But Hwang Gyu knew.

 

That the Moyong Family’s downfall had been the result of collective madness that was chillingly extreme.

 

‘That’s why the Former Family Head couldn’t stretch his limbs either.’

 

He had once seen the Former Family Head of the Moyong Family.

 

His pale complexion. A face full of sickness, suffering from such severe cold sensitivity that he would wear padded clothes even in midsummer.

 

However, even in his extreme fatigue, his eyes alone were reminiscent of a tiger, just like his name.

 

‘…Moyong Dae Ho.’

 

He remembered it was shortly after they had moved to Hubei.

 

He had wanted to see the face of the protagonist from the rumors just once.

 

Shiver.

 

Even now, his fingertips trembled when he thought of him.

 

He was known to have suffered severe internal and external injuries and had even lost his internal energy. Yet he was overwhelmed by those eyes and couldn’t even speak properly.

 

Hwang Gyu unconsciously struck the tea table with his fist.

 

Bang!

 

The tea table shattered and the cold tea cup rolled across the floor.

 

Hwang Gyu brushed off the tea table fragments from his fist with an indifferent expression and leaned back in his chair.

 

“I thought they might be hiding something.”

 

Ten Sword Gate had grown stronger, but still hadn’t escaped the level of regional influence.

 

For the sect to soar higher, more powerful martial arts were needed. That’s why he had been watching the Moyong Family for so long.

 

How desperate must he have been to keep watching for several more years after the Former Family Head died. But the Moyong Family’s fortunes continued to decline.

 

Eventually, thinking there was nothing more to see, he had given up.

 

“There really was a secret place?”

 

Moyong Bi came to mind.

 

He had seen him occasionally while coming and going from the marketplace, and anyone could see he was a wreck addicted to alcohol.

 

That pathetic state made him lose even more interest in the Moyong Family. If they had some hidden power, there was no way they would leave their direct eldest son in such a state just to deceive those around them.

 

But suddenly, Moyong Bi had single-handedly annihilated the Black Tiger Gang.

 

“Crushing mediocre guys isn’t that difficult, but the problem is that it was that troublemaker who did it.”

 

Escort Warrior Myeong had said it directly. That he couldn’t handle Moyong Bi alone.

 

Hwang Gyu felt a chill.

 

‘Even if he had the world’s greatest master as his teacher, he couldn’t have become that strong in just a few days. That bastard must have been hiding himself for years.’

 

He must have been training in martial arts since childhood. Even though he had learned martial arts, he didn’t know how he had let his body deteriorate to that state, but he must have been training for at least ten years.

 

“The martial arts that bastard learned are real.”

 

He had even used Rotating Energy Release. Rather than having deep enlightenment, it was likely he had learned high-level martial studies.

 

Whatever the case, that level was at least equivalent to an elder-class martial power of the Ten Sword Gate.

 

“It’s reasonable to assume that the secret place doesn’t actually exist. He’s a bastard who deceived the world by even acting like a drunkard. Even if there really was a secret place, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to tell In Hwa about it.”

 

It was truly astounding.

 

“He’s more cunning than his father.”

 

Moyong Dae Ho was temperamentally strong but wasn’t the type to use mystical arts. But Moyong Bi was different.

 

He knew how to hide his power even when he had it? And at such a young age?

 

“That’s not something you can learn to do. It’s something you’re born with.”

 

He was a sinister bastard.

 

“The problem is why he leaked the existence of the secret place now.”

 

Telling his daughter about the existence of the secret place meant he was guiding that information to spread.

 

“Why on earth?”

 

To prove that the Moyong Family’s history was real? To overturn the history of being denounced as a family of fraudsters for so many years?

 

Or perhaps to attract someone’s attention?

 

Hwang Gyu, who had been pondering, opened his mouth.

 

“Are you outside?”

 

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

 

“Call Ji Hwa.”

 

A moment later.

 

“This is the Finance Pavilion Master.”

 

“Come in.”

 

The door opened and a woman with rather sharp eyes appeared.

 

She would be around her mid-twenties now? She was taller than Hwang In Hwa and her posture was straight.

 

Satisfaction appeared on Hwang Gyu’s face.

 

“You’ve improved again in such a short time.”

 

“It’s thanks to your teachings, Sect Leader.”

 

“You must have been incredibly busy with Finance Pavilion work, yet you’re truly admirable.”

 

It was completely different from how he treated Hwang In Hwa. That’s how highly he valued the talent of his eldest daughter, Hwang Ji Hwa.

 

“What did you call me for, Sect Leader?”

 

“This is a private setting now.”

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

“Have you heard everything about the Moyong Family and that bastard Moyong Bi?”

 

Hwang Ji Hwa, who glanced at the broken tea table, nodded her head.

 

“I have heard.”

 

“What do you think?”

 

“One thing is certain – the secret place does not exist.”

 

“Why do you think so?”

 

“Moyong Bi’s martial arts are not an exaggeration to say they approach mine or the elder level of our sect. Such a strong person even acted as a drunkard and deceived the world for years. If a real secret place existed, he would never have told In Hwa about it.”

 

Hwang Gyu’s smile deepened.

 

“Well observed.”

 

Indeed, her insight was different from the second daughter from the start.

 

“Then do you think the Moyong Family’s current strength is stronger than we expected?”

 

“It is not.”

 

“Why?”

 

“The Fire Sword Unit Members are those with such flawed talent that no sect in Wuhan would accept them.”

 

“The possibility that it was fabricated?”

 

“It is extremely difficult for powerful people to hide themselves. There couldn’t be so many exceptional individuals like Moyong Bi gathered together, and I’ve confirmed this several times with former Moyong Family members who transferred to our sect.”

 

She was both quick-witted and thorough.

 

Hwang Gyu nodded his head.

 

“I don’t know about others, but his sisters might have some tricks up their sleeves.”

 

“Among them, the third one, Moyong Su Hyang, should be fine to exclude.”

 

“Then we should consider the martial arts of Family Head Deputy Moyong Su Jeong and Eldest Son Moyong Bi to be real.”

 

“Personally, I think only Moyong Bi is exceptional, but we shouldn’t rule out that possibility either.”

 

Hwang Gyu spoke straightforwardly.

 

“They say that bastard Moyong Bi stole ledgers from the Black Tiger Gang.”

 

“I heard.”

 

“Such a cunning bastard wouldn’t reveal the ledgers to the world. He must want to gain something.”

 

“I think the same.”

 

“How about it? Would you like to step forward personally to see his caliber as well?”

 

Hwang Ji Hwa spoke without changing her expression.

 

“I was wondering when you would entrust this to me.”

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Hwang Gyu found his daughter truly reliable.

 

Some people say: If you only have two daughters, won’t there be problems with succession? Shouldn’t you have a son?

 

It was nonsense.

 

With someone like Hwang Ji Hwa, he wouldn’t envy ten sons. In terms of caliber, she was a child who was no less than the late-stage experts of great sects.

 

“There’s no point in dragging this out for long. Depart as soon as your Finance Pavilion duties are finished.”

 

“There’s one thing I’d like to request.”

 

“You mean troops?”

 

“Since In Hwa was at the Black Tiger Gang, there’s no need to invite unnecessary suspicion. Instead of squad members, I’d like you to assign just one elder.”

 

“Who shall we assign to her?”

 

“It’s Elder Flame Sword.”

 

Flame Sword was an oppressive person, just as his nickname suggested.

 

A man who could rampage without regard for consequences when things went wrong. Since he didn’t care about appearances in the slightest, he was more famous for his bad temper.

 

“Good. I’ll also assign Yeong to you, so go and return safely.”

 

Yeong was an escort warrior with skills one level above Myeong’s and was one of the sect leader’s personal guards.

 

Hwang Ji Hwa bowed her head.

 

“We should be able to depart around sunset.”

 

* * *

 

‘I’ve gained momentum.’

 

The depleted internal energy was instantly replenished to over seventy percent.

 

With his dantian feeling solid, even his vitality was different.

 

‘Internal energy aside, physical training is also urgent.’

 

The human body is not iron. It doesn’t become stronger just by constantly hammering it.

 

However, possessing dense internal energy accelerates recovery and growth, allowing one to endure extreme training day after day.

 

‘The problem is that my body isn’t in a condition to promote recovery.’

 

He had extracted nearly thirty percent of his life force.

 

If he hadn’t converted it to internal energy using the Honyuan Heart Method, it would have been a body that needed to lie down for half the day. Naturally, extreme training from the beginning was impossible.

 

‘Still, there is a way.’

 

The answer lay in the Brain Gate Heart Technique.

 

‘I’ll activate true energy even during sleep using the Brain Gate Heart Technique.’

 

Being able to recover over seventy percent of his internal energy in this short time was also thanks to actively utilizing the Brain Gate Heart Technique.

 

Originally, he hadn’t intended to do this, but he changed his mind.

 

‘Building quality foundation and building it steadily are completely different matters. I’ll increase the speed even if it means pushing myself.’

 

It wasn’t only Moyong Su Jeong who had become a milestone.

 

Moyong Bi was the same. Now that there were immediate tasks to do and problems to solve, all that remained was to sprint without caring for his body.

 

Even if his lifespan shortened further.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Grrrgh.”

 

“Ugh!”

 

At the bizarre groaning, Moyong Bi opened his eyes.

 

In front of him, three squad members were sitting with their legs spread front and back.

 

Their knees weren’t even fully extended, and far from being straight, the space between their spread legs formed a pointed hat shape.

 

Moyong Bi spoke bluntly.

 

“Why have you only gotten down that far?”

 

One squad member answered while groaning.

 

“We’re going down little by little.”

 

Moyong Bi, who had risen from his seat, placed his hand on the squad member’s shoulder.

 

Instantly, the squad member’s face turned pale.

 

“W-wait a moment!”

 

“Wait for what.”

 

Swoosh.

 

“Aaaaaargh!”

 

The scream seemed like it would tear the sky apart.

 

Pressing down firmly on the other squad members’ shoulders as well, Moyong Bi said.

 

“I told you that if you just send internal energy to your lower body, your muscles won’t tear even if you stretch quite a bit, right? Are these guys joking around right now?”

 

“Uuuuugh!”

 

“The reason you can’t go down further is just because you think it’ll hurt. Are you trembling pathetically because you’re scared of pain? Are you even warriors?”

 

Those were words that stabbed right at their pride.

 

“I’ll say it again, what you all lack right now is flexibility. It’s not simply a matter of whether your legs split or not. The flexibility of the muscles themselves is the problem.”

 

“Nngh.”

 

“It’s fine if you can’t do a complete split. Feeling the elasticity of your muscles during the stretching process is much more important. Remember that muscles accustomed only to contraction are nothing but half-baked.”

 

The squad members gritted their teeth and gradually applied more force. Their bodies were already soaked with cold sweat.

 

Moyong Bi snorted and looked at Gwan Hyeon, who was waiting his turn.

 

“How’s your crotch?”

 

Gwan Hyeon said awkwardly.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Moyong Bi glanced at Jong Hweon.

 

His face, waiting his turn alongside Gwan Hyeon, looked quite complicated, but in the meantime, perhaps because his crotch was burning, he was pressing around his pelvis area with his fists.

 

Moyong Bi pretended not to notice and said.

 

“While waiting your turn, constantly stimulate your internal energy. You don’t even need energy cultivation. Once you get used to it, vitality will quickly return to your exhausted body.”

 

“Understood.”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

Moyong Bi turned his head.

 

There stood Moyong Su Hyang with a displeased expression.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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