Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 40
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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 40. Having Too Much (5)
“….”
Hwang Gyu’s eyes grew sharper as he gazed at the moon.
‘Did something happen?’
It was well past midnight.
Yet his daughter, whom he had sent to the Moyong Family, had not returned.
‘There’s no reason for her to be this late.’
It had already been two hours since his daughter left the sect with Lee Jeong and Yeong.
While it would take less than half an hour at a commoner’s walking pace, considering the stride of those who had learned martial arts, it wouldn’t even take a quarter hour.
Even if it took half an hour, the round trip would only amount to one hour.
‘What could they be discussing that’s taking this long?’
Hwang Gyu knew his eldest daughter’s personality well.
She would never come back late from playing around without reporting that her work was done. Rather, she hated wasting time so much that even within the Financial Affairs Pavilion, she wouldn’t open her mouth unless it was necessary.
Yet that same daughter hadn’t returned even after more than two hours.
“Surely… nothing happened to them?”
That couldn’t be.
Hwang Ji Hwa’s martial arts alone ranked among the top three late-stage experts in Wuhan.
Not only that? Lee Jeong, who was stronger than his daughter, was with them, as well as Yeong, who, though in a different field, rivaled Lee Jeong.
With those three, they could literally slaughter any mediocre family or sect in Wuhan. Their small numbers wouldn’t be a problem at all.
‘But there’s no reason for them to be this late.’
No, there was one possibility.
If those three had been defeated.
“That’s ridiculous.”
According to Myeong’s testimony and the scene investigation reports, Moyong Bi’s skill was certainly outstanding. Exaggerating slightly, he might even rival the Grand Elders of Ten Sword Gate.
Even so, there was no reason the three couldn’t handle him.
Even at similar levels, an experienced fighter could easily handle one without experience. Considering Moyong Bi’s age before his martial level, he couldn’t possibly have much combat experience.
‘Besides, that body of his.’
He was still said to be skin and bones.
With a body like that, even with abundant internal energy, there would be stamina problems. If he couldn’t absorb the impact, it wouldn’t be strange for him to collapse in one hit.
In other words, no matter how he thought about it, the possibility of the three being defeated by Moyong Bi was close to zero.
‘Or perhaps the Moyong Family’s strength was greater than expected?’
He racked his brain, but that wasn’t something he could know right now.
“…Before their strength, there’s no possibility of a fight breaking out in the first place. They’re not fools either, so how could they?”
Even if they had the strength to overwhelm the three, they couldn’t handle Ten Sword Gate. That was certain.
Would they be crazy enough to think of fighting Ten Sword Gate in Wuhan?
“Even the Hong Clan Sword Family only keeps our main sect in check but doesn’t dare to fight us. No matter how outstanding the Moyong Family’s strength might be, they would never dare attack.”
Hwang Gyu let out a sigh.
“There must be their own reasons.”
He should have sent a messenger along with them.
Hwang Gyu sipped his alcohol, trying to shake off the ominous feeling.
And another half hour passed.
“Dark Shadow.”
Swoosh.
A man appeared behind Hwang Gyu.
The man wearing a black bamboo hat had an extremely lean build.
He was Dark Shadow, the strongest escort warrior that Hwang Gyu possessed, and before becoming a guard, he had made a name for himself as the top assassin of a prominent assassination organization.
“That worthless daughter is making her father sick with worry. I sent Flame Sword with her, yet she still hasn’t returned.”
“….”
“You go and take a look.”
“Complete annihilation?”
He was asking if he should kill everyone and return.
Dark Shadow would certainly be capable of that. His assassination skills were tremendous, even before considering his martial arts.
Hwang Gyu was about to shake his head but then changed his mind.
“If there’s no particular problem, return quietly. But if you think some kind of incident has occurred….”
Hwang Gyu’s eyes flashed.
“Kill two of the blood relatives and bring one back alive.”
“This makes it the second time.”
“….”
“You only have one more chance to command me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll save and preserve that authority carefully.”
Under the bamboo hat, Dark Shadow’s lips twisted into a smirk.
A moment later.
Swoosh.
He vanished like smoke.
Hwang Gyu’s face turned cold.
“Insolent bastard.”
He wanted to cut off his head with one sword strike, but he couldn’t.
Dark Shadow’s assassination abilities were among the best not just in Wuhan, but in all of Hubei. Despite being a mere assassin, he was a strange individual whose actual martial prowess nearly rivaled that of a Great Elder.
The strength of Ten Sword Gate’s escort warriors was all thanks to Dark Shadow’s training.
“Ridiculous fellow. A lowly assassin talking nonsense about promises and beliefs.”
It was pathetic, but he still benefited from it.
Hwang Gyu tilted his wine cup again, pondered for a moment, then called for someone else.
“Did you call for me, Sect Leader?”
“Sorry for calling you at dawn.”
“Please don’t mention it.”
It was Ice Sword Han Gyeong. An elder with a temperament opposite to Flame Sword Lee Jeong, he was calm and prudent in all matters.
One of Ten Sword Gate’s Four Great Elders.
“You know that I sent Lee Jeong with my eldest daughter, right?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry about that. I was going to recommend you, but you know he causes trouble if I don’t let him off the leash once in a while, right?”
“I understand.”
Han Gyeong and Lee Jeong were like polar opposites.
This isn’t really a job for someone as senior as an elder.
But Han Gyeong understood him. It involved his daughter, of all people. And his eldest daughter at that, the one he cherished most among his children.
And so, I sent Hankyung away too.
Dark Shadow and Han Gyeong. Having sent both of them, an answer would come soon.
Yet Hwang Gyu felt an inexplicable unease.
‘I have no idea. Why is my heart beating like this?’
Hwang Gyu’s face had completely hardened.
“What are these guys trying to do now?”
Dark Shadow’s Stealth Technique was so remarkable that even he couldn’t detect it unless someone came within one jang of him. Lightness Skill? He was twice as fast as himself.
With that level of skill, he should have accomplished his objective instantly and returned.
The shadow’s stealth technique was so remarkable that even he couldn’t detect it unless it came within arm’s reach. Light-body technique? It was twice as fast as his own.
He hadn’t even sent him to the Moyong Family, just told him to check the marketplace, yet half an hour had passed without his return.
It wasn’t even sent to the Murong family, just sent to check on the author, but they haven’t come back even after half a shichen has passed.
The drinking table shook from his fist.
It was more anxiety than anger. He kept feeling like things were going strangely wrong somehow.
The drinking table shook from the punch.
It was right after Moyong Bi had brought down the Black Tiger Gang.
‘Should I have deployed troops from the beginning?’
Making ten concessions, he could ignore that much, but the real problem was the Hong Clan Sword Family.
Though they had greater numbers, it was still a close match. The Hong Clan Sword Family was that strong, and they too were wary of Ten Swords Gate.
This was because it was right after Moyong Bi had destroyed the Black Tiger Gang.
The Hong Clan Sword Family would immediately begin their operations. They would surely start by blocking Ten Swords Gate’s movements through public opinion, then gradually encroach on their businesses one by one.
I could overlook all that, being generous about it ten times over, but the real problem was the Hong Sword Family.
Judging it wasn’t time yet, he had been cautious and more cautious, but.
‘Perhaps I should send them even now…’
But what if rumors spread that the Ten Swords Gate has formed corrupt ties with the Black Tiger Gang?
The Hong Sword Family would immediately set to work. It was clear they would first block the Ten Sword Gate’s movements through public opinion, then gradually devour their businesses one by one.
Of course, the Ten Sword Gate won’t just stand by and watch, so war is inevitable.
I judged it wasn’t the right time yet, so I was careful and careful again.
‘It would be better to send it now at least….’
That was when it happened.
“Sect Leader, Elder Ice Sword requests an audience.”
“Tell him to come in at once!”
In the distance, the outer gate opened and Han Gyeong entered.
Hwang Gyu’s face brightened.
“My friend, why are you so late? Well then, did you find Ji Hwa?”
“I apologize, but I was unable to find her.”
“…Is that so?”
“However, I heard some strange rumors. I was somewhat delayed while confirming these rumors.”
“Rumors, you say?”
Looking closely, Han Gyeong’s face was rigidly hardened.
“People drinking at this hour are constantly talking about the Main Sect and the Black Tiger Gang.”
“What? What kind of talk?”
“Well, that is…”
“How frustrating! Speak up quickly!”
Han Gyeong reluctantly opened his mouth.
“The rumor is that the Main Sect was backing the Black Tiger Gang, and that Branch Leader Hwang and Elder Lee Jeong attacked the Moyong Family for revenge.”
Hwang Gyu’s mouth fell wide open.
* * *
“So then, did it spread well?”
“Yes, it did.”
Yeon Pyeong’s breathing was quite rough as he returned to the family estate.
Even in the dead of night, his flushed face was clearly visible.
“I spread it somewhat vaguely, but the rumor about the collusive relationship between Ten Sword Gate and the Black Tiger Gang is definitely spreading.”
“Good.”
Moyong Bi grinned wickedly.
Yeon Pyeong, who had been smiling back, suddenly tilted his head.
“But Young Master.”
“What?”
“Are you feeling unwell? Your complexion seems…”
“After drinking that much alcohol and running around, do you think I’d always be fine just because I have some internal energy? I’m dying right now.”
“Ah, I see.”
Embarrassment appeared on Yeon Pyeong’s face.
“Anyway, Team Leader Jin and the remaining squad members are standing by at each tavern?”
“From what I saw, they would never think they’re people from the Main Family. Rather than moving carelessly, I told them to just pretend to drink while looking out the window.”
Moyong Bi burst into hearty laughter.
“You’re really quite something, aren’t you? How can you be so reliable!”
An awkward expression appeared on Yeon Pyeong’s face.
The Young Master, who was one year younger than him, spoke in a friendly tone. It wasn’t that he felt bad about it, but even in this situation, his way of speaking had an atmosphere of a somewhat immature adult, making it difficult to respond.
“But isn’t it rather late? Wuhan Market Street has people until dawn, but it seems we’ve missed the busiest hours.”
“I didn’t know the Ten Swords Sect Leader would send his daughter then.”
“Ah, that’s true, but.”
Yeon Pyeong felt amazed.
Who would have thought that after killing Ten Sword Gate’s elder and escort warrior, he would even take the sect leader’s daughter hostage.
When he first heard those words, he truly thought his heart would burst through his chest.
But as time passed, he began to feel excited. From yesterday until this dawn, the Moyong Family was experiencing storm-like changes they had never encountered before.
The wind that change brought made Yeon Pyeong’s heart flutter.
Partly because he was young, but also because his colleagues’ testimony that Moyong Bi had single-handedly subdued three people excited him endlessly.
“Anyway, you worked hard. The sect leader must be scared shitless.”
“Will this really deal a blow to the Ten Swords Sect Leader?”
“There won’t be any substantial damage. But there will be psychological damage.”
“Pardon?”
Moyong Bi tapped his head with his index finger.
“When people lose their composure, their thinking becomes narrow. When that happens, they end up doing things they normally wouldn’t do.”
“Ah…”
Yeon Pyeong nodded and lowered his voice at a sudden thought.
“What if he goes crazy and brings all his sect disciples?”
“If he’s prepared to hand over Wuhan’s hegemony to the Hong Clan Sword Family, well, that could happen, right?”
It meant that would absolutely never happen.
“If they really attack, we’ll wake everyone up and run away. What reputation does the main family have left to lose anyway?”
Yeon Pyeong grinned.
“Go back. Keep checking if the rumors are spreading well.”
“Yes!”
After sending Yeon Pyeong away, Moyong Bi approached the remaining squad members.
“Where is that bastard?”
“He, he’s here.”
Jong Hweon dragged over a collapsed man.
The man, not only bound with rope but also with paralysis points struck throughout his body, was looking up at Moyong Bi with trembling eyes.
“Hah, this cockroach-like bastard. I almost let him get away.”
Drip.
Blood flowed again from Moyong Bi’s nose and mouth.
“I guess I pushed myself too hard catching you. This damn body, I want to do something about it as soon as possible.”
Without even wiping the blood, Moyong Bi crouched down and brought his face close to the man’s with an evil smile.
The dripping blood stained the man’s face.
“Your skills weren’t bad. Did the Ten Swords Sect Leader send you?”
The man, Dark Shadow’s face turned pale.
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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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