Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 51

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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 51. Shadow Under the Eaves (1)

 

“Interesting.”

 

The gaunt elderly man looked quite irritable.

 

However, his eyes were filled with sharp light and an extraordinary aura flowed from him. It was a unique atmosphere that no one could underestimate.

 

“So that scoundrel from the Moyong Family crushed Hwang Gyu?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

Ga Suk’s face was filled with tension as he bowed his head.

 

The man, Hong Jun Ak, tapped a document with his fingers.

 

“And before that, destroying the Black Tiger Gang was also Moyong Bi’s doing?”

 

“That’s what is presumed.”

 

“Presumed?”

 

Though sweat dripped from his forehead due to tension, Ga Suk chose his words carefully.

 

Hong Jun Ak, who had been staring at Ga Suk intently, flicked the document with his finger.

 

Swoosh!

 

The document flew like a dagger, grazing Ga Suk’s ear and embedding itself in the pavilion floor.

 

The powerless paper fluttered again and covered the floor, half-embedded in the pavilion floor.

 

“You’re unusually slow in handling matters.”

 

Drip.

 

Blood seeped from his cut earlobe.

 

Ga Suk unconsciously swallowed his saliva.

 

‘Paper Blade Technique.’

 

It referred to a method of injecting internal energy into paper and throwing it like a dagger, a technique that even decent masters wouldn’t dare attempt.

 

A skill impossible unless one was a so-called supreme master.

 

‘As expected…’

 

People say that Ten Swords Sect Leader Hwang Gyu and Head of Hong Sword Family Hong Jun Ak are evenly matched.

 

They’re wrong.

 

Hong Jun Ak was much stronger than people thought.

 

‘Even if there were five masters like Hwang Gyu, it would be difficult to leave a single scratch on the Family Head’s body.’

 

Despite possessing such martial arts, he had hidden his power for many years while engaging in power struggles with Ten Swords Gate. Someone who could turn Ten Swords Gate into a sea of flames overnight if he so desired.

 

That’s what made him remarkable.

 

The reason Ga Suk had come under Hong Jun Ak was because of this patience in knowing how to control such overwhelming power.

 

“I apologize.”

 

“I like that you don’t make excuses. Your value isn’t low enough to be dismissed over a single mistake.”

 

“I am grateful.”

 

“For now, I’ll assume it was Moyong Bi’s doing. Investigate thoroughly and report with certainty by tonight.”

 

“I receive the Family Head’s command.”

 

“Well, you can handle that part as you see fit.”

 

A strange smile appeared on Hong Jun Ak’s face as he leaned his back against the pavilion railing.

 

“So that scrawny bastard was hiding martial arts of that level?”

 

“They say he completely overwhelmed Hwang Gyu in a direct confrontation.”

 

“Overwhelmed…”

 

“With that level of martial prowess, I believe he’s at least stronger than the Second Young Master.”

 

Hong Jun Ak nodded his head.

 

“That brat In Ah has been quite arrogant lately, thinking his martial arts have improved somewhat.”

 

“Still, someone of the Second Young Master’s caliber should have no rivals among the late-stage experts of this generation.”

 

“But that rival just happened to appear, didn’t he?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

A displeased expression crossed Hong Jun Ak’s previously calm face.

 

“He’s my son, but he’s often frustrating. What’s the point of being the best in this city? The martial world is crawling with late-stage experts who could overwhelm him.”

 

“The Second Young Master is still young, isn’t he? I think there are times when one should be arrogant.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Because I believe that when arrogance becomes one’s downfall, that’s when true competitive spirit is born.”

 

Hong Jun Ak chuckled softly.

 

“Speaking from personal experience?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“I heard you didn’t even have the skill level to be arrogant about.”

 

“I can only feel ashamed.”

 

“Well, you were quite worldly for an assassin.”

 

Ga Suk muttered to himself inwardly.

 

‘It’s a prejudice to think that assassins have no desires or emotions.’

 

Of course, it wasn’t something he could say out loud.

 

“Anyway, the situation is taking an interesting turn. I was planning to slowly devour them while picking off a few key pieces instead of going for the whole thing.”

 

“With the Sect Leader and Financial Affairs Pavilion Master positions vacant, one Elder gone, and public opinion at its worst, I’m worried that if we don’t attack Ten Swords Gate now, some might suspect we’re not seizing the opportunity.”

 

“Heaven has accelerated the timing of destiny, so we shouldn’t turn away from it.”

 

Ga Suk unconsciously flinched.

 

Hong Jun Ak had good patience, but his ambition was equally great. He was probably celebrating inwardly, though he might not show it.

 

‘Heaven…’

 

This opportunity wasn’t given by heaven.

 

It was practically given by the Moyong Family, or more specifically, by Moyong Bi.

 

Ga Suk felt a strange uneasiness. The fact that what Hong Jun Ak thought was heaven’s work was actually Moyong Bi’s doing made it sound as if Moyong Bi was shaking Wuhan in place of heaven itself.

 

‘Ridiculous.’

 

It seemed he had been somewhat overwhelmed because what Moyong Bi had accomplished was too shocking.

 

“It wouldn’t look good if we moved immediately, so we should start around tomorrow. You make sure to thoroughly investigate their business operations.”

 

“I receive your command.”

 

“You may go now.”

 

Ga Suk bowed his head and descended from the pavilion.

 

Hong Jun Ak watched Ga Suk’s retreating figure with a look of amusement in his eyes.

 

“What an interesting fellow.”

 

He probably thought he had hidden his desires well somehow.

 

“How can someone who was even an instructor for an assassination organization, albeit a low-ranking one, be so greedy?”

 

That’s why he hadn’t bothered to tell Ga Suk about the eldest son’s secret either. Besides that, there were quite a few other things the man didn’t know.

 

Hong Jun Ak looked at the sky beyond the railing.

 

“…Is autumn finally coming to an end?”

 

* * *

 

“Kugh!”

 

“Uuuugh!”

 

Groaning sounds echoed throughout the Moyong Family Central Training Ground.

 

There, a total of eleven Fire Sword Group members including Jin Gwang were drenched in sweat.

 

Someone was doing front-to-back leg splits, while someone else was doing side-to-side leg splits.

 

Someone was lying face down with arms crossed, rolling their body left and right with only their head touching the ground, while another person was barefoot, repeatedly sitting and standing while supporting their entire body weight on just one big toe.

 

It would be hard to find people training in such a manner even in the Orthodox Martial World that values dignity, or even in the unrestrained Unorthodox Martial World.

 

“Huuuugh!”

 

“I’m… dying…”

 

“Tzaaaah!”

 

It was quite a spectacle.

 

Seok Woong, who was watching the scene from the side, clicked his tongue.

 

“Is this even training?”

 

Even at the Moyong Main Family in Liaoning Province, he had never seen people practicing like this.

 

Meanwhile, the screams and groans each person let out were uniquely distinctive, and these bizarre sounds that weren’t even similar somehow blended together exquisitely to create a harmonious ensemble.

 

‘Did they agree beforehand on how to make their screaming sounds?’

 

How could that be possible?

 

‘Well, anyway, it looks good.’

 

Perhaps it was because of the slightly changed atmosphere of the family.

 

The expressions of the Fire Sword Unit Members were different from before.

 

Though they looked like they were dying from exhaustion, he could feel their determination to definitely see it through.

 

Especially their eyes were different. Even before, they had something special from enduring that harsh physical training, but now there was a fierce determination to advance toward another goal.

 

‘Yes, that’s what’s different.’

 

Though it was difficult, the previous training had at least been familiar.

 

But the current training was different in method itself. Because it was unfamiliar, it was several times more difficult, and the sense of achievement was correspondingly greater.

 

Seok Woong smiled and muttered.

 

“Indeed, people always need new stimulation.”

 

Then, Guo Lao, who had been watching them from the side, spoke.

 

“It’s probably not just because the training content has changed.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Though he was a servant, knowing that Guo Lao had been an escort warrior for the former former Family Head, Seok Woong was always respectful toward him.

 

“Didn’t they see it too? The Young Master’s martial arts.”

 

“They did.”

 

“Warriors naturally admire the strong.”

 

That very strong person had proven his strength, and had even directly suggested this training as beneficial.

 

For those who lacked talent and skill, living through the same boring daily routine, this training would be painful yet thrilling.

 

“That’s certainly true. It’s not just warriors either. Anyone gets stimulated when someone appears who shows unimaginable skill in their field.”

 

“Hehe, that’s right.”

 

“Most people admire those superior to them while also feeling self-pity. The majority are the type who settle for reality, saying they have no talent.”

 

“It’s unfortunate.”

 

“Young Master was even weaker than any of these people, wasn’t he? When such a person defeated even the Ten Swords Sect Leader, they couldn’t help but be fired up too.”

 

Guo Lao nodded with a smile.

 

Seok Woong’s smiling face gradually became serious.

 

“Guo Lao.”

 

“Please speak.”

 

“How are things now?”

 

A shadow fell across Guo Lao’s face.

 

“I’m trying my best.”

 

“…”

 

“I can only apologize to Chief Administrator.”

 

“Please don’t say that. The one having the hardest time is you, Guo Lao.”

 

“Hehe.”

 

From Guo Lao’s quiet laughter, Seok Woong could sense an undeniable frustration.

 

‘Please stay strong.’

 

No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t fully understand Guo Lao’s circumstances and feelings.

 

Of course, he knew roughly. Why Guo Lao hadn’t been able to train the warriors.

 

And that the person suffering most from this was neither the Family Head Deputy nor himself, but Guo Lao.

 

Seok Woong forced a smile.

 

“I’d like to watch until dawn, but I’m too busy with work. Quite a bit has piled up, so I’ll be going now.”

 

“Take care. Oh, by the way, how is the Family Head Deputy?”

 

“She’s using her heart method to improve her physical condition. Thanks to that, I’m the only one dying from work.”

 

Though he said that, Seok Woong’s face looked the brightest it had in years.

 

“Heaven has watched over us. It’s truly fortunate.”

 

“I don’t know if heaven watched over us, but I can tell Young Master put in great effort.”

 

Seok Woong bowed his head.

 

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

 

“Take care.”

 

With that, Seok Woong headed toward the Family Head’s Office.

 

Left alone to watch the squad members’ training, Guo Lao’s eyes grew increasingly serious.

 

‘No matter how many times I look at it…’

 

The training the squad members were doing now was something he had never seen before.

 

But he could understand what this training was meant to accomplish.

 

‘Increasing flexibility and elasticity… especially focusing consciousness thoroughly on the joint muscles centered around the lower body.’

 

Without realizing it, I swallowed dry saliva.

 

‘If I modify the Dragon Fighting Form to its extreme, would it be similar to mine?’

 

The Dragon Fighting Form was a mandatory exercise taught to all children of the Moyong Family Estate.

 

Though it was called an exercise because it specialized in increasing joint flexibility and giving muscles elasticity, it was actually a type of White Strike Technique that could be applied to fist and foot techniques.

 

A training method that was incomparably good if learned from childhood, and could establish a foundation for evenly developing all body muscles within half a year even if practiced by a fully grown adult.

 

‘Is this really a coincidence? Or perhaps…’

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Clang!

 

The back gate in the distance opened roughly.

 

“Huff! Huff!”

 

“Hey, we’re almost there. Just hang in there a little more.”

 

“Huuuuff! Huuuff!”

 

Unlike Moyong Su Hyang, who only had a little sweat on her forehead and nape, Moyong Bi’s body was soaked as if he had been hit by a downpour.

 

It was all sweat. He was struggling so much that his arms bent forward were swaying left and right, and his two legs were wobbling unsteadily.

 

Moyong Bi, who had finally made it to the front of the training ground, was panting while gripping his knees.

 

Moyong Su Hyang flicked her sideburns with her hand as if feeling refreshed and spoke while smacking her lips.

 

“Are you okay? Why don’t you just lie down?”

 

“I’m, I’m fine… Urgh!”

 

Seeing him even dry heaving, it seemed he was really having a hard time.

 

Moyong Su Hyang let out a sigh.

 

“I had a feeling, but your stamina is too terrible. How on earth did you beat Hwang Gyu with that body?”

 

“With internal energy. Cough cough!”

 

“Want some water?”

 

“Food, I need food.”

 

Normally she would have scolded him for being a pig, but the atmosphere seemed like he might really die, so she couldn’t do that.

 

“Tsk, wait.”

 

He tried to endure somehow, but he couldn’t. Moyong Bi finally knelt down.

 

“Dam, damn it.”

 

Then, Guo Lao extended his hand.

 

“Please get up.”

 

“Huff huff! Thank you.”

 

Moyong Bi, who got up by grabbing Guo Lao’s hand, kept trying to steady his breathing even while staggering.

 

Guo Lao, who had been watching him intently, asked casually.

 

“By any chance, is the next training method the Blunt Method Arc Form?”

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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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