Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 58

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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 58. Between Confidence and Recklessness (3)

 

Though not far from Wuhan Market, due to its location, there were hardly any people coming and going in the vicinity.

 

“This isn’t even a country house.”

 

Hong In clicked his tongue as he slightly lifted his bamboo hat.

 

Even though they called themselves a martial family, they hadn’t even hung up a name plaque.

 

‘What kind of secret could there be in a place like this.’

 

Before leaving, a conversation with the person he least wanted to meet at the family estate came to mind.

 

‘The Moyong Family has secrets we don’t know about.’

 

‘What are you talking about?’

 

‘You must have seen that guy Moyong Bi at the marketplace before. Others say he was hiding himself, but I don’t think so. At least until the last time I saw him, he hadn’t learned martial arts.’

 

‘So what?’

 

‘It’s been less than half a year since I last saw him. In that time, he learned martial arts that surpass the Ten Swords Sect Leader.’

 

‘Wasn’t it just that you’re bad at reading people?’

 

‘That would be even more problematic. It would mean his power is so great that he could even fool my eyes.’

 

‘….’

 

‘Never let your guard down.’

 

Recalling that blunt face and low voice with its strange metallic tone made him feel unpleasant again.

 

‘That bastard with no talent.’

 

Of course, regardless of his dislike for his brother, he had no intention of letting his guard down.

 

‘Anyway, it’s a fact that he defeated Hwang Gyu.’

 

Though he reluctantly acknowledged it, he couldn’t help feeling worse.

 

‘Even if you’re stronger than me, there won’t be an overwhelming difference.’

 

It wasn’t just simple jealousy.

 

Wasn’t Moyong Bi said to be nineteen years old? No matter how strong that young brat’s martial arts were, there couldn’t be a huge difference from his own.

 

Setting aside various interests, that was just natural.

 

‘It’s not like he trained at the Nine Sects and One Alliance or the Six Great Families.’

 

As his thoughts continued, Gu Wol spoke up.

 

“They’re not letting us inside.”

 

“That’s understandable.”

 

Hong In didn’t think much of it.

 

“With all of Red Sword Three Groups gathered here, what confidence would they have to let us in?”

 

Nineteen members of Red Sword Three Groups excluding Gu Wol were lined up behind them.

 

The Red Sword Corps consisted of three groups total, with Groups One and Two each comprising forty members.

 

Yet the twenty members of Red Sword Three Groups were evaluated as being able to defeat the eighty members of the other two groups combined. In other words, Red Sword Three Groups was treated as special forces even within the Hong Clan Sword Family.

 

Naturally, anyone in the Wuhan area would fear them.

 

“I heard that when Hwang Ji Hwa came, she caused a commotion asking why they wouldn’t let her in.”

 

It was a rumor spread by one of the Fire Sword Group members who had gone to the marketplace to track Ten Swords Gate’s movements.

 

Hong In chuckled softly.

 

“You’re all so narrow-minded.”

 

That was the problem with wishy-washy guys.

 

It was natural to want respect, but they shouldn’t make issues out of trivial matters. That was Hong In’s perspective.

 

Gu Wol looked at Hong In and smiled bitterly to himself.

 

‘Squad Leader, you’re just as narrow-minded as anyone else.’

 

Still, Hong In had a few advantages over Hwang Gyu’s children.

 

One of them was that unlike most hot-blooded young men, he knew how to think.

 

Though his depth was shallow, considering his environment, talent, and level of experience, it wasn’t too bad.

 

“By the way, what was her name… Moyong Su Jeong?”

 

“You mean the Family Head Deputy?”

 

“Right.”

 

Interest appeared on Hong In’s face.

 

“I heard she’s quite beautiful.”

 

“….”

 

“Haven’t you heard anything about that woman?”

 

Gu Wol spoke carefully.

 

“Squad Leader, she’s still the head of the opposing family, so such words…”

 

Moreover, they were right in front of her home.

 

Hong In snorted.

 

“Head, my ass. Isn’t she younger than me?”

 

“That may be true, but.”

 

“I heard my brother is quite interested in her… If that scheming bastard is openly showing interest, she must be no ordinary beauty.”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Your subordinate has better sense than you, Squad Leader.”

 

Startled, Hong In and Gu Wol turned their heads.

 

A young man was sitting casually on the wall.

 

He had quite a lean build, but seemed fairly tall. A wooden staff rested casually on his right shoulder, giving off a free-spirited atmosphere.

 

The surprised swordsmen instinctively reached for their swords.

 

Clank!

 

The young man, Moyong Bi, tilted his head.

 

“What? Did you come here to fight?”

 

“You’re…?”

 

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you just attack instead of giving advance notice? What is this, ‘prepare your heart’ kind of thing?”

 

Gu Wol looked back and waved his hand.

 

The swordsmen removed their hands from their swords and straightened their posture.

 

Hong In opened his mouth.

 

“Moyong Bi?”

 

“Who are you?”

 

“….”

 

“What the hell do you want?”

 

He was momentarily angry, but quickly composed himself.

 

“I’m Hong In, Squad Leader of the Hong Clan Sword Family’s Red Sword Third Unit.”

 

“So?”

 

“…What?”

 

“What’s your business? Seeing how you sheathed your sword again, it looks like you want to start with some lip exercises first.”

 

Hong In unconsciously blinked his eyes.

 

What is this strange way of speaking?

 

He wasn’t deaf or from the Western Region, so naturally he could understand everything. But strangely, it felt like he understood it one beat slower.

 

‘Sheathed… what? The sword? Ah… into the scabbard… but what are lip exercises? Ah, talking…’

 

It was a dazed feeling.

 

It felt like he had been cut all over his body with a dagger without even realizing it. The feeling of being cut so quickly that you only realize it later and panic.

 

“No?”

 

Smoothly.

 

Moyong Bi naturally came down from the wall and lowered his wooden staff.

 

That alone completely changed the atmosphere.

 

“Did you come here to fight?”

 

Hong In quickly came to his senses.

 

“That’s not it.”

 

“Then why is your tongue in that state?”

 

“What, what did you say?”

 

“Don’t you think it’s too rude to spout words like ‘that woman’ and ‘beauty’ about the head of the Main Family?”

 

“…!”

 

“Should I go to your family’s main gate and curse out your mother and father?”

 

Hong In’s eyes became bloodshot.

 

‘This crazy bastard!’

 

Then, Gu Wol grabbed his sleeve and shook it.

 

Only then did Hong In come to his senses and clear his throat before speaking.

 

“I apologize for that part.”

 

“Accept my apology too.”

 

What kind of nonsense is this now?

 

“I’m also planning to go to your house and harass your family head a bit. Since I even gave you advance notice, you absolutely have to forgive me. Got it?”

 

“You…!”

 

Just as he was about to shout what kind of ridiculous nonsense that was.

 

“If you won’t forgive me, at least show some sincerity by kneeling and bowing your head, you bastard.”

 

Whoosh!

 

The wind blowing from behind Moyong Bi brushed past the squad members’ collars.

 

Intense aura flowing on the wind.

 

It was anger hidden in coldness, killing intent cast in indifference.

 

‘…!’

 

For a moment, it felt like his body was freezing up.

 

Hong In’s fingers kept twitching repeatedly.

 

If he had followed his instincts, he should have already drawn his sword. This aura clearly contained hostility, and the Red Sword Third Unit does not retreat in the face of enemy intent.

 

But he held back.

 

‘He’s strong!’

 

Just from briefly releasing his internal energy, his whole body was tingling.

 

The corners of Hong In’s eyes trembled.

 

‘This bastard, he’s really strong!’

 

He didn’t know if this was full power. But even at this level, he couldn’t imagine winning easily.

 

Of course, fighting was something you had to experience to know for sure, but it was clear this wasn’t an ordinary opponent.

 

‘Damn it…’

 

He had thought the man might be stronger than him, but seeing it confirmed right before his eyes made anger surge up.

 

At the same time, he remembered what he had to do.

 

Handling official business according to one’s temper was something only amateurs did.

 

“I will formally apologize.”

 

“…”

 

“I didn’t realize that words spoken somewhat carelessly could be rude. Thinking about it now, I suppose they could have been.”

 

Hong In grasped his bamboo hat with his index finger and thumb and lowered it slightly.

 

“I had no intention of insulting you.”

 

This should be sufficient as an apology.

 

Of course, it wasn’t for Moyong Bi.

 

“I don’t feel any sincerity in it?”

 

“…”

 

“If there’s a problem with your neck and knee joints, why don’t you try cutting off a finger or something.”

 

Hong In’s eyes turned cold.

 

“Listen here, Eldest Son of the Moyong Family.”

 

“What is it, Second Son of the Hong Family.”

 

“I acknowledge my mistake. And I have clearly apologized as well. But isn’t wanting more than this excessive?”

 

“I’m curious about that, so I’m going to try doing the same thing. What do you think would happen?”

 

“…”

 

“Can I just nod my head and walk away too?”

 

Hong In almost shouted without realizing it. Are you and I the same?!

 

Really, if it weren’t for the orders his father had given him, he would have drawn his sword immediately.

 

“I am the Squad Leader of the Red Sword Third Unit. I will apologize once more, so please understand.”

 

He wondered if he really had to go this far.

 

It meant asking to save some face in front of all his squad members watching, but he had never said such words anywhere before.

 

Moyong Bi’s expression became strange.

 

“Is that so?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Fine. Let’s bury this matter for now. If you didn’t come here to fight, then what’s your business?”

 

“The Family Head of the Main Family sent you an invitation.”

 

“I refused it.”

 

“…That’s right. So, the Family Head sent me.”

 

Moyong Bi chuckled softly.

 

‘This is getting interesting.’

 

He knew better than anyone how cruel and inefficient the pride and way of handling matters of these flower-brained leaders could be.

 

Right from the beginning of his time as Alliance Leader, how busy had he been with wars and breaking the necks of such bastards.

 

‘It won’t just be simple curiosity or a matter of pride. He probably wants to see for himself what kind of person could directly crush the Ten Swords Sect Leader.’

 

Moyong Bi’s wrist moved slowly.

 

The wooden staff slung over his shoulder swayed back and forth, creating a strange tension for those watching.

 

“He’s sending his son directly to invite me?”

 

“…”

 

“Interesting. I wonder just how expensive the alcohol he’s planning to buy me is.”

 

Five Grain Liquor…

 

Hong In, who was about to open his mouth without realizing it, flinched.

 

‘Stay alert, Hong In!’

 

For some reason, when talking with this bastard, he kept having other thoughts.

 

It made him tense and angry. He couldn’t understand why he was acting this way.

 

Moyong Bi, who had been lost in thought for a moment, smiled brightly.

 

“Since you’ve shown this much sincerity, I can’t coldly refuse twice.”

 

Hong In’s eyes sparkled.

 

“You’re accepting the invitation?”

 

“Let’s think about it while walking. Though I might change my mind on the way.”

 

Hong In inwardly snorted.

 

‘What a pathetic act.’

 

He didn’t show it, but he was clearly feeling the pressure.

 

Still saying he’d think about it while going was purely a matter of pride. He had to go anyway, but if he immediately agreed, he probably thought it would make him look weak.

 

‘Aside from his somewhat unique way of speaking, he’s nothing special.’

 

He actually felt relieved.

 

These types were easy to handle if you just flattered them a bit.

 

The thought of having to humor him in front of the squad members already made his stomach churn, but looking at the bigger picture, this level of humiliation was something he could endure.

 

“Then shall we depart now?”

 

“What’s there to delay? Lead the way.”

 

The corners of Hong In’s mouth rose.

 

“Good. Follow us.”

 

“By the way, will there be delicious food prepared too? I’ve been eating a lot lately.”

 

Hong In ignored that comment. While he intended to humor him, he had no intention of responding to such foolish remarks.

 

Moyong Bi set out on the road with the Red Sword Third Unit.

 

How long had they walked?

 

“Where are we going?”

 

“To Market Street.”

 

Hong In frowned.

 

“Why go there of all places?”

 

“Since we’re already out, I thought I’d look around the marketplace before going. We can cut through the middle of the market anyway, right?”

 

“…Wouldn’t it be better to go as quickly as possible?”

 

“Then go ahead and wait. I’m going to look around first.”

 

From his retreating figure as he waved his hand and walked away leisurely, an infinite sense of freedom could be felt.

 

Hong In ground his teeth.

 

“…I’m following.”

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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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