Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 72

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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 72. Secret Place, Secret (2)

“Did you hear that?”

“What?”

“This is… a rather strange rumor.”

“Don’t be so frustrating and tell me quickly. What is it?”

“There’s a rumor that something big happened to the Hong Clan Sword Family.”

“Hong Clan Sword Family? What Hong Clan Sword Family? Huh? That Hong Clan Sword Family? The one we know?”

“That’s right.”

“What big thing could happen to the Hong Clan Sword Family?”

“It’s just a rumor, but they say it was attacked by masters.”

“Masters? Just how incredible were these masters that attacked them…”

“You know Jang Mu Saeng, right?”

“Isn’t he the swordsman famous as the second-in-command of the sword family? They say he’s stronger than Lee Jong Baek of Wujiangge?”

“That’s right. That Jang Mu Saeng brought three masters from somewhere and took control of the Hong Clan Sword Family.”

“What, what did you say?”

“But there’s another ominous rumor going around that the Sword Family Head learned demonic arts.”

“Demonic arts!”

“I don’t know the details either. I have a friend who heard it from a laborer over there. Anyway, they say an unidentified master wearing a mask killed the family head who had become a demon.”

“My goodness, this is ridiculous. Why is everything so complicated?”

“So basically, the family head learned demonic arts and went berserk, then someone appeared and killed him. After that, Jang Mu Saeng brought masters and took control of the family.”

“What about the sons? What happened to the sons?”

“Hong Myeong was killed by someone’s hand, and Hong In died in a fire?”

“Oh come on! What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

“That’s why I said it’s a strange rumor. I also heard it secondhand so I’m not certain, but would there be smoke without fire?”

“If that’s true… what? Does the Hong Clan Sword Family become the Jang Clan Sword Family now?”

Moyong Su Hyang’s eyes narrowed as she listened to the conversation of the people drinking tea.

‘The Hong Clan Sword Family?’

She was about to go over and ask out of curiosity, but a sudden thought made her stay in place.

‘No. Let’s not do anything that stands out.’

Just then, the owner brought the tea leaves.

“Here’s what you requested. That’s six nyang total.”

“Thank you.”

“We’re more grateful since you always buy from us. Oh, and this.”

The tea house owner subtly leaned his body so the other customers couldn’t see.

He took out a palm-sized pouch from his chest.

“Please take this to the Young Master.”

“Huh? What is this?”

“It’s he shou wu that I found while picking tea leaves recently. It’s small but properly filled inside. I asked someone who runs a medicine shop and they said it’s very good for health.”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

“Oh my, I’d be embarrassed if you don’t accept it. Please take it.”

After declining several times, Moyong Su Hyang eventually accepted the he shou wu with an awkward expression.

The owner smiled broadly.

“Please don’t feel burdened at all. Frankly speaking, if it weren’t for the Moyong Family, could we have done business with peace of mind? Ever since those Black Tiger Gang bastards disappeared, even my insomnia that lasted for years completely vanished.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Hehe, go home safely and please come again later.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll be going.”

Having properly received both the tea leaf bundle and the he shou wu, Moyong Su Hyang walked down the street with a complicated expression.

‘It’s not exactly thanks to the Moyong Family, but thanks to that guy.’

If it weren’t for her foolish elder brother, the Black Tiger Gang would still be spreading their stench on the streets.

‘…This is quite burdensome.’

Does an action by a member of the Moyong Family become an action of the Moyong Family itself?

Moyong Su Hyang felt a newfound sense of heavy responsibility. Regardless of what her elder brother had done, now that people had developed such favorable feelings toward the family, she must not do anything that could be criticized.

When she arrived at the family estate, today’s magnificently resounding sounds were echoing as usual.

Smack!

“Aaaaah!”

“Are you an earthworm? When did the Dragon Fighting Form change into the Earth Dragon Fighting Form? You’ve only rolled around a few times and your legs are already wobbling?”

“I’m, I’m sorry!”

“You keep losing strength because you’re not concentrating. Aren’t you ashamed in front of your squad leader? Can’t you see him putting his soul into it and pushing himself even at his stiff old age?”

“Grrrgh.”

“Stop groaning before I flick your throat?”

“…”

“Concentrate.”

“Yes.”

Today too, the training ground was quite a spectacle.

All members of the Fire Sword Group were supporting their bodies on one leg while kicking the other leg up to the sky, and remarkably, most of their legs were split in a straight line.

Moyong Bi, who had been walking around correcting their postures, came forward and kicked his leg up to the sky in the same manner.

Surprisingly, Moyong Bi’s legs split much more flexibly than theirs.

“You know the next movement, right? Slowly fold it and straighten your upper body while simultaneously sending the folded leg straight back. Really stretch those hip joints.”

Moyong Bi’s demonstration was perfect.

Though no one knew how much he had stretched his body during the night, he showed more flexibility than anyone in the Fire Sword Group.

That wasn’t all.

‘I can feel the strength.’

It wasn’t just flexible – she could feel solid strength in each and every movement.

No strength was leaking anywhere. Rather, it seemed like the strength was becoming more concentrated as the movements continued.

‘No matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing.’

The Fire Sword Group had been learning the Dragon Fighting Form for two days, and she and Elder Sister had been learning it for three days.

The movements weren’t as difficult as expected. The key was delicately managing the shift of the center of strength, but after doing it a few times, it became naturally ingrained.

However, she still couldn’t get that feeling of concentrating strength like that.

‘It’s definitely good exercise. It’s good enough that it could be incorporated into the White Strike Technique rather than just being exercise.’

Wasn’t it called the Dragon Fighting Form from the name itself? Though it looked as gentle as exercise, it was probably a physical training method designed for bare-handed combat.

‘Is it because he’s been learning it for years? But even so, that fool’s body was too stiff before?’

There were many suspicious things about her elder brother.

“Alright, rest.”

“Gasp!”

“Ughhhh!”

Most of the Fire Sword Group collapsed on the spot.

Jin Gwang and Gwan Hyeon were standing while catching their breath, and surprisingly, Jong Hweon was also just massaging his legs rather than collapsing.

“Don’t just lie down and rest during break time, make sure to loosen up around your waist and shoulder joints. Team Leader Jin, please take care of the remaining training.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Then, good work.”

Moyong Bi waved his hand and approached Moyong Su Hyang.

“You’re back? Do you want to train with those guys too?”

“I’ll do fine on my own.”

“Well, you’re not at a level to be grouped with those stick-like guys.”

Moyong Bi flared his nostrils.

“By the way, what kind of tea leaves are these? There’s a somewhat strange fragrance?”

He was like a dog with its nose.

Moyong Su Hyang handed over the pouch with a reluctant expression.

“This is yours.”

“Hmm? What’s this? The smell is somewhat similar to Polygonum multiflorum…”

“Where did you eat that precious thing to recognize it right away?”

“Don’t tell me you bought Polygonum multiflorum? How much allowance do you even get?”

Moyong Su Hyang’s face turned bright red.

“What do you mean allowance, allowance!”

Moyong Bi muttered with a turtle-like neck.

“If you receive and spend it, it’s all allowance. Why are you reacting so sensitively?”

“Forget it, the Tea House Owner gave that to you to eat. Eat it yourself.”

“To me? Why?”

“I don’t know either.”

“What a strange person. This is burdensome, should I really accept it?”

Even while saying that, he was already opening his pouch and brushing off the dirt from the Polygonum multiflorum.

“Even though it’s small, it’s packed solid inside. This is good for the body.”

The sight of him chewing it right away with a delighted face looked like he was gnawing on a chicken leg.

Moyong Su Hyang, who had been quietly watching the happy fool, spoke curtly.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“You… by any chance…”

“By any chance what?”

“…”

“Why are you doing that again? Did I do something wrong?”

“Never mind.”

She had been about to ask about the Hong Clan Sword Family, but it seemed better to leave it alone for now.

It wasn’t because she thought Elder Brother had no connection to it.

Rather, she couldn’t shake the suspicion that this fool was deeply involved in that matter.

‘Tch.’

If that were true, it would really be a big problem.

But the fool Elder Brother didn’t tell her first.

In the old days, she would have grabbed him by the collar and shaken him, asking what crazy thing he had done now, but now she didn’t feel like doing that.

Her first thought was that he had some reason for not telling her.

‘Still, I should talk to Elder Sister about it.’

Moyong Su Hyang turned around with a whoosh.

“I’m going to Elder Sister.”

“Su Hyang.”

“Don’t call me by my name. What?”

“Your left foot is twisted.”

“Huh?”

Moyong Bi’s face was serious as he crunched on the raw Polygonum multiflorum. The coexistence of his ridiculous appearance and seriousness made for a truly unsightly face.

Still, she had to listen patiently.

When the fool was serious, there was a reason for his seriousness.

“I told you before, right? That Twin Dragon Energy is faster than the Honyuan Heart Method for learning the Main Family’s Two Light Three Steps.”

“You did.”

Two Light Three Steps referred to two lightness skills and three footwork techniques, which the fool had said were the Moyong Noble Family’s secret body protection methods.

“Due to the nature of Twin Dragon Energy martial arts, training through dynamic exercises like you’re doing now is possible. When dynamic training becomes as natural as breathing, you can immediately transition to footwork training, but if your center is off-balance like yours is now, you’ll face difficulties from the start.”

“…Center?”

“It’s because of the Dragon Fighting Form. You’re better at the third form than the fourth form, right?”

Dragon Fighting Form third technique. A movement that rotates the right half of the body using the left foot as an axis. The fourth technique was the opposite.

“Uh-huh.”

“Since your left-side center is better established, you need to pay attention to the right side, okay?”

“…!”

“That’s why your left foot is slightly twisted inward. You can correct it just by putting strength in your big toe, but trust the Dragon Fighting Form and just walk naturally. Over time, the balance will naturally adjust itself.”

At times like this, his ghost-like perception was spine-chilling.

Even though the twist didn’t seem noticeable enough to show, he knew just from a glance. It was terrifyingly detailed.

Moyong Su Hyang grumbled.

“That’s annoying.”

“If it’s annoying, then learn it correctly.”

“Whatever.”

Moyong Su Hyang headed back toward the Family Head’s Office.

Her slightly twisted foot returned to its proper position.

Moyong Bi grinned and frantically devoured the Polygonum multiflorum.

“Ah, good. How long has it been since I’ve eaten Polygonum multiflorum?”

During his Alliance Leader days, he had chewed on it quite often. The war kept him so busy that he developed the habit of chewing it raw to save the trouble of brewing medicine.

Having refreshingly put one Polygonum multiflorum in his stomach, Moyong Bi looked back at the Fire Sword Group.

‘Not bad.’

Though they had made harsh sounds here and there, they were following along better than expected.

‘No matter how late you start, building the body comes first. Even if it’s frustrating, bear with it well.’

If you learn from childhood, your body won’t show rejection reactions no matter what martial arts you learn.

But they were too late. Regardless of talent, since their bones had fully grown, it was difficult to see the same effects as learning in childhood.

Still, it was fine.

‘Each person will find martial arts that suit them. They just need to grasp one thing for certain.’

The later they started, the more intense they would be, and rather than dabbling in this and that, it would be better to utilize their characteristics and focus desperately on just one thing.

Moyong Bi, who had been watching them, turned his gaze.

In the distance, Guo Lao was having various conversations with Suk Su.

Moyong Bi’s eyes deepened.

‘Guo Lao.’

Over the past five days, he had thought a lot about Guo Lao.

And about himself as well.

‘I’m going to start teaching the Main Family’s martial arts in earnest from now on. I should resolve this before then.’

Having organized his thoughts, Moyong Bi walked toward Guo Lao.

Just then, Guo Lao seemed to notice him too and finished his conversation with Suk Su.

“Young Master.”

“Guo Lao.”

“Are you starting afternoon training? I was just asking Suk Su for rice balls and jerky.”

“Rice balls and jerky.”

Moyong Bi looked up at the sky.

It was still early for the sun to set.

“Guo Lao, would you like to take a short stroll with me?”

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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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