Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 73
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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 73. Secret Place, Secret (3)
“The tea leaves are all good.”
“Really?”
“The shopkeeper seems to have put some care into it. You must have had a hard time going there.”
“Hard time, what do you mean? It was nice to look around the marketplace too.”
Moyong Su Jeong, who had been selecting tea leaves, stood up from her seat.
“Since you’re here, have a cup before you go. Elder Sister will brew it for you.”
“Should I?”
It worked out well since there was something to talk about anyway.
Moyong Su Jeong’s appearance as she personally boiled water and selected tea leaves was very leisurely and natural.
“Elder Sister, something’s different about you.”
“Hm?”
“Before, you seemed somewhat precarious.”
“It’s because I’ve become healthier.”
That wouldn’t be all of it.
‘The atmosphere has changed too.’
Even while being comfortable, there was a strangely unapproachable dignity that could be felt.
Yet in front of Elder Sister, it felt like she could act as spoiled as she wanted. Like a mother she couldn’t even remember, it felt like she would accept any whining or complaints.
Generous and solid.
‘Definitely different from before.’
Day by day, she had changed surely yet naturally.
“How is your progress?”
“Huh? What progress?”
“The Twin Dragon Energy.”
Moyong Su Hyang unconsciously smacked her lips.
“I’m not sure if it’s going well.”
“Why? Is there something bothering you?”
“I’m practicing pupil training alongside it as that fool said. The speed of internal energy accumulation is definitely much faster than my previous heart method.”
“But?”
“…I guess I feel somewhat uneasy.”
She meant she was rather confused by the too-rapid progress.
If the energy accumulation speed of her previous heart method was one, the energy accumulation speed of Twin Dragon Energy combined with pupil training seemed to be around seven or eight. On days when she was particularly focused, it was sometimes ten or more.
At minimum seven times faster, and in some cases more than ten times the speed difference.
No matter how different the levels were, it was an excessive difference.
“I looked at the incantations of Twin Dragon Energy, and it too is a martial art no less than the Honyuan Heart Method. Your Elder Brother said the two heart methods were the foundation and base, but I think mastering just this alone would be enough to be recognized as first-rate.”
Of course, mastering an internal energy cultivation method doesn’t make one a true master.
That’s what made it even more amazing. The feeling that one could become a master with just the internal energy cultivation method. It was on a different level from the martial arts she had learned before.
“Looking at the Honyuan Heart Method and Twin Dragon Energy, I realized that each person has martial arts that suit them. Your talent is outstanding, but I think Twin Dragon Energy is a martial art that fits you perfectly, which is why your energy accumulation speed is fast.”
It was an accurate insight.
“I, is that so?”
“Of course, since it’s the introductory stage, the energy accumulation speed might be fast. With any study, achievement becomes difficult as the level rises.”
“If that’s the case, then I have nothing to say.”
“What could be the problem? Even if there were any issues, your Elder Brother would watch over you carefully.”
It wasn’t just simple and blind faith.
Moyong Bi’s insight shown so far had been truly remarkable. Even if she learned something slightly wrong, he would notice like a ghost and give advice, and looking back, his pointing out was amazingly accurate.
Trust in his outstanding abilities was added on top of the foundation of faith toward blood relatives.
There was no choice but to believe.
‘Well.’
Moyong Su Hyang slightly lifted her left foot to show it.
‘He noticed this right away too.’
Then, Moyong Su Jeong brought the tea kettle and cups.
“It’s ready. Try drinking it.”
“Thank you.”
The tea fragrance that gently wafted over was both fragrant and comfortable.
“So what’s troubling you?”
“Huh?”
“It seems like you have something to say.”
Though in a different field, Elder Sister’s perceptiveness was also as sharp as that fool Elder Brother’s.
Moyong Su Hyang asked straightforwardly.
“Elder Sister, have you heard the rumors going around the marketplace?”
Moyong Su Jeong, who had moistened her throat with a sip of tea, answered calmly.
“Except for the Hong Clan Sword Family matter, I haven’t heard anything else.”
“Huh? You heard about that?!”
“I did.”
“I heard about it when I went to get tea leaves earlier! Who would have known the Hong Clan Sword Family would end up in such a state?!”
“That’s right. I was very surprised too.”
“They say the family head and both sons all died. How could…”
“…”
“But when did you hear about it, Elder Sister?”
“I heard yesterday. The Chief Administrator heard rumors going around the marketplace, looked into various things, and then reported to me.”
Moyong Su Hyang nodded and pouted her lips.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were busy with training. I was going to tell you today, but you came back quickly and rushed off to buy tea leaves saying you’d train.”
“Oh… hmm.”
She felt unnecessarily embarrassed.
But embarrassment was embarrassment, and serious matters were serious.
“I think somehow… that fool seems to be involved in that incident.”
“You think so?”
“It happened after that fool came back, right? Well, it could be a coincidence, but… thinking about the Ten Swords Gate incident, it seems hard to see it as coincidence.”
A strange smile appeared on Moyong Su Jeong’s face.
“Really?”
“And that guy, when the Chief Administrator was present, he acted all high and mighty saying the Black Tiger Gang was making such a fuss over just raiding one gang hideout. If that’s the case…”
“I think so too.”
“Huh?!”
“I also think there’s a high probability that Bi Ah was involved in the Hong Clan Sword Family incident.”
“R, really?”
Moyong Su Hyang’s face, which had been happy that her thoughts were correct, soon turned bright red.
“Then it’s a big problem!”
“Did you ask your Elder Brother about it too?”
“That guy wouldn’t tell me honestly, would he? That’s why I asked Elder Sister!”
“Then isn’t that settled?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t agree with saying he wouldn’t tell you honestly, but if it were the old you, you would have confronted him regardless of consequences. But why didn’t you do that now?”
“That’s because… it doesn’t seem like that fool would cause trouble on purpose… well, it is a big deal, but he seems too peaceful…”
Warmth filled Moyong Su Jeong’s eyes as she watched the Youngest mumbling her answer.
“Right. Your Elder Brother isn’t someone who would cause trouble thoughtlessly.”
“Even if that’s the case, it’s still a problem. I might be fine with it, but he should have told Elder Sister.”
Her voice clearly showed her displeasure.
Still, seeing that Elder Sister wasn’t tense, her blazing momentum also died down considerably.
“He must have his reasons.”
“Even if he has his reasons, shouldn’t he report such a big matter to the family head?”
“Maybe that’s exactly why.”
“Huh?”
“Maybe Bi Ah doesn’t think this matter is a big deal at all.”
Moyong Su Hyang’s mouth fell wide open.
“If this isn’t a big deal, then what is? Does the sky have to fall for it to be a big deal?!”
“Maybe so.”
“…Ugh.”
“If the rumors are true, perhaps the mysterious master who dealt with Family Head Hong after he became a demon might be your elder brother.”
“Come on, no way.”
If Hong Jun Ak had really learned demonic arts and even went berserk, it would be too much even for her foolish elder brother.
She thought he was impressive when she saw him overwhelm Hwang Gyu, but he wouldn’t have the skill to kill a demon.
Of course, she had never actually seen a real demon.
‘Hwang Gyu….’
As Moyong Su Jeong recalled that time, she felt another doubt that she had harbored deep in her heart resurface.
“Anyway, pretend you don’t know about this matter until Bi Ah tells us directly.”
“All the rumors have already spread, so what’s the point.”
Moyong Su Hyang, who had been grumbling, immediately drained her tea and started coughing. It was still too hot to swallow in one gulp.
“Anyway, it’s enough that Elder Sister knows too.”
“Are you going to train again?”
“I have to. It would be nice if Elder Sister could train with me when you’re not busy.”
Moyong Su Jeong smiled gently.
“This elder sister is also working hard.”
“Oh, really?”
“After work is done, your elder brother helps me with my martial arts every night.”
Moyong Su Hyang’s eyes widened.
“At night?”
“I’d like to ask him to help with dawn training too, but he says it’s not yet at a stage where I can be at ease, so he forbids dawn training and tells me to sleep soundly until the beginning of the Hour of the Dragon.”
“That guy, isn’t he just making excuses because he can’t wake up himself?”
Though she said that, she acknowledged that he cared more about Elder Sister’s body than she did.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Alright, good work today too.”
Moyong Su Hyang hesitated for a moment.
“Why? Do you have more to say?”
“Huh? Oh, no. Let’s just eat dinner together later.”
“Let’s do that.”
With that, Moyong Su Hyang opened the door to the Family Head’s Office and came out.
Whoosh.
The wind was definitely cold.
The weather had become such that one needed to wear fairly thick clothes. Winter was approaching.
‘What did he mean by that back then?’
Words she couldn’t bring herself to ask Elder Sister about.
The doubt she had harbored since the day of the fight with Hwang Gyu was disturbing her heart more and more as time passed.
Moyong Su Hyang recalled the words her elder brother had shouted at Hwang Gyu.
‘Do you know how much I’ve hidden myself to watch every single one of you ghost-like bastards who look down on the main family, steal from the main house business, and scheme within the main family?’
Her elder brother’s answer to Hwang Gyu’s question about whether he had been hiding his strength.
That’s right. Her elder brother had been hiding his strength.
To study the family’s martial arts, to avoid the eyes of potential bandits.
But what bothered her was her elder brother’s last words.
‘Were there really people scheming within the main family?’
What could they gain by scheming in a family with nothing worth seeing? No, were there really such people?
If there were, how did her elder brother know of their existence, and why didn’t he tell us about it?
“…How frustrating.”
Moyong Su Hyang let out a sigh.
“Is it because I’m too young that he won’t tell me anything?”
* * *
“The scenery is nice.”
“Indeed it is.”
The two people walking along the western road instead of the marketplace looked quite leisurely and relaxed.
“I remember traveling this way several times in the past. Though it’s somewhat desolate, it gives a strangely abundant feeling to the scenery.”
It was a statement filled with inexplicable nostalgia.
Guo Lao said with a smile.
“Do you remember this road? When Young Master was little, this old servant carried you on his back several times along this path.”
“Ah, did you? Then that must have been the memory.”
“Hehe, you were so very young at the time.”
Even if that weren’t the case, it was a road not far from home. Having lived in Wuhan for a long time, it was a path he would have traveled dozens of times.
Though it was strange to speak of it as if it were something from the distant past, Guo Lao didn’t question it and played along.
“By the way, this is the first time I’ve seen Young Master like this.”
“Like what?”
“You should gain more weight, but your face is full of vitality.”
Even after the Hong Clan Sword Family matter ended, he had eaten a lot and trained hard.
The current Moyong Bi was like a completely different person from half a month ago. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to say he looked like a slightly thin ordinary person now.
Perhaps because of this? His characteristic sharp features were well-defined, making his natural appearance shine.
“Physician Yang, was it? I’m taking the medicine that gentleman gave me well. Thanks to it, I’m overflowing with energy every day.”
“Hehe, you’ve done well.”
Moyong Bi stopped walking and glanced back.
They had walked for more than half an hour from home. They had already walked nearly ten li.
“…I told them in advance, and there’s also the stone tower slave, so one day should be fine.”
“Pardon?”
“Guo Lao.”
“Please speak, Young Master.”
“Are you taking care of your joints well?”
Guo Lao’s eyes wavered.
But his voice was calm.
“I am making an effort.”
“Really?”
Moyong Bi looked at the western road again.
“I carried our family head on my back, and our youngest who suffered so much, so now isn’t it our turn to take care of Guo Lao?”
“Pardon?”
“I want to carry our Guo Lao on my back to a nice place while also practicing lightness techniques. Would that be alright?”
“A, a nice place?”
“Ah, let me say in advance that you have no right to refuse.”
Moyong Bi suddenly lifted Guo Lao onto his back.
Guo Lao, who had instinctively tried to step back, was startled. He was lifted before he could do anything.
“Hold on tight. It’s going to take a while.”
“How….”
Whoooosh!
Moyong Bi’s body became a single streak of wind.
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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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