Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 92

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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 92. Three Pure Infinities (2)

The next day.

“Huff, huff.”

Sweat dripped from Moyong Su Jeong’s forehead as she clutched her knees and bent her upper body forward.

Despite the cold weather, heat like a mirage rose from her body. She had trained using only pure physical strength without using internal energy.

“Good.”

Guo Lao, who had been sitting in lotus position circulating his internal power, rose from his seat.

“It’s been a while since you’ve done physical training, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, I think it’s been almost a year.”

At least having internal energy meant her stamina and muscles built up over time had been maintained to some degree.

Now her body was healthier than a year ago, and the Honyuan Heart Method had activated her organ functions, so her stamina had actually increased compared to then.

Still, it being training after such a long time made it inevitably difficult.

“Whether it’s Honyuan martial arts or Jinlong martial arts, the Main Family’s martial arts all equally emphasize the harmony of yin and yang. Though Eldest Miss and Young Miss were born with martial talent, being women means you lack the explosive power that men have.”

He called her Family Head in public settings, but Eldest Miss in private.

“I understand.”

“Conversely, you have advantages in flexibility and maintaining the flowing circulation of true energy. Since breathing exercises alone are sufficient for that aspect, you must now focus on increasing elasticity and strength.”

“Strong stamina is essential too.”

“Exactly.”

Conversely, for men, the reason they learned Dragon Fighting Form from childhood was to increase flexibility.

Even without training, men’s bodies stiffen faster than women’s. Though born with stronger physical power than women, they have disadvantages in flexibility due to their body structure.

Rather than utilizing innate strengths, first eliminating weaknesses and pursuing overall functional improvement.

This was why the Moyong Noble Family’s martial arts were evaluated as flawless.

“I have a question, Guo Lao.”

“Please speak.”

“Then even if I become stronger in the future, will I focus on eliminating weaknesses?”

“It depends on what you consider a weakness.”

“Pardon?”

“Any of the Main Family’s martial arts would suit Eldest Miss well. But for Young Miss, Jinlong martial arts suit her much better than Honyuan martial arts, don’t they?”

“Ah!”

“As such, even when sharing the same weaknesses, temperament and natural gifts differ. How far you interpret the harmony of yin and yang, and from where you actively utilize your strengths, depends entirely on individual enlightenment.”

Moyong Su Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“This isn’t something I need to think about right now.”

“That’s right. But it’s certainly worth remembering. When the time comes in the future, it will surely help Eldest Miss.”

Guo Lao’s teachings were thoughtful and meticulous.

Yet when pointing out key points, they gave strong resonance. This meant his insight into martial arts was remarkable.

‘Utilizing strengths… harmony of strength and flexibility…’

And Moyong Su Jeong absorbed every single one of Guo Lao’s teachings without exception.

Though she rarely forgot things she heard once, she kept reviewing them just in case.

‘You were starving.’

Guo Lao’s face looking at Moyong Su Jeong was as warm as if viewing his own granddaughter.

‘Perhaps Eldest Miss was the one who thirsted for strength more than anyone else in the Main Family.’

How much hardship had she endured, dealing with an incurable disease, caring for younger siblings, and taking responsibility for the family clan?

That’s why she would have desired power even more. She must have lived thinking that if only she had power, at least it wouldn’t have been as hopeless and difficult as now.

Naturally, her yearning for strength had to exceed even the Fire Sword Group and Moyong Su Hyang.

Her innate nature simply didn’t express such yearning outwardly.

‘Stay strong, Young Miss.’

That’s when it happened.

“Uuuugh!”

It seemed he could no longer bear it.

An unconscious groan. Guo Lao turned his head to the side.

Dark Shadow was there.

It looked like horse stance training, but was slightly different training.

A long iron bar with stone pouches attached to both ends was placed across his neck and upper back, and its weight seemed to easily exceed fifty guan.

Moyong Su Jeong, having regulated her breathing, stuck out her tongue.

“How long has he been like that?”

“It’s almost been half a shichen now. He just needs to endure a little longer.”

“Ha, half a shichen?”

Doing horse stance for nearly half a shichen while carrying an iron bar weighing over fifty guan on his back?

‘Is that even possible?’

Moyong Su Jeong looked at Dark Shadow like viewing a strange animal.

Guo Lao spoke in a calm voice.

“Keep paying attention to your abdominal pressure. Especially if strength leaves your abdomen, your waist will collapse, and if your waist collapses, all movements become restricted.”

No answer came back.

Naturally. Blood was even dripping from his bitten lips. It wasn’t a situation for answering.

Moyong Su Jeong asked cautiously.

“Guo Lao, isn’t this training too excessive?”

Guo Lao chuckled.

“He’s enduring it well, isn’t he?”

“Still…”

“Rather, having many things to focus on makes it good training. It would be difficult to endure without paying attention to everything from abdomen, back, buttocks, thighs, calves, to even toes.”

So wouldn’t it be too much?

She wanted to say that, but Moyong Su Jeong held back her words. Guo Lao was a remarkable master. What could she say to someone whose experience and knowledge overwhelmed her own?

“Eldest Miss can’t feel it, can you?”

“Feel what?”

“That this fellow is currently using internal energy.”

Moyong Su Jeong was startled.

“Was he?”

“Befitting his assassin origins, his true energy itself is secretive. Moreover, he’s using a small amount of internal energy extremely slowly, so it’s understandable you wouldn’t notice. It’s even focused on the lower body.”

“…That’s terrifying.”

He had to pay attention to every part of his body while carrying weight and practicing horse stance.

On top of that, moving only minimal internal energy to soothe parts that reached their limits and gradually promote recovery.

It was training with excellent effects, but training that would be perfect for ruining one’s body if one had dull senses and lacked concentration.

“Generally, assassins develop upper body strength more than lower body. Among them, grip strength is particularly strong.”

“Isn’t lower body stronger? They need to move quickly and stealthily.”

“First-rate assassin groups teach the opposite. Of course, they don’t neglect the lower body, but because they must eliminate targets in a single strike, they emphasize explosive grip strength and back muscle training. First-rate assassins can sometimes endure hanging from a roof edge with one hand for over twelve shichen.”

“…Amazing.”

“That’s why this fellow needs elastic and strong lower body training. Befitting his assassin origins, his flexibility is good.”

Guo Lao glanced at the sky.

“Time is already up.”

He looked at Dark Shadow and said.

“Put it down.”

Dark Shadow didn’t put down the iron bar.

Hazy eyes, he seemed unable to hear anything around him.

Guo Lao clicked his tongue and stood up.

Swoosh.

“Gasp!”

When he directly lifted and removed the iron bar, startled Dark Shadow collapsed on the spot.

Thud!

“His concentration is certainly outstanding, I’ll give him that.”

“Huff, huff!”

The face of Dark Shadow, who had collapsed on the floor, gradually turned pale. It seemed that removing the weight was actually making it harder for him to breathe.

Guo Lao, who had forcibly sat Dark Shadow up, placed his hand on his vital pressure point.

Wooooong.

Internal energy flowed in gently.

Color instantly returned to Dark Shadow’s pale face.

Guo Lao dusted off his hands and stood up, looking at Moyong Su Jeong.

“Still, this fellow is quite useful. Young Master has brought back a proper slave.”

“Hmm.”

Constantly calling him a slave was somewhat uncomfortable to hear.

“Shall we go have a meal?”

“Ah, yes. What about him?”

“We can bring him food after we eat. Will you be training this afternoon as well?”

“No. This afternoon I have some business profit-related matters to look into.”

“What about the Chief Administrator?”

“He should be out by now.”

Moyong Su Jeong looked up at the sky.

The sun hung high in the heavens. It was already slowly passing noon.

“Together with Bi Ah.”

* * *

Chomp chomp chomp!

Moyong Bi’s face as he enthusiastically tore into the duck was as serious as if he were facing a life-or-death enemy.

“…”

Seok Woong, holding his spoon with a troubled expression, spoke carefully.

“Young Master, please eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion at this rate.”

“What? What did you say?”

“…Never mind.”

“Yes.”

With his left hand, he scooped up broth with a large spoon, while his right hand gripped a duck leg and tore into it mercilessly.

‘Has he always had such a good appetite?’

This was already his fourth bowl.

Just counting the duck meat, it was two whole ducks, and with the rice mixed into the broth, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’d eaten close to three ducks’ worth.

“Innkeeper!”

“Yes, Young Master!”

“Two more bowls!”

“They’re already prepared!”

Seok Woong gulped down his dry saliva.

Neither Moyong Bi eating so voraciously, nor the inn owner who naturally prepared food in advance, seemed normal.

“Huh? Chief Administrator, aren’t you eating?”

“I, I am eating.”

“Are you feeling unwell? Why are you so slow?”

It’s not that I’m slow, but that Young Master is abnormally fast.

It wasn’t something he couldn’t say, but the way he ate so aggressively left him speechless.

“Here, here it comes!”

“But Innkeeper, this tastes amazing, but there’s a slightly bitter aroma that comes up occasionally. What is that?”

“I got some medicinal herbs good for health from the pharmacy and added plenty of them. They go well with duck meat, and they’re especially perfect for putting on weight.”

“Ooh, as expected!”

“Even buying like that, there was too much money left over.”

“Don’t worry about that and spend freely for yourself, Innkeeper.”

“I don’t worry about such things.”

“Heh heh heh.”

“Uh heh heh!”

Anyone who didn’t know the situation would wonder what kind of conversation this was.

But Seok Woong knew all the circumstances.

“Young Master.”

“Yes? Ah, would you like a drumstick?”

“…I’m fine.”

“Yes.”

“Sorry to interrupt your meal, but may I ask you something?”

“Since when have you worried about such things? Feel free to ask.”

What was truly amazing was that despite eating such a large quantity, his pronunciation remained clear and there was no hindrance to conversation.

Along with the useless thought that this too might be a kind of martial art, Seok Woong asked.

“The matter with Gold Flower Trading Company, were you really involved, Young Master?”

On busy streets, rumors spread quickly.

Just yesterday, another rumor had circulated – that Moyong Bi had taught some Gold Flower Trading Company people a lesson.

Of course, the fault lay with them, and it was even said that members of the Namgung and Zhuge families had protected him.

People cheered for Moyong Bi once again.

It was none other than the trading company owner’s daughter. How satisfying it must be to hear that he had disciplined a blood relative of the great merchant who controlled Hubei’s purse strings for being rude to an innkeeper.

Of course, it was Yang Gu who had spread that rumor.

That rumor had traveled around and reached Seok Woong’s ears. That’s why he had come directly to the scene.

“Yes, well, that’s how it turned out.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, well.”

“There are even rumors going around that you defeated several Jin Geom Dae members.”

Moyong Bi glanced at Yang Gu.

Yang Gu was pretending not to know, scrubbing something vigorously in front of the kitchen. With his large frame crouched down like that, he looked quite pathetic.

“Chief Administrator, doesn’t this innkeeper seem quite different on the outside and inside?”

“What?”

“A man who looks like he could wrestle with bears seems to be raising about three hundred and eighty snakes in his belly.”

Yang Gu’s coughing sounds were particularly loud.

Seok Woong understood that meaning like a ghost.

“So the Innkeeper spread the rumors?”

“Who else would have done it?”

“Young Master.”

Seok Woong asked with a deliberately calm expression.

“You didn’t have any major conflict with the trading company owner’s daughter, did you?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Relief appeared on Seok Woong’s face.

But only briefly.

“I just made her do some cleaning and pay some compensation, that’s all.”

“…What?!”

“The girl was quite ill-mannered. Nothing beats physical labor for character correction, don’t you think?”

Seok Woong’s face gradually turned pale.

“Don’t tell me… you caught her like catching a mouse?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Young Master!”

“If you’re really curious, ask those gentlemen over there.”

Moyong Bi pointed toward the door with his thumb.

Before she knew it, the Namgung Siblings and Jegal Chung Ho were entering.

“Huh, you are?!”

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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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