Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 93

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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 93. Three Pure Infinities (3)

A look of caution appeared on Seok Woong’s face.

‘They’re scions of prestigious families.’

It wasn’t because of their neat faces or clothes.

Those three people exuded the refined atmosphere unique to prestigious families. Even the slender young man in fancy silk clothes who gave off a somewhat frivolous impression was the same.

Seok Woong’s discerning eye, honed from meeting countless people from prestigious families in his youth, was still sharp.

Namgung Gwan clasped his fists in greeting.

“You’ve arrived.”

Moyong Bi silently waved his hand while chewing meat.

It was rude behavior if you thought about it, but strangely it didn’t look hateful.

“Oh! You’ve already emptied that much? You’re incredible today too?”

Jegal Chung Ho’s voice was full of interest.

“Where does all that food go…?”

Namgung So So’s muttering, somehow seeming intimidated yet unable to hide her curiosity.

Seok Woong rose from his seat.

“Might you be from the Namgung and Jegal families?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

“Allow me to greet you. I am Seok Woong, chief steward of the Moyong Family.”

The three people bowed their heads simultaneously.

Each revealed their names as they introduced themselves.

Seok Woong felt his heart pounding.

‘Namgung Gwan, no less.’

Thunder Tiger Sword Namgung Gwan.

The second son of the current Namgung family head, he was a late-stage expert building a remarkable reputation in Anhui despite being in his early twenties.

Though young, he was a talent whose outstanding abilities were recognized even within his family, and it was said he had already been taught the Namgung family’s signature supreme art, the Boundless Sky Sword Technique.

And Jegal Chung Ho.

‘I heard he’s a unique young man.’

Within the Jegal clan, renowned as a family of sages and wise men, he was known for his particularly free-spirited nature.

You could say he was immature in a bad way, but judging by his eyes, he didn’t seem to have bad character at least.

The same went for Namgung So So.

‘They’re remarkable people.’

He didn’t judge them solely based on their prestigious bearing or reputation.

‘If it’s those two families, they would know about our main house’s past as well.’

That’s when it happened.

“Ahem, there’s a nice smell wafting about. I heard the innkeeper cooks well, so what dish is this… huh?”

Kang Geun Cheong entered behind the three people.

“Eh? Why are you all standing here?”

“Ah, Kang Suk.”

“Those people are…”

Suddenly Kang Geun Cheong’s eyes flashed.

He had just made eye contact with Moyong Bi.

‘Huh!’

The moment their eyes met, his spine tingled and his shoulders tensed up.

Eyes that were transparent yet hot, hot yet cold – an indescribable gaze.

‘Indeed, there was a reason Gwan was so concerned about him.’

He could tell at a glance. That he was an extraordinary master, befitting the protagonist of yesterday’s inn incident.

‘I can’t read his internal energy. This is truly remarkable.’

He was someone who earned a reputation as a master in Jianghu. Naturally, his skills were outstanding enough to become a retainer of the Namgung clan.

Yet such a person couldn’t properly gauge the power of a young man not even twenty years old.

When he saw him running in the marketplace, the distance was far and there were many people, so he couldn’t examine him closely, but seeing him like this, he was definitely extraordinary.

‘A Hidden Dragon indeed…’

Kang Geun Cheong’s eyes, which had been inwardly admiring, turned to Seok Woong.

‘Hmm?’

Kang Geun Cheong unconsciously tilted his head.

‘What is it? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere…’

Seok Woong’s eyes widened.

“Could it be?”

“Huh?”

“Kang…?”

“It’s Geun Cheong… but you’re strangely familiar… gasp!”

Kang Geun Cheong, who had swallowed air, ruthlessly pushed through between the three men and women.

“S-Seok, Elder Brother?!”

“Is it really you, Geun Cheong?”

“My goodness! To think we’d meet like this!”

Genuine joy appeared on his bright face.

Watching Kang Geun Cheong grab Seok Woong’s hands and shake them vigorously, he looked more like a frivolous wastrel than a retainer of a prestigious family.

“It really is Elder Brother Seok! Do you remember me?”

“Of course I remember. How are you here?”

“The family head of our main house sent me as the supervisor for those two! I came along thinking I’d sightsee in Wuhan while I was at it…”

The sudden reunion only made the surrounding people feel awkward.

“Oh my, this isn’t the time for this.”

Seok Woong spoke to Moyong Bi.

“Young Master, this friend here is Kang Geun Cheong, who attended the same academy as me when I was young.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Geun Cheong, this is the Grand Young Master of the Moyong Family whom I serve.”

Kang Geun Cheong unconsciously flinched.

But that was only momentary – his face was full of smiles as he looked at Moyong Bi.

“They say you never know how life’s connections will turn, but I never imagined it would be someone my respected elder brother serves.”

“Yes, well.”

“I’m called Kang Geun Cheong. I mainly operate in Anhui, so I don’t know many people.”

Though he said that, Kang Geun Cheong’s reputation was actually quite remarkable.

Originally from Hebei, he had outstanding talent in both literary and martial arts, met a good master, learned martial arts from a young age, and also devoted himself to scholarship.

Thanks to this, he traveled Jianghu under the alias White Brush Swordsman, and settled in Anhui ten years ago.

“I used to hear news about you from time to time in the old days. I was too busy to keep track, but I never knew you’d joined the Namgung family.”

“Haha! Only those who know, know. I never thought the family head would accept me as a retainer either.”

A wistful expression appeared on Seok Woong’s face.

‘Back in those days, I even thought about asking you for help.’

Since it was an academy that ranked among the best in Hebei, there were many renowned people and he had built quite a few relationships.

But there was no one among them he could ask for help. Most had left to find their own paths, and the Central Plains were so vast that even if he wanted to find them, it wasn’t easy.

The same was true for Kang Geun Cheong.

After the former family head passed away, he tried to look into past connections to somehow save the family, but there was no way to know where Kang Geun Cheong was.

In reality, family affairs were too busy for him to search actively, and meanwhile he had neither money nor power.

‘Just when I’m trying to stretch and grow, I finally encounter a connection from the past… life is truly unpredictable.’

Kang Geun Cheong said.

“You were with the Moyong Family?”

“From a very long time ago.”

“I see.”

“By the way, you’ve hardly changed at all. I recognized you at first glance.”

A bitter expression appeared on Kang Geun Cheong’s face.

“Elder Brother has changed a great deal.”

He could tell at a glance that it was Seok Woong. Even though it had been well over twenty years since they’d last met, enough of his old face remained for him to recognize.

But the changes were just as significant.

Gray hair was scattered throughout, and his face was full of wrinkles. The eyes that once shone with confidence and intelligence now held only caution.

It was a face worn down by the harsh realities of life.

“Rather than doing this here, why don’t we share some tea together?”

“I’d like to, but I have work to attend to.”

Kang Geun Cheong bowed his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I was rude in my excitement at seeing you.”

“Hehe, it’s fine.”

Then, Moyong Bi spoke.

“It’s fine, so go have your tea.”

“That won’t do, Young Master.”

“Didn’t you come along to check on the matter involving the Gold Flower Trading Company?”

“Of course, but…”

Kang Geun Cheong smiled brightly as he spoke.

“I’ve already heard about that from the children. Let’s discuss it together.”

“Ah…”

“Look at me, losing my mind. I haven’t made introductions yet.”

Kang Geun Cheong looked at the Namgung siblings and spoke seriously.

“This is Seok Woong from Cheon Mun Lim. Pay your respects.”

Jegal Chung Ho was more surprised than the Namgung siblings.

“You mean Cheon Mun Lim in Hebei?”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t that Hebei’s finest academy, where you can’t even enter without considerable talent in literature?”

“He completed the entire curriculum there in just three years.”

Jegal Chung Ho’s jaw dropped.

Completing Cheon Mun Lim’s entire curriculum in three years was like saying someone had matched a master with thirty years of training through only ten years of martial arts practice.

“What an incredible person!”

Seok Woong smiled bitterly.

“Good grades don’t make one wise. I’m actually inferior to others.”

“That can’t be! Cheon Mun Lim is one of the most prestigious academies among all schools!”

“Learning martial forms quickly doesn’t make one skilled in actual combat, does it?”

It was a perfectly apt analogy.

Moyong Bi said.

“Rather than talking with me, you’d be faster having a conversation with these eloquent people here. I’m not much of a talker and have no gift for words.”

The Namgung siblings and Jegal Chung Ho looked at Moyong Bi with incredulous expressions.

“Most importantly!”

Moyong Bi shook his bowl.

“I need to finish eating and go inside to take care of something.”

“But…”

“You should catch up with each other. Isn’t that right?”

Kang Geun Cheong smiled.

“Elder Brother, I heard about yesterday’s incident from the children. You can rest easy for now, so don’t worry too much.”

“Still…”

“If it comes to it, we can vouch for you in the Namgung name. Isn’t that right, Gwan?”

Namgung Gwan spoke decisively.

“If the Gold Flower Trading Company spreads unnecessary rumors or causes trouble for this inn, the Namgung will never forgive them.”

He spoke firmly even with Jegal Chung Ho sitting right there.

He was always clear about such matters. Jegal Chung Ho also didn’t seem particularly concerned about the Gold Flower Trading Company affair.

Relief appeared on Seok Woong’s face.

If a member of the renowned Namgung bloodline spoke this way, he could set his worries aside.

“Young Master, then I’ll spend some time catching up with this old connection.”

“Take your time catching up and have a drink too. The family won’t fall apart because the Chief Administrator takes one day off.”

“Ahem!”

“Oh, and this.”

Moyong Bi pulled out a bank note from his chest and stuffed it into Seok Woong’s sleeve.

“That bear innkeeper said he’d give it for free, but please pay for everything including drinks with your friend.”

“Pardon?”

Moyong Bi spoke with force in his voice.

“Who knows what else that bear innkeeper is raising in his belly besides cunning? It would be unpleasant if there’s talk later, so please pay for everything.”

His voice mixed with projection resonated thunderously throughout Hwawung Inn.

Yang Gu cried out in panic.

“Young Master! I’m not that kind of person!”

“Uhahaha!”

“This won’t do. I’ll prove my innocence! Five more bowls are coming out, so don’t go anywhere until you finish them all!”

“See, he wants you to eat more and pay more.”

“Uwaaah!”

Watching Moyong Bi giggling and Yang Gu clutching his head in frustration, they looked like friends of ten years.

Undisguisable envy appeared on Namgung Gwan’s face.

‘What an amazing person.’

Despite having such martial arts skills, he could joke casually with a neighborhood inn owner.

Of course, he respected everyone too, but he couldn’t converse with people this comfortably.

‘Is it something he was born with, or experience built through effort?’

Then, Namgung So So spoke.

“Then… ah, should I call you Young Master Murong?”

“That works.”

“But you’ve put on weight since yesterday?”

Moyong Bi grinned widely.

“Do I look that way?”

“Yes, it’s amazing?”

Namgung Gwan and Jegal Chung Ho also looked at Moyong Bi with fresh eyes at her words.

His impression was so striking they hadn’t noticed, but he had definitely put on weight since yesterday. With slight exaggeration, it seemed like all the food he’d devoured yesterday had turned to flesh.

“It’s effective indeed. Innkeeper! I’ll take those five bowls and one more!”

“Let’s see who wins.”

“What good comes from a customer winning?”

“Either way, I’m going to win!”

And so Moyong Bi devoured six more bowls of nourishing food by himself and returned home.

“Gwan.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him?”

Even though Moyong Bi had already disappeared, Namgung Gwan’s eyes watching the spot where he’d sat were full of curiosity and seriousness.

“Yes, I think I have fallen for him.”

“Gasp! Really?”

“…Just in case, it’s not what you’re thinking.”

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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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