Chronicles of the Mad Demon - Chapter 98
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 98. Fight Greater Power with Even Greater Power (3)
Swish.
The sword that had been swung like lightning naturally stopped.
Moyong Bi’s hand, which had caught the sword blade between his index finger and thumb, trembled slightly.
‘What?’
He turned his gaze along the sword.
There, a woman was looking at him with a surprised face.
Moyong Bi, who had been staring intently at the woman, released his fingers. Then the woman also withdrew her sword.
He unfolded his lotus position and asked.
“For an assassin, you’re sloppy, but to say you’re not one, that was quite dangerous.”
“Ah…”
The woman, who had finally come to her senses, sheathed her sword.
Even putting the sword into its sheath didn’t make the slightest sound.
“Who are you?”
It was a peculiar voice.
It felt like a cold piece of ice floating in hazy clouds.
Coolness and ambiguity coexisted. Overall, it gave the impression that her intentions were unclear, while also possessing a coldness that one couldn’t approach carelessly.
On top of that, her voice was quite low and stiff for a woman, making it hard to feel any friendliness.
“That’s what I want to ask. Suddenly swinging a sword at someone who just finished energy cultivation? Why? Why didn’t you stab me repeatedly before I finished?”
The woman’s eyes wavered.
“You were in the middle of energy cultivation?”
“It was actually more dangerous because there was no killing intent. It’s been a while since I almost died from getting stabbed right after finishing cultivation, not even from qi deviation.”
Only then did the woman seem to realize her mistake and bowed her head.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were a person.”
So it’s okay to stab freely if it’s not a person?
Normally he would have grumbled like that, but Moyong Bi silently observed the woman.
The woman’s appearance was as unique as her voice.
Her small face with well-proportioned eyes, nose, and mouth was harmonious, but perhaps because her skin was so pale, she gave off a cool impression.
Her nose was much higher and clearer than other women’s, and her prominent lips were particularly red. Perhaps they looked even redder because of her snow-white skin.
What was impressive were her eyes and hair.
‘Red-gold hair and blue eyes?’
That’s right.
Her hair, neatly tied so that not a single strand escaped, was a reddish-tinged blonde. Moreover, her pupils also had a vivid blue color.
‘She’s from the Western Region.’
She was tall and had a larger frame than ordinary Central Plains women. Her limbs were also particularly long.
But to Moyong Bi, the clothes the woman wore were more impressive than her appearance.
‘Taoist robes.’
Not ordinary martial uniform, nor silk clothes.
Although she wore a black long robe, the clothes underneath were definitely Taoist robes.
“I am Ja Dam of the Wudang Sect. I instinctively swung my sword, startled by the presence.”
“…”
“I apologize once again.”
The corners of Moyong Bi’s mouth turned up.
‘So she was from the Wudang Sect after all.’
He didn’t expect to meet one this quickly.
The clear energy of Taoist divine arts felt from her fingertips holding the sword.
It was a more leisurely flow than the energy of other Taoist sects. It felt like watching clouds flowing with the wind, yet passionate power seemed hidden within, like a torrential rain.
Meanwhile, she had refined the true energy unique to the Wudang Sect very well. The density was also remarkable, giving the feeling of having trained for at least twenty years.
Due to her Western Region characteristics, it was impossible to gauge her age, but judging by her life force, she was certainly much younger than expected.
“Do you use the Taoist title Ja Dam?”
“That’s correct.”
“Your swordsmanship is quite good.”
Interest flickered in Ja Dam’s eyes.
The other person’s manner of speech had changed.
She wondered if it was because she was from the Wudang Sect, but it didn’t seem to be the case. There was no fear or reverence visible in the other person’s eyes.
Rather, he seemed interested.
Perhaps he looked at her that way more because she was from the Western Region. She had experienced such gazes countless times even within Moodang Mountain, so it didn’t feel bad.
Just a little, a very little bitter.
But even that bitterness was overshadowed by the surprise she had felt a moment ago.
“By any chance, have you learned the divine arts of the Taoist sect?”
This time Moyong Bi was surprised.
‘Did she sense that?’
The unique energy of Tae Cheong Sin Dan was completely concealed by the innately transformed Infinite True Qi.
Even the Taoist who originally created Tae Cheong Sin Dan wouldn’t be able to detect it if he saw it directly, so how did this female Taoist figure it out?
‘Did she read the Infinite True Qi?’
That might have been it.
While his internal energy was certainly concealed, since he hadn’t been cultivating it for long, the unique ‘atmosphere’ could still emanate.
Even considering that, she was definitely someone with outstanding qi sensitivity.
“Well, I don’t want to reveal my martial arts origins to someone I’m meeting for the first time.”
“Ah!”
Ja Dam bowed her head once again.
“I have been rude.”
As a Taoist, she either valued etiquette, or conversely, there were Taoists who were detached from such things. This female Taoist named Ja Dam seemed to be the former.
Moyong Bi shook his head.
“Never mind. It doesn’t seem like you attacked on purpose, so I’ll let it pass.”
He wanted to sit her down and knock her head while threatening her to be careful, but right now when he had many things to think about, he didn’t want to do that.
Frankly speaking, he wasn’t the Martial Alliance Leader right now, was he? Most importantly, there were things he needed to find out about the Wudang Sect.
He needed to be a little more cautious than usual.
“I apologize once again.”
“It’s fine, so please go.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m telling you to go on your way.”
“Ah…”
Her expression remained the same, but she seemed restless somehow.
Moyong Bi let out a bitter smile.
“You had your eye on this place, didn’t you? I’ve roughly finished my business, so train to your heart’s content.”
“No. If anyone should go, it should be me.”
“I told you I finished my business.”
“Weren’t those just empty words?”
“Why would I need to say empty words to you?”
Ja Dam’s snow-white face turned slightly reddish. Come to think of it, it seemed like a statement born of excessive self-consciousness.
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
“You certainly have many things to be sorry for today.”
Moyong Bi waved his hand and walked out of the forest path.
Meanwhile, he didn’t even walk on the well-paved road. He just pushed through the overgrown bushes and walked, looking not the least bit uncomfortable.
Just from that alone, one could tell he wasn’t someone who lived by common sense.
Before long, Moyong Bi had disappeared, but Ja Dam stood there watching the bushes.
“…What a strange person.”
He was unique.
In his twenty-two years of life, he hadn’t met that many people. Even considering that, this was the most striking person he’d ever encountered in terms of first impressions.
A person who felt strangely comfortable despite being rough and blunt.
‘He definitely seemed to have learned Taoist martial arts…’
Ja Dam, who had been staring at the forest for a while, shook her head.
“Let’s train.”
A single thread of fate is like smoke.
If she considered everyone she met for the first time as fate, she’d have to remember every single person she’d encountered on her way here.
At least for now, Ja Dam wasn’t in a situation to worry about such connections.
She immediately sat in lotus position and entered meditation.
A fact she didn’t realize even though she had drawn and swung her sword.
That place was where Moyong Bi had sat in lotus position.
Whooom.
Magnificent immortal energy rose from the ground.
* * *
Moyong Bi, who had entered the rear garden, closed his eyes and activated his senses.
Whooooom.
He could feel every single strand of the blowing wind.
Ziiing.
The Brain Gate Heart Technique opened its gates and naturally amplified the power of Infinite True Qi.
His head throbbed for a moment. The power of Infinite True Qi was too intense compared to the Brain Gate Heart Technique, which was still at a low level of achievement, causing it to cry out.
Moyong Bi ignored the pain.
It wasn’t just once or twice, so what.
‘Hoo.’
The energies carried by the wind were diverse.
There were high-level energies, and there were also energies so chaotic it made him wonder if this was acceptable.
The energy of nature and the artificially accumulated internal energy unique to Murim Warriors – all energies were complexly intertwined, pounding on his senses.
And among them, Moyong Bi felt one particularly intense energy.
Flash!
Moyong Bi’s face turned cold as he opened his eyes.
“Wudang Sect.”
Even if he wasn’t certain, with this level of density, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was almost Elder-level.
“Someone who just became an Elder? The level doesn’t seem particularly high.”
Perhaps the average martial arts level had decreased.
During his time as Alliance Leader, it was wartime when people died at the drop of a hat, so regardless of whether they were monks or Taoists, they all trained desperately, scared to death.
Thanks to that, the monks and Taoists of that time lamented that they couldn’t reach paradise or ascend to immortality, but at least their martial arts were properly sharpened.
“Whatever the case, it means Wudang also sent fairly renowned people. Since it’s a competition held in Hubei, it’s natural if you think about it.”
Moyong Bi pondered for a moment.
‘Is that method still the best after all?’
He had thought a lot by himself while coming here.
At first, he thought ‘that’ was the fastest and most certain method. He even wanted to praise himself for having such thoughts.
But when he thought about it more calmly, actually doing that deed was quite burdensome.
More precisely, it wouldn’t be burdensome for him, but if something went wrong, it might become a burden for his family.
‘But I can’t just leave that guy alone either.’
Moyong Bi glanced toward the forest.
A sword suddenly flying over wasn’t a big deal. After all, nothing had happened.
He had even been delighted, thinking heaven was helping him…
‘It doesn’t seem like content that anyone below Elder level or at least direct disciples of the sect leader would know.’
Decisively, that female Taoist seemed uninterested in worldly affairs.
Generally, that type isn’t interested in sect matters either.
“Tsk.”
At times like this, it was better to abandon strategy and tactics.
“It’s all theoretical anyway. Let’s trust my instincts.”
It was the day before the competition.
The real beginning would be tomorrow. Both the competition and everything I want to find out.
“Let’s just end training here. It would be better to rest well.”
With that, Moyong Bi went up to the inn.
“Uwek!”
“So, So So. Are you alright?”
“I’m… getting sleepy…”
“Pull yourself together!”
It was an extraordinary scene.
Namgung Gwan was carrying the retching Namgung So So.
Jegal Chung Ho had his head buried in the table, and Jegal Lin was glancing at Namgung Gwan.
But the most shocking thing was.
“Kya! This is it!”
Moyong Su Hyang’s face was full of boldness as she held a cup with a flushed face.
“Mister! Please accept my drink!”
“Young Miss, please calm down…”
“Hey, I haven’t even had a few bottles, what’s with the calming down. Won’t you drink? Then I’ll just drink it myself?”
“No, no. Just give it to me.”
Jong Hweon, unable to settle down, accepted the drink so that Moyong Su Hyang would drink even a little less, while Jin Gwang watched the scene with a bitter expression.
Jin Gwang, who had been sighing deeply, suddenly noticed Moyong Bi and jumped up.
“Young Master.”
“What’s this?”
“Well…”
He looked like he didn’t know where to start explaining.
Moyong Bi sighed as he watched Moyong Su Hyang, who was going crazy grabbing onto Jong Hweon alone, not even noticing her elder brother had arrived.
“Blood doesn’t lie.”
Come to think of it, Elder Brother and Dae Ho were also heavy drinkers.
Elder Brother was even an unprecedented drunkard who drank alcohol by the jar despite having an incurable disease.
“It’s cursed blood. Yeah, that’s right.”
* * *
The next day.
“We begin the third match of preliminary Group A!”
Waaaah!
The excited voices of spectators echoed throughout.
“Group A number seven, Moyong Bi! Number eight, Myeong Ho Lim! Please come up to the duel stage!”
Moyong Bi took his wooden staff and climbed onto the duel stage.
From the opposite side, a rather noble-looking young man came up. He wore a sword at his waist that looked expensive at first glance.
Myeong Ho Lim’s face was full of confident smiles.
“Both sides, bow!”
The two men silently lowered their heads.
At that moment, Myeong Ho Lim’s muttering voice reached Moyong Bi’s ears.
“They said any dog or cow could participate…”
It was a subtle voice that only his opponent could hear.
“To your positions!”
The two people retreated to the edge of the duel stage.
The warrior serving as judge shouted.
“Begin the sparring match!”
The moment Myeong Ho Lim smiled and stepped forward.
Thwaaaang!!
He was launched at tremendous speed and fell below the duel stage.
Both the judge and the audience gaped in shock.
Thud.
The wooden staff that had flown in a straight line spun through the empty air before dropping into Moyong Bi’s hand.
Moyong Bi turned around.
“Any dog or cow can enter these days.”
Everyone looked at Myeong Ho Lim.
He was unconscious, sprawled on the floor of the duel stage with his eyes rolled back. His reddened forehead clearly showed exactly where and how he had been struck.
The flustered judge raised his right hand.
“Group A Number Seven wins!”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————