Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Discovery of Mad Qi (2)
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It was a thoroughly worn book.
The pages were frayed from countless readings, one by one. And beside it lay an interpretation manual densely packed with annotations.
"You've been through so much."
A wistful emotion flickered in Hong Junak's sharply slanted eyes.
The tattered manual and its interpretation were history itself, soaked in blood and sweat.
How much effort had he poured into deciphering this martial art since his youth?
Not just the interpretation—he had proceeded step by step, agonizingly slowly, fearing qi deviation if he practiced it wrongly. If something happened to him, the Sword Clan would crumble.
Now, that accumulated history was finally blooming.
'Just hold on a little longer.'
The greatness of the Crimson Serpent Arcane Gong lay in possessing both the destructive power of demonic arts and the endurance of divine skills.
Those with a naturally robust constitution could ascend to the ranks of masters in a single leap.
It was indeed extraordinary, yet it didn't stray from the natural order. Even among orthodox martial arts, there were techniques that yielded massive results in a short time for those whose temperament matched.
'Just hold on a little longer, and we can grow into a force impossible to ignore across all of Hubei.'
The pride swelled because they had grown on their own, without begging from anyone.
They had the capital, too.
Of course, the precious items worth hundreds of thousands of nyang discovered alongside the manual had served as the foundation for that growth—but they hadn't borrowed anyone else's hands.
Thud.
Hong Junak closed the book and gazed out the window.
The world was gradually darkening. The scant light left by the setting sun felt like a glimpse of his own life, filled with anguish.
"Heh, all lingering attachments."
It had been half a year since he passed the final secret technique of the Crimson Serpent Arcane Gong to his eldest son.
At first, he had even considered burning the manual. It wasn't a true demonic art, but it could easily be mistaken for one.
Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Burning it would mean all his accumulated efforts had been for nothing.
"How sentimental you've become, Junak."
To stand tall in the heartless world of the jianghu, one needed decisions that were not just cold, but ruthless.
But humans weren't puppets. They could be ruthless, yet never truly emotionless.
True emotionlessness meant feeling no desires at all.
Hong Junak was most wary of his own desires fading away.
"It'll be fine. Eating up Wuan doesn't make us the best in Hubei anyway."
At the very least, securing Hubei would let him finally let go of his attachment to the manual.
But was that even possible?
'Probably not.'
Even his far more talented son would struggle to claim Hubei.
It was only natural.
Hubei was home to the Wudang Sect, a pillar of the Nine Great Sects hailed alongside Shaolin as the twin pillars of the immortal path with its deep history and traditions, and the Zhuge Clan, one of the Six Great Clans, a renowned house of civil and martial prowess bearing the moniker Divine Strategist Zhuge.
Opposing even one of them was practically impossible, let alone both.
And even if heavenly luck allowed them to surpass both and claim supremacy in Hubei, would the other Nine Sects and Six Clans acknowledge the Hong Sword Clan?
His tightly pressed lips clenched harder.
'Impossible or not, I will pursue it.'
The moment a person's desires broke, they aged and fell ill.
Hong Junak resolved himself.
He would chase his dreams until death. Even if impossible, he would harbor desires until his final breath.
"......How like me."
Hong Junak turned from the window and leaned back in his chair.
Thump. Thump.
The sound of his heartbeat echoed in his ears.
A bit faster and stronger than usual.
'Though we're a tiny clan, this is the first time the main house has resolved to show its full power.'
Of course, he had once paraded the Crimson Sword Squad, Blue Sword Squad, and Bright Sword Squad before the jianghu.
But that was it. Aside from resolving a few conflicts, the Hong Sword Clan had lived quietly.
That alone had earned them the title of Wuan's twin peaks, but inwardly, he knew better. If they'd truly exerted themselves, they could have crushed the Ten Sword Sect long ago.
Now, that patience was finally being rewarded.
"That said......"
Part of the racing heart came from Murong Sujing.
But thinking of Murong Bi twisted his steady pulse.
"Just what is that guy's true nature?"
At first, he'd wondered what incredible martial art he must have mastered to be so strong.
Now, it was different.
It was his temperament and instincts that troubled him more than his martial prowess.
Martial arts could be strengthened through talent and effort. He didn't believe Murong Bi had the same luck as him, but even if—fine.
But that guy's magnanimity and indescribable aura couldn't be faked by mere strength.
'An innate temperament? That would make him even more terrifying. Born with a spirit like Mount Tai, yet wasting away in some back alley tavern as a troublemaker?'
Could he have done that himself?
'......No, not to that extent.'
Young as he was, he had to acknowledge it.
Separate from his intent to kill him, that was why he felt a strange kinship with Murong Bi.
A man hiding his power, biding his time to soar.
Those were the truly frightening ones.
"No matter how superior his temperament, without power, it's worthless. He couldn't have been taught by some hidden master out of sheer luck, unless that Peach Blossom Land he mentioned truly exists......"
Hong Junak grinned widely.
A shadow of demonic allure draped over his genuine smile.
"Just imagining it fills me with pride."
That was when it happened.
"Patriarch."
"Come in."
The door opened, and Hong Myeong entered.
"Are preparations ready?"
"I have nothing special to prepare."
A warrior must always be ready to unleash his peak prowess, anytime, anywhere.
His eldest was absorbing his teachings well. The more he watched, the prouder he felt.
"I've sent word to the Third and Fourth. They'll arrive within half a shichen."
"Patriarch."
"Hm?"
"I've given it some thought......"
"Speak."
"I still think you should hold position here."
Tenderness softened Hong Junak's face.
"Why?"
"Murong Bi is undoubtedly strong. But with Third and Fourth, there's no way we can't take him."
"Likely."
"The same goes for Murong Sujing. In short, our forces are sufficient."
"I know."
"If it's because of that Peach Blossom Land he mentioned, leave it to me. I'll uncover it and report straight back to you......"
"Myeong."
"......Yes."
"Do you think your father is joining you just to investigate some dubious Peach Blossom Land?"
"......?"
"Of course, greed stirs within me. Enough to make my heart race. But the real reason I'm going with you is fear that something might happen to my heir."
Hong Myeong's eyes wavered.
"I don't want to die. But even if I do, I won't regret it much—because I have you as successor. But if something happens to you, living would be no different from death."
It wasn't just fatherly love.
Hong Myeong was the one inheriting everything the Hong Sword Clan had built with tears, blood, and sweat. If harm befell that successor? Better for him to die instead.
"You're superior to your father. Treat this as experience, and quietly build your strength until you at least match my level."
"Yes, Father."
"Good. Ah, and."
Hong Junak suddenly frowned.
"The Crimson Sword Trio has returned?"
"Yes."
"I heard they were battered. Have you seen them?"
"I prioritized squad duties, so not yet."
"Go check now. Just hearing how they lost to Murong Bi will be useful."
"Yes, understood."
At that moment, a commotion erupted far outside the window.
"Hm?"
Hong Junak turned and looked out.
Numerous people were rushing about frantically. Even the Blue Sword Squad swordsmen were sprinting somewhere.
'What the—? Isn't that the smell of fire?'
Whoosh!
The incoming breeze carried the acrid stench of smoke.
Hong Junak's face grew grave.
"Myeong, it seems something's happened......"
"Patriarch!!"
An urgent voice shouted from beyond the door.
"Blue Sword Captain here! May I enter?"
"Come in."
The door burst open, revealing the Blue Sword Captain.
"Disaster! Fire broke out at Youngest Young Master's residence!"
"What?!"
Hong Junak shot to his feet.
"Ina? Is Ina safe?"
"We're confirming, but the flames are too fierce to breach! One wrong move, and the building could collapse!"
"This, this—!"
No matter how much he favored his eldest, the second was still his child.
"Lead the way!"
"Yes!"
That was when it happened.
Thud! Thump! Crack!
Sinister impact sounds rang from beyond the door.
Sudden as they were, no one present failed to grasp their meaning.
'First floor?'
Thump! Boom!
No.
The sounds from the first floor had drawn perilously close. Someone had fallen on this very floor.
"Who dares?!"
The instant the Blue Sword Captain drew his sword.
Whoosh! Slam!
A scabbard flew at tremendous speed, smashing into the captain's mouth.
The captain flew back, neck snapping into place.
Thud!
Crashing down, the scabbard lodged in his mouth.
It had shattered his teeth, crushed his palate, and jolted his neck vertebrae.
Instant death.
"What?!"
While Hong Myeong recoiled in shock, thick killing intent bled onto Hong Junak's face.
"You bastard, surely not......?"
"Huuu."
A man strode from the end of the hallway beyond the door.
He had breached from the first floor to the third in the span of a few breaths, his face masked below the eyes with black cloth.
He even wore black training garb procured from who-knows-where, wielding the clan's iron training staff in one hand and a keen-edged sword in the other.
Despite the different clothes and mask, the Hong father and son recognized him instantly.
"Murong Bi!"
Murong Bi winked with one eye.
"Fancy meeting you again like this."
"How are you here?!"
"I can't stand loose ends."
Hong Myeong bellowed.
"What nonsense is that?!"
"I thought about it, and it felt like you'd hit the main house tonight."
"......?!"
"Your son's face told me everything was proceeding smoothly. Perfect timing on my part."
Hong Junak growled, voice boiling.
"You've truly gone mad with a death wish."
"Haven't toured the ancestral hall yet? Since I'm here, mind showing me around?"
"You mad dog!"
Whoosh!
A hot yet somber aura poured from Hong Junak’s body.
His explosive rage naturally urged the technique's activation. The Crimson Serpent Arcane Gong had manifested.
"Did you set the fire too?"
"Your second was running a fever. By now, he's probably transformed into a constitution overwhelming the eldest."
He could endure no longer.
Hong Junak's right hand lashed out like lightning.
In that instant, Murong Bi's left hand moved almost simultaneously.
Whoosh! Boom!
The launched palm force split in half, massively damaging the left and right walls.
Surprise flickered in Hong Junak's eyes.
'This guy?!'
Not full power, but he'd thought defense impossible.
Yet splitting it sideways?
Hummmm.
Intense heat swirled around the tip of Murong Bi's gripped sword before vanishing.
"Half-baked, huh? Good power, but sloppy as expected."
Killing intent gathered in Murong Bi's eyes too.
Whoosh!
The killing intent unleashed with Brain Gate True Qi was vicious enough to decompose even Hong Junak's aura in moments.
"With such sloppy martial arts and greed, what could possibly be solid about you?"