Chapter 202

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 202

Chapter Title: Old Grudge (1)

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Ever since the news from the north spread widely throughout the Central Plains.

With just a bit of exaggeration, nearly every martial artist in the land was on edge, eagerly awaiting the results of the battle up north.

The outcome could unleash a massive storm upon the Orthodox martial world, which had been quiet for some time.

Most martial artists hoped in fragments that the Moyong Family had won and crushed the Mongols' ambitions.

But not everyone thought that way.

There were opportunistic types predicting the Moyong Family's downfall and speculating which minor sect would join the Ten Great Families to reshape the power structure.

Pessimists gauged the Light Wind Temple's remaining forces, wondering if it would end in mutual destruction or if they'd withdraw south with their strength intact.

Of course, the majority were just refreshing Mutube nonstop, desperately waiting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for new videos to drop.

Anyone who truly understood the current state of the Orthodox martial world would naturally pay attention to one thing in particular.

Mustagram.

Despite his flaws—never following anyone back, strictly ignoring DMs, and only posting whatever he felt like—Moyong Danha's Mustagram remained the most crucial window into the northern situation.

Ahead of the decisive battle, his posts overflowed with tragic resolve in just a few lines before vanishing, causing his follower count to skyrocket day by day.

And now.

Regrettably.

Blue skies, clear ears—neither knew what the other was up to on their smartphones.

By sheer coincidence, father and son uploaded a post and video with eerily similar content at the same time.

"Hm."

Moyong Danha's brows furrowed at his stagnant follower count.

"Kya."

"Whoa, damn. That came out devilishly perfect. What the hell is that?"

"You, you dumbass."

Son-in-law and brother-in-law snickered, grinning ear to ear at their exploding subscriber numbers.

Of course, Moyong Danha might feel a bit wronged.

Though Moyong Taek had fought in the fiercest part of the battlefield.

He'd gone all out blocking (failing to block) the enemy leaders, yet simply leaving the video recording on while brawling with grunts drew more attention—a bizarre reversal.

Truly a world where the lowly see farthest.

The video's early parts were too frantic to convey more than "fighting," but...

In the latter half.

"Gasp."

"What... what is that monster...?"

"Huuuh."

"Hea... Heavenly Demon...!"

Everyone watching live fell into stunned silence.

A single step forced all to their knees—divine might incarnate.

A form too majestic to call human, exuding dread that pierced the screen.

Overwhelmed, most couldn't find words, but to some, it was holy proof that long suffering had ended.

The Demonic Cult's comment brigade, which once ravaged the Central Plains Martial World Gallery, mobilized without orders, flooding the section.

Even skeptical Orthodox martial artists gained a sliver of conviction from the reaction.

Though the Orthodox side struggled to overcome their genetically ingrained terror of the Heavenly Demon.

The Unorthodox even poured out favorable reactions.

"Hm, followers aren't growing..."

As Moyong Danha sternly frowned at his smartphone.

The man who'd stirred up the entire Central Plains.

The great sky of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Heavenly Demon of this era, Geum Sihyeon.

"No more 'happy happy' from now on. Full ban."

"Wha...?"

Unable to overlook the exhibitionist blood in the Moyong veins any longer, he finally exposed the truth he'd ignored.

"...And no more pretending to be a freshman or current student and throwing tantrums in the Hundred Flowers Academy Gallery."

"H-How did you... Sihyeon, you...!"

Moyong Seol's pupils shook violently.

She thought she'd hidden it well, but getting called out to her face made her forget even the dull ache in her lower abdomen.

Thus.

Geum Sihyeon achieved another unseen feat.

For familial harmony.

And for martial world peace.

He successfully sealed the terrifying archdemon known as Ice Kyungdu.

A feat worthy of the martial world's peacemaker.

No matter the Heavenly Demon descent show, they'd already clashed hard once—the battle scars ran deep.

Thus, for a week, the Moyong Family focused on cleanup and stayed silent.

And swords care not for status.

"Weakling."

"Grr, infuriating..."

"Mediocre."

"Even you, Yongtaek!"

Moyong Wicheon—the only royal family member stabbed, undisputed weakest—gnashed his teeth today too.

Not out of anger at his visitors, but...

"Hurry, hurry and call 'tsumo' already...!"

He sighed at his luck.

Fortunately, the thigh wound only inconvenienced movement; his upper body was fine.

No matter the somber mood, the Moyong Family was steeped in "survivors gotta survive" mentality.

They shoved pain aside to enjoy the present.

"Wicheon."

"...Yes, big sis."

"Being that impatient will ruin even sure wins."

"..."

Even Moyong Seol had been roped in by Geum Sihyeon's earnest plea to fill the fourth mahjong seat.

Not yet wed, but the harmonious scene between couple and brothers-in-law was heartwarming.

But only briefly.

"Young master, miss, Young Lord Geum. It's about time to prepare."

"Got it!"

Moyong Wicheon's face lit up at the maid's words.

He was fated to lose fourth place to mahjong newbie Moyong Seol otherwise.

"Hm. Just one more hand left, but family matters take priority—call it void."

Make defeat never happen, and it never did.

That was the way of the world.

"Hm?"

Until Geum Sihyeon's lips twitched oddly upon hearing.

"Just let me tsumo first."

"Fine, good call."

"Wicheon. It's brother-in-law."

"Guh... guhuh...!"

As Moyong Seol reined him in.

Geum Sihyeon drew a tile.

Then, delicately channeling inner energy through his thumb, he crafted a subtle qi flow and shaved the tile's surface.

Soon.

The tile became a pure white dragon.

"Tsumo. Big Three Dragons. Oh dear, looks like our brother-in-law's out of point sticks—game over."

Creating a white dragon via thunderous blind draw for Big Three Dragons.

All fell silent at this Heavenly Demon-style no-cheat mahjong, staring holes into Geum Sihyeon's tiles.

Except one.

Moyong Taek stared at his own hand, not Geum Sihyeon's.

He already had two whites.

"Wait, hold on—"

But Geum Sihyeon had already toyed with loser Moyong Wicheon enough and left with Moyong Seol.

Moyong Taek watched blankly, then quietly folded his hand.

Second place was fine.

That sufficed.

Just as the Moyong Family enjoyed mahjong with Geum Sihyeon, they'd each shaken off the pain in their own ways.

"How did they procure ingredients from Beijing up here in the north! Brother Pang, you've opened my eyes again today!"

"Heh."

Pang Gong was pleased too—minimal losses from his Hubei Pang Family support, and the crisis resolved safely, Demonic Cult aid notwithstanding.

Intel confirmed the Mongol army and Light Wind Temple had fully withdrawn from Liaodong Peninsula to their steppes.

The matter was settled.

Plus, belatedly, the court sent reinforcements to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bolster northern defenses.

Of course.

"Th-that Demonic Cult..."

"Where's the white mask?"

The true closer.

The man dubbed White Mask—likely the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's new Heavenly Demon, per all intel—hadn't appeared at the banquet.

"He's returned west. In the Moyong Family's name, we've given ample recompense—worry not."

Only four, including Moyong Danha, fully grasped that "recompense," so most looked puzzled.

Soon, amid the jovial mood, they raised cups nonstop to celebrate victory.

Thus.

The banquet stretched over an hour past.

At its peak, all pleasantly drunk, reminiscing the day or sharing exaggerated tales of valor in merry times.

Seeming eternal.

"Cough—"

Until Moyong Seol, tending family and guests, suddenly vomited blood and collapsed.