Chapter 324: Title Match (1) |
Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province.
The city, not far from Mount Song, maintained relative stability despite the chaos engulfing the world.
The Shaolin Temple, living up to its reputation as a pillar of the Murim world, prioritized the well-being of the people even in these difficult times, their influence extending to the surrounding sects and clans.
Of course, that influence weakened with distance, and in other provinces, there were plenty of villains who used the Shaolin name to commit atrocities…
But Zhengzhou, being close to Mount Song and the provincial capital, was under the Shaolin Temple’s direct protection, so there was no need to worry about such matters.
And near the city’s border, where the city’s silhouette was barely visible in the distance—.
“Hmph! I made it this far, but…”
A man with messy, unkempt hair frowned, scratching his bushy beard.
“I feel like I’ve been played. I was too hasty.”
He couldn’t turn back now. He had come too far.
And he knew himself well enough to know that even if he could go back in time, he would make the same choice.
‘I heard he’s quite skilled…’
His eyes, gleaming through the gaps in his messy hair, burned with a fierce intensity.
An unadulterated rage.
He didn't even try to hide his emotions, growling like a wild beast whose territory had been invaded.
“He dared to impersonate me? …No, judging by his actions, it’s not just impersonation.”
Crack—
A small pebble beneath his feet crumbled into dust as he walked.
The bushes around him withered and shriveled under the pressure of his aura.
“This is a challenge. He provoked me, lured me here… He must be confident.”
A savage grin spread across his face.
He was a man who loved a good fight.
“Heh, let’s see what you’re made of.”
His name was Mok In-gwang.
But he was known to the world as ‘Mad Demon’.
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Mad Demon.
It was a title that perfectly captured Mok In-gwang’s rebellious nature.
If something displeased him, he wouldn't hesitate to attack, like a rabid dog, biting and tearing without regard for consequences.
He didn't care about methods or means, and he had even risked his own life countless times just to spite his enemies.
His reckless personality, his disregard for right and wrong, for the size and power of his opponents, meant that danger and death were his constant companions.
If he had been any weaker, he would have been just another nameless fool, forgotten by the world…
‘But I’m still here.’
…But he had survived every challenge, turning adversity into strength, until he finally became one of the strongest warriors in the Murim world.
He had started with the insignificant title of ‘Mad Dog’, and now, he was known as the ‘Mad Demon’.
To live as he pleased, defying all conventions and expectations, in this chaotic world…
And to survive despite his reckless actions…
It was a testament to his strength and his indomitable will.
‘But…’
That’s why the title ‘Mad Demon’ held a special significance for Mok In-gwang.
It was a reflection of his life, a badge of honor, a testament to his indomitable spirit.
“He dared to defile it?”
Two days.
That’s how long it took him to pinpoint the imposter’s location after arriving in Zhengzhou.
Swish—
He moved like the wind, his body a blur.
Of course, he hadn't gathered the information himself.
Wherever people gathered, there were those who operated in the shadows, and among them, there were those who specialized in information gathering.
He had simply found them and… politely requested their cooperation.
‘I didn’t expect them to be this efficient.’
They had provided him with a detailed report on the imposter’s movements and his current location in such a short time.
Even if the target was a high-profile figure, he hadn't expected them to be this thorough.
‘I’m lucky.’
Mok In-gwang grinned.
It had been over twenty years since the bloody incident at the imperial palace.
After the Beggars’ Sect’s downfall, countless information brokers had sprung up, and finding a reliable one was a matter of luck.
And things were going his way.
‘It would have been easier if the Beggars’ Sect was still around.’
But it couldn’t be helped.
Even beggars needed patrons.
In these chaotic times, a sect composed mostly of ordinary beggars, lacking any special abilities, couldn’t survive.
The lower-ranking members had either left to find their own way or formed smaller groups around the more skilled mid-level members. The Beggars’ Sect was a name, a memory.
‘Well, the details don’t matter. If it’s not here, I’ll just go back and… persuade them to cooperate.’
He arrived at a small mountain stronghold, his eyes gleaming.
He had finally arrived.
At the imposter’s hideout.
And as he approached the entrance,
Fortunately for the members of the information network, they wouldn't have to worry about his return.
“Huh? Who are you?”
The stronghold was in ruins, its surroundings devastated… and amidst the chaos, a single figure stood casually, as if he didn’t even notice the destruction.
‘…That’s him.’
He knew it instantly.
That this was the one who had lured him here.
“Hmm? Judging by your appearance, you’re also a bandit? Wow, the standards have gone up! Those water bandits are no match for you! Hahaha!”
The newcomer, unfazed by his sudden appearance, moved casually, his demeanor relaxed and unconcerned.
And it wasn’t just his attitude that was unusual.
‘Is he from beyond the borders?’
His attire, like that of a tribesman from some remote and uncivilized land, was so unfamiliar, so bizarre, that Mok In-gwang couldn’t help but frown.
But he quickly dismissed the thought, his mind focused on his objective.
He took a step forward.
“Right, that’s not important.”
“So, you’re here for revenge, huh? For your dead subordinates?”
“I don’t care about those trash. I came here for you.”
“Huh?”
The newcomer tilted his head, feigning ignorance, and Mok In-gwang, annoyed by his nonchalant attitude, unleashed his aura, his voice low and menacing.
“Mad Demon.”
“Oh, you’re calling…?”
“That’s my title.”
“…Oh?”
“You’ve been using it without permission. It’s time to pay the price.”
“…”
Silence.
A brief pause, and then,
“So—”
Mok In-gwang growled,
“…Let’s see if you’re worthy of it.”
“Pfft!”
The newcomer, Harley, who had been maintaining a relaxed demeanor, suddenly grinned, his lips stretching unnaturally wide.
And from within that monstrous maw, rows of sharp, jagged teeth emerged.
“Ah— I see! Hehehe— My apologies. I didn't realize you were a… guest. Hehehe.”
He chuckled, his laughter strange and unsettling.
And his aura shifted, the air around him shimmering and distorting.
“I was planning to visit you sometime, but I didn’t expect you to come all the way here. You’ve saved me the trouble.”
A faint heat haze emanated from his body.
Rumble—
The surrounding air crackled with energy, the temperature rising rapidly.
He looked the same, but the ominous aura that began to spread around him transformed him.
From a satiated predator, lounging lazily after a successful hunt…
…to an incomprehensible monster, its eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger, fixated on its new toy.
A chill ran down Mok In-gwang’s spine.
He was the closest, so he felt it most acutely.
Harley’s suppressed violence, his true nature, began to surface, and a sense of danger, sharp and piercing, jolted him, his senses heightened, his instincts screaming.
‘Ha.’
He could now clearly sense it.
The dense, heavy, bottomless madness that resided within his opponent.
‘Is it even possible for a human to contain such… madness? And to maintain his sanity?’
He couldn't believe it.
It was so absurd that he almost laughed.
His instincts screamed at him.
This was dangerous.
He would die if he fought him.
He had to run.
But—.
“Huu…”
…He ignored the warning.
He simply grinned, mirroring his opponent’s expression.
He wouldn't back down.
‘I’ve never backed down from a fight.’
He chuckled softly, a strange, almost giddy feeling bubbling up within him.
He had always faced his challenges head-on, never retreating, no matter the threat.
‘And I’ve always survived.’
This was just another challenge, another obstacle to overcome.
And if he failed…
Well, that was just the end.
Swish—
And then, in a single, fluid motion,
Both figures vanished from the spot.
Kaboom—!
A powerful shockwave ripped through the air, scattering the already ruined stronghold and sending trees flying.
At the epicenter of the explosion, Harley, his fist extended, and Mok In-gwang, his hand wreathed in Ki, faced each other, their gazes locked.
Harley grinned and casually said,
“I like your title. I’ll be using it from now on.”
“Kkuk kuk, what a load of crap. You sound like a bandit. Are those the bandits lying around here your subordinates?”
“Khaha! They’re not up to my standards! You seem promising, though. How about joining me?”
“Let’s talk after you pay your dues!”
Rumble—!
Their auras clashed again, a deafening roar and a surge of energy shaking the air.
And as the battle began in earnest, Mok In-gwang’s demeanor began to shift.
‘Oh? What’s that?’
Harley’s eyes gleamed with interest as he observed the changes in his opponent’s energy flow and his physical transformation.
His lips curled into a sinister grin, his eyes widening, revealing the whites all around his pupils.
The veins on his body bulged, and a tangible Ki, a reddish aura, enveloped his clawed hands, amplifying their power.
His hands, now as sharp and deadly as Harley’s transformed claws, tore through the air, distorting space.
Kaboom—!
The Mad Demon’s martial arts were… bizarre.
Fast, powerful, unpredictable, and instinctual.
Harley was stronger, faster, more durable, and had better senses…
But his opponent’s attacks were strangely disorienting, creating openings where there shouldn’t be any, exploiting every weakness.
‘So that’s what they call ‘Transformation’ and ‘Illusion’. I’ve never encountered anyone who used it this effectively…’
He was starting to understand the underlying principles.
Deception and misdirection.
His opponent’s attacks seemed to prioritize strength and speed, but it was all a ruse, a trap to lure him in.
The true damage came from the subtle, insidious attacks hidden within the seemingly straightforward movements.
A cunning and devious style, despite its aggressive appearance.
‘Of course, it’s useless if it can’t even scratch me.’
He didn’t even need his dragon scales. His current form was practically indestructible.
His opponent’s attacks couldn't harm him.
So there was no need to rush. He would just wear him down and then subdue him…
Swish—
And then,
Mok In-gwang’s piercing strike, aimed at his heart, was blocked by Harley’s palm, and his other hand, wreathed in a strange, reddish Ki, swiped across Harley’s arm.
Screech—!
A jarring metallic sound, like scraping metal, echoed through the air.
And Harley’s eyes twitched slightly.
Several deep claw marks, unlike any he had seen before, appeared on his arm, his usually impenetrable skin torn.
The wounds quickly began to heal, thanks to his regenerative abilities, but the process was significantly slower than usual, due to the anti-regenerative properties of the Ki.
It was a sign that his opponent’s attack was far more powerful than he had anticipated, its efficiency absurdly high.
‘He’s… interesting. It would be a shame to just kill him…’
Harley’s eyes gleamed with a renewed intensity as he watched his opponent unleash a barrage of attacks.
Claw-like strikes, imbued with Ki, aimed for his vitals, exploiting any momentary lapse in his concentration.
And so, two Mad Demons, each with their own unique style, clashed, their battle for the title just beginning.