Chapter 326

Chapter 326
## Chapter 326

Title Match (3)

The very first recollection Mok In-gwang held of his existence belonged to a freezing winter season.

The solid, frozen earth of a secluded alleyway, the piercing gales, the unrelenting torment of starvation and dehydration… a youth thrown away on a brutal struggle for survival alongside a pack of fellow vagrant youths.

The reasons behind his abandonment remained a mystery to him.

It was merely his given reality, a baseline circumstance of existence that nobody bothered to challenge, least of all himself.

Discovering the underlying causes would have altered absolutely nothing of his plight regardless.

He spent the formative years of his youth navigating that unforgiving landscape.

By a stroke of fortune, he possessed the requisite traits to endure.

Endowed from birth with an exceptionally robust physique, he maintained his health while other youths collapsed from pestilence and lack of nourishment, and he proved to be a formidable brawler, capable of dominating conflicts even when pitted against opponents of greater stature.

Yet, he harbored a destructive vulnerability.

His explosive disposition.

He was highly susceptible to abrupt fits of rage, transforming trivial disagreements into full-scale acts of violence.

Consequently, he found himself perpetually embroiled in altercations, causing his scarce companions and casual allies to systematically distance themselves from his side until his standing decayed completely, leaving him entirely solitary.

Thus, he dragged himself through a turbulent and volatile existence, resembling a live explosive device, endlessly instigating chaos and shattering the delicate stability of his surroundings.

Until a specific afternoon arrived,

His entire path shifted.

Roughly two decades prior.

He failed to comprehend the situation fully back then, but the entire metropolitan region seemed gripped by an atmosphere of profound political volatility. It was precisely during this era of unrest that the adolescent Mok In-gwang crossed paths with that individual.

“My, such a tender youth… reduced to this state… What has become of our world?”

An elderly gentleman sporting a lengthy, flowing beard and clad in tattered vestments stood there, his countenance carved with deep anxiety.

He gazed down at the youngster, whose gaze was vacant and devoid of vitality, and uttered words in a gentle tone.

“Listen.”

“…”

“Return to yourself.”

Mok In-gwang tilted his head to the side, thoroughly perplexed by those sudden, direct phrases.

Hold on, had it truly transpired in this manner originally…?

Furthermore, that vocalization… it resonated in a bizarre fashion.

Yet the senior traveler, acting as though he had zero requirement for a reply, pressed onward, a benevolent grin gracing his features.

“Alas— You bear a weight that no youth should ever carry. This must surely be the hand of destiny. Inform me, youngster, what name do you go by?”

“…”

“Gracious me, my memory grows terribly frail. I have neglected to state my own identity. I am known as…”

He hesitated briefly, then, noting the youth’s unyielding quietude, announced his moniker.

“…Mad Demon.”

“…?!”

His consciousness violently snapped back into the waking world.

“Arrgh!”

Mok In-gwang’s eyelids violently tore apart.

Instantly, a surge of agony, so excruciating it mirrored deliberate torment, flooded through his frame.

Every single fiber of his body throbbed with pain, as though he had been thoroughly thrashed and shattered to pieces.

“Aha! You have returned to the living! I anticipated you would react to that specific name! Bwahaha!”

While he winced and let out a painful groan, the voice he had faintly perceived during his slumber reverberated powerfully nearby, its delivery lively and boisterous.

A figure sporting a bizarre, foreign outfit stood there with his brawny arms folded, proclaims with absolute self-assurance,

“Though it matters little now! The triumph belongs to me!”

Harley, having come out on top from their clash over the designation of ‘Mad Demon’, gave a resolute nod.

His uncompromising posture and his unbreakable certainty left absolutely no room for counterarguments.

“Sigh…”

Mok In-gwang let out a breath, his utterance feeble and devoid of spirit.

However, his reaction did not stem solely from the declarations of his rival.

He lacked even the basic stamina required to feel irritated.

‘I possessed a premonition… ’

Past the surface-level agony of his flesh, he could perceive a profound internal shift.

The chaotic frenzy that had been violently tearing through his internal pathways was currently… tranquilized, brought under his mental governance.

He had pushed his limits to the absolute brink, willingly embracing the peril of total mental collapse, and had waged war until his reserves ran dry, ultimately surrendering to his grim prospects…

Nevertheless, his internal Ki flowed with greater equilibrium than he had ever previously witnessed.

He was entirely unable to recall the last instance his mind had possessed such an unclouded state.

“…Consequently, I have been pondering a replacement moniker for your person. What are your thoughts on… ‘Mad Dog’? Brief, yet highly memorable! Or should that prove distasteful to you…”

Harley, conducting himself as if they had not been engaged in a life-or-death struggle just moments before, persisted in his mindless rambling, offering up a variety of options.

Mad Claw, Soul-Severing Madman, Mad Dragon King…

His choices showed a complete lack of tact, yet neither Harley nor Mok In-gwang paid any real heed to the absurdity.

‘He is actively governing the chaotic frenzy inside me. Through what method could such a feat be performed?’

Mok In-gwang’s mind was flooded with confusion.

Strangely, because the mental affliction that had plagued his steps since childhood had quieted down, his hatred toward his captor had diminished to a significant degree as well.

Resisting at this juncture was utterly futile, particularly given his current physical ruin.

Yet his inquisitiveness, his burning urge to comprehend how this opponent had engineered such a miracle, was practically consuming him.

He had virtually abandoned all hope, deeming the condition entirely untreatable…

‘…Perchance this individual holds the key to my salvation.’

As he kept his eyes locked on Harley, entirely immersed in his reflections, his companion scowled and shifted back a pace.

“Absolutely not, I refuse to yield ownership of it. It suits me perfectly. Go pick a separate title for yourself.”

It appeared the man remained utterly consumed by the matter of the moniker.

The situation was reducing him to a pathetic spectacle.

“…A lunatic.”

He breathed out, spitting the phrase beneath his breath, his vocal delivery laced with an odd blend of compliance and wonder.

He remained oblivious to the fact, but this marked the third separate occasion he had branded his rival a ‘lunatic’ since their initial crossing of paths.

Three strikes, and his resistance was broken.

The authentic insanity had completely overwhelmed the counterfeit version.

—

Harley, accompanied by the newly compliant and passive Mok In-gwang, began their trek down the sloped terrain.

He had exercised immense caution regarding his output of physical power, ensuring no skeletal structures were fractured… yet Mok In-gwang’s physical frame was nonetheless heavily battered and discolored, his garments shredded and ruined.

Regardless, the man marched forward with a balanced gait, offering not a single utterance of grievance.

Harley, monitoring his progress from a short distance behind, offered a measured nod, rubbing his jawline in deep reflection.

‘Right, precisely as anticipated. The outcome proves far more potent than I originally estimated. I remain uncertain regarding his full physical recovery timeline, but he poses zero threat for the foreseeable future.’

Naturally, his rival’s sudden transformation in demeanor was far from a natural occurrence.

It was an unintended consequence of the rather… aggressive strategy he had implemented to lock down the inner madness. A passing state of psychological volatility.

It proved remarkably useful, all things considered.

‘Our meeting occurred by sheer happenstance… yet the outcome has proven highly advantageous.’

He had extracted an immense amount of benefit from this particular clash.

Not merely a novel martial discipline, but additionally a far more profound comprehension of the mechanics of ‘madness’, alongside critical insights regarding the internal workings of the Murim society.

‘And above all else, I have established a bond with a remarkably gifted practitioner.’

Granted, he could not place absolute confidence in an individual he had been actively trying to break moments prior.

Their current cessation of hostilities was a makeshift resolution, brought about by an assortment of unpredictable factors.

He would undoubtedly need to execute additional security steps to guarantee the man’s absolute submission…

‘Yet observing his current conduct, merely suppressing his psychological affliction appears sufficient for the time being.’

He had already secured the essential leverage required.

The matter clearly represented a critical vulnerability for the martial artist.

Naturally, a possibility remained that the man might attempt a betrayal down the line…

“What is it? For what purpose do you persist in staring at me in that fashion?”

“Pardon? Ah, it signifies nothing of importance. Aha!”

“…Lower your clenched hands beforehand, assuming your genuine purpose does not involve ending my life.”

His traveling associate appeared to have abandoned open defiance, likely because he too desired something specific from Harley’s possession.

He had yielded entirely, both in physical form and psychological resolve.

“Forward march, associate!”

“…Toward what destination?”

In this manner, each harboring their own suppressed intentions, the pair embarked upon their subsequent trek.

“Listen, comrade, what location represents the most bustling hub currently?”

“Bustling…?”

“Ah— Where is the focal point of everyone’s discussions?”

“Mount Song, naturally. The righteous sects are assembling at that location. Granted, they do not consist entirely of the supreme vanguard, but it remains an event of immense symbolic weight… Hold on, do you intend to…?”

“Bwahaha! Let us make haste to that location!”

“You absolute lunatic! What manner of scheme are you concocting?!”

What scheme was he concocting?

Having advanced to such close proximity, it would be a waste not to make his presence known!

Furthermore, no grander stage existed to display the upgraded version of the ‘Mad Demon’ than the grand gathering of the Murim Alliance.

‘I am entirely unable to let such a perfect scenario slip away!’

Harley, cast a brief look toward Mok In-gwang, who was dragging his feet behind him with an intensely displeased expression, remarked in a casual manner,

“So, what shall your novel moniker be? My personal preference remains Mad Dog! Though if that fails to please your tastes…”

“…”

Mok In-gwang clamped his teeth together tightly.

It appeared his spirit had not been completely extinguished just yet.

—

Shaolin Temple, Visitor Lodgings.

Hugo, having departed from the primary greeting chamber, walked behind the ordained practitioner who was directing his steps.

This comprised his customary schedule prior to the commencement of the formal conference.

“I extend my appreciation for your continued aid, as always.”

“Think nothing of it. His physical restoration is progressing admirably.”

He crossed the threshold into an apartment saturated with the aroma of medicinal plants and directed his gaze toward the bloodless youth resting without motion upon a cot.

Identical to his experience with the Zhuge Clan, he had been requested to administer aid to a suffering individual.

‘I ponder whether utilizing the authority of an external divinity is appropriate within the confines of a Buddhist sanctuary… ’

He had implemented strict safeguards to ensure the sacred energy avoided radiating outward…

Fortunately, the leadership of the Shaolin Temple displayed no inherent animosity toward alternative spiritual paths.

Their spiritual objective centered not upon unthinking devotion or adulation, but rather upon spiritual awakening and personal refinement, emulating the paths of celestial entities.

Hummmmm—

He positioned the sacred token upon the sufferer’s brow and monitored the ensuing transitions, his gaze tightening.

He had performed this sequence on numerous occasions. He possessed the capability to evaluate the sufferer’s internal responses.

And the conclusion reached was…

‘Peculiar. This mirrors the exact state of Zhuge Hyemi’s affliction.’

This was no ordinary pathogen.

Nor did it appear to stem from an inherent flaw in the bodily constitution…

“…Ah, you have arrived.”

The youngster’s eyelids parted slightly, and a parched, grating utterance slipped past his teeth.

“Maintain your position without moving. Our session is nearly concluded.”

“I stand deeply in your debt, Divine Healer. My physical state feels immensely improved. I am currently capable of undertaking brief strolls.”

His vocal delivery carried far greater potency than witnessed during previous sessions.

Ha Seung-hoon, the unheralded Divine Healer who was currently being hosted by the Zhuge Clan, gave a slow nod of assent, turning his mind back to the consultation he held with Grand Elder Zhuge Gunak before his departure.

Once his attendance at the grand assembly was locked in, the leadership of the Zhuge Clan had approached him with a specific petition.

To administer treatment to an afflicted person housed within the Shaolin Temple who exhibited physical manifestations identical to Zhuge Hyemi.

The clan had actively participated alongside him during her rehabilitation process, meaning it was a complicated task to conceal her physical restoration from the wider world.

Should the leadership of the Shaolin Temple discover the reality at a later date, they would undoubtedly perceive it as a breach of trust.

Furthermore, her existence could not remain obscured indefinitely.

‘The Shaolin Temple represents the premier powerhouse among the righteous factions. Cementing an alliance with their order would yield significant benefits.’

Moreover, it stood as a proposition that Hugo possessed no viable method to turn down.

It corresponded perfectly with his broader target of multiplying his leverage throughout Ganghwange.

Additionally, an alternative motivation underlay his agreement to the terms.

“His speed of convalescence outpaces my initial calculations. It appears the monks of the Shaolin Temple have likewise poured immense resources into his care.”

“Hahaha… Our gratitude is everlasting. I harbor the desire to return this benevolence at a future date. And to your person as well, Divine Healer.”

“Your verbal assurances are more than sufficient, Your Highness. I shall conclude the application of therapy now.”

The afflicted individual belonged directly to the sovereign lineage.

A legitimate blood descendant of the preceding sovereign ruler.