The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 235: Over the Mountains, Over More Mountains

There’s really no need to say kind things to an idiot.

No reason to quote old sayings, no need to gently point out their flaws one by one. It’s useless.

With idiots, the best thing to do is just call them what they are—idiots. And you have to be clear about it. You are an idiot. Because if they were capable of realizing things on their own and correcting their path, they wouldn’t be idiots to begin with.

And on top of that, I deliberately shouted loudly to stop the Sect Leader’s mind from slipping into deviation. Some idiot like Noshin glaring at me like he wanted to kill me? That was nothing.

If I’m going to protect the Sect Leader, I have to protect his heart first.

That’s the right thing to do—not just for him, but for the entirety of Jianghu.

If someone like him had remained in Baekdo during my past life, able to stand against the Cult Leader and Tian’e, then the demonic sect wouldn’t have overrun us so easily.

I almost hurled another string of curses at Noshin—but held back and stared instead toward the end of the bridge.

“......”

Suddenly, a random man was approaching from the now-empty bridge.

It was none other than the noodle shop owner. I was startled not because of who he was, but because he was holding a long sword in his right hand—not a kitchen knife.

I asked,

“Boss, what’s going on? You out collecting debts?”

The man looked to be in his forties, and with a calm expression, he addressed the Sect Leader.

“No, sir. I’ve come to help you, Sect Leader.”

Even Shin Gae looked surprised.

“I thought you’d retired?”

The shop owner smiled.

“...But you, Sect Leader—I have to help.”

Nothing had happened yet, but the air had already grown extremely tense. I glared at Noshin.

“What the hell is going on?”

I checked the other side of the bridge and saw that it too was completely empty. Now that I thought about it, it was Noshin who had led us here from the Heavenly Alliance. He had insisted on training his light footwork, pushing ahead.

This was ridiculous.

I had no intention of dying today. And I wasn’t going to let the Sect Leader die, either.

I didn’t know how the noodle shop owner had figured things out and stepped in—but whoever was coming to kill Shin Gae wouldn’t be ordinary.

I looked to Noshin again.

“I asked you what the hell is going on, you damn beggar. Did you summon the Scholar’s faction?”

He replied,

“I didn’t call anyone.”

“Then what?”

“I just told them I gave up on learning my master’s martial arts. Said I wasn’t qualified. That’s all. I don’t know what happened after that.”

As the noodle shop owner continued walking toward us, I raised a hand.

“Stop right there.”

“I’m not your enemy.”

“I get it. But just stay there for now.”

I still couldn’t trust him. I didn’t know his full strength. I checked Shin Gae’s expression too—while Noshin had definitely shaken him, he was already calming himself with his eyes closed, breathing steadily.

His face had turned pale earlier. It must’ve hurt him deeply.

Noshin looked at me and said again,

“I truly don’t know who’s coming.”

“Yeah?”

I waited for the Sect Leader to open his eyes and speak, so I could step back. Noshin had disappeared for a while while we were panhandling—so I couldn’t trust his words yet.

Finally, I turned my head to the right and focused on the far bridge.

“......”

A blind man with a cloth covering his eyes appeared, tilting his head slowly. A voice with no visible source explained the scene on the bridge to him.

“The swordsman Haomun Leader is standing at the center. Noshin and the Sect Leader are seated at the railing. Beyond them is a middle-aged man with a long sword.”

The blind man nodded.

“...I understand.”

A blind martial artist, showing up to kill one of the Three Calamities?

I had perfect vision, and I still couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Noshin seemed to recognize the man and greeted him in a quiet voice.

“Blind Scholar, what brings you here?”

As soon as I heard the title, I exhaled sharply.

“Ha...”

Judging by his aura, his presence, and that title—he was on par with the White-Robed Scholar.

The Blind Scholar tilted his head slightly and replied,

“Noshin, little brother, I’ve given you plenty of chances. Still indecisive, I see. Did you try to poison him?”

Noshin answered,

“Poison doesn’t work on my master. I already told you I wouldn’t do something pointless.”

A faint smirk curved the Blind Scholar’s lips.

“I warned you. Come over before things go south, and you’ll be treated as a hero. Wait too long, and you’ll be treated like a slave. Disappointing—very tiring.”

I watched Noshin’s face.

It was ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) clear the Scholar faction hadn’t approached him lightly. It must’ve included threats, psychological manipulation, all sorts of mental warfare.

Shin Gae opened his eyes and addressed the Blind Scholar.

“Did you come to fight? A man like you wouldn’t come alone. So, how was life without sight?”

The Blind Scholar chuckled.

“Not pleasant. After losing my sight, you’re the only one I saw. You must’ve known this day would come.”

Shin Gae chuckled back.

“This time, you’ll lose more than your sight.”

So he was the one who blinded the man. I hadn’t known the details, but it was now obvious Shin Gae had clashed with the Scholars more than once.

Shin Gae stood up and dusted himself off.

“Tian’e isn’t here yet? I’m growing bored waiting.”

I sighed instinctively beside him.

“Damn it. Why Tian’e already? I still need to train. Why the hell is Tian’e here already?”

The internal panic was too real to express in words.

The Blind Scholar looked to the noodle shop owner and asked,

“Who are you?”

The owner replied,

“It’s been a while, Blind Scholar. I’m the worthless son of the man whose title you stole.”

I turned to stare at him.

“What is this, a damn opera? Why is everything progressing so neatly?”

The Blind Scholar smiled.

“No need to call me the Blade Emperor. I didn’t kill your father for the title. Truth is, the name suited him better anyway. Take it. If I remember right... Hwang Bo-su, was it?”

The noodle shop owner corrected him.

“Hwang Bo-su was my older brother, who died with my father. I’m Hwang Bo-wol.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Then, the same voice from before confirmed,

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Haven’t we wiped out the Hwangbo remnants?”

“Hwang Bo-wol was believed dead as well. I’ll investigate.”

I summarized the situation in my head.

So there’s currently another Blade Emperor out there in Jianghu.

But before that, the Hwangbo clan used to have that title. Looks like that clan was crushed by the Scholar faction.

The conversation was important—and yet somehow not all that important.

Until another terrifying figure arrived, staring at us.

Taller than the Blind Scholar by a head, with hair tangled and charred like it had been burned. A madman, essentially. Though he was dressed formally like the others, his wild eyes peeking through his hair made it impossible to tell if he was human or beast.

“......”

I wasn’t sure how to describe him—but I could tell at a glance: this was the kind of lunatic who kills first and talks later.

“Ah, damn. So it’s this bastard.”

He smiled, as if pleased to see an old friend, and said to the Sect Leader,

“Hey, beggar. Been a while.”

The Sect Leader snorted and nodded with a warm expression.

“Nice to see you again, too.”

Honestly, I didn’t want to ruin the moment, but I grabbed the Sect Leader and wanted to ask:

Why the hell are you happy to see that lunatic?

The wild-haired scholar spoke again.

“You been well? Made progress with your training?”

“I’ve been trying my best. Not sure if it meets your standards.”

“Quit bluffing...”

Both of them laughed at the same time.

Then the lunatic turned and locked eyes with me. It felt like staring down a wild beast on two legs.

He asked me,

“Hey, weakling. Why do you have Elder Heo’s wooden sword?”

Before I could answer, the voice from earlier responded again,

“That man is Yi Zaha, the Haomun Leader.”

The lunatic replied,

“I wasn’t talking to you. Shut your mouth. Before I rip it off.”

“......”

He then turned to me and said,

“So you’re that Yi Zaha. I’ve heard a lot about you from Baek Ga.”

I bowed toward him with a polite fist salute.

“Pleased to meet you. I think there’s been a misunderstanding, Senior Tian’e. I’m actually Mongrang, second son of the Wind-and-Cloud Mong Family. It’s an honor.”

Sorry, Lecher.

It’s Tian’e—I had no choice.

Tian’e narrowed his eyes, then turned his head to the side, staring at nothing.

“What’s going on? Speak before I tear your mouth off.”

“...Apologies. But that man is indeed Yi Zaha.”

“So you tricked me?”

“...I’m sorry.”

Tian’e stared at me in disbelief, and I hardened my expression.

“Senior, I know it sounds unbelievable, but Yi Zaha and I look very much alike. I get mistaken for him often. But you must understand—he’s incredibly rude. Absolutely no manners. Unlike me.”

By now, both Noshin and the Sect Leader were staring at me with dazed expressions.

“......”

“......”

Somehow, Noshin swallowed his saliva instead of me.

Then came a familiar laugh—“Hehehehe...”

Someone walked in.

As soon as I heard that short laugh, I sighed deeply.

“Ah, damn it. We’re screwed.”

To summarize the situation: it was one mountain, after another mountain... and now another mountain.

The White-Robed Scholar appeared, hands clasped behind his back, shoulders shaking with laughter. He stood next to Tian’e, grinning at me.

“You crazy bastard. Knock it off, Haomun Leader.”

Tian’e asked him,

“That’s really Yi Zaha?”

The White-Robed Scholar nodded.

“Told you. Completely insane.”

Only then did I realize—Tian’e’s full title was Tian’e Scholar.

So from left to right: the White-Robed Scholar, Tian’e Scholar, and Blind Scholar.

Three scholar demons in a row. It felt grand in the worst way possible.

The day didn’t feel like a day meant for dying, yet here we were.

So I tried to play the part of a wise grand strategist and offered terms.

“...Honored scholars, it’s not a good day to fight. Let’s postpone. I’m feeling full. A bit sluggish today.”

“......”

I could already tell it wasn’t working.

Not that I feared these three—after all, we had the Sect Leader.

But I feared their underlings even more. Surely, the White-Robed Scholar’s First through Fourth Disciples were lurking nearby.

Out of nowhere, I remembered Chilgyeom and called out.

“Chilgyeom, if you’re here, say hello.”

A voice answered from behind.

“Munju-nim. Long time no see.”

I nodded.

“Yeah. Good to see you.”

“I heard you killed my senior brothers?”

“Who told you that? That’s false info.”

“My master did.”

“Confirmed.”

No matter how I looked at it, we were at a disadvantage. I was buying time with nonsense so the Sect Leader could regulate his breathing.

If he took on Tian’e, I’d have to fight the White-Robed Scholar. Noshin would have to handle the Blind Scholar. And the noodle shop owner would have to deal with all their disciples.

I used every ounce of brainpower I had—but we still couldn’t win.

In the end, the Sect Leader might survive alone, only to be swarmed by the survivors from Tian’e’s side.

Even the strongest fall to overwhelming numbers.

The White-Robed Scholar looked at Noshin.

“Noshin. Haven’t decided yet?”

I glared at him.

Did this bastard not reflect enough in that cave? Why show up like this without a trace of shame? Was he switching to the Evil Emperor path now?

My thoughts spun wildly.

He coaxed Noshin.

“Come on, Noshin. Did we ever try to force you? It’s your choice. The Scholar’s seats are equal. But if you hesitate like this, you’ll lose everything. The Scholar title, the successor seat—gone. You get everything or nothing. How many times have I told you?”

I shaped my lips into an O.

“Oh... Noshin.”

“......”

“You got promised the Beggar Scholar seat? Impressive. Congratulations, you bastard. A beggar turned scholar. Amazing. Sect Leader?”

Shin Gae looked at me.

“Hmm?”

“You raised a tiger. A tiger that bites the hand that fed it. Should’ve taught him to read too. Give him a rice cake, and he forgets everything. Damn ungrateful brat.”

Shin Gae laughed deeply and said to Noshin,

“My disciple.”

Noshin responded stiffly.

“Yes.”

Shin Gae’s voice was calm.

“I’m not always right. If your ideals align with theirs, then go and fight with them. It’s foolish to force a grown disciple. Live your life. But let the ones who survive care for the Beggars’ Sect. Can you promise me that?”

Goosebumps ran down my arms.

Even that ungrateful brat seemed shaken by the weight of his master’s words—he didn’t respond.

Shin Gae turned to the noodle shop owner.

“And you.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I have a general idea of your skills. But here, your chances of survival are slim. Break through their formation. Go to Im Sobaek. Tell him what’s happening. Leave immediately.”

Hwang Bo-wol took two steps back, then vanished using light footwork.

The White-Robed Scholar touched his brow and watched him disappear.

“Not bad. He’s fast.”

Even now, he admired someone’s movement technique. He smirked.

“But getting past the full encirclement won’t be easy.”

I looked at him and asked about the revolution we’d discussed in the cave.

“Comrade White-Robed Scholar, is our revolutionary plan now dust?”

He looked at me.

“Not at all. Our comrade Yi Zaha’s dream can still proceed—as long as one of us survives. You or me. Either of us will do. Let the survivor carry it out. Sound good?”

He raised one finger to the sky.

“Dreams come true.”

“You smug bastard. I want to rip you apart.”

He laughed again.

“With your skills? Not yet.”

The Sect Leader stepped into the center of the bridge, turned to face the Scholars, and said to me,

“Young Munju. Retreat today. There will be many more battles for you to fight.”

I silently stared at his back—not his back, really, but the greasy white strands of unwashed hair flowing behind his head.

It reminded me of my late grandfather.

I’d never listened to him either.

“...That’s not going to happen.”