Chapter 11: The Demon Realm Beyond Humanity (人外魔境) - The Solitary Bamboo Forest (孤竹林) (1)

Until now, there was neither the time nor the need to think, but now I have a new realization.

The scenery of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains (十萬大山), the abode of the Demon Sect, is truly the best in the world.

The vast expanse of trees, the majestic mountain peaks, and the trees that cover them resemble a grand landscape painting.

The air is incredibly clear. It's hard to believe this is the territory of the most heinous demons. I can't understand why those who live in such a magnificent place have such despicable characters.

"Huh! It's good!"

I mean it. Perhaps because I never thought I would come here in my life, it feels even more beautiful.

Tian Xiazhen, who had been sniffing, burst into a wide smile.

"I like the scent of bamboo too."

As he turned, countless bamboo stalks lined up before his eyes.

Each bamboo stalk is so thick and tall that it seems to pierce the sky. Some are so abnormally thick that they almost resemble logs.

‘What a magnificent view.’

I heard that bamboo, standing straight and tall, symbolizes loyalty.

I can understand why the sages of old loved bamboo. Just looking at it makes my heart race and my entire body tingle.

My chest feels warm.

It's so warm that I almost want to set everything on fire.

"…Damn it."

Drip.

Blood dripped from his chin. He had bitten his lips so hard that they were covered in wounds.

"I asked for a little outing, and you send me into exile? Are you even human, you damn bastard!!"

Tian Xiazhen's scream echoed through the bamboo grove.

No, who said I was cutting ties? I just said I wanted to go out and get some fresh air!

Why did you send me to such a place? What did I do to deserve this?!

Clutching his head, Tian Xiazhen, now in despair, had a shadow appear behind him.

"Though it may be presumptuous, Sir, your words are dangerous."

Tian Xiazhen turned his head. His eyes were filled with a fierce glare, like a predator ready to pounce.

But the middle-aged man looking down at him didn't even flinch.

"What did you say?"

The man bowed respectfully.

"Insulting and threatening words directed at the Sect Leader are punishable by immediate death. This applies even to Sir and Madam."

"Hey, man!"

"Please speak."

Tian Xiazhen, who had been huffing and puffing, finally turned his head as his breathing gradually slowed.

"I didn't insult the Sect Leader."

"…"

"Don't misunderstand."

"Is that so?"

Damn it! Damn it!

Even if you can't become an emperor… or even a king… it's not a crime to insult a high-ranking official.

The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Do you think you're royalty? Can't I even insult you behind your back?

'Shit, these dark bastards are even higher than the emperor.'

Not just royalty, but they are considered divine.

I understand, but I don't care. To them, you might be a god, but to me, you're just a big, strong warrior.

Of course, the problem is that this big, strong warrior is an unprecedentedly powerful monster.

Tian Xiazhen, who had been grumbling, glanced at Ma Dongbi.

He is as stoic as a thousand-year-old rock. Even in the wind, not a single hair on his head moves.

Is he wearing a mask? Or is he not human?

"Are you from the Law Enforcement Hall?"

Ma Dongbi knelt on one knee.

"I, Ma Dongbi, am the third captain of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Heavenly Horse Sect."

"Are you saying that a captain of the Law Enforcement Hall is going to be my personal bodyguard?"

"It is a great honor to protect a noble member of our sect."

Tian Xiazhen inwardly screamed.

Great honor, great glory, throw away those grand words! I don't need them! Just stay away from me!

He looked into Ma Dongbi's eyes.

His face was expressionless, but his eyes burned like flames, making him feel incredibly uneasy.

"I swear to Po Shun that I will dedicate my life to protecting the Third Young Master."

Don't swear… please…

'These creepy bastards!'

I hate the Demon Sect. I really, really hate it. What have you given me besides despair?

Is the scenery at least good? Shut up! The better the scenery, the more I feel like I'm being toyed with!

"Sir, it's quite cold. Why don't you go inside and warm up?"

"I'm enjoying the bamboo, so don't bother me."

"As you wish!"

Kid, you're being way too serious.

After blowing his nose three times, Tian Xiazhen's face suddenly took on a sense of futility.

'What the hell, what am I going to do?'

The Solitary Bamboo Forest, they called it.

I don't even want to know what this place means to the Demon Sect. The most important thing is that I can't understand the Sect Leader's intention in sending me here instead of a proper residence.

Moreover, the Solitary Bamboo Forest is deeper in the sect than the Dragon Palace Hall (蛟龍殿), where the Sect Leader's disciples live.

At this point, I might as well be locked in a dungeon.

'Really, should I just set everything on fire?'

If I have no place to live, maybe they'll move me somewhere else. The weather seems dry, and a single spark could set everything ablaze.

Wait, thinking about it, this might not be a bad idea.

Tian Xiazhen's face took on a sinister look.

'Even more, it's quite alluring.'

Just imagining it makes me shiver. I want to burn every building of the Demon Sect to the ground.

'…'

Tian Xiazhen let out a long sigh.

'Snap out of it, you lunatic. What excuse will you give for setting fire to everything?'

These people won't buy excuses like accidentally burning the meat or a sudden lightning strike.

'Let's think of something more productive.'

His pupils, which had been wavering, stopped, and color returned to his pale face.

'Maybe I made a mistake from the start.'

I was so focused on escaping that I didn't even try to understand the atmosphere here.

That's the first thing that's amazing. If I was going to run away, I should have first figured out what kind of place this is.

'I took it too lightly.'

I deeply regret it. I used to be so thorough when I was an assassin, but now I feel like I've become a fool.

Maybe it's because of the prejudice and obsession I have about the Demon Sect. Since it's known to be a place of evil in the martial world, I might have subconsciously judged them as such.

'I didn't even realize what it means to be the Third Young Master or what I can do with that position.'

Maybe the Demon Sect is just like any other sect, a place where people live. There could be many timid and kind people like Ying Hua.

At best, it might be a place where the atmosphere isn't too bad.

But! Even so!

'I can't live here.'

Just as a four-legged animal has a reason to live on land, and a fish has a reason to live in the sea, I don't think I belong in the Demon Sect.

Most importantly, I got a second life thanks to a great stroke of luck, and I don't want to be tied down by an organization.

Tian Xiazhen rolled his eyes.

'Now that it's come to this, I won't try any obvious tricks like asking for an outing. It won't work anyway.'

Hmm…

But maybe I should at least check.

"Hey, Ma."

Confusion appeared on Ma Dongbi's face.

Ma? It's an unfamiliar way to address someone. He has never been called like that by a superior.

To avoid showing his confusion, he bowed even deeper than usual.

"Yes, Sir."

Tian Xiazhen's expression immediately turned sour.

"But do you have to bow so deeply every time? I don't know what to do with myself."

"I apologize, Sir. It is the proper etiquette for a noble member of our sect."

"…"

"…"

"Alright. Let's put that aside. I have a question."

"Please ask, Sir."

"You know, it's been a little over three months since I was cured of my demonic possession."

"Yes."

"I'm feeling quite stifled. I'm in a very stifling and uncomfortable state. I want to go outside the sect and get some fresh air."

"…"

"Do I need some kind of permit or something?"

Ma Dongbi slightly raised his head.

His face was as rigid as a mask, but it was clear that he found the question strange.

Tian Xiazhen furrowed his brow.

"Why? Is the procedure complicated?"

"…"

"It's fine, you don't have to be careful. Just speak your mind."

Ma Dongbi flinched at Tian Xiazhen's expectant face.

After the initial confusion, he felt bewildered. He wondered if someone who had lived in the sect for over ten years could really not know this.

But since a high-ranking member asked, he had to answer with all his sincerity.

"Since you asked, I will speak frankly."

"Right, right."

"Basically, leaving the sect requires a formal order from the upper ranks."

"Formal order? Where does that come from?"

"It is issued by the Inner City's Military Affairs Bureau."

"Huh? Military Affairs Bureau?"

"Yes."

"Alright. So I should go to the Military Affairs Bureau?"

"No, that's not the case."

"What? You said it's issued by the Military Affairs Bureau. Can't I just go there and get permission?"

"Generally, that's true."

"Explain quickly."

"However, the most important order comes from the Divine Palace. By custom, disciples cannot leave the sect without the Sect Leader's permission."

"…"

"To leave the sect, the Third Young Master should go to the Divine Palace, not the Military Affairs Bureau. If you receive the Sect Leader's permission, you don't need the Military Affairs Bureau's approval."

"I see…"

"That is correct."

"Thanks for the explanation."

"That is my duty."

Ma Dongbi, who had bowed politely, looked at Tian Xiazhen with a puzzled expression.

Tian Xiazhen's face seemed to have aged ten years in a moment.

Is there something troubling him? After a moment of hesitation, Ma Dongbi spoke cautiously.

"I apologize, Sir, but the weather is getting colder. I am worried that it might harm your health…"

"Alright, let's go in."

"As you wish!"

Thus, Tian Xiazhen followed Ma Dongbi into the Solitary Bamboo Forest.

Perhaps because he was completely dazed.

Tian Xiazhen didn't notice the flash of tension that crossed Ma Dongbi's stoic face.

The day he realized why Ma Dongbi kept mentioning the weather and urging him to go inside,

Tian Xiazhen would seriously consider whether to grab Liang Shang by the collar.

Swoosh!

The wind blew, and the bamboo leaves swayed.

It was a night filled with a sense of foreboding.

* * *

That night, Ma Dongbi knelt before a person.

"…That concludes my report on the Third Young Master."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Wu Tan, standing by the window, had a shadow on his face.

"Your task is important. Continue to serve with all your sincerity."

"Yes."

"Go now."

"…"

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

After a moment of hesitation, Ma Dongbi mustered the courage to ask.

"Lord Wu."

"Yes."

"I apologize in advance for my impertinent question, but as a bodyguard, it is essential to have basic information about the person I am protecting. May I ask?"

"Go ahead."

"Has the Young Master suffered any memory loss after the demonic possession?"

A look of confusion appeared on Wu Tan's face.

"Why do you ask such a question?"

Ma Dongbi detailed the conversation he had in the Solitary Bamboo Forest.

Wu Tan, who had listened silently, responded.

"Third Captain, I understand why you asked this question."

"…"

"However, don't worry too much about it. The person you are serving is not just a regular leader but one of the seven who have the potential to lead our sect in the future."

"…"

"He might have just needed someone to talk to, or he might have really lost his memory. But that's all. Don't entertain any further doubts."

Wu Tan smiled slightly.

"That's also why protecting the successors is difficult. That's why I specifically assigned you to this task."

"…Yes."

"Go back now."

Ma Dongbi, who had briefly bowed, disappeared like a ghost.

A cold expression crossed Wu Tan's face, which had been smiling.

'Memory…'

He took out a book he had placed on a shelf.

It was a list of medicinal herbs prescribed to patients within the sect over the past three months by the Blood Soul Hall, the medical facility of the Inner City.

Grip.

As Wu Tan calmly scanned the list, a thick vein appeared on his jaw.

'Could it be?'