Chapter 16. The Reason for the Escape (1)

"Your Excellency, I have completed my report on the Demon Lord's Council."

Wudan bowed his head silently.

Drip, drip, drip.

The liquid that fell in a parabolic arc was transparent.

The rich aroma of alcohol spread, fresh yet heavy. It was clearly a potent drink.

The still-luxurious glass was so large that it was only half-empty after a considerable amount of the bottle's contents had been poured.

Lee Cheon-sang drank slowly.

He savored the fragrance without pausing, slowly and deliberately emptying the glass, exuding a deep wild charm and an indescribable nobility.

After finishing the glass, Lee Cheon-sang spoke indifferently.

"This drink is not bad."

Like Jian Nan Chun, Zhu Ye Qing is also a hard-to-find liquor in the south.

Based on Fenjiu, a liquor produced in Xinghua Village, Shanxi Province, Zhu Ye Qing is a medicinal liquor made with various herbs.

Its refreshing fragrance and sophisticated sweetness make it popular among medicinal liquors, and in places other than its origin, it is worth its weight in gold.

The Ten Thousand Great Mountains, where the Heavenly Horse Sect was based, was at the southernmost tip of the Central Plains. Transporting liquor from Shanxi Province in the north would not have been an easy task.

After briefly praising the efforts of the demons who had transported the liquor, Lee Cheon-sang extended his hand toward Wudan.

Somehow knowing even though his head was bowed, Wudan carefully handed over the documents.

Lee Cheon-sang picked up the seal from the side and stamped it on the documents.

"The Law Enforcement Hall?"

Even with the question abbreviated, Wudan's response was unhesitant.

"It has become very well-funded. The subordinate enforcers are steadily building their power."

"Good to hear."

"I am grateful for the grace of the Sect Leader, like the sun and the rain."

Lee Cheon-sang shook his head.

"If you can exert your strength, that is also my joy."

Wudan's face was filled with emotion. Even if it was a mere formality, it was a moving statement.

"I will dedicate my life to protect the Sect Leader without bringing shame upon you."

"Very well."

It was a warm conversation, but Lee Cheon-sang's gaze on Wudan remained indifferent.

Drip, drip, drip.

Refilling his glass, Lee Cheon-sang asked casually.

"What about the third one?"

Wudan answered immediately.

"He has faced dangerous moments several times."

"He seems to be alive."

It was not something a master would say about a disciple.

In fact, for eight months, Lee Cheon-sang had never once asked about Xuliang. Wudan had also delayed reporting on the third prince because Lee Cheon-sang did not want it.

"Report."

"Yes."

After eight months, this was the first report. Wudan conveyed the details as thoroughly as possible.

How long did the report last?

At one point, Lee Cheon-sang's eyes lit up.

"Wait."

"Yes, Sect Leader. What would you like to know?"

"What did you just say?"

"Huh?"

"A creature injured by a troop of gorillas survived for four days and then encountered a Lu Shu and still managed to survive?"

"Yes... that's correct."

Wudan was puzzled.

Of course, he knew the Lu Shu's extreme ferocity. Even top-notch martial artists would find it difficult to face one without at least three of them together.

But he thought that fleeing wouldn't be too difficult. The Lu Shu was very strong, but Xuliang was not alone.

If the recently strengthened Madong Pil had assisted, it wouldn't have been impossible.

"Fascinating."

A subtle interest appeared in Lee Cheon-sang's eyes.

Seeing this, Wudan was startled.

His face, always indifferent, had been observed by Wudan for decades, but Wudan could only make guesses based on his expressions, never being certain.

Now, it was different.

Lee Cheon-sang was clearly showing his emotions like an ordinary person.

"If he had learned the Li Long technique, it would have been difficult to escape the Lu Shu's monstrous cry."

The Li Long technique Lee Cheon-sang mentioned was one of the Ten Great Demonic Arts, the Li Long Yi Shan Gong.

The supreme demonic art that the third prince, Xuliang, was cultivating before he fell into madness.

Lee Cheon-sang looked at Wudan.

"What were the three?"

"Huh?"

"I know you gave the third prince three demonic art manuals."

"......!"

Wudan's face turned pale.

He slightly bowed his head.

"Xue Hua, Po Tian, and Chi Feng."

Lee Cheon-sang touched his lips.

Though his face was serious, the interest in his eyes did not fade.

"Xue Hua is sharp, and Po Tian is heavy. Neither suits him. Chi Feng is the best, but if he had any discernment, he wouldn't have learned it either."

Not because the level of the demonic art was low, but because it did not suit his body.

Unless he had reached the Ultimate Demonic Realm and mastered all demonic arts, the third prince's body, having experienced madness, would find it difficult to handle Chi Feng, which would be toxic to him.

Wudan prostrated himself.

"I opened the secret vault without the Sect Leader's permission. Please kill me."

"You have the authority to open the secret vault."

"But I... "

"If you can bear the responsibility for your choices, you have the freedom to make any choice."

Lee Cheon-sang's expression became indifferent again.

"Do you have any regrets about your choice?"

"......No."

"Can you bear the responsibility?"

"Of course."

"Then I will respect your choice."

Wudan bowed his head even lower without a word.

Lee Cheon-sang refilled his glass and drank it in one go, then turned his head to the window.

He gazed silently out the window for a while.

"Call the fourth one."

Confusion appeared on Wudan's face.

Why call the fourth prince while talking about the third prince?

But it was just a question.

Wudan bowed his head.

"I will do as you command."

As he slowly stood up to leave, Lee Cheon-sang called him again.

"Chief Enforcer."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"Do you know why children's fights are more terrifying than adults'?"

Lee Cheon-sang was not the type to ask such questions.

Thinking about the various aspects of the Sect Leader he had seen today, Wudan shook his head.

"I do not know."

"Children don't know where the end is. That's why they are scary. They think even a scarred glory is glory."

Lee Cheon-sang's eyes deepened.

"In a fight armed with boundless ignorance, the moment they realize where the line is, that is the moment a child becomes an adult."

* * *

"Huff, I'm exhausted."

Li Junsheng entered the office, his face showing extreme fatigue.

Kiyang, who was massaging the back of his neck, offered a teacup.

"This is Bi Luo Chun. I haven't brewed it in a while, so I'm not sure if it will suit your taste."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Li Junsheng made a mischievous face.

"How was your four-day break?"

"Since you worked so hard, I have nothing to say."

Kiyang scratched his head, his face showing clear signs of guilt.

Seeing his honest and unadorned attitude, Li Junsheng chuckled.

"You can't even joke around."

"How could I not feel guilty?"

"If you feel guilty, sit and keep me company."

"Are you going out again?"

"I have to go out again in about an hour."

Kiyang sighed lightly.

"I'll go this time, so you can rest. I'll inform the Master."

"It's fine. The protected person gets uncomfortable when the guard changes."

"Still... "

"Switch with me when I'm tired later. You worked hard last month, didn't you?"

Though he said it like that, Kiyang knew that Li Junsheng, the highest senior and leader of the first team in the Law Enforcement Hall, never shirked his duties.

That's why the enforcers in the hall liked Li Junsheng. He was clear in his decisions and always cared for his subordinates.

"Then, get some rest. I'll wake you up."

"I'll feel listless after sleeping. This is the last time, anyway. It's better to chat with you."

"If you insist, I understand."

As they sat facing each other, sipping tea, Kiyang asked.

"By the way, why did the head of the Demon Sword Family visit?"

Li Junsheng shook his head.

"I don't know the exact reason."

"Is that so."

"He's a big shot, so he probably has something to discuss with the higher-ups of our sect."

The Demon Sword Family was one of the Seven Demon Families, and among the seven, it was the most powerful.

Their loyalty to the new sect was outstanding, and their subordinate swordsmen were as skilled as the demons within the sect. The new sect also trusted the Demon Sword Family the most among the seven families.

"Still... I've heard some rumors."

"Rumors?"

Li Junsheng scratched his head after a moment of thought.

"Just rumors, so I can't be sure. But they come from a reliable source, so I think they are credible."

"What kind of rumors?"

"The Demon Sword Family seems to want to recruit a talented individual."

Kiyang's eyes widened.

The mention of recruiting talent for the new sect implied one specific scenario.

"The Sect Leader's disciple...?"

Li Junsheng nodded.

"As I said, it's not confirmed. But it seems plausible. Two of the disciples are from the Seven Families. The Demon Sword Family, being the head of the Seven Families, couldn't ignore it."

"But... there are already many disciples. Will the Sect Leader take on another one? There are already seven of them."

"That's unknown. It's up to the Sect Leader to decide."

"True, but... Ah!"

Kiyang suddenly exclaimed as if he had just thought of something.

"If the Demon Sword Family is indeed sending a disciple and the Sect Leader allows it... "

"Hmm?"

"Perhaps the number seven can be maintained."

"What do you mean?"

"The third prince."

Li Junsheng's eyes deepened as he finally understood Kiyang's implication.

"A dangerous statement."

"I know. But... "

"..."

"You know, Gaozhu Lin is dangerous."

"I know. That's why the third team leader was sent. He is the most knowledgeable about Gaozhu Lin among us."

"I know the third team leader is skilled and experienced, but I still feel uneasy."

Madong Pil's talent was remarkable. At just over thirty, he had become the third team leader, second only to Kiyang, proving his strength.

Though not particularly quick-witted, he was more persistent than anyone and had the determination to complete any task given to him. He was a tough guy in the Law Enforcement Hall.

But Gaozhu Lin was a place so dangerous that the words "skill" and "experience" seemed trivial.

How else could the highest leaders of the new sect send a few select individuals to gather the Lingzhu twice a year?

"Moreover, it's uncertain when the third prince will return. If the Sect Leader doesn't allow it, he might have to stay there for life."

Li Junsheng sighed.

Kiyang was talking about the third prince, but he was genuinely worried about Madong Pil, who was one of the top talents in the current Law Enforcement Hall.

"Besides, the third prince's body is... "

"Enough."

"..."

"Let's stop this conversation. If someone hears, it could cause trouble."

Kiyang closed his mouth, looking flustered. He knew his concern was excessive.

Li Junsheng leaned back in his chair.

"The Master sent the third team leader. You know how much the Master values him."

"......Yes."

"It will be fine. Just think that way."

Kiyang nodded. Worrying and fretting wouldn't solve anything.

"By the way, I heard your deputy team leader is getting married?"

It was clearly an attempt to change the mood. Kiyang played along.

Their conversation then turned to everyday topics. They talked about the team members, the dynamics of the martial world, and so on.

After some time, as Li Junsheng was enthusiastically recounting an encounter with a beautiful woman during a mission,

"First team leader."

An urgent voice came from outside the door.

"What is it?"

"The third team leader, the third team leader is here to see you!"

Both men stood up in surprise, their faces filled with shock.

"Bring him in quickly!"

"Yes!"

Thinking of seeing their cherished junior, like a younger brother, Li Junsheng and Kiyang's faces showed genuine joy.

A moment later.

"Team leader, it's the third team leader."

"Come in quickly!"

Creak.

The door slowly opened, and a man walked in.

The faces of the two men, who had been smiling, immediately turned stiff upon seeing Madong Pil.