Chapter 27. Whether in Gochuklim or Here (2)

"Breath, it's getting cut off, getting cut off!"

Xuliang, who had climbed into the carriage heading to his residence, grumbled incessantly.

Madongfil awkwardly said,

"Disrespectful to the Great Leader…."

"What's disrespectful about this? Can't I even say that my mouth is getting stuffy?"

"Still…."

"And I didn't say the Great Leader is stuffy, right? I just said the situation is stuffy. You try sitting there, and you'll see if you don't say the same thing."

I can kind of understand, but even so, it's not something I should be agreeing with.

"Tch, at least getting some alcohol is a relief."

"Alcohol?"

"Yeah."

Xuliang took out a bottle from his robes.

"Damn! This is funny. Ignoring how disgustingly small it is, why give me something you were drinking as a gift…."

Thud!

Xuliang blinked.

Madongfil had quickly snatched the bottle and started examining it with a serious look.

Considering how overly respectful he usually was, this was an incredibly rude action, but he seemed unaware of it.

Madongfil's eyes, which had been staring blankly at the bottle in shock, gradually turned red.

Xuliang, who had been watching him, rubbed his hand awkwardly.

"Ouch, my hand hurts."

"…."

"It hurts."

"…."

"Ahem! Dongfil?"

Madongfil's face had now become almost like a wooden statue, not even a single eyelash moving.

Xuliang kicked him.

"Hey, what's that supposed to be?"

"…Yukjeonsimju."

"What kind of Simju?"

"T, This is Yukjeonsimju!"

"Do you know this alcohol? It tastes really good, you know."

Madongfil's mouth dropped open.

"You don't know Yukjeonsimju? Yukjeonsimju? Yukjeonsimju, I tell you!"

"So what is it?"

"Yukjeonsimju, personally bestowed by the Great Leader!"

"So what?"

"Isn't it a prestigious alcohol?!"

Xuliang was taken aback.

"Prestigious and good-tasting alcohol, what's the big deal?"

Madongfil looked at him with a stunned expression. The drama in his face was so intense that it almost made Xuliang feel sorry.

"Yukjeonsimju! The highest-grade wine of our sect, enjoyed only by the successive Great Leaders! It's a special wine given to those who have achieved great feats, and drinking this wine itself is a glory for three lifetimes!"

"Is it really that big a deal just for a drink…."

"It depends on who gives it! Besides, this is the divine wine personally brewed by the Great Leader! It can't be quantified in money, and it shouldn't be!"

"So what if it's just alcohol?"

Madongfil foamed at the mouth.

"Sir! Would our sect's members wish for elixirs given by the sect, or divine Yukjeonsimju given by the gods?!"

"Elixirs."

"Ugh."

There's no getting through to him.

Madongfil, after all, belonged to the Law Enforcement Division, the most loyal and devout group within the sect. On the other hand, Xuliang wasn't even a member of the sect, so naturally, he had no such devotion.

Xuliang took the bottle back from Madongfil.

"As long as it tastes good, that's all that matters. At least I managed to get a decent drink."

Heretic! Heretic!

Madongfil wanted to shout. If the other party wasn't the Third Prince, he would have really shouted.

"Sir, what has happened to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you say you lost your memory after the demon possession?"

"…Oh."

"But why have you only forgotten things related to our sect? Your martial arts are incredible, and you have plenty of experience, yet you only forgot the important things…!"

"Stop talking nonsense and let's go to the residence and have a drink."

"I can't. My duty ends only after I escort you. I have to return to the Law Enforcement Division."

Xuliang shook the Yukjeonsimju.

"Aren't you going to drink this?"

"…!"

"Then, suit yourself. It tastes like art."

Madongfil's eyes wavered.

"D, Do you mean to share this precious thing with me?"

"Considering the bond we've built, I can't just send you off after the job is done. That's not how human relationships work, you know."

"…!"

"Fine, if you insist. After all, there are rules in an organization."

Xuliang put the bottle back in his robes.

Madongfil bowed deeply.

Is this the greatest glory of my fifty-year sect life, and I have to let it go?

Do I really have to?

"…I'll report the completion of my mission and come back."

"There's always time to enjoy. By the time you get back with permission, it will already be in my stomach."

"…."

"It's okay. There are plenty of good drinks in the world besides this one."

Madongfil raised his head.

Xuliang's face, which had been about to tease him, now showed a hint of sympathy.

In that short moment, he must have struggled intensely, looking at least ten years older.

"…Can I have just one drink here?"

Xuliang chuckled.

"Go ahead and say you're done for the day. We need to prepare food too."

"Thank you! Thank you, Sir!"

"You've been talking to me so rudely all this time, even though you're grateful?"

"Ah…!"

Madongfil bowed deeply.

"I apologize. I was overly excited and showed disrespect to Sir."

You little brat, you're kind of fun to tease.

Xuliang chuckled and was about to pat his shoulder when Madongfil knelt on the ground.

"Please kill me."

… I shouldn't joke with this guy anymore.

After a long time, Xuliang finally calmed him down and turned his gaze to the side.

"This guy has a good heart."

Next to Xuliang, a baby fox was lying asleep. It hadn't woken up since they entered the main hall of the Mashing Palace.

'Its nose feels good.'

He stroked its nose, and it raised a paw to block him. It was really, really cute to watch.

Eventually, the carriage arrived at Xuliang's residence.

"Whoa."

Xuliang smiled bitterly at the scene before him.

"It's been a while."

The surroundings were very desolate. The original owner of this body must have wanted to live separately, as it was far from the main hall and the other houses, which were closely clustered.

It was a scene he had longed to return to while in Gochuklim, but it was also a scene he didn't want to see.

Madongfil, who had also gotten off the carriage, bowed.

"This is the end of my official duty."

"Ah, right."

"For the hardships you endured due to my inadequate protection, I apologize again."

"Don't say that."

"And for your broad-mindedness in covering my mistakes, I am deeply grateful."

Xuliang waved his hand as if he was tired of it.

"Enough. Are you not going to drink later? Don't act like we won't see each other again."

Madongfil smiled.

"Yes. I'll visit the Law Enforcement Division and then come back. Rest well."

"Alright. Be careful."

Xuliang watched as Madongfil got back into the carriage and drove away, then stretched.

"Ah!"

At the cute sound, he looked down to see the baby fox sitting at his feet, its bright eyes looking up at him.

Xuliang chuckled.

"Such a cute thing. Alright, since I've taken you in, I'll take responsibility."

"Ah!"

"Can you understand me?"

"…."

"Guess not."

He picked up the baby fox and held it in his arms.

"Come on, let's go in. Let's take a nice bath and lie down in a warm bed!"

Creak.

Xuliang stepped into the house and opened the door.

Then.

He froze and looked beyond the open door.

'…Huh?'

The inside was quiet.

It wasn't dark yet, as it was still the hour of the rooster, but it felt strange.

The house was perfectly fine, but it seemed as if there were burn marks on the walls.

Xuliang tilted his head.

'What's so unsettling?'

It couldn't be just because it's been a while since he last visited.

Swoosh.

His senses expanded rapidly.

'One person. Just one. Their martial arts are weak, and their internal energy is minimal. It's a servant.'

The only presence he could sense in the entire place was that of a servant. He was sure of it, having seen it with the Mind's Eye, one of the six techniques of the Heavenly Net.

But why does it feel like someone else is here?

'…There's definitely no one else.'

'They were here.'

There was no presence, no sight, no sound, but he could read the traces of the past.

It was the smell. A strange scent, one that shouldn't be in this place, was rising from the rooms and the storeroom.

The Mind's Eye, a qigong technique that sharply enhances the body's five senses to a level beyond that of animals, made it easy to detect even a faint smell.

'Given how strong the smell is, it hasn't been more than half a day.'

Xuliang's eyes narrowed.

'Someone sneaked in here and then disappeared? Why?'

He couldn't understand the reason. The owner of the house was himself, so the reason for waiting in hiding should also be related to him. But why did they suddenly disappear?

'…Hmm.'

Xuliang shrugged after thinking for a while.

He had no interest in pondering over the scent of someone who had disappeared. Besides, it wasn't even a woman but a group of men.

Although his mood was slightly dampened by the strange traces in the house he had returned to after eight months, he decided to think about it later.

Clearing his thoughts, he stepped inside the house.

"Hey! Servant!"

Instantly, the main room's door opened, and the servant ran over.

"Sir?!"

"Hey. I'm back."

The servant prostrated himself on the spot.

"Indestructible by the sect, revered by all beasts! Servant greets the Third Prince!"

Xuliang scratched his head.

"Hey, do you have to greet me like that? It's so grand, I don't know how to react."

"Sir…."

"Ah, get up. It's good to see you."

The servant got up respectfully.

Xuliang's expression softened. It had been a hectic three months, but in terms of days, it was almost a hundred.

Moreover, the servant had been quietly and comfortably taking care of him during his stay here. It was only natural to be glad to see him.

"Hey? What's wrong? You look a bit thinner."

"I apologize."

"Apologize again. Are you eating properly?"

"Yes."

The servant's eyes welled up.

Xuliang scratched his head. He was glad to see him, but the servant's reaction was unexpected. He must have had a hard time taking care of someone who was almost out of his mind.

He tousled the servant's hair.

"Kid, you've done a good job with your hair."

"Sir."

"Being a bit messy makes you more human. From now on, be more relaxed. Got it?"

"Yes, yes!"

The servant's face brightened instantly, hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes and shouted.

"Sir, you look much better!"

It was a statement he had mustered all his courage to say. How could he dare to say such a thing to a disciple of the Great Leader?

However, based on his memory from eight months ago, Sir seemed to prefer a more casual and friendly attitude over excessive formality.

Indeed, his guess was correct.

"Is that so? Man, I really went through a lot to get this body. You noticed, huh?"

"You've changed a lot."

"Is it better?"

"Yes! You look great!"

"Ha ha ha! Thanks!"

Xuliang looked around.

"The house has been empty for eight months, but it's clean. Good job?"

"Yes! I came every two days to clean it so that you could rest comfortably whenever you returned."

Xuliang's eyes curved into a crescent.

"Is that so?"

He was genuinely moved.

Madongfil was one thing, but the servant had been separated from him for eight months. It was already touching that he hadn't forgotten about him, but to have cleaned the house regularly was even more so.

This was the first time someone had taken such care of him. He was grateful for the effort and deeply moved.

"I'll close the front door."

"Huh? Ah, I can do it."

Before he could finish speaking, the servant had already run to the door. His hurried back was full of energy.

Xuliang's face broke into a warm smile again.

The kid is really enthusiastic.

Bang!

The servant, who had closed the door, ran back quickly.

"Sir, I received the message late and haven't prepared warm water yet. Would you like to eat first?"

"No, I'll take a bath first."

"Ah, yes! Please wait a moment. I'll heat the water."

"Alright?"

"Yes!"

"Good. Let's go in."

The servant followed Xuliang, who walked ahead, in quick steps.

While maintaining a respectful posture, the servant kept glancing at Xuliang.

More precisely, at the baby fox in Xuliang's arms.

'Cute.'

I want to ask where Sir got this fox, but I'll wait. I need to get the hot water ready first.

The servant hurriedly went to heat the water after entering the building.

Xuliang stretched. It felt like a long time since he had such a leisurely moment.

"Yay!"

I'll think about it later. Today, I'll eat, drink, and sleep soundly without any worries!