Chapter 28. Whether in Gochuklim or Here (3)

"Mission report complete, Third Squad Leader Ma Dongphil of the Law Enforcement Division."

"You've done well."

Lee Gunseong praised Ma Dongphil with a smile.

"You must have endured a lot for over eight months. You've really done a great job."

"Not at all. It was an honor to serve you, Sir."

Ji Yang, who stood beside him, also smiled contentedly.

It was rather awkward to feel proud of a man in his thirties, but what could they do? To the two of them, Ma Dongphil was like a younger brother. He had completed a task that would have been difficult for anyone, and it was impossible not to be pleased with him.

'Besides, his murderous aura is gone.'

Whatever had happened in the meantime, the murderous aura he had seen a few days ago had vanished.

In contrast, his inner strength was beyond imagination.

"Did you have some kind of fortuitous encounter?"

"Huh?"

"Your internal energy has increased significantly since then. Even if it's still at the potential level, it will be a great help to your future growth."

Lee Gunseong's face was filled with genuine admiration.

Ma Dongphil looked somewhat embarrassed. He hadn't reported the method of processing and consuming the bamboo to create a pure medicinal elixir, so the two of them couldn't know.

He had the authority to omit unnecessary information from reports to squad leaders.

At first, he had debated whether to report this part, but in the end, he decided to omit it.

Not because he wanted to keep it a secret, but because it was related to the Third Young Master's martial arts.

He judged that there was no need to risk the information about the candidates for the next sect leader leaking out. Even if it was unlikely, every organization had its vulnerabilities.

If it were a matter of daily life, it might be different, but in this case, the fewer people who knew, the better.

"I had a certain fortuitous encounter. It was all thanks to the Third Young Master."

"Thanks to the Third Young Master?"

"Yes. It's difficult to explain as it's related to the Third Young Master."

Lee Gunseong waved his hand.

"Of course, it should be kept to yourself. The important thing is that you completed your mission well. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you for understanding."

Ji Yang interjected subtly.

"By the way, senior. Since the Third Squad Leader has worked so hard, how about giving him some leave?"

Lee Gunseong nodded.

"I was thinking the same thing. A month of rest would be fine."

Ma Dongphil shook his head.

"There must be tasks I can take on. I don't want to burden others."

"No, you need to rest when you can. This mission was something no one else could do. You deserve a break."

"Then I'll take four days."

"You're as stubborn as ever. Fine, take ten days to rest and then return. No more negotiations."

"Yes, I understand."

Ji Yang clicked his tongue.

"Everyone else loves taking breaks, but why do you look so dissatisfied? Don't you appreciate your senior's consideration?"

"No, no, that's not it."

Ma Dongphil waved his hands in embarrassment.

His expression amused the two men, who burst out laughing.

Lee Gunseong stood up, looking cheerful.

"Come on! Let's have a drink. I want to hear about your time there firsthand."

"Ah..."

"Why? Do you have something else to do? If you do, you can wait until tomorrow."

"I'm sorry. The Third Young Master asked me for one last drink..."

Lee Gunseong and Ji Yang exchanged glances.

'The Third Young Master?'

They had heard rumors that he had become a bit more approachable after recovering from his demonic transformation, but they didn't think his dangerous nature had changed.

"You seem to have grown closer to the Third Young Master."

"I only caused him trouble with my inadequacies."

Ji Yang's eyes sparkled.

Ma Dongphil's face was a mix of gratitude and guilt. It seemed this earnest junior truly cared for the Third Young Master.

After observing him for a moment, Lee Gunseong nodded readily.

"If the Third Young Master asked, then of course you should go. Wait a moment."

A moment later, he brought out some tea leaves.

"If he went to such lengths to find them, he must really like them. Here, take these. I just got some high-quality leaves."

"Ah..."

"He'll probably be pleased."

Ma Dongphil took the tea leaves awkwardly.

He couldn't bring himself to tell them that the Third Young Master not only didn't enjoy tea but disliked it.

"Go on, and tell him I'll bring more good tea leaves if I find them. Hehe."

Ma Dongphil silently apologized to Lee Gunseong and carefully tucked the tea leaves away.

'Sorry, Captain.'

These tea leaves... I'll use them myself.

* * *

"Hmm."

The smoke spread and escaped through the window.

Shin Hui said with concern,

"Master."

"Hmm?"

"I apologize for saying this, but... shouldn't you stop smoking?"

Hong Weimin chuckled and tapped his pipe.

"Have I been doing it more lately?"

"Even if you can expel toxins with your inner strength, it's still not good for your body."

"I'll stop when the time comes. Thanks for your concern."

"..."

Hong Weimin took another deep puff, filling the room with thick smoke.

After a moment's hesitation, Shin Hui spoke.

"Master."

"Go on."

"May I ask why you repelled 'them' again?"

Hong Weimin looked out the window.

The sky, which had been clear and blue, was now turning red with the sunset.

He savored the dreamy sunset scene through the hazy smoke and said,

"Shin Hui."

"Yes, Master."

"He's changed a lot."

Shin Hui tilted his head, finding the response somewhat off-topic.

"He's in much better shape."

"..."

"He seems taller and his bones more solid. I don't know what happened in Gochuklim, but it seemed he had regained his previous martial arts skills."

"!"

"Well, I'm not curious about the method. The fact that he's recovered hasn't changed. The problem is..."

Hong Weimin tapped his pipe.

"It's become ambiguous."

"..."

"Clearly the same person, but he felt like a different person."

It was a feeling that couldn't be explained logically. The unsettling sensation was triggered by the look in Xiliang's eyes at the time.

A look that seemed to know everything.

A unique blend of the inherent viciousness of the sect, the ghostly transparency, and the emotionless indifference of a doll-like figure.

Hong Weimin turned his head and said,

"Actually, I'm not that interested in how strong he's become."

Lying.

Shin Hui knew that wasn't the Master's true feeling.

But he didn't show it. He also realized that Hong Weimin was quite confused.

"The problem is that I don't know how he'll react when 'they' are sent."

Shin Hui shook his head.

"Didn't you already know how the Third Young Master would react and how to deal with it?"

"I did, until yesterday."

"..."

"But today is different. I'm not sure what kind of reaction I'll get from him."

Until now, the Master had proven his insight through results. Of course, he would be right this time too.

But Shin Hui was curious about why the Master was thinking this way.

After observing him for a moment, Shin Hui bowed his head.

"I expect 'they' will react strongly. How should we handle it?"

"Compensate them with money. They're as obsessed with money as they are with grudges. There's no need to worry about them."

"Handing money to people you don't need to worry about seems a bit..."

"If they were worth worrying about, I would have offered them something more than money."

"..."

"Those who foam at the mouth at the mention of the Xiliang family will have their uses eventually, but that's all they are. If you want, take them to a good brothel to lift their spirits."

"Understood."

It might not be that simple. After waiting with determination for days, they received orders to return just before the Third Young Master arrived. The anger and frustration must have been immense.

Phew!

A large amount of smoke escaped through the window.

"Send a letter inviting him to dinner tomorrow night."

"Excuse me? Who...?"

"The Master of the Joyful Courtyard."

"!"

Shin Hui's face stiffened.

"Master, the Master of the Joyful Courtyard is dangerous..."

"Shin Hui."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I understand."

As Shin Hui bowed deeply and left the room, Hong Weimin threw his pipe carelessly.

The usual relaxed smile was gone, replaced by a stern expression and a cold murderous intent.

"If a kitten has turned into a venomous snake, we need to change our bowstring too."

* * *

"Are you here?"

"Yes, Master."

"Damn, you took your time. I thought you were going back because you were hungry. Sit down quickly."

"I'm sorry."

Ma Dongphil hurriedly apologized and raised his head to look ahead.

The table was set with a sumptuous feast, and Xiliang and Ang Hua were seated on either side.

Ang Hua's face was pale. It was clear she had been intensely debating whether it was appropriate to share a meal with the Master.

'No wonder.'

Among all the sect members, the Third Young Master was the first to disregard formalities. He had even called Ma Dongphil 'Mr. Ma' the first time they met.

The fact that he wasn't at all fazed by this scene showed how accustomed he had become.

"Aren't you going to sit? Don't you want to eat?"

"No, no, of course not!"

Ma Dongphil hurriedly took his seat and looked at Xiliang.

Xiliang already had chopsticks in hand.

"Let's try it."

After eating nothing but wild game for over eight months, the aroma of the fine cuisine was intoxicating. Honestly, even the deep bond with Ma Dongphil couldn't make him wait any longer.

Soon, the three of them began to eat.

Xiliang was aggressive from the start, while Ma Dongphil started formally but gradually picked up speed.

They were both robust men, and it was a rare treat. Most importantly, they hadn't eaten anything all day. They cleared the plates as if possessed.

Ang Hua ate cautiously, watching the two men. She was so uncomfortable that the food wouldn't go down.

"Phew! This is living, Dongphil."

"Excellent cooking, Master."

"But it's all good, isn't it? The only problem is that there might not be enough."

"That could be."

Ang Hua inwardly groaned. The amount of food laid out could have fed several robust men, yet they found it insufficient. The terrifying appetites of the two men made her feel dizzy.

She stood up hesitantly.

"I'll bring more."

"Huh? You don't have to..."

"Yes!"

"Thanks."

The storm of eating continued for half an hour.

Xiliang patted his stomach contentedly, and Ma Dongphil smacked his lips. Ang Hua, who had been busy bringing food and clearing plates, finally relaxed and was now eating noodles.

"Since we're full, let's have a drink."

Pong!

Xiliang opened a bottle of Liushenxin wine.

Ma Dongphil's eyes lit up. Ang Hua glanced around and then continued eating her noodles.

"Here."

"Thank you, Master. It's an honor."

"Damn."

The wine poured out, and the fragrant aroma filled the room.

Ang Hua's eyes widened, and even the little fox lying on the bed twitched its nose. The aroma was so exquisite that even a non-drinker and an animal reacted.

"You've worked hard. Thank you."

"No, it was an honor to serve you, Master."

"Damn, you're full of it."

"Really."

"Alright, thanks."

The two of them drank the wine heartily.

Xiliang's face was filled with admiration, and Ma Dongphil looked as if he might faint. The taste of Liushenxin wine was beyond imagination, and both of them were lost in it.

"Phew, that's good. Hey, what are you going to do from now on? Are you going to guard someone else?"

"..."

"Ma!"

"Huh! Yes, Master."

"You're really out of it. Did you like it that much?"

"Of course!"

"I thought so. You looked like you wouldn't even feel a sword stab."

"Ah... But what did you ask me...?"

"Forget it. Have another drink."

"Yes, Master!"

The two of them quickly finished the bottle of Liushenxin wine.

Ma Dongphil looked at the empty bottle and glass with a wistful expression. If the Master hadn't been there, he would have licked them clean.

Xiliang chuckled.

"Ang Hua, can you bring a few more bottles of wine? Any kind will do."

"Yes, Master!"

Ang Hua hurriedly moved.

Xiliang patted Ma Dongphil's shoulder.

"Snap out of it. Your eyes are going to pop out."

"Ah, yes."

"Let's drink until our tongues are loose. Let's crawl on all fours, shall we?"

"It's an honor, Master."

"You're really full of it. You're a shining example of a man."

Ma Dongphil looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Before the wine arrives, let me ask you something. I might not be able to ask if you get too drunk."

"Ask away, Master."

Xiliang's eyes sparkled.

"Where do I go to get the sect's organizational chart and the relationships between people? Or who should I meet?"