Chapter 63. Start the Operation (3)

"Hmm."

Ma Dongfil's face looked very refreshed.

Although he was drenched in sweat and his breathing was heavy, it was a rewarding training session.

While his previous training had been somewhat routine, the training after leaving Gogjuklim was a continuous thrill day by day.

There was no explosive growth, but he could clearly feel the changes, and his body was adapting to these changes at an increasingly rapid pace. He found pure joy in martial arts (武) itself.

He recalled what Xuliang had said.

- Change means production. Whether it's growth or regression, it has its own meaning.

Why are you worrying about such things when you should be moving forward without hesitation, believing in the changes within yourself?

- Believe in yourself. Instead of worrying, run without fear. The worries you have now can wait until you reach your limits.

It was very timely advice.

After that, Ma Dongfil didn't worry about anything. He was simply captivated by the sword, swinging it over and over again, and felt a sense of accomplishment in his body, which was so exhausted it could no longer move.

Immersed in the sea of martial arts (武), he felt his achievements coming even faster.

But Ma Dongfil dismissed even these achievements as nothing special. He simply enjoyed it, just like when he first learned martial arts.

Perhaps because of this? In just a few days, Ma Dongfil's martial arts had reached a new level.

"Now, it's time to wrap up."

After finishing his training, Ma Dongfil sat in a cross-legged position to recover his body through qigong.

Suddenly, he recalled a conversation with Xuliang.

- Since various matters are roughly settled, it's time for each of us to return to our respective organizations. Wei Dazhu is also like that, and especially Dongfil, you've been too close to me.

- ...What?

- Are you just a law enforcer? You're not an ordinary member; you're a squad leader. You need to return to the field.

Ma Dongfil nodded.

That's right. I've become so accustomed to being with Master that I almost neglected my main job.

'I need to pull myself together.'

I will fulfill my duties as a squad leader in the Law Enforcement Division. I will surely meet Master again.

Just as his qigong was nearing its end,

"Captain!"

"What is it?"

"First Captain has called for you."

"Understood. I'll be there shortly."

Ma Dongfil was puzzled. He thought he wouldn't be called anymore since he was selected for the task of guarding the Magunzhang (魔军长) in four days.

A little later, he entered Yigunsheng's office.

"You've come."

"Yes, First Captain. Did you call for me?"

"Yes."

Yigunsheng looked very tired. It was clear that he had been busy with work even at this late hour. It made him realize that being a First Captain required diligence.

"Since I'm busy, I'll get straight to the point. You were supposed to guard the Magunzhang in four days, right?"

"Yes."

"It's been canceled."

"Suddenly?"

"More precisely, I will be going to guard the Magunzhang."

"First Captain, you personally?"

"Yes. Instead, you have a different task with your squad members."

"A change of mission. What is it?"

Yigunsheng handed him a document.

"You know that the Huanyuan sends its miners to transport valuables (贵物) every three months, right?"

"Yes."

"This month happens to be that month."

"You mean you're going to guard the miners who are transporting the valuables?"

"Yes. With the recent approach of the Fashun Festival, the front of our school has become quite noisy. Although nothing serious is likely to happen, we can't just send them alone given the current situation."

"I see..."

"That said, it wouldn't look good if I sent you to guard the Magunzhang and I guarded the miners. The higher-ups probably wouldn't approve either."

"That's true."

"That's why I want you to go. Think of it as a way to relax after your return. What do you think?"

Ma Dongfil bowed.

"Whatever the mission, I will complete it successfully."

Yigunsheng smiled, looking trustworthy.

"I'll leave it to you."

"Ah, when does it start?"

"In half a month. Since I and the First Captain will be absent, you'll manage the law enforcers during this period. The First Captain will return two days before your mission starts."

"Understood."

"All important matters are written in the document. Study it and act accordingly."

"Yes."

"Go and rest now."

Ma Dongfil bowed and left the office.

As he returned to his quarters and reviewed the document, he sighed softly.

"Relaxing... It's not bad, but..."

Guarding the miners transporting the valuables. This was also an important mission.

But he had wanted to guard the Magunzhang at least once this time.

'No choice. I shouldn't differentiate between missions.'

* * *

Squeak... Squeak...

Xuliang's face was quite serious as he looked at the woman lying there, breathing heavily.

"Is this the person?"

"Yes."

Xiaolianxin's face showed sympathy as she looked down at the woman.

Although she is known as a cunning fox in politics, she is still human. The person she had chosen as her successor was lying in pain, and she couldn't help but feel troubled.

"Her name is Zhuhua. She is as talented in martial arts (武才) as she is in her job. When she joined the school, she was known as a genius."

"Hmm."

"She leads one of the divisions in the school, but secretly, she also holds the position of Chief Administrator (总管)."

"Chief Administrator?!"

"Yes. I don't easily give tasks to someone who isn't immediately capable of taking them on.

I assigned her the role of Chief Administrator not to teach her but because there is no one as capable as her."

Xiaolianxin sighed.

"After she fell into this state, the Huanyuan almost came to a standstill. She had many responsibilities and was exceptionally good at handling them."

Xuliang couldn't help but be impressed.

'Really impressive.'

At first glance, she seemed to be around his age. For someone so young to be handling the Chief Administrator's duties in a large organization like the Huanyuan, she must be a true genius.

Moreover, she had managed to decode and effectively use the Wuaigong (无碍功) in just a few days.

"Someone of this caliber would surely catch the eye of the Sect Leader, wouldn't they?"

"I'm also amazed. I wonder why the Sect Leader didn't take her as a disciple."

His words seemed to imply that even he found it challenging to teach someone like Zhuhua.

Xuliang rolled up his sleeves.

"Let's check her condition first."

He took Zhuhua's pulse.

She had been possessed by a demon for quite some time. Was that why her wrist was so thin, feeling like only bones?

'But the strong pulse... '

Xuliang closed his eyes and practiced the Yan Ying Zhen Ma Gong (暗影真魔功).

After a moment,

Rumble.

A red aura flowed from Xuliang's fingertips, enveloping Zhuhua's entire body.

Xiaolianxin was startled.

'Powerful demonic energy.'

Although it was used in a diluted form, the quality of the demonic energy was exceptionally high.

It was so vigorous that it could make one shiver. Even among the demons in the inner temple, it would be hard to find someone with such pure demonic energy.

'Indeed... There was a reason he overpowered Sagon.'

Hong Weimin's martial arts were also rumored to be extraordinary. He had estimated that Hong Weimin was at least a level or two above Guangmadazhu or Jinmadazhu.

If Xuliang could easily overpower such a person, he must be a master at the peak of his abilities.

A strange light appeared in Xiaolianxin's eyes.

'How can he do this?'

Xuliang's demonic energy was beyond imagination, evoking a sense of alienation. It was not something one could achieve at his age, regardless of any fortuitous events.

After a moment,

"Director Xiao."

"Yes, Master."

"I'll call her Chief Administrator Zhu."

"Yes."

"What martial arts (魔功) did Chief Administrator Zhu practice?"

"Yueyin Ma Gong (月阴魔功)."

"One of the Ten Great Martial Arts?"

"Yes."

Yueyin Ma Gong was a high-level martial arts (魔功) known for its safety, unlike other martial arts (魔功) which required exceptional talent to even begin learning.

'No wonder.'

In this aspect, it was similar to the orthodox martial arts (神功). Although he didn't know the specific techniques, there were likely similarities.

'Her talent must have helped her use Wuaigong (无碍功) more easily.'

Xuliang released her pulse.

"Then it's even more strange."

"Yes?"

"Although I don't know much about Yueyin Ma Gong, I've heard it's very safe."

Martial arts (魔功) are generally more dangerous than orthodox martial arts (神功) in terms of demon possession.

However, this only applies to lower-level martial arts (魔功). The higher the level, the safer they become. Of course, the practitioner's talent is also crucial.

Even so, martial arts (魔功) cannot guarantee the same level of safety as orthodox martial arts (神功).

Yueyin Ma Gong was unique in that it was as safe as orthodox martial arts (神功).

It only emitted demonic energy, and up to the point of entry, it was no different from orthodox martial arts (神功).

"But I don't understand why her yin energy (阴气) has collapsed so much. Even if she tried to destroy her body, it wouldn't be this bad."

"According to the Blood Soul Horn doctors, it's likely due to overtraining. The scars near the Leihuxue point suggest she was in the process of accepting enlightenment."

"I see."

Xuliang, deep in thought, nodded.

"Let's put aside the worries and start the treatment."

"Do you need any special preparations?"

"No. Since I'm here to maximize the effectiveness of Wuaigong (无碍功), there's no need... Ah!"

Xuliang snapped his fingers.

"Could you get some Zhetuo grass from the Blood Soul Horn?"

"Zhetuo grass? The herb that revives yang energy (阳气)?"

"Do you know it?"

"Yes, a little."

"Although we can't use it immediately, once her physical strength recovers, we'll use Zhetuo grass to revive her immune function (免疫)."

"Is that possible?"

If it doesn't work, she'll die, lady.

However, Xuliang didn't say this out loud. He couldn't deliver a fatal blow to someone already worried.

"Let's start the treatment."

Xuliang's treatment was simple.

He took Zhuhua's pulse and practiced Wuaigong (无碍功). Although her body was in ruins, the traces of Wuaigong (无碍功) made it easy to synchronize the Wuai Qi (无碍气).

Once the Wuai Qi (无碍气) was synchronized, Xuliang continuously circulated his enlightenment.

Five days later.

"Amazing, really amazing."

"Isn't it?"

"Most of her internal organs have returned to normal. How is this possible...?"

"I worked hard. I didn't sleep at all."

"But Master, Zhuhua hasn't regained consciousness in five days..."

"When she regains consciousness, she will need to use energy. Without consciousness, her body focuses only on biological activities.

We're feeding her water and gruel through a feeding tube,