Chapter 81. The Wind Blows (1)

"…Thus, the number of casualties on the Hwanhuiwon side, including the temporary commander, is five, and the number of casualties on the Hobeop Samjo side is twenty-two. The total number of casualties is twenty-seven."

Wudan's expression remained as stern as ever as he reported.

Lee Cheon-sang, who had been looking out the window with a lazy expression, asked abruptly.

"Where?"

"Based on the traces of the battlefield, the testimonies, and reports of the ma-in, it is presumed to be the Southern Beast Palace."

Although Wudan said it was a presumption, Lee Cheon-sang believed the Beast Palace was certain.

Wudan, when angry, deliberately avoided saying anything definite. It was a way to guard against losing his composure due to his emotions.

So, the Beast Palace was indeed the right place. Moreover, Wudan was currently very angry.

"Beast Palace…"

Lee Cheon-sang shook his head.

"Got bitten by a damn neighbor we didn't even care about."

"…"

"Items?"

"All have been recovered and returned."

"Alright. Any other reports?"

"Yes."

"Understood. You may return now."

Wudan slowly bowed and retreated with a respectful step.

After Wudan left the hall, Lee Cheon-sang, sitting alone by the window, smiled slightly.

"Third, was it you?"

Currently, the New Sect is not actively involved in any martial activities. However, the four characters "Heavenly Demon Sect" still instill fear throughout the martial world.

The Beast Palace dared to provoke the New Sect. If they didn't have the power to completely wipe out the New Sect without leaving any evidence, they wouldn't have even thought about it.

It wasn't the First or Second Squad, but the Third Squad of the Hobeop. If more than half of the Third Squad members had survived, it would be one of the two.

The Beast Palace either provoked the New Sect out of madness, or they had a high-level expert capable of defending against the overwhelming force of the Beast Palace.

'Shi Lang's demonic aura disappeared at some point. It seems the Third secretly went out and returned.'

A subtle interest flickered in Lee Cheon-sang's usually indifferent eyes.

"What an interesting kid."

No other ma-in in the sect would dare to think about sneaking out.

Lee Cheon-sang asked Wudan if there was anything else to report because he thought that if the kid had reported beforehand, Wudan would have known.

Of course, if he had known the Third went out, he would have mentioned it long ago.

Whoosh.

The window rattled.

A subtle chill in the wind seemed to carry the scent of blood.

"It's been a while since I had a drink."

* * *

"I apologize, Yuanzhu."

Xiao Yanxin sighed.

"How can you apologize?"

"If I had been more careful…"

"Over twenty members of the Hobeop Third Squad died. It means the enemy's attack was extremely lethal."

Zhu Hua couldn't say anything. She knew Xiao Yanxin wouldn't blame her, but that didn't make her feel any less guilty.

Xiao Yanxin patted her shoulder.

"The real target of our anger should be the ones who attacked us. Besides, you completed your mission. What I should give you is not punishment but comfort."

"…"

"Still, I'm amazed. How did you recover your martial arts so quickly?"

How could Xiao Yanxin not see her attempt to change the subject?

Zhu Hua bowed her head and said,

"It's all thanks to the Third Young Master. Before the incident, I had already recovered about seventy percent of my martial arts."

"The Third Young Master's abilities are truly mysterious."

Xiao Yanxin was genuinely surprised, regardless of her intention to change the subject. It was a different matter from the depth of martial arts.

The fact that someone could rapidly normalize a body devastated by Zhu Hua's demonic possession was itself astonishing.

Even the most outstanding medical techniques would find it hard to surpass the realm of medicine, right?

Yet, Xiliang not only knew such a mysterious martial art but also managed to restore about half of Zhu Hua's martial arts in just ten days.

'Just who is the Third Young Master…'

The more she heard, the more mysterious he seemed. It was hard to judge whether forming a connection with such a person would be beneficial or detrimental.

"Also…"

"Hmm?"

"If the Third Young Master hadn't been there, we would have been completely wiped out."

Xiao Yanxin nodded.

"Of course. The Third Young Master's martial arts are extraordinary, and your martial arts were also a great help."

"No, I didn't contribute much."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Zhu Hua explained the situation in detail.

Xiao Yanxin's eyes widened in shock.

"The Third Young Master eliminated all those monsters?"

"Yes."

"Over eighty ma-in who were helpless against those monsters? Alone?"

"…Yes."

Gripping her fist tightly, Xiao Yanxin found it hard to believe such an outlandish story, even though Zhu Hua wouldn't lie about something like this.

"If it's true…"

"…"

"The Third Young Master's martial arts are on par with the top ten of the 108 Demon Generals."

Apart from the sect leader, the highest-ranking experts in the New Sect were the Nine Great Demon Venerables of the Council of Elders.

However, the New Sect had many high-level experts.

The reason the New Sect, a single martial arts group, could stand shoulder to shoulder with alliances was due to the depth of its high-level experts.

The 108 Demon Generals were the vanguard representing the New Sect's martial power. Among them, the top ten were super-high-level experts ready to vie for the next Nine Great Demon Venerables.

Of course, their martial arts were not on par with the current Nine Great Demon Venerables, but they showed the potential to reach that level.

"In his mid-twenties, and after losing all his martial arts due to demonic possession, he revived and reached such a level in just one year?"

Xiao Yanxin felt a chill as she muttered to herself.

'Is that even possible?'

It would be impossible even with support from behind. Even if the Third Young Master were an unparalleled genius, it would be impossible.

'No, it is possible.'

Xiao Yanxin bit her lip.

There was one, no, one person who could make it possible.

'…The Sect Leader.'

Heavenly Demon Lee Cheon-sang.

If the current pinnacle of the New Sect had personally intervened and forcibly elevated the Third Young Master's martial arts, it would be entirely possible.

'If the Sect Leader really got involved…'

If that were the case… the next successor would be already decided.

"Yuanzhu?"

Xiao Yanxin, startled, looked at Zhu Hua.

Worry clouded Zhu Hua's usually stern face.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking for a moment."

Xiao Yanxin pulled Zhu Hua's hand.

"Let's go. You must be tired from the journey. Let's have a meal together."

"Yes, Yuanzhu."

Xiao Yanxin led Zhu Hua in, a hint of determination showing on her face.

'I need to see him again soon.'

* * *

"That's how it was."

Lee Gun-sung sighed.

"How about you? Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Ma Dong-pil bowed his head.

"I'm fine."

He couldn't be fine. His breathing was slightly unstable, indicating he hadn't fully recovered from his internal injuries.

"Even with the use of the Soul Name Pill, it seems you were in real danger."

"No, I didn't use the Soul Name Pill."

"Hmm?"

Ma Dong-pil explained the situation, and Lee Gun-sung nodded.

"Understandable. Take one when you leave. You'll feel better soon."

"I'm fine, Team Leader."

"Don't be stubborn. Take it."

"…Yes."

Lee Gun-sung glanced at the window.

Beyond the window, the Hobeop members who hadn't been assigned missions were sweating profusely during their training.

"Protecting someone means being willing to die in their place."

"…"

"That's the essence of what we do. We are always the protectors. That's why it's a tough job. The martial artists closest to death are probably the bodyguards."

"…"

"Yet, a bodyguard is also a person, a comrade to someone."

A bitter expression crossed Lee Gun-sung's face.

"The only ones who can mourn for them are us, but we must sharpen our swords today to protect others."

"I'm sorry."

"…"

"My skills were lacking, and I couldn't protect my team members…"

"You must apologize. Regardless of the reasons, as the team leader of the bodyguards, you bear responsibility."

Ma Dong-pil bowed his head.

"Of course. I will accept any punishment."

Lee Gun-sung was silent for a moment.

Still looking out the window, he spoke after a while.

"Frankly, I think the First Team and I should have gone. I know it's meaningless to regret now, but that's how I feel."

"…"

"Don't think your skills were lacking. If I thought your sense of responsibility, mission execution, and martial arts were insufficient, I wouldn't have put you in this position."

"I just feel unworthy."

Lee Gun-sung sighed again. Today, his sighs seemed endless.

"I will visit the families of the deceased myself."

"No, Team Leader. They are my team members. I should…"

"This is a matter I have already reported to the Hobeop Chief."

Ma Dong-pil bit his lip. He should bear the responsibility, but it felt wrong for his senior to take part of it.

Lee Gun-sung stood up.

"You don't need to worry too much. I'm not doing it for you, but because I believe I should bow to the families. I was the one who adjusted the mission, so I should take the responsibility."

It wasn't a consolation or a rebuke. Lee Gun-sung genuinely believed this was his fault.

Ma Dong-pil felt even more guilty and frustrated. Seeing the Third Young Master resolve everything had left him feeling inadequate, just as it had before.

"I will go with you."

"No, you can't."

Ma Dong-pil was confused. Not being allowed to go was one thing, but why "no"?

"I plan to impose a punishment on you as the acting Chief. You will be temporarily removed from Hobeop duties until you complete the punishment."

"…!"

"It will likely be a long time."

Ma Dong-pil bowed his head again.

"I will accept it."

"Good. Since it has come to this, let's handle it immediately."

Lee Gun-sung stood up.

"Hobeop Third Team Leader Ma Dong-pil is suspended indefinitely from this moment."

He knew he would be suspended, but not indefinitely.

Though surprised, Ma Dong-pil accepted it.

Failing to manage his team and protect the target properly deserved this punishment. Even if he were demoted from his position, he would have no complaints.

"Acting Chief issues a secret order to the suspended Ma Dong-pil. Until this order is completed, Ma Dong-pil cannot return to his position as a Hobeop team leader."

"…"

"Effective immediately, Ma Dong-pil is appointed as the personal bodyguard of the Third Young Master."

Ma Dong-pil, startled, looked up at Lee Gun-sung.

"The duration of this secret order, like the suspension, is indefinite. You must fulfill your duties to the best of your ability to prevent any further mishaps."

"Team Leader!"

"End of the disciplinary action for Hobeop Third Team Leader Ma Dong-pil."

"…"

"Go. As a ma-in of the sect, you should not make demands of the Young Master, but… learn as much as you can from him and return."

Ma Dong-pil's eyes trembled.

Lee Gun-sung smiled.

"You must return."