Chapter 82. The Wind Blows (2)

"Master?"

"......"

"......"

"......"

"Um... Master, I've brought your meal."

"Sure, just put it there."

Xiaoliang's voice, muffled under the blanket that covered him from head to toe on the bed, sounded incredibly pitiful.

Yinghua's face turned into a frown. Since his return, Master had not eaten a single meal.

She couldn't help but worry, but with him not even showing his face, it was hard to start a conversation.

In the end, the only thing she could say today was one thing.

"......I'll come back to clean up later."

Creak.

Even after Yinghua left, Xiaoliang remained motionless, still covered in the blanket.

Jinhao, who had been sitting by the window, yawned widely and slowly approached Xiaoliang's pillow.

"Meow."

"......Go play somewhere else."

"Meow!"

"......"

"Meow! Meow!"

"Go play, I said."

"Meow!"

Jinhao pressed Xiaoliang's head with his front paws. Though he looked quite cute, it somehow seemed like he was scolding Xiaoliang.

After being toyed with by Jinhao's paws for a while, Xiaoliang slowly pulled the blanket off.

"Ah, why!"

"Meow!"

Jinhao sat on the bed, wagging his tail.

Xiaoliang frowned.

"You know how to eat well now. Your portion is over there. Go eat."

"Meow!"

"That guy really keeps meawing a lot."

Muttering, Xiaoliang completely threw off the blanket and got out of bed.

For a high-level expert, there was no way his body would be affected by not eating for two days. However, his face had become quite gaunt, as if he had been deeply troubled.

"Here, eat."

Holding out the cooked meat, Jinhao eagerly ran over and started chewing.

Xiaoliang grumbled.

"With one roar, you made all those monsters faint. Why are you so annoying now? From now on, you should take care of things on your own. Got it?"

Jinhao didn't react to Xiaoliang's words. He just kept eating the meat Xiaoliang handed him.

Xiaoliang snorted, as if finding it ridiculous.

"I know you understand everything. Do you think pretending not to know will work like before?"

Jinhao's ears twitched slightly. But that was all; there was no other reaction.

"Really, you're a monster."

Xiaoliang propped his chin on his hand and stroked Jinhao's head. Jinhao seemed to enjoy it, as he chewed the meat even more enthusiastically.

"At least you're good at eating."

After chewing for a while, Jinhao licked his mouth and sat down, looking up at Xiaoliang.

"......"

Xiaoliang, looking down at Jinhao, sighed.

"Alright, alright. I was planning to move a bit anyway."

Swish, swish.

Jinhao came to Xiaoliang's elbow and lay down. From the way he was panting, it seemed he had eaten quite a lot.

Xiaoliang scratched Jinhao's belly with his finger and fell into thought.

'Damn, there's no other way.'

He didn't think the probability was high.

But it was his first outing. The disappointment was significant, given the high expectations.

If only this one outing could have been the one to leave the Heavenly Demon Sect forever.

"Damn, inspect the branch? Gather information? Memorize the route? Bullshit."

Not long after they set out, Madongfei told him about Zheng Yilong.

At that moment, nothing else registered. He was busy controlling his hatred, deep-seated resentment, surging killing intent, and anger.

It was fine until he destroyed Zheng Yilong.

He genuinely felt relieved, proud, and as if a long-standing burden had been lifted.

But the problem was what came after.

"......Falling down and being treated like a burden on the way back?"

Xiaoliang ran his hands through his hair.

"Ugh, this stupid kid! I thought you were getting better, but you're still just looking at what's right in front of you and causing trouble!"

Jinhao curled up in fear as dust flew.

After a long while of self-blame, Xiaoliang finally sighed deeply.

"Alright, what's the point of self-flagellation now? The ship has already sailed, and waving your hand won't change anything."

He knew. He knew, but his heart was really uneasy.

While he did feel regret, there was no reason to fall into self-blame to this extent.

He wasn't the kind of person who would be upset for days over such matters. He couldn't be described as indifferent, but he wasn't that sensitive.

There was a different reason why he had been lying in bed for two days, indulging in self-blame.

'I couldn't control myself.'

The moment he heard the name Zheng Yilong, his eyes and ears went deaf.

At the time, he didn't realize it, but reflecting now, he found himself terrifying. Hearing the name of an enemy he might meet or miss, he had to spend days controlling his emotions.

In other words, his desire to kill his enemy had taken precedence over his longing for freedom.

'This can't go on.'

Even if he secretly escaped from the Heavenly Demon Sect, could he live a normal life in the martial world?

The Heavenly Demon Sect is in the south, but the Righteous Heaven Alliance is in the north.

His important safe houses are also in the north, and to ultimately escape through the northern border, he would have to pass through the Righteous Heaven Alliance's territory.

Of course, if he ignored it, it wouldn't matter.

But could he really do that? Could he control this anger that reacts instantly to the name of his enemy?

If, just if,

he heard news of the Righteous Heaven Alliance's leader while passing through the north, how would he react?

Crack!

Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on the table. The corner of the table broke off and fell.

"......I couldn't ignore it and call for freedom back then."

Zheng Yilong was one of his enemies, but he wasn't the main culprit who took his life. In fact, thinking back, there were dozens of people he wanted to kill more than him.

Shiver.

As he recalled the faces of those people, demonic energy surged. He had to exert himself to the point of bloodshot eyes to control the surging demonic energy.

Xiaoliang took a deep breath.

"Let's calm down."

He had lived this way, but his personality didn't suit an assassin. However, at least in the past, he could control his emotions to some extent.

But now, what was different?

'Even if I can't improve from the past, I can't regress, damn it!'

It might be because he had learned demonic arts. No, that was probably the main reason.

But that was just an excuse. Ultimately, the one who moved his body and emotions was always him.

To be unable to control his emotions to this extent because of demonic arts was a serious issue he needed to reflect on.

Rumble.

Xiaoliang looked down at his stomach. Jinhao, who had been curled up, glanced at Xiaoliang.

"......Damn, you were hungry, weren't you?"

After all, a person who could easily eat the amount of food four people would eat for each meal hadn't had a drop of water for two days. It was natural for his stomach to be in turmoil.

Xiaoliang, holding chopsticks, suddenly flinched.

Most of the food prepared was light on the stomach. It was a reflection of Yinghua's concern.

Apologizing to Yinghua in his heart, Xiaoliang started eating.

'Alright, let's forget the past. I was planning to make a long-term plan anyway, right?'

Stuffing his cheeks with food, his eyes were serious. It was a comical yet serious expression.

'Let's think of this outing this way. Can I go out if I decide to, or not?'

Thinking about it this way, he could see some gains. He had managed to go out more easily than expected when he decided to.

Xiaoliang's expression brightened.

'Good, if I keep doing this, it'll be fine.'

Thanks to Xiaolianxin, but ultimately, he had led the situation in that direction. In other words, if he decided, he could leave the sect in some way.

"......Good."

The hand holding the chopsticks tightened.

"Let's work harder from now on. If you work hard, a way will always appear."

Changing his mindset made his heart feel lighter. Imagining a rosy future, his heart raced again.

After two days, Xiaoliang finished his meal and went to the training ground.

Yinghua, who was sweeping the courtyard, was surprised to see him.

"Master?!"

"Hey, are you cleaning?"

"Yes, yes! Are you feeling better?"

Xiaoliang smacked his lips. It was embarrassing to have made Yinghua worry by getting lost in trivial thoughts.

"I'm fine. You must have been worried, right?"

"Hehe, have you finished your meal?"

"I licked the sauce clean."

"I'll go clean up right away!"

"Take your time."

Yinghua, who had been sweeping the courtyard brilliantly, moved quickly. Despite her hurried movements, her face was bright.

Xiaoliang scratched his head.

"Still, this place is where I'll eventually leave. Isn't it a bit too much to get so attached?"

What could he do? If he cut ties early, life here would become too harsh.

Besides, he had already grown close to this place. Emotions weren't something that could be easily severed just by deciding to.

"Alright, let's stretch a bit. Ow, I'm stiff."

Stretching his legs, he heard a cracking sound. It was natural, having lain in the same position for two days.

Bang!

His punches and kicks were filled with strong power.

Xiaoliang inwardly clicked his tongue.

'Look how stiff I am.'

Bang, bang, bang!

Jitian Gong is an excellent martial art. It has high value as a combat technique, but when used with controlled force, it is more effective for stretching than any other martial art.

After half an hour, a warm heat rose from Xiaoliang's body.

After an hour, and then another, his body was drenched in sweat. As his body loosened, he moved on to more detailed practice.

As an assassin or a demon, Xiaoliang might have many shortcomings.

But as a martial artist, Xiaoliang had a great strength. He always maintained a balance between mind and body to pursue martial arts.

He wasn't talking about the level of martial arts but the attitude towards the Way of Martial Arts. Looking at that, he was a natural-born martial artist.

"Phew, not bad."

The practice he started to stretch his body ended after an hour.

Lying on his back in the training ground, Xiaoliang saw a clear sky.

"A cloud...... There is one. Still, it's clear."

A smile spread across his face. Indeed, when his mind was troubled, nothing was better than breaking a sweat.

'This is it.'

My future will be as clear as this sky. No matter how unpleasant the past may pull me back, I'll always smile and look at the sky. Then the answer will come.

At that moment,

"Master."

"Huh?"

Xiaoliang jumped up.

A cautious voice from outside the gate. It was Madongfei.

"Madongfei?"

"Yes, Master."

Xiaoliang, feeling relieved, ran to open the door. There stood Madongfei with an awkward expression.

"You're on duty. What are you doing here? Aren't you busy?"

"That's......"

"Hey, this is good timing. I just finished practicing. I'm getting hungry. Let's eat together."

"Before that, I have something to tell you, Master."

"Tell me? Sure, what is it?"

For some reason, he seemed brighter than usual.

Madongfei, relieved of his mental burden, cleared his throat and slowly knelt down.

Xiaoliang's eyes widened.

"What? Are you sick? What are you up to......"

"Your servant, Madongfei! From this moment on, I pledge to serve as the personal bodyguard of the Third Master with all my heart!"

"......?"

"......"

"......Personal bodyguard?"

"Ah, that is......"

Xiaoliang, looking incredulous, asked.

"......So, for the time being, I will be your bodyguard. It might be for quite a long time."

"......"

"I will protect you with my life, Master."

Rumble!!

A thunderclap seemed to sound from the clear sky.

"You...... are my personal bodyguard?"

"Yes? Ah, yes. From now on, I will live and eat in your quarters and provide close protection."

"Who told you to do that?"

"I received the order from the team leader, but since personnel transfers to external organizations are under the jurisdiction of the Law Enforcement Hall, it came from higher up...... Huh! Master?!"

Madongfei hurriedly approached Xiaoliang. Xiaoliang had already collapsed to his knees.

Xiaoliang looked up at the sky with a sorrowful face. The clear sky no longer looked clear.

Freedom? With a close bodyguard, freedom?

"......Damn it."