Chapter 83. The Wind Blows (3)

“……”

“……”

“Let’s eat.”

“Okay.”

Xiaoliang picked at his rice.

Madongfil, who had been subtly observing him, began to eat properly. He thought it was unnecessary to force the issue, knowing Xiaoliang’s usual personality.

Yinghua looked between the two, her expression suggesting she was wondering why they were acting this way.

How long did this awkward meal continue?

“Dongfil.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“That….”

“Yes.”

“...No, never mind. But how did you end up being selected as my personal guard?”

Madongfil calmly recounted the entire story again.

He couldn’t help but mention the deaths of his teammates, and by the time he finished, a subtle shadow had fallen over his usually expressionless face.

Xiaoliang swallowed hard. Seeing Madongfil’s troubled expression, he wondered if he should have asked.

“So that’s how it was.”

“...”

“Are you okay?”

“Huh? Ah, of course.”

“I mean, not just your physical condition. Do you mind being my personal guard?”

“It’s an honor of my life. It’s a reward, not a punishment.”

“Thanks for saying that, at least.”

Xiaoliang’s face turned sour.

Of course, it would be good to have Madongfil live in this desolate house.

Yinghua is here, but she keeps her distance. Living together wouldn’t be boring.

The problem was that Madongfil might interfere with the things he would do in the future.

Recently, he had become somewhat softer, but it was like a steel sword turning into a wooden one. It still hurts when you get hit.

“Was it an order from the upper ranks?”

“Ah, yes.”

“By upper ranks, do you mean exactly where? The Law Enforcement Bureau has no personnel authority, and the Joy Bureau handles finances, so it must be the Military Bureau or the Demon God Palace, right?”

“Probably.”

Shit.

“You... really think a lot about me. Even giving me someone like you.”

“I can’t bear such words, Young Master.”

If it were the Joy Bureau, he could somehow manage. If it were the Law Enforcement Bureau, he could refuse and be done with it.

But the Demon God Palace and the Military Bureau are different. The Military Bureau is the most powerful organization in the Heavenly Demon Sect, and even if you are a successor, if you fall out of favor, it’s over.

Needless to say, the same goes for the Demon God Palace.

In other words, if he refused Madongfil, he might face ruthless retaliation.

“Phew!”

It was a sigh so intense that his lips trembled.

“Damn it! Since it’s come to this!”

Xiaoliang rolled up his sleeves with determination.

“Let’s eat first!”

“Ah, yes!”

“What are you doing, Yinghua? The noodles will get cold.”

“Yes, sir!”

The three of them started their meal in earnest.

Xiaoliang ate so heartily that Madongfil and Yinghua’s chopsticks moved faster. They were both very hungry, though they didn’t say it.

After the stormy meal, Xiaoliang called Madongfil.

“Dongfil.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“You got that sword before, right?”

Xiaoliang pointed to a plain, four-foot-long saber.

“Yes.”

“Where is it from?”

“The Demon King Arsenal.”

“Demon King...”

Xiaoliang, thinking it was still a childish and ominous name, suddenly remembered something and quickly opened the drawer to take out the documents given by Xiaoyanshen.

“Let’s see, this isn’t it... This one is good... Ah! This one!”

Xiaoliang read the document quickly.

‘As expected.’

The arsenal refers to a weapons storage. The organizational chart and personnel list given by Xiaoyanshen also included information about the people managing the arsenal.

‘The personnel side is weak, but the classification of the arsenal is well done.’

‘Heart Demon Arsenal: A large arsenal in the outer hall where ordinary demons can enter and exit. Most of the sect’s demons obtain their weapons here.’

‘Demon King Arsenal: An arsenal in the inner hall where fine weapons, such as precious swords and sabers, are displayed. Only commanders of combat units and above can enter, and occasionally, divine weapons are discovered.’

Xiaoliang’s eyes scanned the last arsenal.

“Heavenly Demon Arsenal.”

The highest arsenal in the sect, where entry was strictly prohibited.

Only the sect leader and the next successor could enter freely. Even the Eight Great Demon Venerables of the Elder Council could not enter without the sect leader’s permission.

Xiaoliang had heard of the Heavenly Demon Arsenal before. He had heard about it from Madongfil at Gaozhulin, but since it didn’t interest him, he had forgotten about it.

“Dongfil, to enter the Heavenly Demon Arsenal, you need the sect leader’s permission, right?”

Madongfil looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Of course, but...”

His eyes seemed to ask, "Why are you asking if you already know?"

Xiaoliang’s eyes sparkled.

“Hmm. You can’t sneak in without the sect leader’s permission, right?”

“Yes. But... why are you asking?”

“Huh?”

“Do you want to enter the Heavenly Demon Arsenal?”

“That’s why I’m asking you. Of course, I’m asking... Wait, do you know a way?”

Surprisingly, Madongfil nodded.

“Of course I know.”

“Of course?! Do you have such authority in the Law Enforcement Bureau? After all, the Heavenly Demon Arsenal is part of what the Law Enforcement Bureau guards, right? So... you have that kind of authority...?”

“No, Young Master.”

“Huh?”

“No Law Enforcement Officer, even the head of the Law Enforcement Bureau, can enter the Heavenly Demon Arsenal without the sect leader’s permission.”

“What? Then how do you know the method?”

“You should know better than me, Young Master.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Madongfil swallowed.

After all, he knew that the Young Master’s memory was a mess.

“The disciples of the sect leader have the right to enter the Heavenly Demon Arsenal once.”

“...”

“...”

“So, you can just go in?”

“Yes. Of course, if you hadn’t taken any weapons from the Heavenly Demon Arsenal before.”

Xiaoliang’s mouth dropped open.

“Really?”

“...”

“But once? Just once? Is that it?”

“Yes, that’s what I know.”

“What? So, if I went in and came out in the past and don’t remember it, I’m out of luck?”

“Well... that’s true. Unless the sect leader gives permission again.”

Damn it!

‘Shit, shit.’

He had never seen it, but before he was reborn in this body, the real Xiaoliang was almost a human trash.

He must have been greedy, and from what he heard, he was also very confident. A person like that wouldn’t have missed the chance to enter the Heavenly Demon Arsenal.

Xiaoliang swallowed.

“Damn, no choice.”

If he could find a divine weapon that suited him, it would be like gaining another martial art. But Xiaoliang wasn’t particularly attached to weapons.

To be precise, a good weapon is nice to have, but he wouldn’t be too disappointed without one.

He could kill people with his bare hands, and even with an ordinary sword, he could cut through steel. There was no need to be fixated on a divine weapon.

“Then, can you enter the Demon King Arsenal freely?”

“Of course. You could even live there without any problems.”

“What? You’re telling me to live there?”

“No, no! I just meant that you can enter and exit freely.”

Xiaoliang stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Of course, his contemplation didn’t last long.

“Alright, let’s visit the arsenal. I’ve been feeling something is off after this fight...”

At that moment.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of the front door being knocked on revealed the person’s character.

Without needing to sense the aura or hear the voice, Xiaoliang knew who it was.

“Master! Are you there?!”

Xiaoliang scowled.

“Why is he here again?”

At that moment, Yinghua exclaimed.

“Oh, Master, about ten days ago, Guangmadazhu visited once.”

“What for?”

“I’m not sure, but from what I heard, it seemed he came to drink with you.”

“Why would he come here to drink when the situation is so tense?!”

Madongfil tilted his head. Personally, he didn’t think the situation was that bad.

Bang! Bang!

“Master! Are you there?! Hey, if you keep knocking like this, the door...”

Creak!

Wei Honglian appeared from the wide-open door.

Xiaoliang asked bluntly.

“Why are you here?”

“Master! Are you back from training?”

“Training or whatever, why are you here?”

“I came to drink.”

He half-doubted it, but it turned out to be true.

Xiaoliang, who had been silently observing Wei Honglian, slowly closed the door.

“I’m not going far.”

“Huh? Wait a moment! Why suddenly?!”

“It’s my decision, woman.”

“But the person who came all this way has some sincerity! Hey, what’s that smell? Are you eating?”

“Good that you can smell it. Go.”

“I’ll eat with you! I skipped breakfast!”

“Go away!”

“No! I’ll just have a drink with you!”

“You left the alcohol here?! Why are you causing trouble here! Go drink with your precious and beloved subordinates!”

“It’s no fun drinking with them!”

Madongfil, who had been watching the scene, turned his head.

He couldn’t believe this was a conversation between a successor candidate of the sect and a commander of a combat unit. He didn’t want to believe it.

Xiaoliang scratched his head.

“Damn! Why is everything so chaotic? Hey!”

“What?!”

“This guy? Why are you so loud? Don’t strain your neck, man.”

“I naturally have a loud voice! And why are you so blunt with me while being lenient with that Third Squad Leader?!”

“Whatever, I have somewhere to go, so if you want to drink, come later.”

“Where are you going?”

“Now you’re asking for a report? Huh? No wrinkles on your forehead? I could punch you in the forehead and make your eyes odd.”

“Who wants a report? I just asked out of curiosity.”

“Be honest. Did you come here to get beaten? If that was your goal, you’re almost there. Just a little more, and I might punch you.”

Wei Honglian frowned.

“I took time off from training the kids, so you’re being too harsh, really.”

“I don’t care. If you trained them, you should watch over them, not come here to drink. Are you even a commander of a unit? A leader?”

“They know what they’re doing.”

“Then let them do it. Why are you still a commander if they know what they’re doing?”

“The salary is good.”

Xiaoliang sighed. He really felt like he had to beat him up to make him leave.

“Hey, I really have somewhere to go. Come back later. We’ll have a drink then.”

“Where are you going?!”

“To the arsenal, the arsenal! I’m going to the Demon King Arsenal! Happy now?!”

At that moment.

“Oh, you’re going to the arsenal?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to behind Wei Honglian.

When did he arrive? There stood a middle-aged scholar with his hands behind his back.

“Why are you going to the Demon King Arsenal when you can go to the Heavenly Demon Arsenal?”

Xiaoliang scratched his head.

The middle-aged scholar smiled brightly.

“Ha ha, it’s been seven or eight years since we last met...”

“Who are you?”

“...”

“I don’t know who you are, but you seem to have the wrong place. This is a remote area. Hey, when you leave, take this person with you.”

Wei Honglian swallowed.

“Master.”

“Take your hand off, I’m closing the door. I won’t be responsible if it breaks.”

“It’s the Chief Military Officer.”

“What?”

“The Chief Military Officer!”

“...What?”

Xiaoliang, startled, looked at the middle-aged scholar standing outside the door.

The middle-aged scholar, Hou Yaocheng, scratched his head.

“I’ll be back soon, so can you give me a cup of tea?”