Chapter 90: Growing (5)

"What?! What's going on here?"

"……"

"I'm amazed that you've come all the way to such a humble place."

"Are you busy?"

"It's always like this, you know. But what does it matter? No one else but the Great Law Master has come here!"

Hoyocheng welcomed Mudan with a fuss.

"Please sit down. It's a comfortable chair."

"Then I'll take the liberty."

"What kind of tea would you like? We have a new batch of Biluochun that just arrived. Would you like that? Or perhaps some wine?"

"……"

"Kyahaha! I momentarily forgot the Great Law Master's character! I'll bring anything!"

You're still as spirited as ever.

Mudan, who silently criticized him, looked around.

Hoyocheng's office was cluttered with all sorts of documents, bamboo slips, and ancient books.

Even as the Chief Military Commander of the New Sect, he could have decorated his office, but there was no sign of it.

Mudan thought that this aspect of the Chief Military Commander wasn't bad. Prioritizing efficiency over formalities was truly commendable.

But not adhering to formalities too much can also be a problem.

"The incense is nice, isn't it? I've recently developed a taste for it. I'm not sure if I've brewed it well."

"Thank you."

"Kheh! To hear the Great Law Master say thank you, today is truly a lucky day, a very lucky day!

I'll have to go around a lot today. Do you know? I might even find a fallen gold coin!"

His behavior was incredibly frivolous.

If left alone, he would chatter until dawn. Mudan immediately spoke up.

"Is everything going well?"

"Haha! Always the same, you know."

"I see."

"Yes."

"……"

"Huh? Why do you ask?"

Mudan found it hard to speak.

Hoyocheng snapped his fingers.

"Ah, you have something to say but find it hard to get straight to the point, so you tried to start with some casual conversation,

but this Chief Military Commander is so frivolous that it's hard to speak, right?"

"……"

"Is that correct?"

Reading people's minds too well can also be a problem.

Mudan, who calmly drank his tea, spoke.

"A few days ago, I heard you met the Third Young Master."

"Ah? That rumor reached the Great Law Master's ears?"

"How was it?"

"Eh? What do you mean by 'how was it'?"

"Exactly what I mean. What was the Third Young Master like?"

As he received Mudan's question, Hoyocheng recalled the adage that life is a cycle.

'I never thought I would hear the same question I asked Huanyuanzhu.'

What was even funnier was that he had to give a similar answer to the one Huanyuanzhu gave.

"Can you really judge a person after just one meeting? It's hard to grasp everything about someone."

"That's true. That's why I'm asking the Chief Military Commander, who is said to have the best discernment in our sect."

You really know how to leave me speechless.

After observing Mudan's expression, Hoyocheng asked.

"Why are you suddenly asking about the Third Young Master?"

Mudan's eyes deepened.

"Two days ago, the Third Young Master received a summons from the Sect Leader and entered the Divine Palace."

"And?"

"The Sect Leader gave him teachings for half a day."

"……!"

This was truly unexpected.

Hoyocheng's eyes also deepened.

"Half a day?"

"Yes. And that is……"

"A special favor that no successor has ever received."

"Yes."

After a moment of silence, Hoyocheng shook his head.

"It's indeed surprising, but is it really a problem?"

"The succession is not something we should interfere with. Everything will happen according to the Sect Leader's will."

"But?"

Mudan's face hardened.

"While we shouldn't interfere with who the successor is, we cannot stand idly by if the internal balance is disrupted."

"……"

"The Third Young Master was given access to the Heavenly Demon Arsenal."

"That's true."

"To put it simply, Chief Military Commander, you went too far."

Hoyocheng smiled.

"It might seem excessive."

"Do you not think so?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"From what I can see, you came here not to worry about the internal balance but to scold me."

"I don't have the authority, experience, or wisdom to scold the Chief Military Commander. I'm here only to express my concerns as the head of the Law Hall, who is at the pinnacle of the sect's political sphere."

"In other words, your question about the Third Young Master is an extension of whether he is worth opening the Heavenly Demon Arsenal for, even if it means overstepping."

"Similar."

Hoyocheng said firmly.

"He doesn't need it."

Mudan's eyebrows twitched.

"If that's the case, it's even more of a problem. How could you open the Heavenly Demon Arsenal to someone who doesn't qualify……"

"Someone who is already at the forefront doesn't need such things. Therefore, the Third Young Master didn't need the Heavenly Demon Arsenal."

"……!"

Mudan's face visibly hardened. He never expected the Chief Military Commander to evaluate the Third Young Master so highly.

"He himself said he didn't need to enter the Heavenly Demon Arsenal. Yet, I still put it on the table as a bargaining chip."

"Can I hear the reason?"

"By giving him something he didn't need, I could have a private conversation with him and learn a lot."

"……!"

"I don't know everything about the Third Young Master, but I could understand him to some extent through our conversation."

"……"

"Did you say you are at the pinnacle of the sect's political sphere? No, I'm not.

I'm not capable of that. I'm just someone who understands the sect's personnel and prepares a large counterweight to help the Sect Leader make the right decisions."

Hoyocheng bowed his head.

"I'm working to prevent the issues you're concerned about, so please don't worry too much."

Mudan looked at Hoyocheng with a slightly surprised expression.

Hoyocheng's face was serious and sincere.

He wasn't the frivolous person he usually showed. Seeing a senior who genuinely cared for the sect, Mudan also approached the conversation with a serious attitude as the Chief Military Commander.

Because he knew Mudan didn't come to nitpick but genuinely cared about the sect.

Mudan bowed.

"I misjudged you, Chief Military Commander. I apologize."

Surprised, Hoyocheng stood up and waved his hands, genuinely flustered.

"Why are you doing this? Don't do this. I can't handle it."

"No. I had preconceived notions about you. I underestimated you without even having a proper conversation."

Mudan bowed again.

"I sincerely apologize."

Hoyocheng showed a helpless expression.

I'm weak for earnest and kind people, this senior.

"It's a waste of your precious time to just serve tea. I'll visit you another day."

"That's not necessary."

Mudan smiled slightly, a somewhat awkward expression for someone who had never shown such a face.

"I'll drop by from time to time, so it would be nice if you could serve me tea."

"Wh-What?! You're going to ruin my precious tea leaves?"

"……Just don't make such a terrible joke."

With those words, Mudan left the office.

Hoyocheng, who had slumped into his chair, pressed his temples.

"Recently, life in the New Sect has been quite exciting."

The sharp conversation with Xiaolianxin, the sweet and intense private meeting with the Third Young Master.

Now, he had a discussion about the future of the New Sect with Mudan, someone he rarely had a private conversation with.

'But……'

Hoyocheng smiled.

"Isn't this fun?"

* * *

Xuliang, who had been locked in his room, finally opened the door after three days.

His appearance, having not eaten, washed, or used the toilet, was truly a sight to behold. His eyes were dark from lack of sleep.

Considering his powerful inner strength and nearly perfect physique, it was clear how intensely he had been pondering for the past three days.

"Ugh!"

Seeing Xuliang stretch, Madongphi hurried over.

"Master!"

"Uh? Oh, it's you, Madongphi."

"How are you feeling? Are you okay?"

"Almost dead. I haven't felt this tired from thinking for a long time."

"Have some food and get some rest."

"Right, I was thinking of doing that. By the way, what about that crazy Great Head?"

"Which Great Head do you mean?"

"Who else but that woman? Is she gone?"

"Ah, yes. She hasn't visited since you locked yourself in."

"Really? That's good…… No, wait. She's not upset, is she? If she gets upset and causes trouble later, what will I do?"

Madongphi shook his head.

"She's not the type to get upset."

This guy must have learned a lot.

"Anyway, it's good. No one to bother me. I'll ask Yinghua to get some food and sleep…… Huh?"

Xuliang's eyes suddenly lit up.

Madongphi, sensing the unusual look in his eyes, involuntarily flinched.

"What's with that look?"

"……Yes?"

"How long have I been locked in my room?"

"Three days, Master."

"Three days……"

It's not as long as I thought.

"Only three days, and it's this bad?"

"……Yes?"

Xuliang glanced at Madongphi's waist, specifically at the Mowang Sword hanging there.

The Mowang Sword looked the same as when it was first brought. When it was in its mysterious scabbard, it didn't emit any demonic aura.

"Draw the sword."

"The Mowang Sword?"

"Is there another sword here besides Mowang? Draw it, quickly."

Surprised by the sudden request, Madongphi obediently drew the sword.

Whoosh.

A powerful demonic aura was immediately released.

But there was nothing particularly unusual. The Mowang Sword looked almost the same as when it was first seen.

However, Xuliang's eyes were serious. Madongphi felt himself tense up in the serious atmosphere.

After a moment.

"Indeed, it's not just any demonic weapon."

"……?"

"No, it's not a demonic weapon but a divine one. It's a truly remarkable item. If not……"

Xuliang glanced at Madongphi.

"Your efforts must have been intense, or perhaps both. Maybe both."

"……I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you're saying……"

"Follow me."

Xuliang walked to the training ground without any explanation.

Madongphi followed him involuntarily. He was worried about Master's condition, but the serious atmosphere made it hard to suggest resting.

Eventually, the two faced each other in the center of the training ground.

"……"

A moment of silence.

Xuliang, who had been looking up at the sky, nodded.

"Well, we can't keep this a secret forever."

Xuliang turned his gaze back to Madongphi.

Madongphi involuntarily swallowed, as he had never seen such a serious and proud look in Xuliang's eyes.

"You're strong enough, but not strong enough to protect me. It's a pain to see you die trying to protect me."

"……?"

"Since you've benefited from the Sect Leader, you should also benefit from me."

"……?"

"Half a day. I'll raise your level in half a day."

Madongphi was shocked.

It wasn't because of the promise to raise his level in half a day.

While surprising, he believed Xuliang could do it. Not because he was the Third Young Master, but because of his skills.

What really surprised him was something else.

"Is it really okay?"

"Surely you're not worried about my current condition? I can defeat you in five moves even now."

"That's true, but…… I just……"

"What's the problem?"

Madongphi cleared his throat slightly.

"You said not to agonize until I reach my limit, right?"

"So?"

"……Yes?"

"Keep moving forward. I'll assist you from the side."

"……"

"Are you saying that the strength gained with someone's help isn't truly yours?"

Xuliang snorted.

"I have a long way to go, and so do you. If your focus is on 'growth,' you shouldn't say such arrogant things."

"Ah……"

"The teachings of a master, the experience of battles, the advice of friends. All of these are the driving forces of growth.

Even in the realm of high-level practitioners, enlightenment can come from eating a meal or using the toilet. Why are you hesitating? You're a million years too early to worry about such things."

Madongphi bowed.

"Then I'll be shameless……"

"Calling it shameless is also arrogant. Approach it with that mindset."

Swoosh.

Xuliang drew the Qiyedao.

"As I said, I'm just assisting. If I can't draw out the power within you in half a day, it means your will is only that strong."

Madongphi's face showed tension.

"I'll start now."

"Of course, I was going to anyway."

Swoosh.

Madongphi, who had drawn the Mowang Sword and taken a stance, suddenly had a question.

'The power within me? What does he mean by that?'

Whoosh.

"I forgot to mention this earlier."

Madongphi's eyes widened.

Xuliang, who had moved to the left, raised the Qiyedao high.

"If you don't concentrate, you might die."

Xuliang swung the sword.

Ziiing!