“This concludes my report on the Demonic Elders Council[1].”
Mu-dam bowed his head silently.
Glug glug.
The liquid falling in an arc was transparent.
The thick wine fragrance spread with both refreshing and heavy notes. This too was clearly quite strong alcohol.
The ornate cup was so large it only filled after emptying half the bottle.
Lee Cheonsang drank the wine slowly.
Though he seemed to be savoring the fragrance, he didn’t pause once. His slow, leisurely emptying of the cup emanated intense wildness and inexplicable nobility.
Finally emptying the cup, Lee Cheonsang spoke indifferently.
“This one isn’t bad.”
Like Jiannan Spring, Green Bamboo Leaf[2] was also hard to obtain in the south.
Green Bamboo Leaf was a medicinal wine[3] made by adding various medicinal ingredients to Fen Wine[4] produced in Xinghua Village[5] of Shanxi Province.
Popular among medicinal wines for its refreshing fragrance and refined sweetness, it commanded any price asked outside its production region.
The Ten Thousand Great Mountains where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was based was at the southernmost tip of the Central Plains. It couldn’t have been easy to transport wine from Shanxi Province in the north.
After briefly acknowledging the efforts of the demonic practitioners who transported the wine, Lee Cheonsang stretched his hand toward Mu-dam.
Though his head was bowed, Mu-dam somehow knew and carefully handed over the documents.
Lee Cheonsang picked up the seal[6] from beside him and stamped the documents.
“The Law Enforcement Court?”
Though the question omitted context, Mu-dam’s answer came without hesitation.
“Has become quite abundant. The guardian officers under command are establishing their power stably.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“We are grateful for Your Lordship’s ocean-like grace.”
Lee Cheonsang shook his head.
“If you all can exert your strength, that too is my joy.”
Emotion clouded Mu-dam’s face. It was a moving statement even if just empty words.
“We will guard with our lives to avoid bringing shame to Your Lordship.”
“Do so.”
Though it was a warmhearted conversation in its way, Lee Cheonsang’s eyes watching Mu-dam remained indifferent.
His eyes, his expression were always like that. Setting aside his presence, few people could face him without being flustered.
Glug glug.
Refilling his cup again, Lee Cheonsang asked casually.
“The Third?”
Mu-dam answered immediately.
“He has faced several dangerous moments, I hear.”
“Seems he’s still alive.”
Not words a master should say about his disciple.
In fact, during these eight months, Lee Cheonsang hadn’t asked about Seo Ryang once. Mu-dam too had postponed reporting about the Third Young Master since Lee Cheonsang hadn’t desired it.
“Report.”
“Yes.”
This was a report eight months in coming. Mu-dam conveyed the details as thoroughly as possible.
How long did the report continue?
At one point, Lee Cheonsang’s eyes flashed.
“Wait.”
“Yes, Cult Leader. Please inquire.”
“What did you just say?”
“Pardon?”
“He fought an Ape Beast[7] pack and was injured, then faced a Lù Shǔ[8] three days later and survived?”
“That’s… correct.”
Mu-dam was puzzled.
Of course, he knew well the monstrous ferocity of the Lù Shǔ. Even decent supreme masters would struggle without gathering at least three people.
But he thought escaping shouldn’t be too difficult. Though the Lù Shǔ was very strong, Seo Ryang wasn’t alone.
With help from Ma Dong-pil, who had grown noticeably stronger lately, wouldn’t it be possible?
“Interesting.”
Subtle interest arose in Lee Cheonsang’s eyes.
Seeing this, Mu-dam was shocked.
That face that always maintained indifference. Even Mu-dam, who had served him for decades, could only guess at his expressions, never certain.
Now was different.
Lee Cheonsang was clearly showing emotion like an ordinary person.
“If he learned Black Dragon[9], it would have been hard to escape the Lù Shǔ’s strange cry.”
The Black Dragon Lee Cheonsang mentioned referred to the Black Dragon Mountain-Moving Art[10], one of the Ten Great Demonic Arts.
The highest-level demonic art that the Third Young Master Seo Ryang had been cultivating before entering qi deviation.
Lee Cheonsang looked at Mu-dam.
“What were the three volumes?”
“Pardon?”
“I understand you gave three demonic art manuals to the Third.”
“…!”
Mu-dam’s face turned pale.
He bowed slightly.
“Blood Calamity, Heaven-Capturing, and Red Phoenix[11].”
Lee Cheonsang touched his lips.
Though his face was sunken as if in thought, the interest in his eyes hadn’t disappeared.
“Blood Calamity is sharp and Heaven-Capturing is heavy. Neither suits him. Red Phoenix might be better, but if he has discernment, he wouldn’t learn Red Phoenix either.”
Not because the demonic arts’ level was low, but because they didn’t suit his body.
Unless he reached the Extreme Demonic Realm[12] and mastered all demonic arts, the Third’s current body would struggle to handle Red Phoenix. For a body that had experienced qi deviation once, Red Phoenix would rather become poison.
Mu-dam performed a full prostration.
“I opened the secret vault without Your Lordship’s permission. Please take my life.”
“You have the authority to open the vault.”
“However, I…”
“It’s an individual’s freedom to make any choice as long as they can take responsibility for that choice.”
Lee Cheonsang’s expression became indifferent again.
“Do you regret your choice?”
“…No.”
“Can you take responsibility?”
“Of course.”
“Then I too respect your choice.”
Mu-dam bowed his head deeper without answering.
After refilling and emptying his cup in one go again, Lee Cheonsang turned toward the window.
After silently looking outside for about a quarter-hour.
“Call the Fourth.”
Puzzlement crossed Mu-dam’s face.
Why suddenly call the Fourth Young Master while discussing the Third Young Master?
But questions remained just questions.
Mu-dam bowed his head.
“I receive your command.”
As he slowly rose to withdraw, Lee Cheonsang called him once more.
“Grand Guardian.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
“Do you know why children’s fights are scarier than adults’ fights?”
Lee Cheonsang wasn’t someone who asked such questions.
Thinking he was seeing many new sides of the Cult Leader today, Mu-dam shook his head.
“This subject does not know.”
“Children don’t know where the limit is. That’s why they’re scary. Even a glory full of wounds is still glory to them.”
Lee Cheonsang’s eyes deepened.
“The moment one realizes where the appropriate line is in a fight armed with limitless ignorance – that very moment is when a child becomes an adult.”
***
“Whew, I’m dying.”
Lee Gunseong[13]‘s face looked extremely tired as he entered the office grumbling.
As he firmly massaged the back of his neck, Gi Yang[14] offered him a teacup.
“It’s Biluochun tea[15]. I brewed it after a while, but I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste.”
“Thanks.”
“Not at all.”
Lee Gunseong made a mischievous expression.
“How was your three days of rest?”
“Since senior worked so hard, I have nothing to say.”
Gi Yang’s face showed clear apologetic signs as he scratched his head.
Lee Gunseong smiled at that unaffectedly honest attitude.
“Can’t even joke around.”
“How sorry must I have been?”
“If you’re sorry, sit and keep me company.”
“Are you going out again?”
“Need to head out again in about a double-hour.”
Gi Yang sighed lightly.
“I’ll go this time, senior should rest. I’ll speak with the Court Chief.”
“No need. The protected one gets uncomfortable when guards change.”
“Still…”
“Cover for me sometime when I’m having trouble later. You had a hard time last month too.”
Though he said that, Gi Yang knew. Lee Gunseong, the most senior and First Captain of the Law Enforcement Court, never passed his work to others.
That’s why the guardian officers in the court liked Lee Gunseong. He was clear about boundaries while always taking care of his subordinates.
“Then at least get some sleep. I’ll wake you.”
“I’ll feel sluggish if I sleep. This is the last one anyway. Better to chat with you.”
“If you insist, alright.”
As they sat facing each other sipping tea, Gi Yang asked.
“By the way, why did the head of the Demonic Sword Family[16] visit?”
Lee Gunseong shook his head.
“I don’t know the details either.”
“Is that so?”
“He’s quite a big shot. Seems he has things to discuss separately with our cult’s higher-ups.”
The Demonic Sword Family was one of the Seven Houses of the Demonic Path[17], the most powerful established among the seven families.
Their loyalty to the cult was excellent, and their swordsmen were skilled enough to rival the cult’s demonic practitioners. The cult also trusted the Demonic Sword Family the most among the seven families.
“Well… I did hear some rumors though.”
“Rumors?”
After hesitating briefly, Lee Gunseong scratched his head.
“They’re just rumors, so nothing’s certain. Though they came from a reliable source, so they might have some credibility…”
“What kind?”
“Seems the Demonic Sword Family wants to bring in a talent.”
Gi Yang’s eyes trembled.
Bringing talent into the cult meant one thing.
“The Cult Leader’s disciple…?”
Lee Gunseong nodded.
“As I said, it might not be accurate information. But I think it makes sense. Two of the disciples belong to the Seven Families. The Demonic Sword Family, as leader of the Seven Families, couldn’t help but pay attention.”
“But… would the Cult Leader take another disciple now? There are already many – not just one or two, but seven.”
“That we can’t know. Only the Cult Leader can judge.”
“That’s true… Ah!”
Gi Yang opened his mouth with a small exclamation as if suddenly remembering something.
“If the Demonic Sword Family is truly trying to send a disciple, and the Cult Leader permits it…”
“Hmm?”
“…Perhaps the number seven could be maintained.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Third Young Master.”
Lee Gunseong’s eyes deepened.
Now he understood what Gi Yang meant.
“That’s dangerous talk.”
“I know. But…”
“…”
“You know, don’t you? The Solitary Bamboo Forest is dangerous.”
“I know. That’s why we sent the Third Captain. He’s the most experienced with the Solitary Bamboo Forest among us.”
“I know the Third Captain’s skill and sufficient experience, but I’m still worried.”
Ma Dong-pil’s talent was incredible. Becoming Third Captain at just over thirty, next in rank after Second Captain Gi Yang, itself proved his strength.
Though not particularly quick-witted, he was more steadfast than anyone and had the determination to complete any mission given to him no matter what. He was literally born for guardian work.
But the Solitary Bamboo Forest was dangerous enough to add “mere” after words like skill and experience.
Why else would they only send a select few of the cult’s highest leaders twice a year to harvest spiritual bamboo?
“Crucially, we don’t know when the Third Young Master will come out. If the Cult Leader doesn’t permit it, he might have to live there forever.”
Lee Gunseong sighed.
Though Gi Yang was talking about the Third Young Master, what he truly worried about was Ma Dong-pil. He was one of the current Law Enforcement Court’s most outstanding talents.
“Moreover, the Third Young Master’s body is…”
“Enough.”
“…”
“Let’s stop this talk. If someone overheard, they’d be shocked.”
Gi Yang closed his mouth with a stung expression. Though spoken out of worry, even he knew he had gone too far.
Lee Gunseong sank deep into his chair.
“The Court Chief sent the Third Captain. You know how much the Court Chief cherishes the Third Captain.”
“…Yes.”
“It’ll be fine. Let’s just think that way.”
Gi Yang nodded. Worrying and fretting wouldn’t solve anything anyway.
“By the way, I hear your deputy captain is getting married?”
The intent to change the mood was clear. Gi Yang played along knowingly.
Thus their conversation turned to ordinary daily matters. There was much to talk about – stories about corps members, developments in the martial world, and so on.
How much time passed?
While Lee Gunseong was talking excitedly about a beautiful woman he’d encountered during his mission.
“First Captain!”
An urgent voice came from outside the door.
“What is it?”
“The Third Captain, the Third Captain has come to see the First Captain!”
Both men suddenly stood up, their expressions full of surprise.
“Tell him to come in!”
“Yes!”
Joy spread across Lee Gunseong and Gi Yang’s faces at the thought of seeing their junior whom they cherished like a brother after so long.
Shortly after.
“Captain, the Third Captain is here.”
“Come in!”
Creak.
The door opened slowly, and a man entered.
The smiles blooming across their faces instantly froze stiff when they