Chapter 81
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: The Wind Begins to Blow (1)
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“……So, casualties from the Garden of Joy are five, including the temporary captain. Casualties from the Third Protectorate Squad are twenty-two. Total fatalities: twenty-seven.”
Mu Dam's expression remained stoic as he delivered the report.
Lee Cheonsang, who had been gazing out the window with a languid look, asked casually.
“Who was it?”
“Based on the traces at the battle site, as well as the testimonies and reports from our members, we surmise it was the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.”
Although he said “surmise,” Lee Cheonsang was certain it was the Beast Palace.
When Mu Dam was angry, he deliberately avoided speaking with certainty. It was his way of guarding against losing his composure to emotion.
So, it had to be the Beast Palace. Which meant Mu Dam was currently furious.
“The Beast Palace…”
Lee Cheonsang shook his head.
“Bitten by a neighborhood mutt I never even paid attention to.”
“…”
“And the goods?”
“They were all recovered, and the team has returned.”
“Good. Anything else to report?”
“No, sir.”
“Understood. You may leave.”
After a slow bow, Mu Dam respectfully backed out of the room.
Once Mu Dam had left the grand hall, Lee Cheonsang, sitting alone in his grand chair and gazing out the window, felt the corners of his mouth curve into a smile.
“Third Son, was that you?”
Currently, the Divine Cult was not particularly active in the martial world. However, the terror inspired by the four words “Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon” still swept through it.
And the Beast Palace had provoked such a cult. They wouldn't have even considered it unless they had the power to wipe them out without a trace.
It wasn't the First or Second Squad, but the Third Squad of the Hall of Protectors. For more than half of the Third Squad members to have returned alive meant one of two things.
Either the Beast Palace was insane and provoked the Divine Cult for no reason, or there was a master present capable of defending against their overwhelming force.
‘Sirang's demonic energy vanished at some point. It seems the Third Son snuck out and came back.’
A subtle glimmer of interest appeared in Lee Cheonsang's indifferent eyes.
“What an interesting fellow.”
No one else in the cult would dare to even think of sneaking out.
He had asked Mu Dam if there was anything else to report because he thought that if the boy had reported his outing beforehand, Mu Dam would have known.
Then again, if he had known the Third Son left, he would have said so immediately.
*Whoosh.*
The window frame rattled.
A faint chill carried on the wind, seemingly tinged with the scent of blood.
“It's been a while. I should pour him a drink.”
* * *
“I'm sorry, my Lord.”
So Yeonsim sighed.
“Why are you the one apologizing?”
“If only I had been more careful…”
“Over twenty members of the Third Protectorate Squad died. That just shows how deadly the enemy's assault was.”
Juhwa couldn't say a word. She knew So Yeonsim wouldn't blame her, but that didn't make her feel any less guilty.
So Yeonsim patted her shoulder.
“The ones who deserve our anger are those who attacked us, wouldn't you agree? Besides, you completed your mission. What I should offer you is comfort, not punishment.”
“…”
“By the way, it's astonishing. How have you recovered your martial arts so quickly?”
How could she not see So Yeonsim's effort to change the subject?
Juhwa lowered her head and said.
“It is all thanks to the Third Young Master. Before the incident, I had already recovered nearly seventy percent of my martial arts.”
“The Young Master's abilities are truly mysterious.”
Despite her intention to change the subject, So Yeonsim was genuinely surprised. This was a different matter from the depth of his martial power.
The very idea of a martial art that could rapidly normalize a body ravaged by qi deviation was extraordinary.
It was common sense that no matter how exceptional an art was, it could hardly surpass the realm of medicine.
And yet, Seo Ryang not only knew of such a mystical art but had also used it to restore more than half of Juhwa's martial abilities in just ten days.
‘Just who is the Third Young Master…?’
The more she heard, the more she learned, the more mysterious he seemed. She couldn't even tell if forming a connection with such a person would be a blessing or a curse.
“And…”
“Yes?”
“If the Young Master hadn't been there, we would have been annihilated.”
So Yeonsim nodded.
“I'm sure that's true. The Young Master's skills are formidable, and your own must have been a great help.”
“No. I wasn't much help at all.”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
Juhwa recounted the events of that time in detail.
So Yeonsim's eyes trembled with shock.
“The Young Master defeated all of those monsters?”
“Yes.”
“The monsters that rendered over eighty of our members helpless? By himself?”
“…That is correct.”
*Clench.*
So Yeonsim's fists tightened.
Juhwa would not lie about something like this. But the story was so far-fetched it was hard to believe.
“If that's true…”
“…”
“It means the Young Master's martial arts are already comparable to the top ten of the 108 Demonic Generals.”
Excluding the Cult Leader, the strongest masters in the Divine Cult were the Nine Great Demonic Lords of the Council of Elders.
But even besides them, the Divine Cult had many masters.
The reason a single martial group could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with entire alliances was because the ranks of its masters were so deep.
The 108 Demonic Generals were the vanguard representing the Divine Cult's might. The top ten among them, in particular, were supreme masters ready to aim for the position of the next Nine Great Demonic Lords.
Of course, this didn't mean their skills were on par with the current Nine Great Demonic Lords. It just meant they were powerhouses who showed that level of potential.
“A man in his mid-twenties, who had lost all his martial arts to qi deviation, revived in a single year to reach such a level?”
So Yeonsim felt a chill at her own muttered words.
‘Is that even possible?’
It's impossible, even with someone's backing. Even if the Third Young Master were a once-in-a-generation genius, it's absolutely not possible.
‘No, it is possible.’
So Yeonsim bit her lip gently.
She knew of one person—no, one being—who could make it possible.
‘…The Cult Leader.’
The Heavenly Demon, Lee Cheonsang.
If he, the pinnacle of the Divine Cult, had personally intervened—if he had forcibly elevated the Third Young Master's martial arts—then it would be entirely possible.
‘If the Cult Leader really did intervene?’
If that's the case… then the next successor has already been chosen.
“My Lord?”
Startled, So Yeonsim looked at Juhwa.
A hint of worry flickered across Juhwa's stoic face.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I'm fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
So Yeonsim took Juhwa's hand.
“Let's go. You must be tired from your journey. Let's have a meal together.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
So Yeonsim led Juhwa inside.
A flicker of resolve showed on her face.
‘I must see him again soon.’
* * *
“So that's what happened.”
Lee Gunseong sighed.
“What about you? Are you injured anywhere else?”
Ma Dongpil lowered his head.
“I'm fine.”
He wasn't fine. His breathing was slightly unstable, a sign his internal injuries hadn't fully healed.
“To still be unrecovered even after using a Life-Extending Pill… it must have been truly dangerous.”
“Ah, I didn't use the Life-Extending Pill.”
“Oh?”
As Ma Dongpil explained the situation, Lee Gunseong nodded.
“I see there were circumstances. Take one when you leave later. You'll feel better soon.”
“It's alright, Squad Leader.”
“Don't be stubborn. Just take it.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Lee Gunseong glanced toward the window.
Beyond the window, in the training grounds, protectors without assignments were training, drenched in sweat.
“To protect someone is the same as dying in their place.”
“…”
“That is the essence of what we do. We are always the protectors. That's why it's so arduous. Perhaps no martial artist lives closer to death than a bodyguard.”
“…”
“But a bodyguard is still a person, a comrade to someone.”
A bitter look crossed Lee Gunseong's face.
“We are the only ones who will cry for them, yet today we must sharpen our swords to go and protect others.”
“I'm sorry.”
“…”
“My lack of skill led my squad members to…”
“You certainly should apologize. Whatever the reason, as the leader of the escort squad, you have a responsibility to bear.”
Ma Dongpil lowered his head.
“Of course. I will humbly accept any punishment.”
Lee Gunseong was silent for a moment.
His gaze still fixed on the window, he finally spoke after a short while.
“Regardless of what the higher-ups think, I believe the First Squad and I should have gone. Of course, I know there's no point in such regrets.”
“…”
“Don't think your skills are lacking. If I thought you were deficient in responsibility, mission execution, or martial arts, I would never have made you a squad leader.”
“I am simply ashamed.”
Lee Gunseong sighed again. It seemed his sighs would never end today.
“I will visit the families of the deceased myself.”
“No, Squad Leader. They were my men, so I must…”
“This is something I have already reported separately to the Lord of the Hall of Protectors.”
Ma Dongpil bit his lip. He was the one who should be taking responsibility, and it pained him to see his senior take on a part of that burden.
Lee Gunseong stood up.
“Don't worry about it too much. I'm not doing this for you, but because I believe it is my duty to go and bow my head. I was the one who adjusted the mission midway, so I should bear the responsibility.”
It was neither comfort nor sarcasm. Lee Gunseong truly believed this situation was his fault.
Ma Dongpil knew this, which made him feel even more apologetic.
And he was frustrated. Just as he had felt bewildered watching the Third Young Master resolve everything, he now felt his own inadequacy keenly.
“I will go with you.”
“You can't.”
Ma Dongpil was puzzled. Not “you shouldn't,” but “you can't”? What did he mean?
“As the acting Lord, I intend to issue you a punishment. Until you have completed that punishment, you are to step away from your duties in the Hall of Protectors for the time being.”
“!”
“It will likely be for quite some time.”
Ma Dongpil lowered his head again.
“I will humbly accept.”
“Good. Since things have come to this, let's proceed immediately.”
Lee Gunseong stood up.
“Ma Dongpil, Leader of the Third Protectorate Squad, is hereby suspended indefinitely, effective immediately.”
He knew he would be suspended, but he hadn't expected it to be indefinite.
Though a little surprised, Ma Dongpil accepted it.
It was the price for failing to properly manage his squad members and failing to protect his charge. He would have no complaints even if he were told to step down as squad leader, let alone an indefinite suspension.
“To the suspended Ma Dongpil, I, as the acting Lord, issue a secret order. Until this order is fulfilled, Ma Dongpil cannot be reinstated as a squad leader in the Hall of Protectors.”
“…”
“From this moment on, Ma Dongpil is appointed as the Third Young Master's personal guard.”
Startled, Ma Dongpil looked up at Lee Gunseong.
“Just as the suspension is indefinite, so too is the duration of this secret order. Ma Dongpil, you are to do your utmost in your assigned duty to ensure no such unfortunate incident occurs again.”
“S-Squad Leader!”
“This concludes the disciplinary action against Ma Dongpil, Leader of the Third Squad.”
“…”
“You may go. As a member of this cult, it is not something one should dare to expect from a Young Master, but… learn much from him and return.”
Ma Dongpil's eyes trembled minutely.
Lee Gunseong smiled.
“You must return.”