Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: New Winds
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A chill hung in the early morning air.
As the dim dawn stretched its arms, a lone man was already in position at the Heavenly Martial Hall.
Tak, tak, tak, tak.
Hyeok Mulin, shirtless, ran along the outer edge of the Heavenly Martial Hall.
He ran using only the pure strength of his body, without drawing on his internal energy.
Breathing in through his nose, out through his mouth, in, out.
How long had he run relentlessly with rhythmic breaths? Time passed, and eventually, his stamina was utterly depleted.
"Hoo, hoo."
Yet Hyeok Mulin did not stop.
His heart pounded like it might burst, his breath rising to his throat, but still he kept running.
To surpass his limits, to advance beyond yesterday.
Only after running another lap in that state did he finally come to a halt.
Hooo— haaa—
Lying on the ground, Hyeok Mulin's chest heaved dramatically as it craved fresh air.
Having caught his breath, he gazed up at the sky for a moment.
"Phew. My limits are expanding bit by bit."
Finishing his physical conditioning, Hyeok Mulin continued with exercises that pushed his stamina to the brink.
Many martial artists neglected the fundamentals, focusing only on internal energy and techniques.
But Hyeok Mulin knew how crucial that physical foundation was, so before practicing any martial arts, he never skipped daily training that drove his body beyond its extremes.
'In this life, I won't miss a single thing.'
Clenching his fist into the empty air, Hyeok Mulin rose to his feet.
"That's enough for today."
After sweating for about two hours, he concluded his conditioning at the right time.
Patting his torso to check his progress, Hyeok Mulin smiled in satisfaction.
'Just keep going like this.'
As a direct descendant of the Hyeok Clan, his bones and muscles had always been exceptional.
But now, even the quality of his flesh had risen to a new level.
His goal was neither an overly bulky, muscular frame nor a gaunt, withered one.
He sought the ideal body capable of fully unleashing the inherent power of any technique he employed.
And his current firm, resilient physique was proof that he was on the right path.
Crunch, crunch.
Chewing dried meat and washing it down with water to fill his belly, Hyeok Mulin took a brief rest before sitting cross-legged.
Circulating the Pure Soul Divine Demon Art, he dispelled the morning's fatigue from his body and invigorated his muscles.
Rising again, he slowly drew his sword and pointed it straight ahead.
"......"
The space before him was empty air, but in Hyeok Mulin's eyes, countless imaginary foes had materialized.
As they charged at him ferociously, he began swinging his sword with wild fury.
Sometimes striking sharply, other times focusing on defense.
Overall, however, he maintained a steady flow in the battle while carving paths as needed.
Through his unique rhythm, invisible to others.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Hyeok Mulin slipped to his opponent's flank and sliced smoothly from shoulder blade to lower abdomen.
With a crisp sound cutting through the air, his movement halted.
Standing motionless, he stared straight ahead, then faintly lifted the corner of his mouth and sheathed his sword.
Turning, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"Left Protector."
"Yes."
Jang Wi, who had appeared at his call, bowed his head in response.
But when Hyeok Mulin didn't continue, Jang Wi looked up in confusion.
Their eyes met, Hyeok Mulin regarding him with an odd gaze.
Slightly flustered, Jang Wi swallowed and asked cautiously.
"If you have something to say, please speak freely."
"You."
"Yes."
"Are you training at all?"
"......Pardon?"
Jang Wi's eyes widened at the utterly unexpected question.
But Hyeok Mulin replied with a nonchalant expression, as if it were the most natural thing.
"Training is a martial artist's lifelong companion, isn't it? But that reaction suggests you've stopped lately."
It was somewhat expected.
The Left Protector's daily routine was guarding the Cult Leader, leaving no time for personal training or relaxation.
"That's correct."
Hyeok Mulin nodded slowly at the admission.
"When I'm training here at the Heavenly Martial Hall, you don't need to guard me. Use that time for your own training."
"Pardon?"
Jang Wi's white brows twitched as he doubted his own ears.
"Why the surprise? It's just what's right."
"As Left Protector, it is my duty to serve you anytime, anywhere. What if an intruder attacks during training......?"
"I can assure you, no fool would send assassins to the Heavenly Martial Hall."
"That's true, but......"
As Jang Wi trailed off uncertainly, Hyeok Mulin spoke in a subdued tone.
"Left Protector, you are strong even now. I can vouch for that."
"Yes."
"But those who will stand in my way ahead are only going to grow stronger. Do you intend to be the only one of my closest aides left standing still? If you don't run forward, you'll fall behind someday."
Jang Wi's eyes wavered at those words, but he soon bowed in acceptance.
"I shall obey your command."
"Good. That's more like it."
Nodding in satisfaction, Hyeok Mulin shifted the topic.
"So, how is he doing?"
"Having seen the light after thirty years, he seemed at first to have forgotten how to live in the world. Fortunately, he's gradually recovering his knowledge. After trimming his wild beard and hair and donning proper training robes, he finally looks human."
"You've worked hard."
Hyeok Mulin patted Jang Wi's shoulder encouragingly.
Right after retrieving him from the prison depths, he'd entrusted Ji Wolhon to Jang Wi's care, and it seemed he'd helped him adjust well.
Having heard the updates, Hyeok Mulin got to the point.
"Has he gotten his body back in shape?"
"Yes. Lately, he just goes between his quarters and the training grounds, focusing on regaining his former prowess."
"Still a long way from his old strength, I imagine."
"Yes. Probably half a year at best, a full year at worst."
"Half a year."
Hyeok Mulin stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Then he spoke deliberately.
"Give him a Demon Spirit Pill."
"A Demon Spirit Pill?"
Jang Wi echoed in shock.
The Demon Spirit Pill was an elixir made only by the Vivacity Gate, one of the four great demonic sects of the Demonic Realm, and it ranked among the highest elixirs any demonic cultivator could take.
It was said to rival the Central Plains' Soul Restoration Pills in efficacy, as shown by the tale of the Golden Spirit Merchant Group's leader, who had amassed vast wealth in the Divine Province.
Stricken with a deadly illness, he sold off his entire merchant group and fortune in a desperate bid for a Demon Spirit Pill as a last resort.
Yet even a titan among the Divine Province's top three tycoons failed to obtain one and died in vain.
It couldn't be bought with money or taken by force.
Only as a gift from the Vivacity Gate.
'We have only three left in the cult.'
At the decision to bestow one of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's precious few remaining pills, Jang Wi's mouth went dry.
"Yes. If one pill buys half a year from him, it's a bargain."
But Hyeok Mulin thought differently.
No matter how rare Demon Spirit Pills were, they could be obtained again.
Without it, though, the next half-year of Ji Wolhon's life would be gone forever.
Hyeok Mulin simply valued Ji Wolhon's true worth more than anyone.
And he was worth it.
"It's to restore his lost thirty years. He might even come back stronger. No need to feel stingy."
At Hyeok Mulin's firm words, Jang Wi promptly agreed.
"I shall obey."
"Good. Time's about right."
Finishing, Hyeok Mulin stepped out through the doors.
Taking in the inner and outer castles below at a glance, he nodded slowly.
"Time to get started."
The wind was blowing.
A new wind to sweep away all the stifling heat.
"What's the reason?"
A man who had sought out the chief steward stared him straight in the eye.
Flustered by the sudden visit, the steward countered.
"What reason?"
"Why someone else was made captain of the Dark Tiger Unit instead of me."
"I understand your feelings. But promotions to captain are based on verified merits......"
"Spare me the lies. I was the vice-captain, and he was just an ordinary squad member. What merits could justify that?"
"Vice-Captain, calm down for a moment......"
"How can I? I poured my blood and sweat into elevating the Dark Tiger Unit as vice-captain, only for the captain spot to go to some unheard-of rookie......!"
Han Baek's anger was justified.
With the Dark Tiger Unit's captain position vacant, he'd effectively led it as vice-captain.
Most squad members saw him as the next captain and followed his orders faithfully, yet the outcome was unexpected.
The steward wiped sweat with a handkerchief, then spoke with a resigned expression, as if it were inevitable.
"I'm sorry, but this decision is final. Try to understand."
"Understand what?"
"The young man appointed captain in your place is the clan patriarch's son."
"......!"
Han Baek's eyes bulged.
No wonder it reeked of foul play. So that was the inside story.
Now it only fueled his sense of injustice.
"I've slaved like a dog for this clan for a full ten years! How can anyone accept some outsider with no ties to the Dark Tiger Unit—let alone any real skill—suddenly becoming captain?!"
The steward sighed deeply and shook his head.
"What can be done? You're ultimately an outsider. Blood ties are a form of strength sometimes."
Crunch.
Han Baek ground his teeth in outrage.
Seeing this, the steward pulled a money pouch from his sleeve and placed it in Han Baek's hand.
"It's not much, but take this. I couldn't push for your promotion, but I'll suggest a raise in your stipend."
Han Baek stared piercingly at the pouch in his hand.
It was always like this.
No matter how loyally he served, they treated him like a fish on the hook—stingy and dismissive.
Now they tried to placate him, but in days, the "suggestion" would fizzle, and his pay frozen as usual.
"I'll be going."
Clutching the pouch tightly, Han Baek turned and left.
He trudged out of the estate.
But with each step, an inexplicable dread spread through him.
'Blood ties are strength.'
Did that mean an orphan like him would never shine because of that bastard's lineage?
Depressed, Han Baek wandered the streets with listless steps.
Then he noticed a crowd gathered in one spot.
"What's that?"
Curious, he approached cautiously.
He glimpsed the edge of a poster on the wall, but the throng blocked the text.
Puzzled, he looked around, then pushed through the crowd.
"Excuse me."
Apologizing as he went, he wriggled to the front.
"Phew."
Catching his breath, Han Baek looked up.
His eyes widened at the headline on the poster.
His breath caught at the sight.
He scanned the full text eagerly.
'...The Heavenly Demon's personal guard?'
"Urgent news!"
"Check the communique at once!"
"What in the world......!"
Thus, the news spread far and wide across the Divine Province, eliciting varied reactions.
"P-Patriarch! The Cult Leader has announced recruitment for his personal guard—the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad revival itself!"
"...Don't act rashly. Watch closely."
Yagul Hyeon took a cautious stance, lost in thought.
"Not even a word to his father... He's truly by the Cult Leader's side now."
Sima Geuk felt a mix of pride and loss, having heard nothing from his son Sima Jin.
"Kahahahaha! This is fun! If there's no age limit, even this elder could apply, right?"
"Patriarch!!!"
Man Ho's booming laughter mingled with his subordinates' frantic cries.
"Now the Cult Leader has openly revealed his will."
Hyeok Gongun smirked, recalling Hyeok Mulin's true intentions from their meeting.
"Spirit, do you intend to walk the path of hardship alone?"
Cheon Seohee's pupils trembled briefly before she gazed solemnly at the blue sky.
Various people harbored all sorts of emotions.
And at last, recruitment day dawned.