"Hoo." Ma Dongpil's face looked very refreshed. Although he was drenched in sweat and his breathing was rough, it was a rewarding training session. If his previous training had been somewhat routine, the training after leaving Gojukrim was a daily series of exhilaration. There was no explosive growth, but the changes were clearly felt, and his body was rapidly adapting to those changes. He found pure enjoyment in martial arts itself.
He recalled the words of Seoryang. "Change means production. Whether you grow or regress, it has its own meaning. Why are you worrying about such things when you should be moving forward without hesitation? Believe in yourself. Instead of worrying, run without fear. It's not too late to worry when you've reached your limit."
It was very timely advice. After that, Ma Dongpil didn't worry about anything. He was simply captivated by the sword he swung over and over, and he felt fulfilled in his exhausted body that could no longer move. As he plunged into the sea of martial arts, he felt his achievements accelerating. However, Ma Dongpil brushed off even those achievements as if they were nothing, enjoying and relishing them just like when he first learned martial arts.
Perhaps because of that? In just a few days, Ma Dongpil's martial arts were entering a new realm. "I should start wrapping up now." Having finished his training, Ma Dongpil sat cross-legged. He intended to recover his body with the breathing technique.
Then, a conversation with Seoryang suddenly came to mind. "Now that various things are roughly settled, let's each return to our organizations. The leader too, and especially Dongpil, you've been sticking with me too much." "…Yes?" "Are you just a guard? You're not just a regular member, you're a team leader of the third team. You need to return to the field."
Ma Dongpil nodded. It was true. He had become too accustomed to being with the master and almost neglected his main job. "Let's get it together." As a team leader of the Guard Division, he should fulfill his duties. There would be another time to meet the master.
Just as his breathing technique was nearing its end, "Team Leader!" "What's the matter?" "The first team leader has summoned you." "Got it. I'll be there soon."
Ma Dongpil was puzzled. He thought there would be no more calls since he was selected for the mission to escort the Demon General in three days. What could it be?
A moment later, he entered Lee Gunseong's office. "You've come." "Yes, first team leader. You called for me?" "Yes."
Lee Gunseong's face looked very tired. Seeing him being overwhelmed with work until this late hour, it was clear that being a first team leader required diligence. "I'm busy, so I'll get straight to the point. You know about the escort mission for the Demon General in three days, right?" "Yes." "It's been canceled." "Suddenly?" "To be precise, I've been assigned to escort the Demon General." "You're going personally, first team leader?" "That's right. Instead, you have something else to do with the team members." "A change of mission. What is it?"
Lee Gunseong handed over a document.
"You know that once every three months, the Hwanhee Institute sends demons to transport precious items, right?"
"Yes."
"This month happens to be that month."
"Are you saying we're going to escort the transport demons?"
"That's right. With the Pa Soon Festival approaching, our school's front yard has been quite noisy. There shouldn't be any issues, but given the current situation, we can't just send them alone."
"Ah…"
"But sending you to escort the Demon General and me to escort the transport demons doesn't look good. The higher-ups probably wouldn't view it favorably."
"That's true."
"So I'd like you to go. Think of it as a chance to stretch your body as a return celebration. How about it?"
Ma Dongpil bowed his head. "If you assign me any mission, I will complete it successfully." Lee Gunseong smiled as if he found him reliable. "I'll leave it to you." "By the way, when does it start?" "In fifteen days. Since the first team leader and I will be away, you'll manage the guards in the meantime. The first team leader will return two days before your mission starts." "Understood." "All important details are written in the document. Familiarize yourself with it and burn it." "Yes." "Go and rest now."
Ma Dongpil bowed and left the office. As he returned to his quarters, he looked over the document and sighed softly. "Stretching my body… it's not bad, but…" Escorting the transport demons was also an important mission. However, he had hoped to take on the escort mission for the Demon General this time. "It can't be helped. Let's not differentiate between missions."
Sigh… Sigh… Seoryang's face was quite serious as he looked at the woman lying as if dead, only breathing heavily. "Is this the person?" "Yes."
Looking down at the woman, So Yeonshim's face was filled with pity. Although she was known as a fox skilled in politics, she was also human. Seeing someone she had affection for, enough to designate as a successor, lying sick, her heart couldn't help but be troubled.
"Her name is Juhwa. She's as talented in martial arts as she is in her work. She was renowned as a genius when she joined the institute."
"Hmm."
"She manages one of the groups within the institute, but secretly also holds the position of chief manager."
"Chief manager?!"
"Yes. Even as a successor, I don't easily assign tasks unless the person is capable. I didn't assign it to her to learn the job; there simply wasn't anyone as capable as her, so I made her the chief manager."
So Yeonshim sighed. "After she ended up in this state, the Hwanhee Institute was almost paralyzed. That's how much work she had and how excellent she was at handling it."
Seoryang couldn't help but be impressed. "Truly remarkable." At a glance, she seemed to be of the same age as his own body. If she was managing the chief manager duties of a large organization like the Hwanhee Institute at such a young age, she wasn't just any genius. Moreover, although it was only a few days, she had managed to utilize the Mu-ae Technique to show signs of recovery. "With talent like this, wouldn't even the leader have taken an interest?" "I'm also curious. Why didn't the leader take her as a disciple?"
That statement sounded as if even she found it challenging to teach someone like Juhwa. Seoryang rolled up his sleeves. "Let's first check her condition."
He checked Juhwa's pulse. He had heard that she had been in a state of inner demon for quite some time. Was that why? Her wrist was exceptionally thin, with only bones to be felt. "But the strong pulse felt from the pulse is…" Seoryang closed his eyes and operated the Dark Shadow Demon Technique.
A moment later. Wooong. The red energy flowing from Seoryang's fingertips enveloped Juhwa's entire body. So Yeonshim was startled. "What an incredible demonic energy." Although it was being used at a low concentration, the quality of the demonic energy itself was exceptionally high. It was such a vigorous demonic energy that it gave her goosebumps. It would be hard to find someone with such pure demonic energy even among the demons of the inner circle. "Indeed… there was a reason he overwhelmed the Fourth Young Master."
The martial arts of the Hongwi Gate were also rumored to be extraordinary. She personally speculated that he was at least one or two levels above the Guangma Leader or the Jinma Leader. If he easily overwhelmed the Hongwi Gate, Seoryang's skills would be worthy of being called a supreme master at the peak.
A peculiar light shone in So Yeonshim's eyes.
"How can he be like that?"
Beyond admiration for Seoryang's unimaginable demonic energy, she even felt a sense of alienation. Whether it was a fortuitous encounter or something else, it wasn't a power one could obtain at that age.
A moment later. "So Head." "Yes, Young Master." "Juhwa… no, let's just call her Chief Joo." "Yes." "What martial arts did Chief Joo learn?" "The Moon Shadow Demon Technique." "The one among the Ten Great Demon Techniques?" "Yes."
The Moon Shadow Demon Technique was a supreme art known as one of the Yin Techniques among the demon techniques. Unlike other demon techniques, it was a high-level martial art that was impossible to even begin without talent. "I see." In that regard, it was similar to the divine techniques of the righteous sects. Although he didn't know the formulas, there would be similarities. "Her talent must have helped significantly in utilizing the Mu-ae Technique more easily."
Seoryang released the pulse.
"Then it's even stranger."
"Pardon?"
"I don't know much about the Moon Shadow Demon Technique, but I've heard it's very safe."
Demon techniques have an overwhelmingly higher risk of inner demon compared to the divine techniques of the righteous sects. However, that's only for lower-level demon techniques. The higher the level of the demon technique, the safer it becomes.
Of course, the talent of the practitioner is also crucial. However, no matter how safe, a demon technique is still a demon technique and cannot guarantee the safety of a divine technique of the righteous sects. The Moon Shadow Demon Technique was uniquely safe, comparable to a divine technique.
It merely emitted demonic energy, and in terms of the initiation process, it was no different from a natural divine technique.
"But why has her Yin energy collapsed like this? Even if one tried to ruin it deliberately, the body wouldn't be this damaged."
"The Blood Soul Pavilion doctors speculated that it was likely due to excessive practice. Judging by the scars near the Brain Tiger Blood, they guessed it happened while she was accepting enlightenment."
"I see."
Lost in deep thought, Seoryang soon nodded. "Let's put aside the worries for now and start the treatment." "Is there anything you need prepared?" "No. Since I'm here to maximize the efficacy of the Mu-ae Technique, there's no need… Ah!" Seoryang snapped his fingers. "Please get some Jetaekcho from the Blood Soul Pavilion." "Jetaekcho, the herb that revives Yang energy?" "You know of it?" "Yes, a little." "We can't use it right away, but once her physical strength recovers to some extent, we'll use Jetaekcho to restore her immune function." "…Can you do it?"
If it doesn't work, she'll just die, won't she, lady? However, Seoryang didn't voice that thought. He couldn't deliver a fatal blow to someone already worried. "Let's begin the treatment."
Seoryang's treatment was simple. He held Juhwa's pulse and operated the Mu-ae Technique. Although her body was devastated, the traces of the Mu-ae Technique were present, so synchronizing the Mu-ae Energy wasn't difficult. Once the Mu-ae Energy was synchronized, he infused his enlightenment, making it circulate continuously.
Five days later. "Amazing, isn't it?" "Yes?" "Most of her internal organs' functions have returned to normal. How is this possible…" "I worked hard. I didn't sleep a wink." "But Young Master, Juhwa hasn't woken up once in these five days…" "If she wakes up and moves, she'll consume energy. But if she's unconscious, her body only uses energy for vital activities. We're feeding her water and porridge through a thin tube, so there's no need to worry." "Ah, yes." "Now we should use Jetaekcho."
The method of using Jetaekcho was simple. Grind the dried Jetaekcho into powder, mix it with water, and pour it through the thin tube. Naturally, Juhwa's body, having absorbed the Jetaekcho, reacted to the medicinal power. Just then, Seoryang began adjusting the energy. Blood-red fluid flowed from Juhwa's nose and mouth. The impurities hidden throughout her body were being expelled through the blood. Wooong! Wooong!
Sweat formed on Seoryang's forehead. Watching from the side, So Yeonshim's face was filled with awe. "Incredible!" It was truly a divine energy adjustment. Without extremely delicate energy manipulation, it would be impossible to forcibly extract impurities mixed with blood. "The more I see…"
Initially, she was delighted with Juhwa's rapid recovery, but as time passed, she became more impressed with Seoryang's abilities. Another ten days passed. A day before the promised fifteen days. "…Hmm." Trembling eyelids slowly lifted. Finally, Juhwa had awakened.