Chapter 99: Volunteer Work (4)

Shortly after Il-mok departed for the Hall of the Demonic Way with his martial escort.

Wi Jin-hak gestured toward something in the Heavenly Demon's hands.

"Master, what might that be?"

What he pointed to was the bundle of wooden tablets that Il-mok had handed to the Heavenly Demon.

The Heavenly Demon studied the tablets with a distant expression, as if lost in memory. After a moment, he recounted the events at Peach Blossom Ridge to Wi Jin-hak.

Naturally, his account concluded with Il-mok's proposed reforms for the ridge.

"From now on, your duties extend beyond mere surveillance of Peach Blossom Ridge. You'll enter directly to care for the elders."

With those words, the Heavenly Demon handed Il-mok's wooden tablets to the Black Tortoise Corps’s Leader.

The members of the Black Turtle Corps who had been watching the entire situation from the side nearly turned pale in an instant.

Instead of simply monitoring the infamous Oblivion Ridge from afar, they would now venture inside to tend to those old madmen.

"W-we humbly accept your command!"

Of course, as devoted fanatics, none dared voice objection to the Heavenly Demon's orders.

The Black Turtle Corps Leader bowed deeply, concealing his ashen complexion as he frantically scanned through Il-mok's written instructions.

Wi Jin-hak, who had been sneaking glances at those wooden tablets from the side, soon burst out in admiration.

"As expected of our youngest, Master."

How could someone so young devise such an intricate and thoughtful system?

Wi Jin-hak felt certain of one thing.

'If that child becomes my successor...'

Together, they could achieve greatness that would echo through the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's history.

Meanwhile, the Black Turtle Corps Leader's face grew increasingly grim as he absorbed Il-mok's detailed plans.

***

About an hour later, they arrived at the main headquarters and dispersed to their respective duties.

Those who had been in charge of monitoring the Peach Blossom Ridge began preparing to execute Il-mok's strategy under the Heavenly Demon's orders.

Around the same time, Jin Hayeon maintained her usual routine at the Hidden Guard Pavilion, absorbed in training.

'I must clear these wandering thoughts.'

However, due to her worry about Il-mok, she couldn't easily focus on her training.

"Such distraction ill befits one who has mastered the White Hand Demonic Art."

Dam Bin, the pavilion's first squad leader, approached with a knowing expression.

"Forgive me."

"It's fine. Today I have good news for you. Take a rest for a moment before starting again."

"Has the Young Master returned safely?"

"Oho? At the mention of good news, your thoughts immediately turn to him?"

"Today marks his promised return. What other good news could there be?"

Jin Hayeon struggled to maintain her expressionless face, but Dam Bin's smile only widened at her carefully neutral response.

"Come to think of it, the Pavilion Master who accompanied the Supreme One made an interesting observation about the Young Master."

"???"

"He believes our youngest Young Master is growing into someone truly worthy of our service."

"!!!"

Coming from that notoriously taciturn Pavilion Master, such words carried immense weight.

Jin Hayeon's lips curved upward despite trying her best to maintaing her composed face. Her recognition of Il-mok’s worth had found validation in the Pavilion Master's acknowledgment.

***

While Jin Hayeon trained with renewed peace of mind, having shed her worries about Il-mok...

"Move quickly! We must be ready and enter the Oblivion—No, the Peach Blossom Ridge by today!”

The Black Tortoise Corps, who had been tasked with monitoring Peach Blossom Ridge, were running around frantically as if their asses were on fire.

Executing Il-mok's written plans required extensive preparation. They scoured records for information on surviving elders while gathering supplies mentioned in the tablets; they had to run all over every corner of the headquarters.

Their desperate efforts paid off.

They were able to prepare at least the bare minimum necessities in just over one hour.

The leader addressed several members.

"You remain here. When those who were left to escort the Young Master return, join them and enter Peach Blossom Ridge in six days. Following the Young Master, divide into two groups and take turns caring for the elders whenever the life gate opens."

The Black Tortoise Corps Leader's teeth ground audibly as he emphasized the "Young Master" part.

Leaving a dozen members behind, the leader departed for Peach Blossom Ridge with the remaining twenty.

Using the map left by the Heavenly Demon, they navigated the ridge's interior and soon reached the elders' gathering place.

"We greet the Lord of Peach Blossom Ridge."

"Lord of Peach Blossom Ridge? What nonsense is this?"

When Elder Kang asked with a puzzled expression, the Black Tortoise Corps Leader answered.

"By the Supreme One’s solemn decree, he has appointed Elder Kang as the Lord of the Peach Blossom Ridge and ordered us to follow the Lord's instructions."

Having said this, the leader presented the wooden tablets Il-mok had prepared to Elder Kang. Those wooden tablets could be called a kind of guidebook for the Lord of Peach Blossom Ridge and for themselves to follow.

After securing the tablets safely, they began moving according to the instructions on the tablets.

"Honored elders, please gather here."

"Now, do you see that hut over there? You need to build like that. First, dig the ground like this..."

Several unit members collaborated with the more lucid elders to build shelters, just as the Hidden Guard Pavilion Master had done in the past.

Others were caring for the elders in the worst condition.

Teaching basic characters or bathing those who had lost control of their bodily functions.

The remaining members handled various miscellaneous tasks.

They brought the records they had gathered and wrote down the elders' personal information.

·       This place is Peach Blossom Ridge.

·       After coughing, please wash your hands.

They also posted papers with written instructions in various spots around the huts and clearing so the elders could regain their senses and understand their daily routine.

These reminders helped elders orient themselves upon regaining clarity.

"Phew. Why did I say I was good at drawing..." one member muttered, constantly sketching pictures on the small wooden boards.

"What kind of game is this? How did the Young Master think up such a game?" another wondered, bending iron rods brought from the main headquarters and driving them into various spots around the clearing.

Of course, during this process, there were cases where elders would suddenly lose their minds and go berserk.

"Who are you people?!"

Elder Kang, the unit members, and partially coherent elders would unite to subdue their rampaging companions.

After completing afternoon duties, the personnel were divided again.

The somewhat lucid elders received washing supplies and were instructed to wash themselves, while the less fortunate others were handled by the assigned unit.

Following dinner came a rest period.

The elderly who had regressed to infancy were cared for by Black Tortoise Corps members who taught them simple characters.

"Now, look at these wooden pieces. They have pictures and characters written on them! The person who matches the most pictures and characters that match wins."

Using the wooden boards made by the Black Tortoise Corps member who had been drawing like crazy, they conducted a kind of picture-matching game.

Others enjoyed mahjong or go sets that Il-mok and the Heavenly Demon had previously introduced.

In one corner of the clearing, another of Il-mok's innovations took shape—courtesy of the hard-working members of the Black Tortoise Corps.

"Look here, there are gates numbered from one (一) to ten (十). Form two teams and take turns striking the ball through each gate with these mallets. It’s quite simple.”

The game Il-mok had conceived for the elders was gateball. He had recalled how popular it was among the Korean senior citizens.

"Gate sequence doesn't matter, but the first team to pass through all gates wins, and you must remember which gates your team has passed through."

Truth be told, Il-mok knew little about actual gateball rules. Having never played himself, he improvised the rules so it could be suitable for elderly enjoyment.

"Oho. What an interesting game!"

Despite their clouded minds, the novelty sparked the interest of several elders in gateball.

The unit members, exhausted from their charges' demands, felt gratified as they watched the elders enjoy mahjong, go, picture-matching games, and gateball on their own.

'We feared them because we thought they were completely unreasonable, but our ignorance blinded us.'

'To devise such care for those who served the cult so faithfully, he truly is extraordinary.'

Managing occasional outbursts or childish regression proved challenging, but the elders remained relatively coherent most of the time.

The papers posted around the hut and personal information sheets proved invaluable. When the elders emerged from confused states, these references helped them regain composure and understanding.

While the unit members and Elder Kang basked in satisfaction—

"Ahahaha. Your team has already passed three gates!"

"Lying scoundrel! This is our first attempt!"

The elders who had been enjoying gateball suddenly got into a fight, their mallets crackling with demonic energy as they swung at each other.

"I wanna go home..."

The unit members sighed wearily and rushed to separate the elders.

Such would be daily life at the Peach Blossom Ridge.

***

While the Black Tortoise Corps was moving busily thanks to the bombshell Il-mok had dropped...

Il-mok arrived at the Hall of the Demonic Way with his assigned escorts.

'Thankfully, it's afternoon.'

It was around the time when classes would have concluded, allowing him to report his return and rest immediately.

'Thanks to going berserk once, it has calmed down a bit, but let's rest for now.'

Last night's intensive planning session for the Peach Blossom Ridge had temporarily eased the side effects of his Demonic Art.

But this reprieve was only temporary. It could worsen again at any time, so physical and mental stability were more important than anything.

Reaching the Hall's main gate, Il-mok noticed the instructor's startled reaction.

"I-I'll open the gate immediately. Please wait."

The man's expression suggested he'd seen a ghost. Clearly, he'd expected Il-mok never to return alive.

After operating the mechanism to lift the heavy gate, the instructor offered guidance.

"Once you go inside, report to Instructor Chu Il-hwan first, then rest."

"Understood."

As Il-mok concluded his conversation, his escorts paid their respects to him.

"Young Master, we will return to the headquarters now."

Once alone, Il-mok passed through the open gate into the Hall's interior.

Similar reactions greeted him as he strode throughout the facility.

Those training in the martial arts hall looked at Il-mok with a face that looked like they had seen a ghost in daylight.

Il-mok's assessment was straightforward after surveying the scene.

'They've returned as expected.'

The Hall housed not only his peers but also senior students.

"Disciple Il-mok!"

Some rushed toward him upon recognition, like Bang Mi-hwa and Dokgo Pae.

'Troublesome.'

With his condition's side effects still lingering, engaging these tiresome individuals would prove exhausting. Il-mok deflected their approach.

"I need to make a return report, so come find me later."

He strode briskly toward the instructors' office, successfully evading the persistent students.

His swift movement allowed him to reach the office quickly.

Il-mok's sudden appearance evoked familiar reactions from the instructors, expressions of someone a ghost in daylight.

Amid the stares, Chu Il-hwan regarded him with a curious expression.

"You actually survived?"

"What? Hoping for the otherwise?"

Il-mok had that thought.

Maybe this guy had orchestrated the bell sounds that lured him toward the crack in the formation.

Chu Il-hwan chuckled at the blunt response.

"Hahaha. What strange words. I was genuinely concerned, you know? You entered the notorious Oblivion Ridge, after all. Honestly, even I, as an instructor, wouldn't be confident about surviving there."

Il-mok clicked his tongue inwardly and replied, "It's called the Peach Blossom Ridge, Instructor. Master said to no longer call it by the old name. Looks like word hasn't reached this place yet."

The mention of the Heavenly Demon immediately sobered Chu Il-hwan and the listening instructors.

"I see. I'll be careful from now on."

Chu Il-hwan's uncharacteristically serious tone deepened Il-mok's suspicions, though he kept them hidden.

Revealing his doubts now would only make catching the culprit more difficult. Better to maintain the pretense for now.

Unaware of Il-mok's inner thoughts, Chu Il-hwan adopted a grave expression.

"You've endured much at Peach Blossom Ridge. Return to your quarters and rest today. Oh, and..."

Chu Il-hwan, who had suddenly stopped speaking, soon wore his characteristic playful expression again and added.

"While it's unfortunate that you were involved in a dangerous accident, since you ventured beyond the examination boundaries into that formation, your last exam is a failure."

"......."