The thick dust that had blanketed the Evernight Gate area slowly began to settle, revealing a scene resembling a construction site that had just been struck by a category five hurricane. The stench of blood mingled with the pungent sulfuric odor of the cooling frequency trap mechanism. Amidst the oppressive silence, Moen Kang Yo stood tall, his black sword still stuck in the ground, creating deep cracks in the stone structure beneath him.
The eyes, once deep red with demonic bloodlust, slowly faded, replaced by the calm and analytical blue light of the Blueprint. Yoe Choin had completely taken over the motor control.
"Foreman... you stopped me just before I cut the final pillar,"
Moen Kang Yo's true voice growled internally, its tone containing remnants of unresolved anger.
"Killing him now is a waste of assets, Boss,"
Choin replied mentally, catching his breath.
"A Mastery-level practitioner is a rare commodity. If he dies, we lose our bargaining power with Mount Hua. But if he lives, he's collateral for a very expensive political debt."
Choin drew his sword with a powerful jerk, then sheathed it back on his back. He stared at the thirty or so Mount Hua disciples who were still standing, though their knees trembled at the sight of their Elder, Han-Seung, lying helplessly at the feet of the 'Demon Overseer'.
"Listen up, all of you!"
Choin's voice boomed, but it held no malice, but the cold authority of a field overseer.
"Your attack's operational time is up. Today's audit results: Total Failure. My defensive structure still stands, while you are reduced to rubble before my gates."
The Mount Hua disciples looked at each other, their hands still gripping their thin, curved swords.
"Take your wounded comrades."
Choin ordered, pointing to the pile of white-robed bodies collapsed in Zone A.
"I authorize a one-hour logistical evacuation. If within sixty minutes there are still 'remaining materials' from Mount Hua in my project area... I will initiate permanent waste disposal procedures."
"What about our Elder?!"
one of the senior disciples shouted, his voice breaking.
Choin glanced at Han-Seung, who was unconscious with a shattered shoulder.
"Your Elder will remain here as a 'Detained Item' for further contract clarification. Don't worry, I won't allow this valuable property to be damaged before the central audit is conducted."
Choin signaled to Jin-Pyo and the Demolition Unit, who were still standing guard at the barricade.
"Jin-Pyo! Get the emergency stretcher,"
Choin ordered.
"Take Elder Han to the special medical pavilion underground. Attach Black Iron armor clasps to his wrists to ensure his Qi flow remains below the 10 PSI pressure limit. I don't want him exploding inside my house."
Jin-Pyo, his massive frame still covered in dust, bowed deeply.
"Ready, Foreman! I'll guard him as if he were a very expensive teak pillar. If he tries to move an inch, I'll administer a 'manual correction' according to your SOP!"
Choin patted Jin-Pyo's shoulder, feeling the density of his loyal disciple's muscles, which were now beginning to resemble high-strength concrete.
"Take good care of him, Jin-Pyo. Use the best herbs we confiscated from Gong. I need him conscious to sign the document admitting to the audit failure later."
After taking care of the opposing side, Choin's attention immediately turned to his own students. He saw several Class 2 students sitting limply with bruises all over their bodies, as well as Class 1 students whose faces were pale from their first experience of pure warfare.
"Foreman... you are injured,"
Han So-Wol whispered, suddenly appearing from behind the gate wall, her abacus still tightly gripped, but her eyes radiating with deep concern.
Choin glanced at her arm, which had been cut by Han-Seung's wind blade, blood beginning to seep through her black robes.
"Just a superficial micro-crack, So-Wol. It hasn't damaged the main structure of my meridians. But look at them..."
Choin pointed to the students.
"Many have overexerted their muscles."
Choin didn't immediately go to his room to rest. Instead, he walked over to a Year 1 student who was trying to bandage his sprained ankle with a rag.
"Sit properly," Choin said softly. He crouched down in front of the student, making the student tremble in shock.
"Young... Young Master! Forgive me for being weak—"
"Shut up,"
Choin interrupted softly. Choin's rough hand, now warmed by Internal Finishing energy, grasped the student's ankle. He channeled a small amount of Qi to release the energy blockage in the dislocated joint.
Click!
"Returned to position,"
Choin muttered.
"The medical supplies will arrive any minute. So-Wol, instruct the kitchen to make a high-protein broth with the wild ginseng I picked yesterday. We need rapid cell regeneration so these 'pillars' can stand upright by tomorrow morning."
So-Wol nodded quickly, jotting down the instructions on her report scroll.
"Yes, Foreman. I'll make sure the nutrient supply keeps flowing smoothly."
Baek-Un approached Choin, carrying his now nearly empty bottle of wine. He stared at the retreating backs of the Mount Hua troops, carrying their comrades.
"What a vision,"
Baek-Un said with genuine admiration.
"You've not only won the physical war, you've also won the psychological one. After seeing their leader taken prisoner and helping these lowly disciples... their loyalty to you is now as strong as reinforced concrete."
Choin stood tall, watching the sun begin to part the gray clouds.
"Good construction isn't just about how strong the walls are, Baek-Un, but how secure the people inside feel. Evernight Gate has only just completed its first foundation. We still have many floors to build before we reach the pinnacle of heaven."
From a distance, behind the dense pine forest, Namgung Shiri watched the entire scene with mixed emotions. He saw a blood-soaked Demon faction leader, but instead of laughing over the corpses of his enemies, the man was busy tending to the pillars of his sect's life.
"Management of the heart..."
Shiri whispered softly.
"He's truly building a structure that no sword can ever topple."
That night, at Evernight Gate, the air was no longer filled with cries of fear. Although the smell of blood still lingered, the savory aroma of broth and the sound of the students' heartfelt laughter began to fill the air, signaling that the mental renovation phase had begun under the leadership of the Demon Overseer.