Sect Master’s Guide to Babysitting

A warm gust of wind rustled the morning air surrounding the Redwood Estate, it was a mix of the scent of newly cut wood and moisty grass. In the distance somewhere, a chicken was crowing. It was a boring but peaceful sound. It felt like it was almost out of place since in the estate resides the former demon lord, Heuk Cheon.

There he was leaning against a wooden railing that was splintered on the manor's front porch. Heuk Cheon was analyzing the entire estate with a focused, sharp gaze. The renovations lasted throughout the whole night, and even though every single one of them was exhausted, the group had made a ton of progress. 

Standing behind him was Seo Ryung, his loyal disciple from back then, at the Blood Raven Sect. He had a broad shoulder with an intense presence, Seo Ryung had a hammer in his hand and another a pack of nails. Although the calluses and bruises on his fingers was evident because he was not experienced in regards of carpentry. Nevertheless, he stayed loyal at Heuk Cheon's side, quiet and unwavering in his undying devotedness. 

Heuk Cheon looked at him with a slight concerned face. "Is your hand okay?" he asked him, with his voice with a hint of concern he barely even shows.

"It is fine, Master." Seo Ryung answered back. "The pain is nothing compared to the training I had to endure while serving as your disciple back at the Sect."

A proud bit of smirk tugged at Heuk Cheon's lips. He was more of a terror teacher than a gentle and relaxed one back in their sect days, however Seo Ryung never ever once complained. If anything, Ryung's pride in having the mark of the Blood Raven Sect was surpassed only by his unwavering loyalty to the ex-demon lord Heuk Cheon. 

Today was marked as a turning point. The impending arrival of the orphans in just a week more heavily weighed on everyone's mind. However, Heuk Cheon looked, if not relaxed, then he was ready. His frustration with hammering nails at the wrong side or crashing out in confusion was no longer visible. A cold calculation focus was taken in its place. 

When the other members struggled to lift a huge beam to strengthen the manor's hanging roof, Heuk Cheon simply tightened his hands and moved in into the spot it was needed in. His muscles was showing under his ragged robe. "Hold it steady." He commanded with his voice steady and resolute. And with scary efficiency, he hammered every nail in one by one, each hammering echoed through the entire estate like a war trumpet.

When a pair of Murim Alliance escort guards hesitated at the shakey ladder, they was worried it might break on them, Heuk Cheon rolled his eyes and jumped up on the top of the roof in a single fluid manner. He stood on the weary tiles and then proceeded to check for leaks like a predator finding prey to eat. 

It was a reminder that, under the ragged robe and dirt, he was once the Demon Lord Heuk Cheon. The one who shook the entire martial arts world.

While all that was happening, Lee Jin-Ho was in the main chamber, carefully organizing tools and supplied. His calm and procedural nature had given him the role to everyone as the renovations coordinator. Even though they still tease him about how he was turning into a "housekeeper" he acknowledged that role with a proud smirk.

Do-won and Jung-soo, the two Murim Alliance escort guards, shuffled back and forth towards the forest bringing more wood to the nearby shed, now and then giving worried glances towards Heuk Cheon. They had become more used to Heuk's presence, however there was a new edge to him this day. An intensity that took them back to his past self, a destroyer.

Despite that though, there was still a sense of camaraderie manifesting among them all, a united goal that kept them together. To make sure that the orphanage will be fit for the brats who needed it the most. 

"We have sealed the worst leaks," Jung-soo reported back while exhaling and inhaling from their efforts. "But there some support beams that is in need of a replacement as soon as possible."

"Then let's replace them," Heuk Cheon said briefly while jumping down from the porch railing without a second thought. His black hair stooped around his broad shoulders, framing his scarred cheek. "Or do you people want Inspector Yoo to come back and shut our estate down?"

The escort guards gulped. "N-No, of course we don't want that."

"Then let us stop talking about it and continue working."

And although the words he used was harsh, they were filled with a sense of purpose that made everyone hurry into action.

Halfway through the morning, as the group started preparing to bring back fresh wood to the estate, Heuk Cheon saw that Do-won was having a hard time trying to lift a beam. The escort guard was tall and lanky but he didn't have a muscular build, and his every attempt made the beam fall dangerously. 

Seo Ryung stepped forward to try and assist him but Heuk Cheon stopped him. "No. Let him handle it by himself."

"But, Master-" Seo Ryung began.

"There are more than one way to training." Heuk Cheon fixed his disciple with a glance filled with meaning.

Do-won confused. "Train? What are you talking about?"

Heuk Cheon used a move to glide over and grabbed the beam alongside the escort guard, and handled its weight so Do-won can manage to balance it better. "In martial arts, it is not always about your strength," he advises with his voice rough but commanding. "Find the center of gravity of the beam. Fix your stance. Keep your core stable and aligned."

Do-won started to follow his instructions, almost out of reflex. And to his surprise, the beam was no longer feeling like it was trying to escape his hands every second.

"H-Hey that is... easier." Do-won said as his anxiety was leaving him.

Heuk Cheon acknowledged him. "Good. Now work." 

With Seo Ryung and Jung-soo paving the way, Do-won headed back inside with the beam in his hand. The entire events felt like it was a master and teaching a disciple swordsmanship. Although the "sword" was a heavy wooden beam.

After a few progressive hours, the group gathered in the courtyard for their deserved breaks. Lee Jin-Ho gave out cups of barley tea, a refreshing drink outside in the hot sun. Seo Ryung wiped his sweat from his brow, his once brand new, robe, was now brimming with sawdust and dirt. 

"Master Heuk," he uttered, giving Heuk Cheon a cup of tea. "I have heard Inspector Yoo's threats. Do you really think that the Murim Alliance will truly revisit your... previous sentence?"

Heuk Cheon's gaze thickened. "Let them come if they want to. I bowed my head once in my life and I plan on never doing so again.

A dense silence fell over the estate. The two escort guards swapped weary looks at each other, it reminded them of the fierce force of Heuk Cheon back in the day. Even Lee Jin-Ho looked as if he was concerned.

After the silence broke, Heuk Cheon took a sip of his tea. "However, I will not let them destroy this place." he said with conviction. "If the Murim Alliance ever tries anything, I shall tear their threats apart with my own two hands. We have been given a role, and I intend to see it through."

His words was filled with a quiet sense of ferocity. Even in the broad sunlight, the air felt as if it was charged. It was as if the shadows of the Blood Raven Sect still lingered at his beck and call.

As they went back to doing their tasks, a slight sense of being stalked manifested on Heuk Cheon once again, it was the same as last time. He stopped near the estate's fence, analyzing the distant forest line. A crumpling of leaves was heard, was it just the wind kicking up? 

His instincts, sharpened from immeasurable battles, felt a slight presence. It was barely visible, but it was continuous. Maybe it came from a spy from an opposing sect, hunting him because they know about is forced "retirement". Or perhaps a faction or a group of people that disliked the Murim Alliance's decision to spare him and give him a chance. 

"Seo Ryung," he called out silently. The disciple went forward instantly at his side. "Keep watch. There is someone or something lurking around the forest." 

Seo Ryung's eyes contracted. "Do you want me to investigate the unknown presence?"

Heuk Cheon shooked his head. "No. If they are waiting to pounce, they will show themselves soon enough. Let them see what we are doing."

He could not tell if he was being toyed with or tested. Either way, he refused to be rattled by the ghosts in the forest. 

As dusk arrived, an impromptu dinner of rice and stir-fried vegetables brought them together in the main dining chamber. Every chair in the manor made different sounds, every plank of the built-in wood in the floor seemed to make the same sounds but the Redwood Estate was undoubtedly in better shape than it had been weeks ago. 

In the middle of eating, their conversations took on a calmer tone, stories about their comedic fails from the day. Jung-soo made his fall of the ladder take a dramatic tone. Making the group burst out in laughter. Lee Jin-Ho reminisced on how he managed to put up a temporary chimney for the kitchen stove, but nearly suffocated on smoke yet again. 

Heuk Cheon, for his role, only gave a low, sarcastic chuckle every now and then. But, his presence inside the group was denser than ever, like a coiled up spring, ready to bounce. Under his calm demeanor was a man who had once ruled the entire martial world with an iron fist. And now has chosen to shoulder the burden of running an orphanage as if it was another war that they had to emerge victorious in.

Later that night, Heuk Cheon found himself alone in the manor's courtyard, the moon was projecting moonlight across the ragged flagstones. He closed his eyes, letting the cold night air cram his lungs. A hundred memories beamed through his mind, battles, betrayals, and the heaviness of innumerable lives taken in the wake of his ambitions. 

"Master Heuk," came from a familiar voice. Seo Ryung stood near the doorway, while hesitating. "Please, do not stay out too long. You need rest as much as the rest of us."

For a short while, Heuk Cheon did not answer back. Then he broke the silence, his voice was carrying a slight bit of echo of the merciless warlord he used to be. "I swore to the Murim Alliance that I would see this through. But I also promised myself that I... would not lose who I am." 

Seo Ryung nodded seriously. "You are still the Demon Lord I worship, Master. Nothing can take that away."

A vicious purpose manifested in Heuk Cheon's eyes, reflecting the pale light of the moon. He placed a hand on Seo Ryung's shoulder. "Stay observant." he warned while looking towards the far trees. "We are not alone out here. If any threat or enemy goes against or the orphans, we will deal with it. Hastily."

"I understand, Master." Seo Ryung agreed while his fists was clenching in excitement. 

As they both stood there side by side, the cool wind of the night went past them, carrying the slight bit trace of tension. In just a week, the orphanage would no longer be just a building, it would become a home for kids that was caused by the wars he had once initiated. And if danger lurked, Heuk Cheon wants to face it head on, no matter what the toll on him would be.

And so, beneath the silent moonlight, a former demon lord along with his most faithful disciple started to prepare for the final stretch of a mission not quite like any war or battle they had ever fought. It was one that required them have more than just martial skill, but also heart, resolve, and the desire to protect lives beside their own, in a way that they never had before.