It was morning.
A thin fog drifted through the inner compound of the Wudong Sect.
The sound of sword practice cut through the air.
Ma Choasung walked calmly—
upright, without a hint of nervousness.
He had been summoned by the Wudong Sect Leader.
---
Wu Zhenghai – A Man Like a Mountain
At the center of the main hall,
a man sat on a stone chair.
Broad shoulders.
Hair streaked with gray.
An aura so heavy that even the air seemed to avoid him.
Wu Zhenghai.
A respected sect leader of the Central Plane.
His gaze settled on Ma Choasung.
"You turned my daughter's inn from a loss into a profit,"
he said slowly.
"And you did it without cultivation."
Ma Choasung clasped his hands and bowed slightly.
"I only understand accounts, Sect Leader."
---
The Test Begins
Wu Zhenghai raised his hand.
"There are many clever people here,"
he said.
"But in Murim, intelligence alone is not enough."
An elder stepped forward and placed a jade tablet down.
"This is the sect's annual expenditure,"
Wu Zhenghai said.
"If you are truly capable…
tell me—
where is the most money being wasted?"
---
Three Breaths
Ma Choasung picked up the tablet.
He didn't read it—
he scanned it.
Training grounds.
Medicine hall.
Weapon storage.
Guest hospitality.
He took three breaths.
"The medicine hall,"
he said calmly.
"But for the wrong reasons."
The hall fell silent.
---
Dissecting the Truth
"The problem isn't the quality of the medicine,"
Ma Choasung said.
"The problem is dosage planning."
Same herbs, different body types
Over-prescription
No recovery tracking
"Every year, 18% of herbs are wasted,"
he added,
"due to unnecessary refinement."
The elders looked at one another.
For the first time, interest appeared in Wu Zhenghai's eyes.
---
The Second Question – A Dangerous One
"What do you think,"
the sect leader asked,
"will allow the Wudong Sect to survive in the future—
the sword, or money?"
The hall grew tense.
A wrong answer could mean death.
Ma Choasung looked straight ahead.
"A system.
The sword will protect that system,
and money will keep it running."
Silence.
Then—
A soft laugh.
---
Recognition
"Interesting,"
Wu Zhenghai said.
"Very interesting."
He raised his hand.
"You are not a guest here,"
he announced.
"You will be an adviser—
for as long as you remain in the Central Plane."
Surprise and pride flashed in Wu Xinyue's eyes.
Ma Choasung bowed deeply.
"It will be my honor."
---
End Panel
Beneath the banner of the Wudong Sect,
Ma Choasung stands—
in the shadows.
Between swords,
a man who plays with numbers.
Caption:
"When the mind stands equal to the sword in Murim,
new rules are written."