Days of Growth (4)
Galsaryang walked briskly alongside Sima Qian, their destination the Mengju Hall. As they approached the building, Galsaryang felt a wave of nostalgia. It had been ages since he last set foot in the hall, a place he once frequented daily during Tianhajin’s era.
“What on earth is going on?” he asked.
“You’ll see when we get there,” Sima Qian replied, offering no further explanation.
They passed through several layers of strict security before finally entering the hall. The atmosphere inside was tense and cold, a clear reflection of Ma Bong-gi’s displeased mood as he sat in the Taesa’s seat.
“Greetings, Lord Mengju,” Galsaryang said, but Ma Bong-gi barely acknowledged him with a glance.
Sima Qian and Galsaryang stood side by side. Besides Ma Bong-gi, Ju Cheol-ryong, the leader of the Gwangwol Group, was also present. When Galsaryang’s eyes met Ju Cheol-ryong’s, he quickly looked away, assuming Ju had heard about his recent troubles. He thought it best to appear subdued.
Galsaryang had been quietly investigating everyone, including Ju Cheol-ryong, and had discovered that Ju had stashed a significant amount of money under a false name in the Zhongyuan Bank.
‘If betrayal is about money, the desire for revenge will only grow stronger.’
Ju Cheol-ryong was high on Galsaryang’s list of targets for revenge. Regardless of who was behind it, Ju was the direct cause of Ma Bong-gi becoming the Mengju, betraying the position Tianhajin had secured for him. Galsaryang couldn’t forgive that.
Of course, none of these emotions showed on his face. He appeared merely as a weary soldier, worn out by his duties.
Then, two more people entered the hall, and Galsaryang was taken aback. Ma Cheol-gun and Ma Ryeong-in had arrived, with Ma Ryeong-in shackled like a criminal. It was a deliberate statement by Ma Cheol-gun, declaring his brother a criminal.
The two stood before Ma Bong-gi, who looked down at them with displeasure.
“What a disgraceful sight,” Ma Bong-gi remarked.
Ma Cheol-gun responded, “Attempting to kill one’s own blood is beyond disgraceful; it’s inhuman.”
Though Ma Bong-gi’s comment was about the shackles, Ma Cheol-gun pretended it was about Ma Ryeong-in’s actions.
Ma Ryeong-in quickly interjected, “Father, I’m innocent.”
“Explain yourself,” Ma Bong-gi demanded.
“My brother conspired with a man known as the Nameless Hero to eliminate me.”
“That’s nonsense!”
“He confessed to me that he’s hated me since we were children.”
Ma Ryeong-in used the provocative word “confessed” to stir emotions.
“That…!”
Though he had said those words, it wasn’t to the extent of framing his brother for murder. Ma Ryeong-in shouted with a look of injustice, “I’ve been perfectly trapped!”
Ma Bong-gi raised a hand to silence him and turned to Ma Cheol-gun. “Do you have any evidence that he tried to kill you?”
“Yes,” Ma Cheol-gun replied, handing over a secret letter to Ma Bong-gi.
After reading it, Ma Bong-gi asked, “Is this all the evidence you have?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t this insufficient as evidence?”
“Ryeong-in acted exactly as the letter predicted. If there was no prior conspiracy to kill me, how could the Nameless Hero have known to send this letter in advance?”
“While that’s true, the evidence isn’t conclusive.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s possible the letter was created after Ryeong-in’s actions.”
Ma Cheol-gun was momentarily taken aback.
“Are you suggesting I fabricated it?”
“I didn’t say that. I’m merely considering the possibility.”
“Father!”
“This is a formal setting!”
“Lord Mengju!”
Ma Cheol-gun looked up at Ma Bong-gi with a sense of injustice. Despite his outward frustration, he remained calm inside, having anticipated this outcome when they were summoned.
Ma Bong-gi finally turned his gaze to Sima Qian. “Who exactly is this Nameless Hero?”
Sima Qian stepped forward. “He’s the one we’ve been investigating for the ambush and murder of the Celestial Sword Sect’s Yan Hwa. Galsaryang here is in charge of that case.”
Galsaryang realized why he had been brought here—to be made a scapegoat if things went awry.
‘Of course, that’s just like you,’ he thought, stepping forward. “The Nameless Hero, also known as the Nameless Guest, is a mysterious figure. We’ve been trying to uncover his identity, but all we know is that he practices martial arts and is likely in his twenties or thirties.”
“So, in other words, he’s an unknown entity?”
In a situation where a reprimand might have been expected, Ma Bong-gi seemed to welcome the ambiguity.
“So, it’s a letter from someone whose identity we can’t confirm.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Ma Bong-gi turned to Ma Cheol-gun. “Release your brother.”
Ma Cheol-gun sighed, meeting Ma Bong-gi’s gaze, and said, “As you command.”
He personally removed the shackles, emphasizing that he was the one to do so in front of everyone.
Ma Ryeong-in smiled brightly. “Brother, let’s clear up this misunderstanding. No matter how much you dislike me.”
Ma Cheol-gun responded with a scoff, then bowed to Ma Bong-gi and left the hall.
Ma Ryeong-in bowed respectfully to Ma Bong-gi. “You truly are a wise and discerning father.”
His expression was ambiguous, as if his words were both sincere and insincere.
Watching the day’s events unfold, Galsaryang realized something crucial: Ma Ryeong-in was directly connected to the forces behind the scenes, and there was a subtle tension and distance between him and Ma Bong-gi.
Thanks to Sima Qian’s self-interest, Galsaryang had gained invaluable information.
‘Does the Nameless Guest know about all of this?’
If so, he needed to find the Nameless Guest and bring him to his side.
Time flowed like a river.
It was the second summer since I was reborn into the Byeokri Clan.
The incident with the Golden Alliance revealed the vastness of their power. If Im Yeon-jeong survived, the research would resume, though it would take time to restore it to its original state. There was no guarantee the research was confined to one place, nor that other projects weren’t underway.
Ma Bong-gi and his ilk were no match for them. Even Ma Ryeong-in, Ma Bong-gi’s son, had been brainwashed by them. Were the other children not also compromised?
They were not opponents to be fought recklessly. I focused solely on strengthening my own power and that of my family, avoiding involvement in their affairs.
I dedicated myself to training from morning till night. I split my time between practicing the Soul-Hunting Demon Sword and the Celestial Crane Techniques, while also diligently mastering the family martial art, the White Moon Swordsmanship.
Aside from eating and sleeping, I did nothing but train.
By the end of summer, I had mastered the White Moon Swordsmanship.
My efforts and growth were not mine alone.
During this time, the Small Sword Unit undertook its first mission. Gwan Hwi successfully completed it. For the first mission, Gong Su-chan found a task that required the entire unit.
From the second mission onward, we divided into teams, as missions requiring all one hundred members were rare.
The second and third missions were completed without incident. However, during the fourth mission, two members were seriously injured, and in the fifth, we experienced our first casualty.
It was inevitable. A group of one hundred was different from twenty. Imagine one hundred people undertaking real missions; unexpected incidents were bound to occur despite all precautions.
The death of a comrade plunged the unit into sorrow.
Having lost many comrades before, I understood the pain of losing one. My heart ached, but I maintained a calm exterior, not showing my grief.
I gathered the unit and spoke to them.
“If you fear death, you should be trading in the market or teaching children in a school, not joining the unit. We will lose many comrades in the future. If we fall into despair and sorrow each time, we won’t be able to move forward, and we’ll lose even more comrades, even faster. So, mourn for just three days.”
It might have seemed harsh, but it was a necessary challenge to overcome.
The river of time did not stop.
As our efforts burned through the summer, autumn arrived.
With it came news and rumors related to the Martial Alliance.
Ma Ryeong-in returned to Henan Province, and shortly after, Ma Cheol-gun officially became the head of the Celestial Sword Sect.
Rumors circulated that Ma Cheol-gun’s official appointment as head also made him the official successor, though some said it was unrelated. I didn’t delve into their affairs.
As the mountains turned crimson with autumn leaves, the Celestial Crane Techniques reached the ninth level.
Only one level remained to reach the tenth and final stage. The power of the Celestial Crane Techniques grew stronger, and my movements became more fluid.
The ninth to tenth level was a critical juncture. Even within the same level, the method and manner of achieving it would determine my accomplishments. But since it wasn’t something I could change, I could only hope for good results through my efforts.
There was good news for our family as well.
The Byeok Clan’s Sword Unit had grown in size. After paying off Yang So-bang’s debts, we had been gradually expanding, and the growth of the Small Sword Unit spurred the main unit to recruit more members and increase its size. Excluding the Small Sword Unit, our rank in Shandong rose significantly.
Baek Pyo focused solely on expanding the Black Panther Unit. I deliberately avoided seeking them out.
The Sam An Pavilion established branches in seventy-two locations across the central plains, continuing to expand its organization.
The Taeseong Trading Company reaped its first profits in the fall, earning thirty-five hundred nyang from their sales. One day, Taeseong would grow into a trading company that traverses the central plains, amassing tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of nyang.
I was finally putting into practice the words I once shared with Gwanhui.
Sometimes, you have to bury your efforts in time.
And indeed, we were burying our efforts in time.
The chill winds began to blow, and people lamented the passing of autumn. The first snow fell, and the cold settled in.
On a morning when the snow lay thick, I sat cross-legged atop a snow-covered mountain peak.
The unparalleled martial art, the Cheonmuho Simbeop, had been my constant companion throughout the year, save for the hours I slept. Now, I was finally reaching the moment I had been striving for.
The energy coursing through my body gathered at my dantian.
I slowly opened my eyes.
It was another moment marking a significant change in my martial journey.
At last, my internal energy had reached the level of Igapja. I had trained diligently all year for this moment.
“Hahaha.”
I couldn’t hold back the laughter that bubbled up.
The reward for hard work is always sweet.
Now, I could finally use the fifth form of the Chuhon Suragum technique, the Hoeryeongeop.
The fifth form, Hoeryeongeop.
The sixth and final form, Daemyeolgeop, is the ultimate technique. Its power is immense, but controlling the energy is so challenging that it’s reserved for the most critical moments.
Thus, the fifth form, Hoeryeongeop, could be considered the practical final form.
Whoosh!
The sword began to sing with the sound of the wind.
As I thrust the sword forward, a distant boulder was swept away by the force of the wind, crumbling to dust.
Whirl!
Wherever the sword pointed, the energy swirled into a vortex.
Vortices of energy formed in the air above the cliff.
The power was immense. Rocks would be pulverized in an instant, and even metal would be shredded like peeling fruit.
One, two, three, four… nine, ten, eleven…
These powerful vortices appeared endlessly.
Whirl!
The area was engulfed in a storm of energy. It felt as if the world was turning upside down in a terrifying natural disaster.
It was as if the end of the world had come. This was the fifth form, Hoeryeongeop.
I unleashed the fifth form until my energy was nearly depleted.
With only a sliver of energy left, I sheathed my sword. The vortices of energy still raged around me.
I walked confidently to the edge of the cliff and, without hesitation, leaped into the void.
Whoosh.
I plummeted at a terrifying speed. This was a training exercise I used to sharpen my focus. Even a moment’s lapse in concentration could be fatal. But the risk was worth the reward.
As I fell, I twisted my body and released energy into the air.
Bang!
The release of energy slowed my descent.
I drove the Suramyeongwang Sword into the cliff.
Screech.
The sword cut through the rock, further reducing my speed.
Spin.
In the final moments, I spun in the air, slowing my descent even more.
Finally, I landed on the ground. My energy was completely spent. It was a heart-pounding moment.
Jin and Su, who had been waiting below, looked at me with astonished faces. They had urgently requested to meet me, and I had chosen this spot beneath the cliff.
“Did you really jump from the top?”
“I couldn’t be late for our meeting, could I?”
At my jest, they exchanged looks of disbelief and amazement.
“Is that even possible?”
“Why don’t you give it a try?”
“Oh, please, don’t say such things.”
They waved their hands dismissively.
Jin quickly regained his serious demeanor.
“We have something to report.”
Their expressions suggested that something significant had happened in the martial world.
But I wasn’t worried. I had trained relentlessly to the point where I could land here with my energy depleted. I was in peak condition.
Feeling ready to face whatever came next, I calmly asked, “What is it?”