Cheonsoseon (2)
Mabong-gi was panting heavily, cursing under his breath as he mounted the woman. Even in the midst of their encounter, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Cheonsoseon from earlier.
“That damn brat! Who does he think he is? Acting like he made me the leader? What a joke. I’ve been roaming the martial world long before he was even born. Does he think I don’t know there’s someone pulling the strings behind him? Arrogant little punk.”
Swearing was supposed to relieve his anger, but it only made him more furious.
He felt completely out of control. The thought of that smug expression on the young man’s face only fueled his rage.
There was another reason for his anger. He hadn’t been able to express it properly earlier. He should have stood his ground and spoken up in front of everyone… but truthfully, he was afraid of the young man.
“You damn woman! You look down on me too, don’t you?”
“No, no! I respect you, Leader!”
The woman trembled like a leaf in fear. When Mabong-gi went on a rampage, it was a day of pure torment.
Vulgar curses continued to spill from Mabong-gi’s mouth, directed sometimes at Cheonsoseon, sometimes at the woman. Desperate to hear less of it, the woman let out loud moans, hoping for the moment to end quickly.
Far from the room, perched on a tree, stood Pyeonno. He balanced effortlessly on a thin branch, like a bird, the branch not bending under his weight.
Through the curtain covering the window, the shadows of Mabong-gi and the woman could be seen.
“He’s a lucky bastard. At least he gets to spend one last night with a woman before he dies.”
Just as Pyeonno was about to make his move, he froze, startled.
His gaze slowly shifted to one side, eyes widening in surprise.
On a nearby tree stood a young man, also balanced on the end of a branch. The fact that someone had gotten so close without him noticing was shocking enough, but what truly surprised Pyeonno was that the young man’s branch, like his own, didn’t bend at all.
“Let’s see who gets there first.”
The young man gestured with his head for Pyeonno to follow and leaped away. Realizing the young man’s agility matched his own, Pyeonno’s expression turned serious.
He glanced back at Mabong-gi’s room before following the young man to where he had disappeared.
I was waiting for him in a plain a short distance from the escort agency.
Pyeonno had naturally followed me. A master of his caliber wouldn’t ignore an ambush and go after Mabong-gi.
To be honest, I wanted to let Mabong-gi die. I was curious about what the people behind him were planning by killing him.
But I couldn’t let that happen because it would likely lead to the sacrifice of the Menghodan warriors.
Moreover, there was the position of Galsaryang, who had come with us. To the martial world, it would seem like the chief military advisor had lost the leader he was supposed to protect.
And one more reason: I didn’t want the world to go according to the plans of those behind the scenes.
“Did you kill Gono?”
Pyeonno’s first words. I could guess that the old man I had killed before was Gono. This old man must have known him well. It was clear that the man before me was as formidable as the old man back then.
“Yes.”
I admitted it readily. There was no point in hiding my skills against someone of his level.
“Let me ask you something.”
“What is it?”
“Why is someone of your caliber tied to this organization?”
“You misunderstand. I’m not tied down. I serve willingly.”
His loyalty to the leader of this organization was palpable.
Who could this person be?
Raising someone like Cheonsoseon and earning the loyalty of such a master was impressive.
“Who is it that you serve so loyally? It can’t be that young man, Cheonsoseon, we saw earlier.”
“Curious, are you?”
His reaction confirmed it wasn’t Cheonsoseon.
I nodded and said, “I’d like to meet them. Can you introduce me?”
“Don’t bother. Meeting them would mean your death.”
“Why is that?”
“They don’t like people like you.”
“What kind of person am I?”
“Someone who bursts out like a thorn from nowhere!”
It wasn’t just a remark; it was sincere.
“Sounds like a boring person.”
“Watch your mouth. They’re not someone you can speak of lightly.”
His sharp aura was intimidating. His respect for the person behind the scenes was evident.
“You’re not much fun either.”
“Fun? What’s that worth? It doesn’t put food on the table. You’ll understand when you’re older.”
I muttered to myself, “I used to think that too.”
Fun? I once thought it was an excuse for losers to avoid effort.
But not anymore.
“Maybe a life without fun is even more meaningless.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Indeed, what meaning is there in this conversation between us?”
As I slowly drew my sword, Pyeonno readied his whip.
“Where have you been?”
As I entered the room, Galsaryang rose from the bed. I had tried to be quiet, but it seemed I had woken him.
“Sorry. I couldn’t sleep, so I went for some air.”
“At times like this, I envy your martial skills.”
“I’m envious of you, Advisor.”
“What do you mean?”
“You understand the world without having to wander.”
“That’s too kind. I’m just an ordinary person. I just try to think deeper than others. That’s how I produce results.”
“There are things effort can achieve, and things it can’t.”
“Martial arts are like that for me.”
Galsaryang laughed, and I joined him.
“What did you think of the man we saw earlier?”
“He wasn’t ordinary.”
“His martial arts?”
“Stronger than the leader.”
“And compared to you?”
“Well, of course…”
Galsaryang’s gaze was intensely serious. He had noticed that my martial skills surpassed Mabong-gi’s. After all, he had spent his life by my side, witnessing countless masters.
“He’s not weaker than me.”
“That strong, huh?”
“Yes, based on martial skills alone, he could be the leader of the organization behind this.”
“I see. That’s helpful.”
“You’re welcome.”
“But you…”
Galsaryang approached me, examining me closely before speaking with concern.
“You’re injured?”
I touched the long wound running from my neck to my chest. It was a mark from Pyeonno’s whip. That old man was one of the most formidable whip users I had ever faced.
I had intended to finish it with a single move.
But before I could use my ultimate technique, he attacked first. Knowing Gono had died by my hand, he gave it his all from the start. Using a risky technique that could lead to a fatal counterattack if missed was too dangerous.
Instead, I combined my Crane Flight Technique with the Deathly Soul Sword Technique to fight him.
Facing a master whip user in real combat was an invaluable experience, provided I survived.
“I must have gotten hurt during a fight.”
I took out a healing ointment from my pocket.
“Let me apply it.”
Galsaryang took the ointment and applied it to my wound.
“Your walk must have been rough.”
Startled, I looked at him, and he spoke calmly.
“Don’t underestimate my observation skills.”
He had noticed I was uninjured earlier.
As I hesitated to explain, Galsaryang spoke first.
“Never mind. You don’t have to explain everything.”
His words touched me. It was something I often said to him. As the chief military advisor, he always had much to explain to me.
Whenever that happened, I would say the same thing to him. Exactly the same.
“Never mind. You don’t have to explain everything.”
Spending so much time together, we had unknowingly influenced each other.
“All done.”
“Thank you.”
Galsaryang returned to his bed.
“Good night.”
As he pulled up his blanket, he said, “Sleep well. Thanks to your walk, I think I’ll sleep soundly tonight.”
I watched him for a moment before turning to the window. The moonlight was beautiful.
Yes, sleep well tonight without worry.
The next morning, we met Cheonsoseon again.
He greeted us with a well-prepared breakfast.
“Ha ha, did you sleep well?”
“Thanks to you, I did.”
Galsaryang answered for us.
Mabong-gi still seemed unable to shake off his anger. But he appeared to have recovered from yesterday’s shock.
I realized once again how remarkable this man was. He must have sent Pyeonno last night. Yet, he showed no sign of it.
He should have been at least a little surprised, disappointed, or angry that Pyeonno had failed. But he acted as if he had nothing to do with it.
Even knowing his expressions and words were an act, I couldn’t tell the difference.
Had he been trained to show no emotion?
But he didn’t seem like that type. He exuded too much freedom and brightness for someone who had undergone such oppressive training.
So who was he really?
“Please, have a seat.”
“Let’s.”
Once again, he was alone today.
Mabong-gi ordered me and the Menghodan warriors to stay far from the entrance. Im Joong-tae tried to dissuade him, but Mabong-gi insisted.
I wanted to stay with Galsaryang, but given the situation, I had no choice.
I stepped back with the warriors of the Maengho Clan, positioning myself as close to them as possible, straining my ears to catch their conversation. Thanks to my keen hearing, I could faintly make out their words.
At the table, only Ma Bong-gi, Cheon So-seon, and Gal Sa-ryang remained seated.
Cheon So-seon picked up his chopsticks and offered them a meal.
“Please, help yourself. The chef is quite skilled, and the food is excellent.”
But Ma Bong-gi didn’t touch his chopsticks.
“I don’t believe you’re the leader.”
Cheon So-seon, unfazed by Ma Bong-gi’s rudeness, set his chopsticks down as well.
“People believe what they want to believe.”
Perhaps he thought he was being lectured, as Ma Bong-gi’s face twisted in irritation.
Gal Sa-ryang gave him a look, urging him to hold his temper.
With a sigh, Ma Bong-gi spoke.
“Fine. Let’s say I accept that. But I have one question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why did you make me the leader? Surely, you have some ulterior motive?”
“Of course, there’s a clear intention.”
“And what might that be?”
Not only Ma Bong-gi, but even Gal Sa-ryang and I were curious about the answer.
The response was truly unexpected.
“For this very moment.”
“What?”
I turned instinctively, sensing danger.
At that precise moment—
Swish.
Thud!
A sharp sound of something slicing through the air was followed by a piercing noise.
Cheon So-seon’s finger was pointed at Ma Bong-gi.
Ma Bong-gi wore a blank expression, a hole now gaping in his forehead.
Without uttering a single word, he collapsed backward with a heavy thud.
“Leader!”
Im Jung-tae rushed forward, a step too late. I also sprang into action.
I headed for Gal Sa-ryang, while Im Jung-tae went to Ma Bong-gi. We could have moved faster.
But we didn’t. Cheon So-seon had resumed eating, clearly showing no intent to harm Gal Sa-ryang or anyone else.
Thud!
Indeed, Im Jung-tae, who had charged at Cheon So-seon, was knocked back but quickly got to his feet, unharmed.
Cheon So-seon warned him.
“The leader is already dead. Your duty is to protect the next leader, isn’t it?”
“You madman! Subdue him!”
As Im Jung-tae and the warriors prepared to attack, Gal Sa-ryang shouted.
“Stop! He’s right. The leader is gone. There’s no need for you to sacrifice yourselves needlessly.”
The difference in skill was too great. Ma Bong-gi hadn’t even had a chance to defend himself.
Gal Sa-ryang understood. Even without the ambush, Cheon So-seon could have killed Ma Bong-gi at any time.
Im Jung-tae and the warriors knew it too. Attempting revenge would only lead to their own annihilation.
Caught in indecision, I shouted.
“From now on, protect the General Commander! This is an official request from Jeonguigak.”
Finally, Im Jung-tae made his decision. He realized he had to save whoever he could.
“Protect the General Commander!”
The warriors of the Maengho Clan surrounded Gal Sa-ryang. Two of them dragged Ma Bong-gi’s body to the back.
Cheon So-seon, having finished a bite, set his chopsticks down and stood up, speaking coldly.
“Go back and tell your sect. Our revenge starts now.”
His eyes seemed to emit a white light before he vanished, disappearing right before our eyes.
“Leader!”
Im Jung-tae checked Ma Bong-gi again, but he was already cold and lifeless.
It was a situation none of us had anticipated.
I turned to Gal Sa-ryang and spoke quietly.
“This was all part of a plan.”
I understood now. They had made Ma Bong-gi the leader only to sacrifice him to the Demonic Cult. Their preparations were complete.
But why?
Gal Sa-ryang, echoing my thoughts, spoke with a grave expression.
“What are these bastards planning?”