The Wings Are Not Heavy (4)
Ma Cheol-gun sat alone in the darkness.
He was seated where the woman had vanished, staring at his bed. She had sat there, informing him of the movements of the Demonic Cult. The sweet scent she left behind still lingered.
His mind was a tangled mess.
He had no idea what to do. Throughout his life, he had faced many challenges but prided himself on living righteously.
Despite the criticisms directed at Cheondo Gate, he took pride in being considered one of the few decent people there.
Yet, temptation had struck in an instant. In a moment of carelessness, he found himself with one foot already in the mire.
‘I should have contacted Father immediately back then.’
That hesitation had dragged him into the swamp.
‘Should I tell Master Go now?’
Master Go had always been a mentor, offering advice. Recently, Ma Cheol-gun had been handling matters related to the Demonic Cult on his own, without consulting him.
‘But if I tell him now, it might only drive a wedge between us.’
However, if he let things go their way this time, he’d be in up to his neck, unable to escape the swamp. A swamp inhabited not by humans, but by venomous creatures.
Bang!
He slammed his fist onto the table beside him, shattering it to pieces. Ma Cheol-gun didn’t realize that what had truly crumbled was not the table, but the wall that had been holding his heart together.
Someone was watching him from afar.
It was the very woman who had met with Ma Cheol-gun earlier. Like the skilled warriors of the past, she stood on the tip of a branch, which didn’t bend under her weight.
In the moonlight, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her slender, toned figure rivaled that of Song Hwa-rin.
She was like a snow blossom, but unlike Song Hwa-rin, who was light, this woman was darkness. If Song Hwa-rin was good, this woman was evil.
She smirked coldly.
“The fact that you’re hesitating means it’s already too late.”
And with that, she was gone.
A lone night bird landed on the empty branch she left behind.
“That’s it for the special training, Sword Squad!”
At Gwan-hwi’s shout, the Sword Squad warriors erupted in cheers, celebrating the end of their grueling training.
Among them was Song Hwa-rin.
She had joined the Sword Squad four days ago, fulfilling a promise to Byuk Ri-dan to check on them.
Coincidentally, it was the start of their special training.
It became clear why the Sword Squad’s reputation was growing in Shandong. The training was no joke.
She had expressed her desire to participate in the training.
Initially, everyone thought she’d only last an hour or two. She didn’t seem suited for such rigorous training, nor did they think she’d endure it.
But she surprised them all by sticking it out to the end. She didn’t cut corners and trained harder than anyone else. If the training had been just one day, they might have thought she was just trying to make a good impression.
But the training was too intense for any pretense to last four days.
Gwan-hwi approached her.
“I missed the chance to ask earlier, but why did you decide to train with us?”
Song Hwa-rin looked around at the warriors she had grown close to over the past four days of intense training.
“I wanted to get to know you all better, but never had the chance. I started with that intention, but the training was so tough, I often wondered if we really needed to be friends.”
“Hahaha.”
Everyone burst into laughter. She was so beautiful, and as the only daughter of the Song family, they had found her intimidating. But throughout the training, Song Hwa-rin had been down-to-earth and approachable, shattering their preconceptions.
Gwan-hwi spoke on behalf of everyone.
“You’re truly amazing.”
“You’re too kind.”
The Sword Squad warriors chimed in eagerly.
“No, really! You’re incredible.”
“You’re the best!”
Song Hwa-rin smiled at them.
“It was a fantastic training. Let’s do it again if we get the chance.”
“Yes!”
They all saw Song Hwa-rin in a new light.
Song Hwa-rin felt genuinely happy. She had hesitated at first. Could she really do this? What would others think? What if something went wrong because of her? All sorts of worries had crossed her mind.
But in the end, all her fears were unfounded. She was proud of herself for completing the tough training.
As she left the training ground, Gwang-du was waiting for her.
“You’re truly amazing.”
“Thank you.”
“The young master will be pleased to hear about this.”
“Do you think he even remembers me?”
Gwang-du chuckled at her joke.
“If he forgot you, I’d mistake him for an enemy.”
“Then you’d fight him, Gwang-du? Lucky you.”
“Hahaha.”
Gwang-du laughed heartily. Who would have thought Song Hwa-rin could make such self-deprecating jokes?
“You’ve changed a lot, miss.”
“Yes, I admit it.”
Having such a conversation with Gwang-du was something she couldn’t have imagined before. Acknowledging her own changes was also new.
“Any news about him?”
“No.”
After a brief pause, Gwang-du spoke.
“Whenever the young master disappears for a while, he always comes back completely changed. It makes me want to show him how much I’ve changed too.”
“I think I understand what you mean.”
“He’s a young master who never lets anyone rest.”
“Hahaha.”
This time, Song Hwa-rin laughed heartily.
“See you next time.”
“Yes, take care.”
As she walked a few steps away, she turned back.
“Let’s have a sparring match sometime.”
Gwang-du was taken aback by her unexpected suggestion.
“With me, miss?”
“Yes, I want to spar with you.”
She had sensed that Gwang-du’s aura was the strongest among the Sword Squad warriors. Her own skills had been improving rapidly since she had recently succeeded in unleashing sword energy.
“Yes! I understand!”
Gwang-du’s eyes were filled with determination not to lose in martial arts.
Song Hwa-rin left the Byuk Clan’s Sword School.
They say out of sight, out of mind. But sometimes, not seeing someone only makes the longing grow stronger.
She paused for a moment, looking westward where Wuhan lay.
After ensuring no one was around, she called out loudly.
“Are you doing well?”
I was trying hard to suppress my laughter.
In the emergency operations room, there were seven strategists, including Gal Sa-ryang.
I was seated closest to Gal Sa-ryang, where we could see each other’s faces.
Just seeing Gal Sa-ryang made me happy. I was thrilled to have him back on my side.
“Strategist Byuk.”
“Yes.”
“Take care of this.”
“Understood.”
I called in the regular strategists and began handling the task.
We were striving to detect new movements across the central plains, trying to uncover the Demonic Cult’s activities.
We knew there was a hidden force behind it, but innocent people were dying. We had to stop it somehow.
But it wasn’t easy. The Demonic Cult was a force that had appeared out of nowhere. We couldn’t predict where or how they would strike.
Gal Sa-ryang had assigned spies to Ma Cheol-gun. But Ma Cheol-gun was a formidable master, and his security was tight. We could only track his movements from a distance.
The critical issue was that even if we monitored Ma Cheol-gun, we couldn’t prevent the demons’ massacres. Ma Cheol-gun was merely playing the role of a cleaner.
After quickly finishing the task Gal Sa-ryang had given me, I brought it to him.
“It’s done.”
“Good work.”
We were diligently fulfilling our roles as chief strategist and responsible strategist. It felt natural. We were proving that what mattered was the heart, not the position, in this changed relationship.
Starting with Gwang-du, I had gained many people. It was joyful to improve my martial arts and earn money, but nothing compared to the joy of gaining people.
In my past life, I hadn’t achieved the ultimate sword technique, but I had nearly reached the pinnacle of martial arts, possessed the power of the Martial Alliance, and could have amassed great wealth if I wanted.
But I hadn’t felt this happiness.
The same Baek Pyo-go, the same Gal Sa-ryang, but I hadn’t been this happy back then.
Now, I finally understood what true relationships were and the happiness they brought.
Once, the Alliance’s god of trust had said something.
He had witnessed countless people at the moment of death, and none of them regretted not amassing more wealth or power. Most of their regrets were about relationships.
Not being kinder to someone, not meeting someone, not saying what needed to be said…
I had brushed it off then, but now I understood.
The reason I continued to train in martial arts, build forces, and gather money was to protect people.
The one behind all this was likely the opposite. Using people for money and power.
That’s the difference in our fight.
News arrived that the Hwasu Manor in Sangju had been annihilated.
A few days later, reports came that the demons, who had been committing brutal massacres and moving south, were slaughtered in Sanyang by Ma Cheol-gun and the warriors of Cheondo Gate. Ma Cheol-gun’s popularity soared, while criticism of the Martial Alliance’s incompetence intensified.
The day after the news broke, Ju Cheol-ryong visited the emergency operations room.
He dismissed the strategists of the Justice Pavilion and met privately with Gal Sa-ryang.
“The Demonic Cult is causing chaos in the martial world. The situation is urgent, so we must quickly decide on the next leader of the alliance, don’t you think?”
This was the very reason he had come. Galsaryang could sense that their movements were quicker than anticipated.
“Do you have someone in mind?” he asked.
“Isn’t there someone who’s naturally risen to the occasion without us having to think too hard?”
“Are you referring to the leader of Cheondo?”
Jucheolryong nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
“A son avenging his father. Isn’t that fitting?”
“Fitting for whom, exactly?”
“I believe it’s the right choice for the martial world.”
At times like this, his audacity was almost impressive. Fortunately, since they both knew everything there was to know, there was no need for unnecessary mind games.
“What if I refuse?” Galsaryang challenged.
“You’ve refused before, haven’t you? And you’ve seen the results. Let’s make it pleasant this time.”
Galsaryang, who had been glaring at Jucheolryong, let out a light sigh.
“Give me some time to think.”
“Of course, take all the time you need.”
As Jucheolryong turned to leave, Galsaryang called out from behind.
“Do you ever think of the former leader?”
Jucheolryong paused at the door.
“Why bring up someone who’s already gone?”
“I can’t help but think of him. Seeing things that would never have happened if he were still around makes me miss him even more these days.”
“It’s all pointless.”
Jucheolryong closed the door behind him.
Galsaryang stared at the closed door and murmured softly, “If it’s all pointless… doesn’t that make our lives unbearably pitiful?”
Galsaryang summoned me to recount his meeting with Jucheolryong.
“Their movements are swift. The fact that there are no gaps suggests this was premeditated. There’s someone orchestrating everything from behind the scenes.”
I had sensed this before. They had someone as competent as Galsaryang on their side.
“Do you have any thoughts on this matter?” Galsaryang asked for my opinion.
“First, let me say this: I intend to follow your lead, now and always. If you say to live, I’ll live; if you say to die, I’ll die. If you say to stand, I’ll stand; if you say to run, I’ll run.”
I meant every word, and I believed Galsaryang understood my sincerity. I could see a flicker of emotion cross his face.
“That’s why I’ll speak freely. I trust you’re not someone who forms opinions based on others’ reactions. Perhaps my ramblings might offer some insight.”
He had always been like this, even in past lives, presenting his views confidently, even when they contradicted mine.
“In response to your earlier question, I think we can accept their proposal.”
Galsaryang listened quietly, then asked in a calm tone, “May I ask why?”
“If we block their plan and appoint someone else as leader, they won’t leave the new leader alone. They’ll end up as a sacrifice.”
Galsaryang nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
“I suspect Machulgun has already allied with them.”
Given the circumstances, it seemed likely. If that were the case, it would be easier for us to deal with him. It’s simpler to confront a villain than a hero.
Finally, Galsaryang shared his thoughts.
“I agree. We’ll go along with their plan this time. But we should pretend to resist a little. If we comply too easily, they might become suspicious.”
“I’ll leave that entirely to you, Galsaryang.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and could you grant me access to the Cheonryong Library?”
The Cheonryong Library was a place only the leader of the martial alliance could enter, known more for the quality than the quantity of its books.
Without asking for a reason, Galsaryang replied, “Yes, that’s possible.”
“Thank you.”
There was something I needed to find there.
From now on, we must act swiftly. Their plans have been significantly disrupted, likely due to Galsaryang. They’ll send someone to uncover the mastermind behind us. After all, several of their experts have perished. They’ll try to find and eliminate our own experts.
I plan to move before they do. Being hunted is the last thing I want.