This Is My Power (1)
Baekseok walked across the courtyard, his nerves on edge.
Just like Ju Cheol-ryong in the past, Baekseok couldn’t help but feel tense whenever he came here.
The servants who swept the yard were stronger than him, and he doubted he could win against the attendants who brought the tea.
In this place, where the number of masters was unknown, there was Cheon So-seon.
Today, he sat in the backyard, eyes closed like a meditating monk.
Even as Baekseok arrived, Cheon So-seon did not open his eyes. Baekseok stood silently to the side, waiting for him to acknowledge his presence.
Time passed, but Cheon So-seon remained as still as a statue. One might have expected Baekseok to be angry at being summoned only to be ignored, but he showed no such irritation.
To the casual observer, Cheon So-seon might seem like a handsome young man from a prestigious family, skilled in playing the flute. But that would be the greatest misconception.
Cheon So-seon was not someone to be underestimated. He was unpredictable, and Baekseok knew this better than anyone.
Half an hour passed, then a full hour.
Cheon So-seon remained unmoving, to the point where Baekseok began to worry he might have fallen into a trance.
But knowing Cheon So-seon, there was no need for such concern.
‘Damn it! Is he punishing me?’
Baekseok could only interpret it that way.
It was nearly two hours later when Cheon So-seon finally opened his eyes. Until then, Baekseok had stood there without moving an inch.
In the next moment, Cheon So-seon extended his finger towards the sky.
Whoosh!
A blue energy, sharp as a sword, shot from his fingertip, slicing through the air and soaring upwards.
Baekseok’s jaw dropped. He had witnessed many masters’ techniques in his life, seen them pierce hearts with a single gust of wind.
But what Cheon So-seon just demonstrated was something he had never seen before.
It flew so far and so fast that it was almost invisible. How many in this world could evade such an attack?
“Have you been waiting long? You should have made your presence known.”
“No, I just arrived.”
“Is that so?”
Of course, Baekseok knew he had been there for two hours.
This was how Cheon So-seon dealt with people.
“How are the preparations going?”
“Everything is proceeding smoothly. Im Yeon-jeong has arrived safely and is preparing the grand ceremony.”
“And the inauguration of the new leader?”
“It will proceed without a hitch.”
Baekseok could report that much with confidence. The problem was the next issue.
“What about Galsaryang?”
Baekseok’s head bowed involuntarily.
“We haven’t been able to identify the master behind him yet.”
“Is Galsaryang that well-hidden, or are you simply incompetent?”
Baekseok swallowed hard, bowing his head even lower. He knew a single misstep could cost him his life.
“Considering the masters we’ve lost to him, he’s not someone to be taken lightly.”
Cheon So-seon’s gaze turned icy.
“So, do we just continue to struggle? Why not bring Galsaryang over to our side?”
“I’m sorry.”
Baekseok bowed his head. If only it were that simple.
Though Cheon So-seon’s gaze was displeased, it didn’t turn murderous. He knew that Galsaryang was not an easy opponent for Baekseok.
Just then, an attendant arrived with a message.
“The elder is looking for you, sir.”
Cheon So-seon began to walk away, saying, “Go back and assist Im Yeon-jeong.”
“Yes, I will do my utmost.”
Once Cheon So-seon left, Baekseok finally let out a sigh of relief. Ever since Heukseok’s death, every day felt like walking on thin ice.
Sometimes, he envied Heukseok, who had gone before him… No, he didn’t envy him. No matter how hard it was, this chaotic world was better.
I stood in a vast, empty space filled with silence.
It was a place with no end in sight. There was nothing around—no stones, no blades of grass. A thoroughly artificial space.
This was a space created by an array, a high-level formation called the Black Darkness Bone Array that Galsaryang was constructing as part of his training.
The array was being set up in the front yard of a new residence near the main base.
With the date of the inauguration set, Galsaryang found himself with more free time.
Of course, the Justice Pavilion was still busy, but most of the work fell to the subordinate soldiers, leaving little for the chief military officer to do.
Moreover, with rumors of a new military officer being appointed, there was even more leisure time.
The array was set up in the front yard, and once activated, stepping into the yard would bring one into this space.
I used this place for one purpose: martial arts training.
The vast space allowed me to train without worrying about my surroundings.
Of course, I practiced the Soul-Devouring Demon Sword technique without using internal energy, focusing only on the forms.
If the Black Darkness Bone Array were complete, even the Soul-Devouring Demon Sword technique wouldn’t work. The stronger the martial arts, the more they would help find the life gate, but brute force alone couldn’t break it.
However, since it was still under construction, using too powerful a technique inside could break the array.
After finishing a round of training, I moved.
I reached a specific spot and began walking a predetermined path.
Six steps forward, two steps left, seven steps forward again, twelve steps right…
Following the path, the scenery suddenly changed.
Now, I stood in a path between two massive walls.
Walking along the path, I tapped the bricks on either side in a specific order.
How long did I tap?
When I hit the final brick, the towering walls vanished like a lie.
Now, a desert sand dune appeared, where a man was bent over, working on something.
It was Galsaryang.
“Have you arrived?”
Galsaryang straightened up and greeted me.
He was working on the array from the inside. Creating a high-level array wasn’t just about setting it up outside; there were internal components to construct as well.
Despite his busy schedule, Galsaryang was dedicating time to the array, more out of pure fascination than any specific future use.
“The array is gradually taking shape.”
“It’s just the framework for now. There’s still a long way to go.”
The spaces I had passed through were the same.
Once complete, the array would transform each space into something entirely different. It could become a maze, a stormy sea, or a jungle teeming with poisonous creatures and wild beasts. The two massive walls could crush anyone standing between them or collapse entirely.
One thing was certain: without knowing the life gate, it would be a deadly trap.
“It’s not just a defensive array. If we lure enemies in and trap them, it could cause significant damage.”
“Don’t overexert yourself.”
“No, it’s just a pastime. Moving my body like this makes me feel healthier.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Come, follow my steps.”
I followed Galsaryang’s movements precisely.
The surroundings changed once more.
This time, a garden filled with blooming flowers appeared, with a pavilion in the center. It was my first time here, likely a recent addition.
“Let’s talk here.”
“How dangerous this beautiful place might become.”
“Perhaps it’s best not to know.”
“Hahaha.”
Ma Cheol-gun had informed me that they intended to appoint Elder No as the new chief military officer. Everything was going as expected. The fact that the forces behind the scenes weren’t stopping it suggested that Galsaryang’s usefulness to the Martial Alliance had ended.
Now, they would likely use Ma Cheol-gun to launch a full-scale conspiracy.
I was on high alert, fearing they might attempt to assassinate Galsaryang, but he remained unperturbed.
“Given that they’ve left me alone so far, I doubt they’ll make a move before the inauguration. It would cause too much trouble if the chief military officer died before the ceremony.”
“I’m still worried.”
“They’re probably hesitant to kill me.”
The masters and forces lost trying to eliminate Galsaryang were significant. They couldn’t just order his death on a whim anymore.
The most certain way was to demonstrate my power.
But it still felt too early. If the Martial Alliance mobilized against us, it would lead to unnecessary sacrifices.
Galsaryang watched a butterfly flit among the garden’s flowers and spoke.
“What do you think their goal is?”
I had encountered many desires and ambitions. Despite meeting countless people, their wants were few.
Power and money.
These were the most common reasons, followed by love and revenge.
What was the reason this time?
They had the power to manipulate the Martial Alliance leader. The organizations they mobilized showed immense financial backing.
If not power or money, was it love? Revenge?
Or perhaps even greater power and wealth?
Cheon So-seon walked into the cave.
In that place, filled with a mysterious energy, stalactites hung like icicles, and stalagmites and columns formed by dripping water rose here and there.
It was a place that evoked a sense of ancient time, perfectly matching the presence of one person.
The old man, with wrinkles not only on his face but even on the backs of his hands, looked as if he had lived for a century. He was truly an elder whose age was impossible to guess.
Even Cheon So-seon felt a sense of intimidation in the presence of this formidable figure.
“You’ve come?”
The voice echoed through the cave, adding an air of mystery.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Come closer.”
“Yes.”
Cheon So-seon approached the old man.
The elder leaned in, bringing his face close to Cheon So-seon’s, his eyes piercing as if they could see right through to his soul. Suddenly, he spoke.
“There’s a problem, isn’t there?”
“Yes. There’s something I can’t seem to resolve.”
“If it were easy, others would be in our place, not us.”
This was a testament to the difficulty of their work, and a nod to their own importance.
“When undertaking great tasks, obstacles are inevitable. What did I tell you to do in such times?”
“You told me not to overthink it. Not to strive for perfection.”
Those were words Cheon So-seon had once shared with Ju Cheol-ryong.
The old man finally smiled.
“That’s right. You remember well. But why are you harboring anger?”
“There’s someone whose instincts clash with mine.”
“Eliminate them.”
The old man’s words were swift and resolute.
“Anyone who raises doubts should be removed without hesitation. Crush them with overwhelming force.”
After a brief pause, Cheon So-seon replied.
“Yes, I understand.”
The old man seemed to guess why the response wasn’t immediate.
“Does the simplicity of the solution not sit well with you? But you must know, countless ambitious people have failed because they couldn’t follow this simple path. They let pride and unnecessary scheming get in the way. Those things will cost you your life.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“To truly become strong, you must embrace simplicity. Don’t indulge in reckless risks.”
The old man began to walk slowly, and Cheon So-seon followed.
In the center of the cave was a bed made of jade, and on it lay a naked boy, asleep.
The old man’s gaze, filled with uncontainable passion, rested on the boy.
“Especially when you’re on the brink of achieving what no one in the history of the martial world has accomplished.”