This Is My Power (2)
After reading the letter, Im Yeon-jeong wiped away her tears.
The letter had come with a box sent by Il-ho from the organization.
Her tears had soaked the front of her clothes, but even as she cried, she was careful not to let her tears smudge the letter.
After reading it several times, she finally folded it neatly and placed it back in the envelope.
She then opened her wardrobe and took out a small box. Inside were letters she had received in the past, packed tightly. She placed the letter she had just read at the edge, closed the box, and put it back in the wardrobe.
Just then, she heard Chil-ho’s voice from outside.
“May I come in?”
“Come in.”
Chil-ho opened the door and entered.
“I brought you some food.”
On the tray were rice and a few neatly arranged dishes.
“Enjoy your meal.”
As she turned to leave, Im Yeon-jeong spoke up.
“Join me for the meal.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to eat alone.”
Chil-ho hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Alright.”
She left and returned with her own tray. However, the number of side dishes was different. Im Yeon-jeong had five or six, while Chil-ho had only two.
“Why is it like this? Is it because of me?”
“No, please don’t misunderstand. I just prefer eating this way.”
Her eating habits had naturally developed from rigorous training. Unless it was a special occasion, she kept her meals simple.
The two began to eat.
But just as Chil-ho was about to take a bite, she put down her chopsticks. She took out a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it over.
“You have tear marks on your face. Wipe them off.”
“Thank you.”
Im Yeon-jeong took the handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.
“Some dust got in my eyes earlier, and I teared up a bit. I’ll wash this and return it to you.”
“No, it’s fine. Please give it back.”
Chil-ho took the handkerchief back almost as if snatching it. Im Yeon-jeong handed it over without protest. She knew that even offering the handkerchief must have been a big decision for her, and she didn’t want to make her uncomfortable just for her own peace of mind.
“Now I’m curious.”
Im Yeon-jeong had an inkling of what she meant but feigned ignorance.
“About what?”
“What are you planning to do with all those ominous items?”
“To be honest… I’m not entirely sure myself.”
“Not sure?”
“I only know it’s for some grand ritual. I’m just responsible for a part of it. I don’t even know how many people are involved. The most crucial part is probably handled by someone else.”
“I see.”
“But it’s definitely a massive and dangerous ritual. It won’t be over in a day or two. It could take months, maybe even years.”
“Thank you for being honest.”
“In that case, shall we go see that person again? Don’t you want to see Byeok-gun-sa?”
Chil-ho was taken aback by the unexpected suggestion.
“No, I don’t.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t want to.”
“But I want to see him.”
“Then go by yourself.”
Pretending to stand up, Im Yeon-jeong sat back down with a smile.
“I can’t do that. Loyalty, you know.”
Chil-ho looked up at Im Yeon-jeong for a moment. Her eyes seemed to ask if there really was such a thing as loyalty between them. Reading her thoughts, Im Yeon-jeong nodded firmly.
Chil-ho still couldn’t understand Im Yeon-jeong. Why was she being so kind to her?
But at least it didn’t seem to be out of any ill intent. And even if it were, what did it matter? All she had to lose was her own body.
In any case, she enjoyed these moments with Im Yeon-jeong.
Unconsciously, Chil-ho allowed a small smile to form.
Im Yeon-jeong made a fuss as if she had made a great discovery.
“Oh? You smiled! You just smiled!”
“I didn’t smile.”
“You look pretty when you smile.”
“I didn’t smile. I never smile.”
“Why? Why don’t you ever smile?”
For a moment, Chil-ho couldn’t answer. She had never told anyone she didn’t smile, nor had she ever been asked why.
Im Yeon-jeong turned her head to look out the window. The clear sky seemed to beckon her to come outside.
“Who lives like that? Smile. The more the world sucks, the more you should smile. Smiling is how you win.”
But traces of tears still lingered on her face.
Im Yeon-jeong suddenly stood up.
“Let’s go out. Let’s have a drink in the afternoon.”
Without waiting for a response, she strode towards the door.
To Chil-ho, who was still hesitating and looking down at the tray, Im Yeon-jeong said,
“Are you going to stay and clean that up? Or are you coming for a drink with me?”
The Black Abyss Formation was nearing completion.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t be perfected. Some essential materials were simply unobtainable.
I had asked Gong Su-chan to help procure them, but there was no telling when they would be available. For now, I was working with what I had.
If I were to describe the current state of the formation, it was like a skeleton with a fair amount of flesh on it.
During this process, I made an unexpected discovery. By observing the creation stages from the beginning, my understanding of formations had deepened significantly. It wasn’t just about learning how to break them; I now understood how they were constructed.
“You truly are brilliant, my lord.”
I smiled awkwardly at Gal Sa-ryang’s admiration.
“It’s all thanks to you, General.”
“I was just doing my job.”
“It’s because I learned from watching over your shoulder.”
“That’s exactly why I’m saying this. No one else in the martial world could learn like that just by watching.”
It wasn’t just because I had memorized the Ghost Gate Formation. It was possible because my past life’s experiences and knowledge had combined.
“My lord… there’s something special about you.”
Gal Sa-ryang looked at me intently.
Yes, it was only natural for Gal Sa-ryang to find something special in me.
“Watching you reminds me of the former leader.”
He mentioned Cheon Hwa-jin again, looking apologetic.
“I should be honored.”
“No, it’s not something to be happy about. I’ve sworn to serve a new lord. Clinging to the past isn’t right.”
His self-reproach made me realize it was time to share something with him.
“General Gal, there’s a place I want to take you.”
Half an hour later, I stood with Gal Sa-ryang at the top of a nearby mountain. It was a rather high and secluded spot, but I had used my martial arts to bring him up comfortably.
Gal Sa-ryang was inwardly tense, wondering what I was about to say.
“From now on, watch everything I show you. Then we’ll talk. Don’t be surprised.”
“Yes.”
I drew the Suramyeongwang Sword. It was time for Gal Sa-ryang and me to take another step forward.
Whiiiiiiish!
The sword began to emit a sound like the wind.
As soon as he heard it, Gal Sa-ryang’s eyes widened. If I hadn’t told him not to be surprised, he might have let out a scream.
I swung the sword.
In the next moment, the rock in front of us was swept away by the wind of the sword’s energy, turning to dust.
Whoooooosh!
The sword began to create whirlwinds of energy.
One, two, three, four… countless whirlwinds of energy appeared in the air around the cliff.
It was overwhelming to behold, evoking a sense of fear. It was like witnessing the end of the world brought on by a natural disaster.
Gal Sa-ryang’s astonishment was of a different nature. He had seen my martial arts several times before, so he knew these terrifying whirlwinds were techniques from the Death God Swordsmanship.
Thus, his surprise wasn’t due to their formidable power but rather how I knew this martial art.
When I finally sheathed the sword, the whirlwinds of energy vanished from the air as if they had never existed.
The surroundings returned to a peaceful scene, as if nothing had happened.
A heavy silence settled over the place.
Neither Gal Sa-ryang nor I spoke.
How much time passed like that?
Gal Sa-ryang asked in a trembling voice.
“How can you perform the martial arts of the Heavenly Leader?”
At this moment, I truly wanted to confess to Gal Sa-ryang that I had been reincarnated. Gal Sa-ryang would keep the secret.
But I had decided not to. I believed it was against the will of the heavens.
Even if Gal Sa-ryang were to find out, it should be through other means or by realizing it naturally himself. That, too, would require the will of the heavens.
“I am a disciple of the Heavenly Leader. We share the same master.”
Gal Sa-ryang was taken aback by my claim of being Cheon Hwa-jin’s disciple.
It wasn’t possible to say I was Cheon Hwa-jin’s student. Given my age in my early twenties, it would have been around the time when Gal Sa-ryang or Baek Pyo were already by his side.
He could have been at war with the Demonic Sect or fighting the power brokers within the Martial Alliance.
In any case, it would be hard to believe that he secretly came to Shandong to teach me martial arts.
It wouldn’t make sense to say he taught me through a chance encounter, as it was impossible to master it so perfectly after just one lesson, and he wouldn’t pass on such a unique martial art to a fleeting acquaintance.
But if we were fellow disciples? The master could have raised Cheon Hwa-jin first and then taken on another disciple in his later years.
“My senior doesn’t know of my existence.”
I told Gal Sa-ryang about our master.
I shared with him the same stories I had told him in my past life.
Starting with the fact that our master was the thirty-fourth successor of the Death God Swordsmanship, I explained who he was, his personality, and what he had done throughout his life.
Only Cheon Hae-jin knew the full story, so Galsaryang had no choice but to believe me.
After hearing everything, Galsaryang, still unable to calm his emotions, asked, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I wanted to win you over with my own abilities.”
“Oh!”
“Even though I inherited great martial arts skills, I originally intended to live quietly. I even caused trouble on purpose, living like a rogue. But then I heard that my senior brother had died. Someone who should never have become the leader took over. That’s when I decided to return to the martial world.”
Since I began building this organization after my reincarnation, it wasn’t a lie. It also explained my sudden transformation from a wastrel to someone with purpose.
“The reason the Suramyungwang Sword resonated is likely because my martial arts are the same as my senior brother’s.”
“Ah, I see.”
Everything fell into place.
Of course, Galsaryang was smart enough to notice any inconsistencies eventually. But he had too many reasons to trust me.
“I’m sorry for telling you so late. I sincerely apologize.”
I bowed deeply to him.
Startled, Galsaryang returned the gesture. “Please, don’t. I’m just glad you told me now.”
The revelation that I was connected to Cheon Hae-jin as a sworn brother brought him great joy. He must have felt that our quests for vengeance were now united.
I helped him to his feet.
Galsaryang beamed at me. “To see the fifth form of the Chuhon Surak Sword Technique again! I feel relieved now.”
I smiled back at him. “So you were worried all this time.”
“Honestly, yes. That’s why I trained even harder in the formation techniques. But now, I can finally stop.”
“Hahaha.”
Galsaryang’s jokes were rare, so I laughed heartily.
I had worried he might be upset about being deceived. Fortunately, his trust and affection for me ran deeper than I had imagined.
Though I regretted not revealing my identity as Cheon Hae-jin sooner, I believed he would understand if it ever came to light.
When I was reborn as Byeok Lidan, I was thrilled to have a young body again. But now, what brings me the most joy are these human connections. It’s when I feel those bonds growing closer.
I don’t need to be the greatest in the world or the leader of the martial alliance.
I am happier now than I ever was then.
With a joyful expression, Galsaryang made a rare suggestion. “Would you like to have a celebratory drink with me?”
“Of course.”
How could I refuse?
We had grown closer, and he was the one suggesting a celebratory drink. Even if he had proposed dancing while drinking, I would have gladly obliged.
We descended the mountain, heading cheerfully toward the tavern.