When Time Gathers at the Dantian (1)
A few days before the coronation, warriors from all over gathered in Wuhuan.
The streets were so crowded that there was hardly any room to move. As people flocked in, so did the merchants.
I was sitting with Galsaryang at a teahouse called Blue, run by the Tianwang Society, watching the bustling crowd outside. Normally, this place would be packed, but Ban Seojung, the head of the society, had temporarily closed its doors.
So, the only patrons here were Galsaryang and me.
“It seems like there are several times more people than when Mabonggi was crowned,” Galsaryang remarked.
I replied, “It’s probably because of the fear of the Demon Sect.”
This coronation of Macheolgun was a clear demonstration of how external threats can unite people internally.
At that moment, Ban Seojung approached us and asked Galsaryang for a word.
“Could I have a moment with you?”
“Of course.”
The two moved towards the kitchen. Though they spoke in hushed tones, my keen hearing picked up their conversation.
“Weren’t you supposed to introduce the new person to the military leader today?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It seems the appointed time has passed. When will they arrive?”
Galsaryang gave a mysterious smile.
Ban Seojung, after observing him for a moment, seemed taken aback.
“Could it be?”
Her gaze slowly turned towards me. I could feel her eyes on me, but I pretended to be engrossed in the view outside.
She spoke again, her voice filled with disbelief.
“Is it really?”
“It is.”
“Oh my goodness!”
She was genuinely surprised. Normally, she was not one to show her emotions easily, but this time was different. Her shock and excitement were palpable.
Perhaps it was because she never imagined I could be Galsaryang’s lord.
I was Biryidan of the Byuk Clan Sword Sect in Shandong. It was unthinkable for Galsaryang to serve a young successor from a local sect, especially one who had just officially joined the Justice Pavilion.
She cautiously approached and sat across from me.
I turned my gaze from the window to her.
She scrutinized my face as if she were a fortune teller.
I revealed my true self, different from the persona I had shown her before. Not as the responsible military officer Biryidan, but as Galsaryang’s lord.
As I intentionally projected my aura, the atmosphere around us shifted. The air currents began to flow around me.
Her expression changed as she sensed the overwhelming power that had never been evident in me before.
“I prided myself on knowing the martial world better than anyone, but you’ve made me realize how foolish that arrogance was.”
Her words suggested that her first impression of me wasn’t bad.
“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I’m Ban Seojung, head of the Tianwang Society.”
“I’m Biryidan of the Byuk Clan Sword Sect.”
“A remarkable hero has emerged from the Byuk Clan Sword Sect in Shandong. I look forward to working with you.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
Galsaryang returned and sat beside her.
“Honestly, I was shocked when I heard that Galsaryang had a new lord. It was surprising enough, but to find out you’re so young?”
“It’s thanks to Galsaryang’s favorable view of me.”
Ban Seojung glanced at Galsaryang and said, “Galsaryang doesn’t easily take a liking to just anyone. He’s a very discerning person.”
Her playful dissatisfaction was evident. Galsaryang merely offered a faint smile.
Ban Seojung voiced the question she had been holding back.
“I heard something through Galsaryang.”
I had previously told Galsaryang that if a crisis arose, he could deny our association.
“I’m not questioning your generous consideration for our society, but I’m curious why you made such a decision.”
“It’s simple. Galsaryang cares for the Tianwang Society.”
“Ah!”
Of course, there were other reasons. But there was no need to elaborate. Supporting Galsaryang was a far better choice than listing reasons.
Galsaryang quickly added, “What we need is information, not your loyalty.”
It was a modest statement, and Ban Seojung turned to me with a knowing look.
“You see? This man doesn’t easily take a liking to anyone.”
“Haha.”
I laughed, feeling pleased.
After glancing between Galsaryang and me, Ban Seojung pulled out a few sheets of paper from her pocket.
“This is the first piece of information we’re providing.”
If her first impression of me had been poor, this information might never have reached us.
No matter her relationship with Galsaryang, she was a seasoned martial artist who prioritized her organization. If she couldn’t trust the opposing leader, how could she freely share information?
As I accepted the papers, I confidently assured her, “You won’t regret joining hands with us.”
The information she provided was related to the upcoming leader’s coronation.
It detailed the recent activities of families associated with Macheolgun, and Galsaryang identified something suspicious.
“There’s a point here that warrants attention.”
“What is it?”
“The One-Eyed Sword, Hwangjong, has come to attend the coronation.”
“Why is that unusual?”
“The One-Eyed Sword has never appeared at such official events. He detests crowded places and didn’t even attend Mabonggi’s coronation.”
Of course, Galsaryang wasn’t mentioning this for that reason alone.
“The issue is that he’s associated with Mayanghwa.”
“Mayanghwa, one of the heirs of the Cheondo Sect.”
“Not only the One-Eyed Sword, but also the Twin Axes from Beyond the Pass and the Two White Swords are coming. They’re all closely tied to Mayanghwa.”
“That’s certainly something to note.”
“Yes. I thought something was amiss, so I combined this with information from the Three-Eyed Pavilion. It turns out Mayanghwa isn’t the only one on the move. Masters led by Magungtae are also in motion. The Heartless Ten Guests and the Mysterious Spear are among them.”
The mentioned masters were renowned in the martial world.
“Two individuals sidelined in the succession struggle are mobilizing their top masters? They surely aren’t here to congratulate Macheolgun.”
Galsaryang spoke with certainty, “They’re either targeting Macheolgun or us.”
I could instinctively feel it.
“It seems they’re targeting us.”
Previously, I had killed a master archer and the Three Waters of Yunnan. This was likely another assassination attempt in the same vein.
“It’s time to break this chain of continuous attacks.”
“There are two options. We can either sink deep below the surface or rise above it.”
I pondered for a moment. Both decisions had their pros and cons.
My conclusion was this: “It’s time to rise.”
This didn’t mean announcing my presence to the world.
It meant showing that we could strike first, not just be on the receiving end. It was a warning that if they touched me, I would retaliate.
“But there’s one thing we must do first.”
“What is that?”
“My internal energy is currently at two cycles. I need to reach three cycles…”
Galsaryang finished my thought, “To use the Six Forms of Great Annihilation.”
I nodded. While I was already strong, there was a significant difference between being able to use all my martial arts and not.
If my internal energy reached three cycles and I could fully utilize my martial arts?
“Then it will be they who must sink.”
Galsaryang, lost in thought, suddenly seemed to recall something.
With a peculiar smile, he said, “There is a way to resolve the internal energy issue.”
A carriage sped down the main road.
The driver was Gwangdu.
“Is everything comfortable for you?”
Gwangdu called out, and a woman’s voice responded from the carriage.
“I’m fine.”
The voice belonged to Song Hwarin. Inside the carriage were Song Hwarin and Suran.
Suran leaned out the window and said, “If you’re tired, I can take over.”
“No, I’m still fine.”
The three of them were on their way to Wuhuan to attend the leader’s coronation.
When Gwangdu heard that Song Hwarin was representing the Song family at the coronation, he asked to accompany her, and she readily agreed.
Gwangdu called out again, “The young master will be thrilled to see you.”
“Who knows if he even wants to see me.”
“If he doesn’t want to see you, he must have been captured by demons and turned into a woman.”
Song Hwarin burst into laughter. Suran shook her head and shouted, “Stop with the nonsense and focus on driving!”
“Yes!”
Suran lowered her voice, “He really does talk a lot of nonsense, doesn’t he?”
“But isn’t it entertaining?”
“It is, but still.”
Suran had to admit. Initially, she opposed Gwangdu joining them, thinking it would be uncomfortable to travel with an outsider.
But as they traveled together, it wasn’t so bad. They had plenty of laughs, and while his words were frivolous, he was not. Gwangdu was quick and courteous, clearly understanding how to handle relationships.
“He’s not an ordinary servant.”
“Indeed.”
Song Hwarin held Gwangdu in high regard. While her opinion was partly influenced by the fact that he was someone Biryidan valued, she had come to see his charm through this journey.
“Miss, I’ve heard that an enormous crowd has gathered for the coronation. Please be extra cautious when you arrive.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
Byuk Do-jun and Song Woo-kyung, the patriarchs of the Byuk clan, were deeply dissatisfied with the new leader. Just as they had with Ma Bong-gi before, they believed Ma Cheol-gun was unfit to lead. Consequently, they decided to boycott the inauguration ceremony. However, Song Hwa-rin volunteered to attend in their stead.
Despite concerns about the Ma sect and rumors of large crowds, they reluctantly agreed to let Song Hwa-rin go, as she expressed a desire to visit the Byuk clan in Mu-han.
As she gazed out of the carriage window, a wave of longing washed over Song Hwa-rin.
She missed the Byuk clan dearly.
She had dreamt of that day they kissed countless times. Some nights, the dreams went even further, leaving her unable to focus on anything else the following day.
Truthfully, she had little interest in the inauguration itself.
Gal Sa-ryang and I arrived at Somangpyeong, located south of Mu-han.
The place was dotted with countless towers, where people came to make wishes as they built them.
This place held a special significance for me. It was named Somangpyeong because of me.
On the day of my final battle with the Blood Heaven Sect’s leader, everyone from the surrounding areas gathered here to wish for my victory.
After I defeated the sect leader, the place became known as Somangpyeong, a site for making wishes.
“There is a safe house here for the leader. Only the previous leader and I know of its existence.”
As the leader of the martial alliance, I had several safe houses scattered across the land. They were meant for times of rebellion or when I might be gravely injured and lose my martial arts abilities.
“This one is special. While most safe houses are merely for hiding, this one is designed to help overcome crises.”
“Special, you say?”
“Yes, you’ll understand once you see it.”
Gal Sa-ryang walked confidently between the towers. With thousands of them varying in height, it was easy to get lost, but he navigated as if he knew the way by heart.
Following him, I recalled the day I first learned about this place and how to find the safe house.
During my tenure as leader, I had little interest in the safe houses. I was confident in my martial arts skills and never imagined I would need them.
Using a distant tree as a landmark, Gal Sa-ryang had established a system of specific towers to guide the way. There was a precise pattern of movements around these towers.
Despite the years, Gal Sa-ryang remembered the location of the safe house perfectly.
After weaving through the stone towers, we stopped in front of one that looked no different from the others.
Gal Sa-ryang removed a stone embedded in the center. It slid out smoothly, despite appearing immovable.
“Only the leader can enter here. The door opens only with the leader’s internal energy. Anyone who has mastered the same martial arts can also enter.”
In other words, it was a mechanism that could only be unlocked with a specific internal energy.
I placed my hand into the opening, resting it on a flat stone, and infused it with my energy.
With a clunk, the ground opened to reveal a staircase leading down into darkness.
“Please go ahead. I’ll wait here.”
“Understood.”
I descended the stairs slowly, stepping into the shadows below.