When Tears Fall From Our Eyes (2)
A labyrinth stretched out before me.
The maze, with its towering walls, was so intricate that finding a way through seemed impossible.
If finding the path was all there was to it, time might have eventually solved the problem. But this maze was the heart of the Dark Abyss Formation. What was once an empty void had been filled with this labyrinthine array.
As I wandered through the maze, hidden weapons flew at me from all directions, and blades shot up from the ground. Destroying the walls was not an option either. Any attempt to break them would only intensify the attacks manifold.
Knowing where the exit was, I could say with certainty that finding it by luck was nearly impossible.
If someone managed to do that, they might as well try jumping off a cliff. If they could find the exit by chance, they might just survive the fall and discover a field of miraculous herbs below.
I swiftly navigated my way out of the maze. Attacks continued to target me from all sides, and I was reminded once again of the terrifying power of the Dark Abyss Formation.
Beyond the maze lay a new space.
This place was filled with scorching heat, with flames erupting from every corner. It was the Fire Formation.
Boom! Boom!
Flames burst forth from the ground like lava.
I leapt to avoid the fire. Even from a distance, the heat enveloped my entire body.
The ground trembled beneath my feet again. If I didn’t move the moment I felt it, it would be too late.
Sure enough, as I dodged, flames erupted from where I had just been standing.
Without knowing the exact way to find the exit here, one would tire themselves out running back and forth, only to be consumed by the flames. Though it was a formation, the heat and fire were very real.
I weaved through the flames, honing my martial arts skills.
It was akin to training by jumping off a cliff. A practice where a single mistake could mean death. One might wonder why engage in such dangerous training, but it’s this kind of practice that makes one a true master.
I imagined and struck down imaginary foes, all while dodging the fiery attacks.
The Soul-Reaping Demon Swordsmanship had regained its former prowess.
Now, all that remained was to master the final stage of the Celestial Crane Technique. Just one step away.
Once both martial arts reached their peak, and I discovered how they could merge, I would gain insights into martial arts that I had never experienced in my past life.
Of course, there was a chance I might gain nothing at all.
Martial arts often take unexpected turns, so the outcome is something I must experience firsthand. I can only hope for a favorable result.
After thoroughly training and moving my body, I finally found the exit and left the Fire Formation.
Once again, I emerged into a completely different place.
This time, it was a beach. Galsaryang was waiting there. The third formation was not yet complete.
“How was it?”
“Did you really need to create this place? You could just take a break.”
Galsaryang smiled.
“I think so too, but there might be opponents like you, my lord.”
“Hahaha.”
I laughed heartily, but Galsaryang was right. Never underestimate your enemies.
“Any news from Samacheon?”
“No. But he’ll manage.”
Galsaryang’s confidence was well-founded. He had ensured that Samacheon had no choice but to keep his promise before sending him off.
“He’s someone who values his life above all else.”
Galsaryang said he had more work to do and would come out later, so I left the formation first.
When I returned to my room, Gwangdu was tidying up.
“Oh, you’re back already? How did the formation test go?”
“It went well.”
“That’s a relief.”
I had shared a room with Gwangdu the previous night. It had become a regular occurrence, though Gwangdu still felt awkward about it. Despite being conscious of our status difference, I already considered him like family.
“Did you have a good talk with Miss Song yesterday?”
What Gwangdu really wanted to ask about wasn’t the formation test, but this.
I answered honestly.
“I’m not sure.”
“Well, if you were sure, things wouldn’t be like this, would they?”
“What do you mean, ‘like this’? What did I do?”
“Feeling guilty, are we?”
For a moment, I couldn’t respond.
There was nothing between Chilho and me, but there was an undeniable exchange of emotions that couldn’t be put into words. Our meetings were unavoidable due to our missions, but I couldn’t deny those feelings.
“I don’t feel guilty.”
“Sure, if you have no conscience.”
I knew why Gwangdu was saying this. He had teased me about living together yesterday, but he genuinely hoped things would work out with Song Hwarin.
“Gwangdu.”
“Yes.”
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
In this life, I had placed love far down my list of priorities. That’s why I kept my distance from Song Hwarin.
But now, things had changed. My emotions had begun to stir.
Perhaps it was inevitable from the start. Opening my heart to my new parents, meeting Gwangdu, gaining Baekpyo and Galsaryang.
All these relationships were woven differently from my past life. Why would love be any different? My heart, once fossilized, had begun to beat again.
When I spoke honestly, Gwangdu’s face flushed slightly.
“Young master, I may not know what you don’t, but I do know this: you won’t make a foolish choice. So trust yourself. I’m always on your side. No matter what path you take, I’ll support and follow you. Even if you make a mistake, so what? People live by making mistakes. Let’s live freely! Meet this woman, that woman! You’ll regret it, Dosoon!”
I laughed at Gwangdu. How could I not know he was saying this for my sake?
Yes, you’re right.
There are things that can’t be solved by worrying in advance. Especially when it comes to relationships. Time and memories are needed to reach any conclusion.
Yes, I’ll let this fate take me where it will, and I’ll go with the flow.
The man who entered the secret chamber blindfolded was Samacheon.
When the blindfold was removed, Mayanghwa was waiting in the room.
“I’m sorry for bringing you here like this.”
“I understand.”
Having had a long-standing relationship with the Heavenly Dao Sect, he naturally knew Mayanghwa well. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had known her since she was a toddler. Samacheon was treated with great respect by the sect.
“I heard you were imprisoned. How did you get out?”
“Galsaryang released me.”
“Galsaryang?”
Mayanghwa was taken aback.
“Why are you so surprised? Who else has the power to release me right now?”
“Then why did you seek me out?”
Samacheon had sent someone to secretly arrange a meeting with her after his release.
“Galsaryang made me an offer. He wants me to mediate a meeting with you.”
“Me? Why?”
“He claims that Marengyin is trying to kill him. So he seems to want your help.”
It was no secret that Marengyin and the other successors didn’t get along.
‘So Galsaryang doesn’t know that I’m trying to kill him!’
It was only natural. How could he know that I, along with Magungtae, had met with Cheonsoseon through Marengyin and received orders to kill him? Everything had been done in secret.
Mayanghwa inwardly rejoiced.
‘This might be an easy chance to kill him.’
She realized an opportunity had presented itself. She concealed her delight and pretended to hesitate.
“But I have no reason to meet him, especially after falling out with Marengyin.”
“How much do you trust Marengyin?”
To be honest, not at all. She had only allied with him to survive.
“Did you know Marengyin tried to kill Cheolguni?”
Mayanghwa was shocked.
“Did that really happen?”
“It did, some time ago.”
She hadn’t known about it.
“Of course, he wouldn’t have told you. Marengyin is too busy using you for his own ends.”
“Still, I can’t side with Galsaryang.”
“Why not? They’re blood relatives who are worse than strangers.”
“Uncle, you’ve completely sided with Galsaryang.”
“I have to survive too. If I succeed in this, I can get out of prison.”
Samacheon spoke candidly, which increased her trust in him.
“Why do you think Marengyin wants to kill Galsaryang? His enemy is Macheolgun. Doesn’t that smart guy know that the enemy of his enemy can be a friend?”
“That’s…”
Mayanghwa couldn’t answer easily. She had been too focused on surviving through Marengyin to think deeply about it.
“Marengyin is trying to use Galsaryang to get rid of you.”
Mayanghwa’s mind was in turmoil.
She was used to analyzing and calculating everything, never taking things at face value. That’s why Samacheon had sought her out before Magungtae.
“Will you meet Galsaryang?”
“Alright, but only if he comes alone.”
“That’s a difficult request.”
“Then let’s forget about it.”
“Fine, I’ll try to persuade him. But you must come alone too. To be fair, let’s meet in an open area. How about Seoyapyeong, west of the main hall?”
Mayanghwa nodded.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
She readily agreed to the condition for a reason. She intended to kill Galsaryang.
‘He thinks he can drive a wedge between us, but I’m not that foolish.’
She could easily take care of Galsaryang on her own. And she had no intention of going alone. She would hide her subordinates out of sight.
She also decided not to tell Magungtae. This opportunity had come to her.
The next morning, Mayanghwa watched the plain from a distance.
Galsaryang stood alone at the agreed location.
“He’s definitely alone.”
A man approached from behind Mayanghwa and spoke. He was missing an eye, and it was none other than Dokangom Hwangjong.
Soon, more men gathered from different directions. They were the renowned warriors Gwanwaessangbu and Sobaekigeom, each a master in their own right, celebrated across the land.
“No one else is in sight.”
Hearing their report, Mayanghwa’s tense expression softened.
“Stay here, and if anything happens, be ready to assist me.”
“Understood.”
After instructing them to remain hidden, Mayanghwa walked towards Galsaryang.
Indeed, Galsaryang was alone.
Mayanghwa felt a surge of joy, as if the heavens were on her side.
‘If he knew I intended to kill him, he would never have come here alone.’
She approached close enough to strike Galsaryang down if she wished.
“To meet the famed leader of the Murim Alliance in such a place is quite something.”
Galsaryang smiled at her words.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Why did you want to see me?”
Though she planned to kill him, she figured she might as well hear him out first.
“I want to join forces with you to eliminate the Marengin.”
“Do you think that’s possible?”
“I believe it is, as long as we don’t betray each other.”
Mayanghwa hesitated for a moment. If this was truly a trap, as Sima Qian suggested, killing Galsaryang might be a mistake. He could be the lifeline she needed.
But Mayanghwa wasn’t one to gamble her life on such slim odds.
‘Unfortunately, you must die by my hand.’
Just as she resolved to act, a group of martial artists rushed towards them. Their swift movements marked them as no ordinary fighters. In an instant, they arrived—it was Magungtae and his followers.
“What on earth is going on here?” Magungtae shouted angrily. The warriors following him were the Mujungsipgaek, and the man with the long spear was Sinbichang.
Their sudden appearance prompted Dokangom, Gwanwaessangbu, and Sobaekigeom to reveal themselves as well.
Seeing Magungtae fuming, Mayanghwa quickly spoke up.
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“How can I not misunderstand in this situation?”
“He asked to meet me, so I came.”
“And you didn’t think to inform me?”
“Well…”
Mayanghwa had no excuse for that. It was true she intended to claim the glory of killing Galsaryang for herself.
At that moment, Galsaryang addressed her.
“Then I’ll take it that you understand my intentions. Let’s meet outside later.”
Magungtae shouted again.
“Who said you could just leave?”
Then, Galsaryang turned and took a step. In the next instant, he vanished.
Everyone was taken aback.
The area they stood in had already been set up with a formation, ready to be activated with the movement of a single stone.
When Magungtae and his group appeared, Galsaryang had shifted the stone beneath his feet, completing the formation.
The formation wasn’t particularly complex or dangerous. Without finding the exit, they would be trapped for about half an hour, wandering aimlessly.
I waited outside the formation for Galsaryang.
He walked over to me and said, “Now we just have to wait.”
I nodded.
There were no mazes or pillars of fire in this formation.
Yet it could be more terrifying than the darkest abyss, for inside it was filled with greed, misunderstanding, and distrust.