Whose Side is the Sky On? (1)
The carriage driven by Ilho arrived at the secluded mansion nestled deep within the forest.
This place, far removed from the city of Mu-han, served as another safe house for their organization.
A martial artist waiting at the mansion greeted Im Yeon-jeong.
“We’ve been expecting you. Please, follow me.”
As the man led Im Yeon-jeong towards the back garden, Chilho turned to Ilho with a question.
“What on earth is going on?”
Ilho replied with a grave expression.
“It seems there’s been a problem with the execution of the Grand Law.”
“A problem, you say?”
Ilho simply looked at Chilho in silence, conveying that it was a matter too confidential to discuss. That was answer enough.
It was clear that something had happened to the person in charge of the Grand Law. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a commotion.
Chilho felt a surge of joy but kept it hidden. Her indifferent nature served her well in moments like these.
“Are we to wait for now?”
Ilho glanced towards the guest hall.
“The details will be decided inside.”
Chilho understood. In times of crisis, Ilho was in the same position as she was.
After all, how much difference did those above them see between One and Seven? They were just numbers assigned to disposable tools for convenience.
“For now, continue protecting Im Yeon-jeong and await further orders.”
“Understood.”
Her response was the same as always, but the meaning behind it was entirely different.
Chilho was no longer part of this organization.
Waiting for Im Yeon-jeong in the guest hall was Cheon So-seon.
“It’s been a while.”
Im Yeon-jeong greeted him. The fact that he was personally involved indicated the gravity of the situation.
“Good to see you.”
Im Yeon-jeong knew Cheon So-seon. She had met him when she returned to the organization during the Golden Alliance incident. That event was as significant as today’s.
“The woman who brings death.”
Im Yeon-jeong immediately understood the implication. It was a reference to the deaths of the Sword Master and others at that time.
“Let’s not blame the operatives.”
She replied confidently, and Cheon So-seon chuckled.
“You’re right.”
At that moment, another man entered the room.
He was another who had tried to assist Seo Hak-sa. After leaving Seo Hak-sa’s room, he had lost consciousness and awoke outside, with the building in flames.
He considered himself lucky, unaware that Byeok Ri-dan had spared him intentionally, fearing that if only Im Yeon-jeong survived, she would be suspected.
“Jeong So.”
“Im Yeon-jeong.”
The two exchanged introductions for the first time. Seo Hak-sa had kept them apart, using them strictly as tools for the Grand Law.
After their introductions, Cheon So-seon finally spoke.
“Seo Hak-sa is dead.”
Im Yeon-jeong and Jeong So were taken aback. Their reactions differed; Jeong So was in disbelief, while Im Yeon-jeong appeared stunned.
‘He really did it.’
Outwardly, she seemed more shocked, which was fortunate in this situation. Her reaction was entirely natural.
“Wait here until the new Grand Law overseer arrives.”
Jeong So erupted in anger.
“Who did this?”
Unaware of the hidden truth, he genuinely respected Seo Hak-sa.
“We haven’t discovered that yet.”
“Find them and tear them apart!”
“Of course.”
Cheon So-seon looked at Im Yeon-jeong, as if asking if she had anything to say. She calmly inquired.
“Who will be the new overseer?”
“You’ll find out later.”
“Please, choose someone with a longer lifespan this time. Don’t pin the blame on the wrong person.”
“You hold a grudge.”
“When people around you keep dying, it’s hard not to be on edge.”
“That won’t happen anymore.”
Cheon So-seon addressed them both.
“Return to your rooms and rest.”
Im Yeon-jeong deliberately acted prickly.
She was involved in this incident. Though Cheon So-seon showed no outward suspicion, he might harbor doubts about her or Jeong So.
She decided that being conspicuously irritable was the best way to avoid suspicion.
As she left the guest hall, Chilho was waiting.
Without a word, they walked through the front yard, as if by mutual agreement. Only when they were sure no one was around did they begin a quiet conversation.
“He really did it. He killed Seo Hak-sa, the one in charge of the Grand Law.”
When Im Yeon-jeong shared the news, Chilho nodded silently. She had believed in Byeok Ri-dan’s ability to accomplish this.
She knew what kind of organization this was. Many would have been guarding Seo Hak-sa, and he was said to wield formidable sorcery. It was not something that could be done so quickly. Yet, he had done it.
Im Yeon-jeong repeated a question she had been asking herself lately.
“Who exactly is Byeok Ri-dan?”
“I know very little about him myself.”
“And yet you betrayed the organization.”
Perhaps that was the best way to describe Byeok Ri-dan.
Im Yeon-jeong spoke again.
“Not betrayal… more like finding his own path.”
She felt a pang of guilt for using the word “betrayal” and apologized to Chilho.
Chilho gave a faint smile.
She was learning about emotional exchanges between people, something she hadn’t understood before. In the past, she wouldn’t have recognized the consideration in Im Yeon-jeong’s words.
“He made a promise when he took me with him.”
“What was it?”
“To help me find a new life. Since then, I’ve thought about what a new life means. And I’ve come to a conclusion. A new life isn’t a finished product. It’s not like a garment completed with the final stitch, where you can say, ‘From today, it’s a new life.’”
Im Yeon-jeong understood her words. Yes, how could one declare a new life when yesterday’s self and today’s self are the same person?
Chilho continued.
“The moment he said those words, I realized my new life had already begun.”
Chilho spoke more than usual, her voice filled with excitement and uncharacteristic emotion.
“No matter the outcome, I don’t think I’ll regret it. So whether it’s called betrayal, my path, or a new life, it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m envious, sister.”
“I would have done the same.”
Chilho was honest to the end. It was the first time she had spoken like this, and her heart raced.
In that moment, Im Yeon-jeong realized.
If a new life isn’t a finished product or something that starts at a specific moment, perhaps her own life had also begun to take a new path.
I watched them from the branches of a tree on a hill overlooking the mansion. They appeared as small as ants, but I knew it was them.
After killing Seo Hak-sa, I went straight to the mansion where they were.
I was worried that Seo Hak-sa’s death might negatively affect Im Yeon-jeong. Fortunately, they had taken her to safety here.
In other words, she still held value for them.
I guessed they would call for a new Grand Law expert.
At least until then, I had bought some time.
In the meantime, my task was to rescue Im Yeon-jeong’s son.
I went to meet Ban Seo-jeong, the leader of the Heavenly Net Society. She greeted me warmly, as always.
“Welcome.”
“Have you been well?”
“Thanks to you, yes. Would you like some tea?”
“That would be nice.”
The view from the window at Blue was always peaceful.
Sitting there, I could momentarily forget how fierce and relentless the martial world was. I longed for the day when all this would be over and peace would return.
Who would I be with then?
Ban Seo-jeong brought the tea she had prepared herself.
I savored the aroma before drinking. It was so exquisite that it felt a shame to drink it.
“How is the tea?”
“Excellent.”
Perhaps it was because she was always with tea, but Ban Seo-jeong exuded a calm and comforting presence.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
“Soon, a new Grand Law expert will arrive in Mu-han.”
Ban Seo-jeong was taken aback by my words.
“Are you saying Seo Hak-sa is already dead?”
“Yes. I took care of him.”
Her eyes flickered slightly. She knew the martial world well and understood how difficult it was to kill Seo Hak-sa. It was a moment of realization about who I was.
“You want me to find out about the new expert?”
“Yes. Who they are, when and where they’ll arrive.”
“Understood.”
She readily accepted my request.
“It will be very dangerous.”
“I know.”
Her willingness to take on this task was a testament to her loyalty to me.
“Are you sure?”
She smiled.
“Our society is stronger than it seems.”
“Reassuring.”
“Thank you.”
“Even so, this is a very dangerous task, so let’s stay in close contact.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
I left Blue without further words. To speak of the future would be to disregard her loyalty.
When someone shows you their commitment through actions, you should respond in kind.
When the child awoke, the old man spoke.
“We have a problem.”
The child looked at the old man and suddenly asked.
“You recognize me just by looking now.”
“How could I not?”
The child climbed down from the bed. The cunning in the child’s eyes was no different from the old man’s.
Comparing the two, their expressions and mannerisms were mirror images. The only difference was that the old man was slightly more courteous.
However, that courtesy didn’t stem from loyalty. It was a necessity, and the figure within the child knew this all too well.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“The one who was supposed to carry out the ritual is dead.”
“Foolish!”
The words were sharp, but there was no excitement in them. It was a reaction similar to when the old man first received the report from Cheon So-seon.
“I’m sorry for messing things up.”
The old man admitted his mistake without hesitation.
“Who exactly?”
“Let’s just say it was Galsaryang.”
“Galsaryang? That arrogant fool?”
The child’s demeanor betrayed a clear animosity towards Galsaryang.
“But if it’s Galsaryang, why say ‘let’s just say’?”
“There’s someone else behind him, but we haven’t figured out who.”
“If he managed to recruit Galsaryang, he must be quite capable.”
“Otherwise, things wouldn’t have gotten this far.”
“So? What are you trying to say?”
“I’m afraid the child’s body won’t hold out until a new ritual leader arrives and preparations are made.”
Lately, the headaches had grown so severe that they were nearing a breaking point.
“Another body switch? Since I was reborn, this will be the sixth time.”
The child sighed, and the old man tried to console him.
“Reincarnating someone is no easy task. We’ve defied the will of the heavens.”
The child chuckled softly.
“The will of the heavens? Do you still believe in such nonsense at your age?”
“Don’t you?”
“Of course not.”
The child spoke firmly, then continued.
“Even if such a thing existed, whose side do you think it’s on? Ours? Not a chance! So why should I believe in it?”
“It doesn’t seem to be on their side either.”
“What?”
“You died miserably at their hands, but here I am, still alive at this age. If the heavens were truly on their side, I would have been dead long ago for all the evil I’ve done.”
“So you believe because you’re still alive, while the unlucky you died?”
The child’s words were laced with sarcasm.
“Don’t misunderstand. I meant that the heavens aren’t on anyone’s side.”
The old man smiled and changed the subject.
“Let’s get back to the matter at hand. It seems we’ll need to transfer bodies temporarily. As you know, it’s easier than the formal ritual we originally planned.”
“Damn it! You make it sound easy! Every time we do this, it’s like I’m dying.”
“Soon, you’ll have a permanent body to settle into.”
“Hmph! With the way you handle things, who knows when that will be.”
The old man didn’t argue. After all, it was their side that had botched things. And there was another uncomfortable truth he needed to share.
“There’s something you should know.”
“What is it?”
“The only one who can perform the ritual right now… is the child’s mother. The child’s face will be concealed during the process, so it shouldn’t be an issue, but I thought you should be aware.”
A brief silence followed.
The child smiled wryly.
“You really are a terrible person.”
Once the ritual was complete, the child would die. In other words, the mother would unwittingly be the one to end her own child’s life.
The old man replied calmly.
“If I were a good person, would I have brought you back to life?”