Whose Side is the Sky On? (2)
The evening sky was painted a deep crimson.
I sat on a hill, practicing my breathing exercises.
In truth, except for when I was asleep, I was always unconsciously practicing the Heavenly Martial Heart Technique. This meant my internal energy was constantly building.
However, formally sitting in a meditative posture and focusing on my breathing was, as expected, far more effective. It had been a while since I concentrated so deeply, and I managed to complete ten cycles of energy circulation.
As I finished my last cycle, I recalled the battle when I went to kill Seo Haksa.
Inside the building, I had taken down all the enemies using the Crane Art. Even now, I thought it was an incredibly effective strategy in such a confined space.
Yet, unfortunately, that battle didn’t lead to any significant martial achievement.
Currently, my Crane Art was at a stage of completion.
It felt like I was just a step away from mastery, but reality was not so forgiving.
For most martial artists, they would have to tirelessly hone their Crane Art, waiting for the chance to achieve mastery. But my situation was a bit different.
I needed a catalyst—something to make me realize the true power of the Crane Art or to rethink something I hadn’t known before.
Perhaps meeting a formidable opponent or encountering something completely unexpected could serve as that catalyst.
As I pondered what that might be, a saying I once heard during my time as a leader came to mind.
“Martial achievements are like shy women; if you stare too hard, they run away.”
It was a joke someone made at a banquet, but it suddenly resurfaced in my mind.
The idea was that focusing too much on achieving something could have the opposite effect.
Yes, it was exactly what I needed to hear. That’s why my instincts brought it to the surface.
Deep down, I was anxious that I needed to master the Crane Art to influence my Soul-Reaping Sword Technique and eventually reach the realm of the Mind Sword. It was an emotion I knew I had to let go of, yet couldn’t.
Both the catalyst and the realization must flow naturally, like water. Even the thought of this should be let go.
I shook off my thoughts and stood up.
In the distance, I could see the manor where the two women had entered. I had been practicing my breathing exercises nearby.
Once night fell, I would infiltrate that place. I needed to meet Im Yeonjeong. To save her son, I needed information from her.
I waited patiently for night to come.
After Cheon Soseon left, Baek Seok became the person in charge of the manor.
In the evening, Baek Seok summoned Im Yeonjeong and Jeong So.
“A new order has arrived.”
Im Yeonjeong felt a twinge of anxiety. She hadn’t expected orders to come so quickly.
“You are to perform the Soul Transfer Technique.”
Both of them were taken aback by the mention of the Soul Transfer Technique.
“Us? The two of us?”
Jeong So asked, and Baek Seok nodded.
“Yes.”
Still shocked, Jeong So turned to Im Yeonjeong.
“Have you ever performed the Soul Transfer Technique?”
Im Yeonjeong shook her head. The Soul Transfer Technique was incredibly dangerous and complex. Transferring a soul from one person to another was no simple task.
Jeong So spoke to Baek Seok.
“I’ve never performed it either. How are we supposed to do it?”
Baek Seok replied as if he had been waiting for this question.
“Don’t worry. There’s a prescribed method to perform the Soul Transfer Technique perfectly. Just follow it.”
Both Im Yeonjeong and Jeong So couldn’t hide their bewilderment. They had thought the technique would be postponed indefinitely after Seo Haksa’s death. Yet, unexpectedly, the task had fallen to them.
Baek Seok reassured them once more.
“With your skills, you can do it.”
The organization had already successfully completed the Soul Transfer Technique five times. The methods refined through those experiences ensured success.
In essence, they just needed to follow the procedure as instructed.
“Who is the target of the technique?”
Im Yeonjeong asked, and Baek Seok curtly replied.
“I can’t tell you.”
Im Yeonjeong felt a surge of anger. Why did this organization have so many secrets?
As if to placate her, Baek Seok handed her a letter from his pocket.
“Here, take this.”
Im Yeonjeong’s face lit up upon seeing the letter.
Baek Seok knew exactly who it was from.
‘What are you going to do about it?’
Despite knowing the obvious intent, Im Yeonjeong accepted it gratefully.
“Is something troubling you?”
Chilho asked, and Im Yeonjeong silently handed him a letter.
“It’s from my child.”
Her expression was somber.
“May I read it?”
Im Yeonjeong nodded. Despite her dark expression, the letter’s content was unremarkable. It simply stated that her child was doing well where he was.
“Is there a problem?”
“The handwriting is different from before.”
She handed him another letter. Chilho compared the two. He couldn’t discern any difference in the handwriting.
“I can’t tell.”
“No, something’s off. The handwriting, the content.”
Chilho read the letter again but couldn’t find anything amiss.
Yet Im Yeonjeong felt a sense of unease from the letter.
There was hesitation and fear in her child’s words—something only a mother could sense.
“If you say so, it must be true.”
Chilho said, and Im Yeonjeong sighed. She wasn’t entirely sure herself. Perhaps it was the pressure and anxiety from Seo Haksa’s death and the burden of performing the Soul Transfer Technique.
“I would gladly give my life for my son.”
Chilho felt envious. Not of Im Yeonjeong’s son, but of her son’s fortune to have such a mother.
He had grown up without knowing what a mother was.
‘Could my mother be alive somewhere? How did I end up here?’
Before hearing about Im Yeonjeong’s son, he had never even considered such things. That’s how he had been raised.
“Do you know what’s paradoxical?”
“What is it?”
“I could die for my son, but I’m terrified of dying because of him. Leaving him behind is just… too frightening.”
That was her honest feeling. She didn’t want to die and leave her child. She wanted to watch over him as he grew.
Chilho knew the most certain way to resolve this situation.
“You need to tell him.”
Im Yeonjeong knew Chilho was referring to Byeok Lidan.
“But…”
“You need to save your son and leave this organization. You know, no one is safe here.”
Im Yeonjeong agreed. She had experienced firsthand how harshly the organization treated people.
Even if it meant risking herself, she had to get her son out. It was her fault he was involved with the organization in the first place. The moment she had been waiting for had finally arrived.
“You need to ask Byeok Gunsa for help.”
Im Yeonjeong asked Chilho.
“But how? We’re trapped here.”
Surely there were guards around the manor, whether to protect or to monitor them.
Chilho showed unwavering trust in Byeok Lidan.
“If we wait, he’ll come for us.”
The old man and Cheon Soseon looked down at the child.
The child was sleeping peacefully, an innocent expression that belied the presence of another soul within.
“The Soul Transfer Technique will be performed in five days.”
“I’ll make the preparations.”
Cheon Soseon’s response was firm, as if there were no issues.
“There won’t be any problems, right?”
“Of course. The new body is on its way here, and with Im Yeonjeong and Jeong So’s skills, the technique will be successful.”
“Good.”
The old man moved to his seat, positioned to keep an eye on the child on the bed.
“Have you found out anything about the one who caused this mess?”
Cheon Soseon walked slowly to the old man’s side, answering.
“The bodies outside the building were killed by a sword, but those inside showed no signs of sword wounds.”
“Someone who uses martial arts? Could there have been two intruders?”
“No. It seems to be someone who uses both swordsmanship and martial arts. Judging by the lack of distinctive martial arts traces on the bodies, we suspect it’s someone from Galsaryang’s side, who has been opposing us.”
The way the bodies were handled and the skill level suggested it was the same person.
“Not someone under Galsaryang. This person controls Galsaryang. Don’t underestimate them as just a mere swordsman.”
“I understand.”
“What about Ma Cheolgun’s movements?”
“He’s busy forming a new organization. He’s informed various martial sects in the central plains and seems to be preparing to officially recruit soon.”
“Unlike his father, he’s quite diligent.”
“No matter how much he tries, he’s still within our grasp.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Cheon Soseon answered confidently, but the old man added a word of caution.
“Still, don’t take it lightly.”
“Don’t worry.”
At that moment, the child on the bed let out a small groan. It seemed the child was having a nightmare.
The old man got up and walked to the bed. He wiped the child’s sweat with a cloth that was placed nearby.
“At this rate, he won’t last long. The technique must succeed in five days.”
“Grandfather, may I ask you something?”
The tone was different now, more familiar. It was a question from a family member, not a subordinate.
“Go ahead.”
“Why do you keep him alive? With Cheon Hwa-jin dead, he’s no longer necessary, is he?”
The old man chuckled.
“I want to see whose side the sky is on.”
This was part of a conversation the old man had with the child the previous day.
Of course, Cheon Soseon knew that wasn’t the real reason. The old man wouldn’t risk everything for such a trivial reason.
There must have been a reason he hadn’t considered, but his grandfather wasn’t telling him.
“What on earth could that reason be?”
“Geun-ah.”
Im Yeon-jeong awoke, calling out someone’s name.
“Phew.”
She let out a long sigh, as if she’d just woken from a nightmare, and then she started, noticing me standing in the corner of the room.
I quickly sent her a telepathic message.
Fortunately, she realized it was me before making a sound. She responded telepathically.
It’s alright.
Given the circumstances, let’s get straight to the point. Just listen while you lie there.
Alright.
She remained lying down as she sent her reply.
Before we begin, I have one question.
Go ahead.
How much do you trust me?
She hesitated. I could sense she trusted me a great deal. Yet, I asked this question precisely because of that.
Family matters are not something an outsider can easily judge or decide. This is a decision she must make entirely on her own. A wrong move could leave a lasting regret.
I’m not forcing you.
Forcing? I know you’re saying this for my sake.
If you refuse, I won’t concern myself with your son’s affairs. In that case, you’ll have to stay with this organization.
I understand.
I’ll give you time to think. Take your time.
Alright.
She fell silent, lost in thought. It wasn’t easy for me to say these things either. I couldn’t be sure what was truly best for her.
But I was certain this organization was not a good place. Staying here wouldn’t end well, so I was determined to save her and her son.
Saving thousands or rescuing the martial world isn’t the only noble cause. Sometimes, you have to stake everything on saving just one person.
Finally, she made her decision.
In truth, I’ve been waiting for you, Byeok-gunsa.
For me?
Yes, but even so, I can’t help but worry.
I understand.
Byeok-gunsa.
Yes.
Please, save my son.
That one sentence was enough.
Once her son is safe, she will join my organization as well.