Whose Side is the Sky On? (4)
When I received a message from the Heavenly Network and went to Blue, Ban Seo-jung was waiting for me with some crucial information.
“I found out who the legal expert you mentioned is. We used all the resources of the main assembly.”
Seeing her take credit like that, which was unlike her, it must have been a tough task.
“Thank you.”
“We discovered that one of the top experts is coming to this place, Mu Han.”
“Who is it?”
“Yang Jeong-hwa.”
She explained that Yang Jeong-hwa was a legal expert with skills rivaling those of Seo Hak-sa.
“I can’t believe someone like Yang Jeong-hwa is involved in this.”
“Why do you think that?”
“You might not know, but Seo Hak-sa, who was involved earlier, was a problematic person. There were reports of people who participated in the legal matters with him dying for various reasons.”
It seemed the Heavenly Network had some understanding of Seo Hak-sa’s true nature.
“On the other hand, Yang Jeong-hwa is a very clean person. He’s respected by juniors in the legal world. In other words, he’s not someone who would associate with such an organization.”
Her words naturally led to a question.
If Yang Jeong-hwa was as reputable and clean as she described, why would he join hands with this organization?
There were a few possibilities to consider.
First, he might be a villain at heart.
Perhaps she and the world have misjudged him, mistaking his mask of virtue for his true self.
It’s entirely possible. True villains can deceive not only others but even themselves.
The second possibility is that he was coerced or blackmailed.
What if, like Im Yeon-jeong, his family was taken hostage?
He might have no choice but to help with this matter. Given the actions of the organization so far, this is also a plausible scenario.
Lastly, Yang Jeong-hwa might be deceived. He might genuinely believe that this organization or its backers are clean and is helping with a pure heart.
Of course, there could be entirely different reasons. The affairs of the martial world always had unpredictable elements.
In any case, the reason would soon be revealed.
“When is he expected to arrive here?”
“If he’s quick, in ten days; if not, about fifteen.”
“One more favor. Find out everything about Yang Jeong-hwa.”
Ban Seo-jung smiled as she replied, “The investigation has already begun.”
“Follow carefully.”
Song Hwa-rin and Gwang-du cautiously followed Gal Sa-ryang.
They were inside the Black Abyss Formation. Gal Sa-ryang had set up a new formation on the island, different from the one at his previous residence.
The basic framework was the same, but the content of the formation changed depending on the materials used.
The place they were walking through was an endless wasteland. In this gateway, if you didn’t find the exact path of life, you’d wander until you starved to death. It wasn’t dynamic or aggressive, but in a way, it was the most brutal gateway.
“Careful, careful.”
Gal Sa-ryang repeated the word “careful” like a chant as he walked. The two followed his footsteps precisely, tense with concentration.
“The Black Abyss Formation alternates between order and chaos. The core of the formation lies in the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, and the division of the twenty-eight constellations.”
Song Hwa-rin listened intently, not missing a word.
To learn a single formation, there was so much additional study required. Unlike simple formations that only needed to be set up with predetermined materials in predetermined locations, advanced formations demanded extensive study for their operation and application.
Gwang-du had given up early on.
“I don’t think I have a knack for this.”
Gal Sa-ryang smiled.
“Everyone has their own strengths.”
He didn’t force Gwang-du. Gal Sa-ryang could tell at a glance whether someone was suited for this work. Gwang-du wasn’t.
Gal Sa-ryang looked at Song Hwa-rin and asked, “What about you?”
He had a feeling that with proper teaching, Song Hwa-rin could become an excellent formation expert.
“Honestly, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. But somehow, I find it intriguing.”
“Just finding it intriguing means you have a knack for it. Most people would be completely put off.”
“Don’t you need to be smart to be an expert in formations? I’m not exactly a scholar.”
“It’s more about persistence than intelligence. You have to keep trying this way and that way. If endless repetition doesn’t bore you, then you can do well.”
“I see.”
He wasn’t sure if he had that kind of persistence. He’d never tried anything like it before. In any case, the world of formations was fascinating.
“Let’s move on.”
The three of them started walking again.
How long had they been walking?
“Ack!”
Song Hwa-rin’s scream made Gwang-du turn around in shock.
“Miss!”
But Song Hwa-rin wasn’t there.
Gal Sa-ryang spoke quickly, “It seems she stepped on a path that wasn’t the path of life.”
“What should we do?”
“We have to go save her. But leaving the path of life is very dangerous.”
“I’ll go. Just tell me how!”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes!”
“You could die.”
“It’s fine. If I can’t protect Miss Song, I won’t be able to face the young master again.”
Just then, an unexpected voice came from behind.
“Touching, isn’t it?”
Gwang-du turned around in surprise to see Byeok Ri-dan standing there, with Song Hwa-rin beside her.
“Touching, isn’t it?”
Gwang-du blinked in confusion at her words.
“What’s going on?”
He looked at Gal Sa-ryang.
Gal Sa-ryang was smiling.
“You knew the young master was playing a trick.”
“I knew someone was approaching the formation. Only one person could come that quickly.”
“My goodness! You were testing me.”
“It wasn’t a test. When I said we had to go in and save her, you immediately volunteered to go in yourself. After that, I just played along.”
“My goodness! What if I hadn’t volunteered?”
“Isn’t that the normal reaction?”
“What?”
“If Miss Song had really fallen into the formation, I would have told you to stay put and gone in myself. That’s the proper response, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but…”
Even so, Gwang-du’s instinct to protect Song Hwa-rin and Byeok Ri-dan had made him step forward. In his urgency, he had inadvertently shown how deep his loyalty ran.
“Oh, my legs feel like jelly.”
Gwang-du sat down on the spot.
Byeok Ri-dan laughed as she looked at Gwang-du.
“You were impressive. Really touching.”
“Hmph! Keep those thoughts to yourself! No more tricks like this in the future!”
“See you outside the formation.”
Byeok Ri-dan took Song Hwa-rin’s hand and walked to the side.
Then, as if by magic, they disappeared from sight, leaving the path of life and vanishing into the formation.
Gwang-du looked at Gal Sa-ryang and said, “How was my acting? I looked like a loyal subordinate, didn’t I?”
Gwang-du, feeling awkward, pretended that everything he had said was just an act.
Gal Sa-ryang smiled and said, “I can’t speak for before, but this performance is terrible.”
A carriage stopped in front of a cave.
Waiting there was Cheon So-seon.
A young boy got out of the carriage. He had a kind face but looked a bit nervous.
Cheon So-seon smiled at the boy and asked, “Nice to meet you. What’s your name?”
“Jeong Ho.”
“That’s a good name. Come on in.”
Cheon So-seon led the boy into the cave.
Inside, there was a child lying on a bed. Next to him was a new bed that hadn’t been there before.
“Is this the child?”
“Yes.”
“He looks really sick.”
“Yes.”
“What’s his name?”
“Jang Geun.”
“I heard that if I help, this child will get better. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is. Will you help him?”
Jeong Ho looked down at Jang Geun and nodded.
“Yes, I want to help.”
“You’re a good boy.”
Cheon So-seon patted Jeong Ho’s head.
Then Jeong Ho fell asleep. Cheon So-seon had pressed a pressure point.
Cheon So-seon laid the sleeping Jeong Ho on the new bed.
Just then, an old man entered.
“This is the child who will receive the new soul.”
The old man touched the boy’s head and body with his hands.
“He looks strong.”
“Among the qualified children, he has the kindest heart and the strongest body.”
Of course, not just anyone could have their soul transferred. There was a specific body that could undergo the soul transfer technique. All the conditions had to be perfectly met for the technique to be performed without any side effects.
So Cheongdae was the organization that found and raised children who met the conditions for the technique.
Once the soul transfer technique was successful, there would be no worries for a while.
Originally, after performing the technique once, it was fine for several years. But as the side effects began to appear more quickly, by the fifth transfer with Jang Geun, the limit was reached in just one year.
Judging by past cases, even if this technique succeeded, the side effects would appear even sooner.
Six months? Or perhaps even faster.
But it didn’t matter. The preparations for the main technique were almost complete.
“What about Gal Sa-ryang’s side?”
“Quiet.”
“Have you found his whereabouts?”
“No. He’s completely vanished.”
“We must complete this technique without any issues.”
Since it was a secretive matter, only the minimum number of people could be involved.
That’s why Cheon So-seon had chosen these individuals.
“I’ve called the Two Immortals as a precaution.”
The Two Immortals were the Sword Immortal and the Fist Immortal.
The old man nodded in satisfaction when they were mentioned.
“They can be trusted.”
“How did you get here?”
Song Hwarin looked at me with surprise.
“I just had a bit of free time, so I thought I’d drop by.”
“Oh. You really have a knack for catching people off guard.”
“Sorry if I startled you.”
We walked through the barren land within the formation. It wasn’t far from Galsaryang and Gwangdu, yet it felt completely separate from them.
“This formation is fascinating. How can it feel so real?”
She sat down and ran her fingers through the dirt. The red soil scattered in the wind from her palm.
“It looks like real dirt, and the wind feels real too.”
“It’s a fake that’s more real than the real thing. You must never be deceived.”
This wasn’t just about the formation. Our world is full of fakes that seem real.
“What about the task you had?”
“It’s all taken care of.”
“Glad to hear you finished earlier than expected.”
After a brief pause, she asked again.
“You’re not done with everything, are you?”
I nodded. Even though she expected this answer, a hint of disappointment crossed her face. It was the sadness of having to part again. But soon, she masked it, trying not to show her feelings.
I extended my hand to her, and she took it.
We walked in silence, hand in hand. Though the wasteland offered nothing to see, walking with her made the path feel less desolate.
It reminded me of the times we strolled through the marketplace, hand in hand, feeling just like this.
I’m always surprised to find such youthful feelings still linger in my heart.
At first, I simply wanted to support her, to cheer on her youth.
But she made my heart race.
If she were only beautiful, my heart wouldn’t have opened this much.
What truly moved me was her effort. She was striving to change, and she was indeed changing.
Somewhere in that process, my heart began to beat for her.
“You have to leave again, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the mission this time?”
“I need to rescue a woman.”
“The one who joined our side back then?”
“No, a different woman.”
She gave me a playful look, feigning shock.
“Another woman?”
“It’s not what you think. This time, I have to save her and her son.”
The mention of a son surprised Song Hwarin.
“A son? How old is he?”
“Very young.”
Her expression turned serious. She was inherently kind, worried about the child, and angry at those who dragged him into the affairs of the martial world.
She looked at me and said, “Make sure you save them!”
“I will.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly on the lips.
“A little gift for strength.”
Unable to hide her embarrassment, she lowered her head and ran ahead.
“Not that way!”
“Oops!”
She stopped in her tracks at my warning, realizing the danger of the formation. She retraced her steps back to me, careful not to stray.
Her cautious return was amusing, and I struggled to suppress a laugh.
Her face was as red as the earth beneath us.
I took her hand again, leading us in the direction she had initially run.
“What? We can go this way?”
“Haha.”
Yes, let’s spend today walking happily, with laughter.