Ma Cheol-gun stood by the window, staring blankly outside.
Since becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance, his days had been a whirlwind of activity. There were countless people to meet and endless tasks to complete.
Just moments ago, he had wrapped up a meeting that lasted over an hour.
Watching people bow their heads to curry favor with him did give him a sense of superiority.
But lately, he couldn’t shake this feeling of emptiness. What was it?
“Leader.”
He turned to see Mr. No, the chief strategist, entering the room. After Cheon Hwa-jin’s death, Mr. No had become the third chief strategist of the Martial Alliance. Although there hadn’t been a war, the internal upheaval within the alliance was significant.
“People from all over the central plains are gathering to join the Exorcism Squad.”
The new organization had been named the Exorcism Squad. Several names had been considered, but Mr. No had suggested this one for its straightforwardness in conveying their mission to eradicate the Demon Cult. The Martial Alliance had always had a group like this whenever the Demon Cult existed.
“They might try to infiltrate the Exorcism Squad.”
“That’s why we’re planning to conduct very strict entry screenings.”
“Good thinking.”
Even so, if they were determined to plant someone, it would be hard to stop them.
But a few infiltrators wouldn’t change the tide.
The Exorcism Squad would be the starting point for him to fully control the Martial Alliance.
“By the way, Ma So-hyeop has taken the position of the Heavenly Path Sect leader. We sent a congratulatory envoy on your behalf.”
Ma Cheol-gun’s expression soured. The new leader was Ma Ryeong-in.
With Ma Yang-hwa and Ma Gung-tae having killed each other in a power struggle, Ma Ryeong-in naturally took over the sect. None of them were truly qualified, but with backing from powerful forces, Ma Ryeong-in seized the opportunity.
“A thorn in my side has gained power.”
Mr. No offered an unexpected perspective.
“It might actually be beneficial.”
“What do you mean?”
“He was always eyeing your position. But now, as the sect leader, he’s more restricted. His every move will be under scrutiny.”
In other words, everything he did would be public.
It was a point Ma Cheol-gun had overlooked due to his animosity towards Ma Ryeong-in.
His expression softened slightly.
“Plant someone close to him.”
“I’ve already done so.”
“Well done.”
A satisfied smile spread across Ma Cheol-gun’s face.
Once he had complete control of the Martial Alliance, he planned to eliminate Ma Ryeong-in. This was a thought he hadn’t even shared with Mr. No yet.
“I’ll see you at the afternoon meeting.”
Mr. No bowed and left the room.
Left alone, Ma Cheol-gun returned to the window. He remembered visiting the leader’s quarters with his father long ago, seeing Cheon Hwa-jin standing there, gazing out.
He had thought it was an impressive sight.
“I want to stand there one day.”
That was when he first dreamed of becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance.
And now, he was finally here.
“Then why do I feel so empty? I have the world at my feet.”
Suddenly, a face came to mind. The beautiful, mysterious woman who had helped him reach this position.
Since that night she visited his chambers, she hadn’t returned. Her absence made him long for her even more.
She had told him that night, “Now it’s your turn to find me.”
“But where am I supposed to find you?”
“Are you planning to kill the child?”
Cheon So-seon asked, his gaze unwavering despite being restrained. He was someone who knew how to survive even in dire situations.
“Tell me how to save the child first.”
“You’ll find out later.”
I looked at him, shaking my head coldly.
“That’s a lie. I don’t trust the ‘later’ of people like you.”
When villains say “later,” they mean “revenge.”
Without hesitation, I drew the Suramyeongwang Sword.
“I’ll find a way to save the child after I kill you.”
As I raised the sword, Cheon So-seon spoke.
“It’s not a lie. The method is in the Great Law Book.”
“In a book?”
Cheon So-seon quickly instructed Im Yeon-jeong.
“Bring the Great Law Book I gave you.”
Im Yeon-jeong promptly retrieved the book.
“Where is it?”
“It’s at the very end.”
As she flipped to the back, her face lit up with excitement.
“Ah, it’s here!”
But then her expression turned serious.
“But it doesn’t explain how. It just says there’s a way to save the practitioner from side effects.”
I looked at Cheon So-seon.
“You know the method?”
“Yes. Now it’s your decision.”
We were in a power struggle, and as long as I wanted to save the child’s life, I couldn’t completely take control from him.
I needed to dampen his spirit a bit.
I told him, “Let’s start by cleaning up the bodies.”
Cheon So-seon was taken aback by my unexpected words.
“What? You want me to clean them up?”
“They’re your subordinates, so you should do it.”
He glared at me, wondering if I was serious about making him handle the bodies in this situation.
Then Il-ho stepped forward.
“I’ll take care of it.”
I didn’t stop him. Telling Cheon So-seon to do it was just to break his momentum and buy some time to think, not to provoke him.
Il-ho buried the bodies of Lee Seon and Baek Seok in the yard.
Once the area was cleared, everyone moved into the temple.
I woke up Jeong So, who had been sleeping inside, and restrained his pressure points. He was bewildered, not knowing what was happening.
I had no time to waste.
The Great Law ritual was set to last twelve hours from the start.
The ritual should have already begun. If Cheon So-seon didn’t return by the end, someone might come looking. Someone could even check in during the ritual.
I walked over to Im Yeon-jeong.
“Is the child okay?”
She nodded curtly. We hadn’t revealed that we were on the same side yet.
I then approached another child.
After looking down at the child for a moment, I turned to Cheon So-seon.
“What’s the child’s name?”
“The name… damn it. I heard it, but I can’t remember.”
How could he not know the name of the vessel for such an important soul? It was because he saw the child not as a person but merely as an empty vessel for a soul.
I didn’t show my displeasure. Showing emotions when dealing with villains was a waste of energy.
What good would it do to get angry? The other party wouldn’t reflect or change. They’d just be pleased to see my emotions falter or try to exploit my anger.
The only concern with them was what punishment they deserved. While living as Byeok Ri-dan, many things had changed, but my attitude towards villains remained the same.
When I looked at Il-ho, Cheon So-seon spoke firmly.
“I’ll say it again, he can’t be used. Both children will die.”
At least this part was likely true. I knew the significance of So Cheong-dae’s existence.
Even if there were other methods, Cheon So-seon wouldn’t compromise on this.
He believed I was here to eliminate the soul within the child. Therefore, the soul had to be transferred to the child.
Only then could he use the child’s life to protect the soul. If it were transferred to Il-ho, I could just kill Il-ho.
My gaze locked with Cheon So-seon’s. It was time to make a decision based on my instincts. I hoped they wouldn’t betray me this time.
Finally, I made my decision.
“Fine. Proceed with the Great Law as planned.”
Im Yeon-jeong looked at me. We both knew it meant the child would die.
She sent me a silent message.
-Do you trust him?
I replied.
-I don’t.
-Good, I was hoping you’d say that.
After looking at me for a moment, she turned to Cheon So-seon. For now, he was still the one giving orders.
Cheon So-seon gave her a brief command.
“Begin the Great Law.”
“Yes.”
Im Yeon-jeong and Jeong So began the ritual in earnest.
Could he really have a way to save the child? Even if he did, was he prepared to execute it?
“What do you need to save the child?”
“Nothing.”
That meant he intended to use his martial arts or skills to save the child. But what could it be?
I warned Cheon So-seon.
“If the child dies, so do you.”
“I understand.”
“Good.”
He was surely looking for a way to survive. He was someone with a strong attachment to life.
I took out a small flag from my pocket and planted it at the door.
Soon after, Jin arrived. I opened the door slightly and communicated with him silently.
-Deploy your best men to monitor this area thoroughly. If anyone approaches, inform me first. And wait nearby until the ritual is over, then come to me.
-Understood.
After sending Jin away, I returned inside.
As the ritual began, multiple incense sticks burned simultaneously, and strange devices started moving.
Cheon So-seon sat quietly to the side, eyes closed.
Did he trust me? Not at all. Just as I didn’t trust him, he wouldn’t trust me. He was smart, so he must have some plan.
What was he relying on?
“Sir, sir.”
A distant voice roused the old man from his sleep.
In his blurred vision, he saw the face of a man without eyebrows.
“Time to get up.”
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Six hours.”
“Six hours without waking up even once?”
“Yes.”
The old man should have been pleased with such a deep sleep, but his expression was clouded with concern. As he aged, sleep had become elusive, often waking after just an hour or two. Yet recently, he found himself sleeping more and more. He worried it might be a sign of something ominous.
He sat up, feeling surprisingly light, a stark contrast to when he first lay down.
“The guild master is waiting outside.”
“How long has he been waiting?”
“About an hour.”
An hour’s wait meant he had something important to discuss.
The old man rose from his bed and walked outside.
A voice called out from behind him.
“Please don’t stay out too long like last time.”
“I understand.”
He stepped out of the cave.
Outside stood a short, white-haired man with his hands clasped behind his back. This was the guild master, Seong Wangbo, head of the Central Merchants’ Union and leader of the Continental Trading Group. He was the one who had hosted the grand banquet not long ago.
Without turning around, Seong Wangbo spoke as the old man approached.
“For a long time, I believed the two most important things in the world were money and power.”
“And now?”
Seong Wangbo turned to face him.
“No, I still believe that. But I’ve added one more thing.”
“And what is that?”
“Youth.”
The mention of youth made the old man chuckle. Yes, only with age does one realize that youth ranks above money and power.
“When you’re young and broke, you spend all your energy chasing money. But when you’re old, you’d give all your wealth to reclaim the youth you once had. Lately, I’ve been pondering this irony of life. It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Elder?”
With a hint of regret, Seong Wangbo greeted him with a broad smile.
“How have you been, Guild Master?”
“Thanks to you, I’ve been well.”
The old man walked over to stand beside Seong Wangbo, gazing out at the distant scenery.
“Every time I come here, I’m reminded of how wonderful this place is.”
“You should visit more often. Or better yet, why not stay here with me?”
“Making money is an addiction, isn’t it? I wouldn’t last a day here.”
They both laughed, momentarily lost in the beauty of nature.
After a pause, the old man spoke softly.
“They sent you, didn’t they?”