The Art of Divorce (4)
My mind was a tangled mess.
In my past life, I would have dismissed it as nonsense.
But now, I believe it. After all, I too have been given a second chance at life.
Considering there have already been six instances of this “Art of Divorce,” it seemed that unlike me, the Heavenly Demon was reborn as a mere infant.
Why on earth would they resurrect the Heavenly Demon? Could it be the remnants of the Blood Heaven Sect behind this?
My gaze shifted to Cheon So-seon.
Cheon So-seon was a key figure in the organization behind this. Yet, I sensed no demonic energy from him. He wasn’t a descendant of the Blood Heaven Sect.
Then why?
To use the Heavenly Demon to conquer the martial world? They were already powerful enough without such measures. They even controlled the Martial Alliance Leader.
I couldn’t find the answer to this mystery, but I realized I had to make a decision.
Should I let the Heavenly Demon live?
Once Cheon So-seon’s treatment was complete, should I strike down the Heavenly Demon immediately? But doing so would also mean killing the innocent child hosting him.
As a member of the Wall of Separation, I was growing stronger than ever.
The same would be true for the Heavenly Demon.
Given the resources of this organization, he might grow even faster than I did.
If things continued like this, he would surpass his former self.
And I still didn’t know why they resurrected him with such impure intentions.
Just then, the child spoke up.
“You’re debating whether to kill me, aren’t you?”
He had read my inner conflict perfectly.
“Don’t waste your time. You can’t kill me.”
“And why are you so sure?”
“You know the reason better than anyone.”
Our eyes locked in the air.
He seemed confident, but I could tell he was afraid of dying.
At that moment, Cheon So-seon spoke up.
“The treatment is complete.”
I quickly approached the child. He was regaining consciousness.
“Geun, is that you?”
”…Yes.”
Jang Geun looked at me and Cheon So-seon with a puzzled expression. He recognized Cheon So-seon.
“Master?”
He must have seen Cheon So-seon several times over the past year.
I checked the child’s body with a thread of my energy to ensure Cheon So-seon hadn’t done anything suspicious. Thankfully, there was nothing wrong.
I whispered in Jang Geun’s ear.
“Your mother is waiting. Let’s go.”
At the mention of his mother, Jang Geun’s eyes widened. I gently patted his back, and he drifted off to sleep.
There was no need to explain everything to him now. He would see his mother when he woke up.
Now, it was time to deal with the remaining matters.
I turned to Cheon So-seon. He stood beside the child hosting the Heavenly Demon.
“Keep your promise and let us go.”
“What makes you so confident?”
“What do you mean?”
“Surely you didn’t naively believe I’d actually let you go?”
Kill Cheon So-seon, eliminate Ilho and Jeongso, and leave with the child hosting the Heavenly Demon? Then find a way to separate the Heavenly Demon from the child?
It was a plausible plan.
This fight with the organization was one that had to end decisively. There was no need to leave a threat like Cheon So-seon alive. A promise? I might not kill the child, but I could break a promise.
Just then, the temple door quietly opened, and an old man entered.
“It’s because of me. I was scheduled to arrive at this time.”
The moment I saw the old man, I thought:
This is him! The leader of the organization.
The old man exuded an overwhelming presence. My next thought was:
Can I defeat him?
After assessing his energy, I concluded:
Maybe, maybe not.
In other words, he was either my equal, slightly above, or slightly below.
One thing was certain. I couldn’t fight him while protecting Jang Geun.
Fortunately, they also had a child to protect, so it was a stalemate.
The old man wasn’t just strong in martial arts. He was a formidable person.
He was as powerful as the Heavenly Demon Baek Cheon-gwang.
Of course, only someone of his caliber would dare to resurrect the Heavenly Demon.
The old man asked Cheon So-seon.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
The old man walked over to Cheon So-seon and the child whose soul had been transferred.
I didn’t stop him.
The old man then asked the child.
“Are you alright?”
“It wasn’t boring, thanks to an interesting friend.”
He glanced at me.
The old man’s gaze followed his, landing on me.
“From now on, countless possibilities could unfold based on our choices. Let me present two.”
“Go on.”
“The first is to fight me. I believe it would be a battle with no guaranteed outcome. What do you think?”
“I agree.”
“One thing is certain: the child will die.”
“And so will yours.”
We nodded in agreement. It wasn’t a threat, just a fact.
“The second is to postpone our confrontation. You take the child and leave today. I’ll take my people and quietly depart as well.”
With his arrival, it seemed today would end here.
“It’s not much of a choice. I’ll take the second option.”
“Wise decision.”
I spoke to the old man.
“Promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“If you transfer the soul again, let the child live as he is now. Killing him when you can save him would be a despicable act.”
“What do you mean by that? Sympathy? Or are you trying to show off how virtuous you are?”
“It’s a matter of principle.”
“Principle?”
“Considering the number of lives we’ve taken, we’re both monstrous killers. But our reasons for killing differ, don’t they? That’s why we’re facing each other instead of standing on the same side.”
“Hahaha, so you’re saying you’re a good person.”
He wasn’t asking because he didn’t know. He was trying to gauge me with his questions.
I played the part of a straightforward, somewhat rigid character, like the orthodox sects the Heavenly Demon had mocked. Appearing a bit naive would be advantageous in future battles.
“Since we’re here, let me ask a couple more questions.”
“Ask away.”
“Why didn’t you take the position of Martial Alliance Leader yourself?”
He could have ruled the martial world as powerfully as I did in my past life.
The old man smiled enigmatically.
“Do you want to be the leader?”
I didn’t, but I asked as if I did.
“Don’t you?”
“I don’t. Why would I want such a troublesome and demanding position? Respect from others? What would I do with that?”
Indeed, he wasn’t wrong. Without genuine intent to protect the martial world and a firm sense of justice, the leader’s position was burdensome.
It’s the pinnacle of power, but it also means facing constant challenges from those who covet it.
If it’s about making money, being behind the scenes is much easier than being the leader.
“One more thing. The person inside that child doesn’t seem ordinary. What do you plan to do with him?”
The old man smiled mysteriously.
“We’ll meet again. I’ll show you then what I intend to do.”
I didn’t expect an answer. I just wanted to sense his intent. At least I could tell he was planning something extremely dangerous.
“Well, then, you should go first.”
“Alright.”
I carried the sleeping Jang Geun and walked out.
Cheon So-seon spoke calmly as I passed.
“Thank you for sparing us.”
Instead of meaningless threats of revenge, he expressed gratitude, showing he wasn’t an easy opponent.
“Thank the child, not me.”
Yes, if not for the child, everyone here would have been dead before the old man arrived.
“Indeed.”
Before leaving, I glanced back.
The three of them watched me.
The old man and Cheon So-seon wore smiles, but their eyes were filled with hostility.
I didn’t know what else might come our way, but even just those three were formidable.
Im Yeon-jeong and Chil-ho safely arrived at the island’s safe house.
Guided by Gal Sa-ryang, they passed through the formation.
They hadn’t expected an island here, let alone a manor with such an elaborate formation.
Once through, they found the manor, where Song Hwa-rin awaited them.
“Welcome. It’s good to have you here.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
Though their relationship was awkward, they didn’t harbor ill will toward each other.
Especially since Song Hwa-rin knew Im Yeon-jeong had a son, and the Wall of Separation was trying to save him.
“Don’t worry. He’ll bring your son back safely.”
Im Yeon-jeong smiled at Song Hwa-rin’s sincere encouragement.
The guest room prepared for them was spotless.
As Im Yeon-jeong sat on the bed, she spoke to Chil-ho.
“The opponent isn’t easy.”
Chil-ho understood she was referring to Song Hwa-rin.
Im Yeon-jeong was on Chil-ho’s side. She wanted the best for him.
Song Hwa-rin was too beautiful, and her nature seemed kind.
“She’s engaged to him. I’m no match for her, nor should I be.”
“Brother.”
“Yes.”
“If you truly like her, fight for her.”
Chil-ho just smiled. Even without winning the Wall of Separation, he felt elated just by the overwhelming emotions he was experiencing.
“Yes, this is enough.”
Soon, dinner was served.
It could have been an awkward or heavy meal, but Gwang-du was there.
“As you know, our young master is quite the charmer. Don’t let him fool you!”
Im Yeon-jeong, trying to keep things light, responded to Gwang-du’s jest.
“He seems like a one-woman kind of guy.”
“That’s the secret technique of all charmers.”
Song Hwa-rin chuckled softly.
“I went and got engaged without even knowing. What should I do about this?”
Just then, Chil-ho spoke up unexpectedly.
“Why not just get married?”
All eyes turned to her.
“You two make a great pair.”
Im Yeon-jeong understood. Chil-ho, who wasn’t the type to say such things, was trying to let go of her lingering feelings for Byeok Lidan.
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
“Mom!”
Im Yeon-jeong jumped to her feet.
“Geun-ah!”
The door burst open, and Jang Geun came running in.
“Mom!”
“Geun-ah!”
Jang Geun dashed into Im Yeon-jeong’s arms. Tears streamed down her face.
On the outside, she had acted as if everything was fine, but inside, she was burning with worry.
She broke down and sobbed. Her child cried with her.
Those watching felt their hearts swell with emotion. Song Hwa-rin’s eyes welled up, and tears fell.
In contrast, Chil-ho felt a pang of sadness at her own dry eyes. Even Song Hwa-rin, who was usually so composed, was crying, yet Chil-ho’s tears wouldn’t come.
But in her heart, she was crying along with them.
Then Byeok Lidan entered.
Song Hwa-rin looked at him and said, “You did it.”
“Thankfully,” he replied with a bright smile.
Chil-ho approached him and bowed her head.
“Thank you so much.”
She had been anxious too, having been the one to persuade Im Yeon-jeong to trust Byeok Lidan.
Byeok Lidan gave her a warm smile in return.
Finally, Im Yeon-jeong wiped her tears and approached Byeok Lidan with Jang Geun.
“Thank you so much.”
She bowed deeply.
“There’s no need for that,” Byeok Lidan said, gently helping her up.
“Commander Byeok, I will never forget this kindness.”
“Now, let me ask you formally. Will you choose me?”
“Of course. I will devote all my loyalty to you from now on.”
He had saved both her life and her son’s. If she couldn’t pledge her loyalty to him, then to whom could she?
“Hahaha, thank you.”
Byeok Lidan laughed heartily.
In the process of rescuing Jang Geun, he had gained much.
He had won over Im Yeon-jeong and Chil-ho, discovered that they had reincarnated Cheonma, and even met the old man who orchestrated everything.
Byeok Lidan looked around at everyone and announced loudly, “Now, let’s drink until we can’t anymore!”