On the Island, We (1)
It had been a long time since we had such a lively drinking party.
Everyone drank and played to their heart’s content. At least for this moment, no one worried about anything else.
This was the first time Song Hwarin, Chilho, and Im Yeonjeong gathered to drink and share stories.
It could have been an awkward gathering, endlessly so.
But instead of letting emotions flare over Byeokridan, they tried to foster a sense of belonging.
Now, they were all on the same side. With the resolve to live and die together, their gazes softened as they looked at one another.
Song Hwarin sensed that the two women harbored personal feelings toward Byeokridan.
Such feelings were not easily hidden. If her own feelings for Byeokridan had waned, she might not have noticed, but now her emotions were deeper than ever.
‘If not for that, we wouldn’t be here today.’
To say she wasn’t bothered would be a lie.
Both women were captivating. Even Im Yeonjeong, who had a son, was a stunning and impressive woman.
But Song Hwarin knew that winning someone’s heart wasn’t easy, nor could it be forced. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it just doesn’t happen.
‘Just let things flow naturally.’
With that mindset, she was able to treat Chilho and Im Yeonjeong warmly and take good care of them.
On the other hand, Suran was frustrated by her demeanor.
“Our young lady is too soft.”
She whispered to Gwangdu beside her.
“Isn’t it more that she has a generous heart?”
“Don’t twist it like that. If she falls into that trap, she’ll only get softer.”
“If her heart grows even more, no trap will matter. It’s when things are half-hearted that you get hurt the most.”
Suran had no retort to Gwangdu’s words. Instead, she looked at him with surprise. The more she looked, the more she discovered new sides to him. Her eyes kept drifting toward him.
Meanwhile, Chilho quietly drank, contemplating his future steps. At this moment, he wasn’t thinking about Byeokridan or Song Hwarin. He was focused solely on himself and his place in this new organization.
Im Yeonjeong, on the other hand, was busy looking after her son, but she couldn’t help but glance at Byeokridan.
On the day of the divorce ritual, she realized Byeokridan was the nameless hero. At that time, her sole focus was saving her son, but now that she had some breathing room, her feelings were more complicated.
Meeting Byeokridan as the nameless hero was an unforgettable encounter in her life, which had been solely about her child.
‘It’s a relationship that can’t be.’
She had a son, had pledged loyalty to her lord, and was aware of Chilho’s feelings.
Her conclusion was clear.
‘I’ll cherish it as a fond memory.’
As their thoughts deepened, so did the night on the island.
After the drinking party, I took a walk around the estate with Galsaryang.
We mostly talked during the party. I didn’t concern myself with the three women. I intended to keep it that way, believing they should handle their matters themselves.
If I clumsily intervened, it would only complicate things and create conflicts that weren’t there.
Galsaryang, looking at the formation spread out in the front yard, suddenly spoke as if remembering something.
“By the way, Miss Song has a great talent for formations.”
“Haha, she’s quite smart too.”
“Despite her young age, she puts in a lot of effort.”
“She’s someone we can learn a lot from.”
Galsaryang nodded in agreement.
Being inspired and gaining insight from someone isn’t about age. Even I, born as Byeokridan, learned much from Gwangdu.
The same goes for Song Hwarin. Especially, there’s something to learn from her.
The desire for change and the effort to achieve it, it resonates with my efforts in this life.
“I have something to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“Can we trust the two new women?”
“Yes.”
“To what extent?”
“Well.”
How should I answer? Emotionally, I wanted to say completely. But I couldn’t.
“I don’t really know.”
Galsaryang smiled.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because I think that’s how it should be. No one should be trusted easily.”
“Even the trust between us?”
“Of course. Trust is a virtue that requires a long time. Even long years can betray. So trust no one.”
It was a pessimistic and cold piece of advice. I understood why Galsaryang was saying this.
It wasn’t about not trusting them or abandoning faith in people. It was about being cautious when trusting someone to avoid disappointment.
In a past life, during our early years together, we had a similar conversation.
Back then, I might have been the one to say not to trust people.
Looking back, those words were spoken without deep reflection on trust.
But now, Galsaryang’s words were different. They were genuine advice, backed by a lifetime of experience.
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Thank you.”
“I have something important to discuss with you.”
Where we stood was a place where no one could eavesdrop.
“Didn’t you just say not to trust anyone?”
Galsaryang chuckled at my words.
“Let’s go inside the formation.”
“Let’s.”
We entered the formation. There was no better place for a confidential conversation.
Knowing the exact workings of the formation, I felt at ease inside it.
Galsaryang asked with a slightly tense expression.
“What is it?”
“I found out who they transferred the soul to.”
“Who is it?”
Someone so secretive to mention.
“It was Cheonma.”
At the mention of Cheonma, Galsaryang’s eyes widened in shock.
“Is it true?”
“Yes. They succeeded in reincarnating Cheonma.”
“My goodness!”
Galsaryang was stunned. Despite all the trials and tribulations he had faced, this was truly shocking. We had fought a long war against Cheonma, and the thought of battling the demonic cult again was something he would dread.
“This was the sixth divorce ritual. They managed to reincarnate him, but there were issues. That’s why they had to perform the ritual multiple times. I think the last ritual was meant to be performed by the sorcerer I killed.”
“So they found a suitable body.”
“Yes.”
“The Yangjeong Society will perfect Cheonma’s resurrection.”
Indeed. The Yangjeong Society had a new expert as skilled as the sorcerer.
I had asked the leader of the Heavenly Net Society to track his movements.
“What do you plan to do now?”
Galsaryang asked, and I relaxed, speaking playfully.
“I brought you here to decide that. Think it over and report back.”
Galsaryang smiled.
“Understood. I’ll report soon. Rest well until then.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll stay here and think for a while. You go ahead.”
Galsaryang seemed more comfortable inside the formation now.
As I exited the formation, Chilho was waiting outside. She looked up at the moon, reminiscent of how she once gazed at the pond.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes, I have something to say.”
“Let’s walk for a bit.”
We strolled through the garden together.
“First, I want to formally thank you for saving Geuni.”
“No need to mention it. It was the right thing to do.”
“Even the ‘right thing’ has become rare these days.”
She had a way of speaking naturally at times like this.
She stopped walking and looked at me seriously. Her words were unexpected.
“From now on, I will serve you as my lord.”
Her firm words showed she had made up her mind.
“Don’t do that.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Let’s be friends.”
I was sincere. I had no desire to make her my subordinate. I wondered why I was drawn to her.
Perhaps she reminded me of my past self.
The lonely figure gazing at the pond.
Though Galsaryang and Baekpyo were there, we weren’t as close as we are in this life. The loyalty and trust were the same, but we couldn’t express it.
Back then, I think I was… lonely.
Chilho looked at me for a moment.
What was she seeing in me? What emotions was she feeling?
A smile appeared on her lips.
“Thank you for saying that. Really, thank you.”
Before I could stop her, she formally bowed to me.
“I greet my lord. This humble life is now yours. Wherever you command, whatever you ask, I will fulfill and protect.”
I took her hand and helped her up.
“Baekryeon, no matter what you say, you are my friend.”
“Yes, from now on, I am not Chilho but Baekryeon. I will live the rest of my life with the name you gave me.”
She was stubborn, and I didn’t back down either.
“We’re friends, not lord and servant.”
“Lord, see you tomorrow.”
She turned and walked away. As she walked, Baekryeon looked back at me.
“Oh, go to the back garden now.”
In the back garden, Song Hwarin was there.
“Oh? What brings you here?”
It was clear that Baekryeon had arranged for me to meet Song Hwarin, not the other way around.
“I was talking with Galsaryang.”
“Oh, I see. I couldn’t sleep, so I was getting some fresh air.”
“Let’s go.”
“Sure.”
We passed through the formation and left the manor entirely. Together, we strolled around the island.
“I heard the strategist praised your talent with formations.”
“He was probably just being polite.”
“He’s not usually that kind.”
“Well, he was kind to me.”
“Ah, he’s a man after all.”
“Ha! That’s ridiculous!”
She laughed, clearly in high spirits.
We walked side by side along the lakeshore.
“It’s really nice.”
“Isn’t it?”
The tranquility and solitude of the place brought a sense of peace to the heart.
Gazing at the lake, which shimmered under the moonlight, she spoke.
“Honestly, for a while, I thought I was living an unhappy life.”
I could understand why. The pressure of trying to fulfill the role of a son, the responsibilities of her master, and the early troubles with the bandits.
“And now?”
“Now… I don’t feel unhappy, but I do feel more anxious.”
Her unexpected words caught me off guard, so I asked.
“Why?”
She turned to look at me.
“Just because things get tougher doesn’t mean you become more unhappy, right? It’s determined by how happy you were before. The happier you are, the greater the unhappiness that follows.”
Though she spoke with concern, it was clear she was saying she was very happy now.
I smiled and replied.
“But that happiness can also give you the strength to overcome misfortune. Knowing what happiness is, you’ll strive even harder to reclaim it.”
She smiled back at me. Under the moonlight, she looked truly beautiful.
“Since the strategist praised me, do you think I could stay a bit longer to learn more about formations?”
She asked so cautiously that I felt a bit guilty. She wanted to stay longer but was worried about interfering with my work.
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sure the strategist will be pleased too.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried about bothering someone so busy.”
“Don’t worry. He’s a man, after all.”
“Ha ha.”
She laughed again at my joke.
“But I’d prefer if you stayed within the safe house. We’re dealing with some dangerous people right now.”
“I will.”
I opened my arms wide to her.
Startled, she hesitated for a moment, then blushed and stepped into my embrace.
I held her tightly. Her chest pressed against mine, but instead of feeling anything suggestive, I felt a profound sense of relief and a desire to protect her.
In my past life, I tried to protect the martial world.
I won’t do that anymore.
Just as I protected Im Yeon-jeong’s child, now I will protect this warm embrace. Starting with the small things around me.
That’s how I’ll live this life.