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The Blood Merchant (2)

When I returned safely to the island’s safe house, everyone was overjoyed.

“Congratulations on your safe return.”

The first person I met was Galsaryang. He greeted me with a face full of relief and happiness. I felt a pang of guilt for always making the older man worry.

“This time, Baek Daeju was particularly concerned.”

“I’m not a child left by the water’s edge. Why worry so much?”

I chuckled, and Galsaryang joined in with a laugh.

“It’s not just any water’s edge, is it? It’s a place teeming with monsters targeting you.”

“Tell him all those monsters are dead.”

“Hahaha.”

After a hearty laugh, Galsaryang spoke seriously.

“You know how loyal and responsible he is. It seems he can’t help but worry.”

Yes, I knew that better than anyone, even without being told.

“I understand. I’ll talk to Baek Daeju about it.”

That was enough. Galsaryang knew I didn’t take these matters lightly.

“If they contact you again, will you go?”

“Yes. But I doubt they will.”

“Why do you think that?”

“I might have been a bit too harsh this time.”

Galsaryang smiled, understanding my implication.

“It doesn’t matter. Soon, we’ll have the upper hand. We’re focusing all our resources on investigating them. I believe we’ll have good news soon.”

“I’ll trust and wait.”

Galsaryang wasn’t the only one happy about my return.

“Let’s have a drink tonight. I’ll show off my skills for the first time in a while.”

Im Yeonjeong rolled up her sleeves and headed to the kitchen. Baek Ryeon, who was about to follow her, smiled at me. Her smile, so comforting, conveyed all her feelings.

In the afternoon, Baek Pyo and Gwangdu returned from outside.

“Young master!”

Their speed as they rushed towards me wasn’t what it used to be.

“Have you lost your affection for me?”

“I’m just tired. Haven’t slept.”

Gwangdu was putting everything into helping Gong Suchan grow the Taeseong Merchant Guild and the Taeseong Sword Corps.

“Is it tough?”

“How did you manage all this?”

“By sheer willpower!”

“I wasn’t asking you, young master.”

He playfully glanced at Baek Pyo standing behind him.

“I respect you, Baek Daeju!”

I shook my head and said, “I respect you too. Even when you’re tired, you never lose your humor.”

“Haha.”

Everyone laughed together.

Finally, I gave Gwangdu’s hand a firm shake.

I remembered the young man who once dreamed of the martial world inside a carriage. He had become someone incomparable to his past self.

“I’m proud of you.”

Gwangdu’s eyes wavered. Then he pouted and said, “You keep setting traps I can’t escape from.”

“I’m teaching you to set such traps for your subordinates.”

Gwangdu chuckled.

“You have no idea how grateful I am.”

“Repay me with your life.”

“Oh, dear! When will I become a shameless leader like you?”

Leaving Gwangdu with a bewildered expression, I turned with Baek Pyo.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“Yes, my lord.”

We strolled around the dock.

“I’m so relieved you returned safely.”

He didn’t show much emotion beyond those words. But his eyes told me everything. How much he had worried about me. It was hard to believe someone could care so deeply for another.

Knowing that, I cherished him all the more.

In my past life, I couldn’t afford such feelings for my subordinates. We were constantly at war. You couldn’t protect lives while waging war.

The moment you attach meaning to someone’s death, war becomes unbearable.

So, on the battlefield, I told my subordinates not to bury their comrades in their hearts but in the ground. That’s how they would survive.

Perhaps those words were meant for me.

“You worried a lot about me, didn’t you?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, my lord. I’m just naturally a worrier.”

He laughed awkwardly.

“Keep worrying about me in the future.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Baek Daeju worries about me, I feel protected. It feels nice.”

“Haha. Please don’t say that.”

“Baek Daeju.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. Truly.”

When I spoke sincerely, Baek Pyo’s smile faded.

“No, it’s I who should be grateful.”

We exchanged words of gratitude.

I also wondered if, in my desire to protect them, I was neglecting their feelings.

I’m truly sorry, Baek Pyo.

That night, we drank late into the night.

It was a chance for Im Yeonjeong and Baek Ryeon to get closer to everyone. Gwangdu played the role of the jester, keeping the atmosphere light and enjoyable.

In a surprising turn, Galsaryang, perhaps inspired by the mood, decided to sing a song.

I was taken aback.

If anyone were to sing between Galsaryang and Baek Pyo, I would have expected Baek Pyo. But Galsaryang stepped up.

Had I ever heard him sing before? Come to think of it, not once.

I thought I knew them well, but there was so much I didn’t know.

Galsaryang sang with a rich voice. We clapped our knees in rhythm.

In the harsh snowstorm, we wielded our swords and fought in a distant, isolated land.

Looking up at the sky, the wind blowing through the blue mountains reminds us that our lives flow like clouds.

The love we’ve let go cannot return, so let’s wander the martial world freely.

To my last remaining friend, I offer you a drink, so please don’t refuse.

When Galsaryang finished, everyone applauded and cheered, raising their glasses high.

I could sense Galsaryang’s feelings. The drink must have reminded him of old friends. Once this battle is over, I’ll ensure those two find happiness first.

Im Yeonjeong and Baek Ryeon had tears in their eyes. Tears of longing and regret, but also tears of joy for a new life.

Baek Pyo drank, missing his family in Shandong. He must long to see his wife and child.

Gwangdu suddenly declared he missed Suran and downed his drink. He’d been exchanging letters with her in Shandong, nurturing their affection. When he mentioned sending letters whenever he thought of her, I teased him.

“Don’t spoil her too much from the start!”

“You don’t understand love, young master!”

“Hahaha.”

He laughed heartily, but I felt a twinge of guilt. It was true I didn’t understand women’s hearts well.

Naturally, Song Hwarin came to mind.

I wondered how she was doing.

The night of rare respite deepened with longing.

In the early hours, when everyone was asleep, I wandered the estate alone. That’s when Cheonma called out to me.

[Care to join me?]

[Sure.]

I created a space with Cheongi Simhwan Gong.

[Your skills have definitely improved.]

[Seems like it.]

Not only had I recreated the space almost perfectly, but the campfire, which had gone out in reality, was still burning in the space I created.

As my martial arts advanced, my understanding of Cheongi Simhwan Gong seemed to deepen.

[The mood is nice. Makes me want a drink.]

[A drink? Can we drink here?]

[Probably not, right?]

[We’ll see. Wait a moment.]

I broke the Cheongi Simhwan Gong and returned to reality.

I went straight to the kitchen, grabbed a few bottles of liquor, and placed them by the campfire. Using the campfire as a reference point, I activated Cheongi Simhwan Gong again.

[Unbelievable! There’s really liquor here?]

Cheonma picked up a bottle by the campfire. He opened it and took a long swig.

[Ah, it’s real liquor. This is insane!]

It must have been a long time since he last drank. The delight on Cheonma’s face showed how much he enjoyed it.

[This is great, really great.]

[I’m glad it worked.]

I took a swig from the bottle myself.

I never imagined I’d be sharing a drink with Cheonma.

[Thank you.]

Startled, I looked up. It was the first time Cheonma had thanked me.

But he acted as if he hadn’t said anything, walking over to sit by the campfire.

I sat beside him.

We drank together there. As we finished a bottle, Cheonma spoke.

[Your subordinates are incredibly loyal.]

[It’s thanks to them that I won the war with you.]

[Why not tell them?]

[Tell them what?]

[That you’re Cheonhajin. It would make things easier. They’d worry less about you.]

[There’s no reason not to.]

[Then why haven’t you?]

Cheonma seemed genuinely curious.

I answered honestly.

[There are two reasons. First, I believe it’s the will of heaven. Being reborn in another’s body, I think it’s meant to be a secret.]

Cheonma looked at me for a moment, then shook his head.

[You sound like a stubborn old man from the orthodox sects.]

I knew what he meant, so I said nothing.

[The will of heaven? Don’t make me laugh. Do you really believe that?]

[If I don’t, how do I make sense of our meeting?]

[It could be the will of a demon.]

[Then isn’t it too harsh on you?]

[You crazy fool!]

Yes, sometimes I wonder if there’s really such a thing as the will of heaven, just as Cheonma says.

When innocent people suffer at the hands of vile villains, I can’t help but wonder if the notion of divine will is just a comforting lie to mask this harsh reality.

Cheonma’s voice rang out, still charged with excitement.

“Fine. Let’s say there is such a thing as divine will. Why should you care? You’re busy enough living your own life. What, do you owe the heavens a debt or something?”

I chuckled softly.

“Maybe revealing this secret is part of that divine will. If the heavens are so grand, they must have foreseen the outcome.”

Was it Baekpyo’s unwavering loyalty? Or perhaps Galsaryang’s song? Whatever it was, what would normally be a laughable notion suddenly seemed oddly convincing.

“Why are you so headstrong today?”

“I’m frustrated, that’s why. So, what’s your next reason?”

“It was because of the parents of this new body. I worried about how shocked they’d be if they found out the truth.”

They had become as dear to me as my own parents. Especially my mother—if she knew, her heartbreak would be indescribable.

“Do you think Galsaryang and Baekpyo are loose-lipped?”

“Not at all.”

They were the kind of people who wouldn’t spill a secret even under the harshest torture.

“So, what’s the chance your parents would accidentally hear such a monumental secret?”

“Practically none.”

It was hard enough for them to even see those two, let alone overhear anything.

“Then there’s your answer.”

I chuckled again.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s not as simple as you make it out to be.”

“Thinking it’s complicated is your own limitation and mindset. Do you think limitations only apply to martial arts?”

Cheonma’s words struck a chord. Moments like these reminded me that he was a seasoned veteran, his words sharp and piercing.

“If you can’t break free from this mindset, you’ll never be able to defeat me.”

“Why are you so eager for me to kill you?”

“You stubborn orthodox fool! It’s advice for your own good!”

Cheonma shouted, spilling the liquor from the bottle in front of him.

“You’ve got a drinking problem.”

“What? You crazy fool! And whose fault is that?”

“I should spread the word that Cheonma can’t handle his drink.”

“Shut up!”

“Well, old age does make you clumsy.”

“You brat! It’s not true! It was an accident!”

“Surely you don’t wet yourself when you’re drunk, do you?”

“You damn fool! Let’s just die together!”

“Get away! You’re spilling the drink!”

We drank to our hearts’ content. My first drinking session with Cheonma was wild but enjoyable. We were like excited children, caught up in the moment.

Unable to handle his liquor, Cheonma passed out first, insisting he wasn’t old as he drifted off to sleep.

I watched him sleep for a moment.

Yes, he was right. I was still trapped in my own mindset. I had broken free of the constraints of martial arts, but not of life itself.

It was time to break free from that as well and truly become liberated.

As I emerged from the confines of my own mind, I made a decision.

I would reveal my true identity to Galsaryang and Baekpyo.