The Blood Merchant (3)
“Is something troubling you?”
The question came from a handsome young man with steely gray eyes. The blood merchant, who had been kneeling and gazing up at a statue of a goddess, turned her head.
“You seem to be deep in thought.”
The man, who had served her for many years, could read her mind with precision.
Though they both appeared to be in their twenties, they were much older. The man had been by the blood merchant’s side for over twenty years. She tilted her head slightly.
“It’s about the Soul Revelation Technique…”
On the first night of the festival, they had used the blood of the victims to reveal the face of the killer.
Yet, at the last moment, she felt the face waver again. It was the same sensation she had when the mask of deception was first removed.
She had expected a new identity to emerge, but the face remained unchanged.
“It was strange. That’s never happened before.”
“Do you think that face isn’t the true one?”
The blood merchant shook her head.
“Impossible. The Soul Revelation Technique always reveals the true face of the one who spilled blood.”
“Could it be that the person’s martial arts are so powerful that it caused a mistake?”
The man’s suggestion made the blood merchant nod. She had been reaching the same conclusion. The opponent who had forced the festival to close in just two days was the strongest she had ever faced.
“Is he still out there?”
“Yes. Even now, the Blood Shadows are searching for that face.”
Finding someone based solely on a face made of blood was no easy task.
But the Blood Shadows were specialists in such matters. With them on the case, it was only a matter of time before the identity was revealed.
“Proceed with caution. We’re dealing with a formidable foe.”
“Understood, I will be careful!”
As the man withdrew, she turned back to the statue and bowed nine times. Prostrate on the ground, she murmured softly.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. As long as blood flows in your veins, you will die by my hand.”
＊ ＊ ＊
I climbed Mount Cheonmun with Galsaryang and Baekpyo.
When I mentioned there was a place I wanted to take them, they followed without hesitation.
The view from the peak, Seonhakbong, left them in awe.
“The scenery is truly magnificent.”
“It feels like a weight has been lifted from my chest.”
They weren’t just saying it to please me. This place really does lift one’s spirits.
They probably thought I brought them here to experience the vastness of the world.
But that wasn’t the reason I brought them here.
“Let’s jump from here.”
My words startled them.
But Galsaryang, thinking it was a joke, laughed.
“We already live as if we’ve given up our lives. There’s no need for such drastic measures for this old man’s mental fortitude.”
“Even the hellish training of the Black Panther Brigade wasn’t this dangerous.”
They laughed together.
But when I didn’t join in, they realized I wasn’t joking.
“Are you serious?”
I replied with a serious expression.
“Yes.”
I walked to the edge of Seonhakbong. They followed and looked down.
The dizzying view made Galsaryang step back. Even Baekpyo, with his exceptional martial arts, would die if he jumped from here.
They stared at me, unable to grasp my intention.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“You know we’d die if we fall, right?”
“I know.”
Galsaryang and Baekpyo exchanged glances and nodded.
“Very well. If it’s your will, we will follow.”
It was a testament to their trust in me.
“Let’s hold hands and jump together.”
I took their hands and leaped. Galsaryang screamed, not expecting me to actually jump.
“Aaaah!”
But soon, his scream faded.
“Ah… what?”
The three of us were suspended in mid-air beneath Seonhakbong.
Of course, I was using my inner strength to keep us afloat. They must have felt an invisible force gently supporting them.
Galsaryang was amazed, and Baekpyo was astonished.
Floating alone was impressive enough, but doing so with two others required extraordinary skill.
“We’re heading there.”
At my words, they noticed a cave beneath the cliff. They had been too shocked to look around.
“Let’s go.”
We slowly flew towards it. This was another display of my prowess. I was deliberately showing them my full capabilities to make them believe what I was about to reveal.
“A cave here!”
No one else in the world knew of this place. Seonhakbong Cave was the perfect place to share secrets that must remain hidden.
The interior of the cave was so breathtaking that they were once again in awe.
“This is a place only I know.”
“It’s an honor to be brought to such a precious place.”
“I brought you here because I have something to discuss in private.”
I could sense their tension. If it required such secrecy, it must be serious.
“Don’t be alarmed by what I’m about to say.”
They exchanged glances and took deep breaths.
“We’re ready.”
I suddenly asked Galsaryang.
“What kind of person am I?”
The unexpected question left him puzzled.
“Well… you’re our incomparable leader.”
I spoke calmly.
“No. This is how you see me.”
“What?”
“The greatest person in this world.”
To Galsaryang, it might have seemed like a strange statement, but it was what he had said to me on the day I died.
“You are the absolute ruler of this world, the symbol of justice and martial arts. You are this world itself.”
His eyes widened as he remembered the conversation only he and I had shared.
I then turned to Baekpyo, repeating what he had said to me on that fateful day.
“Did you say seeing the first snow of the year brings good fortune?”
“What?”
Baekpyo looked confused at first.
“People say you realize the passage of time by watching other people’s children grow. Baekpyo, I’m sorry I couldn’t remember Myung’s age that day.”
Baekpyo let out a cry.
“Ah! How do you know about that?”
Galsaryang and Baekpyo stared at me in shock.
Finally, I revealed the secret I had kept hidden.
“I am Cheonhajin.”
“Gasp!”
“What!”
They were utterly astonished. I had never seen them so shocked.
“When I died and came to, I found myself in the body of a young man named Byeokridan.”
I shared stories that only Cheonhajin could know, stories that were known only to the three of us. As my closest confidants, we had many secrets.
It didn’t take long for them to accept that I was indeed Cheonhajin. Once they knew, everything from the past fell into place.
They fully acknowledged me.
Though I had claimed we shared the same master, my mastery of unique martial arts left no room for doubt.
“How is this possible! My lord!”
“My lord!”
They prostrated themselves before me.
I helped them to their feet.
“I’m sorry for deceiving you. I couldn’t tell you right away.”
“My lord!”
“My lord! Oh, how I’ve missed you.”
Baekpyo was the first to cry, followed by Galsaryang.
“Galsaryang! Baekpyo!”
I embraced them both.
“Oh, my lord! I’ve longed to see you.”
Baekpyo’s sobs stirred my emotions.
Seeing tears stream down Galsaryang’s face, I couldn’t hold back my own.
“Saryang, Baekpyo!”
How I had longed to call their names!
“I’ve missed you so much!”
How I had longed to say those words!
“My lord!”
Our mutual longing erupted, and the three of us embraced and wept together.
After the storm of our reunion, we sat down to talk calmly.
I recounted my story, starting with why I hadn’t revealed the truth sooner. I shared the two reasons I had given to Cheonma.
Then I told them about my time at the Sandong Sword Sect before we met.
After hearing everything, they formally bowed to me. They had finally come to their senses.
“Chief Strategist Galsaryang, at your service, my lord.”
“Commander Baekpyo, at your service, my lord.”
Their bows filled me with emotion. I regretted not telling them sooner.
“Chief Strategist, Commander. I’m so glad to see you again.”
“My lord.”
Our emotions surged once more. It was impossible to release all our feelings in a single moment. We had shared too many years together.
Baekpyo exclaimed as if he finally understood.
“Now I understand why the Suramyungwang Sword wept that day.”
I nodded.
“I was surprised myself at the time.”
Galsaryang spoke next.
“Now I know why I was so drawn to Byeokgongja.”
“Yes, because it was me.”
Galsaryang sighed, finally revealing the emotions he had kept hidden.
“Even for me, serving a new master wasn’t an easy task. But knowing that Lord Byeok is our leader now, I’m truly overjoyed.”
“I feel the same way.”
Baekpyo shared the same sentiment as Galsaryang.
Seeing their relief and happiness, I realized I had been too focused on my own perspective. How could their hearts have been at ease? I had been too self-centered.
“I’m sorry. Truly, I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. We have no regrets now, even if we were to die.”
“I feel the same. When you left the alliance for my sake and stayed because of me, I was deeply moved and grateful. Thank you, truly.”
“I’m just sorry we couldn’t show you a better side of us.”
“No, what you’ve done is more than enough.”
“Leader!”
After giving us ample time to savor our reunion, Cheonma spoke up gently.
[How does it feel? Good, right? Now that you’ve said it, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal, does it?]
[Yes, it feels good. Saying it out loud is a relief.]
[Hahaha, make sure to listen to your elder brother’s advice from now on.]
[Hey, Cheongwang.]
[What is it?]
[Thank you.]
Was this the first time I had thanked Cheonma? I couldn’t quite remember.
[You fool! Stop with the insincere pleasantries like those self-righteous sect members!]
You were the one who said thank you first.
I didn’t mention it, not wanting to embarrass him.
Once my identity was revealed, Galsaryang’s biggest question was this:
“So, how did you die? Were you ambushed that day?”
“No, my health wasn’t great around that time. I had memory issues too. But I’m not sure why I died. I just remember losing consciousness as if I were falling asleep.”
“Could it have been poison?”
“As you know, I’m immune to all poisons. It couldn’t have been that.”
“Perhaps it was some powerful technique.”
“That’s possible. Let’s uncover the truth together.”
“Yes, Leader.”
“Well then, let’s head back.”
As we approached the cave entrance, Galsaryang smiled and said, “Let me fly again like before. Now that I know you’re our leader, I can truly enjoy it.”
“Hahaha.”
When we returned to the island’s hideout, new developments awaited us.
“Sungwangbo wishes to meet with you.”
“Again?”
“This time, he’s coming alone. He says he has something important to discuss.”
“If it’s not a trick, then he’s chosen me. Or rather, he has no choice.”
“Will you meet with him?”
“If we can bring him to our side, it will make dealing with them much easier. Arrange the meeting, but we’ll choose the location.”
“Understood.”
I then turned to Baekpyo.
“This time, you’ll come with me.”
Baekpyo’s face lit up with joy at the prospect of accompanying me. With a booming voice, he declared, “From now on, I’ll be at your service.”