The Message of My Death (2)
Galsaryang stood by the window, gazing out.
The long-delayed announcement of the leader’s death had finally been made.
At first, he couldn’t believe it. The leader, with whom he had just been conversing, was dead. He was convinced it was murder.
He immediately called for an autopsy.
But there was nothing unusual. It was ruled a natural death.
The leader’s behavior on the day he died had been strange.
Yet, it wasn’t strange enough to suggest it was linked to his death.
The thought that Cheonhajin could die so suddenly was unimaginable. He felt so empty that he couldn’t even cry when he saw the body.
There was no time to properly grieve, to let the sorrow sink in. Tasks piled up like a mountain. Things he hadn’t even considered until yesterday.
Of course, the most pressing matter was choosing the next leader. The leader was gone, but the martial alliance had to continue.
“We can’t delay the vote any longer.”
A low voice came from behind, but Galsaryang didn’t respond.
After standing there for a moment, he turned around.
A man sat at the table, sipping tea, exuding an aura as sharp as a well-honed blade. Even with a teacup in hand, he seemed as dangerous as if he were holding a sword.
He was the central figure among the leaders of the ten major organizations of the martial alliance.
To briefly introduce these ten organizations: there were three that answered directly to the leader’s orders.
First was the Gwangwol Group, second the Cheolgi Group, and third the Cheongung Group. These were known as the Three Pillars of the martial alliance.
The Gwangwol Group was a gathering of masters skilled in various weapons, each known for their extraordinary martial prowess.
It was the only organization among the ten whose numbers and scale were unknown to outsiders.
The man sipping tea was Joo Cheolryong, the leader of the Gwangwol Group.
Next, the Cheolgi Group was literally an iron cavalry unit. Five hundred warriors clad in iron armor, mounted on armored horses, wielding long spears.
They weren’t just reliant on their armor and horses; each was a master, and their perfect coordination made them a formidable force.
The Cheongung Group was an assembly of archers. They selected only the best archers, numbering a thousand. Imagine a thousand trained archers releasing a thousand arrows.
These three organizations were the Three Pillars of the martial alliance, known to move only on the leader’s command.
The remaining seven organizations were as follows:
First, there was Jeonguigak, a group with a strong focus on intelligence, led by the chief strategist himself. Then there was the Maengho Group, responsible for the leader’s protection, led by Baekpyo.
Next, the Baekho Group handled the alliance’s defense, while the Jeokryong Group managed external support.
Typically, when one referred to the martial alliance’s warriors, they meant those from these two groups. They were the largest organizations, with the Baekho Group numbering three thousand and the Jeokryong Group eight thousand.
The Jibeopdang handled inspection and law enforcement, while the Jaedang managed the alliance’s finances, both part of the ten major organizations.
Lastly, there was the Council of Elders, composed of retired masters. Due to potential issues, joining the council was difficult, and even if one did, they were bound by numerous regulations.
These ten organizations’ leaders were responsible for electing the next leader.
Initially, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Though the leader hadn’t named a successor, there was someone he had in mind. Someone who seemed capable of leading well enough.
The person he had in mind was Yeom Mugil, the head of the Byeokroedomen.
He had a good character, his sect had a good reputation, and most importantly, his martial skills were strong.
Though Byeokroedomen wasn’t one of the five great sects of the central plains, it was widely agreed that, in terms of individual martial prowess, he was the strongest.
He thought everyone would naturally follow his recommendation, but an unexpected variable arose.
The man present here.
Joo Cheolryong, the leader of the Gwangwol Group, proposed a new candidate without consulting him.
The bigger problem was that the person he recommended was someone who should never become the leader.
It was Ma Bonggi, the head of the Cheondomun, known as the top sect in the north and one of the five great sects of the central plains.
Ma Bonggi’s complicated affairs with women were an open secret.
As the saying goes, you can tell a lot from one thing, and he opposed it vehemently, but Joo Cheolryong pushed forward relentlessly.
The vote was postponed. He had a bad feeling about it.
Sure enough, they had already secured six votes.
The Gwangwol Group, Cheolgi Group, Jeokryong Group, Jibeopdang, Jaedang, and even the Council of Elders.
They had already won over the core organizations.
He postponed it twice more, using every means at his disposal to delay the vote.
In the meantime, he tried to change their minds. But he failed. Instead, one of his votes shifted to their side.
As he failed to win them back, they brazenly won over the Baekho Group leader.
Now they had seven votes. A complete defeat.
How could such a thing happen?
Galsaryang was now certain.
Everything had been prepared long ago.
The leader had undoubtedly been assassinated.
Ma Bonggi.
Was it his doing?
But the Ma Bonggi he knew wasn’t meticulous enough to orchestrate such a scheme. Had he misjudged?
If there was another mastermind behind it all?
Then why Ma Bonggi? If they were this capable, they would have chosen someone more suitable than Ma Bonggi.
It was all a mystery.
“It’s time to make a decision.”
If the vote proceeded as it was, Ma Bonggi would become the leader.
Joo Cheolryong had sworn unwavering loyalty to the leader when he was alive. He never imagined he would lead such a charge.
‘Saryang, Saryang. You’re still far from it.’
The pride of having helped Cheonhajin unify the central plains might have turned into complacency, he thought.
He had considered Cheonhajin’s later years the most stable period in martial history, but while he was intoxicated by peace, the roots of the martial alliance had been rotting.
Hiding his bitter self-reproach, Galsaryang forced a relaxed smile.
“Principles are important, but so is honoring the late leader’s will.”
“The late leader’s will? What do you mean?”
“As you know, the leader dedicated his life to the common people of the martial world. He especially warned against the chaos caused by the five great sects. You know this, don’t you?”
Though displeasure showed on his face, Joo Cheolryong couldn’t deny it and nodded slightly.
Galsaryang continued calmly.
“If one of them decides the next leader, wouldn’t that betray the leader’s wishes?”
But Joo Cheolryong had no intention of backing down.
“While your words have merit, the alliance has rules that must be followed. I believe the leader should be chosen according to those principles.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“If you delay any longer, we’ll proceed with the vote without you.”
Joo Cheolryong declared, as if issuing a warning, and left the room.
Finally, Galsaryang let out a sigh. With two of the Three Pillars turned against him, there was nothing more he could do.
He turned back to the window. He saw the warriors bustling about the training grounds. In mourning for Cheonhajin’s death, they all wore white martial uniforms and white headbands.
The master of this place was gone, yet the martial alliance continued as ever. No, it was now writhing and twisting more than when he was alive.
’…Leader, you shouldn’t have left like this.’
Baekpyo stood in the center of the leader’s hall.
Since Cheonhajin’s death, the place had been empty.
Baekpyo walked to one side of the wall. The history left by the leader was recorded there.
The legendary battles Cheonhajin had fought.
He had glanced at them casually when the leader was alive, but now he found himself looking at them repeatedly.
When a new leader was chosen, this wall would be erased, and new history would be recorded. As the leader of the Maengho Group, he would have to protect the new leader.
But could he ever forget Cheonhajin?
After circling the walls, he stopped in front of the leader’s seat.
The seat where the leader had sat was empty.
He remembered Cheonhajin’s hearty laughter. It felt as if he might walk in at any moment, laughing.
“Hahaha, Baekpyo. Come, have a drink with me. If you stay tense all the time, you’ll get sick, you know.”
“With you around, I can sleep soundly. Thank you, really.”
“I heard your wife is very ill. I’ll give you a few days off, so take good care of her. Haha, that’s an order. Leader’s command!”
“Remember the days when we fought like mad? Do you? I still think of those times. You all suffered so much. Hahaha.”
The leader’s words still echoed vividly in his ears.
Tears welled up in Baekpyo’s eyes and soon streamed down his cheeks.
“Leader!”
Once the tears started, they wouldn’t stop.
“Ahhh, Leader.”
The tears kept flowing. He felt guilty for not being able to protect him. He regretted not taking better care of the leader’s health.
Sitting down, Baekpyo continued to cry. His whole body trembled, and his throat tightened.
”…I wish to see you again… Leader.”
In that place where no one answered, only Baekpyo’s sorrowful cries echoed.