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The Message of My Death (3)

The next day, I found myself back at the inn.

Curiosity had drawn me there, hoping for any new tidbits of news.

Was it because I still longed for the position of the leader? Absolutely not.

I had adapted to this new life and was content. In fact, I felt more joy and vitality than I ever did as the leader.

I had resolved to continue building the Byuk Clan and honing my martial arts. This was the life I had chosen.

Yet, when I thought of the Martial Alliance, certain faces still came to mind. Faces like Galsaryang and Baekpyo, my loyal subordinates.

At least until someone trustworthy took over as the next leader, I couldn’t help but be concerned.

Today, too, my story was the main topic at the inn.

There were those who criticized me for political reasons. But no one disparaged me as a martial artist. As a warrior, Chun Hwa-jin was always glorified.

“I don’t know about him as a leader, but as a martial artist, Chun Hwa-jin deserves respect.”

All eyes turned to the old man who had spoken.

“I witnessed the leader’s fight firsthand.”

Everyone gathered around the old man, and even I found myself listening intently.

“You all know about the fight between the leader and the Demon Fighter, right?”

“Of course. It’s been turned into countless stories since.”

“Indeed. But most of them are nonsense.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I was there.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

To cut to the chase, the old man’s tale was pure exaggeration.

No one survived that battle. The Demon Fighter and all his men perished. My warriors were stationed far away on my orders.

Could the old man have watched from a distance? At that time, I was practically flying through the sky. If he had been close enough to see, I would have sensed him.

“The Demon Fighter was terrifying. He was nine feet tall, with fists the size of a man’s head. He was born to fight, incredibly strong.”

Nine feet tall with fists the size of a head?

I couldn’t help but laugh again.

When I first saw the Demon Fighter, I was taken aback.

He was barely five feet tall, with a slight build. His delicate appearance seemed entirely unsuited for battle.

You might think the Demon Fighter would swing his fists wildly, but he wielded a short dagger.

Yet, the old man’s tale wasn’t entirely false.

He was indeed insanely strong. At that point in time, he was the strongest opponent I had ever faced.

Of course, I met stronger foes later, but he was among the top five.

I can’t count how many times I nearly died to that short dagger. I was actually stabbed in several places. He truly deserved the name Demon Fighter.

“The leader displayed skills that were almost divine. Even now, when I close my eyes, I can vividly recall that fight. Especially the final moment, unforgettable. As the energy from the Demon Fighter’s fists surged, the leader soared into the sky. Like a dragon, he ascended and rained down dozens of sword strikes like a storm!”

The old man’s vivid description left everyone in awe.

“I’m envious. If I had seen that fight, I could die without regrets.”

“I’d pay to see that!”

“Oh, Sword God!”

Thinking back to the day I rolled in the dirt with the Demon Fighter, barely managing to drive my sword into his heart, I felt a bit embarrassed. But as a human, I couldn’t help but enjoy hearing such stories.

Then, one of the men listening spoke up with a disgruntled expression.

“So what if he’s a Sword God?”

“What’s your problem?”

“Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

“What rumors?”

“That Chun Hwa-jin amassed a fortune through corruption.”

“Is that true?”

Everyone was shocked.

Could they be as shocked as I was?

I almost jumped up and shouted, “That’s nonsense!” I hadn’t embezzled a single penny.

“With martial skills like that, wouldn’t he have?”

From the way he spoke, it was clear it wasn’t a rumor but his own assumption.

Damn it. I wished someone would call him out on his irresponsible words, but everyone nodded in agreement.

“Well, as the leader…”

“Especially since Chun Hwa-jin was the strongest leader in history.”

“He probably didn’t even get to spend all that money before he died.”

I could tolerate other slanders, but corruption?

No, you fools! If I had decided to embezzle, I would have… No, let’s not go there.

“How much do you think he took? Ten million nyang? A hundred million?”

I sighed deeply.

I thought I had shared a love with the martial world… I wondered if the martial world even knew I cared.

Just as I sat there in despair, a clear, melodious voice rang out.

“Do you have any proof?”

I recognized that voice.

Everyone, including me, turned to the source of the voice.

To my surprise, it was Song Hwa-rin standing at the inn’s entrance.

She had a knack for making everything else fade away, leaving only herself in focus.

Her appearance made everyone widen their eyes.

Some recognized her, but the man spreading rumors didn’t. He just looked at her with a ‘How can someone be so beautiful?’ expression.

“Do you have proof that the leader was corrupt?”

She asked, and the man replied.

“Do you know Chun Hwa-jin personally?”

“No.”

“Then what’s your issue?”

“I just don’t like people speaking carelessly about things they don’t know.”

She was calm but authoritative.

“Let me ask again. Do you have proof that the leader embezzled?”

“I just… heard rumors.”

“Spreading rumors without evidence is a crime. If reported to the Martial Alliance, you could end up in prison.”

Her firm words made the man nervous. The mention of prison ended the matter.

“I apologize for speaking carelessly.”

Without pressing further, Song Hwa-rin moved to a seat on the side.

“Can I place an order?”

The waiter hurried over to her.

The patrons, who had been staring at her in a daze, dispersed. They didn’t want to catch her attention and risk trouble.

But as they left, they couldn’t help but glance back at her.

Since I was seated with my back to her, she hadn’t noticed me.

I was grateful to her. I had felt so wronged, and it was as if she had spoken on my behalf.

A little later, her food arrived.

“I only ordered noodles.”

Along with the noodles, a meat dish had been brought out.

The innkeeper smiled and said, “This is a special treat from me.”

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

“I share your sentiments. The late leader was a great man. Thanks to him, many villains in the martial world disappeared. It made life better for people like us.”

“Oh, I see. But what should I do?”

Her unexpected words caught everyone off guard.

“What do you mean?”

The innkeeper’s eyes widened.

What a baffling statement!

I, too, looked at her in disbelief.

The innkeeper asked again, “Then why did you…?”

“I just don’t like people speaking carelessly about others.”

Now that I thought about it, she hadn’t said she liked or respected the leader.

And then she added, “In fact, I really dislike the late leader.”

I couldn’t help but blurt out, “Why?”

She turned her head towards me, surprised to see me there.

“When did you get here?”

“I’ve been here for a while.”

“Did you follow me?”

I shook the empty bottle in front of me.

“If I had known you were coming, maybe I would have.”

She understood that I had arrived first.

“I heard about the Yang Clan incident.”

“Luckily, I managed to avoid disaster.”

“That’s a relief.”

With that, she turned away.

I didn’t feel the need to continue the conversation, but I had to ask this one thing.

“But why do you dislike the leader?”

I was genuinely curious.

She shrugged her shoulders but didn’t answer.

Come on, why do you dislike me?