At the Threshold of Spring (2)
In my father’s room, my mother was waiting with him.
“You called for me?”
“Yes, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Father explained that Song Woo-kyung had visited. He relayed the proposal from the Shandong Trading Company to support the Song family and their desire to form a Shandong alliance. Song Woo-kyung had come to discuss this with him.
“Since it concerns the Song family, you should be aware.”
I could sense a change in how my parents regarded me. They now recognized me as the rightful successor of the Byeok family martial arts school.
“Change is coming to the Shandong martial world.”
Father spoke as if it were only about Shandong, but the entire martial world was shifting.
I was honestly surprised at how quickly the martial world was reacting to the news of my death.
It showed just how significant my influence had been.
Still, I couldn’t make a judgment on this matter. There was no need to be upset about an alliance forming in Shandong. After all, it was only my past self who had forbidden it.
However, I was uncertain if Song Woo-kyung was suitable to lead such an alliance. Once an alliance is formed, everything becomes political. Managing a single martial arts school is entirely different from coordinating and uniting multiple schools.
I also felt the need to reconsider why the Shandong Trading Company made such a proposal. Merchants only move when there’s profit to be made. Especially when they decide to partner with martial arts schools, it’s a very cautious decision.
I should look into it.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
As I turned to leave, my mother asked, “Did Song Mun-joo stop by?”
“Yes. She insisted once again that the engagement should not be broken.”
Father, looking a bit troubled, said, “That woman, really.”
Yet, he didn’t seem too displeased.
Mother smiled brightly and said, “I feel the same as Song Mun-joo.”
Understanding her feelings, I left without saying more.
I felt my relationship with my parents deepening.
At first, I consciously thought I had to accept them as my parents.
But now, emotions naturally came first, beyond conscious thought. They truly felt like my real parents. I wanted to treat them sincerely.
Honestly, I was happy.
To have such wonderful parents.
I believed my late mother would understand. Even if I showed filial piety to these parents instead.
In the afternoon, an unexpected visitor came to see me.
It was Song Hwa-rin. Her visit was so unexpected that my surprise was evident on my face.
“You look surprised.”
“I didn’t expect you to come to me.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
Her request was unexpected.
“Convince Master Byeok to have my father reject the Shandong Trading Company’s proposal.”
“Do you think my father can change his mind?”
“I don’t know. But I’m sure it would have a significant impact on his decision.”
It wasn’t unreasonable to think so. Their friendship was special. There’s a saying that when poverty enters the house, false friendships leave through the window. Yet, they remained in the same room.
“Can I ask why you want to stop it?”
“I don’t think forming a Shandong alliance suits my father.”
“You’re not underestimating him, are you?”
“I think it’s better than overestimating him and facing problems.”
I agreed with her. I also had reservations about Song Woo-kyung forming an alliance.
But there were positive aspects too. Though it felt odd to say it myself.
“The previous leader stabilized the martial world, right? Becoming the head of an alliance during such peaceful times might not be bad. It could greatly strengthen the Song family.”
“I’m actually worried about that.”
“What?”
“The previous leader ran the martial alliance with overwhelming power for too long. It’s true he maintained peace, but he also nurtured something in the shadows.”
“Nurtured something in the shadows? What do you mean?”
“Repressed desires.”
Her unexpected words startled me.
“Martial artists have an innate desire to defeat others and rise above. They are inherently violent and savage. We’re wolves or tigers, not rabbits or deer, right?”
“And?”
“But everyone hid their true nature because of the leader’s strength. If they dared to reveal it, they’d be crushed.”
Her words were harsh and extreme, but they resonated with me.
“They must have spent years just waiting for the leader to die.”
Her words hit me like a thunderbolt.
I had never considered such a thought before. It was more shocking than anything I’d heard.
Did everyone really just wish for my death?
She spoke clearly, “I’m scared. I’m afraid my father will jump into a place where repressed desires explode like lava.”
Now I understood why she was so opposed. It wasn’t just about avoiding the dirty world of politics; there was a clear reason.
“Is that why you said you disliked the deceased leader?”
She shrugged and replied, “There are more important reasons, but… yes, even just this is enough to dislike.”
There are even more important reasons?
She spoke earnestly, “Please. It’s the first favor I’m asking of you, so I hope you’ll grant it.”
I had a dream for the first time in a long while.
A dream of returning to the past, attending a martial alliance meeting.
Leaders from various organizations, including Gal Sa-ryang, sat around a long table.
Their faces were stiff. Their actions were rigid, and their tones allowed no mistakes.
It was as if they were wearing expressionless white masks.
Yes, their faces seemed especially rigid because of the words about repressed desires. Because I had heard that everyone wished for my death.
Did they really just wish for my death?
Suddenly, my thoughts echoed in the room.
Then, everyone turned their heads to look at me.
Their eyes were cold.
A long-forgotten suspicion surged within me.
Was I assassinated?
The next moment, I woke up.
“Whew.”
It’s all because of what she said.
The desire for power is like a parasite that resides in a person. You can’t even tell if it’s there. But once it starts to run wild, you know what terrifying things can happen.
So I suppressed it with my martial arts. I ruled with an iron fist to prevent any desire for power.
I never thought about what would happen after my death.
Repressed desires.
Will they really erupt?
Or have they already erupted?
That afternoon, I went to see the Chief Steward.
“Tell me about the Shandong Trading Company.”
“Why are you asking about that?”
“I have something to inquire about regarding the Song family.”
I briefly explained about the Song family head.
The stern Chief Steward narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing me. He suspected I was up to something, but my calm demeanor revealed no such intentions.
“Don’t you dislike me?”
“That’s a misunderstanding. I don’t dislike you, Chief Steward.”
“Hmph! Don’t lie.”
He gave me a scolding, but he didn’t seem entirely displeased that I had come to ask him something.
The Chief Steward explained about the Shandong Trading Company. He hadn’t just aged; he had accumulated vast knowledge. He detailed not only the Shandong Trading Company but also other trading companies.
I asked various questions about the Shandong Trading Company but found nothing special.
“Has anything unusual happened recently?”
“Nothing much.”
“Understood. Thank you for your time.”
As I turned to leave, he suddenly remembered something.
“Oh, I don’t know if this will help, but there’s one thing I recall.”
“What is it?”
“A few months ago, I had a chance to drink with their chief. He mentioned they might start a business with a martial arts group. He didn’t say which one.”
“Have you heard anything since?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Thank you very much.”
Perhaps feeling awkward about our conversation, the Chief Steward threw in a gruff remark.
“Don’t think you’ve earned any points with me because of this.”
“Yes. I know you still don’t trust me, Chief Steward! I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You rascal.”
As I turned to leave, I asked one more thing.
“Do you have any young candidates in mind for a successor?”
“Why do you ask?”
“If there is, I thought I might take them as my personal steward.”
“Ha! Is that even possible?”
Even if I was serious, he wouldn’t believe it, so I just laughed and left.
I could feel the Chief Steward’s gaze following me. It seemed a bit softer than before.
After meeting with the Chief Steward, I went to see my father.
“What brings you here?”
“I just wanted to have a cup of tea with you, Father.”
“You rascal.”
After extinguishing the spark of a potential argument, Father personally brewed tea for me.
It was the first time I tasted tea brewed by him.
“Is your training going well?”
“Yes.”
If I truly unleashed the Baekwol Sword Technique, I could perform it more skillfully than Father. If I ever needed to show it, I’d only reveal a fraction.
“Your mother has high expectations for you. Never forget that.”
Though he mentioned Mother, Father felt the same way.
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
The reason I visited Father was because of Song Hwa-rin’s request.
Should I grant her request? She’s right. If Father strongly persuades him, Song Woo-kyung will reject the proposal.
But is this the right approach?
The persistent doubt already provided the answer.
I didn’t bring up anything related to the Song family.
“The tea is excellent, Father.”
I had thought of an alternative to propose to her.