The Birth of Morning, The Death of Night (3)
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Fireworks exploded in every direction, and the martial artists of the Murim Alliance cheered with excitement.
Today marked the completion of the Alliance Leader’s Hall, which had been in ruins. It had already been five months since I became the leader.
“Congratulations, Leader.”
Gal Saryang led the Murim Alliance officials in offering their congratulations.
“I feel a bit guilty receiving congratulations for a building I destroyed myself.”
Ju Seung-tak, the leader of the Gwangwol Group, chimed in.
“What you destroyed was not the Leader’s Hall, but the evil forces of the Heavenly Army.”
Jong Cheon-rak, the leader of the Cheongung Group, added his voice.
“Indeed. Without you, Leader, the martial world would have been plunged into darkness.”
Ga Kyung, the head of the Judicial Hall, praised further.
“The discipline of the Murim Alliance feels like it’s returned to the days of Leader Cheon. It’s all thanks to your exceptional leadership.”
Each leader offered their words of congratulations. Their eyes were filled with trust. Five months had been enough. It wasn’t enough time to fully understand who I was, but they had come to know what kind of Murim Alliance I envisioned.
“You’re too kind. Now, everyone, take a break from work today and enjoy yourselves.”
“Hahaha, yes. We’ll drink to our heart’s content today.”
A grand feast was held at the Murim Alliance. Everyone celebrated the reconstruction of the Leader’s Hall with joy.
Not only the martial artists of the Murim Alliance but also the common people of the martial world were delighted. I heard that the inns and taverns in the region were so crowded with heroes that there wasn’t even room to step.
Since becoming the leader, my popularity had been steadily rising.
In the midst of the celebration, I quietly slipped away and entered the Leader’s Hall alone.
The hall had been rebuilt differently from before. Gal Saryang had reinforced it with new formations and mechanisms, making it a fortress of security. He had thoughtfully decorated it to my taste, from the architectural style to the interior layout, the colors of the walls and floors, the furniture, and even the wooden decorations of the Taesa’s chair.
On one wall, the defeat of the Heavenly Army was engraved. It was somewhat glorified and exaggerated, but the events of that day were vividly recorded.
Looking at it brought back a flood of emotions.
In the past, there were other records. Records of my life. The fifteen most important battles of my life, now part of the history of the martial world, were those very footprints.
Now, the past had been erased, and the records of the new leader, Byeok Lidan, were inscribed. Depending on my future actions, the contents of this wall would change.
What stories would be recorded here?
I slowly ascended the stairs, following the red carpet, and sat on the Taesa’s chair.
It felt different from the temporary Leader’s Hall. It was both welcoming and unfamiliar.
Despite the busy schedule of the past five months, I hadn’t missed a single day of martial arts training. Whether busy or free, I trained diligently, as if returning to the days when I first learned martial arts.
Though my mastery of the Demon God Technique remained at the ninth level, I wasn’t desperate for perfection. Deciding to face any opponent with my current skills brought me peace of mind.
Perhaps because of that, last month, I achieved mastery in the Demon God Shadow Step.
The Demon God Flight met all three conditions: minimal internal energy use, speed, and long-distance travel.
The Demon God Path consumed a lot of internal energy, but it allowed for movements that seemed impossible to believe. I could now move as if teleporting to any visible location.
Of course, the leap of the Demon God Step, the mystery of the Demon God Shadow, and the power of the Demon God Bullet had all advanced remarkably.
Even though the sword technique of the Demon God Technique remained at the ninth level, it had already surpassed the limits of human martial arts.
Achieving mastery in the Demon God Technique would place me on the threshold of transcendence.
What path awaited me? What path would I choose?
It was still unknown.
At that moment, Gal Saryang entered the hall.
“How does it feel to sit there again?”
He asked, and I answered honestly.
“It feels strange. A bit heavy on the shoulders.”
“You’ll get used to it soon. And there’s no need to feel burdened. You’ve done an excellent job so far.”
In the past five months, the Murim Alliance had regained stability. The organization had once again shown that its nature could change entirely depending on who the leader was.
Gal Saryang and I tackled the tasks at hand with precision. My formidable martial arts and leadership, combined with Gal Saryang’s intellect, made us unstoppable.
At least when it came to the affairs of the Murim Alliance, we were experts among experts. It was what we had done all our lives. We could understand each other’s thoughts with just a glance.
In just five months, the Murim Alliance had changed significantly. Most importantly, the perception that the Murim Alliance worked for the people of the martial world was spreading widely.
“It’s thanks to you. If you hadn’t been the chief strategist, the Murim Alliance would still be in chaos. I wouldn’t even be sitting here.”
If it weren’t for Gal Saryang’s encouragement, I wouldn’t have considered becoming the leader of the Murim Alliance.
“You’re too kind.”
“How is the corruption within the alliance?”
“We’ve corrected much of it. It wasn’t severe enough to shake the foundation, so it wasn’t too difficult. You had already established strong discipline during your previous leadership.”
Although the discipline had weakened when the Ma family took over, it hadn’t decayed to the core.
“Continue to support the Judicial Hall.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And take care of yourself. You know your body isn’t just yours. Delegate tasks to me. You should reduce your workload.”
“Thank you, Leader.”
Gal Saryang smiled at me. He smiles often these days. It’s a smile I never saw in my past life.
Yes, let’s live this life like this.
“By the way, Ban Hweju was here earlier.”
“Yes, I saw her.”
At the mention of Ban Seo-jeong, the leader of the Cheonmang Group, Gal Saryang’s face flushed slightly. Though he didn’t show it, he clearly had feelings for her.
“She’s waiting in the guest room to say goodbye.”
“Go see her.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s been a while. Don’t keep her waiting. Go see her.”
“Yes, I’ll see you later.”
Gal Saryang left.
Watching his retreating figure, I realized it was time to address a matter I had postponed.
It was a task far more important than rebuilding the Leader’s Hall.
“Congratulations on your return.”
Ban Seo-jeong greeted Gal Saryang with a smile.
The Cheonmang Group had gone underground, but after Byeok Lidan became the leader, they resumed their activities.
“Our leader is so exceptional that I’ve been given another important role.”
“The leader says otherwise.”
“What did he say?”
“He said that without you, he wouldn’t have been able to enter the alliance. That this leader’s position was made possible by you.”
“He was just being kind.”
Ban Seo-jeong smiled.
“Seeing the two of you makes me happy. It’s nice to see such mutual respect between a leader and a subordinate. I’m a bit envious. Especially since there’s quite an age difference between you two.”
“Age doesn’t matter. Haven’t you seen many old people who have aged in vain? I’m trying not to become one of them.”
“You’re still young, strategist.”
Gal Saryang bowed his head with a smile, his face flushed. His heart ached.
‘If only I were a bit younger.’
If he were, he could approach Ban Seo-jeong with more confidence and assertiveness.
“You haven’t changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t seem to age at all.”
“Oh, is that a compliment?”
“Of course.”
“This is the first time you’ve said something like that.”
She laughed brightly. Gal Saryang thought she was truly beautiful. She was someone who made his aging heart race. That’s why he couldn’t easily reveal his feelings. He couldn’t risk losing this precious emotion.
“Well, I’ll be going now. Take care.”
“You too, Hweju.”
“Oh, and come by for tea when you have time. I just got some good tea.”
“I will.”
Ban Seo-jeong walked away.
Gal Saryang stood by the window, watching her leave until she was out of sight.
It wasn’t Gal Saryang who went to the Blue Pavilion, but me.
I went there with only Gwangdu and a few members of the Maengho Group.
“Leader!”
Ban Seo-jeong was surprised by my sudden visit.
“I was passing by and thought I’d stop for a cup of tea.”
Of course, I had come specifically to see her. Ban Seo-jeong must have realized that.
We had already exchanged greetings at the celebration yesterday, so there was no reason for me to visit again today.
“You came at the right time. I just got some good tea.”
“How fortunate.”
Ban Seo-jeong personally prepared the tea.
We shared a cup and chatted. I hadn’t noticed before, but she had a very delicate and feminine side.
Until now, I had only met her as the leader of the Cheonmang Group, but today, I saw a more personal side of her.
“There’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“What do you think of Gal Saryang?”
“So that’s why you’re here.”
Ban Seo-jeong seemed to have anticipated my visit for this reason.
She didn’t hide her feelings.
“I’ll be honest. I like him. I truly respect him, and I like him as a man.”
Her candidness caught me off guard.
Her eyes deepened with sincerity.
“I’m too old to hide or delay my feelings, and so is he.”
That night, I visited Gal Saryang in his office.
“Master! Is something the matter?”
Gal Saryang was taken aback by my unexpected visit at this hour.
I smiled and waved a bottle of liquor at him.
“What could be wrong? I just came to share a drink with you.”
Only then did Gal Saryang relax. It was clear he lived every moment on edge.
“Ah, please, have a seat.”
We hadn’t had a chance to drink together lately. I could have insisted, but I held back. Knowing Gal Saryang, he’d push through a hangover and work as if nothing happened.
We shared a few drinks, chatting about this and that.
As the alcohol began to warm us, I casually brought up, “You should think about settling down and starting a family.”
Gal Saryang chuckled, thinking I was joking. “At my age, marriage?”
“Why not? They say it’s best to marry a little later in life.”
“Haha, that’s news to me.”
“I’d like to see you with a family.”
“I appreciate the thought, but I have no intention of doing so.”
“None at all?”
He answered after emptying his glass. “None whatsoever.”
“But Ban Hweju thinks differently.”
At the mention of her name, Gal Saryang looked at me, startled.
“You two are so hopeless, I thought I’d play matchmaker.”
“Master!”
“Ban Hweju has given her consent.”
“What? Consent?”
I’ve never seen him so surprised.
I told him, “Yes, it’s late. But we both know that just as there are things that come late in life, there are also choices we can always make.”
Gal Saryang was silent for a moment. After a long pause, he asked, “Do you really think it’s possible?”
“It is.”
“Do you think it’s right?”
“It is.”
“Won’t she be unhappy?”
“Why would you think that?”
“Well, for one, I’m old.”
“Yes, you’re old. But you’re also the chief strategist of the Martial Alliance, a man of intelligence, insight, loyalty, and dedication. Ban Hweju admires not just the old you, but the person you are.”
”…Master.”
“You’ve never lived for yourself, have you? You’ve lived for the alliance, for justice, for the martial world, and for me.”
Gal Saryang’s body trembled slightly with emotion.
I took his hand, feeling the wrinkles on his thin skin.
“This time, live for yourself. Be honest with your feelings. I’m speaking not as your master, but as your old friend.”