Walking Alone, Yet Together (1)
After wrapping up my official duties for the day, I called for Gwangdu.
“Gwangdu, I need to speak with you privately. Dismiss the others.”
A voice responded from behind the nearest pillar.
“Yes, Leader.”
As soon as the order was given, the Menghodan warriors swiftly and efficiently vacated the hall.
Only then did Gwangdu step forward. He was a completely different person from when he first became the leader of the Menghodan. The uniform suited him perfectly now.
He had adapted to the responsibilities of the Menghodan as well. In just a few months, he seemed like someone who had been in the role for years.
I’d heard he was popular among the subordinates, and it was no surprise. Gwangdu had a unique charm that made him stand out. Plus, he had learned to assert himself while leading the Taeseong Trading Company.
Today, however, he looked tired. Being good with people is one thing, but it doesn’t make the job any less exhausting.
“Come over here.”
I stepped down from the dais and took a seat in the reception area.
“Why are you still standing?”
“I’m comfortable like this.”
“Look at you, all changed now that you’ve moved up in the world. You used to say you liked me so much.”
Gwangdu gave me a look of disbelief. The old him would have shouted something like:
Whose fault do you think this is? My legs are killing me! I’ve been standing all day!
But he quickly composed himself and replied, “You misunderstand, Leader.”
Ha, he was starting to fit the role of Menghodan leader quite well.
“Sit down.”
“Yes.”
“Relax. Come on, switch back from being the Menghodan leader to just Gwangdu.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“Come on, you’ve been Gwangdu for decades, and the leader for only a few months.”
“Not decades, just over thirty years.”
“Same difference. Here, have a drink.”
“I’ll pour for you first.”
“Alright.”
Gwangdu poured the drink, and I filled his glass. It had been a while since we shared a drink. If my infrequent drinking with Galsaryang was out of concern for his health, with Gwangdu, it was different.
I wanted him to navigate his destiny without relying on me. Seeing him do well on his own made me happy.
“Let’s drink.”
“Yes, Leader!”
“When it’s just us, call me Young Master.”
Gwangdu hesitated for a moment, then smiled and accepted.
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Is it tough?”
“I’m managing.”
It must be hard. Unlike other leaders, the Menghodan leader had to personally guard the Leader.
“I’m sorry. My ambition is making things difficult for you.”
“Please don’t say that. Being with you like this is more than enough.”
“You don’t have to guard me so closely anymore. I can take care of myself. Focus on your martial arts training and your own tasks.”
“For the sake of the organization, I can’t do that. Each day’s duties build the history of the Menghodan, which will be passed down to future members.”
“You’ve grown up.”
“Hah! I’m older than you, Young Master.”
“Ha, that’s true.”
I laughed at Gwangdu’s playful remark.
“And how about you, Young Master?”
“What about me?”
“You’ve been running non-stop without a proper break, haven’t you?”
“Did it seem that way?”
“Yes. From what I’ve seen, you’ve been giving your all for everyone’s happiness. I worry if you’re truly happy.”
“I’m happy. Wanting more would be greedy.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“That’s a relief.”
We clinked glasses and emptied them.
“These moments are my breaks.”
“I feel the same. Sitting here with you, all my fatigue seems to melt away.”
“Guard duty is a long-term commitment. You can’t pour everything out at once. You need to endure slowly and steadily. So, work flexibly, not rigidly.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
If work becomes rigid, life follows suit. Work should support life, not the other way around. Otherwise, you end up living just to work.
We need to loosen up. Bit by bit, as we do, both work and life will become more breathable and gentle.
“Gwangdu.”
“Yes.”
“I have somewhere to go. I’ll be going alone.”
Gwangdu looked at me for a moment before responding.
“Yes, take care.”
“You’re not worried?”
“Who would worry about you?”
“Hahaha.”
That’s so like Gwangdu. Yes, don’t forget your true self.
“I won’t be long.”
“Travel safely. I’ll take good care of the Meng while you’re away.”
“Thank you.”
We drank late into the night, enjoying the view of the martial world outside the window.
Before dawn, I quietly left the Murim Alliance.
[Where are you going?]
[On a tour of the martial world.]
[A tour?]
[Now that I’m the Leader, I should take a look around.]
But in truth, I had a specific goal in mind.
With the mastery of my martial arts, I swiftly left the city.
A month later, in Sichuan Province, Xichang.
Silence hung over the Small Blade Manor.
The manor’s master and his family were bound and gagged in a storage room.
In front of them, a bearded man was devouring a chicken, his hands and lips greasy as if he hadn’t eaten in days.
“Forgive my manners. Thanks to those damned Murim Alliance bastards, I haven’t had a proper meal in three days. Ever since that bastard took over as Leader, they’ve been hunting us down. Justice and virtue? What a joke!”
The man took a swig from a bottle of liquor, then resumed tearing into the meat.
“Everyone on the wanted list is in the same boat. Those Murim Alliance bastards! As if they’re so clean! I’d love to tear them apart.”
The manor’s master, his wife, and their young daughters trembled in fear. The master and his men had been beaten badly.
Despite his appearance as a bumbling bandit, the bearded man was a formidable martial artist.
After filling his stomach, he wiped his greasy hands and mouth on his clothes.
His gaze shifted from the manor’s master to his wife and daughters.
“Please, don’t do this.”
The master’s desperate plea made the bearded man grin.
“Don’t worry. I’m not that kind of scum.”
“There’s money in the main room. Take it all and leave.”
“I’ll be going. No need to tell me twice. Don’t worry too much.”
The man stood up and left the storage room.
The manor’s master felt a glimmer of relief. At least it seemed the man wouldn’t harm his wife and daughters. He tried to reassure his children.
“Everything will be fine. Don’t worry too much.”
“Yes, Father.”
As long as they were safe, losing some money was a small price to pay. He hoped the man would just leave.
But then the door opened again, and the man returned. He scattered straw around and began pouring oil over it.
The master panicked and shouted.
“What are you doing?”
The bearded man chuckled.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”
“Over soon? What do you mean?”
The master was horrified.
“Please, don’t do this! There are children here. They’re only twelve and nine years old.”
“Yes, you’ve raised them well.”
The man pulled out a fire starter.
The master screamed.
“No! Just kill us with your sword!”
He knew the agony of burning alive. Everyone begged for mercy in terror.
The bearded man shook his head, a wicked smile on his face.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“What?”
“I’ve been on edge from being chased. I need some entertainment.”
“Please! Spare the children! I’m begging you!”
The man lit the fire starter.
“You crazy bastard! Just kill us with your sword, you bastard!”
“Heh, it’ll be nice and warm.”
“Ahhh!”
Just as he was about to throw the fire starter onto the straw, it went out.
The bearded man turned in shock. Someone was standing beside him, having extinguished the flame with a mere gesture.
With a swift motion, the bearded man hurled the fire starter and launched a punch.
Thud!
His fist, imbued with inner strength, struck the man’s side.
Crack.
“Ahhh!”
It was the bearded man who screamed.
His wrist had snapped, dangling uselessly. Even though the opponent hadn’t retaliated, the natural rebound of the man’s defensive energy had broken his wrist.
Annoyed by the noise, the man flicked the bearded man’s forehead with his finger.
Thwack.
The bearded man flew back, rolling across the floor. Blood gushed from his forehead from the force of the blow.
“Ahhh, it hurts.”
Writhing in pain, the bearded man looked up at his attacker.
“Who are you?”
The man pulled a piece of paper from his robe and tossed it to the bearded man. It was a wanted poster from the Murim Alliance, detailing the bearded man’s crimes and appearance.
“You bastard! Are you a bounty hunter?”
The man chuckled and said, “No, I’m the one who pays those hunters.”
The man was none other than Byeok Lidan.
I quickly released the pressure points of the slaughterhouse owner and his family.
“Thank you, truly, thank you,” they said, grateful to be alive.
I turned to his two daughters. “Your father was willing to die to protect you. Never forget that.”
“Yes, sir,” they replied, their eyes now filled with gratitude for their father rather than fear.
“Alright, everyone, let’s get out of here. Oh, and sorry, but you’ll need to rebuild this warehouse.”
Understanding my meaning, the slaughterhouse owner grinned. “I was planning to rebuild it anyway; it was getting old.”
He led his family and the others who had been trapped outside.
I picked up a firebrand from the ground and reignited it. The bearded man flinched.
“What… what are you doing?”
“Relax. It’ll be over soon.”
“Take me to the Martial Alliance! They’ll pay a bounty for me!”
“It’s my money on the line.”
“What?”
Of course, he couldn’t grasp my joke.
Sssssss.
As the firebrand ignited, he screamed, “Please! Just kill me! Use your sword!”
“No. I’m a bit on edge these days.”
With a whoosh, I set him ablaze.
I watched without a hint of sympathy as he writhed in agony, burning to death.
As I left the manor, Cheonma spoke.
[That’s the sixteenth one.]
Since leaving the Martial Alliance, I had swiftly dealt with sixteen villains. Moving quickly, I captured and killed those with bounties on their heads.
[Why are they all such scum?]
[Because they are scum.]
[Was there anyone you actually liked among them?]
[What nonsense is that?]
[Just saying.]
[Why is the leader of the Martial Alliance causing such a ruckus? It’s not very dignified.]
[Doing good and saving the Alliance’s budget. It’s a win-win.]
[You’re insane!]
In truth, I was searching for a suitable body for Cheonma. Since his soul would inhabit it, all I needed was a decent body.
But most skilled fighters were too old. Those who looked good were too weak in both skill and physique. I found one who seemed alright, but he infuriated me, so I killed him on the spot.
In conclusion, finding a young, handsome, and skilled villain was rare. It was proving much harder than I anticipated.
It was something I could have postponed.
But I was rushing because I wanted to handle this matter on my own terms.
Before fate could push me into a corner I didn’t want, I wanted to set Cheonma free by my own will.
[What’s your plan? You’re acting strange lately!]
[I’ve had enough fresh air. Let’s head back.]
With a swift leap, I soared into the sky, heading towards Hubei.
One person came to mind. The first person I thought of when considering a body for Cheonma.
Ma Cheolgun.
He had thrown the Martial Alliance into chaos, allied with the Heavenly King Army, and led the charge in turning warriors into dark celestial weapons. All those turned had died, making Ma Cheolgun guilty of a grave crime.
He was still young, possessed strong martial skills, and was handsome.
Yet, I hesitated because he was too well-known. He was the heir to the Cheondo Sect and a former leader of the Alliance.
Could I really choose him?
I realized it was finally time to discuss this with Cheonma.