Walking Alone, Yet Together (2)
When I returned to the Martial Alliance, Galsaryang had just come back from his honeymoon. He mentioned visiting several popular tourist spots.
“My wife wanted a normal trip, so that’s what we did.”
I could somewhat understand Ban Seojeong’s feelings. She had spent her life dealing with information and special tasks. For once, she wanted a trip like any other couple.
“It seems you enjoyed your honeymoon. You look positively radiant.”
At my words, Galsaryang’s face turned as red as a ripe persimmon.
I hadn’t meant to tease him, but with a reaction like that, how could I resist?
“You look ten years younger.”
“Please, Leader, don’t tease me.”
Baekpyo chimed in with a grin.
“More like twenty years younger. We might be seeing a nephew soon.”
“Ha ha. Why are you joining in?”
Galsaryang seemed full of life. Though I’d seen him smile occasionally, this one seemed more genuine and relaxed.
Yes, may you always be this happy.
“By the way, the Heavenly Path Sect’s leader, Marengin, stopped by.”
“About that issue, I presume?”
“Yes, it’s about the sealed internal energy.”
Since becoming the leader, I hadn’t released the energy of those whose dantians were sealed by the Heavenly King Army. Most of them had been removed from their positions.
“I have no intention of unsealing his dantian.”
I knew Marengin well. He was far more cunning and malevolent than even Macheolgung. Rather than unsealing his energy, I’d prefer to lock him up, but other priorities took precedence.
Dealing with Marengin meant dealing with the Heavenly Path Sect, so a political solution was necessary rather than brute force.
“Let him stew for a while.”
“Understood.”
I turned to Baekpyo next.
“How’s the Demon Slayer Squad?”
“Completely under control.”
Baekpyo was adept at managing organizations. With his skills and experience, and my backing, he was more than capable.
“Well done.”
Internally, the Demon Slayer Squad and externally, the Black Panther Brigade. Along with the Tiger Squad and the Heavenly Bow Squad, they were loyal to the leader. The rest were led by upright and loyal individuals dedicated to the Martial Alliance.
“The alliance seems stable now. You’ve all worked hard.”
“It’s thanks to your leadership, Leader.”
We congratulated each other.
With the alliance stable, I could finally focus on what I intended to do.
I prepared the wine that Cheonma liked and used the Heavenly Spirit Art. We met on a gentle hill overlooking a field of reeds. Cheonma enjoyed drinking here, feeling the breeze.
[What’s with the sudden wine?]
[Just thought we could have a drink after a long time.]
[I’m all for it.]
We sat side by side, drinking in silence until the wine was gone. Thankfully, being silent together was never awkward for us.
[Alright, what’s on your mind?]
Cheonma had sensed I had something to say. By now, we were so in tune that he could read me like a book.
I turned to look at him. His profile seemed unfamiliar, probably because we usually drank facing each other.
[You’ve got a lot of wrinkles.]
[I’m old.]
[And a lot of gray hair.]
[You had plenty of gray hair too.]
[Not anymore.]
[Are you teasing me?]
[Yes, for the last time.]
Cheonma turned to face me.
[Last time? What do you mean?]
His eyes shifted from curiosity to shock.
[You’ve mastered the Heart Sword!]
He thought my “last time” meant a final jest before his death. Quite the misunderstanding.
[Ah, so that’s why you’ve been acting strange lately! Congratulations!]
[Are you really happy for me?]
[Of course. The Heart Sword is every martial artist’s dream.]
[Even if it means your death?]
[Everyone dies eventually. If it’s by the Heart Sword, how could I have any regrets?]
[I won’t kill you just to see you happy.]
[Ha ha. It’s hard to let go of someone you care about.]
Cheonma was genuinely contemplating death. I had suspected as much, but this conversation confirmed it.
I turned my gaze back to the field. The wind bent the reeds, but no matter how fiercely it blew, their roots held firm.
[I’m going to use the Separation Technique to remove you from my body.]
[What?]
Cheonma was taken aback.
[Whether you rebuild the Demon Sect, watch your grandchildren play, or just drink with me, it’s your choice.]
[You’re serious.]
[Yes, I am.]
Silence fell between us. After a long pause, Cheonma asked,
[Why are you doing this?]
[Because with you around, I can’t even have an affair.]
Cheonma had once mistakenly thought I was having an affair with Im Yeonjeong.
[Stop joking!]
I had pondered this moment for a long time, wondering what I would say when he asked that question. One answer kept coming to mind, and though it felt awkward and embarrassing, I knew it was the right one.
Now that the moment had come, I realized that our relationship and this answer were far more important than any awkwardness.
Looking at him, I spoke calmly.
[Because you’re my friend.]
I saw it clearly—a small smile spreading across his face.
He was happy.
Cheonma turned his gaze back to the reeds.
We stood side by side, silently watching the swaying reeds.
After a while, Cheonma broke the silence.
[You know the Separation Technique is dangerous, right?]
[Of course.]
[You could die.]
[That’s true.]
[You’re in your twenties, with incredible martial skills, the highest authority as the Martial Alliance leader, and immense wealth. Wouldn’t it be a waste to die trying to remove someone like me?]
[It would be a waste. I’d haunt you as a ghost for revenge.]
[You crazy fool! Stop joking!]
[I said it would be a waste, didn’t I? If I said otherwise, I’d be lying.]
[If having me inside you is a burden, just hold on a bit longer. You’ll reach the Heart Sword state soon enough. Then you can kill me.]
[You know it’s not because you’re a burden.]
Cheonma’s deep wrinkles twitched.
This time, I asked him,
[If it were you, would you use the technique to remove me?]
[Are you crazy? I’m not someone who gets swayed by emotions.]
[Ha ha ha. Then there’s nothing to worry about. Just make the rational choice.]
But Cheonma still couldn’t decide.
[Why are you hesitating? Have you really let go of everything in this world? Do you want to follow the natural order, unbecoming of a demon? Is life just not fun anymore?]
[No. I want to live. This time, I want to live quietly, away from the martial world.]
[Then why hesitate?]
Cheonma looked back at the reeds as he answered.
[Because you’re… my friend too. If the technique fails, even the slightest chance…]
His unexpected words surprised me. Cheonma was worried about me.
Then he shouted, embarrassed by his earlier admission, his voice stronger to cover it up.
[Damn it! I don’t know. If you die, don’t blame me.]
[That’s my line.]
[Alright, let’s do it.]
Cheonma turned to me.
[Thank you.]
I looked at him and replied,
[Thank you too.]
I extended my hand to him. Cheonma took it. Soon, we’d be able to shake hands like this in the real world.
[As you know, the Separation Technique is risky.]
[It’s fine. The best person for the job will handle it.]
[Who? Ah, Im Yeonjeong. So that’s why you were exchanging messages with her, plotting this.]
[She’ll do well.]
Cheonma realized something else.
[The body I’ll inhabit? Ah, so you were looking for a suitable body while capturing those villains.]
[None of them were suitable.]
[Just find someone.]
[I can’t do that. It’s the body you’ll live in for the rest of your life. I have someone in mind.]
[Who?]
As I released the Heavenly Spirit Art, I said,
[See for yourself.]
I headed straight to the underground prison of the Martial Alliance.
In the deepest cell was Macheolgung. The warden informed me that he was eating well and exercising diligently, likely dreaming of revenge.
“The esteemed leader has graced us with his presence.”
His expression was venomous from behind the bars.
“How have you been?”
“How do you think I’ve been?”
“If it were me, I’d be full of regrets.”
“Regrets? Why should I have regrets? I’ve committed no crime. If anything, my only crime was losing my position to those stronger than me.”
“To the Martial Alliance leader, that’s a crime.”
My words pricked his pride, and his face twisted in anger.
“If you don’t release me, you’ll regret it.”
Despite knowing his threats were futile, he tried to sway me.
“Now that you’re the leader, you can let me go. I can’t even touch a hair on your head without my internal energy. So let me out.”
“You’ll never leave this place. Surviving here won’t be easy either. You’ve committed a crime worthy of death.”
“A crime worthy of death? What nonsense is this?”
“You helped the Heavenly King Army turn martial artists into dark soldiers, didn’t you?”
“That was—”
He couldn’t immediately deny it. Even with ten mouths, he had no defense.
“Do you think it would have been different if it were you? What was I supposed to do when a monster like the Heavenly King Army was threatening me?”
“Any ordinary person might understand, but you’re the leader of the martial alliance, aren’t you? You’re supposed to protect those people.”
“Shut up! Just shut up!”
Ma Cheol-gun shouted angrily.
“Sure, I can keep quiet. But just because I do, it doesn’t erase what you’ve done.”
“One day, I’ll make sure to kill you.”
“Sorry, but I don’t think you’ll get that chance.”
With a swift motion, I subdued Ma Cheol-gun’s blood flow. As he began to collapse, I used an invisible force to gently lay him on the ground.
Ma Cheol-gun’s body was no longer his own.
The Heavenly Demon spoke to me.
[Didn’t expect you’d choose this one.]
[At least physically, he’s got the best attributes. What do you think?]
[With a body and looks like this, it’s not bad.]
[But he’s too well-known. It could lead to a lot of trouble.]
[I’ll just wear a bamboo hat for a while. People will eventually forget about him.]
[That could take too long. Why not live as him instead?]
The Heavenly Demon was taken aback by my suggestion.
[As Ma Cheol-gun?]
[Yes. The fact that Ma Cheol-gun helped the Heavenly King Army create the Dark Celestial Weapon isn’t known to the martial world. Even though he’s imprisoned now, most people think he’ll be released. You could live his life as expected, as the former leader of the martial alliance.]
[So, you, the former leader, undergo the demon’s trial, and I, the former Heavenly Demon, become the former leader.]
[Exactly.]
This was the paradox and contradiction of the lives we were about to lead.
[It’s your decision now.]
The Heavenly Demon didn’t hesitate, having already made up his mind.
[Alright.]
Ma Cheol-gun was discreetly moved to Im Yeon-jeong’s laboratory.
Under the guise of conducting a special test related to the alliance leader, tight security was established around the lab. The Guangdu and the Mengho Corps guarded the area, and Baekpyo brought trusted subordinates for support.
I asked Im Yeon-jeong, “When can we perform the grand ritual?”
“Everything’s ready. We can do it anytime.”
“Then let’s do it tomorrow morning.”
Im Yeon-jeong was surprised by the quick decision.
But once the decision was made, there was no reason to delay.
“Alright. I’ll prepare. You should get ready too, Leader.”
“I will.”
She busied herself with preparations.
The Heavenly Demon asked me, [Are you really doing it tomorrow?]
[Might as well. It’s my last night in this body, so get a good night’s sleep.]
The Heavenly Demon was likely surprised by how quickly I was moving forward with the ritual.
[You’re really something…]
[A good friend, right?]
[You’re completely insane.]
[Hahaha.]
I wasn’t afraid at all. Even if the ritual failed and I died, I wasn’t scared.
I had been reborn as Byeok Lidan and worked hard ever since.
Even now, that effort was ongoing.
This was my way of confronting the destiny that pushed me forward.