Walking Alone, Yet Together (3)
Before entering the grand ritual, I met with Song Hwarin. I felt that, of all people, she was the one I needed to see.
I didn’t tell her about the ritual. It wasn’t about deception; I just didn’t want to worry her unnecessarily.
We shared a meal and wandered through the bustling market together.
Of course, with our hats on, no one recognized us.
From a distance, Gwangdu and a few elite members of the Tiger Brigade discreetly watched over us.
“Strolling around with the leader of the martial alliance isn’t so bad,” she said with a smile.
Seeing her happy made my heart lighter.
“Let’s do this more often.”
“I’m always ready! It’s you who’s busy.”
“Haha, sorry. I’ll make more time.”
“No, don’t worry about me. You have the lives and happiness of so many people depending on you.”
She glanced at the people passing by—merchants with heavy loads, warriors with weapons. Each was busy on their own path.
“And I’ve been busy too. Training in martial arts, studying formations, catching up on books I’ve put off.”
I could sense her dedication. She seemed calmer, likely due to her efforts and changing mindset.
“To be honest, I started because of you. I wanted to keep up with you somehow. But now, I just want to become a better person, not because I’m lacking compared to someone else.”
She finished with a shy smile, as if embarrassed by her own grand words.
“I don’t know how to become a better person yet, so I’m just training and trying. Is this okay? Is it, leader?”
She was living her life with such earnestness that I wondered if I was even qualified to tell her she was on the right path.
The best thing I could do was enjoy the day with her.
And so we did. We ate delicious food, talked a lot, and even had a light drink.
Before we parted, she spoke up.
“There’s something important, isn’t there? That’s why you met me today, right?”
“You sensed it?”
She nodded. Even though I tried to act normal, she had a woman’s intuition.
Song Hwarin didn’t ask about the details.
“Whatever it is, I hope it goes well.”
“Thank you.”
I felt grateful for having met her that day.
The next morning, the moment I’d been waiting for finally arrived.
Ma Cheolgun and I lay side by side on the beds.
Im Yeonjeong looked down at me and said, “Let’s begin the ritual.”
“Please take care of it.”
“Don’t worry, leader. Now, just relax and let the sleeping potion take effect.”
The ritual began, and I slowly drifted into a deep sleep. Being forced into slumber by an external force was a strange experience.
I awoke in an unfamiliar place.
I was on a path, but I couldn’t tell where it led. The weather was bright and clear, like a spring afternoon.
I walked slowly along the endless road. Wildflowers bloomed on either side, and butterflies fluttered about.
But no matter how far I walked, I saw no one.
Just as I began to feel a bit lonely, someone spoke from behind.
“Life is inherently lonely, you know.”
Startled, I turned to see an old man smiling at me. It was the same old man I had met at Mashinseong.
“Why so surprised?”
“I didn’t expect to meet you here. I thought I’d have to achieve the pinnacle of martial arts to see you again.”
“Is that so?”
“Anyway, it’s good to see you.”
I couldn’t tell if he was a celestial being or a messenger of the heavens, but he was certainly not human.
We walked slowly together.
“Where is this place?”
“It’s inside your heart.”
I looked around. The endless path and peaceful scenery were beautiful, but there was a sense of solitude.
“Is my soul really this lonely?”
“Do you feel lonely?”
“There’s no one here.”
“But you’re here, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“As long as you’re in your own heart, that’s enough. These days, many people don’t even have themselves in their hearts.”
I nodded silently and looked at the path ahead.
“Is this the path I must take?”
“It could be, or it might not be.”
His ambiguous answer prompted me to ask again.
“What’s at the end of the path?”
“First, you should ask if the path even ends.”
I could guess the meaning behind his words. Who in the world reaches the end and dies? Even those who think they’ve achieved everything have only reached a self-imposed end.
After walking for a while, I stepped off the path.
“Let’s try going this way.”
“Sounds good.”
The old man followed me without hesitation. We walked through the wildflowers.
After a bit, I turned to him and said, “I’m sorry, but can we go back?”
“Of course.”
We returned to the original path.
“Why did you want to go back?”
“I suddenly thought, why should there be only one path in my life? If I walk this side path, it will become a path too.”
“And then?”
“As I walked the side path, I thought, sure, any path can become a path. So I decided to return to the original path. I’m not sure why I felt that way.”
The old man smiled enigmatically.
“Let’s sit and rest for a moment.”
“Okay.”
We sat by the roadside. This path, that path, even sitting here felt good. It felt right.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a clear heart.”
He referred to my heart, not the weather.
“Why did you come to see me?”
“You already knew, didn’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“That you had to achieve the pinnacle of martial arts to meet me.”
I was taken aback and looked at him. His next words were shocking.
“You’ve achieved the pinnacle of martial arts.”
I was so surprised that I stared at him blankly.
“I’ve achieved the pinnacle of martial arts?”
“Yes.”
“How did that happen? What did I do? How could I achieve it so easily?”
Though I trained every day without fail, it was more like adding a drop of water to a large container, training comfortably.
“It wasn’t easy.”
“What?”
The old man quoted someone.
“In your twenties, with such incredible martial arts, the highest authority as the leader of the martial alliance, and immense wealth. Wouldn’t it be a waste if you died trying to save someone like me?”
“Whose words are those?”
It was what Cheonma had said while persuading me to perform the ritual.
“You decided to perform the ritual for a friend in such circumstances.”
“Could that decision have been…?”
“It was the final drop that filled the container to achieve the pinnacle.”
A shiver ran through me. Who would have thought that my decision to save Cheonma would play the most crucial role in reaching the pinnacle?
“Can I now use the Demon Sword?”
“Of course.”
“Is the Demon Sword akin to the state of the Heart Sword?”
“Yes.”
“Ah!”
I exclaimed again.
The goal I set when I was reborn.
The state of the Heart Sword.
I had achieved that difficult goal.
By deciding to save Cheonma, I gained the Heart Sword, which could kill him. It was truly a paradoxical and contradictory result.
“Now you must make a choice. It might be more important than achieving the pinnacle.”
“What decision?”
“Whether to take the test to become a demon or not.”
The moment had finally come. I stood at the threshold of transcendence. Whether to step forward or turn back was my choice.
“What kind of test is it?”
“A very difficult and arduous one. You might die.”
If I could die even after achieving the pinnacle, the test must be terrifying.
“Can you give me time to think?”
“Of course. Whether it’s an hour or ten years, take all the time you need. When you decide, I’ll come to you. See you then.”
The old man smiled at me.
In the next moment, I opened my eyes.
I had returned to reality from the dreamlike conversation of the heart.
Im Yeonjeong was looking down at me with a tense expression.
The ritual had ended.
Ma Cheolgun, who had been in a deep sleep, awoke.
He stared blankly at the ceiling before slowly sitting up.
I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to wake. Im Yeonjeong also sat in a chair nearby, waiting for the outcome.
It was a tense moment. Cheonma had left my body. I could no longer sense him.
He should now be within Ma Cheolgun. If he was still Ma Cheolgun, the ritual had failed, and I had lost a friend.
Please, let him be in that body.
Ma Cheolgun slowly turned his head to look at me. I met his gaze silently.
I could tell from his eyes.
The ritual had succeeded.
His eyes held kindness, gratitude, and joy, emotions too genuine to fake a failed ritual.
“How do you feel?”
In response to my question, Ma Cheolgun—or rather, Cheonma—replied.
“Not bad.”
“It’s really you, isn’t it?”
“You suspicious orthodox fool.”
“Hahaha.”
I got off the bed and walked over to him. I hugged him tightly as he sat on the bed.
“It’s good to see you like this.”
Cheonma pushed me away.
“What’s with the creepy behavior?”
“Hahaha. It’s definitely you.”
“You don’t need to test me. I’m sure of it.”
As he tried to get off the bed, I stopped him.
“You’re in a hurry. You should rest a bit more.”
“I’m fine.”
“Rest.”
“You’re already nagging.”
Though Cheonma grumbled, his expression betrayed no real displeasure. In truth, he was likely overjoyed, even if he didn’t show it. He probably felt like dancing, eager to rush off and see his children and grandchildren.
“Yes, I’m a bit tired,” he admitted, lying back down on the bed. He still needed time to adjust to his new body. To roam the martial world again, he would have to master his unique martial art, the Blood Thunder Heavenly Technique, in this new form.
“You have plenty of days ahead, so take it easy for now,” I advised, turning to leave. But then Cheonma asked, “Are you alright?”
“Me?” I replied, more than alright.
Just standing there, I could feel it. After mastering the Demon God Technique, everything had changed. My inner strength was purer than ever, and my body felt as resilient as steel. Power surged through every part of me.
The Demon God Wind Step had become faster, and the Demon God Technique’s moves were stronger. Most importantly, I could now wield the Demon God Sword.
What would my heart’s sword look like?
“Is it okay for you to be up and about like this?” Cheonma asked.
“Well, a very skilled person performed the ritual,” I said, walking over to Im Yeonjeong to express my gratitude. “Thank you.”
“I’m just glad the ritual was a success,” she replied, her face full of emotion. She had studied and developed the Separation Ritual herself, and this was her first solo success.
“You have no idea how much you’ve given me. I will never forget this kindness,” I assured her. I had achieved mastery of the Demon God Technique and gained a friend in Cheonma.
“I’ve only repaid a small part,” she said.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“When you saved me and my son, it was a debt I could never fully repay, even in a lifetime. This is just a small return.”
I understood. In the harsh world of martial arts, finding someone who repays kindness with kindness is rare. So, I would return this favor when she needed it most, just as she had done for me.
Smiling, I said, “Thank you.”
Stepping outside the research lab, I looked up at the sky. Today, it seemed exceptionally clear, as if an old man might be watching from somewhere up there.
What is it that you desire?
It was a mystery. But one thing was certain: I was still standing on this earth, not up in that sky.
I strode confidently across the training grounds, recalling Cheonma’s words.
If fate has brought you this far, a formidable enemy will surely appear.
No matter. I was ready to fight.