When You Stop, You See (3)
The Northern Wind Sect was on high alert.
Even though they had sent Jang Bo, known for his cautious nature, there was still a chance of an all-out war with the Great Dragon Gate.
Yong Hwe-chan, the head of the Northern Wind Sect, saw this as a significant opportunity. They had been in a long-standing rivalry with the Great Dragon Gate over Gansu, but recently, they had been losing ground.
Then, a dispute erupted between the Do-cheol Clan and the Cheongha Gate.
Normally, it wouldn’t have caught his attention, but this time, he saw a chance to expand the playing field. Seohwa was a place he had long coveted. Geographically, it was closer to them and farther from their rivals. It should never have been lost in the first place, but since his grandfather’s time, Seohwa had been under the control of the Great Dragon Gate.
If they could seize Seohwa now, they could regain the upper hand in the power struggle.
“Any news yet?”
“Not yet, sir.”
Gu Hwe replied. He was one of the leading martial artists guiding the Northern Wind Sect alongside Jang Bo.
“Don’t worry too much. Even if it comes to a big showdown, we won’t be outdone by the Great Dragon Gate.”
Gu Hwe boasted confidently.
“Yes, I’m counting on you.”
Yong Hwe-chan put on a reassuring expression. Of course, a major conflict was something to be avoided. An all-out war with the Great Dragon Gate would result in massive losses for both sides, ultimately benefiting the third and fourth powers in Gansu.
Just then, a subordinate shouted urgently from outside.
“You need to come out quickly!”
Startled by the urgency in the report, Yong Hwe-chan and Gu Hwe rushed outside.
In the courtyard, the martial artists of the Northern Wind Sect had drawn their swords and were staring at one spot.
Through the open gate, someone was entering, and to their shock, it was Jeong Rak, the head of the Great Dragon Gate.
“Jeong Mun-ju? What brings you here?”
Yong Hwe-chan was taken aback. He had met Jeong Rak several times over martial matters.
But to see Jeong Rak in his own courtyard, when war could break out at any moment, was beyond his wildest imagination. There was only one reason he could think of.
Yong Hwe-chan shouted with internal energy.
“Are you here to wage war against us?”
He assumed Jeong Rak had come with his subordinates to attack.
Jeong Rak spoke calmly.
“Lower your voice.”
“Lower my voice now…?”
At that moment, a man walked in behind Jeong Rak. It was someone Yong Hwe-chan recognized—Song Yi-dan, the head of the Gansu branch of the Martial Alliance.
“Song Dan-ju? What brings you here?”
Behind Song Yi-dan, the masters of the Gansu branch followed, and over a hundred branch soldiers lined up around them.
Song Yi-dan called out loudly to Yong Hwe-chan.
“The leader of the Martial Alliance is here. Come down and pay your respects.”
“Oh my!”
Yong Hwe-chan was so startled that he rushed down without even putting on his shoes.
I walked in through the line of martial artists.
The tales of my exploits were well-known in the martial world, but someone like Yong Hwe-chan or Jeong Rak might find them hard to believe.
I consciously released my aura.
A powerful wave of energy spread out, enveloping everyone present, including the martial artists of the Northern Wind Sect, Jeong Rak, and Yong Hwe-chan.
The immense force immobilized them all. They exchanged shocked glances, unable to move a finger.
To subdue so many people at once with aura was an unheard-of display of power.
Only when I reached Yong Hwe-chan did I retract my aura. Their bodies, which had been frozen, finally relaxed.
“Greetings to the esteemed leader of the Martial Alliance.”
Yong Hwe-chan belatedly bowed deeply. The more skilled they were, the more they would understand the extraordinary nature of what I had just demonstrated. At least Jeong Rak and Yong Hwe-chan would realize that the rumors circulating in the martial world were not false.
“It’s been a while. We last met at the inauguration, didn’t we?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I stopped by Gansu and thought I’d pay a brief visit, so don’t feel burdened.”
“Please, come inside.”
“No, I have matters to attend to, so let’s just chat as we walk.”
“Very well.”
We walked together, Jeong Rak, Yong Hwe-chan, and I. When we reached the back garden, it was empty.
When I paused, they stopped as well, tense.
“Leading a sect is no easy task, is it?”
“How could it compare to leading the Martial Alliance?”
Yong Hwe-chan responded to Jeong Rak’s words.
“The leader’s praises are unending throughout the central plains. It’s truly an honor and a source of pride.”
“You’re too kind.”
I looked at the two of them, still treating them with a gentle aura.
“In Seohwa, there’s an elder I respect greatly. His name is Baek Seong-won, and I owe him a great debt.”
At the mention of Baek Seong-won, the two of them flinched. They knew that the current situation had started with Baek Seong-won’s son, Baek So-myeong.
“In fact, I came to Gansu to see him.”
“Ah, I see.”
They exchanged glances. The fear that revealing their involvement in a dispute related to Baek Seong-won would cause chaos was palpable.
No, the astute among them had likely already realized that I knew the cause of the conflict.
With my hands clasped behind my back, I looked up at the sky and finally spoke the words I intended. This couldn’t end here.
“There are many cases where martial sects meet tragic ends. Do you know the most common reason?”
“What is it?”
Yong Hwe-chan asked, and I answered firmly.
“Greed.”
I revealed a cold aura as a warning. The two of them flinched and bowed their heads.
“On the other hand, sects that maintain balance and strive for mutual growth don’t fall easily. I support those who do.”
“Your words are wise.”
“Building a tower is hard, but it can collapse in an instant.”
It was a direct and powerful warning. The two bowed their heads even deeper.
After watching them for a moment, I withdrew the cold aura.
“I’m planning a project related to the Alliance in Gansu. I’d like you two to work together on it.”
“Oh!”
Their faces lit up simultaneously. Projects from the Martial Alliance were usually large-scale, and managing them could bring substantial profits.
“We’ll work together to ensure its success.”
“Thank you for entrusting us.”
Having pressured them into reconciliation, I was now offering a reward.
They knew well how strictly I dealt with corruption within the Alliance. Under its watchful eye, they would have to conduct their affairs properly and would earn rightful rewards.
They had been in the martial world for a long time. I trusted they understood the purpose of this meeting.
“I’ll visit again when I come to see Master Baek. Until then.”
By mentioning Baek Seong-won again, I subtly pressured them to treat him well.
With this, there should be no more issues related to the family of Cheonma.
Before leaving Seohwa, I stopped by the secret branch at the martial hall.
“I’ll be counting on you.”
“Of course.”
Do-jeong replied confidently. He was a man of integrity, so I had no worries.
With the major sects in Gansu paying attention and the secret branch watching over them, Cheonma’s family would have nothing to fear.
As I stepped out, the subordinates lined up in the martial hall courtyard. They now knew my true identity. Among them was Jin Yeo-hong, who had guided me on the first day.
Do-jeong had told me she nearly fainted upon learning I was the leader of the Martial Alliance.
I stood before her. She was trembling, her head bowed low.
“Jin Mu-in.”
“Leader, please forgive me for not recognizing you.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I didn’t reveal my identity, so how could you have known?”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Thank you for guiding me so sincerely.”
“It was an honor to serve you.”
“Jin Mu-in.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think of my appearance? Am I as handsome as the rumors say?”
My question flustered her. Her face turned bright red as she answered.
“More than that.”
“See? You’re stuttering because you’re lying.”
“No, you are indeed a handsome man.”
“Hahaha.”
I laughed heartily, and everyone watching joined in.
Before leaving, I spoke to her one last time.
“Don’t give up on your dream of joining the main branch.”
Jin Yeo-hong looked up at me. I nodded at her.
“I’ll make the Martial Alliance a place where anyone with skill can challenge for the main branch. The saying that once you’re in the provinces, you can never return to the main branch will become a thing of the past.”
She smiled brightly and shouted.
“Yes, Leader! I will never give up on my dream!”
“I hope to see you at the main branch someday.”
As I finished speaking, I disappeared into the sky, becoming a mere dot.
Cheonma and I stood on the hill where we had once shared drinks.
The Cheongha Gate had returned to normal after the alert was lifted.
In the distance, I saw Baek So-myeong and Jo Ye-ran. She was bowing her head in apology. Having made a significant mistake once, she would be more cautious in the future.
And if she made another mistake, so what?
Young people grow by experiencing various things.
“How about it? Satisfied?”
“Not quite elegant, but the job was done well.”
“Hahaha.”
I laughed heartily, and Cheonma joined in.
“Thank you.”
“What’s the point of having a friend who’s the leader of the Martial Alliance if not for times like this? Come on, let’s go have some fun.”
“Fun?”
“Let’s travel the martial world together.”
“Are you not busy? What’s this about wandering the world like some kind of hero? Do it later.”
“Later? When is that? We kept saying ‘later, later’ until we suddenly found ourselves old. Let’s not do that in this life.”
The Heavenly Demon’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Can I really go?”
“Yes, go. Meet beautiful women, eat delicious food, and see the sights.”
“And the Martial Alliance?”
“Who cares? They’ll manage just fine without us.”
The Heavenly Demon burst into laughter at my words.
“Hahaha! You’re such a carefree soul. I like it. It suits me perfectly. Alright, let’s go.”
The Heavenly Demon soared into the sky. When I didn’t follow, he looked down at me, puzzled.
“Aren’t you coming?”
I looked up at him and said, “Come down. Why rush? Let’s walk. If we get tired, we can hitch a ride on a carriage. Let’s travel like that.”
“With legs that could bring the world to its knees, you’re worried about getting tired?”
Grumbling, the Heavenly Demon descended with a smile.
“Alright, let’s walk.”
“Like a real journey.”
As if it were our first and last.
And so, I set off with the Heavenly Demon.
“Is it true?”
At Suran’s question, Song Hwarin paused her work with the vegetables and looked up.
“What is?”
“That the leader went on a journey with the former leader.”
“Yes, it’s true.”
“And they sent a message saying they don’t know when they’ll be back. Is that true too?”
“Yes, it is.”
Song Hwarin resumed her task, unfazed.
“Oh my goodness!”
Suran looked at Song Hwarin in disbelief.
“Are you okay with this?”
“With what?”
“Aren’t you upset?”
“Why would I be?”
“He went on a trip with someone else, not you.”
“So what?”
“Oh my! You really are okay with it!”
Song Hwarin smiled.
“If I only thought about my own happiness… sure, I’d be upset. I’d probably feel resentful, thinking he’s only considering himself.”
“Of course. Anyone would.”
“But I believe that being married or in love means having a heart that wants to make the other person happy more than yourself. If you want to be happy, live alone. It’s free and easy.”
“Oh!”
“So find someone you wouldn’t mind giving your happiness to, even if it means cutting it in half.”
Suran looked at her with admiration.
“You’re truly amazing. I really respect you!”
“That’s a lot to respect.”
Just then, Suran gasped.
“Oh no! The vegetables are all shredded. You tore them to pieces.”
Song Hwarin glanced down at the shredded vegetables and chuckled darkly.
“Well, he’s already gone, so what can I do? I should send him off with a smile. But when he gets back, he’s dead!”