The Beginning of My Journey (1)
The news was true.
The new leader was indeed Ma Bong-gi, the lecherous old man I knew all too well.
After announcing that I would be entering a period of training, I immediately rode to Wuhan in Hubei Province, where the headquarters of the Martial Alliance was located.
I knew full well that simply heading to the headquarters wouldn’t change anything. My martial skills weren’t yet strong enough to influence the leadership of the Alliance.
Besides, having been reborn as a member of the Biryodan, what did it matter who became the leader? I could just live a quiet new life.
Yet, I found myself racing to Wuhan, worried that something might have happened to Galsaryang.
How else could Ma Bong-gi have become the leader?
The announcement of a new leader meant that Galsaryang’s fate had likely already been decided. I couldn’t just sit and wait for more news to arrive.
Upon reaching Wuhan, the first place I went was the Martial Alliance headquarters.
In the distance, the grand buildings of the Alliance loomed. This place was so vast and bustling with people that it could be considered a city in its own right.
Guards patrolled every high wall, and there were at least thirty warriors stationed at the main gate.
I stood at a distance, gazing at the imposing structure for a long time. Being here, looking at the headquarters, calmed the turmoil that had been raging inside me during the journey.
My instincts, honed through countless crises, whispered to me.
Now was the time to stay calm.
It had been so long since I last viewed the Martial Alliance from the outside.
Suddenly, I recalled the day I first entered this place as the leader.
Even after becoming the greatest martial artist in the world, taking on the role of the Alliance leader required a significant decision.
Though I didn’t show it outwardly, I worried a lot about whether I could do it well. I barely slept for the first couple of months.
That day felt like just yesterday, yet decades had passed.
Thanks to those years, I knew the Martial Alliance as well as my own body. I knew the paths, the buildings, who was where, and who was guarding what. I wanted to leap over and rush straight to Galsaryang’s office in the inner quarters.
But I couldn’t.
My skills weren’t yet sufficient to freely enter and exit the inner quarters of the Alliance. I might be able to sneak into the outer quarters, but the inner quarters were too heavily guarded. I knew that all too well. Sneaking in was impossible.
I rented a room at an inn close to the headquarters.
The innkeeper made a fuss about how lucky I was to get the last room. Apparently, many martial artists were gathering in Wuhan for the new leader’s inauguration ceremony at the beginning of the month.
Rumors were already circulating that it would be the largest inauguration ceremony in history. Wuhan was abuzz with excitement over the new leader’s appointment.
I went down to the first floor, ordered a bottle of wine, and listened to the conversations around me.
After spending some time there, I realized that many people didn’t feel any particular sense of crisis about Ma Bong-gi becoming the leader.
They accepted it as a natural outcome since he was one of the Five Greats of the Central Plains. Surprisingly, people didn’t know much about Ma Bong-gi.
In fact, baseless rumors were spreading.
“Did you hear that the Shadow Palace Lord was killed by the Demon Lord among the leaders of the Black Path Thirteen?”
“I heard that too. They say the previous leader took credit for it.”
“Goodness! So it wasn’t the Heavenly Sword that took care of everything.”
Listening to this, I had to restrain myself from smashing the table. I remembered the fierce battles I fought to kill the Shadow Palace Lord.
I still remember that day vividly. The sight of Ma Bong-gi appearing after the dangerous fight was over, always avoiding perilous battles.
During the war with the Outer Demons, the Five Greats of the Central Plains reluctantly aided the Martial Alliance. They tried to minimize the damage to their own families.
I understood that. I would have done the same to protect my family.
But among them, the Heavenly Path Sect was particularly cautious.
Since then, they had been on my radar, living without daring to breathe. And now, a leader?
But then, I found it strange.
How could praise for the new leader spread so quickly after the announcement?
I watched those spreading the rumors closely and followed them when they left the inn.
As I suspected, they went to another inn to spread more rumors.
Someone was systematically spreading these rumors.
Upon further investigation, I found that they weren’t the only ones. Others were also spreading rumors in an organized manner.
Most of the stories were exaggerated or entirely fabricated tales of the Heavenly Path Sect’s hidden heroics or good deeds.
These bastards!
They were undoubtedly from the Heavenly Path Sect.
I suddenly recalled something Galsaryang once told me.
“Being the greatest martial artist doesn’t mean you can rule the Central Plains.”
Power governs the martial world. As the leader, I could rule this vast land because I had tens of thousands of subordinates following my orders.
The greatest martial artist is simply the best fighter in the world. Of course, being the greatest, I could kill the leader. But that doesn’t mean I could govern the martial world.
Even in this situation, I couldn’t stop what was happening across the Central Plains. Beating up the guy spreading rumors wouldn’t solve anything. Besides, I wasn’t even the greatest martial artist anymore.
A while later, I entered a tavern near the Martial Alliance headquarters.
This place was frequented by the Alliance’s warriors. While it was mostly visited by them, it wasn’t off-limits to ordinary people.
Inside, the tavern was packed with patrons. Indeed, more than half were dressed in the Alliance’s attire.
I found a seat and settled in. Planning to stay for a while, I ordered plenty of food and drink and listened to the conversations around me.
With my hearing greatly enhanced after mastering the Indokyangmaek, I could focus and hear conversations from every corner of the tavern.
The topic was all about the new leader.
There were negative stories, tales of his womanizing, surprising claims of his greatness, fabricated stories, and all sorts of unverified rumors.
I waited patiently, listening intently.
Around midnight, I finally heard the information I had been waiting for.
The conversation from a nearby table was exactly what I had been hoping to hear. They were dressed in the attire of the Justice Pavilion.
“Did you see Commander Gal today? He looked really unwell.”
“Well, it’s understandable.”
“What will happen to Commander Gal now?”
“Who knows? He might be demoted.”
“Probably, right?”
“There’s a rumor that the new leader will replace the head of the Justice Pavilion first.”
“Will we be okay?”
“Who knows.”
They soon moved on to another topic.
I felt a wave of relief knowing Galsaryang was alive. The tension and stiffness in my body and mind melted away.
Yes, as long as he was alive, it was enough.
I wasn’t worried about Baekpyo.
The Tiger Brigade, whose main duty was to guard the leader, was one of the safest places during political storms. They were treated as an independent group, making them less likely to become victims of power struggles. Especially Baekpyo, who was a warrior focused solely on his duties, uninterested in politics.
With Galsaryang’s survival confirmed, my curiosity grew.
Why couldn’t he stop it? Even with the announcement delayed this long?
As long as my direct subordinates were intact, there was no reason Galsaryang couldn’t exert his will.
Could it be that they had turned against him?
I wouldn’t find the answer sitting here for days.
I left the tavern immediately.
The next morning, I left the inn early.
The best way to learn the truth would be through Galsaryang, but that was practically impossible. Meeting the chief strategist of the Martial Alliance was difficult, and even if I did, I was no longer the Heavenly Sword but a member of the Biryodan.
I could uncover the truth through an information broker. But not now.
Information of this level would cost over ten thousand nyang. Besides, I couldn’t be sure if the information was even available yet.
Eventually, a way to uncover the whole truth would present itself.
For now, I just wanted to see Galsaryang’s face.
Then, I thought of someone.
With a glimmer of hope, I arrived at a place called Bullu. The name meant “leak-proof.”
“Welcome.”
A composed middle-aged woman greeted me with a smile.
At this moment, I was facing a secret known to only a few in the martial world.
This woman was the head of the Heavenly Network.
One of the three major information organizations in the martial world, the Heavenly Network.
The name Bullu was related to the Heavenly Network’s name.
The phrase “The net of heaven is wide and loose, yet nothing escapes” implies that those who commit crimes will inevitably be punished.
The name Heavenly Network was paradoxical.
How could a wide and loose net capture all information?
But like the net of heaven, they vowed not to let any information slip through.
“Is there a particular tea you’re looking for?”
“I’ll have whatever you recommend.”
“Please wait a moment.”
I sat by a window.
In the kitchen, I could see an elderly woman with white hair. Though the head was skilled, the true master was this old woman in the kitchen. She was the guardian protecting the head.
She had once visited me with Galsaryang to pay respects.
I was surprised to learn that the head of the Heavenly Network was a woman, and even more surprised that she was a beautiful woman who looked remarkably young for her thirties.
I remembered that Galsaryang seemed to have taken a liking to her. Galsaryang, too, had never married, dedicating his life to his military duties.
I had never seen Galsaryang take an interest in a woman before, so I hoped things would work out for him. When I casually asked about her later, he brushed it off with a laugh.
I had forgotten about her until I found myself needing some information, and she suddenly came to mind.
Could it be that Galsaryang might stop by here?
“This is my favorite tea. Please, give it a try.”
The aroma was calming, and the taste was pleasant.
“It’s nice.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
It had been over a decade since I last saw her, so she must be in her forties now. Yet, she still looked like she was in her early thirties.
“This is your first time at my place, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s my first time in Wuhuan.”
She must have truly never been to Beolridan before.
“Are you here for the inauguration?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“I came to pay my respects to the former leader.”
“Such a tragedy.”
A genuine sadness flickered across her face.
“Do you know anything about the new leader?”
“You mean Ma Dae-hyeop?”
She was likely one of the most informed people about Ma Bong-gi in this martial world, but she only offered a faint smile.
“I don’t know much. Just that he’s the head of Cheondo Gate, one of the Five Great Clans.”
“I see.”
I wanted to ask. What had become of Galsaryang? Why had Ma Bong-gi become the leader? She could probably answer everything.
But I couldn’t.
I ordered a couple more rounds of tea and waited until late afternoon, but Galsaryang never showed up.
“Well, I’ll be off then.”
The woman smiled as she bid farewell.
“Please come again.”
After exchanging goodbyes, I left the tea house.
I was walking along a narrow path on the outskirts of Wuhuan.
There was one more place I wanted to visit before returning to the inn.
Up ahead, I spotted a small tavern.
A flag fluttered in the breeze, with the word “Wind” written on it.
Was it the name “Wind” that drew me in? Or perhaps the serene atmosphere of this out-of-the-way spot? During my time as a leader, I would occasionally come here for a drink on my night outings.
It was a tiny tavern, far from the main hub, with just enough room for three or four people. It was always quiet, with only one or two patrons at most.
I wasn’t much of a drinker, but I loved the vibe of this place.
On nights like these, Baekpyo would accompany me, but he always refused the drinks I offered.
Even when I insisted he could have just one, he never did. He was unwavering in his duty to protect me, a truly loyal person, and someone I missed dearly.
“Welcome!”
The owner’s greeting stopped me in my tracks.
I was so startled, I nearly let out a gasp.
The owner who greeted me was none other than Baekpyo.