Rebirth, and the Heavenly Demon (2)------[Conclusion]
Baekryeon was taken aback when she saw the person who had come to find her.
It was none other than Ilho, a member of the secret organization she had once been a part of. She hadn’t seen him since the day of the Heavenly Demon’s great divorce technique, but here he was, standing before her.
“How have you been?”
“So, you’re alive?”
“Yes, I survived.”
After dealing with all their enemies, Byeokridan had launched a massive cleanup of the enemy organizations.
However, many of these groups were so compartmentalized or unaware of their own roles as pawns that it was impossible to eradicate them all. Ilho had managed to survive amidst the chaos.
“Chilho.”
At the mention of the name Chilho, Baekryeon smiled faintly.
“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name.”
“Indeed.”
“I’m no longer Chilho. I’m Baekryeon now.”
“I heard.”
Of course, he would have known. He had found out that she was now the head martial artist researching the formations and techniques of the Martial Alliance.
Baekryeon was aware of it. She knew that Ilho had always had special feelings for her. She had just pretended not to notice.
Ilho asked, “Are you happy?”
Baekryeon replied, “I’ve never been happier in my life.”
If his visit was a declaration of affection, her response was a gentle rejection.
Ilho gave a bittersweet smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Take care.”
“Goodbye.”
Ilho turned to leave. As he walked a few steps away, Baekryon called out from behind him.
“Forget about your father.”
Ilho was startled.
But soon, his surprise turned into joy.
He had once shared with her the mixed feelings he had about his father, explaining that his love for water stemmed from the fact that his father had drowned. And Chilho had remembered that. Ilho was overjoyed.
“I will.”
Ilho walked away with long strides, not looking back. He feared that seeing her face again might ruin the good feeling he had now. No, it certainly would. He couldn’t be happier than he was at this moment.
Ilho had agonized hundreds of times over whether to come see her.
But now, he felt it was the right decision. In love, sometimes a single memory or a single word is enough to cherish for a lifetime.
Yes, it was good that he came today.
Forget the father, forget the organization.
He would live the rest of his life cherishing the memory of her. Ilho found the strength to live from her single word.
When Baekryeon turned around, Im Yeonjeong was standing there with a knowing expression.
“You heard about the Alliance Leader, right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s just like him.”
Not only they, but all the martial artists of the Martial Alliance had heard the news of Byeokridan.
Im Yeonjeong suddenly asked, “Do you have any regrets?”
It was an unexpected question, and Baekryeon asked back, “What about you, sister?”
“Did I ever have the right in the first place?”
“Of course you did.”
“I don’t think I did… but thank you for saying so.”
“You were more than qualified, sister.”
“If I assume that’s true? I have a little regret. I should have tried harder for that wonderful man. Just a little.”
She gestured with her fingers to show how little.
“And you?”
Baekryeon avoided answering and walked briskly away. Im Yeonjeong, not one to miss such an interesting answer, followed her.
“Tell me, just between us. Come on.”
“No.”
“Isn’t it unfair? I told you mine. Hurry, tell me.”
It was then that Baekryeon stopped in her tracks.
“Oh? It’s snowing.”
“Really?”
The two women looked up at the sky. Snowflakes began to fall gently from above.
The day after the first snow, I returned to the Martial Alliance.
Song Hwarin greeted me with a smile.
“How was your trip?”
How many women would welcome a man who left without a word and traveled for a year with such a smile?
Was it because I was the Alliance Leader? Because I was wealthy? I knew better than anyone that she wasn’t that kind of woman.
“It was fun.”
“Will you tell me about it?”
“Of course.”
I shared my travel stories with her. She laughed and got angry with me. She even playfully insisted that we visit the most beautiful places together next time. How could I not take such a woman with me?
They say you can’t suffer with someone you were happy with, but you can be happy with someone you suffered with.
To me, she was already like a lifelong partner.
She had wandered through many hardships, and we had overcome them together. She even took a beating from me.
It was truly a paradox. I had rarely hit anyone who wasn’t an enemy, yet I had struck the woman I loved most, even if it was through sparring. It showed that our bond was anything but ordinary.
I felt it was finally time to say this.
“It’s time to keep our promise.”
“Promise? What promise?”
“The one we made in the womb.”
Song Hwarin was momentarily taken aback. Her expression began to change. I’ve seen people happy many times in my life, as anyone has.
But I’ve never seen anyone genuinely happy like this moment. The joy that spread across her face was so radiant that it made all the happiness I’d seen before seem fake.
I spoke to her again.
“I’m ready.”
She smiled and replied, “So am I.”
Our marriage was announced with great fanfare.
The wedding was set for a warm spring day.
My popularity was soaring, and people sincerely celebrated our union.
Martial artists from all over the Central Plains set out for Wuhan to witness the wedding.
And something remarkable happened.
“It’s like a festival,” said Galsaryang, surprising Baekpyo.
“A festival? What do you mean?”
“Countless people are heading to Wuhan.”
“But without an invitation, they can’t attend the wedding, can they?”
“Of course, they know that. They just want to be in the same city to celebrate. And it’s turning into a festival. Wealthy patrons are hosting martial arts competitions all over Hubei, and merchants from across the Central Plains have gathered to sell goods at low prices.”
“Didn’t the wealthy and merchants dislike the Alliance Leader? Because he reduced their benefits and helped those in need.”
“They did at first. But as the martial world stabilized and people’s lives improved, their profits actually increased. They ended up making more money than they spent.”
“Did the Alliance Leader plan all that?”
“Probably not. But his goodwill towards the martial artists yielded unexpected results.”
“Truly amazing.”
“Baekdanju.”
“Yes, strategist.”
“I never thought this way before, but lately, I’ve been having this thought.”
“What is it?”
“I want to live a long life. To see how the Alliance Leader continues to protect this martial world, to keep watching.”
“You’ll live a long life, strategist. And you’ll have to give me a nephew too.”
“Oh, come on. At my age?”
But there was a hidden yearning in Galsaryang’s eyes. The yearning said this:
In a world like this… maybe raising a child wouldn’t be so bad.
Late at night, as I sat in contemplation at Taesa Temple, I spoke.
“Guangdanju.”
From behind a pillar, Guangdu’s voice answered.
“Dismiss your subordinates and come out for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Guangdu soon appeared. As soon as the order was given, his subordinates withdrew. The Mengho Corps he led was now fully established, almost indistinguishable from the one Baekpyo had once led.
“Guangdu, let’s have a drink.”
“Yes, young master.”
Guangdu brought the drinks. We occasionally drank together like this, but today felt special.
“How long will you keep protecting me?”
“I’ll protect you until the day I die.”
“What if I die first?”
“Then I’ll finally be free. Hahaha!”
His hearty laughter lifted my spirits.
“To avoid that, I guess I have to live long.”
“I’m worried about that too. You seem like you’ll live a long life.”
“Of course.”
This time, I laughed heartily.
As he filled my cup, Guangdu said, “Am I really protecting you? I’m just resting within your fence under the guise of protection.”
“Even if you have any grievances against me, try to understand.”
It was true that I had been relatively neglectful of Guangdu while dealing with the Heavenly Demon and Song Hwarin.
Then Guangdu suddenly asked, “Young master, do you remember Yang Gikang?”
“Yang Gikang? Who was that?”
“From Yangso Bang, Yang Gikang. You know, the one who acted up early on and…”
“Oh! I remember.”
Yang Gikang was the brat from Yangso Bang who had caused a ruckus at our house when I first awakened as Byeokridan, only to be utterly defeated by me.
“I used to be someone who got beaten up by such trash while sweeping the yard. But now, I’m living as the leader of the Mengho Corps, protecting the Martial Alliance Leader. Thanks to you, I’m living an exciting life. How could I have any grievances?”
“Don’t say things like that, you rascal. You’ll be treated like a caught fish.”
“It’s fine. Just catch a few more and put them in with me. So I won’t be bored.”
“Hahaha.”
That night, Guangdu and I drank late into the night.
Bright Guang, Head Du.
Not the crazy Guang, this guy is always a shining presence in my life.
Finally, the day of the wedding dawned.
Wuhan was so crowded that there was hardly any room to step. It seemed like everyone from the Central Plains had gathered.
It was truly a festival for the entire Central Plains.
The celebration that started in Wuhan spread to Hubei and eventually became a festival for the entire Central Plains. No Alliance Leader in history had ever had such a grand wedding.
Not just among Alliance Leaders, but among all who had ever married, no one had ever been celebrated by so many.
As I waited in the groom’s waiting area, my father and mother entered.
“Father, Mother.”
Seeing them brought a lump to my throat. I still remember it vividly—the moment I first woke up and my mother smacked the back of my head.
“My son.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Take good care of her.”
“I’ve learned from the best, haven’t I? Don’t worry.”
Father smiled and leaned in to whisper.
“Teach her to cook a bit beforehand.”
Mother chimed in, “I can hear you.”
Father flinched.
Rolling up her sleeves, Mother gave a meaningful smile. “It’s been a while since I showed off my skills. Just tell me what you’d like to eat.”
“On a day like today, maybe that’s not the best idea.”
They both laughed heartily, and Mother pulled me into a warm embrace.
“I’m so proud of you. And thank you.”
For the first time, I could say it with confidence and sincerity.
“Thank you for bringing me into this world.”
Cheonma entered the room.
“You’re here?”
“Of course. It’s chaos outside.”
“Maybe we should’ve kept the ceremony small.”
“Everyone’s happy and smiling because of you two. You did well.”
I had considered Song Hwarin’s feelings. I wouldn’t have minded a small family gathering, but I knew she would want a proper wedding. Though it had grown far beyond what I imagined.
“Hey, Cheongwang.”
“What is it, Hajin?”
“There are two words that define this life of mine. Do you know what they are?”
“Song Sojeo? Demon God?”
“No.”
I shook my head slowly.
“Martial Alliance Leader? Your loyal followers?”
“They’re important, but no.”
“What is it?”
I looked at Cheonma and said, “Rebirth, Cheonma.”
Cheonma flinched, perhaps expecting his name to come up, but still surprised when it did.
“I almost became Cheonma myself.”
Had I become the Demon God, I might have ended up as Cheonma.
“But I think Cheonma suits you better.”
Cheonma looked at me for a moment before blurting out, “You’re such an old-school stickler. Like a traditionalist.”
It was his way of expressing gratitude. Cheonma was thanking me in his own way.
I was grateful to him too.
Because he called me a traditionalist, I worked hard to break free from that image. That effort changed me the most.
Suddenly, Cheonma pulled me into a hug. It was so unexpected that I was startled.
“Marriage? I’m hugging you out of pity for willingly stepping into a coffin.”
I chuckled.
“Make sure to have ten kids. Ten nails for the coffin lid.”
“You rascal!”
We both laughed heartily.
An unexpected visitor appeared.
He didn’t walk in; he just seemed to materialize.
It was the old man who had given me the Demon God’s trial.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to come.”
“How could I miss your wedding?”
I couldn’t tell Hwarin, but it felt like a blessing from the heavens.
“Thanks to you, I’ve come this far.”
“What did I do? It was all you.”
The old man gave a devilish grin. “How about it? Want me to tell you your future? As a wedding gift, I could do that.”
It was a tempting offer. Who wouldn’t be curious about their future?
But he must have known I’d refuse.
“No lies, please.”
“Lies?”
I smiled at the old man. “The future isn’t set yet. How could you see something that hasn’t been decided?”
The future would be determined by what I do from now on.
The old man beamed. “Congratulations on your wedding once again.”
“Thank you for coming.”
Just as he appeared, he vanished.
I stood up and walked to the door.
Taking a deep breath at the threshold, I knew not what life awaited me beyond it.
But I knew one thing for sure.
Beyond this door, the woman I love, those dear to me, and everyone else were waiting.
I flung the door open.
Bright sunlight flooded in, dazzlingly brilliant.
I stepped boldly into that radiant light, striding confidently toward my future.
The End.