When the First Snow Falls Again (3)
Jin and Su, who had been sent on a mission, returned successfully.
“The children from the brothel in Jobyeok have all been safely sent back to their hometowns. The elderly there have been imprisoned, along with everyone else who was involved, even those who had been using the place before. They’ve all been sentenced to decades in prison, so they won’t be seeing the outside world again. And since it’s a prison for serious offenders, surviving there won’t be easy.”
The outcome was satisfying. Thankfully, the discipline of the Martial Alliance hadn’t crumbled yet.
But in time, the various factions within the Alliance would start to rot. When the leadership is corrupt, how can the lower ranks remain clean? Soon, the honest ones would be replaced by Mabonggi’s people.
“General Sima Qian didn’t get involved in this incident. He’s probably trying hard to erase any ties with Jobyeok.”
As expected.
“Can you gather evidence of the connection between Jobyeok and Sima Qian?”
“It might take some time, but it should be possible.”
We’ve handled many things for Sima Qian. Surely, somewhere, there’s evidence they couldn’t erase, proof of their alliance.
If we can secure that evidence, it will be useful when we eventually confront Sima Qian. Of course, I won’t use it now. It’s a card to be played at a decisive moment.
“Be careful when securing it.”
“Yes.”
“Also, keep a close watch on the movements of the Martial Alliance.”
“Understood.”
“Good work, both of you.”
“Thank you.”
I was pleased with how they handled things. They were quick, and they accepted difficult tasks without complaint.
Though I would need to observe them a bit longer, they had passed the first test.
After meeting with Jin and Su, I went to find Gong Suchan. He was in his room, reviewing some documents.
“Is everything going well with the merchant group?”
“Yes, everything is proceeding smoothly. If I may give a brief report…”
“No, that’s not why I’m here. Please handle this matter entirely on your own.”
“Yes. Then, what brings you here?”
“Have you seen Gwangmuin? I haven’t seen him at all yesterday or today.”
Since they had been working together recently, I came to ask Gong Suchan.
“I haven’t seen him.”
There was a slight hesitation in his response.
“I see.”
I couldn’t press him further, so I turned to leave when Gong Suchan called out to me.
“Sir.”
“Yes, what is it?”
Gong Suchan finally revealed the reason for his hesitation.
“If Gwangmuin causes trouble, how serious would it be?”
When Baekpyo came out to open the tavern, he noticed someone standing across the street. It was Gwangdu.
“I felt like having a drink.”
“Did you come alone?”
“Yes.”
“Please, come in.”
Gwangdu stepped inside. The place was still in disarray, as it had just opened.
“Let me help you with that.”
As Gwangdu moved to assist, Baekpyo quickly stopped him.
“I’d feel uncomfortable if you did. Please, just have a seat for a moment.”
“Alright.”
Gwangdu sat in the same spot he had last time with Byeokridan.
Baekpyo swiftly tidied up the place. His skilled hands made quick work of it.
Gwangdu watched quietly. He was someone who knew a thing or two about work, and Baekpyo’s skills were impressive.
“Would you like the same drink as last time?”
“Yes, please. And the same side dishes. They were delicious.”
Baekpyo brought the drink.
“Thank you for saying so.”
“Our young master has spoken highly of you many times.”
“About me? What did he say?”
“He said he met someone truly remarkable.”
“Haha, I’m grateful for the kind words.”
“What do you think of our young master?”
“Byeokgongja? He’s a much better person than I am, without a doubt.”
Gwangdu quickly agreed.
“Indeed, he’s a wonderful person.”
“Yes.”
Initially, Gwangdu had planned to be straightforward.
But seeing Baekpyo in person, he found himself unable to speak.
Knowing that Baekpyo had once led the fierce Mengho Group, he felt intimidated. There was an inexplicable sense of pressure. Before, he had seemed just a friendly tavern owner.
Gwangdu imagined the possible outcomes of speaking up.
What if Baekpyo got angry and said:
And then beat him up? That would be the best-case scenario.
And then tried to kill him? Even with his skills, he couldn’t possibly defeat a former leader of the Mengho Group.
Gwangdu drank his drink in quick succession.
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, and who knows what might be hidden behind that gentle face? There could be something terrifying lurking.
‘No, someone who led the Mengho Group wouldn’t be like that. I should just say it. Maybe it’ll turn out like this?’
‘Should I just say it? Just get it over with?’
Gwangdu clutched his head.
Then, a voice came from right in front of him.
“Is something troubling you?”
Startled, he looked up to see Baekpyo standing there with a dish.
“I’m sorry if I startled you.”
“No, it’s nothing. I was just lost in thought.”
Baekpyo smiled and placed the dish in front of him.
As he turned to leave, Gwangdu spoke up.
“If you have a moment, could you listen to what I have to say?”
“Of course.”
Baekpyo sat across from Gwangdu. He had sensed that Gwangdu had come to say something, given his solitary visit and troubled demeanor.
Gwangdu offered him a drink.
“Please, have a drink.”
“I usually don’t drink while working, but I’ll have one.”
The two shared a drink.
Gwangdu took a deep breath and began to speak.
“What I want to say is related to our young master.”
Having made up his mind, he decided to tell him everything.
“Has something happened to Byeokgongja?”
Baekpyo asked with concern.
“Yes, something has.”
“What is it?”
“It’s because of you.”
“Because of me?”
Baekpyo was taken aback.
Gwangdu relayed the story he had heard from Byeokridan.
He explained how Sima Qian’s subordinate, Jobyeok, had planned to take Baekpyo’s family hostage, and how Byeokridan had intervened upon learning of the plot.
This was the crux of the matter for Gwangdu: letting Baekpyo know that Byeokridan had helped him.
Baekpyo was shocked by the unexpected revelation. But true to his past as a leader of the Mengho Group, he remained calm after hearing the whole story.
“Why did you help me in secret?”
Baekpyo was no longer just a tavern owner; he was the leader of the Mengho Group once more.
“Our young master is not one to boast about his righteous deeds.”
“Then why are you telling me about it now?”
“Because our young master likes you very much.”
Baekpyo was surprised again.
“He likes me?”
“Yes. He hopes to share his vision with you. But he seems unable to express it, so I’m telling you on his behalf. I know revealing the secret help might tarnish our young master’s goodwill. But since he won’t tell you, you would never know if I didn’t. I hope that by telling you, you might join our young master.”
Gwangdu finished his outpouring and closed his eyes tightly. His heart pounded as if it would burst. He was terrified that Baekpyo might explode in anger.
“If our young master finds out I told you, he’ll kill me.”
Then, a voice came from the entrance.
“You do know, don’t you?”
Gwangdu turned in shock.
“Young master!”
“So this is where you were causing trouble.”
I strode into the tavern. I didn’t need to ask to know what Gwangdu had said.
I spoke to Baekpyo.
“Please don’t mind what he said. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Sima Qian earlier.”
“How did you find out about it?”
I couldn’t tell him it was because I was Tianha Jin and did it to protect him.
“As I mentioned, I’m traveling the martial world to broaden my horizons. During my travels, I learned that young girls were being kidnapped. Following the trail led me to Wuhan. I discovered that Jobyeok was running a brothel with the kidnapped girls. In the process of taking down Jobyeok, I found out they were targeting your family. Since I had already dealt with Jobyeok’s gang, I didn’t think it necessary to tell you.”
Baekpyo said nothing. It was a story that was hard to believe, yet hard to dismiss.
It didn’t seem like a conspiracy, given how clumsily Gwangdu had brought it up.
“There’s no need to take it too seriously. It’s all over now.”
“I’m grateful for your high regard, but… I have no intention of getting involved in the martial world. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Please don’t worry about it.”
Gwangdu, still bowing his head, asked weakly.
“I ruined everything, didn’t I?”
I smiled and replied.
“No, you didn’t.”
Gwangdu sighed.
“Since you say I didn’t, I must have.”
He looked up at me, tears welling in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, young master. But I believe you shouldn’t hide your feelings from someone you care about. If you let this moment pass, the owner here might never know your heart. I thought that would be wrong. The choice should be theirs, not yours. I’m truly sorry, young master.”
I stepped forward and patted Gwangdu on the shoulder.
“I understand. I know how you feel.”
Oddly enough, Gwangdu’s bold move brought me a sense of relief. He must have sensed that I would never have spoken up. It’s the kind of intuition only those close to you can have.
Yes, he was right. I probably would have just left. More than anything, I wanted Baekpyo to be happy.
Just then, Gwangdu’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What?”
Baekpyo and I followed his gaze out the window.
Snowflakes had begun to fall.
Gwangdu, momentarily forgetting the previous tension, exclaimed with excitement, “It’s snowing.”
It was the first snow of the winter.
“They say if you see the first snow, you’ll have good luck that year,” I remarked.
Baekpyo looked startled. It was the same thing he had said to me on the day I died.
“Let’s go, Gwangdu.”
“Yes.”
Gwangdu stood up.
I bowed politely to Baekpyo and said, “This might be the last time we meet. If fate allows, we’ll see each other again.”
Baekpyo still seemed bewildered. He probably felt guilty about letting me go, yet wasn’t ready to join me either.
Those words were my final gift to him. I hoped he would see the first snow every year and always have good fortune.
Just as I was about to turn and leave, a low hum filled the room.
Both Baekpyo and Gwangdu were startled, as was I.
The wooden sword hanging on the wall had begun to vibrate.
I hadn’t intentionally sent any energy to the sword, so I was the most surprised of all.
The hum grew louder, and the wooden sword shook as if molten lava coursed through it.
Bang!
The wood encasing the sword exploded, revealing the majestic blade within.
As everyone watched in shock, the Suramyungwang Sword, finally free of its confining shell, let out a deep, resonant sound.
Zing—
It was calling to me.