When the First Snow Falls Again (4)
The sword, hidden away for so long, revealed itself, leaving Baekpyo utterly bewildered. If I was this shocked, I couldn’t even begin to imagine Baekpyo’s astonishment.
The one who expressed the most surprise was Gwangdu.
“Whoa!”
It was the first time Gwangdu had seen a sword cry out on its own.
I quickly turned to Baekpyo and said, “We should be going now.”
I tugged at Gwangdu, urging him to leave. It was only right to retreat, considering Baekpyo’s state.
As I turned away, the sword cried out again.
Jing—
The sound was like a plea, asking me not to leave, and it made me pause. The depth of the cry changed, responding to my movements.
When I turned back, Baekpyo was staring at me, his face a mask of shock. He, too, sensed the sword’s reaction to me.
I slowly approached the sword.
Jing—
The cry deepened.
I took a step back, and the sword’s cry grew harsher.
It was clear the sword was calling out to me.
Baekpyo, his face a mix of disbelief and awe, asked, “How is this possible?”
I looked at Baekpyo, silently asking if it was safe to approach the sword.
After glancing between me and the Suramyungwang Sword, Baekpyo nodded. In a situation where the sword was clearly calling to me, he couldn’t say no.
I approached the sword slowly.
The cries gradually subsided, like a wild beast calming down.
When my hand touched it, the Suramyungwang Sword fell silent.
I took the sword down from the wall.
Holding the Suramyungwang Sword for the first time in a year stirred something within me.
Shak!
The sound of drawing the sword was crisp and exhilarating, unlike any other.
The Suramyungwang Sword cried out again.
Ziiing—
The cry was deeper and clearer than before, expressing the joy of reunion. It was as if it was saying, “It’s been a while, my lord.”
Yes, it has been a while.
For the first time, I felt an emotional connection with the Suramyungwang Sword. It was an experience I hadn’t had in my seventy years of life.
I sheathed the sword again, and it fell silent, as if nothing had happened.
The room was enveloped in silence.
Neither I, Baekpyo, nor Gwangdu spoke a word.
Finally, Baekpyo, his voice trembling, asked, “Who are you?”
At this moment, Baekpyo must have felt the weight of destiny.
On the day I first visited the Fengju Tavern, I sat in the same spot I always did in my past life, ordered the same drinks and dishes, saved his family, and spoke words he had once said while watching the first snow. The Suramyungwang Sword recognized me and cried out.
I looked at him calmly and said, “I am Byeok Lidan, heir to the Byeok family sword clan.”
Baekpyo looked at me, his expression one of disbelief.
The fact that the sword, which had never cried in my past life, did so today was a sign from the heavens. It was telling me to accept my fate with Baekpyo.
I was ready to embrace that destiny.
“A person who should never have become the leader has taken the position. Because of this, the martial world will soon be thrown into chaos.”
Baekpyo’s eyes wavered. He knew better than anyone that the current leader was a mistake.
“I intend to stop this.”
After a brief pause, I finally voiced the words I had hesitated to say.
“Will you join me in this endeavor?”
The next morning, Gwangdu was diligently cleaning the table in the guest room, polishing it until it shone.
A voice came from behind him.
“Do guests usually clean the inn?”
Turning around, he saw Gong Suchan standing at the door with a smile.
“Our loose-lipped traitor has arrived.”
“I’m sorry. I met the young master and happened to find a martial artist. I didn’t mean to say anything, but I felt compelled to.”
Gwangdu laughed.
“Haha, you did well.”
After all, things had turned out as he had hoped when Byeok Lidan arrived, even if the unexpected scene had surprised him.
“But why are you cleaning?”
“I clean when I’m anxious. Tidying up helps calm my mind.”
“I understand that feeling. I tend to calculate things when I’m anxious.”
“Calculate? What do you calculate?”
“Just whatever comes to mind. How much money the merchants in Shandong make in a year, or the daily income of this inn…”
“Why do something so tedious? Are you saying my cleaning is like your calculations?”
“I think my way is more rational.”
“Oh, my!”
Gong Suchan smiled, and Gwangdu followed suit. Since arriving in Wuhuan, the two had grown closer. Spending time together does that to people.
“So, what was the outcome of your little incident?”
At Gong Suchan’s question, Gwangdu looked out the window. The world was pristine, covered in a blanket of white snow.
“The outcome… we’ll have to wait and see.”
Baekpyo stood in the yard, watching Myungyi play in the snow.
Behind him, Jeongyeong approached. She looked at the two swords propped against the porch. One was her husband’s, and the other was unfamiliar. It was, of course, the Suramyungwang Sword.
Her gaze deepened. Since they started the tavern, her husband had never once drawn his sword.
“Did you see the first snow fall?”
When Baekpyo nodded, Jeongyeong smiled.
“That’s a relief.”
Though she knew it was superstition, she believed in her husband’s faith. It was likely the sentiment of every woman married to a martial artist.
“Someone asked me to return to the martial world.”
“Who?”
“The heir of a family far away in Shandong. I don’t know much about him.”
“He must be a good person.”
Baekpyo looked at Jeongyeong, puzzled by her certainty.
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so conflicted.”
Indeed, there was something about Byeok Lidan that drew him in from the start.
But if that were all, he wouldn’t be so torn. No matter how admirable someone was, he had no intention of serving anyone other than Cheonhajin.
The Suramyungwang Sword’s cry was decisive.
Baekpyo knew that a sword like the Suramyungwang Sword chose its master. It had chosen Byeok Lidan.
The fact that Cheonhajin’s sword had chosen a new master troubled Baekpyo. Moreover, there was a deeper connection with Byeok Lidan.
Seeing Byeok Lidan reminded him of Cheonhajin. From their first meeting until now, it had been that way. Plus, he had saved his wife and son from danger. That alone was a tremendous debt of gratitude.
“He believes the martial world will fall into chaos. He wants to protect it. Honestly… I don’t know what to do.”
Jeongyeong, who had been quietly watching her husband, spoke unexpectedly.
“Go.”
“My dear?”
“Did you know? You didn’t have a nightmare last night.”
Now that she mentioned it, it was true. He hadn’t had the usual nightmare.
Jeongyeong understood. Her husband’s place was not in the tavern but in the martial world. It was time to let him go. He needed to fight real enemies, not nightmares.
“If you’re hesitating because of me and Myungyi, don’t. Go. I can protect Myungyi. Go for the sake of the former leader. The leader you told me about wasn’t someone who would make you give up a new dream for old loyalties.”
“My dear.”
“If what he says is true, and the world falls into chaos, go and stop it. You were the one who upheld justice and fought against evil.”
Her gaze shifted to Myungyi, playing in the snow.
“Do it for Myungyi. Protect the world he will grow up in.”
Crunch, crunch.
Baekpyo approached me, his footsteps crunching in the fresh snow.
We stood facing each other in the clearing behind the inn.
Baekpyo had his own sword at his waist and the Suramyungwang Sword on his back.
From his stance, I could tell he had made a significant decision.
“At first, I thought you were a good person, Byeok Gongja. But honestly, I’m not sure what to think now.”
“I understand.”
“You said you wanted me as your subordinate?”
“Yes.”
Baekpyo drew his sword.
“What does this mean?”
“I don’t serve just anyone.”
His eyes shone with intensity, the same look he had when we fought side by side on the battlefield.
“This duel could end with my death. Are you still willing to take me with you?”
Baekpyo was sincere.
I stepped forward and replied, “I don’t accept just anyone either.”
No more words were needed.
Baekpyo began to move slowly. I mirrored him, circling in the opposite direction.
I knew Baekpyo’s martial arts better than anyone.
His strength and weakness were one and the same. His sword was not a killing sword but a protective one. It was weak because it protected, and strong for the same reason.
This was the moment I faced the strongest martial artist since my reincarnation.
“I’m coming. Be careful.”
With that warning, Baekpyo launched his attack.
Swish!
His sword aimed for my arm, a swift and precise strike.
I dodged with ease.
The attacks came in quick succession, targeting my arms, legs, and thighs. They avoided vital areas.
I evaded, blocked, and deflected his strikes.
At first, Baekpyo must have intended to go easy, not expecting me to be stronger. But as we clashed, he realized I was no pushover and intensified his attacks.
I countered with the Crane Art. Though the Suramyungwang Sword had chosen me, I couldn’t use the Soul-Hunting Suramyung Sword Technique.
One day, the time will come for me to reveal my martial arts skills. No one would believe that I learned directly from the leader. Considering I’m only twenty, they’d assume I was just a kid when I supposedly trained under him. Back then, Baekpyo was always by my side.
I’ll have to claim I learned from one of Cheonhajin’s masters or senior disciples. Since I’ve never shared my personal history with anyone, they’ll have no choice but to believe it.
Swish, swish, swish!
Baekpyo’s sword danced through the air, while my footwork found the blind spots of his seemingly unavoidable attacks.
I faced his sword barehanded, deflecting the blade with the back of my hand or forearm. To an observer, it might have seemed perilous, but I felt at ease. His skill only highlighted the effectiveness of my techniques, making it easier for me.
Yet, there was no need to continue this dangerous sparring with Baekpyo.
I dodged his incoming blade and closed the distance between us.
Whoosh.
Baekpyo spun through the air, landing with a thud. He blinked up at me, unable to comprehend how he had been bested. But one thing was clear: if I had used my full strength, that last move could have been fatal.
I extended a hand to him.
Baekpyo grasped it and pulled himself up, looking at me with a bewildered expression. He never imagined I could defeat him.
I could have let him win, of course.
But in this world, especially between a leader and their subordinate, trust is paramount. While personal trust is important, the foundation is skill. There’s pride and confidence in serving a strong master.
I showed him my strength deliberately, to make Baekpyo truly mine.
In doing so, I must confront my past self.
Before making his final decision, Baekpyo asked, “If the time comes to fight them, will you?”
He was referring to the Ma Bong-gi faction.
“Yes, I will.”
“We might have to fight the entire martial world.”
“I’m aware.”
“We could all die.”
“That’s a possibility.”
“Then why fight?”
“Because they’re evil. We can’t let villains rule the martial world, can we?”
Baekpyo’s eyes held a moment of resolve as he absorbed that simple truth.
He knelt before me, bowing his head.
“I, Baekpyo, the twelfth successor of the Wind Crow Swordsmanship and leader of the Fierce Tiger Brigade, pledge my life to serve you, Master Byeokgongja, before the heavens and earth.”
He offered me the Suramyungwang Sword he carried on his back.
“This sword is the unique weapon of the former leader. It’s the most important and precious sword in the world. The sword has chosen you, so I present it to you.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“There is someone who entrusted this sword to me. I shouldn’t dispose of it as I please. But the sword has chosen you. There must be a reason for the Suramyungwang Sword to choose you. I believe the one who entrusted it to me will understand.”
I accepted the Suramyungwang Sword and fastened it to my waist.
The sword, having found its rightful owner, resonated once more.
Jing—
Baekpyo nodded at the sound, assured that he had found the true master for the sword.
I grasped Baekpyo’s hand first.
He looked up at me with eyes full of fervor. As we clasped hands, a surge of emotion welled up within me. Something warm and powerful rose from deep within my chest.
How much had he sacrificed for me?
How loyal had he been?
Our bond was renewed.
“Let’s face life and death together.”
At my words, Baekpyo’s eyes trembled. He felt the intensity of my emotions.
“I will share both life and death with you, my lord.”
In that moment, I thanked the heavens. I was grateful for the destiny that had brought us together.
The day after the first snow, I gained Baekpyo, more reassuring than a thousand troops.