Chapter 353: Your First Sigh
Chapter 353: Your First Sigh
Hwang Seok-gyeong was surrounded by martial artists.
“Thank you for everything, sir.”
“I wouldn’t have made it through without you, Instructor.”
“I’ll be sure to visit you again.”
Today was the day the current class finished their training at the Unorthodox Alliance Hall and departed for their respective organizations within the Unorthodox Path Alliance.
Among the many instructors at the hall, Hwang Seok-gyeong was by far the most popular.
“Do not forget that you are the pillars of the Unorthodox Path Alliance. No matter what hardships come your way, endure them well!”
“Yes, Instructor!”
As the martial artists departed, his colleague, Instructor Cha, approached him.
“As expected, you received the most gifts again.”
Hwang Seok-gyeong’s arms were full of parting gifts. There were so many that a small pile had already formed on the ground beside him.
Their connections didn't end here. Many who left the hall sought out Hwang Seok-gyeong whenever they faced difficulties, and he always provided them with generous advice.
“If I’d had an instructor like you, maybe I wouldn’t be stuck here playing instructor myself,” Cha remarked.
“What’s wrong with being an instructor?”
“Don’t you get tired of it? Saying the same things, doing the same work, over and over again.”
Hwang Seok-gyeong turned to Instructor Cha. “Do you know how many martial artists have passed through our hands?”
“A staggering number, I’m sure.”
“Exactly. So many people know us. In fact, aren't we the most well-known people within the Unorthodox Path Alliance? What greater power is there than that?”
“Power? Please. We’re just instructors. It might be different if we rose to the rank of Unit Leader or Pavilion Master, but who actually respects us?”
“Why do you think we can’t rise to those ranks? Is there a law saying we have to be instructors forever?”
“Sure, sure. You go ahead and climb the ladder. Become a Unit Leader, a Pavilion Master…”
“Or even the successor.”
“What? Don’t even joke about that. Anyway, I’m off. Enjoy your break.”
The instructors were on leave until the next class arrived.
As soon as Instructor Cha left, a voice transmission from a subordinate arrived as if it had been waiting. In that instant, the mask of the kindly instructor fell away, and Hwang Seok-gyeong became the Combat King.
— They failed.
The Combat King’s expression hardened at the report.
— And the Young Alliance Leader? How badly is he injured?
— He is not injured at all.
— Then how many of the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path died?
He had assumed they must have thrown their lives away to save the Young Alliance Leader.
— None of them died.
The Combat King’s voice grew sharper at the incomprehensible report.
— Which master intervened?
— No one, sir. They say only the 13 Wolves were present.
— That’s impossible!
The 13 Wolves had fended off their combined attack? Luck could play a part, but an assassination attempt involving three volleys of Blood Heaven Rain was something even heavenly luck could not stop.
The Combat King recalled the previous failure, when his assassins were wiped out while trying to kill Pyo Gi-gwang.
— Someone definitely intervened.
There was no other way to explain such a result.
— What are your orders?
As he pondered for a moment, another urgent transmission arrived.
— The Young Alliance Leader has arrived.
The Combat King’s gaze shifted toward a man organizing training equipment across the grounds. This was Sa Hon, the subordinate he had just been communicating with.
Living as a mere laborer at the hall, Sa Hon acted as if he only knew third-rate martial arts. No one had ever seen through his disguise.
Beside the bowing Sa Hon, Bi Sa-in made his appearance.
He walked forward with dignity, followed by the 13 Wolves. Bi Sa-in exuded an aura as intense as his fearsome reputation. Because the 13 Wolves were all masked, their expressions remained hidden.
As they passed, Sa Hon slightly lifted his head to look at their backs. There were thirteen of them in total, and not a single one appeared to be injured.
Even to him, it made no sense. How on earth had they blocked that attack?
Just then, one of the 13 Wolves walking at the very back turned around.
Sa Hon quickly lowered his head to avoid the gaze. When he looked up again, the wolf who had turned around was walking forward once more.
What was that? Did he sense my gaze?
That couldn't be. There was no way a member of the 13 Wolves could have sensed such a subtle, hidden look.
Sa Hon quickly pulled his cart away from the area. It would look suspicious for a mere laborer to be loitering when the Young Alliance Leader had arrived.
The Combat King set down the gifts he was holding and greeted Bi Sa-in politely.
“Young Alliance Leader, what brings you here?”
He looked exactly like an instructor surprised by an unexpected visit from a superior. He seemed like someone who truly had nothing to do with the recent incident.
On his way here, Bi Sa-in had wondered how Hwang Seok-gyeong would react. He expected the man to play dumb, but he hadn't expected him to be this natural.
“Instructor Hwang, it’s been a while. When was the last time we met?”
“I greeted you briefly at the New Year’s banquet this year.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Back then, Bi Sa-in never dreamed they would meet again like this. Are you really the mastermind behind this? Were you the one who gave those men their orders?
“Please, come inside.”
“It’s fine. I was just passing by and wanted to see your face, Instructor.”
The Combat King’s eyes drifted to the 13 Wolves. Geom Mu-geuk stood behind the others, completely concealing his presence. Consequently, the Combat King failed to realize that a master of Geom Mu-geuk’s caliber had joined their ranks.
Truly, not a single one is injured?
He felt an inexplicable sense of unease, but the Combat King did not waver. Nothing excited him more than the thrill of danger.
The Young Alliance Leader came here because he knows I am the mastermind.
The fact that he had come here after never visiting before was proof enough. Was this a probe? Or a declaration of war?
Was he always this type of person?
The Bi Sa-in he had researched was not this type of character.
“What are all these?” Bi Sa-in asked, looking at the gifts on the ground.
“They are gifts from the trainees who left today.”
Bi Sa-in picked one up. “May I open it?”
“Of course.”
Bi Sa-in made as if to unwrap it, then handed it back to the Combat King.
“It seems dangerous.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Is there such a thing as a 'good' instructor? Wouldn't they want to hold a grudge and poison you?”
At Bi Sa-in’s joke, the Combat King let out a good-natured laugh.
“I doubt it. After training is over, the instructor is usually the person people remember most fondly.”
Looking at him now, Instructor Hwang seemed like a genuinely kind man, far removed from any conspiracy.
“Are you satisfied with being an instructor?”
“I consider it my calling.”
Listening to their conversation, Geom Mu-geuk suddenly had a thought.
Why an instructor, of all things?
There were many ways to infiltrate and establish a position within the Unorthodox Path Alliance. With the Combat King’s skills, he could have easily risen to the rank of Pavilion Master by now. If his goal was simply to avoid notice, Instructor Hwang was far too well-known.
While Geom Mu-geuk was lost in thought, the conversation continued.
“I was ambushed today,” Bi Sa-in said.
“What? An ambush? Are you alright?” The Combat King looked genuinely shocked.
“Fortunately, I am fine.”
“Who would dare!”
“I couldn't identify them, but they used Forbidden Hidden Weapons.”
“Good heavens! What shameless scoundrels with no sense of honor! They are absolute trash!”
Seeing him calmly call himself trash, Bi Sa-in confirmed that the man before him was no ordinary individual.
“Since they dared to attempt your life, you must capture them and punish them with execution. You are the pillar and the future of the Unorthodox Path, Young Alliance Leader.”
In truth, Bi Sa-in had expected a different kind of encounter. He thought there would be some suspicious slip-up, some cryptic words, or a strange aura.
You dared to try and kill me? He could have shouted it at him. He had even agonized over what to say in such a moment.
He thought there would be something special. He thought that even if there wasn't, he would find it.
But the opponent revealed nothing. He was perfectly "Instructor Hwang." It was as if he were saying, You’ve got the wrong man.
How was he supposed to deal with someone like this?
Bi Sa-in realized he was still outmatched. He could only think of the words, It was you, wasn't it? but if it had been Geom Mu-geuk, he would have said something to turn the situation to his advantage.
He realized he shouldn't have come here driven by emotion. He wasn't Geom Mu-geuk. If the charge had failed, he had to at least retreat properly.
Bi Sa-in bid the Combat King farewell with a smile.
“On the day I was showered with an assassin’s hidden weapons, our instructor received a shower of gifts. I feel I must strive to live more diligently.”
*
Geom Mu-geuk and Bi Sa-in stood side by side on a cliff.
Despite 1st Wolf’s warnings to be careful given the circumstances, Bi Sa-in had come here alone with Geom Mu-geuk. Perhaps there was power in the location. Standing here with Geom Mu-geuk, he felt he could be more honest. Bi Sa-in felt that now, more than ever, was the time for honesty.
“I will never forgive anyone who tries to take what is mine. Not just him, but every single person involved will die. I am the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path, after all.”
He meant it. And he wanted to ask Geom Mu-geuk something.
“I am a more selfish and wicked person than you think. Do you still want to be my friend? Don't tell me later that you didn't know I was such a villain.”
Geom Mu-geuk knew exactly where Bi Sa-in’s turbulent emotions were coming from.
“Do you regret visiting Instructor Hwang?”
After a brief pause, Bi Sa-in asked, “Would you have gone to see him?”
That was what he really wanted to know.
“Even if I were to go eventually, I wouldn't have gone today.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because I’ve regretted almost every decision I’ve made while angry.”
“I figured as much.”
He had gone to see him because his blood boiled at the fact that someone had tried to kill him, but he regretted it as soon as he arrived. Because nothing happened, he had been overwhelmed by the other man's composure.
“Then why didn't you stop me?”
“Because you needed to experience it for yourself to truly feel it.”
How cold reality is. How even an ideal boiling like lava can become a mere pipe dream and be swept away in icy water when faced with reality.
Bi Sa-in let out a soft sigh, and Geom Mu-geuk smiled.
“That’s your first sigh.”
It wasn't just the first sigh he had shown Geom Mu-geuk. It was the first sigh he had ever let out in front of anyone. Bi Sa-in let out another, even deeper sigh, as if to prove a point. He used the sigh to show how much closer they had become.
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and comforted him.
“It’s alright. You both already know who the other is. You should at least say hello before you start fighting. Besides, we learned something from this visit.”
“What’s that?”
Geom Mu-geuk had said it so casually that Bi Sa-in thought it was nothing significant.
“I figured out what his goal is.”
Startled, Bi Sa-in almost blurted out, What? You crazy bastard! How could he have figured out the man's goal from that meeting? Had he secretly read the man's diary or something?
“Did we meet different people?”
Bi Sa-in hadn't noticed a thing. Geom Mu-geuk pointed out something he hadn't even considered.
“Looking at that pile of gifts, I had a question. Why is he building such a reputation? If he wanted to plot in the shadows, it would be better to stay inconspicuous. Why would someone planning such a massive conspiracy expend so much mental energy being kind to the warriors of the hall?”
Now that he heard it, Bi Sa-in found it strange too. He felt a sense of unease, wondering what shocking conclusion Geom Mu-geuk was about to draw.
“The warriors he has produced over the years must be starting to take key positions within the Alliance. Some will be Team Leaders, others Captains. Those who were promoted quickly might even be Unit Leaders by now.”
Bi Sa-in asked cautiously, “So, what is his goal?”
Geom Mu-geuk looked straight at Bi Sa-in and answered.
“You.”
Bi Sa-in was speechless for a moment. At first, he didn't understand what that meant. Then, a single thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.
“Are you saying… he’s after the position of successor?”
Geom Mu-geuk nodded. “He intends to become the Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance.”
“!”
He never imagined that the mastermind, that Hwang Seok-gyeong, would aim to become the Alliance Leader. An instructor and the Alliance Leader—the distance between the two was vast.
“The reason he tried to kill you without hesitation is likely because it’s something he has to do eventually anyway.”
If it had been anyone other than Geom Mu-geuk, Bi Sa-in would have snapped at them for talking such nonsense.
“Is that even possible?” Bi Sa-in’s voice trembled.
“His plan was likely this: I don't know how many years it would take, but he would kill you, the successor, and then assassinate the Alliance Leader. I don't know the method. Regardless, once the position is vacant, he will reveal his overwhelming martial prowess and challenge for the leadership. By then, there will be almost no masters left who can stop him.”
“You can't become the Leader just by being strong. The members won't accept it.”
“Which members? The power players he’s currently allied with? Or the warriors he personally trained?”
“!”
“Public opinion and the atmosphere within the Alliance will support him. Not as a mere instructor, but as a respected teacher of all who reveals his hidden strength and ascends as a hero.”
Bi Sa-in’s heart sank. “He won't be able to kill the Alliance Leader.”
“You know how hard it is to block a hidden blade, don't you? Especially one that has been sharpened for a very long time. Of course, this is just my guess. I could be wrong.”
Bi Sa-in didn't think Geom Mu-geuk’s speculation was far-fetched. The man had already tried to kill him, the Young Alliance Leader, without a moment's hesitation.
Bi Sa-in was lost in thought for a long time. Geom Mu-geuk offered no further advice. This was something Bi Sa-in had to decide and resolve for himself.
Finally, Bi Sa-in reached a conclusion.
“I won't ask the Alliance Leader for help.”
He had made up his mind to handle this with his own strength.
“If I should die, please make sure the Alliance Leader knows the truth behind all of this.”
“I will.”
Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mu-geuk. “In times like this, aren't you supposed to say something like, 'You won't die'?”
Geom Mu-geuk didn't give him the words he wanted.
“You could die because of this decision.”
He meant it. His opponent was the Combat King. No matter what path they took, a final confrontation with the Combat King was a destined future.
“Why aren't you stopping me?”
Because you’ll only grow stronger if you overcome this yourself.
“Because it’s not my life?”
Bi Sa-in laughed. It was the loudest he had laughed since they met.
“That’s a good laugh. Make sure you laugh like that when you meet a woman.”
“While you're cracking those ridiculous jokes, will you stay and watch to see just how stubborn my life is?”
“Watching a fight is always entertaining.”
“His efforts to take what’s mine were admirable, but it seems his luck doesn't quite match mine.”
Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mu-geuk.
Despite saying he was just watching, Geom Mu-geuk had been fighting alongside him from the very beginning. He was waiting for him to grow, being patient, and pushing him to be the protagonist who solves the problem.
With such luck, with such a friend, he couldn't lose to that man.
“Let’s go. I don't know about the future, but for now, there are still people who would be appalled at the idea of an instructor becoming the Alliance Leader.”