Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Translator: Penny
Chapter 23
The Message My Death Carries (1)
I returned home.
Officially, I had returned after completing my mountain training, but Gwangdu knew I had gone to capture Gwak Dosu.
"Young Master, you're going to be the death of me," he groaned, his eyes hollow and bloodshot. He clearly hadn't slept properly, worrying about me.
"You idiot, stop worrying about me."
"How can I not worry? I'd rather die than be sick with worry. So... did you really... catch him?"
I nodded firmly. "I can't live with debts."
"Did you kill him?"
"Of course."
Gwangdu clapped a hand over his mouth, trembling violently. Save your shock and terror for later, you fool. Wait until you hear about Qufu Branch Head Gong Jong's disappearance.
"Anyway, you've been diligent with your cultivation practice, right? Show me what you've learned."
"Too busy worrying about someone else..."
Gwangdu sat down with a hesitant expression and began circulating Qi and regulating his breathing.
I channeled a strand of Internal Force into him to check if he was performing the exercise correctly. Despite his exaggerated complaints, he was executing it perfectly, just as I had taught him.
"Good. This is excellent."
"Really?" Gwangdu's face lit up with joy. He looked like he might burst into tears if I praised him any further.
"Why are you so happy?"
"This is the first time I've received praise from you since I started learning martial arts, Young Master."
"Don't read too much into it."
"No! This is an unforgettable moment for me."
Suddenly, I remembered Baek Pyo, the head of security. He too had been a sentimental person, rejoicing at the first snowfall. Come to think of it, all the people closest to me seem to share this sentimental streak.
"Alright, let's start learning the Forms now."
"Ah!"
Gwangdu was moved once again. I had him bring the cheap sword he'd bought. I made a mental note to buy him a decent one soon.
First, I taught him three of the seven Forms of the South Sea Seven Forms.
There wasn't a particular reason for this choice. I figured repeating just one Form would get boring, while teaching four or more would be too confusing.
"Once you've mastered these three Forms, I'll teach you the rest."
"Thank you, Young Master."
"Practice without sleep. I'll test you without warning."
"What if I die from overwork?"
"Lazy people never die from overwork."
"What if I suffer Qi Deviation?"
"That only happens to smart people."
Gwangdu pouted, but I could sense his overwhelming joy. He'd probably really practice through the night, sacrificing sleep.
Aren't you worried he might die from overwork?
Not at all. Gwangdu is a clever fellow. I sensed it when he used to gather information for me. He has an innate instinct for detecting and avoiding danger. He'll know how to regulate the intensity of his Cultivation Practice.
After teaching him the three Forms, I turned to leave when Gwangdu spoke up.
"But Young Master, you've changed somehow."
As expected, his intuition is uncanny. He noticed a change even my parents hadn't picked up on.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't quite put my finger on it... but you seem calmer, somehow."
After scrutinizing my face from every angle, Gwangdu suddenly gasped in shock.
"Hah! Don't tell me... did you get a girlfriend on this trip? Did you? Did you sleep with her? You did, didn't you!"
You little rascal, I didn't even see a woman!
To keep him guessing, I shrugged and walked away. Gwangdu shouted after me.
"You mustn't betray Miss Song!"
"Hey, you! Betrayal only exists where trust once existed between people."
"Focus on your Cultivation Practice! That way, you won't betray yourself!"
The next day, the long-awaited news finally arrived.
Gwangdu rushed in, shouting breathlessly, "Young Master! Disaster! The Martial Arts Alliance Leader has passed away!"
Hearing of my own death through someone else felt strangely surreal.
It had been a month and a half since I died. The fact that the announcement was only being made now likely meant there had been intense deliberation over choosing the next Alliance Leader.
There must have been daily meetings, with the heads of each faction engaged in a fierce battle of wits. Their own positions could be jeopardized depending on who became the new Alliance Leader.
The only thing that eased my mind was knowing the Martial Arts World remained at peace. There would be no immediate internal power grabs or external forces trying to seize control of the Martial Arts Alliance.
"Is that so?"
"What kind of reaction is that?"
"What reaction did you expect? Tears?"
"At least some surprise."
"I was surprised."
You have no idea how shocked I truly was. I never imagined I would die like that.
"The Martial Arts World is in complete chaos right now. Everyone with a mouth—Martial Artists and commoners alike—is talking about the Alliance Leader. They're all gathered at the inns, making a huge commotion. Let's go check it out."
Gwangdu tugged at my arm.
I pretended to resist, but truth be told, I was even more curious than he was. I wanted to hear what people were saying about my death.
The dead linger in various ways. Some are idealized into legends, others are dragged through the mud, and still others are simply forgotten.
What would become of me?
It was true. Not only the nearby inns but also the people in the marketplace were talking about nothing but me.
"How did he die? Was it an assassination?"
"No, they say he just died in his sleep."
"Lucky bastard. He was blessed."
"Anyway, who's going to be the next Alliance Leader?"
"That's the question."
"I'm worried. All sorts of bastards will be scrambling to seize the Alliance Leader's position."
"Is there even a decent candidate for Alliance Leader?"
"No. Cheon Hajin held onto the position for too long."
"True. He clung to it for over thirty years."
The word "clung" stung me slightly.
I had always believed I had dedicated my entire life to sacrificing for the Martial Arts World. Was this the only recognition I would receive?
Worse still, not a single word of mourning for my death.
It felt as if my entire life, lived for the sake of the Martial Arts World, had been completely denied.
If I had my way, I would have smacked each of them upside the head and shouted:
"You bastards! I've spent my entire life worrying about you, barely getting a decent night's sleep!"
Yet another part of me thought: Isn't the Alliance Leader's position supposed to be a target for criticism? They all need to vent their frustrations with reality by cursing me like this.
Go ahead, curse me all you want. If it helps you release your anger, then curse away.
The truly evil ones wouldn't be here cursing me. They'd be lurking in the shadows, consumed by their own desires, like Yang Gicheol or Gong Jong, the men I killed.
Just then, Gwangdu, who was sitting across from me, suddenly asked:
"What kind of person was the Alliance Leader?"
At least among the people in this inn, you know him best. After all, he's sitting right in front of you.
"Well..."
"You must be deeply regretful, dying in the position of Alliance Leader."
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious? To die while holding the most enviable position in the world! Ah! If it were me, I'd be so resentful I wouldn't even be able to die!"
Happiness?
Was I truly happy?
Everyone feared and revered me. I had loyal subordinates who would give their lives for my commands, yet an invisible wall stood between us. Even with Chief Strategist Gal Saryang, I had never shared a truly intimate conversation.
No one ever spoke their true feelings to me.
Nor did I to them.
The only person I felt somewhat comfortable with was Baek Pyo, my chief bodyguard. Yet even he couldn't completely bridge the distance imposed by our respective positions as Alliance Leader and bodyguard. At least, that's how it must have been for him.
The solitude of being above ten thousand men.
Whether I was happy or not, I couldn't say for sure, but one thing was certain: I had lived a solitary life.
"By the way, how will the next Alliance Leader be chosen?" Gwangdu asked, tilting his head.
"I don't know either," he replied.
Though I couldn't voice it, I knew exactly how it would happen.
If the Alliance Leader had designated a successor, that successor would inherit the position.
Considering my age of seventy, it would have been natural for my subordinates to suggest appointing a successor. Yet they all watched my every move, wary of broaching such a sensitive topic. After all, I was still remarkably vigorous, and the matter of succession was an extremely delicate subject.
In any case, no one had ever imagined I would die. I was in excellent health, and my martial arts had reached the pinnacle of mastery.
In the absence of a designated successor, the leaders of the Martial Arts Alliance's top ten organizations would convene to nominate candidates. These candidates would then be voted on to determine the next Alliance Leader.
My own election had followed this very process. Had the previous Alliance Leader not been poisoned by the Thirteen Dark Alliances, I might have lived out my days as a free-spirited Martial Artist, forever wandering the Martial Arts World.
Regardless, I later learned that all ten organization leaders had unanimously supported my appointment as Alliance Leader. My reputation for unparalleled martial prowess resonated throughout the Martial Arts World.
Still, these were merely the Alliance Rules. In reality, Chief Strategist Gal Saryang's influence would likely dominate the selection process. My direct subordinates, whose organizations boasted the greatest military strength among the ten, would undoubtedly rally behind him.
The problem lay in the lack of any immediately obvious and formidable candidates for Alliance Leader.
Perhaps this was why news of my death hadn't been announced even after a month and a half.
My composure stemmed from my unwavering faith in Gal Saryang. I knew he would lead the Martial Arts Alliance well in my absence and choose an excellent successor as Alliance Leader.
"Young Master, let's have a drink. A great elder of the Martial Arts World has passed away. We should raise a glass in mourning."
Yes, you're the only one I have left.
"Alright, order the most expensive wine they have."
"Do you have the money?"
"Why don't you treat me to a drink to celebrate my becoming a Martial Artist?"
"How can I refuse when you put it like that... You're so cunning! Fine, I'll buy you a drink."
Gwangdu shouted at the innkeeper, "Wine here! Something cheap and tasty!"
I smiled at Gwangdu.
Thank you.
For at least pouring a cup of wine for my death.
Slowly, I turned my head to gaze out the window, toward the distant location of the Martial Arts Alliance.
Chief Strategist Gal, you must choose a worthy Alliance Leader.