Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Translator: Penny
Chapter 31
My Beginning (2)
I was even more surprised because I had been thinking about him just moments before as I walked.
"It seems the owner has changed?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Baek Pyo smiled and replied, "You're right. I took over the place recently and reopened it today. You're my first customer."
A thrill ran through me as I realized my connection with Baek Pyo was being rekindled.
"Please, take a seat wherever you're comfortable."
I sat in my usual spot. Baek Pyo chuckled. "I've always liked this seat best in the shop. Hahaha."
"Is there a particular reason you favor this spot?"
"No reason at all. I just like it." He gave an awkward smile.
"What would you like to drink?"
I ordered my usual drink and snacks, which startled Baek Pyo.
"This drink and these snacks too? You're our first customer, and I never expected you to order them right away."
I nearly blurted out that I was Cheon Hajin. As the former head of security, he knew countless ways to verify my identity. We had shared many private conversations.
He would follow me if I asked.
But I didn't. Cheon Hajin was dead—in his life and in mine. I was now Byeok Ridan. Even if I helped him, it would be Byeok Ridan, not Cheon Hajin, who offered assistance.
Just then, a new customer entered the tavern.
"A housewarming gift," a middle-aged man said, handing over a small potted orchid.
I nearly dropped the glass I was holding, as startled as when I first saw Baek Pyo.
The man who entered was none other than Gal Saryang.
Afraid my shock might show, I quickly turned my head away, my heart pounding in my chest.
I never dreamed I would meet Gal Saryang here, let alone encounter both him and Baek Pyo in the same place.
"Welcome!" Baek Pyo greeted him with a look of genuine emotion. He clearly hadn't expected Gal Saryang to visit personally.
"Cozy place, nice atmosphere," Gal Saryang remarked.
"We got lucky. The owner decided to sell the tavern and return to his hometown."
"I see."
"What would you like to drink?"
"Just bring me whatever you think is best."
Baek Pyo poured the drinks.
Gal Saryang glanced at me briefly but didn't seem particularly interested.
Gal Saryang's face was gaunt, as if he had been under immense stress recently.
I wanted to approach him immediately and ask what had happened—why he had suffered such a crushing defeat.
Gal Saryang, who had been drinking, exited through the back door.
"Let's get some fresh air together," he said.
"As you wish," Baek Pyo replied, following him out.
I strained my ears, barely catching fragments of their conversation.
"This was where he used to come, wasn't it?"
"You knew?"
"He mentioned it a few times. Said there was a place with a great atmosphere. He suggested we come together sometime, but... he was always so busy."
Gal Saryang sighed.
Regret washed over me. If only I had been closer to him.
"You're not planning to stay with the Martial Arts Alliance, are you?"
"I'm sorry."
"I don't believe the new Alliance Leader is worth protecting. My apologies."
"No, I should be the one apologizing."
"You did your best, Strategist. With the Radiant Moon Corps and Iron Cavalry Corps betraying us, it was an impossible situation."
Baek Pyo's words sent a chill through my heart.
The Radiant Moon Corps and Iron Cavalry Corps had betrayed us?
I couldn't believe it. If I'd heard this in an inn, I would have scoffed, "Shut up with your nonsense!" and dismissed it outright.
But these words came from the person I trusted most.
The faces of the Radiant Moon Corps Head and the Iron Cavalry Corps Head flashed through my mind. Betrayal was a word that simply couldn't be associated with them.
Gal Saryang spoke with a hint of melancholy.
"Strictly speaking, it wasn't betrayal. They remained loyal to the Alliance Leader until his death."
No, this is betrayal. To abandon the wishes of someone they cherished, simply because I was presumed dead, is a clear act of betrayal. If they had truly been loyal to me, they should have supported Gal Saryang. Moreover, they should never have allowed a scoundrel like Ma Bonggi to ascend to the position of Alliance Leader.
"Strategist, what are your plans for the future?"
"I intend to hold on a little longer. They may wish I would simply disappear."
"Are you sure you'll be safe?"
"With so many eyes watching, they won't dare act openly against me. I'll likely be demoted to a minor organization. But I'll endure to the end."
"I meant..."
"I know what you're worried about. But rest assured, I can protect myself."
"Then I'm relieved."
I knew Gal Saryang well. He was not the type to be fooled twice. If he spoke so confidently, he must have already devised a plan to protect his life.
"Forgive my presumption, but... why aren't you leaving?"
"The Martial Arts Alliance is his legacy."
"I feel like such a fool."
"Nonsense. You abandoned your position as Head of the Alliance Guard Corps out of longing for him. If anyone should be ashamed, it's me."
"Strategist."
"Whether we stay or leave, it's all because of him. In the end, we share the same sentiment."
"I miss the former Alliance Leader so much."
"Me too. But it's time to let go. Live your own life now. I should be going."
"Please take care of yourself."
"Run your business well. I'll drop by occasionally."
"You're welcome anytime."
Gal Saryang left directly from the backyard, so I didn't see him go. I imagine he didn't walk with slumped shoulders.
Strategist Gal, please stay strong.
Baek Pyo re-entered the tavern, forcing a smile as he asked, "How was the taste?"
I smiled brightly at him. "Excellent. Truly."
I finished my last cup and left Pung Tavern.
As I walked back to the inn, my mind raced.
The betrayal of the Head of the Radiant Moon Corps and the Head of the Iron Cavalry Corps wouldn't leave my thoughts. My mind churned like boiling water.
Why?
By the time I returned to the inn, I had composed myself.
I decided to return home first. I wouldn't act rashly, driven by emotion.
I would go back and build my strength. So I could ask confidently, so I could protect them without fail.
Saryang, Baek Pyo.
Until then, live your lives.
I returned home.
"How did things go?" Gwangdu asked, relieved by my safe return but also curious. "Did you manage to correct the wrongs?"
I shook my head.
Gwangdu chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?"
"You always showed us how you could handle anything effortlessly. I never said it, but it was almost inhuman."
I knew this was Gwangdu's way of comforting and encouraging me.
"So, keep up with your Cultivation Practice. Wouldn't it be great if you could handle these things effortlessly too?"
"Heh, you're entrusting me with something even you couldn't handle, Young Master? You've instantly reverted to your inhuman self."
"Ha ha."
"You must be tired. Get some rest. I'll tell the kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes for dinner."
Watching Gwangdu's retreating figure, I finally felt a sense of relief at being home.
I resolved to stop worrying about the Martial Arts Alliance's affairs—Gal Saryang, Baek Pyo, Ma Bonggi, and even my own death.
After all, nothing would change even if I fretted over it now.
For now, I would focus on nurturing the Byeok Clan Sword School.
That was my conclusion. But I also realized I needed to cultivate it more aggressively.
The situation in the Martial Arts World was ominous. Someone who shouldn't have become the Alliance Leader had seized the position. Side effects were inevitable. When those consequences reached our clan, we needed the strength to defend ourselves.
I planned to build a breakwater before the storm arrived.
The storm was coming, without a doubt.
I intensified my cultivation efforts.
My martial prowess was paramount.
Though I would conceal it as much as possible, I needed the power to sweep away any opposition when necessary.
What I needed most was internal energy. Obtaining an Elixir would be ideal, but that required both wealth and luck.
For now, I focused on what I could control. I reduced my sleep time and devoted the extra hours to Cultivation Practice.
Simultaneously, I pushed my physical conditioning to its limits.
This was in preparation for battles where I would conserve internal energy. When executing Forms with minimal internal energy, physical stamina would be the decisive factor.
And now, another necessity had become clear.
Gal Saryang's words echoed in my mind:
You can't accomplish anything alone.
Yes, he was right.
Unless I could use the Clone Technique to divide my body into hundreds of copies...
I needed my own organization—an elite force that would execute my commands instantly.
But I knew better than anyone that such an organization couldn't be built overnight. It would take years of investment and cultivation.
In the end, my resolve led to a bombshell declaration:
"I want my own Sword Guard."
My father and mother's mouths dropped open simultaneously. This must have been the biggest bombshell I'd ever dropped.
"Do you even understand what a Sword Guard represents?"
"Of course I do."
"And do you understand what it means to lead a Sword Guard?"
"Yes, I do."
My mother asked, a hint of concern in her voice, "Don't we already have a Sword Guard?"
"Yes, we have an excellent Sword Guard. Think of this as a separate unit, a Reserve Sword Guard."
Adopting this approach would prevent any conflict with the existing Sword Guard.
"To show respect for the original Sword Guard, I'll name this unit the Minor Sword Guard."
When I revealed how far I'd thought this through, my father accepted my plan.
"If that's your intention, then so be it. However, I'll only provide them with lodging and meals. No other support will be given."
"That's more than enough."
"How many members are you planning to recruit?"
"I'll start with about twenty members initially and gradually increase the number."
My mother smiled—the kind of smile that always supported her son and made me want to repay her kindness.
"You can do this, son?"
I grinned brightly and replied, "Yes, Mother."
Before recruiting Sword Guard members, I first met with Seo Jung to hear his insights.
While my experience and skill in managing organizations might surpass his, I couldn't afford to dismiss Seo Jung's expertise in running the Sword Guard.
I brought Gwangdu along to listen as well.
We discussed training methods, how to structure the system, who to appoint as team leader, and what aspects of honor and pride the Sword Guard members valued most.
Seo Jung's final words were:
"Ultimately, the most important thing in the Sword Guard is its people."
It was the same thing I had told Gwangdu when teaching him martial arts:
"Ultimately, the most important thing in martial arts is its people."
After parting ways with Seo Jung and being left alone with Gwangdu, he asked me:
"What did Captain Seo mean by his last statement?"
"Why didn't you ask him yourself?"
"Well... Captain Seo is kind of intimidating, isn't he?"
"And I'm easy to deal with?"
"I'd say approachable."
How could anyone hate a guy who smiles so warmly?
"In the Martial World, skill is paramount. No one can deny that. But what if someone's skill is exceptional, yet their character is trash? What if the Sword Guard members were all like Yang Gikang?"
"I don't even want to imagine it."
"That's probably what Captain Seo meant. The Sword Guard is ultimately a group of people. So, what they think and how they feel is more important than anything else."
"Everyone would pledge their loyalty to you, Young Master."
"We shouldn't expect loyalty from the start. Loyalty is something that develops over time, through shared experiences. At first, fostering a sense of belonging is the most crucial thing."
"How are you so smart?"
"Jealous? You could be too, if you..."
It's something you learn with age. You'll probably develop deeper and more insightful thinking than someone like me, who's been confined to the Alliance my whole life.
"But can I join the Sword Guard?"
"No."
"Why not? Let me join!"
"You're not ready yet."
Because I have far more important plans for you.
"When I'm good enough, you have to let me join."
"We'll see then."
"Young Master, why are you forming the Sword Guard?" Gwangdu asked, his expression curious.
"To make money, you need an organization."
The greater your power, the more money you can earn. Power is money, and money is power.
"Why do you need money?"
"To expand the organization."
"And what about after we've grown it?"
"I intend to make the Byeok Clan Sword School the foremost sect of the Central Plains."
Gwangdu was startled by the phrase "Foremost Sect of the Central Plains."
This was my resolve. Though I spoke to Gwangdu, my words were meant for the entire Central Plains.
"The Byeok Clan Sword School will become the strongest clan in the Central Plains. I will cultivate it into a force so formidable that no one will dare challenge us."
"You're serious, aren't you?" Gwangdu's voice trembled.
"Yes, I am serious. The Sword Guard is the first step toward realizing that dream."
Passion surged across Gwangdu's face.
"You will definitely achieve it. I will dedicate all my efforts to helping you."
Though our journey began with a small Sword Guard of twenty members, I vowed to forge them into a force that would dominate the Central Plains, commanding respect and authority.
Under the warm spring sunlight, my first declaration of ambition was made.