Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Translator: Penny
Chapter 71
When the First Snow Falls Again (3)
Jin and Su, the spies I had sent, returned after completing their mission.
"All the children from Jo Byeok's brothel have been safely returned to their hometowns. The elderly who were there have been imprisoned in the dungeon. Not only them, but all those who had previously exploited them have been arrested. They've all received sentences of several decades, ensuring they'll never leave alive. Moreover, since the dungeon houses notorious criminals, surviving there will be no easy task."
The outcome was satisfactory. Fortunately, the Martial Arts Alliance's discipline remained intact, just as I had predicted.
However, as time passed, the Alliance's various organizations would inevitably begin to decay. How could the lower ranks remain pure when the upper echelons were corrupt? Soon, virtuous individuals would start being replaced by Ma Bonggi's cronies.
"Chief Strategist Sama Cheon hasn't been involved in this incident. In fact, he's likely trying to erase any connection to Jo Byeok."
Just as I suspected.
"Can you secure any evidence linking Jo Byeok to Sama Cheon?"
"It will take some time, but I believe it's possible."
I had handled many matters for Sama Cheon in the past. There must be some remaining evidence somewhere—evidence they hadn't managed to erase—proving they were allies.
If we could secure that evidence, it would prove invaluable when we eventually confront Sama Cheon. Of course, we wouldn't use it immediately. This was evidence to be deployed at a decisive moment later on.
"Secure it carefully."
"Yes, sir."
"At the same time, keep a close watch on the Martial Arts Alliance's movements."
"Understood."
"You've both worked hard."
"It's nothing, sir."
He was pleased with how efficiently the two had handled their tasks. Above all, they were quick and accepted even the most difficult assignments without complaint.
It was still too early to draw definitive conclusions, but they had passed the initial test.
After meeting with Jin and Su, he sought out Gong Suchan, who was reviewing documents in his office.
"How is the Merchant Guild's business progressing?"
"Yes, it's proceeding smoothly. For an interim report..."
"No, that's not why I came. Please handle this matter entirely, Steward Gong."
"Understood. Then what brings you here?"
"Have you seen Martial Artist Gwang? He hasn't been around at all yesterday or today."
Since the two had been working closely together recently, Su had come to ask Gong Suchan about him.
"I haven't seen him," Gong Suchan replied, a slight hesitation in his voice.
"I see."
There was no point in pressing further. Su turned to leave, but Gong Suchan called out from behind.
"Young Master."
"Yes, what is it?"
Finally, Gong Suchan revealed the reason for his hesitation.
"If Martial Artist Gwang causes trouble, what will happen? Would it be a major incident?"
As Baek Pyo stepped out to open the tavern door, he noticed someone standing across the street. It was Gwangdu.
"I came for a drink," Gwangdu said.
"Are you alone?" Baek Pyo asked.
"Yes."
"Please come in."
Gwangdu entered. The tavern had just opened, and things were still in disarray.
"Let me help you tidy up," Gwangdu offered.
Baek Pyo quickly stopped him. "I'd feel uncomfortable if you did that. Please just sit and wait a moment."
"Alright, I understand."
Gwangdu settled into the same seat he had shared with Byeok Ridan during his previous visit.
Baek Pyo swiftly began tidying up the tavern. His skilled hands moved with practiced efficiency, and the place was soon in order.
Gwangdu watched quietly. As someone who prided himself on his work ethic, he recognized that Baek Pyo's work ethic was exceptional.
"Shall I serve you the same wine you had last time?"
"Yes, please. And the same side dishes too. They were exceptionally delicious."
Baek Pyo brought the wine.
"Thank you for enjoying it so much."
"Our Young Master has spoken of you several times, Innkeeper."
"About me? What did he say?"
"That he'd met a truly remarkable person."
"Ha ha, I'm grateful for his kind words."
"What do you think of our Young Master, Innkeeper?"
"Young Master Byeok? He's undoubtedly a far better person than I am."
Gwangdu quickly chimed in, "Exactly! He's a truly good person."
"Yes."
When Gwangdu first arrived, he had intended to speak directly and bluntly.
But upon seeing Baek Pyo in person, he found himself unable to utter a word.
Gwangdu's inner fear stemmed largely from learning that his opponent was the former Corps Head of the Alliance Guard Corps, who had once protected the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. An inexplicable sense of intimidation washed over him. Until then, Baek Pyo had seemed like a genuinely kind innkeeper.
Gwangdu recalled the potential consequences of speaking up.
What if Baek Pyo flew into a rage and demanded:
"What do you take me for?! Who authorized you to secretly help me from behind?"
And then beat him senseless? No, that would be the best-case scenario.
"Are you enemies targeting me? I'll have to eliminate you and leave this place."
What if he tried to kill him? Even with his mastery of the South Sea Seven Forms, how could he possibly defeat the former Head of the Alliance Guard Corps?
Gwangdu downed another shot of liquor.
As the saying goes, "There's no such thing as a thief with a bad impression." You can never judge a person's true nature by their appearance alone. Who knew what terrors might lurk behind that innocent-looking face?
No, someone who was once the Head of the Alliance Guard Corps wouldn't do something like that. Just tell him already. What if it's something like this?
After leaving the Alliance, I was waiting to find a new Liege Lord. Thank you so much for telling me.
Just blurt it out? Should I just say it?
Gwangdu clutched his head in frustration.
Just then, a voice came from right in front of him.
"Is something troubling you?"
Startled, Gwangdu looked up to see Baek Pyo standing there with a dish.
"I apologize if I startled you."
"Ah, no, it's nothing. I was just lost in thought for a moment."
Baek Pyo smiled and placed the dish down in front of him.
As he turned to leave, Gwangdu called out, "If you have time, could you listen to something I need to say?"
"Of course."
Baek Pyo sat in the seat across from Gwangdu. His solitary visit and troubled expression made Gwangdu suspect he had come to say something important.
Gwangdu offered him a drink.
"Have a cup."
"I don't usually drink while working, but I'll have just one."
The two men drank in silence.
Gwangdu took a deep breath before speaking.
"What I want to tell you concerns our Young Master."
Having made up his mind, he intended to tell Baek Pyo everything.
"Has something happened to Young Master Byeok?" Baek Pyo asked anxiously.
"Yes, it has."
"What is it?"
"It's because of the Innkeeper."
"Because of me?" Baek Pyo exclaimed in shock.
Gwangdu then recounted the entire story he had heard from Byeok Ridan.
Gwangdu told Baek Pyo about Jo Byeok, Sama Cheon's subordinate, taking the Three Shadows to hold Baek Pyo's family hostage and threaten him. He also explained how Byeok Ridan had accidentally discovered this and eliminated them.
This was the core of Gwangdu's plan—to reveal that Byeok Ridan had secretly helped him.
Baek Pyo was stunned by this unexpected revelation. Yet, true to his former position as Head of the Alliance Guard Corps, he remained calm even after hearing the entire story.
"Why did he help me in secret?" Baek Pyo asked, already reverting to his former role as the Corps Head, not just an innkeeper.
"Our Young Master is simply that kind of person. He doesn't boast about his righteous deeds."
"Then why are you telling me about this now?"
"Because our Young Master cares deeply for you, Innkeeper."
Baek Pyo was startled again.
"You mean... he likes me?"
"Yes. He hopes you'll join forces with the Innkeeper. But he can't bring himself to express his feelings, so I'm speaking on his behalf. I know that revealing his secret help to the Innkeeper would greatly undermine our Young Master's good intentions. But he would never reveal it himself, so if I don't tell you, you'll never know. I'm telling you this so you'll hopefully side with our Young Master."
Gwangdu finished his impassioned speech and squeezed his eyes shut. His heart pounded like it would burst. He was terrified Baek Pyo would fly into a rage.
"If he finds out I told you this, I'll be beaten to death."
Just then, a voice called out from the entrance.
"So you do know."
Gwangdu startled and turned his head.
"Young Master!"
"I couldn't find you anywhere. So you were causing trouble here."
I strode into the inn. I didn't need to ask what Gwangdu had said; I already knew.
I addressed Baek Pyo.
"You don't need to pay any attention to what that man said. And I apologize for not telling you about Sama Cheon beforehand."
"How did you find out about this?"
I couldn't tell him I was Cheon Hajin and that I was protecting him for that reason.
"As I mentioned, I'm traveling the Martial Arts World to broaden my horizons. During my travels, I learned that young girls were being abducted. I followed the trail all the way here to Wuhan. And then..."
"I discovered that Jo Byeok was running a brothel using kidnapped children. During the process of eliminating him, I learned he was targeting the Innkeeper's family. Since Jo Byeok and his gang had already been dealt with, I didn't think it necessary to inform the Innkeeper."
Baek Pyo remained silent, his expression unreadable. The words hung in the air, neither entirely believable nor entirely dismissible. If this were a conspiracy, Gwangdu wouldn't have approached him so clumsily with such a tale.
"There's no need to take this too seriously. It's all over now."
"I'm deeply grateful for your kind words, but... I have no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the Martial Arts World. My apologies."
"There's no need to apologize. Don't worry about it at all."
Gwangdu lowered his head and asked weakly,
"Did I ruin everything?"
I smiled and replied, "No."
Gwangdu sighed. "If you say no, then it must be true."
He looked up at me, tears welling in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Young Master. But I... I believe you shouldn't hide your feelings from someone you care about. If you just let it pass, the Innkeeper would never know how you feel. I couldn't let that happen. At least the choice should be hers, not yours. I'm sorry, Young Master."
I stepped closer and patted Gwangdu on the shoulder.
"I understand. Your feelings."
Gwangdu's impulsive act actually brought me a sense of relief.
He must have sensed I would never have spoken up. There's a certain intuition only those close to someone can feel.
Yes, he saw right through me. I probably would have just left. More than anything, I wanted Baek Pyo to be happy.
Suddenly, Gwangdu exclaimed in surprise, "Huh?"
Baek Pyo and I followed his gaze to the window.
Snowflakes had begun to fall outside.
Forgetting the tense atmosphere from moments ago, Gwangdu said excitedly, "It's snowing!"
It was the first snow of the winter.
"They say if you witness the first snowfall, you'll have good luck that year."
Baek Pyo, who had been listening to me, was startled. Those were the very words he had spoken to me on the day I died.
"Let's go, Gwangdu."
"Yes, sir."
Gwangdu rose from his seat.
I bowed respectfully to Baek Pyo and said, "This will likely be our last meeting. If fate allows, we'll meet again someday."
Baek Pyo still looked bewildered. He probably felt guilty about letting me leave so easily, but wasn't ready to commit to joining me.
My parting words were my final gift to him—a wish that he would see the first snow every year and always have good fortune.
Just as I turned to leave,
Buzz—
A vibration sound echoed from somewhere.
Baek Pyo, Gwangdu, and I were all startled.
The wooden sword hanging on the wall as decoration had begun to resonate.
Since I hadn't intentionally channeled any energy into the sword, I was actually the most surprised.
Uung—
The Asura Radiant King Sword was truly resonating.
In my previous life, despite wielding the Asura Radiant King Sword for so long, it had never resonated on its own even once.
Uuung—
The vibrations grew stronger. Finally, the wooden sword began to shake violently, as if molten lava were churning within it.
Bang!
The wooden casing surrounding the sword exploded.
The sword within revealed its majestic form.
As everyone watched in astonishment, the Asura Radiant King Sword, finally free from its suffocating shell, resonated with a deep, resonant hum.
Jing—
It was calling to me.