An Eye for an Eye (3)
Five days later, on a wide-open plain near Wuhwan.
Baek So-cheon stood alone where the view stretched endlessly in all directions.
The wind blew, but it lacked the old winter bite. The furious season was finally giving way to spring.
Baek So-cheon gazed up at the sky.
What would happen this time next year? Would he be facing off against Yeom Hwa-sin? Or would he fail to stop it, and war would erupt anyway?
Would he even be alive? And if he survived... in what season could he finally leave the Alliance?
Lost in such thoughts, he spotted a man approaching from the distant horizon.
It was Jeok Pa-rap. Despite heading into enemy territory with no idea what awaited, the man came alone. It was a choice only possible with absolute confidence in his own martial prowess.
He stopped about a dozen paces from Baek So-cheon.
A distance where either of them could tear the other apart in a single exchange.
This was their first face-to-face meeting.
The Blood Cult hadn't joined the last war. Of course, they'd schemed to unleash the Cheonoe Won-go on both the Murim Alliance and Black Heaven Alliance right at the end.
Baek So-cheon hadn't expected Jeok Pa-rap to look so young.
"I get called baby-faced often enough, but seeing you makes me feel like I don't even qualify."
"Want me to teach you the secret to staying this young?"
His voice gave him away—an old man's raspy, phlegm-rattled tone.
"I'll pass."
"Why?"
"You think defying nature's order comes naturally?"
Jeok Pa-rap's eyes sharpened, but Baek So-cheon issued a warning first.
"While we're on the topic, let me say this upfront: don't even think about trying Soul Subjugation Art on me. I've come prepared so it won't work. Ignore this warning, and you'll never see your daughter again."
Jeok Pa-rap let out a cold laugh.
"You've come well-prepared, I see."
From the moment he'd laid eyes on Baek So-cheon, Jeok Pa-rap had known he was warded against it.
It was a skill Baek So-cheon had learned from Na-sa-rin last time—the ability to detect if someone was under Soul Subjugation Art or knew how to use it. Naturally, Jeok Pa-rap could sense it too.
"I've heard a lot about you."
"What kind?"
"The good version: more orthodox than any righteous sect martial artist, but with a personality that defies the mold."
"The bad?"
"Means you're hot-tempered, doesn't it? Don't worry. I can't stand the ones who pretend to be saints."
From Jeok Pa-rap emanated a demonic energy dwarfing Pa-jeong's—vast and overwhelming. If unleashed as his ultimate poison sect technique, it would be a nightmare incarnate.
"How's Ji-ryun?"
"She's doing well. Stronger than I expected."
Baek So-cheon had visited her daily, checking on her in person.
She was still the most valuable hostage. Fortunately, she was holding up. Tougher than he'd anticipated, with a fierce will to live.
She understood her situation perfectly. At least she knew they had no reason to kill her.
"Let Ji-ryun go. She's the Blood Cult's precious daughter."
"No."
Jeok Pa-rap's face darkened.
"Do you want to die?"
The blatant threat was perfunctory. Jeok Pa-rap knew full well Baek So-cheon wouldn't buckle to something so crude. It was just a probe.
And sure enough, Baek So-cheon didn't flinch.
"The moment you kill me, your daughter dies too. Empty threats won't work, so save your breath."
"If you won't release her, marry her and keep her."
"Not interested."
"Then what do you want?"
This time, Baek So-cheon countered with his own threat.
"Using wicked sorcery against the Murim Alliance Lord is a capital crime."
Jeok Pa-rap's lip curled in clear mockery. Baek So-cheon pressed.
"What? You think I won't?"
"You think you can kill an innocent girl?"
"You're wrong on both counts. She's guilty, and she's no girl."
"Ji-ryun didn't know."
"You just used your clueless daughter?"
"Watch your tongue!"
"Fine, let's say as you claim. Even then, she's committed a grave crime worthy of years in the prison tower. She brought someone who targeted the Alliance Lord's life."
"So you'll handle it by your rigid Murim Alliance laws?"
"Yes."
"If you do, we'll have no choice but to aid Black Heaven Alliance in your destruction."
"Aren't you already allied with them?"
"Misunderstanding. We were forced into the alliance. This was just for survival—not to harm you."
Jeok Pa-rap revealed nothing of their true intentions.
"Fine. I'll take your word. But I can't release her for free."
"Name your terms."
"Yeom Hwa-sin promised no war for a year. You know that?"
"I do."
"If war breaks out in that time, I'll kill your daughter first."
"What?"
"Listen closely—this is no jest. If you or Black Heaven start a war within the year, she dies by my hand."
"Even if we keep our promise, how do we stop Black Heaven? You know Yeom Hwa-sin best."
"Simple: declare you'll aid us if he moves. Even he can't fight us both at once. He'll know she's our hostage and understand your position. Release her after the year."
"How do we trust your word?"
"You have no choice."
But Jeok Pa-rap did have a choice.
In the next instant, he unleashed Soul Subjugation Art on Baek So-cheon—far stronger than Pa-jeong's attempt.
"Will you keep your promise?"
"Yes."
"Who told you we planned to use Eight Directions Ghost Blood Array?"
"The Black Heaven Lord."
Satisfied with the two key answers, he withdrew the art. It happened in a blink; Baek So-cheon seemed oblivious even to its use.
But sweat poured down Jeok Pa-rap's back. Breaching Baek So-cheon's wards had drained his inner energy immensely.
Still, he'd learned something crucial.
'Yeom Hwa-sin really did tip him off! That bastard!'
Masking his boiling rage, Jeok Pa-rap asked calmly.
"Will you treat Ji-ryun well?"
"Don't worry. Better than in your cult."
"Good. We have a deal: no provocations from us for a year, and if Black Heaven starts war, we'll declare for you."
"Agreed."
"Then I'll trust you and go."
As Jeok Pa-rap turned and walked away, a smile tugged at Baek So-cheon's lips.
He'd asked Na-sa-rin to ward him against Soul Subjugation Art.
But not with the anti-sorcery she'd mentioned before—that might not block Jeok Pa-rap's power.
Instead, he'd requested something else: a layered spell. When Jeok Pa-rap tried it, Baek So-cheon would claim the Black Heaven Lord had informed him.
Jeok Pa-rap's immense pride in his arts meant he'd never suspect tampering.
An eye for an eye; Soul Subjugation Art for Soul Subjugation Art.
That was Baek So-cheon's stratagem against him.
Now that Jeok Pa-rap believed Black Heaven had sabotaged them, a rift would form between the allies.
And Baek So-cheon got what he wanted most: a year.
Back in the Alliance Lord's chamber, Baek So-cheon gave his final report.
Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon rejoiced at the satisfactory outcome.
"Don't worry about holding her hostage. See it as punishment for her crimes."
"Very well."
Her claim of ignorance was an implausible excuse anyway.
With threats from both Black Heaven and Blood Cult resolved, Ak So-gun brought up a postponed matter.
"It's time you took over Bi-gak."
The timing was perfect. He'd defeated Black Heaven's heir in front of everyone. His qualifications went beyond pretext—his displayed prowess alone made him worthy of lordship.
"On Byeok-hwa wants it too."
She'd been eager to step down, due to her relationship with Ak So-gun.
"I'm sorry to burden you, but you're the only one fit."
After a brief hesitation, Baek So-cheon accepted readily.
"I'll do it."
Managing Bi-gak, the Alliance's top elite unit, was too vital to refuse any longer.
He'd think positive. Martial growth didn't require secluded training. He hoped Bi-gak would spur his own progress.
"Hahaha, good decision. What about Hyun-cheon-dae?"
"Keep them under Bi-gak but operate as an independent strike force."
"Approved."
Hyun-cheon-dae's skills matched or exceeded Bi-gak's warriors—no one would object to special treatment.
"I'll manage Bi-gak while focusing on my training."
"Do so, Lord Baek."
How long since he'd heard that title?
"Sorry to heap this on you."
"No, it's an honor."
Ak So-gun turned to Je-gal Hyeon.
"Give us the room?"
"Yes, Lord."
Once Je-gal Hyeon left, only the two remained.
At last, Ak So-gun voiced the feelings he'd bottled up.
"I've only shown you incompetence. Forgive me."
"Don't say that."
"Truthfully... after Cheonoe Won-go vanished, I've often sunk into an inexplicable helplessness. When it controlled me, hatred for you dominated. But once gone, it felt like a void carved out—like a hollow corner in my heart."
"Ah!"
"Separate from the joy of reclaiming you."
Baek So-cheon understood that sense of loss. Not natural emotion, but artificial manipulation's aftermath.
A side effect of destroying Cheonoe Won-go.
An absolute supreme like Ak So-gun should overcome it easily?
Baek So-cheon knew better.
He'd reached the world's pinnacle too, yet agonized over whether Ak So-gun had truly abandoned him.
The stronger the person, the deeper, darker, emptier the abyss within. Yeom Hwa-sin's baffling actions, his own urge to leave...
So Baek So-cheon could say it:
A street vendor before the Murim Alliance might have a firmer heart than the supreme master. Protecting family could outweigh safeguarding the Alliance. High martial skill didn't elevate the soul.
Baek So-cheon took Ak So-gun's hand.
"Lord, you're doing better than anyone. You've fought wars, defeated Cheonoe Won-go, faced Black Heaven and Blood Cult. No one could do more. Never call yourself incompetent again."
Not empty flattery.
He was certain he couldn't manage half as well.
Imagine decades as Lord or Grand Strategist: endless decisions daily, tangled relations, monotonous routine aging you. Meanwhile, youths like him rise amid cheers.
Yet Ak So-gun offered genuine warmth instead of envy—something harder with age.
Finally, Baek So-cheon said what he'd long wanted to.
"I want to age like you someday."
He felt Ak So-gun's grip tighten.