The Reason for the Journey (1)
Yeom Hwa-sin's presence was truly overwhelming.
When he grinned at him, it felt like the entire world existed solely for him.
Even Jeok Pa-rap, who was over a hundred years old, didn't have that kind of aura. Of course, that didn't mean Yeom Hwa-sin was stronger. Yeom Hwa-sin could lose to Jeok Pa-rap in a fight. Presence and strength were entirely different realms.
"Where've you been?"
"Just out for some fresh air."
"You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"
A sharp gaze pierced toward Baek So-cheon.
"Why do you think that?"
"You feel different. Every time I see you, the feeling changes."
With eyes that seemed to know everything, Baek So-cheon responded calmly.
"You've got a good eye. I've been changing lately."
"How so?"
"I don't really want to say, but knowing your personality, you'd dig it out anyway, so I'll tell you. To be honest, I want to live a different life these days."
Perhaps caught off guard by the unexpected answer, Yeom Hwa-sin showed curiosity.
"A different life? What kind?"
"Simply put, a life without you or the Alliance Lord. One where I'm not tangled up with anyone, just living for myself."
An inscrutable smile spread across Yeom Hwa-sin's lips.
"How could you live that kind of life without dying?"
"If you just let me go, it might be possible."
"That'd be a problem."
"Why? You could just close your eyes to it once. Think, 'Baek So-cheon must be living well somewhere,' and that's that."
"It'd be boring without you."
Baek So-cheon wore an incredulous expression. The fact that it might be sincere made it even more absurd.
"Why'd you come here?"
"You know better than anyone. You used me properly this time."
"You and your lot seemed too chummy, so I tried to drive a wedge. Did my scheming work?"
"Perfectly. The Blood Cult bastards have always been narrow-minded."
"Sorry about that."
"Between you and me, that's nothing."
"You're not here to punish me. So why come?"
"I'm bored. Time's the one thing I have plenty of. I might die of boredom in the next year."
Baek So-cheon knew that wasn't true. He'd always treated him playfully, but whenever he appeared, there was a purpose. This time would be no different. What could it be?
"Got any liquor?"
"Wait here."
Baek So-cheon brought liquor and simple snacks.
The two sat side by side by the window, drinking.
"Liquor really depends on who you drink it with. This tastes great."
"Feels that way. It's been ages since I've had liquor this bitter."
"Hahaha. Life's supposed to be bitter, after all."
Baek So-cheon emptied his cup again.
As Yeom Hwa-sin refilled it, he asked,
"Should we team up and hit the Blood Cult first?"
"No."
"Why?"
"The you I know would never wipe out the Blood Cult first."
Yeom Hwa-sin chuckled.
"Right. No matter how annoying or hated they are, I can't get rid of them. You lot are always the top priority."
Yeom Hwa-sin was a villain who deserved death, but he became a good man only when dealing with Baek So-cheon.
That was why Baek So-cheon always stayed vigilant, steeling his heart. He's a beast who even kills his own children. Don't fall for that kindness.
"Life's no fun without you. Or rather, without the strong you from before—there's no tension. Do you know why I promised to keep the peace for a year?"
"Why?"
"I figure taking over the Murim now or in a year makes no difference."
Baek So-cheon thought he might genuinely believe that.
Cups emptied and refilled. After several rounds, Yeom Hwa-sin suddenly asked,
"Ever thought of becoming my successor?"
If Baek So-cheon said yes, he'd probably make him one. Even if it meant killing him later if unnecessary—he wasn't the type to brush it off as a joke.
"How could I be your successor without inner power? In that den of vicious people."
"Want me to restore your inner power?"
Baek So-cheon flinched for a moment. It sounded like there was a way.
"No!"
He answered firmly.
"Shouldn't you hear the details before refusing?"
"No."
"Hey, inner power. The one thing you lack. I'm offering to give it back."
"Don't make me laugh."
"You don't trust me?"
"Of course not. If you don't want to die, you wouldn't restore my power. And the you I know has no desire to die."
"You know me well. But you're wrong about one thing."
"What's that?"
"Even if you regain your inner power, you can't kill me."
It came from confidence in his martial arts. And it was true. At his former level, he couldn't handle the current Yeom Hwa-sin.
"How would you restore my inner power?"
"Leave that to me. What do you say? Want it back?"
"How exactly?"
"You got the will?"
"I need to hear how first."
"You'll have to risk your life."
"Odds?"
"For you? About thirty percent."
For you. Even with that special condition, thirty percent meant it was nearly impossible.
Is he finally trying to kill me?
It might be.
"What I want back isn't inner power—it's a quiet life. Without you, I'd have left the Murim Alliance already."
"Why keep trying to run away?"
"Reality's too much."
"What exactly?"
"Saving the Murim in the last war was pure luck. I used up all my luck and skill then. Fighting you again is too exhausting."
"Then run off to a place no one can find."
"…"
"That half-baked loyalty and sense of responsibility? It's just chains made by people who want to use you."
Baek So-cheon emptied his cup again. As he went to pour, the bottle was empty.
"Liquor's gone. Time to go."
"Where to?"
"Travel."
He'd surprised Baek So-cheon in many ways before, but this shattered the record.
"Did you just say travel?"
"That's right."
"Like a trip to hell or something?"
"Hahaha."
"Where the hell are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there."
"Do I get a say?"
"Of course not. After messing up relations between the Blood Cult and your alliance, you gonna refuse this simple request?"
It wasn't simple, but he had no excuse regarding the Blood Cult.
"When do we leave?"
"You mean right now?"
"No, in about an hour."
"Damn it!"
"I'll wait at the end of the western highway. Wrap things up within the hour. Pack some clothes since we don't know how long it'll take."
"You're so damn arbitrary."
He laughed as he walked out.
"That's why you aim to be number one. So you can live arbitrarily."
Cheon-geuk stood in the backyard of Daroo Tea House.
Dong-seong asked from midair to the silently standing woman.
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
"You look exhausted."
"Yeah. Feels like I'd collapse if poked."
"Go inside and rest."
"Can't sleep."
"That's because you're too tired."
"Not that. My martial arts might break through to the next level again. I'm too excited to sleep."
"Pardon?"
Not just Dong-seong mid-conversation, but the other three guardians were startled.
"He said so. I could surpass it once more."
"Ah!"
"Meeting him was the greatest stroke of luck in my life. Sorry, you four were supposed to be it, but you got bumped down."
"We're fine. It's only natural."
"Thanks for understanding. I need to think for a bit."
"Yes."
She stood quietly, lost in thought. She recalled the fourteen days of spars with Baek So-cheon. Day one, day two, day three... Astonishingly, they came back vividly. Impossible normally. Perhaps her mind was hypersensitive.
Baek So-cheon's words resurfaced.
—In the Murim Seol-yeol-log, I'm first, you're second. How's that?
She'd taken it as a joke then.
Should I really try it?
Training with Baek So-cheon had ignited her passion for martial arts proper.
Then Baek So-cheon entered the backyard where she stood. Seeing him back so soon after parting startled her.
"You? Why're you here again?"
"Got something to say."
Baek So-cheon told her about Yeom Hwa-sin's visit.
"What? You're going on a trip with Yeom Hwa-sin?"
Cheon-geuk was shocked.
"Yeah. Figured I should tell you."
Truthfully, only her. He wouldn't tell the Alliance Lord or Je-gal Hyeon, nor Beon Saeng or Im Choong—they'd just worry. He'd only left word at Bi-gak that he'd be away briefly.
"You're going with him but not me?"
"That's how it turned out."
"Why the hell would he want to travel with you?"
Baek So-cheon shook his head, clueless.
"That guy's...!"
"A lunatic. The strongest lunatic in the world."
"Don't go."
"Can't."
"Why?"
"With his personality, coming here in person means he's already decided. To refuse, I'd have to fight him."
"Fight him. With me."
Baek So-cheon gave a faint smile. The implication in his expression made her ask quickly.
"Why?"
"If we fought together, you'd die in his first move."
To her shock, Baek So-cheon said,
"That's how I'd fight."
Even if it meant taking a hit, he'd eliminate Cheon-geuk first. Focusing on another while leaving the King of Assassins alive would be opening hell's gates himself.
"It's not just about you. I'm not confident yet either."
The fight with him had to be postponed. He was still growing. Time was still on his side.
"This isn't just a simple trip, is it?"
"Probably not."
"No other way to dodge it?"
Baek So-cheon didn't answer, just hugged her tight.
"I'll be back."
Held in his arms, she asked,
"You planning to come back alive? Lie and say yes if not."
"I am."
"For real?"
"Definitely."
Of course, there was no plan. She knew that too.
The silver lining: He could perfectly execute the sixth form of the Cheon-su Yeo-rae A-su-ra Shin-geom. Maybe now he could face him?
"Study the Asura well and wait. So come back for sure."
"Yeah."
"If you die, I'll never forgive you."
"Don't worry. I won't."
After kissing her lips, Baek So-cheon left Daroo Tea House.
Cheon-geuk watched him go with worried eyes.
The rain had finally stopped.
Baek So-cheon arrived where Yeom Hwa-sin waited.
His usual carriage was there, and he was playing baduk with his subordinate who drove it, by the roadside.
"You play baduk too?"
"Is there anything I can't do? You?"
"Just know the basics."
"Learn it. No better way to know your opponent. I'll teach you next time."
"Sure."
Yeom Hwa-sin, losing interest, set down his stone and stood.
"Moving house? What's with all that luggage?"
Baek So-cheon carried a large leather satchel.
"My travel bag. Always take it when heading out."
"See! You were looking forward to our trip."
"Spare me the nonsense."
"Hahaha."
"You're toying with my life like this, but I want to keep it."
"Don't want to die?"
"Right."
"What's the point without inner power?"
"Martial arts aren't everything in life."
"For a martial artist, they are."
Then I guess I don't want to be one anymore.
But he didn't say it.
They boarded the carriage and departed immediately.
"Tell me the destination."
"The fun of travel is not knowing."
"Fine. Let's go."
Baek So-cheon looked out the window.
He hadn't told Cheon-geuk his hunch.
That Yeom Hwa-sin might have come to kill him.
The carriage carrying the two sped past familiar scenery, heading toward an unknown destination.