The Supremes' Pastime (3)
In truth, the angriest person in this place right now was Jong Mu-jin.
Yeom Hwa-sin was enjoying the situation, and Baek So-cheon stood a step removed as a mere observer.
But Jong Mu-jin, tasked with escorting the Black Heaven Alliance Lord, couldn't afford such luxury.
Moreover, these fools had even pressed a sword to his throat. Though he had volunteered as the coachman, he was originally a man of strong pride. Had Yeom Hwa-sin not been at his side, this spot would already be a sea of blood.
Sa Du-yang, who had bowed his head under that subtle killing intent, slightly lifted his gaze to look at Yeom Hwa-sin.
……!
Yes, now he remembered. The Black Heaven Alliance Lord was a massive, muscle-bound giant.
Sa Du-yang realized his life hung by a thread.
In this dire moment, Jo Tong urged Sa Du-yang once more.
"What the hell are you doing? You know these guys? Still, you gotta separate business from personal."
Sa Du-yang could endure no longer. He lunged at Jo Tong and slapped him mercilessly across the face.
Slap!
Jo Tong's head snapped to the side as he tumbled to the ground. He sprang up, yelling.
"You crazy bastard?"
"Shut your mouth! Before I kill you!"
Jo Tong fell silent under Sa Du-yang's killing intent. Only then did he grasp how grave the situation was.
Sa Du-yang prostrated himself before Yeom Hwa-sin, bowing his head low.
"I've committed a mortal sin. Forgive me just this once."
His subordinates followed suit, dropping to the ground in unison. Having pieced together the turn of events, they barely dared to breathe.
Only Jo Tong stood there, dazed, rubbing his slapped cheek.
Yeom Hwa-sin clicked his tongue and said to Baek So-cheon,
"This soup's gone cold."
They were acquaintances of Jong Mu-jin, and unorthodox warriors to boot. Had righteous faction martial artists been waiting, not a soul here would have survived.
Baek So-cheon said to Yeom Hwa-sin,
"My stomach's killing me. Let's go grab some haejang. No more toying with lives."
"Can't just leave without settling things. I kept my promise inside the tavern, didn't I?"
He had flawlessly honored his vow not to fight inside the tavern. Thus, this matter outside was off-limits for interference.
Yeom Hwa-sin said to Sa Du-yang,
"Sa Du-yang, was it?"
"Yes, Alliance Lord."
"Deal with that fool yourself. Make it clean—no loose ends."
"Understood, Alliance Lord."
Sa Du-yang shot to his feet and strode toward Jo Tong.
"Hey? What the—? Why are you—? You bastard! Get away!"
Shiiik.
Sa Du-yang swung his sword without hesitation.
Splurt.
Jo Tong's head hit the ground. The life of a man who had wreaked havoc relying on his father ended just like that—and to the last, he died without knowing why.
Had he known, he might have boasted in hell, "M-Me? I poured booze on the Black Heaven Alliance Lord's head...!"
Yeom Hwa-sin grinned at Baek So-cheon.
"You wanted to spare that one, didn't you?"
"No. Well done. He'd only harm others his whole life."
"Oh? As expected. You're not that rigid. Alright, one more question. Don't the parents who raised a scum like that bear responsibility too?"
He was hinting at wiping out Jo Tong's family as well.
Baek So-cheon wondered if this rage perhaps stemmed from Yeom Hwa-sin's own resentment toward his father.
The moment he agreed, that household would be massacred.
"The grief of losing a child—that's punishment enough. Let's end it here."
"Punishment? I doubt it. Parents who raise trash like that are obvious, aren't they? Might have other rotten kids too."
"Suddenly playing the hero? These guys, that lot—they're all your kind anyway. Want to wipe 'em out? Go ahead and kill 'em all. No reason for me to stop unorthodox folk from thinning their own ranks."
"Human hearts are fickle indeed. If you'd stopped me, I'd have found a way to do it. But you pushing my back like this? Suddenly lost the urge."
Baek So-cheon knew he had intended to stop at this point anyway. He seemed emotional, but was coldly rational. Leaving Sa Du-yang's group alive proved it—he didn't slaughter his own lightly.
But he didn't show he'd noticed. No need to provoke and risk a bloodbath. Unorthodox or not, starting the day drunk on blood wasn't his desire.
"Let's go get that haejang."
"Fine. Let's head out."
The two climbed into the carriage.
Without Baek So-cheon, Jong Mu-jin would have handled everything per Yeom Hwa-sin's will—resulting in total annihilation.
Jong Mu-jin commanded Sa Du-yang,
"Clean up the corpse. Don't touch his family."
"As you command."
"And you—expect a visit from me later. I'll send word."
"Yes. I'll await you."
Sa Du-yang bowed, crestfallen. Knowing Jong Mu-jin's nature, he'd pay dearly for this blunder.
'Damn it.'
He wouldn't die, judging by the mood—but he'd likely lose an arm.
The carriage slowly departed.
"Where to?"
"Haejang, obviously."
"And after?"
"We're going to see the snow, aren't we? Head north."
Baek So-cheon could tell. It seemed like aimless wandering, but it wasn't vague travel. Yeom Hwa-sin had a clear plan and purpose.
The carriage gradually picked up speed.
"Ah, has it really been seven years since that man left?"
Tears welled in Cheon-geuk's eyes as she gazed out the window.
"Is he still alive? No, seven years without returning—he must be dead, right? Ah!"
She let out a pained sigh.
At that moment, Dong-seong's voice came from the air.
"Forgive me, but... it's seven days, not years."
Cheon-geuk sighed.
"Feels like seven years to me."
"He'll return safely."
"Yeah?"
Of course, Cheon-geuk trusted Baek So-cheon more than anyone. But trust was trust, and emotions were emotions.
"I shouldn't fall in love."
"Why say that?"
"Too worried to focus on anything else. I thought I wasn't the one-track-mind type—boring and no fun. Figured I was the pragmatic sort, attaching lightly and cutting loose anytime... Turns out I'm the one-track bore."
Since Baek So-cheon left with Yeom Hwa-sin, she couldn't get a grip on work. She'd told him people waste life on needless worries, yet here she was, drowning in them.
"I'm off to train. Don't look for me. I'll be back in seven years—to kick that mad old coot's ass properly!"
"……."
After she left, the four guardians conversed via transmission.
-The Lord is suffering so much.
-Indeed.
As they worried, the woman Seo-seong said something unexpected.
-Might not be worry over the Baek warrior.
-What do you mean?
-Could be jealousy, not worry.
-Nah, no way?
-Yeom Hwa-sin stole her first trip with the Baek warrior.
-……!
The carriage pressed on toward somewhere.
They rested at inns when mealtime came or the horses needed a break—always the finest chefs in the area.
"How do you even know these places?"
"Once you're Alliance Lord, a word and you'll know everything."
In other words, Jong Mu-jin handled the guiding.
"Can't let go of that authority, huh."
"Hahaha. Hard to abandon such perks."
He knew scenic spots too. Well, precisely, Jong Mu-jin from the coachman's seat did.
The view they overlooked now drew involuntary admiration.
"Whoa, never knew such a stunning vista was here. Passed by countless times."
"Same scenery looks different depending on your mindset."
"Guess my heart's finally at ease. This place is perfect."
He wanted to bring Cheon-geuk here someday.
"Good to hear."
Of course, they didn't just eat and sightsee.
While riding, they delved deep into martial arts discussions.
Recalling past battles too.
"Remember that? When you charged in spraying sword qi?"
"You blocked with twin palms, didn't you?"
"Yeah. What if I'd dodged low and countered instead?"
"Low? How?"
"Stop the carriage."
Yeom Hwa-sin dismounted and assumed a stance right there on the road, heedless of passersby. Immersed solely in their world.
"Like this."
"Then I'd have twisted here and struck your head."
"Dodge like this?"
"Ah, clever move."
Baek So-cheon pondered deeply. Yeom Hwa-sin did too, then switched to Baek So-cheon's perspective.
"No, you're right. Dodging that way, then you counter like this—I've got no block."
"Didn't think that far."
"No. In real combat, my body would've moved naturally."
And more. Beyond their old fight, they shared broad martial insights: minimizing movements against foes, operating protective qi with minimal inner power. No secrets held back—they delved into profound depths, sharing knowledge openly.
'Can I even share this with him? Might it help him?'
Baek So-cheon dismissed such thoughts from the start.
Their duel was like battling on a vast sea—damming a stream with pebbles would just make one look foolish and wet one's ankles.
Through these exchanges, he realized Yeom Hwa-sin's level surpassed his imaginings.
Yeom Hwa-sin was equally astonished by Baek So-cheon's realm.
"You've reached such heights?"
He was genuinely pleased—validation of his choice.
"Gained insights refining my body after losing inner power."
"I see."
"So watch yourself. Once I recover my inner power... you might die by my hand."
"Hahaha. Forgot? You regain it only after I advance a step."
Baek So-cheon sensed it. Yeom Hwa-sin saw the next realm as martial arts' pinnacle. Reach it, and none could defeat him—that was his confidence.
"What's after the Diamond Indestructible Body?"
"Never told a soul but you. Simply put, I've reached a stage where none can kill me. The next... ."
Stunning words flowed from Yeom Hwa-sin.
"Is one where, if I will it, I can unfailingly kill anyone."
"……!"
The key was unfailingly.
Baek So-cheon knew he truly believed it. And that it might be true.
"How's that? Afraid?"
Baek So-cheon met his gaze and shared words he'd told no one.
"What I've feared isn't my death, but what follows. Murim Alliance falls, subordinates sacrificed, can the righteous sects endure...? But lately, my thinking's changed. I'll just live for my own worries."
Baek So-cheon walked to the carriage first.
"So no fear. It's after I'm gone anyway... What do I care?"
He boarded.
Yeom Hwa-sin, standing afar, muttered as he followed.
"......Who knows."
A quiet mumble, like to himself—Baek So-cheon missed it. Even if heard, its meaning would elude him.