Reunion (2)
Baek So-cheon stepped into the inner courtyard.
The inner courtyard housing the Alliance Lord's residence felt different from the start—the air itself carried a distinct weight. Hidden mechanisms lurked in secrecy, and the White Dragon Unit warriors standing guard were all seasoned veterans.
Passing through the stringent security, Baek So-cheon entered the Alliance Lord's hall.
How long had it been since he'd last set foot here? In the old days, he'd come and gone several times a day.
Baek So-cheon had always carried himself with unwavering confidence and poise, but today he felt a rare tension.
The presences emanating from all directions were no joke. The secret bodyguard unit lay in ambush throughout the buildings.
These were warriors whose skills rivaled those of the Iron Sword Unit, enhanced by masterful bodyguard techniques and stealth arts. They were the ones who would gladly lay down their lives to protect the Alliance Lord.
Instead of leading him to Yunryong Hall where the Lord handled official duties, the escorting warrior took him to the grand banquet hall used for receptions.
A long table groaned under an opulent spread of delicacies and fine liquors prepared by the hall's head steward. On a stage at one side, musicians played their instruments.
Caught off guard by the unexpected atmosphere, Baek So-cheon blinked in surprise.
He wasn't the only one summoned by the Alliance Lord today. Grand Strategist Je-gal Hyeon of Hyun-cheon Pavilion was there, along with Bi-gak Lord On Byeok-hwa and Am-yeong-gak Lord Hwang Jong-shin. The leaders of the Murim Alliance's four major units were present as well. Naturally, Iron Sword Unit Lord Chung Yang was among them.
At their center sat Murim Alliance Lord Ak So-gun.
His dignified, benevolent demeanor was unchanged. The righteous gaze full of heroic spirit—that one saw only in true paragons of the martial world—remained the same.
This was the man Baek So-cheon had seen only in his dreams, now standing before him in the flesh.
Spotting Baek So-cheon enter, Ak So-gun boomed with a hearty voice.
"The star of the evening has arrived!"
Baek So-cheon truly felt out of place and flustered.
It had been well over two years since he'd last met the Alliance Lord. He hadn't expected to reunite like this—suddenly, in a banquet hall no less.
He'd imagined their reunion would be more intimate. Perhaps the Lord slipping in unnoticed while he trained alone at midnight, or summoning him privately to some secluded spot.
But to call him here amid a crowd? And label him the guest of honor?
Ak So-gun rose from his seat and approached Baek So-cheon. His gentle smile put everyone at ease.
"I hear you've been appointed captain of the new Hyun-cheon-dae."
"Yes, that's right."
To think this would be their first exchange upon reunion.
"As leader of such a special unit, I wanted to celebrate personally. That's why I called you here."
With that, he took Baek So-cheon's hand. The Lord's unusually warm grip felt just as it always had.
Baek So-cheon stared intently at the Alliance Lord.
Was he truly under the influence of the Soul Subjugation Art?
He half-hoped a red dot would appear in the Lord's eyes right now. Seeing it would confirm everything.
"Come, have a drink."
Ak So-gun pulled Baek So-cheon along by the hand.
It was then.
A faint energy trickled from the Lord's hand, probing his dantian.
'He's checking my internal energy!'
The probe was so subtle, using an ascending technique with the barest wisp of qi, that had his hidden inner power not stirred, Baek So-cheon might never have noticed.
Fortunately, Ak So-gun's covert scan merely confirmed the ruined dantian was empty and withdrew.
Ak So-gun led Baek So-cheon to the table laden with drinks and dishes, then poured him a cup.
Baek So-cheon accepted it with due respect.
All eyes were on them. Everyone knew their history well, including the rumored rift with the Grand Strategist. A celebration for Hyun-cheon-dae? So sudden? They suspected some hidden agenda—or perhaps a mended relationship.
"Everyone, raise your cups."
Cups were lifted all around.
"To the birth of the new Hyun-cheon-dae—cheers! Congratulations!"
They echoed the toast and drained their cups.
Ak So-gun turned to Baek So-cheon.
"I've been remiss toward you these past years. I thought you needed time. You must have felt neglected."
"Yes, I did."
Baek So-cheon answered honestly. The room held its collective breath, watching.
"I imagine so. How could you not? Can you forgive this old man?"
Ak So-gun treated the three-year gap as if it were mere months. It felt off.
'This isn't normal.'
No matter the truth behind it, today's display was anything but.
"Forgiveness? Please don't say that. I was disappointed, but I never once resented you, Lord."
"I'm grateful you feel that way."
"Since you've shown me such boundless grace, may I ask one favor?"
"What is it?"
"Could you return the sword you took from me?"
Before descending to Mun-seong, Ak So-gun had reclaimed Gui-yeong Sword.
That was what he wanted back.
Catching the unexpected request, Ak So-gun started slightly.
He soon offered an excuse for confiscating it.
"It was a precious blade—I feared you might lose it. Now that you're leading a new unit, I'll return it."
Ak So-gun ordered a subordinate to fetch it and personally handed the sword to Baek So-cheon.
"Serve the Alliance well from here on."
"Thank you, Lord."
There was good reason for asking for the sword. He wanted to observe the Lord's reaction upon returning it. Moreover, Gui-yeong Sword ranked among the martial world's top five treasures. With his inner power returning, he needed it.
Baek So-cheon feigned deep gratitude, but his heart was ice-cold, his mind racing.
'Opportunities to be this close to the Lord are rare.'
He resolved to scrutinize him now—every gesture, word, step. More talk might yield clues.
But alas, Ak So-gun stepped back and addressed the others.
"Come, everyone—offer your congratulations."
"Yes, Lord."
The pavilion lords and unit leaders approached to toast Baek So-cheon.
Je-gal Hyeon masked his complex feelings with calm composure and raised his cup.
"Here's to working well together."
"Likewise."
Je-gal Hyeon was as puzzled by the sudden banquet as Baek So-cheon. He planned to discuss it privately once things settled.
Am-yeong-gak Lord Hwang Jong-shin offered his congratulations too.
"It's been a while."
"And you've been well?"
Two years Baek So-cheon's junior, Hwang Jong-shin had clashed with him amid repeated demotions—especially during that final investigation with the rookie. He felt guilty.
"Sorry about before."
"Water under the bridge. Don't worry."
Bi-gak Lord On Byeok-hwa beamed brightly, lightening the mood with her cheerful tone.
"With someone reliable leading the new unit, I feel so much more secure."
Glancing at Ak So-gun, she added,
"Securing Baek as captain must be the Alliance Lord's greatest fortune, right?"
"How could it not be?"
The Lord chuckled good-naturedly.
Chung Yang, who'd hesitated, finally muttered,
"Congratulations."
"Thanks."
As he turned to leave after his curt word, Baek So-cheon called out loudly.
"My thanks for graciously sending Iron Sword Unit warriors to aid the main force."
He'd pitched it for the Lord's ears.
"No need."
Ak So-gun praised Chung Yang.
"Well done."
"Just doing my duty."
Praised by the Lord, Chung Yang returned quietly to Baek So-cheon.
"What was that about?"
"Earning you some points. Being on good terms with Iron Sword boosts our survival odds, no?"
"In your dreams!"
For all his bluster, he was grateful in that moment. Impressing the Lord was paramount, and Baek So-cheon had handed him unearned credit.
'Hmph!'
He snorted belatedly to shake off the feeling, but it lingered—a shift since learning Baek So-cheon had recommended him.
Soon after, the Lord retired first. The banquet wound down after about half a shichen.
In the end, this gathering had let the Lord confirm firsthand whether Baek So-cheon had inner power.
Why bother checking?
The Soul Subjugation Art? Or to deem him useless and discard him?
No telling.
Either way, Baek So-cheon now had an urgent task.
To avert war, first resolve matters with the Lord.
If the Soul Subjugation Art held him, it must be undone.
If not? Cross that bridge later.
For now, assume it was the art and act. If true, the righteous martial world faced crisis beyond their bond.
Returning home, Im Choong and Beon Saeng awaited anxiously. A summons to the Lord's residence? Worry first.
"You alright?"
"Fine."
"You met the Lord?"
"Yes."
"Why'd he call you, brother?"
"To celebrate my captaincy."
"Oh!"
Only then did they relax. They knew nothing of his history with the Lord.
"Oh! What's the Lord like?"
"A good man."
Baek So-cheon gave Beon Saeng's question a curt reply. Three years ago, he'd have elaborated—on his vast heart, his care for subordinates.
"Man, I'd probably forget to breathe meeting him."
A presence stirred outside.
"Is Captain Baek in?"
The visitor was Je-gal Hyeon.
Beon Saeng rushed to open the door and greet him.
"Come in!"
"Good to see you."
He'd stopped by his office post-banquet before heading straight here.
"This way."
"Lead on."
As the two entered, Im Choong teased Beon Saeng.
"You'd greet the Lord just as casually."
"Huh? Why?"
"The way you welcomed the Grand Strategist—I thought you two were old pals."
That relaxed, he'd been hand-shaking buddies in the past.
Beon Saeng nodded proudly.
"Guess I'm cut out for high ranks after all."
Baek So-cheon and Je-gal Hyeon sat side by side at the room's table.
"Liquor or tea?"
"Liquor."
One cup at the banquet had whetted his appetite. He'd been drinking more lately despite quitting.
Je-gal Hyeon downed the liquor Baek So-cheon poured with relish.
"What was that about today? Why'd the Lord summon you so suddenly?"
"No idea. Any guesses, Strategist?"
Je-gal Hyeon shook his head.
"None. The other lords and captains seemed clueless too."
The mood had been too good. That's why he'd rushed over, uneasy.
"Troubling times, with the Blood Cult Lord even appearing..."
Seeing Je-gal Hyeon sigh, Baek So-cheon broached carefully.
"Strategist."
"Yes?"
"How much do you trust me?"
The unexpected question flustered him. He answered gravely.
"As much as myself. Lately, even more."
Honest truth. He'd recruited Baek So-cheon precisely because he lacked confidence fighting the war alone.
"Listen carefully to what I say next."
"Go on."
Je-gal Hyeon tensed.
Baek So-cheon's words were beyond even his wildest dreams.
"The Lord may be under the Soul Subjugation Art."
"...!"
Je-gal Hyeon was speechless.
"What did you say?"
"The Lord may have fallen to the Soul Subjugation Art. I believe it's possible."
"Why?"
Baek So-cheon recounted the final battle's events.
Having heard it all, Je-gal Hyeon understood Baek So-cheon's suspicions. From his vantage, it made sense.
"If I'm wrong, all the better..."
"That'd be worse."
Je-gal Hyeon pierced the crisis's heart. If not the art, the Lord had abandoned Baek So-cheon—an unforgivable act.
Assuming it was the art?
"Who could be behind it?"
"Through Go-yeo, I learned the Black Heaven Lord mastered the Dark Spirit Control Technique."
"The Black Heaven Lord, then?"
"Can't say for sure."
Baek So-cheon recalled the Lord's arrival after the Black Heaven Lord's departure.
Je-gal Hyeon sighed softly.
"You've carried this burden alone for three years. I had no idea. Forgive me."
"No, I'm the one sorry—for taking so long to speak."
"Nonsense. I understand completely. Thank you for telling me now. What next?"
"Confirm if the Lord's ensnared. I'll find a way. I'll need your help, Strategist."
"Count on me—full support."
"Thank you."
They emptied their cups.
In some sense, with the Lord moving first, time was short.
Draining his cup, Baek So-cheon thought of one person.
'Cheon-geuk—hurry!'