Heavenly Dragon's Secret Realm (3)
In the Alliance, reconciliation between Baek So-cheon and Ak So-gun was the talk of the town.
Everyone they met brought it up. Previously, a gag order had kept Baek So-cheon's name hushed among only the key organizations' warriors, but now every warrior at headquarters was buzzing about him.
"They say the Lord and Captain Baek have made up?"
"He returned the sword he'd reclaimed, and I heard they were seen walking side by side."
"That's a relief."
"What on earth made their relationship so bad?"
"Rumor has it there was a huge misunderstanding, and it's been cleared up."
"Either way, isn't this great for the Alliance?"
The reactions were all positive. Even Chung Yang hadn't erupted in fury, so overall, everyone was delighted.
Of course, those closest to Baek So-cheon were the happiest—especially Beon Saeng and Im Choong.
"Hyung-nim's reconciliation with the Lord has the whole Alliance in an uproar."
Im Choong laughed along with Beon Saeng, who looked ready to float away on his good mood.
"It's truly fortunate."
"Remember? The day big hyung-nim strode into the Mun-seong branch all blunt-like and said, 'I'm the new guy, Baek So-cheon'?"
"How could I forget? The fool who went off to discipline a newbie came back as his little brother."
"Hahaha. That absurd twist brought us all the way here."
"You're right, you're right."
The two reminisced happily, chuckling at the memory.
"Life really is unpredictable. Just a few months ago, could I have dreamed I'd be greeting the Murim Alliance Lord every morning?"
"Same here. Warriors from Bi-gak eat and sleep by my decisions. Can you even imagine?"
He oversaw all of Hyun-cheon-dae's administration, after all—from uniforms to every supply, all issued per his orders.
But both were quick on the uptake.
"Hyung-nim, the Murim world might actually be more dangerous now."
Was that why such rapid changes were unfolding?
Im Choong nodded thoughtfully. In a world where even the next inch was unknown, there was only one way to face it: live this moment well. Happiness lay not in achievement, but in discovery.
"Come to my place tonight. Let's have dinner together."
"Haha, thanks."
"No need for thanks. I'll have Chan ask you to teach him some martial arts too."
"Haha, how could I say no? Whose son is he, after all? I'll earn my keep properly."
As their circumstances shifted, so did their bond.
At that very hour, as Im Choong and Beon Saeng dined, Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon shared drinks in the Lord's chamber.
Ak So-gun's rift hadn't been just with Baek So-cheon. Its aftermath had strained his bond with Je-gal Hyeon too.
"You must have felt quite aggrieved because of me."
"No, Lord. If anything, I should apologize."
"What do you have to apologize for?"
"Isn't preventing such conspiracies my duty?"
"We were at war when the Go Clan struck—and at its final, desperate phase. Remember? Did we ever have a single day of sound mind? How could you have blocked enemies exploiting that chaos?"
"I'm grateful for your words."
"Next to So-cheon, you're the one with the greatest merit. Here, have a drink."
They emptied their cups.
Je-gal Hyeon was moved. How long had it been since he'd shared such open talk with Ak So-gun?
As they chatted idly, Je-gal Hyeon brought up Baek So-cheon.
"Over the past three years, Captain Baek has carried a heavy burden."
Not just the Lord—Baek So-cheon had endured a grueling three years too.
"I imagine so."
"Had the Go Clan's victim not been you and Captain Baek, this outcome wouldn't have come."
These weren't honeyed words for flattery. Had affection faltered on either side, it would have ended in catastrophe.
Then On Byeok-hwa entered.
"What has you two so merry?"
"Come join us. Have a drink."
Ak So-gun turned to Je-gal Hyeon.
"I called her here. That's fine, yes?"
"Of course."
Je-gal Hyeon smiled at her.
"Please, sit."
"I'll interrupt your cozy chat a bit."
On Byeok-hwa took a seat.
After a round of drinks, Ak So-gun addressed Je-gal Hyeon.
"I have something to tell you."
"Please speak."
He'd half-expected it. No reason to summon Bi-gak's lord without cause to this reconciliation.
"Truth be told, we two care for each other."
Je-gal Hyeon was startled. He'd suspected a connection with On Byeok-hwa, but not this revelation.
He quickly offered formal congratulations with clasped hands.
"My felicitations."
"Not sure it's cause for celebration."
"Of course it is. You're both unmarried, aren't you? A blessing for the Alliance."
"Grateful you see it that way. Though others might not."
"I can guess your concern. I believe you distinguish public from private clearly, Lord. If I may be bold: does this affect her role as Bi-gak lord?"
"Not at all. My feelings grew after she became lord."
"I trust you, Lord. If you say so, the world will too. Anyone spreading rumors despite that would slander you no matter your good deeds."
"Thank you for saying so."
"I'm grateful for your candor."
"Let's keep it our secret for now. Ah, I'll tell So-cheon myself."
"Yes."
The three drank in good spirits. Ak So-gun felt unburdened. Je-gal Hyeon needed to know, at least—more than most. Without the Baek So-cheon matter, he'd have spoken sooner.
As talk flowed, Je-gal Hyeon asked,
"Where is Captain Baek now?"
"I gave him leave."
"Pardon?"
Ak So-gun chuckled.
"He's resting splendidly in a fine place."
Baek So-cheon soaked in the Dragon Spring, circulating his energy.
Ten days had passed since entering.
He simply cultivated leisurely in the spring, honing the Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword.
Outside matters? Forgotten. With Ak So-gun sane again, no worries remained. Urgent issues would summon him—he relaxed fully.
He divided practice into thirds: one, three, six.
One part for Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists.
He'd push it to the end, but as auxiliary, minimal time sufficed.
Three parts for Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method.
The spring amassed vast inner power—and beyond quantity, to elevate its realm.
Currently at three stars.
Not from insight, but natural ascent during circulation.
Higher attainment smoothed circulation, swelled quantity, purified quality.
Techniques progress swiftly early, then stall.
Before leaving, four stars was his goal.
Last, six parts for Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword.
He'd make it his signature. Superior to prior arts, its extreme speed ignited his challenge against impossibility—perfectly suiting his nature.
Circulation done, Baek So-cheon emerged.
Post-spring, his body felt feather-light, ready to soar.
He ate from the jar.
Alone, yet not lonely. He could train here a year, two—no issue.
Even grueling practice brought peace of mind.
This proved he was born a warrior.
Today's Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists done pre-circulation; now, sword time.
Baek So-cheon infused Ghost Shadow Sword with peak energy.
Over a century's power elicited a ghostly wail—the blade's signature ring. On battlefields, it struck terror.
He withdrew the energy. Minimal use here for training.
"Hah!"
First Form: Heavenly Pivot Style unleashed a dozen sword-trails in air.
Not done. Before they faded, new lines formed.
Second Form: Heavenly Spinner Style.
Fewer strikes than first—four piercing east, west, south, north, chaining to fell surrounding foes.
Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!
As second ended, Baek So-cheon shouted,
"Got it."
Second completed before first trails vanished.
Ten days' triumph—possible only for him.
But joy brief; third form sparked frustration, even laughter.
Third Form: Heavenly Jewel Style demanded fourteen swings.
"Keep trails till seventh? Hahaha."
Absurdity drew his laugh.
Unthinkable.
Yet he pressed on. Once set, he'd witness the supreme sword's vision.
"Again!"
Gripping anew, he trained.
Another ten days passed.
Twenty total inside.
Baek So-cheon immersed in training trance—his most diligent ever.
First fruit: Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method hit four stars. Not martial insight; heart methods tied to mindset.
No mind more at ease than his now.
Four stars felt like that peace's gift.
Attainment boosted accumulation, purity.
Worried whole-body energy might hinder? Progress was flawlessly swift.
Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists mastered to Fifth Fist: Moonlit Starfall. Especially potent with true power—shame he couldn't unleash fully, lest collapse the space.
Anyway, fists embodied to fifth.
Prime goal: Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword.
Baek So-cheon was enthralled by its extreme quickness.
Harder with mastery. Learned earlier, he'd never finish—or fall so deep.
Shik! Shik! Shik! Shik! Shik! Shik! Shik! Shik!
Third Form wove air with fourteen dazzling slashes.
But first trails gone; second's last lingered, then vanished—all fourteen followed.
"Whew. Not easy."
Not trail-sustaining speed, but remarkable progress.
Third flowed smoothly now.
Even the creator wouldn't believe: twenty-one days to free third form.
Of course, unforeseen: world's pinnacle learning it.
Exhausted from forms, he plunged into Dragon Spring for recovery.
Restoring, Baek So-cheon chuckled alone.
First longing since entry—not Lord, Je-gal Hyeon, Beon Saeng, or Im Choong.
Unexpectedly, Cheon-geuk.
Wished her beside—joking, teasing.
What am I thinking!
Splash.
Shaking fancies, he submerged, resurfaced.
His form blurred busily.
Heavenly Pivot, Heavenly Spinner, Heavenly Jewel!
Three forms blazed trails.
He couldn't see his own—but a distant watcher might glimpse fragments of the picture, flickering.
"Haaaaap!"
His hearty shout thundered through the space for one man and his solitary time.