The Prime Begins with the First Snow (1)
The next day, as promised, Yeom Hwa-sin released Baek So-cheon.
"You said you'd hold me for five days—why the change of heart?"
"When trouble erupts, I'll just kill everyone anyway. What's the point of keeping you here?"
It was a confirmation, but he felt no familial affection toward his own blood. If anything, the grudge between them ran deeper.
Yeom Hwa-sin climbed into the carriage with him.
"I brought you here, so I'll see you off."
"Not busy? Though I suppose that's why you're plotting a war—with all this free time. Get busier. Enjoy some hobbies."
He treated him deliberately peevishly.
"Still sulking over the manual? Is that any way for a man to act?"
"Well said. Is that any way for a man? If you offer once, you deliver."
Yeom Hwa-sin pretended not to hear and shouted to his subordinate on the driver's seat.
"Let's go. With all the complaints, our guest must miss home."
The carriage set off at his command.
"Why are you tagging along? Got another woman stashed somewhere?"
"I'd like that, but no. I'm following for your sake, kid. My son won't let you go that easily."
"You didn't touch her, did you?"
He worried that Cheon-geuk, who had left first, might have been attacked.
"Don't worry. That fool doesn't value his own life enough to try."
In other words, he lacked the guts to recklessly provoke the Sal-su Yeon-maeng lord.
Or rather, since he believed Baek So-cheon had no inner power, he'd underestimate him.
It was pathetic, but he held his tongue. Blood ties or not, no one liked hearing their child insulted.
In the end, Yeom Hwa-sin's choice was for Baek So-cheon—but ultimately for his son.
If Yeom Sa-won had led his men to kill Baek So-cheon personally, he'd have died by Baek So-cheon's hand. Concealing his martial prowess was key, but he couldn't just let the brat kill him.
'This saved your son, not me.'
Though he doubted Yeom Hwa-sin would grieve much if his son died.
But he'd pursue vengeance even more fiercely—to mask his empty heart...
"Why not just kill me?"
"You want that?"
"Hardly. Just curious. Before, you knew I had value, so you spared me to harm our alliance lord. What's your reason now?"
"Being around you is fun."
This ordeal had made one thing crystal clear.
He was a profoundly lonely soul. And that made him dangerous.
War was his way to fill that void. Far more perilous than mere ambition for power.
Even victory might not sate that unstable soul. Greater emptiness could swallow him whole.
Perhaps the true tragedy would unfold then—greater than war itself.
Yeom Hwa-sin dropped Baek So-cheon off at the border of Honam Province and Hobuk Province.
"Farewell."
"Take care."
"Hey, So-cheon."
Baek So-cheon turned back.
"The day you die by my hand draws near. Get your affairs in order."
He meant it sincerely. Perhaps he wanted to claim the life of the one who'd pierce his heart—with his own hands.
Baek So-cheon thumped his chest.
"I don't know where your heart is, but mine's right here. Make it quick."
"I will."
Baek So-cheon walked away.
'Sorry, but I'm not done yet.'
Confirming no one followed after parting from Yeom Hwa-sin, Baek So-cheon began training in Pung-sin Haeng-gong.
Lightness skills demanded endless running to master.
Pung-sin Haeng-gong wasn't for deploying during combat—it was pure running technique.
At great success, one could outpace birds, with explosive acceleration.
A flash, then gone like a dot—movement swift as light.
Starting from scratch, it proved easier than the other three supreme arts.
It suited him perfectly. Martial arts had affinities with their wielders, and this matched exceptionally. His extreme endurance training aided all, but especially this.
He had a good feeling: he'd achieve great success fastest here.
Following the manual, he circulated qi while running—and ran some more. Speed built with every stride.
Thus, Baek So-cheon returned to the Murim Alliance, honing Pung-sin Haeng-gong along the way.
Back in Mu-han, before entering the alliance, he visited Cheon-geuk's Daroo Tea House.
Customers filled the place, yet astonishingly, she was brewing tea in the kitchen.
At his arrival, she said casually,
"You're back? Bring those tea sets over here."
"These?"
"No, the ones beside. Yes, those."
Baek So-cheon handed her the nearby set.
She paused mid-brew, sighing deeply. She'd feigned nonchalance, but couldn't hide her worry for him.
From that sigh, he felt how deeply she'd fretted.
"Working the front yourself?"
"When alliance duties bog me down, I come down here to clear my head. Mindless work quiets stray thoughts. Wait out front—I'll bring the tea."
"Alright."
Baek So-cheon sat by the window. The clerk explained to customers, collected no payment, ushered them out, locked up, and vanished.
Cheon-geuk emerged from the kitchen with tea.
"New batch. Saved it for you. Great taste and aroma."
Baek So-cheon inhaled, nodding.
"Excellent."
"Back sooner than expected."
"He let me go. Thinks he can kill me anytime."
"Good."
"You worried?"
"Nope. You wouldn't die there."
Far from dying—he'd mastered a supreme lightness skill.
Yeom Hwa-sin had given her the Pung-sin Haeng-gong manual too, no doubt.
He could verify, so she had to learn it—but not now. He thought she hadn't memorized it fully.
After Yeom Hwa-sin died, he'd pass this lightness art to her. It was hers by right, after all.
"I'll stick around here awhile. Set up the alliance headquarters at this Daroo."
"Sal-su Yeon-maeng right by the Murim Alliance main gate. History will remember this forever."
"So I'll be a historic figure? Sounds nice."
She smiled; he smiled back.
The wind outside chilled sharply. Gazing at the withering scenery beyond the window, she said,
"Winter's coming."
The last winter before war.
He had to avert it somehow this winter.
One swift, sure way existed.
Kill the Black Heaven Alliance Lord and Blood Cult Lord.
Their organizations would fracture into infighting over succession.
Unforeseen issues might arise—like Yeom Sa-won igniting war for revenge. But no problem; if he could kill the father, the son was easy.
Other variables too: righteous faction hardliners pushing to strike Black Heaven.
"Meet when the first snow falls? Might be our last."
"Yeah. Sounds good."
Baek So-cheon rose.
"Stay safe till then."
Her reply followed from behind.
"You too."
Baek So-cheon left Daroo and headed into the alliance.
* * *
Baek So-cheon recounted his Black Heaven Alliance ordeal to Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon.
Thinking he'd left for training, they were stunned.
"Far too reckless!"
Je-gal Hyeon didn't know Baek So-cheon had regained his inner power.
Even Ak So-gun, who did, scolded him—the strategist's shock was immense.
"Je-gal's right. You were rash this time."
"My apologies."
Of course, they understood he had no choice.
Refusing might endanger his life. With the Black Heaven Lord personally requesting here, any assassination attempt could breed grudge.
Je-gal Hyeon bowed to Ak So-gun.
"I let him reach our doorstep—my failure."
Ak So-gun waved it off.
"If a strike team infiltrated, you'd face reprimand. But the Black Heaven Lord? Unavoidable. If he moves covertly, no one detects him."
Ak So-gun could do the same—reach Black Heaven's gate unnoticed. Such was the will of those vying for the Murim Seol-yeol-log's top.
"Thank you for your mercy."
"Think nothing of it."
Baek So-cheon told them,
"The Black Heaven Lord isn't to be trifled with. Knowing I planted the tracker, he still allied with the Blood Cult."
And one more revelation.
"He may have achieved Geum-gang Bul-goe Ji-che."
"What?!"
Ak So-gun shot up.
"Certain?"
"My intuition says yes."
"Disastrous."
Ak So-gun slumped into his chair. If true, he lacked confidence to kill Yeom Hwa-sin.
In this crisis, Je-gal Hyeon saw his role.
"I'll find a way to fracture Black Heaven and the Blood Cult."
"Do so."
Baek So-cheon shared good news.
"One more thing I learned."
"What?"
"Yeom Hwa-sin's son can't hide his temper."
Baek So-cheon phrased it kindly; Je-gal Hyeon knew it meant a brute.
"Noted. Useful."
With future plans discussed, Ak So-gun told Je-gal Hyeon,
"Step out a moment?"
"Yes."
Once gone, Ak So-gun spoke of On Byeok-hwa.
"I see. My condolences."
"Embarrassing."
Frankly, he felt ashamed before Baek So-cheon. Past seventy, in love? And Baek So-cheon wasn't even single then?
"So, take up Bi-gak Lord again."
"My current post suits me."
"It doesn't suit me. Besides, she wants to step down anyway."
"Give me more time, then. I need further training."
Becoming Bi-gak Lord would draw more scrutiny from Yeom Hwa-sin and the Blood Cult.
"Understood. As you wish."
"And if we avert this war... I'll ask a favor."
Baek So-cheon planned to leave the Murim Alliance entirely.
Wander the jianghu freely. Settle where it pleased, then depart on whims. Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon wouldn't let him go easily, but his resolve was firm.
Ak So-gun nodded.
"I have words for you too. We'll talk then."
Ak So-gun had decided: pass the Alliance Lord seat to Baek So-cheon. No one else worthy.
As Baek So-cheon rose to leave, Ak So-gun handed him a box.
"Take this."
Inside: two roots of millennium ha-su-o.
"I can't keep accepting such treasures."
"It's all I can do."
Even an Alliance Lord couldn't endlessly fund one man. Top elixirs were rarer than stars these days.
"Sorry to say, it's an investment—for you, the alliance, the murim's future. Am I a bad guy?"
"No, Alliance Lord."
He'd act regardless of such care; still, it was immense grace.
Baek So-cheon accepted the box reverently.
"Thank you."
Leaving the Alliance Lord's hall, he headed for the Cheon-ryong Secret Realm.
Growing stronger was always welcome, but the burdens grew heavier.
If unavoidable, embrace it.
Thus he resolved.
Fate's trials to forge his strength.
"Hang in there, So-cheon!"
Encouraging himself, Baek So-cheon entered the Cheon-ryong Secret Realm.