Villains Don't Take Walks (1)
Baek So-cheon stepped down from the duel platform and headed straight to where Ak So-gun was seated.
"If it weren't for you, we would've been in real trouble."
Ak So-gun grasped Baek So-cheon's hand firmly. Thanks to him, they'd averted yet another major crisis.
"I got lucky."
"No need for false modesty. You did splendidly."
"Thank you."
"How did you know for certain it was poison?"
Je-gal Hyeon, standing nearby, leaned in with evident curiosity.
"It wasn't so much evidence as a conviction that he'd kill his own son. A tragic affair, to be sure."
Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon nodded in unison.
"He's a beast in human skin. How could he slaughter his own child?"
Ak So-gun made no effort to hide his fury. The rage that had prompted him to send Baek So-cheon a transmission urging a joint attack stemmed from Yeom Hwa-sin's murder of his son.
Even when Baek So-cheon had predicted it, a sliver of doubt—"surely not"—had lingered in Ak So-gun's heart. But witnessing the heaven-defying atrocity firsthand had ignited genuine wrath.
"He never had a shred of familial bond to begin with. The man's sole obsession is seizing hegemony."
What had forged him into a monster was likely his own father. A stark example: forcing his young son to kill the girl who was his first love. His past was pitiable, but that didn't excuse slaying his own child today.
"Will he honor the agreement?"
"My gut says yes, but he's so inscrutable. Better not to trust this promise."
"Either way, with his son dead, we should stay vigilant."
Je-gal Hyeon nodded at Ak So-gun's words. Though they nodded together, Baek So-cheon knew better.
His son's death wouldn't spark even a flicker of anger in Yeom Hwa-sin. What they needed to fear was his rage at his plans going awry.
Yet Baek So-cheon believed he'd keep his word.
Yeom Hwa-sin had been genuinely impressed that Baek So-cheon had uncovered the plot. Allowing the body inspection so readily was because it was him pursuing the truth. Without that special regard, he never would've danced to their tune so easily.
In any case, Baek So-cheon figured Yeom Hwa-sin would uphold the promise as recompense. It was a hunch, born of some unspoken emotional exchange unique to him and Yeom Hwa-sin—something he couldn't voice to anyone.
After meeting with Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon, Baek So-cheon sought out Ban Wol-ryang to express his gratitude.
"Without the Divine Physician's aid, we couldn't have achieved this outcome. My deepest thanks."
"Luckily, it was a poison I recognized, so I could help. I'm thrilled it proved useful."
Ban Wol-ryang beamed with satisfaction. Today's events would be a tale to boast about for life.
"You halted a war, Divine Physician."
"Too generous a praise. Without you, there'd have been no chance to help at all."
Having witnessed Baek So-cheon's recovery from his injuries up close, the praise felt all the sweeter.
"Take good care of the Murim from here on."
"Yes."
Watching Baek So-cheon's faint smile, Ban Wol-ryang inwardly chided himself for the superfluous remark. He was asking the man who'd already saved the Murim once to do it again.
'Sorry. Just one more time, save us again.'
Word of Baek So-cheon's duel spread even to those outside, who erupted in cheers.
"Baek the warrior won!"
"The hero's back!"
"Baek So-cheon's returned!"
The area around the Murim Alliance headquarters buzzed like a festival. To celebrate his victory, the Alliance supported nearby inns, providing unlimited free liquor and food.
"Long live the Murim Alliance!"
"Long live Baek So-cheon!"
No such gathering of righteous warriors had celebrated like this since the war began. The factions reveled all the more in the festive fervor.
Inside the Murim Alliance, a banquet honored invited warriors.
Baek So-cheon attended, exchanging greetings. He had no desire to flaunt his win at a party, but for Ak So-gun and the Alliance, he couldn't refuse.
They'd come to see his duel, after all. They were the pillars upholding the righteous sects—some noble with chivalrous hearts, others driven by personal ambition.
Yet each was precious. They formed the core of the righteous faction; like it or not, only with them could they stand against the Black Heaven Alliance.
"Truly impressive."
"You were magnificent!"
"Remember my name! I'll become a great hero like you, Lord Baek!"
The guests clamored just to shake his hand. No one had expected a man without inner power to fight so fiercely. And unraveling the poisoning plot had been more thrilling than the duel itself.
This duel prompted a reevaluation of Baek So-cheon. Dismissing him for lacking inner power now seemed utter folly, given his display.
During victory remarks, Baek So-cheon urged the crowd.
"As you all know, the Black Heaven Alliance may ignite war again."
Nods rippled through the worried assembly.
"Yeom Hwa-sin craves Murim unification enough to sacrifice his son. If war erupts, he'll eradicate the righteous sects. No escape exists—not the mountains, not remote coastal villages. He'll hunt us to extinction. We must unite as one and pool our strength."
Many famed warriors had fought alongside him in the last war. They truly regretted his lost inner power, but today's performance assured them he'd hold his own on the battlefield.
"If war comes, step up. Even from the rear, your command would suffice."
It was a collective hope.
"Yes, I will."
Of course, it wouldn't come to that. He planned to settle things with Yeom Hwa-sin before war broke out. If the man kept his word, that clash would come exactly one year hence.
Once he'd fulfilled his role, Baek So-cheon quietly slipped from the banquet hall.
* * *
Cheon-geuk stood in Baek So-cheon's secret training ground.
Hands clasped behind her back, she gazed at the night sky. Stars twinkled between the encircling cliffs.
Baek So-cheon arrived then. Without turning, she spoke.
"I missed your duel keeping tabs on that bastard."
"Sorry."
"No biggie. It was a done deal anyway. He's sleeping now."
Of course, she'd left Pa-jeong's residence under her four guardians' watch. They could act even at night.
Only then did Cheon-geuk turn, flashing a bright smile.
"Congrats on the win."
"Thanks."
No celebration pleased him more. Her smile made the conspiracy-riddled Murim fade away. Even though she stood at its heart.
"I heard what went down on the platform. Anyone else would've balked at that gamble."
"Couldn't have done it against anyone but him."
It was possible only because it was Yeom Hwa-sin.
"You're the only one who'd oppose it. The world thinks no one else could've because it was Yeom Hwa-sin."
Baek So-cheon chuckled softly.
"Thanks to you, we've bought a year."
"If they keep their word."
She glanced at him sidelong.
"Truth is, war breaking out would suit us fine."
"I know."
"Yet here I am, helping you prevent it. The assassins might boot me out if they knew."
"They won't."
"Why? Think of it as choosing for the assassins' sake?"
War meant fat profits, but countless assassins would die too. Preventing it was justifiable.
"No."
"Then why?"
"'Cause you're pretty."
Cheon-geuk blinked blankly, then burst into laughter.
"Spot on! Let's have a victory drink."
She'd prepared liquor and snacks beforehand, even in pretty, fine dishes like old times.
These thoughtful touches reminded Baek So-cheon she was a woman.
"Didn't drink at the banquet?"
"Saving it for you."
"Turning into a fortune-teller. Knew I'd come here for a drink."
"Yeah."
They clinked cups vigorously and drank.
"Love this place. Could build a house here and live someday."
If she ever left the Sal-su Yeon-maeng, Cheon-geuk thought, this hidden spot would be ideal. Perfect for vanishing from the world.
Baek So-cheon sometimes sensed it: her longing to escape the chaos. Who wouldn't? Leading rough assassins as a woman took its toll.
"Still shocked he actually killed his kid. Not his real son? Nah, even if not."
Cheon-geuk shook her head. She'd wanted Yeom Sa-won dead too. But his own father doing it left a hollow victory.
"Why's a lunatic like that so fond of you?"
"Fond? You think so?"
"Doesn't he treat you special?"
"Special regard isn't the same as fondness."
"Then what feeling is it?"
Baek So-cheon had pondered it, but it defied simple definition.
"If he liked me, he wouldn't try to kill me. But he will."
Cheon-geuk nodded.
"Good thing. Can't have some psycho fighting me for your heart."
Baek So-cheon chuckled at her jest.
"By the way, check on who Pa-jeong met?"
"Yeah, four spots in the two days I tailed him."
Cheon-geuk handed over a paper detailing times and places.
"Thorough."
"Gotta be meticulous to survive as an assassin."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"Wasn't dangerous?"
"Just watched from afar."
There was good reason she could.
"As you see, he just strolled around Alliance grounds, nothing flashy."
"That's what makes it suspicious. What's he wandering for?"
"Maybe he sensed surveillance?"
"Doubt it."
He trusted her stealth, and they hadn't tipped their suspicions. If wary, staying put would've been smarter.
"He's busy plotting something. That's why he skipped the duel. Even a disinterested guy wouldn't miss this one."
"True. Definitely odd."
"Where was he during the duel?"
When all eyes were on the platform, he'd have infiltrated somewhere tough. But her answer surprised.
"Outer perimeter, like it says. Scouting the external defenses?"
"No point without the inner ones. And memorizing by sight while walking? Useless."
The key was hidden traps or ambush points—especially inner defenses.
"Then why wander instead of watching the duel?"
"Time to find out."
Baek So-cheon recalled Myeol Ji-ryun's second condition.
—The second condition: Let him stay in the Murim Alliance awhile after he withdraws. No need for marriage. Just until Yeom Sa-won gives up on me.
Wanting to linger meant unfinished business. They had time to uncover the plot.
"Thanks for the help this time."
"I should thank you. Made me a ton of money."
"How much?"
"Wanna know?"
Cheon-geuk spread her arms wide.
Victory rewards varied: fame, cash, famed swords, elixirs, positions...
But hers was incomparable, an ecstasy beyond worldly treasures.
That night, Baek So-cheon learned she'd won three hundred thousand nyang on the bet.