Chapter 106

Chapter 106
Yeom Hwa-sin possessed a truly overpowering presence. When he flashed a grin, it felt as though the entire world existed purely for his sake. Even Jeok Pa-rap, despite being over a century old, lacked that specific aura. Naturally, that did not imply Yeom Hwa-sin was stronger in a direct clash, as Yeom Hwa-sin could conceivably lose to Jeok Pa-rap in a fight; aura and raw strength belonged to entirely different domains.

Where have you been?
Just out getting some fresh air.
You are keeping something from me, aren’t you?
A sharp gaze zeroed in on Baek So-cheon.
What makes you say that?
You feel different. Every time I encounter you, the sensation shifts.
With eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything, Baek So-cheon answered coolly.
You have a keen eye. I have indeed been changing lately.
In what way?
I would rather not say, but knowing your temperament, you would dig it up anyway, so I will tell you. Honestly, I want to lead a different kind of life these days.
Seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected reply, Yeom Hwa-sin displayed genuine curiosity.
A different life? What sort of life?
Put simply, a life without you or the Alliance Lord. One where I am untethered from everyone, living solely for myself.
An unreadable smile crept across Yeom Hwa-sin’s lips.
How could you possibly live that kind of life without meeting your end?
If you were to simply let me walk away, it might just be possible.
That would present a problem.
Why? You could just turn a blind eye this once. Think to yourself, Baek So-cheon must be getting along fine somewhere, and leave it at that.
It would be terribly dull without you around.
Baek So-cheon wore a look of utter disbelief. The possibility that the sentiment was entirely sincere made it all the more absurd.
Why did you come here?
You know better than anyone. You made good use of me this time around.
You and your associates looked a bit too cozy, so I tried to drive a wedge between you. Did my scheming pay off?
Flawlessly. Those wretched members of the Blood Cult have always been narrow-minded.
My apologies for that.
Between you and me, that amounts to nothing.
You are not here to exact punishment. So what brings you here?
I am bored. Time is the one commodity I have in abundance. I might actually die of sheer boredom within the year.
Baek So-cheon knew that claim was false. He had always treated him playfully, but whenever Yeom Hwa-sin showed up, there was always a distinct purpose behind it. This instance would be no exception. What could he possibly be after?
Do you have any liquor?
Wait right here.
Baek So-cheon fetched a jar of liquor and some simple snacks. The two of them sat side by side near the window, drinking.
Liquor truly depends entirely on the company you share it with. This tastes wonderful.
It really does. It has been ages since I tasted liquor this bitter.
Hahaha. Life is supposed to be bitter after all.
Baek So-cheon drained his cup once more. As Yeom Hwa-sin topped it off, he posed a question.
Should we team up and strike the Blood Cult first?
No.
Why not?
The Yeom Hwa-sin I know would never wipe out the Blood Cult right away.
Yeom Hwa-sin let out a chuckle.
True. No matter how irritating or despised they may be, I cannot bring myself to eliminate them. Your lot always remains the primary priority.
Yeom Hwa-sin was a villain who richly deserved death, yet he only ever seemed decent when interacting with Baek So-cheon. That was precisely why Baek So-cheon constantly remained on guard, hardening his resolve. He is a monster who would readily kill his own children; do not fall for his fleeting kindness.
Life lacks any amusement without you. Or rather, without your former powerful self, there is no tension left. Do you know why I pledged to maintain peace for an entire year?
Why?
Because I figure that taking over the Murim now or a year from now makes no real difference.
Baek So-cheon suspected he might genuinely believe that.
Cups were emptied and filled again. After several rounds, Yeom Hwa-sin abruptly asked,
Have you ever considered becoming my successor?
If Baek So-cheon answered in the affirmative, he would likely follow through with it, even if it meant eventually killing him later if he proved unnecessary—he was not the sort to brush such an offer off as a joke.
How could I possibly become your successor without any inner power? Especially inside a den full of vicious people.
Would you like me to restore your inner power?
Baek So-cheon flinched for a fraction of a second. It sounded as though a viable method existed.
No!
He delivered a firm refusal.
Should you not at least hear the specifics before turning it down?
No.
Listen, inner power is the one thing you lack. I am offering to give it back to you.
Do not make me laugh.
You do not trust me?
Naturally not. If you did not wish to stay alive, you would never restore my power. And the Yeom Hwa-sin I am familiar with has no desire to die.
You know me well. But you are mistaken about one crucial detail.
What is that?
Even if you manage to recover your inner power, you still cannot kill me.
The statement stemmed from absolute confidence in his own martial arts. And it was the truth. At his previous level, he simply could not handle the current Yeom Hwa-sin.
How would you even go about restoring my inner power?
Leave that part to me. What do you say? Do you want it back?
What is the exact method?
You will have to risk your life.
What are the odds?
For you? Around thirty percent.
For you. Even with that specific condition attached, thirty percent meant the task bordered on the impossible.
Is he finally trying to kill me off?
It was entirely possible.
What I want back is not inner power, but a quiet life. If not for you, I would have already walked away from the Murim Alliance.
Why do you keep trying to run away?
Reality is simply too overwhelming.
What specifically?
Rescuing the Murim during the previous war was pure luck. I exhausted all my remaining fortune and skill back then. Fighting you all over again is entirely too exhausting.
Then why not flee to some remote place where nobody can ever find you?
That half-baked loyalty and sense of responsibility? They are merely chains forged by people who wish to use you.
Baek So-cheon emptied his cup once more. When he reached to pour another round, the bottle was completely empty.
The liquor is gone. It is time to leave.
Head where?
On a journey.
He had surprised Baek So-cheon in numerous ways before, but this completely shattered any prior record.
Did you just say a journey?
That is correct.
Like a trip straight to hell or something?
Hahaha.
Where on earth are we heading?
You will see for yourself when we arrive.
Do I get any say in this matter?
Of course not. After you went and stirred up relations between the Blood Cult and your alliance, do you really intend to refuse this simple request?
It was hardly a simple request, but he lacked any excuse regarding the recent friction with the Blood Cult.
When do we depart?
How about right now?
No, give me about an hour.
Damn it!
I will wait at the end of the western highway. Wrap your affairs up within the hour. Pack some spare clothing since we have no way of knowing how long this will take.
You are endlessly arbitrary.
He laughed as he strode away.
That is precisely why you aim to be number one. So you can live your life arbitrarily.

Cheon-geuk stood quietly in the backyard of Daroo Tea House. Dong-seong called out from midair toward the silent woman.
Is something the matter?
No.
You look completely exhausted.
Yes. It feels as though a single gentle poke would cause me to collapse.
You should go inside and get some rest.
I cannot sleep.
That is simply because you are overly fatigued.
It is not that. My martial arts might break through to yet another level. I am far too excited to sleep.
Pardon?
Not only Dong-seong mid-conversation, but the other three guardians were caught entirely off guard.
He said so himself. I might surpass my limits once more.
Ah!
Meeting him was the absolute greatest stroke of luck in my entire life. I apologize, you four were originally supposed to be my focus, but you have been bumped down.
We are fine with it. It is only natural.
Thank you for understanding. I need a moment to think in peace.
Yes.
She remained standing in place, lost deep in thought. She recalled the fourteen days of sparring sessions with Baek So-cheon. Day one, day two, day three… Astoundingly, the memories returned with vivid clarity. Normally, that would be impossible; perhaps her mind had grown hypersensitive. Baek So-cheon’s past words resurfaced in her mind.
In the Murim Seol-yeol-log, I take first place and you take second. How does that sound?
She had simply taken it as a joke back then.
Should I actually give it a try?
Training alongside Baek So-cheon had truly reignited her passion for martial arts. Just then, Baek So-cheon stepped into the backyard where she stood. Seeing him return so soon after they had parted left her startled.
You? Why are you back here again?
I have something to tell you.
Baek So-cheon informed her about Yeom Hwa-sin’s unexpected visit.
What? You are going on a trip with Yeom Hwa-sin?
Cheon-geuk was utterly shocked.
Yes. I figured I owed it to you to let you know.
In truth, he would only tell her. He had no intention of informing the Alliance Lord or Je-gal Hyeon, nor Beon Saeng or Im Choong—they would only worry needlessly. He had merely left word at Bi-gak that he would be stepping away briefly.
You are going on a trip with him, yet you did not invite me?
That is simply how things turned out.
Why on earth would a man like that want to travel with you?
Baek So-cheon shook his head, looking completely clueless.
That man is truly…!
A lunatic. The most formidable lunatic in all the world.
Do not go with him.
I cannot refuse.
Why not?
Given his personality, showing up here in person means he has already made up his mind. To turn him down, I would have no choice but to fight him.
Then fight him. Alongside me.
Baek So-cheon offered a faint smile. The hidden implication behind his expression prompted her to press him quickly.
Why that look?
If we fought him together, you would likely die within his very first move.
To her profound shock, Baek So-cheon continued,
That is precisely how I would fight.
Even if it meant taking a heavy blow, he would eliminate Cheon-geuk first. Focusing on another adversary while leaving the King of Assassins alive would be akin to throwing open the gates of hell with his own hands.
It is not merely about you either. I am still not confident enough yet.
The ultimate showdown with him would have to be postponed. He was still growing stronger, and time remained on his side.
This is not just a casual trip, is it?
Probably not.
Is there truly no other way to dodge this?
Baek So-cheon offered no reply, instead pulling her into a tight embrace.
I will return.
Held securely in his arms, she asked,
Do you actually plan on coming back alive? Lie to me and say yes if you do not.
I am coming back.
For real?
Most definitely.
Naturally, there was no concrete plan in place. She was well aware of that fact. The one silver lining was that he could now flawlessly execute the sixth form of the Cheon-su Yeo-rae A-su-ra Shin-geom. Perhaps he could finally stand against him now.
Study the Asura techniques thoroughly and wait for me. So make sure you return safely.
I will.
If you die on this trip, I will never forgive you.
Do not worry. I will not.
After pressing a kiss to her lips, Baek So-cheon departed from Daroo Tea House. Cheon-geuk watched him leave with eyes full of deep apprehension.

The rain had finally cleared up entirely. Baek So-cheon arrived at the spot where Yeom Hwa-sin was waiting. His usual carriage was parked nearby, and Yeom Hwa-sin was casually playing a game of baduk by the roadside with the subordinate who served as his driver.
You play baduk as well?
Is there anything I am incapable of doing? What about you?
I merely know the absolute basics.
You should learn properly. There is no better way to understand an opponent. I will teach you the next time.
Very well.
Losing interest in the match, Yeom Hwa-sin set down his playing stone and stood up.
Are you moving houses? What is with all that luggage?
This is my travel bag. I always bring it whenever I head out.
See! You were actually looking forward to our trip all along.
Spare me the nonsense.
Hahaha.
You are toying with my life in a manner like this, yet I somehow still wish to hold onto it.
You do not wish to die?
Exactly.
What is the point of living without inner power?
If that is the case, then I suppose I no longer wish to be a martial artist.
However, he kept those words to himself.
They boarded the carriage and immediately set off.
Tell me our destination.
The true delight of a journey lies in not knowing where you are going.
Fine. Let us go then.
Baek So-cheon gazed out the carriage window. He had kept his lingering hunch entirely to himself—the distinct suspicion that Yeom Hwa-sin might have simply come to kill him. The carriage carrying the two men sped past familiar landscapes, pushing onward toward an uncertain destination.