Chapter 59

Chapter 59
Upon his return to the Alliance, Baek So-cheon made his way directly toward Je-gal Hyeon within the strategic command division.

Word of his successful assignment had reached the tacticians beforehand via a carrier bird. When Baek So-cheon stepped into the room, every strategist lowered their head in unison to convey their profound admiration.

Talk had previously circulated during the establishment of Hyun-cheon-dae regarding his victory over Bi-gak’s master Wang-ho, but this latest development dispelled any lingering doubts that it was a fluke. Even so, the strategists offered their sincere reverence not merely because of his martial prowess, but out of deep respect for his courage in braving a hostage rescue for people who were total strangers to him.

Je-gal Hyeon hurried out of his private quarters and firmly took Baek So-cheon’s hands in his own.

“I cannot express how relieved I am to see you back unharmed. Truly, it is a blessing.”

“Fortune favored me, and I caught them completely off guard.”

“What was the actual reason behind them summoning you?”

“A bounty had been placed on my life.”

“Precisely as I suspected! Were you able to identify who orchestrated it?”

“They claimed the contract came through an intermediary who kept their identity hidden.”

“Hmm. Do you suspect anyone in particular?”

Baek So-cheon gave a quiet shake of his head.

Yet beneath his calm exterior, a single figure surfaced in his thoughts: the Murim Alliance Lord himself. What had transpired during the banquet, when the Lord probed Baek So-cheon’s internal energy, had felt unmistakable.

If that assumption proved true, what would come next?

The ramifications were chilling. Had it been an action driven by Seop-hon-sul, that would be one reality—but what if the Lord genuinely desired his death out of his own free will? What options remained?

Strike down the Lord? Flee into hiding? Ultimately, even the Black Heaven Alliance Lord would take up the chase, plunging him into open warfare against the entirety of the Murim world.

Praying earnestly that the Lord had no part in the scheme, Baek So-cheon handed over the promissory voucher he had retrieved from the fallen foe.

“This represents the funds they were paid. Investigate its origin, just to be certain.”

“Understood.”

Je-gal Hyeon promptly delegated the task of tracing the draft to one of his junior tacticians.

“That reminds me—on the day you came by before, you appeared to have something important to discuss.”

That conversation had been interrupted by the sudden, urgent news of the hostage situation.

“Ah, yes. I would like to arrange an unforced, casual encounter with the Alliance Lord.”

“With the Lord?”

“Indeed. However, the meeting must appear entirely natural.”

“Hmm.”

Je-gal Hyeon reflected in silence for a brief spell before his eyes lit up with an idea.

“Now that I consider it, the Bi-gak Lord will be celebrating her birthday in a matter of days. She intends to hold a very modest reception—is it not almost certain the Alliance Lord will attend?”

Considering the deep camaraderie between the two, his presence was practically guaranteed.

“The Bi-gak Lord would need to extend an invitation to me first, though.”

“I shall see to it that she does. How about I bring you along as my guest?”

“Yes, that should serve our purpose well.”

—

Later that evening.

While Baek So-cheon sat in tranquil contemplation working through his cultivation technique, Im Choong came by to visit.

“Brother.”

“What brings you here?”

“Have a taste of this. My wife prepared it.”

“My thanks. Why don’t we invite Beon Saeng over and share a cup of liquor together?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Im Choong went to fetch Beon Saeng, who had only just walked through his front door following an exhaustive late-night martial practice.

“Ah! That hits the spot—I was just yearning for a drink.”

The three companions sat together and shared their wine.

During their days in Mun-seong, they had crossed paths every single day, whereas now, extended stretches could pass without catching a glimpse of one another. Baek So-cheon had even been away on duty for nearly an entire month.

“I apologize.”

“Whatever for?”

“I brought you both along to this place, yet I have failed to look after you properly.”

“Please do not speak like that. We are hardly helpless children—we are more than capable of handling ourselves. You provided the foundation and opened the doorway for us, and that alone is more than plenty.”

Moved by Beon Saeng’s sensible perspective, Im Choong opened up about how his household was faring.

“I spent countless hours agonizing over whether my family could settle down out here. As it turns out, they settled in far quicker than I did. Chan has already made several companions, and my wife has struck up warm friendships with our neighbors. It truly makes me realize that we often worry about trivialities—people always find a path to adapt and flourish.”

“Hearing that brings me great relief.”

“And how are things with you, brother?”

“I am doing well myself. In truth, I have not felt this peaceful in three years.”

Broad smiles broke across the faces of both Im Choong and Beon Saeng.

“Shall we raise our cups to celebrate that?”

“Cheers.”

The exquisite dishes helped temper the strength of the spirits as they drank.

Looking back on earlier days, Baek So-cheon found his thoughts drifting toward the relentless wave of conflicts that had consumed him. The naive eighteen-year-old had weathered countless storms to emerge as a hardened middle-aged warrior by the time the fighting ceased, yet his underlying devotion remained as unwavering as ever.

Thankfully, his present focus rested on the companions around him: Beon Saeng and Im Choong, Je-gal Hyeon, the fighters who had enlisted into Hyun-cheon-dae, and even Cheon-geuk alongside Na-sa-rin.

In past moments of despair, he had convinced himself that nothing remained in his life beyond the meager rewards gleaned from warfare.

Yet he recognized now that such thoughts had been nothing more than bitter laments born of sorrow.

People had stood beside him the entire time—he simply had not opened his eyes to see them clearly.

His existence had found true direction once more.

No longer tethered to hollow ideals of upholding justice throughout the Murim; he understood with clarity the specific souls he fought to protect.

Naturally, there were greater ambitions to pursue beyond mere sentimentality.

The parting counsel of Ban Yun-saeng echoed in his memory once more.

*Live your life for your own sake.*

Baek So-cheon emptied his cup and offered a silent vow in his heart.

*I hear you, elder. Regardless of the trials ahead, I will attain my own happiness.*

The three men spent the remainder of the evening laughing and exchanging warm banter over their drinks. Though they were neither legendary masters nor peerless figures of renown, no gathering could have brought greater genuine contentment.

—

Over the ensuing days, Baek So-cheon dedicated his hours to mastering the arcane method Na-sa-rin had shared with him.

The skill promised immense utility for what lay ahead. The ability to identify adversaries manipulation through Seop-hon-sul could spell the difference between survival and death.

Before long, the day of On Byeok-hwa’s celebration arrived.

Baek So-cheon had no reason to worry about securing entry. There was no need to pretend to accompany Je-gal Hyeon, as On Byeok-hwa had sent him a personal invitation herself.

Arriving at the venue, he realized that she had invited only a very select circle rather than the complete gathering of division commanders and unit leaders. Aside from those few, only her most trusted Bi-gak confidants were present. The sparse guest list offered a clear testament to her absolute apathy toward Alliance politics.

“A very happy birthday to you.”

Baek So-cheon offered his formal greetings alongside a carefully selected gift.

“You have my gratitude.”

“I am thankful for your gracious invitation.”

“It is merely a small gathering. Please, step inside.”

Taking the opportunity to test the newly learned method, Baek So-cheon focused the technique upon her. Just as Na-sa-rin had noted, she showed no indications of suffering from Seop-hon-sul, nor was she practiced in its arts.

Within the gathering hall, Je-gal Hyeon caught his eye and motioned for him to come over.

“You managed to make it.”

“I see you are here as well.”

“I must admit, I was surprised to hear the Bi-gak Lord extended an invitation to you personally.”

“It was unexpected for me too.”

What motive had prompted her to do so?

Standing alongside Je-gal Hyeon, Baek So-cheon observed the guests as they arrived.

Naturally, he cast the appraisal technique toward Je-gal Hyeon as well.

As anticipated, not a shred of Seop-hon-sul lingered within him.

He proceeded to examine every attendee he crossed paths with—none among the gathering harbored any trace of the art or suffered its influence.

The Alliance Lord was the sole figure left to evaluate.

While tending to her guests, On Byeok-hwa strolled back toward their side.

“Word reached me that you executed a splendid rescue for the Sa-yeong household.”

“They merely let their guard drop under the assumption that I was stripped of internal energy. It was sheer fortune.”

“It must have required true capability. Wang-ho has not uttered a single word about returning to my side.”

Following the thorough thrashing he received during their initial duel, Wang-ho’s admiration had swelled dramatically after the Sa-yeong crisis, leading him to praise Baek So-cheon ceaselessly to his fellow Bi-gak comrades until the compliments reached On Byeok-hwa’s ears.

“Wang-ho is simply a dedicated man. He only wishes to assist in areas where my own competence falls short.”

On Byeok-hwa offered a warm smile at his modest defense of Wang-ho.

Just then, Ak So-gun made his entrance, flanked by an escort of personal bodyguards.

The assembled guests bowed their heads in deep deference as the Alliance Lord stepped into the room.

“We pay our respects, Alliance Lord.”

“There is no need for stiff formality at an intimate gathering such as this.”

Ak So-gun walked toward On Byeok-hwa.

“I offer you my warmest birthday wishes.”

“I feel unworthy of such honor, receiving congratulations from so esteemed a guest.”

“If we are speaking of honor, your presence here is the far rarer privilege.”

“You flatter me too much. Holding a birthday banquet amid these turbulent times feels somewhat excessive.”

“Hahaha. It is precisely during difficult times that one must hold dear what truly matters. Come, all of you—raise your cups and drink.”

“Allow me to serve you.”

On Byeok-hwa filled Ak So-gun’s goblet. Throughout the exchange, the Lord had not cast a single glance toward Baek So-cheon or Je-gal Hyeon.

Together, the room raised their drinks to offer a toast in honor of her birthday.

Baek So-cheon and Je-gal Hyeon then stepped forward to approach Ak So-gun.

Only at that moment did the Lord finally shift his gaze toward Baek So-cheon.

“The Lord of Sa-yeong came to offer his thanks in person. Your contribution was instrumental to the resolution.”

“Your words are far too generous.”

Ak So-gun’s complexion appeared noticeably more flushed than normal, and fine beads of perspiration clung to his brow despite his realm at the Transcendent Peak, which granted absolute mastery over his physical vessel—a distinctly peculiar detail.

“I am told the perpetrators were figures of considerable martial skill.”

“Once again, it was merely good fortune. And their own complacency.”

“Exercise greater prudence from this point onward. The martial world has caught wind of your deeds, and your adversaries will not commit the mistake of underestimating you again.”

“I shall keep that in mind.”

“Continue to apply your efforts faithfully to the Alliance.”

“I will.”

With their brief exchange concluded, Ak So-gun shifted his attention back toward the Bi-gak Lord.

Je-gal Hyeon drew nearer to Baek So-cheon, noticing the abrupt rigidity in the other man’s expression.

“Is something the matter?”

Baek So-cheon subtly extended his senses to verify no one was eavesdropping. Even while devoid of internal cultivation, his acute perception had previously penetrated the hidden presence of Cheon-geuk.

Now that his power was restored, no expert in the realm could conceal themselves from his awareness. Having confirmed their surroundings were secure, he lowered his voice to a whisper meant only for Je-gal Hyeon.

“The Lord is not under the control of Seop-hon-sul.”

—

Deep into the night, Baek So-cheon stood in solitary silence upon a towering mountain summit.

The crisp nocturnal winds whipped through his dark hair, yet he remained perfectly still, trapped in heavy contemplation.

To be candid, a part of him had desperately wished to find the Lord ensnared by Seop-hon-sul.

Yet Ak So-gun had revealed not the slightest symptom of the technique.

Was that fleeting crimson glimmer in his eyes merely an optical illusion?

How could he have misread it so thoroughly?

From the standpoint of the greater martial world, this was a relief—yet for his own personal reality, it was devastating.

Every harsh action taken by the Lord had been conceived entirely of his own volition.

The absence of any visit during his illness, the total lack of contact or concern during his demotion.

Baek So-cheon could not make sense of it.

Decades of unyielding reverence, absolute loyalty, and selfless dedication—why cast it all aside?

Merely because his internal energy had collapsed? Even if that were the cause, he had anticipated a far more dignified parting from a leader of such standing.

A familiar voice echoed from behind him.

“What could occupy your thoughts so deeply? A gentle shove from behind would send you tumbling off the cliff before you even noticed.”

“You have arrived.”

It was Cheon-geuk. The heavy quiet in his posture had already revealed the outcome to her before he spoke.

“The Lord is free of Seop-hon-sul.”

Baek So-cheon offered a slow nod.

She understood well the weight of the path they had walked together across these past three years.

“What is your next move?”

“Simply walk away from the Alliance.”

Being a man of flesh and blood, the notion had crossed his mind.

Yet with the shadow of conflict looming and catastrophic bloodshed inevitable, he could not turn his back on them—not when it meant abandoning Beon Saeng, Im Choong, and the loyal subordinates who stood within Hyun-cheon-dae.

Had his inner strength remained shattered, the realization might well have crushed his spirit entirely.

Yet as he stood now, he possessed both the martial capacity and the determination to uncover the truth.

“I will get to the bottom of this.”

No matter how many angles he considered, Ak So-gun’s behavior contradicted basic reason.

And what of the crisis with the Sa-yeong hostages—had that been orchestrated by the Lord as well?

Given the rumors regarding his confrontation with Wang-ho, the Lord would have known three martial artists stood little chance of success. If he had intended to see him eradicated, he would have dispatched far more formidable killers.

Something simply did not add up.

Trying to force the Lord into the role of the mastermind behind the curtains created awkward inconsistencies—pieces that refused to sit flush.

Cheon-geuk watched his silent contemplation carefully.

“I can lend you a hand.”

“There is no need. It is wiser for you to remain detached from the affairs of the Alliance.”

“Regardless, send for me if a need arises.”

“I will remember that.”

He had never foreseen that calling upon her assistance would eventually cultivate such genuine mutual reliance.

The journey of life was truly beyond prediction.

Cooled by the sweeping autumn breeze, the two companions remained standing upon the edge of the precipice for a long time.