Chapter 97

Chapter 97
Descending from the raised combat ring, Baek So-cheon walked straight toward the spot where Ak So-gun sat.

“Had it not been for your intervention, a terrible disaster would have unfolded,” Ak So-gun remarked, seizing Baek So-cheon’s hand in a tight, grateful clasp. Because of his timely actions, another catastrophic situation had been successfully averted.

“Fortune simply favored me,” Baek So-cheon replied.

“There is no reason to be so humble. What you accomplished was truly extraordinary.”

“You honor me.”

“Still, how were you so certain that poison was involved?” Je-gal Hyeon, standing just beside them, asked with deep intrigue.

“It was not grounded in concrete proof, but rather an unshakable conviction that the man was fully capable of murdering his own flesh and blood. A truly dreadful tragedy, without question.”

Both Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon gave somber nods.

“He is nothing less than a beast wearing a human guise. To butcher his very own offspring…” Ak So-gun made no attempt to conceal his simmering fury. The sheer outrage that had previously driven him to send a private message urging Baek So-cheon toward an immediate joint strike had been sparked by Yeom Hwa-sin’s willingness to eliminate his own son.

Even when Baek So-cheon had initially foreseen such a scheme, a faint doubt—a persistent thought of ‘he surely wouldn’t’—had lingered within Ak So-gun’s thoughts. Yet witnessing such an unnatural and repulsive act unfold before his very eyes had provoked genuine, boiling wrath.

“From the start, he never held the slightest concept of family affection. His mind is consumed solely by the ambition to claim absolute supremacy.”

The one responsible for shaping him into such an inhuman creature was almost certainly his own father. A clear illustration of that cruelty was when the boy had been forced to execute the young woman who had been his first love. While such a past was miserable and pitiable, it could never justify slaughtering his own child in the present day.

“Do you believe he will actually abide by the terms?”

“My instincts lean toward yes, yet his mind is terribly difficult to read. It would be unwise to place full faith in his pledge.”

“Regardless, now that his heir is dead, we must remain constantly on guard.”

Je-gal Hyeon voiced his agreement with Ak So-gun’s assessment. Even as they exchanged affirming nods, Baek So-cheon viewed the situation somewhat differently.

He felt fairly confident that Yeom Hwa-sin would keep his word.

Yeom Hwa-sin had appeared genuinely impressed when Baek So-cheon unraveled the hidden scheme. His willingness to permit an inspection of the corpse so readily had stemmed directly from the fact that it was Baek So-cheon pursuing the matter. Without that particular estimation, he never would have complied with their requests so effortlessly.

Ultimately, Baek So-cheon reasoned that Yeom Hwa-sin would honor the commitment as a form of respect or reward. It was an intuitive feeling rooted in a strange, unvoiced emotional connection shared exclusively between him and Yeom Hwa-sin—a subtle dynamic he could not easily explain to anyone else.

After concluding his discussion with Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon, Baek So-cheon went to find Ban Wol-ryang to convey his heartfelt appreciation.

“If the Divine Physician had not lent his expertise, we never could have brought about this resolution. You have my deepest gratitude.”

“By good fortune, it happened to be a venom I had encountered before, allowing me to be of service. It brings me great joy that my knowledge proved useful.” Ban Wol-ryang beamed with immense pride. What occurred today would undoubtedly serve as a story he could boast of for the rest of his days.

“You prevented an outright war, Divine Physician.”

“Such praise is far too grand. Had you not set the stage, there would have been no opportunity for me to assist in the first place.” Having watched Baek So-cheon’s recovery from severe harm at close quarters, receiving such recognition from him felt all the more gratifying. “Please look after the Murim from here on out.”

“I shall.”

Observing the faint smile on Baek So-cheon’s lips, Ban Wol-ryang quietly scolded himself for uttering such a redundant request. He was asking a warrior who had previously rescued the entire martial world to shoulder the burden all over again.

‘Forgive me. Just one more time, please save us once again.’

News of the duel’s conclusion quickly spilled into the streets outside, where the waiting masses erupted into thunderous celebration.

“The warrior Baek has triumphed!”

“Our hero has returned!”

“Baek So-cheon is back!”

The entire vicinity surrounding the headquarters of the Murim Alliance transformed into a vibrant festival. To commemorate the triumph, the Alliance sponsored the neighboring taverns and rest houses, distributing endless food and wine free of charge.

“Glory to the Murim Alliance!”

“Glory to Baek So-cheon!”

Inside the grand halls of the Murim Alliance, a formal banquet was arranged to honor the gathered martial artists. Baek So-cheon attended the gathering, moving among the crowd to exchange pleasantries. He possessed no personal desire to show off his success at such a gala, yet out of consideration for Ak So-gun and the Alliance, turning it down was impossible.

These people had assembled specifically to witness his martial contest. They were the very foundations sustaining the righteous factions—some guided by noble, chivalric ideals, while others were moved by private self-interest.

Even so, every single one of them held value. They comprised the heart of the orthodox realm, and whether one liked it or not, standing against the Black Heaven Alliance was feasible only with their collective presence.

“An astonishing performance.”

“You were truly magnificent!”

“Please remember my name! I intend to become an exceptional hero just like you, Lord Baek!”

The attendees vied desperately merely to touch his hand or exchange greetings. No one had anticipated that an individual bereft of internal energy could engage in combat with such ferocious intensity. Moreover, exposing the clandestine poisoning plot had proved far more electrifying than the physical confrontation itself.

The match forced everyone to thoroughly reconsider their views on Baek So-cheon. Dismissing him simply because he had lost his internal power now appeared to be nothing short of foolishness, especially after the spectacle he had just produced.

During his victory speech, Baek So-cheon directed a serious appeal toward the gathered assembly.

“As each of you is well aware, the Black Heaven Alliance could very well unleash war once again.”

A wave of solemn nods traveled across the anxious crowd.

“Yeom Hwa-sin desires the total subjugation of the Murim so desperately that he did not hesitate to sacrifice his own offspring. If an all-out conflict breaks out, he will move to wipe out every righteous sect without exception. There will be no sanctuary—neither in deep mountain ranges nor in distant coastal settlements. He will relentlessly pursue us until complete annihilation. We must stand united and combine our full strength.”

A significant number of renowned masters present had fought by his side during the prior conflict. While they sincerely mourned the loss of his cultivation, today’s display had convinced them that he could still hold his own across any battlefield.

“When war arrives, please lead the way. Even if you only offer tactical commands from behind the front lines, that alone would be enough.”

It was a sentiment shared by everyone in the room.

“Yes, I will do so.”

Naturally, Baek So-cheon did not intend to let matters deteriorate to that extreme. His goal was to settle the dispute with Yeom Hwa-sin personally before an outright war could engulf the land. Assuming the opponent upheld his end of the bargain, that fateful clash would occur precisely one year from now.

Having carried out his obligatory duties, Baek So-cheon stepped away from the lively banquet hall without drawing attention.

With her hands clasped loosely behind her back, she stood gazing up into the open night sky, where stars glittered between the sheer silhouettes of the encircling cliffs.

It was then that Baek So-cheon walked over. Without turning around to look, she spoke first.

“I missed out on watching your duel because I had to keep an eye on that wretched fellow.”

“My apologies.”

“It’s nothing. The outcome was already obvious anyway. He is fast asleep right now.”

Naturally, she had positioned her four personal guardians to watch over Pa-jeong’s quarters, ensuring vigilance even throughout the night hours.

Only after saying this did Cheon-geuk turn toward him, her face brightening with a radiant grin.

“Congratulations on winning.”

“Thank you.”

No other words of congratulations could have brought him greater comfort. Her smile seemed to make all the dark conspiracies festering within the Murim simply fade into nothingness, even though she herself occupied a place at the very center of it all.

“I heard about what took place upon the stage. Anyone else would have shrunk back from taking such a massive gamble.”

“It was something that could only be attempted because the opponent was him.”

Such a move was plausible solely because it involved Yeom Hwa-sin.

“You are likely the only person who would make that claim. The rest of the world believes no one else could have pulled it off precisely because it was Yeom Hwa-sin.”

Baek So-cheon let out a soft laugh.

“Thanks to what you did, we managed to secure a full year.”

“Assuming they actually hold to their word.”

She threw him a sideways glance.

“To tell the truth, an outbreak of war would have worked out quite nicely for our side.”

“I am aware.”

“And yet here I am, actively helping you stop it. If the assassins found out about this, they might very well cast me out.”

“They will do no such thing.”

“Why do you say that? Do you think I can justify it by claiming it was for the good of the assassins?”

While widespread war certainly brought immense wealth and lucrative contracts, it also cost the lives of innumerable assassins. Framing the prevention of conflict in that light was entirely defensible.

“Then what is your reasoning?”

“Because you are beautiful.”

Cheon-geuk stared at him in stunned silence for a brief moment before bursting into cheerful laughter.

“Right on the mark! Come, let us share a drink to celebrate your win.”

She had already arranged wine and appetizers in advance, serving them on delicate, attractive dishware just like she used to do in the past. These subtle, considerate touches always served as a gentle reminder to Baek So-cheon that she was, after all, a woman.

“You held back from drinking at the feast?”

“I was keeping my thirst for you.”

“You are practically a seer now. You foresaw that I would come here looking for a cup.”

“Indeed.”

They clinked their cups together with a lively sound and downed the liquor.

“I am truly fond of this location. One day, I might just construct a small dwelling here and settle down.”

Cheon-geuk reflected that if the time ever came for her to depart from the Sal-su Yeon-maeng, this secluded haven would make a wonderful retreat—a flawless sanctuary for disappearing entirely from the world.

From time to time, Baek So-cheon could detect that hidden yearning within her: an urge to break away from all the bloodshed and turmoil. It was hardly surprising. Carrying the weight of leading crude and lethal assassins as a woman was bound to take a heavy toll on anyone’s spirit.

“I am still astounded that he went so far as to murder his own child. Could it be that he wasn’t his biological offspring? No, even if that were true…” Cheon-geuk shook her head in disbelief. She had harbored a strong desire to see Yeom Sa-won dead as well, yet having his life extinguished by his very own father left behind an empty, unsettling sensation. “Just why is a madman like that so captivated by you?”

“Captivated? Is that how it appears to you?”

“Doesn’t he treat you in an extraordinarily unique way?”

“Holding someone in special regard is hardly the same as affection.”

“Then what sort of sentiment is it supposed to be?”

Baek So-cheon had pondered that very question himself, but the feeling resisted any simple classification.

“If he held any genuine fondness for me, he wouldn’t be trying to take my life. Yet he fully intends to do so.”

“Well, that is certainly a relief. I wouldn’t want some lunatic competing with me for your affections.”

Baek So-cheon let out a quiet chuckle at her playful quip.

“Leaving that aside, did you manage to discover whom Pa-jeong was meeting with?”

“Yes. Over the two days I trailed him, he visited four distinct locations.” Cheon-geuk produced a folded sheet of paper recording the exact hours and destinations, handing it over to him.

“You were exceptionally detailed.”

“One must remain meticulous if they hope to survive in the trade of assassination.”

“My thanks.”

“It was nothing.”

“Was it not perilous?”

“I merely observed him from a safe distance.” She had an excellent reason for being able to keep her distance so easily. “As you will see from the notes, he merely wandered around the territory of the Alliance, doing nothing particularly conspicuous.”

“That is precisely what arouses suspicion. Why would he spend his time aimlessly roaming about?”

“Could he have detected that someone was watching him?”

“That seems unlikely.” He possessed full confidence in her concealment techniques, and neither of them had given any indication of their wariness toward him. Had he grown cautious, remaining quietly in his quarters would have been the far more sensible choice.

“He is clearly absorbed in orchestrating some covert plot. That explains why he deliberately skipped the contest. Even an utterly indifferent spectator would not have passed up an encounter like that one.”

“That is true. It is unquestionably strange.”

“Where was his location while the duel was taking place?”

While the attention of every onlooker was firmly glued to the combat ring, he would have seized the chance to breach some heavily secured area. Yet her reply took him off guard.

“He was around the outer boundaries, exactly as noted down there. Could he have been surveying the perimeter defenses?”

“Gaining knowledge of the exterior is pointless without understanding the internal security. Furthermore, trying to map out defenses purely by sight while taking a casual walk would be completely ineffective.”

“We will have to find out what he is truly after.”

Baek So-cheon then brought to mind the second condition that Myeol Ji-ryun had requested.

—The second condition: Permit him to remain within the Murim Alliance for a period of time following his formal withdrawal. There is no requirement for marriage. Only until Yeom Sa-won completely abandons his pursuit of me.

A desire to linger behind meant there was unfinished business to attend to. That gave them sufficient time to unravel whatever scheme was underway.

“I truly appreciate your assistance through all of this.”

“If anything, I am the one who ought to thank you. You made me an enormous sum of coin.”

“Just how much did you gain?”

“Are you curious to know?”

Cheon-geuk stretched her arms out as wide as they could go.

The fruits of victory came in many shapes and sizes—renown, vast wealth, celebrated masterwork blades, rare medicinal elixirs, or elevated societal status. Yet the thrill she experienced stood in a league of its own, delivering an intoxicating delight that surpassed ordinary material treasures.

On that tranquil night, Baek So-cheon discovered that she had walked away with three hundred thousand nyang from her wager on his match.