RHD Chapter 125

“Looks like Heuk Seok took quite a beating. Hahaha!”

Baek Seok laughed heartily, in a good mood.

Number One stood at the doorway, and unlike last time, wasn’t invited to come closer.

Previously, when he had been troubled, he had called Number One near. But with good news, he didn’t invite him closer. They had returned to their original distance.

“I heard Ma Bonggi is dead.”

“It seems Young Master Cheon took action personally. You know what that means? That bitch Heuk Seok is finished.”

Number One thought these vulgar words rejoicing in a rival’s downfall suited Baek Seok well.

“You were right after all. You said they wouldn’t achieve their goal easily with Gal Saryang going along. Who would have thought even Whip Elder would die?”

“It was a reliable report from my subordinate.”

Number Seven‘s judgment had been accurate. She truly was reliable.

“There’s an extraordinary master around Gal Saryang.”

“Should we dig deeper to find out who it is?”

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

“Understood.”

Number One could understand Baek Seok’s intention. The task was still assigned to Heuk Seok. There was no need to help her.

“Let’s wait and see for now.”

“Yes.”

Number One bowed politely and walked out.

Their organization was strictly compartmentalized – not just themselves, but Baek Seok and Heuk Seok as well.

It had both advantages and disadvantages. While one advantage was that the collapse of one section wouldn’t affect the others, the disadvantage was the complete lack of any sense of belonging.

After all, they couldn’t know for whom or for what purpose they were doing this work.

Right now, Number One was feeling the disadvantage.

At times like this, he thought of Number Seven.

Strangely, whenever he felt empty inside, she came to mind. At such times, he wanted to share a drink with her.

But he had never asked her to drink. And probably never would.

Thus Number One left through the white corridor.

***

News arrived that Ma Cheol-gun had led his subordinates to defeat the demonic cultists.

He had achieved even greater results than the Bright Moon Regiment, the Martial Alliance’s elite force. Having arrived earlier, his forces had killed most of the demonic cultists.

“Our prediction was right. They’re definitely trying to make Ma Cheol-gun the Alliance Leader.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“There will be second and third attacks. Each time, Ma Cheol-gun will go and achieve military merit.”

It was a strategy built on innocent sacrifices. This was the decisive reason why I couldn’t forgive these behind-the-scenes forces.

They could be greedy and seek power. That was the nature of those who craved power.

But the problem was that this wasn’t just a fight between the greedy – they were killing innocent people to achieve their goals.

“Has Ma Cheol-gun been recruited by them too?”

“I’m not sure about that. Whether it’s recruitment or revenge for his father’s death.”

If Ma Cheol-gun had joined hands with them?

We couldn’t rule out that possibility. Sometimes the desire for power could easily consume a person.

“We can’t let things go according to their plans.”

“Of course, but if we interfere, you’ll be in danger, Commander.”

“True. But can we just stand by and watch?”

After looking at Gal Saryang for a moment, I spoke quietly.

“I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Could you come somewhere with me?”

“Where?”

“You’ll know when we get there. It will take some time.”

I was suggesting we leave the emergency operations room in this situation. Though it was an unreasonable request, Gal Saryang stood up without hesitation.

“Let’s go.”

***

With Byeok Ri-dan, we arrived at East Lake^[1], located east of Wuhan.

As vast as an ocean and scenically beautiful, many tourists were enjoying boat rides.

Byeok Ri-dan rented a boat. I just watched what he did.

We launched the boat onto the lake, and I boarded with him. Near the shore, there were many boats carrying couples. Some friends were drinking together on boats, while others were leisurely fishing.

Byeok Ri-dan kept rowing.

After going quite far, we could no longer see other boats. The lake was so large that we couldn’t see its end no matter how far we went.

Byeok Ri-dan asked me:

“Aren’t you going to ask where we’re going?”

“What we’re going for is important, not where we’re going.”

Byeok Ri-dan smiled at my answer and continued rowing.

Though curious, I wasn’t anxious. He had saved my life several times. Without him, I would have been dead already.

“It feels good to be out on the lake after so long.”

With the clear sky reflected in the lake, it felt like we were crossing the heavens by boat.

When was the last time I had crossed a lake so leisurely by boat?

After going quite far, we came upon a small island.

“We’re here. Let’s disembark.”

The two of us got off on the island.

There was a small manor on a hill overlooking the lake.

“I didn’t expect to find a manor in such a place.”

“It’s my manor.”

“Your manor?”

“Yes.”

This was truly unexpected. This Byeok Ri-dan was like an onion – peeling back each layer revealed something new.

There was a tall pavilion at a spot in the manor with an excellent view of the lake. We sat facing each other there. Wine and dried meat had been prepared in advance.

But no people were visible in the manor. They must have been cleared out for today’s meeting.

“Please have a drink.”

Byeok Ri-dan poured me wine.

“Thank you.”

Drinking while looking at the spectacular view made me feel like an immortal. Whatever he wanted to discuss, choosing this location was well done. Just being here put me in a good mood.

“I brought you here because I have something secret to tell you.”

At least here, no one could eavesdrop.

“Go ahead.”

Tension I had never seen before appeared in Byeok Ri-dan’s eyes. This from someone who hadn’t been this tense even when fighting demonic cultists.

Indeed, his words were shocking.

“I joined the Righteous Thought Pavilion because of you, Commander.”

“Because of me?”

I was startled. Actually, while coming here, I had tried to guess what Byeok Ri-dan wanted to say. My conclusion had been this:

Would he say he was leaving the Righteous Thought Pavilion?

The Alliance Leader was dead and the demonic cult had revived. There were mysterious forces behind it, and important Alliance organizations cooperating with them.

The situation was too dangerous.

I had decided to let him go gracefully if he said he was leaving the Righteous Thought Pavilion. Though losing him would be a great shame, I couldn’t force him to risk his life.

“Tell me more.”

“I wanted to make you my person.”

“What?”

This was truly the most shocking moment since meeting Byeok Ri-dan. Laughter burst out.

“Hahahahaha.”

“Why are you laughing?”

“I’m laughing because I’m so surprised.”

Surprising and absurd. I didn’t know how to take those words.

“You mean you want me to serve under you?”

“Yes. That’s why I joined the Righteous Thought Pavilion. To gain your trust and make you my person.”

“Hahahahaha. You know I’m the Commander-in-Chief of the Martial Alliance?”

“Since I’m your Responsible Commanding Officer, I suppose I do know that.”

I knew his words weren’t a joke.

“I already know your abilities. You certainly have the qualifications to say such things.”

He had skills surpassing Ma Bonggi and enough wealth to own this island. Moreover, from what he had shown in the Righteous Thought Pavilion, he was extremely intelligent and showed judgment beyond his years. Still, his words were truly unexpected.

“What do you want to do with me?”

Byeok Ri-dan answered without hesitation.

“Fight against the Martial Alliance and the forces behind it. Eliminate all those who plotted this conspiracy.”

The same goal as mine.

Is he trying to deceive me?

I should be suspicious first. But I didn’t think so. This was instinct. If this instinct betrayed me – an instinct I had lived with my whole life that made me think it was worth risking my fate even if I were deceived.

Though young, I felt Byeok Ri-dan was worth betting my destiny on.

Although I was Commander-in-Chief, my life hung by a thread. They had kept me alive to use me.

Could I really withstand these people who would even assassinate the Alliance Leader?

Yet I hesitated for one reason. The core of this matter was ‘revenge.’ Not for justice or greater good, but for revenge against Cheon Hajin. Could I involve him in my personal revenge? It weighed on my conscience.

Right then, as if seeing through my thoughts, Byeok Ri-dan said:

“I believe the previous Alliance Leader was killed by them.”

“What?”

I was so surprised I almost cried out “Ah!”

“They killed this Alliance Leader too. They’re running wild as if this martial world belongs to them. I think we must stop them.”

Still, I hesitated. Perhaps because I was reluctant to serve anyone other than Cheon Hajin as master.

“Why me?”

“Someone recommended you to me. Someone you know well.”

“Who?”

Just then, someone walked towards us.

“It’s been a long time, squad leader.”

I was shocked to see who it was. Surprisingly, it was Baek Pyo.

“Sir Baek!”

Baek Pyo’s aura was different from before. If he had given off a gentle and reliable feeling before, now he seemed sharp and powerful.

But that smile directed at me after so long remained unchanged.

“Have you been well?”

***

I left Gal Saryang and Baek Pyo to talk and came down from the pavilion.

I had done what I could. The rest was up to Baek Pyo.

It would be nice if I could do everything by myself, but my loyalty to my previous life was too strong for that.

I walked around the island.

I kept my mind at ease. Though I desperately needed Gal Saryang, it wasn’t something that could be forced.

After about half an hour, the two men walked to where I was.

I couldn’t tell from their expressions what decision had been made.

Gal Saryang looked at me and asked:

“Let me ask one thing. What do you plan to do after all this is safely over?”

“I plan to give everyone freedom.”

“Freedom?”

“Yes. Those who want to leave can leave, those who want to stay can stay. What I want isn’t loyalty.”

“Then what is it?”

“I want everyone – myself and my subordinates – to be happy.”

Gal Saryang looked shocked. He hadn’t expected the word ‘happiness’ to come up. But I had thought this way from before.

“My fight began from there. If they ruled the martial world, or schemed from behind the scenes, but made everyone happy, I wouldn’t have begun this fight.”

But many people had died before they even revealed their true colors. As they say, you can know ten things by seeing one – more people would die in the future. To satisfy their greed.

“Happiness…”

Gal Saryang made his final deliberation.

Saryang, I need you. Please forget the me of the past and follow the me of now.

Gal Saryang asked again:

“I have more flaws and weaknesses than I appear to. Would someone like me be acceptable?”

I answered:

“Birds don’t consider their wings heavy.”

He and Baek Pyo were both my wings.

“Rather, can you fly carrying me? I’m the one with many shortcomings.”

Did my desperation and sincerity reach him?

He slowly knelt before me.

“I, Gal Saryang, Commander-in-Chief of the Martial Alliance, swear before heaven and earth my loyalty to Young Master Byeok, who shall be the last master of my life.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

“Ah!”

My legs nearly gave out and I almost collapsed. Joy welled up so strongly my whole body trembled.

Thank you, Saryang. Thank you so much.

I hurriedly grabbed his hands and helped him up.

“Thank you, Commander-in-Chief Gal. I will strive never to disappoint you.”

“You may disappoint me. Just don’t give up until the end.”

“I will do my best.”

I hugged Gal Saryang tightly.

“Young Master Byeok?”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

He must have felt it. My heart beating powerfully.

Yes, let’s start anew now. Different from my previous life, let’s proceed more closely and intimately.

Gal Saryang said to me with an emotional face:

“No, I should thank you for needing someone as lacking as myself so desperately.”

Baek Pyo, standing beside us, smiled brightly.

“This has turned out well. Really well.”

“Let’s do well together from now on.”

“Yes, Commander.”

The two men looked at each other and smiled brightly.

This time, I grabbed Baek Pyo’s hands.

“Thank you. This would never have been possible without you, Sir Baek.”

“Not at all. The Commander-in-Chief had already made up his mind.”

Then Gal Saryang said with a smile:

“No, Commanding Officer Baek – or rather, Chief Commander Baek now. Your persuasion was very significant.”

He was being thoughtful for Baek Pyo’s sake. Instead of taking credit himself, he was giving today’s merit to Baek Pyo. This showed Gal Saryang’s character.

Then I should accept that sentiment.

“Chief Commander Baek, I won’t forget your contribution today.”

Baek Pyo bowed his head with a happy expression.

Gal Saryang and Baek Pyo.

I had finally obtained both my wings.