In my previous life, what would I be doing right now?
I don’t know exactly. I’ve never written in a diary or kept any record with the dates written. I just remember a few big events throughout the years since I like to just go with the flow.
Looking back at my memory the inn would have already been burned down.
It should be around the period when I left Ilyang and worked as a grave keeper mowing the grass all day long.
A time when I only mow grass….
What on earth has happened to me?
The period is the same but…
Now I have so many subordinates that it’s difficult to take care of them individually. I had no choice but to adjust my training thinking of them as either my direct subordinate or focusing on the subordinates that catch my eye.
Among them the most recent and most important plan that I will focus my attention on will be to work on nagging threatening and converting their personalities until Master Yukhap is completely recovered.
As planned they ate up the Qi-Dispersing Poison. While the treatment is occurring and the former Ghost Demon is about to engage in a second and third round of psychological warfare a letter arrives.
I feel strange even before I open the letter. In fact it’s because there aren’t many people who would send me letters.
I thought it might be the Alliance Leader or Sword Demon.
However as soon as I read the letter I had no choice but to be shocked. It was a simple letter written like this:
“111 years are passing by like a day.
Hoping that there will be a reunion.
Watching a friend in Kangho leaving.“
It was a short letter with no sender or recipient’s name written on it so I read the contents repeatedly.
After rereading the letter I began to understand the meaning behind the three-line sentence.
111 years is the age of Heo Gyeom who is also an old manly sunbae.
‘Reunion’ means he thinks of me as a friend and wishes to see me again.
I interpreted the line ‘the years are passing like a day’ as Heo Gyeom’s health being in jeopardy.
I read it over and over again to look out for hidden meanings but I can’t find anything else.
I fold the letter and put it in my arms.
‘Hmm…’
After thinking for a long time with my arms crossed I called inside.
“Mrs. Son you there?”
“Yes Leader.”
As soon as Mrs. Son comes out of the room I say
“Prepare a 10000 nyang slip. Bring it along with a black jangsam1 in a bindle.”
“I will be right back.”
“Put some beef jerky in it too it’s fine if it’s bland. I also need a bamboo barrel.”
“Yes.”
I speak quietly to Cha Sung-tae who just entered the main hall.
“Quietly get So Gun-pyeong Manager Byuk and Master Hoyeon for me.”
“Yes.”
I wait for the officials with my chin propped. As soon as the officials arrive and close the hall door I say
“Have a seat.”
“Yes.”
“I tried not to keep this place unoccupied but I can’t help it. Chief So will be in charge of the antidote that needs to be fed to Master Yukhap. If they act out of control while I’m away under all of your watch kill Master Yukhap.”
“We understand. What about the Gold Silver Seven Insects?”
“Can’t you guys handle them as you see fit? Don’t let them die unless they act out.”
“Yes.”
“And there is a small possibility but the leader of Sima Clan has been seriously injured by my hand so they might hire third parties to infiltrate this place without my presence. If someone asks about my whereabouts say I went to Nanming Society. And if they gather troops and invade Nanming Society it can be resolved there to some extent. If anything happens take care of the situation accordingly. Tell the Four Generals to train in Black Rabbit Union for the time being.”
“Understood sir.”
So Gun-pyeong asks
“Where are you heading to Leader?”
“Blood Night Palace.”
“When are you leaving?”
I answered Mrs. Son who hurried out from the interior handing over the bindle.
“I’m leaving now.”
Watching my expression Cha Sung-tae says
“Leader if you’re off to fight you should take some men.”
“It’s too far. And I’m not off for a fight. It’s an urgent matter I need to attend to the troops will collapse before they arrive.”
I stand up and take a look at the officials.
“See you when I get back.”
As I stride out the officials follow me to the main gate in a group. Suddenly I look back at the officials because I think I’ve forgotten something. Then I say whatever comes to mind.
“While I’m away.”
“Yes.”
“Chief So will be in charge of Black Rabbit Union. Low-Down Sect under Sung-tae. Master Hoyeon is the trainer and other important internal matters will be in Manager Byuk’s hands. Discuss external Kangho affairs with Brother White Tiger.”
“All right.”
I nod in farewell and then speed off in my footwork.
Will I be able to meet Heo Gyeom?
I don’t know.
If 111 years passed by like a day…
Perhaps by now a dark night is passing in the life of a man named Heo Gyeom.
What does death mean for a manly elderly assassin who lived for more than a hundred years? Anyway there was a long way to go to the Blood Night Palace. A million things crossed my mind.
It will be a problem even after this old manly sunbae passes away.
While I was in Kangho in my previous life I never heard of or even remember knowing anything about a faction called Blood Night Palace.
This is why I am rushing to Blood Night Palace.
Because I have no idea what’s going on.
There’s also an unfounded anxiety.
At the same time I also want to say my final goodbyes to Heo Gyeom.
This is because we’re real men trying our best to keep our promises.
While I am running I gradually halt my thoughts and focus only on footwork. I have enough Qi to run nonstop but I can’t continue because the soles of my feet were hot the senses of my knees became strange and I was out of breath.
After a full day of running I sit down in a quiet place drink the water in the bamboo barrel and chew on beef jerky.
At that moment I instinctively look around and turn the spirit of the Shadow Moon Martial Arts internally. I instantly feel cool from head to toe. The condition itself was astonishingly fascinating.
While experiencing something new I can’t help but think that there is a long way to go. The completion of martial arts is a long way to go.
I get up again take a deep breath and resume my journey. This time I operate my inner Qi with the idea of combining extreme Yin and extreme Yang as a Division Technique.
It isn’t easy but it’s an area to be challenged someday.
Using Yin and Yang simultaneously in the body is the first stage.
Shooting both Yin and Yang from the body at the same time is the second stage.
Combining Yin and Yang and using them freely inside and outside the body is the third stage I decide on my own this is the starting line of Violet Mist Technique.
I run with the thought of building a new foundation for martial arts through footwork.
A monkey who holds back poop skips meals and thinks about martial arts while running.
I run and run like a crazy monkey observing the Sun and Moon in multiple shifts.
A promise is a promise.
When I arrived at Blood Night Palace
I knew it wasn’t too late. This is because instead of crying I could hear laughter.
‘Ah he kept his promise.’
When I arrive at the large hall with the guide by the Blood Night Palace warriors six or seven people are sitting around and Heo Gyeom is also sitting in a faded black robe in the center.
As soon as Heo Gyeom spots me he smiles as if he is happy to see me.
“Leader you really came. Yong-myeong what did I say? He will definitely come.”
Yong-myeong answers with a faint smile.
“Yes.”
Though there are several people on the sides I greet Heo Gyeom first.
“Sunbae I’m here.”
Kangho’s manners be damned.
I go to Heo Gyeom and lightly grab his crumpled hand. Heo Gyeom says with a smile
“Thank you for coming Leader.”
His tone is different from the other day but I don’t mind. We are not men who care about this kind of thing. I look at Heo Gyeom’s complexion and eyes and feel the grip of his hands. He has no strength at all.
I say with a smile
“Sunbae your outfit is not too bad. It looks like the assassin outfit you wore in your prime times.”
Heo Gyeom nods.
“You recognized it right away. It’s that outfit. I used to wear it when I was First Instructor…..”
Behind Heo Gyeom Yong-myeong says
“Leader please sit in my seat.”
Only then did I look around at the other guests. Blood Night Palace Leader is present and Lady Gyo Young who I gave a forehead flick to is also there along with some other Kangho warriors I don’t know. Once I sat in Yong-myeong’s seat I found out that sunbae Sword Demon didn’t come.
This isn’t a place to be chatty so I just look at Heo Gyeom.
It isn’t until I sit down that Blood Night Palace Leader says
“Leader thank you for coming all the way here.”
“Don’t mention it. I came comfortably like visiting a friend’s house next door.”
“….”
Blood Night Palace Leader squints her eyes and smiles. As the atmosphere was growing awkward I ask tactlessly as usual
“What were you talking about so pleasantly?”
Heo Gyeom says with a smile.
“This old man has lived for a long time so this faded black uniform remained. I was handing out a few items. Yong-myeong.”
“Yes.”
“Bring out the item I said the other day that would suit the leader.”
I look at Heo Gyeom and Yong-myeong.
‘He’s giving me a present as soon as I arrive?’
Actually it is more of a keepsake of Heo Gyeom than a present. While I am waiting for Yong-myeong I make eye contact with Lady Gyo Young smile and pretend to flick my finger.
Then Lady Gyo Young stares at me with her calm eyes. As soon as I see Gyo Young muttering under her breath I ask
“I’m annoying?”
Gyo Young is surprised and looks at Blood Night Palace Leader.
“No I didn’t say anything.”
“I know. Leader is teasing you so don’t get involved.”
“Yes.”
When I look around there is also a middle-aged man who I saw at a high-end manor called the Moonshine Pavilion the other day.
“You must be the owner of Moonshine Pavilion.”
The middle-aged man smiles and bows his head slightly.
“It’s been a while.”
Either he had a relationship with Heo Gyeom or only high-ranking officials of Blood Night Palace were present. Yong-myeong who came out straight from the inside hands Heo Gyeom a shabby wooden sword.
Heo Gyeom strokes the wooden sword and tells me
“This is my gift for you. This is a wooden sword I cherished when I was young I hope you could use it.”
I get up and receive the wooden sword from Heo Gyeom.
“Why would you hand out such a precious item….”
Heo Gyeom hands me a wooden sword and smiles broadly in a good mood. I go back to my seat holding the wooden sword and say to Heo Gyeom
“Senior I will make this a faction heirloom passed down to the leader of the Low Down from generation to generation.”
Heo Gyeom says with a light smile
“This is an assassination weapon Leader it does not suit it to be an heirloom.”
Heo Gyeom draws his finger sideways. I immediately realized what he was saying and pulled out the plain wooden sword. It looks like an ordinary wooden sword on the outside but it was an actual sword on the inside. Although it was light enough to feel weightless the sword blade looks very sharp.
I ask Heo Gyeom
“Sunbae does this sword have a name?”
“There is a name the assassin named but I won’t tell you so please give it a new name. That would be good.”
I nod and look at the wooden sword.
“I will.”
While looking at the people around him with a comfortable face Heo Gyeom says
“There are perks for living so long. I’m glad I have a lot to hand out.”
I listen to Heo Gyeom’s calm voice without saying much and turn my head to the main hall door. I could hear somewhat urgent footsteps and the Blood Night Palace warriors appeared in the main hall.
The young warrior reports with a pale face
“…I’d like to inform you that the Cult Leader is on his way to see Elder Heo.”
I look at the people of Blood Night Palace to find out what this is about.
Seeing everyone turn pale it seems that they must be uninvited guests.
The only calm person Heo Gyeom replies in a calm tone.
“How far did he come?”
“He’s already nearby. He has his people on standby and he will come alone so that Blood Night Palace doesn’t have to be wary so that Elder Heo will not feel uncomfortable is what he said.”
Heo Gyeom nods.
“It’s just a visit so there’s no need to overreact.”
In the meantime I try to figure out the situation despite feeling like a party-pooper. There’s nothing I can do in particular. I ask thinking I heard it wrong.
“Did sunbae change religions in your later years? Since the Cult Leader is coming….”
“….”
I accept the situation because nobody answers.
The leader of the Demon Cult is nearby.
It feels very refreshing and thrilling.
Editor’s Note
