2
6
“…….”
“Who are you, you son of a bitch!”
The moment I saw the fierce gaze of Yalu Zai as he turned away, I realized. ‘Damn it…’ The current Yalu Zai doesn’t know me. And.
“Answer me, you son of a bitch! Why did you grab someone who was walking away perfectly fine!”… …
In his previous life, Yelu Zai had a terrible temper.
“……
“Surely you didn’t send that bastard Jang Sik-yeong?”
Yalujai reaches for the hilt of the sword as if to draw the blade at any moment.
Even in this life, his personality didn’t seem much different from his past life. ‘What should I do…’ I can’t exactly tell him that I’ve returned to the past, but I also can’t just walk past after calling him by name.
I wouldn’t lose if we fought, but wouldn’t that raise suspicions about me?
“Why aren’t you answering! Are you mute!? If you’re mute, how did you call me!”
Yalu Zai, who immediately prepares to fight without even considering my speechless situation.
Anyway, every single one of those Sojeongdae bastards has such a temper… … ‘Haa… …’ Just as I was debating whether to unleash the Heavenly Solitary Body Technique and run away or not.
“Jin So-un?”
A boy with spiky, shaggy hair peeked his head out from behind Yalu Zai.
Somehow familiar…
“Jin So-un, what brings you here!”
It was none other than Yelu Ge.
At that moment, my head spun wildly.
“that……
“Alright! Yelu Ke! I, I called you.”
Yalu Ke tilted his head as if he didn’t understand what was going on.
I pretended not to know and asked the guy.
“me……
“I called you, but someone else responded… Ahem, who is this?”
Yelu Ke, who had not erased his suspicious gaze, answered curtly.
What do you want to know for?
Anyway, this ill-mannered brat…
You’ll only come to your senses after going back to the school building and rolling around all day, tsk.
While I was formulating a plan for the rehabilitation of Yalu Ke.
“jin……
“If it is So-un, isn’t he the Black Flame Dragon, the young hero?”
It was Yalu Cai who replied.
and.
To think I get to meet you like this!
The nobleman, whom I had just misunderstood as Jang Sik-yeong’s subordinate and was about to kill, suddenly clenched his fist and bowed his head.
Huh? What is it?
“I have heard much about you. I am Yelu Zai, Geuki’s older brother.”
The way of speaking changes suddenly, too. It is really hard to adjust.
Ah, that……
So that’s how it was. I thought you looked familiar.
I, too, am deeply moved to see Young Hero Black Flame Dragon like this.
“What? You, you mean, young hero?”
He tilted his head.
Hey, what’s wrong? This isn’t the Yalu Zai I know…
“I’ve heard a lot from Geuk-i. He said he has a friend who helps out a lot with life at the school dorms.”
“Hyung!! When did I!”
Yelü Ke rolled his eyes and lunged at his brother.
Yelu Zai stood in place, stretched out his hand, and subdued Yelu Ke’s head.
“Thank you for looking out for a dishonest fellow like me. I’ve heard a lot of rumors about your greatness, and it turns out it wasn’t a lie.”
That *screaming*
– It gives me goosebumps to hear that you’re friends with that kid, though.
Well, it seems like he feels the same way, as he looks like he is trying to shut Yalu Zai up by any means necessary.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to act like a chivalrous student council representative.
I clenched my fists, wearing a benevolent smile on my face.
“You’re welcome. Of course… it’s something that naturally has to be done.”
The impression of Yelü Zai is certainly very different compared to the image I saw in my past life.
You can see a sharp edge, but it doesn’t feel like it’s filled with venom, *cough*
– The distance sometimes even makes me laugh when I see my younger sibling.
Was the personality of the previous life created after Yelü Ke died?
Wow, that’s really awkward.
It seems that fellow looks up to Young Hero Jin very much, too. I look forward to working with you in the future.
“It’s not like that! Shut up!”
On the other hand, Yelu Ke’s face flushed red as if it were about to explode.
Hoho, I can’t just let this slide.
I gazed deeply at Yelu Ke.
“I see. To think Geuki had such thoughts…! I guess I’ll have to look after him more from now on.”
At my words, Yelu Ke’s face turned so red that it became pitch black, as if he were dying.
This is actually pretty good, isn’t it?
So I’m telling you, don’t climb up here recklessly, you bastard.
After giving the cub a smile, I asked Yalu Zai.
May I ask what kind of work you do, Great Hero?
“A great hero, huh… Hahaha.”
Yalu Zai, having subdued Yalu Geuk with a pressure point technique as he was about to explode and lunge at me, scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“I’m not that kind of great person. I just live a humble life, eating rice with a knife.”
“Is that so? Still, I heard that Yu Un-mun’s studies are not that shallow.”
Yalu Zai politely shook his head.
“That was all just a phase. Still, I am relieved that lately it seems like that guy, Geuk, has found a new path.”
Then he grasps the fist again.
I heard that you were of great help to your enlightenment. It must not have been easy to share… I offer my gratitude once again.
Although it was originally a path that Yelu Zai had sought on his own, Yelu Zai, unaware of my circumstances, felt as if he had received a gift of the enlightenment he had found after much hardship.
“No. I only delivered it.”
“Huh? You mean to pass it on?”
I slowly nodded.
Thinking of Yelu Zai from a past life who must have suffered more than anyone else.
“Yes. Because the original owner would have wanted it to turn out that way.”
Yalu Zai tilted his head.
Stories that wouldn’t be understood even if explained anyway.
I quickly changed the subject.
Do you plan to continue living as a wandering samurai?
Ah, actually, that didn’t work out either, so I am currently looking for a place to settle down.
“If it is a place to settle down…….”
I heard that the Murim Alliance is recruiting low-ranking warriors, so I am thinking of applying.
Is it really going to end like this?
Clearly, the events that had unfolded were different from those of my previous life, but the results that unfolded were not significantly different.
I urged him on out of needless impatience.
“Have you ever thought about trying something else? Like commerce, for instance…”
“What is that…….”
야율재의 미간에 내 천(川) 자가 드리웠다.
나는 그에게 욕지거리를 들을 각오를 하고 말했다.
“무림맹의 하급 무사 일이 쉽지 않은 걸로 알고 있어서 말입니다.”
하지만 내 예상과는 달리 그는 곧장 욕지거리를 내뱉거나 칼을 뽑아 들지 않았다.
“걱정해 주신 점은 감사하나 유운문의 제자로서 어떤 어려움도 헤쳐나갈 자신이 있습니다.”
그리고 그 순간 깨달았다.
그는 자신이 몸담은 강호에서 떠날 생각이 없다는 것을.
유운문의 부흥을 생각하고, 무인으로서의 삶을 단 한 순간도 버린 적이 없었고, 앞으로도 그럴 것이다.
전생의 그가 죽는 순간까지 후회하지 않았던 것처럼.
“그렇군요…….”
“아…… 미안합니다. 괜히 흥분을 해서…….”
나는 정중히 고개를 숙였다.
“아닙니다. 제가 실례되는 말을 드렸지요.”
무림맹이 아니더라도 결국 강호에서 벗어나지 않을 것이다.
전생의 그가 그랬듯, 내 눈앞에 있는 그 역시 유운문의 부흥을 위해 하염없이 노력할 것이다.
그리고 결국.
정마대전에 발을 디디게 될 것이다.‘어차피 그리 될 거라면…….’그가 강호에서 벗어날 수 없다면, 내 곁에 있는 게 가장 좋을 터.
“만약 합격하신다면 백랑각에 지원하시길 추천드립니다.”
“백랑각이요?”
“네. 그곳에 뛰어난 사람들이 많이 배정된다고 들었거든요.”
“흐음…… 그렇습니까?”
“네.”
그가 전생처럼 백랑각의 소정대에 가 있기를 바라며, 다시 만날 수 있기를 진심으로 바라며.
나는 몸을 돌려 내 일행의 곁으로 돌아갔다.#“흑흑, 난 쓰레기야.”
“맞아, 모 금표 공은 쓰레기예요.”
은호의 말에 금표가 찌릿 녀석을 째려본다.
“이 자식이 자꾸 왜 성(姓)
을 갈아!”
“설마 무(戊) 평가를 받고도 계속 이씨 성을 가져갈 생각이야?”
“실수야! 실수라고! 실기 평가에서 뒤집으면 되잖아!”
그러나 은호도 물러서지 않는다.
“매번 제 동생인 동룡이한테 지는 분께서 퍽이나…….”
“이 씨! 죽을래!”
“네네, 전 이씨가 맞고 금표 공은 성이 없지…….”
우당탕.
금표가 은호에게 달려들고, 동룡이 말리는 난장판이 벌어지는 동안.
요 며칠 계속 뚱한 표정을 짓고 있던 남화성이 툭 하니 말을 내뱉었다.
“난 왜 데려온 거냐?”
“응?”
“네 일행들과 자리하는 곳에 간자는 왜 데려왔냐고.”
저저, 덩치도 커다란 놈이 입술을 삐쭉거리니 징그럽기 그지없다.
나는 녀석을 향해 픽 하고 웃어주었다.
“간자가 혼자 대표단에 남아있으면 기밀을 빼갈 거 아냐. 그래서 데려왔지.”
“씨부럴…….”
남화성은 한입에 술잔을 털어넣고 거칠게 입술을 닦아냈다.
연이어 빈 술잔을 채우고 한입에 털어넣으려던 남화성이 갑자기 내 쪽으로 홱하니 고개를 돌렸다.
“나도 이게 뭐 하는 짓인지 모르겠다.”
그렇게 잠시 주저하던 남화성이 다시금 술잔을 비우곤 이글거리는 눈동자로 내게 물었다.
“하나 묻자. 네 사람이 되면…… 사문은 지켜주냐?”
“갑자기 뭔 소리 하냐?”
“진심이다 진소운. 내가 너를 따라다니면…… 우리 삼원문의 백팔봉 지위를 지켜줄 수 있냐 이 말이다.”
남화성이 그 어느 때보다 진지한 표정을 짓는 걸 보니 뭔가 일이 있었나 보다.
“내가 왜?”
“뭐?”
“내가 왜 너희 사문의 지위까지 챙겨야 하는데?”
애당초 내가 정도회, 백도회, 12봉성. 그 어느 곳에도 적을 두지 않은 건, 같잖은 정치 싸움에서 한발 물러서기 위함이다.
학관대표단에게 장밋빛 미래를 약속하지 않은 것도 마찬가지.
굳은 표정을 짓던 남화성이 한쪽 입꼬리를 올린다.
“그렇지, 네가 책임질 일이 아니지.”
남화성이 다시금 술잔을 털어넣으려 할 때 난 말을 이었다.
“대신, 네 사문을 어떻게 지켜야 하는지는 알려주마.”
술잔을 넘기려던 그의 행동이 우뚝 멈췄다.
“도래할 전쟁에서 사문이 멸문당하지 않을 수 있는 방법을 알려주마, 그리고 위험에 처하면 함께 싸워주지.”
소란스럽던 술자리에 갑작스런 정적이 감돌았다.
일각을 비록한 간부단의 인원들도, 사제들을 비롯한 나의 일행들도 모두 말을 멈춘 채 나와 남화성의 대화를 듣고 있었다.
상황 파악이 되지 않는지 남화성이 멍한 표정으로 내게 물어왔고, 나는 확실히 대답해 주었다.
“내가 약속할 수 있는 건 거기까지다. 네놈들의 출세나 사문의 직위 같은 건 네놈이 알아서 챙겨라. 난 그딴 거 해줄 능력도 할 마음도 없으니까.”
남화성은 여전히 상황 파악이 되지 않는지 한참을 멍하니 내 얼굴을 바라보며 술잔을 만지작거렸다.
그를 대신해 질문을 한 건 일각이었다.
“진 시주…… 전쟁이 일어날 거라 생각하십니까?”
나는 순순히 고개를 끄덕였다.
“왜 전쟁이 없을 거라 생각하지요?”
“하지만, 혈교는 이미…….”
“적이 혈교 하나뿐인가?”
“무림맹은 그 어느 때보다 찬란한 황금기를 보내고 있지. 하지만 그렇다 해서 적들이 없는 건 아니야.”
나는 고개를 들어 일행을 하나하나 둘러보았다.
“이 황금기가 끝나는 때에 커다란 혼란이 몰려올 것이고 강호는 커다란 전쟁의 화마에 갇힐 거야.”
내가 단편적으로 이야기한 미래에 대해, 다들 내가 말한 ‘적’이 누구인지를 고민하는 사이.
남화성이 결심을 끝냈는지 입을 열었다.
“진소운, 정말 삼원문을 위해 싸워줄 거냐?”
나는 고개를 끄덕였다.
“동료와 부하의 사문은 곧 나의 사문이다.”
“동료와 부하…….”
내 말을 되뇌던 남화성이 술잔을 단숨에 털어넣었다.
“크으…… 진소운, 네가 알아야 할 일이 있다.”
“뭐지?”
“얼마 전 철순직을 만났다. 그런데…… 12봉성 녀석들이 일을 꾸미고 있는 것 같더라.”
철순직, 이제 슬슬 움직일 때가 되었나.#모사(謀事) 철순직.
전생에 그의 별명이었다.
별호가 달리 있었지만, 사람들은 그를 모사(謀事)
로 불렀다.
권모술수와 모략에 관해선 누구도 쉽사리 그를 당해낼 수 없었으니까.
전쟁 중에 그는 가장 적은 피해로 가장 많은 승리를 거머쥐었다.
그의 부대에 소속된 이들 대부분이 12봉성의 인원이었던 걸 생각해 보면, 단지 실력이 좋거나 전략 전술이 대단해서는 아니다.
애당초 마교는 전략 전술이 제대로 통하는 상대가 아니었으니까.
그렇다면 그가 수많은 승리를 얻어낼 수 있었던 이유는 어디에 있냐고?
그는 항시 가장 약한 부대와 싸웠다.
Whenever his unit encountered a strong enemy, he mobilized every means possible to pass the enemy over to another unit. ‘Well, I suppose that could be called a talent.’ Cheol Sun-jik was the very person he had singled out as the one to be most wary of even before he entered the Murim Academy.
Because even in the previous life, Baekranggak was the place that suffered the most damage due to Cheol-sun-jik’s unit.
“The ill-fated relationship with him might have continued from a past life. ‘He’s been patient for a long time, too.’ Considering the bond that has lasted since the regular entrance exam, from Cheol-sun-jik’s perspective, it is no different than having waited a long time.”
I also had a strong feeling that it was about time he made his move for his own purposes.
Sure enough.
Representative, the students at the student center want to arrange a dialogue with you.
“A discussion?”
I tilt my head at a story I never heard in my past life.
Jang Woo-jae continued his report with a worried expression.
Yes. They would like to discuss the future direction of the academic center.
“All the students at the academy?”
“No. There are separate representatives for the students.”
Jang Woo-jae also answered with a sneer, as if finding it absurd.
“They called themselves ‘Hakgwan Council members.’ The moment I heard the word ‘council member,’ which I had never heard before, a face came to mind.
“Is Cheol-sun-jik mixed in between them?”
“Huh? How did you…?”
How would you know?
There is already a representative for the student center, so the idea of electing new representatives in the midst of that is… … .
“Damn it, I can hear you racking your brains all the way here.”
Because no one but that guy, Cheol-sun-jik, would be able to do it.
