Chapter 412
## Chapter 412. The Reason for the Living (6)
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*Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp.*
Jegal Cheon-gi pondered silently as he observed Dang Seo-hui.
*‘How on earth does a frame that tiny accommodate such an endless supply of confections?’*
As Jegal Cheon-gi stared at the spectacle in utter wonder, Dang Seo-hui subtly pulled her treats closer to herself and spoke with a hint of reluctance.
“……Would you care for a taste?”
Typically, would a person not present the treats while extending such an invitation? Discerning her genuine reluctance through her contradictory actions, Jegal Cheon-gi declined with a shake of his head.
“Ah, no thank you.”
“Do you possess a dislike for sweet things?”
In truth, he enjoyed them. However, would a regular person not grow nauseous quite rapidly after consuming a mere two or three pieces?
“No, I do like them. I simply do not indulge in them very often.”
Hearing this, Dang Seo-hui elevated herself onto her tiptoes and gently stroked Jegal Cheon-gi’s hair.
“You possess a kind soul. Consuming excessive amounts of sugary treats is detrimental to one’s physical health.”
Jegal Cheon-gi directed a hollow, exhausted stare at the littered remains of nearly thirty confections that had already been thoroughly demolished.
“Th—this situation is unavoidable. It cannot be helped, as Jin-*Hubae* presented them to me as a token of appreciation for assisting with this matter……”
“……I see.”
Even taking that into account, he could not shake the feeling that stopping at a confectionery shop immediately upon their return to Wuhan—at a moment when they remained entirely ignorant of how the assignment had actually concluded—was highly inappropriate.
“For the time being, why do we not pack these up and head back to the Alliance? I am eager to discover how the operation unfolded……”
Throughout their entire trek back to Wuhan, his thoughts had been plagued by anxiety over whether Jin So-un had suffered injuries or been captured. He was fully aware of how remarkably capable and stubborn the youth was, but the adversary in question was an exceptionally formidable foe. Even so,
“There is no cause for anxiety. Jin-*Hubae* is not a person who would meet with failure.”
Dang Seo-hui shook her head firmly while maintaining a defensive, tight grip on her sweets. Did her faith in Jin So-un truly run that deep? To think this was the renowned, brilliant White-Handed Heavenly Maiden…….
“……Furthermore, confections possess the finest flavor precisely when they are freshly prepared.”
“…….”
Realizing that the second justification carried significantly more weight in her mind, Jegal Cheon-gi finally abandoned his fretting. Regardless, he lacked the authority to re-enter the Alliance unaccompanied. Right as Dang Seo-hui was reaching for another treat to place into her mouth.
*Swish.*
A solitary leaf sliced through the air, severing the wooden skewer of the confection. Amidst this absurd, highly improbable twist of fate, Dang Seo-hui rapidly gripped a fresh skewer and impaled the plunging sweet mid-air.
“Indulging in sugar will cause corrupt energy to collect within your untainted physical frame.”
She directed a fierce, piercing stare toward the origin of the flying leaf.
“Do you not harbor greater dread for my venom than for the corrupt energy of these treats?”
“Come now, it was merely a jest. A simple joke.”
Hwa-jeong-san offered a playful response, extending his arm toward the towering pile of sweets accumulated before Dang Seo-hui.
*Slap, slap-slap-slap.*
Yet, he proved utterly unable to bypass Dang Seo-hui’s remarkably swift and defensive hand movements. While the pair engaged in their playful sparring, Yong-so-ah, who had silently glided over to stand beside them with a completely blank countenance, voiced a question.
“Information regarding the business with Dam-ak has reached me. For what reason did you choose to keep it hidden?”
Dang Seo-hui countered with a query of her own.
“For what reason were you left in the dark about this matter?”
“My inquiry was posed first.”
Dang Seo-hui took a delicate, haughty bite of the retrieved sweet.
“Jin-*Hubae* explicitly requested that I refrain from speaking of it.”
“Did you offer your assistance…… despite recognizing that it was an unrighteous act?”
Jegal Cheon-gi knit his brows tightly at Yong-so-ah’s inquiry, which carried an unmistakable undertone of accusation.
“I believe that very line of questioning is flawed from the start. On what grounds do you speak while operating under the absolute assumption that it was an unrighteous act?”
Ordinarily, presenting a counterargument causes the listener to experience a degree of mental agitation. However, within the gaze Yong-so-ah fixed upon Jegal Cheon-gi, not a single trace of irritation could be detected. It was entirely devoid of feeling (*mu-gam*). After letting his eyes linger on Jegal Cheon-gi for a brief moment, he returned his focus to Dang Seo-hui. Jegal Cheon-gi was struck by a profound sense of helplessness in the face of that immense, chilling apathy.
“Yong-so-ah, had you been aware of the circumstances, would you have sought to execute Dam-ak?”
“He deliberately manipulated an event that ought to have progressed in accordance with the natural course of things, meaning Jin So-un will be the sole individual tasked with enduring the resulting consequences.”
Though he avoided providing a direct confirmation, Yong-so-ah’s statement made his perspective perfectly clear. Hwa-jeong-san chimed in as if to offer further context.
“To be sure, I am not implying that our actions were commendable, but a great many individuals feel deeply unsettled by this turn of events. Ultimately, it bears the distinct flavor of a betrayal against the Orthodox Path.”
The point raised by Hwa-jeong-san was undeniable. Because Dang Seo-hui found herself unable to easily counter his logic, a heavy quiet quickly enveloped the group. And then.
“He.”
A voice cut through the stillness, precisely exploiting the sudden lull in conversation.
“Has he genuinely thoroughly pondered even that aspect?”
In response to Yong-so-ah’s probing, Dang Seo-hui lowered her sweet to the table.
“Whether this leads to a disastrous consequence or births a completely new current…… is a matter that no one can truly foresee.”
Yong-so-ah’s gaze, which had been tracking Dang Seo-hui with total indifference, shifted back toward Jegal Cheon-gi for some elusive reason.
“A current……”
Encountering that vacant stare caused a sudden shudder to run through Jegal Cheon-gi’s entire frame, though he exerted every ounce of his will to keep his composure hidden.
“The weight of the sins and karma Jin So-un has accumulated up to this point is immense. Such compounding consequences are by no means trials that can be effortlessly withstood through mere human endurance and sheer stubbornness.”
This was unmistakably an observation meant for Dang Seo-hui. Even so, Jegal Cheon-gi could not shaking the feeling that those words were somehow functioning as a barbed projectile aimed squarely at himself. As though he were counted among those numerous karmic burdens.
“In due time, he will be utterly crushed beneath that immense burden and obliterated from the annals of time.”
“That remains to be observed.”
Concluding the exchange with those definitive words, Dang Seo-hui turned her back on Yong-so-ah in an obvious display of irritation and resumed consuming her treats. Hwa-jeong-san, wearing an uncomfortable expression as he stood caught between the two clashing personalities, ultimately guided Yong-so-ah away from the scene.
“…….”
Jegal Cheon-gi, who had found himself quietly suffocating amidst the bizarre friction, released a lengthy breath and mentally turned over the declarations Yong-so-ah had uttered. If one analyzed the phrasing in isolation, it amounted to nothing more than a string of venomous remarks born out of envy and personal grudges. Nonetheless, the distinctly vacant and placid demeanor the man radiated made it impossible to discern the true source of that condemnation. Ultimately, he was even left with the unsettling dread that events might unfold precisely as predicted.
Did she perceive the uncertainty flickering through Jegal Cheon-gi’s mind?
“You have no reason to be plagued by worry. The likelihood of such an outcome manifesting is a mere fifty-fifty split.”
Dang Seo-hui gently patted Jegal Cheon-gi’s head with a palm that had grown tacky from handling the sugary confections.
“……Does that imply there is an actual chance it could occur?”
“Even if it does, it presents no real issue.”
Dang Seo-hui, having effectively cleaned her palm against Jegal Cheon-gi’s hair, transitioned to firmly grasping his shoulder.
“Your sole duty is to provide him with your aid so he may be fully prepared when that hour arrives.”
Those were Dang Seo-hui’s concluding words. The precise instant those words registered in his mind, he felt as though his chest, which had been constricting under the weight of dread, was suddenly breathed wide open.
*‘I…… possess the capability to assist Hyeong-nim?’*
Conceivably, this represented the exact prospect he had been yearning for with such desperate intensity.
“Even so, actively wishing for calamity is a highly distasteful habit. ……Are you paying attention to my words?”
The lingering malicious statements no longer found any purchase in Jegal Cheon-gi’s mind.
Though I possessed the physical capability to stir immediately upon regaining consciousness, I deliberately chose to remain still. I had pushed my physical frame far past its breaking point, and the trauma I had sustained was of such a critical nature that I deemed it far wiser to achieve a state of absolute recovery before making my departure. During this period of enforced idleness, having no immediate duties, I chose to wander through the encampment established by the Saheuk-ryeon to observe firsthand how significantly the present incarnation of the organization diverged from the one I remembered from my prior existence.
Supplementing the initial contingent of two hundred mounted warriors, an additional three hundred martial artists had been integrated into their ranks. Just as I had intuited upon my first encounter with the mounted troops, the Saheuk-ryeon unmistakably radiates the distinct aura of a disciplined military force. While completely enveloping the mounts in heavy steel plating proved impractical, they were outfitted in at least partial light barding, and a identical standard of protection applied to the combatants guiding them.
The foot soldiers left an especially profound impression on me; though their individual mastery of martial cultivation was relatively modest, their movements were perfectly synchronized, and an unyielding martial discipline was clearly maintained. A strict military structure observed by figures of the Unorthodox Path. It was apparent they had adopted the optimal strategy for forging a unified front out of individuals who possessed inferior martial prowess relative to the Orthodox Murim and who would otherwise resist cohesion.
Furthermore, I could discern precisely whose strategic mind had dictated this path without needing to spend a single moment pondering it.
*‘Just as I thought, Dam-ak remains true to form.’*
In my previous life, even amidst that incredibly dire crisis, Dam-ak had been the very individual who first adamantly advocated for mastering the White Tiger Sword Formation rather than engaging in reckless combat.
*‘Even so, witnessing them assembled in this fashion is quite a spectacle.’*
Heavy cavalry and armored combatants who bear the unmistakable stylistic hallmarks of the Sa-hwang-bong. I can easily visualize their sheer potency on a field of battle without needing to witness it firsthand. It was a display of martial splendor that one could never envision emerging from Orthodox martial artists, who would instantly throw a tantrum and declare, *‘You might as well end my life right now!’* if one attempted to force them to utilize even a basic wooden buckler, let alone a suit of iron plating. It happened to be the exact tactical methodology I was striving to implement in this current life.
*‘Be that as it may, our own pupils are gradually beginning to fall into line, and yet, hmmm, the Baekrang Pavilion is bound to present a massive headache down the road…….’*
When I envision them flatly refusing to don protective armor and ripping off their garments on the grounds that they do not hail from a conventional, rigid sect, I can already feel the urge to strike someone rising within me.
“Ah well, there exists no human being who cannot be corrected with a proper thrashing.”
Once three days had elapsed in that fashion, I no longer experienced any physical impediment when moving about. Precisely at that juncture, the operatives of the Saheuk-ryeon commenced their preparations for departure. Their singular objective from the start had been the salvation of Counselor Dam. For the moment, in order to journey from Anhui back to Shanxi, pulling out even a single day ahead of schedule was the superior choice. However…… what would become of the non-aggression pact under these circumstances? Surely Dam-ak will not march back and instantly declare, *‘This means war!’* now, will he?
“Have you already achieved a state of complete recuperation?”
Dam-ak, whose physical state still appeared incredibly frail due to his protracted healing process, was observing me with an expression of pure bewilderment.
“Did I not inform you previously? We martial artists naturally mend at an accelerated pace.”
Yes, simply because. At any rate, that is just how things operate.
“……In all honesty, I harbor a strong desire to transport you back to the headquarters of the Saheuk-ryeon solely to conduct medical examinations upon your person.”
“What choice would I have? Were you to attempt such a thing, an all-out conflict would inevitably erupt between the Saheuk-ryeon and the Murim Alliance.”
*Pfft—* a completely dry, rasping chuckle escaped Dam-ak’s lips. What sort of laughter is that supposed to be……?
“Jin-gong-ja, you do not even rank as a particularly indispensable asset within the ranks of the Murim Alliance, do you not? You must have alienated an even greater number of factions as a direct consequence of this current venture.”
“…….”
As anticipated, trading words with him is an incredibly arduous task. Even so, in the past, he resembled a scholarly man steeped in ink, which made poking fun at him quite entertaining. Whether he has grown cynical from spending so much time among the Unorthodox rabble, his talent for sharp wit has truly reached a masterclass level.
“This entire predicament has manifested solely because of Counselor Dam. Pray keep that fact firmly in mind.”
I deployed my most potent rhetorical strategy for when I found myself cornered. It was the classic tactic of ‘shifting the blame.’ To be fair, I was well aware it constituted a rather underhanded verbal jab, so I was actively steeling myself for his inevitable retort…… but without warning, Dam-ak lowered his head in a profound bow.
“I shall not permit myself to forget. No, it is a debt I will remain utterly incapable of forgetting.”
“…….”
For what reason is he treating a casual remark with such intense gravity all of a sudden? It leaves me feeling incredibly self-conscious. Regardless, I am the sort of individual who prizes a tangible recompense far above a hundred pretty phrases.
“In that case, will you agree to fulfill a request for me at a later date?”
“Without question.”
*Oh ho!* I have successfully secured a ‘favor token’ from the General Counselor of the Saheuk-ryeon himself. In what manner should I see fit to employ this? He will undoubtedly refuse if my demand veers into the realm of the completely preposterous. Has the Saheuk-ryeon established a secret treasury? If so, might I not simply browse through and select a single item of my choosing?
While my mind was occupied with these delightful calculations, Dam-ak reached into the folds of his robes to extract two items. Resting in his palms were a compact container crafted of wood and an envelope enclosing a sheet of paper.
“What do these represent?”
“One item is intended for that gentleman, Jegal So-myeong. The remaining piece is designated for Jin-gong-ja.”
If he intends to distribute them, I desperately hope my portion turns out to be the wooden container. The envelope is distinctly devoid of the thickness of currency and is clearly a missive.
“Would it…… appear excessively unrefined if I were to inquire which object belongs to me?”
“……Indeed, I feel as though the meager amount of respect I entertained for you up to this second would instantly vaporize.”
Wow, he is being entirely too harsh. Even to the person who preserved his very life. Just as I was preparing to express my irritation.
“Naturally, the wooden container is designated for Jin-gong-ja.”
“I see. Out of curiosity, what are the precise contents of that missive? Surely it does not comprise some ridiculous directive tasking me with delivering an official declaration of hostilities, does it?”
Dam-ak, who by now failed to register even a single flicker of amusement at my kidding, offered a detached reply.
“Were my intentions to orchestrate a scheme of ‘murdering with a borrowed blade’ (*cha-do-sal-in*), there exist a multitude of far more efficient strategies at my disposal.”
“That provides a measure of comfort.”
I accepted both the wooden container and the letter with a unburdened spirit. Promptly, I unlatched the wooden container.
*Sniff, sniff.*
The very instant I cracked the lid, an extraordinary aroma drifted out. *‘What exactly is this? This incredibly costly…… no, otherworldly fragrance that feels as though it drifted straight down from the immortal realms?’* In comparison to every single spiritual medicine or medicinal pellet I had ever consumed in my existence, this possessed a profound, vibrant purity that defied explanation.
“The truth is, I do not possess absolute certainty. Regarding who the genuine adversary of the Saheuk-ryeon will ultimately prove to be. Nevertheless, the solitary truth I have grasped through the course of this ordeal is that the Murim Alliance is entirely incapable of reformation.”
I had personally sampled the creations of both the Mt. Hua and Shaolin sects, which were widely celebrated as two of the absolute apex houses of alchemy within the Murim, yet their products failed to match this staggering level of depth.
“Furthermore, whether those hidden adversaries referred to as the Demonic Cult…… truly present a more severe peril than that very Murim Alliance.”
I could feel my pulse racing frantically and my mouth watering uncontrollably, yet I found myself entirely unable to suppress a profound sense of skepticism. The art of alchemy is fundamentally intertwined with the cultivation of the Righteous Way. How on earth did these Unorthodox scoundrels, who had abandoned the concept of the Way to the winds ages ago, manage to acquire or fashion such a miraculous medicine?
“The Saheuk-ryeon is incapable of waging a campaign alongside an entity that cannot be relied upon…… are you actively paying attention to the words I am uttering at this moment?”
*Sniff, sniff.* “No, well…… the aroma radiating from this object is simply so intoxicating……. I…… I have processed your perspective perfectly, General Counselor. However, might I be enlightened as to the origin of this particular pellet?”
Because ingesting a spiritual medicine whose verified creator remains shrouded in mystery is fundamentally no different from willingly consuming a lethal toxin.
“…….”
Dam-ak, who was pinning me with a stare that made it abundantly clear he found himself entirely at a loss for words, let out a weary sigh.
“You have no reason to harbor doubts regarding that matter. It is a completely legitimate item produced by an entirely reputable sect.”
“Therefore, which specific sect might that be?”
“They indicated it is the Taiji Elixir (*Tae-geuk-dan*) originating from Wudang……”
“YOU UTTER INSANE BASTARD!!!”
I was struck by such immense shock that I very nearly swallowed the pellet resting inside the wooden container right then and there. Was this piece of property acquired through theft?
“Have you completely lost possession of your senses?!”
*Ah*…… my internal monologues and my spoken words accidentally switched places.
“It does not constitute stolen property. Seeing as it was presented to me as a voluntary offering.”
Is this individual completely unhinged?
“In polite society, we have universally agreed to label such acquisitions as ‘stolen property’!”
Dam-ak tilted his head in genuine confusion.
“Does it truly represent an item of such immense significance?”
“The Taiji Elixir is a sacred medicine that only the Sect Leader themselves or figures of identical standing are permitted to consume even within the inner echelons of Wudang. This implies it is an object that cannot be bartered for any amount of political leverage or material fortune.”
Dammit, what in heaven’s name is transpirng here.
“In that case, restore it to my possession. If it truly represents an object of such perilous significance, I must move swiftly to obliterate the proof.”
*Oh?* This trajectory will not do.
*Clack!*
“……Jin-gong-ja, did you just physically obstruct my arm?”
“I have given the matter profound contemplation. Regarding whether it is appropriate for Counselor Dam to remain in possession of an item fraught with such extreme hazard. Following an extended period of deliberation, I have arrived at this definitive resolution.”
“…….”
“It is only proper that a dangerous object of this magnitude be managed safely at my personal level.”
“The expression in your eyes has undergone a radical transformation.”
That is a perfectly reasonable observation for him to make. Because I am an individual who is entirely capable of adopting a serious demeanor when the circumstances demand absolute gravity. Dam-ak pressed on with his observations, appearing mildly fascinated by the display.
“I believe I finally comprehend the true meaning behind the phrase ‘a countenance consumed entirely by avarice.’ ”
“…….”
I feigned utter deafness to his remark and rapidly secured this highly hazardous artifact within the safety of my inner robes. Even so, if Dam-ak had indeed accepted it as a voluntary offering, it signified that it was an asset that possessed no traceable history. Whoever had surrendered it to him would never have compromised themselves by offering an item that could be easily linked back to Dam-ak. Keeping my palm firmly pressed against my robes, I fixed Dam-ak with an intensely earnest expression.
“So, what were you explaining just now?”
We endeavored to steer the conversation back to our primary topic, but Dam-ak merely stared at me with slowly blinking eyes for a protracted duration before ultimately expelling a lengthy, tired breath.
“I have simply resolved to place my faith in Jin-gong-ja.”
And then, those entirely unforeseen words passed his lips.
“To believe in the fundamental purpose behind your struggle, the elements you yearn to safeguard, and to attempt to walk a common path. I simply found my thoughts turning in that direction.”
In an instant, a localized area of my chest experienced a sharp, sudden throb. It was by no means caused by the wooden container pressing against my flesh. Rather, it was the realization that I had managed to discharge even a minuscule portion of the immense, crushing obligation I owed to him from my previous incarnation, which caused the burdens I carried upon my shoulders to feel a fraction lighter. I lifted my gaze and locked eyes directly with Dam-ak. He maintained his focus on me as well. We remained locked in that mutual silence for a long moment, exchanging no words.
“General Counselor! All arrangements for our departure have been finalized.”
Following the announcement from the Unorthodox combatant who had arrived to escort Dam-ak, the man inclined his head in acknowledgment.
“Let us cross paths again, Jin-gong-ja. When that hour arrives, there will be no requirement to share a common table.”
“By the time our paths cross once more, I shall have achieved a level of eminence sufficient to comfortably share a table with Counselor Dam.”
The posture of Dam-ak as he pivoted and strode away was perfectly rigid and dignified. In comparison to the heavily armored martial artists flanking his position, his physical stature was modest, yet he did not project an aura of smallness in the slightest. He advanced into the distance with powerful, unwavering strides.
“A companion……”
I monitored the departure for a brief moment before turning on my heel. Although his particular conflict involving the Murim Alliance had reached its conclusion, my personal war against the Murim Alliance was merely entering its opening stages.
“You presumed you could slaughter my companion? You had best prepare yourselves.”
I lightly tapped the side of my chest with care.
*Thump, thump.*
The resonance of comradeship echoed clearly, accompanied by a distinct, sharp aroma.
