Wings Are Not Heavy (2)
“It seems Black Stone was dealt a harsh blow. Hahahaha!”
White Stone laughed loudly in good spirits.
Number One stood in front of the door, and White Stone did not tell him to come closer like last time.
Previously, when he had been having a hard time, he had called Number One closer. But when it came to good news, he did not tell him to come closer. He had returned to maintaining the original distance.
“I heard Ma Bong-Gi died.”
“It seems Young Master Cheon personally stepped forward. You know what that means, don’t you? It means that Black Stone bitch is ruined.”
Number One thought White Stone’s vulgar words, rejoicing over the downfall of a rival, suited him well.
“As expected, you were right. You said that since Gal Sa-Ryang had gone with him, they would not achieve their objective easily. But to think even Whip Elder would die.”
“It was the report of a trustworthy subordinate.”
The judgment of Number Seven, who had reported to him, had been accurate. As expected, she could be trusted.
“There is a tremendous expert around Gal Sa-Ryang.”
“Should we keep digging and find out who that person is?”
“No. There is no need.”
“Understood.”
Number One could understand White Stone’s intention. For now, the task had been entrusted to Black Stone. It meant there was no need to go out of their way to help Black Stone.
“Let us watch a little longer for now.”
“Yes.”
Number One bowed politely and walked out of the place.
Whether it was them, White Stone, or Black Stone, this organization was thoroughly divided.
There were advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that even if one part collapsed, it would not affect the other organizations. The disadvantage was that one could feel no sense of belonging at all.
Because one could not know for whom, and for what, they were doing this work.
Right now, what was affecting Number One was the disadvantage.
At times like this, the person who came to mind was Number Seven.
When he felt strangely empty, she came to mind. At times like this, he thought that he wanted to have a drink with her.
But he had never once asked her to drink with him. He probably never would in the future either.
Like that, Number One left the white corridor.
News arrived that Ma Cheol-Gun had led his subordinates and defeated the demonic practitioners.
In particular, he had achieved even greater results than the Bright Moon Unit, the Grand Martial Alliance’s most elite force. They had arrived faster and had slaughtered almost all of the demonic practitioners themselves.
“Our prediction was correct. It is certain that those bastards are trying to make Ma Cheol-Gun the Alliance Lord.”
“Yes, it seems so.”
“A second and third attack will happen. Each time, Ma Cheol-Gun will go and earn military achievements.”
It was a strategy based on innocent sacrifices. It was also the decisive reason I could not forgive these forces behind the scenes.
They could be greedy and try to seize power. That was the nature of those who coveted power.
But the problem was that this fight was not a fight only among those greedy people. It was that they were trying to achieve their goal by killing innocent people.
“Do you think Ma Cheol-Gun has also been won over by them?”
“I do not know. Whether he has been won over, or whether it is his desire to avenge his father’s death.”
What if Ma Cheol-Gun had joined hands with them?
That possibility could not be ruled out. Sometimes, greed for power easily devoured human beings.
“We must not let things go according to their will.”
“Of course not. But if you obstruct that, Strategist, you will be in danger.”
“That is true. But does that mean we can simply stand by and watch?”
After looking at Gal Sa-Ryang for a moment, I spoke quietly.
“I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“Could you come somewhere with me?”
“Where?”
“You will know when you get there. It will take a little time.”
In the current situation, I was asking him to leave the emergency operations room. Even though it was an unreasonable request, Gal Sa-Ryang rose from his seat without hesitation.
“Let us go.”
The place we arrived at with Byeok Ri-Dan was Dong Lake, located in the eastern part of Wuhan.
It was as large as the sea and had beautiful scenery, so many sightseers were enjoying boat rides.
Byeok Ri-Dan rented a boat. I only watched him do as he pleased.
The boat was set afloat on the lake, and I boarded it together with him. Near the land, there were many boats carrying lovers. There were also people drinking with friends on boats, and others leisurely enjoying fishing.
Byeok Ri-Dan continued rowing.
After we went on for quite a while like that, the other boats could no longer be seen. Since the lake was originally so large, no matter how far we went, the end could not be seen.
Byeok Ri-Dan asked me,
“Are you not going to ask where we are going?”
“What matters is why we are going, not where we are going.”
At my answer, Byeok Ri-Dan smiled and continued rowing.
I was curious, but I was not uneasy. He had saved my life several times. If it had not been for him, my life would already have ended anyway.
“It is nice to come out onto the lake after so long.”
The sky reflected in the clear lake, so it felt as if we were crossing the sky in a boat.
Had there ever been a time when I had crossed a lake so leisurely in a boat?
After we went on for quite a while longer, a small island appeared.
“We have arrived. Please get off.”
The two of us got off on the island.
On a hill overlooking the lake stood a small manor.
“To think there is a manor in a place like this?”
“It is my manor.”
“Your manor?”
“Yes.”
It was truly unexpected. This Byeok Ri-Dan really was like an onion: the more layers one peeled away, the more new things appeared.
Inside the manor, there was a tall pavilion in a spot with a superb view overlooking the lake. We climbed up there and sat facing each other. Wine and dried jerky had been prepared in advance.
However, no people could be seen in the manor. It seemed everyone had been cleared out for today’s meeting.
“Please accept a cup.”
Byeok Ri-Dan poured me wine.
“Thank you.”
Drinking wine while looking at the breathtaking scenery made me feel as if I had become an immortal. I did not know what he had brought me here to talk about, but choosing this place had been a good decision. Just being here made me feel good.
“The reason I brought you here is because there is something I must tell you secretly.”
At least here, no one would be able to eavesdrop.
“Go ahead.”
A tension I had never seen before appeared in Byeok Ri-Dan’s eyes. He was someone who had not been this tense even when fighting against demonic practitioners.
Indeed, the words that came out of his mouth were astonishing.
“The reason I entered the Justice Pavilion was because of you, Strategist.”
“Because of me?”
I was startled. In truth, while coming all the way here, I had expected what Byeok Ri-Dan might say. The conclusion I had reached was this.
Would he not say that he was quitting the Justice Pavilion?
The Alliance Lord had died, and the Demonic Cult had revived. There was a force behind the scenes whose identity was unknown, and important organizations of the Grand Martial Alliance were cooperating with them.
The situation was too dangerous.
If Byeok Ri-Dan said he would quit the Justice Pavilion, I had made up my mind to send him off well. It would truly be a shame to lose him, but I could not force him into a matter where his life was at stake.
“Tell me in detail.”
“It was because I wanted to make you my person, Strategist.”
“What?”
It was truly the moment I was most shocked since meeting Byeok Ri-Dan. Laughter burst out of me.
“Hahahahaha.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“I laughed because I was so surprised.”
It was surprising and absurd at the same time. I had no idea how I was supposed to take those words.
“You mean that you want me to come under you?”
“Yes. I entered the Justice Pavilion for that purpose. To gain your trust, Strategist, and make you my person.”
“Hahahaha. You know that I am the Chief Strategist of the Grand Martial Alliance, don’t you?”
“Since I am the responsible strategist under that Chief Strategist, I probably know that, don’t I?”
I knew Byeok Ri-Dan’s words were not a joke.
“I already know your skill. You certainly have the qualification to say such a thing.”
He had skill surpassing Ma Bong-Gi, and he had enough wealth to own an island like this. Moreover, judging by what he had shown in the Justice Pavilion, he was extremely intelligent, and his judgment was outstanding for his age. Even so, his words were truly unexpected.
“What do you intend to do by taking me with you?”
Byeok Ri-Dan answered without hesitation.
“I will fight against the Grand Martial Alliance and the force behind the scenes. And I will eliminate every bastard who plotted this conspiracy.”
It was the same goal as mine.
Was he trying to deceive me?
I had to suspect that first. But I did not think so. That was instinct. An instinct I had lived with my whole life, an instinct that made me think that if it betrayed me, then there was nothing I could do even if I was deceived.
He was young, but if it was Byeok Ri-Dan, I thought it was worth betting my fate on him once.
Though I was the Chief Strategist, my life was in a precarious situation like a lamp before the wind. Those bastards had kept me alive because they intended to use me.
Could I truly endure against people who would even assassinate the Alliance Lord?
Even so, the reason I hesitated was because of one thing. The core of this matter was “revenge.” Not for righteousness or a great cause, but for Cheon Ha-Jin’s revenge. Was it truly right to drag him into my personal revenge? I felt a pang of conscience.
At that very moment, as if he had looked into my heart, Byeok Ri-Dan said,
“I believe the previous Alliance Lord was killed by them.”
“What?”
I was so startled that I nearly let out an “Ah!”
“They killed this Alliance Lord as well. They are rampaging madly as if this Jianghu were their own. I believe we must stop them.”
Even so, I still hesitated. Perhaps it was because I was reluctant to serve someone other than Cheon Ha-Jin as my master.
“Why me?”
“There is someone who recommended you to me, Strategist. Someone you also know well.”
“Who is that?”
At that moment, someone walked over to that place.
“It has been a long time, Strategist.”
When I confirmed who the other party was, I was startled. Shockingly, it was Baek Pyo.
“Unit Leader Baek!”
Baek Pyo’s atmosphere was different from before. If the old him had felt gentle and reliable, the current him felt sharp and strong.
But the smile he directed at me after so long remained unchanged.
“Have you been well?”
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Leaving Gal Sa-Ryang and Baek Pyo to talk, I came down from the pavilion.
I had done everything I could. Now what remained depended on Baek Pyo.
It would be good if I could do everything with only my own strength, but for that, Gal Sa-Ryang’s loyalty toward me in my previous life had been too great.
I walked around the island.
I kept my heart at ease. I absolutely needed Gal Sa-Ryang, but it was not something I could force.
About half an hour later, the two of them walked toward where I was.
Just by looking at their expressions, I could not tell what decision had been made.
Gal Sa-Ryang looked at me and asked,
“Let me ask one thing. If this matter ends safely, what do you intend to do afterward?”
“I intend to give everyone freedom.”
“Freedom?”
“Yes. Those who want to leave will leave, and those who want to stay will stay. What I desire is not loyalty.”
“Then what is it?”
“I want myself and my subordinates all to become happy.”
Gal Sa-Ryang looked startled. It seemed he had not expected the word happiness to come out. But this was something I had thought since long ago.
“My fight began from there. If they had made everyone happy, whether they ruled the Jianghu or did whatever damn thing they wanted from behind the scenes, I would not have stepped into this fight.”
But even though the bastards had not yet revealed their true colors, many people had already died. As they say, knowing one thing lets you infer ten; far more people would die in the future. For the sake of satisfying their greed.
“Happiness, is it?”
Gal Sa-Ryang made his final consideration.
Sa-Ryang, I need you. Please forget the me of the past and follow the me of now.
Gal Sa-Ryang asked again.
“I am a person with more flaws and weaknesses than I appear to have. Would someone like me still be all right?”
I answered.
“A bird never thinks its own wings are heavy.”
Both he and Baek Pyo were wings to me.
“Rather, will you be able to carry me and fly? I am the one who lacks many things.”
Did my desperation and sincerity reach him?
He slowly knelt before me.
“I, Gal Sa-Ryang, Chief Strategist of the Grand Martial Alliance, swear to Heaven, Earth, and the gods that I will offer my loyalty to Young Master Byeok, the final lord of my life.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Ah!”
Truly, my legs almost gave out and I nearly sat down on the spot. Joy surged up so strongly that my whole body trembled.
Thank you, Sa-Ryang. Truly, thank you.
I hurriedly took his hand and raised him up.
“Thank you, Strategist Gal. I will do my best never to disappoint you.”
“You may disappoint me. Instead, please do not give up until the very end.”
“I will do my best.”
I suddenly embraced Gal Sa-Ryang.
“Young Master Byeok?”
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
He must have felt it. My heart, beating fiercely.
Yes, let us go anew now. Unlike in my previous life, let us go a little closer and more warmly.
Gal Sa-Ryang spoke to me with an emotional face.
“No. Rather, I am grateful that you need someone as lacking as me so desperately.”
Baek Pyo, who stood beside us, smiled brightly.
“This is good. This is truly good.”
“Let us do well from now on.”
“Yes, Strategist.”
The two looked at each other and smiled brightly.
This time, I clasped Baek Pyo’s hand.
“Thank you. If it had not been for Unit Leader Baek, this would never have been possible.”
“How could that be? The Strategist had already made his decision in his heart.”
At that, Gal Sa-Ryang smiled and said,
“No, Unit Leader Baek. No, now it is Commander Baek. Your persuasion played a very large part.”
He was being considerate of Baek Pyo. Instead of taking credit himself, he was turning today’s merit over to Baek Pyo. That was the measure of Gal Sa-Ryang as a person.
Then I had to accept that heart.
“Commander Baek, I will not forget today’s merit.”
Baek Pyo lowered his head with a happy face.
Gal Sa-Ryang and Baek Pyo.
At last, I had gained both wings.
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