When Tears Come to Our Eyes (2)
A maze was spread out before my eyes.
The maze, made of high walls, was so complicated that finding the way seemed impossible.
If simply finding the path had been all there was to it, then at least time would have solved the issue, but this maze was inside the Black Darkness Vast Sea Formation. The empty space that had previously held nothing had been filled with a Maze Formation.
As one wandered through the maze, hidden weapons flew in from all directions, and blades sprang up from the floor. That did not mean the walls could be broken either. The moment one attempted to attack and destroy a wall, the attacks would become several times fiercer.
Speaking from the position of someone who knew where the life gate was, finding the life gate by luck was almost impossible.
If such a person existed, then it would be worth trying to jump from a cliff that gave a good feeling. If he could find the life gate by luck, then he would survive even beneath the cliff and discover a field of thousand-year fleeceflower roots.
I quickly made my way out of the maze. Attacks aimed at me continued from all directions. Once again, I was able to truly feel the terror of the Black Darkness Vast Sea Formation.
After passing through the Maze Formation, a new space unfolded.
That place, filled with scorching heat, had flames rising from all directions. It was a Flame Formation.
Kwaaaaaak! Kwaaaang!
Flames surged up as if lava were erupting through the ground.
I launched my body and avoided the fire. Though I had put distance between us, my entire body was wrapped in hot heat.
The ground beneath my feet trembled again. If I did not launch my body the instant I sensed it, it would be too late.
Sure enough, the moment I dodged, flames surged up from the place where I had been standing.
This place too, if one did not know exactly how to find the life gate, one would run here and there until exhausted, then burn to death. Though it was inside a formation, this heat and these flames were real.
I was training in Martial Arts as I moved through the flames.
It was similar to training by jumping from a cliff. Training where a mistake meant death. One might wonder why I did such dangerous training, but it was because one did training like this as routinely as eating meals that one became a true master.
I cut down imaginary enemies drawn in my mind while avoiding the flame attacks.
The Soul-Chasing Asura Sword Art had recovered all of its former realm.
Now, what remained was to bring the Immortal Crane Secret Art, which had reached nine-tenths completion, to full completion. There was exactly one step left.
When both Martial Arts reached full completion, and as I confirmed in what manner they could be combined, I would be able to gain an insight into martial learning that I had not experienced in my previous life.
Of course, I might gain nothing at all.
Martial Arts, too, often flowed in ways completely different from expectation, so what result would come could only be known by experiencing it directly. I merely hoped there would be a good result.
Only after I had moved my body sufficiently and trained did I leave the Flame Formation through the life gate.
This time as well, a place completely different from the previous one appeared.
This place was the seaside. Gal Sa-Ryang was waiting there. The third formation had not yet been completed.
“How was it?”
“Is there really a need to make this place as well? I think you could simply rest.”
Gal Sa-Ryang smiled.
“I think so too, but there could be enemies like you, my lord.”
“Hahaha.”
I laughed pleasantly, but Gal Sa-Ryang’s words were correct. One must never underestimate the enemy.
“Has there been no news from Sima Tian yet?”
“No. But he will do well.”
There was a reason for Gal Sa-Ryang’s certainty. He had sent him out only after devising a means that left him no choice but to keep his promise.
“Because he is someone more attached to his own life than anyone else.”
Gal Sa-Ryang said he would do a little more work before coming out, so I left the formation first.
When I returned to the room, Gwangdu was cleaning it.
“Oh, you have already returned? Did the formation test go well?”
“Yes, it went well.”
“That is a relief.”
Yesterday, I had slept in the same room as Gwangdu. It had been something that had continued from some point, and every time, Gwangdu felt awkward about it. He still remained conscious of the difference in status, but I already regarded him like blood kin.
“Did you speak well with Young Lady Song yesterday?”
What Gwangdu actually wanted to ask about was probably not the formation test, but this.
At Gwangdu’s question, I answered honestly.
“I am not sure either.”
“Well, of course. If you knew well, would you have made things end up like this?”
“What do you mean, like this? What did I do?”
“You feel somewhat sorry to act wronged, don’t you?”
For an instant, I could not answer immediately.
Nothing had happened with No. Seven, but there had definitely been an exchange of deep feelings that could not be expressed in words. They had been meetings that could not be helped because of the mission, but I could not deny those emotions.
“I do not feel sorry.”
“Yes, you must have no conscience.”
I knew why Gwangdu was acting like this. Though he had joked yesterday about living with me, it was because he, more than anyone, hoped things would go well between Song Hwa-Rin and me.
“Gwangdu.”
“Yes.”
“Honestly, I do not know.”
In this life, I had placed love very far down my list of priorities. That was also why I had treated Song Hwa-Rin from one step away.
But now, things had changed. My emotions had begun to move.
Perhaps that had been something foretold from the beginning. Opening my heart to my new parents, meeting Gwangdu, gaining Baek Pyo and Gal Sa-Ryang.
All those relationships had become intertwined in a way different from my previous life. How could love be any different? My heart, which had hardened like a fossil, had begun to beat.
When I spoke honestly, Gwangdu said with a somewhat flushed face,
“How could I know something even you do not know, Young Master? But there is one thing I do know. You will not make a foolish choice, Young Master. So trust yourself. I am always on your side, Young Master. No matter what path you walk from now on, I will support and follow you. Even if you make the wrong choice, so what? People live while making mistakes. Let us live recklessly! Let us meet this woman and that woman however we like! Do-Sun, you! You will regret this!”
I looked at Gwangdu and laughed. How could I not know that he was saying those words for me?
Yes, your words are right.
There are things that cannot be solved by worrying about them in advance. Relationships between people are especially like that. In order to reach some conclusion, time is needed, and memories are needed.
Yes, I would see where this fate led me, and let myself flow along with the current.
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The man who entered the secret room with his eyes covered was Sima Tian.
When the blindfold was removed, Ma Yang-Hwa was waiting in the room.
“I apologize for bringing you here like this.”
“I understand.”
Because he had a long-standing relationship with the Heavenly Blade Sect, he naturally knew Ma Yang-Hwa well. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he had watched her since she was learning to walk. Sima Tian was treated as a great elder of the Heavenly Blade Sect.
“I heard you were imprisoned in the prison. How did you get out?”
“Gal Sa-Ryang released me.”
“Gal Sa-Ryang?”
Ma Yang-Hwa flinched in surprise.
“Why are you so surprised? Right now, is there anyone other than him who has the authority to release me?”
“Then why did you seek me out?”
Sima Tian, after leaving the prison, had sent someone to secretly request a meeting.
“Gal Sa-Ryang made me a proposal. He asked me to mediate a meeting with you.”
“With me? Why?”
“He said Ma Ryeong-In is trying to kill him. It seemed he wanted to receive your help.”
It was an open secret that Ma Ryeong-In and the other successors did not have a good relationship.
‘So Gal Sa-Ryang truly does not know that I am trying to kill him!’
It was only natural. How could he know that she and Ma Gung-Tae had met Cheon So-Seon through Ma Ryeong-In and received an order to kill Gal Sa-Ryang? Everything had been done in secret.
Inwardly, Ma Yang-Hwa shouted in delight.
‘If this goes well, I may be able to kill him easily.’
Ma Yang-Hwa realized that an opportunity had come to her. She hid her joy and pretended to take one step back.
“But there is no particular reason for me to meet him, is there? Especially if it means falling out with Ryeong-In.”
“How much do you trust Ryeong-In?”
To be honest, she did not trust him even one-tenth. She had only joined hands with him in order to survive.
“Do you know about the matter where Ryeong-In tried to kill Cheol-Gun?”
Ma Yang-Hwa was startled.
“Something like that happened?”
“It happened before.”
She had not known that fact.
“Of course, he would not have told you about that. Ryeong-In is too busy using all of you.”
“That does not mean I can side with Gal Sa-Ryang.”
“Why not? You blood relatives are worse than strangers.”
“Uncle, you have completely gone over to Gal Sa-Ryang.”
“I too must live. I can only leave the prison if I make this matter succeed.”
Sima Tian honestly revealed his circumstances. It was a confession that increased her trust in him.
“Why do you think Ryeong-In is trying to kill Gal Sa-Ryang? His enemy is Ma Cheol-Gun. Do you think that clever fellow does not know that the enemy of his enemy can become his friend?”
“That is……”
Ma Yang-Hwa could not answer easily. Because she had been too focused on surviving through Ma Ryeong-In, she had not thought deeply about that part.
“Ma Ryeong-In is now trying to borrow Gal Sa-Ryang’s hand to eliminate all of you.”
Ma Yang-Hwa’s mind became complicated.
She was originally accustomed to not seeing everything simply, but to questioning and calculating. The reason Sima Tian had come to her first instead of Ma Gung-Tae was because of that.
“Will you meet Gal Sa-Ryang once?”
“Fine. But only if Gal Sa-Ryang comes alone.”
“That will be difficult.”
“Then let us pretend this never happened.”
“Fine, I will try to persuade him that way. In return, you must also come alone. To be fair, let us meet in a place open on all sides. How about meeting at Seoya Plain, west of the headquarters?”
Ma Yang-Hwa nodded.
“Fine. Let us do that.”
There was a reason she readily accepted those conditions. She had made up her mind to kill Gal Sa-Ryang.
‘It seems he intends to drive a wedge between us, but I am not that stupid of a bitch.’
In any case, she could eliminate Gal Sa-Ryang alone. And she had no intention of going alone. She would hide her subordinates in places that could not be seen.
However, she intended not to tell Ma Gung-Tae. This opportunity had come to her.
The next morning, Ma Yang-Hwa was looking at the plain from a distance.
At the promised place, Gal Sa-Ryang was standing alone.
“It is certain that he came alone.”
A man walked up behind Ma Yang-Hwa and spoke. The man was one-eyed, and he was none other than One-Eyed Sword Hwang Jong.
Soon after, men gathered from other directions. They were the Twin Axes Beyond the Pass and the Two Lesser White Swords. Each of them was a tremendous master who had made a name for himself in his own region.
“No one else is visible.”
At their report, Ma Yang-Hwa relaxed her stiff expression.
“All of you stay here, and if anything happens, help me.”
“Understood.”
After hiding them far away, Ma Yang-Hwa walked toward Gal Sa-Ryang.
Gal Sa-Ryang really had come alone.
Ma Yang-Hwa rejoiced that heaven was helping her.
‘If he knew I intended to kill him, he would never have come here alone.’
Ma Yang-Hwa approached to a distance where she could kill Gal Sa-Ryang if she made up her mind.
“To think I would meet the famous Chief Strategist of the Grand Martial Alliance in a place like this.”
At her words, Gal Sa-Ryang smiled.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Why did you ask to see me?”
She intended to kill him anyway, but she could at least hear the reason before killing him.
“Because I want to join hands with you and eliminate Ma Ryeong-In.”
“Would that be possible?”
“I believe it is entirely possible. As long as we do not betray each other.”
Ma Yang-Hwa was slightly conflicted as well. If this matter truly had the intention of killing them, as Sima Tian had said, then killing Gal Sa-Ryang would be something she should not do. He could become a rope that might save her.
But Ma Yang-Hwa was not someone who would stake her life on such a faint possibility.
‘Unfortunately, you will have to die by my hand.’
It was at that very moment, when she raised killing intent.
A group of martial artists ran toward them. From their agile movements alone, it was obvious at a glance that they were not ordinary masters. Those who reached the place in an instant were none other than Ma Gung-Tae and his subordinates.
“What in the world is this!”
Ma Gung-Tae shouted angrily. The martial artists who followed behind him were the Ten Heartless Guests, and the person holding a long spear was the Divine Mystery Spear.
At their sudden appearance, One-Eyed Sword, the Twin Axes Beyond the Pass, and the Two Lesser White Swords also revealed themselves.
Seeing Ma Gung-Tae furious to the tips of his hair, Ma Yang-Hwa urgently said,
“Do not misunderstand.”
“You tell me not to misunderstand in this situation?”
“This man asked to see me, so I merely came to meet him.”
“Without even informing me, that is.”
“That is……”
Even if Ma Yang-Hwa had ten mouths, she had nothing to say about that. It was an undeniable fact that she had tried to monopolize the merit of killing Gal Sa-Ryang alone.
It was right then.
Gal Sa-Ryang looked at her and said,
“Then I will take it that you have understood my intention and withdraw. Let us meet outside later.”
Ma Gung-Tae shouted angrily,
“Who said you could withdraw?”
It was then.
Gal Sa-Ryang turned around and took one step. In the next instant, Gal Sa-Ryang’s figure suddenly vanished.
Everyone was startled.
The place where they were standing already had a formation installed. It had been prepared so that it would be completed by moving just one stone.
When Ma Gung-Tae’s group appeared, Gal Sa-Ryang moved the stone prepared beneath his foot and completed the formation.
The formation installed here was not a difficult or dangerous formation. It was a simple and easy formation where, if one failed to find the life path, one would wander for about half an hour without being able to leave.
I was waiting for Gal Sa-Ryang outside the formation.
Gal Sa-Ryang walked over to me and said,
“Now we only have to wait.”
I nodded.
It was a formation without a maze and without pillars of flame.
But it might have been a formation more terrifying than the Black Darkness Vast Sea Formation.
Because inside it were greed, misunderstanding, and distrust.
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