Book 25 Chapter 19
Muyeongdaejoo
-Farewell
To: Number Forty-Seven
All necessary information has been obtained. It is deemed that there is no longer any need to remain there. I order you to cease your current marital mission and proceed immediately to your next assignment.
Contact Number Twelve!
As always, Number Twelve will deliver your next mission personally.
I wish you good luck.
-Muyeongdaejoo.
The hand holding the letter trembled.
End it? End what? To part with her? To leave her?
Her, who embraced him warmly every night when he was plagued by nightmares? Her, who sometimes offered boundless warmth even when she acted fiercely? To abandon the happiness he had only just found?
I can’t… I can’t…
As he tried to refuse the order, the deep-seated mental restraint began to exert its power.
This mental restraint was a method of mental control far more potent than suggestion, and it served as the final safeguard to bind shadows.
Now, carry out the order. You are a shadow. A shadow that shifts its place according to the direction of the light.
Your will is irrelevant. Only the execution of the command matters. You do not need to think for yourself. Do not think. Do not think. Just obey. Just obey.
Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey. Obey.
As he tried to refuse, an overwhelming sense of resistance and rejection washed over him. Cold sweat broke out all over his body, and his consciousness felt muddled. He struggled to breathe. The restraint etched deep within his mind revolted against his defiance. To end the torment, the solution was simple: just obey. Just as he always had.
But that meant giving up everything he had built so far. It meant giving up her. He had only just begun to understand love… just begun to learn how to live like a human, and he was being told to return to the darkness. He was being mocked, told that the tower he had built was nothing but a sandcastle, a mirage.
You cannot build anything. Nothing can be built on a foundation of lies, it seemed to say. Despair, filled with sorrow, began to consume him. Helplessness engulfed his entire body. Am I nothing? Am I merely a being of deception?
“Obey the command… I will obey the command… Obey… Aaaaaaaaah!”
CRASH!
He slammed his left palm against the wall, causing it to vibrate violently.
SFX!
He convulsively drew his dagger and plunged it into the back of his left hand. He gritted his teeth to suppress the scream that erupted. Red blood flowed endlessly down the wall.
“I won’t obey! …I can never… obey an order like this…”
That day, for the first time in his life, he disobeyed an order.
“To summon me all the way to Kanghorando… this is peculiar.”
A man in his mid-forties said, setting down his wine cup.
“……”
Jang Hong remained silent. He simply looked into the man’s eyes. He did not know the man’s true face. Moreover, no one in Muyeongdae had ever seen this man’s true face. A man whose face changed with every meeting, a man who himself claimed to have forgotten his own original face, a man who always left no trace yet could track any trace to its end, a man from whom no traitor had ever escaped.
This was the Muyeongdaejoo, the one who oversaw Muyeongdae, the shadow of Baekdo.
It was no wonder Jang Hong was nervous in his presence.
“Don’t be so tense, it’ll be suspicious if others see us. Wouldn’t it, nephew?”
Jang Hong replied respectfully.
“Yes, Uncle.”
Though they addressed each other as uncle and nephew, it was merely a temporary arrangement; they would return to being strangers once they left this place.
“So, shall we hear the reason for summoning me?”
After a moment of silence, Jang Hong finally spoke.
“I cannot obey this order. Please withdraw it.”
It was not as difficult to refuse an order as it had been before. The Muyeongdaejoo looked quite surprised when he stated his intention to disobey. Naturally. This was something that should never have happened.
“You refuse the order?”
“Yes, I refuse. Therefore, please withdraw it.”
“To break the mental restraint, that’s surprising.”
The Muyeongdaejoo muttered to himself.
“I wish to leave the organization.”
Once he started speaking, he could not stop.
“After refusing an order, you want to retire? You’re attempting something I haven’t even done.”
When Jang Hong did not reply, the Muyeongdaejoo spoke again.
“You have never disappointed me before. You always carried out your given tasks perfectly, which pleased me. But why are you refusing this mission? If you intended to betray me, you wouldn’t have said you were refusing, would you?”
“I am not betraying you. I simply wish to stop being a shadow now.”
He wanted to gain freedom. Of course, he knew the process would not be easy.
“Retirement is not permitted in our organization. You know that well, don’t you? Why insist on it when you know this?”
“I simply want to live a normal life.”
“To live a normal life… you are asking for something too difficult.”
“I want to stand… in the light.”
The Muyeongdaejoo’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Light… You are a shadow. A shadow can never become light. You had no complaints about living as a shadow, did you?”
“I still have no complaints about that fact. However…”
“However?”
“I love her. I want to be with her, for the rest of my life.”
That was impossible for a shadow. It was only possible if one could stand in the light.
“Ho ho… Well, this is an unexpected statement. Love… I have heard of such a concept. I understand it in words, but I don’t comprehend it. You know our maxim regarding love, don’t you?”
“‘Love is a deadly poison.’ Because it makes one crave what cannot be obtained.”
Jang Hong recited the words mechanically.
“And yet, you intend to love?”
“It is irresistible. I cannot resist it.”
The Muyeongdaejoo stroked his beard for a moment, lost in thought.
“I understand your desire to stand in the light, but a shadow can never become light.”
“Is it truly impossible?”
Jang Hong’s eyes were desperate. The path towards the light was becoming increasingly blocked. As his despair grew, the Muyeongdaejoo spoke again.
“There is only one way a shadow can live in the world of light.”
“What is it?”
“Are you prepared?”
This meant it would not be an easy path. But he had already been prepared from the start.
“Of course.”
“That method is…”
Jang Hong leaned closer. The Muyeongdaejoo whispered in his ear as if revealing a great secret.
“Becoming the Muyeongdaejoo.”
Jang Hong’s eyes widened.
“The Muyeongdaejoo? Can I become that?”
“You have just obtained the qualification for it. Therefore, you can challenge to become the Muyeongdaejoo.”
“Qualification?”
When had he obtained such a thing? Jang Hong was bewildered.
“Yes, you can now refuse orders. That means you have broken free from the deep-seated restraint. It also means you possess strong mental fortitude, and you are no longer a puppet.”
Did that mean he had merely been a puppet that moved in response to commands until now?
“Only one who can refuse orders has the qualification to lead Muyeongdae. And you have just proven that you possess that qualification.”
“How do I become the Muyeongdaejoo? Do I have to kill you? Is that how I prove my worth and become the Muyeongdaejoo?”
“No, that’s not it. After all, we have some standards. Although we handle dirty work, we shouldn’t be so reckless.”
Despite his words, the Muyeongdaejoo himself had been the one to act recklessly more than anyone else before.
“Then…?”
“You undergo training. Simple, isn’t it?”
“Training?”
In a way, it was so simple it was disheartening.
“Where and what kind of training do I need to undergo?”
It was so easy that it made him uneasy. There must be something more. It was like a tiger crouched in a cave, waiting for its moment to strike.
“There is a country across the sea called Bushanguk. They call themselves ‘Japan.’ It is a land where various generals carve up territory and constantly fight. Thanks to centuries of war, their espionage art called ‘Injasul’ is highly developed. That is where you will train.”
This meant he would have to cross the sea and would be unable to meet anyone until the training was complete.
“How long will it take?”
“Ten years.”
“T-ten years?!”
It was long enough for the landscape to change once. Would people’s hearts remain unchanged while the landscape did? Jang Hong dared not guarantee it.
“It could be shorter depending on how you do. Think carefully. Can you guarantee that your heart will not change over ten years? Even if your heart doesn’t change, will the other person wait that long? Without their heart changing? Human hearts are weak. It’s not strange for them to change at any moment. Will you still do it? Trusting that fragile, glass-like human heart? This is a gamble. But when it is over…”
After a brief pause, the Muyeongdaejoo spoke again.
“You will no longer be a shadow. You will become the light that leads the shadows. What will you do?”
His deliberation was brief.
“I will do it.”
“Really?”
“If I can stand in the world of light, I will do it.”
“Good, then it is decided.”
The Muyeongdaejoo concluded with a wide smile.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Anything.”
“Why are you helping me this much?”
Then the Muyeongdaejoo said.
“Because I want to retire too.”
* * *
“You abandoned your family just to help some old man retire?”
“No, that old man had his own agenda, and an innocent young man ended up suffering. I’m truly wronged.”
However, it did not take ten years.
Jang Hong shortened the period by half. And he returned to the martial world. And finally, after overcoming all trials, he became the Muyeongdaejoo.
“But why didn’t you come back?”
“I suddenly became afraid.”
“Afraid?”
“Yes. I was afraid you had forgotten me. And I was afraid to confirm it. I was afraid you wouldn’t be the you I knew.”
“I have changed since that day. So I’m not the you who knew me. Is that why you came to dislike me?”
“No, absolutely not…”
“No, what do you mean no! That’s why you didn’t come back, isn’t it? Cheating on me with some woman you don’t even know!”
“Ch-cheating? That’s absurd! I am innocent.”
Jang Hong felt utterly wronged.
“Well, I wonder? You were just a simple coward. This time too, you just ran away. You were so close. We met after seven years and four months! Am I that insignificant a woman?”
“You are absolutely not insignificant!”
Jang Hong shouted.
“Then prove it!”
Ok Yugyeong also shouted.
“W-what, how am I supposed to prove it?”
“Hmph, you can’t, can you? Your heart was only that much….”
WHOOSH!
Jang Hong suddenly hugged Ok Yugyeong. Ok Yugyeong was startled by his sudden action.
“Wait! If you do this…”
CLICK!
At that moment, the Blood Scale Armor activated.
Blood Scale Armor (血鱗鉀).
It was one of the treasures of the ‘Hyeolokga’ family, a gift she received upon her marriage. It could block most swords and spears, and if an enemy touched it, needles would spring out and prick them. It was not lethal, but touching it carelessly would injure the body, revealing weaknesses. Jang Hong knew this. He couldn’t fail to recognize her wedding gift.
“Knowing that you’re wearing the Blood Scale Armor, why… why did you do that? Let go quickly.”
Ok Yugyeong’s voice trembled intensely. She looked uncomfortable even holding her sword properly.
Jang Hong was in pain. He could feel her rejection, like a hedgehog rejecting others. But even as blood flowed from his body, Jang Hong did not let go. Ok Yugyeong pounded his chest with both hands, shouting at him to let go.
“I will not let go.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I will not let go. I will not let go anymore.”
Her wavering eyes asked for the reason.
“Because I cannot lose you again. I am afraid that if I let go now, we will be eternally separated.”
He had been afraid to meet her, but the thought of a world without her was a descent into the abyss, even just imagining it. Compared to that terror, this pain was nothing.
“I love you.”
The strength in Ok Yugyeong’s hands, which had been pounding his chest, slowly receded. And then tears began to flow. Tears from the eyes of a woman called the Blood Rakshasa, a woman Seok Ryuhwa had never seen before.
“You idiot!”
And she buried her face in his shoulder.
* * *
Bilyeon reunited with the group, bringing two people with him. Originally, he was only going to bring Mo Yong-hwi, but an extra tag-along came along. The unexpected tag-along’s name was Gongson Jeol-hwi. He suddenly appeared the moment Bilyeon finished talking with Mo Yong-hwi and was about to move. Clearing his throat, he said the following:
“Ahem, ahem, I don’t particularly want to go, but if help is requested, it is the duty of a martial artist who pursues harmony to help.”
“I don’t need it.”
Bilyeon said flatly.
“No, think carefully. It will surely be of help…”
“I don’t need it.”
“No, you are clearly misjudging. I am confident I can be more active than Mo Yong-hwi here.”
“That’s unlikely.”
Bilyeon’s response was cold.
“If Mo Yong-hwi goes, I must follow him. Even if you try to stop me, I will definitely follow. You know, there’s a saying, ‘more the merrier.’ Include me too. No, please include me.”
The last part was quite abject. Only then did Bilyeon say.
“No.”
Despite Bilyeon’s merciless words, Gongson Jeol-hwi stubbornly followed the two men, eventually joining their group. He stuck to Mo Yong-hwi like a leech, showing no intention of separating. Bored of arguing, Bilyeon decided to let him be.
“Do as you please. But I don’t care if you die or not.”
He meant that they should take care of their own lives. However, Gongson Jeol-hwi’s insignificant addition was soon overshadowed by a major event that unfolded.
Jang Hong returned with Ok Yugyeong, the captain of the Seventh Division. No one expected him to bring a captain of the Seventh Division directly. People were startled by her appearance. Some automatically went on guard. It was understandable, considering they were currently at war with Macheongak. And the greatest enemies blocking their way would be the twelve captains of the Macheong Thirteen Corps. Therefore, it was natural for people to be wary. Bilyeon stepped forward, calming the tense people.
“Uncle Jang, what happened? You look terrible.”
Although he had taken off his blood-stained top, roughly treated his wounds, and changed into new clothes, Jang Hong’s condition was dire. His movements were somewhat unnatural, and his complexion was pale. The wounds from the Blood Scale Armor had been given emergency treatment, but it was merely a temporary fix. With every step, his body screamed from the wounds beneath the bandages.
“No, it’s just a minor misunderstanding…”
The wounds were not light for such a minor misunderstanding. Ok Yugyeong pretended not to notice, looking elsewhere. She had a guilty conscience.
“Who is that person?”
Bilyeon asked, pointing at Ok Yugyeong.
“She agreed to help us.”
“A captain from Macheong Thirteen Corps is going to help us?”
Bilyeon looked disbelieving. They were currently suspicious of the Macheong Thirteen Corps captains. And it was clear that those captains would stand in their way.
“Do you really intend to help?”
Bilyeon asked Ok Yugyeong directly.
“The fact that someone from Macheongak abducted them… I cannot believe it. It is a very dishonorable act. However, if it is true, I absolutely cannot tolerate it. Especially the abduction of women. It is unforgivable. I will help you temporarily to verify the truth of this matter. If your words are lies, then I will hold you responsible.”
Ok Yugyeong said in a confident tone.
“Hmm, is it not for any other reason? Perhaps because of Uncle Jang here….”
“It has nothing to do with it.”
A sharp, decisive answer.
“You seem to have been dabbling in something. You should have been more moderate.”
Bilyeon clicked his tongue, saying, “Tsk, tsk.”
“W-what, how could you…”
Jang Hong retorted, startled.
“Do I really need to hear it to know?”
Although he thought, "Caught red-handed!" in his mind, Bilyeon spoke without revealing it. It was the moment suspicion turned into confirmation.
“Even spousal fights should be moderate. Be moderate.”
“I will be moderate from now on.”
Bilyeon knew that Jang Hong was hiding his past. His name was likely fake too. His past was undoubtedly extraordinary. Only he himself could know how many stories lay dormant within it. However, Bilyeon was not particularly interested in other people’s pasts at the moment. There was only one thing he was interested in: the whereabouts of Na Yerim.
“What is the necessary information?”
“I have gathered it. But it won’t be easy. It seems we will have to search each of the four islands one by one.”
“Why?”
“The coffins brought here are scattered, one on each island.”
Not knowing which one contained the real item, they had no choice but to open them one by one and check. Not only was the procedure tedious, but it would also not be easy.
After all, there wouldn’t be a single captain foolish enough to readily comply with an intruder’s demands after the alarm bells had rung so loudly.
“Should we all go with you?”
Hyun-un, who was temporarily acting as the head of the Vermilion Bird Brigade in place of Namgung Sang, asked cautiously.
“No, the rescue team will be composed of a small elite force. Not everyone needs to follow me. I plan to form it by assigning one or two people to those I’ve chosen. I’ve already gathered them, and some unexpected extras tagged along. However, you have something that only you can do. Gungsang and Ryung-yi are currently unusable, so I need you to do one thing in their stead. This is a mission.”
“What kind of mission is it?”
Bilyeon replied in a low voice.
“I will give you two missions. First, tie down the attention of the other Macheong Thirteen Corps, excluding the Four Great Islands. It would be troublesome to be attacked from behind after entering the Four Great Islands.”
“You mean, cause a disturbance on our side.”
“Yes. Divert attention to your side so they can’t focus on the Four Great Islands. However, there’s no need to confront them head-on.”
“It would be great if Master Yeom and Master Binggeom were here for this…”
They were still in Kanghorando. They hadn’t come together because they had departed too hastily.
“I have already sent word through Jungyang Pyo-guk. But it’s uncertain if they can come. There’s also the problem of ships.”
“Hmm…”
He seemed slightly unsure.
“I have taught you enough. You have become strong enough. You have survived multiple hells. So, have confidence. There is no one among these Macheongak brats who can defeat you. Understand?”
“Yes, Eldest Brother! I understand. We survived hellish special training, so this is nothing.”
“Good. Then, the second mission.”
If the first was that much, what about the second? The Vermilion Bird Brigade tensed up.
“If it becomes useless, there would be no greater fortune, but just in case, we are preparing. Therefore, what you need to do is….” Is it. Do you understand?”
Bilyeon stated what he wanted, word by word. Hyun-un was shocked by what he heard.
“Do we need to prepare for such a thing?”
This meant they were preparing for the worst of the worst. It seemed the situation was going to get even more serious.
“Yes, it is absolutely necessary. There must be no mistake. Otherwise, we might all die.”