Book 8 Chapter 11

The Departure of Two People!

- Questioning the Past at Mount Wudang

Dark clouds gathered, and the sky grew increasingly dark.

Birds, bees, and butterflies all stopped flying and rested their wings.

It looked like a downpour was imminent.

"You can't even tell me?"

Baek Mu-yeong's face was serious, to the point of appearing grim. Of course, it wasn't that his face was usually devoid of seriousness. Baek Mu-yeong's face was always sufficiently serious to the point of being tiresome.

"I'm sorry!"

Cheong Heun lowered his head deeply, as if apologetic. These were the times he felt most sorry.

"You can't tell me, your closest friend, and one of the two pillars of Gujeong Hoe? Why?"

Baek Mu-yeong's tone was laden with disappointment, and his words grew increasingly heated. This friend, who was always cold and calm, seemed to be losing his composure today.

"How many times has this been now?"

"I'm sorry!"

"It's already the twelfth time. Do I still have to beg you? I? Not anyone else, but you?"

"I'm sorry!"

Cheong Heun repeatedly said he was sorry. He truly was.

"Last time, with the Iron Leg Horse Demon Unit, I didn't ask for a reason. Because we are inseparable friends! As friends, I could walk into a death line without asking why! It's fortunate the outcome was good, otherwise, the worst possible result could have occurred!"

"…"

He had no rebuttal. Because it was all true. Cheong Heun himself was very grateful for the Iron Leg Horse Demon Unit incident. It was a glimpse into the friendship of this seemingly cold friend. Of course, he only saw the absurd scene and didn't do much, but his trust in his friend deepened. That's why it was so difficult to refuse his non-threatening request.

Once again, Baek Mu-yeong began to pressure Cheong Heun. His words were narrowing the circle of inquiry.

"But that matter is over, so I must hear it now!"

Cheong Heun looked at Baek Mu-yeong silently with his clear eyes. A glint flashed in Baek Mu-yeong's eyes. A will could be felt.

Cheong Heun steeled himself.

"What exactly happened at Mount Wudang back then?"

Flash!

Lightning flashed behind Baek Mu-yeong.

"Rumble!"

The sound followed the light. Thunder roared belatedly. With the sound of thunder, raindrops began to fall from the sky, which had already darkened.

It was autumn rain.

Pitter-patter! Whoosh!

The rain fell. The rain clouds obscured the sun, making the ground dark. It was as dark as night, even though it was daytime. The raindrops were rough, as if an ill-tempered being living in the sky was wildly throwing water, and they were violent enough to turn the dry land into a muddy mess.

After a long silence, only the sound of the autumn rain loudly filling his ears, Cheong Heun finally managed to speak with difficulty.

"…Sorry! I cannot betray trust and loyalty."

Cheong Heun's heart was in great pain. It felt like he was betraying his friend.

"Even if it's a fact, no, the truth, that it will negatively impact Cheonmu Academy and our Gujeong Hoe?"

Flash!

Light once again seeped through the gaps in the paper screen. A sudden burst of light flooded in.

"I can only apologize again!"

"Can you only apologize? Do you have nothing else to say?"

"I'm sorry!"

Finally, Baek Mu-yeong's patience ran out, and he exploded.

"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Can you only say sorry now? If you can't say anything else, then I have nothing more to hear from you!"

The current Baek Mu-yeong showed none of his usual composure, known as the "Gatekeeper of Gujeong Hoe," who maintained a cold and rational demeanor.

"Bang!"

The sound of the door slamming shut behind him was as loud as thunder. In his anger, Baek Mu-yeong forgot to convey the crucial information about Gujeong Hoe and Gunung Hoe that he had brought to tell Cheong Heun.

"Sorry!"

Cheong Heun muttered softly to himself. Self-loathing surged within him. Self-hatred took root in his heart. Even after thinking about it again, he felt like a fool.

Although there was coercion at the time, he shouldn't have made such a promise so carelessly about such an important matter. However, having learned such an enormous truth that could instantly turn Cheonmu Academy upside down, he couldn't simply speak of it.

'Why did I make such a promise then?'

Regret washed over him.

"You must make a promise."

It was Yeomdo who spoke first. Not anyone else, but Yeomdo, who was like a master during the intensive training, demanded a promise. The suspicious aura emanating from Yeomdo's entire body could be called a collection of will that would not tolerate refusal.

"W-what promise?"

His words trembled out on their own, without being prompted. Was this the heart of an innocent citizen being extorted by a robber?

"Everyone else has promised me. No, it's a sworn oath on a warrior's pride, before heaven! Can you do it?"

Yeomdo's words, implying that everyone else had done it and he was the only one left, made him feel ostracized and isolated from the world.

"Do I have to?"

"Of course!"

It was an attitude that left no room for negotiation.

"What kind of oath?"

He had some inkling. It was only surprising that Yeomdo was the one in charge.

"A promise that you will not reveal anything you have seen and heard to anyone!"

"Th-that is?"

"Why? Can't you do it?"

Perhaps it was Yeomdo's gaze, but his cheeks tingled.

"No… uh…"

Yeomdo's overwhelming power and relentless pressure left Cheong Heun speechless. His tongue wouldn't move as intended. He found himself in a very difficult predicament. Only then did Cheong Heun truly grasp the profound meaning of the idiom "surrounded by enemies on all sides."

"Don't you feel anything after seeing that sad scene?"

His finger pointed somewhere, as if to say, 'Look! See!'

There, Hyo-ryong was holding the cold corpse of his older brother and shedding tears endlessly. Seeing this, Cheong Heun's heart also felt bitter.

He was a fellow trainee with whom he had lived and shared meals for over a month. Especially after a week of special intensive training, there had been subtle emotional exchanges.

Perhaps because of that… he didn't feel like Hyo-ryong was an enemy. Despite his suspicions, he strangely didn't feel that way. So, he almost instinctively replied, "Yes, I will." But he couldn't.

"I'm sorry."

The tense tug-of-war between Yeomdo, the fisherman, and Cheong Heun, the big catch, was still ongoing.

Surprisingly, the fish had resilience. Yeomdo decided to abandon the method of demanding an unconditional oath. Therefore, he moved on to the second phase of the operation, which he had received a hint about from Bi Ryuyeon. For now, he returned to the previous repetition.

"Swear it!"

Yeomdo pushed Cheong Heun with a stern tone. At this moment, Cheong Heun was thinking.

'I…'

'By bullying me…'

"Swear it!"

'By bullying me…'

"Swear it!"

'…Do you think I will yield to that and swear!'

Cheong Heun's resolve was as solid as an iron wall. Then Yeomdo said.

"You won't swear? Then you'll get the lowest score in this intensive training. You'll fail!"

For a moment, Cheong Heun almost shouted, "I swear!" If the importance of the matter had been even slightly less, he wouldn't have had to think. Forgetting his own resolve from moments before, Cheong Heun would have immediately raised his hand and sworn to the heavens. For an excellent student like him, a drop in his score was unthinkable. Maintaining his grades was that important to him. However, the importance of the matter was great enough to risk a drop in his score.

"Still… it's unfair and upsetting enough to bring tears, but I still can't."

This fish was quite resolute. It seemed to still have strength. Yeomdo stopped pulling for a moment and loosened the line. It was one step back to move two steps forward.

"Is that so?"

"Yes! I absolutely cannot compromise."

"Hmph? Is that so? Truly, the 'Mu-jeol' of dual excellence in martial arts and literature! Your unyielding attitude was magnificent! You are indeed a trustworthy person."

Suddenly, Yeomdo's attitude and voice changed 180 degrees. Cheong Heun felt bewildered. Yeomdo's gaze as he looked at Cheong Heun became extremely serious. However, the oppressive feeling from before was gone.

"So, you finally know about this matter too."

His tone was very subtle and secretive.

"Yes?"

Cheong Heun was bewildered.

"But you absolutely must not tell anyone else! This is a special order."

"Th-then…"

Yeomdo nodded gravely.

"Yes! This is a secretly ongoing operation from higher up. You must never let Hyo-ryong or anyone else suspect, even vaguely, that you've figured out Hyo-ryong's identity, understand?"

So, this was a double-layered disinformation operation? At this point, Cheong Heun had to grudgingly accept it. His perseverance up to now was almost wasted, such an easy surrender. Yeomdo also felt deflated when Cheong Heun fell so easily after he moved to the second phase of the operation.

"Yes! Of course."

"I trust you!"

Yeomdo patted Cheong Heun's shoulder amicably.

"Leave it to me!"

Unaware that he had been deceived, Cheong Heun replied vigorously.

"Hmph… I'm sorry, friend!"

Just thinking about that day and Baek Mu-yeong made him sigh. Lately, he felt like he was losing himself. Was it because he saw something he shouldn't have… or was it because of him…

'Bi Ryuyeon!'

The more he thought about it, the more incomprehensible he was. He felt as if his fate was being swept into the wheel of his fate.

"Hello. It's been a while."

Bi Ryuyeon greeted as he entered the Ae So-jeo Hoe club room. Im Seong-jin greeted him warmly. These days, they were taking classes together at Heuk-geom-cho.

"Ah! Ryuyeon, you're here. Good that you came."

The reason Bi Ryuyeon visited today was because Im Seong-jin had summoned him.

"How is it? Having fun these days?"

Im Seong-jin asked with a playful expression.

"Is there something to have fun about?"

Bi Ryuyeon didn't grasp the hidden intention in Im Seong-jin's words.

"You're always with two heavenly fairies these days, aren't you? I'm so envious, I feel like I'm going to die."

Im Seong-jin's eyes were filled with genuine envy. He was talking about Bi Ryuyeon becoming Eun Seol-lan's bodyguard.

"Do you want me to write my will? Why are you making such a fuss…"

Bi Ryuyeon waved his hand nonchalantly. However, Im Seong-jin didn't let it go.

"What are you talking about! Don't you know how much you are the object of envy for our Ae So-jeo Hoe members? In the newspapers, there are countless people who want to tear you apart, yet you don't know. That's how much they envy you."

"Somehow, I don't feel happy hearing that at all."

"Remember that you are a member of Ae So-jeo Hoe and send me information about Miss Sa Jung-hwa Eun Seol-lan! We are always hungry for fresh information. Especially things like her 'three-part shame' that are kept as top secret! Please, I beg you."

Im Seong-jin's eyes burned with an erratic passion.

"For free?"

Bi Ryuyeon said in a subtle tone. Im Seong-jin flinched for a moment, but then regained his composure. He had caught on now. This guy had a grievance.

"Hahaha. How could that be! Nothing in this world is free. Don't worry about that and catch some good information!"

"I'll think about it."

Bi Ryuyeon didn't say he would do it decisively, leaving a slight opening. He wanted to avoid taking the blame later. Bi Ryuyeon instinctively understood what diplomacy was.

"By the way, did you really call me for something like this?"

Bi Ryuyeon asked. He had come here because he was told there was something very important.

"Ah! That's not it. I called you because I have something urgent to tell you. Urgent information has come in."

"What is it?"

Bi Ryuyeon leaned forward. Im Seong-jin decided to get to the point.

"Have you had any dangerous incidents recently?"

"Well… aside from occasionally having to dodge hidden weapons thrown from behind when I walk, traps set in the doors I enter, mailboxes full of letters with curses, or animal corpses hung outside my window, there hasn't been anything else."

Bi Ryuyeon replied with a big smile. However, the person listening couldn't force a smile. Im Seong-jin's expression had hardened.

"Th-that's a bit much, isn't it?"

"It's nothing much. To try to attack someone's mind with that? They must be mere children. How can they attack someone's mind with such timid and weak methods?"

Mere children! How high must their level be to consider this the act of weak and cowardly people?

"Well! It must be the work of those who can only like imaginary women. Judging by their childish behavior."

The members of the Bingbong Movie Guard were the prime suspects for most crimes. However, even as suspects, there were too many to count.

"You're even more surprising for maintaining your sanity! Have any of them been caught? How were they dealt with? Surely…"

Im Seong-jin was inwardly worried about how brutally Bi Ryuyeon might have acted.

Bi Ryuyeon said.

"They're fine."

"Really?"

"Of course! How could I be harsh on fellow students? Hmm… having a hole in one buttock, a broken leg, or a dislocated shoulder is considered being forgiven. They're incredibly lucky guys. To end up with such a penalty even after failing a perfect crime."

"…"

Bi Ryuyeon's subsequent words contributed significantly to blocking Im Seong-jin's words and crushing his lungs. Im Seong-jin didn't want to imagine the fate of criminals who failed their perfect crimes. He felt a dampness in his right palm.

Suddenly, as if something came to mind, Bi Ryuyeon slapped his palm with his fist.

"Ah! I did see something quite interesting two days ago. It was really strange…"

Even thinking about it now, it was a truly strange event. The very possibility of such a thing happening was a mystery of the universe.

"What happened?"

Im Seong-jin suddenly showed curiosity.

"Ah! It's nothing much. Just a strange magic trick. Have you ever seen flesh dance?"

Bi Ryuyeon asked with bright, curious eyes.

Im Seong-jin was dumbfounded. He couldn't grasp what he was talking about.

"No, I haven't."

"Too bad! You couldn't see such a wonderful and strange performance of dancing flesh. If you have a chance later, be sure to witness it. It's as if the flesh moves freely like a living creature; it's no exaggeration to call it a mystery of the human body. It's truly a miracle."

He had almost destroyed evidence, but Bi Ryuyeon escaped like a slippery loach.

"But was it only for such a trivial matter?"

Bi Ryuyeon asked.

"Of course, that's part of it. But that's not all."

And there was one more thing. That was actually why he had summoned Bi Ryuyeon here.

"Do you know that the heads of Gujeong Hoe and Gunung Hoe have emerged from their seclusion training this time?"

"Who are those people?"

"What!"

Im Seong-jin's eyes widened. He had summoned him out of concern, but the other person seemed to have no thoughts or worries at all. Did he really not know how Gujeong Hoe and Gunung Hoe viewed him?

"Ryuyeon! Do you truly not know that you are being targeted by both Gujeong Hoe and Gunung Hoe?"

It was already common knowledge.

"I don't know!"

Bi Ryuyeon's firm words were like nails driven into Im Seong-jin's heart.

Currently, both Gujeong Hoe and Gunung Hoe were anxious to investigate Bi Ryuyeon. Yet, the person himself was unaware…

"Are they that formidable?"

"Surely, you truly, really, not a fake, still don't know about them?"

He nodded.

Bi Ryuyeon nodded without a shred of conscience. Im Seong-jin was horrified.

"I don't feel the need to be interested in other people's identities, but they must be really formidable."

"Of course! Not only are they formidable, but they are two of the most famous people belonging to Cheonmu Academy! It's strange that you don't know them."

"I don't know."

Bi Ryuyeon's words were unwavering. He didn't care if he was considered a strange guy (though he was already considered one).

"How can you not know them after a year has already passed since you enrolled? Even if you entered seclusion training for half a thousand days, as you did."

Bi Ryuyeon answered that question.

"I'm not interested in people weaker than me."

Im Seong-jin's expression immediately soured. His heart was already pounding with shock. His head throbbed as if he had a headache, even though he didn't.

"Don't say such things carelessly in front of people, even as a joke. Most of the disciples of Cheonmu Academy belong to these two organizations. If the leaders hear that they have been insulted, it will cause quite a stir! They hate having their pride hurt more than dying."

"Then I'll have to die."

Bi Ryuyeon said nonchalantly.

Since he couldn't bear to die, he would eliminate all those who were hostile to him. That was the mindset Bi Ryuyeon considered natural. It was also the spirit of the Biroe Sect, passed down through generations from his master's master's master's master's master.

"Please, don't even think about causing trouble with them, no matter what happens! It will be like voluntarily embracing endless trouble. I called you to warn you about this."

The movements of Gujeong Hoe and Gunung Hoe concerning Bi Ryuyeon, which had been picked up by Ae So-jeo Hoe's intelligence network, were unusual. Therefore, Im Seong-jin was worried. His actions were not cute; rather, they were arrogant to the point of being cosmic, yet he couldn't bring himself to hate him. He was truly a curious person.

"If I don't know them, what trouble could arise?"

Bi Ryuyeon remained carefree. He was almost the epitome of indifference. Seeing Bi Ryuyeon's calm and composed demeanor made all his worries feel like a waste of effort. Where did the source of his endless composure lie?

"Still, I feel uneasy. Humans have inexplicable feelings, you know…"

"That's called 'seeking hardship,' commonly known as 'selling hardship' (苦生賣買). Don't worry."

Bi Ryuyeon remained as carefree as ever. And in fact, he was the type who wouldn't worry even if a problem arose.

'Surely, such a thing won't happen… I'm overreacting.'

Im Seong-jin tried to comfort himself by thinking so.

However, no matter how much he listened to Bi Ryuyeon's unreliable boasts, his anxiety didn't dissipate. Instead, it sank quietly to the depths of his heart, remaining as a residue, as if it were a part of his mind.

'Such a thing will absolutely not happen. Not unless the heavens act with unreasonable caprice!'

He wanted to believe so.

"Be careful! If things go wrong, I'll offer incense at your memorial tablet, so don't worry about the aftermath."

"Well… do you think I'll have a chance to meet such high-ranking people who wear neck braces? I won't just bump into them on the street."

"Be especially careful not to bump into them on the street. If that happens, your life is not guaranteed."

It wasn't a joke at all.

"Do you really think such a coincidence will happen?"

Bi Ryuyeon just laughed it off.

Im Seong-jin had also self-deprecatingly thought, 'Surely, such a thing won't happen.' However, the affairs of the world were truly strange. Especially the fact that they never followed human intentions properly.

Im Seong-jin, who was drinking tea while thinking, 'I wish this were alcohol,' suddenly slapped his palm.

"Ah! Did I tell that guy that the head of Gunung Hoe was a woman?"

Im Seong-jin remembered that there was something he had forgotten to tell Bi Ryuyeon, but a considerable amount of time had already passed since Bi Ryuyeon had left.

"Well, nothing major will happen…"

Im Seong-jin decided to put his mind at ease, planning to tell him next time they met. If something happened here, it would be his own fault. Im Seong-jin sincerely thought so. But…

What to do about this? In the world, things often, no, very often, do not go as people wish. In such cases, reality usually brings unexpected results. This makes it impossible for the victim to understand why things turned out this way. And they cannot answer. Because it just happened that way.

In other words, a mere accidental coincidence needs no explanation. It's no use arguing that it's unreasonable. Because heaven is sometimes very unreasonably stubborn. In such situations, heaven often exercises its right to remain silent, making communication impossible. When such a situation looms, there is only one course of action! A reckless, forceful push to overcome heaven's unreasonableness and trickery.

When you think about it, it's the same with what happened to Bi Ryuyeon this time! Something he never intended happened to him by chance.

And he had no desire to be caught up in it and suffer due to the habitual, slight capriciousness of heaven, one of the main characteristics of the high-ranking beings who reside above. Whom would he dare to inflict damage and loss upon!

Bi Ryuyeon could never forgive that being, even if it were heaven.

But this time, the being was not heaven, but a woman. Of course, it's hard to absolve heaven, the god of fate, of its arbitrary intervention in this matter.

Although Bi Ryuyeon had experienced many things so far, this event was truly the peak of absurdity and coincidence. It served as a good experience, teaching him that people can go through all sorts of things in life.

It didn't even take a minute for that slim chance of coincidence to occur. In the short time it took Bi Ryuyeon to leave the Ae So-jeo Hoe and walk to the dormitory, the event happened by chance, breaking through astronomical probabilities.