Rebirth of the Heavenly Demon

Chapter 102 – Days of Growth (2)

The thick iron door opened and Ma Cheol-gun entered. The person in the narrow room of about three or four pyeong was Ma Ryeong-in. He was imprisoned here with his acupoints suppressed so he couldn’t use martial arts.

“I heard you skipped a meal?”

“The food is terrible. Either change the cook or let me out.”

“Still, you need to eat.”

“What’s this cheap sympathy? Do I seem like a criminal sentenced to execution to you?”

Ma Cheol-gun neither affirmed nor denied this.

“Tell me who ordered it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Tell me who’s behind you. If you talk willingly, I’ll spare your life.”

Of course, Ma Cheol-gun was considering the possibility that this could have been Ma Ryeong-in’s solo act. He felt no sense of discomfort at the fact that Ma Ryeong-in had tried to kill him. That’s just who Ma Ryeong-in was.

“So you mean you’ll kill me if I don’t talk.”

“You don’t understand the seriousness of this situation. You tried to kill the head of the Heavenly Blade Sect.”

“The temporary head. And the only evidence that I tried to kill you is that one secret letter, right? Unless that Nameless Hero confesses directly, you can’t condemn me with just that.”

Ma Cheol-gun’s eyes turned cold. It was infuriating, but Ma Ryeong-in’s words weren’t wrong.

Moreover, they had interrogated the warriors guarding him and found the mansion where they were staying. But for some reason, that place had completely burned down, leaving only ashes.

“You’ve been like this since you were young. Always scheming and plotting. To be honest, I really disliked you.”

“I knew that.”

“I could kill you right here.”

“Go ahead and try.”

“You think I can’t?”

Ma Cheol-gun raised his killing intent. It was truly a murderous aura as if he would kill him right away, but Ma Ryeong-in wasn’t afraid or shaken at all. Rather, he smiled as if he knew that Ma Cheol-gun wouldn’t be able to kill him despite trying.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door from outside.

“Sect Leader, I have something to tell you.”

The person calling him was Old Master No, who played the role of military advisor.

When Ma Cheol-gun opened the door and went out, Old Master No led him to the end of the corridor.

Old Master No looked quite tense.

“What’s the matter?”

“A message has flown in from the Martial Righteous Alliance. They say to bring Young Master Ma to the Alliance immediately.”

“What?”

Ma Cheol-gun was startled.

“How does Father know that bastard is imprisoned?”

Of course, he could know. This matter wasn’t conducted in absolute secrecy. But while he might find out eventually, he couldn’t have known so quickly.

Old Master No said seriously:

“Is it really an order from the Alliance Leader?”

Ma Cheol-gun’s expression became the same as Old Master No’s.

“The forces behind have moved.”

***

I returned to the house in Shandong with Gwang-du and Gong Su-chan.

As the house came into view in the distance, I felt strange. Without realizing it, my heart felt at ease and I felt a sense of relief. When I was younger, I didn’t know how precious a home was. Rather, I felt more comfortable leaving home.

But now I think I understand. What it feels like to return home, what emotion it is to return now.

Father and Mother were unchanged, just as when I left.

“Did you have a good trip?”

Father’s gaze held trust incomparable to before.

“Yes, I had a good trip thanks to your concern.”

“And the business you went for?”

“I handled it well.”

“That’s good. You always remember, right?”

“Of course. I’m always trying to respect and be considerate of those below me.”

“That’s good then.”

Father added one more thing different from usual.

“This father believes that such standards, gathering one by one, support a person’s life. Although I only established one standard, you should create many better standards.”

It was a statement imbued with humility about life. How could Father have only that one standard? He’s probably emphasizing that point because he thinks it’s what I need most right now.

As time passes, I feel the depth of this teaching.

A person who can sincerely consider others is someone who has already mastered their own heart. In other words, to properly keep those words, one must be able to control oneself.

When the conversation with Father ended, Mother took my hand and led me outside.

“Son, come here.”

“What is it?”

“I heard Hwa-rin stopped by Wuhan?”

“How did you know?”

“I met Gwang-du on the way.”

Haha. That Gwang-du, how tight-lipped he is. He must have told Mother everything as soon as he saw her. Well, both Mother and Gwang-du were actively supporting Song Hwa-rin.

“She came when I was out, so I couldn’t meet her.”

“That’s what I heard. You must have been disappointed?”

As she said this, she glanced at me.

“I was disappointed.”

It wasn’t just words for Mother’s sake. I was truly grateful and disappointed.

“Will you meet her later?”

“I’m thinking of going to see her after I handle the Small Sword Squad‘s affairs.”

“Yes, you should take care of your work first. But remember this. It must have taken great courage for Rin to go all that way to meet you.”

I smiled in response, understanding what Mother meant.

“Yes, Mother.”

***

The Small Sword Squad, seeing me after a long time, let out cheers.

Even Gwan Hwi, usually stoic, was shouting at the front, so you can imagine how enthusiastic their welcome was.

It was enough to make my heart swell. This was an emotion I hadn’t felt even from hundreds or thousands of times more martial artists.

“Have you all been well?”

“Yes!”

“Have you been training hard?”

Another resounding answer came. Their faces were full of confidence.

“A martial artist doesn’t explain past events with words! You know that, right?”

As soon as my words ended, the Small Sword Squad scattered left and right, creating space.

The squad members took turns demonstrating techniques with me. They showed more improvement than last time. They were making rapid progress.

After watching one round of training, I said:

“I’m really proud of you all.”

My praise was sincere, and my feelings were conveyed to them.

Everyone was delighted. They felt like they were finally receiving some reward after pushing themselves to the limit in training.

Now it was time for the Small Sword Squad to take a step forward.

“I’m thinking of recruiting new squad members.”

Everyone wore trembling and expectant expressions.

Originally, I was going to recruit only forty people. At that time, the financial situation wasn’t favorable, and above all, I wanted to avoid attracting attention.

But now the situation has changed.

The Small Sword Squad members had dramatically improved their skills, and the financial situation had become abundant.

“This time, I plan to recruit eighty more people.”

Decisively, the enemy forces were far more powerful than I had thought. It wasn’t time to walk slowly step by step. Now was the time to stride forward.

Of course, we shouldn’t stumble. Recruiting eighty people at once will inevitably attract attention.

So I came up with one strategy.

***

“You want to join forces with me to create a sword squad?”

Song Hwa-rin looked at me with round eyes. As soon as we met and shared the joy of reunion, I made an unexpected proposal.

This was the method I had thought of. To create and operate a sword squad by joining forces with Song Hwa-rin, not actually, but to spread such rumors.

Then people would think this was being done with the support of the Song Clan. Moreover, we had the justification of being in a covenant relationship. We could grow our forces while avoiding suspicion about where such money suddenly came from.

“Of course, recruiting and operating the squad members this time will be entirely done by my own strength.”

“In other words, you just want to borrow my name.”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“I want to avoid attention.”

“Why?”

Usually, when sects recruit people, they rather exaggerate to show off their power. It’s common to say they gathered twenty people when they actually gathered ten. They don’t try to reduce the numbers, but rather increase them forcefully. That’s the nature of martial world sects.

“I want to quietly build up strength.”

She might feel bad. She might think I’m trying to use her. Actually, that was the case.

Unexpectedly, she readily agreed.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Rather, I was the one who was surprised.

“You’re deciding so easily?”

“It doesn’t seem like something to decide difficultly. Isn’t this the core of this matter?”

“What?”

After staring at me for a moment, she calmly said:

“Whether to trust you or not.”

She was seeing the core of this issue accurately.

“You’ve decided to trust me?”

She nodded. It was an expression more certain than a vigorous nod. I could feel it. She was now truly trusting me.

“Thank you.”

“If you’re grateful, you should buy me a drink.”

When I was surprised, she smiled and said:

“I won’t misbehave while drunk today.”

I drank with her.

Now she had no aversion to drinking at all. Her past wounds had all healed.

Various stories were exchanged, but I didn’t tell her about the existence of two other women. But I didn’t feel sorry for her.

Neither she nor I, nor that other woman. Our emotions were flowing and changing. We couldn’t know where the waves of that relationship would lead us.

“The reason for growing a sword squad in the martial world is obvious, but I still want to ask. Why are you trying to grow the sword squad so large?”

I could tell it wasn’t a question asked to hear the obvious answer that it was just to build up strength.

“I think this martial world isn’t normal.”

I hadn’t told her yet about the forces behind the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader. Just Ma Bonggi and the Heavenly Blade Sect were enough to make it understandable.

“I think chaos will come in the future. I’m preparing for that.”

“What kind of chaos?”

“Very big chaos. I think it might become a martial world where the weak have to live like slaves of the strong.”

That was how Ma Bonggi had lived his life. Those trying to use such a Ma Bonggi wouldn’t be much different. They’re just hiding their claws while secretly planning things for now.

Realizing that I was speaking sincerely, she asked seriously:

“What should I do?”

“Aren’t you already joining forces with me to create a sword squad?”

She smirked at my words.

That day, we talked about many things. Mostly about the future. We drank until late, and she didn’t misbehave while drunk.

***

I met Jin, the intelligence agent, at the newly established contact point in Qufu.

“Did your trip go well?”

“Fortunately, I handled it well. You seem to have lost some weight.”

“Not at all.”

“Take care of yourself while working.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

I had already told him about the matters related to Ma Ryeong-in. I ordered him to watch how this matter was being handled within the Heavenly Blade Sect, and also to find out about Joo Family Estate and the Zhengzhou Martial Arts Hall.

“I haven’t found out anything about Ma Ryeong-in yet. They’re handling it in utmost secrecy within their ranks.”

Of course they would. Rather, if information leaked out now, it would be a situation to be suspicious of.

“Keep watching.”

“Yes. And Joo Family Estate and the Zhengzhou Martial Arts Hall have already closed down.”

That too was natural given what happened with the Nameless Hero.

“Su is investigating the Namhyeon Escort Agency. It’s taking time because we’re approaching cautiously, but a report should come up soon.”

Namhyeon Escort Agency was the name I had discovered on the box in Im Yeon-jeong’s research lab. It was the only clue to find their backers.

“Tell Su to be careful.”

“Yes, understood.”

Next, Jin reported about the intelligence organization we were forming. We named this intelligence organization Three-Eyed Pavilion[1], meaning there is another eye besides the two eyes.

“We’re creating Three-Eyed Pavilion branches in major cities across the Central Plains. Currently, branches have been established in fifteen locations.”

“Fifteen places?”

I was surprised. I knew Jin and Su were highly capable, but I didn’t expect them to handle things this quickly.

“Right now, they’re small-scale branches. Two or three people, some places even have just one person. We plan to gradually increase the numbers.”

I know well that numbers aren’t important for an intelligence organization.

According to Jin’s explanation, the branch leaders included an innkeeper, a fabric shop clerk, a low-ranking Martial Righteous Alliance warrior, and a martial arts instructor from a martial arts hall. They collect information while living their lives mixed among ordinary people.

Following the Dark Panther Squad, Three-Eyed Pavilion was also gradually taking shape.

***

The Small Sword Squad of the Byeok Clan Sword Manor officially began recruiting martial artists.

We announced in advance that Song Hwa-rin was lending her strength. Rumors changed from talk of breaking off the engagement to now saying we would marry again.

Neither I nor Song Hwa-rin cared about the rumors. As if by agreement, we weren’t talking about that part.

Rather, the person I was concerned about was Song Hwa-rin’s father, Song Woo-gyeong. I was worried that this might cause him trouble, but on the contrary, he was very pleased. He still wanted us to marry.

With rumors of collaboration with the Song Clan circulating, an enormous number of martial artists applied.

Gwan Hwi and the existing squad members froze up seeing the martial artists gathering like clouds. Far more people had flocked than they had imagined.

Looking back at them, I said:

“Don’t tremble.”

“Yes!”

But they were still tense.

“They’re more nervous. Don’t you remember the day you came in?”

At those words, some burst into laughter and their expressions loosened somewhat.

I walked in front, saying:

“Now, let’s see how many useful guys have come.”