WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME NOVELS
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Former Supreme ◈
Chapter 108: The Reason for the Journey (2)
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Once they were far from Wuhan, the carriage began to slow.
The real journey had finally begun.
"Feeling hungry?"
Baek Socheon nodded, though he had been too lost in thought to care about food. He simply wanted to rest for a while.
Yeom Hwasin spoke to the subordinate sitting in the driver's seat.
"Let's go there."
"Yes."
Though Yeom Hwasin had not said where, the driver understood at once. It seemed there was a place they always visited whenever they came through this area.
The carriage stopped at a small inn called Spring Breeze. Its name suited the spring winds blowing these days, and despite its remote location, it had a fair number of customers.
"It's been a long time."
The elderly owner recognized Yeom Hwasin and warmly greeted them.
"Have you been well?"
"Now that I'm getting old, there isn't a single joint that doesn't ache. I should give this up soon."
"I think you've been saying that for over ten years."
"This time, I mean it. I really do."
"Give us the usual."
"Just wait a moment."
From the ease of their conversation, it seemed the owner had no idea they were speaking to the Black Heaven Alliance Leader.
"I stop by occasionally when passing through. That owner's cooking is excellent."
It was strange to discover that Yeom Hwasin had this side to them. Baek Socheon had imagined them as someone who ate only food prepared by master chefs and would bash in a cook's head with a pot if it did not suit their tastes.
"There are more customers than I expected."
"Do you think I'm the only one who finds it delicious? People find out one way or another and come looking for the place."
Baek Socheon had never dreamed he would sit in an ordinary inn, waiting for food with Yeom Hwasin. Then again, the customers at the next table could not possibly imagine who was sitting beside them.
As they waited, their conversation reached his ears.
"Did you hear that the Black Heaven Alliance is recruiting a large number of martial artists this time?"
"A large number? How many are they taking?"
"They say three or four times more than usual. The pay is much better too. I'm thinking of applying."
This was still orthodox territory, yet there were many martial artists unaffiliated with either faction. The same was true in unorthodox territory.
"Isn't that dangerous? There must be something wrong if they're suddenly recruiting so many people."
"Still, how can I pass up an opportunity like this?"
The Black Heaven Alliance might have been the heart of evil to orthodox people, but to people like them, it was simply a job. What mattered most was not the identity of its leader, but how well they would be treated.
"The better the treatment, the more dangerous the place they'll send you."
"Life is uncertain anyway. If you're unlucky, you can die while eating a meal. I've decided to give it a try."
That was true. If they had cursed the Black Heaven Alliance Leader at the end of that conversation, they would have died screaming over their meal.
Fortunately, their conversation drifted through trivial matters and eventually turned lewd.
The Sage Heaven Pavilion surely knew of this already and would be preparing a response. There was no other way. The Murim Alliance had no choice but to recruit more martial artists as well.
Right before his eyes, Baek Socheon saw how one person's ambition could affect so many lives.
He asked Yeom Hwasin, "You truly haven't given up on the war."
"Given up? Don't expect something from me that I do not possess. I'm simply keeping my promise to you. One year."
"Will you keep that promise?"
"Of course. But after a year, you'll have to face an even fiercer wind."
It was true, perhaps, but it was irrelevant.
If destruction was inevitable, what difference did it make whether it came violently or a little more gently?
Just as Yeom Hwasin had said, Spring Breeze's food was excellent. More importantly, it was not expensive. Out of respect for an owner willing to serve such fine food at that price, Baek Socheon decided he would stop by again whenever he passed this way.
"The horses need rest as well, so we'll stay here tonight. We can eat the breakfast the owner prepares too."
"Let's do that."
Yeom Hwasin was relaxed, as if they truly intended to take a leisurely trip.
"Shall we get some air?"
"All right."
The two of them walked along the path behind the inn.
After walking in silence for some time, Yeom Hwasin asked an unexpected question.
"Do you know how far my martial arts have progressed?"
It was the first time Yeom Hwasin had asked about martial arts, and they were asking about their own.
Baek Socheon answered honestly. That honesty had likely been the greatest force sustaining their relationship until now.
"I believe you have reached the Indestructible Vajra Body."
"Just as I thought. You knew."
"Others might not know, but how could I not after fighting you so fiercely? When I saw you again in Zhejiang Province, I felt that your skin was different from before."
Of course, he had only learned the truth through Na Sarin, after she removed the gu parasite from Yeom Hwasin's body.
"That's right. I've reached the Indestructible Vajra Body."
"How does it feel?"
"It feels incredible. Can you imagine it? The feeling that no matter what strikes my body, it could never break. Sword energy and sword aura feel no worse than being struck by a whip."
"Have you tested it?"
"Of course I did."
"You really weren't cut even by sword aura?"
"Sword energy tickled. Sword aura stung a little."
It might have sounded exaggerated, but it was not a lie. Sword energy and sword aura could no longer cut Yeom Hwasin's body.
"Damn it!"
Baek Socheon openly showed his irritation.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm worried about the Alliance Leader, who has to fight you."
Yeom Hwasin snorted.
"I'm jealous, so stop worrying about that washed-up old fossil."
"You feel jealousy?"
"Of course. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say jealousy is what made me grow."
"Jealous of whom?"
"Everyone, and everything. My father raised me that way."
A complicated emotion passed over Yeom Hwasin's face. Everyone had a point that stirred up tangled feelings and rising anger. For Yeom Hwasin, it was their father.
Baek Socheon suddenly wondered what that point was for him.
Nothing came to mind.
That made him bitter, and the feeling pushed him to leave. He felt that he could only find his true self by leaving the Murim Alliance.
"Have you ever felt jealous?"
"Mm."
Baek Socheon thought carefully.
"I don't think I can remember anything in particular."
"What a monotonous life."
"Anyone else can say that, but not you."
"Why not?"
"Because I got caught up in the war you started, and my youth passed without my getting to feel jealousy even once."
"Hahaha. I'm sorry about that. But thanks to me, didn't you become a hero of the martial world?"
"I admit that."
"Do you know why I brought up martial arts?"
"I don't."
Yeom Hwasin said something unexpected.
"Because I want your help."
Baek Socheon was startled. He had never imagined that would be the reason.
"I think I said something similar before. I have no one I can speak with. Not about personal matters, and not about my martial arts. There isn't a single person."
Yeom Hwasin's subordinates were people ambitious to take their place at any time. Before that, the bigger problem was likely that Yeom Hwasin was the sort of person who could trust no one.
"At least with you, I can speak comfortably."
Baek Socheon knew Yeom Hwasin meant it sincerely.
"Because I lost my internal energy?"
"Yes, that's the biggest reason. But even if you hadn't lost it, you would still have been the only one."
"Go on."
"After reaching the Indestructible Vajra Body, my martial realm rose as well. Once I arrived here, I could see what came next. If I can only cross that one step before me..."
"Then?"
"My world will change."
At that moment, Baek Socheon felt that Yeom Hwasin might have reached a higher realm than he had imagined.
"You can sense the next stage?"
"I can. A faint mist obscures it, so I can't see clearly, but I can feel that something new lies beyond it."
Baek Socheon knew that feeling better than anyone.
"Even if I can help you, do you think I would?"
"Does only your relationship with Ak Sogun count as a relationship? What about your friendship with me?"
"Don't force it. There is no such thing as friendship between us."
Yeom Hwasin stared at Baek Socheon and grinned.
"Fine. Let's leave it there for today. We have plenty of time."
"Let's do that."
Yeom Hwasin returned to their room.
Baek Socheon could roughly guess the purpose of this journey.
Yeom Hwasin intended to raise their martial arts to another level, and they wanted Baek Socheon's help in the process.
Baek Socheon realized he had encountered another serious problem.
* * *
After enjoying another meal prepared by Spring Breeze's owner, the carriage departed early the next morning.
It headed north.
"Not much snow fell this year, so we should go see some."
"I heard people ought to travel somewhere warm as they grow older."
"Maybe the owner at Spring Breeze should, but I'm still in my prime. Aren't you the same?"
"I would be if my internal energy were full."
"Do you really want me to restore it?"
Yeom Hwasin spoke as if they truly knew how.
Baek Socheon thought Yeom Hwasin might actually know a method.
After all, Baek Socheon himself had eventually found a way to regain his internal energy. It had only been possible because he used the orthodox faction's resources.
If he could do it, might Yeom Hwasin know a way as well? Could they create a fortuitous opportunity like Ban Yunsaeng by some other means?
"If you help me cross that threshold, I will repair your dantian. Not only that, I will fill it with as much internal energy as you had at the end. About three sixty-year cycles, was it?"
It was an astonishing offer.
"Do you mean that?"
"You wouldn't believe me anyway, so I won't swear on my name. Instead, I'll promise it on our relationship."
Yeom Hwasin seemed to value their relationship with Baek Socheon more than their own name. Baek Socheon could not tell how much of it was sincere and how much was pretense. Yet even if all of it were an act, there were surely times when he could be fooled by it, no, when he wanted to be fooled by it.
"Well?"
"Can I think before I answer?"
"As long as you like. Time is all we have left. Take your time and consider it."
"Thank you."
The carriage continued north.
Watching the scenery rush past outside, Baek Socheon sank into thought.
First, he decided not to make restoring his internal energy a condition to be fulfilled beforehand. In his relationship with Yeom Hwasin, that would clearly be the worst move.
Assuming he agreed to Yeom Hwasin's request first.
What would happen if Baek Socheon refused?
Given Yeom Hwasin's nature, they would not try to harm him here. They would probably send him away pleasantly instead.
But Yeom Hwasin's interest and affection toward him would disappear in an instant.
Yeom Hwasin was an extraordinary person, not broad-minded or magnanimous. Besides, they were not someone accustomed to being refused.
Then what if Baek Socheon agreed?
What if his help allowed Yeom Hwasin's martial arts to rise another level? That was entirely possible.
Could he offer only superficial help while withholding the crucial parts? Considering Yeom Hwasin's martial realm, that was impossible.
Of course, the process of helping Yeom Hwasin would surely involve interaction, and it would be of great benefit to Baek Socheon as well.
What if Yeom Hwasin and he both advanced in martial arts at the same time?
Who would gain more?
And what if Yeom Hwasin kept the promise?
How would the process of regaining his internal energy affect him? What if he succeeded and combined his newly recovered internal energy with the internal energy he had concealed?
As long as the future was unknown, none of it could be predicted.
At times like this, Baek Socheon chose one thing. He followed the whisper of the instincts that had protected him for so long.
He said to Yeom Hwasin, "I accept your offer."
"Hahaha! Good, very good."
Yeom Hwasin rejoiced as though their martial arts had already risen another level. Did they truly believe that Baek Socheon could help them surpass their limits?
"Hahaha, this journey will be a very entertaining one!"
"Are we still traveling?"
"Of course. Do you think I would ask you to hole up in some cave and study martial arts? You know it too. At our level, enlightenment doesn't come from shutting ourselves away to train."
"Then what?"
"Let's study it gradually while we travel and enjoy ourselves."
Yeom Hwasin was certainly strong. Whatever judgment one made of their character, Yeom Hwasin as a martial artist was stronger than any martial artist Baek Socheon had ever seen.
Even after reaching this final realm, Yeom Hwasin never lost their way. They knew exactly what they had to do to move forward.
Yes, Yeom Hwasin was right. He would not find the answer by shutting himself in a cave. Enlightenment would suddenly fall while they traveled, laughed, and enjoyed themselves. The only question was who would pick it up first.
"Hey, Socheon."
"What is it?"
"I'm in a good mood, so let's go have some fun. Have you ever enjoyed a little revelry?"
"When would I have had time for that, thanks to a certain person?"
"Fine, I'll take you somewhere entertaining as an apology!"
"No need!"
"No reason to be embarrassed. Your cute female assassin isn't here, and neither are those stuffy old fogies. This is a place for real men only."
Without waiting for Baek Socheon's answer, Yeom Hwasin spoke to the driver.
"Let's go there! A trip for men isn't complete without women."
"Yes!"
The driver understood where "there" was with only those words.
The carriage, which had been heading north, turned west once more.
Footnotes:
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