Chapter 68: When The First Snow Falls Again (4) (2/2)

“He knows that Kang Ho is in chaos. He said he wants to protect the Kang Ho. To tell you the truth… I don’t know what to do.”

“You should go.”

“Honey.”

“Did you know that you haven’t had a single nightmare today?”

That was true. He hadn’t had a nightmare.

Jung Young knew that the place where her husband belonged was not a store like this, but the Kang Ho. She knew that it was time to set him free again.

“If the reason why you are hesitant is because of Myung He and me, just go. I will protect Myung He. If it’s because of the previous mengju, you should still go. You should protect what the previous mengju created.”

“Honey...”

“If what he said is true, you should protect the Kang Ho. Just the way you did all those years ago.”

She was now looking at Myung He.

“You should protect it for Myung He. So that he can live in a peaceful world.”

***

Squeak! Crunch!

Stepping on the fresh snow, Baek Pyo was coming towards me. We were facing each other in a forest behind his shop. He had his sword on his waist, and the Divine Sword of King Shura on his back. From this, I could tell that he had made his decision.

“I believed that you were a great person the very moment I saw you. But right now, I don’t know.”

“I understand.”

“You said you wanted me to be your subordinate?”

“Yes, I did.”

Baek Pyo took out his sword.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“I don’t just serve anyone.”

His eyes were glowing with pa.s.sion. It was the same sight that I remembered whenever we went to the battlefield together.

“You could die because of me. Do you still want to take me?”

Baek Pyo was telling the truth.

Then I stepped forward and said, “I don’t just take anyone for my subordinate either.”

There was no need for any further talk.

Baek Pyo also took a step forward, and now we were slowly circling each other. I knew Baek Pyo’s sword art better than anyone else. There was one common strength and weakness in his sword art. It was not a sword art to kill, but one to protect. It was weak because it was a sword meant to protect, but it was also strong, for the very same reason.

“I am coming, be careful.”

This was the first moment in my life when I was facing a true master.

After his warning, he slashed his sword at me.

Swoos.h.!.+

He was aiming for my arm. His attack was fast, and did not hold any wasted movements. I turned my body as easily dodged. He kept a.s.sailing me, aiming for my vitals. But I dodged and blocked his sword. He had probably started off easy because he did not think that I could be stronger than him. But after couple of exchanges, he started going all out.

I was facing him using my White Crane Art. Although I had the Ashura Soul Chasing Sword art, I couldn’t show it to him. There might be a day when I would have to show it to him, but he probably wouldn’t believe me if I said I learned it personally from the mengju. So I had to say I learned it from his master, or apprentice brother.

Slash Slash Slash Slas.h.!.+

He started to get serious and to exert more pressure on me. Since I was fighting him bare handed, I used my hands and feet to deflect his attack. It may have looked like a life or death situation for most, but I for one felt at peace. Since the opponent was a master, it allowed me to vastly improve my techniques.

But I believed that it was time to end it, so I dodged his sword and penetrated his defenses.

Bang!

Baek Pyo was sent flying.

Cras.h.!.+

Lying on the ground, Baek Pyo covered his eyes. He did not know what had happened in that last moment. But one thing was certain. If I wanted to, I could have taken his life.

I offered him my hand. He took it and raised himself. Baek Pyo looked at me, confused. He had not expected me to win. I could have lost to him on purpose, but in Kang Ho it was important to show my power to someone who was going to be my subordinate. The relations.h.i.+p between a subordinate and a master was especially important, and the subordinates liked to follow a strong master.

That was the reason why I had shown him my strength. To fully turn him into my subordinate.

Before his final decision, Baek Pyo asked me, “If there comes a day when you must fight them, will you fight them?”

He was referring to Ma Bong Gi and the person who was pulling the strings.

“Yes, I will fight them.”

“You may have to fight against the entire Kang Ho.”

“I already know.”

“Everyone might die.”

“Everyone might.”

“Then why are you going to fight them?”

“Because he is an evil person. And an evil person cannot rule the Kang Ho.”

There was a great silence between us.

Then Baek Pyo went on his knees and said, “I, Baek Pyo, the former head of the Fierce Guard Sect, the master of Guardian Wind Sword Art, vow to the heavens to  faithfully serve my master Byuk Lee Dan”.

With that, he took out the Divine Sword of King Shura and offered it to me.

“This was the personal weapon of the previous mengju. This is the most important sword in the world. Since it chose you, I am offering it to you, master.”

“Can I really take it?”

“Someone else entrusted this to me. At first I didn’t want to, but since it chose you, I‘m sure that person will understand.”

I received King Shura and put it on my waist. Then it started crying again.

Jiiinng!

Hearing its cry, Baek Pyo nodded. He was now certain that he had found the rightful owner. I grabbed Baek Pyo’s hand, and he looked at me with eyes full of pa.s.sion. How much had he suffered because of me? This was the type of person that he was - a truly loyal person. And now fate had allowed us to meet again.

“Until death do us part.”

Baek Pyo’s eyes widened. He understood what I was feeling.

“I will serve you faithfully until death.”

I was thankful to the heavens for allowing us have a relations.h.i.+p like this once again.

On the day after the first snowfall... I had gained someone more reliable than a thousand subordinates.

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