Episode 112: Want to go for a swim?
Visain was furious.
I could see where the anger was coming from.
It might be because of what Yukrang said earlier.
A life spent running around trying to protect one grand prince.
Of course, you would have felt bad and even ignored.
If it was only Yukrang’s problem, then the matter could have been forgotten by killing him.
But the problem was this: the suspicion that the other Thirteen Apostles might think the same thing would haunt him for a very long time.
Of course, I had no intention of reading it, because he was basically my enemy, and he also intended to take advantage of their division and the confused minds of the non-signers.
Then Ilrang stepped forward.
“Shouldn’t you have kept Yukrang alive and used him as a witness?”
His voice was slightly excited. He too was helplessly bewildered and excited by the betrayal and death of his comrade.
Visain didn’t answer. I could guess. This is what Ilang’s words must have sounded like to him now.
– He was like a brother to me, so what if you kill him like that?
Visain’s gaze turned to the remaining thirteen apostles standing behind Ilrang. They were standing with expressions no different from usual.
But Visan would feel like a stranger to them at this moment.
That’s when I stepped forward.
“Aren’t you witnesses? Even excluding the party concerned, aren’t there six witnesses who saw Yukrang’s betrayal?”
This is what Ilrang was worried about.
“If they gang up on all of us, they might not trust us.”
“Are you saying that the testimony of the six Apostles representing the Apostolic Alliance is not valid? If that is true, then what is the point of you living as unmanned members of the Apostolic Alliance?”
The rest of the thirteen apostles, including Ilrang, did not say anything. If you think about it, it must be really miserable.
Then, Visain, who had been listening quietly, suddenly shouted.
“Stop talking nonsense!”
It was natural for him to react nervously.
“Who is behind this?”
“I can’t tell you this in this place.”
I poured oil on the burning fire.
“Could it be that there is only one traitor?”
The thirteen apostles all gave me cold stares.
This reaction was actually the reaction that Bisain should have shown first. However, Bisain reacted the slowest. This is because he also had the same suspicion.
“Wouldn’t it be better to be cautious until things are clear? Let’s discuss this between the two of us.”
I was pushing him while dividing the Visain and the Sado 13th Ranger. This time, I have to grab Visain by the collar and drag him along. I plan not to let go of the player until the moment of the plan.
I had a brief telephonic conversation with the evil Soma before I had a one-on-one time with Visan.
-For the time being, I plan to separate the Visa from the Sado 13th Rang.
-I guess you have something on your mind.
―I need some time alone with the two of us to move the visa the way I want.
Actually, there was another reason, but it was a reason that could not be told to the evil Soma.
The quick-witted and extremely evil Soma suddenly asked.
-Is that really the only reason?
-no.
Let’s answer honestly. The evil Soma just laughed with his eyes.
―The scholar was wearing the same mask as me.
– That’s right. Even though I said I wasn’t that good of a person, no one believed me, but it seems that Soma-sama knows. Then, I’ll see you later at the house near the Apostolic Alliance headquarters.
Given the importance of the matter, the evil Soma accepted my request. At least when it came to public affairs, he was the one who handled things more neatly than anyone else.
* * *
I stood side by side with Visain on the hill east of Baekya Valley.
“Who is behind this?”
“What will you do for me if I tell you? Surely you don’t expect to get this important information for free?”
Visain’s expression hardened slightly.
“Damn it! Why is it so hard to hear just one name? Speak like a man!”
“That’s not manly. It’s just a fool who takes a loss for a moment of pride. I’m a person who believes that a deal should always be worth something. Problems in a deal always arise when one side is dissatisfied. Let’s try to balance the scales.”
“What do you want?”
I had something I wanted from him. There were some anecdotes that I had decided to reap when I had the chance after returning. What I am telling him now is one of them.
“Please let me into Mansadong.”
Mansadong (Mansadong).
It was the holy place of the Apostolic Alliance, a place that only the Apostolic Alliance leader and his successor could enter.
This is where the leader of the Apostolic Alliance, Mansa Jongju (萬邪宗主), who was injured after a fierce battle with Cheonma three hundred years ago, was treated, and the Apostolic Alliance made this place a holy place.
Visain was surprised.
“Why do you want to go in there?”
“I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“Then I understand. Outsiders are absolutely not allowed into Mansadong.”
“So you’re asking for it now? With your life as collateral.”
“Don’t exaggerate. I would have survived until now even if I didn’t know who was behind it. So don’t act like you have something great.”
“I was alive, but I was in real danger. I had a traitor behind me. If I hadn’t met him, that traitor would still be eating and sleeping with the secret agent.”
Visain, who was silent for a moment as if he could not refute that statement, asked me.
“Do you know what kind of place Mansadong is?”
The reason he asked this was because there was nothing special there.
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It was a place to commemorate the place where the Great Master of Mansa healed his wounds, and it was no different from building a pavilion in a beautiful place.
“I heard that three hundred years ago, Cheonma and Mansajongju fought, and that the details of the fight were recorded in Mansadong. As the next Cheonma, I would like to read the details of the fight. Unfortunately, the records do not remain in our school.”
This was Visain’s concern.
“It’s not a big deal to let you in there. But if this fact comes out, it could be a big problem.”
“Don’t worry about that. I will never reveal that I went into Mansadong. And even if I reveal it, why don’t you just deny it? Who would believe me if you say no?”
He would eventually accept it. Mansadong was nothing compared to what he would gain. It was a place designated as a holy place, but it was nothing more than a memorial hall.
It was more than ten years later that the secret of Mansadong was revealed. The person in front of me was already dead.
“If you don’t like it, don’t. I don’t want to go in and ask you to do this. Let’s pretend it never happened.”
“Lee Gong-ja, don’t be so cruel.”
“A person who is not a public figure should not act so fatally with his own life.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know about others, but I’m saying that you shouldn’t hesitate at all when it comes to the Bikungja. There is nothing more important than life in this world. And if it’s your precious life that will lead you to the position of the Apostle Leader if you just get through this ordeal, then it’s even more important. Throw everything else away and think about just one thing: your life!”
Finally, Visain took a deep breath and accepted the offer.
“Okay. I’ll let you into Mansadong.”
He was in a situation where he had to find out the mastermind at any cost.
“But there are two conditions.”
“Speak.”
“First, we must uncover the truth behind it.”
I expected him to make this request.
“I’ll tell you at the entrance of Mansadong.”
“Okay.”
The first one was that they readily accepted each other’s demands.
“The second one is just one hour away.”
“It’s too short. Give me three hours.”
“Two o’clock. No more.”
“Okay.”
Visain drew his sword. I also drew my black magic sword and clashed our swords together. A clear “Clang!” sound rang out as a sign of promise.
“Is Mansadong on his way back to the Apostolic Alliance headquarters from here?”
“exactly.”
“Let’s both leave right now.”
Visain was surprised by the unexpected suggestion.
“So, are you saying we should leave the Sado 13th Lang behind?”
“Yes. Let’s leave the Sado 13 Lang and the Extreme Evil Soma behind.”
Visain was about to say something, but stopped. He couldn’t bring himself to say that it might be dangerous.
He was hurt by the sight of me moving around on my own until now. But I can’t bring myself to say that it’s dangerous to act like a coward.
“Right now, it would be safest for the two of us to go.”
“Why is that?”
“Since you and the other 13 Wings of the Sado are so skilled in martial arts, it would not be easy to keep watch over you. That is probably why you recruited the 6 Wings.”
Visain nodded in agreement.
“Now that Yukrang is dead, there is a gap in their surveillance. However, they will soon realize Yukrang’s death and send a new master to be the watchman. If we must leave, it is now. Let’s leave for Mansadong with me now. Let’s leave the evil Soma and the Sado 13th Rang behind, and let’s go together. The way to defeat an opponent is to not move as the opponent expects.”
Still, Visain had a hard time making a decision. Eventually, he revealed his honest feelings.
“If I die, then it’s all useless?”
His conflicted face looks even more distorted. A face that doesn’t convey its emotions properly. Perhaps the pity for this is one of the reasons why I want to save him.
“I don’t know if the presence of the Sado 13rang will increase the chances of living or dying. As I said before, can we be certain that there are no other Sado 13rang left?”
Visain couldn’t answer confidently. There was no guarantee that they wouldn’t have planted the seeds twice or three times. He could only trust Ilang Baekcheolgi.
“Besides, if you want to put me in Mansadong, wouldn’t it take the two of us to do it? Wouldn’t it be okay if they knew? That you put me in Mansadong? Not only them, but even the evil Soma would find out?”
Those words were decisive.
“Okay, let’s go together.”
“Good idea.”
A look of determination appeared on Visain’s face.
This is not the kind of decision you should make. You shouldn’t act according to the other person’s intentions so easily. If the other person is a bad person, you’re already doomed.
But Visain, you did well this time.
I don’t know how your fate will turn out, but joining hands with me is the only way to change the direction of the wheel of your tragic destiny. Pull the reins harder to change the direction.
“I will help you become the leader of the Apostles.”
“The world will laugh at me if I become the leader of the Apostles with your help.”
“The people of the world will never know that fact. When I become the Heavenly Horse and you become the Apostolic Leader, and we meet again, let’s shake hands and reminisce about this time.”
The visage stared at me as if it would pierce through me. How could I possibly know the human mind? Would he hate this moment so much that he would try to kill me, or would he really be grateful for this day and take my hand?
“let’s go.”
I started running first and he followed me.
We left Baekyagok in an instant.
* * *
After about ten days, we drove along a deserted road and eventually arrived at the top of a cliff. Since there was no surveillance or tailing on the way here, Visain acknowledged that my judgment was correct.
Swaaaaaaah.
Looking down at the cascading waterfall, Visain asked.
“Can you swim?”
“You can eat while fighting the water demons in the water.”
“Then follow me.”
Visain jumped down the waterfall first, and I followed suit.
The entrance to Mansadong was in a place that would be impossible to find if you didn’t know where it was. I swam in through the narrow entrance under the waterfall.
It was a narrow hole that was hard to see in the first place because it was in a place with strong currents, and it seemed like if you went in you would get stuck and never get out.
We passed through the entrance and swam into the narrow passage. We went so deep that we were gripped by the fear that we would drown if we went any further before we could get out of the water.
The waterway led to a pond, which was inside a cave.
“It is said that the Man Sa Jong Ju, who was injured in the battle with Cheon Ma, flowed in here.”
“It was heaven that saved him, that narrow passage led to here.”
“That’s why we made this place a holy place.”
We stood side by side in front of the cave. Originally, it was a cave that continued all the way inward, but the entrance was blocked and a door was made.
“This is a door that can only be opened by pouring in internal energy in a set manner. If you try to force it open, this place will collapse. Now, tell me. Who is behind this?”
I revealed the truth to him straight away.
“The elder of the Apostolic Alliance, Seok Gwan-chui.”
Visain was surprised. It must have been a really unexpected name.
“That can’t be true. Elder Seok stepped down a long time ago and joined the Senate. Do you have any evidence of that?”
“The black murderer confessed.”
“Where is he now?”
“He’s dead.”
Visain’s expression hardened.
“Are you saying that Elder Seok is behind this without any evidence?”
“Why is there no evidence? I, the second son of Cheonma, am speaking as a witness.”
“!”
“If you don’t trust me, you shouldn’t be here in the first place. What the hell are you doing?”
In response to my reprimand, Visain let out a deep sigh and said:
“No. I believe you. That’s why I came. It’s because I can’t believe that you are Elder Seok.”
To that extent, Seokgwanchu was a person who received the respect of all the Apostolic Alliance members.
“Elder Seok is trying to make his grandson his successor.”
Only then did Visain understand the situation.
“Ah! That’s why. Elder Seok was very proud of his grandson. He bragged about him in front of me many times. At the time… … I thought his affection for his grandson was excessive, but now that I think about it, it seems like that wasn’t all.”
A cold murderous look flashed across Visain’s eyes. The stone coffin and his grandson, and the many words and events he had previously overlooked, would take on new meaning and freeze his heart.
“Now, it’s your turn to keep your promise.”
Visain kept his promise like a man. When he placed his palm on the wall and injected his internal energy, the door opened.
“Your entry here will remain a secret until you die. And you have exactly two hours to come out. If you don’t come out by then, I will come in.”
Leaving him behind, I slowly walked into Mansadong.
