Absolute Return Episode 367
Episode 367 It’s okay to be a little less cool.
Late at night, Visain was wandering alone in the courtyard of Anga.
Tomorrow is finally the day when the leader of the alliance will be launched.
He said he would drop out.
‘Should I have said I was going?’
The reason I said I wouldn’t go was because I was worried that I would be a burden to others while my body wasn’t fully recovered.
But if something happens to the leader, you will live your whole life regretting not being there.
Surprisingly, Geommu-geuk wasn’t worried. Even if he ran away, he would figure it out. Even if he fell into the water, he was the kind of person who could convince the fish to come out.
‘Will the leader understand my feelings later? Will he misunderstand that I didn’t come because I was afraid?’
Soon, Visain shook his head. How could he be worried about himself in this situation.
Then someone walked out from behind and said.
“Are you having trouble sleeping because you are upset?”
Looking back, it was a monster.
“Was it tomorrow?”
“yes.”
Visain wanted to ask the evil spirit to go and help the leader. He even wanted to say, “It’s the leader’s order, so go.”
But that couldn’t be done. He couldn’t tell the monster to go to a dangerous place where he could die, while he wouldn’t go there himself. If he had wanted to help, he would have said it first. He would go and help.
“Don’t worry too much. Don’t you know who the leader is?”
I know, I know better than anyone. That’s why I was worried. He was never the type to back down. He was usually cold and realistic, but he was fiery when it came to fighting. He was the best man I knew.
And as always, there was someone there to help him solve his problems.
“If you’re worried, let’s go together!”
I turned around in surprise and saw Geommugeuk walking in there.
“Why are you here?”
“Why? I came to take you away.”
Then he held out something. What Geommugeuk was holding in his hand was a protective armor.
It was the very thing that had saved his life thanks to the two layers he had previously worn. The one that had been soaked in blood was clean.
“I came here earlier and went to the stream to wash. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my master, so why should I smell blood?”
It was really washed clean and completely dry.
“I was worried that it would stink if it didn’t dry enough, so I put it on myself and got up in the sun to dry it.”
“What?”
“I was making a fuss alone in the middle of the night.”
I pictured Geommugeuk standing by the stream, washing his armor, then putting it on and drying it in the sun.
Surprised, embarrassed, and moved. A variety of emotions came rushing in at once, and Visain stood there blankly for a moment.
Truly, this cult leader is a person who cannot be predicted at all. And the last thing that decorated all these emotions was joy.
A bright smile appeared on Visain’s grim face.
“Okay, let’s go.”
It was right to go. Seeing you so happy, it was right.
“That’s right, it’s an Apostolic matter, so you should go.”
Visain nodded vigorously.
As the fog cleared in my mind, a man stood there. He was a disciple who wanted to protect his master, and he was not afraid to lose his life.
Yeah, let’s try it once. Let’s try it once. Even if I die, I’ll die there.
“Help me, my friend.”
At the added word ‘friend,’ Geommugeuk smiled broadly.
“Of course. Am I not your true friend? Never forget that I am the only friend who risked his life to help you when you were in trouble! And later on, I will be the one who will walk along the beach with you. Ladies, I will seduce you all!”
Visain knows that Geommugeuk is surprisingly weak to show-offs. He feels burdened by being thanked, and he hates showing off.
It occurred to me that in the fog hidden by that chatter, there might be a man even more silent and blunt than I was.
Visain put on one set of armor and handed the rest to Geommugeuk.
“You wear one.”
“I already wore it. So wear two layers this time too.”
The Extreme Heavenly Sword that was tied to the handle of the Black Magic Sword was already wrapped around the main parts of Geommugeuk’s body.
Then the monster who was listening to the conversation between the two intervened and said.
“There might be poison inside the protective armor.”
It was a joke and a serious remark. It was a warning not to completely trust the sword dance.
“At least, since you are here, the leader of the small group will not be poisoned to death.”
Geommu-geuk sincerely hoped that the relationship between these two would develop well. It’s up to you, Bisain.
Visain said to the monster.
“Will you come with me tomorrow to help me?”
The monster answered without hesitation.
“If the leader of the small group goes, I must go too.”
Although he did not step forward for the leader, he at least had the heart to move for the non-believers.
Visain realized one thing. If he had forced him to go earlier, he wouldn’t have given such a cheerful answer now. He endured it then, so he has gained something now. Don’t forget. When we are in a hurry, we tend to forget the distance between us.
The person who had the greatest influence on this realization was so busy. The sword dance said goodbye.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I’ll pick you up.”
“Where are you going tonight?”
After Geommugeuk said something incomprehensible, he disappeared in an instant.
“You’re not the only one who needs to wear body armor.”
* * *
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Late at night, Baek Ja-gang was practicing in his martial arts studio with his upper body exposed.
The opponent is an iron man made by mixing together ten thousand years of iron.
The iron man became Geom Woo-jin, then Hwang Seok-gyeong, and then himself.
I could have cut it off with a single stroke of the sword, but the iron man only made a cheerful sound.
After swinging his sword, Baek Ja-gang approached the iron man.
I slowly ran my hand over the marks engraved a little while ago. There were so many lines drawn on the surface that it seemed as if the lines had now become a surface.
But Baekjagang knew exactly what trace he had just left behind.
It was a higher realm than cutting the ten thousand years of iron, and it was his fingers following the sword line that enjoyed this great realm.
The lines were telling him that he was not someone who would easily inherit the throne. He too had walked the path of blood to reach the throne of the Great Emperor.
At that moment, the voice of the escort leader was heard outside.
“The young leader has arrived.”
* * *
The sword dance was still standing in front of the steel wolf today.
“What are you doing up so late at night?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I came to see you.”
If it were someone else, I would have thought it was because he was nervous, but I didn’t think it was because of the sword dance. He must have had a reason to come.
“Not inside?”
“Ah, I like it here.”
Baekjagang stood side by side with Geommugeuk.
“You said this wolf would come back to life?”
It seems that the escort leader relayed that message.
“It seems like I have a feeling that it would be nice to come back to life.”
“Are you hoping that a crisis will come to Bonmyeong?”
“Oh, I guess so. Somehow! It felt so intensely alive.”
That’s why the conversation with Geommugeuk was fun. Because he could say things so easily that no one else would dare to say.
“You said he was a strong opponent?”
The sword dance spoke into the air.
“Isn’t it too much to tell you everything I said? Are there no secrets between us?”
Only after he had acted so playfully did the playfulness disappear from Geommugeuk’s face.
“Yes, he is probably the strongest enemy the Lord has ever faced.”
“As much as your father?”
“Not to that extent.”
Before a leisurely smile formed on Baekjagang’s lips, Geommugeuk spoke first.
“But that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down.”
I knew that saying this might hurt the pride of the Apostolic Alliance, but it still gave me a sense of alarm.
“Are you afraid that I will die?”
After a moment, Geommugeuk answered.
“Yes.”
There was no symptom in Baekjagang’s ear. This demonic cult leader is genuinely worried that he will die. How on earth should I accept this?
“There will be armor for your lord. Please wear it when you go out.”
“Why the armor?”
“The other person will wear it too.”
It was already known in his life before his return that the King of Fighters wears protective armor. He did not hesitate to use any kind of equipment or sacred items as long as it would help him win the fight.
It was known that the King of Fighters was not at all ashamed of such a fact. The only thing he was ashamed of was defeat.
Even someone with powers as strong as the Demon Lord, who uses the best equipment, is worried about the Apostolic Lord.
“I’ve felt this before, but you seem to know a lot about interest.”
What should I say?
“Yes, I know about interest.”
The longer the story goes on, the more loopholes there are, so I didn’t say anything else. I told you that there had been similar conspiracies in the Cheonmasingyo, Murimmaeng, and Saewoe Pungcheongyo before, so I think you found out about it while solving that case.
“Please don’t misunderstand. I am not saying this to disrespect you, Lord.”
“I know that. But let me ask you this.”
Baek Ja-gang stared at Geommu-geuk and asked.
“If it were your father, would he wear it?”
Geommugeuk, who had been thinking about his father for a moment, shook his head.
“You probably weren’t wearing it.”
Baekjagang let out a cold prayer.
“But why are you telling me to wear it?”
“I must have told my father to wear it too.”
If it were the same situation, I would have recommended it to my father, although he would never have worn it.
“I know. As a leader, you have pride and self-esteem. Even if the opponent had all the secrets of the world, you would fight them with just one sword. I know that both my father and the leader are like that. That’s why you are a leader, and that’s why you are the leader.”
“Why are you telling me to wear it if you know?”
“That’s why I’m going to wear it. I’m going to wear the best armor I can. I’ll do that even if I become a cult leader.”
Baek Ja-gang stared intently into the eyes of Geommu-geuk, who had not wavered even a little. He wondered why this young leader, who would be responsible for the next generation, would say such things.
“I think the honor of a cult leader does not lie in the coolness of winning under unfavorable conditions.”
“Then where is your honor?”
“Those who must be killed are the ones who will be killed. That’s why it’s okay to be a little less cool. I don’t have to tell stories of bravery. I just want to come back safely and see my people. I want to come back safely and have a drink and talk with them. I won’t say a word about my enemies who are already dead. I’ll take off my bloody armor and laugh and chat. People will think to themselves, Yes, I can definitely kill the cult leader. My honor is there.”
Baekjagang was something I had never thought about. When I was with Geommu-geuk, things that I didn’t have kept unfolding.
Everything that Geommugeuk said before was for this conclusion.
“I hope that not a single hair on your head is harmed. I hope that will be your honor.”
From the beginning of the sword dance until the end, not a single hair rose in Baekjagang’s ears.
* * *
The next day, a carriage carrying the Apostolic Leader was running.
The few unmanned people running around escorting the carriage were the Apostolic Alliance’s escort unmanned people. Only the most skilled among the escorts accompanied this secret procession.
Baek Ja-gang and Vice-Minister Hyeok Sa-gun were riding in the carriage.
“Are you nervous?”
At Baekjagang’s question, Hyuksagun, who was looking out the window of the running carriage, turned his head.
“no.”
“You look more nervous than usual.”
Naturally, the Revolutionary Army was nervous.
Because today your fate will be decided.
I believe Hwang Seok-kyung will win, but it will be a very dangerous battlefield. You never know what variables will threaten you.
“Can I just say one thing about this matter?”
“Try it.”
“Honestly, I was disappointed. If you had trusted me, it would have been better if you had trusted me.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you where the commander-in-chief was staying.”
“yes.”
Within, Hyuk Sa-gun bowed his head and apologized.
“I apologize for my disloyal words, Your Majesty.”
“No. You’re human too, so of course you can feel that way.”
Hyuk Sa-gun was doing his best to hide himself. The leader was a sharp person. He was someone who could see through people with those small eyes.
So today, I hide my excitement with sadness. I have to go to where Hwang Seok-gyeong is waiting.
How long did you run like that?
As the carriage began to slowly slow down, Baek Ja-gang said something unexpected.
“Is today the day to accept new recruits at Samyeonggwan?”
“That’s right, today is the day.”
When the story of Samyeonggwan was brought up, Hyuksagun became inwardly nervous.
“I heard that Instructor Hwang took a vacation today?”
“Yes, I heard it was the first time. But how did you know?”
“Isn’t he famous for being honest? Do you know what’s going on?”
“I heard you have some urgent personal matter to attend to.”
“I think I know where that person went.”
Before I knew it, the carriage had stopped.
Baekjagang’s gaze turned out the window.
“There he is.”
Ahead of me stood the King, blocking the road.
The King of Fighters, who had revealed his prayers in their entirety, was displaying an enormous presence. The reason why Geommugeuk was so worried was because the prayer he was revealing now was enough to explain it.
The guards who had already received the palace’s instructions did not waver at all.
Baek Ja-gang slowly got out of the carriage. The King’s anger flew towards him like a blade, but Baek Ja-gang spoke very calmly.
“Hey, isn’t this a very fancy vacation?”
