I’m leaving the Martial Forest Alliance.
A long discussion followed my declaration, but in the end, the Martial Forest Alliance accepted my decision.
For the sects that doubted or held animosity towards me, this was news worth celebrating.
The reason those sects harbored animosity towards me was that they believed I was an agent of the Blood Sect, and since an agent of the Blood Sect was leaving the Martial Forest Alliance willingly, there was no need to oppose it.
Those who believed in me or thought they needed my strength ultimately reached the conclusion that they had no choice after long discussions.
After all, there wasn’t any solid evidence they could trust me.
Could they deploy someone they couldn’t trust in an important operation?
It seemed they judged it better to wander freely through the Martial World, responding to the Blood Sect’s influence, rather than staying in the Martial Forest Alliance to be sent on a side mission.
Ideally, it would be best to gather martial artists around the Ohaengjin to form a complete unit, but frankly, facing the Blood Sect alone wouldn’t hurt the Martial Forest Alliance’s interests either.
The Martial Forest Alliance’s conclusion was much cleaner than I had expected.
In the end, they neither defended me nor shifted the responsibility for the trap I had fallen into onto me.
It’s true that I had helped the Martial Forest Alliance in many ways, but this incident also caused them significant damage. It seemed they believed the merits and demerits had canceled each other out.
Honestly, if the Martial Forest Alliance wanted to blame me for this situation, they could have done so easily.
The crucial operation failed, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that half of the Eighteen Arhats representing the Shaolin Temple suffered long-term injuries and had to recuperate; we suffered only losses.
In a situation where anyone would want to push the responsibility onto a scapegoat.
Despite that, the Martial Forest Alliance did not push the responsibility onto me.
If it were the Sadoryeon, they would have pounced on me, thinking they had found a weakness, ready to suck me dry to the bone.
Even if they weren’t a malevolent group like the Sadoryeon, in a group with some dubious characters, they would have wanted to blame me for the responsibility.
Once again, the Martial Forest Alliance, with its longstanding righteous faction, was trustworthy, as I believed.
After wrapping up my business with the Martial Forest Alliance, I hurried back to my lodgings.
During my return to the Martial Forest Alliance, I was isolated from Bicheongmacha and my companions due to concerns of a possible escape. Once I arrived, I immediately attended the Martial Forest Alliance meeting, so it had been quite some time since I had checked on Tang So-yeol’s situation.
Hearing that Tang So-yeol had barely regained consciousness after a long period without recovering naturally quickened my steps.
I worried whether any aftereffects would arise, or whether merely regaining consciousness meant it would take more time to recover and rise again.
Meeting Tang So-yeol, who I faced with all those worries, felt so lively.
“Ah, you finally came! My disciple.”
…It was quite the transformation.
Tang So-yeol stretched Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheeks as if showing off. The chubby cheeks of Hyeok Gi-rin’s face looked as if they were on the verge of exploding, yet they weren’t moving in the slightest.
Meanwhile, a hand of Black Cat was resting on Tang So-yeol’s shoulder, not technically massaging, but rather pampering him.
I could bet my entire fortune that Black Cat was silently cursing in her heart with a fierce glare aimed at the back of Tang So-yeol’s head, yet her moving hands were diligently pressing down on Tang So-yeol’s shoulder.
Beside her, Yeo Il-ye, fanning Tang So-yeol with a wry smile, was also present.
“What on earth is this, Master?”
Tang So-yeol pointed an empty cigarette holder at me in a condescending manner.
“Oh, what nonsense you’re saying! Who in this world shows such disrespect towards their mentor and ‘lifesaver’?”
I understood the situation immediately.
He was so prideful, which was irritating, but it was a fact that Tang So-yeol had saved our lives. So, it seemed my companions had no choice but to cater to his demands.
“Yes, Master and Lifesaver. I’m not sure how to repay such kindness as yours. So, how is your health?”
The answer came from Black Cat.
“Not long ago, a doctor from the Martial Forest Alliance came by. Fortunately, there aren’t any serious injuries, so as long as he carries out proper recuperation, he will be fine.”
“Since it’s a patient certified by the Martial Forest Alliance, take care of him with your all!”
Hearing the expert’s opinion, I felt quite relieved.
Finally, I could relax.
“Excuse me.”
Just when I was letting out a sigh of relief due to the worry Tang So-yeol had caused me.
“Moyong Clan’s Yeon-hwa Miss has come to visit.”
…An unexpected guest had arrived.
—
“I wish to be with Ho Cheon-an Great Hero.”
When we retook Botamun, Moyong Yeon-hwa came to us and mentioned Yongji Maeng’s potential.
However.
When Black Cat asked if she would join our group to become a part of Yongji Maeng, she stepped back a bit.
I understood Moyong Yeon-hwa’s dilemma.
When the affairs of the Shengsu Faction were concluded, she had confessed her feelings to me with a kiss, but chose to head back to her main family to rebuild the Shengsu Faction.
After that, she lingered around us for a while, showing her reluctance, but she stopped doing so at some point.
So, I had concluded that she prioritized the Shengsu Faction’s affairs above all else.
But what had happened all this time?
Today, the eyes of Moyong Yeon-hwa, who came to see me, were filled with certainty instead of the hesitation and worries that had always been there.
“What about the Shengsu Faction?”
“It’s an embarrassing story, but I was expelled.”
“Excuse me?”
What on earth had happened? Despite saying she was expelled, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face bore only a gentle smile.
“So please accept this request, Ho Cheon-an Great Hero. I will make sure to not become a burden. If you wish, you may treat me as a member of the Array Formation Teams.”
“I’m leaving the Martial Forest Alliance soon to act independently. There is a significant risk of being targeted by the Entities of the Blood Sect and Blood People. And yet, you still wish to follow me?”
Moyong Yeon-hwa silently nodded her head.
Without needing to ask further, she seemed to have completely made her decision.
Moyong Yeon-hwa would join our group.
Considering the futures ahead, there was no reason to turn her down.
It was a fact that just Oh Seong-jin alone would struggle to confront the high combat power of the Blood Sect’s Entities.
Since Seo Mun-yeon herself had suggested Moyong Yeon-hwa’s inclusion, there was no need to doubt the effectiveness of this reinforcement.
“Can you give me some time?”
However, accepting Moyong Yeon-hwa into our group was not something I could decide by myself.
“Of course. I can wait as long as you need, so please take your time to consider and reach a conclusion.”
“Thank you.”
I left the reception room and summoned my companions.
“What did Moyong Yeon-hwa say?”
“She wished to join our group.”
As I looked at my companions, who bore calm expressions, I realized they had anticipated such a situation and were prepared to accept it.
Seeing that,
I bowed my head.
It was an apology aimed at Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye, and at the same time to Hyeok Gi-rin and Dokgo I-seol, who constituted the Ohaengjin.
“…Senior?”
“Honorable Person? What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry.”
As I spoke calmly, looking at the astonished expressions on my companions’ faces.
“To be honest, before leaving the Shengsu Faction, I received a confession from Moyong Yeon-hwa. She said she was leaving to rebuild the Shengsu Faction and give opportunities to the branch clans, so I simply kept quiet.”
A moment of silence fell.
…Perhaps my companions had harbored some doubts, but hearing the truth directly from my lips had a different feeling.
“Since I have two lovers, I hope you can forgive me for shamelessly conveying Moyong Yeon-hwa’s intentions, knowing full well how Hyeok Gi-rin and Dokgo I-seol feel.”
I considered myself a wandering knight.
I treated myself as a patient with a “do as I please, go where I want” attitude, and I believed I had acted that way.
However.
In reality, I wasn’t that strong of a person.
I wasn’t someone who could face adversity head-on and proudly open their heart.
I was, in truth, a weak and cowardly person. My desire not to oppose my Blood Ancestor led me to create the illusion of blood ties and run away, and I walked right into traps I would rather ignore.
As a result, I fell into traps alongside my companions.
Tang So-yeol collapsed to save both me and my group.
I only realized this truth after being played with by my Blood Ancestor, who treated me as a tool from start to finish.
And I also came to understand that my weak heart ignored more than just the matters involving the Blood Sect.
I had connections with Dokgo I-seol, who had been a bond from the days of being a Yongji Maeng member.
And the feelings of Hyeok Gi-rin, which I had come to know while training with Oh Seong-jin.
Having accepted Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye as my lovers, I had nonetheless kept silent about my lack of acceptance of Dokgo I-seol as a companion and the unspoken thoughts of Hyeok Gi-rin.
What thoughts were Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye harboring as they looked at me? And how did Dokgo I-seol and Hyeok Gi-rin feel?
As I kept hesitating, my actions created a cause for disappointment for my lovers, Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye, and turned my relationship with Dokgo I-seol and Hyeok Gi-rin into an endless wait.
Still, as I engaged in activities alongside my companions and Ohaengjin, I had been able to face off against the Entities of the Blood Sect until now.
It was all possible because my companions had been patient with me and cared for me.
It was only now that I recognized this obvious fact.
Silence lingered for a while.
“Senior.”
And it was Black Cat who broke that silence.
“Don’t apologize, just tell me honestly. What do you think about Moyong Yeon-hwa?”
“I think if I can accept her as a companion, I would like to. Considering Oh Seong-jin’s abilities, it’s hard to face strong Entities alone. But if even one person opposes her joining, I will reject Moyong Yeon-hwa’s proposal.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
This was my honest opinion.
My companions had shown considerable understanding and patience for me.
“Honorable Person, I want to ask you something.”
Yeo Il-ye looked at me as she spoke. Her quietly shining eyes seemed to penetrate my heart.
“Is that the only reason you want to accept Moyong Yeon-hwa as a companion?”
That’s it.
I took a deep breath.
Even though I had decided to stop turning away from my feelings, it was a difficult thing to say.
“I think it might not be just that.”
I gazed at Black Cat.
“When I first met Black Cat, I only thought of using her. But as we went through various adventures, I naturally started to think, ‘That alley cat could become someone loved by anyone if she were just polished a bit.’”
After that, my gaze turned to Yeo Il-ye.
“It was indeed a relationship that started with a bad connection, but seeing the actions of one who has attained realization, I felt a desire to help. Even now, I’m not sure what I wanted back then.”
Next, I looked at Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Living as a cross-dressing woman while alternating between two identities must have been tough, yet I found myself backing her up as she consistently projected a bright attitude and cared for others.”
Finally, my eyes landed on Dokgo I-seol.
“Dokgo I-seol also applies here. Although she came as a member of Yongji Maeng and not Ho Cheon-an, I couldn’t reject her because of the love she held for Yongji Maeng.”
So I decided to acknowledge.
“Looking back, I was drawn to your radiant charms like jewels. I just lacked the courage to reach out a hand.”
At some point, I had to return. A capable and beautiful girl martial artist did not fit with a martial artist with dubious background and low skills. There was also the factor of Jeong Cheol as an opponent.
It was easier on my heart to maintain an ambiguous distance with them as companions.
Hence, I had chosen to stay silent during the dispute between Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye at the bar.
The truth was, I had been afraid of accepting feelings for any one of them while procrastinating.
I am garbage.
“I couldn’t even find the courage to choose one and ended up holding feelings for many. How can I face you?”
A garbage who couldn’t find the courage to choose anyone while harboring feelings for multiple people.
After my words finished, a heavy silence ensued.
In the end, I had confessed to having feelings for Moyong Yeon-hwa, and I had effectively asked the companions who held feelings for me to accept her.
Black Cat scanned the faces of the companions. No, it wasn’t just Black Cat; I felt all my companions exchanging glances.
As I observed them, I bowed my head.
I felt not deserving to witness that sight.
“I really don’t know what to say…”
Black Cat stepped forward.
“I’m just happy.”
…What Black Cat said was completely unexpected. Surprised, I lifted my head and saw Black Cat smiling.
No matter when I looked, Black Cat was so beautiful that it was dazzling; she wore a bright smile.
“You said you wanted to help me and Yeo Il-ye and Hyeok Gi-rin, right? Well, personally, I think you secretly wanted to help Dokgo I-seol too. The same applies to Moyong Yeon-hwa. After all, you helped Moyong Yeon-hwa realize her worth in the Shengsu Faction.”
Did she know everything?
Embarrassed and filled with guilt, I lowered my head.
“Just as you want to help me, I also, no…everyone here wants to help you.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Honorable Person, you are going through more difficulties than ever.”
Yeo Il-ye supported Black Cat’s words.
“I’m here because I want to help you.”
“So do I.”
“Me too.”
Hyeok Gi-rin and Dokgo I-seol nodded in agreement with Yeo Il-ye’s remark.
“Let’s move forward with Moyong Yeon-hwa as well.”
Black Cat hammered the notion home.
“Even though there are already many people, if we want to succeed in solving your problem, we need Moyong Yeon-hwa’s strength as well… though I’d prefer not to, still, it’s what I hope for; that you resolve everything nicely and find happiness.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Black Cat lifted my head that kept lowering.
“Promise me. Don’t give your heart to anyone else anymore. And once everything is settled, love me more fervently than anyone else.”
Black Cat’s gaze was forced upon me. In those eyes, I could see the affection she held for me.
Have I ever received such affection? And at the same time, have I never properly acknowledged or accepted such affection?
I looked at Yeo Il-ye, Hyeok Gi-rin, and Dokgo I-seol.
In their eyes, I could easily read their affection as well.
It was far too generous, and the affection was overwhelming for someone like me who couldn’t even manage his own emotions.
So I made my decision.
“I promise.”
After wrapping things up with my Blood Ancestor, I’ll return everything I’ve received abundantly—even more than that.
…The only thing I could offer was a vague promise, but even that brought smiles to the faces of the four.
It was brighter than ever.
