Chapter 52 – Negotiation and Promise
"Why."
"If he grows into a warrior like you, then we will be able to dream another dream."
"Another dream? Not Goryeo?"
"That is correct."
It was not spoken plainly,
but that dream was surely the continent,
the long-held aspiration of the northern peoples.
The Khan felt keenly the lack of capable men.
"Your ambition is excessive."
"Please grant it."
"I taught him, but I cannot control his life itself. That belongs entirely to him."
"He seems like the kind who would listen well to his master…"
"I do not wish it."
"Then give me time. I will persuade him."
"The Khan himself will persuade him?"
"Yes."
People are quick to think they can judge and decide another person's life.
So they speak easily, telling others what to do and what not to do.
Even those who cannot live their own lives properly
so readily command others.
When one sees middle-aged men lamenting that others do not follow their words,
laughter comes naturally.
Baek In-gyeom had already passed beyond the span of an ordinary human life.
It was not merely that time had passed.
He had already transcended the things people desire at certain ages.
Friends, occupation, marriage, a home, advancement…
All those things that wait like rites of passage
had already been lived through long ago.
With nothing to bind him, he was free.
And because he was free, he did not argue or interfere.
"It is that boy's life."
"If you leave him here, I will treat him with the utmost respect."
"He is still a beginner. He will not be of much help to you."
"I have seen the future in him."
"What is it you intend to do?"
"I intend to defeat Liao and press down Song."
Baek In-gyeom let out a faint laugh.
Excessive.
Anyone can hope.
But reality is cold.
If wanting something were enough to achieve it,
who would fail.
"You intend to defeat Liao?"
"They go too far. They sharpen their blade only against us. The entire nation is steeped in sorrow."
"I understand. But even so, you would face Liao directly?"
"Without driving them back, nothing can be done."
"Then why did you act as you did toward Goryeo?"
"We asked for help, but received no answer, so we asked them to at least look back toward us…"
The excuse was weak.
It was no longer something the one who started the war could say.
Above all, the cause and effect before and after
lacked the precision of our own reasoning.
"Thank you for sparing him. But do not think you can decide his life as you wish. If you need a man, you should ask with respect. If you collude with the enemy and capture him, how will you ever win his heart."
"That is true."
"I thought well of him too. I had not taken a disciple for a long time."
"If an Immortal has chosen him as a disciple, then his worth must be beyond the judgment of ordinary men like us."
"I pitied him, struggling in the lower ranks. You may think I took him as a disciple because of his great talent."
"Then allow him to remain in our camp for just one month. I will petition the King of Goryeo to grant him to us."
"And if I oppose it?"
"I will return him."
Baek In-gyeom nodded.
"If anything happens to that boy, your people will not endure."
"I will keep that in mind."
"You should at least see him before you leave."
"No. The Khan will know how to speak to him."
That was permission.
—*
The soldiers near Youngwoo's quarters were cleared away,
and the Immortals came.
Youngwoo was fast asleep, unaware of the world.
It was because of his long exhaustion.
Baek In-gyeom looked down at him for a long time.
Then he wrote briefly of what had happened before and after
and placed the note beneath his head.
Just in case, he placed another slip of paper inside his clothing.
He noticed the protective breastplate worn beneath his garments
and fell into thought for a moment.
But soon,
he left the Jurchen camp.