Chapter 129 — Return
The 5th unit was waiting in the village at the foot of the mountain.
What had once been twenty-five had grown to two hundred fifty.
As an advisory group to assist the Jurchens took form, the number of men increased naturally.
At the entrance to the mountain, a formation array had been set.
Gathering before it had been the beginning.
Whenever something was needed, men were sent for and then replenished.
Baek In-gyeom, concerned that the stillness of the mountain might be disturbed, ordered Yeongu to descend.
Yeongu asked to remain a little longer.
"My body has only just recovered, and I have only now grasped the thread of study.
Please allow me to stay a little longer."
Baek In-gyeom looked up at the sky.
"There is a time.
The sky shows such unrest, and you would remain here still.
If your heart stays only in study and leaves the world empty, can that be called the right path."
"I would like to observe a little more."
"I understand.
Go down."
At the mention of heavenly workings 天機, he spoke no further.
Heavenly workings refer to the subtle operation by which the order of heaven moves and reveals itself.
It does not point to visible events, but to the unseen flow and timing that give rise to them.
It is the sign just before something begins to move, the beginning of a course already set.
Something great was about to occur, and it felt as though something stood blocking its way.
"I understand.
As you say, Master, I will go down and sweep through it."
The master smiled.
"What you suffered may remain in your heart.
Do not hold resentment.
It will hinder your study."
Yeongu shrugged.
"Shall I wipe them all out."
"Even so, war continues.
Do not lose your center.
You must continue your study within it."
"Then I will cut them all down."
"It does not end in one stroke.
It continues."
It sounded like a question of where one must stop.
"Master."
"What."
"How far should I go."
"Avoid excessive killing."
The words were short, the meaning deep.
Yeongu turned.
The mountain path stretched on.
The earth beneath his feet was firm, and the leaves gave a dry sound.
With each step, his body awakened further.
His breath flowed naturally.
His chest opened first, and the air followed.
His gaze extended.
He could see the wind moving between the trees.
The unseen currents came into view.
His steps were light.
Without effort, his body moved forward.
His balance did not falter.
As he descended, sound came alive.
The sound of water, the brushing of branches, and distant traces of people overlapped.
The warmth within his body did not break.
It flowed and continued.
The village came into sight.
He felt it first.
The density of gathered people.
Their breaths and tension were woven into the air.
Then the forms appeared.
Ranks of soldiers, horses, equipment, and banners.
The posture of those waiting was bound as one.
Yeongu did not stop.
He walked down from the mountain and entered before them.
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
As he passed, acknowledgments rang out from all sides.
Though only two hundred fifty strong, it was the most richly supplied force in Goryeo.
Descent carries another meaning of beginning.
Beyond the act of coming down from the mountain, it marks the return from seclusion and training into the world.
It is the shift from inward pursuit to outward action, from stillness into conflict.
It is the moment one leaves the master's side, when learning becomes trial.
It is not merely going down, but stepping into the world.
It was also the moment when those who sought Yeongu would find their chance.
The world had tied off one thread, yet Yeongu had not finished.
His enemies had not withdrawn.
News of Yeongu's return spread, and Park Geunsu came running like the wind.
"Hyung."
"Yeongu."
They clasped hands and gripped each other's shoulders.
"I'm sorry.
I nearly killed you."
Yeongu smiled brightly.
If he needed it, I could have died for him.
On the battlefield, where men kill and are killed, they had saved and risked each other's lives many times.
If it was necessary, he could have taken it.
"You should have killed me."
"I could not.
To save my family by killing a comrade.
That would make me no different from them."
"If not for you, I would have died anyway.
You saved me.
More importantly, what of your family."
"The sages helped.
They are well."
The words did not come easily.
"Are they truly safe."
"The worst was avoided."
The words were short.
Some things did not need to be forced into speech.
"Come on, say it plainly."
Tears welled in the eyes of that strong man.
When had they ever lived by words.
Speech caught in his throat, and hot tears fell.
Having comrades who understood without words had carried him through.
Yeongu led him inside, and there he spoke of all that had passed.
"Hey."
"What."
"From now on, don't get caught again.
Stay alive."
"That's what I'm saying."
"You little bastard!"
"You look fine to me."
"Fine. Even if we die tomorrow, we're fine.
We're sound.
Let's not live miserably."
They grabbed each other tightly and embraced.
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
They sat, and he explained what had happened.
All of them had been dealt with.
Those most guilty were executed, those who followed were exiled, and those who turned a blind eye were demoted.
A sweeping promotion filled sixteen positions in the military, lifting the mood.
Those who acted as if everything depended on them were gone, and promotions followed.
Everyone welcomed it.
It did not resolve everything, yet there was hope that those promoted would be better.
The king intended to complete reform with this force.
There remained concern that the same kind might rise again, yet there was also belief that a new beginning could bring change.
The king ordered that everything in the military be transformed.
The strongest army, a just army, efficient command, and new equipment were demanded.
"His Majesty ordered you to come at once upon your descent."
Yeongu hesitated.
"I really don't want to go.
I nearly died there.
What happened to the archers who shot."
"What fault was theirs."
"Not one of them aimed elsewhere.
If it were me, I would have shot at the ceiling."
"They're all gathered."
"To be executed."
"They are the Yongho Guard.
That cannot be done."
"Then we can at least drill them."
"As you wish."
"I'll make sure it wakes them up.
We settle what must be settled, right."
"You filthy bastard."
"What now."
"They came to your house."
"My house too."
"It seems they went there, but your family was protected by the sages.
They watched over them unseen, so you must do well."
Yeongu pouted.
"I do well.
You should worry about yourself."
"I do well too."
"Was it Han Jiun there as well."
"No.
Someone I had never seen."
"You saw them."
"Yes, when I asked for help with the aftermath."
His expression was strange.
Yeongu asked.
"Why does it sound different.
What is it."
"..."
Park Geunsu swallowed his words.
"A woman."
"A woman?"
To soldiers, a woman in a skirt alone drew praise.
"Why a woman."
"That's what I'm saying."
"I didn't tell you in case you got distracted."
"It's just a face.
What distraction.
You didn't grab her wrist, did you."
"You think I'm like you."
They burst into laughter again.
Men lacking in many ways.
They had been so serious, yet at the word woman they loosened like fools.
Soldiers remained soldiers.
Work came first.
Yeongu headed for the palace.