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chapter 120
When Executive Ho talked about how to read the JaKhoDo (Art of the Tiger), he mentioned that the way to decipher the HoWang Style depends on one’s personal interpretation of the painting.
His YeopHoGak could also be seen as a kind of HoWang Style, since it was created specifically to decipher the HoWang Style.
So, Ihyun had a thought: what if he created a HoWang Style that could decipher the YeopHoGak, which itself was made to decipher the HoWang Style?
It assumed a relationship of give-and-take. The relationship between the tiger and the magpie in the painting didn’t seem like one of hostility or mockery; instead, it looked as if they were coexisting in harmony.
The tiger is a terrestrial mountain animal, while the magpie is a bird of the sky.
The tiger symbolizes fierce bravery, while the magpie signifies remarkable wisdom.
Their realms and symbolism are completely different.
So, while they are contrasting, Ihyun thought they could also harmonize.
If a tiger and a magpie joined forces, nothing in the mountains could scare them.
“Tigers and magpies are animals that don’t live in groups. Perhaps the ancestors knew this and intentionally drew these two lonely creatures together in one painting.”
Thinking this way, the JaKhoDo, once just a simple painting, looked entirely new. The hidden world of the HoWang Style became clear to his eyes.
[A fragment of karma hidden in the HoWang Style has been revealed.]
[You partially acquire “Muron.” “Trait: Fighting Style” is applied, imprinting new traits in your mindscape!]
He felt enlightened.
“That bastard… he actually opened it? Honestly, unbelievable.”
Sun Wukong scolded him.
“If you’re going to act on your own like this, why even have a master?”
‘Well, that’s because he’s that kind of disciple.’
“What did you say?”
‘You never listened to the words of Great Sage Subodhi or Tripitaka, did you?’
“Are those two the same thing?!”
‘It’s inheritance.’
“Ugh… I really can’t hit him, but my fist itches.”
Sun Wukong trembled with the urge to hit Ihyun on the head. Then he crossed his arms and said,
“Your ideal in the Fighting Style was about relationships and salvation. That thought of yours is fully reflected in the painting as well.”
Though displeased, Sun Wukong admired Ihyun for not missing the teaching.
“You always consider yourself incomplete, and you always strive to fill that void.”
Ihyun felt Sun Wukong’s heart.
“And,” Sun Wukong paused briefly, then continued,
“The desire to fill that void isn’t just about skills or abilities. It’s reflected in your everyday actions… even in human relationships.”
‘Do you mean, like how I tried to fill my shortcomings by learning from Great Sage?’
“Something like that. That is your pursuit.”
‘….’
“The HoWang Style you received from the Mountain Spirit fits you well for that reason. But still, be careful. Just because someone offers it to you, if you grab it recklessly, you might end up getting hurt.”
This wasn’t a joke. It was Sun Wukong’s sincere concern.
Ihyun pondered for a moment.
Tiger and magpie.
Relationship and salvation.
It was as if…
‘I must have learned this from Great Sage.’
Sun Wukong frowned.
“Do you still think this is a joke…”
‘It’s no joke. I truly thought this after seeing the relationships among Great Sage, Oh Jung, and King Bungma.’
“…What?”
‘I observed the feelings Great Sage shows toward disciple Oh Jung, the feelings toward his former lover King Bungma, and how both of them relate to Great Sage. Seeing that taught me a lot.’
“…”
‘So, the way I view the world changed. To fill the void within me, I need others.’
Sun Wukong was silent for a while. After a long pause, he said,
“…Filling one’s own shortcomings.”
Ihyun thought: the relationship between Sun Wukong and the Three Brothers, and between Sun Wukong and the Seven Great Sages, was like…
‘…me and Blue Thunder.’
It was a sudden realization. He now clearly knew where he belonged, where his home was.
Thus,
“I want to be with you.”
Ihyun said this in front of Blue Thunder’s old comrades. No lengthy explanation was necessary; he only needed to convey his sincerity.
Ihyun swallowed hard and looked at his comrades.
They all had quiet expressions, their eyes holding something unreadable.
Thump.
He was nervous about what they might say. Then…
“You dummy. So?”
Osuheon spoke up. His former schoolmate, comrade in Blue Thunder, and partner in the Ulleungdo operation.
“Huh?”
“So, what now? You say you want to join, but if you don’t tell us what to do, what are we supposed to do?”
“Ah.”
“Ah, geez. Usually you’re smart, but at times like this, a screw seems to come loose.”
Ihyun was about to explain about White Burn and Team Z, but Osuheon stepped forward, holding something.
“Where do I put this?”
He handed a paper to Ihyun with a mischievous smile. It was a job application. Her photo and career were on it.
“You…!”
“Why? You like me? No way. This lady is already taken.”
Osuheon winked.
Ihyun felt a strange warmth in her chest. She carefully took the application and asked,
“When did you even prepare this?”
“Our cute junior, Minjeong, told me to bring it if I wanted to.”
Ihyun looked at Kim Minjeong in surprise. She blushed slightly and scratched her cheek with her index finger.
‘I owe that girl again.’
Ihyun had always been grateful to Minjeong.
Then she asked Osuheon,
“But didn’t you just give birth? Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. I already discussed it with my husband. Besides, staying at home feeding the baby suits me about as much as doing nothing. I want to move.”
“But you never know when danger might come…”
“When have we ever worried about that? If you don’t want to, I’ll take it back.”
Ihyun quickly grabbed the application when Osuheon tried to take it.
“This adds a top-tier member to our team. I can’t miss this chance. Truly, thank you.”
“Then behave from now on, got it?”
Osuheon playfully tapped Ihyun’s chest and walked away.
Next, Kang Taekyun stood up. The steadfast tank of Blue Thunder.
“I resigned from my previous job this morning. It was a good position, but I came for you, senior.”
He had been a team leader at a famous foreign hunter guild but gave it up, even lowering his rank.
“Thanks, Taekyun.”
“If you disappoint me, I’ll return.”
“That won’t happen. We’ll have more fun than four years ago.”
Kang Taekyun smiled.
“I’ll look forward to it, senior.”
Then Baek Siyul and Nam Geon-oh came forward. Also members of the Ulleungdo operation.
“It was fun to run together after so long. I was going to quit this field, but since captain called, I want to do it again.”
“This guy even started personal PT training because he felt his stamina was lacking. Please praise him.”
Other members who participated in Ulleungdo also brought applications.
“I wondered when we’d gather like this again.”
“Honestly, if you hadn’t suggested reviving Blue Thunder, I’d have been too disappointed to show my face again.”
“Thank you, senior, for giving us this chance to reunite.”
With each new application handed to Ihyun, the emotions within her chest grew stronger.
Some hesitated, lowering their heads, saying,
“I’d love to join, but I just got married…”
“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who made you carry this burden. Your heart is enough.”
Ihyun embraced those hesitant members. Even if they couldn’t spend more time together, their hearts remained with Blue Thunder.
“Thank you. Truly.”
The sound of fading embers filled the yard.
“Here.”
Go Jinwoo placed his application on top of the pile. His hand trembled slightly.
“Are you sure? Don’t overdo it. You can take it back.”
Ihyun returned it to him. Jinwoo, though formerly of Blue Thunder, didn’t naturally fit into military operations. He disliked fighting, usually handling backup or treating the injured during missions.
“No. Leave it.”
He placed the application back. Ihyun’s expression changed slightly. She could sense how much internal struggle he’d gone through.
“Although I won’t help much in combat, I’ll have a role to play here.”
Ihyun bowed.
“Thanks, brother.”
“Stop with the flattery. By the way, how many total?”
“Fourteen.”
Ihyun smiled slightly at the stack. She was grateful for the comrades who had made their decision.
“So 16 came, and 14 agreed? Life wasn’t wasted, right, Jang Ihyun?”
“Seems so.”
“If we revive Blue Thunder, a lot of people will be shocked. I want to see their faces.”
Jinwoo chuckled.
“Who will hate it the most?”
“The bastards who disbanded Blue Thunder.”
“Patriotic traitors, huh.”
After Blue Thunder was disbanded, many went abroad, some even to China. Those who joined China formed Pink Shin. Ihyun didn’t consider them old comrades, and neither did the others.
“Then let’s explain the future plan.”
Ihyun nodded and clapped loudly.
Snap!
All eyes focused as Ihyun’s changed gaze met the members’. They smiled brightly. It felt like the Ihyun from four years ago had returned.
“Some of you might have delayed resignations or pending handovers. Don’t rush. Our first mission is already set. Lieutenant.”
Lee Gunsan smiled and activated a crystal orb on the floor. The essence of broken time. A memory playback crystal.
[Replaying stored memories.]
[Be careful not to conflict with existing memories.]
Whoosh!
The crystal floated, scattering light. Shu Changyou, his former Chinese squad members, and Pink Shin stood before them.
“…!”
“…!”
“…!!”
Faces hardened.
“Our first target is clear.”
Ihyun spoke coldly:
“Strike directly on mainland China and eliminate Shu Changyou and all of Pink Shin.”
