Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Melody of Revelation
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“You know your way around music?”
Song Dowan tossed the question at Hyeok Mulin with a somewhat surprised look on his face.
“I can handle a few instruments.”
Song Dowan had assumed that since he was a swordsman wielding a blade, he must be the type fully devoted to the sword.
But instruments? That was something he hadn’t even considered.
Ronin who appreciated melodies were rare enough as it was—let alone those who could play them.
“Now you’ve got me curious. Care to give me a demonstration?”
“Just a moment.”
Hyeok Mulin rose from his seat and headed straight for the courtesans without a hint of hesitation.
As he approached, the women flushed at his striking appearance for a moment before exchanging bewildered glances at his words.
They huddled together, whispering furiously, until they finally reached a decision and turned back to him.
“Please, handle it with the utmost care.”
They lent him the pipa they’d been using in the tavern.
Normally, they never let anyone else touch their personal instruments, but this time was different.
Even they couldn’t say why.
Maybe it was the enigmatic aura he exuded. Or perhaps they were simply captivated by his face.
“My thanks.”
The courtesans blushed like schoolgirls at his words and couldn’t lift their heads. Hyeok Mulin passed them by and stepped up onto the platform.
The guests noticed and began murmuring questions one by one.
“Huh? Who’s that?”
“Doesn’t look like one of the courtesans.”
“Never seen a man perform here before.”
As they cocked their heads and whispered in confusion, the tavern madam descended and approached the platform where Hyeok Mulin had suddenly appeared. She confronted him in a low, stern voice.
“I’m sorry, but we don’t allow guests on the platform. Please step down...”
But her words trailed off.
The moment their eyes met, her mouth froze shut for reasons she couldn’t explain.
Hyeok Mulin, gazing at the madam, raised a single finger.
Then he spoke softly.
“Just one melody, and I’ll step down.”
Enchanted, the madam nodded as if compelled by some force.
With her out of the way, Hyeok Mulin took hold of the pipa and assumed his playing stance.
The courtesans, guests, and Song Dowan all fixed their attention on him as his fingers began to move slowly.
Ting—ron—dodon—
A serene melody flowed from Hyeok Mulin’s touch.
In that instant, the air in the tavern shifted—the atmosphere, the very world around them transformed.
Song Dowan looked around in astonishment.
The loftiest peak amid layered mountains.
A single flower blooming on its barren summit.
A breeze stirred, and its petals fluttered faintly.
Soon, one petal detached, cradling a tiny seed within.
Sususu—
Riding a gentle current, the petal glided gracefully through the world.
It dodged countless branches while descending, paused at the center of a broad stone bridge to bask lazily in the sunlight,
twirled in a soft gust dancing with leaves, followed a babbling brook to admire the scenery.
Like a peerless master’s lightness skill, the petal roamed freely until it reached a rocky wasteland.
Sasak—
A desolate place without a single blade of grass or tree.
Just cracked, fissured earth and unyielding stone—a stark contrast to the beauties it had witnessed.
Yet the petal was content.
This is where I belong.
Resolved, it plunged into a fissure in the ground.
Countless ages passed.
The earth melted in scorching heat and froze solid time and again.
A few people and animals ventured there but all turned away in disgust.
It offered no life, not even a momentary glance.
In that enduring loneliness, change finally came.
A flower bud sprouted from the crevice.
Blossoming fully, it became a beacon of hope in the barren land.
Everything changed from then on.
Seeds that had journeyed with it took root; the desolate earth grew lush.
Naturally, people and animals began to visit, until the place was utterly transformed.
All pursued beauty.
But the petal became beauty itself.
How am I living in this world?
Hyeok Mulin’s performance, stirring deep resonance in their hearts, had quietly ended.
Yet the others in the tavern remained lost in the vision, gazing inward.
Song Dowan, the only one snapped back to reality, spoke up.
“Incredible. No—perhaps the finest melody of my life.”
Hyeok Mulin had already returned the pipa and sat back down.
Song Dowan’s gaze upon him brimmed with profound interest.
As a wandering ronin who savored the finer things, he had heard thousands upon thousands of tunes across the world.
Yet none had moved him like this.
To unfold an entirely new world through music.
He’d thought himself well-versed in such pleasures.
To think there was more.
A satisfied smile spread across Song Dowan’s face as he regarded Hyeok Mulin.
“The bill’s on me tonight. Eat and drink your fill.”
How could a little money matter after such a rare treat?
He thumped his chest heartily, urging them to order freely.
As they prepared to resume with fresh delicacies, a sharp cry cut through.
“N-No, you can’t do this!”
The guests’ eyes turned to a courtesan.
A rough-looking man gripped her wrist, tussling with her.
“You handled that instrument just fine. Why dodge the drinks? Just one cup, that’s all I ask.”
Murmurs rippled among the patrons at his arrival.
“Choto the Mad Lord’s here.”
“She picked the wrong guy.”
“Another poor girl’s done for.”
He was a fiend from the unorthodox paths who forced women into his table and bullied them.
Cruel and ill-tempered, he slew over trifles like swatting flies.
Even his own kind avoided his haunts.
The current guests would’ve fled if they’d known he was here.
“I’m a performer, not a server! Go find another courtesan...!”
“Tch. Too stupid to get it? Just come along.”
The man scowled, a red aura flaring around the courtesan’s gripped wrist.
“Eek!”
She cried out in pain, pleading with her eyes to the room.
But the guests only whispered condemnation, averting their gazes.
Most feared entanglement with Choto the Mad Lord.
Despair washed over her face; her strength ebbed.
As Choto smirked triumphantly and dragged her off,
“Pathetic.”
Hyeok Mulin’s voice halted him cold.
Time itself seemed to stop. Veins bulging on his forehead, Choto the Mad Lord whipped his head toward Hyeok Mulin.
He fixed him with a glare.
“You saying that to me?”
Hyeok Mulin rarely meddled in others’ quarrels.
Not even in his current xia guise did he feel compelled.
But this courtesan was the one who’d lent him the pipa.
Instead of answering, he continued.
“Are your ears deaf? As ugly in deed as in face.”
Thud.
Choto released her wrist and stormed toward Hyeok Mulin.
His fury boiled over; without a word,
“You’ve lost your mind.”
Hyeok Mulin tossed the words lightly. Enraged beyond reason, Choto drew his saber from his waist and slashed down at his front.
But the blade never reached its mark.
Thump!
It struck not forward, but straight down in place.
A zephyr from Hyeok Mulin’s fingertip had pierced his heart.
Choto’s knees buckled, saber clattering as he collapsed face-first to the floor.
The tavern fell deathly silent.
Moments later, eyes wide, the crowd stared.
“Ch-Choto the Mad Lord is dead!”
“What the hell did you do?!”
Amid the shocked guests and courtesans, Song Dowan regarded Hyeok Mulin calmly.
He showed no change in expression.
After a moment, Song Dowan stood and addressed the room.
“Sorry for the disturbance. We’ll be leaving shortly.”
He apologized to the guests, then handed extra silver to the madam for cleanup.
Returning to his seat, he told Hyeok Mulin,
“Time to go.”
Thus, Song Dowan and Hyeok Mulin exited the tavern.
They walked the streets in silence.
No words about the incident—just footsteps.
Crossing the road, they reached the village outskirts and faced a trickling stream.
Barely wide enough for one person.
No signs of life around. Song Dowan strode forward.
He crossed effortlessly, then turned to face Hyeok Mulin.
This blocked the path for Hyeok Mulin, who stood right behind.
The two exchanged silent looks until Song Dowan slowly spoke.
“You.”
His dry gaze pierced Hyeok Mulin as he continued.
The words that followed laid bare his true nature.
“You’re no xia.”