Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Yagul Sohwa
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Yaul Sohwa.
The eldest daughter of the Yagul Clan and the current young mistress of the clan.
Those who praised her talent in sound arts could spend days doing so without running out of words. Yaul Sohwa possessed dazzling aptitude in sound arts.
That talent had allowed her, a woman, to become the first in Yagul Clan history to be appointed young mistress.
Her extraordinary gifts had outshone all her siblings and caught the clan patriarch's eye.
'Worthy of being called one of the Three Blossoms of the Demonic Path.'
She was fundamentally different from the gisaengs working at the Melody Pavilion.
With her azure eyes, she had skin as white and smooth as if she'd never been touched by sunlight, like some untouched human from another world. Her hair was tied straight back in a simple, elegant ponytail that exuded a pure, refined aura.
An air of noble elegance emanated from her, impossible to hide, as if she belonged to another realm entirely.
'It's been a while.'
Hyeok Mulin gazed at her and slightly lifted his bamboo hat in greeting.
At that moment, Yaul Sohwa turned her head, and their eyes met.
Their gazes crossed in the air, neither looking away.
Hyeok Mulin saw the glint in her eyes and let the corner of his mouth curl up faintly.
'Interesting.'
He could feel the bold spirit radiating from Yaul Sohwa all the way from here.
He knew exactly why she had come to this place.
After scanning Yaul Sohwa, Hyeok Mulin shifted his gaze to Yaul Okryeon sitting beside her.
With her arms crossed, she looked down at him with a smug expression.
…Her provocation had worked even better than expected.
Hyeok Mulin recalled the bold confrontation he'd had with her seven days ago at the top floor of the Melody Pavilion.
'She offered to take me as one of the Yagul Clan's guests, as if bestowing a great favor.'
To that outrageous proposal, Hyeok Mulin had upped the ante.
He'd said he'd never been moved by the Yagul Clan's melodies.
That had immediately drawn Yaul Okryeon into a fit of rage.
'Provoke Yaul Okryeon, and she'll definitely call Yaul Sohwa.'
This had been Hyeok Mulin's plan from the moment he first set foot in the Melody Pavilion.
Yaul Sohwa's exceptional talent from childhood had drawn envy and jealousy from those around her.
Her circle of acquaintances was extremely narrow as a result, and one of her few close connections was Yaul Okryeon.
'Yaul Okryeon has incredibly strong pride.'
So when her offer was rejected, Yaul Okryeon would have racked her brains to get revenge and humiliate him.
She would inevitably play her biggest card: Yaul Sohwa, her most powerful connection. And Yaul Sohwa wouldn't refuse a rare request from a close acquaintance.
"Thankfully, both of you acted just as I hoped."
Confirming the two women, Hyeok Mulin pulled his bamboo hat back down and moved on.
Yaul Sohwa, who had been staring intently at him, soon furrowed one eyebrow and whispered softly.
"Is that the man Aunt Tangmo mentioned?"
"Yeah, that's him. The jerk who insulted me and the Yagul Clan's sound arts. So rude, right?"
"Hmm… I don't see anything particularly special about him yet."
Yaul Okryeon shook her head emphatically.
"Just look at him—he's clearly far from polite. You shouldn't even associate with a guy like that."
"How can you tell what he looks like when you can't see his face…"
"Sigh, you really have no eye for men. I'm sure there's a pair of fierce, bulging eyes hiding under that hat."
'…No, there aren't.'
Yaul Sohwa briefly recalled the moment their eyes had met.
His eyes had been clear, holding both softness and sharpness in an enigmatic balance.
Far from the description Yaul Okryeon gave, but she didn't bother contradicting her.
Who was Yaul Okryeon?
The pavilion mistress of the Melody Pavilion, the pinnacle of the gisaengs, captivating countless men.
She undoubtedly had a better eye for men.
Yaul Sohwa respected her experience.
"That's not the important part anyway."
Yaul Sohwa turned her gaze back to the man in the bamboo hat.
"So, you're saying he has exceptional talent in sound arts?"
"I hate to admit it, but yes. Maybe even better than mine."
Yaul Okryeon agreed with a deeply frustrated expression.
Her pride was sky-high, but she wasn't one to lie.
Knowing that, Yaul Sohwa raised her eyebrows in slight surprise.
Yaul Okryeon's skills were nothing to scoff at.
Her outstanding abilities made her one of the top experts in the entire Yagul Clan, which was why she'd grown the Melody Pavilion to this scale and secured the clan's support.
For even her to admit complete defeat…
"Hmm…"
As Yaul Sohwa stared intently at the man in the hat, a spark lit in her eyes.
"As always, we'll bring light appetizers and Hundred Flower Brew."
The chief steward approached Hyeok Mulin.
Geum An-su, now treating him like a regular, recited the usual order naturally.
Just as she turned with a bright smile,
"Hold on. Today, I want the Hundred Flower Dew."
Hyeok Mulin changed his order for the first time.
"H-Hundred Flower Dew?!"
Geum An-su stammered in shock, but Hyeok Mulin nodded affirmatively.
She couldn't hide her astonishment.
Hundred Flower Dew was liquor made solely from the dew of a hundred flowers, a step above Hundred Flower Brew—the pinnacle of fine liquors.
Not even high-end taverns stocked it, and the Melody Pavilion only had a few bottles, reserved exclusively for when the pavilion mistress hosted esteemed guests.
"Great hero, I'm sorry, but we don't serve Hundred Flower Dew here. Please change your order."
No matter how impressive the nameless guest's performance had been, rules were rules. And this wasn't even with the pavilion mistress.
Geum An-su bowed her head regretfully.
"I have the pavilion mistress's permission."
"…Pardon?"
"She allowed it. If you doubt me, go confirm."
Stunned by the unexpected reply, Geum An-su bowed and withdrew.
"Please wait a moment."
Geum An-su hurried to the upper floor.
Yaul Okryeon listened to her report, her eyes widening in surprise.
She glanced furtively at Hyeok Mulin, then gritted her teeth, trembling with anger, before nodding.
Soon, Geum An-su returned, cradling a bottle shimmering with iridescent light, and approached Hyeok Mulin carefully.
"I've confirmed. Please enjoy."
Hyeok Mulin eyed the bottle—short-necked, with a rounded base.
"Hundred Flower Dew" was inscribed on the front in elegant calligraphy. He poured a glass and wet his lips.
Unlike before, he savored it leisurely today, fully appreciating the Hundred Flower Dew's flavor.
Sweetness mingled with faint bitterness, popping delicately on his tongue.
It felt like splashing through floating petals on a water's surface, teetering on the edge.
The rich aroma tickled his tongue, sliding down his throat cleanly and refreshingly. Experiencing both sensations at once explained why it was hailed as a masterpiece liquor.
"Isn't that Hundred Flower Dew…!"
"I never heard they served it here?"
"Hey, can we order it too?"
Exclamations erupted from the surrounding guests. Some tried ordering, but all were refused.
Hyeok Mulin calmly savored the Hundred Flower Dew amid their envious stares.
He sipped steadily until the time for the Midnight Melody Night approached.
"…Hm?"
"Something's off tonight."
But the gisaengs' movements were different from usual.
None prepared or took the stage, showing no intent to perform.
As the empty stage sat abandoned, guests voiced their confusion.
Then,
Thud. Thud.
A woman descended the stairs from the upper floor with slow, deliberate steps.
She ascended the stage naturally, and the watching guests flipped out in shock.
"I-It’s the Yagul Clan's young mistress!"
"Yaul Sohwa joining the Midnight Melody Night…!"
"Am I dreaming?"
And rightly so. Though she'd visited the Melody Pavilion several times, she'd never performed.
Stepping onto the stage now was a declaration: she would unveil her melody here for the first time.
The performance of the young mistress poised to lead the Yagul Clan.
A melody unavailable even to tycoons waving stacks of cash. The guests ignited with excitement.
Swish.
Yaul Sohwa settled lightly onto the stage.
With a casual wave, several gisaengs brought a wooden table and instrument before her.
Gulp.
As her hand rested on the seven-string zither, the guests swallowed dryly.
In the tense atmosphere, the performance began.
Ting— Tiding— Ding—
Her fingers flicked, and the notes danced to life.
And in an instant, the listeners' vision shifted.
As if plunged into a massive vortex of illusion.
There was a woman.
And her beloved lover.
They laughed and cried together, always embracing.
Like a pair of peonies that could never be parted.
Bathed in their happiness, the audience smiled warmly.
But suddenly, the air changed.
The lover, who had sworn eternal love, grew curt. Time apart increased.
Perplexed, the woman followed his call one day.
There, he bid farewell.
Forget me, he said.
His voice froze her.
Until he vanished beyond the horizon.
With him gone, tears streamed from her eyes.
How can you ask me to erase
a lifetime,
just like that?
Do you think the world will blind itself?
The woman waited.
For his return.
Yet even as the peonies fully bloomed and withered,
he never reappeared.
"Ugh… Hic…"
As Yaul Sohwa's performance ended, the Melody Pavilion was a sea of tears.
Wiping their eyes at the heartrending melody, guests marveled.
"When was the last time I heard such a soul-stirring performance?"
"The Yagul Clan's young mistress is on another level."
"I'd give my fortune for one more listen."
Ignoring the praise, Yaul Sohwa calmly packed up and rose.
She stepped down from the stage.
"So tonight's Midnight Melody Night ends here."
"Absolutely. Lucky to visit today."
"Short, but satisfying… Huh?"
"Look over there!"
One guest pointed in bewilderment, drawing all eyes.
Their gazes locked on the figure ascending the stage, eyes widening.
"The nameless guest…?"
"Is he performing next?"
The guests' eyes shook with confusion.
No matter his past brilliance, the situation was dire.
They worried he'd ruin Yaul Sohwa's lingering afterglow.
But Hyeok Mulin sat indifferently, lute in hand.
Tiding— Ting— Ding—
The moment he plucked the strings, the world shattered and reformed.
A lone man stood there, bundle on his back.
Suddenly, his family fell into ruin.
As the eldest son, he had to bear the burden.
So he left his lover behind.
Far away—too far to return, no matter the longing.
In that distant place, he buried love and immersed in work.
He rose steadily, amassing wealth over long years.
But misfortune struck abruptly.
Envy led to false accusation; he lost everything, penniless.
Why had this happened?
Enraged, he hung his head.
Die.
Someone would heed his injustice in death.
Resolved, he spent his last coin on a noose.
In his shabby thatched hut, he climbed a chair to the trap.
But as he touched the noose, a woman flashed in his mind.
I lied.
I said forget, but I couldn't.
I couldn't,
for it was etched too deep.
With a deep sigh, he stepped down.
He left the house and wandered mountain paths.
With only the worn bundle from his departure.
The man walked.
Through rain and snow, he walked.
Body shivering, toes numb—he never stopped.
As he neared his goal, self-loathing swelled.
What face to show home, a failure?
Family shattered—what shame to return?
Yet he faltered but couldn't halt.
Just once.
Just once, to see her again.
Huff, huff.
Gasping, he pressed on.
After hundreds of days, he wiped sweat and looked up.
Whoosh—
Brown foliage scattered in the wind.
In that farewell spot stood a woman.
How could I forget?
That face—how?
Her hair white, wrinkles grown, but her smile shone radiant.
The man's shoulders trembled; hot tears fell heavily.
Love unchanged.
Neither forgotten nor erased.
Still there.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Silence enveloped the Melody Pavilion, breaths unheard.
At its center, Hyeok Mulin slowly packed up.
Suddenly, applause erupted from one pair of hands, exploding through the pavilion.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
The nameless guest's riposte to Yaul Sohwa's melody.
It etched deep into hearts, evoking profound emotion—an irresistible performance.
Guests lamented that mere applause was their highest praise.
Hyeok Mulin returned amid the resounding acclaim.
Pour.
As he refilled his glass with Hundred Flower Dew,
"May I sit for a moment?"
Hyeok Mulin looked up to see Yaul Sohwa smiling faintly.