Chapter 43: In the Human World, April's Fragrance Ends (14)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 43: In the Human World, April's Fragrance Ends (14)
Cho-ran’s life as a concubine was more satisfying than she had ever expected.
Master Wang, the owner of a vast cotton farm, possessed a magnificent estate and a small army of servants. Because Master Wang himself was a man of character, his servants all bore relaxed expressions and served with genuine sincerity.
Even Master Wang’s primary wife, who had seemed displeased with Cho-ran at first, softened upon learning that Cho-ran could not bear children. Her expression had shifted to a mix of pity and relief, and she had since taken to sending snacks and fresh fruit to Cho-ran’s room.
But above all else, Master Wang was sincere.
In his mid-thirties, Master Wang was a true romantic. Every day since Cho-ran’s arrival, he presented her with flowers he had picked himself, a wide, boyish grin stretching across his face.
Though only time would tell for certain, Cho-ran was content—far more so than she had ever dared to imagine.
Yet, every time a wave of happiness washed over her, Eun-yeong’s image would flicker in her mind. When she was alone, she often wept until her cheeks were soaked.
About ten days passed in this manner.
One day, Cho-ran overheard some news from the servants.
"A feast at the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall?"
"Yes. They say they’re celebrating a great victory by treating the town to rice cakes and liquor. It’s already been going on for two days."
Cho-ran was suddenly reminded of a certain man.
Tall and fair, with features so graceful they were startling. The one people called Vivid Red, for he alone stood out in brilliant crimson.
"Young Master Yeon So-wol..."
The man who had risked his life to fight for Eun-yeong. Cho-ran’s head snapped up.
"Could I go there? I am greatly indebted to the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall."
"Ah, yes. I will speak to the master about it."
"Please. Do so at once."
As the servant hurried away, Cho-ran opened one of her packed clothing chests. This time, she would take extra care with her appearance. She did not want to look so sorrowful when she saw him again.
* * *
In the twenty-first century, people can lie in bed and still converse with others, mock and be mocked, worship and be worshiped.
But not in this world, where the Murim exists.
To talk to someone, you have to go out and meet them in person. And if the person you meet turns out to be boring or annoying, there is no 'back' button to hit.
Unlike the modern world, where the next piece of content is just a finger-flick away, seeing something new here requires getting acquainted with a new person. If you don't want to do that, you have to walk a long way to visit a friend.
In such a world, a 'feast' open to all becomes an experience so vibrant it is hard to forget for a lifetime. It is a moment when all the townspeople gather to talk over free food, free rice cakes, and free liquor. In these moments, one can enjoy a sense of connection no less intense than that of the digital age.
You can share a drink and a story with any of the countless people around you, and if you think, Hmm, this person is a bit off, you can simply hop over to the next open spot. It is a special time and place to lavishly indulge in relationships, command attention, and consume stories.
That was a feast.
The Pungryu Martial Arts Hall held its feast for seven full days and nights. They threw their gates wide open, welcoming every soul who crossed the threshold.
Lee Yu-baek, who preferred things orderly and refined, ordered a massive quantity of incense for the occasion.
Gangjin incense, typically burned during Daoist rituals.
Frankincense, commonly used in temples.
Agarwood, the luxury enjoyed by high-ranking officials.
When the incense arrived, his first disciple, Kang Mu-hyeok, was aghast.
"Master! I can understand the Gangjin incense and frankincense, but agarwood too? This is far too expensive..."
"I didn't buy much. Just enough for a taste."
"Even so, it’s agarwood. I can’t imagine how much gold this one box is worth..."
"I have plenty of money," Lee Yu-baek said flatly. "The Chief Daoist of Yanggwang bestowed a whole box of gold upon me."
"He didn't give it to you to squander like this!"
"On the contrary. He gave it to me precisely to spend it like this," Lee Yu-baek countered. "This feast is now the core of the Mount Cheonro subjugation. The better we treat people here, the further they will spread what they’ve seen and heard. Then, the knight-errants who hear of it will think, 'The Mount Cheonro subjugation? That might be a cause worth joining.' This is the final stage of gathering our forces."
"...I understand your intention, but does it really have to be agarwood?"
"Why shouldn't common folk know what the finer things are? Even if I can't give them a proper taste, I want to at least give them a hint of the feeling. So don't chide me for it."
"Mm. You're right. Your disciple was shortsighted."
"You rascal."
Lee Yu-baek patted Kang Mu-hyeok’s head. Kang Mu-hyeok, twenty-five this year, wore a reluctant expression but did not pull away.
And so, the special blend of incense Lee Yu-baek had concocted began to burn throughout the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall. From the moment they passed through the main gate, visitors' eyes went wide.
Above the heavy, woody scent of Gangjin incense, the sharp, refreshing fragrance of frankincense drifted like a breeze, while the soft, sweet aroma of agarwood—barely perceptible yet profound—offered a lingering smile.
"Ah... what is this place? Why does it smell so..."
"I'm getting emotional for some reason. It reminds me of the old days... especially with the spring air. Those were good times..."
"Wow! Mom! This place is like another world!"
"Hm? Agarwood? He used agarwood? Lee Yu-baek has really gone all out."
All sorts of people gathered. Among them were those who were particularly shabby and unwashed, but thanks to the fragrance Lee Yu-baek was determinedly burning, everyone shared a pleasant aroma.
Put in a good mood by the scent alone, the guests quickly grew merry on liquor and rice cakes, becoming fast friends. The atmosphere heated up in an instant. Singers, acrobats, storytellers, and painters dove into the fervor, each plying their trade and collecting coins, adding to the festive roar.
Yeon So-wol was also enjoying the mood. There was plenty to eat, plenty to drink, and everyone was laughing. There was no reason not to enjoy it.
Except, there was.
Even as he smiled, Yeon So-wol would suddenly think of Eun-yeong. He thought of Cho-ran, too. The afterimage of that blood-soaked day would flash before his eyes. When that happened, the taste of the liquor would turn to ash, and his desire to laugh would vanish.
"Hey. Why the long face on such a fine day for a feast?"
Yeon So-wol’s eyes widened. A man, so drunk in broad daylight that he staggered as he walked, approached with a liquor bottle in hand. He was a poor Confucian scholar wearing a crumpled cap and clothes that had been mended a dozen times.
"Jin Geol?"
"We meet again, Young Hero Yeon So-wol of the Vivid Red."
"Ah, yes. My apologies, Scholar Jin."
By the standards of this world, calling someone by their name so casually was quite rude, so Yeon So-wol hastily added the honorific. At that, Jin Geol squirmed.
"Ughhh. Please. Just call me Jin Geol."
"Ah, yes. Brother Jin."
"I said call me Jin Geol!"
"So, Brother Jin, what brings you here? Did you originally live in Xinxing County?"
Jin Geol glared at Yeon So-wol, then let out a short sigh.
"No. I am traveling the world. I came to Guangdong Province to see the alchemists of Sogu, and hearing that the Chief Daoist of Yanggwang was throwing a grand feast on the eighth of the fourth lunar month, I came this far. Now that I'm here, I found some minor amusements, so I've settled in for a bit of fun."
"I see. Thank you so much for your help back then. The poem you told me was a great help."
"It was nothing," Jin Geol grinned.
But Yeon So-wol’s heart grew dark again.
Ten Years of Night Rain in the Jianghu.
The man who had recited that poem was right in front of him. Now, just thinking of those words made him sigh. The shock of the event had been that great. It was the first time in his life someone so close to him had died—and right before his eyes.
Jin Geol studied Yeon So-wol’s expression intently. Then, he suddenly lifted his spoon and struck his bowl.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
The sound was deafening. Everyone turned to look.
"Huh?"
"Who's that?"
"Isn't that a scholar?"
"Why is he hitting his bowl like a beggar?"
It was an appalling act. To strike one's bowl with a spoon was either a complaint about the food or a plea for alms. As a learned man, Jin Geol knew this, but he didn't care in the slightest.
See? Nothing grabs attention like this.
His reputation? Jin Geol wasn't the type to care about such trifles. If he were, he wouldn't be walking around in rags.
"Ahem! Attention, everyone! You all know that the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall is holding a feast today to celebrate a victory. But do you know the true story of that victory?"
Someone shouted back, "It was the victory of wiping out those Black Path bandits!"
"Correct. Then do you also know who the hero of that battle was?"
"Of course! It was Great Hero Lee Yu-baek and Young Hero Yeon So-wol!"
Jin Geol grinned. "Well then. Wouldn't you like to hear the story directly from the man himself?"
The moment those words fell, the atmosphere in the hall shifted.
"Ooh!"
"He'll tell us?"
"I'm curious! I heard Young Hero Yeon fought at the very front..."
"That's right. They say he killed Seo Mu-ryang by himself after cutting down dozens of bandits!"
A wave of immense expectation poured toward him. Yeon So-wol was flustered. He stared at Jin Geol, wondering if the man was simply reckless.
No. Although he had only known him for a day, the impression Jin Geol had left was formidable. He was playful, yes, but not base or thoughtless. Why was he putting him on the spot like this?
As he stood frozen in confusion, a voice whispered directly into his ear via Secret Sound Transmission.
⌜Tell them about Lady Eun-yeong. And Lady Cho-ran, too. I was curious myself.⌟
The moment he heard the message, Yeon So-wol understood.
"...Ah."
Yeon So-wol clasped his hands and gave Jin Geol a deep bow. Then, he stepped forward to face the crowd. He closed his eyes for a moment.
What should I tell them?
The day he first visited the Cheongun Pavilion. The cool blade that had touched the nape of his neck. Learning how to train his Qi Sense. Her profile as she threw him a foothold on the Jipseong River.
Plucking the scenes that flashed through his mind one by one, Yeon So-wol finally wove his story.
"The one who killed Seo Mu-ryang... was not me."
A murmur rippled through the hall. Not Yeon So-wol? Then who?
"It was Lady Eun-yeong. She was the sworn sister of Lady Cho-ran, a courtesan of the Cheongun Pavilion."
Yeon So-wol continued in a calm, steady voice. He told the strange tale within the Xinxing Danger Avoidance Manual. He spoke of how he ended up at the Cheongun Pavilion while being chased by the Resentful Dog.
As he spoke, he described the martial artists' romantic sprint to join the Jipseong River boat party. He spoke of the overwhelming presence of the second-rank Dragon-Flying General, Chu Seong-ho.
He told them how Eun-yeong had helped him by throwing him a foothold. He recounted the desperate fight with Seo Mu-ryang on the riverbanks, how the bandit had injured Cho-ran, and the final moment where Eun-yeong took Seo Mu-ryang’s life. He spoke only a little of his own deeds.
By the time he finished, more than an igak—thirty minutes—had passed. The crowd stared at him in utter silence.
...Oops. Did I get carried away? Yeon So-wol began to panic.
"Sniffle."
Someone started to cry. As if that were a signal, voices erupted from every corner.
"Kyah..."
"Well, I'll be..."
"It's bitter. No, it's sweet. This damn liquor..."
"This is incredible. Absolutely incredible."
"The Jianghu... so this is the real Jianghu..."
"Loyalty! That is true loyalty!"
From the poor to the wealthy, men, women, and children alike were moved. Some wiped their eyes, while others slapped their knees and laughed heartily. An immense sense of satisfaction radiated from the crowd.
Jin Geol approached, shaking his head. "Hah. I knew you were good with poems... but I never imagined you could tell a story with such flavor."
"Did I... do well?"
"You did incredibly well. Your understated, delicate expressions were a masterpiece."
Yeon So-wol pressed his lips together, then bowed his head once more. "Thank you, Scholar Jin. I felt people were misunderstanding things about Lady Eun-yeong and Lady Cho-ran. I wanted to speak up for them. Thanks to you, I got the chance."
Jin Geol looked at him with a meaningful gaze. "It's too early to be thankful."
"Pardon?"
Yeon So-wol would understand those words in less than an hour.
"—And so! Lady Eun-yeong endured to the very end! She endured the pain of her life fading away just to bestow one last lesson upon Young Hero Yeon. Without letting him worry for a second, she said in a serene voice: 'Get. A. Grip!'"
"Aah, poor Young Hero Yeon! How his heart must have broken!"
"Lady Eun-yeong... what a woman. No, what a hero!"
The story Yeon So-wol had unspooled was already being endlessly reproduced. The people of this world were thirsty for stories, and Yeon So-wol’s tale was the most powerful thing they had heard in a decade, rivaled only by the battle between Lee Yu-baek and the Yeoljeong Sect.
Some retold the story with flourishes. Some wrote calligraphy of her final words. Some composed songs. One artist even began sketching a picture of Yeon So-wol stabbing Seo Mu-ryang, while another drew Eun-yeong giving Yeon So-wol a playful bop on the head.
"Wow. So he held out alone until Great Hero Lee Yu-baek arrived? Young Hero Yeon's martial arts are truly something."
"Their loyalty is insane. Lady Eun-yeong risked her life for her sworn sister, and Young Hero Yeon risked his to honor the kindness she showed him. This is what the Jianghu should be."
"It’s Young Master Yeon’s heart that gets me. I saw him, you know, the day Cho-ran was married off. He was lingering about the Cheongun Pavilion. It was because they stayed in his heart. Such a beautiful soul."
"The ten thousand lanterns of the Jipseong River... they all saw them together. When I think of that... ah, the Jianghu! The Jianghu!"
Yeon So-wol’s face turned bright red—partly from embarrassment, but also from an overwhelming, inexplicable warmth.
Jin Geol poured him a cup and smiled. "The world is a strange place. All sorts of worthless people say all sorts of nonsense. But then, people appear who understand your heart even better than you do."
"I see... that's true."
As Yeon So-wol drained his cup, Jin Geol grinned. "Care for another?"
"Yes. As many as you've got."
"But let's drop the formalities, shall we?"
"...Just pour the drink already."
"Ha! I like it, So-wol."
"The liquor's good, Jin Geol."
The two young men chuckled, trading cups back and forth.
Through the main gate of the boisterous Pungryu Martial Arts Hall, a beautifully dressed Cho-ran entered with her husband, Master Wang.
"Sob... Lady Eun-yeong..."
"This cup is for Lady Cho-ran! This cup is for Lady Eun-yeong! And this last one is for Young Master Yeon!"
"Sell me that painting! The one of Lady Eun-yeong nibbling sweets! I'll pay any price!"
Cho-ran’s eyes went wide, round and shimmering like a rabbit's.