Chapter 82: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (33)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (33)
After reconciling with Jin Seo-yun, Jin Myeong-woo, still in his sweat-soaked training uniform, went to see his mother and sister. He needed to inform them of his future plans.
It was evening. The sun hung over the western mountains, painting the sky in shades of crimson. When he arrived at their quarters, the faint light of a lantern seeped through the crack in the door. He took a moment to catch his breath before announcing his presence.
"Mother, it's Myeong-woo. May I come in for a moment?"
"Wait a moment."
Jang Seo-young's calm voice came from within. Soon, the door opened to reveal Jin So-hee.
"Myeong-woo."
A smile was on his sister's face. As he stepped into the room, he saw Jang Seo-young sitting up in bed, leaning against the headboard. Beneath the soft lantern light, her face looked weary, but she had not lost her noble grace.
"What is it, Myeong-woo?" Jang Seo-young asked gently.
Jin Myeong-woo bowed his head for a moment, steadying his resolve.
"Mother... I intend to leave for the Central Plains with my master."
The air in the room grew subtly heavy. Jin So-hee glanced at her brother, tilting her head slightly.
"And... I would like for you and Sister to come with me."
Jang Seo-young's eyes flickered for a moment. She seemed to be quietly mulling over his words.
"To the Central Plains... you're leaving?"
Her voice was a mixture of surprise and slight confusion.
"Yes, Mother. The Jin family has already suffered a great blow, and I don't believe there is much point in staying here any longer. I want to travel with my master and learn more."
Jang Seo-young slowly nodded, seeming to understand his words.
"I understand your thoughts, Myeong-woo. But wouldn't we be a burden to your master if we came along?"
"You and Sister could never be a burden to me. And my master has already given her permission."
Jang Seo-young closed her eyes for a moment and let out a deep breath. She slowly pushed herself up from the bed.
"The Central Plains... It will be a long and arduous journey."
Jang Seo-young said quietly, gazing out the window.
"My master will be with us, so you need not worry. And..."
Jin Myeong-woo hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"Is there any reason for us to remain here? Father has passed away, and Brother says he is leaving as well..."
Before he could finish, Jin So-hee cut in.
"Myeong-woo, is there a reason for this sudden decision?"
"My master said... that I must see the world and gain diverse experiences. She also said that participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering and competing against the young talents of my generation would be a great asset. Besides, you and Mother have spent your whole lives in Jilin. Shouldn't you experience the Central Plains at least once?"
At Jin Myeong-woo's words, the eyes of the mother and daughter lit up.
"The Central Plains... I've always wanted to go there someday," Jang Seo-young replied with a gentle smile.
"That's true. I've always wanted to try Sichuan cuisine," Jin So-hee said jokingly, slightly easing the tension in the room.
Jin Myeong-woo's expression brightened at their positive reactions. But a flicker of concern crossed Jang Seo-young's face.
"However, I can't help but worry about sending Seo-yun off on his own."
"Well... Brother will be fine, won't he? I heard from Master that he has already reached the Peak Level."
At his words, Jang Seo-young seemed lost in thought for a moment.
"That boy is strong. But strength doesn't solve everything. The Central Plains is not a place where one can survive on skill alone."
Jang Seo-young stared into the darkness outside the window, seemingly lost in thought.
"Even though he is not the child I bore... as a mother, I worry. He took such devoted care of So-hee and me while you were away. I was truly grateful."
Her calm words left Jin Myeong-woo silent for a moment. Hearing that Jin Seo-yun had taken care of his family in his absence filled him with gratitude.
"He's right. Older Brother took really good care of us," Jin So-hee said with a nod. Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she added, "Myeong-woo, couldn't Older Brother come with us too?"
Jin Myeong-woo's eyes wavered slightly at her words. He had reconciled with his brother that morning, but he hadn't expected to be asked to travel together.
A brief silence fell over the room. Under the lantern light, the three faces were a complex mix of emotions. Jang Seo-young watched her son's reaction quietly, holding her tongue.
"That's..." Jin Myeong-woo began with difficulty. "I will have to discuss it with him."
A faint glint appeared in Jang Seo-young's eyes. She seemed relieved to see her son considering it seriously rather than offering a polite refusal.
"Yes. Go and speak with Seo-yun. To be honest... I think it would be better for all of us to go together rather than have him leave alone."
Jin So-hee nodded in agreement with her mother and added, "That's right, Myeong-woo. Wouldn't it be better if the whole family went together?"
After a moment of thought, Jin Myeong-woo nodded and replied, "Yes... I'll speak to Brother about it tomorrow."
He rose from his seat and gave a slight bow. The fatigue from a full day of training was evident in his posture.
"I will take my leave now."
"Alright. Rest well," Jang Seo-young said softly.
As he left the room, the mother and daughter looked at each other and shared a quiet smile.
Leaving his mother's quarters, Jin Myeong-woo took a slow breath and looked up at the sky. The evening sky had already lost its reddish hue, and dusk was settling in. The cool air brushed against his cheeks.
'I should tell Master, too.'
His mind made up, Jin Myeong-woo started walking again. His feet naturally led him toward Seo Ryeo-hwa's quarters near the training grounds.
Even in the evening darkness, the light spilling from Seo Ryeo-hwa's residence greeted him.
"Master, it's Myeong-woo. May I enter?"
He announced his presence from outside the door, and a calm voice answered from within.
"Come in."
When he opened the door, he found Seo Ryeo-hwa drinking tea by herself. Her sky-blue hair shimmered softly under the lantern light.
"What brings you here?" Seo Ryeo-hwa asked in a gentle voice.
Jin Myeong-woo stood before his master and quietly bowed his head.
"Master, I spoke with my mother and sister about leaving for the Central Plains."
"And?"
"They've agreed to come with us."
A faint smile spread across Seo Ryeo-hwa's lips.
"I'm glad to hear that."
"However... Master, my mother and sister have asked that my brother come with us as well. Is it alright if he joins us?"
Jin Myeong-woo's voice was filled with hesitation. Seo Ryeo-hwa looked at her disciple and paused. The moonlight softly illuminated her sky-blue hair.
"Myeong-woo, what do you want to do?"
Her voice was gentle, but her serious gaze awaited her disciple's answer.
If it were up to him, Jin Myeong-woo would have refused. They had reconciled, but the fact was that things were still awkward. If Jin Seo-yun came along, Seol-hee would surely come too, and that was an emotional burden for him.
But he couldn't refuse his mother and sister's request. Looking into his master's clear eyes, Jin Myeong-woo slowly opened his mouth.
"I..."
His voice trembled slightly. Seo Ryeo-hwa waited quietly for him to continue.
"I don't wish to go against my mother and sister's wishes. But..."
"There is still something troubling you."
Seo Ryeo-hwa's voice remained serene. She nodded at him, as if she understood her disciple's conflict.
"Master... what should I do?"
Confusion and worry were evident in his voice.
"You said you reconciled with Young Master Jin, but that doesn't mean you've forgiven everything, does it?"
Seo Ryeo-hwa walked to the window and gazed at the moonlight. Her silhouette was faintly outlined against it.
"But what is the reason we are leaving for the Central Plains?"
"To see the wider world and gain experience."
"Correct. And in that process, what is it that you must learn?"
Jin Myeong-woo fell into thought, trying to grasp the meaning behind his master's words.
"Perhaps this, too, is a kind of test."
Seo Ryeo-hwa slowly turned back to face him. The moonlight softly illuminated her face.
"A test... you say?"
"Yes. Relationships with people cannot be solved with practice and theory like swordsmanship. Sometimes, there are things to be learned from discomfort."
At his master's words, Jin Myeong-woo slowly nodded.
"Of course, the final decision is yours to make. But sometimes, the very things we find uncomfortable can bring us new enlightenment."
"Thank you. Hearing your words, I think I can make a decision. I will speak with my brother tomorrow."
Jin Myeong-woo bowed his head in gratitude. Seo Ryeo-hwa placed a hand lightly on his shoulder and smiled faintly.
"By the way, Myeong-woo..." Seo Ryeo-hwa said, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she slightly adjusted her robe. "Your gaze has been drifting below my robes for a while now."
"I-I'm sorry! I swear I didn't mean to!"
Jin Myeong-woo's face turned beet red as he stammered. Seo Ryeo-hwa let out a soft laugh at his reaction.
"Hmph, you sly boy."
"Master... I'm truly sorry."
Jin Myeong-woo couldn't bring himself to lift his face. Seo Ryeo-hwa patted his shoulder lightly and said, "That's enough. Go and rest now. You have training again tomorrow."
"Yes, Master! I'll be on my way."
Jin Myeong-woo hastily exited the room. Watching his retreating back, Seo Ryeo-hwa chuckled softly.
"Such an innocent boy."
In the room, now quiet under the moonlight, she raised her teacup, thinking of her disciple's innocence and his growth.
*
We disposed of all unnecessary assets and gave the remaining vassals ample compensation. With the final arrangements at the Jin estate complete, we finally left that place.
We were on the road to Baeksan Mountain, having passed through the northern gate of Jilin Province. A clear breeze blew along the mountain path. Seol-hee, unaccustomed to the unfamiliar scenery, spoke to me with an excited look on her face.
"Young Master, leaving Jilin feels so exciting!"
I saw Jin Myeong-woo, who was walking beside her, flinch at Seol-hee's use of "Young Master." The way he snuck a sideways glance at her showed he still had feelings for her.
'If I had my way, I'd show him me fucking the mother, daughter, and Seol-hee one after another, right in front of his eyes.'
I swallowed a smirk and turned my gaze forward.
"Sword Empress, where are we headed now?"
Jin So-hee approached Seo Ryeo-hwa and asked cautiously. Seo Ryeo-hwa turned to So-hee with a gentle smile, her sky-blue hair fluttering slightly in the wind.
"We plan to cross Baeksan Mountain into Liaoning."
She answered So-hee's question kindly.
"Isn't Baeksan Mountain quite high? Will the path not be treacherous?"
"The mountain is high, but we should be able to cross it without much trouble. The path over Baeksan is frequently used by merchants."
Seo Ryeo-hwa said calmly, looking ahead.
"Young Master, are we in the Central Plains once we cross Baeksan Mountain?" Seol-hee asked excitedly from my side.
"No, we still have to pass through Liaoning. The road to the Central Plains begins there."
Seol-hee nodded at my answer, looking around with interest.
"And just beyond Liaoning is Beijing. There's something you must try when we get there," Jang Seo-young added with a smile.
"What is it?" Jin So-hee asked with curious eyes.
"It's a dish called Peking duck, and it's very famous. They say the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. Eating it wrapped in a thin pancake is supposed to be a delicacy."
"Have you been there before, Mother?" Jin So-hee asked.
Jang Seo-young smiled slightly and shook her head.
"No, it's a story I heard from merchants who came to Jilin. But it's so famous that I'd love to try it."
"I have tried it once," said Seo Ryeo-hwa, who had been listening from the side. All eyes turned to her.
"Really? Sword Empress, how was it?" Jin So-hee asked, her eyes sparkling.
"The skin was indeed crispy, and the meat was tender and moist. Especially when you wrap it in a pancake with sauce... Hmm, how should I put it? It's like the flavor just explodes in your mouth."
Seo Ryeo-hwa smiled as if recalling the taste. Her description amazed Seol-hee.
"It sounds delicious just from the description! Young Master, I really want to try it!"
"Alright, let's all eat it together when we arrive in Beijing."
Seol-hee smiled happily at my reply.
"I can't wait to go."
Since Seol-hee had never been outside of Jilin, everything seemed new and wondrous to her. Her voice was filled with excitement.
"I'd like to see the markets in Beijing, too. I hear they have a lot of silk and jewels..."
As Jang Seo-young spoke, I smiled and replied, "Then shall we all get a new set of silk clothes?"
At my words, Jin So-hee blushed slightly.
"It would be nice... if you picked it out for me, Brother."
At Jin So-hee's small voice, Seol-hee's eyes lit up as she chimed in.
"Me too, Young Master! Please pick out a pretty silk skirt for me!"
"Alright."
When I answered with a smile, Seol-hee beamed and grabbed my arm.
Jang Seo-young watched the scene with a pleased smile.
"Seo-yun, you'll pick one out for your mother too, won't you?" Jang Seo-young said with a gentle smile.
"Of course. I'll choose the finest silk that suits you best, Mother."
My answer deepened Jang Seo-young's smile. Her eyes held a soft affection for me.
'She's gotten close to Seo Ryeo-hwa faster than I expected.'
I thought as I listened to their conversation. It wasn't bad at all to have my women get along so naturally with the Sword Empress. Their shared anticipation and laughter enveloped us like a gentle breeze.
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