Even After It Ends, There's More - 1
From the moment I invited the high-ranking officials of Guangxi, the memorial service for Yangminmun ceased to be Geomju-bu's local affair. Yangminmun's fame had shaken all of Guangxi from the start, so it was only natural. Yet even if it became a province-wide event, Yangminmun's renown was still just regional. Guangxi might be as vast as a small kingdom, but compared to the entire Central Plains, it was mere frontier territory.
In that context, the Baekryeon Cult Leader appeared. He resided in the remote Shiwandaishan, the edge of the edge of Daesong's borders, but his prestige and authority were national in scope. 'At least he showed up on the day itself.' This surprise visit elevated the memorial's stature to a national event in an instant. If the Baekryeon Cult Leader had announced his intent days earlier or arrived ahead of time? Not just Guangxi's elites, but officials from neighboring regions and even the Governor-General's office would have flocked here en masse.
Thus, his unannounced participation was something of a relief. The absolute best would have been for him not to come at all, but since he was here, better just him alone.
"Greetings, Cult Leader!"
Of course, thoughts like 'Just the Baekryeon Cult Leader? We got off easy' were only possible for someone like me who'd already met him. For the Branch Manager, facing the Baekryeon Cult Leader must have been more terrifying than meeting the Emperor. Kings were at least fellow subjects—you could console yourself with that mental victory—but the Baekryeon Cult Leader had renounced his imperial rights, yet he was still royalty. The current Emperor's own brother, no less.
"Ah, you're the Branch Manager?"
"Yes! That's me!"
"Yangminmun's tragic end was a sorrow shared by all in Guangxi. This old man may not be native to the province, but as one who dwells here, I've long pitied their fate. And now you gather their remains for this memorial—how joyous an occasion!"
"It's an honor! But recovering Yangminmun's remains was the work of the Left Vice Inspector General. This humble one contributed nothing!"
The Branch Manager's bow was veering past ninety degrees toward a full 120. Even in his fluster, passing the credit to me tugged at my heartstrings.
"Hm. Is that so?"
Smiling at the Branch Manager, the Baekryeon Cult Leader turned to me and let out a light chuckle.
"Han Un, you seem to have a knack for excavation after all."
"The spirit beasts found the remains, not me. I contributed little myself."
"Dear me. If everyone's passing the credit, who am I to praise?"
With that, the Baekryeon Cult Leader patted the Branch Manager's still-bent shoulder.
"Spirit beasts are heaven-sent creatures. Their discovery of Yangminmun's remains was heaven's will, and that it came under your tenure as Branch Manager was heaven's decree as well. Take pride in it."
"Y-yes, I shall engrave it on my heart!"
The Branch Manager's body trembled even more violently under the touch of this lofty superior. Whether from dread and pressure or joy and emotion, only he knew.
"The same goes for you, Han Un. A breed's feats are its master's feats. I'm not saying claim it all, but accept some share."
"Yes, Cult Leader. I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. Don't mind me—carry on with your duties."
At those words, the Branch Manager slowly straightened, gauged my nod, and swiftly withdrew.
"You're not leaving?"
"How could I abandon my post when you've graced us with your presence? I have no tasks left, so I'll attend you."
"Pfh, no need for that."
He said it was fine, but the Baekryeon Cult Leader's face brimmed with satisfaction. If I'd tried to leave like the Branch Manager, he'd have been quietly miffed, I bet.
'Don't mind you? As if.'
The Emperor's brother shows up, and you're supposed to ignore it? The Baekryeon Cult Leader wasn't overbearingly authoritative, but nonchalance from someone of his bloodline and station was its own pressure. It could overwhelm underlings to death.
"By the way, Han Un. I hear these days you're not just traveling with your Inspector Escort, but also with the daughter of the Ak Wang household?"
"Ah, yes. She's running late waking the spirit beasts."
"Waking the spirit beasts?"
"They've been sleeping more lately, perhaps from lingering in the warm spots."
The Baekryeon Cult Leader let out a soft chuckle. He seemed amused at me treating the spirit beasts like sleepy kids.
"Fine weather makes the body languid. Even spirit beasts aren't immune, it seems."
"They're even more sensitive to their surroundings than people."
Nodding at my words, he stroked his beard thoughtfully, then said, "Han Un. I hear one of the spirit beasts in your care is a three-headed snake. Mind if I ask a favor?"
His words made my body stiffen instinctively. I had a gut feeling: this was why he'd come all the way to Geomju-bu. Not the memorial, but this request.
"...Of course. If there's any way I can assist you, Cult Leader, it's my duty."
A recluse from Shiwandaishan making a personal visit? No matter how I racked my brain, evasion was impossible. I accepted straightforwardly. Please let it be something simple.
"That's a relief. Then—"
"Gaga! The memorial hasn't started yet, right!?"
- Kkiiing!
- Kki-ong!
"Hm. We'll speak after the memorial, then."
"Ah, yes."
Ak I-yeon arrived just in time, giving the Baekryeon Cult Leader pause. I still had to hear it, but the brief reprieve eased my mind.
The memorial proceeded in a solemn, quiet atmosphere. Yet it wasn't steeped in gloom or sorrow. Honoring heroes who'd met tragic ends with proper rest, graced by a national figure like the Baekryeon Cult Leader, and allowing Yangminmun's last survivor Sajian to find closure—it brimmed with its own joy. We hadn't forgotten respect for the deceased, of course. The hush for their final farewell remained intact. Still, gathering long-neglected remains and praying for their rebirth in paradise allowed for celebration.
"This old man survived when he should have died. I once resented heaven for sparing my worthless life. But now I understand its will. It kept me alive for this day, this moment."
Sajian, Yangminmun's survivor and younger brother of elder Sajimun, stood as co-officiant with the Branch Manager. Before all the attendees, he declared boldly: he'd lived for this day. A painful existence, but this moment washed away the suffering.
"Yangminmun fell decades ago. And yet it lives on. As long as people remember it, Yangminmun endures."
The Yangminmun he loved, that Guangxi loved, lived on in everyone's memories—
"As long as Yangminmun lives, this old man will carry its will until heaven calls him."
Late, but he'd live again as Yangminmun's elder. No—now as its leader.
"He'll receive a viscountcy, you say?"
"Yes. Who better deserves it?"
"Posthumously a count, then."
I nodded at the Baekryeon Cult Leader's quiet whisper. The previous Yangminmun leader, Jeonggu, had been honored as a count considering his sect head status. If Sajian rebuilt Yangminmun, quelled Geomju and Guangxi's ethnic strife, and died in the effort, a countcy was fitting.
"Seeing this leaves a bitter taste. Those who kept silent still preserve their lineages, while those who fought to the death are only now honored."
"Yangminmun's a special case. Sajian forsook all honors and went into hiding, so only now can we bestow them."
"We all knew why he refused honors. Yet no one could soothe his grudge."
Until you came. Adding that, the Baekryeon Cult Leader patted my shoulder.
"With young, zealous officials like you, the realm enjoys peace. Thank you, Han Un."
"You're too kind."
I could only smile sheepishly at yet another praise. Understanding his feelings a bit, I offered yet another humble deflection.
The Baekryeon Cult Leader was a veteran of the founding wars. He must pity the sects wiped out and warriors slain back then. Easing that regret, even a little, must gladden him immensely.
"This old man, flawed as he is, will fully inherit the will of the Yangminmun we once cherished. We'll return to those harmonious days."
Amid it all, Sajian's speech raced toward its close.
"Harmonious days for all. A tough path he's chosen."
I nodded again at the Baekryeon Cult Leader's murmur. Harmony for all didn't mean suppressing ethnic strife with Yangminmun's mere presence. It meant embracing both sides, fostering true unity. Not one-sided control, but mutual dialogue and understanding. No easy road.
During Yangminmun's absence, Guangxi's ethnic resentments had festered. For an aged Sajian and his nascent sect, the burden was immense. Easier to crush agitators with overwhelming prestige. Or really, just breathing would cow them into submission.
'Yet he chooses to heal them.'
Instead, Sajian extended a hand to those nursing silent grudges. Let's resolve it together.
"I should donate to Yangminmun soon."
"Your compassion is as vast as the sea, Cult Leader."
Even to him, it seemed a wise, admirable choice.
After the memorial proclaiming Yangminmun's glorious revival ended.
"So this is the three-headed snake."
- Shiiik...
Samshik, who'd been dozing in my sleeve, was thrust into a forced meeting with the Baekryeon Cult Leader.
"Hm. Smaller than I imagined."
- Shiiik...
Samshik endured what wasn't quite disdain but felt like it, yet cowed by the Cult Leader's aura, it began retreating deeper into my sleeve.
"It's still a hatchling—timid and delicate."
"My mistake."
Defending Samshik, I prompted the Baekryeon Cult Leader's chuckle as he stepped back.
"Well, size isn't everything. Small can be convenient."
Body meant nothing for distinguishing toxic plants. With affectionate eyes, he gazed at Samshik. How thoroughly does he plan to use it...