Master. The Liars (1)
Master. The Liars (1)
Even though the sun had only just peeked over the horizon, the crossroads of Chang'an were already bustling. Merchants who had risen early to leave as soon as the city gates opened mingled with rice-cake vendors hawking snacks, while patrol soldiers wandered about warning everyone to keep the peace. Hidden in the alleys were several Taoist priests trailing after me.
The second volume of the Chronicles of Yu Baek, finished overnight, had been entrusted to Yang So-chang and sent off to Wuhan. At least that covered the value of the ten gold coins I had received in advance, so I no longer needed to feel guilty about taking detours for a while. Yet the price of that small comfort was a strained relationship with my only traveling companion. No loss could have been greater.
"This rice cake... what did you call it? Hyeop-mak? How much for one?"
"Three iron coins each, miss. How many would you like?"
"Hmm..."
The flat, golden-brown cakes split open to reveal juicy, seasoned meat. Steam rose invitingly. Two would have been enough for me, but considering Cho Yak's appetite—which defied her usual demeanor and slender frame—ten would have been the sensible purchase. Still, would she even eat them if I bought them? The look on her face when she left the room last night remained vivid in my mind.
I had followed Yang So-chang out to see him off, but the truth was I could no longer bear sitting alone with Cho Yak. The awkwardness and tightness in my chest had driven me outside. The cold dawn air, however, did nothing to clear my head, and even after Yang So-chang departed, two full hours remained until Cho Yak would rise at the hour of Oh-cho.
"Just two, please."
"One copper coin, then... here you are."
I paid, took one from the coarse paper bag, and bit into it. The crisp exterior gave way to soft, spicy-salty meat that paired perfectly with the bread. Before I knew it, the bag was empty. I glanced back at the stall, wondering whether to buy another, when a familiar yet unexpected voice called out.
"Master Yu! It is you, isn't it?"
Turning, I saw an elderly man with an air of refined elegance and a young man in white robes waving at me. The world is vast, yet sometimes it feels impossibly small. Unexpected encounters, though rare, do happen.
"So, Master Yu, what brings you out into the world? I was certain you would never leave that mountain again. Seeing you here makes me wonder if I'm hallucinating."
Master Ju, still vigorous despite his age, sat down and asked the question. I glanced sideways; Master Hwang was watching quietly, curiosity plain in his eyes even though he said nothing. The meeting was entirely unexpected and left me flustered. I had known both men traveled the Central Plains frequently, but who could have imagined running into them in this vast land?
Master Ju was not the sort to wait patiently for someone frozen in place—he would simply drag them along. Before I realized it, I had been pulled back to the inn where I was staying and seated at a table with the two of them.
"Something came up."
"That won't do as an answer. You are not the type to leave your mountain easily. I'm curious—tell me."
Realizing he would pester me endlessly otherwise, I answered reluctantly.
"My disciple ran away. I'm here to catch him."
"A disciple?!"
Master Ju leapt to his feet, slapping the table. He was as excitable as ever.
"You took a disciple without telling us? How could you! You should have introduced him so I could give him a gift..."
"He has only been with me nine years. I haven't seen you since I took him in, so there was no opportunity to introduce him."
Even if the chance had existed, I would not have taken it. Master Ju was not a bad person at heart—in fact, he worked for good causes—but something about him remained unsettling. I worried that Baek, who absorbed everything like blank paper, might pick up his more dubious traits. I preferred the two never meet.
"If you had simply mentioned taking a disciple, I would have traveled a thousand li without complaint. I would have rushed to Kunlun Mountain the moment I heard, even in the middle of business in the capital."
"You can send messages with your arts whenever you wish, but what about someone like me who lives alone without such talents? How was I supposed to contact you first?"
"Why not simply visit? It is not as though you have never been before..."
"The path is complicated. I forgot."
I remembered perfectly well, but had no intention of returning, so it was as good as forgotten. Master Ju gave a hollow laugh and sat back down.
"If you forgot, then there is nothing to be done. Very well. Next time, bring your disciple and come visit. When I have time, I shall come to greet you at your home."
I nodded absently, already planning to move the moment I returned. It was a good location—pity to leave it.
Yu Baek was still far too young to meet Master Ju.
"And what brings you and Master Hwang to Chang'an?"
"Us? Ah, now that you mention it, there is news. Remember the one who joined fifteen years ago?"
I vaguely recalled hearing something, though only through one of Master Ju's letters. I had never been introduced in person; it had been a long time since I last visited that household.
"I believe I heard of it. So?"
"That seat is empty again."
"It is rare for a seat to fill and empty once more."
"Indeed. We came out to handle that matter and to assist Master Hwang with his medicine business. We stopped in the capital to deliver medicine, took care of business in Luoyang, and were on our way back when we ran into you. Fate is truly strange."
When I agreed, Master Ju launched into animated stories of chance meetings during his travels. Judging by the customs and names he mentioned, these events predated the founding of the country where I was born. Master Hwang occasionally added a remark while I listened in a daze. Then familiar footsteps sounded on the stairs.
I turned to see Cho Yak. She had risen earlier than usual. Her eyes met mine, then shifted to the two men.
"Did you sleep well last night? These gentlemen are..."
"Did you sleep well too, Cho Mae? These are people I knew when I lived on the mountain. This is Master Ju, and this is Master Hwang."
"A pleasure. I am Ju, of Kunlun Mountain."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Hwang, a physician."
"Ah, yes. My name is Cho Yak."
I was about to explain how we had met when Master Ju suddenly clapped his hands and stood.
"A fine connection is forming, but alas, we must take our leave. Other guests are arriving."
"Other guests?"
"More importantly, Master Yu, you said you came to find your disciple. I believe I can help. What do you think?"
There was no need to consider. I answered at once.
"Unnecessary."
"Come now, I simply wish to meet him while we search. What sort of child could have made you decide to take a disciple..."
"Enough."
I exhaled deeply and slowly released my grip on the sword hilt one finger at a time. Though dozens of people filled the inn, the sound of my dry fingers peeling away was startlingly clear in the sudden silence. Master Ju feigned surprise.
"Goodness, reaching for your sword so suddenly startled me. Is it proper for a martial artist to threaten ordinary folk like this?"
"...I have never seen the Forest of Pagodas, the River-Cleaving Sword, or Dongting Lake, so I am told I am not a martial artist."
Master Ju burst into laughter.
"Whoever said that was quite correct. In any case, if you change your mind, let me know. You may be content polishing your swordsmanship alone in the mountains, but your young disciple surely feels differently. I have no shortage of wealth—I could show him fine sights and procure rare elixirs for him from time to time."
I gave no reply.
Once Master Ju and Master Hwang departed, the first floor of the inn held only Cho Yak, myself, the innocent guests who had been frightened during their breakfast, and an awkward atmosphere. After last night's events, I had also pressured her over something incomprehensible before we could even speak. Facing her was deeply uncomfortable.
Yet I could not pretend ignorance forever while she sat beside me. Forcing myself to turn, I met her gaze. To my surprise, Cho Yak was smiling—only faintly, but the corners of her mouth were lifted. She was clearly in good spirits. I was bewildered.
As I continued staring, she spoke first.
"How fortunate."
The words only deepened my confusion. Before I could stop myself, I asked,
"What is?"
"It is truly fortunate that your words and actions differ."
Her answer made even less sense. I asked again several times, but she never gave a proper explanation. Still, the awkwardness between us had vanished through that exchange. Whatever she meant, it was fortunate indeed.
Just as we reconciled and the inn's first floor returned to its usual lively state, a group of people in matching robes poured inside. I thought they might finally be attempting something after following us, but instead of drawing weapons they simply formed a wide circle around us, creating a path.
Soon a young lady walked through the opening. She was slightly tall for a woman, with sharp eyes and a small mouth. Over a patterned blue-and-white silk robe she wore a blue outer coat. Her neat appearance matched her cool impression.
She stopped before our table and bowed gracefully.
"Greetings, seniors of the Asura Demon Sect. I am Jegal Ji of the Jegal Clan. May I join you?"