The Woman and Her Ancient Dance
A radiant smile bloomed on Dang Seo-ha's face. Standing before her was the woman closest to her in the Maelma Dan.
"Captain Jin, there you are."
Jin Seo-yeon's eyes filled with puzzlement as she turned toward the familiar voice. Dang Seo-ha had emerged from the grand gate where many women came and went.
"Sister Dang. Why are you coming out from there?"
Dang Seo-ha had already seen the two arguing as she exited. True to her usual temperament, she went straight for the jab.
"I had something to check out. Anyway, were you two fighting again?"
"No, it's not like we were fighting. Just..."
"You always start like that and end up fighting. You won't see each other for a while after you leave, so cut it out."
Eun Wi-gyeong, who had been gauging the mood, stepped forward. She had a question of her own and used it to change the subject.
"By the way, Captain, what's that place? Lots of women coming and going, but it doesn't look like a gisaeng house."
"What makes you think it's a gisaeng house? There are young girls and even older ladies."
"Oh! Now that you mention it, yeah. So what is it?"
A sly smile crept onto Dang Seo-ha's face. It was because of what she was about to say next.
"It's an embroidery academy. For women only."
"Really? I knew Xiang Xiu—the famous Hunan traditional silk embroidery—was big around here, but I didn't realize so many people were learning it."
"It's free."
"What? They're teaching all those people for free?"
"Yeah. They teach for free, and if you get good enough, they give you work. If not, you go home, practice, and come back."
"Wow! Whoever's behind it is doing some real good. Finding work for women isn't easy."
Dang Seo-ha pointed to the building across the way, in a similar situation.
"Lots of women over there too, right? That's a place teaching herb identification. Free for women and kids, of course."
"Hey, that's awesome. Everyone just picks what they know, but learning like that would be great. Is the same person running that one too?"
"Yep."
"Wow! Must cost a fortune. Who would do something this nice?"
"Who do you think?"
"Hmm. Ah! Ha Hu-jin?"
"Nope."
"Then who?"
A meaningful smile played on Dang Seo-ha's lips.
"That Black Dao Bangju you saw yesterday."
All three women widened their eyes in shock.
"What? Really?"
She couldn't reveal the Bangju's orders, so she made something up.
"I overheard people praising him while drinking yesterday. Lots of grateful folks. It was too weird, so I asked around, and turns out he's done a ton of good deeds. That's why I came to check it out."
Seok Ryeo-ok, curious, spoke up.
"What kind of good deeds?"
Dang Seo-ha grinned. She'd overheard their earlier conversation and could guess its meaning, which only piqued her curiosity more.
"Curious?"
"Well... yeah."
"I'll tell you on the way."
"On the way where?"
"You were headed to Cheong-ho Bang, right? Let's go together. I'm curious how that guy's gonna answer too."
"...You heard us?"
At thirty-five, Dang Seo-ha was quite a bit older than them—and far stronger. She shot them a casual glare.
"You were blabbing so loud, how could I not? Watch what you say around here, you kids!"
"...!"
A short while later, at the Cheong-ho Bang estate.
Ak Mu-gil stood dumbfounded, eyes wide. These weren't just pretty women—they had presence. Even though he'd grown stronger in martial arts, he felt utterly intimidated.
"Uh, the Bangju isn't here right now."
"How long till he gets back?"
"No, not long. He went to the mines, should be back in about an hour."
"Then we can wait inside, right?"
"Th-that's fine, but there's no proper place for guests like you..."
Just then, Yu-seon passed by and approached.
"Vice Bangju. If they're here for the Bangju, shall I take care of them?"
Ak Mu-gil's mouth split into a grin.
"Would you? They're important guests, and since they're women, I was a bit awkward. Thanks."
Yu-seon bowed gracefully.
"I'm the Inner Chief Steward Yu-seon. I'll look after you."
"Please do."
Only a few knew Yu-seon was here. The title of Inner Chief Steward was just a precaution. He hadn't expected it'd come in handy like this.
A moment later, as they passed through a gate into a modest garden, a toddler waddled over. Spotting her mother, she toddled faster and threw herself into her arms.
"Mommy!"
"Oh my! My little girl. What are you doing here?"
Now two years old, So-ryeo beamed.
"Saw flowers."
Dang Seo-ha knelt to meet So-ryeo's eyes.
"Aigoo! What a pretty princess. What's your name?"
"So-ryeo!"
"Right! Hey, you'll be even prettier when you grow up, just like your mom!"
So-ryeo's face fell.
"You said I'm pretty now."
The bold warrior woman's face flushed. She scrambled for words.
"Of course! I meant you'll be way prettier when you grow up."
"Really?"
"Yep! This big sis doesn't lie about anything. It's true."
"Hehe! That makes me happy!"
Dang Seo-ha sighed in relief, patting her chest. Handling crying kids was her absolute weakest spot.
A short while later, in the cozy tearoom of the small annex.
As Yu-seon brought tea, Dang Seo-ha glanced around and asked casually.
"Does the Bangju use this place?"
It was nicely decorated, like the Bangju's residence, but the interior was filled with toys and drawings for a little girl. The drawings seemed to chronicle a child named So-ryeo's growth from birth.
Yu-seon smiled softly. Knowing what kind of women they were, she chose her words carefully.
"Actually, this isn't part of the Cheong-ho Bang estate proper. The Bangju prepared it for me and my daughter. The other places weren't suitable for ladies, so I brought you here. If it's inconvenient..."
"No, no, it's fine. Just curious. So, how's it going with the Bangju?"
Yu-seon smiled faintly.
"I'm just the Inner Chief Steward. As you can see, this is a rough place, so the Bangju's just being considerate for my daughter's sake."
That usually made the asker back off awkwardly.
"Ahem! Wasn't asking about that."
Seok Ryeo-ok, studying the drawings intently, asked.
"Who drew these?"
As someone with talent and passion for art, she could tell—the lines and colors were no amateur work.
"The Bangju did. To capture his daughter's growth."
Seok Ryeo-ok's eyes widened.
"The Bangju drew them himself? For real?"
"Yes. I'll step out now. Call if you need anything."
"Ah, sure."
As Yu-seon left, Dang Seo-ha tilted her head.
"She's a beauty—looks like the Bangju's woman, but not his real daughter."
"Yeah. She has such refined air; not your average woman."
"But doesn't she look a bit sickly? Her complexion's off."
"You think so too?"
"Let's wait and see. Ah! Should I ask for some liquor?"
Eun Wi-gyeong shot her a look.
"Sister!"
"Fine, fine. I'll behave."
A while later, strange music drifted from the estate. Eun Wi-gyeong cracked the window open and smiled lightly.
"Oh! It's that Inner Chief Steward. She dances so well."
"Dances?"
"It's beautiful. So-ryeo—she really loves it."
"Really? Lemme see."
But as the dance continued, Dang Seo-ha, who had been smiling warmly, blinked in confusion. Eun Wi-gyeong's expression had turned grave.
"Wi-gyeong. What's wrong?"
Eun Wi-gyeong kept her eyes on the window, her voice low.
"You two! Come look at this."
"Why?"
"Just come. You have to see."
"...?"
The puzzled Jin Seo-yeon and Seok Ryeo-ok joined her at the window. Moments later, Dang Seo-ha scanned them and tilted her head.
What's with the atmosphere?
The three women's faces were rigid, too serious to interrupt. They stared intently at the Inner Chief Steward's dance.
What's so special?
As the mother's dance ended, So-ryeo's tiny hands clapped.
Clap clap clap!
"Mommy's dance is the best!"
Yu-seon, breathing heavily, wore a gentle smile.
"Yeah? Was it good?"
"Yep! So pretty. Hehe!"
As she stroked her daughter So-ryeo's hair, Yu-seon's expression darkened.
Whew! Even once is getting hard now.
She felt her body weakening more each day. She endured with Gong Ya-seong's medicine, Mu Yun's heart method, and occasional true qi infusions, but she knew her time was short.
Of course, this was already a great fortune. Without Mu Yun, So-ryeo wouldn't even have been born.
But the longing to see her daughter grow, even one more day, was unstoppable. If she could just watch So-ryeo, who loved dance and song, perform it herself a bit longer, she'd have no regrets.
Her wistful gaze turned to the distant sky.
Please... just a little longer.
At that moment, the tearoom door opened, and the four women stepped out.
Yu-seon hurriedly stood.
"Need something?"
Jin Seo-yeon stepped forward, her face stern, voice grave.
"I have a question."
"Of course."
"Where did you learn that dance?"
"...Dance?"
"The one you just did. That's what I'm asking about."
Yu-seon's eyes trembled faintly.
Can I tell them?
Mu Yun hadn't told her to hide it. But it was a thousand-year-old treasure; she couldn't share it lightly. And the value of the heart method Mu Yun taught—her body knew it well.
Gong Ya-seong had said at first that even six months was impossible, let alone having a child. Yet three years later, he always expressed regret. If they'd found it sooner and she'd learned the method earlier, she could have been fully cured.
Yu-seon asked cautiously. These four women weren't the type to cause random harm.
"May I ask why?"
"The question stands. How do you know that dance?"
After a moment's thought, Yu-seon chose her words.
"I used to be a gisaeng who danced and sang. Someone showed me illustrations from a booklet and asked me to learn it."
"Who?"
"Tell me why you're asking first..."
Jin Seo-yeon decided to be honest. It was the only way to get answers.
"The dance you performed is exactly like ours."
"...Dances can be similar."
"No. Not similar—identical. The entire sequence, every movement. Don't you understand what that means?"
Yu-seon tilted her head. It was from a thousand years ago; it could have been passed down elsewhere.
"What's the problem?"
"It's a big one. It's from our sect, and it seems to have leaked out. No—it has leaked. It's exactly the same."
Yu-seon's eyes quivered violently.
They're Murim folk.
She knew what that implied. The original Mu Yun showed her was ancient; who knew what incidents happened back then?
A thought flashed: I can't say more. The Bangju might be in danger.
Yu-seon bit her lip.
"I just saw it and learned it. That's all I know."
Jin Seo-yeon's eyes flashed. Her first question:
"Did the Bangju teach you?"
Just then, teary-eyed So-ryeo ran to her mother.
Pat pat pat!
"Mommy! Scary!"
"No! It's okay. Nothing's wrong."
"Really?"
A clear voice rang from the entrance.
"Of course. So-ryeo, nothing's wrong!"
So-ryeo's tearful face lit up instantly. She toddled over, arms wide.
"Uncle!"
"Hey, my So-ryeo. Had fun?"
"Yeah! But those sisters are scary!"
"Nah. Just grown-ups talking. It's fine."
"Really?"
"Yep. Have you ever seen Uncle lie?"
"No! Uncle doesn't lie, hehe. Me neither!"
"Haha! Ak Uncle said he'd give you treats if you came."
"Really? I'm going!"
"Go on."
As So-ryeo ran off, Mu Yun's heavy gaze turned to Jin Seo-yeon.
"What brings you here?"
Jin Seo-yeon didn't hide her stern expression.
"Came to ask something, but now there's something more urgent."
"What?"
"That woman's dance—did you teach her?"
He'd overheard most of it outside. He could guess the situation.
The nun from Yeongheung-sa in Gwangdong had gone to Jusan Army Road exactly a thousand years ago to found Bo-ta Hermitage.
Baratanaati Am Simbeop was passed to Bo-ta Mun.