Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Three Pieces
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Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"No, Father. Your sixtieth birthday is still a long way off."
Bok Yeong-jeon replied,
"What does something like a birthday matter? The day our welcome guests arrive is what truly calls for a celebration."
With the greetings concluded, the Wudang Sect group unpacked in the lodgings prepared for their visit.
Only then did the young disciples begin exchanging hellos among themselves.
Bok Yeon-hwa fussed excitedly over her senior brothers, whom she hadn't seen in ages, while Tak Bu-yong watched her fondly from behind.
It was plain to see from his gaze alone.
How deeply he loved this woman named Bok Yeon-hwa...
Gu Gab-hwi had always been the playful type, quick with jokes.
As he chatted with her during their greeting, Bok Yeon-hwa burst out laughing, clutching her stomach with a "kakakak."
Han Ibi thought,
'Whoa... She's even more stunning up close.'
Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"By the way... there's a new face I haven't seen before."
Gu Gab-hwi replied,
"Of course. We've taken on a new disciple too. Did you think we were just sitting around while you were off training?"
"How many?"
"One."
"Huh? So there's only one junior under me now?"
"Yeah... Yeon-hwa, you know how the Qingcheng Sect's reputation has taken a hit lately."
"Even so, isn't this a bit much?"
"Sigh. You've been away, so you're out of touch. Anyway, let me introduce you. Hey! Myeong-cheon."
Gu Gab-hwi called out to Han Ibi.
"Yes."
Han Ibi approached them.
Gu Gab-hwi said,
"Introduce yourselves. You're around the same age, but by entry date, she's your senior sister by a long shot, so treat her well."
Bok Yeon-hwa smiled brightly and said,
"Nice to meet you. Congratulations on joining the great Qingcheng Sect. I'm Bok Yeon-hwa."
At last, Han Ibi had the chance to gaze at her up close.
But...
Thump! His heart sank.
'This is... a full-on celebrity. No, more like the celebrity of celebrities. Tiny face, huge sparkling eyes, perky nose... She's got this fierce spirit wrapped in cuteness.'
Just then, Gu Gab-hwi barked.
His face was grinning, though.
"Hey, you idiot! What are you doing? Your one and only senior sister is greeting you personally."
Han Ibi startled, stammering,
"Ah... Y-yes. S-sorry... I'm Han— no, I mean Song Myeong-cheon."
Bok Yeon-hwa giggled and said,
"What's he saying? Does he always stutter like this?"
Gu Gab-hwi smirked meaningfully and replied,
"No way. The guy's usually smooth as silk. Looks like he's just turned into a fool from seeing how pretty our junior sister is."
Han Ibi flailed his hands in panic. Gu Gab-hwi switched expressions again and said,
"What? You denying it?"
"Yes. No, I'm not. Not at all."
"Really?"
Then Gu Gab-hwi turned to Bok Yeon-hwa.
"Junior Sister Bok, the new guy's saying you're ugly."
Bok Yeon-hwa arched one eyebrow and said,
"What?"
Han Ibi, even more flustered, waved his hands frantically.
"No! Not at all. You're pretty. So pretty. It's like... you came down from heaven."
Gasp. What did I just say...?
At that moment, Han Ibi and Bok Yeon-hwa's eyes met.
A sharp pang in his chest.
Anyone could see the flush creeping over her face.
A subtle sensation. Pounding heart. Gulping dryly...
Suddenly, Bok Yeon-hwa snapped,
"Senior Brother! Is this how you treat me after so long apart?"
Gu Gab-hwi, hearing that, pretended to grovel, bowing comically with an exaggerated goofy face.
"Oh no, yes, yes, Senior Sister. Sorry. Won't happen again."
Bok Yeon-hwa suddenly doubled over, roaring with laughter.
"Ugh, Senior Brother! That's so outdated!"
It must have been a prank from their childhood days.
"It still works, though. You've grown up but haven't changed a bit, Junior Sister."
"Speak for yourself!"
Just then, his vision blurred again.
'Ugh! No. I want to keep looking at her pretty face. System!'
Of course, the system wasn't listening.
Scenes flashed by rapidly.
Bok Yeon-hwa and the Wudang group were staying for a full three months.
The distance was far, and it was a courtesy for her long-overdue homecoming.
The finale was the Qingcheng Sect Leader's sixtieth birthday banquet.
That marked the end of their visit.
But as the scenes played out, Han Ibi realized something unexpected.
Laughter was blooming daily between Song Myeong-cheon and Bok Yeon-hwa.
It started with her teasing her sole junior brother relentlessly.
And each time, Tak Bu-yong's face, always at her side, grew increasingly twisted.
Only then did Han Ibi understand why Wudang had brought Tak Bu-yong on this trip.
On the surface, it looked like escorting their top talent to honor the banquet... but really, it was to show him off in advance.
As Bok Yeon-hwa's prospective groom.
But...
'Tsk tsk. She's sharp in some ways but so oblivious in others. She shows Tak Bu-yong plenty of friendliness, but it's hard to read as romantic. She clearly has no clue why he came along.'
Bok Yeon-hwa was stunned to learn that Song Myeong-cheon, despite his late entry, had skyrocketed to become a prime candidate for Qingcheng's next-gen leader.
Tak Bu-yong had openly dismissed him at first but grew overly chummy once he grasped Song Myeong-cheon's true standing.
Or maybe there was another reason.
Anyway, Bok Yeon-hwa, engrossed in teasing her junior, with Tak Bu-yong trailing her.
And over two months together, Song Myeong-cheon grew very close to them.
Their ages and shared status as 'aces' made it inevitable.
Song Myeong-cheon and Bok Yeon-hwa were the same age.
Tak Bu-yong was two years older.
Scenes flowed on... until Song Myeong-cheon, Bok Yeon-hwa, and Tak Bu-yong sat under a massive oak tree atop a hill.
His vision shifted rapidly.
Han Ibi felt himself syncing with Song Myeong-cheon once more.
The sun was dipping low, painting a gorgeous red sunset.
A cool breeze blew, the air piercingly fresh and clear.
The three sat in silence, watching the sun set. The ripening glow bathed her face like a persimmon.
Oh, whose masterpiece was this beautiful harmony...?
As Han Ibi stared at her, entranced, Tak Bu-yong spoke up as if on cue.
"That sunset's burning brighter, like it's jealous of our friendship."
Bok Yeon-hwa smiled and said,
"But it'll vanish beyond those hills soon. The world will go dark."
Tak Bu-yong replied,
"But our friendship will shine eternally!"
"Hahahahaha."
They both burst out laughing.
'What kind of cringey scenario is this?'
Han Ibi found the cheesy situation utterly absurd.
Tak Bu-yong then addressed the awkward Han Ibi.
"Hey, Myeong-cheon. You doubting the immortality of our bond? Why the stiff face?"
Han Ibi fumbled,
"Ah... No, I'm not."
Bok Yeon-hwa scrunched her face and said,
"What's wrong, Song Myeong-cheon? We swore at that inn, remember? Forever together."
Right. The drunken trio singing, hands linked... He vaguely recalled it.
All three seemed to be notorious drinkers.
"And what? Still not used to it? We agreed to drop formalities when it's just us."
Eh... Things had progressed that far already? Better salvage this before suspicion grows.
"Ah! Y-yeah. Of course. I have zero doubts about our friendship."
Tak Bu-yong said,
"Yeon-hwa, earlier when I went to the market with Master... I saw this and bought it 'cause it looked so pretty. But it doesn't suit guys."
Tak Bu-yong reached into his robe and pulled it out.
In his palm was a jade-green round plaque. It looked like a woman's ornament.
As Bok Yeon-hwa took it, his lips curved up.
Han Ibi thought,
'Women are women, no matter the era...'
Tak Bu-yong, satisfied by her smile, offered it.
"Yeon-hwa, it's yours."
Bok Yeon-hwa beamed ear-to-ear as she accepted it.
"Perfect."
Huh? Perfect?
That didn't sound like a typical thank-you for a gift.
Tak Bu-yong sensed something off, eyeing her puzzled.
She gripped the plaque with both hands, assuming a formal stance.
Tak Bu-yong looked utterly baffled.
Crack.
A loud snap echoed.
Tak Bu-yong's eyes bulged as he yelped,
"Yeon-hwa! What are you doing?"
But she poised again without pause.
Splitting a jade plaque demanded serious inner power.
Impressive for her young age—not ordinary skill.
And...
Crack.
The plaque shattered into three pieces.
To the slack-jawed Tak Bu-yong, Bok Yeon-hwa grinned innocently.
"See? Senior Brother Tak really gets it. I was just thinking how nice it'd be to have something like this while watching the sunset."
Tak Bu-yong looked ready to foam at the mouth.
Han Ibi thought,
'His shock says it's super expensive. He played it cool like it was cheap.'
Tak Bu-yong said,
"What do you mean?"
"My father's birthday is coming up soon."
"Right."
"We'll head back after the banquet."
"Naturally."
"So we'll part ways."
"Probably."
"It'll take forever for us three to meet again."
"So?"
Instead of answering, Bok Yeon-hwa held out her left palm with the pieces, picking the center one.
"Take one each."
Tak Bu-yong, catching on, reluctantly took the right piece.
Naturally, Han Ibi got the left.
Coincidence or fate—it matched their seating order.
Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"Good. Now it's done. Not a peach tree, but..."
She giggled to herself, then continued,
"...under this oak, we're sworn siblings. Isn't it cool?"
Cool...? Really?
But Tak Bu-yong jumped in,
"Cool! Great idea. Why didn't I think of it? You're a genius, Junior Sister."
Though his facial muscles twitched from the forced smile... Nah. Must be fatigue.
Vitamin deficiency does that sometimes.
Bok Yeon-hwa beamed contentedly and said,
"Wherever, whenever, let's reunite like these pieces into one. I'll carry mine till I die."
Tak Bu-yong replied,
"Great. I'll have mine buried with me."
Only Han Ibi's line remained.
Does the order mean I gotta top the cheesiness level?
Ugh... So cringey, but...
"Yeah. I'll cherish this piece eternally, even into the next life."
Bok Yeon-hwa suddenly leaped up, bouncing joyfully.
"So awesome. So romantic. It's a promise! We three siblings. Brother Tak, and little Brother Song."
Huh? Weren't we same age? Why 'little brother'...?
But in that instant when light and shadow swapped roles.
That mystery.
In fulfilling her duty, she was... so, so beautiful.
Song Myeong-cheon must have felt the same.
(To be continued in the next chapter)