Moonlight Falls....
Won Seung spoke in a voice tinged with nostalgia.
"This Master Neung is quite the remarkable fellow too. He was so taken by Master Du's paintings that he made replicas of them."
"I see. This one looks pretty old too.... He must have lived long ago."
"Time can sometimes lend a hand in that."
"How can you say such profound things?"
So Sansan gazed at him in admiration.
For some reason, Won Seung didn't want to lie to his friends. Master Neung the painter was him, after all, so yes, a remarkable man—and as for the question about ancient times, he deftly sidestepped it with a non-answer.
In any case, the three women marveled at the painting. Even as a replica, it held more than enough value.
"Master Neung's brushwork is incredible too. It almost looks better than Master Du's originals."
"Come on, can a replica ever surpass the real thing?"
"No, look at the beauty's face. That heartbroken expression feels more vivid than in the Master Du painting I saw."
Won Seung listened to their chatter with deep satisfaction.
Of course it's better. I painted it.
"This one's a replica too. It's Eye of the Storm by the Wind and Cloud Young Master."
"Wind and Cloud Young Master? Never heard of him."
"Hey, it isn't you, is it?"
"Nah, couldn't be. The Wind and Cloud Young Master was an eccentric who wandered the world long ago. I just took the pseudonym Wind and Cloud Scholar out of admiration after hearing about him by chance."
Won Seung bluffed smoothly.
"But why are they all replicas?"
Won Seung replied shamelessly.
"Yeah, Baekhwa Pavilion only deals in replicas by great masters."
"You think replicas will sell?"
Hwa Yeo-wol tilted her head curiously, but So Sansan spoke up with faintly flushed cheeks.
"I think they'll sell well. All I've seen before is Moonlit Beauty. I'd only heard of the others, never laid eyes on them. But here they all are, right? Look at this Thousand-Day Waterfall. Even if it's not the original, you can feel that bold brushstroke and heroic spirit I've heard so much about. More than enough to appreciate."
Hwa Yeo-wol nodded at So Sansan's words. Indeed, the ten works hanging in the gallery were all worth savoring.
As Hwa Yeo-wol admired them, a pang of regret hit her. There weren't enough paintings for the space.
"But there are only ten pieces?"
"Nope. The name's Baekhwa Pavilion, remember? We've got a hundred top-tier replicas like these."
"Then why not show them all?"
"Show 'em all at once, and the value drops."
Won Seung pointed at Thousand-Day Waterfall.
"Once one sells, we'll hang a new one in its place."
"Ah!"
Yang Yeon-seo clapped her hands.
"That'll make people look forward to what comes next, huh?"
"Exactly."
Won Seung grinned. Am I a sales genius or what?
"I should bring my brother tomorrow."
Yang Yeon-seo's brother was Yang Dae-hyeon, one of the Three Prodigies of the Realm. He'd even stepped in to stop the scuffle between Won Seung and Jong Wonbo at the Yunhwa Pavilion.
Won Seung pictured Yang Dae-hyeon's face and felt a quiet thrill.
If one of the Three Prodigies buys a painting, word'll spread like wildfire.
But he kept his expression calm.
"It might not catch the eye of a genius like Scholar Yang. Still, if he comes, I'll welcome him warmly."
"Should I bring my father?"
At So Sansan's words, Hwa Yeo-wol and Yang Yeon-seo gasped.
"You're bringing the Governor?"
So Sansan nodded.
"Father loves paintings. Thanks to him, I even got to see the real Moonlit Beauty once."
Hmm. The Governor?
The Governor of Sangyang was a rank-one official who ruled not just Sangyang Castle but a five-hundred-ri radius including Jungyang and Hayang. He handled administration, judiciary, and local military command—practically a king in his domain.
The emperor dispatched these governors with immense authority to check the local powers, and Sangyang's was among the top five in the land.
If the Governor shows up... jackpot.
Won Seung mentally patted himself on the back for the opening ceremony.
"We've seen the paintings. Now let's eat and drink our fill."
Back in the living quarters' main room, the table had been set with dishes in their absence. Pushing open the lattice windows brought the garden into full view. The night garden, lit by soft stone lanterns, exuded an intimate allure.
"Ah.... What a wonderful atmosphere."
The three women were enchanted.
The main dishes were stir-fried chicken loaded with vegetables and pickled veggies—foods the women had never seen before. Being southern cuisine, it was no surprise for young ladies from northern Sangyang.
"Told you. Wander the world, and you taste every dish under heaven. This is Hae-nam's stir-fried chicken."
"Ah!"
Captivated by the mood, the three took Won Seung at his word.
"Mmm. Delicious."
They marveled at the pickled vegetables. Jong Bi shot Hwa Yeo-wol a proud glance before snapping open her fan with a flourish and vanishing into the kitchen.
"We've got liquor too. Millet flower wine."
Won Seung poured the millet flower wine he'd bought at Yunhwa Pavilion, winking at Hwa Yeo-wol.
You know, right? Our fates started over millet flower wine.
As the four passed the bottle around, enjoying their modest feast, a loud thud echoed from the back garden—like something heavy falling.
Moments later, Jong Bi slipped in and gave Won Seung a meaningful look.
Won Seung rose quietly and followed her out. At the rear shed, she whispered,
"He's here. Whatever happened to him, he looks like hell."
Won Seung entered the shed to find a man slumped against the wall, gaunt as a skeleton, his beard overgrown to the point he'd be unrecognizable on the street.
Blood seeped from his abdomen.
"Ogu? What the hell happened?"
Won Seung had his suspicions but played dumb.
"The... the antidote... I'll serve you as your right hand, young master. Please, the antidote...."
"Got it. Rest here for now."
Won Seung turned to Jong Bi.
"Bring him some food."
Back in the main room, Hwa Yeo-wol asked,
"What was that?"
She'd noticed someone slipping into the back.
"Yeah, a gourd fell."
Won Seung brushed it off casually and refilled their cups.
After a few moderate drinks, the three women were in high spirits.
"Let's meet here often. No prying eyes—we can chat freely. It's perfect."
Hwa Yeo-wol's suggestion delighted So Sansan and Yang Yeon-seo.
Just then, the sound of a carriage approached outside.
"Ah, time to go already?"
So Sansan sighed wistfully.
Outside, carriages from the Governor's office and the Yang estate had arrived simultaneously.
A far cry from the ways of a rivers-and-lakes sect like Cheongsu Gate.
So Sansan and Yang Yeon-seo boarded their carriages, and Hwa Yeo-wol stepped into the street.
"I'll walk."
"Night roads are dangerous alone. Let me escort you."
Hwa Yeo-wol burst out laughing at Won Seung's offer.
She'd trained in her family's martial arts. Plus, four guards waited at the alley's end. For a pale scholar like Won Seung to offer protection—it was too amusing.
Not that she minded.
At her signal, the guards lurking in the alley melted away.
The two walked the moonlit path to Cheongsu Gate.
On the quiet night road, Hwa Yeo-wol murmured,
"That Moonlit Beauty... who do you think she's waiting for?"
"Mm. Her lover, who left for the battlefield."
"Ah... I see. War is so horrible."
The martial clan daughter shuddered like a fragile girl.
Won Seung's next words were brutally cold.
"Her lover's already dead. She knows the news."
"What?"
Hwa Yeo-wol stopped and turned to him.
"Then why...?"
"Acacia Hill was where they met and shared sweet words. She refuses to believe he's gone, so every moonlit night, she climbs the hill and gazes endlessly down the road."
"Ah...."
Hwa Yeo-wol sighed deeply as Won Seung recounted the tale behind the painting.
"That's why her face is so sorrowful."
With that, Hwa Yeo-wol stared straight ahead in silence.
A seventeen-year-old girl could scarcely grasp the pain of waiting for one who would never come. Yet her chest ached all the same.
They walked on wordlessly, footsteps whispering over the moonlit ground.
At Cheongsu Gate, Won Seung spotted the platform in the front plaza. About three jang across and waist-high, it brimmed with moonlight.
Hwa Yeo-wol's face darkened at the sight. She let out a soft sigh, head bowed.
Her long lashes shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
Won Seung recalled the inscription on Moonlit Beauty.
Moonlight falls on the beauty's sorrowful face....
Yeo-wol is the moonlit beauty.
Embarrassed by the unbidden thought, Won Seung changed the subject, nodding at the empty platform.
"What's that?"
"Yong clan's descendant set it up today. Sat in meditation there all day."
"Hm. A challenge right at the front gate, huh."
Won Seung remembered telling the Yong descendant about Cheongsu Gate's predicament.
This was his way of showing consideration—proposing a duel in the open plaza.
Hwa Yeo-wol sighed again, chest tight.
The beauty's lament stirred Won Seung's heart.
"Something worrying you?"
She didn't answer, just lifted her gaze to the platform.
Then, softly,
"Suppose... just suppose. If your family committed murder... what would you do?"
Won Seung flinched. Trained as an assassin, the word "murder" hit too close—hadn't he indirectly poisoned Ak Gyo-du?
"......"
Not really seeking an answer, Hwa Yeo-wol stared silently at the platform.
Won Seung sensed her turmoil.
She'd surely heard the rumors swirling in Sangyang.
—The three brothers of Cheongsu Gate ambushed and killed the Yong family head at night, seizing control of the Sang River.
The long-buried past had resurfaced with the Yong descendant's arrival, as fresh as yesterday.
Hwa Yeo-wol's question was one Won Seung hadn't pondered. He had no words for it.
But it struck him how uncharacteristically fragile she seemed for a martial clan daughter.
More delicate than she looks.
So he told her.
"Steel yourself. This isn't about right or wrong. When the Yong clan took the river's dominion, didn't blood flow? People died then too. From their side, it might be karma come calling. What matters for you is surviving first."
Hwa Yeo-wol startled, staring at him as if he'd pierced her very soul.
"Yeah. Got it."
She replied listlessly and walked on.
"Use the side gate at night."
Won Seung's heart ached at her dejected figure. Moonlight traced her slender back.
He followed in silence.
Cheongsu Gate's compound was vast, with two main gates north and south, plus eight side gates.
At the southwest side gate, a guard in the second-story watchpost spotted Hwa Yeo-wol and signaled below.
She turned.
"Thanks for inviting me today."
"I'm the grateful one."
"If anything happens...."
Hwa Yeo-wol started to offer Cheongsu Gate's aid but trailed off.
Her sect faced its greatest crisis now. Who could she help in such straits?
Then Won Seung suddenly took her hand.
"I know how you feel.... And don't torment yourself over things that aren't your fault."
Her face flushed hot at the unexpected touch.