The Silver Bells and the Plum Star Pavilion
"Well, about that..."
Yeong-hwa drew the silver bells from his waist.
"Can you see this muryeong?"
He gazed at the silver bells, which shimmered with an otherworldly light, as though they were something precious and beloved.
Jaheo and Hyeonsong smiled at the sight of him.
Jaheo set down his teacup and spoke.
"Daoist Yeong-hwa, that silver bell radiates a spiritual power one can sense at a single glance."
"Doesn't it! As expected, Sect Leader Jaheo has an exceptional eye."
Yeong-hwa cupped the bells carefully in both hands, clearly delighted.
"The one who crafted this is the greatest instrument maker in all the Central Plains."
He tucked the silver bells gently back at his waist.
"When he finished making this muryeong for me, he left without ever telling me his full name..."
A deep seriousness settled over Yeong-hwa's face.
"He only said that he kept an instrument shop in the finest marketplace of Shaanxi Province."
At those words, Hyeonsong nodded.
"Yeong-hwa, from what you say, that would have to be Xi'an."
A puzzled look crossed Hyeonsong's face as he continued.
"But do you need a new instrument?"
Yeong-hwa shot a sideways glance at Hagun.
"Not for me—for someone else. Tsk!"
Feeling that sharp look, Hagun cleared his throat awkwardly.
Hyeonsong, catching on at once, let out a hearty laugh, while Jaheo, still in the dark, tilted his head in confusion.
Jaheo spoke again.
"An instrument maker in Xi'an... Come to think of it, Elder Jangjin bought Wol-yeon's qin there."
Wol-yeon answered him.
"That is correct, Sect Leader."
Yeong-hwa muttered with a mournful expression.
"I was the one who smashed Daoist Wol-yeon's precious qin, so of course I must replace it."
Wol-yeon waved her hands in flustered denial.
"No, Daoist Yeong-hwa... The kindness I have already received from the Wudang Sect is so great—how could I possibly..."
Yeong-hwa puffed out his chest and replied.
"I may not look it, but I am Wudang's money—"
Thud—
He never finished the sentence.
Hagun had rapped him firmly on the head with his knuckles.
"Yeong-hwa, you are a Taoist. Watch your tongue, please!"
"Senior Brother! It's the truth. The money I earn selling talismans—"
"You little—!"
When Hagun raised his fist for another knuckle-rap, Yeong-hwa unfurled his Jeunjong footwork and bolted straight out of Baekmae Jeongheon Hall.
Hagun pursued him at once, also stepping into Jeunjong, eyes sharp with determination.
Watching the two bicker and chase each other, Jaheo and Hyeonsong could not hold back their laughter and roared with mirth.
Even Wol-yeon, who had seemed incapable of smiling, covered her mouth and laughed shyly.
"Fresh fish just hauled from the Yellow River!"
"Look at these fruits picked today on Zhongnan Mountain!"
"Spirit herbs gathered by hand from the sheer cliffs of Huashan!"
Merchants shouted at the tops of their lungs from every stall, vying to draw customers in.
Yeong-hwa, Hyeonsong, and Hagun dismounted as they took in the endless stretch of market stalls.
Staring at the market that seemed to go on forever, Yeong-hwa let out a gasp of wonder.
"Sect Leader, this is even bigger than the markets in Hubei Province where our sect is!"
"Xi'an is the city that houses the Murim Alliance—that would explain it."
Hagun wore an expression of barely contained excitement.
He pulled out the money pouch at his waist and checked the funds inside.
Yeong-hwa gathered the horses' reins and handed them to the Huashan disciple who had guided them.
"Daoist Myeongsu, please rest a while at the inn."
"Understood, Daoist Yeong-hwa."
The first-generation Huashan disciple accepted the reins.
Yeong-hwa glanced quickly at Hyeonsong and Hagun, then hurried after Daoist Myeongsu, who was leading the horses toward the inn.
"Daoist Myeongsu!"
"What is it, Daoist Yeong-hwa?"
Yeong-hwa drew a single silver coin from his pouch and slipped the tael into Myeongsu's sleeve.
"While you rest, have something delicious and a cup of wine as well."
"Ahem... ahem... You really shouldn't..."
As Myeongsu grew flustered, Yeong-hwa smiled brightly.
"Just because we're Taoists doesn't mean we're not people, does it?"
Myeongsu's face lit up completely at those words.
"Take your time and enjoy yourselves!"
Watching Myeongsu hurry off toward the inn with the horses, now in high spirits, Hyeonsong and Hagun tilted their heads in puzzlement.
Yeong-hwa rejoined them as if nothing had happened.
"Come, come, we have plenty of time—let's take it slowly!"
He clasped his hands behind his back and stuck close to Hyeonsong's side.
Hagun kept checking his money pouch again and again, his expression growing more and more anxious.
Yeong-hwa wandered over to a stall selling snacks.
An elderly merchant greeted him warmly.
"Welcome!"
"Elder, where might I find the instrument shops?"
"The instrument shops are clustered quite a ways to the north."
"Do you happen to know a particular elderly lady—beautiful white hair, always dressed in red court robes, rather strict?"
"You mean Elder Yu Dan-hwi?"
"I don't know the honorable name well, but the one who crafts pitch-black qins of ebony—"
"If it's the black qin you're talking about, then that's definitely her!"
The merchant paused and studied Yeong-hwa carefully.
Yeong-hwa put on a knowing look.
Only after Yeong-hwa selected a mooncake did the merchant continue.
"You've come on a lucky day. Elder Yu Dan-hwi is giving a performance today!"
When the merchant stopped again, Yeong-hwa picked up a piece of candied fruit.
"Do you see over there?"
The merchant pointed toward a cluster of splendid multi-storied buildings.
"There's a performance at the pleasure house today!"
Yeong-hwa finally took an ice cake as well.
"The place where the concert is being held is called Meiseong Pavilion."
"Thank you, Elder."
"Yes, take care on your way!"
Yeong-hwa paid with coins from his pouch and left the stall.
Carrying the candied fruit, mooncake, and ice cake in his hands, he walked back to Hyeonsong and Hagun, who were waiting outside.
Seeing Yeong-hwa's busy hands, Hyeonsong smiled.
"What are you buying so much of?"
Yeong-hwa politely offered the mooncake to Hyeonsong.
"Ah, merchants won't give you information unless you buy something."
He held out the ice cake to Hagun.
"Yeong-hwa, I prefer the candied fruit!"
"Senior Brother, just eat this and clear your head a little."
"Huh?"
Afraid of another knuckle-rap, Yeong-hwa quickly moved over beside Hyeonsong.
Taking a bite of the candied fruit, Yeong-hwa spoke carefully to Hyeonsong.
"The person I'm looking for is at a pleasure house, apparently."
"Then let us go."
Hyeonsong chewed the mooncake slowly as he answered.
Yeong-hwa, Hyeonsong, and Hagun strolled through the market, taking in the sights, and eventually arrived at Meiseong Pavilion.
A bustling crowd thronged around Meiseong Pavilion.
People formed lines before the entrance, chatting among themselves as they waited.
Each one showed a letter of invitation to the burly guards at the door before being allowed inside.
"Is it certain Elder Yu Dan-hwi's performance is being held here today?"
"It is. I heard she completed a new qin."
"True enough—she only holds concerts when she finishes an instrument, so it's rare to get a chance to see her."
"Watch your tongue. In front of her you must call her Young Lady Yu Dan-hwi."
"Ah, I nearly forgot. That could have been disastrous."
Young men who looked like sons of wealthy houses swept inside in their fluttering silk robes.
Standing before Meiseong Pavilion, Yeong-hwa gaped up at the seven-story structure.
"Sect Leader, it's two stories taller than Cheongwelru, the finest pleasure house in Hubei!"
Hagun, still chewing his ice cake, also murmured in admiration.
"The outer walls are painted with plum blossoms and the Milky Way."
Hyeonsong answered with a gentle smile.
"It seems they built it with the Huashan and Zhongnan Sects of Shaanxi in mind."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I don't know who designed it, but they put some clever thought into it."
Yeong-hwa eyed the line of waiting guests, then broke into a sly grin.
Having clung to Hyeonsong's side until now, he sidled over next to Hagun, who was still lost in the pavilion's splendor.
Yeong-hwa jabbed an elbow into Hagun's side.
"Senior Brother, shall we get ready?"
"Yeong-hwa, what are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Yeong-hwa jerked his chin toward the suddenly noisy entrance of Meiseong Pavilion.
"Hey, why won't you let me in?!"
A heavily fleshed man with sharp eyes was arguing with one of the guards.
"Look here, I paid good money for this—!"
The guard cut him off as if the words weren't even worth hearing.
"Letters purchased from someone else will not grant entry to Meiseong Pavilion today."
"What did you say?"
The man burst into loud laughter.
He thrust a hand into the thick money pouch at his waist.
A fistful of coins filled his palm.
Chwararararang—
He flung the coins straight into the face of the guard blocking the entrance.
"Is this enough for you?"
The guard folded his arms with a look of pure contempt and turned his head away.
Cha-a-a-ang—
In the next instant the martial artists guarding Meiseong Pavilion drew their swords and barred the entrance.
The guard looked the man over with open arrogance.
"If you don't want to get hurt, step back."
The fat man shot a glance at the companion who had come with him.
The corner of the mouth of the man in the pressed bamboo hat lifted in a smirk.
The long robe he wore was strange—its sleeves hung all the way down to his knees.
Shwa-a-a-a-ak—
Like a streak of light, the man thrust his hand toward the guard's face.
At the same moment his sleeves tore away, revealing the claw-blades that had been hidden within.
Caught completely off guard, the guard at the entrance could not even react.
The martial artists behind him fared no better.
Ka-a-a-a-a-ang—
In that instant a Songmun Ancient Sword, wrapped in white sword qi, struck the lower edges of the claw-blades and knocked them aside.
The man in the bamboo hat immediately withdrew his attack and stepped backward.
Not to be outdone, Hagun pursued him with the Taiji Azure Pine Steps.
Inner energy surged into the claw-blades at once, turning them a glowing red.
The sleeves of the man in the bamboo hat shredded further, scraps of cloth fluttering through the air.
Claw-blades now fitted to both hands, the man settled into a stance facing Hagun.
It was the image of a leopard with its jaws wide open.
As the duel began, the people waiting in line before Meiseong Pavilion formed a wide circle around Hagun.
Hagun lightly assumed a ready stance, then settled into a middle guard and spoke.
"Claw-blades... So you've come from the territory of the Unorthodox Path?"
"..."
Instead of answering, the claw-blades on both hands of the man in the bamboo hat let out a harsh screech.
Thick red inner energy wrapped every blade.
Hyeonsong bit into his mooncake with a completely unruffled expression.
"I was hoping to see Hagun's skill—this works out perfectly."
Yeong-hwa, popping candied fruit into his mouth, nodded.
"Senior Brother's skill has improved a great deal."
"Judging by his stance and weapon, he doesn't seem like a mere wanderer."
Hyeonsong focused his gaze on the fat man hastily hiding behind the man in the bamboo hat.
"Looking at that fellow's clothing, I'd say they came from Fujian Province."
Impressed by Hyeonsong's sharp eye, Yeong-hwa asked around a mouthful of food.
"How does the Sect Leader know that?"
Hyeonsong pointed with a finger at the pattern embroidered on the fat man's chest.
A crimson sea dragon was stitched there.
"That is a design often used by merchant guilds that conduct maritime trade in the Unorthodox territories."
Yeong-hwa looked at Hyeonsong with open wonder.
"Your knowledge is vast!"
"It is nothing special. I saw it a few times on the battlefields during the Myeongsin War."
"Then, in the Sect Leader's judgment, who will win?"
At Yeong-hwa's question, Hyeonsong turned his eyes back to the duel Hagun was fighting.
Without the slightest hesitation he answered.
"The outcome is already decided."
Hagun held his middle-guard stance with majestic calm, sword leveled at his opponent.
In contrast, the man in the bamboo hat darted rapidly through footwork, hunting for openings.
Watching them, Hyeonsong left one final remark.
"Watch carefully, Yeong-hwa."
Deep trust rang in Hyeonsong's voice.
"Our sect's swordsmanship is particularly strong against that kind of cheap trickery."