Chapter 50: It’s Our Turn to Shake Things Up (End of Free Chapters)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 50: It’s Our Turn to Shake Things Up (End of Free Chapters)
-Yeon Si-ho, why did you give the dried persimmons I gave you to the other maids? I told you to eat them all yourself.
-My apologies. I do not care for dried persimmons.
-Then what do you like?
The young Prince On Ji-wook had fallen for Yeon Si-ho the moment he first saw her bare face.
However, she was the personal attendant to the Princess, his betrothed. He would only subtly hint at his affection when the two of them were alone.
-I do not know. I do not know what I like.
A Sword Spirit does not consume human food.
But On Ji-wook took it as a rejection and lamented his own fate.
Time passed, and the boy and girl grew up.
Only the black-haired Sword Spirit remained untouched by the flow of time.
Though the seeds of ruin had been planted in On Ji-wook’s heart early on, the plot proceeded as a gentle, healing story.
The days were like a quiet adventure for the two youths, centered around Yeon Si-ho.
The audience was happy just to see Yeon Si-ho’s face to their heart's content.
This was exactly the feeling the die-hard fans—who had spent time and money to come to the theater despite being able to watch it on the Netscreen app—truly wanted.
Daniel Choe smiled the whole time he looked at Lee Yu-jin’s face, but a thought nagged at him.
‘Something feels off, though...’
Whenever On Ji-wook’s dark expression as he secretly pined for Yeon Si-ho was highlighted, Daniel felt like that expression reflected the audience's own emotions.
It was as if he could hear the writer and director whispering.
「On Ji-wook is all of you.」
Yeon Si-ho didn't understand On Ji-wook’s feelings for her as a woman in the slightest.
The soul of a sword does not know human love.
Thus, Yeon Si-ho never reported On Ji-wook’s affection-filled words and actions to the Princess.
To her, it was merely a trivial part of daily life, not worth mentioning.
On Ji-wook did not know that Yeon Si-ho was the soul of a sword.
He misunderstood her cold distance as a result of her status as a maid warrior.
The gap created by this misunderstanding grew layer by layer, slowly pushing the conflict of the play toward destruction.
While the audience was filling their hearts with healing, enchanted by Yeon Si-ho’s face, the brakes were quietly wearing away.
It was clearly the same world and the same characters.
But the butterfly effect of Yeon Si-ho removing her cotton veil had created a branch with a completely different texture.
-To have Yeon Si-ho, I must first have the Hwan Empire.
The desire for revenge that sought to destroy the world itself had vanished.
-The status of Prince Consort is not enough. I must become the master of Hwan.
On Ji-wook’s motive for rebellion had changed, but his sense of purpose had become even firmer.
Just before the great undertaking, On Ji-wook finally confessed his feelings to Yeon Si-ho.
-Si-ho, I can say it clearly now. I love you. I will make you my wife.
It wasn't indirect or metaphorical; it was a direct declaration.
It was a sincere plea for her to look at his heart, a sign that he would no longer back down.
It was so clear that even the soul of a sword, who knew nothing of human love, could perceive the situation.
-I am the soul of the Haeju Sword. I am not human.
-What?
Yeon Si-ho’s honest confession left On Ji-wook in shock.
-I cannot be a human’s companion. This body is nothing more than a fleeting shell.
Her attitude was calm, as if it were no big deal.
That indifference twisted On Ji-wook’s heart even further. Yeon Si-ho gave a polite bow and turned away.
A memory of a request the Princess had once casually made came to mind.
The narration of that memory was delivered only to the audience.
「Si-ho, if Prince On ever makes a request that you simply cannot understand, reveal the fact that you are the soul of the Haeju Sword.」
「I understand.」
She didn't ask why, nor was she curious.
She simply followed her master’s orders.
Daniel Choe clenched his fists, trembling.
-The Princess already knew how On Ji-wook felt...
Left alone, On Ji-wook initially wondered why such a top secret had been revealed to him.
But blind love ignored the survival warnings and thought only of its goal.
-It is already too late. I cannot stop the great undertaking now anyway. If I do, I will be killed by my subordinates.
Whether that was a wise judgment or mere stubbornness, the writer and director left it for the audience to decide.
-It’s a rebellion! A rebellion!
-Report to the Inner Citadel! Argh!
On Ji-wook’s rebel forces carried out their plan, and the massive imperial palace was quickly overrun from the outskirts.
Countless illusionists and warriors died as the rebel army pushed straight toward the center.
-Prince On! Something is strange!
-What is it? The enemy is completely unprepared!
-The outer defense forces we’ve defeated so far were all members of the Empress’s opposition! This bothers me!
For a moment, On Ji-wook’s heart wavered, but he summoned his courage and shouted.
-Even if that ominous feeling is true, it would be a more foolish decision to retreat now! We can only move forward!
They successfully occupied the Inner Citadel.
Victory was finally within sight.
On Ji-wook thought of Yeon Si-ho’s face and licked his lips in parched anticipation.
Rumble! Screeeech!
At that moment, all the gates of the Inner Citadel slammed shut at once.
Simultaneously, from all directions, the Empress’s true royal guard—who hadn't been seen once until now—surrounded them from above.
Seeing Yeon Si-ho standing proudly at the center, On Ji-wook let out a hollow laugh.
-Empress, since when...?
At that moment, the Empress’s whisper reached only On Ji-wook.
-Since a long time ago. Perhaps from the very beginning.
-...
-I gave you many chances, but it was you, Prince On, who rejected them all. Now, even I cannot stop this.
The Empress had used On Ji-wook’s rebellion—which had ignored even the final warning—as a political maneuver to purge the treacherous officials who were eating away at the country.
The defense forces who had been slaughtered without resistance were those very factions.
-Aaaargh!
-Prince On! Run! You must survive to see the completion of the great work, cough! cough!
Like culling a pack of rats trapped in a jar, a one-sided massacre ensued.
Once the rebel soldiers were all dead, the commanders were brought before the Empress and beheaded.
The Empress asked the sole survivor, On Ji-wook, with an air of haughty elegance.
-Out of consideration for our past bond, I will not kill you. However, you shall never step foot in the world again.
-Let me cross swords with Yeon Si-ho one last time. Out of consideration for our past bond.
-...Very well.
Rather than continuing a wretched life, he would rather die by Yeon Si-ho’s blade.
The Empress, reading his resolve, nodded, and Yeon Si-ho stepped forward holding the Haeju Sword.
-Are you ready?
She was as serene as she had been when they practiced swordsmanship as children.
On Ji-wook burst into a silent laugh.
「The Sword Spirit does not know the human heart.」
The internal monologue echoed briefly, and On Ji-wook’s eyes flashed as he gripped his sword.
Their blades clashed fiercely.
Yeon Si-ho remained composed throughout, while On Ji-wook attacked desperately.
As if she were giving a swordsmanship lesson, Yeon Si-ho did not stab On Ji-wook but repeatedly neutralized, parried, and disarmed him.
The Empress shouted.
-Si-ho, put him at peace now!
Yeon Si-ho hesitated for a moment.
In that brief hesitation, On Ji-wook read Yeon Si-ho’s heart. He saw the conflict, the burden of having to kill him.
It actually made him smile.
‘Yeon Si-ho, that alone is enough...’
The two lunged at each other one last time, and the Haeju Sword lightly pierced On Ji-wook’s chest.
-...?
Yeon Si-ho tilted her head in confusion.
The sword wouldn't come out. It was as if his chest was gripping it tightly.
-This is my... final illusion power...
-Prince On! No! Stop!
The final burst of brilliant light gathered and shattered the Haeju Sword.
Using his own life as a sacrifice, he had destroyed the vessel the Sword Spirit would return to.
-If I cannot have you... I would rather end your immortality.
Even as he collapsed to his knees, having exhausted everything, his eyes held Yeon Si-ho’s face until the very end.
-Remember the face of the one who turned you back into a human.
With his sorrowful eyes wide open, On Ji-wook slowly fell.
A murmur like a final testament spilled onto the ground.
-Were you... ever human... to begin with...?
His breath stopped.
Yeon Si-ho closed his staring eyes, just as she used to put the young Princess to sleep when she was tired from training.
-Sleep well, in peace...
*
The Haeju Sword was broken, and the soul was now trapped in Yeon Si-ho’s body.
She had become a human, burdened with the fate of aging and mortality.
The Empress regretted her choice, but Yeon Si-ho comforted her instead.
-Princess, there are things I have actually been curious about...
Even though she had become the Empress, to Yeon Si-ho, she was always the Princess.
-What are you curious about?
-Before... that thing you used to eat with such relish...
-Ah, the boiled pork with cabbage? Shall I have some made for you?
-I was curious. Why you specifically enjoyed that so much...
And so, a plate of boiled pork and white pickled cabbage was set down.
The way she carefully wrapped the pork and cabbage with her pale fingers and put it in her mouth was so elegant that Daniel Choe momentarily held his breath.
The sight of large, unfocused eyes suddenly filling with tears that rolled down and soaked the pork and cabbage made her look like a baby discovering the joy of eating for the first time.
-Is it delicious, Si-ho?
-Please give me more of this.
She smiled shyly and politely held out her plate, and the Empress laughed brightly as the curtain fell.
*
“...”
Daniel Choe and his brother looked around at the audience as if waking from a dream.
Everyone’s reaction was one of satisfaction.
“Lee Yu is so damn pretty. Just damn pretty.”
“That was a total feast for the eyes.”
“Her face is the plot. Whatever On Ji-wook chose, it all makes sense.”
“Damn, ‘If I can’t have you, I’ll break you! Remember! I’m the one who made you human!’”
“Doesn't this mean the guy who marries Yeon Si-ho later is the real winner?”
“Uh-uh, an Elf would never, ever marry a human man.”
Daniel Choe muttered.
“It’s true that it definitely soothed the hearts of the audience who were traumatized by Quarter 1. Watching Lee Yu’s face was very healing, but...”
“You feel something’s off too, right, Hyung?”
“I feel like I’m being played by the director and writer, and it’s really bugging me.”
“Well, it was fun, so whatever. As soon as I get home, I’m turning on Netscreen to binge-watch it again. It’s only 120 minutes, so it’s not a burden.”
On the way home, Daniel Choe realized the source of his unease.
[Breaking News! Netscreen confirms production of Hwan’s Torch Season 2!]
[Lead actors Lee Yu, Yoon Se-rang, Kang Seok-won, etc., are in the final stages of casting confirmation!]
His brother cheered.
“This is it! This is how the world should be! Jang Hyun-soo and Jung Yoon-ah still have it!”
“Do you really not see the wicked intention Jang Hyun-soo and Jung Yoon-ah just revealed?”
“Hyung, what do you mean?”
“Season 2? I like it too, I welcome it. But which branch are they going to base Season 2 on?”
“...Ah.”
“Quarter 1, where the silver-haired Yeon Si-ho lost all her power and was sucked into the sword? Or Quarter 2, where she appeared with black hair the whole time but will live as a mortal human?”
“So you’re saying Jang Hyun-soo and Jung Yoon-ah basically threw a knife between the viewers and told us to fight over whether to pour the sauce or dip the pork?”
“Aren't they total bastards?”
The two brothers felt like they could hear the wicked laughter of Jang Hyun-soo and Jung Yoon-ah in their ears.
「You know, right? You can’t have both. So pick a side and agonize over it. We’ll just enjoy the show. Hahaha!」
“Hyung, I still think based on Quarter 2 where Yeon Si-ho becomes happy...”
“Shut up! Then the silver-haired Yeon Si-ho won't appear!”
“I want to see the story after Yeon Si-ho becomes happy!”
“I want to see the silver-haired Yeon Si-ho! And how long are you going to keep her trapped in the sword? They need to make Season 2 and get her out quickly!”
The two brothers were already starting to fight.
Similar arguments spread like wildfire among viewers who had finished watching Quarter 2, whether in theaters or on TV.
*
Mom, Jang Ji-hye, my brother, and I took the Carnival to the traditional Korean restaurant run by Yoon Se-rang’s mother.
‘I have to confirm the taste of that boiled pork with cabbage one more time.’
It was for the academic purpose of confirming traces of my past life, definitely not because I was curious about the other dishes Yoon Se-rang’s mother made.
I wore a silver wig (the color hadn't fully come back yet) and even did smoky makeup to thoroughly disguise myself.
“But releasing Quarter 2 now was perfect timing. All your fans, Yu-jin, are probably stuck at home right now.”
“Everyone, get ready. I’m not leaving until we’ve tried every single item on this menu.”
I ordered the boiled pork first.
I was taken aback by the visuals.
‘Where’s the yellow bean powder? The sesame seeds? Why is it red fresh kimchi instead of white salted cabbage?’
I first made a wrap with the boiled pork and fresh kimchi and put it in my mouth.
Tears welled up in my eyes. Because it was so delicious.
“This isn't the taste... but it’s still really good.”
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin, the fan cafe is on fire because of the Season 2 news. What should we do?”
“Clearing every menu item in this restaurant today is much more important.”