In Search of a Lifeline (1)
"First, let me explain my situation. I need to hear the details to make a sound judgment, so please listen carefully."
"Speak freely, sir."
"Hm. Long ago, I began working for the Tak family, who inherited Han Village. Then one day, the family head, a man named Tak Don, up and died."
"Hm?"
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
"Just listen. Tak Don had a great many retainers. No deficits, mind you. Instead, he adopted a son from afar, and this boy was so skilled at tilling fields that no one in the area could match him. But..."
"Could it be that this elder Tak Don was murdered by his adopted son?"
I asked on a hunch. Lady Mun's expression hardened for a moment, but she smiled faintly and nodded.
"A tragedy, indeed. The adopted son, coveting his father's wealth, killed the family head to claim it all for himself. It was the work of a certain Taoist named Yun Wang, whose fields had been seized by the Tak family long ago. He whispered poison into the adopted son's ear."
"What happened to the adopted son? The Tak retainers wouldn't have let that slide."
"Exactly! No matter how fierce a tiger the boy was, could the family stand by while he slew his foster father in blind greed? They killed the Taoist and drove out the adopted son. He fled with some of the family assets stolen away."
"But the land deeds must have stayed in the house, right?"
"Spot on. Talking with you feels so natural."
"I'm something of an expert in these matters."
Not just something of an expert. No one handles it better than me. Throwing out solutions without any responsibility falling on my shoulders? I'm unmatched.
"With the land deeds and headship in dispute, the household must have erupted in infighting."
"Right again. A man named Gwak Gak and another named Yi Sa each claimed to be the new head and split the village between them. They drove stakes into the ground declaring it theirs and threatened to expel anyone who didn't side with them."
"People can be swayed, but there's only one set of land deeds. How do you split that in half?"
"Precisely. The land could be shared, but ownership falls to one person. That's where the trouble started. Truth be told, this so-called Tak family estate had a proper landlord all along."
"No way!"
I had a pretty good idea who.
"A house with a massive willow tree, perhaps?"
"Oh? Do you know of it?"
"I've heard whispers. Ages ago, the owner of an estate with a centuries-old willow died suddenly. Then a young child tried to take over as head, but the maternal clan stirred up hell."
"That's the one. Tak Don, a distant relative, showed up claiming it was his land. He brought thugs named Yi Gak and Gwak Sa with him..."
Lady Mun paused to sip her tea.
"...Shall I continue?"
"Is that necessary, sir? You're testing me with this tale of divination, but you're no novice at physiognomy. You're probing me on purpose."
"Well spotted. Since you've guessed my identity, you know who I am, then?"
"Not a clue."
"......"
Not the slightest inkling.
"...Heh heh, good. That's proper. I asked just in case—glad to hear it."
"It's not that I don't know your esteemed name, sir, but you don't seem the type to relish it being bandied about."
"Sharp as ever. Isn't Geum Taeyang your alias too? Who names their child 'Gold Sun'? It's like calling someone Clear Water or Blue Stream."
"...Guilty as charged, but I've grown fond of the name."
"Haha, fair enough. Then call me 'Lady Mun' from now on, if you would."
"Understood. Now, sir, shall we get to the heart of it?"
I straightened my posture.
"Are you here to decide which of Yi Gak or Gwak Sa is the lifeline worth clinging to?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"They're both rotten lifelines."
The two who rule Chang'an, rotten lifelines? Bold words.
"You're seeking a new one, then. Anyone in mind?"
"That's why I came to you. Master Hwang sang your praises, saying you're the best at grasping lifelines."
"What exactly did... that Master Hwang tell you to inspire such faith?"
"He appeared wherever I went for five straight days, eager for chats—in the fields, the markets, even atop the city walls. A terrifying fellow. He laid out my plight plain as day and recommended you."
"......."
That old man—how the hell did he get into Chang'an?
"When I asked what brought him, he said he came to buy a horse before chaos erupted in Chang'an. And to sightsee while he was at it. For a recluse like him to say you'd illuminate the darkness in my heart..."
"What flowery nonsense."
"Seems true enough. Chatting with you clears my mind. It's been ages since I met someone who clicks like this. How old are you, if I may ask?"
"...Years old."
"My."
Lady Mun looked genuinely troubled.
"A pity. If I were twenty years younger..."
"Younger?"
"Living in this era alongside you would be quite the thrill."
I grinned. A chill ran down my spine at the eerie glint in Lady Mun's eyes. We shared the same cunning as eels seeking a way out, but our gazes differed. I was content grazing low in moderation; she dreamed of riding a dragon to the heavens.
"You thrive on peril, sir."
"When the moment comes, everyone faces a once-in-a-lifetime choice. This is mine."
"So you're off to find a new owner for the land deeds?"
"Indeed. Any recommendations?"
"Whoever I suggest will likely match the priorities you've already ranked in your mind."
"Speak anyway. If we align, my resolve strengthens. If not, we debate and find the best path."
"Very well. Let's look at a map."
I unrolled a broad one.
"By elimination: Yizhou's out."
"Hm. Obviously."
Yizhou was scratched from the start.
"The terrain's too rugged. Fleeing with deeds means tumbling to your death."
"Even reaching Chengdu over the mountains, those wolves would just seize the deeds."
"Or panic at Chang'an's hounds and fling open the gates."
Lady Mun sought someone strong enough to protect the deeds. Yizhou lacked the power or will.
"Dongwu, Hebei, Xuzhou—all out. That leaves four main candidates."
"Ji Province, Sanyi Province, Nanyang, and Jingzhou."
"Before we name names, strike Jingzhou."
Lady Mun's face soured at my words.
"Why? Where's safer than Jingzhou?"
"Exactly why. Its master wants the deeds but not the headaches."
"Safety means shunning risk. Ah, so that's why you've rooted here."
"It just fit. Our dispositions align."
A belligerent sort would've uprooted Suyeon Academy entirely or fled elsewhere. Jingzhou suited us fine.
"Still, Jingzhou's a shame to lose..."
"Don't. If your house catches fire, you don't let sparks fly to mine."
"How is it 'your house'?"
"Ah, but there's a sturdy willow rooted right here."
"......Heh, heh heh. True enough. Understood."
Lady Mun chuckled softly over her tea.
"Don't want my filth splashing your turf, eh? Message received."
"Something like that."
I wanted no blood winds in Jingzhou.
"So where, then? Ji? Lian?"
"...Heard any Lian news?"
"Who? That filial daughter burning with righteous fury, smashing all comers?"
"Tak Don's adopted whelp ransacked her empty house."
"Oh..."
Did she not know? Or had word not reached her en route?
"Quite the tale. I was set to recommend Lian first."
"Why?"
"Because it's closest to my path to survival."
This woman didn't care who held the deeds. Her own lifeline mattered more, and she'd tailor the deed-holder's escape to suit.
"I'd still favor Hebei or Ji Province."
"Why?"
"Farthest from Jingzhou."
"Hahaha!!"
Lady Mun slapped the table, roaring with laughter.
"Too honest, aren't you?!"
"And you hide nothing but your true name, sir."
"That's teasing."
"Apologies if it came off that way."
"Not at all. Heh heh, it's a joy—like gaining a confidant who truly gets me."
Lady Mun raised her cup. I met her gaze, lifted mine, and downed it.
"One thing, sir: are you risking your neck to guard the deed-holder?"
"Huh? Why would I? No, I'll just help them flee."
"...Pardon?"
"Jingzhou's prime for a fresh start. Settle nearby and build a new life."
Tracing east from Chang'an, Lady Mun's finger veered slyly southeast—toward Jingzhou.
"Loyal retainers abound; I'll merely point the way."
This woman. Cut from the same cloth as me.
"In that spirit..."
Lady Mun.
"...Shall we delve deeper into our talk?"
Quietly, she extinguished the light.