Jeong Simhyeon
Taek Hwaryeon left first, and I set off toward the central Taepyeong Pavilion. The spot where the Nascent Soul elder had stirred up a commotion was already filling back up with people, returning to its bustling state. I wandered leisurely, taking in the surroundings as I searched for the pavilion. Yeop Inyeong hadn't specified a deadline for retrieving the Self-Strengthening Pills, so I had plenty of time. Who knew when I'd get another chance to visit Taekga? I needed to explore as much as possible and take it all in. Seeing and learning as much as I could—that was the path to power.
A fairly large tavern caught my eye, and I concealed my aura before stepping inside. Even though it was run by mortals, it had its own charm. I took a seat in a quiet corner on the first floor, sipping my drink while listening to the woman playing the guqin in the center.
As the performance began, the rowdy tavern fell silent, everyone focusing on the guqin's notes. Dong-dong, da-tang—it started with deep, low tones that swelled into a majestic sound filling the room. The grand, heroic air evoked images of martial artists or soldiers marching off to war. The slow, profound rhythm quickened gradually. Ttiriring—suddenly, a vision unfolded before my eyes: thousands of soldiers tangled in brutal combat, like a mirage of battle.
A guqin creating illusions! Startled, I glanced at the other patrons. The mortals didn't seem to see it. If only I, a cultivator, could perceive it, did that mean the performer wasn't a mortal but a cultivator hiding her aura? She might even be at a higher realm than me, so I refrained from releasing my divine sense.
Soon the melody reached its climax, sorrowful strains echoing as visions appeared of women mourning husbands lost in war. The guqin player sang a haunting melody alongside it. The instrument's tones blended with her poignant voice, sending shivers down my spine. Strangely, the lyrics felt familiar. Looking around, I saw the tavern's patrons deeply moved, tears streaming down their faces.
Studying talisman arts had taught me that writing held power—but music did too. A profound force that stirred hearts and evoked empathy. Her skill in conjuring illusions with music and moving everyone to tears was at the pinnacle of mastery, truly .
Even after it ended, the afterglow lingered. I closed my eyes, savoring every last echo. It put the lingering pleasure of sex to shame. Amid thunderous applause from the moved crowd, the central performer stood and spoke.
"Thank you for listening to my performance. If anyone knows the name of this piece, I'd like to offer a reward. Does anyone know it?"
"……."
The mortals exchanged glances but stayed silent. I was sure I'd seen the lyrics in some ancient text. War, dead soldiers, grieving women—it was there in my mind, but disorganized, hard to pinpoint.
Aha!
"This piece is called the Song of the Unreturning Lover."
It clicked from translating ancient scrolls in Yeop Inyeong's Library Pavilion.
The woman savored the title. "Unreturning Lover… a beloved gone to a place of no return. It fits perfectly. Would you mind speaking with me privately for a moment?"
"Of course."
She headed up the stairs to the second floor, and I followed. I could feel the mortals' envious stares. My shoulders squared, steps growing confident.
In a spacious second-floor room, we were alone.
"May I ask how you knew the name Song of the Unreturning Lover?"
"I came across it by chance in an ancient scroll."
As expected, she was a cultivator. Revealing her Core Formation late-stage aura, she said, "To read ancient script—impressive scholarship. I am Jeong Simhyeon, a wandering cultivator."
"Senior, I'm Yuseong of Unkak Sect. Since you're at a higher realm, feel free to speak casually to me."
Jeong Simhyeon shook her head lightly. "I couldn't. While cultivation respects strength above all, I see people beyond mere realms."
She took out a tea set and leaves from her storage ring, brewing tea. The set wasn't ordinary, and faint spiritual energy wafted from the leaves. Pouring me a cup, she said, "This white tea, grown a century in my spiritual herb field, will slightly bolster your mana even in small sips."
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
The hot energy circulated through my dantian, faintly accumulating mana. Not a pill, but tea infusing spiritual energy—and it worked. This was precious spiritual tea as a reward. Normally, one appreciates tea's color, aroma, then taste, but I'd gulped it down at the promise of gains.
"Ho ho, you're impatient, Junior Yuseong. There's more white tea—savor it slowly this time."
Caught red-handed, I felt embarrassed. Now I observed: clear and pale hue, subtle and soft aroma. Slightly sweet taste, no bitterness.
"Excellent. No bitterness at all."
Jeong Simhyeon smiled faintly at my praise.
"Senior Jeong, if I may ask—why seek the song's name?"
She replied calmly, "Long ago, my beloved partner died in a clan war. His body perished, but his nascent soul survived. Yet he refused to seize others' bodies to live on, choosing death instead. Devastated, I wandered Seosan Continent in despair. Music ended that long wandering. Passing a mortal village, I heard guqin and found solace. I took the player as my master and learned. But even she didn't know this piece's name—the one that saved me. So I travel, seeking it."
"An ancient song, preserved through ages, passed to you."
She nodded silently, her face serene. Nothing could bind her now.
"Junior Yuseong, my true reward is something else."
The mana-boosting tea was already too much, yet more? What a kind soul. If more like her existed in the cultivation world, wouldn't it be beautiful?
From her storage ring, she drew a black guqin. "It looks like a guqin, but it's a dharma treasure. The Xuan Zhen Qin will aid against ghosts, stiff corpses, or demonic cultivators."
"Senior Jeong… thank you."
She taught me how to wield the Xuan Zhen Qin, then departed. Her receding figure on the street seemed infinitely free. A rare type in the cultivation world—I regretted parting so soon. But all meetings end. Pushing aside the pang, I left the tavern. She'd go, but the memory would stay eternal in my heart!
Asking mortals for directions, I headed to Taepyeong Pavilion. Soon, a modest sign reading "Taepyeong Pavilion" appeared, the unassuming hall standing out amid flashy ones.
Showing my token to the burly guardian cultivator, I stated my purpose. He led me inside, told me to wait in the reception room, and left.
I browsed the room, awaiting Taek Gyeong. After a moment, a plainly dressed middle-aged woman entered. Sensing her Nascent Soul prowess, I knew it was her. Bowing deeply and politely, I said,
"Senior Taek, I'm Yuseong of Unkak Sect, here on Pavilion Lord Yeop's orders."
Taek Gyeong smiled. "Yeop and I are old friends—no need to be tense. What brings you?"
Showing Yeop Inyeong's token from her storage ring, I said, "Pavilion Lord Yeop sent me with this to retrieve Self-Strengthening Pills."
"Self-Strengthening Pills… hmm, what unfortunate timing."
"Is there a problem with them?"
Taek Gyeong looked troubled. "Truth be told, my Self-Strengthening Pills are special, cultured long in my spirit beast, the Purple Wind Tiger. Far superior to ordinary ones. Yeop probably wants them as thanks for saving me. I'd give them normally, but…"
"Is something wrong with the Purple Wind Tiger?"
"The beast is fine. But another Taekga elder, Taek Gunma, demanded them to craft a dharma treasure for his youngest disciple. In exchange, I got pills."
"So there's only one special batch, inside the tiger?"
"Yes. I'm torn. I've already accepted pills and promised Taek Gunma—or break my word to reward Yeop's lifesaver, you, or send you away empty-handed."
…I couldn't let this fail. Yeop Inyeong trusted me with this. There had to be a way.
"What if we speak with Elder Taek Gunma? He might understand your situation once he hears."
Her expression turned odd. "Taek Gunma understanding me? That's a novel idea. Well, mulling won't decide it. I want to repay Yeop's junior too. I'll summon him. Rest here in Taepyeong Pavilion; a servant will fetch you when he arrives."
"Thank you."
At least a sliver of hope for the pills. Since Yeop trusted me, I'd do my utmost.
Lying on the provided bed in the pavilion lodging, I pondered ahead, then cultivated and trained my divine sense. The next day, a servant summoned me. Elder Taek Gunma of Taekga had arrived.