episode_0258

*** ***

It was about mid-afternoon.

The door of Podalap Palace was opened. Instead of wearing the red cloth and white trim of the Podalap Palace, monks dressed in regular clothes went down in pairs of threes and fives.

This was a measure taken by Ranojingbu, who was worried that if the ascetics from Podalap Palace descended in a stampede, there would be trouble in Lhasa.

“They said today’s performance gave them a lot of strength…”

“It is said that Sogungju also contributed to the performance, so you cannot miss it!”

The monks at Podalap Palace also loved performing magic. Because of Sarah, they cut off all pleasures and continued to practice rigorously to gain Buddhist merit, and were completely immersed in the dazzling sights that appeared.

As the monks at Podalap Palace were heading towards Lhasa, Chairang knocked on Sarah’s door.

“Sara, mom is going down to see the performance….What do you plan to do?”

There was no answer from Sarah’s room. Chai Rang sighed. If we don’t get down now, we won’t be able to make it on time…

“Madam, please come down first.”

“But…”

“I will take care of Sarah.”

Chai Rang had no choice but to nod his head and go out in front of the door. Rano Jinbu dragged a chair in front of Sarah’s door and sat down.

Soon, Podalap Palace became quiet. This was because everyone who wanted to see today’s performance had left Podalap Palace.

A long, quiet time passed like that. Suddenly, Rano Jinbu opened his mouth.

“Sarah. Breaking up is such a heartbreaking thing.”

Rano Jinbu recalled himself from about a month and a half ago. The days of preparing for farewell day after day while watching Sarah dying.

“Until they came, I was preparing to let you go. I don’t want to even imagine it, and it hurts my heart just to imagine it, but that’s the reality.”

Still no answer came back.

“It was truly a miracle that the black cat Sojeo absorbed your mouth energy and the Hocheonan magician knew your cure. But Sarah, this foolish father tried to kick that miracle away with my own hand.”

Lano Jinbu laughed bitterly.

“Do you remember the many people who claimed this and that because it was a new treatment and the mountain god was angry? Every time I dealt with such people, I had hopes and disappointments over and over again, and in the end, I decided on my own that there was no way to cure Sarah.”

It was truly heavenly luck itself.

What would have happened if Sarah hadn’t left the room at that time? What would have happened if the black cat hadn’t held Sarah’s hand at that time?

“Sarah. You are more precious to me than anything in the world. So, I want to see the last performance of those who returned you to me and see them off. However, I will not leave you alone because you are more precious to me than anything else in the world.”

Rano Jinbu closed his mouth with those last words. There was still no response from Sarah, and Rano Jinbu also closed his eyes without calming down.

And after a while.

Sigh.

Sarah’s visit was held. Ranojingbu opened his eyes and looked at Sarah. Sarah’s eyes were still moist, her eyes were swollen, and she could see Sarah sniffling.

Sarah jumped into Rano Jinbu’s arms. Ranojingbu patted Sara on the back without saying a word.

“I’m sad.”

“Okay.”

“I hope the magicians never leave.”

“I see.”

“And…I miss you. I don’t like the last one… but I still want to see it again.”

Rano Jinbu patted Sarah’s back as she felt Sarah’s emotions pouring out without context. Growing pains are accompanied by pain. Trapped in the world of the room, the things Sarah didn’t know made her happy…and also hurt her.

Ranojingbu silently waited for Sarah’s choice. There is no right answer to any choice in this world. There is simply a process of thinking about it and choosing a path to achieve your goal.

It was Sara’s way to stay in the palace and be angry, and it was also Sara’s way to go to the performance with a sad heart.

Rano Jinbu just silently looked at the choice.

“Performance…you must be late, right?”

“Do you want to go?”

Sarah nodded silently. Sarah’s face was full of regret. There isn’t much left until the performance starts. Even if we ran towards Lhasa from now on, it would take several hours…

“I wanted to say hello.”

Lanojingbu smiled as he saw Sara’s regretful voice.

Isn’t the role of parents to support Sarah so that her will is not blocked and frustrated by the obstacles called ‘reality’?

“Let’s go.”

“….Father?”

Rano Jinbu lightly hugged Sarah. Sarah looked puzzled.

“Hold on tight.”

Sara nodded and hugged Rano Jinbu’s neck tightly. My father, who is a martial arts expert, would be able to reach Sarah faster if he ran. Still, I don’t know if I can make it on time, but it was something I had to try.

Paaaat!

“Ah?!”

Sara, who was just thinking about running and preparing for the impact, was startled. This was because Lano Jinbu, who jumped from that spot, jumped more than ten feet at once.

Rano Jinbu climbed over a building in a single step and reached the top, then jumped over the buildings in succession.

Light attack!

The starting point where light attack could be properly demonstrated was at the peak. Because communication between heaven and earth increases endurance dramatically. After that, when you reach the pinnacle of excellence, you can truly perform feats of brute strength that lighten the weight of your body, and in addition to your endurance, your speed will also increase dramatically.

However, no supreme expert could show a light attack like Lano Jingbu.

In any case, Gyeongshinbeop is a state of lightening one’s body. Since the weight of the person holding it cannot be reduced, it cannot achieve the same speed as the arrow being fired.

Sarah felt the energy of Lano Jinbu supporting her body. Sarah had no way of knowing, but this was the result of using the principle of selfish energy, which can only be used by those in the Hwagyeong, as a polarity.

By lifting Sarah’s body from bottom to top using the principle of floating, Sarah’s weight also became lighter, allowing her to perform the same feats as she does now.

Paaa!!

In an instant, Ranojingbu crossed the Podalap Palace and climbed onto the wall, stepping on the wall and flying like a bird. Rano Jingbu literally jumped dozens of times from the castle wall!

Shhh!

The alpine wind passed by Lhasa’s ears. As I jumped dozens of feet from the castle wall that blocked my view and cut through the air, the sight of Lhasa unfolded beneath my feet. As usual, a large number of people gathered in the vacant lot, and people from the city could also be seen moving to the vacant lot.

Sarah smiled brightly. It was the first time I enjoyed it because of the sense of speed and at the same time the sense of freedom I felt in a situation where I felt like I was flying.

Of course, there was another real reason for Sarah’s big smile.

At this speed… we can arrive in Lhasa in time for the performance!

Because that thought passed through my head.

Sara shouted, hugging Ranojinbu tighter.

“Dad is the best!”

“Hahahahaha!”

With Rano Jinbu’s boisterous laughter, the two spirits flew towards Lhasa.

*** ***

A black cat was looking at the audience between the stages.

“Is Sarah still there?”

In response to Yeo Il-ye’s question, Black Cat just shook her head with a dark look on her face. In the front row, the three seats reserved for Sarah and the palace lord and wife, only Chai Rang was seated.

“…It’s almost time to start the performance.”

“Just a little bit, let’s wait a little bit.”

Corn, which announced the time, nodded quietly. Well…the concept of time in the martial arts world is not as strict as in modern times. The concept of time exists, but there are no portable clocks and there is no way to know the time accurately.

Corn also had the same desire for Sarah to come. So, now that Oksusu said that time was up, despite the loose concept of time, the schedule was delayed to the extent that the audience thought, ‘Why doesn’t the performance start?’

Roaring! Roaring!

I could feel the joyful noise of anticipation for the performance slowly growing into dissatisfaction.

About an hour or so passed like that. The black cat that was looking outside also looked disappointed and was about to take a step back to prepare for the magic performance.

The companions turned their heads to one side as if possessed. After a while, I too learned why.

“Hi.”

An enormous vortex of energy was approaching.

Just as you can feel the signs of a typhoon even if you are hundreds or thousands of miles away, I felt the presence of an unmanned person coming from a very long distance, radiating enormous force and narrowing the distance.

A force so great that it can overwhelm even Yeo Il-ye’s power, which has a vast amount of power that even a decent Hwagyeong expert can’t make a sound of.

Anyone can see that this is Lano Jinbu.

And Rano Jinbu wouldn’t be running in such a hurry by himself.

The faces of my companions brightened as if they had reached the same conclusion as me. Only Okseok, a top-notch expert, couldn’t understand the current situation and looked puzzled.

“Let’s start the performance.”

“Yes!”

“Going!”

My companions move in unison with my words. Corn, who was confused for a moment, hurriedly ran off the stage.

“You’ve been waiting a long time! everyone! Magician Corn greets you!”

Corn’s amplified voice resonates on the stage as he pushes his inner strength with all his might.

Waaa!!

The magic performance has begun.

*** ***

“You’ve been waiting a long time! everyone! Magician Corn greets you!”

Wow!!!

Lanojingbu heard Corn’s voice and shouts and crossed Lhasa even faster. Although it was already long late for the performance to start, Oksusu wasted time telling various jokes.

Realizing that Hocheonan and the others were also waiting for Sara, Sara strengthened the hand holding Rano Jinbu’s body.

Wahahaha!!

Should I call it corn? The crowd, who were angry at the magic performance that started too late, soon burst into laughter at Corn’s wit.

‘Thank you, Corn Magician.’

Sarah expressed her gratitude to the corn in Lanojingbu’s arms. So we left the streets of Lhasa and finally arrived at a vacant lot.

Sara escaped from Rano Jinbu’s arms and ran away. I ran through the passageway that the security guards had worked hard to control people. The security guards, who thought the child was not following the rules and were trying to stop her, were surprised when they saw Rano Jinbu appear behind Sarah and lowered their heads to open the way.

Sara took a deep breath and sat down next to Chai Rang. Chairang held Sara’s hand tightly. Sarah held Chai Rang’s hand tightly and fixed her eyes on the stage.

Corn and Sarah made eye contact, and Sarah smiled brightly as she saw Corn’s eyes bend like half moons.

Suddenly, the corn stamped its foot, and colorful rings flew out.

Scream!!

Wow!!

The audience cheered at the surprise appearance of a new yet familiar magic tool. Sarah also cheered.

This was despite knowing full well that he had simply taken advantage of the difference in elevation of the stage, placed a ring on the floor so that it could not be seen, and stepped on the step to make it fly.

Scream!!

Wow!!

The audience cheered every time Corn, now a skilled magician, separated and put the rings together.

Sarah thought.

It’s still fun even after learning how to do magic. Even after knowing the method, the sight unfolding before my eyes left me in awe.

‘That’s magic.’

What is the meaning of rings joining and falling apart? A talent that only makes people happy. That was the essence of magic.

Corn went in and Hocheonan came out. Ho Cheon-an looked at Sara, narrowed his eyes slightly, and took out a squirrel card.

“Now~ This squirrel is a magic squirrel.”

A shiny silver squirrel. And a glittering gold squirrel.

People burst out laughing and were amazed by the feast of two squirrels running all over Hocheonan.

“Kya, I saw that a long time ago at a street performance, but it’s happening again here!”

“Hmm. It’s definitely refreshing!”

Sarah felt proud as she listened to the reactions of people around her. I couldn’t help but shrug my shoulders as I received favorable reviews for the part I contributed to.

After the squirrel magic, Dang Do-yeon came on stage this time. Dang Do-yeon also looked at Sarah and smiled. The string magic unfolds afterwards.

Sarah cheered and clapped her hands with all her might for each magic trick.

Sarah began to realize little by little as she made eye contact with each and every magician who came out to demonstrate their magic. Just like magic is still fun even when the secret is revealed.

Even if you become separated from the magicians who are currently performing magic, the ties you have with the magicians will be maintained rather than cut off.

“Aaaaa!!”

The cutting magic was performed. Corn fluttering wildly, unlike usual.

Ho Cheon-an walked around the stage pushing the iron pipe that held Okseok’s upper body, and Okseok repeatedly threw and caught the ball high with both hands while making a comical scream.

Ha ha ha ha ha!!

The amputation magic was already a magic that no one knew about in this Lhasa, and the shock had already subsided. The people of Lhasa burst into laughter at the ridiculous variable that was added just when everyone was feeling less impressed.

After the iron pipe was assembled, Sarah clapped for Corn, who stood up and greeted her. Unlike before, Sarah could no longer smile.

‘It’s over.’

The performance is over.

All the magicians came on stage. Even Tang So-yeol, who did not perform magic because he was in charge of the equipment, showed up. Hocheonan and the others looked at Sarah, and Sarah looked at the group.

Wow!!

The people of Lhasa cheered even more enthusiastically than usual because a large number of magic tricks appeared that were different from the usual routine performances.

The cheers bridged the gap between Sarah and the group. Sarah looked like she was going to cry, but she smiled brightly and waved her hand, and they also smiled and waved at her.

[Did you all have fun!?]

Hocheonan’s voice filled with inner strength rang out and people responded with cheers.

[Everyone, this is the last performance in Lhasa.]

People murmured at the sudden announcement. A sad lament for not being able to see magic performances anymore. And then there are the occasional angry shouts. And people who are embarrassed by the sudden announcement, etc.

[A lot of things have happened while performing magic in Lhasa.]

Ho Cheon-an smiled and looked at Sara, who was feeling the separation.

[It was a fun and rewarding day…but we are from the middle circle. Now it’s time to return to midfield. If there is a meeting, there is also a separation. Nomads are not the only ones who have to leave when the time comes!]

“It’s been fun!”

“I’ll miss you again!”

The audience, who accepted the fact that it was really the end, expressed their emotions. As each person expressed their emotions, the mixed sounds became an unknown echo and filled the square.

Sarah looked at the people on stage.

Hocheonan, a lifesaver.

A black cat that brought me a mouthpiece.

Yeo Il-ye, who was considered cute.

The grumpy Tang So-yeol.

Dang Do-yeon, who always smiled.

Corn was kind.

These were the first people Sarah met after waking up from the closed confines of Podalap Palace, so each and every one of them had memories.

A breakup is not something that can be avoided, like a natural disaster.

Sarah felt the sadness of her first separation pounding her heart, and she tried to close her eyes.

Because it felt like I would start crying right away if I didn’t give it strength.

Sarah smiled brightly, hiding her emotions. And I regretted it. When I come to visit you this morning, I will meet you face to face and tell you all the things I haven’t told you.

I wanted to tell Black Cat that I was really, really grateful. I wanted to say sorry to Yeo Il-ye. I wanted to tell Tang So-yeol that it was okay to touch his cheek as long as he touched it gently. I wanted to tell Corn that I would send my greetings to the monks I had become friends with. I wanted to tell Dang Do-yeon that I had actually heard about the dangers of the Bicheon carriage from Black Cat.

And I wanted to thank Ho Cheon-an for treating me. I wanted to tell my mother and father that I had cured them and brought smiles to their faces.

I wanted to do that, but… the opportunity to express those feelings had passed, so I smiled brightly for the last time.

Because that was the most I could express myself right now.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

The crowd was screaming, and the plaza was filled with a mere hum. Nevertheless, Sarah knew that her greeting had been conveyed when she saw the smiles on the faces of Ho Cheon-an and his group.

[Then everyone! Goodbye!]

Para la rock.

The stage curtain fell. Sarah did not take her eyes off the tent. The last magic I did with Hocheonan and his group was cutting magic, but somehow I felt like they would have disappeared after the curtain fell.

Many spectators exclaimed in awe as Sarah was not the only one who had such thoughts.

however.

Even after the curtain fell, Ho Cheon-an and his party remained there with their heads bowed. After a moment of silence, Dang Do-yeon moved and grabbed the rope connected to the tent.

Dang Do-yeon playfully raises her hand and waves it.

Hwaaa!

When he swung the rope connected to the huge tent like Dang Do-yeon’s whip, the tent spread out as if it were flying and wrapped around Ho Cheon-an and his group.

When the curtain fell, Ho Cheon-an and his group had all disappeared.

Waaa!!

The audience cheered at the final magic trick.

“Ah….”

And when Sarah saw the spot where Ho Cheon-an and his group had disappeared, she shed a tear. I could no longer suppress the sadness of separation. Sarah shed tears in silence.

A relationship that continued like magic ended with magic.

Sarah, who realized that all of today’s magic was a stage for herself, accepted the breakup. I accepted the breakup and endured the pain in silence.

One by one, people who were lost in the lingering mood rose up and the vacant lot gradually became empty. It was only when the vacant lot was empty and dusk was setting that Sarah was able to control her emotions.

“Sara.”

Sarah looked at the package that Chai Rang handed her and gave her a puzzled look.

“The magicians asked me to tell you this.”

Sarah hurriedly opened the package. The first thing I took out was a pouch with a cute cat embroidered on it. The pocket where the black cat stored fried rice. Sure enough, when I opened it, it was filled with fried rice.

The second one was a wooden box. When I opened the wooden box, there was a butterfly ornament inside. A butterfly accessory that flutters its wings with light movement. As soon as Sarah saw it, she realized that it was Tang Xiaoyeol’s farewell gift.

The third was a thread that could be attached to a sword. A gift that can be assumed to belong to Yeo Il-ye.

Dang Do-yeon left behind a guest plaque that allowed him to be treated as a guest of the Dang family, and Corn left behind a gold coin from the Jungwon.

And Sarah finally brought out Hocheonan’s gift.

It was a book.

[Hocheonbirok (Part 2)]

Sarah opened the book as if fascinated. It was a book containing all the magic techniques Sarah had seen. Sarah read the last sentence.

[The commercial power is owned by Dangryeo of the Sacheondang family. Show the lower volume and learn the magic of the upper volume!]

[Specifies that Sarah has ownership of all magic tools remaining after the performance]

“Haha.”

Sarah burst into bright laughter. Sarah showed the two people the last page.

Chai Rang and Lano Jingbu, who read the last chapter, also laughed lightly.

“Can I go to Jungwon?”

“If you recover your health and practice martial arts diligently.”

Sarah recalled Ho Cheon-an’s words while explaining her physical condition after consuming Guryeong Station Cheonyang Milyeom Extreme. Although it was strengthened by elixirs, it grew rapidly, so it was said that it should not be overdone in order to strengthen its internal strength.

There was also a saying that not only is the oral cavity no longer damaging the body, but one must also work hard to recover completely.

He also added that he should take care of himself for at least the next few years and not let down his guard until his body fully grows.

In my heart, I wanted to leave for Jungwon right away.

Unlike running around Podalap Palace, traveling to the central plains was likely to put a strain on the body. Sarah suppressed her desire to go to the center. Hocheonan and the monks at Podalapgung had worked hard to heal his body, and he couldn’t ruin it with a moment’s greed.

It will be a long wait… but in the meantime, if you think you have to make the oral cavity completely your own, it’s something you have to work diligently on.

Only by perfectly handling the oral syllables can one completely overcome the sin of the oral syllable system, and showing a completely better side would be the way to repay the kindness of Ho Cheon-an and his group.

I have to do that much to be able to confidently visit Ho Cheon-an and his group when I am able to go to Jungwon.

Thinking like that, Sara looked up at Rano Jinbu.

“Will you help me? Father.”

“Of course.”

“I will support this mom too.”

“Thank you. Mother, father!”

Ranojinbu, Chairang, and Ranosara smiled and held each other’s hands. The three people held hands and stood up side by side.

The Bicheon carriage carrying Hocheonan and his party moved towards the central region.

Sarah’s family walked towards Podalap Palace at a slow pace.

Chief’s Lhasa.

It was a day when the promise of separation and reunion unfolded in an empty lot.