Chapter v21c1

## The Mysterious Woman

– First, and First Again

I thought it was our first meeting. Until the day I remembered that day, that incident, it was still the first. But on that day, which came so casually, after I awoke from my oblivion, it was no longer the first. We were bound by a much deeper connection than we knew.

Both she and I… were.

* * *

I will never forget that day.

The day she returned with me, her body imbued with a radiance that even the chaotic Illusion Demon Cave couldn’t steal, the moment I saw his face amidst the crowd that was seething with excitement.

“Oh! Ye-Rin! This isn’t a dream, is it?”

I saw the old man in white robes embrace Ye-Rin as I was receiving reports from Jang-Hong and the others about the results of their condolence money business, cracking my knuckles.

Who dares to embrace Ye-Rin without my permission? That was my first thought. As I was thinking that, the old man was already stroking Ye-Rin’s cheek.

“Yes! Father! I’m back.”

Ye-Rin smiled faintly and hugged the old man.

Ah, so it was her doting father, famous for his love for his daughter? Even if he was a doting father, he was one of the people who brought Ye-Rin into this world. So it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a touching reunion between a father and his daughter.

“Oh! Heavens! Thank you!”

Oh my! Tears of joy… I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell he was crying from the slight trembling of his back and shoulders. The old man hugged Ye-Rin tightly, as if he would never let her go. It felt like he was determined to hold her for three days and nights straight. Even for a father, that was a bit excessive.

Just as I was thinking that I should intervene, the man finally let go of Ye-Rin and turned his head to wipe his tears with his sleeve. And at that moment…

*Boom!*

Something exploded in my head. A massive and intense shock, enough to shake my soul to its core, washed over me like a tsunami.

This can’t be!

It was impossible.

How could that man be…?

The scattered fragments of my past began to converge.

How could I forget that face!

His face hadn’t changed much in the past ten years.

“Welcome back, Master!”

I forced a smile, trying to compose myself as I heard the approaching voices of those who had come to greet me. I had plenty of time to think about what to do next.

That day was the day of true revival. So I thought it was enough to celebrate that fact.

(TLN: I think he didnt know before that yerin is the one he met when he was young till he saw her father)

* * *

## Golden Wings Embrace the Snowy Field

– Yeon-Bi Dances

A town near Mount Emei in Hoeumhyeon County, Sichuan Province. Sweet melodies flowed from Cheonhyang Pavilion, a place famous for its abundance of Geomnamchun, the clearest and most fragrant alcohol in Sichuan.

The sound of the geomungo was clear and pure, like raindrops bouncing off banana leaves. The source of the dreamlike music, which flowed even in broad daylight, was the center stage of the grand banquet hall. This grand banquet hall, which was only open to special guests on special occasions, was filled with tables and guests lined up in two rows. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere was calm and serene, like a lake. All eyes were on the young girl in black robes, playing the geomungo on stage.

*Ding, ding. Diriring…*

Her white, slender fingers plucked the taut strings of the geomungo. Her delicate hands danced across the seven strings, weaving a universe of music. Her fingers glided effortlessly, creating beautiful, heavenly melodies.

Sometimes like a lover’s whisper, sometimes like a phoenix’s wings, sometimes like a stream’s song, sometimes like a waterfall’s roar. Her music, ever-changing, captivated the souls of the rough men who had spent their lives immersed in blood and swords. No musical knowledge was required to appreciate her performance. It was enough to simply listen.

*…Ding!*

The music stopped, and the lingering echoes faded away. The audience, as if waking from a dream, returned to reality.

“Ooooooh!”

Thunderous applause erupted as the girl bowed gracefully.

“What do you think?”

A middle-aged man in silk robes asked the old man sitting at the head of the table. The old man nodded and exclaimed,

“Hmm, that was wonderful! Truly wonderful!”

He looked to be at least a hundred years old, but his voice was strong and his physique was robust, rivaling that of ten young men. His natural and dignified aura explained why he occupied the seat of honor. He clapped enthusiastically, unable to contain his praise.

“I thought I was hearing the music of the heavens!”

The girl replied modestly,

“I’m still learning. I don’t deserve such praise.”

The old man chuckled, amused by her response.

“Haha. You’re saying you’ll be able to create heavenly music soon? What’s your name?”

“Yeon-Bi .”

The girl in black robes replied. The old man stroked his beard and nodded.

“Hmm, Swallow… that’s a fitting name. You look like a young swallow in its nest, but judging by your skill, you’re ready to take flight!”

“Thank you.”

She replied, her voice gentle and polite. Her voice was as beautiful as her music.

“Haha, you can create music with your voice as well as your fingers.”

The old man said, laughing heartily. The middle-aged man in silk robes, seeing an opportunity, said,

“But surely she can’t compare to your beautiful daughter?”

He meant well, but the word “daughter” wiped the smile off the old man’s face. A cold chill emanated from him. He had touched a nerve.

The middle-aged man, realizing his mistake, broke out in a cold sweat, but it was too late. The banquet hall fell silent, and everyone glared at him. He shrank under their gaze. The old man, sensing the tense atmosphere, cleared his throat and said,

“Ahem. She’s quite talented for her age. She must have trained hard under a strict master. She’s admirable, isn’t she, brother?”

He turned to the man sitting next to him, opposite the middle-aged man in silk robes. The man, also dressed in white robes, had been drinking sullenly, ignoring the performance. He had been emptying his cup relentlessly, as if trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol.

“Well, I don’t have your refined taste in music, brother. Hic!”

He replied, his words slurred, his tone sarcastic.

He was the only one who hadn’t shown any interest in the girl’s music. While everyone else had been captivated by her performance, he had been drinking alone, as if he had nothing better to do.

“You’ve had a bit too much to drink, haven’t you?”

The old man couldn’t raise his voice in such a setting, so he gave him a warning glare. Geomnamchun was a strong alcohol, and it was rude to drink so much alone in such a setting. But his warning had no effect.

“Hic, what else can a cripple like me do but drink? Isn’t that right, brother?”

He said, his eyes glazed over, waving his empty right sleeve.

“Il-Cheon!”

The old man snapped, unable to contain his anger any longer.

“Hehehe, I may be a cripple, but I’m not deaf. Hic! Hiccup!”

He replied, refilling his cup with his left hand.

“Namgung guard! It seems like the Vice-Commander has had too much to drink. Please escort him to his room.”

The old man ordered, and the guard standing behind him bowed.

“Yes, sir! Come, Vice-Commander.”

*Thud!*

The guard reached out, but Il-Cheon slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me!”

The banquet hall fell silent again, stunned by his outburst.

“Are you kicking me out now? Hic.”

He said, glaring at the old man.

“…”

The old man remained silent, his face grim, his jaw clenched. He was clearly trying to control his anger.

“You don’t want to talk to your useless brother anymore?”

Il-Cheon said, his mood soured. He looked around the room, his gaze sweeping over the guests. The silence was so heavy that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone avoided his gaze. He smiled, pleased with their fear.

“Ah, I’m just kidding! It’s so quiet in here that I’m getting chills. Hey, you. You’re Namgung-Jin, the second son of the Namgung family, right?”

He asked the guard who had tried to escort him out.

“Yes, sir.”

“I heard you’re more capable than your brother.”

Namgung-Jin’s face hardened at his twisted question.

“That’s impossible, sir. How could I ever compare to my brother?”

Il-Cheon sneered.

“Hmm, is that so? Or is it because your brother is sitting right here?”

*Crash!*

He slammed his cup on the table, his face contorted with anger. It was the middle-aged man who had made the mistake earlier.

“Hey, Vice-Commander! What do you want to hear from my brother? Or do you have something to say to me?”

Il-Cheon’s gaze shifted to him.

“Ah, Branch Manager. You were here? I didn’t see you.”

His words were absurd, considering their previous conversation and his seating position.

“You must have a hard time with your hot-tempered brother. The eldest son never has to deal with such hardships. Isn’t that right, Namgung guard? Please take good care of my brother. He’s the eldest son of our family, the heir, thousands of times more precious than a cripple like me, banished to the outskirts.”

Namgung-Jin’s face was contorted with displeasure. His words were insulting and disrespectful, but as a guard, he couldn’t draw his sword on his superior. And there was a sharp edge of hatred in his words that made him hesitate.

“O-of course, sir. I will devote my life to serving him.”

He replied, forcing the words out. Il-Cheon chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.

“Good luck with that.”

He stood up, grabbed the bottle of alcohol, and walked away, his steps unsteady. The guests, who had been holding their breath, finally exhaled.

An awkward silence descended upon the banquet hall.

They say that cotton becomes as heavy as a log when soaked in water, but air becomes heavier than iron when soaked in silence.

Il-Cheon was gone, but his silence lingered, weighing heavily on the atmosphere. No one dared to speak. They were all waiting for someone else to break the ice. In such situations, the leader had to take the initiative, even if it meant swallowing his pride. And it seemed like the middle-aged man, the Branch Manager, was the one who had to do it.

“Ahem! The mood has dampened, hasn’t it? Ahem, ahem. So, your name was Yeon-Bi, right?”

The Branch Manager asked, clearing his throat repeatedly.

“Yes.”

The girl’s expression remained calm, despite the tense atmosphere. She was young, no more than fourteen, but she was remarkably composed, even with her face partially hidden behind a veil.

‘She’s so calm in this situation. She must have trained her mind well, despite her young age!’

He was impressed by her composure.

“I heard that the Ink Swallow of Cheonhyang Pavilion has another talent besides music. Is that true?”

His words piqued the curiosity of the old man and the other guests.

“Oh? What is it?”

The old man asked, intrigued.

“It’s nothing special. It seems the rumors have been exaggerated.”

She replied modestly. The old man, his mood restored, chuckled.

“Let’s see it, whatever it is.”

“I’m afraid I might ruin the mood…”

She declined again, reluctant. The Branch Manager, afraid of another awkward silence, laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! They say that seeing the Swallow of Cheonhyang Pavilion dance is rarer than seeing a fairy dance. Now I understand what they mean!”

The old man nodded, satisfied with his explanation.

“Hmm, so it’s a dance. Is it that impressive, Commander Namgung?”

He addressed the Branch Manager as Commander Namgung. It seemed like “Branch Manager” and “Commander” were interchangeable titles. So Il-Cheon, who had been called Vice-Commander, was his subordinate. But Commander Namgung, who had been called “hot-tempered” by his subordinate, quickly recovered from his annoyance and replied cheerfully,

“Of course! They say her dance is like a celestial dance. It’s quite famous in Sichuan.”

“Oh? I’d love to see it.”

Commander Namgung, as the Branch Manager of Sichuan, had to deliver. A disappointing reception was worse than no reception at all. And when it came to entertaining your superiors, you had to go above and beyond. He decided to take a chance.

“Alright! If your dance is as good as they say, if it can liven up this party, I’ll reward you handsomely!”

“Are you serious?”

She asked, her voice sharp.

‘Yes!’

He cheered inwardly. But it was a premature celebration. She wasn’t that easy to persuade.

“But I’m afraid I might not be worthy of such a grand reward from someone like you.”

She was hinting that she wanted a specific amount. He sighed inwardly. She might look like a delicate young girl, but she was as shrewd as a seasoned merchant. But he couldn’t haggle with her in this setting, so it was best to be generous.

“Hahaha, you’re a tough negotiator. I surrender.”

He raised his hands playfully. She finally smiled. He had ten fingers, which represented the number ten. And since he was a high-ranking official making a promise in a formal setting, the unit was obviously gold. In other words, he had implicitly promised her ten gold coins. Ten gold coins for a single dance! It was a fortune that would make ordinary people faint.

“Hehe, alright. If you insist…”