Book 20 Chapter 28

The Departing Youths

― Yeon Fei

"Are you sure it's okay?"

Hyoryong asked with a worried face.

"What?"

Bilyuyeon replied with a carefree expression.

"Do you really not know?"

Hyoryong couldn't understand why he was more angry than the person involved. But he couldn't hide his anger.

"Are you really, really okay, Ryuyeon? You're going to be left behind. After Miss So leaves, you probably won't see her for a year. Besides, most of the people you know are leaving too, aren't they?"

In the end, Bilyuyeon was excluded from the list.

When the announcement, 'Bilyuyeon is excluded from the Macheongak exchange delegation list as a sanction for causing a scandal,' was posted, only a few people close to him were surprised. The reason those few were surprised was not the content of the announcement, but the fact that Bilyuyeon accepted it so readily. They couldn't believe that this person, called the embodiment of conspiracy and a master of stratagem, had taken no action to prevent this.

"Ryongryong, would it make you feel better if I cried and begged you not to go, or grabbed your clothes?"

Bilyuyeon asked, tilting his head.

"Th-that… who would want such a terrible nightmare? But…"

Hyoryong had nothing more to say.

"Don't worry about me, worry about yourself. This journey doesn't seem like it will be smooth sailing."

"Are you really not going? If you have any thoughts, we're ready to step in. We'll join your scheme."

That was his sincere intention.

"Scheme? What do you take me for? Do I look like someone who's always plotting schemes?"

Hyoryong was silenced by Bilyuyeon's bewildered question.

"……"

Sometimes silence is akin to affirmation.

"I'm fine. More importantly, I heard you're going with that spirited young lady? Have a good trip."

Hyoryong's complexion turned very dark for a moment.

"If I can return…"

The place where he grew up, the place where he lost the brother he respected and loved. Could he go back there again? Would he still be Hyoryong there? Or would he become someone else?

'Will I really be able to return to their side after that?'

Hyoryong couldn't be sure.

"By the way, Ryongryong, I have one question."

Hyoryong suddenly felt uneasy as Bilyuyeon's eyes seemed to sparkle from behind his messy bangs.

"What is it?"

"I've been wondering since a while ago, since when did you become one-eyed?"

Hyoryong flinched and touched the eyepatch on his right.

"Oh, this? There was just a bit of a story behind it."

His eye, injured by Lee Jinseol, had not yet fully recovered. As Hyoryong recalled that moment, he shivered involuntarily. It was fortunate that he had quickly closed his eyes at the moment of the injury; otherwise, a terrible disaster would have occurred!

"Hmm, that's very suspicious. Your hair is messy, too. And there's a scratch-like mark on your right cheek…"

"Gasp, you saw?"

"Even with messy hair, my eyes can't be fooled. Don't tell me that eye… that was also the work of that spirited young lady?"

Hyoryong, hit by the core of the matter, staggered and was silent for a while.

"Seeing as you're silent, it must be true."

"Sigh, it's a long story."

Of course, he had no intention of telling Bilyuyeon the whole story. As if reading his thoughts, Bilyuyeon quickly said,

"Hmm, then I'll have to ask you about the reason next time."

He looked as if he was eagerly anticipating what bomb might be hidden.

"Oh no, you don't have to do that. Ahem, I should be going now. I won't be seeing you for a while. Take care of yourself."

"You're the one who shouldn't be worrying about others."

In fact, at first glance, he didn't look like Hyoryong at all.

"Then I'll be going now."

Hyoryong left after saying goodbye. Watching his retreating back for a moment, Bilyuyeon muttered to himself.

"He's so desperately trying to hide his identity… Is he afraid of returning?"

Well, that was something Hyoryong himself had to figure out. He had something to do right now.

"Then I should start preparing too, shouldn't I?"

Bilyuyeon opened a specialized closet full of locks and took out several items. The last item was in a specially made safe. It had thin grooves along the side edges, and the front door had ten thumb-sized holes arranged in a circle instead of a handle. The holes also seemed to be hollow, suggesting a double structure. Bilyuyeon pressed several points along the grooves on the side in order, then inserted his fingers into three of the holes on the door in order.

Click, click, click, click, click.

The sounds of small metal parts interlocking could be heard, and then the safe door slowly opened. Bilyuyeon reached into the safe and took out the last item. It was a small, faded box. His hand stroked the box very carefully.

Bilyuyeon meticulously checked the necessary items and then sat in front of the dressing table. Men's dormitories were equipped with dressing tables. Though not as ornate as women's, they were perfectly functional. It was a tool that Moyong Hwi, who suffered from severe mysophobia, often used to desperately find any disarray in himself.

Bilyuyeon gazed at his reflection in the mirror for a long time. It was a grateful presence that was always there, whether it rained or snowed, but he wasn't sitting there with a feeling of gratitude right now. In fact, he didn't think he would feel that way much in the future. After all, he wasn't particularly friendly with 'me in the mirror.'

"……"

Swoosh!

Bilyuyeon, who had been staring intently at the mirror, raised his right hand and swept back his bangs that were falling over his face.

A strange face was reflected in the mirror. It was clearly his own appearance, yet it felt unfamiliar.

"Long time no see, you?"

'The me in the mirror' smiled.

'Indeed, it's been a really long time. Have you been well? I'm going to forget your face.'

The me in the mirror seemed to say that.

"I thought I would never be 'that way' again…"

'Right? I agree! But isn't it fun to have unpredictable things happen in life?'

"That's true."

Bilyuyeon muttered with a faint smile.

"This is the only way, isn't it?"

If so, further delay would be a waste of time, energy, and spirit.

Rattle!

He opened the drawer of the dressing table and saw a white pair of scissors made of metal.

"I thought I wouldn't have to use this…"

After hesitating for a moment, Bilyuyeon made up his mind and picked up the scissors.

"Well then, shall we begin?"

He slowly brought the scissors towards his long, falling bangs.

Snap!

The open scissors closed with a metallic sound.

"Umm…"

Lee Jinseol pondered, staring intently at the box, which seemed to be gaping open as if to test her hair. There were many things to put in, but the space inside the box was limited. That was the problem. The organizers seemed to not understand women's delicateness. But rules were rules. The luggage to be transported through the courier company was limited to one box. The rest was only a small bundle to be carried, so it was not unreasonable for a young maiden in her prime, who loved to adorn herself, to worry about the composition of that luggage.

'Mirror, perfume pouch, sachet, at least ten changes of clothes… socks, danghye, and then… and then…'

"Kuaaak! It's too small after all!"

Lee Jinseol screamed, unable to hold back.

"……"

Na Yerim was quietly packing her luggage next to Lee Jinseol. Most of her belongings were white.

After glancing at her once, Lee Jinseol started packing her luggage again.

"Hoo~"

Lee Jinseol, who was struggling to pack, suddenly let out a long sigh and said,

"It's a shame, Yerim unnie."

"What is?"

To that indifferent reply, Lee Jinseol slapped her chest as if frustrated.

"Oh, come on! It's about Gongzi Bi, Gongzi Bi! He's not going with us this time."

"Is that so."

The indifferent reply continued. Her hands, busy packing, had not stopped even once.

"Are you just going to keep packing silently like this?"

Lee Jinseol exclaimed in a sulky voice.

"This trip isn't a short one that will end in a month or two, is it? It's unavoidable that there's a lot of luggage."

"I know that. That's why we've already hired a courier company to transport the luggage together, haven't we?"

"Then pack what you can while you can, and make sure you don't forget anything. It'll be no use regretting it later, so you pack well too."

With that, Na Yerim returned to packing. Lee Jinseol let out a low sigh, watching her.

'Is she still angry because Gongzi Bi isn't coming?'

Even though she wasn't showing it, her woman's intuition told her so.

"What are you doing?"

Na Yerim said without looking back.

"Ah, no. I keep wondering what to put in. Hahahaha! Well then, I should hurry up and organize my things too!"

Lee Jinseol let out a forced laugh and began to ponder again about how to pack her luggage. No further conversation ensued until all the luggage was packed.

The last item Na Yerim carefully picked up was a very small, old box. Judging by its faded red color, it looked at least ten years old. The intricate phoenix pattern carved on its surface had also become quite faint. Na Yerim very carefully stroked the box, stained by time.

Click!

As she carefully opened the box, two familiar items greeted her. A silver dagger and a splendid 'boyo' (hair ornament) that shone with seven colors.

"……"

A sense of longing flashed through her eyes.

"Unnie, what is that? I've never seen it before?"

Lee Jinseol, who had suddenly poked her head in from the side, asked.

"It's nothing."

Na Yerim, returning to reality, closed the box and replied in a curt voice.

"Hing…"

There was no use pouting.

Thump!

With the last box, Na Yerim closed the luggage boxes. Then she stood still for a long time. It still took quite some time for Lee Jinseol to finish packing. After waiting for a while longer, Na Yerim finally witnessed the end of Lee Jinseol's long decision.

"Phew, it's all done."

Lee Jinseol said, wiping the sweat on her forehead. Na Yerim just nodded slightly.

"Then let's go."

Na Yerim, carrying her luggage, walked away with long strides.

"Yes, unnie… Ah, wait a moment!"

Lee Jinseol urgently stopped Na Yerim, who was about to leave the room. Na Yerim, who turned back, had a look of surprise in her eyes. Her subdued eyes were full of reproach. It was as if she was saying, 'Why are you so slow?'

However, Lee Jinseol also had her own reasons, and she couldn't back down like this.

"Um…"

Lee Jinseol mustered up the courage to speak. The reproachful gaze of her unnie, who would forgive nothing trivial, was burdensome. The pitiful Lee Jinseol was further encouraged.

'Don't run away! Don't run away! Don't run away!'

Finally, she lifted her head and her finger pointed to one side.

"Um… you should take your sword, unnie."

The scene that unfolded next might have been an illusion shown by a gust of wind that suddenly blew into a stuffy room. However, Lee Jinseol thought she saw pieces of ice turning red, as if holding the twilight, beneath the flowing waves of black hair. She desperately wanted to check again, but by then she could only see Na Yerim's back, making it impossible to see her face. Although she didn't give up and tried to step forward, Na Yerim never gave her the chance to get ahead. Of course, she didn't say a word.

Na Yerim, who picked up her beloved sword 'Bingryeong,' which had almost been separated from its owner, maintained her silence, easily lifted the heavy box, and left the room.

"Let's go together, unnie!"

Lee Jinseol quickly picked up her bundle and called out to the admired Na Yerim in a bright voice, as if relieved of a heavy burden, and followed her.

The world awaited her expansion.

"…A quite arduous journey awaits you. However, success does not lie idly in the middle of the road accessible to everyone. Only by forging a path that others find difficult can you obtain what others cannot. Even if the path is arduous, I believe you will overcome the hardship. Do not forget that you are the proud and honorable disciples of Cheonmu Academy, and I urge you to compete honorably without tarnishing the academy's reputation. Then, depart!"

With the long, tedious, and unoriginal speech of Majinga concluded, the Cheonmu Academy delegation mounted their horses and rode out the wide-open main gate, where their well-wishers were gathered. Binggeom and Yeomdo were at the forefront, followed by Jin Solyeong and Yu Eunseong. Yong Cheonmyeong was naturally chosen as the representative disciple of this group. Maharyeong was the vice-representative.

When she first heard the news, the 'Iron Maiden' wore a very displeased expression, but soon nodded. She had been secretly receiving lessons from her great-grandfather recently, but it seemed she judged that it was not yet time for a showdown. The martial arts of the capital were too vast and deep to be learned overnight. It would take a lot of time to make them truly her own. She reassured herself that it wouldn't be too late to humble Yong Cheonmyeong's arrogance later.

Of course, the fact that her father, Majinga, was present also played a significant role in her restraint. If she saw the students bickering, he would surely be disheartened, and as a dutiful daughter, she couldn't show him that. To Yong Cheonmyeong's 'Please take care of her,' she simply gave a slightly haughty look. Behind them followed the Suzaku group, led by Namgung Sang and Jinnyeong.

"We're finally leaving."

The Sword Empress stood on a high watchtower, watching Na Yerim on horseback disappear beyond the horizon with the group. While she acknowledged her disciple's skill, her heart was still uneasy with worry.

'Will she be alright without him?'

If something went wrong, the Sword Empress vowed inwardly that she would definitely hold him accountable later.

"I hope nothing happens."

The Sword Saint said in a grave tone, stroking his white beard.

"Normally, I wouldn't worry, but given the current situation, I'm concerned."

Doseong also spoke.

"Come to think of it, your granddaughter was among them. So the name of Master Ma's daughter is…"

The Sword Saint's memory stopped there.

"Tsk, you old man, you're finally losing your memory. Dementia. It's Maharyeong! Since you have dementia, you'll probably forget it soon anyway, but remember it for now."

Slap!

"Ah, that's right! Maharyeong. The child you kept trying to teach last winter, right? I saw her face a few times when I tried to meet you, but I couldn't remember her name."

"Even if your mouth is crooked, you should speak the truth. It wasn't me who was holding her, but my cute grandson who held me. As a grandfather, I pretended not to be able to resist. I saw that intense gaze of hers for the first time in my life."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, of course. It was a gaze full of determination and will, with a hint of fierceness. I still vividly remember that time. She seemed like she would commit suicide if I didn't teach her properly or if I dawdled. I sweated quite a bit back then too."

Doseong's exaggeration made the Sword Saint burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Even for the great Doseong, it seems he can't help but be soft with his only granddaughter."

Doseong replied with a wry smile.

"She's my only granddaughter, how could I not find her cute? Of course, that doesn't mean I'll indulge her without reason, but I wouldn't do that!"

"Indulging a grandchild in everything just because they are cute is the way to spoil them."

"Who doesn't know that!"

If one's granddaughter or child is cute, one should give wings to their potential.

"Even if the mother bird has exceptional abilities, she cannot fly for her offspring."

A bird that hasn't practiced will simply fall.

"Have there been any developments?"

To the Sword Saint's question, Doseong nodded vigorously as if he had been waiting.

"Of course! Whose granddaughter is she? A determined person with a clear goal never gets discouraged. And they will always achieve results."

Doseong still couldn't forget the determined face of his granddaughter who suddenly visited his room.

"I'm prepared to start over from the beginning. Grandfather! Please train me. I must become stronger. I must live up to the name of Doseong's granddaughter."

At that time, he had only one answer. That's why he had stayed by Maharyeong's side throughout the winter at Cheonmu Academy. The granddaughter, full of will, learned with more enthusiasm than before and didn't complain even once about the grueling schedule.

"It was a 'joy of teaching' that I felt after a long time."

A satisfied smile naturally appeared on Doseong's lips.

"She seems to have gained something from Hongmaegok there. My grandson said that even though Cheonmubong was completely burned down due to an unexpected calamity, it seems to have left something in the children's hearts."

The Sword Saint nodded, his arms crossed.

"Now those children are going to a new battlefield. I hope they are all safe."

The Sword Empress said in a quiet voice. She knew that Macheongak was full of unseen variables and dangers.

"But we can't follow them all the way and support them, can we? The future must be opened by the young people who live in the present, inheriting the past. We've done all we could. Our role was to pass on the past to the present. Now, opening the rest of the future is entirely up to them."

Doseong spoke.

"Let's wish for their martial luck to be long."

The Sword Saint was seeing off his grandson, Doseong his granddaughter, and the Sword Empress her successor. Their hearts were not at ease as they sent the children to the place that might become the most dangerous.

"Hmm… but still, the past must endure firmly as the past, shouldn't it?"

The Sword Saint said, stretching lightly.

"When I get back, I need to finish the unfinished 'Sea Splitter'."

His tone, suggesting that the completion was not far off, greatly displeased Doseong.

"Hmph, you still haven't given up on that pipe dream?"

A retort immediately followed.

"Whether it's a pipe dream or a good dream, we'll have to wait and see."

The Sword Saint said in a carefree tone. The Sword Empress, not wanting to be outdone, stepped forward.

"I need to find a way to increase a thousand to two thousand."

This statement was enough to cause an emergency in the maritime bird community.

"Next time, I'll definitely show you something plausible, so look forward to it."

Doseong felt left out, which he didn't like. It was no exaggeration to say that these two were his only friends with whom he shared sincere friendship, so feeling this way was not pleasant at all.

"We're still active."

The Sword Saint smiled broadly. Despite being over a hundred years old, his smile was still as innocent as a child's.

"Yes, of course. It would be a matter of pride to be treated as old waste."

Doseong patted his chest and spoke loudly.

"Oh my, isn't it just beginning? I haven't even been to half of the places I want to go. I need to live for another two or three hundred years."

The woman, whose face had no relation to her age, said calmly. Even at their current age of over a hundred, they seemed to have no intention of neglecting their self-cultivation. They would probably hone themselves until the very moment of their death. Doseong felt he couldn't stay silent.

"It seems you've finally decided to become a monster."

The Sword Empress's ears, trained by superhuman senses, were very sharp.

"What? What did you just say?"

Oops! Doseong paled and waved his hand.

"Ah, no. It was just nonsense, nonsense! Hahahaha!"

To become the limit that the young people must overcome. The wall of the Three Sages of Cheonmu would still loom high in the martial world, looking down on all, a more brilliant and radiant barrier. However, even for them, the ones who stood in their way like the barrier for other young people also had walls that blocked them.

"Come to think of it, I haven't seen the Great Master since this morning. Where did he go?"

The Sword Empress asked.

"It seems he followed those children."

"Is that so? Did he find a promising child? How do you feel about your grandson being chosen?"

This implied he knew the general story. The Sword Saint replied with a wry smile.

"Honestly, I don't feel that good about it. I only feel sorry that he made me realize my martial arts alone were insufficient. The Great Master has hidden his sword even deeper."

The Sword Saint said with admiration.

"Or perhaps he discarded it."

"The state of 'no sword in hand, no sword in heart'?"

The Sword Saint exclaimed involuntarily.

"It's 'no sword in heart.' That's why 'swordsmen' are no good."

Doseong corrected the mistake in a firm voice. As this was a common occurrence, the Sword Saint did not retort. Instead, he tapped the branch, 'Eunha,' tucked into his waist and said,

"I thought I could have a go after obtaining this… It's a shame."

By then, that wall had moved a little further away.

"You haven't given up yet?"

"Of course, have you given up, Sword Empress?"

The Sword Empress's eyes widened in surprise.

"Of course not! Isn't it our promise from 'back then' to surpass those two? But I thought I was the only one who remembered that promise. After all, it's a hundred-year-old promise."

They too, of course, had their youth. That promise was made in those days, which had already become a distant memory.

"What fades with time cannot be called a true promise."

The Sword Saint asserted.

"Then you must also remember that promise. The promise that whoever wins the martial arts competition against the Great Master will marry me. That promise is still valid, right?"

Doseong spoke with an air of needing to clarify this point.

"You old man, you're being ridiculous. That was a joke, not a promise. Don't confuse the two. Doseong, you senile old man!"

The Sword Empress shot back.

"Guh…"

Doseong was speechless.

"Still, it's fortunate that the Great Master looks well after seeing him after so long. It wouldn't be pleasant to win against a frail old man, nor would it prove real skill."

"I agree. That's right."

"Well, from my perspective, he looks like he'll live for another hundred years."

"Then what's the point of researching Sea Splitter?"

The Sword Saint's reason for researching Sea Splitter was that he couldn't beat the Great Master with 'River Splitter.' The Sword Empress and Doseong, who still didn't neglect their training and practice, all had clear goals before them. It was both a curse and a blessing. It was a curse in that it stood in their way and reminded them of their weaknesses, and a blessing in that it became a goal and a driving force to expand their limits.

"Since he seems to be fine for the time being, I should go back and continue my training. I, Sword Empress, will be the first to defeat the Great Master."

"No, it's me, me!"

"No, that's me."

"No, I mean, that's…"

A brief argument ensued. It was not the level of conversation expected from the giants of the martial world.

"Wait! This will never end."

The Sword Saint stopped the argument.

"Let's stop. We'll see, won't we? Let's end it here for today."

"That would be good."

After all, they had no intention of stopping their extreme training of their swords and sabers to overcome that wall today.

"Those children are now going from the bright to the dark."

The Sword Empress said, watching the departing group with a lingering gaze.

"Shadows follow light. Only when they know light and darkness, know that there is a flip side to the outside, and then accept both and merge them into one, will those children be reborn as true martial artists."

"One cannot achieve greatness in a hundred or a thousand years with a narrow perspective! Only those who can break through prejudice can achieve true accomplishment. To do so, they must first realize that the world is too complex to be divided into just two categories."

This journey was a journey for that purpose. While it was accompanied by danger, the rewards would be equally great. To expect rewards without taking risks would be shameless.

"Now, all we can do is watch."

The departure of the Cheonmu Academy delegation felt very dangerous. Therefore, they decided to stay there a little longer.

* * *

Na Yerim's surroundings were like an island. Everyone was burning with the desire to stand by her side, but they were also wary of each other, so no one dared to approach. If one stood out alone, they would be the "nail that sticks out" and would have to bear the envy and criticism of others in secret, and no one had enough guts to endure that. The only person who could do that was Bilyuyeon. However, he was disqualified from participation due to the recent unpleasant incident and the backlash.

A peculiar aspect of this delegation's formation was that it gave participating opportunities to disciples who had just entered the academy. Of course, it wasn't given to just anyone. There was a condition.

Be among the top four in the entrance exam.

The reason for four was that when the list of successful candidates was posted in a circular shape, these were the people who occupied the north, east, south, and west. They were designated in order of excellence as North, East, South, and West, and each had a name. They were Bukwon, Dongwon, Namwon, and Seowon, respectively.

The stated reason was to provide ample experience to promising talents.

Everyone didn't strongly oppose the idea of having junior disciples to boss around. What was surprising was that two of those four were women. One of them was Yuran, a disciple of Jin Solyeong, the nun of Ami. Fortunately, Yu Unbi also narrowly passed the exam as fourth and was able to join this group. The remaining male was Gongsun Jeolhwi. While various unpleasant incidents were made to disappear through high-level political negotiations, he was able to participate in the exam. However, with Bilyuyeon holding leverage over him, his future did not seem bright, according to Namgung Sang's opinion.

In the forbidden zone where no one dared to approach due to mutual vigilance, a black horse, shiny like black silk, stepped in, its luxurious mane swaying, and soon approached Bai Ma next to Na Yerim.

"This woman…"

Namgung Sang's eyes widened.

The person gracefully riding the slender black horse was the mysterious woman in black he had encountered during the exam, and she was still wearing the same black silk robes. She sat demurely on the black horse with her feet together and her back straight.

"Why, Sang? Do you know her?"

Namgung Sang, whose mind was elsewhere, made a serious mistake by missing Jinnyeong's question.

"Wow… I can't believe she was this beautiful…"

"Sang, didn't you hear me just now?"

Namgung Sang, unaware that his karma was accumulating, got lost in thought again, missing Jinnyeong's words once more. He couldn't confirm her face during the exam because she wore a veiled umbrella. A dark umbrella embroidered with plum blossom patterns in silver and gold thread. Thinking about it, even now she was wearing that umbrella as a parasol, but the veil that had covered her face was removed.

'Who could she be?'

'She's a stunning beauty!'

It was no wonder that not only Namgung Sang but also many men's gazes were fixed on her. Although the umbrella cast a shadow, one could easily infer she was a beauty from her glimpsed eyes and features. Moreover, she was slender and graceful, with a slender waist, and every movement she made was as elegant as a dancer's.

Namgung Sang tilted his head.

"But it's strange? I feel like I've met this woman before, besides that time…"

However, his thoughts couldn't continue further.

"Naaaam-goong Saaang!"

Turning his head quickly at the furious voice, Namgung Sang was terrified.

"Hieeeeeeek!"

There stood an Asura wrapped in the fires of hell.

"Where are you looking right now?!"

Crack!

The angry 'Imunjeongju' struck Namgung Sang directly in the side.

"Kueeeek!"

A tragic scream echoed.

'How… how could she hit the exact same spot without a single error…!'

The place where Jinnyeong's elbow had struck was precisely where the woman in black silk had inflicted a fatal blow with her elbow a while ago! At that moment, Namgung Sang's consciousness cut off.

"Hello."

The woman in black, approaching Na Yerim, greeted her with a smile.

"Who are you?"

It was the first time Na Yerim had seen her face.

'Eyes like the abyss…'

The woman naturally pushed back the silky hair flowing down her forehead to the right. The right eye was slightly hidden by her oblique bangs, which fell like a thin veil, but the left eye, revealed on the opposite side, had a jewel-like beauty. It was a deep, multicolored, agate-like, dark brown eye that seemed to draw the viewer in.

But then…

'N-no way!'

Suddenly, Na Yerim's eyes widened.

'Who on earth is this woman? I can't read her mind!'

The woman in black silk smiled faintly, covering her mouth with her sleeve.

"It's been a long time, Rin!"

At the appellation 'Rin,' Na Yerim's fingers stiffened.

The woman slowly lifted the dark umbrella she was wearing. As the sunlight hit the woman's face, Na Yerim was startled. The deep, dark brown eyes, like agate, gradually turned a brilliant golden hue as they received the sunlight. Na Yerim had seen a gemstone similar to those eyes. A beautiful yet majestic gemstone that emitted an indescribable light, changing from deep brown to brown, and then to golden, depending on the angle of the light! Yes, it was…

'Like tiger's eye!'

Thinking so, Na Yerim was startled once more. It felt like she had said the exact same thing before.

"S-surely…"

The buried memories of the past pierced her heart like arrows. Silence ensued.

The woman with tiger's eyes smiled again. It was a look that seemed to ask if she remembered now.

"Oh dear, that's so disappointing."

The woman said in a tone of great disappointment.

"Surely you haven't forgotten, Rin?"

The mysterious woman in black silk did not hide her disappointment.

"H-how could I… How could I forget, my savior…"

Of course, she remembered. How could she forget the one who had protected not only her physical life but also her mental life?

With trembling voice, Na Yerim uttered the name she had held back for over ten years.

"Y-Yeon Fei!"

The woman in black silk smiled like the sunlight and raised something with her hand. The familiar 'boyo' (hair ornament) stirred with a dazzling ripple of light after a long, long wait, trembling silently.

"Once again… It's been a long time, Rin! It's been ten years."