Book 20 Chapter 9

Yeongryeong, Reception

— An unidentified scholar in black

The next morning.

Leaving Mongmu and Hwanmu to guard their luggage at the inn, Yeongryeong went out onto the street alone. While it was convenient to have them attend to her, she sometimes felt as if she were being watched or restrained, which made her chest feel strangely tight. She wanted to be alone, and there were plenty of excuses. Choosing a suitable one, she went out by herself. It felt refreshingly open.

"The eastern pier, wasn't it?"

If the woman's words were true, there should be a path to Macheongak there. Deciding to go there for some lake breeze, she headed that way.

As Yeongryeong expected, Macheongak was not on land. It was on the water. This was why people often couldn't answer when asked where Macheongak was. Responding with something like 'It's in Dongting Lake' wasn't helpful.

Dongting Lake was so vast and enormous that a small border country could fit entirely within it. To find Macheongak somewhere within that large lake was like asking to navigate the sea without a nautical chart.

Among sailors, it was called the Dragon King's Palace. The boats that went there were limited. Other fishing boats, fearing they would be murdered, dared not approach it. However, as long as they didn't violate the forbidden zone, they were protected and followed instructions well. Boats to Macheongak could only be boarded from a single pier. Inside a small temporary tent set up at the entrance of that pier, only a small desk sat alone, and a flag next to it simply read 'Reception'.

"What brings you here, young lady?"

The scholar in black, who was sitting alone at the small reception desk and stopped writing something with a brush on a piece of paper, looked at Yeongryeong with indifferent eyes. He had a young and handsome face, appearing to be in his late twenties, but his eyes looked like a still, dark night lake. They were deep and dark, impossible to read. His expression was as blunt as his tone, devoid of even a fragment of emotion. One would often doubt if blood even flowed to his face.

"Naturally, I've come to apply for Macheongak's entrance examination."

Yeongryeong replied, as if asking why such an obvious question was being asked.

"A maiden like yourself?"

The scholar in black retorted, sounding suspicious.

"Oh, that's not something I can just ignore. What difference does it make if I'm a maiden or married? Isn't it common sense in the martial world not to judge by appearances? Am I wrong?"

Yeongryeong shot back fiercely, but the scholar in black's response was calm and concise.

"You are wrong."

The scholar in black replied bluntly.

"Why am I wrong?"

Yeongryeong countered, slightly bewildered.

"Because your assertion is still unconventional in this martial world. Most people in the martial world still judge others by their appearance. Common sense refers to what is generally accepted by the majority. Therefore, for your assertion to become common sense, you'd have to wait tens or hundreds of years. Of course, it might never come. That's why you are wrong."

"Th-that's sophistry!"

Yeongryeong exclaimed, feeling inexplicably indignant.

"You are being stubborn."

The scholar in black replied simply.

"W-what did you say! Are you done talking?"

Yeongryeong became even more indignant. His mocking tone seemed somewhat plausible and logical, and she almost agreed, which made her even more angry and frustrated.

'What kind of man is this?'

For some reason, seeing the man sitting so calmly ignited a fire deep within her.

"What's your name?"

The scholar in black's question was so sudden that Yeongryeong was momentarily taken aback.

"Yes?"

Even she thought it was a ridiculous question.

"I'm going to register you. For that, I need your name first."

The scholar in black dipped his brush into the inkstone a couple of times and replied, sounding bothered.

"Yeongryeong."

"Surname?"

"Mong."

"Age?"

"Twenty… four."

"Hmm? Twenty-four is a bit late. Usually, people give up on entrance by this age."

"I had an accident."

Yeongryeong replied, fiddling with her hair that fell long to one side, covering her left eye. She wasn't wearing an eye patch, but that didn't mean she had sight. Her left eye could see nothing. The scholar in black gazed at her for a moment before indifferently turning his head back to the documents.

"Where are you from? Be it a sect or a family, anything."

Dipping his brush in ink again, the scholar in black asked.

"Monghwan Villa."

Yeongryeong replied.

"Monghwan Villa? Is there such a place?"

"Yes. Because I'm from there. You can tell by looking at me, right?"

"Where is it located?"

"That's a secret."

"You don't know?"

The scholar in black casually threw in a remark.

"Are you trying to pick a fight? I was born and raised there, so why wouldn't I know? In the dark path, isn't it forbidden to carelessly reveal the location of sects or strongholds? Look at Macheongak, for instance."

"That's reasonable. I have no rebuttal."

With that, the scholar in black wrote 'Unknown (不明)' in large letters in the location field. However, there was still plenty of empty space on the paper. Thinking she had to let him know that believing he could understand her from that single piece of paper would be a huge mistake, she said,

"What else should I write in the remaining blank space? It seems rather insufficient to contain my life, doesn't it?"

"That's something to be seen. And it's better to have something than nothing. At least it increases the basis."

The scholar in black replied bluntly.

"Are you married?"

"I am unmarried."

Yeongryeong answered primly.

"Then do you have a lover?"

Yeongryeong's face suddenly flushed at the question asked in a seemingly indifferent, emotionless tone.

"Wh-what kind of question is that? What does having a lover have to do with the exam, that you'd ask such a personal question?"

"I'm just asking you to write it down. If you have a lover, you might be distracted by them and think it interferes with your training. Do you have one, or not?"

The scholar in black repeated his question, as if it were none of his business.

"Um, no, not yet…"

"Not yet… Then, is there anyone you secretly admire, have feelings for, or are targeting?"

"You're being rather persistent."

"I'm just trying to be thorough."

The scholar in black remained composed.

"There is someone I hold in my heart. My life belongs to that person."

Yeongryeong's face blushed slightly as she answered.

"Is that feeling truly genuine?"

The scholar in black asked in a serious voice. Yeongryeong's right eyebrow, which had been elegantly arched, shot up towards the sky.

"Are you doubting my sincerity now?"

Yeongryeong snapped back sharply, displeased.

"Could it possibly be a lie?"

However, the scholar in black remained unfazed. He seemed determined to say everything he had to say.

"It's genuine, undoubtedly. And without falsehood! How can one not know their own heart? How can this tender feeling be false?"

"That's completely wrong. You probably don't know, but most people don't truly understand their own hearts. And since the heart has no form, it can be shaped by sincerity or falsehood. Isn't there something called the placebo effect?"

"Are you saying I'm under hypnosis now? Because you're being too lenient!"

Yeongryeong shouted.

"I never said that. Don't jump to conclusions."

Even in the face of Yeongryeong's anger, he merely shrugged.

'What kind of person is this! Being rude has its limits!'

Yeongryeong was dumbfounded. Was that something one should say directly to someone they've just met?

"In any case, I am sincere. If you continue this discussion any further, I will consider it an insult."

At that, the scholar in black feigned surrender by raising his hands slightly.

"Do not forget that feeling now. As long as you consider that feeling to be sincere, it will be the most certain sincerity there is. Then that man will be happy. I envy him, whoever he is. He must be the happiest person in this world, or perhaps… the most unfortunate!"

A fragment of emotion briefly flickered from the blunt scholar in black, like sunlight glinting off ice, but the startled Yeongryeong didn't notice.

"Is there anything else required?"

"No. The dark path doesn't concern itself with trivial matters."

"Weren't the detailed questions you just asked trivial matters?"

Yeongryeong chided with a sullen expression.

"Think as you wish. The most important things for entering Macheongak are two. One is, of course, skill. And the other is…"

Instead of answering, the man thrust his palm forward.

"What is this palm for?"

Yeongryeong asked, pointing to his outstretched palm with her finger, as if it could hold up the sky.

"Hand it over."

"What are you talking about?"

Yeongryeong tilted her head and asked.

"You came to apply without knowing this?"

"I don't know."

The scholar in black let out a quiet sigh and then curtly explained.

"The application fee!"

"Application fee? Is there such a thing?"

"Of course. We can't do business and have to be tied up here for days, so it's unavoidable, isn't it? There might be free things in the world, but there's no free lunch in the dark path."

The scholar in black said with an expression like a venerable monk speaking a truth.

"How much is it?"

The scholar in black spread out all five fingers.

"Five taels of silver?"

Then the man closed his hand and opened it again.

"No. Ten taels of gold."

"What? Ten taels of gold? Isn't that too expensive?"

Yeongryeong's eyes widened at the exorbitant amount, and she protested in a strong tone.

"Children of the dark path are usually wealthy. A powerless dark path sect is an incompetent sect. And incompetent sects tend to produce incompetent disciples. We don't need incompetent people. So, this price is perfectly acceptable."

"Does skill measure possible with money?"

"To some extent. Especially in the dark path, where personal ethics are considered mere encumbrances, 'money' and the ability to accumulate it are absolute measures of ability."

It was a very cold assessment.

"Then, how many applicants are there typically?"

"Usually between a thousand and fifteen hundred."

Yeongryeong's eyes widened at the enormous number.

"That many? You wouldn't need to do business for a year."

"What's the point of idling? We have to do business. More money is always better. This is especially true in the dark path. The dark path is not maintained by ambiguous values like honor or justice. It is maintained by money and power. And the web of money is too complex. So, the more money you have, the more places it goes."

"I see. I understand half of it."

Yeongryeong nodded.

"Why did you leave the other half?"

The scholar in black asked back.

"But sometimes, couldn't there be talented people without money? Like disciples of reclusive elders?"

She just didn't want to lose. If she accepted it as is, she felt like she had lost.

"Usually, great figures of the dark path retire, but they don't go into seclusion. Of course, after retirement, some enter secluded mountain retreats. However, even then, tribute comes in. And they will certainly have hidden wealth. If they don't, they are undoubtedly incompetent. So, if that reclusive elder were from the white path, it would be a different story, but if they were from the dark path, they would have assets."

"That's a very extreme way of thinking. Still, couldn't there be a possibility? Perhaps the master could come from the white path to the dark path."

"You are quite persistent, young lady. Yes. That's a rather sharp point. In fact, such cases do occur. Though not often."

"Right. What happens in those cases?"

"To prepare for such situations, we offer a small opportunity to penniless applicants. We are not so base as to offer them no method at all. On the contrary, if they have ability, their origin doesn't matter; that's the nature of the dark path."

"What kind of opportunity?"

"If they wish, they can pass a certain trial."

"What trial?"

"Goodness, you're a very curious young woman. Arrive at Macheongak by any means necessary. Not by using the regular transport. That's all. However…"

"However, what?"

"We are not responsible if you die doing so. It is clearly stated in the 'Entrance Requirements'. You must read this and sign at the very end."

Yeongryeong read the part he indicated with his finger.

"This examination is conducted by my own voluntary will, and therefore, the academy shall not be held responsible for any accidents or even death that may occur during this examination."

And next to it was a place to sign.

"Some people give up after reading that part. What will you do?"

The scholar in black asked, handing her a brush dipped in ink. Yeongryeong took the brush without hesitation and said,

"Of course, I will sign."

She had no intention of backing down at this point.

"Will you pay the application fee? Or will you challenge the special trial?"

"Hmm… I'll just pay the application fee."

Yeongryeong replied after contemplating for a while.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Why? Is it strange?"

"No. It's just that I had a feeling that if it were you, you would have chosen the special trial."

"We met for the first time today, didn't we?"

"I'm talking about someone else. You've made a wise choice. The dark path is not for those who take the main road, but for those who take the shortcut. But…"

"Is that so? Isn't that cowardly?"

"There is no cowardice in the dark path. It is a place where the result matters, not the process. If you step in carelessly with half-hearted intentions, you'll regret it."

"Is that a warning?"

"It's just simple advice. In fact, it's such common and obvious sense that it's hardly a warning."

"I'll remember it. Here, take these ten taels of gold."

The scholar in black opened the lock on a box next to him and took out a token.

"Here, take this token. And tomorrow, at exactly the hour of the rabbit, take the boat with the red flag at the pier. Show this token, and they will take you."

"What if they pretend not to see it?"

Yeongryeong asked with a slightly playful tone.

"If I were you, I wouldn't take that risk. The fish here are well-fed. Even if you get in, you won't be very welcome. You might even be left behind."

That was more terrifying than saying she'd be thrown into the water.

"Thank you for the advice. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Farewell. I probably won't be here tomorrow. Good luck."

"Oh, what a shame. Thank you. Oh, come to think of it, we haven't introduced ourselves. We met for the first time today, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other often in the future, so let's exchange names. You already know my name, so won't you tell me yours?"

"……"

The scholar in black remained silent for a moment at Yeongryeong's question.

"Why? You don't want to tell me?"

"No, it's not that. My name is… my name is…"

The scholar in black, who had been so unrestrained in his speech, struggled to utter just one name. For some reason, to Yeongryeong, it seemed as if he were fiercely fighting with himself. Then, as if he had finally made up his mind and won, the man opened his mouth.

"Eun… Myeong…"

"Yes? What did you say? I couldn't hear you clearly."

The scholar in black, with a determined expression, raised his head.

"I will say it only once more, so listen carefully. My name is Eunmyeong (隱名)."

'Huh?'

Suddenly, her chest ached. It was an unexplained sharpness. Had she heard this name somewhere before? Yeongryeong rolled the name on her tongue once and then slowly savored it.

"Eunmyeong… is it? Whoever named you, it's a strange name. They must have named it without much thought."

Yeongryeong said with a bright smile. The man, the one who introduced himself as Eunmyeong, did not smile.

"I think so too."

"Who named it? Your father? Mother? Or your grandfather?"

A light of agonizing pain flickered in the scholar in black's eyes.

"You don't need to know. Farewell."

"Tch, you're so evasive. Alright. Then I'll see you again soon."

Taking the black token, Yeongryeong turned and walked back to the inn where she was staying.

The man watched her retreating figure. His eyes, which had been as still as a night lake moments before, were now turbulent with fierce currents.

Just then, a man with sharp eyes, carrying a long, flat object wrapped in black cloth on his back, approached. He bowed to the scholar in black and said politely,

"You should go now, my lord. The grand council is about to begin."

The scholar in black's movements, which had been tidying the table, stopped abruptly.

"Calling me 'my lord' again."

Without turning his head, the scholar in black said with displeasure.

"S-sorry. I made a mistake, commander."

"Understood. Do not forget that I am not your lord now. Just as you hid your own wings, I have concealed my name."

"I-I will keep that in mind."

The scholar in black nodded lightly and gathered his 'documents' before standing up. Then, he glanced back one more time at where she had disappeared before turning away.

Although it cost more than expected, Yeongryeong's steps towards the inn were light after successfully completing the entrance application process. She was thinking about the scholar in black she had met at the pier earlier. Despite never having met him before, she felt a strange sense of familiarity. He was a man who somehow piqued her interest.

"Eunmyeong…"

She rolled the name around her mouth a couple of times, like putting a piece of ice in her mouth.

"It really is a strange name."

Now, even when she called out the name, her chest didn't ache at all, as if it had never happened.

Her tongue felt tingly.