Book 21 Chapter 3

Fight with Grit

- Wang Mandu and Glass Mask

"You have now learned music theory. You're still a beginner, but it's not entirely unbearable. However, just knowing music theory without internalizing it through your body will only remain a hobby. So, it seems like it's time to move on to the next stage."

The master murmured these words with a solemn expression. The eleven-year-old boy, Biryu-yeon, who was calmly listening to his solemn words, began to stiffen his expression. The boy instinctively knew that something bad always happened when it was like this.

"The next stage?"

To his blunt question, the master shook his head in disappointment. The ominous feeling deepened. At this point, the master's sophistry was a typical shortcut to misfortune.

"Practice is the best way. You must train through practice and be validated in practice. Anything unvalidated is useless. It's as good as not existing. I detest such vague and ambiguous things. Are you satisfied with your music theory?"

Ah, indeed, the path to misfortune had opened. Biryu-yeon sighed and answered the master.

"Haa, of course. I'm a genius."

*Thwack!*

As if waiting, a knuckle rap landed on his head.

"Stop talking about genius. Have you ever thought about how your music theory sounds to others? You've only learned it, not presented it, so how would you know?"

"I'm not very curious."

*Thwack!*

"That means your music theory exists only within you and not for others. Then how can you guarantee it's not just your own delusion? Therefore, when you have conviction within yourself… (middle omitted)… clash with the world… (middle omitted)… so you can confirm yourself… (middle omitted)… you will be able to unite into one…"

"What does that mean?"

When Biryu-yeon interrupted the bizarre long-winded speech and retorted, the master suddenly pulled out something soft and fluffy.

Where did he get it? It was impossible to know, but what unfolded before Biryu-yeon's eyes was clearly women's clothing, and an unspoken pressure to put it on immediately.

"Why? Why do I have to wear women's clothes?"

Biryu-yeon protested vehemently with all his might.

"Do you dislike it?"

"Of course!"

It was strange to even ask about likes and dislikes for something like this. However, the master didn't seem to think so at all.

"Foolish boy! Half of this world is women. Only when yin and yang are in harmony can the Tai Chi operate and all things be created. How can you reach the state of a true person by looking at only one side? You must know both sides, yin and yang, the positive and the negative, and be able to harmonize them to be reborn as a true human."

It was a rather grand theory, but Biryu-yeon was not swayed by it.

"But it's not like I can transform my gender. I'm a man anyway."

That fact remained unchanged. His gender identity was firm.

"To give up just because it's impossible, what a spineless fellow!"

The master berated him, looking as if he had seen something utterly repulsive.

"What does grit have to do with that!"

Grit doesn't work everywhere.

'What on earth does wearing women's clothes have to do with grit? There's no logic, no logic!'

Biryu-yeon grumbled inwardly. Even if he had to revere his master like the heavens, something unconvincing was unconvincing. No, he even doubted if the master had any intention of seriously persuading him in the first place.

"You rascal! Are you daring to rebel against your heavenly master!"

But even such a scolding didn't work on Biryu-yeon.

"You said to not listen even to Buddha if he speaks without logic and persuasion, right? Am I wrong? Surely… you're not going to reverse your teachings now, are you?"

He even argued back. He instinctively knew that if he kept giving in to things he wasn't wrong about, it would never end.

"Hoo, I must have taught you incorrectly!"

The old master sighed and said.

"You taught me well. You're quick with practice."

He didn't concede a single word. The master sighed again, calling him a boy with no cuteness.

"Cuteness? What good is that?"

Biryu-yeon shrugged with a voice full of disbelief.

"Tsk tsk, how naive! How can you not know the destructive power of cuteness! There are parts of this world that cannot be conquered by strength alone. If you possess only one side, you will eventually hit a limit! Only those who possess both strength and gentleness can overcome that wall."

The master spoke passionately, filled with a strange sense of mission to enlighten the world with the light of truth.

"Is that so?"

However, the boy Biryu-yeon's reaction remained coldly indifferent.

"Fine. If you insist, I will correct your slovenly attitude with an impregnable fortress of logic!"

The master declared, holding his second finger in front of the boy's nose.

"Let's see."

Biryu-yeon replied as if to say, "Try it if you can."

"Hoo! Then let's begin!"

"Anytime!"

Both had the demeanor of swordsmen facing a duel. In fact, wasn't this a mental confrontation, using sharp logic as their weapon to break through the opponent's defenses?

"Good. Let's start with a hypothesis. You are walking on a five-day journey with a little water and five wang mandu. It's a rugged path where you can't get any more food, and eating one wang mandu will only last you one day. Do you understand?"

The master asked.

"It's a strange hypothesis, but let's go with it."

Biryu-yeon answered, not lowering his guard. If he nodded easily at such times, he could easily be caught in the master's sophistry.

"Stiff fellow. Anyway, while walking, you meet two people. One is a burly man with bulging muscles, and the other is a charming and delicate young lady who looks like she'd blow away in the wind! The common point is that both have run out of food and are asking you for one wang mandu. Now, now! Who among them will you give one wang mandu to?!"

"Well, I'll politely refuse. I barely have enough for myself."

The master was enraged by the cold and firm answer.

"You heartless fellow! Did I raise you to be such an unfeeling brute?"

"Uh, no?"

*Thwack!*

"Kch."

Biryu-yeon clenched his teeth subconsciously. The force of the blow this time was not something that could be glossed over as a simple knuckle rap. If it were an ordinary eleven-year-old boy, he would have bled profusely… no, but at least he would have stumbled and fallen to the ground. Biryu-yeon decided to slightly change the course of events.

"Well, I understand what you mean. Master, you mean that the cute one gets the wang mandu, right?"

"Hmph, you're not a completely hopeless fool after all."

As the master snorted, Biryu-yeon shook his head.

"But maybe you would do that, Master, but reality is different. Usually, if you meet a burly man on a deserted road, you tremble and give him everything you have, right? Conversely, if it's a cute young lady, if you meet a slightly lecherous guy, you might face irreversible disaster instead of mandu…"

*Wham!*

"You rascal…!"

As the old master's face turned red with anger, Biryu-yeon briefly visited hell and returned. Along with it, he desperately realized that a complete change of direction was needed.

"H, indeed, a cute young lady with martial arts would be more advantageous than a man with martial arts."

"Hmm, you finally understand."

The master nodded with a resigned expression. For a moment, Biryu-yeon heard a voice in his mind saying, 'He finally understands after being beaten.' and secretly swallowed his tears.

However, the disciple's sorrow was ignored by the master. The master's voice continued to pour out.

"At any rate, the point is that cross-dressing is the same! A woman is the embodiment of soft and abundant yin. If you become a woman, you will be able to see and realize many things you couldn't before! Don't give up before you even start."

"No, but this is not that kind of problem…"

But the master was already beyond communication.

"Don't you know the saying 'If it doesn't work, make it work'? Don't give up with a half-hearted grit. Even if you fail to become a real woman, the attitude of striving to become a true woman is important, the attitude of striving!"

"What does this have to do with effort…"

Using such unreasonable logic… it was still far from convincing.

"If it has something to do with it, then it does!"

It was almost unreasonable now. Did he think effort and grit were some kind of universal key? At this point, Biryu-yeon decided to point out one thing.

"Isn't it simply because you make more money that way?"

"…Money?"

The master retorted with an expression as if a bolt from the blue had struck him. However, the brief pause before he retorted. Biryu-yeon found that pause, which seemed to contain a groan of being pierced to the core, very suspicious.

Even if not for that, he had a lot of things bottled up in his heart.

"Isn't that right? The overwhelming majority of people drinking in brothels and inns are men. And they know little about music and dance. What do guys who think about drinking with women day and night know about music and dance? They know nothing and just drool at a woman's skirt!"

Biryu-yeon's words, spat out like chewing, were incredibly sharp.

"S-stop worrying about trivial matters," the old master coughed and said.

"Is that trivial? Personally, I think it's a bit too widespread in society to be called a small matter."

To the disciple's protest, the master shook his head.

"It's as difficult to meet someone who truly understands as it is to fall off a cliff and find a fortunate encounter. If there were so many people proficient in music and dance, why would there be sayings like 'high mountain and flowing water' or 'knowing a friend'? Also, why would Bai Ya break his zither strings out of regret for Zhong Ziqi's death? If you can meet one person out of ten thousand who is awake, you should consider yourself lucky, not complain. So, stop grumbling and wear this outfit!"

"……"

* * *

…It was truly incomprehensible how the story always led to that conclusion, but

"If I look like this, can I really achieve that?"

Looking at the girl sitting askew, resting her chin on her hand in the mirror, the boy muttered. He had no confidence at all.

"Ah, I don't care!"

He waved his arm nervously, and the sound of tinkling bells was heard.

Only then did Biryu-yeon, or Yeonbi, look at the bells that tinkled with every movement. The bells were attached to a bracelet engraved with dragon patterns.

'Damn master! He only put these on me.'

He recalled what the master had said. After he changed clothes, the master had said this.

"Ah, I forgot to mention…"

"What is it?"

"Don't take them off when you dance."

The master gave a stern warning with a solemn face.

"What! Who would take them off?"

Biryu-yeon, who quickly clutched his collar and became awkward, yelled.

'Is this senile master now planning to sell me to some illegal and decadent establishment!'

It was a plausible scenario, so the boy felt his chastity was threatened.

"Why the creepy stare? I'm talking about the bracelets and anklets."

The master pointed to a pair of bracelets and anklets worn on his wrists and ankles.

"Ah, these?"

Although they became quite familiar, like a part of his body later on, they were incredibly annoying at the time.

"You must be able to dance perfectly even while wearing them. And this is a bonus."

The master threw something.

"What is this?"

Biryu-yeon asked, catching it quickly.

"What do you mean? It's a bell, can't you see?"

"I know that, but…"

He meant he didn't know its purpose, as if it were to be hung around a cat's neck.

"Attach them to the bracelets and anklets."

The master instructed.

"And then?"

His doubts not fully resolved, he asked again.

"Yeah? It's obvious. You have to train so that there's no sound when you dance."

'What's obvious! None of this is obvious!'

Biryu-yeon suppressed the scream about to burst out and spoke as softly as possible.

"Master, bells are meant to jingle. If you don't want to hear the sound…"

Why put on bells? Aren't bells meant to jingle? However, in the master's world, that did not seem to be common sense.

"Why do I have to do this?"

The master accurately pinpointed his doubt. Biryu-yeon nodded vigorously at the master's words.

"I won't tell you. You'll know if you try!"

"……"

He was convinced that the master must be researching every day on how to give the most perfunctory answer possible. But the disaster didn't end there.

"Well, since you're going to do it, I'll give you a new name too. Since you're a woman now."

At that matter-of-fact tone, Biryu-yeon exclaimed, suppressing his twitching eyebrows.

"I'm still a man inside!"

"Tsk tsk, you're still far from becoming a woman. Then, while you're dressed like that, try to be a woman inside too! Live as a woman, body and soul, for the time being."

Biryu-yeon felt a strange sense of relief at the master's words that he was far from becoming a woman.

"No matter what, I'm still a man. How can I know a woman's feelings?"

"Don't you have imagination? Use your imagination! Try imagining! Special training begins!"

Biryu-yeon resolved to protest fiercely. He felt like something inside him would collapse if he didn't protest.

"Don't just slap the label of 'special training' on anything. It's completely nonsensical…"

"Rejected!"

"Then at least when I'm chopping wood or hunting, I can wear these clothes…"

"Rejected!"

"……"

The master looked down at Biryu-yeon, who was frustrated by the merciless rejection, with an intimidating gaze. He was sure that further protest would only result in violence.

"Ah, right. We were going to give you a name, weren't we?"

*Clap!*

As if a good idea struck him, the old master clapped his hands in delight. An ominous feeling washed over him.

"Let's call you Yeonbi. Take out the 'Ryu' from Biryu-yeon and flip it: Yeonbi (燕飛), meaning swallow Yeon."

At the master's declaration, Biryu-yeon tilted his head.

"Swallow Yeon? Originally it was the character for connection (連), but it's completely different."

"Just flipping it is too simple, isn't it? I don't like things that are too obvious. A swallow sounds good. Ah, I might have to go down and taste some swallow nests soon."

The master's tone became casual, as if he had already finished his business.

"Th-that's all?"

Biryu-yeon was dumbfounded. The master, with a look that seemed to ask 'What's wrong with it?', answered without hesitation.

"Yes, that's all. With this, you've become more perfect."

A satisfied tone. He seemed to truly believe he was perfect.

"What's perfect! You've created a non-existent woman and given her a fake name."

"What do you mean non-existent? Now that you have a name, perhaps another you might awaken."

The master narrowed his eyes and mumbled something incredibly ominous. Biryu-yeon's heart sank.

"Are you telling me to become a split personality? That will never happen, never."

"Don't make hasty judgments. We'll have to wait and see."

The master's answer only amplified the ominous feeling.

As expected, from the next day onwards, Biryu-yeon had to undergo various bizarre training, starting with basic deportment.

"Hmm. Originally, I would have used bone-shaping techniques like body transformation, but it's not really necessary at your young age. The problem is… don't swagger like a man in such clothes!"

The master yelled in a strict voice. Biryu-yeon, who had taken a couple of steps according to the master's words, turned back and said.

"Of course. I'm a man, after all!"

"Hoo, didn't I tell you to become a woman, body and soul! I won't forgive you scratching your butt or sitting with your legs spread! Habits like elegantly stroking your hair behind your ear, or sitting gracefully with your knees together, that's what a woman is!"

Biryu-yeon looked at the master, who was burning with an inexplicable fervor, with a suspicious gaze.

"Is it really that easy to do? And doesn't this image of a woman seem to be heavily influenced by your personal preferences?"

He had lived as a man for his relatively short life of a little over ten years. It was impossible to become a woman, body and soul, overnight.

"Forget the past. You are a woman now. Immerse yourself in the role! How can you obtain its essence without identifying with the role!"

"Even the essence…"

Biryu-yeon had no motivation whatsoever.

"Think of it as wearing a single glass mask."

"Glass mask (琉璃面咎)?"

He felt like he had heard something similar before.

"Yes, it's a phrase from a book I was deeply impressed with long ago. Actors, do not let the glass mask shatter."

The master murmured as if reciting poetry, his gaze distant.

"When you act as a woman, or another life, it is like wearing a mask made of glass, thin and fragile."

Biryu-yeon raised a question from those words.

"Glass is glass, and human skin is human skin, so where is a glass-like human skin mask? Surely not a human made of glass?"

*Thwack!*

Even though he was wearing a skirt, the master's knuckle rap came as always.

"You foolish fellow who doesn't even understand the beauty of metaphor! Anyway, if you let your guard down for a moment, that glass mask will shatter into pieces. And your worthless true nature will be revealed. Therefore, you must become a person of a thousand faces, a thousand masks."

The master began to speak passionately again.

"Just to wear women's clothes, a thousand faces… wouldn't two or three be enough?"

Biryu-yeon pointed out coldly. He wasn't an actor, and he wasn't performing, so what was the need for a thousand faces?

"Is it cunning again?"

"Disciple, I believe this is a rational judgment."

Using a formal tone he normally wouldn't use was perceived as defiance.

"You are inexperienced! In your heart, you pursue strength over gentleness, and in martial arts, you focus on tricks over strength. There will come a day when you regret it. Don't cry then, and diligently become a woman!"

Why did the conversation flow like that? It lacked all persuasion.

"Repeat to yourself, 'Woman, woman, I am an infinitely elegant and graceful woman.' If you are not a true woman, inside and out, it is meaningless! Don't worry about male emotions or past. You are a woman from now on. Deceive yourself. Isn't there a saying, 'To deceive the enemy, first deceive your ally'?"

The application seemed slightly, or perhaps significantly, different.

"For example, even if you sleep with a woman, you must never be agitated. It's natural for women to be with women. Even if you bathe together or go to the bathroom together!"

At that moment, Biryu-yeon raised his hand.

"Wait a minute! That doesn't seem right, does it? Wouldn't it be normal for women to feel shy even then?"

To the disciple's pointed question, the master answered firmly.

"I don't know! I'm a man. I heard rumors that it's like that. Hmm, I wonder. If I get a chance, I'll definitely test it!"

"……"

To Biryu-yeon, whose train of thought had momentarily broken due to the master's words, the master continued his lecture.

"At any rate, the moment you put on a woman's mask, you must become completely a woman! You must not carelessly come down from the stage."

'What stage is he talking about…'

Biryu-yeon was certain that his mind was becoming confused. Could it be a precursor to dementia, which sometimes occurs with age? Indeed, considering his age, it wasn't impossible, but…

"A stage? No matter how I look at it, aren't you just saying whatever comes to mind?"

"Hoo, I told you not to worry about trivial matters. And why is your tone still masculine? Be more demure and gentle!"

The master yelled again. It was as if he was urging him not to take the path of acting lightly. He kept getting fired up about strange things.

Something bothered him greatly.

"Could it be that the master's words back then had a hypnotic effect?"

After living as a woman for about two months under the guise of special training, her behavior as a woman had become completely ingrained. Her tone of speech had also become feminine. Unless she consciously spoke roughly, a soft and amiable tone naturally came out.

Of course, she went through a lot of hardships to get to that point. From the way she slept to the posture for chopping wood, even to the posture for relieving herself, the master would constantly ambush her and give her bizarre special training. Natural male behaviors were rapidly eliminated under harsh restrictions.

'They say people change depending on the clothes they wear.'

Later, the moment she changed clothes, it felt like a signal. It was as if her existence naturally changed with the act. It wasn't just playing the role of Yeonbi, but it felt like the 'Yeonbi' within her was emerging.

It was different from immersion in a role. It was a feeling where her own self stepped back and observed Yeonbi's actions, making her own self even clearer.

'Am I going to become a split personality at this rate?'

Certainly, when she looked like this, her temper calmed down faster than usual. She didn't get easily agitated either. What helped her become so calm was, amusingly, the tinkling bells the master had thrown.

The moment she started practicing dance with bells on, Yeonbi realized they were the master's greatest shackles. If she lost focus even slightly, the bells would tinkle indiscreetly. When gently swung, they emitted a clear beautiful sound, but when swung erratically, they were just noisy and vulgar sounds. Moreover, the master's nagging, as he became engrossed in some unknown cryptic book called the Glass Mask, was more annoying than the sound of the bells.

"Tsk tsk. Eliminating the sound of the bells is the most basic of basics! That noisy jumble means your body movements have too much useless clutter!"

After living with bells on her limbs for months, anyone would get a headache from the noisy sound and have to choose one of two options: eliminate the nerves or eliminate the sound. Yeonbi, after arduous practice, eventually became able to control the bells freely without consciously thinking about it.

As a result, Yeonbi gained several effects simultaneously. The most significant achievements were adopting elegant and smooth body movements without superfluous movements, and the bell sounds acting as a kind of spell, allowing her to control herself more perfectly.

What was strange was that when Yeonbi started dancing, lightly ringing the bells as if entering a ritual, most of the audience also seemed to fall under a spell and get drawn into the dance.

'They're just ordinary bells, but surely the master didn't go out of his way to find something strange, did he?'

Believing that the master wasn't that diligent, Yeonbi tried to shake off the ominous feeling and turned her gaze to the dressing table. Fortunately, there were things placed next to the dressing table that would help her refresh her mood.

"Is this today's special bonus?"

Only then did she notice the items she had received from Namgung-hyeon, the branch chief of Sacheon.

"Hmm, surprisingly not bad. I thought it was just ten taels of gold."

Yeonbi said, turning the box containing ten coveted gold flowers around and around. This was Yeonbi's private dressing room, the only resting space within Cheonhyangru. Of course, securing a private space was due to her skill and popularity.

"At least there's some reward for doing this."

It wasn't that she disliked dancing and gold; in fact, she was quite immersed in it. However, having to wear women's clothes every time she played gold and danced was a burden.

"Why is this mirror so dirty? Why didn't you call a mirror polisher?"

As Yeonbi grumbled while removing her makeup, she heard murmuring voices outside.

"That rumor must have been true."

It was the voice of a man in his thirties.

"What? Is it about that precious lady?"

Based on the tone and content, they were most likely low-ranking warriors.

"That's right. I heard she can't even look a person in the face properly, let alone ride a horse. She's said to be confined to her room all day at such a young age."

"Why did she become like that? If I had grown up in such a household, I would have had nothing to fear and nothing to lack. I would have been overjoyed."

The tone was a mixture of mockery, bewilderment, and pity.

"Her beauty is her crime. They say there have been countless unspoken incidents because her beauty makes everyone want to snatch her up."

"Hoho, how beautiful must she be? I really want to see her once."

"Stop it, stop it. Don't even mention it. Didn't you see even Namgung General Manager trembling?"

"Indeed, even I, who watched, was sweating coldly. The rumor that he brought her here himself because he was worried about leaving his daughter alone seems to be true."

Such rumors were circulating.

"That's how it is. Anyway, Mook Yeonbi's dance was truly amazing, tsk tsk."

"What, are you into young girls?"

By then, the voices of the low-ranking warriors had become more lewd.

"Compared to a precious lady above the heavens, this one is more promising. Let's see…"

*Crack!*

Yeonbi, who was listening to the conversation, felt a vein pop on her forehead.

'These guys!'

Just then, Yeonbi's eyes landed on something useful. It was a large wooden comb she had carelessly put aside.

"Hoho, this is enough."

Without hesitation, she applied force and broke off two prongs of the comb. Immediately, thick wooden needles were created.

'Doing two at once might be impossible, but one at a time!'

Yeonbi focused her energy and gathered her qi into the comb prongs. Then, she swung her hand sharply towards the wall.

*Thump!*

"Gulp!"

A scream was heard from beyond the wall.

"What, what are you doing?"

Yeonbi's hand did not hesitate to throw the remaining comb prongs.

"Quack!"

Another short scream echoed, followed by the dull thudding sound of something falling.

"Hmph, should I make them ache more before they wake up?"

It seemed she still had some way to go to fully immerse herself in the role of an ideal woman. Two small holes were pierced in the white-painted wall.

'Who was that talking about just now?'

As Yeonbi began to tidy herself up again, a fleeting thought flashed through her mind. However, after completely erasing the traces of the performance, that doubt had long since disappeared from her mind. Not to mention the two low-ranking warriors who were momentarily unconscious.

"Well then, let's take care of today's main business. Like a woman, like a woman."

Yeonbi said, and with light steps, she left the room.

"Money!"

Yeonbi stretched out her hand and said briefly. The other person was So Han-san, the owner of this Cheonhyangru. In a way, it was a truly impious sight, but So Han-san silently took out money and handed it to Yeonbi.

After precisely counting the contents, Yeonbi tucked the pouch into her bosom.

"It's correct."

"You're so meticulous."

So Han-san, who was already in his forties, replied with a single word.

"I don't think that's something you should say to me?"

To build a business of this scale, a thorough sense of finance was indispensable. It was almost impossible to achieve success without understanding the nature and essence of money. So Han-san looked at Yeonbi and said.

"Come to think of it, I heard your performance and dance today were quite excellent."

"It's my job."

Yeonbi activated a slight sense of caution. It didn't seem like he was praising her performance and dance to get to the point.

"I heard you even received a special bonus from Master Namgung."

"Is there a problem with that?"

Yeonbi retorted with a sharp tone. So Han-san, who had seen his fair share of life, furrowed his brow at the fierce gaze that was unbecoming of a girl in her teens.

"Well, there's no problem."

"Right? We contracted it that way from the beginning."

When the master first brought Biryu-yeon to Cheonhyangru, So Han-san didn't pay any attention. He thought, 'What good would using such a young girl be?'

"Actually, she's fifteen this year. Her growth seems to be a bit slow due to picky eating."

Biryu-yeon sighed inwardly at the nonsensical excuse.

"…She looks at most twelve or thirteen, probably around eleven."

"Hoho, have you been deceived all your life? Anyway, are you refusing because of that?"

The master's voice began to change menacingly. However, So Han-san seemed to be no pushover.

"I am a merchant, old man. Even at your request, if I use such a young child, it will tarnish the reputation of our Cheonhyangru, built over three generations."

If their reputation declined, it would directly lead to a decrease in sales. So Han-san's concern was natural.

"Hmph. I heard that some unique guests occasionally visit places like this? They say they don't even deal with those above thirteen or fourteen…"

"Ahem, hem. You seem to be misunderstanding the actions of other third-rate taverns."

So Han-san dismissed the master's awkward remark with a cough. Biryu-yeon felt an inexpressible anger towards the master as So Han-san glanced at her.

"Anyway, that child's talent is not in that direction, so it doesn't matter. Well, I can't help it. I'll have to show you why I brought that child here."

"Show me what?"

"Prepare a stage."

A stage was hastily prepared. When the young girl stepped onto the stage holding a zither taller than herself, So Han-san watched with curious eyes. He probably decided to regard it as a form of entertainment.

'Hmph!'

As she placed her fingers on the strings of the seven-stringed zither, Yeonbi thought.

'Good. If I intentionally play it sloppily here, I won't have to work at this place anymore, right?'

She already had more than enough work from her side jobs. If she added working at the tavern, she risked dying from overwork at her young age. She was increasingly suspicious that the master taught her martial arts only to strengthen her physique to prevent the risk of overwork.

'Just play it moderately, Yeonbi!'

She whispered to herself.

'Moderately! Moderately!'

Just then, the master spoke.

"Don't even think about playing it moderately!"

He was truly like a ghost at times like these.

'If I play too carelessly, they'll find out, so it's best to play at a moderate level.'

*Driiiiiiing!*

Yeonbi began to play. She had never skipped playing the zither since she learned it from the master. Her small hands moved without hesitation across the seven strings. She could now control the intensity freely.

'Moderately! Moderately!'

She kept her wits about her, as it would be problematic if she got too absorbed. She figured Cheonhyangru must employ musicians of considerable skill. Therefore, playing moderately would be enough to get rejected. That would be enough.

However, the reactions were a little strange.

'Why are they all closing their eyes?'

If they do that, it looks like they're intoxicated by the music. This is problematic.

'Hey! Can't you hear that I'm playing moderately? Why are your expressions like that? Open your eyes and let this moderate music flow past your ears and return to your daily lives!'

What was there to admire in this moderation? However, Yeonbi's inner outcry did not resonate with the people. She hurriedly looked towards the owner, So Han-san.

'Yes, the owner So Han-san's judgment is important! He should be able to notice the moderation and carelessness steeped in that music.'

However, Yeonbi was greatly disappointed when she saw So Han-san's face. He was nodding his head quietly with an intrigued expression.

*Ding!*

The performance, filled with stray thoughts and distractions, ended. A moment of quiet silence ensued. No one showed any reaction.

'Yes, there's still hope…'

But Yeonbi's hope was shattered by the exclamations that followed.

"Hoooooo!"

"Wow!"

"Waaahhh!"

A waiter cleaning tables in the back tilted his head and wiped away a tear.

'Hey, hey. Don't cry out of apology for someone who played carelessly.'

Looking around at the suddenly noisy surroundings, Yeonbi let out a quiet sigh. Still, she didn't forget to bow politely in return.

"Hmm, the potential seems great. Then, I'll sign a contract for now."

So Han-san, with a satisfied smile, handed over a piece of paper. The previous hesitant look was gone.

"First, we need to review the contract details. It's customary to discuss the terms first."

This time, the master spoke leisurely. So Han-san groaned.

"In addition to the performance fee, you'll receive all the bonuses from the customers, right?"

"That's a bit…"

It was customary to divide such things at an appropriate ratio.

"Why? Are you dissatisfied?"

"Well, it should be fine."

So Han-san said with a sigh. He seemed to covet Yeonbi's talent.

"And, if I don't feel like it, I won't dance."

"That would be quite inconvenient, wouldn't it?"

"That's how its rarity value increases. The performance was so great, I wonder what the dance will be like. If you freely sell your smiles, you'll become cheap. You're considered skilled in business, but you're not as good as your grandfather."

The master chided, seemingly knowing So Han-san's grandfather. He was the best merchant in the Sacheon region, once called the 'Mountain of Gold'.

"How could my skills compare to grandfather's? Alright. I will follow your words, old man."

And so, the contract was finally signed. It was not a very happy occasion for Yeonbi.

In any case, because of that, So Han-san could never argue with Yeonbi about bonuses. So Han-san returned from his past memories and continued his story.

"Moving on. Rather, about the backyard where you usually practice dance… I'd prefer if you didn't go there for a while."

Yeonbi became curious at his unusually troubled tone.

"What's the reason?"

"Because it became a forbidden area starting yesterday at the request of a distinguished guest."

Yeonbi's curiosity intensified.

"Distinguished guest?"

"It's difficult to say. In any case, it's best not to go to dangerous places."

The more he heard such words, the more his curiosity reared its head, but for now, he decided to withdraw.

"Alright. Then I'll be going."

Once her business was done, Yeonbi stood up without hesitation. She had a mountain of tasks to attend to today.

"Ah, can I ask you to come tomorrow as well? We have important guests staying for a while."

He was probably referring to the guests who had rented the central banquet hall today. It was likely that the 'distinguished guest' and 'forbidden area' were related to them. But it had nothing to do with Yeonbi herself.

Yeonbi was not beholden to Cheonhyangru. She had simply signed a legitimate contract with certain conditions, so she had no obligation to be swayed by Cheonhyangru's schedule.

"Tomorrow is not a workday, so it's work outside the contract. I can't tomorrow because I have other things to do."

It was a firm but legitimate refusal. The next day was her scheduled day at Manhwajang. It was rough, but it was work she had grown quite fond of lately. Isn't creating something, especially a high-value product, rewarding and enjoyable?

"Of course, it won't be free. I'll give you double your usual pay!"

"I'll consider it if it's triple."

"Well…"

"I'm leaving now."

Today's performance was clearly well-received, so they would surely regret it. Yeonbi opened the door without hesitation.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

She didn't look back.

"I lose. I'll give you triple."

Yeonbi's feet, on the verge of leaving through the door, stopped abruptly. Turning around with a swirl, Yeonbi said.

"Then shall we discuss it further?"

A relaxed smile formed on Yeonbi's lips.

After finishing the negotiation, Yeonbi glanced towards the backyard.

"A dangerous forbidden area? Emphasizing it so much means I should definitely go, right?"

Although it didn't seem like it at all, Yeonbi had already reached a conclusion in her mind.

"But for today, let's go to the Silver Dragon Pawnshop first."

It was Yeonbi's ironclad rule to immediately deposit the money earned that day at the Silver Dragon Pawnshop.

As soon as Yeonbi arrived, the general manager of the Silver Dragon Pawnshop rushed out to greet her.

"Welcome, Miss Yeon. You've visited our Silver Dragon Pawnshop again today."

Judging by the reception, Yeonbi was also a top-tier customer of the Silver Dragon Pawnshop. The more money she deposited, the greater the profit they could make, so they were undoubtedly grateful for this young lady who entrusted them with her money without fail every day.

"Today, I'd also like to cash in these ten gold flowers. With this quality and condition, they're top-grade, and adding cash deposits…"

Yeonbi quickly flicked the beads on the abacus placed on the table. The general manager counted the beads and nodded.

"Indeed, your eye for detail is remarkable. It's difficult for someone not versed in this trade to accurately appraise the value of precious metals."

"I have some connection to it."

There was no need to reveal too much. The point was to show a bit of wisdom that couldn't be dismissed simply because she was young. She had done quite a lot of business so far, so there was no fool who would dismiss her solely based on her age, but she had to be more careful than when she was Biryu-yeon. Even though the core was the same, the treatment and trust were different when wearing pants versus wearing a skirt.

"Here, all the processing is complete."

The general manager politely handed over the ledger. It contained the records of all their past transactions.

"Hmm, it's correct. Thank you for your hard work."

After confirming the contents of the ledger, she returned it to the general manager.

"Not at all. Your asset growth, Miss Yeon, is also our joy. Thank you every time."

"You're welcome. We'll continue to do so in the future."

Things like this have meaning when they are consistent. Yeonbi left the pawnshop after receiving a polite farewell.

However, that evening.

Someone on the mountain, while receiving money that could never be returned, showed a different demeanor from the people at the Silver Dragon Pawnshop.

"Is this all?"

"Yes."

Yeonbi, who had returned to her boyish form, or rather, Biryu-yeon, answered firmly.

"Hmm, is there nothing extra as a bonus?"

The old man asked, scanning Biryu-yeon from head to toe.

"Yes."

Although she felt a pang of guilt inside, she answered without showing it. Any delay in her answer would be caught. Biryu-yeon tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor.

'Is this when a calm mind like a clear mirror and still water is needed?'

Indeed, everything she had learned was useful.

"You mean it's real?"

The master asked again, his eyes clouded with doubt.

"Of course."

Biryu-yeon remained steadfast.

'That guy! He's improved a lot!'

After gazing at Biryu-yeon's face for a long time, the master soon changed the subject.

"Understood. Is tomorrow the day you go to Manhwajang?"

It was the most renowned ironworks in the Sacheon region. They could make anything from martial artists' swords to accessories for young ladies.

"I changed it to the day after tomorrow. I have to work overtime at Cheonhyangru tomorrow. I have no complaints about double pay."

Biryu-yeon subtly changed triple pay to double pay. If she had said she was working overtime for her usual pay, the master wouldn't have believed her, but this should keep him quiet. The difference between triple and double pay was a minor flexibility.

"Hmm. So, is there any progress with Manhwajang?"

As expected, he passed without suspicion.

"There's been a little. I still have to wait a bit longer to become a swordsmith, though."

"Tsk tsk, how slow. A blacksmith is only truly a blacksmith when they make swords. A sword is the art of iron and fire itself."

'Isn't it about making more money that you call it the real thing?'

Of course, he didn't say such words aloud.

"You seem displeased."

As always, the master's intuition was uncanny. At times like this, if he got flustered, it was tantamount to confessing, so Biryu-yeon smiled as brightly and refreshingly as possible.

"No, how could I be. I thought it was perfectly right."

"Hmm, let's leave it at that. Rather, try to focus more on the Bone Splitting technique."

The master said, glancing at Biryu-yeon's hands.

"Why?"

"A girl's hands should be pretty. While it's inevitable for hands to become rough when handling fire and iron, you won't have to worry about that if you master the Bone Splitting technique."

The master answered as if asking if he didn't even know that.

"Was that some kind of beauty secret technique?"

*Thwack!* The knuckle rap, now a habit, flew.

"You fool! How could it be? It's about application, application!"

Biryu-yeon protested, clutching his head with both hands.

"Kch, you don't have to hit me for that!"

"Let's just eat. You worked hard today too."

It meant he would have to work hard again tomorrow.

"Yes."

The reply sounded polite, but his lips were pouting. Preparing dinner was always Biryu-yeon's sole responsibility.

'I will definitely escape this life someday!'

The boy vowed firmly in his heart.