WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 43: In April, All the Flowers of the World Have Faded (14)

──────

Choran's life as a concubine was more satisfying than she had expected.

Master Wang, who owned enormous cotton fields, had a grand house and many servants. Since Master Wang himself was a good man, every one of the servants wore relaxed expressions and carried out their duties with care.

Master Wang's wife seemed displeased with Choran at first. But when she heard that Choran could not bear children, she looked at her with both pity and relief. After that, she even sent snacks and fruit to Choran's room.

Above all, Master Wang was sincere.

Master Wang, a man in his mid-thirties, was surprisingly devoted. Ever since Choran came to live there, he had brought her flowers he picked out himself every day, smiling bashfully as he gave them to her.

Everything took time to know for certain, but Choran was content.

Far more content than she had vaguely imagined she would be.

Still, whenever she felt happy, Eun-yeong kept coming to mind. Whenever she was alone, she often cried until her cheeks were soaked.

About ten days passed like that.

Then Choran heard some news from the servants.

"Windflow Martial Academy is holding a feast?"

"Yes. They say they're treating everyone to rice cakes and wine to celebrate their victory in that great battle. This is already the second day."

A man suddenly came to Choran's mind.

Tall and fair, with features so neat they were startling.

The man people called Sole Crimson, saying he stood alone in vivid red.

"Young Master Yeon Sowol..."

The man who had risked his life to fight for Eun-yeong.

Choran abruptly raised her head.

"Could I go there? Windflow Martial Academy showed me great kindness."

"Ah, yes. Then I'll speak to the master as well."

"Yes. Please do."

The servant hurried away, and Choran opened one of the chests where she had stored her clothes.

This time, she wanted to dress up with care so she would not look sad.

* * *

People in the twenty-first century could lie in bed and still talk to others, mock them, be mocked by them, worship them, and be worshipped in return.

Not in this world, where the Jianghu existed.

To talk to someone, you had to go outside and meet them in person. Even if the person you met turned out to be boring or irritating, it was not easy to just hit the back button and leave.

It was not like the twenty-first century, where one twitch of a finger brought up the next piece of content. Here, to find something else, you had to get acquainted with a whole new person. Or, if you did not want that, walk a long way to visit a friend.

In a world like that, a feast open to everyone was an experience entertaining enough to be remembered for life.

All the people from around town, people you had only heard about, gathered together to chatter over free food, free rice cakes, and free wine.

At times like this, they could enjoy connectivity that rivaled people of the twenty-first century.

You could share a drink and talk with anyone among the crowds around you. If you thought, This person is kind of rotten, you could simply move over to an empty seat nearby.

It was a special time and place where you could luxuriate in relationships, gather attention, and consume stories.

That was what a feast was.

Windflow Martial Academy held its feast for a full seven days and nights.

They threw open the main gates and treated every visitor.

Yi Yubaek, who liked things clean, ordered a great quantity of incense for the occasion.

Spirit-inviting incense, burned in Daoist rituals.

Frankincense, commonly used in temples.

Agarwood incense, favored by high-ranking officials at government offices.

When Kang Muhyeok, his eldest disciple, saw the incense that arrived later, he was horrified.

"Master! Spirit-inviting incense and frankincense are one thing, but agarwood too? This stuff is expensive..."

"Didn't I only buy a little? It is practically just a taste."

"Even so, it is agarwood. Do you know how much this one box would cost in gold...?"

"I have plenty of money. The Governor-General of Liangguang gave me an entire box of gold."

"That is not what he gave it to you for."

"No. This is exactly what he gave it to me for."

Yi Yubaek spoke firmly.

"The Heavenly Road Mountain Expedition hinges on this feast now. The better we treat people here, the more they will spread what they saw and heard. Then the martial heroes who hear it will think it over. Hmm. The Heavenly Road Mountain Expedition? Perhaps it has some meaning after all. This is the final stage of gathering people."

"...I understand what you mean, but did it have to be agarwood...?"

"Why should ordinary people not know good things? We cannot let them enjoy it properly, but I want to at least give them a taste of what it feels like. So do not scold me too much."

"Hmm. That is true. Your disciple did not think deeply enough."

"You brat."

Yi Yubaek patted Kang Muhyeok's head.

Kang Muhyeok, twenty-five this year, wore an uncomfortable expression but did not avoid his master's hand.

The special blend of incense Yi Yubaek had put together burned throughout Windflow Martial Academy.

The moment feastgoers passed through the gates, their eyes widened.

Above the heavy woody scent of spirit-inviting incense drifted the sharp, refreshing fragrance of frankincense, while the soft, sweet scent of agarwood, so faint it was almost impossible to catch, sent out a gentle smile...

"Ah. What is this place? Why does it smell so good...?"

"It makes me emotional for no reason. It reminds me of the old days... It is spring already, after all. Those were good days..."

"Wow! Mom! It feels like another world here!"

"Hm? Agarwood? He used agarwood? Yi Yubaek really went all out."

All kinds of people gathered.

Some were especially ragged and foul-smelling, but thanks to the incense Yi Yubaek burned with determination, everyone was able to keep smelling pleasant together.

People whose moods had already lifted from the incense quickly became drunk and friendly over wine and rice cakes.

The atmosphere heated up in an instant.

Singers, performers, storytellers, and painters joined the lively crowd, each selling their talents and collecting coins. That only added to the excitement of the feast.

Yeon Sowol enjoyed the mood quite a bit as well.

There was plenty to eat and drink, and everyone was smiling. There was no reason not to enjoy himself.

No. Actually.

There was one.

A reason he could not.

Even while smiling, Yeon Sowol would suddenly think of Eun-yeong. He thought of Choran, too. Sometimes, the remnants of that day, with blood spattered everywhere, flashed through his mind.

Whenever that happened, the wine lost all flavor and any urge to smile was washed away.

"Why are you making such a funeral face on such a fine feast day?"

Yeon Sowol's eyes widened.

A man staggered toward him with a wine bottle in hand, apparently already dead drunk despite it still being daytime.

A poor scholar in a dented cap and clothes patched over and over.

"Jin Geol?"

"We meet again, Young Hero Yeon Sowol, Sole Crimson."

"Ah, yes. Forgive my rudeness, Scholar Jin."

Calling someone by name without warning was rather rude by this world's standards, so Yeon Sowol hastily addressed him with respect.

Jin Geol twisted his whole body in discomfort.

"Ugh. Please. Just call me Jin Geol."

"Ah, yes. Brother Jin."

"I said call me Jin Geol."

"Then, Brother Jin, what brings you here? Did you originally live in Shinheung County?"

"..."

Jin Geol glared at Yeon Sowol, then let out a short sigh before answering.

"No. I am traveling the realm. I came to Guangdong to see the Danxia landscapes of Shaoguan, but then heard the Governor-General of Liangguang was holding a great feast for Buddha's Birthday, so I came this far. Once I arrived, I found there were small pleasures here as well, so I decided to stay and enjoy myself for a while."

"I see. Thank you again for helping me back then. The poem you taught me was a great help."

"It was nothing."

Jin Geol grinned.

But Yeon Sowol's heart darkened again.

Jianghu, ten years of lamps beneath night rain.

Jin Geol, standing right before him, was the one who had taught him that poem.

Now, whenever he thought of it, he could not help but sigh.

The shock had been that great.

It was the first time in his life that someone he had been that close to had died.

Right in front of him, too.

Jin Geol carefully studied Yeon Sowol's expression.

Then he suddenly raised his spoon and struck his bowl.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

Loudly enough that everyone looked over.

"Huh?"

"Who is that?"

"Is that not a scholar?"

"Then why is he hitting his bowl?"

"He does not look uneducated..."

It was a shocking sight.

Striking a bowl with a spoon!

Unless you were scolding the host for not serving enough food, or a beggar begging for a meal, there was no reason to do such a thing.

Jin Geol was educated enough to know that. But he did not care in the slightest.

'Just like I thought, nothing works better for drawing people's attention.'

What did Jin Geol care about the opinions of those around him?

If he did, he would not be walking around in a dented cap and patched clothes.

"Now, now! Listen up! You all know that Windflow Martial Academy is holding this feast to celebrate a victory. But do you know what victory it is?"

Someone answered.

"It is the victory where they wiped out all those Black Path bandits!"

"Correct. Then do you know who distinguished themselves there?"

"Of course! Great Hero Yi Yubaek and Young Hero Yeon Seonhong!"

Jin Geol grinned.

"Then, would you not like to hear the story directly from the man himself?"

The moment those words fell, the mood in the hall changed.

"Oh!"

"Ooooooh!"

"You will tell us?"

"I am curious about this. I heard Young Hero Yeon fought at the very front..."

"Right. They say he killed Seo Muryang by himself, after cutting down dozens of Black Path men."

Overwhelming anticipation began to pour in.

Yeon Sowol was flustered.

He stared hard at Jin Geol.

'Was he a thoughtless person?'

No.

They had only met briefly for a day, but Jin Geol had left a strong impression on him. He could seem lighthearted and playful, but he did not seem like someone careless or lacking in character.

Then why was he suddenly placing this burden on him? It was not as though Jin Geol did not know how rude this could be.

As Yeon Sowol watched him in confusion,

⌜Tell them about Lady Eun-yeong. Tell them about Lady Choran as well. I was curious too.⌟

The instant he heard Jin Geol's sound transmission whispered into his ear, all his doubts vanished.

"...Ah."

Yeon Sowol clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Jin Geol before stepping forward to face the crowd.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

What should he tell them?

The day he first visited Cheongun Pavilion.

The cold blade that had touched the back of his neck.

Learning how to cultivate qi sense.

Eun-yeong's profile as she tossed him footholds on the Jipseong River.

Taking each scene that passed through his mind, Yeon Sowol finally wove them into a story.

"I did not kill Seo Muryang."

The hall stirred.

It was not Yeon Sowol?

Everyone had said it was Yeon Sowol.

Then who had...?

"Lady Eun-yeong. Lady Eun-yeong killed Seo Muryang. She was the sworn sister of Lady Choran, a courtesan of Cheongun Pavilion."

Yeon Sowol continued calmly.

He told them of the strange stories in the Shinheung Danger-Avoidance Manual.

He told them of being chased by Resentful Dog and entering Cheongun Pavilion.

That led him to tell them about the martial artists' mad rush, or rather, their romantic dash to join the Jipseong River boat ride.

That led him to tell them of the terrifying presence of Chu Seongho, the second-rank Dragon Soaring General.

He told them how Eun-yeong had thrown him footholds to help him.

He told them of fighting Seo Muryang beside the Jipseong River, how Seo Muryang had injured Choran, how Eun-yeong came to kill Seo Muryang, and a little of what Yeon Sowol himself had done.

By the time he finished, more than half an hour had passed.

Without a word, people watched Yeon Sowol with unreadable expressions.

'Did I get carried away and make it too long?'

Just as Yeon Sowol began to panic,

"Sniff."

Someone sniffled.

As though that were a signal,

"Ah..."

"Good grief..."

"It is bitter. No, it is sweet. This damned wine is sweet."

"This is driving me mad. It is driving me mad."

"The Jianghu... Ah... The Jianghu..."

"Loyalty! This is loyalty!"

Voices burst out everywhere.

Poor people and rich people alike.

Men, women, children, and elders.

Some wiped at their wet eyes, while others slapped their knees and laughed heartily.

A tremendous sense of satisfaction filled the air.

Shaking his head, Jin Geol approached.

"Hah. I knew you wrote poetry well and spoke well, but I never knew you could tell a story so vividly too."

"Did I... do well?"

"You did exceptionally well. Your delicate phrasing, delivered as if it were nothing, was superb."

Yeon Sowol pressed his lips together bitterly, then bowed his head once more.

"Thank you, Scholar Jin. I wanted to speak of Lady Eun-yeong and Lady Choran at least once, because I thought some people might misunderstand them. Thanks to you, I had this chance."

Jin Geol looked at Yeon Sowol meaningfully.

"It is too soon to thank me."

"Pardon?"

Yeon Sowol understood what he meant before an hour had passed.

"And so! Lady Eun-yeong endured to the very end. She endured the pain of her life fading away, and gave Young Hero Yeon Sowol instruction for his sake. Without making the young hero, who knew nothing, worry even once, she said in a calm voice, 'Get a hold of yourself.'"

"Ahh. Poor Young Hero Yeon! How must he have felt, watching Lady Eun-yeong die?"

"Lady Eun-yeong truly was something... A true hero. She was a woman, but a true hero!"

The story Yeon Sowol had told once began to be reproduced without end.

People in this world were starved for content, and Yeon Sowol's story was such powerful entertainment that, in the last ten years, it was hard to find its equal apart from Yi Yubaek's bloody battle with the Heat Cauldron Sect.

Some told the story.

Some wrote calligraphy inspired by it.

Some composed songs and sang them.

Some even painted Yeon Sowol stabbing Seo Muryang, and Eun-yeong bonking the back of Yeon Sowol's head.

Watching and listening, people marveled without end.

"Wow. So he held out there alone until Great Hero Yi Yubaek arrived. For so long... Young Hero Yeon's martial arts are truly incredible."

"The loyalty is insane. Lady Eun-yeong risked her life to avenge her sister, and Young Hero Yeon risked his life to fight because he remembered the kindness Lady Eun-yeong had shown him. This is loyalty. This is what loyalty is."

"More than anything, Young Master Yeon's heart stayed with me. I saw him, you know. The day Choran was married, Young Master Yeon lingered about before suddenly going into Cheongun Pavilion and coming out again. I wondered why, but... he could not let it go. Lady Eun-yeong and Lady Choran stayed in his heart. What a kind heart he has."

"Ten thousand river lanterns and ten thousand sky lanterns on the Jipseong River. Young Hero Yeon, Lady Eun-yeong, and Lady Choran must have all seen them together... Whenever I think of that, hah. The Jianghu... The Jianghu!"

Yeon Sowol's face turned red.

He was embarrassed, but he also felt a swelling emotion he could not explain.

Jin Geol poured him a drink and smiled.

"The world is strange. Sometimes worthless people spout dog-shit nonsense, but other times, people appear who understand what is in your heart better than I do."

"I suppose... that is true."

Yeon Sowol emptied his cup in one gulp, and Jin Geol grinned.

"Would you like another?"

"Yes. As much as you can pour."

"Then let us drop the formalities between us. All right?"

"...Just pour the wine already."

"Ha! Gladly, Sowol."

"The wine is good, Jin Geol."

The two young men exchanged wine as they chuckled together.

Then Choran, dressed beautifully, entered Windflow Martial Academy's bustling main gate with her husband, Master Wang.

"Boo hoo hoo... Lady Eun-yeong..."

"Hah. This cup is for Lady Choran. This one is for Lady Eun-yeong. The last cup is for Young Master Yeon...!"

"Sell me that painting! Lady Eun-yeong eating candied fruit while Lady Choran smacks the back of her hand! Sell it to me! Right now! I will pay any amount of silver!"

Her eyes went round as a rabbit's.

Footnotes:

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried