Chương 363: Is It Not A Joy To Have Friends Come From Afar? (7)

(7) (7) The reason Buk Hyang-hwa became close with Seo Ran was partly due to their meeting through Song Jin, and partly because of the amusing incident involving the engagement between Shi Ho and Seo Ran, which the parties themselves couldn't laugh at.

However, one of the reasons she started talking to Seo Ran was because her childhood name was also Ran (蘭/Orchid).

She remembered her childhood.

Even now, when she closed her eyes, she could almost smell the faint scent of magnolias tickling her nose.

―Ran-ah.

The voice of a woman lovingly calling her childhood name (兒名) echoed.

―No, it's now time to stop using your childhood name, right, Hyang-hwa?

Buk Hyang-hwa was clinging to a frail-looking woman lying on a bed.

― No! Just call me Ran. Hyang-hwa sounds weird.

―Huhu, it's okay. It's a pretty name.

―I don't think so.

While Hyang-hwa was clinging to the frail woman, a middle-aged man with a stern face brought a bowl of herbal medicine.

―I've brought the medicine, Yeon-ah.

―Thank you.

It was Buk Joong-ho, Hyang-hwa's father.

Buk Joong-ho, with his stern yet somewhat sad face, fed the medicine to the frail woman, Yeon, Hyang-hwa's mother.

After drinking the medicine, Yeon coughed dryly.

Day by day, her vitality seemed to wither away.

―Hyang-hwa, can you live well even without Mom?

Hyang-hwa shook her head.

―Mom, where are you going?

She buried her head in Yeon's chest and cried.

― No! Don't go! I've been having strange dreams lately. Last night, a rainbow-colored bird crushed me! I'm scared to sleep alone!

―... My dear Hyang-hwa. Now that you've outgrown your childhood name, you should learn to sleep alone. If you're too scared, you can sleep with Dad.

Nevertheless, Buk Hyang-hwa clung to Yeon, crying.

Even though she was young, she had a rough understanding.

It was hard to comprehend death, but she had a strong premonition that she would never see her mother, Yeon, again.

Seeing Hyang-hwa clinging to her side, Yeon sighed softly and handed her a jade norigae lying beside the bed.

―Ttuk, Hyang-hwa. Mom will give you a present. Take this.

[TL/N: 뚝 (ttuk) is an onomatopoeic expression often used by parents to encourage their child to stop crying. It's similar to saying "shush" but in a less demanding tone in English. It mimics the sound a child might make when they stop crying abruptly.] ―What is this?

― It's a promise I made with a friend when I was little.

Yeon gently patted Hyang-hwa's head.

Hyang-hwa listened to the promise entwined with the norigae.

―... So, when you meet that friend's child someday, ask how Hwi-ah is doing.

― Yes! And I will keep the promise well! If it's a girl, I'll make her my sister, and if it's a boy, I'll marry him!

―You don't have to if you don't want to. More than that, just ask how they are.

―No, I'll keep the promise! Definitely!

Hyang-hwa grasped Yeon's hand, making a firm vow.

Yeon patted Hyang-hwa's head.

Receiving her mother's gentle touch, Hyang-hwa hugged the jade norigae and fell asleep.

Her hands smelled of magnolias.

"... Mom..."

Buk Hyang-hwa wakes up dreaming of her mother, Yeon.

A strange floral fragrance wafts from somewhere, and delicate fingers seem to stroke Buk Hyang-hwa's cheek.

"... Mom...?"

Buk Hyang-hwa grabs the hand stroking her cheek and opens her blurry eyes wide.

And then she flinches in surprise.

"Ah!"

The person stroking her cheek is not Buk Hyang-hwa's long passed away mother, Yeon.

It's Kim Yeon, dressed in a light pink robe.

Buk Hyang-hwa raises her upper body from the bed with a wary expression.

She quickly looks around to grasp the situation.

'This isn't a torture chamber or a prison. The bed is clean... there are no restraining spells or prohibitions set up. I'm not a prisoner... are they treating me as a guest? My magic artifacts... none are here.'

Buk Hyang-hwa, though not completely relaxed, slightly eases her guard and asks Kim Yeon.

"... What's going on? I definitely gave the self-destruct order for the First Hyang Ship..."

Kim Yeon scoffs and replies.

"What do you think would be so hard about canceling the self-destruct order to that toy ship?"

Buk Hyang-hwa nearly loses her composure at the dismissal of her creation, but she barely holds back and touches her cheek.

"By the way, why were you stroking my face so gently?"

"I was plucking out the consciousness threads that got into your head. Your head is small, so it was easy to pull them out. It's no wonder your magic artifacts are the way they are with that small head of yours."

Once again, Buk Hyang-hwa's forehead veins bulge at the insult to her creation.

"... It must be nice to have such a big head."

Kim Yeon's forehead veins also bulge in response.

"Yeah, I guess I am a bit taller than you, shorty."

"You said your name was Kim Yeon, right? Can you please change it? It feels like an insult to a great person I know with the same name."

"Oh my, why bring up another person because of your height? Even if I don't like it, I can still call my master's name."

"Hah, what kind of great person did you learn from to act like this?"

"You, a person from the Ancient Force Realm, wouldn't know even if I told you."

"Why, are you embarrassed to say?"

"Hmph, I told you, you really wouldn't know? Well, he has a strange title called Mad Lord, but his puppet technique is..."

"..."

Then, the next moment, Buk Hyang-hwa's mouth drops open.

Kim Yeon notices her strange atmosphere and looks puzzled.

Buk Hyang-hwa's expression becomes blank for a moment before she asks in a trembling voice.

"... Your, your master... is Mad Lord Jo Yeon?"

"... That's right, but?"

"... The one with the hunchback who rides the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress?"

"What? How do you know that? Weren't you born in the Ancient Force Realm?"

Buk Hyang-hwa doesn't answer Kim Yeon's question and remains in a daze.

Remaining dazed for a while, Buk Hyang-hwa's momentum lowers compared to Kim Yeon.

"... H-How can that person's disciple be such a rude human...?"

Kim Yeon feels her mood sour, but when she sees Buk Hyang-hwa avoiding eye contact and looking down, she grins widely.

"And you were defeated and captured by that rude human, no?"

"... Ugh, I didn't lose to you."

"Excuses. But how old are you to be using 'you' and 'you'?"

[TL/N: Korean formalities stuff. Doesn't translate into English.] Kim Yeon asks Buk Hyang-hwa's age, and she hesitates before answering.

"... 271."

"You're younger than me."

When Kim Yeon and her group fell to Ascension Path, Kim Yeon was 26 years old, and Buk Hyang-hwa was 18.

Although that much of an age difference became negligible after becoming cultivators, Kim Yeon crosses her arms and speaks to assert dominance over Buk Hyang-hwa.

"Call me Unnie."

Buk Hyang-hwa hesitates, but the fact that Kim Yeon is the Mad Lord's disciple lingers in her mind.

"Uh, un..."

"What?"

"Un..."

"Can you say it louder?"

"Uncouth thing!"

However, Buk Hyang-hwa can't accept Kim Yeon, who dismissed her creations, and eventually her hidden feelings burst out.

A vein bulges on Kim Yeon's forehead as her delicate jade-like hand grabs Buk Hyang-hwa's shoulder.

Kim Yeon glares at Buk Hyang-hwa for a moment but then sighs and stands up.

"... Fine. What am I even doing with a child?"

"Hmph, the one who looks like a child is you?"

"Yeah, well, you must enjoy looking withered. Thanks for the compliment."

Looking down at Buk Hyang-hwa, she speaks.

"... Well, I almost forgot while bickering with you... You're a comrade of Seo Ran the dragon, Shi Ho the fox, and... Kim Young-hoon, right?"

Buk Hyang-hwa, who had been seething, calms down and nods.

She momentarily forgot due to the good treatment, but strictly speaking, she is in a situation where she has been captured while fighting Kim Yeon.

'What's the situation here? Judging by her tone when speaking of Seo Ran, Shi Ho, and Sir Kim Young-hoon... has she known them for a long time?'

Kim Yeon explains the general situation to Buk Hyang-hwa.

"Eun-hyun Oppa... I mean, our cult leader, the Wuji Ghost King, met Seo Ran and Shi Ho while he was in the Lower Realm."

"... Then what's his relationship with Sir Kim Young-hoon?"

"That person used to be part of our comp... uh... how should I put it? Well, he was more or less our comrade."

"...!"

Buk Hyang-hwa's eyes widen in surprise at this revelation.

'Sir Kim Young-hoon... was originally a follower of a suspicious cult of ghostly creatures? No wonder he has many titles involving 'Divine' and 'Demon'!'

She looks up at Kim Yeon with tense eyes and asks.

"... What will you do with me?"

"For now, you're the comrade of our comrade, so we won't be hostile. But since you did lead a fleet that caused damage to our order, we will decide after meeting with the cult leader."

"C-Cult leader..."

Buk Hyang-hwa swallows at the mention of the 'cult leader.'

She has a rough idea of who this cult leader might be.

The one who occupies virtually one-third of the Buk Hyang Fleet's strength and has practically handed over the title of 'Conqueror King' to Buk Hyang-hwa.

And one of the decisive reasons her fleet gained the title of the 'Invincible Fleet.'

That Kim Young-hoon fought that entity at a stalemate and was even forced him to send a distress signal in the end!

The monstrous cultivator who could duel with Kim Young-hoon while moving across the entire battlefield within 10 seconds, easily breaking through the Sea Circle barrier Buk Hyang-hwa's Buk Hyang Fleet prided itself on.

'That person must be the cult leader.'

She breaks into a cold sweat.

"... What kind of person are they?"

At that, Kim Yeon's face turns red.

"That person is... yes, he's an extraordinary person."

Buk Hyang-hwa realizes one thing from seeing Kim Yeon's reaction,

'This woman is in love with the cult leader.'

And through Kim Yeon's reaction, she forms a prejudice about the cult leader.

'If this rude woman likes him, the cult leader must be an incredibly twisted and bizarre person. Or perhaps he's not even human, being the cult leader of ghosts!'

Kim Yeon, who talks about Seo Eun-hyun for a while, suddenly frowns at Buk Hyang-hwa's intent, as if finding it unpleasant.

"... You seem to be having some impure thoughts, but for now, get up and change your clothes. You need to be instilled with the etiquette and language used in Wuji Religious Order. Hurry up!"

"What? No, wait! What are you doing? Kyaaah!"

With an irritated expression, Kim Yeon lifts Buk Hyang-hwa up and changes her clothes, using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to instill the language and etiquette of the Wuji Religious Order.

"Oh no! I didn't realize my master was worried. I should have considered that. I'm truly sorry for my master."

As soon as Kim Young-hoon woke up, Seo Ran heard about why they came and sighed with regret.

The recently awakened Kim Young-hoon explained the situation to Seo Ran with an enlightened expression and welcomed us warmly.

He reminisced with Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and me, catching up on old times, and expressed regret upon hearing about Kang Min-hee and Oh Hye-seo.

"Ahahaha! But Hyung-nim! Why do you look so weak and listless? You need to have a bomb shot, no?"

Oh Hyun-seok, who has always had a younger-older brother relationship with Kim Young-hoon, laughs heartily and approaches the rejuvenated Kim Young-hoon.

But Kim Young-hoon, despite being approached by his closest younger brother Oh Hyun-seok's cheerful approach, only manages a hollow laugh with somewhat empty eyes.

'... It shouldn't be because of me.'

I wonder if I had gone too far in destroying his cherished items, but since Kim Young-hoon doesn't say anything, I keep my mouth shut for now.

And so, Seo Ran, Shi Ho, Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and I gather in the honored guest chambers and for the first time in a while, spend an enjoyable time laughing together.

Just then, my consciousness detects two people approaching, Thump, thump— Is it because we are drinking the Ghost Wine of the Wuji Religious Order due to meeting up for the first time in a long while?

Or is it perhaps because I haven't yet shaken off the shadows of my past.

I feel my heart pound unnecessarily.

And some time later.

The door of the honored guest chamber opens.

Two familiar faces appear.

Kim Yeon.

And... Buk Hyang-hwa.

The long-unseen Buk Hyang-hwa is wearing clothes reminiscent of the ones she wore the day we danced together.

As Kim Yeon helps Buk Hyang-hwa change her clothes, she thinks,

'Make it as plain as possible!'

She still remembers Seo Eun-hyun's flickering intent when he first saw Buk Hyang-hwa.

Because of this, Kim Yeon dresses Buk Hyang-hwa in the plain white attire worn by the maiden ghosts of the Wuji Religious Order.

'If I make her appearance as unimpressive as possible, Eun-hyun Oppa won't take much interest, right?'

Then, after instilling some information into Buk Hyang-hwa using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, she takes her to Seo Eun-hyun.

Soon after, Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa arrive at the place where Seo Eun-hyun, the higher-ups of the Wuji Religious Order, and the higher-ups of the Conqueror Fleet are gathered.

Buk Hyang-hwa walks nervously, practically being dragged by Kim Yeon.

Finally, they arrive at the honored guest chambers and amidst her nervousness, she meets the eyes of Seo Eun-hyun who is seated there.

"... Oh."

Her eyes widen.

Buk Hyang-hwa opens her mouth wide, repeatedly opening and closing before finally managing to speak with her hands on her beating chest.

"... It was you."

The person she had been searching for across the entire Head Realm, while she was building the Buk Hyang Fleet.

The promised person who had brought the jade green norigae crafted by her mother, Yeon.

Seo Eun-hyun gives a faint smile.

His intent wavers, and he wears an expression as if reminiscing about something.

The first to notice the peculiar atmosphere between them is Kim Yeon.

Kim Yeon stares at the back of Buk Hyang-hwa's head expressionlessly.

She subtly infused a strand of her divided soul into Buk Hyang-hwa's body using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon without her noticing.

So that if they ever fight again, she can control her like a puppet.

Buk Hyang-hwa, while staring blankly at Seo Eun-hyun, takes out the jade norigae from her bosom.

"... Last time, you gave me this, didn't you?"

Seo Eun-hyun looks at the jade norigae.

Buk Hyang-hwa, her voice trembling, struggles to find the words.

For some reason, she can't think of what to say.

But barely, she manages to recall Yeon's words.

—Ask how they are.

Buk Hyang-hwa finally manages to ask Seo Eun-hyun a question.

"This norigae... what I mean is, you. You aren't the original owner, but you received it... correct?"

Seo Eun-hyun wears a dazed expression for a moment, then nods.

Buk Hyang-hwa asks Seo Eun-hyun another question.

"The person who gave you this norigae... were... they well?"

Though it seems like a somewhat out-of-the-blue question, it's important to Buk Hyang-hwa.

She had sworn not to leave Cheon-saek City until she asks this question to the person who delivers the norigae.

Yes, this was Yeon's last wish.

And Seo Eun-hyun closes his eyes for a moment.

'Were... they well...?'

The one who gave me that norigae was Buk Hyang-hwa from the 10th cycle.

I remember the moment I danced with her for the last time.

I recall her pure soul ascending to the heavens after we shared our final kiss.

Yes, she undoubtedly went to the afterlife without leaving any grudges.

So surely.

She must have been well.

I nod and meet Buk Hyang-hwa's gaze, answering her.

"... The person who gave me the norigae left for the heavens without any regrets."

"I see... that's a relief."

Though her question and my answer seem to have different meanings, I recall her from the 10th cycle and steel my heart.

"So, there's no need for you to worry either, Miss."

The woman before me and the woman from before are different people.

Let's make that clear.

From now on, we can build a new connection and create a good relationship as comrades.

But she is not the one with whom I shared love.

"Please, have a seat, miss. The Wuji Religious Order and your Conqueror Fleet can become good allies."

Buk Hyang-hwa, looking somewhat dazed, sits down.

She seems to have expected something different from me, but at this moment, she, with whom I have no relationship built, is not the one I had given my heart to.

Buk Hyang-hwa sees that Seo Ran and Shi Ho are safe and resolves her misunderstandings about the Wuji Religious Order after hearing about it.

However, she still has a dazed expression.

'Ah... surely, this is what I needed to hear.'

She was supposed to ask about their well-being as per her mother's will and, if possible, become sworn sisters or marry him.

Of course, seeing that there's Kim Yeon by the cult leader's side, she didn't have hopes for marriage.

But why is it?

Buk Hyang-hwa feels a deep ache as if part of her heart has been torn away.

'It was like this back then.'

It was the same when that man first brought her the norigae.

She feels a strange sensation.

Forcing a bitter smile, she excuses herself from the boisterous atmosphere of the honored guest chambers.

Her chest feels strange.

She finds a somewhat reasonable explanation for why she feels this way.

'... Now, what should I live for?'

One of her life's purposes was to follow her mother's will.

Following her mother Yeon's words, she received the norigae and asked after their well-being.

Maybe it's a sense of emptiness because she achieved all her goals.

No, perhaps it's because she can no longer reminisce about her mother while achieving her goals.

The sorrow of not being able to reminisce about her mother any longer as she follows her mother's words.

And the surge of emotion when she saw that man.

Various emotions well up inside her.

Then, Kim Yeon appears beside her.

Buk Hyang-hwa hides her melancholic expression and asks.

"What do you want?"

"... I came out to keep an eye on you."

"Ha. That's really funny. And childish."

However, Kim Yeon doesn't take issue with Buk Hyang-hwa's words and says,

"If you want to cry, just cry."

"What?"

"As a senior in life and a disciple of the Mad Lord, who is practically your superior counterpart, I'll accept it a bit. There are times when you suddenly feel like crying."

"Just what do you...?"

But Buk Hyang-hwa realizes she is already shedding tears.

Kim Yeon, releasing the expression she had earlier when glaring at Buk Hyang-hwa, approaches her and pats her back.

In the end, Buk Hyang-hwa bursts into tears in Kim Yeon's embrace.

She doesn't know why.

Is it because the life goal that allowed her to reminisce about her mother has been fulfilled?

Or is it because of Seo Eun-hyun, who made her heart restless?

Or perhaps, it's because Kim Yeon has the same name as her mother by coincidence.

Yes, maybe it's because Kim Yeon has a peculiar floral scent.

Like the scent of magnolia her own mother had.

"..."

Kim Yeon extends her consciousness, blocking anyone from monitoring them within her consciousness domain, and comforts Buk Hyang-hwa, whose emotions have burst out unexpectedly.

Kim Yeon still dislikes Buk Hyang-hwa.

And Buk Hyang-hwa, who is crying in her arms, dislikes Kim Yeon just as much.

However, Kim Yeon accepts Buk Hyang-hwa's sudden emotions for one single reason.

Seo Eun-hyun had done the same for Kim Yeon when she was struggling.

Kim Yeon reads Buk Hyang-hwa's emotions through the vision of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.

Emotions accommodate all of heaven's natural colors, so she can't read them all. However, Kim Yeon sees the heart that is mixed with worry and sadness for her parents, and she sees her past self overlapping with Buk Hyang-hwa.

How long does Buk Hyang-hwa vent her emotions to Kim Yeon?

Buk Hyang-hwa wipes her tears and says,

"... For now, I'll at least say thank you, Unnie."