Episode 18. Jade Dragon and Tiger 2013.11.02.
“friend… … Is it?”
Nanhyang turned her gaze and looked at Sonbin. Her eyes sparkle. When her staring eyes started to feel a little uncomfortable, she spoke to Sonbin in a quiet voice.
“It’s called ‘one day, one meeting’, so can the girl dare to raise a glass?”
“Once in a while” means meeting someone only once in your life. It means to cherish human encounters, so it is a suitable word to express the importance of the first meeting.
Sonbin glanced at Sajahyeok’s gaze. However, Sajahyeok is not interested and does not even pay attention. The attitude is as if you should just take care of it yourself. As always.
“Then, I will refrain from doing so.”
When will Sonbin receive a glass from such a beauty? She thought that something like this would probably never happen again in her life, and Sonbin raised a small glass in her polite manner. Of course, politely and with both hands.
Nanhyang held the elegant white porcelain bottle with her white, slender hands and poured the drink with a gentle smile.
Tororok.
The glass made a sound like jade beads rolling. She takes him with her, and her exquisite scent spreads everywhere. Even Son Bin, who doesn’t know much about alcohol, could guess that it was a great wine.
“really.”
Suddenly I heard Nanhyang’s voice.
Sweet.
She said with a soft sigh as she put down the white porcelain bottle.
“I’m jealous.”
‘huh?’
I don’t understand what it means to be jealous. She knew that it was a special privilege to watch a martial artist practice, but she never thought that such a beauty would make her sigh and envy her.
Anyway, Sonbin raised the glass to his lips, thinking that he should drink it since it was in his hand.
Slurp.
I was drawn to the soft scent and drank it all at once, but contrary to how it looked, a strong stimulation hit my throat in an instant.
‘Oops.’
I barely swallowed the sounds that were trying to escape my mouth, but I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.
The small amount of alcohol went down his throat, clearly showing off his strong presence. Thanks to this, Sonbin was able to vividly feel where his esophagus was.
“Are you okay?”
Nanhyang asks with a slightly worried expression. Her son-in-law answered her, trying not to show the intense conflict rising within her.
“Gwae, keuhm, it’s okay… … Yes. “Joe, that’s a good drink.”
The reason Sonbin’s face turned a little red as he answered was not just because of the alcohol. Nanhyang quietly looked at her sonbin and quietly opened her mouth.
“Someday, when the flower petals fall like today.”
Sonbin raised his head and saw Nanhyang.
“Please remember that I raised my glass to you. Even if only occasionally.”
Her voice was somehow mournful and thin, so Sonbin nodded without realizing it. And then she glanced at Lion Hyuk and saw a faint bitter smile hanging on the corner of his mouth as he turned his head.
“Hmm.”
Sonbin pretended to clear his throat. The moment he saw Lion Hyeok’s bitter smile, he suddenly thought that he had been too taken by the beautiful woman named Nanhyang.
“Um, if you’ll excuse me.”
Sonbin asked Nanhyang.
“What kind of place is this?”
In fact, the reason why this place was uncomfortable for Sonbin earlier was partly because he had no idea what kind of place it was. Of course, she is also to blame for this grown beauty. She answered with a small smile, that beauty, her orchid.
“This is the support of Little Giru.”
‘Stoma? ‘Is this place called Giru?’
Her answer was surprising. Sonbin is puzzled, and her answer follows.
“It’s a place where artists like me show off their humble talents to noble people.”
‘aha.’
Sonbin understood what she meant. Usually, Giru comes to mind as a place that sells alcohol and laughter, but among the women called gisaeng, there are also artists who discuss poetry with scholars and are good at calligraphy and painting.
Although these people are of low status, they are not only respected as entertainers, but are also the authors of famous poems and are sometimes even considered celebrities of their time.
“I know a little bit of poetry and geum, and sometimes I blow on ox.”
After speaking, Nanhyang turned her head and smiled at Sajahyuk.
“A cow would not dare approach you.”
Sajahyeok said nothing with a calm expression.
“Are you really good at cattle?”
Sonbin asked. This is because Son Bin could not have imagined the sight of Sajahyeok blowing while holding a long drum to the side.
“From what I heard, you said it was absolutely nothing.”
Nanhyang said with a smile.
“Hwawol Soju also sometimes talked about the time when he was riding a horse with a nobleman. They say that the tune of a nobleman’s tungso to the gold of Soju can’t be that beautiful… … .”
“The cow.”
Sajahyeok said.
“It doesn’t blow anymore.”
widely.
His teacup was placed on the table. Lion Hyuk looked straight at his orchid and said.
“The white heron has a new owner.”
Sonbin’s complexion hardened slightly. Because she suddenly had her own story popping up. However, Sonbin was not the only one whose face hardened. Her eyes widened, and then she calmly sank down.
“Jinin… … .”
“Yes.”
Sajahyeok answered.
“Hubei Province will be in turmoil for a while.”
“maybe.”
‘Hubei Province?’
Sonbin was puzzled. Hubei Province is a long way from Sichuan. He is probably talking about the old monk, but it is a conversation that Son Bin does not understand at all.
“Then the reason you came here today… … .”
“How is Yunnan these days?”
‘Yunnan?’
Sonbin tilted his head. Yunnan is a region located at the southern tip of the continent. Although the climate is mild and the scenery is beautiful, it is still a place with strong ethnic characteristics.
“It’s always a beautiful and rough place.”
Nanhyang smiled and answered.
“Not long ago, the Jinsha River overflowed, and it was said that it went beyond Yunnan and covered the entire area of Gangnam.”
Sonbin knew that her answer had a slightly different meaning. No matter how much the Jinsa River floods, it can’t cover Gangnam, and there’s no way Sahyeok would just ask about a place with nice scenery.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s water that covers the world, not Gangnam.”
Sajahyeok said with a grin.
“If you kill the dragon, even the great waters will dry up.”
Nanhyang’s face hardened.
“Are you really trying to catch the Jade Dragon?”
Sajahyeok didn’t say anything, but the silence became his answer.
“ha.”
Nanhyang sighed. And shakes her head.
“Even if one has the power to uproot a mountain and the energy to cover the world, there is no way to catch a dragon that doesn’t come out of the water.”
“I already know that.”
Sajahyuk answered in a calm voice and filled the teacup with tea.
Again.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“Slaying the dragon has always been about wisdom, not strength.”
“It’s a bit surprising that you say that.”
A faint smile appears on Nanhyang’s lips.
“He is the only one who subjugated the dragon through force.”
Eat.
Sajahyeok laughed.
“Did Hwawol say that?”
“no.”
Nanhyang shook her head.
“The Jade Dragon said so.”
Sajahyeok’s face hardened.
“Did he come here?”
“It’s a story from a very long time ago.”
Nanhyang answered.
“He must have been drunk and excited, so he raised his glass and said that. How can I not be happy and joyful that there is someone in the world who can push me with force? and… … .”
“Well, when is that?”
Sajahyuk asked with a stern face.
“It was after you stopped coming.”
Sajahyeok’s expression was cold as he heard Nanhyang’s answer. He felt as if a cold energy was surrounding him, so much so that he could not open his mouth.
How long was there such silence? Nanhyang raised her hand.
Tarang.
As the bell on her wrist made a small sound, a maid appeared at the entrance to the back garden. Nanhyang lightly gestured, and two maids came in carrying something wrapped in silk.
Sweet.
A black wooden support was placed, and black seven strings of gold appeared from the delicate silk. The appearance of the white porcelain and the seven straight strings dotted between the stretched chilhyeongeum arouses Sonbin’s admiration.
Ding.
Nanhyang stretched out her hand and lightly picked the string. Then she raised her head and looked at Lion Hyuk and said.
“I have disturbed your heart, so I would like to sing a small melody as an apology.”
Sajahyuk held a teacup and said nothing. Nanhyang slightly bowed her head towards Sonbin.
“Please don’t criticize me for my inexperience, but listen with a light heart.”
“Ah yes.”
Sonbin bowed his head and answered her yes.
Sarah.
Nanhyang’s long fingers rested on Chilhyeongeum. Nanhyang’s fingers, slightly turning her head to the side and looking down as if half-closed, began to dance on the strings at some point.
Tiriring ding.
The tune of Chilhyeongeum flows through the calm wind. It was as if time had forgotten, and the atmosphere of another world seemed to warmly surround the support.
Tiring.
The performance wasn’t long. Nanhyang’s performance ended with the soft lingering sound of the last sound. Sajahyeok still didn’t say anything, but his mood had clearly softened a lot.
Sonbin was also savoring the lingering sound as if he were drunk with the tune, but came to his senses when Nanhyang pushed Chilhyeongeum aside.
‘Oops!’
It is disrespectful to an entertainer not to say anything after a performance.
“It was a good performance.”
“thank you.”
Nanhyang said with a slight smile. However, I cannot end my appreciation by simply saying that it is good.
“The rhythm is like… … .”
As he was about to express his full-fledged sentiment mixed with literary tropes that came to mind, Saja-hyuk’s voice suddenly interrupted Sonbin’s words.
“They say the fierce tigers of Sichuan often visit this place.”
“They often come when the seasons change.”
“is it?”
Sajahyuk smiled faintly. And he stood up.
Sweet.
“Noble?”
Nanhyang looks up at Sajahyeok and asks with puzzled eyes.
“I drank tea and listened to Geum, so I’ll leave now.”
“But… … .”
Nanhyang opened her mouth as if to dissuade him, but Sajahyeok was already starting to walk.
“let’s go.”
Sajahyeok said while looking at Sonbin. Sonbin secretly wanted to stay longer, but in this case, she has no choice but to do as Lion Hyuk wants.
“Of course.”
Sonbin stood up. And he politely bowed to Nanhyang.
“It was a beautiful performance. “Okay then.”
Jump and jump.
Sajahyeok was already going down Saeokjeong Pavilion.
“Oh, there.”
Sonbin turned his head at Nanhyang’s voice.
“Please stop by anytime.”
Sonbin answered with a light smile and walked along with Sajahyeok. When I reached the entrance to the sponsorship, the old man who guided me earlier was standing there waiting. Following Nobok’s footsteps, the two men left Huwon.
And until they disappeared, Nanhyang was leaning against the pillar of Gwaeokjeong and looking at them.
∴
Sigh.
Upon arriving at the entrance to the mansion, Nobok opens the door and bows his head to greet the two people. But Sajahyeok did not go out.
“Where is Hwawol?”
Nobok, who bowed his head to Sajahyeok’s low voice, answered in a quiet voice.
“He is in Hangzhou.”
Nobok said.
“You’re still beautiful.”
“is it… … .”
Sajahyuk went outside. And Sonbin followed suit. Behind them, a slave was bending down to see them off.
Jump and jump.
When the entrance to the mansion was no longer visible around the corner, Sonbin asked Sajahyeok vaguely.
“Is that place really Giru?”
“Orchid scent.”
Sajahyeok said.
“She is quite a dangerous woman. “It’s still not enough, but it will soon rival Hwawol.”
Sajahyuk turned his head and looked down at Sonbin.
“So it is better for you to stay away from this place and stay close to books.”
“I will stay away.”
Sonbin chuckled.
“Because I don’t have the money to come see the talent of an entertainer. Oh, but can I just come out like this?”
“The price has already been paid.”
Sajahyeok said.
“Overflowing.”
Sonbin shrugged his shoulders. It didn’t seem like he was giving anything or when, but that’s probably because Sajahyeok is like that.
“The next opponent is the one called the Jade Dragon?”
Sajahyuk remained silent for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“no.”
Sajahyeok said in a low voice.
“The next opponent is Meng Hao.”
‘Meng Hao? Ah, the fierce tiger of Sichuan… … .’
Sonbin recalled that in the conversation earlier, it was mentioned that he was a fierce tiger of Sichuan.
‘Wait a minute, now that I think about it, shouldn’t I write this down too?’
I felt like I should also write down the conversation between Nanhyang and Sajahyeok.
‘Tsk. I should have written it down earlier.’
I feel like I was so intoxicated by the sight of the beautiful woman that I forgot what I was supposed to do, which gives me a bitter taste in my mouth. She thought it would be better to write it down right now, so Sonbin quickly took the brush and booklet out of her arms.
Rustling.
“But if it’s the fierce tiger of Sichuan, I guess I’ll have to go back to Sichuan.”
“No, there is no need. “Don’t you remember?”
Sajahyuk smiled faintly.
“Didn’t they say they come here when the seasons change?”
“But it’s not yet time for the seasons to change…” … .”
“It will be enough.”
Sajahyeok said.
“If it’s a cold wind blowing from Hubei Province, even Meng Hao will know that the season has changed.”
Jump and jump.
Sajahyeok’s steps were unstoppable. Sonbin also walked diligently along with Sahyeok, writing down in a book with a fine pen.
The handwriting was a mess because I was walking, but it didn’t matter since no one would see it anyway. However, Sajahyeok seems to be walking exceptionally fast, so it is difficult to keep up with him.
“Let’s go a little slower.”
Sonbin said in a dissatisfied voice. It was comfortable because the road was straight, but following Lion Hyeok while writing was a daunting task.
‘I guess I’ll have to do some organizing soon.’
That’s what Sonbin thought as he felt the remaining parts of the book, which had already become thinner.
There was no time to admire the old-fashioned black roofs and old mansions stretching out on either side of the road. The first day in Xi’an passed slowly like that.
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martial arts,
