Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

„We’re almost there!”

„You’re right, I can see the mountains!’

„I can’t wait to eat some real food and finally see my bed.”

„Bed? Beeeeeed? As soon as we report to Sect Leader you all are getting back to training! You think I didn’t see you almost loosing your balance that one time? But you want beeeeeeed?”

Oh right. This demon was with them. Baek Cheon should have kept his mouth shut. At least when they arrive at Mount Hua, Sect Leader should…

„Huh?” Baek Cheon slowed down, shocked. He stared at the mountain range, squinting his eyes. „Do you guys see it?” He asked, returning to full sprint and catching up to Five Mount Hua disciples and one half-Hua half-Shaolin disciple who managed to run quite a distance in three seconds Baek Cheon was not at his full speed

„See what?”

„Doesn’t it seem like there is something pink there?”

„Plum Blossoms?”

„No, Samae, it looks more like a light?”

„Maybe it’s the sunset?”

„It doesn’t seem like other mountains are lighted up by it though? Only where Sect is…”

„Maybe you got hit in the face too many times, Sasuk. Or maybe you’re getting old and your eyesight… Huh? What is that thing?” Cheong Myeong pointed at what seemed to be weird dome made of pink and red light.

Yeah.

That’s what I was talking about, you bastard

☼☼☼☼☼

There was no mistaking it – the light was illuminating only the place were Mount Hua Sect was located and as they gotten closer and closer, it became increasingly clear that the light was not of natural source.

„That thing… it’s not good isn’t it?”

„I doubt this could be anything harmless...”

Disciple’s faces showed a spectrum of emotions – from confusion, through worry to anger.

„Who dares…” Cheong Myeong bit on his lower lip. He seemed to be ready to run in there and go mad, bitting of head of anyone who had the audacity to create this… whatever it was.

„Cheong Myeong-ah, wait” Baek Cheon grabbed his sleeve as younger disciple was about to run off „We still don’t know what that is. We should be careful”

„I know, I know” his junior brother scoffed.

So they moved a bit slower and a bit more careful, concealing their presence as much as possible. Finally they were at the gates of Mount Hua.

„If we open it we may be spotted”

„Right…”

They quietly climbed the wall and peeked over it.

And there the grim view greeted them: The bodies scattered on the ground. First, second and third class disciples, and was that Elder Hyun Sang in the back? There were faces they knew and loved everywhere.

And in that terrible scene.

One flick of hope.

„They’re breathing” Yoon Jong put his hand on Cheong Myeong’s shoulder, watching as his face returned to his usual, determined look instead of…

He actually looked like youngest one for a while there.

Wide eyes, lips half-open and hands trembling just so slightly. It was not a state Yoon Jong would want to see Cheong Myeong in ever again.

„No blood either” Yu Iseol added

„That’s right, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of struggle either”

No wounds, no drawn swords, no marks indicating any techniques were used.

„Is that better though?”

„What do you mean, Cheong Myeong? Of course it’s better….”

„Think about it, Sasuk. Do you think all those disciples are so far behind that they couldn’t notice attackers coming? That none of them sensed a presence approaching?”

Huh… didn’t that make sense?

An attacker who could take down Mount Hua was scary, but an attacker who could do so without giving anybody chance to fight back?

Just as they thought it – and just as they started debating if they should head in instead of hanging off the wall, a single silhouette appeared.

A person dressed in hooded black robes, fabric covering them so tightly that no part of their appearance - except for height - was discernable.

Was it a man or a woman? Were they young or old? One thing was clear – they were the source of that weird phenomenon on Mount Hua.

As they walked between disciples a smoke made or light – or light acting like a smoke – rose from disciple’s bodies and gently flew and gathered around hooded figure.

„Alright, so we just have to kill that guy?” a murderous intent rose from Cheong Myeong’s body „What are we waiting for then?” he chuckled – it wasn’t a happy chuckle – and jumped over the wall.

Five Swords and Hye Yeon nodded and they followed him without hesitation, drawings their swords.

„You bastaaaard!” Cheong Myeong yelled „To my Mount Hua! How! Dare! You!”

The figure raised their head in surprise. Their face still wasn’t visible under the hood, but from sleeve, a skinny hand slide out.

I will cut off that hand first, then…

As Cheong Myeong was just a two swords lenghts away from mysterious siluette, the hand emitted liliac light.

„Be careful, this can be…!” Baek Cheon yelled after Cheong Myeong, who was getting engulfed in the glow, when it reached him too. He felt it swallowing him, pushing him back, his vision was filled with nothing but that one color and then...

☼☼☼

„Aren’t you going to beg?” A slightly taller and slightly older beggar asked the boy „You know, it’s the time where the city is most lively. So don’t waste the best hours to laze around”

The boy didn’t move, staring at his hands.

„Hey! Are you not listening to me?”

☼☼☼

„I was send by Abbot to see how is your palm technique progressing. Do you have any difficulties in understanding it? If so, I can answer any question…”

Young monk didn’t respond

„Are you perhaps in middle of meditating? Shall I come back later?”

☼☼☼

„Father wants to see you. He said it was to ask you how long did you dry the herbs when making last batch of medicine, but I think something else is weighting on his mind. If you could….”

The girl just stared at a needle in her hand.

„Hey…”

☼☼☼

„Training starts soon. If you really want to surpass me… no, to catch up to me, you cannot keep skipping them.”

„Huh? No response? Aren’t you too old to be sulking?”

☼☼☼

„Hey! Don’t stand in middle of the road! You’re blocking the traffic!”

An old man on a cart pulled by an ox scoffed as a beggar moved, letting the cart pass. His eyes were unfocused and even though he clearly did what old man was asking him of, he didn’t seem to hear him.

But was it old man’s problem? Weren’t there enough beggars and drunkards in the world that had something wrong with them? Why should he care about that particular one?

Long after old man and his cart disappeared the beggar raised his head in a daze and looked at the sky.

☼☼☼

„Could you finish that ledger for me by tomorrow? We will be making important deal soon and we need all records checked twice.”

A silence

„Did… did you hear what I just said?”

☼☼☼

A house failing apart. Wind finding it’s way in through cracks in the walls and stars visible through holes in the roof.

A sign way too familiar.

And yet….

☼☼☼

„Hey! Cho Sam!”

„Monk Hye Yeon?”

„Soso-ya?”

„Dongryong, act your age.”

„I…”

„Geol?”

„…”

„I… I feel like I was in middle of doing something important”

Chapter Text

This house was familiar… no, that was too weak of the word. This house was the only thing Yu Iseol knew in her life. So why did it feel so foregin to her now?

She looked around the failing apart place. Everything was as it should have been.

Everything was wrong.

She could name every crack in the wall.

She couldn’t recognize any of them.

Her memory and instincts clashed…

A sudden pang of hunger distracted her from confusion inside her. It was this kind of hunger that she could easily ignore for few hours, even if she wasn’t used to food shortage, but what else was there to do? She should look for some food before it becomes unbearable. This place didn’t have much to…

„…”

Thinking about it… this place never offered to fill her stomach. She remembered time when as a child she was digging up roots of wild plants and even tried to catch insects – anything just to sate her hunger the tiniest bit.

Yu Iseol was an adult woman.

How did she survive to maturity in this place all alone?

She currently was hungry, yes, but it was closer to mild discomfort than anything else.

By all accounts, should be at least having constant hole in her stomach, gnawing at her insides not letting to forget about itself… And yet, that was not the case.

☼☼☼

Jo Geol stared at the accounting book in front of him - the task he was given wasn’t hard, all he had to do was to compare records to make sure there were no unrecorded purchases or missed expenses.

Yet he could not focus his eyes on the writing. He felt disconnected, like the body he controlled didn’t belong to him.

Speaking of which…

Jo Geol rolled up his sleeve and for a while he carefully inspected his arm.

With a sigh he stood up and walked up to a mirror. He looked at himself, not knowing what he’s looking for.

Ever since few days ago, he couldn’t stop searching for something that would would explain the feeling that something was wrong.

And just like every other time, he couldn’t find anything.

With unfocused eyes, he returned to his seat.

He looked just like you would expect a person his age to look. He grew up in wealthy household, so he feed better than most people, but he was in a good shape, so…

„Hmm, maybe that’s it was about…” he murmured to himself

„Ah, were you saying something?”

Startled Jo Geol raised his head and saw Jo Woong glancing at him from the doorway. It looked like he was passing by when he heard Jo Geol mumble and thought he was speaking to him.

„Ah, it’s nothing! I was just thinking out loud”

„Alright then” Jo Woon turned away

„Actually-”

„Hm? What is it?”

„Hyeong, does it seem to you like….”

„…?”

„Do you feel like I gained weight recently?”

Pause.

„That’s what you wanted to ask about? Looking at your face I thought there were some serious issues with the ledgers”

„…”

„Why are you even worried about that? If you wanna take care of your waistline or whatever, go on a walk. Seriously….”

„No, I was just wondering…”

„Actually, maybe you should go on a walk. You look like you need to clear your head”

Jo Geol opened his mouth to protest, but closed them when he realized how impossible it was for him to focus on task on hand.

„Maybe you’re right”

☼☼☼

„Father”

Standing in front of barrow young woman said single word in a hushed tone.

How long had it been since he passed away?

The grave could not give her any answers – not about how she survived or how she should survive from now on.

Yet, lost, she didn’t know where else to go.

Sometimes it felt like she was still that child, watching her father in dazzling sword dance. It always brought her comfort. The smooth sword movements and flower petals appearing around him like a dream. And disappearing just like a dream too.

After that, every spring, when flowers blossomed, it reminded Yu Iseol of that sword dance, of her father.

„Blossoms”

She looked at the sword in the grave.

Like in a trance she reached out for it. Slight hesitation and the sword was pulled out of the grave.

Her eyes stared at it intensely.

☼☼☼

The city was bustling with life.

Jo Geol thought the fresh air and lively neighbourhood would make the feeling of unfamiliarity go away. That was not a case.

If anything it only intensified.

Few times he was surprised to see shop that he was used to seeing sold and a new bar in it’s place, or a stall that had changed owners.

But that was to be expected, he may have not visited this particular street in a while… or the street next to it, or the another one too.

„Did I locked myself at home for too long?” he murmured to himself. Seriously, why….

„Excuse me sir, is it true you can rent a horse for carriage here?” Jo Geol overheard coming from his left

„Of course, we have the best horses in the city! Have a look and…” the rest of conversation got drowned out in street noise

Horses, huh? I almost forgot other people still used those to pull carts. Jo Geol chuckled to himself. But of course, the rest of the world would continue to use horses even when they…

No.

What…

What was he thinking?

Of course people used horses to pull carts, in what world they would not do it?

But for a fleeing moment, it seemed clear as a sky to him that there was some alternative… animal… that could pull them instead.

What’s worse he wasn’t sure which one he even meant.

Like an ox, perhaps?

No, if he thought about an ox, why would he be so surprised at the mention of the horse? Besides, cows and oxen were used mostly by common people, while merchants prefered horses, so he should not be
feeling so surprised at the idea…

Raising his head, Jo Geol realized he returned to the front gates of his family home.

The walk didn’t clear his head like he expected, on the contrary, he was only more confused and lost. It was not helpful at all, so he decided to head inside.

„Huh?”

There were more people than he would expect in there?

His father was there too, bowing down and talking to someone…

Tang Family Head!

Jo Geol almost jumped. He made one step in the direction of Tang Family, when one servant grabbed his arm. Jo Geol glanced at him and servant shook his head

„Young Master, please, trust your father to handle it”

Jo Geol’s eyes widened in shock

„Yes… yes of course” he said, his legs almost giving up on him

The servant thought Jo Geol was about to try and defend his family, to try and defuse tension somehow. That was something a person in Jo Geol’s position may try, but the servant knew it would be better to leave it for someone better with words… and someone more experienced in bowing down – that’s why he stopped Young Master.

The servant, however, was wrong.

Because when Jo Geol saw Tang Guak, the emotion he was flooded with was relief. If anyone would know how to help, it would be Tang Gaju-nim.

Cold sweat dripped from Jo Geol’s neck when he realized he almost ran up to the most powerful figure in Chengdu and greeted him with familiarity.

He… he almost doomed his family.

All because of his stupid mind that tried to convince him reality was not as it should be.

☼☼☼

Sitting cross-legged, Yu Iseol recalled everything she could about her father – the way he spoke, the way he walked, the way he gently smiled at her and most importantly – how he used his sword under the moonlight.

With closed eyes she stood up and tried to recreate the movement.

She peeked to see if any petals appeared.

None.

Disappointed she looked at her hands. Maybe she would not be able to recall precise movements after so long. Maybe the fact that she was just a child when she watched them meant she lacked the necessary understanding.

And…

Even her father.

Even he was unable to summon them properly.

What chances were there that she would do something he couldn’t?

„I will make them bloom”

It was what her father said back then.

And now.

Now it was a time for her to say it.

She gripped the sword tighter and got into position she always saw her father begin from.

First, she let the sword follow the arch from the sky to the ground. Next stance. And next and next.

Her eyebrow twitched.

Something was wrong.

Something pulled her. As her mind recalled the stance, her body pulled the sword in opposite direction.

Focus.

Once again.

Until she gets it right

☼☼☼

Jo Geol sat on his bed, only one candle giving up faint light.

Something was wrong with him and one day because of that he was going to put his family in danger.

He had a feeling Tang Family Head could know something, but he would not be able to talk to him. And if that was impossible, then how much more impossible was receiving help from him?

„Should have joined Tang Family” he said bitterly.

But he didn’t join Tang Family, did he?

Should have joined Tang Family that knew medicine.

Should have joined influential Shaolin that would let him meet all kind of knowlegable people.

Should have joined any Sect that knew about curses.

Should have…

☼☼☼

Once again, her body went against her will.

She knew, she knew the next stance, she remembered her father moving from the arch to the stab, yet her arms, legs and torso prepared for a spin.

Like it was the most natural course of the action.

As if it was used to doing it.

She forced herself to stab the air on front of her, but her sword trembled, her pose imperfect.

„Fine”

If her body won’t follow her, she will let herself follow it.

Maybe then the feeling will go away and she will be free to focus on the stances.

Once again, she drawn an arch and this time she let herself to spin.

Done.

Now let her resume…

Huh?

As soon as the spin was finished, her body pulled her in another pose.

Another.

And Another.

Slash.

Block.

Spin.

Left foot to the back so she can shift weight and….

She moved naturally and fluidly between stances and then.

She felt energy flaring up in her, travelling trough veins to her hands and sword.

She felt it trembling and soon enough…

☼☼☼

Should have joined one of those Sects or Families. It would help him now.

But he never joined any of them.

And to be honest… he never really wanted to.

Jo Geol already knew where he belonged to.

A place he deep down knew he never left.

☼☼☼

Her sword no longer was one, it split into dozens and dozens and in that split she felt tip of the sword move and before her eyes lone plum petal rose.

And after that world exploded with pink light.

Plum Blossoms, more than could be counted covered the sky.

„Ah”

Thousands of petals reflected in Yu Iseol’s irises

„I remember now”

☼☼☼

The Sect that he never „should have” joined.

A place that at the time was not a choice better than any other.

But it was a place he choose for himself and the one he will return to.

A place that will not be erased from his heart, even if forces beyond his understanding mess with him, even if otherworldly power tries to change whole world.

Because belonging to Mount Hua was simply a part of who Jo Geol was.

Chapter Text

It could be considered good luck that the nights were so warm at this time of the year. Colder nights always meant it was harder to fall asleep and body would constantly shiver – both of them meant saving energy was harder and the only way to make up for it was to eat more.

Which was hard to do if you were a beggar.

That’s why Yoon Jong thanked heavens for warm spring.

What’s more, nice weather meant more passerbys and that meant it was more likely someone would take a pity on a begging figure.

Which was good, since Yoon Jong seemed to be particularly bad at the whole „beggar” bussiness.

What was the first rule of life on the streets?

To take care of yourself first – there is no space to look for others when you are at the death’s door.

Yoon Jong did everything to get even the smallest scrap of anything edible. Begging. Eating out of the trash. Even stealing. All of that just so he can survive a little longer.

And yet, seeing little girl, one who couldn’t be older than ten, one who shared his beggar fate he couldn’t help but to put a dumpling given to him in her little hand, smiling gently and reassuring her it’s alright for her to eat it.

On the streets mercy was a weakness.

A weakness that other beggars could sense instantly.

It was fine when it just meant more beggar children clinging to him and asking him to let them have at least one bite of whatever Yoon Jong managed to get.

People on the streets always were more generous to children, so giving up scraps for somebody that probably was able to eat more often than him was extremly stupid.

(But he remembered how horrible it felt to be little kid and have only himself to rely on)

(He also remembered how horrible it was to experience growing sprout in constantly insecurity if there will be any food next day)

But as long as it was just children who found him, it was fine.

The trouble began when he got noticed by adult beggars.

How does one survive until adulthood on the streets? Can a person support themselves off the ocasional coin thrown by the strangers? Starvation, sickness, cold – is it possible to overcome it just by kneeling on the street corner with a wooden bowl?

Of course not.

The people who survived until adulthood are the kind who is willing to do anything for survival.

And right now, Yoon Jong seemed like an easy target for that „anything”.

He had food.

And he could not stand up for himself.

At first, he was able to sense when a presence was approaching him, flee and avoid confrontation. Whenever he saw a suspicious movement with corner of his eye, whenever someone looked directly at him, whenever something inside told him something was wrong – he would scurry somewhere else.

That worked for a while.

But the person (or people?) following him didn’t give up.

And finally there came a moment when he was cornered.

☼☼☼

„Hey, you there” a beggar with long scar on his forearm said in a low voice „You have a piece of bread, don’t you?”

„…”

„I saw you hiding it”

Yoon Jong didn’t confirm or deny. There was no point.

„Give it to me, and I will let you walk away unscathed… for today”

„It’s mine” he reponded coldly. Yes, he was willing to share in the past, but it couldn’t mean he would just give up every bit of food he finds.

„It would be wise to listen while I am still being nice”

It seemed like Yoon Jong will have to fight with his life for a piece of stale bread.

He hoped it wouldn’t come to it, but in the end, it was only a hope.

Did he have a chance at winning? Not at all. His bony arms would break if he tried to block a punch and the other man seemed much more experienced at fighting. (Even if his pose was weird for someone preparing for a fight, why wouldn’t he put more weight in his lower body?)

(Well, he had to have his reasons, maybe it would be helpful in a spar, as counterintuitive as it seemed)

(After all, he, not Yoon Jong, had experience with countless fights)

But as intimidating as other person seemed, he could also not give up his meal.

It wasn’t even about the food, but if he shows any more weakness, more and more people will flock to him, tearing away everything he holds.

So, the only thing he could do was to fight and hopefully find a way to flee again.

If not… well, his life would be ending there.

☼☼☼

A handsome young man, who at the moment was too exhausted to look handsome looked up at figure towering over him. On his right laid scattered pieces of broken wooden sword.

„I don’t understand” said the figure „how is it possible for you to get weaker?”

Jin Dongryong was wondering that too, but he hated hearing those words from his brother’s mouth.

„I understand that people vary in inherent talent. I understand it may take them longer to master the same technique. But…” was it contempt in his eyes? Disappointment? Concern? „ … this is not progressing slower, this is like if you decided to unlearn what you already knew”

„…”

„No, are you doing it on purpose? Are you trying to prove something?”

There was no answer.

„Or maybe you just are not cut out to be a swordsman after all. Perhaps a different path would suit you-”

„This is just a temporary setback!”

„Ha…”

„I will admit, my martial arts are… weaker than they should be. But! This too must be just another test for me to overcome. Only facing my own weaknesses I can hope to reach greater level and eventualy, even this experience will be a light guiding me to greater heights…”

„…”

„…”

„Yeah, sure, if you say so”

„Do not mock my resolve!”

„It’s you I’m mocking, not your resolve”

„You! Could a human even say that?”

„Could a human even fail so miserably at performing a single technique?”

Geumryong watched as at the remark his younger brother bit his lip and searched for something to say.

He was always like that.

Pretending to be confident, but deep inside hiding insecurities coming from the fact that he could see his limits.

Correction.

He wasn’t hiding it that deep inside.

„Dongryong…”

„Don’t call me by that name!”

„Huh?”

For the first time in a long time, Geumryong was completly stunned.

„Do not call you… by your name?”

Huh?

It was Dongryong’s time to be stumped.

It was his name after all?

So why it was his instant reaction to feel so… hostile upon hearing it?

But it seemed like Geumryong interpreted his words in different way?

„Well forgive me… little brother. For daring to assume we’re on first names basis”

It was not what the younger man meant, but it was probably better to let Geumryong believe that, rather than trying to explain him the confusing feeling.

„I’m gonna go train some more” Brother-who-felt-like-the-name-Dongryong-didn’t-fit-him turned around

„That’s probably what you should have been doing all along” said Geumryong, but the sneer usually present in his voice felt weak, replaced by confusion.

☼☼☼

„How…?” the man asked with the tone that said ‘I would be angry if I wasn’t so confused’

Yoon Jong would like to know the answer to this question himself.

Just a moment ago, the beggar kicked out the ground and flew towards Yoon Jong, knife in hand and wild look in the eyes.

‘I should cover my head’ shot the thought through Yoon Jong’s mind.

But before he could do that, his right leg moved on the back, his stance lowered, and his left arm flew, grabbing wrist of hand that held the knife and one fluid motion later the beggar was pinned to the ground, one wrist on the dirt and the knife he let go laying nearby, his other arm bend behind him and a knee on his back.

And now he was glaring at Yoon Jong in mix of anger and confusion.

Yoon Jong took a deep breath

„I’m not going to kill you for what you tried right now” he said, carefully choosing his words „But if I see you trying to hurt anyone else, I will not hold back. Understood?”

He hoped it didn’t show that Yoon Jong wasn’t sure if he would be able to overpower him again.

The beggar gritted his teeth and pondered for a moment

„Fine” he spat out

„I’m gonna let go now and you better not try anything stupid”

Perhaps this was another stupid mistake.

Showing mercy meant you were setting yourself up to be devoured.

But how could he kill that beggar, knowing the only difference between him and Yoon Jong was circumstances. It wasn’t his own merit, but a stroke of luck that Yoon Jong never killed anyone. (Never killed anyone for food at least)

Therefore, as he said, he soon relased the grip.

Beggar groaned and slowly got up, helping himself up with hands. He glanced at the knife laying nearby and Yoon Jong flinched, ready to pin him down again, but thankfuly, the beggar decided to leave it alone.

Watching his back as he ran away, Yoon Jong only hoped his decision will not come bite him in the back later.

☼☼☼

The days were turning noticably warmer – a good sign for anyone working on the fields.

A farmer couple walked across their land, inspecting recently planted crops and discussing what work around the farm has to be done, which one is most urgent and how to divide the chores.
The conversation just shifted to the topic on how to deal with gluttonous insects who must have thought their field was great place to dine, when a black smudge appeared for a split second before their eyes, carring the wind with itself.

The shape disappeared so quickly that this wind was the only proof it really was there.

The man grabbed his hat, so it wouldn’t flow away, while the woman covered herself from sudden gust.

They waited for a moment, until world quieted down again.

The couple looked at each other, confused and turned their heads just in time to see a dark dot in the distance, growing smaller with each second.

They stared in that direction for a long time after it disappeared.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It was not a secret that Yu Iseol’s footwork was one of the best ones in entire Mount Hua.

No.

Excluding Cheongmyeong, there wasn’t a person in the entire Sect who could match her in footwork technique.

And right now she was pushing that technique to it’s limits.

Not having to worry if her Sahyeong and Sajils will have be able to keep up, but in exchange having to worry about many other things, she ran across Central Plains with astonishing speed.

Among those worries were: concern about the disciples and elders that fallen unconscious on Mount Hua; uncertainty about what happened to Cheongmyeong, the rest of the Five Swords and one monk, who just like her were engulfed in the strange light; and finally – fear about what the mysterious figure could be trying to do.

Finally, the familiar peaks appeared on the horizon. And even though it appeared impossible, the sight of them caused Yu Iseol to run even faster.

A heartbeat and she was at the foot of the mountain.

A heartbeat and she was halfway through the familiar path.

A heartbeat and she was next to the gates of her Sect.

Masking her already faint presence, she moved like a ghost, climbing up and looking at the Sect’s grounds – just like before with other Mount Hua disciples besides her.

It was just as she remembered. First, second and third class disciples laying on the ground.
She didn’t remember the exact configuration, but it seemed like they stayed in the same places as they were in before.

It filled her with both relief and worry.

Relief, because it mean they probably weren’t in any immediate danger.

Worry, because if they hadn’t been moved since she saw them last time it meant it was hard to guess when were they attacked.

They could have been lying there, for days or weeks while the Five Swords along with Cheongmyeong and Hye Yeon were at the mission.

At least unconscious disciples didn’t look starved or dehydrated. Perhaps this was because of the… spell they been put under.

Scanning the marble grounds once again, she noticed one new element – uniforms. Seven of them, scattered around and next to them – six swords.

Like their owners just evaporated and they feel to the ground without bodies to support them.

Swords…

Yu Iseol licked her lips.

They needed swords.

She had an old blade – the one she took from her father’s grave – on her side, but it was a sword that for many years was left alone against the force of raw elements.

It was not in a good shape, and even it it was brand new, it could not match the quality of her cold steel sword.

Meanwhile, in the light of setting sun…

She could grab them.

The hooded figure she saw earlier was nowhere around. She could not feel the presence, but even assuming it was being activiely concealed the way her was, she would not be seen.

The reason was simple – Yu Iseol knew every stone in this place.

She knew which parts would be visible for observator standing at any point in there. And that meant, she knew how to not be visible.

It was reckless to try and fight him alone – but she could grab six swords and run undetected.

But that would give away that someone was there.

Even if she was not spotted until she left, the lack of weapons sooner or later would be noticed.

Who knows what this… Sorcerer would do if he learns his spell was broken?

Yu Iseol slowly retreated into shadows.

Not yet.

Not yet...

But…

Where should she go?

Standing under stars appearing on the darkening sky, she thought about the circumstances she found herself in.

She saw liliac light filling her vision and when it faded away she was in house belonging once to her father…

Oh.

She raised her head abdruptly.

Turning around she confidently headed west.

☼☼☼

When closing his eyes and clenching a fist he could feel the muscles he developed through that hellish training. But when he opened his eyes, his body appeared to belong to an untrained civilian again.

And his family didn’t remember sending him to Mount Hua. When he tried to remind them they just looked at him weirdly and Jo Geol had to drop the topic before they thought he was going crazy.

His brother could vaguelly recall Jo Geol being send to some little-known Sect to avoid learning under Tang Family, but that was all.

His first instinct after regaining his memories was to rush back to Mount Hua, but he needed to know more about the curse he been put under…

The image of the disciples laying on the ground, the mysterious figure walking leisurely between their bodies rushed through his mind.

The disciples were hurt, they needed help, they had to be treated–

Oh wait.

Jo Geol was not a medic.

Then Soso….

Soso?

Wasn’t she caught up in that light too?

Jo Geol was one of those who were rushing at the front, but others weren’t far behind and there was small chance they would manage to dodge the light.

Then… what happened to them? This they also woke up living with their families again? What about those who didn’t have families?

To be more specific, only Baekcheon sasuk and Soso still had them. Yu Iseol, Yoon Jong, Cheongmyeong and Hye Yeon were orphans, with Mount Hua as their only family.

Well, nobody really knew anything about Cheongmyeong’s past, he mentioned being an orphan, and they trusted he wouldn’t lie about that.

Families…

Wasn’t Soso’s family right there, in Sichuan?

If Jo Geol wanted to know if his guess is correct, he should see if Soso is back with her family and if she also lost her memories.

„Go see if she’s back in the Tang Clan” Jo Geol laughed at himself.

Yes, Mount Hua and Tang Family were friends, and as one of Five Swords he could ask for a meeting with Family Head, especially if the matter was related to Mount Hua.

But now-

A second son of a merchant? The merchant who can only bow whenever any of the Tang members comes through their gates?

Can he even dream of asking to see the only daughter of Tang Family Head? The daughter he loves so much?

Haaaa….

This sucks.

☼☼☼

No matter how much his hands insisted Yoon Jong didn’t need any food – happily giving away scraps whenever he saw a thin child – his stomach knew he needed to survive somehow.

And now the hands who forced Yoon Jong to give away food given to him were forced by him to steal the food nobody was willing to share with him.

Showing mercy on the streets was just a simple hypocrisy after all.

He could pretend he was so selfless, but it wasn’t him who paid for it – it were street vendors, passerbys and farmers who didn’t watch their property closely enough.

Soon enough and he will turn like that other beggar.

That other beggar?

Huh? Why is he there?

Yoon Jong instinctiviely put his guard up.

„Easy there” said the man raising empty hands „I’m not here to fight”

„You’re not?” Yoon Jong lowered his hands slightly.

„That’s right. I’m here to make a proposal”

☼☼☼

This made no sense. He was physically strong. There was no doubt. He felt that even after thousand swings his arms were not yet tired. If anything, he felt like he was wasting time, swinging his sword without tying any weight to it.

Practising sword forms, endurance training, strength training… all of it seemed easy to him, and --- knew he trained harder than the other disciples.

Physically Dongryong was in top shape.

But when he tried to recall any of Zhongan’s techniques his mind was blanking out.

In spars he even felt he was doing better when he didn’t try to use any sword forms and just followed his instinct. But the instinct could only take him so far, that’s why he needed to perform an actual technique.

„What am I supposed to do?” he scratched his head, walking through the Sect’s grounds „Maybe if I… huh?”

There was a familiar silhouette in the distance, hair tied up in a bun, ribbon ends falling on the shoulders.

Lee Songbaek.

The one --- and --- and the rest of --- liked the most out of all Zhongan disciples.

He called out to him.

Lee Songbaek turned in his direction and a weird expression flashed through his face.

--- didn’t get the time to decode the emotion hidden behind that face before it disappeared, replaced by surprise.

Lee Songbaek approached him and bowed in greeting.

„Can I help you somehow… sahyeo….” he said carefully

„Ah, yes, I was meaning to ask…” --- hesitated. What was he meaning to ask? Did he want Lee Songbaek to teach him techniques Jin Dongryong should have learned ages ago?

A pitiful request.

And yet.

Not as pitiful as what --- really wanted to ask.

Please tell me. Tell me, do you also feel so out of place? Tell me, do you feel like the sword in your hands looks wrong, too short and not as thin as it should be? Tell me, is the uniform on you too tight in places where it should be loose and too loose in places it should be tight? Tell me, does the name people call you by feels as if it was tailored for someone else and passed down to you?

Of course he can’t ask that. Lee Songbaek looked righ in that place. So right that when --- thought of Zhongan he thought of him and Geumryong.

Lee Songbaek coughed awkwardly.

„Ah! I was meaning to ask if you would like to train together sometimes?”

„…”

„…”

„I don’t see why not”

☼☼☼

„So? What is it?”

„Listen. The beggar fate is hard… not just for you and me”

„Obviously.” Yoon Jong answered shortly. There was no need to get talkative. No need to get dragged into a conversation. Listen to the proposal and decide what to do from there”

„I saw you.” said the beggar

„Huh?”

„I know you don’t have a secret source for your food or that you are not any better at begging than anyone else”

„…”

„You have a soft spot for those kids, but you don’t have the means to help them all and then yourself, right?”

„ … and what?” Yoon Jong asked cautiously „You wanna mock me? Tell me to stop?”

„No, no. Actually, I could name a few times, when I survived thanks to people like you. And even if I thought it was stupid, I would not care enough to meddle with how others do their business”

Fair enough.

„So are you saying that after I pinned you to the ground, you suddenly felt a sense of camaraderie and want to help me?”

„No, but this thing! The thing you did! I never saw anyone move so efficiently! So…” he looked at him gauging his reaction „… I have a proposal. There is a way to feed yourself for a week… no! A month! We gonna help you and you gonna share with us! And then you can feed both yourself and any kid you come across!”

This sounded a little too good to be true. What is this guy selling him?

„Get to the point”

„Right. Say, what’s the point of being forced to steal everyday from people who are barely making the ends meet, when there are people who would not even notice if you took something worth a few golden coins from them?”

„Golden…” Yoon Jong trailed off. This could feed him and so many other people for so long.

Man smiled, seeing he’s being swayed

„Wait wait. If it was that easy, I would not have been a beggar”

„That’s where me and my guys are gonna help you.” the beggar said „There is a merchant we spotted recently. He walks alone, no guards at all. He also visits the same road often”

„Alright…?”

„I don’t know how you did it, but you seemed really experienced back then. We gonna show you the way. You gonna go there, intimidate him and make him give you his money pouch, one of those expensive hairpins or whatever he has on himself. Then you come back and we help you sell it. What do you think?”

„Well…”

Yoon Jong didn’t like the thought of mugging someone, but also… is stealing from one rich person worse than stealing from many common people?

„Ah, if you’re not convinced...”

The beggar reached for something behind him.

Yoon Jong jumped when he saw a familiar knife

„This may help you”

☼☼☼

Lee Songbaek felt an irrational surge of aggression.

He was just returning after morning practice when he heard his name and when he turned around he spotted a familiar figure across the fields. He… wait, why was this guy in Zhongan’s uniform again?

Lee Songbaek didn’t demand any compensation or even formal apology for the last time he did it. Because-

Ah, he knew what that feeling was.

It was not anger but bitterness.

He didn’t held a grudge, because of respect he felt towards him, but seeing it happen again… It felt like he wasn’t respected back and-

Before he spiralled further into resentment, something stopped him in his tracks.

Isn’t Jin Dongryong a disciple of Zhongan?

He… he was, wasn’t he?

Not only that- his older brother, his father and multiple generations before – they been a part of Zhongan’s history.

So why was it, that when Lee Songbaek saw...him in the Sect’s uniform, it felt so wrong that Lee Songbaek was ready to throw hands with him?

He awkwardly greeted the youngest Jin brother.

„Can I help you somehow…” Songbaek hesitated. He… why couldn’t he remember if Jin Dongryong was his senior?

No, how many years did they know each other? At this point Lee Songbaek should know if the other one was his sahyeong or saje?

In the end, he went with ‘sahyeong’ mumbled really quietly

Luckily the other one either didn’t notice or Lee Sonbaek guessed right.

Jin Dongryong did have someting to ask- and even though he seemed to be lost in thought somewhere in the middle – making Lee Songbaek think it may be a difficult request – it turned out to be an ordinary proposition to train together.

Not the first time fellow disciple asked him about such thing.

They said their goodbyes and…

Yes, Lee Sonbaek was now sure Jin Dongrying was his sahyeong and his martial arts style was more similar to the one his brother developed.

He was scared there for moment, thinking he started with the dementia early on.

It was good thing his memory returned to him.

It didn’t feel like his mind was desperately patching up the blanks and holes.

☼☼☼

„This is him?”

„Mhmm. He takes that route often. Look- he goes there then he will turn back”

„Is he so predictable?” Yoon Jong asked. This guy really should not be so simple-minded.

„We don’t know how long that habit will hold up. It would be better to act quickly”

„Is he someone famous? I think I saw him before”

„He is one of the rich people, I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out to be famous too”

Or maybe it was just that he passed through steets Yoon Jong was begging on once and his high-quality clothing attracted attention

The beggar from before, as well as few of his friends were there.

„Take it” the beggar offered again

„I don’t want to actually hurt him…”

„If he sees that you’re unarmed, he may trying putting up more fight and that can get messy. In a way having a way to threaten him can make it easier for you and us, but also him”

Yoon Jong nodded and accepted the knife

„We will leave the rest to you”

„Alright”

He understood the meaning behind that.

If something goes wrong, if he gets in trouble, he will be on his own, nobody would go save him. And he will take full responsibility for planning and executing the plan. Even if it appeared heartless, Yoon Jong couldn’t blame the other beggars. They promised to help him with a weapon, information and a way to sell whatever he’s gonna steal… politely take… ekhem. Steal.

Let’s not avoid calling things by their names.

He took in a deep breath and as young man dressed in expensive clothes found himself on mostly empty streets, Yoon Jong followed him, getting closer and closer….

Man stopped as if sensing something. He looked left and right, as if searching for source of uneasiness, causing Yoon Jong to bite his lip.

But soon enough, man resumed his walk.

Not wanting to waste the opportunity Yoon Jong followed again and rushed to close the distance, at the end breaking into run.

Please, be an easy target. Please don’t fight back. Please don’t make me hurt or kill you.

Three steps and the man must have noticed, because he turned around abruptly-

Yoon Jong had little choice, he threw himself at the man, but he avoided it, so Yoon Jong turned on the heel and raised his knife – hoping this would somehow be enough to intimidate the man – (somewhere beyond his vision passerby gasped) – but the merchant moved quickly – even quicker than Yoon Jong and grabbed wrist of his knife hand.

And-

Oh.

The moment Yoon Jong felt the hand clasping on his wrist, he knew there is no way he’s getting himself out of that one.

Is his hand made out of iron?
Despite knowing there is no way he’s gonna escape that grip, he tried to pull anyway.

The man’s arm didn’t even budge.

Behind him, people gathered and whispered.

Yoon Jong raised his head and his eyes meet the eyes of his target.

So cold.

Those were the eyes of a person who wasn’t intimidated in the slightest by the sunlight reflecting on the iron of the blade.

Those were the eyes of a person who was used to overpowering opponents way more dangerous than a wannabe street robber.

Those were the eyes of a person who saw death and didn’t flinch.

But then those eyes changed – a surprise, disbelief.

The eyes that couldn’t be moved by a knife flying towards him were wide open by something else.

But what possibly could have caused that reaction, when an outright murder attempt couldn’t?

Huh? The man’s lips were moving. He was… saying something?

„… eong?”

What was he-

„Yoon Jong sahyeong?”

Wh… what?

How… how did that person know his name?