Chapter 123

Chapter 123
Chapter 123

The evening chill in Hangzhou proved more severe than anticipated. This was due to the immense expanse of West Lake sitting right beside the city, combined with the fierce gales blowing off the sea from across Zhejiang Province. For Yang-hui, who was reaching his thirtieth year and had already attained a transcendent realm, the low temperature caused no genuine discomfort.

“Could it truly be a decade already since I walked away from the clan to live as a wandering swordsman?”

Caught up in such musings, he unfastened the overcoat draped across his shoulders and offered it to his client.

“The wind has an edge to it tonight. Wear this.”

“Thank you, young hero.”

She offered a slight, polite bow. For a brief second, their gazes locked—still and refined, carrying an innate dignity.

“Why are you looking at me with such intensity?”

“It is nothing of consequence. For someone heralded as the foremost courtesan of Hangzhou, you do not seem to possess anything particularly striking.”

Though her legendary beauty was renowned across the realm, it failed to stir even a ripple of emotion within Yang-hui.

“That is merely an empty moniker. Unlike you, young hero, who earned the title of Best Sword Among Wanderers while still so young.”

“Best Sword Among Wanderers? That is nothing more than a whisper echoing through the eastern boundaries of the Central Plains, far from shaking the entire world. It is every bit as hollow an accolade.”

Dismissing one another’s reputations as little more than polite flattery, the pair resumed their stroll along the banks of West Lake. Without warning, So Wol-hyang raised her face toward the night sky and let out a long, heavy sigh that seemed as though it would never conclude.

“What heavy burdens weigh upon your mind? Ah, forgive me—that inquiry crosses a boundary. Consider it unsaid.”

So Wol-hyang looked in quiet contemplation at her bodyguard, then allowed a faint smile to touch her lips. She was perpetually surrounded by suitors and patrons desperate to overstep every proper boundary. Observing Yang-hui, who unfailingly respected the lines she drew, offered her a profound sense of ease.

“Young hero, three full months have slipped by since you first undertook the task of guarding this Heavenly Lady.”

“Has that much time truly passed? My thanks go to you. My money pouch is certainly looking quite plump because of it.”

“You accepted this commission without ever establishing a set fee, yet you speak so casually now. It is quite distressing.”

“That is precisely why I say it. The final price rests entirely in my hands.”

Even so, So Wol-hyang understood the truth. Yang-hui had accepted the assignment driven by his own personal code of justice, and a man of his character would never demand an extortionate sum. Their entire partnership had been forged on a mutual promise of compensation, yet So Wol-hyang could view Yang-hui as the only person genuinely standing by her side. Within her everyday circle, there remained not a single soul she could truly trust or lean upon.

“People pray for their children to be brilliant, yet my own brilliance ultimately ruined my existence. Better to be foolish and dull, and simply grow up untouched by tragedy.”

“Su Dongpo’s *Washing the Child*.”

So Wol-hyang turned to him in astonishment. While he had already revealed aspects of his personality quite distinct from ordinary men, he was, after all, a wandering swordsman. She had never anticipated that he would instantly recite a verse and name its author on the spot.

“You possess a profound appreciation for literature as well?”

“My household takes great pride in mastering both letters and martial arts. The poetry left behind by Su Dongpo holds a special place in my heart.”

“You must be the scion of some venerable and illustrious house.”

“Merely the leftover remnants of a third-rate martial family.”

So Wol-hyang cast a sideways glance at Yang-hui as he offered an indifferent shrug.

“Might I hear the tale of your past?”

“There is nothing hidden, so I can share it. Do not expect it to be an entertaining story, however.”

“I would wish to hear it all the same.”

And so he spoke. He told her of the father who had taken him in—an orphan who once understood nothing of life’s true meaning—and raised him as his own flesh and blood. He spoke of the son who inherited his adoptive father’s grand ambition, and of the grueling years spent pouring every ounce of effort into a dream that ultimately became his sole purpose for living.

“And that is how things came to be.”

“Your silence and that look upon your face leave me feeling rather self-conscious.”

“So even you, young hero… chase after a dream that does not truly belong to you.”

“Hm. Is that how it appears?”

A sudden gust swept across the lake, churning the water’s surface into a lattice of ripples and small waves.

“Young hero, have you ever heard tales of So So-so?”

“Naturally. The greatest courtesan in history, a peerless prodigy. Even Su Dongpo, one of the Eight Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties, praised her extensively in his verses.”

“Then you are familiar with the legends surrounding her life as well.”

“Of course. A narrative of tragic romance just as poignant as the tale of Overlord Xiang Yu and Consort Yu.”

Separated from her true love due to cruel circumstances, So So-so had withered away from heartbreak and perished in her youth. Later generations immortalized her story as the absolute pinnacle of devoted romance.

“That is the version known to the public. But there is a hidden truth beneath those tales.”

“Oh? What truth remains hidden?”

“So So-so did not die of a broken heart. Her life was cut short following childbirth.”

“How could you possibly know such a thing?”

“Because she is my direct ancestor.”

“?”

Yang-hui’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief as he stared straight at So Wol-hyang. Given her extraordinary beauty and artistic talents that entirely dominated the era, it would not have been entirely out of place for her to trace her lineage back to So So-so.

“That is not the half of it. You mentioned earlier that you admire Su Dongpo. He, too, is numbered among my ancestral Heavenly Family.”

Even Yang-hui found himself momentarily unable to maintain his composure at those words. Su Dongpo, counted among the greatest literary masters in history, was a descendant of the legendary courtesan So So-so?

“Can that possibly be true?”

“What reason would I have to fabricate such a story?”

“A fair point. But how did So So-so pass down the family name to her descendants while being a woman?”

“Circumstances dictated it. The title and surname of the Heavenly Lady are indeed passed down directly from her lineage.”

“I see. Ah, everything falls into place now. Does the Moon Lake Tower Lord share this knowledge?”

The motivation behind renowned courtesan So Wol-hyang hiring an ordinary wandering swordsman as her personal protection was remarkably straightforward. The very individual tasked with keeping her safe was, in reality, oppressing her. From her earliest girlhood right up to the present day, solely to serve his own ambitions, he had systematically fractured her family while shamelessly wearing the mask of a benevolent benefactor.

“You possess true insight, young hero. Indeed.”

So Wol-hyang had retained the services of Yang-hui—the Best Sword Among Wanderers hailing from Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and the eastern Central Plains—for one singular purpose: to break free from the iron grip of the Moon Lake Tower Lord, who had kept her bound for nearly twenty winters.

“What is your verdict, young hero? The commission you accepted is to protect me… me, a direct descendant of both So So-so and Su Dongpo…”

She paused to draw a deep, steadying breath before pressing on.

“From a man who recognizes my true value and therefore refuses to ever let me slip away—a villain willing to employ any means necessary. If this fills you with dread, or if you worry about the impending fallout, I will release you from this contract right now.”

A brief, heavy silence settled between them. Then, Yang-hui simply let out a low, easy chuckle.

“I understand completely. In that case, I shall name my price. Sing for me—just a single verse.”

So Wol-hyang’s eyes widened in surprise. Witnessing such a lively expression on her usually serene and aristocratic countenance felt remarkably refreshing, like color suddenly breathing life into a monochrome painting.

“Just that? Surely you jest—please take back such a request.”

“Not a chance! A verse performed by the direct descendant of So So-so and Su Dongpo is worth a king’s ransom. I am claiming it without hesitation!”

He spoke with theatrical flair before adding a final condition.

“If possible, set the words to a melody matching one of Su Dongpo’s own poems. A descendant of Su Dongpo singing Su Dongpo’s poetry—the mere thought of it is exquisite.”

A genuine smile broke across her face, blooming like a flower opening to the morning sun.

“You will not live to regret this choice?”

“Regrets? I used up every single one of them the day I was born.”

Celestial notes drifted softly along the shores of West Lake. Facing the crisp lake breeze, absorbing the cool, tranquil atmosphere of Hangzhou with his entire being, Yang-hui closed his eyes to savor the melody.

One month later, the duration of So Wol-hyang’s commission would draw to its final close.

So Wol-hyang experienced a sudden flash of bewilderment. The source of her confusion was the way Yang-hui was staring at her with a distant, lingering gaze.

“Why is the young master looking at me with such an expression?”

It was the kind of look one might reserve for a long-lost friend reunited after ages apart. Since they had only crossed paths a handful of times, it defied both reason and propriety.

“What a genuinely peculiar young man.”

And that oddity was far from the only one.

“Why does he harbor such fierce hostility toward the Tower Lord?”

Unlike their abrasive initial encounter, the Baek Yang-hui she had come to know truly appreciated the arts. In his context, art represented genuine benevolence rather than rigid forms or combat techniques. One needed only to look at his gentle demeanor toward Junior Sister Je-gal Seol-ha and the comforting words he extended to her. By all accounts, Yang-hui possessed a deeply compassionate heart. Yet he turned remarkably sharp and prickly solely in the presence of the Moon Lake Tower Lord, making his attitude all the more baffling.

“What is the exact total of the debt and the favor combined?”

“……Why do you pose such a question?”

“Because I intend to settle every last coin of it and escort your sister away from this place.”

Even now, speaking with such unvarnished bluntness demonstrated a distinct lack of deference toward the other party. Had she known the situation would unfold in this manner, she should have declared from the very beginning that she had no intention of following him anywhere.

Her family, House So, had once plummeted into absolute desperation. Teetering on the razor’s edge of total ruin and dispersal, it was the Moon Lake Tower Lord who had stepped in to save them. So Wol-hyang had carved that profound grace deep into her bones, willingly remaining within Moon Lake Tower as a courtesan purely to work off the debt. Depart alongside Yang-hui and Je-gal Seol-ha?

“That would be nothing less than repaying immense grace with pure ingratitude.”

She could still vividly recall those grueling days when her mother was forced to cut her own hair to sell at the marketplace, while her scholarly father was broken by mandatory manual labor. Local brothel patrons had tossed soot-stained silver coins onto the table in attempts to claim her mother’s body. Her father had fallen deathly ill and remained bedridden, where a mere ten taels per month for medicine represented the fragile line separating life from death. Those were days consumed by the suffocating belief that her existence had become hell itself—no, it *was* hell.

The Moon Lake Tower Lord had brought an end to that endless era of agony. He had acted as her savior long before becoming the owner of a pleasure house. It was a favor far too vast to ever repay within a single lifetime. As a proper daughter of House So, she could never abandon the fundamental virtues of propriety and honor.

As these conflicting thoughts churned within her mind, the exchange between Yang-hui and the Tower Lord drifted back into her awareness.

“In that case, even after every debt and favor has been fully settled, her sister still will not be permitted to leave Moon Lake Tower.”

The Tower Lord had previously given his word that her bonds would be swiftly dissolved the moment the funds expended to rescue House So were fully reimbursed. Logically speaking, there should have been no hesitation whatsoever in his response. Yet the Tower Lord remained stubbornly silent for an extended duration, acting as though such an outcome must be prevented at all costs.

Even if the Tower Lord were to issue a direct command for her departure, So Wol-hyang harbored no intention of accompanying Yang-hui. While she felt deeply grateful that he valued her enough to offer her half of the venture’s profits, she could never allow blinding greed to overshadow her eternal debt of gratitude. Choosing to withhold her own voice for the moment, she quietly observed the Tower Lord.

“Tower Lord, why do you hesitate so long to give your answer…?”

“Why do you remain silent? Based on your previous promises, you should be able to agree instantly.”

The Tower Lord’s response amounted to nothing more than calculated evasion.

“This matter does not concern you in the slightest, young master.”

Emotions bled heavily into his words, sharpening his tone into something hostile, as though he viewed Yang-hui as a sworn enemy.

“I am the one who decides what concerns me. Answer the question, Tower Lord. Can your sister finally obtain her freedom?”

“Wol-hyang’s outstanding debt constitutes my property as well. By what authority do you overstep your bounds in this manner?!”

So Wol-hyang felt a sharp jolt echo through her heart. He was entirely correct; there was not a single shred of error in the Tower Lord’s assertion. Yet—

“Wol-hyang, do not let worry cloud your mind. Focus entirely on honing your artistic talents. I will handle your family and financial obligations from start to finish.”

It felt impossible to reconcile those words with the behavior of the same Tower Lord who had once offered such tender reassurances and gentle promises.

“Surely the Tower Lord… has always championed my dreams, desiring nothing more than my dedication. He is a truly good man.”

Humanity naturally gravitates toward comfort and pleasure. Amidst her grueling, harrowing past, artistic expression had served as So Wol-hyang’s singular sanctuary. The very tool she used to escape her suffering had ultimately transformed into her life’s ultimate ambition and dream. She yearned to transcend the ordinary limitations of a courtesan much like So So-so, claiming the title of the greatest in history and winning the acclaim of the entire world. Much like Su Dongpo, one of the Eight Masters, leaving behind countless celebrated poems for future generations, she wished to unveil her supreme talents and reach the absolute apex of the arts as the third great So.

“Why do I treat you with such kindness? Because I simply yearn to witness you achieve true renown in the arts and dance, following in the footsteps of your ancestors. That alone fulfills my heart.”

Those were the exact promises you made to me, Tower Lord.

“Authority, you say? Then allow me to pose a question to you, Tower Lord. This young master intends to launch a thorough investigation into the So bloodline beginning tomorrow morning. Does that prospect cause you discomfort?”

That precise second changed everything. The expression on the Tower Lord’s face twisted into something ferocious and distorted.

“Wh-what…?! What absolute nonsense are you spouting?! Shut your filthy mouth, you insolent brat!”

Having entirely lost his composure, the Tower Lord roared at the top of his lungs. The faint ripples of doubt inside So Wol-hyang’s heart instantly swelled into a violent tempest.

“What is the matter? You look remarkably like a thief caught with guilty feet.”

“I told you to shut your mouth!”

“I fail to see by what authority you demand my silence. Allow me to share a few more of my hypotheses. I strongly suspect there is a hidden shadow lurking behind the mysterious downfall of the So family line. What say you to that, Tower Lord?”

“…..Urgh…!”

The two men continued trading verbal blows, hurling accusations like heavy stones back and forth for a prolonged duration—to the point where she could no longer stand by in silence as a passive spectator.

“Enough. That is quite enough.”

Stepping directly between them, So Wol-hyang spoke in a voice that was quiet and soft, yet carried an unyielding resolve. Yang-hui immediately snapped his mouth shut, as though he had been anticipating her intervention. The Tower Lord, still fuming with rage, found himself temporarily struck speechless.

“I have witnessed both of your disgraceful displays.”

“Listen to reason, young master. His accusations are built entirely upon baseless suspicions and groundless rumors.”

“Indeed, Wol-hyang! I have showered you with unending grace—how can you allow his reckless ravings to sway you? Come, let us leave this place!”

Completely ignoring the Tower Lord’s desperate shouting, So Wol-hyang maintained her focus.

“Answer me this, Tower Lord, I beg of you.”

“……Wol-hyang.”

She gazed at her long-trusted benefactor through a film of misting tears. She could scarcely fathom that seeds of doubt could sprout from a mere conversation lasting only moments, yet she possessed enough sharpness to perceive the dangerous undercurrents flowing beneath that brief exchange. The endless streams of favor and affection she had received from the Tower Lord contrasted sharply with his current demeanor, which stood in stark opposition to his usual self. Pressing a hand against her constricted chest and taking a deep, shuddering breath, she forced the words past her lips.

“Does it truly matter so little to you if the young master investigates the tragic fate that befell my family?”

*Please give me your word, Tower Lord.*

Yet her benefactor ultimately betrayed her last remaining hope.