A Fragrant Encounter(1)
By the time I arrived in Mu-han, the evening was drawing to a close.
Returning to Jeong-ui-gak, I found Galsaryang deep in a meeting. The officer in charge mentioned it would take another hour or two to wrap up, so I decided to head out to the bustling market.
Once I confirmed Galsaryang was safe, hunger hit me like a wave. I hadn’t had a proper meal, having rushed back using my martial arts skills without a break.
I entered a nearby inn and ordered a generous amount of food and drink, more than I usually would.
While waiting for the food, I gazed out the window, watching the people pass by. The street looked just as it had when I left.
As Galsaryang had predicted, nothing had happened in the past ten days. I trusted his judgment completely, and he was right. Thanks to him, I had a restful break.
Soon, the food I ordered arrived.
I was about to dig in after a pleasant sip of wine when two people walked in.
“Oh?”
One of them recognized me and was visibly surprised. To my astonishment, it was Chil-ho.
I was equally taken aback, but not just because of Chil-ho. The person beside her was none other than Im Yeon-jeong.
“Officer Byeok?”
“Investigator?”
We stood there, staring at each other in disbelief.
Im Yeon-jeong glanced between me and Chil-ho, a knowing look dawning on her face.
With a smile, she asked, “You seem to know each other. Mind if we join you?”
“Oh, yes, please do.”
Naturally, I didn’t refuse. In fact, I should have been the one to offer first. Im Yeon-jeong’s presence signaled that the forces behind the scenes were stirring once more.
Chil-ho seemed a bit flustered, but with Im Yeon-jeong already seated across from me, she had no choice but to sit beside her.
“I’m Byeok Ri-dan, a strategist from Jeong-ui-gak.”
“Oh, a strategist? You don’t look the part at all.”
“Are you saying I look uneducated?”
“Haha, no, I meant you look too young for the role.”
At that moment, Chil-ho chimed in.
“She’s the chief strategist at Jeong-ui-gak.”
“Oh! That’s a higher rank than a regular strategist, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I’ll have to see you in a new light.”
Im Yeon-jeong’s eyes widened as she looked at me, impressed by Chil-ho’s words.
“No, no, I just assist the chief strategist. It’s a role that requires quick thinking, which is why someone young like me was chosen.”
“And so humble, too.”
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the praise, I quickly called the server.
“Please, order your food.”
Im Yeon-jeong and Chil-ho placed their orders.
I never imagined I’d run into them here again.
First and foremost, I was relieved to see Im Yeon-jeong safe.
I had given her a chance to leave the organization, but she chose to stay. I realized then that she had her reasons for not leaving.
The Im Yeon-jeong I knew was a scholar. She had been working on eliminating the side effects of the Bulhoe Ma-ryeong-dan. Since the research materials and facilities were destroyed, the research couldn’t have been completed.
So why was she here in Mu-han?
It made sense for her to be with Chil-ho. Back when I was in the underground lab with Im Yeon-jeong, Chil-ho had appeared, surprising me. They had met then, so it wasn’t strange for them to be together now.
“What kind of relationship do you two have?”
I asked, and Chil-ho hesitated. Im Yeon-jeong answered promptly.
“I’m her older sister. More like a friend, really.”
“Oh, I see.”
A hint of embarrassment crossed Chil-ho’s face.
I pretended not to notice, took another sip of wine, and asked again.
“Do you live in Mu-han?”
“No, we’re here on some business. I’ll be staying with my sister for a while.”
“Oh, I see.”
Im Yeon-jeong and I continued our conversation naturally, while Chil-ho mostly listened in silence.
Soon, the server brought the dishes they ordered.
Im Yeon-jeong ate heartily, clearly hungry. In contrast, Chil-ho ate with caution.
I guessed that Chil-ho was there to protect her. It seemed to reflect her personality, even if it wasn’t an official duty.
As Im Yeon-jeong and I chatted, I noticed Chil-ho occasionally glancing at her with a look of envy. She seemed to wish she could join in the conversation as freely.
Eventually, our dinner came to an end.
“See you next time,” Im Yeon-jeong said warmly.
“Show me around Mu-han next time.”
“Of course.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
I found myself making a promise without thinking. Chil-ho, standing beside her, showed no reaction.
The two of them turned and walked away.
For some reason, Chil-ho’s retreating figure seemed lonely. Watching her leave reminded me of the time she had warned me to be careful after a night of drinking in the fields.
As she walked away, Chil-ho glanced back. Our eyes met.
I smiled and waved.
She turned back and continued walking. Her expression was hidden by the shadows of the buildings.
And just like that, they disappeared into the darkness.
Though I felt a bit guilty, I decided to follow them.
I confirmed that they entered a manor near Mu-han.
I could have investigated further by entering the building, but I decided to stop there for the night. There was no rush. They were likely here for the upcoming leader selection.
Perched on a distant tree branch, I watched the manor.
I felt a connection, a sense of fate with both Im Yeon-jeong and Chil-ho. My ties with them were not to be taken lightly.
Whether these ties would turn into good or bad ones depended on the choices we made moving forward.
I hoped that, at least for those two, it would end as a good connection.
Before entering her room, Im Yeon-jeong asked Chil-ho, “That was him, wasn’t it?”
“Huh?”
Lost in thought, Chil-ho snapped back to reality.
“You mentioned someone like that, remember? That night.”
“Oh!”
While talking under the North Star, Chil-ho had told Im Yeon-jeong that there was someone she couldn’t stop thinking about.
“Was it him?”
“Yes.”
Chil-ho admitted it readily.
“I thought so. But with such a reserved personality, can you really get to know a man?”
“Is that why you joined us?”
“Of course.”
“How did you know it was him?”
“The way you looked at that officer was different.”
“My look?”
“Yes, it was obvious.”
Chil-ho felt both pleased and displeased. It was refreshing to see someone differently, to feel alive. But the fact that it was noticeable wasn’t entirely pleasant.
“Did it bother you? If so, I apologize.”
“No, not at all. You arranged it for me, after all.”
“I’m glad you understand. Next time, let’s all go out together. Relationships aren’t complicated. The more you see someone, the more you feel something.”
“Yes.”
Chil-ho had much to say but settled for a brief response.
“It’s late, so let’s talk tomorrow.”
“Yes, rest well.”
Im Yeon-jeong entered her room.
Chil-ho’s room was right next door, so she could help immediately if needed.
In contrast, Il-ho’s room was at the end of the hallway, a bit further away.
Chil-ho entered her room.
Sitting on the bed, she let out a sigh she had been holding in.
“Whew.”
She had been overwhelmed earlier. Running into Byeok Ri-dan at the inn had been too much. Had she ever been so flustered by seeing someone, especially a man?
Watching Im Yeon-jeong converse naturally with him, she felt a pang of jealousy. Even if Im Yeon-jeong’s intentions were for her benefit and Byeok Ri-dan had no personal feelings, she couldn’t help but feel envious.
“Is it just because of the dumplings?”
She knew it wasn’t just the dumplings.
She had enjoyed drinking with Byeok Ri-dan in the fields that day.
“This can’t go on!”
She shook her head.
During training, the most repeated lesson was not to trust people, especially the opposite sex. Loyalty was to the organization alone, with no room for personal relationships.
Not just her, but all her numbered colleagues were taught the same. They were all living by those rules.
“He’s someone I can’t be with anyway. I should stop thinking about him.”
Unconsciously, she sighed once more.
When I returned to Jeong-ui-gak, the meeting had ended.
Galsaryang was back at the quarters we shared.
“I heard you arrived.”
He stood up to greet me as I approached.
I gave him a hearty hug, catching him off guard.
It wasn’t something I usually did. In my past life, I had never embraced someone out of joy like this.
But recently, I found myself expressing my feelings through actions. While feelings are important, they remain unknown if not expressed.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
Galsaryang realized I was genuinely happy to see him.
“Thank you for your concern.”
We sat across from each other at the table. Galsaryang personally brewed tea for us. He had a fondness for Huang Xiao Cha, especially the Yuan An Lu Yuan variety. I learned this while working closely with him as the representative strategist.
Despite all the tea we drank together in my past life, I hadn’t known this. Back then, we mostly drank the tea I preferred.
So, how many times have I resolved not to live like I did in my past life?
In any case, Galsaryang’s deep knowledge of tea allowed me to appreciate its rich flavors even more.
“I heard you arrived earlier.”
“I went out for dinner since you were in a meeting.”
“Good decision.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Make sure you eat well. If you fall, we all fall. Don’t forget how many people rely on you.”
“It’s not just me they’re relying on; it’s our leader.”
“Well, since I’m with you, it all comes down to you in the end.”
“Hahaha.”
Galsaryang laughed heartily. Yes, taking on this kind of responsibility felt good.
I don’t demand blind loyalty from them. I just hope they can fully utilize their talents. That’s the path I believe a true leader should walk.
“Did you have a good rest?”
“Thanks to you, I had a wonderful break.”
It felt like the most restful time I’d had in this life and perhaps even the last.
And then… Song Hwarin’s face flashed in my mind, along with our unforgettable kiss.
How could it not have been a delightful vacation?
“I’m glad to see you looking well.”
In contrast, Galsaryang looked worn out from the endless emergency meetings. I felt a bit guilty, but it was unavoidable. It was a task only he could handle.
“How did the meetings go?”
“As expected, the final vote is in two days.”
“And the outcome?”
“Just as we thought. Ma Cheolgun will become the leader.”
“What about the other successors? Any objections?”
Apart from Ma Ryeongin, the other successors were Ma Yanghwa, Ma Gungtae, and Ma Seonghu. I hadn’t met them personally, so I didn’t know what they were like.
“No, it’s quiet.”
There had been struggles among the successors, but it was inevitable. Even the oldest, Ma Cheolgun, was considered too young to lead.
“And Ma Ryeongin?”
“He’s quiet too.”
“He might feel like he’s cooked the porridge only for someone else to eat it, but he’s not one to starve quietly.”
I knew Ma Ryeongin well. Despite his youth, he had a devilish nature. If it weren’t for my own experiences, I wouldn’t have been able to corner him last time.
“Be especially cautious of Ma Ryeongin.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Ma Cheolgun and Ma Ryeongin were likely on bad terms, given that Ma Ryeongin had tried to kill him. Yet, Ma Ryeongin hadn’t been eliminated.
If Ma Cheolgun hadn’t forgiven him, it meant there was a powerful force keeping him alive.
To those in power, Ma Ryeongin, who attempted to kill Ma Cheolgun, must be a loose cannon.
So why keep him alive?
The reason was still a mystery.
“When Ma Cheolgun becomes the leader, he’ll probably replace the chief strategist with his own person.”
“That’s fine. It might even be better for you to leave Jeonguigak and move freely.”
There were pros and cons to this. The real issue was the power behind the scenes. Would they really let Galsaryang go free?
I walked to the window. Looking at the stars reminded me of the time I spent with Song Hwarin. The same night sky, yet it didn’t seem as beautiful as it did then.
Galsaryang, staring into his empty teacup, spoke.
“In two days, the martial world will write a new chapter in history. A history manipulated by them.”
“We’ll set it right.”
“Yes.”
When I turned back, Galsaryang nodded with determined eyes.
We would restore the true history to the martial world.
Perhaps the leader of the hidden forces was basking in arrogance, thinking they controlled everything.
But the heavens were proving that no single person could dictate the history of the martial world. Not while I was here.
“Would you like another cup of tea?”
“Yes, please. It’s been a while since I’ve had tea brewed by you, and it’s delightful.”
That night, the rich and deep aroma of the tea filled the room, just like the meaningful conversation we shared.