Over 20 years ago. There is someone in front of me who remembers the courtesan who left for Joseon.
Hyang-a.
A woman who fell in love with the Tang Family Head and bore a child out of wedlock, leading to a tragic ending. She was also the mother I created in the context of the Rise of the Tang Family.
So Hyang-a was a part of Hao-mun Do.
As a trainee courtesan, she might have been from the Master of Arcane Fragrance just like Im Ha-yeon, but who would have thought she was actually a disciple of the Master of Arcane Fragrance?
“I, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just an ordinary Joseon person.”
It’s a secret that I’m the illegitimate child of the Tang Family Head. I fake a trembling voice, acting flustered.
First, I need to dig for information. Since I don’t know if it’s true, I can’t acknowledge it right away.
If they press me for answers, I’ll just piece together the information from there.
“Did that guy eat the cursed weird food that only purple-haired freaks eat?”
“How do you know that?”
So you really know about the awful poison I didn’t even want to imagine eating.
“A while ago, that fat guy came to tell me. He asked if I remembered anyone, hinting that you might be the illegitimate child of the Tang Family Head. If he was correct, he said he would ask for your help.”
The grievances of the Martial Arts World are so intricately tangled that it’s hard to see the beginning and the end, but is it really true that the Master of Arcane Fragrance is Hyang-a’s master?
I turned briefly to Im Ha-yeon, who must be in shock upon hearing the news of being the illegitimate child of the Tang Family Head, and went to clarify.
Im Ha-yeon, why do you look so calm?
“I knew.”
“How?”
“I’ve seen you use the martial arts of the Tang Family; have I ever said anything about it?”
That’s right.
When I was munching on pineapple pizza in Yichang, did the news spread to the Hao-mun side?
I nodded and looked back at the Master of Arcane Fragrance.
“As far as I know, there’s only one illegitimate child of the Tang Family Head. It’s the child born from my disciple Hyang-a, who was a courtesan from Joseon.”
The Master of Arcane Fragrance’s eyes showed half assurance.
If the Master of Arcane Fragrance is truly Hyang-a’s teacher.
Let’s think for a moment.
The story of the illegitimate child isn’t something to boast about, but right now, I need the Master of Arcane Fragrance’s help.
Yes. I’m Hyang-a’s son. Please help me. Should I acknowledge it and ask for help?
No. That’s for amateurs.
‘If I realized I was the son of my disciple and still tried to negotiate with the faction, simple acknowledgment isn’t enough.’
I need to connect more deeply with the Master of Arcane Fragrance.
As I recalled Hyang-a’s diary, I realized I had to word it correctly, since I had digested every detail in my memory.
Let’s think about her life in Wuhan.
Is there something useful in those records? The story about Hao-mun is news to me. Was there anything about her teacher?
No, there was.
“Master of Arcane Fragrance.”
I called her with a courteous tone, like a son addressing his mother’s teacher.
“Go on.”
Over 20 years ago.
Hyang-a was expelled from the Tang Family, struggling to lift her heavy body off the cold pavement, pondering.
She had been rejected by the man she loved, but she had escaped from a miracle.
She had shed her identity as a courtesan and become an ordinary woman. Where would she go? What would she do?
Would she become a courtesan again to avoid starving? Would she return to Joseon to raise the child she would give birth to?
In the end, Hyang-a chose the child over herself.
Mentioning her teacher, she left a word expressing the regret of never being able to see her face again.
Yes. That part included a mention of the Master of Arcane Fragrance.
“Is your name Choo-yeon?”
I forced a “no way” expression and looked at the Master of Arcane Fragrance.
Simply acknowledging I’m Hyang-a’s son is for amateurs.
If the Master of Arcane Fragrance truly is Hyang-a’s teacher, her given name has to be Choo-yeon.
Had I known more facts about the Master of Arcane Fragrance beforehand, my emotional connection could grow thicker.
“My given name is not Choo-yeon.”
“……”
Emergency!!! Code red!!!
I’m done for.
Should I say I mistook it? Or should I say I remember incorrectly from my childhood?
Huh?
As I deliberately failed to hide my shock and looked at the Master of Arcane Fragrance, a pleasant smile crept on her lips.
“Choo-yeon is not my given name. My name is Choo-yeon.”
“Oh.”
Unless she is excluded from miracles, the woman who became a courtesan lives on her courtesan name for life.
The fact that she revealed her true name meant that we had a strong bond.
In that case, indeed.
“Indeed, you are Hyang-a’s son.”
As Hyang-a’s teacher, the Master of Arcane Fragrance finally sat upright from her half-lying position.
“It’s an honor to meet my mother’s teacher.”
I knelt down on one knee and bowed my head, adopting the etiquette of a disciple to the master.
“How has my mother been, the Hyang-a who returned to Joseon?”
How should I say it?
The Hyang-a I know is from her diary. I can’t raise unnecessary suspicions. I shouldn’t get carried away and chatter. I must speak as little as possible.
Let’s start with some emotional acting.
I’ll put on a sad expression, like someone tormented with a painful past.
At the same time, I will give the other person what they desire.
“She was a kind mother. The wisest wife in the village. But sometimes, she would sit me on her lap, staring at the western night sky, and tell me stories about the noble hero who saved a woman.”
“……Foolish girl. Was she unable to forget until the end?”
Even though the Master of Arcane Fragrance had a disapproving expression, her voice was filled with nostalgic yearning.
“I didn’t understand when I was young, but growing up I realized why she looked so mournfully at the western night sky.”
“Where is Hyang-a now?”
“When a terrible plague struck the village, she couldn’t escape the sickness.”
I made my eyes watery while smiling and conveyed the profound sense of longing for someone who would never return.
“Ha, Hyang-a is dead…?”
Was she shocked enough to drop her pipe?
“I’m sorry for not being able to bring you good news.”
I lowered my head once more.
“No, I have disturbed your heart. Yes, I heard that she went to the Tang Family. How could she return as a noble guest but not still use the name Tang?”
“My father was a Kang. How could I abandon the name of my father, who raised me with love since birth, just because he passed?”
“If you had used the Tang name, you wouldn’t have found yourself in such a predicament…”
That’s all nonsense.
If the Tang Family had found out, it wouldn’t just end in a poison shower.
“I came to settle old emotions. I had asked for my mother’s memorial rites every year.”
I replied calmly with a smile, looking into the eyes of the Master of Arcane Fragrance, who gazed at me sadly.
“That scoundrel must have nodded shamelessly.”
I doubt many would call the renowned hero of the world, the Tang Family Head Tang Baek-ho, a scoundrel.
As Hyang-a’s teacher, she must have some resentment toward him.
“I thought of it as an opportunity for me, a foolish child, to show filial piety toward my deceased mother.”
In any era, respect for parents is appreciated by others.
I looked at the Master of Arcane Fragrance confidently, as if I had fulfilled my duties as a son, and she nodded, half displeased yet approving.
“……Have you heard anything about me?”
No, I only know your name.
This is bad.
If I said I hadn’t heard anything more, she might get offended and refuse to help me.
Is there any good way to meld truth and falsehood together?
There is.
I put on an expression of nostalgia, as if I was reminiscing about my late mother, and spoke up.
“I’ve only heard your name. But… when you were reminiscing, I sensed you held the same importance as a parent. You often said that once you accepted a master, you should always respect and follow them, and that you should never commit deeds that would pierce their hearts.”
“Did a child who knows that pierce the master’s heart…?”
One of the Master of Arcane Fragrance’s eyes twitched ominously.
“I’m only sorry.”
“It’s not something a child should apologize for.”
“……”
The Master of Arcane Fragrance picked up the pipe that had fallen.
Could she be reminiscing about Hyang-a?
After lighting a few, the Master of Arcane Fragrance opened her mouth, looking somewhat bitter.
“Haah. You were a brilliant child. If it weren’t for falling in love with that scoundrel, you would have been the Master of Arcane Fragrance instead of me.”
“Though you might not approve, as a result, I’m currently joined with Im Ha-yeon. I have nothing but gratitude for my mother.”
I deliberately tightened my hold on Im Ha-yeon’s hand.
“You…”
Wait. Im Ha-yeon. It’s not your turn to be moved right now.
I’m trying to shift the topic naturally from Hyang-a to Ha-yeon.
“Haah. The mother sacrifices everything for their child, and the son risks everything for love. Like mother, like son.”
Was she searching for Hyang-a’s face beyond mine? Her eyes, worn from her courtesan life, were filled with longing.
“Master of Arcane Fragrance…”
“Right. If that child saw me as her mother, then as a mother with a foolish daughter, I should fulfill my duties. I will help.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you!”
Im Ha-yeon came to my side and knelt with me, bowing her head.
Good. This means we’re making progress.
“I will do my utmost to release this child from the identity of a runaway courtesan and restore the miracle. However, there’s one thing I’m suspicious of.”
The Master of Arcane Fragrance put her hand on her chin as she gazed at Im Ha-yeon.
“What suspicion do you speak of?”
“To catch this one child, the faction has expended too much energy. Yichang, Lush Green Post Office, and even this incident. Especially yesterday, the full force of the faction was mobilized to catch this child, which is too strange.”
“If the faction knew about the attack on the Umbrella branch, they wouldn’t have much to say even if they were attacked, would they?”
“If that were the case, they should have aimed to kill her yesterday, not to capture her.”
“Indeed, the dead have no voice.”
It’s true. Why did they want to capture her?
If they intended to eliminate witnesses from the Umbrella incident, then instead of capturing her yesterday, they should have aimed to kill her.
“What on earth is the reason they want that child…?”
“From there, I will let you know.”
With a bang, the door opened from behind.
“Master Si-mun?”
Behind was Si-mun Hyang-ju, looking like a hunter who had finally caught its prey.
“Tell us the full story of this incident.”
