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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Cyno
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Step, step.
Dim twilight settled over the land. A yellow sunset vanished beyond the horizon, and crimson clouds filled the sky.
A man with hair grown long enough to touch his shoulders walked forward. His bleached-white hair rippled in the wind like dancing waves.
Beside him trailed a woman with pure white hair, hands clasped together.
For some reason, her back hunched slightly, and her head was lowered in unease.
“Byulak, is this the place you spoke of?”
“Yes. This is it.”
“The dense thicket makes it look just right for someone to hide.”
“……”
Byulak gave no answer to Ok-hwa’s remark. It made him a little uncomfortable—
as though this deserted place reflected the heart of “her,” who seemed to want to avoid him.
Ok-hwa, not knowing his inner thoughts, grew restless, wondering if she was still a burden to him.
“You said a close friend of yours lives here. The one who will look after Wol-hwa while we go to Mucheongok?”
Ok-hwa glanced at the girl on Byulak’s back. The sunset dyed the space between her gently closed brows. She had been asleep so long that she did not stir in the slightest.
“That’s right.”
“Could it be… someone I know?”
“No. I doubt anyone in the world knows that friend, save for me.”
He swallowed back the words, Because everyone else who knew is dead. He didn’t wish to stir needless confusion.
“Is that so… I thought I had stayed at your side long enough, yet there are still so many things I do not know about you….”
With a faintly dejected air, Ok-hwa trudged along after Byulak.
Deep in the forest, Byulak pushed aside the overgrowth blocking the way.
A small house appeared. A modest cottage stood before a pond.
“So there really is someone living here.”
“This is my first time actually coming myself.”
Byulak stepped to the door and knocked.
Bang, bang, bang.
“…Perhaps they’re away?”
“Maybe so.”
Byulak raised his eyes toward the sky. Ok-hwa followed his gaze.
“…! The heavens!”
At once, a strange harmony of heaven and earth unfolded before them.
Though it was not autumn, fallen leaves swirled like autumn wind, and a fierce gust swept through the forest.
Sensing danger, the wild beasts fled early in one direction.
Seeing this, Ok-hwa felt an inexplicable sense of threat.
He’s a master!
Her hand instinctively moved to her sword hilt. She was ready at any moment to unleash the sword techniques of Kunlun.
And then—a voice pierced her mind.
— Child, the day you draw that blade will be the day of your funeral rites.
“……!”
At that instant, Ok-hwa realized.
The “friend” Byulak sought out was a master greater than herself.
For someone to surpass her—one who had already reached the very pinnacle of the Supreme Masters—meant only one thing…
An Absolute? A hidden hermit of the Five Absolutes?!
As Ok-hwa reeled in shock, Byulak—calmly standing beside her—spoke to end the commotion. His low, deep voice rolled through the air.
“It’s been a long time.”
At the same time, the voice in their minds wavered violently, as though shaken by great shock.
— ……!
“Sorry for coming uninvited. But I have a favor to ask.”
— N-no… it can’t be…!
“…You’re the only one I can trust.”
The cottage shook heavily. Bang, crash, crash! From inside came the frantic sounds of someone rushing about.
Clatter—!
The door burst open at lightning speed. A woman dressed head to toe in crimson stood in the doorway, gasping for breath. Outside stood Byulak.
“Cheolbin!! H-how did you come here…!!”
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Y-you…! Didn’t I tell you never to show your face before me again, that I would disappear from your eyes forever…!”
“Yes, you did. But you’re the only one I can trust to ask this of.”
“…What is it?”
“This child.”
Byulak gently shifted Jin Ga-yeong from his back, holding her forward. The woman looked at the girl for a long moment, then lowered her head.
“Is she yours? Namgung Sua’s child?”
“No, she’s someone else’s.”
“And you want me to take care of her.”
“I know it’s shameless. But I beg you. Please… accept her.”
Byulak was speaking in a tone of ease he used with no one else. Even to children, he showed courtesy—so Ok-hwa could not help but wonder.
Who in the world is this woman, that Byulak speaks with her so comfortably?
By appearance, she seemed about her own age—just past thirty. But Ok-hwa did not trust appearances.
For Absolute masters, age flowed slowly. Some even reversed their years, returning to youthful bodies.
Already aware that this red-garbed woman was a supreme master of at least the “Flower Realm,” Ok-hwa’s mind spun wildly with speculation.
An ancient monster from the previous generation? There are still rumors that Changseong yet lives… but if she were of such seniority, Byulak would surely show proper respect, not speak so casually…
Meanwhile, the woman’s gaze moved back and forth between Byulak and Jin Ga-yeong.
“…Come inside for now. We’ll speak over tea.”
So saying, she turned and stepped back into the cottage.
Byulak led a hesitant Ok-hwa inside after her.
*****
— You brat! Didn’t I tell you not to mingle with such lowly wretches!
Those were my father’s words when I was young.
I never knew why my usually gentle and warm father spoke so then. The memory is hazy.
But I still remember what I said in reply.
— Father, you always said all lives are equal. How can you say otherwise?
— Those things are not people. How could you form ties with mere slaves?
— …….
— Stop it. As a direct descendant of Namgung, you must keep your dignity.
— …Yes, Father.
That was how I answered.
But as a little boy, I did not obey my father’s words.
If anything, out of defiance, I clung all the more stubbornly to the slaves’ children.
It wasn’t out of lofty ideals. Simply—I enjoyed being with them.
Children of the upper class already understood invisible ranks, no matter how young. Even when playing together, they only busied themselves watching the mood of the highest-born child.
And I—wherever I went, I was always that highest-born. The child of Namgung, the foremost martial family under heaven. Naturally, the other children feared me.
But the children of the lower class were different. They were pure. They knew nothing of ranks. That was why I gravitated toward them.
Sirang was one of those children I met.
— Uh, hello…?
— Speak comfortably. We’re the same age.
— C-can I?
— Of course.
Sirang, in a word, was… a little odd.
Not all children of the poor were pure. Some, forced to learn the world too early, became overly cautious, endlessly reading others’ moods. I pitied them.
Sirang was one of those. To be precise, he was a beggar boy. I didn’t know how he was treated in the beggars’ den, but I wanted to help.
So whenever I could, I brought him food from the clan. I even set aside some of my own meals for him.
Sirang was wary. He had lived in darkness too long. But as I persisted, never giving up, showing only kindness, he slowly opened his heart.
It didn’t take long for the two of us to become inseparable friends.
If the story ended there, it would seem fine.
But Sirang had something others did not: an obsessive streak.
Not unlike Namgung So-so. Both could not distinguish boundaries. But while So-so’s obsession was innocent, Sirang’s was… fanatical.
I soon realized his fixation was not born of friendship.
I was about ten years old.
— I like you, Cheolbin!
Out of the blue, Sirang confessed to me.
At first, I didn’t know what to think. A prank? But when I saw the tension in his eyes, I realized he was sincere.
But between us stood a great problem.
— I’m sorry, Sirang.
— ……!
— It’s just… I don’t like men that way. You know that.
— Ch-Cheolbin….!
— I understand your feelings. I’m the only one by your side, so it’s natural you’d feel that way. But I can’t accept it.
It was a wall no human effort could cross.
I thought it was just a childish flame.
Sirang was hitting puberty early. Though no longer a beggar, he was still an outcast, with no one around him but me. I believed it was only youthful impulse.
— Is it… because I’m a man?
— Of course. I don’t scorn those who have that taste, but I don’t feel it. Give up and find someone good for you.
— …Just wait a little longer.
— …? Sirang?
But I was wrong. Sirang’s feelings were not so fleeting.
From that day, my childhood friend vanished from my sight.
For twelve long years.
Until he returned—not as “he,” but as “she.”
— Cheolbin! I’ve come back!
— …Who are you?
— Wha—you don’t recognize me? L-look closer! How could you not remember me?
— I don’t know any young lady like… W-wait, Sirang?!
During those missing twelve years, Sirang had found and mastered the Sunflower Manual, the secret art left by the former leader of the world’s greatest cult, the Sun and Moon Sect, the Invincible East.
The martial world is full of eccentric arts. Some drive their users mad, like Mad Demon Arts. Some unravel the practitioner’s energy if they ever sleep with someone, like the Boy’s Art.
But the Sunflower Manual is known as the strangest of them all.
If a man practices it, his gender slowly changes over time—not just the body, but his very mind, values, even personality.
How Sirang obtained the manual, I never knew. I only believe it was the fruit of her fanatical obsession.
— I-I’m a woman now…!
— Uh… well… yes. Congratulations.
— So you’ll accept me now? I’m not a man anymore! For you, I transformed completely, body and soul, into a female!
— Sirang….
Sirang was full of expectation. Twelve years of effort—she believed they would finally bear fruit.
But at twenty-two, I…
— I’m already married….
To Yu So-eun, bound in a vow of a hundred years.
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