Waaaaaaah!!
Nuru Buchi, Nima Galchen, and Sudalcha enjoyed magic performances for four consecutive days. Every time a magic show was held, the crowd swelled immensely, but it was a story unrelated to the three of them.
“Indeed, the girl known as the Black Cat and the benefactor Ho Cheon-an are truly remarkable.”
Magicians were popular, but among them, the fame of the Black Cat and Ho Cheon-an was particularly elevated. Ho Cheon-an’s magical skills were on another level compared to other magicians, and following him, the Black Cat’s popularity soared not just for her skills but her looks as well.
“By the way… doesn’t that Black Cat seem a bit familiar?”
At Nuru Buchi’s remark, Nima Galchen frowned intensely.
“Ah, how can you speak such frivolous words? You should have a bit more awareness as a practitioner.”
“No, really… she resembles someone… who is it?”
“Stop rambling and just enjoy the magic!”
[Now, the fire is lit!]
The magic show began with a cutting trick, leading to the second performance that ended with an escape act. Today’s performance was the second one concluding with the escape trick.
The escape act that signaled the end of the stage began. Iron chains wrapped around Okryong’s entire body, and many locks were secured. After that, a cloth covered Okryong, and Ho Cheon-an without hesitation sprinkled oil on the cloth and lit the fuse.
The citizens of Rasa screamed mixed with cheers as they watched the burning fuse. The three had already seen this act once, but they were wide-eyed, forgetting even to speak.
The oil-soaked cloth blazed fiercely, and the audience forgot to breathe in their immersion. As the cloth burned away completely, would the Okryong magician still be alive?
The three from Podalap Palace gasped.
“Oh no, we missed it again today.”
“How vexing. Even being closest to the stage, the distance between us and the commotion under the tent makes it hard to feel the excitement.”
As the tent was completely engulfed in flames, all that remained was dark ash and iron chains!
[Isn’t this amazing? Did the Okryong magician truly succeed in escaping? Or has he simply become ash? Let’s all call for the Okryong magician!]
Okryong! Okryong!
The Okryong magician dashed out from behind the stage, and the magic show ended in overwhelming success.
Before the performance began, the three had been safety personnel, but now they transformed into collection agents, placing an appropriate amount of money into the workers’ baskets as they headed back to Podalap Palace. While chatting lightly about the magic act they had just seen, Nuru Buchi suddenly sighed.
“Huh, I wonder how many more days we can watch magic performances.”
At Nima Galchen’s sigh, Nuru Buchi asked.
“Is something wrong?”
“We may not have known, being at the scene every time, but it seems the cheers from the magic shows are reaching Podalap Palace.”
“Hmm…”
“It has already been three days since we kept an eye on it, and now the reason for investigating magic has weakened…”
Sudalcha spoke gravely.
“For now, let’s pretend we don’t know anything.”
The three exchanged glances and nodded silently. If they announced that the investigation into the magic had concluded, their outings would be over.
“Do you understand? Unless the Lord of the Palace directly asks, let’s keep our mouths shut.”
“Of course.”
As soon as they arrived at Podalap Palace…
“Tell me everything happening in Rasa without missing a detail.”
They were summoned by the Lord of Podalap Palace, Rano Jingbu.
*
The Lord of Podalap Palace, Rano Jingbu, meticulously donned his ceremonial attire. He not only washed his entire body in hot water but also purified his garments by boiling them to rid them of any stray Qi.
“Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
Rano Jingbu, along with his wife Chai-rang, visited a location within Podalap Palace. It was a place so hot that one would think it was a blacksmith’s shop if someone were to drop by.
“Sara, we’ve come!”
“Welcome, Mother, Father.”
Sara, the Little Princess of Podalap Palace, who was now fifteen years old, gradually rose with the help of her maids to welcome the two.
‘Her condition…’
Rano Jingbu examined his daughter, Rano Sara’s, condition carefully. He fervently hoped for an improvement compared to yesterday, but sadly, there was no progress. Rather, it seemed to have worsened.
Rano Jingbu maintained a composed expression and asked Rano Sara.
“So how did you spend today?”
“Masalai read me a book.”
Rano Sara slowly described the content of the book. It was about a wandering monk who gained various insights about the Dharma.
“And so the monk, to escape the rain, went to a cave… cough, cough!”
Finding the story interesting, Rano Sara seemed a bit too excited and began to cough, prompting the waiting physician to hurriedly offer her medicinal soup and lay her back down.
“Sara, let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“…Yes.”
Rano Sara lowered her head. For a child who spent the whole day bedridden, her parents’ visit was one of her few joys.
However, with the time being cut short due to her cough, it was natural for her to feel disappointed.
Rano Jingbu and Chai-rang could only remain silent at their daughter’s disappointed expression.
…Waaaaaaah!
Amidst that silence, a faint cheer began to seep in.
“…Is something happening outside?”
“Hmm. It seems something is going on in Rasa.”
“Is that so? It sounds joyous.”
Rano Sara perked up, listening keenly. Rano Jingbu forced a smile, trying to keep his face cheerful. With her immunity severely weakened, Rano Sara could not step outside her chamber. If they didn’t light fires around the room to ward off the sickness, it could quickly settle into her body.
Even having curiosity for happenings outside, Rano Sara could not leave this place.
“There might be something unpleasant happening outside.”
“…Could it be?”
“Let’s not expend our energy on trifles and focus on fighting this illness.”
“Yes.”
Rano Sara wrapped herself in her blanket and lay down. Just as the two were about to leave after holding her hand one last time…
“Father, Mother.”
The two halted in their tracks.
“I’m curious about what’s happening in the city.”
“…I see.”
Rano Sara said with a bright smile.
“I’ll find out.”
A small smile also blossomed on Sara’s face.
“Thank you, Father.”
“Sure.”
As Chai-rang exited Sara’s chamber, tears welled up in her eyes. Rano Jingbu sighed, gently patting his wife’s shoulder.
“Don’t be too heartbroken.”
“Sniff, but… when did that child leave this Podalap Palace? She’s just trapped in that room…”
Rano Jingbu silently stroked his wife’s back. After calming Chai-rang and seeing her off to her room, Rano Jingbu quickly walked through Podalap Palace, suppressing his anger.
It had already been over three days since cheers began to echo from outside. While disturbances in the city were rare, they weren’t entirely absent, so Rano Jingbu wasn’t overly concerned.
Podalap Palace was merely the guardian of the monks and not the ruler of Rasa.
Rano Jingbu struggled to control his anger so that it wouldn’t merely turn into venting. After all, his own misfortune and sadness did not warrant making others unhappy or miserable.
‘Let’s not get angry; just make sure I don’t disturb my child’s rest.’
“Chief!”
“Lord!”
“The uproar in Rasa has breached the walls of Podalap Palace. I fear it may interfere with the perseverance of the practitioners and the monks. Please investigate the cause quickly.”
“Sudalcha has already left the palace to look into it.”
“Sudalcha?”
Rano Jingbu’s anger slightly subsided. Sudalcha was a relative of Rano Jingbu.
‘Right, you understand my feelings even a bit.’
Rano Jingbu smiled warmly at the news that his cousin had already moved to resolve the situation before him.
Before the chief could continue speaking, however…
“He left three days ago, and seeing the commotion grow day by day, it doesn’t seem like a trivial matter.”
“…What?”
Rano Jingbu’s eyebrows knitted tightly.
Rano Jingbu wasn’t a fool. Even if he were, he could tell that the cheers coming from outside were filled with strong emotions. Even his daughter, Rano Sara, could guess those emotions just from the faint sounds creeping into her room.
Excitement. Joy. Amazement.
Though he didn’t know the reason, what was happening outside was a joyful festival.
But to ascertain the ’cause’ of this ‘festival’ took a whole three days? And after three days of being out, the chaos was not only unresolved but escalating?
Rano Jingbu’s fists trembled in anger.
The circumstantial evidence was exceedingly clear.
Sudalcha was not investigating but was off having fun!
‘This little punk….?!’
His niece is bedridden, and this guy uses that as an excuse to go enjoy the festival?
“Once that rascal comes back, send him directly to the Lord’s chamber! And anyone else that went with him!”
“Understood!”
*
Nima Galchen and Nuru Buchi clasped their hands together, bowing their heads in silence. It was due to the wild energy emanating from Rano Jingbu.
“Now then, having observed the situation for three days, you must know very well what is happening in Rasa, correct?”
“Of course, my Lord.”
Nuru Buchi and Nima Galchen exchanged incredulous looks at Sudalcha, whose demeanor was alarmingly relaxed.
Rano Jingbu’s fury intensified, but Sudalcha calmly relayed the tale of Ho Cheon-an’s group.
“Magic…?”
“That’s right. Though the name might be amusing, I spent three days with my eyes peeled, and not even a hint of sinister Qi has touched me.”
“I see; you invested three days on what could have been judged in a day or two, so your assessment should indeed be accurate.”
Even at Rano Jingbu’s sarcasm, Sudalcha maintained a lazy manner. Nuru Buchi and Nima Galchen simply stared at the ground, sweating profusely. No matter how closely related the two were, pretending to reflect on their actions would surely help them dodge this punishment, so why was Sudalcha being such a troublemaker?
“Right, did you ask them to exercise caution?”
“On what grounds could I ask them to exercise caution? Should I repress the heartfelt expressions of the people of Rasa? Or should I suppress those here, who are showcasing their skills in distant lands for self-reliance?”
Rano Jingbu regarded Sudalcha with serious eyes.
‘You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you.’
Rano Jingbu discerned a firm resolution written on Sudalcha’s face. Knowing that Sudalcha had formed a clear conclusion in his heart, Rano Jingbu decided to probe into Sudalcha’s inner thoughts first.
“So how do you intend to handle this situation?”
“The reason they are performing is due to financial matters. Therefore, if we resolve that, it should suffice, shouldn’t it?”
“…Are you suggesting we provide them with travel expenses?”
Rano Jingbu thought… that it wasn’t necessarily a bad suggestion.
“If we just hand over money, they would refuse it. So, let’s ask them to perform right here in Podalap Palace, in return for a generous payment…”
“Impossible!”
Rano Jingbu barked like thunder.
“Sudalcha! This is the sacred Podalap Palace, a place for monks and practitioners to train! You want to create a ruckus here by bringing entertainers into this sacred space? Are you out of your mind?!”
“I am very much in my right mind, brother.”
“Don’t call me that!”
“‘Tis you who are blind.”
Sudalcha wouldn’t budge and raised his voice.
“Do you understand what kind of people those Lamas and the practitioners are? To cause a stir in Podalap Palace to pay respect to a sick child—are they the type to get angry about that? Absolutely not!”
“You little…!”
“It’s not out of concern for the sacred space that you’re so angry, brother! You’re worried that if such a commotion arises, the heavens will punish you and your daughter’s condition will worsen!”
Rano Jingbu fell silent.
“Brother, this is an opportunity. I’ve roamed about seeking different remedies for my Sara’s sickness, but I’ve never encountered anyone who wields talents like these. Would there ever be a chance for such talented individuals to return to Rasa again? For Sara to live like a person, to feel joy—she needs to regain her strength…”
And just then.
Sudalcha’s mouth was shut. A different level of energy poured out from Rano Jingbu.
“Did you really just say that my daughter lives like a nobody? Do you think I relish the fact that my daughter is confined to her room? Isn’t my utmost effort about delaying this heavenly decree? Yet you speak in such a vile manner!”
Sudalcha bowed his head.
“…That was an imprudent remark, brother.”
“Get the hell out of here!”
*
“So then the practitioner…”
Rano Jingbu smiled as he watched Sara continue her story from yesterday.
…Waaaaaaah!
Until before the cheers, clearer than before, reached his ears.
“In a dream, you encountered a demon who seduced you and fell into danger.”
Sara hesitated momentarily but pressed on with her narration. Rano Jingbu wondered if he could manage his expression properly while watching Sara.
Rano Jingbu and Chai-rang listened intently to Sara’s slow narration.
It felt like they didn’t want to waste time in excitement, just like yesterday.
Pretending they hadn’t heard the cheers occasionally drifting their way, the three took their leave from the scene.
‘She’s grown up.’
Sara didn’t ask about what was happening outside. Being an intelligent child since birth, she must have sensed Rano Jingbu’s discomfort and held her curiosity in check.
Rano Jingbu, unable to give his daughter any news about going outside or even relish the magic she wished to see, felt the weight of his anxiety as he moved toward the castle walls.
He felt he wouldn’t calm down unless he let the breeze pass by.
Waaaaaaah!!
“I wonder if it was a mistake to come.”
With the cheers becoming ever more pronounced, Rano Jingbu let out a long sigh. He had come to ease his worries, yet his heart felt heavier.
‘Let’s go back… and meditate or something to soothe my heart…’
Just as he intended to turn back, Rano Jingbu caught sight of a group of monks gathered at one section of the castle wall and halted his steps.
Rano Jingbu silently approached them, concealing his presence. As he drew near, he quickly grasped the reason for the monks’ gathering.
It was a spot where a stage for the magic performance could be seen at a distance, crowded with people.
“Can you see anything?”
“Well, I can see a little. It seems we’re truly paying for not training regularly.”
“Starting today, we must focus on practicing the sacred laws.”
Rano Jingbu stood silently, observing as they faced outward.
“Gah! Hah!”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
The monks, belatedly noticing their lord, clasped their hands in respect. However, Rano Jingbu didn’t admonish them; instead, he gathered his energy.
Rano Jingbu’s gaze remained fixed on the unfolding magic act. The Little Miss Yeo Il-ye was showcasing her staff tricks, wildly twirling her baton, which seemed to multiply before his very eyes before returning to one.
The monks found themselves frozen in place, unable to make a move, while Rano Jingbu continued to watch the stage where the magic played out.
He saw not just the magic but also the children gathered there. The little ones perched on their parents’ shoulders, teenagers clustered in groups, watching the magic intently while clapping and smiling brightly.
Waaaaah!
Children of Sara’s age screamed in awe of cutting tricks yet couldn’t tear their eyes away. Once all the performances concluded, after deliberation, they placed money into a worker’s pocket.
Rano Jingbu beamed with pride as he saw a girl running home, her laughter ringing brightly.
Those girls at that age could smile like that.
Rano Jingbu thought, as if awakening a forgotten memory. He had only pained himself by focusing solely on Sara, forgetting that she didn’t display such vigorous emotional expressions.
‘It makes sense…’
After all, how could the reactions of a child trapped in a room, reading tales of monks or opponents, match those of a girl witnessing a spectacular visual treat?
“Nuru Buchi.”
“Y-Yes, my Lord!”
After witnessing the magic shows in the finest state for three days and still feeling unsatisfied, Nuru Buchi, who had been peering through the castle walls, broke into a cold sweat as he clasped his palms together.
“Bring forth their representative.”
Rano Jingbu longed to see the radiant smile on Sara’s face.
