The magic performance practice went smoothly.
Although the order of the magic and the distribution among the group was changed, it wasn’t a big problem since they were just adjustments to what they usually did.
Everyone stayed up almost all night preparing for the magic performance and getting ready to leave, but except for Okryong, they were all experts who could easily withstand days of busy activity without any major physical complaints.
Since the basic form of the magic remained the same with only minor details changed, there was never any real risk of significant issues arising.
Rehearsals wrapped up without any significant flaws.
“How was it, Sara?”
“Perfect! Amazing!”
The stage was completely filled with magic that Sara loved, so it was no surprise that she was delighted.
Sara, caught up in her excitement, started expressing various thoughts while Yeo Il-ye and Black Cat’s expressions were less than bright.
“I can’t wait for tomorrow! I wonder how the people from Rasa will react when they see the performance tomorrow…!”
It was also time to tell Sara about the farewell.
“Sara.”
I slightly bent my knees to match Sara’s height. She looked puzzled as she noticed the sudden change in atmosphere while she had been humming in anticipation for tomorrow.
“We have to return to the Central Plains now.”
Sara’s eyes widened, and she froze for a moment… then looked at the reactions of the group. Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye had sorrowful expressions, while Tang Do-yeon and Okryong looked serious as they stared at the place, and Tang So-yeol was as usual, puffing out smoke from a cigarette.
“Um, when?”
Sara looked at me with trembling eyes.
“I’m thinking of leaving after the performance tomorrow.”
“What?! That’s too soon! One month! No, let’s stay for at least a week longer! Okay?”
Sara clung to my clothes. I held onto her hand in response.
We had spent quite some time in Seojang and Podalap Palace. With the situation in Sacheon and Yunnan being so volatile, it was time for me to hasten my return to the Central Plains.
I pondered while looking at Sara.
Would Sara understand if I told her I had postponed the schedule for a few days to prepare for the performance? I wasn’t sure.
However, it was clear that if she had had more time to prepare for the farewell, she wouldn’t have been as shocked.
So I simply expressed my apologies.
“I’m really sorry that we have to hurry back, Sara.”
“Ah, but… but Black Cat Sister and Yeo Il-ye must still be healing their injuries! Right? You’re just pretending to be okay!”
“Sara…”
“Sara…”
“That’s right! You both need to rest! You can skip out on the magic performance, so you two can take it easy…!”
Black Cat embraced Sara. For a moment, she was quiet in Black Cat’s hug.
“Sister… can’t you just not go? Please…”
Sara’s plea was already mixed with tears. Black Cat couldn’t bring herself to respond but just held Sara tighter.
“I’ll do well! I won’t complain even if you pinch my cheeks! So…”
Sara looked around at the group as if seeking help. Someone. Someone would surely stand by her side. They were the people who liked her, so they wouldn’t want to part ways, right?
However, the group either offered her sympathetic looks or shook their heads lightly.
“It’s a lie…”
Sara muttered.
“Everyone’s a liar! You said you’d let me join the magician group! So why are you leaving! You liked me! Said I was cute! You even patted my head and called me cute! Was that all a lie?!”
Sara broke free from Black Cat’s arms. With tears brimming in her eyes, she looked at me, Black Cat, Yeo Il-ye, Tang So-yeol, Tang Do-yeon, and Okryong before…
She ran away.
“Haaa…”
I watched her until she disappeared. She stumbled, constantly wiping her face with her sleeves, clearly crying, which made my heart ache.
Thus, our group silently stared at the spot where Sara had vanished.
*
Once a week.
We performed magic on the stage set up in Rasa.
What started as a way to open the doors of Podalap Palace led to the simple reason that we performed weekly in Rasa.
After we went up to Podalap Palace, the merchants who performed with us visited there to plead with us.
Once news of our whereabouts stopped, it seemed the people of Rasa harried the merchants for information about us.
For the people living in Rasa, Podalap Palace was an almost sacred, untouchable area, so knocking on its door indicated the intensity of their torment.
For this reason, we had been continuing performances in Rasa once a week.
While practitioners were preparing to find the Cheonan Seokban and capture the Black Armored Dragon, Black Cat was periodically helping Sara with her Nine Yin.
Sara also went down to Rasa every week, holding Black Cat’s hand, to watch our magic. While magic could be showcased on the stage built in front of the building where Sara was kept, the larger open-air stage felt much more alive with the numerous audience members watching the magic.
Of course, initially, Sara was a huge fan of magic, so she would’ve followed us anywhere if we performed.
This morning, Sara hadn’t come by the lodging. Well… yesterday’s shock must have taken a toll on her.
Thus, we decided to visit Rano Jingbu’s place to see Sara.
“Welcome.”
“Welcome, indeed.”
Rano Jingbu and Chai-rang cheerfully greeted our group. They had the look of knowing well why we were visiting.
“Um… Sara is holed up in her room.”
“I tried calling her several times this morning, but… she won’t come out.”
“I’m sorry for causing you all concern.”
“No, no. We are grateful that you care for Sara like this.”
“I won’t forget how you tried to create memories for my daughter.”
After Rano Jingbu and Chai-rang expressed their gratitude, they promptly guided us to Sara’s room.
“Sara, the magicians have come.”
Chai-rang lightly spoke. But no response came back. She lowered her voice to inform us that Sara was awake.
“Sara, show us your face at least.”
Once again, there was silence from inside the room. I guess it couldn’t be helped. Since this was the last chance to speak, I wanted to get my words out anyway.
“Sara, with the help of the Gu Ryung Yeok Cheon Yang Milyeon group, your health must have improved a lot, but don’t forget that sleeping a long time is the best way to get healthy. You’ve worked hard to regain your health, after all. I hope you take care of it.”
I offered my wishes for her health.
“Sara is the little princess of Podalap Palace, so she must be learning some unarmed martial arts. She should at least remember the swordplay I taught her. The Song Hwa Twenty-Four Forms contain the foundation of both swordsmanship and Daoist arts, so they will help when confronting swordsmen or Daoists later.”
Yeo Il-ye left her advice regarding martial arts.
“I wanted to touch those cheeks one last time, but it’s a pity.”
…Tang So-yeol delivered a classic Tang So-yeol remark.
“Do come visit the Tang Clan in the Central Plains someday. I’ll let you experience the real speed of Bicheongmacha, which I only explained in words.”
No… why do all the last greetings have to be like this?
“Thanks to you, Miss Sara, we laughed and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Whenever I think of Seojang, I will think of you, Miss Sara.”
Okryong left a seemingly safe final comment. Alright, this is how a proper farewell should be.
“Sara.”
And then Black Cat began her farewell.
“It’s already been about a month and a half since we were together, hasn’t it? Every time you looked at my hair, I could see a hint of guilt in your expression. And each time, I couldn’t help but smile. Your expression made me realize once more that the child I sought was someone with such a kind heart.”
Black Cat chuckled. Her white hair fluttered lightly with her laughter.
“Regarding Ho Sunbae… um. Everything has worked out well, so don’t worry about it. Isn’t that right, everyone?”
“Haha, of course.”
“Definitely.”
“I had a wonderful time with you, Sara. So please, don’t worry about my hair. The next time we meet, I’ll be back to being my neatly black-haired self. I hope you’ll show me a more cheerful and bold side of yourself then.”
A small sound emerged.
It was the sound of Sara’s muffled sobs escaping from her room.
Hearing that, Black Cat’s expression faltered with heartache as she hesitated to say something again and again until she finally spoke one last sentence.
“I really hope you come to see my performance.”
There was no response coming back. Only her sobs grew a little louder.
Once we finished delivering our parting messages, Rano Jingbu and Chai-rang came to see us off. Tang Do-yeon climbed aboard the Bicheongmacha.
There was still plenty of time left until the performance began… but it was appropriate to head down now as we had to prepare for the show and speak with the local merchants who helped us.
Once we go down to Rasa and prepare for the magic performance, we probably wouldn’t return to Podalap Palace again.
It was time to leave Podalap Palace, where we had spent quite some time.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality. You two, please make sure you come to the performance.”
“Hmm. Most of the practitioners from Podalap Palace will probably go down today, too.”
“I’ll definitely come to see!”
After our final farewells to Chai-rang and Rano Jingbu…
We left Podalap Palace.
