The afternoon was well underway.
The doors of Podalap Palace swung open. Monastics, dressed in ordinary attire rather than the usual splendid garments trimmed with white, descended in groups.
It was a precaution taken by Rano Jingbu, concerned about potential uproar when the practitioners of Podalap Palace rushed down to Rasa.
“They say today’s performance is quite impressive…”
“Little Princess also contributed to the performance, so we can’t miss it!”
The practitioners of Podalap Palace also enjoyed magic shows. After halting all enjoyments to pile up their virtues due to Sara, they found themselves entranced by the dazzling spectacle that suddenly appeared while they were in the midst of strict training.
As the practitioners of Podalap Palace headed toward Rasa, Chai-rang knocked on Sara’s door.
“Sara, Mama is going down to watch the performance… what do you plan to do?”
No response came from Sara’s room. Chai-rang sighed. If she didn’t go down now, they would miss the timing…
“Madam, please go ahead.”
“But…”
“I will take care of Sara.”
Left with no choice, Chai-rang nodded and stepped out the door. Rano Jingbu dragged a chair to sit in front of Sara’s door.
Before long, Podalap Palace fell silent. All who intended to see the performance had left the palace.
A long, quiet moment passed. Suddenly, Rano Jingbu spoke up.
“Sara, parting is truly heart-wrenching.”
He recalled his own self about a month and a half prior. Those days spent simply preparing for the goodbye as he watched Sara’s life fade away day by day.
“Until they arrived, I had been preparing to let you go. I dreaded the thought, and imagining it alone was painful, but reality had it that way.”
No answer came still.
“Miss Black Cat absorbing your Nine Yin was a true miracle. But Sara, this foolish father nearly kicked that miracle aside with my own hands.”
Rano Jingbu forced a harsh smile.
“Do you remember all those who claimed it was a new treatment or that the mountain god was angered? Each time I faced such people, I was filled with hope and disappointment, ultimately concluding that there was no way to cure you.”
It was truly heaven’s will.
What if Sara hadn’t left her room then? What if the Black Cat hadn’t taken her hand?
“Sara, you are more precious to me than anything in this world. I want to witness their final performance, to see you send them off. But because you mean the world to me, I won’t leave you alone.”
With those final words, Rano Jingbu closed his mouth. Still, there was no reaction from Sara, and he did not press further, instead closing his eyes.
Some time passed.
Creeeak.
Sara’s door opened. Rano Jingbu opened his eyes and looked at Sara. Her eyes were still watery, her face puffy, and she was sniffling.
Sara ran into Rano Jingbu’s arms. He wordlessly patted her back.
“I’m sad.”
“Indeed.”
“I wish the magicians would never leave.”
“Is that so?”
“And… I miss them. I don’t like the ending, but… I want to see them just one more time.”
Rano Jingbu felt the torrent of Sara’s emotions pour out uncontrollably, as he patted her back. Growth pains inevitably come with sorrow. The things Sara, trapped in the confined world of her room, was unaware of became joyous and painful for her.
Rano Jingbu waited silently for her choice. There are no right answers to the choices in this world. There’s only the process of contemplating and finding a way to pursue one’s goals.
Sara sulking alone in her palace was one path; going to watch the performance with a heavy heart was also a path for her.
He simply observed her choice in silence.
“The performance… it must have started by now?”
“Do you wish to go?”
Sara nodded without a word. Her face was filled with regret. There was little time left before the performance began. Even if she ran to Rasa now, it would take several hours…
“I wanted to say goodbye…”
Rano Jingbu smiled gently at Sara’s regretful voice.
Isn’t it a parent’s job to support their child so that their will isn’t crushed by the obstacles of “reality”?
“Let’s go.”
“…Father?”
Rano Jingbu easily lifted Sara. She wore a bewildered expression.
“Hold on tight.”
Sara nodded and tightly hugged Rano Jingbu’s neck. It should be faster for her father, an Expert, to run. Though, she wasn’t sure if they would make it in time.
Woosh!
“Ow?!”
As she braced for the impact of a simple dash, she was startled. Rano Jingbu jumped, leaping over ten rooftops in a single bound.
In just one step, he cleared a building and reached its peak, then continued to jump from building to building.
Lightness Technique!
The pinnacle of achieving the Lightness Technique is at the Peak Stage. Earthly stamina improves dramatically through communication between heaven and earth. Once one reaches the Peak Stage, they can perform the skill to lighten their body weight, accelerating their speed tremendously alongside that endurance.
However, no ultra-expert could exhibit lightness techniques like Rano Jingbu did.
Lightness Techniques are merely about lightening oneself. The weight of the person they’re carrying can’t be reduced, resulting in speeds from a released arrow.
Sara felt her father’s Qi supporting her. Although she couldn’t quite understand, it was the result of utilizing the principles of Qi on those in Hwa-gyeong.
By levitating Sara’s body from below using the principles of void-treading, her weight also felt lighter, enabling this kind of feat.
Woosh!!
In an instant, Rano Jingbu dashed across Podalap Palace and perched atop the city wall.
The wind from the high mountains grazed Rasa’s ears as they soared through the air, showcasing the bustling crowds below. Once again, swathes of people gathered in the plaza, and city dwellers were moving there as well.
Sara beamed with glee. The thrilling sensation of speed and the exhilarating freedom from soaring were exhilarating.
Of course, the real reason for her bright smile was the thought racing through her mind.
At this speed… they could make it to Rasa in time for the performance!
Sara squeezed Rano Jingbu harder and shouted.
“Papa, you’re the best!”
“Hahaha!”
With Rano Jingbu’s hearty laughter, the two shot towards Rasa like an arrow.
* *
The Black Cat surveyed the audience from backstage.
“Is Sara still not here?”
At Miss Yeo Il-ye’s inquiry, the Black Cat merely shook her head with a dark expression. In the front row, three seats prepared for Sara and her family were occupied only by Chai-rang.
“…It is almost time to start the performance.”
“Let’s just wait a bit longer.”
Okryong quietly nodded. Well… the sense of time in the Martial World isn’t as strict as it is in the modern era.
The concept of time exists, but without portable watches, there’s no way to precisely tell the time.
Okryong shared the wish that Sara would arrive as well. So, even though Okryong pointed out it was approaching time, that was only because the audience had started feeling impatient, wondering, “Why hasn’t the performance begun?”
Murmurs! Murmurs!
The joyful noise of audience members anticipating the performance began to grow louder, mingling with dissatisfaction.
About an hour passed. The Black Cat, still scanning outside, was about to step toward the magic performance when her companions, seemingly entranced, turned their heads in unison.
I too understood the cause a moment later.
“Oh my.”
An overwhelming torrent of Qi was approaching.
Just as one can sense a storm from hundreds or thousands of leaves, one could feel the presence of a Martial Artist racing toward them with tremendous force from afar.
Even the might of Miss Yeo Il-ye, capable of overwhelming a significant affair, seemed trivial compared to the monumental momentum before them.
No one could mistaken this presence; it was Rano Jingbu.
And he wouldn’t be coming alone.
Perhaps reaching the same conclusion, the faces of the companions brightened. Only Okryong, a first-rate Expert, looked bewildered, not grasping the current situation.
“Let’s begin the performance.”
“Yes!”
“Here we go!”
With my words, our group moved in unison. The moment Okryong snapped out of his daze, he hurriedly dashed out to the stage.
“Thank you all for waiting! Everyone! Magician Okryong bows to you!”
With all his might, Okryong invoked his Qi, amplifying his voice that echoed across the stage.
Waaaaahhh!!
The magic show commenced.
* *
“Thank you all for waiting! Everyone! Magician Okryong bows to you!”
Waaaaahhh!!
Hearing Okryong’s voice and the cheers, Rano Jingbu dashed even faster across Rasa.
The performance had already begun long behind schedule, but Okryong was filling time with witty chatter.
Realizing that they were waiting for Sara, Ho Cheon-an’s party was at a halt the moment Sara tightened her grip on Rano Jingbu.
Hahahahaha!!
As expected of Okryong. The audience, frustrated at the delayed performance, soon burst into laughter at Okryong’s antics.
“Thank you, Magician Okryong!”
Sara conveyed her gratitude from Rano Jingbu’s embrace. Finally, they managed to escape Rasa’s streets and reached the plaza.
Sara slipped out of Rano Jingbu’s arms and dashed off. She sprinted through the path organized by the safety personnel. The guides, thinking her a disobedient child about to break ranks, were startled into submission at the sight of Rano Jingbu following closely behind.
Sara puffed heavily as she settled down next to Chai-rang, who grasped her hand tightly. Sara gripped Chai-rang’s hand firmly, fixing her gaze on the stage.
When their eyes met, Sara beamed at Okryong, whose eyes narrowed into crescent shapes in joy.
Suddenly, as Okryong stomped his feet, rings of colorful light scattered throughout.
Clang!!
Waaaaahhh!!
The audience erupted in cheers at the sudden unexpected appearance of the marvelous magic props. Sara joined in the fray.
Even though she knew it was but a matter of using the stage height to hide the rings on the floor and stepping on platforms to elevate them, she felt ecstatic.
Clang!!
Waaaaahhh!!
Now a seasoned magician, Okryong drew cheers with every ring he separated and merged.
Sara thought to herself.
Even knowing the tricks, it was still enjoyable. Even once the mystery was unveiled, witnessing it unfold right before her was awe-inspiring.
“That’s what magic is.”
What significance did merging and separating rings have? Only the ability to bring joy to others made it the essence of magic.
Once Okryong exited, Ho Cheon-an entered. Spotting Sara, he winked and brandished a squirrel prop.
“Now, this squirrel is a magician’s squirrel!”
The gleaming silver squirrel. And the sparkling golden squirrel.
The crowd let out laughter and applause as the two squirrels scampered across Ho Cheon-an’s body.
“Wow, I saw that in a street performance back in the day; it’s back here!”
“Yeah, it feels refreshing!”
Sara felt pride bubble within her as she listened to the enthusiastic responses. It felt gratifying to receive compliments for her contribution.
Once the squirrel act ended, Tang Do-yeon stepped onto the stage. He, too, smiled at Sara before displaying his string magic.
Sara cheered and clapped vigorously for each magic performance that played out.
As she locked eyes with each magician on stage, she gradually realized.
Even if she eventually parted ways from the magicians performing now, the bonds she had shared with them wouldn’t be severed.
“Eegghh!!”
The cutting magic was performed. Unlike usual, Okryong was flailing vigorously.
Ho Cheon-an rolled out a canister containing Okryong’s upper half onto the stage, while Okryong repeatedly tossed the ball up with a ridiculous scream from that position.
Hahaha!!
The cutting magic was well-known amongst the Rasa folk, and its shock factor was already diminished. As humor interjected into the routine, the Rasa people doubled over in laughter.
Sara applauded Okryong, who reassembled and stood up to bow. Unlike before, Sara couldn’t muster any laughter.
“It’s over.”
The performance concluded.
Each magician gathered on stage. Even Tang So-yeol, who hadn’t performed as the stagehand, revealed himself. Ho Cheon-an’s party gazed at Sara, and she returned the look.
Waaaaahhh!!
Unlike their usual patterned routine, newly varied acts had earned Rasa an even warmer ovation than usual.
That cheer bridged the gap between Sara and her group. While tears threatened to spill, she managed to smile and wave, and in turn, they smiled back and waved as well.
[Did everyone enjoy?]
Ho Cheon-an’s voice infused with Qi rang out, and the audience replied with cheers.
[This performance is the last we will have here in Rasa!]
The sudden announcement sent the audience into murmurs. Disappointments over not seeing more magic shows mingled with angry shouts and the confusion of those caught off guard by the announcement.
[There have been many experiences over our days performing here in Rasa.]
Ho Cheon-an smiled at Sara, who sensed the impending farewell.
[It has been a joyful and rewarding journey, but… we, the nomads of the Central Plains, must now prepare to return. Just as there are encounters, partings also occur!]
“It’s been delightful!”
“I want to see you all again!”
As the audience accepted the painful truth of the farewell, they expressed their emotions. The utterances of their experiences intertwined into a chaotic echo resounding through the plaza.
Sara gazed at the figures on stage.
Her savior, Ho Cheon-an.
The Black Cat that had given her Nine Yin.
Miss Yeo Il-ye, who thought her precious.
Tang So-yeol, who had often been mischievous.
Tang Do-yeon, who always smiled.
Okryong, who had been kind.
Each person was someone Sara had met for the first time after awakening from her sealed life in Podalap Palace, so she had memories with each of them.
Farewells cannot be avoided like acts of God.
Sara felt the sorrow of her first-ever goodbye knock against her heart, forcing her to hold back tears.
She had to muster strength, or she would cry outright.
Hiding her emotions, Sara forced a bright smile. And she regretted it. She wished she had shared everything with them when she had the chance that morning they met face-to-face.
She truly wanted to thank Miss Black Cat. She wanted to apologize to Miss Yeo Il-ye. She wanted to tellTang So-yeol that it was okay to touch his cheek. She wished to say that she would pass on her greetings to the practitioners she befriended to Okryong. She wanted to confide in Tang Do-yeon that she had heard of the dangers of the Black Cart from Miss Black Cat.
And she wished to express her gratitude, stemming from the healing she received from Ho Cheon-an, which had brought smiles back to her mother and father.
Though she desired to convey so much… that opportunity had passed, and she offered one last bright smile.
That was the best expression she could manage at that moment.
“Thank you! Truly, thank you!”
As the audience erupted in cheer, their voices drowned each other amidst the bustle of the plaza. Still, Sara realized that the smiles on Ho Cheon-an’s group assured that her gratitude had reached them.
[Then, everyone! Goodbye for now!]
With a whoosh, the stage curtain fell. Sara kept her eyes locked on the curtain. The final act with Ho Cheon-an’s group had been the cutting magic, but somehow she felt that they’d vanish the moment the curtain fell.
Sara wasn’t alone in that thought; many in the audience gasped in surprise as well.
However.
Even after the curtain dropped, Ho Cheon-an’s group remained, heads bowed. Brief silence ensued until Tang Do-yeon moved to grasp the rope connected to the curtain.
He playfully raised his hand and waved.
With a whoosh!
As Tang Do-yeon whipped the enormous curtain connected to the rope, it billowed outward, wrapping around Ho Cheon-an’s group in one swift motion.
When the curtain finally fell, Ho Cheon-an’s group had vanished.
Waaaaahhh!!
The crowd erupted in cheers at the final magic performance.
“Ah….”
Sara found herself at the vacant space left by the disappearance of Ho Cheon-an’s group, and she couldn’t help but shed a tear.
The farewell weighed heavily upon her heart, and she couldn’t suppress the sorrow.
Sara wept silently, tears streaming down her cheeks.
The bonds formed like magic concluded with magic.
Realizing that every performance today had been a stage just for her, Sara accepted the farewell. She embraced it and bore the accompanying pain calmly.
As the audience gradually stood up, the plaza emptied little by little.
By the time the plaza lay barren, shaded by twilight, Sara finally gathered her emotions.
“Sara.”
Sara regarded the package Chai-rang offered with a puzzled look.
“It’s something the magicians asked me to deliver to you.”
In haste, Sara opened the package. The first item was a small pouch adorned with a cute cat motif. The very bag Black Cat had used to store rice crisps. Unsurprisingly, it was filled to the brim with rice crisps.
The second was a wooden box. Opening the box revealed a butterfly ornament. The lightweight trinket fluttered its wings gently. Sara recognized it as Tang So-yeol’s parting gift at first glance.
The third was thread meant to hang on a sword. A gift from Miss Yeo Il-ye.
Tang Do-yeon had left her a guest token, so she could be treated as a guest of the Tang Clan, while Okryong had presented her with a gold piece from the Central Plains.
Then, Sara drew out the final gift from Ho Cheon-an.
It was a book.
[Ho Cheon Bi-log (Volume 2)]
Sara opened the book as if entranced. It contained all the magic techniques she had witnessed before. She read the final words inscribed within the text.
[The first volume is in the possession of the Sacheon Tang Family’s Tang Rye-ah. One must show the second volume to learn the magic of the first!]
[The remaining magic props after the performance are all hereby claimed as Sara’s property.]
“Haha.”
A clear, joyous laugh escaped Sara. She turned to show the final page to Rano Jingbu.
Looking at the final page, both Chai-rang and Rano Jingbu chuckled lightly.
“Do you think I can go to the Central Plains?”
“If you restore your health and train your martial arts diligently, then yes.”
Sara recalled Ho Cheon-an’s words explaining her current state after consuming the spirit medicine. Although her body had been augmented, it had grown so rapidly that Ho Cheon-an had said she shouldn’t exert herself too much to solidify it.
She also recalled that while the Nine Yin no longer harmed her body, she needed to put in her own efforts for full recovery.
At the very least, she needed to consolidate for the upcoming years and not slack off until she was fully grown.
Deep down, she longed to set off for the Central Plains immediately.
Yet, moving to the Central Plains carried a risk of straining her body compared to frolicking around Podalap Palace. She buried the desire to go.
Hadn’t Ho Cheon-an and the practitioners of Podalap Palace put in so much effort to help her recover? She couldn’t let a moment of greed jeopardize that.
Although it might take a while, she needed to fully master the Nine Yin.
Only by mastering it could she overcome the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, and demonstrating her perfected self would be the best means to repay Ho Cheon-an and the others for their kindness.
She would have to put in that effort to proudly visit them when she finally had the chance to head to the Central Plains.
As she considered this, Sara gazed up at Rano Jingbu.
“You’ll help me, right? Father.”
“Of course.”
“And I’ll be cheering you on too.”
“Thank you. Mother, Father!”
Rano Jingbu, Chai-rang, and Rano Sara held hands, smiling at each other. The three stood up hand in hand.
The Black Cart, carrying Ho Cheon-an’s group, set its course for the Central Plains.
Meanwhile, Sara’s family strolled slowly back towards Podalap Palace.
In the Rasa of the West, a promise of parting and reunion unfurled on that day.
