Episode 35: Painting of the Beauty Under the Moon
Won Seung burst into the shop and spoke to Jong Bi.
"We're having the opening ceremony tomorrow. Prepare the food."
Jong Bi, who had learned all sorts of skills at the Assassin Training Center, could cook, do laundry, and even embroider.
While he might not be a Ten Perfections Assassin, he was certainly a Ten Perfect Servant.
Jong Bi frowned. Since moving to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, he was exhausted from cooking and doing laundry.
He had agreed to act as a servant, but he felt he was being exploited.
"Why don't we hire someone to help?"
"Let's think about it after we sell a painting. Just make a few simple dishes. You're good at that."
Won Seung tried to comfort Jong Bi.
"Hmph. And what will you be doing?"
"I'll be greeting the guests. Oh, I need to write the invitations first."
Won Seung took out a brush and paper to write the invitations.
"You're inviting guests?"
"Just a few close friends, so we don't need to prepare much. But it has to be delicious."
As Won Seung left with the hastily written invitations, Jong Bi muttered to himself.
"How many acquaintances could he have in Xiangyang? Probably just inviting Lady Hwa. What does Lady Hwa like?"
Imagining Hua Yeo-wol enjoying the food with a satisfied expression made Jong Bi eager.
"Alright! Jong Bi, you're going to make the best dish of your life."
*
As expected, Won Seung headed to the Clear Water Sect.
He saw the man in brown clothes sitting in meditation, holding a flag at the gate. Passersby glanced at him as they walked by.
When the man first arrived with the flag, a crowd had gathered, but as the Clear Water Sect did not respond, the crowd dispersed.
Only idle old men lingered in nearby noodle shops or tea houses, chatting and waiting for the inevitable storm.
Seeing the man, Won Seung thought to himself.
'It would be great if he killed Hua Cheon-gang... I'll have to think about it.'
That way, he wouldn't have to kill his friend's uncle himself.
For now, the opening ceremony was urgent. Won Seung knocked loudly on the Clear Water Sect's gate.
A small window in the gate opened, and a familiar gate guard appeared. It was the guard whose boil Won Seung had treated.
"Ah, it's Young Master Seung. What brings you here?"
"Please give this to Hua Yeo-wol."
Won Seung handed over the invitation.
"Understood."
As the window closed, Won Seung approached the man in brown clothes. The man sat like a statue, eyes tightly shut.
"Hey, you're a descendant of the Yong Clan, right? What's your name?"
The man opened his eyes, recognized the young man from the noodle shop, and closed them again.
"Leave."
"Hmm. I'm just concerned."
Won Seung squatted in front of the man and spoke.
"Your father was killed, and your business was taken over, so your hatred for the Hwa Brothers of the Clear Water Sect must be deep. But they won't accept your challenge, so how frustrating it must be."
"......"
"Hua Cheon-gang won't accept your challenge. The Clear Water Sect can't afford to right now."
The man opened his eyes, a cold glint in them.
"What do you mean?"
"The situation at the Clear Water Sect is complicated. The Heavenly Observation Pavilion plans to attack while you're fighting Hua Cheon-gang. Five masters have come from Dosan Forest. Can they afford to accept your challenge?"
"Heavenly Observation Pavilion? Dosan Forest?"
The man's eyes grew colder.
"Cheon Il-hae, that bastard will die by my hand too!"
"Huh? You're going to kill the Heavenly Observation Pavilion Master too? Is Cheon Il-hae an enemy as well?"
The man closed his eyes again.
Cheon Il-hae had been a subordinate of his father but was absent during the crisis. Later, he took over the upper Sang River business rights.
The man believed Cheon Il-hae was also involved in his father's death.
Won Seung rolled his eyes.
'He's crazy. He wants to kill two of the Top 100 Masters...'
Won Seung scrutinized the man closely. The energy flowing through him was formidable.
'The Clear Water Sect has the Sword Pact Sect behind it, and the Heavenly Observation Pavilion has Dosan Forest. Yet, he doesn't care. That means he's either crazy... or has backing that can ignore both factions.'
His eyes fell on the large saber beside the man.
'If he's from the Thousand Blade Sect or Peerless Valley, he wouldn't fear Dosan Forest or the Sword Pact Sect. If he's from one of those places, he's more formidable than I thought. That's why he's challenging Hua Cheon-gang.'
He quietly stepped back.
The Thousand Blade Sect and Peerless Valley are counted among the Three Great Blade Sects along with Dosan Forest. If the man is indeed from there... caution is necessary.
The Four Great Sword Sects and the Three Great Blade Sects have many skilled disciples. They rarely show themselves in the Murim, but when they do, those who flaunt their skills often end up dead.
When Won Seung had retreated about three paces, he spoke.
"If you want revenge, come to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion."
*
Hua Yeo-wol arrived at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion with Yang Yeon-seo and So San-san.
"Hundred Flowers Pavilion? What a strange name."
"The shop is quaint."
As the three women entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, they all exclaimed in admiration.
"I've never seen an art shop like this."
"It feels like a high-end tea house."
The space wasn't large, but it was cleverly arranged. A low platform was set on either side of the entrance, with tea tables placed to enjoy the view outside.
On each side wall hung five scrolls, partially obscured by long, semi-transparent folding screens. The scrolls were covered with white paper, hiding the paintings.
Opposite the entrance was a partition wall with a reception counter in front of it. The structure led to an inner room behind the partition.
At the counter sat Jong Bi, dressed as a scholar, leisurely fanning himself and reading a book.
In front of the counter was a bonsai plum tree, creating a simple yet elegant atmosphere.
"Number Fifty?"
Hua Yeo-wol widened her eyes. The Clear Water Sect knew Jong Bi as Number Fifty. Having detoxified the Blood Drying Powder and living well, Jong Bi appeared quite respectable.
Jong Bi stepped out from behind the counter and greeted them politely.
"My name is Songmyeong. I was originally a scholar."
Jong Bi's dignified introduction of his elegant name left Hua Yeo-wol slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, I see. Where's Seung?"
"He's waiting inside."
Jong Bi gestured towards the partition.
As the three women moved behind the partition, a short corridor led to a charmingly decorated living room.
In the center was a table that doubled as a tea table, with screens and partitions adding to the ambiance.
One wall had five shelves filled with books, liquor, and tea utensils.
The opposite wall had a sliding window that opened to a view of the garden.
The three women were impressed by the room's atmosphere.
"Is this the style trending in the Imperial Capital these days?"
"Indeed. It's quite different from here in Xiangyang."
As the women looked around, Won Seung entered from the inner room.
"Oh?"
The three women were slightly surprised by Won Seung's changed appearance.
His hair, usually tied up neatly, was now let down, and he wore a slightly extravagant jade-green fancy clothing, giving him the air of a noble young master with a hint of carefree spirit.
Hua Yeo-wol asked, "Seung, what's going on? Opening an art shop?"
"Have a seat first."
Once the three women sat down, Won Seung poured tea and let out a light sigh. His hair was tied with a Hero's Headband, complementing his melancholic expression and adding a touch of decadence.
The three women stared at Won Seung, entranced.
After a moment, Won Seung spoke in a sorrowful tone, almost to himself.
"My name is Pung Un-saeng. But that's just an alias. I've been wandering the world, fleeing from those who want me dead. But... I'm tired now. I want to settle down. That's why I changed my identity and opened this art shop."
"Oh!"
He already seemed like a tragic figure, and with his sad story, the three women couldn't help but sigh.
Knowing Won Seung's true identity, Hua Yeo-wol felt a pang of sympathy.
'Is it the Lord's Faction trying to kill him? Is that why he has to hide like this?'
She wanted to ask but couldn't with Yang Yeon-seo and So San-san present.
"Please keep my identity and situation a secret. If my enemies find out, they'll send assassins immediately. You're my friends, so you'll do that for me, right?"
The three women nodded at Won Seung's words. The tender-hearted So San-san spoke in a sad voice.
"We'll keep your secret. Pung Un-saeng... you seem to have many stories and a lonely aura."
"My life has been like that."
He had plenty of stories.
He had been stuck in the mountains for eight years. He had already killed someone with poison. How many people his age have committed murder?
Moreover, he carried the grudge of his sect. He was the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Poison Sect, a legend in the Murim.
Won Seung shook his head slightly to dispel his thoughts, enhancing his aura of decadence.
The three women felt something drop in their hearts.
"When I decided to open an art shop and have an opening ceremony... I realized I had no one to invite."
Won Seung murmured with a self-deprecating smile, and So San-san's large eyes filled with tears.
"Then I remembered. You are my friends. That's why I invited you."
"Oh... right. We're here for you. Stay strong."
Hua Yeo-wol's cheerful voice dispelled the gloomy atmosphere.
"We even brought an opening gift."
Hua Yeo-wol handed over a red envelope containing a banknote.
"Ah, thank you."
Won Seung placed it on the tea table and looked at Yang Yeon-seo and So San-san.
What about you?
With a slightly puzzled look, Yang Yeon-seo and So San-san also took out red envelopes from their sleeves and placed them on the table.
Won Seung smiled and said, "You're true friends. Let's start the opening ceremony."
The four of them returned to the art shop.
On one wall, they set up an altar with tablets for the Primeval Lord of Heaven and the Mountain Spirit.
Won Seung lit incense, and the three women placed their red envelopes on the altar.
"May the gods bless the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and make it prosper."
Won Seung prayed and bowed.
The simple opening ceremony was over in a flash.
Hua Yeo-wol looked at the scrolls on the walls and said, "Since it's an art shop, you should show your works. Why are the scrolls covered?"
"Oh, I planned to reveal them after the ceremony. Now that it's over, you can enjoy them."
Won Seung removed the white paper covering the scrolls.
"Ah..."
The three women gasped in unison. The paintings were copies of masterpieces, naturally drawing admiration.
"This painting! Why is it here?"
So San-san was particularly surprised by one painting.
"The Painting of the Beauty Under the Moon... I saw this in the Imperial Capital."
It depicted a beauty standing under a cinnamon tree in the moonlight, gazing into the distance.
"Haha. You recognized it. It's indeed Du Gong's Painting of the Beauty Under the Moon. But... it's not the original."
Won Seung laughed and pointed to the corner of the scroll. In tiny letters, it read, "Painted by Mr. Neung in admiration of Du Gong's Painting of the Beauty Under the Moon."