Camellia 168

Only recently did the ruler of Jungwon understand why he had felt neither thrill nor satisfaction when trampling over the martial world. A sense of peace he had never found even after piling mountains of corpses was now flooding his life.

The hollow space inside him, once like an empty shell, now bore the footprints of his reckless bride. Following those tracks, he would always find the face of his smiling wife turned back toward him. It felt like all the senses he had long forgotten were returning to where they belonged.

After the imugi statue was completely reduced to rubble, most of Yurigung had been restored. Initially, only the minimum servants had returned, but as of yesterday, all the sect members who had evacuated to the nearby mountains were back, filling the palace with noise. The reason was simple. The first thing they heard upon returning was the news of the sect leader couple’s wedding.

Even Yuwon, who had been preparing to descend the mountain, heard the unusual rumor.

“Really? The sect leader is planning a wedding ceremony?”

“Yes, Physician. I heard he’s putting great care into the preparations.”

A young girl sorting out the medicines Yuwon had handed over for use if needed chirped like a lark.

“According to the girls from Yeohwa Hall, this time even the maids will be invited. They said it’ll be a grand banquet. If there’s anything you want to eat, just mention it quietly.”

Yuwon had been busy brewing medicines and medicinal wine. If she had heard this sooner, she might have been able to witness her brother’s ceremony before leaving. Still, there was no reason to dwell on regret. She had her own life, and Yujae had his.

Living the life given to each of them, fully. That was the kind of life Yuwon wanted to promise to Yujae.

Her destination was Haedong, so it would be a long while before she returned to Jungwon. But as her master had said, a journey beyond the province would become a valuable experience. She knew that well.

Hair neatly tied, dressed simply, Yuwon stepped out of the Medical Hall. Unlike the day she had followed Si Pungjae, who had lost his memory, she felt no swelling sorrow, no heavy step.

Without grand farewells, the new Divine Healer left Yurigung and traveled over several days to one place. The shrine where her younger sister’s ancestral tablet was enshrined. She had resolved things with her brother, but not yet with Hayeon. More precisely, she wanted to apologize to the girl.

Sorry for leaving you. Sorry I couldn’t come back for you.

But as if someone had already read her thoughts, there was a man at the shrine, lighting incense ahead of her.

“…Yujae?”

She stepped into the main hall, startled. He too was dressed plainly, as modestly as she was.

Like any ordinary siblings, they stood there staring at each other. Then Yujae spoke.

“I don’t think we ever came here together.”

So I waited. Thought we might see Hayeon together while we had the chance.

Yuwon let out a small laugh.

“You could’ve said something. Then we could’ve walked here together.”

Her brother shrugged. She added carefully,

“You didn’t even tell me the wedding date…”

“You’re too soft-hearted. What if you keep delaying your departure just to see your little brother get married?”

“Are you serious?”

“Well. Maybe.”

His gentle smile was unbearably smug. Yuwon frowned, thinking he was teasing her. Tang Yujae reached out and pressed his fingers firmly between her brows, smoothing the crease that had formed.

“I think that’s your strength. That you understand other people’s feelings better than they do themselves. You just don’t need to use that strength when you’re with me.”

The shrine, nestled close to a bamboo grove, let in a fresh breeze through the main window. Hayeon, when she had been trapped in Gyehong Mountain, had always been surrounded by that scent of greenery.

“Ahwon-ah.”

Just like when they were young, Yujae called her by her childhood name. After taking a step forward, he said,

“This shrine will be taken down soon.”

“…All of a sudden? Why?”

“If we keep holding her here, Hayeon might feel stifled. So today, let’s send her off together.”

Yuwon would need time to say her farewell too. When Yujae had faced Hayeon before, he had felt something as he held the girl’s hand. Now, he felt that same emotion again by holding Yuwon’s hand.

Her serious gaze gradually calmed. A moment of silence passed between them. Then Yuwon gave a quiet smile.

“You built the shrine, so it’s your decision to dismantle it. But saying goodbye to Hayeon… that’s not something you get to decide for me.”

Her voice held firm resolve.

“One day, the time will come for me to let her go too.”

“…”

“But that day isn’t today. When I’ve done all I can with my own hands, when I’ve saved all I can on my own…”

Yujae felt as if he had reached a new understanding. He had always hoped Yuwon would live her own life, but the way he went about it had been the opposite. He couldn’t deny that by making decisions in her place, he had tried to lead her toward what he thought was the best outcome.

“When that day comes, I’ll let her go. But not today, Yujae. Go live your life well. The world may never forgive you, but I will. You should have at least one person in your life who…”

“No. You shouldn’t, Sister.”

She didn’t need to say that. It didn’t matter if she hated him as much as she wanted, or thought him pathetic as much as she pleased. The one who had cried for him, offered forgiveness and comfort, was already beside him. And the truth was, Tang Yujae had never asked for forgiveness.

“Let the world hate me, and you along with it. You don’t need to take the world’s side or turn it into your enemy just for me.”

He didn’t want her to carry that burden. He had hoped the same for his wife, but his stubbornness was beyond anything he could handle, so he had no choice but to give up on that.

Yuwon bit her lip.

“…Can I hug you? Just once?”

Just once, she wanted to hold her brother tight. After that, she wanted to tell him. That even if the whole world turned against him, she no longer could.

“I’ll hold you just for a bit before I go.”

As soon as she spoke, he pulled her into his arms. His embrace was gentle, but Yuwon’s nose stung. The brother who had always tried to push her away now made her a quiet promise.

“If someone hurts you, call my name. Even if you call me from the end of the world, I won’t pretend I didn’t hear.”

A promise made in the name of the strongest man in the world. Yujae meant every word, but Yuwon seemed to let it pass. Whatever hardships awaited, she planned to face them on her own. She would never again repeat that day when she had to cry in silence on someone else’s back.

That was how the siblings parted, each for their own future. Neither of them shed tears, and the farewell was quiet. But when Choseon, who had been bantering with Seolyeong at the time, heard the news, he cried enough to fill a sea. Seolyeong, unsure how to comfort him, asked if he should go after her even now. But Choseon answered as if he understood Yuwon’s intentions.

“She must’ve left quietly because she knew I’d follow. Knowing that, how could I chase her?”

There was something mature in how he respected her decision. Seolyeong found himself remembering all the times he had clung to his husband no matter how far he tried to go. He casually slung an arm around Choseon’s shoulders and said flatly,

“Don’t wallow too deep in your pain. Train your body and mind instead. Love’s not some big mystery, Choseon. If you keep living steadily, the time will come. A man needs grit and persistence.”

Having secured love for himself, he had no trouble turning someone else’s feelings upside down. Choseon took off his pretty flower shoes and started hitting Seolyeong with them, completely exasperated. Seolyeong let him. He figured getting hit was the least he could do to help his friend feel better, so he stayed still until a lump swelled on the back of his head.