YCHW Ch 33

“We’ll arrive soon. They say there’s a Yongji here too, right?”

The village they were heading to had a shrine built on the site where the Dragon God was said to have stayed for a night, and many people visited to offer prayers. Shrines near Yongji were considered sacred, and people felt their prayers were particularly effective, so they drew many visitors.

“Whether it’s truly Yongji is debatable. There are no Yeongchunhwa growing nearby, and the historical records aren’t clear either. In truth, small shrines often assign meaning to anything to attract people.”

“Oh… Compared to the Dragon God’s majesty, the priests’ influence isn’t that great, so they must try hard.”

While the people of Daeyeong revered and honored the Dragon God, unlike in other countries, priests didn’t hold much authority. With the Dragon’s Scion, the bloodline of the Dragon God, ruling the nation and the officials of the Taesangsi overseeing rituals in the imperial palace holding official positions, the priests guarding local shrines were, in reality, mere commoners despite their title.

Still, people offered prayers and donations, and the shrines comforted their hearts, using the money for charity, creating a kind of virtuous cycle.

“Do you want to visit?”

“If there’s time, we could stop by… but it’s not necessary.”

Though the Dragon God deserved reverence and respect, perhaps due to the years he’d grown up, it felt impious, but visiting a shrine felt oddly uncomfortable. Since he had prayed at a small shrine last time, he hoped the Dragon God would understand if he passed by this time.

Was that slum still mired in poverty? Resolved to do something, whether sending a letter or otherwise, before reaching Yehang, Yoonso arrived at the inn.

After unloading their belongings and finishing a meal, dusk settled in. Wondering what to do before nightfall, Hwi asked.

“Shall we go look around?”

Yoonso hesitated briefly but agreed readily.

A warm sunset melted the sky into a soft pink. Wind chimes hanging from the eaves of a house rang melodiously in the breeze. Strolling through the tranquil streets, a peaceful smile spread across Yoonso’s face.

Walking side by side, Yoonso and Hwi’s sleeves brushed lightly. Yoonso’s gaze lingered on the contact, wishing this moment could be a circular river, flowing freely and returning. Forever.

His eyes drifted upward, landing on Hwi’s face. As he looked closely, he noticed shadows pooling on Hwi’s cheeks. Suddenly, it struck him that Hwi looked thinner than when they first met. Was it because he hadn’t been sleeping well? He ate decently, so why…

Hwi’s gaze suddenly pierced Yoonso like an arrow. Startled, Yoonso averted his eyes like a speared fish.

“You’re staring at me like you’re casing a room to rob.”

“…When did I do that?”

Hwi tilted his head at Yoonso’s feigned ignorance, stepping closer. Yoonso backed away, expecting Hwi to let it go, but Hwi closed the distance again, and Yoonso edged further back. Sidestepping like a crab, he hit a wall, leaving no room to escape.

Glancing cautiously, he met Hwi’s intense stare. Hwi gently grasped Yoonso’s shoulder, and Yoonso had to suppress the urge to jump.

“You don’t know.”

Hwi whispered softly, his gaze lingering on Yoonso’s face.

“When something runs, it’s human nature to want to chase it.”

Hwi’s leisurely demeanor made Yoonso bristle, feeling alone in his agitation, and he glared.

“Only an unrefined hunter would think that.”

“Did I ever seem refined to you?”

It was quite a talent to speak so roguishly in such a refined tone. Hwi raised a finger, lightly teasing the loose strands of Yoonso’s hair that hung unbraided at his neck. Though his fingers didn’t touch Yoonso’s skin, Yoonso’s nerves stood on edge.

Hwi’s hand moved upward but stopped, as if hitting an invisible barrier. Seizing the moment, Yoonso slipped away.

“If I don’t see it, try harder!”

Throwing a sharp retort, he quickened his angry steps. He couldn’t tell if the perceptive Hwi was pretending not to notice or truly didn’t care, and that hurt. But would either change anything?

Though he wanted to part from Hwi even briefly, knowing he couldn’t made him angrier. Not wanting to stroll leisurely anymore, Yoonso spotted a tavern with a flag marked “酒” and impulsively stepped inside.

Passing through a short corridor and parting black curtains, he flung the door open with gusto. But what greeted him was a haze of smoke and a sharp smell filling the air. Covering his mouth with his sleeve, Yoonso coughed and looked around. As the smoke cleared slightly, he met the gazes of the people staring at him.

Expressionless faces all fixed on Yoonso.

Flustered, he stepped back but was blocked by someone behind him. Hwi gripped Yoonso’s shoulder, and the crowd’s attention shifted to him. They sized Hwi up as if appraising goods, then returned to their business.

Some merely drank, but most had gambling tiles spread out on tables, and a few puffed on long pipes, exhaling smoke. Yoonso deduced these were tobacco pipes.

Hesitating at the unfamiliar scene, he felt Hwi’s grip on his shoulder tighten.

“A tavern with black curtains is a rough place like this, not somewhere you should be.”

His tone was like soothing a clueless child. Normally, Yoonso would have turned back, but it seemed a stubborn frog had settled in his chest. Hardening his expression and pressing further inside, he thought he heard a sigh behind him.

A hurrying servant scanned Hwi’s attire and promptly led them to an inner area screened by colorful curtains.

The inner room had fewer people, with tables spaced farther apart, making it less cramped. Sitting down, Hwi looked at Yoonso’s sullen face and ordered something from the servant.

Amid the noisy chatter filtering in, the atmosphere around them grew heavy. As time passed, Yoonso’s anger subsided, and reason sharply asserted itself.

Hwi was someone to whom he owed gratitude, a person he should repay. How could he act so petulantly? Self-reproach stabbed at him. The turmoil in his heart was his alone. How could he blame Hwi when he lacked the courage to face his own feelings?

He didn’t want to act childish. Since their parting was inevitable, it would be wiser to leave only good memories. As Yoonso composed his expression and parted his lips, the servant returned with a bottle of liquor and a long dish.

Seeing the dish, Yoonso let out a small gasp.

“Oh…”

The dish held rice cakes shaped like rabbits, ducks, cows, and dogs, laid atop bamboo leaves and flowers, resembling soft animals frolicking in a field. Though he’d seen flower-shaped cakes or sweets, this was new, and a bright smile lit up his face.

“Try the one that looks like you first.”

“…What do I look like?”

Hwi pointed twice in the air above the dish, indicating the rabbit and the dog. Yoonso grumbled for no reason.

“They don’t look like me at all.”

Though he said so, the air between them lightened. Realizing Hwi’s intent to cheer him up, Yoonso’s fingertips tingled, his feet felt like they were floating, yet a trace of sadness pooled between his fingers.

Feigning excitement, Yoonso flashed a bright smile and popped a rabbit-shaped rice cake into his mouth. Hwi poured liquor into Yoonso’s cup and said.

“It’s better if we drink together.”

A faint sweet aroma wafted from the liquor. Yoonso took a sip, and the nutty, mild rice cake paired well with the sweet liquor, making him nod enthusiastically.

“You try it too, sir.”

Hwi paid no attention to the rice cakes, filling his own cup. But the sweet flavor didn’t suit him, and he merely wet his lips.

“Do you know how to play tiles?”

Hwi took out gambling tiles from a box nearby. Yoonso looked curiously at the rectangular, pale tiles with small holes.

“It’s my first time seeing tiles. Isn’t this gambling?”

“Yes. Since we’re here, let’s play a round.”

“Have you played before, sir?”

“Not played, but I know how.”

It was surprising that there was something he hadn’t tried.