Book 21 Chapter 16

The one who rules the sky, the one who rules the earth

— The wind brought by wings

"Hah, hah, hah!"

The frail girl gasped for breath. The refreshing yet biting scent of the mountains swept through her throat and into her lungs.

Clear sky, hot sun, steep mountain path. It was Sichuan, already famous for its high and rugged mountains, and within Sichuan, the famous Mount Emei. They had ridden a carriage to the foot of the mountain, and although they were told their destination was halfway up, Lin's slender legs were already struggling with the rough mountain path. It was fortunate that she was dressed in comfortable men's clothing.

The two had to argue with Namgung Jin that morning when they left Cheonhyangru. Na Baek Cheon, who had heard from Lin, had left Namgung Jin and three escorts before leaving on his trip. Naturally, Lin hated being followed by escorts, and Yeon Bi and Namgung Jin barely reached a compromise after a tense standoff.

The compromise was: 'Lin in disguise, one escort. Carry a communication flute.' However, since Lin was afraid of burly escorts, the guard from the back garden, whom Yeon Bi had recently met, followed at a distance, as if he were not there.

Namgung Jin followed secretly with the three escorts. A pigeon, its feathers stained red, sat on his shoulder. It was a search pigeon that flew to the exact location following the sound of a special flute for birds. The guard would blow the flute once every half hour, and Namgung Jin's party would follow at a slightly later pace, tracking by the search pigeon. This way, even in an emergency, they could catch up within half an hour by increasing their speed.

'I don't know if that guard can hold on for half an hour in an emergency.'

Namgung Jin was uneasy. Guards were usually only used to fend off low-level threats, and in the event of actual trouble, it was fortunate if they could at least scream before falling. Since the girl named Yeon Bi seemed to have some skill, he could only pray that the two of them could somehow hold on in an emergency.

Even at that moment, the guard, branded as a consumable, was climbing the mountain path with no idea, about ten paces away from Yeon Bi, anxiously worried. He was afraid of losing sight of the two. Since a mountain climb could lead to losing sight of one's companions even a foot ahead due to bushes and undulations, ten paces was a truly immense distance. Even if he wanted to subtly close the distance, the girl, like a mountain cat at the front, kept widening the gap with her leisurely steps.

Yeon Bi led the way with ease, as if walking on flat ground. She bounced over rocks like a deer, making her seem nothing like a girl of Lin's age.

"Yeon Bi…"

Lin, out of breath, called out to Yeon Bi. It was her limit.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'm so used to this path that my steps have gotten fast without me realizing it. Shall we take a short break?"

Yeon Bi handed Lin her hip flask and sat down on a rock. It was a beautiful spot, with elegant rocks and drooping old pines on one side, and a clear stream on the other.

"If you drink too much, you won't be able to move, so just take two or three sips."

Lin, having quenched her thirst, returned the hip flask, still panting.

"Yeon Bi, in a place like this, how…"

She couldn't speak properly due to her difficulty catching her breath.

They had taken a carriage to the foot of the mountain where there were travelers, and only at the hidden mountain path did they begin their hike. Therefore, they hadn't encountered any strangers yet. If she sensed the presence of someone from afar, Yeon Bi would take Lin off the path or behind the bushes. Having endured such inconveniences to only travel on paths with almost no human traces, Lin must have seen this place as a wild, rough world.

"How do you live in such a rough place?"

Guessing her unspoken question, Yeon Bi wet a handkerchief and handed it to Lin.

"Well, because my master is here. Still, it's a livable place. It's just a hassle to go back and forth to the upper stream to get water, or to walk ten li to buy groceries. Other than the occasional encounters with venomous snakes, centipedes, wild beasts, poisonous insects, landslides, and avalanches, it's quite livable. The scenery is nice, it's quiet, and there's no land price, right?"

Lin was lost in thought at Yeon Bi's nonchalant enumeration. She suddenly hesitated and poked Yeon Bi a couple of times in the side.

"Ouch, what's wrong?"

"As expected, you're alive."

Yeon Bi asked with an exasperated expression at Lin's relieved reaction.

"Then did you think I was a ghost?"

"…A little."

It was an ambiguous answer. Lin had harbored some suspicion since she first met Yeon Bi. Not only her eyes and dance, but her actions were also elusive, and she could leap to high places like a bird.

Of course, for an expert, leaping as high as Yeon Bi would not be a great feat. Her father, Na Baek Cheon, was an expert who could leap not only over mountains but also across water for short distances. However, she, who had been confined to her room, had never witnessed such a sight.

"Pfft, where are there ghosts like me, actively moving around in broad daylight? People like you, who stay in their rooms, are called ghosts. Look, you're almost melting away right now?"

The word "melting" was not an exaggeration. Lin's forehead was already beading with sweat again, even though she had just wiped it with the handkerchief.

"Tsk, tsk, you're completely lacking in exercise."

Yeon Bi shook her head with pity and re-wet the handkerchief.

"Lacking in exercise?"

"Of course, since you've been confined to your room every day. Still, exercise is fun because it makes you feel refreshed when you do it! This is not a particularly rough path compared to other places. Come on, shall we make up for your lack of exercise again?"

"Ugh…"

Lin involuntarily groaned as Yeon Bi suddenly stood up. Yeon Bi smiled slyly at the sound but ruthlessly started the hike again.

There was truly no one. No one had ever mixed such harsh words and advice with exercise, calling her a shut-in or lacking in exercise. Yeon Bi was the first person to treat her either comfortably or strictly. Everyone else had treated her like a fragile piece of glass.

Walking in silence for a moment, Yeon Bi suddenly looked back and asked,

"How is it? Are you getting used to it a little as we walk?"

"No, not at all."

It was a surprisingly firm and quick answer for Lin. Her expression also showed firm conviction. Yeon Bi asked with an expression that was hard to tell if she was sympathetic or trying to hold back a laugh.

"Oh dear. Still finding it difficult?"

Lin nodded her head vigorously.

"Hoo, we've only been in the mountains for a little over an hour. I really need to exercise a lot from now on. Shall we go to the mountains every time we meet from now on?"

"Ugh, ugh!"

"Puhuhuhu, I'm joking, just joking."

Looking at Lin's dejected face, Yeon Bi laughed, but suddenly her heart lurched.

'Gasp, come to think of it, was this the fun my master was having when he pushed me around!'

It was the moment she truly understood the meaning of the vicious cycle repeating itself.

'This… might become a habit…'

"Ahem, anyway, if you come out every day like me, Lin, even this path will be a piece of cake, so cheer up. I can walk here with my eyes closed now, you know?"

It was a boast that proved that realization and reflection were separate.

"Really?"

"Of course. Look."

"S-stop it."

Lin hurriedly stopped her, but Yeon Bi had already closed her eyes.

"Alright, let's go!"

Lin followed Yeon Bi with a worried look.

And on the eleventh step, with a crash, Yeon Bi tumbled down under a small rock.

"Yeon Bi!"

"Ouch, ouch… I'm f-fine. Ugh, this wicked rock suddenly poked its head out, you know? You, you where did you suddenly come from!"

Yeon Bi blushed and kicked the innocent rock with her toe.

"Pfft!"

Lin also let out a small laugh. Whether it was thanks to the whispers of nature or Yeon Bi's pretense, Lin's laughter was gradually brightening.

Two hours into the mountain climb. The slope became even steeper. Yeon Bi, though relaxed, slowed her pace without a word. It was to match Lin's speed. Lin, catching her breath for a moment and looking up at the sky, let out a cry of amazement.

"Wow! It's beautiful!"

White wings sliced diagonally through the blue sky. It was a hawk as white as snow. The white hawk, freely soaring through the sky, was full of dignity. A hawk that built wind beneath its wings and soared high. A being completely different from herself, who stayed confined to her room.

"It's a White Eagle, isn't it? It's quite a figure in these mountains. The sky around this mountain range is all its territory."

'Free wind, I wish I could be like that…'

Lin couldn't take her eyes off the white wind, the white hawk. Endless longing filled her hazy eyes. The White Eagle quickly became a small white dot and disappeared from sight. Was it true that wind couldn't be held?

"Ah, it's gone. But you'll be able to meet it again soon. Its royal perch is near where we're going. Do you want to see it too, Lin?"

Yeon Bi asked as if she had read Lin's mind. Lin nodded silently and wiped her sweat. Despite her lack of stamina, she felt more refreshed as time went on. It seemed the white wings had brought good wind.

"Well, the arduous adventure will be over soon! I'll show you something amazing, so look forward to it!"

And so it happened, just as Yeon Bi said. However, Lin had not expected it to end in such a manner.

A short while later, Yeon Bi's steps, which had been confidently climbing the mountain path, abruptly stopped. Lin also stopped and looked up at Yeon Bi. Yeon Bi's face was slightly stiff.

"Hmm, isn't it strange?"

Lin tilted her head. She didn't understand what was strange.

"It's so quiet?"

Yeon Bi's senses were on high alert due to the subtle stillness that permeated the entire mountain. Even on a deserted mountain path, there were many sounds mingling within it. The sound of the wind rustling through the leaves, the sound of water flowing over rocks, the occasional rustling of animals in the undergrowth… But now, something was completely missing.

"Ah, I don't hear any birds!"

Flap!

As soon as Yeon Bi finished speaking, a bird flew up into a tree from ahead. Lin flinched in surprise.

"There is a bird, though!"

"W-well, yes."

However, Yeon Bi couldn't shake off a nagging feeling. The mountain seemed to be silently stirring.

"Lin, I'm sorry, but shall we just see this much today and go back?"

"Go back?"

Lin's eyes widened in shock. Even though it was difficult, she felt like she was just starting to get the hang of stepping on rocks, and she was beginning to enjoy the mountain path. Moreover, she had been looking forward to reaching her destination soon.

"Is the White Eagle's nest still far?"

"That place? Hmm, it's just past those bushes… but somehow, I feel uneasy today."

It was difficult to explain, but the gently blowing wind carried an ominous scent. If she were alone, it would be fine, but she felt uneasy taking Lin.

But what was this? Lin, who had somehow approached and grabbed Yeon Bi's sleeve, had an unusual look in her eyes. There was no sign of unease, only a look full of regret and determination. It was clear at a glance that she didn't want to turn back. It was like that day she jumped from the window, when she had grabbed Yeon Bi's sleeve before turning back.

"Just seeing the White Eagle for a moment…"

Her voice was small and hesitant, but it carried a powerful desire. Was the White Eagle that impressive? It was rare to see Lin express her 'desires' like this.

"Haa, I don't know if it will be okay."

Just those words brightened Lin's face even more. Yeon Bi glanced down at the guard, who was standing below.

The guard was taking out that inaudible flute and blowing it at that moment. Had two and a half hours passed since they entered the mountain? Seeing him calmly put the flute back, he seemed to notice nothing unusual.

'Hmm. There are people around, so it should be alright?'

Thinking about it, it was ridiculous to suggest turning back after bringing her this far, and such an ending would make it even harder to drag Lin out of her room again. Besides, it was already past lunchtime.

'Right. After all, it's food, so it's best to eat it while looking at that rainbow-covered waterfall.'

The place Yeon Bi was taking Lin to was a prime spot where one could see an unbelievably beautiful waterfall.

If you take a slight detour through the narrow path behind the cypress trees, which Yeon Bi calls the 'royal perch of the birds,' the view suddenly opens up, revealing six miraculous streams of waterfalls. Thanks to the curtain of water that spread out in a semicircle and rose up in a milky mist, on clear days, colorful rainbows would form in the center where the streams met, creating a natural sanctuary.

The place where Yeon Bi was standing was so close that if you listened carefully, you could faintly hear the sound of water rushing. Yeon Bi shrugged her shoulders as if to shake off her worries. Listening to the sound of the waterfall made her feel much more refreshed.

"Well, it'll be fine, right? Let's go, let's go."

Lin grinned, clenching her small fists. Her smile, now imbued with the mountain air, had become even clearer.

Pushing aside the bushes, they were met with a giant, reddish-brown pillar, enveloped by a curtain of dark green needle leaves like clouds. It was a colossal cypress tree that had endured all sorts of hardships for at least hundreds of years. Its height was so immense that it was a magnificent tree, easily over fifteen jang (about 150 feet).

Within two or three jang around the long cypress tree, there were no other trees to speak of. Perhaps because of the wide shade cast by the large tree, only weeds up to knee-height grew, naturally forming a rounded clearing. Behind the clearing, large rocks were layered like a folding screen.

Swoooooosh…

The sound of rushing water, so powerful it seemed to wash away one's mind, echoed off the rock face. It was the destination, once you navigated through the narrow gaps of the layered rocks. Yeon Bi took a deep breath of the refreshing cypress scent and turned to Lin.

"This is where the White Eagles nest. The White Eagles' home, the royal perch where the king of birds resides."

"Royal perch…"

Lin tilted her head back as far as she could, looking up at the spot Yeon Bi indicated. The White Eagles' nest was hidden by layers of branches and a fog of countless needle leaves, making it difficult to discern. Only after Yeon Bi pointed out the exact location with her finger could Lin finally find the White Eagles' nest.

Flap, flap!

It was at that moment that they heard the frantic flapping of wings and a few white feathers drifted down before their eyes.

The owner of the feathers was indeed the White Eagle. The majestic king of the sky now seemed very agitated, circling the cypress tree sharply.

"Haa!"

Lin suddenly gasped and threw herself into Yeon Bi's arms. Yeon Bi, who had been bewildered, followed Lin's gaze to the side of the cypress tree and uttered a quiet gasp of horror.

"Th-that!"

By some means, it had revealed itself from behind the trunk of the magnificent tree and entered their field of vision. A body as thick as a man's waist, long and slender, with pale scales that glistened eerily like the whites of inverted eyes, and fiery red eyes like gemstones – it was…

"White Flood Dragon!"

It was a forced whisper. Embracing Lin, whose small shoulders were trembling, Yeon Bi's face hardened like stone. The rustling sound of bushes behind them was audible, but Yeon Bi had no time to look back. Just by the sound of footsteps, she knew it was the guard. He must have closed the distance at will upon hearing Lin's startled cry. Yeon Bi warned in a calm and steady voice.

"It's an unfinished dragon that has lived for over a hundred years. Fortunately, it doesn't seem interested in us, so don't provoke it with loud noises or sudden movements."

The guard, who had instinctively reached for his flute, quickly stopped at her words. The sound of the flute, which could be heard by birds, might provoke the White Flood Dragon. He held the flute and observed the situation.

"I've only heard about it, but they say if you make eye contact with it, it's over in an instant. Let's slowly retreat like this, Lin."

Yeon Bi held Lin's hand tightly, never taking her eyes off the White Flood Dragon. Lin had no objection to retreating this time, but there was one thing that bothered her.

"Can't the White Eagle escape either?"

"No, because it has wings. Ah, surely…!"

Yeon Bi's gaze quickly shifted to the White Eagle's nest.

The White Eagle, with its wings like blades, was continuously circling around the nest. Seeing something pale flickering inside the nest, it seemed there were still young chicks.

"There are young birds in the nest!"

Despite the White Eagle's desperate attempts to stop it, the White Flood Dragon did not give up and continued to approach the nest. The mother White Eagle, presumed to be guarding her young, stood ready, blocking the front of the nest.

Lin stared intently at the nest, unable to close her mouth in surprise. As her retreating steps faltered, the guard watching from behind grew even more anxious.

"As expected, it wants to eliminate them beforehand because they will become a problem if there are more White Eagles."

"A problem?"

"Snakes can't help but dislike hawks. They always have to stay on the ground, so winged creatures are difficult to deal with, aren't they?"

Before, even if they were an eyesore, they had maintained a distance without much conflict, but now it seemed it no longer wanted to be in their presence.

"But this time, the White Eagle is in big trouble. With one of them gone, it will be difficult for her to face the White Flood Dragon alone and protect her chicks."

"Then what about us?"

Yeon Bi looked at Lin for a moment, then glanced at the guard. On one side was a pure face wanting to help the White Eagle, and on the other was a desperate face urging to retreat quickly. Emotionally, Yeon Bi leaned towards Lin, but ultimately, she decided to face the desperate reality.

"We have to retreat because it's dangerous. The White Eagle…"

Yeon Bi smiled wryly. Honestly, they had no other options.

"We can only cheer them on."

For now, they had to leave it to the laws of nature.

In the human world, there are parents who break their children's wings as they try to become independent, saying 'It's for your own good!' and chain them, or parents who embrace their grown children forever, saying 'Yes, you will always be my baby!'. However, it is the natural order for the creatures of nature to leave their parents and become independent when it is time to fly. A bird that cannot fly will eventually fall, so it is wise to understand the times and follow the natural course by pulling out young chicks from the nest at the appropriate time.

However, they also protect their young chicks by any means necessary. The instinct of the mother White Eagle to protect her children was powerful.

Every time the White Flood Dragon's fangs and its eerie, flickering tongue spat out venom, the White Eagle blocked it like lightning with its sharp beak and claws. Thanks to its agile and precise movements, it could avoid the dangerous venom, but the problem was the White Flood Dragon's steel-like scales.

Because of its hard scales, the White Eagle could not inflict any significant damage on the White Flood Dragon with its sharp claws. Moreover, if it brushed against the White Eagle even a little when the White Flood Dragon twisted its body and raised its scales, the White Eagle's feathers would immediately bleed bright red blood. In the end, the White Eagle gave up on attacking its body and persistently attacked, repeatedly soaring up and diving down, relentlessly aiming for the White Flood Dragon's eyes.

The battle between the hawk and the snake was fierce.

The white wings, as white as snow, were now stained red like peach blossoms. It was a miserable sight with feathers plucked from here and there. Although the White Flood Dragon also lost a few scales, it was in much better condition than the White Eagle.

Screeeech—!!

With a sharp, high-pitched whistle, another White Eagle flew down from the sky. It was the father returning from his outing.

Yeon Bi and Lin, who had retreated into the bushes and held their breath, held hands in joy. The moment the White Flood Dragon urgently turned its body, the mother White Eagle, now red, darted in like lightning and pecked at the White Flood Dragon's eye. Lin flinched at the gruesome sight and squeezed her eyes shut.

Screeeech—!!

With a terrible scraping sound like metal, they heard the White Flood Dragon writhing in pain.

"Ugh!"

Lin opened her eyes at Yeon Bi's groan and was shocked.

"Huh? Why, why is the White Eagle…!"

In front of the White Flood Dragon, whose one eye had been plucked out, leaving an empty socket, the mother White Eagle was lying there like a crumpled piece of cloth.

"It couldn't avoid the tail…"

Lin looked at Yeon Bi, her voice heavy with shock. Something was quietly burning in the depths of Yeon Bi's eyes.

The mother White Eagle had managed to pluck out the White Flood Dragon's right eye and was trying to quickly return to the nest. Since her mate had returned and the situation had reversed, she had tried to escape while the White Flood Dragon thrashed around, intending to protect the nest. However, it was only her eagerness; the mother White Eagle, bearing numerous wounds, was not flying as skillfully as usual, perhaps due to her tension. It was then that the White Flood Dragon, twisting its body, swung its tail towards the White Eagle.

"It's still… okay."

Yeon Bi's voice drifted into the air, vanishing. The mother White Eagle lay on the ground like a rag, dyeing the grass red. Even Lin could tell at a glance that it was hopeless. The remaining White Eagle rushed towards the White Flood Dragon with a mournful cry that seemed to tear the sky.

Something rose in Yeon Bi's throat. Yeon Bi gritted her teeth so hard they creaked and forced down the nameless thing. Objectively judging her current strength, fighting the White Flood Dragon was impossible. With Lin by her side, she should naturally remain silent. Despite coldly knowing this, why did her chest burn with heat?

'In front of me, in front of me…'

Another one would be made who would be alone again.

Yeon Bi glared at the White Flood Dragon with burning eyes. Lin, looking at her with concern, and the guard's anxious presence behind her, all faded into the background.

The White Flood Dragon's tail flew again with a fearsome whistling sound. The White Eagle narrowly dodged the tail, but the gust of wind generated by the tail caused it to lose some balance. Seeing the clear opening, the White Flood Dragon did not miss the moment and bared its venomous fangs.

"Stop!"

Her body moved on its own. Something flew through the wind towards the White Flood Dragon.

* * *

Bone-dry ground. Rough clumps of earth crumbled in her fingertips. Her fingernails crumbled with them. Soil clung to her bleeding hands, their skin peeled off. Her shoulders, her body felt like it was breaking. But still, she didn't stop, digging and digging.

She couldn't borrow the strength of others. She was alone in the village. She couldn't remember how many days had passed.

Digging and burying, digging and burying, a repetitive daily life. Still, she couldn't escape. Nor did she want to. She just kept digging and burying with her small hands. It was as if it were the mission of an abandoned child.

Her father's body no longer felt warm. She couldn't accept it, but that was the reality. That's why she was burying him. Even if she covered him thickly with soil, he wouldn't get warm inside. The earth was cold, like her father's body. Still, there was no other choice. If she didn't bury him, wild animals and insects would devour him. She hated that. So, she had to bury him.

The location was already decided. Even before his body had cooled, from the moment she saw his powerless eyelids tremble, she had already thought of where to bury her father. Next to her mother's grave, nowhere else.

As she watched the clods of earth fall onto her father's face, the world momentarily blurred. But that was all. She didn't think tears flowed. As she covered each villager with earth, they flowed out of her body little by little, and she had no tears left to shed for her father. Perhaps it was her heart that had dried up, not her tears.

But she was busy. Her mother, her friends, their parents—as each of their bodies cooled, nothing she did mattered. All she could do was help the adults cover them with earth. And in the end, even the adults who had covered them with earth returned to the earth.

Finally, the grave was complete. There would be no more graves to make. After death, one cannot make graves. Would her body be devoured by wild animals and insects? She hated that. Sitting there blankly, she couldn't understand what was happening.

She couldn't bear it. Looking for something to do, something to do, something to do, she wandered and then saw them. A sword and wood. Fortunately. There was still something to do. Therefore, it was okay to survive a little longer.

Recalling her memories, she slowly began to carve the wood. When this work was finished, there would be nothing left to do. She hated that. It was a hundred, a thousand times more hateful than rotting on the ground, unable to enter the grave alone. She couldn't finish this work. But she couldn't stop.

Finally, the carving was finished. The result she had created desperately was satisfactory, incomparable to anything she had made before.

It was then that she heard a voice.

"Did you make this grave?"

A person. And it was a person who could speak. Wait, how should she answer at times like this?

"Yes."

It seemed like a slightly strange answer, but it didn't matter. More importantly, the old man was still alive and talking to her.

"And this wood carving, did you do it?"

"Yes."

She had changed it a little, but it was still an awkward answer. However, she no longer had the余裕 to worry about such things with his next words.

"Will you come with me?"

Suddenly, the old man extended his hand. Staring at his large hand in bewilderment, she suddenly felt a doubt. Was it okay to do this, was it okay to take this hand?

"What will I gain if I follow you?"

He laughed heartily and said,

"I'll help you become strong, with the greatest martial arts in the world."

She couldn't believe it. When she questioned how she could believe his words, he lightly waved his hand, sending about ten pine trees flying at once.

"What do you say, don't you want to learn?"

The old man's eyes came close to her face. It was a deep and calm gaze, as if it could penetrate her mind.

"At least you'll have something to do."

"…"

She had been seen through.

There was something to do. She could become strong.

She inadvertently looked back. The ones lying in the cold earth offered no words, no help.

"Alright!"

It was an unavoidable answer. She needed something to do. She wanted to become strong. She had to become strong.