The spacious ancestral shrine where her grandfather’s memorial tablet was enshrined was a place where Yang Yixin often practiced her internal energy cultivation.
Her grandfather, Yang Zixing, was the creator of the Cangbo Sword Art that Yixin used, though he had never been particularly famous in the jianghu.
Yang Yixin’s family, too, was a martial household of long standing, but it had nothing to do with the jianghu.
Yang Zixing had been the black sheep of the family, a free and dissolute man who had wished to become a wandering hero rather than a military official.
Of course, fierce opposition from his family had thwarted that dream, but even so, he had trained ceaselessly on his own, developed his martial arts by himself, and eventually created a martial art of his own.
That was the very Cangbo Sword Art he later passed down to his granddaughter, Yang Yixin.
Yixin had been close to her grandfather.
Their temperaments were complete opposites, and Yixin had no dream of becoming a wandering hero, yet she had always enjoyed listening to the stories of the martial world her grandfather told her.
Before his death, her grandfather entrusted to Yixin the treasured sword he had cherished so dearly.
As though asking her to fulfill in his stead the dream of journeying through the jianghu that he had never achieved.
That treasured sword was now reverently placed before his memorial tablet as well.
Yixin had originally worn this sword at her side, but because of the unfortunate incident three years ago, its blade had been gravely damaged.
Was it right to call this damage?
Back then… that night when they had purged Wu Jiao.
Wu Jiao had resisted fiercely, scattering her blood poison all around her.
It was a poison art that truly made one click their tongue in astonishment.
The military officers of the Jinyiwei could not even approach Wu Jiao.
At that rate, they might have lost their target.
At that moment, Yixin had acted on instinct and thrown her treasured sword at Wu Jiao.
Her body had moved before her mind could think.
For it was her duty to follow the law of the throne and carry out His Majesty’s commands.
Even if she were ordered to kill a friend, if that was the righteous path, she had no choice but to obey.
There had clearly been another answer in her heart as to what was right and wrong, but she had desperately ignored it.
In the end, in that she had given up thinking for herself, Yixin was no different from a wild dog.
She, too, was nothing more than a dog serving another master.
After that day, Yixin’s convictions collapsed.
Born the daughter of a martial household, she had thought it only natural to serve the government.
To uphold discipline, defend the righteous path, and make the world better.
She had believed that was what she was doing.
But the world was murky, and the government she had believed to be the righteous path was filled with corruption and lies.
His Majesty had long since laid aside affairs of state, hiding deep within the Forbidden City and watching the chaos of the world from afar, while the officials beneath the emperor, like monkeys playing king on a mountain without a tiger, did nothing but engage in ugly struggles to seize power from one another.
The Jinyiwei, too, had long since fallen into the hands of wicked men and been reduced to a political tool.
Even though matters had come to this point, she had turned her eyes away from reality and chased only an empty justice.
Had her grandfather, who had spent his life regarding becoming a wandering hero as his greatest dream, seen his granddaughter like this, he would surely have sighed in lament.
“Grandfather… I am sorry.”
Yixin carefully lifted the treasured sword from atop the altar.
When she drew it, the blade was stained red like blood.
Three years ago, Yixin had thrown this treasured sword at Wu Jiao, and the sword had pierced Wu Jiao’s stomach.
Yet Wu Jiao, whom they had thought dead, had vanished without a trace afterward, leaving only this sword behind at the scene.
With only its blade stained red.
Was it because of Wu Jiao’s blood poison?
The blade that had turned red did not return to its original state, no matter how much time passed.
Moreover, because it contained a dangerous toxic energy, she could no longer wield it carelessly.
Zhao Weixian, the eunuch of the Eastern Depot, had even said that with the wild dog’s poison art added to it, had it not become an even better weapon? But Yixin could not bring herself to use this sword any longer.
Because she had no face to show either her grandfather or Wu Jiao.
“Please forgive your unworthy granddaughter. Far from fulfilling your will, Grandfather, I have only walked down the wrong path. Even the precious treasured sword you left me has ended up in this state.”
Was this punishment sent down upon her?
Yixin carefully gripped the sword with both hands and placed the blade beside her own neck.
If this was truly punishment, then surely it was important to accept it with dignity.
She had already thought several times of taking her own life with this sword.
When she died and went to the underworld, she would properly apologize to her grandfather and beg his forgiveness.
But then what of Wu Jiao?
Whether Wu Jiao lived or died was still unknown.
Many expected that she had died, but Zhao Weixian, saying one never knew, had issued a wanted notice.
Three years had passed, but not a single report concerning Wu Jiao had yet come in.
Yet Yixin believed that Wu Jiao was alive somewhere.
In truth, it was not belief, but hope.
If she was alive, then someday they could meet again.
There is something I want to apologize to you for.
There are also many things I never got to say.
More than anything, I want to tell you thank you.
For becoming friends with someone as hideous as me.
Yixin powerlessly set the sword down on the floor.
As expected, she still could not die yet.
Before she knew it, tears were flowing again.
She was rubbing her cheeks with her sleeve to wipe them away when, suddenly, she sensed a presence beyond the closed doors of the shrine.
“Brother Yang, are you in there?”
“…Lord Gongsun.”
Startled, Yixin hurriedly erased the tear tracks from her face and straightened her disheveled clothes.
Even so, her eyes were still red, making for an unsightly appearance.
Fortunately, Gongsun Liang did not come inside and remained outside.
“Were you training your internal energy? My apologies.”
“What brings you here?”
“I came to discuss work. What else would it be?”
Yixin let out a deep sigh.
“This subordinate is off duty today.”
“I know. But it’s urgent, you see. Besides, I came specially to tell you because it is a matter you might be interested in.”
“Please speak.”
Even then, Yixin’s face was indifferent.
Recently, all the Jinyiwei did was serve as lackeys in factional struggles within the imperial court, and at times they were even tasked, by His Majesty’s command, with becoming mining-tax commissioners and collecting taxes across the country.
Amid all this, what work could there possibly be that she might be interested in?
“A report came in concerning that wanted criminal. The one named Wu Jiao…”
Before Gongsun Liang could even finish speaking, the shrine door flew open.
Yixin, who had rushed from deep inside to the doorway in an instant, was dressed in thin white mourning clothes, her eyes reddened.
But she paid no attention to how she looked.
“Is that true?”
“I-it is. A carrier pigeon arrived. She was sighted in Gansu Province. The details are here…”
Yixin accepted the paper Gongsun Liang held out almost as though snatching it from him.
Her eyes moved swiftly, reading every character in an instant, and she lifted her head again.
“She was alive after all.”
“So it seems. She certainly has a tenacious life.”
“…She was alive.”
A smile spread across Yixin’s lips.
Gongsun Liang’s eyes widened.
How many years had it been since he had seen this junior of his smile like that?
“Lord Gongsun, thank you for informing me. This subordinate will depart for Hexi immediately.”
“No, we have not yet decided whom to send…”
“I will go.”
“You now hold a high position within the Jinyiwei. There is no need for you personally to go after a mere wanted criminal.”
“Then why did you come to tell me?”
Yixin snapped irritably and glared at Gongsun Liang.
It was truly the first time this junior had acted so ferociously without regard for anything before or after, enough to make him break out in a cold sweat.
“I did it out of consideration for you. If you really want to go yourself, at least report to the Commander first…”
“Lord Gongsun, please convey the message on my behalf.”
“…Are you serious?”
“I ask this of you.”
Yixin bowed deeply to Gongsun Liang.
To think that Yang Yixin of all people would show such a desperate side.
Gongsun Liang gave an awkward cough.
“Very well, raise your head.”
“Then…”
“I will handle the procedures on my end, so you finish your preparations today and depart.”
“…Thank you, my lord.”
“How long will it take?”
The distance from Beijing to Gansu Province was over three thousand li.
Yixin spoke without so much as twitching an eyebrow.
“I will reach the Qilian Mountains within five days. After that, I do not know how long it will take to find Wu Jiao, but on the return journey, I will come slowly on horseback.”
“…Five days?”
Was she saying that in her right mind?
Did the greatest under heaven have wings on her feet?
Gongsun Liang thought his junior might be joking, but her expression was endlessly serious.
“I will give you a generous month. If it seems you will be later than that, send a letter by pigeon in advance.”
“Yes, understood. Then this subordinate will hurry to make preparations. Please take care.”
With those words, Yixin passed by Gongsun Liang and went straight into the inner quarters.
Gongsun Liang stood there blankly for a while, a look of disbelief on his face.
*
A few days ago, there had been a great roar, and the snow at the peak of the snowy mountain had poured down along the slope. It was an avalanche.
The snow that had fallen day after day eventually stopped, but the mountain was dyed entirely white, as if winter had come again.
On Duanya Peak, one of the peaks of the Qilian Mountains, there stood a small temple built long ago.
A temple at the summit of this treacherous snowy mountain, of all places.
In the past, a monk named Dongsheng had begun living alone on this mountain for the sake of cultivation, and over a long period, he built with his own hands the hermitage where he would stay.
Since snow was always piled upon the roof, the monk named the hermitage Baixue Hermitage.
Afterward, Dongsheng left, but the hermitage remained.
When Wu Jiao had lived in the Qilian Mountains with Yaohua, she would often leave their dwelling and stay at this hermitage, taking in the scenery and amusing herself.
The bowls, bedding, and other things they had used back then were still in the hermitage, making it perfectly suited as a place to rest.
Since it was at the mountaintop, it was also easy to notice if anyone approached.
Of course, because of the danger of avalanches, it did not seem likely that pursuers would come for the time being.
Qingdan was warming her hands by the fire she had lit in the kitchen hearth.
She was the daughter of the master of the Jadeite Pavilion, and her status could be called rather noble. Though she had lived an unfortunate life because she had been born with a rare illness, she had never gone anywhere without being treated well.
For that reason, she had never done housework with her own hands until now, but recently, while staying with Wu Jiao, she had tried cooking and laundry for the first time.
It was not as bad as she had expected.
Rather, it was enjoyable.
Eating rice she had cooked herself was a moving experience, and washing her own dirty clothes clean with her own hands was rewarding.
Wu Jiao had said they should leave before the enemy chased them again, but Qingdan had stubbornly insisted, so they ended up staying a while longer.
“I’m back.”
Wu Jiao stepped over the kitchen threshold carrying a dead rabbit.
Every day, she somehow managed to hunt like that. Rabbits were surely very quick.
“Sister Jiao, you must be cold, right? Come here and warm yourself.”
“I’m not really…”
“Come on.”
At her urging, Wu Jiao had no choice but to come sit beside her.
Qingdan deliberately pressed herself close against Wu Jiao.
“How is your shoulder? Does it still hurt?”
“It healed long ago. My wounds heal quickly.”
“Is that so? Still, just in case, let’s rest well for a few more days before leaving.”
“…All right.”
The two of them stared blankly into the fire within the hearth.
As though finding it amusing, Qingdan kept prodding the firewood with the poker.
Then, when a cold wind blew once outside, she hunched her shoulders and shivered.
“Are you cold? Should I put in more firewood?”
“I’m all right.”
Qingdan smiled and turned to look beside her.
“Sister Jiao, you’ve become very kind to me, haven’t you? When we first met, you wouldn’t even try to help me.”
“I was afraid you’d get a fever again…”
Wu Jiao lowered her head, looking awkward.
The sight of Qingdan writhing in pain had reminded her of Yaohua’s final moments.
After that, she simply could not leave the girl to her own devices, and she began doing whatever the girl asked of her.
"If you are that worried about me, come closer to me here. So my body does not grow cold."
"We are already pressed right together."
"More. Put your arms around me too."
Ogyo did as she was told.
Cheongdam leaned her head against Ogyo.
"Sister Gyo, I have a husband. Did I ever tell you about my husband?"
"You mean that stutterer?"
"No, that person was someone else I was going to marry. ...He is my husband's younger brother."
To think that she had a husband, yet was going to marry her husband's younger brother anew. Was such a thing even possible? Because Ogyo knew little of marriage customs, she simply let it go.
"My husband is truly a magnificent hero. Have you heard of Geoeakgeom Im Taewoon? He is renowned throughout the martial world."
"Never heard of him."
"But Sister Gyo, you said you are not from the martial world. That is why you do not know. Everyone in the martial world knows him."
"I see."
"He has a generous personality and is affectionate as well, so he is popular with both men and women. All the disciples of Jeokhamun adore him. So do I."
Cheongdam excitedly sang her husband's praises. She was just like a child.
And when it came to acting like a child, not even a stray dog was about to be outdone.
"Yohwa was pretty, affectionate, and smart too."
"Who is Yohwa?"
"My friend."
"I am talking about my husband, not a friend."
"Anyway, Yohwa was greater."
Cheongdam opened her eyes wide, as if unwilling to concede that point.
"My husband has even cut a giant boulder with his sword."
"Yohwa could cut one with chopsticks too."
"My husband is so strong that he can lift me with just one finger."
"Yohwa was so light that she would not sink even when standing on a lotus flower."
"He even won a bout against Heoryu Wipungso of the Namhae Geommun. You do not know because you are not a martial artist, Sister Gyo? You have no idea what a great swordsman Heoryu is..."
"I have beaten that guy before too."
Cheongdam puffed out her cheeks.
"Sister Gyo, no matter how jealous you are, you should not tell lies."
"It is not a lie."
Ogyo spoke seriously, but Cheongdam clearly did not believe her.
"Since Sister Gyo told a lie, I win this contest."
"...No, I did not. I did not..."
Ogyo was deeply frustrated, yet she could not argue her side as eloquently as Cheongdam.
As the price of her defeat, Ogyo had to listen to Cheongdam brag about her husband for quite a long while.
"So where is that husband of yours right now?"
At that question, Cheongdam suddenly clamped her mouth shut. She stared into the fire in the stove for a long moment, then abruptly spoke.
"My husband went north beyond Gayokgwan."
"Gayokgwan?"
It was the western gate. Beyond it lay a barren desert, a land of death where wars with foreign tribes broke out frequently.
"He might even be buried in the hot sand by now."
Cheongdam's voice had sunk darkly. It was enough to make the listening Ogyo uneasy.
Suddenly Cheongdam pulled away from Ogyo's embrace and looked straight at her. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"Sister Gyo, please take me west. I want to find my husband. If he is alive, I want to meet him again. If he is dead, I want to recover his body."
Only now did Ogyo understand Cheongdam's purpose.
And the reason she wished to go west.
"Alright."
"Really? Will you help me?"
"Yes. I will help you."
Cheongdam leaped into Ogyo's arms.
"Thank you, Sister Gyo. I am sorry for being spiteful. I am sure your friend must be a wonderful person too."
"...She is."
"Do you miss her too, Sister Gyo?"
As if asking whether she missed Yohwa.
But a stray dog's heart ran far deeper than that.
When Ogyo could not continue, Cheongdam seemed to take that as an answer, and she gently embraced her.
"We are both so pitiful. We must be alike."
"..."
Cheongdam's body, held in her embrace, trembled. Ogyo thought she might be feeling the cold again, but that was not it.
"Taewoon... Taewoon..."
Cheongdam sobbed, muttering her husband's name without end. Ogyo was at a loss for a moment, then carefully began to stroke Cheongdam's back.