Chapter 61
In the sprawling estates of prominent families in the Central Plains, it was customary to have at least one or two beautiful ponds.
The people of the Central Plains, who cherished their vast lands, sought to capture the universe within their homes. Thus, they recreated nature, complete with sky, earth, and water.
Within the walls, they created small heavens, miniature mountains, and tiny waters—a “small world” (小天地)—hoping to become one with nature.
The Je-gal family was no different. Renowned not only for their strategies and devices but also for their architectural skill, the Je-gal family’s gardens were famous for their breathtaking beauty.
At the center of the estate lay a large and beautiful pond called Owhanji (嗚歡池).
It had existed in that very spot since the distant past, when the Je-gal family first settled in Hubei.
Following the preceding head of the Je-gal family, Je-gal Myung (諸葛明), Namgung Hwi crossed Owhanji, but he had no time to admire the beauty of the garden. He could only hurry along, his steps impatient.
Je-gal Myung, pausing on a pavilion in the middle of the pond, noticed Namgung Hwi’s restless demeanor.
The young boy’s face reflected tension, anxiety, unease, fear, an undeniable longing, and the stoicism of someone trying hard to conceal all these emotions.
Je-gal Myung spoke softly to soothe him.
“Missing your parents is nothing to be ashamed of.”
He understood Namgung Hwi’s desire to see Je-gal Hwa-ryeong as soon as they arrived at the estate. The sight of a young child struggling to hide his emotions was pitiful.
“Y-yes, uncle.”
Yet, perhaps Je-gal Myung’s intentions did not fully reach him. Namgung Hwi, instead, became flustered.
Deciding it was better to move quickly, Je-gal Myung sighed softly.
“Watch my steps and follow exactly as I go.”
“…Yes, uncle.”
Still visibly nervous, Namgung Hwi nodded and carefully followed Je-gal Myung’s footsteps. He understood the meaning behind his words well.
The Je-gal estate was filled with countless formations, but the one they were about to enter was particularly special.
Though Owhanji appeared to be nothing more than a pond full of lotus flowers and leaves, half of it was an illusion.
Only by stepping on the Life Gate (生門) could one enter the formation. A misstep onto the Death Gate (死門) would trap the intruder inside.
What made it frightening was that the Life and Death Gates constantly shifted, so only those who truly knew the formation could find the correct path.
This was the Nan Jin Yeok Cheon Yeon Hwan Jin (亂眞逆天連環陣)—a chaotic, heaven-defying linked formation.
Inside, time flowed slower than outside. It had been created that way and had remained for ages.
No one among the current Je-gal family members knew why this was possible.
Because understanding it was impossible and dangerous, the Je-gal family had refrained from using it for a long time. But to buy time for the critically ill Je-gal Hwa-ryeong, they reopened it.
Within the formation, the disease’s progression could be slowed.
“Let’s go.”
Je-gal Myung spoke briefly and began stepping across the pond. Namgung Hwi carefully followed, eyes fixed on his every movement.
One step. The scenery shifted. The lotus flowers vanished, and everything froze solid.
Another step. Leaves fell around the pond—an autumn scene at Owhanji.
Step by step, rain fell, snow fell, day turned to night, and night to day.
“Ah…”
Namgung Hwi sighed amidst the disordered flow of time.
“Do not lose focus. Do not stop.”
Je-gal Myung’s low voice jolted him back to attention.
“Yes, uncle.”
Hurrying, Namgung Hwi resumed following the elder’s steps cautiously.
After several more steps…
“We’ve arrived.”
Je-gal Myung’s familiar voice reached him. Looking around, Namgung Hwi took in the mystical surroundings.
A small hill rose in the middle of the massive pond, and beneath it stood a house. A woman was waiting at the door.
Namgung Hwi recognized her immediately.
Je-gal Hwa-ryeong—his mother, whom he had longed for so dearly.
“Mother!”
He ran to her, calling out.
“Mother, mother!”
“Careful… careful, my son has come. Our Hwi-a is here.”
Je-gal Hwa-ryeong smiled warmly through moist eyes, welcoming him.
“It must have been a long journey. You’ve worked hard.”
“No, Mother. It was nothing. I’ve grown up now. It wasn’t hard at all.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. You’ve truly grown, my Hwi-a.”
The mother and son gazed at each other for a while, expressing their joy.
“This is no time to linger. Come inside.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Je-gal Hwa-ryeong led Namgung Hwi inside but paused when she saw Je-gal Myung standing behind them.
“Brother… you came?”
“Yes. Have you been well?”
Je-gal Myung greeted them and set down the luggage Namgung Hwi had brought from the Namgung estate and Seolga Market.
“Yes, thanks to your care, we’ve been comfortable.”
“You’ve had a hard time.”
A hint of pity showed in Je-gal Myung’s eyes.
“No, please, join us for now.”
“No. You need time to reunite as mother and son. I’ll come to fetch Hwi-a later.”
“Yes, that would be best. Thank you, brother.”
“Thank you, uncle.”
“No need. Go inside now.”
With a nod, Je-gal Myung departed, and the mother and son entered the house.
Namgung Hwi began unpacking the items he had brought, gifts for his mother and things he wanted to explain.
He presented the tea he had brought.
“Mother, this is Hwangsan Mo-bong. As you instructed, it was harvested this year.”
“…You kept your promise. Thank you, my son.”
Je-gal Hwa-ryeong’s hands trembled as she received the tea, eyes moist with emotion. Namgung Hwi gently held her hands.
“You taught me the meaning of Gye-po Il-nak (季布一諾)—that a promise, no matter how small, should be kept as precious as gold. I will be that person. So please, Mother, keep your promise to me as well.”
His expression was earnest, and his tone resolute.
“Promise me… that you will regain your health and return to the Namgung estate.”
He didn’t know if the Gosan Mansu Gil-gyeong that Unyeong mentioned still existed in Shanxi, but he hoped it did somewhere. He wanted to believe it, and he wished his mother wouldn’t give up, hoping she would face her illness with determination.
“…I will. I promise.”
Je-gal Hwa-ryeong nodded, trying to smile through her tears. The mother and son held hands, crying and laughing together for a long while.
“What… what are all of these?”
After drinking tea, Namgung Hwi continued unpacking the gifts he had brought, including items from the Namgung estate and presents from Unyeong at Seolga Market.
“These are Xiang-yuk mushrooms. I hadn’t told you. I was supposed to meet Brother Dam in Muhwan, but…”
“But?”
“He left a letter saying he’s going to Hongan-hyeon and disappeared.”
“Ah… Dam wouldn’t do that…”
Namgung Hwi spoke with a mix of frowns and smiles. Je-gal Hwa-ryeong listened attentively, finding her son’s demeanor endearing.
“Well, I followed him to Hongan to find out why.”
“To Hongan… where?”
“Seolga Market.”
Mentioning Seolga Market, Namgung Hwi’s ears flushed slightly.
“Seolga Market… I’ve never heard of this place.”
“Yes… it’s a local territory in Hongan-hyeon, unrelated to martial arts circles.”
“Then why did Dam go there?”
Namgung Hwi knew it was because of the letter from Unyeong, but he could not reveal that.
“Well… he went there for mushrooms.”
“Mushrooms?”
“Yes, Xiang-yuk mushrooms. They’re incredibly delicious. Brother Dam heard about them and went.”
“I see… so he suddenly changed his path just for mushrooms.”
Je-gal Hwa-ryeong sensed her son was hiding something but pretended not to notice.
“Yes… exactly.”
“It seems he met someone there and sent these gifts.”
“Ah… it was the siblings, Seol Do-jin and Seol Un-yeong.”
“How old are they?”
“Seol Do-jin is sixteen, Seol Un-yeong is ten.”
Je-gal Hwa-ryeong smiled gently at Namgung Hwi, who stammered and blushed.
“Did they become friends?”
“F-friends? Um… yes, I think so.”
“I’m sure you thanked them as well.”
“Yes, I did… say thank you.”
“Since you received such precious gifts, it would be good to send a return gift.”
“Ah… yes, that would be proper. Yes, that’s a good idea.”
Namgung Hwi smiled brightly at his mother’s suggestion, and she smiled along.
