Chapter 25. The Name That Could Not Be Spoken (6)
On the way back after finishing the voyage, the pale clouds were lightly stained by the sunset, its fading glow settling over Buwan Port.
While Hoyeon was away, Bam returned to the inn alone.
Word had already spread that the Rang Merchant Guild had defeated the pirates and returned safely to Buwan Port. Merchants from the other guilds sent gifts to express their gratitude.
Normally, Bam would have been bursting with pride.
But today, for some reason, she wore an indifferent expression.
There was an unpleasant feeling nagging at her, as though she had overlooked something important.
"Miss Rang. Are you only just returning?"
Elder Gyeon and his group were standing near the entrance to the inn.
Perhaps to hide his injuries, the old man had wrapped silk around his forehead.
Bam glared at Elder Gyeon.
He had made her drink some strange liquor and caused her to make such a ridiculous mistake.
Even punching the old man once probably would not be enough to calm her anger.
However, she was not in the mood to deal with him right now.
When Bam ignored him and tried to walk past, Elder Gyeon called after her.
"I did not mean to deceive you, Miss. Seeing you so angry makes this old man's heart ache."
The old man lowered his head while shamelessly speaking in his usual sly manner.
"I've prepared a precious gift for you. Surely you'll forgive me after seeing it?"
The words "precious gift" caught Bam's interest.
She glanced back.
At Elder Gyeon's command, his attendants brought over a finely crafted glass fish tank.
Inside the gently rippling water swam a small, dark-gray fish.
Bam brought her face close to the tank and stared intently at it.
Its entire body was covered in smooth black scales, while delicate fins fluttered from its back and tail.
Aside from the lump on its head and the way it frequently opened and closed its mouth, there was nothing particularly unusual about it.
"This fish is actually under a spell. If you cherish it and take good care of it, it will eventually awaken as a dragon."
Bam's eyes narrowed.
"You're telling me this tiny fish that looks like a loach is a dragon? You lying old swindler. Are you trying to fool me again?"
Unable to endure it any longer, Bam reached for the sword at her waist and moved toward him.
"Would I really deceive you twice while giving you a gift meant as an apology?"
Elder Gyeon smiled as he took a few steps backward.
Bam stopped and glared at him.
"Fine. Let's say you're telling the truth and this fish really does break the spell and turn back into a dragon."
She continued in a sharp voice.
"Once it regains its true form, won't it simply fly back into the heavens?"
"Who knows? If the dragon remembers the kindness it received, perhaps it will repay you somehow."
Bam snorted.
"Hmph. You think I don't know what you're up to? If this gift turns out to be worthless, I'll make sure you pay the proper price."
Elder Gyeon's smile deepened.
"Then I suppose I'll have another excuse to meet that beautiful butterfly."
He gave Bam a refined bow.
"As of today, this old man plans to embark on a long journey in search of great power. I sincerely hope the Rang Merchant Guild continues to prosper."
Leaving behind his distinctive foreign fragrance, Elder Gyeon and his companions departed.
A dragon trapped by a spell...
Holding the fish tank in her arms, Bam fell into unusually deep thought.
Meanwhile, at the same time, a secret meeting was taking place near the coastal cliffs north of Buwan Port.
Rough waves crashed beneath a long cape covered in jagged rocks.
The refreshing scenery made it easy to understand why nobles once used this famous spot for banquets.
A carriage stopped in front of a large, extravagant pavilion.
The man who had been staying at the Jin Family residence with Seongha stepped down from the carriage.
Now that he was properly dressed in military attire, the strength of a military officer could be felt from his broad shoulders.
His neatly trimmed beard and gently curved smile lines gave him an easygoing appearance.
It was difficult to imagine him as the same drunkard who usually wandered around with messy hair and half-open eyes.
Perhaps feeling cramped after spending so long inside a narrow box, the man stretched and looked around.
"It may be one of the finest views under heaven, but I don't particularly feel like enjoying poetry and wine here."
He cast Seongha a sideways glance.
"Young Master Jin, you seem to know exactly who I am. See? I told you. You've got a terrible sense of humor."
Seongha replied calmly.
"There are too many eyes watching in Buwan Port. There probably isn't a more suitable place for this meeting."
The place where they stood was none other than where the Ban Family had been exterminated.
Under the excuse of holding a banquet, the King of Nampyeong had summoned the members of the clan here and slaughtered them.
Their bodies were then thrown from the cliff into the sea.
Neither the elderly nor the children had been spared.
Seongha looked directly at the man.
"You are a survivor of the Ban Family and the former Commander of the Capital Guard, General Ban Seung-gyeom."
Seung-gyeom let out a hollow laugh.
There was no emotion in his eyes.
"So why bring me to a place filled with the grudges of the dead?"
He looked toward the cliff.
"Are you telling me to follow my family to the grave at the very place they died? Or perhaps you want me to hold a memorial service for them?"
Until now, he had always been a man who spoke nonsense while sitting in front of a drinking table.
But now, the shock and grief he had hidden for so many years were unmistakable.
Even Seongha's expression turned pained.
Seung-gyeom waved both hands.
"Enough, enough. I was only joking, so don't make that face. It's all over now."
He acted as though it meant nothing.
But Seongha could clearly see the truth on his face.
Ban Seung-gyeom wanted nothing more to do with anything.
Would the wheel of fate surrounding them begin to turn again?
Could today's meeting move General Ban Seung-gyeom's heart?
"It isn't over yet."
At the sound of footsteps, a dark figure strode toward them.
Seung-gyeom's body suddenly stiffened as though he had turned into stone.
Then the figure spoke.
"Uncle."
It was a strangely familiar voice.
Seung-gyeom slowly turned around.
A faint sound, almost like a sigh, escaped his lips.
"Hyeon... How are you..."
It was a name he had believed he would never be able to speak again.
Those sharp eyes.
That overwhelming presence.
That ebony-black hair.
They were exactly as Seung-gyeom remembered them.
However, Hyeon's rough, damaged face and humble clothing showed just how harsh the years had been.
And for some reason, Seung-gyeom could almost smell thick blood around him.
It was the horrifying presence that could only come from someone who had killed countless people.
Seung-gyeom stared at him in disbelief.
"You're alive..."
He suddenly pulled Hyeon into a tight embrace.
Hot tears streamed down his face.
"That hellish wait has finally brought you back to me. It has been... such a terribly long time."
Seung-gyeom slowly closed his eyes.
The roar of the waves brought long-buried memories back to the surface.
At first, his only desire had been to see his older sister, who had been chosen as queen and sent to live inside the palace.
Even when he studied martial arts and entered military service at a young age, Seung-gyeom knew nothing about the true nature of the Kingdom of Hui.
But the royal palace of Hui was a place where one could not survive without going mad.
His sister eventually lost her life because of dark sorcery.
All that remained of her in this world was her young son.
[Crown Prince, you should return to your residence now.]
The young Crown Prince knelt in the courtyard before the royal council hall.
As his uncle, the only thing Seung-gyeom could do was remain beside him.
[His Majesty said it was because of you.]
