Chapter 5

Chapter 5. Silver Moon Halo (1)

Cheongyeon flew across the distant sky together with Seongha before finally descending to the ground.

She vaguely remembered seeing strange yet auspicious scenery inside the celestial realm, but once she came to her senses, she could no longer recall it clearly.

After leaving the ruins of the old Cheonheeguk, the two stopped at an inn in a village, where they obtained clothes, food, and a horse.

Then they set out for Hongyang, the capital of Heeguk.

Cheongyeon had never ridden a horse before, so she had no choice but to ride together with Seongha.

Seongha easily lifted her into his arms and placed her in front of him on the saddle.

Ever since they had returned to the ground, Seongha had become noticeably more sensitive.

He spoke less than before and often sank deep into thought.

Even when Cheongyeon secretly glanced at him, all she could see was his indifferent face with his eyes lowered.

He deliberately wore shabby clothes to hide his identity and constantly watched their surroundings, as though they were being pursued.

Even on the road to Hongyang, they never stayed in one place for long. They traveled relentlessly, sleeping only briefly whenever they had the chance.

Yet none of it felt particularly difficult to Cheongyeon.

As she sat on the horse, she could feel Seongha's hands holding the reins, his broad chest behind her, and the quiet sound of his breathing.

Whenever she became aware of those things, it felt as though time itself had briefly stopped.

Cheongyeon's pitch-black eyes were constantly busy taking in the scenery of the world and the people living within it.

Until now, she had only ever looked down at the ground from the Valley of the Sky.

Now, she was finally standing in that world herself.

The land was vast and firm beneath her.

Across the green fields, people released livestock to graze and cut grass, their movements full of life and activity.

The closer they came to the capital, the more crowded the marketplaces and villages became.

Shouts rang out here and there from people carrying wooden frames loaded with goods on their backs.

Before long, the horse carrying the two of them passed through the walls surrounding the outskirts of Hongyang.

Below the mountain stood a magnificent palace, its tiled roofs towering over countless villages.

Most impressive of all was the enormous river flowing straight through the center of the capital.

The river crossed the city before continuing southwest toward the sea, serving as one of the country's most important waterways.

Government ships carrying collected tax grain traveled between the docks, golden flags of Heeguk fluttering from their masts.

It was then that Cheongyeon and Seongha encountered a group of people standing along the main road.

They were arranged neatly in rows.

Armed soldiers accompanied them as well, creating an unusually tense atmosphere.

"Young Master, it has been a long time."

They bowed their heads as they greeted him.

The emblem embroidered on their dark robes—a golden cloud over a black background—was the insignia of the Jin family, the most influential noble house in all of Heeguk.

Seongha's expression toward the people of his own family was even colder than the one he showed strangers.

"What business does the Jin family have with me?"

"The Chancellor has ordered us to bring the woman accompanying you to him."

Cheongyeon froze where she stood.

Seongha placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"My father did? On what grounds does the Chancellor give such an order?"

Cheongyeon was quietly shocked.

It was the first time she had learned that Seongha's father was the Chancellor of Heeguk.

There were still many things she did not know about Seongha.

She did not fully understand Heeguk's social classes or government positions, but even she knew that the Chancellor was an extremely high-ranking and powerful man.

It was impossible not to feel uneasy after hearing that such a person wanted to take her away.

"After Young Master went to the ruins of the old Cheonheeguk and disappeared without making any report, the Chancellor began searching for your whereabouts."

"During that search, he received word that you were traveling with an unfamiliar woman."

"The Chancellor said that this must be a precious connection granted by fate, and that she must be a guest who descended from the heavens. For the sake of the Jin family's future, he ordered us to bring the lady to him."

"He also said that she is someone absolutely necessary for the new destiny of Heeguk."

As Seongha listened to the Jin family's attendants, he could not completely hide his unease.

Then, as though he had quickly reached a conclusion in his mind, his expression became calm again.

"If that is the reason, there is no need for the Chancellor himself to become involved. This woman will be received by our Beopsindang."

"..."

"Matters related to the religion of Heeguk naturally fall under the authority of Beopsindang. Tell him that."

Faced with Seongha's firm declaration, the people of the Jin family exchanged glances.

Then, surprisingly, they backed down without much resistance.

"We will deliver your words to the Chancellor."

Seongha remained where he was, glaring after them until their procession completely disappeared into the distance.

Then he lowered his voice and spoke to Cheongyeon.

"The plan has gone wrong. I didn't expect them to find us this quickly. This was my mistake."

Knowing that no matter what he did or where he went, he was still trapped within his father's reach left Seongha feeling powerless.

Cheongyeon studied his expression before cautiously asking,

"What plan are you talking about?"

"I wanted to find you a separate place to live so that you could live freely. Just as you did in the heavens..."

Seongha shook his head.

"But it seems we have nowhere left to retreat."

Now that the most powerful man in Heeguk had become involved in the matter of Cheongyeon, hiding away was no longer possible.

Chancellor Jin Sangwon seemed to intend to use his son Seongha to draw Cheongyeon into Heeguk's turbulent political world.

At this point, it was only a matter of time before rumors spread throughout Heeguk that the Black Shadow Celestial Maiden had appeared.

Countless people would begin watching this newly appeared Celestial Maiden closely.

"Then what should we do? Do you have another idea, Priest?"

Seongha thought for a moment before answering.

"It's the same thing I just told the Jin family's attendants... I think it would be best for you to stay at Beopsindang."

The person who had brought Cheongyeon down from the heavens was Seongha, one of Beopsindang's highest-ranking priests.

If Beopsindang officially acknowledged her existence before anyone else could, he believed it would reduce interference and pressure from the other factions.

"Beopsindang is only a small government office without much political power, but it is still a sacred place and an institution independent from politics."

"You will also receive protection there."

Seongha spoke as though this was the best choice available to them.

Cheongyeon nodded.

For her as well, staying somewhere together with Seongha would make her feel far more at ease.

However, Seongha continued.

"But if you choose that path, you will have to become the Celestial Maiden of Heeguk. Can you do that?"

Cheongyeon tilted her head, unable to understand what he meant.

"What do you mean? I have to become the Celestial Maiden?"

"It means you will have to play the role of the Celestial Maiden that people expect from you. You will have to participate in various rituals and ceremonies, and you will be bound by rules and customs."

Seongha did not seem pleased by the idea.

"Hiding your true power and living like a puppet..."

"That probably isn't the life on the ground you dreamed of."

Cheongyeon understood what he was trying to say.

"My Senior Brother always said something similar."

"He said this world is filled with injustice. That's why so many people can't live the way they truly want."

Cheongyeon thought back to all the years she had spent alone in Cheonheeguk.

Even if she had remained there, what could she possibly have done?

"I still don't know what kind of place this world is, or how people will see me."

"I've never met them before."

"..."

"But when I decided to come down to the ground, I had already made up my mind."

"I won't run away from any hardship."

Cheongyeon still looked young and innocent, but there was an unwavering strength deep inside her.

"If I'm going to do it, then I'll do it properly."

"I'll learn how people live in this world."

"I'll experience it myself and decide what I feel about it."

Seongha let out a helpless sigh.

There was no chance that words telling her to be cautious would reach her ears now.

"If you've already made up your mind, then there's nothing I can do."

He shook his head.

"My involvement ends once I safely escort you to Beopsindang."

"What happens after that will be entirely up to you, Cheongyeon-nim."

Seongha made it clear that he would no longer interfere in Cheongyeon's affairs beyond that point.

Cheongyeon watched him turn away while holding the horse's reins.

Even his retreating figure seemed perfectly guarded, leaving no opening for anyone to approach him.

Seongha immediately sent word to Beopsindang.

He ordered them to prepare to receive the Celestial Maiden who had descended from the heavens.

And with that, everything changed.

Their shabby clothing was replaced with proper formal attire.

Instead of traveling openly on horseback, they were given a pure-white carriage sent by Beopsindang.

An escort joined them as well, making their procession far larger.

It was almost as if Seongha had deliberately arranged everything so that as many people as possible would see them.

Cheongyeon and Seongha arrived at Beopsindang late in the evening, just as the sun was beginning to set.

Beopsindang was located deep within the northern mountainside beyond the royal palace.

From the entrance onward, rows of pure-white wooden halls stretched into the distance, giving the entire place a mysterious atmosphere.

"Priest Jin, you must have suffered greatly on such a long journey."

In front of the main gate, lower-ranking priests dressed in pure-white robes stood in orderly lines while holding lanterns.

Seongha raised his voice so that everyone could hear.

"For the harmony and peace of Heeguk, the Celestial Maiden has descended from the heavens."

"From this moment onward, everyone in Beopsindang is to treat the Celestial Maiden with respect and protect her."

Then he turned toward Cheongyeon.

"Celestial Maiden, this way."

Cheongyeon stepped forward before the members of Beopsindang.

For an instant, complete silence fell over the area.

Every gaze turned toward her.

Compared to the splendid and extravagant Celestial Maiden they had probably imagined in their minds, Cheongyeon's appearance was far more modest and elegant.

Her hair had been brushed back and tied up, decorated with woven sky-blue flowers.

The hem of her white skirt gently brushed against her feet as it swayed.

Around her neck hung the blue gemstone necklace she always wore.

Even Seongha's gaze lingered on her for a brief moment.

She looked very different from how she had appeared in the heavens.

Cheongyeon nervously clutched the fabric of her clothes as she walked forward.

At once, every person from Beopsindang standing in line respectfully bowed to her.

To Cheongyeon, they looked like waves of pure white.

It was a solemn and dignified sight befitting the institution responsible for overseeing Heeguk's religious ceremonies.

"Prepare the Celestial Maiden's residence so that she will suffer no inconvenience. Make certain there are no problems with any of the arrangements."

Seongha issued several orders to the priests in a dry, businesslike tone.

"Priest Jin!"

At that moment, a man came striding toward Seongha.

He was about a hand taller than most grown men.

Between his long, gentle-looking eyes stood a large, prominent nose, giving him an easygoing appearance.

Judging by the fact that he wore the same official robes and ornaments as Seongha, he also seemed to be one of Beopsindang's highest-ranking priests.

"I knew you'd come back alive!"

"I even told the others to stop saying useless things and just wait for you!"

Tears welled up in the man's eyes, and he immediately pulled Seongha into an emotional embrace as though he had just reunited with someone believed to be dead.

Faced with such an excessive reaction, Seongha gave a stiff smile.

He calmly pulled the man's arms away from himself and lowered them.

The man then turned toward Cheongyeon.

"Celestial Maiden, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"I am Manwoo of the Son family. Please call me Priest Son."

Manwoo bent deeply at the waist as he greeted her.

Caught off guard, Cheongyeon instinctively bowed her head in return.

Manwoo immediately grabbed hold of Seongha and began pouring out questions without pause.

"What in the world happened to you while you were missing?"

"Did you really go to Cheonheeguk?"

"You're saying that place actually exists?"

"And what happened with that unfamiliar woman... No, I mean, the Celestial Maiden? How did you end up traveling together?"

After Seongha had been swallowed by the black opening of the celestial realm, the priests had fallen into chaos and searched everywhere for him.

So simply seeing Seongha standing before them alive and well was shocking enough to make them feel as if they were looking at a ghost.

Even the letter Manwoo had received from Seongha contained nothing but things that were difficult to believe.

"You've worked hard managing Beopsindang while I was gone."

"We'll talk about the details little by little."

Seongha made a small gesture with his hand.

Understanding what he meant, Manwoo immediately closed his mouth and nodded.

Cheongyeon noticed that the icy atmosphere surrounding Seongha had softened slightly while he was with Manwoo.

It seemed their relationship was more personal and comfortable than merely an official one.

Seongha turned toward Cheongyeon.

"Come with me to the rear garden."

"There's something I need to tell you privately."

The rear garden was located behind the administrative building.

Garden trees stretched out their long branches so densely that they nearly hid the inner residence from view.

A small stream curved gently through the garden.

A flock of white herons rested upon the branches of the pine trees, their pale feathers glowing faintly in the darkness.

Seongha walked gracefully among the birds.

The sight looked almost like a painting brought to life.

Watching him, Cheongyeon remembered the first time they had met.

He had been the first person ever to appear in her life.

That face she had glimpsed between the lotus leaves...

His features had been as beautiful and precise as a carefully carved statue, yet there had been a coldness surrounding him.

Even though he had been the intruder who entered her barrier, he had seemed more wary of Cheongyeon than she was of him.

He had stood there with a proud and distant attitude, as though he had no interest in anything in the world and wanted nothing to become entangled with him.

What kind of person was he?

Cheongyeon had decided to descend to the ground partly because she was curious about the world beneath the heavens.

But in truth...

She had also been curious about the person named Seongha.

Like the moon she had once seen in a dream, whenever she looked at him, it felt as though a pure white light spread softly through her heart.

Cheongyeon followed Seongha along the path winding through the rear garden.

One step after another.

It felt as though she were soaring into the night sky...

Flying toward the hidden side of the moon.