“The realm of Flower and Bird can only be traversed by two.”
“It reflects the concept based on yin and yang, after all.”
Proving that, at the entrance to the realm, there were two jewels, and as Chaejin and I stood before them, the jewels shone, and the door opened.
“Let’s go.”
I said briefly before stepping inside. The moment we entered, there were two doors before us.
“Black and white, huh…”
“Black and white are the typical standards for distinguishing yin and yang. Lady Chae, you should take the black door.”
“Alright. But doesn’t that mean we’ll be separated?”
“Not really. Once you enter, there will probably be a transparent wall blocking you, through which you can proceed. Plus, during the process, you might run into each other, so don’t worry too much.”
“Um… okay.”
She nodded and opened the black door, and I opened the white door.
As expected, just like in Heavenly Bright Moon, both rooms were separated by a transparent wall.
– Tap-tap.
In the black room, Chaejin tapped the transparent wall a few times before gathering her chi.
And then, a strike.
But the wall didn’t even get a scratch.
Amazed by that, she signed to me, asking how to proceed.
I pointed to one side. There stood a small tower. At the front of the small towers on both the black and white sides was a space that seemed to divide the yin and yang like the Taiji symbol.
Chaejin slightly nodded and headed toward it. I followed as well.
As Chaejin and I stood there, the tower emitted a light before slowly sinking down.
And what appeared was a form of a person, a light figure.
Seeing that figure of a woman, I slowly took the stance of Tai Chi.
Similarly, in the black room, as the tower disappeared, a light figure appeared resembling a man.
Slowly, observing the figure mimicking my posture, Chaejin seemed to catch on to what to do. Her left hand moved as she smiled at me, and I extended my right hand.
What followed was a dance.
Chaejin practiced our Tai Chi form, something we did almost daily.
Every breath, every movement.
Having repeated it countless times, we could sense each other’s movements.
Could that be the reason?
As the dance continued, yin and yang settled in our spot, and when completed, a door appeared before us.
In front of me was the black door.
In front of Chaejin was the white door.
As I opened it and stepped inside, it revealed a small space.
“Wow… what was that just now?”
“This realm relies on reversal and circulation, progressing based on trust and cooperation. You can move forward by passing through in this manner.”
“Trust… heh. I like that.”
I smiled at the delighted Chaejin as I picked up a small piece in the center of the room.
In my hand was a black crescent-shaped bead resembling an onyx, with a hole drilled through it. Curious, Chaejin asked about it.
The moon-shaped orb had a hole drilled into it. As she picked it up, Chaejin, intrigued, asked,
“What is this?”
“It’s called a piece of Yin. In the realm of Yin-Yang, Yin signifies stillness. Those training in Dong can enhance their achievements with it. According to records, it appears based on who is more skilled in the first room, so take it.”
“Huh? Are you giving this to me? It looks valuable??”
“Who else would I give it to?”
The black color matched well.
“You always help me. I want to repay you, even if it’s in this way.”
Not just empty words, but genuinely.
Chaejin hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
“Alright. Let’s go. There are many places we need to pass.”
She opened the door to the next room. Unlike before, this one wasn’t divided. However, the need for both of them to work together remained unchanged.
“What’s next?”
I looked around. There was a translucent wall above, and beyond that, a high place they needed to reach.
“Once we get up there, just press the device. Then a ladder will come down.”
“Okay. I’ll climb the wall. But this feels easier than I thought?”
“It is easy, but… once you get up there, something will tempt you.”
If she chose the elixir at that moment, they would both be forcefully expelled from this mystical realm, never able to challenge it again.
I recalled someone who had failed because they tested it without thinking and whined about it on the gallery.
“Something to tempt me? Hehe. That sounds fun. I wonder what it could be.”
Chaejin grinned and looked at me.
“Do you trust me?”
“I do.”
“Then we’re good to go.”
I moved to my spot.
As I stood where the Yang symbol was, the light wall that had been blocking the ceiling vanished.
Chaejin lightly stretched. Then she stepped on the wall, made a few leaps, and climbed up effortlessly to activate the device.
-Kuuung…
A moment later, with a low rumbling sound, a ladder came down from above.
I climbed the ladder and joined her in gazing at the translucent wall.
There, bubbling lava awaited.
“What was there?”
“There was a small bottle. The device said that if you abandon me, you can obtain a Gyeongcheongseokyu.”
“I see.”
“And right after I pressed the device to lower the ladder, the floor opened, and I fell into the lava.”
Gyeongcheongseokyu was considered the highest-grade elixir in Heavenly Bright Moon.
Chaejin, having casually given it up, smiled at me.
“Because I have something much more precious.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
With Chaejin grinning from ear to ear, we moved to the next room. The next room was similar.
“Did it. The next room was similar too.
They were rooms to confirm each other’s breath and trust, and we moved to the last room without any problems.
When we arrived at the last room, Chaejin seemed to know what to do even though I didn’t say much.
Well, it makes sense since there was just a large Taijitu design there.
“Are we matching our energies here?”
“That’s right.”
“It reminds me of the old days.”
Is she talking about when we set up the law treasure? I nodded. It was just like back then.
“Our balance and strength must align. Now, Chae Jin.”
I stood in the position of yang and extended my right hand, while she smiled brightly and extended her left hand.
The moment our hands touched, a soft light began to glow from the Taijitu.
We had to move in sync, adapting to the changing yin and yang.
“The floor keeps changing, so we need to move accordingly.”
However, Chaejin had no worries, flashing her signature confident smile.
“Don’t you trust me? I’m Chaejin!”
“Haha. Of course.”
As my right hand moved and our martial arts began, I spoke up.
“I trust you completely.”
*
Being trusted by someone you like is a tremendous joy. It makes your heart swell.
Let alone the joy of knowing they trust you enough to move in sync with you.
Chaejin stepped forward as if dancing.
Even without a signal, Yu Wol kept up well with her.
Step by step.
Every movement connected.
Like a dance.
As if two people who had matched hearts long ago were moving.
Chaejin felt delighted that her movements aligned so well with mine.
She was grateful that she was mastering Taijiquan splendidly and that we were syncing up like this.
And that immense trust she sent towards me.
Not even a bit of pressure.
Thus, Chaejin opened her mouth.
“Innkeeper.”
“What is it?”
“…If it’s not, I might be making a mistake…”
A slight hesitation. But she couldn’t give up the trust reflected in those deep eyes.
The Taijitu drawn on the floor was repeating reversals and cycles.
With every matching movement, the light grew stronger.
When that light became complete, the delightful martial arts session with Yu Wol came to an end.
But even so, she couldn’t stop.
“…In my inner world. Was it you who helped me… Innkeeper?”
Through her slowly descending hand, I could see Yu Wol’s expression.
Slowly, through the descending hand, I could see Yu Wol’s expression.
He stood firm.
His deep eyes, as always, gazed at me intently.
“That’s right.”
That single word made my heart flutter. Yet, I didn’t feel fear.
Could it be that I gained confidence as we ventured through this beautiful scenery together?
Of course, I still didn’t have the assurance that I could be by his side as if it were only natural.
Nevertheless, Chaejin could smile.
Because she knew he trusted her.
“But the reason you haven’t shown it is… probably because of me, right?”
When I’m ready, I’ll speak for myself.
Until then, please wait.
Yu Wol was granting her desire.
Ahh.
How could I not like someone like this?
Chaejin raised her hand.
“Do you know? Innkeeper?”
In her hand was a large hand.
Rugged and rough.
The hand that always reached out to save her whenever she struggled.
The hand that nonchalantly grabbed and led her when she was lost and at a loss.
She always touched it during practice, but now, Chaejin slowly brought it closer to her chest.
Her heart was racing like it was going to burst.
“When I’m with you, I feel alive. When I’m with you, I feel like I can do anything.”
So, I hope you’ll feel it.
So, I hope you’ll understand.
Just how happy I am by your side.
A heart that had never been touched by anyone else is now reshaped under his hand.
But more than the embarrassment, the feeling of wanting him to know her joy, her affection for him, outweighed it, so Chaejin didn’t shy away from his gaze even while her face flushed.
“I won’t ask you to answer right now. And as I’ve said before… I’m still lacking in many ways.”
Chaejin smiled like she was melting.
She was scared.
To reveal her feelings to him.
But now it’s okay.
Having crossed through this beautiful scenery, she had come to understand the trust Yu Wol had in her.
So, Chaejin pulled his hand that was touching her chest more firmly.
As if to say, “Know me a little more.”
“Regardless of where your heart lies, or who you like, still. I am Yu Wol. I like you.”
Slowly, as she approached him, Chaejin whispered softly.
“So… just a little. Can you wait until I’m ready?”
Her heartfelt confession.
Her heart was pounding even stronger, and surely he felt it through the hand resting on her chest.
With hope in her heart, Chaejin looked at him, and he, as always, replied,
“Of course.”
He had made her happy.
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