Looking at the face full of determination, the mother and son feel hopeful, the son for his pitiful mother who waited for a man for years believing that he would come back just because he said so and the mother for a far brighter future for her son that she could never afford.
Along the way, the lovers chatted their hearts away, although she felt a bit awkward; she reminded herself that Bai-Tian was still the Ping-Min she loved.
The father and son, however, remained awkward with Bai-Tian peeking at his son from time to time, seeing the uncanny resemblance only receiving the same stare.
***
After a tedious journey, the caravan arrives at a city. Ji-Hyeon looks out the wooden windows of the carriage to see a long line of other caravans in front of a humongous gate. Noticing something written above the gate, he tries to make out the words but fails because of the distance.
Seeing his son, who is already 5 years old and unable to read such simple characters, Bai-Tian is again struck by guilt. "This is the Radiant Dragon city named after our ancestor's esteemed title. Don't worry; I will assign the best scholar for your studies. You will be able to read soon enough."
Seeing Bai-Tian being so attentive to her son, Mei-Lan feels glad that, finally, her genius son will be able to study.
Looking at his parents' expressions, Ji-Hyeon understands the reason: 'Right, they don't know I can read. Should you assign me a scholar? I should be the one teaching.'
Taking his head out to spectate the caravan, Ji-Hyeon sees the man who greeted his father go ahead across the line to the guards checking the caravans. Upon seeing the man, the guard stands upright, greets the man, and starts giving orders to the other guards.
All the guards start lining up caravans to the side as if they were making way for someone. Finally, Ji-Hyeon realises who it was for them to make such a big commotion.
They enter through the city gates. Ji-Hyeon realises that everyone they came across recognized the man leading the caravan and, in turn, were bowing while facing the carriage.
Going through the streets of the city, Ji-Hyeon couldn't help but compare it with the imperial city.
Upon comparing the two cities, a few things stood out: the buildings were built a lot more cheaply, but the people were more… free and vibrant. A lot of people were carrying weapons, which were banned for civilian use in the imperial city. The atmosphere altogether was a lot more lively.
Seeing the people with smiles across their faces, Ji-Hyeon thought about the people of the imperial city, 'A cage made of gold is in the end still a cage. I doubt anyone would prefer that prison of a city over this one.'
Looking around, Ji-Hyeon couldn't help but admire his father, who was responsible for these people.
While traveling, he asked his mother about the Heavenly Dao alliance. The Heavenly Dao alliance is the alliance of all the orthodox alliances established before the sects themselves by the Radiant Dragon. The one who freed people from the shackles of imperial rule and through the help of others who followed him established the 'Murim'.
When he first heard about the Radiant Dragon, he was flabbergasted since it was said that General Kim Jin-shin was someone who, along with his followers, planned a revolt against the imperial family. After failing to do so, they ran away and resided in the Silver Rapids village, where they were able to use the terrain to buy time until they could grow their forces by practicing evil arts.
After this, they grew so strong that it required far too much manpower and resources to defeat them, which could lead to another kingdom invading them, so the imperial family had no choice but to sign a nonaggression treaty with the 'Terrorists' and give up the land around Jiang-hu.
But hearing the story from the other side, Ji-Hyeon began to question the authenticity of the story led by the government and the imperial family.
'I should refrain from believing the story on either side until I get the full picture. But I hope... I hope they were not terrorists. I hope I was not the only one who tried. If it is true, then.. It would be very ironic.'
Entertaining the idea that he, someone who tried to revolt against the imperial rule, might have been born as the descendant of one who did, Ji-Hyeon couldn't help but smile.
They quickly arrived in front of a gate, which opened almost instantly.
Upon entering the gates, a woman accompanied by servants greets them, "Welcome back, dear, and who might they be?"
Bai-Tian looks towards the captain of the battalion. "Baek Seong-Jun, take these two and show them to a room in the orchid pavilion. From now on, they will stay here.
Not understanding the intent behind his words, Kim Su-Jin asks her husband, "What do you mean they will be staying here, dear?"
As if he didn't hear her, Bai-Tian looks over to Mei-Lan, "The sun has already set so rest for today. We will talk tomorrow."
Nodding her head, the mother and son follow the soldier, and the husband and wife head to their residence.
***
"Thank you.", thanking the soldier who carried their few belongings and led them, the mother and son arrive in front of a house that is bigger than theirs by multitudes.
The two look at each other and head inside. The two then go around the house and see rooms they will never use and arrive at the backyard. There they see beautiful purple flowers surrounding a small pond reflecting the moon.
"Wow, we are going to live here now, aren't we?"Mei-Lan then looks over to Ji-Hyeon, who was also looking at her.
"What's wrong? Oh, you also can't believe it, can you? Se,e I always said he would come back, and he did."
"How long were you waiting to say that? Let's go cook, I'll help you must also be quite tired."
Heading towards the kitchen, Ji-Hyeon looks back at the flowers.' Plum orchid, huh.'
On the way to the kitchen, they meet maids carrying food for them. They then have the meal, and since the pavilion, Mei-Lan decides on a routine, "From today, I will sleep in a different room every night!"
Not caring about his sleeping arrangements, Ji-Hyeon agrees.
***
After waking up Ji-Hyeon looks for Mei-Lan. Seeing her asleep he heads out to stroll around the surroundings. Ji-Hyeon heads in a straight line, on his right he sees the main pavilion which he could not see clearly in the night in full-view. He heads further and sees another pavilion and sees a few soldiers coming out of their residence.
Not having another destination he follows them. After a short while he sees what appears to be a training ground where he sees soldiers in a horse stance throwing punches. He then circles the area when something stands out.
Three kids who seemed to be younger than him were following the training the soldiers were doing or at least trying to. One boy was almost at the same pace as the soldiers, the other barely keeping up was still giving his all while the girl who seemed to be the youngest was punching with a face full of disdain and annoyance as if she would rather die than continue.
Upon a closer look he noticed how they looked almost exactly like him. 'They must be my siblings. Siblings huh.'
An image of a boy and a girl quarreling came to his mind then suddenly the image twisted and the two seemed to have grownup and were chanting something, "... him! K.. him! Kill the traitor! Kill him!!"
Shaking his head, Ji-Hyeon calms down his trembling body.
'I have to get over it. It has already happened. I can't change anything about it, so I need to take it as a lesson to move on.'
***
Looking at the children working so hard, Baek Seong-jun feels proud. He then looks over to the youngest Kim Yeji, and seeing the twisted expression on her face, he consoles himself, 'At least I don't have to drag her here every morning.'
Seeing some soldiers looking at the sideline, she too looks over.
He then sees Ji-Hyeon. Having heard about the situation, he heads to approach him after giving one last command.
"Continue until I tell you to stop!"
"YES, SIR!"
***
"Good morning, young master. Did you rest well?"
Looking over to the direction of the voice, he scoffs at himself, 'Young master, who would have thought.'
"Yes, I did. Thank you for asking. You also train the soldiers?"
"Yes indeed, but I also train the other personnel as well as the descendants of the house. You too seem to be interested in it. Would you like to join them?"
"If you don't mind, then yes, I would be honoured."
"Haha, then first let's head off to the side. Since others already know the routine, I will personally teach you the basics."
'He sure is well-mannered for a kid, more so for a one who grew up as a commoner. I guess blood is blood. I hope he doesn't turn out to be like the young miss.'