CHAPTER 47: A PAINTING TO REMEMBER

Dan Yuseong’s POV

A person she’d been searching for over ten years. Honestly, if it were me, I’d have given up long ago. At this point, it’s practically uncertain whether they’re even alive or dead. Not to mention, the Central Plains aren’t exactly small, and the world itself is pretty harsh, so it’s only natural to feel that way even more.

"Congratulations. Ten years of effort are finally bearing fruit."

"Haha... I suppose so..."

Her expression and voice were still somewhat stiff, but I offered my genuine congratulations. I hoped the meeting she was anticipating would turn out well. After all, persistence like hers deserved a happy ending, whatever form it took.

+

Sword Empress’s POV

"How is it?"

"...Not bad."

I’d been worried she might dislike it, but thankfully, Lady Shin’s expression didn’t seem displeased. In fact, a subtle relaxation softened the lines around her eyes, a small victory amid the day’s heavier undercurrents.

"Now I understand why the other disciples drink in secret."

"...Is it that good?"

"The taste itself isn’t as great as I expected, but..."

Lady Shin glanced toward the merchants watching us. They hurriedly turned their heads away, the motion so synchronized it bordered on comedic. The way they snapped their gazes as soon as she looked was far too practiced, like performers dodging a cue.

Pfft.

"...The atmosphere is delicious."

To appreciate the "taste" of the mood on her first try—she had some real talent. Strong, good-natured, and now able to enjoy a drink. Part of me wanted to train her into a proper drinking buddy, but honestly, that felt a bit intimidating.

’She’s a Taoist—turning her into a drunkard might be...’

Even now, it felt a little precarious. If another Huashan Taoist were around, they might draw their sword at me for "corrupting" her.

’Well, "corruption" might be a stretch.’

What’s the big crime in traveling with a fortune teller who knows a bit about the heavens and offering her a drink? If she doesn’t ascend to immortality, so what? There’s plenty to enjoy in this world.

Gulp.

"Pour me another."

"...You won’t blame me later, right?"

"Should I just hold you responsible?"

"Please don’t say that, even as a joke."

"...Relax, it’s just a jest."

I caught a hint of disappointment in her tone but chose to ignore it. If I ever ran into her master or friends later, it’d be a real mess. The thought alone made me pour another round with a touch more haste.

"..."

An awkward silence settled in as I forced the drink down my throat. Then Lady Shin spoke first, her voice cutting through the quiet like a gentle breeze.

"Do you have any plans when we get to Anhui?"

"Plans?"

"You said travel was your goal. I’m asking if you have a specific destination in mind."

"Oh. I’ve made a rough plan based on a guidebook. First..."

She listened quietly as I outlined my travel plans. Famous waterfalls, rivers, good eateries—I’d planned it out, considering the locations as best I could. It wasn’t elaborate, just a string of highlights to chase the wonder I’d missed in the mountains.

As long as the map I saw and the actual locations aren’t too far off, it’s probably a solid plan.

His enthusiasm painted each spot with vivid promise—waterfalls thundering like distant drums, rivers carving silver paths through emerald valleys, hidden eateries serving flavors honed by generations. It stirred a faint echo in me, memories of journeys long faded.

"That’s how I’ve set it up. Were you curious?"

"...It reminded me of a trip I took to Anhui long ago."

"Oh. Did you go alone?"

"Back then, I went with my... no, my younger sibling."

Her expression seemed off for someone reminiscing. A shadow crossed her features, brief but unmistakable, like clouds veiling the sun.

"Sounds like your sibling might’ve caused some trouble. If they take after you, I’d imagine they’d be pretty and well-mannered."

"...They did resemble me. Very much so."

Her reaction told me everything. The subtle tightening of her jaw, the distant glaze in her eyes—it spoke of wounds unhealed, bonds frayed beyond mending.

’I messed up.’

’This is bad.’

It seemed her relationship with this sibling wasn’t good. A careless probe into family matters, and I’d struck a nerve without warning. Panic flickered in my chest; I’d finally gotten close to her—I couldn’t afford to ruin the goodwill I’d built up here.

’What do I do?’

Think. I racked my brain to find words that could salvage the situation, something light yet sincere to bridge the sudden chasm.

"Well, let’s put old memories aside for now. You’re with me right now, aren’t you?"

"...Hm?"

"Just focus on me. Don’t dwell on the past or anything else."

’Did it work?’

I barely managed to squeeze out the words. I wasn’t sure if they’d lift her spirits, but her gaze refocused on me, softening at the edges.

"...Heh. Alright."

Seeing her expression ease, I figured it wasn’t a bad move. Relief washed over me, warm as the lingering burn of liquor.

"You’ve worked hard, Taoist. Thanks to you, we made it this far."

"I got here comfortably thanks to you too."

"Same here."

After the long carriage journey ended, we bid farewell to the merchants and started figuring out our current location. The bustling streets of Anhui unfolded around us—vendors hawking spiced meats, the air thick with the scent of blooming lotuses and distant rain.

"Hmm... So... this is..."

"We’re here right now."

"Aha."

Maybe I was completely smitten, but every little flaw of his started to feel endearing. The way he squinted at the map, brow furrowing in mock concentration; the slight tilt of his head as he pieced together landmarks—it all wove into something achingly human, drawing me closer despite the storm within.

"It happens to overlap somewhat with the plan you told me about yesterday. The person I’m looking for is around there too, so let’s go wherever you want."

"Wasn’t it urgent?"

"It’s something I’ve waited ten years for—what’s one more day?"

He seemed convinced that the man in Anhui was the one I’d been searching for. From his perspective, that made sense. He’d said the meeting I’d been anticipating would come soon. But that wasn’t my perspective.

Thump thump thump.

’...I’m not ready yet...’

Honestly, I felt the man beside me right now was more likely to be Dan Yuseong than the one in Anhui. I didn’t know how much the man in Anhui overlapped with Dan Yuseong, but I doubted it was more than the one in front of me. A past betrayed by a woman, traces of Huashan martial arts, and a shattered dantian. Add in the fact that he’d trained in the mountains for ten years, and it even explained why I hadn’t found him until now. No matter how sharp Huashan’s eyes were, they couldn’t scour every uninhabited mountain in the vast Central Plains.

’...I’d rather it not be him.’