SFNFS Ch 2

Chapter 2

 

With the solemn sound of court music, people dressed in white ceremonial robes and holding ya-gwang myeongju (夜光明珠, luminous pearls that glow in the dark) emerged in pairs.

After passing through the gates, they split to both sides and stood flanking the procession. These individuals were all juhus of the Seo Taebokgam. Their duty was to protect the procession from evil spirits and wandering souls as it passed through secluded roads outside the city, beyond the protection of the Ilwol Province.

The sight of a dozen or so willowy and graceful beauties holding glowing pearls and treading lightly was a spectacular scene rarely witnessed in everyday life. The people who had gathered to see the Grand General momentarily forgot their original purpose, their gazes captivated by the steps of the juhus. But then, a voice arose from the distance and instantly brought the spectators back to their senses.

“Military Registrar Master Hwa Geonryeon is approaching!”

At last, the true main character made his appearance.

In an instant, the surroundings fell silent.

It was hard to tell whether the people had truly shut their mouths tight, or if Bipa had closed his ears and completely shut out all sound—but at least, Bipa felt that way.

At that moment, it seemed the only sounds left in the world were the rapid pounding of his own heart and the distant sound of horse hooves.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

The sole remaining sound was so thunderous that Bipa had to clench his fists and press down hard on his chest. But his trembling fists betrayed him just as much as his thundering heart, so he ended up folding his hands together and hiding them inside his sleeves.

“Nervous?”

It was Baekbong’s whisper that pulled Bipa back from the distant reality he was slipping away from. He had placed Bipa in the front row long ago and disappeared, only to reappear behind him as if by magic.

He was so skilled in stealth and mobility that Bipa was no longer surprised when he vanished or appeared suddenly, but it was still remarkable how he managed it even in such a crowd.

Yet Bipa didn’t even have the energy to acknowledge the marvel right now.

“…A little.”

Even this brief reply was difficult to utter due to his parched mouth. Perhaps out of consideration for Bipa’s state, Baekbong didn’t say anything further.

But he didn’t leave Bipa completely alone either. As always, he didn’t disappear without a trace and instead remained quietly behind Bipa’s trembling back, as if to say he was there to watch over him and that he needn’t worry.

“Wow, it’s the Grand General! Woooooo—!”

Perhaps the silence Bipa had perceived was only his own illusion. The moment he noticed the cheers, the world once again swelled with noise. Bipa forced down a shaky breath and lifted his head.

At the front of the procession, the juhus holding luminous pearls had already come near. The cheers that had sounded so distant were growing louder. It meant that the person Bipa had longed for was getting closer.

His hands still trembled, and his breath quickened. He tapped his thumbs hard against each other without realizing it, and in growing nervousness, he bit down on his already dry lips. Finally, even Bipa’s eyes caught sight of the central figure of the procession—Grand General Hwa Geonryeon.

Though he attended this grand festival as the lord of Jeju, he was neither of the royal family nor a divine official, but a military officer. The crimson banner of Eungyang, the highest-ranking military force that defended the country and the emperor, fluttered boldly.

Beneath the fluttering flag, a man in dark iron armor and a deep blue silk robe sat erect atop a black horse.

The highest commander of the military, master of the Western Division.

Grand General of Eungyang,

Hwa Geonryeon of Byeokunjin.

The moment Bipa laid eyes on that remarkable man’s jade-like countenance, he couldn’t help but smile faintly at a thought that came to him.

Just as he had expected, the man was still—

Radiant enough to leave people speechless.

As he drew closer, the crowd grew even quieter.

Even those who had shouted until their voices broke fell silent when he passed by them. Just looking at him seemed to take all their attention and strength, leaving no room for words.

It was dreamlike beauty.

A man with the strength to wield a giant blade with ease, and the battlefield brilliance to earn the title “Lantern of War” for winning every battle he entered—and yet, to possess such beauty.

Anyone seeing him for the first time couldn’t help but be entranced, even if only for a fleeting moment.

And laughably, Bipa was no different.

Even though the man hadn’t yet passed directly in front of him, Bipa had already frozen as though he’d forgotten how to breathe.

If he were to see him again—if they were to meet again—what kind of expression should he make?

He had imagined it hundreds, thousands of times over the past two years. Yet now, in reality, the only expression Bipa could manage was one of vacant awe, like a fool.

Just like everyone else seeing him for the first time, mouth agape, staring blankly.

Because it had been so long since he’d seen such beauty.

And because… he had missed that face so very much.

Bipa could only foolishly, silently watch the man pass without recognizing or acknowledging him.

Even as the Grand General passed right before him, not once did he turn his head—his eyes fixed only forward. His former lover, Hwa Geonryeon, was met by Bipa in utter silence.

Beneath the black veil he couldn’t bring himself to lift despite all his reflection and resolve.

He couldn’t lift it—because he needed a pathetic excuse. He wanted to believe that the man didn’t look at him because of the veil, that he didn’t recognize him because his face was covered.

“…I really have no courage. I’m such a fool.”

Just as Bipa muttered and mocked himself beneath the veil—

Sshff—

Despite there being no wind, the veil covering Bipa’s face was suddenly lifted. No, it wasn’t the wind. It was as if someone had deliberately pulled it back from behind—the hat it was attached to slipped entirely off.

“Ah—!”

Startled, Bipa let out a rather loud noise.

Perhaps it was because of that.

At that exact moment, as the Grand General passed directly in front of him, Hwa Geonryeon, who had looked only straight ahead the entire time, turned his gaze. His eyes met Bipa’s.

“……”

“Ah…”

Their eyes met.

But the connection didn’t last long.

In what felt like a moment stretched out of time, Bipa saw many things in the beautiful man’s face. Though the actual moment was fleeting, Bipa saw deeply into the cruel man’s heart.

While Bipa, in that brief encounter, poured genuine emotion into his gaze, the other man brushed past him without the slightest hesitation or hesitation. The eye contact ended, and the man moved on without even a hint of regret.

He never turned his head again.

“…Forgive me, Bipa-nim. My hand slipped.”

Baekbong, having seen the emptiness on Bipa’s face as he stared after the man’s retreating figure, nonchalantly apologized while placing the hat and veil back on his head.

Though Bipa was fully aware that the hand that removed the hat had done so deliberately, and that the apology was a complete lie, he didn’t scold him for the impropriety. He only gave a bitter smile.

“That was foolish, Baekbong.”

Removing the hat, coming here at all—it all felt foolish now. What on earth had he hoped for that drove him here on a sudden impulse? How stupid and pitiful.

Regretting something so unlike himself, Bipa muttered with scorn toward himself.

“That person must have let everything go.”

Otherwise, how could he meet Bipa’s gaze and move on without a trace of lingering emotion?

Bipa watched Hwa Geonryeon’s back grow more distant, his eyes clinging to the sight, then finally let his head drop.

“Or maybe… he’s completely forgotten.”

It had only been two years, he thought.

But while it was too short a time for the world to change, it had apparently been more than enough to sever a broken bond.

Just as he had expected—of course.

Wherever one went, it was “Grand General this, Grand General that”—the whole of Seogyeong was filled with talk about Hwa Geonryeon.

Even though he had deliberately sought out a quiet and secluded tavern, Bipa couldn’t escape the name.

If anything, crammed into such a small space where four tables felt like one, he had no choice but to hear more clearly all the stories he didn’t want to hear.

And to make matters worse, the middle-aged men sitting closest to him were unstoppable chatterboxes.

For over half an hour, they had been endlessly discussing matters related to Grand General Hwa Geonryeon.

Every topic seemed to begin with “Wasn’t this Ilwol’s naming ceremony truly remarkable?”—and yet, remarkably, the stories that followed were always new.

Just moments ago, they had wrapped up a tale about how, two years ago, the general’s forces had subdued and captured the rebellious Fourth Prince, who had assassinated the Crown Prince using bizarre methods and fled to Uiju.

After wetting their throats with a sip of alcohol, they fell briefly silent, then turned their heads toward Ilwolju—which wasn’t even visible from where they sat—and resumed.

“Hoho, truly. What a magnificent radiance that was.”

It seemed there were still more stories left to tell.

 

🎖️ Titles / Ranks / Groups

1. 상장군 (Supreme General) – Title held by Hwa Geonryeon, the highest-ranking general.
2. 주후 (柱候) – Guardians who protect processions outside the city from evil spirits.
3. 군부전서반주 (軍簿典書半主) – Half-master of the military records department, formal title announced before Hwa Geonryeon’s appearance.
4. 응양 (應陽) – The elite military unit under Hwa Geonryeon, symbolized by red banners.
5. 서반 (西班) – The Western Division, a part of the military under which Hwa Geonryeon serves.
6. 벽운진 (碧雲鎭) – The military command or territory associated with Hwa Geonryeon.
7. 서태복감 (西太卜監) – A division from which the procession guards (柱候) come.
8. 일월주 (日月主) – Likely a religious or symbolic figure whose protection the city normally enjoys.
9. 일월지명 (日月之命) – “Mandate of the Sun and Moon,” possibly a significant ritual or event, often repeated in the tavern conversations.
10. 황족 (Imperial family) – Denoting royalty; Bipa is not part of this.
11. 신관 (Priest / Clergy) – Bipa is also not one of these.