About Three Years Later
Whispers had spread across Samul Gaya, telling of a young celestial being who had descended from Baekje's Sky. With a steel blade in one hand and a golden sword in the other, he had vanquished sea demons that tormented the people. The tale drew many travelers to the remote Soma Village, eager to witness the site of such a legendary battle. Yet, the picturesque, prosperous hamlet quickly bored them. When they found no proof of the tale, they dismissed it as mere hearsay and departed, disappointed.
Three years passed, and soon, even the curiosity seekers dwindled, leaving Soma Village to its tranquil existence once more. That was until a certain group arrived, drawn by the same rumors. The moment the village governor learned of their identities, the entire office erupted into commotion.
A daughter of the Jin family of Baekje had arrived!
To the people of Gaya, the house of Jin was far more fearsome than even the royal family of Baekje. It was the Jin lineage that commanded the Baekje navy, dominating the maritime trade routes and securing the empire's vast wealth.
The governor of Soma Village rushed to the guest quarters and, without hesitation, fell to his knees before the noble visitors. The noblewoman before him, carrying a child who appeared just over two years old, introduced herself as Gami. The middle-aged man standing protectively behind her, with a longsword at his waist, was Zeali Woo, her husband's younger uncle. Beside her stood two younger boys—fifteen-year-old Sui Woo and eight-year-old Dui Woo—both introduced as her husband's younger brothers.
Before the governor could utter a word, Gami inquired about the celestial warrior of legend. The governor hesitated before dismissing the story as mere rumor, yet his expression betrayed him. Gami smiled knowingly.
"If the man in question is my husband, then you must help me find him."
At this, the governor visibly flinched. His voice wavered as he struggled to respond. Then, Gami asked directly, "Was his name Goi?"
The governor's face drained of color. He sprang to his feet, his astonishment clear.
"That sword master... was truly the son-in-law of the Jin family?"
Without delay, he commanded his most trusted aides to summon Damun and Minjang at once. Gami, however, dismissed the governor and his officials, preferring to converse freely. The governor hesitated, desperate to ingratiate himself with the Jin family, but her tone left no room for argument. As soon as he stepped out, he scolded the servants for not bringing out the finest food and drinks.
As the cool spring breeze drifted through the room, the door opened, revealing a young man of about twenty, dressed in monk's robes yet with long, unshorn hair. Introducing himself as Minjang, he offered a polite bow.
"Damun has gone to supply fresh water and provisions to the Baekje fleet that escorted Your Highness. So he will be a bit late."
Gami stood and gently lifted Minjang from his bow before guiding him to a table by the window. Her family followed, seating themselves with practiced ease. Though Minjang had never before met a Baekje princess, he was taken aback by her casual demeanor. She even poured his tea herself, while young Sui entertained his two-year-old nephew on his lap.
With warm grace, Gami asked, "Have you encountered a swordsman who wields both a steel blade and a bronze gladius?"
The refined scent that clung to her made Minjang acutely aware of the chasm between their statuses. He stiffened slightly before answering cautiously, "The man I met used a bronze sword. He carried a steel blade, but…"
Before he could finish, Zeali interjected with a simple smile, "The man we seek is Goi. There is no need for such caution."
At the name, Minjang's demeanor transformed. His wariness melted into open curiosity.
"He is my savior," he confessed, his voice reverent. "Forgive my boldness, but… may I ask what your relation to him is?"
Gami's radiant smile softened the weight of his question.
"My husband saved you? Ah… I am his wife."
Minjang's face brightened with recognition and joy. One by one, the Woo family members raised their hands in order of age.
"I am his uncle, Zeali."
"I am his brother, Sui."
"I am his youngest brother, Dui."
Minjang shot to his feet, bowing deeply once more.
"I was once possessed by a spirit, but Goi saved me. It is an unexpected blessing to meet his family."
Gami gently urged him to sit once more. "Then, could you tell us what happened to you? And what my husband did here?"
Minjang inhaled deeply, composing himself before beginning his tale.
Minjang had been born into a poor family and was sent to a temple at the age of seven. There, he studied under a wise monk. One day, his master had acquired a rare Buddhist scripture from the Kushan Empire—the Sutta Nipāta. While assisting his master, Minjang became enthralled by the arts of exorcism and magic. Though his master urged him to focus on Buddhist teachings, Minjang's curiosity led him deeper into mystical arts.
His master, seeing this growing imbalance within him, had urged him to return to secular life. But Minjang, terrified of abandonment, had clung to his robes and wept. In the end, his master relented but sent him on a mendicant journey to confront the secular world, hoping he would find his true path.
Minjang traveled across Samul Gaya, exorcising evil spirits until he arrived in Soma Village. There, he encountered a grieving mother with her daughter-in-law. Her son had vanished at sea, and their only wish was to know whether he had perished or not. Moved by their tears, Minjang, in his youthful arrogance, promised to find him.
At dawn, he stood upon the shore, chanting incantations. When nothing happened, he saw their disappointment and, desperate to prove himself, attempted a forbidden summoning ritual. But his memory after that was blank.
Zeali murmured, "That's when you were possessed. Amitabha."
Minjang clasped his hands in prayer and echoed, "Namu Amitabha…" before admitting, "I only awoke after my savior freed me. But by then, I had already summoned too many restless souls from the sea."
A hush fell over the room. Gami was the first to break the silence. "So my husband remained here to—"
Minjang shook his head.
"No. Master Goi stayed for three days to ensure my recovery, then departed. He said it was best that I take responsibility for my own mistake."
He gazed into the distance before adding, "For nearly three years, I remained here, helping lost souls find peace. Some, I purified. Others, I guided to the Other World."
Gami sighed, her expression wistful. "Then you do not know where he went next…"
Minjang's lips curved into a small smile. "Many wondrous rumors have surfaced across the lands of All Gaya's these past three years. I believe his journey continues."
Zeali nodded, as if confirming his own thoughts. "So, we do not know where Goi is."
Minjang gave a solemn nod in return.
Gami regarded him with gentle curiosity. "Then, will you return to your master now?"
Minjang hesitated, stealing a glance at young Sui and Dui before replying with quiet conviction,
"No. I have known desire, and I have known the passions of the world. I, too, will follow the path of Goi and seek my own enlightenment."
Gami, sensing the depth of his resolve, offered a soft smile.
"Then, may your journey lead you to truth."
The room fell silent, the weight of Goi's absence lingering in the air. Yet, in that silence, there was also hope—a hope that his legend would continue to guide those he had touched.