As True as a Dream

“I know a brother of yours who has a large collection, and he will ask you if the sea depicted in the Guishan Dao is not the East Sea, is it not?” 

After a pause, Ying Yue looked at Hongo Wu.

 

Hongo Wu’s red, round face showed no sign of emotion.

 

-Ms. Ying Yue, if you let go of my leg, I’d like to share some of my reward money with you, what do you think?

 

-Are you sure this is the painting you’re talking about, the one of Guishan Dao?

 

-How could I deceive Miss Ying Yue? I’m sure it’s true. She is the real one, isn’t she?

 

As Hae-Joo said, it’s up to her to decide what to do with the bridge.

 

From her point of view, it doesn’t matter if it works or not.

 

After a moment of mental calculation, Ying Yue quickly adds.

 “She also said that there is more than just islands and the sea in the painting.” “So, what else did your brother say was there?” “A snake, a black snake.” 

Hongo’s calm eyes lit up at the sound of Ying Yue’s soft voice.

 

Immediately after dismissing Ying Yue, Hongo went straight to Yi Ho’s courtyard through the outer path of Song Yue Pavilion.

 “Master, I’ve found someone who knows about Guishan Dao.” 

Yi Ho, who was leaning against the shade of a Zelkova tree with his eyes closed, tilted his head and opened his eyes.

 “Oh. How did you know?” 

His voice rang out in a slightly sleepy tone.

 “I know there’s a snake on Guishan Dao. At least someone who has seen the painting.” 

Yi Ho blinked languidly at Hongo’s somewhat excited reply, then one corner of his mouth turned up at an angle.

 “I should have spread the word sooner, that the rim is nothing more than an old painting to those who don’t know its value.” “Really?” “What?” “You really think so?” 

A wry smile flickered in Yi Ho’s eyes.

 “I guess that’s why people use the word bastard to describe someone who is stupid.” 

The words were sharp in contrast to his gentle expression.

 

Ignoring Hongo’s sullen face, Yi Ho spoke to himself.

 “Of course, he’s the one who saw the painting. It’s no big secret that there’s a ‘snake’ in it, is it? Did he even say what the ‘snake’ is?” “Not that much…” 

Hongo’s eyebrows immediately drew into an eight-point arch as she realized what Yi Ho meant.

 

The last time the clue to the ‘Guishan Dao’ was lost was eight years ago at a black-market auction.

 

Just as the painting disappeared, so did the reports about it.

 

Today, even those who are interested in the painting only know it as

“The Painting of an Island in the Sea”

.

 “An island in the ocean.” 

But that doesn’t mean that no one knows the details of the painting.

 

They were too excited by the clues that appeared in the midst of the lack of useful information.

 “You’re already squishy, but you’re going to get squishier. Straighten your face. If you get any uglier, you’ll never get married in this lifetime.” 

Looking at him, Yi Ho coughed lightly and said, “I don’t know when I want to marry.” Hongo raised his eyebrows.

 “When did I ever say I wanted to get married?” “You didn’t say it. Because you have a conscience.” “Do I?”

Hongo asks.

 

He swears to him that he never once thought that he wanted to get married.

 

All he has ever loved in his life are dazzling jewels and polished gold.

 “Don’t worry too much, Mr. Hongo, even the straw shoes have a mate.” “I… was… worried.” 

He didn’t feel like throwing up. He was the one who would lose in the end.

 

Be it words, strength or brains.

 

But there are some things you just can’t let go of.

 “When you called me an asshole, you were calling me stupid and clueless, right?” “How is calling you an asshole an insult?” 

Yi Ho asked jokingly, and Hongo pouted and then frowned.

 “It’s just that… hearing it makes the bird of prey in me feel bad.” “Oh. What can I do about Mister Hongo’s hair, I can’t change it.” 

It’s definitely an insult.

 

Hongo Wu’s wrinkled lips curled into a straight line.

 

Of course, this five-tailed fox, Ban Yi Ho, didn’t care if he was offended or not.

 “I don’t think there’s much to look forward to, but let’s meet anyway. Catch him.” “Yes, sir. I’ll be ready.” 

Hongo Wu backed away, protesting that he was a crow, not a bird of prey.

 

After all, Yi Ho was willing to meet him.

 

***

 

Hae-Joo’s face was puzzled as she walked out of the building Song Yue belonged to.

 “Why is it Song Yue again…” 

Murmuring to herself, Hae-Joo scratched her temples with her fingers.

 

Ying Yue did as she was told, and the connection was very good.

 

Through an intermediary, she arranged a meeting with someone who was looking for Guishan Dao.

 

However, the fact that the meeting was in the annex of Song Yue Pavilion made Hae-Joo nervous.

 

Song Yue is not the only restaurant in Gyeongseong!

 

In recent years, Song Yue’s business has been slow due to the

“curse of Song Yue”

.

 “Is it bad luck?” 

It seems like every time she goes to Song Yue Pavilion, nothing good happens.

 

She meets the owner of a pocket watch she thought was dead, she faints, or she gets caught up in the revenge war of a taxi driver with a bad reputation and becomes a debt collector.

 

A few days ago, she even grabbed the owner of Song Yue Pavilion by the collar and teeth, crying and begging for her life.

 

Thinking about that day, Hae-Joo’s face brightened.

 

Whatever shallow dignity she had was gone that day, at that moment.

 

She supposed she couldn’t help it because her life was in danger and she was half crazy, but honestly, she was really ugly that day.

 

Hae-Joo pressed the barnacle hat on her head and laughed softly.

 

“What can you do about what has already happened? Who hasn’t been embarrassed by something in their life?’

 

She unfolded the paper she had given to Ying Yue again.

 

Hae-Joo let’s not think about it anymore. It only hurts my head.

 “26th, 2pm, Annex 2, Room 2…” 

It was tomorrow.

 

The corner of her mouth twitched as she approached the taxi parked at the side of the road.

 

The thought of the 5,000 won that would soon be in her pocket was almost overwhelming.

 “[Taxi, are you available]?” 

The back seat door swung open, and Hae-Joo’s smile turned into a grimace.

 

A man in his 30s wearing a military uniform looked at her blankly.

 

Hae-Joo swallowed hard.

 

Their eyes met and an inexplicable shiver ran down her spine.

 

The man’s long, slit eyes were sharp, his thin cheeks and thin lips small.

 “…Yes, I’m available.”

Hae-Joo barely managed a polite reply.

“Please get in.” 

The man stepped aside and a middle-aged man with half-white hair and a navy-blue kimono climbed into the car.

 

A polite soldier with a Japanese sword in his hand followed.

 “Where can I take you?”

Hae-Joo asked, forcing a smile.

 “[349 Sampantong (Huam-dong)].” “I’ll take you safely.” 

Sampantong was an upper-class Japanese residential area with many Western-style cultural houses.

 

She drove the taxi with the momentum of a soldier and the uncharacteristic air of a middle-aged man, barely able to breathe.

 

As if they were satisfied with her timid and cautious demeanor, they offered her a sizable service fee when she got out of the cab.

 

She tried her best to keep a low profile, but she was actually throwing all kinds of tantrums inside.

 

Gyeongseong is a minefield wherever you go and wherever you step.

 

She’s so tired from walking on slippery pavement all day.

 

Why do they come to someone else’s country and act like a master, bastards!

 

***

 

Song Yue Pavilion Annex.

 

Wearing a fox mask, Yi Ho walked towards the annex and suddenly stopped.

 

He stopped and made Hongo, who was following him, stop as well.

 “What’s going on? Is that lady…” 

Up the long corridor of the annex, led by an employee, the figure was familiar.

 

A white shirt, bronze pants, suspenders slung over her shoulders, and a barnacle hat on her head.

 

The corner of Yi Ho’s mouth twitched at the sight of Hae-Joo’s back as she entered Room 2.

 

It’s Hae-Joo again.

 “Is she…?” 

Hearing Hongo’s questioning voice, Yi Ho tilted his head to the side and said with a hint of laughter.

 “We need to rearrange the room layout.” “What?” “Room 11, answer the phone.” 

After saying that, Yi Ho went to Room 11 and sat quietly in the corner with the bamboo cane on the floor.

 

Soon after, Hae-Joo entered through the door behind the bamboo foot.

 

When Hongo came in later, Yi Ho gestured for her to sit in front of the bamboo foot.

 

At this point, Hongo couldn’t help but realize Yi Ho’s intentions.

 

He didn’t want her to realize that he was the one who wanted Guishan Dao.

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