Longevity - Chapter 7

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 7: The Ancient Book in the Tomb
Jang Saeng lay on his back, staring up at the beams overhead.
His body was exhausted, yet sleep would not come. From beyond the Inn, the occasional rumble of cart wheels and the cries of merchants drifted in.
Then a familiar voice called out from the street.
It was Na Yangja and Batu Ru.
Jang Saeng bolted upright. His left foot struck the bed frame, but he paid it no mind and pushed open the door. The two men were already leaving the Inn, heading toward the Northern Street.

“Master.”

Jang Saeng limped after them.
Na Yangja stopped and turned back.

“What is it?”
“I heard from Jin Ip Chu that you two were going out on business. Is there nothing I can help with?”

Na Yangja smiled faintly.

“Your heart does you credit. But go back and rest.”

As Jang Saeng was about to speak again, Batu Ru cut him off.

“You want to follow us without even knowing what we’re doing?”
“I can at least carry something.”
“The way you’re moving, you can barely manage your own body. Don’t make yourself a burden. Go back.”

The words were harsh, but not wrong. By the time Jang Saeng had limped from the Inn door to here, his left knee had buckled twice. Following them blindly would be nothing but a hindrance.
Jang Saeng did not press further.

“I understand.”

Na Yangja gave a slight nod and continued on his way. Batu Ru raised his hand in brief acknowledgment and followed.
Jang Saeng stood watching until both men vanished among the crowd of passersby.
As he turned to leave, a flash of crimson across the street caught his eye.
A man in country garb was selling red berries from a basket, their skins glistening with lustre.
Jang Saeng felt the coin purse in his robes. After paying for the chicken and wine, there was still money left. Even if he couldn’t go with them, he could at least bring something back for those remaining at the Inn.
He bought a handful of the red berries. When the man said he had no container, Jang Saeng spread the fold of his outer robe and cradled them against his chest.
Back at the Inn, Jang Saeng borrowed a few ceramic bowls from the keeper. At the well in the back courtyard, he washed each berry one by one and divided them among the dishes.
He knocked first on Lee Jung Yong’s door.
As the door opened, an acrid smell struck his nose.
The smell of sulfur and saltpetre.

“Lee Jung Yong.”
“Come in.”

Lee Jung Yong opened the door fully, then turned straight back to his work table. The table in the center of the room was scattered with wooden teeth, iron scraps, hollowed cylinders, bottles of various sizes, and papers covered in black powder.
Jang Saeng set a bowl down on one side of the table.

“I bought some red berries on the street.”
“Much appreciated.”

Lee Jung Yong replied without pausing in his work, inserting a thin metal rod into a wooden cylinder and withdrawing it, then consulting a Bamboo Slips diagram beside him and adjusting the angle once more.
Jang Saeng watched for a while before asking.

“What are you making?”
The Mozi.

I’m studying how to realize it.”
“The Mozi?”
“An ancient book.”

Lee Jung Yong answered curtly and returned his attention to the metal shavings. His fingertips moved with meticulous care. Jang Saeng did not press further. The objects were all remarkable, yet it seemed that a single careless touch might invite disaster.
He gathered the empty bowl and withdrew.
Next was Jin Ip Chu’s room.
When he knocked, the sound of a chair scraping came from within. Jin Ip Chu opened the door, brush still in hand.

“What brings you here?”
“I’ve brought some red berries.”
“Well done. Come in.”

A letter lay unfolded on the table. The ink was still wet, and dark streaks clung to the brush’s tip.
Jin Ip Chu plucked a berry and bit into it.

“Tart.”

He reached for a second berry even as he spoke.

“If you’re busy, I’ll take my leave.”
“It’s fine. Sit for a moment.”

Jang Saeng dragged a low stool from the doorway and sat.
Jin Ip Chu glanced up.

“Why are you perched so far away? You look like a scolded bride cast out into the world. Come closer.”
“You’re writing a letter.”
“It’s my letter—what does that have to do with you?”

Jin Ip Chu’s words trailed off. He stared at Jang Saeng, brush still raised.

“Can you read characters?”
“A little.”
“Who taught you?”
“There was a schoolmaster in my village years ago. During the slack season, I’d go to his home and study.”

Jin Ip Chu’s eyebrows rose.

“You learned to read in that mountain village? Impressive.”

He quickly shielded the letter with his arm.

“Then sit by the door. You mustn’t see this.”

Jang Saeng could not help but smile.

“Is it a letter to someone close to your heart?”
“Of course. With a face as fine as mine, how could I not have a woman I adore?”

Jin Ip Chu tilted his chin up proudly. His ink-stained finger brushed his nose, leaving a black mark there—though he himself remained oblivious to it.
Jang Saeng rose, suppressing his laughter.

“Finish your letter. I’ll take berries to the others as well.”
“Yes, do. Bring plenty. I’m satisfied with this much.”

Yet even as Jang Saeng moved toward the door, Jin Ip Chu reached for one more berry.
Standing before Jeon Jin Gung’s door, Jang Saeng hesitated. It was delicate for a man and woman to share a room. He meant to hand over the bowl and leave, when Jeon Jin Gung’s voice called from within.

“As it happens, I have something for you. Come in.”

A thick volume lay open on the table within. Jeon Jin Gung was inscribing something upon its pages. As Jang Saeng entered, she set down her brush and unwrapped a bundle.

Jang Saeng caught a glimpse of the book as she turned. The characters resembled ordinary script, but their form was unlike any Chinese characters he knew. More than half of them were indecipherable to him.
Jeon Jin Gung drew out a long object from the depths of her bundle.

“Take this.”

A Jade Flute, just over a foot in length.

The body, a clear blue-green jade, was inscribed with meticulous detail—even the bamboo joints were rendered with precision. At a glance, it was a treasure.
Jang Saeng tucked both hands behind his back.

“I cannot accept it.”
“I do not play the flute well. There would be no use in my having it.”
“Still, it is far too precious.”

Jeon Jin Gung, offering no reply, pressed the Jade Flute into his palm. The cool touch of the jade settled against his skin.

“It is not something I have long carried. I came by it on the road, so bear no burden for it.”

Jang Saeng moved to return it at once.
Jeon Jin Gung continued before he could speak.

“Did you not leave your Bamboo Flute at No Hwang’s Tomb? Use this one instead. There will come a time when you need it—when you play Dao Yue.”

At the name No Hwang, Jang Saeng’s hand stilled.
The worn Bamboo Flute left in the tomb came to mind—the one Old Man Wang had carved, the one No Hwang had leaned against his back to play.
Jeon Jin Gung asked before he could refuse again.

​”Can you read Musical Notation?”

Jang Saeng shook his head.

“Do you remember the Five Tones?”

“Yes.”
“Then let us try. I will play first, and you follow on the flute.”

Jeon Jin Gung retrieved a black cloth bundle from the head of her bed. As the fabric unwound, a five-string Pipa came into view.
She cradled the instrument and sat at an angle beside the table. Turning through the book, she found the passage marked with Musical Notation and plucked the strings.
A clear note bloomed through the room.
Having played a short melody, Jeon Jin Gung stopped and looked toward Jang Saeng.

“Your turn.”

Jang Saeng raised the Jade Flute to his lips, then lowered it.

“Please play the whole piece through once.”
“Have you played this song before?”
“No. I have never even heard it.”

Jeon Jin Gung’s expression grew skeptical.

“You mean to memorize it all after hearing it once?”
“I am not certain. But I will try.”

Jeon Jin Gung studied Jang Saeng for a moment, then began the piece again from the beginning.
Spring River Flower Moon Night

—that was the name.
The strings began low and gradually rose higher, a melody as if moonlight were spreading across still waters.
When the final note faded, Jang Saeng lifted the Jade Flute.
The first note burst forth higher than he expected.
Unlike the Bamboo Flute, the sound from the same breath was far clearer and carried much farther. Jang Saeng was startled, but he didn’t break the melody—he continued with the next phrase, keeping the higher register.
The Pipa’s melody came alive in his mind, note by note. His fingers covered and uncovered the holes. Between the phrases, he steadied his breath and joined the flute’s first voice without a break, flowing seamlessly forward.
When the piece ended, Jeon Jin Gung watched Jang Saeng in silence.

“Did I play it wrong?”
“No.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“I’m asking because you played so well. Is this truly the first time you’ve heard it?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s try one more piece.”

This time, she didn’t open a book.
Jeon Jin Gung closed her eyes and steadied her breathing for a moment. Then she began a melody entirely different from the first piece.
It was slow and melancholy.
Jang Saeng didn’t know the name or history of this piece. But he felt he understood the heart of someone far from home, longing for their native land.
While listening to the Pipa, No Hwang’s Tomb came to his mind. A flute and one horn placed on black earth. The moment of turning away from a tomb that would give no answer—it pressed against his chest.
When the performance ended, Jang Saeng lifted the Jade Flute again.
This time, the first note was precise.
The flute followed the Pipa’s melody, and Jang Saeng’s breath mingled with the sound. As the piece passed its midpoint, his throat tightened. The evening he’d leaned against No Hwang’s back while playing, and his final breath—all of it came rushing back at once.
Still, the piece did not stop.
Then Jin Ip Chu’s voice erupted from the neighboring room.

“Hey, you there! What kind of tune are you playing? You’re going to drown everyone in sorrow. Play something lively!”

Jang Saeng’s flute sound cut off.
Jeon Jin Gung’s eyes opened too. After a brief silence, she spoke softly.

“You played well.”

Jang Saeng offered an explanation, anxious at the thought of being suspected.

“This piece too—I heard it for the very first time.”
“I know.”

Jeon Jin Gung gently pressed the Pipa’s strings with her fingers.

“It’s called Cherry Blossoms of Homeland. It’s a song from our native land, so there’s no way you could have heard it before.”

Her gaze turned toward something distant.
Jang Saeng stood holding only the Jade Flute.
After a long moment, Jeon Jin Gung smiled faintly.

“I didn’t know you had such talent for music. The next time we perform a Ritual Ceremony,

we won’t need to worry about finding someone to play the flute.”
“Do you think I could manage it?”
“Didn’t you just do it?”

Jeon Jin Gung pointed to the Jade Flute.

“Take it with you. Don’t think of returning it.”

Jang Saeng could not refuse any longer. He accepted the Jade Flute with both hands and bowed.

“Thank you.”

Back in his room, Jang Saeng wrapped the Jade Flute in cloth and set it down beside his luggage.
The moment his head touched the pillow, his eyelids grew heavy. Two days of accumulated exhaustion crashed over him at once.
When he came to, it was already the early hours of morning.
Boom!
A thunderous crash shook the entire Inn.
Jang Saeng nearly rolled off the bed. The window frames rattled, and the teacup on the table clattered against the surface.
He hurried to open his door. From the room across the way, Jin Ip Chu emerged with a yawn.

“Did you hear that?”
“Do I have no ears?”

Pale smoke was seeping out from between the rooms.
It was coming from Lee Jung Yong’s quarters.

“There’s a fire!”

As Jang Saeng made to rush over, Jin Ip Chu grabbed his shoulder.

“Fire? This is hardly the first time.”
“But there’s smoke—”
“Leave it. He’ll get the window open and stumble out on his own.”

Jin Ip Chu stretched his arms.

“It’s stuffy in here. Let’s take a walk outside.”

Jang Saeng looked between the two of them. There was no sound from Jeon Jin Gung’s room either. Everyone acted as though this were the most ordinary thing in the world.
He followed Jin Ip Chu outside.
Looking back, he saw Lee Jung Yong pushing the shutters open to let the smoke escape. His hair stood on end in all directions, and his eyebrows were singed at the tips.
When their eyes met, Lee Jung Yong laughed sheepishly and ducked back inside the room.
Jang Saeng fell into step beside Jin Ip Chu.

“What was he doing in that room?”
“Something foolish.”
“I beg your pardon?”

Jin Ip Chu bought two rice cakes from a vendor on the street and handed one to Jang Saeng.

“Ever since he got his hands on the Mozi, he’s been causing a stir whenever he has a spare moment. I’ve lost count of how many times he’s set something off. This one was minor, actually. Last time, in Je Zhou, he blew up an entire inn that didn’t belong to him.”

He bit off a piece of the rice cake.

“So you shouldn’t sleep anywhere near his room.”

Jang Saeng accepted the rice cake but couldn’t bring himself to eat it.

“What kind of book is the Mozi, if rooms explode because of it?”
An ancient text detailing the principles of Mechanical Devices and Artifacts.”

Jin Ip Chu continued as casually as if discussing the weather.

“It’s a book that came out during the Spring and Autumn period, but they say it became a forbidden text during the Qin dynasty and nearly all copies were burned. The bamboo slips that Lee Jung Yong has are probably the only ancient text of its kind in the world.”
“How did you ever acquire such a precious thing?”

Jin Ip Chu answered without a trace of concern.

“Where else? A tomb.”

Jang Saeng’s footsteps faltered.
Jin Ip Chu walked a few paces further before he continued.

“My master forbade us from touching the gold and silver treasures in tombs, but he never said we couldn’t take ancient texts.”

Only then did Jin Ip Chu seem to realize his slip of the tongue, and he turned around slowly.
Jang Saeng stood frozen, still holding the rice cake.
Jin Ip Chu laughed awkwardly.

“Ha… it seems I’ve gone and revealed a secret.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————