The targets were moved around three meters back each, there were six all in all, both of them had three, the winner would be decided by all the three scores added up. Dohyun went first, with three slim daggers handed to him, he threw the first one which was one point away from the middle. He wasn't exactly used to this kind of target practice but for his first throw to be that close, he quickly adjusted his posture and power when throwing the second one.
A perfect score. Taking a deep breath in before throwing the last one, he opened his eyes and threw, another almost perfect point. His score was nine-ten-eight. Mee Yon would have at least had to get two nines in order to beat him. The observing audience clapped their hands in approval.
Mee Yon's turn, she steadied her breathing, opening her eyes moments later. In less than half the time it took Dohyun to throw all of his, she had flicked her wrist three consecutive times without stopping in between.
Nine-ten-ten. The crowd's eyes widened with awe as she was greeted with a round of applause.
Seonghwa commented from the side, "Don't take it to heart Dohyun-ssi, Mee Yon noona never lost a game in her life." He was back to wearing mens attire but rather from the plain design Byung Ho had brought them, he wore a vibrant pink hanbok with detailed embroidery all over. Dohyun forced a smile, "Ahh…" It seems he had met yet another worthy opponent, to say he wasn't a bit disheartened would be a lie but he was also like the rest, in awe of Mee Yon's skills.
"Close game", Mee Yon said, "I do have to say your skills are up to par, perhaps we should play again someday." "It would be my honor, Mee Yon-ssi", Dohyun said.
"Breakfast everyone", Moon Daseum called from the inside. And like that they all realized their stomachs were grumbling as soon as food was mentioned.
Not too long after eating, Yim Seojun, Ye Juni, and Jung Hi Jo returned carrying crates of cloth and other materials. Ji Ho made his way over to Mee Yon and Seonghwa, "Mee Yon noona, I brought you your favorite snacks", he said, handing her a small basket of yakgwa, sweet cookies made of honey. "You too Seonghwa, these I got fresh from our favorite stop before."
"Ah Bu Dohyun-ssi, I bought enough for everyone to eat on your journey", Ji Ho said, giving him a small basket. "Thank you Ji Ho-ssi, we will eat these well", Dohyun said opening the basket. Inside was a variety of shapes and designs of songpyeon, a subtle pine aroma coming from inside.
"I should go help Seojun-ssi and Juni-ssi bring in the rest of the stuff", Ji Ho said walking outside.
"What a fine kid", Mee Yon said, "He'd make a great husband one day." The other ladies smiled in adoration, jealous of the special treatment Mee Yon and Seonghwa got. They couldn't help but agree, Ji Ho was handsome, had a great build, charming personality, and was kind. Anyone would be lucky enough to have him.
Jaeyong leaned closer to Dohyun saying, "I'll go prepare everything for now." Dohyun nodded, "Alright, tell me if we need anything." Jaeyong then made his way out, shortly followed by Byung Ho who seemed to be in the same mood since yesterday, but he did seem to be better earlier, perhaps he was feeling sick.
Byung Ho walked around outside, dragging his feet until he reached a small pond in front of him. Lily pads filled the water, a small greenish-brown frog hopped around flicking its tongue at the insects flying around. He squatted down observing his slightly distorted reflection in the water caused by the movement of the frog. He himself deemed his expression to be rather unease, rolling his eyes, he mumbled, "So annoying."
A voice spoke from behind him, "Do you mind if I accompany you, An Byung Ho-ssi?" Jung Ji Ho peeked his head over, also looking at his reflection. Byung Ho immediately stood up and spoke with an annoyed voice, "Funny, I was just going to leave."
"Really?" Ji Ho mused, "I was pretty sure right now I just saw a guy who needed a little bit of enlightenment", his voice taunting, edging Byung Ho to suppress himself. Byung Ho spoke over clenched teeth, "And I question what you mean by that Jung Ji Ho?"
"Hmm, you should probably know by now", Ji Ho pouted.
Just then an obnoxious thought came over Byung Ho, he scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Look, if it's about Seonghwa and you, I don't care enough to be interested in your relationship, I'm only his guard right now due to my employer's request." Byung Ho pivoted as he started to walk away.
"You really aren't curious?" Ji Ho said, "You're right though, I like Seonghwa, I like him a lot, I've liked him since we were children."
Byung Ho stopped in his tracks, he didn't turn around but he still stopped. It was his first time hearing such a thing, he'd never met a man who liked another man, nor a man who could so casually admit it to a stranger. "You know he's not a woman", Byung Ho said, almost as a question.
"Of course I do, why wouldn't I? Let me ask you Byung Ho-ssi, is there a problem with that?" Ji Ho said, stepping closer to him.
Byung Ho gritted his teeth, was there a problem? Maybe the fact that they were both men?? But that was the question, was there anything wrong about that? It wasn't impossible for them to like each other, if they did nothing wrong like hurting other people or disrespecting the gods and royal family then there was nothing wrong.
Byung Ho chose to ignore the question and walk away, just then Ji Ho shouted from behind him, "Don't worry! Seonghwa doesn't even bat an eye towards me!"
'Don't worry!' What?!
"I said I don't care about your relationship!" Byung Ho shouted, storming off.
Everyone enjoyed the rest of their stay there, especially the wonhwa who had seemed to become best friends with the kisaeng ladies overnight. Dohyun was sure he had seen their sulky faces when they left after lunch. Moon Daseum was kind enough to load them up with food and water enough to last them the next few days, she also invited the women on their side to visit again in the future. Perhaps they could all go when everything was sorted out.
It turned out there was another similar cave leading the other direction which served as a shortcut to Sasaeum Maeul, instead of going around the mountain they could go through half of it saving them substantial time. Since they still had to travel by foot, when they reached the end of the cave, nightfall had already overcome the land.
Outside it started to drizzle so it was decided they would take shelter in the cave tonight. Minhye started a fire near the entrance while everyone ate special breads from the kisaeng house; now as Dohyun thought about it, Jindallae was actually quite a witty name for the place. Jindallae flowers were elegant and beautiful but also poisonous to an extent, same with the ladies, it would be foolish for one to mess with them.
Sam Mee Yon gave a long sigh, "It's really boring here isn't it? I'd rather be walking the entire way and observing the landscapes outside but we're trapped in here for the rest of the night." Minhye handed her a bamboo water bottle, "Sam Mee Yon-ssi, I don't think getting drenched by the rain would be worth it, best we wait for tomorrow, we'll be walking all day."
"Hm, you're right, we should rest well tonight. But it's still too early to sleep. How about this! Let's play a game, Dohyun-ssi."
Dohyun who was seated beside Jaeyong was intrigued by what game she would want to play in a cave like this, "What game do you suggest?"
"A very simple one actually", Mee Yon said, twisting her hair around her finger, "You know Kai Bai Bo right?"
"Of course", Dohyun replied, it was one of the most childish games yet, forming a fist with your hand would be rock, showing two fingers would be scissors, and showing all five fingers would be paper.
"Great! Now to make it interesting, we'll level the game up a bit. The first to gain three points is the winner, the winner gets to choose to make the losers answer a question or a dare. To make it better, if two people use the same sign twice in a row and lose, then they also have to do a dare."
The rules were simple but given the added rules, wouldn't it be too easy to lose and have two people throw the same sign? It was sketchy but Dohyun also had a question he had long wanted to ask from her.
"Alright, let's play", Dohyun said, moving closer.
"What about you Baek Jaeyong-ssi?" Mee Yon asked. Since he was right beside Dohyun he didn't really have an excuse not to so he nodded his head once.
"Seonghwa come here", Mee Yon said, patting the spot next to her.
"I prefer not to play noona", Seonghwa said with a weary expression, shaking his head as he and the other wonhwa retreated further back into the cave to rest. Mee Yon looked to Byung Ho and Minhye, "What about you guys?" she said with a devilish smile.
Both with weary expressions, they also retreated further back into the cave leaving them three behind.
"I guess it's just the three of us", Mee Yon said, shrugging.
"Alright Kai Bai Bo!" She said. Dohyun and Jaeyong both played paper while Mee Yon played rock. One point for both of them. "Kai Bai Bo!" Dohyun played scissors, Jaeyong played rock, and Mee Yon played paper. Two-Two-One.
"Kai Bai Bo!" Scissors-paper-paper.
Three-two-two. Dohyun won the first round.
Mee Yon chuckled, "Seems my rules backfired, so Dohyun-ssi, what shall you request of us?"
"I think I'll choose question", Dohyun said, "Mee Yon-ssi, we've been traveling together for a while now but you haven't questioned about my family or why I have many guards…" He was curious as to why, why she did not bother to ask.
"Oh that, we'll you didn't strike me as one who would go back on his words. Actually I tested you a few times, you can tell the character of a man based on his values."
"Values?" Dohyun questioned.
"You were first to say that I was one to talk so openly about certain topics, masculinity is a fragile thing, you seemed to be open minded. That itself says enough. Plus you didn't mind when you found out Seonghwa was a man. To whoever you are or your social status does not concern me."
Not an answer Dohyun would have expected but Sam Mee Yon seemed to have a way of judging people the way most others wouldn't. "I see…" Dohyun said. "What about Jaeyong-ssi?" Mee Yon added.
"Ha? Ah, Hyung… when's your birthday? I haven't had a chance to ask that yet." Actually, he had only thought of playing to ask Mee Yon his question and hadn't prepared anything for Jaeyong.
"August seventeen", Jaeyong replied.
"Let's play one last round", Mee Yon suggested, "I should at least get a chance to win too, Dohyun-ssi, even your questions are far too boring."
Dohyun dryly chuckled, "Alright, one more time." And as Mee Yon wanted, she got her chance and won. Well, actually, both Dohyun and Jaeyong pulled the same sign twice, making them have to do a dare.
"Hmm", Mee Yon thought, "There isn't much I can ask you to do here, how about you both feed each other", she said grabbing one of the baskets of treats Ji Ho had brought them. "Ah, perfect! Since we don't have any chopsticks, you'll need to use your fingers instead."
Dohyun was caught off by the sudden request, he thought the worst Mee Yon would do was make them dance or sing, not feed each other. She handed him the basket, it was the songpyeon. Faint hints of pine emitted from the basket, all the pieces were bite size, rather small and in purple and yellow colors. "Well go on", Mee Yon said, "It's not that hard of a dare."
Dohyun stopped hesitating and took one small purple piece in between his fingers, it was so small that the other's lips would surely touch, "Hyung…" He said as Jaeyong turned to him, his face not that far away.
Dohyun brought the piece up and Jaeyong took it into his mouth, his eyes on him the whole time, wavering yet indifferent. As it was Dohyun's turn he decided to just close his eyes and take it, but due to that he accidentally bit on the tip of Jaeyong's finger.
Jaeyong almost instantly retreated his hand, turning his head away.
'Oh heavens no, what have I done!' Dohyun inwardly thought.
Thankfully Mee Yon clapped her hands and spoke up, "Hahaha, you two are funny, well, I'm going to rest now." With that, she stood up and happily walked away to where the others were.
"Uh- I'm- I'm going to head in too!" Dohyun said, hurrying away. He was too embarrassed right now to even face Jaeyong, just why did he have to bite his finger?!
Jaeyong didn't look up but nodded his head, holding his finger in his hand.
What a way to end the day!