RED STAR IN THE SKY GORYEO (The Scent Of Life 2)
CHAPTER 30 FLOWER DANCE

Time pass. The palace ladies were excited by the news of Wang Jung's return from the battlefield against Liao. They idolized Wang Jung who looked handsome in his armor. He looks authoritatively walking with his troops into the palace carrying news of a truce with the Liao Dynasty. After facing the king he immediately looked for Wang Wook who was in his residence.

"The king asked you to prepare for the Liao envoy for peace" said Wang Jung, "The wars have cost them many lives. They are overwhelmed and ask for peace."

Wang Wook accepted the task.

"Is there any news of hyung-nim in Pyeongyang?" ask Wang Jung

"The story is not finished and takes a long time" Wang Wook replied

"What about Byeol?" wang Jung asked curiously.

Wang Wook smiled. "Why are you asking about the girl? Don't you want to meet Hwa Young?"

Wang Jung smiled. She misses Hwa Young.

***

The girls they were talking about were dancing, and playing music in the camp. It was seen that Madam Joo was watching the activities of those who were sitting in a circle. In the middle of the circle some girls were dancing including Byeol. Everyone smiles happily. They chose the person who would train the palace gisaeng to dance in the presence of the Liao envoy. As soon as she finished dancing Madam Joo would choose one of them to enter the palace to train the gisaeng.

"Byeol-ah .. You are the one who entered the palace this time," said Madam Joo.

Byeol smiled happily.

"Follow me," Madame Joo asked

Byeol immediately followed Madam Joo into her room. Byeol sat in front of Madam Joo.

"Byeol, I chose you because I know your closeness to the princes. At this time his highness Wang Wook was asked to prepare all the show business, and peace negotiations with Liao. Work well together with noble Wook."

"Yes, ma'am" replied Byeol and bowed respectfully.

"Byeol-ah, the success of this event will be a milestone for Goryeo-Liao peace. If it doesn't work, the war could break out again. Be careful," said Mrs Joo.

***

Byeol came to Wang Wook's pavilion. A servant greeted him, and let the girl inside. Queen Shinjeong and wife Seonui Wang Wook welcomed her arrival.

"Byeol. How you doing?" ask Queen Shinjeong

Byeol bowed his body in respect.

"I know you've come to help Wang Wook prepare for the palace. His Majesty Wook is still in the palace. I hope you can wait patiently. Just rest first," said Queen Shinjeong, then asked Seonui to take Byeol to the living room.

"The gisaeng came later at noon. I'm glad to see you Byeol-ah" said Seonui as he walked beside Byeol

"Yes, my lady is also happy to meet you" Byeol said

"Well, I told you not to use polite language with me. We're our age. What theme will you bring later?" ask Seonui

Byeol did not immediately answer Seonui's question. His eyes were drawn to the cherry blossoms that were blooming in spring and his petals fell swirling in the wind then landed gracefully on the pool water.

"Flower dance" replied Byeol.

"It will be an interesting show. I'm curious," commented Seonui.

Then they walked back down the park.

***

The gisaengs from all over Goryeo who were selected entered lined up in the gazebo of Wang Wook's residence. They will be entertaining at the peace meeting between Goryeo-Liao. Byeol introduced himself and gave instructions to gisaengs and musicians. Byeol asks them to perform a dance to determine who the main dancer is and who the accompanying dancer is.

One by one the dancing gisaengs showed their abilities. Finally Byeol chose a gisaeng named Munhye as the main dancer. They sat around as Byeol gave the example of Flower Dance.

The sound of the gayageum rippled through the sound of the tinkling iron triangle and the drum. Connected with guzheng china. The music concept is traditional and unique. A combination of Goryeo and Chinese characteristics.

Byeol started dancing around, stepping slowly, treading, jumping small and his hands curling with the music. Mimic her face was cheerful like a girl who was free to play running around in the meadow under the rain of cherry blossom petals. Wang Wook came and looked at Byeol from afar, followed by Sunhwa behind him. Sunhwa stopped as soon as her sister stopped watching Byeol dancing.

"That girl, always amazed many people," Wang Wook said to himself, but it was enough to hear by Sunhwa who immediately pouted to hear her brother praise Byeol.

"Women like that are only fit to live in a gyobang rather than in a palace" Sunhwa said

Wang Wook glanced at Sunhwa. Wang Wook's brows linked in anger, he disliked Sunhwa's comments. From afar Queen Shinjeong and Seonui came to welcome their arrival from the palace.

As soon as Byeol finished dancing, Wang Wook came over and clapped. Byeol smiled cheerfully welcoming Wang Wook then bowed respectfully.

"You're amazing Byeol-ah," Wang Wook praised

"Thank you for the compliment, your honor," replied Byeol

Everyone resigned once Wang Wook allowed them to resign. Byeol is still with Wang Wook.

"Byeol-ah, Liao's emissary has a rough rut, I hope you're not surprised to see their temperament. This peace meeting is important, if it fails I fear that the war will break out again" Wang Wook told Byeol.

Byeol nodded in understanding. Wang Wook got up from the front of Byeol and picked a flower nearby. He saw Byeol, then tucked the flower in the ears of the woman he admired. Byeol lowered his face in shame. Wang Wook was fascinated, but his heart was held. He just took a deep breath and exhaled He knew who Byeol was and who loved Byeol, he couldn't possibly betray Wang So.

"You're beautiful like a Byeol-ah flower. Take good care of yourself because there are a lot of people who want to edit you" Wang Wook said.

Byeol smiled at Wang Wook's words.

"Hamba a glorious thorny rose, not just anyone who will be able to withstand the thorn in order to get a servant,"

Wang Wook smiled

"I think I'm being pierced by your period right now" Wang Wook said with a reddened look, embarrassed by his confession to Byeol. Wang Wook cleared his throat and left in front of Byeol.

Byeol looked at the figure of Wang Wook who was getting away from him.

"Your highness..," murmured Byeol.

From behind the pole Sunhwa looks cynical to see the familiarity of Byeol with his brother.

***

Ten days passed. The palace had already prepared all the things to welcome the envoy from Liao. On the road to the palace there is a small motorcade of two horse-drawn carriages, horse-riding soldiers, and loaded carts to be presented to the King. The motorcade is enough to take the attention of the public.

Upon arrival in front of the castle gate outside the palace, they were greeted by Wang Wook and Wang Jung. From inside the carriage came a young man and an old man wearing clothes, and a feathered hat typical of the Khitan of Liao. Their faces were like shields with wide faces, short noses, and narrow eyes.

"Welcome, your highness, Tian Zuo," said Wang Wook welcoming the entourage to enter the palace.

The young envoy Liao looked hatefully at Wang Jung. They have an unforgettable past. Wang Jung did not like them. That young man named Feng Zhu killed Hae Jin, Hwa Young's older brother.

***

The afternoon before the night of the show, Munhye looks restless in front of the mirror. He sat in the dancer's room. The other gisaengs have started putting on their dancing costumes, but Munhye hasn't dressed up at all. His face seemed to be burdened with the thing that made him in a dilemma. Remembering the night before, he was approached by two women. One was like a lady-in-waiting, and the other a woman wearing a thin-clad hat.

"You're Munhye?" ask the woman in the hat.

"Yes I'm Munhye,"

Then the woman in the hat gave the code so that the lady would give something to Munhye. The dayang gave a large bag of money.

"What's this for, Miss?" ask Munhye wonder

"I think that's enough to keep your mouth shut. I'm asking you not to perform at the peace meeting with Liao. I want the show to be fucked up. Get away from Songak or your son in the village I'll kill. My men will provide a boat for you tomorrow night to cross,"

Munhye pale to hear that her son was taken hostage by an unknown woman to thwart the events held at the palace. Munhye is still worried. He ate the simalakama fruit.

"Well," Munhye said, eventually agreeing to the woman's request for a hat.

"Go and hide well" said the woman in the hat.

After Munhye's departure, the woman in the hat opened the lid of her hat. It turned out that Sunhwa was planning a mess. Encouraged by a sense of envy, and envy in Byeol. He wants the show to go awry, and Byeol will be punished.

Currently Munhye is still sitting holding her dance costume. Finally he stood up and left the place secretly without being noticed by anyone.

The show time is near. Byeol and Eunuch Han checked the preparations. They did not see Munhye among the dancers, while Munhye was the main dancer that night. Byeol and Eunuch Han were anxious. Eunuch Han reported to Wang Wook. The Prince mobilizes his men to search for Munhye. Sunhwa who was sitting in the banquet chair saw the signs that were not right had begun to appear. The woman smiled cynically.

Music was not immediately played while the audience including the king, and Liao's emissaries were waiting for the next show. The chaos Sunhwa hoped for did not come true. The music started playing and the Flower Dance dancers had already entered the stage. Among them was Byeol who replaced Munhye. Wang Wook started to calm down, in contrast to Sunhwa who snorted in annoyance because his plan failed.

Byeol began to dance, curl up, jump around and spread his hands to the music. Like a cherry blossom falling from a tree and being blown away by the wind. All eyes looked on charmingly as if bewitched by Byeol, including Liao's envoy, Feng Zhu. The man's eyes did not blink looking at the charm, and the beauty of Byeol that night. It is captured by Sunhwa who finally has advanced plans to take down Byeol.

The conversation for peace went well. Byeol, Wang Wook, and Wang Jung were drinking together at Wang Wook's residence.

"Thank you for your hard work in helping me" Wang Wook said

Byeol and Wang Jung smiled cheerfully.

"Especially you're Byeol-ah. Munhye has to take responsibility for all her actions. My people will look for him in the country until they can," Wang Wook said confidently.

"Your highness, I feel awkward about Munhye's disappearance. Is there anyone who really wants the peace event with Liao to be unsuccessful?" asked Byeol in a curious tone.

"Ya Hyung-nim, I think so too," added Wang Jung

"If it is, then the one who wants chaos to happen is a fool. I will investigate this," Wang Wook said.