“War is commonplace—be against thine enemies or within one’s mind—with a desire to expand their influence in order to show how mighty they are. For some, such cause is noble, adding the willingness to walk forward and leaving a pile of corpses, but some sees it as an unnecessary suffering. The strong will always be strong and the weak will find itself unbefitting in this world. Yet a question lies; if everyone is strong, then how this world will flourish without the other?”
Fu Guosheng, The Lake in Wulin of Zhangtze
Oh-won wakes up in the middle of the night.
However, the realization is not late. The breeze feels like morning dew, only the darkness can make someone a fool. Chubda Region is known to be the mountain valley of endless snow blankets, a place of longer nights and unforgiving climate. Strangely enough, communities and settlements power through this place, regardless of how harsh it can be for human survival.
Not entirely surprising. The world has been believed to supposedly ended barely four centuries ago or more.
Oh-won gets up slowly, groaning a bit, and stretches her arms and legs to start the day. She wakes up rather earlier than usual, as her dreams at night in the past few weeks have become weirder and weirder. She does not remember all the details, yet it leaves an unsettling feeling regardless.
She grabs a nearby lamp, turning it on with a matchstick. Waving off the trailing smoke, she then leaves her room. The kitchen is nearby to cook something for breakfast when the door of the living room opens. She turns around, spotting a huge shadow—only to recognize a man with a thick woolen coat.
“Uncle,” she says, snorting because of the cold. “You’re early this time, Uncle Hyeonsang. I thought the delivery will take longer.”
Cho Hyeonsang, someone nearing his fifties, a musher in their village and also, Oh-won’s adoptive father.
“Let’s be thankful the weather is not too harsh this time. We just finished one round of delivery but we gotta set out again soon. You know, there’s a word that borders are going to be strict again.” He informs her, whilst his voice is a little bit husky. He goes straight to the kitchen cupboard, scurrying them.
Being a musher is one of the current occupations that carries several responsibilities. They deliver medicines or letters, or some packages between villages. Towns are far from one another and the nature of the terrain in this region is one of the hardest to navigate, and so, mushing has been a lucrative source of income.
However, with the news from her uncle herself, Oh-won feels uneasy.
“Pass me the lamp,” Hyeonsang asks. Oh-won obliges but she notices that his hands have several scratches and somewhat dried wounds.
“What happened to your hand?”
“Just scratches. I failed to notice that my gloves are ripped out.”
“I’ll stitch you new ones.”
“We still have spares here, so don’t mind about it.”
Hyeonsang wraps his hands with bandages. Oh-won takes it halfway and ends it with a nice but small knot. She hears a whimpering, only to see the large dog asking for her attention.
“Geonji is excited to see you,” Hyeonsang says. “He sped up when he knew we’re already in our village.”
Oh-won smiles and crouches down, giving the petting that Geonji wanted. “You should’ve checked Uncle, Geonji. What if something happened to him?”
“You worry too much, Oh-won.”
“…What if you rest easy from being a musher, Uncle?” Oh-won says in a low tone, then facing him. “Our shop is doing great, you see? Besides, maybe it’s time for Sun-il to take up the reins of your sled.”
“It’s better for Sun-il to work hard for his studies. The sled doesn’t have to end up in his hands. Besides, we only have few mushers in our town, it’s hard to retire this early.”
Her face grimaces a little. Then, she has another idea.
“Or…maybe me, instead.”
Hyeonsang raises a brow. “I thought you’re busy with the shop.”
She knows that her uncle will not back down easily. There are white streaks appearing to his former all-black hair. She releases a sigh that there is nothing that will convince him to stop. “Maybe you know, consideration. We can eat three times a day, and we’re just three of us here at home. I know mushing helped us to get through several winters, but with your age, you should be enjoying the warmth at home instead already…”
Instead of arguing back, Hyeonsang just sighs.
“Well for one thing I’m hungry. Probably I could think that over the table.”
“I do the best buchimgae in whole Baegyeol, say think of it like a trade. Maybe I can also open a small sikdang. What do you say?”
Hyeonsang stares at her. That slightly mischievous glint yet genuine offering, Oh-won can be insistent. He then pats her head.
“Let’s see about that.”
Baegyeol is a city-state in Chubda Region, and mining coals is the main source of income of this place. There are factories within the city which support its economy. Life in the state can be seen as peaceful and quiet, complimented by the smoke hovering upwards from the small coal factories.
Oh-won lives in the placid village of Ulmin, together with her uncle and her younger brother. It is part of the Nowon Ward, the eastern part of the city-state.
The light from the sun peers through the whole state. Oh-won is packing some boxes into a cart, which contains herbs and concocts that will be sold in her shop.
“Noona, good morning!”
Oh-won turns where the voice is and then sees a young boy waving at her from the fence. He wears a bandanna on his head and is quite a short kid. His name is Hee Sungbin, also one of Oh-won’s assistants in the shop.
“Good morning, too, Bin,” Oh-won says while still arranging the goods. Sungbin enters the gate, only to be greeted by one of the hounds, which Sungbin entertains.
“Woo, good boy Danji,” Sungbin crouches down and scratches the white hound’s neck. The other hounds come closer, wanting similar affection. He giggles a bit and then stands up, going near to Oh-won’s cart. “Are you going down the mountains tomorrow?”
Oh-won is counting the boxes before glancing at Sungbin. “Yeah. We need new supplies for the shop.”
“Can I come with you?” Sungbin asks.
“If your mother will allow you. You know she’s always worried about you.”
Sungbin pouts. “I’m certain she won’t allow me. I need to help in the house.”
“Then you should be or you can finish all your chores so you can get a reward.”
“Are you allowing me, Noona?”
“Just suggesting. If I were you though you would stay here. Do you even know that kids are often being kidnapped in the markets?”
The warning shows a repulsiveness to the kid’s face.
“Noona…”
“I’m not scaring you.”
As they keep on talking, the door opens and another young boy, yet taller than Sungbin, walks where Oh-won is. His hair is quite messy and eyes still squinting. Sungbin smiles at him.
“Good morning, Sun-il!”
“Ey, Bin…” He squints again then turns to Oh-won. “Do we have maple syrup, Noona?”
“Let’s play paengi later, Il,” Sungbin says.
Oh-won looks at them alternately.
“If I hear you spend your earned money with paengi, I’ll stop you from coming here, Bin,” Oh-won warns.
“I’m not, Noona!” Sungbin defends, only for Sun-il looking at him indifferently.
“I know he spent 30 hae last time,” Sun-il says.
Sungbin freezes. Oh-won glares at him.
“Hee Sungbin…”
The kid smiles in an awkward manner. “Hehe…”
The pile of snow is fortunately low, whereas several folks around are shoveling them away to make the roads visible. Oh-won is pushing the cart, alongside Sun-il, as Sungbin is scouting ahead for any possible obstacles. Oh-won fixes her scarf when it falls over her shoulder. Her shop is merely three streets away from their house, and that space is provided by the townsfolk, as it is abandoned by the previous owner.
“Good morning, Oh-won-ah!”
Oh-won turns where the voice is and sees an old man wearing a bamboo hat.
“Old Pansool!” Sungbin and Sun-il both greet, scampering towards him as the old man pats their heads.
“The kids are sure growing up fast!” Old Pansool says, delighted.
“Good morning,” Oh-won greets with a bow. “How’s your back, grandpa?”
Old Pansool raises a thumb. “It’s better now. Thanks to your herbs.”
Oh-won smiles. “That’s great to hear, grandpa. Please refrain from working too hard!”
“Well, these old bones will dry up if I don’t do anything!” Old Pansool says. “All right, just go on with your preparation. Have a nice day, lass.”
“Thank you, grandpa!” Oh-won bows her head again as Old Pansool waves his hand goodbye.
With this short interaction, Oh-won feels inspired again for the day. The shop is close and upon arriving on its door, she unlocks it. Her assistants quickly assemble the boxes to the shop, while Oh-won places the cart at the backside to avoid it being an obstruction on the road. Right after, Oh-won goes in front of the shop to lift the windowpane, signifying that her shop is ready for the day.
Only to realize that the windowpane suddenly feels light as feather, yet a shadow is towering over her from behind. Looking back, he sees a tall guy with pale skin—Jeon Woocheon.
Oh-won grabs the wooden pillars to support the windowpane.
“Thanks for the help,” she says to her helper.
Woocheon just nods as acknowledgement and goes straight to business. “Abeoji is asking if you want to go with us down the mountains tomorrow.”
Sungbin overhears the conversation and stops on his chore.
“Well…it’s gonna be a big help…” Oh-won says
Woocheon puts his hand above Oh-won’s head, adding pressure playfully.
“If you’re shy again, I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
Oh-won grimaces.
“That’s unneeded,” she says, shoving his hand away. “I’ll just drop by your shop tomorrow.”
“Can I come with you, hyung?!”
Oh-won and Woocheon find Sungbin peeking out from the shop’s window.
“Ah Sungbin, are you done with the boxes?” Oh-won steps forward only to feel a pressure again at the top of her head.
“Sure, but tell your mother first,” Woocheon says and the kid pouts. “It’s just my condition, Bin,” he adds.
“Come on I don’t wanna go babysitting and shopping at the same time…” Oh-won complains.
Woocheon looks at Sungbin. “Promise me that you’ll stick with us and not cause any trouble alright?”
Sungbin gleams and nods enthusiastically. “Yes! Yaksok!”
Woocheon turns to Oh-won, seeing her sigh.
“It’s not that frequent we get outside this cold region, besides…how old is Bin again?”
“Thirteen!” Sungbin answers.
“See, the kid is thirteen.”
Oh-won reverts to a normal expression.
“Would Rona be in your carriage tomorrow?” she asks.
Woocheon shakes his head. “I heard her whole family will go. No one can pass up the Gomin Fair.”
“Oh right, Gomin Fair.” Oh-won crosses her arms. “Anyways, is that all you need to say?”
Woocheon hands her a small piece of paper.
“Eomma needs her herbs.”
“Sure.”
Living in the cold regions is almost deemed impossible, but human will can make things through. After almost seven years of living in Baegyeol, Oh-won realizes how cooperation within the community helps everyone to survive.
It is sundown and Oh-won has just arrived at home. With the cart already set in its place near the hound’s pen, Oh-won spots the sled facing the gate. The door swings open with Hyeonsang carrying extra clothes.
“You’re leaving already Uncle?” Oh-won asks.
“Not today. I’ll just take the dogs for a walk.”
“Ah, I see.”
Hyeonsang steps down the patio and puts the clothes on the sled.
“Also lock the door. I’ll be also collecting firewood while I’m at it. I might return in the morning.”
“We’ll be also going down the mountains tomorrow because of Gomin Fair. Is there anything you want me to buy?” Oh-won asks.
“Nothing in particular. Just don’t let the others catch on you.”
Oh-won nods. “I won’t do anything crazy.”
Hyeonsang nods as Oh-won takes this as a cue to get inside. She removes her outer jacket and hangs it on a stand. She peeks through the window and finds her uncle with his preparation, thinking that he needs some food during his trip.
Oh-won then decides to prepare dinner.
Hack. Chop. And two.
Sun-il throws the halved firewood near the porch in their backyard before placing another on the board. Despite still at a young age, Sun-il is used to heavy chores like this, as he is the only man in the house after their uncle. With the permanent cold climate, there are still beads of sweat dripping down his face. Wiping them quickly, he raises his axe and splits the wood in half.
“Il,” Oh-won calls from the backyard’s door.
Sun-il pauses his work and looks at her. “Noona?”
Oh-won steps outside and looks at the woods near the fireplace.
“Are you going to take a bath?” Oh-won asks. “If you do, please leave something for uncle.”
Sun-il nods. “Ah, okay, noona.”
“Thank you, Il,” Oh-won says. “Oh yes, would you come with me tomorrow down the mountains?”
“Oh… I want to. But I’m not sure if uncle would be here early in the morning,” Sun-il says.
“I hadn’t seen the other key, so I think he had it,” Oh-won informs, “We can lock the house tomorrow in case he hadn’t return yet.”
Sun-il nods. “Let’s do that.”
Oh-won smiles. “That’s settled. We’ll be having our dinner so finish that quick.”
“Alright, noona.”
Oh-won heads inside as Sun-il takes another uncut piece of wood to the board and chops it down.
Gomin is the nearest state beneath the mountains from Chubda Region, and part of Gaenari Region. It is a region filled with valleys and is a tie between Chubda and the deserts of Yeogwang Region. Due to its position, it has been a trading center for a long time for each region’s inhabitants.
Oh-won removes her veil and stares around the lively center of Gomin State. There are a lot of stalls around and twice or thrice of the usual. Gomin Fair lets people from further regions come here and brandish their products that can attract even people like her from a cold place.
But because of the volume of people around, Oh-won is wise enough to place her bag in front of her and reduce the chance of getting stolen. She has bought some goods that she wanted, even new blankets and curtains for their home. She is on her way back in the inn and finds Sun-il and Sungbin already eating in a cantina.
“Oh, Oh-won-ah! Join us!” Jeon Woogeun greets, who is Woocheon’s father.
Oh-won smiles a bit. The dishes served are something rare she can eat up in the mountains. Baechu-doenjangguk and other soup dishes, Oh-won can already feel her stomach grumbling.
Woocheon just returns from the counter and sees Oh-won.
“There’s additional plate on the table, Oh-won,” Woocheon says.
Oh-won takes a seat beside Sun-il and grabs the plate. Chopsticks and a bowl, Oh-won grabs the rice bowl next.
And then clasps her hands together.
Woocheon spots Oh-won’s bag on the side—and how plump it is.
“It seems you bought a lot, Oh-won-ah?” Woocheon asks.
Oh-won nods. “Mhmm. I manage to also sell some ginseng to folks.”
“People from outside Shinoya are also looking for that.” Woogeun says.
“It’s going to be enough to cover some expenses this month…”
Woogeun stares at Oh-won for a moment. The delight on his face is slowly being replaced with a serious facade as he puts his chopsticks down.
“I think you will be capable enough to enter the palace or a state office,” Woogeun says, “I wonder why you are not being pushed to that.”
Oh-won glances at Woogeun as she chews her food.
“My uncle doesn’t want to,” Oh-won answers. “Besides, I don’t want too as well. That’s…why I’m thankful to be just like this.”
Woogeun does not look satisfied, but he smiles again.
“I see.” Woogeun pauses and glances at Sun-il and Sungbin. “Well, are you attending your classes?”
Sun-il shakes his head. “Our teacher is not around for months.”
“It doesn’t matter as long as we earn,” Sungbin says.
“That’s wrong. You should strive education so the people from above won’t fool you kids,” Woogeun presses on.
“If it is not exclusive through social classes, I think education will be easier to reach,” Oh-won cuts in. “Teacher Janggun is just a voluntary teacher in our state. Most people are interested in earning money but not teaching others.”
Woogeun suddenly stops talking.
“Oh-won-ah, do you like meat?” Woocheon asks.
Oh-won nods at Woocheon.
“Thank you.”
It is nighttime and Oh-won is already in her room. Sun-il and Sungbin share a room with her in the inn as the two kids are playing on the bed. Jumping to their hearts’ content, Oh-won sighs and snaps at them.
“Il, Bin. Stop doing that, or we’re going to get scold by the owner,” Oh-won reprimands. The two kids stop and look a bit ashamed for their behavior.
And then, there is a knock.
Oh-won stands up from her bed and opens the door. There, Woocheon is standing and has a nonchalant expression as usual.
“Oh, Woocheon. Is there something you need?” Oh-won asks.
Woocheon peers a bit inside their room before returning his sight to Oh-won.
“Do you feel comfortable here?” Woocheon asks.
Oh-won nods, “Yeah, sort of.”
“That’s good then,” Woocheon says. “By the way, we plan to hike back to Baegyeol by Monday morning. There’s news that Yanghan Road is blocked due to some tension. Our supplier might not arrive sooner because of that.”
“Oh, that’s bad news… It could be some bandits,” Oh-won comments. “If that’s the case, we’ll return by ourselves tomorrow.”
“Yes and—” Woocheon clasps his hands, “—I want to apologize for the trouble. Abeoji will give you fare as compensation for this.”
Oh-won widens her eyes. “Oh, not needed! I have extra money here, and I have sold enough ginseng, so please don’t worry! Besides, something like this is not under our control. I understand.”
“But I insist,” Woocheon says. “Abeoji doesn’t want to cause trouble for others, you know that.”
Oh-won just slowly nods. “Well, then I’ll take it.”
Woocheon chuckles. “That’s settled. And if you say no to me, Abeoji won’t agree.”
“Now I’m shy.”
“Pssh,” Woocheon sneers as he turns slightly serious, “but yes, we apologize for that still.”
Oh-won waves her hand. “Please don’t trouble yourself for it, really.”
“Alright, alright.” Woocheon nods. “I’ll go ahead.”
“Sure, sure.”
Woocheon turns around as Oh-won watches him leave for a while before closing the door. As she is going to return to her bed, she finds the two kids fighting with pillows. Their laughter is uncontrollable, making Oh-won frown. She puts her hands on her hips and waits to see if they are going to stop, but their noise intensifies by each second.
“Sun-il, Sungbin,” Oh-won calls in calm but sneering tone. Sun-il glances to her—his expression drops—as a pillow hits his face. Sun-il falls on the side and the victor, Sungbin, is laughing and still unaware that Oh-won is glaring at them.
Finally, Sungbin looks to Oh-won and then stops cold and scared.
“…What did I say about earlier?” Oh-won finally says.
Sungbin gulps. “…Uh-oh.”
Sun-il has recovered himself but not totally seeing Oh-won is staring straight at him. His face turns white as a sheet with sweat dropping his cheek.
“…S-Sorry, noona.”
The Jungneung Valley is surrounded by mountain ranges that are fascinating as a view and with just a little change of direction, the snow caps of the Chubda Region can already be seen. Oh-won has a habit of staring at it, especially at night, and she remembers that Sun-il has mentioned that they look like the clouds in the sky. Getting away from the coldness of their home region sometimes is a treat, but more with meeting with some friends she has made in Gomin.
“It’s hard to find a lamb meat, nowadays,” Chunyeong says, who is part of local traders' guild, whom she has befriended years ago. Oh-won is sitting in a cantina where he also serves, and since it is already downtime, Chunyeong has the luxury to entertain his friend.
Oh-won drinks a warm beverage and puts the mug down.
“What’s happening in the farmlands?” Oh-won asks and Chunyeong sighs in disappointment.
“Well, it just the brigands are gaining more power in the west side, and the mayor over there is not doing anything. Like he doesn’t think it hurts his economy, too. There are just rumors however that he’s receiving wealth from somebody else,” Chunyeong explains. “It’s just a hard gamble if that were true.”
“Some people are really just that selfish,” Oh-won says. “We can also say that those brigands can be employed as mercenary, too. Probably that happens a lot more than we know.”
Chunyeong grimaces and slumps his arms on the table. “Some people fear it could be the Empire’s doing.”
Oh-won feels her heart skips a beat.
“Are they seriously going low, huh…?” Oh-won mumbles. Not surprising, it’s politics.
“They aren’t just able to get us head on. Our regions are collaborating for defense,” Chunyeong reassures. “Yet they can attack us in other ways. I heard there is preparation to take the Gam River once again.”
“Once the area around Gam is taken, it will be easier for them to proceed to us,” Oh-won says.
“I was actually thinking on getting enlisted,” Chunyeong says. “It’s not that I wanted to, but most of my friends are getting enlisted. I have a training beforehand. I just stopped because I just find being a merchant more ideal for me.”
“You know it’s not fun and games there,” Oh-won reprimands.
Chunyeong leans back to his chair. “I know. But at least, I could do something. I thought I can run away from it, but well… What happened to my grandfather is not easy to erase in my brain.”
“We all hold something against the Empire,” Oh-won says.
“Mhmm, we do…” Chunyeong ponders a bit and drinks in full straight. “I’ll just get some kimchi, and imagine it is meat.”
Oh-won chuckles. “Sure, go ahead.”
Chunyeong stands up and Oh-won spares herself some time again to stare at the mountains. What is in their territories is nothing but trivial matters. People are simply living by, but there is always a danger that can take away those things.
Even lives, and she is still lucky to have it.