And so, Master YMang began to receive one gift every month.
One time, the gift was beautifully embroidered silk handkerchief. It was so splendid that every concubine would covet for it by asking Master YMang for it. They used all kind of affectionate mannerisms to get their hands on it.
And the other times, the gift was a flower bouquet. Each flower was picked with care and they were all vibrant with vivid colors.
The delicate scent of flowers spread so far that a friend of Master YMang who lived miles away came to visit, asking about the scent.
That night, Master YMang was able to enjoy his friend"s company.
One day, while walking the corridor, Master YMang found his concubines gathered in one place wearing their most beautiful attire.
The concubines also noticed Master YMang and greeted him while walking by his side.
Among those concubines, there was one concubine who was different from the rest. She was gleaming with loveliness.
Master YMang saw her glamorous form and ordered her to visit him that night.
The night came, and the dolled-up concubine was delivered to Master YMang"s bedroom chamber.
The concubine and Master YMang chatted for a bit before going in bed. The concubine took off all the jewelries that she wore and went under the bed cover.
Seeing this, Master YMang realized the reason for the concubine"s gleam.
One of the jewelries that she wore had a shine to it.
"Where did you receive that?"
To Master YMang"s question, the concubine spoke with a sweet smile.
"It is a jewelry that the foxy kid made. His skill is quite good."
Just then, a thought of Ho-Chi came to Master YMang"s mind.
Along with that thought, Master YMang remember hearing about JHo who was born from the same tail. According to the rumor, JHo, now, was the ruler of the southern regions to the Dong-Lang mountain.
The southern regions to the Dong-Lang mountain is where it meets the Tae-Chon regions*.
*The Tae-Chon is the region where Master YMang rules over*
Master YMang did not wish to be disturbed by Ho-Chi"s presence in his palace.
The next day, Master YMang announced to Ho-Chi that he will be let out from the palace.
Few days later, Ho-Chi who was wearing white cotton clothes came to Master YMang for the last goodbye.
Master YMang wrinkled his brow at how shabby Ho-Chi appeared with his small bundle of belongings.
"Your sibling is ruling over near the Tae-Chon border, I will give you a house near the area so go live there."
To Master YMang"s words, Ho-Chi"s eye rims became reddened, but no tears came.
Ho-Chi bowed his head and conveyed his grat.i.tude.
As a despised being, Ho-Chi did not receive a second glance from anyone, but his life was much better compared to how he lived in the Dong-Lang mountain.
Ho-Chi offered Master YMang a parting gift. It was carefully wrapped with a wisteria flower placed on top.
It was the similar gift that Ho-Chi offered Master Cheon-Ho long ago.
Being thankful that Master YMang accepted the gift, Ho-Chi left.
What waited Ho-Chi outside was a palanquin.
Ho-Chi opened the window attached in the palanquin. A wind blew away Ho-Chi"s bangs and tickled his face. The wind revealed the star shaped scar on Ho-Chi"s forehead.
The scar that Ho-Chi received from JHo left a star-shaped mark on the forehead.
Ho-Chi watched the disappearing sight of black palace with the reddened eyes.
By riding the palanquin, Ho-Chi reached the border of the Tae-Chon region.
As soon as it dropped Ho-Chi off, the palanquin left the border. Ho-Chi was faced with a big gate of a big house.
The house was more like a villa in a mountain. It felt so empty and too big for Ho-Chi.
For some time, Ho-Chi simply stood in front of the gate, looking up at the house.
When JHo finally opened the letter that was sent from Tae-Chon, it was one week after its arrival.
JHo took his time opening the dreadful letter knowing that he cannot not open it. As soon as the letter was read, however, JHo hastily left his palace.
Winds pa.s.sed by JHa as he jumped through multiple mountains at once. JHo was so fast that it seemed as if sceneries were stepping back on their own.
Arrived at the Tae-Chon border, JHo looked for the house that was described in the letter.
Surrounded by the forest, JHo located a small house. Looking at the quiet place, JHo became angry.
Master YMang was a stingy person, he could have given Ho-Chi a better house if he was going to throw him out. JHo cursed few times before he walked toward the house.
It was good thing that JHo was going to bring Ho-Chi back. JHo abruptly pushed back the gate and walked right into the villa.
Cool breeze blew.
The house did not have any trace of living creature.
Ho-Chi"s scent could not be detected anywhere in the house. There was only JHo and the empty house.
Leaving without delay, JHo went to find Master YMang.
When Master YMang faced the young violet-haired fox, he found JHo to be very handsome.
It was an unbelievable that Ho-Chi was related to such a capable looking fox.
However, as soon as JHo opened his rude mouth to demand for where about of Ho-Chi, Master YMang mocked JHo. Thinking that JHo was same kind of creature as his father.
"Where did you hide him!"
"You impertinent! Where do you think you are to raise your voice this way!"
The subordinates snarled at JHo.
Observing this commotion, Master YMang raised his hand to order a stop and spoke.
"I clearly told Ho-Chi that he can live near the border where it meets your land. If he is not there, he must have ran away in spite of you. Don"t you think it was pointless for you to come here, young fox?"
Without any refutable argument to counter, Ho-Chi bit down on his lips in frustration.
After JHo left, Master YMang wanted to order his subordinates to find Ho-Chi but thought better of it.
Master YMang, however, remembered the gift that Ho-Chi gave him before he left and decided to open it up.
The gift was located deep within Master YMang"s warehouse. When Master YMang lifted Ho-Chi"s gift and unfolded it, it shone like it produce light of its own.
Gentle fragrant emanated from the fabric and, soon, the whole palace was filled with its scent.
One needlework at a time, different colored clothe were put together to create one big design. The vivid colors were beautifully put together that it reminded you of autumn scenery in afternoon light.
Those of who laid their eyes on the fabric sighed with admiration. it was such a splendid work.
TN: Okay, everyone is starting to get how precious Ho-Chi is.
The it was such a splendid work.