Water Containing The Moon

ranslated by Wook
Edited by Wook

 

Hyun opened his mouth wide at the unexpected words. ‘You say you want to find the treasure that everyone is longing for? Is it that easy? If it had been that way, it wouldn’t have been so chaotic.’

 

As a lone swordsman, he might be able to outrun the Moorim and find the treasure easily. He is the strongest person in Danguk. The more wealth, the better.

 

But Hyun didn’t want to bother him with that. So he suppressed his interest and declined.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

“I can do anything if you want.”

 

“But, still…”

 

Hyun licked his lips and clouded the end of his words.

 

Wei Jeokmyung often acted as if he would pick a moon for Hyun’s sake and persistently asked if there was anything he wanted. His favor was awkward and burdensome for Hyun, who is still not used to receiving and demanding something from someone for granted.

 

So, every time his heart pounded and he was worried about how far it would go and whether it would offend the man. Just as the favor of others is not his right, he was afraid of what would happen if he got tired of the constant demands. Hyun did not want to break this relationship.

 

“Are you really okay?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Wei Jeokmyung looked at Hyun’s face as he nodded slowly. The boy’s face, who had lost weight overnight, had a sad expression on his face, and was very pathetic, but still very pretty. His flat cheeks, sunken under his straight forehead, were white and high, and the eyes caught his in many ways.

 

“If you are okay, then nevermind with it.”

 

Hyun swallowed a sigh of relief at Wei Jeokmyung’s words.

 

The food on the table suddenly cooled down due to the commotion a while ago. Wei Jeokmyung asked Hyun, loosening his grip around his waist.

 

“The food is cold. Should I get you a new one?”

 

“No.”

 

“Are you hungry?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Should we leave then?”

 

Hyun realized that Wei Jeokmyung had not eaten any food and pulled his sleeve. Then he gestured to him, who was puzzled, and pointed to food.

 

“It’s okay. I’m not hungry anymore.”

 

‘All you ate is a bottle of alcohol, but you’re not hungry anymore?’ However, Hyun couldn’t continue to question him. As Wei Jeokmyung got up from his seat still holding his body, he just reflexively put his hands around Wei Jeokmyung’s neck and pressed his body close together. He was shy before, but now he’s halfway to giving up. It’s also partly because of the warmth, which makes it feel good.

 

After leaving the store, Wei Jeokmyung walked around a bit more while holding Hyun. As he went further into the road, the surrounding area was very crowded with soliciting merchants and people watching. The items on the pedestal scattered everywhere were crude in color, rough in shape, and cheaply brittle. However, it was fun to see a lot of different kinds and strange things.

 

Wei Jeokmyung bought Hyun, who was frantically turning his head to look around, a few joinjeolmi (I believe this is the Danguk version of Korean traditional rice cake made of glutinous rice and coated with bean flour), a basket of cheongbyeong (based on Korean sweets but I don’t know which), and a bowl of dugyeonmyeon (this one as well) with only azalea petals floating on it. 

 

The snack boats were originally separate, so Hyun munched the snacks he had bought in Wei Jeokmyung’s arms along the way, and Wei Jeokmyung would wipe Hyun’s mouth with his sleeve whenever his mouth got dirty.

 

When Hyun came to his senses while watching the gamblers play, his stomach was already bulged like a tadpole.

 

“Shall we go back soon?” Wei Jeokmyung asked. 

 

‘Come to think of it, how many hours did he hold him?’ Hyun blushed in embarrassment. Even if there was a big difference in size, it would be quite heavy because he was a boy of ten years old, but there was not even a drop of sweat on Wei Jeokmyung’s forehead. He had amazing stamina.

 

‘Wei Jeokmyung also came out with me as soon as he returned, wouldn’t he be tired? He kept carrying…’

 

Hyun pulled Wei Jeokmyung’s sleeve slightly and pointed to the ground. He meant to get down. Wei Jeokmyung flatly refused.

 

“There are a lot of people and it is easy to get lost. I’m worried because there are a lot of drunk people around. So I think it’s better to go this way.”

 

Wei Jeokmyung was sometimes stubborn about trifles and didn’t listen to him. However, he felt embarrassed but happy because it was all an act that made him feel comfortable. He was so good that Hyun wished he was a boy who really didn’t know what he was.

 

So this time too. Wei Jeokmyung said he wouldn’t let himself go until they got to Wei Estate. Hyun had no choice but to quietly dig into his arms. It was like using the Great General as a palanquin.

 

‘It’s warm.’ Hyun slowly blinked his eyes. A yawn slowly leaked out. Looking back, now is the time to sleep.

 

It’s been less than half a day since he was sick and barely woke up. Thanks to Wei Jeokmyung, he was able to look around comfortably, but he was still tired even though it didn’t consume his stamina at all.

 

Hyun tossed and turned comfortably in his arms, and Wei Jeokmyung smiled faintly and hugged him back, and started walking very slowly. Of course, Wei Jeokmyung’s back muscles were bulging due to tension. But from start to finish, he kept going.

 

The rising full moon poured over Wei Jeokmyung. The festival, which reached its climax, was noisy with drunken tourists. But the way back with Wei Jeokmyung was safe and comfortable.

 

Hyun thought involuntarily in his sleep.

 

I hope to watch this with him next time as well.

 

***

 

After the trip, Wei Jeokmyung was very busy. He was so busy that he hadn’t had dinner with Hyun for days. No, not to mention dinner. Every time Wei Jeokmyung left the house after midnight, he came in early in the morning, so Hyun couldn’t even see his face properly.

 

Wei Jeokmyung’s servants didn’t say anything, which implied that Hyun is going to have dinner alone today. Hyun headed to the kitchen to get dinner. A fragrant and delicious smell wafted through the wide open door of the kitchen.

 

“Hyun ah.”

 

Hyang, who had just crossed the kitchen threshold, called out to Hyun. She is a maid working in the kitchen, and from the moment Hyun first entered Wei Estate, she showed a deep affection for and treated him well. At the moment she had a large basket in her arm, looking as if she was about to run an errand.

[Her name was Hyangyang before, but it’s Hyang here and below, I guess it’s a typo from the author.]

 

She made a small gesture with a worried expression on her face and whispered in a voice the size of an ant.

 

“You can’t come into the kitchen right now. Madam is not in a good mood.”

 

The madam of the kitchen, Joo, is the mother of Dangchil, a mean and greedy woman. Using her friendship with the governor, she ruled like an emperor in the kitchen, harassing people. Madam Joo especially hated Hyang and Hyun. She disliked Hyang for no reason, and hated Hyun because of the matter with Dangchil before.

 

“Go back. I’ll get you dinner later.”

Visit readlightnovel.me for extra chapters.

 

She hurriedly tried to make Hyun return. However, she was discovered when the madam suddenly appeared.

 

“You there, Hyang, why are you messing around without going to the errand quickly? Do I have to kick your ass that is as slow as a donkey before you go? If the fish and dumplings are delayed because of you, I won’t let it go. Oh yo, look who’s here?”

 

Hyang smiled awkwardly and hid Hyun behind her.

 

“I was just about to go. I’ll be right back.”

 

“Stay still.”

 

The madam’s eyes flashed fiercely. Dangchil had been severely punished because of this kid, so her resentment was very deep. However, Wei Jeokmyung liked Hyun and had many eyes to see, so she could not easily use her hand.

 

“Look, the young master is here. I thought you wouldn’t come to such a shabby place with such a precious body.”

 

She was being sarcastic. She looked like she wanted to beat Hyun’s face as much as her son had suffered, but she couldn’t, so her stomach was boiling with anger. If he wasn’t the only servant working in Wei Jeokmyung’s place, she’d have given him a hard time. It was also annoying that Hyang was hiding Hyun behind her like a mother protecting her young.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Then the governor appeared. The madam changed his attitude immediately and turned polite.

 

“Sir Governor, you are here? I was about to send Hyang on an errand.”

 

“Hyun too?”

 

The governor glanced at Hyun. Hyun bowed his head at his dull gaze.

 

The governor of Wei Estate was an odd man because one could not understand his thoughts. His face, with his stout build and a voluminous beard, was dignified for his position, but somewhat gritty. It feels like looking at a snake.

 

“It seems that Hyun just stopped by here. So we were talking for a while.”

 

The madam lied naturally in a gentle voice.

 

“Is that so? Hyun, if you have nothing else to do, run an errand,” said the governor.

 

Wei Jeokmyung ordered people not to let Hyun run errands, but the governor thought this was not a violation of his master’s words, because this was to retrieve his belongings.

 

Hyun hid his confused expression and nodded his head. The governor took out a heavy frontal sack and handed it to him.

 

“Go find your master’s leather shoes (皮鞋場) at the tannery.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hyang, take Hyun well.”

 

“Yes, I will. Hyun ah, let’s go.”

 

Hyun felt a tingling sensation in his back caused by the gaze staring at him as he followed Hyang. Hyang didn’t erase the look of concern until they left the gate of Wei. She had recently heard the madam swear at Hyun every time she was bored in the kitchen “Dangchil was unfairly punished for that” or something.

 

Hyun and Hyang made their first stop at the tannery, where they found Wei Jeokmyung’s shoes, and then they went straight to the fish market. Hyang picked the fish carefully, then with an apologetic expression to Hyun, who was standing still, took out her coin from her front pocket and held it. There was a merchant selling bingdangho nearby.

 

“It seems like it will take some time. Go buy one bingdangho and eat it.”

 

Hyun refused, but she dropped a coin into his hand. Hyang seemed to have forgotten that Hyun was not a child of ten or so. She always treats him like a child and comforts him.

 

Hyun had no choice but to take the coin and exit the fishery. She gave him money to buy snacks, and if he continued to insist, she would be upset. So, he approached the seller who sold bingdangho, and handed him a coin. No, it would have been, if someone had not slapped him on the shoulder and made him drop the money.

 

“Aiya!”

 

Hyun could not balance his body in the sudden shock and fell forward. He managed to reach out his hand so his face did not hit the ground, but his wrists and neck felt painful.

 

He rubbed his wrists and watched as the other person ran away in the distance. The sour, disgusting smell of his bumped shoulder seemed to have come from the body of the beggar who stole his coin.

 

Hyun felt it was a pity, but he didn’t bother chasing the beggar. Because you can’t take a risk for just a coin.

 

At that moment, a hand suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. As Hyun looked up along the hand, a young man dressed in blue silk was gazing at him.

ranslated by WookEdited by Wook

 

Hyun opened his mouth wide at the unexpected words. ‘You say you want to find the treasure that everyone is longing for? Is it that easy? If it had been that way, it wouldn’t have been so chaotic.’

 

As a lone swordsman, he might be able to outrun the Moorim and find the treasure easily. He is the strongest person in Danguk. The more wealth, the better.

 

But Hyun didn’t want to bother him with that. So he suppressed his interest and declined.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

“I can do anything if you want.”

 

“But, still…”

 

Hyun licked his lips and clouded the end of his words.

 

Wei Jeokmyung often acted as if he would pick a moon for Hyun’s sake and persistently asked if there was anything he wanted. His favor was awkward and burdensome for Hyun, who is still not used to receiving and demanding something from someone for granted.

 

So, every time his heart pounded and he was worried about how far it would go and whether it would offend the man. Just as the favor of others is not his right, he was afraid of what would happen if he got tired of the constant demands. Hyun did not want to break this relationship.

 

“Are you really okay?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Wei Jeokmyung looked at Hyun’s face as he nodded slowly. The boy’s face, who had lost weight overnight, had a sad expression on his face, and was very pathetic, but still very pretty. His flat cheeks, sunken under his straight forehead, were white and high, and the eyes caught his in many ways.

 

“If you are okay, then nevermind with it.”

 

Hyun swallowed a sigh of relief at Wei Jeokmyung’s words.

 

The food on the table suddenly cooled down due to the commotion a while ago. Wei Jeokmyung asked Hyun, loosening his grip around his waist.

 

“The food is cold. Should I get you a new one?”

 

“No.”

 

“Are you hungry?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Should we leave then?”

 

Hyun realized that Wei Jeokmyung had not eaten any food and pulled his sleeve. Then he gestured to him, who was puzzled, and pointed to food.

 

“It’s okay. I’m not hungry anymore.”

 

‘All you ate is a bottle of alcohol, but you’re not hungry anymore?’ However, Hyun couldn’t continue to question him. As Wei Jeokmyung got up from his seat still holding his body, he just reflexively put his hands around Wei Jeokmyung’s neck and pressed his body close together. He was shy before, but now he’s halfway to giving up. It’s also partly because of the warmth, which makes it feel good.

 

After leaving the store, Wei Jeokmyung walked around a bit more while holding Hyun. As he went further into the road, the surrounding area was very crowded with soliciting merchants and people watching. The items on the pedestal scattered everywhere were crude in color, rough in shape, and cheaply brittle. However, it was fun to see a lot of different kinds and strange things.

 

Wei Jeokmyung bought Hyun, who was frantically turning his head to look around, a few joinjeolmi (I believe this is the Danguk version of Korean traditional rice cake made of glutinous rice and coated with bean flour), a basket of cheongbyeong (based on Korean sweets but I don’t know which), and a bowl of dugyeonmyeon (this one as well) with only azalea petals floating on it. 

 

The snack boats were originally separate, so Hyun munched the snacks he had bought in Wei Jeokmyung’s arms along the way, and Wei Jeokmyung would wipe Hyun’s mouth with his sleeve whenever his mouth got dirty.

 

When Hyun came to his senses while watching the gamblers play, his stomach was already bulged like a tadpole.

 

“Shall we go back soon?” Wei Jeokmyung asked. 

 

‘Come to think of it, how many hours did he hold him?’ Hyun blushed in embarrassment. Even if there was a big difference in size, it would be quite heavy because he was a boy of ten years old, but there was not even a drop of sweat on Wei Jeokmyung’s forehead. He had amazing stamina.

 

‘Wei Jeokmyung also came out with me as soon as he returned, wouldn’t he be tired? He kept carrying…’

 

Hyun pulled Wei Jeokmyung’s sleeve slightly and pointed to the ground. He meant to get down. Wei Jeokmyung flatly refused.

 

“There are a lot of people and it is easy to get lost. I’m worried because there are a lot of drunk people around. So I think it’s better to go this way.”

 

Wei Jeokmyung was sometimes stubborn about trifles and didn’t listen to him. However, he felt embarrassed but happy because it was all an act that made him feel comfortable. He was so good that Hyun wished he was a boy who really didn’t know what he was.

 

So this time too. Wei Jeokmyung said he wouldn’t let himself go until they got to Wei Estate. Hyun had no choice but to quietly dig into his arms. It was like using the Great General as a palanquin.

 

‘It’s warm.’ Hyun slowly blinked his eyes. A yawn slowly leaked out. Looking back, now is the time to sleep.

 

It’s been less than half a day since he was sick and barely woke up. Thanks to Wei Jeokmyung, he was able to look around comfortably, but he was still tired even though it didn’t consume his stamina at all.

 

Hyun tossed and turned comfortably in his arms, and Wei Jeokmyung smiled faintly and hugged him back, and started walking very slowly. Of course, Wei Jeokmyung’s back muscles were bulging due to tension. But from start to finish, he kept going.

 

The rising full moon poured over Wei Jeokmyung. The festival, which reached its climax, was noisy with drunken tourists. But the way back with Wei Jeokmyung was safe and comfortable.

 

Hyun thought involuntarily in his sleep.

 

I hope to watch this with him next time as well.

 

***

 

After the trip, Wei Jeokmyung was very busy. He was so busy that he hadn’t had dinner with Hyun for days. No, not to mention dinner. Every time Wei Jeokmyung left the house after midnight, he came in early in the morning, so Hyun couldn’t even see his face properly.

 

Wei Jeokmyung’s servants didn’t say anything, which implied that Hyun is going to have dinner alone today. Hyun headed to the kitchen to get dinner. A fragrant and delicious smell wafted through the wide open door of the kitchen.

 

“Hyun ah.”

 

Hyang, who had just crossed the kitchen threshold, called out to Hyun. She is a maid working in the kitchen, and from the moment Hyun first entered Wei Estate, she showed a deep affection for and treated him well. At the moment she had a large basket in her arm, looking as if she was about to run an errand.

[Her name was Hyangyang before, but it’s Hyang here and below, I guess it’s a typo from the author.]

 

She made a small gesture with a worried expression on her face and whispered in a voice the size of an ant.

 

“You can’t come into the kitchen right now. Madam is not in a good mood.”

 

The madam of the kitchen, Joo, is the mother of Dangchil, a mean and greedy woman. Using her friendship with the governor, she ruled like an emperor in the kitchen, harassing people. Madam Joo especially hated Hyang and Hyun. She disliked Hyang for no reason, and hated Hyun because of the matter with Dangchil before.

 

“Go back. I’ll get you dinner later.”

Visit readlightnovel.me for extra chapters.

 

She hurriedly tried to make Hyun return. However, she was discovered when the madam suddenly appeared.

 

“You there, Hyang, why are you messing around without going to the errand quickly? Do I have to kick your ass that is as slow as a donkey before you go? If the fish and dumplings are delayed because of you, I won’t let it go. Oh yo, look who’s here?”

 

Hyang smiled awkwardly and hid Hyun behind her.

 

“I was just about to go. I’ll be right back.”

 

“Stay still.”

 

The madam’s eyes flashed fiercely. Dangchil had been severely punished because of this kid, so her resentment was very deep. However, Wei Jeokmyung liked Hyun and had many eyes to see, so she could not easily use her hand.

 

“Look, the young master is here. I thought you wouldn’t come to such a shabby place with such a precious body.”

 

She was being sarcastic. She looked like she wanted to beat Hyun’s face as much as her son had suffered, but she couldn’t, so her stomach was boiling with anger. If he wasn’t the only servant working in Wei Jeokmyung’s place, she’d have given him a hard time. It was also annoying that Hyang was hiding Hyun behind her like a mother protecting her young.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Then the governor appeared. The madam changed his attitude immediately and turned polite.

 

“Sir Governor, you are here? I was about to send Hyang on an errand.”

 

“Hyun too?”

 

The governor glanced at Hyun. Hyun bowed his head at his dull gaze.

 

The governor of Wei Estate was an odd man because one could not understand his thoughts. His face, with his stout build and a voluminous beard, was dignified for his position, but somewhat gritty. It feels like looking at a snake.

 

“It seems that Hyun just stopped by here. So we were talking for a while.”

 

The madam lied naturally in a gentle voice.

 

“Is that so? Hyun, if you have nothing else to do, run an errand,” said the governor.

 

Wei Jeokmyung ordered people not to let Hyun run errands, but the governor thought this was not a violation of his master’s words, because this was to retrieve his belongings.

 

Hyun hid his confused expression and nodded his head. The governor took out a heavy frontal sack and handed it to him.

 

“Go find your master’s leather shoes (皮鞋場) at the tannery.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hyang, take Hyun well.”

 

“Yes, I will. Hyun ah, let’s go.”

 

Hyun felt a tingling sensation in his back caused by the gaze staring at him as he followed Hyang. Hyang didn’t erase the look of concern until they left the gate of Wei. She had recently heard the madam swear at Hyun every time she was bored in the kitchen “Dangchil was unfairly punished for that” or something.

 

Hyun and Hyang made their first stop at the tannery, where they found Wei Jeokmyung’s shoes, and then they went straight to the fish market. Hyang picked the fish carefully, then with an apologetic expression to Hyun, who was standing still, took out her coin from her front pocket and held it. There was a merchant selling bingdangho nearby.

 

“It seems like it will take some time. Go buy one bingdangho and eat it.”

 

Hyun refused, but she dropped a coin into his hand. Hyang seemed to have forgotten that Hyun was not a child of ten or so. She always treats him like a child and comforts him.

 

Hyun had no choice but to take the coin and exit the fishery. She gave him money to buy snacks, and if he continued to insist, she would be upset. So, he approached the seller who sold bingdangho, and handed him a coin. No, it would have been, if someone had not slapped him on the shoulder and made him drop the money.

 

“Aiya!”

 

Hyun could not balance his body in the sudden shock and fell forward. He managed to reach out his hand so his face did not hit the ground, but his wrists and neck felt painful.

 

He rubbed his wrists and watched as the other person ran away in the distance. The sour, disgusting smell of his bumped shoulder seemed to have come from the body of the beggar who stole his coin.

 

Hyun felt it was a pity, but he didn’t bother chasing the beggar. Because you can’t take a risk for just a coin.

 

At that moment, a hand suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. As Hyun looked up along the hand, a young man dressed in blue silk was gazing at him.