화랑 - a tale of curiosity [ON HOLD]

🌸chapter twenty-seven🌸

All the Hwarang's were entering the hall again, We Hwa looking over them all as they continued to seat themselves down.

Even though Hansung had cheered her up a considerable amount, she still felt a bottomless pit in her stomach. Upon entering the hall, Hansung had stopped her from walking any further and gave a wide smile.

"If you feel sad, just start drawing my face." He said, causing Ji-ae to sound out a giggle.

Ji-ae reluctantly left Hansung's side and then began ascending the stairs to walk past We Hwa and then sit on the chair that was placed out for her. As she awaited for all the Hwarang's to sit down, she tapped her pencil lightly on the paper, staring intently at where it made contact.

"Look here." With We Hwa's booming voice, she flinched and then dropped her pencil, causing the room to go silent. It rolled across the floor, heading towards the steps but We Hwa placed his foot in it, ceasing it's movements.

Ji-ae hesitantly got up and began shuffling over to where We Hwa was, bending down so that she could pick it up. He removed his foot and she picked it up off the floor and looked to Master We Hwa.

"Sorry." She mumbled, before shuffling back and re-taking her seat.

"Where were we?" We Hwa asked himself, placing his fingers on his chin before clicking his fingers. "Ah, yes." He walked to his right and yanked on the string that was dangling in the air. As he pulled it, a big white sheet came rolling down and landed next to Ji-ae. She looked up and saw that he had a calligraphy symbol written upon it.

"Water." Ji-ae whispered to herself, furrowing her brows as to where this was going.

"Do you know what this means?" We Hwa asked, causinga Hwarang to speak up.

"It means water." He answered, making We Hwa nod.

"Is water strong, or weak?" We Hwa asked, scanning all their faces. "If strong, how strong? If weak, how weak?"

We Hwa remained silent, allowing the Hwarang's to speak up, and that's what they did.

"Water defeats fire." Soo Hoo said, saying as if it was obvious. "So it is strong."

"But if it meets obstacles, it avoids them." Soo Hoo's grin then fell from his face when Ban Ryu chimed in with his interpretation. "Water is weak and cowardly."

Ji-ae rolls her eyes at the arrogance, yet again, radiating off of him.

"Water avoids and is cowardly." We Hwa states, thinking things over. "And?" He asked everyone.

"It is good." Someone says, making everyone turn their heads to the sound of the voice. "It embraces all of creation and revives dead seeds." Sam said, making everyone nod in understanding. "It makes itself humble and flows to where it is low. Thus, water does not try to become strong. It is good." Sam finished with, earning nods from all around.

"Yes, water is good." We Hwa clarifies, his hands folded behind his back. He scans the crowd again, landing his eyes on Sun Woo who was glancing around the hall. "Hey." We Hwa called out, making Sun Woo turn to him. "Do you not have anything to say?" He asked Sun Woo, tilting his head slightly.

Sun Woo sighed, and rubbed his knee caps as he thought of his answer. "Water, is tired." Sun Woo stated, earning laughs from everyone else, but he was unfazed.

We Hwa stifled his laugh. "How so?" He pressed, wanting to know where Sun Woo was leading with this peculiar idea.

"Water, must give of itself endlessly." Sun Woo said, making Ji-ae stop what she was doing and whole heartedly listen to what he was saying. "To the fish and to gold." He reasoned. "Until the ground dried up and cracks because there is nothing more to give. Water is always tired."