Chapter Four: The Hand's of Destiny

Mi Hyang woke abruptly, her body aching all over. She found herself in a small, rundown house deep in the forested mountains. Her head pounded with pain, and she felt the bruises from her recent fall. As her vision cleared, she noticed two men rummaging through the belongings of the dead. They had been searching for valuables among the remains of the Prince's family and their relatives.

The bandits showed no mercy. They snatched hairpins, rings, earrings, and necklaces from the corpses. They even stripped the silk garments from the bodies, laughing callously as they discussed their loot. Their cruel laughter grated on Mi Hyang's ears as she pretended to be unconscious, listening intently.

The men talked about the previous day's horrific events at her family's estate. They mentioned Lord Min's betrayal, a man who had been Lord Hae's closest friend. Lord Min's son, Min Joon, had been Mi Hyang's childhood companion. The bandits marveled at the treachery, struggling to understand how someone considered family could orchestrate such a massacre.

Grief and disbelief weighed heavily on Mi Hyang's heart. She realized the depth of the deception that had destroyed her world. Amidst the despair, a spark of determination ignited within her. She knew she had to survive, to find justice for her family, and to expose the truth behind the betrayal.

As the bandits prepared to leave, they noticed Mi Hyang stirring. With a cruel grin, they decided to sell her off, seeing an opportunity to profit from her misfortune. They roughly pulled her up and ordered her to change out of her blood-stained silk hanbok into a tattered, nondescript dress. Mi Hyang complied silently, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and vengeance.

In the midst of the chaos, Mi Hyang managed to conceal a delicate hairpin—a birthday gift from her now-deceased mother. It was a small token of her former life, a reminder of happier days before tragedy struck her family.

With heavy steps and an even heavier heart, Mi Hyang was led away by the bandits. Her fate was uncertain, but her spirit remained unbroken. Sold as a Gisaeng—a fate she had never imagined—she faced an unknown future in a world vastly different from the one she had known. But beneath her outward compliance, a fire burned within her—a determination to survive, seek justice, and reclaim her stolen dignity amidst the shadows of betrayal and despair.

The head Gisaeng was a strikingly beautiful woman in her late thirties, known for her meticulous nature and unwavering discipline. When Mi Hyang was brought into her fold, she was met not with compassion but with a sternness that cut deeper than any blade. The head Gisaeng, determined to bind Mi Hyang to her fate, forced her to endure the painful ordeal of getting a tattoo on her left shoulder—a permanent mark to ensure she could never escape and live a life of freedom.

In stark contrast, there was Su Ryeon, a girl of eleven years who radiated warmth and kindness. Her exceptional skills had earned her the favor of the head Gisaeng, who treated her like a prized jewel. Coincidentally, Su Ryeon was the same age as Mi Hyang's younger brother, a fact that seemed to deepen the silent bond she tried to forge with the aloof Mi Hyang. Despite Mi Hyang's cold demeanor, Su Ryeon treated her with the affection of a younger sister, always hopeful that her warmth could thaw Mi Hyang's icy exterior.

As the years passed, both girls blossomed into stunning young women, each captivating in their own right. However, the passage of time only seemed to harden Mi Hyang. She became a master of the sword, her skills unmatched, and her demeanor growing ever colder. Su Ryeon, on the other hand, retained her gentle nature, becoming even more beloved by those around her.

Their contrasting personalities and talents made them the envy of the younger Gisaengs, who watched with a mix of admiration and jealousy. The head Gisaeng's favor and love for both girls, albeit for different reasons, set them apart in a world where every gesture and skill could determine one's fate. Their story unfolded in an intricate dance of power, beauty, and unspoken tension, leaving those around them to wonder what future awaited these two extraordinary young women.

The air was filled with anticipation and unspoken tension as the head Gisaeng officially initiated Su Ryeon into the ranks of the Gisaeng. At seventeen, Su Ryeon's radiant beauty and enchanting personality promised to captivate the hearts of many men, making her a valuable asset in the eyes of the head Gisaeng. Her charm was effortless, a natural allure that drew people in and held them spellbound.

In stark contrast, Mi Hyang, now fourteen, was being groomed with different expectations. The head Gisaeng had high hopes for her as a dancer, particularly a sword dancer, a role that demanded grace and precision. Mi Hyang excelled at sword dancing, but her mastery of the blade served a far darker purpose. Each precise movement was a step closer to her ultimate goal: revenge. Her heart burned with a desire to avenge the wrongs inflicted upon her, and sword dancing became her clandestine path to mastering the art of the sword.

Yet, Mi Hyang knew the bitter truth: despite her growing skill, she could not rightfully call herself a swordsman. True mastery required a mentor, rigorous training, and a discipline that went beyond the confines of the Gisaeng house. Her practice was fueled by a mixture of desperation and determination, each day a silent vow to one day wield her blade with lethal expertise.

The head Gisaeng, oblivious to Mi Hyang's inner turmoil, saw only potential in her. She envisioned a future where Mi Hyang's sword dances would mesmerize and enthrall, unaware of the dark ambition that drove the young girl. The shadow of revenge loomed over Mi Hyang's every move, casting a pall that only she could see.

As Su Ryeon basked in her new status, unaware of the storm brewing within Mi Hyang, the other Gisaengs watched with a mix of envy and curiosity. The head Gisaeng's dual hopes for these two young women created a fragile balance, one that threatened to shatter under the weight of hidden desires and unspoken dreams.

In the dimly lit corridors of the Gisaeng house, secrets whispered like ghosts, and the dance of power and beauty took on a sinister edge. Mi Hyang's journey towards revenge intertwined with Su Ryeon's ascent to prominence, their fates bound together in a dark and dramatic tale of ambition, deception, and the haunting allure of retribution.

Just when Hae Mi Hyang thought life had dealt her its harshest blows, little did she know that darker trials lay ahead. The arrival of Lord Cha, a man shrouded in infamy and fear, cast a long shadow over the Gisaeng house. This notorious nobleman, in his late thirties, was known for his ruthless pursuit of desires, always getting what he wanted no matter the cost. The moment his eyes fell upon Mi Hyang, he was captivated, deciding that he must possess her.

The house was thrown into chaos. The head Gisaeng, a woman of beauty and poise, found herself on her knees, begging for Mi Hyang's safety. She implored Lord Cha to spare Mi Hyang, pointing out that she was only fourteen, not yet an official Gisaeng, and far too young. But her pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears. Lord Cha's reputation for turning vibrant young girls into mere lifeless shells was well-known, and his cruel smile hinted at the dark fate he had in mind.

Unbeknownst to Mi Hyang, who was away in the forest honing her sword dance with fierce determination, a grave decision was being made. In a moment of selfless bravery, Su Ryeon offered to take Mi Hyang's place. The head Gisaeng, desperate and torn, ordered everyone to keep this a secret from Mi Hyang, hoping to shield her from the cruel reality.

That afternoon, Su Ryeon sought out Mi Hyang in the forest. With a heavy heart, she prepared to say goodbye without revealing the true reason. Mi Hyang, as usual, was cold and focused on her practice, her mind far from the troubles brewing back at the house. Su Ryeon embraced her with warmth, handing over a perfume pouch, Mi Hyang's favorite, a token of love and a silent farewell. Mi Hyang, absorbed in her training and oblivious to Su Ryeon's sacrifice, watched her leave without suspicion.

Night fell, and Mi Hyang returned to find the atmosphere in the Gisaeng house strangely tense. Su Ryeon was missing, but Mi Hyang assumed she had traveled with the head Gisaeng. The uneasy silence was broken at dawn by the sound of heart-wrenching wails. Mi Hyang's blood ran cold as she rushed to the source of the commotion. There, she found Su Ryeon returned to them, but her once lively eyes were now empty, her body a lifeless doll.

The weight of Su Ryeon's sacrifice crashed down on Mi Hyang. The perfume pouch, now a painful reminder of her friend's selflessness, hung heavily at her side. The Gisaeng house, once a place of beauty and ambition, was now filled with sorrow and despair. Mi Hyang's cold resolve transformed into a burning determination for vengeance. The shadow of Lord Cha's cruelty loomed over her, igniting a fire within her heart. The story of Mi Hyang and Su Ryeon became one of tragic beauty, unyielding resolve, and the haunting pursuit of retribution.