Painter Of The Wind Sequel (re-edited English version)
Author : FengMiYiGe (original fanfic written in Chinese)
Original Translators (English) : 5P2M, galadriel3
Re-edition 2009 (English) : ObsGryph
This story by Feng Mi Ye Ge was originally written in Chinese. Due to its popularity among POTW/MGY fans, it was translated into English. I came across it and found the grammar somewhat askew. The cadence of the sentence structure and dialogue of the original translation was a direct adaptation from the original Chinese approach which didn't translate very well in English. I requested permission to do some changes. What I did was to change some words into romanize Korean and rearranged sentence structure.
This was first posted in MGY's forum which I removed two years ago. Since there is still some interest from incoming viewers who discovered POTW, I'm posting FMYG's story on FFN. I asked about this some time ago from the author and was given permission but didn't get around to it until now.
Update; May 2018
I decided to do a complete overhaul of my own POTW fics after some years in writing fics, to try to iron out the errors in grammar and sentence construction. On looking at this, I'm not certain I should attempt any editing despite my spotting errors. If I were to do so, I fear I would inadvertently change it too much. I had wanted to change minute account of the original translation, back in 2009, due to the fact that they do not belong in Korean customs of the time.
What was it I initially changed? The one I remembered clearly was Jeonghyang riding a palanquin / sedan chair in her journey. This is impossible since palanquins / sedan chairs were restricted to nobles and those of higher rank at that time. I'm a stickler for accuracy so that part didn't sit very well. Even so, I eventually realised, after a discussion with someone back in 2009, that I shouldn't make any drastic changes since it's not my work so I tried my best to make sure the sentence phrasing and so on are correct. Hence, I will not make any corrections. The heart of the story is clear to readers, grammatical errors or no.
I want to tell the story of two people These two are not my parents. They are enemies of my father but they raised and fed me These two are not husband and wife but they love each other deeply and have no fear from life and death These two, one taught me the path of righteousness, the other taught me how to paint. One is my mother, the other is my mentor These two are my dearest family, my most respected and most beloved.
My name is Kim Yeombok (*Yeombok means thinking of bok)
Eighteen Years Ago
Jeong-hyang First Painting - Parted
It was quiet. Only the whistling wind and rhythmic paddling could be heard. A face grew cold as tears were dried by the wind. Jeong-hyang was not sure what she felt. Though conflicting feelings whirled restlessly in her heart, she suddenly felt tranquil and empty. "If only this woman leaves, you can then rest assured. What kind of hatred is it that is so important? If it has to be settled and you needed to risk your life, will you be safe? With me leaving like this, will that make you safe? I beg you to stay well after you have taken your revenge. If staying by your side becomes a burden to you, I choose to leave. I no longer can be of help anymore. I will just pray to the heavenly god to please protect and take care of my dearest painter." She raised her head to look upon the gloomy sky, repeating her prayer over and over again. Both hands held on tightly to the butterfly pendant hanging from her jeogori.
"Miss, is that young man your lover? You two make a great match," the old boatman asked sympathetically when he saw her grieving. She lowered her head sadly, thinking to herself "Lover?! We can be regarded as lovers, can't we?" Jeong-hyang could not help but feel a trace of desolation and gave a helpless smile to the kind hearted old boatman. She softly exclaimed: "But our fate seems to have only come this far."
"Oh, you've to be parted? The young man needs to pursue his future so he chooses to put love aside? Hoho," the old boatman said it in a way as if he understood the whole situation. He continued, "Miss, don't be upset. The young man looked so miserable when he bid you farewell, I can tell he isn't someone with no affections. There's the old saying ; Ten years of good deeds will get to ride on the same boat. A hundred years of good deeds will get to sleep beside each other. If you're destined to be together, no matter how far apart, the heavenly god will have you meet again and you will live happily forever."
"Perhaps..," she said softly, not knowing if she believed the old boatman or just to comfort herself.
"You need to live happily forever." Painter's voice rang out again
"How would you expect me to respond? Yes. I want happiness but what is happiness to me? Being separated from you, I don't even know if I would be able to find happiness again." She looked over the rippling water as she mused. Only the autumn wind was blowing and the paddles made lonely splashes. Her heart could not help but sigh, "I now drift on this little boat. Where would I find happiness, painter? Why can't you run away with me? Is it because of your paintings? Your position at the palace? Or is it your teacher? Painter, is it true our fate is to end here..?" she huddled under her cloak, lost in her thoughts.
The little boat glided on, eventually it reached the opposite shore. The old boatman leapt onto the pier to tie up the boat "Miss, we've arrived. Once you're off the boat, your hired sedan chair will take you to Pyongyang. " She wobbled as she got up, feeling slightly seasick after spending so many hours on the water.
"Take your belongings, Miss. Cheer up, everything will turn out fine," the old boatman helped her get off and handed her the luggage.
"Thank you. This is for buying wine." she offered him a few coins.
"No, no need no need, the young man had paid already," the old boatman waved his hands to decline.
"Please take it." Jeong-hyang insisted, which the old boatman accepted reluctantly before she walked away.
"Ah, such a beautiful girl. How could that young man give her up?" the old boatman shook his head, untied his boat and rowed away, mumbling to himself.
"Ma'am, are you Ms. Jeong-hyang from Hanyang?" Two middle age men came up to Jeong-hyang as she walked down the pier.
"May I know what is the matter?" she was surprised and anxiously clenched her luggage tightly while checking out these two strangers.
"We received instructions from Elder Brother Gong and Painter Shin a few days ago to wait for Ms. Jeong-hyang to escort her to Pyongyang. Are you her?" they asked politely.
"Oh I see, sorry to trouble you. I am she." Jeong-hyang felt disarmed as she heard Yunbok's name. The two men brought up the sedan chair and soon they were on their way to Pyongyang.
In the sedan chair, Jeong-hyang felt more secured "Pyongyang. I'll soon be home. Father, Big Brother, have you been well?" A sense of joy filled her heart as she was getting close to returning to the home she left many years ago. "Thanks to you, Painter. Finally, I'm free and be able to stay by my father's side." The sway of the sedan chair soon lulled her to sleep. She woke up with a start when she heard someone calling her.
"Ms, we are stopping over at Songdo since it's nightfall. We shall stay at this inn for the night. Please take your rest here." As she alighted from the sedan chair, she saw that the sky had turned dark.
"Thank you." she bowed slightly towards the two men.
"No worries. We are the Cho brothers. We and Gong are blood brothers. Every task ordered by him will be done to its best, moreover, this is not a difficult assignment. It's just that the road gets a little bumpy though" one of the men said ingenuously, bowing back.
"I must thank you again. Oh, I would like to buy some gifts for my father." she looked around at the busy streets.
"We should go with you as it would be safer." the men offered.
"No need to trouble you further," she declined politely. "I'll be back soon. You must be exhausted after a day of carrying the sedan. Please take your rest."
Thinking that it might be inconvenient to follow a lady while she shopped for personal items, the men acquiesced. "Oh well, please stay safe and return to the inn at your soonest." before carrying the sedan chair into the small yard of the inn.
"What should I buy? Tobacco, tea. may be some herbal supplements, hopefully father's leg has fully recovered." Jeong-hyang had not been that happy or relaxed in a long while. The thought that she would be home bolstered her spirits as she walked down the busy streets. Suddenly, she felt a tug from behind and turned as a raggedly dressed woman carrying a wailing baby on her back stumbled and fell right in front of her. She reached out and held onto a corner of Jeong-hyang's chima.
"Are you alright? Can you stand up?" Jeong-hyang tried to help her up.
"Save, save . . . save my child.. . . . " the woman muttered before she fainted.
Jeong-hyang First Painting - Child
At the inn, a woman lay dying.
"Can you save her? Jeong-hayng asked the doctor.
"It's too late. There isn't much I could do. Please hire someone more skillful." the embarrassed doctor said apologetically while packing up to leave.
Jeong-hyang looked at the small thin baby in her arms. "You must have been starving you poor child." He was now sleeping soundly after being fed some congee. His little face showed a pink flush, a vast improvement from the palid countenance before. "Aye, little one, you're going to lose your mother." Jeong-hayng sighed and could not help but think of her own sad past. Her own mother had died when she was young and she had wandered from place to place with her father and brother. Eventually, her father had no choice but to sell her to the gisaeng house to become a gayageum performer. Although she met her true heart who saved her from hell, they were not destined to be together. "Should this be considered fortunate or unfortunate. . .?" Jeong-hyang looked down on the baby. "Where is your father? And why are mother and son wandering on the streets?"
"Save...save my son." The unconscious woman mumbled, slowly waking up. Her hands reached forth pleadingly. Jeong-hyang quickly went to her, putting down the baby beside his mother. The woman was weak but she wanted to turn to see her sleeping baby. She patted her son with trembling hands, tears running down her cheeks.
"My dear son, your mom is going to leave you. Little one, you're going to lose your dearest while having a sweet dream. You don't know what sorrow is." She turned to look at Jeong-hyang. "Thank you very much," she struggled to get up to make a formal bow to her.
"Please lay back. No need for the formality." Jeong-hayng helped her to lay back down. "Why didn't you see a doctor? What to do with the baby if you're gone?"
"You. You're Miss Jeong-hyang." said the woman.
"You, how do you know me?" Jeong-hyang was surprised.
"I recognize you just now. I've seen you at the home of Kim Jonyeon before."
"Kim Jonyeon's home, you're one of his family?"
"Kim Jonyeon, that mongrel. I, I want so much to flay his skin and drink... drink his blood" the woman's eyes were filled with fury. "I was from a merchant family. I helped my father run a large paper shop, living an ordinary life but Kim Jonyeon used underhand methods to take over our business and forced my father to his death. He even took possession of my body, claiming it as part of the repayment for my father's debt. And my dear fiance tried to save me from Kim but poor him, he was beaten to death."
"How about the child?" Jeong-hyang asked.
"Sinful debt. This is Kim Jonyeon's son." the woman was exhausted and closed her eyes. Tears running from the corners of her eyes. "I found out I was pregnant after he raped me. I tried to commit suicide many times but was unsuccessful. I was locked up by Kim Jonyeon but I managed to escape. When the baby was born, I really, really want to strangle him. Many times I tried to drown him, but couldn't go through with it. It's Kim Jonyeon who should be dead, not this child. He's innocent, after all. I'm his mother and I can't kill him...cough, cough," the woman grew weaker as she related her story.
Jeong-hayng had no illusions about the man who had bought her. She had heard about the immoral deeds commited by Kim Jonyeon back at the gisaeng house, collusions with government officials, unscrupulous appropriation of small businesses and so on. She deplored the poor woman's fate. She and the woman almost shared the same misfortune except that she herself was regarded as a precious commodity to be conquered.
"You need not be afraid anymore. Kim Jonyeon has been arrested. He won't get off easily this time." she thought this news would help comfort both the woman and herself.
"You didn't hear? Kim Jonyeon evaded arrest and fled," the woman looked at Jeong-hyang worriedly. "Although he is on the wanted list, this man is very cunning and has connections with the government officials. He, he is ruthless. If I am ever caught by him, I don't know how he will torment me. I'm not afraid of death but, but this child. . ." she looked at the baby anxiously.
"What?! He... he fled!" Jeong-hyang was horrified and exclaimed, "Wouldn't painter be in greater danger now? Why didn't he mention this?! I can't let Kim Jonyeon find me and use me to threaten painter again."
"Cough... cough" the woman became agitated and started coughing hard. "I know I won't make it, but I didn't expect to meet you here. Did you escape too?"
"Yes. Why do women always suffer from such misfortunes?" Jeong-hyang lamented sadly as she looked at the dying woman.
"Before I die, may I ask a favour?" the lady was breathing heavily and desired to say her last.
"I know, you worry about your baby."
The lady nodded with tears in her eyes.
"Do no worry. Even though I don't know you but today, you're like my long lost friend. We share the same pain, and you're right, no matter who is the father, this child is innocent. As this is your last wish, I have no reason to reject it. I will raise and feed him, teach him to be a upright man." Jeong-hyang made a solemn promise to the woman.
"Thank you. I've an idea. Kim Jonyeon would never be able to find you. This is my gratitude to you" the lady said in a weakening voice. "Would this really work?" Jeong-hyang moved her ear close to the woman's mouth "Just, just,. . . . . .follow this. . . . " the woman said with her last breath.
The next day, early in the morning. Outside the small town, a lady stood with a baby in her arms as two men finished smoothing the soil over a fresh grave. One was cleaning the headstone which read, "Songdo, Park Jeong Hyang"
"Ms., all is done, ready to go now." the men put away the tools, cleaned their hands and stood by the sedan chair.
"Brother Cho, you're not curious? You don't question why the headstone has my name on it?" Jeong-hyang asked.
"You must have your own reasons. We worked in the syndicate and there are rules. You're our friend, we won't ask question of what and whyunless you choose to share them " he still said in an ingenuous way.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it, please get in the sedan."
On the road, the sedan with Jeong-hyang moved swiftly towards Pyongyang. She looked at the soundly asleep baby. "Son, I'm going to be your mother from now on. Given that I accepted your mother's wish, I'll never go back on my words. I'll raise you properly, teach you how to be a good man. However, I was not able to ask your mother in time for your name. What should I call you? Eh, my family name is Park, you will use my name then... Yeombok, Park Yeombok." she smiled.
Jeong-hyang First Painting - Pyeongando
Soon after, Jeong-hyang and Yeombok arrived safely in Pyongyang. Before leaving, the Cho brothers reminded her to use another name in order to hide herself from enemies. She felt happy yet a little strange while walking down the streets of her home town. She found her father and brother still living in the same house she left eight years ago. Papa Park had been regretting having sold her to a giaseng house to repay the debt incurred from his broken leg and for wedding expenses of his son. He was overwhelmed by her return. Now back at home, being called by her maiden name Mo-ryeon again, she had never felt so content and secured. Though Papa Park was curious about the baby's background, he did not want to bring back bad memories for her and did not to press for an explanation. He was just happy to have the whole family safe and sound now.
Given the job opportunities in Songdo, the brother suggested moving the family there. She quickly announced that she had savings as she did not want to be a burden to anyone. Her brother realized she had suffered enough in the past and it was his turn to provide a better life for the family (he had a wife and son too). Papa Park agreed. Jeong-hyang's sister-in-law complained to her husband about his sister moving back with a child without a father. She did not want to live with an ex-gisaeng under the same roof. Park Daehe reminded his demanding wife that the family owed much to his sister, so once he made more money in Pyeongando, everything would be fine.
Shin Yun-bok First Painting -Dano Once More
Pyeongando, Pyongyang. It was Dano Festival again. The town was teeming with people enjoying the day. Blue and red were the colours of the day, drums sounded, music floated in the air accompanied by aromas of cooked food. Boisterous calls rang out among the men as they urged the wrestlers on. Young girls and women rushed to play the swing by the river.
A handsome young painter was completing "A Moment of the Village" on the sidewalk while a waiting young customer gawked at every passing girl lustfully. In a derisive tone, the painter told the young customer not to drip on the finished painting. The young customer took unbrage at the comment and refused to accept the painting, saying it was too coarse and worth six nyang instead of the ten that was previously agreed on. The painter was furious and said the painting was not for sale anymore. He grabbed the paper to tear it apart after the hypocritical customer left.
"Hey, are you going to tear it just like that?" said a polite yet powerful voice. A rich and sophisticated looking middle-age man strolled up. He had been observing the painter at work and admired the fluid flow of his strokes. Destroying the paintng out of hand would be a pity so he quickly moved to stop it. He studied the painting and a smile bloomed. He introduced himself as Min Joongho, a merchant and he would like to buy the painting. The young painter was appeased by his compliments but as he was new in town, he did not want to say too much. As a token of appreciation, he gave to this acquaintance, Min Joongho, the painting as a gift to the merchant's surprise at his largesse. He gathered up his painting tools and left.
Yunbok walked down the busy streets of Pyeongando, carrying his painting tools and thinking about the inspiring comments from Min Joongho. He passed by a food stall manned by an old man selling surichitteok made by his daughter at three nyang for five. His hunger pangs had caught up with him by then so he expended a few nyang since the price was reasonable. While eating, he realized time had flown. It was already seven years since he had that most memorable Dano Festival of his life. It seemed that he could still hear the giggles and laughter of women along the river and there was this most beautiful lady with the deepest love in her eyes. "Hwagong." suddenly, a familiar voice woke him from his reminising. As he looked around, he did not recognize any face or figure. Must be his own imagination. "Ah, I wonder where she's now? Well and happy?"
He heard a loud commotion ahead of him. A young girl was kneeling on the sidewalk, trying to sell herself in exchange for money to bury her dead father. A few ruffians were harassing her. Out of pity, Yunbok gave all the fifty nyang he had earned from drawing that day to the girl and told her to first bury the father. There should be other ways than to sell herself. The ruffians did not like his interference and said they would pay the girl a hundred nyang instead. Yunbok tried to hurry the girl off. As the troublemakers were about to rough Yunbok up, two men intervened.
One of them Yunbok recognised as Min Joongho, whom he had met earlier. The other was inroduced as Yoon Cheonsang, Joongho's brother-in-law. Though rich and influential in this town, they despised those who stepped on the weak and poor. Beholding the altercation between Yunbok and the ruffians, they moved in to prevent it from escalating. After chasing off the ruffians, Cheonsang went on ahead to help the girl with the burial formalities while Joongho invited Yunbok for dinner at a nearby tavern. He wished to forge deeper ties of friendship with Yunbok for he felt that the young man was not only talented in painting, he was also altruistic. Yunbok accepted the invitation as his rice cakes were ruined during the tussle and moreover, he had given away all his money. But truly, he would like to further discuss art with Joongho as his comments were insightful.
On their way to the tavern, Yunbok noticed every shop owner they passed showed great respect to Joongho. He must be a very important and powerful person, thought Yunbok. They walked into a tavern called Red Tavern and were immediately greeted by the owner. Joongho made a toast to celebrate their new friendship and the arrival of Yunbok in Pyongyang. In return, Yunbok thanked Joongho for his intervention.
There were two great things in his life, Joongho said, they were good wine and good paintings. If he had the talent, he would rather be travelling all over with a paint brush like Yunbok. Curious, Yunbok asked what kind of paintings did he like. Scenaries, animals, or people? Joongho swiftly replied his favourite were those about ordinary people. Yunbok was surprised. Why would such remarkable man prefer ordinary arts than the classics? Joongho believed that ordinary subjects brought out the truth and vitality of the common folk. Of all famous artists, he admired Kim Hongdo, Danwon, for his paintings best illustrated ordinary people with a sense of humor. Yunbok agreed and was lost in thought for a moment.
Joongho then went on to say the one artist he admired most was Hyewon. Yunbok was startled and covered it up by brushing his false moustache. Joongho recited the Dano Festival poem and said he had seen a forged version of Hyewon's painting. From it, he saw the boldness, the clever ideas and the use of colours had him deeply impressed. He admired the courage of the painter as no one had dared to explore these real but exotic ideas in front of the royalties. "Wasn't it the greatest slap on the face of those hypocritical officials?" He wished he could do the same but he gave up his government post to become a businessman. He also regretted that Hyewon disappeared after the great contest with Danwon and found no new paintings from him in the last seven years.
Yunbok took a sip from his cup and said Hyewon would be glad if he heard such praises of his works. They shared much in common. Joongho asked if Yunbok would be moving on. Yunbok felt then he should be at least a little candid with this new friend and told him his name was Seo Mun (using his real family name) and that he was looking for a family member from Songdo. He came to the town because he heard it was famous for trading in colour paints from Cheong-guk. Joongho saw an opportunity and offered him the chance to become the painting teacher at his privately-run school for the poor. Though Yunbok had not taught anyone painting before, he thought the proposal worthy of consideration. He agreed to visit the school the next day.
Shin Yun-bok Second Painting - Private School
Next morning, Yunbok presented himself at Joongho's Green Willow Villa, which was near the lake outside the town. He had imagined it would be grand and luxurious and was surprised to find the entrance plain and simple. There was a couplet hanging at each side of the doors that caught his attention.
"From past to present, all images are but a show"
"Strange things abound between heaven and earth, why take it so seriously?"
A middle-age man, Min Dae the housekeeper, opened the door to his call to welcome Yunbok who politely told the housekeeper his name and the purpose of his visit. Min Dae nodded and said Joongho was expecting him. He led him to the reception room of the outer wing of the house. Along the way, they passed the garden which was spread out along the lake with willows planted along the banks. Yunbok was impressed by the beautiful scenery and suddenly felt the desire to paint. At that moment, Joongho came out to greet him. Yunbok complimented Jeongho's good taste. Jeongho laughed and said Pyongyang was known as the Capital of Willows.
Just then a sweet voice called a greeting. A pretty lady came appeared, wearing a white silk jeogori and purple chima with refined charm. Jeongho introduced his wife Lady Min (Yoon Cheon-wol) to Yunbok. She seemed surprise and said she had imagined Yunbok to be a robustly built man as he had stood up for the poor girl yesterday against the ruffians so she was surprised to find the real person looking slim and fragile. Yunbok merely smiled at the comment. Joongho jokingly said that he hired Yunbok to teach art, not martial art. Lady Min thanked Yunbok for helping out. He was perturbed by her gaze which seemed too perceptive so he diverted attention by asking to visit the school. As Lady Min went off to prepare dinner, she watched Yunbok's retreating back with a doubtful glance then smile to herself.
The school was located further down the road from the villa, just on the outskirts of the town. They could hear voices as they strolled in. Cheonsang greeted Joongho and Yunbok when they entered the classroom, a wooden pointer in his hand. Joongho waved to him to continue his lesson as the children looked around curiously. He showed some painting homework to Yunbok. Though the technique was raw, Yunbok could see the children painted with their hearts. This pleased him and he said so to Joongho who invited him to address the students who looked at him curiously as Cheonsang redirected their attention.
Why do people "paint"? Yunbok smiled as he voiced the question, recalling the day when Danwon had shown up and thrown the question to the class at Dohwaseo. The children looked uncomprehending at first before coming up with their answers. The twenty or so children, not older than twelve, took the question seriously. Some started to discuss quietly in groups while others flipped through their text books. Some stared blankly into the air. An older boy said painting was to record good times spent with others. Joongho's son, Yaksong, said painting was to draw things that he like, whether others liked it or not. Definitely some reflection of Joongho's personality there, Yunbok thought with amusement. Then a small voice from outside the door said painting was to express yearning.
Yunbok looked over with shock and simply stared. The puzzled face of a small boy, standing by the door, seemed to be asking if this was not the right answer. So he further explained that if there was something one yearned for, one would want to paint it on paper, as if Yunbok did not understand his previous answer. Yunbok found the child looked somewhat familiar but he had no idea why that should be so.
"Are you a student here?" Yunbok asked.
"The previous teacher said I'm under-age so he refused to take me in" answered the boy.
"Do you like painting?" Yunbok asked again.
"Yes I do" the boy nodded his head.
Joongho took an interest in the boy and said if he could paint, he would be admitted to the class. Curious as to the boy's abilities, Yunbok beckoned him over, handed him paper and a brush and told him to draw something. The boy became excited and drew a peony. There was even a butterfly resting on the pedal. The wings were full of motion and looked as if it was going to fly off any moment. His attentiveness and talent impressed Yunbok who immediately took a liking to him and asked who taught him to draw. The boy replied that no one had actually taught him. He just watched his mom sew these colourful items all the time and picked it up from there. While listening to the boy, the feeling of familiarity grew stronger within Yunbok.
"What's your name? How old are you?" asked Yunbok.
"I'm seven and my name is Park Yeombok." answered by boy. Yeombok? Yunbok wondered at that interesting name.
"Good. You're now a student here and come to class starting tomorrow." said Joongho, pleased to see that there was a talented student to add to the class.