Kang Chi: Beyond Life and Time

Chapter 8: Beyond Time: Returning to the Roots

Kang Chi was not able to sleep the night before. He made sure that he had finished reading Cheong Jo's journal before the sun rises.

That morning, he harvested the leeks and the remaining sweet potatoes from his garden, collected the fish he hung up to dry three days ago, and stuffed his sack bag with enough sustenance for his journey.

He went to the house of a blind, old villager that he had considered as his closest friend in the place he called home for twenty-one years. He gave him the rest of the sweet potatoes and leeks and bade farewell. When he asked where he is going, he just said that he would be going back to where he came from.

Then he went off to begin his five-day journey back to the 100-Year Inn.

It was exhausting, but he arrived before sunset on the fifth day. A lot had changed since the days of Master Park, and the affinity that he felt when he was living with them was all gone. His excitement turned to doubt-and perhaps fear-for the days ahead. He stood inside the wide opening of the entrance gate, motionless, as he assessed his now unfamiliar surroundings.

An inn servant approached him and asked how he could be of help. Perhaps his countenance-or his overall appearance-screamed that he is not from around the district.

"I would like to have a word with the owner, Lady Cheong Sa." He politely requested.

"Oseooseyo, Choi Kang Chi-ssi." Cheong Sa called from the balcony of the largest hanok located at the center of the ground facing the gate.

He raised his head from the source of the salutation and smiled. Somehow, he felt relieved upon seeing her. Perhaps because he knew she is family-at least for him.

Cheong Sa-followed by two maidservants-gracefully went down the steps and treaded the distance between them, stopping a good meter away from him.

"I knew you would be coming." She informed him. "I have prepared for your return." She gave the male inn servant a signal and he went on ahead of them. She, then asked him to follow her. She went back up back the balcony of the large hanok with him a few steps behind. They entered into her study chamber.

"Anjeuseyo." She politely offered. "You must be tired from your long journey."

He did as he was told. She sat down behind a low wooden table facing him. He was excited and nervous at the same time, anticipation building as each second passed. He did not know what to say, nor should he even say anything. From this moment on, he is at her service and disposal. He could still change his mind and back out, but then, he has not yet found a reason to do so.

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for accepting my invitation." She continued.

"I should be the one thanking you." He answered. "I never thought that I'd be back here after...." He trailed off, remembering that his perception of time is very much different from theirs. The exact reason why what was once the 100-Year Inn he knew was long gone.

"It has changed quite a lot, hasn't it?" She asked upon noticing he stopped mid-sentence.

"Eung...Ye...Hajiman johayo! Change is good...It is...Jinjja...yo...."

Cheong Sa smiled at his retort. "You are just like I imagined you would be."

He heaved a sigh of relief. Until that moment, he was not entirely sure if he had made the right decision, but he thought it was worth a try. He has time on his side and finding ways to use it wisely had been getting difficult with each passing year. Four generations of the Park family had gone by, and now he is facing the fifth. Everything around him has changed, but nothing has in him.