Kang Chi: Beyond Life and Time

Chapter 23: Beyond Life: Recollection of Memories

Yeo Wool prepared herself for her hike up in Jirisan. She had not done this for quite a while—much too quite—that she could not exactly remember when was the last time. If her memory serves her right, she was still in middle school, during a field trip, when she last hiked up these mountains.

After confirming that the lost little girl in her dream was actually her and the dream was a subdued memory of a somewhat traumatic incident, she had a feeling that the mountain could somehow give her some clues—if not answers—to her questions. She went up with the others, along the designated trail set by the park authorities.

She wondered how can she possibly remember the place of the incident that happened twenty-three years ago. She does not have the answers—yet—but she hoped to heavens that she soon will.

To her amazement, as she took another step, it suddenly hit her that she is at the exact same spot where her father lost his footing and stumbled while carrying her on his shoulders. When she looked up, something caught her eye. She diverted from the designated path into the lush forest to follow it. She could hear the other hikers calling her attention, but she ignored them. She saw something, and she must know what it is. She went in deeper into the forest, as the sound from the other hikers became inaudible. She just went on walking fast...then she began running. She did not know why. She just felt the urge...and stopped...alongside the banks of a stream.

She looked around her.

Where am I? What place is this?

Intuitively, she went on ahead and saw a small cave just a few feet up. She diverted to her right and ended up on a grassy patch.

Then...like a stroke of lightning, the exact event of twenty-three years ago came flashing back. It made her head ache more than multiple migraine attacks; so painful, it made her fall on her knees as she pulled on her hair roots. After a few moments, the pain was gone. Though still dizzy and her eyes a little blurry, she looked up and saw—floating right in front of her face—three blue firefly-like orb lights.

It's them...I knew it.

She stared at them, waiting and wondering what they will do next. She slowly stood up, the blue orb lights still aligned with her sight.

Then, she just realized that she could be lost. She was running when she came in, unwarily following something—which turned out to be the orb lights—that she certainly saw...and now here she is.

Trying to suppress an imminent panic attack, she began retracing her steps. When she reached the riverbanks, she felt something move not too far behind her. She did not bother looking, she just began running. The three blue orb lights floated in front of her as if guiding her.

When she felt that she had lost whatever it was that was following her, she stopped running and sat atop a boulder to rest. She was catching her breath but still managed to lightly laugh her fears off, as she stared at the blue orb lights still in front of her.

"Gomawo." She said softly, as she felt the urge to thank them.

"For what?"

She was startled out of her wits by the answer, she lost her balance and fell from the boulder.

Mwoya?

If she was startled, so was he. Standing a few feet from her is Kang Cheol Daepyonim.

Wae?...What's...he doing here?

"What are you doing here?" They simultaneously asked each other. They also answered at the same time, thus not getting what the other said.

"You go first." Kang Cheol politely said.

"Uhmm...Geulsse...I saw something...I mean...I thought I saw something...and I followed it and I got lost...."

She noticed Kang Cheol staring at something else as she was talking. She followed his line of sight and saw a she-wolf standing silently not too far from them. To her amazement, it backed off peacefully.

"You got lost and a wolf followed you. You must be relieved that I am here." Kang Cheol said proudly, as he returned his gaze at her.

She just smiled. Honestly, she is.

"Geureonde...What are you doing here? This is an illegal trail, kkok araya handamyeonyo."

"Algoisseoyo."

She stared at him, her eyes squinted, and lips pouted.

He knows that this is an illegal trail, but why did he come here?

"I've been coming here...for quite a long time...now. This used to be...Geulsse...this is my private spot...favorite spot here in Jirisan."

"Jeongmal yo?"

"Guraeyo! Waeyo? An mideoyo?" He asked.

"Arasseoyo...I believe you." She answered with a smile.

"I don't know why I felt the need to bring some snacks for two...now, I know why." He said as he sat himself on a smaller boulder, took a couple of store-bought gimbaps out from his backpack and handed her one. She took it, unwary that she is staring at him, still wondering why—of all the illegal trails in Jirisan—they happen to meet at this spot.

"I told you already, this is my favorite spot here in Jirisan...so, quit staring." He said, as he took a bite of gimbap.

"Eo...Mianhaeyo." She answered. If he has his reason, she should be the one explaining to him why she is there. Thankfully, he is not asking. Thus, the awkward silence became a little unbearable.

"How long have you been coming here?" He asked, perhaps just to break the ice.

"Eo...I can't remember anymore." She answered. She should have stopped there. But to her surprise, she kept on talking...telling.

"Remember Han Wool's story of how I got lost in the woods?...That spot where I diverted to get here...was the exact same spot my Dad stumbled on while carrying me on his shoulders...Up there, not far from the stream, was where the wolf began running after me...." She narrated as she pointed to the direction of the cave.

"...And a little further from the cave...." She continued, but then trailed off. She returned her gaze to him, who is seriously all ears on her story.

"...Was the place where your Wangja came from nowhere and saved you." He finished her story instead, when he noticed that her thoughts seemed to have gotten lost somewhere.

"Ye...It was up there." She confirmed as she shyly looked away.

"Geureoke...It wasn't just a dream, nor Han Wool's bedtime story. It's a memory of real-life events."

She nodded slightly for confirmation. Then, silence, once again, took over. This time, she wanted to break it by asking about her recent dream involving Kang Chi, who could actually be Kang Cheol's father or just a namesake.

If the dream about the lost girl in the forest turned out to be a memory, could the dreams about the lantern festival, the Violet flower—and the men, or man in them—be memories, too?

"Seul ma...." She whispered.

"Mwoya?" Kang Cheol asked.

"Amugeotdo...Aniyeyo."

Hajiman...Howcan they be memories when they seemed to have happened during the Joseonera? And what does the man named KangChi have to do with them?