In the second vein of Shi Yun Lan's life, the Poet of the Moon was a man shaped by a sorrowful poetic experience. He had created his treasured masterpiece, "Meeting the Moon." That poet once had a beloved, but she died before they could marry. A great emptiness settled in his heart, yet he continued living, pretending to be fine. He married, had children, and carried on—until that night.
It was as if he saw her reflection along the riverbank. Memories surged back, and he wandered alongside the river until he came upon his beloved's grave. His heart was torn apart, and in that moment, the poem came to him.
In Shi Yun Lan's world, poets possessed a unique power—something akin to magic, like the words of Pearl Jewel. Their speech carried special effects depending on what they expressed. Shion Lan had memorized many poems due to his deep attachment to and admiration for such works. One of those poems was "Meeting the Moon," whose author had earned the title of the Poet of the Moon.
Now, seeing a lowly person claim to be the Poet of the Moon filled Shion Lan with displeasure. But he reminded himself that he was no longer in Shi Yun Lan's world and decided to let it go—it was ridiculous to be angered by such a thing. He chose instead to continue drinking.
Then a voice rang in his ear,
"It seems Lord Lan did not like this poem."
Shion looked up to find Elai Shine. He paid him no mind, as he truly hadn't liked the poem. However, the poet on stage felt dissatisfied and said,
"May Lord Lan enlighten me as to what was wrong with this poem?"
Shion thought to himself, ' Doesn't this man want to save face? ' Still, he chose not to escalate matters and replied,
"I simply didn't like your poem—that's my opinion. I didn't attack it. In the end, everyone has their own taste."
Elai Shine responded,
"It seems Lord Lan's taste is not refined, despite his noble status."
Those who understood art and literature cast disdainful looks at that fool.
" Is that son of Shine Family?"
"His taste is too disgusting!"
"Maybe he tries to press on Lord Lan."
"I hope or it will be shameful."
Shion thought,
' No wonder the inheritance chose him—both of them need someone to clean out their minds. '
Pearl Jewel said to Shion,
"Please, don't face him."
But he said,
"I don't understand the beauty in this poem. Could you explain it to me?"
"What?!" Elai was flustered, while everyone watched the unfolding scene with interest. He wanted to retaliate against Shion but hadn't even listened to the poem, so he didn't know what to say. The poet stepped in to save him,
"There is no need for the young master to debate my poem. I, the Poet of the Moon, will speak for it myself."
Shion tried to restrain himself from cursing him, but the poet continued confidently,
"My performance does not rely solely on words—it depends on my delivery, through which I convey my emotions to the people. This poem exists to describe the Moon Sorceress and the tragedy she endured. In love, the tone is gentle; in hardship, it becomes intense. Through the connection of words and events, I create a stunning image that ordinary people cannot grasp. But you may understand it after attending various poetry seminars. After all, no one is born knowledgeable."
The poet felt satisfied after reprimanding a noble, but Shion had reached the end of his patience.
"Do you want my evaluation of this poetry now that I've heard you?"
The poet looked at him skeptically and began,
"Judging others' works requires experience and—"
"Your work is disgusting and full of nonsense. Writers and poets should be ashamed to have someone like you among them!"
Many were shocked by this statement, but those who understood quietly approved. Shion continued,
"Do you know why no one said anything about this garbage you call poetry? Because we're at an annual celebration, and we shouldn't diminish anyone's worth—unlike some fools!"
Elai glared angrily and roared,
"What did you say, you damned wretch?!"
Shion replied coldly,
"Is there something wrong with your head? I'm speaking to someone here—unless you think you're the fool, in which case that's your problem, not mine."
Before Elai could respond, his father silenced him with a disappointed look.
Shion then turned to the poet below and cut in,
"The general idea of the poem is to narrate the tragedy of the Moon Sorceress, Lily. But your words are all vulgar and lack a fitting style. You might work as a storyteller, but don't present such crude work and call it poetry! You use cheap language to attract attention, moving your body like a dancing monkey in a circus, and call that talent? Even street vendors could deliver poetry better than this if given a proper poem—and at least they promote goods, not vulgar nonsense like yours!"
He didn't stop there, continuing his relentless critique. Some poets and writers felt embarrassed, yet also satisfied with Shion's words. Nobles who understood literature praised him, while others simply enjoyed seeing someone like that poet humiliated.
Even lily enjoyed it and said,
"I think I will love Shion."
But Kin Light said,
"I don't think he loves old women."
"You little wretch!"
Both of them started arguing.
In the end, Shion said,
"You call this a description of the moon? It's beneath what I've heard!"
Then he realized his impulsiveness—he had mentioned something he did not want revealed in this world. But it was too late. Everyone had heard.
King Jord Joul looked at him with interest, as did the princes, nobles, and guests. Shion felt as if thousands of needles pierced his body.
Trying to evade the situation, he was interrupted by the head of the Shine family,
"It seems Lord Lan possesses a treasure such as a fine poem. My son lacks knowledge of literature, so I hope Lord Lan can teach him a little."
Shion grew irritated.
' It seems not only the son and the guardian spirit are fools—the father is as well. '
Then the king's voice echoed,
"Lord Shine, it is your responsibility to discipline and educate your son, yet today I see neither."
The king's aura spread through the hall. Lord Shine hesitated, then nodded.
The king then turned to the poet,
"As for you, you spoiled the atmosphere with a poor poem. None of us spoke out of respect for the annual celebration, yet you insisted on ruining it. You may leave without punishment only because our ancestors honored the founding day of the kingdom."
The poet's knees gave out, and he collapsed.
Then the king looked at Shion,
"Lord Lan, I am impressed by your analysis. Since there is a poem that pleased you, I would like to hear it—even a few lines."
Shion thought,
' He suppressed the Shine family head, and now he put pressures on me—not to elevate me, but to keep me in line next time. '
He smiled and said,
"Your Majesty's wish is my command."
...
Princess Jina Joul overheard this exchange and turned to Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai,
"Is Shion truly skilled in poetry as he claims?"
Neither could answer.
As she pondered, silence suddenly fell. Everyone's gaze shifted to Shion who standed on the stage.
At that moment, he seemed like an ordinary person. His noble aura had vanished, and his imposing presence was gone.
The Moon Sorceress, however, seemed excited.
"I wander, what kind of moon poets will he recite."
Kin thought, ' Maybe we'll find a new surprise. '
Shion started to change his personality.
"Why are you so excited?" someone asked.
"Because he's entering the emotional state of the poet—whether while composing or reciting the poem. He has shed his noble air and become an ordinary man. This is a high level of performance—to immerse oneself in the character's life. You could say he's like an actor fully embodying a role."
Everyone focused on him.
Shion thought to himself,
' Before meeting Shi Yun Lan, I was the kingdom's scum—a master liar. Taking on a role like this won't be a problem. '
He recalled the performance where the Poet of the Moon had recited this very poem—every movement, every tone, every glance.
Letting go of his noble demeanor, he became ordinary.
He opened his eyes calmly, the starlight within them fading, and the words began forming in his mind.
He began.
His voice described the night by the riverbank, where he could not see his own reflection. He recalled his past as a merchant, living in a dark world—where sweet was sweet, bitter was bitter, good was good, and bad was bad. He was a hollow man, smiling because he had to, greeting others because he had to, opposing others because he had to—living as a mere tool, without love or hatred.
Then the clouds parted, revealing the moon.
He saw her for the first time.
If his world had been black, she was the white that illuminated it.
A look of astonishment, admiration, and wonder appeared on Shion's face.
The rhythm of the poem shifted.
She was the daughter of a merchant, described like the full moon—her black hair from which that radiant moon emerged, a white robe, green shoes, and a blue scarf, like the sky shining upon a white mountain with green grass below.
Shion's eyes turned dreamy as he described their meeting—how the moon visited him at his workplace. Her gaze, her delicate features, her small rosy lips like flowers. Each lived in their own world—she in reality, he in dreams—and he never wished to wake.
Then came longing. He portrayed the merchant waiting for her each month, like waiting for the full moon. Yet when she left, his world fell back into darkness, like the moon waning into nothingness.
Then love filled his eyes—joy, happiness—when she accepted him. The moon illuminated his entire life. Everything gained life: flowers had fragrance, silk had texture, honey had taste, birds had voices, beauty had form.
Then suddenly—
Shock. Fear. Disbelief.
She died.
The moon in his life did not merely disappear—it died. His world lost all light, all color. The merchant suffered deeply after gaining such a blessing, only to lose it without warning.
Shion's expression became still and sorrowful, reflecting a man accustomed to a new darkness—a night without light. Though life went on, she remained in his mind. Even after marriage, even after having a daughter he refused to name "Moon" to avoid pain—
Now, by the riverbank, he saw the moon's reflection again.
And remembered her face.
Tears shimmered in Shion's eyes…