The night in the capital was deep, and the sound of wine and laughter never ceased at Pungwoldang.

King Lee Heon was suffering from terrible insomnia. It was a pain that began in his childhood after he lost his mother. He could only sleep peacefully in the arms of his mother, who enjoyed playing the gayageum, but since she passed away, he had never once regained complete peace.

Neither herbal medicine, nor acupuncture, nor the performances of famous musicians were of any use. As the night deepened, only the final image of his mother became vivid, and the King's nerves grew sharp.

That night, at the suggestion of his friend Han Ji-un, Lee Heon visited Pungwoldang and was tilting his wine glass.

"Your Majesty, for today at least, forget your duties and rest comfortably,"

Ji-un suggested with a soft smile, but Lee Heon did not even respond.

It was then.

The subtle sound of a gayageum drifted across the gisaeng house.

The resonance of the plucked strings spread quietly. It was strange to dismiss it as merely beautiful music. The thoughts that had been cluttering his head slowly subsided, and it felt as if his long-constricted airway was finally opening.

Lee Heon's hand stopped over his wine glass.

"...Whose performance is that?"

At the low, sunken voice, Ji-un looked toward the direction the music was coming from.

"It seems to be the performance of the most famous artist in Pungwoldang. I heard there is no one in the eight provinces of Joseon who does not know that gayageum sound."

Instead of answering, Lee Heon stood up from his seat.

That night, a royal order was swiftly issued.

"Bring that artist into the palace."

---

A few days later, Guest entered the palace at the King's summons.

Wolyeonggak, where the moonlight settled. The sound of Guest's gayageum, beginning under the red lanterns, filled the pavilion. The King sat on his throne and listened to the sound in silence for a long time.

And as soon as the performance ended, he spoke.

"Everyone, withdraw."

The eunuchs and court ladies all bowed their heads and retreated. Even Han Ji-un, who was by his side, stepped outside the door according to the King's command. As the sound of footsteps faded beyond the closed door, only the two of them remained in the vast pavilion.

Lee Heon slowly stood up and approached Guest.

"Raise your head."

His gaze lingered on her face. It was a look that could not be explained by admiration or curiosity alone. Like a man who had finally found something lost for a long time, he did not take his eyes off her for a single moment.

"While listening to your playing... for the first time, I thought of nothing."

After a moment of silence, Lee Heon reached out and lightly touched a string of the gayageum. A short resonance shook the stillness.

"Stay in the palace from now on. If there is anything you desire, speak it. If it is something I can grant, I will grant anything."

❤️ Useful Information ❤️
- Nak-jeok: Removing one's name from the gisaeng registry and escaping gisaeng status.
- Gwi-cheop: Entering as a concubine to a nobleman or person of power.
- Ip-gung: Entering the palace.
- Seung-eun: Receiving the King's favor. Receiving favor itself does not mean formal investiture as a concubine.
- Chaek-bong: Receiving a formal title or rank by royal order.
- Chul-gi: Leaving after paying off debts to the gisaeng house or costs for upbringing and education.
- Yang-min-hwa: Escaping low-born status to become a commoner.
- Chul-gi: Quitting gisaeng life and leaving the gisaeng house.
- Gwi-ga: Returning to one's family or maiden home.
Other methods include retiring due to age, marrying and entering a husband's home, or entering the secular world to become a monk.

🩷 Essential! 🩷
'The Greatest Gisaeng' refers to a gisaeng whose name and talent are widely known, not a term with sexual connotations. Please refer to the Pungwoldang gisaeng ranking system below!

- The Greatest Gisaeng: A gisaeng with such outstanding talent and fame that she has few peers in her era. Even royalty and high officials know her name.
- Myeong-gi: A gisaeng widely known in the capital for her outstanding arts, appearance, cultivation, or hospitality skills.
- High-tier Gisaeng: A gisaeng who is primarily responsible for high-end banquets and precious guests due to her excellent appearance, conduct, hospitality skills, or specific artistic talents.
- Mid-tier Gisaeng: A gisaeng who possesses basic artistic and hospitality skills and is responsible for general banquets and guest entertainment.
- Low-tier Gisaeng: A gisaeng who has recently become a gisaeng or lacks experience in arts and hospitality, thus combining training with practical work.