On the main roadway they met Prince Wol, and lo! he had hunters and musicians enough to equal those of Master Yang.
Thus they rode side by side, when Prince Wol asked of General Yang: “What breed of horse is that you ride, sir?”
The Master. replied: “A Persian horse. It seems to me that the one your Highness rides is the same.”
Prince Wol made answer: “Yes, that is so. This horse's name is 'Thousand Mile Cloud Breed.' Last year, in the autumn, while out hunting along with the Emperor, there were over ten thousand horses from the Imperial stables present. There were perfect wild wind flyers among them, but none of them could equal this one. Now Nephew Chang's fast horses and General Yi's black steeds are both said to be specially fine, but compared with mine they could hardly be dignified by the name of horse.”
The Master said: “Last year when I led the attack on Tibet over deep and dangerous waters and by precipitous cliffs where a man could not go, this horse walked as freely as if he were on level ground, and never once missed his footing. Any success I had was largely due to this good steed's efficiency. You know Too-jami says: 'One in heart with man and equal to him in merit.' He refers to the horse.
“After I had brought back the forces my rank was raised and I laid down office, so that I rode lazily in a palanquin and went softly along the easy way of life till both horse and man were ready to fall ill. Please let us lay on the whip and have a race and see which of these two steeds will win. Let us show the ancients what we can do in the daring field of courage.”
Prince Wol was greatly delighted and said: “Those are my sentiments exactly.”
Then they ordered the leaders who followed them with the two companies of guests and dancers to wait in the tent pavilion. They were about to lay on the whip when suddenly a huge stag that had been awakened by the hunters dashed past Prince Wol. The Prince called to the two keepers of the seal to shoot. Several let fly their arrows simultaneously, but they all missed, and the Prince, disgusted, dashed forth on his horse and with one shot in the side felled the huge beast. The soldiers shouted: “Long live the Prince.”
The Master said: “Your marvellous bow outdoes King Yo-yang.”
But the Prince said in reply: “What is there to praise in a little thing like that? I would like to see your Excellency shoot; won't you give me a sample?”
Before he had done speaking, a pair of swans came sailing along in the rifts of the cloud, and the soldiers shouted: “These birds are hardest of all to hit; we must use a Hadong falcon.”
The Master said: “Don't disturb them,” but carefully fitted an arrow to his bow and let fly, hitting a bird and driving the shaft straight through its head so that it fell before the horses.
The Prince gave a shout of applause and remarked: “Your Excellency's skill is equal to that of Yang-yoo.”
Then the two suddenly raised their whips and away they dashed on horseback, like shooting stars, or like devils of the night, with demon flashes of fire accompanying. In an instant they had crossed the wide plain and had scudded up the hill.
The two riders drew rein exactly even. For a time they stood gazing out over the wide expanse and talked of music and archery. Little by little the servants began to approach them, bringing the deer and the swan on bearers, which they offered to the Prince and to the Master.
The two dismounted, sat on the grass, drew the sword that was in the hilt and cut some of the meat, which was cooked and eaten. They passed the glass in mutual congratulation. As they gazed into the distance they saw two red-coated yamen servants running towards them at great speed with a host of people following.
One rushed forward to say: “The Emperor and the Empress have sent out refreshments.”
The Prince and the Master then returned, went into the pavilion and waited. Two officers of the Court poured out the Imperial wine and ordered two others to bring specially decorated writing paper.
They each took one in hand, knelt down, opened the roll and the subject suggested was “The Hunt,” and the command was given to write.
What the Master wrote ran as follows:
"In early morning, with all the combatants, off we go,
With glittering swords and arrows like shooting stars.
The tent is filled with the prettiest faces in the land.
In pairs, before the horses, are the keen-eyed falcons.
We unite to taste with grateful hearts the sweet wine of the king,
We draw the glittering sword and cut from the high roast before us.
I think of last year, and the wild western hordes,
While I go forth on this happy hunt to-day.”
Prince Wol wrote:
"Flying dragons go by us like the lightning,
Fitted to the saddle, and accompanied by the rattling drum.
Swift like shooting stars, like arrows that strike the deer,
Round as the moon, flash the bows and the falling wildgoose answers.
The joy of the hunter rises in the keen zest of the play,
While all faces shine from the royal wines that flow.
Let's no more talk of the fine shots of Yo-yang;
How could he ever equal the feats of this happy day?”
The officials received the compositions, bade farewell and returned within the city, while the two companies of guests sat each in rows and the stewards passed refreshments. Who can tell of the delightful flavour of wine mixed with milk and of the tender lips of the monkey? Fruit was there from Wol, and potatoes from Yong piled high on the green stone platters, and such a banquet none had ever seen even at the Lake of Gems with the Western Queen Mother presiding. One need not speak of gatherings under Moo-jee of Han or of such delicacies or delights ever having been seen before.
Behold the dancers ready, a thousand strong, in ranks three deep with the broad silk awning shading them. The sound of gems and ornaments was like rippling thunder; the slender waists of the dancers were more lithe than the willow; the hundred pretty faces vied with the flowers in freshness and beauty; the sound of harps and flutes surpassed the music of many waters; the singing made the whole South Mountain to tremble.
When the glass was passed Prince Wol said to the Master: “I, your humble servant, have been the recipient of your abundant favour, and there is no way by which I can return my lively appreciation. I want once to make you glad through the maids-of-honour that I have brought with me, so, if you please, I will call them and make them sing and dance before your Excellency.”
The Master thanked him and said: “How should your humble servant look upon the ladies of my lord's household, but since we are brothers, bound together by your sister's gracious favour, I shall venture to be so bold. I, too, have my household here who desire to see the celebration, and I shall call upon them to accompany the ladies of your palace, each following the music according to her own special skill, and so add cheer to the occasion.”
The Prince replied: “Good, how happy your suggestion is.”
Then Moonlight and Wildgoose and four dancers of Prince Wol came forth, and made their obeisance before the dais.
The Master said: “In ancient times King Yong had one famous dancing-girl whose name was Lotus Bud. Yi Tai-baik earnestly requested King Yong that he might hear her sing, but he never dreamed of asking to see her face. Now I, your humble servant, see all these pretty dancers and behold their beauty, and am therefore blessed many times beyond Yi Tai-baik. What are the names of these four, please? ”
The four then advanced and gave answer for themselves, saying: “I am the Cloud Fairy of Keum-neung; I am Hair Pin of Chin-joo; I am Ok-yon of Moo-chang; I am Soft Whinny of Chang-an.”