CH 3.1

─ Kang.

Meanwhile, Kang, who had been sleeping without the knowledge of whether the first rooster cried out the morning call or not, woke up to the sudden call of his name. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Kang got up from the bed and slowly walked up to open the door.

“Father, what brings you here at this hour?”

“Oh.. you were sleeping”

“Yes……. Is something the matter?”

“There’s no work, but I have something to say.”

“Although I don’t know what it is, you look serious. Come in.”

Chae Kang switched on the light behind him and pulled out a chair in the corner to sit down. Chae Yoonjik slowly put his bum on a chair, opposite Kang. Kang’s eyes were still full of sleepiness but at the least, it was the very first time Chae Yoonjik came to him saying “I have something to say” so he decided to listen.

“You’ll need to go away for a while.”

“Go away?”

“That’s right. His Majesty has come to the city. If he finds out about you…….”

“I understand. How long is he staying for?”

“I’m not sure. Since he came here during a visit to Beiyang, I assume he’ll stay 3 to 4 days. He just went to bed, so it’s better if you leave now.”

Chae Kang stared blankly at the spot from where Chae Yoonjik left for after a moment. Then, he took out his bag, put it on the bed, sat down in a chair, and sighed. It was partly because he just woke up, but it was also very annoying to have to pack up for a few days.

“Why did he suddenly come without sending a letter first? How annoying…….”

“Your Majesty, are you awake…?”

It was around the time dusk had come down and darkness fell upon Changchunsung. San wasn’t one to sleep for too long so Chae Yoonjik had thought that he probably came all the way here to unwind the accumulated fatigue which is why he didn’t pay much attention to the room yet but then a thought entered his mind and he decided to stop by. This is due to the fact that the blankets lying around the bed were quietly guarding the room yet San was nowhere in sight.

“Youngchun..!”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Where did His Majesty go?!”

“Isn’t he in his room?”

“……He’s not here. Didn’t you see him leave?”

“N-No……. I’ll ask the others..!”

“Ooh, it’s still here.”

Meanwhile, San was crouching down in one corner of where the incinerator was since no one would venture into and moved a large rock. Judging by the amount of moss on the rock, it was clear that no one had found this opening since he left this place. This opening was the only exit for him to go outside for some drinks whilst avoiding Chae Yoonjik, who nagged him to read books when he was young.

It took almost half a month to create this opening as he would carefully step out to where the incinerator was at dawn when everyone fell asleep to hammer his little getaway. It took more time than expected to widen the small hole that had been made from the beginning to a size that his body could pass through. However, the effort was not in vain. This was much better than running away by climbing and crossing over the walls or by waiting for the gatekeepers to doze off.

“Ah……. I’m hungry.”

San tapped his empty stomach. The feeling of being famished which he had failed to notice as he was busy running away from Chae Yoonjik, suddenly made him feel sick. San decided to eat something first and glanced around the place he was in. Most of the stalls and shops were tidying up everything to go home since it had started to get late. San was ready to make do with anything as food and hurried his steps before the entire town closed their shops. He was planning to go to the gibang again but suddenly remembered about all the wealth he splurged there yesterday.

San lightly touched the pockets on his waist. Hearing a slight clattering sound, it seemed that there were still a few coins left. It was enough for a drink and something to eat. He looked around to see if there was the tavern he often visited. It was the place he frequented every day until it became known that he was the lord’s legitimate heir.

‘That’s where the great rice wine comes from.’

The thought itself made San drool but he shook his head and changed his direction.

Is there anyone on this earth who was not aware of how San moved to Joongkyung, put an end to the war, and established a new empire?

Mingling with commoners did not suit the appearance of the Great Supreme. Just then, at the end of the road, there was a shop with its lights on. It looked to be doing well.

“Jumo*, give me a bottle of alcohol and gukbap*.”

[T/N: Jumo – A female pub owner in the Joseon dynasty.]

[T/N: Gukbap – A traditional Korean dish, hot soup with rice.]

“Just a moment, please..!”

After waiting while sitting on a bench for some time, a white porcelain bottle containing alcohol came to the table. The tavern he usually used to frequent would give him zucchini pancakes in the house along with alcohol even when he didn’t request it but there was nothing like that here. How cheap.. tsk! San clicked his tongue and sat back down in an askew position. Still, it was better than the Gold Palace.

“Thanks.”

San looked around after thanking the lady who had put down the steaming earthenware bowl in front of the table. Come to think of it, it was about time for eunuch Moonsung to barge into Changchunsung and make a fuss over at Chae Yoonjik’s, asking him to return the Emperor back to him. However, there seemed to be no sign of anything happening, and that bewildered San a bit. No matter how foolish he was, he would have for sure thought the Emperor had gone to Changchunsung if he was nowhere to be found in Beiyang.

“Whatever, It doesn’t matter.”

San tilted his head slightly to turn back again but suddenly realized a crowd of people around him and stood up immediately. It wasn’t that he made a lot of noise getting up but strangely enough, the crowd turned to him at once. San was startled by the sudden rush of everyone’s gazes on him and a cold sweat broke out on his back as he wondered if they had found out about his true identity.

“Hey, brother! Sit back down again. Go back to where you were sitting.”

However, the words that came out were too arrogant, considering they were directed at the Emperor. Fortunately, San’s identity had not been discovered and he felt relieved. That aside, there was no way to know if the people were asking him to sit back down with other intentions, so he asked them with a very curious look.

“Why should I?”

“There’s an artist here. This artist is drawing you, that’s why.”

“What? He’s drawing me? Let me have a look.”

“I’m not done yet, so please wait..! I’ll show you once I’m done..!”

The artist, whose face was not visible as he was surrounded by many people, shouted out. At those words, San tried to go back to his seat, but he hesitated to sit down because he couldn’t remember where he had sat before.

“Where was I sitting before?”

And so, he asked.

“A little closer to where you are now.”

“Here?”

He dragged his butt and moved his body to the side.

“No, to the left..!”

“Here?”

“Good.”

San took a seat as the bystanders ordered with a joyful face, feeling their gazes on his back. When you ask what the Emperor’s greatest interest is, everyone would collectively answer by saying it’s painting, followed by calligraphy. Originally, he enjoyed painting himself ever since he was a young child and since his writing itself was unusual, he continued the former as a hobby. As such, San did not feel mad at the feeling of being looked at so intensely since he was unexpectedly quite happy. It was just a struggle to wait until the painting was finished.

“All done..!”

Soon after, a head popped up out of the crowd, and a young man shook the paper towards San.

“I’ll give this to you since I drew it while looking at you.”

San immersed himself in deep thought after receiving the paper. He had gathered all the top artists of the nation, brought them to Joongkyung, and placed them in the art office. But all their works that were repeatedly presented looked quite the same. Now just when he was wondering if he should slowly give up looking for a new artist, this guy suddenly appeared and drew him a picture he didn’t even ask for. He was glad.

Besides, his drawing skills were far too superior. To the point, it’s a waste for his talent to rot away in Changchunsung on the outskirts.

“I should stop here today. My eyes are slowly closing.”

The man muttered as if he was talking to himself, and began to organize his painting tools and materials that were spread out on the wooden table. The scene of him pouring out the ink that was set into the inkstone caught San’s eye. After carefully folding the picture and putting it in his sleeve, San approached the man.

Meanwhile, the man was preparing to leave with a bundle on his shoulder, somehow San felt that he shouldn’t miss this opportunity. And so, San grabbed the man’s wrist and stopped him.

“What is it?”

“Go to Joongkyung with me?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

The man tried to pull out his wrist from San’s grasp, distorting his expression. However, San did not let go. Instead, his grasp around his wrist became even tighter and he pulled the man closer.

“What is this strength?”

The man, who was glaring at San as he had no intention of letting go, soon stood still with a sigh.

“What do you like? Wealth? Women? Or a government position? I’ll give you all of them. Go to Joongkyung with me.”

“You must have a high position. I’m in a bad mood today so if you don’t let me go right now…”

“Why are you in a bad mood?”

“Why must I tell you that?”

“Depending on your answer, if I agree you should be in a bad mood, I’ll let you go.”

“An annoying guest came over without a word so I was kicked out.”

“Why did the owner of the house get kicked out just because a guest came over?”

“That’s none of your business. Let go of me..!”

“…… I can’t let you go because you don’t look upset enough to the point where I should let you go.”

“You really are a lunatic.”

He was either actually a lunatic or was just extremely skilled at riling people up. This is what the man thought as he glared at San with all his might. Come to think of it, didn’t he fall for his tricks and tell him everything that happened this morning. He didn’t know what his motive was, regardless, he felt as if he was scammed. Besides, why was he talking down to him as if they knew each other?

Although he was wearing clothes that looked a bit expensive, he did not look like a person of very high status. Even if he promised to give him wealth and women, the idea of giving him a government position was plain baffling. The man let out a snort and looked at his wrist before looking back at San.

“It’s not a joke.”

“Whether it’s a joke or not, I have no interest in wealth, women, or a government position so let go of this.”

“Then what do you want? I can give you everything you want.”

“I want you to let go of me.”

“All that I’m saying sounds like a lie, right? I truly can give you wealth, women, a government position, everything.”

“Do you really think I’m lying? I truly am not interested in wealth, women, or a government position.”

“It’s a waste of your drawing skills to remain in this small town of Changchunsung. If you go to Joongkyung, you’ll be able to show off your paintings more. All men want fame and fortune so why do you keep saying you do not?”

“I’m not interested in fame and fortune. I like this small town of Changchungsung. Just because San killed recklessly, made it to Joongkyung, and gained fame, don’t presume all men want the same.”

The spectators who looked on as San and the man continued their scuffle, swallowed in their breath, and turned their heads away from the man’s words. The man had dared to say the Emperor’s name and insult him, on top of that. Unless he had several lives, his mouth wouldn’t have dared to run so wild in Changchunsung, the birthplace of the Emperor. The crowd dispersed in confusion and returned to what they were previously doing. Then acting like he hadn’t heard anything, San placed some coins on the table and left the tavern, as if he was running away and returned back to where he was.

“San rose from Changchunsung, killed recklessly, made it to Joongkyung and gained fame?”

“Did I say something wrong? He killed countless people because of his greed. Heaven will judge him for sure.”

“…….”

Five years ago, he heard the same thing when he beheaded the heir apparent of the Yeon Empire. San tilted his head back for a moment and looked carefully at the man’s face. Even if you don’t know you’re facing the Emperor, it’s not even a private conversation yet this man has the nerve to criticize the Emperor to a stranger. Ignoring the fact that he was being insulted, San grew more and more interested in this man.

Since the founding of the Chang Empire, no one has ever said that to San. There were plenty who criticized him by calling him a mess or an idiot back in his days of being a lord but a lord and an Emperor’s statuses were significantly different. What else could they utter more than just a few fake sugar coated words? This is why San missed Chae Yoonjik who spoke up to him.

“Well, you’re not wrong. That is quite amusing.”

This time, the man was at a loss for words. He thought San would run away with his tail between his legs after he said that but he can’t believe that it would be called amusing instead. Truly, he was not your regular madman.

“I want you more.”

“…… Lunatic.”

The man let out a laugh. This man’s obsessive interest was unusual. Rather than trying to persuade him, it would be better to distract him with something. The man looked at San’s movements. It would be great if something worthy of attention appeared and just when he thought of this, the sound of a horse crying came from the entrance of the town.

“Huh? What’s going on?!”

The man deliberately pointed towards the source of the loud noise. San didn’t even shift his position even a little as if he was well aware of the man’s intentions, and instead, stood upright and continued to maintain eye contact with the man.

“Master!”

A familiar voice. As soon as San heard the voice, he closed his eyes. Previously, he had thought that the owner of this voice was unusually late, but looks like he ended up finding him with all that fuss. San turned his head nervously, biting his lower lip..

“Master, why did you come all the way here without telling me..?!”

As the horse came to a halt just at the end of the wall, a man wearing black dopo* came rushing in towards San. There is no one other than a eunuch who would call out the Emperor, the master of all masters, like this. As if he was familiar and used to that look, Moonsung approached San with a smile and bowed down.

[T/N: Dopo is part of a man’s traditional Korean outfit. It’s a wide, long-sleeved outer coat]

“I looked for you everywhere..!”

“Right, I see…. Oh?!”

Just then, the man held by San violently shook his hand. As his arm lifted up in the air and back down again, the man, along with San and Moonsung, heard a series of strange noises. It sounded like something had been torn apart.

“Shoot!”

“You ripped off my sleeve..?!”

“…….”

San had held onto it so tightly that the seam of the sleeve unraveled, exposing the man’s bare arm. The sleeve fluttered in the night breeze and the man’s laughter of disbelief filled the air. Moonsung shook his head, unaware of the situation but seemingly worried for whatever his master had done.

“You can’t walk around with your clothes like that. Come with me to where I’m staying. Then I’ll have someone fix this and make you a new…….”

“Lunatic!”

However, before San was done talking, the man started running. As it happened suddenly, San and Moonsung had no choice but to stare at his back.

“Moonsung.”

“Yes?”

“Find out who that man is.”

“…… How can I do that?”

“I must bring him to Joongkyung.”

The question asking as to how to do this does not work with San of an eccentric disposition. Looking at the master who put the torn sleeve inside one of his own, Moonsung had no choice but to answer with a simple “yes”.

San climbed on the horse Moonsung had ridden. He asked the Emperor where the horse he had ridden on to Changchunsung was but the Emperor just showed a look of discomfort.

“Moonsung.”

“Yes?”

“I lost him because of you.”

“…… My apologies.”

“I had held onto him, but you showed up and he ran away.”

“I shall find out who he is and bring him to you.”

“What will you do if you can’t catch him?”

There was no way to deal with the Emperor’s temper. Even though he wasn’t being serious, the possibility still made shivers go down his spine. Moonsung pondered for a moment, regarding which answer would be the wisest and then let out a sigh,

“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen…….”

“Nothing is guaranteed in this world. Ever so, even with things that appear to be certain, there are always exceptions. How dare you put the word ‘sure’ in your mouth?”

“Then, I’ll do my best…….”

“Doing your best is not good enough. You must bring him for sure.”

Didn’t you tell me to dare not say “sure”.

These words were stuck inside his throat and he didn’t know how to get them out. In addition, the consequence of doing so might result in him getting hit with a jangjuk* on his head so Moonsung just bowed his head again and repeated his words.

[T/N: Jangjuk is what they smoke namryeongcho in. A long tobacco pipe.]

“Then, for sure…….”

“Idiot.”San giggled ahead of him.