Chapter 46

Chapter 46 — To the Provincial Office! (2)

While traveling toward Daegu, Doyul briefly told Cheongun what had happened in the marketplace.

"Hmm. So that's what happened. Still, it's fortunate no one was seriously hurt."

"...May I ask you something, Taoist?"

"Of course."

"Why are you trying to meet the leader of the eight provinces?"

"Hmm. Why, you ask..."

Cheongun glanced toward Choi Sihyeon, who was traveling at the front of the group, then lowered his voice.

"Not long ago, Hong Myeong, one of the officers in Hong Gil's bandit group, was captured."

"......Then..."

Cheongun slowly nodded.

"Hong Gil is heading to the provincial office to rescue Hong Myeong."

"If he's going to rescue a captured criminal, does that mean he's planning to cause trouble at the provincial office?"

"Surely not."

"They're not reckless thugs with nothing to lose. They'll most likely choose a peaceful method."

"And from what I've heard, Hong Gil has another request to make of the governor besides the matter involving Hong Myeong, so I doubt he'll do anything rash."

"...Ah."

Doyul finally understood why Hong Gil had disguised his group as a merchant caravan.

Then all that wealth Hong Gil was transporting...

Was it all meant as a bribe for the governor?

"Then why are you looking for Hong Gil?"

"Obviously, to help them."

Cheongun answered immediately.

"They may look like thieves, but they're still subjects of Joseon."

"If I can help Hong Gil, persuade him properly, and guide him toward a better path, isn't that what I ought to do?"

In truth, Cheongun had another reason for wanting to meet Hong Gil.

But he saw no need to mention it yet.

"...I understand."

"Then let me ask one more thing."

"You said Hong Gil has another reason for going to the provincial office besides rescuing Hong Myeong."

"What is it?"

"That is..."

At that moment, Choi Sihyeon, who had been riding at the front, approached the rear of the group.

"What were you two discussing?"

Cheongun winked at Doyul.

"Ah, Scholar Kang Doyul was asking me about the state examination."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed."

"So I told him that he already possesses more than enough talent and that if he prepares with confidence, he should be able to pass without difficulty. Hahaha!"

"...Hmm. Quite right."

Choi Sihyeon nodded, then continued.

"We'll be reaching Daegu soon. May I ask what your plans are once we arrive?"

"Unfortunately, I'll have to move separately from you from that point onward."

"And..."

"I would appreciate it if you did not mention to the governor that you saw me."

"Of course. I understand."

Choi Sihyeon assumed Cheongun had some reason to move in secret.

Then he turned toward Doyul.

"We'll first unload our belongings and rest before going to greet the governor."

"I can't say for certain what the governor intends, but I suspect we'll merely confirm the facts before the full criminal proceedings begin."

"Ah, and Doyul."

"Yes?"

Choi Sihyeon stared at him for a moment.

"Do you have somewhere to stay in Daegu?"

"...Ah. Well..."

"Hmph. Cheongheon sent you all the way to Daegu without even arranging lodging?"

"What an absentminded fool."

"What would you do if someone stole that enormous fortune of yours?"

"That..."

"Enough."

Choi Sihyeon replied gruffly.

"Come with me."

"An elder I respect like an older brother is currently staying here for some rest."

"We can impose on him for a short while."

"It shouldn't be too much trouble since we won't be staying long."

"...Thank you."

Cheongun smiled warmly at Choi Sihyeon's grumbling kindness, then quietly said to Doyul,

"I'll probably stay somewhere near the marketplace."

"If you need my help, come find me at any time."

"Understood."

Doyul thanked both officials for their consideration.

With a magistrate and a secret royal inspector helping me like this...

Things have become much easier compared to when I first arrived here.

At the time, Doyul had no idea that Cheongun was far more influential than he imagined.

Hong Myeong smiled faintly.

"...This reminds me of the old days."

As he ate the rice ball Yeol had given him, old memories resurfaced.

The kindness shown by the slave boy reminded him of his first meeting with Hong Gil.

"You damned bastard."

"Do you really think I'd eat food from someone like you?"

"You must be plotting something!"

"You looked hungry."

"That's the only reason I gave it to you."

Muksu had once been infamous as the Mad Brute of Hansando.

Then Hong Gil gave him a new name.

Hong Myeong.

Muksu, who had been hated by everyone, gained a family for the first time.

And from that day onward, his life changed.

"...Damn it."

Remembering the past was pleasant.

But the expression of Hong Myeong, trapped inside the prison, quickly darkened.

"Hyung will definitely come to save me."

Hong Gil valued family above all else.

He had given names to each of his closest followers.

Though they had all come from different backgrounds, they regarded one another as true brothers.

And Hong Myeong cherished that family just as much as Hong Gil did.

"I made one stupid mistake..."

"And now everything has become complicated."

Wanting to protect his family, Hong Myeong had pushed too hard in his attempt to speak directly with the governor.

After his first approach was rejected, he recklessly tried to reach the governor anyway.

He was captured along the way.

In the end, he did get his wish and explained everything to Jo Jinkyung.

But the situation had turned into the worst possible outcome.

"Hmph. What nonsense is this, you stupid thief?!"

Smack!

Hong Myeong hated himself for placing his brother and family in danger.

But for their sake, he had to endure.

"If I die here..."

"Hyung will turn against the government itself."

Hong Myeong slowly chewed the rice ball Yeol had given him.

"...I owe you."

"I won't forget this kindness."

Thinking of Yeol's thin body, Hong Myeong could only hope everything would hold together until an opportunity appeared.

"We're here."

"...This is it?"

"I-It's incredible..."

"......!"

Here?

The place Choi Sihyeon brought them to was an enormous tiled mansion.

It was far larger and grander than Park Jeongdo's residence.

It almost looked like a palace.

"......"

"...Hm?"

Yeoni suddenly flinched and hid behind Doyul.

He immediately tried to calm her.

"What's wrong?"

"..."

Yeoni looked lost for a moment.

Then she shook her head.

Shake, shake.

...Does she know someone here?

Daegu was Yeoni's hometown.

It wouldn't be strange if she recognized someone.

At that moment, Seo Myeongjin came rushing out barefoot to greet the junior he had not seen in a long time.

"Jeongjae! You bastard! What brings you all the way here?"

"Haha, Hyung. Have you been well?"

"You could've waited inside. Why come all the way out to the gate?"

"If someone other than you were coming, perhaps."

"But if it's you, of course I'd come out myself!"

Jeongjae was Choi Sihyeon's pen name.

Judging by Seo Myeongjin's delight, calling the two close friends would hardly be an exaggeration.

"So what brings you here?"

"And who are these people?"

"......"

Yeoni hid behind Doyul to keep out of Seo Myeongjin's sight.

Seo Myeongjin noticed and looked puzzled for a moment.

Then he listened as Choi Sihyeon explained what had happened.

"So that's what happened!"

Seo Myeongjin nodded and readily agreed.

"Think of this place as your own home and stay as comfortably as you like."

"I'm truly glad you've come."

"Hyung, thank you very much."

After bowing, Choi Sihyeon introduced Doyul.

"This young man worked under Cheongheon in Yeongsan."

"He handled the interrogation in the criminal case I told you about and resolved it brilliantly."

"He's an exceptionally clever fellow."

"Oh?"

"If you're praising him like that, and Cheongheon kept him close..."

"Then he must be quite extraordinary."

Doyul bowed respectfully.

"My name is Kang Doyul."

"It is an honor to meet you."

"Yes, yes. Very nice to meet you."

"You must be hungry. Come inside and..."

Then Seo Myeongjin saw Doyul's face.

He visibly startled.

"...!"

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"...It's nothing."

"Come inside and eat first."

"Forgive me, but I'd like to speak privately with Jeongjae over dinner tonight."

"I would appreciate your understanding."

"Your meal will be brought out shortly, so why don't you wait inside?"

"Thank you for your hospitality."

When Doyul bowed politely, Seo Myeongjin smiled and called for a servant.

"Someone, prepare rooms for these guests!"

"Yes, sir!"

Doyul, Donggu, and Yeoni followed the servant.

...This is on another level.

Doyul couldn't help marveling at the enormous estate, which reminded him of a government compound.

There were dozens of servants alone, along with many dependents.

It seemed difficult to imagine there being many wealthier households in all of Daegu.

"Right this way..."

Just as the servant was leading Doyul's group toward the guest quarters, a woman's angry shout came from nearby.

"Aaagh! This is so annoying! Why can't you get it?!"

"......?"

The irritated voice drew closer.

"Young Lady, we'll obtain it as quickly as possible, so if you could just calm down..."

"I don't care!"

"I'm sick of the Kim family, I'm sick of all of you, I hate everyone!"

"Hmph!"

"I'm!"

"Not!"

"Eating!"

Seo Ayoung came stomping toward them in a foul mood.

Then she met Doyul's eyes.

"...Ah?"

"...Hm."

Her face immediately turned bright red.

She fired questions at the servant in rapid succession.

"W-What? What? What is this?"

"No one told me guests were coming!"

"...Ah, well, Master's friend came to visit."

"So I was showing his guests to the guest quarters."

"...Hmph! Father, honestly! Ahem, ahem!"

Though clearly embarrassed, Seo Ayoung composed her voice and greeted Doyul.

"...Greetings. My name is Seo Ayoung."

...What?

Seo Ayoung looked around Yeoni's age.

As Seo Myeongjin's precious only daughter, she had been spoiled thoroughly, leaving her lively and unruly.

And the moment Yeoni saw Seo Ayoung, she hid behind Doyul again.

"......?"

Doyul was confused.

Then he realized staring without greeting might be rude and quickly bowed.

"M-My name is Kang Doyul."

"Hmm?"

Ayoung tilted her head and openly studied him.

That sort of behavior was hardly proper in Joseon, but Seo Ayoung didn't seem to care.

"You look far too young to be Father's friend."

"Ah, the friend is the magistrate, not me."

"I'm only accompanying him."

Doyul briefly explained why he had come.

Ayoung's face brightened immediately.

"Wow!"

"So that means you worked as a law officer in your hometown!"

"...Not exactly, but close enough."

Seo Ayoung clapped her hands.

"Perfect!"

"Please help me!"

"Excuse me?"

"Is something wrong?"

Doyul was already flustered by how sweetly and familiarly Ayoung spoke despite having just met him.

"Well...!"

"I was supposed to receive something, but something happened and now I can't get it!"

"...I see."

Although confused, Doyul began by clarifying the facts.

"What item are you supposed to receive?"

"Gochujang!"

"...?"

Doyul stared.

Ayoung spoke proudly.

"I can't eat rice without gochujang!"

"...Ah?"

"So please help me!"

Doyul tried to say something.

But Seo Ayoung kept chattering without giving him a chance.

"Especially if you help me get my gochujang..."

Dun!

"I'll share one spoonful with you!"

"......"

Doyul suddenly felt exhausted beyond words.