Chapter 52 — Sincerity (3)
"...Hmm."
After considering Doyul's request for a moment, Cheongun turned toward the spectators and began performing with exaggerated gestures.
"Oh, dear me! I'm terribly sorry, everyone!"
"I'll be back around this time tomorrow!"
"Hahaha! You'd better!"
"Make sure you come back tomorrow!"
Cheongun rolled up his mat, packed away his things, and casually blended into the crowd.
Step, step.
"Let's talk while we walk."
"While we walk? ...Are you sure that's all right?"
Doyul looked concerned, but Cheongun smiled.
"As they say, there's nothing harder than finding a man named Kim in Hanyang."
"And if you want to hide a tree, you should hide it in a forest."
"There's no better place for a secret conversation than a crowded marketplace."
"I understand."
"Oh, and if you don't mind, please buy me one of those."
Cheongun casually pointed toward some dried persimmons.
"...Very well."
I mind a great deal, but I suppose official rank lets you get away with anything...
"Hmm. Delicious."
"Would you like one, Scholar?"
"...I'm fine. Please enjoy them, Taoist."
Having successfully coaxed Doyul into buying him dried persimmons, Cheongun continued walking through the crowd.
"Now then... why do you want to meet Hong Gil?"
Doyul answered directly.
"I intend to rescue the imprisoned Hong Myeong."
"...Is that so?"
Cheongun looked at him with surprise before asking another question.
"The governor's review is still pending, so this is a time when you ought to be especially careful."
"You must have a reason for making such a decision."
"What do you intend to receive from Hong Myeong in exchange for rescuing him?"
"Do you know why Hong Myeong was imprisoned?"
"I heard he threatened a former government official with a knife."
Doyul answered matter-of-factly.
"What Hong Myeong intended to do was provide medical treatment."
"And... I intend to ask him to treat the former Eunggyo."
"......!"
Cheongun was so surprised that he stopped walking.
"H-Hahaha...!"
"Is something wrong?"
"...No. It's nothing."
Cheongun was deeply shaken by Doyul's words.
...I think I finally understand exactly why Master cherishes this young man.
Even if someone is a thief, he intends to make use of that person's abilities if the man is innocent and capable of providing treatment?
Cheongun admired Doyul's rationality.
At the same time, however, he was worried.
But I don't know whether Eunggyo Seo will agree to it...
"Have you discussed this with the Eunggyo yet?"
Doyul shook his head.
"Not yet."
"I see. In that case, call for me when you try to persuade him."
"...You, Taoist?"
"Yes. I happen to know the Eunggyo."
"Then why didn't you mention that when we were traveling with the Magistrate of Eonyang?"
Doyul looked puzzled.
Cheongun merely smiled without answering.
Because Eunggyo Seo would probably faint if he saw me. Hahaha!
"Well, in any case... that would be very helpful."
Cheongun smiled and pointed toward a building.
"Go inside."
"If you tell them I sent you, they won't treat you poorly."
"Thank you."
Doyul bowed in gratitude and immediately entered Hong Gil's residence.
The moment he stepped inside, the thieves disguised as merchants began radiating hostility.
"...Who are you?"
"Bring me your leader."
Doyul's words made the atmosphere even more threatening.
"Our leader?"
"You damned bastard... How dare you come here knowing who we really are?!"
Shing!
The thieves drew their swords.
Doyul, however, remained perfectly composed.
"Ah, I suppose I approached this the wrong way."
"What do you mean, the wrong way?!"
"Tell us how you found out about our leader!"
"He's already listening, isn't he?"
"Leader of the Eight Provinces, Hong Gil."
"...H-How does he know the chief's real name?!"
"I came through Taoist Cheongun."
"Let's have a brief conversation."
"...We're meeting again sooner than I expected."
A masked figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
"What brings you here?"
"I doubt you've come because you want to join my family."
"There's something I'd like to ask you, Chief."
"...What do you want to know?"
Doyul smiled.
"Do you know why Hong Myeong was imprisoned?"
...Does he already know everything that happened?
Hong Gil answered slowly.
"I heard he sacrificed himself for the sake of his family."
"He was imprisoned while trying to treat an elderly gentleman."
"...What exactly do you want to ask me?"
"I would appreciate an honest answer."
Doyul asked his question directly.
"Does Hong Myeong actually possess the skill to treat that gentleman?"
The most basic requirement for rescuing Hong Myeong was that he truly possessed the ability to provide treatment.
Considering the storyline, it's reasonable to assume he does.
But I still need to confirm it personally.
Hong Gil's reaction, however, was far different from what Doyul had expected.
"...You're asking whether Hong Myeong had the ability to treat him?"
"Is that why you came looking for me?"
"Yes."
Hong Gil stared at Doyul for a moment before muttering,
"It seems I misjudged you."
"...Excuse me?"
"You said the Taoist sent you here."
"For his sake, I don't want to hurt you."
"Get lost."
Hong Gil ordered Doyul to leave, but Doyul continued watching him quietly.
"You're not going to budge, are you?"
"Is there some reason you can't answer?"
"That's what I should be asking you."
"...?"
"What difference would it make if Hong Myeong really could treat him?"
"And what difference would it make if you knew that?"
Hong Gil slowly began walking forward.
"Whether Hong Myeong had the ability to treat an official is not important."
He began throwing the surrounding furnishings onto the floor.
"What matters..."
"...is whether he had the right to treat him."
"...!"
Bang!
"Let me ask you something."
"Why did you come here asking me such questions?"
Bang!
"Did you think you could offer me some cheap consolation?"
"Chief."
Doyul spoke calmly, but Hong Gil was not easily soothed.
"...He couldn't treat the man even if he wanted to."
"Did you expect me to tell you about my younger brother's innocence so you could comfort me?"
"No."
"Then why did you come looking for me?"
"You'd better answer carefully."
Hong Gil drew his sword.
Doyul, however, smiled.
"If Hong Myeong has the ability to treat that gentleman, I intend to rescue him."
Everyone froze at Doyul's words.
"And after rescuing him, I would like to ask him to treat the gentleman."
"......!"
Doyul's eyes shone.
"I have two questions."
"Let me ask you again."
"Did Hong Myeong possess the skill to cure that gentleman's illness?"
"And if I rescue Hong Myeong..."
"Will you help me arrange for him to treat the gentleman?"
"...Hah."
Hong Gil, who had been staring blankly, let out an incredulous laugh.
"Do you know what Hong Myeong used to do?"
"I don't."
"Hong Myeong was a butcher."
"He went to treat the gentleman carrying the butcher's knife he was accustomed to using."
"...That idiot's thinking was simple."
"He had something he wanted to ask the governor, and he couldn't simply ignore a sick man."
"So he thought he could help treat the man while also accomplishing his own objective."
Hong Gil's voice was filled with unmistakable affection for Hong Myeong.
"Now that you know Hong Myeong was a butcher, what do you think?"
"Have you changed your mind?"
"Hmm..."
Hong Gil expected Doyul to give up after hearing about Hong Myeong's former occupation.
Instead, Doyul reacted quite differently.
"That's good news."
"...What?"
"If he was a butcher, then at least we can be sure he's skilled with a knife."
"......!"
The thieves were so shocked that they all fell silent.
A moment later, they burst into laughter.
"H-Haha... Hahahahaha!"
"Th-That young master was serious!"
"He really does intend to have Hong Myeong treat the gentleman!"
"Good heavens!"
The one who laughed loudest was Hong Gil.
"...Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
After laughing to his heart's content, Hong Gil approached Doyul and bowed his head.
"...Chief! Why are you bowing?!"
"Leave me be."
"Hong Mun! How can you stand by and watch this?!"
"...Hyung said to leave him alone."
Hong Gil was the sun of the entire bandit group.
But at this moment, he was simply someone's family.
"I sincerely apologize."
"I've only just realized that you were speaking in earnest."
"It's all right."
"...Persuading the Eunggyo won't be easy. Are you confident you can do it?"
"I can't guarantee success, but I think it's worth trying."
Hong Gil thought for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll answer your question."
"That fellow lets his emotions get the better of him, but he isn't a fool who can't distinguish right from wrong."
"If he stood before the Eunggyo with a knife, then he must genuinely have believed he could treat him."
"Excellent."
"We'll do everything as you say."
"Whatever you need, just give the order."
"...You've made your decision without hearing anything more?"
Hong Gil shook his head.
"I understand your sincerity."
"And I'm not stupid enough to start bargaining over conditions when you've offered to save my family."
"Then you'll also help me arrange for Hong Myeong to treat the gentleman?"
"...Young Master."
"Once that idiot is released, he'll insist on going straight to the gentleman himself."
Hong Gil smiled faintly.
"I can already picture him getting angry and asking how anyone could turn a blind eye to someone who's suffering."
"If anything, I should have been the one begging you to arrange the meeting."
Hong Gil and the entire bandit group were deeply moved by Doyul.
He had offered, entirely of his own accord, the very thing Hong Myeong wanted most.
How could they not think highly of him?
"Young Master, I'm sorry I drew my sword on you earlier!"
"If you'd like, you can beat this idiot until you've worked off your anger!"
"Or would you prefer that I beat him for you?"
"That's quite all right."
"Now then, I think our first priority should be discussing how to meet the governor."
"...Do you already have a plan?"
Doyul smiled.
"If I hadn't thought of something, I wouldn't have come looking for you in the first place."
"Hong Gil is expected to arrive at the provincial office soon."
When Seo Gyeongsik delivered his report, Jo Jinkyung broke into a broad grin.
"Hehehe. So that bastard is finally coming?"
"Just give the order, Governor, and we will deal with him however you wish."
"Hmm..."
Jo Jinkyung fell into thought.
Now, what should I do?
Accepting the wealth Hong Gil had brought was a foregone conclusion.
The question was what to do afterward.
Should he arrest Hong Gil immediately?
Or should he continue negotiating?
Either choice offered benefits.
Capturing Hong Gil, who had become famous throughout the country, would earn him recognition for a major achievement.
But negotiating could allow him to extort even more wealth.
After considering the possibilities, Jo Jinkyung spoke.
"...Dosa, make every possible preparation."
His conclusion was simple.
Once I get him inside, I'll figure something out!
At that moment, a gatekeeper came rushing in.
"G-Governor!"
"A man claiming to be the leader of the eight provinces has arrived at the provincial office with several carts!"
"How many men did he bring?"
"Only a few porters to pull the carts!"
Jo Jinkyung looked surprised.
"...Is that so?"
"Bring him in at once!"
"Yes, sir!"
While the gatekeeper went to escort the visitor inside, Jo Jinkyung expressed his admiration.
"The leader of those thieves certainly has courage."
"To appear before the provincial office with nothing but a handful of porters!"
"Of course, I wouldn't have allowed a band of thieves into the inner office no matter how many men he brought, but I must admire his nerve."
"...Indeed."
A short while later, a voice came from outside.
"Can I come in?"
"...Enter!"
Click.
Jo Jinkyung and Seo Gyeongsik stared intently at the figure who opened the door.
"...Hmm."
"Are you... the leader of the eight provinces?"
The masked man nodded.
"That's right."
