Chapter 204: Chapter 77

Kanghyok felt all the time that he had a lot of guts, but he couldn’t go to sleep for the past several days.

For he was afraid that Sungbok could spread his meeting with Yoju to other people.

By logical thinking Kanghyok had nothing to fear, but he couldn’t calm down easily.

‘That guy must be a traitor, so how could he talk about it?’

At best he could tell Yorip on this.

‘Still I am nervous. Damn it!’

Treason?

Though Kanghyok didn’t know much about the Korean history, he was aware of the tragic end of traitors.

He also knew what would happen to even those who were associated with the people who rose in revolt.

‘Mostly they were killed amid factional fighting or in prisons.’

When he studied the Korean history, he read so many people were killed in the fighting.

He didn’t want to be the central figure of any coup involving Yorip.

“Whew!”

As he was full of worries, he let out a sigh absentmindedly.

“Damn it!”

He suddenly lay down on the blanket even though it was broad daylight outside.

While he was idling away for a while, someone knocked on the door.

“Master, Yoni and Makbong just got back from outside.”

“Really? Let them in”

Dolsok cautiously opened the door, and Yoni dressed like a man and Makbong came in.

“So, did you find out anything?”

“Well, it looks like Taedonggye is far from an ordinary association.”

As she was astonished, Yoni began to say,

“Initially they were involved in various activities in Cholla province, but now they have allegedly expanded their activities as far as Hwanghae provinces. And that guy, Sungbok, was mainly doing activities in Hwanghae areas.”

“Hwanghae Province?”

“Yes, master.”

Cholla province was quite a distance from Kanghyok’s place in Hanyang.

But Hwanghae province was not far from Hanyang.

Kanghyok began to think about bad things now.

“What the heck is this Taedonggye?”

“It looks like it’s an association of strong and nimble fighters. Nobody on the street has heard about them, and everyone is keeping mum about it.”

With his eyes sparkling, Kanghyok asked, “So, what are they doing?”

“I hear they usually get together and shoot arrows and practice martial arts…Actually there was quite a famous incident involving them.”

“Incident?”

“Yes, sir. When the Japanese raiders attacked Chonju, they advanced to the city at the request of the mayor of Chonju to defeat the Japanese.”

“Oh, it looks like they’re a strong army.”

Kanghyok couldn’t hide his admiration at the strength of Taedonggye.

‘I feel like they are seriously plotting a rebellion.’

On the other hand, Kanghyok could understand Yorip’s position.

Yorip was known as a genius.

He passed the state civil exam when he was young, and kept advancing his career in the government. He initially belonged to the political faction of Soin, but switched to its rival Tongin.

Though the exact reason for his turning coat was not known, his political defection invited King Sonjo’s anger.

He was later forced to retire to his hometown.

‘Obviously he lost favor with King Sonjo.’

Based on the information he gathered on King Sonjo through various media reports and history books back in modern Korea, Sonjo was not such an attractive king.

Rather he was most likely a crooked king.

‘Nonetheless, Yorip shouldn’t have raised a coup.’

How could a vassal rise in revolt in Joseon?

Kanghyok asked, shaking his head, “Any other particular incident recently?”

“Nothing I heard of. But it looks like they held a regular meeting.”

That was reassuring to Kanghyok.

Based on his calculation, there were still many years to go before Kichukoksa, or the Purge of Yorip Chung could take place.

“Good job!”

When Yoni was about to stand up after briefing him, Makbong hesitated.

“What’s up?” asked Kanghyok.

“I’ve got something to report to you.”

“Really?”

In fact, Kanghyok didn’t expect anything that needs a lot of brain of Makbong.

So, he asked just casually, “What is it?”

“As far as I know, Taedongggye became famous after the Chonju incident.”

“I guess so.”

Given that a private army led by an individual could beat the Japanese raiders, the Chonju incident naturally made Taedonggye widely known.

“So, many people are allegedly joining Taedonggye right now, and some of them are quite famous.”

“Really? Who are they?”

“People like Yonryong Park, Hamdu Ji, Uiyon, let alone Sungbok.”

“Hummmm….”

All of them were total strangers to Kanghyok.

At least they were not yet historical figures that Kanghyok needed to know.

‘Yeah, they’re just a motley of people from various places.’

If that’s the case, Kanghyok wouldn’t need to worry about.

Only then did he make a hearty laugh.

“Nice job, Makbong. It looks like you’re more learned these days.”

“Well, I’m learning how to read from Yoju.”

“Really? She is a good teacher for you.”

There was no question that Yoju was a fine teacher.

When she gave a teaching on reading and writing, she usually introduced some interesting episodes. So, Kanghyok could learn a lot in various fields from her.

“By the way, there is a meeting at the house of Lord Sungryong Yu today. Did I tell you about it?”

“Yes, you did. You’re all set to go.”

Yoni showed him the sword that she carried around her waist.

She was always armed with the sword after the recent ambush by the acrobatic hooligans.

“Good. Let’s move.”

With a satisfied look Kanghyok stood up.

As usual he held the medical bag in hand.

Based on his experience so far, he found multiple uses for this bag.

“Master, I’ve got a horse ready for you.”

Dolsok was holding a horse by the reins, with a short cudgel around his waist.

“Wonderful. As Lord Sungryong’s house is nearby, I don’t think we will be encountering a mishap, right?”

“I don’t think so, but we had better be armed, just in case.”

“That sounds like a plan. Let’s go!”

“Yes, master.”

Kanghyok’s march to Sungryong’s house was impressive.

At the forefront of his horse were Dolsok and Makbong, while Yoni and Dorikke were walking on both sides. And a couple of former thieves followed Yoju.

So, in terms of the size, his parade was much like that of a provincial governor.

Looking at Kanghyok, some of those inefficient noble men who were on government payroll complained behind his back.

But Kanghyok didn’t care at all because he regarded them as good-for-nothing.

In fact, it was Dolsok who felt pretty upset about them.

“Master, dont’t you think you have to enter the government?”

“Government service?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think I’m a good fit for a government job?”

“Well…you know a nobleman like Hangbok is doing a good job, isn’t he?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Kanghyok didn’t know there were liberal-minded people like Hangbok in Joseon.

Hangbok was now regularly attending royal meetings hosted by the king.

Compared with Hangbok, Kanghyok had no reason to refuse a government post.

If he became a government official, he could wield more power than now, Kanghyok thought.

Then there would be no chance of him being ambushed in Hanyang.

He could easily hide Yoju in contingencies.

“Why don’t you give it a serious thought, master?” Dolsok said.

“Wow, you’re pretty sophisticated in the way you speak to me. Did you learn it from Yoju?”

“Yes, hahahaha.”

Yoju praised him, too, who was scratching his head.

“Actually, Dolsok is very smart. If I teach him something, he never forgets it.”

“I know that, Yoju. He is quite good at medical skills, too.”

“Hahaha, master. Please don’t plate my face with gold!”

“Look at that! He can use figurative language better than before.”

“Hahaha.”

While they were cracking jokes and laughing along the way, they arrived at Sungryong’s house before they knew.

“Welcome, sir!” shouted Sungryong’s servants, who now recognized his face easily.

Another guy on a horse was also approaching.

He was none other than Hangbok Lee.

For some reason he didn’t smile. As it turned out, he hardly smiled after he saw Kanghyok recently.

“Hey, Kanghyok!”

“Yes, sir.”

“I was going to see you for some personal business.”

“Really?”

Kanghyok instantly thought his wife might have side-effects after he treated her jaw.

But his concern was groundless.

“Can I see you at some other place?”

Getting off the horse, Hangbok pulled him to a corner of the yard.

Sunghyong’s servants didn’t stop them.

“What’s the matter with you?”

“Well.I hear there were disturbances near my house recently. When I got there out of curiosity, some patrollers picked up a syringe that you left behind. Fortunately a silly patroller lost it the next day. So, I couldn’t take it as evidence to take action.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that.”

“So, what happened that day?”

Though it was an open-ended question, it was kind of a loaded question.

Kanghyok felt he had to reply thoughtfully.

“Did you ask what happened?” he asked back, pretending not to know.

But Hangbok was not an easy person to deal with.

Staring at Kanghyok straight, he once again asked, “There is a rumor circulating right now that you saw Yorip Chung’s right-hand man in Hanyang. Had it anything to do with that?”