Yeong Chunhwa

Chapter 5

It was the moment when he pulled Yun-seo sharply toward him and Yun-seo pushed against his chest. A tingling sensation ran through his lower abdomen, and immediately something touched his fingertips.

It wasn’t the man’s body. It was like threads of yarn. Formless, yet distinctly perceptible dark threads. As soon as he curled his fingers back in confusion, Yongrim’s eyes widened and he staggered. Yun-seo didn’t miss the opportunity and used all his strength to push the man away.

Yongrim’s eyelids closed, and his grip on Yun-seo weakened. Then he collapsed all at once, unable to steady himself. Yun-seo trembled slightly, backing away several steps, looking down at the man with eyes wide as lanterns.

What on earth had just happened?

Yun-seo’s gaze turned toward his left hand, which was awkwardly extended in the air. He grabbed his left hand with his right and exhaled a shaky sigh. The sensation was vivid—something had risen from his lower abdomen and escaped through his fingertips before he could stop it. Could it be the guardian spirit…?

He had awakened long ago and had felt the guardian spirit stirring within him before, but this was the first time it had escaped like this. But why had Yongrim collapsed like that…?

Yun-seo quickly snapped out of his thoughts and looked around. Though he couldn’t understand exactly what had happened, what mattered more was that he’d gotten lucky. He hastily gathered his dropped belongings, then carefully extended his hand to place it under the man’s nose.

Fortunately, he was still breathing, so Yun-seo immediately turned away. Though the weather was still cold, Yongrim would be fine. With the city gates about to close, he couldn’t delay any longer.

Yun-seo ran with all his might without looking back once. Though he was leaving his birthplace behind, nothing there could hold him back.

* * *

The sky brightened strongly with the dawn, stirring unsettled feelings.

In the middle of the night, fearing he might attract the attention of wild beasts or thieves, he had traveled without a light, relying solely on moonlight to find his way. Because of this, not a single distracting thought had emerged. But now that his surroundings were clearly visible, his mind felt somewhat relieved, yet the worries he had pushed aside came flooding back.

If that Yongrim woke up early or was discovered, the pursuit would also happen quickly. So he needed to hurry more, but his feet felt like they were on fire. It was only natural, having walked for nearly four hours straight without rest.

Though he hadn’t neglected to train his body for this day, he had never walked this long before. Moreover, he hadn’t slept at all, making it difficult to overcome the fatigue.

Still, he reassured himself that soon he would reach the planned village where he could continue his journey by renting a horse or finding a cart. Though his feet were about to blister, his throat was dry, and his stomach empty, he forced himself to quicken his pace.

Just as he crossed over a gentle hill, he heard signs of people from the opposite side. He could see a group of men gathered not far away. Yun-seo slipped onto a side path, hiding his body between trees while slowly advancing.

As he got closer to the group, their identity became clear. Men wearing animal hides surrounded a tall man while holding swords—unmistakably the appearance of bandits confronting someone.

Though the tall man was also armed with a sword and appeared strong, it was obvious he had no chance against six bandits. The knives the bandits held were almost like axes, looking terrifying.

It would be fortunate if they only robbed him. If things went wrong even slightly, they would harm him ruthlessly, considering human life worth less than an ant. Yun-seo bit his lips nervously while touching his waist. The only weapon he had was a dagger, and even if he helped the man, he couldn’t guarantee that he would escape unharmed given his lack of combat experience.

He felt chilled at the thought that if the man had been a little later, or if he himself had hurried a bit more, he would have been in that position instead. Yun-seo shut his eyes tightly, opened them again, and then stealthily moved away. Though he felt sorry for the man, he needed to quickly leave this place while attention was focused on him.

“Stop acting tough and strip!”

“Take everything off, not even leaving your undergarments!”

The bandits’ snickering voices sounded extremely cunning. Yun-seo bit his lip so hard it hurt and peeked over the tree. From his side, he could only see the back of the man, but he was probably terrified. Fully empathizing with the man’s feelings, Yun-seo’s face turned pale.

“As you sow, so shall you reap—it seems you fear nothing.”

Yun-seo’s feet hesitated at the cold voice. Contrary to his assumption, the man’s voice was firm and even somewhat relaxed, not seeming like an ordinary person facing bandits.

“Huh, I hate lectures from gentlemen like you. Give up everything you have, and we’ll at least spare your life.”

“I must make an example of you here to prevent others from being harmed.”

They’re saying they’ll spare his life if he gives up everything. He should just hand over the money…! Though it wasn’t his business, Yun-seo anxiously observed the situation.

Does he have something he’s relying on? But the man was alone, and no matter how skilled in martial arts, it was impossible for one person to handle six without getting hurt. Such things only happened in heroic novels.

Was he bluffing, or was it truly noble justice willing to sacrifice his life to reduce future victims? Just then, one of the bandits raised his hand high. Without time to think further, Yun-seo pressed himself against the tree and shouted.

“Stop!”

As everything suddenly went quiet as death, goosebumps rose on his forearms. Damn it… Why did I interfere? He couldn’t understand why he had meddled when he needed to continue his journey as quickly as possible.

“Who’s there!”

The sharp energy flying from beyond the tree trunk reached him distinctly. Yun-seo pursed his lips with a discomfited expression and then raised his voice.

“My servant has gone to the magistrate’s office to report your atrocities! The government troops will arrive soon, so don’t add to your crimes!”

Whispers among the bandits could be heard. Seeing their agitation, Yun-seo repeatedly muttered the same words in his mouth like a prayer. Let it work, please let it work…!

“Hahaha!”

But contrary to Yun-seo’s wishes, a wave of laughter swept through the bandits. Then a ruffian who had spit roughly spoke with a snicker.

“Doesn’t everyone know the government troops are slower than slugs?”

“Another gentleman from who knows where!”

“Rather than going to the magistrate’s office, you’d be better off going to the Hwasicheong or Changsicheong or whatever it’s called!”

“They’ll be busy with their intercourse, how could they come all the way here?”

What are they talking about?

The Hwasicheong established in each county was guarded by Yongrim and Yeong Chunhwa. They’re comparing the guardianship intercourse of Yongrim and Yeong Chunhwa to sexual intercourse? Then the “Chang” in Changsicheong refers to prostitution…

Yun-seo’s thoughts, which had frozen cold, couldn’t continue. With a loud thud, the tree trunk he was leaning against shook, and Yun-seo was startled, barely swallowing his scream by covering his mouth with both hands.

“Powerless courage isn’t even worth being called recklessness. I’ll kill you first!”

He heard the footsteps of the bandits rushing toward him all at once. He should run away immediately, but his legs were trembling too much to move. He tried to put strength into his feet, but his exhausted body from the long journey lost strength instead, and Yun-seo simply sat down.

He couldn’t die so futilely. With a mix of emotions bringing tears to his eyes, Yun-seo drew the dagger from his waist.

Soon a shadow fell over his head. When he looked up, his eyes met those of a man with bushy facial hair, and the ruffian showed his yellow teeth in a wide grin.

“Here is…”

“Aah!”

Though there was no space to retreat further, he swung his dagger while pushing his bottom backward. However, it didn’t reach the bandit’s body, only cutting his clothing.

As Yun-seo, trembling like someone soaked in cold winter water, was about to readjust his grip on the dagger, the man suddenly twisted his neck and collapsed. Yun-seo, unable to do anything, stared with wide frozen eyes at the dagger that had pierced the man’s neck.

When did this fly in, and from where…?

As red blood flowed profusely, making it seem unreal, and Yun-seo just blinked blankly, sounds of pain erupted from behind.

With trembling fingers, he clutched the fallen leaves on the ground and carefully turned his head to look back. What appeared before his eyes was the gracefully spreading hem of a long robe, like a fully bloomed lotus.

The tall man in the black-green long robe, who until just recently had been surrounded by bandits, was now moving elegantly and quickly among them as if dancing.

The sword that had been resting in its scabbard precisely stabbed the bandits’ vital points, and the once fierce bandits incredibly began to fall one by one without being able to use their strength. The few remaining panicked and swung their axe-like swords wildly, but the man simply avoided their attacks by twisting his body and tilting his head.

Finally, when the man reached them, the bandits collapsed slowly without even being able to scream, having no chance to block his attacks.

Notes: 

Hwasicheong – Some kind of official establishment in each county, guarded by Yongrim and Yeong Chunhwa

Changsicheong – Mentioned derogatorily by the bandits, seemingly with connection to prostitution