As Prophet - Chapter 87
Only Krnovel
Episode 87. Lee Hyeon’s Colorist
“Wouldn’t there be some who anticipated our arrival? How could everyone think the same way? Everyone has different abilities and interests.”
“Yes, that’s why I decided to stay at a hotel outside Dongdaemun, in Ihyeon, without going through Dongdaemun. As soon as I pass through, someone from the water gate will contact me.”
“Here?”
“It’s better than going into the castle, but it’s still the same. After being hit a few times, every passerby will look like an assassin.”
“Oh my.”
Martial arts masters are not good at detecting assassinations. Their sense of ki is developed, but they are not able to distinguish between ordinary people and assassins.
“Then is that why you’re walking around the alley right now? It’s the alley you just passed by, right here.”
“Yes.”
“… … .”
“It is actually safer to be in a crowded place, and to check safety in a place without people.”
“Okay, just go. I’ll take care of everything.”
The Grand Prince smiled brightly. You can trust me. The Grand Prince spoke briefly from behind.
“Just come in.”
“Yes, Mom.”
The three people who were circling in a circle like a sledgehammer entered a 67-kan wide colored space.
“No, you should eat first. Should we go to the bar first?”
“Rice is served here too.”
On top of the stone wall, a tall gate like the entrance to a large house stood on a wall with narrow tiles laid closely together. A sturdy man and a woman dressed seductively stood side by side in a place lit by blue and red lanterns.
“Is it there?”
“Yes.”
Mukhyeong took the lead.
“Oh, it’s been a while. How come you’re so shy?”
“That’s how it is. Is everything okay?”
“Of course.”
“Please, stay there.”
“Will you do it on your own? Oh, son?”
“No.”
“Aren’t you too young to be in a place like this?”
“Yes, it’s young. There’s nothing I can do.”
“I will guide you.”
A beautiful woman dressed in the same blue and red as Cheonghong guided the three people. The main hall in front was filled with the sounds of drunken customers since early evening, and the savory scent of alcohol tickled the tip of the nose.
“This way.”
“Please clear the surrounding area.”
“Would you be so kind? Don’t worry at all.”
The place where the three people were guided was a detached house located two small gates away. Inside the wall, a small building was set up like a toy. It was far from the main house, which was brightly lit and noisy, and a high wall surrounded it like a castle wall.
The woman came into the room and placed four cushions around the table. She seemed very accustomed to offering me a seat.
“There are merchants from the city, and the relatives working at the Samgunbu occupy a place. The noisy ones in the center are the middlemen living in Geonpyeongbang, and they are celebrating a big success. There are the men called Uigeumbu Najang, and the rest are miscellaneous, etc. There is no one to worry about.”
“I want to know the status and name of my relatives.”
“Oh, there are some who don’t reveal it.”
“Okay. Let’s have some drinks and food.”
The woman glanced at Dalcheon, who was still not seated and was looking around the room.
“What about the parasites?”
“It feels awkward to say ‘year’ as ‘year’.”
“What do you call a year when a year is a year?”
The two people laughed hysterically.
“Okay, master.”
“What kind of owner is he?”
“Both.”
“Oh, are you being rude? Please wait a moment.”
“Don’t let anyone in.”
“I’ve already placed two strong guys in front.”
“Stand guard outside the fence.”
“Oh my, there’s a person here.”
“Should I turn around?”
“Okay, I’ll give it to one person.”
“Two people.”
“Whew, got it.”
The woman bowed politely, unlike before, took a step back, and then turned around and left. She smiled bashfully as she gently touched Dal-cheon’s shoulder, who was glaring at the folding screen.
“Oh, it’s good to be young. I like it.”
After leaving a teasing remark to the young Dalcheon, he blinked and left with a big smile. Mukhyeong followed him, saying, “I’ll look into it.”
“Ugh.”
“What is this, Guanju?”
“I guess you come to places like this often.”
“I said I was living it.”
“You have a lot of money too.”
“It’s not me, but isn’t our father the most powerful person in Joseon?”
“Oh, I was wondering why you didn’t say that.”
“But why are you looking into that screen like that?”
“I thought it was really well drawn.”
“Do you know how to draw?”
“No, I have never learned it. Your strokes are powerful.”
“Then was that drawn by my master?”
“No, it’s something very mental, but you seem like a strong person.”
The prince chuckled.
“I drew it.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“When I was young, I was drunk almost every day, and he asked me to draw him a picture. There was a very pretty gisaeng, and I couldn’t refuse her, right? So I drew it quickly and left it here. Hehe.”
“No way. What you just said is a lie, right?”
“It’s gotten so bad now, but back then, just like you said, I was full of energy.”
Dalcheon was puzzled. The person and the picture did not match. It wasn’t like that before, but will a person’s true nature change just because he has worn away with time?
“I can’t believe it.”
“It happened over ten years ago.”
“You still look like you’re in your 20s.”
“I’ve been in my thirties for a while now.”
Dalcheon immediately changed the subject.
“What happened to that woman?”
“He’s dead.”
“Yes? Why? No, how did it happen?”
“You took the knife instead of me.”
“Oh, you’re not saying that he died while blocking the Grand Princess’s path, are you?”
“Because he was so excited about the threat of assassination, he laid me in my room while I was drunk, and stabbed me to death while I was sleeping in my room. The assassin must have been scared because he stabbed me right through the blanket. He stabbed me so hard that half of my neck was blown off.”
“Really?”
“He is a savior.”
“Phew.”
“Why? You don’t believe me again?”
“No, that’s not it… … .”
“You can be honest with me. The image you see of me is that of a useless prince who spends his days exhausted and rotten, sighing helplessly in resignation. Do you understand?”
“Before?”
“There was a lot of gunfire.”
The general pointed to the screen.
“You draw well too.”
“oh.”
“People waited in line to get my handwriting.”
Dalcheon looked puzzled and asked.
“Parasites?”
“Hahahahaha! How did you know that?”
“You said you’ve been drunk for years.”
“This house is also newly built. The previous house burned down.”
“Is that because of Mama too?”
“I barely managed to survive by running out naked, with nothing on.”
“Oh my, what kind of life is this?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
The expression on the face of the Grand Prince, who was speaking frankly, was lonely. It was a different face than usual. It seemed as if he was lost in reminiscence, and regretting the life he had lived. In his face, which was a mixture of regret, gratitude, and fond memories, the image of a debaucher could not be found.
“So you miss that woman?”
“There is no such woman.”
“Well, that’s true. Well, since he’s no longer around, you might think that way. But have you gotten revenge?”
“Avenge? Me?”
“I learned that the favor must be clear. Usually, resentment is hard to forget, and kindness is easy to forget. I learned that it shouldn’t be like that.”
“Yes. That’s why I invested in this house. I added to it when it was being rebuilt, so I have some equity in this house. It’s a stake that makes me feel good when the business goes well.”
“Oh my, the prince is the owner of the house?”
“Shh! You can’t go there and talk about it.”
“Somehow, when you came in, it felt like it was your own home. Oh my.”
“And there are several formations set up around this house. This inner courtyard is a space that only I use. A space that only I can do.”
“What is the strategy? If you enter it wrong, you’ll be hit by wind and rain, and if you’re not careful, you’ll end up hallucinating as if you’re standing on top of a thousand-foot cliff.”
“I think I’ve read too many novels from the bookstore.”
“Ahaha! You can’t find anything fun in the mountains. You can play around in the forest chasing birds and animals, but books are the only way to pass the time. There are quite a few novels of all kinds.”
“It’s not as bad as you said, but there’s a pretty sophisticated mechanism installed. It’s a kind of trap. If you step on it wrong, your ankle will fly off.”
“Oh my, it’s scary.”
“Do you know why I came here?”
“You must have come to reminisce about old times. Ahaha.”
“You too.”
This is Dalcheon’s way. He never accepts the answer the other person wants. It’s not that he doesn’t understand what they’re saying, but he twists it strangely. To him, questions are swords and answers are shields. He easily nullifies any attack.
The moon has risen.
“I’ll take a look around too.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“I am grateful. Ahaha.”
Dalcheon, who had gone outside, jumped up onto the roof without even turning around. The night owl, who had been sitting there without thinking, was startled and flew away with a thud.
Standing tall on the ridge of the roof, I looked around. Laughter was incessant from the building on the east side, and the sound of the musician’s strings was carried by the soft wind. The voice of the gisaeng singing a jeongga was clear and elegant. There was a strong scent of enviable pleasure that made me want to join in. The occasional shouts of women mixed in made me sigh.
* * *
From nearby to far outside, he spread his gaze widely. People’s movements were approaching as if they could be felt. After confirming that there was no danger, he jumped to the roof on the other side. This is how Dalcheon looked back. A man walking around the fence slowly walked with a club cut like a hexagon on his shoulder. Mukhyeong walked very slowly, thoroughly examining the inside of the yard. He felt the ivy that had climbed up the fence, and it seemed like he was checking for traps. He bent down to examine the ground, and slowly moved forward, stepping on his toes.
‘Was it like this?’
In any case, power is not something to be approached. Why would the king of this small country go to such lengths to capture and kill people?
They couldn’t possibly know that I had entered Hanyang, and I came in stealthily like a shadow after checking several times. Still, I was worried and looked around thoroughly. I couldn’t ignore the fact that my companion was trying so I looked around carefully. After thoroughly looking up to the roof of someone else’s house, I heard the sound of food coming in.
As he fell into the yard, Mukhyeong crawled out from the darkness of the courtyard. Dalcheon asked.
“Have you looked into it?”
“yes.”
“Is the trap working properly?”
“yes.”
“There is no unusual movement here either.”
“That’s fortunate.”
As the door opened, red and blue hues shimmered. A courtesan with her hair upturned put her hand to her mouth and cried softly.
“Please take it seriously.”
He speaks strangely. Is he saying this to get people to drink more? Dalcheon looked at the silent figure. Two masters, young and old, were sitting on the inside side of the large table. Dalcheon sat down across from the grand prince without saying a word.
“It’s rice. You said I should eat rice first.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Come on. I need to talk to these guys.”
“Please do so while eating.”
The two began to eat after seeing the prince pick up his spoon first. The table was incomparable to that of the school. All kinds of delicacies were laid out. Dalcheon shook his head repeatedly, saying, “Wow!” It was a three-course meal, or at best a five-course meal, but here, the food filled the table. There was so much that even if you tasted it with chopsticks, you wouldn’t be able to finish it all.
“Phew.”
Could this be a meal for a ghost who died from starvation? He thought it was a waste. However, since they had prepared it with care since he had come to Hanyang, he could not complain for no reason. Dalcheon decided to eat the rice and three or four side dishes placed in front of him.
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