As Prophet - Chapter 94



Only Krnovel

Episode 94. Good luck, Sanin!

“Jim called you today as I said before. Come to me. I will make sure you have nothing to lack.”

“Your Majesty! Wherever I am, I promise to do my best for you. Whenever the country faces difficulties, I promise to go out in white and fight the enemy.”

“He told me to come into the palace.”

“Your Majesty! I have set my mind to it and am teaching students. If Your Majesty can have dozens, or even hundreds, of loyal warriors, I think that will also be meaningful. Please stop talking.”

“Can’t we do it here?”

“There are already hundreds of royal guards stationed in the palace.”

The king, who guessed what Dalcheon was trying to say, cut him off.

“I know that even if they all attack at once, they will be no match for you alone.”

“That is an overstatement.”

“Excess? It was just this morning that I killed hundreds of people alone.”

“There were traps and bows.”

“Isn’t it right to do it alone?”

“majesty…….”

“There are quarters for the royal guards in the palace, and there is also a training ground. I think that would be suitable… … If you want, I can give you a separate hall.”

“Your Majesty, this is absolutely unjust. How can a citizen in white robes stay in the palace?”

“If we look back on the past, there were people called national teachers and royal teachers. There were people like that in the early days of Joseon. If we appoint them as royal teachers, the problem of official positions will be solved… … Ahem.”

Dalcheon pressed down on the floor where he was lying down without realizing it. He had already made up his mind and called out.

“Since you run the academy, you don’t have to come every day. You can go back and forth between taking care of the academy’s business and the palace’s business.”

The King was speaking as his mind took over when the Chief Secretary intervened and stopped him.

“Your Majesty, this is unprecedented. Not only is it problematic to be promoted without considering the past, but arbitrarily managing attendance can undermine the discipline of the officialdom.”

The king chuckles.

“Your son was also promoted without taking the civil service examination.”

“Your Majesty, it is in the negative… … .”

“I’ll do it too.”

“Your Majesty, this is unprecedented.”

“If there is no precedent to apply to a new matter, then create a new standard. There was one in the pre-war period, and one in the early days of the country. Don’t say anything else!”

“Your Majesty! It was a royal family with deep Buddhist faith that invited a monk as a royal priest. It was not a matter of state, but a matter of personal faith. How much opposition there was at that time. In the end, according to the monk, it ended miserably… …”

“The royal family prayed and performed Buddhist rites to pray for the well-being of the country. They opposed it because it was different from our belief system that studied Neo-Confucianism. Isn’t this royal rite a different matter? They invited martial arts masters from other worlds to strengthen the defense of the palace and secure the well-being of the royal family. Didn’t you hear about the events of this morning? Over a hundred assassins have attacked the king’s son. Who will protect him?”

“Your Majesty! Many will object.”

“You have to suppress their opposition. If they can’t come up with a reasonable and valid reason, I’ll push ahead.”

Usually, the Do Seung-ji is on the king’s side. The original reason for establishing the Seungjeongwon was for similar political reasons. The original reason for establishing the Seungjeongwon was probably to strengthen the king’s personal secretary organization and strengthen his political position in the government represented by the Six Ministries and the Three Prime Ministers.

However, the representative, Do Seung-ji, is against it. He is probably worried that the position of the royal secretary will infringe on the authority of the royal secretarial organization. If the king depends on the royal secretary rather than the Do Seung-ji, the reason for its existence will inevitably be weakened.

Dalcheon, who didn’t know why, just stared blankly. Although he didn’t know the reason, he would be grateful if the Do Seung-ji stopped him. However, even after several objections, the Do Seung-ji couldn’t continue speaking, so the king gave Dalcheon another order.

“I will appoint him as the king’s envoy and the teacher of the royal guard.”

“majesty!”

“majesty!”

The two men simultaneously shouted, “Your Majesty,” but the king remained steadfast. He was worried that much talk would come out, but the king handled the matter swiftly. He persuaded the royal secretary on the spot to bring the red plaque and the royal sword, and wrote a notice announcing the appointment of the royal envoy and had it widely announced. He respected the position of the head of the school and did not require daily attendance, and gave him more freedom to avoid participating in major royal events.

Since communication had already been made, the Naeshibu actively pushed for the project, and the Do Seung-ji had no choice but to approve. The plan to provide accommodations in the palace was thwarted by the Do Seung-ji and Dalcheon’s opposition. The king summoned the working-level chiefs of the Naegeumwi, Urimwi, and Gyeomsabok and showed them a very long document specifying the roles and authority of the royal envoy, and had them accept it.

* * *

Dalcheon, who had just come out of the cell, looked up at the sky with a dumbfounded face. Is that the power to force? Dalcheon, who had suddenly become a royal preceptor, looked back at the prince.

“Why didn’t you stop it? Did you think it would be beneficial?”

“I am sorry. I am just an insignificant thing in front of Your Majesty.”

“Whew… … .”

Dalcheon sighed deeply and shook his head. The day of departure was just getting closer. He left the palace first, leaving the Grand Prince behind who had business to attend to.

He went to Baek Sa-ban of the Ministry of War to explain what had happened and announced that he would be leaving soon. Baek Sa-ban was worried that disobeying the king’s orders would cause trouble and urged Dalcheon to stay for a while, but Dalcheon did not respond.

After stopping by the Saekju house to check on Mukhyeong’s condition and comfort him, he briefly explained the circumstances and left. When he returned to the school building after finding his horse in the stables, the afternoon sunlight was slowly setting.

After calling the school’s instructors and adults together and explaining what happened today and declaring that we should leave, voices of disapproval were heard from all over. One by one, I gave instructions on what to do next and sent people out. I had them write a notice that the school was closed and put it up on a board at the entrance.

Unfortunately, if you don’t know when to leave, your life will become miserably distorted. Dalcheon was certain that now was the time.

‘What kind of king is this?’

The three men of the training center explained that the king would be angry and that it was the general behavior of the government to deal with the matter, but Dalcheon urged everyone to leave. Before darkness fell, they packed their bags. When they came down from the mountain, they had nothing special. They put it in a sack and wrapped it around their waist with only a belt with a sword attached to it.

“This won’t do.”

When Dalcheon was leaving for his room, Baek I-jeong blocked his way. Dalcheon smiled brightly. I thought someone would do that. But it was Baek I-jeong.

“Please take care of the rest. The goods and slaves Your Majesty gave us will be returned, and this place… … will be closed.”

“Think of the students. How well did they follow? If they leave like this, what will happen to those who stay?”

“Go back to where you came from. It was just a little fun.”

“What will the old man say?”

“Please tell him I’m sorry.”

“What about this place?”

“Please return them all to their original owners. If it’s bothersome, just leave them and go. They’ll make great playgrounds for children.”

I put on the windbreaker that I didn’t usually wear and got down from the floor. Baek I-jeong opened both arms to block the way in front of me. The new students ran up and filled the gap behind me, blocking the way. My heart ached. I felt sad, sorry, and regretful.

Dalcheon, who had been catching a glimpse of the sun setting in the west, disappeared from that spot. Those who had been blocking his way looked around and waved their hands at the spot where Dalcheon had been standing, but he was gone. He had disappeared like a ghost. Baek I-jeong sank to the ground. Tears welled up and fell to the ground.

The news that Dalcheon had disappeared was transmitted to Hanyangseong. The prince went into hiding in Geumwon Garden. However, the person who had already left could not be found. The Gyeonggi Gamyeong army was released to search for the person, but there was no trace of Dalcheon anywhere in Yangju.

* * *

The sun set and the moon rose. The white moon was unrealistically large and round. It was an early summer night, with the air laden with yin flowing thickly along the clouds that were gradually releasing.

She was waiting for me on the road I was about to leave secretly. How did she know? There must be some other sense that we don’t have.

“Are you going?”

“Yes.”

Ask and answer.

“… … .”

“Thank you for your consideration. I am young and lacking, so I have made many things uncomfortable. I ask for your understanding.”

The careless words are even more disappointing.

“If you want to leave, just leave. Don’t look back.”

Dalcheon is indifferent to worldly affairs, but he is aware of her sincerity that has come to him in a different color. In love, it is natural for the person who loves more to suffer. He has been indifferent, but he is not unaware. Although they have kept their distance, it was a space where they were together.

I took care of her under the name of “older sister.” I couldn’t do what I wanted, so I hid my feelings. That was a long time.

Although the customs of the Goryeo Dynasty still remained and it was a fairly free culture, people were unable to express their feelings.

“Rebirth is a life lived as a mountain man.”

“I know. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”

“I’m sorry. I know, but I couldn’t help it.”

“It’s not something you should feel sorry about, Your Majesty. I was the fool who played the drums and janggu alone.”

“No, Lady Baek is wise, thoughtful, and has a great passion for martial arts.”

“You know that’s not what we’re talking about now, right?”

“I know, but I hope you understand that I have to go astray like this.”

Baek Yi-jeong swallowed the sadness that was welling up in her. She said that it was fate for mountain people to leave like this and never see each other again. When this season passes, maybe I will forget.

The white moonlight replaces my closed teeth. Will you speak for me?

Dalcheon raised both hands in front of his chest and made a gesture of giving a lottery ticket.

“I wish you good luck.”

“I feel good that I have been recognized as an unmanned person. Can I visit Taebaek?”

Dalcheon’s expression became cloudy like moonlight covered with clouds. He came to Taebaek…

“When I asked if I could come over to your house to play, you taught me, ‘Come anytime. You’re always welcome.’”

“That is what was taught to the children… … .”

“This is a request made with a mind younger than that of a young school child.”

Dalcheon took a deep breath and exhaled shallowly.

“Yes, come anytime. You are always welcome.”

Dalcheon took a half step back. He kept his distance from me. If we part like this, we will disappear into the breath of eternity, and I should not say anything to say goodbye, but the social etiquette I learned made me greet him without realizing it, like the snow piled on my shoulders on a winter day.

Baek I-jeong also won the lottery.

“Good luck, Sanin!”

“thank you.”

What did he mean by saying thank you? We call it a custom because we learned to do it that way.

Before Baek I-jeong finished greeting, Dal-cheon disappeared like the wind.

Baek Yi-jeong belatedly raised her head and looked for traces of him, but he was nowhere to be seen. No, it was unrealistic that he was in front of her. The past few years when he had come down and stayed seemed like a distant dream.

I turned my body and looked far to the east. I gazed at the eastern sky, wondering if the hazy air rising over the mountains might be something he had left behind.

Silently flowing tears ran down my cheeks, clung to my chin, and eventually fell to the floor. Maybe life is originally like this, with silent tears. It’s just that I don’t express it, but when the things that flow deep in my heart well up, they may overflow into clear, hot tears.

Hello, my love! My great unmanned being!

* * *

If it is not the world, it is a mountain. Dalcheon ran straight up the mountain range and followed the path of the mountain people that is thousands of years old. When the dark forest began to flow slowly from afar, a small body floated above the forest. It seemed to float above the pale moonlight.

Stepping on the tip of a tree, he flew forward, faster than the wind and faster than an arrow. Trees, rocks, forests, and mountains passed by. The bright full moon was floating above the eastern mountain, just like the full moon, large and round.

I didn’t look back. I didn’t leave any regrets. It was right for me to leave.