Behold, Joseon's City of Eternal Lights – Hanyang
Behold. That's Joseon's city that never sleeps. Hanyang.
The ride Yi In-su had arranged was a four-wheeled carriage. Eori, who'd only ever seen oxcarts back home, and I, who'd only glimpsed them on screen, couldn't tear our eyes away. It was fascinating. What the hell? Why does Joseon have something like this? Shouldn't this be from the British or American Wild West era?
While the carriage driver—its owner—and Yi In-su's servant loaded the luggage, we circled the vehicle, inspecting it. The passenger seats resembled a double-layered cargo hold, and the wheels had leaf springs attached, which looked like they'd absorb some of the jolts.
"Hoho! That impressive, is it?"
We were seeing a carriage for the first time in our lives, and Yi In-su watched us with a pleased smile.
"If this amazes you, you'll faint when we get to Hanyang."
"Are there a lot of things like this in Hanyang, sir?"
"Hoho! Carriages like this are rare even in Hanyang, but there are far more astonishing sights. Come on, let's go see them! Hop in!"
"Yes, sir! Hehe! Master, hurry and get in!"
Yi In-su climbed in first, and Eori waited for me at the end. As I approached from admiring the carriage, I offered her my hand.
"Eori. Hand."
"Pardon?"
"It's dangerous. What if you trip?"
"Oh my...!"
Eori blushed furiously, her dark skin turning a deep red, but she took my hand and climbed aboard.
"Hoho! That boy!"
Yi In-su watched me follow her in with a warm gaze.
"Not even married yet, and you're already so harmonious."
"Just basic courtesy to a delicate lady."
"Delicate...?"
Why? Why is Eori delicate? Sure, she was taller and broader-shouldered than most grown men, unflinching at the sight of blood from her ama work, but to me, she was just an adorable girl.
"My ladies! Time to depart!"
Yi In-su's servant tied our horses to the back and called out. He circled to the front and joined the driver on the coachman's seat.
The driver, seated beside the servant, asked us, "Nothing left behind? If nature calls, ring the bell! We're off!"
"Mm. Let's go."
"Understood! Hya!"
As the driver cracked the whip, the carriage jolted lightly and began to move. Eori, sitting beside me, lit up like a kid on an amusement ride.
"Hehe! Master! The carriage is really moving!"
"Y-yeah. It sure is."
A grin spread across my face too, nodding along. I'd seen carriages before, but riding one was a first—excitement was inevitable.
"Hohoho!"
Yi In-su, alone on the opposite bench, beamed at us like the city mouse showing the country mouse around.
"I was planning to walk from Geomunpo to Hanyang, but I rented this specially for you two after seeing you suffer on the ship."
"Thank you, sir."
"Th-thank you."
"No need! You've done me favors too, haven't you? I just mentioned it once—enjoy it to your heart's content! Hohoho!"
Mentioned it once, my ass. He's showing off. But damn, this thing shakes more than I thought. Even with smooth roads and leaf springs, the ride was bumpy. Compared to the sea crossing, though, it was a lullaby.
"Yaaawn. Long journey's worn me out. I'll lie down a bit. Make yourselves comfortable. It'll take over three hours."
True to his word, it was a lullaby. Yi In-su stretched out on the long bench alone, using luggage as a pillow and covering his face with his gat. Soon, soft snores filled the air.
"Master."
I turned from the quick-sleeping elder to Eori. She smiled with flushed cheeks.
"Will you rest a bit too, Master?"
"Huh?"
"Come here."
She scooted inward and patted her thigh, offering it as my pillow.
"Lie down."
"F-for real?"
"Yes, for real. Hurry and lie down. Sir said to relax, didn't he?"
"No, that feels too... indulgent."
I hesitated, but my body leaned toward her anyway. Soon, I was using Eori's soft thigh as a pillow, lying back.
"Comfortable?"
Her chest bandaged—or covered—let me see her lowered face clearly. Feeling the gentle give under my head, I replied.
"Eori."
"Yes?"
"From down here, you're kinda ugly."
"Eeeek! Master!!"
"Kidding. You're pretty from any angle."
"Hehe. Now sleep. I'll wake you if sir stirs."
Pretending to sleep, I closed my eyes, planning to "wake" soon and return the knee pillow... Zzz...
Drip.
"!"
A cold droplet hit my face, snapping me awake. Without rain, I'd have slept straight to Hanyang.
Drip.
"Oops."
Not rain. It was Eori's drool, dripping as her head nodded in sleep, like spring rain on my face.
I rose quietly to avoid waking her, wiped my face with my collar, gently shook her shoulder.
"Eori. Eori."
"Mm, huh? Master...?"
"No more of that. Lie here."
"No, it's fi—achoo! No."
"It's fine. Lie down quick."
Her refusal seemed polite; she obediently leaned over, pillowing her head on my thigh.
But I regretted it instantly.
"Mm...!"
"?!"
I never dreamed a lovers' tender moment would lead to this. Her head right there sent an immediate signal southward.
"Ah—wait, Eori. Just a sec. Move your head a little... farther...!"
"Mm, your thigh's so hard..."
"Th-this spot's hard too...! Hold on, Eori...!"
Alone, fine—but Yi In-su slept ahead, and the driver and servant could peek with a glance. Desperate, I willed it down with distractions. Mom alone at home. That punk Hui-un prepping for the civil exams. Munjong in the palace now.
"..."
The last thought calmed it somewhat. Stroking Eori's hair calmly, I pondered more. Would Sejong have Munjong there? What to say? Admit I'm modern too? Would he leave me be? Do I even need to reveal it?
Headache building, I eased it by petting her hair. The carriage rolled on.
Soon Eori stirred, Yi In-su woke, dusk fell—and the driver shouted.
"Masters! We're here! Get ready!"
The carriage halted. Helping Eori down by the hand, I surveyed: bustling like Geomunpo, a massive river beyond.
"See it?"
Yi In-su, out first, beamed proudly.
"That's the Han River. Hanyang lies beyond."
Wait, this isn't Hanyang?
"Not Hanyang yet?"
"Hohoho. No rushing. We'll arrive tonight."
His words barely held—ferries nearly done for the day at sunset. We caught the last, barely crossing.
Following the crowd to the walls, the darkening sky contrasted the bright glow beyond.
"Behold. That's Joseon's city that never sleeps. Hanyang."
"Wooow...!"
Eori's eyes sparkled at the lit walls—a fantastical sight for a girl who slept at dusk.
"Hm?"
Yi In-su, proudly introducing the capital, tilted his head.
"Not amazed?"
"Pardon? Oh, it is amazing."
Of course—lighting nights without electricity was astonishing. But having seen modern cityscapes, I wasn't gawking.
"Whoa, Sungnyemun!"
My awe hit at the gate. Modern me only knew the rebuilt version post-arson. Seeing the 50-year-old original? Pure wonder.
"Hohoho! Knew you'd love it!"
Yi In-su chuckled, clueless why.
Eori marveled at Hanyang beyond; I at Sungnyemun's grandeur. He beamed at us.
They checked only my pass—no issues. We set foot in Hanyang, 600 years past.
"Wooow...!"
"Wooow...!"
Now I gawked like Eori. Night sky above, daylight below—streets teeming like market's first day.
"Master! Master! Where to? Cheap ride!"
"In Hanyang, take a rickshaw!"
"Leave your horse, hop in a rickshaw comfy!"
Rickshaw pullers swarmed us newbies. Another first after the carriage—but Yi In-su waved them off.
"Si-jin, Eori. Rickshaws mean missing Hanyang on foot. Let's walk."
"Yes, sir! Hehe!"
"Got it."
Regret aside, I nodded. We'd stay over a month—plenty of rickshaw time.
Still... Hanyang. Modern traces everywhere: rickshaws, food scents, glass-windowed buildings, bright lanterns. A scene I could never craft.
Sharing a city with monsters dwarfing me, I resolved. Yeah. Let's do it. Here in Hanyang, meet the Crown Prince. Tell him I'm modern-born. Let me tag along.
...But he probably doesn't know.
"Crown Prince."
"What is it?"
"Idle Captain Kim Si-jin just passed Sungnyemun."
"Does His Majesty know?"
"Yes. He leaves it to Your Highness."
"Fine. I'll go incognito tomorrow. The boy needs rest from travel."
Rest till tomorrow night. Won't have much time soon.