The Governor’s Lust
The landscape of Pyeongyang, finally reached, was as grand and magnificent as ever. “It has been a long time since I last saw the waters of the Daedong River.”
“Have you been to Pyeongyang before, Master Han?”
“Have you forgotten what Ryugyeong is famous for?” Baek Yujon muttered, half to herself and half as a reply.
“Right… it was the gisaeng houses….”
“The master who taught this lowly one how to pluck the strings of a geum likely still resides in this city.”
“Do you wish to visit them?”
“I am on a mission under the King’s direct order. How could I possibly spend time on personal matters?”
“Hmph….” Baek Yujon scratched her cheek, looking awkward.
“Sister Yujon, if you say even one word wrong, you will instantly become a piece of filth unworthy of association.”
“How am I supposed to live when I’m this terrified?”
Over the past few days, I had succeeded in making O Jayeon and Baek Yujon grow closer. It was a bit unfortunate that their common ground for bonding was a mixture of fear and desire directed toward me. ‘It can’t be helped. This was the best way.’
As we entered the city, I asked, “What exactly is the rumor circulating in Pyeongyang?”
“It concerns a snake that abducts children and men in the middle of the night.”
“That is truly a rumor befitting a yoma.”
“First, we must pay our respects to the Governor.”
In Joseon, one does not simply append "-jang" to an organization's name to denote a leader. The same applied to local administrators. A Governor, or Gamsa, was someone who ruled over an entire province, such as Gangwon or Chungcheong. Their rank was Senior Second Grade—a high-ranking official indeed. Considering that O Jayeon, an investigator of the Uigeumbu, was only a Junior Sixth Grade, and Baek Yujon, a commander of the Soma-won, was ‘merely’ a Junior Fifth Grade, the Governor was a truly lofty figure. And the building where the Governor resided was called the Gamyeong.
In front of the Pyeong-an Gamyeong, O Jayeon and Baek Yujon exchanged glances.
“Han Sujin. You should wait elsewhere.”
“I think so too. It would be better if you did not go inside, Master Han.”
I knew why these two were acting this way even before seeing their desires. “I have heard, even as a lowly one, that the current Pyeong-an Governor is a person who enjoys the arts and pleasures.”
I had phrased it politely, but it meant she was a lecher.
“…Where did you hear that?”
“Among the lowly, there is a network of exchange, you see.”
The two exchanged glances again.
“Hmm… would it be alright if it were Master Han?”
“Perhaps….”
“In times like this, please do worry about me.”
Baek Yujon scratched the back of her head, looking troubled. “Didn’t you say not to worry last time?”
“And I told you then, Commander. I do not say such things to just any woman; I say it because you are the Commander.”
“….”
Baek Yujon turned her head away. Since there was such a height difference that I had to look up at her, she likely thought that was enough to hide her facial expression….
Even if her face wasn't visible, it was obvious that she was blushing.
“…Hmph.” O Jayeon cleared her throat beside us.
“Master Han, what is your ideal type of woman?”
“That is an abrupt question. How could an unmarried man speak of such things so carelessly?”
“No… I just….” O Jayeon looked aggrieved. I know. In her mind, it wasn’t an abrupt question. She had probably been thinking about it ever since we first met.
“If you are going to ask such a question, wouldn’t it be proper for you to answer first, my Lady?”
“…My answer?”
“Yes. With what kind of man would you like to hold a wedding ceremony?”
“….”
O Jayeon also turned her head to the side. As a Banmain with the lower body of a horse, she was also taller than me. Like Baek Yujon earlier, she must have intended to hide her expression from me. Of course, just like with Baek Yujon, it was meaningless to me.
“…Heh.”
I chuckled and took the lead. So that they would walk behind me. So that they wouldn’t have to struggle to hide their expressions from me. Though, even without looking, it was as clear as day.
“Let us go. To where the Pyeong-an Governor resides.”
O Jayeon and Baek Yujon whispered behind me.
“After telling us to worry about him….”
“How are we supposed to worry about a man who toys with women like that…?”
Han Sujin did not hear their conversation. Though, even without hearing it, it was as clear as day.
The superior sits in the chair, and the subordinates stand before them. In this room, the one sitting in the chair was the Pyeong-an Governor, Kim Muga, and the ones standing were the three of us, along with the clerks and government slaves working at the Gamyeong.
“An investigator of the Uigeumbu, a commander of the Soma-won, and….” Kim Muga, sitting in the chair, stared at me. “Just an ordinary man with no rank and no military position?”
I bowed my head without a word. As if to say, ‘How could a lowly person like me dare to speak to your Excellency?’
“Hmm….”
Kim Muga was a human, not a Banmain. She was a woman with an ordinary appearance. She looked to be in her late thirties. Given that she held the most critical of key positions as the Pyeong-an Governor at a relatively young age, she would likely be promoted to an even higher position once her term ended and she returned to Hanyang. Her gaze lingered around my face for a while.
“Understood. If you need support, do not hesitate to ask.”
“Yes, Excellency.” Baek Yujon bowed politely on our behalf.
“What are your plans for lodging?”
“We were just about to look for a place.”
“Then would you like to use one of the government’s guest houses?”
Leaving the grand Gamyeong building behind, Baek Yujon muttered, “She seems like a normal Excellency, contrary to the rumors, doesn’t she?”
“Indeed.”
“Is that how it appeared to you two?”
Baek Yujon tilted her head. “What do you mean by that?”
“You may bet on it. This evening, someone will come from the Pyeong-an Gamyeong to take me. And if I refuse to go….” I lifted my head and met their eyes. “They will wrap me in a blanket and drag me away if they have to.”
“…Master?”
There was not a hint of playfulness in Han Sujin’s expression. Both women’s hearts sank.
“So, from now on, please do exactly as I say.”
Until night fell, O Jayeon kept thinking. ‘Would she really come?’
Keeping a man at one’s post is not exactly a virtuous act. But as long as one does their job properly, it isn’t a grave enough flaw to be a scandal. The Governor is human, too; she might be lonely. But to forcibly drag away a man who doesn’t want to go? That is….
‘It is rape.’
Joseon law places great importance on a man’s chastity and virtue. Therefore, rape—using force to violate a man’s most precious parts—is considered a serious crime. O Jayeon imagined it. The scene of Han Sujin being raped by Kim Muga.
“….”
A murderous intent surged within her. ‘Let’s stay calm.’ This anger was not merely a sense of justice wanting to correct a wrong. It was personal jealousy, a desire to possess Han Sujin for herself. ‘Would she really go that far?’ It was true that Han Sujin’s appearance was exceptional. But would she really commit an act that would inevitably lead to repercussions? How wide is Pyeongyang, anyway? There are plenty of gisaeng to toy with; would she really risk committing a crime just to covet Han Sujin?
“My two Ladies.” Han Sujin lowered his voice. “Now, please hide.”
The two hid their bodies. In the empty space inside the wardrobe we had prepared in advance. The wardrobe was located near the door. And then, truly, the government slaves of the Pyeong-an Gamyeong appeared. Along with a clerk.
Standing outside the door, the clerk asked, “Is the investigator of the Uigeumbu here?”
“No, the two of them have gone out to listen to the rumors on the streets.”
With that, the clerk opened the door and entered the room where only one man remained. “The Governor wishes to share a drink with you.”
“Why do so many of you enter a room where a man is alone? Please go outside and speak.”
“Aren’t you Seonwol, who once worked at a gisaeng house in this city called the Hyeonhwaru?”
“Even if that were true, I am currently acting under the King’s order. Even if I am a lowly gisaeng, please treat me with the minimum required courtesy.”
“The Governor has wanted to meet you since back then. She couldn’t fulfill her wish because you suddenly disappeared to another place.”
“Please leave.”
“Words won’t work, it seems. Boys!!”
The government slaves swarmed into the room. Carrying something to wrap Han Sujin in.
“What are you doing!”
Han Sujin hurriedly fled to one side of the room. But it was a small room, after all. There was nowhere to go even if he ran to the corner.
“Do not resist! Wrap him up gently so you don’t hurt him!”
“Has everyone entered? There is no one left outside the room, is there?” Han Sujin said something out of the blue. Before the clerk could understand the meaning, Han Sujin smiled brightly.
“My two Ladies, please come out now.”
CRASH!!!!!!
The wardrobe right in front of the door burst open as if exploding. Two waves of ominous, sticky hostility engulfed the clerk and the government slaves. Inside the narrow room, with nowhere to run.