Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Hero White Horse Has Died
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A few days earlier, rewinding time.
The day after entering the side hall at King Seonjo's command, our house turned into a nonstop feast.
Early in the morning, gifts from the king—royal presents and dishes from his own table—arrived. My father saw them and grinned ear to ear, flinging open the family storehouse.
Dare I say it, these were the busiest days of my life.
"My lord, I read your son's novel. How can a child so young be so brilliantly clever?"
"Haha, thank you. Gyun, come greet him. This is Lord No Su-sin, who served as Minister of Military Affairs."
"Hello. I'm Heo Gyun."
"Yes, yes, I read what you wrote. Keep at it diligently."
"Uh... yes, thank you."
"Come on in. Bong! A distinguished guest is here—serve him yourself!"
"Yes!!"
The house was already packed with guests we'd greeted, and outside the gate, a sea of people waited their turn.
It was a disaster born from the bizarre custom of never turning away visitors, the ancient tradition that a prime minister's house doorstep wears thin from traffic when their dog dies, and the yangban spirit of giving back more than you receive.
"Gyun, thanks to you, inquiries from the scholars haven't stopped. I knew you were clever, but I never dreamed you'd shine so soon. I'm truly grateful."
"You're too kind, Teacher."
"Here, I brought some brushes and inkstones. Take good care of me from now on."
Tutor Hand Valley Yi Dal stopped by too.
"Young master, I hear you've made a big decision. Following your lead, our Hanyang Merchant Guild will distribute relief grain and firewood to the people this winter. By the way, when can we learn that Suwon royal ribs Golden Fried Chicken recipe that had the Gourmet Unicorn Association president in awe?"
"Well... after the feast, maybe..."
"Haha, no rush. We've only just started franchising Golden Fried Chicken, and it'll take at least a year to release the next volume and a new dish! Worker! Set down the gifts in that empty lot!"
The Hanyang Merchant Guild folks left.
"Hm, Easterners and Westerners must unite against foreign threats, eh? Quite the bold idea for a child."
"Pardon?"
"Heh, playing innocent? Evil Pursuers... perfect name for the Jurchens eyeing Joseon from the north and the Japanese pirates raiding from the south every other day. To deal with those fiends, we do need to join forces. Before you grow up and enter the palace, I'll finish the Proposal for Raising 100,000 Soldiers."
"?"
Yi I of Chestnut Valley, the Westerners' idol, spouted something odd and left.
"Aigoo!! Young master!! Congratulations!!"
"Who are you?"
"We're the beggars under Yeomcheon Bridge, come to celebrate with you..."
"Uncle Haksae! Get some food for these kids!"
The nameless beggar gang from Yeomcheon Bridge left too.
From morning till night, for days on end, greeting guests was wearing me down.
My throat was hoarse from talking so much, my legs ached from standing, my back hurt from all the bowing.
"Dori, how many are left outside?"
"Almost done now. It's been a week already—about time the crowds thinned. Probably closing the gate after today."
"Ah... thank goodness."
Yes, just hold out till today.
Kim Deok-su from Hanyang Merchant Guild said it'd take a year for volume 2.
Release volume 2, teach them seasoned fried chicken, kill time somehow, and that leaves over two years till volume 3!
The laid-back life I'd longed for seemed within reach again.
That's what I thought.
"My lord, have some tea first and calm down."
"Hoo... sorry, my lord. I was so urgent I forgot the hour."
"No matter. What is it? Something terrible with His Highness the Prince?"
"No, not terrible... or maybe it is... hard to say. Better ask your son—he'd know faster than me."
"Gyun?"
"Uh... well."
Who knew it'd come to this.
No wonder uncles who buy nephews burgers and games get smacked every time.
Irresponsible pleasure, mindless dopamine hits—the price was steep.
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly and told Father about the palace.
"Last time I visited the palace, waiting for you, I ran into His Highness briefly."
"You met the Prince?"
"Yes. With an eunuch he sent, we toured the grounds. My legs got tired, so we rested at Fragrant Far Pavilion, and that's when..."
As I offhandedly unpacked Hero Himmel's backstory, Father's face paled.
Tsk, gonna get scolded for sure.
Yeah, if a three-year-old prince skips studies to prance around doing 'magic,' even I'd scold him as king.
And right on cue, as the story ended, Father's thunder fell.
"Heo! How could you give such reckless advice! What do you know to teach others?!"
"...Sorry. He was just curious why the prince used honorifics with the eunuch..."
"Tch, even so! Sorry, my lord. I must've failed raising him. Praised him too much, and he pulls this stunt behind my back..."
"Oh no, that's not why I came. Far from scolding—I can't praise him enough. If he were old enough, I'd kidnap him to the Bureau of Tutors myself. Proper education."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
At Father's question, Lord Park downed his tea in one gulp.
Clearing his sharp throat with a cough, Lord Park began.
"I follow Xunzi's theory of human evil over Mencius's innate goodness."
Park Hae-seo of the Bureau of Tutors.
Entering as prosecutor at just over twenty, he'd devoted over forty years to the Bureau and Crown Prince Tutorial Institute—a legend in education.
One lesson from teaching countless princes and heirs: the makings of a sage king aren't taught—they're born.
In that light, Prince Imhae lacked them.
Bluntly: lazy in cultivation, frivolous manners, violent temper—tyrant vibes.
He'd believed hard teaching could make him at least a decent crown prince, but after a year, even that hope faded.
Then one day.
A miracle arrived.
- Teacher! How are you!
- Fine, Your Highness.
- Hm, Teacher must be tired from the long trip, so have the eunuch bring tea.
- Yes, Your Highness.
Truly bizarre.
Prince Imhae, who'd always arrive late hating lessons, was there early and seated properly— even offering tea to a teacher he loathed.
And the miracle didn't stop.
- Your Highness, tea is served.
- Thanks, eunuch! Teacher, have some tea!
- Uh... thank you, Your Highness.
Poison prank in the tea? Why the sudden honorifics to the eunuch?
Sipping cautiously, no tricks—thank goodness.
Then Prince Imhae's words shocked him.
- Tell me the seal of that young master quick once you're done. Gonna learn from Teacher like it says! I'm gonna be great, like Hero White Horse!
- What?!
- Haha, Your Highness met a fine friend. Heo Yeop's third son, Heo Gyun, visited the palace recently.
- What's that got to—
The eunuch's tale was ingenious.
A shocking tale kids love, starring fictional Hero White Horse to teach respect for elders.
He wanted it in the Bureau's basics—for future princes.
Even the follow-up advice was flawless.
Sleep early, rise early.
Be kind to those around you.
Help the needy.
Don't put off today's work till tomorrow.
Follow that, become a sage king.
So what if temper's fiery? Ancient Goguryeo's Gwanggaeto was flame-hearted yet earned Great King's title.
- Haha, guess I gotta step up too. Shall we study respect for elders and the Three Bonds and Five Morals today, Your Highness?
- Yes! Teacher!!
Seeing Imhae's burning zeal, Park nearly teared up.
Dedicated teacher, eager student.
We're saved. Joseon's future brightens again.
And hell began.
- But Teacher!
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Learn Three Bonds' friendship loyalty—what seal spell can I use?
- ?
Uh.
- Teacher!
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Wanna use lightning seal spell—what teaching from young master for that?
- ?
This ain't it.
- Teacher!
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Show your seal spell first?
- ?
Something's wrong. Terribly off.
- Teacher...
- Yes... Your Highness...
- Teach an easy seal spell I can use now... I'm in a hurry...
- Well...
Forty years as educator—Park saw it instantly.
Imhae's interest waning.
Can't let this slip. Sage king chance! Nation's future at stake.
"That's why I rushed here after class. My lord, I need your son's help. Urgently. From teaching princes, timing matters. He can't miss this."
"Well... Gyun, looks like you have to help. Any ideas?"
"...Well..."
What choice?
Poisoner fixes the mess.
I scratched my head sheepishly again.
"I'll do my best."
"Tsk, what to write?"
After Lord Park left, I sat at my desk for the first time in ages, picking up the wolf-hair brush.
Tough conditions.
Throw in seal spells carelessly, it'll spiral out of control.
Remove them, Imhae loses interest.
How to balance for rave reviews?
Twirling the brush, I tackled the urgent issue first.
Aw, screw it.
Kill off Himmel first.
- The Hero White Horse has died.