Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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In actual history, when Yeon Namsaeng was pushed out by his younger brothers, he fled to the Inner Capital.
Scholars speculate that his maternal family were nobles from the Inner Capital. Add to that a deep-seated hatred for the nobles in the Pyoongyang region.
While gazing around with such complicated feelings, we arrived at the Inner Capital's west gate.
The clouds that had shrouded us earlier parted, letting brilliant sunlight pour down. The west gate was a barbican, so we had to pass through a narrow passage to enter.
A soldier of the Inner Capital holding a spear stepped aside and bowed his head. I nodded lightly in return and passed through the barbican into the Inner Capital.
Due to the narrow terrain, the Inner Capital wasn't particularly large.
While Geom Mojam was briefly delayed clearing the path of passersby, I looked around.
"The whole fortress is visible at a glance."
Like other fortresses, there were two-story warehouses and government offices, along with several taller wooden watchtowers.
As I stared absently, Go Jeong-ui asked cautiously.
"Do you know what that is, my lord?"
"What?"
"Your family first rose to prominence during the suppression of the Ganjeoli Rebellion."
"My family did?"
"Yes. Your great-grandfather, Elder Yeon Jayu, made great contributions to the suppression and was elevated to a hereditary position."
"Yeah, I've heard the rough story."
It was my first time hearing it, but I couldn't admit that, so I brushed it off vaguely.
Fortunately, Go Jeong-ui was focused on his own explanation and didn't press further.
Geom Mojam took the lead, guiding the column toward a temple with a watchtower. Though the Inner Capital's governor, Yuk-sal, had offered to host a banquet at our lodging, we declined.
'There are so many places I want to visit.'
I'd only ever seen photos or models of the Gwanggaeto Stele, General's Tomb—presumed to be King Jangsu's—and the nearby Great King's Tomb. So much I wanted to see.
'That's why I rushed here.'
If not for Father's strict order to return quickly, I would've toured like a real tourist for days.
And there was one place I absolutely had to visit.
"I've got to see the National Dongdae Blood Pond where the Celestial Maiden is."
Part of me wanted to go right now while the sun was still up. But the forced march to get here weighed on my mind.
'Rest today and start tomorrow.'
A small temple came into view, serving as our quarters during our stay in the Inner Capital. But we were met with an unexpected sight.
Geom Mojam looked shocked too, gripping his reins tight and telling his men to stay alert.
I widened my eyes in surprise as well.
"What are all those people?"
Go Jeong-ui replied indifferently.
"What else? People of the Inner Capital."
"You really won't play along with the mood?"
"They've come to see you, my lord."
"Me?"
For a moment, I felt like an idol.
The roadside was packed with commoners staring at me. Most wore ochre jackets with black or white pants, their headscarves soiled and unkempt.
Even in Zhang'an Fortress, they mostly fled in fear—never looked at me with eyes of respect and curiosity like this.
And then I noticed something even more astonishing.
'Not a single red eye in sight.'
No trace of the hostile red eyes that occasionally glared from the crowds.
As my shoulders relaxed, Go Jeong-ui said,
"It also relates to your wife's family."
Mention of my in-laws brought my wife to mind instantly.
"Why my in-laws?"
Go Jeong-ui tilted his head.
"Because the family that was wiped out by Elder Great One is from the noble houses here."
"Ah."
I knew my wife's family had been shattered by my father, Yeon Gaesomun. But I hadn't known they were from the Inner Capital.
Go Jeong-ui glanced at the crowd's gazes pouring toward me and added,
"Of course, it was an unavoidable situation. Otherwise, your family could have been implicated too."
"So Father struck first."
"That's how I understand it. But most people don't know the full story. That's why they're pinning their hopes on you."
His words instantly resolved a question I'd had earlier.
"So that's why the Inner Capital faction sided with Namsaeng and allied with Tang."
In 666, Yeon Namsaeng seized the Inner Capital and some regions before surrendering to Tang. His brothers had rebelled while he was away from the capital, killing his son Yeon Hunchung.
It was a situation where excuses of necessity could be made. But it was also clear treason—the worst decision that doomed Goguryeo.
Yeon Namsaeng's flight to the Inner Capital must have been heavily influenced by his wife's family ties.
"It's complicated."
I muttered unwittingly, and Go Jeong-ui replied,
"That's Goguryeo's biggest problem. If we don't solve it, we'll face a great crisis."
His words eerily matched what would happen later.
I nodded in agreement and reined in my horse. We'd arrived at the temple.
Monks in gray robes approached and bowed before me.
"You've had a hard journey. I am Abbot Sangheon of Tongum Temple."
I dismounted quickly and pressed my palms together.
"Thank you for providing us lodging. Abbot Sangheon."
The abbot lifted his head, his face filled with emotion.
"Hearing you were coming filled me with fresh gratitude. How did you know that your father- and mother-in-law's spirit tablets are enshrined here?"
His unexpected response startled me into looking at Go Jeong-ui.
Seeing him pretend ignorance, I sighed. I hadn't known at all, but I couldn't say that.
"It's a delicate matter, but one we can't ignore. Father regrets it deeply too."
"No one in the Inner Capital is unaware of their injustice. Please, clear their names. The people here will never forget it."
I could only agree as the abbot poured out his earnest plea, even his eyes glistening with tears.
He finally stepped aside, allowing us to enter.
Tongum Temple was small, so the main hall and monks' quarters were visible at a glance. Our lodging was the monks' quarters to the right of the main hall.
Geom Mojam's men tied the horses at the nearby stable and checked the interior.
Meanwhile, I stood before the three-story stone pagoda in front of the main hall. It was crude compared to Bulguk Temple's Dabo or Sakyamuni Pagodas. But the wind bells on the pagoda's eaves corners swayed gently in the breeze, their sound soothing beyond words.
I sighed to calm my mind, then glared at Go Jeong-ui clumsily pressing his palms together beside me.
"No blood in the temple, so you're off the hook."
"Why?"
"Why? It's a sensitive issue, and you decided without consulting me?"
"That's why I didn't. If there's trouble later, I'll take responsibility."
"What responsibility can a kid like you take? You think my heart would be at ease if you died or got hurt in my place?"
"You mustn't get hurt or injured, my lord."
"Why not?"
"Because you're Goguryeo's hope."
His unexpected reply furrowed my brow.
"What makes you spout such nonsense?"
"My master said so. That you're a noble sent by heaven."
I recalled my meeting with National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin. The fear that he might uncover my true identity.
Go Jeong-ui looked around. The men who'd been watching us now pretended busyness or did their tasks.
"The other subordinates feel the same. That's why I didn't tell you and chose this as lodging. If you say you didn't know, no one can complain."
"Oh man."
I'd never borne such expectations in my life. Sure, I planned to change history—but for my own sake. Specifically, to avoid the infamy Yeon Namsaeng would face.
Yet those around me saw hope in me. My chest tightened. Suddenly, my solo struggle to avoid blame felt embarrassing.
I approached Go Jeong-ui and placed a hand on his shoulder.
He flinched, expecting a hit.
"Thank you. Do you know where the spirit tablets are?"
"In the annex behind the main hall."
"I'll go for a bit. Rest up."
I straightened my jacket and walked behind the main hall.
Behind the spotlessly swept main hall was a small annex. Horn-like decorative tiles protruded from the roof corners, catching my eye. The three-bay annex was unpainted, with no signboard.
The abbot must have left it open—the door was ajar.
I approached slowly and pushed it open with a creak.
The interior was simple. A small table stood against the wall opposite the door, with two spirit tablets atop it—that was all.
A small wooden doll sat before them. Its movable arms and legs revealed its purpose immediately.
"A toy."
The well-worn doll piqued my curiosity—why here, with the spirit tablets?
Examining it, I found writing on the back.
"To my beloved parents, from your daughter."
Then it hit me.
"My wife sent this to her parents' spirit tablets."
A tearful trace from my wife to her unjustly departed parents.
My chest tightened again. I picked up the wooden doll and bowed to the tablets.
"This is fate too, so I'll clear their injustice."
After paying respects, I stepped out and carefully closed the door.
The abbot, watching from the main hall's corner, saw me and pressed his palms together.
I nodded in return and headed straight to the monks' quarters. Then I called loudly for Geom Mojam.
He rushed over from issuing orders to his men and knelt on one knee.
"You called, my lord?"
"Fetch one of your swift subordinates. I have something to send to my wife in Zhang'an Fortress."
"Understood."
Geom Mojam rose and summoned a retainer named Modal. Dressed in a black jacket and wide purple pants, Modal approached and bowed.
I handed him the wooden doll from the annex.
"Take this home and give it to my wife."
"As you command. Any message or letter?"
After a moment's thought, I said,
"Tell her this: I'll ensure she never sheds tears over her parents again. I swear it on the High God."
"I'll convey that you'll ensure no more tears over her parents—and that you swear by the High God."
Modal received the doll reverently with both hands, rose, and headed to the stable.
I watched him go, then turned to Geom Mojam beside me.
"No outings today. Feed the men well and let them rest fully."
"Understood."