Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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As I turned around holding my wife's hand, my father Yeon Gaesomun strode toward us. He stared straight into my eyes.
"I heard you received a sacred relic from Liaodong Fortress."
"I received the spearhead used by Jumong."
"And at the National Treasury, the Celestial Maiden welcomed you."
"That's right. She was waiting for me."
"What in the world did she tell you?"
"My, Father's ears don't reach that far, do they?"
"The Celestial Maiden essentially ignored the current Great King."
"I know."
"Yet you got her to wait for you, welcome you, and even have a private talk. Word of it's already spread all over Chang'an."
"They say a word without feet travels a thousand miles. Looks like it's true."
"I was planning to meet the Great King in a few days and declare you as the successor to the Eastern Division. But now he says the news has left him uneasy."
"You're going to make a deal anyway, aren't you? In that case, the Great King's feelings don't matter."
"Then what does?"
"What Father plans to offer—that's what matters, isn't it?"
My father Yeon Gaesomun let out a short exclamation upon hearing my response.
Knowing the history, it was easy for me to infer. I answered confidently, but it seemed to shock Father greatly.
"You're right. The Great King is a cold man."
"It's endlessly complicated if you overthink it, endlessly simple if you don't. No need to worry ahead of time."
"Understood. And..."
Father Yeon Gaesomun looked at my wife. Then he slowly bowed his head.
"I sincerely apologize. I've given you an indelible wound."
At Father's apology, my wife burst into the tears she'd been holding back and staggered.
I quickly supported her. Father looked at her with pitying eyes and spoke gently.
"I'll petition the Great King to restore your family's status. Just wait a little."
"Y-yes, Father."
My wife barely managed to reply before burying her face in my shoulder.
Watching us, Father Yeon Gaesomun slipped away outside with an awkward expression.
I patted my wife's back as we headed to the hall. Even Geom Mojam, who always stuck close, kept his distance this time.
Inside the hall, I sat my wife on the bed. She wept bitterly, pouring out her pent-up tears. Moments later, the door flew open and my younger sister Yeon Suyeong rushed in.
"Brother!"
"Why are you so curt all of a sudden?"
Ignoring my scolding, she went straight to my wife.
"See, Sister? I told you Brother would clear things up."
"F-Father apologized. I still can't believe it."
My wife trailed off and sobbed again. Yeon Suyeong comforted her.
The weight lifted from my heart, and I felt unburdened, like I'd crossed a great mountain.
'Yeon Gaesomun's presence really is immense.'
That piercing gaze up close had nearly made me quail. But knowing I'd weathered it brought a smile.
"We have a few days' leeway, so I can head to Jeongneung Temple."
I was curious what the Celestial Maiden meant by telling me to meet Lee Mun-jin.
Mountains of tasks lay ahead, but confidence grew that I could tackle them one by one. As I sorted my thoughts, Yeon Suyeong suddenly burst into laughter.
"Why are you laughing like that?"
"Sister."
She glanced at my wife.
My wife, wiping her tears, looked at me and said,
"She said she wants to spend the night with you."
"T-together?"
As a perfect lifelong bachelor in the modern world, having a wife still felt surreal.
I had confidence I wouldn't back down from a staredown with Father Yeon Gaesomun, but this? No clue.
Yeon Suyeong jumped up and dashed to the door. Closing it, she shouted,
"Have a good time!"
As the door shut, my wife took my hand firmly.
The next day, I woke long after sunrise.
After a hearty breakfast prepared by my wife, I stepped outside to see Geom Mojam and the retainers practicing jujutsu.
Approaching for a closer look, I twisted my ankle. Geom Mojam looked genuinely concerned.
"Your legs seem weak, young master."
At a loss for words, I saw the men snickering or barely holding back laughs.
I chuckled lightly and rolled up my sleeves.
"Shall we spar together after so long?"
I grabbed the loudest laughers first, locking them in armbars one by one.
Rolling in the dirt and sweating it out released my stress. Admittedly, broken-limbed retainers littered the ground around me.
Before long, household members passing by gathered to watch.
They looked clumsy, but Geom Mojam and the others were highly skilled. They picked it up fast and adapted well.
While at it, I taught them taekwondo too, learned alongside jujutsu.
Geom Mojam and the retainers, versed in watermelon-like traditional Goguryeo martial arts, followed quickly. They even nailed back kicks just from verbal instructions.
"Impressive."
My repeated praise energized them; they kicked wildly and leaped about.
Watching, Go Jeong-ui appeared. I beckoned him over.
"Come to Jeongneung Temple with me today."
"To see Master?"
"I said together. Tell the physician and get some medicine. Master's not well, right?"
"Thank you, Master."
Go Jeong-ui beamed, thanking me profusely.
"Hey, don't be so polite. It's weird."
"I've always been a polite boy."
"Yeah, right. Hurry to the physician and get the meds. I'll prepare too."
"Got it. When will you go to the Central Administration Bureau?"
"Father mentioned heading to the palace. I'll go whenever there's a gap once the schedule's set."
Thinking of meeting Senior Central Administrator Yeon Jeong-du gave me a headache. But considering why he'd placed me there, I couldn't avoid it.
I smirked watching Go Jeong-ui dash off excitedly. Then I called Geom Mojam, practicing kicks with the men.
"What has Seon Do-hae been up to lately?"
Geom Mojam thought briefly before answering.
"Hanging around the second young master, it seems."
"Quick on the uptake."
"He's always been untrustworthy."
I'd rarely heard Geom Mojam badmouth anyone.
Seeing my surprised look, he looked sheepish.
"He's a former guest of the house. Puts his own advancement first."
"Since I didn't call for him and kept you and Go Jeong-ui close, he sought another path."
"Seems so."
"Call him over. And prepare—we're heading to Jeongneung Temple."
"Understood. To meet National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin?"
"Yes. And tomorrow, unless something comes up, I'll head to the Central Administration Bureau."
"I'll prepare."
Geom Mojam bowed and hurried off.
Back at the hall, my wife and Yeon Suyeong were sipping tea and chatting.
Their flushed faces upon seeing me told me exactly what they'd discussed.
My wife stood and asked,
"Are you going out?"
"I need to visit Jeongneung Temple."
"I'll prepare your clothes and shoes."
She called a maidservant and gave instructions.
Yeon Suyeong took a sip of tea and said,
"It's been ages since Sister looked so lively."
"Father apologized."
"I heard. You're amazing, Brother."
"Took you long enough."
"If I'd known a lightning strike would change you this much, I'd have arranged one sooner."
"After I nearly died?"
"I want to go to Jeongneung Temple too."
"Leaving Sister out and just taking you?"
"Then bring her along. While you handle business, we can tour the temple. I hear the octagonal wooden pagoda is beautiful."
"Fine, get ready quick."
Yeon Suyeong bounded out joyfully.
I mounted my horse; my wife and Yeon Suyeong took the ox-drawn cart.
Seeing the mural-painted cart in person felt odd. Silk curtains draped wheels as tall as a man.
While Geom Mojam and the retainers waited on horseback, Seon Do-hae appeared.
Dressed in a bulging black scholar's satchel, orange robe, and tall black leather shoes.
Approaching, he bowed.
"I heard you called for me."
I checked his eyes first—no redness, good.
"It's been a while. Doing well?"
"I spent it weeping sadly since you didn't call."
"I've been busy and neglected you. But I didn't forget."
"I hear National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin's disciple is brilliant."
"Of course. But smart as he is, he's sorely lacking manners."
"Pardon? What do you mean by 'lacking manners'?"
A modern phrase slipped out.
Realizing, I covered quickly.
"His personality's rotten. Anyway, I didn't forget you, so forgive any slights."
"Never crossed my mind."
On horseback, Geom Mojam snorted and turned away.
I smiled faintly at Seon Do-hae.
"I called you for a favor."
He clasped his hands and bowed.
"Speak."
"I'm curious about the rumors in the streets. What the people care about, hope for, any incidents."
"You want me to gather and report them?"
His eyes sparkled—he sensed opportunity.
Yesterday, Joseon-era jobo came to mind.
The Board of Royal Decrees' jobo recorded court news. Yangban eager for updates sought them out.
Merchants saw profit, printed and sold them.
Everyone loved the convenience until King Seonjo punished them for spreading court secrets.
Private distribution halted after.
'If it'd continued, we'd have had newspapers.'
"What are you thinking?"
Seon Do-hae stared openly.
"Nothing. Every five days, compile a report. Write it down, don't just say it."
"In writing?"
"On wooden slips or paper. Words scatter; writing endures."
Seon Do-hae bowed.
"Every five days, on wooden slips."
"I expect great things."
Done talking, I mounted and told Geom Mojam to depart.
Go Jeong-ui, medicine bundle at his side, grinned excitedly.
As I passed the gate, I muttered watching Seon Do-hae bow low.
"Yes, information is key."
A ramp beside the stairs allowed horses and carts.
Descending slowly, Go Jeong-ui followed.