Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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"Hah, Hangul."
The writing carved into the wooden tablet was the all-too-familiar Hangul.
It had been etched with a knife and then gone over with ink, so even after all this time, the characters were still legible.
Seeing my shocked expression, National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin spoke up.
"He said it was the script from the era he lived in."
"That's right. It's called Hangul."
I slowly read the Hangul inscribed on the wooden tablet.
- Hey, I'm curious who my successor is. My name is Kim Sa-hyeon, from Gongju. I was a history major in college when suddenly, one day, I became Eulji Mundeok. At first, it was so tough I wanted to die. But I realized I had a job to do here, so I pulled myself together. You'll be the same. Hang in there. This is your chance to change history with your own hands. Stay strong and do what you must. Also, I heard something interesting from the Sui captives taken at the Battle of Salsu. There's a mountain called Gireun in the northern desert they call Mangbuk. A sage named Gwanyul lives there, and he has the power to send souls dragged here by reincarnation back to where they came from.
I read up to that point and cautiously glanced at National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin.
It seemed like the reason it was written in Hangul was to keep him from reading it.
Fortunately, the scholar showed no particular curiosity and just plucked at his geomungo.
I began reading the rest of the inscription on the wooden tablet.
- So after the Battle of Salsu ended, I decided to head out. No matter how good this place is or how much reason I had to come here, I want to go back to my family. Of course, the Sui captive's words might not be true. But I'm going to give it a shot anyway. My family is worth it. Good luck. You'll do great.
That was the end of the letter's contents.
"Not exactly a letter of good fortune."
I muttered quietly, gripping the wooden tablet.
"A sage named Gwanyul on Gireun Mountain in Mangbuk?"
I fiddled with the tablet for a while before quietly handing it back.
The man plucking his geomungo asked,
"Did you finish reading it?"
"Yes. No need for it now, so burn it."
"I will. Seeing you like this pains my heart."
"Being dragged to a strange place all of a sudden?"
"Not something anyone could easily endure. I've sometimes wondered what I'd do in such a situation. Even I couldn't swear I'd hold up."
Pity filled his eyes as he looked at me.
I gazed out beyond the pavilion and let out a sigh.
"If things stay like this, Goguryeo will fall, and Yeon Namsaeng will be left as a traitor. For my sake and for Goguryeo's, I'll steel myself."
"I'd be truly grateful if you did. The Celestial Maiden and I will help however we can, so let us know if you need anything."
"There's still time, so I'll prepare carefully."
"Keep in steady contact through Go Jeong-ui or others."
"Any word on Eulji Mundeok after he left?"
"None at all. I can only hope he safely achieved his goal."
"Is that why records of Eulji Mundeok vanish after the Battle of Salsu?"
"He was from a lowly family, and many found the hero he became burdensome. Geommu was the prime example."
His desire to return home and the circumstances around him had ultimately made Eulji Mundeok disappear.
Now understanding the situation, I asked my next question.
"Any way to persuade the Great King?"
National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"The Great King earned great merit defeating Naheo's Sui forces during his days as Crown Prince."
"I know. He pretended to lose to lure them into the fortress, then ambushed and repelled them."
"Easy to say, hard to do. Thanks to that, we crushed Naheo's Sui army."
"I know it was a miraculous victory."
People remembered the Battle of Salsu, but Geommu's triumph was crucial too.
Had Naheo's navy linked up with Wu Zhongwen's detachment, the tide would have turned.
"That merit let him succeed Yeongyang Great King as Great King. But now he's acting to protect his power."
"You mean peace with Tang?"
"No sound comes from one hand clapping. With Tang wolves baring their fangs at us, it's like offering our throats."
"An internal enemy, then."
"That's the biggest obstacle. I hope you can wisely overcome it."
With that, National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin resumed plucking his geomungo.
I bowed and left the pavilion with a sigh.
The sky was still clear and bright. The weight on my shoulders remained, but a corner of my heart felt a bit lighter.
Emerging while the scholar's geomungo melody played, I spotted Go Jeong-ui squatting by the pond. He jumped to his feet.
"All done talking?"
"Yeah, time to head back. Want to stay longer?"
"No. Don't I have to report to the Central Administration Bureau?"
"Not going tomorrow anyway, so sleep here and come in the morning."
Go Jeong-ui's eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
"Hurry up."
No sooner had I spoken than he bolted toward the pavilion where his master was.
A genius with no manners, but at times like this, he was just a kid.
Leaving the National Academy, Jeongneung Temple's red tiles gleamed even brighter.
My wife and sister Yeon Suyeong were up on the top of the eight-story wooden pagoda.
Spotting me, Yeon Suyeong waved.
"The view here's amazing. Come up!"
No elevator, and climbing eight stories didn't appeal. But seeing my wife's bright face changed my mind.
Inside the pagoda stood a massive heartwood pillar piercing the center.
The floor was laid with bricks engraved with Buddhist motifs. The stairs spiraled along the walls, making for a long climb.
Geom Mojam followed, and we ascended step by step.
The creaking was annoying but not dangerous.
Building a tower this high just from wood—impressive.
I couldn't gauge the exact height, but it seemed like the nine-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa in Gyeongju.
Up to the middle, it was open like a department store atrium, letting you peer down. But with my slight fear of heights, I didn't look.
By the fourth or fifth floor, there was a proper floor, which helped. From there, the stairs turned nearly ladder-steep.
Panting, I reached the eighth floor and stepped out.
The narrow walkway, barely wide enough for one, had railings up to chest height.
My wife and Yeon Suyeong gripped the rails, peering down. Hearing us, Yeon Suyeong turned and beckoned.
"Brother! You can see so far!"
"Obviously. It's ridiculously high."
Ignoring my scolding, Yeon Suyeong clung to my wife's arm, eagerly scanning the surroundings.
I joined them, looking down.
Jeongneung Temple's red tiles stood out sharply, and beyond the rear forest loomed a massive tomb.
"King Dongmyeongseong Jumong's tomb."
Red-tiled halls and gates covered it, birds lazily flying overhead.
Up high, the breeze brushed past—something commonplace in the modern world, but new here.
Leaning on the rail, I gazed at the Dongmyeongwangneung tomb and surroundings. Beyond houses and ridges, Jangansaeng Fortress faintly shimmered.
Maybe from the recent ordeal, my heart still raced.
I have to overcome this. I have work to do.
I had to protect my wife, sister, and everyone living their lives.
My wife asked cautiously,
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
I couldn't tell the truth, so I answered indirectly.
"Pondering how to protect what must be guarded."
As my wife smiled softly, Yeon Suyeong chimed in.
"Why're you always talking about protecting?"
"Because otherwise, I'd lose it all."
My Zen-like reply drew a bored grumble from Yeon Suyeong. As if in answer, the sound of scenery rustled.
Hearing the clear, pure notes calmed my turbulent heart.
Sighing as I surveyed the view, Geom Mojam cleared his throat delicately.
Meeting my gaze, he signaled it was time to go. I nodded lightly and said to my wife,
"Let's head down. We need to reach Jangansaeng before sunset."
"It's so nice here. Can't we stay longer?"
Yeon Suyeong's whine drew a chuckle from me.
"Father's worried. Let's go."
Descending Jeongneung Temple's pagoda, my group left under the head monk's farewell.
The weight of the truth had lightened somewhat, but the burden of what lay ahead grew heavier.
How do I navigate this?
Left alone, my father Yeon Gaesomun would stage a coup—it was inevitable. After that, no matter my efforts, I doubted I could change history solo.
Mulling it over, we returned to Jangansaeng.
An unexpected guest awaited at the mansion.
"Hey! Where've you been? Finally back?"
Yang Man-chun sat on the front steps, grinning broadly in welcome.
Seeing the surprise visitor eased the burden from Jeongneung Temple.
Everyone gawked as travel-worn Yang Man-chun and I embraced.
Hugging for a while, I asked,
"Didn't you say a few months?"
"Yeah, but Father said I could go only after his wedding. My brothers convinced him."
"Glad you're here anyway."
As we laughed heartily, Yeon Suyeong cut in.
"Brother! Who's this?"
Yang Man-chun boomed with laughter.
"I'm Yeon Namsaeng's friend, Yang Man-chun, third son of Ansi Fortress Lord Yang Neuk-hwan."
Despite the suave intro, Yeon Suyeong saw right through him.
"Ah! The third son of Ansi's lord—the notorious troublemaker."
"Guilty as charged. I've stirred up every kind of mischief."
Yeon Suyeong covered her face with her sleeve, giggling at his reply.
I playfully smacked Yang Man-chun's shoulder.
"Getting honest now?"
"I've always been honest. That's why I caused trouble openly."
"That's a brag. A brag."
As we horsed around laughing, Yeon Suyeong watched with interest.
"Brother's so stern with us, but not outside, huh."
Hearing that, Yang Man-chun quipped,
"Putting on airs here?"
I swatted him playfully and replied,
"Yeah, humoring my bad-friend-turned-good."
"Who's bad? Huh?"
Yeon Suyeong shook her head at Yang Man-chun's teasing retort.
"Come inside first. People are watching."
"Got it."
As Yang Man-chun moved to climb the steps, I asked,