Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Arrival at Sabi Fortress
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"Thank you. For keeping your promise and seeing me off."
"There's nothing left between us now. The next time we meet, I'll stake my life to sever your head. I swear it to the heavens."
"I know full well that your blade will show no mercy. I hope we never cross paths on the battlefield. But if we do..."
I gazed at Kim Yu-sin for a moment.
I'd always seen him as the detestable man who destroyed Goguryeo, but he seemed far more complex up close. Sorting my thoughts, I spoke firmly.
"Let's give it our all."
Then I bowed my head in respect. Kim Yu-sin gravely returned the gesture from his saddle. Dismounting, I headed down the hill with my companions. Patches of snow still lingered, forcing us to tread carefully. Kim Chun-chu, now off his horse, waved farewell. Spotting it, Gido-ryang stuck close behind me.
"What?"
"He might loose an arrow."
"If he meant to touch us, he'd have done it by now."
"Still, Geom Mojam said never to drop our guard until the end."
Gido-ryang and the attendants—even Seon Do-hae—crowded behind me like human shields as we descended the hillside. At the base lay promising farmland overrun with weeds, nothing growing.
"Why aren't they planting anything?"
Seon Do-hae answered my idle question.
"What's the point? When harvest time comes, raiders sweep in, steal it all, or trample the fields."
"War, then."
Seon Do-hae added, "Floods too. Monsoon rains turn the plains into a sea—crops don't stand a chance."
Listening, I thought of building levees to control the water for proper farming. So much to do. Crossing the fields, we reached the tree line.
"Kim Yu-sin said Baekje territory starts here, right?"
No sooner had I spoken than an arrow thunked into the dirt at my feet. Startled, Godolbal swiftly blocked my path. A dozen Baekje soldiers emerged from the woods, one archer wearing a baffled look.
"They don't seem like mere merchants."
Catching my breath, I nodded to Seon Do-hae. The silver-tongued one stepped forward, palms open.
"Our thanks for your hard work, sirs. We're merchants from Goguryeo."
"Merchants armed to the teeth?"
"Silla dogs, that's why. They swarm like flies, itching to fleece us."
The Baekje soldiers scratched their heads at Seon Do-hae's fawning. The archer who'd shot ordered us to unpack. As expected, I set down a bundle from the cart. Inside: fine wild ginseng roots. Seon Do-hae boasted of Baekdu Mountain harvests, handing one to the archer, who pocketed it with a sly grin.
"Looks clean. On your way."
"Much obliged!"
He urged us to hurry. Watching his Oscar-worthy act, I marveled at his hidden talent. So immersed, he even barked at me to quit dawdling and pack up. Memories of my dirt-grubbing days had me mumbling apologies as I bundled it. A Baekje soldier eyed Goyeongmu and frowned.
"What's with the novice monk?"
"Ah, we're all illiterate. Need someone who reads."
It worked again. Seon Do-hae ruffled Goyeongmu's shaved head with exaggerated cheer. Once past them and into the woods, he bowed deeply.
"My apologies, Master."
"No need. You got us through."
He apologized to Goyeongmu too, who grumpily shrugged it off, drawing laughs. Passing the fortress Kim Yu-sin called Sokjin, we entered wide plains. Godolbal whistled.
"Damn, it's vast. Horizon to horizon."
Seon Do-hae, relaxing, asked, "Straight to Sabi Fortress?"
"Yes. Where are we?"
"Near Gammae County in Daemokak Army—around modern Cheonan. About 150 li to Sabi."
"Buy horses with ginseng, then. No more merchant act."
"Got it. Village market at the mountain base."
Seon Do-hae's smooth talk netted us horses. Riding south, I scanned the surroundings. Baekje life mirrored Goguryeo's: low thatched roofs, homespun clothes, porters hauling loads. Officials strutted; commoners bowed. Early spring meant lax fields, but the flat, fertile land promised decent living. Farther south than Goguryeo, it felt warmer already. Godolbal marveled at the mildness compared to Ogol Fortress. A day later, we reached Sabi. Past Wangheung Temple, the capital appeared—first, Nak Hwa Rock of the three thousand palace ladies legend.
'Feels like yesterday I scouted here for my novel.'
Previous visits were fly-bys; now, meetings awaited.
Sabi Fortress sprawled along the Baekma River—Sabi-ha—curling like an arm. Buso Mountain Fortress loomed behind, earthen like Pungnap or Mongchon. We ferried across shallows into the city. Gido-ryang muttered upon landing.
"Not walled like Chang'an."
"Just north and east walls. East: tombs."
Gido-ryang glanced at the river.
"Sabi-ha's deep and wide, but no wall—why?"
"No resources, or planning watchtowers."
Even modern digs found no western wall traces. Puzzling. Musing, I rode on, glancing left at the palace beneath Buso Mountain Fortress.
"Just as I thought."
Last visit: Sabi Palace site was a virtual exhibit. Fierce debates echoed.
'My theory holds.'
Ahead: temples, offices, homes like Chang'an, bisected by a grand avenue, gridded smaller streets. Jeongnimsa and Cheonwangsa ruins stood tall in my mind's eye.
'Chronicles say more temples and pagodas than Chang'an—looks true.'
Tile-roofed like Chang'an. Dodging monks and carts, we neared the royal palace. Dismounting, Baekje guards leveled spears; an officer approached, hand on hilt.
"Who goes there?"
Seon Do-hae drew a tally stick from his sleeve.
"Goguryeo envoys, here to see Arah of Baekje."
"Envoys?"
Scoffing, he eyed us. "Look like peddlers."
Seon Do-hae bristled.
"Cross Silla without uniforms and banners? Here's the stick—take it to the Senior Adjutant or Chief Minister!"
His stiff bark—unlike yesterday's grovel—made the officer flinch. Mumbling apologies, he took it. Soon, returning with an official in red silk robes, black hat with silver crest, tally in hand.
"You Yeon Namsaeng, Senior Central Administrator and Chief Armory Officer of Goguryeo?"
Seon Do-hae shook his head, pointing to me.
"Him."
Sizing me up, he said, "Long journey—rest at the guesthouse. The Chief Minister will contact you."
"We're here for Arah."
He frowned. "Chief Minister first."
"And if he refuses?"
Tsking, "You meet the Chief Minister before Arah. Refusal means no audience."
Shrugging as if done, he turned south and led on.
At the walled guesthouse, slaves took our horses. Modest courtyard with a well. Watching them, the official told me.
"Word soon. Stay put."
"Until when?"
Tsk. "Just told to escort you. Wait."
He left coldly. Godolbal griped at the non-house arrest house arrest.
"Some welcome."
Seon Do-hae disagreed.
"They're weighing us."
"How?"
"Prince Kyogi faction or Crown Prince Uija."
"Uija's side."
"Hence the chill."
"To gauge our reaction?"
"Yes. Or stonewall us empty-handed."
That terrified most—Yeon Jeong-du would pounce. I hoped persuasion or compromise, but...
"Might not even meet."
Goyeongmu joined; fear hit. Seon Do-hae eyed me.
"Sneak to Mireuk Temple for Uija?"
I shook my head. "Met him before. He'll be king someday, but no court pull now."
Pacing anxiously, dusk fell. Slaves lit a courtyard fire, milling. Chilly night, but central blaze screamed intent. Peering from cracked window, Adokbang whispered.
"They're watching us."