Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: 10. Love and Peace (2)
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The speed of the tiger as it kicked off the ground couldn't be compared to anything I'd ever seen.
In terms of acceleration, it could rival a decent car. It was practically teleportation.
'Wasn't it supposed to be an old one!'
Young, robust tigers usually don't bother coming down from the mountains to attack people on purpose.
Compared to wild animals, humans reek, have all sorts of cumbersome clothing and accessories, and to an inexperienced beast, our standing height makes us look like massive creatures.
That's why the ones that usually target people are the old ones.
They're no longer strong enough to hunt large herbivores like deer or cattle, their teeth are falling out, and with age comes the knowledge that humans are easy prey.
But apparently, my common knowledge was wrong. Or, God forbid, that thing was in its senile phase as a tiger.
"It's coming this way!"
People screamed and scattered.
Hey, even if I'm not the king, how is there not a single guy willing to throw himself in to save the magistrate? Where did all the loyalty and righteousness go? Is this how you repay my enlightened rule?
But there was no time for more idle thoughts. I released the bowstring.
Good, direct hit. Great King Taejo, I praise your martial prowess.
The beast let out a roar and leaped up like a wild boar—or tiger—struck by lightning. With an arrow straight into its eyeball, it had to hurt like hell.
Whoa, how many meters is that jump? Nearly three meters with that bulk?
But it's not just the eye. A severe stab to the eye affects the brain behind it. Even a dinosaur couldn't do much after that.
Cheers and gasps of admiration erupted from the crowd.
I, having felled the great tiger with one shot, casually lowered my bow as if it were nothing...
The tiger that had collapsed suddenly sprang back up.
Why?
No, someone explain this. Isn't that a violation of biology?
Did the arrow not go deep enough? Lee Seonggye, you hack. If even half of Yongbi the Invincible is true, shouldn't your arrows shoot out some kind of energy blast?
One shot, and the tiger vanishes, with a tunnel bored into the back mountain. Shouldn't it be like that? This skill nerf is way too harsh.
The beast clawed at the ground, spewing azure flames of rage from its one good eye. Xiahou Dun? Is this guy the Xiahou Dun of tigers?
Even a beast could easily spot the culprit.
The tiger now clearly targeted only me, bellowing a vengeful cry.
This was no longer a sound. It was a weapon.
The undeniable declaration that I was done swept over me as a sonic wave. Cheers turned to screams in an instant.
Now I understood why they called it the mountain lord. Truly the dignity of a king.
The ground seemed to shake. Or was it just my legs trembling?
Stay calm. If I die, it won't be the end for me. I need to shoot again.
Where to aim this time?
Not the forehead. A beast's skull can deflect bullets depending on the angle. Too risky with a Joseon bow.
Isn't the Joseon bow famous? In a civilization where matchlocks are the limit, you think bows are some game-changer?
It's just better than neighboring countries' bows. Strictly speaking, Joseon is famous for its archers, not the bows.
Only one spot left. The remaining eye. Can't do much if it's blind.
I'd already nocked a second arrow the moment it rose. I released immediately.
Direct hit again.
But this time, it didn't stop—it charged straight on. Maybe even losing control of its speed.
Blind and still coming? Right, beasts have keen noses too.
But I wasn't standing idle like an idiot this time. I'd nocked the next arrow right after the last shot.
The beast's form was crystal clear by now.
Blood and fire seemed to pour from both eyes. Its shoulder muscles writhed visibly even under the fur.
Those grotesquely thick legs propelled it forward, claws mercilessly tearing the earth. Yellow fangs gleamed in its gaping maw.
And into that maw plunged my third arrow. I could almost hear the sickening thunk.
It was now just thirty or forty paces away. In peak condition, it'd cover that in about a second.
I fell into a trance, drawing another arrow.
Fourth, fifth! Fortunately, it's slowing. Come on, you stubborn bastard, give up already! Normal animals are smarter than humans—they'd flee from wounds like this.
As I nocked the seventh arrow, someone grabbed me from the side.
"Magistrate, it's already dead!"
For a moment, I couldn't process the words.
Only then did I exhale deeply and lower my bow.
The tiger, with six arrows embedded in its face, lay stretched out, tongue lolling in a gruesome sight. No one could deny this was death.
It had stopped long ago, letting me land six shots. In the heat of it, I hadn't even thought of that.
My shoulders ached, fingers raw and bleeding. It hurt.
But a magistrate—no, any Joseon man—had pride as his lifeblood.
I tossed the bow aside nonchalantly and said,
"Any injured or dead?"
Someone dashed off to check and reported back.
"The brothers Jeon Ibang and Gongbang Sin Manheung are dead. They limped and couldn't evade fast enough, got hit by a forepaw. Others just minor injuries from fleeing."
Silent prayer. Sorry. Come to think of it, they were part of the youth squad.
I'm a modern guy at heart. If I could subdue and control, I had no intent to kill the exhausted. Am I Yeongjo? Sado Seja?
But what can you do? It was a literal natural disaster.
Fate's your own doing. Are there only one or two aggrieved spirits in Joseon's eight provinces?
Your dreams... I've got them. Leave Mokcheon County to me and rest easy.
Before the bodies of my two fallen subordinates, I vowed to achieve their unfulfilled goals for local development.
Then I showed mercy.
"I see. How tragic. Give the meat and bones to the families and today's workers as consolation."
Tiger meat and bones are all medicinal (unrelated to those duty-free tiger balms). Not for wounds, but their high value makes fine compensation.
And, of course, everyone would get it, but just in case, I emphasized,
"I aimed for the eyes and mouth to preserve the hide, so call the most experienced mountain hunter to skin it carefully. Must offer it to the court per regulations."
Even in that chaos, people gazed at me in awe at my courage, divine skill, and above all, strict adherence to the law.
Of course, the "leisurely aim" was bullshit, but the rest was legit law.
Tigers were a national threat rivaling enemy armies across the Joseon era. Detailed rules existed for when caught.
The hunter gets honors (fake ones) like three sets of flogging rewards. Removing a scourge on the people warrants lavish prizes.
Yeah. Me. I'll hold a self-award ceremony if needed.
Skip the flogging, obviously. It's a custom to ingrain class to the lowly anyway. Even beasts bow to status over all.
The youth squad beating lowlifes could be called beaters... but if you have conscience, just eat the meat and bones.
And the hide isn't the end.
No half-decent king would hoard them; they get awarded back per law.
What else would a king do with piles of tiger skins? Drape the throne like some barbarian chief?
I can use the hide far better.
Tiger pelts have long-held effects. Embarrassing to say, but great for men.
Old officials go nuts for them. Perfect refined gift.
Me? Don't need it. Got skills.
Besides, no real use now. Except overtime.
Hong Daeyong was, as I knew, Joseon's musician.
He'd studied gayageum since age sixteen—about three years now.
Short training means not yet master level.
But his talent and musical sense yielded impressive achievements beyond his time.
Later in Beijing, he played a pipe organ he'd never seen on sight—like something out of a comic.
That gift made him a fine performer even at this young age.
Today, too, Hong Daeyong sat on the porch, playing his gayageum.
One might think art and music got short shrift in Joseon, but literati paintings and court music say otherwise. Music's one of the six arts, after all.
Ultimately, same act: elite's refined hobby, lowly's vice. If unclear, compare high-end casino to a vinyl shack gambling den.
Thus, Hong Daeyong now enjoyed a refined hobby.
Mid-performance, a soft voice floated down like a gentle landing.
"The four clear tones entwine in discord—how so? Surely a rift between father-son bonds and sovereign-minister harmony."
Hong Daeyong paused. He checked the gayageum.
"I was distracted; one string out of tune."
"Then you weren't even listening to yourself, brother. What worries you...? Ah, the exam? Don't fret too much. You might fail. Not even thirty yet—plenty of time ahead; you'll pass for sure."
Hong Daeyong looked up, glaring at his cousin sister as if to say, Even you treat me like an exam flop?
"Seohwa, no need—you said it. I've had a fateful encounter and gained a secret manual. The exam's not my worry."
Seohwa tilted her head.
"Then what?"
Normally: 'None of your business—go visit Aunt if you're here to play.'
But Hong Daeyong hesitated. It involved his 17-year-old sister right there.
True, as he'd told Kim Unhaeng, Joseon brides had zilch say. Especially yangban women.
But marriage thoughts made him pause.
That silence gave Seohwa conviction.
"Ah, I meant to ask anyway. Heard you're shopping marriage talks, but I don't even know who—driving me crazy."
"Hey. You don't need to know."
Kim Unhaeng would've yelled, 'Crazy? Your marriage, and you don't need to know?' But Hong Seohwa was Joseon-born.
She countered differently.
"With Father and Uncle away, you're handling outside affairs, but no rule says not to tell Mother. Fine if I don't know, but hiding from her deceives elders."
Neither father was dead. Off to Seoul earning.
Hong Daeyong's father, Hong Ryeok, got appointed Sanguiwon deputy this spring (managing king's clothes, treasures). Another sinecure.
Seohwa's father—Hong Daeyong's uncle—Hong Eok followed for exam prep.
So Seohwa was basically asking:
'Sneaking to sell me off while elders are away?'
Hong Daeyong went mum like a honeyed fool.
Not total solo act, though.
Namyang Hong clan's To Hong branch aimed to link with rising star Kim Unhaeng of Jangdong Kim, stepping on Soron, tightening yangban networks.
Issue: method. Hong Daeyong wanted marriage alliance.
Clan likely agreed, but marriage needs birth father's okay.
He'd planned procedure.
During the Yi Ilje four-leaf clover mess, he'd gone to Seoul as Kim Unhaeng's envoy. Had to meet fathers.
Aimed to arrange meet with Kim Yonggyeom, ply some meds. Kim Unhaeng would've raged.
But snag: Hong Gyehui, ex-Judge former Chungcheong Governor, who'd profited big with Kim Unhaeng.
He'd already sounded out Kim Yonggyeom on marriage.
History: Hong Gyehui and Kim Yonggyeom besties; in-laws generations later.
That close? Why not sons' gen. No daughters, but eyeing nieces.
Sensibly, who'd Kim Yonggyeom pick: bosom pal or unseen Namyang Hongs?
Plus, Hong Ryeok mere deputy, Hong Eok exam-taker.
No match for high official Hong Gyehui. Hong Daeyong fretted.
Luckily shelved: Hong Gyehui booted from Yi Ilje, sent to Chungcheong.
Thus, Hong Daeyong haunted Mokcheon post-return.
To him, Kim Unhaeng was bound for greatness.
Crown Prince pal, Noron prestige, top exam graduate. What more?
Raised noble, slight playboy flaw, but governing savvy fixed it. Reading builds character.
Secret manual proved more than bookworm: practical like dad Kim Yonggyeom, broad knowledge, connections.
Fit future 'practical scholar' Hong Daeyong's taste. Must fait accompli before Hong Gyehui pushed.
But easy? No gain being close to Kim Unhaeng—he lacked marriage say.
Thus, his gayageum faltered.
Musing, a wild idea hit.
Good, but unorthodox.
In short: 'practical learning' it.
Seohwa half-guessed anyway. No harm telling.
No need for her to know her marriage, but not forbidden.
Kim Yonggyeom, hating formality, open-minded: might prefer a girl 'ardently admiring second son Kim Unhaeng' over Hong Gyehui's niece just sent off.
Crucially, even Hong Daeyong saw Seohwa as a knockout guys couldn't handle.
Showing face tough, but rumor of beauty boosts odds.
Hong Daeyong fancied his man-knowledge. Being one.
'Kim Unhaeng dodges marriage talk like weighing options, but any guy caves to beauty. Just spark it. Confident.'
Brothers rarely call sisters pretty. 'Mine can't be that cute.' Shows Seohwa's looks.
To spark, 'info' of her interest in Kim Unhaeng must hold water.
Hong Daeyong told her,
"You're right. Scouting marriage with a hero of the era from a famed house. Their busy affairs stalled talks—no word to aunt yet."
Seohwa, girlish curiosity piqued,
"Who? Ah, Unnyeon. Go to kitchen, prep snacks."
Hong Daeyong admired sister's sharp ear-plugging. Whispered low,
"Mokcheon's magistrate Kim Unhaeng. Kin of old loyal martyr Chungheon-gong (Kim Changjip). Young top graduate posted here. Same age friend—ambitious, prudent speech, bold stride. No young talent matches him."
Seeing her face, quick add the clincher,
"Handsome too—tall, stately. Like old Jeongam (Jo Gwangjo) teacher: refined beauty."
"Jeongam, though beautiful, lamented his feminine face, no?"
'Damn my pretty-boy looks.' Jo Gwangjo's fabled beauty drew neighbor girls over walls, but tastes vary.
Hong Daeyong winced inwardly.
Seohwa couldn't outright say 'Not my type.'
But he got it. Practical scholar, social guy.
Pretty boy flopped. Pivot to other charms,
"You sheltered lady know not outer world. Heard no buzz of Cheonho Bongwan (Tiger-Catching Magistrate) shaking even Cheonan?"
"How would I? Don't tease—tell me."
Seohwa pouted; he laughed.
"Recent, so no wonder. Anyway, Mokcheon folk digging ditches—house-sized tiger pack attacked."
"Oh? Tigers in packs?"
"Hey, neighbor town—rumors exaggerate? Solid. Folk about to be tiger chow when one with bow steps up. Guess who? Magistrate Kim Unhaeng."
Kim Unhaeng's grumble to skill window fulfilled.
Hong Daeyong painted him firing energy blasts.
Poor tigers cloned to seven, shredded. Earth quaked, skies trembled. Lee Seonggye would bow sorry and flee.
"—Thus, county safe; no more tiger woes in Mokcheon. What say? Once-in-century man among men. Deep virtue won exam top, but could lead armies blamelessly."
"Hmm..."
Max emotion Seohwa could show positionally. Hong Daeyong inwardly cheered her interest.
But soon regretted.
1. Hong Seohwa is a fictional character. Sachungseong refers to a standard tuning in East Asian traditional music. "Ching" means one octave higher. Contemporaries often likened it (as a tuning standard) to "harmonizing father-son and sovereign-minister bonds." So Seohwa's line is like, "Your guitar chords are off?"
2. Hong Daeyong's uncle Hong Eok passes Chundangdae exam like Kim Unhaeng three years later. Outshines sinecure brother (Hong Daeyong's dad Hong Ryeok). Rises to Grand Overseer, Deputy Commander of Central Military.
This Hong Eok takes jobless nephew Hong Daeyong to China as his legation secretary. Park Jiwon, aged out jobless, went via distant cousin pull—similar pattern for practical scholars.
Sidelight: Hong Ryeok, sinecure local posts to Naju Governor, punished (Yeongjo's words) for bankrupting via no grain reserves, beggars to Seoul.
As in story, Hong Ryeok appointed Sanguiwon deputy March Yeongjo 25 (Sungjeongwon Diary), but Hong Eok following to Seoul is fiction.
3. Jo Gwangjo lamenting girly looks, neighbor girl wall-hop due to handsomeness: anecdotal yarns. Not official history, but circulated then.
4. Tiger Balm in China/SE Asia duty-frees: from creator's name with "ho" (tiger), unrelated to tigers. Like taiyaki without carp.
Misconception likely from poached tiger bones (illegally) in ointments, plus name.
Tiger bone traditional: expels damp-heat, strengthens sinews/bones, boosts vitality. Now banned like rhino horn.
Tiger skin: sleep on it—more talisman territory.