The old man inquired, "What do you know about the Black Night?"
Jiho responded, "It's not important information and mere rumors . I've heard that Grim Reapers appears on Black Nights."
The old man sighed affirming, "Indeed, you are correct. Grim Reapers appears, but in a human guise."
"In the village, misfortune loomed like an enduring curse for years," he added.
Jiho and Ki Moon listened intently.
"Defense Minister Chang Hoon Son, Kim Chang Min, covets the village land, pressuring its residents to leave . Trapped with only a small plot, they face a dilemma in leaving. To enforce their departure, he committed all kinds of ruthless acts. Three years ago, he fatally assaulted an individual who died next morning. Months later, he abducted a fifteen-year-old villager's daughter, selling her as a courtesan. Faced with no alternatives, villagers began taking their own lives. Last year, a woman fell victim to his brutality, alone in her house. She was assaulted by him and left battered. Her family in despair chosed to end their lives by hanging from a tree. Subsequently, rumors circulated about Grim Reapers appearing in the village, leading to its ominous nickname, "Black Night."
Jiho closed his eyes in attempt to hide his overwhelming emotions " No wonder In Hyuk is enraged"
He directed his gaze towards old man, his voice quivering as he questioned, "Why haven't they abandoned that place? How does existence there hold more value than their lives?"
"The villagers are exiled for their crimes," explained the Old Man. "Most have departed, but a few remain. Leaving would mean facing merciless death anywhere else."
"Why wasn't it reported to the court?"
"He is the son of a Defense Minister. They couldn't risk the annihilation of their families. Besides, who would get themselves involved with the families of criminals?"
In that moment, Jiho's mind revisited the harrowing massacre within the Palace walls. Echoes of anguished screams reverberated in his ears, and an unbearable pressure gripped his skull. Instinctively, he grabbed his head, fearing it might rupture from the intense turmoil within.
Ki Moon hastened towards Jiho, concern etched across his face as he inquired, "Your Highness, are you well?"
The unexpected address from the Ki Moon left The Old Man momentarily stunned.
Jiho, striving to manage his emotions, uttered, "Water."
The Old Man promptly brought him a glass, and as Jiho drank, he sensed a slight improvement. Straightening up, he apologized, "I'm sorry for that."
"No need to apologize," The Old Man reassured bowing convinced that Jiho must be a prince.
"It's alright, you can sit up straight."
The elderly man promptly rose and brought some food to offer, "I don't have anything better to offer you."
Jiho, feeling uneasy about the old man's courtesy, asserted, "I'm an army general; there's no need to treat me with such a formality."
"Yes," the old man responded with due respect.
Jiho questioned, "How did you know all of that?"
"I'm a villager who was forced to live in the forest due to lack of options."
Jiho began eating, not wanting to refuse the Old Man's courtesy despite lacking appetite.
As he ate, he pondered, "How did In Hyuk knew about all of that?"
Bound by darkness, they couldn't head back.
The old man provided bedding for Jiho. As Jiho lay in slumber, his gaze traced the patterns of the wooden log ceiling, while Ki Moon, stationed near the door, leaned against the wall, clutching his sword with a vigilant presence.
Jiho contemplated the village, "why no one had defended those innocent people, or perhaps they were simply unaware of the disaster that had befallen them"
"Ki Moon," Jiho called.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Do you think no one knew about this matter?"
"No, Your Highness," Ki Moon responded. "I think they would have ignored it. Fighting against power is the most difficult war. Who would start a war that they are bound to lose?"
"Still, just consider the act of cruelty. How could they bear to ignore it all?"
Ki Moon explained, "Your Highness, all people in power are the same. They don't feel others' pain until it becomes their own."
Deep into the night, Jiho pondered the issue at hand.
The following morning, they bid farewell to the old man and embarked on their journey back.
They traversed the forest, a sudden recollection struck Jiho. Memories of the time spent waiting outside the King's chambers for an audience flooded back, recalling the moment when In Hyuk instructed someone saying, "Look for a tree near the market where many eyes can observe its presence."
Jiho surged through the forest upon recollection , Ki Moon hastening in pursuit.
Reaching the teahouse, Jiho swiftly untied his horse, mounted, and galloped away. Ki Moon followed him closely.
Jiho urged his horse into a relentless sprint, directing it toward the market without a pause. The horse ran tirelessly to it's destination.
He halted his horse upon encountering a gathering near a tree along the path to the market, he dismounted swiftly and hastened toward the crowd. There he saw a lifeless body suspended from the branches.
A chill seized his feet at the ghastly spectacle, while an icy grip enveloped his hands, and the world blurred into darkness before his eyes.
Ki Moon, running toward Jiho, addressed him as "Your Highness" and followed Jiho's gaze, finding blankness in his eyes.
Placing hands over his mouth, Ki Moon inquired, "What is that?" He walked towards the tree for a closer look, then turned back to Jiho, who was mounting the horse and headed to the Palace. Swiftly, Ki Moon ran to the horse, following Jiho's lead.
Jiho dismounted gracefully in front of the palace, leaving Ki Moon with the horses.
With purposeful strides, he advanced through the regal halls, directing his steps toward the throne, his hair fluttered, a tangible display of the strength and anger etched tightly on his face.
In Hyuk occupied the seat, accompanied by Da Won and a royal eunuch. In Hyuk straightened upon Jiho's arrival, spreading his hands gracefully. Jiho approached, locking eyes with In Hyuk.