In Hyuk placed a bag in front of him, and the boy eagerly opened it to find a set of silk clothes. "Wear them and come out; I'll wait for you in front of the teahouse," In Hyuk said, standing up with his sword in hand.
The boy emerged In the loose attire, complaining, "They are so loose; they don't even fit me."
In Hyuk, walking ahead, reassured him, "Don't worry you'll wear them twice."
"I understand," the discontented boy replied. "But why aren't you asking for my name? And why hide your face under that bamboo hat?"
In Hyuk replied, "I don't need your name; we won't see each other again after the job. Just focus on the task."
In a secluded spot, In Hyuk handed the boy an envelope and money.
"Go to Boom Courtesan House, find Iseul, and deliver this envelope along with the funds. Ask for information within two days," In Hyuk instructed, aware that Iseul had relocated after Jangmikkot Guesthouse closed due to a murder incident, making In Hyuk's personal visit suspicious.
Concerned about trust, the boy questioned, "How can you be sure I won't run off with the money?"
In Hyuk responded confidently, "I'll provide you with even more money. Your need for more money ensures you won't flee."
Offering coins for sustenance, In Hyuk added, "Let's meet at this spot precisely in two days."
They walked separate ways, with In Hyuk heading home. After a long while, he finally had a full meal.
Jiho asked, "Feeling better now? You should get a check up from Jeong Hui Uncle. What if it worsens?"
In Hyuk reassured, "I'm fine. Just adjusting to the new job, felt tired, that's all."
"Still…"
"Stop worrying about me and focus on yourself. You've lost weight farming all day," In Hyuk interrupted.
Jiho explained, "Seulgi and Him Chan Uncle handle most of the work, I assist them." He added, "Seulgi was upset you haven't taught her martial arts lately."
"Tell her I'm adapting to the new job. I'll teach her next week," In Hyuk replied.
***o***
Iseul examined the envelope, revealing a sketch of a person donning a Royal Eunuch uniform. Glancing at the boy, he inquired, "Why seek information on a royal Eunuch?"
Flustered, the boy handed over money, saying, "I'll return in two days to collect the details," and hastily departed.
In Hyuk stood in the market, awaiting the boy at the designated spot. As time stretched, In Hyuk pondered, "What if he ran away with the money? I don't have a lot of money left" ." Anxious moments passed until the boy finally arrived, breathless and bending to recover.
"Here," he gasped, handing the envelope to In Hyuk, who uncovered a person's sketch and pertinent details. In exchange, In Hyuk handed over the agreed-upon payment.
The boy's eyes sparkled at the sight of the money, expressing gratitude with a warm smile.
"Thanks," he exclaimed. In parting, In Hyuk warned, "Keep this discreet, or it could cost you your life." With those words, In Hyuk walked away, leaving the boy gazing after him with a flustered expression.
In Hyuk entered the house, opening the envelope on the royal eunuch and placing it on the table. As he silently perused the information, he discovered a pattern: "He visits Concubine Ra On's chambers monthly, precisely on the 14th day of the moon."
Determined, In Hyuk pondered, "Their souls will find peace once he meets the same fate as they did."
The door creaked open, revealing Jiho carrying a basket of laundry. Swiftly concealing a sketch in a wooden box, In Hyuk's actions didn't escape Jiho's notice.
Curious, Jiho inquired, "What are you hiding?"
In Hyuk calmly responded, "You've recently become an adult; I am at twenty-one, you wouldn't understand." It was a hasty excuse, but In Hyuk couldn't think of an alternative.
With a playful smile, Jiho teased, "Did a girl send you a letter? With that handsome face, it's inevitable."
Awkwardly, he maintained a smile, prompting Jiho's curiosity.
Jiho persisted, asking about the mysterious girl, "Who is she? Is she pretty? What was your response?"
Firmly, In Hyuk asserted, "Stop asking; I'm your older brother, I have some privacy." Jiho chuckled and proceeded to fold the laundry.
At night, when In Hyuk departed for duty, Curious Jiho searched for a wooden box beneath In Hyuk's bedding to examine the letter.
Playfully, Jiho exclaimed, "Who displays their secrets so openly? My brother isn't that wise."
His playfulness faded as he discovered a sketch of a eunuch. Opening the paper containing information on a Royal Eunuch, Jiho pondered, "Why hide this if it's not a letter?" Suspecting In Hyuk's recent peculiar behaviour, he returned the box to its place.
During breakfast, Jiho observed In Hyuk with questioning eyes and eventually mustered the courage to ask, "Have you taken on additional work lately?"
Flustered, In Hyuk replied, "No, I'm a prison guard. How could I work for someone else?"
Jiho, with an awkward smile, admitted, "I was just curious; you seem unusually tired."
Affectionately, In Hyuk reassured him, "I've caused you worry, haven't I? I'll adapt quickly to the workload, and if it becomes too much, I'll consider quitting."
Given In Hyuk's behaviour, Jiho's concern was understandable.
In Hyuk lay in peaceful sleep, oblivious to the world around him. Meanwhile, Jiho, amidst preparations for the day's agricultural pursuits, stole a moment to observe In Hyuk's tranquil repose. A silent affirmation echoed in Jiho's thoughts – "Right, I should believe him," before he quietly withdrew.
In the passage of days, the landscape of their routine unfolded seamlessly. In Hyuk, unwavering in his commitment, faithfully executed his guard duty, returning home punctually.
Occasionally, he ventured into the fields, joining Jiho to harvest wild herbs from the burgeoning crops.
The tableau remained undisturbed, and gradually, Jiho released the tendrils of suspicion, extending his trust to In Hyuk, until it was night of 14th moon.
"Why did you took a day off?" Jiho asked.
"Just needed to rest," In Hyuk replied, having adjusted his clothes.
Jiho asked " Then where are you going?"
"I'm going to meet my friend," In Hyuk disclosed.
Jiho, noting the unusual hour, questioned, "At this hour?"
In response, In Hyuk, attired and composed, assured him, "Don't worry, not meeting a girl."
Jiho's scepticism melted into a smile as In Hyuk emerged, a silhouette adorned with a sword and bamboo hat.
Jiho, however, eyed him with lingering suspicion. Attempting to shake off persistent thoughts, Jiho retired to bed, but a restless night lay ahead, sleep eluding him amidst the shadows of uncertainty.
In the forest, In Hyuk, concealed beneath a bamboo hat, gripped his sword while awaiting the arrival of the Royal Eunuch on the path leading to Concubine Ra On's chambers.
After the passage of hours, In Hyuk heard the faint echoes of footsteps resonating from a distance, breaking the profound stillness of the night.
The Royal Eunuch, unaccompanied by servants, secretly met Concubine Ra On, sharing covert information about the occurrences within the King's chambers as her trusted spy. Hence, he strolled unaccompanied.
In Hyuk emerged before him, a sword clutched in his grip, his features concealed beneath the shelter of a bamboo hat. The Royal Eunuch, gripped by panic, beheld this ominous sight. In a deft motion, In Hyuk tuned the tilt of his bamboo hat, unveiling the keen gaze that lay concealed beneath.
"Who are you?" asked the Royal Eunuch as he trembled in fear.
In a solemn voice, In Hyuk questioned, "Why did you do that? Why did you mercilessly took the lives of those innocent people?"
The Royal Eunuch, taking a step backward, responded, "Whom are you talking about? I don't understand what you are saying."
Tears welled up in In Hyuk's eyes as he exclaimed, "How could you forget them so easily? When you ruthlessly ended their lives."
The Royal Eunuch strained to recall, attempting to make sense of the unfolding situation. In Hyuk removed his bamboo hat, swiftly approaching with determined steps. He struck the eunuch's leg with sword , causing a deep, agonizing cut, and as pain seared through him, blood began to flow.
In Hyuk, with a sense of accusation, remarked, "Remember now? You sliced them all up like that," as he targeted the other leg. The Royal Eunuch, in anguish, screamed and tried to crawl away.
Advancing steadily, In Hyuk lamented, "They were meant to be set free. The decree clearly stated it." Tears falling from his eyes, and with a voice laden with painful emotion, he yelled out, "They were… (grasping the weight of his words) they had served their punishment."
Eunuch, upon hearing In Hyuk, immediately pleaded for mercy, hands clasped and gasping in fear. "Concubine Ra On instructed me to do it. Releasing them was deemed defeat to Silla," he begged desperately.
In Hyuk sneered as he sat down in front of him, "Right, No one cared about them – not the King of Silla, to whom they belonged, and not those who provided refuge. Yet, you're the one responsible for their deaths."
He stood up, and with a swift and forceful motion, In Hyuk increased his grip on the sword and severed Eunuch's head. A scream echoed from behind him.
As In Hyuk swivelled around, Jiho stood frozen, his features a tableau of horror, disbelief, and repulsion. His wide-eyed stare fixated on In Hyuk, whose face bore the gruesome imprint of blood, an unsettling fact that hinted at a harrowing encounter.