Chapter 110. Taking a Contract
Jang Hak-won turned away.
As Yeong-u left the Geumowi, an aide sent by Park Geunsu was waiting outside.
"Loyalty. The general is looking for you."
"What is it?"
"It seems urgent."
"I understand that. What kind of matter?"
"It appears the palace is summoning you."
He had gone yesterday as well.
More precisely, to the Jungbang.
They had called it the palace then too.
Lee Huisong came to mind.
If they met now, he might cut him down.
Yeong-u mounted his horse.
The aide followed.
"Let's stop somewhere first."
"Where?"
"Seocheon."
When they reached Seocheon, Yeong-u began looking for someone to take a contract.
Several men lingered, waiting for work, but none stood out.
He chose the one who looked the strongest—and the least likely to talk.
"Do you take contracts?"
"What kind?"
"I am Yeong-u, nangjang of the Seonchun Ridge detachment. I'm on leave, but trouble keeps finding me."
The man gave a low, knowing laugh.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I saw the contract on you yesterday."
"Then why didn't you take it?"
"I heard there's a formidable commander at Seonchun Ridge. I don't take foolish work."
"You judge well."
"A man's life isn't decided by skill—it's decided by information and judgment. Chase money, and you die quickly. Stay clear of the desires that twist men, and you live longer."
He had his own standards.
"Why do you do this kind of work?"
The man countered,
"Then why do you remain a soldier in that filthy basket of politics?"
Yeong-u paused.
Why did he think the same logic did not apply to himself?
"Kill the one who hired me yesterday."
"The target is powerful. That's not simple."
"Lee Huisong of the Jungbang."
The man's eyes narrowed.
The name stirred something.
Yeong-u did not ask what.
"The price?"
"I have none."
Yeong-u poured out all the money he had.
A few silver ingots—nothing more.
"Not enough. Difficult, isn't it?"
"It's enough to begin. What about the rest?"
"There is no rest. That's all."
"Then ten times that upon success."
"I don't have that kind of money."
Yeong-u turned to leave, but the man caught him.
"A contract once spoken isn't withdrawn. I'll take it on credit."
He was willing, despite the lack of money.
There was a reason, perhaps—but Yeong-u didn't need to know.
He didn't even expect success.
He only wanted to return what had been done to him.
"I won't have money later either."
"Then if you ever do, you'll pay ten times."
"That won't happen."
Yeong-u had no intention of living another kind of life.
He would remain a soldier to the end.
He had no money now—and none to come.
He handed over the coins.
"Do it if you will. Or don't. I came to settle my temper. A hired blade won't kill a grand general anyway."
"It can be done."
The confidence sounded hollow.
Yeong-u shook his head.
"Do as you please."
He snapped the words and walked away.
He mounted and rode to the Yonghogun camp.
Park Geunsu was waiting.
He looked as though he had not slept, yet was composed.
"Is there somewhere to wash?"
"There's running water behind."
"In this cold?"
"We have to go to the palace."
"We went yesterday."
"That was the Jungbang."
"And today?"
"His Majesty summons you."
At that, Yeong-u sighed.
A trace of fear crept in.
Power tends to trust what pleases it.
His words would carry little weight.
It would be easier to dismiss him as an error.
They speak of hearing the field—
of understanding the front—
yet call in the very man they do not trust to speak.
Yeong-u mounted.
"Leave that behind."
"What?"
"Your weapons."
"Why?"
"They'll be left at the palace gate anyway."
"I'll leave them there."
"Stubborn."
At the east gate, he surrendered everything.
They wanted to hear of the battlefield, yet stripped him of all that belonged to it.
Park Geunsu pointed.
"What's that pouch?"
"Poison."
"You use poison?"
"A thin smear on a blade works well. A scratch is enough."
"Harsh."
He pointed to another.
"And that?"
"Powder."
"What kind?"
"It blinds the eyes when thrown."
"What for?"
"There's always a use."
"Harsh."
"We have no special skill. It's how we survive. If we could stand one-on-one, that would be best. But we can't. They come in numbers. We face dozens alone. With poison, even a graze is enough. With powder, they lose direction. Then you finish it."
"Why are the arrowheads that color?"
"Poisoned."
"You're becoming more ruthless."
This was not a conversation for the palace gates.
Yeong-u said,
"We don't use such things on our own. They do."
Park Geunsu closed his eyes.
Those tools were meant to defend the country.
They were not something to condemn.
He placed his fist to his chest.
"My mistake. We are soldiers."
"Yes."
Park Geunsu reflected.
He had taken Yeong-u lightly, relying on old familiarity.
Concern for what lay ahead had sharpened his words.