Planning The Murder

In the morning rumours spread around the villages, that someone distributed rice in the neighbouring village .

In Hyuk changed his clothes to royal garments. He was tying his hanbok.

"Did you hear the rumours" asked Jiho as he entered with food.

"What rumours" In Hyuk looked up at the Jiho as he is done with the hanbok.

"Someone distributed rice in the neighbouring village" said Jiho while setting food.

In Hyuk looked was shocked but he gets calm in no time. "Who distributed and Why?" asked In Hyuk .

" I don't know. No one knows. As they woke up rice sacks were put in front of their doors" replied Jiho.

"Who was this stupid" In Hyuk snickered.

Jiho looked at him with anger " He was wise not Stupid"

"You don't even know how he got the rice bags, why would you say he is wise" asked In Hyuk while cleaning his hands with a towel and come to the table where Jiho was sitting and eating food.

"Because he helped the people who were dying and fed the starving children, Of course he is wise" Jiho explained his thoughts.

In Hyuk smiled at him and take the wooden spoon to eat food, the blood splashed and dying guard ran in front of his eyes. He put back his spoon.

Jiho asked "Why are you not eating?"

" I don't have an appetite. I'm going out." Said In Hyuk as he stood up and picked up his sword.

"Where are you going and why are you wearing that dress?" asked Jiho looking at In Hyuk who was walking to the door.

In Hyuk turned around and said " Going to look for the work in the market. You know there are no herbs to be found in the forest"

In Hyuk goes out , and Jiho keep eating. Jiho knows In Hyuk needs to wear good clothes to get a job so that royals don't take him as a filthy beggar. But actually In Hyuk was wearing that robe to hide his Identity.

***o***

Ga Ram trembled in fear, his eyes were wide with terror as he faced his furious father. With a shaky voice, he stammered, "Dad, the Caravan got attacked, and, um, everyone… they were all killed...killed by the bandits."

Park Ga Ram fell into a heavy silence, grappling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. In a burst of frustration, he abruptly turned his table, causing everything on it to crash to the floor.

Ga Eun issued a stern command, his head shaking in disbelief, fists clenched, and teeth gritted, "Find the person responsible, no matter what it takes! (He then shouted) Bring them before me!"

Bowing in submission and fear, Ga Ram hastily left the room, followed closely by Hyun Jung and guards.

As they made their way to the Jangmikkot guesthouse. He tossed a handful of coins in front of Iseul, instructing with urgency, "A Caravan was ambushed on the Heomhan road. Investigate. There were rice bags involved. Figure out where the rice went."

Leaning in menacingly close to Iseul's head, Ga Ram gripped his hair tightly, his tone cold and threatening, "If anyone catches wind of this, you'll meet your end by my hands."

He released Iseul and exited the room, leaving the trembling Iseul bowing in fear.

***o***

In Hyuk stood across the street, observing the flow of people at Dal Teahouse. Eventually, he entered and took a seat.

The owner served him tea, and after assessing the owner's expression, In Hyuk inquired, "I need information on someone."

The owner whispered, "Go to Jangmikkot Guesthouse and ask for Iseul. He can provide any information you need."

In Hyuk rose, left coins on the table, and exited.

He returned home and called for Jiho, "Ji Sung ! Jin Sung!" but Jiho wasn't there.

In Hyuk got a paper and brush, Make the ink and draw Park Ga Eun face . The portrait depicted Ga Eun with bold features, a distinguished beard, and hair neatly tied beneath a gat.

Fury coursed through his veins as he gazed upon the sketch.

Next day, He walked into the busy Jangmikkot Teahouse, using a jeopson fan to hide his face and wearing a gat to conceal his identity . Many courtesans in vibrant dresses were with a group of male royals, laughing and flirting.

In Hyuk saw Park Ga Ram and his servants on the way to outside. As they passed each other, their fluttering hanbok collided Park Ga Ram glanced back at In Hyuk , unable to see his face, then continued walking forward.

A captivating courtesan gracefully approached In Hyuk, leading him to an unoccupied room with a soft utterance, "This way, please. Allow me to guide you to the room," and In Hyuk trailed behind in silence.

As they entered the room, the courtesan inquired, "How would you prefer to be served?"

Still concealing his face behind an intricately embroidered fan, In Hyuk softly uttered, "I wish to see Iseul."

With a respectful bow, the courtesan gracefully exited the room, leaving In Hyuk to hastily drape a veil over his face.

After a while, a man in a green robe with dishevelled hair and slightly yellow teeth entered the room. Smiling, he closed the door and sat down in front of In Hyuk.

In the brightly lit room, Iseul flashed a wide smile at In Hyuk, "Do you need some kind of information?" he inquired casually.

In Hyuk, unfamiliar with such situations, questioned, "How did you know?"

"Because anyone who asks about me comes here seeking information," Iseul responded, maintaining his infectious grin throughout the exchange.

After understanding the situation In Hyuk asked "I want information about this person" handing him a sketch of Park Ga Eun.

"Park Ga Eun? Why?" Iseul asked, genuinely puzzled.

Unwilling to disclose details, In Hyuk discreetly handed him a small pouch filled with coins. "Don't ask questions," he asserted.

Iseul eagerly accepted the pouch, his eyes twinkling at the sight of the money, as he checked the coins inside the pouch,"Okay, what do you need me to look into?"

"Everything," In Hyuk replied firmly. "Where he goes, where he sleeps, where he eats—his entire daily life."

Iseul, accustomed to such requests in his line of work, harboured no suspicions. Many sought his services, choosing to remain anonymous. This exchange was routine for him, and he nodded in agreement.

"Come after three days," Iseul stood up and came out of the room holding money.

After a span of three days, In Hyuk arrived, concealing his face behind an intricately embroidered fan, same as previously.

Iseul explained the whereabouts of Park Ga Eun, with In Hyuk veiling himself once more. "During the day, he attends to his business matters at various shops, and by night, he frequents the Jangmikkot guesthouse"

In Hyuk asked "Is that all?"

"Yes, indeed. He engages in diverse meetings here and shares moments over drinks with his colleagues."

In Hyuk stood up Walked to the door removed his mask , covered his face with jeopson Fan and walked to Dal teahouse. He changed his clothes and headed home. On the way back home clouds started to gather.

He looked at the sky on which dark clouds were roaming . It looked like it was going to rain. In Hyuk smiled in relief. His steps fastened as he wanted to go to the village and share this happy moments with villagers.

Soon enough, the clouds unleashed a heavy downpour. Even though the ground became muddy and challenging to walk on due to the rain turning the dry soil into mud, In Hyuk didn't mind.

He pressed on towards the village, and as he approached, he witnessed a heart warming scene, children happily dancing in the rain, while elders laughed and revelled in the arrival of the much-needed rain. It felt like a blessing, a gift for previous hardships.

In Hyuk couldn't resist the infectious joy around him, so he joined in the dance with the villagers. Jiho found his childlike enthusiasm amusing and laughed, while Him Chan beamed with happiness.

The entire village seemed to be celebrating as if it were a festival, a collective expression of gratitude for the refreshing rain.

Same was for All the other villages . Everyone celebrated the arrival of rain. Except Park Ga Eun the defence minister.

He struck Park Ga Ram's head with the porcelain kettle, causing it to shatter and spill hot tea on him.

" You still haven't found the culprit?" Said Park Ga Eun in fit of anger.

Ga Ram "Father, If you wait a little … …

"Just how much more (Ga Eun yelled and then in Calm voice gritting his teeth) how much more time do you need"

He turns to gaze at the rain outside the pavilion. "Get Out," he commanded his son, Park Ga Ram.

Bowing to his father, Park Ga Ram exited the pavilion . Hyun Jung handed him a handkerchief for clean up, and as Ga Ram walked in anger, Hyun Jung held an embroidered red umbrella for him.