Chapter 7 - Water Ghost

The distressed prince had an unfaltering worry that for the meantime there wasn't going to be any allotted time to perhaps friendship council the two parties, it wasn't as if he hadn't already noticed that the two sides themselves already had obdurate opinions of each other. As there was little to nothing that he could do, he then mounted the horse that he and Jaeyong shared. It was a sturdy one and had a magnificent coat compared to the others. Its name, Hosu, as Dohyun recalled when Jaeyong had mentioned it sometime ago.

Only then did Byung Ho and Minhye's eyes practically fall out of their sockets.

A concatenation of unintelligible noises erupted from Byung Ho's mouth while Minhye wearily eyed the sight.

The prince in question had a feeling that it was hate at first sight between these three.

"Dohyun!" Byung Ho bellowed.

Dohyun plainly replied as if he had already guessed what was going to come out of Byung Ho's mouth next, "Well then, did you bring another horse?"

Byung Ho and Minhye were both on their separate steeds, it would have been too much of a hassle to bring another one without a rider, plus they weren't aware that Dohyun and this man had been sharing one. Byung Ho grunted, "Then Minhye and I will share one, you take his and ride by yourself."

Dohyun sighed for what seemed the fiftieth time today, "We're already seated, so childish", he said while clicking his tongue.

He twisted his neck towards Jaeyong and said, "Let's go." With that, Jaeyong let out a short whistle, tugging at the reins.

Byung Ho swore he saw a smirk on Jaeyong's face. That damned! ahhhh!

Akin to their first meeting, they traveled through the forest far from the roads and common paths. At the speed they were going at, it would probably take another day before they reached the Golden capital. That is, if they travel through the night again.

Since they left during the day, Dohyun had more to see, the forest was a living being itself. The trees were its lungs, the ground its skin, the water its blood, and the creatures were its organs. He spotted several small critters dash here and there throughout the day, some peeking from behind bushes, some watching from the trees. With that, those critters also served as the forest's eyes. Dohyun had always been awed by nature and its laws, it always knew what it needed. It knew when to rain and when to dry, no matter what future awaited it, it would always bounce back, a true symbol of resilience.

None of them spoke given that everyone else aside from Dohyun seemed to be on friendly speaking terms anyway, like that a sensation of familiarity came over Dohyun. Ah, like that time from before, he thought. The same silence accompanied by the person riding before him, he could faintly feel the others body against his chest, suddenly reminding him of the previous night being pinned against-

Nope! Not going there again. Dohyun told himself. Nuh-uh, definitely done, not going back there. Those memories should be locked away forever and never resurface again.

"Go back where your highness?" The voice in front of him spoke.

"Ha?" Dohyun thoughtlessly replied.

"HAAa?!"

Back again with speaking his mind!

Dohyun strenuously shook his head, slowly inching forward, farther from the one seated in front.

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

It felt as though time was passing slowly as they made their way through the thickening trees, it seemed like even the closest civilization would still be hours away. Riding past lunch and noontime without breaks. Hours later the sun had already begun to set low into the horizon, evening soon approaching. Dohyun kept his attention in front, he avoided thinking more about the situation since it gave him headaches knowing so little of his own affair. The sound of hooves stamping the ground grew larger and larger, as he peeked behind him, it was the other wonhwas'. Clad in black, with the same black cloth covering their faces, they truly looked intimidating and superior. Not only that but also mysterious and fearless, showing up out of nowhere within the forest, it was as if they had known the lands by heart.

Aside from them, two obsidian eyes were now looking at him. "When did they join us?" Dohyun asked. He couldn't be sure if they had already been there earlier or not, "Recently" Jaeyong replied.

Byung Ho and Minhye also seemed to have noticed this but neither made any comments. Dohyun had momentarily stashed away in his mind that they were staying in the forest while he and Jaeyong continued to the village. Everything was so unnecessary, traveling far then returning so fast. It gave problems to other people not even related, the thought lingered in his mind.

By the time the sun had set in the sky, Dohyun's stomach could no longer tolerate the absence of food and rumbled nonstop. He tried to hide it but Jaeyong easily caught him, he pulled on the reins making the horse come to a halt while raising his right hand to inform the others.

"We will rest here for tonight, the river is close by and the forest is denser here."

Everyone seemed to agree, even Minhye and Byung Ho. At this point, everyone was exhausted and hungry so none objected.

Dohyun asked him, "Is it okay to spend the night?"

The other replied, "You were out hunting. It would not be a problem to have enjoyed chasing games and wandering off further than expected." Their excuse gave them plenty of things to improvise around, but Dohyun wondered if even Junwoo would've believed him right away.

Jaeyong was right, if that was the excuse he used, it wouldn't cause suspicions. People can be gone for weeks at a time when hunting.

Some headed towards the river while others sought out dry wood to make a small fire, since the wonhwa were skilled hunters, they had easily caught some peasants and returned to the fire to cook them. Dohyun took the opportunity to talk to Byung Ho and Minhye. "What about the others?" he said, referring to his brothers.

"It's odd," Minhye stated, "I asked before we left but was only told to keep our minds on you and your safety."

Byung Ho added, "It seems like you're the only one involved."

Dohyun rubbed his temples wishing for any sign of information, it was starting to get on his nerves that he would be targeted like this.

Jaehyun, who was previously cooking one of the pheasants, now sat beside him offering it to him, he said wearily, "I'm sorry but this is the best option we had, if his highness wishes for different-"

Dohyun took the stick from his hands and tore off a drumstick saying, "Thank you, I will eat well" like that the worry on Jaeyong's face washed off.

"Ahem, ahem" Byung Ho sounded, "Where's ours?" he asked.

"I serve his highness, not you." Jaeyong flatly said, not batting an eye to the other two.

A perfect example of the saying 'If you want your dinner, don't insult the cook.' Dohyun thought to himself.

Byung Ho's face flushed red as he could only hold in his embarrassment for a little longer, Minhye on the other hand had expected this much and walked over to the other people sitting around the fire.

"You!" Byung Ho grunted before stomping off angrily.

Dohyun found this a bit funny and let out a small laugh, the pheasant meat was cooked just right, if it had proper seasonings it would definitely be an outstanding meal. He silently hummed in satisfaction as he swallowed the warm meat and filled his stomach.

Jaeyong was still intently watching him, wondering if it was good enough to his highness's taste or not, if they should have prepared more. To be honest, he loathed this kind of uncalled for situation, they didn't have much time to prepare and they didn't know what was exactly happening. He loathed more that Dohyun had to experience this kind of situation.

Dohyun seemed to have caught him looking at him and motioned for him to eat too. He took the stick back and tore off the other leg.

It was decided that they would rest here for the night and would leave at the break of dawn.

They rested their backs against the trees, it wasn't comfortable but there also wasn't a choice. They could only tolerate it. The only light remaining was the soft glow coming from the embers of the previous bonfire, the night was peaceful with not many noises from animals. "Hey," Minhye nudged Byung Ho's shoulder. "Didn't you say something about faceless spirits or water ghosts a few weeks ago?"

Byung Ho shivered and nudged the other harder, "Shut it unless you want to face one first. We're even right next to a river, my grandmother used to say that the bigger the body of water, the fiercer the water ghosts are. Blue wet faces with black eyes and cold bodies, if you see them they'll drag you into-"

"Enough detail", Minhye nuzzled up to him, "Did she say anything about keeping them away?"

Byung Ho thought for a moment, "...No." Disgusted, Byung Ho shoved Minhye off of him and retorted, "I thought you said I was a 'scardy-cat' but look who's clinging to me now." Minhye sighed, "Whatever, it's because you never shut up about these kinds of things, it's just the forest on my nerves, I'd rather sleep in my quarters at the palace you know."

They slept like cats, waking up at the slightest noise. Dohyun didn't know how many times he had woken up but every time he did, Jaeyong also seemed to be awake.

Gazing off into the distance and looking his way when he moved around, asking him if he needed anything, offering him water and other snacks.

The snapping of twigs and rustling of leaves woke them all up in an instant. From the near distance, footsteps could be heard. Jaeyong moved in front of Dohyun and the rest of the wonhwa formed a circle while Byung Ho and Minhye moved to the front.

As they listened, Dohyun could tell that there was something wrong with the footsteps, the pattern was uneven and almost sounded strained. "Those steps don't sound normal" He said slowly prompting the others to catch on.

"You're right," Minhye replied, "Yet it's still definitely human's feet." At that, Byung Ho suddenly remembered their conversation earlier and said to Minhye, "Unless it isn't human." With that, the two gripped their swords harder and gulped down whatever was left of their drying mouths. Dohyun unconsciously held his breath as the noise became louder and louder giving away the position of the approaching person, in a matter of seconds one of the women had already captured the person with a knife to his neck and slowly walked him forward.

The person held both hands in the air as the blade was pressed against his throat, he could only act with caution. Dohyun thought it was a bit much but they were trying their best to be hidden and someone appearing at this time of night was highly suspicious. He knew they wouldn't do anything rash so he slowly neared the two.

Minhye was the first to speak, "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

The voice of an old man trembled as he spoke, "Please spare me, I was only heading back home after suffering an injury on my way." He looked down and the others followed, slowly bending down he patted his left leg and said, "I tripped and badly sprained my foot, I swear I have no other intentions."

He was injured? Byung Ho spoke, "Lift his pants."

The other followed his command and lifted the pants on the man's left foot revealing a gravely swollen ankle. What he claimed was true and Dohyun let his guard down a bit, "May I ask your name sir?" he said, still being halfway shielded by Jaeyong's body.

Jaeyong also looked his way with a hint of warning in his eyes.

"Sun Jangmin." He said.

Sun Jangmin, Sun Jangmin… Dohyun thought he heard the name somewhere but he just couldn't pin it down.

"Ajusshi, you said you injured your foot after tripping, may I ask what you were doing?" Dohyun curiously asked.

"Around a week ago I came here to the forests to search for wild ginseng, I'm just an old farmer, I'm telling the truth." He spoke.

That's it!

Could he be the husband of Sun Minwoo-ssi? He looks about the right age and she mentioned that her husband left for the mountains some while ago…

Dohyun hurriedly asked, "Are you perhaps the husband of Sun Minwoo-ssi?"

The man's eyes widened, unsure of what was going on, "How do you know my wife? I certainly haven't met you from around here, are you perhaps acquaintances of my sons? " He asked.

Dohyun waved his hands indicating that wasn't the case, "You have the right idea but let me explain to you. But first, let us treat your wound, scratches like that shouldn't be left untreated." Dohyun recalled that one time when Sanghoon had been obsessed with medical books and treatments, not a single cut would pass his eye without being treated, "Especially for us, when we go out hunting, cuts like this could easily get infected and later worsen…"

Dohyun looked at the women, giving them a look that everything was all right, "Please get something to help support him." He said as they moved over to where the fire was previously burning, Dohyun sat down on a log and motioned for the elderly man to sit on the one in front of him. The man was reluctant but took the much needed seat, on the other hand, both Byung Ho and Minhye had no idea what was going on.

Byung Ho interrupted, "What's going on? How do you know this man and who is this Sun Minwoo-ssi?"

"Just listen", Dohyun said while offering the man one of the bamboo tubes filled with water.

"It's only water, you must be exhausted." Dohyun said.

The man opened the lid and drank it all in one gulp. By now, Jaeyong had also sat down near Dohyun and looked rather unalarmed, seeing his reaction Byung Ho and Minhye also schooled their expressions and decided to listen as Dohyun suggested.

"I only recently moved into the Han residence, unfortunately one of the nights it stormed really strong and damaged your house, the roof and the walls needed to be replaced and during that time Sun Minwoo-ssi could only use my spare room. She had mentioned that you had also just left for the mountains and so I offered to let her stay for the meantime."

Sun Jangmin's eyes widened once more, his expression switching between worry and confusion to gratitude. After a while he spoke, "If that is the case then I must compensate you for your kindness, young master do tell me your name."

"There is no need to pay me back Sun Jangmin-ssi, you can call me Bu Do Hoon."

Sun Jangmin shook his head saying, "Uh- I must surely pay you back, I will be sure to."

Dohyun gave a bittersweet smile, "Then if you must, be it the next time I return to Insam Maeul. I have matters to attend to somewhere else, but it would be of great assistance to me if you helped watch out for that kid Kim An, he's staying at my place for now." Dohyun casted a look to the man's swollen foot, "Your foot is badly injured, you should refrain from adding too much pressure on it in the meantime, Sun Jangmin-ssi do you not have a horse?"

The man sighed as he continued his story, "I tripped from a steep hill, when I awoke, I was already at a loss to where I was and my horse was nowhere to be seen, I only recently found my way back and I happened to run into you."

"I see…"

How unfortunate, Dohyun thought, both husband and wife bullied by the forces of nature. He shook his head knowing he couldn't just leave the man to fend for himself in his condition.

"Well, we will be leaving soon, take one of our horses and return back to the village, it would take too long for you to walk back in that state and would only worsen your injury." Since two people shared a single horse then if one was to be used by Sun Jangmin then the two could ride behind Byung Ho and Minhye since they each had their own.

Sun Jangmin couldn't imagine what he had done to be treated so well, he couldn't tell if a young master was standing in front of him or a blessing in the form of a human being. Overwhelmed with gratefulness he bowed and thanked him for his generosity. After his foot had been bandaged properly and treated with a balm, he grabbed his worn down cloth bag behind his bag and handed Dohyun three carefully wrapped wild ginseng roots as a gesture of his gratitude. Dohyun surely declined at first but he insisted, telling him that no amount could pay for helping his wife in that situation.

In the time it took around three incense sticks to burn, Dohyun and the rest had already set out for the Golden Capital and Sun Jangmin had headed back to return to Insam Maeul.