episode_0005

“Hmm. If it’s going to be like this, you should have just refused altogether.”

Giving alms, giving medicine?

And the probability of actually needing to use them was low.

The money my father provided was quite substantial, but I also brought all the money I had steadily saved up after returning.

Roughly a fortnight later, I finally arrived in Hanyang.

It took a whole fortnight to cover a distance that would end within a few hours if taken on the highway.

I crossed treacherous mountain paths and narrow, winding roads where only one person could pass at a time during that time.

It was a time when tigers roamed freely, so I didn’t dare to sleep outside.

I woke up early in the morning and set off when the sun rose.

And I made every effort to reach the next village before sunset.

“It’s great to be in Hanyang, but I really don’t feel like staying at my brother’s house.”

My brother is already married.

If his wife had a good personality, I might have considered it, but they kept to themselves.

So, I sent only the servants to my brother’s house to meet him a little later.

I headed straight to the training camp.

Here, I presented another letter written by my father, which would now be equivalent to a recommendation letter or an introduction in modern times.

The guard at the training camp, who was a senior officer, was immediately informed, and I underwent a simple test of archery skills and physical fitness.

Having been rigorously trained since childhood, I naturally passed with ease.

After that, to receive my assignment, I met with the highest-ranking officer at the training camp.

Nodding.

“You’re really handsome!”

It was the effect of customization.

I wondered if it was just superficial, but ever since the customization, I had been becoming more impressive day by day.

A year had passed, and the transformation was complete.

There were more than a couple of maids whose eyes sparkled as they approached me, trying to get a closer look and even touch me with their fingers.

If I had a reckless temperament, I would have touched the maids recklessly, but I restrained myself.

Why?

Because they were uglier than me.

Not all women are alike.

There are women who look like men, and there are truly unattractive women.

If contraception fails, a child will be born, and it will be a burden for life.

Perhaps due to good physical development, I suffered greatly from morning erections starting at the age of 15.

I even considered just picking anyone up to satisfy my sexual desires, but I refrained from it out of pity for the maids who washed clothes in icy water in the medieval era.

“Your status is certain, and judging by your body, you’re in good shape. Since when did you learn martial arts?”

“Since I was ten years old.”

I spoke based on the age recorded in the family register.

In reality, it was even earlier, but since I started anew after regressing, I just said it was from that time.

“Is that so? Are you planning to take the military exam too?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Accept him as a senior officer.”

#

A couple of hours later.

“My, my. Are you really the notorious Jinok Doryeon?”

The servant working at my brother’s house in Hanyang exclaimed in surprise upon seeing me.

“I saw you last year, how did you become such a refined young man in just one year?”

“Hehe. It’s a time of rapid growth. Do I look that good?”

“Yes!”

The astonishment about my appearance continued.

Even my sister-in-law, whom I saw last year and now after a year, was startled and blushed.

Blushing.

“I never dreamed that Jinok would transform into such a handsome man.”

Why do their eyes seem subtly different?

Even my brother, who came home after sunset, widened his eyes and stared at me.

“Are you really my younger brother, Jinok?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe. Having such a handsome man in our family. Although I can’t say we share the same bloodline, it seems like there’s still a hint of Jinok from last year, but you’re so different.”

It was quite an envious look.

“Brother, please take care until the star festival in May.”

Such interactions between siblings may seem awkward, but this isn’t Joseon where formalities are strictly observed.

Though Confucianism hadn’t completely engulfed society yet, it wasn’t a time without principles either.

“If I fail the civil service examination?”

“No way. I’ve put in years of effort, and with no one in our family unknown, how could I possibly fail?”

“Heh heh. Already boasting about your family? It seems like not just your appearance, but even your attitude has changed.”

That’s right. I used to endure silently, behaving like a coward.

“But now it’s different.”

I have no intention of defying the original history from now on, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t think about climbing up from the bottom alone.

The next day, I went to Seodaemun, where I was assigned to work as a guard.

My task here is to stand guard.

“Oh, I never dreamed such a noble young man would come.”

The head guard exclaimed, nodding his head in admiration.

“Are you around 6 feet tall?”

“Not quite. Maybe 5 feet 7 inches? 8 inches? Around that.”

I’m over 180 centimeters tall, but I’m not exactly sure.

“Hmm. I see. And you weigh about 150 catties?”

“Yes, that’s about right.”

I’ve gained some weight, but I’m close to 90 kilograms.

“Wow, handsome face, good physique. Ah! What does your father do?”

Finally, it comes out.

When I briefly mentioned my father and grandfather, the guard’s expression changed immediately.

“Oh, an impressive family?”

Yes, very impressive.

My grandfather is the progenitor of the Yangsan Lee clan.

Not in the 5th century, but how many individuals can become the progenitor of the Seong clan in the 15th century?

“Hmm. He must have been a promising young man. Oh! But you’re not a bachelor anymore since you’ve had the wedding ceremony, right?”

“The wedding ceremony is yet to happen.”

“Oh, really? Should I be the matchmaker then?”

“I think that’s something my father should handle, not me.”

“Haha. Right, right…”

“But Captain? I plan to take the civil service examination in May. Can I ask for a favor?”

Swiftly.

He handed me a small pouch.

Inside, there was enough money left over after using the travel expenses.

I don’t know how much the captain receives, but this should be enough for a few months.

Once I give this, I’ll be left with not a penny in my pocket, but that’s okay.

“As long as I can earn more money later.”

In what way?

That’s for later…

“What favor do you need?”

As he took the pouch, the captain’s heart lightened at the sound of the coins clinking together and the weight of the pouch, and he asked in a casual tone.

From his expression alone, it seemed like he had already granted permission.

“I need some time to prepare for the civil service examination in May. Coming here every day is a bit…”

I heard about the civil service examination in May from my brother yesterday.

“Ah! Of course. Don’t worry about it; focus on preparing for the examination.”

Great!

I don’t need to stay here anymore.

#

The sun had set.

I was walking through the alleys of Hanseong.

Looking for Jo Malsang’s house, famous for being a bandit these days.

For a quick answer to the easiest way to make money, I’d say stealing.

Of course, if caught, life will be ruined.

“So, I have to be careful.”

But isn’t robbing Jo Malsang considered heroic?

Oh! It’s not like I’m stealing to share; I’ll use it myself, so it’s not heroic, right?

In any case, I made up my mind to steal and headed to Jo Malsang’s house.

“Hmm, it would be great if latitude and longitude were available for Jo Malsang’s house.”

When I opened the map on the internet, my current location was displayed.

As I moved, the location changed.

Just in case, I tried to check the current weather information on the internet, but it was fixed on a past date, so I couldn’t get the weather information.

Only by looking at records like the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty could I sometimes find the weather for that day.

I found Jo Malsang’s house by asking people.

Fortunately, finding his house wasn’t difficult since Jo Malsang is so well-known, and I arrived before nightfall.

“Hmm, the walls of the magistrate’s house are quite high.”

The height of the wall is about 1.5 times my height?

I have no idea what threats lie inside once I enter.

Entering the alley, I waited until it grew late into the night before changing into shabby clothes.

I tied up the clothes I had been wearing and placed them on a tree.

Careful not to make any noise, I approached the wall. Taking a deep breath, I sprinted quickly and leaped into the air.

Whoosh~ Zoom.

As my body reached its peak, I placed a hand on the wall, exerted force, and swiftly crossed over it.

With strength or agility unmatched by anyone, Jin Ok easily scaled the wall as if it were nothing.

Thud~ Swish swish.

As soon as I landed on the ground, I swiftly moved towards a secluded corner of a nearby building.

After a brief pause to survey the surroundings, everything seemed quiet.

“Hehe. Should I start now?”

My target wasn’t the master’s bedroom.

Nor was it the barn.

I wasn’t here to steal heavy bags of rice either.

My real goal was to manage money directly in the master’s house while performing the duties of a steward.

“Others may be asleep at this hour, but a busy steward like me will probably keep the lanterns lit and work late.”

Of course, that might not be the case, but the likelihood was high.

Taking flight lightly once more, I ascended to the roof.

Scanning the area, I found several places with lights on in the 99-tile roofed houses.

“Let’s check them out one by one.”