episode_0023

“Oh, what difficult matter troubles you?”

“For now, they will imprison her and conduct investigations over several months or years. Here and in Ming. In fact, she might face a longer investigation in Ming. They issued a decree because of the Westerners.”

The history of Ming’s decree began in 1371.

The purpose was to suppress maritime forces like Jang Sa-sung, who had friendly relations with Yuan, while also addressing the Western barbarian issue.

“Even if I accept your intentions, sending her back to our country is a separate matter.”

“Why is that?”

“To prevent the information here from flowing to Portugal. Both Joseon and Ming are conservative countries beyond your imagination.”

“I see. I understand now.”

It seemed like she was starting to comprehend.

“But you haven’t mentioned why you came all the way here yet.”

“I came to find the Kingdom of Prestor John. I believed that if I found it, I could lead my family to prosperity.”

“Ah! Prestor John…”

This refers to a fantasy about an Eastern Christian kingdom. In essence, it was said that someday, from the Eastern Christian kingdom ruled by Prestor John, troops would come to exterminate the Muslim infidels, which is the ‘Prestor John legend.’

“Wow, you are deeply faithful?”

“Not to that extent. My family faced ruin, so I thought I had to do something. And… to be honest, I am so deep in debt that I might be sold if I don’t board a ship…”

In other words, she boarded a ship to escape from creditors.

“Well, the Kingdom of Prestor John doesn’t exist, so why are you going back to our country?”

“Some time has passed, and I thought writing about this perilous journey could bring in some money.”

So, the plan was to write a travelogue to pay off debts.

“It seems quite amateurish.”

No matter how much it’s part of a game setting, she appeared reckless, living day by day in a vague state.

“But I can’t continue living in the East.”

“Alright, now that I understand, let’s go together. Being stranded on a deserted island won’t end well.”

“But I’m really curious, how did you learn English?”

“English… is by the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

There was simply no way to explain it, so she said this.

Surprised, “What? You… know about the Holy Spirit?”

“I visited Yanjing, the capital of Ming, as an envoy. I secretly met a Catholic priest there and received baptism. Through baptism, I received the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit. That’s why I can speak English fluently without actually learning it.”

“Wow!”

Her companion expressed awe.

Talk of the Holy Spirit and tongues were stories found in the New Testament.

It was a story from over 1,400 years ago, recorded in the Bible, so it wasn’t anything new.

“Joseon is a Confucian country. It does not recognize Christianity. If it’s revealed that I received baptism and the gift of tongues, I could face death. So please keep this secret.”

“Yes, I will definitely keep it. But what about them…”

Violet worried about Gae Bok-i and Bok Jong-i, who were on the same ship.

“Don’t worry, they are both my servants.”

I made sure to keep the fact that I write in English strictly confidential from them.

Why?

“If I say do it, just do it!”

Just a stern voice command.

Who needs explanations?

The big fire on the deserted island could be seen from the distant mainland, lasting until sunrise.

The local chief who provided me with a boat brought a larger one to the vicinity of the island to confirm my achievements before reporting back to Hanyang.

About ten days later,

Naval forces under royal command went to the deserted island.

Without any resistance, they managed to get surrender from roughly 300 Western soldiers who were starving and trapped, capturing them all as prisoners.

Despite having killed quite a few, I still managed to take so many prisoners.

Stranded on the deserted island, they all looked like beggars, worn out from enduring hunger for so long.

Violet was immediately summoned to Hanyang.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

I had come to Hanyang to receive an award and was meeting with King Taejong, not King Sejong!

Even though most matters were left to King Sejong during this period, Taejong held military power firmly in his grasp.

Honestly, I never expected to have the opportunity to meet Taejong in person before his death.

“Is it true that you, Jingok, displayed remarkable feats this time?”

“Yes, Your Majesty Taejong!”

I couldn’t even look up, answering while prostrated on the ground.

“I received reports, but what you did would be unbelievable even if I saw it with my own eyes.”

“…..”

“Is this the bow you use?”

After receiving a detailed report on the battle, Taejong took an interest in my bow and asked about it before our meeting.

“Yes.”

“I tried to draw it, but couldn’t pull it fully.”

“…..”

“It seemed similar to the bow used by King Taejo.”

Huh?

My general’s bow is similar to King Taejo’s?

Seems like Yi Seong-gye was as strong as me, if not stronger.

“Here, take it.”

I thought he would examine my bow, but he handed it back.

It cost a few cows to make, and it was a precious and expensive bow that I had grown accustomed to.

With the bow handed to me through the hands of the court official, I politely accepted it, bowing my head with both hands extended.

“In the year of Musul, you passed the military exam and the civil service exam. It’s hard enough to pass just one, let alone both. Yet, you didn’t even receive an official position?”

“Yes.”

“You must have made many enemies.”

Is he testing me?

“No, how could I hold such resentful feelings?”

“Haha. There’s no need for insincere words.”

“I truly mean it. Please believe me!”

I wasn’t without caution to the point of glossing over Taejong’s probing questions.

“If I may speak of your father, he was a figure who served as Minister of State Affairs, Minister of Rites, and Chief State Councillor, relinquishing his official positions to become a local military commander under my command. He was someone I highly valued.”

“Yes.”

Why bring up my father now?

“Your elder brother and you both passed the exams for military service and civil service, especially you excelling in both. Why then did you marry a woman like Han, who has caused trouble by speaking too much?”

Taejong directly inquired about the discord in my household.

“Well, my first wife was even given the title of Princess Consort, but she was driven away with a dagger, as you know.”

“I see. I am aware.”

“While returning to the capital, I was ambushed by assailants whose identities I couldn’t guarantee, and during that vulnerable time, I had the chance to converse with a woman in a similar situation, which led to us becoming close. By the time we crossed the Yalu River again, she had firmly established herself in my heart.”

“I see.”

Though unnecessary to explain, I wanted to emphasize the fact.

“Knowing that embracing her could block my path forward?”

“I informed my parents of the discord, and although they strongly opposed it, they eventually acquiesced to my wishes.”

“Haha. Love over filial piety?”

“I did not abandon filial piety. Despite their initial resistance, I ultimately gained their approval and proceeded with the marriage.”

“So, do you still love your wife?”

“Of course.”

I replied without hesitation.

“Even if she poses obstacles in your path?”

“I have never considered my wife as an obstacle.”

“When you met the king, you offered to conquer Daemado if given 500 troops. Is that sentiment still unchanged?”

“Nothing has changed at all.”

“Good. Then give me 500 troops, go to the Great Island, sweep away the remaining Westerners there, and come back!”

Taizong’s permission was granted.

Too easily.

But there was no mention of granting an official position.

Curious about Taizong’s intentions, but more pressing matters were on his mind.

Feeling like it had to be now or never, he spoke up immediately.

“Your Majesty Taesang! I have one request.”

“What is it? Did you change your mind about going to the Great Island?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then?”

“I need the blonde woman I captured, so please grant her to me.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“I will appoint her as a guide.”

“A guide?”

“The Westerners are untrustworthy, and since she is a foreigner, I believe she will cooperate.”

“But what if she doesn’t understand?”

“Gestures will suffice. If words fail, deceiving them won’t be difficult.”

“But we need to investigate this strange woman…”

“Your Majesty Taesang! Despite her strangeness, she is nothing more than a different-colored pawn. Please allow her to be used as a tool to capture the Westerners on the Great Island! If she proves worthless, I will personally cut her throat!”

“Hmm… Very well!”

He had been pondering how to obtain Violet, but Taizong’s approval came more easily than expected.

“However, she is a captive, and her status is that of a prisoner. So let’s appoint her as a spy for you.”

Things took a peculiar turn, even though that wasn’t the original plan.