episode_0065

“What is the matter here, Lord Left Minister?”

Although his face flushed with anger as the magistrate slammed the door open and glared at him, feeling insulted, there was nothing he could do.

The other party was a respected noble who had risen to the rank of 2nd grade official through fierce competition until reaching an honorable retirement age, unlike himself, who had barely become the magistrate by leveraging his family’s power in the corrupt system.

He wanted to lash out at the annoying old man with his grating voice and gaze, but if he dared to disrespect the old man as the magistrate, even a single leaked letter from that household would block all paths for his family members, whether he was the magistrate or a lower-ranking official from a prestigious family.

Due to his mischievous nature within the household, he had barely secured this position through corrupt means.

So, he clenched his teeth and could only glare at the unpleasant foreigner bowing behind him.

“You see, Magistrate… I have heard everything.”

You revealed your own sins.

As if reproaching the magistrate like an ordinary criminal, the Left Minister continued, “What are you saying, Lord Left Minister?”

“I have come to hear the full story of how that monster came to roam freely. Will you continue to act so irresponsibly?”

“Act irresponsibly? Lord Left Minister! Please be careful with your words. That monster was raised by a rebel! Despite the rebel hiding the monster with malicious intent, things have escalated to this point. Even though you are the Left Minister, I am the magistrate responsible for governing this town on behalf of the lord. Why are you persecuting the main house like this?”

“Hmph! As a scholar studying abroad, I was hesitant to speak out of embarrassment, but when the magistrate acts like this, I have no choice.”

The magistrate, who was easily offended, furrowed his brow, showing signs of discomfort, indicating that he should not speak further. However, as a scholar who did not hesitate to speak in front of the king, how could he remain silent in front of a corrupt official who only sought to fulfill his greed using the king’s authority?

“I will report to my superiors about all the incidents that the commoners fear because of the magistrate’s reckless actions.”

Bang!

“What are you talking about, Lord Left Minister! To say that the magistrate is preying on the commoners! Who would believe such nonsense! If you persecute the magistrate based on unconfirmed allegations, the royal court will not let you off lightly!”

The enraged magistrate slammed the table, protesting vehemently.

Seeing his face turn red, it was clear that if his actions spread among the nobles, it would tarnish his family’s reputation.

“One thing is certain, your family will not let you off the hook!”

At the mention of the family’s involvement, the magistrate’s expression turned pale.

The old man abandoned his respectful attitude towards the magistrate and began to intimidate him as if dealing with a subordinate.

“I have dedicated my whole life to making the people’s lives peaceful by shedding blood and sweat in the royal court! But when I see people like you, I tremble with anger! Have you ever experienced the pain of someone who has devoted their entire life to the people and shed tears because of people like you!”

There was a suppressed resentment in the Left Minister’s voice.

Was it anger towards corrupt officials, or frustration over failed policies blocked by the harsh reality of the past?

Only then did the magistrate, overwhelmed by the Left Minister’s fierce scolding, begin to bow and show submission.

“Well… Lord Left Minister, even though you are the magistrate, please calm down a bit!”

“Ino-om! Call yourself a leader and look at what you’ve done! I have a close relationship with your father! Just because I retire, do you think there’s anything you can’t do? Should I send an inspector to your house right away?

Concerned about the inspection, the magistrate trembles, sweating coldly, and begins to calm down the old man.

“Ah, I understand.. I get it.. I apologize, sir. However, saying that I tried to seduce a commoner is too exaggerated-”

“Exaggerated? If we gather all the witnesses present there and interrogate them, it’s obvious! I’m curious to see what they say when they’re all gathered! But after the interrogation, can you still hold onto your position as a leader? What about the unreasonable orders that damaged all the weapons in the fortress? Passing off all your duties, even judging and patrolling, to subordinates and just sitting around with parasites—how do you justify that?”

The magistrate glares at his own faults being exposed one by one.

“Don’t think of trying to deceive me! Even if this person didn’t say anything, you can figure it out just by going to the market! Who in this village doesn’t know what you’re up to!”

The magistrate nods at those words.

The old man, who had been coughing for a while, confirms that the magistrate is subdued and quickly changes his tone to soothe him like a leader.

“Well.. Fine. I’m someone who dislikes making a big fuss over things. If I fulfill a few of my duties, whether the magistrate lives with parasites or neglects his work, I will quietly retire as a manager and spend the rest of my life at home.”

“W-what does that entail?”

At the mention of not resigning, the magistrate’s face quickly turns red.

The old man urges the magistrate to speak quickly.

“For now, stop mobilizing the soldiers to catch the monster.”

“T-that’s…”

“Just listen quietly! This is an order! The magistrate has only caused harm by mobilizing soldiers so far, injuring people unnecessarily and allowing the monster to grow in size!”

“……”

The magistrate falls silent, looking like a cat got his tongue.

“I hope you don’t bring up that unfortunate incident again. Ha! Not even a nobleman, yet ordering commoners around… Well… I’m glad the magistrate is holding back his urge to leave the room and throw inkpots around.”

The inspection… It felt like his pride was hurt and his insides twisted. But on the other hand, he barely managed to contain his rising anger, fearing that the old man might actually throw inkpots.

“It’s true that Yopsa raised that creature, but I heard it changed to protect the village from tigers. Also, losing its mind was because you persecuted my master recklessly.”

“……Ahem.”

“So go release Yopsa and resolve the situation. And! While I can’t ask you to apologize to the commoners for my sake, I can’t stand seeing you abuse your power to exploit the people either!”

“……”

The magistrate’s face filled with displeasure, but eventually he nodded.

“Come out, Sang-a.”

The prison door opens, and a cold sword is unsheathed.

Watching that scene, Gil-yong’s uncle’s dark face finally relaxes a bit, as if his worries have been lifted.

“.. How did you manage to escape? The magistrate would never have let you go.”

“It’s all thanks to this person. I’ll greet you; you are the Chief Left Minister of Yuhyangso.”

Although his body was small, he was an old man with various expressions in his eyes.

“Is this the rumored Chief Choi?”

“Hello, sir. I am a wandering unknown who lives by hunting. I received a great favor this time. I will definitely repay it later.”

He bows with gratitude.

After accepting my bow, the old man looked at my face intently and sighed once before speaking to me.

“Beautiful and dignified… Ha-ha, your parents must have named you excellently. Just by looking at your face, I would believe you were from a noble family servant.”

“…Thank you.”

“However, I didn’t help you because I liked you.”

A sudden change in tone.

The old man spoke warningly in a solemn and strict voice.

“When this country was founded, the Chief and we worked hard to eliminate evil spirits and create a world for humans only. But… to think that such a thing was being nurtured.. Disgusting.. Truly disgusting.. The presence of that monster makes me uncomfortable.”

“……”

“I heard that you could calm that monster down, so I released you just for that reason. Whatever the reason, making the common people uneasy is the same for you or the ruler. So, you must resolve this matter properly this time.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Go.. Go and kill that monster, calm it down and live in hiding, and make sure nothing like this happens again in the future.”

With swift steps, the old man left the prison.

I could only bow my head. I couldn’t hear anything until the old man disappeared.

“Phew.. Raise your head now, Sang-ah. He has already gone far. He must have just spoken harshly because he dedicated his whole life to the people.”

“I just… feel bad. I never wanted to make people afraid, neither me nor Sari. I just wanted to be happy day by day… How did this happen?”

“That’s how life is. Nothing goes as you wish. Just… solve the tasks in front of you little by little and move forward.”

“The tasks in front of me…”

First, I had to save Sari…

It was something that had to be accomplished no matter what.

“Monk! Are you there?”

I arrived at the temple and called out to the monk loudly.

Perhaps because someone had recently visited, put a lock on the temple door, and filled the barn, the temple didn’t feel as desolate as before.

“I was waiting. Come in, Shiju.”

The door opened, and the monk welcomed me.