Chapter Two: They were torn into pieces.
1629 Words
The courtroom, known as the Court Palace, lay at the heart of the royal palace, shrouded in the same unyielding darkness that enveloped the entire kingdom of Joseon. The vast hall, usually bustling with the energy of debates and decisions, felt eerie and silent, the dim light of fifteen lanterns barely enough to cast faint shadows on the ornate orange curtains, polished floors, and the grand dragon-emblazoned throne.
In this oppressive gloom, the king’s ministers held their lanterns close, their faces barely discernible in the muted glow. An air of apprehension filled the room, broken only by the soft shuffle of feet as they moved into their positions. Suddenly, a bright light approached, signaling the arrival of King Lee Poong-Yeon, whose very presence seemed to illuminate the room. His inherent brightness lit up the space, revealing the neatness and grandeur of the courtroom that had been hidden in the shadows.
The chief eunuch announced the king's arrival, prompting all ministers to bow deeply before the throne. As the king took his seat, the PM, Yee Bang-won, adjusted his gakdae and began to address the assembly.
“Your Majesty, the soldiers we sent four months ago have returned,” he announced, his voice steady despite the underlying tension.
A murmur rippled through the assembled ministers, their whispers barely contained.
“We divided the soldiers into four groups and sent them in different directions. Two groups returned two weeks ago, the third group returned the day before yesterday, and the last group returned just yesterday,” Bang-won continued.
One of the ministers interjected, “So what happened to them?”
Bang-won’s gaze was solemn as he answered, “We sent out four hundred soldiers. However, only one hundred and sixty have returned.”
The courtroom fell silent, the gravity of the situation settling heavily on everyone present. The king leaned forward, rubbing his forehead in distress. “What happened? I want the full details.”
Bang-won nodded to the chief general, who took a step forward. “Your Majesty, many of our men died. Those who returned are not in good health. One group, led by your trusted guard Kim Hong-do, reached the border. What they encountered there was beyond belief. With your permission, I would like to call Kim Hong-do to provide a full account.”
The king nodded, signaling his consent. Kim Hong-do was promptly summoned, entering the room with his lantern. He bowed deeply, then knelt, placing the lantern beside him before sitting back on his legs.
The king looked at him with a mix of sympathy and anticipation. “Is it true that your group reached the border?” a minister asked.
Kim Hong-do nodded. “Yes, we did. But what we found there was…unbelievable. Joseon is the only place suffering from this disaster.”
Kim Hong-do's voice quivered as he recounted the events that transpired beyond the kingdom's borders. His words carried the weight of grim reality, painting a stark picture of a world divided between light and darkness.
As Kim Hong-do began to recount the events at the border, the courtroom held its breath, hanging on his every word. His voice was steady, but his eyes held a haunted look as he delved into the horrors his group had witnessed.
"As we reached the border," he began, his voice low but clear, "we saw something that defied all logic. On the other side, the sun was shining brightly, casting its golden rays across a land untouched by darkness."
Gasps of disbelief echoed through the courtroom. The idea of sunlight existing beyond the kingdom's borders seemed impossible, yet Kim Hong-do's solemn demeanor left no room for doubt.
"But what was even more astonishing," he continued, "was the division between light and darkness. It was as if a line had been drawn in the sky, separating our world from one bathed in sunlight."
The king's brow furrowed in concern, his mind racing with questions. How could such a division exist? And what did it mean for the people of Joseon, trapped in perpetual darkness?
"As we stood at the border, mesmerized by the sight before us," Kim Hong-do went on, "we were suddenly beset by a terrible fate. Something...something attacked us."
His voice faltered, and he looked down, struggling to find the words to describe the horror they had faced. The courtroom was silent, the tension palpable as they waited for him to continue.
"They were torn into pieces," Kim Hong-do finally whispered, his voice barely audible above the hushed murmurs of the ministers.
"half of my men were eliminated there."
The king's eyes widened in shock, his heart heavy with grief for the soldiers who had lost their lives. Around him, the ministers exchanged uneasy glances, grappling with the enormity of Kim Hong-do's revelation.
"What...what attacked you?" the king asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Kim Hong-do shook his head, his eyes haunted by the memory. "Because...because they ran into border line, Your Majesty. It was like nothing I have ever seen before. A darkness, a force of pure malevolence."
The courtroom fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Kim Hong-do's words hanging in the air. The king leaned back in his throne, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay beyond the kingdom's borders.
"We must investigate this further," he declared, his voice firm despite the uncertainty that gripped his heart. "We cannot allow this threat to go unanswered."
The ministers nodded in agreement, their faces grim with determination. They knew that whatever lay beyond the border posed a grave danger to their kingdom, and they were prepared to face it head-on.
"But only twenty of you returned?” asked the chief general, his voice heavy with concern.
Kim Hong-do nodded somberly. “Yes, that was because we lost our way, and we ran out of oil. With no light and no food, many of us succumbed to hunger while others fell victim to deadly snakes in the forests.”
“How did you manage to return?” the king finally found his voice to ask, his brow furrowed in worry.
“Your Majesty, even the light from our lanterns was dim, only three of you…” Kim Hong-do paused, searching for the right words.
“Only the three of us did what?” urged the king.
“Your Majesty,” Kim Hong-do continued, “the three of you seemed to possess an innate ability to see in this darkness. Something within you radiated light, enough to guide you through the shadows. It was as if the brightness of your faces could dispel the darkness itself. you were like beacons in the night, illuminating the path for those around you.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?” the minister of finance inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“What I mean is that you embodied the three celestial bodies we lack,” Kim Hong-do explained. “Your Majesty shines like the sun, while the queen emanates the gentle glow of the moon. And the queen's sister, who is also the PM’s wife, radiate like stars in the night sky.”
As realization dawned on the assembled ministers, murmurs of understanding rippled through the room.
“How does this relate to your escape from the forest?” the king asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Because something brighter than the moon appeared before us,” Kim Hong-do recounted, his voice tinged with awe. “A young lady, whose radiance surpassed anything we had ever seen.”
“A young lady?” someone echoed, their disbelief evident.
“Yes, Your Majesty. She called out to me by name,” Kim Hong-do continued. “Her presence was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.”
“What did she say?” the chief general pressed, eager for answers.
Kim Hong-do paused, his gaze distant as he recounted the encounter. “She told me, ‘Hey Kim-hong-do, why give up so soon? It’s not your time to die yet. There is much work left undone, and I will guide you home.’”
The courtroom fell silent, the weight of Kim Hong-do’s words hanging heavy in the air.
“She instructed me to deliver a message to you, Your Majesty,” Kim Hong-do added. “She claimed to be Jung-Ah of the Underworld Immortal School. She knows of the darkness that plagues our kingdom, and she beckons you to seek her out. But she warned that perilous disasters await those who dare to face the darkness.”
As Kim Hong-do concluded his tale, the room was enveloped in a heavy silence, as if the very air held its breath.
“And where can we find this woman?” the king finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
“She directed me to a location,” Kim Hong-do replied, his expression grave.
“Rest now, Kim-hong-do,” the king ordered gently. “We will discuss this further in due time.”
As Kim Hong-do bowed and took his leave, the king turned to his advisors, his mind swirling with possibilities.
“What do you think?” he asked, seeking their counsel.
“I believe we should give it due consideration,” the vice-prime minister spoke up, his voice steady with conviction.
The other ministers nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting a shared determination.
“Very well,” the king declared, his voice firm. “We shall embark on this journey. It is now or never.”
With his decision made, the king rose from his throne, signaling the end of the meeting. As he made his way out of the courtroom, his advisors followed suit, their minds already turning to the task ahead.
Outside, the night air hung heavy with anticipation, as the kingdom prepared to face its darkest hour.
- Writer
