The Journey toJeon-ju
A few days ago, long before Eun Sook rode into the cold mountains and before Jin reached the edges of Hwaju, Jang Hyun had already begun his own journey. His road wasn't hard. There were no steep hills or dangerous paths. No heavy winds or freezing nights. The weather stayed warm, and the sky clear for most of the ride. Everything about the journey was calm and easy.
But the peace outside didn't match what was inside him.
Jang Hyun's heart felt heavy. Each time he closed his eyes to sleep, the same nightmare returned. It didn't matter if it was night or day, if he was tired or not—it always came. The dream started the same way each time. A young boy, maybe fourteen years old, ran through a dark forest. He looked noble—his clothes weren't those of a peasant. He had a small headpiece tied to his topknot, and the sleeves of his robe were neatly tucked in. But his face was filled with fear.
The forest was cold, much colder than the place Jang Hyun was in. The boy kept running, his feet thudding against the ground as if something was chasing him. There were shadows behind him, shapes like armed men, but their faces never showed. He didn't stop running until he reached the edge of a cliff. Without warning, he fell. His body hit the river below, and the cold water swallowed him whole.
That was always when Jang Hyun woke up. Gasping, sweating, and with his heart racing. It was like being thrown back into his past over and over again.
By the second day of his journey, a pigeon flew across the sky above him. It circled once, and with a soft whistle, he called it down. The bird landed gently on his arm. He untied the small letter tied to its leg. It was from her—Eun Sook.
"Seo Jin has discovered the location of the Blood Blossoms. I am going to prevent him from finding out, by any means necessary."
After reading it, Jang Hyun didn't reply. He folded the letter and tucked it away. He sent the messenger bird flying back home. She was brave and knew how to handle situations like this. Plus she had Gwang Woo with her. That was enough. She would be fine.
Still, the dream didn't leave him.
Every night, it came back. Sometimes it was just the boy running through the woods, and other times it was the boy drowning and drifting in the river. No matter how hard he tried to forget it, the dream haunted him like a ghost that refused to go away.
Jeon-ju
On the fifth day, Jang Hyun finally reached Jeon-ju. The town was alive with people. Merchants from all directions were gathered in the streets, shouting prices and calling customers. There were stalls lined with silk, jewelleries, perfume, spices, fruits, and all kinds of trinkets. The air smelled like roasted chestnuts and sweet wine. But Jang Hyun didn't stop to look around.
He rode straight to a house located at the edge of the village. It was a quiet area, far from the noise of the markets. The house wasn't big—not like the Jang residence back in the capital. It was small, with only a few rooms. The roof tiles were old, and the courtyard was dusty from being unused. The moment he arrived, the servants who had arrived ahead of him got to work. They cleaned the rooms, opened the windows, and dusted the furniture. It didn't take long before the house started to feel like someone actually lived there.
That night, after a simple meal, Jang Hyun went straight to bed. His body was tired from riding, but his mind was still restless.
The dream came again, but it was different this time.
This time, the boy wasn't running. He was sitting beside a man who looked strong and kind. The man wore fine clothes and a golden pin on his robe, showing his high status. He handed the boy a small wooden catapult. "This will help you learn how to aim," the man said, smiling warmly. The boy's face lit up with joy. He held the catapult with both hands, nodding eagerly. "Thank you, Father," he said.
For once, there was no fear in the dream. Only happiness.
When Jang Hyun woke up, it was morning. The dream stayed with him, but this time it didn't leave behind the usual weight in his chest. He stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. The village was already busy, with people going about their day.
He decided to go for a walk.
He climbed the small mountain near the edge of the village. At the top, there was a temple. It belonged to the royal family, and priests from the palace would come here to pray and offer rites. The temple stood tall and quiet, surrounded by tall trees. The air was still, and the wind moved slowly, almost as if it didn't want to disturb the peace.
But Jang Hyun didn't feel peace.
As he looked at the temple, something changed. His eyes saw the present, but his mind was dragged into the past. Suddenly, it was night. The temple was filled with people in fine robes. They were celebrating something—perhaps a festival or royal ceremony. Lanterns were lit, and laughter filled the air. But then everything changed. Screams echoed through the temple. The smell of blood filled the air. The bright red lanterns turned dark. People were running. Swords were drawn. Blood splashed against the floor, and the laughter was replaced with cries for help.
Jang Hyun blinked and snapped out of it. His hands were shaking. It was just a vision. A memory. But it had felt so real.
A monk nearby noticed his unease and stepped closer. "Do you need something, My Lord?" he asked softly.
But Jang Hyun didn't respond. He turned and walked away quickly, heading back to the house.
He didn't leave his room for the rest of the day.
By nightfall, the house was quiet again. He sat in his room, reading and going through old books and scrolls. The candles were burning low, therefore making faint shadows on the walls. Midnight came. Jang Hyun stood up and walked to the far end of the room.
It didn't take long before footsteps began to gather outside.
One by one, masked figures entered the house. Their faces were completely hidden behind full wooden or metal masks that looked strange and cold. Not a single part of their faces could be seen. They walked in silence, each of them heading to the isolated study in the house.
There were six of them. Two of them had the build and shape of women, while the other four were clearly men. None of them spoke. They simply entered and took their seats around the table in the study.
Then, Jang Hyun finally came in. He wasn't masked. The moment he stepped through the door, all six of them stood and bowed deeply.
He nodded slowly and walked to the center of the room. His voice was calm but heavy.
"Thank you for coming. Thank you for your support, and for everything you've done so far."
They all remained quiet, listening.
"We are close now. Very close. We must be patient a little longer. We have been patient for over thirty years, so little longer won't hurt," he continued. "When we meet again next, it will be days before we carry out the final plan."
A few of them looked up.
"The king will fall," Jang Hyun said quietly, his voice sharp like a blade. "His days are numbered. The moment is coming."
They all nodded. None of them questioned him. None of them asked why. They all understood.
This wasn't just a secret meeting.
It was treason.
A revolt was being planned.
And in the shadows of a quiet small house in Jeon-ju, far away from the palace walls, a storm was starting to rise and no one was prepared for it.