The trio ran back outside., Young-Sik grabbed Captain Gi by the shoulder. "You and the soldiers stay here and help these people as much as possible."
Captain Gi bowed, "Yes, Your Highness." He then called and directed the soldiers to do what they needed to do.
"I'll go with you," Jin-Ri said, extending her hand to the prince.
Young-Sik simply nodded, grasping her hand tightly as they dashed back toward the palace.
As they approached the northern gates, a massive crowd came into view, their whispers and murmurs creating an almost palpable tension in the air.
Young-Sik felt his heart race as he pushed through the crowd, striving to reach the northern gate. Suddenly, a wave of fatigue overwhelmed him; his sword fell from his hand, and he found himself on his knees. Gasping for breath, shock, and grief twisted his features as he looked up at the horrifying sight of the heads of his master, his master's wife, and their son, all gruesomely displayed and impaled on spears. A banner hung above them, chillingly stating,
"I am a traitor, I killed the former King, and that is why I am beheaded with my family."
At that moment, Jin-Ri knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around him to shield him from the horrific scene. She understood the deep respect Young-Sik held for his mentors, and now, one of them lay dead, branded a traitor.
Hearing the terrified shouts of men from the courtyard, Young-Sik shot up in alarm. "No... No... NO!" the prince exclaimed, racing into the courtyard. Jin-Ri trailed closely behind, her mind racing with dread at the thought of what the prince might do if he encountered the horrifying situation she feared was taking place inside the palace.
Moments after the prince's arrival, Jin-Ri burst onto the scene. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw Young-Sik fighting off the guards who were mercilessly torturing two men restrained in chairs. It was clear to her that these were none other than Minister Shin and Minister Im, Young-Sik's other esteemed mentors.
"Cease this at once! I DEMAND that you free them, or face my wrath!" Young-Sik shouted, brandishing his sword as a clear threat to anyone who would dare to harm his master.
Minister Lim declared, "Prince Young-Sik, these men, along with Minister Go, have been found guilty of your father's poisoning. This is an official interrogation, so do not interfere." Just as he was about to command the resumption of their torment, he chose to taunt the prince instead. "Could it be, Your Highness, that you are a co-conspirator? Is that why you wish to shield them from questioning?"
Like a raging dragon, the prince revealed his teeth, his eyes ignited with wrath as he prepared to charge at Minister Lim, ready to strike him down. Suddenly, Jin-Ri rushed in and seized his arm. Her imploring gaze pierced through his anger, allowing the prince to regain his senses and calm his storming heart.
The proclamation resonated through the courtyard: 'ALL SHALL BOW TO THE KING.' As the words faded, everyone present turned to face the King, bowing deeply as he made his way to the center, accompanied by Queen Ji-Hye.
Young-Sik was the first to speak. "Your Highness, I assure you, these men, including Minister Go, are innocent of the charges brought forth by Minister Lim. I stand by their integrity."
With a composed demeanor, King Man-Ju responded to Young-Sik's defense. "Be cautious, brother, in risking your honor for such deceitful individuals. We have solid evidence that these two, along with the late Minister Go, conspired against our father."
"What evidence, your Highness?" Young-Sik inquired of the King, his curiosity was tamed and discreet
A eunuch came running to the prince and presented him with a small wooden box. The prince opened the box and saw a stained silver spoon. he was about to touch the spoon when he remembered something. "Arsenic?" he thought. "But arsenic does not produce the same symptoms that my father had."
Young-Sik glanced towards his master, Minister Im immediately recognized that look on the prince, he knew that the prince figured out a crucial clue, he quickly spoke "You don't need to sully your name for our sakes Your Highness, this pain is all but temporary" he said, in attempt to keep the prince from revealing what he found out.
Minister Gi chimed in, stating something about the prince: "Your Highness, maybe the prince is in league with these traitors, maybe he needs to be interrogated as well, seeing how much he tries to save his masters."
Jin-Ri noticed how the prince's arm tensed, she tightened her grip on him again, and this calmed the prince down
"The prince shall demonstrate his allegiance to me," the King proclaimed, causing a hush to fall over the crowd as they awaited his next command. "He will personally execute the traitors!"
Young-Sik's eyes widened in horror at the order given to him. Infuriated, he replied, "Brother, you know they are innocent! They were not just trusted advisors; they were friends of our father!"
"How dare you speak to me so disrespectfully in front of my subjects!" the King bellowed; his fury intense like fire.
Queen Ji-Hye strode in confidently, asserting, "If the prince will not comply of his own volition, then we must take a more persuasive approach." She then directed the guards with a cold command: "Take the girl and execute her if the prince refuses to obey his Highness's orders."
Young-Sik swiftly moved to shield Jin-Ri, brandishing his sword at the soldiers who threatened her. "I will tear apart anyone who lays a finger on her!" he warned, making it clear that he would not stand idly by while she was in danger.
"Enough of this insanity!" Minister Shin yelled, his voice strained but resolute.
Young-Sik turned to his mentor, feeling the chill of his words extinguish the fire of anger within him. He stepped closer to his restrained masters, and not a single soul dared to intervene. "This isn't just, master. You three are not to blame for my father's death," he declared, his gaze fixed on them.
The sight of their battered forms filled him with sorrow. Their faces were marred with bruises, their eyes puffy, their noses fractured, and their lips torn and stained with blood.
In a gravelly tone, marred by painful coughs that expelled blood, Minister Im spoke to his student, "Our lives are insignificant, Your Highness; your safety is what truly counts." He halted, another spasm causing him to cough violently. "You cannot afford to lose your honor; the people are counting on you, Chiongsun needs your strength."
His attention shifted to Jin-Ri, understanding the connection they had. "The prince is the guiding light this somber nation desperately needs. Watch over him, and ensure he remains on the right path amidst the shadows." Jin-Ri bowed her head and offered a sad smile in response to Minister Im's request.
Young-Sik fell to his knees, his hands bearing into the dirt. "I can't do it, master! I refuse!" he shouted at his mentors.
"Listen to your teachers, my student," Minister Shin weakly implored the prince. "You can and you will! Even if you don't follow his wishes, we will still face execution, but you... You will be seen as a traitor and left to waste away in a desolate dungeon. You have to protect the Kingdom; your brother cannot do it—only you can. Get up and defend the Kingdom, starting with her. NOW, PICK UP YOUR SWORD AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!"
"So, Prince Young-Sik, what will it be? The traitors' lives or the life of your devoted servant? I swear, if you defy my command, I will unleash my entire army on her. You will witness her being torn to shreds, no matter how many you slay," Man-Ju declared with a wicked voice.
With determination, Young-Sik took hold of his sword and stood tall, gently releasing Jin-Ri's grasp on his arm. He raised his blade and cut through the restraints binding his master.
"What's going on? Why did you let them go?" Man-Ju asked, his anger palpable. "Eliminate them now, strike them down from behind like the traitors they are!"
"If they are to perish today, they will do so as free men!" Young-Sik proclaimed defiantly, his voice sending a shiver down the King. Clenching his teeth, he observed Young-Sik helping his masters rise. "I will not attack them from behind; they are noble men and honorable heroes."
Young-Sik sheathed his sword and turned to face his masters, a sly smile creeping across Minister Lim's face as he envisioned a future where Chiongsun was under his control. "The rift between the brothers deepens, soon they will destroy each other and whoever is left standing...I will trample on. The throne is nearly within my grasp, I will finally restore my family's power!"
Bowing deeply, he made a grave promise, "You will be honored as heroes, all of you," while his gaze drifted toward the northern gates.
Minister Shin and Minister Im looked at their student one last time, a mix of pride and sorrow glistening in their eyes. "It is our honor to die by your hands, your Highness," The ministers said as they bowed to the prince. With a deep breath, Young-Sik closed his eyes and, in a single, fluid motion, drew his sword and executed a swift, powerful strike. He aimed for the necks of his two masters, severing their major blood vessels to ensure they met a quick end, sparing them from any suffering.
The prince let his sword fall, rushing to catch his master's lifeless body before it hit the ground. He gently laid his masters down, noting the calm and peaceful expressions on their faces. A wave of memories washed over him, recalling moments with his masters:
How Minister Shin had chased him for accidentally stepping on his master's foot, only to later hoist him onto his shoulders in a moment of forgiveness.
How Minister Go had splashed water on him for dozing off while helping in the clinic, yet allowed him to hold his infant son as his wife sang and clapped joyfully.
How Minister Im would tug at his ear whenever he got a concept wrong, and how he would sneak behind him to avoid a scolding.
A torrential downpour began to drench the capital, prompting the King and his ministers to seek refuge within the palace walls, while the rest of the populace hurriedly searched for shelter. The streets lay deserted, and the market was silent. The northern gates stood eerily vacant. In the courtyard, despite the cold, only Jin-Ri remained by the prince's side. She approached him gently, knelt in front of the prince, and tenderly held Young-Sik's face in her hands.
"I'm here, Yong, I'm here. Everything...everything will be okay. It's not your fault, Yong. They did what they had to do to protect you. Please, stay strong; your country needs you, the people are looking to you... I need you," she implored, her voice filled with emotion. Jin-Ri held the prince tightly, wanting him to know that she would never leave his side. As Young-Sik finally raised his arms to embrace her, the weight of his grief overwhelmed him, and he broke down, mourning the three men he had loved as fathers.
While the couple remained blissfully unaware, two pairs of watchful eyes glared at them, brimming with jealousy and scorn. "He is mine!" Lady Ji-Hye muttered under her breath, her fists clenching in a mix of rage and dark desire. She then approached her father, "Father, I want you to get rid of that court maiden!"
"One thing at a time, my daughter, I will do as you wish. But for now, it is the perfect time to get rid of your mother-in-law," Minister Lim grinned as he stroked his chin
The following day, Young-Sik was granted a private audience with the King. "Why was Minister Go executed without a proper trial and in my absence?" He questioned the King
"I don't need you or a proper trial to execute our father's killer" The King shot back at him "Especially if I hold damning evidence"
"The stained spoon? Man-Ju, you're better than this. Have you even verified if it was real?" Young-Sik asked, his voice having a hint of suspicion
The question caught Man-Ju off guard, considering he was the one who killed Minister Go so that he could hold on to the power of a King. Instead of answering, he asserted the fact that he was the King.
"I'd like to point out that I am the King, and you are simply a prince," Man-Ju snapped back. However, Young-Sik's calm demeanor in response only fueled Man-Ju's irritation further.
Annoyed, Man-Ju lifted his hand, ready to strike at Young-Sik, but the prince remained calm, giving the King a sidelong glare. The fierce look in Young-Sik's eyes made Man-Ju reconsider his approach. He looked around, remembering that two of them were alone.
"You ought to appreciate my mercy as your King," he said, though he was increasingly unnerved by his younger brother's fierce expression. "What do you want at this early hour?"
Young-Sik confronted the situation head-on, saying, "I demand the remains of the three ministers and Minister Go's family." There was no room for subtlety in his request.