YCHW Ch 35

Passing the hall where the dragon statue stood and entering further, they came upon a sizable pavilion. As they stepped into its courtyard, a priest dressed in pristine white robes approached and greeted them courteously.

“What brings you here?”

Though he appeared nonchalant, Yoonso sensed the priest observing Hwi. Hwi casually surveyed the surroundings before speaking.

“I’m considering making a donation.”

“Oh! Is that so?”

At the mention of a donation, the priest’s face visibly brightened. Money really was everything. Yoonso felt a bitter pang, thinking he wouldn’t have been allowed entry if he’d come alone.

The priest led Hwi and Yoonso into the pavilion. With a tone of pride, he showed them the spaces where priests prayed and practiced. Nothing seemed particularly suspicious, and Yoonso began to wonder if he’d doubted the wrong place when Hwi stopped while walking down a long corridor.

“Go out and offer a prayer.”

“What? Oh… yes, I understand.”

Realizing Hwi was giving him a chance to explore alone, Yoonso quickly bowed as if seeing him off.

After Hwi and the priest moved away, the surroundings grew quiet. The pavilion seemed sparsely populated for its size. Yoonso cautiously stepped forward and opened the door to a nearby room.

Finding nothing unusual, he headed toward another room when he heard approaching footsteps from the opposite direction. Panicking, he looked around and hurriedly slipped into the nearest room.

Carefully closing the door and holding his breath, he was startled by a rustling sound behind him and turned. The room appeared to be a library, filled with bookshelves and racks, and someone holding a book was staring at him, seemingly in the middle of organizing.

A thin white cloth covered their head and half their face, revealing only their eyes. Judging by their height and build, they seemed to be a child not yet in their mid-teens. The visible eyes showed clear alarm, so Yoonso forced a gentle expression and brought a finger to his lips.

The footsteps outside grew closer. Yoonso bit his lip, signaled to the child with his eyes, and hid behind a bookshelf. At that moment, the door opened, and someone entered.

“Was it you?”

A man’s gruff voice rang out. From Yoonso’s view, only the child’s profile was visible. As he frantically thought of how to respond if the child revealed him, the child nodded without glancing his way.

“Yes. I was organizing books.”

“Good. Handle them carefully.”

“Yes.”

The man left, and the door closed, leaving silence. Feeling cold sweat on his neck, Yoonso swallowed a sigh. Waiting until it was completely quiet outside, he emerged, and the child turned to him.

“I… I’m not a strange person. I’m just looking for someone.”

“Who are you looking for that you snuck in like this?”

“Well…”

The child’s eyes seemed vaguely familiar. Yoonso racked his memory, recalling the portrait he’d seen.

“How long have you been here?”

“…May I ask why you’re curious?”

“Did you come here willingly?”

The child clutched the book and stepped back. The defensive posture sparked a flash of certainty in Yoonso’s mind. To emphasize he meant no harm, he raised both hands.

“You left family behind, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“There’s someone looking for you.”

“That’s impossible.”

It was unclear if the child genuinely believed that or was lying. Yoonso bit his lip and sighed. If only he’d asked for that woman’s name…!

“Oh! The red knotted cord! Do you know the teahouse with the red knotted cord?”

“…”

“I’m telling the truth—someone’s looking for you. They don’t even know you were taken.”

A flicker of emotion shimmered in the child’s eyes. The child, who had stepped back, came closer to Yoonso.

“But… I was sold to pay off a debt…”

“No way! If that were true, would your sister be wandering around with a portrait of your face?”

The child’s confused expression tugged at Yoonso’s heart. He gently patted their head and knelt to meet their eyes.

“How many other children are here besides you?”

“Including me, three. I haven’t been here long. There were two others, but I heard they were taken elsewhere.”

“Alright. I’ll figure out a way to get you out, so don’t let on and wait. Can you do that?”

The child gripped the book tightly and nodded vigorously. Despite tears welling up, they held them back, and Yoonso, impressed yet pitying, patted their shoulder.

“Will you tell me your name?”

“Hyungseo.”

“Alright, Hyungseo. I’ll come for you soon, so wait a little.”

He couldn’t linger any longer and had to part ways. Yoonso gave the child a reassuring smile, checked for sounds outside, and left the library.

The corridor was silent. The child’s tearful face weighed heavily on him. Pondering how to resolve the situation, he quickened his steps.

Just as he exited the pavilion and began to relax, he encountered a priest approaching. The priest scrutinized Yoonso, asking suspiciously.

“Who are you?”

“Oh, my master said he’d make a donation, so I’m waiting.”

“Here?”

“Is that not allowed?”

Yoonso feigned innocence with a guileless expression. Confident he didn’t look suspicious, he maintained his composure, but his heart raced. Was it fear of his lie being exposed or anger toward these people? He couldn’t tell.

The priest alternated glances between Yoonso’s face and attire, tilting his head as if something was off. Yoonso grew anxious, wondering why the priest wouldn’t just move on. As the priest furrowed his brow and opened his mouth, a voice came from behind.

“What are you doing there?”

Hwi’s voice felt like a lifeline from the heavens. Unable to hide his relief, Yoonso turned.

“You’re out, sir!”

“I told you to pray, but it seems you’re slacking off.”

“It’s awkward to admit in a shrine, but sitting still makes me restless…”

Scratching his head and grinning sheepishly, Yoonso saw Hwi click his tongue before walking ahead. The priest followed, bidding Hwi farewell courteously, the suspicion in his face completely gone.

“Your lying has improved.”

As soon as they left the shrine, Hwi’s comment made Yoonso glance back and sigh in relief. But when had he lied before? While recalling, another thought struck, and he asked abruptly.

“Did you really make a donation?”

“Yes.”

“Not too much, I hope?”

“By your standards, probably a lot.”

Yoonso could now tell Hwi was teasing him. Ignoring it lightly, he clamped his mouth shut to contain his urge to share what he’d learned and quickened his pace.

Upon reaching the inn, he sat and waited for Hwi to take the opposite seat. Bursting with urgency, he watched Hwi leisurely call a servant instead of sitting.

“Anything you want to eat?”

“What? Now’s not the time for a meal.”

“Is there a specific time for eating? No wonder you’re so scrawny.”

“What… You’re just overly robust, sir.”

At the unexpected jab, Yoonso rubbed his arm defensively. He was sure he was average, not scrawny. Besides, traveling with Hwi and eating well, hadn’t he gained some weight?

While Yoonso examined himself, Hwi ordered a meal from the servant. When the servant left and Hwi sat, Yoonso spoke eagerly.

“I met a child at the shrine.”

As he explained what happened while Hwi gave him time alone, Hwi listened quietly and asked when he finished.

“So what do you want to do?”

“For now… I think we should report this to the Hwasichung.”

“The Hwasichung?”

Hwi’s eyes narrowed sharply. His reaction, unlike his earlier indifference, made Yoonso hesitate before nodding.

“Didn’t you see what happened to the grain meant for the poor during the drought? We don’t know what this shrine is connected to, so it’s better to seek help from the Hwasichung. It’s not far either.”

“Can you guarantee the Hwasichung is trustworthy?”

“Of course! Aren’t all Yongrin directly under His Majesty?”

“What does that matter? They’re far enough to line their own pockets unnoticed.”

“The Hwasichung has not only Yongrin but also Yeongchunhwa and the imperial guard. It’s impossible for them all to be corrupt together. And His Majesty cares for the weak, so his influence must reach them, and they won’t turn a blind eye.”