Chapter 81:

Chapter 81:

Chapter 81

As the modernization period () began, rickshaw pullers () also appeared in large numbers on the streets of Gyeongseong.

Unlike the carts that required several people to carry, the rickshaws were cheap and had no restrictions on the status of the passengers.

Thats why the courtesans used them as their main means of transportation.

Chunsam, do you see that woman waiting for a rickshaw over there?

Baek Muyeol pointed at a woman who was waiting for a rickshaw in a corner of Gyeongseong street with a smirk. Chunsam, his house slave, nodded briefly.

Yes, I see her. She doesnt look like a Korean by the way shes dressed.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Listen, this is what you have to do. Go to where that woman is waiting and tell all the rickshaw pullers not to take her. It shouldnt be too hard since its the time when the flowers are in bloom at the palace.

What, thats not a difficult task if you have the masters authority in Gyeongseong, but are you trying to seduce that woman this time?

Go on.

Urged by Baek Muyeol, Chunsam (Ji Dongyeon) scratched his head and ran off. The woman in shoes waited for a long time, but no rickshaw came. She tapped her feet and looked around nervously. She was told that she could get a rickshaw here, but the rickshaws were either full or already reserved. Then it happened.

Creak.

A rickshaw stopped in front of her. But there was already someone in the rickshaw. As she felt disappointed, the man in the rickshaw asked her.

Where are you going?

The woman flinched at the sudden voice, but soon smiled at the soft Japanese that followed.

Are you Japanese?

No, Im Korean. I asked you in Japanese because you looked like a Japanese by your outfit. But cant you speak Korean?

I can. But why are you talking to me?

The man, Baek Muyeol, explained in Korean with a gentle smile.

I felt sorry for her as I saw her waiting for a rickshaw at this hour. She must not know that this is the time when the courtesans are busy moving around, so there are no rickshaws left on the streets of Gyeongseong. If you dont mind, I can take you to your destination. There is enough room for two people, after all.

No, I cant do that. How can I go with someone I just met?

Very well, then I will give up.

Why?

Baek Muyeol took out a handkerchief from his pocket and neatly laid it on the seat before getting off the rickshaw. She was startled by his sudden kindness, but her heart fluttered at his next words."

I have no ulterior motive. I just want to help someone in trouble. And if that someone is such a beautiful lady, I have no reason to refuse.

Baek Muyeol took the womans hand and helped her onto the rickshaw. He then took off his bamboo hat and said.

The womans heart skipped a beat as she saw his face without the hat. He smiled faintly, as if he knew how she felt, and said.

My name is Baek Muyeol.

My name is

Thats enough. Tell me next time. If fate brings us together again, that is. Hurry and take care of the young lady.

Baek Muyeol tipped the rickshaw driver and the rickshaw moved along the streets of Gyeongseong.

The woman on the rickshaw kept glancing back at the receding figure of Baek Muyeol. Soon, the rickshaw was out of sight and Chun Sam appeared.

Master, who is that woman?

"She was a lonely flower, trapped in a cage, and a blades accessory in Joseon, where everything was sharp and ruthless. She always dreamed of escaping her fate. Sometimes, she would sneak into the literary salon in Gyeongseong and read books before returning. Just like now.

Did he really wander around the street of the literary salon for half a month, morning and night, just to catch a glimpse of her?

And if I did?

No, sir. Who is she to you that you would go to such lengths?

You should have figured it out by now. Her name is Misaki, a lady who speaks Joseon fluently and has a keen interest in Joseon literature.

But the direction the rickshaw was heading

Its the Joseon Governor-Generals Office. Whats so strange about that?

Isnt it obvious? How many women would go to the Joseon Governor-Generals Office at this hour?

Theres nothing strange about it. That woman is

Chunsams eyes widened as he heard the rest of the sentence.

Shes the only daughter of the Governor-General, Derauchi Arasuke.

***

From behind the curtain, Yeon-soo looked at the stage of Young-guk.

She had done countless run-throughs, but she never felt as nervous as she did for the actual performance.

The pressure of the many eyes watching her was overwhelming, unlike the drama set she was used to.

-But sir, why do you want to lure out a Japanese girl named Misaki?

-Does she look dangerous to you?

-Being the only daughter of the governor-general of Joseon, I knew the dangers were not trivial. If anything went wrong, even my father could be affected by the consequences.

At that moment, Baek Mu-yeol, who was on the stage, looked at the audience and added.

-The more dangerous, the more attractive, right? Just like those roses that are scattered over there.

The female fans who filled the seats at the Adelphi Theatre in London screamed uncontrollably.

Mu-yeol?

Can you lend me your hand for a moment? It would be easier to get over this place.

How did you get here, and who do you think I am?

Baek Mu-yeol, who came in through the window, straightened his clothes and explained.

Do you mean to say that you are the only daughter of the Governor-General of Joseon, Derauchi Arasuke? I came here to find a woman named Misaki.

How did you know my name?

It didnt take long to find out the name of such a beautiful woman. A woman wearing shoes and a Western-style outfit is not common on the streets of Gyeongseong. Dont you know why I came here today?

At that, Misaki spoke with a voice mixed with panic and anxiety.

If you came in here recklessly, you would not get away with it.

There is no greater pain than not meeting you. Dont worry. Besides, the Governor-General is also out today. Just in case, I bribed the police officers who are patrolling and also prepared someone who is watching my back. But since you seem to be in trouble today, Ill leave for now.

Wait a minute.

Misaki grabbed Baek Mu-yeols hem with a restless expression.

I heard rumors about you. They say you have a fiance. Is that true? And that you spread scandalous stories with many women.

Baek Mu-yeol took off his hat. Under the hat, his eyes were filled with deep longing. He spoke with a lonely voice.

I once had to get engaged because of my fathers pressure. I was a child of Soshitsu. My mother, who was known to the world, could not bear a child, so my father brought a young girl from the neighborhood and made her give birth. That was me. But I had a twin sister who was born with me. My father, fearing that she would be a blemish in the future, abandoned the newborn baby in the mountains, I heard. I wandered around with resentment towards my father and guilt towards my sister. But my feelings for you are sincere. I felt that my rebellion turned into love the moment I met you.

Meanwhile, Chun-sam, who had supported his back under the wall, muttered to himself.

What are you talking about? I saw with my own eyes that our young master was born because his mother was full. Youre lying again. Youre not the best playboy in Joseon, youre a novelist. A novelist.

****

As soon as Chun-sam finished speaking, a loud laughter erupted from the audience.

In one corner of the seats, director Shin Seong-hyun was also watching the stage as a spectator.

Amazing.

It was a completely different sight from what he had felt at the movie set.

Director Shin thought that Young-guk was an actor specialized in filming. It was natural, since he had mastered the use of voice and movement in film shooting. But the appearance on the stage was as good as any seasoned theater actor.

How can a person change so much?

The contrast between the young priests appearance he had seen in the movie Priest Confession and the current appearance of the best playboy in Joseon was striking. Not only the voice and tone, but also the accent and expression were as if he was seeing a different person.

The actors on the stage were excellent, as well as the direction. He had heard that the stage director was Girin-a, who was well-known in the theater scene. As if to prove his words, he perfectly recreated the streets of Gyeongseong. He expressed the gradual infiltration of foreign colors into Joseon, which was called the nation of white clothes in the late Joseon period, with a faint light and a red sunset.

Director, at this rate, Young-guk will be more popular than our movie before it even opens.

Kim Seok-cheol, the assistant director who came to watch the play with him, whispered in a small voice. Director Shin smiled silently.

In fact, when he first visited the stage, he doubted whether Young-guk would fit well with the stage.

Thats how different movies and plays are. But he had to admit that he was wrong.

The cheeky playboy he showed on the stage erased the young priests image as if it was a lie.

A great actor was born.

Director Shin Seong-hyun felt it as he watched Young-guks performance. He was sure that Priest Confession would cause a sensation in Korea as soon as it was released.

The finished film was more than his script deserved. But before that, Young-guk would surprise Korea with his role in the Korean Theater Festival. Not as a movie actor, but as a theater actor. Look at him, who could say he was a novice on the stage?

He acted like a perfect playboy, with his cheeky voice and gestures, and his jokes and ad-libs that he threw at the audience from time to time.

They were so skillful that it was hard to tell if they were scripted or improvised. Just like now.

-But, young master, why do you want to seduce a Japanese girl named Misaki?

-Why does it look dangerous to you?

-Well, shes the only daughter of the governor-general of Joseon. Its not a small risk. If something goes wrong, it could even affect the lord.

Then, Baek Mu-yeol on the stage explains to the audience.

-The more dangerous it is, the more attractive it is. Just like those roses over there, spreading out in a mess.

The female fans who filled the seats with Young-guks ad-lib screamed without hesitation.