Chapter 84:

Chapter 84:

Chapter 84

The dim light of the borderlight resembled a full moon.

The streets of Gyeongseong were covered with thick fog.

The crickets chirped, expressing Baek Muyeols complicated feelings.

An owl perched on a cherry blossom branch, its eyes shining as it watched the two people.

They were Baek Muyeol and Kang Heesoo.

Please hurry.

Kang Heesoo asked in a trembling voice, in response to Baek Muyeols question.

Cant you come with me?

The agents of the Governor-Generals Office have already stormed the palace. We cant let them capture all the members of the Gyeongseong Righteous Army. Im already exposed, and I cant escape from Joseon. If I go with you, youll be identified too.

Still.

Come on! Dont you remember the oath we made together? This stubborn life, lets at least save one of us and reclaim the spring of Joseon!

Baek Muyeol held Kang Heesoos trembling hand and smiled.

He looked different from his usual confident and witty self as a modern boy.

He took off the watch on his wrist and handed it to Kang Heesoo. Then he said in a calm voice.

Use this to pay for your trip to Manchuria. Im sorry this is all I can give you. Thank you for everything. I wish we could have met in a better world, in a different way.

Baek Muyeol sent her off with a bow and turned around hastily. He headed to his ancestral home.

His family, which was once a wealthy and influential clan in Gyeongseong, was now in ruins, as if a typhoon had swept through it.

The gate was broken, and the dirt floor was stained with blood.

The agents were standing with torches, even though it was midnight.

Chun-sam, who was covered in blood, looked at Baek Muyeol with a shocked expression. His eyes seemed to say,

Why did you come here, young master?

Then the lieutenant who was beating Chun-sam mercilessly walked over and checked Baek Muyeols face.

Youre a big shot, arent you? I thought you had abandoned your family and run away from Gyeongseong. I never dreamed you would come back on your own. I dont have to waste any more manpower to chase you down. Do you know who I am?CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Youre nothing but a pig who has lost his pride as a Joseon person. Yeah, you became a lapdog of Japan and got the rank of lieutenant. Are you satisfied with that? Lieutenant Kim Daegyeong, or should I call you Hiroshi now?

Huh, you seem to know the structure of the Governor-Generals Office very well. Youre still so mouthy even in front of death. But there is a way out if you want to live. Tell me right now where Kim Sangok is, and Ill report it to the higher-ups and get you a pardon. Its better to rot in prison for a few years than to die from torture.

Baek Muyeol was unfazed by Hiroshis harsh threat.

Do you know? Even now, there are comrades who share our goal dying in Manchuria. I heard that our comrades fought against Japans Mukden Army in Fengwudong. Thats why our comrades are suffering from torture in the basement of Seodaemun Prison. How can I sell out their names just to save myself? So.

He couldnt finish his sentence, as Hiroshi swung his baton and hit Baek Muyeols shoulder.

You wont get anything out of me, even if you take me away. You Japanese dog.

***

A month ago.

I can understand why you chose Jang Youngguk as the male lead, Baek Muyeol. But do you really need a rookie for the female lead too?

Actor Lee Changhoon asked the playwright Jeong Yongdae, who nodded briefly.

He knew why Lee Changhoon was worried.

They were both new actors. Jang Youngguk was a sensation last year, so he was a good choice for publicity. But the latter was uncertain.

Especially since she had never been on a stage before, let alone a child actor.

Just read the script to the end.

Jeong Yongdae handed him the script without a word.

As Lee Changhoon read the script, his eyes sparkled.

Soon, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

The main plot of the script was this. Baek Muyeol, the best playboy in Joseon, seduced women with his sweet words.

In their eyes, sadness and anger were mixed.

On the stage, Baek Mu-yeol was being tortured. His appearance reminded them of the hardships of the real independence fighters in the past.

What a stubborn bastard. He doesnt give up even after his fingernails and toenails are all pulled out, and his fingers are cut off one by one. Is this really the Parak-ho who is famous in the streets of Gyeongseong? He is the most bull-headed among the righteous army members I have ever met.

The jailer sprinkled water on Baek Mu-yeol, who had lost consciousness.

Baek Mu-yeol regained his senses and glared at the jailer with his teeth clenched.

The jailer spat out his saliva as if he was disgusted and turned away.

Just then, another jailer entered the torture room to take turns.

Sowujiro, how is it? Did he talk?

Not a word, not a word. He doesnt say anything, even though he didnt cut his tongue. He doesnt even make a groan, even if we pull out his nails or cut his fingers. We have to find out where the remaining traitors are hiding from his mouth right now.

At that moment, Baek Mu-yeols eyes widened like lanterns.

Where did you get that watch!

The new jailer looked at Baek Mu-yeol with a puzzled look.

This watch? I see youre not a mute after all. Why are you coveting a watch while youre dying?

Baek Mu-yeols pupils were shaking violently.

The watch that the jailer was wearing was none other than the one he had given to Kang Hee-soo.

The scratches on the surface of the watch, as well as the engraving of his seal, were clear. The jailer, seeing the change in Baek Mu-yeols calm demeanor, scratched it and bragged.

It was worn by a woman who was captured a few days ago, a righteous army member. She was a fine woman. I would have liked to keep her as a concubine, but how could I keep such a vicious woman as a concubine. She kept the watch in her bosom, so I snatched it away.

What, what happened to that woman.

She would have lived longer if she was a traitor like you, but she was frail. She collapsed after a few beatings.

Then what happened to her!

What happened, shes already buried under the outhouse. But how dare you raise your voice like that!

The jailer beat Baek Mu-yeol again.

Baek Mu-yeol, who was tied to a chair and endured the harsh beating with his eyes wide open, bit the jailers wrist with all his strength.

He couldnt bear to look at the wrist that was wearing his watch.

The jailer screamed and finally pulled the trigger on Baek Mu-yeols head.

Bang!

The stage went dark with the gunshot.

-If people like me become dirt and dust, piled up one by one, maybe someday spring will come to this barren land of Joseon. So lets have a cup of coffee and chat in the next life. Then there will be the scent of spring in Joseon. I, Baek Mu-yeol, will only look at you for a lifetime then. So dont be sad. I dont want to leave you with just painful memories.

The stage lit up again with Baek Mu-yeols calm voice.

It was the street of Gyeongseong.

There were no Japanese wearing clogs, nor the building of the Governor-General of Joseon.

A modern boy in a black suit and a fedora was standing on the sunny street of Gyeongseong.

He looked like he was waiting for someone, looking at his wristwatch and adjusting his clothes.

Soon, a woman got off a rickshaw.

The woman who got off the rickshaw was Kang Hee-soo, wearing a pure white hanbok.

She reached out her hand shyly to Baek Mu-yeol.

He took her hand and was about to walk with her.

Baek Mu-yeol looked at the audience with a calm and sorrowful gaze.

There

And,

Has spring come to Joseon.

The play was over.