Chapter 1
Goodbye To You
Chapter 1
The hour of the Joseon Dynasty
was 1797.
In the village of Hahoe, Individuals gathered early in the morning at the funeral, the last goodbye to the dead, and misfortune in Kim’s family. They have suffered a great loss, a friend or family member whom they will only be able to see in their dreams.
From the distance, Kim Shik looked at the grave with lament and worry in his heart. His dry eyes were tired of the tears, however. There was nothing left to empty rather than emotions. He is not good at expressing himself or would prefer not to show it. How could he? He’s the royal commander and maintained his image as brutal throughout the years. The people who realized his thoughtful nature turned out to be close to him.
He’s broken on the inside, and his mind is blank. He just couldn’t feel any sympathy, he just couldn’t hear them all or he doesn’t want to, the destructive noise driving him away from his blank space where he is for the time being. He doesn’t want to accept reality, but he had to watch everything in front of him, and he couldn’t deny that he lost someone today.
’Everyone is guilty. No one could stay clean in this world, regardless of how hard you tried to go straight, and they wouldn’t let you. This world was designed to distract you, to make you filthy, and to keep you dirty for a long time. Even minor sins are included in the circle of sins. You can’t run or escape, but only you can save yourself.
If You are standing in the middle of the cyclone, which is impossible because the cyclone would kill you if you didn’t move, or you will fly with the cyclone, which you can’t avoid. Even if you run, you will perish because you cannot outrun a cyclone. You will face difficulty in every situation; there is no need to resist.
But we thought we knew the solution and spent our entire lives looking for it; this is called hope, and its process keeps us active and moving forward. Hope is the only thing that can keep us alive. How can I stay alive when I’m losing hope?′
Kim Shik watches his daughter So Hyun sitting a good way off, away from individuals. She isn’t looking great yet and is feverish.
4 hours of flashback Prior.
Around midnight, 17 years old Ma Jun, places a wet towel on the forehead of his 14-year-old sister Kim So Hyun to keep her fever down. She is calling her mother in her sleep. Ma Jun has no real reason to play other than to meet her inflated expectations. He said his mother would be here soon, but he couldn’t say when she would return.
He comes out of the room, anxiously trusting that his father will return with the uplifting news about his mother.
He is a handsome young man dressed in traditional Korean attire (Hanbok) His hair was pulled into a topknot and held in place with a manggeon headband. His looks are more similar to his mom’s; large earthy-colored eyes, and a long molded face with a sharp facial structure. His thyroid cartilage makes him more alluring.
He was lost in thought, and Kim Shik intervened with his entrance. the blood drops were falling on the floor and he realized that he needed to answer his son yet couldn’t track down words too unadulterated.
Kim Shik’s armor is still stained with blood, and his sword is with the fresh blood of the criminal he killed. His hair was tangled in a manggeon bun. There are a few dry blood drops on his face, and wounds can be seen on his body.
However, Ma Jun was more concerned about his mother.
The main inquiry Ma Jun asked was about his mom.
“She is coming,” Kim Shik said in a dead voice.
Despite having some expectations, Ma Jun was perplexed by Kim Shik’s red puffy eyes. Since his father was nearby, he felt content and looked around to see if his mother was still there. A few military officers carried her to the deathbed and laid her body down.
Ma Jun went insane and couldn’t process it, unsure whether it was true or a deception. The truth is that he would prefer not to accept it. His chest pounds as if it’s about to explode. Time slowed as the heart rate increased. Every second counts and the clock is ticking like a bomb. Every minute appears to be a decade. It’s no longer in his power to appear sober.
His legs tremble as he walks toward his mother. The primary thing he has seen is the thumb of his mother’s foot. There is a blood drop on it. He halted there before pushing ahead to the finish. He lost his energy abruptly. He can’t inhale, and his chest turns out to be heavy as he begins crying openly.
Kim Shik doesn’t express a word
while standing at a distance.
′ One wrong choice can annihilate you in seconds regardless of whether you were building yourself for a long time. One mistake can ruin your life. Even a small one.
One pinch could cause you pain, You could die. It’s not about the small or big, but the pain you feel. ′
Kim Shik has a lament, as he was unable to save his wife.
′ That’s the road I am walking on.
Any place I go, she will be with me like a shadow regardless of whether she is no more. The pain could cause death for me one day, it seems. How am I going to live with this? How am I going to live with the fact that she isn’t here yet around me? ′
Flashback: A couple of hours prior, Yesterday Night. At the military camp.
Kim Shik, his military commandant, has the intimidating personality of a required officer, with a brown complexion tone, long hair tied up all hair into a bun (topknot), his tall height, wide shoulders, and a strolling style that makes his adversary uncomfortable.
He won limitless fights. He was the most awful foe of his adversaries. He is well known for his fierce demonstrations toward individuals who at any point attempt to challenge him. They face death.
Kim shik plotted strategies on the massive map to attack the specific area held by Bandit. In the strained circumstances going on, fighters are preparing for the fight. They wear protective layers and take their blades. Kim Shik attempts to quiet himself down before going to his bosses. Before Kim Shik talks, they better tell him to take a rest.
“How is it that I could remain behind? They have my wife! ” Kim Shik said.
“That is the reason you want to remain. They just need you there, every one of them,” the superior said.
Kim Shik knew that he was the real target of his enemies, yet his wife was the only bait to trap him. His enemies don’t leave any way to bring him down. This is their chance. They have a strong web to trap Kim.
Kim Shik has no other option but to go there, even after knowing that his death is waiting for him there.
His pride isn’t allowing him to sit back or hide away, but simultaneously he is going on a mission, even in a risky manner.
When King Shin Jung approaches, the entire army kneels, and the higher Official commanders bow to the current King Shi Jung. King was dressed in red silk robes. The embroidered dragon royal insignia was sewn onto the robe’s shoulders, chest, and back.
Kim shik has the support of King Shi Jung, and King Shi Jung has the best commander. For them, this is a win-win situation.
Ruler Shi Jung arrived in North Chungcheong Province from Hanyang because the situation was massive and had been going on for a long time. Ruler Shi Jung is concerned about Kim’s safety, not because he is powerless, but because he is constantly besieged by adversaries.
“They need their vengeance, that’s what you know,” ruler Shi Jung said.
“I would rather not regret it later. I don’t care if I die trying.” Kim Shik said.
“You are my best man and I trust you. Don’t die,” Ruler Shi Jung said.
“I will return your highness.” Kim Shik said.
Around 100 criminals control the region, with no one else present.
They’re all in their positions, keeping an eye out for enemies. unkempt hair in a topknot bun, long nails, yellow teeth, dirt on the face, and a filthy way of life.
Many criminals are included in the group. They have been stealing people’s belongings and kidnapping people to sell them as slaves to make more money. This business is currently on the verge of becoming obsolete. Profitable businesses for those with power or significant support in their favor have been operating without hesitation because they have the backing of higher authority.
People aren’t safe in their towns, and they can’t go about their daily lives because they are aware of the danger ahead. People are outraged by this gang of bandits, who are all legends, well-trained and skilled thieves, and criminals.
Kim Shik caught and hanged their leader a few years ago, and their rivalry lasted for years. They can’t do their work easier because they have to face Kim Shik, and they’ve lost business because Kim Shik is chasing them.
Yet again, today is the day of judgment. They will win or Kim Shik will overwhelm them. They knew that Kim Shik would come to rescue his wife at any cost. They set the heavy snare, thinking they were ready for battle.
In the meantime, Kim Shik and his military with weapons sneaked into the region around midnight. He quietly makes his rivals oblivious as they are the most incredible in covertness. Kim and his military are thoroughly prepared.
They begin the battle with swords in full swing after one of the members alarmed everyone. Kim Shik Several times during the battle, he saved his teammates. Kim Shik has killed many people without hesitation.
He searches the town for his wife but finds no trace of her.
He searches the area more thoroughly. During the process, he was badly injured when a group of bandits attacked him, Alone Kim, but he fought like he wasn’t going to give up until his last breath.
