Shadows subsided as the burning light from the torches illuminated the surrounding bandits. Men in a full black cloak with eye masks. Surely, these people would not take a chance to be recognized by anyone. Could they be foreigners or sons of the province? Either way, these men were an immediate threat to Dae Wong and his group. The minister spread an arm, a quick signal for his men to scatter around (prepare themselves). Standing on his fighting position, Dae Wong confronted the unknown men, "Who are you?"

No response. Only a smooth whistle of the wind. "I said..." Before he could continue, one of the men screamed, leaving all stunned and off-guard. A signal to attack! Things went by rapidly and uncalculated. Dae Wong was not able to give proper instruction. As hwarangs, all they had to use was their warrior instincts. No more strategies where and who must be attacked. This was not a stage play rehearsal or a mere practice in their barracks. Their lives were at stake here. Just kill all enemies!

The clashing of swords destroyed the natural harmonies of the insects, like peals of temple bells clanking and ringing continuously. Attacks, blocks, kicks, punches, and stabs! The main plot line of the fantastic show. The moon seemed to had frowned upon them, his light shone faintly into the crevices of canopy trees. You destroyed peace to my view. Now, I'm going to confuse you.

Shing shing! Not more than five minutes had passed, and some enemies had wilted down from their family tree. Eyes wide open, throats slit, wrecked abdomens. The deities of the underworld were surely delighted to see such blood and gore.

As the fight continued, while everyone was busy dancing with the devils, unfortunately, a nangdo was stabbed in his abdomen. He fell down on his knees, and eventually to the ground.

"Minseok!" called Shun. His body moved like a tornado and twisted at the back of his current enemy, and gave him an intense slit at the throat. He was about to help the dying colleague but Dae Wong suddenly shouted, "Leave one or two of these bastards alive!" At the abrupt instruction, Shun shook his head and continued battling with the enemies. His rage fueled his blood and spirit, determined to finish their fight. His feet drifted into the ground and started attacking other men. Doubled energy traveled from his fists to the blunt of his sword. He was quicker, stronger, and viler.

"Yaaaaaahhh!"

All enemies fell into the ground as the dark mistress of death collected their rays of lives. As promised, three were left—generally, the weaker outliers perhaps. Shun's co-nangdos handled the wounded men, while he rushed to his dying colleague. "Minseok, Minseok. Can you hear me?" he put pressure on the poor nangdo's wound, blood bathing his hands.

A hoarse whisper came out from Minseok's lips, "Shun... Shun, I don't want to die yet."

"No, no. You won't die. We'll take you inside that palanquin. Just stay with us, alright?"

"Lord Dae Wong!" 

The minister and the panting nangdos ran to their waning comrade. With just one look, Dae Wong knew that the young nangdo would not be able to see tomorrow's sunlight. Pale face, bloody torso, short breaths—he hated to admit but who would survive that, considering they were in the middle of a dark, isolated mountain.

"Minseok, don't close your eyes. Stay with us."

Even with those kind encouraging words, the wounded nangdo has not escaped his unfortunate fate. His breathing got shallower and softer... and then there: a brave warrior has fallen. Shun closed his eyes and dropped his head, a small tear falling from his brown almond. Somehow, deep in his heart, he blamed himself. If he just practiced more—maybe if he was quicker and stronger, he could have killed that wretched man who ended his colleague's life. Even though Minseok was not as close to him like the way Sae Joo and Deok Cheol were, a portion of his heart collapsed. As the nangdo with advanced set of skills than his co-trainees, Shun thought that it was his obligation to apply every time the things he has learned, especially in times of battles. He felt like he was the default hero of his colleagues—that he should protect them, that no one should die whenever they were with him, that Minseok's death was his fault.

Dae Wong held Shun's shoulder, trying to console the sobbing man. "Shun, let's go. We have a burial to make and a trial to follow."

After a heavy exhale and the last drop of tear, Shun nodded, "Alright, Lord Dae Wong. We'll give Minseok a decent burial. These people should pay for what they did."

"They will, Shun. I'll make sure of that."

The blacksmith put in, "I am sorry to say this, but I think we need to go. These dead men here might serve as a warning call to those other out there."

Dae Wong made his final order, wrapping up their initial mission. Hopefully, that would be the last for the night since all of them were already drained after the fight. "Everyone, let's move out!"

Leaving the eerie mountains was the beginning of their journey to solve their problem. They went straight to the foot of the mountain, looked for a suitable spot, and buried their fallen nangdo. Short but sorrowful. They offered prayers, and the only witnesses that Minseok had on his burial were his co-trainees. Finally, he would be reunited with his parents.

~~•~~

Daylight peeked to the skies; the cicadas had taken their final bows, and the morning birds had warmed up to start their orchestra. Brown leaves fell into the ground, the chilling winds from the east drifting them away. Dae Wong and his men returned to the palace with the fat nobleman's palanquin and additional horses. Guards opened the gates for them, and they paraded into the grand courtyard. People glued their eyes into them, observing their worn-out clothes and dirty faces filled with blood patches. Royal court ladies exchanged whispers as they strolled away.

As they continued, they bumped into the King who was strolling peacefully, enjoying the morning sun. Jae Joong walked closer into them, eyes squinting, trying to recognize the familiar human figures. "Minister Dae Wong, what is this?"

"Sire, please call for an emergency council meeting."

"What's going on here?" Jae Joong craned his neck to the unfamiliar palanquin. "That's not yours, is it?"

"I will explain everything later, Sire."

As rapid as a waterfall, Jae Joong instructed the guards to deliver the message to all council members. He had the grand pavilion prepared. History in the King's term—this must be the earliest council meeting ever with an unknown agenda. After about half an hour, the council members started to arrive, bit by bit, their annoyed faces reddened under the sunlight as they climbed to the pavilion staircase.

Of course, Jung Ho was expected to come—more importantly, Jung Min. The father and son tandem arrived like true professionals, no bitter faces. Sae Joo followed then. Instead of being irritated, his face flashed worry and suspicion. The issue must be so important that it could not wait even after lunchtime. The Prince strode down the yellow carpet, up to his throne. Completing the line up was Jae Joong who arrived shortly after the Prince.

"Good morning everyone. Thank you for your compliance. You must be wondering why I called you this early morning. Well, we have an important matter to discuss... Minister Dae Wong?"

Dae Wong's team entrance was like a typical movie scenario. Heavy aura, silence enveloping the whole hall. Everyone craned their heads by the door. Shocked. Nangdos with disheveled hair and bloody appearance and an unknown commoner. The stench of dried blood reeking off the entire place, kicking the fragrant scent of their perfumes. But no... They were not the main attraction—it was their gifts, wrapped (tied) properly: the fat nobleman, his two guards, and the three assassins. Shun and his co-nangdos did the favor of offering them to the King and the council. They prodded them with their sword hilts; knees banged into the marble floor.

"Who are these people?" frowned Jae Joong.

"Exploiters," said Dae Wong calmly.

"Exploiters?"

"It saddens me to report this but Sangju Province has a growing scarcity of iron ores, and that is because of these people."

Jae Joong squinted, ready to listen more to the story. Dae Wong respectfully continued, "I visited the province yesterday to meet my trusted blacksmith. I wanted a new dagger. Then this blacksmith told me that the quality of his products are being compromised because the prices of raw iron ores have tripled. It's been happening for two weeks. So, we decided to storm the mining site of the province, and we are shocked to find out that there is an illegal hoarding and trading happening between this nobleman and the miners."

Indistinct chatter filled the entire hall; people were stunned about the minister's report, worried that the current condition might affect Seorabeol in no time. Jae Joong halted the random conversations as he commanded, "Silence!" He turned to the fat nobleman as he asked, "Is that true?"

The terrified nobleman lifted his head and nodded, "Yes." Then he suddenly spat, "But that's the only way to solve our problem. Please, spare my life, Your Majesty." he wiggled and tried to crawl forward, into the foot of Jae Joong's throne.

"He's from Balhae, Your Majesty." Dae Wong disclosed. A more shocking revelation. With that tiny piece of information, Jae Joong's eyes bulged out for a few seconds, and his heart skipped two beats.

"W-wh-what? Balhae?"

"Okjeo Province." detailed Dae Wong.

In the middle of the clouded tension, Jung Ho suddenly put in, suggesting a swift judgment. "Let's punish him right away, Sire. He already admitted it. We can't let this man exploit our people."

Dae Wong resumed, ignoring what Jung Ho said. "This is not just a simple act of exploitation, Sire. This nobleman is just a fraction of it. A piece of a bigger organization involved. These assassins serve as guards around the vicinity of the mining site. They kill people who'll discover their illegal operation."

"Is the governor aware of this? If it's been happening for two weeks, why were there no reports?" asked Jae Joong.

"Same thoughts, Sire. I hate to be driven by my prejudice but I think... the local government is involved with this."

"What do you suggest to do?"

"These assassins will serve as our baits. We need to go to four of these mining sites, attack these miners and traders, and capture them all. Then, we'll go straight to the governor and interrogate him. If we were successful in capturing those fools, might as well, we could collect statements and evidence to incriminate the real mastermind." explained Dae Wong.

Jung Ho seemed to be unconvinced with the minister's whole plan. It lacked something... Right! The nobleman. He wanted to punish that fat idiot right away without further investigation. His attention was more inclined with him than the assassins, the illegal hoarders, and the scarcity problem itself. He wanted to discuss his plan right away. "That's correct, Minister Dae Wong. The assassins buy, and our hwarangs bust them. Is that right?"

"Certainly, Prime Minister."

"How about this nobleman here? What are we going to do with him? Aren't you using him as well? How sure are you that these assassins will follow your orders? As far as I know, they're criminals, You can't trust them. They serve one master."

A rebuff that Dae Wong was caught off-guard. Certainly, he was not sure about the real identities of the assassins. Yes, they were not hwarangs, but who knows? They might had seen loyalty as a priceless thing the way hwarangs did.

"Well, if they won't help us, then we'll kill them."

"Only them? How about that stupid nobleman? Are you just going to let him go?"

"Of course not."

"Then punish him."

Dae Wong scoffed, sensing strange anxiety through Jung Ho's words. "He'll be punished... but not in Silla. Remember, he's not just a regular alien. He's a nobleman! We can't just taint our lands with foreign blood."

Jae Joong supported, "He's right. If we kill this man right here in our kingdom, there will be a war between Silla and Balhae."

"So what do you wish to do with him, Sire?" asked Jung Ho.

Jae Joong anchored a cold stare at his brother as he relaid his instructions. "Seems like we'll have a negotiation with them. Bring the Head of the Prosecution Department with you. You two, are going to Balhae."

Jung Min gritted his teeth in secret when he heard the King's order. He tried meeting eyes with his father, whose face was as frozen as ice. Why today of all days? he thought. He suddenly remembered all the efforts that he had done to solve the 'headband' mystery. While Dae Wong was away discussing his plans with Chil Yook, the Prosecution Head had already turned his plans into action—one by one. First, he went to the royal library to see the Hwarang Registry. Searching for Shun's superficial identity was as easy as one, two, three. A certain chapter was dedicated for the newly added palace hwarangs. List of their names, their designation, hometown, birthday, and name of parents. Kang Shun, Palace Nangdo, Kyeongpong Village, Sangju Province, born on the fourth month, 793. He was so close! If not for the urgent council meeting, Jung Min would have prepared for his journey to Sangju—ask around, find Shun's house.

He despised to admit it to himself but he really thought that Shun might somehow be related to the former Grand Marshal, the owner of the headband. He did not care how he managed to have a son, maybe he was adopted. Yes, adopted... possibly. That was not his main concern. What he wanted was to find Chil Yook, and he believed that Shun was his biggest key.

But now what? Another mission was about to delay his plan. If only he could decline, he would be glad to do so. He needed to follow the King or else everyone might become suspicious of him. He hid his disappointment and listened to the King.

Jae Joong resumed, "We'll do this as soon as possible. I want you to leave tomorrow morning. You've got a long journey ahead."

Jung Ho just bowed his head, submitting fully to the King's power. "As you say, Your Majesty."

"Good. Then, as for these assassins, should you accept our offer, I will spare your lives. Should you decline, I will have your heads."

Without having second thoughts or fires of fears through their eyes, all the assassins raised their heads and glowered at the King. Such disrespect! "Kill us!" a choir of tenors firmly bellowed.

Dae Wong raised a brow and sneered. "Fine. Then we shall handle you to the Prosecution Department."

"No need." declared Jae Joong. "Let's go straight to the point. Their actions were clear give-away of their stands. Take these insolent fools out of my sight. Tomorrow, hang them in the public square." The royal guards took the assassins. Like convicting hwarangs with dignity, surprisingly, it was smooth and quiet. It seemed like these men had already accepted their fate. They did everything they could to protect this master, and that person was the one the whole palace needed to know.

As these assassins feet dragged into the floor, Jae Joong watched them pensively, until the sight of those dirt plugs were history. "Minister Dae Wong, I'm giving you the power to lead this operation. Use our hwarangs to capture these people. Bring all of them to me!"

"Will do, Your Majesty."

"Now, do we still have any concerns?"

With all people's lips closed, Jae Joong finally concluded, "Alright. Meeting adjourned. Do my orders."

The council members bowed their heads and left the grand hall. Dae Wong and his team exited a few moments after—moving out to do another task: bodies to hang and a huge mystery to solve. Sae Joo then got down from his throne and left shortly. Only Jae Joong and Jung Ho were left inside.

"What are you still doing in here?" asked the King.

Jung Ho struck a playful stare which made Jae Joong fold his eyebrows in a scowl. "I won the wager, Sire."

"What are you..." Jae Joong's eyes grew large, hot breath heaved on his windpipe.

"Three to five days without major ruckus? Lady Seol Ji's premonition?"

Jae Joong frowned, his feet cemented to the floor. No response to his brother's statements. Jung Ho smiled and stood from his throne. "I shall get going, Sire. I have a parley to attend and a wedding to plan." 

__________