Soseo 1789

What could he do in two days? Where were Jeong-hyang, Iseul, Suk-kwon and Hak-sun? It seemed impossible she could have held all four captive. Yet she would not have issued that ultimatum if she did not. Would she? If she didn't have them, she was running a bluff. Yunbok did not know what to think as he rode back to the Bae residence. What was he supposed to say after two days? No, it was too early to start thinking about that, he should be trying to locate the missing first. Master Bae should be able to help. He rubbed his brow, struggling to get his jumbled thoughts in order.

Why did she do that to him? Angrily, he shook his head, trying to dispel the memory of that shocking strange meeting of lips. That revolting intimate exploration. He felt violated and yet it was strangely arousing. His breath caught a little as he recalled the feelings. He pulled at the collar of his shirt in discomfort. Where did she get the idea to do that? Foreign, she said. Did foreigners really do that? He shook his head again, extremely dismayed to find he was focusing too much on the subject. It was deliberately done to upset him. Of that, he was certain.

As he neared the sosul gate, he saw a small group about to enter. They looked familiar. For a moment he could hardly believe his eyes and kicked his horse to go faster. He bit back the words he wanted to say when he saw the four who turned to look at the sound of hoofs, mindful of the servants.

"Mr Ahn..," Hak-sun started and stopped as he took in Yunbok's blood spattered dirty coat.

"What happened?!" Jeong-hyang turned white and clapped her hands to her mouth in horror. Was he injured? But no, he got off the horse with no sign of injury.

"I was attacked in the garden earlier. My cousin was injured." Yunbok looked at Jeong-hyang meaningfully. 'Get to the women's quarters and find out if she is all right' his eyes were telling her.

"I'll go and see if I can help," she said immediately, catching his message. Picking up her skirts, she hurried away with Iseul.

"Why are you here at this time of night?" Yunbok handed the reins of the horse over to the servants who led it away.

"We escorted the mistress to the hojang who wished to see her," said Suk-kwon, keeping to his role. "We were instructed by madam Myung-hee to come to the Bae residence after the interview."

"All of you escorted your mistress?" The picture was becoming clearer to Yunbok now.

"The madam told us the hojang wanted to speak to us but it turned out she was in error," Hak-sun explained, wondering why Yun-bok seemed to find it funny.

Fooled by that devious woman! Yun-bok stifled the hysterical laughter that rose in his throat. He had betrayed himself thoroughly to her tonight. He could only blame himself for it. He shouldn't have gone but then, he could not take a chance on four lives. Ahh, but he was tired. Suk-kwon watched Yunbok worriedly as his shoulders slumped. The attack must have been Choe's work. A deadlier assault than the jumak incident. Just then, a servant ran up to tell Yunbok that master Bae wished to see him and Suk-kwon. Hak-sun watched them go worriedly. His services would be called on soon and he must be prepared for it.

As they approached the main study room, Suk-kwon eyed Yunbok's back with puzzlement. Had he been lying on the ground? Why? Before he could question him, they were at the study room.

"How did it go?" master Bae asked once refreshments had been served and the maid left the room, closing the door behind her.

"What went what?" Suk-kwon whispered, eyeing them anxiously.

"Read this." Yunbok tossed Myung-hee's letter to him. Astonishment blanketed Suk-kwon's face. "Myung-hee's a devious one. I'm not certain if she suspects I'm here to look for the spy but she does want to know my vulnerable points. I thought she has the four of you held prisoner. I have given myself away tonight."

"What did she tell you?"

"She gave me an ultimatum; two days to consider before taking Sun-yun's life. Of course, I did not know that the four of you are safe and sound."

"Consider? Consider what?" Suk-kwon was bewildered for Yunbok had not informed him of Myung-hee's interest.

"You have been rejecting all her advances, haven't you?" master Bae said. "She is using this to frighten you."

"She wanted me to betray my affections and I confirmed it tonight." His head was starting to pound. It was making him even more weary. All he wanted was to lie down in a dark cool place to rest.

"Drink something," Suk-kwon said, seeing his discomfort and pushed one of the cups of tea on the soban towards Yunbok. "You have used up energy, you need to rest." He nudged Yunbok when he did not respond. "Drink!"

"Aigoo, you are worse than a woman!" Irritation made his voice waspish but Yunbok downed the cup of tea. To his surprise, it was spiced with ginger and persimmon. The taste of it enlivened him considerably.

Suk-kwon ignored Yunbok's burst of temper, knowing he had been pushed to the edge by the incidents. "Vigilence over Sun-yun will be doubled," he said.

"Is it a good time to receive Iseul into your household?" Yunbok asked master Bae.

"I can do that," said master Bae. "I will try to ensure no one can get to her here because I will be increasing the security of this place after tonight. It was indeed time to ensure the safety of everyone at the household.

"You don't have to use that excuse yet. Simply tell Myung-hee you need the women's medical expertise to look after the injured girl," said Suk-kwon.

"How is my cousin?" Yunbok asked belatedly. His mind had not cleared, he realised.

"The arrow was poisoned." The news brought a dreadful chill to Yunbok. "But we found out what was used from the prisoners' interrogation. The physician has prescribed the antidote. She should make a good recovery," master Bae said hurriedly and soothingly.

"I hope so," Yunbok heaved a sigh. "What happened to the assassins?"

"One of them was killed," master Bae nodded to Suk-kwon. "The rest were removed by the constables after making their confessions. Most of them are thugs hired from the western quarter. As for that archer, I'm afraid we couldn't catch him," he said apologetically. "They will be arresting Choe for being the author of this attack so he will be removed for a legitimate reason without jeopardizing the mission."

"Myung-hee must have pushed him over the edge, I wonder if it's deliberate," Yunbok muttered. "He couldn't have not taken into account that the men would fail, that he would be implicated and arrested for this latest attempt."

"She is very certain of his temper because this is an extremely foolish act. To launch an attack in someone's house that would rouse attention and point the finger at him? What is he thinking?" Suk-kwon could hardly believe at Choe's cheutzpah. "You know," he looked at Yunbok, "he reminds me of Hyun-su?"

"Yes but despite his madness, Hyn-su was wary of his own safety," Yunbok nodded, recalling the unpleasant incident eight years ago. "Myung-hee branded him right; Choe is exactly the enraged bull desiring to vent its fury irregardless of the costs."

"She is too canny to nail. If she has to make a move soon, it might be tomorrow."

News of the merchant's arrest ought to cause a flurry on both sides though Suk-kwon had no doubt the man would be replaced. As to whether the woman herself would continue to play the game, it was hard to tell.

"You think? She may decide not to do anything at all until Choe's matter is settled." He was really hungry, Yunbok realized he did not have any dinner at all. He picked a tteok off the plate on the soban.

"You have better hoped she does and we arrest her before the two days are up," Suk-kwon said grimly. "Or have you already decided on the answer?"

"What, whether I should bed her?" Yunbok quipped drolly, stamping down on the desire to laugh. "I must be really hungry and tired to say that," he said as an afterthought, chuckling at Suk-kwon's expression. Master Bae only looked amused. "If you will excuse me, master Bae, I'll see if I can find out any more on my cousin's condition before retiring."

"I understand. I will send a servant to prepare a meal for you."

They watched him apprehensively as he stumbled slightly on the way out. That the stress was getting to him was obvious in his posture. Fervently, Suk-kwon hoped he would be able to bring the matter to an end within the week, he did not think Yunbok could hold on any longer than that.

"It's burning him out," master Bae said sympathetically. The young man looked worst than he had when he first arrived. Thinner and there were dark shadows around his eyes.

"If I could, I would not have him take up this task at all." Suk-kwon fought down his desire to haul Yunbok and Jeong-hyang home that very night. Home where they could rest undisturbed.

"You're that close to him?"

"As close as blood. I take it that Myung-hee has taken an interest in him? Why didn't you say something?" That woman had set something in motion, Suk-kwon was sure. Would he be able to avert whatever she had planned?

"That was an oversight," said master Bae apologetically. "I dismissed it as a harmless passion. I never thought she will take it that far." In truth, he thought it was a passing whim on Myung-hee's part, a desire for some distraction. "She has never displayed more than a brief interest in the men she came across."

"In hindsight, I should have anticipated it." It was a too late to start lamenting over his lapse, Suk-kwon sighed. "He's always having problems with women that cross his path long enough."

"Truly? Then it's astonishing he isn't a philanderer." Master Bae's esteem for Yunbok rose.

"Heh. Do you really think that woman is only after him? What she did tonight could be nothing more than to find his weakness and exploit it."

"It is highly probable. She would not get very far if she did not take extreme care. New comers pose a danger especially."

"Now that she knows he can be threatened with Sun-yun, what will she do next?"

"If she suspects he isn't what he seems to be, perhaps she would feel a little more secure with that hold over him. She might attempt to get that message out."

"Hopefully, tomorrow. If Sun-yun and Iseul are staying here, there is no reason for me and Hak-sun to go back at all. I'll linked up with the others and make arrangements."

"May the heavens smile on us," master Bae prayed fervently.


Chinhae gibang

Voices, talking and laughing, shrill and low. The sound of music. The beat of the janggu. Perfume scents, wine and food. All of these flowed past, unheeded as he cast his eyes about. Where was she? He looked in every room before crossing the garden, shouldering aside those who stood in his way, leaving behind a disturbed wake of outrage. He thrust opened the doors of the room. Darkness ruled within. She was not there. Where was she? Rage roared within as he turned to look about him. His eyes alighted on the woman approaching with a little girl.

"Where is she?!" he shouted. The frightened girl shrank behind the woman who remained silent. Furious, he grabbed the front of Bong-eun's jeogori and shook. "Tell me where is she?!"

"I don't know where she is," Bong-eun raised a brow coolly. Her unruffled response only fanned his rage. He thrust her away and grabbed the girl who screamed as he pulled her with him.

"Tell her to come find me tonight if she wants her daughter back!" he threw over his shoulder.

Before he could proceed any further, pain ran up his arm. He let go of the girl with a yell. He lifted his arm to see a jangdo (dagger) sticking out of it.

"How dare you!"

He pulled out the jangdo and went for Bong-eun with it. She dodged, avoiding his charge which brought him up against the wall, headed for the petrified girl to pick her up and ran for the garden.

She was going to pay for that! Killing rage soared. He ran after them, jangdo in hand. By then Bong-eun was already midway through the garden, heading for the main courtyard. Those in the garden watched in amazement at the chase. Was merchant Choe running after with a knife in hand? The gisaeng who saw him started to their feet and began to shout for help. Their cries attracted the servants, the gatekeepers and those about the main courtyard.

"Get out of my way!" he shouted as his quarries vanished among the crowd. A man yelled in alarm when he began to swipe wildly. Gisaeng and patrons retreated. Had he gone mad? Warily, the servants surrounded him, clubs in hand.

"I want to see Myung-hee, tell her to come out!" he shouted, little splatters of spittle flying from his gushing teeth. "Tell her! I'll die right here if she doesn't!"

He jammed the jangdo against his neck as the crowd watched in horror. The gisaeng looked among themselves. Who was going to tell him Myung-hee had gone out?

Before anyone could decide what to do, one of the servants standing directly behind Choe took matters into his own hands. Raising his club, he darted forward to strike Choe on the head. The blow dazed him. The rest took the opportunity to rush in. Swiftly, he was disarmed. What to do with him? Someone suggested bringing him to the constable bureau. After all, he had disturbed the peace with violence. There was no dissension so a few of the servants hauled him away as Bong-eun appeared with the girl to watch with a smile of malice.

The hubbub of the gibang picked up again after. Hot on everyone's lips was the incident. Choe's passion had indeed gone to his head, intent to harm a woman and child, suicidal. They did not think he would ever turn up again. No one was surprised to learn that he had been remanded the next day. A few gisaeng bemoaned the reduction of income but were not too upset. In the following days, when it became known that he had sent assassins to kill the painter, none shed any tears over the news that he would soon face his end. As far as they were concerned, it was good riddance.


Bae Residence

Weariness gnawed at him, his body ached but but Yunbok could not rest. Not until he was certain that Kyoung-mi was on the road to recovery. Thus, he paced at the main hall as he waited for the maid he sent to the women's quarters to come back with an answer. Over and over he played the incident in his mind.

Why did he not just hasten her to the house? If he had, he would not be the target of that arrow. The walls and pillars of the house would make it difficult for the archer. He snorted. It would work if he already knew the archer was there. What was he supposed to do now? To her family, he would be a heartless cad if he continued to reject her but he really could not do anything else. He heaved another sigh and looked up when he heard footsteps. The maid beckoned to him to follow. She led him to one of the guest rooms in the women's quarters and opened the door. Jeong-hyang nodded to him as he stepped in. Where was Iseul?

"How is she?" he asked, sitting by the door as he looked at a slumbering Kyoung-mi.

"She's lost some blood. We're expecting an onset of fever from the wound but hopefully, nothing too seious." He looked so tired that Jeong-hyang wished she could hold him, even for a while and soothed away his cares. "I'm taking the first round of the watch, Iseul will take over later."

"Has she said anything?"

"No, not since I came." There was something else bothering him, she was sure of it. He looked as if he wanted to tell her something but was hampered by Jae-hwa's presence. More than ever, she wanted the charade to end so they could stop this exhausting play acting. "You are tired, why don't you get some rest? I will inform you if there is any change in her condition."

He made as if to object then changed his mind and left. As she watched him leave, she knew there would be one singular quandary foremost in his mind. How could he continue to reject this woman who had saved his life? To the others, he would appear to be a heartless man. Was there no other way? Should he take a gamble and tell her the truth? She looked down at Kyoung-mi and noticed the beginnings of the fever sweat. Hurriedly, she sent Jae-hwa to get a basin of water and cloth. The problem would have to wait. First she must ensured this woman who saved Yunbok's life live.


It was so dark and lonely. Just like the empty nights she spent in strange rooms with strange people. No aboji, no omoni. A man came who she eventually called uncle. He had kind eyes. They went on a long journey to the place she would call home. A young boy looked sympathetically at her as she cried and cried for her parents. A strange forbidding woman who she called aunt eventually became like omoni to her. Learning to sew, to cook, to read, to write. That was all there was to fill her days. The walls of the anbang kept her in, safe and secure but lonely. Sometimes her aunt's friends would come to visit. She would just sit and listen. Sometimes she would go out with her aunt, a rare treat, to the marketplace or the temple.

Then she was alone again, omoni was gone. The keys of the house became hers and for a time, her days were filled. She learned much just from listening to uncle's conversations with his associates but still the outside world was remote to her. Young men would sometimes come to the house, cousin's friends but they were uncivil and clamorous when they thought she was not around. When they saw her, they spoke politely but the prurience in their eyes gave them away. Why did he make such friends?

Then he came out of a dark night and she was lost. He was like the wind that shook aside the walls of her heart. His compassion, talent, altruism drew her like a moth to flame. But ah, like the wind, his heart and soul were not hers. Eight years she had spent, wishing for something she knew could not be hers. Where did those eight years go? She could not remember how she spent it. No, was he going away?

All her pain and fears came rushing to the fore. No peace, no stability, emptiness, where was the road she sought? Where was he? Then like a light out of the darkness, a familiar voice told her to rest. To forget the past and her sorrows.

"How is that possible? Unless the dream that which you hold has withered into ashes and you did not even realize it? If it isn't attainable, then isn't it time to let go? Would you not look within for the strength that you valiantly displayed that night and admit it?" Despair, was that despair for her?

"He refused to act on what is right even though he knew the truth." That look in his eyes, it was contempt and yet intermixed with sorrow.

"All I can return to you is the love of a brother, a friend." Honesty, he did not lie.

"To love him is to suffer and die a little death. To love him is to walk with him no matter what road he takes. And yet, love from both sides must be given freely, unchained, no reservations for if it is not so, then it is nothing but ashes and useless dreams." Unchained, no reservations. Ashes, useless dreams.

"If you are truly sincere then you should recognize that letting go is the best choice before all turn to dust and hate. They are sad and bad companions for company, constantly stabbing at the heart, bitter to taste at the end of the road." Dust and hate. Hate. Anger. Hate and anger. Hate and anger.

She sighed.

Yunbok slumped wearily as Kyoung-mi's agitation ceased. The fever had broken. He looked across her at Jeong-hyang who returned his gaze sadly. The shadows seemed darker than ever around his eyes, having stayed up the night beside the feverish woman after being summoned by an extremely worried Jeong-hyang who could not calm her. Gently, he disengaged his hand from Kyoung-mi's tight clasp and left wordlessly for his room. Iseul sighed in sympathy over the situation Yunbok was in and murmured softly to her friend. Both of them needed to rest. More importantly, they needed each other.

Birds chirped in the trees, sounds of children laughing but he heard nothing. He sat in his room, gat hanging carelessly off the desk, his dirty coat on the floor as he stared blankly at the wall. He did not even hear the door to his room opening and gave a start when hands turned his head. He looked at Jeong-hyang who had tears glittering in her eyes.

"I'm tired," he said.

"Rest." She drew her fingers gently across his brow.

"Not just me." He drew her down with him. "Should you be here?"

"Iseul has taken over from me and I'm tired of the charades." She listened to his breathing, something she missed and had not heard for some time. It sounded strained to her, increasing her apprehension for his health. "Talk to me."

"I can't do it," he muttered. "It is not a matter of choice because there is none."

"You are prepared to bear the brunt of opinions?" She held his hand to her face.

"If I have to," he stared at the ceiling. "We will have to leave."

"Where you go, I go," she said steadfastly.

"That's it then. It will just be the two of us, P'ado will be with his father." He frowned and coughed.. His heart seemed constricted, making it a little difficult to breathe.

"I will miss him." She reached out to smooth the frown wrinkling his brows.

"There's something else," he coughed again. "Myung-hee knows you are my weakness. I all but admit it last night when she tricked me into meeting her at the east hill overlooking the port."

"What else?" To her ears, his breath seemed to falter. Anxiously she sat up and rubbed his chest before turning him on his side to do the same to his back. "Try to relax, you're too tensed."

"Two days to decide if I should go to her else she takes your life." The strain gradually left him as he unwound under her ministrations. "She's clever, she made me believe she had you, Iseul, master Suk-kwon and Hak-sun in her hands. I thought it impossible but I couldn't risk it. I tried to find the four of you at the gibang before meeting her but nobody knew where all of you had gone to."

"What are you going to tell her in two days?" She turned him on his back, relieved to hear his easy breathing.

"Ha!" he laughed. "Obviously, it's a no to whatever she has in mind," he sobered. "I don't think she's really out to have me. I think she suspects that I'm here to find out what she's up to and sought to find a way to have a hold on me."

"Why not just have you done away with?" she said bravely despite the terror of the thought. "Why leave you alive if you're a threat?" Supporting herself with her arm, she reached down to gently rub his brow with her other hand. He was really too thin. She stifled the sobs that threatened to spill.

"Maybe she thinks she could use me in some way." He opened his eyes to look at her. "You are staying here, master Bae intends to tighten up the security so you should be safer."

"Are you going back to the gibang?"

"No. Master Suk-kwon is hoping she will send out the message and catch the one she's communicating with either today or tomorrow. Or maybe a few days later, hopefully not beyond the two days."

"Then you will have done what you were sent to do," she said softly.

"Hmmm..," he mumbled and was silent. Seeing that he seemed to have fallen asleep, she got up to leave. A hand reached out to halt her. "Not yet. Stay a while longer. I miss you."

"We risk exposure," she reminded him but let herself be drawn down.

"You said you do not care for the charades. There's something else I have to tell you too," he said.

"What is it?" There was an apprehensive air about him that puzzled her.

"Myung-hee did something very strange," he hesitated. "She just grabbed me all of a sudden and I..."

"What?" she said evenly.

"I know she did it to upset me, get me confused. She's playing some kind of game with me. What is it I'm not sure. But I sense even as she carries out her scheme, at the same time she's seeing someone who's not me. Do you know what I'm saying?" he wondered how he should explain it. "There was passion, desire and that look in her eyes. It was of pain and lost for whoever she sees in me."

"That..," Jeong-hyang quelled the anxiety rising in her. He was not saying Myung-hee was madly in love with him so there was no need for her to be agitated. "Is it possible she sees her dead lover in you? The gisaeng had been talking of her pining for her lover she lost five years ago."

"I don't think she's seeking a replacement." He sat up, cocking his head thoughtfully.

"What does she really want then?" It was so difficult to postulate the intentions of Myung-hee with the little they knew about her, Jeong-hyang felt it was a futile effort.

"I don't know."

"I've better return to my room before someone noticed I'm not there," she said, pushing herself up and halted when he reached out to her.

"I confess I'm most curious how it will be like with you," he held her face in his hands.

"What?"

"This." He felt her start but did not resist.

"That is ... strange," she said when he released her, her hand touching her lips. "Where did she get the notion?"

"...she did more."

"What?" she stared at him. "What do you mean?"

He could feel the shock that ran through her, the stiff resistance that melted away. Then everything was forgotten as they merged into passionate embrace. For a while, the world outside did not exist until a chorus of yells issued from the garden reminded them. They stared at each other.

"What foreign custom is that?" she said in disbelief, half in horror, half in confusion at the heat suffusing her, the fast thrum of her heart. Her bemusement increased when she found they were both on the floor.

He sighed, moved aside and lay down. "May she'll tell us, if we asked her," he laughed tiredly.

"Go to sleep, you need it," she said, pushing away all thoughts of what had just occurred, the desire to continue.

She smiled when he planted a kiss on her cheek before waving her away languidly, laying back down and closing his eyes. Cautiously, she unlocked the door and peered out. Fortunately, there was no one in the corridor. Taking it as a good sign, she returned to her room.

Iseul was not surprised to learn Myung-hee was not available when she returned to the gibang with Suk-kwon and Hak-sun to collect their belongings. Busy hooking up her target, no doubt, she thought as she passed the message to Bong-eun instead. The woman nodded inscrutably and turned away without a word. It was hard to tell what was on her mind but she fancied there was tension about her. Was she afraid Choe would say too much?

She had been surprised to find neither woman had left. That would have been the wisest course once Choe was arrested. But perhaps leaving would be an admittance of guilt. Would they brazen it out, deny any involvement? They must be very confident, she thought as she packed up Jeong-hyang's and her own clothing and essentials. Hak-sun stood outside the room with another servant to take on the packs.

Somewhat to her annoyance when they went to the main courtyard, Suk-kwon was not around. Was he still packing? She really needed to get back to her patient. Her brows cleared when she remembered their plan. She pulled her jangot more securely about her. Patience, but they could not tarry too long for it would rouse suspicions. Moments passed. Suk-kwon appeared just as she spied Myung-hee's guest weaving his way to the gates from the garden. They timed it just right and reached the gates at the same time as the man. Suk-kwon spotted the kumihimo braid as he swept his eyes passed the man. That rascal was right after all!

Not wishing to appear they were following, they walked abreast of the stumbling fellow, making sure not to block him. Making brief halts now and then, the man blinked his eyes as if trying to clear them. People passed by, avoiding this man with the unsteady gait, disapproval marking a few faces while most were indifferent. Before long, they were at the bustling marketplace. Here, there were more contacts as people brushed lightly against one another. Deliberately keeping a pace behind at an angle of the man who kept bumbling into others, Suk-kwon managed to have a reasonable view of the waist cord. A trio of boys playing a game of catch came running past. One of the boys knocked into the man, apologized profusely and ran off before the befuddled man could do anything else. The braid was gone! Suk-kwon did a double take.

Quickly, he pretended to be missing something on himself and turned around, eyes seeking the boys. There, skipping through the crowd. One of his men was looking at him, he gave him the signal to follow him and walked as fast as he could after the boys. They stopped at a stall selling dasik and yeot. One of the boys passed something over to a man dressed in rough workclothes, receiving some coins in exchange. Suk-kwon looked straight ahead as he walked past them. Looking down at his feet for a few moments, he whispered instructions to the man beside him and took another route back to the Bae residence. Only Hak-sun was waiting for him. Iseul had gone in to hand over the packs to Jeong-hyang. After telling Hak-sun to take up gate duties, Suk-kwon went to see master Bae.

Old master Bae could hardly hold back his eagerness. "So is it as he thought?"

"He is right about the braid," Suk-kwon sighed heavily. "They are clever. They used a child to remove the braid and passed it on to the real agent."

"You realized that we may not have any evidence at all? Surely the message will be destroyed once it is read."

"I don't intend that message to reach the final destination at all."

"What did you arrange?" master Bae asked curiously but someone interrupted before Suk-kwon could answer.

"Master, there is a man at the gate who says he's Du-ho's friend and seeks an audience with you," said a servant outside the door.

"Show him in."

The man Suk-kwon gave his instructions to at the marketplace bowed to the two men before handing something to Suk-kwon. It was the kumihimo braid.

"It went as you ordered, sir. Two of us are following him."

"Very good. Report as soon as there are developments."

The man bowed and left.

"I think the other three need to be here before we open this," Suk-kwon waved the braid at master Bae who nodded in agreement and sent a servant so summon Yunbok, Jeong-hyang and Iseul.

When they appeared, Yunbok had the most disgruntled look on his face at being disturbed just when he was settling into sleep. His annoyance disappeared when he saw what was in Suk-kwon's hand.

"You got it." Delight coloured his voice.

"I thought the three of you ought to be here when we opened it. Still tired?" teased Suk-kwon who handed the braid to Jeong-hyang. "Here, you are the expert with the needle. I think you can unravel this better than we can."

Pleased and a little anxious, Jeong-hyang accepted the braid and examined it carefully with Iseul. The men waited as they discussed over it in low tones, Jeong-hyang excused herself and returned moments later with her pangjigurut. Usiing the sewing tools and with Iseul's help, she made cautious cuts at the knots and then picked at the strands. Slowly, as they unraveled, a piece of paper rolled thinly eventually appeared. With slightly trembling hands, she unpicked more of the strands of thread until the paper could be pulled out safely without tearing. Suk-kwon spread out the paper on the table as everyone leaned forward to take a look.

"Well, well...," said master Bae as he read the foreign script. "They are keeping abreast of events," he tapped the paper. "This message states the arrangements that have been made at Busan."

"What?! How did they manage to find out about that?" Suk-kwon said in disbelief.

"Does it specify for whom the arrangements are for?" Yunbok butted in before master Bae could answer.

"Yes it did. For two painters." He looked at the paper again. "I think they do not know what the painters intended but anything pertaining to the island is of note."

"It's just as well this message did not arrive." There was satisfaction in Suk-kwon's voice.

"Did you make a switch? How would you know if she did not use different types of braid coding?" That was a point that was worrying Yunbok. If there was a specific band of colours to the braid, they could not hope to replicate it.

"That thought had occurred to us so we have to abandon our original intent to substitute messages. There's also the problem you have with Myung-hee," Suk-kwon looked at Yunbok soberly. "Whether she intends to have you or knows what you are about, she has to be removed because either way, she will know she has been compromised."

"What happens next? When is she going to be detained?" Yunbok asked.

"Definitely, once we know who is to receive this. If all goes well, all will be wrapped up by tomorrow," Suk-kwon said with much relish and relief. It would be all over within the next day or so and they would have some time to rest for the remainder of their time in Chinhae.

The glance between Yunbok and Jeong-hyang was one of absolute relief and happiness. A shadow crossed Yunbok's eyes when he remembered he still had to resolve the problem with Kyoung-mi. But the decision was already made, he had no regrets. Jeong-hyang nodded at the resolute determination in his eyes.