Gyeongchip 1795

Having little appetite, P'ado fiddled with his dinner. Nothing seemed to be going right for him, he felt. His hopes of discovery and adventure turned out to be much more than he envisioned. The first time he ever left the home he knew, he entered a unrecognizable world fraught with much peril. It left him adrift and floundering for assurance that was not forthcoming from those who had always been there for him. Where was he heading, he did not know. Would he even attend a hyanggyo as he was encouraged to do? More importantly, would he even have a home to return to?

"Eat up, P'adoa, your father needs his rest."

Startled, he looked up to see Suk-kwon staring at him worriedly. Hong-do had apparently finished his and was preparing to remove Yunbok's soban as well. Most of the dishes on Yunbok's soban were not cleared. That cast him further down into gloom.

"Eat up," the older man said again. "How can you help me look after him if you're hungry?"

"I am?" P'ado was surprised. He was expecting to be sent off to his own room.

"Heh, I need a pair of good legs to send on errands in the night if there's need so hurry up."

Suk-kwon finished his soup and waited for the boy to clear his own dishes, nearly choking himself in his haste. He sent him away with the soban when he was done.

"Before you say anything, put this ointment on yourself before he comes back." He handed the bowl of ointment to Yunbok before going to the door to make sure no one inadvertantly barged in. "Done?" he turned around when Yunbok murmured he could do so. "Now drink this, it should be cool." Once the bowl of medicine was emptied, he placed it and the mokpan beside the door.

"I should have paid attention, this will just depress him more," Yunbok sighed as he gingerly lay himself down on the bedding.

"You noticed it too?" Suk-kwon checked Yunbok's pulse again; a steady beat. There was also no further sign of acute discomfort, he was glad to note. "You should revised your plan. He's very much disturbed."

"I'm too tired to think right now," muttered Yunbok as he turned on his side and promptly fell asleep, worn out by the past two weeks.

Suk-kwon got to the door as he heard footsteps and intercepted P'ado before he could step in. Sending the boy to get his own bedding and quilt, he returned to his own room with the medicine pouches. He was dumbfounded to find his clothes stacked haphazardly on the floor beside the opened bandaji. That rascal! The sight brought a pang to his heart however. Quickly he picked up all the clothing and returned them to the bandaji before picking up his own bedding and quilt.

P'ado was already dossing down, next to Yunbok when he returned. Suk-kwon tossed his bedding down on the other empty space beside Yunbok and was preparing to sleep when a rap and a call was heard from the panjangmun. P'ado leaped up anxiously for he knew they were not supposed to have visitors. He looked down at Yunbok, all ready to carry him to safety if there was trouble. Suk-kwon waved to him to be silent and left the room with him.

They reached the courtyard just as Jong-gwan, one of the agents assigned to the residence was about to look for Suk-kwon. He stopped to hear what he had to say and nodded as P'ado looked on curiously. Who would be visiting at this hour? The gates were opened to reveal a small cavalcade of horses and a horsecart. As they entered the courtyard, the light of the chongrong fell on familiar faces. He recognised Cheol-ju in the lead. As Suk-kwon stepped up to help the woman on the horse behind him, he could hardly believe his eyes.

"Iseul," Suk-kwon grinned as he helped her down. "How was the journey?"

"As easy as can be expected," she smiled as she lightly tugged his beard. He frowned at her for her familiarity in public but she only laughed.

"Oppa!" A small figure leaped off the horsecart and bounced up to an astonished P'ado who scooped her up and whirled her around with joy.

"Pokkot! I miss you!" he laughed. "Where is omoni?"

"There." Pokkot pointed to the horsecart where two men were gently lifting out a pallet. Setting her down, he ran over, unable to believe his eyes.

"Omoni, you are really here!" he said as Jeong-hyang smiled at him.

"Oh ho, the whole family is here," Hong-do boomed as he stepped from the porch. "How are you feeling?" he said solicitously to Jeong-hyang.

"I'm fine." She looked around, expecting to see another face. "Where is..?"

"He does not know you're coming and has gone to bed," Hong-do said quickly. "You know how he is when he has a task. These two weeks have tired him out."

"He'll be most surprised to learn you're here," put in Suk-kwon before she could ask any more questions. "Let's get you settled," he gestured to Soon-joo to lead the men to the anbang. Gathering up the packs of their belongings, Iseul and Pokkot went with them. The rest of the men gathered up the packs and fresh provisions in the horsecart as haraboji Au led the horses to the stables.

The family together again. P'ado felt his heart singng, surely things were turning for the better. As he was about to follow the men, someone stepped up to him.

"P'adoa."

"Ajumoni, I didn't know you're here." He was surprised to see Song-mi and Jinjia.

"I came to help with omonim," she said, pleased to see a familiar face.

"Thank you, ajumoni, for taking the trouble." Gratitude flashed in his eyes. "Please, let me show you to your room."

As he guided her away, Suk-kwon drew Cheol-ju and Hong-do to the far side of the courtyard, keeping their distance from the stables as they held a low voice conference. The gates were locked, the horsecart kept away. The rest of the men retired to the rest of the rooms in the sarang. By the time Suk-kwon returned to Yunbok's room, all was quiet. Much as he would have liked to have a talk with Iseul, he knew it would only disturb Jeong-hyang since they were sharing a room. It could wait till the next day.

P'ado was alreay rolled up in his bedding but not asleep. He watched as Suk-kwon examined Yunbok without rousing him. A sigh of relief escaped him when the older man merely made a sound of satisfaction. All was well. Surely they would return home once the paintings were done in six weeks. He frowned as he remembered it would be more than six weeks, for work on the paintings would slow down because of Yunbok's injury. His fault.

Suk-kwon left the oil lamp burning as he settled down himself in his bedding. All P'ado could see of Yunbok was his back so he turned his gaze to the ceiling. Things were turning more positive. He was optimistic. When they get home, there would be many things to do. He was looking forward to them. Before they leave, he must remember to buy some gifts for his friends back home as he promised them he would. Visions played before his eyes and he fell asleep.

Hanseong

The room the three men sat in was silent, saved for the far off muffled voices from outside. Two of the men were seated behind the desk, the third facing them. One was in dongdari, another in ordinary garb while the third was in jeogori and baji. Papers were spread across the desk, the man in ordinary clothes was busy writing while the officer looked down at the paper before him and spoke again. His tone was bored, as if he had been repeating the statement a few times. Nothing broke the silence. The officer mimicked the sullen stare of the prisoner

"I will answer no more questions until I get some of my own," Ui-sik rasped finally when he could not stare down his interrogator seated opposite him. His assistant paused and looked up, brush stilled in his hand.

"Aren't you satisfied with the ones we've provided? What more do you want?" Yeong-ho said blandly. "Your wife was released with your son weeks ago. They are both safe and sound."

"Where did they go? It is not possible they will stay at Hwaseong. There is no one they can look to." Ui-sik tried to control his anger. "Neither can they go back to Siheung. If they have done so, you would have said something. Are they are wandering around out..."

There was no change in Yeong-ho's countenance for Ui-sik's agitation was relevant to his purpose. "I already told you, someone is looking after them," he said.

"Who?! Who?!" Red suffused Jae-gong's face as he half rose and slammed his fist onto the desk between them. "Taken care of by whom?"

For two weeks, he had been cooperative, he had been patient and bidded his time even though he was extremely worried over Song-mi and Jinjia. Hoping to get some concession out of this officer who had been affable so that he would have news of them or perhaps even get to see them. His expectations had steadily dwindled with the obliqued answers he received over the past several days.

"Does it matter that much to you?" a little glint of ice glimmered in Yeong-ho's eyes. "Does it hurt if your wife has to beg out in the streets? Grubbing in the dirt?" He leaned forward, watching the fury in Ui-sik's eyes. "Or perhaps she has sold herself? Think of her ... entertaining ..."

A roar escaped Ui-sik. His wrath galvanized him into reaching across to grab Yeong-ho by the throat. Belatedly, his assistant leaped to separate them. To no avail for neither men desired to end the conflict. Yeong-ho kicked his attacker away who returned with a punch. The desk capsized, writing materials and papers went flying as they grappled with each other. Soldiers rushed in at the shouts from the assistant and hauled Ui-sik away. Yeong-ho who shook off his assistant's hand as he got up.

"You need to reflect," Yeong-jo bent over Ui-sik as he panted, held immobile on the floor, "perhaps do more than that. The good treatment here has gone to your head. Did you think cooperation will get you anywhere? Are you harboring dreams that can not be? This head of yours will roll, do not doubt it. Why worry over your wife?" He nodded to the soldiers who pulled Ui-sik to his feet. "To his cell, you know what to do." He turned back as they pulled their prisoner away. "I'll be sure to send your regards to your wife.. she has been a very obedient..servant."

"You! .. You bastard ..! What did you do?! If you lay your hands on her...!" Ui-sik struggled as he was dragged away down the corridor, his voice still roaring away until it was abruptly cut off.

Snorting his disdain, Yeong-ho straightened his clothing as his assistant silently tidied up the mess, hastily retrieving papers before split ink ate into them. The room was stuffy so he opened the windows, breathing in the cool air of the evening. Once he got home, he would have to thoroughly cleanse himself. Interrogating that fellow always made him feel filthy, angry and roused desires to inflict physical pain on him. His fingers itched to gouge and tear. He winced as pain lanced up his left jaw, where Ui-sik's punch had landed. There would be a little problem with with meals for a few days, perhaps his wife could prepare juk for him, he decided as he pressed gently on the bruised flesh.

"Sir, shall I arrange a later session tomorrow?" came the voice of his assistant.

"Make it a after noon session." Rubbing his aching jaw, Yeong-ho decided to leave. "That stupid fellow hit rather hard." His head began to throb as the pain spread, "That is all for the day."

"Do you want him restraint, sir?" Was that disapproval in his assistant's voice? Rather than stepped through the door, he stopped to stare at him. Uncomfortable though he was at that gaze, Bak-young did not look away.

"Undoubtedly. After that physical assault, I should continue to be lenient on him?!"

"Sir, he is willing to work with us. If we employ stronger measures on him, he might refuse to reveal anything further."

Bak-young prudently stilled the urge to point out that that the attack was mostly his superior's unnecessary provocation. Not that he understood the reason, he was relatively new to the job and wary of making mistakes in such a sensitive post. His initial opinion of Yeong-ho had been positive. Now he was not so sure at the sudden change in attitude towards the prisoner. Was this the normal practice?

"He's mistaken if he thinks working with us will save his life..," snorted Yeong-ho. "With the blood of so many in his hands..," he hissed angrily, hands clenched.

"Sir, did he...?" Bak-young hesitated. Should he ask?

"You're wondering if there are any connections to me? An uncle of mine was his victim. Thanks to his cooperation, I now know my uncle died an unnatural death. A death that had vexed the family so." Anger sparked in Yeong-ho's eyes. "My uncle had years before him, potential in the ministry. Thanks to him!" he jerked his head in the direction of the prison cells. "He died in his prime, leaving behind a grieving family."

"You are intending to ..?" Bak-young swallowed as he remembered Yeong-ho's instruction to the soldiers.

"There are other means than the usual norms of persuasion." A smile twitched Yeong-ho's lips as he observed his assistant's slightly pale face. Was he squeamish at the thought of inflicting pain on another? If he was, this job was not for him. "Did you notice he is very anxious over his family? He has been admirably patient but eventually he had to ask about them. At every session thereafter, he is always asking about his wife. Only her. Not his son. Useful, don't you think?"

"But you incur his anger and hate by making him think you are holding and using her for .. nefarious purposes. Will not every session be filled with rancor? How much information can we get out of him if he only fills it with his invectives?" How were they to work in an atmosphere charged with acrimony? Bak-young could not see any benefits by doing so.

"Let him, he'll run himself out eventually. He will find himself in an even tighter corner and then... he will beg." There was relish in Yeong-ho's voice before he coughed and turned away. "If you're thinking I instructed harsher means on him, you're mistaken. My hands are tied in this matter. There are other ways to make him suffer. All of his own doing." Dusting himself off, Yeong-ho left.

Yes, but with you doing the pushing, he will run mad surely before his life ends.

Bak-young gathered up the papers and writing tools before following in the footsteps of Yeong-hot. The building was mostly empty. There was no other special prisoner than Ui-sik. How many prisoners had died there, wrecked and suffering from wounds inflicted by tortures? A shiver went down Bak-young's spine. It was his imagination playing tricks on him surely. He should have lit an oil lamp as flickers of barely discernible shadows moved around him despite the torches flaring visibly at the doors in the distance. He hurried to them and breathed a sigh of relief as he crossed the threshold.

The soldiers on guard looked at him curiously as he hovered and looked back, peering at the side corridors as well. Definitely, his imagination, he decided as nothing moved. Should he tell his father he did not want to be in this job at all? Recording and witnessing confessions was fine enough without having to see the other face of such intense examinations. He had no desire to experience first hand the physical sufferings of other people, guilty they might be of their crimes. Shaking his head, he turned away. It was time to go home, it was supposed to be an auspicious night and he was looking forward to spending it with his wife.

For a while, nothing moved before a shadow detached itself and glided silently down a side corridor. It stopped for a moment as a soldier came through a doorway, mokpans in his hands, and strode away to the distant kitchen. Behind him, the shadow peered into the room. Empty, saved for a cell taking up half the room. Quickly, the shadow went up to the bars of the cell and called softly to the man lying curled up on the floor.

"If you wish to live, listen."

Mountain retreat

Long before the roosters crowed, Jeong-hyang was already wide awake. Turning on her side, she tried to sleep but knew she would not. It had been so for several days now. She had never felt more restless. Spending so much time abed was trying her patience. The journey to the mountain retreat had been welcomed activity even though Kyoung-mi had severe reservations. Iseul had thought otherwise. She smiled as she recalled the heated debate they had over her, amiable but intense as each tried to score a point. In the end, it mattered not who agreed or not for the issue of her safety demanded her removal from the Sohn residence.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could just make out the small lump before her and the larger one beyond. The girl was tired out by the trip but no doubt she would make a beeline for Yunbok once she was up, to continue her lessons. She had been diligent in her painting, finishing a piece daily and bringing it for her perusal at the end of the day. Her efforts were laudable, for she could see Pokkot would only get better as time went by. Perhaps to be as good as Yunbok?

She turned away to lie on her back, wishing it was dawn already. Six more weeks to go. Perhaps she would be able to get up after a few more days. The wound was not as painful as before when she sat up but it was still sore. If only she could get up now, she would prepare breakfast and make sure he ate. From master Danwon's comments last night, he was not keeping to regular meals again. That was just so typical of him. If only she could sit there right by him and feed him spoon by spoon. He would be horrified, she knew. A giggle rose in her throat as a vision rose before her eyes. She swallowed it hastily.

Time seemed to drag as she lay there but finally, the roosters crowed. The hump furthest from her stirred. More crows brought about a scrabbling and a scratching sound. Darkness was dispelled by the light of the tunggyong. As her eyes adjusted, she watched the woman and counted silently. Right on the mark, Iseul yawned.

"What's funny so early in the morning?" she said softly when she noticed Jeong-hyang's grin.

"I'm counting off the time to your next yawn."

"What?" Another yawn caught Iseul. She glared when Jeong-hyang chuckled. "Don't tell me you have been doing this back then!"

"You're a creature of habit," laughed Jeong-hyang. "If you had known how tempting it was to drop something into your mouth." She lay back to stare up at the ceiling. "Time is passing too slowly for me."

"How are you feeling?" Folding away the bedding and quilt swiftly, Iseul moved to Jeong-hyang's side.

"Bored," she said as Iseul lifted the quilt and the loose jeogori to check the wound. "Other than that, an urge to get up to do something."

"It's healing well," Iseul said cautiously, pleased with the dryness of the wound, of which only a line of red was visible. "Try sitting up later for a period and see how it is."

"I'm looking forward to that!" Relief and anticipation rose in her as Iseul smiled. After dressing herself, she headed to the kitchen, leaving Jeong-hyang to plan what she could do later.

As the room brightened, Pokkot woke up when Soon-joo brought the basins and water. After tidying up the room, she helped Jeong-hyang with her ablution before attending to herself, her chatter filling the room as she spoke of her plans to paint the things she would see in the new surroundings. Then she left to see if breakfast was ready after opening the windows to let in the cool breeze and early morning sunshine.

The sight of the golden rays roused longings to walk out there with Yunbok Where was he? She was expecting him to turn up after dawn but when he did not, supposed that he was still asleep. A ray of sunshine hovered tantalisingly near. She reached out to feel the warmth but her action was arrested when the door opened. Her eyes lit up when she saw who was standing at the doorway.

"Painter!" she frowned as he closed the door and hobbled over to her. "What happened?" she said as he stifled a groan as he sat down.

"Had a little accident sparring with P'ado yesterday," he winced as his middle twinged painfully.

"What?! Where?" she grasped hold of him as he lay down and curled up.

"Stomach. It's fine." He tried to still her hands as she lifted the bottom end of his jeogori. She gasped when she saw the large stripe of bruised flesh across his midriff. "No internal injuries, the bruise will fade," he said in assurance when her face paled. "I was distracted..," he covered himself and grasped her hands.

"What is on your mind?" She touched his face gently, unhappy to see the shallows around his eyes and cheeks. The little weight he had gained had melted away. There was a strong smell of herbs about him which could only have come from the medicine Suk-kwon would have prescribed.

"Plenty," he sighed. "But later... later, I'm glad you're here. I thought you are not able to travel?"

"Iseul arrived last week." She shifted so they were face to face and lowered her voice. "She had just finished some other task and received master Park's message if she could go to Siheung instead of returning home. By that time, there was some concern over developments at Hanseong so irregardless whether I can travel or not, they moved us here."

"That's bad." He closed his eyes as he touched his brow to hers. "I hope Young-joon and Kyoung-mi will not get into trouble. Do you know anything more about these concerns?"

"They are afraid her search is intensifying and there are fears of leaks so," she grimaced at that thought. "There was some disagreement but Iseul is confident that I will suffer no setbacks. I must admit, I am feeling better. Kyoung-mi has been very meticulous in her care. The wound is healing well. There is little pain."

"That is good." He was pleased to hear her recovery was smooth.

"You're tired, why did you wake up so early?"

"I would have slept on but I have to get to the outhouse and ran into Song-mi who said you're here. So..," he relaxed as she touched his brow. "Miss you, dear heart. I dream of you every night, so tired."

"I'm going to try to sit up later. If it goes well perhaps we can go for a short walk in a day or two."

She peered at him as he draped an arm around her and sagged against her. Asleep, from the sound of his even breathing. Why did he always wore himself out when it came to painting? His eyes were as shadowed as they were years ago at Chinhae, perhaps more so. Part of it had to be over P'ado. The boy had to be affected by the irresolution of an unknown issue he knew was waiting to be dropped on him. His ecstatic response to their arrival last night bordered on the frenetic. A state that could only have come about if he had been distressed deeply.

Can't we just go home and forget about telling him about us? But knowing you, Painter, you cannot live with the lie. You love him. So do I. I wish we can be selfish for once.

Pokkot called out to her at the door. Before she could answer, it opened. Behind the girl, Iseul wondered why she was frozen to the spot and looked in. Ah! Quickly, she put down the soban she was carrying and gently pulled the girl from the door and closed it.

"We can bring breakfast to them later," she said to Pokkot who was discomfited by her impetuousness. "Let's go check on oppa and master Park."

When they reached Yunbok's room, it was to see P'ado standing outside, looking frantically about as Suk-kwon leaned against the door. His eyes lit up when he saw Iseul. She nearly laughed when he realised his feelings were too obvious and turned away. Stubborn through and through. It was an interesting challenge to cut through the little chinks in his armor.

"Ajumoni, have you..," P'ado began when he saw them.

"If you're looking for your aboji, he's with your omoni," she said. "Come and have your breakfast, they won't be available for a while. I'm sure they have many things to say to each other."

"Ah .. um .. yes, of course, with omoni," P'ado stammered and clapped a hand to his head sheepishly as Suk-kwon chuckled heartily, wishing he had thought of it sooner instead of flying into a panic when he saw Yunbok was missing. He had roused the older man and was of a mind to search, despite assurances, throughout the house when he saw Iseul and Pokkot.

As they breakfasted, Iseul tidied up the room with Pokkot, shooting little glances at Suk-kwon who pretended not to see them. Was that how he wanted to play? How disappointing. She had been expecting something more from him ever since Cheol-yu revealed that he had been released from service. Granted it was not formally acknowledged but that would come soon. What were his plans now that he was at liberty? What about her? The unspoken agreement between them held her from asking his intentions. Did he want to continue as they were? Her brisk movements slowed as she thought about it. He had made no promises so she should not expect any offers from him but she could not help hoping there would be. No, she should not harbour any illusions. Should they part, the hurt would be enormous.

Abruptly, she folded the last bedding and put it away before leaving. Pokkot stayed behind to exchange chatter with P'ado, especially on her paintings. Delighted and surprised, he was eager to see her work. He went off with her once he was done with his breakfast. Suk-kwon finished his more slowly, deep in thought as he tried to sort out the problems in order. It was surprisingly difficult to do for his mind was not focused. Recognizing what it was that was troubling him the most, he shoved it ruthlessly aside for it had no relevance to the most urgent issue; the search for Yunbok.

Throughout the years, the faction had been chafing at Jeongjo's decisive and steady grip. If they could find any way to weaken his hold, they would jump at it. By no means must they ever find Yunbok. Due to the complexity of the current operations, it was harder to clamp down on potential leaks from those not within the setup. To track down the person who had spilled the information on Yunbok's alias was a headache. Of the two in question: Han-pyeong and Song-mi, the woman's culpability was stronger. However, was she as astute as that to deduce who Yunbok was from that past encounter and the replicate paintings? Given her youth and background when they met, at fourteen years and daughter of a farmer, what knowledge of art and politics could she claim? From the trauma she had suffered, she would have been incapacitated for a long time before her family became her primary concern.

If it was neither of them. Who? He looked up as voices came from the courtyard and went out to take a look. The men were awake, including Cheol-yu, three of the five protectors assigned were limbering up for their morning sparring exercises. Could it be one of them? Unthinkable as it was, he had to consider the possibility. Each of their background was thoroughly looked into. They were handpicked personally by him but he could have missed something. If it was one of them, what was he waiting for? Yunbok had been at the retreat for three weeks, easy to grab hold of since he could be knocked out cold before he could even try to defend himself. Was it a question of timing? Perhaps the faction was planning something to coincide with Yun-bok's capture. The potentiality for such an arrangement was dismissed. Dragging a captive all the way to the capital at the last moment in some elaborate orchestration was clumsy.

No, it could not be any of them. He called out encouragingly when Cheol-yu upended one of the men as they sparred unarmed. He settled down at the porch to enjoy the spectacle. Mentally, he listed the people of the present clique who knew the truth about Yunbok: Jeong-hyang, Hong-do, himself. His thoughts returned to Han-pyeong. The old man was a complicated and tricky issue. Was he really seeking absolution for what he had done? Would he be vindictive enough to do Yunbok in since his attempts of rapprochement had been ignored?

A call interrupted his train of thought. Cheol-yu and the men beckoned, grins on their faces. Ah, they would like a bout with him. Cracking his knuckles gleefully, he joined them, eager to get some serious work out. The men tried to go slow with him, in view of his recent seizure but he would have none of it and berated them soundly for treating him lightly. Whereupon, they went at him at will, not holding back, which was what he wanted. When they called a halt, it was almost noon. Pleased with himself, Suk-kwon cleaned up in his room.

There was no sign of P'ado or Pokkot so they must still be preoccupied with her paintings. Iseul seemed to have vanished too. There was no sign either of the woman Song-mi and her son when he looked about the sarang. All of them were probably congregated at the back of the anbang. His lunch was delivered by Soon-joo instead of Iseul. Pushing aside his misgivings, he finished his meal before making for the anbang. To his surprise, Jeong-hyang was sitting up with Yunbok supporting her.

"This is really the case of the crippled leading the crippled," he scolded as he sat down.

"It's just sitting up, there's nothing difficult about that," protested Yunbok as he sat hunched over, his back partly providing the backrest for Jeong-hyang.

"Yes and you looked like you're going to topple over any time soon," Suk-kwon said before dropping the subject. He leaned forward, lowering his voice,"Never mind. Listen, we need to solve the problem of the leak as soon as possible."

"Do you think it's one among us?' Jeong-hyang murmured as she grasped Yunbok's hand. "I know both of you suspect Song-mi but I don't think it's her."

"You may be right but I don't like that bit Young-joon dropped about seeing her tearing up one of the replicate paintings and the disappearance of the rest."

"Could he have been mistaken? She could be tearing up other paper for the kitchen." Jeong-hyang knew Young-joon could be somewhat of a muddler sometimes and felt uncomfortable at that uncharitable thought of a staunch friend.

"I did find a torn piece of one of the replicas on that patrol I took to the village," Yunbok recalled. "It's likely the remnant of the one torn up or from the rest."

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Suk-kwon wondered at Yunbok's surprise. "She has some rapport with you, you are the best person to bring it up."

"I suppose she is here because you want to keep an eye on her?" Yunbok sighed when Suk-kwon nodded. "It's unlikely she knows who I am. I never told her then or even now. I seriously doubt she has any profound knowledge of paintings."

"That's what I surmised too," Suk-won agreed, pleased that Yunbok had come to the same conclusion. "Nevertheless, the mystery of her action has to be solved. The other person we have already considered is old master Shin. He is..," he hesitated, "too complex. He might and yet might not have done it."

"Doing it will reveal his ambitions, his transgression against convention," Jeong-hyang pointed out. "He cannot avoid it. Does he really want to do that to himself? Invite caustic gossips and slurs on his name and himself?" To her, it was an absurd action to take for one already so old. Surely he would prefer peaceful days.

"It is ridiculous," Yunbok murmured, "when I think about it. Would he let his hatred and anger override common sense?"

"Painter, there is also his son to consider. There is no way to hide it..," she trailed off, looking at him worriedly.

"True. He will not have wanted that. No matter how he feels about me, Young-bok is important to him." Yunbok drew up his legs to rest his arm. "What is left?"

"I even considered the men we have with us," Suk-kwon smiled when they looked at him in astonishment. "Everyone is suspect, we can't afford to leave anyone out. I thought it over carefully and decided that if it is one of them, you would have been taken in by now. Why wait?" he chuckled when they made faces at him. "I even listed out the people who know who you are. There's the three of us, Danwon and old master Han. Now I'm stymied," he threw up his hands in resignation. "I've also gone over any possible incidents that may reveal who you are to the company but there was not any. What is left are the myriad of chances that someone did recognise you from that trip."

"If someone did, it's not possible he would know where I am currently. There's a slight chance he would know about the others at the Sohn residence," Yunbok stared at Suk-kwon anxiously as he thought about Young-joon and Kyoung-mi.

"They're all under observation. Cheol-ju reported no suspicious character or anyone asking about them," Suk-kwon said assurringly and looked at Jeong-hyang curiously when she gasped suddenly. "What?"

"We have forgotten someone." She glanced at Yunbok guiltily and closed her eyes unhappily. No, it could not be.

"What is it?" Yun-bok saw she was deeply distressed and squeezed her hand in his encouragingly. "You thought of something?"

"It cannot be Iseul."