Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 285

285. Hanseong’s Ordinary Days (3)

“Minister, good morning!”

A young official greeted the Naegeumwi [Royal Guard] Captain as he headed to the Naegeumwi headquarters early in the morning. The Naegeumwi Captain, pleased with the greeting, responded with a bright face.

“Good morning to you! Have a good day!”

“Thank you, Minister!”

After exchanging greetings with the Naegeumwi Captain, the young official suddenly stopped, turned his head, and looked at the Captain.

“Did he dream of being granted resignation last night? He’s positively beaming…”

The young official tilted his head, then stopped thinking about it.

“That’s not the problem now! We’ll be working overtime again if we’re not careful!”

The Naegeumwi Captain’s steps towards the headquarters were lighter than ever. It wasn’t just his steps that were light; a smile never left his face.

* * *

“Let’s decide on the leader of the newly formed organization in five days. Until then, everyone, prepare thoroughly!”

That was Sejong’s command to the Gyeju [leaders] of the Geomgye [Sword Fraternity] yesterday. The Gyeju were grimacing, but once a firm decision was made, they burned with fighting spirit.

“We will prepare thoroughly!”

After the meeting with the Gyeju, Sejong asked the Naegeumwi Captain as he returned to the palace.

“Naegeumwi Captain, you are confident, aren’t you?”

“I will surely fulfill Your Majesty’s command!”

“A duel with the Geomgye… it’s been a while since my blood has been boiling.”

A hot aura emanated from the Naegeumwi Captain’s body as he headed to the headquarters.

The Naegeumwi Captain was overjoyed by Sejong’s command.

* * *

He first set foot in the world during the transition from Goryeo to Joseon.

The Naegeumwi Captain, with dreams of a bright future, threw himself into the storm of a chaotic era.

Starting as a mere nameless warrior, he climbed higher and higher, overcoming countless life-and-death situations.

Finally, as Joseon was founded and Taejong seized the throne, he earned the title of ‘Joseon’s Greatest Swordsman.’ And, as the previous Naegeumwi Captain, Gang Sang-in, disappeared like dew on the execution ground due to ‘Gang Sang-in’s Treason,’ he became the Naegeumwi Captain.

However, as Joseon stabilized, he had to endure a monotonous daily life. For him, who had been risking his life in life-and-death battles since he was young, the peaceful daily life was unbearably boring.

The only times he felt alive while suffering from boredom were when the Jurchens or Japanese pirates invaded. Each time, he left the palace and rushed to the front lines to fight, feeling alive.

Since then, he had repeatedly requested to be sent as a general to the front lines, but both King Taejong and Sejong did not accept his request.

“Only Gyeong-man can protect the King!”

In the end, the Naegeumwi Captain withered away day by day in the shadows of Gyeongbok Palace.

* * *

“Minister! You’ve arrived!”

“You’ve arrived!”

“Yes!”

The Naegeumwi Captain, answering the greetings of the soldiers with vigor, entered his room.

The Naegeumwi Captain, looking at the swords placed on the rack on one wall, fixed his gaze on two swords.

“Is my life blooming again now that I’m working with the Crown Prince?”

The Naegeumwi Captain smiled even more deeply, thinking of Hyang’s face.

When they first met, Hyang seemed like a slightly clever child, but as time passed, Hyang gradually occupied a larger place in his heart.

* * *

The relationship between the Naegeumwi Captain and Hyang deepened because of the Changgeom Soldiers [Sword Spear Soldiers].

“Your Highness, did you call for me?”

“Yes. I looked for someone skilled in swordsmanship, and everyone pointed to the Naegeumwi Captain. They say you are ‘Joseon’s Greatest Swordsman’?”

“I have also been called by such a flattering reputation.”

“Please take a look at this book.”

“Yes?”

The Naegeumwi Captain, inadvertently receiving the book Hyang handed him, examined the cover. On the cover of the book, bound in reverse to the books he had seen so far, were letters he had never seen before.

The Naegeumwi Captain turned the cover and looked at the contents inside, then turned to Hyang.

“Is this a swordsmanship manual?”

“Yes. It is the swordsmanship used by the Seoi [Western Barbarians]. I have not yet told Father, but we are making new armor in Area 51. The armor worn by the Seoi in that swordsmanship manual is similar in shape, so I was wondering if we should use the greatswords and swordsmanship they use.”

“Can I see the armor?”

After trying on the armor being developed and re-examining the swordsmanship manual, the Naegeumwi Captain replied to Hyang.

“I think it’s possible.”

After that, the Naegeumwi Captain and Hyang put their heads together and created a greatsword technique for the Changgeom Soldiers.

In this process, the Naegeumwi Captain made an assessment of Hyang.

“My subordinates say that you have excellent martial talent, and indeed you do. It’s just a pity that your archery is a bit lacking…”

The Naegeumwi Captain, unable to hide his disappointment as he recalled Yi Seong-gye, who was called ‘Godly Archer,’ had to revise his assessment after seeing Hyang shooting the long-barreled cannon and the mounted rifle.

“Like father, like son…”

* * *

Hyang, who had formed a relationship in this way, sometimes caused headaches for the Naegeumwi Captain but became an invaluable presence.

Hyang had caused him to sweat by staging a private meeting with the Gyeju of the Geomgye, but it was Hyang who took the lead in suppressing the rebels during the Gi-yu year incident [a rebellion].

As he became involved with Hyang in this way, the Naegeumwi Captain gradually regained his vitality.

* * *

The collaboration between the Naegeumwi Captain and Hyang was achieved once again after that.

The reason for the collaboration was the Geomgye.

After the Gi-yu year incident was suppressed, Hyang asked the Naegeumwi Captain.

“What kind of sword is the Changpo Sword that the Geomgye use?”

“Why are you suddenly asking about the Changpo Sword?”

“The Geomgye made a great contribution in suppressing this incident, so I am personally going to make a few swords as a reward. I asked the artisans in Area 51, but they said they have never made such a low-quality sword.”

The Naegeumwi Captain corrected Hyang’s words.

“It’s not that the sword is of low quality, but that the user’s skill is lacking. Because the Geomgye use it. Hmm…. But, since Your Highness wishes it, I will get it for you.”

“Don’t bother; let’s meet the user directly.”

“Yes?”

At Hyang’s words, the Naegeumwi Captain grumbled inwardly.

‘What trouble are you trying to cause again!’

In the end, under the condition that ‘the Naegeumwi Captain will escort you directly,’ Hyang met with the Geomgye again.

“Is this the Changpo Sword?”

“Yes, it is.”

Hyang, receiving the Changpo Sword from the Gyeju of the Bukchon Geomgye [North Village Sword Fraternity], drew the sword and chuckled as he muttered.

“People’s thoughts are all the same…”

“Yes?”

“Your Highness, what are you saying?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Hyang, muttering words of unknown meaning, began to converse with the Gyeju [leader of a Geomgye] about various matters.

“So, you’re saying you mainly use thrusting techniques?”

“That is correct. The alleys of Hanseong [historical name for Seoul] are too narrow to swing a sword freely.”

“As I thought…”

“Yes?”

“Just talking to myself.”

Thus, what Hyang made and gave to the Geomgye was a modified rapier—the guard part was changed to be foldable. And on the blade were engraved the four characters ‘Jaeeum Wiguo’ [在陰衛國, In Secrecy, Defend the Nation].

* * *

After seeing the rapier Hyang made, the Naegeumwi Captain [Captain of the Royal Guard] requested Hyang to make rapiers exclusively for the Naegeumwi.

“You want the Changpo Sword to be used by the Naegeumwi? Why?”

“The palace is a place filled with narrow and complex passages, much like the alleys of Hanseong. It’s quite awkward to swing a long sword in such places.”

“But, it’s difficult to deal with armor using the Changpo Sword, isn’t it?”

“As you saw during the last palace intrusion, plate armor or padded armor are not easy to acquire. At best, it’s chainmail or cotton armor. The Changpo Sword is sufficient for chainmail or cotton armor. And, most importantly, the Naegeumwi’s main weapon is the hand cannon. The sword is likely to be used for finishing blows.”

“I see. Understood.”

Thus, Hyang came to supply properly made rapiers to the Naegeumwi.

* * *

The Naegeumwi Captain, looking at the two rapiers he received from Hyang through this process, took one out, fastened it to his waist, and went outside.

“Everyone, assemble!”

At the Naegeumwi Captain’s command, the Naegeumwi soldiers who were training quickly gathered.

The Naegeumwi Captain, surveying the lined-up Naegeumwi soldiers and officers, opened his mouth.

“The top 50 in swordsmanship, step forward.”

At the Naegeumwi Captain’s command, 50 Naegeumwi soldiers and officers stepped forward. Seeing them, the Naegeumwi Captain immediately gave his orders.

“For the next three days, you will spar with me.”

“Hiccup!”

“Eek!”

At the Naegeumwi Captain’s words, the faces of the 50 turned pale.

* * *

Five days later, at a safe house of the Dadong Geomgye [Dadong Sword Fraternity], located somewhere in Hanseong.

The courtyard was brightly lit thanks to the bonfires lit in various places.

Sejong [King’s name] and Hyang were sitting in the main hall of the main building.

Selected Naegeumwi were standing guard around the two, and across from them sat the Gyejus and members of the three major Geomgye of Hanseong.

“Then, let’s begin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Thus, a contest to determine the leader of the newly formed secret organization began.

The victory in the contest, which lasted about 1 shijin (2 hours), was, as expected, the Naegeumwi Captain.

25:0

That was the outcome of the contest that took place over 1 shijin.

The Geomgye waged a war of attrition to diminish the Naegeumwi Captain’s strength even a little, but they had to taste the bitterness of defeat each time they came forward.

“The result is in. Any objections?”

At Sejong’s question, none of the Gyejus or members raised any objections.

“None, Your Majesty.”

“It is an honor to have crossed swords with Joseon’s greatest swordsman.”

“It was swordsmanship I had never seen before. As expected of Joseon’s greatest swordsman.”

At the words ‘swordsmanship I had never seen before,’ the Naegeumwi Captain smiled as he looked at Hyang, and Hyang also responded with a smile.

‘The 덕질 [deokjil, obsession] I started for business purposes has paid off?’

* * *

In the 21st century, Hyang did not open a smithy simply for hobby purposes.

Since it was a career he had chosen, Hyang diligently engaged in 영업 [yeong-eop, business promotion/marketing].

“The competition for Joseon hwandos [traditional Korean swords] or Japanese swords is too fierce. Then, it has to be… Western swords. Buying directly is costly, and going through customs is complicated.”

Having come to that conclusion, Hyang engaged in 영업 [yeong-eop, business promotion] targeting 서양 검술 [seoyang geomseul, Western swordsmanship] 동호회 [donghohoe, clubs/societies].

In the process, the scope of his 덕질 [deokjil, obsession] expanded to include Western swords and Western swordsmanship.

And that 덕질 [deokjil, obsession] paid its worth in developing swordsmanship with the Naegeumwi Captain.

* * *

With the leader decided, Sejong moved on to the next matter.

Taking out a piece of paper from his pocket, Sejong handed it to the Naegeumwi Captain.

“It is the name of the newly formed organization.”

The Naegeumwi Captain unfolded the paper and looked inside.

Only two characters were written on the paper.

-Milwi (密衛) [Secret Guard]

“I hope you will protect the king and the nation in secret, as the name suggests.”

At Sejong’s request, the Gyejus and members of the Geomgye quietly lowered their heads.

“Yes!”

* * *

With the name of the organization decided and the leader chosen, the Geomgye’s movements became active again.

“First, we need to replenish personnel. Should we absorb other Geomgye?”

At the Naegeumwi Captain’s question, the Bukchon Gyeju [North Village Chief] immediately answered.

“That would be the fastest way. I was already checking rumors around Jemulpo, and it seems that the Geomgye there is gradually increasing in size. It’s best to take action early before they grow even larger.”

“Of course, we should also send out our men to find and recruit those who are useful.”

The Naegeumwi Captain, nodding at the Gyejus’ answers, opened his mouth.

“Then, let’s use both methods. But, I have something to ask. Make sure to fill the ranks with those who have no problems with their character. Aren’t we now His Majesty’s secret personal guard?”

In an instant, the safe house became as quiet as a mouse.

Both the Gyejus and the members closed their mouths and looked at the Naegeumwi Captain.

“Why? Did I say something wrong?”

At the Naegeumwi Captain’s question, the Dadong Gyeju [Dadong Chief] answered with a dumbfounded expression.

“Sir, as you know, we are Geomgye. The guys who will be coming in the future are also Geomgye. Do you think there are any guys involved with Geomgye who have no problems with their character?”

At the Dadong Gyeju’s answer, the Naegeumwi Captain put his hand on his forehead.

The Naegeumwi Captain, after pondering for a moment, opened his mouth.

“Let’s revise that. Choose and fill the ranks with guys who can be reformed.”