Chapter 18: The Scars We Carry
Following their formal introduction at the palace, the Crown Prince led Pung, Woon, and Chae-woo to the East Palace study.
The room was soon buried in tactical scrolls as the Crown Prince and Pung began sifting through maps and trade routes, with Chae-woo helping organize the massive piles.
Meanwhile, Woon—already thoroughly bored—strolled to a quiet corner and leaned against a tall bookshelf, closing his eyes to steal some sleep while pretending to remain alert.
Hours passed in quiet study.
Pung glanced across the room, noting the unnatural stiffness in Woon’s posture, and instantly knew his brother had drifted off.
Stepping softly toward him, Pung noticed a jagged, ancient scar trailing up from beneath Woon’s collar toward the nape of his neck.
Curious, Pung gently reached out to adjust the fabric for a clearer look.
The moment fingers brushed his collar, Woon snapped awake.
Fueled by raw, blind instinct, Woon spun, grabbed Pung by the throat, and slammed him back against the wooden shelves with terrifying force.
Books tumbled to the floor as Woon pinned him down, his fingers tightening around Pung’s windpipe.
“Woon! What are you doing?!” the Crown Prince shouted, leaping up from his desk.
Chae-woo rushed forward, panic in his eyes.
Pinned to the floor, Pung’s vision flickered and his eyes began to turn red from lack of air.
Yet, instead of fighting back, Pung raised a trembling hand and gently stroked Woon’s hair.
The soft, familiar touch pierced through the haze of panic.
Woon’s eyes dilated, snapping back to reality.
Gasping, he released his grip and recoiled.
Pung lay on the floor, drawing in ragged gulps of air as the color slowly returned to his face.
“What were you thinking?!” Chae-woo yelled, dropping to his knees to help Pung sit up.
Noticing the volatile tension in Woon’s posture, Pung raised a hand, gesturing silently to the Crown Prince and Chae-woo to give Woon space until his breathing settled.
After a long, heavy silence, Woon stood up, his jaw set tightly.
“There is one thing I have never said to anyone in my entire life—and that is sorry. I was never interested in working for the King or his family, and I want nothing to do with the crown.”
“What are you doing?!” Chae-woo hissed in a desperate whisper.
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, stepping closer.
“Do you realize I could have you executed on the spot for insubordination?”
“Do whatever you want,” Woon replied, staring back without flinching. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“The royal family always believes they are more elevated than everyone else in Joseon. But the truth is, you only possess influence—not raw strength.”
Chae-woo and Pung immediately dropped to their knees, bowing low to the floor.
“Please forgive him, Your Highness!” Chae-woo pleaded frantically.
“When he was a child, he fell and hit his head against a stone wall—he loses control sometimes!” He nudged Woon aggressively with his elbow.
“What is wrong with you? Apologize right now!”
Woon ignored Chae-woo, keeping his eyes locked on the Prince.
“Studying dusty maps in a locked room won’t solve this case. I know a way to get answers much faster.”
The Crown Prince paused, checking his temper.
“What way?”
“Groundwork,” Woon said.
“If we put ourselves in the shoes of the merchants, we can find out who is moving the iron. But you won’t get them to talk in court.”
“And why is that?” the Prince asked.
“Because whenever people hear ‘the Crown’ or ‘the Royal Family,’ they think of dungeons, torture, and executions,” Woon stated bluntly.
“Show them you actually care, and they will speak. I know a few people who can help us.”
“Who?”
“People from my side of the city,” Woon said.
“But you must promise me first that no harm will come to them.”
“You have my word,” the Crown Prince promised.
“They will remain safe.”
Around the Hour of the Dog (6:00 PM), as dusk settled over Hanyang, the Crown Prince, Pung, Woon, and Chae-woo shed their official garments, dressed as ordinary noblemen, and slipped out into the city streets.
“We should start at a secret gambling den I know,” Woon suggested, leading them through the narrowing alleys.
Falling back a few paces, Chae-woo leaned toward Pung and asked softly, “When Woon pinned you down back there… I know how strong he is, but why didn’t you fight back to break free?”
“I don’t really know,” Pung replied quietly, his voice raspy.
“When I looked into his eyes… I saw a deep trauma. I recognized it. And that scar on his neck… there’s only one person I’ve ever known who had a mark like that.”
Pung stopped mid-sentence, looking away into the crowded market.
“Forget about it,” Pung added.
It can’t be him, Pung thought to himself, his chest tightening as he watched Woon stride ahead.
He is long gone…
isn’t he?
Their silhouettes faded into the amber glow of the setting sun.
Back inside the palace, the Chief Royal Guard entered the King’s private study, bowing low.
“Anything to report?” the King asked without raising his eyes from his desk.
“Nothing definitive, Jeonha,” the Chief Guard replied.
“Nothing appears out of character among the new recruits.”
“Good.”
The Head Personal Eunuch stepped forward cautiously.
“Jeonha… there is something I must report regarding the Crown Prince’s study earlier this afternoon.”
The King looked up.
“Speak.”
“Per your instructions, I went to check on the Prince’s progress,” the Eunuch explained.
“Before I could enter, I witnessed San Woon suddenly throw Lee Pung against the bookshelves and strangle him. I could not ascertain what triggered it.”
The King’s gaze hardened.
“Did anyone else witness this?”
“No, Jeonha,” the Eunuch reassured.
“The Crown Prince does not allow court ladies or attendants inside his study while conducting official business.”
“Keep it that way,” the King commanded sharply.
“Ensure not a single word of this leaks to the state ministers. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Jeonha,” both the Chief Guard and the Eunuch answered in unison.
Left alone in the quiet room, the King leaned back, his eyes narrowing in thought.
Why would a royal guard suddenly snap and attack his own comrade with such blind rage?
the King mused, recalling Woon’s explosive reaction toward the Chief Guard during the martial exams.
It is the exact same fury…
As the pieces of the puzzle slowly began to align, the shadows lengthened across the palace floor.