Min-Jae calmed his grandfather, exclaiming, "We have to rescue the prince first. I am willing to bet that's why Lady Jin-Ri is here. She has valuable information that could help us."
Jin-Ri walked over to a scenic map of Chiongsun, hanging on a wall of the room. "Yesterday I was informed that we have three days before the Guiong caravan circles the foot of the eastern mountain ranges" She explained the information that Ji-Hye gave to her" But now, we only have two days, once they are clear of those mountains, it will be almost impossible to find Yong and he will be lost forever"
"Then we know exactly the path they are taking," Min-Jae declared. "They will circle the mountains, through the northern region. Lady Jin-Ri is correct, it will take them two days to complete circling the mountains," he said, rubbing his chin as he examined the map.
"How sure are we that they will not take the mountain pass?" Uncle Ra-Im asked skeptically
Kwan quickly answered, "They will not, they carry carriages filled with tributes of gold and silver and other materials of value as gifts to the emperor." He revealed to the group, "As the snow on the mountain path is just starting to melt, it will be too dangerous and unpredictable for them to go through the mountain." He further explained
Grandfather Jang nodded in agreement with Kwan. "That is an astute observation, at least we are guaranteed two days before they disappear," Grandfather Jang reiterated. "How many soldiers did they have?"
"I've counted at least fifty soldiers, with maybe a dozen cavalry, some eunuchs and squires, and several dozen other servants," Kwan answered, revealing the Guiong envoy's strength and the military personnel traveling with them.
"Can we gather as many soldiers in time to help the prince?" Jin-Ri's concern bubbled over through her voice.
"Ban, go to the magistrate, tell him that I need to speak with him today" Grandfather Jang started to give instructions "Ra-Im you and Captain Gi, go to Gyong and explain to the chief that the prince needs help" He then glanced at Jin-Ri "Granddaughter, I need you to go to Haan and tell the chief of Young-Sik's predicament"
The old man stood up from his chair and approached the map. "At the dawn of the second day, whether we have the aid that we need or not, we will meet and assemble here, in the forest at the eastern side of the mountain."
"What if we don't get enough people to help us?" Ban asked nervously
"We will use the Aranese gold to pay anyone, even if they are bandits, to help us get the prince back…we will free my grandson or die trying," Grandfather Jang declared
Everyone turned their heads to the frail old man "He suffered greatly to help us, he sacrificed so much to ensure we are free and I will be damned it if I don't help my grandson in his hour of need"
Jin-Ri held the old man's hands. "We won't fail, grandfather; we will save Yong," she confidently declared with a smile.
The old man smiled at Jin-Ri, then he looked at the other's present "We only have a limited amount of time, that is why I must urge all of you to go to your posts without rest" Grandfather Jang said to his grandson "I am sorry but we cannot rest now, we have to fulfill our parts to save Young-Sik. We can all rest once he is safe and secure."
Everyone bowed to the old man and went their way to their destinations. Ha-Rin approached the old man to support him as he walked to his chair. "Don't worry, Grandfather, they won't fail us," she told the old man
"I know that they won't because I shudder to think of the consequences should they fail," the old man says, expressing his concerns.
Outside, Jin-Ri and Kwan are given fresh horses by Ra-Im. The three mounted their horses, but before they went their way, Captain Gi suggested a small change in the plan. "Uncle Ra-Im, please accompany Lady Jin-Ri instead."
"Captain Gi, Grandfather Jang told Uncle Ra-Im to accompany you, not me," Jin-Ri said in protest of the change Kwan suggested.
"I agree with the Captain, my Lady. It would be far better if I accompanied you," Uncle Ra-Im explained
Even before Jin-Ri could complain, Kwan had already tugged on the reins, making his horse gallop in the direction of Haan village. Jin-Ri scoffs at what Captain Gi did. "CHEATER!" she shouts. Jin-Ri and Uncle Ra-Im race as fast as they can to Gyong, hoping they can get the help they need.
Early in the second morning, the Guiong caravan had already circled the eastern mountain ranges and was crossing a vast grassland. The envoy looked back at the cage carrying the prince and observed that he lay slumped on the floor, his head bowed in defeat. "*Has he moved the slightest since we left? *" The envoy asked
"*No, my Lord, he stayed like that for most of the journey, night or day, he just sat like that, bound and motionless, he did not eat nor drink*" a soldier replied to the envoy's inquiry
The envoy chuckled, "*He is trying to kill himself before we reach Guiong*" he let out a snicker, "*He can punish himself all he wants, but he will still arrive well enough for our Emperor to enjoy torturing him to death*"
A curious soldier who was walking beside the cart carrying the cage that held the prince started to make fun of the prince, "*I think this Chiong dog is already dead...here watch this*" He instructed his fellow soldiers as he started to poke at Young-Sik with his spear pole. "*See, I told you this mongrel is dead*"
The Guiong soldiers began to laugh at Young-Sik, who did not move an inch even after being repeatedly jabbed with sticks. The laughter died, however, when an arrow whizzed through the air, hitting the neck of a soldier and killing him. Panic ensued when the soldiers shouted "*AMBUSH*"
Young-Sik lifted his head and opened his eyes. He observed how the Guiong soldiers formed a defensive circle, while the non-combatants huddled with the envoy in the middle of the circle. He then heard yelling as dozens of men emerged from the tall grass on both sides, shouting "Rescue the prince! ". When the two groups clashed, a ferocious battle ensued.
More arrows whizzed through the air, fatally hitting several Guiong soldiers and narrowly missing the prince. "Hey...watch where you're aiming those things!" Young-Sik shouted back as he looked at an arrow that missed him only by a couple of inches.
One of the Guiong soldiers, upon realizing that the attackers wanted to rescue the prince, called to his colleagues, "*They want to rescue the Chiong prince, we must kill the prisoner before they succeed! *"
Five enemy soldiers approached the caged prince, swords drawn and with ill intent. Young-Sik understood the soldier's intent and quickly formulated a way to escape his confinement. Unable to stand up because of the cage's confined space, he started rocking the cage back and forth. When he had enough momentum, Young-Sik pushed the cage off the side of the cart, causing it to crash on the ground and split open.
Despite having his hands tied behind his back, the prince quickly got to his feet and focused his attention on the nearest enemy soldier. The Guiong soldier attempted to attack with his weapon while charging at the prince. Young-Sik kicked the enemy soldier's sword-wielding hand, sending the weapon flying. The soldier, caught off guard by the prince's action, charged at the prince.
Young-Sik lay in wait, eyes locked on the approaching enemy soldier. He crouched low and launched himself forward, his shoulder colliding with the foe. As soon as he felt the impact, with a sudden burst of energy, he sprang upright, sending the soldier hurtling through the air, crashing to the ground head-first with a sickening thud. The force of the fall snapped the soldier's neck, ending his life in an instant.
As four more soldiers charged in, "*Stop! *" the prince yelled at the enemy soldiers. "*Don't you think this is a little bit unfair? *" he exclaimed to his attackers
"*We know!*" one of them said, "*There are four of us and only one of you*" he added
"*Then you should get more men to make it an even fight*" Young-Sik explained. His words angered the Guiong soldiers, and they charged all at the same time.
Young-Sik rolled onto the cart, using it as a strategic barrier. He leaped off the other side, positioning the cart between him and his attackers. In a swift motion, he jumped and curled into a tight ball mid-flight, knees pulled close. Before landing, he expertly slid his bound arms beneath his legs and freed his arms from their previous confinement, now poised for action.
The four soldiers circled the cart, and the first soldier attacked Young-Sik with his sword, determined to plunge it into Young-Sik's chest. The prince deftly avoided the attack by sidestepping to his enemy's left side, grabbing hold of the wrist of the sword-bearing hand, and attacking the said soldier with an elbow to the sternum. The unfortunate soul fell to the ground, barely able to breathe. Now armed with a sword, Young-Sik quickly used the blade to cut through his bonds, freeing his two hands.
Min-Jae rallied the civilian militia, leading a fierce charge against the foot soldiers. With a blade that sliced through the ranks of Guiong soldiers, he faced minimal resistance. Meanwhile, Captain Gi, commanding a contingent of cavalrymen from the Nyuong gum magistrate, engaged the enemy cavalry in a brutal clash. His sword became a harbinger of doom for those who dared approach.
Jin-Ri's heart yearned for her prince, yet she could not turn a blind eye to the terrified Guiong eunuchs and court maidens. With courage igniting her spirit, she navigated the chaos of clashing steel and whistling arrows. Upon reaching the trembling servants, she gestured for them to follow her. Fearing for their lives, they trailed behind Jin-Ri into the safety of the tall grasses, though not all were fortunate; she witnessed some servants fall victim to arrows and swords amidst the turmoil of panicked soldiers.
Jin-Ri, having ensured the servants' safety, plunged back into the chaos, her heart racing as she called out for her prince. "Yong! Yong! Where are you?" Her voice echoed through the tumult, but it was an enemy soldier who responded to her desperate cries.
With a fierce battle cry, the soldier lunged at Jin-Ri, but she barely dodged the deadly swing. In her haste to escape, she stumbled over a fallen soldier, crashing to the ground. The enemy closed in; sword raised high, ready to strike. "YONG!" Jin-Ri screamed, closing her eyes as fear gripped her heart.