Chapter 206: Chapter 79

What the heck is Hangbokg talking about?

Everyone in the room including Kanghyok opened their eyes wide with surprise.

In particular, Sungryong, who had his hemorrhoids treated by Kanghyok, reacted violently.

Hey, how can defame an excellent doctor like Kanghyok? You can hardly find such a fine doctor anywhere.

Ive received his service, too. Hes a very good doctor, said Hangbok.

How come you can say about him like that?

Well, a good doctor means he can treat a patient well, right?

With a furtive smile, Hangbok looked at Kanghyok.

If he can treat people, he can also maim them, right?

At that moment Kanghyok was gooseflesh all over.

Hangbok might have thought about it when Kanghyok treated his wife only a few days ago.

Obviously there was something extraordinary about Hangboks behavior.

Hmmm

Chul Chung and Sungryon made a frown at Hangboks mention about making Kanghyok a torture doctor.

But Chul was more concerned about the possibility that Kanghyok could really force Pyonsu confess about his ties with Yorip.

If only he could do that

If Chul could obtain the slightest clue that Yorip was plotting a revolt, that meant the end of the ruling political faction Tongins era and the quickening of the arrival of its rival Soin.

Of course, if that happened, Chul might feel sorry for his friend but political rival Sungryong, a giant of Tongin.

I could save Sungryong from the political ma.s.sacre, of course, Chul thought to himself.

In fact, Sungryong was a favored va.s.sal of King Sonjo.

Though Sungryong was to be stigmatized as a giant of the rebellious Tongin, Chul could not deal with him recklessly.

In the meantime, Sungryon was concerned about Kanghyok.

This might be a big, big trouble for him.

To the best of his knowledge, Kanghyok was the best doctor in Joseon.

Otherwise he could not have cured his hemorrhoids that had troubled him several decades.

Obviously he would be good at torturing people.

But he couldnt refuse Hangboks suggestion right away in Chuls presence.

Hangbok might have made that suggestion to protect me.

In some respects Hangboks suggestion was kind of a warning and consideration that Sungryong should not be connected with Yorip under any circ.u.mstances.

Uhhhh

When Sungryong gave a short moaning, Chul looked at him.

Their eyes met and they nodded at the same time.

Okay, then. Lets leave it to Kanghyok. Can you do it?

Now the ball was in Kanghyoks court.

Though he didnt want it, he had no other choice but to.

Kanghyok quickly put his brain to work.

Kichukoksa, or the Purge of Yorip Chungs gangKichukoksa.

As he was interested in that tragic event, he naturally recalled it.

Sungryong could safely avoid the political ma.s.sacre of Kichukoksa.

Later he could become a premier by turning evils into blessings.

Originally Kichukoksa took place at a strange timing

In fact, it took place only 2 to 3 years before the full-scale j.a.panese invasion of Joseon in 1592.

As it turned out, the Joseon government wasted its energies and resources on seeking and purging Yorip and his followers, which it should have diverted for preparation for the j.a.panese invasion.

Kanghyok nodded at Hangboks suggestion helplessly.

Let me give it a try, then.

Great. If you find out something big, you will receive a due recognition.

Yes, sir.

While repeatedly nodding his head, Kanghyok studied Sungryongs face.

Alright, Kanghyok. Just do your best.

Thanks, milord.

Now, Chul Chung and Hangbok Lee began to relax with a gentle smile.

Kanghyok was even more scary about their sudden change of att.i.tude.

Politicians are the same, regardless of the age.

When necessary, they could change their att.i.tude or feelings anytime in their favor.

Hey, lets get the heavy stuff off our chest and talk about something else, said Chul, emptying his cup.

By the way, did you have a big event at the ministry of education and culture recently? asked Sungryong.

Oh, are you talking about the Yos.h.i.+tos.h.i.+ and Kenzos party?

Oh, yes, yes.

Well, I was really surprised by Hangboks insight.

Whats that? I have no idea.

You know that Tachibana Yas.h.i.+ro visited Joseon as j.a.pans envoy some time ago, right?

Yes, of course.

At that time, Chul Chung was living an exiled life in a remote place, but he seemed to have heard about it, given that he was nodding.

When that j.a.panese envoy returned, Hangbok said something to me. As I was impressed with it at that time, I still remember it, said Sungryong.

What did he say?

He said something like this: That envoy would be killed when he returned, and a new j.a.panese envoy would come to Joseon. In that case, it would be better for the Joseon government to treat him well.

Haha, I see. I heard that he was killed when he returned. Thats why you hosted a big party for the new j.a.panese envoy and his entourage recently.

Chul nodded his head as if he understood the whole situation.

He had deep trust and affection for Hangbok.

He even felt that it was a blessing to the Soin faction to have an able man like Hangbok.

Actually, were going to give the j.a.panese envoy a positive reply this time, though we havent yet decided on the date

Have you decided to send our envoy to j.a.pan?

Yes.

Didnt you yet inform the king?

Not yet, its my own idea at this point.

No, no, if you make the proposal to the king, let me support you actively, said Chul Chung.

Thank you, sir.

Some grave decisions like that were discussed and planned at Sungryongs house.

When they broke up after drinking, it was quite dark outside.

Kanghyok was putting on leather shoes under the lamplight, Hangbok approached him.

Whew! Are you alright?

Oh, Im fine, sir.

Ive felt it all the time that youre a real heavy drinker.

Hahaha, sort of.

Do you know any secret way of having a strong head like you?

Not really, sir. Ive been like this since I was young.

I envy you. I was zonked out after drinking alcohol offered by the king recently. I behaved rather indecently at the royal meeting hosted by the king.

Oh, I heard about it from my father. When he was with the Academy of Letters, my father said he was also severely rebuked for that.

Yes, thats true. So, I envy a heavy drinker like you.

If the king filled the cup for him, that might be a great honor and favor to Hangbok.

Instead of getting drunk and behaving indecently, he should have enjoyed it and went back home sober, but he didnt.

Oh, you dont have to envy me. Hahaha.

Anyway, keep in mind that you have an important mission now.

There was no more tipsiness in his voice.

He said in a clear but quiet voice, In fact, by chance I could meet one of the Kw.a.n.ghee acrobatic team who escaped from your house.

Though he mentioned by chance, he lied in Kanghyoks mind.

Obviously Hangbok must have let his men kidnap him.

I dont know the reason, but it seemed he was given a severe torture at your house, given that he could hardly walk.

Oh well, I didnt intend to torture him, but as it turned out, I did.

He was so terrified that he confessed what he knew, though I didnt ask. But as he was not a rank-and-file man, he didnt have much information.

Hmm

Dont take it too seriously. All you have to do is extract confession from Pyonsu. He wouldnt confess no matter how tough we tortured him.

I see.

They soon arrived at a house near Hangboks.

Even before the gate was opened, there strongly smelled something disgusting.

Closing his nose, Dolsok murmured,

Oh my G.o.d It looks like the patient inside was screaming with extreme pain.

Dolsok simply thought Hangbok brought an acquaintance of his for Kanghyoks treatment.

And he even asked an unnecessary question, Why did you bring only Makbong here? Yonju and Yoni could have helped you a lot.

Instead of replying, Kanghyok just nodded.

I guess so, of course.

But Kanghyok didnt want them to witness him torturing someone.

No matter how strong Yoni was, she was a woman, for whom Kanghyok had good feelings.

If she saw Kanghyok torturing somebody, she would regard him as a psychopath.

Lets go inside, anyway.

Yes, master.

Makbong seemed to be happy because he was chosen over Yoni and Yoju.

Carrying a bulls t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es on the back, he just seemed happy.

But he was surprised when he saw the patient lying on the bed.

Oh my, this guy is

Though the patient was more haggard than before, with burnt scars here and there, he was familiar to Makbong and Dolsok.

Wasnt this guy the same Pyonsu that we recently saw?

Hmmmm I didnt beat him up severely at that time

When Kanghyok looked at him in person, he knew how much he tortured Pyonsu to extract his confession.

Didnt he open his mouth when he was beaten up like this, with his body covered with wounds and burnt scars?

Kanghyok felt even a slight feeling of respect for his loyalty to Yorip Chung.

On the way here, Hangbok gave him a sharp reminder as follows.

Kanghyok clenched his fist several times and looked at the patient.

You are the same hooligan that I saw you recently.

Pyonsu was still arrogant.

Clicking his tongue with regret, Kanghyok said, Hey, were going to torture you from now on. You will feel an unprecedented torture youve never experienced before. You had better confess now .

F*ck off!

Sorry youre getting around the road instead of the shortcut. Dolsok, open the bag.

Oh, yes.