RED STAR IN THE SKY GORYEO (The Scent Of Life 2)
CHAPTER 15 SUDDEN EXAM

The female soldiers practiced physically shouldering a large bundle of straw on the back while going up and down the mountain. In hot weather conditions, their sweat is pouring out. They had to get used to the conditions, in order to easily bring their wounded friend in case of war.

It wasn't easy for Byeol to go through all that, but he had to stay. Even some of his roommates cry every night because they suffer and miss their hometown. He became a soldier, because he wanted to lighten the burden of his poor parents. There are also those who immediately fall ill because they are not used to hard training. Some became soldiers because they were forced by their parents rather than sold into gisaeng. Some are happy to be soldiers, because they live on the streets. On average, they have no parents or relatives anymore. He really misses his parents and home. It has been six months without feeling. How is Wang So? Even he did not have time to say goodbye and tell about his whereabouts in the dorm.

"We'll rest there for a while. There is a river in front. You can take a shower, and drink as much as you can" shouted Miss Park

Miss Park's voice resuscitated Byeol's daydream about her friends. The female soldiers shouted in excitement, as did Byeol. Finally they sped up their steps to quickly arrive at the river.

They immediately threw themselves into the river and swam happily. Miss Park is kind, that's what they have in mind. Miss Park smiled broadly to see her men happily playing water while unwinding.

Byeol and Hwa Young sat on a rock while soaking their feet. Another group of soldiers were sitting in a group across from them. Their voices were clearly heard talking about the members of the palace especially the princes.

"Eh, you know, yesterday I had heard that there would be a sudden inspection of the palace. You know who's coming?" a girl begins their conversation.

The other soldiers seemed enthusiastic to listen.

"Your Excellency Wang Jung" continued the girl.

All the girls were happy to hear who was coming. They talked and flattered prince Wang Jung. Like an idol. Even they would prepare things that would attract the prince's attention.

Byeol and Hwa Young listened to their conversation. Byeol saw Hwa Young's countenance turn moody and upset.

"Huh, tacky," snorted Hwa Young.

The girl smashed the wood she had brought into the water to the temple about the group of girls who were talking about Wang Jung. The girls shouted out in protest. Hwa Young stood up and left that place. Byeol felt astonished and ran after HwaYoung.

"What's wrong? Are you angry?" byeol asked as soon as he caught up with Hwa Young who was sitting under the tree. Hwa Young's face was still upset.

"I'm not angry, I just don't want to hear that name" Hwa Young said.

Hwa Young had not been able to continue his explanation heard boisterous sounds and sword clinks from the direction of the river. Byeol and Hwa Young fell silent, then immediately ran towards the river. They carefully checked the situation. Seen by them the river was deserted from the humans, only a lump of straw was left behind. Byeol and Hwa Young went down the hill slowly to check things out. There were traces of people, and a broken branch indicated that someone was passing by. Byeol remained motionless as he felt that someone was watching them. Suddenly a group of men wearing face coverings attacked from a hidden place. The inevitable fight. One by one the men were successfully grabbed by the sword, and sprawled. One man who escaped was thrown by a knife by Hwa Young and hit on his leg, then fell to the ground.

"Who are y'all? Where are you taking the other soldiers?" ask Byeol

The man was silent and did not answer. From a distance there was See Hee running over.

"What's going on?" ask See Hee

"The soldiers in the river disappeared. They also made an ambush on us,"

"That's it," See Hee ordered.

Hwa Young also obediently tried to bind the wounded man. But suddenly See Hee hits Hwa Young on the nape. Byeol was surprised to see See Hee.

"See Hee, why ...?" byeol asked unfinished, but she also fainted after someone also hit her nape from behind.

***

Byeol tried to open his eyes. Blurry views. He shook his head trying to regain his consciousness. He was shocked when he saw that the two of them were tied up in a body and hung in a warehouse.

Hwa Young has not regained consciousness. Byeol was upset by her helpless condition. Getting upset again when he remembered the figure of See Hee trapping them, before he fainted hit on the nape. His head is still dizzy.

"Young-ah ... Young-ah!" call Byeol while kicking his foot at Hwa Young's foot next to him. Hwa Young finally regained consciousness. He was also surprised by the situation.

"What's going on? Who're they?" ask HwaYoung.

"We better not think about it first. We're looking for a way to break away from this bond and then come down" Byeol said.

Byeol thought of a way to escape. He had an idea that the rope ties on the body could be removed.

"Young-ah, can your mouth reach my hair? Take my hair-piercing konde. Take it with your mouth," Byeol told Hwa Young.

Hwa Young tried to get closer to Byeol, but it seemed futile. Their hanging bodies were swaying. Then looped his legs on Byeol's body when they were close together.

"Get your head close," pinta HwaYoung.

Byeol tried to bend his body in such a way that Hwa Young easily reached his head. Hwa Young pulls the skewer of Konde Byeol. Finally he managed to take a simple konde skewer belonging to Byeol.

"Drop it in my hand. Here!" byeol orders while turning his body, turning his back on Hwa Young to drop the skewer into Byeol's hand.

"Be careful. Only once chance. If it fails, then there is no other way that we can escape from this bond" Byeol recalled.

Hwa Young was nervous, and approached in such a way that her face approached in the hands of Byeol who was tied behind her back. One two three...

The slaaap!

The skewer fell and caught Byeol's hand. The tip of the konde skewer was drawn, and a small knife was taken out of it.

Bruugh!

Byeol fell to the ground. His legs hurt, making him grimace in pain.

"Byeol, quickly disconnect the rope tied to the pole," asked Hwa Young to have Byeol break the rope that held Hwa Young's body hanging.

When Byeol stepped near the pole to break the rope, a man in black suddenly entered the warehouse. Seeing Byeol who managed to escape, the Black Shirt approached as if threatening Byeol. In an instant, a fight happened. The man fell backwards with a kick. Byeol takes the opportunity to break the rope that binds Hwa Young. The rope was broken, but Hwa Young had not been able to descend safely to the ground, the Black Shirt attacked again.

The fight back ensued making Hwa Young pulled up again. Byeol is no longer strong enough to hold Hwa Young's weight. Finally he removed the rope he was holding. Hwa Young fell down. He grimaces in pain.

Byeol took a wooden stick and attacked the man. In a careless condition, the Black Shirt managed to be knocked down by Byeol, and finally fainted. Seeing that the opponent had lost, Byeol also helped untie Hwa Young's hand.

They were preparing to exit the warehouse when some people came in to block their way. Byeol and Hwa Young prepare to start the fight, but are stopped when a man Byeol knows enters with Miss Park and See Hee. The man was Prince Wang Jung.

"Your highness" said Byeol spontaneously, surprised to see who came.

Wang Jung was surprised to see two women in front of him. His face kept trying to show calmness. He did not expect the last two female soldiers to be caught in the test as soldiers were Byeol and Hwa Young.

"Miss Park, is this the only ability of your men?" ask Wang Jung.

"Your Majesty, I deserve to be punished" replied Miss Park who felt unable to properly educate and train her soldiers. All the female soldiers were captured and ambushed in the sudden exam given by Wang Jung.

Byeol tries to digest what happened and can finally understand it. Everything that happened was just a trap to test the abilities of the female soldiers.

"We're back at the dorm. Everybody's going. Byeol you stay here" Wang Jung ordered.

Everyone get out of the barn. Byeol saw Hwa Young walking out of the warehouse with a sad look in her eyes, as she walked past Wang Jung. The man walked towards Byeol. Byeol straight.

"Dumb girl, why are you here?" ask Wang Jung

"Hamba has a direct command from the king's majesty" replied Byeol

Wang Jung was impressed with Byeol's choice.

"You know the consequences of a soldier being prepared to die on the battlefield?" ask Wang Jung.

"Are you not going to regret it?" ask Wang Jung again.

"If it is indeed the fate of the servant. Servants will live to the end" replied Byeol

"Well, if that's your life choice. I'll be by your side" said Wang Jung.

Byeol's eyes caught the figure of Hwa Young who was still standing in front of the warehouse door. His face looked sad looking at the two of them. Byeol felt bad

"Young-ah," called Byeol as soon as he saw Hwa Young at the warehouse door.

"Hamba said he resigned, your honor," said Byeol leaving Wang Jung, then chasing Hwa Young who left with a sad face.

Wang Jung called Byeol, but the girl didn't care.

Byeol chased Hwa Young all the way to the dorm room. He saw Hwa Young sitting alone while shedding tears.

"Young-ah, what's wrong? Are you mad at me?" ask Byeol

Hwa Young remained unmoved, and still continued to cry.

"Tell me. What's the matter exactly?" ask Byeol.

Hwa Young took the sword in a box and gave it to Byeol. Byeol took the sword and saw that the sword decoration looked familiar to him. The sword decoration was the same as Wang Jung's.

"Your Excellency Wang Jung, he's my brother's best friend. We grew up together in the palace. Until finally my brother died for protecting Wang Jung on the battlefield. Since then Wang Jung never met me, I felt alone. Ever since mom's dad left us forever, I've had no one but brother. I hate Wang Jung. Every time I see it somehow my heart feels mixed between sadness and hatred. I love him Byeol-ah, but I hate him too, because all this time he didn't pay me any more attention" Hwa Young said between sobs.

Byeol was silent and could not comment.

"Young-ah .. I'm sorry. Try to hold your chest to accept your life's destiny. I'll talk to him about this" said Byeol.

Hwa-young keeps Byeol from doing anything. He shook his head in a sign of disagreement. Byeol gave in and did nothing. Byeol clasped Hwa Young's hand tightly to strengthen her heart.

***

Time is slow. Byeol learned to play a variety of weapons. He also practices physical every day. On his ankle was also given a load to get used to the heavy terrain conditions. They learn to make medicinal herbs with Madam Joo who was also a court physician. Byeol also learned to make tea, embroider, art and musical instruments with Lady Soo.

One day Mrs Joo gave an announcement that the soldiers could return home for a few days. Byeol was happy to be home. However, Lady Joo suddenly gives a letter from Queen Janghwa that Byeol should take part in the hunt to the forest that the palace will hold. Byeol felt heavy-hearted, but it was his choice to fulfill the king's request to always be by Queen Janghwa's side, so he had to carry out the decree.