RED STAR IN THE SKY GORYEO (The Scent Of Life 2)
CHAPTER 16 MONK'S HOOD

In the darkness of the night, in the middle of the forest, two human figures ran in the bright half moon. The figures were a young man with a daughter. A group of people carrying torches were chasing them. The sound of dog barking was heard making that night like a hellish night for the two of them. Gasping for breath they finally sat hiding behind a huge rock on the slope of the valley.

"Woolah. You just hide here. I'll distract them. Ask Physician Hong for help and tell the cursed place. It's wearing my necklace and give it to her" said the man wearing the shabby white shirt.

"No ... no .. big brother .. You have to come with me," said the little girl named Myungwool. His face was full of rashes like getting a disease. He held tightly to his brother's hand.

"Of course, I'll be back. Just wait for me here. Take the medicine I gave you to reduce the effects of the poison," the man said while covering the little girl's body with bushes under a large rock so as not to be found by those who were chasing them.

The young man ran away from the big rock. The people who were chasing him were lured after the man. The poor man couldn't run anymore and fell down. A bald-headed man approached and drew his sword towards the young man's neck.

"You think you're gonna make it out. Take him back to the valley. The little girl, find him see you, dead or alive" said the old man in cold-faced noble clothes behind the bald man.

"Yes, your majesty," answered the bald-headed man.

Some people tied up and dragged brother Myungwool back into the valley.

***

Byeol has arrived in the city. He missed the hustle and bustle of the city atmosphere after a long time in the dormitory. He took a walk around town and ended up stopping at a tavern on the side of the road. While waiting for his order food to come, his gaze skirted around.

Suddenly there was a commotion. Byeol saw a man running to pick up people who were passing by on the street. The bald-headed man was chased by a figure Byeol knew. Wang Jung nimbly chased after the Gundul. In fact Byeol wanted to help Wang Jung pursue the fugitive. However, there is something more interesting Byeol that escaped the attention of the public.

A bald-headed man in the same suit was running and jumping on the roof of the house. It was seen that Wang So was also hunting the Gundul. It seemed that they were a plot and the princes were busy chasing them. Byeol stands up and decides to help Wang So pursue his quarry.

The owner of the tavern shouted as Byeol left without paying in a hurry. Byeol threw a piece of money at the shop owner in exchange for food that had not been eaten. Byeol is looking for an alternative way to follow Wang So's quarry. The bald man was unaware of Byeol's whereabouts.

Upon arrival in a bamboo forest, Byeol immediately confronted the Gundul.

"Who are you?" ask the Gundul.

"I ... ?" byeol asked back while drawing his sword.

"Surge you," cried the man

Without waiting for a pause, Gundul immediately attacked Byeol with his sword. Wang So came, then stopped breathing. Wang So just stood up while looking at the fight. Byeol is not easily defeated until the point Byeol let loose and fell to the ground.

Gundul felt in the wind, then swung his sword towards Byeol. Wang So did not remain silent. He also deflected the sword of the Hundle. Wang So managed to defeat and hit down the Gundul.

"Who sent you," asked Wang So as he placed the tip of the sword on the neck of the Hound.

Without answering Wang So's question, the man took a medicine from his belt and swallowed it. Out of the foam from the mouth of the Mound.

"Jerk .. again like this," Wang So was upset, his prey died in vain without any information.

Wang So sighed deeply, then walked towards Byeol who was trying to stand up.

"You're okay. Long time no see you, you worry me" said Wang So while helping Byeol stand up.

"Your majesty .. I am fine," said Byeol.

"Who is he?" ask Byeol

"We're investigating secretly about the Crown Prince's birthday riots, and the deaths of rowdy dancers in prison. Now vain. We don't have enough leads yet to uncover who's behind all this. We'd better find Wang Jung, he's after the other guy,"

"Okay noble," said Byeol

"Byeol-ah .. long time no see," said Wang Jung wanted to hug Byeol but was blocked by Wang So. Byeol laughed and Wang Jung frowned.

***

In a room there were some healers examining the dead body of the man they were chasing last afternoon. Wang So, Wang Jung and Byeol were in that room. They discovered the fact that they were a heretical sect that was skilled in medicine. On the inner hand of the bodies were found a tattoo shaped Monk's Hood flower. The symbol of the tattoo is the same as that of the rowdy sword dancers at the Crown Prince's birthday. It could be that they were paid by someone to mess up in the palace. Wang So smelled the medicinal pill that was found from the corpse's body. Byeol also checked the pill, then his forehead frowned. The medicinal ingredient is Monk's Hood flower. Crazy, who is producing toxic drugs like this, Byeol thought.

Wang So and Byeol came out of the morgue.

"I've been looking for you everywhere all this time. But suddenly you appear before me" said Wang So

"Dad asked me to pay a visit to your brother's house" Byeol replied lying to keep the secret.

"You, don't leave again without my permission" Wang So asked

Byeol simply smiled without commenting

"They drank Monk's Hood's poison. Just like the rowdy sword dancers drank. Looks like we have to find out where the rare medicine was made," Wang So explained.

"Hamba will help his majesty" said Byeol

Wang So immediately frowned while staring at Byeol.

"This mission is dangerous. You better not come" explained Wang So, who was worried about Byeol.

"Hasn't the servant's ability been tested during the Crown Prince's event? The servant even risked the servant's life for you," explained Byeol trying to seduce Wang So to be allowed to participate in the investigation.

Wang So silently considered.

"No, you can't get hurt again this time. Better not come,"

Byeol looked at Wang So with a pleading gaze. Wang So did not reach the heart.

"Alright, don't be rash anymore. Help me investigate at every drugstore and herbal supplier. Let Wang Jung and Wang Wook come to the practice of healers and health halls. But remember, do not act alone without notice. Stay with me," Wang So explained.

Byeol nodded with a bright smile.

***

They're starting to move. Wang So and Byeol went to shops selling herbs for medicines and asked who the supplier was. One by one they came to the shops. The results of their investigation led to the name of one drug supplier, a female merchant named Mrs Hae. It was the woman who monopolized the herbal supply in Songak.

"Your majesty, what are we going to do now?" byeol asked as the two of them were already in front of Madam Hae's residence.

"We're looking for information about Mrs Hae and her activities. With officials whoever he's connected to, there's got to be a record. We'll find the book. I suspect the poison used was related to Mrs Hae" said Wang So

"Wait here" Wang So continued to Byeol and went to spy on the house.

Wang So walked around the large and spacious house just looking for a gap to enter and look inside. He jumped inside and managed to enter the park. The house is deserted. Wang So sneaked into room after room, then there was the sound of people talking

"Preparate the event later tonight, because Songak merchants will come as well as state officials," a woman in noble clothes told a man suspected of being the housekeeper of Mrs Hae.

The man left and Madam Hae walked into his room. Wang So went into hiding, then decided to get out of the house secretly. In Wang So's mind was already drawn a plan.