Kang Chi: Beyond Life and Time

Chapter 27: Beyond Life: Manifestations of the Past

Yeo Wool, together with Han Wool and their father, excitedly led the way to the designated path up the Jirisan. She had been bugging her father for quite a while now about hiking again, and last night, before going to bed, he gave in. She thought it was weird, but it did not matter, because what is more important was the fact that she had convinced him.

When they came to the part that diverts to the illegal trail, Yeo Wool was about to speak to inform her father about it, but he beat her on it.

"This..." he began. "This is where I stumbled...."

She was surprised that her father remembered the exact spot. She wondered if he just knew, like how she did when she came back to look for the place.

"Majayo, Abeoji!"

"And you ran through there, and I was so scared that I'd lose you...."

Her father's voice trailed off when someone a few steps behind them interrupted.

"It is truly good to know that you didn't."

They both looked at the man who just spoke, and just like her, her father could be thinking the same about him.

Isanghae....

"Losing a loved one is an agonizing experience. But losing her at a tender age is more excruciating."

She continued to look at him, puzzled. She had never seen this man before, yet he did not restrain himself from imparting some facts of life to strangers like them.

"Eo, you must be startled. Jwesonghaeyo," he apologized with a slight bow. "I can't help but speak up. I knew of such pain, and I would not wish for it even for my enemies."

The man imparting such knowledge about life and death—and to strangers like them at that—came not just as odd but a little unnerving. They did not know what his purpose is in approaching them, but somehow, something about the man bothered her a little. It was like an omen waiting to happen.

"Silryehaeyo...if you may," the man continued. "Let me introduce myself. I am Captain Lee Sun Shin, and this is Sergeant Bang Sung Jun. We're from the National Security Administration."

"Honored to meet you, Captain...Sergeant," Yeo Wool's father politely replied with a slight bow and respective handshakes. "I am Dam Pyeong Joon, and these are my children, Yeo Wool and Han Wool."

"Your names speak much of you. I believe you are a farmer, and your daughter is a police officer?"

"Ah, ye!" Yeo Wool's father answered in awe.

How on earth could he have guessed that?

"I would say the same of you," Yeo Wool's father continued. "Admiral Lee Sun Shin was a great warrior, and you seem to be living up to your name."

"Kamsahamnida," the Captain politely answered with a satisfied smile.

It seemed that her father wanted to stay to chat with his new acquaintances, but she felt a bit off, though she had no idea why. She waited for the right moment to urge her father to move on, but she did not want to come off as impolite. She resorted to being patient instead—smiling and nodding—and pretended to enjoy the moment when the two elderly men were engaged in a conversation.

"We must be taking too much of your family time," Captain Lee Sun Shin concluded after a while. "You should continue your hike. As for us, we will stay here and meet up with someone."