The path of the wolf

Chapter 2

Min-seok didn't worry at first, assuming that his father had decided to stay in Hoengseong a little longer. But when he didn't show up at his office the third day, missing an important audience he was supposed to preside, the young man knew that something was wrong. His father was dedicated to his work, and considered that audiences were to be taken very seriously as they could affect people's life for the best or for the worst. He had never missed one. Anxious, Min-seok rode to Hoengseong and after talking to some of the persons Hong-man had met, he was able to retrace his schedule and learned that after having dinner with one of his acquaintances, he'd left the town a little while before midnight. And somehow, he'd disappeared on the way home. Min-seok wondered if the Governor had found out about his father's investigation. What if he'd tried to silence him ? Hoping to find out what had happened, the young man rode back to Wonju, stopping here and there in search of traces of an ambush but he found nothing and started to fear that his father had been killed and buried in some hollow grave. But he chased the thought away immediately. He had to stay hopeful and believe that he was detained in some cabin in the forest, and he could find him. Which meant exploring all the roads and paths between Hoengseong and Wonju. It was an enormous task so he decided to ask his best friend for help.

Prince Lee Baek-hyeon was the King's younger brother. They'd met at the palace about four years ago, when Min-seok had joined the Royal Secretary office after passing the civil service exam. He was nineteen years old at the time and the Prince was only one year older. They immediately struck up a close friendship and spent a lot of time together until Baek-hyeon got married and moved to Wonju. But their friendship resumed as strong as ever when Min-seok went back to his hometown. These were really good times, as they were no more subject to the pressures and strict rules of the palace. Min-seok was the privileged witness of his friend's happiness but also of his despair when Hye-kyeong, his wife, died in childbirth. The child, a little boy, didn't survive either and Baek-hyeon had been in mourning ever since. At twenty-four, the Prince was now the shadow of his former self and Min-seok only wished that one day, the sadness that clouded his eyes would disappear and that he could get on with his life.

Baek-hyeon greeted his friend warmly. He was the only person he really appreciated to see since the loss of his family, the only person around whom he could be himself and express his grief. He liked how considerate Min-seok was, making sure that he didn't spend too much time alone, offering a willing ear when he wished to talk about Hye-kyeong, and respecting his silence when he felt too overwhelmed by his pain to speak. Baek-hyeon was grateful for his friend's quiet presence which helped him bear the weight of the passing days. But now, Min-seok was the one who needed support. After he explained everything and they thought about it, they agreed that the Governor wouldn't dare kill a magistrate just like that. That'd inevitably lead to an investigation and if he was embezzling royal tributes, drawing attention to himself was the last thing he wanted. It was more likely that he was holding Hong-man as a prisoner somewhere, trying to force him to hand over the evidence he'd gathered. The prince reassured his friend and promised him to do whatever it took to find his father.

The next day, the two friends started to search the forest, exploring the wooded mountain slopes and the deep and narrow valleys. But after a week, they still hadn't found a single trace of Hong-man. It was as if he'd evaporated into thin air. Another day passed, as fruitless as the previous ones. They were heading back to Wonju as the afternoon was drawing to an end, frustrated and weary, when Baek-hyeon suddenly broke the silence and said :

- I thought about something. Instead of trying to find your father, we should try to find his horse.
Min-seok stared at him attentively.
- That's a good idea. Only a few families in the district own horses and my father's has a distinctive coat color. Everybody knows it. It's easy to hide a man but the people who abducted my father must have taken his horse to a place where it won't be noticed.
- And since the Governor is probably behind this, I guess we'll find it in his stables.
- But how can we check that ? Min-seok asked.
- I'll go to his house and ask him to lend me a horse to run an urgent errand. I'll pretend that mine has a hoof problem. He won't refuse a request coming from the King's brother. Of course, I'll say that I want to choose the horse myself so he'll have to take me to his stables.
- What if you find the horse there ?
- I'll confront the Governor and if he refuses to explain himself, I'll threaten him to send a messenger to Hanyang and ask my brother to initiate an investigation. He'll have no other choice than to make a deal with us. You should look into your father's papers. Any information about the Governor's wrong doings can help us negotiate with him.
Min-seok nodded. It was a good plan.
- Thank you. I really appreciate your help, he said.
- That's the least I can do. I know I haven't been the best of companions lately, but you stood by me regardless and supported me. It's time I make it up to you.
- Well, that's what friendship is about, Min-seok answered, smiling. Let's hurry. It's going to be dark soon.

When they reached Min-seok's house, one of the servants rushed to greet them and told his master that a lady was waiting for him, adding that she'd brought back his father's horse. Stricken with surprise, Min-seok looked at the young woman in plain clothes who was waiting patiently in the courtyard, and walked over to her.

- Why did you have my father's horse ? He asked bluntly. And why are you bringing it back only now ? My father has been missing for ten days !

The woman glared at him with a stern look and stayed silent.
"How dare him talk to me so disrespectfully ! Does he think he can look down on me because my family is poor ?", she thought. Her family may have lost everything after her father's death, they'd done nothing to be ashamed of. So she lifted her chin and stared at Min-seok defiantly.
Baek-hyeon approached them and bowed.

- Forgive my friend, my Lady. I'm Prince Lee Baek-hyeon. Allow me to apologize on his behalf. He's worried sick about his father but that's no excuse for his lack of manners.
Realizing how rude he was being, Min-seok blushed and bowed low.
- I'm the one who has to apologize. Please, forgive me, my Lady. I've been incredibly rude to you.
He straightened up, looked into her eyes and smiled gently.
- I'm Yang Min-seok. Thank you for bringing my father's horse.
The young woman's gaze softened.
- I'm Jeong Jae-eun. My father was Lord Jeong Je-gyeom.
- I'm glad to meet you. Can I ask you how the horse came into your possession ?
- I found it tied to a tree by the road as I was headed to Hanyang ten days ago, early in the morning. There was no one around and I couldn't afford to got back to Wonju and lose two hours so I took it with me. I came back today and after learning about your father's disappearance, I came right away.
- Would you mind coming back tomorrow morning to take me to this place ? Min-seok asked.
- Sure.
- I'll compensate you for the trouble, of course.
- It's not necessary. I'm glad to help you. So I'll see you tomorrow.
Jae-eun bowed and headed to the gate.- I don't know her family but judging from her clothes, she doesn't seem to be wealthy, Min-seok said, once she'd left.
- I met Lord Jeong Je-gyeom a few times, Baek-hyeon answered. He was a very cultured and interesting man. He possessed some farmland but he was ill for a long time and his wife borrowed money from shark loans to pay for his medicine and the doctor's fees. So when he died, they took the land and somehow, this land later became the Governor's property.
- How do her family make a living then ?
- I have no idea. Now that I think of it, I feel a bit ashamed. Her father was respected and a lot of people, including me, appreciated him, but when he died, none of us cared for his family. We should have helped them.
- Did he only have one daughter ?
- Two daughters and no son, if I remember correctly.
- Well, I hope she didn't think that I was looking down on her earlier. I was just being a rude idiot. When she'll come back tomorrow, I'll give her my father's horse. She deserves it. Thanks to her, we may finally get a useful lead.
Baek-hyeon tapped him on the shoulder.
- I really hope so. I'll sleep here tonight and come with you tomorrow.
Though he hoped to find Hong-man alive, he couldn't rule out the possibility that he'd been killed and he wanted to be by his friend's side if that was the case. Min-seok probably had the same thought, as he made no objections. None of them slept well that night.