Secret of the Two Kings (89 CHAPTERS - ON HOLD)

SETTING AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is an optional read for you guys. You may or may not read this because it will be explained in the story, either through conversations, flashbacks, narrations, or backstories. I just created this one for those readers who are interested in some Historical Backgrounds of the Unified Silla Kingdom.

This chapter was written like one of those historical textbooks. I did not use any imagery or whimsical descriptions. If you are okay with that, you may continue reading, if not, you may skip to the next chapter.

But I'm telling you, curiosity is a stronger enemy than pain or itch. :)

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SETTING ORIENTATION

This story is set in the 8th century in a fictional era of Kingdom of Unified Silla (신라), one of Ancient Korea's Legendary Three Kingdoms. Before the Unification Period, there were three ancient kingdoms that ruled over the Korean Peninsula for centuries—the Kingdoms of Goguryeo (고구려), Baekje (백제), and Silla (신라).

Silla, with the aid of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝), conquered the two other kingdoms. As a result, some Goguryeo officials founded the Kingdom of Balhae (발해) with the help of Mohe tribe (말갈). This kingdom was located in present-day North Korea and some parts of mainland China.

CULTURE

Seorabeol (서라벌) (Modern day Gyeongju) was the capital where the King's palace was located. Several pavilions with distinct trapezoidal pointed roofs and eaves protruding upwards could be found inside. These pavilions stood either above the ground or on an artificial lake. The entire palace was protected by tall, brick walls and eight main gates—the north, northwest, west, southwest, south, southeast, east, and northeast.