Sun that Shines Bright

Prologue

"The most important part of Confucius's teachings, young Lord, is that in all things there is order," said Teacher Han. "The rocks make way for the river, a servant serves his master, and a son honors his father."

Teacher Han glanced up at Lee Hyun. "Young Lord, do you hear what I say?"

"Yes, yes, Teacher Han" Lee Hyun replied while staring out into the meadows. "Without order, there is chaos. I've read all the writings by Confucius by the age of seven, teacher. You said it yourself! I am the best of all your students."

Teacher Han bonked Lee Hyun's head with his long wooden pipe. "Now of course I only say that to please your father!" Teacher Han winked at Lee Hyun.

"Ahhaha!" Lee Hyun laughed as he stood up. "Come teacher, let us take today's lesson out into the real world. That is where true lessons lie in wait to be taught." Lee Hyun grabbed his sack and jumped down from the wooden platform (where he did most of his schooling) and planted his straw sandals on the ground. 

Teacher Han gracefully landed beside Lee Hyun in one jump. "I am sure much fun awaits you out there young pupil." Suddenly, Teacher Han started running across the meadow towards the road that leads to the town square. "Yet one must keep up to grasp any grand opportunity that arises!"

"Wait! Wait!" Lee Hyun yelled as he sprinted after his teacher! "That's not fair, you're an adult! I am but a child." Lee Hyun pouted, appealing his youth.

"A ten year child is soon to be an adult and must prepare to fight wars, better you start early my pupil~" Teacher Han left Lee Hyun in the dust and disappeared among the many crowds of people going about their day at the market.

Lee Hyun doubled over and gasped for breath. "ugh, this old man's trying to boast about his healthy body," panted Lee Hyun, "just cause he used to be a military general doesn't mean he doesn't age!" Not giving in, Lee Hyun viciously looked around the town square.

A pair of soldiers were shopping for new hats. Perhaps they were going out to the bars that night. Some young noble women were discussing the new poetry series that had been posted at the bookman's store. A group of children not much younger than Lee Hyun were playing Jaegichagi (a game where you keep a sack airborne only using your feet) near a fruit vendor stand. "They were definitely going to knock something over and cause some chaos. How fun!" thought Lee Hyun. Yet he had to focus on the task at hand.

"Where would this goofy old man go?" Lee Hyun pondered intensely. "Perhaps somewhere I've never been to... Yes! He must be hiding somewhere he thinks I'll never look! This dumb old man! Hahah! He underestimates me!" Lee Hyun sprints towards the dark alley district. Somewhere that he and his friends of noble blood don't usually frequent due to the abundance of feeble peasants and drunkards.

To be frank, this district did give Lee Hyun the creeps, yet he reminded himself that he was a brave man now. Lee Hyun sprinted through the district as fast as he could. He passed diseased cows, skinny peasants with nothing but skin and bones, and even worse piles of horse dung littering the streets. "This must be the route all the soldiers take their horses through," Lee Hyun thought. The main streets were usually kept clean by the municipal worker peasants.

Suddenly LeeHyun ran into a group of men fighting over a sack of rice. One of them pulled a knife on another and slashed him across the wrist. Seeing the man's deep red blood splattering across the floor, Lee Hyun felt a chill go down his spine. Then, he abruptly turned into a shortcut alley to head back to the main street as quickly as he could. "Teacher Han can stay in this scary weird place as long as he wants, but I'm not staying in here!"

Yet, as he sprinted, something colorful made Lee Hyun stop in his tracks. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw a young girl of about his age holding the hand of a tall woman walking with a very rigid posture. Both individuals wore colorful silk hanboks that accentuated their elegance and wealth. Definitely a sight that did not fit with the back alley. Out of curiosity, Lee Hyun followed them and hid behind a wooden post. The woman stopped and let go of the girls hand. "Wait here Chae Hee, and do as the men tell you to do." She turned around and left.

Lee Hyun watched as the girl stood in front of the empty shack alone. Her hands were shaking and her shoulders were trembling. Lee Hyun watched as she grabbed her own hand to steady herself. She looked up from the muddy ground that smeared her porcelain white shoes, and made eye contact with Lee Hyun.

Instantly she looked away, yet for some reason Lee Hyun felt the need to pop out from behind the post and approach her. "What are you doing girl?" he asked.

"You shouldn't be here, please go." She replied in a firm voice. Yet Lee Hyun could see the uneasiness in her eyes.

"This place isn't right for a beautiful maiden like you!" Lee Hyun exclaimed, "I can show you how to get to the main road if you want."

She shook her head, "no. Please just leave." 

Puzzled Lee Hyun stared at her. "But why?"

At that moment a man rustled out of the dirty shack. His clothes were dull in color, yet Lee Hyun could tell instantly that they were made with premiere silk. He wore a hat signifying that of a scholar and wore a golden pin on his chest. "What are you doing girl!?" He roared. "Come in here already!" 

The girl screamed and fell on her bum. Lee Hyun grabbed her arm and yelled at the top of his lungs, "RUN!" Together they ran as hard as they could. After getting to the main square Lee Hyun turned around to the girl panting once again. "Wow! That was crazy!" he said. The girl did not say anything in response and stared at the floor. Puzzled by her response, Lee Hyun put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest "you should thank me for saving you from that scary man!" he said.

"No..." the girl whispered as tears started rolling down her cheeks. "You only made things worse. Puzzled, Lee Hyun cocked his head to one side and stared at the girl. "Huh?" At that moment Teacher Han appeared across the square and was frantically yelling Lee Hyun's name. Lee Hyun turned and waved his arms indicating that he heard. After making sure Teacher Han saw him and started coming towards him, Lee Hyun turned back around. Yet, the girl was gone. Lee Hyun could only hope that she didn't go back to that creepy place with the scary man.