Chapter 205 (2/2)

“Do you know anything about me?”

“Oh, I don't…”

When Kanghyok hesitated a bit, Sungryong and Hangbok burst into laughter.

“As I've told you, it's his way of speaking.”

“He also said the same thing to me, though I didn't do anything great. Haha.” Sungryong and Hangbok laughed simultaneously at Kanghyok's expression of 'honor.'

'Looks like these guys still don't know who they are.'

As someone who was thrust back into Joseon from modern Korea, Kanghyok just felt frustrated at their innocent reaction.

While he was agonized for a moment, he suddenly recalled Chul Chung's poem 'Samiingok,' the Dedictorial Verse for the King.

He memorized the poem so religiously in high school that he could vaguely recite it.

“I still have your poem 'Samiingok' memorized. I can't forget it because I was so impressed with it, sir.”

“Really? Samingok? I think there are not many who have heard about it.” Chul Chung said with a satisfied smile, looking at Kanghyok.

“Can you recite it?

“Yes, milord.”

Clearing his throat a bit, Kanghyok tried to recall that poem as best as he could.

And he recited the first few lines of that long poem without any difficulty.

“Wow, you're great!”

“How come you could recite his poem well like this!”

“I initially thought Yunkil was lying when he mentioned that you're good at composing poems, but you are really doing wonderful.”

They all praised him, impressed with his poetic skills.

Fortunately Kanghyok could recite that long poem from beginning to end.

“Hahaha. I like you, man,” said Chul Chung, constantly smiling at him.

Sungryong was as surprised and said, “I didn't know you loved Lord Chung's poem so much like this.”

“Me, too. You're great!” seconded Hangbok.

“I'm so flattered, sir.”

Thanks to Kanghyok's talent show, the atmosphere was much more relaxed now.

Chul filled his cup, laughing loudly.

“Hahaha, Sungryong, this guy you have introduced me is quite interesting.”

“That's why I maintain a close relations.h.i.+p with him.”

“When I heard you praised him, I simply thought he was good at medical skills only. But he has a talent for writing, too.”

Kanghyok felt it was a bit funny for Chul to praise him simply because of his recitation of the vice premier's poem, but he also laughed along with Chul.

At that moment he had a hunch that he had to.

And he could confirm it when Hangbok opened his mouth,

“By the way, as for Yorip Chung…”

“Oh, do you have any update on his whereabouts?”

Unlike Chul who asked quickly, Sungryong shut his mouth.

Though he was on close terms with Chul, the giant of the political faction Soin, Sungryong was affiliated with its rival Tongin.

And as Yorip belonged to Tongin, Sungryong was not immune from any political backlash related to Yorip.

Hangbok continued,

“I was tipped off that some members of Taedonggye were doing activities in Hanyang.”

“Really? Not Hw.a.n.ghae Province?”

“Nope. They even had a name called Kw.a.n.ghee Acrobatic Group.”

“Acrobatic group? For what?”

Now, it was Hangbok and Chul who were having a dialogue.

Sungryon just listened to their conversation.

And Kanghyok was quietly drinking as he couldn't cut in.

“By sheer luck I caught Pyonsu, the leader of that acrobatic group thanks to Kanghyok.”

“Really? Haha, Kanghyok seems to be good at martial arts,” said Chul.

Obviously Hangbok was trying to earn Kanghyok due credit.

'Thanks, Hangbok.'

Putting down his cup, Kanghyok lowered his head to him.

“But the thing is this guy called Pyonsu was so resistant that we've run into trouble forcing him to confess about his ties with Yorip.”

“Then, how did you get to find out his ties with Yorip?”

“Well, I heard it from the people in the market. And there was a guy who said he saw Sungbok Byon contacting that acrobatic group.”

“That's not so clear. It might be a personal mistake for a n.o.bleman to run an acrobatic team, but it's not the subject of punishment.”

Thanks to Chul's ruling, Sungryong felt a bit relieved.

“Lord Chung's right. Hangbok, it looks like you're overreacting.”

“But milord, it is very suspicious that as a leader of an acrobatic group, Pyonsu was so resistant to revealing his ties with Yorip. We need to force any confession from him.”

“You said he wouldn't open his mouth. Is there any other way to have him confess?”

Hangbok's t.i.tle at the time was jwarang, or senior director with the ministry of education and culture, and he was under the direct control of its minister Sungryong.

Accordingly Sungryong knew well how severely Hangbok tortured Pyonsu to extract his confession.

“Well, I know some great method.”

“Really?”

Feeling sorry, Hangbok turned to Kanghyok and said, “As I hear, this guy is pretty good at torturing people.”

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