1 The Exiled Prince

"In-Hyuk!" Jiho shouted with trembling hands in a voice that seemed to explode soon.

"The world will change. People will acknowledge equality between the rich and poor ," declared Jiho in a simple hanbok revealing his humble origins.

" No, never..." In Hyuk replied, his silk garments remained firm on him. " You're mistaken" a hint of sneer graced his face.

" People like him who mistreated the weak should be eradicated from the world~" he continued, pointing his blood-stained sword at the fallen royal eunuch. He was already pale and blood seeped down his neck.

"Every time such injustice occur and the poor are suppressed~" His deep inhalation solidified his decision. " I will make sure to avenge those silenced voices". His cold trembling voice horned his warning .

***o***

This was in the annuals of Silla when In-Hyuk's uncle, Kim Jung Woong orchestrated a rebellion, aiming to seize the throne.

In Hyuk the elder brother at 20, and his 18-year-old brother Jiho found themselves caught in the turmoil.

Kim Jung Woong, a skilled army commander and the younger brother of King Kim Jung Hoon, skilfully led the troops, supported by the Queen dowager to attack the Palace.

Renowned for his martial arts prowess, Kim Jung Woong's formidable presence was emphasized by his neatly tied brown hair.

In the midst of chaos, distant yells and clashing swords permeated the air, servants falling victim to the prevailing disorder. The cries of the dying echoed in the distance.

Kim Jung Min, a loyal soldier serving under Kim Jong Woong, commanded with ruthlessness "Don't let anyone live. Kill them all."

Despite his handsome looks, Kim Jung Min exuded a fearsome aura.

Middle-aged King Kim Jung Hoon urgently addressed his family concealed in his quarters, "They seek my demise to halt this bloodshed. Listen to me and escape with your brother," he instructed The Crown Prince In Hyuk.

Ji-Ho was gasping, Queen swiftly placed valuables in a cloth, handing it to Jiho, "Follow your brother, no matter what. Hurry and flee through the secret path," urged the Queen, prompting her sons to escape. In Hyuk, the Crown Prince, hesitated to leave.

In Hyuk, gasping in fear, declared, "I won't leave Mother and Father here."

Ji-Ho grabbed and pulled him away, but In-Hyuk cried out in fear for his parents' safety. In Hyuk continued yelling for his parents as Jiho and Kim Hae In, In Hyuk's bodyguard, forcefully dragged him away.

"Father! Father! Mother!"

The Queen remained steadfast by her husband's side, determined to stay with him even at the cost of her life. King Kim Jung Hoon, in restlessness, exclaimed, 'You should have run away with them.'"

She embraced the king, tears streaming from her eyes.

The door was forcefully broken down, and Jung Min entered. Upon entering, he swiftly struck the Queen with his sword. Warm blood poured from her back as she collapsed like a log. Blood also emerged from her mouth. Her head, adorned with large hair braids and ornaments, was slightly elevated from the floor.

Without allowing the king time to mourn, Jung-min swiftly raised his sword and slashed the king's chest, causing him to collapse instantly. He then impaled his sword through the king's heart, ensuring his demise.

The king writhed in torment, clutching the sword in pain, his eyes bulging in extreme suffering. Finally, his hands released, and his head fell to the side a poignant sign of his tragic death.

After that Jung Min stood up and looked around in the quarter in the search of The two Prince. Jung Min ordered his soldiers to search for the two princes. "Find them at all costs"

The secret path was behind King's painting. Unable to notice it, they began searching other areas of the palace.

Jung Min strided through the quarter, his long hair fluttering, and blood on his face, taking fast steps in the search for the Crown Prince.

In Hyuk was initially dragged away, but then started running voluntarily, hand in hand with his brother, trembling with overwhelming fear as they navigated pathways to avoid soldiers.

In Hyuk was wearing the clothes of a Crown Prince. Dressed like that, it was easy to target him.

Kim Hae In stopped and suggested "Royal Highness, we should change our clothing. I will disguise myself as a Crown Prince and buy us some time. You should head towards the mountains."

" No we should run away together. It's dangerous for you to go alone"

"Your Highness it's my duty . Don't worry about that You know about my Martial art skills. I will be alright"

In Hyuk, hesitant, agreed. They exchanged clothes, and Hae In headed towards the sea shore.

In Hyuk and Jiho made their way towards the mountains, hoping to find refuge there. They wanted to hide beyond the mountains.

The basket and stand toppled over. People screamed in fear, crouching on the ground, seeking cover and hiding under anything they could find.

Jung Min shouted, threatening everyone, "I will not show mercy to anyone who tries to hide the Crown Prince."

Soldiers searched the royal houses, suspecting they must be hiding the crown prince. In this massacre, anyone trying to stop them was killed without a second chance.

In Hyuk and Jiho ran non-stop for hours through the deep forests, falling and getting back up, gasping for air but unable to stop.

Meanwhile, soldiers searched for them outside the market and on the beach, thinking the two princes must be escaping by boat.

They found Hae In attempting to escape by boat. Jung Min became ecstatic, thinking they've found the crown prince. They shot Hae In with arrows; numerous arrows pierced through his body, and he fall into the seawater.

Soldiers quickly retrieve the dead body, intending to show the crown prince's body to the newly assigned king on Jung Min order. To his surprise, it was the crown prince's bodyguard.

Jung Min's face turned red in anger, and he shouted, "It's not the crown prince. Search for the crown prince, or I will take your heads down."

The next morning sprouted , the sun slowly shone. The two princes had already crossed the mountain and entered another land, King Park Dae Jung's realm.

They grown tired of running and walked through the forest with speedy steps, shivering with fear. Warm sweat flow down their faces.

In Hyuk noticed Ji-ho's clothes and tried to remove them. "Take them off. If anyone sees us in prince's clothes, we will die."

Jiho hesitated but eventually complied. They discarded their royal garments. Now in their undergarments, they continued walking through the forest. The silk in their undergarments indicated a royal origin, still posing a danger.

"First, we have to find new clothes," said Ji-Ho worriedly.

They came across a hut in the middle of the forest. After observing for a while, they saw no one entering or exiting.

"Stay here, I'll take a look," In Hyuk whispered , and Jiho nodded in agreement.

In Hyuk entered the hut and found dried medicinal herbs, suspecting it to be a physicians place. Without much thought, he picked up clothes hanging nearby and quickly exited.

They ran to a secluded spot with many plants to change into their new clothes. It was the first time they wore such a dirty attire.

Disguised, they enter a bustling foreign market. Jiho was exhausted, leaning on In Hyuk for support. He could barely walk and grabbed In Hyuk's arm. Starving, they navigated the market.

Some guards were looking for servants who had run away from a garment factory.

In Hyuk gazed at the road, contemplating, "I should've perished alongside them," A glance at Jiho sparked a change of heart. "I must endure for Jiho, " he resolved, casting his eyes back to the road.

Jiho, bewildered about their uncertain future, scanned the surroundings.

Guards from factory noticed the disguised princes. "Look, those beggars might be the runaway servants from the clothes factory," remarked a Guard and it was because they just dragged who was weak and unable to defend themselves and turned them into slaves. They were ordered to do so by their master. It started at the time of war and was still ongoing even war ended a long time ago.

Jiho, lost in thought, became alert as the guards walked toward them, "Run, In Hyuk!"

Both sprinted, but their weakened condition hindered their escape. The guards swiftly caught them, compelling them to kneel. They were just going to confirm but running away made them sure about them being factory workers. In the first place factory workers were just forcefully brought into factory.

"How dare you run away? I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget. Do you know how much I got scolded from my master"

In Hyuk signalled Jiho to keep silent, guarding their true identities.

The guards inspected Jiho's bundle, discovering valuables, "You stole these as well!"

They started beating them with their feets. After a lot of beating they were brought back to the Clothe factory store.

The Guards leader commanded, "Don't give them anything to eat."