Kira laughed. "We have that effect on most people."
Seung soon returned in the company of a small, dark man with a slick smile and keen eyes.
"Major Pak, here is Jeong Chul Soo as you requested."
The guide took off his thick fur hat and bowed before taking a proffered seat. He unrolled a map of Guru.
"So you're going to Baekdu Mountain." He snickered as he showed them the route. "That's seven hundred sixty li if we were going straight. But with the mountains and the bad weather conditions, it would be more like eleven hundred li. We can break at Wando on the way. It will be a safe place to stop."
Major Pak shook his head. "We want to avoid Wando at all costs." He exchanged a pointed look with Kira.
She understood. There was no telling what rumors had reached Wando. It would be dangerous for her and the prince.
The guide scratched his head. "Well then, we can stop at Jinan instead. That's right on the river. It isn't a walled city, though, but it should be fairly safe."
"Why can't we take the route south of the Yalu?" Kira asked.
"No way," Jeong said. "There's been serious demon activity going on south of the river heading east. No guide will take you that way. We cross the river at Sini and stay north."
Kira stood up and gazed down at the map. "Show me where Hekou village is."
Jeong pointed at a spot midway between Uju and Jinan. As she had feared, the village was directly on their route.
"We must go around that village," she said.
"That will add an extra fifty li to our trip!" he exclaimed.
"Can you take us or not?" Kira asked.
Jeong surveyed the group, his sharp eyes resting the longest on Kira's face.
"I can take you as far as Baishan. It's farther north than I like to go at this time of year. But it's as close to Baekdu as I'll go," he said. "What you do after that is not my concern."
"Fair enough. We'll leave tomorrow," she said.
Jaewon's anxious face reminded her of the turmoil he must be enduring. Part of her wished he hadn't come. She feared what would happen to him if his reunion with his family did not go well. She could once again hear Brother Woojin's words when they'd first learned of the tragedy in Jaewon's life.
"He carries a heavy burden. I hope one day he will be able to forgive himself or else . . . it will destroy him."
13
That night, Kira was grateful for the opportunity to sleep in a warm room. It would probably be the last time in a long while.
A little after dawn, Kira roused Taejo and prepared for the cold day before them.
"Bundle up tight," she told him. "Remember how cold the north is."
The prince nodded as he layered up under his heavy coat. "How long will it take to reach Mount Baekdu?"
"Two or three weeks if we're lucky," she said.
He groaned. "At least I have Jindo with me."
"Yes, lucky you have your own personal heat source," she teased.
He smiled. "I'll share him with you, Noona."
She tousled his hair, something she could only do in private. But she worried for him. Would she be able to keep him safe? She prayed to the heavens and her parents to help her.
"How are your lessons with Sunim?" she asked.
He sighed. "I'm so tired of Confucius! Is it really important for me to know all the classics?"
"‘Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star,'" Kira quoted.
He glared at her. "You sound like Sunim," he griped.
"‘He who learns, but does not think is lost. He who thinks, but does not learn is in great danger,'" Kira continued with a sly grin.
"Stop quoting the Analects to me!" Taejo covered his ears.
"‘When anger rises, think of the consequences.'"
"Argh!" Taejo threw a pillow at Kira as she laughed.
He flopped down on his futon and heaved a long sigh.
"You know it's not fair that you can't ever be a government adviser just because you are a girl," he said. "You're so much smarter than any of the nobles that sit for the civil service exams."
Kira grinned at him. "It's a boring job anyway. And I'm not the most diplomatic person in the world."
Taejo laughed. "I want you to know that when I'm king, I'm going to change that law so girls can receive an education and sit for the civil service exam if they want a chance at a government position," he promised.
"I really appreciate the sentiment, but you will make a lot of enemies if you do that," Kira warned.
He sat up indignantly. "Good! I would rather know who my enemies are! When I'm king, there's no one else in the world I would rather have as my primary adviser than you."
Tears pricked at Kira's eyes, pride filling her heart. Taejo would be a great king. She bowed and gave him a big smile. "On my honor, I will serve you faithfully, in whatever capacity you will ask of me, until the day I die."
They left town with a packhorse loaded with supplies to help them survive the brutal winter weather. The snow was light and intermittent, but the wind was cold and biting. Kira worried that the wind would pose a problem for her in sensing any demon presence. To stay vigilant, she kept herself circling their group at all times.
During the first camp break, their guide squatted in front of Kira and examined her closely as he chewed on a long piece of dried squid.
"So you're the legendary Demon Slayer of Hansong, huh," Jeong said, with his mouth wide open, half of a long tentacle hanging from his lip. "You don't look that scary to me."
Kira let her eyes narrow as she took in his insolence.
He cackled, pieces of dried squid spraying from his mouth.
"Your eyes don't frighten me, Demon Slayer! I've seen the ghost of a murdered maiden who's been said to kill all who laid eyes on her. But she didn't get me." He pointed to himself with a smug smile. "I've seen monsters that live in deep water and suck you down into the depths, but not me. Cause I'm too smart. And I see right through you. You're nothing but a girlie and you're no scarier than any other girlie girl. Except my dead wife-now she was a frightening woman."
With that Jeong stuffed the last of the dried squid in his mouth, stood up, stretched, scratched his behind, and sauntered off.
"What an idiot," Jaewon said.
"Oh, I don't know. I kind of like him," she said.
"What?" Jaewon sputtered on the hot barley tea he'd been drinking.
"He thinks I'm a girlie girl," she said with a grin.
He laughed and sat down on the log next to her.
She nudged him with her shoulder. "It's good to see you normal again."
He shuddered. "Are you joking? I will never be the same again. I'm half the man I was before getting on that boat. That experience has ruined my life."
"Well, I guess you won't be going with me to fetch the third treasure."
"Of course I'm going with you. Why would you say that?" he asked.
"Sunim informs me that it is located on Jindo Island."
Jaewon froze.
Kira tried not to laugh at his horrified expression. She realized how grateful she was to have him as a friend. "Don't worry, I won't make you get on another boat, I promise."
Consternation still covered his face as he swallowed down his hot tea. "Perhaps Sunim is mistaken and the last treasure is actually somewhere on the mainland," he said.
"Oh no, there's no mistake," Brother Woojin piped in from nearby. "We've studied the scrolls for centuries and it is clear that the last treasure was placed into the keeping of the monks of Tiger's Nest Temple, which is on Jindo Island."
"Sunim, it seems too easy. Do you think the monks will just hand over the last treasure to me?" Kira asked.
He shook his head. "I said it was placed in their keeping. They then hid it deep in the caves of the temple that is built on the highest cliff of the tallest mountain of Jindo. Even if they wanted to give it to you, they couldn't. It is the most guarded treasure in our world. But the bigger problem is that they won't want you to take it from them," Brother Woojin said.
"They don't believe in the prophecy?" she asked.
"They don't believe in the Dragon Musado," he replied. "But they do believe that the last treasure is the most dangerous one of all and should never be released into the world. For you see, the jade dragon belt will allow the Musado to control the fourteen dragons of the heavens and the powers of wind, rain, lightning, and all the other physical elements. It is a truly destructive power you will have."
Jaewon whistled.
"Well, that would explain why they don't want it getting into the wrong hands. But you are the Musado," Jaewon said to Kira, "and battling monks won't be too hard for you. They don't take lives."
Brother Woojin shook his head. "No, my son. These monks are savages and have never taken such a vow. They will gladly kill any who trespass on their mountain."
"Of course! And why should it be easy? That was just foolish thinking on my part," Jaewon said with an exaggerated sigh.
Seung, who had been listening closely from his station near the campfire, cleared his throat.