Byeongju(3)
In a pitch-black night with no stars, an old house teeters on the verge of collapse. Inside, a woman lies with her eyes closed, embracing a baby, while a man weeps, holding them both. It was the day when a life ended, and another began. This memory was deeply etched into the girl’s mind, who was then just a baby.
In a place where even a morsel of food was precious, fights inevitably broke out. People don’t want to die. They all want to live, and to live, they had to fight for the scarce resources available. Outsiders like foreign tribes or bandits ravaged and looted from the outside, while corrupt officials, who were supposed to protect the people, ignored them and collected heavy taxes.
Recently, I heard that the new Bing Province Governor, whom they say is treasured like gold and jade, has been passionate about suppressing banditry and reducing taxes in the area. But for those already fallen into destitution, such news was irrelevant.
Violence and even murder were not uncommon for those desperate to take what they wanted. In this place, where only those akin to beasts remained, the man fought desperately to survive. Blessed with a strong physique, he quickly adapted to this cursed place. He could move stealthily unnoticed, and when he chose to flee, no one could catch him. And when forced to fight, his inherent strength allowed him to overpower anyone.
He became the strongest beast in this slum filled with beasts. But was that his downfall? He made too many enemies, and ultimately, the lone beast was caught off guard by the weaker ones he underestimated.
One day, as he scavenged for food, he realized he was surrounded. How many were there? He couldn’t tell. After the count exceeded a hundred, he simply focused on the fight.
“A dog like you! Did you think you could live as you please forever?” a vile man sneered as he plunged a knife into the man’s chest.
Despite his best efforts, this was the end. With his empty hand, the man grabbed the face of his attacker and lifted him into the air.
“Screaming and crushing the attacker with his grip, the remaining few recoiled in fear and retreated. Eventually, the man’s attacker slumped, his face crushed.
The man, knife still in his chest, approached the terrified mob with a fearless demeanor. Seized with panic, they scattered.
Returning home, the man knew he still had things to teach the little girl, the baby he had raised alone since her mother’s death. He had swiftly scavenged for necessities while carrying her in a swaddle. As she grew, he repeatedly warned her: Stay inside, it’s dangerous outside. Don’t let anyone in. Don’t worry if I’m gone for long.
Now, the man, the girl’s only companion, returned home with new wounds, soaked in blood. Instinctively, the girl, barely ten years old, caught him before he hit the ground, propped him up, and laid him on the bed. The sight of a young girl supporting a grown man was bewildering, yet the man simply lay there, smiling faintly.
Kneeling beside the dying man, the usually quiet girl opened her mouth to speak. The man, in a matter-of-fact tone, said, “I’ve always stolen or taken from others. There might be dead because of me. It’s all coming back to me now.”
“Daughter, I’ve never told you your name. Do you know why?”
The man had the potential to rise in status. He could have joined the government, supported his family, and avoided such tragedies. But it was impossible under the Han dynasty. His family was remembered as a nightmare by the nation.
Even contemplating success was futile, let alone fearing the government’s wrath at any moment. He might have escaped notice by changing his name and hiding his identity, but he didn’t. He couldn’t. He dreamt countless times of his family being discovered and exterminated due to his carelessness.
Now, facing death, the man had no regrets.
“You’re free to use your name as you wish. Make it known across the land, or live quietly in hiding.”
Feeling the girl’s gaze, the man continued, “But it’s better to bury this name in your memory and adopt a new one. If your real name echoes across this nation, the whole world will hunt you down.”
The girl, who had watched her mother die without understanding, sat there, absorbing her father’s last words.
“After sending off your mother 10 years ago, it has been a long and arduous journey.” The man spoke to the girl, who even at her young age possessed a talent rivaling his own. “I was saddened by the memory of your mother, but having you with me made it bearable…”
The girl remained silent, looking into the fading eyes of the man. “You are my beloved and proud daughter…” With these words, he softly uttered the girl’s name: Hangjeok (項籍). And with that, the man’s life came to an end.
The girl buried her father next to her mother’s grave. Although physically strong, she struggled to contain the overwhelming emotions welling up inside her.
“Look, that monster’s finally dead, huh?” a mocking voice came from behind. About ten men approached with smug grins. “To think that brute had a daughter. Who knew he had the luxury to raise a child?”
Instinctively, the girl knew these men were part of the group that killed her father. “This will be fun. We’ll sell her off, but not before we have our fun,” they sneered.
In such a situation, a normal girl would have fled. “Blame your father for making so many enemies,” they taunted. But strangely, subduing these enemies was easy for her. She incapacitated them, leaving one to flee and return with more, only to be beaten again. After repeating this a few times, none dared approach her anymore. She then tracked down the last one and dealt with him like the others.
As rumors spread, people in the slums started calling her a monster. She looked at her blood-stained hands, the dried blood a reminder of her actions. Sitting in front of her parents’ graves, she hugged her knees. The food her father had stored was all gone.
“…I always stole or took from others. Some might have died because of me. It’s all coming back to me now.” Her father’s words echoed in her mind, stopping her from taking from others.
Alone in the world, everyone now saw her as a monster, keeping their distance. “What should I do?” she wondered, too young to make any significant decision.
Days passed until a young man approached her. “Hey, kid,” he said gently, offering his hand without concern for her disheveled appearance. “Do you want to come with me?”
Without realizing it, she took his hand. As she was led away, she looked back at her parents’ graves one last time. A gentle breeze passed, caressing her softly. For some reason, it felt warm and comforting.
