443.
The war had ended, and the smoke over Poyang Lake had settled.
Yet within Jin Youliang's camp, the heat of politics burned more fiercely than it ever had during battle.
At its center stood Park Seong-jin.
People came bearing all manner of issues, asking for his opinion.
Even when he said he held no interest in political affairs, they asked again.
They were not seeking counsel so much as seeking advancement, arriving with expectations attached to his name.
Park Seong-jin was in the warriors' tent, polishing a whetstone, resting the scabbard upon it, and laying his sword across at an angle.
The tent flap slid open without sound, and a presence entered.
"Commander Park, may I have a moment."
It was Ju Deuk-myeong.
Behind him stood Jin Chong and Wang In, side by side.
The warrior corps inhaled as one.
"…They're here again,"
someone muttered.
Park Seong-jin had already seen their hearts.
Their intentions reached him before their footsteps.
They say this boy sees the workings of Heaven.
If I gain his favor, perhaps an opportunity will come to me as well.
What if the Goryeo army leaves?
Lord Jin said to keep this boy close.
When one can see what lies inside others, meeting people becomes a burden.
People are not pure, nor honest, and they face the world through falsehood without shame.
Most of all, they believe others cannot see what is plainly written in their hearts.
Their inner thoughts were so vivid they made it hard to breathe.
Without stopping his hands, Park Seong-jin wiped once along the sword's ridge.
Ju Deuk-myeong stepped forward carefully and bowed deeply.
"Commander. Commander Park."
Park Seong-jin raised his head with reluctance.
At that moment, Ju Deuk-myeong's thoughts surged forward unguarded.
If this child says even one word for me,
my standing before Lord Jin will change.
"What is this."
Ju Deuk-myeong was already extending a silk-wrapped bundle.
"A soldier cannot accept gifts."
"It is not a gift. It is reference material."
"What kind of material."
"Our documents."
Park Seong-jin read his heart again.
Please read it.
Praise it.
Just one sentence will do.
That desperation pressed down on his shoulders.
"I am not someone who reads documents."
Ju Deuk-myeong's face stiffened.
Unable to say more, he bowed and withdrew.
Jin Chong entered immediately after.
"Commander."
The thought was already clear.
You need not accept it.
Just mention my name once before Lord Jin.
"Just leave it there."
"It's a battle report."
"And why bring it to me?"
"I summarized it myself… I only wanted to know if this part is correct."
"It's fine."
Jin Chong also withdrew.
A brief silence settled inside the tent.
In that gap, Oh Jin-cheol spoke quietly.
"Commander, everyone's like this these days."
"…I know."
Last came Wang In.
He was cautious.
That caution pressed against the chest first.
"Commander Park, I have a request."
His heart flowed plainly.
Help me.
Lord Jin hasn't summoned me lately.
I survived, and that frightens me more.
Park Seong-jin let out a long breath.
"What is it you ask."
"If, before Lord Jin, you could mention my name just once—"
"That cannot be done.
Politics belongs to them.
A soldier should not insert himself into it."
Wang In's eyes wavered.
Park Seong-jin could not avoid seeing that wavering.
"If it is only an opinion, I can listen."
"Truly?"
"Anything beyond that is difficult."
Wang In bowed deeply and left.
His steps dragged slightly.
That faint dragging lingered.
When all the aides had gone, the warrior corps laughed.
"Our commander's popularity is something else."
"They're all chasing promotion."
"He even rewrapped the bundle before leaving."
"Hah."
Park Seong-jin covered his face with both hands.
"…What kind of mess is this."
A few days later, Yun Dam came and sat beside him.
"You seem to be having a hard time these days."
"…Why did you call me Hwagyŏng."
"It was necessary for the war. I thought it would make them submit."
"..."
"And politics needs it even more."
Park Seong-jin spoke quietly.
"I hear everything."
Yun Dam smiled.
"That is why you must be even more careful.
They are not bringing swords.
They are bringing their means of survival."
"…I understand. But there are too many.
They all come with different reasons, asking me to play some role."
Park Seong-jin covered his face.
"I just… want to go back."
It was a burden heavier than the battlefield.