The Story of Hong Gildong

by Heo Gyun

Finally, the promised day arrived.

As soon as Gildong returned to the mountain fortress, he gathered the bandits.

Hundreds of Greenwood soldiers looked at their leader with tense faces.

Gildong spoke in a low, resolute voice.

"We will now strike Haeinsa Temple."

Immediately, gasps were heard from here and there.

Gildong slowly looked around.

"Tonight."

He pointed to a map with his hand.

"You will ambush near the temple and, at my signal, rush in all at once."

The bandits' eyes gleamed.

"Sweep up all the treasures inside the temple."

Gildong's voice dropped chillingly.

"However, I will not forgive anyone who moves without my command."

Hundreds of heads bowed simultaneously.

"We obey your command!"

Gildong spoke one last time.

"Never violate military orders."

That night.

Gildong, accompanied by only a dozen subordinates of grand stature, headed back to Haeinsa Temple.

At the temple entrance, monks were already lined up, waiting.

"The young master is coming!"

"Bring him in quickly!"

The monks greeted Gildong with utmost respect.

But they did not know.

That they were now personally welcoming disaster.

Gildong entered the temple calmly, as if nothing was amiss.

And immediately commanded the monks.

"All monks inside the temple, old or young, without exception, gather at the Byeokgye Stream behind the temple."

The monks looked at each other's faces.

Gildong smiled gently and continued.

"Today, I intend to enjoy and play with you all day long."

At those words, the monks' faces brightened.

A noble yangban's son making a large donation and even hosting a drinking party himself—

Who wouldn't be pleased?

Moreover, if they disobeyed the order and incurred his wrath, it would be a disaster.

Eventually, thousands of monks gathered one by one by the valley behind the temple.

Meanwhile—

The vast interior of Haeinsa Temple became empty.

Gil-dong sat in the head seat and had the monks sit down in order.

Drinking tables followed.

Food was also abundant.

The monks ate and drank frantically.

Laughter filled the valley.

Gil-dong also outwardly calmly raised his wine cup.

However, his gaze never wavered for a single moment.

How much time had passed?

As the meal was almost over—

Gil-dong suddenly put his hand inside his sleeve.

And without anyone knowing, he took out a handful of sand and poured it into his mouth.

Crunch.

Suddenly, a loud sound like chewing on stones echoed.

The monks simultaneously looked at Gil-dong in surprise.

Gil-dong's face instantly hardened coldly.

“You rascals!”

He sprang up from his seat.

“How dare you mix stones in my food and make me eat it!”

Suddenly, the monks' faces turned pale.

“N-no!”

"That can't be!"

But Gil-dong did not listen.

He immediately shouted at his subordinates standing behind him.

“Bind all those monks!”

His voice erupted like thunder.

As if on cue, his burly subordinates rushed out all at once.

And—

They charged at the thousands of monks.