The Story of Hong Gildong

by Heo Gyun

After that, the name of Hwalbindang spread even more fearfully.

Gil-dong sometimes appeared riding a splendid palanquin, summoning local magistrates at will,

and at other times, he would open the government granaries to distribute grain to the starving people.

He personally interrogated unjustly imprisoned criminals, releasing those who were innocent,

and punished only corrupt officials.

But the strange thing was—

no one could figure out Hong Gil-dong's true identity.

Each village was merely rife with rumors.

"Hong Gil-dong has appeared!"

"Hwalbindang has raided the government office again!"

The entire country became restless.

Finally, the King grew greatly enraged and said,

"What kind of scoundrel is it that roams the eight provinces in a single day, causing such a commotion!"

The King's face was flushed red with anger.

"Is there no one in this country who can catch that one bandit!"

At that moment,

a man stepped forward from the lower ranks of the court.

"Though this humble servant lacks talent..."

he said in a clear voice,

"If Your Majesty grants me a thousand soldiers, I will surely capture Hong Gil-dong and relieve Your Majesty's worries."

All the officials looked at him simultaneously.

It was Yi Eop, the Chief of Police.

The King was greatly pleased.

"How loyal!"

Immediately, a thousand elite soldiers were assigned to Yi Eop.

Yi Eop left the palace at once to prepare for the expedition.

After passing Gwacheon, he divided his soldiers into several groups and deployed them.

"You go this way."

"We will rendezvous in Mungyeong on the appointed day."

After all preparations were complete—

Yi Eop set off alone, dressed as a commoner.

A few days later,

as dusk fell, Yi Eop entered an inn to rest.

But a moment later—

a young scholar, riding a donkey and accompanied by dozens of servants, entered the inn.

The young man had a dignified face and exceptionally keen eyes.

As soon as he sat down, he naturally brought up the topic of the world.

“Isn’t all the land under heaven the King’s land, and aren’t all the people the King’s subjects?”

I-eop listened to his words quietly.

The young man sighed and continued.

“But a great enemy named Hong Gil-dong is disturbing the eight provinces…”

“It is frustrating that even though His Majesty is greatly angered, no one has been able to capture him.”

He put down his wine glass.

“I, too, have some martial arts skills and wish to alleviate the nation’s worries, but…”

A look of regret appeared on the young man’s face.

“I lament that I lack strength and have no one to help me.”

The moment he heard those words—

I-eop’s eyes changed.

‘This person… is no ordinary person.’

He was greatly impressed inwardly.

And he personally rose from his seat and took the young man’s hand.

“Excellent!”

“He is a man of loyalty!”

Genuine joy appeared on I-eop’s face.

“I, too, have set out to capture Hong Gil-dong.”

“How about we join forces?”

The young man also brightened and smiled.

“That sounds good.”

He immediately rose from his seat.

“Then let us first test each other’s skills and then search for Hong Gil-dong’s hideout.”

I-eop did not doubt him in the slightest.

He followed the young man into the deep mountains.

How long had they walked?

The young man, who had climbed onto a steep cliff, turned back and said,

“Kick me with all your might.”

“Only then will I know your skill.”

I-eop kicked the young man with all his strength.

However—

The young man did not even flinch.

Instead, he smiled calmly.

“Indeed, a strong man.”

The young man’s eyes gleamed strangely.

“With that much, capturing Hong Gil-dong won’t be difficult.”

And he spoke again.

“Hong Gil-dong is in these mountains right now.”

“I will go in first to scout and return, so you wait here.”

Yi Eop nodded without the slightest suspicion.

But not long after—

Dozens of soldiers with bizarre appearances suddenly appeared.

All of them wore yellow headscarves.

They pointed at Yi Eop and shouted.

“That's Police Chief Yi Eop!”

“We've come to capture him by order of the King of Jibu!”

Suddenly, the soldiers all rushed forward.

Iron chains instantly wrapped around Yi Eop's body.

Yi Eop was so surprised he couldn't even resist.

He couldn't even tell if they were humans or ghosts.

The place he was dragged to was—

A bizarre place, like an underground palace.

Yi Eop was forcibly dragged and made to kneel before some being.

A terrifying voice echoed from above.

“Did you dare to say you would capture Hong Gil-dong, the general of the Hwalbin Party?!”

“General Hong is one who receives the will of heaven, takes wealth from corrupt officials, and saves the people!”

“But you, who deceive the nation and try to harm a loyal subject, have committed a great sin!”

Immediately after, an order was given.

“Drag him to Pungdo and banish him from the world forever!”

At that moment, Yi Eop's face turned pale blue.

He began to bow his head frantically and beg.

“Please spare me!”

“I merely followed His Majesty's command!”

“Do not take an innocent life!”

Seeing this, the people around him and the being above began to laugh loudly.

And suddenly—

The iron chains binding Yi Eop's body came loose.

“Raise your head.”

It was a familiar voice.

The moment Yi Eop looked up with a trembling face—

The boy he had met in the tavern was sitting there.

The boy smiled, holding up his drink.

"Do you recognize me?"

"The very person I met at the tavern."

He slowly curled the corners of his lips upwards.

"And I am Hong Gil-dong."

At that moment, I-eop's face stiffened.

Gil-dong continued speaking calmly.

"Even tens of thousands like you cannot catch me."

"The reason I lured you here today is..."

Gil-dong's eyes gleamed coldly.

"To show the might of the Hwalbin-dang."

Then he looked around and smiled.

"And also to prevent people like you from carelessly trying to catch me in the future."

Soon after, Gil-dong had the other captured soldiers brought forward.

"I-eop, I will let you go."

"I will release you all as well."

Gil-dong gave a final warning.

"Go back and never again think of catching Hong Gil-dong."

Only then did I-eop realize that he had been completely deceived.

But he was too ashamed to say anything.

A short while later—

I-eop had dozed off and then opened his eyes.

But his body wouldn't move.

It was pitch black in front of him.

After struggling to get out, he found that—

He was trapped inside a large leather sack.

There were two other sacks nearby.

When he pulled them open, they were his soldiers whom he had sent to Mungyeong first.

I-eop let out a hollow laugh.

"I was tricked by some boy and ended up like this..."

"What happened to you all?"

The soldiers replied with frightened faces.

"We don't know how we got here either; we were sleeping at the tavern..."

The three looked around.

The place was—

The middle of a field north of Jang-an.

I-eop let out a long sigh.

"What a futile affair..."

And he muttered softly.

"Never speak of this matter."