CHAPTER 8

"Son you qualified for Sungkyunwan", said his father.

"Oppa has worked hard for that", said Hani and hugged her brother.

"Indeed your son is so brilliant. People like us now can think of to go on higher level", said one person among the crowd which has surrounded his house.

"Ahjushi everyone can go there with persistent hard work and faith in himself", said Yoon.

"So when are you leaving?", asked a woman.

"Tomorrow morning", said Yoon.

"So let's then have a small celebration", said the other man.

"Let's go then we should prepare for that", said Hani and dispersed the crowd and went with some women.

"Yoona will be happy today", said his father.

"Hm...mother will be happy", said Yoon and smiled.

In the evening everyone went to the small village ground and celebrated for Yoon Shik. The women and children were dancing in happiness. Men were having rice wine in groups. Every one was enjoying when a group of military guards came there and intervened in the celebration. Yoon Shik stepped ahead and asked what they want.

"You're summoned in the palace", said the headman.

"Palace?", asked his father.

"Come with us", said the man.

He gestured his sister to take care of the things and left with the guard.

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This is the first time Yoon has seen the palace. The exquisite designs on the walls, the panoramic view of the gardens attracted him. He was looking at all the things there. The guards then reached a huge ground in front of which king's court is situated.

The king along with his personal bodyguard and other ministers was sitting on the huge chair.

As soon as he saw the king he bowed down.

"You can stand up", ordered the king.

He looked towards his feet unable to look into King's eyes.

"A Sangmin reaching to elite level is surprising. Indeed some ministers aren't satisfied but the education head brought your sheets before me... 

I want to ask you how did you get that intellect when resources are limited", said the king.

"My mother knew classical Chinese so she taught me when I was a kid. After she passed away I seek help from a bookstore owner and learned the things from those books", said Yoon.

"Indeed you're a hard worker. Your mother knew classical Chinese is quite interesting fact. Which class was she from?", asked the king.

"I don't know much....it's a long time ago. She never told me this", said Yoon.

"Okay... Your answers showed that you have deep knowledge of classical Chinese, literature and astronomy. I want to see your talent so that you can serve this kingdom in a better way", said the king.

"It will be my pleasure to serve the king and this kingdom", said Yoon and bowed down.

"Rise", said the king.

Yoon stood up still looking at his feet. 

"Here this is a prize from my side", said the king and honoured him with a gold coin.

"Thank you my Lord....", said Yoon.

"You can leave", said the king.

Yoon turned back to leave and walked out of the palace.

"Oppaa....are you okay?", asked Hani looking at him.

His father too looked concerned.

"It was nothing to fear about. The King has summoned me to give me a prize on my achievement. A GOLD COIN", said Yoon and gave the coin to his father.

"Wow....it's so...", said Hani.

"Let's go.. It's late night", said Yoon and held the hands of his father and sister.

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Next day Yoon got ready in his new clothes which his father and sister gifted him on his last birthday. 

"Am I looking good?", asked Yoon.

"Perfect", said Hani.

"Father take care of yourself and Hani you too", said Yoon.

"Oppa I'll see you off", said Hani.

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"Wooh this school is quite big....I mean very big", said Hani looking at the entrance and taking glances of inside view.

Other qualified students were also going inside the gate entrance.

"I should go too", said Yoon and turned to Hani and hugged her tightly...."take care of father and yourself. Come to me if you need anything.....btw I got to know that Jangmi will supply books here so you can ask him for help if needed and....."

"Oppa I got it....don't worry about me...and go inside", said Hani.

"Okay"

"Hey Yoon Shik", shouted Sunwo and came towards him. He then looked at Hani who got shocked to see him. 

"Wooh who's this lady?", said Sunwo and fanned himself. He started revolving around Hani.

"Oh this is my sister Hani", said Yoon.

"Oh....really...fiesty girl", whispered Sunwo in her ear.

"What?", asked Sunwo in surprise.

"Don't you know she threw cow dung.."

"At the nearby cow shed. Your sister works there I guess", said Do Yeong interrupting Sunwo.

"Hani why are you working there? Do you need money? You can take from that trunk...", said Yoon swiftly.

"Oppa Oppa I don't need money", said Hani and scratched her hair.

"Then?"

"Let's go inside else we will be late", said Yeong.

"Hani I'm getting late.....go now...I'll be home once in week", said Yoon.

Hani walked away from there.

Sunwo sighed when Hani was gone.

They were going to enter when Yoon stopped...."I forgot her to tell something", said Yoon and ran away from there.

Hani didn't reach far so Yoon caught her. 

"Oppa"

"Hani.......take money from that trunk and pay the debts. I don't want people to harass you when I'm not around", said Yoon.

"Oppa....Okay Oppa....go now else you'll be late", said Hani.

"Hmm"

Yoon was walking quickly when a person collided with him and they both fell on the ground. The man has sword in one hand which fell on the other end of ground. There were a group of goons heading towards the man. Yoon stood up from the ground and took the sword and started fighting with them...."run".

The man stood up but instead of running he stood up and with his dagger hit them. Suddenly a goon hit him from the sword but he dodged but it cut the ribbon on his bun and the hair fell. Yoon looked at him and got surprised to see because the person who he was thinking as a man was a woman. 

He injured the goons and held the hand of that woman and run with her. They heard the noise of the goons and they both hide behind a hut. He kept his hand over the girl's head. She looked at him and touched his face....

"What? Is there something?", asked Yoon.

"Nothing", said the girl and tried to get away from him but he tightly held her...."Don't they are many...just bare for a few minutes", said Yoon looking at the other side.

After a while he released her and said, "go they're gone......wait your hand is bleeding...Here take this handkerchief", said Yoon and walked away from there.

The girl looked at him from behind and smiled. 

"He was looking so good", mumbled the girl and then walked towards the other direction. The girl was none other than Noh Eunwo.

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"Please let me inside", said Yoon to the gate keeper.

"The chief head has said that those who are late not be allowed", said Yoon.

"But only I'm late.....please let me inside", said Yoon.

"What's this commotion?", said an old man and came there.

"Sir he's late and chief head has said not to allow those who will be late", said the gate keepers and bowed down before him.

"Let him....", said the old man.

Yoon thanked him and walked inside. 

"Your name?", asked the old man.

"Kim Yoon Shik".

"Yoon Shik go and clean all the floors and the bathrooms.....it's your punishment", said the old man.

"Okay sir", said Yoon.

"Wait..... first go to the student assembly in the great hall. Address me as teacher not sir", said the old man and walked away.