THE HIDDEN THREAT

...CHAPTER 01 ...

The Royal Palace of Hanyang was a marvel of grandeur and serenity, its intricate architecture and lush gardens a testament to the prosperity of the Joseon Dynasty. Yet beneath its tranquil facade, a deep and unsettling darkness was taking root.

Crown Prince Lee Chang stood alone in the private gardens, away from the prying eyes of courtiers and spies. The delicate fragrance of cherry blossoms filled the air, but it did little to ease the heavy burden on his shoulders. For days, he had heard whispers of the King’s illness, but the official reports were as vague as they were troubling. The royal physicians spoke in hushed tones, and the Queen’s demeanor was shrouded in secrecy.

Lee Chang’s thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Mu-yeong, his steadfast personal guard. Mu-yeong’s expression was grave, his normally calm eyes now reflecting a fierce determination. "Your Highness," he began, "we must act quickly. The rumors about the King’s illness are growing darker by the hour."

Lee Chang nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "We cannot wait for the court’s version of the truth. We must uncover what is truly happening. Gather what we need; we leave for Dongnae at dawn."

The news of the King’s deteriorating health had come from a source not often trusted—a low-ranking palace servant who had witnessed strange occurrences in the King’s chambers. His cryptic message hinted at something unnatural, something that defied the very fabric of the natural world.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the palace gates, Lee Chang, Mu-yeong, and Seo-bi, a skilled physician from the Jiyulheon Clinic, prepared for their departure. Seo-bi’s presence was crucial; she had been researching strange cases of illness that defied conventional medicine.

They rode out of Hanyang, the weight of their mission pressing heavily upon them. The road to Dongnae was a mix of serene beauty and looming danger, with rolling fields giving way to the dense, shadowy forest that bordered the village.

By midday, they arrived at a small, isolated village near Dongnae. The once-bustling settlement was eerily quiet, the streets deserted and the doors to homes tightly shut. A sense of foreboding hung in the air, punctuated only by the distant cries of birds and the rustling of the wind through the trees.

Mu-yeong led the way, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword as he scanned the surroundings for any signs of danger. "We should proceed with caution, Your Highness. Something feels wrong here."

Seo-bi, her medical bag slung over her shoulder, nodded. "This village may hold clues to the nature of the King’s illness. We must investigate carefully."

They approached the village square, where a few haggard villagers huddled around a makeshift clinic set up in the open air. The sight of the clinic, with its crude medical equipment and the weary faces of the villagers, was a stark reminder of the plague’s devastation.

An elderly woman, her hands trembling, stepped forward. "Are you here to help us?" she asked, her voice laced with desperation. "The sickness… it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen. People are dying and coming back as monsters."

Lee Chang stepped forward, his gaze steady but concerned. "We are here to understand what has happened. Can you tell us more about this sickness?"

The woman’s eyes filled with tears. "It started with a fever, but soon the sick grew violent, attacking anyone they came across. We had to lock ourselves away to stay safe."

Seo-bi examined the villagers, her medical expertise revealing bite wounds and fever symptoms that confirmed their fears. "These injuries suggest that the plague is not just a disease but a transformation of the dead. This matches the disturbing reports I’ve received from elsewhere."

As they worked to understand the plague, the shadows of the forest seemed to shift, as though alive with a hidden menace. The night fell, and the village was lit only by the flickering flames of a few braziers, casting long, unsettling shadows across the empty streets.

Gathered in the village chief’s hut, Lee Chang, Mu-yeong, and Seo-bi discussed their findings. The weight of their task was clear; the plague was not merely a threat to the people of Dongnae but a potential disaster for the entire kingdom.

"We must investigate the origins of this plague," Seo-bi said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "There must be something more to this illness, something that connects it to the King’s condition."

Mu-yeong nodded in agreement. "We need to gather information from those who were first affected. They might know more about the source of the plague."

Lee Chang looked out into the night, a determined expression on his face. "At dawn, we will follow the trail to the heart of this darkness. We must find the truth before it’s too late."

As they prepared for the journey into the unknown, Lee Chang felt the weight of his father’s condition and the looming threat of the plague pressing down on him. The path ahead was fraught with peril, and the shadows of Hanyang seemed to extend far beyond the palace walls.

In the depths of the forest, where the darkness grew deeper and the danger more imminent, unseen eyes watched the intruders with a growing sense of anticipation. The fate of the kingdom hung in the balance, and the true nature of the plague was yet to be revealed.

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