Suma Hoat asked, his heart feeling pierced by pity upon seeing the maiden screaming and hugging her mother's corpse. With a choked voice, the man (Ciok) told his story. They lived in the village of Kwi-bun-an, not far from the capital city. They, husband and wife, were taking their daughter, named Ciok Kim Hwa, who was to be betrothed to the son of the noble Thio family in the capital. That was why they traveled by carriage carrying valuables, escorted by Lord Thio’s troops who had come to fetch them, and who had all been killed by the robbers.
"Siangkoan Lee, quickly escort Uncle Ciok, the goods, and this corpse to the capital city. I will escort Ciok-siocia,"
Suma Hoat said. Siangkoan Lee nodded, understanding that the injured man needed quick treatment and that if the Young Lady rode in the carriage, she would surely be overcome with grief witnessing her mother's corpse. Thus, he gathered the scattered goods, placed them into the carriage, then tied his horse in front of the two carriage horses and sped the carriage toward the capital.
"Come, Young Lady. I will escort you to the capital city, and do not worry, I will protect you with my entire soul and body."
This statement made the Beautiful Maiden's face turn red, but her sorrow was too great, diminishing the strange feeling of joy that crept into her chest as she sat upon the horse's platform, in front of the handsome youth who had saved her. Never before in his life had Suma Hoat experienced such a strange feeling in his heart. His heart pounded extraordinarily, an immense joy enveloped him, and beneath this joy lurked a pain in his heart, because this maiden was to be married to someone else! An intense and strange disappointment. Why was he becoming like this? It could not be denied that he was always attracted by a beautiful face, but never before had he desired a woman who belonged to another!
"Eh, Suma Hoat, what is wrong with you?"
He repeatedly asked himself, unconsciously guiding his horse slowly because he did not want to arrive quickly at the capital, not wanting to be robbed of the pleasure and happiness of sitting alone on the horse with this maiden named Ciok Kim Hwa! The carriage driven by Siangkoan Lee was already far away, no longer visible, nor could the sound of the horses' hooves and carriage wheels be heard.... Suma Hoat could not restrain the tremor in his heart and he asked softly,
"Young Lady.... "
He hesitated and did not continue his words. The maiden waited for a moment, and when the youth did not continue, she turned and said,
"What is it, Inkong?"
Suma Hoat closed his eyes, unable to bear witnessing the face so close to him, smelling the sweet fragrance emanating from the maiden's hair and face.
"Why, In-kong?"
Kim Hwa asked, surprised to see the youth close his eyes.
"So.... Young Lady will.... marry the youth of the Thio family....?"
Her face suddenly turned very red and she quickly turned away, not daring to meet Suma Hoat's gaze. For a long time, the maiden did not answer, and Suma Hoat felt the body in front of him tremble. Finally, the maiden answered softly.
"N-not a youth, but an old widower, the younger brother of Thio-taijin....!"
Suma Hoat raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes.
"An old widower?"
The maiden nodded and sighed deeply.
"Why would you agree, Young Lady?"
Kim Hwa looked up.
"How can I refuse my parents' wishes, In-kong? The one proposing is Thio-taijin for his younger brother, who already has a dozen children, and who also has many concubines. How can I refuse....?"
That last sentence contained a sob, and Kim Hwa lowered her face, looking extremely distressed.
"Ah, I pity you, Young Lady. A maiden as young and beautiful as you, forced to marry an old lecher!"
Suma Hoat felt intensely frustrated, and hearing Suma Hoat's words, Kim Hwa began to sob uncontrollably. Suma Hoat felt even more pity. With a gentle movement, he touched the trembling shoulder and said,
"Don't cry, Young Lady, and don't despair. As I said before, I will protect you with my entire soul and body. If you do not wish to marry that old widower of the Thio family, just refuse, and I will protect you!"
This spirited declaration deeply moved and grateful Kim Hwa, causing her weeping to intensify.
When Suma Hoat comforted her by stroking her long, fine black hair, Kim Hwa choked back a sob and rested her head on Suma Hoat's chest! They remained in that state for a long time, without words, yet both were certain of the feelings in each other's hearts. The horse they rode walked slowly at its leisure, seemingly unwilling to disturb its masters who were caught in the throes of romance. Suma Hoat's fingers, stroking her hair, seemed to emit a vibration that made Kim Hwa close her eyes, her cheeks turning reddish. Suddenly, the white horse, which had been stepping slowly and calmly, stopped. Its nostrils flared, then it let out a loud neigh, and its four legs scraped the ground.
"Eh, Pek-ma (White Horse), what is it?"
Suma Hoat, who had been soaring into the heavens of intimacy, was startled, released his caress from Kim Hwa's hair, and quickly grabbed the reins to control his horse. In response, a roar that shook the forest suddenly sounded—the growl of a tiger that was in the thicket and now emerged, looking toward the horse.
"Oh no, In-kong....!"
Kim Hwa screamed in horror, and her two arms automatically wrapped around the youth's waist, her body trembling.
"Calm down, Young Lady. I was actually looking for that tiger. Let's get down, and you wait here until I finish killing this menace to the villages."
Without waiting for an answer, Suma Hoat lifted Kim Hwa's body down from the back of the white horse, which was also standing and shivering in fear. He set down Kim Hwa, who stood with a pale face near the horse, her eyes wide, looking toward the extraordinarily large tiger and toward her savior, who was now stepping forward to approach the tiger with a calm smile on his handsome face! Suma Hoat looked at the tiger he was approaching with admiration. No wonder the villagers were helpless against this menace. It was truly an unusually large tiger, the size of a calf, with wild, sharp eyes and an arrogant, condescending demeanor, like that of a great king!
"In-kong.... your sword.... use your sword....!"
Kim Hwa's voice trembled with worry. The maiden saw that her savior was very close to the tiger yet still empty-handed. Only a madman would fight a tiger that large with bare hands, she thought, so out of worry, she forced herself to warn him. Hearing this, Suma Hoat turned and smiled!
"Kim Hwa-moi, don't worry. To me, he is just a cat...."
"Watch out.... ah, In-kong....!"
Kim Hwa screamed. But even without the warning, Suma Hoat's trained ears had heard the tiger's movement, and he easily moved his body to the left, evading the devastating charge. However, this tiger was truly different from the ordinary tigers Suma Hoat had previously captured and killed with bare hands. As soon as its charge missed and its feet touched the ground, the tiger's body quickly spun around, its two front paws clawing from the right and left, and its hind legs pushing off the ground so that its body immediately lunged toward Suma Hoat again!
"In-kong....!"
Kim Hwa's scream contained a sob. Suma Hoat was surprised and impressed by the agility and speed of the enormous tiger. A feeling of fondness arose, and he wanted to take the hide of this large animal without blemish. When the charging body flew toward him, he quickly slipped beneath the tiger's belly, causing the charge to miss again, and before the tiger could turn, Suma Hoat had grabbed its long tail, exerted his strength, and.... the tiger's body was lifted and spun around above his head! The tiger struggled and roared, trying to claw or bite the strong hand holding its tail. The sight was terrifying and tense.
"In-konggg....!"
Kim Hwa screamed again and covered her face with both hands, unable to watch the fight because she did not want to see her savior's body clawed or bitten until his skin was torn and covered in blood! That would surely happen because her savior was too brave, refusing to use a sword to kill such a large and powerful beast! Suma Hoat released the tail he was holding. The tiger's body was thrown upward and slammed down onto the ground. Usually, a tiger slammed like this would be stunned and weakened, so Suma Hoat smiled as he approached Kim Hwa and said.
"Don't worry, he...."
"In-konggggg....!"
Kim Hwa screamed, and her face turned extremely pale because the slammed tiger suddenly leaped up and pounced onto Suma Hoat's back! At that moment, Suma Hoat's attention was focused on Kim Hwa, so his evasive movement was slightly delayed, and the tiger's left front paw still swiped his shoulder, sending his body sprawling! The tiger roared in anger and charged the fallen opponent.
"In-konggggg....!"
Kim Hwa's scream this time was very weak, and she collapsed, limp and unconscious on the ground! Suma Hoat could see the state of the maiden who had driven him mad with love, and his anger flared. When the tiger charged him, he met it with a kick that struck the tiger's stomach, sending the beast tumbling sideways. Then, before the tiger could attack him again, Suma Hoat leaped onto its back! The tiger raged, jumping and rolling, but Suma Hoat remained on its back, then his fingers moved forward.
"Crapp!"
The tiger let out a devastating roar, and blood streamed from its two eyes, which were now punctured! Suma Hoat jumped down as the blinded tiger charged forward wildly and aimlessly. The beast became like a mad thing from the pain and confusion, scratching its own face, roaring, and then leaping forward with all its might.
Glossary
- Ciok-siocia: An honorific meaning 'Miss Ciok' or 'Young Lady Ciok'. Used to address an unmarried woman of respectable standing.
- Inkong: A respectful honorific used by Kim Hwa for Suma Hoat, generally meaning 'Hero' or 'Benefactor/Sir'.
- Thio-taijin: A title indicating a high-ranking official or noble lord of the Thio family.
- Kim Hwa-moi: An affectionate term used by Suma Hoat for Kim Hwa, where 'moi' means 'little sister' or 'younger girl'.
- Pek-ma: Literally translates to 'White Horse'.
- bandot tua: A derogatory term meaning 'old lecher' or 'old goat', used here to describe the elderly widower Kim Hwa is forced to marry.