HWARANG: THE FEMALE WARRIOR

"What's this?" Ichan Seulbu asked.

"A list of people that Her Highness has come into contact with before she came to the Palace." Damju replied, "You'd be surprised who one of them is." He added as Ichan Seulbu opened the book and as he strolled through the pages he halted at one when he saw a name that he knew too well.

"GALMUNWANG BAEKBAN?" He said.

"Yes Your Excellency." Damju replied.

"At last the Chameleon has shown it's true colours." Ichan Seulbu said.

"As You See Your Excellency." Damju said.

"But I am curious." Ichan Seulbu said.

"I am only just a messenger Your Excellency." Damju said.

"But I believe there is no one that understands your Master much better than you." Ichan Seulbu said.

"You are wrong Your Excellency." Damju replied.

"Why?" Ichan Seulbu asked.

"Because even to his wife his thoughts are too complicated no one understands him." Damju replied.

"Then he must in deed be very smart." Ichan Seulbu said, "Keeping the public at arm's length and at the same time currying favour with the commons, and now even he is beloved by the Princess Deokman." He added.

"Isn't that a good thing for you Your Excellency?" Damju asked.

"Why would it be?" Ichan Seulbu asked.

"Because as long as his allegiance is with the Crown he can never be a rebel." Damju replied.

"How certain can you be?" Ichan Seulbu asked, "most enemies start out as friends." He added.

"What has he to gain?" Damju asked, "after all you might be uncertain but all his people are not his own but the Crown Princess'. "Damju replied.

Ichan Seulbu looked at him and he stared back equally confident.

"Are you Afraid your Excellency?" Damju asked.

"Me?" Ichan Seulbu said, "No." He revoked.

"Very good then." Damju said as he stood up from where he was seated.

"You can remain to trust that my Master's loyalty is unwavered however mine is dependent on him alone." He added.

"If you hurt him you are cutting off the right hand of the Princess Deokman but I see that even before you stare at him the greater threat is right before your eyes.

Because if someone is guilty of factionalism but can not be charged then he holds in his hands the power to rule the world." Damju said as he bowed his head.

"I'll take my leave Your Excellency." He said.

"And I'll be watching as well." Ichan Seulbu said confidently as he waved Damju out and remained all alone.

His mind seemed to be debating the issue.

"What is the relationship between Galmunwang Baekban and the new Queen, how useful is she to him?" He asked himself.

It finally dawned and the Hwarang corps were gathered in the Arena in their formation as Wonsanghwa Ichan Chilsuk marched up to the front.

They were all at attention as He supervised the various sects when an announcement was put forward.

"Her Royal Highness the Princess deigns you with her presence." Yushin Rang shouted.

The Hwarang turned and faced the main entrance if the Arena as Princess Deokman made her way over and mounted the stairs that led to the stage carefully while everyone watched her.

She stood in front of all the Hwarang while Ichan Chilsuk and Achan Seokpum gazed right next to the Nangdos up at her.

"Brave Hwarang of our Heavenly Kingdom of Shilla, I Princess Deokman I am here to announce that as the keeper of the Hwarang this time around we are going to be able to hold the ANNUAL HWARANG GAMES." Princess Deokman said.

The moment she'd finished the Nangdos were very excited and they clapped for her as some of themselves hugged one another.

Princess Deokman smiled.

"We were unable to recruit new members of the Hwarang earlier and this event is key in motivating some of them and showing them the virtues and the values that we as the people of Shilla fight for and we as it's warrior knights strive to uphold so I decided to push the recruitment between now and the next three days.

Anyone is welcome to join and there shall be a sorting panel that shall assign them all to their different teams." Princess Deokman said.

The Hwarang applauded her again when at that moment she halted and looked at the back of the Arena as it's doors were flung open.

At once all the eyes in the Arena turned around and looking behind, Seungman had appeared which forced them all to shriek.

Chilsuk's eyes were widened as Seokpum dropped his mouth.

Seungman who looked unwavered walked towards Princess Deokman as the other boys automatically stepped aside and paved way for her.

"Is she crazy?" Some said.

"What is she thinking?" Others murmured.

"Who is she here for?" Another chuckled.

"Who'll she beat this time?" some wondered

"She's not same." They went ahead to say.

Seungman continued as though she had heard nothing until she stopped right in front of Princess Deokman and she looked at her.

Seungman went down on her knees and everyone was surprised they touched their mouths.

"Your Highness." Seungman said.

"I am curious." Princess Deokman said, "I do recall our last meeting and I believe that we sorted things out very well." She added.

"Yes Your Highness." Seungman replied, "I believe that today what brought me is a totally different issue." She added.

"What is it?" Princess Deokman asked, "You could have requested for an audience with me but why did you have to come back here at the Arena after a displeasing visit?" She added.

"Pardon me Your Highness but this is the only place that I knew I could find you and the rumors have travelled around fast across the capital in the last two days I myself I was attracted." Seungman replied as she bowed her head.

"Stand up." Princess Deokman said and Seungman complied as she cleaned her clothes and she smiled at her.

"Tell me then, what is it that you wish to inquire?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I am not here to inquire but rather to put myself forward Your Highness?" Seungman said.

"What do you want?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I am here to enroll myself as a Hwarang." Seungman replied.

Chilsuk hearing that was furious and he unsheathed his sword and he pointed at Seungman's neck.

"Ichan Chilsuk." Princess Deokman said.

"Your Highness, allow me to cut off her neck, how dare she get that honourable title and drag it in the mud?" Ichan Chilsuk said.

"Why would I taint the sacred ground of our dead compeers with her blood, it would be an act of disloyalty to the founders and our forefathers." Princess Deokman replied and Chilsuk returned his sword into his scabbard.

"Kim Seungman." Princess Deokman called.

"Yes Your Highness." Seungman replied as she bowed her head.

"Upon what grounds do you claim to desire to become a Hwarang?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Your Highness, I am motivated." Seungman replied.

"Motivation isn't good enough." Princess Deokman said.

"When the announcements were put forward, they said that there would be enrollment for those that are interested in becoming Hwarang.

They did not specify the age or gender so that is the first your Highness." Seungman said as she bowed her head.

"Anything else?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I dare not brag but I know that I fit the qualifications as I am good at combat, I am smart and without a physical disability, I am both independent and self reliant and I know that I have what it takes." Seungman replied.

"You are not a boy, there are things that you can not handle that men themselves do." Princess Deokman said.

"I assure you Your Highness that I can do better. If there were once Wonhwa who were apart of the Hwarang and they were women, it makes no difference now if I also join as a corp." Seungman replied.

"There is a very big difference, living with men is much broader than you think." Princess Deokman said.

"Tell her Ichan Chilsuk." Princess Deokman ordered.

"Yes Your Highness." Chilsuk replied as he turned around and he looked at the young girl who stared back at him confidently.

"We as the Hwarang we share a number of things, you should know that means that if it's to eat, or shower or train or sleep, we all do it together as a team." Chilsuk said.

"Yes." Seungman said.

"This isn't a concept that we want you to understand." Chilsuk said.

"And there are things here that you cannot do as a girl." Princess Deokman said.

"Showering with boys, I don't have to make them uncomfortable I can always go in before or after them, eating with them, I have no problem, I can eat alone as the Hwarang school is large enough for us all, sleeping with them, I have lived in the cold north all my life I can tolerate sleeping outside in the dew, training, I can as well keep my distance and as you see from the way that I am dressed I can not be a distraction to anyone as I am in no dress or gown for them to notice me." Seungman said.

"The presence isn't the problem." Princess Deokman said, "The word itself that there is a girl amongst the Hwarang more so dressed like them us enough to make them all uncomfortable." She added.

"What is the motive of the Hwarang Your Highness?" Seungman asked.

"To fight and defend Shilla with their blood." Princess Deokman replied.

"Aren't I a citizen of Shilla as well, were the dreams that the Great Kings from Bak Hyeokgyeose to King Jinheung and King Jinpyeong for the men of Shilla alone or for all it's people?" Seungman asked as she turned around and looked at the Hwarang.

"You all have mothers and sisters here, can't you at least tell me should the responsibility of reporting criminals rest on your shoulders alone or theirs as well?" She added.

"There have never been female knights in this our Heavenly Kingdom." Ichan Chilsuk said.

"But I can be the first." Seungman said.

"Just as your hearts are devoted to this Shilla so is mine, my devotion is exceedingly great that I am ready to do whatever it takes to protect it.

Can you share that same dream, can you fathom that very beautiful goal where the men don't stand alone but the women work by their side." She added.

"You can not compare yourself to all other men, there is order in every society and once you tamper with it you put that society at stake.

The Hwarang are our honourable warriors, do you wish that I stake them for your dream!" Princess Deokman asked.

"Look at me Your Highness." Seungman said.

"Why?" Princess Deokman asked, "I am the keeper of the Hwarang and they are my responsibility." She added.

"And I look to you." Seungman said.

"War is not in the nature of a woman." Ichan Chilsuk said, "Weak is the country that sends women to the battlefield to defend it's borders and expand them." He added.

"Wrong." Seungman refuted loudly and every other person was surprised.

"United is the country where it's people stand as one." Princess Deokman said.

"Then be true to Yourself for once." Princess Deokman said, "Can you prove to be worthier than all these men for that title?" She asked.

"It's not about who is worthy your Highness but who is ready, it's not about the people that I have slain but the enemies that I dread.

Just like one is born a boy or a girl, so are we, to choose to be a doctor, a trader, a chef, a soldier is something that we ourselves decide to be.

Should we simply resign to nature because it is within us? For a warrior there is never a choice and an option, there is always an order.

I can have the strength to slay twenty or fifty or a hundreds men, why can't I acquire the very honour that I cherish with all my heart because I wasn't born a boy?" Seungman asked.

Princess Deokman was silent.

"I am a citizen of Shilla, is what I am asking for too much?" Seungman said as she went down on her knees and bowed her head.

Alcheon Rang looked at Yushin and Princess Deokman stared at the faces of all the Hwarang that were looking up to her waiting for an answer.

"You have said enough." Princess Deokman said, "The notices couldn't draw a distinction between males and females so your claim is valid.

IF I were to dismiss you from here today then I would only bring shame to the Honour of the Hwarang and myself as the keeper of the Hwarang." Princess Deokman said and Ichan Chilsuk and all the others were surprised.

"You can become a Hwarang but I shall make this bet with you while all the others are listening and should you lose then you shall be expelled from them.

"Should I win Your Highness?" Seungman asked.

"You shall become a Hwarang for life." Princess Deokman replied.

The others kept quiet and they looked at Seungman who tried to brush off their gaze but it was starting to be bothersome.

"As you might have heard the Hwarang Games are coming up so all teams shall have to participate.

Stage by stage there shall be elimination and you standing with all of us means that you are equal so there shall be no exceptions in the routine and the things that the others do except the way that you'll live.

I don't wish to give the boys discomfort so You shall stay alone at the Eastern end of the school where the boys won't go.

Don't disturb their privacy and they won't disturb yours.

You shall all bear the same weight of things that is weapons and when the Hwarang games start, be sure that you do each and everything that you can to win them." Princess Deokman said.

The Hwarang senior members were excited.

"She won't make it." Some of them said.

"Her small figure is so delicate." others joked.

"To her victory is wishful thinking." Others whispered.

"That's Her Highness' way if saying that you shall never be a Hwarang some murmured.

"Yes Your Highness." Seungman said.

"Is there any team of the Hwarang that is willing to admit Kim Seungman?" Princess Deokman asked as everyone looked around including Seungman who was excited.

She was tracing for a hand through all those faces but for close to give minutes, no one was willing.

"You see that?" Princess Deokman said, "that's what Paekche and Gorguryeo will see Shilla as on the battlefield with you." She added.

Seungman maintained her silence.

"If you can change their perception of you and make them see you otherwise then you have won but if they can not tremble in fear and all that they can do is make a gossip story of you then you have lost." Princess Deokman said.

"I do not need belong to a particular sect to be a Hwarang if Shilla, like them I must fight under the same name because being a Hwarang myself is already being a part of that family." Seungman replied.

"Very well." Princess Deokman said.

"Today before us all we welcome Seungman Rang of the Nameless sect, Do your part and serve Shilla and your name shall go down in the pages of History forever as one of us." Princess Deokman said.

"Thank you your Highness." Seungman said as she bowed her head.

"You are all dismissed, go back to Your training." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes Your Highness." The Hwarang said as they went on their right knee and bowed their heads while Princess Deokman turned around and walked away from the Arena while Seungman remained their kneeling.

After she was gone, Seungman looked up at the blue sky and she smiled.

"I did it father." She said inwardly, "I have become a Hwarang." She thought as the other Hwarang looked at her and they started to walk away.

She turned her head over and looked to her right where she saw someone stretching out his hand towards her.

"Achan Seokpum." Seungman heard a few Nangdos saying and she quickly knew that it must have been his name.

He had a very innocent face as he stared at her and he looked to be quite friendly so she took his hand to help him stand up.

As she was rising he let go and she fell down.

All the other Hwarang laughed at her.

"You?" Seungman said angrily.

"You're new here so it's better that you learnt that first that's not the way that they talk up to seniors." Seokpum Rang said.

Seungman kept quiet.

"What did you think, that I would help you up?" Seokpum Rang asked.

Seungman maintain her silence while the rest of the lot from Seokpum Rang's team laughed at her.

"You were quite courageous coming out here to us despite being a woman, there is no place for weaklings amongst all of us so take that as your first lesson.

Unlike us all you came here alone and that is who you are going to be from now on so cry." Seokpum Rang said, isn't it what people like you do best?" He asked as everyone else laughed.

"You might do whatever you can to dissuade me but your words and actions can never break my will, you might never acknowledge me here as one of you but I won't let that get to me.

You might expect me like any other woman to bend my back and let you have your way but I also won't submit to that wishful dream and even if I am caught deep within my emotions and the grief itself is overbearing, I shall never let my tears scatter because of your condemnation." Seungman replied as she stood up and looked Seokpum Rang in his eyes.

Everyone looked at the both of them.

"The day that you'll lay your hands on this Seokpum Rang and defeat him in the real cause for battle....." He said.

"....If you are not an enemy of Shilla that day won't come I assure you." Seungman completed.

"But the very day that we ourselves become foes..." Seokpum Rang said.

".....I shall certainly be the one to drive my sword through you." Seungman concluded.

Ichan Chilsuk walked up to the two a while later.

"Enough." He said and everyone that was there bowed their heads.

"Wonsanghwa." The called him.

"Go back to practice, Seungman, you stay behind." Ichan Chilsuk ordered.

"Yes." Everyone said I'm unison as they bowed their heads again and they walked away leaving the two alone.

"Wonsanghwa." Seungman called.

"To us martial artists do you know why we bow?" Chilsuk asked.

"Respect for one another as contenders, students and Masters." Seungman replied.

"Who is your Master?" Chilsuk asked.

Seungman recalled the words that her father had once told her.

"Never come close to anyone from Seoraebeol." He'd urged her.

"My Master was my master and I never knew his name because he never wished to tell me." She lied.

Chilsuk wasn't convinced but he didn't look ready to force the answer out of her.

"And I am not your Master." Chilsuk said.

"You shall feel the pain of coming here and I shall do whatever it takes to make sure that at the end of this all your will is broken.

Eventually you shall bend and never in a thousand years will I accept a long haired person as a member of my Hwarang." Chilsuk said.

"I'll never force you Wonsanghwa Ichan Chilsuk but for me as long as I am a Hwarang then that is enough for me." Seungman said.

"Go on and join your colleagues, where you fit then stay and practice there with them, if you don't know a thing then don't interfere." Ichan Chilsuk said.

"Yes." Seungman replied.

Princess Deokman was walking towards her Palace as she recalled the words that Seungman had said at the Arena.

"I am a citizen of Shilla, is what I am asking for too much?" Seungman had asked.

"Aren't I a citizen of Shilla as well, were the dreams that the Great Kings from Bak Hyeokgyeose to King Jinheung and King Jinpyeong for the men of Shilla alone or for all it's people?" She'd gone ahead to say.

"Just as your hearts are devoted to this Shilla so is mine, my devotion is exceedingly great that I am ready to do whatever it takes to protect it." She assured.

"Quite a strong woman." Princess Deokman said with a smirk on her face. "She is so astute." She added.

"Your Highness." Alcheon Rang said.

"Yes Alcheon?" Princess Deokman replied.

"How do you think the other Hwarang are going to treat her?" He asked.

"I am certain that you already know it won't be too pleasant." Princess Deokman replied.

"It's the path that she chose for herself, she should have known better than anyone else the price that was going to come along with what she wanted when she chose to want to become a Hwarang." Yushin Rang said.

"But I am very much impressed by her." Princess Deokman said, "I must say that she is in deed remarkable." She added.

"Yes Your Highness." Alcheon Rang agreed.

"Her devotion to her dream especially to this Shilla in all the Hwarang that I have seen in my young age is surpassing and second to none." Princess Deokman said.

"But I don't understand Your Highness, for the hardships that she is going to go through she would have been better as your personal guard." Yushin Rang said.

"No." Princess Deokman replied.

"Why Your Highness?" Yushin Rang asked.

"I already have you and Alcheon to protect me along with a few other people by my side, her talent is additionally so distinguished that I can not find peace in my heart to waste it in such a way." Princess Deokman replied.

"But Your Highness, you are everything to Shilla." Yushin Rang said.

"No." Princess Deokman replied, "To Shilla I can never be everything but she can be everything to me." She added as she continued to walk while they followed her.

"A personal guard protects only a person and stakes everything including his own life before that person's, contrary to that, a warrior and a soldier protects a country and stakes everything including his own life before it." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes Your Highness."Yushin and Alcheon Rang replied in unison.

"You'll never know that when I am gone in case it is before her." Princess Deokman said, "She'd mean everything to Shilla as a General and not as a Royal guard who has lost his master." She added.

"Yes." They said.

Seungman walked onto the training field and she watched all the other Hwarang with their partners in groups of two training swordsmanship.

She looked around for a partner but as she walked closer to the others that did not have any partners to train with them, they only moved away from her and forced themselves into pairs rather than being with her.

She noticed that there was one who was alone and she walked up to him but before she would even arrive he spoke up to her rudely.

"I don't fight with women." He yelled and Seungman was forced to study him upside down from head to toe.

He was fairly tall with a good body build, his face was round and ended in a double chin and his eyes were brown while his cheek bones were prominent and his legs and arms were so thick with his biceps entirely swollen.

"Goodness." She thought inwardly.

He was quite handsome with some fairly long brown hair.

"Be my partner." She demanded.

"No." He coldly replied.

"Let's make a bet." Seungman said, "Unless you are afraid if losing to a young girl." She added.

"I am not afraid of losing to you." The boy said.

"Then prove it and accept my bet." Seungman said.

"What do I get if I win?" The boy asked.

"I'll save you the burden of being my partner." Seungman replied.

"That's good enough." The boy said as others started to eavesdrop their conversation.

"But should I win?" Seungman asked.

"Then I'll be your training partner." The boy said and Seungman picked out a coin from her pockets and she place it on top of her right hand.

"Pick a side." She said.

"Tails." The boy replied.

"Then I'll be heads." Seungman said as the two agreed and they moved back away while Seungman tossed the coin into the air and allowed it to land on the ground.

She stumped it so that it didn't bounce any further and when they were both certain that the coin was on one face, they nodded their heads.

"Please be heads." Seungman prayed inwardly as she withdrew her leg from the coin slowly.

"Please be heads." She continued while all the others had also appeared to stop and watch as the two bent over while Seungman's leg was completely removed from the coin.

"It's Heads." The boy said and Seungman had already confirmed with her eyes so she picked up the coin with a smile on her face.

"I win." Seungman said while the boy sighed in disappointment.

"Fine." He said.

"Since the winner has been decided it is time that you fulfilled your end of the deal." Seungman said.

"Yes." The boy replied.

"Good." Seungman said as the boy walked up to a rack and picked up a sword that was stationed there.

She followed him like an excited pupil and when he turned around he was surprised to see her looking at him so keenly he nearly fell back.

"What?" Seungman said.

"You startled me." The boy replied.

"I didn't mean to." Seungman replied.

"Just because we are training partners it doesn't mean that we are friends." The man said, "The last thing I want is everyone thinking that I am your husband especially the Nangdos when they arrive." He added.

"What should I call you?" Seungman asked.

"Why should you know my name?" The boy asked.

"You already know mine or you'd prefer me to call you 'YOU MAN'?" Seungman replied.

"I am LEE JUNGHWAN." The boy replied and Seungman looked quite satisfied.

"JUNGHWAN?" Seungman said.

"Don't get too used.

"JUNGHWAN RANG." Seungman said as she also picked up a sword.

"Are you ready?" Junghwan asked.

"Yes." Seungman replied.

"Princess Deokman was seated in her quarters when Alcheon Rang walked in with Gopheung.

"Your Highness." They both said.

"Alcheon Rang?" Gopheung?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I found out something." Gopheung replied.

"What took you so long?" Princess Deokman asked, "I was worried." she added.

"Your Highness, there is something that you should know." Alcheon Rang said and the two sat down and faced the Princess.

"What is it?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I went to Gokhyeonwangsa Temple and when I reached there I found that the monks that have inhabited that place aren't the original owners of the place." Gopheung replied.

"I wasn't aware." Princess Deokman said, "Why?" She asked.

"I recall that the prophecy came out and the rumours had it that it was one of the Grandmasters from Gokhyeonwangsa so I traversed and decided to ask around but they couldn't let me in.

There was one monk however who appeared to be in his early forties who informed me that seventeen years ago, there was a massacre at Gokhyeonwangsa by Royal decree." Gopheung replied.

"Impossible." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes." Gopheung replied, "I investigated further and learnt that no Royal troops were dispatched in secret to go and kill everyone at the temple." He added.

"Someone must have carried out the massacre but to think that such an issue was never brought before the Royal court then it must have been someone powerful." Princess Deokman said.

"I think so too Your Highness because according to the witness, the Grandmaster that was said to have spread the rumours was apprehended in the name of bringing him to Seoraebeol to face charges for the crime that he had committed but there was no such case here in the Capital as it was even alleged that they couldn't trace the rumour back to the source." Gopheung said.

"Then why would it be in the Royal records that the one who started the prophecy was from Gokhyeonwangsa?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I don't know." Alcheon Rang said.

"Me either." Gopheung said.

"But if the Grandmaster was captured and taken away from the Temple then it couldn't have been without a reason." Princess Deokman said unless there is something that we are missing." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes Your Highness." Alcheon Rang said.

"I found something though, as the person who was in charge of the case at that time was the Sangdaedeung, Ichan Seulbu." Gopheung said.

"Ichan Seulbu?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Gopheung replied.

"Why would he do that?" Alcheon Rang said.

"If the prophecy foretold the bane of the Seonggols, considering his loyalty he'd even be willing to shed the blood of many to defend the Crown." Gopheung said.

"Except that he wouldn't be too careless." Princess Deokman said, "If his intention was to keep a massacre like that a secret he wouldn't have gone ahead to leave the name in the Imperial records." She added.

"It's plausible." Alcheon Rang said, "but the way that you are saying it Your Highness..." He said.

"Either someone tampered with the Imperial records certain that if one tried to follow them up then they'd come to a dead end or someone tampered with the official documents concerning the investigation." Princess Deokman said.

"Thinking about it if it was in the name of the prophecy that the monks at the temple were extinguished then there must have been interception of news along the way which can only mean that it's the latter." Princess Deokman concluded.