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[수면 유도] 잠 안 올 때 듣기 좋은 고전 옛이야기 '십생구사' 🌙 | 운명을 바꾸는 따뜻한 여정, 수면 동화, 오디오북

달빛이 고요한 밤, '느린 밤 잠드는 이야기'를 찾아주셔서 감사합니다. 🌙 오늘 들려드릴 수면 동화는 우리 고전 소설 『십생구사(十生九死)』입니다. 하늘이 정해준 수명을 다하리라 예언 받았지만, 충직한 노비 '개똥이'의 정성과 슬기로운 '옥향'의 지혜로 정해진 운명을 이겨내고 깊은 은혜를 갚아나가는 감동적인 옛이야기입니다. 복잡한 생각은 모두 내려놓으시고, 포근한 목소리와 함께 편안한 꿈길로 떠나보세요. 여러분의 밤이 언제나 다정하기를 바랍니다. 안녕히 주무세요. 💤 🕰️ 이야기 책갈피 (타임라인) 00:00 편안한 밤을 여는 오프닝 02:15 상서 부부의 고민과 운선의 탄생 08:30 십 년의 유리걸식, 그리고 청룡사에서의 수학 18:45 맹 선생의 점괘와 옥향 낭자와의 운명적 만남 35:20 과거 장원급제와 통쾌한 은혜 갚음 52:10 지혜로운 옥사 판결과 따뜻한 해피엔딩 1:04:15 다정한 밤을 닫는 클로징 🎧 이어폰을 꽂고 볼륨을 작게 맞추시면 더욱 편안하게 잠드실 수 있습니다. 🤍 이야기가 편안하셨다면 [구독]과 [좋아요]로 다정한 밤을 응원해 주세요.

잠 들러 가기: 느린 밤 잠드는 이야기

충의 소설 십생구사

이때는 마침 가을 9월 보름 무렵이라. 달빛은 뜰에 가득하고 가을바람은 소슬한데, 산천초목도 봄철을 다 보내고 어느덧 단풍 낙엽이 되는구나. 이 내 인생 헤아리니 아득한 푸른 바다의 좁쌀 한 알이요, 덧없이 흘러가는 백 년 세월이라. 무정한 세월은 물 흐르듯 가는데, 하루살이 같은 이 세상에 어찌하면 빈부귀천과 사생궁달이 사람마다 때가 있어, 어떤 사람은 팔자가 좋아 아들 낳고 딸 낳아 남녀가 혼인시키며 백년이 다하도록 무한히 즐기다가, 세상만사 다 버리고 요지연의 서왕모를 따라 으리으리하고 좋은 집에 상산사호 벗을 삼아 산해진미 안주 놓고 좋은 술을 부어 크게 취하도록 즐기면서 만만세를 누리건만, 이 내 팔자는 기박하여 남녀간에 자식 하나 없어 이토록 한심하고, 기나긴 가을 긴긴밤에 이리저리 뒤척이며 잠 못 들어 길고 짧은 탄식으로 지내갈 제, 하루는 부인과 더불어 탄식하며 말하였다.

"우리 두 사람이 부부가 되어 나서 대대로 이름난 가문으로 벼슬이 상서에 이르고 재산이 부유하여 세상에 부러울 것이 없으나, 다만 슬하에 일점혈육이 없어 조상의 향화를 끊게 되니 어찌 한심하고 망극하지 아니하리오. 옛글에 하였으되 불효 삼천 가지 죄 중에 후사가 없는 것이 가장 크다 하였거늘, 훗날 죽어 지하에 돌아간들 무슨 면목으로 조상을 뵈오리오."

한대 부인이 서글프게 탄식하며 말하였다.

"우리에게 자식이 없음은 다 첩의 죄악이 심중하와도 상서의 후덕으로 버리지 아니하시고 존문에 의탁게 하옵시니 그 은혜 백골난망이로소이다. 양가 숙녀를 취하오셔서 귀한 자식을 점지케 하옵소서."

상서가 대답하여 말하였다.

"나의 팔자가 기구하여 자식이 없나니 어찌 부인을 원망하리오."

하고 인하여 주찬을 내어 서로 권하며 위로하더니, 날이 저물매 각각 침소로 돌아갔다.

이날 밤에 부인이 한 꿈을 얻으니, 하늘문이 열리며 한 선관이 구름을 타고 내려와 한 동자를 가리키며 말하였다.

"이 아이는 본래 동해 용왕의 아들이라. 상제께 득죄하여 인간 세상에 내치시매 의탁할 곳이 없삽더니, 남악산 신령이 지시하기로 데려왔사오니 부인은 귀히 길러 후사를 전하옵소서."

하며 표연히 가거늘, 부인이 꿈속이나 황공하여 선관을 향하여 무수히 재배하다가 깨달으니 침상일몽이라. 즉시 상서를 청하여 꿈의 사연을 이야기하니 상서가 대답하여 말하였다.

"우리의 무자함을 푸른 하늘이 굽어살피사 귀자를 점지하시도다."

하더니, 과연 그달부터 잉태하여 십 삭 만에 일개 옥동자를 낳을 새, 오색 채운이 집을 둘러 지척을 분변하지 못하며 향내가 진동하더라. 어린아이를 본즉 비록 강보에 싸였으나 기골이 장대하고 음성이 쇄락하여 사람을 놀래니, 상서가 크게 기뻐하여 이름을 운선이라 하고 자는 해몽이라 하였다.

운선이 점점 자라 오 세를 당하여 총명이 과인하며 모든 일에 민첩하매 상서 부부가 사랑하여 혹여나 수명이 짧을까 염려하더니, 하루는 한 노승이 지나다가 문전에 와 염불하며 동냥을 달라 하거늘, 부인이 듣고 시비 추월을 불러 말하였다.

"문 밖에 동냥하는 중이 왔으니 정한 곡식으로 후히 주라."

하신대, 추월이 명을 듣고 백미 한 말을 가지고 나갈 새 운선이 추월을 따라나가 구경하더니, 그 중이 운선을 이윽히 보다가 백미를 받아가지고 치사하며 돌아서서 하는 말이,

"그 공자가 어떤 댁 공자인지 모르거니와, 이제 십 년을 지내면 세네 차례 횡액을 당하여 죽기를 면치 못하리라."

하고 가거늘, 추월이 이 말을 듣고 엎어지듯 뛰어가 그 말씀을 부인께 고한대, 부인이 상서를 청하여 이 말을 고하거늘 상서가 크게 놀라 사색이 되어 노복을 불러 말하였다.

"지금 동냥하던 중이 멀리 가지 못하였을 것이니 바삐 찾아오라."

한대 노복이 령을 듣고 나와 찾으니 벌써 간 곳이 없는지라. 민망하여 사면으로 찾아가니 한 으슥한 곳에서 동냥을 하거늘, 노승을 불러 말하였다.

"우리 댁 대감께서 존사를 모셔오라 하시니 가사이다."

한대 노승이 대답하여 말하였다.

"소승이 간들 타고난 천수를 어찌하리오."

하며 마지못해 오는지라. 이때 상서 부부가 운선을 늦게 얻어 장중보옥 같이 사랑하더니 시비가 전하는 말을 듣고 마음이 송구하여 노승을 기다리더니, 이윽고 노복이 노승이 왔음을 고한대 상서가 외당에 나와 노승을 맞아 예의를 갖추어 앉은 후에 기상을 보니 홍안백발에 풍채가 거룩한지라. 범상한 중이 아닌 줄 알고 다과를 내어 후대한 후 가로되,

"존사는 어디 있으며 무슨 일로 누추한 곳에 왔나이까?"

노승이 다시 일어나 합장배례하며 말하였다.

"소승은 형주 영보산 청룡사 화주이옵더니, 절이 낡고 무너져 권선을 가지고 시주하옵기를 바라나이다."

상서가 점점 가까이 앉으며 공경히 물어 말하였다.

"시주는 형편대로 하려니와, 아까 누추한 집에 왔을 때 하신 말씀이 있다 하오니 길흉을 가르쳐 주옵소서."

노승이 대답하여 말하였다.

"귀댁 문전에서 동냥할 때에 어떠한 공자가 나와 섰기로 잠깐 그 얼굴을 보오니, 훗날 십 년이 되면 십생구사할 듯하옵기로 가벼이 이 말씀을 하였삽더니 상공이 들으신가 하나이다."

상서가 말하였다.

"그 아이는 곧 늦게 얻은 외아들이오니, 엎드려 원하건대 존사는 사생 길흉을 판단하와 액운을 피할 길을 가르쳐 죽기를 면케 하시면 훗날 결초보은하리이다."

한대 노승이 말하였다.

"죽을 운수를 지낸 후에는 부귀공명하고 명망이 조야에 진동할 것이로되, 도액할 도리가 없사오니 답답하여이다."

하니, 이때 부인이 외당 근처에 나와 노승의 하는 말을 듣고 경황실색하여 내당에 들어가 운선을 안고 통곡하니 비복이 다 슬퍼하더라. 이때 상서가 지성으로 애걸하며 말하였다.

"존사는 자비지심을 내리사 제 자식을 살려 주옵소서."

노승이 잠잠하고 이윽히 있더니, 다시 생각하고 상서께 여쭈오되,

"댁의 노비를 다 불러 세우면 할 도리가 있나이다."

상서가 즉시 노복을 다 부르니, 노복 중에 한 아이가 있으되 한 눈 멀고 한 팔 못 쓰고 한 다리 저는 병신이라. 그놈의 성은 골씨요 이름은 개똥이라. 나이는 십오 세라. 비록 반신불수나 충효가 겸전하여 상전에게 정성이 지극하고 제 부모에게도 효성이 있는지라. 노승이 이윽히 보다가 상서에게 여쭈오되,

"공자와 저 아이와 한가지로 모년 모월 모일에 내어 보내되, 일 푼 전재도 주지 말고 공자의 평상복이나 주어 십 년을 자취를 감추옵고 동서로 구걸하여 풍상을 겪으면 저 아이 손에 살기가 쉽사옵고 도액할 듯하오니, 부디 소승의 말씀을 허투루 듣지 마옵소서."

하고 또다시 부탁하고 인하여 하직하고 섬돌 아래 내려서자 걸음이 간 데 없거늘, 상서가 그제야 신승인 줄 알고 공중을 향하여 무수히 사례하고, 부인 처소에 들어가 노승의 말을 전하고 방성대곡하니, 운선이 눈물을 머금고 여쭈오되,

"사생고락은 다 소자의 팔자올뿐더러 인명이 재천하오니 설마 어찌 죽사오리까. 엎드려 원하건대 부친은 염려하지 마옵소서."

한대 상서 부부가 마지못하여 노승의 말대로 내보내기로 작정하니라.

이때는 갑자년 춘삼월이라. 운선을 이별할 날이 머지 아니하매 부인이 운선에게 옷 한 벌을 지어놓고 내어 보내려 하니 그 부모의 마음이 어떠하리오. 떠나보낼 날이 머지 아니하매 개똥이더러 일러 말하였다.

"너는 본래 우리 집 충노라. 도련님을 모시고 나가 사해 팔방에 유리표박할지라도 부디 태만히 굴지 말고 조심하여 다니다가, 십 년이 지나거든 즉시 들어와 부자 노주가 서로 상봉케 하라."

하고, 말을 마치매 운선을 안고 대성통곡하니 보는 사람과 노복이 그 정상을 보고 눈물 아니 흘릴 이 없더라. 운선과 개똥이 상서 부부가 우는 양을 보고 두 아이 눈물이 비 오듯 하며 하직하며 말하였다.

"오늘 슬하를 떠나 십 년을 뵈옵지 못하겠사오니, 엎드려 원하건대 부모님은 가을 달 봄바람에 불초자를 죽은 자식으로 아옵시고 천금같이 귀한 몸을 보중하와 십 년 후에 불효자의 얼굴을 다시 보옵소서."

하며 연거푸 절을 하고 통곡하며 하직하고, 개똥을 앞세우고 길을 떠나니 상서 부부의 슬퍼하는 거동을 어찌 다 기록하리오. 운선이 한 걸음에 돌아보고 두 걸음에 엎어지는지라. 가는 길은 점점 멀어지고 한 산을 넘어가니 상서의 목소리가 끊어진지라. 노주가 서로 붙들고 통곡하니 일월이 빛을 잃고 초목이 다 슬퍼하는 듯하더라. 정신을 차려 일대를 보니 날이 장차 저물어지는지라. 마지못하여 노주 서로 손을 잡고 정처 없이 촌가로 나아가며 걸식하더라.

각설, 상서 부부는 운선을 이별하고 살아도 사는 것 같지 않아 눈물로 세월을 보내더라.

차설, 개똥이 공자를 모시고 한 곳에 다다르매 배도 고프고 발도 부르터 갈 바를 몰라 길가에 앉아 울다가, 겨우 정신을 차려 한 가지 꾀를 생각하고 촌가로 다니며 제법 큰 집을 만나면 주인을 찾아 공손히 절하고 말하였다.

"소동은 금릉 땅 이 상서 댁 노자이옵더니, 가운이 불행하와 상서 부부 우연히 병을 얻으사 일시에 별세하옵기로 선산에 안장하옵고 가산이 탕패하오매, 오 세 된 공자를 업고 유리걸식 하오니 노자가 핍절하였사온즉, 엎드려 원하건대 주인은 불쌍한 인생을 가련히 여기사 한때를 구제하옵소서."

사람마다 그 말을 듣고 아니 불쌍히 여기는 이가 없어 혹 돈도 주고 혹 양식도 주니 이러구러 기갈을 면하나, 주야로 부모 생각이 간절하여 노변에 앉아 눈물로 세월을 보내니, 형용이 초췌하고 의복이 남루하여 간 곳마다 추레한 형용을 어찌 다 측량하리오. 날이 갈수록 부모의 생각이 더욱 간절하나 아홉 굽이 심장이 봄눈 같은지라. 어느덧 세월이 물 흐르듯 하여 공자의 나이 팔 세요 개똥의 나이는 십구 세라.

한 마을에 다다르니 이때는 정묘년 춘삼월 보름 무렵이라. 곳곳에 슬픈 새 소리는 봄의 정취를 자랑하고 기화요초는 봉우리마다 만발하였는데, 두견새와 접동새 불여귀는 슬피 울거늘 객지에 떠도는 마음 더욱 간절한지라. 노주 수심을 머금고 춘색을 사랑하여 산골짜기로 점점 들어가니 층암절벽은 병풍을 두른 듯하여 좌우에 둘러있고, 맑은 폭포 소리는 오음육률을 응하여 경치가 절승한지라. 노주 서로 고향을 생각하고 신세를 한탄하며 눈물이 비 오듯 하다가 운선이 개똥이더러 말하였다.

"우리 동서로 구차히 다니며 수심만 생각하고 장부의 기상을 베푸지 못하였더니, 마침 산이 적적하고 인적이 없는 곳에 왔으니 잠깐 장난이나 하여 보리라."

하고, 몸을 날려 수십 장 나무를 뛰어넘으며 큰 바위를 무단히 들어 던지니 개똥이 비로소 공자의 용맹을 보고 탄복하더라.

이러구러 석양이 서산에 지는지라 행할 바를 알지 못하고 주저하더니 문득 종경 소리가 들리거늘 절이 있는 줄 알고 점점 들어가니, 첩첩산중 청산에 붉은 난간과 화려한 누각이 보이거늘 반겨 들어가며 살펴보니 문 위에 현판을 황금 대자로 썼으되 '형주 영보산 청룡사'라 하였거늘, 법당에 들어가 부처 앞에 예배하고 나오니 모든 승려가 공자의 기상을 보고 물었다.

"어디 뉘 댁 공자인지 모르거니와 무슨 연고로 이곳에 왔삽나이까?"

운선이 대답하여 말하였다.

"팔자 기박하여 일찍 부모를 잃고 가산이 탕패하여 어찌할 길 없어 사해 팔방으로 유리걸식하여 다다랐노라."

하니 모든 승려가 이 말을 듣고 불쌍히 여겨 조석 밥을 후대하더라. 이튿날 절을 두루 구경하더니 한 별당에 다다르니 선비 육칠 인이 모여 공부하는지라. 개똥이 공자에게 여쭈오되,

"도련님이 나이가 이미 팔구 세 되었사오니 글을 배움이 좋을까 하나이다."

운선이 말하였다.

"네 말이 기특하고 반가우나 서책과 양식을 어찌 주선하며 집도 없는 사람을 뉘라서 글을 가르쳐 주리오."

한대 개똥이 대답하여 말하였다.

"도련님이 공부를 착실히 하실진댄 그것은 염려 마옵소서."

하고 여러 선비들을 보고 엎드려 두 번 절하며 말하였다.

"소인은 이 상서 댁 노자이옵더니, 가운이 불행하여 수년 전에 상서 부부가 우연히 득병하야 일시에 별세하시기로 선산에 안장하옵고 가산이 탕패하오매 의탁할 곳이 없사와 노복이 다 도망하고 사세가 망조하기로, 오 세 된 공자를 소인이 모시고 동서로 걸식하온 지 이미 사오 년이러니 천우신조하와 이곳에 왔사오니, 엎드려 원하건대 모든 서방님 덕택을 입사와 우리 도련님 글을 가르쳐 무식함을 면케 하여 주옵소서."

하며 애걸하여 왈,

"서당에 드는 물건은 소인이 진심으로 힘을 다하여 당하리이다."

하며 애걸하니, 좌중 여러 선비가 이 말을 듣고 일변 기특이 여기며 일변 불쌍히 여겨 허락하고 운선을 청하여 본대, 어린아이가 비록 헌 옷에 싸여 모양이 초라하나 선풍도골에 음성이 활달한지라 서생 등이 귀히 여겨 글을 지성으로 가르쳐, 수월이 지나니 운선이 본대 타고난 재주를 가졌으니 총명이 과인하여 하나를 들으면 열을 알아 백가시서를 통달하지 않음이 없으니 모든 선비가 칭찬함을 마지아니하는지라.

개똥이 이 말을 듣고 크게 기뻐하여 날마다 촌가로 다니며 동냥하여 곡식이 생기면 노주 양식하고, 돈이 생기면 모아 중을 주며 변리로 달라 하니 세월이 물 흐르듯 하여 공부한 지 벌써 칠 년이요, 운선의 나이 십오 세라. 신선 같은 자태에 풍신이 훤칠하고 문장 필법이 왕희지를 압도하니 당세의 기남자라 뉘 아니 칭찬하리오.

이때 한 해가 다 저물어가매 여러 선비가 각각 집으로 돌아가되 운선 노주는 여러 해를 객지에서 설을 쇠니 그 슬픈 정황을 억지로 어찌 다 말하리오. 이러구러 정월 보름이 되었는지라. 여러 선비가 돌아와 새해 인사를 한 후 서책을 거두어 가지고 작별하거늘 운선이 그 연고를 물은대 여러 선비가 대답하여,

"금년 4월 15일에 알성과를 보인다 하기에 관광 차로 간다."

하거늘 운선이 동문수학하던 이들과 작별하고 주야 홀로 앉아 부모를 생각하고 긴 탄식 한 소리에 눈물로 옷깃을 적시는지라. 개똥이 여쭈오되,

"도련님은 글은 아니 읽고 수색이 얼굴에 가득하오니 어인 연고인지 알지 못하겠노라."

공자가 대답하여 말하였다.

"같이 공부하던 이들은 다 과거에 가되 나는 팔자 기구하여 집을 나온 지 십 년에 부모 사생도 모르고 천리 타향에 외로운 신세라 어찌 수색이 없으리오."

한대 개똥이 여쭈오되,

"도련님도 과거에 가시려거든 소인이 준비하온 것이 있사오니 가사이다."

하고 여러 승려에게 맡겨두었던 돈을 다 받으니 다만 열닷 냥이라. 가지고 촌가에 나가 말 한 필을 사 가지고 와서 공자께 가심을 청하니 공자가 물어 말하였다.

"그 말은 어디서 났느냐?"

개똥이 대답하여 말하였다.

"이곳에서 황성이 수천 리라 하오니 도련님이 어찌 걸어가시리이까. 말 타고 가시면 좋을까 하여 한 푼 두 푼 모았던 돈으로 사 왔나이다."

하니 모든 선비들이 더욱 기특이 여겨 분분히 치사하며 각각 돈을 내어 보태주며 훗날 다시 만나기를 당부하더라.

이튿날 여러 선비와 이별하고 동네 어귀를 나서 황성을 향할 새, 이때는 계유년 이월이라. 개똥이 비록 병신이나 말고삐를 잡고 나서니 마음이 활달하여 날 듯하여, 날이 저물면 주인을 찾아 숙소를 정하고 행인을 대하면 공자를 모시고 과거에 가는 사연을 이야기한즉 사람마다 불쌍히 여기며 일변 개똥의 충의를 기특이 여겨 혹 음식도 사 먹이며 혹 돈도 주어 노잣돈을 보태어 주니, 행장에 푼돈은 없으나 주림과 목마름은 족히 면할러라.

여러 날 만에 황성에 도달하니 과거일이 머지않은지라. 숙소를 정하고자 하나 천하 선비가 구름 모이듯 하여 빈틈없이 주인을 정하고 있으니 거처할 곳이 없어 망연하더니, 마침 남산 아래 남교 다리를 건너서매 한 노파가 조그만 초가집으로 나오며 빗자루를 들고 뜰을 쓸며 경치를 이윽히 보거늘 개똥이 노파 앞에 나아가 재배하고 말하였다.

"소인은 본래 계림부 금릉 땅에 이 상서 댁 노자이옵더니, 문득 불행하와 상서 부부 일시에 별세하시기로 가산이 탕패하와 5세 된 동자를 모시고 사면팔방으로 유리걸식하옵다가 영보산 청룡사에서 여러 선비의 혜택으로 공부하와, 이번 과거에 불원천리하고 관광 차로 왔삽더니 이때까지 머물 곳을 정치 못하와 방황하다가 마침내 존고댁을 보오니 선비가 들지 아니하온 듯하오니 존고는 가련하온 선비를 잠깐 머물게 하옵소서."

하니 노파가 이 말을 듣고 잔망하고 가엾게 여겨,

"내 집은 바깥채가 없고 다만 늙은 내 몸 하나뿐이라 무엇이 두려우리오마는, 집이 추하여 공자를 모시기 부정할까 하노라."

하거늘 개똥이 사례하여 말하였다.

"의지 없는 사람을 이처럼 거두시니 은혜 난망이로소이다."

하고 공자를 모시고 들어가니라.

이때 남교 근처에 한 맹인이 있으되 성은 맹가요 별호는 맹 선생이라 하는 사람이 있어 칭하기를 길흉화복을 판단한다 함으로 옛날 소강절과 차등이 없는지라. 복채는 열닷 냥이로되 사방에서 점을 치려는 사람이 구름 모이듯 하여 참예치 못하는 자가 많더라. 이때 노파가 개똥의 일행을 보니 차마 측은하여 개똥이더러 말하였다.

"이곳에 맹 선생의 점괘가 귀신같아 사람마다 칭찬한다 하니 공자를 위하여 한 번 가봄이 어떠하뇨?"

하니 개똥이 이 말을 듣고 노파에게 치사하며 말하였다.

"점치고 싶은 마음은 지극하오나 복채가 없사오니 어찌하리오."

하고 무수히 탄식하다가 한 가지 꾀를 생각하고 공자가 탔던 말을 이끌고 시장에 나가 겨우 열 냥을 받고 팔아왔으나, 닷 냥이 부족한지라 점을 칠 수 없으매 노주 서로 한탄하더니 노파가 그 거동을 보고 연고를 묻거늘 개똥이 대답하여 말하였다.

"공자를 위하여 맹 선생에게 점을 치고자 하오나 돈 닷 냥이 부족하와 점을 못 하오니 어찌 애달프지 않사오리이까."

한대 노파가 듣고 가로되,

"내가 한 푼 두 푼 모은 돈 닷 냥이 있으니 가져다가 점을 치라."

하고 내어 주거늘 개똥이 다시 일어나 사례한 후 점을 치러 맹 선생을 찾아가니라.

이때 맹인이 밤낮 점치는 데 골몰하여 심히 피곤하여 잠깐 조으더니, 비몽사몽간에 한 노승이 와서 일러 가로되,

"불쌍한 아이가 지금 점치러 오니 잠을 깨어 정신 차려 죽기를 면케 하여 아무쪼록 살 도리를 가르쳐 주라."

하거늘 놀라 깨달으니 침상일몽이라. 머리를 치며 꿈을 생각하더니 문득 문밖에 한 아이가 와 찾거늘 들어오라 하고 온 연고를 물은대 개똥이 복채를 드리고,

"공자의 길흉화복을 판단하여 주시기를 바라나이다."

한대 맹 선생이 이윽히 앉아 생각다가 산통을 높이 들어 흔들며 축수하여 가로되,

"금위태세 계유년 춘삼월 경신 삭 초팔일 정해 계림부 금릉 땅에 거하옵는 동몽 계사생 이운선은 삼가 엎드려 문복하오되, 양친 부모를 5세에 이별하옵고 노자 개똥으로 동거하옵다가 이번 과거에 관광 차로 왔사오니 과거하고 못함과 부모를 만나고 못 만남과 수명의 길고 짧은 것을 능히 알지 못하오니 엎드려 비옵건대 제위 선생은 만물을 숨김없이 보여 주옵소서."

하고 점괘를 빼더니 이윽히 생각하다가 하늘을 우러러 허탈하게 웃으며 눈살을 찌푸리고 먼 눈을 번득이며 탄식하여 말하였다.

"내가 나이 사십에 이때까지 점을 치되 이런 점괘는 생전 처음 보는구나."

하니 개똥이 여쭈오되,

"점괘가 어찌하옵기 선생님이 저다지 허탈하게 웃으시나이까?"

선생이 왈,

"이 점괘를 들어 무엇하리오."

하며 말을 아니 하거늘, 개똥이 말을 듣고 정신이 산란하여 슬피 울며 애걸하여 가로되,

"길흉을 판단하여 사생을 가르쳐 주옵소서."

맹 선생이 대답하여 말하였다.

"공자의 운명이 14일 술해시(저녁 7시~11시)를 지날 수 없다."

하거늘 개똥이 이 말 듣고 혼백이 날아가는 듯하여 다시 애걸하여 가로되,

"죽을 일을 아실진댄 어찌 살아날 도리를 모르리오. 엎드려 원하건대 선생은 살려주시는 덕을 내리사 우리 도련님을 살려 주시면 은혜를 뼈에 새겨 갚사오리이다."

하며 우는 소리가 철석간장이라도 녹을지라. 맹 선생이 개똥이더러 말하였다.

"네 정성이 지극하기로 내 다시 생각하리라."

하고 다시 점괘를 얻고 앉았더니 문득 개똥이더러 이르되,

"이 성중에 김 각로라 하는 사람이 있으되 이름은 용수라. 소년 등과하여 부귀공명이 사해에 으뜸이로되 슬하에 남자는 없고 다만 딸 하나를 두었으되 그 여아의 이름은 옥향이라. 나이가 십육 세에 화용월태로 한 나라에 제일이요, 재주 비범하여 백가시서를 통달하지 않음이 없어 사람의 길흉화복을 알고 귀신을 능히 부리는지라. 이러므로 그 부모가 사랑하여 후원 별당을 짓고 낭자가 거처하니 진정 일컫기를 만수변에 꾀꼬리 상이요 일강 소우에 백로의 형상이라. 그 소저가 전생에 공자와 연분이 있는 고로 14일에 그 소저를 만나면 공자의 명을 도모하려니와 만일 그렇지 못하면 다른 도리는 도무지 없다."

하니 개똥이 다시 여쭈오되,

"만일 그러하면 공자의 명을 보전하고 부모를 언제나 다시 뵈오리이까."

한대 맹 선생이 다시 목욕재계한 후에 분향 재배하고 정성을 다하여 점을 치고 가로되,

"점괘는 처음엔 흉하나 뒤엔 길하도다. 15일 과거에 장원급제하여 즉시 육한림 학사를 한 후 취실하고 계림부 자사로 고향에 돌아가 부모를 찾아 다시 보고 부귀와 다남을 누릴 팔자로다."

하니 개똥이 그 말 듣고 일희일비하여 재배 하직하고 물러와 노파를 보고 맹 선생이 점치던 수말을 낱낱이 이야기하며 설워하더라.

차설, 이때 김 각로 부부 그 여아 옥향을 애중하여 장중보옥 같이 길러 두루마기 입은 자와 같은 훌륭한 배필을 구하여 슬하의 재미를 볼까 하더니, 이때 남양 북촌에 한 재상이 있으되 성은 백이요 이름은 손민이라. 대대로 명문 거족으로 벼슬이 이부상서에 이르러 명망이 조야에 덮였으나, 하나 자식이 없어 주야로 한탄하더니, 하루는 그 부인 장씨와 더불어 누에 올라 경치를 구경하며 시비를 명하여 술을 내어 부부 서로 권하며 자식 없음을 한탄하더니 장씨 홀연 피곤하여 난간을 의지하여 잠깐 조으더니 비몽간에 한 선관이 학을 타고 지나가다가 백우선을 주고 가거늘, 받아보니 붉은 글자로 썼으되 '산상이 낭이여 목황인명이라' 하였거늘 그 뜻을 두루 생각하더니, 홀연 광풍이 일어나며 부채를 앗아 누각 아래로 내리치니 난데없는 봉두난발한 놈 세넷이 달려들어 부채를 집어가지고 달아나며 다투는지라. 마음에 섭섭하여 찾고자 하다가 그놈들이 다투는 소리에 놀라 깨달으니 남가일몽이라. 상서께 꿈이야기를 하니 상서의 꿈도 부인과 같은지라 신기히 여겨 가로되,

"하늘이 우리 자식 없음을 불쌍히 여겨 귀자를 점지하시도다."

하고 부채에 썼던 글을 기록하여 두고 내내 알지 못하더니 그달부터 태기가 있어 십 삭이 차매 오색구름이 집 위에 두르더니 이윽고 일개 옥동자를 낳으니, 기골이 장대하고 음성이 쇄락한지라 이름을 운선이라 하다. 운선이 점점 자라 나이 십육 세라. 화려한 채색 옷과 문장 필법이 당세의 제일이라 이웃 친척과 노복이 뉘 아니 칭찬하리오. 이때 김 각로가 이 소문을 듣고 사위를 정하고자 하여 운선을 급제시키고 정혼하고자 하여 글제를 내고 글을 지어 일품 시지에 써 보내고 단단히 뇌약으로 정하니라.

차설, 노파에게 한 딸이 있으되 이름은 화선이라. 총명과 재질이 비범하여 김 각로 댁 노자로서 소저의 침실에 있더니, 하루는 저의 모친을 보러 나왔다가 공자와 개똥의 우는 양을 보고 화선이 그 연고를 묻고자 하나 외인이라 묻지 못하고 문을 닫고 섰더니, 노파가 화선을 불러 말하였다.

"남녀 유별이 있으나 허물치 말고 들어오라."

한대 화선이 마지못하여 들어와 노모 곁에 앉으며 물었다.

"무슨 연고로 모친은 이리 슬피 우시나이까?"

노파가 대답하였다.

"이 도련님은 시골 사람으로 과거에 왔다가 맹 선생에게 점을 본즉 하는 말이 14일 술해시에 죽을 팔자나 만일 그 시를 무사히 지내면 장원급제하여 즉시 한림학사를 할 것이로되, 죽는다 하니 그 아니 불쌍하냐."

하며 노파가 설워하거늘 화선이 물었다.

"혹 살릴 도리가 없다 하더이까?"

노모가 대답하였다.

"너 모시고 있는 낭자 방에 들어가야 요행히 산다 하니, 죽기는 쉽거니와 어찌 그 방에 들어가리오."

한대 화선이 잠잠히 앉아 있더니 운선을 향하여 말하였다.

"소녀는 이 주인의 여식으로 김 각로 댁 노자이옵더니, 금일 공자를 보고 말씀하옵기 황송하오나 존성대명은 뉘시오며 무슨 연고로 누추한 곳에 계시나이까."

운선이 긴 탄식 한 소리에 가로되,

"나는 본래 계림부 금릉 땅에 이 상서의 늦둥이 아들이라. 성은 이요 이름은 운선이요 나이는 십오 세라. 십 년 전에 한 중이 내 관상을 보고 하는 말이 십오 세가 되면 횡액으로 죽을 것이니 부모와 십 년을 떨어져 지내면 액을 면하리라 하기에, 소자 개똥을 데리고 십 년 풍상을 겪다가 금번 과거에 관광 차로 왔더니 맹 선생의 점이 가장 고명하다 하기에 점을 친즉, 낭자 방에 들어가야 횡액을 면하리라 하기에 천신만고하여 낭자 방에 들어가려 하오니 엎드려 비옵건대 낭자는 나의 사생을 애석히 여겨 깊이 생각하옵소서."

한대 낭자가 속으로 생각하되 수천 리 밖에 있는 공자가 나를 찾아왔으니 이는 하늘이 정한 연분이라. 내 살려 보내리라 하고 묵묵부답하니 운선이 낭자의 기색을 보고 가까이 앉으며 낭자의 손을 잡고 말하였다.

"낭자는 빙설 같은 절개를 잠깐 굽히어 뜬구름 같은 목숨을 구하소서."

하며 촛불을 물리고 이부자리에 나아가 운우지락을 이루니 두 사람의 정이야 어찌 다 말로 하리오. 낭자가 촛불을 밝히고 맛있는 술과 반찬을 내어 권하더니 밤이 깊어 이미 자정이 되었는지라. 공중에서 외치며 가로되,

"낭자 방에 잡아갈 사람이 있사오니 바삐 내어주옵소서."

하거늘 낭자가 귀신 졸개인 줄 알고 큰소리로 꾸짖으며 축귀경을 읽으니 귀신 졸개가 범치 못하여 달아나는지라. 공자가 홀연 기절하는지라 낭자가 크게 놀라 사지를 만지며 환생단을 갈아 입에 넣으니 이윽고 정신을 차리는지라. 주효를 내어 권하고 담소하더니 멀리서 닭 우는 소리가 들리거늘 낭자가 말하였다.

"말하기는 무궁하거니와 어찌 섭섭지 않으리이까."

운선이 대답하여 말하였다.

"유리표박한 몸이 낭자의 살려주신 은덕을 입사와 목숨이 살았사오니 은혜 백골난망이라. 백년해로하여 그 은혜를 반분이나 갚고자 하오니 무슨 묘책을 가르쳐 주옵소서."

한대 낭자가 말하였다.

"첩이 깊은 규방에 있사와 범백을 모르나 우리 부친이 첩을 사랑하여 인재를 구하시더니, 남양동촌 백 상서 자제가 비범함을 들으시고 사위를 정하고자 하여 이번 과거에 장원급제를 시킨 후에 결혼하고자 하여 글제와 글을 보내오니 일은 난처하오나, 충신은 두 임금을 섬기지 않고 열녀는 두 지아비를 섬기지 않는다 하니 첩이 이미 낭군을 모셨사오니 어찌 타인을 구하리오. 금번 과거에 상시관은 부친이오니 글을 써서 바치옵소서."

하고 일품 시지와 시 한 수를 주거늘 운선이 필흥이 도도하여 단숨에 써 내려가니 용과 뱀이 꿈틀거리듯 날아가는지라. 낭자가 글씨를 보고 기쁜 빛이 만연하여 말하였다.

"낭군이 아직 액운이 많사오니 첩의 말을 자세히 들으시고 잊지 마옵소서. 지금 문을 나서면 화선이 길을 인도할 것이오니 지휘대로 하옵소서. 또 주인집에 나아가 주사 한 돈 중만 사다가 세수할 때에 왼편 뺨에 바르고 세수하시면 은은히 붉은지라. 사오 일 세수 마르시고 과장에 들으실 때에 백 상서 집 하인이 문에 들지 못하게 하거든 호령하여 물리치시고, 이윽고 게시판 밑에 섰으면 글제가 나기 전에 봉두난발한 놈 세 명이 옷보를 메고 와서 횡사시라 하거든 왼발을 구르고 축귀경을 읽으면 옷보를 버리고 갈 것이니, 글제가 나거든 제일 먼저 바치면 장원급제할 것이니 그날은 장안 대신 댁을 지체 없이 다니다가 저녁이 되거든 첩의 집으로 오시면, 첩의 부친이 밤늦게 온 곡절을 묻거든 이리이리 대답하시고, 또 꽃무늬 돗자리와 흰 돗자리를 일제히 놓았거든 꽃무늬 돗자리에 앉지 말고 흰 돗자리에 앉으시면 그 곡절을 물을 것이오니 대답하시되 여차여차 하옵소서. 우리 백년 계약은 이 중에 있사오니 명심하고 잊지 마옵소서."

하고 주효를 내어 권하며 이르되 정이 아직 미흡하나 마지못하여 손을 잡고 이별하고 문 밖에 나서니, 화선이 내달아 공자의 손을 잡고 반기며 가로되,

"도련님이 밤을 무사히 지내셨사오니 천만다행하여이다."

하며 연당 배를 건너가니 만물이 고요하고 문을 굳게 닫았는지라 화선이 한 가지 꾀를 생각하고 공자더러 말하였다.

"첩이 이리이리 할 것이니 그 사이를 타 나가옵소서."

하며 시목더미에 불을 지르고 제 방으로 들어가니라. 이윽고 불길이 하늘로 치솟으니 하인들이 크게 놀라 불을 잡을 때에 은은히 나아가 주인집으로 가니, 이때 개똥이 공자를 보내고 밤을 지내도록 하늘에 축수하며 칠성단 밑에 엎드렸더니 공자의 음성을 듣고 반겨 급히 일어서니 병든 수족이 다 펴지고 어두운 눈이 밝아져 온전한 사람이 되었는지라. 노파와 개똥이 공자를 맞아 앉은 후에 살아난 사연을 이야기하며 개똥이 온전한 사람 됨을 기뻐하며 그 정성을 칭찬하더라.

이윽고 날이 밝거늘 주사 한 돈 중을 왼편 뺨에 바르고 세수하니 붉은 흔적이 은은한지라 식후에 과장에 들어갈 채비를 차려 가지고 들어가니라.

차설, 백운선이 수십 노복을 거느리고 게시판 밑에 자리를 정한 후에 또 이운선이 자리를 정하고 앉으려 할 즈음에 봉두난발한 놈 세 명이 앞에 와서 서며 횡사시라 하거늘, 이운선이 눈을 부릅뜨고 왼발을 구르며 축귀경을 외우니 그놈들이 크게 놀라 달아나며 백운선의 자리에 가서 무언가를 가지고 간 데 없거늘 심중에 괴이히 여기더니, 이윽고 그 자리에서 백운선이 죽었다 하고 노복이 울며 시체를 거두어가니라.

오래지 아니하여 글제를 내거늘 살펴보니 낭자가 주던 글제라. 크게 기뻐하여 제일 먼저 글을 바치고 주인집으로 나오니 노파와 개똥이 글 바친 것을 묻거늘 운선이 대답하여 말하였다.

"글을 제일 먼저 바치고 나왔으니 방이 붙나 잘 보아라."

개똥이 대방을 볼 차로 가니라.

차설, 각로가 제일 먼저 낸 글을 받아보니 약속한 글이라. 상지상제를 매기고 비봉을 뜯어보니 계림부 금릉 땅에 거하는 이부상서 이진희의 아들 운선이라 하였거늘 종일 기다려도 백운선의 종적이 없거늘 속으로 괴이하다 하고 이 글 임자는 곧 천재라 하고 인하여 호명하니,

"금릉 땅 이운선!"

이라 하는 소리 원근에 진동하는지라 개똥이 호명을 듣고 크게 기뻐하여 춤을 추며 주인집으로 돌아와 방이 붙었음을 고하니 공자와 화선 모녀가 더욱 즐거워하더라. 운선이 관복을 갖추고 궁궐에 들어가 사은숙배하온대 천자가 기특이 여기사 당일로 한림학사를 제수하시고 붉은 도포와 옥대에 금 안장 얹은 준마를 주시고 배꽃 동산의 풍악과 화동을 내려보내시니, 허리에 옥대를 띠고 왼손에 홍패요 오른손에 백옥 홀을 잡고 백마에 번듯하게 높이 앉았으니 맑은 빛은 일월을 가리우고 풍악 소리는 원근에 진동하니 구경하는 사람이 뉘 아니 칭찬하리오. 바로 주인집을 찾아오니 화선 모녀가 내달아 기쁨을 이기지 못하여 주효를 내어 권하며 못내 즐거워하더라.

각설, 김 각로가 본가에 돌아와 부인더러 이르되 백운선이 과거 아니 본 일과 이운선의 문필이 약속한 글과 딱 들어맞음을 신통히 여기며 그 선풍도골을 사랑하며 백가와 계약함을 한탄하더라. 차시 한림이 여러 대신을 뵌 연후에 석양이 되매 김 각로 댁을 찾아가니 각로가 반기며 새 사위를 부르시니 구경하는 사람의 칭찬하는 소리 원근에 사무치더라.

이때 부인이 한림의 풍채를 구경하고자 하여 망월루에 올라 발을 내리고 볼 즈음에 소저가 별당으로부터 나오며 헛되이 웃거늘 부인이 꾸짖어 말하였다.

"무슨 일로 실없이 웃느냐?"

소저가 대답하여 말하였다.

"소녀가 어젯밤 삼경에 한 꿈을 얻으니 앞 연못에서 청룡 황룡이 서로 싸우다가 황룡은 근력이 다하여 떨어지고 청룡은 의기양양하여 오색 구름에 싸여 등천하옵기로 소녀 승지자를 보아 그 용의 뺨을 치오니 그 뺨에 붉은빛이 나며 하늘로 오르옵기로 꿈의 일을 생각하고 웃나이다."

하며 부인을 모시고 누각에 올라 한림이 나아오고 물러가는 거동을 보니 천상 선관이 하강한 듯 광채가 찬란하고 또한 왼뺨에 붉은빛이 있는지라, 부인이 신기히 여겨 소저의 꿈을 생각하고 사위를 정하고자 하더니 각로가 한림을 사랑하여 무수히 나아오고 물러가다가 대청에 내려와 맞아 앉을 새 꽃무늬 돗자리와 흰 돗자리를 펴고 앉기를 청한대 한림이 흰 돗자리에 앉으니 각로가 연고를 묻거늘 한림이 대답하여 말하였다.

"소자 천은을 입사와 나이 어리오니 어찌 높은 자리에 앉으리이까."

한대 각로가 속으로 기특이 여겨 주찬을 내어 권하여 담화하더니 날이 저물매 한림이 하직하고 주인집으로 가니라. 각로가 내당에 들어가 그 선풍도골을 내내 칭찬하더라.

차설, 이때 백 상서가 아들을 과장으로 보내고 김 각로와 굳은 약속이 있기로 단단히 믿었더니 날이 반나절도 못 되어 노복이 운선의 시체를 메고 오는지라. 백 상서가 운선의 시체를 안고 대성통곡하니 철석간장이라도 어찌 슬프지 아니하리오. 그러나 죽은 자는 다시 살아나지 못하는 법이라 할 일 없어 김 각로 댁으로 통고를 전하고 시신을 염하여 선영 근처에 안장하고, 즉시 운선이 포태할 때의 꿈을 생각하고 기록한 글을 찾아 해득하니 '산산은 이팔이요 목황은 인명이라.' 산산은 날 출(出)자요 이팔은 십육이요 목황은 횡사요 인명은 목숨 숫자라. 십육 세가 되면 횡사하리라 함이러라. 글을 보고 더욱 슬퍼하며 팔자를 한탄하더라.

차설, 김 각로가 부인과 더불어 이운선을 사모하나 이미 백 상서와 언약이 있는지라 정이 민망히 여기더니 문득 시비 등이 보고하되 부음이 왔다 하거늘 즉시 받아보니 백운선이 죽은 통고라. 마음에 측은하나 각로 부인을 대하여 말하였다.

"당초에 여아 혼사를 백가에게 언약하였더니 백운선이 이미 죽었사오니 장차 어찌하리오. 내 마음에는 이운선은 당세 기남자라 이 한림으로 사위를 정하고자 하나 부인의 마음은 어떠하뇨?"

부인이 대답하여 말하였다.

"첩도 그 영걸을 사랑할뿐더러 소저의 꿈이야기가 여차여차하오니 이는 하늘이 정한 연분인가 하나이다."

각로가 크게 기뻐하여 즉시 매파를 한림에게 보내니라.

차시 한림이 노파 집으로 돌아와 화선을 불러 앞뒤 일들을 이야기하며 첩으로 정하고 즐기더니 이때 한림이 매파를 보고 처음 사양하는 체하다가 허락하는지라 돌아와 각로에게 고한대 각로가 크게 기뻐하여 즉시 길일을 택하니 계유년 오월 십칠일이라.

한림이 길복을 갖추고 각로 부중에 이르러 교배할 새 한림의 선풍도골과 소저의 화용월태는 한 쌍의 명주요 백년가약이라. 각로 부부가 기뻐함과 친척과 노복 등이 칭찬함을 어찌 다 측량하리오. 교배를 마친 후에 별당에 돌아와 길복을 벗고 앉아 전일을 생각하며 살펴보니 문방 치레가 구비한지라 기쁨을 이기지 못하더니 황혼이 되매 낭자가 시비를 거느리고 들어오는지라. 한림이 일어나 예의를 갖추고 앉은 후에 낭자의 다른 시비는 다 물리치고 화선을 명하여 술을 한림에게 전하여 말하였다.

"이 술이 합환주이옵기로 첩도 먹사오니 상공은 허물치 마르소서."

하거늘 한림이 흔연히 받아 마시며 말하였다.

"낭자의 높고 밝으신 덕을 입사와 잔명을 보전하고 몸이 영귀하와 낭자와 백년동락하게 되었으니 그 은혜 백골난망이로소이다."

낭자가 말하였다.

"하늘이 정한 연분이요 은혜 아니오며 화선의 지휘 아니면 어찌 인연 맺었사오리이까."

하고 화선과 더불어 친자매나 다름없이 상공을 같이 섬기매 적첩의 구분이 있사오나 무슨 관계함이 있사오리이까. 한림이 그 관대하고 두터운 덕을 탄복하더라.

이러구러 밤이 깊으매 화선이 여쭈오되,

"소비 어찌 감히 상공을 한 방에 모시리오."

하니 낭자가 그 예절을 기특이 여기고 금수자리에 나아가니 원앙지락을 비할 데 없더라. 날이 밝은 후에 한림 부부가 각로에게 뵈온대 각로 부부 사랑함이 측량 없더라.

차시는 갑자년 춘삼월 십구일이라 황제 탄일인 고로 만조백관이 입시할 새 각로는 먼저 들어가고 한림은 뒤에 들어갈 새, 소저가 한림을 청하여 말하였다.

"금일 상공께서 궐내에 들어가실 때에 길거리의 어떠한 놈이 무수히 욕설할 것이니 하인에게 분부하여 잘 대접하라 하시고, 또 나오실 때에 그놈이 또 욕설하거든 하인을 분부하여 달래어 데리고 집으로 와 빈방에 두고, 상공의 의복은 그놈을 입히고 그놈 의복은 상공이 입고 병풍 뒤에서 숨어 보소서."

하니 즉시 하인을 불러 이대로 지휘하고 4인교에 앉아 들어가다가, 과연 어떠한 놈이 내달아 욕설하거늘 들은 체 아니하고 들어가 다녀 나오더니 또 한 놈이 내달아 좇아 욕을 하는지라. 하인으로 하여금 달래어 데리고 집으로 돌아와 빈방에 앉히고 진수성찬과 맛있는 술과 안주를 넉넉히 권하니 술에 크게 취한지라. 황혼이 되매 한림이 옷을 바꿔 입었더니 밤이 깊어지자 음풍이 일어나며 한 소년이 머리를 풀어 헤치고 문을 열며 손에 칼을 들고 들어와 사면을 살피더니, 그놈 자는 것을 보고 달려들어 배를 갈라 내어 먹으며 가로되,

"이제는 원수를 갚았도다."

하고 나아가거늘 한림이 그 거동을 보고 놀라 두려워하며 낭자의 방으로 들어가니 그 고생한 일을 생각하고 술을 내어 권하며 말하였다.

"상공이 이제는 액을 다 지났으니 고향에 돌아가 부모를 다시 뵈옵고 칠십 상수를 하올 것이니 아무 염려 마옵소서. 그놈의 시체나 잘 묻어 주옵소서."

한대 한림이 즉시 개똥을 불러 시체를 치운 후에 그 곡절을 낭자께 물은대 낭자가 말하였다.

"이번 죽은 놈은 전생에 상공 은덕으로 살다가 이승에서 보은하고자 하여 상공을 대신하여 죽음이요, 그놈 죽인 것은 백운선의 영혼이라. 횡사할 팔자를 모르고 상공으로 인하여 죽은 줄 알고 해하러 왔다가 그놈을 대신 죽였사오니 첩의 지휘 아니오면 횡액을 어찌 면하오리이까."

한림이 낭자의 혜안을 탄복하더라.

하루는 한림이 부모를 생각하여 낭자더러 말하였다.

"내가 시골의 비천한 몸으로 낭자의 큰 덕을 입어 잔명을 보전하고 몸이 영귀하였사오나, 부모 슬하를 떠난 지 십 년이 되도록 사생존망을 모르니 불효만만한지라 황제께 아뢰어 휴가를 받아 고향에 돌아가 선산에 성묘하고 부모님 좌하에 나아가 십 년간 불효한 죄를 사하고자 하나이다."

낭자가 대답하여 말하였다.

"첩이 듣사오니 황성에서 금릉 땅이 이천 리요 겸하여 계림부에 속한다 하오니 황제께 주달하옵고 계림부 자사를 하여 감이 좋을까 하나이다."

한림이 옳게 여겨 각로께 전후 사정을 다 고한대 각로가 어전에 나아가 이운선의 자초지종과 개똥의 정성을 낱낱이 고한대, 상이 들으시고 크게 칭찬하사 이운선으로 계림부 자사를 제수하시고 개똥으로 계림부 도도별장을 제수하사 그 충성을 칭찬하시니 한림이 천은에 감사드리고 집에 돌아와 길 떠날 채비를 할 새, 개똥은 금 안장 올린 준마에 기치를 앞세우고 화선 모녀는 교자를 타고 낭자는 여러 시비를 거느려 쇄금 교자를 타고 자사는 4인교에 앉아 출발하니 그 위엄이 찬란하더라.

차시 여러 고을 수령이 자사의 부임 문서를 보고 거리거리 영접하매 기치는 일광을 가리우고 풍악 소리는 원근에 진동하니 전후에 구경하는 사람이 뉘 아니 칭찬하리오.

각설, 이때 이 상서 부부 운선과 개똥을 생각하고 마음을 잡지 못하여 눈물로 세월을 보내고 집안일을 살피지 아니하니 노복은 다 도망하고 할 일 없어 한 칸 초가집을 정하고 지내니 뉘라서 상서인 줄 알리오. 하루는 마을 사람이 전하되 '계림 자사 금릉으로 길을 닦고 내려온다' 하거늘 상서 부부 운선을 생각하고 가로되,

"어떤 사람은 자식을 낳아 저렇듯이 영화를 보고 우리 같은 인생은 무슨 죄로 자식을 생이별하고 십 년이 되도록 생사를 모르니 살아 무엇하리오. 우리도 차라리 죽음만 같지 못하다."

하더라.

각설, 이때 자사 일행이 여러 날 만에 금릉에 당도하였는지라. 이때 개똥이 앞서 오다가 금릉 하인을 불러 말하였다.

"너희 고을에 이 상서 댁이 평안하시냐?"

하니 대답하여 가로되,

"그 댁이 십 년 전에 늦둥이 아들을 이별하고 눈물로 세월을 보내시더니 수년 전에 어디로 가 계신지 알지 못하나이다."

한대 개똥이 이 말을 듣고 정신이 아득하여 말을 못 하고 이 사연을 자사께 고한대 자사가 듣고 대성통곡하니 낭자가 민망하여 위로하며 가로되,

"자연 금릉 땅에서 부모를 뵈올 것이니 심장을 너무 상려치 마옵소서."

자사가 슬픔을 참고 금릉에 다다라 옛일을 생각하고 화려한 마음이 없더라.

이때 상서 부부 앞산에 올라 자사 행차를 구경하다가 홀연 운선을 생각하여 우는 소리를 깨닫지 못하고 대성통곡하더니, 이때 개똥이 금안 백마로 오다가 산천을 살펴보며 탄식하여 가로되,

"산천은 예나 지금이나 같으나 인심은 아침저녁으로 변하도다."

하고 지나더니 문득 바람결에 처량한 곡성이 들리거늘 말을 잡고 우는 연유를 알아오라 하니 하인이 명을 받고 산으로 올라가니라.

이때 상서 부부가 울다가 관원들이 들린 줄 알고 잠자코 앉았으니 뉘 알리오. 한 사람이 말하되,

"저기 앉아 계신 이가 울던 사람이라."

한대 하인이 이 말을 듣고 앞에 나아가 말하되,

"겁내지 말고 우는 곡절을 가르쳐 주옵소서."

하니 상서 부부 자식을 잃고 우는 전후 사연을 절절히 하니 하인이 돌아가 그대로 고한대 개똥이 이 말을 듣고 말에서 내려 하인을 데리고 산으로 올라가 보니 과연 상서 부부라. 개똥이 나아가 울며 절하고 여쭈오되,

"소인 불충 노비 개똥이로소이다."

한대 상서 부부가 그 연고를 알지 못하니 어떠한 사람인지도 모르거니와,

"어찌 이다지 조롱하느냐."

개똥이 재배하고 통곡하며 가로되,

"소인은 십 년 전에 5세 되온 공자를 모시고 나간 개똥이로소이다."

상서 부부가 자세히 보니 팔과 다리가 절지 아니하며 두 눈이 분명하고 번듯한 관원이라 의혹하여 왈,

"내 충성스런 노비 개똥이는 반신불수요 한 눈이 멀었나니 어찌 망령된 말을 하느냐."

하신대 개똥이 여쭈오되 공자를 모시고 나가던 말씀과 연월일시를 고하며, 주류사방 하다가 글공부 시킨 일과 과거에 가서 맹 선생에게 점치고 살아나 장원급제로 한림학사 하옵고 김 소저에게 장가든 사연과, 황제께 주달하여 계림부 자사 한 사연과 소인은 계림부 도도별장으로 내려온 전후 이야기를 낱낱이 고한대 상서가 그제야 개똥인 줄 알고 전후 고생함을 불쌍히 여겨 가로되,

"네 몸이 온전해진 것이 기특하도다."

하고 노주가 서로 붙들고 통곡하니 구경하는 모든 사람이 다 개똥의 충성을 탄복하더라.

이때 자사 교자를 몰아오더니 하인더러 물어 가로되,

"별장은 어디로 갔느뇨?"

하인이 대답하여 말하였다.

"여차여차하온 일이 있어 산으로 나아가더이다."

한대 자사가 이 말을 듣고 4인교에서 내려 버선발로 산에 올라가니 상서 부부가 거기 계시거늘 붙들고 재배 통곡하며 가로되,

"불효자 운선이로소이다."

한대 상서 부부 운선을 붙들고 미친 듯 취한 듯 방성통곡하니 보는 사람들이 뉘 아니 비창하리오. 이때 소저와 화선이 시비를 데리고 단정히 단장하고 녹의홍상을 갖추고 산에 올라가니 오색 도화가 만발한 듯 소저와 화선이 상서 양위 앞에 재배하니 구경하는 사람이 다투어 보며 가로되,

"이는 만고에 드문 일이라."

하며 분분히 치하하더라.

자사가 부모를 모시고 가솔을 거느려 집으로 내려와 그 이튿날 선산에 성묘하고 계림부 관아에 도임한 후 낙봉연을 베풀어 잔치하니, 인근 고을 수령들이 이 소문을 듣고 금은채단을 많이 가져와 봉송하며 그 부모와 노주가 상봉함을 치하하더니 삼일을 크게 잔치하고 황제께 장계하며 각로에게 글월을 올리니라.

차설, 황제가 각로를 인견하사 국사를 의논하시더니 문득 보고하되 계림부 자사의 장계가 왔다 하거늘 받아보시니 하였으되,

'계림부 자사 이운선은 돈수백배하옵고 장계를 폐하 어전에 올리나이다. 신이 본대 금릉 땅 천한 몸으로 팔자 기구하와 오 세에 부모를 이별하고 유리사방 하옵다가 천행으로 용문에 올라 영화롭기가 극하와 황은이 태산같이 무거운 중 고향에 돌아와 부모를 만나고 선영을 봉안하오니 신의 마음은 지금 죽어도 여한이 없사오나 국가에 촌공이 없사오니 무엇으로 국은의 만분지 일이라도 갚사오리이까.'

하였더라.

황제가 끝까지 다 읽으시고 이진희로 우승상을 제수하시며 사관을 보내어 그 효성을 빛내시니라. 차시 각로 집에 돌아와 자사의 글월을 보고 즐거워함을 비할 데 없더라.

차시 사관이 교지를 가지고 계림부에 이르니 상서 부자가 향안을 배설하고 사관을 맞아 후대한 후에 상서 부부가 사관을 따라 황성으로 향할 새, 자사 부부가 멀리 나와 배별하고 길을 감에 무사히 도달하심을 축수하더라.

승상이 여러 날 만에 황성에 도달하여 입궐하여 사은하온대 상이 가라사대,

"경의 아들의 효성을 사랑함이니 진심으로 나라에 보답하라."

하신대 승상이 머리를 조아려 사은하고 각로의 집으로 돌아와 만만 치사하고 장차 집을 정고자 하더니 상이 들으시고 수백 칸 기와집과 수십 명 노복을 내려보내사 그 총애를 빛내시더라.

각설, 이때 자사 백성을 다스리매 인의로 다스리니 산에 도적이 없고 길에 떨어진 물건을 줍지 않더니, 이때 순무어사가 각 읍 수령의 정치를 잘하고 못함을 살필 새 계림부 자사 이운선의 다스림이 천하에 제일이라 이 연유를 황상께 수달하온대 천자가 더욱 기특이 여기사 내직으로 승진코자 하시더니, 마침 형주성에 극난한 옥사가 있어 여러 해 되도록 처결치 못하매 상이 민망히 여기사 이운선으로 형주 자사를 제수하시니라.

이 옥사는 다름 아니라 그 고을에 효자가 있으되 성은 김이요 이름은 공필이라. 천성이 온화하고 효성이 지극하여 모친을 효로 섬기고 그 아내 노씨와 더불어 봉친하더니, 하루는 그 모친이 우연히 득병하여 백약이 무효하매 부부가 주야로 병석을 떠나지 아니하고 하늘에 축수하나 천명을 어찌하리오. 인하여 별세하니 부부가 실성통곡하며 예를 갖추어 선산에 안장하고 묘 아래 초막을 짓고 주야 통곡으로 세월을 보내니, 그 아내 노씨 집을 지키고 시묘 제물과 조석을 지성으로 공궤하는지라 노씨의 천성이 정렬하고 또한 용모가 천하의 절색이라 보는 사람이 뉘 아니 칭찬할 이 없더라.

슬프다, 시운이 불행하여 그 동네에 강포한 놈이 있으되 성명은 백기삼이라. 본래 술과 색을 탐하더니 매양 노씨의 자색을 보고 흠모하나 그 정절을 감히 범치 못하더니 하루는 한 꾀를 생각하고 공필의 음성을 본받아 상제 모양으로 제복을 만들어 입고 밤이 깊은 후에 노씨의 집으로 가니, 노씨 사립문을 굳게 닫았는지라 소리를 나직이 하여 문을 열라 하니 노씨 잠이 깊이 들었다가 남편의 음성을 듣고 의심 없이 문을 열어주니, 들어와 말하되,

"묘하에 있은 지 적년이라 홀연 그대 생각이 간절하여 밤사이에 왔노라."

하고 노씨의 고운 손을 쥐며 동침하니 노씨 어찌 알리오. 정절한 노씨를 거짓으로 범하고 제집으로 돌아와 다시 볼 마음을 두고 제복을 깊이 감추니라.

차시 공필이 삼 년을 지성으로 지내고 돌아오니 이때 노씨가 공필이 다녀간 줄 알고 남이 혹 알까 의심하더니 그달부터 태기가 있어 십 삭이 되매 아들을 낳으니 마음이 비록 즐거우나 상제 모양으로 나왔으니 어찌 마음이 편하리오. 이러구러 몇 달이 되었는지라. 공필이 아이를 보고 크게 놀라 가로되,

"저 아이는 어떠한 아이뇨."

한대 노씨가 크게 놀라 대답하여 왈,

"모년 모월 모일 묘하에 다녀가신 후로 잉태하여 낳은 자식이로소이다."

한대 공필이 대답하여 왈,

"내 삼 년 시묘에 일정 사사로운 마음이 없어 집에는 온 적이 없도다. 이는 곧 강포한 놈에게 속음이로다. 우리 부부간에 알았으니 무슨 관계함이 있으리오."

노씨 그제야 강포한 놈에게 속은 줄 알고 정신이 아득하여 말을 못 하다가 칼로 목을 찔러 죽으니 공필이 시체를 안고 통곡하다가 처가의 부음을 전하니, 노씨 오라비 삼 형제 통고를 보고 가로되,

"내 어제 누이를 보매 병든 일이 없더니 오늘 졸지에 부음이 오니 무슨 연고 있도다."

하고 삼 형제 내려가 보니 목을 칼로 찌르고 죽었는지라. 그 죽은 곡절을 묻지 아니하고 관아에 들어가 고발하니 사령이 나와 공필을 잡아다가 엄형 중벌하니 결백하여 무죄한 것이야 어찌하리오. 울며 억울하다 하니 그 옥사를 뉘라서 결단하리오. 이러므로 자사마다 내려와도 결옥을 못 하고 파직도 하며 혹 죽기도 하며 장차 십 년 동안 폐읍이 되었는지라. 천자가 사람을 가리사 이운선으로 형주 자사를 하시니라.

차시 운선이 부임하고 관속을 점검한 후에 죄수를 엄히 심문하니 그 죄인이 슬피 울며 애매하여이다 발명하거늘, 자사가 불쌍한 마음이 자연스레 일어 칼을 벗기고 하옥한 후에 동헌을 깨끗이 청소하고 향과 촛불을 갖추어 배설하고 의관을 정제하고 앉았더니 밤이 깊어 인적이 고요하매, 음풍이 일어나며 한 여인이 목에 칼을 꽂고 유혈이 낭자하여 흰 깃발에 적삼 자를 써 들고 완연히 들어와 외면하고 섰거늘 자사가 일어나 다시 좌정하고 물어 말하였다.

"이승과 저승이 다르고 남녀가 유별하거늘 무슨 원통한 일이 있관대 저러한 형상으로 와 원한을 풀고자 하느냐."

그 여인이 대답하여 말하였다.

"나는 수죄인 김공필의 처 노씨옵더니 가장이 억울하게 갇히게 되었기로 구하고자 하며 그 곡절을 고하러 왔나이다. 그 전 자사들은 지혜롭지 못하여 혹 죽기도 하며 혹 파직도 하옵더니 이제 명백한 관원을 만나매 철천지원수를 갚고자 하나이다. 대저 부부는 사람의 중한 근본이라 가장이 어찌 그 아내를 죽였사오리오. 하물며 소녀의 가장은 효자라 그 정성을 원근에서도 사모하옵거늘 어찌 불의를 행하리오. 소녀의 분하고 절통한 일을 말하고자 하나 입이 더러워 말씀을 다 못하오니 명석한 판단으로 옳고 그름을 분간하여 주옵소서."

하고 울며 나아가거늘 자사 아무리 할 줄 모르더니 이튿날 밤에 또 현몽하되 전일과 다름이 없는지라. 자사 홀연히 깨닫고 그 여자가 흰 깃발에 석 삼 자를 써 들었으니,

"이 고을에 백기삼이라 하는 사람이 있느냐?"

한대 하인이 고하여 말하였다.

"죄수 김공필의 집 근처에 있삽나이다."

자사가 즉시 편지를 써주며 가로되,

"이 서간을 가지고 백기삼을 찾아가 주고 데려오라."

하니 하인이 명령을 받고 백기삼을 찾아가니라.

차설, 기삼이 죄를 지어 노씨를 죽였으나 이 일은 천지신명이나 알고 사람은 모르리라 하나 항상 마음이 조마조마하더니 여러 해가 되매 근심 없이 있더라. 이때 하루는 관속이 와 편지를 드리거늘 떼어보니 하였으되,

'그대 명성을 듣고 보기를 원하나 피차 멀리 있어 생각만 간절하더니 다행히 이곳에 왔으나 관사가 바빠 통신치 못하고 기별하니 찾아오기를 천만 바라노라.'

하였거늘 기삼이 편지를 보고 즉시 들어가 관아에 나아간대 자사가 삼문을 열고 들라 하거늘 기삼이 도포를 입고 의젓하게 들어와 뵙거늘, 자사가 예를 갖춰 앉은 후에 술과 반찬을 내어 권하며 종일 담화하다가 날이 저물매 제집으로 나가자고 낮이면 청하여 진수성찬으로 대접하며 풍악으로 날을 보내는지라.

이러므로 한 달이 지나매 하루는 자사가 한 꾀를 생각하고 내아에 들어가 약속하고 나와 기삼과 더불어 종일 담소하더니 석양이 되매 기삼이 나가려 하거늘 자사가 만류하여 말하였다.

"부인이 병이 들어 지금 위중하여 심신이 자연 불편하니 내일은 나가지 말고 밤을 한가지로 지내자."

하거늘 기삼이 마지못하여 있으나 제 어찌 알리오. 이윽고 하인을 물리치고 주효를 내어 권하며 담소하더니 한밤중 사경 소리가 나며 시비가 나와 자사를 청하거늘 자사가 일어서며 말하였다.

"내 잠깐 다녀올 것이니 혼자 앉아 있으라."

하고 들어가더니 오래 있다가 나와 기삼더러 말하였다.

"부인이 병이 들어 달포 앓다가 오늘 밤 아이를 낳지 못하고 병세가 가장 위태하니, 의원에게 물은즉 다른 약은 다 효험이 없고 한 가지 약이 있으되 구하기가 가장 어렵다 하니,"

기삼이 물은대 자사가 대답하였다.

"다름 아니라 상을 당해 곡하는 소리를 듣지 아니한 제복이 약이라 하니 어디 있으리오. 그대는 내일 집에 나아가 널리 구하여 주면 훗날 크게 상을 내리리라."

하니 기삼이 대답하여 왈,

"아무쪼록 구하여 오리이다."

하고 이튿날 제집에 나아가니라.

자사가 기삼을 보내고 나졸과 장교를 불러 말하였다.

"너희들은 기삼의 뒤를 따라가 나졸은 몸을 숨기고 장교는 엿보다가 기삼이 제복을 내어 만지거든 나졸에게 통기하여 결박하여 잡아오라."

한대 나졸이 명령을 듣고 기삼을 따라가니라.

이때 기삼이 노씨를 속여 정을 통하고 제복을 깊이 감추었으매 곡성 아니 들은 제복이라 자사의 꾀에 빠져 죽을 줄 모르고, 친하기로 집에 돌아와 제복을 내어놓고 장차 깃을 베려 하더니 나졸이 들어와 붉은 끈으로 결박하는지라. 기삼이 그 연고를 알지 못하고 아무리 호령한들 어찌 사정이 있으리오. 발이 땅에 닿지 않게 잡아들이거늘 연무대에 앉아 기삼을 잡아들여 대질하여 꾸짖었다.

"네 들어라 네 지은 죄를 네가 알거든 바로 아뢰라!"

하는 소리가 벼락 같으니 기삼이 혼백이 흩어져 곤장 한 대에 앞뒤 죄상을 낱낱이 승복하니 기삼을 잡아내어 삼거리 길거리에 놓고 죄상을 낱낱이 이르며 능지처참하니라.

김공필은 풀어주니 공필이 십 년이나 갇혀있다가 무죄로 풀려나 춤을 추며 손을 모아 가로되,

"해와 달 같으신 명관을 만나 원혼의 억울함을 풀고 옥석을 분별하시니 태산 같은 은혜와 하해 같은 덕택을 무엇으로 만분지 일이나 갚으리오."

하며 무수히 치사하니 구경하는 사람이 다 상쾌히 여기며 자사의 명석함을 칭송하더라.

자사가 김공필의 효성과 노씨의 절행이며 기삼의 죄상을 밝힌 연유를 계달하니라. 차시 천자께서 자사의 장계를 보시고 이운선의 명백함을 칭찬하시며 김공필 부부의 효행과 열행을 기특이 여기사, 기록하여 효자 열녀 정문을 짓고 매달 백미 열 섬과 돈 수십 냥씩 세금에서 면제하여 주라 하시니 자사가 즉시 공필을 불러 치사하고 정문을 지어 그 효열을 표창하고 하교대로 세금을 면제하여 주니 공필이 자사의 덕과 하늘의 은혜에 감사하여 백 번 절하며 사례하고, 집에 돌아와 홀로 있지 못하여 송씨를 재취하니 마음이 서로 맞아 함께 산 지 십 년에 삼남일녀를 낳아 부귀영화를 보며 자사의 맑은 덕을 기원하더라.

각설, 자사가 청룡사 여러 승려의 은혜를 생각하고 하인더러 청룡사 가는 길을 묻고 금은채단을 많이 싣고 청룡사로 향할 새, 이때 모든 승려가 자사의 부임 행차를 보고 일변 반기며 매우 반가워하여 별당을 청소하고 동네 어귀 밖에 나와 기다리니 자사가 여러 날 만에 청룡사에 다다라 대나무 지팡이와 짚신 차림으로 천천히 걸어 점점 들어가니, 깃발은 일광을 희롱하고 풍악 소리는 산천을 진동하는지라. 자사가 옛일을 생각하고 도리어 슬퍼하다가 노소 승려들이 차례로 나와 합장 재배하며 가로되,

"소승 등이 행차를 멀리 맞지 못하오니 죄송하더이다."

하고 별당에 거처를 정한 후 차와 과일을 내어 권하며 예전 일을 이야기하며 회포를 풀더라. 자사가 부처 앞에 재배하고 여러 승려에게 사례하며 말하였다.

"내 몸이 수년 전에 떠돌다가 이 절에 와 모든 존사의 덕을 입어 잔명을 보전하였다가 다행히 성은을 입어 몸이 영귀하였으나 작은 공로도 갚지 못하였기로 약간의 물건을 정으로 표하노라."

하며 금은채단을 각각 상사하고 청룡사를 중수하며 수만 금을 들여 불공드리는 밭을 많이 사서 봄가을로 불공하게 하니 모든 승려가 감사하여 자사의 수명장수와 부귀공명을 때때로 축원하더라.

자사가 여러 승려를 이별하고 길을 떠나 칠 년 동안 같이 지내던 선생과 벗들을 찾아 삼 일 동안 크게 잔치하고 금은채단을 많이 주어 옛 정을 표하고 본부로 돌아오니 성안 백성들이 즐거워하는 소리 천 리에 진동하더라.

차설, 황제가 이운선이 다스림을 잘함을 기특이 여기시더니 김공필의 옥사 해결함을 들으시고 칭찬하시며 벼슬을 돋우어 계림부 상서를 제수하시고 사관을 보내시니라. 사관이 교지를 받자와 황주로 행하여 형주에 이르매 자사가 맞아 예의를 차려 앉은 후에 향안을 배설하고 북향 재배 후에 가솔을 거느려 황성으로 향할 새, 형주 일대 백성이 길을 막고 울며 만류하거늘 자사가 일일이 타일러 경계를 지나 황성에 도달하니 부모 댁 노비와 각로 댁 노비들이 거리에 나와 대기하더라.

상서가 어전에 사은한대 상이 인견하시고 반기사 전후 다스림을 잘한 일을 칭찬하시더라. 상서가 본가에 돌아와 부모 양위와 각로 부부에게 뵈온대 새로이 반기며 애중함이 측량 없더라. 이러므로 여러 해가 되매 상서 정실 김씨에게 삼남일녀를 두고 총애하는 첩 화선은 이남이녀를 두었으니 아비를 닮아 풍채가 빼어나고 총명이 과인한지라, 남녀가 혼인하여 자손이 집에 가득하고 부귀공명이 당세에 으뜸이라.

승상 부부와 각로 양위가 무궁한 영화를 받으시고 나이가 다 구십에 이르셨는지라. 쓴 것이 다하면 단 것이 오고 흥함이 다하면 슬픔이 오는 것은 예나 지금이나 같은 일이라. 각로 부부가 먼저 세상을 떠나시니 예를 갖추어 선산에 안장하고 삼 년 상을 지내매, 승상 양위 우연히 병을 얻어 백약이 무효한지라 상서 부부 지성으로 약을 달여 바치나 타고난 수명을 어찌하리오. 이윽고 별세하시니 상서 부부 지극히 애통하여 예를 갖추어 선산에 안장할 새 만조백관이 장례를 돕고 보는 사람마다 뉘 아니 칭찬하리오.

충성스런 노비 개똥이 상서 부부의 무덤가에 초막을 짓고 시묘하매 상서의 애통함을 위로하더니 세월이 흘러 삼 년 상을 지내고, 상서가 다시 개똥의 은혜를 생각하니 '개똥의 충성은 만고에 으뜸이라' 하고 충노비를 세울 새 친필로 쓰되 '만고충노의골개똥'이라 하시고 직품을 돋우어 연주 자사 겸 위장군을 제수하시고 상서의 벼슬을 돋우어 좌승상에 이르시니, 승상과 연주 자사가 성은을 축사하여 행년이 팔구십에 부귀영화를 극진히 누리더라.

십생구사 끝.

[Sleep Aid] Relaxing Ancient Korean Folktale 'Ten Lives and Nine Deaths' 🌙 | Bedtime Story for Grown-ups

Welcome to 'slow night, ancient tales' under the quiet moonlight. 🌙 Tonight's sleep story is the Korean classic novel, 'Ten Lives and Nine Deaths'. It is a deeply moving ancient tale of a young master destined to face death, who manages to overcome his given fate and repay profound gratitude, all thanks to the unwavering devotion of a loyal servant and the wisdom of a remarkable young lady. Let go of all your complex thoughts, and set off on a peaceful journey to dreamland with this soothing voice. I hope your nights are always filled with warmth. Good night. 💤 🕰️ Story Bookmarks (Timestamps) 00:00 A soothing intro to open the night 02:15 The Minister's sorrow and the birth of Unseon 08:30 Ten years of wandering and studying at Cheongryongsa Temple 18:45 Master Maeng's prophecy and the fateful meeting with Lady Okhyang 35:20 Passing the royal exam and a satisfying repayment of grace 52:10 Wise judgments and a heartwarming happy ending 1:04:15 A gentle outro to close the night 🎧 For the best experience, please use headphones and keep the volume low. 🤍 If this story brought you peace, please support our peaceful nights with a [Subscribe] and [Like].

English Version: Slow Night, Ancient Tales

A Tale of Loyalty and Righteousness: Ten Lives and Nine Deaths

It was around the middle of the ninth lunar month in autumn. The moonlight filled the courtyard, and the autumn wind blew with a lonely rustle. The mountains and streams, the grass and the trees had all let go of spring, and before long, the leaves were turning red and falling. Pondering upon this life of mine, it feels like a mere grain of millet in the vast blue sea, a fleeting hundred years that pass in the blink of an eye. The heartless years flow by like water. In this ephemeral world, wealth and poverty, nobility and lowliness, life and death, success and failure—all have their appointed times for every person.

Some people are blessed with good fortune. They have sons and daughters, marry them off, and enjoy boundless happiness until the end of their days. Then, leaving behind all worldly matters, they follow the Queen Mother of the West to the immortal peach banquet, residing in grand and magnificent mansions, befriending the four gray-haired elders of Mount Shang, setting out delicacies from the mountains and seas, pouring fine wine, and enjoying themselves to the fullest while living for ten thousand years.

Yet, my fate is so thin and unfortunate. To not have a single child, neither a son nor a daughter, is truly a miserable thing. Through the long, endless autumn nights, I toss and turn, unable to sleep, passing the time with long and short sighs.

One day, I lamented together with my wife, saying, "Since the two of us became husband and wife, we have belonged to a prestigious family for generations. My official rank has reached that of a Minister, and our wealth is abundant. We have nothing to envy in this world. However, having not a single drop of our own blood to carry on the family line, we will cut off the ancestral offerings. How miserable and devastating this is! The ancient texts say that among the three thousand sins of unfilial conduct, having no heir is the greatest. When we die and go to the underworld later on, with what face shall we look upon our ancestors?"

At this, his wife sighed sorrowfully and said, "That we have no children is entirely due to my grave sins. Yet, through your great virtue, you did not abandon me, but allowed me to stay in your noble family. That grace is something my white bones will never forget. Please, take a virtuous lady from a good family as a second wife, so that she may be blessed with a precious child."

The Minister replied, "My destiny is fraught with hardship, which is why I have no children. How could I resent you, my wife?" With that, he brought out food and wine, and they consoled each other, offering each other drinks. As the day grew dark, they each returned to their bedchambers.

That night, the wife had a dream. The gates of heaven opened, and a celestial being descended riding on a cloud. Pointing to a young boy, he said, "This child is originally the son of the Dragon King of the East Sea. He committed a sin against the Heavenly Emperor and was cast out into the human realm. He had nowhere to rely on, but the spirit of the Southern Mountain directed me to bring him here. Please raise him preciously and pass on your family line."

Saying this, he drifted away. Although it was a dream, the wife felt deeply awed and bowed countless times toward the celestial being. When she awoke, she realized it was but a dream in her bed. She immediately invited the Minister and told him the story of the dream.

The Minister answered, "The blue heavens have looked down upon our childless state with pity and have granted us a precious son!"

Indeed, from that very month, she conceived, and after ten months, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Five-colored clouds surrounded the house, making it difficult to see even a few steps ahead, and a fragrant scent filled the air. When they looked at the infant, although wrapped in swaddling clothes, his frame was large and his voice was clear and resonant, astonishing everyone. The Minister was overjoyed. He named the child Unseon, and gave him the courtesy name Haemong, meaning 'interpreting the dream.'

Unseon gradually grew, and when he reached the age of five, his intelligence was extraordinary, and he was quick and agile in everything he did. The Minister and his wife loved him dearly, worrying only that his life might be too short.

One day, an old monk happened to pass by the front gate, chanting Buddhist prayers and asking for alms. Hearing this, the wife called her maidservant, Chuwol, and said, "There is a monk begging outside the gate. Give him a generous amount of clean grain."

Chuwol listened to the order and went out with a peck of white rice. Unseon followed Chuwol out to watch. The monk stared at Unseon for a long time. Then, receiving the white rice, he expressed his gratitude, turned around, and said, "I do not know whose noble son this boy is, but ten years from now, he will face three or four sudden misfortunes and will not escape death." After saying this, he walked away.

Hearing these words, Chuwol ran back, stumbling and falling in her haste, to report this to the wife. The wife called the Minister and relayed the words. The Minister was greatly shocked, his face turning pale. He called a servant and said, "The monk who was just begging for alms could not have gone far. Go quickly and find him."

The servant heard the command, went out to look, but the monk was already nowhere to be seen. Feeling anxious, he searched in all directions and finally found the monk begging in a secluded place. He called out to the old monk, "My lord the Minister has ordered me to bring you, Reverend Master. Please come with me."

The old monk replied, "Even if this humble monk goes, what can be done about the lifespan decreed by heaven?" He followed reluctantly.

At this time, the Minister and his wife, having gained Unseon late in life, loved him like a jewel in their palms. Hearing the maidservant's words, they were filled with dread and awaited the old monk. Soon, the servant announced the old monk's arrival. The Minister came out to the outer hall to welcome him. After exchanging proper greetings and taking their seats, the Minister looked at the monk's appearance. He had a ruddy complexion and white hair, and his demeanor was holy and majestic. Knowing he was no ordinary monk, the Minister offered him tea and refreshments, treating him with great hospitality.

Then he asked, "Where do you reside, Reverend Master, and for what reason have you come to this humble place?"

The old monk rose again, brought his hands together in a bow, and said, "This humble monk is the almoner of Cheongryongsa Temple on Mount Yeongbo in Hyeongju. The temple is old and crumbling, so I am hoping to collect alms with a book of good deeds."

The Minister leaned in closer and asked respectfully, "We will offer alms according to our means. However, I am told you said something when you visited our humble home earlier. Please, tell me of the good and bad fortune."

The old monk answered, "When I was begging at the front gate of your noble house, a certain young master came out and stood there. I briefly looked at his face, and it seemed that in ten years' time, he will face a destiny of ten lives and nine deaths. That is why I carelessly spoke those words, and it seems you, my lord, have heard them."

The Minister said, "That child is my only son, gained late in life. I humbly beg you, Reverend Master, to judge his fate of life and death, and teach us a way to avoid this misfortune so he may escape death. If you do, I will repay this debt of gratitude even after my bones have turned to dust."

The old monk said, "After passing the destiny of death, he will achieve wealth and fame, and his reputation will shake the whole nation. However, there is no way to avoid this misfortune, so my heart is heavy."

Hearing this, the wife, who had come near the outer hall, turned pale with shock and despair. She went into the inner chamber, held Unseon, and wailed loudly, causing all the servants to weep in sorrow.

At this time, the Minister earnestly begged, "Reverend Master, please bestow your compassionate heart and save my child."

The old monk remained silent for a long while. After thinking again, he said to the Minister, "If you call all the slaves of your household to stand before me, there might be a way."

The Minister immediately called all his servants. Among them was a boy who was blind in one eye, unable to use one arm, and limped on one leg—a disabled boy. The boy's surname was Gol, his name was Gaeddong, and he was fifteen years old. Although half his body was paralyzed, he was full of loyalty and filial piety. His devotion to his master was profound, and he was deeply filial to his own parents.

The old monk looked at him closely for a long time, then said to the Minister, "Send the young master and that boy away together on a certain year, month, and day. Do not give them a single penny of wealth, only give the young master his everyday clothes. Let them hide their traces for ten years, begging in all directions and weathering the wind and frost. If his life is in that boy's hands, it will be easier for him to survive, and he may avoid the misfortune. Please, I beg you not to take my words lightly."

He requested this once more, then said his farewells. As soon as he stepped down from the stone stairs, his footsteps vanished without a trace. Only then did the Minister realize he was a divine monk. He bowed countless times toward the empty sky.

He went into his wife's quarters, delivered the old monk's words, and wept loudly. Unseon held back his tears and said, "Life, death, hardship, and joy are all my destiny, and human life is determined by heaven. How could I surely die? I humbly beg you, Father, do not worry."

Thus, the Minister and his wife, with no other choice, decided to send him away as the old monk had instructed.

It was the third lunar month of spring in the year of Gabja. As the day to part with Unseon drew near, the wife made a set of clothes for him. How could anyone describe the hearts of those parents as they prepared to send him away? As the departure day approached, they called Gaeddong and said, "You are originally a loyal servant of our house. Even if you wander in all directions across the four seas serving the young master, please do not be negligent. Travel carefully, and when ten years have passed, return immediately so that father, son, master, and servant may reunite."

Finishing these words, they embraced Unseon and wailed loudly. Everyone watching, including the servants, could not help but shed tears at the heartbreaking sight.

Unseon and Gaeddong, seeing the Minister and his wife crying, also shed tears like rain. Bidding farewell, they said, "Today we leave your presence and will not be able to see you for ten years. We humbly beg you, Mother and Father, to think of your unfilial son as a dead child amidst the autumn moons and spring breezes. Please preserve your bodies, precious as a thousand pieces of gold, so that you may see this unfilial son's face again in ten years."

Bowing repeatedly and weeping bitterly, they said their goodbyes. With Gaeddong leading the way, they set off on their journey. How could the sorrowful demeanor of the Minister and his wife be fully recorded? Unseon looked back with every step, stumbling and falling with every other step. The path they walked grew further and further away, and as they crossed a mountain, the voices of the Minister and his wife faded into silence. The master and servant held each other and wept; it seemed as if the sun and moon lost their light, and the grass and trees all mourned with them.

Pulling themselves together, they looked at their surroundings and saw that the day was drawing to a close. With no other choice, the master and servant held hands and walked aimlessly toward the villages, begging for food.

Meanwhile, the Minister and his wife, having parted with Unseon, lived a life worse than death, spending their days in tears.

As for Gaeddong, he escorted the young master until they reached a certain place. Their stomachs were hungry, and their feet were covered in blisters. Not knowing where to go, they sat by the roadside and cried. Barely gathering his senses, Gaeddong thought of a plan. He went around the village, and whenever he found a relatively large house, he sought out the owner, bowed respectfully, and said:

"This humble servant was a slave of the Minister Lee family in the land of Geumneung. But our family's fortune turned tragic. The Minister and his wife suddenly fell ill and passed away at the same time. After burying them in the ancestral mountain, the family's wealth was completely ruined. Now I carry the five-year-old young master on my back, wandering and begging for food. Our travel funds are completely exhausted. I humbly beg you, kind host, take pity on this miserable life and help us just for a moment."

Hearing these words, everyone felt pity. Some gave money, and some gave provisions. In this way, they managed to avoid starvation and thirst. But day and night, their longing for their parents was so desperate that they sat by the roadside, spending their time in tears. Their appearances became haggard, and their clothes were in rags. Wherever they went, their wretched state was beyond measure.

As the days passed, the thought of their parents grew ever more intense, but their nine-curved hearts were as pure as spring snow. Before they knew it, time flowed like water, and the young master was now eight years old, and Gaeddong was nineteen.

They arrived at a village. It was around the full moon of the third lunar month in the year of Jeongmyo. Everywhere, the songs of sorrowful birds boasted of the spring mood, and exotic flowers and rare grasses were in full bloom on every peak. But the cuckoo and the nightingale cried mournfully, making the sorrow of the wanderers even more profound. The master and servant, harboring deep worries, admired the colors of spring and gradually walked deeper into the mountain valley. Layered rocks and steep cliffs surrounded them like a folding screen on the left and right, and the sound of clear waterfalls harmonized with the musical notes of nature. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

The master and servant thought of their hometown and lamented their fate, tears falling like rain. Then, Unseon said to Gaeddong, "We have wandered miserably from east to west, only filled with sorrow, unable to show the spirit of a true man. Now that we have luckily come to a quiet mountain with no trace of people, I will play around for a moment."

He threw his body and leaped over a tree dozens of feet tall, and effortlessly lifted a massive boulder and threw it. Only then did Gaeddong see the young master's bravery and stood in awe.

As they lingered, the sun set over the western mountains. Not knowing what to do, they hesitated. Suddenly, they heard the sound of a temple bell. Knowing there was a temple nearby, they walked further in and saw red railings and a magnificent pavilion nestled in the deep green mountains. Delighted, they went in and looked around. On a signboard above the gate, large golden letters read: 'Cheongryongsa Temple of Mount Yeongbo in Hyeongju.'

They entered the main hall, bowed before the Buddha, and came out. All the monks saw the young master's demeanor and asked, "We do not know whose noble son you are, but for what reason have you come to this place?"

Unseon replied, "My fate was harsh. I lost my parents early, and our family's wealth was destroyed. With nowhere to turn, I wandered and begged across the four seas until I arrived here."

Hearing this, all the monks felt pity and treated them generously with morning and evening meals.

The next day, as they were looking around the temple, they reached a detached pavilion where six or seven scholars were gathered, studying. Gaeddong said to the young master, "Young master, you are already eight or nine years old. I think it would be good for you to learn to read and write."

Unseon said, "Your words are admirable and welcome, but how can we afford books and food? And who would teach reading and writing to someone without a home?"

Gaeddong answered, "If you truly wish to study diligently, please do not worry about that."

He then looked at the scholars, prostrated himself, bowed twice, and said, "This humble one was a slave of the Minister Lee family. Our family's fortune turned tragic. A few years ago, the Minister and his wife suddenly fell ill and passed away at the same time. After burying them in the ancestral mountain, the family's wealth was ruined, and we had nowhere to rely on. All the servants ran away, and the household fell into ruin. I have been serving the five-year-old young master, wandering and begging from east to west for four or five years already. By the grace of heaven, we have arrived here. I humbly beg all you noble scholars to bestow your grace, teach our young master to read, and help him escape ignorance."

He pleaded earnestly, saying, "I will put my entire heart and strength into providing everything needed for his studies."

Hearing this plea, the scholars seated there found it both admirable and pitiful. They agreed to his request and invited Unseon in. Although the young child was wrapped in ragged clothes and looked shabby, he had the air of an immortal, and his voice was lively and confident. The scholars cherished him and taught him with utmost sincerity.

As months passed, Unseon's innate talents shone. His intelligence was extraordinary; hearing one thing, he understood ten. There was no classic text or history book he did not master, and the scholars could not stop praising him.

Hearing this, Gaeddong was overjoyed. Every day, he went around the villages begging. When he received grain, he used it for their food; when he received money, he gathered it, gave it to the monks, and asked them to lend it out for interest. Time flowed like water, and seven years of study passed. Unseon was now fifteen years old. With a figure like an immortal and a handsome face, his writing and calligraphy surpassed even the greatest masters. He was a remarkable man of the age; who would not praise him?

As the year drew to a close, the scholars returned to their respective homes. But Unseon and his servant spent the New Year in a foreign land for many years. How could one force into words that sorrowful situation?

Eventually, it was the full moon of the first lunar month. The scholars returned, exchanged New Year's greetings, gathered their books, and prepared to leave. When Unseon asked the reason, the scholars replied, "There will be a special royal examination on the 15th of April this year, so we are going to observe it."

Unseon said farewell to his fellow students. Sitting alone day and night, he thought of his parents and let out a long sigh, tears soaking his collar. Gaeddong asked, "Young master, you are not reading, and your face is full of sorrow. I cannot fathom the reason."

The young master answered, "Those I studied with are all going to the state examination, but my fate is harsh. Ten years have passed since I left home, and I do not even know if my parents are alive or dead. I am a lonely soul in a strange land a thousand miles away. How could I not be sorrowful?"

Gaeddong said, "If you wish to go to the examination, I have prepared something. Let us go."

He collected all the money he had left with the monks, but it was only fifteen nyang. He took it, went out to a village, bought a horse, returned, and asked the young master to leave.

The young master asked, "Where did you get that horse?"

Gaeddong replied, "They say the capital is thousands of miles from here. How could you walk there? I thought it would be better if you rode a horse, so I bought it with the pennies I saved one by one."

All the scholars found this even more admirable. They praised him profusely, each giving money to help with travel expenses, and asked to meet again in the future.

The next day, they bid farewell to the scholars, left the village entrance, and headed toward the capital. It was the second lunar month in the year of Gyeyu. Although Gaeddong was disabled, holding the horse's reins and setting out, his heart was so lively he felt like he could fly. When the sun set, he found a host and secured lodging. When he met travelers on the road, he explained how he was serving the young master on his way to the examination. Everyone who heard the story took pity on them, and simultaneously admired Gaeddong's loyalty. Some bought them food, and some gave them money for their journey. Though they had no money of their own, they could easily avoid hunger and thirst.

After many days, they reached the capital. The day of the examination was not far off. They tried to find lodging, but scholars from all over the world had gathered like clouds, filling every inn completely. They had nowhere to stay and were at a loss.

Just then, as they crossed the Namgyo Bridge beneath the Southern Mountain, an old woman came out of a small thatched cottage holding a broom. As she swept the yard, she gazed quietly at the scenery. Gaeddong went up to the old woman, bowed deeply, and said:

"This humble servant was originally a slave of the Minister Lee family in the land of Geumneung in Gyerim-bu. Suddenly, misfortune struck, and the Minister and his wife passed away at the same time. The family's wealth was ruined, and I took the five-year-old young boy, wandering and begging in all directions. By the grace of several scholars at Cheongryongsa Temple on Mount Yeongbo, he was able to study. Now, we have traveled a thousand miles for this state examination. But we have not been able to find an inn until this moment and have been wandering, until we finally saw your noble home. It seems you have not taken in any scholars. Please, noble lady, allow this pitiful scholar to stay for just a short while."

Hearing these words, the old woman felt sympathy and pity. "My house has no outer quarters, and it is just my old self living here alone, so what is there to fear? But the house is shabby, and I am afraid it is too unclean to host the young master."

Gaeddong expressed his gratitude, saying, "To take in people with nowhere to rely on like this, your grace is unforgettable." He then escorted the young master inside.

At this time, there lived a blind man near Namgyo. His surname was Maeng, and people called him Master Maeng. He was known for judging good and bad fortune, and his predictions were said to be equal to those of Shao Yong from the old days. His fortune-telling fee was fifteen nyang, but people seeking his readings gathered like clouds, and many could not even get a chance to see him.

The old woman, seeing the pitiful state of Gaeddong and his master, could not help but feel compassion and said to Gaeddong, "Master Maeng's fortune-telling here is said to be like that of a ghost, and everyone praises him. How about going there for the sake of the young master?"

Hearing this, Gaeddong thanked the old woman and said, "My desire to have his fortune told is immense, but we have no money for the fee, so what can be done?"

He sighed endlessly until he thought of a plan. He took the horse the young master had ridden, went to the market, and managed to sell it for barely ten nyang. However, he was still short by five nyang and could not afford the fortune-telling. The master and servant lamented together. Seeing this, the old woman asked the reason, and Gaeddong replied:

"I wish to get a fortune reading from Master Maeng for the young master, but I am short by five nyang and cannot get the reading. How could this not be heartbreaking?"

Hearing this, the old woman said, "I have five nyang that I saved penny by penny. Take this and go get the fortune reading." She handed him the money. Gaeddong stood up again, expressed his gratitude, and went to find Master Maeng to get the reading.

At this time, the blind man had been entirely absorbed in fortune-telling day and night. Exhausted, he was dozing off for a moment. In a state between waking and sleeping, an old monk came to him and said, "A pitiful boy is coming right now to get his fortune told. Wake up, clear your mind, and make sure he escapes death. Teach him the way to live, no matter what."

Startled, he woke up, realizing it was a dream. He struck his head, pondering the meaning of the dream, when suddenly a boy came looking for him outside the door. He told the boy to come in and asked the reason for his visit. Gaeddong offered the fee and said, "I hope you can judge the good and bad fortune of our young master."

Master Maeng sat quietly for a long while, thinking. Then he raised the fortune-telling sticks high, shook them, and prayed:

"On this day, the eighth of the third lunar month in the year of Gyeyu, Yi Unseon, born in the year of Gyesa, residing in Geumneung, Gyerim-bu, humbly asks for a reading. Having parted with his parents at the age of five and living together with his servant Gaeddong, he has now come to observe the state examination. He cannot know whether he will pass or fail, whether he will meet his parents again or not, and whether his life will be long or short. I humbly beg the honorable master to reveal all things without hiding anything."

He drew a fortune stick. After pondering for a long time, he looked up at the sky, let out a hollow laugh, furrowed his brows, rolled his blind eyes, and sighed.

"I am forty years old, and I have been telling fortunes all this time, but this is the first time in my life I have seen such a reading."

Gaeddong asked, "What is the reading that makes you laugh so hollowly at the sky, Master?"

The master replied, "What is the use of hearing this reading?" and refused to speak.

Hearing this, Gaeddong's mind became frantic. Weeping bitterly, he pleaded, "Please judge the good and bad fortune and tell us of his life and death."

Master Maeng replied, "The young master's destiny cannot pass the hours of Sul and Hae (7 PM to 11 PM) on the 14th."

Hearing these words, Gaeddong felt as if his soul was flying away. He pleaded again, "If you know he will die, how could you not know a way for him to live? I humbly beg you, Master, bestow your life-saving virtue and save our young master. If you do, I will carve your grace into my bones and repay you."

His crying sounded as if it could melt a heart of iron and stone. Master Maeng said to Gaeddong, "Because your sincerity is so deep, I will think about it again."

He drew another reading and sat there. Suddenly, he spoke to Gaeddong, "In this city, there is a man named Chancellor Kim. His personal name is Yongsu. He passed the state examination at a young age, and his wealth and fame are unmatched in the world. He has no sons, only one daughter. That girl's name is Okhyang. She is sixteen years old, with a face like a flower and a form like the moon, the most beautiful in the nation. Her talents are extraordinary, and there is no classic text or history book she has not mastered. She knows the good and bad fortunes of people and can easily command spirits. Because of this, her parents love her dearly. They built a separate pavilion in the back garden where she resides. Truly, it is said her appearance is like a nightingale by the waters of Mansu, or a white heron in the misty rain of a river. That young lady had a connection with your young master in a past life. Therefore, if he meets that young lady on the 14th, he may seek a way to save his life. If he fails to do so, there is absolutely no other way."

Gaeddong asked again, "If that happens, will the young master preserve his life, and will he ever see his parents again?"

Master Maeng purified himself once more, burned incense, bowed, and poured his utmost sincerity into the divination. He said, "The reading shows misfortune first, but good fortune later. He will pass the examination with the highest honors on the 15th, immediately become a Hanlim Scholar of the Sixth Rank, take a wife, and return to his hometown as the Governor of Gyerim-bu. He will find and see his parents again, and he is destined to enjoy wealth, honor, and many sons."

Hearing this, Gaeddong was filled with both joy and sorrow. He bowed, said his goodbyes, and returned. He told the old woman every detail of the divination Master Maeng had performed, weeping as he spoke.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Kim and his wife cherished their daughter Okhyang like a jewel in the palm of their hands. They wished to find a splendid husband for her to enjoy the pleasures of family life.

At this time, there was a high official in the Northern Village of Namyang. His surname was Baek, and his name was Sonmin. He came from a family of great prestige for generations, and his rank had reached the Minister of Personnel. His reputation covered the court and the country, but he did not have a single child, which he lamented day and night.

One day, he went up to a pavilion with his wife, Lady Jang, to enjoy the scenery. He ordered the maids to bring out wine, and the couple offered drinks to each other, lamenting their childlessness. Suddenly, Lady Jang felt tired and leaned against the railing, dozing off for a moment. In her dream, a celestial being rode past on a crane and handed her a white feather fan. She took it and saw that it was inscribed with red letters: 'Sansan is the young man; Mokhwang is the human life.'

She pondered the meaning of this. Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, snatching the fan and throwing it below the pavilion. Out of nowhere, three or four men with wild, unkempt hair rushed in, grabbed the fan, ran away, and fought over it. Feeling a sense of loss, she tried to find them, but the sound of the men fighting woke her up. It was a fleeting dream.

She told the Minister about the dream. The Minister had experienced the exact same dream. Considering it miraculous, he said, "Heaven has taken pity on our childlessness and granted us a precious son."

He wrote down the words from the fan, though they never fully understood their meaning. From that month on, she showed signs of pregnancy, and after ten months, five-colored clouds surrounded the roof of their house. Soon, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. His frame was large, and his voice was clear and resonant. They named him Unseon.

Unseon gradually grew, and at the age of sixteen, his brilliant writing and calligraphy were considered the best of his generation. Who among the neighbors, relatives, and servants would not praise him?

When Chancellor Kim heard this rumor, he wished to make him his son-in-law. He planned to have Unseon pass the state examination and then arrange the marriage. So he set a topic for a poem, wrote his own piece, sent it on premium poetry paper, and firmly established a secret agreement.

Meanwhile, the old woman had a daughter named Hwaseon. Her intelligence and talents were extraordinary, and she worked as a servant in Chancellor Kim's household, assigned to the young lady's bedchamber.

One day, she came out to see her mother and saw the young master and Gaeddong crying. Hwaseon wanted to ask the reason, but because they were strangers, she could not ask and just stood by the closed door. The old woman called Hwaseon and said, "There should be a distinction between men and women, but do not mind that and come in."

Hwaseon reluctantly went in, sat beside her old mother, and asked, "For what reason are you weeping so sorrowfully, Mother?"

The old woman answered, "This young master is from the countryside and came for the examination. When he got a reading from Master Maeng, the master said he is destined to die between 7 PM and 11 PM on the 14th. But if he safely passes that time, he will pass the examination with the highest honors and immediately become a Hanlim Scholar. Still, they say he will die, so isn't it pitiful?" The old woman wept bitterly.

Hwaseon asked, "Did they say there is absolutely no way to save him?"

The old mother replied, "They said he must enter the room of the young lady you serve to have a chance at living. Dying is easy, but how could he possibly enter that room?"

Hwaseon sat quietly for a moment, then turned to Unseon and said, "I am the daughter of this house's owner, serving as a slave in Chancellor Kim's household. It is presumptuous of me to speak to you upon seeing you today, young master, but may I ask your honorable name and what brings you to this humble place?"

With a long sigh, Unseon said, "I am the late-born son of Minister Lee of Geumneung in Gyerim-bu. My surname is Lee, my name is Unseon, and I am fifteen years old. Ten years ago, a monk looked at my face and said that when I turned fifteen, I would die a sudden death. He said that if I parted from my parents for ten years, I would avoid this misfortune. So, I took my servant Gaeddong and suffered through ten years of wind and frost. I came here for the current state examination, and hearing that Master Maeng's divination is the most brilliant, I got a reading. He said I must enter your young lady's room to escape this sudden death. I intend to endure any hardship to enter her room. I humbly beg you, young lady, take pity on my life and death and think deeply on this."

The young woman thought to herself, 'A young master from thousands of miles away has come seeking me; this must be a match made by heaven. I will save him and send him on his way.' But she remained silent.

Seeing her demeanor, Unseon sat closer, took her hand, and said, "Young lady, please bend your ice-and-snow-like chastity for just a moment to save this fleeting life of mine."

He put out the candles and they went to the bed, sharing the joys of intimacy. How could words describe the affection between the two?

The young lady lit the candles again and brought out delicious wine and side dishes, offering them to him. The night grew deep, and it was already midnight. A voice echoed in the air, shouting, "There is someone to be taken from the young lady's room! Send him out quickly!"

Knowing they were ghosts serving as the underworld's messengers, the young lady loudly scolded them and recited a scripture to drive away evil spirits. The ghosts could not intrude and fled.

The young master suddenly fainted. Greatly alarmed, the young lady rubbed his limbs and ground a life-restoring pill, putting it in his mouth. Soon, he regained his senses. She offered him wine and food, and they talked until the sound of a rooster crowing could be heard in the distance.

The young lady said, "There is no end to the things we could say, but how could we not feel sorrowful at parting?"

Unseon replied, "My wandering body has been saved by your life-giving virtue, and my life is spared. This grace is unforgettable even to my white bones. I wish to spend a hundred years together as husband and wife to repay even half of this grace. Please teach me a clever plan."

The young lady said, "I am confined to the deep inner chambers and know little of the world, but my father, out of love for me, has been seeking a talented man. Hearing of the extraordinary talents of the son of Minister Baek from the Northern Village of Namyang, he decided to make him his son-in-law. He plans to have him pass the examination with the highest honors and then marry him. He has already sent the poetry topic and the paper. The situation is difficult, but a loyal subject does not serve two kings, and a virtuous woman does not serve two husbands. Since I have already served you, my lord, how could I seek another? My father is the Chief Examiner for this state examination. Write your poem and submit it."

She gave him the premium poetry paper and a poem. Unseon, inspired, wrote it down in one breath, his brushstrokes soaring like a dragon and a snake. Seeing his handwriting, the young lady's face beamed with joy, and she said:

"My lord, you still have many misfortunes ahead, so listen carefully to my words and do not forget them. When you leave the gate now, Hwaseon will guide your way. Follow her instructions. Also, go to your host's house, buy just a small amount of cinnabar, and when you wash your face, rub it on your left cheek so it leaves a faint red mark. Do not wash your face for four or five days.

When you enter the examination grounds, if the servant of the Baek family tries to stop you from entering the gate, scold him loudly and drive him away. Once you stand beneath the notice board, before the poetry topic is announced, three men with wild, unkempt hair will come carrying a bundle of clothes and say, 'Sudden death!' Stomp your left foot and recite the scripture to drive away evil spirits, and they will drop the bundle and leave.

When the topic is announced, if you submit your poem first, you will pass with the highest honors. On that day, visit the houses of the high officials in the capital without delay. When evening comes, come to my house. My father will ask the reason for your late visit; answer him like this and that. Also, he will lay out a floral mat and a white mat side by side. Do not sit on the floral mat, but sit on the white mat. He will ask the reason for that, too; answer him by saying this and that. Our hundred-year contract lies within these actions, so engrave this in your heart and never forget it."

She offered him wine and food, and said their affection was not yet fully satisfied, but inevitably, they held hands, parted, and he stepped outside the door. Hwaseon ran out, took the young master's hand, welcomed him, and said, "Since you survived the night safely, it is an immense fortune."

They crossed the pond on the boat. All things were quiet, and the gates were firmly shut. Hwaseon thought of a plan and told the young master, "I will do this and that, so use that moment to escape."

She set fire to a pile of firewood and went into her room. Soon, the flames shot up to the sky. The servants were terrified and rushed to put out the fire. Taking advantage of the chaos, Unseon slipped away and went to his host's house.

Meanwhile, after sending the young master away, Gaeddong had stayed up all night praying to heaven, lying face down under the Seven Stars altar. Hearing the young master's voice, he was overjoyed and hastily stood up. His paralyzed limbs completely straightened out, and his blind eye opened brightly; he became a whole, healthy man. The old woman and Gaeddong welcomed the young master, sat down, and listened to the story of how he survived. They rejoiced at Gaeddong becoming whole again and praised his devotion.

Soon, the day dawned. Unseon rubbed a small amount of cinnabar on his left cheek while washing his face, leaving a faint red trace. After eating, he gathered his examination supplies and entered the grounds.

Meanwhile, Baek Unseon arrived with dozens of servants and secured a spot under the notice board. When Lee Unseon was about to take a spot, three men with wild, unkempt hair stood before him and shouted, "Sudden death!" Lee Unseon glared fiercely, stomped his left foot, and chanted the scripture to drive away evil spirits. The men were terrified and fled. They ran over to Baek Unseon's spot, took something, and vanished. Unseon thought it strange in his heart. Shortly after, word spread from that spot that Baek Unseon had died, and his servants wept as they took his body away.

Not long after, the poetry topic was posted. Looking at it, he saw it was the exact topic the young lady had given him. Overjoyed, he submitted his poem first and came out to the host's house. The old woman and Gaeddong asked about his submission. Unseon replied, "I submitted my poem first, so go and see if my name is posted on the board."

Gaeddong went to check the announcement board.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor received the first submitted poem and saw it was the agreed-upon piece. He graded it as the highest distinction and opened the sealed envelope. It read: 'Unseon, son of Minister of Personnel Lee Jin-hui, residing in Geumneung, Gyerim-bu.' He waited all day, but there was no sign of Baek Unseon. Thinking it strange, he concluded that the author of this poem was a heaven-sent genius and called out the name:

"Lee Unseon of Geumneung!"

The sound of his name being called echoed near and far. Hearing this, Gaeddong danced with joy, returned to the host's house, and announced that the name had been posted. The young master and Hwaseon and her mother rejoiced even more. Unseon dressed in official robes, entered the palace, and bowed in gratitude to the Emperor. The Emperor, finding him extraordinary, appointed him as a Hanlim Scholar of the Sixth Rank that very day. He bestowed upon him a red robe, a jade belt, and a fine horse with a golden saddle, and sent musicians and flower boys from the Pear Garden to accompany him. Wearing the jade belt around his waist, holding the red certificate in his left hand and a white jade baton in his right, he sat proudly high on the white horse. His bright aura eclipsed the sun and moon, and the sound of music echoed far and wide. Who among the onlookers would not praise him? He went straight to the host's house. Hwaseon and her mother ran out, overcome with joy, offering wine and food, endlessly delighted.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Kim returned home and told his wife about Baek Unseon not taking the exam, and how Lee Unseon's writing perfectly matched the agreed-upon poem, considering it miraculous. He loved his immortal-like appearance and lamented having made a contract with the Baek family.

After visiting the various ministers, Hanlim Scholar Lee visited Chancellor Kim's house as evening fell. The Chancellor welcomed him and called for his new son-in-law. The praises of the onlookers pierced the distance.

At this time, the wife, wishing to see the Hanlim Scholar's appearance, went up to the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, lowered the blinds, and watched. Just then, the young lady came out of the separate pavilion and laughed aimlessly. The wife scolded her, saying, "Why are you laughing frivolously?"

The young lady replied, "Last night at the third watch, I had a dream. In the front pond, a blue dragon and a yellow dragon were fighting. The yellow dragon exhausted its strength and fell, while the blue dragon, triumphant, was surrounded by five-colored clouds and ascended to heaven. I saw the victor and slapped the dragon's cheek, leaving a red mark as it soared into the sky. I remembered the dream and laughed."

She then accompanied her mother to the pavilion and watched the Hanlim Scholar's movements. He looked as radiant as a heavenly official descended to earth, and moreover, there was a red mark on his left cheek. The wife found this astonishing, thought of her daughter's dream, and wished to make him her son-in-law.

The Chancellor loved the Hanlim Scholar and exchanged countless pleasantries. When they came down to the main hall to sit, a floral mat and a white mat were laid out, and he was invited to sit. The Hanlim Scholar sat on the white mat. The Chancellor asked the reason, and the Hanlim Scholar replied, "This humble son has received the grace of heaven and is young in age, how could I sit in the seat of honor?"

The Chancellor praised him inwardly, brought out wine and food, and they talked. As the day grew dark, the Hanlim Scholar said his goodbyes and went to his host's house. The Chancellor went into the inner quarters and endlessly praised his immortal-like appearance.

Meanwhile, Minister Baek had sent his son to the examination grounds and, having a firm agreement with Chancellor Kim, believed everything was secure. But before half the day had passed, his servants came carrying Unseon's corpse. Minister Baek held Unseon's body and wailed loudly; even a heart of iron and stone would feel sorrow. However, the dead cannot be brought back to life. With no other choice, he sent a notice to Chancellor Kim's house, prepared the body for burial, and laid him to rest near the ancestral graves. He then remembered the dream he had when Unseon was conceived, found the written record, and deciphered it: 'Sansan means sixteen, and Mokhwang means human life.' Sansan was the character for 'going out' (出) separated, meaning sixteen. Mokhwang meant sudden death, and human life meant lifespan. It meant that at the age of sixteen, he would suffer a sudden death. Reading the text, he grieved even more and lamented his fate.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Kim and his wife adored Lee Unseon, but since they already had a promise with Minister Baek, their hearts were troubled. Suddenly, a maid reported that a death notice had arrived. He opened it and saw it was the notice of Baek Unseon's death. Feeling pity in his heart, the Chancellor spoke to his wife:

"We originally promised our daughter's marriage to the Baek family, but since Baek Unseon has already died, what shall we do? In my heart, Lee Unseon is a remarkable man of this age, and I wish to make this Hanlim Scholar our son-in-law. What is your mind on this, wife?"

The wife replied, "I also love that outstanding young man, and the young lady's dream was thus and so; perhaps this is a match made by heaven."

The Chancellor was overjoyed and immediately sent a matchmaker to the Hanlim Scholar.

When the Hanlim Scholar returned to the old woman's house, he called Hwaseon, told her everything that had happened, decided to take her as his concubine, and rejoiced. When the matchmaker arrived, the Hanlim Scholar initially pretended to decline, but then accepted. The matchmaker returned and reported this to the Chancellor, who was overjoyed and immediately chose an auspicious day: the seventeenth of the fifth lunar month in the year of Gyeyu.

The Hanlim Scholar, wearing auspicious garments, arrived at the Chancellor's residence for the wedding ceremony. The Hanlim Scholar's immortal-like appearance and the young lady's beautiful face were a pair of bright jewels and a perfect match for a hundred years. How could the joy of the Chancellor and his wife, and the praises of relatives and servants be measured?

After the ceremony, they returned to the separate pavilion, took off their ceremonial robes, and sat down. Remembering the past and looking around, they saw that the room was fully equipped with fine stationary. They could not contain their joy. As twilight fell, the young lady entered with her maids. The Hanlim Scholar stood up, they exchanged formal greetings, and sat down. The young lady dismissed her other maids and ordered Hwaseon to offer wine to the Hanlim Scholar, saying:

"This is the nuptial wine, and I will also drink it, so my lord, please do not find fault."

The Hanlim Scholar gladly accepted the drink and said, "By receiving your high and bright virtue, young lady, my fragile life was preserved, my body attained honor, and I am now able to enjoy a hundred years of happiness with you. This grace is unforgettable even to my white bones."

The young lady said, "It is a match made by heaven, not my grace. Without Hwaseon's guidance, how could we have formed this bond?"

She treated Hwaseon like her own sister, serving their lord together. Though there was a distinction between a primary wife and a concubine, what did it matter? The Hanlim Scholar marveled at her generous and broad virtue.

As the night deepened, Hwaseon respectfully said, "How dare this humble servant serve our lord in the same room?"

The young lady praised her manners, and they went to the embroidered bed, their marital joy beyond compare. After daybreak, the Hanlim Scholar and his wife paid their respects to the Chancellor, whose love for them was immeasurable.

The time was the nineteenth day of the third lunar month in the year of Gabja. It was the Emperor's birthday, so all the civil and military officials were to attend court. The Chancellor entered first, and the Hanlim Scholar was to follow later. The young lady asked the Hanlim Scholar to come and said:

"Today, when my lord enters the palace, a certain man on the street will hurl endless insults at you. Order your servants to treat him well. And when you come out, if that man insults you again, order your servants to soothe him, bring him to our house, put him in an empty room, dress him in your clothes, and you put on his clothes. Then hide behind a folding screen and watch."

He immediately called a servant, gave these instructions, and set off in a four-man palanquin. Indeed, a certain man ran out and hurled insults at him. He ignored him, entered the palace, and came back out, only to find another man rushing at him and cursing. He had his servant soothe the man, bring him home, and seat him in an empty room, offering him a rich feast with fine wine and delicacies. The man got heavily drunk.

When dusk fell, the Hanlim Scholar changed clothes with him. As the night deepened, a chilling wind blew, and a young man with disheveled hair opened the door. Holding a knife in his hand, he entered and looked around. Seeing the man sleeping, he rushed in, slit his stomach, pulled out the insides, and ate them, saying:

"Now, I have avenged my grudge."

And then he left. Seeing this, the Hanlim Scholar was terrified and went into the young lady's room. Thinking of his past hardships, she offered him wine and said:

"My lord, you have now passed all your misfortunes. You will return to your hometown, see your parents again, and live to celebrate your seventieth birthday. Please do not worry at all. Just have that man's body buried well."

The Hanlim Scholar immediately called Gaeddong to clean up the body and asked the young lady for the reason. The young lady said:

"The man who died this time lived thanks to your grace in a past life, and wishing to repay that debt in this life, he died in your place. The one who killed him was the spirit of Baek Unseon. Not knowing his own fate of a sudden death, he thought he died because of you and came to harm you, but he killed that man instead. If not for my instructions, how could you have avoided this misfortune?"

The Hanlim Scholar marveled at the young lady's wisdom.

One day, thinking of his parents, the Hanlim Scholar said to the young lady:

"I, a lowly person from the countryside, received your great virtue, young lady, preserved my life, and attained honor. But it has been ten years since I left my parents' side, and I do not even know if they are alive or dead. My unfilial piety is boundless. I wish to report to the Emperor, receive a leave of absence, return to my hometown, visit the ancestral graves, present myself before my parents, and beg forgiveness for ten years of unfilial conduct."

The young lady replied, "I have heard that Geumneung is two thousand miles from the capital, and it belongs to Gyerim-bu. How about you petition the Emperor and go as the Governor of Gyerim-bu?"

The Hanlim Scholar thought it was right and told the whole story to the Chancellor. The Chancellor went before the Emperor and detailed Lee Unseon's history and Gaeddong's devotion. The Emperor listened and praised them greatly. He appointed Lee Unseon as the Governor of Gyerim-bu, and Gaeddong as the Chief Commander of Gyerim-bu, praising his loyalty. The Hanlim Scholar thanked the Emperor for his grace, returned home, and prepared for the journey. Gaeddong rode a fine horse with a golden saddle, leading the banners. Hwaseon and her mother rode in palanquins, the young lady rode in a gold-painted palanquin accompanied by many maids, and the Governor set off in a four-man palanquin. Their majesty was dazzling.

As they traveled, the magistrates of various towns saw the Governor's official dispatch and welcomed him in every street. The banners blocked the sunlight, and the sound of music shook the distance. Who among the onlookers would not praise them?

Meanwhile, Minister Lee and his wife, unable to settle their minds thinking of Unseon and Gaeddong, spent their days in tears and neglected their household affairs. All the servants ran away, and with nothing else to do, they lived in a one-room thatched cottage. Who would know they were a Minister's family?

One day, a villager reported, "The Governor of Gyerim-bu is coming down to Geumneung after paving the road."

The Minister and his wife thought of Unseon and said, "Some people have children and enjoy such glory, but what sin did people like us commit to be separated from our child in life and not know if he is alive or dead for ten years? What is the point of living? It would be better for us to be dead."

Meanwhile, the Governor's procession arrived in Geumneung after many days. Gaeddong, riding ahead, called a servant of Geumneung and asked:

"Is the Minister Lee family in your town well?"

He answered, "That family lost their late-born son ten years ago and spent their days in tears. A few years ago, they went somewhere, but we do not know where they are living."

Hearing this, Gaeddong felt dizzy, unable to speak, and reported this to the Governor. The Governor heard it and wailed loudly. The young lady, feeling pity, consoled him, saying, "You will naturally find your parents in the land of Geumneung, so please do not break your heart too much."

The Governor suppressed his sorrow, reached Geumneung, thought of the old days, and had no heart for splendor.

At this time, the Minister and his wife went up the front mountain to watch the Governor's procession. Suddenly thinking of Unseon, they began to wail loudly without realizing it. Just then, Gaeddong, riding a white horse with a golden saddle, looked at the scenery and sighed, saying:

"The mountains and streams are the same as before, but human hearts change from morning to evening."

As he passed by, he suddenly caught the sound of a mournful wail on the wind. He stopped his horse and ordered a servant to find out the reason for the crying. The servant obeyed and went up the mountain.

When the Minister and his wife saw the officials, they stopped crying and sat still, so no one would know. Someone said, "Those people sitting over there are the ones who were crying."

Hearing this, the servant went up to them and said, "Do not be afraid, please tell me the reason you were crying."

The Minister and his wife earnestly told the whole story of losing their child. The servant returned and reported exactly what they said. Hearing this, Gaeddong got off his horse, took the servant, and went up the mountain. It was indeed the Minister and his wife. Gaeddong approached, bowed while crying, and said:

"I am your disloyal servant, Gaeddong."

The Minister and his wife did not understand the situation. Not knowing who this person was, they said, "Why do you mock us so?"

Gaeddong bowed twice, wept bitterly, and said, "I am the Gaeddong who left with the five-year-old young master ten years ago."

The Minister and his wife looked closely. His arms and legs were not paralyzed, both his eyes were clear, and he was obviously a dignified official. Filled with doubt, they said, "My loyal servant Gaeddong was half-paralyzed and blind in one eye. Why do you speak such nonsense?"

Gaeddong then recounted the exact words spoken when he left with the young master, the year, month, and day. He detailed how they wandered in all directions, how he made the young master study, how they went to the examination, got a reading from Master Maeng, survived, passed with the highest honors, became a Hanlim Scholar, married the young lady Kim, petitioned the Emperor, became the Governor of Gyerim-bu, and how he himself came down as the Chief Commander.

Only then did the Minister realize he was Gaeddong. Pitying him for his past hardships, he said, "It is a miracle that your body has become whole again."

The master and servant held each other and wept. All the onlookers admired Gaeddong's loyalty.

At this time, the Governor drove his palanquin forward and asked his servant, "Where did the Commander go?"

The servant answered, "There was such and such a matter, and he went up the mountain."

Hearing this, the Governor got out of his four-man palanquin and ran up the mountain in his socks. The Minister and his wife were there. He held them, bowed twice, wept, and said:

"It is your unfilial son, Unseon."

The Minister and his wife held Unseon and wailed loudly, as if mad or drunk. Who among the onlookers would not feel sorrowful? At this time, the young lady and Hwaseon, neatly dressed in green tops and red skirts with their maids, went up the mountain. Like a bloom of five-colored peach blossoms, the young lady and Hwaseon bowed before the Minister and his wife. The onlookers scrambled to see, saying, "This is a rare event in all of history," and offered countless congratulations.

The Governor escorted his parents and family down to their home. The next day, they visited the ancestral graves. After officially taking his post at the Gyerim-bu office, he held a grand banquet. The magistrates of neighboring towns heard the news and brought many gifts of gold, silver, and silk, congratulating the reunion of the parents and the master and servant. They held a great feast for three days. Then, he sent a report to the Emperor and a letter to the Chancellor.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was having an audience with the Chancellor, discussing state affairs. Suddenly, a report came that a dispatch from the Governor of Gyerim-bu had arrived. He received it and read:

"The Governor of Gyerim-bu, Lee Unseon, bows a hundred times and presents this report before Your Majesty. I, originally a lowly person from Geumneung, had a harsh fate. Parted from my parents at the age of five, I wandered in all directions. By the grace of heaven, I passed the dragon gate and attained the highest glory. While Your Majesty's grace is as heavy as a great mountain, I returned to my hometown, met my parents, and secured the ancestral graves. My heart has no regrets even if I die right now. However, I have yet to offer even the smallest service to the nation. With what can I repay even a ten-thousandth of the nation's grace?"

The Emperor read it to the end. He appointed Lee Jin-hui as the Right Prime Minister and sent an official to honor his filial piety. When the Chancellor returned home and read the Governor's letter, his joy was beyond compare.

When the royal official arrived in Gyerim-bu with the edict, the Minister and his son set up an incense altar and welcomed the official with great hospitality. The Minister and his wife then followed the official toward the capital. The Governor and his wife came out far to bid them farewell and prayed for their safe arrival.

After many days, the Prime Minister reached the capital and entered the palace to express his gratitude. The Emperor said, "I cherish the filial piety of your son, so serve the nation with a true heart."

The Prime Minister bowed his head in gratitude, returned to the Chancellor's house, and expressed his endless thanks. As he was about to secure a house, the Emperor heard of it and sent a tiled-roof house of several hundred sections and dozens of servants, making his favor shine brightly.

Meanwhile, as the Governor ruled the people, he governed with benevolence and righteousness. There were no bandits in the mountains, and no one picked up lost items on the roads. At this time, a Royal Inspector was touring the towns to evaluate the good and bad governance of the magistrates. He found that the governance of Gyerim-bu Governor Lee Unseon was the best in the nation. He reported this to the Emperor. The Emperor, finding it even more admirable, intended to promote him to a post in the capital. But it happened that there was an extremely difficult criminal case in Hyeongju Castle that had remained unresolved for several years. The Emperor, feeling concerned, appointed Lee Unseon as the Governor of Hyeongju.

This case was as follows: In that town, there was a filial son whose surname was Kim and whose name was Gongpil. His nature was gentle, and his filial piety was extreme. He served his mother with devotion, along with his wife, Lady Noh. One day, his mother suddenly fell ill, and hundreds of medicines had no effect. The couple never left her sickbed day or night, praying to heaven, but what could be done about fate? When she passed away, the couple lost their minds in sorrow. They performed the proper rites, buried her in the ancestral mountain, built a thatched hut near the grave, and spent their days in tears. His wife, Lady Noh, guarded the house and devotedly prepared the sacrificial offerings and daily meals for the mourning period. Lady Noh's nature was chaste and pure, and her beauty was unmatched in the world. Everyone who saw her praised her.

Alas, unfortunately, there was a violent and cruel man in that village named Baek Gisam. He was naturally fond of wine and women. He always admired Lady Noh's beauty but dared not violate her chastity. One day, he thought of a scheme. Imitating Gongpil's voice, he made mourning clothes, put them on, and went to Lady Noh's house late at night. Lady Noh had firmly shut the brushwood gate. He lowered his voice and asked her to open it. Lady Noh, waking from a deep sleep and hearing her husband's voice, opened the door without suspicion.

He came in and said, "It has been years since I stayed by the grave. Suddenly, my longing for you was so earnest that I came in the middle of the night."

He took Lady Noh's soft hands and slept with her. How could Lady Noh know? Having deceitfully violated the chaste Lady Noh, he returned to his home, intending to see her again, and deeply hid the mourning clothes.

When Gongpil completed his three years of devoted mourning at the grave and returned, Lady Noh thought Gongpil had visited her before and worried that others might find out. From that month on, she showed signs of pregnancy, and after ten months, she gave birth to a son. Although her heart was joyful, since she gave birth while in mourning, how could her mind be at peace?

Several months passed. Gongpil saw the child, was greatly shocked, and asked, "What kind of child is this?"

Greatly alarmed, Lady Noh answered, "It is the child I conceived and gave birth to after you visited from the grave on such and such a year, month, and day."

Gongpil replied, "During my three years of mourning, I never had a single selfish thought and never came home. This means you were deceived by a violent scoundrel. As long as we husband and wife understand, what does it matter?"

Only then did Lady Noh realize she had been tricked by a violent scoundrel. Her mind went blank, unable to speak, and she stabbed her own throat with a knife and died. Gongpil held her corpse and wept bitterly.

He sent a notice to her family. Lady Noh's three brothers saw the notice and said, "When I saw our sister yesterday, she was not ill. For a death notice to arrive so suddenly today, there must be a reason."

The three brothers went down and saw that she had stabbed herself in the neck and died. Without asking for the details of her death, they went to the government office and filed an accusation. The officers came out, arrested Gongpil, and tortured him severely. But since he was innocent and guiltless, what could be done? He wept and claimed he was wronged, but who could resolve that case? Because of this, every Governor who came down failed to resolve it, was either dismissed or died, and for nearly ten years, the town was almost ruined. The Emperor chose the right man and made Lee Unseon the Governor of Hyeongju.

When Unseon took his post and reviewed the staff and prisoners, he interrogated the prisoner severely. The prisoner wept bitterly, claiming he was falsely accused. The Governor naturally felt pity, removed his wooden collar, and put him in prison. He thoroughly cleaned the main office, set up incense and candles, dressed in full official attire, and sat down.

As the night grew deep and all traces of people went quiet, a chilling wind blew. A woman with a knife stuck in her neck and blood flowing freely walked in perfectly clearly, holding a white flag with the character for 'three' (三) written on it. She stood with her back turned. The Governor stood up, sat down again, and asked:

"The living and the dead are separate, and there is a distinction between men and women. What deep grievance do you have that you come in such a form to resolve your resentment?"

The woman answered, "I was Lady Noh, the wife of the prisoner Kim Gongpil. Because my husband was unjustly imprisoned, I wish to save him and have come to tell you the story. The previous Governors were not wise; some died, and some were dismissed. Now that I have met a clear-sighted official, I wish to avenge my heaven-piercing grudge. A husband and wife are the most important foundation of human life. How could a husband kill his own wife? Moreover, my husband is a filial son. People from far and near admire his devotion; how could he commit such an injustice? I wish to speak of my anger and agonizing pain, but my mouth is too filthy to tell it all. I beg your brilliant judgment to distinguish right from wrong."

Weeping, she left. The Governor did not know what to do at all.

The next night, she appeared in his dream again, exactly the same as before. The Governor suddenly realized the meaning. She was holding a white flag (Baek-gi) with the character for 'three' (Sam) written on it.

He asked, "Is there a man named Baek Gisam in this town?"

A servant replied, "He lives near the house of the prisoner Kim Gongpil."

The Governor immediately wrote a letter and said, "Take this letter, find Baek Gisam, give it to him, and bring him here."

The servant took the order and went to find Baek Gisam.

Meanwhile, although Gisam had committed the crime and caused Lady Noh's death, he thought only the heavens and the earth knew, and no human would ever find out. Still, his heart was always anxious, but as several years passed, he lived without worry.

One day, an official came and handed him a letter. He opened it and it read:

'I have heard of your great reputation and wish to see you, but we were far apart, so I could only think of you earnestly. Fortunately, I have come to this place, but because official duties were busy, I could not communicate. I send this message now, hoping with all my heart that you will visit.'

Seeing the letter, Gisam immediately went into the government office. The Governor opened the three gates and told him to enter. Gisam, wearing a scholar's robe, entered imposingly and paid his respects. The Governor offered him a seat with due courtesy, brought out wine and side dishes, and talked with him all day. When evening fell, Gisam wanted to go home, but the Governor invited him to stay during the day, treating him to lavish feasts and passing the days with music.

After a month of this, the Governor thought of a plan. He went into the inner quarters, made an arrangement, came out, and chatted with Gisam all day. As the sun set, Gisam was about to leave, but the Governor stopped him and said:

"My wife has fallen ill and is currently in critical condition, so my mind and body are naturally unsettled. Please do not leave tomorrow, but let us spend the night together."

Gisam reluctantly stayed, but how could he know the truth? Soon, the Governor dismissed the servants, offered wine and food, and they chatted. In the middle of the night, at the fourth watch, a maid came out and called for the Governor. The Governor stood up and said, "I will be back shortly, sit here alone," and went inside.

He came out a long time later and said to Gisam:

"My wife fell ill and suffered for a month. Tonight, she could not give birth, and her condition is most critical. I asked the doctor, and he said all other medicines are ineffective. There is only one medicine that works, but it is extremely difficult to find."

When Gisam asked what it was, the Governor answered:

"It is nothing else but mourning clothes that have never heard the sound of wailing at a funeral. Where could such a thing be found? If you go home tomorrow and search widely for it, I will reward you greatly in the future."

Gisam replied, "I will try my best to find it and bring it."

The next day, he went to his house.

After sending Gisam away, the Governor called the guards and officers and said, "Follow Gisam. The guards should hide, and the officers should keep watch. If Gisam brings out the mourning clothes and touches them, signal the guards, tie him up, and bring him here."

The guards listened to the order and followed Gisam.

At this time, since Gisam had deceived Lady Noh, slept with her, and deeply hidden the mourning clothes, they were indeed mourning clothes that had never heard the sound of wailing. Unaware that he was falling into the Governor's trap and would die, he confidently returned home, took out the mourning clothes, and was about to cut off the collar. Just then, the guards rushed in and bound him with red ropes.

Not knowing the reason, Gisam shouted as loud as he could, but what mercy could there be? They lifted him so his feet didn't touch the ground and dragged him in. Seated at the martial arts training ground, the Governor dragged Gisam in, confronted him, and scolded:

"Listen here! If you know the crime you committed, confess it immediately!"

His voice was like thunder. Gisam's soul scattered, and after a single stroke of the paddle, he fully confessed to every detail of his past crimes. They dragged Gisam out, placed him at a three-way intersection, announced his crimes one by one, and executed him by dismemberment.

Kim Gongpil was released. Having been imprisoned for ten years, Gongpil, now freed as an innocent man, danced and clasped his hands in prayer, saying:

"Having met a bright official like the sun and moon, the grievances of the wronged soul are resolved, and the jade and stones are distinguished. With what can I repay even a ten-thousandth of this mountain-like grace and ocean-like virtue?"

He offered endless thanks, and all the onlookers felt a deep sense of satisfaction, praising the Governor's brilliant judgment.

The Governor reported the reasons for revealing Kim Gongpil's filial piety, Lady Noh's chastity, and Gisam's crimes to the throne. The Emperor, seeing the Governor's report, praised Lee Unseon's clarity and commended the filial and chaste deeds of Kim Gongpil and his wife. He ordered a commemorative gate to be built for the filial son and chaste woman, and decreed that ten bags of white rice and dozens of nyang be exempted from their taxes every month.

The Governor immediately called Gongpil, praised him, built the commemorative gate to honor their filial piety and chastity, and exempted his taxes as ordered. Gongpil thanked the Governor's virtue and heaven's grace, bowing a hundred times. Returning home, unable to live alone, he took a woman named Song as his second wife. Their minds matched perfectly, and living together for ten years, they had three sons and one daughter, enjoying wealth and glory while praying for the Governor's pure virtue.

Meanwhile, the Governor remembered the grace of the monks at Cheongryongsa Temple. He asked his servants for the way to the temple, loaded much gold, silver, and silk, and headed there. The monks, seeing the Governor's procession, welcomed him with great joy, cleaned the separate pavilion, and waited outside the village entrance. After many days, the Governor arrived at Cheongryongsa Temple. Walking slowly with a bamboo cane and straw sandals, he gradually entered. The banners played with the sunlight, and the sound of music shook the mountains and streams.

The Governor remembered the past and instead felt a pang of sorrow. The young and old monks came out in turn, bowed with their hands together, and said:

"We apologize that we could not welcome your procession from afar."

After settling in the separate pavilion, they offered tea and fruits, and shared memories of the old days. The Governor bowed before the Buddha and thanked the monks, saying:

"Years ago, when I was wandering, I came to this temple and preserved my fragile life through the virtues of all you reverend masters. Fortunately, receiving the Emperor's grace, my body attained honor, but I had not repaid even the smallest merit, so I present these humble gifts as a token of my gratitude."

He bestowed gold, silver, and silk upon them respectively, renovated Cheongryongsa Temple, and spent tens of thousands of gold pieces to buy many fields to support the temple so they could offer Buddhist prayers in spring and autumn. All the monks were grateful and constantly prayed for the Governor's long life, wealth, and honor.

The Governor bid farewell to the monks, set off on his journey, found the teacher and friends he had lived with for seven years, held a grand feast for three days, and gave them much gold, silver, and silk to express his old affections. When he returned to his headquarters, the joyful voices of the citizens inside the castle shook the lands for a thousand miles.

Meanwhile, the Emperor, who had praised Lee Unseon's good governance, heard of his resolution of Kim Gongpil's case and commended him again. He promoted him to the Minister of Gyerim-bu and sent an official. The official received the edict, traveled through Hwangju, and arrived in Hyeongju. The Governor welcomed him, took his seat with proper courtesy, set up the incense altar, and bowed toward the north. Then, taking his family, he headed for the capital. The people of Hyeongju blocked the road, weeping and pleading with him to stay. The Governor gently persuaded them one by one, crossed the border, and reached the capital. The servants from his parents' house and the Chancellor's house were waiting in the streets.

The Minister expressed his gratitude before the Emperor, and the Emperor granted him an audience, welcoming him and praising his past good governance. The Minister returned to his main house and greeted his parents and the Chancellor couple, who welcomed him anew, their love and affection immeasurable.

As several years passed, the Minister had three sons and one daughter with his primary wife, Lady Kim, and two sons and two daughters with his beloved concubine, Hwaseon. They resembled their father, possessing outstanding appearances and extraordinary intelligence. They married, filling the house with descendants, and their wealth and fame were the greatest of the age.

The Prime Minister couple and the Chancellor couple enjoyed boundless glory and reached the age of ninety. That bitterness ends and sweetness comes, and that joy ends and sorrow follows, is a universal truth past and present. The Chancellor couple passed away first, and they were buried in the ancestral mountain with full honors. After the three-year mourning period, the Prime Minister couple suddenly fell ill, and hundreds of medicines were of no use. The Minister and his wife devotedly brewed medicine for them, but what could be done about the lifespan decreed by heaven? Soon they passed away. The Minister and his wife grieved deeply, prepared the rites, and buried them in the ancestral mountain. All the civil and military officials assisted with the funeral, and who among the onlookers would not praise them?

The loyal servant Gaeddong built a thatched hut near the graves of the Minister and his wife and served the mourning period, comforting the Minister's grief. As time flowed and the three-year mourning period ended, the Minister thought again of Gaeddong's grace, saying, "Gaeddong's loyalty is the greatest in all of history."

He erected a monument for the loyal servant, writing with his own hand: 'The Bones of Gaeddong, the Loyal Servant of All Ages.' He elevated his rank, appointing him as the Governor of Yeonju and General of the Guards. He also elevated the Minister's rank, reaching the position of Left Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and the Governor of Yeonju thanked the Emperor for his grace, and lived to the age of eighty or ninety, enjoying wealth and glory to the fullest.

The End of Ten Lives and Nine Deaths.