Mudoo - Chapter 51

Ever since Yeo-ok moved into the elder’s house, laughter never stopped ringing through the place. Even years later, it was the same.

“Tae-shin, look at this. I trained Dong-gil.”

After breakfast, Yeo-ok was in the yard wrestling with Dong-gil. Curious about what they were doing, Tae-shin walked closer. Yeo-ok raised her index finger sharply and gave a stern order.

“Sit.”

Dong-gil immediately plopped his rear on the ground. Yeo-ok turned to Tae-shin with a smug see-that? expression.

For a moment, Tae-shin thought they must’ve been doing something impressive, judging by the sweat on Yeo-ok’s brow. But to Dong-gil, that was nothing—he’d roll over or flop on his back if Tae-shin told him to.

When Tae-shin’s face showed mild amusement, Yeo-ok must have decided to up the stakes.

“Give me your paw. No, your front paw! Stand! Lie down!”

But Dong-gil ignored most of it, only sniffing after the rice ball in Yeo-ok’s hand.

“Hey, Dong-gil. You’re smart, so why are you acting like this?”

Yeo-ok put her hands on her hips with mock sternness, but Dong-gil just set his front paws on her waist, eager to steal the rice ball.

“Fine! Eat it!”

Laughter burst out as Dong-gil happily snatched up the food, while Yeo-ok crouched to watch him eat.

If the elder could still see, he would’ve been pleased with this scene. Tae-shin glanced at the door to the shrine where the elder was praying and gave a faint, bitter smile.

“Dong-gil, come here.”

The moment Tae-shin called, Dong-gil came running, tail wagging furiously. Of course—a rolling stone can’t push out the stone already set. Dong-gil knew who his real master was.

Pleased, Tae-shin brushed sand from the dog’s rear and even combed through his fur with his fingers. In return, Dong-gil licked Tae-shin’s cheek with his bright red tongue.

“Ugh, gross…”

Tae-shin grimaced, wiping off the drool with his sleeve. Dong-gil had grown big enough now that, when excited, his front paws could nearly knock Tae-shin off balance. Still, despite his size, his antics were as puppy-like as ever.

“Weren’t you calling him a mutt before? Now he’s your best friend?”

“When are you going to stop with that ‘best friend’ talk?”

Yeo-ok approached with a bright, teasing smile, and Tae-shin shot back gruffly. Her voice was so soft and lively that his own sounded twice as harsh in contrast.

Feeling like he’d been unnecessarily rude, Tae-shin rubbed the back of his neck.

“I’m not saying it’s bad. You can be friends with a mutt… sure.”

“Of course. They say an animal’s loyalty can be stronger than a human’s.”

“What? You can’t really compare animals to people.”

“You can be so old-fashioned sometimes, you know that?”

At her sudden jab, Tae-shin pouted. Animals couldn’t even talk—how could they be compared to humans?

“Animals can have pure, untainted souls. Well… except for the ones that carry deep grudges.”

Hearing that made Tae-shin look at Dong-gil in a new light. He peered into the dog’s clear, innocent eyes.

Yeo-ok burst into laughter.

“Of course, our Dong-gil has a pure soul. The scariest animal spirit I’ve ever seen? A snake.”

“…A snake?”

Yeo-ok nodded vigorously, then began her story.

“This was back when I worked in another household. The master of the house caught a viper deep in the mountains.”

Her way of telling a story was so vivid that even Tae-shin, who had been ready to half-ignore it, found himself listening intently.

“The master put the snake in a jar of liquor to brew medicinal wine. Years later, when he felt his stamina weakening, he decided to drink it. But the next morning—would you believe it?—all of his teeth had fallen out!”

Tae-shin instinctively touched his own mouth as she leaned in and whispered,

“That’s what they call ak-sik—‘cursed food.’ Maybe he thought he’d eaten a snake for his health, but it could’ve been an imugi about to ascend to a dragon, or a sacred creature, or even a vengeful animal spirit that possessed him.”

A shiver ran down Tae-shin’s spine.

“Stop saying things like that. Gives me chills.”

“But it’s true.”

She widened her eyes as if to insist on it.

He wasn’t even sure how the conversation had wandered here—he’d only looked into Dong-gil’s eyes, thinking they were pure.

Yeo-ok stretched and said,

“Anyway, Tae-shin, any soul—human or animal—that’s been deeply loved will stay pure. So keep raising Dong-gil that way.”

“Why do you sound like you’re dumping the responsibility on me?”

“You saw it. Dong-gil likes you better than me. Looks like you’ll have to take care of him.”

She giggled behind her hand. In moments like this, she was just a playful young woman—it was hard to believe she was a shaman chosen by the spirits.

Now living with two shamans, Tae-shin sighed at his fate and patted Dong-gil’s head. The dog wriggled into his side, whining happily.

Two shamans and a mutt… what kind of fate was this?

***

Whenever guests arrived, the elder and Yeo-ok would meet them inside. Sometimes they’d set a date for a ritual after hearing the guest’s story, sometimes they’d arrange to visit the person’s home, and if the matter was minor, they might simply spend a few days praying in the mountains.

Today’s guest wore a fine silk robe and flashy ornaments—someone of fairly high status.

After showing him inside, Tae-shin went to the marketplace.

The narrow street bustled with stalls on either side. The clang of the blacksmith’s hammer, the cries of fruit sellers, and the sounds of bargaining filled the air.

Stopping in front of the butcher’s shop, Tae-shin was greeted by the owner.

“You’re the young man working for the shaman, right? Pork again today?”

“Yes. The fresh kind, without that gamey smell.”

The butcher skillfully chopped the meat, then said,

“By the way, have you heard the rumors? I hope your shaman’s house is safe.”

“What rumors?”

“That the authorities are rounding up shamans—accusing them of serving wicked spirits and misleading the people—and either arresting them or banishing them from the capital. I guess you haven’t had any trouble yet.”

Tae-shin’s expression immediately darkened.

“Our elder once served at the king’s side. He’s not some common shaman. When leprosy spread, he worked with physicians to tend to the sick. So please, don’t go spreading baseless, ill-omened talk.”

The butcher laughed awkwardly.

“Of course, of course. He’s someone the village can’t do without.”

“Exactly.”

After paying, Tae-shin moved on, buying other items until both hands were full. As the sun began to set behind the ridge, he headed home, already thinking about preparing dinner.

But when he reached the elder’s house, he froze.

Yeo-ok and the elder—wrists bound with rope—were being led out by officers.

The villagers had gathered to watch. Dropping everything he was carrying, Tae-shin rushed forward, grabbing the nearest officer by the collar.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?! He can’t even see, and He’s an old man! And she’s just a young lady—what kind of abuse is this?!”

“Tae-shin!”

Yeo-ok’s pale face turned toward him. She bit her lip and shook her head.

“Don’t. Tae-shin, don’t do it.”