Sunday, March 2, 2014

Candle to the Devil Chapter 11

The Joseon court had often been divided around political issues and ruling power. These sides changed as new competitors came and went, but the No-rons and So-rons, respectively, were known as the two largest contenders for control of the court.
With the introduction of the Western parliamentary system these two great powers shifted. While once they had been held in the grip of China and one side curried favor while the other demanded separation and independence, these views simply changed “China” with “the West”--which translated most often to Great Britain.
            
One side, the So-rons, supported the Emperor and were often staunch defenders of Korean independence from Great Britain. They called for a Joseon run and funded railway system and more autonomy for the Emperor over international affairs. More radical members wanted a complete break from the West and called for the severe isolationism that Japan had adopted early on in the Afflicted Era. Some took it further still and wished to purge Joseon of all Western influences.


           
The No-rons supported Western governmental influence within Joseon. They treated the Emperor as a figurehead of the country and symbolic more than judicial. The No-ron side had the support of the notorious Baggerby and Green Railway Company, which gave them a larger presence in court. They embraced the parliamentary system that took power away from the Emperor.

--excerpt from BungdangPolitical Factions in Joseon by Kim Eun Hwang
           





Chapter 11

The Blue Crane, somewhere on the East Sea
Saturday, 11:26am, April 30th , 1858

The boat swayed and Jongdae moved with it—as did his stomach. He let out a weak curse and bent over his bucket.
Minseok wrinkled his nose in disgust and tried to focus on the book he was reading. It was hard to drown out the sound and smell of Jongdae’s sea sickness.
The captain would come down and complain about the smell, he was certain. The crew had already begun whining about the extra passenger. Somehow Jongdae had spoken to the captain and that had been the end of it. Minseok suspected bribery because the tailcoat that Jongdae had fawned over on their first meeting last night had disappeared.
Minseok was still trying to figure out why he hadn’t gutted the other man like a fish.
“Listen nari, I don’t mean to intrude but I can’t feel my legs.”
Minseok’s eyes narrowed and he dug his knee harder into the other man’s stomach.
Jongdae let out a gasp of pain. “That. That I can feel.” He looked around the room, then back to Minseok, “I really didn’t mean to barge in. It’s just that your room was the closest to the porthole I shimmied into and I don’t want to be found out until after we’ve set sail. The crew here seems less likely to through me into the coean than they are to give me to the brutish masses waiting for me out there.”
“Who are you?” It was obvious from the way the man talked that he was educated. His western clothing looked tailored. Ostentatious. New money? Or a merchant? He’d probably cheated the wrong people out of some money or had fallen back on some debts. Minseok had no time to deal with someone like that.
“You don’t seem to understand how hard it is to climb the underside of a gangplank, do you?”
“Who are you?”Minseok repeated, hoping that the dagger he now held at the other man’s throat would be a sign that he didn’t have time for jokes.
Jongdae swallowed, and the cool blade pressed against his adam’s apple. This wasn’t exactly how he’d planned this evening going, or his great escape panning out. And really, he’d worked so hard. He’d almost torn his waistcoat three different times climbing across the ship’s hull to the porthole he’d slipped through.
And now he was lying on the ground with another man’s knee in his stomach and a knife at his throat. “I don’t believe any answer I give you is going to keep you from putting that knife in me.”
“Try me.” Well, that wasn’t entirely a lie. Most likely this man was a spy from the palace. Or one of Lord Oh’s hired men. And so whatever he told him, Minseok was unlikely to take it as anything but a farce.
“I am Kim Jongdae of the Haeju Weekly Press.” Jongdae held up a jade talisman, “And it seems like you’re from the palace, am I right?”
Minseok reached into his hanbok and his hand came out empty. “How did you…?’ He grabbed for the seal. Jongdae handed it over to him readily.
“If you are who you say you are then it will be easy to confirm.” Minseok stood, but kept his blade out. “I can have a runner sent to this Haeju Weekly Press to discover the truth or falsity of your words.”
“You could. But at the moment a large group of people on shore are waiting for me so that they can fillet me alive and it seems to me that the boat will be leaving shortly. And you look like you’re in a hurry, General Inspector.”
Minseok’s eyes narrowed. So this man had not only grabbed the official seal given to him by the emperor but he’d read it in that moment as well? He had to be a spy.
“You will be getting off this boat. And you will not tell anyone you saw me.”
“If I get off this boat I will die.” Jongdae replied readily, and his smile had become considerably less warm. “So staying right here is looking like a better option.”
“I could always kill you and dump your body overboard once we get out to sea.” Minseok answered back.
“I guess that’s always an option.” Jongdae nodded, looking around the room slowly. “But there is half a room between us and by the time you cross it I can announce to everyone on board this smuggler’s vessel that there is a General Inspector from the palace here.”
He was an intelligent, manipulative ass, Minseok would give him that. Minseok took Jongdae’s sea sickness as a small victory.
 “…how…on earth…are you able to eat?” Jongdae groaned, staring at the orange that Minseok was peeling.
Minseok huffed, but didn’t elaborate as he took a bite. He didn’t agree with Jongdae’s presence and he wouldn’t suffer it any more than he had to. Once they arrived in Hong Kong he’d be free of him anyway.
“You don’t look like a palace guard.”
Minseok blinked and glanced at the other man. Jongdae had propped himself up against the side of the wall with the bucket in his lap and was watching him intently, head cocked to the side.
“And what exactly is a General Inspector doing on a boat heading to China?”
“If you say that aloud one more time I will kill you, deal or no.” Minseok grumbled.
Jongdae cracked a wry smile. “Well? It can’t be that you’re working for a corrupt individual in smuggling goods to China. You were too terrified when I threatened to expose you. If this had been your crew it wouldn’t have mattered. Which means you’re going undercover. And undercover agents heading to China could only mean one thing.”
“And what is that?”
“The emperor wants to know why there’s such a large influx of Chinese immigrants.” Jongdae assessed, and watched Minseok stiffen slightly.
“And he wouldn’t let just anyone take on this task. Though why he sent a eunuch is beyond me.”
“A—what?” Minseok sputtered, cheeks flushing, “I am not a eunuch!”
            “Really? I thought, well, with your face and all…” Jongdae shrugged, then his smile twisted into a grimace and he bent back of his bucket. He resurfaced a minute later, breathing heavily. “I might get a story out of this fiasco yet.”



The Silver Fox, Hanseong
Saturday, 1:45pm, April 30th , 1858


“I expected you wanted a house for your wife and children—or at least a mistress. Not friends.” Jongin sighed. “You are boring, doctor Do.”
Kyungsoo scoffed. “And what about you? You seem to have an awful lot of free time to be spending with me.”
Jongin gave a half smile. “Wives and mistresses are expensive, doctor. My accounts couldn’t take the strain.”
Kyungsoo leaned forward, “I am quite convinced all of your money goes to new coats and your incorrigible tea addiction.”
Jongin held up his cup with a smirk. They drank in comfortable silence for a few moments before their food arrived. Kyungsoo was a bit wary when Jongin had insisted on the steak tartare. He didn’t quite trust Korean chefs to pull off the dish. But it looked fine enough. “Thank you.”
“This kind of meal deserves wine.” Jongin announced.
“And who is paying for that?” Kyungsoo asked cautiously, though he was fairly certain he already knew the answer.
“This is a celebration of you finding a home, and all thanks to me. Of course you’re paying.” He turned to the waiter. “One bottle of Chateau Margaux.”
“I have a lecture in a few hours.” Kyungsoo sighed.
“Don’t worry. I’ll drink enough for both of us.”
“I’m sure you will.” Kyungsoo muttered. He took a bite of his food and paused, “This is actually quite good.”
Jongin leaned back in his chair and watched Kyungsoo through heavy-lidded eyes. “What kind of friends are they?”
To call all of them friends would be a lie. Chanyeol was his only friend among the group. Zitao and Yixing, the Chinese brothers, were his employees. And Baekhyun? Well, he was simply an outlier. One of Jongdae’s. But it seemed too absurd to explain and not the kind of thing one explained in the first place.
“Reliable ones.” He settled on, leaning back in his chair. “The kind of friends one needs in this city.”
“I’m hurt, do you mean I’m unreliable?”
“I don’t even know how to contact you. You appear whenever you please.” Kyungsoo pointed out with a laugh. “You are the epitome of unreliability.”
“I take high offense to that.”
“I take high offense to your use of my bank accounts.” Though Kyungsoo didn’t really mean it. It was refreshing. Chanyeol, as cheerful and easygoing as he was, had a very strict set of rules for the two and one of them involved not allowing Kyungsoo to buy him things. Maybe it was his pride of maybe it was part of his inbred behavior from their class difference.
Jongin, it seemed, had no pride. Or he didn’t see mooching off of Kyungsoo as a blow to it.
“If I didn’t spend your money no one would.” Jongin offered, taking the bottle of wine that the waiter handed them and pouring himself a generous glass. “You seem like the type that hordes it all away.”
“You never know when you might need it.” Kyungsoo countered. “And I spent quite a hefty sum on that home and furnishings.” And the equipment for the basement. But the less people that knew what he’d procured the better. It wasn’t exactly the equipment needed for an independent medical practice, and tongues would wag and people would question. He didn’t need anyone asking questions.
“I always need it. So that I can buy things.” Jongin threw his arms out wide, gesturing to the restaurant. “What is the point in saving up and letting it rot? Live a little, Doctor Do. I assure you, it’s exhilarating.”
Kyungsoo didn’t think debtor’s prison sounded very exhilarating, but he’d keep his opinions to himself. And Jongin, despite his apparent penchant for spending, did not seem in dire need of the necessities in life. He was well fed, well dressed, and well-learned. That was more than half of Hanseong could say for themselves.
“Here’s to Doctor Do,” Jongin tipped his empty glass in mock toast. “May your coffers be ever full so that I may benefit.”
“Your cup is empty.” Kyungsoo muttered.
“So it is.” Jongin smiled, his eyes never leaving Kyungsoo’s face, “I should remedy that."



Geum-eocho Street, Hanseong
Saturday, 3:12pm, April 30th , 1858


            The house was quite barren, though that was to be expected. No one had lived here for quite a while. Doctor Do had made sure the beds were clean and the pantry was stocked for their convenience. Their current job was to clean until Doctor Do’s new furniture arrived.
            Before they’d come to Joseon, Yixing and Zitao had never done hard labor, let alone housework. Zitao was a little bewildered but Yixing had gone to work with a stout resoluteness. He’d always been that way. He’d never complained about anything. Zitao couldn’t remember a time when Yixing argued or complained about his lot in life.
            Zitao had always been the one to complain—to the wet nurse, to the maids, even once to Yixing—but he’d felt ashamed at watching his brother accept everything so easily. He didn’t like being seen as childish.
            But he also wasn’t sure why they were accepting all of this so easily.
            The first rooms they’d worked on had been their own. With so little furniture there wasn’t much to move. They’d scrubbed the walls and floors by noon. At around two, while they worked on the main entryway, Chanyeol came by to check on them. Baekhyun was nowhere to be seen. With their limited Korean Yixing could not find the words to ask why. He and Zitao knew full well that Baekhyun held little love for them. Saving his life hadn’t changed much.
            It irritated Zitao, though his brother did not seem to mind.
            The entirety of the day had been spent in silence, a tension building as Yixing hummed to himself and Zitao threw dirty rags into buckets of water with more force than was needed. The house was too big and too quiet and Yixing’s humming buzzed in his ears.
            “We should leave.” He finally spoke, staring down at the murky water he’d been carrying around all day. “We can leave.”
            “We could leave.” Yixing nodded, “But we wouldn’t survive, not here. They don’t want us here. Did you see the people in the streets Zitao?”
            Zitao swallowed. “I don’t care.” He was whining again, and he imagined the strained look on his brother’s face even as he looked down at his own reflected back at him. He had killed monsters to survive, he could kill the ones in human skins as well. He didn’t want to. He was afraid of killing and death. But he was more afraid of losing his brother.
            And losing who they had been.
            He had never been happy as a child but he had known who he was. It had been a solid thing. Zhang Zitao of Zhang Manor, unwanted second son of Zhang Jiang. But what was he here? A faceless Chinese refugee fighting for survival. No one here identified him by his name. It was his nationality they saw—the only thing they saw—and it filled them with hate.
            That made him angry. Angrier than it made him scared.
            He hated how Yixing just let it all go. Even when they had left Uncle Zhou, he’d acted the same way. He’d accepted everything without question. He hadn’t cried after their father had died. He’d held Zitao’s hand tightly and watching with solemn eyes as Uncle Zhou explained that they would be living with him now.
            He hated how Yixing accepted their lot in life. This wasn’t some predestined fate. This was injustice and Zitao wouldn’t stand for it. His pride wouldn’t stand for it.
            “What do you want to do then?” Yixing asked softly. “You want to leave? Where would we go? We would betray Do Kyungsoo, who gave us shelter. He kept us alive.”
            “I kept us alive!” Zitao snapped back. “In the Deadlands that was me, not him.”
            “Are you going to walk down the streets of Hanseong crushing skulls with a sledgehammer? That won’t help us here.”
            “Then what do we do? It’s all I know how to do. It’s what Uncle Zhou taught us. Why do you hate it so much?” Zitao glared at the water and finally couldn’t stand his own reflection anymore. He kicked the bucket and it tipped over, rolling to the far side of the room and emptying its contents in a murky brown wave.
            There was a moment of silence, punctuated by water dripping off the bucket handle to the puddle beneath it.
            “There’s been so much death already.” Yixing murmured softly, “Why are you so eager for more?”
            “I just want to be useful.”
            “You are.” Yixing reached over and grabbed his hand. It was wet and soapy and their fingers slid against each other and their palms squelched. “To me. You are.” He was the only thing that kept Yixing alive, some days. Not because he protected him, but because he gave him a purpose. And he reminded him—always reminded him—that Yixing had once been filled with so much hate he had almost let his little brother die. And even if he despised that memory, it was needed.
            Because this world was full of people that sacrificed others out of hate and fear and jealousy.
            Yixing just wanted to prove that not everyone was the same. There were good people too. Like Doctor Do and Park Chanyeol. They existed.
            They had to exist. Because of they didn’t, what was the point in living in this world to begin with?



Sunkyungkwan University, Hanseong
Saturday, 4:45pm, April 30th , 1858



            “There is no one set voltage that works with all biomechanical limbs. Different metals possess different conductivities and therefore, different voltages are needed for the same affect. Not only are metals important, but the insulators that keep the electrical current fluid within the wires and away from the rest of the body are also taken into account before any voltage is then given to the new limb.Our last lecture was on the conductivity of a certain set of metals. I hope all of you took extensive notes because tomorrow there will be a quiz.”
            There was a collective groan from the students and Kyungsoo smiled to himself. “Flesh conductivity is a very difficult premise to grasp and I know it was not a topic with which many of you found interest. The Flesh Conductivity Theory is always used hand in hand with the Metal Conductivity formula and Brahmer’s Laws of Insulation and Nerve Conduction.”
           He pulled out a piece of chalk and began writing. “The resistance of a given conductor depends on the material it is made of, and on its dimensions. For a given material, the resistance is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area.” He glanced back to see if the class was paying attention, and most of them looked entirely confused at the formula he was presenting. Only some of them were writing it down and fewer still seemed interested.
           “for example, a thick copper wire has lower resistance than an otherwise-identical thin copper wire. Also, for a given material, the resistance is proportional to the length; for example, a long copper wire has higher resistance than an otherwise-identical short copper wire. The resistance R and conductance G of a conductor of uniform cross section, therefore, can be computed as
                                                                 

 where is the length of the conductor, measured in metres, A is the cross-section area of the conductor measured in square metres, sigma is the electrical conductivity measured in siemens per meter, and rho is the electrical resistivity of the material, measured in ohm-metres. The resistivity and conductivity are proportionality constants, and therefore depend only on the material the wire is made of, not the geometry of the wire.  Resistivity and conductivity are reciprocals: Resistivity is a measure of the material's ability to oppose electric current.” He placed the chalk down and turned back to the students.   
            “Now, This formula is not exact: It assumes the current density is totally uniform in the conductor, which is not always true in practical situations. However, this formula still provides a good approximation for long thin conductors such as wires. Another situation for which this formula is not exact is with alternating current because the skin effect inhibits current flow near the center of the conductor. We won’t be going into detail with alternating currents because that topic is still under much debate within the scientific community.”
            “Professor.”
Kyungsoo nodded at the hand raised in the back. It was a second-year student—not from the medical department. He had long ago learned which students in the course were there for their own interests. “Yes?”
“This course is supposed to be an introductory level medical lecture. Isn’t this a bit much?” There were murmurs from the other students, a few exchanging looks and nods.
“This is introductory material. Any practitioner of medicine in this day and age memorizes these formulas and theories in their first course. In fact, many of your friends practicing medicine would tell you that they are given entire courses on the conductivity of the nervous system and muscles tissue within the human body. I am giving you a brief outline of what is needed to properly conduct biomechanical surgery.” 
He looked around, “You are all students of Sunkyungkwan, I suspect you have the ability to process this minimal amount of information. I am not asking you to apply this information in a real situation as medical students would be expected to do. You only need to recognize these formulas and understand their purpose.” He gave a small sigh as the class gave another round of protests and held up his hands. “We will end here for today. Your papers are on the end table. Please take them as you leave. Anyone who received less than 50 marks should see me during my office hours.”
The class began to file out, grabbing their papers as they went. Kyungsoo turned his attention to the board and his briefcase. He heard the students leaving, mixed grumbles and excited whispers as their shoes pounding against wood. It didn’t take long for the pounding to cease, and Kyungsoo clicked his briefcase shut with a slow exhale. In two days he’d move into his new home and begin his work. There was much to prepare.
“Professor,” Luhan stepped up as the last student. “My father recently sent me several books of the early Chinese attempts at biomechanical engineering. Would you like to read them?”
            “Professor.”
            Kyungsoo glanced at the young Oh Sehun standing a few feet away.
            Luhan gave a mocking smile. “I believe professor said that those that received low marks were to see him in his office.”
            Sehun’s lips twitched and his eyes narrowed, before he handed a letter to Kyungsoo. “My father wanted to express his thanks for attending our dinner. He wishes you to visit again in two weeks time.”
            “Thank you.” Kyungsoo nodded and took the letter, though he knew it lacked sincerity. He watched Sehun leave the room before he turned back to Luhan, “He isn’t the type of person you should antagonize.”
            “I’m not afraid of him or his father.” Luhan scoffed, “And you shouldn’t be either, Professor. Nothing good comes from fearing shadows.”
            “Perhaps.” Kyungsoo nodded, “But remember, something must cast those shadows, Luhan. Now if you will excuse me, I believe there is a line forming outside my office. If you have a chance I would love to see the books you mentioned.” He gave a tired smile and left the room, briefcase in hand.
            Luhan watched him go with a blank face, eyes hard.


Streets of Hanseong, Hanseong
Saturday, 8:22pm, April 30th , 1858


            His leg hurt. Every step sent small shocks of pain up his thigh but he gritted his teeth and continued hobbling down the street. Baekhyun reached into his pocket and pulled out the crumpled piece of paper that Chanyeol had given him. It was a list of supplies that Jongdae had asked for, though Baekhyun couldn’t read it. He had a feeling that neither could Chanyeol, and that made it a bit easier.
            He’d barely managed to convince Chanyeol that he could do this on his own. He needed to do this. To prove to himself that he could and to try and be useful. His debt hung around his neck like a fishing knoch, pulling him deeper and deeper down until he felt as if he were drowning.
            Downtown Hanseong was bustling with people, the streets cast an eerie shade of orange by the oil lamps that lined them. No one paid him much attention and he liked that. A few noticed his limp but their interest lasted no longer than a blink before they were on their way.
            People wore hanbok here, and Western clothing, in such a gregarious display that his eyes stung.
            “…come on, the show will begin soon!”
            Someone knocked into his shoulder and he almost lost his footing. He managed to steady himself, looking from the woman that had brushed past him to the building at the far end of the street. It was large, well-lit, and a crowd thronged its entrance. He did not need to read the sign above it to know that this was Hanseong’s Opera House.
            When he was younger he’d entertained the idea of joining a theatre troupe. But troupes weren’t paid well, and members were often mistreated. But perhaps Hanseong’s Opera House would pay well…perhaps they had a job for him, one that he could do. He wouldn’t need to rely on Kyungsoo’s pity and Jongdae’s sly smile and Chanyeol’s irritating friendliness.
            But no…
            He swallowed, jaw clenched, and turned to leave. Perhaps he was too much of a coward to leave the life he had now, however dismal it may seem.
            “Excuse me.”
            He blinked, turning to the man in hanbok to his right. His arms were full of red sheets of paper, and he handed one to Baekhyun. Baekhyun pressed it back into his hand and shook his head, “I can’t read.”
            The man grinned, “It’s for the Holang-i.”
            “…Holang-i?”
            The man’s brow furrowed in confusion for a moment, before his eyes lit with the fervor of a man intent on his passion. “The Holang-i are a group of like-minded men who wish to return Joseon to its former glory. To its rightful place.”
            “What do you mean?” Baekhyun looked around and noticed people positioned all around the street, all handing out red papers and calling out to the crowd.
            “Joseon should belong to Koreans.” The man continued. “If you feel the same, come to the Opera House tomorrow at six.” He motioned toward the large, lit building. “Come and listen, and decide then.”
            Baekhyun found himself forced back into the surging crowd and floundered, lost in the shouts of the Holang-I supporters and the merchants calling their wares. He looked back to the list of supplies in his hand.
            He needed to get back soon.

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[A/N: This chapter took forever, and I'm sorry for that. Though I am more sorry for my readers of my story Bluff because that hasn't been update for even longer. So it is next on the list. Hopefully I can find time to write between work and applying to graduate programs in the UK.]

54 comments:

  1. There's some wonky formatting stuff going on (and a couple of typos), figured i'd mention it in case you haven't noticed :) otherwise great chapter! i feel like things are starting to come together

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    1. thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Yeah, I didn't proofread this one because I wanted to get it out faster. XD The formatting problems is probably because of the formulas used. They were being quite troublesome. And the formatting sometimes changes from the page where I upload them to the actual entry on the blog. I'll have a look and try and figure out how to fix it. :D

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  2. baekhyun you little piece of sh*t after all they did and what the heck is do planning? I love you please update more :D

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    1. :D I'm so glad you liked it. Yes...Baekhyun...*sighs*

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  3. omg *squeeeeel* finally no offense I know you have a life and whatnot but I just get so excited when u update that I literally stare at it for 10 min then very slowly start to read it and u did not disappoint again in this chapter it was awesome and omg Lay really is a unicorn ♥

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  4. i understand how tao wanted to be free while there's no way he could live better than the current him did. *sniffs* and yixing's dependence on tao's existence is so heartwarming somehow :') jongin was so casual about spending kyungsoo's money. and yay minseok :3 thank you for the update and have a nice day

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    1. I am glad you liked it. Yes, Jongin has no problem spending other people's money, keke.

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  5. tao and lay have never worked a day in their lives??? wow I mean remember in previous chapters when they were working on the train and they were perfect working in unison and harder and faster than anybody? brother bond so strong *sniffle* thanks for update xoxo

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    1. I think that Tao and Lay probably thought of the railway work as closer to combat training stuff as opposed to cleaning floors, etc. Yes, the brother bond is strong! I am glad you liked the chapter.

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  6. It's times like these I want to smack Baekhyun over the head, haha. I get so happy every time I see that this fic has updated (and I've been reading Bluff also and it's great too, wow). I love Minseok in this so far I'm excited for what's in store for him and Jongdae. What am I saying, I love it all (even with how angry some of them make me at times, but that's the point right? haha), keep up the good work I guess :)

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    1. :D I'm glad you like it, and that you appreciate the characters that make you angry even though they irritate you, haha.

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  7. You are brilliant and this reads like a published novel. Thank you and well done ^^

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    1. I'm really curious to see what Kyungsoo is up to >< Why is he so secretive? (Also, I liked the KaiSoo moment. Kai is very free stories LOL).
      I never thought that Yixing and Tao were people of class back in China. I more that I think about it Tao's birth scene should've alluded to that... Their lives are so different compared to then. I loved the way you wrote that part. Tao and Yixing's relationship is very dynamic and sweet. :3
      Ugh... As much as Baekhyun's character irritates me, I'm still hanging on a string of hope that he's not a complete ass. He seems pretty stressed and scared since not a lot of people will immediately accept something that will change their lives forever. There's also the fact that he believes to much in equivalent exchange. Then there's the whole fact that he has a certain upbringing so his views are most likely to be the same as most people who live in his part of Korea...
      I liked the boat scene with Jongdae and Minseok. I can't wait to see where that party of the story will go ^^
      I was so excited to see this update! It made my dreary week more happy ^^

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    2. :D Kai is wonderful. Secretive Kyungsoo...oh you shall find out. Yixing and Tao are some of the harder characters to write because I think their personalities aren't as strong as the others. And that isn't a bad thing. It just means that their personalities don't come off as so definitive as the others. So sometimes it's hard to get them in character because they do not react as obviously as other characters would; But it's a fun dilemma to have. :D

      Baekhyun...that boy...and Jongdae and Minseok are so much fun to write. :D I am glad it could help your dreary week!

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  9. omg this is amazing like previous comments stated it really is like a published novel/book. Please continue I can't wait till the next chapter

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  10. when will you be updating the next chapter?

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    1. Hi! I'm not sure yet, because I don't have much of the chapter fleshed out yet. I want to update my story Bluff before I update this one again, so it might be a bit. But I am glad you're enjoying it.

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  11. Wow I can't believe I missed reading this chapter until now. SO CAN I JUST SAY THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU SPEND DOING RESEARCH(?) REALLY PAYS OFF BECAUSE WOW LIKE WOW THE HISTORY THE EQUATIONS (which I gotta say actually did interest me lol I can't wait till we get to conductivity in my chem classes bc I can be like 'Professor Do taught me this shit' lol sry I am mildly sick and my filter is nonexistent atm)
    AND THE DIFFERENCE IN CHARACTERSSSSSSSSS AUHGHGHGHHGH. JONGIN YOU MYSTERIOUS PIECE OF SHIT WHAT IS YOUR STORY. NOT EVEN GONNA SPEAK ON KYUNGSOO BECAUSE HE IS SO WONDERFUL AND BUSY AND BEAUTIFUL AND SLD. Luhan is a shady bastard and I still do not trust him!!!!! Minseok and Jongdae are so sassy and glorious. Tao and Xing make me sad, mainly because Xing's going off of tiny hopes and Tao refuses to be treated more poorly than he deserves. END UP HAPPY GUYS ;A; Also I want to hit Baekhyun with a pan. Repeatedly. Gdi Byun Baekhyun.

    Lovin' the work though! Hope your graduate program search goes well!

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    1. Thank you! I am glad you're still enjoying it. Research...so much research...but it's in my blood. The anthropologist in me refuses to let me go without looking things up. And I enjoy learning new things so much. :D You're sick? I hope you feel better!

      Minseok and Jongdae are my favorite right now. I love sassy characters you don't even understand.

      Grad school searches...*sighs* but I am really excited because I'm pretty hopeful that I'll be heading to the UK for Grad School and that would be super awesome.

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  12. do you know when you might upload the next part? I am really enjoying this, its delightful. I read all chapters in less than 2 days, I especially love Tao and his brother Yixing in here

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    1. I am so glad you are enjoying this. I am unsure when the next part will be updated as I worked double shifts all last week so I'm pretty tired out. XD But hopefully it won't take too much longer.

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  13. I started reading this last night until my dad yelled I should go to bed. So I woke up really early to continue reading xD YOUR STORY IS AMAZING! I'm poor in words, so I don't know how to describe your story, but it's wonderful and unique. Please update soon~~~

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    1. I am so glad you like it! Haha, make sure to get a good night's sleep. :D Hopefully I can finish the next chapter soon.

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  14. Your writing is impressive! The story feels authentic, and the plot is rich. :) So glad I stumbled across this gem haha
    Looking forward to the next installment ^_^ Subscribing now :D
    Thank you for posting!!

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    1. Thank you very much for reading! I am so glad you're enjoying it. I've got the chapter planned, now I just have to fill in all the detail. :D

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  15. this is amazing but when are they all going to meet each other? anyways please update soon

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    1. I'm glad you like it. Some people will be meeting sooner than others, that's about all I can say, haha.

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  16. hi!!

    so i finally read up to this chapter and i must repeat myself, i totally love this story! and you don't have to answer my question about romantic pairings because jongin answered for you already!! aw kaisoo they're totally into each other <3 i think i have an idea as to what jongin's profession is but i might also just be reading too much into his words haha but when i think back to his scenes it kinda makes sense...

    sehun is my baby and i love luhan too but i don't understand why they must have sticks up their asses sigh they should just kiss and get along and be lovey-dovey already haha this is me not so subtly hoping for hunhan from you heh!

    i have a question, how much of this story is real history? i love historical genres (reason why i got hooked in this, apart from exo) and i'm really curious and fascinated by all the things i got to read and learn here. i tried looking up 'rcn' and 'pagoe' because the way you wrote about it seemed so legit plus the excerpts, but i didn't find it anywhere in google...

    and also that novel 'the doctor and the deviant', i think i fell in love with that little excerpt you put in here but then it was nowhere to be found too...

    gazillion thumbs up for this daebak fic and i hope this long comment inspires you in some way to write and therefore update haha <3 hwaiting saranghaja!

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    1. I am so glad you love it. :D I made up the novel "the doctor and the deviant" and RCN and pagoe. But for RCN I took aspects from other zombie stories, etc. I try to mix the history and fantasy so that they seem to be one in the same. So if something looks historical chances are that I've taken an aspect of history and I've tweaked it a bit to fit the storyline.

      Long comments always inspire me and make me happy!

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    2. (hi! i dropped another comment here but i don't know where it went and i don't know how to delete the one i wrote below haha so im just gonna rewrite it)

      wow. and here i was hoping to read that novel but turns out there was no novel in the first place! well, i always knew it was jongin and kyungsoo haha. great writing indeed everything was so realistic i actually wondered if there were really things like "the afflicted", "walled cities" "deadland" in early korea hahaha got me fooled~ but in a good way~

      and i love your characterization esp jongdae he is such a cunning fellow and his chesire grin just makes me think he's the same in real life!

      so about jongin... is my assumption correct? haha curious much :3

      i'm glad i made you happy heh <3

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    3. ^_^ about Jongdae is lovely, isn't he? He's one of my favorites to write. Jongin is well...I don't know, what do you think he is? :D

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    4. definitely! jongdae is so fun to read esp that scene with minseok in this chapter haha i could just feel how frustrated minseok was getting talking to him poor him lol~

      since you asked what i think about jongin! prepare yourself for an essay haha kidding!

      well, i think... he's... either an escort or a prostitute...

      back at the train station when kyungsoo arrived to hanseong, there was supposed to be a carriage waiting for him, and it was that person calling out “dr. do! dr. do!”. but i don't think that person was jongin bc he doesn't know kyungsoo yet.

      say jongin was a gigolo scouting costumers at the station bc of course people who travel would have money, and what if he just sort of thought kyungsoo was attractive and innocent looking and hopefully oblivious enough to spare him extra cash or something. so he kind of manhandled him towards his carriage. so when kyungsoo said to take him to sunkyungkwan, jongin was a little dumbfounded or shocked perhaps bc what are you talking about we're going to do /something/ (asdfghjkl omg what am i >.<).

      and then when kyungsoo saw him again in the streets when he went to the tailors, and he noticed jongin's companions, jongin just dragged him away in haste bc what if those were his customers and he didn't want kyungsoo to find out what he does.

      and the way people are staring at them when they're walking the streets together.

      and when kyungsoo asked about his profession, jongin replied “it involves quite a bit of lying down in various places and pondering the cruelties of fate.” and that jongin only believed in acquaintances bc say he doesn't care enough bc someone like him isn't supposed to which would be self-explanatory.

      yeah so. haha. i don't even know. /awkward/ he's just so mysterious so i try to figure him out! this is my conclusion for now as you can see i pretty much have sufficient supporting situations lol i am so sorry >.<

      ...although i am developing another possible analysis to the great mystery that is kim jongin. n_nV

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    5. My goodness you really thought this one out! XD And you're so good at it too! So detailed! Ah, I don't wanna give it away if you're right or not but...well, maybe no one else will read the comments. XD You are right, for the most part. Just minor details here and there that will be explained later. :D

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    6. "you are right, for the most part" ahhhhh now i'm even more curious!!! i feel like jongin's character has a more important role other than being /whatever he is/. hmn... it's not very obvious but he is snooping around kyungsoo's life... (or maybe jongin is really just interested in kyungsoo and i'm just reading too much between the lines again >.<) what if he sleeps around with people of position to gather information of some sorts?

      *sigh* i can not wait. hopefully he doesn't turn out an enemy D:

      haha i hope no one reads my comments i don't want to be a spoiler assuming my guess is correct! XD

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  17. uhm i dropped another comment here but i don't know where it went?

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  18. soo when r u going to be updating?

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    1. I'm sorry it's taking so long. I wanted to update my other story first because I've been spending so much time on this one. And if you've been on my livejournal you know that I was having very serious health issues. I have a few days off coming up so I hope to get most of the chapter finished then. :) Thank you for your patience.

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  19. Hello author! It's been a while and I've been a silent reader but I've always admired this story! The details, the emotions and teh way you always keep me hanging in the end XD I was quite worried since I thought you've deactivated this journal when I couldn't search for it anymore, but I am glad to be able to read the latest chapter. So I just commented to show my appreciation for this, its really awesome. I'll go now and be a patient reader :3 hoping you could update soon!!!

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    1. Aw thank you! I have the next chapter planned out and a few days off coming up soon, so I'm going to try and get this next chapter out. I'm excited for how the plot is coming along. :D

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  20. I absolutely love this story and am so excited to see where this goes! Thank you so much for writing and I'm excited for an update! :D

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    1. Thank you so much! Hopefully you won't have to wait much longer for that update. :D

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  21. Hi! How are you? I read your update on Livejournal and I hope your doing better.
    I found your story a couple of days ago and I have re-read it twice since then, because I didn't want to miss anything.
    The plot is very rich and your imagination and creativity is really amazing!
    I love that none of the of them is perfect and like real people they have flaws and can make bad decisions. Another good thing is that they don't fall left and right for each other at first sight, you are actually developing/building the story first and their personalities before that.
    Some of the them annoy me like Baekhyun and Kris, they really need to be smarter and make better decisions.
    I just feel sorry for Suho he needs to step up his game and make some final decisions even if it's Sehun's father (the devil himself) he's against, because unlike others he has the money to do so and with the right help he has the power too.
    I pity Sehun for having a father like that (lol I really dislike him), it's partially his fault Sehun's like this today, I admire Sehun in the sense that he doesn't want to give in and believes in his convictions until the end, but baby please being extremist is never good, be a little more moderate and open-minded please, because if he doesn't start to be more careful how is he going to end up with Luhan? lol. I'm really scared his father might do something bad to him if he continues to defy him too.
    “You’re close with that professor.”
    Ooh is Sehun actually jealous? lol I like how they're always bickering and at each others throats, I hope it evolves to a good romance, full of passion lol.
    “And relationships between men is a sin.”
    Sehun don't say stuff like that.
    Other than Chanyeol I don't trust the others completely I think they're all hiding secrets, have an agenda of their own and don't do anything without expecting something in return.
    I hope either Luhan and Kai aren't planning to do something awful to Kyungsoo, he went through a lot already.
    I'm really curious to know what happens next, please update soon. The only thing I don't like in your fic is that you take a lot of time to update.

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    1. I'm so glad you like the story! (and I'm sorry it takes me forever to update...XD) The main reason it takes so long is because I research things and that is quite time consuming. And I won't lie, I am an extreme procrastinator, even on things I LIKE and I am such a perfectionists...I've written entire chapters and then deleted them and started over. But I promise I will try harder, hehe.

      Trust no one.

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    2. Oh my god Hi! I seriously didn't plan to leave any comment ((because I usually don't and I find it hard to express my feelings in words)) but your story is just too good that I find myself racking my brain just to find the right words to tell you how much I LOVE your writing! From here on I am going to blab about anything from the plot that piqued my interest. This is gonna be an essay-like comment . I hope this isn't too burdensome but I just can't keep quiet anymore. *squeals like a fan girl *

      Okay so first of all, I keep admiring your writing style. I mean it's just so perfect! I'm always like: How are you doing this? Where do all the ideas come from? Are you even human? o_O Haha! So I guess it's because of the research you do that makes this so realistic((plus of course your talent to bring the characters and the story to life.)) that I even forget that it's actually fanfiction! Wait, honestly, I don't even know which bits are REAL history or just something you made up to fit the story. Of course, everything is much appreciated!

      The plot itself is very intriguing. I am always a fan of complicated ones especially those with a lot of back stories for the characters... how each one acts, thinks and views the world because of what he experienced in the past. Baekhyun is one of the characters that irritates me most. Zitao and Yixing, two Chinese helped him, a Korean stranger but what is he thinking now? Huhu. It makes me sad but I can't fully blame him *sigh* Speaking of the two Chinese men, augh! Their stories are so heart-wrenching. I can't help but feel tears prick at the back of my eyes each time they appear. I love how they always interlace their fingers in order to reassure one another. Also there's Dr. Kyungsoo, Lu Han and Jong-in whose back stories are what I am most curious about. They are very mysterious characters and I find myself always drawn to them. (to be continued)

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  22. I love how you portray each characters' personalities , how dynamic ((and not one-sided)) they are. It makes them more alive...more human-like! Also, it delights me to be able to imagine the actual EXO members acting their parts in the story. It's probably because their personalities don't stray much from how they usually act in reality ((I mean basing from their variety shows and interviews that is)). For example, I can imagine Chen's trolling every time he speaks especially his exchange with Minseok on their first meeting. Chanyeol, of course, is still as bright as ever and his goofy grin plastered on his face. and oh I can't help but imagine his elf ears every time! Lay's "lost" face comes off as impassive and how he doesn't complain about anything is just so him. There's also Tao and his whining. Oh! and his fighting skills come in handy here. And Sehun! Oh Sehun. I've always imagined him as a rich heir or something related to that. For me, his personality really fits this character you gave him. Ok, I'd want to enumerate everyone but I'm already starting to run out of words haha!

    I can't wait for more actual interactions between the pairings. There's already BaekYeol, KaiSoo, Hunhan and some XiuChen too. I have yet to see more TaoRis and if I'm not mistaken there isn't any SuLay yet, right? Well okay there isn't much from each pairing yet just conversation here and there but that's what I love about this! You take time to build up the characters, their relation to one another and their environment which is making me and probably other readers more eager! Thus making us even more hooked to your story! WHOOOO! *raises hands up in the air and sways like crazy*

    Anyway, if I stay here longer I won't be able to stop blabbing anymore so I better leave. *stars to step aside slowly and looks for exit* Just keep up the good...no... GREAT work! I am excited on how this story is going to progress. Please continue writing and I'll just patiently wait for the next update. Thank you so much for this amazing story! I love this! I love you! I'm a fan! Fighting!!! :))) ok, i'll stop now! haha! WHOOOO!

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    1. What a beautiful comment to wake up to! I am so glad you like the story. And I LOVE long comments. Those are my favorite, haha. I just have a bit more research to do for this next chapter and then it shouldn't take long. The plot is coming along nicely. :D

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  23. Hello! I just finished chapter 11 today. This story is really great. I can't even choose a favorite character (although Kyungsoo is high on the list- I say YAS to no nonsense) because you've written everyone so well boohoohoo. This whole class/race struggle has me bleeding through my eyes with the sociological concepts. This story is just how I like my steaks: well done. Political intrigue for days!! The scene with Dr. Do and Lord Great Chamberlain KJ had me on my icejjfish: ON. THE. FLOOR. Lord Oh plays so dirty it's gewd. Except for the delegating assassinations part. Das not gewd. AND TAO AND YIXING IN THE DEADLANDS MAKING LIKE RICK AND CARL ON A HEAVY THE WALKING DEAD VIBE. Are you an alchemist? Cuz you turn words into GOLD. & I'm sideeying myself for choking like I did when YES Minseok's character was introduced. I sweat hard for the XiuMan. I read in an earlier comment you don't have many readers? Honestly, I stumbled upon this story on /complete/ accident a few months back and am just now reading it in full. I'm gonna spread the word as best I can though. "HEED MY WORDS. MAMIHLAPINATAPEI IS NOT PLAYING WITH YOU. READ THIS STORY AND LIVE!" Also, do you have a summary for your story posted anywhere? Also, what would you describe your story as being? A steampunk!au political drama? zombie!au romantic drama? Also, I've changed my mind. Dr. Do is my favorite character so far. This whole Holang-i thing is making my nostrils flare. Are SeHun and Baekhyun gonna meet soon to be ignorant together? I'm so essited for your next update. I hope things with your job are going nicely. And woot woot for possible graduate programs in the UK!

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    1. AND DANG I FORGOT to mention the excerpts at the beginning of every chapter! Those really add a lot to the story. + all the foreshadowing you've got going on!!! It is some of the tastiest I have ever come across ugh. I want to ask so badly about some of my theories, but that would ruin the surprise haha. Oh man, I thought for sure you were going to have a Lord BruceXJim Kongin scene. All hail scum of the earth and king of the redlight district, Lord Bruce. Dr. Do is sooo practical and sassy that I feel inappropriate about spazzing about him. He's gonna give me the stankeye:/// And back to alla this steampunk LIFE I am getting from this setting. Tbh I had to reply to my own comment in an attempt to help you understand that THIS STORY. THIS FIC RIGHT HERE. THESE WORDS BEFORE MY EYES? Is bomb. Thank you a million times over for sharing this preshy preshy work with us. And two thumbs up for illiterate Baekhyun dreaming of days on the Stage. SeHun is a lil draco malfoy- annoying, but still fine as hale. What was Jim Kongin doing at the train station with Dr. Do btw? Was he trying to rob him? Help him along out the station? Offer his services to the newly-arrived doctor? Oh how I squint ahead with judgement. Jim Kongin- you better go somewhere haha. And Wu Fan with that kitten...? I think you know how I feel about that. /twitches

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    2. I ma so glad you like the story!!!! I love love love long comments. Sometimes you need someone to tell you the specifics they loved so you know all that research you're putting in is worth it. :D Sehun is a lil-Draco Malfoy annoying, isn't he? Oh god The Walking Dead, it has given me so much inspiration, haha. Yes, please spread the word, I would love for more people to read. I'm not sure how I would describe it...zombie steampunk!au sounds the closest. XD

      I don't think I have a real summary posted, not one that would give it justice.

      I have two days off and only two parts left to write for this next chapter. I am determined to get it out within the next day or so. It's going to happen. I refuse to let my procrastination hold this chapter back any longer!

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