Prologue
My name is Kim Seokjin.
I am a professor in the Department of Archaeology at a private university.
From a young age, I had a deep interest in ancient Korean history and found great fascination in archaeological excavations.
But I never imagined that this profession would lead me into something so absurd.
Why?
Because I was summoned to an ancient battlefield where swords and arrows flew freely.
It all began when an acquaintance asked me to authenticate an artifact discovered in Tonggu Valley, Ji'an County, China.
I happily boarded a plane and arrived in Tonggu Valley, humming to myself.
The area contains over 13,000 Goguryeo tombs, and quite a few remain unexcavated.
But instead of taking me to a legitimate excavation site, a local official—clearly in collusion with smugglers—led me to a tomb that was being illegally excavated.
My acquaintance begged me shamelessly to help.
If the relics inside the burial chamber had not belonged to early Goguryeo, I would have cut ties with him on the spot.
That was how captivating these artifacts were.
A royal-grade burial chamber lined with inscribed gilt-bronze plates.
An intact ring-pommel sword.
Armor whose shape remained perfect thanks to anti-corrosion coating.
A gilt-bronze crown worn by royal offspring.
A phoenix ornament inserted into a ceremonial cap…
But the true masterpiece was the Goguryeo military deployment diagram painted on the stone walls.
Before my eyes unfolded a war scene rivaling the cavalry painting and group dance murals of the Muyong Tomb.
"Professor Kim, please confirm whether these are genuine."
My acquaintance asked cautiously.
My conscience resisted—but from a scholar's perspective, how could I not be tempted?
Holding up a loupe, I examined the fine brushwork.
It was authentic Goguryeo coloring technique.
In short, a national-treasure-level find.
The most astonishing item was the inscribed gilt-bronze plate.
The artifact unearthed from this unknown tomb in Ji'an surpassed even the shock of the famous Omeri gilt-bronze plate.
"My god… Historical records from the reigns of King Gogukcheon and King Sansang actually exist?
If this is real, the academic world will be turned upside down."
The perfectly preserved artifacts and murals revealed Goguryeo's situation during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Later Han.
"In the second year of Jian'an of the Later Han, the Taewang summoned his younger brother Gyesu and discussed the state of the world.
Gyesu reported that the time was ripe to restore the glory of King Taejo and insisted that tens of thousands of troops should strike Liaodong Commandery…"
I swallowed hard as I continued reading.
What I saw felt like the fulfillment of a lifelong yearning.
It described how King Gogukcheon and Gyesu resolved to leap into an age of chaos—and how they prepared for war.
"The Samguk Sagi records only a few lines, but doesn't this prove that Gyesu was the true hero?"
After finishing the inscription in one breath, I realized it wasn't the end.
There were more broken plates.
"…After the king passed away, his younger brothers Balgi and Yeonu fought over the throne.
The younger brother Gyesu…"
Desperate to read more, I hurriedly rummaged through the surrounding artifacts.
That was when I made an unthinkable mistake.
I struck the retaining wall of the burial chamber with my elbow, and the makeshift support pillar slipped.
"Are you insane?! Move, now!"
The Korean-Chinese interpreter and Chinese officials shouted in panic.
Dust suddenly fell from the ceiling, and earth and debris poured down, rapidly filling the chamber.
With reflexes near rock bottom, I was swallowed by soil before I could even escape the chamber.
As dirt and sand flooded my eyes, mouth, and ears, and I suffocated into unconsciousness—
I experienced something strange.
I floated like a bodiless soul above a golden plate, surrounded by an endless golden tide, and witnessed the story of Gyesu, royal prince of Goguryeo.
Gyesu, the fourth son of King Sindae, enjoyed associating with people outside convention and possessed a charm that drew anyone in.
Like the Four Lords of the Warring States era, he gathered fugitives from the Later Han, Confucian scholars, hunters from Okjeo, and woodcutters from Dongye as his retainers.
I saw Gyesu's bold nature.
I also saw the Taewang scolding him sternly.
"It is said that Taoists, swordsmen, hunters, and criminals reside in your estate.
Does this not imply treasonous intent?"
King Gogukcheon—who had neither queen nor heir—continued:
"I have no children, and by our laws, the throne must pass among brothers.
Do you intend to enter this struggle?"
Gyesu replied
"Your Majesty, do you remember the events of your sixth year of reign?
Han bandits invaded our land, and we were pushed back as far as Jawon.
To prevent such disasters, I have gathered eyes and ears."
Understanding his brother's intent, King Gogukcheon laughed heartily and looked westward.
"You understand your brother's heart.
The Central Plains are in chaos—this is our chance for revenge.
I intend to appoint my brothers as commanders, reclaim the western Oryeol Fortress, and advance into Liaoxi."
The Taewang revealed his true intentions.
It was a decision born from resentment over Emperor Ling's two invasions of Goguryeo.
But knowing what came next, I couldn't help but sigh.
Because I already knew the outcome recorded on the bronze plates.
Then—something strange happened.
The densely packed text on the gilt-bronze plate suddenly turned blank.
"Is this telling me to rewrite history myself?"
At that moment, my hazy consciousness twisted violently.
The world shook as if heaven and earth were collapsing.
The endless bronze plates enveloped me, and the golden world faded into darkness.