Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 166

Lee Ji-seok, who had become the Grand Prince Suyang, said with a fierce tone. 

The ministers closed their mouths at his aura. 

A cold silence filled the set.

***

An investor who came to see the filming of Rebellion asked the staff who was guiding him. 

He was the foreign branch manager of Plus+ Korea. 

The plan was to upload the movie to Plus+ as soon as it ended in theaters.

There were many other streaming sites, but Plus+ offered to invest an amount that exceeded expectations and promised not to interfere at all.

Still, he was curious about the progress and wanted to see the filming site from Plus+, so Director Woo Jeong-han set the date for today.

The best people are those who give a lot of money and dont interfere.

What is visiting the lower officials?

Oh. It means that a low-ranking official goes to the house of a high-ranking official. In such a situation, they can exchange bribes, so it has been prohibited since ancient times. That situation is when the king is young and fears that other princes will gather power, so he forbids them from going.

I see.

It was natural for the king to be wary of his bloodline. 

Especially if the king was young and his relatives were adults. 

The branch manager of Plus+ Korea stroked his chin.

Its because its a historical movie

It required some background knowledge. 

The Royal Physician felt more like a daily life of the Joseon royal family than historical content, so it didnt need much background knowledge.

But Rebellion was different. 

It needed political situations and background knowledge.

Then Ill just make one more.

If they wanted to watch the movie more perfectly, they would surely want to watch a program that explained the background knowledge. 

If they were fans of Lee Seo-jun.

The branch managers head spun.

The Royal Physician Special was good.

He thought it would be nice to make something like that. 

His eyes turned to the set. Heo Ui-gwan, who was cold in The Royal Physician but only gentle to Prince Seongnyeong, was shouting fiercely.

I worried for nothing.

The branch manager also worried that The Royal Physicians image would be projected on Rebellion, but there was only Grand Prince Suyang who coveted his nephews throne.

***

Grand Prince Suyang continued his words. 

His voice sounded like a wolf growling, and everyone shuddered.

By forbidding us princes from visiting the lower officials, you are doubting us. It cant be His Majestys will if he suspects his closest relatives after ascending the throne.

Grand Prince Suyangs gaze turned to Hwangbo In, the Prime Minister.

Or, is His Majesty isolated and in need of help?

Was it that the Prime Ministers were trying to drive a wedge between the king and his relatives? 

Hwangbo In and the ministers were startled by Grand Prince Suyangs words. Seeing them, Grand Prince Suyang spoke with a pitying expression. 

It was a sincere expression of pity.

We princes are trying to overcome this precarious situation with all our hearts and strength, together with you ministers. How can you be suspicious and jealous of us? Prime Minister Woo.

***

Youre just plotting treason!

The pitying expression made the staff more angry. 

They had grown fond of Danjong while filming with Seo-jun. And since Ji-seok was as good an actor as Seo-jun, they couldnt help but empathize.

Sometimes even Ji-seoks manager Yoon Seong-oh looked at Ji-seok with a sharp look. It was a look that wanted to punch him.

Ji-seok Youre really good at acting. How can every gesture be so infuriating?

Right? I want to punch him.

Were like this, but the audience will be shocked. Theyll all come thinking of The Royal Physician

The staff whispered as they watched the actors continue their act.

***

I punched him.

Seo-jun laughed at Yoon Seong-ohs words. 

Ji-seok, who was sitting in front of him, rubbed his side. 

It was a half-serious punch that packed a lot of weight. 

Yoon Seong-oh opened his mouth.

Hyung. Stop pretending to be hurt. I hit you softly.

Ji-seok, who had been acting pitifully in front of Seo-jun, shrugged his shoulders.

Hmm. Did I act that well?

Especially today, you were more wicked.

Thats good!

Ahahaha.

Seo-jun laughed loudly, and Ji-seok, Yoon Seong-oh, and Ahn Da-ho also burst into laughter.

The staff, the branch manager and secretary of Plus+ Korea watched them with a smile.

The morning filming was over and Seo-jun and Ahn Da-ho came for the afternoon filming. 

The branch manager, who was going to leave after watching the morning filming, postponed all his schedules for today when he heard that Seo-jun was coming.

***

While the set and props were being prepared, Seo-jun, who had changed into a dragon robe, said.

I went to get my uniform today.

Ji-seok, who had a wound makeup on one cheek, nodded. 

Ji-seok, who had finished his makeup for the next filming, looked like he had been in a sword fight. 

It was an awkward sight, but the actors drank warm tea comfortably.

Their managers, Ahn Da-ho and Yoon Seong-oh, took pictures of their actors chatting on their phones.

A uniform. A uniform? You look like a real middle schooler. Where did you get it?

If Seo-jun got his uniform there, other parents and kids would be interested. 

It was an advertisement without spending money. 

It was a good deal for the uniform brand.

Theres a uniform shop in front of the school. Its not a brand, but Yeoul Ye-jung has a small number of students, so they buy it together there. The school also gives subsidies, so its cheap.

If its a group purchase, isnt the size fixed?

You can get it altered.

Ji-seok laughed at Seo-juns clear answer.

When is the entrance ceremony?

March 4th. They just have the entrance ceremony and class assignment and then its over.

Our Seo-jun is already a middle schooler. It feels like it was just yesterday when you were little.

Ji-seok recalled the little boy from The Demon King. Youve grown up well. 

Youve grown up well. 

He felt proud of Seo-juns growth even though he wasnt his parent.

Director Woo Jeong-han and the branch manager watched the two actors.

What scene are you filming this time?

Its the story of the night of Gye-yu Jeong-nan. The scene where Danjong and Grand Prince Suyang meet. Have you seen Seo-juns acting video?

Oh. I did. He was amazing even though he was wearing casual clothes and had no co-star.

Were going to film that.

The branch manager nodded repeatedly at Director Woos words. This time, they had proper costumes, backgrounds, and co-stars. He wondered how amazing the scene would be.

Does it take some time to start filming?

Huh?

Director Woo tilted his head at the branch managers question.

Dont the actors need to get into their emotions? Theyre so close, but they have to create a tense atmosphere between them. It must take some time, right? Oh, of course, I think it will be a great scene. Because its Lee Seo-jun and Ji-seok Lees acting.

Director Woo chuckled at the branch managers words.

It will be over soon. Youll have to watch closely.

Huh?

***

Filming starts!

The assistant director said and Seo-jun and Ji-seok got up from their chairs.

Well do our best. Hyung.

Yeah. I practiced a lot too.

Seo-jun and Ji-seok smiled wickedly at each other.

Yoon Seong-oh shook his head at the sight of the two actors. 

They had such a big age gap, but they had a rivalry. 

He found this relationship funny, but also hoped it would last long.

Seo-jun sat down and Ji-seok, who was standing at the end of the set, picked up a prop. 

It was a sharp sword that dripped red paint.

Director Woo Jeong-han, who had been checking the actors, shouted loudly.

Ready-!

In an instant,

The branch manager felt like he was time traveling. It was supposed to be a set that only made part of the palace that was needed, but he couldnt see any modern parts.

Only Seo-jun and Ji-seok.

No, Danjong and Grand Prince Suyang.

A heavy silence fell on the set. 

It was indoors, so there was no way to hear it, but it seemed like he could hear the sound of a cold wind.

Ive seen it many times, but today is even more amazing.

He had to watch closely, so the cinematographer had to brace himself not to miss a single moment. 

The other cameras were the same. 

On top of the tension that was like a tight rubber band, Director Woo Jeong-han shouted.

Action!

It was a failure.

Danjong closed his eyes.

Prime Minister Kim Jong-seo couldnt bring soldiers because of the publics eyes, and Grand Prince Suyang was the same. But maybe because Kim Jong-seo was the one who had the power now, he had to be more careful of the peoples eyes than Grand Prince Suyang. Maybe he was careless.

Whatever the reason, the result came out.

Danjong failed.

A scream came from outside. He didnt know if Kim Naegwan, who had always been by Danjongs side, was dead or alive. 

The palace maids screamed.

He shouldnt have heard it, but he seemed to hear a thud-thud of heavy footsteps.

Ah.

Danjong bit his lip. His two fists clenched on his knees trembled. 

The fact that he could enter the kings chamber so recklessly meant that there was a problem with Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo In, who Danjong could rely on somewhat.

He was scared. 

He was scared of his uncle.

In his chamber where he could only reveal his true feelings, Danjong closed his eyes tightly. 

Tears seemed to come out. But Danjong didnt cry and slowly opened his eyes. 

They were full of regret. He had more regret than fear of his uncle.

Its over

The country he dreamed of was over.

He wanted to be a king after his grandmother and mother, who were queens. 

He wanted to make a country for the people, a peaceful world.

I havent even started yet

He had just started to learn, he had just started to express his will. 

That was too bitter and resentful. It was unfair.

If I had a little more time

A dark night.

The candle in Danjongs chamber flickered. Danjongs eyes turned to the door. 

He saw a shadow of a person behind the paper window.

Thud!

The door of his chamber, which had never been opened so roughly before, swung open wide. 

Danjongs body jerked at the loud noise.

The traitor entered with blood dripping from him.

Are you here, Your Majesty?

It was a calm voice as always. 

As if nothing had happened, as if he was just asking how he was doing.

Danjongs eyes shook at the sight of blood. Grand Prince Suyang looked fine with blood all over him, but Danjongs face turned pale.

Ah, Im sorry, Your Majesty.

With a face that didnt look sorry at all, Grand Prince Suyang said.

There were some troublemakers who tried to take Your Majestys place. I rushed here in case something happened to Your Majesty, so I had no choice but to come in this state.

The leader of the troublemakers laughed haughtily.

Dont worry, Your Majesty.

He felt goosebumps from his toes.

Ah, ah. This must have been his uncles true face.

I took care of them all without missing one.

And when youre done with you, its over.

Grand Prince Suyang stopped laughing and looked at Danjong. 

It was a sharper look than the bloody blade he held.

Theyre all dead.

Ah ah. 

Everything. 

Everything is over.

Even if he didnt die here, it was clear that he was over as a king.

His head felt dizzy and he almost collapsed. 

Danjong bit his cheek inside his mouth. But he couldnt end it without any resistance.

Danjongs eyes shone.

I

Danjong spat out his words like blood to the beast-like man who was looking at him.

I am the king of this country. Uncle.

Grand Prince Suyangs eyebrows twitched.

Uncle.

At that call, Grand Prince Suyang, who would later become Sejo, clenched his mouth. 

Maybe he remembered the days he had lived in hiding. 

He had passed those days and now he could finally stretch out.

He looked at Danjong with a fierce look.

Listen well. I wont kill you.

He said it as if he was chewing each word.

Ill make this a disaster and make sure no one talks about it, and Ill take the throne in a very legitimate way.

Grand Prince Suyang grabbed Danjongs collar.

Danjongs eyes said, youre still a traitor anyway, and Grand Prince Suyang yelled angrily.

No matter how much you annoy me, I wont kill you and become a traitor, so stop bothering me! Lee Hong-wi!

Danjongs pupils shook for a moment.