The Outrage Page #2

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I saw a shawl like those used

by aristocratic ladies.

I was puzzled how a shawl

had got stuck in a branch.

There shouldn't be any woman

in that forest.

Then I saw a silver hairpin

on the ground.

Then I saw the dead man...

eyes bulging, mouth agape.

It was horrifying.

I started running through the thicket

until my legs were all scratched

and bloodied.

I found the guards

and I told them what I saw.

So yesterday they asked me and the monk

to testify as witnesses.

And what have you

got to do with this?

He saw them both.

Both?

So there's also a woman?

Yes.

The woman was the wife

of the murdered man.

I walked past them

yesterday morning

near Dong Yen Valley.

The man was dressed regally

like a noble warlord.

He had a sword with a silver handle,

and a bow slung across his back.

The woman was on a palanquin

veiled by a curtain

so I couldn't make out her face.

What happened was terrifying.

It shouldn't have happened

to them.

How was he killed?

He was stabbed right through.

But they couldn't find

the murder weapon.

Didn't you see it?

Are you crazy?

I only saw the dead man's arms and face

and I ran for my life.

Funny. When we see a ghost,

we run like hell,

even though the ghost

can't even touch us.

My suggestion is,

stop running away from the dead.

Only run away from the living.

And do you know who killed him?

They arrested a man.

They always arrest someone.

The point is, is it the real one?

They got Singh Kham,

the forest bandit.

Singh Kham!

Well, then they got

the right one!

I'm not so sure.

They got Singh Kham,

and you say you're not so sure?

He's the most vicious bandit

in this region.

If he had been caught within 10 miles

of the crime scene,

no court would hesitate

to convict him.

It's not that simple.

Itk not that simple?

Did you hear

what you just said?

If they had arrested me,

would it be simpler?

If I steal just one dollar,

if I rob a peasant

of his scrawny chicken

or if I take a tuft of hair

from a dead body...

if I did that, people wouldn't hesitate

to call me a thief.

Or human scum!

But if someone kills a man,

rapes a woman and robs them blind,

or if someone embezzles a million

dollars, he'll become a hero.

He'll become famous

and people will bow to him.

Every time you can't find an answer,

you just say, "ltk not that simple."

You weren't at court.

You didn't hear

what I heard there.

Frankly, I wouldn't believe anything

that bandit has to say.

What the undertaker said

is exactly the same

as what the inspector

testified in court.

Inspector?

What inspector?

The inspector

who arrested Singh Kham.

The defendant in this case

is Singh Kham the bandit.

Murderer and rapist,

who has terrorized the townsfolk

along the main roads and forests.

I'd like to testify that I found

the defendant on the ground

moaning in pain on the riverbank

in Hom Kai village.

There was a white horse

grazing nearby.

The defendant was alone

and in great pain

because he just fell off

the horse.

Who said I fell off the horse?

No horse would dare

do that to me!

Don't you know who I am?

I was ill.

I had a stomachache.

Do you think a shrimp like you

could've caught me otherwise?

Go away,

or I'll crush you to death!

Lord Governor,

please use your judgment.

Don't listen to him.

All he wants is to brag

that he could catch me.

If you want to hear the whole story,

I'll tell you.

- But Lord Governor...

- I want to hear the story.

As you wish, my lord.

Singh Kham fell off a horse?

That's hilarious!

Well, that horse was a smooth ride.

I'd been riding it all day.

But the weather was scorching

and I became thirsty.

There was a stream

near Pa Kham Hill.

Usually the water there

is clear and potable.

But that day, something poisonous

must have fallen into it.

Singh Kham fell off a horse?

What nerve!

Did you kill that man?

Did I kill him?

No matter what I say,

you'll have my head

chopped off anyway.

You've already sentenced me

to death

for the crime

that I have actually committed,

and for the crime

that you'd like to think

that I committed but I didn't,

and also the crime

that you're afraid I would commit.

Stop!

Fine.

I'll stop.

But I'm telling you the truth.

I'm going to die anyway,

why would I lie to you?

All right.

I admit that I killed that man.

Why?

Because of the wind.

Yes,

because of that gust of wind.

Without it,

that man might have

still been alive.

At that second, I had to make sure that

it was really a woman, not an illusion.

I decided that I had to

make her my wife,

even if I had to kill

her husband.

That's a fine sword you've got.

Is that a silver handle?

Are you going to Chiang Kam?

We're just passing through.

Do you fancy antique swords?

Old and beautiful swords,

with silver handles just like yours?

Gold handles too.

I found them

in an old graveyard over there.

They were useless to me.

If you like them,

I can sell them cheaply.

You said gold handles?

Studded with diamonds, too.

And emeralds and rubies.

No.

Fine.

I'll sell them somewhere else.

Where are they?

Over there,

in the cave by the waterfall.

Just a short walk across the hill.

One moment.

Wait here.

I'll come back.

The swords are in there.

You go first.

Wait here.

Why?

I have to pee.

Well, your husband...

What did you do to him?

He was bitten by a snake.

I could've done anything to her.

But I was struck by her face...

the panic-stricken eyes,

the trembling lips.

It made me feel jealous.

I was jealous

that she loved her husband.

I was jealous that he was loved

and cared for by this woman.

I wanted her to see him tied up,

reduced to a pathetic slob

who couldn't help himself:

just like a chained-up dog.

Stop crying!

I'm not doing anything!

Nobody is going to die!

Stop it!

Your husband is there.

Untie him and get lost!

No, wait.

What now?

How can I continue living?

I've lost my honor

in front of two men.

At least...

I should allow my husband

to redeem my honor.

And his own, too.

Why should I allow that?

I beg you.

This is no place to whine

about honor!

Please give him a chance.

If he can't fight you...

I... I'll go with you.

Even a forest bandit

must have a heart

and know something

about justice.

Jusfice?

Your husband is a warlord.

He must have been trained

in swordfighting for years.

Do you think I'd let you

walk me into your trap?

Or maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe you want me to kill him.

Maybe that's your secret wish.

The world is full of women.

Why should I risk my life for you?

The husband put up

a good fight,

but his skill was too refined.

Those who've been trained

in swordfighting

can only fight with people

from the same class.

He could never beat the raw energy

of a forest bandit.

Anyway, he was the first man

to have crossed swords with me

over 15 times.

And what happened to the woman?

That woman?

I have no idea

where she had gone.

She must've been shocked

and run away.

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