28. Chindók Yówang (Queen): (647-654)
Munno-rang and Kim Humun:
Samguk Sagi 47:437-438. Translation: Peter H. Lee: Sourcebook of Korean Civilization, vol.I, Columbia University Press, New York, 1993. p.105-106.
"Kim Húmun was the eight-generation descendant of King Naemul (356-402); his father was Talbok, chapch’an (Rank 3). Whenever his comrades in Hwarang Munno’s group mentioned
the undying fame of a comrade who had perished in battle, Kim Húmun would shed tears of indignation, proclaiming the valor of the fallen comrade, and spur himself on thereby. Monk Chónmil, one of the group, said, "Kim would not return alive if he were to go to the enemy lines."
In the sixth year of Yung-hui (655 AD), King Muyól, angered by encroachments on the Sill frontier by Paekche and Koguryó, planned a retaliation and sent troops under Kim Húmun as Commander of the Nang Bannermen (Nangdang taegam). Battered by the wind, washed by the rain, Kim Húmun shared the joys and sorrows of his men. Arriving in Paekche territory, he pitched camp below Yangsan before attacking Choch’ón Fortress. Under cover of night Paekche people rushed to the Silla side and the at dawn climbed the ramparts. Startled, Silla’s soldiers were thrown into confusion. Taking advantage of disorder, the Paekche soldiers made a sudden raid, sending a shower of arrows.
Astride his horse and with his lance in hand, Kim Húmun sat waiting for the enemy. Taesa Chónji advised, "Now that the enemy has started out in darkness we cannot see even an inch ahead. Even if you die in action, on one will know of it. Moreover, you are of nobility and a royal son-in-law. If you die at the hand of the enemy, it will be Paekche’s pride but our disgrace."
Kim Húmun answered, "Once a man has resolved to die for his country, it matters little whether his fate is known or not. How could I seek only fame?"
Kim Húmun stood firmly rooted. The attendant holding his reins begged him to move back, but Kim Húmun brandished his sword and engaged the enemy. He killed several of them before he died. Taegam Yep’a and Sogam Chóktúk also died in action.
Hearing of the heroic death of Kim Húmun, Pogi tangju Poyongna said, "Although he was of noble origin and was powerful and lamented by people, Kim Húmun maintained his integrity to the end and died. As for me, no good will come of my living and no harm will come of my dying." He rushed to the enemy lines and died after killing several of the
foe.
King Muyól lamented the deaths of these men and posthumously conferred the rank of ilgilch’an (Rank 7) on Kim Húmun and Yep’a and that of taenaema (Rank 10) on Poyongna and Chóktúk. The Silla people mourned their death in the "Song of Yangsan."
The compiler of Samguk Sagi adds to his account of this story a quotation from the foundation of Hwarang, including the quotation from Kim Tae-mun about generals and statesmen. And adds that this is an example of what Kim Tae-mun meant. He says that by the third generation of Hwarang there were more than two hundred of them and all their names and great deeds are recorded in their biographies.