"So, will you finally tell me what possessed you to join a demonic cultivator? Not to mention a Demon Lord at that?!" Eun-woo questioned him the minute they had reached Sea City.
They had travelled so quickly using a technique he remembered Eun-woo calling wind chasing steps. Wooyun was in a state of amazement the moment he saw the familiar scenery of their city. A city unlike any he had ever seen filled with trees and forestation yet still accommodating to the local vendors , food stalls, and restaurants around every block.
Even during the late evening, it was crowded with people taking in the interesting sights before them. The air smelled of baked treats, savory delicacies, and the shouts of vendors shouting about their bargain prices. A light smile danced on his lips when he took in the sight but immediately left when he saw the piercing stare coming his way.
He let out an audible gulp, his brows furrowed, and body tense as he wracked his brain to find any excuse, any reason to explain to Eun-woo why he chose to leave and desert his family—if you could even call those monsters a family.
Seeing the unyielding look in his eyes made any fabricated story he had confided within those thirty seconds vanish into thin air. He realized that it wouldn't feel right to lie to Eun-woo given how much he had done for him. He had come to care for the big sourpuss and had built a strong bond with Eun-woo over the last five months. He figured being honest was the least he could do and so he did.
"Honestly, you know my family situation well. I've been struggling under Kang Choon-hee's abusive and tyrannical rule. While there have been some good moments—like feeding the animals, cooking with Auntie Lim, and training with you—most of my time there has been filled with suffering. The madam constantly reminds me I'm useless, that I won't inherit my father's home or take over the business. I'm tired of feeling weak and helpless. When I finally saw an opening for change, I decided to take it."
Eun-woo's stern and stoic expression immediately softened and a flicker of sympathy flashed in his brown eyes. He could understand where Wooyun was coming from. No matter how kind-hearted and good-natured a person was, no one could endure such pain for this long. It was a miracle that Seo-yoon's spirit hadn't been broken yet.
"But those becoming a disciple to the Blood Moon Sect seem like a safer option? You could just be trading one life of misery for another." He argued.
Wooyun shook his head. "Nothing could be worse than living in that house."
Eun-woo sighed. "You have no idea how the Moon Blood Sect operates."
I do.To a certain extent anyway. "I'm no fool. I know their reputation."
"And you will go, knowing how bad their reputation is?!"
"Yes. Reputations, especially bad ones, are usually built through word of mouth or rumors. No one has ever gone to the sect before. No one knows what goes on in there. They could be some of the nicest people out there for all we know." He shrugged. Though the first part of his statement was true, he couldn't be sure about the latter.
"The north is a bitter and cold place. Very few survive."
"I like the cold."
No matter what argument Eun-woo sent his way, Wooyun rebuffed them. This went on for quite some time until Eun-woo had no more cards to deal with. It was his loss.
"There's no convincing you otherwise." He finally said.
Wooyun smirked. "Took you long enough to realize that brother." His face then softened when he saw how worried Eun-woo looked. It was his first time seeing the stoic young man actually show another emotion other than seriousness.
"Hey, I will be fine. I'm more resilient than I look." He said in an attempt to reassure him. Eun-woo said nothing in response. He simply stared at him, his eyes unreadable now. It was as if he was studying him, I weaving him, searching Wooyun's face for any signs of doubt, hesitance, or fear. But there were none. In fact, he looked more determined than ever, excited even. This confused Eun-woo and a long sigh escaped his lips.
"Will you be going back home?" He suddenly asked.
Wooyun pursed his lips as he considered his words. He then slowly nodded. "Yes. I have no choice. I have to speak my piece to those people…I also have others I would like to say goodbye to."
Eun-woo nodded. "Will you be staying at the estate for the next seven days then?"
He shook his head. There was no way in hell he wasn't going to spend another moment there. Since Mr. Chun had graciously offered him some money, he would look for a hotel—or more like an inn, he could stay in for the next few days. The two then walked the rest of the way to the Han Estate where they parted ways. But before Eun-woo left, he turned to say a few words to Wooyun.
"Are you certain this is what you want to do?"
Wooyun had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Damn it. Didn't I already tell you this was what I wanted to do? It's like ten times a day with this guy. "I'm sure. This is a decision I made, and whatever happens to me will be no one else's fault but my own."
Eun-woo frowned. He didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.
"Alright then. I'll make sure to come see you before you leave. I'm assuming you'll be staying at a nearby inn? And since there are only five inns in this town that you could afford, I'm also going to assume you'll be staying at the cheapest one."
Wooyun's lips twitched. What was with those deduction skills? And why did he feel like was being dissed?
Eun-woo stayed there for a couple more seconds, staring at Wooyun with an expression he couldn't make out. Just as he was about to ask him what he was thinking about, he heard the sound of the carriage coming in. His eyes widened. That witch Kang Choon-hee was back, and she wouldn't be pleased if she found Eun-woo here talking to him.
"You should go now." He said, shooing him away.
"Will you be alright?"
"I'll be fine." Like I can't handle a couple of chumps like them.
Eun-woo gave him one last look before disappearing. Wooyun turned back towards the carriage, his carefree expression now gone.
He watched as the carriage stopped in front of the gates, and took it as his queue to get inside. He went towards the back, passing through the grand courtyard and got inside the house using the main entrance this time since it was his God given right to do so after everything he had to go through. He eyed the entire place—taking in the home's grandeur.
The Han home had changed a lot since Kang Choon-hee moved in. It exuded extravagance—every detail a testament to the madam's insatiable taste for opulence, but not the good kind, more like the tacky kind.
More notably with the dining hall which Kang Choon-hee put great emphasis on. The chamber was big, capable of seating dozens of guests with a high, vaulted ceiling adorned with gold latticework and murals.
His eyes then settled on the dining table the madam was so proud of—a massive ebony dining table that sat at the center, polished to a mirror-like sheen, a chore Wooyun was often tasked with doing once the table had been cleared after a meal. Silken drapes embroidered with peonies and cranes hung from jade-inlaid pillars and each chair was made of red sandalwood with plush cushions.
Wooyun made his way across the room and sat directly at the head of the table with an evil smile on his face. As soon as he heard the gates open, he knew a showdown was about to take place. It was too bad he wouldn't be the spectator watching the debacle that would be this fight.
Wooyun had a sudden craving for popcorn.
~*~
The silence settled between the two men. Thick and filled with tension. Jaha hadn't spoken a single word since they left, and Junghwa had been eyeing his first guardian warily. This was the longest they had gone without conversing with each other. Even after they had put back their bone reconstruction art, and had made it back to the little town they had found and were lodging in for the time being—he said nothing.
Not one to be a fan of prolonged silence unless deliberate, he glanced at the young man and sighed. "How long are you going to keep this up?"
Jaha looked up at him before entering the little inn they had reserved for themselves. The floorboards creaked under the weight of his strained steps. "Keep what up?"
Junghwa nearly rolled his eyes. "This silent treatment?"
"I'm not sure. Perhaps when you stop making such reckless decisions without giving me a heads up Lord Baek."
Junghwa winced at his tone. Cold, stoic, and formal. Whenever he called Junghwa formally like this, it usually meant he was upset. And the demon lord could understand his frustrations. Making such an important decision like this without consulting him wasn't good.
"Well, you know how impulsive I can be," he shrugged as they sat at a table. They hadn't had anything to eat today andJunghwa was famished. "But I can assure you I thought things through this time."
Jaha shot him a curious glance, but his eyes were still filled with doubt. A smile adorned Junghwa's face. "There's something special about him. I see potential and I wish to test out a theory."
Jaha raised a brow at this. "A theory?"
Junghwa nodded but didn't add to his words. He ordered himself food and even as he waited for the meal, he didn't say anything else. Jaha, having known Junghwa for a long time knew that there was no use pressing him. If it was something he wanted or could divulge he would. And since he wasn't saying anything more, it meant that it was too early for him to be in the know. Despite the Demon Lord's impulsive nature, he made wise decisions and everything he did was always for the good of the sect so Jaha decided to let the matter go. For now.
"Are you sure he'll be able to survive? Even the most skilled of fighters can hardly make the trip there. And once we reach the borders…"
"You don't have to worry about that. I have a feeling this young man is stronger than he looks." Jaha said nothing but his face screamed "What makes you think that?"
Junghwa chuckled, his eyes glimmering with amusement. Although he said he believed Wooyun could survive the journey to the north, he couldn't be one hundred percent certain.
Although people could look strong on the outside, traveling that kind of distance took mental fortitude. It was no easy task. He could only hope the little chick was up to the task.
---------------------------------------
***Important note***
Please check Author's Thoughts