Author's Musing: Hi everybody, thanks for the comments. Well, as far as who the assassin was, I kind of already explained that he was sent by the emperor to check on CY's abilities. His abilities are amazing and the powerful people of the time would all want a piece of CY because of that. I was not planning to devote time to the assassin anymore, honestly, unless you guys feel it is necessary to give a bit more of that back story. As far as Jae Su, I also kind of explained that he learned about CY's abilities as well. I might talk about it more, since it is JS (and I kind of have a secret crush on that character).
The story is getting sad, like some of you mentioned. So I will try to lighten up the mood a bit in the next chapter or two, but still, a lot of heavy and difficult things had occurred, so easy-going funny without any worries may not be an option any longer (sorry, guys). One more thing for this chapter - I am mentioning Simbudaedo, a type of sword from Goryeo period. I did some research and apparently there are very few examples of swords from that time and not much known about them. So I did my best.
Enjoy and leave reviews.
He thickened inside, prodding her strait with a force she's never felt before. Making a crater of explosion within her and eruption of his liquid, like volcano, lava of KI and seed, mixed and pouring over, spilling in unending powerful release. So much that she could not absorb and take it in, so much as if he'd never given before, as if he was saving all of his essence for tonight. The energy of their connection beyond anything, chillingly raw, tightening her chest with a sense of loss and unspeakable sorrow – as if she would never have him inside of her again, as if he put all that's he had, all that he was, all that he could into this one last time of loving her, so that she could nourish his warmth long after he'd been gone from her side, from her sight, from her life, away from her world and back to where he belonged, leaving her empty of him, her body craving and crying for more, pitiful and never to be loved like that again. That's why she had to keep every little drop of him and to take in hungrily and selfishly.
Eun Soo grasped at him desperately, fingers sinking into his muscles, her eyes huge.
"I need to go," he finally spoke. Softly, he separated from her, still holding her gaze.
"I will come with you." She stared with undeniable force.
Choi Young did not protest. How could he separate parts of himself and only take one half along? It was not possible.
"I may die." He breathed out.
"We all do. I want to share even in your death." Calmly, her voice steady and certain, this statement was epic in its finality.
His brow quivered and his almond eyes narrowed slightly, he made sure that she was sure. Her eyes confirmed with the same steady and calm determination.
"Marry me, Imja. I will ask your parents permission. Let's leave right now."
. . .
They took by now familiar ride out to the country. The sleepy fields and villages along the road looked somber in the afterglow of sunset, colors mixing with the dusk of purple and soon, only flickering lights from the windows on occasional street row accompanied the rhythm rocking the bus. Choi Young stared into the black of the window; his fingers intertwined with Eun Soo's, he could feel her erratic heartbeat of worry, but could not bring himself to look at her. His thumb stroked her in a soothing movement and he deliberately quieted his own energy so that it could flow as a calming medicine into her.
Never before had he considered himself a selfish man. When was the time he thought of his own needs and wellbeing as priority? Yes, he wanted to stay with Eun Soo in this world because he had fallen in love; yes, he desired simple human happiness of a loving relationship and a family life for himself. Of course - he was not infallible. But such desires were not completely selfish, at least for her, it would bring happiness, although making her happy was possibly the most selfish desire of them all.
This burden was supposed to be his and his alone, but all of these words hard-pressed upon him, the warnings, the premonitions, the stern pressure from every direction he turned, muddled his will. Without Eun Soo it was hard to imagine existing any longer. He felt that he might die if she was not near. The suffocating panic at the thought about leaving her behind ruled his every fiber. She was his lifeline. His KI was inseparable from hers now. They were so mixed that he could not tell where he started and where she began.
He had no right to be selfish, but being selfish meant to take care of her. And that was his only comfort. The life in Goryeo, fraught with danger and unknown for her, would be something he could guide her through. Probably, unable to return to his previous duties, he would have to give up his warrior ways and become a simple fisherman.
This prospect gave him a stop. A life without a sword, with Eun Soo by his side, back home, where the air was clean and each night was rich with stars, unobstructed by the lights of the large metropolis. That son they will have, he could grow up learning simple skills of planting crops, fishing, hunting and riding, and would not have to touch a weapon. He could become a scholar or a teacher, or maybe, even a doctor like his mother. And Choi Young could watch over Jae Su and be his friend, protecting him from the future that was aimed to harm him.
Such life could be possible and a smile started to form in his eyes.
But he had no right to drag Eun Soo into his ideal of happiness. For her, being a doctor, saving lives, working in a well equipped hospital with instruments and machines she could use for good was something that she required for happiness. Her parents live here and their child deserved to have grandparents in his life. Furthermore, adjusting to existence in middle ages without normal comforts she was used to would be much harder for Eun Soo, than for him to part with his fantasies about the past.
"Eun Soo-ya."
"Yes." She turned to him.
"How do I explain to your parents that we need to leave, but can't tell them where?"
"I think my father will understand. My mother likes you so much, she would not worry. And we are going to come back soon, right?" She smiled. Softness and trust in her gaze.
"Imja, I don't know how long we'd have to stay or whether we could return whenever we like to. Mr. Kim says that it is possible, so I assume that we will."
They both fell into silence. So different from their first trip to visit her parents, they were no longer giggly and cute, they seemed like a couple that have been together for a long time, comfortable in each other's company, yet very affectionate, with small tokens of care to be shown through the most subtle ways.
. . .
"Oma!" Eun Soo happily smiled as her mother ran to give her a hug, only to move past her and jump the broad-chested and stunned Choi Young, causing him to blush at first, "Omoni... Nice to see you, again", and then try and extract himself out of her clutches, while Eun Soo's father watched the scene with eyes so narrow, Choi Young felt fear penetrate him through the clothes into his heart and trickle down his spine. This man was probably the only man who could make the mighty general scared just by one look.
"Aboji," he mumbled bowing with Eun Soo's Mom still dangling from his shoulder. Finally, pulling her off and keeping at an arm's length, he managed to place her on the ground. Still keeping one hand holding her down, he managed to bow to her as well, "Omoni, thank you for receiving us."
"Oh, don't you love how polite he is. I remember now how much he bowed. Oh, how sweet!" The mother almost clapped turning to her husband, who growled something incoherent and disapproving in return, hiding a more friendly smirk beneath his mustache.
"Appa," whined Eun Soo, half offended, half amused by her mother's behavior and hid herself in her father's arms. "Why Mom is like that?"
"Who knows? I'm much more handsome, right?"
"Of course, Appa. You are the most handsome here," Eun Soo pecked her father's cheek and smiled.
Choi Young brought in a huge fruit basket along with luggage into the house, followed by fluttering around him Ms. Yoo.
"Omoni, how have you been?" He asked respectfully, taking a step behind every time she moved forward.
"We are bored here. Karaoke tonight?"
"Of course. I will sing for you, Omoni." He bowed as usual, making the mother smile happily.
"Our son-in-law is the best!"
"What son-in-law?" A loud scoff came from Eun Soo's Dad met by his wife's angry look.
"Aboji, I apologize for not being able to visit again sooner. I've been busy at work." Swerving around Mr. Yoo, Choi Young managed to position himself in front of his future father-in-law, so that the woman could not insert herself in between. He let out a small breath of relief, not going unnoticed by the older man. Mr. Yoo chuckled, satisfied that the youngster at least had some sense.
"I've brought you a gift, Aboji."
"What is it?"
"A weapon. I picked it out myself. I believe you would appreciate it." Choi Young pulled out a sheathed sword, tightly wrapped in thick fabric. "Please, inspect it."
Curiosity and impatience sparked in the man's eyes and with hurried hands he unwrapped his present.
Choi Young watched as the women stood to the side, their low chatter and giggles subsided after the sword was revealed. The weapon was beautiful in its simplicity. It had a long blade and had an elliptical-shaped sword guard to protect the hand. There was no decorative ring pommel. The sword was humble in its looks, but the lacquered scabbard, still retaining some of its color after many centuries made up more than enough for the esthetics.
"Is it Simbudaedo?" Mr. Yoo almost whispered.
"I believe it is. From what I remember," he caught himself before saying something he could not take back.
"Where did you find this beauty? And it must have cost you a fortune."
"Actually, I had something I could exchange," Choi Young glanced at Eun Soo, who gave him a knowing nod. The bottle shaped money he brought with him was not only rare, but an authentic and one of a kind find. The antiquities dealer was more than happy to part with a sword, since the later period weapons were more in demand for their more elaborate decorations.
"I can't take such an extravagant gift," protested clearly out of politeness old man.
"I insist, Aboji." Choi Young looked at Eun Soo again, who took the lead.
"Mother, father. We have something to tell you."
"You are pregnant!" Mrs. Yoo winked at Choi Young, but neither him nor Eun Soo found it funny.
"Woman, let them speak," roared in the low register the head of the household.
After the parents sat down and the young couple gave their traditional bows, the elders exchanged looks, figuring out what would come next.
"I am here to pay my respects and ask your permission to marry your daughter," explained plainly Choi Young.
"Marriage is an important decision. Why rush?"
"I love her, Aboji."
"He said, he loves her, father," elbowed her husband Mrs. Yoo and winked again at Choi Young, giving him another rosy blush.
"Is the present a bribe?" inquired the man with a strict tone.
"No." As usual, simple answers prevented the opponent from digging dangerous holes in the conversation. Choi Young knew his tactics working in the palace, despite not liking it, he was quite good at maneuvering around sticky topics.
"Ease on him." The woman nagged again.
Now it was the time for deliberation. The parents asked a few more usual questions, testing the lovers' resolve, but the deal was as good as sealed, especially since it was abundantly obvious that this marriage was inescapable, the way those two looked at each other.
"Eun Soo mentioned you are working now."
"Yes, sir. A part time job. You see, I might need to leave for a while. I wanted us to be married before Eun Soo can come with me. That's the reason for the rush."
"Where?"
"Dad, it is something work related and he can't tell you."
"I understand," the man nodded, his theory that Choi Young was a part of some elite army unit seemed to be on the dot.
"Thank you, sir, for understanding."
"Should we celebrate," ready to wrap up the formalities, the woman got up.
"Oma, you need to officially accept him."
"Oh, yes," she patted Choi Young on the shoulder. "Approved, accepted and now, let's drink and sing."