All right, back to Goryeo. I'm so happy to see Annies back and also the rest of you guys still waiting for the continuation. Guests, SitaraR, Wendy, DarcyDeVenus, all of you guys are awesome. If the previous chapter did not seem to connect to the one before, I want to remind you that I often jump around chronologically, so the night they talked about having a baby did not necessarily happen after Mae Hee was saved, and the connections could be subtle, such as ES going to the see doctor after she ran into young Choi Young that day... I just did not want you guys to think that seeing Mae Hee somehow prompted Choi Young into wanting a child badly. One does not relate to another. I hope I"m not confusing you too much with my writing style. If you find it difficult to follow or have constructive criticism, please let me know.
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P.S. Completely unrelated, but still exciting. I just finished my modern romantic story I have been posting under SamaraL alias on fictionpress. If you have not checked it out yet, please do and leave comments. Much appreciated:))) And yes, I'm shameless soliciting readers, since I hope you guys like my writing enough.
There was something unpleasantly chilling crawling down his spine, a morose peer, devoid of any warmth or life sipping through his skin. Choi Young readied himself, freeing his sword from its scabbard, all under the fabric of his long coat, not to turn heads. After all, this was a busy thoroughfare with bustling women and children and townsfolk. He recognized the feeling right away, simultaneously surprised and not, gotten used to the fateful coincidences of the past colliding with the future. His hand holding the steel under the folds, he slowly turned on his heels and quickly searched for the familiar figure. There, right by the corner, under the shade of the roof. Clever and predictable at best. Without any rush he moved toward that direction, combating the icy gaze with his own impenetrable one.
The two pairs of very different eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The man's face twisted in a sneer, a harsh grimace of a killer. Choi Young did not even move a muscle, countenance flat and unreadable. He had the advantage of the knowledge that only future could bring. He knew this man and his fate. The warrior was there to look into his eyes and to listen to his last words before he met his death on the rooftop of a highrise in Seoul.
"Are you looking for me?" he asked defiantly, not even bothering to avoid confrontation.
Quick amusement sparked in the dull eyes. "Do we know each other?"
"Not yet, but we will. Shall I make it easy for you?"
"Who are you?" The man seemed genuine in his ignorance.
Choi Young halted his verbal attack. His younger past was still a boy, he had not entered the squad yet, he was just someone with a barely tapped power of KI and had no idea of the tremendous potential it carried. Furthermore, exposing Choi Young of the future, might cause his younger self to inadvertently draw attention of the assassin and set a chain of events endangering his life much earlier and at much more vulnerable state.
"It is not important. How about a concerned citizen. Your age?"
The man winced and frowned at the same time, ready for a snipe remark, but dealing with Goryeo people had always proven easy in one regard – they still had respect for age and experience, even ones enemies.
"Twenty." The man responded begrudgingly and only now Choi Young noticed how young his face was. Those icy cold eyes, shook with something resembling curiosity and even showed black color, rather than emptiness. Why would somebody so young turn into a coldblooded murderer?
"You are an assassin and don't deny it. Who are you looking for?"
The young man's eyes flashed with fear so quickly Choi Young had only a moment to register that reaction, but then returned to muted iciness. He scowled and took off, turning the corner in a flash.
"I have to catch him before he goes after me", murmured the general and followed quickly. He vividly recalled the fight on the roof, the night Jae Su's life had ended.
"I was sent by the emperor to search for the man who travels through time. A seer revealed to him about your existence. It took me a long time to find you, warrior. My mission is complete." The assassin told him he had been searching for him for a while, and then he added, "It is the night of the mortal combat. The seer told me so. Dance with me, Woodalchi."
Choi Young's heart dropped as he replayed the words in his mind over and over again. If he were to kill this man today, then the future would definitely be changed for him, for Jae Su and maybe, for others. He stopped, panting hard, feeling how the sword suddenly felt heavy with responsibility. He did not have much allowance to think as a dark shadow swooped from the roof and he only had a split second to bend away and block the strike aimed at his head.
The assassin's cunning move did not produce the result he had hoped for and the man retreated, switching to defense.
"Let's talk," surprised him Choi Young, lowering his sword calmly and staring the young killer down with the steely gaze.
The man's eyes shifted with indecision and confusion. It might have been the first time he encountered an enemy who was willing to talk to him, rather than fight for survival. Using this to his advantage, Choi Young moved swiftly, disabling the assassin with a few precision blows and disarming him successfully by taking possession of his sword.
The youthful expression of surprise gave life to the cold eyes again and his stunned opponent looked at Choi Young with awe and respect. "Who are you? And what do you want with me?"
"Do you want to live or do you want to die? That is the question I've come to ask."
"Whether I live or die, what's it to you?" the man replied cautiously, but his body language was open and not attacking. He was ready to listen.
"You are on a path of destruction, if you don't stop this mission. You will die in a foreign world and your life's task won't be completed. Don't waste your youth on the pursuits for others, you can still turn your life around and live honestly, not marking your steps with murder, a life, not stained by death and desolation. If you don't stop now – you will regret it." Choi Young extended his hand, in a peaceful gesture, returning the weapon to its owner. "Heed my words. It's not too late for you."
. . .
"Mae Hee."
"Jae Su?" The girl moaned from the splitting headache.
"It's me, I'm here." He tightly held her hand, his eyes were full of worry and love.
She did not pull her hand right away, as his touch gave her strange comfort, but his gaze was hard to endure, as if he was trying to get her to say something. She closed her eyes, feeling awfully tired.
Eun Soo gently waved her head for him to wait. The child had recovered and now she needed rest and more rest to regain her strength. Her healing hands might be of use and Eun Soo scanned Mae Hee's body, slowly moving her palms along her length. She stopped above the heart and lowered her palms to touch the girl's chest. Her energy flew softly, she felt electrical trickle running through the fingertips and into the weakened organ. The heart lit up, plumping with newly flooded blood and Eun Soo let out a tiny smile.
The girl felt energy course through her veins and this new surge quickly overwhelmed her senses. She felt nauseated, but able to move. She lifted up on her elbows looking at a beautiful woman with the hair color of autumn leaves.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Eun Soo and I'm a doctor. You were poisoned. We need to detox you. Drink this, please."
"Detox me?"
"Drink. This is medicine." The woman held Mae Hee's head and brought a small vessel to her lips.
Mae Hee mistrustfully looked at the so-called doctor and then glanced over to Jae Su who encouraged her silently. Him she trusted, so she picked up the cup and drank the pungent liquid.
"Rest now. Jae Su here has been keeping a watch, sleepless. He is very devoted to you. You are lucky to have such a fine young man by your side," said Eun Soo with a kind motherly tone, pressing gently the girl back down and fixing her pillow.
"How did I get here? And where am I?" Mae Hee unfortunately missed the strong implication of the doctor's remark. Jae Su was a permanent fixture in her life, ever since she had remembered herself, he was always there, next to her, caring about her and being a good friend, like a real brother. Of course, he would be worried.
"You are in my house. My husband was having a meal with your father apparently, when Jae Su informed them about your illness. So he offered for me to treat you."
"How long have I been here?"
"Over night. Please, rest."
Eun Soo got up and passing by Jae Su winked at him, moving brows in the direction of the patient. "Go to her," she whispered.
He jumped at the suggestion and was already getting seated by Mae Hee's bed.
"Jae Su-ya, is it true you found me ill?"
"You don't remember anything?"
"I was tasting the mushrooms, which I sorted out. Then not so much after that."
"The mushrooms were poisonous the doctor said. But she is not a regular doctor, she is a fai..." he bit his tongue.
. . .
"Will you take a walk with me?" Asked Eun Soo astonished child, who came to the house with a gift basket to pay respects and offer gratitude for saving her life. A little bit of reconnaissance never hurt anyone.
Mae Hee agreed, feeling very uneasy. The woman's husband was cold and distant, not even once looking her way and always turning his face, whenever Mae Hee glanced at him. As if he despised her for taking his wife's attention away from him. A strange man, but apparently somebody her father respected and trusted enough to allow his wife's ministration.
She felt uneasy around this woman, who had so much beauty and poise, yet also was so free and relaxed about her words and behavior. She seemed different from everybody Mae Hee knew. And the doctor proved her right, when they settled in a small tavern at the farther end of the market, with the doctor offering her a drink of sweet rice wine, while not drinking herself. It was unheard of to have an elder pour wine for somebody so young and for a woman to pour a wine for another woman.
"Am I making you nervous?" Asked Eun Soo almost hurt. "People usually find me quite a pleasant company."
"I'm sorry, madam. I'm just not used to having somebody invite me out like that."
"Don't worry. Your father would not mind and my husband knows of my intentions." That last phrase gave Mae Hee a slight relief and she visibly relaxed, even smiling back timidly.
"Your name is Mae Hee, right?"
"Yes, Mae Hee, madam."
"Mae Hee, do you like anybody?" Asked her gently, Eun Soo. The girl flapped her lashes in confusion. "A boy," explained her question more clearly the doctor. Back in her time, girls at this age were already dating and flirting. Innocence was a rare find.
"Madam?" She looked up in complete astonishment.
"You don't have a mother, I heard. I'm sorry. These are the kinds of things mothers and daughters talk about it. Although I'm too young to be like a mother to you, perhaps, you would be willing to consider me like an older sister?"
"Madam, I could not. I appreciate everything you have done," mumbled the girl blushing deeply.
"I did not mean to be intrusive," caught herself Eun Soo. She was a bit too pushy for Jae Su's sake. The way that man had suffered, his one love never leaving his heart, his one regret driving all of his actions. And then he never stood a chance against Choi Young because who could, really? Eun Soo was well aware of the charismatic charms of her husband's deep almond eyes. All she wanted is for Jae Su to have a fair chance, then the fate would cast its lot.