The cab moved smoothly through the streets, the loud sound of the engines and the constant honking filled the space. Tae-Hyuk sat in the back seat, his posture relaxed but his hands clenched faintly on his knees. Bruises and minor cuts tingled along his forearms and knuckles, a reminder of last night's rooftop incident.
Han Dae-Sung sat beside him, calm and composed, his gaze partially on the passing city outside the window. The cab's interior was cramped, forcing them into proximity, but there was no discomfort, just an unspoken tension, like a measured dance of observation and trust.
"I will be leaving tonight." Tae-Hyuk said, his voice feeling with sadness, "Me getting shelter from you, will only invite trouble for your family."
"…and where do you plan on staying." Han said, his voice calm and carrying the weight of authority without being overbearing.
Tae-Hyuk let out a quiet breath. "…I don't know" he admitted. "…but I'll be fine".
The cab swerved gently around a corner, the faint squeal of tires on asphalt punctuating the silence. Han's voice came again.
"What if I refuse, after all... you're my employee."
Tae-Hyuk tilted his head slightly, unsure of how to reply.
Han's eyes returned to the window. "This world... it's not kind. Everyone is trying to gain something. Most people don't help others, they exploit them. And…" His gaze lingered on Tae-Hyuk, calm but sharp. "…you must choose carefully whom you trust."
"Are you saying you're trying to exploit me?" Tae-Hyuk asked.
Han amused by the question let out a little bit of laughter, "not necessarily, i would say you're the one exploiting me, in return for you being my employee, I provided you with shelter and feeding, yet you're not paying for any of it."
Tae-Hyuk still obviously puzzled,"so why employ me?"
Han Dae-sung was a silent for a few seconds.
"Let's just say this old man enjoys your company." He replied while giving a faint smile.
Finally, the Han family store came into view, tucked between other buildings, the closed sign still up.
The cab stopped smoothly. "We're here," Han said, his voice neutral, though a subtle undercurrent of caution threaded through it.
Tae-Hyuk stepped out first, stretching slightly, wincing at the faint sting of bruises on his knuckles. Han followed silently, and together they entered the store.
Inside, nothing was ordered, clearly Min-Jun and Seo-Yeon, were waiting for the arrival of their father and Tae-Hyuk.
"Tae-Hyuk!" Seo-Yeon's voice was sharp with worry as she approached, stopping just short of him. She crouched slightly to inspect his injuries, fingers hovering near his shoulders. "You're hurt… what happened? Why did you follow those people?"
Tae-Hyuk inclined his head slightly, letting her touch brush against his arm. "…I was careful," he said, voice low. "…It's fine."
"It doesn't look fine," she said, though her tone softened, a warmth in her eyes. "…You could have been seriously hurt."
Min-Jun leaned casually against the counter, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Noona, you're making it obvious," he said teasingly.
"What!" Seo-Yeon asked while clearly having red cheeks.
"Even dad knows it, hehe."
Seo-Yeon shot him with a serious glare."Stop it, this is not a time for jokes."
"Why? He's alive, so what's there to be worried about" Min-Jun replied smoothly, glancing at Tae-Hyuk.
Han Dae-sung cleared his throat lightly, drawing attention. "We are both fine, thank you."
"Sorry dad, come have a seat" Seo-Yeon replied "so how did you get the police to release him."
Before Han Dae-sung could reply, the door opened slightly.
"HYUNG!!"
"Hyun-Jae, how are you" Tae-Hyuk replied.
"You! What are you doing here, shouldn't you be studying to be a secretary or something." Min-Jun said teasingly.
"My mum said I could come" Hyun-Jae replied. "What happened to your hand?" Noticing the bruises on Tae-Hyuk's hand.
"It's fine, Hyun-Jae, I assume you'll resuming your training" Tae-Hyuk replied.
"Yes Sir!" Hyun-Jae replied with a salute.
The moment Tae-Hyuk finished speaking to Hyun-Jae, the bell above the door rang softly. Min-Jun glanced over lazily at first, but his posture straightened the moment he saw who had entered.
Two figures stepped inside, one calm and composed, the other was familiar. Lian Mei.
Seo-Yeon's eyes widened slightly as recognition hit. "…You!" Her voice carried a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Lian Mei blinked, then smiled faintly. "Seo-Yun… it's been a while."
The atmosphere shifted almost immediately. "It's Seo-Yeon" Seo-Yeon straightened subconsciously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Good afternoon, my name is Hwa Ryun, sorry we came unannounced." Hwa Ryun said while give a slight bow
Lian Mei surprised by the actions of her master. "Master, what are you doing?"
Hwa Ryun didn't reply, her eyes shifting towards Han Dae-sung and Tae-Hyuk, "I believe I made a promise to be the one to visit you, Jin Tae-Hyuk."
"I'm guessing you resolved your issues with Wudang." Tae-Hyuk replied.
"Partially, can we speak in private?"
"Sure Miss Hwa Ryun... Min-Jun, Seo-Yeon let's give them some private time." Han Dae-sung replied abruptly. "You too Hyun-Jae."
"You had a fight with someone?" Lian Mei asked while staring at the bruises in Tae-Hyuk's hand.
"I was attacked yesterday night."
"What? Who?"
"They wore masks, I couldn't identify all of them, but their leader was a monk."
Hwa Ryun leaned forward slightly, her curiosity obvious. "Monks…? From which sect?"
Tae-Hyuk shook his head faintly. "I don't know, but I think they came on purpose," He paused briefly. "…But they retreated when the police arrived, so I couldn't get any more information."
Hwa Ryun leaned back slightly, her gaze darkening just a little. "That's not surprising, the Demonic cult has been moving again," she continued calmly. "Orthodox sects… martial families… even temples have not remained untouched, everyone who looks righteous… is influenced by the Demonic cult."
Tae-Hyuk's fingers tightened slightly. "…The Demonic cult…" he repeated quietly.
Hwa Ryun nodded. "Their leader is no ordinary man. His name is Heuk-Ryeon." The name settled into the room like something heavy. Hwa Ryun continued, her voice steady. "He has spent years infiltrating sects, eliminating opposition. Entire families have disappeared because of him."
Lian Mei leaned forward again, her eyes bright with curiosity. "And he's searching for something, right?"
Hwa Ryun nodded once. "The Cheonji-Pae(The Heaven and Hell Pendant)."
Tae-Hyuk froze for the briefest moment. His grip tightened, stronger than before. "…The Cheonji-Pae," he said quietly.
Hwa Ryun's eyes flickered slightly, noticing the reaction, but she continued. "Legends say there are five pendants in total," she said. "The Cheonji-Pae. The Seonghwa-Pae(Sacred Fire Pendant). The Yongmu-Pae(Dragon and Tiger Pendant). The Baekun-Pae(White Cloud Pendant). And the Hyeonmu-Pae(Black Tortoise Pendant).
"Together," Hwa Ryun continued, "they are said to grant immortality."
Silence fell again, but this time heavier. Tae-Hyuk didn't speak. Because unlike them, he knew this wasn't just a legend. His mind flickered briefly to the past.
Blood.
Fire.
A war that had consumed everything. His sect, his family and now... his family's heirloom is still a target of the demonic cult. His gaze darkened slightly, but he said nothing.
Hwa Ryun continued, unaware. "I personally don't believe that the legends are true, but the cult believes otherwise. And that alone is enough."
Lian Mei shifted slightly, uneasy now. "…So why are they targeting him?" Her eyes moved to Tae-Hyuk. Hwa Ryun didn't answer immediately.
Then she spoke. "…Because no one knows about him."
Lian Mei looked at Tae-Hyuk again, her voice softer now. "is that supposed to be a good thing?"
Hwa Ryun exhaled slowly. "Last night wasn't random, though I'm not sure that this was the Cult's doing, but it's most likely them."
Tae-Hyuk's eyes sharpened."…So they'll come again?"
"Yes," Hwa Ryun said simply.
Lian Mei looked between them. "…So what do we do now?" Hwa Ryun didn't answer. She looked at Tae-Hyuk instead, the decision wasn't hers.
Tae-Hyuk sat there in silence for a moment, his thoughts moving quickly beneath the surface. Running wouldn't solve anything. It never had. Then finally, he spoke. "I will stay…Leaving changes nothing."
Han Dae-Sung who had been eavesdropping smiled faintly, as if he had already expected that answer.
Hwa Ryun studied him for a moment longer before nodding once. "…Fine, then be careful." Her voice lowered slightly. "…Because from this point forward… it's only going to get difficult."
Tae-Hyuk's gaze drifted briefly toward the backroom door, then back to Hwa Ryun. "…Then let them come." His voice was calm. But beneath it… something dangerous had awakened.
And for the first time, even Hwa Ryun's expression changed slightly. Not concern. Not fear. Interest.
Because now… the real story had begun.