"Why?" Han Dae asked upon finding himself in his young lord's chambers. Han Zeno faced him with a smile, "You are still sick. Don't wander around and take a rest."
Han Dae snubbed, "Hmph, yes I am. I know, and I am sure that Hashi-ni knows the reason why." Raising a brow, walking to the bed he continued, "Won't you punish them for me? This poor di is still in pain." As he sat on his own young lord's bed.
The nerve! Han Dae had such nerve!
Han Zeno checked his temperature, putting his right palm on his forehead.
"Do you want me to punish them?" he asked with a smile.
Han Dae pouted, "But of course! They are always picking on me, always watching me from afar! Death penalty Hashi-ni! I demand death penalty!"
Han Zeno chuckled, "I already talked to them. If I punished them, everyone who is included shall be punished to be fair. Are you sure you still want it?"
Han Dae flinched. He knew that it is thanks to Han Qin that he is able to leave that cold place but at the same time, Han Qin cannot escape when he insisted a punishment. The only thing Han Dae can do is to let out a sigh of defeat.
Han Dae uttered, "I want it."
Han Zeno, who is rinsing a white cloth, got surprised and blinked.
"Don't get me wrong, Hashi-ni." Han Dae continued, "Do not be disappointed in me. I cannot stop myself from wanting a death penalty for them, but at least I can just keep it to myself, right?"
Asher thought, 'At least Han Dae is being honest in front of his young lord.'
Han Zeno smiled before wiping Han Dae's face, "I won't. I trust you more than anyone."
Han Dae tilted his head, "More than Her Ladyship Han Freia-jia?"
Han Zeno nodded, "Mnn."
"More than Lord Han Uriel-chou?"
"Mnn."
Han Dae blinked, "You're lying."
Han Zeno, "Huh?"
Han Dae, "If Hashi-ni is telling the truth, why does he have to hide the fact that he is getting married?"
Han Zeno smiled rather, awkwardly, "Ahaha... you never asked... I don't think someone like you would be interested in it..."
Han Dae crossed his arms, "Also, Hashi-ni told me I can become like him."
Han Zeno blinked, "You can though..."
Han Dae, "Yeah right! In a thousand years maybe!"
Asher held back his laughter, 'Is that supposed to be a pun?'
"I heard that Hashi-ni is already an immortal since he was three years old." Han Dae glared. "What about that?"
Han Zeno once again laughed awkwardly, "Who told you that? That is not true at all."
Han Dae got surprised, "Huh?"
Han Zeno continued, "I am five at that time."
Han Dae freaked, "That won't make me feel better at all!"
Han Zeno sat beside him and smiled, "Majin Ashera is such a kind Majin. He really gave me what I wanted."
Han Dae faced him in curiosity, "What is it? Like a genie?"
Han Zeno wondered, "I would not compare the Majin into a measly genie." Han Dae reworded his question, "What is it that you asked?!"
Han Zeno faced him with a kind smile, "I don't know. Take a guess." Han Dae blew his bangs in disappointment, leaning both of his hands on the bed, he crossed his legs. Han Zeno put the hand towel on the basin with water and grabbed a flute.
Han Zeno noticed him and he crawled on the bed towards him. "What is that?" he asked in a wonder, "Flute? Isn't that the one Hashi-ni is playing when I first met him?"
Still sitting on the bed, he nodded in response, "Mnn. This is Gideon, a family heirloom. It is gifted to mother by her mother. This is usually given to eldest daughters by generations in my mother's family line. Unfortunately, I am her only child."
He faced Han Dae, "Do you want me to play it for you for being a good boy?" Han Dae rested his chin on his hands and smiled while blinking as his hair slide, following his slightly tilted head.
"Are you coaxing me Hashi-ni?"
Han Zeno's eyes slowly widened as his ears showed a hint of red. Totally speechless for a while, he stared at Han Dae's face. Speaking of Asher, he felt his heart skipped a beat upon seeing Han Dae being cute unconsciously.
Asher however disagreed, 'No! No! No! For goodness sake Asher, you are a guy!' if he could only shook his head and slap his face, he would've done it already to wake himself up. Still though, he wants to give up on waking up because he can't open his naked eyes no matter how beaten Han Dae is.
Han Zeno then smiled gently, "Just for tonight."
Putting the jade flute on his lips, it started making a sound. Han Dae crawled behind him and leaned on his back while listening to the soft, calming tune of Gideon. As the tune repeats, he closed his eyes, taps his finger and hums thinking,
'This is the same song Hashi-ni is playing when we first met...' tapping his fingers on the bed, he involuntarily let out a smile, 'Hmm? Somehow I am feeling light headed...'
Asher, "This feeling..." he wondered, "Han Dae's strength is slowly returning... was it because of Han Zeno's flute playing?"
The moment Han Zeno finished playing, he carefully turned to see Han Dae who is already nodding. He held his forehead to get his temperature and his smile became calmer as if he had a breath of relief.
"Han Dae..." he uttered. Han Dae replied a quiet, 'Hmm?' with eyes still closed. He put him on his lap and leaned his head on his chest. Stroking his head, he said, "I know you are working hard, just promise me that you won't be too reckless again..."
Han Dae can hear his Hashi-ni speaking. Having no strength to open his eyes, he could only listen and wonder, 'What face is Hashi-ni making right now? Is he still smiling like he usually does?'
"Stop worrying me to death every time..." Han Zeno whispered.
"Mnn..." Han Dae groaned as he wipes his eyes to force them open. He wanted to ask what the last thing he uttered was, but then, something came to his mind that made him wide awake in an instant.
"H-Hashi-ni!" he shouted.
"Y-Yes?" Han Zeno answered.
"Sh-shouldn't Hashi-ni be..." Han Dae wondered with a terrifyingly worried expression on his face, "... at the feast with Young Miss Sei?!"
Han Zeno blinked, "..."
Han Zeno, "Ah!"
Asher and Han Dae, 'You forgot didn't you?'
Han Zeno quickly stood and fixed his hanfu robe, "I-I have to go!" he smiled and gave Han Dae his flute, "Take care of Gideon while I am busy okay? Also, take plenty of rest tonight."
Han Dae nodded, "I-I'll train tomorrow!"
Han Zeno gave him one last smile before finally closing the door.
"Huh?" Han Dae wondered, "Does that mean I'm not allowed to leave?" Han Dae stood and grabbed a blanket. Putting it on the wooden sofa, he slept holding Gideon.
The sun hasn't risen yet when Han Dae suddenly woke up. Rubbing his eyes, he sat while still holding the flute tightly. The moment his eyes can see clearly, he saw his Hashi-ni sitting in front of him, back facing him, holding a brush, he began writing.
A thought came to mind, 'Hashi-ni is truly worthy of respect. Never asking for help, never asking something in return. He must be exhausted already. He entertained the Sei family in the night and is still studying in the morning...'
Han Zeno heard the sound of the creaking wood the moment Han Dae positioned himself properly. He faced him with a smile saying, "Good morning, Han Dae!" with a quiet voice.
Han Dae stood up, put Gideon on his belt, fixed the blanket and left the room. Han Zeno blinked in a wonder. After a short while, Han Dae went back to him carrying a tray of tea. After putting it on the table, he poured some for him and placed the teacup near him saying, "Here."
Han Zeno once again smiled. He picked up the cup after putting down the brush. Just as he was about to drink it, he stopped the moment he smelled something, rather, strange for him.
"This smells... different?" he asked.
Han Dae nodded, "I brewed it for Hashi-ni..." then shyly, he asked, "should I get rid of it?"
Han Zeno took a sip and he found it quite delicious, "No need." He smiled, "Thank you, this tastes good."
Han Dae's eyes sparkled, "O-of course!" thinking, 'Luckily, Han Zoraida-jia taught me how to properly brew a tea!'
Han Zeno chuckled quietly, "I'd be happy if Han Dae could brew it to me every now and then." Han Dae got excited saying, "I will! I will!" opening the door, he faced him saying, "Hashi-ni should rest first. I'll be leaving now!"
Han Dae is walking outside while stretching when he saw a man with long black hair in scarlet sitting on a huge stone place in the Training Grounds. Han Dae approached him as the sun slowly rises. On the man's right index finger lay a white butterfly as other butterflies circle him.
Han Dae noticed that he has a scarlet dot on his forehead. 'A Shihan?' he guessed. Every Shihan had a dot placed on the middle of their foreheads. The color of the dot represents their tribe.
The man with a gentle face looked at him as the butterflies began to scatter. The gust of the morning wind caresses both of their hair. Han Dae is mesmerized. It is, after all, his first time seeing a Shihan up close.
"Shall we begin your training?" Shihan asked.
"Training?" Han Dae asked.
He nodded, "I am Han Xu, Young Lord Han Zeno's current Shihan." He then stood and said, "Without my approval, I am afraid that you cannot accompany the young lord. So please, do your utmost best. I may look kind, but I am pretty harsh."
Han Dae gulped. He stood straight and bowed, "Thank you for lending this servant your time! I promise that I will not disappoint Shihan and Hashi—I mean, Young Lord Han Zeno!"
That moment, the sun rises completely as they battle each other. Day by day, Han Dae is keeping up with work, self-education, and training. Han Zeno watches them from afar, drinking the tea he brewed for him while studying. Han Dae cannot accompany him in any monster hunting for a while. Han Zeno cannot visit him directly because of his busy schedule as the person he is. But whenever they had the chance to bump into each other, especially during work, both of them never really changed.
"It has been a week." Shihan Xu said while holding a wooden sword, standing gracefully in front of Han Dae. "You haven't made any progress at all."
Han Dae is all beat up. With bruises all over his body caused by a hit on the wooden sword, punches and kicks from his Shihan, and from flipping and flying to a wall or a tree every time. Even his clothes are tore.
"I have heard that the young lord lessen your workload for the month." His Shihan continued, "And that you have spent more than two whole years training as Zushi apprentice."
Han Dae's eyes widened as he continued, "How pitiful. If only you are a pure blood you might be a Zushi already. Your cultivation is low, your physical strength is average and your skills aren't that promising either. At this rate you would need another two years in order to become one."
Han Dae clutched his sword tightly. His sword does have a fine blade, however, it is useless if he cannot even hit the hem of his opponent's robe. Biting his lips, he cannot help but to look down at himself either.
Every word his Shihan said cut deep.
Asher can't help but utter, "Han Dae..." being inside Han Dae's body, he felt every physical pain he is enduring. Added by those words, he felt that he is slowly shattering. As if he is being torn piece by piece.
"Will you not attack me anymore?" his Shihan asked.
Han Dae closed his eyes and shook his head. After that, he gave himself a hard slap on the face that surprised Han Xu and Asher. He then took a deep breath and positioned himself properly, fixing his stance.
"I will!" Han Dae answered as loud as he possibly could.
Han Xu saw his determination reflecting in his eyes. Slightly smiling, he ordered, "Come." Han Dae ran to him and they started fighting again.
After an hour, Han Dae's sword flew and by the time he looked up, his Shihan's wooden sword is already pointed at his neck. Han Dae's sweat rolled down from his forehead to his chin, dropping on his Shihan's sword.
"Useless effort." Is what he said with cold eyes before leaving Han Dae. Not even breaking a sweat, he dusted off his clothes until he is out sight.
Han Dae fell on his hands and knees. Gasping for air desperately as he wiped his sweaty face with his sleeve and dusted off his torn clothes. He looked at his hands. The skin on his palms are dirty and wounded. He wiped the dirt and blood off his face and robe and fixed his hair ribbon. He stood and grabbed his sword.
While he is passing by Han Zeno's place, he saw a lot of people gathered in awe as he practices with a Shihan. Han Zeno landed a hit strong hit on his Shihan's sword that taken him aback.
His Shihan then praised him, "Young Lord Han Zeno is really amazing! You keep on getting better and better! Why won't the Young Lord be a Shihan apprentice?"
Han Zeno laughed, "I am flattered. However, I am still not strong enough to be one."
"Hey have you heard?" one of the people said to others, "Young Lord Han Zeno can become a Shihan already if he wanted to!"
One of them nodded, "I always wonder why the young lord doesn't want to grab the opportunity..."
"Huh? Why wonder?"
"That's right! It is obvious why the young lord wouldn't accept it!"
"Young Lord Han Zeno is always humble and kind."
One of the servants took the sword that Han Zeno used in practice and gave him his own sword. He thanked her and noticed Han Dae who is looking at his way. He smiled warmly at him until he noticed the expression his face.
Han Dae's eyes widened the moment his Hashi-ni faced him happily. He doesn't have the face to show him. His eyes watered, his nose and cheeks turned red. Removing his hair clip and ribbon, his hair covered the sides of his face. He turned around in shame and embarrassment and started running away.
'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!' repeatedly, he cursed while running, preventing his tears to fall. He stopped and leaned on a wooden pillar to once again wipe his dirty face. 'Hashi-ni tell me... how can I be deserving of you when I am so weak?'
"Han... Dae?" he heard a familiar voice. Immediately, he looked up and saw a familiar face in front of him.
"Han..." he uttered, "Zenzen-ni?"
Han Zenzen, upon completely recognizing Han Dae, he approached him while taking his handkerchief from his sleeve and began wiping Han Dae's face saying, "What on earth had happened to you? What is with your clothes? And- And your hair is messy!"
His voice sounds very worried.
"Han-ni," Han Dae looked at his face, "since when did you arrive here?"
"A year ago!" he pouted, "I have no chance see you since I still have to go back and forth in both places, and my place is still in Fushi. I heard that you serve the young lord himself. What had happened? Why are you beaten up?"
"It is because of my incompetence." Han Dae replied, "What can I do? I am weak for fuck's sake..." he uttered almost a whisper turning his head away from Han Zenzen.
Han Zenzen grabbed his wrist and said, "Are you done for the day?"
Han Dae faced him and nodded, "Mnn. But I still have to go and check on Young Lord Han Zeno tonight..."
"Good." He answered, "Come with me for a sec."
He took Han Dae back to Fushi and cleaned him up.
Han Zenzen, "Hurry up and take you robe off."
"Eh?!" Han Dae exclaimed while covering his body.
Han Zenzen, "I am going to put some ointment on your bruises so that it will heal faster."
"Eh?" Han Dae asked suspiciously.
He removed his upper garment revealing all the bruises from shoulders, back, stomach, to elbows.
Han Zenzen is surprised, "They're purple!" opening a round shaped container, he dipped two of his fingers and wiped it to Han Dae's bruises in the back.
"You know," Han Zenzen stated, "Aren't you underestimating yourself? Of course, it is good to recognize our own weaknesses, but we have to make it our strength somehow." He brushed Han Dae's long hair in front.
"This kind of world we are living in is cruel." He said, "It's eat or be eaten. But if there is someone who is standing at our side, it can be colorful isn't it?"
Han Dae faced him, "Han-ni..." he uttered.
After putting some ointment, he slapped Han Dae's back that made him groan in pain and he continued, "Cheer up! Both of us have come so far!"
Han Dae nodded, "Mhm! I have come so far!"
Han Zenzen, "We are stronger than before!"
Han Dae, "I am stronger than before!"
Han Zenzen, "We will surely achieve what we want to!"
Han Dae, "I will surely achieve what I want to!"
Han Zenzen, "To hell with everybody!"
Han Dae, "To hell with everybody!"
They looked at each other in a moment of silence before bursting out in laughter. Han Zenzen then said while brushing Han Dae's hair, "Feeling better?"
Han Dae nodded, "Mnn. Thanks a lot Han-ni!" he grabbed the ribbon and hair clip and wrapped it on his hair once again. Someone walked in the room and said,
"Oho? So you remembered to come back?"
Han Dae faced her and he immediately went for a hug, "Momma Han!" However, he received a smack on the head.
"Who are you calling momma?!" she shouted furiously, "And why the hell are your clothes tattered?!"
Han Dae acted as if he was defiled, "Ahh... Han-ni was so rough..."
Han Zenzen immediately turned red in embarrassment, "Huh?!" he freaked, "I-I didn't! You jerk!"
However, Han Dae continued, "Han-ni, you must take responsibility of me!"
"You-!"
Han Zoraida sighed, "Still hyper as always."
"Han-jia too! Still pretty as always!" Han Dae smiled innocently.
"Yeah, you just want some spare clothes, don't you?" She turned and said, "Follow me, I'll give you some."
Han Dae stood while fixing his robe with a smile as he giggled, "Han-jia I love you lots!"
Night came and Han Dae is standing in front of Han Zeno's chambers while holding a tray of tea. He has been standing still for almost twenty minutes already.
'Wha-what should I do?! What should I do?!' He freaked, 'H-Hashi-ni smiled at me earlier and I ignored him... sh-should I apologize first? That's right! I-I should apologize first!'
He swallowed nervously and is about to open the door when the door opened on its own revealing Han Zeno in front of him. Han Dae's eyes is filled with shock. Han Zeno is a bit surprised to see him in front of his door.
"Han... Dae?" he asked.
Han Dae immediately lowered his head and presented him the tea, "Y-Young Lord's tea... t-this servant is here to bring it..."
Han Zeno sighed in relief and took the tray, "Come in." he smiled and Han Dae obeyed. The moment the both of them had taken their seats, Han Zeno poured the tea on his cup and drank from it.
Then he said, "I have been looking everywhere for you..." Han Dae gasped and flinched, he hastily faced Han Zeno and said, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to ignore Hashi-ni earlier!"
"Is something troubling you?" Han Zeno asked.
Han Dae shook his head, "This servant already fixed his own trouble! I promise, I will be a full-fledged Zushi and accompany Hashi-ni without being a bother!"
Han Zeno smiled, "That's the spirit!" he stood and said, "Do you want to go and take a stroll with me?"
Han Dae smiled, "Gladly!"