"Get up!" the guards barked as they yanked me to my feet. Confusion washed over me as I asked, "Where are we going?" One of them brought out chains, clinking ominously as he wrapped them around my wrists. "Make sure to tighten them... he's not an easy one," the other guard warned, and I repeated my question, desperation creeping into my voice. "Where are we going?"
"You're going in for a public interrogation," the guard replied, and a heavy sigh escaped my lips. Public interrogations felt more like public humiliations—an open forum for shame, where people could unleash their anger and disgust upon me. As I was led toward the grounds, the weight of their judgment pressed down on me like a heavy cloak.
The crowd loomed ahead, a sea of faces twisted with disdain. Each step felt like a mile as I passed by, their eyes boring into me, fingers pointing and jeers filling the air. "How could he pretend to be human and stay with us?" one voice shouted. "Go away!" another added, venom lacing their words. "We are unsafe with you here." The comments stung, each one a reminder of how quickly admiration could turn to hatred. They called me a monster, just like the Wuyi witches I had fought so hard against.
This was my walk of shame. The very same people who had once showered me with praise and applause for my bravery were now hurling insults and disdain. Tears threatened to spill as I lowered my head, overwhelmed by the betrayal of their love turned sour. I couldn't help but silently cry, feeling utterly alone in a crowd that had once celebrated me.
We finally made our way to the grounds, where a crowd had gathered, and among them stood Shi Ran, the man responsible for all of this chaos. "Tie him up!" the inspector barked, and the guards pulled me away, binding my arms and legs tightly. I dangled helplessly, feeling the weight of their effort as if they expected me to break. But I knew my answer would remain unchanged. "I am not a monster."
Just as I braced myself for the interrogation, something shifted in the air. I heard the sound of someone being dragged in, and when I turned to see, my heart sank—it was Lee Yun. "Lee Yun!" I exclaimed, panic rising as I struggled against the chains that held me. "What are you doing?" I demanded of the inspector, my voice trembling.
"Since you were ready to open up to us, we thought we should get an answer from your close friend," he replied coldly. "But this has nothing to do with him!" I protested, desperation clawing at my throat. "It does... he's the closest to you. Plus, he surely knows something, seeing how he didn't budge despite how much we beat him up," the inspector retorted, ordering Lee Yun to be tied up as well. He looked exhausted and battered, and my heart twisted at the sight. "Lee Yun!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
"Don't worry, Shi Yi. Stick to what you want to say. I won't give in that easily either," he said, his voice steady despite the pain. They whipped him again, and I felt a surge of helplessness. "So this is how it's going to be," the inspector sneered. "Each time we ask you a question and you give an answer we don't like, he gets beaten up on your behalf. Understood?"
The weight of their threat settled heavily on my chest, and I realized the depths of their cruelty. I was trapped, not just for myself but for Lee Yun too. The thought of his suffering because of me was unbearable, and I knew I had to find a way to protect him, even if it meant enduring my own torment.
I could feel the weight of despair in the air as the inspector's voice cut through the chaos. The moment Yiran's ( Lee yuns son ) desperate cries reached my ears, my heart shattered. I watched helplessly as he was pulled back, his small frame struggling against the guards, tears streaming down his face begging them to let his father go.. It was a sight that tore at my very soul. Then, Lee Yun's wife knelt at my feet, her pleas echoing in my mind. "Please save my husband..." Her words were laced with anguish, and I felt the crushing guilt of knowing that my actions had led to this moment.
As she was dragged away, I realized the full extent of the mess I had created. The pain I was inflicting on those I cared about was unbearable. And then, in the midst of my turmoil, I uttered the words that felt like a confession, "I am a monster." The truth hung heavy in the air, and I could see the satisfaction in the inspector's eyes as he leaned closer.
His taunts only fueled my resolve, and I yelled out, "I am a monster! I accept I am a monster!" My voice cracked under the weight of my admission, but I refused to back down. The inspector's smirk deepened as he pressed me for more, but I knew what I had to do. "Does it matter what kind of monster I am? It's all the same! I have confessed, so untie Lee Yun!" I turned to him, desperation coursing through me. I could see the confusion in Lee Yun's eyes, and I knew I was putting everything on the line. I had to protect him, even if it meant sacrificing myself. "Shi Yi, what are you doing?" he asked, but I couldn't let fear dictate my actions any longer.....
I kept chanting the words, "I am a monster... I am a monster..." as the crowd's anger rained down on me, objects flying through the air, each one a reminder of my supposed sins. It was the first time in my life that I yearned for death, a longing so deep it felt like a physical ache. But as I leaned back against the cold wall of my cage, Moon Kyung's curse echoed in my mind: "You shall yearn for a death you won't be able to have." In that moment, I realized the weight of those words; this curse was about to shape my life into something I would dread for the longest time.
Lee Yun was freed, and I was left behind, the inspector's warning ringing in my ears: "You will be receiving a death sentence tomorrow." The thought of being labeled a monster, a threat to humanity, was suffocating. "Monsters are a threat to humanity... it's better to have them eradicated as soon as possible," he had said, and I felt the despair wash over me. As I lay on the hard floor, staring up at the ceiling, I whispered to myself, "I really wish I could die right now."
Suddenly, I was jolted awake by screams and the heavy smell of smoke filling the air. Panic surged through me as I tried to comprehend what was happening. "Burn the monster to death," I heard someone shout, and my heart sank. A fire had broken out, and I was tied up with no way to escape. I felt a sense of resignation wash over me, accepting whatever fate awaited me. Just as I sat there, consumed by despair, the door to my cage swung open, and I heard the familiar voice calling my name. "Shi Yi!!" I looked up, my heart racing. "Lee Yun!!" I exclaimed, confusion and fear flooding my mind. "What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice strained as he coughed, clearly choked by the smoke...I watched as Lee Yun fought against the chains that bound me, his determination shining through the chaos around us. "I came here as soon as I heard that the people in town were planning to burn you alive... they all want you gone if not dead... Shi ran instigated their anger," he explained, and I felt a rush of fear course through me. Could I really blame them? I was a threat, a monster in their eyes. But as he held my shoulders, I could see the resolve in his eyes. "You're not a monster. Now let's get you out of here," he insisted.
As he tried to untie the chains with his sword, I felt a surge of desperation. "Stay here... I'll find something," he said, and I could only watch as he left, the weight of my situation pressing down on me. "Lee Yun... you don't have to do this... get out of here," I pleaded, but he was unwavering. "I'm not leaving without you," he affirmed, and I knew he meant it. When he returned with an axe, I felt a glimmer of hope as he swung it against the chains until they broke. "Let's go!!" he urged, and we stepped out of the cage into the growing flames.
As the fire began to spread, I was filled with panic. "Let's go back and go through the little window I saw up there," he suggested, and we retreated to the cage. He climbed up first, urging me to follow. "What about you?" I questioned, fear gripping my heart. "I'll come after you," he promised, but I shook my head vigorously. "No... I can't leave without you." The urgency of the situation was palpable as he warned me, "Time isn't on our side; the fire is soon taking this place over." Tears filled my eyes as he convinced me to climb, and I finally did, scrambling up and out of the window.
I stood there, heart racing, waiting for him to follow. "Lee Yun!!" I called out, my voice laced with panic. "Coming!!" he shouted back, but as I watched the flames engulf the cage, dread settled in my chest. "Lee Yun!!" I cried again, my fear escalating as I realized the fire was closing in. "Lee Yun!!" Desperation filled my voice, and I could only hope he would make it out in time.
When I woke up the next day...The last thing I remembered was the deafening roar of the explosion, the heat of the flames, and the desperate cries for Lee Yun. My heart raced as I regained consciousness, the panic gripping me tightly. "Lee Yun!!" I screamed, the name echoing in my mind like a lifeline. But as I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at Yiran, his son, and confusion flooded my thoughts. "Where am I?" I wondered, my voice trembling.
Just then, Lee Yun walked into the room, and a wave of relief washed over me. "Lee Yun!!" I exclaimed, my heart lifting at the sight of him. He looked tired but alive. "Stay seated... you're in no position to be moving around," he warned gently. I couldn't help but ask, "Am I at your place?" The answer I received was unexpected. "No... this is a guest house. We are only staying here for the night... we're heading to Pazi," he said, and my curiosity piqued. "Pazi?"
"You've been out for almost eight days. After I got out that day, I knew I couldn't take you anywhere else. I made preparations to head to Pazi with my family and you. Pazi is my hometown," he explained. I took a deep breath, finally realizing I had left Qingzhen behind. Just then, Amara walked in. "Food is ready," she said, avoiding eye contact. I felt a pang of guilt. "She must still be mad at me?" I asked, but Lee Yun quickly reassured me, "Don't worry... she isn't." As he stepped out to get me something to eat, I leaned back against the wall, relief flooding through me. I was safe for now, and Lee Yun was alive.
*
*
After a meal and a shower, I felt refreshed for the first time in what felt like ages. The weight of the curse still loomed over me, but in that moment, I was okay. Sitting outside, gazing up at the stars, I felt a presence beside me. It was Yiran, and his question caught me off guard. "Mister... are you really a monster?" he asked, his innocent eyes searching mine. The heaviness in my chest tightened as he continued, "I heard Mom say that we aren't safe with you around here... and what if you harmed us all?"
Just then, Lee Yun's voice broke through the tension. "Yiran!! Why haven't you gone to bed yet? Come on, head in." Yiran rushed back inside, leaving me with a swirl of emotions. Lee Yun turned to me, offering comfort. "Don't listen to him... he's just a kid." He handed me a beer, a familiar gesture that brought a small smile to my face. "It's been a while since we last drank together," he said, and I chuckled softly.
"I can head out by myself," I said, trying to assert my independence. "What I mean to say is that I'm finally out of Qingzhen, so I can find my way to another place. I don't want to cause unrest between you and your wife." But before I could finish, he slapped me on the back, surprising me. "Hey!! What was that for?" I exclaimed. "I thought I should wake you up, considering you were talking a whole load of nonsense," he replied with a grin.
"I'm heading onto this journey with you... from Qingzhen to Pazi and even to any other place... you are my family too," he reassured me, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. His words were a balm to my troubled heart. "My wife is just worked up... but she will warm up to you in no time. You have that effect on people," he added.
We drank and talked and laughed all night, something we hadn't done in a while. The warmth of our friendship wrapped around us like a cozy blanket, chasing away the shadows of doubt and fear. As the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over everything, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.
By morning, we packed our things, ready to continue our journey. The road ahead was uncertain, but with Lee Yun by my side, I felt more equipped to face whatever challenges lay ahead. We shared stories, dreams, and even fears, each moment strengthening the bond between us.
As we set off, the world felt a little brighter, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the adventures waiting for us. Together, we would navigate through the unknown, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I belonged.
*
After a couple of days, we finally arrived at Pazi, a bustling city alive with energy. The streets were filled with people, and the market areas were vibrant with activity. "Here we are!!" Lee Yun exclaimed as we reached his house. It looked a bit dusty, a sign of his long absence, but I could see the potential for it to become a home again. "With some cleaning here and there, it will be made a home once again," he added as we prepared to settle in.
When Amara asked if I could handle the cleaning alone, I confidently replied, "Yes!" She seemed satisfied and decided to take Yiran to the market instead. As they walked away, I glanced back at Lee Yun, who smiled at me, a reassuring sign that his wife was starting to accept my presence. We worked hard, cleaning every inch of the house, and when we finally stepped back to admire our work, I couldn't help but smile at the transformation.
"Now that we are done here, would you like to grab a drink?" Lee Yun suggested. I hesitated, asking, "Is it okay for us to do that at this time of the day?" He laughed, "Since when have you been afraid to grab a drink? We shall be quick, plus I want to show you around Pazi." As we set off on this little adventure, Lee Yun ordered two bowls of rice wine. I looked around, taking in how much had changed about this place. Just then, I noticed some girls staring at me, and Lee Yun chuckled, "Woah... you still have that effect about you as well." I laughed softly, feeling a mix of pride and nostalgia. "Why? Are you still not over Princess Ailee?" he teased, and I couldn't help but reflect on the past, a bittersweet reminder of what once was....."We didn't get to say goodbye," I said softly, the weight of the words hanging in the air. "It's always harder to move on when you don't say goodbye," I added as I watched him sigh deeply. "Forget everything about Qingzhen," he urged, his voice filled with a mix of desperation and hope. "I know I am being selfish asking this of you, but I brought you here so you can start afresh. So please, forget everything about Qingzhen and look forward to a happy life here in Pazi." I nodded, feeling the gravity of his request. He then raised his bowl, a small smile breaking through his sorrow. "To a new life!" he declared. "To a new life," I echoed, though my heart was heavy with uncertainty.
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into years, I found myself unchanged while those around me, like Amara and Lee Yun, began to age. Yiran, who had once been a carefree eight-year-old, was now eighteen, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. The infection that swept through Pazi took many lives, transforming the once vibrant city into a shadow of its former self. Among those lost was Amara, Lee Yun's beloved wife. Her death shattered him completely, and watching him crumble under the weight of his grief broke my heart as well. I knew it was my turn to be there for him.
"Care for a drink?" I asked gently, finding him lost in thought, staring at Amara's portrait, which seemed to be all he did these days. "I'm not in the mood... I'd like to be left alone," he replied, his voice hollow and distant. I couldn't let him stay like this, locked away in his sorrow. "Are you going to be like this forever? Locked up in this room, not taking care of yourself or your son? Do you really think this is what Amara wants?" I questioned, desperation creeping into my voice. In an instant, he grabbed my collar, anger flaring in his eyes. "Don't say her name," he snapped, and in that moment, I realized how fragile his heart had become, and I had to tread carefully, balancing my desire to help him with the rawness of his pain....."Do it... hit me, slap me... yell at me... cry, do something... you didn't even shed a tear when we cremated her... don't keep these emotions buried... look at me... I am here for you... Yiran is here for you!" I urged, my heart aching as I watched him break down, tears streaming down his face. It was something he had needed to do for the longest time, and I held him tightly, offering comfort as he let it all out. In that moment of vulnerability, Yiran joined us, reinforcing the bond we shared. We needed him to know he wasn't alone, that we were here to continue this journey with him.
After a few days, we all agreed that we couldn't stay in Pazi any longer. The city had descended into chaos, and it was clear we needed a fresh start. We decided to move to Sijan, the place Amara had always dreamed of returning to, where we had planned to scatter her ashes. The journey took weeks, and by the time we arrived in Sijan, winter had set in. This was Amara's hometown, but after being sold to Qingzhen and meeting Lee Yun, she had never found the courage to return.
As we settled into a house we secured through connections, Lee Yun stood with Amara's ashes, his voice filled with emotion. "My beloved Amara... I finally brought you back to where your heart yearned to be all these years," he said as he scattered her ashes, a bittersweet release. Yiran looked up, tears in his eyes, and spoke softly, "Mom, I know you have turned into a star watching us from above... please watch over us, and I promise to take care of Dad." ...."Amara... I promise to take care of these two with my life..." I whispered as we scattered her ashes, holding onto Yiran and Lee Yun tightly. We were all that remained of our family, and in that moment, we felt the weight of our shared loss. After saying our goodbyes, we settled down in Sijan, trying to build a new life together. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. My inability to age or change in appearance forced me to wear a mask, hiding my true self from the world. Yiran and I trained in various forms of combat and archery, while Lee Yun watched over us, a silent guardian.
But then, death came for Lee Yun, my dear friend. His passing shattered something deep within me, and I recalled Moon Kyung's haunting words: "You will watch your loved ones pass away from you, and you wouldn't be able to do anything." I felt the weight of those words, knowing that my journey was far from over. In my despair, I wandered into the forest, where I screamed and cut my wrists, hoping that in my pain, I might find a release from this existence.
As I lost myself in the agony, Yiran found me. He hugged me from behind, his warmth contrasting with the coldness I felt inside. "Don't do this..." he pleaded, his voice filled with concern. His words lingered in my mind, a reminder that he was hurting too. In that moment, I realized that I wasn't alone in my suffering....I wasn't the only one who had lost a friend; Yiran had lost his dad and, tragically, his mom as well. This realization snapped me back to my senses, reminding me that I needed to be there for him. We needed to support each other through this pain. We scattered Lee Yun's ashes together, said our goodbyes, and tried to continue with our lives.
One night, as I sat star-gazing, I felt someone sit close to me. It was Yiran. He handed me a beer, just like his dad used to do, and said, "My dad told me that you are the loneliest among us all. I didn't understand that before, but now I do. So I promise that just like my dad, I'll accompany you on this journey. And if one day I am gone too, my kids will accompany you. I'm not going to let you live a day of loneliness in your life. I believe that's the best gift I can give my father in this lifetime." He tossed back the beer and took a sip, and his words washed over me with warmth. In that moment, I realized I wasn't alone on this journey anymore.
We continued our travels together, moving from Qingzhen to Pazi, from Pazi to Sijan, and then to many other places. No matter where I went, I always had someone by my side. I eventually decided to change my surname to Lee, embracing the family that meant more to me than anyone else. And so, many, many years later—almost a hundred—I watched the world evolve while I remained unchanged, yet I knew I was never truly alone.
*
*
Times changed, and I lived through the loss of many people. The world evolved around me, but I felt as though I remained stuck in time, simply watching it all unfold. A century later, I found myself in a new era—a modern era filled with tall buildings and rapid advancements, the year 2024.
Now, I am known as Lee Yi, a business mogul and a ceo of one of the leading companies in the entertainment industry. Accompanying me on this journey is Lee Yun's great-great-great-grandchild, Lee Hajun. It's incredible to see how the legacy continues through generations, and as I navigate this modern world, I carry the memories of those I loved and lost, ensuring that their spirit lives on in everything I do.
*
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