The engine rumbled, as the SUV moved down the Cheonliang mountain. Hyun-Woo sat at the wheel, focused on the road, while Ha-Joon leaned back in the rear seat, one hand resting lazily on the door frame, his gaze drifting out the window.
Inside the SUV, the silence was peaceful, until Hyun-Woo glanced at Ha-Joon through rearview mirror. At the sight of Ha-Joon's long hair, he frowned slightly.
"Boss, don't take it the wrong way." Hyun-Woo began, tapping at the side of mirror. "but have you ever thought of cutting your hair and changing your clothes?"
Ha-Joon snapped out of his thought, raised a brow slightly. "Hmm?"
"I mean, it's long and a bit rough. Kinda wild looking this days." Hyun-Woo continued. "You used to look elegant. But now? You look a feral monk mediating straight for 10 years."
Ha-Joon smiled, caressing his hair slowly. "I didn't know you had a fashion opinions."
(A/N: A bit of spoiler.)
"I'm just saying," Hyun-Woo shrugged, eyes still on the road. "You're planning to move between the underworld and high society, right? That hair and dress doesn't exactly scream 'refined and untouchable.' More like 'don't talk to me or I'll bite your ear off."
Ha-Joon let out a laugh at his wword. This was exactly why he always brought Hyun-Woo along, his lighthearted words had a way of cutting through the silence and lifting the weight off any gloomy mood.
Hyun-Woo didn't stop. "Besides, are you underestimating me? Back in the day, I was working part-time as a stylist for idols, okay? I've seen more designer coats and luxury brands than you've had hot meals."
Ha-Joon sighed and leaned his head against the window. "And now you're chauffeuring me through the mountains."
"Well.. What can I say? Life's weird just like that."
The SUV moved smoothly into the lower roads, leaving mountain forest as they approached flatter ground.
Ha-Joon straightened up. "Stop by Shinmyung Shrine."
Hyun-Woo looked confused at his order. "Why? I heard by the kids that he died yesterday due to conflict."
"I need to pay a visit to his son." Ha-Joon said.
....
Soon, the SUV stopped near the entrance of shrine. Ha-Joon pushed the door open and stepped out of SUV.
Ha-Joon moved alone at the entrance while Hyun-Woo stayed behind to watch over their vehicle. As he neared the hut of Shinmyung, three figures came into view.
Charles Choi stayed at the center, as soon as Ha-Joon entered the shrine, his gaze had locked onto the figure. Flanking him were the Kojima brothers, Shigeaki and Hiroaki, the ghostly twins who once trained Ha-Joon.
Ha-Joon eyes briefly locked onto Charles. That alone brought back another memory, which he had forgotten.
After the Cheonliang incident, Charles came alone here, to test whether Cheon Taejin had discovered the secret between the red paper.
As far as he remembered, Charles had assumed that Taejin didn't know about the red paper and had returned with a wide smile.
But now? The wings of butterfly had begun to flap after Ha-Joon's intervention with red paper.
Taejin likely knew about the red paper to which, Ha-Joon simply didn't care about.
Ha-Joon looked over and gave a polite nod.
"It's an honor to meet a member of the Fist Gang," Ha-Joon said calmly as he walked past them without pause. Then, without looking back, he added. "Soon enough, our paths will cross properly."
Ha-Joon pushed the door open and stepped inside.
As he disappeared into the hut, Charles turned his head slightly, squinted his eyes and said. "By the time our paths cross again… will you stand as my ally or my foe, Yamazaki?"
...
(Be warned, further content contains a bit of disturbing scene of harassing a minor)
Inside the place,
Without looking back, Taejin spoke in his rough voice, "Didn't I tell you to get lost?"
Ha-Joon didn't respond. He walked forward and took a seat just a few feet from him.
"I'll get straight to the point," Ha-Joon said. "Join my side.... I won't ask twice."
Taejin turned his head at the familiar voice. The sight of Ha-Joon stirred something sharp in his chest. His lips curled into a bitter smirk as he let out a low chuckle. "Why the hell would I ever side with someone like you?"
He still remembered how Ha-Joon had threatened his father for a small piece of paper, and left like it meant nothing.
And what followed after that made him angry. His father hadn't taken it out on Ha-Joon.
That was the moment Taejin swore, he'd never let someone like Ha-Joon have the upper hand again.
"You used my father like a pawn," Taejin said, eyes narrowing. "And now you want me to be part of your game?"
"You wanted me to join your circle just so you could get your hands on my land?"
Ha-Joon shook his head and smiled.
"You've got some nerve."
Ha-Joon's smile faded.
Without a word, he stood up, walked over, and in a sudden motion gripped Taejin by the neck.
His body stiffened as Ha-Joon tightened his grip around his neck.
What's with this monstrous strength.
Taejin cursed inwardly.
His hands instinctively went to Ha-Joon's arm, struggling to pry him off. But it was like trying to move stone.
"Don't act like you can do as you please, just because you've got your father's inheritance." Ha-Joon said coldly. "Don't talk to me like we're equal."
"Besides you think I walked in here for small talk? This isn't a negotiation. It's a courtesy."
Taejin eyes widened, his body shaking from sheer rage. He hated the helplessness in a situation like this.
Suddenly, Ha-Joon grabbed Taejin's hand without warning.
A sharp, sickening crack echoed in the room.
Taejin screamed, the pain shooting up his arm like fire. Before he could recover, another jolt of agony followed, because Ha-Joon had moved to the other hand.
Leaning down, Ha-Joon spoke in a low, cold voice. "You'll carry the pain your father handed to Seongji. Someone has to take his blame right?"
Taejin completely blacked out, as foam began to gather at the corner of his mouth.
Ha-Joon stared for a moment, then stepped back in disgust.
"Tch."
Some may call it petty. While others may call it outright cruel, punishing a son for the sins of the father.
But Ha-Joon didn't care. In his consciousness, consequences didn't discriminate by bloodline.
If you were tied to those who wronged him or his people, you would bear the weight.
Even if it meant crushing the entire family.