Trust

Min Joo's heart-wrenching sobs echoed through the air as she cried miserably, her emotions raw and unguarded. Yoongi couldn't help but feel deeply concerned for her, even though he tried to maintain a stoic exterior. He followed her outside the heritage, giving her the space she needed to process her emotions.

As Min Joo questioned the horrifying act committed against the girl, her voice trembled with anger and sorrow. "Why? I repeat why they did this to her? They had already snatched her freedom, then why this?" Her pain was palpable, and it touched something inside Yoongi—the side of him that had once been kind and compassionate.

Bending down to look into her tear-streaked face, Yoongi's voice was gentle as he answered, "That's what they do to pleasure themselves." His words carried a sense of resignation, as if he had seen such cruelty countless times and had become disillusioned with humanity's capacity for evil.

But Min Joo refused to accept such a callous response. Shocked and enraged, she demanded to know "What would be done? If the same justification would apply the same to their wives, sisters, daughters, or mothers?" Her words struck a chord within Yoongi, and he felt a lump forming in his throat.

He was rendered speechless, unable to find words to defend the inexcusable actions of some men. Seeing Min Joo's tears and hearing her impassioned questions, he felt a deep sense of guilt that he had once been part of the very system that perpetuated such injustices.

As her tears continued to stream down her red cheeks, Min Joo expressed her frustration, knowing that many men remained silent and indifferent when confronted with the suffering of women. She scoffed at his momentary silence, seeing it as a reflection of the broader issue—how society often turned a blind eye to the pain and suffering endured by women.

In that moment, Yoongi felt a growing sense of admiration for Min Joo's strength and courage. Despite the heaviness of her heart, she refused to be silenced or ignored. Her passion and determination to seek justice for the girl and all women who suffered at the hands of cruelty resonated with him deeply.

It was a turning point for Yoongi. He realized that he couldn't remain indifferent any longer, that he had the power to make a difference, to be a force for good. His past actions and the cruelties he had committed as the king haunted him, but Min Joo's presence and her unwavering commitment to justice sparked a desire for redemption within him.

In that moment, Yoongi made a silent promise to himself—to stand with Min Joo, to support her in her quest for justice, and to confront the darkness that had plagued his kingdom for far too long. Fate had brought them together for a reason, and Yoongi was determined to embrace that destiny, to be a better man, and to use his power to bring about positive change in a world that desperately needed it.

As Min Joo went back inside the heritage, wiping her tears and tending to the girl's injuries, Yoongi maintained his disguise as a beggar. He approached the crying child, gently asking, "Who was responsible for the sister's current state? Have you seen them?" With some careful questioning, the child pointed out two soldiers standing in front of a butcher's shop. Yoongi memorized their faces, knowing that he would deal with them later.

Min Joo emerged from the heritage after some time, having treated the injuries of the prisoners. However, her tear-stained face and sulking figure tugged at Yoongi's conscience. He questioned his own victory, realizing that despite conquering territories and wielding power, there was still immense suffering within his kingdom.

As the sun began to set, the members of the cult started to leave the captured territory, one by one. Min Joo lingered for a moment, her heart racing in her chest. Her concern for the girl, who had endured so much pain, was evident in her worried expression.

Without any other thought she dashed towards the heritage she was earlier. However, to her astonishment and perhaps relief, she witnessed a sight that brought a sense of justice and closure. The pair of soldiers responsible for the assault were hanged dead in front of the heritage. Their lifeless bodies served as a warning to anyone who dared to commit such atrocities in Yoongi's domain.

Min Joo scanned their bloody state and, with a mixture of emotions, rushed back inside to check on the child and her sister. To her surprise, she found them both looking at her with wide smiles, relieved and grateful for the swift and decisive action taken.

In that moment, Min Joo realized that even in the darkest corners of the world, there was a glimmer of hope. Yoongi's transformation had started to influence the way he wielded his power, and the consequences for those who acted cruelly were becoming more severe.

Yoongi, disguised as the beggar, was secretly pleased that his plan had worked. He had orchestrated the hanging of the soldiers to deliver justice to the innocent girl and her sister, while also earning Min Joo's admiration that was his actual goal. As she smiled faintly at the duo's response and they reciprocated with smiles of their own, Yoongi watched from afar, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.

When Min Joo left the scene and headed towards the exit, Yoongi's guards were about to approach her, but he stopped them. Curiosity and a growing connection made him decide to follow her instead. He shadowed her silently as she made her way to her horse, and when she turned and saw the beggar, she couldn't help but ask in confusion, "You?"

Yoongi maintained his act and inquired "Where you are heading too?" Min Joo hesitated for a moment before responding, "Opposite side of the hill." The beggar's face lit up with apparent delight as he begged her to take him with her, weaving a tale about being stuck in that area with no way to return to his family.

"Why?" Min Joo inquired, intrigued by his plea. Yoongi continued with his act, responding, "My family lives there, and I was stranded here without any means of going back."

Min Joo considered his request, and after a moment of thought, she offered him a seat behind her on the horse. Her sweet, honey-like voice was inviting as she said, "Hop on, I'll take you home." She rewarded him with one of her rarest eye smiles, a gesture that made Yoongi's heart flutter.

As he settled behind her on the horse, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was pleased that his plan had granted him a chance to spend more time with Min Joo, getting to know the compassionate and strong-hearted woman she was. On the other hand, he couldn't shake off the guilt and remorse he felt for deceiving her with his beggar disguise.

But in that moment, as they rode together towards the opposite side of the hill, a sense of hope and longing began to fill Yoongi's heart. He couldn't deny the growing bond between them and the desire to be near her, to protect her, and to support her in her fight for justice.

Little did they both know that their journey together had only just begun. With secrets still hidden and challenges ahead, they were about to embark on an adventure that would test their resilience, their beliefs, and their hearts. Fate had brought them together, and destiny seemed to intertwine their paths, leading them towards a future that held both darkness and light.

As they rode together, Min Joo couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort with Min Gwan, the beggar, behind her. She asked him his name, and after a moment of consideration, he replied, "Min Gwan." She mumbled a simple "Oh," and Yoongi, hidden behind the beggar's guise, smiled to himself, glad to be sharing this moment with her.

Yoongi decided to take the opportunity to ask Min Joo about her true intentions for visiting his captured territory. He inquired, "Why did you come to this dangerous place?" Her response was filled with a mix of resilience and vulnerability as she scoffed and said, "I've seen much horrible things." Her words piqued his curiosity even more, and he yearned to know more about her past and the experiences that had shaped her.

Playing dumb, he asked innocently, "Really? Like what?" Min Joo's guarded expression softened slightly, and she retorted, "Why would I tell you? What am I to you?" Her words struck a chord within Yoongi, and a wave of sadness washed over him. The realization of their current dynamic—strangers brought together by chance—only made him more intrigued by her.

Quickly realizing her teasing, Min Joo reassured him with a small laugh, "Hey, I was kidding." Yoongi's spirits lifted as she clarified, "I just have my reasons." He respected her boundaries and didn't press further, deciding to let her share her experiences in her own time, if she chose to do so.

In the comfortable silence that followed, they continued their journey towards the opposite side of the hill. The day was drawing to a close, and the world seemed to hold its breath as they rode side by side. Each lost in their own thoughts, yet connected by the unspoken bond that had formed between them.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, Yoongi felt a sense of calm and tranquility he hadn't experienced in a long time. In the presence of Min Joo, he found himself feeling more at peace, as if her kindness and strength had the power to soothe the turmoil within him.

Their journey together was just beginning, and as they rode side by side into the unknown, they both knew that they were destined to face challenges, uncover secrets, and confront the darkness that lay ahead. But they also knew that they had each other—to lean on, to support, and to find solace in the midst of chaos.

In the days to come, as their bond deepened and their paths entwined further, Yoongi and Min Joo would come to realize that their encounter was not just a mere chance meeting, but the beginning of a transformative journey—one that would test their beliefs, reshape their destinies, and lead them to discover the true power of love, compassion, and the strength that lies within the human heart. And together, they would embark on a quest that would change not only their lives but also the course of history, forever leaving a mark on the tale of the Min Chan Dynasty.