Part eleven - You shouldn’t take candy from a stranger

After a few minutes had gone by with Chunho simply staring at him, Wooyun could only awkwardly turn around and make his way to the market. 

He pulled a list he had hidden in his bag and began browsing around for the things he needed, ignoring the man behind him. Once he was done, he went up to the vendor who was an old lady with a kind smile who packed his things, giving him a big smile. "My, what a handsome young man!" She exclaimed as she stared at Wooyun with wide, sparkly eyes. 

"Thank you for your patronage. Please take a candy, and one for your handsome friend as well." She said. 

Wooyun graciously accepted the candy, thanking the woman before leaving. He popped the sweet treat into his mouth before handing the other one to the man behind him. Chunho wore a relaxed and easygoing smile, though there was an air of cautiousness in his gaze when regarding Wooyun. The man in question thought nothing of it, chalking it up to being careful amongst strangers despite his friendly countenance. 

"Have your parents never taught you to be careful of ingesting things handed to you by people you don't know?" He asked in a light voice. 

Wooyun gave him a brief glance before shrugging. "I am well aware of the dangers, but I figured a sweet old lady wouldn't have any grudges against me." 

Chunho raised a brow. "Looks can be deceiving." He stated. 

Wooyun continued on his way, this time heading towards the fancier things sold in the market. He gave the man another quick glance before answering. "I'm aware that looks can be deceiving. No matter how kind a person may look on the outside or how friendly they may act, they can easily become the most vile and wicked people you've ever met. One should be cautious of who they associate themselves with, but that doesn't mean you need to live in constant fear." He said, giving the man a pointed look. "And just to be clear, I made sure the candy wasn't tampered with before putting it in my mouth. So it's safe to eat." 

Chunho had a thoughtful look on his face as he digested Wooyun's words. Despite how young and naïve he appeared on the outside, it seemed there was more to him than met the eye. 

He watched as the young man scurried around everywhere, buying everything he could find on the list and then some. His hands were now full of bags, and Chunho couldn't help laughing at the sight. 

"Who is making you do these chores?" He couldn't help asking. 

Wooyun said nothing for a while before answering. "... My mother." He said, though the way he addressed her seemed too formal and distant. The man glanced down at Wooyun's clothes and couldn't help noticing how worn and torn they were. Though they appeared to be of the finest quality, he could tell at first glance that they had been used for quite some time. 

Not only that, but he noticed some lashings on his wrists whenever he extended his hands, though they appeared to be faint; with his excellent vision, he could tell they had been there for a while. 

As they made it to the last stop in the marketplace, Chunho spoke up, almost as if he was speaking to himself. "You need to learn how to cut off the parasites that are holding you back, even if they are your family." He said as he gave him a knowing look. "A sprouting flower cannot blossom if it keeps getting nipped in the leaves. Sometimes it's wiser to choose peace than live in constant misery." 

The man's sudden preachings confused Wooyun, unsure what to make of his words, especially since they seemed to be pointed at him. Wooyun couldn't have agreed more with that statement, however. It was what he truly believed as well. "Don't worry. I am more resilient than I look." He told him. 

Chunho studied Wooyun carefully and couldn't detect any lies in his words. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. "That's good to hear. If you have the power to act, make firm use of it." 

Wooyun's breath hitched when he heard those words. They sounded oddly familiar, but he couldn't place where he had heard them before. That's when he remembered that those were the exact lines he had told Han Seo-yoon when she was finally ready to take revenge against Kang Choon-hee. 

Wooyun looked up at him, his eyes searching his face, but came up empty. This man strangely reminded him of Baek Junghwa—the infamous Demon Lord. He was known to be clean and efficient, merciless when it came to dealing with his enemies. Most saw him as a heartless individual, lacking in warmth and compassion, yet he proved that he was capable of treating the people he cared about with kindness. He was a ruthless man in battle, an unyielding leader, a force to be reckoned with, but a man who could still sympathize with the innocent and weak. He was a walking contradiction beyond human understanding. 

Every time Junghwa would show up, Wooyun would be unable to tear his eyes away from the book, eager to read more of him. It was strange how similar they were, but different at the same time. It was almost as if—before he could finish his thought, the horse-drawn carriage the man had ridden in made a full stop in front of them.

 The man from earlier popped his head outside and looked at Chunho with a serious expression on his face. It seemed as though Chunho knew without having to be told that things didn't go well during the appointment. He let out a tired sigh before turning to look at Wooyun. 

"I'm afraid I have some business to take care of and won't be able to stay out much longer." He said, his tone sounding slightly disappointed. 

"Oh, it's no problem at all. If you need to go, please don't stop on my account." Wooyun said, his voice sounding a little regretful as well. 

Chunho glanced at the boy, his eyes moving to the things he was carrying, and pressed his lips into a thin line. "I will drop you off where we originally met so you won't have to walk all the way home." He said resolutely. 

The man next to him looked like he wanted to protest, but stopped himself when he saw the look on his face, a look Wooyun happened to have missed when looking down at his things. Wooyun felt bad having to impose on this stranger he'd only met twice now, but seeing the things he'd have to carry back home, he knew he would be a slight challenge. He wasn't opposed to going back with him if it would make his life easier. Opportunity knocks only once, so he might as well make use of it. 

Wooyun looked back up and gave the man a grateful smile. A smile so bright it lit up his entire face—his beautiful eyes sparkled under the sunlight, giving the young man a youthful glow capable enough of taking someone's breath away. Chunho found himself momentarily stunned.

It took him a full minute to react afterwards. He cleared his throat and told Wooyun not to worry. The three entered the carriage and journeyed back to Sea City. Though they rode in silence, Wooyun didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. When they finally stopped at the place he had been picked up earlier, Wooyun felt a little sad that they had to part ways. He didn't know why, but he enjoyed this mysterious man's company.

It was a calm and soothing presence, one that made you feel balanced and secure. But even if they had to part ways, and even if their chances of meeting were slim to none, he was glad he took the plunge and accepted his offer for a ride.

 "I would like to thank you once more for giving me a ride. You have my sincerest gratitude." He said. 

The man nodded, returning his smile. "It was no trouble at all. I quite enjoyed myself." The two sat there staring at each other for what felt like a long time. It wasn't until the man next to him cleared his throat that they reached. 

"Then I shall take my leave. Have a great day," Wooyun said as he got out of the carriage. 

As he was about to walk off, he heard the man say, "I hope we get to meet again." With that, the carriage left, leaving Wooyun stunned.

Those were definitely the kind of words you would say to a woman. He didn't know how to feel about this, but strangely enough, he didn't feel an aversion to them. Wooyun walked the rest of the way back, the mysterious man still heavy on his mind. 

~*~

"So?" the man asked as he turned to face the other. "What happened at the meeting?" 

The young man had a grim look on his face as he thought back to his encounter with the madam. "As usual, she threw a fit when she saw me alone, Lord Junghwa. I knew this would happen. That's why I insisted on not going alone, and yet you shirked your duties to spend time with some random boy." He huffed, feeling aggrieved. 

Junghwa gave him a small smile as he thought back to the little chick he had met the other day. He never thought he would be able to see him again—the man who had caught his attention. Of course, he wouldn't let an opportunity to see him get by him. Though he felt bad for Jaha, he was glad he went through with it. 

"Sorry you had to go through that; I know how harsh Madam Soo can be." He sighed. Jaha shook his head, not at all liking the fact that Junghwa was feeling apologetic. It usually meant that he was only half sincere. He couldn't help rolling his eyes.

 "It's fine. I don't know why that old lady has her eyes set on you. She knows she can never claim you, yet she insists on setting up these elaborate meetings just to catch your eyes." He shook his head at the thought. She had gone far and beyond—dolling herself up to look younger than her age and prepared some of the finest wines to accommodate him. 

Junghwa chuckled when he saw how pale Jaha had gotten. "So? What did she want?" 

"She wanted to let you know about a new business opportunity she wants to start here. Since Sea City is known as the merchant haven, she wanted to expand in the eastern region." He said. 

"If she wants to expand, she can do so on her own. What need does she have for me?" Junghwa asked with raised eyebrows. 

"…She wishes to use some resources that can only be found in the north." 

A knowing look spread across his face. "I see. So she's after the Everfrost Bone." He said. 

Jaha nodded. The Everfrost Bone was made of the bones of ancient beasts—frozen in permafrost. Consuming its marrow strengthens the body. Since the northern region is often known for its harsh, frozen landscapes, most of the rare and powerful materials that can be used for cultivation, forging, and alchemy can be found there.

Most businesses have realized that expanding some of their products to cater to cultivators has become more profitable, so they are all pining to find the materials necessary to cater to their needs. 

A smart woman like Madam Soo knew that the best way to get her hands on those materials and get ahead of the curve was to get the Demon Lord at her side. And getting the Everfrost would only be possible through him, since they can only be found in the frozen wastelands of the north.

This wasn't a place just anybody could enter, not just because it was the domain of the Blood Moon Sect, but because not even high-level cultivators could survive without protective measures against such extreme conditions. 

However, it was worth going through all those troubles because of its physical properties that were ideal for forging weapons. It was extremely durable—nearly unbreakable by normal means. It was said to be as strong as the finest divine metals. It was also spiritually reactive, naturally able to absorb and amplify yin-based, frost, or moonlight-infused energies making it highly valuable to cultivators specialized in ice-related arts, fire cultivators who wish to temper their flames, yin cultivators, defensive martial artists and earth cultivators, alchemists and healers.

Even wealthy nobles and cultivation clans could benefit from the Everfrost because of its beauty that can be infused in jewellery, furniture, or training chambers. 

It's a product that could benefit anyone who knows how to make full use of its properties, and Madam Soo understood this. 

"She's a clever woman, I'll give her that. She knows what she wants, but more importantly, she knows how to get it as well." Jaha remarked. 

Junghwa agreed with Jaha's assessment since it was spot on. The Demon Lord had met many people who wished to make use of the many resources up north. And each time, Junghwa promptly refused. To him, their goals were obvious. To wring everything they had dried, even if it meant having to bow down to a demon cultivator. At least with Madam Soo, she was transparent with what she wanted, and she was willing to set up a fair and just relationship between the two. 

"What will you do?" Jaha asked when he saw the pensive look on his face.

The guardian was still unsure of why Junghwa even agreed to the meeting in the first place. The end result was always the same; he would say no. It was why he usually refused to set up meetings in the first place, yet he agreed with this one. Jaha couldn't help being curious. 

"I'm willing to hear her out." He simply said, surprising the first guardian.