There is more than one kind of Qi. Most commonly Yin and Yang. Which is often cold and hot, negative and positive, feminine and masculine. Everyone has both energies inside of them. How the Qi manifests depends on several factors outside of just which of the two energies is being used.

  Tae sat up slowly. There was no light down here, but that didn’t matter, his enhanced vision allowed him to see more than he should be able to in the dark. Tae collected the lantern, tidied the bedroll, and made his way back up to the main floor. He hung the lantern back on its hook and exited the tiny room that only held the lantern and ladder. He took care to lock the door behind him again.

  The dry dye in his hair and beard itched. Tae grabbed the leftover water that was in the kitchen and washed as much of the dye out as he could. He then exited out the back into the small stone yard behind his restaurant. Tae dumped the waste water and drew more from the well. Though the buildings surrounding him also used this well, none of the occupants would be up until much later. Tae filled his bucket two more times as he washed the dye out. Once the water ran clear Tae refilled the bucket and carried it inside with him.

  After setting the water bucket back in its place Tae exited the kitchen and went up the stairs to his personal quarters. He passed by the sitting room that doubled as his study and into the room that held his bed and clothing. He dried his hair, changed into fresh clothing, and began working a comb through the now simply damp black hair.

  The black colour of his hair was familiar to him now. He’d been dying it with the same blend of herb and mineral powders for over a decade. While the dye strangely always seemed to fade away at once rather than slowly over time, his hair had naturally been a silvery white colour for as long as he could remember. His mother had also had the same white hair, and though he only had the vaguest of memories now, he believed his father had as well.

  Light hair, let alone white hair, was not common. While the elderly often had silver, grey, or white hair, no one even near his own age did. Tae already stood out with his height, his hair in its natural colour would make him a target. Though he could easily fight off anyone who came after him, having to watch his back for slave traders would be exhausting. It was simpler just to dye his hair. His beard was another deterrent. It made him look older than he was, and far less appealing to those who traded in humans. It also kept away the majority of those who would be interested in buying more than just the food he sold.

  Tae had opened the shutters to let in the soft morning light. He was just binding his hair back up when he noticed someone approaching the back door. Tae recognized the man almost instantly and hurried out of his room, taking the stairs two at a time as he rushed to the back door. He flung the door open before the man could knock, a smile on his face.

  “Shin!” Tae exclaimed, he wrapped his friend in a one armed hug before moving out of the doorway and gesturing for his friend to come in. Shin’s grin matched his own and the smaller man happily entered.

  “Tae-Hwan!” Shin replied. “Good to see you so lively. Could do without the potential bruises though.”

  Tae laughed. “If that was enough to bruise you, even your sisters could leave you purple.”

  “You used to be so worried about hurting me accidentally.” Shin sighed, shaking his head as he set down the pack he carried. “I kinda miss the overly careful Tae-Hwan.”

  “I haven’t been that way in a very long time.” Tae replied. “You getting old or something?”

  “No more than you are.” Shin quipped.

  “You’re musing worse than your old man.” Tae teased.

  “Ouch.” Shin said, his hand going to his heart as if the words were a blow.

  Tae began prepping to make breakfast. “Hungry?”

  “Always.” Shin answered. “Need any help?”

  “I was just going to make *gyeran bap.” Tae replied.

  “Sounds good to me, want me to heat up the rice?” Shin asked.

  Tae nodded as he lit the stove. While Shin’s back was turned hunting for the rice, Tae breathed a little Qi into the fire. He was very careful in how much he infused into his breath to hurry the fire along. He’d accidentally blown up an oven in the Seong clan kitchen about five years ago. Tae had gotten used to his stronger Qi, so he was able to simply speed the fire along instead of causing an explosion. The fire burned merrily away, so Tae closed the hatch and placed a pan on the stove-top. He poured in a little oil, swirling the pan to spread it.

  Shin scooped two portions of the rice into a pot and placed it on the stove as well. While Shin rummaged around, probably looking for the butter, Tae cracked two eggs into his pan. The oil had heated nicely. Tae added some water to steam the eggs and covered the pan. He then retrieved the toasted sesame seeds and two bowls.

  Shin had found the butter and was now stirring the rice so that it heated evenly and didn’t burn. Tae added a kettle filled with water to the stove. He removed the pan with the eggs before grabbing the teapot and tea leaves.

  In very little time the two of them were set up at the nearest table with their bowls of gyeran bap, the teapot, and teacups. They both dug into their food before pouring themselves some of the tea. They quickly finished both the food and the tea. With so few dishes it took about as much time to clean up as it had to eat the food.

  “I showed up without any notice, what was your plan for today?” Shin finally asked.

  “Just need to run some errands. Care to join me?” Tae asked.

  “Here I was worried your restaurant would be open today and I’d get roped in to helping you in the kitchen.” Shin joked.

  “Depending on how long you stay, that still might happen.” Tae replied smiling. Shin just laughed.

  “What’s on your list for errands?”

  “I’m out of a few of my dry foods and spices, need to place an order for more alcohol and tea leaves, and I’m hoping to find some replacements for broken dishes.” Tae told him as he finished putting the freshly cleaned dishes away.

  “Seems simple enough.” Shin replied. “Gotta ask though, what happened to the dishes?”

  Tae knew what his friend was implying and smiled. “No fights, I just got distracted.” Tae then pointed to the marks in the counter where he’d cut through the cutting boards.

  Shin whistled. “Must have been one hell of a distraction.”

  Tae shrugged. He then hurried back to his room upstairs before Shin could ask anymore questions. Shin had known him long enough that it wouldn’t take much for the man to realize the distraction was a person. Tae wasn’t sure he was ready for that conversation, especially since he’d only just met this… distraction. Tae grabbed his coin purse, and changed his outer robe to one that was a little rougher. It’d help him blend in a bit better in the marketplace. Shin’s footsteps on the stairs told Tae that his friend had followed him up.

  “Set your things in the study for now,” Tae told him. He turned to find his friend doing just that. “I’ve got a proper futon for you that we’ll set up later.”

  “What, not going to share the bed?” Shin teased.

  “Last I checked your preferences lied with the opposite sex.” Tae replied, his lips spreading into a crooked smile.

  “Too true.” Shin sighed, “Plus with that beard of yours, you’re a lot less comely.”

  “That’s kind of the point.”

  “You look like a damn bear.”

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  “Better to look like a gruff bear, than have to worry about patrons wanting in my pants.”

  “What, none of your patrons catch your eye?” Shin teased.

  “Even if they did, that isn’t a game I’m interested in playing any time soon.” Tae replied.

  Shin followed close behind him as he made his way down the stairs. They both changed into outdoor shoes, and Shin waited for him as he locked the door behind them. Tae turned to see a concerned look on his friend’s face.

  “Still?” Shin asked gently.

  “I was never one for such games to begin with.” Tae told him.

  “I know, but…” Shin sighed again. “It’s been five years, Tae-Hwan.”

  “Yes it has.” Tae replied. “And yet I still have nightmares of that night.”

  For a while there was nothing but the sound of their feet on the paving stones, and the birds calling to each other. After another long moment Tae felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Shin watching him closely.

  “Even if it weren’t for the nightmares,” Tae said finally, “I’d still be reluctant. Even if I hadn’t lost him that way. Unit I can control… I just don’t dare. You saw what I did Shin.”

  “You didn’t kill him.” Shin said firmly.

  “No,” Tae said solemnly. “My hands are free of his blood, but they’re drenched in the blood of countless others.”

  Tae could tell that Shin wanted to rebut that, but he couldn’t. Shin had seen the aftermath first hand. He knew exactly what Tae had done, how many he’d killed, and knew just how fragile Tae’s control on the monster inside him really was.

  ***

  Min kept his face cold and expressionless. It wouldn’t do himself or his brother any good for these idiotic and power hungry officials to know how much they annoyed him. Official Baek was the one reading the petitions today. He was a good enough man, and his voice wasn’t grating, so Min preferred it when Baek was the one tasked with reading these things out. Min just found the whole process tiresome. He was incredibly thankful that his official court garb was mostly black. He could not afford to be distracted, and Min found anything vaguely resembling the colour of those eyes incredibly distracting.

  The department that handled welfare, relief, and other such things had finally written a proper request. Baek was just finishing up reading the petition associated with the request. Min still couldn’t believe that it had taken that department this long to write a proper request form. Min was actually for sending aid to the west, though he was pretty sure that the officials thought otherwise. There had been multiple natural disasters in the area, and Min had never agreed with the poor getting the short end of the stick in those situations.

  Min was just glad that the lord of the area was a good man, and that he could be counted on to take care of the people under his care. It had made the situation less urgent, and allowed Min to drive home the fact that the officials here a court needed to actually do their jobs properly. Min was one man, he couldn’t do both their jobs and his own. It still irritated him that he’d had to threaten that idiot Official before they’d done their jobs properly.

  Just as Min had expected, Emperor Han Cho, Hanseul-Ji, approved the petition. Within the week relief would be on its way to the west. Though internally Min relaxed a little at this, he was careful not to outwardly do so. It would do far more harm than good if the officials realized that Min actually cared about the relief going to the west. Min wouldn’t put it past them to sabotage the whole thing, so he kept his face expressionless and kept his rigid stance.

  “Court ends here. All except Chief advisor Han-Lee are dismissed.” the Emperor said into the quiet that had fallen over the courtroom. The officials bowed, Hanseul-Ji rose from his throne and exited the room using the door to the left. Min rose from his own bow to follow his brother.

  The two of them walked in silence, guards surrounding both of them, until they entered the emperor’s palace. Once inside Hanseul removed his court garb. Min took the clothing from his brother and passed it on to the nearest servant. Hanseul removed the crown last and Min put that away himself.

  “Prepare tea in the pavilion, and someone get my little brother something to wear besides his court garb.” Hanseul ordered. The servants scattered to do as they were told. Min walked over to his brother’s bed, where the servants had laid out clothing for their emperor to change into. Knowing his brother’s preferences, he selected the plainest of the three and helped his brother change into it.

  Hanseul made a face but let Min help him get dressed. “You are not a servant, Min.”

  “No, but I know you better than anyone except Jae.” Min replied calmly as he straightened the collar of his brother’s outfit, and made sure the sleeves were folded properly. “Your servants would have selected either the red or yellow, and we both know you’d prefer the brown.”

  Min removed the ties holding up his brother’s hair and redid it with a brown ribbon that matched the outfit. He then stuck his brother’s favourite jade pin in to help hold it all in place. He handed his brother the brown silk slippers with a smirk. “I’ll get more than a scolding if I try to put these on you.”

  “Yes, you’d get a pillow thrown in your face.” Hanseul replied. “I’m relieved to see you act like yourself again though.”

  “When did I not act like myself?” Min replied. Hanseul’s servants had returned with an outfit for Min to wear. Hanseul dismissed them and Min rolled his eyes as his brother helped him get dressed.

  “Anytime you are anywhere besides your personal rooms, Jae’s palace, or mine.” Hansuel was not smiling though his voice was calm.

  “I’m still myself in public.” Min stuck his tongue out at his older brother. “Just because I’m calm and collected doesn’t mean I’m no longer myself.”

  “No, you’re just wearing a mask that you deem fit for the situation.” Hanseul sighed. “I know why you do it, but it still bothers me that after all these years there is a need for it.”

  “I get more attempts on my life than you do.” Min replied. “Though it has gone down to about one a week these last few years.”

  “The fact that my edict that anyone who makes attempts on your life is immediately sentenced to death isn’t enough to deter them…” Hanseul’s anger at the situation was clear in his voice. He tied the sash around Min’s waist and looked him over before pointing to a chair. Min obediently sat and handed his brother the ribbon for his hair that matched the light blue of the outer robe.

  Hanseul took his time combing Min’s hair and Min felt the tension in his body ease. He was safe here. He didn’t feel the need to be on high alert when with his older brother. Hanseul had always kept him safe. His brother had opposed the previous empress for Min’s sake. It was the only time the two had fought. In order to keep Min as safe as possible, Hanseul had banished his own birth mother, the previous empress, to a palace in the outer provinces when he’d taken the throne. He’d then given Min’s mother the position of dowager empress and all the responsibilities and power that came with it.

  How Hansuel’s mother hadn’t realized that Min would do anything for his older brother despite the fact that they were half-siblings, Min still did not understand. The woman was only still alive because Min could not bring himself to kill the woman who had birthed his older brother. Though he professed otherwise, Min knew that Hansuel would grieve his mother’s death and Min could not do that to him.

  As the tension left his body Min hummed to himself. He didn’t stop until Hansuel had finished tying his hair and placed the hairpin back in it. He stood and followed his brother out to the pavilion. The sight of two small children leaning over the rail to watch the fish made him smile. It didn’t take long for the children to notice them.

  “Father, Uncle Min!” the boy, Seo-Jun exclaimed. He scrambled down from the fence and ran to them. His little sister, Nari squealed in excitement before following her older brother as fast as her little four year old legs could manage.

  “Uncle Min, Uncle Min!” she yelled excitedly. Both children crashed into Min and he laughed, scooping them up in his arms.

  “Your father is going to feel left out.” Min teased. Nari kissed him on the cheek, not wanting to be left out, Seo-Jun did as well.

  “We see father every day,” Seo-Jun said matter of factly.

  “So you spoil me because you don’t see me as often?” Min asked. He looked over at his brother and grinned. “Seems your father is at a disadvantage.”

  “Maybe if they spoil you enough you’ll visit them more often instead of locking yourself away in your office.” Jae replied, smiling. Hansuel kissed his wife before sitting beside her.

  Min sat across from them, both children in his lap. “Unfortunately I am a creature of habit and since I haven’t changed in the last five years I don’t see it happening any time soon.”

  “Are you going to play with us today?” Seo-Jun asked. Nari had grabbed a cookie as soon as he’d sat down and stuffed the whole thing in her mouth. Min kissed her head, she looked just like a little chipmunk when she did that.

  “Only if your father doesn’t have any additional tasks that need to be done today.” Min said, grinning wickedly at his older brother.

  “Trying to shift the blame for your infrequent visits?” Hanuel asked. “Don’t worry Seo, I won’t be assigning any tasks to your uncle today.”

  Seo-Jun cheered. Nari, her mouth still full with cookies, copied her brother. Min laughed. He kissed both children on the head. “Looks like I’m free to play with you both.”

  Seo climbed off his lap and ran to one of the servants. Min guessed that his little nephew was requesting they bring a specific toy or game. The little boy’s amber eyes shone with excitement. Min bit his lip at the reminder that things could so easily go ary. Hansuel’s dark brown eyes met Min’s amber eyes. His brother smiled and shook his head trying to reassure Min. Jae caught the exchange and her own dark brown eyes softened.

  A small hand tapped his cheek and Min turned his attention back to the little child in his lap. “Yes my princess?” Min asked.

  “Everyting okay, Uncle Min.” She said sweetly. She kissed him soundly and then smiled brightly “See, Nari kiss Uncle Min all better.”

  Min felt a lump in his throat. The child reminded him more and more of his late wife as she grew. She was so pure and sweet.

  “Yes, you kissed me all better little Nari.” Min assured her. Her smile widened, her brown eyes sparkling with delight.

  Seo tugged on his sleeve and Min helped the little boy climb back in his lap. Seo snuggled in before grabbing a cookie. Min watched both children in his arms and knew there wasn’t anything he wasn’t willing to do in order to keep them safe and prolong their state of sweet innocence as long as possible. The children deserved to have the chance to be children, it was something he’d never gotten and something he wouldn’t allow to be taken from either of these two no matter the cost.