The courtyard fell still again.
Wooyun dropped to one knee, gripping his spear for balance. His vision flickered, the lotus mark on his chest dimming. He looked up at Junghwa, who now stood before him, his expression unreadable.
"You should not have left the pavilion," Junghwa said quietly. His tone carried no anger, only certainty.
"I know," Wooyun whispered, his breath shallow. "But I couldn't let him live."
Junghwa's gaze softened just slightly. He saw Kang Yu-jun's body, still lying there, lifeless, and smiled. It was faint, but having known his master long enough, Wooyun could tell he was proud.
"You finally let him go." He turned his head toward the horizon, where the last remnants of the enemy forces were scattering. "Rest, Wooyun. You've done enough."
His inky eyes bore into his, and Wooyun felt his heart skip a beat. How is it possible for a man to look that good after straight-up decimating someone?
