Reverse Fate

Chapter 15

Oh Gong was studying the smiling Ma Wang, the spirit waving to a crowd, and talking to sick children the entire afternoon.

They always handled a different approach to the human word, where Son Oh Gong preferred to stay on the outskirts, never really dealing with the mortals and Ma Wang basking in their neighbourhood.

"Doesn't your mouth hurt from smiling so much?" Oh Gong asked when the man approached him.

"Of course not," Ma Wang said, still smiling, and patting him on the shoulder, "besides, I have a great and charismatic smile,"

Oh Gong snorted but couldn't help the smile that appeared on his own face at those words, oddly fond of the spirit.

"At least you're confident about yourself," Oh Gong said, "but there are the cameras again. Let's smile and look amicable,"

"Don't we always," Ma Wang said, stepping forward again, and leaving Oh Gong out of the spotlight, which relieved the man. Getting up from where he was sitting, he leaned heavily on the cane he had gotten.

His wounds still pained him, but it was also part of the show, to make clear what for lasting effects politician Kang's 'kidnapping' had done to him. The public eye was very condemning, and Oh Gong wanted them on his side.

"So, he's doing his thing?" PK asked, appearing on Oh Gong's side, having escaped his own gaggle of press and fans for the moment.

"Yeah, he is. And you, ready for your gift of talent concert?" Oh Gong asked. It had been rather short notice, but PK had easily agreed to do a free show to get rid of the dark dragon's influence. It would do a lot to improve Ma Wang's standing with the public, seeing how popular and fully book the artist was.

And PK had reasons enough to not mind doing the show. He still was feeling rather shaken up about what he had done when he had possessed, and now presented with an opportunity to get rid of it without getting his own hands dirty, he couldn't help but grasp it with both hands.

As long as he could keep Bu Ja safe, that was all he truly wanted.

"Well, guess I need to prepare myself for my fans. You're not going to collapse on us?" PK asked, giving Oh Gong a glance with a little concern.

"How touching," Oh Gong said, smirking, "how much you care about my health,"

"Hey, I just want to make sure you're up for Bu Ja's ritual this evening," PK said, a smirk on his face, "after that you're free to do whatever you want, and collapse wherever you are,"

"That's not nice to say," Oh Jeon said, having come up to the group, dressed in a smart suit. He stopped short and bowed deep for Oh Gong, "Hyungnim, Ma Wang is going to deliver the speech and then we need to speak our support for him,"

"It seems like duty is calling," Oh Gong said, moving with the cane. Oh Jeong waited until he passed, and when Oh Gong's back was to him, he threw a scathing look at PK, who swallowed at the vehemence in that stare.

Even though the spirit didn't say anything, the message was clear. No was allowed to insult his Hyungnim.

Oh Gong smirked, knowing full well what Oh Jong was doing, but didn't acknowledge it when the seemingly older man took his place besides the great sage.

The speeches were tedious, to say the least, and Oh Gong did his best to appear frail, but enthusiastic when they pronounced support to Ma Wang, offering to double the charity he gave to the hospital.

It was all political nonsense, and by the end of it, he was getting a little unsteady. His body barely able to heal between two ritual sessions with Bu Ja and he didn't have the physical fortitude to hold on much longer.