Another Choice

Chapter 8- The Offer

"Uncle, the girl has revealed all the important names in rebellion force."

Baek Ahn smiled and patted Tal Tal's shoulder.

"Great job, nephew as expected. Now, you can kill her, she has no use to us anymore."

Tal Tal was shocked, "But, Uncle she is 16, she is still so young. After all, she already reveals the name."

Baek Ahn looked at Tal Tal's eyes and he gives questioning stare as like he doesn't believe that his usual calm and smart nephew was barging nonsense.

"You think, if we let her go, the rebels won't try to capture and torture her to give them our information?"

Tal Tal realized that, but he still thinks that killing her isn't a good idea. He can't ever bear to kill her, as she was alike with Mei Li.

"How about, I'll take her as my apprentice and she'll live here?"

Baek Ahn replied and he seriously feels furious of his nephew nonsense.

"She comes from Koryo. You think that she won't betray us for her nation? Now, you even want to take her as your subordinate? Tal Tal your feeling have made you lost your common sense."

"I won't bear to kill her, she really looks alike like Mei Li. At least give me permission to take her as my apprentice. If she betray us, I'll kill her by myself."

Baek Ahn sighed of hearing his nephew's persistence. He knew that he won't win debating with his nephew.

"Fine, do as you want. However, remember to show that girl no mercy if she betray us. We also need to take action and extinguish the rebellion force. We already have their generals' names. It will be easy to capture all of them. Once their leader is captured, I'm assured the force will split up by themselves."

"I'm not sure that is was a good idea, Uncle. I've been to their hideout, I do not really think that their force will easily split up if their generals were captured. We still don't know how many soldiers they have. I think is best to wait until they attack our border. It will give us time to set some trap and strengthen our border's force. Then, when they attack we can kill both of their general with along their troops."

Baek Ahn nodded and replied, "Alright, I'll do as you say. After all your suggestion never wrong. But, keep your eye that girl, prevent her from escaping. If she runs away it will cause harm to us. She might give our information to the rebels. 

Tal Tal bowed and left his Uncle's room. He felt relieved because he doesn't need to see Haneul get killed in front of his eyes. He won't ever bear the pain. It will feel the same as the pain that he felt when his sister get killed seven years ago. Although he was glad, he expected her to be unhappy when she hears this. 

Haneul hugged her brother tightly, she was expecting the worst outcome for both of them.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry that I can't protect you," she whispered with shaking voice almost inaudible voice. She holds her mother's necklace and hopes it to gives her strength. She suddenly heard footsteps coming from the mansion's corridor.

"Will he kill us? Or will he spare us?" she whispered."But, why would he? We have no use to him."

Tal Tal opens the door away, Haneul tried preparing herself to hear the worst outcome.

"It looks like that, I won't be able to let you leave. The rebel might capture you to get our information. So, I decided to give you this offer, you can either be my apprentice and your life will be assured or try to leave and you'll be executed at once. Think of your brother's life. I hope you can decide wisely."

Haneul was speechless, she never thought that her enemy will be kind enough to let her alive. 'Now, even making her as his apprentice? 'She can't understand what she just heard. Although it seems to good to be true, she has no other choice other than accepting his offer. At least their life will be spared if she accepts. After all, there will be no different living here and living in rebellion hideout. She nodded and said, "Alright, I'll accept your offer, it will be better to stay alive."

"Very well then, I'll order my men to treat you and your brother equally as one of ours. My name is General Tal Tal and from now you can call me your Sabonim. (Teacher)

Commander Park, who eavesdropping their conversation, was confused why his general is willing to take that little Koryo girl as his apprentice. Before, he even risked his life to save her brother. Suddenly, Tal Tal opens the door, Commander Park was startled and tried to act that he did nothing.

Tal Tal looked at him and asked, "What are you doing? Did you eavesdrop us?"

"My apologies, Sir. I did not intend to eavesdrop your conversation. But, I was curious why you decided to take that girl as your apprentice?"

Tal Tal sighed and said, "She was like Mei Li, a strong-fearless girl. She always bears everything alone, even though she was only a little girl. I'll never bear to watch her die in front of my eyes. It will feel like I failed to protect Mei Li once again. That girl also has a great potential inside her. She was fearless, she doesn't even make any sound when we tortured her. Not even a trained soldier can bear that kind of torturing. I'll train her to be my greatest apprentice. She'll give us a lot of benefits in the near future. Give them food and water and treat them nicely. If we treat them as one of our subjects when the time passes by, they'll naturally be loyal to us."

Commander Park bowed and said, "Yes, General."