Another Choice

Chapter 23-Sudden Change

Two weeks have passed, Baek Ahn grew worried because his soldiers haven't been able to capture both Tal Tal and Haneul. Baek Ahn hates to admit it, but he really needs his nephew around. Without him around, he can't handle the capital affairs that well and the emperor got furious because of his incapability. He was hoping that his soldiers will bring good news soon, but it seems that Tal Tal will never be found. He's always a smart one, huh. Baek Ahn is proud, but he's also thinking should he reconsider his decision about Haneul. Maybe Tal Tal will come back.

Another week has passed and still no news about Tal Tal's whereabout, Baek Ahn already rethink about his decision about Haneul. He decided that he'll let Haneul give the birth and let her be Tal Tal's wife as long Tal Tal showed enough determination about his decision to make Haneul as his wife. Now, he just hoped that his soldiers can find him, so he can know about the Tal Tal's will and decided about his final decision for Haneul.

One of Baek Ahn's soldiers knocks on his door. Baek Ahn let him in, the soldier reported," Sir, I have some news for you, one of our men report of seeing Tal Tal in Liaoyang. He seems to live in a small remoted house there."

Small remoted house, he really uses tactics in any case. Baek Ahn smirked.

"What? Then, I'll come with you to Liaoyang now. Before he moves away." They ride in a hurry into Liaoyang. They didn't stop at all although the journey took two days because Baek Ahn was afraid that Tal Tal will leave again if they didn't hurry their way there. After two days of riding, Baek Ahn and his soldiers arrived at Liaoyang. They arrived at the dawn and they went immediately to the house, where one of Baek Ahn's men spotted Tal Tal.

(because it's dawn and it's dark, A few of Baek Ahn's men bring a few torches)

"Quiet, don't make any sound!" Baek Ahn ordered his men. All of them get off their horses and walked slowly into the front yard.

Tal Tal being a trained soldier, he can notice the sound of footsteps outside the house. He also saw a glimpse of the light of torches outside. He noticed that something is wrong and wake Haneul up. He also took out his sword to prepared for the worst

"Haneul! Wake up! Quickly go hide into the shed and cover yourselves with some hay. I think my uncle's soldiers finally found out about our location."

"What?! Then, what should we do?" Haneul replied she's incredibly worried about her baby safety.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you and our baby no matter what happens." He smiled while holding Haneul's face and gesturing her to go to hide into the shed. He went to the front door and waited for the soldiers to come in. He peeks from the holes and saw at least 10 men including Baek Ahn.

I can take out other soldiers easily, but Baek Ahn will be my biggest problem. No matter what, even if I need to die here, Haneul and our baby need to stay alive.

Tal Tal waits up until around five soldiers come inside, and put them into surprise and he quickly slashed their throat. Baek Ahn that still waiting outside with his remaining soldiers noticed that there is something wrong because his soldiers that come inside aren't coming out. He ordered the remaining of his soldiers to come inside while he also followed them from the back. The five of them come inside, Tal Tal that still hiding behind a pillar, quickly take down the soldiers one by one until Baek Ahn is left alone. Tal Tal moved slowly behind Baek Ahn's back and swing his sword, but Baek Ahn with years of hard training as a soldier quickly noticed it and able to fend Tal Tal's sword. They fight endlessly for a moment until both of them gasping for air, too tired to even continue to fight.

"Tal Tal, you must understand, why I need to do this." (Baek Ahn is still standing, but his sword is standing in the ground and he lean onto it)

"Then, you also need to understand, right now Haneul and my baby are the most important for me compared to our clan!" (Tal Tal is kneeling on one knee while his hands are gripping his sword). It seems fighting all the soldiers before really decreases his stamina and his legs aren't as strong as before after they got wounded in the previous battlefield.

Baek Ahn quickly swings his sword to Tal Tal, when he suddenly stop midway. Seeing his nephew's face full of rage and will to protect his loved ones, moved Baek Ahn's heart and he decided to let both Haneul and Tal Tal continue to live.

"Fine, it seems that it's pointless to talk to you. You showed me enough, just come back to the capital. Both of you can stay in my mansion and I'll announce your baby as my grand-nephew." Baek Ahn walked outside.

'It seems, my final decision is to let them both be alive. I hope it's the right thing to do,' Baek Ahn sighed while looking at the sky, praying that he made the right decision.

Tal Tal was left speechless, if this was going to be this easy from the beginning than he didn't need to kill that nine soldiers that supposed to be his comrades. He went to get Haneul that still hiding in the shed covered with hay.

She screamed and crying, "Arrgh, don't you dare touch me while hitting Tal Tal with an iron pot." She thought that the one that comes for her is one of Baek Ahn's soldiers and she thought that Tal Tal already died.

"Ugh, Haneul calm down! It's me, Tal Tal." We are saved now, it seems that my uncle has a change of heart." He smiled and hug her.

Haneul hugged him back and replied," Are you sure that this is not a trap?"

"It's not, actually I already lost to him and he almost kills me when he suddenly stops and letting me go. He said that we can come back and live in his mansion again. He even will admit our baby as his grand nephew." Tal Tal smiled can't even believe that his stubborn uncle suddenly changed like this.

Haneul replied," Really??! Oh, thank you, Great Buddha, or whatever God out there." She smiled and her eyes are filled with tears.

All there of them ride back into the capital when they arrived in the mansion. Soldiers and maids, there are confused by seeing all three come back together because they thought Baek Ahn already declared Tal Tal as a traitor to their clan.

"Listen up! From now, you need to respect and give everything to Lady Haneul because she bears my grand nephew. Once this baby is born, if the baby is a boy, he'll become the second successor of this clan after General Tal Tal and if the baby is a girl, I'll make her become the next empress." Baek Ahn said to all people in his mansion, he turns away to Tal Tal and smiled."Teach my grand-nephew well, alright? So, I won't regret this decision."

Tal Tal and Haneul smiled at each other can't be believing the new Baek Ahn in front of them.