Seongji Yuk and Baki lay on the bare grass beneath the afternoon sky.
"It's peaceful," Seongji murmured.
Baki replied, "Of course. Since Shinmyung died, everything's been peaceful."
"What did the police say?" Seongji asked.
"They let me go—didn't have enough evidence. It's not like I killed him anyway. People will still call me a murderer, though."
"That must be tough," Seongji said as he sat up.
Baki waved his hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. I'm just happy Vin Jin isn't being affected. He's just a kid."
Seongji smiled. "You know, you're a good person, Baki."
Baki smiled back. "As long as I can keep you and the kids happy."
"We should leave Cheonliang, Baki," Seongji said with a bitter smile.
Baki jumped up. "Why?! There's no one to bother us anymore."
Seongji shook his head. "No. If we stay here, we'll bring trouble to the kids. And the memories of this place are too painful—for me, for you. I've always dreamt of leaving Cheonliang but didn't have the courage. But I found it thanks to the kids."
Baki extended his hand to Seongji. "Let's do it then. Together, just like always."
Seongji smiled and took his hand. "By the way, we should take Vin Jin and Sujin with us. We can't leave them alone in this place."
Baki laughed. "Of course! If we take Sujin, then I won't have to worry about eating your cooking every day."
Seongji put his arm around Baki's neck. "That's not going to happen, because Sujin will be going to school with Vin Jin."
---
"FUCKING BITCH! YOU FUCK!" Taejin roared as he punched Sujin in the stomach.
"WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?! I AM TAEJIN CHEON! SHINMYUNG CHEON'S SON! KING OF CHEONLIANG! NO ONE CAN GO AGAINST ME! NO ONE CAN IGNORE ME!" Taejin screamed as he strangled Sujin's throat with a cloth. Sujin squirmed, trying to escape.
At the last moment, a kick landed on Taejin's ribs, crashing him into a tree. "Fuck! Who the fuck are you?!" Taejin roared.
Baki's figure came into view. Seeing him, Sujin, who was gasping for air, ran toward him and hid behind his back. Baki patted her head.
He crouched down to her level and asked, "Are you okay, Sujin?" Seeing him, tears began to fall uncontrollably from Sujin's eyes. "Shh, shh… everything's fine now, so don't cry."
Then Baki walked toward the downed Taejin.
"Stay back! I'll tell the police! I'll make them arrest Vin Jin! You hear me?!" Taejin screamed, his voice cracking.
Baki's eyes narrowed.
"You shouldn't have touched her,"
Taejin roared, forcing himself up and swinging a wild punch at Baki's jaw.
The fist didn't even graze him. Baki tilted his head slightly, then drove his knuckles into Taejin's ribs.
CRACK!
The sound echoed through the courtyard. Taejin's knees buckled instantly as blood sprayed from his mouth.
"GAAAHHHHH—!"
Before he could collapse, Baki grabbed his collar and slammed his forehead into Taejin's nose. The crunch of bone reverberated, blood spilling down Taejin's lips.
Baki let him fall, but Taejin, stubborn and terrified, tried to stand again, clutching his ribs. "I—I am Taejin Cheon… the king of Cheonliang—"
His words ended in a gasp as Baki's heel crashed into his stomach. The kick launched him into the air before his body hit the grass with a dull thud.
Baki didn't let him breathe. He stomped down on Taejin's chest, the impact sending shockwaves of pain through his entire body. Taejin's scream choked into a wheeze as he coughed blood onto the dirt.
"Shut the fuck up! Don't make a single noise," Baki said, putting a finger to his lips.
Taejin clawed weakly at the ground, trying to drag himself away. But Baki was already there, crouching beside him. He grabbed Taejin by the hair and slammed his face into the ground. Once. Twice. Again and again until the dirt was smeared with blood and fragments of teeth.
Sujin, clutching Baki's sleeve from behind, flinched at the violence.
Baki finally released Taejin, letting his half-conscious body slump in the grass. His face was swollen beyond recognition, one eye shut, ribs broken, lips split, teeth scattered on the ground.
"Like father, like son," Baki muttered, standing over him.
Taejin whimpered, unable to form words.
Baki turned his back, crouching down to Sujin's level once more. He ruffled her hair gently, his tone suddenly soft.
"Let's go. You don't need to see trash like him anymore."