CHAPTER FIVE

Many weeks after the paebaek, the wives were given the opportunity to visit their families three times in a week, every other concubine shares a chamber; five concubines in each chamber but Baek-Hyun was given a personal chamber. She didn't enjoy the exemptions because it made other wives hate her. She answered the name concubine but she hadn't been touched yet by the Emperor, he wanted to finish with other wives before moving on to her. Besides he didn't intend to touch her until he was done conquering Hak-Hun kingdom. He wanted to enjoy her on the night of his victory. Baek-Hyun on the other hand was making plans for her moves. She knew there was nothing she could do but accept her fate that was why her only plan was to speak to the Emperor, her man, one could say.

The captives were no more in the dungeon though, they were made to work and produce all the swords and weapons that will be used for the upcoming war with Hak-Kun. But they were still treated as slaves, they worked like an elephant and ate like an ant. Baek-Hyun was not okay with that at all, she wanted her people to live fine, at least she promised the commander and her parents that she would take care of herself and her family and the least she could do was to help them stay alive. She wanted her sister to live better, to experience the world, fall in love with the man of her choice and not forced to get married to an old man that was old enough to be her great-grandfather. She wanted her sister to have choices, unconditional and painless choices. She would fight for the future and her sister was the future. As for her brother, he wanted him to have a good and free life. She knew that if he was the one with the opportunity, he would have done anything to give her a better life and now that his hands were tied and she was closer to their freedom, she would work inexorably for his freedom, he dreamt of being the commander one day, she knew that was almost impossible in a strange land but she had to work for it, her family was her future, Ji-Seok was her future and her dream, their Capital, Seok abandoned them after labelling their commander a traitor, she would fight to make Ji-Seok not a fortress but an Empire, a kingdom on its own, a great Kingdom and they would march to Seok Capital and conquer it, they would become the capital and they would have their own fortresses and they would never let them to be tramped upon like they were tramped upon. That was her dream, not her fantasy because it wasn't impossible, just challenging.

"your Highness, it's time to start plan C". Bayan said to the Emperor who sat expressionlessly on his golden throne. "by tomorrow, I'll sending out one of my concubine to Hak-Kun". The Emperor said still expressionlessly. "Who will it be? Your highness". Bayan asked. "Hei-Ran, she seems very cunning". The Emperor said with a mischievous smile on his ugly lips. "what if she fails? Your Highness". Bayan asked. "you ask too many questions Bayan". The Emperor complained. "your humble subject apologize sincerely". Bayan apologized. "she wouldn't want to fail, not after hearing the reward for succeeding and the penalty for failing". The Emperor said wickedly. "What about Lady Baek-Hyun, when will she be useful?". Bayan asked again with fear. "she shouldn't be your problem, if the other concubines do not fail, she won't be needed until later on, but if they fail, Baek-Hyun will not fail". The Emperor said with confidence and assurance. "Why are you so sure about her Emperor Woong?". Bayan asked again helplessly. "I've made my research, she's the most useful female in Ji-Seok in fact in all the Seok Fortresses, she's the bravest female in existence". The Emperor said now having a genuine smile on his face. Bayan didn't miss the smile on his face but he didn't say more.

That night, the Emperor called Hei-Ran. "you know why I made you my concubine? It is because I cherish my concubines more than my wives so in real sense, you are all my wives while my wives are my concubines. And unlike all the other concubines, you taste so good. That is why I have chosen you to perform this task for me. I am so disturbed and I have sleepless nights.". The Emperor said with a disturbed expression as he kept touching her pleasurably. "what is so disturbing that my love has had sleepless night? Name it my Emperor and it will be done if it be in my power" Hei-Ran said cunningly. "oh yes, it is within your power. It is a very simple task that you can accomplish if you put your mind to it." The Emperor said again. "Name it my King, I will do it immediately". Hei-Ran replied. "you do know the tiny Hak-Kun Empire?" the Emperor asked "…yes your highness, I do know that Empire and it isn't tiny, it is as great as Gi … if not greater". Hei-Ran said reluctantly. It flared Emperor Woong when she said that Hak-Kun may be greater than Gi, but he hid it well. "yes my Love, that is exactly why we should conquer it, don't you want to be the wife of the greatest Emperor in history". The Emperor said and that bought the nincompoop. "yes my Emperor it is what I want more than any of your other wives or concubines". Hei-Ran said greedily. "A certain man by name Chi-Mae, he is the General of that Empire, if he falls, then Hak-Kun will be all ours. If you accomplish this task, I will kill all other wives and concubines of mine and will enthrone you as my one and only queen, that is something no one will ever do for you. And above all, I will grant any two wishes of yours even to half of my Kingdom". The Emperor said promisingly. "you will kill Baek-Hyun as well?". Hei-Ran asked eagerly. "everyone". The Emperor replied. "and I will be in greater position than Baek-Hyun, she will be my personal maid if I ever change my mind about her death" The girl said and the Emperor looked at her with scorn but his reply was the opposite of his expression. "of course, being my only queen means everything including those things you have said". The Emperor replied. "I will succeed, I will take down Chi-Mae and I will even make a ruin of that tiny Kingdom". Hei-Ran said with determination. She wasn't facing the Emperor again; she was staring at herself in the mirror while saying those words. "I guess I don't have to tell you the penalty for failing then". The Emperor said. "There is a punishment for failing?". She turned at once and asked the Emperor. "of course there is a punishment for breaking a promise to your Emperor". Emperor Wonng said to the shock of Hei-Ran. "I'd like to hear the penalty for failing which I won't". She said and the Emperor smirked to himself, he thought himself really good at the game and he was when it came to Hei-Ran, his self-perfectionist concubine. "Death; not just you but your entire family". Emperor Woong said brutally. He looked really evil and scary. His looks and his words made shiver to run down Hei-Ran's spine. "and if I refuse to go?". Hei-Ran asked with curiosity. "Death". The Emperor replied with brutality in his voice. "We don't have to go down that path, I will succeed in this mission". Hei-Ran said with hidden fear. "Come to me my love, let me have you all to myself one more time before you leave tomorrow for your mission". Emperor Woong said as he held her closer to himself. "Take me my Emperor, my life belongs to you, how much more my body". Hei-Ran said to impress the already overjoyed Emperor.

The next morning, Hei-Ran was all dressed for her journey, she was kneeling before the Emperor who was holding her chin with lust in his eyes. "take this my Love, with this saber you shall stab the enemy and you shall come back to me and take your place as my rightful queen". The Emperor said as he held out a dagger to her. "you shall accomplish this mission even if it cost your life, will you?". the Emperor said to Hei-Ran who looked at him with dimmed face. "no your highness, if I die after accomplishing this mission then what is the worth of my loyalty if I do not receive my reward?". Hei-Ran spoke her mind as she took the saber harshly from the Emperor and stood up. That was a taboo and a thing of death but the Emperor decided to look past it. "I can't be your queen if I am dead". She said again. "I like you because above all, you are outspoken but if you come back alive without completing the task at hand, then there is no worth of your loyalty as well". The Emperor reminded. "I shall come back alive after completing that task, no one is taking my position as the queen, be rest assured of that". Hei-Ran said and left the Emperor's presence. Bread and water with baked beans and dried meat were carefully packed for her in her horse's saddle. She wore a white flowing gown and her beauty would make any man want her so why won't Chi-Mae want her?

Baek-Hyun was awake very early and she saw the girl leave, she didn't know her because she was not from Ji-Seok. She immediately summoned Lady Ki who was clueless as well. When Hei-ran arrived Hak-Kun, she said she would like to greet the Emperor of Hak-Kun. She was taken to the Emperor who interrogated her seriously about her intentions but she lied about coming for business. She didn't have the chance of going close to Chi-Mae so when it was night, she went in to him and intended to kill him at once but she was caught in the act by a soldier who immediately reported her case to the Commander who woke up and put her to death immediately. They decided to keep the thing away from their king. "But how long will you keep silent, one of them might get to you one day". The soldier told him. "that isn't your problem. When the King asks, she has returned to her empire after receiving an urgent call. Depart this night with any other three foot soldiers whose absence will not be noticed by the King. Go to Gi and leave her corpse outside their walls. Place her body in a box of salt to preserve her, I'm sure she deserves a befitting funeral. Return as quick as possible. You can as leave a message that I will be waiting for his next spy; I wonder if he has run out of male soldiers". Chi-Mae said and went back into the chamber. Two weeks later, a wooden box filled with salt was found outside Gi walls. Hei-Ran's body was found inside it. When the king was informed, he killed her family who almost cried blood for their lives. Emperor Woong murdered Hei-Ran's mother and younger brother before everyone that was needed to be present. Baek-Hyun was shocked to see the body of the girl that had left Gi about a month ago. She immediately knew that the Emperor was responsible for her death and above all, he killed her family too. She fixed the piece with Lady Ki immediately. "Hei-Ran might have had a deal with the Emperor". Lady Ki said in whispers to Baek-Hyun. "and she must have failed to fulfil the deal and she was brought back dead". Baek-Hyun said back in whispers. "But why is her family being killed now?". Baek-Hyun asked all confused. "there is no deal with the Emperor without a reward for succeeding and a punishment for failing, especially with Gi Emperor". Man-Chun said to them and they were both startled. "so you mean that Hei-Ran was fully aware of what will befall her if she ever failed?". Baek-Hyun said not as a question but as a confirmation. "Baek-Hyun, be careful". Man-Chun said and walked away. He wasn't supposed to be there, he was only there by chance because the sword that was used to kill Hei-Ran's mom and brother was among the new set of weapons that had just been finished and he had to deliver it to the royal soldier. Baek-Hyun was numb with fear and shock. Even Lady Ki said no more, they were both plagued with silence for the rest of the day. But Baek-Hyun knew that if she ever had the chance to leave Gi, she would never go back except for her family and that would have been after she discovered a way to save them and her people. And after returning to Gi, she would make sure that their walls are raided and their people taken captive and she would not just kill the Emperor, she would burn him to ashes then she will dissolve his ashes in water till there is nothing left of it. His children will be kept in the dungeon all their miserable lives till they die slowly of disease and hunger. Baek-Hyun had wild thoughts of what punishment will best fit the Emperor. She also knew that the best way to take down the Emperor was teamwork but Ji-Seok girls and even other girls for other fortresses would not be willing to cooperate with her and may the heavens forbid if she ever told them about her plan of overthrowing the Emperor, they would then take out their hatred on her and make sure that she is being hanged. Baek-Hyun was smarter than that.

The next day when Baek-Hyun went to visit her brother and sister, she spoke to Man-Chun about how to get closer to a King or Emperor whatsoever of a Kingdom. "the General of Hak-Kun is very young just like you so it won't be that hard to get to him, he is known to be blood drunken and he would rather spend the rest of his life making blood so you can use your lady power but be careful, their king might decide to make you one of his queens as well for he is known to go after women like a tail". Man-Chun teased with a serious face. After they finished talking for the day, Man-Chun asked her "Did you ever like our Commander, answer sincerely?". Baek-Hyun nodded. "is that why you cried that much for him?". He asked again. "that is why I am fighting this hard for him, I want him to be proud of me wherever he is now, and my parents too". Baek-Hyun said sincerely with tears rolling down her face. "why did you like him?". Man-Chun asked again and after a long silence, Baek-Hyun replied. "I guess it's because he saved me, because he is young and handsome, he is powerful and courageous, and I think he is Ji-Seok fortress himself and he was warm to me, I enjoyed the attention". Baek-Hyun said sincerely and she kept her gaze fixed on him. "you know what Baek, I think you are strong and brave and for that, the commander did like you as well but he wouldn't show it because he wanted to protect you. From the moment he saw you in that field, he did like you". Man-Chun said and Baek-Hyun stared at him speechlessly. "has the Emperor touched you?". Man-Chun asked again and Baek-Hyun stared at him for a while before replying. "No". "he hasn't just touched you or you fight him off?" Man-Chun asked again. "I won't let him touch me". Baek-Hyun replied austerely. "be careful". Man-Chun said before Baek-Hyun left and she nodded.

That night, the Emperor called Ae-Cha, a Ji-Seok girl to his chamber. He had selected her as one of his concubine. "Ae-Cha my love, you are one among all my queens and concubines that makes my heart race". The Emperor washed her brain. "we thought Baek-Hyun is that person?". Ae-Cha asked him. "Baek-Hyun is the least amongst you and the least is not always found among the premiers". The Emperor said to her and she smiled foolishly. "my love, I have a job for you and if you succeed, I will make you even more higher than Baek-Hyun if you think that she is better you". the Emperor said and she replied. "say it my Emperor, it shall be done immediately". Ae-Cha said eagerly. "that is the right spirit needed for the task." Emperor Woong said to Ae-Cha who shushed him. "say no more my Lord, give the order and it shall be done if it is within my reach". Aa-Cha said with more eagerness. Emperor Woong smiled impressively to himself as he had Ae-Cha fall into his trap. "there is a certain man in Hak-Kun kingdom, his name is Chi-Mae and he is the General of that Kingdom, I need you to go to Hak-Kun and bring me his head". Emperor Woong said and Ae-Cha's face turned from beautiful to terrible. "I have not killed before, how am I supposed to bring a human's head to you my Lord?". Ae-Cha asked with fear and the Emperor flared up. "you ask too many questions and let me tell you what happens to anyone who defiles my order, such person is hanged". Emperor Woong said and Ae-Cha' face changed from terrible to horrible. "My Lord I apologize, but how am I supposed to do that?". Ae-Cha asked in horror. "now we are thinking alike, it's no big deal, just get into the kingdom, act as a trader, a seamstress, farmer or something, something that will take you to him". The Emperor said so easily as if it was indeed no hard deal. "yes my husband, I'm at your service". Ae-Cha said still with fear. "if you are successful Ae-Cha, I will make you the one and only queen in Gi. There will be no Baek-Hyun or any other wife or concubine. Your father will be made my personal adviser and your brother will be treated as a prince all his life". The Emperor said and the offer was very promising to Ae-Cha so she became even more enrooted in carrying out the task. "what if I fail?". Aa-Cha struggled to mouth out and immediately. The Emperor's face turned sour "then if you come back alive, I will make you watch you father and brother die in the most painful way I will think of at that time. And if you are dead, I will melt you together with them in a furnace of liquid fire until there are no remains". the Emperor said and Ae-Cha almost passed out due to fear. "I will not fail my Lord; I promise". She said out of frustration. "that is all I want to hear, come to me now let me show you how much I love you". the Emperor said as he made her sit on his leg….

About two months later, Ae-Cha's corpse was found in a box of salt in the outskirts of Gi by some soldiers who were on patrol. Her family was killed in the same manner in which the Emperor had warned her. For weeks and weeks, these continued. Young girls were being sent out of Gi and were found dead which led to the death of their families. It was only some few girls who became aware that they were never going to survive that never returned to Gi. They would just go Hak-Kun and settle. "the people are gossiping and the council members are murmuring, my Lord, how long will this continue, we keep sending spies and they keep returning their corpse." Bayan lamented to the Emperor in the throne room. "are you not the same person who told me that the death of the captive girls is not our concern? as long as Chi-Mae is alive, it will continue and all the council members and citizens who are caught gossiping or murmuring should be put to death immediately". The Emperor said. "your highness, you have exhausted your mistresses and yet no Chi-Mae's head, we can perhaps find a way round it or maybe try getting him in another way or go directly to war". Bayan suggested but the Emperor was pissed up. "I will have another concubine, if the remaining three fails, Baek-Hyun won't fail". Emperor Woong roared. "and if she fails?". Bayan asked cautiously. "then she dies". The Emperor said coldly. No matter how fond of her he was, he would not allow her make him insane.

Gi had all the time in the world to war against Hak-Kun but their Emperor was the restless one that did not care about patience. For him, there was no time. All his concubines were either sent back dead, killed by him or disappeared. But whatever the case was, only Baek-Hyun that was left and that night, the Emperor was planning on sending her to the land of no return. He called her and was about brain washing her like he did to the others but Baek-Hyun stopped him. "talk less my Lord, I am ready". Baek-Hyun said with jaunt. "this is exactly why I place you above the others, you always know how to appease me". The Emperors said with a smile that Baek-Hyun thought was disgusting. "there is a certain man in Hak-Kun kingdom, his name is Chi-Mae and he is the Commander of the warriors in Hak-Kun, I want you to bring me the head of that man". The Emperor said straight, because he could tell that Baek-Hyun wasn't in for any corners or breaches. "yes My Lord, his head shall you get". Baek-Hyun said with a serious face. "take this, with this you shall kill him and you shall return with his head". Emperor Woong said and handed Baek-Hyun a dagger. To Baek-Hyun, she felt like using the dagger to take of his head immediately but she waited, she waited for the right time. "Baek-Hyun, I trust you more than the others I have sent, I've watched you for a while and I see how devoted you are to me and I've also seen the manner of love you have for your people. If you succeed in this mission, dead or alive, I will make your family the most important one in Gi and aside that, your people shall automatically become one as Gi and they shall be treated with extra respect. This, I promise you". the Emperor said sincerely. He sounded so real that Baek-Hyun almost got convinced but she wasn't that foolish. But she kept playing along. "how long do I have?". Baek-Hyun asked. "take as much time as you have to but make sure you carry out the task at hand". The Emperor said with a smile. "but my family and my people shall be whole as long as I am away". She said again and the Emperor affirmed. Baek-Hyun fell on her knees and with her head bent, she said "I shall complete this mission even if it cost my life". The Emperor smirked at his foolishness.

That night, Baek-Hyun went to the hut where her people slept and spoke to her family. "Kyong, I will be back, I promise". Baek-Hyun said to her brother when he kept arguing with her and he fell quiet and stared at her. "you are really grown Baek, and I can't tell you what to do, but you'd better come back alive". Kyong said almost reluctantly and Baek-Hyun hugged him. She can't remember the last time she hugged her brother. "I will be back". She said not casually but as a promise. "Hana, be a good girl, don't stress our brother, don't get into any trouble with these strange people, okay?". Baek-Hyun said to her younger sister and she nodded. She also hugged Baek-Hyun really tight. For a while, they remained silent until Baek-Hyun said she want to talk to Man-Chun. "what's going on with you two? You talk to him a lot lately". Kyong asked Baek-Hyun with dimmed face. "nothing much, Man-Chun is just teaching me how not to die in this foreign land and I have another class with him now on how to stay alive in Hak-Kun". Baek-Hyun said and walked away. "let me guess, tomorrow is your day". Man-Chun said coldly. "how did you know that?". Baek-Hyun asked with a now alerted face. "it's obvious". Man-Chun said simply. "yeah". Baek-Hyun replied sadly. Man-Chun noticed her sudden mood change. "so what do you plan on doing, you might not survive?". Man-Chun asked her to make her talk more in order to lose the temperament. "I don't know; I'm confused that is why I'm here". Baek-Hyun said quietly. Man-Chun felt sorry for her, he stared at her quietly for a while before he finally decided to talk. "when you get there, don't say you are going for business. You are supposed to be a victim of war and you have lost your home, don't let anyone suspect you, constantly talk about fights and … I don't know what to say anymore. Do your best and leave the rest to our maker". Man-Chun said and fell quiet. "thanks a lot Man-Chun, you are so helpful". Baek-Hyun said almost in tears. There were tears in her eyes ready to roll down. "I loosed my wife and kid to the war with Gi many years back when our Commander was just a child. She was also sent to kill the King but she fell in love with me and settled in our fortress. Since, so many Gi had been sent to kill her but I protected her. Sometimes she protected me and other times, we were left uncovered. She wanted to be a warrior but Ji-Seok didn't allow female warriors until Chi-Yang was made the Commander, he tried hard to build female warriors but Sa-Mul was always a barrier. Until you came, the commander mentioned once empowering female warriors". Man-Chun said without taking his eye off Baek-Hyun for once. "Why are you telling me this?". Baek-Hyun asked perplexed. "because you keep reminding me of her. You look so much like her." Man-Chun said sounding pained. "I'm sorry". Baek-Hyun said with pity. "thank you, I'll take my leave now". Baek-Hyun said and started walking away but Man-Chun stopped her. "Baek-Hyun". He called, it was the first time he was calling her name. Baek-Hyun stopped and turned to him. "if it gets too risky, you can settle there, we will be alright". Man-Chun said to her but she refused to take that one advice. She walked away right then.