"I want to destroy the Republic....

Even when they left Seon Zi Han acted the same like there was nothing wrong. Yi Chen embraced him tightly outside the Zi home hugging him like it was the last time they would ever see each other. He not only felt it but his mind also thought it. It was a fleeting thought but the impact on his emotions was so huge.

Zi Han kissed his lips and smiled happily, "I will see you in a few days, okay?"

Yi Chen could feel that Zi Han was telling the truth but his heart was overcome by fear. Fear of losing Zi Han.

His gut was right, not about losing Zi Han but that the Zi Han he knew would come back to him as a changed person. He no longer talked about his plans on avenging his father nor did he mention his father ever again. It was as though he was hiding something from him.

***

Zi Han was indeed hiding something. To fully understand what he was hiding one would have to go back to the so-called surprise Zi Xingxi brought for her son.