Rin and Liam were enjoying the bath with no disturbance, the warm water soothing their tired muscles. Since the bathhouse had no roof, they could see the sky changing its colors as the sun began to rise fully. They watched the sunrise in each other's arms, the soft light casting a golden glow over their faces.
The moment was peaceful and serene, a rare respite from the constant tension and struggle of their captivity. Rin had expected Liam to seduce her and have some 'fun' in the bathhouse, but they were just bathing normally. They felt good and at peace, the warmth of the water and the comfort of each other's presence washing away their worries.
Rin noticed Liam was lost in his thoughts, his expression serious and contemplative. She nudged him gently, her voice soft and curious. "Lee, what are you thinking about when I am with you? You have such a serious look on your face."
Liam looked at her, his eyes reflecting the depth of his thoughts. "I was thinking of a plan."
Rin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "A plan? What plan?"
Liam's gaze intensified as he looked at her. "It's about time we run away from this place."
Rin's eyes widened in surprise, and she curiously asked, "Do you already have a plan?"
Liam shook his head. "Not yet. But everyone in our team must learn Qi Projection by the end of the day. We'll escape tomorrow night."
Rin's heart raced with a mix of excitement and fear. She leaned in and kissed Liam on the lips. "We'll do it together, Lee. We'll escape and be free."
As they sat there in each other's arms, Rin looked into Liam's eyes, her voice soft and hesitant. "Lee, do you have a dream or a life goal you want to achieve?"
Liam was taken aback by the question. He had never thought so far into the future, his life consumed by the present struggles. "I... I've never thought about it," he admitted.
Rin hesitated before continuing, her voice filled with hope. "Maybe... maybe you should think about having a future with me, once we run away."
Liam smiled at her, his hand gently caressing her cheek before kissing her on the lips. "You will always be with me, Rin, no matter what path I take."
Rin's eyes welled up with tears of happiness. "I also promise to be by your side, Lee, no matter what happens."
Liam then asked, his voice gentle, "And what about you, Rin? What's your life goal?"
Rin became silent, her cheeks flushing with nervousness. "Promise you won't laugh at my dream," she said hesitantly.
Liam nodded, his expression serious. "I promise."
Rin took a deep breath before confessing, "I want to have a family with you, Lee."
Liam was surprised and touched by her words. He had never imagined that her life goal would be so deeply intertwined with his own. "It might take a while, Rin, but I will make your dream come true."
A while later, Rin asked Liam, "How were you abducted? Do you have a family? Won't they be worried about you since you were taken as a hostage?"
Liam hesitated, his mind racing. He didn't know how he was abducted or anything about the body he was in, nor did he know his name. But he wanted to give Rin an answer, so he decided to share about his family in the real world.
"I don't have a family," Liam said softly. "My mother is dead."
Rin didn't press for details, not wanting to remind Liam of his painful memories.
Liam then curiously asked, "What about your family, Rin? Do you have anyone waiting for you?"
Rin looked down, her expression turning somber. "I am from a village named Yongshi, a few days away from here."
Liam was happy to know that Rin had a family and that they were alive. "That's great, Rin. We should visit them once we get out of this place."
Rin didn't respond at first, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and hesitation. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe we shouldn't visit them."
Liam noticed the change in her demeanor and asked gently, "Rin, is there something you want to tell me?"
Rin nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "My parents... they weren't kind to me. They were abusive. I had an older brother who ran away because of their abuse. I wasn't abducted by others; my parents sold me for money."
Liam's fury boiled within him, but he kept his composure for Rin's sake. "I'm so sorry, Rin. That's horrible."
Rin took a deep breath before continuing, "And Soo-Min... she's from the same village as me. The soldiers came to our village to take the kids. They gave the parents an option: sell their kids or be killed and have their kids taken anyway. Some parents sold their kids because they didn't want to die. Soo-Min's father was killed in front of her, and her mother was injured."
Liam was speechless, the brutality of the Shadow Clan hitting him like a punch to the gut. Deep down, he wanted to save everyone, but he knew it was impossible. He looked at Rin, his voice filled with determination. "I will make them pay one day. Every single one of them."
They then left the bathhouse and met up with the others in the training ground.
"Where were you two?" Soo Min asked curiously.
This time, without shying away, Rin replied, "We were in the bathhouse."
Joon Soek immediately glanced at Joon Ho to see his reaction. Joon Ho's expression darkened visibly, his frustration clear on his face. However, he said nothing and turned his focus back to his training.
The team began to practice once again. Liam took the lead, helping those in his team who still hadn't reached the Qi Control stage. He moved from person to person, offering guidance and encouragement.
"Focus on your breath, Soo Min," Liam instructed gently, his hand on her shoulder. "Visualize your Qi flowing through your meridians."
Soo Min nodded, her eyes closed in concentration as she followed Liam's instructions.
Liam then turned to Mi-Na, who was struggling to maintain her focus. "Mi-Na, imagine your Qi gathering in your palms. Feel its energy and control it."
Everyone in LIam's team had reached Qi Control by the time the noon meal distribution began.