He Ju entered the prison cell where Nim was kept. It smelled of blood and sweat. He looked at the man tied by ropes before him.
"Untie him," he ordered.
The guards looked at him with unsure faces.
"I said untie him. I will explain to Captain Jil Ki."
One guard climbed the ladder to untie the hanging man while another held him so he wouldn't fall and hit his head.
"Young master, this is not a good idea," He Ju's guard started. "You can't keep meddling in people's matters." He paused for a moment before continuing, this time walking closer to He Ju and placing a hand on his shoulder. When He Ju looked down at the hand that had touched him, the guard quickly let go.
"I know you want to help that boy but you can't save all his friends just so you could make him happy. He killed his brother. Captain Jil Ki will not let it go that easily. He too will do whatever it takes to have his revenge." He placed his hand on He Ju's shoulder again as he continued. "You can't protect him from everyone, even if you do. You can't protect him from himself."
He Ju shoved the guard's hand away as he spoke. "I was with him."
"No, you weren't," the guard insisted. "I stood by your door. I saw that boy arrive at your window. I know he was not with you. If he didn't kill him, then help me understand why in the seven Gods you would lie for him. Why didn't he just say where he exactly and truly was? He is the murderer...."
"Shut up. Shut the fuck up." He Ju seized his guard by the collar. "If Yunxi falls into trouble because of you, I swear on Mother's life… I will cut your throat before anyone else does. Whatever you say or do, keep it in mind… if I go down, you go down."
He yanked the guard away and made his way to Nim, who had his eyes closed but was awake.
"Here, drink some water." He Ju helped him drink.
He had a lot of questions in his head. He wasn't sure why he was putting his life at risk by helping someone who might be a murderer, but he knew one thing for sure, Yunxi cared about this person, and he wanted so much to know why.
Nim gulped the water like he had never taken any before.
"Have they fed him yet?" He Ju asked.
His guard didn't say a word. When He Ju turned to look at him, he finally answered.
"I'm not sure, but I also don't think so." His voice was lazy.
"Get something for him to eat."
The guard looked up at that. This wasn't his problem. He could put up with Yunxi, but even this?
"What is wrong with you?" he asked angrily.
"If you can't, then I will do it myself," He Ju said as he walked past him, but the guard blocked him.
"Wait. No. You have to stop this. First Yunxi, and this… do you know him? Or is it just because Yunxi knows him? It has now come to this?" the guard demanded angrily.
He Ju tried to break free from his grip but couldn't.
"Let go. I said let go."
"What now? All his friends are now yours as well?"
"I told you to let go." He Ju's voice came out as a warning.
The guard looked at him, irritation evident. He Ju could swear he saw the man looking him up and down. They locked eyes until the guard finally broke it and stepped back with a small bow.
"I'm sorry. I overreacted."
"But bare this in mind, you can always pore your body for him. But you can never save him from the monster he is. Whether you like it or not, the devil in his eyes shall never let him see you...or any of the things you do."
With that, the guard left the cell, slamming the door behind him.