“If you were my blood, it might be different,” he said. “But not as things stand. I can’t allow you to remain with me, a reminder to my enemies, strengthening them, informing them that you disobeyed me and I forgave you.”
So he had decided. It was a death sentence and Ko was close. I prepared myself by forcing my mind to clamp down on only one thought.
I will not allow Ko to crush me like an insect.
I tried to remember his favorite moves. He enjoyed prolonging the struggles of opponents who allowed him to get too close. He had taught me when it served his purpose. I concentrated on ways to give Ko as much pain as possible before he finished with me.
The old man reached into a deep pocket of his simple black cloth jacket and took out an envelope.
“Take this,” he said. “Go away and never come back. It must appear as if you were buried where your body could never be found. Only Ko and I can know what happened here tonight.”
“What about you?” I said.
Of course, my question didn’t want an answer.
“Have you suddenly decided to consider my interests?” he said.
His tone cut deeply into me.
“Don’t concern yourself,” he said, sounding weary. “The ones I can’t control still need me.”