The End of Gods (A Welcome to the Underworld Novel, Book 4) by Con Template Page A

disconcerting. “Of course, it would have been nice if my niece was here. However, because she was framed for something she didn’t do,” —he eyed Ji Hoon, who swallowed uncomfortably at the words, before looking at Tae Hyun— “and punished unfairly for it, she will be in the hospital for a few more weeks.”
    Albeit Tae Hyun didn’t form a reaction on his face, it was palpable in his eyes that he harbored a tremendous amount of regret for what happened to Jin Ae.
    “I’m sorry again,” he whispered, his apology genuine. “Whatever I can do to help accommodate her in the hospital, let me know, and I’ll take care of it.
    A tinge of warmth enveloped Ju Won’s normally impassive eyes. “You’ve already made up for it the past two weeks, Tae Hyun,” he said approvingly. There was a pause before he added, “Have you done what we spoke about?”
    Tae Hyun’s usually unruffled demeanor subsided faintly. “It’s over,” he answered, nodding in confirmation. “I ended it tonight.”
    “What have you done these past two weeks?” Ji Hoon interjected instantly. Unhappiness outlined his features at the thought of Tae Hyun being under Ju Won’s good graces again.
    Tae Hyun disregarded Ji Hoon like he was a pest that wasn’t worth his attention. Instead, it was a pleased Ju Won who answered Ji Hoon.
    “After much stubbornness, Tae Hyun placed his pride aside, came to my estate, and was personally trained by me these past two weeks.”
    A forced smile appeared on Tae Hyun’s lips.
    For the past couple of months, it was a secret bid that Ju Won offered Tae Hyun to train him and officially take him on as an advisee. At the offset, Tae Hyun resisted, not because he felt Ju Won’s combat skills were useless—on the contrary, learning anything from the revered crime lord would help any fighter vastly—but because he knew being “officially” trained under Ju Won would essentially place Tae Hyun under his debt. Tae Hyun had never been one to voluntarily place himself under anyone’s debt, least of all Ju Won’s. Nevertheless, as Dong Min advised, being trained under Ju Won for two weeks was the only way to obtain his forgiveness and maintain his favor for Tae Hyun to be a contender for the Lord of the Underworld throne. After Tae Hyun allowed Yoori to beat Ju Won’s niece to the brink of death, the King of Serpents had to bite his tongue, put on a happy face, and endure training with Ju Won.
    “Oh,” Ji Hoon said, nodding a bit too pompously. “You were trained right after I was trained.”
    Tae Hyun’s eyes snapped up towards Ji Hoon. He hadn’t anticipated Ju Won to train Ji Hoon as well. The fact that he and Ji Hoon were trained under the same mentor, even if it was only for two weeks, pissed him off greatly. He made no effort to hide his distaste.
    “Ju Won trained you two weeks prior to me?”
    Ji Hoon chuckled, drinking pretentiously from his champagne glass. “It seems that way, doesn’t it?” He paused to swallow his drink before his thoughts reverted back to the earlier part of the conversation. “And what exactly did Tae Hyun put an end to tonight?”
    “Something that you should’ve ended three years ago when I spoke to you,” Ju Won reprimanded swiftly, his voice cool. His eyes softened on Ji Hoon, whose jaw tightened in anger at the chastisement. “But you made up for it when you accepted the training, among other things .”
    Vigilance entered Tae Hyun when the puzzle pieces started to click together. “ How had Ji Hoon made up his worth in the past two weeks? What other things are you talking about?”
    When Tae Hyun assessed the silence that emitted from Ju Won and the smile on Ji Hoon’s face, his ability to read people came into great use.
    “Your condition for Ji Hoon to garner your favor was for him to do everything in his power to tear Yoori and I apart.” His words came out instinctively, but there was conviction behind his statement. If the fire brimming in his eyes was