Moyong Muhyeok watched me closely, his calm eyes tinged with a trace of suspicion.
Tied up like a caterpillar in this blanket, how could I possibly run away? I tried my best to hide my nerves, rolling my eyes around to look for anything in the room I could use to defend myself—or attack.
Then Moyong Muhyeok finally spoke, slowly.
“It seems that you…”
“…”
“…are rather upset with us.”
Wow.
I was so dumbfounded all the strength just drained out of me.
Why the hell did he have to say something like that with such solemn, heavy tension? Is that the kind of dramatic delivery it takes to be a young master around here? Ah… the food here really is good. And the bed… makes me sleepy.
“Don’t keep us at arm’s length. Just act like you always do. It tears your brothers apart to see you like this.”
So we’re one of those close sibling households, huh?
“Yeah. Sure.”
I replied in the same casual speech.
But somehow he still looked sad… The more I spoke, the stranger this situation seemed to get. In the end, I just drooped my head and let my hands fall limply, playing up the weak act.
The three brothers let out long sighs, murmuring among themselves.
“Strictly speaking, it’s our fault Ahwa ended up so sick. The head of the Paeng family came all the way here to discuss Big Brother’s marriage and…”
“We should have apologized to Lord Paeng and made sure at least one of us stayed behind.”
Listening to them, I realized something.
The head of another family didn’t just drop by for tea—he came for a marriage talk. And instead of staying home, these guys ran off fishing with their kid sister? Wasn’t that even stranger?
One of the twins spoke up, face dead serious.
“From now on, if you ever ask to go fishing again, I promise I’ll refuse. Okay? Actually, forget it—I’ll just go out right now and catch some for you. How many do you want?”
Even after so little time with them, I could see right through these brothers.
They were that type. The “doting-on-their-little-sister-to-the-point-of-idiocy” type. Handsome, well-dressed idiots.
“It’s just fish. Geez—why the fuss? If something comes up, obviously you can’t go. It’s not like I’m a fisherman who needs it to survive.”
I gave them my brutally honest, sensible opinion.
The three fools looked about ready to cry.
“We’re so sorry. Tell us—how can we make it up to you, hmm?”
You can all just get out. I’m exhausted.
“We’ll stay right here by your side until your anger’s gone. How does that sound?”
“It’s gone.”
“Liar…”
“It’s gone, I said.”
“Come on, cry or yell at us like you usually do. Stop saying things you don’t mean.”
What do you want from me, you goddamn weirdos.
“Really, I’m fine. I’m just… curious about something.”
They didn’t look like they’d leave quietly, so I might as well ask what I could.
“I, uh, picked this up while wandering around… Ever heard of the Black Ring Sect?”
“The Black Ring Sect? Where did you hear about such shameless scum? Did they threaten you?”
Of course, all three of them wrinkled their brows in perfect sync.
I mean, I get it. Even unorthodox sect bastards scrunch up their faces like they’ve swallowed bugs when they hear about the orthodox side. But seeing it up close still pissed me off a little.
“I only vaguely heard it, and it sounded unfamiliar. I think they have some female warrior or something…?”
“If you mean a female warrior, you must be talking about that human butcher, Seol Danhae.”
“You son of a—!”
“Hmm? What was that, Ahwa?”
“Nothing. What… Seol Danhae? Oh, yeah, that sounds kinda like the name.”
“Mmm… Seol Danhae. Truly a formidable fighter. If she hadn’t strayed down such a twisted path, some say she might have even vied for the title of strongest under heaven.”
The younger twin spoke with a sour expression. Then the other twin snorted.
“Still just a human butcher. No grace or integrity, just a brute who knows how to swing a blade. A disgrace to Murim, really.”
The eldest nodded silently, clearly agreeing.
My scalp burned with fury as I fought to keep it down.
“If by chance you ever cross paths with her, don’t even look back—just run. Then tell me at once. No matter how strong she is, your second brother here can handle her, so rest easy. Understood?”
A man who ended up dying by that woman’s hand sure has a lot to say. You’re on my list, second brother.
Then the eldest, stroking his smooth, beardless chin, added,
“Though lately, I’ve heard Seol Danhae’s vanished.”
“What? That can’t be, Brother. Didn’t we hear from the Beggar’s Union just a month ago? She apparently beheaded one of her own men right in the marketplace.”
“That’s true. But after that, it’s been oddly quiet. She disappeared entirely. Some say she fell into energy deviation.”
It was a decent guess.
Unorthodox martial arts often forced internal energy growth rapidly, making them powerful but risky. It wasn’t uncommon for people to either die outright or lose their minds.
But the problem was…
There’s no way I’d fallen into energy deviation.
So where the hell did I go? Was it tied to how I ended up like this? Had I really just… vanished? It’d be great if it meant I could get my body back.
I asked as lightly as I could, so I wouldn’t raise suspicions.
“She sounds like an interesting warrior. If you hear anything more, could you let me know?”
Suddenly the air froze.
All three pairs of eyes locked onto me, full of doubt.
“Ahwa. You’ve never cared about Murim matters before.”
“…Yeah, that’s true, but still…”
The warmth in my body from holding back my anger instantly turned cold, like someone dumped a bucket of ice water on me.
Was I too obvious?
The second brother, Moyong Cheon, narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing me.
“Suspicious…”
Ah, shit. I couldn’t even last a day before blowing my cover?
I clenched my hand tight inside the blanket. If it came down to it, I’d strike at a vital point the moment they let their guard down and bolt.
Every nerve in my body stood on edge as the second brother slowly laid a hand on my shoulder.
“Ahwa, you…”
Then he spoke, solemnly.
“Do you think your brother’s… that impressive?”
…What the actual hell?
For a second, I genuinely thought I was losing my mind.
I’d been so sure they’d figured me out—then he comes out with this lunacy.
I just stared at him, dumbstruck, and Moyong Cheon shrugged.
“Well, we brothers are famous throughout Murim. I suppose you’re finally showing some interest.”
The eldest, Moyong Muhyeok, nodded again.
“It’s good to be curious. If I hear any interesting Murim stories, I’ll let you know.”
“But Ahwa,” the second brother said, patting my head, “don’t ever look up to that human butcher, alright? And drop that shady, unorthodox tone of yours.”
Normally I’d have dodged his hand in a flash, but I was so drained that I couldn’t even move.
Wait, what? Unorthodox tone?
Sure, I’d been unorthodox, but don’t lecture me without knowing how proper young ladies talk first, damn it.
“How can you call your sister’s speech unorthodox? Apologize at once, Cheon.”
Ah, see! At least the eldest has some sense.
“…Her tone may be rough, but isn’t she cute and lovely all the same? Speak however you wish, Ahwa.”
Never mind. Turns out he’s just a dignified-looking idiot.
Meanwhile, Moyong Cheon actually apologized again.
I pressed my throbbing temples and muttered,
“…I’m tired. I’d like to rest.”
“Of course. Then we’ll stay by your side until you fall asleep—”
“Alone. Just me. Alone.”
I ground out each word.
The three of them looked crushed.
Whatever. I kept waving them off until they finally shuffled out, throwing worried looks back and telling me to get plenty of rest.
I waited in silence until their presence fully disappeared.
Then I tore out of the blankets.
Time to process what I’d learned.
From what those idiots said earlier—apparently I’d beheaded one of my own men about a month ago. That was true. The bastard was skimming money, and if I hadn’t cut him down, it would’ve been my head on the line.
If my memory served me right… that was three years before the day I died.
“What a damn awkward point in time to land. Could’ve at least gone back to childhood.”
Then I wouldn’t have bothered with the unorthodox sects. I’d have scrounged as a beggar, joined the Beggar’s Union. Anything but this. I was so done with the demonic cults and dark paths.
But wait. What about the Moyong clan?
If this was three years ago, the Black Ring Sect would wipe out the Moyong clan in about half a year.
Half a year sounds like a while, but really, it’s not.
You tell yourself you’ll start fresh at New Year’s, then look up and it’s already summer—and all you’ve done is lounge around scratching your belly.
In that short time, someone would come on orders from the Sect Master to annihilate this place.
Whether it was the me from this timeline, or another squad from the Black Ring Sect—whoever it was, they wouldn’t show mercy.
I had to escape before that day came. No matter what.
I immediately sat cross-legged to assess this body’s state.
As I carefully guided my energy through it, my eyes flew open in horror.
What the hell! How could this body be like this?!
It was… a pretty piece of trash.
Sure, she was a daughter—but this was the Moyong clan, one of the top five families. How could they let her body be this neglected? It was beyond me. Born into such privilege, and yet—
There was no trace of martial arts training anywhere. And it’s not like her internal energy had been forcibly crippled, either. There was a tiny bit there. But so minuscule it was laughable.
The Moyong clan’s unique techniques didn’t demand huge internal reserves like the Namgung clan’s, but even so, this was pathetic.
If I tried to build this up properly, by the time I was an old granny with white hair and a cane, I might finally get people saying, “oh, she’s not bad with a sword.”
How was I supposed to run away with this pretty garbage body?
I could scream. Of all times to come back, it had to be now—and in this wreck.
In half a year, when the unorthodox sects invaded?
Moyong Yeonhwa—no, I would definitely die. Especially with this pathetic excuse for a body. They might not even find my corpse.
“No way.”
Absolutely not.
How could I die like that after clawing my way back to life? And killed by my own self, at that? What a ridiculous death.
So why not just run now?
Those idiot brothers who doted on their sister would definitely chase me. They’d catch me, lock me somewhere “nice,” feed me well, and let me die in cozy captivity. And when the massacre came, I’d vanish along with the Moyong clan.
So there was only one option.
In the next half year, I had to learn as much martial arts as possible, and slip away right before the clan was wiped out.
That way, I could dodge both the Moyong clan’s pursuit and the clutches of the unorthodox sects.
It was like retaking a test I already had the answers for. Sure, my body would suffer, but relearning would be way easier than starting from scratch.
What came after that…
I’d figure it out then. That’s what the future’s for.
Resolved, I sprang to my feet—only for the world to spin.
I stumbled, grabbing the edge of the bed and collapsing.
The thud must’ve been loud, because my maid came running.
“My lady, it’s Hyangah! I’m coming in!”
The door burst open. She rushed over, pale-faced, and propped me up.
“Are you unwell? Should I fetch the physician again? If you’re dizzy, shall I help you lie back down?”
Her questions came rapid-fire.
This feeling—I knew it all too well from my early days as Seol Danhae.
When your energy doesn’t circulate right, leaving you dizzy and weak, with a parched mouth.
Sweat trickled down my back as I muttered,
“I’m hungry.”
“…Pardon?”
Even when I’d been a branch master, I don’t think I ever wielded this much power.
At my single mention of hunger, Hyangah ran out looking like death itself.
She then bellowed down the hall like a guard warning of an enemy attack.
“Food! Quickly, bring my lady her meal!”
Honestly, it was embarrassing.
And inconvenient. No one here would try to poison me—probably—but I’d long gotten into the habit of avoiding food touched by others.
I clutched my growling stomach and tried to stop Hyangah.
Told her to just bring me any spare fasting pills. She got teary-eyed.
“My lady, did I somehow displease you?”
I’d made plenty of people cry before, but never had to comfort one. I broke out in a cold sweat.
What did I do wrong? In the end, I changed tack in a panic.
“…Lots of meat.”
“Yes! Right away, my lady!”
Apparently this family’s only daughter never trained, which was why this body was such a weak mess. Meanwhile, Hyangah must’ve had martial training—her feet didn’t even blur, she was that fast.
Fine. At least it meant the food would come quickly.
I’d test it on some birds or something first, and eat in peace.
Yeah… might as well enjoy the Moyong clan’s fancy meals while I can.
Imagine—me, that “human butcher” they all despised, stuffing myself on their rice. Ha.
I flopped onto the bed to conserve energy and waited.
Then Hyangah came bustling back in.
“My lady, it’s ready. Please, come with me!”
“…Come where? Aren’t we eating here?”
“What are you saying? The lord, madam, and young masters are all waiting for you!”
Oh, hell no.
Meals are meant to be eaten alone, in silence.
But now they wanted me to sit there, surrounded by the Moyong clan, smiling and chatting? I’d probably end up indigesting last life’s meals too.
“I’m the only one who’s hungry. I’ll eat alone.”
“What do you mean! They’ve barely touched food for days, worrying about you.”
“Goddamn it.”
“…Pardon?”
I dragged myself off the bed, swatting at the cumbersome skirts.
If I’d still had my trained body, I wouldn’t even need to eat for days. Why was this shell so fragile?
At this rate, I should’ve been reborn as one of those three idiot brothers instead.
“…Let’s go.”
