Moonlight poured in, bright as day, and Sahyeon spoke with a slightly confused look.
“Didn’t expect that answer.”
“I waited, so I said I was waiting. Eventually, I figured you had croaked from whatever illness you had. So yeah, I was waiting. Why?”
I shrugged. No real reason to say I didn’t wait. Sahyeon had a strangely complicated expression.
I studied his face, lost in thought, and asked,
“How’s your body holding up? You look better than before.”
“Yeah. Well enough to sneak around like this. I owe you, My Lady.”
“Damn right you do. Don’t forget it either. Pay that debt back properly.”
Sahyeon nodded with a smile and sat down naturally. But unlike usual, he didn’t reach for the tea. Instead, he propped up his chin and just stared at me. His eyes glinted weirdly in the half-darkness.
“Why’d you save me?”
“What?”
“You think I might try to hurt Moyong Muhyeok. Wouldn’t it be safer and easier to let me die now?”
I was momentarily speechless. The bastard comes back from the brink of death and still manages to hit the nerve with precision. Annoying.
“You got saved and now you want an essay on why? Too much trouble. Just die next time.”
“Aw, you’re dodging the question? I’m seriously curious, can’t you just tell me?”
I figured he’d ask where I got the medicine or something. Why’s he suddenly asking this philosophical crap? What a pain.
“You need a reason to save someone? Are you from the unorthodox sect or something?”
I couldn’t exactly say I just felt like saving him that day, so I threw out whatever words came to mind.
Sahyeon looked a little disappointed.
“Oh, so it was just a humanitarian thing? I guess you’d do the same if someone else was sick.”
“Huh? Oh… sure.”
If it were Hyangah or something, I would’ve definitely brought medicine too. I nodded. Of course, the real reason why I helped even though it’d be more convenient for me if Sahyeon died—was still a mystery.
Thankfully, he didn’t push further. Instead, he took something out of his robes and handed it to me. It was the Premium Gold Wound Balm I’d stolen for him.
I stared at the flat, round metal tin. Sahyeon smiled and pressed it into my hand.
“I’m really grateful for the favor, but I’m returning it.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s too damn good. I’ll get in serious trouble if I keep it.”
“Oh. Really?”
“Think of it as something only someone who dines with the Clan Head can use.”
“And I dine with the Clan Head nearly every day. Even then, I still can’t give it to you myself?”
“Exactly. That’s even worse. It’s… too easy to get the wrong idea.”
No wonder it looked so fancy. The tin warmed quickly in my hand. With a wound on his back, he probably couldn’t apply it himself. And if it’s that precious, he couldn’t risk anyone else seeing. So in the end, he didn’t use it at all. Sure enough, it was still sealed.
If he’d just used it, he’d be mostly healed by now.
I watched as Sahyeon slowly started sipping his tea. His complexion was still pale—probably because the inflammation hadn’t gone down.
Eventually, I made a decision and said,
“Strip.”
“Kuh!”
Sahyeon spat out his tea. I dodged easily—it wasn’t my first time being attacked like that. Pathetic little bastard.
It was already the second time today Sahyeon stared blankly at me. He looked like someone who’d just been smacked upside the head. Totally stunned. Like he’d short-circuited.
So, being the generous person I am, I repeated myself, kindly and slowly.
“Take off your clothes and lie down. I’ll apply the medicine.”
“Ah…”
I dragged him to the bed. Sahyeon awkwardly sat down and looked up at me.
“Thanks, but… you really don’t have to.”
“Can’t apply it over your clothes, can I?”
“I meant… I don’t think it needs to be applied at all.”
“If your goal is to let the wound fester and die, I won’t stop you. But wouldn’t it be smarter to take care of it while someone’s willing to help?”
Even someone who doesn’t know martial arts can recognize a sword wound. If people found out that Sahyeon—supposedly just a servant—was stabbed by a sword, it’d raise suspicions.
So honestly, I was the best person to help. At least I had a clue who and what he really was.
Looking at him, all nervous, made me want to mess with him more. From always being so glib, to totally flustered. Kind of delightful, really.
“Come on, don’t be scared. Strip. I’ll be gentle.”
At that, Sahyeon actually flinched away. For some reason, I suddenly felt like a scoundrel harassing some innocent lady.
“You… do you even know what your face looks like right now?”
“Ugh, you talk too damn much!”
Right then, I lost my patience. I grabbed his collar and yanked his clothes off. Just going by visuals, he really should’ve screamed “kyaa!” or something.
But I froze. Words caught in my throat.
Under the moonlight, his bare skin was exposed—and it was covered in wounds. Not fresh ones. Old scars, layered and scattered across his body, clearly from different times.
Even his recent wound was wrapped in scars.
That’s how martial artists live. Covered in scars. Looked like Sahyeon had a life just as rough as my old one.
“The real ‘Moyong Yeonhwa’ would’ve screamed or fainted. But you? Your reaction’s pretty fresh.”
“…….”
“Still, not bad, huh? You’re even making that dumb face. Got your heart racing? What’s the verdict?”
Sahyeon awkwardly laughed and waved a hand in front of my face. I finally snapped out of it.
“Why the hell are you asking for reviews of your body?!”
“Haha. Dunno, I was curious what you’d say. You did freak out when I said I was going to marry someone before.”
“You crazy bastard.”
“If you’re not the real Moyong Yeonhwa, you’d be used to scars, right? So why did you look so shocked?”
I was shocked, yeah. But I didn’t really know why. A scar-covered body wasn’t new to me. Mine used to look the same. So why did my heart sink like that?
I shook my head and said dryly,
“Just surprised at how many enemies you must’ve made to get this fucked up.”
“I didn’t do anythin…”
“Yeah, and every guy in the city jail says the same thing.”
“If I’m that much of a criminal, why are you helping me?”
“Because you looked pathetic. Okay?!”
Why the hell is he interrogating me like this? I glared.
Sahyeon didn’t back down. He just drooped his fox-like eyes and gave me this sad look.
“Since I’m so pathetic, why don’t you tell me who you really are?”
“In your dreams. If you’re not taking the treatment, then screw off. Go die in peace.”
Sahyeon laughed like he had no choice and started unwrapping the bandages.
Now that I got a good look, his skin was paler than I thought. Which just made the scars pop more. His body was lean, but well-built, muscles tight and even.
I looked away for a second. Felt weird staring at him like that.
Once he lay face down on the bed, I looked again. The inflamed wound was fully exposed. Not too big, but deep. Right near the shoulder blade—it must’ve hurt like hell.
I wiped away the pus, and opened the Premium Gold Wound Balm. A bitter, spicy scent hit my nose. I scooped out a generous amount and gently spread it across his back. His pale, muscle-lined back twitched.
Instinctively, I snatched my hand away.
“I-I did it gently. Did it hurt?”
“…No.”
He sounded like he was suppressing something. I carefully brought my hand back. The warmth of his body made the balm melt and soak in quickly.
Probably burning like fire where it touched.
Who the hell lets their wound rot this badly alone? I felt a flash of unexplained anger.
“If the spot was hard to reach, you should’ve put this on some oiled paper and laid on it, you dumbass.”
I grumbled while applying some around the area just in case. Sahyeon was quiet for a bit, then looked up at me from his prone position.
“You’re amazing. How do you know all this stuff?”
“It’s all from experien—”
Ah, shit. Almost slipped up. I jumped up.
“I think I saw some bandages around here somewhere.”
I rifled through every drawer and cabinet. But nope. I must’ve mistaken what I saw back at the Medicine King’s Hall.
When I turned back, flustered, Sahyeon had already sat up. His bare torso looked even paler under the moonlight.
“Hold on.”
The old bandage had been soiled when I wiped the wound earlier. I dug through the drawers again, looking for something to replace it.
“How about this?”
“…Are you serious?”
Now Sahyeon’s face was actually turning red. Huh. Was it that weird? It was the only option.
“What? What’s wrong with an underskirt? If I tear it up, it’ll work fine. The fabric’s soft. Hyangah even washed it—”
“Unbelievable.”
What’s he being so prudish for? I ignored him and tore the underskirt into strips. Actually looked pretty decent. Just a little ragged.
Sahyeon jumped up.
“Forget it. I’ll do it myself.”
“What the hell’s wrong with you today? Come here.”
I smacked his arm. Not hard, just a firm slap.
Smack!
It echoed against bare skin. Sahyeon went pale and froze. Like he’d shatter into dust.
I calmly wrapped the makeshift bandage around his back.
“Would you look at that? You’re nice and quiet now. You think just anyone gets treated by me? Be grateful.”
It’s rare for someone to be treated by Seol Danhae, the infamous human butcher. Well, no one ever wanted to be, really.
Even after I carefully wrapped the wound, Sahyeon didn’t move. Just sat there, lost in thought. Staring at his broad back made me awkwardly self-conscious.
I threw his clothes at him.
“All done. Stop sitting there like an idiot and get dressed.”
“…At this point, I don’t know if I’m being weird, or if you’re just totally shameless.”
“Is that even a question? You’re the weird one.”
I snapped and downed the tea he’d poured earlier. Sahyeon just stared at me, speechless for once.
Just as I was thinking I should get to sleep soon, Sahyeon finally spoke.
“Oh right. Heard you caused quite the stir while I was gone.”
“You already heard?”
Seriously, even half-dead his ears are wide open. Did he plant someone nearby? Could there be someone watching me too?
I gave him a suspicious side-eye. And then—he hit me with the weirdest question.
“If you marry Young Lord Dang… will you move to Sichuan?”
“What?”
“If you go… you won’t come back to the Moyong Clan, right?”
What the hell is this now?
“You think I’m marrying Iheon? What kind of intel guy are you, seriously? You asked this last time too. I already told you no. Did you hit your head when your back got stabbed?”
I smacked him down with a sharp jab. Sahyeon stared, like he was trying to see into my soul. His gaze was dissecting. Made me flinch a little.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…You really don’t have even a little bit of feeling?”
“I said no! Why the hell would I marry him?”
“Then why’d you call Dang Iheon ‘yours’?”
…What?
I said that? When the hell did I—?!
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