The birthday banquet ended in a complete disaster.
No, calling it a shit-show wouldn’t even be an exaggeration. The Moyong Clan’s most beloved jewel had been poisoned and was now teetering on the edge of death.
Guests who had stayed behind in Liaoning to cooperate with the investigation had started trickling out since yesterday. They couldn’t keep their clans unattended forever, not even for an unsolved poisoning case.
Moyong Clan head’s office.
Only the Clan Head, his wife, and their three sons were seated together. No one was smiling. No one could. And they couldn’t trust anyone else—clan member or not.
“…The maid who brought the tea already took her own life.”
Moyong Wi’s quiet voice echoed through the study. Moyong Muhyeok nodded slowly, his face grim.
“Yes. The poison was made by blending medicinal herbs, ones that could be used as treatment in other contexts. It’ll be hard to trace the source.”
His voice stayed calm, but his whole body radiated killing intent. He hadn’t slept in days, and the sunken shadows around his eyes made him look even more vicious.
Since Moyong Yeonhwa collapsed during the banquet, the lights in the Moyong estate hadn’t gone out, not even in the dead of night.
Physicians had worn a path to her bedside trying to keep her alive, while the entire clan turned over every stone to uncover the truth.
“Start by checking everyone who’s sold that poison recently.”
“Yes, we’ve already begun, and we’re extending the search to the black market as well. Today’s visiting physician—”
“I’ve heard.”
The Clan Head, Moyong Wi, cut him off without hesitation. Not out of irritation, but because he couldn’t bear to hear it again. Every time they said she might never wake up, it hit like the first time—straight to the gut.
“…Understood.”
“Ahwa told you she suspected danger, didn’t she? Then surely she told someone else too.”
Moyong Cheon finally snapped, raising his voice. He knew it was unseemly, but he couldn’t help himself. Moyong Muhyeok gave his brother a glance, his bloodshot eyes bleak.
In truth, Moyong Muhyeok had been replaying that conversation with Yeonhwa over and over in his mind. Just as Cheon said, it really felt like Yeonhwa had known something.
He’d only ever appreciated her sentiment, not realizing how much she’d been struggling to handle things alone. That thought twisted in his chest like a knife.
The memory of her yelling at him not to say anything about dying was enough to make it hard to breathe.
“…She only spoke to Young Hero Dang. And from what he said, all he did was inspect the food meant for me in advance.”
“……”
“He probably didn’t imagine anyone would dare go after Ahwa.”
“Why would they! The rest of us have gone out into the Martial World and picked up enemies, sure—but Ahwa? She’s barely even touched a sword until now. Why would anyone go after her? And honestly, I—”
Cheon trailed off. His face was flushed, blood pounding in his head, but saying this part out loud took real guts.
Still, someone had to voice it. If he didn’t say it now, his chest would explode.
Just thinking of their little sister, pale and half-dead in bed, made him want to slaughter someone. Anyone.
“What is it. Say it.”
“I… I suspect Young Hero Dang—”
“Cheon! Watch your mouth!”
Lady Eon cut in, her voice slicing through the air like ice. Her tone was cold, almost frightening, and Cheon flinched. But the suspicion didn’t fade.
Then, the usually quiet Moyong Ha spoke up, his face locked in a grim frown.
“But if he were behind it, it’d explain why we haven’t been able to track the poison’s source. It’s not a baseless suspicion.”
Moyong Wi brought a hand to his gaunt face and shook his head.
“Don’t forget—you all came from the same womb. Don’t talk so carelessly. The ties between the Moyong Clan and the Sichuan Dang Clan run deeper than you think. And the two of them are engaged. Why on earth would Young Hero Dang try to harm Yeonhwa?”
“It’s always harder to read a person’s heart than the bottom of a thousand-foot lake. And honestly… he’s been stalling the wedding for a while now, hasn’t he?”
“Enough. Don’t add to the chaos. Young Hero Dang is out there doing everything he can to help with the antidote. I don’t want to hear even a whisper of that suspicion outside this room.”
With both Moyong Wi and Lady Eon shutting it down so firmly, Moyong Ha couldn’t push the issue any further.
Moyong Muhyeok rubbed his tired face and spoke again.
“We should have another physician arriving tomorrow. He’s from a family that used to serve in the imperial court. Hopefully, he’ll bring us something new.”
“…Good. I know it’s hard, but your only sister’s life is at stake. Hang in there just a little longer.”
Lady Eon’s voice was gentle, but her posture stayed razor-straight. No weakness shown.
“Mother. Don’t worry about me. I don’t care what happens to me. I’ll save Yeonhwa no matter what.”
A fierce light sparked in Moyong Muhyeok’s eyes. It was rare for him to show anger or emotion, and the rest could only watch in stunned silence.
* * *
“Nothing’s changed yet?”
Moyong Sohae had been chewing on her nails for the past fifteen minutes or so.
The maid standing in front of her shrank back like a turtle. She hadn’t meant to take over as Sohae’s attendant—it had just kind of happened, after Soowa and Jaeyu disappeared.
The girl hadn’t been at the Moyong estate long, and up until now, she’d only seen Sohae smiling sweetly. The warnings to stay on guard had always seemed overblown.
Now, she was realizing they weren’t exaggerated at all.
This woman was terrifying. Truly, bone-deep terrifying. The maid gave a tiny nod.
“Y-Yes, not yet… But they say no one knows when she’ll regain consciousness.”
“Ha. Tough bitch.”
Sohae muttered under her breath, tapping her finger joints against the table. The slow, steady rhythm echoed in the room. The maid found it oddly disturbing.
It had already been seven full days and nights since Moyong Yeonhwa collapsed. Moyong Wi had ordered every corner of the estate investigated—including Sohae’s quarters.
They’d found nothing. But deep in the middle of the night, long after everyone should’ve been asleep, a body had been quietly removed.
It was a young maid, they said.
Everyone who lived here knew. But no one reported it. They didn’t need to be told. Anyone who tattled would end up like that girl.
“I-I’m sorry…”
The maid winced, assuming Sohae was about to take out her frustration on her. But instead, Sohae smiled. Coldly.
“You’re not a god of death, just a maid. Why would you be sorry?”
“……”
“If anyone should apologize to me, it’s the gods.”
This, from someone who just days ago had gone to the temple and prayed devoutly for the glory of her clan.
The maid reeled inside, but bowed her head and said nothing.
Sohae watched the pathetic little thing for a moment, then waved her off.
“Get out. And tell everyone—if they’re not bringing me good news, don’t let them anywhere near me.”
“Y-Yes, my lady.”
The maid practically bolted, as if she’d already heard good news and didn’t want to ruin the mood.
Left alone, Sohae resumed drumming her fingers.
There was only one thing she wanted to hear.
Moyong Yeonhwa is dead.
Being on the brink of death wasn’t enough. She had to die. And soon.
But apparently, the bitch had more martial skill in her than expected, because she was still clinging on.
There were two reasons Sohae was so rattled.
First, the poisoning had been her idea. Hers alone.
Originally, Sohae had hesitated. Not from guilt—obviously. The problem was Young Hero Dang. He was always hovering around Yeonhwa, making it hard to slip anything past him.
Then, out of nowhere, Moyong Pae’s plan to target the Young Master completely fell apart.
Yeonhwa had gotten suspicious, blocked him at every turn. And on top of that, there was Young Hero Dang—the one person from the Sichuan Dang Clan whose presence made lying about poison impossible.
Right now, Moyong Pae was being hunted by someone or something. This wasn’t just nerves from aging or impatience. Someone was pushing him. Threatening him.
Sohae hadn’t gotten the full story, but it was obvious. Someone had ordered him to kill the Young Master—and even given him the details.
Whatever. Grandpa and I are in this together.
There was no time for grumbling about resentment or old wounds.
Since killing Moyong Muhyeok had failed, she had to destroy him another way. Break his mind.
And to do that, Moyong Yeonhwa had to die.
The death of that precious little sister would shatter him—and the rest of the family too. The Clan Head. Lady Eon. All of them.
Then, and only then, would she and Moyong Pae have enough room to maneuver. That’s why she’d taken the risk. That’s why she’d poisoned Yeonhwa herself.
But dammit if the bitch wasn’t stubborn.
It had to be Young Hero Dang.
That was her second source of anxiety.
Sohae had watched him throughout the banquet. He’d changed. Sure, he’d always looked after Yeonhwa, but now… now his eyes were different.
He looked at her like a man looks at a woman. No shallow lust. Something deeper. Real affection.
She’d only seen that kind of gaze once in her life. From Moyong Wi, when he looked at Lady Eon.
That’s when it hit her. Young Hero Dang is in love with Moyong Yeonhwa.
And the second she realized that, her whole chest filled with rage. She needed Young Hero Dang. She needed him—desperately, enough to die for it.
But no matter what she wanted, Moyong Yeonhwa always got there first.
“Stupid bitch doesn’t even know what she’s holding in her hands.”
Sohae’s tapping stopped. Her gaze, cold and burning, stared dead ahead.
“Please. Just die.”
There wasn’t enough room in this world for the two of them.
“Please, just die already, sister.”
From the start, Moyong Yeonhwa had been born with everything Sohae was meant to have.
“Right now. Die right now.”
She never prayed for the clan’s glory. When she was in the temple, she bowed until her body nearly broke. And she begged.
Give me what should have been mine from the start.
She didn’t care whose hands it was in now. She didn’t care how much blood she’d have to wade through to take it. She just wanted it.
Let’s see who the gods side with this time. Even if they turn their backs on her, maybe fate itself would still take her side.
She didn’t know how long she’d been chewing her nails when a cautious footstep sounded outside her door.
“What is it?”
Sohae, her nerves raw, snapped out sharply. The maid from earlier answered, voice trembling.
“M-my lady! Lady Yeonhwa, she—!”
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