Wham!
“Augh!”
A solid blow smacked hard into my shoulder blade. A moment later, an austere voice rang out.
“Clear your mind.”
“Tch… Yes, sir.”
I rubbed the aching spot where he’d struck me—not with internal force, thankfully—and glanced up at Moyong Jegeom. His glare was so intense I couldn’t even muster an excuse.
To be fair, I really was lost in my own head.
“Again.”
At his curt command, I resumed position.
Lately, I’d been learning a new footwork technique. It shared the same foundation as what I’d studied before, but the details had changed—tweaked for sharper, faster movement.
I tried again, pushing my steps quicker, tighter.
“Speed alone means nothing. Without precision, it unravels and collapses.”
“Yes, sir.”
The more I moved, the hotter my face got, sweat soaking through. It hadn’t been many days since I resumed training, but I had to admit, my stamina had improved a little. I wasn’t gasping for air quite as quickly.
Still didn’t make it easy. I was dripping in no time. The heat didn’t help, either.
No idea how long I’d been moving when my head—finally quiet—started buzzing again.
‘You already know. So why ask?’
Sahyeon had said it like it was a fact. Sorry to Dang Iheon, but after that conversation, my resolve to go to Sichuan had started to waver. Hard to think clearly when your head’s been yanked sideways.
I’d been tossing back and forth all night.
Didn’t sleep a wink. But by morning, I knew what answer I’d give to Iheon.
I’d decided to go to Sichuan.
Rationally, it was the only move. No matter how many times I went over it in my head, that was the safest path.
If Sohae hadn’t poisoned me—if I’d kept up my martial training—I would’ve gone ahead with my original plan. No question.
But I didn’t. And now, if I tried to flee, I wouldn’t get far. My body’s too weak. The Moyong Clan would find me in no time, and then? I’d be dragged into their downfall and buried with them.
Even if I took a step back and said, “Okay, I’ll stay and help stop their ruin”—I’d still die. My martial skills are wiped clean.
I hadn’t told Iheon yet, but I’d made up my mind. I just didn’t feel right about it, deep down.
“Focus!”
Another shout cut through. I flinched and forced my mind back to the present.
Moyong Jegeom usually seemed like a cranky old man, but when it came to training, he could be downright terrifying. A different kind of scary from back when I trained at the Black Ring Sect, but scary all the same.
And then another thought smacked me in the brain—loud and sudden.
How the hell was I supposed to tell Sahyeon?
I’d been dodging the question because I didn’t want to think about it, but one thing was clear—Sahyeon wasn’t going to be happy about this.
“Still distracted!”
Wham!
“Agh! Shit, that hurts!”
“Get your head straight!”
God, if only I could train with my brain turned off. One system for the body, one for the thoughts. Would be so much more efficient.
By the time I finished for the day, I was soaked through like I’d been dunked in a river. Moyong Jegeom eyed me and said stiffly,
“Mind and body are one. If there’s a gap in one, the other collapses. I thought you understood this. But today, clearly not.”
“I’m sorry.”
“If you plan to be like this again tomorrow, don’t come.”
“I’ll be more careful. It won’t happen again.”
This was definitely my fault, so I bowed and apologized. Taking time from someone to learn martial arts and then zoning out like this—straight-up disrespectful to the teacher.
I was dragging my feet toward the pavilion gate when I saw someone waving at me ahead.
Two people, actually. The twins. Of course it was Moyong Cheon doing the frantic waving.
“How’d training go?”
“Eh, it was alright.”
While I answered Cheon, Moyong Ha silently held out a neatly folded handkerchief and water bottle. These two had identical faces, but polar opposite personalities.
Though in fairness, both of them were equally annoying in their own way.
“What are you two doing here?”
“We came to feed Ahwa. Mother had duck cooked just for you.”
Duck! Hell yes, duck is always a win. The Moyong Clan’s chef was damn good with poultry. And I was starving after training. My mouth watered automatically.
I had planned to head to Dang Iheon right away… but eating wouldn’t take half a day. I gave the twins a small nod. Moyong Cheon beamed and gave me a shove toward the house.
What greeted me looked less like breakfast and more like a feast. The table looked ready to collapse.
Moyong Wi, already seated, waved me over cheerfully.
“You must be worn out from training. Sit, sit. Your mother picked these ingredients herself to help nourish your body.”
Lady Eon smiled softly and nodded. I sat beside her without thinking. A subtle fragrance drifted off her robes. My heart twinged a little.
“Training is important, but take care of yourself first. If anything’s difficult, tell us.”
“Yes… Mother.”
Moyong Muhyeok arrived not long after, joining the cozy atmosphere. With Elder Pae’s absence shaking up the Elders’ Council, the Young Master had apparently gotten even busier. The clan’s internal power was tilting further toward the Clan Head.
As always, we sat together like a real family. The duck dish Lady Eon had arranged melted in my mouth. Could the Sichuan Dang Clan’s chef match this? If not… I might really miss the food here.
Come to think of it, shouldn’t I bring up Sichuan now? After everything that happened, it’d be no surprise if my parents freaked out at the idea of me leaving again. I barely escaped death a few weeks ago, and now I was planning to run off to some faraway province with my fiancé?
While I chewed duck and stewed in guilt, the rest of the family just smiled at me like I was a puppy doing tricks. Like what I was eating, they were eating too.
Once, those looks made me squirm like I was being skinned alive. Now? It’s just part of life.
But if I left for Sichuan, this kind of family meal… wouldn’t happen many more times.
“Ahwa, even if you’re full, have a little more.”
“Yes. Eat well, build up strength—that’s the only way you can do what you want.”
Moyong Wi and Lady Eon pushed more meat in front of me. It felt heavy. Like I’d choke on it.
Now was the moment. Say it now or never—but I couldn’t quite open my mouth.
“So…”
I tried to speak, but my voice came out too soft. Moyong Muhyeok spoke up instead.
“On my way in earlier, I ran into Elder Jegeom. He seemed genuinely pleased—said Ahwa was steadfast and diligent.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. He rarely praises anyone. Must have been impressed.”
That caught me off guard. Especially since I’d been scolded all morning for spacing out. Maybe he really does care about me, deep down.
This was the same Moyong Jegeom who never gave me false praise—not even once. And he’d said that? I couldn’t help feeling a little smug.
Lady Eon looked downright radiant with pride.
“Ahwa has always had martial talent. But more than that, her persistence—her ability to endure—is rare.”
“Indeed. Must’ve taken after you, my dear.”
The two of them looked at each other and smiled like some fairytale couple. Still not used to that.
In all this warmth, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I swallowed it down with another bite of duck. Then Moyong Muhyeok added,
“Ahwa, once your health improves, let’s visit Bingul in the summer. There’s a temple nearby—it’ll be good for clearing the heat.”
“That sounds lovely. We should bring the fruits Ahwa likes, too.”
Moyong Cheon nodded quickly and turned to Lady Eon.
“You should come as well, Mother. You struggled with the heat last summer.”
“How can I leave the clan unattended? You children go and have fun.”
“I’ll come too. Nothing drastic will happen if I’m gone for three or four days.”
Moyong Wi reassured her. Meanwhile, the person sitting there planning to leave before summer… was me. The guilt hit harder.
I didn’t want to ruin the mood, didn’t want to drop cold water on this cheerful scene.
And then, uninvited, Sahyeon’s voice echoed in my head—asking if I wanted to go to the lantern festival with him.
Everyone kept saying things like that. “Let’s do something together later.” In every version of the future they imagined, I was just… there.
“Ahwa, what do you think? It won’t be too hard if you go by palanquin.”
Moyong Wi asked gently. Everyone turned to me.
I’d always said whatever the hell I wanted. No one around me cared. If they got angry or disappointed, that was their problem.
But now…
“In the summer…?”
“Yes. You don’t handle heat well, like your mother. After all you’ve been through, it’ll be good for your health. Just a quiet trip with the family.”
“If you say you’re coming, this big brother will pack everything you need!”
“I’ll help too.”
The brothers looked at me like excited puppies, throwing out all sorts of promises about how great it’d be.
Imagine it, they said.
So I did.
I imagined this peaceful garden going up in flames.
These smiling faces never smiling at me again. Their bodies broken and bloody, collapsed on cold stone.
Left to rot, unloved, unnoticed.
And even in those final moments… they might still try to protect me. Just like Sahyeon’s brother had.
Was it the horror of that story, or the fact that I knew how the Moyong Clan would fall?
I suddenly pictured myself hacking off one of their arms to get away.
I felt all the blood drain from my body.
It was fear—different from what I felt facing the Heavenly Demon in that dream.
I’d already chosen to go to Sichuan. Seol Danhae, the one I used to be, had made that decision. Spent the whole night weighing every angle.
And yet… I still hadn’t been able to leave. Only now did I finally understand why.
I don’t want to go.
I can’t leave them to die again. I can’t walk away.
Goddamn it. I must’ve eaten too much of their rice.
“…Sounds great. Let’s go. In the summer.”
Together.
I’d changed my mind. I wasn’t going to Sichuan.
💟 Translator Notes 💟
The phrase “이 집 쌀을 너무 오래 먹었다” (“I must’ve eaten too much of their rice”) is a Korean idiom meaning you’ve grown attached to someone’s household or care, especially to the point of loyalty or guilt.
🫰🏼🍓🍓🍓💜🍓🍓🍓🫰🏼
Hey All! I hope you like this translation!
My updates may be slow, but I do read/edit my chapters!
If you’re enjoying it, show me some love?
💕💗 https://ko-fi.com/stanrofanscans💗💕
✨Wanna read more of my translations?✨
💖https://linktr.ee/stanrofanscans💖
