“…Yeah. That’s how it turned out.”
“Mhm.”
“But still, thanks for the offer. I know you meant well.”
Dang Iheon’s expression was unreadable. Then he asked,
“So, what you’re saying is… you’re not coming to Sichuan with me?”
“Huh? Oh. Right. I should’ve been clearer.”
I gave a sheepish nod. Dang Iheon fidgeted with his teacup, then let out a bitter laugh.
“I figured, honestly. You’ve got too many people you care about in Liaoning.”
“…‘Care about’ is a bit much.”
“Sure, you say that, but it’s written all over your face. Even if I gave you everything they do, I still wouldn’t be able to make you happy.”
Well that was a bit much. Now I felt kind of bad.
“I did think about going. Thought it might be fun with you. But like you said, I’ve got… family here. I just can’t leave them. And my teacher’s been doing so much for me.”
I guess I’m not heartless enough to walk away from all of it.
Whether that conscience belonged to the original Moyong Yeonhwa, or it was something that came from deep inside me… who knows.
Dang Iheon gave a slow nod.
“I get it. If that’s your choice, I won’t stop you. Still, once I’m back in Sichuan, I’ll dig through some texts—see if there’s anything that could help heal your energy center. I’ll be in touch.”
“…Thanks. Always.”
“I just… wanted to help. No, never mind. You’re welcome.”
He accepted the thanks a little awkwardly. Guess he remembered chewing me out last time I tried to thank him.
That made me laugh.
“Someday, if the chance comes… I’ll visit.”
“Yeah. You’d better. I’ll be waiting.”
Turning him down left me feeling unexpectedly light. Maybe that offer had weighed on me more than I realized.
“So, when are you heading back?”
“Dawn. Three days from now.”
“That’s pretty soon.”
“Yeah. I pushed for an answer. Sorry if it made you feel rushed.”
“Don’t be. Before you go, let’s have dinner together, at least.”
“Sure. I’ll let your sister know.”
That was the end of it. With the weight off my shoulders, the sleep I’d missed last night started crashing down. My body was already weaker than normal, and between all that thinking and the training, exhaustion hit hard.
“Well, I’ll get going. Didn’t sleep much last night, and it’s catching up to me.”
Iheon nodded and stood first. He clearly didn’t want to say goodbye, but he didn’t try to stop me either. Just walked me to the door and gave a gentle, familiar smile.
“It’s okay. We’ll see each other again.”
I gave a quiet nod. If I managed to survive… yeah, we would.
I jolted awake. Definitely slept too long.
Sure enough, the sun had completely set. The room was pitch dark. Way past dinnertime.
Can’t believe I napped this long. I felt weirdly refreshed, but also kinda gross. Probably because I’d missed afternoon training.
There was a simple meal on the table—vegetable soup and a couple steamed buns. Hyangah must’ve left them, thinking I’d be hungry when I woke up.
“…Ughhh…”
I groaned and stretched. Then suddenly, in the dark—I locked eyes with something.
“Holy shit! You bastard!”
My groan turned into a full-on scream. Normally I wouldn’t have jumped, but I’d let my guard down completely. Didn’t even have time to calm down before I started yelling.
“Seriously?! You treating my room like a revolving door now?!”
“Uh… didn’t think you’d freak out that much. Don’t get the wrong idea—I just got here. Wasn’t spying or anything.”
“That’s not the point. Can’t you knock like a normal person?!”
“Yeah, about that. Probably not.”
Ugh. Fair point, I guess. Still annoying.
Even if he wasn’t wrong, Sahyeon had the decency to look a little guilty.
“Sorry. You skipped dinner, so I thought maybe you were sick.”
“I just didn’t sleep last night, so I passed out all at once.”
I plopped down at the table, rubbing the back of my neck where I’d tensed up. Grabbed a steamed bun with my teeth and tossed another one to Sahyeon.
“If you’re hungry, help yourself.”
“Mmm…”
Sahyeon sat across from me without saying yes or no. Judging by the fact that he didn’t touch the food, he’d probably already eaten.
I, on the other hand, was starving. I tore into the meal like it was a feast. Didn’t care if he stared. Food tastes amazing when you’re this hungry.
When I’d nearly cleared my plate, he finally spoke—watching me like he was quietly proud.
“So. I heard you’re not going to Sichuan.”
“What, couldn’t get the live feed?”
“Haven’t mastered the art of cloning myself yet.”
He gave a lazy shrug. Honestly, even if he had heard it firsthand, I wouldn’t have been surprised. Snooping was kind of his thing.
I thumped my full stomach and sipped some lukewarm tea. Sahyeon still looked pleased about something. His smile gave it away.
“You’re grinning. Something good happen?”
“Yeah. Something good.”
“Me not going?”
“Bingo. Knew you’d get it.”
“Cough—!”
I choked so hard I saw stars. How the hell could he say that so damn openly? Glaring at him through watery eyes, I hissed,
“Don’t you feel shame?”
“Why would I?”
“How can you keep saying this embarrassing shit with a straight face?”
My face burned like it was on fire. And I still hadn’t fully processed the crap he said last night.
Then again… this is how he always talked, isn’t it?
Maybe it’s me that’s changed.
“What’s that look? Why’re you staring at me like I’m suspicious?”
“Because I think you’re making me weird. I’m debating whether I need to create some distance.”
“A little late for that, don’t you think? We’re already this close.”
“See?! You say stuff like that without batting an eye. That’s what’s weird!”
I meant it seriously, but Sahyeon just laughed. And now those little looks he kept giving me—half fond, half teasing—were starting to get under my skin.
“Do you act like this around other people too?”
“Huh? Like what?”
“…Never mind.”
I stopped myself. Didn’t want to know the answer either way.
Sahyeon casually started clearing the table. I wasn’t sure if he was just naturally tidy or if he was still used to pretending to be a servant.
I remembered hearing he was from a well-off family. Guess that made it the latter.
“Why the hell am I even curious about this?”
“Why’re you grumbling to yourself?”
“I’m not mad! Just… just—”
Sahyeon stared at me, then burst out laughing. And then he said something that made no goddamn sense.
“It’s fine. I’ll match your pace, my lady.”
“You saying I’m slow?”
“Kinda, yeah.”
“You’re insufferable. You know that?”
“Still, love me anyway.”
“What the hell is this conversation?”
I couldn’t help it—I laughed. I don’t know what it is about this bastard, but he always makes me act like someone else.
I was still facing him when I caught it—a tiny, irritating sound.
Tap. Tap.
It was coming from the window. Both of us stopped laughing. The silence made it clearer.
“…Shh.”
I raised a finger to my lips. Sahyeon faded into the shadows like he’d never been there, erasing every trace of himself in seconds.
Once he was completely hidden, I opened the window.
A message hawk. A tiny note tied to its leg with leather cord. There was only one hawk that could’ve found me this precisely.
“…Hwaan Tea House.”
I brought it in quickly and shut the window. As I untied the message, Sahyeon stepped back into the light.
We read it together.
Urgent. Many martial artists have taken the tea house. Looting.
It was clearly scribbled in a rush. The handwriting was a mess. The lines kept getting shorter, like the sender was out of time.
There should’ve been guards at the tea house. If they still sent a hawk like this, then these weren’t just random thugs.
Sahyeon met my gaze. I didn’t say anything, but he spoke first.
“Don’t tell me you’re going yourself?”
That was exactly what I was going to say, so I nodded. He let out a long, deep sigh.
“Wouldn’t it be smarter to tell the Clan Head? Let the Moyong Clan send their own fighters? He already knows you had dealings with Proprietor Chae anyway.”
“If this blows up too big, it’ll be a mess. And time matters. A small team will move faster.”
“It doesn’t have to be you.”
He wasn’t wrong. But even if I told the Clan Head right now, it’d take too long to assemble and dispatch anyone.
The kind of bastards who come to loot don’t let people live once they’ve taken what they want. Proprietor Chae spent a lot to buy himself safety. This wasn’t what he paid for.
“…I made him a promise. I’m not the most moral person, but I keep the ones I can.”
“……”
“I’m not running in blindly. I just want to get there fast. Stop the worst before it spreads.”
Sahyeon went quiet. I sighed. Whoever these assholes were, why now? Couldn’t they have shown up before I got poisoned?
“I figured you’d say that.”
“Don’t worry. I’m very fond of staying alive.”
I turned to change clothes, but then Sahyeon grabbed my wrist. His fingers were cold on my skin.
“No. You can’t go alone.”
“Huh?”
“…Take someone. Anyone.”
“Not you. You, with your mask, are a servant without martial arts. You without the mask—don’t have a legal identity.”
In the dim light, Sahyeon looked even paler. That smile he wore earlier was long gone.
“Yeah. I can’t go.”
“Exactly. So—”
“But you can’t go alone.”
“Then what the hell do you want me to do?”
He looked at me, jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle twitch.
“…Take Dang Iheon with you.”
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