The moon was hidden behind the clouds, making the night unusually dark.
After confirming that Yeonhwa had gone out, Sahyeon moved right away. For now, he had to stick to a servant’s status within the estate. He changed quickly and ran through his thoughts.
Someone who could move freely, had enough martial skill to support Moyong Yeonhwa without trouble, and wouldn’t hesitate to move for her, no matter what it cost.
“…The answer was obvious.”
Sahyeon let out a short breath, then kicked off the ground. It would be a problem if anyone found out he could use lightfoot techniques, but this wasn’t the time to worry about that. No, honestly, he didn’t give a damn.
It wasn’t like there was no way to stop Yeonhwa from going. He could’ve blocked her, one way or another. But that would’ve crushed her pride in the end.
She’d already lost all the martial arts she’d built up. He didn’t want to knock her down again. That glimpse of helplessness from before had stuck in his mind deeper than expected.
So he decided to help her do what she wanted. Even if it hurt like hell in the back of his mind.
‘Take Dang Iheon with you.’
He’d been pissed. He never thought he’d actually say that out loud.
He’d gone so far as to make another deal with the Hao Alliance just to get Dang Iheon out of the estate.
For the first time since entering the Moyong Clan, Sahyeon felt burdened by this convenient outer shell and borrowed name.
* * *
Every time I kicked off the ground hard, the scenery blurred past so fast it made me dizzy. I hadn’t run this fast using lightfoot since my last life—back when I was running for my life from the Heavenly Demon.
I glanced sideways. Dang Iheon was keeping up without the slightest hitch.
When I’d shown up out of nowhere in the middle of the night and said, “Come with me,” he hadn’t even hesitated. Just nodded.
Of course, he spent the entire run trying to talk me out of it. Probably felt the same way Sahyeon did. He even said the same thing—did I really have to go myself?
But I’d made a promise. If I didn’t see it through personally, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
I got why both of them were trying to stop me. Honestly, after using lightfoot for this long, my stamina was burning out fast. My lungs were already screaming.
Maybe he noticed I was running out of steam, because Iheon spoke up softly.
“Yeonhwa. Want me to carry you?”
“No.”
“If you burn through your strength now, it could get dangerous when it really matters later. Carrying you won’t tire me out any more than this.”
I glanced at him. His face was dead serious. Not even a hint of fatigue.
I didn’t need long to think. There wasn’t a single flaw in what he said.
“Piggyback might be better. Sorry.”
“You’re hurt. Don’t apologize. Honestly, it’s easier this way.”
“There’s no way it’s easier.”
“It really is.”
Iheon smiled, paused, and offered his back. I stared at that steady, solid-looking back for a second, then climbed on.
Iheon held me tight and started running again. It was much faster than when we’d been side by side.
Well, at least I’ll get there with more energy left.
Now that I think about it, Iheon used to say stuff like, “I’ll carry you, let’s go for a walk.” Carrying me probably doesn’t mean much to him.
As the landscape rushed past, I calmly thought over what kind of state the Hwaan Tea House might be in. I even pictured the worst-case scenario.
If Proprietor Chae and the others were already dead… then I’d have to get revenge. I made a promise in the name of the Moyong Clan. I had to take responsibility and finish it.
Still, I hoped that wouldn’t be the case. After all… Proprietor Chae had shown me his version of kindness. I didn’t want him to end up dead.
Wishing for the best, I tightened my grip on Iheon’s shoulders. He flinched slightly, but didn’t slow down or look back.
The Hwaan Tea House was rapidly approaching.
Iheon and I arrived at the Hwaan Tea House about one si-jin after receiving the carrier pigeon. Martial artists are faster than any carriage, so the discomfort had paid off.
The area around the tea house was eerily silent.
Iheon gently set me down and whispered.
“Let’s go in through the back.”
I nodded and crouched beside him as we circled around. We pushed through thick brush and climbed the courtyard wall at the back.
Only then did we start to hear faint sobs and frightened screams from inside. The garden Proprietor Chae had cherished was trampled with muddy boots, and flames flickered here and there.
Still, the fact that there were any sounds at all was a sign of hope. It meant not everyone was dead. It also meant there were still enemies inside.
“They’re still here. We’ll need to scout inside.”
Iheon nodded, then launched himself silently up toward the roof. I followed, leaping lightly in the same direction.
We landed without a sound. Pressed flat against the roof, we could see the area around the tea house clearly. While I was scanning for movement, Iheon tapped me.
“Those guys, over there.”
“Where?”
He pointed, and sure enough, a group of thugs in dark red-black robes were loitering around in clusters, chatting like it was break time. Looked like they were stationed to intercept anyone coming from outside.
I narrowed my eyes and studied them closely. Martial artists usually dressed in black and moved in packs, so it was hard to tell which group they were from.
But those robes—I recognized them all too well. The faces were unfamiliar, but the colors…
“…They’re Black Ring Sect bastards.”
At least they weren’t ones that used to be under me. Thank fuck for that.
“How’d you recognize them?”
Iheon asked, sounding intrigued. I barely stopped myself from scoffing.
How do I know? Because I used to lead the Blood Rain Unit of the fucking Black Ring Sect…
I pretended not to hear him and exhaled. Of all places to run into them, it had to be here.
Not that I had any lingering affection. I didn’t even like them back then. Why the hell would I start now? It was just an unfortunate coincidence.
They might not have been under me, but it still felt like karmic debt collecting itself.
“Let’s get a headcount first.”
“Yeah. And we need to confirm if Proprietor Chae is still alive.”
I agreed and moved first. Avoiding the thugs around the tea house, I crept toward a window. Iheon kept watch while I gently pushed the window open—just enough to peek through the gap.
I brought my eye to the slit and saw people kneeling close together. Probably the tea house staff.
I shifted slightly and saw blades glinting near them. No way any of the staff knew martial arts, so of course they were trembling with fear.
“Do you see Proprietor Chae?”
Iheon whispered softly. I shook my head. The window gap was too narrow.
I nudged it open a little more, just a hair, and peered again. Finally, way in the corner, I spotted Proprietor Chae kneeling with a blue blade to his throat.
“Found him.”
I muttered, and Iheon leaned in closer.
“Looks like only those few outside.”
“Inside, fifteen total.”
That’s all I could confirm from here. More than expected. We could take them, sure—especially with Dang Iheon here—but the problem was the civilians.
If we charged in carelessly and got people killed, it’d be a stain on the Sichuan Dang Clan or the Moyong Clan.
And the Black Ring bastards? Their grudges were longer than the Yangtze River. Piss them off and it’d be a nightmare.
“We’ll need to get Proprietor Chae and the others out first.”
“How?”
“…Give them some kind of signal to slip outside. A few guards might tail them, but we can handle that quietly.”
The issue was how to make Proprietor Chae look this way…
I stared hard at him, silently willing him to glance over. I probably looked like I was trying to set his robe on fire with my eyes.
“Yeonhwa?”
“…Tch.”
Didn’t work. Dammit. I really didn’t want to do this, but…
I puffed up my cheeks and exhaled quietly. A soft sound left my lips. This signal—I’d practiced it for ages. My masterpiece: wood pigeon call.
I could feel Iheon staring, but I ignored it. Embarrassing as hell.
But I couldn’t exactly shout for Proprietor Chae. And suddenly pretending to be a hostage wasn’t gonna work now. No other option.
Coo… Coo…
I let out the mournful call and stared daggers at Proprietor Chae. After a moment—finally—he looked my way!
He squinted, glancing between the window and the guards, then his eyes went wide.
At least he wasn’t a useless merchant—he quickly schooled his face and looked calm again. Then he quietly spoke to the man holding a sword at his side.
“Um… I’m terribly sorry, but I urgently need to use the latrine. May I step out, just for a moment?”
“Trying to be clever? Shut your mouth and stay down.”
Didn’t land. But Proprietor Chae didn’t give up.
“I really am desperate. If you’re suspicious, someone can come with me. I wouldn’t dare try anything. I’m almost fifty, and it would be shameful to soil myself in front of such fine people…”
He pleaded earnestly, and curses echoed from around the room. You’d think they’d let him go just to avoid the smell, but these bastards weren’t that reasonable.
“You’re gonna die anyway, so why bother saving face?”
“Yeah. How do we know you’re not going to rat us out to the authorities?”
“Oh, heavens. I wouldn’t dream of it… And even if someone did come, could they handle martial artists like yourselves? Not a chance. I wouldn’t even dare in my dreams.”
“Typical merchant. Slick tongue like an oiled blade.”
Their jeering continued. Honestly, I agreed. Proprietor Chae really was good at kissing ass.
“I truly have no intentions like that. Please, just this once…”
“What, trying to catch up to the guy who left with the deeds and vouchers?”
“Goodness, how could I? A few errand boys already left with them. Even if I caught up, I couldn’t stop them. I’m just a nobody with no martial skill.”
Listening to the exchange, I understood. These bastards had kept Proprietor Chae and the others alive just to strip the place clean.
If they killed them too early, the errand boys might panic and try to run. Once they had everything they wanted, they’d kill everyone for fun.
Proprietor Chae probably knew too. But he kept groveling like someone who’d left his guts in a shed somewhere.
He didn’t stop begging. Eventually, one of them waved a hand, annoyed.
“He really must be desperate. Two of you, go with him.”
“Ugh, pain in the ass. Get up.”
The one guarding him sheathed his sword and yanked him up carelessly.
I signaled to Dang Iheon with two fingers. He nodded.
So far, so good.
But then, a voice from inside spoke, sharp with suspicion.
“Wait. That bird that was cooing so loudly a moment ago… it’s suddenly gone silent. Bit of a coincidence, don’t you think, Proprietor Chae?”
…Shit.
My heart sank.
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