IBTYDOTCID – Chapter 86

Sahyeon didn’t look the least bit rattled by Dang Iheon’s pointed question.

“Well, I didn’t acknowledge her on purpose. But since you’re asking, I’ll be honest.”

Moyong Muhyeok furrowed his brow.

“You’re saying you really knew our youngest? Then why pretend you didn’t?”

Moyong Wi gave Sahyeon a slow once-over, clearly suspicious. Sahyeon nodded respectfully, totally unfazed.

“At first, I didn’t recognize her in the chaos. And once the fight was over, I figured it wasn’t right for a man to act familiar in front of the young lady’s family and fiancé. Moyong Clan Head had chosen to keep his identity quiet, so I thought prying further would be rude. If I misjudged, I sincerely apologize.”

Moyong Wi was momentarily at a loss for words. Even Dang Iheon fell silent.

“So it really was a coincidence, then?”

Dang Iheon still wasn’t letting it go, but Sahyeon only gave a sheepish little smile.

“I found it rather fateful, running into her three times by chance. But I see now I’ve only made everyone uncomfortable. I shouldn’t have asked to travel with you. I’ll take my leave. I wish you a safe journey.”

Moyong Wi stayed quiet, clearly torn. He didn’t want to be rude to someone who had just helped, but wasn’t thrilled at the idea of traveling together either.

That’s when Lady Eon—who’d somehow appeared without me noticing—spoke up in a quiet voice.

“Just let him join us. We’re heading to the same place anyway.”

I was caught off guard. First, because I had no idea when she got there. Second, because her face gave absolutely nothing away.

But when Lady Eon, the one with the most authority in this household, said it, that was the end of it. Sahyeon—no, Ak Huhyeon—was now officially joining us.

As he passed by, he whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

“I missed you.”

Goddamn fox of a man.

I meant to glare at him, but he was already walking away. He’d retrieved his black horse from the brush and was now riding alongside the three brothers like it was nothing.

Dang Iheon looked like he wanted to ask me something. I scrambled back into the carriage before he could. I did feel a little guilty about it, but… if I’m being honest, I didn’t hate the fact that Sahyeon was joining us.

A day or so later, we finally arrived at Soheung Temple. If we’d traveled by light footwork, we could’ve made it faster, but we’d taken our time.

Soheung Temple wasn’t very large—barely ten monks in total. The oldest-looking one was the head monk, and he greeted us with a warm smile.

“Welcome. It’s been a long time. You must be tired from the long journey. Please rest and have something to eat. It’s not much, but we’ve prepared it with care.”

“Such a warm welcome is truly humbling. You seem even healthier than when I last saw you a few years ago—it must be the Buddha’s blessing.”

Moyong Wi replied with a gracious smile. Then, as if remembering something, he pointed toward Sahyeon—Ak Huhyeon.

“We were attacked by bandits on the road. That young man there, Ak Huhyeon, came to my daughter’s aid. He said he’s been studying at Soheung Temple, so we traveled together…”

It was clearly a soft probe to confirm whether Ak Huhyeon really had spent time here. The head monk’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Well, isn’t that something! Mr. Ak has indeed been staying at Soheung Temple for quite a while. He only left recently due to a family matter. What a strange and wonderful coincidence that he’d return with such esteemed guests. Ha ha!”

Dang Iheon still didn’t look fully convinced, but the rest of the Moyong family seemed to relax a bit.

Me? I was honestly floored. Did Buddha turn a blind eye when this guy stood in front of him and lied through his teeth?

“The novices will guide you to your rooms. They’re humble, but we hope you’ll find peace here and take in the spirit of the mountains and the Buddha’s grace.”

“Thank you.”

Everyone gave the customary bow. I joined in, copying the others without a clue what I was doing.

We followed the young monks to our rooms. Mine was next to Dang Choye’s—small, neat, and perfectly kept.

The monk who guided me spoke with a soft voice.

“These rooms are usually used for meditation or secluded practice. They might lack a few comforts, so I hope you’ll understand.”

“This is practically luxurious. Don’t worry about it.”

“Pardon? Oh… Yes, of course.”

He stared at me for a second, looking confused, then bowed and quietly left. Did he expect me to whine about switching rooms?

Honestly, this place was great. It had a clean mattress, windows that let in sunlight, a real door without any ripped paper screens. Everything was spotless and faintly scented with incense. Not a trace of mildew or bugs.

While Hyangah was unpacking, she kept glancing at me. Then she said,

“My lady, you’ve really matured lately. Sometimes it feels strange.”

“People grow and change their whole lives.”

I said it casually as I opened the window. Wonder where Sahyeon was staying. Probably wouldn’t get to see him properly until night.

The meal was fine. No meat, obviously, but I could live.

While I was mentally gauging how long I could survive on temple food, Dang Choye tugged at my sleeve.

“One of the monks said the matchmaking statue is just a short walk up from the entrance. Want to go see it?”

“To pray that I don’t get matched with someone?”

“Exactly. But if there’s someone you do want to be matched with, you should pray while thinking of them. I brought an extra for you.”

“Ah…”

She handed me a red string and a slip of yellow paper. I was already planning to go for a stroll anyway, but now I was holding these awkward little items.

Thankfully, it wasn’t just the two of us. Dang Iheon, Hyangah, Moyong Muhyeok, and Lady Eon all came along. No one said it outright, but they were clearly curious.

The statue really was child-sized. It had red strings tied all over and half-buried in the ground—countless people had already prayed here.

“Do you think everyone who prayed here actually got matched?”

I asked, more skeptical than anything. Moyong Muhyeok gave a serene smile.

“They say heartfelt prayers reach even the heavens. If someone truly wished for it, perhaps they did find their match.”

He was practically glowing. Must be the pre-wedding sentimentality. Honestly, I thought Paeng Soan was a decent woman too. They probably made a good match. Might even end up as sweetly domestic as Moyong Wi and Lady Eon.

But the real shock was seeing Lady Eon holding a string and a slip of paper. I must’ve looked stunned, because Moyong Muhyeok explained.

“Father once prayed here before marrying Mother. I suppose she’s now wishing for their bond in the next life as well.”

“…She’s already married and had four kids with the man.”

“She says she wants to stay married in the next life too.”

I once heard that couples who wish to be together in their next life are as rare as living jade rabbits. Which is to say, nonexistent. And yet, here one was, walking around in front of me. Incredible.

Everyone seemed to have come prepared. Some treated it playfully, others seriously, and they all took turns praying at the statue.

I just stood there, string in hand, watching.

Not that I didn’t think about Sahyeon… but praying for a bond that would last into the next life? That kind of certainty? I didn’t have it.

Besides, if this statue did somehow work a miracle and tied Sahyeon and me together… it would honestly be cruel. He didn’t even know who I really was.

Would he treat me the same, if he found out I was actually Seol Danhae—the notorious one?

“My lady, aren’t you going to pray?”

Hyangah whispered to me.

“Mm, I don’t really believe in this stuff.”

“Still, why not try just for fun? You never know.”

“What if that statue gets pissed I’m not taking it seriously?”

“My lady, you said you didn’t believe in it.”

“Just go already. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

She gave me a gentle push. Everyone was watching, dying to know whose name I’d write. Especially the Dang siblings—they looked ready to explode.

I left the paper and the string there without writing anything. Even if the statue was holy or whatever, it couldn’t read my mind. It’d be fine.

On the way back down, Lady Eon chatted with Dang Choye. They seemed like total opposites, but maybe because they were both strong-willed, they actually got along well.

As I walked with a bit of a heavy heart, Dang Iheon came up beside me.

“That statue… it wasn’t carved by anyone.”

“…What?”

“Yeah. It was just a big old rock shaped by wind and rain over centuries. And Soheungan Ridge gets super cold in winter, so the rock cracked and broke naturally over time. Eventually it just… looked like a child monk.”

That was honestly kind of amazing. It really did look like a little monk, even had vague eyes and a nose.

“They say people’s hopes hold power. With so many praying there, maybe it really did gain some kind of sacred energy.”

Coming from him, of all people—someone who never said things he didn’t believe—it almost sounded convincing. Almost.

“…Probably just some temple monk sculpted it in the middle of the night to scam money.”

“Ha ha. Even so, you can think of it as making an offering.”

“Spoken like a true rich kid.”

“You’re a rich girl too, you know.”

“…Ah.”

Right. I guess I am now. I nodded. I didn’t pray, but let’s say I made an offering so the monks could eat something nice.

“Yeonhwa, who did you pray about?”

“…Didn’t pray for anyone.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. What if I go wishing for something and it turns out to be an awful match next life?”

He looked surprised, then murmured, “I see.” Then he stared at me, hard. I was deliberately avoiding eye contact, but eventually his gaze burned into the side of my face and I turned to meet it.

“I wrote your name.”

“…”

“If there really is a next life… I’d like to meet you in it. In some way. Any way.”

“…Damn, am I your only friend or something?”

I gave his shoulder a soft punch and picked up my pace. I wasn’t sure what this feeling was, but I really wanted to get away from it. Dang Iheon didn’t chase after me or say anything else.

That night, just after I’d crawled under the blanket, I heard a weird birdcall. I recognized it immediately—we’d met before.

Good thing I hadn’t changed clothes yet.

I waited a moment, then slipped out the window without making a sound. The bird kept calling just often enough to guide me. I followed it all the way to the temple gate.

Sahyeon was waiting there.

“Still awake?”

“A bird wouldn’t shut up.”

“Oof. Harsh.”

Sahyeon chuckled and took my hand like it was nothing. And just like that, we were walking the dark mountain path, hand in hand.

Besides the sound of our footsteps, everything around us was deathly still. There was a time when silence like this felt unbearable in the mountains.

But not tonight.

Tonight, it just felt peaceful. All because of that little warmth in my hand.

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