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Mi Hyo-ran loved dreaming.

Unlike how everything was turned upside down and chaotic now, the world she saw in her dreams reflected the bright and brilliant times of yesteryear.

Of course, her occasional nightmares were agonizing and painful, yet even so, dreams showcased the moments of her greatest happiness.

On the other hand, she felt sadness about those dreams.

The dreams, showing only those happiest moments that she could no longer experience, left her in a daze filled with longing once she awoke.

That was how it was even now.

Mi Hyo-ran knew she was dreaming. She couldn’t possibly not know.

Having a friend who was no longer visible standing so vividly before her could only happen in a dream.

—It’s a flower! A flower!

—Ahhh! A bee!

—Hyo-ran! Bi-yeon is running away!

—Cheon-hee! Put that down!

…

It was probably not a scene she particularly wanted to see. Mi Hyo-ran gained that sudden realization.

Even so, she did not avert her gaze.

—Hyo-ran?

Amid the chaotic scene, a woman with white hair approached with a smile.

No matter how often she saw it, it was a truly radiant smile.

Even Mi Hyo-ran, who was often described as cold and, moreover, ruthless, felt something frozen inside her thaw just a bit when faced with that child’s smile.

That child had a charm about her.

Perhaps that was why that man smiled only for her.

—Hyo-ran! This is a flower!

Holding out something that was clearly not an ordinary flower, she exuded such joy that Mi Hyo-ran found it hard to comprehend, given her character.

For now, Mi Hyo-ran accepted the flower the woman offered.

While looking at it, someone made a grimace.

—Young Lady! That’s poisonous! Toss it out immediately!

It was a striking beauty dressed in a black martial robe with dark blue hair.

Despite her icy demeanor that could chill the air, her personality was, in contrast, fiery.

She was known as Baek Bong Moyong Bi-yeon.

At Moyong Bi-yeon’s words, the white-haired woman whirled around and changed direction. Observing where Moyong Bi-yeon was, Bi-yeon screamed and started to flee.

—Is she insane! No! Leave the bee!

—It’s a flower!

—I know that, don’t come near!

Watching that spectacle, Mi Hyo-ran covered her face with a fan and giggled.

It was like a trivial play, but that sight managed to instill a sense of stability within her.

Thinking so, Mi Hyo-ran glanced at her hand.

In her hand was an unfamiliar white flower. It was given to her by the white-haired woman, and though Moyong Bi-yeon said it was poisonous, she knew well it was not.

She knew that child would never give her such a flower.

Carefully, she cradled the flower in her arms and thought.

—I should look up the flower’s name later.

Perhaps it was because she particularly liked the flower.

If the timing were right, she might want to grow it later.

After that, Mi Hyo-ran quietly took in the scene unfolding before her.

A sky devoid of clouds and a vast expanse of forest. Rare butterflies flitted by and the sounds of insects could be heard from within the woods.

Could people believe that the peaceful scene before her was the ‘Demonic Gate’?

They wouldn’t be able to.

It was simply that Mi Hyo-ran herself could hardly believe it.

This was the Demonic Gate that so many feared?

She wondered how she ended up in such a place but did not feel much worry despite the situation.

Back then, she wondered if it was because she was young, or perhaps it was because being with them made anything acceptable.

To the current Mi Hyo-ran, it leaned more toward the latter.

No matter what happened, it would be alright as long as she was with them.

She was swept away by that foolish romanticism, completely contradictory to her nature. Ironically, it was that time she longed for, leading her to dream so vividly.

That’s why she felt a tinge of sadness.

Knowing it was a sight she could no longer see made it all the more sorrowful.

Even now, Mi Hyo-ran understood.

She was experiencing this moment because she was dreaming.

That’s why she struggled to take in as much of it as possible.

It would serve as a small piece of joy for the days to come.

As Mi Hyo-ran thought about that, she noticed the white-haired woman, who had been chasing after Moyong Bi-yeon, suddenly approaching her.

—Hyo-ran.

The woman called out to Mi Hyo-ran.

With shimmering white hair, her purplish eyes, tinged closely to pink, sparkled like jewels.

—Are you happy?

Mi Hyo-ran flinched at the woman’s words. The reflection of her face in those eyes appeared quite startled.

—What do you…

—As long as Hyo-ran is happy, that’s all that matters. Are you happy?

Could she possibly hear such things because this was a dream?

As strange feelings brushed past her, she realized she couldn’t provide any answer.

The question about happiness.

At least she could say she wasn’t unhappy, but when it came to what happiness was, Mi Hyo-ran found it hard to recall.

What is happiness?

It was a phrase she often pondered lately, so was it really any surprise to hear such in a dream?

Especially coming from a friend of hers.

Mi Hyo-ran, after a moment of silence, concluded her brief contemplation and said,

—I’m trying to be happy.

Then she reversed the question.

—What about you, were you happy?

At her words, the woman smiled. No answer came forth.

She knew.

She wouldn’t provide an answer.

This world was, after all, merely a memory that Mi Hyo-ran had wished to draw out.

With that lingering disappointment, the white-haired woman spoke to Mi Hyo-ran, who was attempting to absorb the world anew.

—It’s not your fault, Hyo-ran. So you can be happy.

—…!

Mi Hyo-ran stiffened at the woman’s words.

There was something distinctly foreign about the feel of it all, as if it wasn’t a dream.

At the moment Mi Hyo-ran, with trembling eyes, reached out towards the woman—

[Clan Leader.]

A distant voice intrusively interrupted her ear.

In that instant.

Mi Hyo-ran had no choice but to awaken from the dream.

When Mi Hyo-ran opened her eyes, the first thing that greeted her was the dark ceiling.

It seemed the night had not yet passed. Mi Hyo-ran confirmed this and slowly raised her body.

“…”

Despite just waking up, Mi Hyo-ran’s eyes were clear. It was a look born from her will to always appear calm on the outside.

Though turbulent on the inside, she must maintain a sharp appearance.

This was one of the clan leader’s principles.

As she rose, Mi Hyo-ran shook her head lightly, organizing her thoughts.

‘…What kind of dream was it?’

She was sure she had dreamt something, but she couldn’t recall it. It felt like an important dream…

An unknowing sense of regret surged, but Mi Hyo-ran did her best to forget and looked to her side.

“What’s the matter?”

Beside her, a man clad in black clothes and a mask knelt before Mi Hyo-ran.

It was her guard, Mu-jin.

“…A guest has arrived.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes.”

Mi Hyo-ran frowned at Mu-jin’s response.

A guest arriving at such a late hour meant they had come without notice and rather impolitely.

Such individuals were among the types she disliked most, especially since she valued plans.

Even so, the reason Mi Hyo-ran did not get angry was that she understood Mu-jin knew it yet still chose to wake her up.

If he knew it was rude, he could have taken it upon himself to send them away.

The fact that he urgently woke her up to inform her of a visitor meant it was someone significant to Mi Hyo-ran.

Understanding that, she refrained from asking more questions.

“Where is the guest?”

“…They’re waiting outside.”

Nodding at Mu-jin’s words, Mi Hyo-ran headed outside.

She needed to properly ascertain who the guest was after maintaining her composure.

‘Who could it be?’

An individual who would seek her out at this time.

A few names floated to her mind, but none were people Mu-jin would let through.

Knowing this, Mi Hyo-ran couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Just who could have come to visit her?

Creeeak.

She stepped out the door.

The first sight was a lake. A small lake near the inn that had been prepared for her residence.

The moon, full in the sky, reflected on the surface of the water.

What a splendid sight, Mi Hyo-ran thought.

Only after appreciating that did she notice not just herself but someone else staring at the lake.

“…Huh?”

Reacting as soon as she registered that, Mi Hyo-ran showed her response.

Though hidden in shadow, she could tell who that person was.

“Aha ha.”

The person burst into laughter upon realizing Mi Hyo-ran recognized her.

It was her unique cheerful and high-pitched laugh.

“Uh… How?”

With that realization, Mi Hyo-ran was even more certain.

That person was indeed someone she knew.

Seeing Mi Hyo-ran, who rarely looked surprised, the other person approached, scratching her cheek in an awkward manner.

As the shadow concealing her faded, her true identity was revealed.

She was dressed in a dark blue martial robe, her hair still flowing like silk.

A woman who hadn’t aged noticeably due to her martial artist lineage, standing out in her youthful vitality.

She evoked both envy and nostalgia, reminding Mi Hyo-ran of good times gone by.

“Mi Young Lady.”

“…”

After a term of address she hadn’t heard in over a decade, Mi Hyo-ran’s pupils trembled.

“It’s been a while.”

At the awkward greeting, Mi Hyo-ran’s shoulders tensed up.

The woman, clearly nervous while facing Mi Hyo-ran, was none other than Baek Ryeon-gyeom Moyong Bi-yeon.

Looking at the stiff Mi Hyo-ran, Moyong Bi-yeon initiated the conversation.

“Can we talk for a bit?”

Her voice quivered slightly.

Mi Hyo-ran silently nodded at her without saying a word.

And so, the two of them entered the residence.

“Sorry.”

An apology suddenly came while I was eating dumplings in the morning.

I looked up to see who was apologizing while shoving a handful of dumplings into my mouth.

A woman with shoulder-length black hair dressed in a black martial robe.

Peng Ah-Hee.

“Uh… sorry for interrupting your meal. Can you tell me after you’re done eating…?”

With that, I hastily chewed and swallowed what was in my mouth before asking again.

“What’re you saying? Why the sudden apology?”

I wondered why she was saying this out of nowhere in the morning, and Peng Ah-Hee averted her gaze and continued.

“I heard there was some matter between you and our clan leader.”

“Oh.”

Was she referring to what happened yesterday?

It must be about the incident that occurred in Hanam Street involving Clan Leader Pang…

Even as I listened to the reason, I scratched my head in confusion.

“It wasn’t something that involved me, though?”

If there had been an incident, it would have been between Gu Yeon-seo and the others. If there had been an accident, then it would have been with Baek Ryeon-gyeom.

I had no real issues with it.

However, Peng Ah-Hee only continued with a grim expression on her face.

“I also apologized to Gu Young Lady… sorry.”

It seemed she had also visited Gu Yeon-seo.

Was she cleaning up after their father, the Sword King, made a mess? Just looking at this made me think.

‘Is she the fine one while that old man is acting up?’

It was quite remarkable how the children were fine when their father was such a piece of work.

As far as I was concerned, Peng Ah-Hee seemed to be the most normal of all.

As for Peng Woo-jin… well, he wasn’t exactly normal either but at least he wasn’t a foul-tempered old man like the Sword King.

Thinking of that, I told Peng Ah-Hee.

“Just to reiterate, you don’t need to apologize to me.”

“…Okay.”

Despite my words, Peng Ah-Hee still looked far from happy, but what was there to be done?

“It’s not really who he is. He’s just been in bad shape lately.”

Peng Ah-Hee spoke in defense.

I couldn’t help but agree with her.

From what I recall, when the rumors of the engagement dissolution between the Gu and Pang families first emerged, the Sword King had been just as temperamental as ever, yet somehow everything had smoothed over.

It seemed some issues had arisen recently.

‘Though I don’t really care to know.’

That was their family’s issue, not mine.

Most I could do was keep an eye on things to ensure no more friction occurred.

‘If I get entangled with that lot again, I might get annoyed myself.’

Having met a lot of people like those, I knew well enough that I couldn’t hold back my own temper for long. If I got too entangled with the Sword King, I might end up losing my cool and biting back.

It was clear that confronted with the clan leader of one of the Four Great Clans, I would end up in trouble.

Avoiding confrontation would be the best option.

In that sense, I could view the Sword King as a piece of work to steer clear of.

After all, mess is what you avoid.

“Don’t worry about it. Just eat your meal.”

“…”

“Clearly, you look like you skipped meals.”

“Even if I don’t eat…”

“You’ll collapse. Sit down and eat quickly.”

Those words were born from sincerity. I had seen too many who neglected eating and ended up collapsing.

It would be foolish to starve when food was available.

Even as I said this, Peng Ah-Hee hesitated, so it was then that Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-ah pulled her to sit down.

As a side note, Nangong Bi-ah was still sleeping in her room and Moyong Hi-ah hadn’t shown up yet.

‘I should check on her soon.’

It was about time to warm things up for Moyong Hi-ah. She was more aware of it than I was, so wouldn’t she come over by herself?

…But if she doesn’t.

‘Should I go look for her?’

To be honest, I didn’t want to. It was evident that Baek Cheon-gyeom would be by her side.

I sighed at the thought.

‘Why is it that all these older men seem to be itching to pounce on me?’

For some reason, the heads of the four great clans seemed eager to devour me.

While the current Nangong Jin is in a different context altogether, Baek Cheon-gyeom was really seemed ready to pounce on me, and the Sword King looked at me with unsettling eyes.

In that sense, I could almost say the Poison King was…

Relatively a decent character.

When I thought that, I began to look at Tang Soyeol somewhat differently.

While he had somewhat peculiar tastes, he fitted into the normal range like Peng Ah-Hee did.

Just as I was about to nod in agreement with that thought, Tang Soyeol seemed to catch on to my thoughts and spoke up.

“Oh right, Gu Gongja.”

“…Oh, right?”

Much like a thief caught in the act, I flinched and looked at her.

Tang Soyeol smiled brightly. It was her usual expression.

“I wanted to mention something regarding the Journey to Sichuan.”

Ah, so it’s about the Journey to Sichuan. Good, I was relieved.

The time was indeed approaching for that. Just as I began to respond, she added,

“Because of that, my father wishes to meet you today. Do you have time?”

“…”

At Tang Soyeol’s words, I instinctively shut my mouth. The father she mentioned was none other than the Poison King.

…The Poison King wants to see me?

I felt an unsettling chill settle in.

Tang Soyeol continued.

“They said they’d prepare the meal! They’ll take you to a nice place to eat!”

“…Oh…”

The Poison King is preparing the meal for me.

There wasn’t anything suspicious about it, yet for some reason, an inexplicable sense of dread washed over me.

It must be a misunderstanding, right?

It absolutely had to be.

 

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