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Drip, drip.

She wrings my clothes with her white hands, and blood flows down. It seems she was holding quite a bit of water, because the amount pouring out was no joke.

And what’s she holding?

‘A mace.’

A spiked iron orb connected by a chain. Just by looking at it, you can tell how it’s used as a weapon.

‘And that woman is using it.’

It’s unusual because the person wielding it is a delicate-looking woman. Not the kind of weapon you’d expect her to use.

Whoosh! Whoosh-whoosh!

The woman stops wringing the clothes and swings her mace a few times before bringing it over.

Then…

“Phew! Done.”

She wipes her forehead with the back of her hand, looking refreshed.

“……”

It’s a scene that would look innocent to anyone watching, but with her covered in demon beast blood, there’s nothing to say.

Then…

“…Miss Hyun?”

Nangong Jin, standing behind her, speaks up in a surprised voice. The woman with the mace turns to look at him.

“Ah. Found you.”

Her smile as she looks at him sends an involuntary shiver down my spine.

“Why is Miss Hyun here…?”

Nangong Jin seems just as shocked, his eyes wide as he stares at the woman called Miss Hyun.

‘Do they know each other?’

It sure looks like it. And…

‘She looks exactly the same.’

She’s a spitting image of the woman I know—Nangong Bi-ah.

How can they look so alike? Just as I’m wondering…

“Sword Dragon.”

A low voice swallows the surroundings. Gu Cheolun speaks, and the atmosphere freezes solid.

“Explain. Who is she?”

“……”

All eyes turn to Sword Dragon. He glances at Mi Hyo-ran but can’t bring himself to speak.

As an awkward silence hangs in the air…

“She’s my fiancée.”

The answer comes not from Nangong Jin but from the woman herself.

“Huh?”

“What?”

Everyone reacts in surprise. But the most shocked one is me.

‘Fiancée?’

My eyes widen as I stare at her.

Fiancée?

‘And she looks exactly like Nangong Bi-ah.’

Ah, I see.

I finally figure it out and realize who she is.

‘That woman…’

She’s the one who will become Nangong Bi-ah’s mother in the future.

I’m sure of it as I watch her smile.

* * *

Hyun So-yeon.

Age 22.

The daughter of Seonho Trading Company, a famous merchant group in Anhui.

She’s half a head shorter than Nangong Bi-ah, but otherwise, they’re practically identical.

‘How is this possible?’

Apart from her height and hair color, she’s a carbon copy of Nangong Bi-ah.

Looking at her, I’m convinced she’s the one who will become Nangong Bi-ah’s mother.

The problem is…

‘…What do I even know about her?’

I don’t have much information about Hyun So-yeon.

I’ve never heard much about her, and as far as I know, she’s already supposed to be dead.

The only thing I recall is…

‘The daughter of Anhui’s top trading company.’

And that she was engaged to the Nangong Clan. That’s about it.

‘But…’

Who would’ve thought she’d show up here?

“Nice to meet you. I’m Hyun So-yeon.”

Crackle.

Thud.

We’re sitting around a campfire that’s slowly burning. It’s not exactly a camping spot, but her unexpected appearance led to this.

“I had no idea I’d meet such esteemed people here.”

She smiles brightly, and the surroundings seem to light up with her.

‘…Wow.’

She looks just like Nangong Bi-ah and smiles just as naturally. I can’t help but stare in amazement.

Tap tap.

Someone nudges me. I look over and see So-i.

“Stop staring so rudely.”

Was I staring too hard? I nod at her scolding.

“I was wandering around looking for a path when, guess what? Demon beasts showed up. I almost got into big trouble. I’m so lucky to have met you all.”

“……”

“……”

No one reacts to her words. Almost got into big trouble?

‘Lies.’

Anyone could tell just by the way she swung that mace and the killing intent radiating from her.

‘At least first-rate.’

Maybe even peak level. For someone from a merchant family, her martial prowess is surprisingly high.

She’s definitely not someone who’d lose to a Green Demon Beast.

Then…

“So-yeon…”

Someone calls her. It’s Mi Hyo-ran.

Hyun So-yeon’s eyes widen slightly as she looks at Mi Hyo-ran.

“Oh, sister! Nice to see you here!”

They seem to know each other. Well…

‘They’re both daughters of merchant groups.’

Whether it’s Baekhwa Sect or Seonho Trading Company, they’re both famous, so it’s not strange for their heirs to know each other.

“What brings you here…?”

“Huh? Oh, as I just mentioned…”

Hyun So-yeon points at someone in response to Mi Hyo-ran’s question.

It’s Nangong Jin.

“I came to find my fiancé. He hasn’t been coming home.”

“What…?”

Nangong Jin’s face twists in frustration.

“How could I come see you in the middle of a mission? I clearly sent word that I’d joined the Martial Alliance.”

Hyun So-yeon clicks her tongue at his incredulous tone.

“Funny.”

‘Huh?’

Did I hear that wrong?

Got it. What did you say…?

“Someone told me to come back to the clan, so if you’re coming, come. Are you backing out now, Jin? Are you crazy?”

Ah, no, I didn’t mishear. Hyun So-yeon.

‘She’s got a fiery personality.’

Unlike Nangong Bi-ah, she seemed to have quite a strong personality.

“No… I can’t go because I’m at the Martial Alliance, but you keep telling me to come. If you want it that much, go and wait, I said.”

“So I waited. What’s the problem? You even came out to greet me. Shouldn’t you appreciate that?”

“Are you seriously saying that now…!”

“Who was it that suddenly joined the Martial Alliance when the engagement ceremony schedule was clear?”

“……”

At Hyun So-yeon’s words, Nangong Jin tightly closed his mouth. It seems that guy caused some trouble.

“You know that because of you, both the Nangong Clan Leader and our Danju had a hard time, right?”

“……”

“But what? You can’t come because you have to achieve great things at the Martial Alliance? Jin, are you out of your mind?”

“……”

Seeing him getting beaten, it feels like the other side has done this more than once.

“Even that great thing you mentioned. It’s not that big of a deal…”

Hyun So-yeon, who was speaking, glanced at Mi Hyo-ran.

“It’s an annoying reason, so it’s even more of a problem. You know?”

“……”

Nangong Jin finally avoided her gaze. It means he thinks it’s a loss to continue the conversation.

“…Huh.”

It seemed like she had more to say, but Hyun So-yeon closed her mouth as if she wouldn’t say more.

Immediately after, she looked at Gu Cheolun, who was seated at the highest position.

“Shin Ryong.”

“Speak.”

Father was only looking at the bonfire in front.

“It seems the identity has been confirmed. If it’s okay, can I accompany you? It seems you’re going to the Nangong Clan. I came out in a hurry and didn’t bring any food or anything.”

At Hyun So-yeon’s words, Father looked at her. It seemed like she paused for a moment under that gaze.

But she quickly composed her expression and continued.

“I’ll give you the reward when we return.”

“Do so.”

“What-!”

At Father’s choice, Nangong Jin jumped up.

“Gu Cheolun! What are you saying-.”

Nangong Jin spoke as if angry, but then, a chilling energy emanated from Father’s body.

Kwaaaaaa-!

“Kuh!?”

Nangong Jin, crushed by the energy, let out a groan.

“Address me correctly, Nangong Jin.”

“Grrrr…!”

Nangong Jin trembled under the force squeezing his neck.

“F…Great Lord…”

At those words, thud! The energy subsided, and Nangong Jin staggered.

“Gulp. Gulp…!”

Ignoring Nangong Jin, who was clutching his neck and coughing, Father spoke to Hyun So-yeon.

“If the path is the same and the reward is properly paid, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Thank you for your generosity.”

Though she spoke calmly, her face showed she was quite surprised. She didn’t expect Nangong Jin to be subdued like that.

……So.

‘Is this woman also going to the Nangong Clan with us?’

If Father has decided so, it will proceed.

It’s an oddly bizarre journey.

Thinking that, I quietly looked at Hyun So-yeon.

“……!”

Suddenly, our eyes met. It was a very brief moment. Seeing me, Hyun So-yeon suddenly smiled.

A natural and beautiful smile.

A brief eye contact and passing glance and expression. Looking at that, I thought.

‘It suits her.’

That kind of smile seems to suit Nangong Bi-ah too.

That’s what I thought.

* * *

Time passed. The daily life in the carriage was no different. We were still heading towards the Nangong Clan.

Since it would take at most a day, I thought I could endure it.

‘Damn it.’

The already narrow space became even narrower.

The reason was none other.

“…Don’t come too close.”

“How can I not come close in such a narrow space? Jin, endure it a bit.”

Because Hyun So-yeon entered the carriage.

Mi Hyo-ran put Hyun So-yeon in our carriage instead of her own.

She said it would be fine since the fiancé was there, and Hyun So-yeon agreed.

Nangong Jin, who shouted no, was easily ignored.

And because of that, we were the ones suffering.

‘Ah, damn it.’

This is tough.

How much longer do I have to endure this?

While I was worrying about that.

“We’ve arrived.”

The coachman’s shout was heard.

Hearing that, I let out a sigh of relief.

‘We’re here.’

Anhui Province.

Where the Nangong Clan is.

Just as I was relieved to have arrived.

“Huh?”

The coachman shouted, seemingly flustered.

“Ah, ah. The Clan Leader is coming!”

“Huh?”

At those words, everyone in the carriage widened their eyes.

“What…!?”

Nangong Jin’s expression instantly turned pale.

 

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