Mi Horan loved dreaming.

Unlike the chaos and mess of her current life, her dreams reflected a bright and splendid past. Even though she sometimes had nightmares that were agonizingly painful, the dreams still showed her the happiest times of her life.

Yet, in some ways, dreams were sad too. They picked only the happiest moments, ones she could no longer experience, and when she woke up, she was left with a painful longing that often made her feel hollow.

It was the same now.

Mi Horan was aware that she was dreaming. She had no choice but to know because only in a dream could she see a friend who was no longer there so vividly before her.

“Flowers! Flowers!” “Kyaah! A bee!” “Horan! Run, Biyeon!” “Chunhee! Put that down!”

...

These weren't exactly scenes she had longed to see again, Mi Horan realized suddenly. But even so, she didn’t look away.

“Horan?”

In the middle of the near-chaotic situation, a white-haired woman approached, smiling. That smile was always so radiant.

Even Mi Horan, often considered cold, even ruthless, felt something frozen within her soften slightly when faced with that girl’s smile.

That’s the kind of charm she had.

Perhaps that was why even he had smiled at her.

“Horan! Look, a flower!”

Despite holding out something clearly not a typical flower, she was beaming with joy. Mi Horan couldn’t easily understand it, given her personality.

Still, Mi Horan accepted the flower the girl offered. Someone nearby grimaced as she did.

“Miss Mi! That’s a poisonous plant! Throw it away immediately!”

The woman who spoke had black hair and wore a light blue martial robe. Her appearance was icy, like frost on a cold morning. Yet, despite her cold looks, she was a fiery woman by nature.

This was Baek Bong Moyong Biyeon. That’s what they called her.

At Moyong Biyeon’s words, the white-haired girl turned and headed in her direction. Realizing this, Moyong Biyeon screamed and started running away.

“She’s crazy! No, leave the bee behind!” “It’s a flower!” “I know, just stay away!”

Watching this, Mi Horan laughed quietly behind her fan. It was a trivial scene, almost like a play, but somehow it brought her comfort.

With that thought, Mi Horan looked at her hand.

In it was a white flower of unknown name. The white-haired woman had given it to her, even though Moyong Biyeon had warned it was poisonous and told her to throw it away.

Mi Horan knew very well it wasn’t poisonous. She was sure that girl would never give her such a flower.

Carefully, she tucked the flower away, thinking to herself.

“I should find out its name later.”

Perhaps because it struck her so, she even thought about growing it someday if the chance arose.

Afterward, Mi Horan looked around at the scene before her with a calm gaze.

The sky was clear, the forest stretched wide, and there were rare butterflies and the sounds of insects from the woods.

Would people believe this seemingly peaceful place was the Magyeong? Probably not.

Even Mi Horan herself couldn’t fully believe it. Could this really be the feared Magyeong?

She wondered how she’d ended up in such a place, yet, despite the situation, she wasn’t overly worried.

Back then, she was like that.

Maybe because she was young, or perhaps because nothing else mattered as long as she was with them.

Now, she was sure it was the latter.

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

It was a time when she indulged in a naïve kind of romance that completely contradicted her personality. It was silly, but she missed those days, which is why she kept dreaming about them.

That’s why she felt sad.

It was sadder because she knew she could never see this sight again.

Now, Mi Horan was also aware that this moment was a dream. That’s why she was trying to take in as much of it as possible, knowing these memories would be a small comfort for the days to come.

Just then, she saw the white-haired girl, who had been chasing Moyong Biyeon, suddenly approaching her.

“Horan.”

She called her name. Her white hair shimmered like silk, and her eyes, almost pink in their violet hue, sparkled like jewels.

“Are you happy?”

Mi Horan flinched. She could tell from the expression on her face, reflected in the girl’s eyes, that she was clearly surprised.

“What...” “It’s enough if you’re happy. Are you?”

Was it because this was a dream that she could hear such words? Mi Horan realized she couldn’t give an answer as a strange feeling passed through her.

The question of whether she was happy.

She knew she wasn’t, at least. But when it came to defining happiness, Mi Horan found it hard to answer.

What is happiness?

It was a question that had come to mind often lately, and now, she was even hearing it from a friend in her dreams.

Without saying anything, Mi Horan took a moment to ponder, then finally spoke to the girl.

“I’m trying to be.”

Then, she asked a question in return.

“Were you happy?”

At her question, the girl smiled. But there was no answer. Mi Horan knew that no answer would come.

This world was merely a memory she had pulled out because she wanted to see it again. As she erased the sense of regret and tried to capture the scene once more, the white-haired girl spoke again.

“It’s not your fault, Horan. So it’s okay to be happy.”

“…!”

Mi Horan froze.

There was something strange about those words, making it feel unlike a dream. Just as she looked at the girl with trembling eyes and reached out a hand—

[“Danju.”]

A voice from afar intruded on Mi Horan’s ears.

At that moment, Mi Horan had no choice but to wake up from her dream.

 

   ******************
 

When Mi Horan opened her eyes, a pitch-black ceiling greeted her.

It seemed that night had not yet passed. Confirming this, Mi Horan slowly sat up.

“...”

Even though she had just woken up, her gaze was sharp and clear—a result of her determination to always maintain a composed exterior.

Inside, she might have been in turmoil, but her appearance had to remain sharp. This was one of the ironclad rules she followed as the head of her faction.

Rising, she shook her head slightly, gathering her thoughts.

'...What was that dream?'

She was certain she had been dreaming, though she couldn’t remember exactly. It felt like it had been something important…

A vague sense of regret surfaced, but Mi Horan pushed it aside and looked to her side.

“What’s going on?”

Kneeling on one knee beside her was a man dressed in black clothes and a mask.

It was Mujin, her bodyguard.

“...A visitor has come to see you.” “At this hour?” “Yes.”

Mi Horan frowned at Mujin’s response. A visitor coming at this late hour, without prior notice, was an act of disrespect.

Such people were among the types she disliked most—those who disregarded her preference for careful planning.

Yet, she did not immediately get angry, knowing that Mujin, despite being aware of her feelings on the matter, had still chosen to wake her up.

If he had realized it was disrespectful, he could have handled it himself. The fact that he woke her up indicated this visitor must be someone important.

Understanding this, she chose not to say anything further.

“Where is the guest?” “...Waiting outside.”

Nodding, Mi Horan got up and made her way outside, intending to properly compose herself before meeting whoever it was.

'Who could it be?'

Someone visiting her at this hour… Several people came to mind, but there was no one Mujin would not have stopped under normal circumstances.

This thought filled Mi Horan with curiosity. Just who had come to see her?

Creak.

She opened the door and stepped outside.

The first thing she saw was a lake, a small body of water near her quarters provided by the inn.

The full moon reflected on its surface. It was quite a beautiful scene, Mi Horan thought.

Only then did she notice that someone else was looking at the lake as well.

“...Ah?”

As soon as she realized this, Mi Horan reacted. Though obscured by shadows, she could tell who it was.

“Aha.”

The person, noticing that Mi Horan had recognized her, burst into laughter—her trademark lively and slightly high-pitched laugh.

“Wh… How?”

Hearing this, Mi Horan grew more certain. She knew exactly who this person was.

Her voice, unusually surprised, drew a somewhat sheepish smile from the other woman, who began walking toward her, scratching her cheek as if embarrassed.

As the shadows fell away, her identity became clear.

She wore a light blue martial robe, her black hair still as sleek as ever.

Born a warrior, she hadn’t aged as much as Mi Horan, who was just an ordinary person. As a woman, Mi Horan couldn’t help feeling a mix of envy and nostalgia.

Her appearance, unchanged from back then, evoked memories of the past in Mi Horan.

“Miss Mi.”

“...”

Hearing the title she hadn’t heard in over a decade, Mi Horan’s eyes trembled slightly.

“It’s been a long time.”

The woman’s somewhat awkward greeting made Mi Horan’s shoulders stiffen.

Looking at Mi Horan, who was clearly tense, the woman—nervous herself—continued to speak.

She was Moyong Biyeon of the Moyong family, a former rival in love and a dear friend.

Watching the stiff Mi Horan, Moyong Biyeon finally spoke.

“Can we talk?”

Her voice was slightly shaky.

Mi Horan looked at her without saying anything, then gave a small nod.

And with that, the two of them went inside.

 

   ******************
 

“Sorry.”

The apology came suddenly as I was eating breakfast. I was in the middle of stuffing a dumpling into my mouth when I looked up at the person who had spoken.

It was Peng Ahui, her short black hair falling to her shoulders and clad in a black martial robe.

“Muh?” I mumbled, mouth full.

“...Sorry to interrupt while you’re eating. Could you finish up and then I’ll explain?” she replied, a little embarrassed.

I chewed quickly and swallowed before looking at her again.

“What’s this about? Apology for what?”

She had just shown up out of the blue this morning, which made me curious. Avoiding my gaze, Peng Ahui explained.

“I heard about... what happened between you and our family head.”

“Oh.”

She must be talking about last night.

It sounded like she was referring to the confrontation with the Peng Family Head in Hanan. I thought back to it, somewhat confused.

“It wasn’t really about me, though, was it?”

If anything, it was between him and Gu Yeonseo. And if trouble arose, it was between him and the White Lotus Sword.

I wasn’t directly involved in any of it. Despite my words, Peng Ahui continued to look concerned.

“I’ve already apologized to Miss Gu too... I’m sorry.”

It seemed like she had gone to see Gu Yeonseo as well. She was cleaning up the mess her father, the Sword King, had left behind.

‘She seems normal enough… I don’t know why her father acts that way.’

It was a strange thing, considering how ill-tempered the Sword King was, yet his children seemed to be reasonable people.

Peng Ahui, as far as I could tell, was probably the most normal among them. As for Peng Woojin… while definitely not normal, he at least wasn’t as nasty-tempered as his father.

I recalled this and said to Peng Ahui,

“Like I said, there’s no need to apologize to me.”

“...Alright.”

Even though I told her this, she still didn’t look entirely reassured, but what could I do?

“Normally… he’s not like that. He’s just been in poor health recently.”

Peng Ahui seemed to be trying to justify his behavior. I could understand her words, at least on some level.

I remembered when the engagement between the Gu and Peng families was broken off. If the Sword King had been in his usual foul mood back then, it would have caused a huge uproar, but he had let it go relatively smoothly.

So it seemed like there was something going on recently.

‘Not that I’m particularly interested.’

It was a family issue and none of my business. I figured I’d just try to avoid further clashes in the future.

‘I might get annoyed if this keeps happening, though.’

Having dealt with this kind of person before, I knew I didn’t have the patience to endure it for long. If I kept getting entangled with the Sword King, I’d probably end up losing my temper.

And considering he was one of the heads of the Four Great Clans, getting into a conflict with him could only cause trouble. If I couldn’t tolerate it, avoiding it was the best option.

To me, the Sword King was nothing more than trouble. Something you avoid because it’s filthy.

“Don’t worry about it. Just eat.”

“...”

“You haven’t eaten, have you?”

“I don’t really need breakfast…”

“Don’t skip meals. Sit down and eat, quickly.”

I meant it sincerely. I’d seen too many people fall because they didn’t take care of their basic needs.

Choosing not to eat when you can is just foolish.

Seeing Peng Ahui hesitate, Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah, who were nearby, gently pulled her down to sit.

For reference, Namgung Bi-ah was still sleeping, and Moyong Heea hadn’t shown up yet.

‘She should be here soon.’

I was planning to help Moyong Heea with some energy circulation soon. She should know about it and show up on her own, right?

…If she didn’t come,

‘Would I have to go find her?’

Honestly, I didn’t want to. It was obvious the Baekcheon Sword Lord would be lurking around her.

Thinking about it made me sigh.

‘Why are all these old men from the Four Great Clans so difficult?’

They all seemed eager to take a bite out of me.

Namgung Jin, while different in his own way, was tolerable. But the Baekcheon Sword Lord was relentless, and the Sword King’s gaze toward me was nothing short of ominous.

In that regard,

‘At least the Poison King...’

He was probably the least problematic. With that thought, I glanced over at Tang So-yeol, seeing her in a slightly different light.

She might have peculiar tastes and an odd sense of style, but aside from that, she was as reasonable as Peng Ahui.

Just as I was about to nod at my own thoughts, she spoke up as if she had read my mind.

“Oh, Young Master Gu.”

“…Huh?”

Startled, I looked at her, feeling like I’d been caught in the act.

Tang So-yeol smiled brightly, her usual expression.

“I have something to tell you about the upcoming trip to Sichuan.”

Ah, so it’s about Sichuan. Good. It was about time for that anyway. As I prepared to respond, she continued.

“Because of this, my father would like to meet with you. Are you available today?”

“...”

At her words, I immediately went silent. She was talking about her father—the Poison King.

...The Poison King wants to meet me?

A shiver ran down my spine as she continued.

“He said he’ll take care of the meal! He’s looking for a nice place to dine with you.”

“…Ah…”

The Poison King arranging a meal for me.

Nothing in her words seemed particularly strange, but given his reputation, an unsettling feeling began to creep over me.

Maybe it’s just my imagination?

I certainly hoped so.