When I saw her fierce eyes, I couldnt hide the fluster in my voice.

Umm, why is she Why is Lady Mi here?

I directed my question to Moyong Hi-ah rather than Lady Mi herself. Moyong Hi-ah seemed just as surprised by my sudden visit, her expression mirroring my own confusion.

Y-Young Master, w-why are you?

Khm, I just had some business.

In truth, I had no business here. I had come simply to see her, but for some reason, I couldnt admit that in this situation.

Lady Mi gave no reaction, continuing to sip her tea as if she had known about my arrival from the moment I reached the entrance. She mustve been contacted telepathically.

Well, Lady Mi couldnt have responded.

Telepathic communication was a skill only martial artists who had overcome their walls possessed.

Lady Mi didnt have such abilities which meant

I shifted my gaze to the wall behind Lady Mi.

So, its him.

I sensed a presence, faint and elusive, different from the martial artist I encountered at the entrance. This presence was fainter and sneakier, it seemed like they specialized in the darkness.

It seems youve noticed Eebee as well, Lady Mi said, following my gaze. You really have changed a lot

Lady Mi.

Sigh I dont know what worries you, but I only came to Moyong Hi-ah for business.

Business?

Yes. I couldnt just ignore her plans to set up a business in Shanxi.

It was a plausible reason, but it felt off

The business has been running for months now, why visit only now?

The White Flowers Merchant Association surely knew about the Moyong Clans operations in Shanxi, so Lady Mis delayed interest was curious.

Is she hiding something?

While the White Flowers Merchant Association wasnt widely known, it held significant influence in the business world. The Moyong Clan was similarly powerful in the business world, so it wasnt unusual for Lady Mi to show interest.

Moreover, Moyong Hi-ah seemed to have the upper hand in business dealings, so Lady Mis approach made sense.

But at the end of the day, Moyong Hi-ah is still a guest.

She mustve felt uncomfortable.

Yet, right as I was about to speak to Lady Mi

Young Master.

Huh?

Dont worry, nothing happened. Also, Lady Mi and I were in the middle of a conversation. Is it alright if I visit you later?

Moyong Hi-ahs eyes pleaded me to leave.

She seemed to be saying that I was interrupting something important, so I couldnt really afford to speak any further.

I guess they were having an important conversation after all.

I was technically the one who had barged in uninvited, not Lady Mi.

...Im sorry for interrupting.

No, its okay. I understand, Lady Mi responded, not even glancing my way.

I left, taking a final look at Moyong Hi-ah.

A simple business discussion, huh?

Well at least the atmosphere didnt feel that way.

It felt off, Moyong Hi-ah was acting oddshe was strangely tense in front of Lady Mi.

If it was purely business, Moyong Hi-ah wouldnt be this tense.

Instead, Lady Mi wouldve been the one in need of the Moyong Clans cooperation, putting Moyong Hi-ah in a more favorable position.

Ugh, I dont get it.

Whatever it was, I would need to ask Moyong Hi-ah about it later, once their conversation was over

******************

After Gu Yangcheon left, Moyong Hi-ah felt her nerves tighten once more. Being alone with Lady Mi was unsettling.

How unexpected.

Never in her wildest dreams had she expected a visit from the Lady of the Gu Clan, nor did she understand her motives for doing so.

Whats even going on?

From the secret background cheKhm, I mean, the thorough research she did, she knew that Mi Hyoran was the Lords legal wife, while Gu Yangcheon was the child of a concubine. It was rather well known that their relationship was strained. So, then, why was she here?

When Moyong Hi-ah first heard that Lady Mi was visiting her as a guest, she couldnt help but feel suspicious.

After all, there was no obvious reason for her to visit.

Typically, a visit from a clans Lady implied discussions of marriage prospects for their children.

Moyong Hi-ah was well aware of her own worth.

Whether it be in terms of beauty, age, or background, she was utterly unmatched.

Furthermore, as she still didnt have a betrothed, it made sense that the Lady of the Gu clan might consider connecting her with her son.

After all, Tang Soyeol, who had a similar background, was inundated with such proposals.

However

Lady Mi doesnt have a son.

As far as Moyong Hi-ah knew, Lady Mi only had two daughters: one was the renowned Sword Phoenix, and the other a girl who was just beginning to show her talents.

Gu Yangcheon and his younger sister, both born of another, were not Lady Mis biological children.

So then, why was she here?

Why is she looking at me with such a gaze?

Lady Mis gaze was serious, a gaze Moyong Hi-ah had encountered before. It was the same gaze the Lord had when she was almost engaged to the Namgung Clan.

A gaze of appraisal, as if assessing my suitability for their child.

Few dared to look at a direct relative of the Moyong Clan in such a manner.

Perhaps someone like the current Lord of the Namgung Clan, the Azure Heavenly Sword, might be bold enough. But Lady Mi? Yet, her gaze was piercing.

Should Moyong Hi-ah feel offended? She couldnt bring herself to be.

The intensity of Lady Mis gaze and her sheer overpowering presence was suffocating, more so than even the Lord of the Namgung Clan

Im sorry, my child seemed to have offended you.

Moyong Hi-ah forced a smile. No, please dont apologize. He was just worried for me, so it didnt bother me at all.

Worry, huh? Oh~ So you and that child are close enough to worry about each other~?

Moyong Hi-ah had misspoken, and Lady Mi didnt give her an inch as she deftly twisted her words.

Moyong Hi-ah felt like she was surrounded by invisible blades, but her composed mask didnt falter.

I apologize, but that wasnt what I meant. I meant to say that he was worried for me as a guest of the Gu Clan.

I see.

Lady Mi just gave a vague response as she continued to sip her tea without further comment.

Moyong Hi-ah maintained her light smile, though she felt unsettled inside.

What were we even talking about?

She had even forgotten about the conversation she was having earlier.

Ah

She recalled now. They had been discussing the Moyong Clans business in Shanxi,her current stay with the Gu Clan, what she liked to eat, her hobbies, whether she could manage her frustration, if she was patient

Huh? Wait a sec

She hadnt realized then, but in hindsight, their conversation seemed odd.

Moyong Hi-ah sat quietly, observing Lady Mi. Her demeanor hadnt changed, but her expression, it seemed subtly different.

Do they perhaps not have a bad relationship?

It wasnt unusual for the legal wife and the child of a concubine to have a strained relationship.

Given Gu Yangcheons past as Shanxis notorious troublemaker, it was conceivable that Lady Mi harbored resentment towards him, especially when compared to her esteemed daughter, the Sword Phoenix.

But

Something.

Something gnawed at Moyong Hi-ah.

Her intuition, which had never failed her, was whispering that there was more to this than met the eye.

Ever since her first encounter with Lady Mi, she had sensed the need to leave a good impression, prompting her to send Gu Yangcheon away despite his unexpected visit.

She felt that it was necessary.

Well, I was disappointed, still

She trusted her instincts.

As Moyong Hi-ah observed Lady Mi, the lady turned away from the window and addressed her directly.

Hmm~ He did come to meet you and itll be mealtime soon anyway, so I shouldnt impose any longer, right~?

Her sudden departure caught Moyong Hi-ah off guard, but she refrained from questioning it.

Oh then perhaps, we should have a meal togeth

I shouldnt impose that much on the Young Lady. Besides, I have plans with my husband later, Lady Mi declined politely, smiling.

Thank you for your patience with me. I look forward to seeing you again.

Not at all it was truly an honor to have a conversation with Lady Mi.

Lady Mi smiled, departing gracefully as Moyong Hi-ah sent her off with a respectful bow. Once she was out of sight, Moyong Hi-ah exhaled deeply, the tension finally releasing from her body.

This meeting had been much more difficult than she expected.

She longed to sit and rest, exhausted both physically and mentally, yet

Clothes, makeup!

Remembering her promise to visit Gu Yangcheon later, she had no time to relax. Rest could wait until she was by his side.

As Moyong Hi-ahs servants brought fresh clothes, Lady Mi was making her way out of the Moyong Clans residence.

Walking in perfect posture, she spoke aloud.

Hmm, not bad.

-The girl from the Moyong Clan?

A voice seemed to come from nowhere.

Yes.

-For the Leader to show such a positive reaction, you must hold her in high regard.

Lady Mi, known for her cold and brutal demeanor to outsiders, rarely gave praise. Therefore, her words held significant weight.

She knows how to read her opponents expression, and was skilled in hiding her own.

The girl from Moyong Clan, the Snow Phoenix, was it?

She had spent over a year with Gu Yangcheon on the frontlines. From what Lady Mi heard, the girl had traveled with him for a personal reason.

But.

There definitely had to be another reason she stayed so close to him. It couldnt possibly be just that.

When Lady Mi asked about the Snow Phoenix, Gu Huibi, she received a rare frown. Gu Huibi had described Moyong Hi-ah as the best at being a fox. She even preferred the girl from the Namgung Clan just because of her simplicity.

Still, according to her, both of them are not suitable.

Yet, Lady Mi believed a touch of cunning was necessary for a girl to survive in this cutthroat world.

That child needs to mature already.

The Snow Phoenix had exceeded her expectations. Lady Mi might be a bit eccentric and have different standards from others, yet even if she lowered her standards, the Snow Phoenix was still impressive.

Her confidence was high and she was adept at reading others.

The ability to praise ones opponent without diminishing oneself was something rare. Moyong Hi-ah retained her dignity throughout, embodying her noble lineage.

However

She struggled to hide her emotions.

Lady Mi saw it immediately in Moyong Hi-ahs eyes when Gu Yangcheon entered the room.

The girl from the Namgung Clan yesterday, and now the girl from the Moyong Clan.

It seems like he has a lot of luck with women.

Not only was he similar in appearance, but also in charm, much like his father.

-So, then, Leader

As they neared the entrance, Mujin asked.

-Are you going to change the Young Masters fianc

Dont talk nonsense. What power do I have to do such a thing?

-Umm, then why?

The reason she visited the two girls; Mujin was curious about his Leaders intentions.

Mi Hyoran paused for a moment and looked toward the entrance.

And there, stood Gu Yangcheon.

A reason huh?

With her fixed on himMi Hyoran whispered softly, just loud enough for Gu Yangcheon to barely hear.

I I just wanted to see.

She was simply curious whether his fiance or the other girl could truly love him. Mi Hyoran knew the importance of a genuine relationship over one formed for rational purposes.

-Hmm, Sis! Theres a petal there!

Mi Hyoran had learned this with her life.

Did you wait for me?

Huh? Ah, yeah

Lady Mi approached Gu Yangcheon without a second of hesitation.

Hmm, were you worried about the girl inside?

I wouldnt go that far.

Mi Hyorans eyes narrowed ever so slightly at his response. She felt proud that he had grown to care about others, yet she also felt guilty for not supporting him during his developing years.

Dont worry. I didnt harm the Moyongs child.

I never worried about that.

Hmm?

I know I know that Lady Mi isnt someone who would do such a thing.

Mi Hyorans expression shifted subtly, the surprise evident on her face.

I never expected to hear that from you.

Mi Hyoran lifted her hand and reached out towards Gu Yangcheon.

He paused for an instant upon seeing her gesture but thankfully didnt avoid it.

Did he know?

Just how much courage did it take for Mi Hyoran to reach out to him? She gently reached her arm toward him and picked a leaf that was stuck in his hair.

...There was a leaf in your hair.

Thank you.

She hid her shaky feelings, maintaining her calm demeanor. She wondered if he resented her touch, alas she wasnt brave enough to ask.

With the leaf in her hand, Mi Hyoran walked past Gu Yangcheon without saying anything further. She felt she couldnt stay there any longer. Her destination was the place where her second daughter was waiting.

Gu Yangcheons expression darkened as soon as he was left alone. It wasnt because he disliked what had just happened. Rather it was because of the letter in his pocket, the letter given to him by the First Elder, Gu Ryoon.

He had only managed to maintain his composure because of Mi Hyoran. He wasnt standing at the entrance because he was waiting for someone, but because he was frozen after reading the letter.

Rustle.

He took the letter out of his pocket and opened it once more. He hoped he had just misread it the first time, but unfortunately, the world wasnt that kind to him. The content inside was the same as when he first opened it.

Inside the letter, written in rough handwriting, was but a single sentence.

A sentence so short that it was hard to even say that it was a sentence.

-Ill be visiting soon to take a look at you.

There was really only that single line and not much else.

He at first wondered what it was all about, but as soon as he saw the sender at the bottom, he couldnt help but gasp.

-Your master.

Fuck.

He didnt have a master, so he wondered what kind of a joke this was, But the real problem was that it was Gu Ryoon who gave him this letter, and all thanks to him I was also being called by a certain title.

All thanks to the darned recommendation letter that Gu Ryoon had prepared, and the rumor that spread thanks to people not believing a single word of what he said. The title that stuck to him

The Dishonored Venerables disciple.

It was just a ridiculous rumor, so Gu Yangcheon desperately hoped that the Dishonored Venerable wouldnt bother to act on it, but

Hahahaha, fuck my life.

Now it seemed inevitable.

One of the three Heavenly Venerables, someone who was acting as a Young Prodigy in Bi Clan, the Dragon Warrior.

Hes coming after me.