Outskirts of the Capital – Afternoon
The sun was still bright when Lord Jang Hyun rode out of the capital, a few of his servants and guards trailing quietly behind. The road stretched ahead, dust rising from their horses' hooves as they passed the outskirts.
Jang Hyun rode alone in front, his face calm, but his mind wasn't at ease.
He had expected a feeling of peace after everything had gone according to plan. Eun Sook had returned, her role now in place. Yet, something tugged at his thoughts—soft but steady, like a string being pulled from deep inside his chest.
He glanced at the sky, then ahead at the road, then back at the city fading in the distance.
He pulled his horse to a stop and turned slightly in the saddle. "Gwang Woo."
Gwang Woo, is person guard and Eun Sook's former master was just behind him. When he called, he broke formation with the other guards and servants and rode closer. "Yes, my lord."
"Return to the capital," Jang Hyun said, voice steady. "Keep your eyes on her. Don't make your presence known. If she needs help or gets into trouble, help her but without her knowing."
Gwang Woo nodded without a word. He turned his horse around and rode off in silence, the tail of his robe whipping behind him in the wind.
Jang Hyun watched him disappear down the hill, then gave his horse a small nudge and continued on his way, the others falling back in behind him.
---
Outside the Capital gate– Seo Jin's Journey– Late Afternoon
The road outside the capital stretched far and quiet, lined with short trees and the occasional field of barley or millet. Seo Jin rode alone, the dart tucked safely in his inner robe. His eyes scanned the path ahead, sharp and focused.
He stopped at the first village he came across. There was barely more than a few huts gathered around a small well. The old physician there had taken a look at the dart and shook his head.
"Never seen that scent before," the man said, sniffing again. "Doesn't grow around here."
Seo Jin thanked him and moved on.
At the next place, he found a merchant cleaning his stall of dried roots and powders. The man guessed it might be some rare flower extract, but admitted he didn't know for sure.
It wasn't until the third stop—a roadside tea spot near a stream—that he got a real lead.
An elderly man with a wide hat was seated under a willow tree, chewing on a stalk of grass. Seo Jin greeted him, then pulled out the dart carefully.
"Do you know this scent?" he asked.
The old man took a long sniff and leaned back. "Hmph. Strong. Sweet. Not from around here… I don't know what this is. I have never smelled anything like this in my life.... How about you go further east. If you follow the narrow trail down to Hwaeon-ri. There are many old folkd there who grow every kind of herb. You will definitely find someone who knows what this is. If you can't find someone there then you probably should stop searching."
Seo Jin nodded. "Thank you very much for your assistance."
He rode again, this time taking the smaller trail. The path curved gently into the hills, getting narrower the further he went. The air there, smelled of wood and dry leaves. By the time he reached Hwaeon-ri, the sun was sinking lower, painting the sky in shades of orange.
The village was very small, almost hidden between tall trees. Smoke curled from clay chimneys, and the smell of herbs filled the air. Bundles of roots hung from lines between houses. Women knelt over baskets, sorting leaves. Children played near piles of firewood, their hands stained with crushed petals. Men kept carrying baskets filled with different herbs and roots.
He stopped a passing woman with a cloth tied around her head. "I'm looking for someone who knows rare herbs," he said.
She pointed toward a wooden building near the forest's edge. "Try Master Dam. He's the only person who will know what that herb is. He used to work at the palace years ago as a royal physician. He's very experienced when it comes to herbs and roots. He don't talk much, but he knows everything."
Seo Jin walked his horse slowly to the house. It was quiet, nearly hidden behind tall grass and vines. The wooden sign above the door had faded, barely readable.
He knocked once and pushed the door open.
Inside, the room was filled with jars, wooden boxes, scrolls, and rows of dried leaves. The smell was strong—sharp and earthy. At the back, a thin old man with sunken cheeks was grinding something in a small stone bowl.
"Master Dam?" Seo Jin asked.
The man looked up. "What do you want?"
"I need your help," Seo Jin said, walking forward. He pulled out the dart and laid it gently on the table. "Please… tell me what is this herb which was laced on this dart."
Master Dam's eyes narrowed. He leaned forward and sniffed it once, then again. Then, suddenly, he stood back. His hands began to tremble.
"No, it's the blood blossoms," he whispered. "You shouldn't have brought this here."
Seo Jin frowned. "What is it?"
The old man backed away like the dart was cursed. "That scent… That's not something you find around here. You stay away from this."
"I only want answers," Seo Jin said.
"Leave!" Master Dam shouted. "You don't know what you're asking!"
In a rush, he began tossing things into a cloth sack—scrolls, jars, small bundles of herbs. His eyes never left the dart. He didn't even look at Seo Jin again.
He grabbed the dart using the edge of his robe, flung it to the floor, and rushed to the back of the room.
Seo Jin followed him to the door, but stopped short of going through it.
The old man vanished into the trees behind the house, the shadows swallowing him.
Seo Jin stood still, watching the path.
He could have followed. But something told him not to.
The man had been afraid—not just of the dart, but of what it meant. Pressing now would only scare him off more.
So Seo Jin waited.
---
Evening – Jang Residence – Eun Sook's Training Ground
The sky had turned dark, and only a few torches lit the wide training ground. The sound of metal clashing filled the air as Jang Eun Sook and Na Mu sparred with real swords.
They had been at it for hours.
Eun Sook moved fast, striking at Na Mu with sharp swings. He blocked each one, stepping back, then forward again, his eyes focused on her every move.
Na Mu attacked this time, aiming for her side. She turned and blocked him, but her hand slipped slightly. He could tell she wasn't moving like she usually did.
They circled each other again. Eun Sook lunged forward, but her steps were slower than usual. Na Mu didn't miss the opening. He twisted and caught her off guard.
She stumbled back, too close to the stream behind them. Her foot slipped, and before she could fall, Na Mu dropped his sword, grabbed her arm quickly, and pulled her back. At the same time, he picked up his sword again and pointed it at her neck.
"I win," he said, breathing heavily.
Eun Sook looked at the blade, then at him. She gave a small smile.
"You're getting stronger, Na Mu," she said.
Na Mu stepped back and lowered his sword. "You've been off all evening, my lady," he said. "Something's troubling you."
Eun Sook turned away and walked over to the side, sitting down on a wooden bench near the tree. She placed her sword across her lap and stared at it for a while before speaking.
"Madam Jung told me to deal with Seo Jin," she said.
Na Mu stood still, listening.
"She told me to either kill him… or make him fall for me and use him to our advantage."
Na Mu's eyes narrowed. "Then you should kill him, my lady. He's a dangerous person to keep alive."
Eun Sook looked at him. "We swore never to kill innocent people."
Na Mu took a step closer. "Are you thinking of getting close to him and seducing him?"
Eun Sook looked down at her hands. "I don't know. I'm not sure. It feels horrible to do that to someone."
Na Mu's face became serious.
"Then don't try it," he said quietly. "If you get too close to him, my lady… you might fall in love with him. What will you do when that happens?"
Eun Sook didn't say anything. She looked away, her thoughts heavy.
The evening wind passed through the quiet training ground as Na Mu stood beside her, holding his sword with both hands.
He didn't press her anymore. He just stood there, watching her in silence.