The capital was as lively as ever, yet Wang Yul felt as if the entire world had gone eerily quiet. His mind was stuck on Jang Eun Sook's cold words, the way she had shut him out completely. He had watched her ride away without turning back, and that alone made his chest tighten with frustration. No matter how many times he tried to reach her, she always found a way to push him away.
Still, he couldn't let it end like that.
He went straight to the Magistrate Office, hoping to see Seo Jin. They hadn't spoken since their visit to Cheongjeonghan inn, and there were matters they needed to discuss. But when he arrived, he was met by Officer Ki Tae instead.
"Where's Seo Jin?" Yul asked, barely bothering with pleasantries.
Officer Ki Tae bowed slightly before answering, "He left for Hwaju earlier today. It's official business."
Yul frowned. "Hwaju? What for?"
"I don't know the full details, but the King must have ordered him to investigate a case there," Ki Tae said. "He'll be gone for a while."
A heavy sigh left Yul's lips. It seemed like fate was playing tricks on him, keeping both Eun Sook and Seo Jin out of his reach at the same time.
Without wasting another moment, he left the Magistrate Office and rode straight to the Jang residence.
At the gate, he was met by Na Bi, who stood with her arms crossed, looking at him with a knowing expression. Before he could even ask, she spoke first.
"If you're looking for my lady, she's not here," she said.
Yul's brows furrowed. "Where did she go?"
"Jeonju. Lord Jang sent her on an errand," Na Bi answered.
Yul didn't believe that for a second. He knew Lord Jang well enough to know he wouldn't send Eun Sook anywhere unless there was something bigger behind it. But pressing Na Bi for answers wouldn't get him anywhere. She was fiercely loyal to Eun Sook, and she would never betray her trust.
With no other choice, Yul turned and left. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
---
The journey to Hwaju was long, and Seo Jin and Go Nam had already been traveling for hours. As night approached, they decided to stop and set up camp. The wind had a slight chill to it, but the fire they built kept them warm. Sitting around the flames, Go Nam turned to Seo Jin with a thoughtful look.
"You know," he began, "I've always admired you, My Lord."
Seo Jin glanced at him, slightly surprised by the sudden statement. "Why?"
Go Nam smiled. "Because you were the one who solved my father's murder. It was your first case as a rookie officer, right?"
Seo Jin's expression darkened slightly at the memory. "Yes."
"It was a case no one could solve for ten years," Go Nam continued. "A merchant killed, the culprit unknown, and then you came in and figured it all out. I was just a kid back then, but I remember everything. That's why I chose to follow this path—to be like you."
Seo Jin remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "It wasn't as simple as you think. The truth was always there, people just didn't want to see it."
Go Nam looked at him with admiration. "Still, you brought justice. And that's why I respect you."
Seo Jin didn't respond. He only poked at the fire with a stick, lost in thought.
---
Not far from them, deep in the woods, Jang Eun Sook had also stopped to rest. She sat near a small fire, eating the rice cakes Na Bi had packed for her. The warmth of the flames felt nice against the cold night air. Taking small bites, she washed them down with water from her satchel, her gaze distant.
Somewhere nearby, Gwang Woo watched her silently. Unlike her, he didn't light a fire. He stayed in the shadows, unseen, as if he were nothing more than a ghost following her every move.
She didn't know he was there.
---
The journey stretched on for days. Each of them traveled separately, moving at their own pace. Seo Jin and Go Nam reached a small town by noon, stopping to refill their supplies. They fetched water from a well, fed their horses, and bought food to last them the next leg of their journey.
By the time Eun Sook arrived at the same town, night had already fallen. She found an inn, paid for a room, and made sure her horse was well-fed before settling in for the night. Gwang Woo arrived shortly after, keeping his distance as always.
At dawn, she stocked up on supplies, filled her water satchels, and continued her journey.
---
By the third day, an eerie feeling crept up Eun Sook's spine.
She was being watched.
The leaves rustled too much. The air felt too still. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Reaching for her bow, she quickly nocked an arrow and aimed toward the source of the noise.
A rabbit.
She sighed, lowering her weapon. With a swift motion, she let the arrow fly, killing the rabbit instantly. It would serve as her meal for the night.
---
The journey became harder as they moved north. The air grew colder, the wind sharper. Each of them had to were their winter clothes and gloves to keep warm. By the fifth morning, Seo Jin and Go Nam reached the mountains. Rather than taking the dangerous path, they decided to go around, following a safer route.
Hours later, Eun Sook arrived at the same place.
But unlike them, she chose to take the mountain path.
Gwang Woo watched from a distance, his brows furrowed. Why was she doing this? She knew the risks. Yet, she pressed forward, determined.
As night fell, Eun Sook set up camp deep in the forest. She didn't light a fire this time. The cold seeped into her bones, but she didn't care. Something about this place was strange. The mountains were known for being filled with bandits and barbarians, yet she hadn't encountered a single soul.
That was unsettling.
---
The next morning, Eun Sook walked to a nearby stream to collect water and feed her horse. The air was still, the only sound being the trickling of the stream.
And then—
A shadow.
She turned, coming face to face with a man unlike any she had seen before. His skin was darkened by the sun, his hair wild, his clothes made of animal pelts. He was massive, towering over her, his expression filled with curiosity and something more dangerous—desire.
A foreign tongue left his lips, words she couldn't understand.
Then he reached for her.
Eun Sook's body moved on instinct. She stepped back, but he was faster, his rough hand grabbing her wrist. She twisted, trying to break free, but his grip was strong. He let out a deep laugh, speaking again in his unknown language.
He had never seen a woman like her before. She was different from the others. He wanted her.
Panic surged through her veins. She was too far from her horse. Her weapons were out of reach.
Except for one.
With swift precision, she pulled her hairpin dagger and drove it into his throat.
His laughter turned into a gurgle. Blood spilled from his lips as he stumbled back, clutching his neck. His eyes widened in shock before he collapsed, dead.
Eun Sook took a shaky breath. But before she could recover—
A horn sounded in the distance.
She turned sharply. The dead man had signaled the others before dying.
She was not alone.
She was outnumbered.
Her hand tightened around her dagger as more figures emerged from the trees, their eyes filled with rage. This was their territory. And she had just killed one of their own.
A battle she could not win.
Then—
A blur of movement.
Gwang Woo.
He moved like a shadow, cutting through the enemies with deadly precision. One after another, they fell, blood staining the ground.
By the time it was over, only silence remained.
Eun Sook's hands trembled, not from fear—but from fury.
"You were following me. Did Father tell you to keep an eye on me?" she accused, her voice cold.
Gwang Woo simply looked at her.
"I saved your life," he said.
Her jaw clenched. She hated this. If Gwang Woo was there it will definitely be on Lord Jang's orders. She hated that Lord Jang didn't trust her. Despite all her efforts. Despite her pleas. And despite promising her that he will trust her. But he never did and probably will never do. She was hurt and angry.
With no other choice, the two left together for Hwaju.
Unaware that an even greater danger was now hunting them.
The barbarian she had killed was the son of the barbarian's leader.
And revenge was coming. He was going to find her at all means and kill her.