I thought the Spirit Lord’s wife was a villainess.

But the woman before me was far from that.

“I’ve heard you’ve been working hard researching the Gui Sect’s secret arts. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

At Im Hyang’s concern, the Spirit Lord’s lips curled into a smile.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I am.”

“Let’s eat then.”

The Spirit Lord, Im Hyang, and her accompanying warriors entered the inn where we were seated.

They took seats near us.

So their entire conversation reached my ears.

“To be honest, my parents opposed this marriage. They said Gui Sect heirs are always so absorbed in research that the bride would be lonely.”

“That’s a misunderstanding. That would never happen. I promise you I will never leave her lonely.”

I never heard the full story of why the Spirit Lord’s marriage failed. At their last parting, he said married life was hell, so it seemed they lived together until then.

If he made her lonely because of his research on the Grand Regression Art, then... if that was the case—

“Spirit Lord, you can’t keep that promise now.”

Of course, that might not be the reason. Judging by his expression now looking at Im Hyang, he’d stake everything if she ran away. He loved her that much—so why did their marriage become hell?

Ian sent me a message.

―Are those the two trying to stop the wedding?

―Yes.

―They love each other so much. How could you stop it? If you did now, you’d make enemies.

Not just enemies—lifelong bitter foes.

We listened back in on their conversation.

“My father might treat the young master coldly. If so, please understand him.”

“Of course. I know how much the sect leader cherishes Im Sojeo.”

Was it the parents who separated them? Finding out was our priority.

They ordered food.

“I don’t like stir-fried dishes.”

At Im Hyang’s firm preference, the Spirit Lord quickly responded.

“That’s good. I dislike them too.”

“Really?”

“We’re truly made for each other!”

But I saw a fleeting hesitation in the Spirit Lord’s face—the regret of liking them.

Poor Spirit Lord. Looks like all stir-fried dishes are off the menu for him now. Well, even if he lived only on the medicinal pills, I think he’d be content.

As they began eating, we started talking. We didn’t lower our voices to avoid attracting attention.

“Do you want to marry?”

Marriage is always the biggest topic for those about to wed. I could feel the Spirit Lord and Im Hyang listening intently.

“I won’t.”

“Why?”

“Marriage comes with great responsibility. I’m not confident I can take care of someone else. I can barely handle myself.”

Whether that was her true feeling or a response knowing we intended to stop their marriage, I couldn’t tell.

Then Ian asked me.

“Do you want to marry?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I just want to live freely.”

“What about children? Don’t you want any?”

“Children…”

I had heard this question once before—from Seo Jin, the Spirit Lord’s sister. At that time, the answer was obvious. She was overwhelmed by guilt and anger for having survived alone. Children were the last thing on her mind.

“I’m not confident I can raise them well.”

“Well, not all parents raise their children well.”

Ian’s expression darkened slightly. Setting aside the Spirit Lord’s affairs, she asked me a question I wanted to know.

“Do you resent your parents?”

“I did when I was young.”

She was abandoned by her parents at a very young age. She didn’t know who they were and drifted all the way to our sect.

“And now?”

“Now, I don’t think much about it. Resenting them only hurts me.”

I asked deliberately—not to make °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° her bury her wounds in her heart.

Instead, by digging up what was buried and speaking it aloud, even if she regretted it later, at least it would become trivial.

It takes going through this many times for a wound to fade slightly. Simply burying it and forgetting? No way. No matter how deeply buried, it won’t rot or disappear.

Ian smiled slyly and said,

“My parents must be living well somewhere, right?”

Right then,

“That’s unlikely.”

Couldn’t hold back, Im Hyang interrupted.

“No matter what the story, the parents of a woman warrior must be aching in their hearts.”

She was clear about her food tastes and sure to express her opinions on matters like this.

Ian gently responded.

“Not all parents love their children. Some see children as money-making tools, some beat and abuse them, even sell them.”

That last part struck me. Maybe Ian thought her parents sold her off.

“That’s a story of very few parents. Yours must have had other reasons.”

Im Hyang’s eyes showed sympathy and pity as she looked at Ian. Despite her innocent appearance, she was a person who openly expressed emotion, even to strangers.

Ian calmly replied,

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“No, I’m sorry for interfering.”

Im Hyang apologized, and Ian politely said,

“No, you spoke kindly; I reacted too sensitively.”

They apologized to each other.

Later, Im Hyang introduced herself.

“I’m Im Hyang, daughter of the Im Sword Sect.”

Im Hyang introduced the Spirit Lord, and Ian introduced me.

“She’s my senior sister in martial arts.”

We usually introduced ourselves like this to new people. Since we learned the same martial art, it wasn’t wrong.

“To apologize, I’ll buy you a drink. Seems you two haven’t met for a while; let’s meet tomorrow or the day after when you’re free.”

Ian’s invitation was refused by Im Hyang.

“No, if we drink, I should pay.”

As the two insisted on paying, the Spirit Lord stepped forward.

“I was about to call some close friends tomorrow for a small celebration; I’d like to invite you both.”

“We can’t go to such a precious event.”

When Ian declined, Im Hyang insisted.

“No, please come. It would put my heart at ease.”

With Im Hyang insisting, Ian gave in.

“All right, we’ll visit tomorrow.”

After their meal, the Spirit Lord and Im Hyang said farewell and left the inn first.

After they left, Ian smugly said,

“Didn’t I do well?”

“Excellent. I felt I could trust you.”

“Ah! No way. I still don’t understand why we have to stop their marriage!”

Ian watched them walking away. The Spirit Lord kept stealing glances at Im Hyang.

I recalled the Spirit Lord’s last words.

―Is it still hell?

―Even hotter hell. Sorry to say, but if you don’t listen until the end, I’ll tear your possessions apart.

―That much?

―Even more.

If we tried to stop it now, I worried it would only make him more miserable. The hardest thing in the world is matters of the heart.

“I don’t know what to do yet either.”

The next afternoon, Ian and I visited Gui Sect.

As we followed the guide into the main hall, a strong spiritual aura filled the place.

―Ian, do you feel the energy to the left?

―Yes. It’s the first time I’ve felt such energy.

―It’s the Gui Sect’s aura.

Different from the spirit energy of the Demon Hunters.

―Those who wield such energy must be handled very carefully. You never know what might pop out. Staying calm is most important. Panic means death.

―I’ll remember.

Entering the hall, we saw three people conversing in front of a garden.

The Spirit Lord, Im Hyang, and the one I had so longed to see—Seo Jin.

“Don’t trust your brother. When he’s focused on his work, he won’t even notice if you spar beside him.”

Im Hyang laughed, thinking Seo Jin was joking.

“I’m serious.”

“Then I must spar well enough to get his attention.”

They talked until they noticed us and turned.

My gaze met Seo Jin’s.

Meeting her now felt strange because originally I met her much later.

She looked so youthful then.

She suited the rough life of a ronin perfectly—smart, thoughtful, loyal.

She bore no resemblance to that now bright, cheerful girl raised in a prestigious family.

Ian sent me a message.

―You didn’t look at those beautiful entertainers in Cheonhwa Pavilion this way. Your gaze at that woman is different.

Ian knows me best.

―No jealousy allowed.

―Mistress! It’s not jealousy; it’s curiosity!

Right. How could my gaze at Seo Jin be ordinary?

Friend.

This life, I won’t let you fade away in some unknown field. You said you died satisfied with your life, but I won’t let you have such an end. That’s my promise as your friend.

We approached them. The Spirit Lord introduced us to Seo Jin.

After introductions, Seo Jin showed interest in Ian.

“Why do you wear a veil covering such beautiful eyes?”

I gave Ian a look saying, “Show your face.” A classic charm move, Ian!

Understanding, she removed the veil.

Both women gasped in admiration, but surprisingly, the Spirit Lord barely reacted.

I asked him,

“Lord Seo, isn’t our senior sister pretty?”

I wanted to show that such beautiful women existed.

“She is beautiful. But our Im Sojeo is more beautiful.”

I could tell he truly meant it.

They say love makes one blind, but in this case, it was more like being under a binding charm than blindfolded.

I sent Ian a message.

―You fool! Put the veil back on.

―I already did. What is that man?!

―Tried to block the wedding with charm, but it won’t work.

―If he loves her so much, why stop it? She looks good.

Then Im Hyang stared coldly at the Spirit Lord.

“Why is that, Im Sojeo?”

“Don’t you know why I’m angry?”

“I don’t.”

The Spirit Lord had no idea.

“Why can’t you be honest? That senior sister is more beautiful, right? Did you think I’d be happy if you said that?”

She thought he was lying because he said Ian was more beautiful.

“To me, you are more beautiful.”

“That’s a lie.”

“No. Truly, you are more beautiful. I swear it to the heavens.”

“Really?”

Only after hearing this did Im Hyang’s expression soften.

At that moment, I was certain.

Both from her earlier interference and her current demeanor, she was the type who needed to confirm what could be overlooked. Strong, or even too strong a personality.

If she’d tightened the Spirit Lord with that personality, the charm over his eyes would have vanished eventually.

He might have escaped into researching the Grand Regression Art as an escape, and their relationship would have worsened.

It’s not her sole fault. She shows who she is openly, but the Spirit Lord simply doesn’t see.

Even now, smiling at Im Hyang, the Spirit Lord looked blissfully happy.

Oh, Spirit Lord, what will you do? Must I really tear your possessions apart?