At Jinyowon, Park Jin stood before Lady Jin, his sharp eyes catching the shift in her demeanor. Once cautious and calculating, she now exuded an unwavering resolve that troubled him.

"You seem... determined," Park Jin finally remarked, his voice steady, yet questioning.

Jin Ho-gyeong exhaled sharply, adjusting the rings on her fingers. "Determined? No, Park Leader, I am merely doing what I should have done long ago. If Cheongbugwan continues to be left unchecked, the ruin they will bring upon Daeho will be unstoppable."

Park Jin frowned. "I share your concern, but something tells me there's more to your newfound vigilance."

Jin Ho-gyeong met his gaze, unflinching. "You are correct. But for now, all you need to know is that Jinyowon will not remain passive any longer."

Though tension lingered between them, his attention was briefly drawn to a much lighter scene in the courtyard.

Cho-yeon and Dang-gu stood apart from the rest, their conversation filled with coy smiles and playful glances. Dang-gu leaned in, whispering something in her ear, and Cho-yeon swatted his arm—her face betraying the amusement she tried to hide.

At least one thing was going well today.

Meanwhile, within the candlelit halls of Cheongbugwan, So-I stood motionless, pain searing her skin as the final touches were carved into her body. Each mark, each mole was perfectly replicated to match the missing daughter of Jinyowon, Bu-yeon.

"Endure it," Jin Mu's voice was void of sympathy.

"If you are to become Bu-yeon, you must wear her past as your own."

So-I bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a cry. She had been chosen for this role because she could deceive, because she was desperate. But now, staring into the mirror at her newly altered reflection, she wondered—when one takes on another's identity, at what point do they cease to be themselves?

"You will do well," Jin Mu said, his lips curling into a pleased smirk.

"If you do not, you will cease to have any worth at all."

So-I clenched her fists. She had no choice but to play her role.

At Songrim, the air was thick with tension. Cheongbugwan mages paced impatiently as Songrim's scholars and masters meticulously inspected the basin. It had to be perfect—any imperfection could jeopardize everything.

Jin Mu's eyes, however, were elsewhere. He had taken a particular interest in three individuals: Seo Yul, Park Dang-gu, and Park Hae-rin. His gaze flickered between them as he casually asked,

"When did you all master Chisu?"

Yul, ever composed, gave a short and precise answer. "Years ago."

Dang-gu grinned. "A while back. Hardly remember."

Hae-rin remained silent for a fraction too long before replying, "I have not."

A simple truth, yet cleverly deceptive. She had not mastered Chisu, but earlier that day, she had wielded its power through Yul's intervention. Jin Mu's eyes lingered on her a moment longer before shifting away.

Unbeknownst to them, So-I was within earshot, hidden among the shadows. Her breath caught when she recognized Yul and Hae-rin. Memories from her past stirred—fleeting encounters, glimpses of another life.

"You recognize them?" whispered a mage beside her.

So-I swallowed. "Yes... but I won't get involved."

The mage scoffed. "Good. He's out of your league, anyway."

So-I remained silent, her thoughts tangled in the weight of her choices.

As the Songrim meeting concluded, Hae-rin turned to leave when a familiar voice stopped her.

"Hae-rin."

She turned and found her older brother, Park Ji-hoon, standing with his arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but she knew that look—it was the same one he wore when he suspected trouble.

"You were too quiet back there," Ji-hoon said, stepping closer.

"Jin Mu was watching you more than the others. Why?"

"It's nothing," Hae-rin replied smoothly.

"I just happened to be standing there." Ji-hoon wasn't convinced. His gaze shifted to Seo Yul, who had lingered nearby.

"I assume you already know about this?"

Yul nodded. "Jin Mu is always looking for weaknesses."

Ji-hoon narrowed his eyes slightly. "And yet, my sister keeps walking into situations that put her right in his sights."

He exhaled sharply, directing his next words at Hae-rin. "Stay out of this. You don't need to be involved."

Hae-rin rolled her eyes. "I'm not a child, Ji-hoon."

"No, but you're still my sister," Ji-hoon shot back. His voice softened slightly.

"I don't trust this situation. And I don't want you getting caught in something you can't get out of."

She looked away, not willing to admit that she had the same fears.

Ji-hoon then turned to Yul. "If she gets hurt because of all this, I'll hold you responsible."

Yul met his gaze calmly. "I won't let that happen."

Ji-hoon studied him for a moment before nodding once. "Good."

Later that night, Hae-rin and Yul stood beneath the moonlit sky, their conversation quiet but heavy.

"Do you think Jin Mu suspected anything?" Hae-rin asked.

Yul exhaled softly. "He's always suspicious. But I don't think he has proof of anything... yet."

Hae-rin turned to face him, her gaze unwavering. "And if he does?"

Yul met her eyes, searching for something in her expression. "Then we make sure he has nothing to act on."

A beat of silence passed between them. The wind carried the distant sound of Songrim's mages still working late into the night.

"You lied for me today," Hae-rin murmured. "Used Chisu in my place."

Yul tilted his head slightly. "I only did what was necessary."

She shook her head, a small, almost sad smile playing on her lips. "You always do that, Yul. You carry burdens that aren't yours."

Yul's fingers curled slightly at his sides, but his expression remained calm. "And you always try to bear yours alone."

Hae-rin scoffed. "That's different."

"Is it?"

She sighed, looking away. "You'll be fighting Jang Uk tomorrow."

"I know."

"Are you going to let him win?"

Yul hesitated, then gave her a knowing look. "What do you think?"

Hae-rin studied him carefully. "I think... you want to test him. But I also think you'd rather not fight at all."

Yul chuckled softly, though it held no real amusement. "You know me too well."

As the night deepened, Jang Uk stood beneath the moon, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He was ready. He had trained under Master Lee, learned the ways of Chisu, and now, he would finally prove himself.

But this duel was not just about skill.

The winner would claim more than just victory.

They would claim Mu-deok as their maid.

And his opponent?

Seo Yul.

The training grounds at Songrim were quiet in the early morning, the air crisp with the anticipation of the duel. Jang Uk had left to prepare, but Seo Yul remained, adjusting his sword grip with quiet precision.

Then came the familiar heavy footsteps of Park Ji-hoon.

Hae-rin sighed the moment she saw her brother approaching. "Here we go..." she muttered under her breath.

Ji-hoon ignored her and stopped in front of Yul, arms crossed. "I heard you're fighting Jang Uk."

Yul looked up, unfazed. "That's right."

Ji-hoon's expression was stone-cold. "And you agreed to this... why?"

Hae-rin groaned. "Here we go..."

Ji-hoon shot her a look before turning back to Yul. "You don't even care about the prize. You're fighting him for what? To test him? To prove a point?"

His voice lowered slightly. "You should have refused."

Yul, ever composed, met Ji-hoon's gaze steadily. "Would refusing have changed anything?"

Ji-hoon's jaw ticked in frustration. "You know how reckless Jang Uk is."

"Yes."

"And yet you're still doing this?"

"Yes."

Ji-hoon let out a long exhale, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why do I even bother talking to you?"

Yul's lips twitched slightly. "I ask myself the same thing."

Hae-rin snorted.

Ji-hoon shot her a look. "And you! Why are you just standing there, acting like none of this concerns you?"

Hae-rin raised a brow. "Because it doesn't?"

Ji-hoon gave her the look. The one that said, you're my little sister, and I will not let you be reckless, even if it kills me.

"I know what you're thinking," Ji-hoon muttered. "You're going to go stand in the crowd and stress yourself over this fight."

Hae-rin crossed her arms. "Oh, please. If anything, I'll be standing there judging Yul's form the entire time."

Yul chuckled under his breath at that. Ji-hoon, however, was not amused.

"Since when did you become an expert on his swordsmanship?" Ji-hoon asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Since forever," Hae-rin said with a smirk. "I'm his greatest critic. It's my job."

"I don't recall you applying for that position," Yul remarked dryly.

"Didn't have to," Hae-rin quipped. "It was self-appointed."

Ji-hoon rubbed his temples. "I have two problems now. One, you two are getting way too comfortable joking about this. Two, I don't trust Jang Uk to not pull something reckless."

Yul nodded, as if agreeing. "That makes two of us."

"Then stop the fight."

"I'm not stopping the fight."

Ji-hoon scowled. "Why not?"

Yul tilted his head slightly, his calm demeanor never breaking. "Because it's necessary."

Ji-hoon exhaled sharply, turning to Hae-rin in frustration. "And you! You should be worried! If not for Yul, then for yourself. You're always caught up in these things, and one day, it's going to—"

"Oh my gods, Ji-hoon!" Hae-rin threw her hands up. "I can take care of myself!"

Ji-hoon scoffed. "Really? Because I feel like every time I blink, you're getting dragged into some mess!"

"Excuse me, dragged?" Hae-rin put her hands on her hips.

"No one is dragging me into anything. I walk into these situations very confidently and on my own two feet!"

Ji-hoon gave her a look. "You want me to be proud of that?"

"Yes, actually."

"No."

Hae-rin huffed dramatically. "Well, I am proud of me."

"Good for you," Ji-hoon deadpanned.

Yul finally spoke up, a slight amusement in his tone. "She's not wrong."

Ji-hoon turned to glare at him. "Don't encourage her."

Yul only shrugged. "I think she enjoys arguing with you more than she enjoys winning."

Hae-rin grinned. "True."

Ji-hoon muttered something under his breath about dealing with two headaches instead of one. Then, after a moment, his expression softened just slightly.

"Just... be careful. Both of you."

Hae-rin rolled her eyes but smiled. "We will."

Yul nodded in quiet reassurance.

Ji-hoon sighed one last time. "Fine. I'll be watching the fight." He gave Yul a pointed look. "And if you let Uk win, I'm going to be very disappointed."

Yul's lips twitched in amusement. "Noted."

Ji-hoon shook his head, muttering, "I need a drink," before walking off.

The moment he was out of earshot, Hae-rin turned to Yul, grinning. "I really enjoy annoying him."

"I noticed."

"You're not going to go easy on Uk, right?"

Yul's smile faded slightly. "I'll do what's necessary."

Hae-rin studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good."

Then, she nudged him lightly. "Also, if you lose, I'll never let you live it down."

Yul chuckled, shaking his head. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

The duel was coming. The stakes were high. But for now, in this quiet moment, they could still smile.