“I truly believe that Moyong Yeon-hwa can succeed.”
Just then, Ho Cheon-an’s hand gently wrapped around Moyong Yeon-hwa’s shoulder.
Memories flooded Moyong Yeon-hwa’s mind after parting with Ho Cheon-an from Shengsu Faction.
– What nonsense are you talking about! If we leave the faction to be used by Blood Sect, how will the world view our Moyong Clan?
– A mine? Even if the profits from the mine are significant, what are you saying when such an outrageous thing has happened?
The senior members of the main family refused to accept Moyong Yeon-hwa’s argument to preserve Shengsu Faction.
– Don’t show pity when you don’t know how we’ve been treated!
– Wasn’t it the main family that left the situation to develop into this?
The branch clans of Shengsu Faction didn’t easily accept Moyong Yeon-hwa either. They reluctantly acknowledged the shocking outcome of their branch leader turning into a monster, but their resentment hadn’t disappeared.
Reconstructing Shengsu Faction was too heavy a burden for Moyong Yeon-hwa to bear alone.
Moyong Seo stayed in Shengsu to manage the branch clans, and although Moyong Mo had no accusations against him, he couldn’t do much from the main family as he was from Shengsu Faction.
As Moyong Yeon-hwa continued her lonely struggle, she often recalled the figure of Ho Cheon-an in her heart.
She needed hope to overcome the painful times.
Just like Moyong Mo said, she would reconstruct Shengsu Faction and go see Ho Cheon-an.
While comforting herself with these thoughts, Moyong Yeon-hwa crossed paths with Seo Mun-yeon.
Seo Mun-yeon, who had traveled a long way in search of her lover, Jegal Seong-chan.
Upon learning Seo Mun-yeon’s story, Moyong Yeon-hwa became enchanted by her.
There were countless love stories of men who wouldn’t hesitate to travel a thousand miles for a woman, but no stories of a woman who would go that far for a man.
Seo Mun-yeon’s bold pursuit and Jegal Seong-chan’s flustered response perfectly matched the taste of Moyong Yeon-hwa, who was feeling the same way about Ho Cheon-an.
Not only was the romantic tale unfolding right in front of her, but the two were happily drawing arrays together, living a joyful life, which made Moyong Yeon-hwa see Seo Mun-yeon as a successful senior whom she aspired to be.
Thus, Moyong Yeon-hwa placed herself into Seo Mun-yeon’s situation, dreaming of a sweet dream with Ho Cheon-an while alleviating the fatigue that came from reconstructing Shengsu Faction.
And then, the Blood Sect’s movements began.
This could be seen as an opportunity for Moyong Yeon-hwa, who was pushing for the reconstruction of Shengsu Faction.
– Hoo. Alright. Since Blood Sect has moved, let’s try to restore the honor of our clan.
– If you resolve the situation, I will permit the existence of Shengsu Faction.
The elders of the clan nodded their heads to the efforts of Moyong Mo and Moyong Yeon-hwa.
– If we can restore the faction, I will head to Martial Forest Alliance.
– Thank you for giving me an opportunity to cleanse my mistakes with my own hands.
Even the branch clans, who had been hostile toward Moyong Yeon-hwa, recognized her efforts and began to open their hearts.
Having received permission to depart, Moyong Yeon-hwa returned to her room and jumped with joy.
Finally, Shengsu Faction will be reconstructed!
When the news of Blood Sect’s movements was delivered, and the call of Martial Forest Alliance was announced, the atmosphere was filled with optimism rather than the perception that Blood Sect’s movements were a serious threat.
Moyong Yeon-hwa thought so too.
It was reasonable to think that how could all the prominent righteous factions of the martial world unite against Blood Sect.
The public favor was already secured, and the reconstruction of Shengsu Faction was just a matter of time.
‘Once this is over…’
Will she be able to find Ho Cheon-an?
Moyong Yeon-hwa drifted into sweet dreams.
Departing from the reconstructed Shengsu Faction, while being sent off by the branch clans, she would travel far and wide to find Ho Cheon-an, wearing a graceful bamboo hat, all while gazing at the moon from an inn window, smiling dreamily in anticipation before one day, she would suddenly encounter Ho Cheon-an in a bamboo grove.
Swoosh…!
Just then, a cool breeze swept through, rustling the bamboo. Ho Cheon-an’s gaze was unsteady. The distance gradually closed. Their upper bodies overlapped, and they raised their heads to meet…!
Moyong Yeon-hwa rolled around in her bed.
With such rosy future dreams, as she prepared for departure, Moyong Yeon-hwa unexpectedly received a gift from Seo Mun-yeon, a letter from Ho Cheon-an.
To Moyong Yeon-hwa, the letter felt somewhat like fate.
It was a reason to naturally meet Ho Cheon-an and also a hint that she would have a high chance of meeting him at Martial Forest Alliance.
With her heart racing, Moyong Yeon-hwa set off towards Martial Forest Alliance and, as she hoped, she was able to meet Ho Cheon-an.
However, contrary to her romantic and sweet expectations, reality was harsh.
No, it was serious.
The news of Botamun’s fall.
And also the news of the bandits from Shandong family attacking.
Moyong Yeon-hwa realized that the Blood Sect’s movements were not a temporary disturbance, but a real threat.
As the reunion with Ho Cheon-an, the reconstruction of Shengsu Faction, and the crisis of the martial world became intertwined, Moyong Yeon-hwa felt lost and just swayed helplessly.
Recalling her feelings for Ho Cheon-an while meeting Dokgo I-seol and Ho Cheon-an, she thought back on her affection for him.
Yet, after realizing the true meaning behind the message from Six Star Chen that Seo Mun-yeon had delivered, she decided to stay with the reconstruction of Shengsu Faction instead of joining Ho Cheon-an’s group.
Despite having resolved to remain with the investigation team, she couldn’t help but get anxious every time she heard of Ho Cheon-an departing from Martial Forest Alliance.
Perhaps unable to endure the confusion any longer, the family members of the clan finally pushed her.
Having finally joined Ho Cheon-an’s group, a spark of hope kindled in the corner of Moyong Yeon-hwa’s heart.
The feeling she had when leaving the main family.
Even though the situation and shape she had dreamed of had changed, overcoming the trial of Blood Sect together could surely strengthen the bond between man and woman, and that too felt destined.
Moyong Yeon-hwa recalled Dokgo I-seol’s presence and nodded.
Perhaps one reason Dokgo I-seol, who had only recently joined them, could get close to Ho Cheon-an was that they had overcome various trials together.
So if she overcame the trial of Blood Sect, she expected that she would quickly be able to get closer to Ho Cheon-an.
However, her expectations were soon shattered in an unexpected way.
Upon joining the group, she immediately heard of Ho Cheon-an’s plan.
The confronting of the Heavenly Demon Sect was beyond anything Moyong Yeon-hwa could have ever imagined.
She had only considered minor confrontations, perhaps ambushing blood people while practicing Array Formation or sharing small moments of tenderness—those were the only kinds of situations she had in mind, but she was hit with a huge shock.
It was as if her perspective had completely changed.
After hearing all of Ho Cheon-an’s plans, Moyong Yeon-hwa thought unintentionally.
In the grand plan that Ho Cheon-an was drawing, there seemed to be no place for the sweet fate she had envisioned.
Ho Cheon-an’s will and his vision of the entire world seemed vast, making her own romantic feelings feel trivial.
Since she parted with Ho Cheon-an, the fate she had nurtured in her heart had collided with reality, shattering it to pieces.
Thus, she felt a sense of loss from the broken illusion and let her shoulders droop.
The sudden letdown brought on by Tang So-yeol’s strange behavior added to her sense of disillusionment, but the fundamental reason lay there.
But why, oh why?
“Because Moyong Yeon-hwa has done truly well until now.”
The romantic moments she believed she could only seize through fate or coincidence had come to this moment right now.
The close distance. The warm gaze of someone looking at her. And even the gentle comfort.
Moyong Yeon-hwa felt her cheeks blush without realizing it.
“Really… can I do it well?”
“Of course.”
Was Ho Cheon-an exerting more strength to encourage her? The pressure of his hand on her shoulder increased. Moyong Yeon-hwa felt a long-dormant fox in her heart begin to leap wildly.
– Pretend to be more vulnerable! This is your chance to be comforted!
– Lean your head on him and close the distance!
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s head rested on Ho Cheon-an’s shoulder. Ho Cheon-an seemed a bit startled, but before he could react, Moyong Yeon-hwa spoke.
“In the end, I am just a powerless woman who couldn’t even revive Shengsu Faction.”
“How could that be blamed on you, Yeon-hwa? It’s a tremendous feat to have brought things this far.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa shivered with a smile as her lips tried to curl into a grin while pressing even closer to Ho Cheon-an. The slightly awkward demeanor of Ho Cheon-an only fueled her desires.
Closer.
She wanted to see this person struggle a little more for her.
Caught up in such thoughts, Moyong Yeon-hwa tightly grasped Ho Cheon-an’s arm.
“Hmm. Hmm.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa looked up at Ho Cheon-an through his strained cough.
“Perhaps if you stay like this for a while, I might feel stronger.”
“…Is that so?”
Ho Cheon-an’s discomfort eased somewhat. Seeing this, the fox inside Moyong Yeon-hwa jumped with joy.
– What are you doing! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Even a kiss would be too little!
Moyong Yeon-hwa shook her head at the wildly hopping fox.
She just wanted to see Ho Cheon-an flustered, not actually force him to feel pressured.
– You’ve longed for this moment so intensely; why so relaxed now!
Moyong Yeon-hwa tried to calm the fox inside her.
This was the right thing to do.
Watching Ho Cheon-an’s flustered expression filled her heart with warmth, but he was a person bearing myriad burdens.
– I don’t know, just do what you want!
The fox within her turned its back and thumped its tail on the ground in frustration. Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled wryly and looked up at Ho Cheon-an.
Ho Cheon-an seemed a bit embarrassed and awkward with how close they were, so he subtly looked away.
Yet he soon gazed back at Moyong Yeon-hwa, which made her feel reassured.
The fox’s assertion that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was mistaken.
Ho Cheon-an would keep looking at her.
And those moments the fox had called opportunities would continue to come.
Moyong Yeon-hwa pondered while feeling the wind against her with Ho Cheon-an.
How could it have been so cold just moments ago yet feel so warm now?
Could just having someone by her side change things so drastically?
“Is it thanks to the Young Hero?”
Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled amid the warmth.
“Somehow, I feel like I can do anything now.”
“…I’m glad.”
There was a mix of slight embarrassment, shyness, and a touch of relief in Ho Cheon-an’s reply, which made Moyong Yeon-hwa chuckle softly.
It was a brief moment of respite known only to the two of them, preparing for Array Formation.
