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Mu-deok was in a tavern with the man who would sell her to a brothel the next day. She couldn't pay off all the debts that had accumulated due to her grandmother's illness and had no one left to protect her. She was completely alone at the mercy of her creditors, hoping to find a way out of this situation. Despite all the poverty and abandonment, Mu-deok felt she had great power within her, and perhaps that could save her, but she didn't yet know how to use it. Mu-deok knew that the woman who found her by the lake wasn't really her grandmother, but she was the only person who had taken pity on her, treating her like a granddaughter, replacing the one she had lost. Mu-deok was the name of the grandmother’s granddaughter. If she had parents or siblings, she didn't remember them; she didn’t remember her past or how she had ended up by the lake. And now, the person who had become her family had passed away, leaving her alone in the world once again.

As she walked, she saw a girl with powerful energy, but her body was dying from a fatal wound. The girl inspected her, and seeing that she was blind, pushed her, causing her to fall onto a table full of customers. Though blind, Mu-deok could see the energy of people and objects, perceiving the world in a unique way. She was drawn to the girl’s energy; she could see that the girl's energy was unstable, searching for something. It seemed that the girl soon found what she was looking for—Mu-deok saw her approach the waitress and take her to a secluded room. Suddenly, Mu-deok felt a shift in the atmosphere. Her own energy was calling out to the girl’s soul, and that scared her.

The girl was about to perform a soul swap. Mu-deok had heard stories in the village about soul shifters, but she didn’t know how she knew that this was what the girl was about to do. It was as if her memories were starting to return. However, driven by an unknown instinct, Mu-deok managed to draw Naksu's soul into her own body. She saw their souls meet in space, and she sensed surprise in the girl’s energy. Mu-deok was also shocked—how was this happening? How could a stranger’s soul enter her body, and why did her magic seek this? When the girl's soul entered her body, from that moment on, Mu-deok began to see Naksu’s memories—her life. That girl was no longer a stranger to Mu-deok. She knew Naksu more than she knew herself. She saw her pain from losing her father, her spirit of revenge for her family, her determination to become the best sorceress and assassin, and how she hardened her heart and soul to endure loneliness in pursuit of vengeance. Mu-deok saw how Naksu killed all those people under that man’s orders and how she was wounded. Naksu’s life and feelings flowed through Mu-deok. She knew her deeply. It almost seemed like their souls wanted to merge, but no, it was difficult for Mu-deok to describe her emotions. They were two different people with their own souls in one body.

However, something that immediately bothered Mu-deok was that she couldn’t control her own body—she was just a spectator as Naksu took over. In one second, Mu-deok became a mere observer of her own body, of her own life.

Although Mu-deok was aware of what was happening, she couldn’t interfere. Naksu, surprised and disgusted by the new body she found herself in, explored it. What impacted Mu-deok the most was that, thanks to Naksu’s soul, she could now see through her eyes—something she had never experienced before. It was an indescribable feeling, after a lifetime of only seeing energy, to be able to regain her sight. Naksu searched her body for the mark of the soul exchange but found nothing. She didn’t realize that Mu-deok was still in the body she had taken.

Mu-deok didn’t understand what was happening. Her first concern was why her magic had been able to bring Naksu’s soul into her body. It felt as if something else was controlling her—a powerful entity that had always been within her, dictating that Naksu’s soul had to be with her. But Mu-deok didn’t like this. Now she had no control over her actions; she was just a spectator in her own body, which gave her a feeling of helplessness, hidden in a dark corner, merely watching. How could her own magic betray her and bring the soul of a stranger into her body to control it? It was as if her magic wasn’t satisfied with her soul and needed another.

Mu-deok realized that she could no longer see energy. Now she saw the world like everyone else. She felt weaker, as if her energy and magic had been sealed away to prevent the body from being overwhelmed by the presence of two souls. When they were on the boat, Naksu tried to escape by climbing up the bridge, but she had no strength—she felt weak, sick just from sailing. Naksu also felt a sense of helplessness being trapped in such a weak body. She planned to change bodies as soon as possible. But she couldn’t draw attention now—she no longer had the power to protect herself. She felt so frustrated, but she had to remain discreet and continue pretending to be Mu-deok so the Songrim sorcerers wouldn’t capture her. It was better for them to think she was still dead and had failed to perform the soul swap.

Mu-deok realized that Naksu’s solution for anyone who disrespected or bothered her was to kill them, and Mu-deok knew that if she had Naksu's powers, she wouldn’t hesitate either. She would have killed the man who sold her to the brothel, the woman who bought her, and the boy she encountered in a room at Cheonbugwan. That boy, when she saw him, her own energy vibrated as if drawn to him. Mu-deok felt uncomfortable. She already had enough to deal with, sharing a body with another person—she didn’t want another soul entering her body. She tried to control her stored energy, but it seemed like her energy did whatever it wanted. She preferred to stay fully alert for any changes—she had enough trouble with her energy doing as it pleased.

The boy who tricked her by giving her a spirit plaque to frame her as a thief and who bought her from the brothel was Jang Uk, the son of Jang Gang. Now, she was a servant in the house of Master Jang Gang, the head of Cheonbugwan—the Jang family’s house. Well, she preferred this over working in a brothel, but Jang Uk was unbearable. He made her fetch water several times. Yet, he was never satisfied. He’d complain that the water was too hot or too cold. The food she served him—he’d say it was too salty, too sweet, or too sour. Nothing was good enough. He’d complain, “This is too hot,” or “This smells bad.” “I want a blue blanket to sleep tonight.”

He did nothing but bathed three times a day. When she brought the last bucket of water, she’d find him already bathing, saying it wasn’t necessary anymore. In this, Mu-deok agreed with Naksu—it wouldn’t bother her much if Naksu wanted to kill him. Mu-deok also wanted to kill him. She began to feel her energy wanting to escape from her body due to Naksu's fury, but Mu-deok acted as the shield that prevented the energy from breaking out. Suddenly, she felt as if she was thrown forward again—she could control her body once more. The light hurt her eyes; she could now only see energy again. The abrupt change made her fall to the ground, covering her eyes with her hands.

"Are you okay?" Jang Uk asked as he approached, now dressed in a robe after finishing his bath.

"My eyes hurt. I need a blindfold. The energy is too strong," she yelled without thinking much about what she was saying.

Jang Uk searched through the belongings and found a cloth, helping to cover Mu-deok’s eyes. She was trying to adapt to her surroundings and her body, but soon she felt herself being pushed back into the darkness—Naksu was taking control again. Everything went dark.

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When she woke up again, her eyes were blindfolded. Naksu quickly uncovered them for her. She was in the room that had been given to her, and once again, Mu-deok was the spectator. She could feel Naksu's confusion. Naksu was puzzled by what had happened to her. Jang Uk had bothered her a lot, so she focused, imagining that she was ending him with a fraction of her energy, and then everything went black. She wanted to access her energy because of how annoying Jang Uk had been, but it seemed that this body was too weak. She thought she had perhaps collapsed from exhaustion after all the work she had done that day for Jang Uk. “This body is so weak,” she thought, irritated.

Mu-deok realized that Naksu still hadn’t noticed that she was also in this body. She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, but she thought it might be better if Naksu didn’t figure it out. Naksu wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of her if she kept getting in her way or became an obstacle to her plans. Naksu was clever; she was taking advantage of her situation, blending in while inhabiting Mu-deok’s body. But Naksu had a goal, and no one would stop her from achieving it.

Naksu recalled the spirit plaque that her “young master” had. That was the key to opening the barrier and entering Songrim. But she couldn’t get in without her magic. Naksu's main objective now was to regain her magic. She thought that if she could retrieve her sword, she could recover her powers. She had to get her hands on that spirit plaque.

Jang Uk

Seeing the portrait of his mother in the always-empty room of his father always filled him with sadness. He grew up hearing stories about his mother from the servant Kim. She had been a great woman, someone who would never have been disloyal to his father. She would never have betrayed him, as the rumors suggested. Jang Uk had no love for his father, who had abandoned him. Despite never having met his mother, he held great affection for her. He couldn’t understand why his father had been so cruel to him, his own son. They said his father had loved his mother deeply, but why then did he close the energy portal of his heir? Why abandon him after his mother died? He tried to justify his father's actions, thinking that maybe it was the immense grief of losing the woman he loved. But he couldn’t excuse the pain his father had caused him all his life. Maybe he was only thinking that to comfort himself.

He remembered that when he was younger, he worked hard to do everything he was asked, memorizing the books they assigned him, all to prove himself worthy of learning spells. When he demanded that he be taught spells like Yul and Dang-gu, he went to Park Jin of Songrim. He just wanted to be a student like his friends. But Park Jin gave him his father's sword and told him to unsheathe it, even though he knew that Jang Uk’s energy portal was sealed and that he wouldn’t be able to draw the sword, which had been enchanted. Park Jin justified that he couldn’t teach him spells if he wasn’t even able to unsheathe his own father’s sword. Jang Uk knew that if his energy portal hadn’t been sealed, he could have drawn it with ease. He asked Park Jin to open his energy portal, but Park Jin refused, not wanting to defy his father’s wishes. Jang Uk then asked for another teacher, one willing to open his energy portal and teach him. But he was told that such a teacher didn’t exist in Daeho. No sorcerer would dare defy his father. No sorcerer would open his energy portal.

He felt it was so unfair. The injustice of the moment brought tears of frustration to his eyes. A father who had never been in his life had decided his fate, and the worst part was that no one even considered him a father, yet they all obeyed his orders. But Jang Uk wasn’t going to give up. He would find a teacher who would open his energy portal and teach him spells. A teacher who wouldn’t be afraid of his father. That was his goal: to be able to unsheathe his father’s sword and break it in two. And it seemed that after all this time, after so many teachers—12 of them had expelled him—he might have finally found that teacher. He felt a thrill, like finding a hidden gem that no one else knew he had: his future teacher, Naksu, the shadow sorceress. He knew it because the first time he looked into her eyes, he saw the soul-shifter’s mark in them.

What made him uneasy was that before, he had fainted and couldn’t see what had happened to him. It was already strange that she had the soul-shifter’s mark in her eyes. From what he had heard in Chwbugan, the body she had taken over had belonged to a blind person. Perhaps that explained why she could see now and why she had that mark in her eyes. He didn’t understand what had happened before, and it made him doubt a bit whether she really was Naksu. He didn’t think Naksu would act so servile toward him. He had done everything to irritate her and make her show her true colors, but all he got was her going blind again and fainting from exhaustion. That’s what the servant Kim had said when she called for another servant to carry her away. He hadn’t been able to carry her himself because he had always been too weak with his energy portal sealed. He clenched his fist at the memory. After finding her in his room and pretending to sleep to see what she would do while ordering her to stoke the brazier all night, he saw her searching through his room and taking his spirit plaque. He was thrilled. He followed her discreetly to Songrim, where a fight broke out upon her arrival. He cornered her when Yul was about to catch her and covered her eyes.

"I knew it from your eyes. From the moment I saw you, I knew it. You will be my teacher," he said, looking directly into her eyes, with a hope that had dwindled over the years but now shone brightly. She was the one who would change his destiny.

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Mu-deok saw the world differently; she understood people through their energy, and energy never lied. That’s why many thought she was pretending to be blind. Mu-deok sensed that Jang Uk was searching for something, and it wasn’t specifically a lover, but what? She soon discovered.

"I knew it from your eyes, from the moment I saw you, I knew it. You will be my master," Jang Uk told her.

"My eyes?" Naksu said, trying to play innocent again. Naksu was ready to kill him if he figured it out.

Mu-deok panicked. He knew, and now she shared a body with Naksu. Whatever happened to Naksu would happen to her as well. They wouldn’t care about Mu-deok—she was just a poor, blind girl, unfortunate and about to be sold to a brothel. If they had to get rid of Naksu, Mu-deok would just be an unfortunate casualty. A poor girl, they’d say, but after a while, they would forget about her. Naksu was clever, and even though Mu-deok felt a little sorry for Jang Uk, if Naksu had to kill or hurt him to survive, she would do it. She wouldn’t die with a name that wasn’t hers, without remembering her past, without knowing who she was, for this boy. But Jang Uk surprised both of them.

"The blue mark of a soul-shifter blooms in your eyes," Jang Uk told her.

"I could kill you," Naksu said, pointing her knife at his neck.

"This is Songrim. They would catch you. I just want to help you. If you stay by my side, they won’t catch you. How should you address me? Young master," Jang Uk said. Naksu was getting angry at his relaxed attitude. She was about to kill him when Seo Yul and Dang-gu arrived. They told them to hide. Both were considered weak, and that was good. It was good for them to be underestimated and for no one to pay attention to their fight. Naksu was being reckless. If Jang Uk hadn’t been there, they would’ve been caught and tortured for information, and then executed for being assassins or spies, if anyone noticed their eyes. Someone would’ve suspected her since a soul-shift needed a person of the same sex, age, and body type to avoid a soul clash.

Although Naksu wasn’t interested in getting involved with Jang Uk, as he was the son of one of her supposed enemies, she tolerated and used him. She saw him as a means to regain her magic and fulfill her revenge. From Mu-deok's point of view, Naksu was merely following the orders of the Danju, who commanded her to kill whoever he wanted. Mu-deok didn’t see how those killings would help Naksu's revenge; they would only make her more noticeable, with everyone chasing after her, seeing her as responsible for everything. Mu-deok didn’t want the same as Naksu. She had no interest in dedicating her life to a meaningless revenge. She no longer wanted Naksu to control her body. Mu-deok wanted to know who she really was, to regain her memory, to know her true name. She wanted to find her family, to know where they were, and if they were searching for her.

As a child, under her grandmother’s care, she always hoped someone would come looking for her. They were very poor, and when her grandmother found her by the river, Mu-deok was wearing noble clothes. The blindfold covering her eyes bore a seal. That blindfold was all she had left of her family because her grandmother had sold everything else for money, especially when she became ill. Mu-deok asked around in the village of Sari about the seal on the blindfold, but no one could tell her anything. All the people were as poor as her, and several times they tried to take advantage of a poor blind girl. Eventually, she had nothing left of her family. So-i had stolen the blindfold. Her grandmother was sick, and they were drowning in debt. When her grandmother died and she had no way to pay, she was sold to a brothel.

Mu-deok had planned to escape the brothel once she reached the city and found more information about her family. But then Naksu's soul had entered her body. Although she had no more leads to find them, perhaps her family was no longer searching for her. Maybe they were all dead, and Mu-deok was the only survivor. Maybe they had given her up for dead. But Mu-deok clung to that hope—it was all she had left. And now there was Jang Uk, desperate to learn magic. Mu-deok had her own magic, but since she lost her memory, she only used it to see energy. Sometimes she helped people in Sari village and earned a few coins, but they always tried to scam or deceive a blind girl. However, they were often shocked by her power. Mu-deok couldn’t open Jang Uk's energy gate, and neither could Naksu. But everyone here was desperate. She could see Jang Uk’s determination. He would do anything for Naksu to open his energy gate and become his master. He could even blackmail her, threatening to expose her soul-shifting secret and hand her over to Songrim.

Naksu’s solution was to kill him, but Mu-deok, who didn’t have the vengeful spirit clouding her judgment, thought more objectively. She just had to think coldly about how to take advantage of this, how to regain control of her body, and how to find out who she truly was.

"If you don’t want to be my master, then we’ll be married," he said. Naksu felt so disgusted that Mu-deok could feel it.

"Shut up," Naksu said furiously. "All your masters expelled you because you’re this ridiculous."

When Jang Uk offered marriage to Naksu, although she quickly dismissed it, Mu-deok didn’t. That would give her a stronger alliance with Jang Uk. Marriages weren’t just for love—they were business agreements that benefited both parties. And Mu-deok knew Naksu wouldn’t regain her magic just by recovering her sword. This agreement was fragile and could break at any moment. Jang Uk had the power, wealth, and connections that came with belonging to a great family. Naksu quickly discarded it because she didn’t want to be associated with the son of her enemy, but Mu-deok didn’t have that problem.

She was thinking about it when everyone was locked in the training center. All the people within the walls were gathered in one place, and no one was allowed to leave because they suspected a soul-shifter was among them—a spy. They said they asked for help from the Jin family and brought Jin Cho-yeon, who arrived with Gwigu. When she saw her and the relic, Mu-deok felt like she knew that girl. She felt a sense of nostalgia and longing for her and the relic. It was a strange feeling, and she knew what the relic was and how to control it. Naksu and Mu-deok were in trouble. Gwigu is a Sapsali ghost that detects sorcery. The soul-shifting alchemy had a weakness: there was a gap between body and soul. Through that gap, evil energy escaped, and Gwigu detected it. Mu-deok already knew this without the need for explanations. She focused hard to regain control of her body, to fuse her soul with her body, and to contain Naksu's soul with her energy, so the Sapsali wouldn’t detect the soul-shift. There wouldn’t be any soul-shifting if her body and soul were one. She’d seal her energy, with Naksu’s soul inside, as if blocking an energy gate by sheer will, hoping Naksu would remain as if in a dream. She grabbed Jang Uk’s arm tightly, feeling the strain, but realized she was in control of her body, though much weaker. Jang Uk looked back at her, concerned, but they were distracted by the Sapsali approaching them. Mu-deok squeezed his arm and stared at the Sapsali, sure it wasn’t after her.

"Stay with me," he placed a hand over hers. "No one will let that thing attack me." 

Mu-deok barely heard him, still focused on the Sapsali. It wasn’t headed for her. She quickly looked behind her, and indeed, there was another soul-shifter.

Her breath quickened. For a moment, she thought it hadn’t worked. She had to relax, or she’d attract attention. She let go of Jang Uk’s arm and followed the others, watching as Seo Yul finished off the soul-shifter. If she didn’t remove Naksu from her body or find another solution, that would be her fate.

She couldn’t take her eyes off Jin Cho-yeon. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew her, but she hadn’t seen her before. She watched her discreetly, though no one would pay attention to a servant girl. She felt nostalgic. When she heard Jin Cho-yeon was engaged to Jang Uk, she was surprised. She needed to find more information on that matter. She didn’t want to make enemies by forging an alliance. She was going to use Jang Uk to find her family, but now she had to play her cards right.

As everyone left, she walked behind Jang Uk, lost in her thoughts. He turned back to look at her.

"I didn’t expect a cold-blooded assassin to be scared of that thing," Jang Uk said with a smirk, mocking her. "

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"You hurt my arm by holding me so tight, I’ll probably get bruises. I'm very weak," said Jang Uk in a childish, whining voice.

Mu-deok’s eyes widened, and she looked around. If she could still see energy, she would know if anyone was around listening to their conversation, but now she could only rely on her eyes. She quickly approached him, placed a finger on his lips, and gave him a stern look before stepping back, surprised by having touched him. She thought he might kill her.

"Young master, I think you're very tired. The events of tonight must have taken a toll on you. Why don't we go home so you can rest? Maybe I can entertain you with a story about a soul shifter, one we used to hear in my village, before you fall asleep," she said with a smile, trying to feign concern in case anyone was watching or listening. She hoped he would understand the hint that they needed to talk somewhere quiet and away from prying eyes and ears. In Songrim, everyone was on high alert.

She took his arm, and they were about to leave Songrim when they saw the Sapsali. Jang Uk tensed, and before he could say anything, Mu-deok interrupted him.

"Don’t worry about it, it won’t harm me. I’ve already dealt with it. It can’t detect a soul shifter anymore," she said, her expression growing more serious as she watched the Sapsali pass by.

"How did that happen?" he asked, giving her a serious look.

She whispered, "I already told you not to worry about it. Let’s go to your house so we can talk privately, and I'll explain everything. I don’t want anyone to overhear us or arouse suspicion."

He looked at her, surprised, as they walked to his house. His gaze became distant, and when they entered, he told Servant Kim that he was very tired and wanted to go to bed, and that Mu-deok would stay with him to keep the brazier burning all night, as he was feeling cold. Once they were alone, he immediately confronted her.

"Are you really Naksu?" he grabbed her arm, pulling her close, his breath brushing her face as he stared deeply into her eyes. "Where is it? Where is the soul-shifter’s mark that should be in your eyes?" he asked, gripping her arm tightly.

"Let go of me," Mu-deok pulled her arm away. Although she was very weak now, Jang Uk was also weak. "I told you I’d explain everything. Don’t get worked up. Listen to me before you act," she said coldly.

"Listen to you? The only reason I helped you is because I want you to be my master and open my energy gate. But now, I don’t even know if you are Naksu. All this time I’ve spent with you, I haven’t seen any magic from you. All I’ve seen is that you’re weak, just like me."

Mu-deok realized that Jang Uk would want nothing to do with her if he knew she was the real owner of the body. He only needed Naksu, because she was the only one he believed could be his master.

"You’re wrong in thinking I haven’t shown you any magic. You just saw me hide my soul-shifter’s mark from my eyes. I didn’t know I had it until you told me, so I concealed it. Soul alchemy is a powerful magic that you don’t understand because only the most powerful sorcerers, who have mastered multiple arts, can perform it. I’m very powerful," Mu-deok told him half-truths and half-lies to make him believe her. She wasn’t lying about hiding the soul-shifter’s mark, but she didn’t tell him that she wasn’t Naksu. She needed him to need her, to see her as his only hope.

"Well, let’s say I believe you, since Naksu would seek to enter Songrim to recover her body and sword. And a mere maid wouldn’t steal her master’s spirit plaque, even though you saw it was a trap. They wouldn’t leave your body and sword unguarded for a simple maid to take," he said.

"Well, after what happened, I’ve been thinking about the deal you want to make, about me being your master," she said, as if she had thought it over deeply.

"So, what now? You said you didn’t want to partner with me, but you should know I won’t give up. I’m willing to risk everything, even my own life, like what happened in the secret room."

Mu-deok turned her face to the side to hide a small smile. "Got him," she thought.

"But how can I be sure you won’t turn me over to Songrim after I help you and teach you? You want to be a great sorcerer, and when everyone asks who taught you, who opened your energy gate, they’ll suspect me. I want a stable alliance. If I fall, you fall with me."

"I hadn’t thought of that," he admitted. "But once I know magic, you can have whatever you want. I’m a man with plenty of money."

"Fine, I accept your previous proposal. I’ll marry you," she said.

"What?" he looked at her, shocked. "I wanted you to be my master, but if you like me in other ways, I don’t mind, as long as you teach me magic," he said.

"Don’t misunderstand," Mu-deok replied. "This is an alliance that will be sealed with a public marriage. It doesn’t need to be extravagant, just enough witnesses to confirm our union so that all of Daeho knows."

"I didn’t know Naksu had the dream of becoming the lady of a great family. I didn’t take you for the romantic type," he teased.

"I repeat, don’t misunderstand. This has nothing to do with romance or love. You’ll protect me in front of the world while I teach you magic. As your wife, I’ll have access to any place you can go. People will think we’re madly in love, and that love drove you to marry a maid," she said.

"But you could do the same as my personal maid, someone trustworthy. Everyone knows I’m weak and lazy and need someone to help me," he said.

"I thought you said you’d do anything," she shot back, looking him directly in the eye. "Or is it only if it doesn’t hurt your good name to marry a maid?"

"It’s not that. I’ll do it if that’s what you want. But I don’t understand why you want to be my wife if you don’t love me," he said, raising his hands with a smile.

"Being your wife will give me the autonomy to carry out my own plans. No one will suspect me if I spend so much time with you. Isn’t that a wife’s job—to take care of her husband?" she said with a mocking smile.

"Don’t look so pleased," he said.

"Either way, I’ll have the wealth of the Jang family at my disposal for my plans. I’ll have the power I need to achieve my goal," she said.

"And may I know what your goal is? What are your plans? To go around decapitating sorcerers left and right to gain popularity?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, looking serious.

"My plans don’t concern you," she said, giving him a cold look.

Jang Uk was silent for a long time, staring at her. He began to have some doubts about his plans. He had forgotten she was Naksu, the shadow assassin, and what she did.

"If you're going to kill someone, you'll kill me first," he said seriously.

Mu-deok realized she was losing him. She had to lie through her teeth; after all, what Jang Uk wanted most was to learn magic.

"Don’t worry, I won’t kill anyone you know. Maybe I’ll tell you something, but now’s not the time." With that, Mu-deok threw him a bone to calm him down.

"Fine. I’ll marry you. We’ll marry here at the Jang estate. I’ll make Dang-gu my witness and Lady Jin-wol of Gwinchequeon. They’re the most gossip-loving people I know, and they won’t stop me if I say the right words. That way, all of Daeho will know, even the humblest person, that I married you."

"Perfect," said Mu-deok.

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Mu-deok was feeling weaker and weaker. Her own magic was betraying her once again, and that’s why the wedding needed to happen quickly before Naksu took control again.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Time is money. The sooner the ceremony is over, the sooner I’ll be sure you won’t betray me,” Mu-deok said, trying to sound serious and hide her desperation.

“Yes, but the wedding can’t be held until tomorrow. We can wait one more night. I don’t think the witnesses will be available after what happened in Somgrin,” Jang Uk replied.

“Fine,” Mu-deok said and was about to leave the room, but Jang Uk stopped her.

“Wait, you need to stay with me all night, so people will think we fell in love and that you were grateful I protected you from the Sapsali. They’ll think you admired me so much that you fell for me.”

Mu-deok gave him a cold look. “And how did you fall in love with me? Seems like I’ll be playing the role of the naive servant who admires her master too much and falls for him,” she said with heavy sarcasm.

Jang Uk simply smiled. “I’ll just say you’re beautiful and that your eyes captivated me the moment I saw you, and that I wanted you to be my wife. No one will question it. They’ll think I’ve been more concerned about getting a wife than learning magic. People sometimes like to believe romantic stories or whatever suits them.”

Mu-deok raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. She hadn’t expected him to come up with a story so easily. She needed to be careful with him—he was a good liar.

“Fine,” she responded, deciding to say nothing more. Until the wedding, it was better to minimize interactions, so when Naksu returned, she wouldn’t notice anything strange. The real problem was Naksu. She would know something was wrong. Mu-deok didn’t want her to try to get rid of her. That’s why it was necessary for all of Daeho to know about the marriage—it would protect her when Naksu returned, preventing her from undoing everything due to her personal plans for revenge. After all, it was her body too.

“Well, let’s get some rest. I’m not going to tend to the brazier all night. I haven’t rested all day because of your great idea to test me.” Mu-deok lay down on one side of the bed. Sharing a bed didn’t bother her; she used to share one with her grandmother since they only had one, and she was too tired to sleep on the floor.

“Already sharing a bed before we’re married?” Joked Jang Uk as he lay down on his side of the bed.

“Stay on your side, and there will be peace. I don’t want to argue anymore,” Mu-deok said. She was tired of keeping her energy suppressed and couldn’t even feel the energy around her, so she wasn’t sure how Jang Uk felt. But she had already fought this battle enough for one day. Now, she would focus on trying to rest while keeping her energy under control. She fell asleep quickly.

Chapter Text

She woke up early, before dawn, and was relieved to still be in control of her body. It had been a difficult night, but she needed to maintain control until the wedding. After that, all of Daeho would know she had married Jang Uk, which would thwart some of Naksu’s plans.

Mu-deok shook Jang Uk awake. He stirred, looking around in confusion before meeting her gaze.

“What happened? Why are you waking me up so early?” Jang Uk asked groggily.

“You need to find the witnesses. I’ll gather the necessary things for the wedding and find a place for the ceremony. Move quickly before anyone notices and tries to stop us,” she said, thinking that if the servant Jin or Park Jin found out, they would definitely try to prevent the wedding.

Jang Uk got up and ran out of the room. Mu-deok also left but tried to move as quietly as possible. Now that she was alone, she realized how strange it was to be able to see without relying on her cane. It was odd not to see the energy of things. She went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of strong liquor and the cup they would share, as well as some decorations for the garden. It had to look romantic. The more people believed their story, the better. She decided to hold the ceremony in the most secluded part of the Jang estate’s garden. When she arrived, she felt overwhelmed by the visual information—the colors were vibrant, and she was seeing a world entirely different from what she was used to. It was all so beautiful. A few tears fell from her eyes. Despite hating having Naksu’s soul in her body, a part of her was grateful for the chance to see, even if only once in her life. She was also thankful that she hadn’t ended up working in a brothel and that she had a chance to find her family. If Jang Uk hadn’t needed Naksu, he never would’ve helped her.

She finished setting up the garden just in time to see Dang-gu, Lady Jin-wol of Gwinchequeon, and, to her surprise, Seo Yul arrive. She didn’t know him well, but Naksu had mixed feelings about him. As long as he didn’t say anything, Mu-deok didn’t mind. But she wasn’t sure how Naksu would react, as her feelings for him were contradictory.

“We’re ready,” Jang Uk said.

“Are you sure about this? Just a year ago, you were engaged to Jin Cho-yeon, and now you want to get married?” Dang-gu asked.

“Yes, I’m sure. I want to marry Mu-deok. She agreed last night to be my wife. This is what I want. We’re in love, and this is as important to me as learning magic,” Jang Uk said seriously, looking at his friends. Mu-deok knew he was trying to make them feel guilty so they wouldn’t object.

Jin-wol took Mu-deok’s hand. “Come, I brought a dress for you to wear and I’ll fix your hair. The Master Jang bought it for you,” Jin-wol said.

Mu-deok had completely forgotten about clothing. She had only planned to say she accepted being Jang Uk’s wife and drink the cup. She put on a beautiful dress she had never worn before, let her hair down, and Jin-wol braided flowers into it, placing orchids in her hair. When they returned to the courtyard, Jang Uk was already dressed.

They sat facing each other while Seo Yul and Jin-wol sat beside them. The ceremony began.

Dang-gu started, “This is certainly unexpected. I didn’t expect to wake up and officiate a wedding. But I believe that when these two people first met, they never imagined they would find love either, much less so quickly. Their love, like a flame burning intensely, is real, even though they haven’t shared much time together. Today, they choose to love each other without fear or hesitation. Together, they will be happier, and with this ceremony, they tell us that no one will be able to separate them. Now, Jang Uk of the Jang family and Mu-deok will begin the wedding drink ritual.”

Dang-gu leaned down and served Jang Uk the cup. He stared at the cup for a moment before looking intently at Mu-deok. She didn’t look away, and after what felt like an eternity, he drank. He then handed the cup to Mu-deok, whose hands trembled slightly, but she held it steady. She felt weaker and weaker but pushed through, knowing that if she didn’t, all of this would be in vain. She drank the rest of the cup.

It was done. She felt like something had shifted—something that shouldn’t have happened or maybe never should have—but she didn’t regret it. Not for her uncontrolled magic, not for Naksu. This had been her decision.

“I now declare you husband and wife, witnessed by Lady Jin-wol of Gwinchequeon, Seo Yul of the Seo family, and myself, Park Dang-gu of the Park family. Let all of Daeho and the heavens know that this man and this woman are bound by marriage.”

Everyone offered their congratulations, and Jang Uk told them to spread the word that Mu-deok was now his wife. Mu-deok clung tightly to Jang Uk’s arm, not because he was her husband, but because her magic, now that they were declared husband and wife, was fighting harder to release Naksu. It felt like her body was rejecting her, telling her this wasn’t her place, that this wasn’t her destiny.

“Jang Uk, take me inside,” she said.

“So eager to consummate the marriage already?” Jang Uk joked, but when he looked at her face, his expression changed to concern. “Are you alright?”

“Just a little dizzy. I need to sit down for a moment.” And with that, Mu-deok felt herself retreat into the shadows once again, as Naksu regained consciousness. Naksu looked around, surprised to find herself in a garden. She oriented herself, feeling tired but still in this weak body. That was normal. What wasn’t normal was that she had been in the training grounds, waiting for the Gwigu. She had no idea what had happened since.

“What’s going on? Where’s the Gwigu? How did we get here?” Naksu asked Jang Uk.

Jang Uk looked at her with concern, stepping closer to look into her eyes. Naksu pulled back.

“The soul-shifter mark is back in your eyes.” he said.

Chapter Text

Naksu looked around where she was, feeling as lost as if she had just woken up from a long dream. First, she analyzed her surroundings. She was in a garden—the Jang family garden—she remembered because she had been walking there all day, carrying water for Jang Uk. Then she looked at Jang Uk, who was watching her with concern. She didn’t like how close he was, nor did she like feeling so vulnerable, so she moved away from him. She didn’t remember how she got there. The last thing she remembered was being locked in the training center with the rest of Songrim, about to use the Gwigu to find an infiltrated soul shifter. They were about to discover her. But now, she was here. What had happened? She needed answers, and the only person who could give them to her was Jang Uk.

“How did I get here? What are we doing here? What happened with the Gwigu?” Naksu asked, looking directly into Jang Uk's eyes, her expression serious and slightly distrustful.

“What are you talking about? We just celebrated our wedding. Do you remember the deal we made? I would marry you, and you would be my teacher, and in return, you would be the lady of the Jang family and have access to all my resources,” Jang Uk said, deeply confused and disoriented by Naksu’s questions. What was wrong with Naksu? Why was she acting like this, so lost, as if they hadn’t just gotten married?

“Married?” Naksu shouted as she quickly stood up, completely shocked, utterly confused. “What do you mean we’re married? What are you talking about? I would never marry you.”

Confusion and frustration grew even more in Jang Uk. What was wrong with Naksu? Why was she acting this way? “Yes, we just got married. Dang_gu officiated the wedding, and Seo Yul and Lady Jin Wol were our witnesses. By now, all of Daeho must know that I married my servant Mu-deok, as that was part of the deal—that the whole world would know.”

Naksu felt a wave of anger. Was he joking? When did this happen? Why didn’t she remember it? What was happening to her body? This was the second time something like this had occurred. The first time, she thought it was due to exhaustion, but now, decisions had been made without her memory of them. This made her feel vulnerable, a new and very uncomfortable feeling for Naksu. She had always been someone who controlled her surroundings and decisions. Not having control over her own body disoriented her. Something had gone wrong with the soul shifting. What had happened? Where had she made a mistake in executing the soul shift? Still in shock, her anger began to take over.

Jang Uk began to doubt whether he had made the right decision to marry Naksu. He wasn’t sure anymore. For him, everything that had happened made sense. He had found Naksu, who had agreed to help him, and she had accepted marrying him in exchange for becoming his teacher.

“What did you do to me? What did you do to make me marry you? How did you manipulate me into doing this? What kind of magic did you use?” Naksu shouted, directing her anger at Jang Uk. She was blaming him, though she knew it might be a problem with the soul shifting. Naksu was starting to suspect that she wasn’t the only soul inhabiting this body.

“What are you talking about? This was a deal we both made. You said you would be my teacher, that you had magic, and you proved it by hiding the soul shifter mark in your eyes, so the Gwigu couldn’t detect you.”

“What?” Naksu was feeling more and more vulnerable, scared of losing control. The soul still in this body was taking over, making its own decisions. This body wasn’t entirely hers. She had trained her entire life to be strong and dominant. Sharing a body with another entity filled her with fear and insecurity, emotions she rarely felt. “This isn’t right,” Naksu said, ignoring Jang Uk. “This isn’t right,” she repeated, and ran into the house.

Jang Uk felt betrayed. She had deceived him just to get him to marry her. He was so confused and frustrated that he stood frozen in the garden, feeling abandoned and discarded. The fact that she seemed to have forgotten the agreement they had made and no longer recognized the bond he believed they had formed made him feel a deep sense of hurt and resentment. Jang Uk had always been desperate to find someone who could train him and help him open his energy gate. Naksu’s amnesia was a devastating blow to his plans. He felt that his chance of opening his energy gate was slipping further away, but Jang Uk wasn’t someone who gave up easily. He was going to find Naksu and fix this situation. They were already married, and now all of Daeho would know it. But before he could enter the house to find her, he heard Servant Kim shouting.

“Young Master Jang! Young Master Jang!” Mrs. Kim called out.

“What’s wrong?” Jang Uk asked, running toward her with concern.

“I just overheard a defamation of your name, Young Master,” Mrs. Kim said, breathless.

“What did they say?” Jang Uk already suspected what Mrs. Kim had heard. He knew he had been impulsive in marrying Mu-deok without telling Mrs. Kim.

“It’s not worth repeating. I will find whoever is spreading those false rumors and ask Leader Park to have them detained,” she said firmly, already ready to leave and find Park Jin.

“Wait, Mrs. Kim, what did they say? Tell me,” Jang Uk said, grabbing her hands.

Mrs. Kim, still agitated, gave in after looking into his eyes. “They say you married your servant, Mu-deok, this morning, and that Park Dang-gu, the heir of the Park family, Seo Yul, the heir of the Seo family, and Lady Jin Wol of Chwiseonru were your witnesses.”

Jang Uk continued to look into her eyes and didn’t contradict anything she said. Mrs. Kim’s eyes widened in surprise. “It’s true,” she said.

“Yes, it’s true. I married Mu-deok. From the moment I looked into her eyes, I decided to marry her,” he said. In part, it wasn’t a lie. From the first time he saw Naksu’s eyes, he was willing to do whatever it took for Naksu to be his teacher.

Mrs. Kim stared at him in shock. Jang Uk was one of the heirs of one of the most powerful mage families in Daeho. How could he have married a servant without telling her first? Mrs. Kim had always known that Jang Uk would marry someday, but she had hoped to meet the girl, her family, organize the wedding, and teach the lady how to manage the Jang family estate. Her young master, Jang Uk, deserved someone who matched his status and could support him in his social and political position. Mrs. Kim was deeply worried about how this decision would affect Jang Uk’s life.

“But why didn’t you tell me anything, Young Master?” Mrs. Kim asked.

“It was spontaneous. We didn’t think much when we decided to marry, and we didn’t want anyone to stop us,” Jang Uk told her, maintaining the excuse he and Naksu had agreed on.

“Young Master, perhaps you didn’t think it through. This was such an impulsive decision that could compromise your future. Did Mu-deok pressure you into marrying her? What was the need for a marriage if you had just met? She could have been your fiancée until people got used to the idea,” Mrs. Kim said, worried that this marriage had happened under some sort of pressure or necessity.

“It’s already done, Mrs. Kim. Don’t worry about it anymore. Now I want to speak with my wife for a moment,” Jang Uk said.

“I also want to talk to Mu-deok and hear what she has to say about this situation,” Mrs. Kim replied. Both entered the house to speak with Mu-deok, but she was nowhere to be found. They called for the servants, but none could give any information about Mu-deok’s whereabouts. One of them said they saw her leave, but they didn’t know where she went.

Chapter Text

Naksu ran out of Jang's estate after taking Jang Uk’s spirit plaque, trying to process what had happened. Her first thought was to annul the marriage—she didn’t want to be married to the son of one of her enemies. She also needed to regain full control of her body. Now, more than ever, she was sure that the soul that previously inhabited this body was still there and could take control. She planned to contact the Danju, the one who had taught her soul alchemy. He might know a way to fix what had gone wrong and help her regain her powers. When she was young, he had taken her in from the ashes of her home and offered her power and revenge. He trained her, and she worked tirelessly every day until she became the best sorceress. Later, the Danju ordered her to kill certain sorcerers. Naksu believed he was testing her worth and would help her get revenge when the time came. 

The four most powerful magical families had destroyed her family, and among them were the Jangs—now, her current "husband," though he hadn’t actually married her but the other soul inhabiting this body. 

She bought some fireworks to send a signal, ones that could be seen from miles away, from Ju-wol, who congratulated her again on her wedding. Ju-wol asked why she wasn’t with her husband and why she hadn’t sent a servant from the Jang family to get them since she was now the lady of the house. Naksu hadn't even considered that she was now the lady of the Jang household, so she chose not to dwell on the thought. She lied, saying the fireworks were to celebrate her marriage and handed over Jang Uk’s spirit plaque to Ju-wol, asking her to sell it. "A Songrim spirit plaque... you can enter freely. Your husband must trust you a lot," Ju-wol remarked, sighing as if she were watching a love story. Naksu only grimaced. "I want to sell it," she replied. "Well, in a tavern in the black market... it’s not easy to make the connection," Ju-wol said, thinking of the big profits to be made, not suspecting it was a message for the Danju.

Mu-deok watched Naksu’s actions coldly. She wouldn’t deny it—she had hoped Naksu wouldn’t accept the marriage so quickly, which is why she asked Jang Uk to make the whole city of Daeho aware of it, so there would be no turning back. What she didn’t expect was for Naksu to try to contact the Danju. Mu-deok didn’t trust that man. Naksu, despite being a cold and calculated assassin, didn’t realize he was using her for his own plans. Mu-deok couldn’t judge Naksu too harshly—she understood that the Danju was the only one who had helped her after her family had been wiped out. But he wasn’t a good man. Mu-deok felt empathy because when she was alone, the old woman had been the only one to care for her, even though she was so poor.

When they arrived at Danhyangok, the valley of her former home, they saw everything destroyed. Naksu thought, "Seeing how he got rid of everything that was mine, he must believe I couldn’t change and died." Mu-deok didn’t have such noble thoughts. "He wants to get rid of Naksu, and therefore, me as well," she thought, putting herself on high alert in case she needed to take control of the body again. Naksu hadn’t planned to eliminate her yet, but she would soon. Naksu didn’t know the Danju personally, which was why she didn’t seek him out directly. "She doesn’t realize how suspicious that is," Mu-deok thought.

Naksu left a note that said, "If you are looking for the person selling this spirit plaque, you’ll find me. I’ll be waiting," along with a drawing of the spirit plaque. She then lit a firework. It was already nighttime, so she looked for another place to stay. She didn’t want to stay in the ruins of her former home, nor did she want to return to the Jang estate. She wasn’t sure about the deal the other soul in her body had made with Jang Uk. She was upset but could still hear that the other soul wanted to be the lady of the Jang family, with all the power that came with it, while Jang Uk would be her student. But Naksu hoped there was nothing intimate involved; otherwise, she would kill Jang Uk herself. She wouldn’t hesitate to explore dark practices or risky rituals to separate the other soul from her. 

Mu-deok was startled by Naksu's thoughts. She, too, wanted nothing romantic or intimate with Jang Uk. She hadn’t made that kind of deal. She hoped Naksu would realize she couldn’t trust the Danju. If not, Mu-deok would have to take control again, and the last time it had cost her a great deal of energy to fight her own magic.

The next day, when Naksu went to Chwiseonru to check if anyone had inquired about the spirit plaque, it was difficult for her to blend in. She was no longer just a servant who could go unnoticed, and since she was still wearing her wedding dress, with no other clothes to change into—her belongings had been destroyed—she drew attention. The people of Daeho, who knew Jang Uk as one of the Four Seasons of Daeho, the rebellious Winter, were surprised and stared at her. Some saw their marriage as a romantic defiance of social norms, while others whispered that a lowly servant must have used magic or trickery to manipulate her young master into marrying her, fueling rumors of dark magic or deception. This last theory was dangerous for Naksu; she preferred to be seen as a foolish girl in love rather than a schemer. Blending in was now impossible.

When she reached her destination, Ji Wol broke the terrible news that the spirit plaque had been stolen. It was the only way she could communicate with the Danju. At the place where the plaque was supposed to be sold, they heard screams. A man rushed out, saying that Cheonbugwan had captured a thief, and they were carrying away the servant’s body. Naksu stood in shock—they had killed someone, thinking it was her. She had been discarded like garbage, used by the Danju as nothing more than an assassin, only to be thrown away afterward.

As she processed this betrayal, she overheard that they planned to burn Naksu’s body in the plaza on the orders of Jin Mu, the assistant of Cheonbugwan’s Gwanju. Rage, hatred, and a deep sense of betrayal filled Naksu’s heart. The realization that Jin Mu, the Danju she had trusted, was behind it all struck her hard. Loneliness and bitterness overwhelmed her as she understood that the person who had given her purpose was also her greatest betrayer.

While lost in thought, she suddenly noticed Jang Uk approaching her solemnly. She hadn’t expected to see him here.

“Do you see them burning my body? Do you see how I couldn’t stop them? I can’t be your master if I can’t even save myself,” Naksu said bitterly, hoping he would leave her alone.

“Well, I have something for you,” Jang Uk replied, revealing her sword.

For a brief moment, hope flickered inside Naksu. Her sword—the source of her power—was now within reach. When they went to a quiet place in Gwinchequeon, Naksu felt her sword’s energy calling to her, but when she tried to take it, the energy rejected her. Mu-deok felt Naksu’s energy trying to resurface, but her own energy bound her with heavy chains, preventing Naksu from accessing the sword’s power. The sword recognized its true master but pushed her away due to her weakened magic.

Jang Uk looked at her with deep disappointment. Naksu was his last hope. Without her, he would never unlock his energy portal or learn magic.

“You can’t control its energy or even unsheathe it. You’re as weak as I am. It’s useless,” Jang Uk said coldly. “Just go. Live as Mu-deok. No one will care why we separated after the wedding. No one has any hope in us or in this relationship,” he added, watching her struggle to unsheathe the sword in desperation.

“I’d rather die than live like this,” Naksu said, her voice resolute.

“Then die,” Jang Uk replied.

Naksu turned and walked away. Despair weighed heavily on her—she meant it when she said she would rather die. 

Mu-deok, trapped inside, watched helplessly, knowing what Naksu planned. She was powerless to stop her. Trapped in a body controlled by Naksu, Mu-deok could only watch as both of them walked toward death. She, too, felt trapped and powerless to seek her family or escape her fate.

Naksu approached the lake of Gyengcheondaeho, where the bodies of soul-shifters were discarded. It would be her grave. With her sword in hand, she plunged into the water.

Chapter Text

Jang Uk se sentía profundamente frustrado. Había luchado toda su vida contra las restricciones que otros le habían impuesto y creía que con Naksu, finalmente tendría una oportunidad. Ahora, se sentía atrapado de nuevo, como si todo su esfuerzo y sacrificio, incluido casarse con ella, hubieran sido en vano. Lo consumía una sensación de vacío, pensando que su destino siempre sería vivir sin magia. Con el tiempo, estos sentimientos de frustración se convirtieron en una sensación de traición. Se había casado con Naksu, esperando que cumpliera su promesa, pero ahora que ella no podía ayudarlo, se sentía engañado, no solo por Naksu, sino por la vida misma: por su padre, por el destino y ahora por sus propias decisiones.

De repente, sintió que alguien se acercaba: era Ju Wol.

“Señor, ¿sabe qué le pasó a su esposa? No parecía estar bien. Estoy preocupado. Creo que se dirigía al lago Gyongcheondaeho”, dijo Ju Wol.

“¿Fue al lago?” Jang Uk se sorprendió.

"Sí", confirmó Ju Wol.

Jang Uk recordó las duras palabras que le había dicho a Naksu, diciéndole que muriera en un ataque de ira, pero nunca pensó que ella realmente lo haría. Desesperado, corrió hacia el lago, su mente se llenó de imágenes de encontrar su cuerpo sin vida en la orilla. Aunque estaba exhausto, tenía miedo de no llegar a tiempo. Gritó su nombre pero no pudo verla. Su corazón se llenó de culpa cuando finalmente la vio parada sobre unas rocas con su espada desenvainada, apuntándose a sí misma, pero luego se derrumbó inmediatamente después.

Jang Uk la hizo llevar a la enfermería de Sejukwon en Songrim. Como era su esposa, nadie cuestionó su decisión de buscar la mejor atención para ella. Cuando despertó, Jang Uk le explicó dónde estaban, pero ella corrió directamente hacia su espada.

“Ahora lo recuerdo. Lo desenvainé. Recuperé mi energía allí en el lago. Mi energía aumentó. Alguien con tanto poder debería usarla conmigo para recuperarla”, dijo Naksu.

"¿Quién ayudaría a un asesino que cambia almas como tú?", respondió Jang Uk.

Naksu lo miró intensamente, lo que lo hizo sentir incómodo. Sin decir otra palabra, se dio la vuelta y se fue. Jang Uk se sintió culpable por lo que le había sucedido, por lo que consultó a un curandero, curioso sobre los cambiadores de almas, y descubrió unas gotas que podían ocultar la marca de un cambio de alma. Buscó a Mu-deok para darle las gotas y despedirse, ya que tenía la intención de anular su matrimonio debido a la falta de consumación. La encontró sentada junto a unas tazas de té y se unió a ella.

“Sólo he oído hablar de Sejukwon. Es la mejor enfermería de Daeho; incluso tienen veneno”, comentó Naksu.

—Toma estas gotas; ocultarán la marca del alma cambiante. Mantén un perfil bajo. Esto es todo lo que haré por ti. Nuestro trato termina aquí y cancelaré nuestro matrimonio —dijo Jang Uk mientras bebía su té.

—No —dijo Naksu. Jang Uk se sorprendió.

“Quiero que seas mi lago Gyongcheondaeho. Dijiste que arriesgarías tu vida por mí. Hazlo una vez más”, hizo una pausa y lo miró directamente a los ojos. “Te hará daño”, continuó.

De repente, Jang Uk empezó a sentirse mal. Le dolía el pecho y respiraba con dificultad a medida que el dolor empeoraba. Cayó de rodillas.

—¿Qué pusiste en el té? —preguntó con la voz tensa por el dolor.

"Lo arriesgaría todo por ti y espero que sobrevivas. Si lo haces, aceptaré ser tu amo", respondió Naksu.

La respiración de Jang Uk se hizo más difícil, su rostro se enrojeció y se derrumbó justo cuando llegaron Park Jin y el Maestro Heo.

“¡Uf! ¿Qué le pasa?”, preguntaron en pánico.

—Lo han envenenado —dijo Naksu con frialdad—. Ese veneno detendrá su corazón en seis horas. No tendrás tiempo suficiente para identificar el veneno y salvarlo. Solo hay una manera: abrir su portal de energía. Con ambas energías, puedes eliminar el veneno. Desbloquea su portal o morirá.

Park Jin miró a Jang Uk, el joven al que había criado como su propio hijo. El miedo lo invadió con una fuerza indescriptible cuando vio que el rostro de Jang Uk se ponía morado. Park Jin sintió que el suelo cedía bajo sus pies. Juró sacarle la verdad a Naksu, sin importar el costo.

Naksu sabía las consecuencias de darle el veneno a Jang Uk, pero estaba dispuesta a soportar el dolor sin revelar nada. Había sido entrenada para soportar tanto el dolor físico como la adversidad en su búsqueda de venganza. A pesar de la agonía física, su fuerza de voluntad le impidió quebrarse. 

Mu-deok, atrapada en su propio cuerpo, se sentía impotente para detener el dolor, aunque lo deseaba. No solo experimentaba dolor físico, sino también un profundo tormento emocional. No había sido su elección y sentía que la estaban castigando injustamente. Ella era simplemente un daño colateral, anhelando liberar su alma y recuperar el control de su vida. Mu-deok temía que, si Naksu fallaba, moriría sin descubrir jamás el misterio de su identidad.

******************************************************************************************************

Jang Uk se despertó de repente, jadeando en busca de aire, que llenaba sus pulmones con una sensación extraña y poderosa. Su cuerpo, antes pesado y restringido, ahora vibraba con una energía que nunca había conocido. Su visión todavía estaba borrosa por los efectos del veneno, pero lentamente se concentró en la figura sentada a su lado.

—Jang Uk... —Era la voz de Lady Kim, llena de alivio y angustia. Estaba sentada a su lado, con los ojos hinchados por la preocupación, pero su expresión era severa y contenida.

Intentó moverse, pero hizo una mueca de dolor y lo atravesó, obligándolo a apoyarse contra las almohadas. Su mente estaba nublada, los recuerdos de los acontecimientos pasados ​​se desvanecían. El veneno. Naksu.

—¿Dónde está mi esposa? —preguntó con voz áspera, mirando a Lady Kim, cuyos ojos brillaban con algo que no pudo identificar.

Ella apretó los labios, su rostro visiblemente tenso. “Tu esposa…” comenzó, su voz cargada de reproche. “Mu-deok... ella te envenenó, Jang Uk. ¿Es eso lo que hace una esposa? Arriesgó tu vida”, gritó Lady Kim entre lágrimas.

Jang Uk cerró los ojos, intentando unir las piezas. Sabía que Naksu había arriesgado todo para abrir su portal de energía y darle lo que siempre había anhelado. Pero las palabras de Lady Kim eran ciertas.

—Lo hizo por mí —susurró, con la voz quebrada—. Abrió mi portal... porque se lo pedí. Vio mi sufrimiento y arriesgó todo... por amor a mí. Sólo quería que fuera feliz. —Sus ojos, todavía medio cerrados, miraban fijamente hacia delante, como si estuviera lidiando con la magnitud de lo que había sucedido—. ¿Dónde está?

La dama Kim se inclinó hacia ella, su voz temblaba con una furia que Jang Uk rara vez había visto en ella. —Está siendo torturada, Jang Uk... por el líder de Songrim. —Sus palabras lo golpearon como un martillo, cada una de ellas un golpe en su pecho—. La están obligando a confesar el nombre del veneno. Creen que te condenó a muerte. Pero el Maestro Heo... te salvó, Jang Uk, abriendo tu portal. —Hizo una pausa, observando su reacción.

Pero el alivio que debería haber sentido estaba vacío, hueco. El precio había sido demasiado alto. Sus ojos se abrieron de golpe, llameando de rabia repentina. —¿Torturada? —Su ​​voz era un susurro bajo y peligroso, temblando de furia—. ¿Dónde está? Necesito verla.

—No puedes... —Lady Kim intentó detenerlo mientras Jang Uk, todavía débil por el veneno, luchaba por levantarse de la cama. Sus músculos gritaron en protesta, pero él los ignoró—. No deberías querer verla después de lo que hizo.

—¡Lo hizo por mí! —Su voz se hizo más fuerte, más resuelta—. No la dejaré morir por esto. —La determinación brilló en sus ojos mientras se ponía de pie tambaleándose. A pesar del dolor, siguió adelante, ignorando las súplicas de Lady Kim para que se quedara.

El viaje hasta donde la tenían retenida fue confuso; sus pensamientos eran una tormenta de culpa, ira y desesperación. Él había pedido esto. Había llevado a Naksu a este destino, sin embargo... una parte de él no podía negar la gratitud que sentía. Por primera vez, su portal estaba abierto. Él estaba completo. Pero ahora, ella estaba pagando el precio.

Cuando finalmente llegó, la vista que lo recibió le robó el aliento de los pulmones.

Naksu, Mu-deok, colgaba de unas cuerdas, con su frágil y maltrecho cuerpo balanceándose sin vida. La sangre le manaba de las muñecas, donde las cuerdas le habían clavado la piel. Respiraba con dificultad y tenía el rostro cubierto de sudor frío. Estaba al borde de la muerte.

—¡Naksu! —su voz resonó en la cámara vacía, cargada de angustia.

Corrió hacia ella sin importarle nada más. La ira, la tristeza y la culpa aplastante se arremolinaban en su pecho mientras desataba frenéticamente las cuerdas y dejaba que su cuerpo inerte cayera en sus brazos. Sus manos temblaban mientras intentaba abrazarla.

—¿Por qué? —susurró, con la voz entrecortada mientras le apartaba suavemente el pelo del rostro pálido—. ¿Por qué hiciste esto, loca? —Apenas podía hablar debido a la oleada de emociones. A pesar de su dolor, una extraña alegría brilló en su corazón: ahora él era su alumno y ella, su maestra.

Pero ella no respondió. No podía. Sus ojos parpadeaban débilmente, su cuerpo temblaba de dolor. Pero estaba viva. Apenas.

Jang Uk la abrazó con fuerza, con el corazón latiendo con fuerza en su pecho. —Hiciste esto por mí. Todo. El veneno, la tortura... arriesgaste todo para darme lo que quería.

—No te dejaré morir —murmuró con fiereza—. Te sacaré de aquí.

Jang Uk se tambaleó hacia Sejukwon, llevando el cuerpo destrozado de Naksu en sus brazos. Pero cuando se acercaba a la entrada, Park Jin, Lady Kim, Jul y Dang-gu le bloquearon el paso.

—Joven amo, ¿está bien? —La voz de la señorita Kim era firme, pero estaba cargada de preocupación—. ¿Por qué lleva a esa chica en brazos? Déjela ir. —Se estiró para agarrar a Mu-deok, pero Jang Uk retrocedió y apartó su mano.

Intentó empujarlos, pero Park Jin se interpuso en su camino, con expresión dura.

—¿Por qué la has traído aquí? —preguntó Park Jin con voz fría—. No puedes haberlo olvidado: ella te envenenó.

—Ella no me envenenó —replicó Jang Uk con voz temblorosa—. Yo mismo me envenené. No podía vivir en un cuerpo con un portal bloqueado. Ella... ella me amaba. Comprendió mi dolor y arriesgó su vida para que yo pudiera alcanzar mi sueño. Todo esto... es culpa mía —suavizó la voz—. Ella es mi esposa y no supe protegerla.

El cuerpo de Naksu colgaba inerte en sus brazos, su piel pálida y las huellas de la agonía grabadas en sus rasgos eran visibles para todos. La furia de Park Jin estalló. "¡Eres un idiota!", gritó.

—¡Por favor, no le hables así! —intervino rápidamente Lady Kim—. Apenas se ha recuperado del veneno. Podemos ocuparnos de él más tarde, cuando se recupere.

—¡Casi muere! —intervino Dang-gu, desesperado por proteger a Jang Uk del castigo que se cernía sobre él—. ¡Míralo, no está en condiciones de soportar esto!

La señorita Kim intentó alejar a Jang Uk. "Joven maestro, vayamos a Sejukwon. Necesitas atención".

Pero Jang Uk abrazó a Naksu con más fuerza y ​​le dijo con voz firme: "Mi esposa viene conmigo".

—¿Por qué estás tan preocupado por ella? —preguntó Lady Kim suavemente, su confusión era evidente.

—¡Ella es mi esposa! —repitió, apretando con fuerza a Naksu—. No iré a ningún lado sin ella.

El rostro de Park Jin se retorció de disgusto. "¡Entonces muere con ella! ¡Llévenlos a ambos de vuelta a las celdas!", espetó, marchándose furioso.

Antes de que alguien pudiera actuar, Seo Jul dio un paso adelante. "Si lo que dice Jang Uk es cierto, Mu-deok no intentó matar a su marido. No ha cometido ningún delito que merezca un castigo. Es la esposa de Jang Uk y sus heridas son graves. Si no recibe tratamiento, morirá". Sus palabras eran tranquilas, pero resueltas. Miró a Jang Uk, sabiendo lo mucho que estaba en juego.

Park Jin hizo una pausa y su expresión era dura. "Si ella muere, puedes quedarte con su cuerpo". Se dio la vuelta, sin querer mirarlos más.

El silencio cayó sobre el grupo mientras Jang Uk se arrodillaba ante Park Jin y los demás, bajando la cabeza con desesperación.

—¡Por favor! —La voz de Jang Uk se quebró por el peso de su súplica—. Ayúdenla. No puedo perderla. —Cada palabra era una súplica envuelta en un dolor crudo—. Ella hizo todo esto... por mí.

Jang Uk levantó la cabeza y miró a los ojos de todos los presentes con una mezcla de desesperación y determinación.

—Yo elegí ser envenenado, no ella. No podía soportar vivir sin energía, sin futuro. Ella arriesgó todo para salvarme. Se quedó callada... porque me ama. Sabía que era mi única oportunidad. —Su voz tembló, pero siguió adelante—. Mi esposa arriesgó su vida por la mía. Morirá si no recibe ayuda. Por favor... sálvenla.

El peso de sus palabras quedó flotando en el aire. Park Jin exhaló bruscamente y se dio la vuelta, sin querer enfrentarlos.

"Llévalos a ambos a Sejukwon", murmuró antes de irse.

Jang Uk abrazó a Naksu mientras ella abría un poco los ojos y su mirada debilitada se encontró con la de él. La marca del cambio de almas ahora era clara.

Seo Jul dio un paso adelante y se ofreció a ayudarla a cargarla, pero Jang Uk la agarró con fuerza y ​​​​le cubrió los ojos con la mano.

"Ella es mi esposa. La llevaré en brazos", dijo con voz posesiva. "Lo haré".

"Ni siquiera puedes caminar", protestó Seo Jul, moviéndose para levantarla nuevamente, pero la voz de Jang Uk sonó con firmeza.

—¡No! —espetó—. Lady Kim la llevará. Puedes ayudarme.

Chapter Text

Mu-deok lay unconscious in the infirmary, her face pale and fragile. Jang Uk stood by her side, watching her closely, his emotions a mix of guilt, frustration, and something he didn’t quite want to admit. He checked her pulse again, just to reassure himself. Was she breathing? He leaned in, his face close to hers, and whispered, “Are you still alive?” Just then, Naksu’s eyes fluttered open, and Jang Uk pulled back, caught between relief and his usual arrogance.

"You finally woke up," he said, trying to sound casual, though there was a sharp edge to his voice. "You fainted several times. I thought you might actually die." He didn’t hide his irritation—he had done his part of the deal, hadn’t he? Married her, gone through with this ridiculous arrangement, and now she was supposed to be his master. But here she was, unconscious, and he felt responsible for her survival.

Naksu struggled to sit up, wincing in pain. Jang Uk moved to help her, though it was more out of duty than affection. "I feel like my entire body’s shattered," she muttered through gritted teeth.

"Nothing’s broken," Jang Uk replied curtly, brushing off her complaint. He wasn’t the type to coddle anyone.

Naksu glared at him. "Then why does it hurt so much? This body is so useless," she spat, frustrated with the weakness she wasn’t used to.

Jang Uk didn’t argue. Instead, he leveled her with a serious look. "Why did you say you poisoned me?" His voice was firm, but there was a hint of accusation. "If you had pretended not to know about the poison, they wouldn’t have tortured you. You could have avoided it."

Naksu’s eyes darkened, but her expression remained cold and calculated. "I needed them to believe you were really dying," she said, her voice sharp. "Otherwise, do you think they’d have bothered opening your energy portal? They would’ve just made an antidote." She spoke as though explaining something obvious, as if he were too naive to understand.

Jang Uk’s jaw clenched. Her logic was cold, as always, but that didn’t change the fact that she had risked her life. "So you really did put your life on the line," he said, his voice tinged with surprise. This wasn’t about kindness—he knew that. Naksu wasn’t the type to act out of the goodness of her heart. She was strategic, driven by her own survival and goals. But still, the fact that she had taken such a risk unsettled him. He had always expected her to be ruthless, but this felt different.

Naksu, unbothered, shrugged. "I thought they might cut off one of my limbs, but I’m fine. The people of Songrim are too gentle," she scoffed, masking her relief with sarcasm. She had never known kindness; it wasn’t something she expected. Even now, she prepared herself for the worst.

Jang Uk’s eyes narrowed, his tone becoming more sarcastic. "Gentle? Is that what you call it?" He paused for a moment, then added, "By the way, you still look pale. Why are you up? You should be resting."

Naksu gave him a confused look. "Why are you here?"

"Obviously, to take care of you," he said, as if it should be obvious. But nothing about their relationship was obvious. They weren’t lovers; they weren’t even friends. Their marriage was a transaction, a means to an end. And yet, here he was, feeling compelled to protect her. "I couldn’t let the other healers near you. They’re sorcerers—they would’ve discovered who you really are. That’s why I closed the door."

Naksu’s discomfort grew as Jang Uk’s words sank in. She wasn’t used to relying on anyone, let alone having someone take care of her while she was unconscious. "You changed my clothes?" she asked, her voice tense.

Jang Uk smirked, completely unbothered by her unease. "You’ve been wearing that dress since we got married. I applied ointment to your wounds, gave you massages whenever you fainted," he said nonchalantly, as though it were nothing. "Everyone thinks I’m a possessive husband, refusing to let any other man touch my wife. Seo Yul even offered to help, but I turned him down."

Naksu’s discomfort deepened. The idea of him taking such liberties with her body while she was unconscious made her feel exposed. Vulnerable. She had never allowed anyone to get that close to her, to care for her like this. It wasn’t her way.

"You did all that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, not meeting his gaze. She felt an odd sense of shame, though she didn’t know why.

Jang Uk smiled, though it was more of a teasing smirk than a genuine one. "Yes. And now, everyone thinks I’m not just possessive but jealous too," he added with a grin, leaning in close. His tone shifted, becoming more serious, almost predatory. "All my life, I’ve been surrounded by people who ignored my suffering. Are you the first person who has ever risked her life for me?" His words were a low murmur, almost a confession, as his eyes locked onto hers.

Naksu met his gaze, her emotions conflicted. She had never intended to care about Jang Uk, but the weight of his words made her pause. This boy—this arrogant, reckless boy—wasn’t as simple as she had thought. He had kept his end of the deal, marrying her, protecting her, even at the risk of his own life. But it was only now, after everything, that she was beginning to consider him as her student. She needed him, just as much as he needed her.

"Master," Jang Uk whispered, his voice filled with both pride and stubbornness. "Your student has returned, just as I promised. I will serve you as my master."

Naksu stared at him, knowing that this was only the beginning. Their relationship was far from resolved, and there was still much between them left unspoken. But in this moment, something had shifted. And they both felt it. But there was something important that needed to be addressed. 

"And about the marriage…" Naksu said, looking him directly in the eyes with controlled coldness. "You didn’t marry me."

Jang Uk froze, perplexed. "What are you talking about?" he asked incredulously. "Of course I married you." He tried to search his mind for some logic that fit what she was saying. "You were there. I don’t understand why you don’t remember. You’re the one who suggested the deal."

Naksu’s eyes hardened, filled with a truth he wasn’t ready to hear. "No. It wasn’t me," she said firmly. "You made the deal with the original soul of this body, with the real Mu-deok." There was a flash of impatience in her voice. "I don’t know what kind of deal you made with her, or why she wanted to marry you, but I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t marry you, and I’m not going to pay for Mu-deok’s agreements." Her last words fell heavily, making it clear that Naksu didn’t want to be bound by any responsibility that wasn’t hers. 

Jang Uk felt as if the ground had been ripped out from under him. His mind filled with confusion and guilt. "Mu-deok?" he repeated quietly, as if the name itself was difficult to comprehend. "The other soul? Is she still here?" 

Naksu’s silence confirmed what he had never allowed himself to consider. He had not given a thought to the person whose body Naksu had taken. All that had mattered to him was opening his energy gate, getting what he wanted: the power to learn the spells he had always longed for. He had betrayed his own principles, aligning with a killer without hesitation. But no one else gave him another choice; no one cared about the helplessness he felt day after day, how weak his body was, how a simple illness could kill him. No one cared, until Naksu. 

"I never thought…" Jang Uk began, but he stopped. How could he admit that nothing had mattered to him but opening his gate? "I never thought she would still be here." His voice was barely a whisper, as if it was the first time he truly understood it. 

Naksu watched him, with no trace of remorse. "I didn’t want to marry you," she said bluntly. "I agreed to be your master because I had no other choice, because you earned it. I didn’t agree to be your master because you married me." Her gaze pierced him. "I need to regain my powers, and you needed to open your energy gate and be taught how to control it. We need each other, but that doesn’t mean we’re bound together forever. Once we get what we need, we’ll part ways. This is just a deal."

Jang Uk felt a knot in his stomach. He had been so focused on his own desire for power that he hadn’t considered the lives he had endangered. Naksu was an assassin who had killed many people, and he had protected her, hiding her just so she could be his master. He was complicit in her crimes, even if he didn’t admit it out loud. 

"I don’t know what to think…" he murmured, almost to himself. "It’s something I never considered. I really don’t know what to do." He looked at Naksu with a mix of guilt and something darker. "I feel lost with this." 

The weight of his words fell on him like a stone. Not only had he allowed Naksu to take control of his fate, but he had completely ignored the life of the real Mu-deok. Curiosity began to grow inside him. Who was that girl? Why had she agreed to marry him? What did she really want? 

"Mu-deok…" he said the name slowly, as if trying to unravel its secrets. "Why would she have wanted to marry me?" His thoughts swirled around that question. "What does she want?"

But no matter how much guilt or remorse he felt, Jang Uk knew he couldn’t change what he had done. He had already crossed a line, and there was no turning back. He had succeeded in opening his energy gate, thanks to Naksu, and that power was what he had desired all his life. Despite the growing guilt, he knew he would continue with his plan. He needed Naksu as his master, and she needed him to regain her powers. 

"Whatever Mu-deok wanted from me doesn’t matter anymore," he said finally, his tone colder and more determined. "The deal is between us now." His gaze met Naksu’s, and determination shone in his eyes. "You’ll teach me, and I’ll help you regain your powers." 

But even as he spoke those words, a part of him couldn’t shake the feeling that he owed something to Mu-deok. He had been complicit in the disappearance of her life; he had allowed Naksu to steal her body by saying nothing, and he had protected Naksu. That debt, though silent, would haunt him, even if he didn’t admit it openly. Knowing he could sacrifice someone’s life filled him with guilt he preferred to ignore. 

Jang Uk was determined to carry on with his plan, but now, every step he took was tinged with the shadow of guilt, remorse, and curiosity. The real Mu-deok might have faded into the shadows of his mind, but for him, she had become a presence he couldn’t fully ignore. 

Chapter Text

Mu-deok feels the ground beneath her slowly crumbling, her once vibrant life now just a shadow of what it was. Everything she ever wanted—freedom, the chance to recover her memories, and find her family—slips through her fingers. She is a prisoner in her own body, a helpless spectator to the relationship between Jang Uk and Naksu. They have already formed a connection, understanding each other in a way she never could, becoming the protagonists of a story she did not write but that affects her deeply.

As Mu-deok watches Naksu take control of her body, she feels a mix of frustration and despair. She feels displaced, reduced to a mere witness to what should have been her life. Naksu, now being trained by Lady Kim to become Jang Uk’s wife, amuses Mu-deok in a bitter way, as it's the only form of humor she can manage. She watches helplessly as the bond between master and student deepens each day, while she remains trapped in the shadows of her own body.

Frustration burns inside Mu-deok as she remembers the moment she, desperate for survival, accepted Jang Uk’s marriage proposal, pretending to be Naksu. It wasn’t out of love, but rather a chance to regain what she had lost: her memory, her identity, her family. The marriage was merely a transaction, a means to secure the resources needed to find her loved ones. But now, her plans are at risk of unraveling, as Jang Uk and Naksu, unknowingly, push Mu-deok further into the dark corners of her mind.

The worst part for Mu-deok isn’t just the loss of control over her body, but the fact that Naksu is now aware of her presence, putting her in danger. Naksu already sought to eliminate her when she approached Danju for advice on how to expel her. The longer Naksu remains in control, the more ideas she will have. Yet even with this awareness, no one seems to care about Mu-deok’s wishes or pain. They underestimate her, which works in her favor. To them, she is just a broken tool, an empty vessel. No one knows what she truly desires: not power, not revenge, but answers. Answers to questions she has had since childhood, when she was adopted by a poor grandmother who used her as a replacement for a deceased granddaughter.

As Naksu and Jang Uk forge their own connection, Mu-deok feels her hope of reclaiming her life slipping further away. She cannot intervene, cannot change the course of events, and this fills her with deep sadness and resentment. The body that should have been hers is now the stage for others' plans, while she can only watch, trapped in an invisible cage.

Mu-deok is not jealous of the connection between Naksu and Jang Uk; what consumes her is the frustration of watching them advance their plans while she remains stuck. They are curious about her, about who Mu-deok really is, but it’s only a fleeting intrigue. They don’t grasp the magnitude of what they have stolen from her: her life, her identity, her ability to make her own choices. The feeling of being trapped, watching others live her life, leaves her powerless. It’s as if her existence has been reduced to being a mere spectator of others' plans, without any hope of intervening.

This impotence is what drives Mu-deok to fight harder, to reclaim control. She cannot accept that her life will continue without her, that Naksu and Jang Uk will move forward with their training and goals while she remains in the dark corners of her own mind. However, Mu-deok knows her will alone is not enough. The last time she managed to take control was due to an external force, a connection she felt with the Gwiju, a magical artifact under the Jin family's care. She knows she needs something similar to regain power over her body.

Thus, Mu-deok begins to devise her own plan. She needs Naksu, unknowingly, to lead her to something that can trigger that same reaction, something that will once again awaken the connection she had with the Gwiju. Only then can she reclaim what is hers, and this time, she won't let it be taken from her so easily.

******************************************************

Meanwhile, during Naksu’s lessons on becoming a good wife, Lady Kim, a woman of impeccable bearing whose expression rarely softened around Naksu, took her role as instructor with unshakable seriousness. As the one responsible for preparing Naksu to be the wife of the young master Jang Uk, heir to one of the most powerful mage families in Daeho, Lady Kim was determined to turn her into the perfect lady. Of course, what Lady Kim didn’t know was that Naksu was actually an assassin posing as a docile wife due to a deal Mu-deok had made behind her back. But all Lady Kim cared about was making her young master happy, and apparently, this woman, just like his opened energy portal, made him happy.

"The first thing you must remember, Mu-deok," Lady Kim began in her authoritative tone, "is that being the wife of an heir is not just a responsibility; it is an art."

Naksu, seated with her hands elegantly folded in her lap, nodded with a forced smile. Internally, she was biting her tongue. Art? she thought with a mix of irritation and disdain. If wielding a sword is an art, sure. But being the 'perfect wife'… what a waste of time.

Lady Kim continued her lesson, believing Mu-deok was fully attentive. She clearly loved her young master but also had a duty.

"As the wife of young master Jang, you will be responsible for managing the household with grace, overseeing the servants, organizing banquets and ceremonies, and maintaining social balance among Daeho’s powerful families."

Naksu barely suppressed the sigh building inside her. Oversee the servants? Banquets and ceremonies? she thought. I’d rather throw myself into a frozen lake than organize a banquet.

"You must also be patient and understanding with your husband," Lady Kim added, pausing dramatically, as if patience with Jang Uk were some superhuman trait.

"Patience and understanding, of course," Naksu said aloud, though internally she added: Patience with Jang Uk? The same Jang Uk who always gets into trouble without thinking? This will be harder than any duel I’ve fought.

Unaware of Naksu’s inner turmoil, Lady Kim continued. She taught her how to walk gracefully through the mansion halls, ensuring her steps made no sound—a skill Naksu had long since mastered in her past as an assassin.

"And remember, Mu-deok, when walking alongside your husband, you must always appear to be a steady, dignified support. The wife of an heir must radiate elegance and composure at all times."

Naksu nodded, but in her mind, she imagined walking beside Jang Uk not with elegance, but with a swift kick to get him to move faster. A steady support? she thought sarcastically. Sure, because what he needs is someone to tell him how wonderful he is while ignoring my own problems. That boy is so spoiled, and Lady Kim pampers him far too much.

Then came the most dreaded lesson: banquet etiquette.

"Your position demands that you be the perfect hostess," Lady Kim said. "You must know every guest, when to smile and when to be serious, and take care of every detail of the food and drink. And never forget to bow correctly when greeting elders and superiors."

Naksu felt a pang of frustration. Bow to elders? she thought. I’ve defeated men in duels who didn’t even know which side of the sword was sharp, and now I’m being told I have to bow to be a good hostess. This is ridiculous. I’d have been better off staying a servant.

Of course, Naksu couldn’t say any of this. She had to maintain the charade, had to keep up this absurd pretense of being Jang Uk’s "perfect wife"—all because of Mu-deok’s deception. The situation irritated her deeply, but there was no way out.

"And finally," Lady Kim continued, "your attitude must always be impeccable. No matter what you think or feel inside, you must never let it show. You must smile gracefully, even when you're angry or uncomfortable. Courtesy will be your armor."

"Of course," Naksu replied, her forced smile so tight that her cheeks hurt. Internally, however, she was cursing every second of this absurd lesson. Smile when I'm angry… great. Why not throw in some fire while we're at it?

The lesson ended, and Lady Kim left, satisfied that she had imparted a masterclass on the duties of a high-ranking lady. She was confident that Mu-deok would become the finest lady in Daeho. As Naksu watched her leave, she couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. This is punishment from fate, she thought with dark humor. I spent my life perfecting my sword skills, and now I have to perfect my smile. Maybe I should train not to vomit at a banquet.

But what annoyed her most was the thought of her apprentice lazing around somewhere. I'll make today's training much harder, Naksu thought, a small grin creeping onto her face. That cheered her up a bit.

*************************************************************

Jang Uk was more amused than he should have been by Naksu's predicament. Watching the once-feared assassin, a deadly shadow over Daeho, now stuck in etiquette lessons under the strict eye of Mrs. Kim, was a turn of events he never anticipated. Every time Naksu practiced a graceful bow or tried, unsuccessfully, to smile sweetly, Uk struggled to keep from laughing. Yet despite the humor, he was also irritated.

Mrs. Kim was spending too much time teaching Naksu to be the "perfect wife." Endless lessons on manners, graceful walking, how to serve tea, and, worst of all, how not to poison her husband. All of this was an attempt to help people forget the poisoning incident—a topic that refused to die, much like Jang Uk’s efforts to find time for training. Naksu barely had time to refine her skills as his teacher, and that frustrated him. Finally, he decided to address the issue with Mrs. Kim.

"Mrs. Kim," he began calmly, "may I spend more time with my wife?"

Mrs. Kim, who was watching Naksu hold a porcelain cup correctly, glanced at him from head to toe. She frowned and, instead of answering, approached him with a look of concern.

"Young master, you look so pale. You must take better care of your health."

Before he could respond, Mrs. Kim disappeared for a moment and returned with a tray. On it was a steaming bowl of boiled ginseng.

"Drink this and rest a little," she said, pushing the bowl into his hands with the insistence of a mother hen fussing over her favorite chick.

Jang Uk tried not to sigh. He knew Mrs. Kim was relentless when it came to his well-being, but he wasn’t the one who needed rest.

"Mrs. Kim, my wife needs to rest too," he attempted to argue, but he barely finished his sentence before she cut him off, her expression shifting from gentle concern to firm authority.

"Young master, Mu-deok must learn to be a good wife to you," she said in a tone that left no room for protest. "We cannot have another incident like the poisoning. She must learn to care for you, not harm you."

Uk was at a loss for words. How could he argue with that? It was hard to counter Mrs. Kim’s unshakable logic and determination. She was completely convinced that the only way to prevent another "incident" was to mold Naksu (or rather, Mu-deok) into the ideal, poison-proof wife. But he could still try to reason with her.

"Come on, Mrs. Kim," Uk said with a smile, giving her a playful hug, but she interrupted him again, this time with a small smile of her own.

"No, young master. You can see her in the evening. Let her fulfill her responsibilities as a wife during the day. At night, she can spend time with you."

Jang Uk froze, realizing what Mrs. Kim was implying. "Wife responsibilities." For a moment, he had forgotten they were technically married—at least on paper. The whole marriage had been a deal, something he and Mu-deok/Naksu had agreed to for reasons that had nothing to do with love. Technically, Mu-deok had to play the role of his wife in front of others, but for Uk, that detail had faded into the background as they focused on training and their plans. This was not the time to delve into that line of thinking.

"Alright, Mrs. Kim," Uk conceded with a forced smile. He knew it was best to let her have her way for now. If he pushed too hard, Mrs. Kim might become suspicious. And the last thing he needed was her probing into his real motives. So, he would let her win... for now.

He withdrew before Mrs. Kim could come up with more duties for Naksu to fulfill as a "good wife," still annoyed at the time being stolen from their training. But he knew he had to play his cards right. If Mrs. Kim wanted Naksu to be the perfect wife by day, Uk would make sure she remained his relentless teacher.

Chapter Text

Lady Kim called Naksu while she was practicing her bows, informing her that Master Heo had come to visit. She had to greet him with utmost courtesy, especially since he had saved the young master’s life. Lady Kim was determined to test Naksu’s progress in manners.

"You’re the poisonous wife," Master Heo said as soon as Naksu entered the room. "What are you doing here? Haven’t we already cured you?"

"I'm newly married," Naksu replied, bowing politely. "Lady Kim says I must learn how a proper lady behaves, so people will forget the poisoning incident and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Should I show my gratitude to the master who saved my husband?"

Master Heo chuckled. "Lady Kim is wise, making sure you stop playing those dangerous games with your husband. Yes, I saved him. Why don’t you fetch me some ginseng tea? And a strong liquor from the Jang family’s estate. I’m feeling a bit tired."

"Yes, Master," Naksu answered, but in her mind, she was already plotting. Sure, I’m serving you now, but one day, I’ll bring down Sejukwon. As she poured the tea, her hand "accidentally" slipped, spilling it onto Master Heo.

"Hey, watch it!" he snapped.

"My apologies, I’m still learning," Naksu said, hiding a mischievous smile.

"Was that on purpose?" Master Heo asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Of course not, Master," Naksu replied, her face innocent, eyes wide like a doe’s.

He leaned in, studying her. "I don’t believe you," he muttered, then shifted his gaze to her ear. His eyes lit up with recognition as he examined it closely. "That ear... I’ve seen someone with an ear just like yours. Did I ever treat you before?"

Naksu quickly denied it, saying she had been too poor to receive such treatment. But Mu-deok’s mind began to race. Maybe he did treat me... in my past life. She knew ears didn’t change, no matter how old someone became. If Master Heo had treated her before, it meant her real family had resources. This was a clue. She had to investigate further.

"Hmm... that ear," Master Heo mused aloud. But before he could dig deeper, he waved his hand. "Forget it. Just bring me the liquor."

As Naksu turned to leave, she overheard the conversation between Master Heo and his student.

"Don’t take it out on her," the student said. "This is all Jang Uk’s fault. But really, she should be more grateful. You sacrificed ten years of your energy to heal her husband quickly. She should treat you with more respect for saving his life."

Naksu froze. Ten years of energy? That couldn’t be true. She had to confirm it. Without wasting another second, she ran to find Jang Uk, who, predictably, was lounging around in his room. How infuriating.

"What took you so long? Come over here, they gave me ginseng tea—" Jang Uk began, but Naksu ignored him, storming in and immediately reaching for his belt.

"Whoa! What are you doing?" Jang Uk yelped, trying to stop her, but she shoved him back against the wall. "Hold on! Mu-deok, you know you’re not really my wife! It’s the other Mu-deok. We can’t do this, we’re not actually married!" He stammered, his face turning red as she continued tugging at his robes. "This... this isn’t what a master does with her student! And besides, I’m married—what if the other Mu-deok is watching?"

"Stay still!" Naksu ordered, her hands pressing against his stomach.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice shaky, his arms frozen at his sides.

"I’m feeling your energy core," Naksu replied, her focus entirely on his abdomen. "Breathe deeply." She closed her eyes, sensing the flow of power. "There it is," she said with a grin, her eyes lighting up. "I knew it!"

Jang Uk’s eyes widened as he scrambled to push her away. "Wait, what? What do I have in my stomach?"

"A torrent of energy," Naksu said, still smiling. "Master Heo poured a massive amount of energy into you."

"Seriously?" Jang Uk muttered, glancing down at himself, blushing as he hurried to cover up again. He was embarrassed by Naksu’s bold actions but also stunned by the revelation of the immense gift inside him.

Chapter Text

Mu-deok had to endure yet another ridiculous exchange between Naksu and Jang Uk. Being a spectator in her own body, she could only watch as Naksu controlled her every move, and frankly, it was becoming more irritating by the minute.

It all started when Jang Uk saw Naksu standing far too close to Seo Yul. His jealousy, poorly masked as concern, crept in almost immediately. "Why do you look at him like that? You don’t look at someone that way unless you care about them," he snapped, his tone sharper than usual.

Naksu, ever the cold assassin, barely batted an eyelash. "It was all part of the plan," she replied, as if she hadn’t just been caught.

Oh, sure, everything is 'part of the plan' with her, Mu-deok thought bitterly. As if dragging me into her personal drama wasn’t enough.

Jang Uk, who seemed to have completed his actual mission of learning a technique from Heo Jeon, was clearly more concerned with Naksu’s proximity to Seo Yul. He made up some excuse about the soul-shifter mark still being visible in her eyes. "You shouldn’t get that close to him," he warned, stepping in close. "If you get too close, he’ll notice the marks. Only I can get that close to you."

Right. Because that’s what matters right now, Mu-deok scoffed silently.

Naksu, however, didn’t miss a beat. "Fine. Only you can get that close. I’ll try not to fall in love with Seo Yul," she said, clearly playing along to avoid any further nonsense.

But Jang Uk wasn’t done. "What do you mean, 'try'? It would be very hard not to fall for him."

Naksu’s response was so casual, it made Mu-deok want to laugh—if she could. "He’s very handsome. It’s difficult not to fall for someone that good-looking."

Jang Uk, now sounding slightly wounded, asked, "And what about me? Hasn’t it been hard not to fall for me?"

"Not at all," Naksu shot back, completely dismissing him.

Ouch, Mu-deok thought, but honestly, deserved.

Jang Uk, as stubborn as ever, pressed on. "That doesn’t make sense. Just admit it’s been difficult."

Naksu finally humored him. "Sure, dear husband," she said, with all the sincerity of a rock.

"Now say it like you mean it."

"Yes."

"Are you going to keep this up? Please, just humor me."

Mu-deok, trapped in her own body, could only sigh internally. This is my life now—stuck between a fool who was falling in love and a deadly assassin who can’t help but play with him like a cat with a mouse.

At this point, Mu-deok was resigned to watching their ridiculous dynamic unfold. Objectively, she thought, they’re both hopeless. But at least it’s entertaining. Sort of.

Naksu and Jang Uk headed back home, but Naksu didn't look well. She had left dressed as a lady of the house, but after fighting with Jang Uk and being thrown by Seo Jul's power, her hair now looked like a bird's nest, with hairpins tangled somewhere in the mess. The dress Lady Kim had given her was dirty from falling to the ground. When they arrived home, Lady Kim was waiting at the door, her face stern.

"Where have you been, Mu-deok? The young master requested more liquor for Master Heo, but you weren’t there to deliver it or serve him. I had to take over your duties," Lady Kim scolded, her tone sharp, clearly displeased with Naksu for neglecting her responsibilities. Naksu sighed inwardly, exhausted by the constant reprimands.

"I'm sorry, Lady Kim. I wanted to meet my husband's friends to greet them," Naksu offered as an excuse.

"Ah," Lady Kim said, unimpressed. "Did you also pay your respects to Park Jin, the leader of Songrim? He’s like a father to the young master, and he wasn’t too pleased about your sudden marriage," she added, eyeing Naksu.

Naksu's eyes widened, and Jang Uk grimaced. It hadn't even crossed their minds to do so. They often forgot how others viewed them.

"We apologize, Lady Kim. We didn’t do that, but I’ll go to Songrim tomorrow to inform the leader about my marriage and ask him to accept me as a student there," Jang Uk responded. His eyes lit up at the prospect of finally entering Songrim with his energy gate now open. Even though Naksu remained his master, he could now also be a student, speeding up their plans.

Lady Kim looked momentarily shocked by Jang Uk’s declaration, but she quickly masked her expression with a touch of sadness that only Naksu noticed. Jang Uk, oblivious, continued smiling at the thought of his future.

Mu-deok, on the other hand, was surprised by his decision. Naksu was already his teacher, capable of instructing him, but she understood the allure of becoming a Songrim sorcerer—an honor for anyone aiming to be the next Gwanju.

"Very well, young master, whatever you decide," Lady Kim said kindly, but as she glanced at Naksu, her expression shifted to one of horror.

"What happened to you, Mu-deok? How did you return home in such a state, looking so filthy alongside your husband?" she asked, her tone both scolding and concerned.

"I had a small accident—I fell while walking in this dress," Naksu quickly lied.

Lady Kim's eyes narrowed in disapproval. "It seems these lessons are not having the desired effect. I’ll have to teach you again how to walk properly in such dresses. A lady of your status must always wear them."

Naksu and Jang Uk exchanged a look, grimacing. They wanted more time to train, but Lady Kim’s constant etiquette lessons were holding them back.

"I saw that look, young master," Lady Kim said, her tone softening. "Don’t worry, I’ve already prepared your marital chamber for tonight. We decorated it beautifully."

Both Naksu and Jang Uk’s eyes widened. They were about to protest, but what could they say? They were married, after all—supposedly in love. That was the cover they needed to maintain. Lady Kim, however, didn’t give them time to object. She took Naksu by the arm and led her away to freshen up and prepare for the night.

Naksu sat in the luxurious bath, feeling out of place. Raised in the mountains, she was used to bathing in cold rivers, cooking her own meals, and enduring a harsh life. No one had ever served her before. Even when she had been Jang Uk’s servant, she had lived in a small room like the other workers. She hadn’t really thought about how her position had shifted since Mu-deok agreed to marry Jang Uk. Now, there were servants eager to tend to her every need, but they remained silent, likely instructed by Lady Kim. As she finished her bath and looked at herself in the mirror, it felt strange. She was used to seeing her reflection in the water, not a polished glass. She had once been a powerful sorceress, but now, trapped in a weak body with no power, she worried she might become spoiled like Jang Uk.

Dressed in the garments laid out for her, she made her way to the room she was supposed to share with Jang Uk. The moment she stepped in, she froze. The bed was covered in flower petals, candles flickered all around, and the room had an odd, heady scent. Fertility charms hung everywhere, though Jang Uk had already removed some. Disgusted, Naksu stepped back and slammed the door shut.

"Curse you, Mu-deok," she muttered to herself. "This should be your mess to deal with, not mine." She preferred sleeping outside or in the small guest rooms. She had slept in worse conditions before. Just as she was about to turn away, she heard Jang Uk calling her from inside the room. Reluctantly, she opened the door again. To her relief, Jang Uk had extinguished the candles and removed the rest of the fertility charms, though the flower petals remained.

"I hope you’re not getting any ideas from this setup," she warned.

"Not at all," Jang Uk replied, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I didn’t ask for any of this. It was all Lady Kim’s doing."

Naksu narrowed her eyes. "Maybe I should send you to sleep outside. It’ll toughen you up, sleeping in the open."

"Master, your student obeys your orders," Jang Uk said with a grin, "but if Lady Kim finds out I’m sleeping outside, she’ll blame you for kicking your husband out."

Naksu glared at him but let it go. "Fine. But keep your hands to yourself, or you’ll regret it."

They lay down, both tense and uncomfortable. Naksu silently cursed Mu-deok for putting her in such a situation.

The next morning, they were having breakfast when a servant arrived with a message from Songrim. The leader wanted to see Jang Uk. His eyes lit up, thrilled at the summons. He had planned to go after breakfast, but it seemed the leader had anticipated him. Excited, he hurried to retrieve Naksu’s sword.

Meanwhile, Lady Kim, overhearing the message, stopped Naksu just as she was about to follow her husband. "You need to get dressed properly. This will be your first public appearance as a married couple before the leader."

Naksu’s eyes widened in horror. Despite her protests, an army of maids descended upon her, dressing her like a proper lady.

When they were finally ready, Jang Uk was waiting for her. He offered her his arm, and together they made their way to Songrim.

Mu-deok, as a spectator of her own body, watched everything that happened through Naksu's eyes. She felt a mixture of resentment towards Jang Uk but also understood that his greatest desire was to enter Songrim and become a sorcerer, like his friends. Her soft heart gradually led her to feel compassion for him, despite the humiliation and rejection he suffered.

Park Jin, the leader of Songrim, who had practically raised Jang Uk like a father, summoned him to Songrim. Jang Uk entered confidently and happily, with Naksu following behind him. Before the leader, Jang Uk apologized:
"I would like to apologize for all the problems and chaos I caused in Songrim."

The leader calmly replied:
"We have decided to open your energy gate at Songrim. We will not hold you responsible."

Jang Uk, with determination, continued:
"As the eldest son of the Jang family, I am ready to learn. If you accept me in Songrim, I will do my best. As a show of loyalty, I will give you Naksu’s sword, which I took from Jin-mu, to be placed in the sword hall."

Naksu approached to hand over the sword, but Leader Park stopped her.
"There is no need. That sword belongs to the Jang family. Your family will keep it safe," he said, while offering him his father's sword. "You should also take your father’s sword, which we have kept here."

Then the atmosphere shifted. The leader continued, addressing everyone:
"From this moment on, Jang Uk will no longer be allowed to enter Songrim. You were only permitted because you are the son of an old friend, but you have no right to enter as a sorcerer."

Jang Uk, surprised, listened as the leader announced that he would no longer have access to Songrim's books. Then he ordered:
"Hand over the spiritual plaque that allows you free entry."

"I don’t have it anymore," Jang Uk replied.

The leader, puzzled, insisted:
"What?"

"I said I don’t have the plaque," Jang Uk repeated.

"What punishment do those who lose their spiritual plaque receive?" the leader asked.

"100 lashes," Jang Uk responded firmly.

The leader didn’t hesitate:
"Then I order Jang Uk to receive 100 lashes now."

The plaque, which had been stolen by Naksu to communicate with the Danju, had turned into a trap that almost killed her, and now Jin-mu had free access to Songrim. Both Naksu and Jang Uk had been careless.

As Jang Uk was being lashed, Naksu watched coldly and distantly. Jang Uk did not complain, but when they reached 99 lashes, he refused to leave:
"No, no. I can’t leave like this; they only gave me 99 lashes," he insisted.

Then, he requested that the final lash be delivered by Leader Park himself.

Jang Uk left humiliated in front of everyone, taking the sword with Naksu, his only companion, by his side.

After being rejected and humiliated by the leader of Songrim, Park Jin, someone he had considered a father figure, Jang Uk felt deeply defeated and betrayed. The confidence and pride with which he had entered Songrim, ready to show his loyalty and determination, completely crumbled when he heard the harsh words of the leader—words that condemned him to exile from the place he had always dreamed of calling home.

Jang Uk had carried the weight of his father's legacy throughout his life, a man whose shadow followed him wherever he went. His greatest desire was to prove his worth, to be a respected mage, capable of bearing his family's name with honor. But seeing how Park Jin, someone who had cared for him since he was young, closed the doors to his destiny was a brutal blow. What hurt most wasn’t just the public humiliation, but the fact that the person rejecting him was someone who represented safety and support in his life.

Each lash he received not only marked his skin but also his soul. With every strike, he felt himself drifting further away from his dreams, and the humiliation of being punished in front of everyone, including Naksu, became unbearable. But what hurt the most was Park Jin's indifference, who, instead of offering him a second chance or showing compassion, punished him mercilessly, as if their close relationship meant nothing.

Jang Uk felt alone, betrayed, and without direction. He was no longer just the young man who had no access to his own power; now he was someone who had been publicly stripped of the little dignity he had left. The sword of his father, which was supposed to symbolize his legacy, weighed heavily as yet another burden. And although Naksu was by his side, her presence reminded him of the chaos she had unleashed and the complicity in his downfall. However, his own pride forced him to endure, to demand the final blow, even though he knew he had been defeated long before the first lash fell.

Despite everything, Jang Uk couldn't allow himself to completely give up. Although the physical and emotional pain consumed him, a small flame of resistance still burned within. He felt anger, a deep sense of injustice, but also a renewed determination. If Songrim rejected him, if even Park Jin rejected him, he would have to find his own path.

He didn’t say a word. On the way home, he remained in absolute silence. Naksu watched him, waiting for some reaction, but none came. He reached the house and still said nothing. He went inside and locked himself in his room. After a while, he asked for a bath and shut himself away again.

Lady Kim rushed over to Naksu, concern evident on her face. "What happened?" she asked urgently.

Naksu explained everything that had occurred, but Lady Kim was deeply worried about her young master. "Go see him," she urged. "He might want to talk to you."

"He was whipped on his back, but it seems his tongue is paralyzed as well," Naksu replied coldly. She didn’t think the lashes were severe. She had endured far worse pain without shedding a tear, always brave. "They must have been gentle lashes if he’s being this much of a crybaby."

Lady Kim gave her a serious look. "The young master’s back isn’t the only thing that’s wounded. His heart is, too. Imagine how he feels being rejected by the man he considered a father. He must feel abandoned."

Naksu struggled to feel empathy for Jang Uk. Perhaps she couldn’t understand him because she had never had anyone like a father or mother to care for her. The Danju only supervised her progress occasionally. Her life had always been solitary since her family was killed. If she got hurt or sick, she had to take care of herself. She learned to survive alone, waiting for the day she could fulfill her revenge for her family. She had a purpose and would do anything to achieve it.

Mu-deok, on the other hand, could understand better than anyone what it was like to be trapped in a situation she hadn't chosen. She had been a blind girl, vulnerable and without memories of her past. After being found by an old woman who mistook her for her dead granddaughter, Mu-deok had lived under someone else’s identity. Although she was treated kindly at first, her life drastically changed when the old woman fell ill, leaving her with a mountain of debt she couldn’t repay. With no other option, she was sold to a brothel.

The only thing that kept Mu-deok going was the hope of recovering her memory and finding her real family, if they still existed. She had lived in a fragile body, surrounded by people who saw her as nothing more than property, and that feeling of helplessness was something she shared with Jang Uk, though he experienced it differently. Just as she had fought to discover her identity, Jang Uk was struggling to find his place in a world that imposed responsibilities on him that he hadn’t asked for.

Mu-deok could empathize with him because she knew that feeling of being lost, not knowing who you really were or what your true purpose was. Both had been shaped by circumstances beyond their control, and although their paths were different, that shared experience allowed them to understand each other without the need for words.

Despite Naksu’s lack of full understanding of Jang Uk, she decided to follow Lady Kim’s advice and check on her student.

"It’s better that you were whipped," Naksu said when she saw him. "Now they can’t open your energy flow, and we can train without distractions, my husband. Are you okay?" she asked, her voice slightly softer than usual.

Instead of responding, Jang Uk approached the bathtub and pointed to the water. "Look, Mu-deok, my energy is causing this," he said, trying to prove his worth, to show he was capable.

Naksu, however, took a pot and struck the water. "They’re just ripples," she said coldly.

"Why isn’t it working? I’ve practiced," Jang Uk complained, his voice tinged with frustration, but his eyes betrayed a deep sadness.

"So that’s what you’ve been doing in silence? I thought you were wallowing in your misery. Guess not," Naksu replied coldly.

"Misery?" Jang Uk scoffed arrogantly, though the emotion never reached his eyes. "I was abandoned as a baby. This isn’t the first time I’ve been cast aside. Just wait, they’ll beg me to return to Songrim on their knees," he declared. While it was true that twelve masters had expelled him, deep down, he knew this time was different.

"That overinflated ego of yours might actually help," Naksu remarked.

"I wish it would," Jang Uk muttered under his breath.

"Why is it so hot?" Jang Uk asked suddenly.

"Hot?" Naksu was puzzled. She checked the bathwater, noticing it was still warm despite the time that had passed. Her eyes widened in realization. "The beatings sped up the flow of your energy!"

"It’s good you were whipped," Naksu added with a smirk, explaining her sudden understanding.

"Mu-deok, I’m burning," Jang Uk groaned, his discomfort intensifying.

"When the energy rises, it heats you up like embers. When it cools, you’ll feel like ice. The energy will be yours if you can endure it," Naksu instructed calmly, watching him closely. "Breathe, slowly."

Naksu hurriedly carried water back and forth to cool him down, determined not to let anyone, especially servant Kim, find out. She couldn’t risk anyone alerting Songrim. As the heat subsided and cold set in, she wrapped Jang Uk in layers of blankets and lit the brazier, working tirelessly throughout the day. Near the final stage, Jang Uk began to fall asleep, but Naksu knew that if he succumbed to sleep, he could freeze to death. Desperate, she crawled into bed with him, holding him tightly to share her warmth.

"Take the flow of energy if you have the chance," Jang Uk murmured.

"If I could, I would have killed you and escaped long ago," Naksu replied, her tone as biting as ever.

"I’m freezing. Don’t say such cold things," he muttered weakly.

"You’re losing your mind," she said, noticing how he was slipping in and out of consciousness. "Where I grew up, there was a great tree with a nest high up in the branches. The egg was always warm," she said softly, trying to keep him awake.

"Did you eat it?" Jang Uk asked faintly.

"I said it was comforting," Naksu responded. "The mother always returned to keep it warm. Right now, I’m like that egg in the nest, all alone with no one to guide me. You’re the only person I can cling to, and I’m holding onto that," she admitted.

"Thank you," Jang Uk whispered, burying his head in the crook of her neck, pulling her closer.

When Naksu woke the next morning, she found Jang Uk struggling to unsheathe his father’s sword. He was thinking about the words Park Jin had told him—that he couldn’t call himself a sorcerer if he couldn’t even draw his father’s blade.

"You’re not ready yet," Naksu said. "To unsheathe a sword infused with energy, you need to channel the Rynsu and direct your energy outward. Since you haven’t built up enough energy, you can’t do it."

"This is the sword my so-called father left for me. They said I could join them if I managed to draw it. I want to unsheathe it and prove myself," Jang Uk replied determinedly.

"That would be an act of true bravery, Jang Uk," Naksu remarked.

Mu-deok, expecting another monotonous day of training with Jang Uk and Naksu, was startled when servant Kim entered with a look of alarm.

"Young master, you have a guest," she said nervously.

"The prince has come directly from the palace," she added, her voice filled with urgency.

Jang Uk was taken aback. Why was the prince visiting his home? Naksu stepped outside with him to greet him properly. They both bowed before the prince and his royal entourage.

"Good morning, my prince. Please, come inside so we can speak in peace," Jang Uk invited, gesturing for him to enter. They all took a seat, and Naksu served tea like a lady of the house, standing behind her husband, awaiting instructions. She never imagined she would be using the lessons taught by Lady Kim in such a situation, but here she was, serving guests and waiting for her husband to handle his business.

"My visit is not social," the prince began, his tone serious. "I came for the sword that Naksu handed to Gwanju’s assistant. Since Gwanju is absent, it is only right that Jin Mu has it."

Jang Uk didn’t want to cause any trouble with the crown, so he decided to hand it over without argument. "Since you came personally, I will return it," he said, keeping his tone neutral.

"There is another sword here that you cannot unsheathe. The late king granted it to Gwanju, Jang Gang. I also want to take that one," the prince declared.

This announcement shocked everyone. The sword belonged to Jang Uk by inheritance—it had belonged to his father, and it was meant to stay with his son. But it was never given to him, and Songrim had taken it when they exiled him.

"The palace will keep it until a new Gwanju is appointed," the prince continued, his gaze betraying amusement. But why was he doing this? Jang Uk had never spoken to him before.

"Bring it to me," the prince demanded.

"I can’t, Your Highness," Jang Uk replied, his tone firm. "As you well know, no one considers me his son. It would be more difficult for me. I’ll keep it as a decoration."

The prince’s eyes gleamed, as though confirming something he had been told. He smiled faintly.

"If you want it, you’ll have to fight for it. The winner keeps the sword," the prince said, his smile barely there, as though he were dealing with a disobedient subject, yet seeking a solution.

Everyone turned to look at Jang Uk, and the tension in the courtyard grew.

"It’s not fair to challenge him if he’s not properly trained," the prince observed. "If you make me cross the line, I’ll leave," he added, drawing a line behind him.

Naksu took Jang Uk’s hand and told him to fight slowly. She saw it as a training exercise. They only fought with sticks, but the few days of training with Naksu hadn’t been in vain. Jang Uk could defend himself, but he knew that pushing himself in this duel would cause his energy flow to increase.

Mu-deok was terrified. Naksu had a dangerous, reckless plan to save Jang Uk. He wouldn’t die, just get a little hurt by the prince. The prince wanted to teach him a lesson—why, Mu-deok wasn’t sure, but it was somehow connected to Jin Mu, Naksu’s former master. "Let him win and take the sword," Naksu reasoned. Mu-deok understood the sentimental value of the sword, but Naksu’s plan was foolish.

Mu-deok tried to take control, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop her. In a moment of desperation, Naksu splashed water from the basins onto the prince. Mu-deok’s heart sank. What was she thinking? The prince was not going to kill Jang Uk, but now they were in trouble. She thought Naksu was cold and calculating, but what was this now?

"What was that?" The prince shouted, clearly enraged. "Who is she?" Naksu had just thrown waste at him in the middle of a semi-formal duel.

Mu-deok could only think, Stupid girl. She’s ruined everything.

"The lady of the house, Jang Uk’s wife," Naksu said boldly, standing her ground. But that hardly mattered. She had attacked a member of the royal family—attacking the royal family was an attack on the power of the kingdom. Such an offense deserved punishment, one that could lead to death. Mu-deok realized Naksu had no one to back her, other than the Jang family. She had no family of her own and had been a servant. What she had just done had disrespected the royal family—Stupid Naksu.

The prince was furious. "How dare you intervene?" His anger was palpable, and Naksu could already sense her mistake.

"My deepest apologies, Your Highness. My wife is insolent," Jang Uk quickly apologized, trying to ease the situation.

The prince glared at him, noticing the mess on his sleeve. His fury only intensified.

"You should change immediately. You crossed the line of combat!" The prince snapped. Stupid Jang Uk, Mu-deok thought. He was now admitting defeat, but the moment had stopped being a fair fight once a third party intervened.

These two were idiots, Mu-deok thought. What did they think they were gaining by winning like this? How much did that sword matter—the sword from a father who had abandoned him? Jang Uk wanted to join Songrim, thinking that drawing the sword would force Park Jin to accept him, but Mu-deok wasn't sure if that hope was realistic. These two were taking dangerous risks. Naksu was impulsive. It’s over now, she’s lost. Go, leave the sword of Jang Gang. As you can see, I'm injured and can't escort you out.

"Seriously?" Mu-deok thought, how pathetic I am.

Suddenly, Dan-gu, Seo Jul, and to her surprise, Jin Choyeon, the heir of the Jin family, entered the scene. What is she doing here? Mu-deok’s focus shifted entirely from the absurd situation to Jin Choyeon. The woman glared at her, hard. Why? That look stung, and Mu-deok couldn't understand why, but she refocused on the chaos unfolding.

When they announced that Naksu would be punished, Mu-deok braced herself for the worst. Another round of torture. Naksu had already put her through one, and now a second seemed inevitable—or worse, Naksu’s head might no longer be attached to her body. Stupid Naksu, Mu-deok thought bitterly.

Naksu drew her sword, preparing to face who knew what. Mu-deok couldn’t bear to watch, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away either.

What shocked her the most, though, was when a sword stopped Naksu. It was Seo Jul. This is getting worse, Mu-deok thought. And Naksu—why didn’t she run? Damn it.

Jang Uk was now pointing his sword at the prince. This is it. I’m done. Mu-deok couldn’t help but think that as a courtesan, she might have had a better fate than this. Jang Uk and the prince fought fiercely until, finally—thankfully—Seo Jul intervened. The prince, so furious, was about to kill Jang Uk. Mu-deok couldn't help but think, Why didn’t you just marry Seo Jul? At least you wouldn’t have all these problems every day.

But Jang Uk couldn't control himself. Suddenly, Mu-deok felt a shift in the air. A Jin relic—it was Jin Choyeon, and she was holding one. The fight resumed, and Mu-deok knew that this relic was her key, her heavy talisman.

Mu-deok took control of her body once again, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Chapter Text

"Take that away, now!" the prince demanded. "Jang Uk, draw your sword."

"Your Highness, Jang Uk is no match for you," Seo Yul interjected diplomatically.

Dang-gu stammered, "It was a mistake... He... He couldn't control his energy properly."

"Your Highness, you drew your sword first," Jin Choyeon pointed out. "Your sword is broken. You should follow tradition and return home."

"The four of you dare challenge the prince? Jang, Jin, Seo, and Park—the four families?" the prince's voice thundered. "I refuse to return in this state. Fight me, all of you, at once."

Mu-deok sighed quietly. This situation was escalating fast. Stupid Naksu, stay asleep inside me, she thought. But as the tense silence stretched on, it seemed everyone was realizing the gravity of the problem. No one moved.

Mu-deok took a deep breath, then tossed the chamber pot aside, catching everyone’s attention. She approached the prince with the most graceful and humble bow she could muster, her movements almost noble, as if she had been raised in such a manner.

"Mu-deok, no," Jang Uk said, but he no longer mattered at that moment. She would deal with him later.

"My prince, this is all my fault," Mu-deok began, her voice soft yet steady. "I committed a crime against your royal highness. I, a mere lady of the Jang family, dared to throw dirty water at the prince. My crime is unforgivable. I, just a lowly lady, should never have dared to raise my eyes to you. I beg for your forgiveness, my prince, I could not control myself."

She aimed to make herself seem as weak and pitiful as possible. It might be her only chance to save her life.

"I haven’t been well lately, my prince," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "Please, forgive the foolishness of your lady, who dared interfere in your duel and showed disrespect to someone as wise, strong, and the greatest sorcerer of Daeho."

Mu-deok lifted her gaze slightly, just enough to gauge the prince's reaction. She could see he was beginning to soften. Her plan was working.

Jang Uk suddenly knelt beside her. "I also apologize, Your Majesty. I wasn’t thinking."

Mu-deok shot him a glare. He knelt too quickly, and his apology wasn’t convincing enough. The prince seemed like he might reconsider. Mu-deok had to act fast.

Out of nowhere, Mu-deok blurted, "I’m pregnant."

Everyone froze, stunned. Jang Uk’s eyes widened in disbelief, as did the prince's. The room fell into shocked silence.

"I haven’t been feeling well these days, my prince," she repeated, her voice now filled with emotion. "My judgment has been clouded, my emotions uncontrollable... because of the great love I have for my husband. We’ve only just received this news, and my husband acted so insolently because love clouded his judgment as well. Please, forgive these foolish lovers. You, with all your wisdom, power, and greatness, surely can understand two fools who don’t know what they’re doing."

She extended her hand to Jang Uk. Not his hand—she grasped the relic. Despite the situation, Mu-deok felt a rush of exhilaration. She was regaining control, and with this relic, she wouldn’t lose it again anytime soon.

The prince looked at them both, his gaze lingering on Jang Uk, who still seemed stunned. Mu-deok remained bowed before him. The prince thought for a moment. He couldn't harm a pregnant woman. Jang Uk's intervention had been for the best, after all. He didn’t want the guilt of causing harm, but he couldn’t let them see his leniency. They had disrespected his royal highness, and if he were too forgiving, this could happen again in the future.

"For now, I’ll withdraw, but we will speak of this later," the prince said, and he left the Jang estate.

Mu-deok stood, her hands trembling slightly, and grabbed Naksu’s sword. She considered taking the sword of Jang Uk’s father too, but given the trouble Jang Uk had caused on her behalf, she thought better of it. She rushed after the prince.

"My prince," she called, bowing as she offered the sword. "My prince, the sword of Naksu. You came here for it. Someone as important as you shouldn’t waste your time. This sword belongs to you."

Mu-deok continued, her voice steady but filled with false humility. "My husband lost the previous duel. My emotions interfered, and the duel couldn’t be completed. My husband lost to you. You are the true victor, my prince."

"She’s right, your Highness won," the eunuch who accompanied him intervened.

"Yes, your Highness, many congratulations. Thank you for sparing us. I am your loyal servant, always at the service of your royal highness." With every compliment, the prince puffed out his chest further. He was so easy to manipulate, despite everything.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Mu-deok, your Highness," she said with a lady-like smile.

"From now on, you’ll be Mugrok for throwing dirty water at me." Mu-deok wanted to grimace, but instead, she smiled cheerfully as if enjoying the joke.

"Thank you, your Highness," she bowed deeply and said no more. She inflated the man’s pride as much as she could. She wasn’t interested in going to war with the royal family; she wasn’t stupid. What would she gain from that? Enemies. Naksu could wait to strengthen Jang Uk before confronting the prince, but Mu-deok wanted nothing to do with it. She wasn’t his master, she was his wife.

As she turned to enter the house, she was surprised to find Seo Jul. She hadn’t interacted much with him before, and his curiosity was clearly about Naksu, not her.

"You don’t hesitate to flatter others or offer your help," Seo Jul said.

"What do you expect from me?" Mu-deok replied. "I think even the blind could see that the situation earlier could have escalated to someone’s death."

"Take this," he handed her a handkerchief.

"Thank you," she said, accepting it and looking him directly in the eyes. "I’ll take my leave. I need to speak with my husband, if you’ll excuse me."

Seo Jul watched her go, thinking how she changed like a chameleon. His suspicions of her were growing stronger.

Mu-deok entered the house and asked the maids to prepare her a bath. She thanked them for their service as she began to shed the stench from earlier. Once again, she was regaining control of her body, thinking about what had happened. It was unexpected. What could she do now? She bathed and was slipping into her robe when Jang Uk entered and embraced her suddenly. 

Mu-deok flinched, startled by the unexpected hug. "Master, we did it!" he whispered in her ear, holding her tighter.

Mu-deok snorted, then laughed. "No, husband, we didn’t accomplish anything." 

Suddenly, he let go and looked her straight in the eyes, cupping her face in his hands, drawing her closer. He stared at her intensely, but Mu-deok let him, all while keeping her fingers on the Jin relic. Her eyes gleamed with pleasure just looking at it. 

"You’re not my master. You’re not Naksu. You don’t have the soul shifter’s mark."

Mu-deok laughed. "You realized that quicker this time, especially after I gave you a hint by not returning your embrace or calling you ‘my dear student.’" She smiled mockingly, clearly enjoying herself. He didn’t care that she had been trapped in her own body, but now he couldn’t ignore it any longer.

"What happened to Naksu? Where is she?" he demanded, grabbing her shoulders.

"Let go of me!" she shouted. "I’ll only tell you that you won’t be seeing her for a long time. And I don’t owe you any explanation. This is my body, not Naksu’s. I am the owner of it, not her," she declared, staring directly into his eyes, unwilling to be intimidated by him.

Jang Uk was furious, but what could he do? He knew she wasn’t the one he wanted. He wanted his master. But tough luck—this was her body, and she was tired of being a mere spectator.

"Well, if you’re done complaining, I have things to do," she said coldly.

"Wait," he grabbed her hand. "What are your plans? Don’t forget, I haven’t forgotten that you married me, deceiving me into thinking you were Naksu," Jang Uk said, his voice filled with frustration.

"Well, yes, but she's also enjoyed the privileges. She no longer has to serve your childish whims all the time. Now, people serve her—something she has never experienced before," Mu-deok said with a slight smirk.

"How do you know all of that? How do you know what's been happening? What do you know, and what are your plans?" Jang Uk demanded, his voice tense with suspicion.

"Ah, Jang Uk," Mu-deok sighed, "I know Naksu better than you ever will. I know who she is, why she is the way she is, and I know for whom she worked."

Jang Uk was stunned. He had always believed Naksu acted alone, without alliances, carrying out her missions independently. He thought that’s why no one could ever help her. But now, it seemed there had been someone all along. He had pursued Naksu, knowing she was an assassin, yet she became his master, the one who had unlocked his energy gate.

"How did you take control again? Where is Naksu?" he asked, his desperation evident.

"You really think I’m going to tell you that? It seems like you don’t mind getting rid of me if it means having Naksu back. What if I told you you'd have to kill someone to bring her back? Would you do it?" Mu-deok’s voice was sharp, almost challenging.

Jang Uk’s face paled, shocked by the thought. He couldn’t—he wouldn’t do such a thing.

"Relax, I’m just joking," Mu-deok said, her tone lightening but still testing him. "I was measuring you. But you hesitated. I’m surprised, Jang Uk. It seems power matters more to you than I thought."

Jang Uk felt ashamed. This version of Mu-deok unsettled him—he didn't like her at all.

"If you won’t tell me, I’ll divorce you. I don’t know why you wanted to become a Jang family lady, but I won’t allow it any longer," he threatened.

Mu-deok laughed, her eyes darkening as she stared him down. "You know, Jang Uk, I know many of your secrets. I know everything you did with Naksu. I was tortured to open your energy gate. And just like you, I want something, and I’m willing to go to any lengths to get it. If you divorce me, I’ll run straight to Park Jin and tell him everything. If he kills me, fine. But he won’t just kill me—he’ll also kill Naksu because she’s inside me. They might even close your energy gate again, expel you from Daeho. You’ll never become Gwanju. Your whole house will fall into ruin, and they’ll kill your supposedly pregnant wife. You’d be worse than a beggar... assuming you even survive them sealing your gate again," she finished coldly, her gaze locked on his.

Jang Uk stood frozen, shocked. She was right, and he was trapped. He didn’t know what to do, how to get Naksu back.

Mu-deok turned on her heel and left, leaving Jang Uk reeling. He had underestimated her. As she walked away, she considered her next move. She needed to find Master Heo, to ask if he remembered anyone with an ear injury—her only clue. If that failed, she’d have to go to Cheonseury for information about anyone lost at the lake.

Mu-deok returned to her quarters and prepared herself meticulously. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Jang Uk also heading out. She didn’t know where he was going, nor did he invite her to join him. Determined, she made her way to Songrim to find Master Heo. Along the way, she noticed Lady Kim, Seo Jul, Dan-gu, and Jin Choyeon walking together. Dan-gu was the first to notice her presence.

"Hello, Mu-deok," Dang-gu greeted her. "Are you also heading to Songrim to support Jang Uk with the leader, so he can enter Songrim?"

"Yes, but I also want to see Master Heo," Mu-deok replied. Dang-gu smiled, but Jin Choyeon frowned, her expression filled with open hostility.

"Right, for the baby checkup," Dang-gu added casually.

At the mention of the pregnancy, Jang Uk finally paid attention, his face briefly showing horror before he quickly masked it and kept walking. Seo Yul, too, was staring at her, as if trying to read her thoughts.

"It's true," Madam Kim said, "we should have Master Heo examine you." But before she could continue, they arrived at Songrim.

Upon arrival, they saw that the leader wasn't alone. He was with Jin Mu, the Jin clan leader, and Master Heo—exactly who Mu-deok had been looking for. But why was that wretched Jin Mu here? If people knew he was behind all of Naksu’s assassinations, he'd already be executed.

"I prohibited Jang Uk from entering. How is it that all of you arrive here with him?" Leader Park Jin's voice was stern.

"There's something I want to show you." Madam Kim handed him a sword. "My father's sword. They said I’d be accepted if I could draw it. Isn't that right?" Jang Uk spoke with a confident smile.

Mu-deok could only watch as Uk prepared for yet another disappointment. He didn’t see it, but Park Jin was determined to stop him from becoming a mage. Mu-deok had a feeling he was hiding something—perhaps why Jang Gang sealed Jang Uk’s energy portal. There was more at play here than Uk realized, something much bigger.

Jang Uk unsheathed the sword with ease. It was undeniable—Uk was impressive. His portal had only just been opened, yet he was learning at an incredible pace. Still, a lot of his success came down to luck and circumstance. If Master Heo hadn’t infused him with that torrent of energy, he wouldn’t have succeeded. But the Master didn’t seem to care—he was celebrating Uk’s achievement.

Suddenly, Mu-deok’s attention shifted to the Jin clan leader. That woman... Mu-deok felt an intense familiarity, a longing. She stepped forward, wanting to approach her, but stopped herself. This wasn’t the time or place, and what would she even say? "Excuse me, do you know me?"

"What’s that on his arm?" Park Jin asked.

"The energy has concentrated there," Seo Yul explained. "He can’t control it, so we restrained him with that."

"Take off the bracelet," Park Jin ordered.

Mu-deok thought he was sabotaging Uk. They had just explained he would lose control, but Park Jin still demanded the bracelet be removed. Why didn’t he train him instead?

Mu-deok’s eyes flicked to the bracelet on the ground. That was her key. She raised her hand instinctively, trying to summon it to her. The relic called to her as if she had controlled such things before.

But her focus shattered when she saw Jang Uk stab Leader Park. What the hell? Why didn’t Park Jin dodge it? Jang Uk looked terrified, but Seo Yul intervened, and Jin Choyeon quickly reattached the bracelet.

"What’s the point if he can’t even hold it?" Park Jin scolded.

"He can’t control it yet, but his power is undeniable. He defeated the prince—broke His Highness’s sword in a single strike. Even the skilled prince lost to him," Jin Choyeon declared.

Mu-deok cursed silently. This wasn’t good. She had just exposed Jang Uk to a much larger problem. Attacking a royal prince was no trivial matter; Uk wasn’t fighting some insignificant opponent.

"Choyeon, stay out of this," the Jin clan leader warned sternly.

"Did you dare to confront the prince? You fought him?" Park Jin's voice was filled with fury.

"His Highness wanted to take the Gwanju's sword, and they made a bet. The prince forgave him," Lady Jin calmly explained.

But Jin Mu, that wretched man, couldn't stay quiet. "Even after breaking the prince's sword, Jang Uk threatened him with it. He put the prince's life at great risk!"

"We were there," Seo Jul interjected, bless that boy—always the voice of reason. "We stopped him before it went too far."

But Jin Mu, of course, cut him off. "You all just stood by, mocking the prince. It's an insult to the royal family."

"Lock up Jang Uk," Park Jin ordered. "He wields a sword that's uncontrollable and dangerous."

Things were spiraling. Mu-deok's mind raced. What could she do? She couldn't shout, I'm pregnant! and explain that Jang Uk had drawn his sword to protect her. The prince had been about to punish her for dumping chamber pot water on him. If Jang Uk hadn't intervened, she would have suffered, and no one would have defended her. Jang Uk had everyone to protect him—even Park Jin would likely only give him a few lashes at worst—but her? They could kill her.

What should she do? Jang Uk was still her husband, but Jin Mu was scheming for something far worse for him. Jang Uk was the only thing standing in Jin Mu's way to becoming Gwanju. If Jang Uk hadn't gained so much power, Jin Mu would have risen much faster, but now the challenge was greater. And Jang Uk was handing it to him on a silver platter with these reckless actions. Still, if Naksu hadn’t spilled the chamber pot, Jang Uk would’ve lost, and the prince would’ve taken the Gwanju’s sword. But that didn't mean Jin Mu could just claim it—the sorcerers would decide who the next Gwanju was, and Jin Mu was despised by the Jin leader, Park Jin, and Master Heo.

As Jin Mu left, he glanced back at Mu-deok, and she raised her chin, locking eyes with him. She could ruin him, but how? She knew he was evil, and he was performing soul-shifting alchemy throughout Daeho, but things were getting worse.

Would anyone believe her? It seemed like Jin Mu had the prince's protection. But if the prince knew the truth, would he still support him? Despite everything, the prince was a good person, easily manipulated. That would be a problem if he ever became king.

And she had no proof. If someone asked where she got her information, she couldn’t exactly tell them that she knew because Naksu's soul was in her body and she could see all her memories. Naksu had been controlling her all this time, and only now could Mu-deok take control. No one would listen. But Jang Uk would. He knew everything. He might not fully know her, but he hadn’t known Naksu either, and still, he cared for her—whether it was love, she didn’t know.

Mu-deok was about to go see her husband when Lady Kim interrupted her.

"Mu-deok, you can’t see the young master right now," she said kindly. "He’s speaking with Leader Park Jin. Let’s prepare something for your husband to eat, and you should eat too, now that you're in your condition." Lady Kim was, of course, referring to her supposed pregnancy.

"Do you think Leader Park is scolding Jang Uk?" Mu-deok asked.

"It’s possible," Lady Kim replied. "The young master used to always get into trouble as a child, and Leader Park was like a father to him. Seo Jul and Dang Gu are like his brothers—they grew up together."

"Ah, Lady Kim, I wanted to visit Master Heo to confirm whether I’m really pregnant," Mu-deok said cautiously.

"But you said in front of everyone that you were!" Lady Kim exclaimed.

"I suspect I might be," Mu-deok replied, trying to ease her. "But I can’t be sure. I’ve just been feeling dizzy and weak. I’ve never been pregnant before, and I only said it earlier to stop the situation from escalating."

Mu-deok knew the pregnancy was a lie. Jang Uk had never touched Naksu in that way. They had slept beside each other, but nothing more than that. It was the only excuse she could come up with to justify what Naksu had done. She understood why Naksu couldn’t let the prince take the sword, thinking that if Jang Uk drew it, he’d be allowed into Songrim. Naksu believed proving his worth would grant him entry. But Mu-deok knew it wasn’t that simple—she had a feeling that the leader was hiding something. This was supposed to be a school for sorcerers, meant to teach magic, not a place for already-trained mages to show off their skills. What was Park Jin hiding?

Mu-deok ate as if she were pregnant, taking control for herself instead of letting Naksu dictate her choices. It was strange how something as basic as choosing her own food could bring her so much pleasure. She enjoyed every flavor—sweet, sour, spicy. Naksu, by contrast, had been plain and practical, favoring chicken above all. The servant, Lady Kim, watched her closely, starting to believe in the pregnancy lie. Mu-deok decided to eat slower, not wanting to give false hope.

After the meal, Mu-deok instructed the servants on Jang Uk’s favorite dishes, watching as they prepared everything. She carried a tray, following Lady Kim through the halls, when she spotted Park Jin leaving a secret room, looking somber.

"Good day, Leader Park of Songrim," she said with a respectful bow, one that came naturally now after some time. "I am Mu-deok, Jang Uk’s wife. Unfortunately, we met under less than ideal circumstances…" she trailed off, remembering the tortures she'd endured. "We haven’t had the chance to formally introduce ourselves or present our marriage, as many accidents have occurred."

"Yes," Park Jin replied, his tone heavy. "You are Jang Uk's wife. He will need your support now."

What does that mean? Mu-deok thought, alarmed. Did they whip him again?

Lady Kim interjected, "Go care for your husband, Mu-deok. Make sure he eats everything." She then hurried off after Park Jin, leaving Mu-deok standing there.

She entered the room, planning to tell Jang Uk everything about Jin Mu and Naksu. They needed to come up with a plan together or find evidence to expose Jin Mu.

"I brought you something to eat," she said, setting the tray beside him. "I don't know how long you'll be here. What did Leader Park say? Do you know your punishment?" But as she looked into his face, she saw his eyes filled with sadness. Tears fell down his cheeks.

“What’s wrong?" she asked, concern filling her voice. "What did he say? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" She reached out to touch him, but Jang Uk flinched away.

"Don’t touch me. Stay back," he said sharply, his voice thick with emotion. "Stay where you are." And with that, the doors to the chamber slammed shut.

"What’s happening?" Mu-deok whispered, fear creeping in as she glanced around. She instinctively moved toward the door, but Jang Uk’s voice stopped her.

"Don’t move. If you do, everything will fall apart."

Mu-deok froze. She didn’t understand what was happening. Jang Uk was hurting, but he refused her comfort. All she could do was stand there, watching helplessly. The chamber was suffocating with his sorrow, and all she could offer was her silent presence.

The door finally opened, and Master Heo and Dang Gu walked in, ignoring her as they approached Jang Uk. Mu-deok didn’t ask about her supposed pregnancy; she could see this was not the moment.

Master Heo took Jang Uk's arm, inspecting it closely. "In such a short time, your arm has reached Ryusu," he said with a proud smile. "You are as brilliant as your father, Jang Gang."

He hoped to see Jang Uk smile, but instead, Jang Uk pulled his arm away, brushing off the praise. Mu-deok’s eyes widened in shock. What’s wrong? Isn’t this what he wanted?

"Jin Mu only seeks to fight because he knows he will never be the next Gwanju. He understands that the eldest son of the Jang family will take that title," Master Heo continued.

The mention of Jang Uk’s family seemed to deepen his sorrow. His eyes dimmed even further. Mu-deok watched in silent confusion as he collapsed onto the bed, turning his back to everyone.

"My uncle’s wound isn’t too serious," Dang Gu said softly. "Don’t worry."

"I will have a serious word with Jin Mu," Master Heo added, trying to lift Jang Uk’s spirits. But Jang Uk remained unmoved, lying there, consumed by an inner storm no one could reach.

****************************************************

Jang Uk

The words Park Jin had spoken to him were seared into his soul, causing a deep, unbearable pain. Learning that his mother had been unfaithful, and that his origins were uncertain, made him feel betrayed—not only by her but by everyone who had kept this secret. The image of his father, who had always been an unreachable figure of greatness, now crumbled, leaving a gaping void. Jang Uk had always seen himself as the son of Jang Gang, someone destined for greatness. To discover that he wasn’t truly his father's legitimate son shattered everything he had built his identity and future upon. He now felt like he didn’t belong anywhere. The fact that Park Jin told him he shouldn’t be a mage and that he was only accepted out of respect for his mother crushed his dreams of becoming a great sorcerer. This left him feeling useless, without a purpose or clear path forward. The despair weighed so heavily on him that he wanted to give up entirely.

He recalled those words, still worried that he had caused harm, never meaning to hurt him. When he entered the secret chamber where the guards had taken him, his mind raced with thoughts.

“Are you alright, sir? Did you bleed a lot?” Jang Uk asked, standing up from where he had been sitting.

“Your arm... is it okay?” Park Jin’s voice was filled with sadness and concern as he gazed at him.

“It’s heavy, sir, but I’m alright now,” Jang Uk replied, glancing at his own arm.

Park Jin observed him with a mix of curiosity and compassion. “You managed to harness Master Heo’s energy stream in such a short time,” he said with a faint smile, impressed and surprised by Jang Uk’s progress. “It’s impressive,” he added, though his tone turned more serious.

“I felt like my body was burning and then freezing,” Jang Uk explained, omitting the part about Naksu helping him and explaining what had happened.

“And your back? How are your wounds? Do they still hurt?” Park Jin asked with a look of sorrow and worry.

“The lashes seem to have helped increase the energy,” Jang Uk said, his voice tinged with a bit of pride and joy. Park Jin’s concern for him made his heart feel a little lighter. “The Crown Prince hit me hard as well, but then I felt a surge of energy inside me. That’s how I drew the sword,” Jang Uk explained, his pride showing as he shared his progress with Park Jin, despite everything. He knew Park Jin cared for him, almost like a father.

“Of course,” Park Jin replied with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with affection. “You always learned faster than others. You walked and ran before Dang Gu, and you spoke earlier than him, too.”

Park Jin’s words filled Jang Uk’s heart with joy. “I still remember,” Jang Uk said with a smile. “When I was young and didn’t know what it meant to have a blocked energy portal, I thought I would become the most powerful of all.”

“Hey Uk, since you’re so clever and learn quickly, what do you think about learning business in Songrim? Or perhaps studying the art of medicine with Master Heo?” Park Jin suggested, his voice light and encouraging, trying to motivate him to follow different paths.

But Jang Uk’s heart sank at this. He lowered his head, then met Park Jin’s eyes again. “No, sir. Thank you, but no,” Jang Uk said, his eyes filled with sadness. “I’m going to train in Jeongjingak and become a sorcerer,” he said with determination.

“Why?” Park Jin asked, his voice desperate, hoping Jang Uk would choose another path. “Is it because that’s what your father did? Do you want to become the next Gwanju of Cheonbugwan?” he confronted him.

“Yes, sir. And I will,” Jang Uk replied with conviction and pride, standing tall. This was what he wanted. “I’ll take his place and prove to all those fools who denied I was his son. I’ll leave them speechless,” Jang Uk declared, facing Park Jin with unwavering resolve. This was his goal, and he was willing to do anything to achieve it.

“You… are not Jang Gang’s son,” Park Jin said coldly, locking eyes with him. “You are… the result of an affair your mother had. Out of respect for your mother, the Jang family took you in, but we cannot let you lead Cheonbugwan just because of your supposed father. Stop dreaming that something like that will ever happen,” Park Jin shouted, his voice cutting through the room. “Stay as the ignorant young master of the Jang family. Only then will we continue to protect you.”

Jang Uk felt his heart shatter, his dreams crumbling. His sense of purpose faded into uncertainty. It didn’t matter when others said such things, but Park Jin—Park Jin wouldn’t lie to him. He had been like a father to him. Jang Uk didn’t know what to do with his life anymore. He couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

“But… who is my real father?” Jang Uk asked, his voice trembling.

“How can I know who had an affair with your late mother?” Park Jin said, refusing to meet his eyes.

Remembering this, Jang Uk was utterly broken.

***************************************************

Mu-deok didn’t know what to do. She wanted to console him. He looked so pathetic, as if someone had stolen his will to live. She didn’t know why, but it made her feel awful. He seemed defeated, and she couldn't understand the reason. Mu-deok decided to give him some privacy; maybe he just needed time. She quietly left the room and found Seo Yul waiting outside.

“Hello,” she greeted him with a soft smile.

“You always put Uk in danger,” Seo Yul said, his voice firm. “First, the poison, and now the situation with the prince. You're always there.”

That hadn’t been Mu-deok’s doing, but as Naksu, she was used to taking responsibility for her actions. Now, it was her turn to carry that weight. Seo Yul didn’t trust her, and there was something about Naksu that he couldn’t quite understand. But Mu-deok also knew there was something special between Naksu and Jang Uk. Even after regaining her body, she sometimes felt like an outsider, and that wasn’t fair. “I’ve only stood by my husband’s side,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I just want him to be happy. Besides,” she added, her voice steady, “I’ve put myself in danger too—enduring torture and the near-punishment because of the prince.”

Seo Yul, though often distant, was incredibly loyal to those he loved and respected. He wasn’t the type to show his emotions openly or dramatically, but his loyalty spoke through his quiet actions. He would make great sacrifices for the people he cared about, even if it meant putting his own well-being at risk. That loyalty extended to his principles as well. He truly was a good person, only wanting the best for Jang Uk. Did he want to get rid of her? The thought flashed through her mind, but she couldn’t be sure.

“So, do you think we should part ways?” Mu-deok asked, her voice low.

“I can’t do that,” Seo Yul replied, a hint of weariness in his tone. “Because he always gets what he wants, and you… you keep risking your life for him.” His eyes held a mix of sorrow and exhaustion as he handed her Jang Uk’s father’s sword. “Take it.”

Seo Yul suspected her, but without proof, there was little he could do for now. As for Mu-deok, she decided to leave Jang Uk for a moment. Sometimes, people just needed time to clear their heads. She chose to visit Master Heo.

“Good evening, Master,” she greeted with a bow.

“Ah, Jang Uk’s wife,” Master Heo responded. “You don’t need to beg on his behalf. I already planned to speak to Jin Mu about the matter.”

Mu-deok had actually wanted to ask him if he remembered treating her in the past, but now didn’t seem the right time. She was supposed to be worried about Jang Uk, and she was—but she didn’t know what to do. She wanted to talk about how awful Jin Mu was, but she wasn’t sure Master Heo would believe her. After all, she wasn’t Naksu, and they hadn’t interacted much. The few times they did, she had deceived him into marrying her, and the other time, he had threatened to expose the truth to everyone.

“Thank you, Master, for your concern about my husband,” she said with another respectful bow.

“It seems you’ve improved your manners. It looks like Madam Kim’s lessons are paying off,” Master Heo remarked. In truth, Mu-deok had always been courteous. She assumed it was because her true family was noble, perhaps educating her in manners from a young age, though she couldn’t remember.

“Well, you’ll come with me as a witness,” Master Heo continued. “Park Dang Gu will also join us. That Jin Mu is a snake, always stirring trouble.”

Mu-deok couldn’t agree more. Jin Mu was worse than they could imagine, and something had to be done about him. But with the royal family’s protection, he wasn’t an easy target.

When they arrived to speak with Jin Mu, the man already acted like he was the Gwanju, even though he hadn’t been officially named. He waited for them in the Gwanju’s study, though he was nothing more than a pathetic assistant.

“I’ve come because I’m concerned you’ve exaggerated a trivial matter,” Master Heo began bluntly.

Mu-deok winced. That wasn’t the most diplomatic approach. Calling something trivial would only provoke more indignation from someone like Jin Mu.

“How can you consider threatening the Crown Prince a trivial matter?” Jin Mu retorted.

Mu-deok cursed silently. If only they could deal with the prince directly, things would be so much easier.

“That’s why our leader locked him up. Songrim will deliver the punishment he deserves,” Master Heo said.

“Songrim has no authority to punish someone when it involves the royal family,” Jin Mu countered. “As Cheonbugwan is in charge, we will administer the punishment here.”

Damn it, Mu-deok thought. If Jang Gang were here, he could deliver a fair punishment to his own son. Jang Uk shouldn’t inherit the title of Gwanju until he truly earned it, she mused.

“For threatening the prince’s life, I will have him beheaded,” Jin Mu declared.

Mu-deok’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t be serious. The prince had only demanded a duel over the stupid Gwanju sword, and she bet Jin Mu had instigated it.

“However, we can’t kill the only son of the Gwanju,” Jin Mu continued. “So, we’ll just cut off the arm he used to threaten the prince.”

He’s insane, Mu-deok thought. This man wasn’t going to be an easy enemy.

"Amputate him!" shouted Master Heo. "You must have an inflated ego because your student, the prince, couldn't defeat Jang Uk!" This guy is an idiot, Mu-deok thought. There was no way anyone would let him decapitate or amputate Jang Uk. This could start a war. The master kept yelling, accusing Jin Mu of being envious because Jang Uk had opened his energy gate ten days ago.

"The Cheonbugwan will determine whether I’m crazy or if Jang Uk loses his arm," Jin Mu replied coldly. Master Heo was so enraged that he seemed ready to strike him. "The prince and Jang Uk agreed to the fight. His wife is here to confirm it."

“Assistant,” Mu-deok emphasized the title with disdain. “The prince came to our home and requested Naksu's sword. We gave it to him gladly out of respect for the royal family. Then, the prince asked for Jang Uk’s father’s sword, but Jang Uk said he couldn’t hand it over because it belonged to his father. So, they decided to duel for it—a fair fight. The Jang family respects the royal family. My father-in-law is the leader of Cheonbugwan, which protects the royal family. Jang Uk had a just duel with the prince, and it ended peacefully. Not only are you slandering Jang Uk’s name, but you’re also insulting the prince by implying he can’t engage in a proper duel. Perhaps you, assistant, are hurt by your student’s defeat and are seeking an advantage in this matter,” Mu-deok said, trying to remain diplomatic, though this man was testing her patience.

“So it was a formal duel?” Jin Mu asked.

“Yes,” everyone confirmed.

“Then let’s hold another duel, to prove the prince’s worth and that what happened with Jang Uk was mere luck. But this time, it will be a duel to the death. You claim there was no threat to the prince and that it was a fair fight. Let it be an official duel, and if Uk dies, no one will be held accountable, as tradition dictates,” Jin Mu declared, with a wicked smile. He truly wanted the Jang family to clash with the royal family. He was insane. This man had kidnapped a young girl and manipulated her into becoming a ruthless killer. He was a monster, and Mu-deok had underestimated him.

Mu-deok felt lost. How did a simple duel turn into this disaster? Her head was spinning. If they didn’t accept the duel, they might kill or mutilate Jang Uk. She had to find him. But how could he fight without the Jin relic? He still couldn’t fully control his energy, and she couldn’t teach him. What could she do?

She ran to the secret chamber, finding Jang Uk in the same defeated position she had left him in.

“Jang Uk! Uk! Get up! Something terrible has happened!” Mu-deok shouted, shaking him without care. He stood up abruptly, pulling away from her. “Leave me alone!” he yelled, pushing her back.

“Idiot! You’re in danger! Jin Mu wants to either kill you or amputate your arm!” That got his attention. Mu-deok was about to explain further when Seo Yul and Dang-gu burst into the room.

Dang-gu grabbed Jang Uk urgently. “You have to leave now! The Cheonbugwan are here for you. If you don’t, you’ll lose your arm or your life!” Dang-gu said.

“What?” Jang Uk asked, bewildered.

“That fool Jin Mu wants you to pay for supposedly threatening the crown prince. That idiot said he was going to decapitate or cut off your arm, but then he suggested a sorcerer’s duel between you and the prince, with death allowed,” Mu-deok blurted out, yelling. Everyone turned to her, shocked by her language. They didn’t realize how scared she was—this was pure madness.

They left the room, and Lady Kim had sent a servant to hand over the young master's belongings. He stood waiting with a bag outside, and she had arranged for a boat at a small port. Mu-deok took the bag while Jul and Dang-gu dragged Jang Uk towards the boat. 

"Our leader will take care of things. Keep a low profile until it all settles," Jul said. Jang Uk didn't respond, only boarding the boat with a sullen expression.

"Mu-deok, take good care of him. By the way, do you want us to come with you?" Dang-gu asked.

"I don’t know what will happen or how the royal family will react. It’s better if you stay behind so you’re not involved. It will only make things worse. But once we find a safe place, I'll try to get in touch," Mu-deok replied.

"Alright, we'll come find you soon," Dang-gu said reassuringly.

"You put him in danger again," Jul remarked.

"You're wrong. Jin Mu did. That bastard," Mu-deok replied, her voice dripping with venom. Jul's eyes widened, unsure if it was her harsh words or the hatred in her tone that shocked him.

Mu-deok sat on the boat and placed the heavy bag beside her, startled when she realized she was holding the Gwanju sword in her hand. She couldn’t recall when she picked it up. Jang Uk sat quietly across from her, saying nothing. She didn’t know where they were going, so she simply told the boatman to keep rowing. She couldn't return to Sari Village—there was nothing left for her there but debts and death. She thought about asking Jang Uk if he knew of a place.

"Why did you bring that sword?" Jang Uk asked suddenly.

Mu-deok was taken aback. It was the first time he had spoken, and he was glaring at the sword with anger. "I don’t know. I brought it without thinking. Do you know where we can go?"

"I thought you had a plan for where we could go," Jang Uk replied.

"No, not really. Everything happened so quickly. I didn’t want you to fight the prince. I even tried to handle things diplomatically, but it didn’t work." She couldn’t reveal too much, especially with the boatman listening.

"What about your village? Sari Village?" Jang Uk suggested.

"No, I don’t want to go back there. If possible, never again," Mu-deok said. Jang Uk looked at her with curiosity but didn’t press her for details.

"Well, I’ve traveled to some places in Daeho while studying, but I doubt any of my former masters would be willing to take us in," Jang Uk said, deep in thought.

Mu-deok noticed that his mood had improved slightly, but there was still something off. His gaze was sad, as though he had lost the spark that once defined him. She had many questions, but this wasn’t the right moment.

"I know another place," Mu-deok said suddenly.

"Where?" Jang Uk asked.

"Danhyanggok," she answered.

"How do you know that place?" Jang Uk asked, surprised.

"That’s where Naksu grew up. I only saw it through her eyes and memories," Mu-deok explained. "It’s the only place that comes to mind. It’s very isolated and far away."

"Alright, let’s go to Danhyanggok. I want to see the place where my master grew up," Jang Uk said.

It was the first time he had mentioned Naksu by name. It felt strange. Mu-deok could sense that he wanted Naksu to return and feared he might do something reckless or foolish to get her back. That was why she didn’t want to be too close to him, but the circumstances didn’t allow her to distance herself. She had thought that marrying him would give her certain advantages, but now she realized it bound her to him in the eyes of society. Expectations were placed upon her, including standing by his side if he decided to run.

"I warn you, from what I've seen, this isn't a place you're used to. There are no servants, and we'll have to do everything ourselves. I don’t mind, but you’ve been pampered your whole life," Mu-deok said, her tone blunt.

Jang Uk, taken aback by her comment, furrowed his brow. His usual arrogance faltered for a moment, and he looked at her with a mix of surprise and defensiveness. "I'm not helpless, you know," he snapped, trying to mask the irritation creeping into his voice. "I can handle myself."

The boatman left them at the shore, and they had to climb. The hike was steep, and it wasn’t long before Jang Uk began to complain about the weight of the bracelet. Mu-deok, ever so subtle, would occasionally touch it, feeling its weight, which also helped her balance the heavy bag she carried. She wasn’t sure if he noticed, but she continued without comment.

As his complaints grew louder, Mu-deok finally lost patience. "Shut up! If you don’t want to walk, then stay there among the rocks and sleep! If you keep whining, I’ll make you carry the bag," she shouted, her voice firm with warning. She wasn’t going to tolerate his tantrums.

Jang Uk, clearly frustrated, glared at her. "Mu-deok, but you’re my wife. It’s your duty to take care of me," he said, his voice dripping with entitlement.

Mu-deok’s eyes flashed with anger, her expression unwavering. "If you want to start acting like a husband, then remember you’re supposed to protect me, provide for me, and care for me too. It’s not just the man’s duty to protect his wife, and a wife’s duty isn’t only to give heirs and take care of the home. We’re not that kind of couple, so don’t expect something from me if you can’t give anything in return," she retorted, her voice cold and resolute.

Jang Uk, stunned by her words, fell silent for a moment. He didn’t know how to respond, his pride bruised.

"What's this? It smells like chicken. Do they sell chicken here?" Jang Uk asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Seriously? Do you see where we are? We're in the middle of nowhere, and you’re asking if they sell chicken? Use some common sense!" Mu-deok snapped, but she too couldn’t ignore the smell of chicken in the air.

"See? It’s chicken, right? It smells like delicious chicken, I love it!" Jang Uk said, his mood lifting slightly as he continued walking, oblivious to the growing tension.

Mu-deok, however, paused, her hand gripping his bracelet firmly. "Wait," she said, her voice suddenly serious. "This doesn’t feel right. Didn’t I tell you to use your common sense? It’s not normal to smell chicken in the middle of nowhere unless someone’s been cooking. That means we’re not alone," she warned, her gaze sharp.

Jang Uk, caught off guard by her words, looked around, his previous excitement fading. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone now tinged with suspicion, as his eyes scanned the surroundings.