UrPen_Pal

Being alive is being chronically online

[urpen-pal]

𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼

The chinese grandpa next to you gently held your hand to keep you from hurting yourself. One of the older men coughed into his fist before speaking. "You are in the presence of the Sect leader of the Mount Hua Sect" he says.

Yeah, hearing Chinese thrice was all you needed to hear.

Chat, realistically wyd? 🥀

𝓣𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓼:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Ao3 link

[urpen-pal]

Helloooo how are you??

I hope you're doing well! I absolutely loved the latest chapter, thank you for the amazing work!

So not to make this so long I was going through my textbooks and found this

I don't exactly remember when I made this doodle but it's supposed to be reader right after she transmigrated into rotbb world. So I thought you might wanna see it(?) She's so pretty (geol doesn't know shit how dare he call her ugly) and smart! I adore her sm ˃͈◡˂͈ and so excited for future updates. No pressure tho~ take your time <3

Halluuu!!

WAAAWWW This is so pretty!! I have always loved your artstyle, and seeing you draw something for my fanfic makes me so happy! I'm so flattered!! Thank you for drawing this!!

I also drew something for u too :]

It's your oc from Nights!

I'm excited for what you have in store for the next chapter! Take care of yourself and remember to not rush peak.

Let's pretend that she just had the best sleep of her life instead of me forgetting to draw her eyebags haha...

When I saw your post with your art of her, I genuinely thought that she was pretty. That art was the reason why I started reading Nights hehe. I absolutely fell in love with her while reading your fic! She has this sort of aura that makes readers hang on to her every thought.

[urpen-pal]

Hii!! I was wondering if there's maybe any connection between the MC and the Medicine immortal?

I think there's a few connections between them, like how the Medicine Immortal despised Martial Artists and the MC is unable to become one.

Alternatively it's how the medicine immortal was described to have a lot of Qi and so does the Mc. Maybe it's just a coincidence but it's a thing I noticed!

There'a no connection between the MC and the Medicine Immortal.

Don't be fooled; whatever happens in the next chapters, or how much there are hints about the Medicine Immortal in regards to MC— they have nothing to do with each other.

Even if there was, it's a really thin line.

Source: trust me bro

[urpen-pal]

Chapter 17

Hello everyone, I’m really sorry for the late update. So many things happened to me in the past months that I could barely write.

Long story short, there is an ex-convict and murderer that has threatened my family and I’s life. Recently, he tried to kill my uncles. The whole situation is too messy to explain but I’m really scared for the lives of my loved ones.

I’ll try to do monthly chapter updates from now on since the Academic Year had just finished for me.

TW: violence, use of a gun

Oh divine physician! Please show me the route that will get these degenerates slimed out. Please!

—was the prayer you repeated in your head while you took the lead and the others were just... there behind you. 

Cowards. Too scared to set off traps that they'll make anyone go first.

Aside from walking, you couldn't do anything else since your hands are tightly bound behind your back. You were deliberate in dragging your feet to move— causing a slow pace for the group trailing you.

Everything from the floor to the ceiling was made of stone. The light stones were bright enough to see ahead of you, but dim enough to cast an illusion of the walls pressing down with each step. There had to be a specific name for it, but you weren't interested in that. You were more taken, however, by the absence of any dust or cobwebs on your path. It's almost eerie that there was no evidence pointing to life except for that, which indicated the existence of recent movement.

The corners of the ceiling, the lightstones above you, and the floor itself housed not a speck of dust that could hint at the place's age. More than that, no one hasn't coughed yet from the particles that should be filtering the air by now. This place is... clean. Recently cleaned, you'd argue.

You could only look at these people from the corner of your eye. They were watching with so much scrutiny that you could liken the feeling to being under a microscope. But they gave no verbal or nonverbal message that they sensed something was off as well.

No one noticed what you saw, and no one bothered to say anything aloud. Could it be that you're overthinking this? Sure, the rules of this world don't apply to you but you could definitely see clearly. They have to have noticed it at one point.

It's because they're too far up in their greed to notice such minute details. You bit back a sigh that threatened to escape your throat. Whatever is happening, you don't want to be a part of it.

"Why are we moving at a snail's pace?" One of the men questions you, his name started with Cho. "Are you sure this is the fastest way?"

"Of course it is" you lied, not really knowing where you were taking them. In all honesty, you just planned on leading them in circles until you actually found someplace, though a thought suddenly popped in your head. "But... my feet are so tireddd, poor little me! I'm not used to walking this great length, sirs!"

"So? Get a move on!" Someone from the back shouts at you. "We're all tired!"

"You're right, but I think we can go faster" with your head tilted slightly to the side, you continued. "If there was only some big, buff, gentleman to carry me on his shoulders so we can pick up the pace!"

"Just walk—"

"But my feet hurttt!"

"Do you think we got a sh*t about that?" Dae Ra-Geom kicked your legs, causing you to stumble forward and fall. "Walk, b*tch!"

Still, at least you twisted your body so as your nose would not hit the pavement. Though, the ache was the same either way. 

As your cheek hit the stone, the pain stung harsh enough that you blinked back tears. It took every ounce of self-control to not scream at them as you got up from the fall. No one helped you. You swallowed the anger welling up on your throat. Threatening to start.

You didn't mind being called a b*tch, it's only when a man does it that you become overwhelmed with hatred. How lucky they are, that you couldn't physically harm anyone in this world. If he tried that with the kind of person you were back home, you would've blown his head off.

"I said move—!"

"Can't you see I'm already moving!?" You raised your voice at the man. "No wonder why you only have one eye! You're so stupid that your brain can't support two—!"

He swung at you.

Funnily enough, he was aiming for your eye. But because he is a 2d character, you were a lot quicker and had more control over your movements. You managed to dodge him— and stomped on a protruded tile on the floor.

It launched a poisonous arrow to his leg.

"Agh!" He hissed, the sharp edge digging into his thigh. "How dare—"

"What!?" You leveled his glare with your own challenging tone. "If you thought that I was just going to take that blow simply because you're stronger, you're dead wrong"

Everyone was looking at you strangely. From their expressions alone you could tell it was anything but positive. You didn't care though, these men were testing you and your peace. It doesn't matter now if what you're saying could be understood by them and their small—

"Because you should know better as the stronger person" you spat. "And you shouldn't be picking fights with people weaker than you and calling them a b*tch"

When you saw how furious he looked, a tiny part of you felt guilty even though you're not at fault. Still, you decided to take the initiative to check on the burly man for his injuries in case you went too far. It was only until someone did it first that you conceded. You turn your back to them.

Dae Ra-Geom's face was red, and it could only be from humiliation. As much as he wanted to retort and kill you there, he understood that he was powerless at the moment. Especially when you seem to know this place well enough to strategically put him in a position that injured him.

Everyone else in the vicinity thought the same. They had such a lack of faith in you and your ability that they doubted Sam Sal-Gwi's claims of you being the real deal. It turns out that a simple trap activating in your favor is enough to convince them.

The problem is... you didn't mean to do any of that.

With your back turned against them, no one could make out the expression you were making. Which was disbelief— at yourself and the lucky trick that Yak Seon left behind. The conveniently placed trap almost made you believe that the pill-maker foresaw your existence here. Almost.

Thank you, Mr. Yak Seon...

You swallowed down the uneasiness that crept in your throat. Flowers saving you was expected, but Yak Seon? A man who lived centuries before this timeline? That's ridiculous, it couldn't be him.

In an attempt to distract yourself, you walked forward fidgeting with the rope binding your wrists. Minutes passed before you managed to free your hands, simply ripping them off because of their 2d-ness. You failed to notice the way some of the men flinched at you ripping off the rope, not comprehending how you were the way you are.

Never in your original thoughts that you would be acting like some creature with echolocation abilities. Much less in a performative manner.

The same could not be said for the people lagging behind you. As soon as you started walking, they wasted no time in following your trail. Although they were still holding resentment against you, their interest was sooner piqued by the strange technique you were using. 

You snapped your fingers in front of each doorway you passed. Once only, and then moving onto the next. This happened in a repeat cycle, and although you did this to indulge in their naïvety— their voices and comments grew a lot heavier.

"Wow..." you hear one of them breathe out in awe. "She knows"

One of them addressed the reason you were here directly. "Where did you manage to find her?"

"..."

You almost blew your cover by laughing, which seemed to come to you so easily now. These people would not be able to tell a scam from the real thing in your world. It's best to cut them some slack.

I'll just pick a random—

Huh?

As you passed by another path, you froze and quickly returned to it. You must have been mistaken, there's no way you heard—

Someone was calling your name from inside.

The sensation of your chest tightening anchored you enough to stop the perturbed feeling. Your name echoed, bouncing off the walls and travelling from the depths of that opening to where you were. The sound fell at your feet, ground trembling. But the characteristic octave of the voice's tone, and its accent similar to yours made you clench your necklace between your fingers tightly. It reeled you in. Closer.

That voice— it definitely belonged to your father. 

There's no way he's here, isn't he?

"Miss, are we going inside?" A voice interrupted your thoughts.

You could still feel the vibration of the ground when you raised a hand. "Wait"

The tremor of the stone tile you were standing on felt different than the ones around it. Sensing that there was something off, you realize as you looked down upon it that it came loose. You fell to your knees and moved the tile away.

What the—

It took you a good few seconds for you to process what you dug out. White fabric, made out of cotton, with looping threads meeting to form a decorative design. Its existence does not conform to the aesthetic of the world it finds itself in. 

A veil. A lace veil of your world.

"Miss...?"

"Ah" You were still in a state of shock when they called for your attention. "Yes, um..."

You let the fabric fall out of your hands, like it had no use for you to take. While in all honesty, you just didn't know what to make of it. It shouldn't exist— but at the same time, you shouldn't either.

Ultimately, you decided to leave it.

Straightening your posture, you cleared your throat and motioned to the people around you.

"Let's go in"

You took the first step.

The long and winding stone hallway kept you and the men walking for a while. Well, more so speed-walking with how fast their pace is. Because of this, you were also forced to pick up speed in order to not bump into them and possibly cause another quarrel.

Your hands started to tremble. A wind blew at your faces, the howl almost ghostly. Goosebumps littered your skin— even though they were covered by the sleeves of the aoqun. You could see the wisps of your breathing. With every step you took forward, it only got colder.

It might've been only 3 minutes that passed, shorter since there was no hint of any time. You could decipher these people's impatience. Their steps grow heavy with the weight of their dissatisfaction. Another gust of cold wind.

Each of the lightstones you passed dimmed more than the last— until no light was ahead of you. You took another step, and heard a strange sound below your feet. The sound of fire cracking reaches your ears and you turn your head to see the red-cloaked kidnapper lighting up something. Someone tapped your shoulder to hand you a lantern. There's no choice but to accept.

As soon as you brought the lantern ahead of your face, your quiet gasp brought the attention of everyone else. 

Flowers greeted your face in a garish display. Its shadows form a shape that would terrify someone with an active imagination. A weird combination of white flowers— roses, peonies, orchids, stargazer lilies, and baby's breath to fill in the gaps, hung from the ceiling. The mixed scents only burdened your nose with an awful smell. Clearly, the divine physician had a strange taste in flowers.

But that wasn't the only thing that caused you to freeze. 

Ice. Occupying the floor beginning from your feet to the next side of the open clearing. There's water below the ice you were standing on. You could barely see it because of the lack of light. 

An underground ice lake... coexisting with flowers that die during the winter. You took a step back from shock. Almost slipping.

Literally WHERE did this psycho physician find the materials to make ts.

"Miss!" Someone called, harshly bringing you to reality. "What are we going to do now?"

Seriously? They're not even going to question the unnatural terrain of ice and blooming flowers?

You huffed, eyes darting around to visually investigate the frozen lake. The ice seemed thick enough to walk on. To make sure, you turned to face one of the martial artists with your hand out.

"Use your axe to hit the ice" you tell him, simple but enough to raise questions.

He raised a brow at you, sneering. "And why would I do that?"

"Do you want to cross without falling into the freezing cold water or not?" You snapped. "It's your choice"

"I don't listen to a laowai" he lifted his axe and walked over to the lake.

You watched helplessly as the large man started walking on the ice with no precaution. Naturally, your instinct was to warn him. "Don't walk in the middle! Walk by the edges!" You shout in genuine concern.

It came as a surprise once he actually crossed the lake. He ignored your warning and even deliberately walked in the middle where the ice was most brittle. But he didn't know that. He was too busy proving a point. 

So this time, it didn't come as a surprise anymore when the rest followed the man's lead. They disregarded your concern for their safety and even cheered as they passed you by.

"Haha! What are you so scared of?" One of them— who was wearing something stupid. He bumped your shoulder. "Afraid to soil your clothes?"

"Women, trying to tell us what to do" 

"Hey! Next time, bring her husband!"

"This one only nags!" A pair of hands grabbed your shoulders and dragged you across the lake. Your hand crumpled into a fist— but you couldn't risk trying to fight any of them.

You couldn't risk losing consciousness around these men.

They laughed around you, turning more hysterical once you made it to the other side. How badly you wanted to draw their own weapons through their guts. But with your only experience being with a modern firearm, their weapons would likely be through your flesh instead. 

Why were you kidnapped into this world with no ability to become a martial artist? Maybe things would be different if you could, just like how it was back home.

You hear cheering from them, and you lifted your head to see the last person on the ice. The red cloaked guy who was responsible for you bringing you here. He took his time to walk slower than the rest. Strutting across the ice before stopping and tapping his foot— his eyes meeting yours through his hood.

He was mocking you. Your gaze hardened at their attempt to humiliate you. They wouldn't be able to, this was not the worst thing that you experienced. What you endured would be the end of the world for them.

Splash!

You jumped slightly at the sound, the cheers fell— dead. The person you were staring at was no longer there. Instead, a hole that their body could go through replaced the ice they had just been standing on. As though the universe finally heeded your plea of being swallowed by the ground the day before your 18th birthday— only to do it to the wrong person.

"Someone fell!" You grabbed the person next to you. Due to your surprise, your words became short. "Help them!"

What they said next brought a sickening feeling to your gut.

"Him?" The person snorted. "That's his mistake, there's no use worrying about him"

You took a step back. "What?"

"He's dead the moment he made that misstep"

Someone felt the need to reassure you, so they spoke up as well. "It's alright miss, death happens eventually"

What an awful thing to say. You could only stare at him, stunned speechless at the words that came out of his mouth. 

Your feet moved before you could think, bringing you to the hole where the person fell. Once you regained your senses, you were mid-jump into the water.

A sharp, stinging sensation embraced your skin. For however long this place was since created— it retained its deadly temperature. Your skin turned numb just a few seconds after entering the water— and you figured that you were in for a lot of pain once you returned to the surface.

To you, it felt like you were on the ice giant— Neptune, from how cold it was. There was barely nothing that you could see under the ice. The only source of light came from the opening you jumped from.

But your vision soon adjusted, and you could finally see several meters in front of you. With haste, you squinted at your surroundings looking for a hint of red—

There it is! Just a few meters below you, the man cloaked in red was sinking. You hurried to grab him by the closest piece of him withing your reach— which turned out to be his hood. He's struck unconscious by the temperature of the lake. The water surrounding you proved to be a great help in carrying his weight to the hole above. You pulled his arms up to secure his latch on you.

Something wrapped around your ankle.

You almost screamed, thinking it was some water snake. But when you looked down in alarm you recognized it to be a vine. Not pondweed, not kelp, it's not even an underwater vine. It is a floral vine that belonged to a decorative fence surrounding a garden. A vine that hasn't drowned from the water.

The vine moved its end to point in a direction behind you. If your skin wasn't numb yet, it would've crawled and produced goosebumps at how animated the plant was. You shook your head at the vine. ' No! I refuse to look behind me! '

You kicked your feet below you to swim upwards, but the tendril was just as stubborn as you are. It started dragging you down when you didn't comply. Only then did you turn your head to look behind.

A flower that haunted your entire existence greeted your face. Its bright pink petals shining better underwater.

It even came complete with the decaying branch— the same one that brought you to this place. How could a healthy and blooming flower coexist with a dying thing? You want to raise questions but another peril came. Branches sprouted from below the bloom, wrapping around your feet that had already been frozen in place by the vines. The qi of these plants held a horrifying amount of bad intentions for you.

These plants are here to kill you! You realize soon enough.

Desperate, you let go of the guy for a minute to deal with what was happening. Your lungs ached at the excessive movement, and you knew that your saved breath was running out. Black spots appeared in your vision from the lack of air, you could feel your body pumping adrenaline. 

You pull your knees closer to your chest to reach the branch's tight grip on your ankles. With no tool or weapon, you used your bare hands to feel for the weakest part of the decay and snapped it yourself. Now free, you didn't let those plants have amy time to recover. You grabbed the unconscious man and swam the fastest you ever had in your entire life.

First, you pushed both that person and your heads above water— with only you gasping heavily for air. You kicked your feet behind you until you were laying on your stomach in the water and continued kicking until you were crawling on the ice. Your body shook, tremors that made you teeth chatter. You couldn't tell if it was from the brush with death that you experienced or the freezing water you were submerged in for 5 whole minutes.

You continued to crawl over the ice until you were on stone ground, the red cloaked man in tow. The martial artists looked terrified as you dragged yourself and the drowning victim to the platform.

After fixing the man's position on the floor you checked his vitals. You didn't bother checking if he could respond— you already know he's not going to respond.

"Miss—" one of them dared to speak up.

They were replied with a flying dagger that nicked the skin of their cheek, it hit a lightstone nestled within the wall with terrifying accuracy. They didn't even move to dodge that, and they soon realized the dagger belonged to that guy who almost drowned. You had moved so quickly that they didn't see you pulling the dagger from that guy's sleeve.

"Shut... up" You ignored the swell of pain in your heart and forced yourself to not fall unconscious. "Shut the f*ck up"

This is why you quit the red cross.

Straightening your kneeling position to fully stretch your arms outward, you positioned the heel of your hand on the center of his chest, your other above it. Only after doing so that you finally pressed down hard on his chest— beginning chest compressions.

A familiar routine came to you, and your body somehow knew what was going on. Muscle memory moved before you could think properly. You kept your arms straight as you mentally counted each compression until you had to open his airway and give him rescue breaths. His chest rose each time you pushed down.

26... 27... 28...

By the 29th chest compression, he vomited out the water in his lungs. One of his fingers twitched, then his hand, until his arm moved— instinctively grabbing your sleeve.

You stared at him, the first-aid treatment had come to you as muscle memory. It was also muscle memory when you called for his attention. "Sir, please breathe slowly and relax"

"You—" he stared at you, his expression unreadable to you.

Your hands trembled, you took deep breaths and watched him do the same. The emotions you were suppressing until now found gaps in your heart. You moved away from the man you just rescued, your arms wrapping around yourself for both comfort and warmth.

It was silent after that. No one really knew what to say.

"Maybe I should call you all the immortal physician" you finally said after a few minutes of silence. "Since you seem to know your way around this place more than I do"

Even if you really didn't know this place like you claim, the least they could've done was to listen to you. Your breath trembled as the cold settled in, water dripped from your hair, and you noticed your hands turning blue. You almost wanted to cry at your condition, but you could not find the energy to do so.

"It was a mistake, miss—"

"Mistake?" You turned to look at them, your voice sharp. "Your mistakes led to someone making a misstep that could've ended their life! And your response to it wasn't about saving him! You asked where we were going next!"

"What if it was you who almost drowned? What if no one came to your rescue and left you to die?" Pointing at them, you swear your blood pressure started going higher. "Do you think this is some place where you're allowed to make mistakes? You're all grown men! You should know better than this!"

"You all rushed in, didn't listen to me, let someone almost drown, and call it a mistake!?" This whole situation will lead you to hysteria at this point. "I can't believe how little you think of life!"

"Miss" one of them, a burly man, spoke for them. "We understand your frustrations and we know that you wouldn't be able to understand the goings-on in kangho— but you should know that our world is different from yours"

"He's right, no one asked you to save him" some other person chimed in. "Because that is what happens to those who cannot keep up with kangho, they are left to perish"

"We won't take this personally, but know your place" the same person continued. "You don't understand this world, so don't bother interfering with it"

"Oh! I'm sorry!" The pitch of your voice rose as you continued to speak, your hands gesturing wildly. "Do the laws of humanity not apply to you anymore? Is your pride so high that you think you can save yourself and deny medical help?"

No words came from the other end, they let their glares at you speak for itself.

"Hey, so— since you clearly don't want me to do anything else than just be your little tour guide" you made sure to let your irritation be known through the tight smile you gave them. "Don't expect my help the next time you're in a situation of peril, got it?"

The men in front of you remained quiet, and you could tell that the dislike they initially had of you multiplied tenfold.

"We wouldn't dream of it"

Fine then, if they mistook your kindness for weakness— it's not going to be your problem when the protagonist and the other disciples eventually kill them.

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

Of course, you remained true to your word.

The men were helpless and could only follow your lead, blindly believing your abilities but skeptic of your sincerity. However, you had lost all remaining patience for them and so your sentiments became distant. You walked briskly to nowhere and everywhere at the same time, absolutely determined to get this over with as fast as you could manage.

There was not a single word uttered between you and the group; the atmosphere itself rivaled the freezing temperature of the grave. At one point, someone from behind activated a trap— hurting himself and a few others. Your reflexes forced you to look over at them. Gaze lingering, you peeled your eyes away and continued to walk despite their efforts to keep up with you.

They can treat their own injuries.

Many other traps were found along the way. Since you were ahead of the group, you were usually the target of wandering arrows, poison, and crumbling floors. It seemed endless and out of nowhere. Your exasperation reached its boiling point when someone else activated a trap and it instead tried getting after you.

' Why is this whole thing designed to get a piece of my ass '. You think to yourself, eyes closed at the absurdity of the whole situation. ' Is the divine physician one of my opps from my past life? '

After those near-death experiences, you finally reached that circular room where everyone is soon to convene. The ceiling stood high above, illumined with lightstones that cast its light down. Doors leading from all sides propped up against the walls, and a deep chill greeted all its newcomers. Like all the rooms you've been before, this room was also spotless. Free of dust, as though your presence was expected.

You shivered and your teeth chattered against each other as the cold enveloped you. Your already-wet state did not help at all, despite your efforts to dry yourself off. If you weren't going to die from the traps, you are surely bound to meet death because of this temperature.

The group you came along with were the first ones there, it seemed to be for a few minutes. Though it didn't take long until everyone else realized the approaching presence of other people. But your focus was not on them, but at the door that was decorated in engravings separate from the rest— the exit.

Since you were ahead of the group, and the first to enter the room, you were consequently behind the others when they turned to face the new arrivals. Your current position concealed you from the sight of the newcomers, but it did not hide your gaze from fixating on their faces.

' These people are going to perish here '. Stiff civilities were exchanged between the two groups who recognized each other. The names that they were called are impressive, but could they prove it? Within the presence of a protagonist, you think not. 

"—Then prepare to take your final breath here!" One of the martial artists (you were sure he didn't introduce himself to you when you were kidnapped) from your side roared, and ran blade-first into the opposite end. 

This action caused the others to follow— very much like the blind leading the blind.

The men plunged themselves into chaos. Screams followed the clash of blades as technique after technique was used to defend, strike, and defeat. It didn't help that more people were coming from all sides of the place; and, after seeing what was going down, had the bold idea to join in. The floor shook in tremors as every now and then, someone would swing their qi-infused weapon down strong enough to create cracks.

Yet, the only woman in the room took her chance. You slowly backed away the longer the others were occupied. With all of them distracted, you could finally make your escape!

When you took enough steps backward to feel the cold iron of the exit door behind you, you seized the opportunity to pry it open. However, your strength could only take you so far. As the metal door did not budge an inch for you, looming a shadow of unforgiving. It was as if the doctor intended for only the strongest to escape.

If you don't get out of here soon, you'll soon be discovered and attacked. Even if that doesn't happen, you'll be caught up in the crossfire, or a stray swing of a sword.

"Please...!" Realizing at once the gravity of the situation, you looked up at the unmoving door in desperation. "Please, let me out!"

You pushed all the weight you could against the door, trying to use force. "Immortal physician! You can't let me die here!" The words came out of your mouth recklessly, but with the chaos ongoing— no one had heard. "Is it not against your oath as a doctor, to allow an innocent's death!?"

Just as you said that, the door finally opened enough to be able to fit you. Its sound alone resounded all over the room. At the same time the door opened, a loud "BOOM!" came from the other side of the crowd, deafening the sound of the door perfectly.

You didn't know who you should thank first, your racing heart barely allowed you any time to think. As a strangled "thank you...!" escaped your lips, so did your body struggle itself to fit into the small space the door allowed exit from. 

Your arm was the only part of your body that made it to the other side when something tugged at the skirt of your plain-colored aoqun. Looking down at the something/someone responsible, you almost jumped at the sight by your feet.

A man, who was most likely a martial artist, had come (or a better term— crawled) over to you. His whole garments were soiled in blood that came from both him and his enemies. The black tressels he called his hair turned into the shape of string as he was soaked in his own sweat. In his mouth, a plea that is no different from a beggar's. 

"Help..." he choked on his own blood before swallowing. "Please... help me...."

You didn't think twice before you were already checking his injuries, your hands worked at the speed of light to dress the wound located so near to his heart. There were so few resources to conduct it properly, but you did what you could to keep him alive long enough to find professional help from a real doctor. 

"Sir, do not engage with anyone you cross paths with if you wish to live". Your hands helped him cross the small crevice of the slightly-opened door while you gave your instructions. "Get help for yourself as soon as you're out".

"An angel... I am forever in debt to you" he struggled to speak in full sentences from fatigue.

"Yes, yes" you shooed him with great urgency and as you tried to leave again—

"Miss! Please let me out" a voice whisper-shouted at you. "I have a son—"

"What are you doing here!?" The concept of a man choosing to follow his violent career when he had a family was incredulous to you. And it opted you to push him into the door. "Out!"

Soon after, others followed with the same plea of escape. Most of them were critically injured, while others offered very acceptable reasons to be. At once, you shooed them away and into the door. You keep looking behind you as you dress another man's wound to check if they have found you out yet. It is positively well-fortuned for you when they haven't, and are extremely focused to the other end of the battle.

They are too occupied with themselves to care even one bit about you.

It comforts you very much when you recognize that you saved so many from dreadful fate, and there are not as many cadavers lying around in this room as the webtoon made it out to be. 

Finally, it was your turn to shimmy yourself inside the door. Some others whom you have helped waited from the other side for you. At their sincerity alone, you could deduce that they are a lot more tolerable companions than the ones you've been forcibly grouped with. 

"Come on, miss!" One of them cheered encouragement even if you only got one arm out. "You can do it!"

"Don't rush or you'll hurt yourself" an older martial artist advised, he looked the same age as your father.

The kindness made you freeze for a moment. This was the first time anyone from kangho showed any courtesy to you. It felt almost alien, remembering who the respect came from made you shiver in discomfort.

But that wasn't the only reason you froze. 

Someone grabbed your other arm that was still on the other side. You barely shimmied your head into the room and now someone discovered you. Maybe you should have put yourself first...

"Run!" You immediately warned the others who were waiting for you. They remained still in their places as they hesitated. "Do I have to repeat myself? GO—!"

As you screamed, the person who caught you by your other arm dragged you back inside the room you were originally in. It didn't take two einsteins to put together who it was in front of you. 

"Ugh, this guy again" you spoke in your native tongue, though your expression did not betray the emotions you were feeling. From the remnants you have left of your hearing, you could make out footsteps that transitioned faintly the farther they got. At least they managed to escape. 

The others were still occupied with their battles when you were discovered. You could only infer that this red-cloaked man finished his fight and found you. You struggled against his grip, but it was all useless in the end— so you just gave up. He pulled your arm, urging you to walk behind him despite you almost tripping from the sheer force he put into that one pull. 

"You know, you kinda remind me of that one streamer during the pandemic— except he was green, I think" you let the man pull you to wherever. He looked over his shoulder at you to give you a weird look.

It wasn't that you gave up, but everything up until now has been so mentally exhausting that you ended up just going along with all this bullsh*t. "He didn't kidnap me like you, so that makes him cooler— which I really hate to say about him"

"Speak in a language I can understand" he spoke gruffly.

"So I can't think out loud anymore?" You sighed in disappointment. "I miss my women's rights— did you just roll your eyes at me?"

Indeed he did, but your question remained unanswered as more inquiries were made known. You had felt a sudden rough and itchy texture around your wrists a few moments ago. At first, you thought that the guy was secretly a furry. Although, seeing the man who was just pulling you to go somewhere with his hands free made you realize that your hands were not bound by him, but it was now bound to a rock stuck inside the floor of one of the hallway-entrances.

"Oh" you couldn't think of anything that was worth saying in a position like yours. 

"Stay here or else" he tried to threaten you, but you looked at him as if he was the weird one— and it made him falter. 

"Don't worry, I don't plan on going anywhere" you reassure him, waving a hand to shoo him away.

The red-cloaked man merely looked at you wary before leaving to join the still-ongoing bloodbath that was happening before your eyes. You huffed, hands combing through your locks that were still soaked from the lake. It had tangled since you neglected to care for it. Although in your defense, it's difficult to focus on multitasking when so many overwhelming events happen with no break in between. It is only during moments of pause where you get to breathe and sort out your thoughts.

Like what you are doing now.

You wonder what the five swords were doing at this time. Obviously, better than how you were doing at the moment. You let your mind linger on the thought of them finding you here— drenched, cold, and bound with rope. For a second, you could predict their reactions.

Cheongmyeong would definitely kill you. 

Nodding to yourself, you sighed in defeat as the idea really settled in. Cheongmyeong, who advised you in a letter that you stay in Nanyang, only to find that you disobeyed him. Oh, he'd be furious. Actually, who gives a d*mn about what he thinks? You worry most about what Iseol would think— she'd be so disappointed.

You can only hope that you can get out of here alive. From the moment you woke up and found yourself here, you could feel an underlying presence. You weren't sure if it was the spirit of the doctor, or if it was something else entirely. That white veil, the eerily clean place, the frozen lake, the murderous flowers below it, the traps that were targeting you; that all did not go unnoticed by you. If anyone else knew what happened to you, they would hardly believe it...

It's like this whole place expects you to die here. 

That thought brought your heart to skip a beat from fear.

With these things in mind, you could only hope that it is all the doctor's design and not something worse. Whatever that may be.

As you lamented your circumstances, something fluttered down on your shoulder with familiar chirps. At the simple sound alone, you turned your head immediately to the source. You almost leapt to your feet as you recognized who it was.

"Lou!" You cried, letting the bird fly down to the ground before you. "I'm so happy to see you! How did you find me?"

But the avian did not answer, only in the way of nuzzling affectionately against your hand. What else could you do but laugh at his antics? "Haha... it's like you always know where I am"

Lou chirps then, after flapping his wings enough to climb on your lap, started tapping his diamond-shaped beak on your thighs. From the years you took care of this bird, you already knew what he meant. "Oh no, Lou... I don't have any food on me"

An idea soon came to mind. You looked down at Lou who seemed to be crying dramatically. "But, I think... Cheongmyeong has some"

You scooped the small animal in your hand. "Do you think you can find him, and return to me as soon as you get food?"

The reason you suddenly asked this of Lou was for you to estimate how far the protagonist was from you. If your pet returns at a varied length of time, you will be able to tell if Cheongmyeong and his group are close. Furthermore, it is an indication for you to expect them.

The promise of food from the protagonist motivated Lou; he zipped out of your hands and into a certain distance. You watched his small build get even more tiny the farther he flew from you.

You relaxed once more, and tried to find a more comfortable position to sit in— but who were you kidding? The position in which the red-cloaked man tied your wrist in was not the best example of comfort. That, and the fact that you were still shivering from the combination of cold air and water also worsened the situation you were already in. You had half a mind to simply free yourself when something surprisingly blanketed your figure.

Turning your head slightly made you recognize that the sudden embrace was from a warm garment. Its color is a dull gray, and it had a slight fuzz on the fabric itself. Although there is one important adjective to describe it— it's dry.

You slowly looked up from your position. Because where would such a thing come from if not from someone? This kind of article of clothing surely wouldn't fall on your shoulders naturally. And you were right— for the person responsible was actually the same guy who kidnapped you.

Immediately, you flinched in surprise, your mouth drawing a sharp breath. You had not expected this at all, and coming from him? It's hard to digest. The two of you were stuck staring at each other awkwardly until someone would speak.

You decided to be the one to break the silence. The words caught in your throat for a moment before you could properly speak. "Uh, thank you... sir"

He didn't say anything. You could already feel the secondhand embarrassment creeping in your nerves. Nevermind that, maybe he's someone who speaks very little. In the webtoon, he seemed quiet. Though, you remembered that he was quite cowardly.

"I want to talk to you" he ended up speaking. 

"But what of the panacea?" You bring the fabric closer to you before looking pointedly at his companions. "Surely all of you must be itching to move..."

"It's fine" he catches himself once realizing that he sounded too eager. "My companions aren't going to leave yet, people are coming so they want to get rid of them first

You laugh for the first time since you came to this place. But it was very short and fleeting. There's barely anything to laugh about when you're currently kidnapped.

"Is there something funny?"

"No..." you lowered your head to smooth the smile that threatened to invade your lips. "I just remembered something"

They're really going to die with their lust for blood, huh? You look at his companions, who were chatting merry nonsense. They conversed like the topic was a party, as if the hill of bodies they managed to slay did not exist.

They seem so happy to look like a mess.

"Miss..." the man called your attention again. It's strange that you don't know his name, especially since you saved him then. "Why— why did you save my life?"

What could you say to that? Would he be satisfied if you told him that you are under oath, from your life back home, to save any life on the brink of death? Do you think he'll accept the answer; "I saved your life because it's in my nature to help, not because I am supposed to"? If you told him this, he would surely doubt and ask even more questions. 

"All lives deserve to be saved, and everyone has the right to live" you answer, the words familiar and distant all at once. "There is no one in the world who can dictate who lives and dies"

"But that shouldn't be enough of a reason to obligate you to save me"

"That's right" you turn to look him in the eye. The red-cloaked man stilled at your words.

"Do you see these cadavers? All of their lives are equal to each other... like when you read the number of casualties from the news, the value of those lives are the same" your voice shook, all the frustrations you kept silent from in regards to violence spilled out. "But, despite their value being the same, each life is worth more than the existence of time. I can't accept that some people would think a life's value is so little— that they are ruthless to eliminate".

"I don't understand how people could be so merciless to discard someone's life so easily" sighing, you continued. "Much more if it is millions of other lives, like how leaders around the world would declare war on one another— with no regard for their civilians, soldiers! Who have just as much of life as any other!"

"You have a very strong opinion on war"

"It's my life's work to advocate against it" you faltered for a moment when you are reminded that you barely started your career as a diplomat— and even then, it still affects your opinions. "But I recognize that there are some aspects that cannot be stopped"

Both of you remained silent, though it was mostly you. Taking deep breaths to calm yourself, the topic brought so many forgotten perspectives that you had back home. You remember writing a whole research article about the humanitarian causes of war— such as deep-rooted racism caused by territory affairs. 

"...Although I know you don't want to believe that I had done it because of empathy" you spoke up, moving your gaze to the floor. "So I will spare you the details and implore you to never ask this of me again"

Silence once more, and then—

"...I actually have a wife"

You had never turned around so fast in your entire life. Sputtering, you looked at him in disbelief. "A wife!? Then why are you here!?"

Omg, you're actually going to kill him. You hate these types of men! Going off to do stupid sh*t when they have responsibilities back home. 

He looked as though he wanted to speak once more— but was interrupted by the fluttering of wings. Lou had returned quicker than you expected— and you already know that the five swords were near. And, based on the nut that was nestled between Lou's beak, they were most definitely alerted.

"Sir, please untie me now" you looked at the man, who blinked at the urgent tone you were using. But he still went on to untie the rope binding your wrist— which confused you. 

Huh. You supposed that he will reject your request immediately, but there was not one word of rebellion from him. Still, you're not going to let this whole ' I have a wife but I went here anyway ' thing go.

You tore your gaze away from him to look at the other various swordsmen in your group. They all treated you horribly, that was for sure. Also, whether they end up really deceased or not after this whole ordeal was unknown to you. However... you are sure that they all have families or friends who expect to see them tomorrow. Wondering where they have been, just like your own.

Some people may not agree with what you are about to do.

As you approached them, they were caught up in conversation. It looked as if they were all determined to ignore you until you cleared your throat. The interruption forced them to finally turn their attention to you.

"Just go through that door and it will lead you to the panacea"

"Yes..." one of them looked at you. "Are you not coming with us, miss?"

"No" shaking your head, you mentally wished that they would just shut up and leave. "This is the end of my journey here, what lies ahead is your responsibility now"

"How will you go home?"

"That's my problem"

"Hm, then your payment..."

Before you could speak up, they handed you a heavy pouch. When you opened it, you were struck with the smell of blood on the silver coins. Huh. Maybe this journey was worth it after all. 

"Ah, it's okay if you take those right?" They spoke with condescension dripping down their tone. "Don't mind the blood, you can just wash it off when you get home"

The men laughed. It was jarring to hear these kinds of men laugh simultaneously.

"Thank you, sir" you spoke dryly. "You are very kind... Now, if you all would just go—"

"Ha, why are you rushing us?" Another one complained openly about you. "We'll take our time, all of our opponents don't stand a chance against us"

"Please, sir—"

"Hey! You all heard the young lady" this guy— Dae Ra Geom stepped up. "What is it sweetheart—?"

"Don't sweetheart me"

"What are you afraid of, sweetheart?" He laughed, it made you want to shoot him. "Don't worry your pretty little head about us, we're quite formidable men. We'll survive..."

"I'm sure you will"

"So, what could possibly happen?"

You extended your arm outward to a certain direction, pointing. "That will"

They all looked at the thing you were pointing at, which was an open hallway. The inside was dark, so it was quite hard to see. But that is the advantage of qi training. Every person and animal in the room could feel it; the presence of more enemies approaching. Or, in your unfortunate case, the steady approach of the one who will kill you the moment he spots you in this place.

There wasn't much to think about now, as your thoughts were now occupied with surprise. One of the martial artists grabbed you by the neck and held you in such a way that looked like you were being held hostage. Your neck was squished between this stranger's forearm and bicep. It's not at all comfortable, especially if it is an attempt at your life.

"Sir! Wait!" Your hands tried to claw your way out of his grip. "Don't do this, you'll only make the situation worse—!"

"Don't worry miss, we won't kill you" he reassured you, tightening his grip. "We'll just use you as leverage against the people incoming"

HELL NO! Why couldn't these losers just leave? They're so weird for wanting this much bloodshed! 

"Trust me, sir!" You pleaded for both the life of this stranger and your own. You feel the coat that Sam Sal-Gwi lended you fall to the ground. "I am the last person you will ever want to use as a hostage! Moreso with these people!"

You feel lightheaded as the person holding yourself hostage rejected your plea once more. From what you could feel, the five swords were at least 2 minutes away from you. You don't want to be there when they see you!

"Please!!" You were begging now. "If you value your life let me go!"

"For the last time; NO!"

"Fine! I guess we're all going to die here!!"

They looked at you as if you had come from a mental facility, but that was the least of your worries. Oh goodness, you could hear their approaching footsteps. What are you going to do now!? 

You didn't know if this was caused by the sudden spike of stress, muscle memory, or an idea that just popped up into your head, but you soon felt all of your muscles fall asleep at once. Even your eyelids closed as you went completely limp.

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

"Take one more step and this civilian woman's head is going to be chopped off!"

Oh, we're going for this route? Ok... 💔

A resounding gasp came from the opposite side of the square you were on. It was a mix of voices, and if you picked it apart you could single out whose voice belonged to whose. In that moment, one voice stood out from the rest. 

"Mo—! Ack!"

With your eyes closed, you could recognize the voice of Yunjong, and your thoughts already shifted into worry. What do they look like now? Did they obtain any injuries throughout their journey through this place? You remember that the last obstacle they had before entering this place is a cave full of bats. In the webtoon, those same bats clawed at Cheongmyeong's skin. 

However, as much as you wanted to see them, you can't compromise your current position of false fainting. If you had made known that you were conscious, it would make the situation even more troublesome. You could only hope that they're not doing anything reckless.

Someone seemed to recognize the people you were with, as you suddenly hear their names spoken in mid air. Huh. Hearing those names aloud made you realize that it suited these characters.

"How could you drag an innocent young woman into this!?" A slightly-familiar voice spoke, and from the line alone you could tell that this person was one of the beggars. "She's no martial artist!"

' That's right! He's so right! You knew that the only ethical people in the world are the poor! ' 

There wasn't much to see since you had your eyes closed, but you almost blew your cover by almost laughing aloud from your own thoughts. You summoned all of your high school theatre experience to school your face expressionless.

"And— where on earth did you get her from!? She's a foreigner! Don't tell me—"

"I only picked her up from the side of the road" a voice came from behind you, it belonged to the red-cloaked man. "I'm not a human trafficker"

"Surely, but why would you take her!?" The beggar reasoned, baffled by the excuse. "She must have no use—"

"Haha, that's where you're wrong" another voice, but from above. It must be from the one holding you hostage. "She's the one who graciously showed us the way to the panacea until now"

"What!? How is that possible!?" The beggar continued to talk, his voice travelling through the space of the room. "How can a foreigner know the layout of a centuries-hidden grave!?"

"You tell me, we were in luck" the same person who has his arm threatening your air supply scoffed with arrogance. "Judging from the fact that we were here much quicker than you— we had a lot of time in our hands, and it's all thanks to her"

"Time used to mercilessly kill innocent lives?" He argued. "For such a trivial reason..."

"Don't act so naïve, beggar—"

Goodness gracious, if these people keep going your body is going to go numb. The only thing that is holding you up now is someone's arm— and their grip hurts like hell. You could feel the circulation of your blood be put to a stop the longer you're held like this. With the blood draining from your face, and your breath being shortened, you could infer that you must looks so pale right now.

"Disciple Baek Cheon. Please help us" Hong Dae-Kwang turned to the handsome face who looked serious. "Most especially, we must help the poor girl held hostage"

"Of course, we will" the younger man nodded in agreement. "I am not someone who prides himself on following the rules, but I don't like seeing people take advantage of an innocent civilian".

"This… the disciples of Mount Hua." Was his name Dae Ra-Geom? You don't remember. "Recently, the name of Mount Hua has been going around a lot. Unfortunately, you will find out that you aren’t that strong in Kangho"

Shut up!

"Shut up!" Baek Cheon yelled.

Oh, you said that in your head the same time Baek Cheon shouted. 

"Have you said everything that needs to be said?"

Hahaha... that's Cheongmyeong's voice. You're so dead.

"Who are you?"

"You don't need to know"

"What did you say?"

"—And what has she to gain from helping the likes of you?"

Your heart dropped simultaneously with a bead of sweat that rolled down from your forehead. Despite shivering from the cold before, your heart beat felt twice the speed it normally does. Why is Cheongmyeong's voice doing this to you...?

"The rest of her life" the arm around your neck tightened, it forced you to hold your breath. "And her dignity intact"

"HOW DAR—!" Jo Geol was cut off, muffled perhaps by his sahyungs.

Huh? What happened? You weren't really listening.

"Hm" Cheongmyeong spoke again. "The world usually works like this, was it?"

Then, the protagonist uttered "I will show you what true heartlessness looks like".

The sound of a sword being unseathed echoed through the silence that those words left everyone with. Your captor shivered, and you could feel the faint bumps on his arms left ghostly. It only took the protagonist one step forward for them to regain their words.

"Stay back, boy" Makhwi snarled, bringing you along as he stepped back slightly to unsheath his own blade. "One more and her head won't be attached anymore"

"Then kill her if you dare"

WHAT

You almost fell to the ground if it were not for the man supporting your limp frame. It seemed like the others had a similar reaction too, as shouts of protest came from the other side. Calling his name, spoken with frustrations.

"Cheongmyeong!! Why would you—"

"You can't let her die!"

"Young disciple! What are you saying!?"

The man holding you hostage had a different idea though. He laughed, booming and arrogant that your ears (who are so close to his mouth) rang after the sound.

"Oh? It's my first time seeing a taoist react like this"

"What about her is worth saving?"

Just you wait, Cheongmyeong. Once you get your hands around his neck, you're going to squeeze until it's all purple.

"Well, if you had acquired her earlier you would've had a nice tour guide" one of them, aside from the others who had already spoken, boasted. "She has enough expertise that she got us this far"

"In that case, there is no use for her anymore" Cheongmyeong justified, and you had never wanted to choke him more than now. "Beyond that gate is what we are all fussing over about, so there's no need to hold her hostage"

"You—"

"Don't belittle that child"

While they moved on with another topic, you haven't. You can't believe that Cheongmyeong suggested killing you. Is he mad at you!?

Before you could finish processing Cheongmyeong's apathy to your life, you were unexpectedly thrown to the ground. A loud yelp escaped your throat as your body hit the floor with a thud. Sharp stings seared the side you landed on. The weight of the rest of your body heaved against the arm you used to soften the fall.

"—or are you going to continue prattling on?"

Now, if you keep up your unconscious act after being shoved to the floor like that— you will only look stupid. You had no choice but to pretend as though that action woke you.

With a groan, you sat up slowly while making sure that you looked visibly in pain. A hand massaging over the arm that you landed on, you raised your head to find Mount Hua's disciples staring straight at you from the other side of the room. 

Your jaw dropped slightly. "Saje— EEEEKK!!"

A hand grabbed you by the hair, forcing your face to stare directly at the ceiling. Your gaze fell to the floor as the sudden pull kept you from focusing on anything else. Although the preparator's hand kept a loose hold on your hair, you expressed your dissatisfaction almost immediately. 

You're feeling really petty rn...

"NO!! STOP IT, PLEASE!!" Tears started rolling down your cheeks as you babbled in your native tongue. You stopped and looked directly at the person with his fist in your hair before resuming. "Oh no! Not YOU! "

"Sir, you can't do this to me!" A sob escaped your throat, and you sounded so pitiful that although the other side couldn't comprehend what you said, they concluded that you were crying in pain. "Anyone can touch my hair! Just not you!"

"And why not?"

"You— you look like Tr*mp..."

"Who is that"

"Ahh!! It hurts! It hurts more since you look like Tr*mp!"

Makhwi, who teared his gaze away from the confrontation to listen to you, decided to step in. "Hey, you don't have to hurt her that much..."

"But I'm not even—" the martial artist looked offended, as if he were the victim instead. 

"Help!! A Tr*mp lookalike is pulling my hair!! He's balding too!"

His temper only flared worse when you continued to complain. "Shut up, b*tch!"

Until a small something pressed against your neck, tilting your chin further up. You shrieked at the sudden existence of such a blade at your throat, but not from the pain. Your eyes were almost blinded from looking at the lightstone above— lodged into the ceiling.

"Be grateful that I'm not letting you see these people perish"

"Don't put your mouth next to—!"

Slash!

A thud followed and then silence. The blade at your throat slowly lowered, allowing you to finally look at what's in front of you. It took a second for you to lower your head, gaze at Cheongmyeong's first before falling to...

The head, neatly severed from the body which now fell a few feet away. A pool of fresh, red blood actively spilling over the worn floor.

Your hair was let go, framing your face as it was before— but you made no move to escape. Your eyes still glued to the severed head several feet ahead of you. The beating of your heart did not change, which was strange for someone who just saw a cut head for the first time.

The arm that was holding you up and supporting your whole weight weakened, and it didn't take long until you were dropped to the floor with a thud. The force of your fall, combined with the bruises you obtained, made the pain even more numbing— and you soon saw black spots in your vision.

Then, you hear Cheongmyeong's voice— soft, yet had no need to demand attention.

"Next"

Like a switch that had been turned on, your eyes closed as you succumbed to unconsciousness.

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

Unfortunately, your passed-out state was short-lived.

The next time you open your eyes, the scene that unfolded is chaotic in itself. A flurry of Mount Hua's robes, combined with mismatched uniformity of the group you came with, gave way to a live-action version of what you had read before. Words you couldn't make out were flung across the room. The sound of blades clashing and blood splattering echoed, most especially in your ears.

Looking up to have a grip on your surroundings, you were met with the face of the man who dragged you into this whole mess. He was staring ahead, giving subtle glances toward you as if he were in a dilemma. Your body was stuck in a sitting-up position, and your muscles protested with pain whenever you tried to move even in the slightest.

You could feel that your whole weight had been shifted onto the man, with the way you were leaning on him, and his hands supporting your upper half by holding on to your arms. 

"What's going on?" You questioned him. "Let go of me!"

Is this how he treats his wife back home? You're genuinely going to beat his ahh...

The red-cloaked man did nothing to look you in the eye. He removed his outer coat and wrapped it around your shoulders. "We have to go" 

And, after abruptly shooting up from his position and wrapping his hand around your wrist, you were forced to get up and run alongside him. 

Almost immediately, your legs screamed at the sudden use of muscle. You nearly fell over from doing so, but there was barely anything you could do to help yourself. When your kidnapper suddenly tries to bring you to a second location, you can only dig your heels into the ground and pray that it keeps you there.

Just like a few hours ago, your heart beat faster in fear for your life. "Stop it! Where are you taking me!?"

"Be quiet!" The man tugged at your wrist, trying to pull you in. "You're going to get us killed! I'm trying to save your—"

"This bastard is acting so hideously"

You and that man froze, both heads turning towards the place where the voice came from. Lo and behold, it turned out to be Cheongmyeong.

"Can't you see that she doesn't want to come with you?" He addressed your captor, his eyes did not glance at you once. "Is that how you snatched her up earlier?"

The protagonist continued, "And! No matter how temporary this alliance is, how can you run away when the people on your side are fighting for their lives? Huh?"

Cheongmyeong's gaze fell on Sam Sal-Gwi's hand still on your wrist. The moment his lips curved downward and his brows almost joined together from how hard he was furrowing it, you tried to tug your hand back and free yourself. The look he gave alone made your skin crawl in the most uncomfortable way possible.

"Yah" his glare at the man became downright murderous. "Let go of her hand"

Sam Sal-Gwi's grip only tightened around your wrist. You sincerely wished that you could die at that moment.

"You dragged an innocent civilian into this situation" clicking his tongue, he steadied his glare at him. "These martial artists today no longer have any chivalry"

The older man somehow found his voice "Isn't it in our nature to take advantage of an opportunity?"

"Oh?"

Noticing the teen's intrigue, he continued to speak. "Besides, I'm not heartless enough to not return her home after this is over"

"Hm... fine, let's say you will do that" the protagonist tilted his head. "But that's not why I caught you"

“If I let you go like this, you will surely take her with you, right?” He pointed his sword in your direction. "You're not taking her anywhere"

"..."

"I can't let her leave me for you"

Before you could even blink, the older man tackled you to the ground. His hands softened the blow of your back hitting the stone. It all happened too fast, and you were too stunned to find your voice to scream.

Then, the body that pushed you to the ground fell limp over you. 

Oh my god...

He's dead!

There's a corpse on top of you—!

A quick shove from the protagonist, and then the older man's body is pushed to the side. Now free, there was still some shock in your body that kept you still. Cheongmyeong pulled your arm to get you to sit up. His hands grazed lightly over your arms.

He called you by your name. "Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"…I could say the same to you" you stared at him, wide-eyed. You were still processing what just happened that you didn't notice Cheongmyeong removing the coat left by Sam Sal-Gwi and replacing it with... where did he get this?

"Are you okay? You're shaking"

"I'm fin—"

"That doesn't matter" Cheongmyeong turned away, walking towards the body clad in red. "What does is—"

You never stood up faster in your entire life. "Wait!"

"Move away" he frowned at your interruption. "I might hurt you"

"Just let him be"

His jaw dropped slightly, and you mentally braced yourself. "Why should I!? Did you forget that he kidnapped you?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why are you protecting him?" The protagonist's face twisted with frustration. "You can't just let people get away with harming your life"

"Who said that I'm letting people go after what they did to me?"

"So why are you letting him stay alive!?" His voice rose as he spoke, his hand gesturing to the body of your kidnapper. "He doesn't have any qualities that can be redeemed!"

How do you tell him that you're more worried about this guy's wife than the man himself!? 

"Have you taken a look at yourself?" He now gestured to you. Hands flailing over your still-drenched state and your now tattered clothes. "Look at you! Look at the state they put you in!"

"What about you!? You look worse than me!"

This argument was getting so loud that you and Cheongmyeong attracted the attention of the other mount hua disciples and beggars, who were chatting amongst themselves after defeating their enemies. Now, their heads turned to see the two of you bickering.

"Alright, that's enough out of the two of you" Baek Cheon made his way between you and the protagonist. "Cheongmyeong, we're losing time the longer we stay here"

"If she just let me kill that guy, maybe we would all get a move on from this place!"

You gasped in offense. "but if you just listened to me, we wouldn't be arguing!"

"Well, if you listened to me about staying back in Nanyang, I wouldn't have to worry about you!"

"Since you don't want to worry about me" Your voice shook as all the stress from earlier revealed itself in your words. "You shouldn't have asked the sect leader to bring me along with you in the first place!"

Stunned silence. The Mount Hua disciples and beggars standing by the side while secretly listening were gagged. Some clasped their hands over their mouths.

Cheongmyeong looked even more shocked than them, his jaw dropping in a way that can welcome flies if he kept it open for too long. He turned to glare at his seniors, but they diverted from his gaze by looking at other thing— all thinking it was the most interesting thing in the world.

But there was one beggar who was brave enough. "Uhh... did you force her to come here—?"

"Leave yourself out of this!"

You sighed like all the troubles in the world were on your shoulders. After that reveal, Cheongmyeong had turned his head, refusing to even look or speak to you

 Which is fine, your brain already feels half-dead from all this.

Too much is happening right now and in such a short time. Turning around, you distance yourself from them as you mentally clock out. You're tired, cold, uncomfortable, and hungry. Heaven help you, 100 years of sleep sounds so appealing right now.

A single chirp disturbs your thoughts, you don't need to look to know who it is.

Lou crooks his head to peer at you, before flapping his wings to fly around you. The small bird circled around you, pecking at your hair and clothes to elicit a reaction from you. Although, you were too fatigued to deal with his antics.

"No, Lou..." you trailed off as the avian landed on your shoulder. "Not now"

"You have a very smart bird with you, miss"

Freezing in place, you turned your head to see who had crept up behind you. "...oh, it's you". Almost immediately, you recognized his face. "The one I almost crashed into a few days ago"

"Ah, you remember still?" Hong Dae-Kwang chuckled in amusement. "Hehe, I guess it's quite memorable"

"...I'm sorry" you stared at him for a few moments, your mind blank. "I'm still quite out of it"

"Oh! That's fine!" The beggar reassured you. "The experience must have quite frightening for you"

"..."

"But, I'm quite curious" He spoke carefully to you, like he was talking to a victim more than a normal person. "One of those bad men claimed that you were proficient in navigating caves, can I ask how you got that information?"

"...that's not true" Is this man trying to milk you for information? "I don't— I don't really know this place, it was a huge misunderstanding that led me here"

"Oh" the man almost seemed disappointed. "Then—"

"Are you all ready?"

Cheongmyeong spoke to everyone in the room, still refusing to look at you. But his tone was a bit more... stoic? Serious? There was not a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"Yes" the disciples nodded their heads, and you stood up to your feet.

"Let's go catch those Wudang bastards"

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

You find your legs threatening to disconnect from your torso. 

The group is now running through the halls of the cave. But no matter how hard you try to keep up with their speed, at the end of the day, they're trained martial artists and you're just a normal person. Their level is too high for an average person, and so you are visibly struggling. 

Even as Yu Iseol held your hand so you could keep up with her speed, you were on the verge of collapsing. You never ran this much in your entire life.

Cheongmyeong's voice came from behind. "You didn't even run that far to be gasping so much! This is why I said you people should train more on a regular basis!"

Ack. You've never felt like such a fat pig since coming here until now.

Every single part of your body hurts. You're genuinely not built for ts.

All this running is bringing back memories...

"Wow, miss...!" A middle aged man wearing a tracksuit called your last name. "Your running's improved from last year!"

"Really!?" Your highschool-self exclaimed, clasping her hands together. 

"Uh-huh, your speed's above average now" your gym teacher waved a timer in his hands.

Mr. Jones... I miss you...

Your train of thought is interrupted when Jo Geol got poked in the ass with Cheongmyeong's sword.

"Ah, it hurts! Ahhh! Mom! Cheongmyeong's poking me with his sword!"

"Run! Run!"

Despite the disciple's cries, you pursed your lips and remained silent. Inwardly, you apologized to Geol and hoped that he wouldn't take your silence against him. You didn't want to speak to Cheongmyeong at the moment, hence your muted answer.

My legs are going to cramp for days... my feet... they're bleeding huhuhu

"Sajeo, let go of me"

"??"

"I can't go on any further, I'll only slow you down" you speak between heavy pants, any more of this and you won't be able to walk properly. "You have to go first, I'll catch up eventually"

Reluctantly, Yu Iseol lets go of your hand and leaves you behind. You slow down a little and eventually come to a stop, silently hoping that Cheongmyeong—

"Yah, why are you stopping?"

doesn't see you 🥹

"Ah! Um..."

Before you could even finish your sentence, the protagonist unexpectedly charged at you— to lift you up in his arms. One of his arms carried you from under your knee, while the other found its way behind your back. You were so in shock that you completely forgot to hold onto him.

"Cheong—!"

"Mount Huaaaaaaa Divine Dragonnnnnn!"

At those words, Cheongmyeong picked up speed. The rate that he was going was likened to a rollercoaster accelerating from a steep drop. You had no choice but to hold your tongue and to hold on for dear life.

"The exit!"

"Light!"

"Ahhhhh!"

The other disciples exclaimed ahead of you two. Cheongmyeong carried you into the next section of the cave. At the same time, you both looked up at what greeted you. A cliff.

Somehow it looked even more foreboding than how you saw it from the webtoon.

The protagonist spoke to the others. "Up there!"

"You mean for us to go up there?" They collectively looked appalled at the suggestion 

Until realization settled in. After all the training they did on Mount Hua, shouldn't this be child's play for them? Their bodies shook with excitement, they hadn't even bothered waiting for Cheongmyeong's instructions. All 4 of them ran towards the cliff as though the prize was really within reach.

Meanwhile, Cheongmyeong sets you back down on your feet.

"Stay here! If you move from this place, I'm going to kill you!"

You could only silently nod in agreement, suppressing your emotions and what you wanted to say. The protagonist's face crumpled up in annoyance at your silence, but he soon joined the others anyway.

Everyone in the room was all focused on climbing the cliff, leaving you alone at the bottom.

Wow, it really looks as it did from the webtoon. But... Is there something different about it? You watched as the Mount Hua disciples climbed, got attacked, and the beggars finally entered the scene to aid them.

...what are you going to do now?

Lou swoops in, landing on the palm of your hand. He took a while to catch up, and the flying seemed to take most of his energy from him. The little avian huffed and puffed on your hands, spreading his wings in exhaustion. 

There really wasn't any food or water on you, so the only thing you can do is reassure the bird. "Just hang on a little bit, we'll get out of here soon"

The bird's weak chirps only fueled your guilt, so your eyes wandered— looking for something. It didn't take long to find it, as it was in the center of the room. 

You glanced at the men climbing up the cliff, particularly at Cheongmyeong. Surely he wouldn't notice you taking a few steps forward?

The sound of a crash confirmed your mental question.

Slowly, you moved from your previous position to the direction of the protruding metal door on the floor. You fell to your knees beside it, your hands feeling the engraved symbols. It surprised your touch from how cold it was, no doubt from the temperature in the room. There were still remaining crumbs of dirt on it, so you made sure not to touch those parts. It was definitely the kind of door that can't be opened by just anybody.

The strange thing was, the symbols on the door looked like characters from a specific alphabet. At first you thought it was written using Mandarin characters, but upon closer inspection, it was written in the Latin alphabet.

VGltZSBoYXMgY29tZQ

UHJlcGFyYXRpb25zIGFyZSBzZXQ

Tm8gbWF0dGVyIHdoZXJlIHNoZSBpcw

RGVidCB3aWxsIGJlIHBhaWQgd2l0aCBhIGtpc3M

Or whatever that means.

Wait a second, this looks like a code—

Bang!

The sound of gunshot rang in your ears, the bullet hitting the metal as you barely dodged away from the sudden target at the back of your head. Its ringing felt so severe that you doubled over at the pain. For a few moments, you could not hear anything and your vision blurred as tears rose to your eyes. Judging from this alone you could tell immediately that the trigger was pulled really close to your ear. You turned only to meet your attacker—

who pulled another shot at you.

Gasping, you moved from your place and up on your feet. The stray bullet caught itself in one of the stone walls in the room. It almost hit your temples.

There was barely any time to realize who was attacking you. Even if there was, you would not know who it was since their whole get-up was completely cloaked. Leaving no room for recognition.

The anonymous person pulled the trigger again— and you evaded the bullet from hitting you once more. With the kind of movement that felt like it was all coming to you naturally. This time though, your movement was forward and to the side.

So, when the perpetrator tried to shoot you again, you lunged at them. Your hands immediately wrapped around the wrists that had the hands holding the gun. You struggled to move the muzzle away from your direction, and switched it to them. The two of you were stuck in a back and forth of sheer will, trying to take full control over the firearm.

"Who are you!?" You questioned them between push and pull. "Are you the same person who attacked us a few days ago—!?"

They tried pulling the trigger again—

You ducked under them, twisting their arm. The action of hurting someone caused a sharp feeling to your chest. Your heart skipped a beat several times than normal, so your breathing turned ragged and heavy while trying to keep the circulation of your heart going. The cloaked stranger made a sound of pain at you twisting their arm.

That wasn't a human sound.

Still, there was no time to linger on that thought. You snatched the gun from their hands as soon as you got the chance, before taking several steps away from them to keep a good distance. It was strangely cold for something that should be warmed by now. The familiar feeling of a firearm in your hands sent a fluttering feeling through your stomach. It felt comforting to hold something that you knew so well once again.

Before you could feel another sharp pain—

Bang!

This time, it was your fingers who pulled the trigger. You had aimed at the leg, with no intentions of harming someone enough to kill them. The stranger tried to evade your shot, but ultimately failed to. The bullet landed on the person's thigh with an alarming accuracy for someone that has not held a gun for years.

Was that important? No.

The cloaked figure fell to the ground with a thud and another inhumane sound. You threw 2 more shots— each at the feet of the person to immobilize them. In an instant, your vision started to blur and your heart started to squeeze itself inside your ribcage. You immediately knew what was about to happen. There were only a few seconds until your heart stopped completely— making you a code blue.

But there were no doctors or nurses rushing to your aid. This place was not the hospital your father worked in. Your father was a thousand years away from you.

So you ran.

You had to hide from this person, or at least, not let this firearm fall into their hands again. You ran towards the cliff with what little strength you had in your legs. And, once you got to a certain distance, you threw your arm back, and hurled the gun towards Yu Iseol— who was still climbing.

The next thing you saw was the distance you now had from the ceiling to yourself. Your body had fallen, and you were left desperately clutching at your chest, gasping for air. But whatever you did, there was no oxygen that entered, leaving your heart beat to go weaker... lesser... until the circulation was no more.

Before your eyes closed completely, you saw the figure that attacked you stand up. Their joints move in a way that a human can't. Soon, their cloak fell, and so did the structure they held themselves with. 

What is that!?

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

When you opened your eyes, you could tell there was something off.

Maybe it was the ceiling (out of wood now— which you were surprised to see), it looked so... real. In a sense that it seemed similar to what you were used to a few years ago before this all happened. At the same time, it was unfamiliar territory.

"She's awake!"

"Mom!"

Wait, you don't remember giving birth—

You turned your head to the side, only to find a group of 4 people sitting to your right. Two boys leaned forward, worry etched in their faces. Although, they looked just as real as the ceiling above. Not fully real, but a bit that they did not look uncanny at all. There were two others who seemed older, but the younger ones were quick to grab your attention. 

"Mom!!" One of the boys exclaimed, he was the first to rush to your side. "Are you alright...?"

"What happened? Why were you—" the boy next to the other asked, but he cut himself off to look at you with guilt. "Mom..."

Stop!! You can't be a mom! You're only 27 (mentally)!

"Let's calm down" (Woah! This guy's handsome!) A man let his hand fall down toward the shoulders of one of the boys. "We shouldn't startle her off the bat"

Who are these people...?

"...you don't remember us?"

Sh*t, did you say that outloud?

"Uhh..."

"Don't tell me you hit your head so hard that you accidentally gained amnesia??"

You froze upon hearing those words. That voice...

Sitting upright, you turned your head to the left, where a man sat on a chair next to your bed. He had his arms crossed and a frown on his lips. There was no trace of the artstyle you perceived him in, rather, it was now a face that was comprehensible to your eyes.

"Cheongmyeong...?"

The protagonist raised a brow. "Right, you’re at the age to qualify for alzheimer’s— hiiikkk!!!"

Without letting him finish, you lunged right at him. At the back of your mind, the others in the room cried out your name from surprise. But your target was Cheongmyeong, who had not expected your actions and almost fell off his chair. For some reason, he did not move to escape you, only leaning away a bit. Your hands gripped his face feverishly as you wore an expression of absolute disbelief. 

The sudden closeness caught him off guard, so his face warmed under your hands. You paid no mind to that, all too focused on his skin, his eyes, and all the features of his face.

Cheongmyeong's face burned under your scrutinizing gaze, he could not find it in himself to complain about you squeezing his skin or your too close inspection of his brows. "Hey—"

"Wh—" you struggled to speak for a moment. "Why do you look like that...?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're—" your eyes fell to your hands holding the protagonist's face.

That's... that's not your hands...

You gasped, moving away from the teen like you had been burned. Your eyes remained fixed on your hands, then you pushed the fabric of your sleeves higher. This revealed your arms, who were also in the same state of your hands.

It was a disgusting sight to look at. Your skin, that used to be detailed with lines and hairs. The texture was not the same as the last time you were awake. It felt... smooth, flat.

Unnatural.

"What... what is this...!?" You exclaimed, grabbing at what part of your "skin" was available. The neck, feet, and even this hair! Your breathing caught in itself, heavy and labored.

"What have you done to me?"

I’m really embarrassed to ask this, but are any of you interested in getting writing commissions from me? As you have already read the notes from the beginning of the chapter, my family is planning to press charges against the perpetrator. The attorney’s fees for this will be heavy on my family’s finances. I want to help in whatever way I can. This is just a survey to see if there are people interested.

On a lighter note, I guess the ao3 curse really is real.

Please, let me know what y’all think about this chapter! And, I have a request! Give me a song recommendation that you think fits this fanfic. I want to make a playlist out of the songs you comment :)

Comments are love! ♡

[urpen-pal]

I'm sorry guys but did y'all notice smth about the new novel cover 😭

Cheonma... He looks like... he looks like pbss...

STOPPPP PLAYING WITH ME BIGA 💀💀

[urpen-pal]

Y'all I promise I'm almost done with chapter 17 of HtKaPB— just give me a few weeks. It's been a long academic year for me 😮‍💨.

While y'all wait, here's a sketch I made of the reader and Cheongmyeong (spoilers for Chapter 15):

Also, snippet of the next chapter:

As you lamented on your circumstances, something fluttered down on your shoulder with familiar chirps. At the simple sound alone, you turned your head immediately to the source. You almost leapt to your feet as you recognized who it was.

"Lou!" You cried, letting the bird fly down to the ground before you. "I'm so happy to see you! How did you find me?"

But the avian did not answer, only in the way of nuzzling affectionately against your hand. What else could you do but laugh at his antics? "Haha... it's like you always know where I am"

Lou chirps then, after flapping his wings enough to climb on your lap, started tapping his diamond-shaped beak on your thighs. From the years you took care of this bird, you already knew what he meant. "Oh no, Lou... I don't have any food on me"

An idea soon came to mind. You looked down at Lou who seemed to be crying dramatically. "But, I think... Cheongmyeong has some"

You scooped the small animal in your hand. "Do you think you can find him, and return to me as soon as you got food?"

The reason you suddenly asked this of Lou was for you to estimate how far the protagonist was from you. If your pet returned at a varied length of time, you will be able to tell if Cheongmyeong and his group are close. Furthermore, it is an indication for you to expect them.

The promise of food from the protagonist motivated Lou; he zipped out of your hands and into a certain distance. You watched his small build get even more tiny the farther he flew from you.

[urpen-pal]

Y'ALL I'M SO EXCITED FOR SEASON 3 YIXAXGXIAGXWIFXQ NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE HOW HAPPY I AM

I MISSED THESE CHARACTERS SM

[urpen-pal]

HELLOOO

its beena whiel the last time I asked was after my exams🥀 i have another batch of exams coming up wish me luck🙏 ANYWAYSSS HERE ARE MY QUESTIONNNSSSSS:

You are going to end the story in a happy ending... right..?

-After rereading the fanfic for the 5th time this week I js noticed allat forshadowing and I appreciate it so much its actually so cool

2. When do you plan in your fanfac to let chung myung know that his plum blossom are the blossoms that kidnapped us?

3. How much angst do you plan to put in this fan fic...?(im gonna bawl out my eyes)

-the way you write chung myug and reader is so SSBUDDBGS GOOD like i love hoe reader is so responsible, tuff and all like if that was me me fr i would have started to assume thing w chung myung fr🥀 bht i understnd since her character is really deep n all

-thats all and thank you so much for your hard work and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR YEAR AUTHOR!!❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Dated: January 7, 2026

Really late, but hope you're satisfied with my answers!

1.

It depends on my mental state when writing. I switch between daydreaming about a happy ending and a tragic one. Though, with how I'm setting up the plot behind the scenes, it's leaning towards a tragic ending (yikes). I'd love to know what y'all want tho! Lmk in the comments lol

-I love that you appreciate the foreshadowing, and I desperately want to hear y'alls theories. (you're feeding my ego 😛)

2.

Near the verryy end of the fanfic. So it's kinda a warning when I write that scene out. The moment y'all read about CM finding out the truth of the reader's existence (yes, even that will be revealed), y'all are looking at a few chapters left before reaching the end.

3.

As much angst as there is in the novel I fear. It'll start on chapter 17.

-Tysmm! I was really worried that CM would come off as ooc so I would take long pauses from writing to re-read the novel and webtoon. I also read a lot of other fanfics on ao3 just to get a better grasp on CM's character. Reading this compliment from you is very relieving, I hope I can continue to write him well.

Dw, the reader is just like y'all too. Sooner or later she'll question things that will lead her to theorize on CM's feelings for her (she's just like us fr)

Thank you for the New Year's greetings! Although a bit late, I hope you have a wonderful rest of the year too! All of you!! ♡

[urpen-pal]

HELLO!

IT'S ME COME BACK!!

With questions 🔥

1. I'm curious what's was Elders and disciples reaction when they found how Zhongnan's people treat (you)?

2. I'm really really want to know what's first thought Zhongnan's Elder and disciples on you especially Lee Songbaek 🤭 ( I really want reader put bitter medicine in that old man's drink next time!🤣)

3. And did 3rd-grade disciples beat Zhongnan's disciples because they thought they bully their mom?🤔.. When remember this part:

Question

Why does it look like their hits towards the Southern Edge disciples hold a lot more malice than in the webtoon...? Is it because the violence in the webtoon is simplified while in real life, it's a lot more bloody?

4. Did Cheongmyeong keep glare at her/you because he kinda sulk when she/her didn't tell him about how Zhongnan's treatment or about something else?

5. Since 3rd grade disiples rip off the letter or sometimes ate the letter, what's if someone confess front of their mom, what's they gonna to do?🤣

Bye-bye,take care of yourself. Make sure drink enough water . Sleep well and don't forget about rest and food. Have a good day for you (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥

Welcome back!! I hope you're still around though... the date says dec 21, 2025 (oof) I'm so sorry for the delay!

1.

Their reaction is just as the same in the fanfic. They would insisst that you stop serving them only to withdraw when you defy it (you know how to handle it, you worked in retail before).

2.

Most of the Zhongnan disciples' first impression of you was that of a snappy servant. Their opnion tilted to the positive side when they first tasted your cooking and experienced the first-class hotel dorm rooms they were assigned to.

Lee Songbaek had a more empathetic impression. At first, he thought that you were a servant who was treated unfairly. But after the conversation he had with you by the well, he was surprised that such a young girl would be able to question him like a seasoned scholar. It was quite unusual to him, yet it only made him more drawn to you.

Don't worry, that arc was not your last meeting with them. There's still a chance.

3.

Yes, they did 😌.

The reader ignored it because she thought it was because she's never seen martial arts in-action before.

4.

He glared at you because he wanted you to praise him as well like the others were dling in that scene. But you only smiled at him and didn't approach him.

The others received praise when they won their battles, so why didn't you do the same for him?

It's okay though, you made it up to him in the next chapter. Even if it was a small amount.

5.

They would not allow a stranger get in any numerical value in radius of the reader. Their methods may be unconventional, but it works the best.

Once the next chapter is out, they'll have an even harder time shooing away those suitors.

[urpen-pal]

Are you going to update today? 🥲

I'll try to do monthly uploads from now on ^^

[urpen-pal]

Good day Author-san, I have another few questions, and also thank you for answering me last time Author-san. Now here are my questions ✨

1. Does the Reader die at the end? considering on what you said author-nim that some parts are inspired by the little mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, will she? It would be very interesting that her main life force in the world of ROTBB/ROTMHS is her Qi that was what keeping her there, well what I think it is I guess(pls clarify me on this part or was it Chung Myung Qi?) what if she overuse it? Will she be transparent? Or become ghostly? My goodness, I am really excited about what will happen next? Angst? Fluffy? Gore? Breakdowns?

2.) Will some characters still die?

3.) This is more of a request than a question (you can still refuse to do it Author-nim) What if the Reader had gone to the Plum Blossom Sword Saint/Sovereign era, instead of the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua/ The Mad Dog of Mount Hua era? It will be hilarious but just as terrifying because what if you experience that agonizing travel (the time where the Reader turned into a plum blossom tree) no di-aging, in a forest where there are a lot of it then panicking because all of a sudden there is a sword next to your neck close enough to feel the sharpness of it. (Like this is just a short side story au of your own story author-nim, no need to make it because I know you're very busy, this is just a request)

4.) Will we be seeing some fluffy parts?

And that's all, thank you 😌✨🙂‍↕️

Date: Nov 29, 2025. (Oh my God I'm so sorry 🤡)

1.

To be honest with you, I don't know if I should let the reader live. Maybe I'll toss a coin, maybe I'll hold a poll. It all really just depends on my mental state at the time of writing (as most of the chapters are influenced by what I feel at the very least).

You're really close to the truth, but just to clarify: it is the reader's qi that got Cheongmyeong interested in the first place, and the reason she is sought after (forcibly brought along in his adventures). He could argue that the reader's qi is the kind that PBSS should've trained for. It really is a shame that her physical prowess is limited.

Just like you, I am also excited to see your reactions to that specific chapter.

2. Yes. If the reader had read the novel, she might have been able to save them. But how is she going to gain access to the novel when she's stuck in a fictional world?

Imagine this:

3. How could I refuse this? This is the first request I have ever received, so I will obviously do my best to put that out there.

(Clarification again) the reader isn't afraid of ordinary plum blossoms, it's Cheongmyeong's plum blossoms specifically that she fears. She only lied to him so that there wouldn't be a burden on him mentally.

For now, I can only offer a scenario (as fitting a whole side story in this post would be hard to format).

You wake up after the painful events of the first chapter, but instead of seeing the faces of the elders and sect leader, you see—

Is that a cardboard cutout of the moon?

The dark surroundings made it difficult for you to make out where you were. But, judging from the position of your back laying on flat, you could surmise that you were lying on the floor. With a wince, you slowly sat up, minding the ache of your arms and legs, the itchy patch on your throat. As though the furry part of a flower's stem wrapped around your throat.

Realizing those sensations only brought a pit of dread in your stomach; a harsh reminder of what just happened. Although, you couldn't dwell on it further when your eyes landed on the greenery in front of you.

Are those... cardboard cutouts of trees? Your eyes narrowed, and you recognized it as real cardboard cut outs. Following your field of vision, the set up looked like it came from a painted stage set of a cartoon musical.

One look, and you could already imagine feeling the texture of paint, pen, and other stationary material used to create. Looking down, the grass you were sitting on wasn't even real grass— it's more like floor boards with the picture of grass!

This, and accompanied with what you were seeing, brought a wave of negative emotions— particularly panic. You didn't know how to react. Unfortunately, it distracted you from the sound of very light footsteps.

Before you could even will your body to move again, a sharp pain stung your neck. Slowly, you turned your gaze down to the side where you felt it.

A paper—? No, it's shaped like a sword but it is sharp enough to leave a papercut. What the hell is this?

Your brows looked as though they were about to join together from the force you were furrowing them with. Just as you were about to make a sound, a voice came behind you.

"State your name" the voice, deep and masculine, spoke like you were some intruder. What's more heart dropping, you didn't understand a single word. "What is your business here, by the plum blossoms of Mount Hua?"

Did you not look foreign to him? Why is he talking like you could understand— oh wait your back is turned.

You turn your head steadily to look at the man, mentally ready to do your best to communicate but also unsure what to expect— WHAT THE F*CK!?

The man? Ghost? Thing? Looked as though he belonged in a horror movie. His features couldn't be described with any existing adjectives, in any existing language. The closest you can get is; uncanny human.

Your scream echoed throughout the entire mountain.

(I will post the whole side story when chapter 17 is out, so you can understand the context of this scenario)

4.

Of course you will! The original source material is filled with so much angst that it would be awful of me to not give y'all any of that. But that doesn't make this fanfic an exception from the horrors.

[urpen-pal]

Halluu! I'm so sorry that there was suddenly a pause from me posting these qna portions (even when I said that there will be an influx of posts coming from me. It's just that, after posting the last qna, I became sick to the point that I was on antibiotics for a week. Then, I took my mid-terms and omg what kind of state did I find our world in 😭. Moving on, here's the next batch of qna portions! Thank you for being so patient with me!

[urpen-pal]

thank you for answering my question(s)!🙏:

Is it possible if we could know how Lewis and our dad is doing back in the real world? How is the dad taking it? What about lewis?

i really wonder what must've been said when that obnoxiously loud train passed by👀...

Hmm... what if I show you the aftermath instead? I don't plan on adding this scene so think of this as a bonus chapter!

(HEAVY SPOILERS)

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

The hours following your kidnapping were eerily peaceful. No one heard the pained screams, and there was no witness to see the unnatural growth of the garden. If there was any, they would've been overtaken by the growth as well. Morning dew coated the garden's flora— but none touched the protuding branch in the center of your beloved garden.

When Lewis awoke, an unseeming feeling settled in his chest. He was used to you gently shaking him to rise— then leading him to the swert aroma of fresh food. But there was no smell of pancakes, nor was there a sister to greet him a good morning. He called your name, hearing it echo around the walls, then to the halls, then to your empty bedroom. Sheets crumpled; and your night slippers left on the floor by the bedframe.

At first, the little boy thought it was strange for you to leave your slippers. You always emphasized keeping his feet safe from danger. The grandfather clock by the end of the hall pointed at the roman numerals Lewis hasn't learned to understand yet. He scrambled his brain for a reason as to why you were missing so suddenly. Then he remembered— you spent most of the early morning at the garden!

It made the most sense to him; the only person he knew that loved flowers so much was you. Why else would you have let him wake up alone?

He hurried down the winding stairs, almost tripping on his socks from the freshly-waxed steps. It was your doing, obviously. Always making sure the house was clean enough to live in. Then, he heard the sound of a rattling doorknob.

Consecutively, three knocks were heard from the entrance. His father's voice on the other side. Your name left his mouth first. "...open the door—"

A click, a turn, and a creak. Lewis opened the door for his father to enter. A man that seemed like he had permanent fatigue on his face, and could rarely be seen outside of his scrubs. His lab gown hanged from his forearm, and his bag immediately dropped to the floor with a thud. Lewis looked up at the man. "Good morning, papa"

His father's eyes widened at seeing him, not expecting this. "Lewis? Where's your sister? Is she still asleep?"

The boy shook his head. "She's not in bed. I think she's in the garden"

At this, the man's brows shot up in curiosity. He looked at the time in his watch— 7:30 am. You haven't left the garden at this hour yet? Just like his son, an unsettling feeling crept up in his stomach.

This wasn't like you at all. Why haven't you come out to open the door for him? You always did; you always woke up before he does, you were always there to take care of things in his stead.

"Let's find her in the garden— she's probably sleeping there again". Lewis' voice snapped him out of his thoughts, giving him a minute of comfort.

The boy watched his father nod, grabbing hold of his hand. He led the way only a few steps ahead of the man, but it felt more like dragging him the closer they got to the back door of the house. The walls faded from the antique wood to the floral wallpaper of the kitchen as they walked. A door served as the boundary to the garden. Once opened, they will have a clear view of the garden— and will be able to spot his sister immediately. They open the door and step into the porch, walking towards the garden— which seemed unchanged.

As they approached the centre of the surrounding flora, it was not the familiar figure of Lewis' sister that greeted them. Instead, a protruding branch rooted on the ground replaced her. A single pink bud innocently swayed with each soft blow of the wind.

The boy thought that it must have been a new plant that his sister added at first. It was only until he realized that his father had frozen at the sight that Lewis worried. He glanced at his father's face, and wasn't able to see the look of recognition and dread he was making.

Your name was spoken softly by his father, disbelief in each syllable. That name was repeated 3 times before your father ran towards the branch, shrieking.

"No...! NO!" the man dug at the dirt where the plant stood. Endless coarse material between his fingers. "My sweet girl, no! This shouldn't have happened!"

Lewis watched his father in confusion, sobbing while repeating your name. The boy didn't understand the significance of such a plant— that's not his sister. A wretched wail came out of his father, and he just... stared. Not because of the lack of emotion, but because he's never seen him act like that before.

The longer his father was crying over the plant, the more his patience thinned. Can't he see that what he's doing is ridiculous? They should be looking for you.

"Papa, we should—" the boy walked towards him, only to be pushed away. Tears welled up painfully at his eyes when he fell on his bum. You weren't there to catch him.

"Move away! You shouldn't touch this!" His father snapped at him, bordering hysteria. The boy couldn't see the man's face as he turned away from him.

"How could this happen...? We— we were so careful..."

This is so ahh but this scene isn't going to be added to the fanfic. It would be better if y'all saw it instead— hope this opens up some new thoughts for y'all

[urpen-pal]

HELLOOO just wanted to pop in and say hi,

I love your rotbb fic sm, and also please don't burn yourself out and take literally as much time you need for the next chapter (s)🫶🫶🫶

Tysm anon! Make sure to take care of yourself always. I'll do my best to give you all the best chapters I can write ♡

[urpen-pal]

Since chapter 16 is out, I will now be closing the 200 kudos Q&A. Any question regarding the lore/spoilers will no longer be entertained— but any question outside of the category will be accepted. I'll start answering the asks that I wasn't able to give an answer to, so you'll see an influx of posts from me shortly ♡

[urpen-pal]

I just found out this morning that Tumblr is banned in my country 😭. The only way I could access the app/site is through my uni's wifi. So I used my uni's wifi to upload chapter 16... 🤡

[urpen-pal]

Chapter 16

The long-awaited chapter is here! I'm so sorry for how long this chapter took before being uploaded. I had to deal with so many personal things and it has taken a toll on me mentally. This even caused me to get writer's block too. I don't want to go further on that since it's my personal life, but I'm slowly recovering from it. On the bright side, I celebrated my birthday a month ago. So I've offically reached the age to legally drink in my country, hehe. I hope that y'all noticed my improvement(?) in writing. I'm doing my best. Your comments helped me the most during my hiatus, so please keep supporting me ♡. Thank uu soo much!

You wake up to a shuffling noise on the right side of your bed.

"Sajeo?" The light blinded your eyes as soon as you opened them. Which wasn't very welcome.

The older woman stood still. "...did I wake you?"

"Oh, it's alright" waving a hand (with another over your eyes), you sat up slowly from your previous position. "I was about to get up anyway— what happened to you?" You gasped once you saw it.

The most gorgeous face you've ever seen now carried dark bags under her eyes, contrasting the lighter colors similar to the waxing moon phase. Her gaze shot through you under half-closed lids and slow blinks. Along with a slouched back.

"I didn't sleep" she stated the obvious.

"Goodness..." you breathe out and sprang up into position. "Wait here, I'll make you a cup of tea"

Walking past Iseol, you crossed the threshold of your shared space and left her alone to rest. With a new objective in mind; you walked along the corridor to reach the small kitchen tucked away beneath the annex. Most likely placed there to hide from guests.

By the time you reached the room, you stop short at seeing a familiar figure inside.

You stopped just outside the door frame when you noticed a familiar sillouhette. Tall, tan, brown hair... it's Jo Geol. He was making loud munching sounds in front of the table with his back towards you. Doing your best to silence your footsteps, you snuck up on him.

"Geol, what are you doing?"

"AHHH! Mom!" At your creeping up behind him, the teen jumped half his height. "Why didn't I hear you come in?"

"Well, it seems like you're busy—" you try to look over his shoulder with fail. You decided to ask him instead. "What were you doing?"

"Uh, I'm trying to look for something to eat..." he scratched his cheek, stepping aside to let you see the food on the wooden table.

The brunette couldn't hide anything from you, especially when you looked at him with a stern gaze. Your eyes landed on the wood and its assorted items that you recognized instantly. The aroma where it came from gave away the type of food Jo Geol was munching on earlier.

Your eyes narrowed at the teen. "And you thought it was a good idea to eat sweets first thing in the morning?"

"I can't help it! I haven't eaten the whole night..." Geol made a pitiful expression to coax your empathy. He even clutched his stomach to prove his point. "Cheongmyeong... that devil made us work with barely any breaks. Or snacks!"

In the corner of your eye, you notice a piece of folded parchment sticking out of a cup for tea. You pocketed it soon after.

"Your stomach will be upset with you if you suddenly eat those kinds of food" your hands reached out to clean up the table. The teen shuffled closer to you, putting his pity face to the max level. "I'll make you something, just wait a bit"

"Thank you, mom!"

Internally, you sighed out of amusement. As much as you like cooking— it is the same thing as eating for the disciples. You moved around the kitchen with ease, and Geol moved out of the way to watch you cook. The first thing you looked for were ingredients, and after checking on the supply, you settled on making a simple soup.

The brunette watched as you laid out the ingredients and start prepping them by hand. You fashioned a pot and rinsed it clean with water. Next, you moved on to the produce then washed them with water too. In a few seconds, you diced the vegetables with a knife. The sound made for a very satisfying "chop!"

You had a fire running below the pot after attending to the earthen stove. There wasn't any need to add water for the soup, as the cabbage will provide enough for the broth. You added ginger and other spices when you deemed it appropriate, and cracked a few eggs into the pot once the cabbage released water.

"Mom, has anyone told you that your hands work really well?"

"What?" At the abrupt comment, you turn your head to the teen. You nearly dropped the pot's lid in your other hand.

"Ah, it's just that— the way your hands look... like that" he made a gesture towards your hands and in turn, made you look at them too. "It seems to be the reason why you work very efficiently"

"That's a unique compliment" you balled your hands into fists and relaxed them. Blinking a few times.

"I just noticed it recently, hehe"

"You're quite observant too" you comment casually.

"Does it seem like that?" Geol's face turned pink. How abashed he was. "I think your hands are the secret tools for your delicious food"

"Now you're just trying to kiss up to me"

"Oh no! You caught on!"

You laugh. "Alright, I'll give you an extra serving"

"Yay! Thank you, mom!"

"Take this to your senior brothers, there's one for each of you". The plates of breakfast were neatly arranged on a wooden tray. You straightened a crooked tea cup. "If Cheongmyeong asks where his is, tell him that he doesn't get any"

Jo Geol looked up from the display as if he was reminded. "Cheogmyeong left a while ago, mom"

"What do you mean?"

"He went to another village— he brought the map with him as well" the third-grade disciple explained to you as concise as he could. "I think he left while you were still asleep? I saw him come by your room before leaving"

What was he doing there? You couldn't help but furrow your brows at the mental image that sentence gave you.

At your expression, Jo Geol hurried to clarify what he just said. "He didn't go inside! He just... peeked inside?" Even the teen wasn't sure what he did.

"Pft, he was probably checking if I was awake yet" you provided a reason so as not to be further bothered by it. You will have to corner the protagonist later. "Maybe he was going to ask a favor or something"

"Right! Cheongmyeong left something for you"

"Did he?"

"Yeah, I think he left it here somewhere"

He really left it in the kitchen, huh? Is he trying to pick a fight with you?

"Wait, is it this paper I found under a cup earlier?" Thank goodness you didn't throw it away yet. You took out the folded parchment from your apron pocket and held it up to show Jo Geol.

"Yes! That's it!"

Before you could even read what he wrote, your eyes were naturally drawn to the small caricature of ink drawn in the corner. The lines curved and swooped to form shapes. Those shapes formed a head. Until it formed an image to the likeness of the protagonist. Beside him was a drawing of your head with hair... but no face.

Why did he draw you faceless...?

The sight of a faceless drawing of you was so appalling that you barely even noticed what the drawing was about. Which was of Cheongmyeong outside of a prison cell, while you were an inmate.

He wrote:

— Don't leave Huayoung gate until this all smooths over. I mean it. Don't. Leave. If you have to go out, then don't step out of Nanyang. By all means, bring someone to accompany you too.

I will find out if you don't follow this, and I will lock you in your room if I have to. Trust me, I have a bad feeling. —

"What did he say, mom?"

"...nothing" you folded the parchment over the space where Cheongmyeong wrote. Trying to divert the teen's attention. "Look at this drawing though, why did he draw me like that? Like I'm slenderman?"

"Who's—"

“He didn’t bother drawing my face” you show him the drawing with mock irritation. “Fake ass-“

“Uhh— it’s probably because you’re hard to draw?” Jo Geol'a eyes widened just as yours did once his words sunk in. “Not! That— you’re ugly or something!”

“Is there something you want to say, Geol?”

"No! I don't mean it that way!" The teen fumbled to explain. "I mean, I did. But! Not in the way you think!"

The hands you were using to brew tea paused. Your face made a dissapointed stare at Geol and, like most children who dislike having their parents make such an expression, was also affected by the sudden turn of your mood.

"Mom, don't you have somewhere else to be?" He had a look of defeat as he tried to persuade you that the topic wasn't thought-out properly. "You can go—"

"No, I have all the time in the world to hear what you have to say" you crossed your arms over your chest, staring down at the teen. "So, what was that again? About me being ugly? Who taught you to talk about women that way?"

Lou flew in the kitchen to make an abrupt interruption. The avian settled on your shoulder and nipped at your neck with his beak, making you flinch. The pain stung, but it numbed eventually. The action caused you to become dismissive.

"Just— I have to get these to sajeo Yu" you sigh with genuine annoyance now. "But you're on thin ice"

"Ah— yes, mom"

Taking the wooden tray holding the tea, your footsteps echoed loudly until it became faint. You closed the door to the kitchen with your heel— thudding against the door frame. Once more you started finding your way back to the shared bedroom with Iseol.

You blanced the tray in one arm as you slid the door open with the other. The light that came from the outside spilled into the room. You just now realized how dark the room is since you slept there. With the lanterns' light out, the only source of light came from the window.

"Sajeo, drink this" you say as you approach Yu Iseol, who was wide awake laying on the bed. "It'll help you fall asleep"

The physically older woman turned her head slightly to look at you. Then, she made an effort to sit up and gently take the cup from your hands. You watched as she put the ceramic to her lips and drink from it. She finishes drinking it all before you could blink.

She looks at you once more. In her eyes you could see the message she was trying to say, which is: "even if I drank this, I'm still not yet sleepy". Although, it contrasts the fatigue in her eyes.

"Your hair looks like Lou's nest— sorry, Lou" in an attempt to distract the woman, you pointed out her hair. "Can I brush it?"

Yu Iseol nodded at you, moving to sit on the side of the bed so you get a better reach. Bringing out a brush from among your packed things, you started on the tips of her hair— working your way up to the scalp.

There were a few knots in her hair, but you decided not to comment on that. You combed through her hair with your fingers, noting the newfound softness.

"Thank you"

"Of course, Sajeo"

"Hm" Iseol lowered her head even as you continued brushing. "Your hands are good..."

There was no hiding the smile that made its way on your face. You giggled at the compliment, amd in turn put down the brush. Deciding to reward her, you dug your fingers into her hair and started massaging her scalp with gentle motions. Yu Iseol closes her eyes.

Her body fell backward in a matter of minutes, you managed to catch her before she hit the mattress uncomfortably. There was little effort on your end when you laid her down on the bed. It was astonishing how easily you got her to sleep with just a massage.

"Get some sleep, Sajeo"

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

"It's so nice to have you join us, miss Laowai"

"Yes, it's good to have someone new with us"

"I only have your generosity to thank, aunties" you bow your head to them out of politeness.

A few days had passed since that morning, and in one of those days you received an invitation from the women ypu met at the market. It wasn't much, just a simple lunch acccompanied by conversation. You weren't crossing the line either with what Cheongmyeong said; since the restaurant is inside the boundaries of Nanyang.

Speaking of him, for some odd reason, you weren't able to manage to speak to the protagonist these past days. You couldn't inquire about the letter he left either. Your interactions were limited after that visit he made to the beggar's union (which you are 100% sure that event already happened).

"Oh! You speak too formally" the corners of the older woman's lips turned downward— expressing her dissatisfaction. "Please, just talk to us casually"

"No one is watching us, don't worry" the other auntie looked over at her companion sitting beside you. "Right, my dear?"

The teen boy had a timid look as he responded. "Ah, yes..."

"The sect leader isn't taking in new disciples yet" His mother took over the conversation. "So my son is still with me for a little longer, hehe"

"How are things with the other disciples at the moment?"

"We're all doing well—"

"I thought you were going back to Mount Hua after what happened" Ao Rui interjected, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "But with the current events, I suppose it's enough of a reason to stay"

What she meant by this is the unexpected influx of tourists in Nanyang. A rumor began circulating a day ago, and people from all corners of the world gathered to take advantage of such an opportunity. Even the restaurant you were currently eating in is packed with customers of varying features, though they all shared the same likeness of people born here.

No businessman would let this chance pass them, so they immediately advertised their products and services. This caused for a higher value to be placed on a once-cheap market. You were lucky enough to have bought things before the rise of prices. This situation feels familiar to you somehow.

"Are you going to accompany Mount Hua's disciples?"

"I'll be staying behind" you answer with a disarming smile. The aunties looked pleased with your response. "I've been advised to not leave Huayin"

"By who?"

"My seniors"

At the mention of "seniors" Bao Tou's son finally looked up, intruiged.

"Well as they should, the looming shadow of a battlefield does not suit you"

"Things are about to come to a head soon, aren't they?" Bao Tou commented, taking a sip of her tea. "I'm sure those Wudang disciples are getting more agitated by the minute"

"Especially with the appearance of so many other martial artists!" Ao Rui added, you listened to the two with your eyes focused on your cup. "They're all going to have a hard time, I'm sure"

"Are you sure the disciples on your side can survive this?"

"How are they going to go through whatever Yak Seon "has in store""?

You took a moment before coming up with your answer. "Normally, the ideal way would be having someone who can navigate such a terrain" a pause before continuing with the next sentence which made your companions laugh. "But the five swords aren't normal, so I believe they can manage"

"The prize makes up for it though" the older woman said after calming down. "Who wouldn't lay down their life for the chance to get that doctor's pill?"

"Yes, it is the most interesting event to happen in Nanyang"

"The contenders are really strong as well" you joined in on the gossip with the other two women. "I heard so and so are also joining"

"So did I" Bao Tou nodded before smoothing out her hair. "Though, I doubt that such warriors will be successful in that endeavor"

"And how could you say that?"

"They'll need the physician himself to get to it"

The three of you laughed in unison at the comment. You covered your mouth with a hand, and the joyous sound faded into a sigh once you recovered from the emotion.

"You're so right, miss Bao" you took a sip from the tea cup in front of you. "The only kind of people who stand a chance are cave divers"

"Cave divers?"

You froze, it was the slip of your tongue that you're being questioned now. "Oh, it's just some thing back home— you'd find it boring"

"Boring?" The women repeated. "That just made us even more curious, do tell us"

"Uhm, as the name suggests, they are professionals who expert in cave diving..." your mind whirred as you thought of how you were going to articulate the foreign j*b. "They have their own techniques that help them swim into deep caves"

"This is the first time I've ever heard of that"

"Oh! Are they more abundant from where you came from?"

There was no other explanation that you could think of, so you just nodded your head in agreement.

"What kind of techniques does a cave diver use?"

"Is it like martial arts?"

"Oh, no..." shaking your head at the query, you set down your cup. "Unlike swordsmen, cave divers... well, they explore underground caves"

"And...?"

"Uh... They can fit themselves into the tiniest spaces"

"And...?"

"They use echolocation to navigate uncharted caves". At this point, you were just describing bats— but this was the first explanation that came to mind so you just used it. Whatever, it's not like it's going to kill you.

"I'm sorry— what?" Ao Rui looked at you strangely for using the foreign term. "Ek-o-ro-kay-shon?"

"Ah, um... it's a trait where you use the echo of sounds to look for things" you fiddled with your hands, trying to word an appropriate explanation where they can understand it. "It's really useful if you need to locate something in the dark"

"And you know how to use it?"

"Yeah...?" Your mind wandered over to random science lesson you attended with a bored teacher. "My teacher at the time taught me"

"Oh, can you demonstrate it for us?"

F*ck, you don't know how to do this. That science lesson was years ago at a time where you were still in highschool. How are you going to remember that? You're not even sure if you can do it.

Wait— you don't even have to do anything!

"This place isn't really ideal to give a demonstration" you tell them. "For it to be most effective, you'll need to be in a place that can echo sounds and where light doesn't reach".

"Like caves?"

You nodded. "So if those people really want that pill, they'll need someone capable of echolocation in their group"

The two women hummed in thought before speaking to each other in the dialect native to Nanyang. You felt awkward at the exclusion but you didn't let your discomfort be known to them. Instead, you turned to start a conversation with the quiet teen next to you.

"Oh and please try the snacks I bought, I made them especially for you and your mother" you spoke kindly to the teen, who shifted in his seat.

"Miss Laowai cooks really well" His mother comments, pushing a plate of food toward him. "Don't you think so, my dear?"

He nods, avoiding eye contact. You don't blame him for being so awkward. A lot of people are like that when they meet someone new.

"But I don't understand, if you say that a cave diver has a chance" Ao Rui questioned, her gaze shifting between you and the other older woman. "Do you mean that the grave is located underground?"

"Rui, what are you saying?" Bao Tou scolded her lightly. "It's a grave, of course it's going to be underground"

"I know that!" The older woman responded though she was stll confused. "But she mentioned caves— does that mean the grave is in the heart of some sort of network?"

"It was just a hypothesis, but it's most likely true" you commented casually, the chopsticks in your hand grabbing a piece of meat from your plate. "The physician is a very wealthy figure, he's not going to choose a small cave as his final resting place"

They look at you and the weight of their gaze made you freeze. Your eyes, that was once looking down at you food now snapped up as you thought of an explanation. "I... I read about him in a book"

Ao Rui looked even more intrigued. "You can read?"

"Do you not?" Your head tilted slightly at the question, and you soon remembered that the working class of this era is commonly illiterate. Next time, you should bite your tongue before you speak.

"Of course we do! It's just— we don't know any foreigners who can read too"

"That's because she's the only foreigner we know"

"Not the time!"

You hid your laughter behind your hand, and this caused the other women to laugh as well. They seemed relieved that you didn't take any offense to their remarks.

"No, in all seriousness" Bao Tou said after calming down. "You're a mysterious foreign woman who can read, you have very good table manners, and possess skill among many other things— just who are you? Are you a daughter of a nobleman back in your nation?"

"My identity here is quite different from the one I have back home" here they are again, questioning your identity. You take a cup of tea in your hands. "I wish only for you to refer to me by the identity I go by here"

"Um, miss?" Finally having the courage to speak up, Bao Tou's son addressed you.

"Yes?"

"How is— how is that swordswoman?"

You blinked in surprise, not really expecting that question. Though, you should've seen it coming. Yu Iseol is the most beautiful woman you've ever met.

"Oh, dear" His mother teased him. "Why are you asking about other women while in front of another?"

"It's alright, I understand" you reassure them, taking your chopsticks and grabbing a slice of mooncake to place on another's plate. "I'll tell you about her once you've taken a bite out of this mooncake"

It was a really simple price for some information. What you really wanted from them is an honest opinion of your cooking. It doesn't really get any criticism, and you worry that they're all just being polite to you. So why not offer it to someone in exchange?

Your gaze moves towards Bao Tou's son, who readily accepted the slice. But your attention moved elsewhere as the women encouraged more conversation out of you. They spoke about a few trivial things, like the names of who participated— and it is then that you noticed a familiar figure sitting by their own table. However, you can't quite make out who it is.

A prickling gaze on your head, and you turned to see the teen boy look at you with a strange look. He must be waiting for the information you promised.

"My female senior is doing well at the moment". You finally say. "Is there anything else you want to know?"

"Do you want a husband?"

"Ahahaha!" Bao Tou covered up what her son said with a harsh laugh. "Forgive my son, he's been very out of it lately hahaha..."

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

"Thank you for the midday meal, aunties"

"It's been a pleasure having you"

"Let's hope we can do this again sometime"

You and the women simultaneously look over to the teen that accompanied you all. He was still munching on the mooncakes you brought. It was nice to see how heartily he was eating them, but it was also concerning the amount he already ate. As far as you know, mooncakes are for sharing, and it's uncommon how someone can eat one— let alone more.

Noticing your gaze, the teen spoke even through a mouthful. "Ah... see you soon"

"Are you sure you don't want an escort home?" Ao Rui took your hands gently. Her eyes held an endearing amount of worry. "Nanyang is filled with a lot of people now, it's hard to keep safe here"

"She's right" Bao Tou nodded to her friend. "There are imperial officers stationed here now to protect the civilians... from becoming collateral damage".

"It's the middle of the day, what could possibly happen?" You say just as a person bumped past your shoulder from behind. He didn't apologize, and you didn't want to show any negative emotion in front of the women you were with so you ignored him. "I'll be alright"

"If you say so..."

"Stay safe, dear"

"Likewise" you bow to them as farewell.

With the basket you brought with you in your arms, you waved after their retreating figures before going on your merry way. The restaurant the three of you had lunch in was located at more isolated place in Nanyang. You hurried to a more crowded area as a flash of red caught your eye.

The crowded area you sought led you to the marketplace. You decided to stop by a few stalls and looked at their goods. When you were satisfied and sure that you had spent an ample amount of time lingering, you walked to the next place. It took you less than 10 minutes to walk in a full circle around the area.

So many martial artists littered the streets, their gazes sharp. You looked above at the roofs for a glimpse of Yu Iseol— who isn't there. At this point, you had blended into the crowds of people very well it was unlikely for anyone to continue following you.

By this time, you should already be back at Huayin Gate.

5 times you walked around the crowded streets, but that man in red is still following you.

You were skeptical when he bumped into you outside the restaurant at first. Then you were suspiscious once he took the same turns you took around the block. Now, you've just confirmed him following you— and it seems like he caught on as well.

His face is obscured by the red he was wearing, you couldn't even make out his eyes under all of that. Quickly, you stopped by a mirror hanging by a rope tied to a stall. You pretended to check your reflection on the surface, but you actually did it to keep an eye on your stalker.

You feel your nerves rise in panic as the man started walking toward you.

You walked to the side of the mirror, the speed normal but with quickening steps. There wasn't any destination in mind— you only knew that you had to get back to Huayoung gate quicker. Once, you looked back to see if he was still there; only to see him closer than the last time you saw him.

The soles under your feet felt weighted it made your feet hurt. Shoulders brushed past and bumped into a few people but you didn't pay them any mind. Your breath came in light pants as your walk transitioned into a light jog in a feeble attempt to get away.

There was no way you could make a scene here, with so many armed people around. Your eyes frantically searched for a woman in the crowd, hoping against hope that there was. No one. Your only tactic was to blend in with the crowd.

The length of the sound your stalker's footsteps were making told you that he started running after you.

You broke into a sprint, legs stretching to reach longer lengths. The air seemed to close in on you as you squeezed through moving people and obstructions in the road. In your panic, you grabbed a banana from on the stalls, peeled it, and threw the banana peel behind your path.

Soon after you did that, a loud crash was heard. No doubt from slipping, you didn't bother looking behind you to check on that person. Thank you manhwa logic!

You slipped into an empty alleyway, hiding yourself and catching your breath. It smelled rotten in this place but it wasn't entirely dirty either. Your back was against the wall, nose stinging, the muscles in your calves ached sharply. Cursing under your breath, you wiped the sweat on your forehead with your sleeve.

"Lou" you refer to the bird that flew overhead. He spotted you and landed on your shoulder, chirping.

The basket you brought lay forgotten beside your feet. Your heart still beat fast so you crouched down with your head down. You weren't really sure if what just happened really did occur. The only evidence you have is the physical effects, and even that will recover so it's no use.

"Which way is back to Huayoung gate?" You question yourself, and Lou responded with a few chirps. You let your face rest on your hands. "Even this world isn't safe for women..."

What time is it? You remember that you promised Cheongmyeong that you'll be back before they left for the grave. Ugh, you could already hear his questions...

"Let's go, Lou" you say, already surrendering to your fate. Is it too much to hope that they have already left by the time you return?

Your hands reach for your basket— only to be surprised when a hand that doesn't belong to you grabbed it as well. Your head whipped to the direction it came from, and your heart dropped.

It was the man clad in red.

"No, sir!" You screamed at him, pulling at your basket. "Let go!"

The man didn't answer, he only kept tugging at your basket. It didn't seem like he was having a hard time. Meanwhile, you were pulling back at the item with all your might.

"PLEASE!! We're both poor!" Your reasoning made him freeze for a moment. "It doesn't have to be this way! We both fight equally in life!!"

He ignored what you just said, and you almost cried at the ridiculous tug of war you were having. Your palms stung from the coarse material of the basket's handle, but you continued to pull like it was your lifeline. Too bad there wasn't any setting spray to accidentally grab.

In the corner of your eye, you saw him reach into his pocket—

"Ah!!" You cried helplessly, letting go of the item in fear that he was about to throw his weapon at you for the basket. The sudden action made him stumble back a few steps.

With your hands raised, you tried to appeal to your attacker. "Please sir, I don't have anything of worth!"

He had just dug his hand into your basket to grab something. His hands surrounded an object which he soon pulled out of the basket. You didn't know if he meant it in a mocking way, but he dangled the item right in front of you. The man flinched as you screamed in terror, you recognized what it was.

"NOOO! THAT'S MY MONEYY!!" You screamed as loud as you could. "I worked my a** off for that!! Put it back in the basket!"

With his hand still holding on to your money, he was about to pocket it until—

"You have no idea what I can do, so Put. It. Back"

At your harsh command, he obediently put the money back where it once was (much to your surprise). Instead, he dug around for some other item. You just stood there in an awkward position while he frantically looked for something. What the hell is his motive? You were about to question him when he pulled out another one of your items.

"STOP!!! NOT MY HYGIENE KIT!!" Your scream made the guy's ears bleed. "Do you have any idea on how hard it is to make a pad!? IN ANCIENT CHINA???"

The man looked at you, then to the pouch, then at you again. If he had any visible brows, they would be furrowed by now. He didn't seem to have an idea of what you were reffering to. The sheer anger on your face was the only hint he had that it's better to choose something else from your basket.

You didn't know if you should feel sorry for yourself or for him. Although he looked quite the sensible man, he doesn't seem to know what he's doing. Is this the first time he robbed someone? Or is the experience of robbing a foreigner far different?

His hand dug into your basket one last time, and you knew that was the last time because what he brought out was the last of your things. Dangling from his fingers was a pouch with Lou's face embroidered on it.

Oh no, you knew exactly where this was going.

"Sir, I wouldn't open that if I were you" your warning came with an unnerving calm.

The man subconsciously shivered, not understanding the shift from your pleading to the stillness of your posture. He finally took the time to look at you properly; and all he saw was a statuesque face and a bird staring at him in an almost eerie manner.

His gaze tore away from you and with a moment of that was kin to Pandora's curiousity— he opened the pouch.

You watch in quiet horror as the man took his first whiff of assorted seeds and nuts— the scent making its way to the senses of the bird on your shoulder. Lou's wing's slapped your cheek as it took off in a speed you've never seen that fat bird fly before.

The stranger, still wrapped up with his confusion, saw the tiny thing speed towards him. Try as he might, but he could not stop Lou's beak from meeting with his eyes.

"That was Lou's dinner..." you close your eyes and stood ignorant as the man groaned at the painful attempt at blinding him. By a bird, no less.

"GET THIS CHICKEN OFF ME!" The man finally made a noise.

"Chicken???"

It is odd that the only time Lou ever acted in defense was not for your sake, but for his own. You don't know how to feel about that, especially when you took care of the avian for the last few years.

At this time, you hear a pained "tweet!" that came from ahead. You open your eyes to see Lou's round body land on its wing by your feet. Gasping, you kneel down and took the bird in your hands. "Lou!!" You exclaim, palms cradling your injured pet.

Someone then wrapped their fingers around your arm, tearing you away from Lou. When you were about to hurl insults at the stranger, your words fell short at the sight you were seeing.

Although the man's face is obscured by the clothes he was wearing, you could tell from the webtoon particles emmitting from his aura that he wad pissed. You didn't have time to dwell on that either, because you were held captive by a stranger who you are sure has plans that are sinister for you.

"I... am not playing these games with you..." he leaned closer to your face, and you leaned further away in response. His grip tightened— and you were forced to become aware of every single object in your vicinity. "You will—"

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" You shriek, free hand grasping whatever it could find and slamming it against the weirdo's head. A sickening crack echoed from him, forcing him to his knees.

You drop the object you just used as a weapon; it made a quiet thump on the grass. One look at it and you realize that you had just smashed a brick against some guy's skull.

You couldn't even fully process what just happened. The only question on your mind right now is how has your organs not shut down yet after that successful attack—?

Oh.

The moment you blinked, your body fell limp on the ground— almost paralyzed. With your face landing on the ground, your vision blurred and you could barely move any of your muscles. Your skull thrummed as a headache formed. Your heart started beating in an uneven rythym.

The last thing you see is Lou, who somehow got up after being thrown into the ground. His beady eyes almost seemed haunting as the bird made no movement— or sound to help you.

୧⊹˚₊˙⋆✿♡✿⋆˙ ₊˚⊹୨

You were still in the realm of unconsciousness when you hear it. Rough and low voices spoken in hushed whispers somewhere near your physical body. They weren't familiar to you at all— so you dreaded the second you have to wake up.

But you couldn't stay asleep for long. You soon opened your eyes to a dim place, illuminated only by a sphere lodged into the stone ceiling above you. Blink, and you could make out the cracks in the stone caused by age.

With muscles sore and aching from the position you were sleeping in, you tried to stretch your arms. It was then that you realized that they were bound behind your back. A rope made of coarse material scratched at your wrists. Suffocating, and threatening to cut off the circulation in your hands.

F*ck my f*cking chungus life... how did you get kidnapped a second time!?

"She's awake!" A voice exclaimed not so far away from you.

Before you could have any time to process what was happening, a sharp object was quickly pointed at your throat. You could tell immediately that with one wrong turn of your head, you will actually lose your ability to speak.

The owner of the dagger (at least you hoped it belonged to them) had a gruff voice as he whispered into your ear. "Show us the way"

At those words, you were immediately thrown into confusion. What way is he talking about? You made the smart desicion to move your eyes instead of your head to see who was trying to order you around.

He's—! He's that red guy in the webtoon! You don't remember his name but that's him! How is he still alive? You hit him hard with a brick before!

"Way...?" You echo, the blade served as a cold reminder that you were still in the webtoon. "What way?"

"We don't have that much time" The man clicked his tongue at you, likely thinking you were stupid to not know your reason for being here. "Lead us to the divine pellets"

What...?

Your gaze landed on the people surrounding you. An odd bunch that does not have any uniformity to wear the same outfit or color-code. They were comprised of people who could do well working solo, but would not make sense being grouped with others.

Right, it's this arc now huh?

So why are they talking about medicine with you like you're some sort of unliscensed physician?

Hold on, did they mean—?

"The divine pellets?" You say aloud, eyes widening.

"Yes, now hurry" Someone grabbed you by one of your arms and pulled you up to your feet. You almost fell out of balance because of your numb legs. "The longer we're here, the closer our competitions are. You are an expert in cave-navigating, aren't you?"

"W-wait—! Where did you hear that from?"

"You said it at the restaurant earlier"

No wayyy

Is that why you're here in the first place? Did they seriously fall for you knowing how to use echolocation? It wasn't even genuine, you just used a magic trick to convince the aunties to not get involved. That's the dumbest—

Wait, you shouldn't judge these people too harshly. They're the equivalent of those facebook users who get tricked into buying AI slop.

How did they not realize yet that you belong to the Mount Hua sect? Your uniform— oh, wait. You're not wearing your uniform.

Even without meaning to, you still laughed.

"What's so funny?" A burly man asked, his tone impatient.

"I'm sorry..." you calmed down, staring down at them. "I don't work for free"

"You have nothing to worry about— we'll be paying you handsomely still" another man spoke, you didn't bother learning his name. "You only need to lead us to the divine pellets— a shortcut would be appreciated"

The more you're staying around these people, the more you were irritated.

"Well, there's not much to tell you since you're already in his grave" you shrug, looking at the men surrounding you and noting their appearance. "Why don't you just talk to the divine physician's corpse and ask for it?"

Silence. They didn't seem to like your joke. Each of them wore this expresion opposite of amusement. It's beyond you how they still managed to look distinct from one another despite the limited details you can get from how they're drawn.

"Young miss" some guy with a goatee took the initiative to walk towards you. "Don't make this harder than it's supposed to be"

It's their own fault it's difficult in the first place.

Your feet remained in place as his steps continued forward. Not out of fear, but of quiet defiance that only the most observant can recognize. If they didn't have their head so high up in the clouds then they could've noticed it.

"If you lead us to the divine pellets..." his hand latched onto your neck, carressing downwards with a suggestion opposite of innocence. Your gaze hardened even more. "We'll be a lot gentler to you"

Although your head was tilted downwards, you could only imagine what faces these people are making. From their laugh alone— you could tell it was digusting. They were men, after all.

Fortunately, you had an advantage in receiving their underestimation because of you being a woman. "Yes... sir"

There is no way you're going to let these losers take advantage of you.