The ride to Hwaju was fast and quiet. The snow had thickened on the trails, but Eun Sook and Gwang Woo didn't slow down. The deeper they got, the more things felt strange. Off.
When they reached the village, it was emptier than before.
Too empty.
Only a few homes still had smoke rising from the rooftops. Most of the paths were untouched, like no one had walked there in days. A few eyes peeked out from closed doors. Then vanished just as quickly.
Eun Sook didn't speak. Gwang Woo stayed quiet too, eyes scanning everything.
They rode all the way to the valley where the blood blossoms were grown.
Even in the dark, under the soft glow of the moonlight, the blossoms looked just the same—haunting and beautiful. The wind swayed them gently, but something about their calmness made the back of Eun Sook's neck prickle.
The workers were done for the day. Lights glowed from a small house nearby, and four people were gathered outside, stretching and talking quietly. Among them was a little girl, maybe seven years old, running barefoot in the snow, laughing as she tried to catch her own breath.
One of the workers spotted them first and quickly alerted the others. The small group turned, pausing as if unsure what to expect. Then a man stepped forward, his old robe dusted with dried petals—Master Kwon.
He gave a low bow as he came closer. "Lady Jang."
The rest followed slowly, keeping their distance. One of the younger men stepped forward to take the horses. He looked up at Gwang Woo, who nodded and slid down first, then helped Eun Sook down after.
"I'll take them to the barn," the man said quickly, leading the horses away.
Master Kwon stepped aside, gesturing toward the brewing hut. "Please. This way."
They walked together, Gwang Woo trailing behind them.
Inside the brewing hut, the warmth of the fire welcomed them. A few brewing pots still smelled faintly of the last batch made.
Master Kwon glanced at her. "Is there a problem?"
Eun Sook didn't answer right away. Her eyes shifted toward the little girl now peeking into the hut through a narrow crack in the wooden door. Her giggle echoed faintly in the night.
"Who's the girl?" she asked, voice cold but curious.
"My niece," he replied. "My brother's child. Her mother died giving birth to her, and he passed five winters ago. I am her only family and she had nowhere else to go. So she's been with me since."
Eun Sook's gaze lingered on the door, then returned to him. "What were you doing before we came?"
He gave a small nod. "We'd finished for the day. About to eat and sleep."
"There'll be no sleep tonight," Eun Sook said flatly.
Master Kwon frowned slightly.
"He's coming," Eun Sook added.
"He?"
"Seo Jin," she said, finally looking him in the eye. "He's not like the others. He's a magistrate with a determined mind. He's on the hunt. And he's close."
Master Kwon's face stiffened. "Does he know?"
"Enough to put the pieces together. If he finds about the blood blossoms it wouldn't be left before he finds everything. We have to get rid of all chances of him finding anything."
"All of the blossoms must be harvested tonight. Half of them need to leave Hwaju by dawn and will be dried and made into a tonic elsewhere. The rest will be brewed here and now into poison. The seeds are to be sealed and buried. This entire valley must not exist by tomorrow."
He was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "We'll start immediately."
The workers got to it without a word. The valley lit up faintly with torches. The snow glistened underfoot as they harvested. Gwang Woo joined them, cutting the stalks carefully with a short blade.
Inside, Master Kwon and one of the other workers prepared the pots. The air grew heavy with the scent of brewing herbs.
Eun Sook rolled up her sleeves and helped without saying a word. She had done this before. Many times. But her hands felt heavier now.
She stirred one of the mixtures slowly. The bubbling foam reminded her of something old—something bitter.
"Why is the village empty?" she asked without looking up.
Master Kwon sighed.
"Wolves," he said. "They started coming down more often. They must have grown bold. Animals starting disappearing. A few people got attacked… others ran before they'd be next."
Eun Sook stirred slower.
A knock at the door.
It was the female worker, holding a tray of steaming bowls.
"Dinner," she said.
Master Kwon gestured. "Set it there."
They paused work for a little while. Everyone gathered inside, sitting cross-legged around the fire. The hut was warm now, and the silence between bites felt more comforting than awkward.
The little girl, Kwon Bi, sat quietly, watching Eun Sook the entire time.
After a while, she blurted out, "You are so beautiful. Are you a fairy?"
A few of the workers chuckled, and even the woman who cooked covered her mouth.
Eun Sook glanced at her but said nothing.
Gwang Woo stayed expressionless as always.
"Bi, leave Lady Jang alone. She doesn't have time to play with you," Master Kwon muttered, shaking his head.
"But I've never seen someone so beautiful as her," Kwon Bi whispered, her eyes wide. "Not ever."
Dinner ended. Everyone returned to work.
"Rest a little," Master Kwon told Eun Sook, seeing how her hands trembled slightly as she picked up the next bowl.
"I'll step out for air," she said, brushing past him.
Outside, the cold bit at her cheeks. She made her way toward the barn, carrying some feed for the horses.
She found Kwon Bi inside, holding her sword—dragging it slightly like it was too heavy for her small arms.
"Drop it," Eun Sook said sharply.
The girl froze and let it fall with a soft clatter.
Eun Sook stepped forward, picking it up. She wasn't angry—just tired. Her voice was softer this time. "You have to be careful. A sword can be dangerous."
"It's so pretty," Kwon Bi whispered. "Why is something so beautiful so deadly?"
Eun Sook stared at the blade for a long time.
"It depends on who holds it," she finally said. "A sword can kill… or protect. Just like the blood blossoms. They can poison someone… or put them to sleep. It's the hand that decides what it becomes."
Kwon Bi looked down. "I want to protect the village. Can I use your sword to fight the wolves?"
Eun Sook smiled faintly. "You're not ready for a sword."
The girl's shoulders dropped.
Eun Sook pulled something from her robe—a small, delicate rose hairpin dagger. She held it out.
"This is easier to carry. And you must only use it… if you really need to protect yourself. Understand?"
Kwon Bi's eyes lit up. She took it carefully with both hands. "Thank you."
Eun Sook glanced at her weapons still resting by the haystack. She picked up her bow, arrows, and sword, deciding not to leave them behind again.
Kwon Bi skipped out to the middle of the valley, playing with her gift—spinning with excitement.
Eun Sook returned to the hut.
Moments later, laughter rang out through the cold night.
"Uncle! Look!" Kwon Bi shouted, waving her arms.
Master Kwon smiled tiredly from the doorway.
She turned again. "Lady Jang! I'm strong now!"
Eun Sook looked toward her.
That's when she saw them.
Two wolves, low and silent, creeping closer behind her.
Kwon Bi didn't see them.
She was still smiling.
Still laughing.
Still holding the dagger.
Unaware.