Wooyun left the main estate in a huff. He had half a mind to leave right then and there, but he knew he needed to say goodbye to the servants in the house. He knew he would regret not saying goodbye to Auntie Lim, who had treated both him and Seo-yoon with care, as well as Mr. Chun and the other workers, who had treated him with kindness.
The minute Auntie Lim saw his face, she immediately knew what he would say. Her expression was filled with sadness but also relief and happiness for Wooyun. He had endured so much under this home for far too long. It was a miracle he hadn't lost his mind already. All the workers in the Han estate felt sorry for Seo-yoon but very few felt sympathy for him. The very few that did however were glad he was finally leaving this prison and hoped he would leave a better life. He deserved it.
"I also wondered why the heavens were punishing such a kind child who could do no wrong. We are sorry we weren't able to do anything to help you." She said, her voice cracking with emotion. Wooyun shook his head.
"You did the best you could, and that's enough." Most people would just sit by and do nothing.
Auntie Lim nearly choked at those words, and without any warning, she engulfed Wooyun in her arms. His body stiffened from the shock and suddenness of the action, but he slowly melted into her arms, taking her warmth in. It had been such a long time since he felt the touch of another person, and the longer he stayed in the older woman's arms, the sadder he felt.
Yes, he was going to miss her, but he also realized how much he missed his own mother and his family. Even before entering this world—Wooyun hadn't seen his mother or father in months. He had been busy with work, constantly putting off meeting them. Even during the holidays, he would be too tired to travel and would stay home to rest whenever possible. He now felt so much regret for taking his parents for granted. Their love, their support and kindness.
A lump formed in Wooyun's throat as his eyes began to sting. He had tried so hard not to think about his old life or the people he had left behind but now in the arms of this auntie who was like a mother to him, he could feel his heart breaking, his resolve wavering. Just as doubt started to creep in, a choked cough interrupted his thoughts. "Just how long are you going to stand there hugging each other?"
They both turned around and saw Mr. Chun—the farmkeep standing by the doorway with his arms crossed. "Let go of him already Mrs. Lim. You'll wear him out."
Auntie Lim pulled away while rolling her eyes. "Oh hush Mr. Chun. You're just jealous I'm taking all Seo-yoon's affection."
Mr. Chun scoffed. "Why would I care about receiving the affections of a grown man? He's old enough to be married and have children already."
Wooyun's eyes widened while Auntie Lim nearly choked on her saliva. "What are you talking about?! The young master is only nineteen years old!"
"And? I was already married with a child on the way at his age."
"Maybe things were like that back in our day, but times have changed.
He's still young and has his whole life ahead of him. Don't listen to his nonsense," she said, turning back to Wooyun who was trying to resist the urge to laugh. "Anyway, you should head out now Seo-yoon, before the madam realizes you're still here."
Wooyun's smile vanished as the reality of his situation settled back in. He nodded his head and gave them one last look before heading to the servant's quarters—up to the attic where he gathered the little of the things Seo-yoon had. A couple of old sets of robes, a necklace that was a keepsake of her mother, and the notebook that was kept under a pile of junk and clutter in the corner of the room. He didn't know what it was as he never had the heart to open it, but he felt like it would be wrong of him to leave it here. Once he was done, he gave the attic one last glance before leaving.
He had only one destination in mind, a place where he would stay for the next seven days until it was time for him to set off on his adventure to the northern regions—to the blood moon sect, with a man who was just as terrifying as he was beautiful. A chill ran down his spine as he thought of the man in his dark robes.
"What even is my life?" He couldn't help muttering to himself.
After saying goodbye to Geomeun, the young man set off to the inn.
The inn was tucked away near the outskirts of the town, just beyond the old market street. Its sign hung crookedly from rusted chains, swaying gently with the breeze, the paint faded but still legible—"Silver Fern Inn."
The building itself was two stories tall and made of worn but sturdy timber, its walls patched with mismatched planks that spoke of decades of repairs. The windows glowed with light—indicating the business was still open, much to Wooyun's relief.
It was, by all accounts, a cheap place to stay—but not disreputable. It was old-looking but better than living on the streets. Though he had the funds to stay somewhere nicer thanks to the money Mr.Chun had given him and the extra coins he took from Madam Kang's dresser—a decision he was glad he made since it was the least she could do after making his and the female protagonist's life a living hell. But Wooyun was the kind of person who was smart with his money. Not only that, he wanted to have a decent amount saved up just in case something went wrong. Call it a contingency plan.
The steps creaked under Wooyun's feet as he walked up to the entrance, but they held firm. As he pushed the door open, the familiar scent of old pinewood, dried herbs, and something faintly sweet greeted him. Inside, the small lobby was dim but cozy, with a few wooden benches pushed against the walls and a desk that looked like it had seen better centuries. A moth-eaten rug covered most of the stone floor, and a tired-looking oil lamp flickered on the counter. From the back came the sound of slow, shuffling footsteps, followed by the creak of a beaded curtain. An old woman emerged, hunched slightly with age but with sharp eyes and a shrewd expression. Her silver hair was pulled into a loose bun, and she wore faded blue robes with the sleeves rolled up.
"You don't look like a traveler," she said, eyeing Wooyun from head to toe. "Not enough dust on your boots. Running away from home, are you?"
Wooyun blinked, startled by how accurately she had read him, before letting out a small sigh. "Something like that." The old woman huffed and gestured to the guestbook with a bony hand. "Name and how long you'll be staying?"
"…Han…Seo-yoon. Seven days."
"Fifty star coins," she said flatly as if daring him to bargain. "You'll get a private room on the second floor, meals included. Don't expect luxury, but the bed is clean, and the walls don't leak."
Wooyun felt as though the price was a little too steep compared to the quality of the place, but since he had nowhere else to go, he dug into his pouch wordlessly and counted out the coins without argument, placing them on the counter.
The woman swept them up with practiced ease and gave a curt nod. "Room six. The key is already in the door. No noise after moonrise, no guests in your room unless you get permission, and if you break something, you pay for it."
"Understood." I guess they're not big on customer service here.
The woman looked at him as if studying him before softening her gaze slightly. "You can go on up now."
Wooyun offered a polite bow. "Thank you, ma'am."
As he turned and headed for the stairs, the weight of the next couple of days that lay ahead of him settled deeper into his bones.
"Well, since I'm here, I might as well make the most of it."
Wooyun spent the next two days inside where meals were provided for him when he requested it and warm water when he needed a bath.
Despite what the outside looked like, the room was quite nice and the bed was comfortable enough to sleep in. Wooyun also took this time to do some meditation, trying to circulate the fire qi like Eun-woo had taught him. He sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, hands resting on his knees.
The light of the late afternoon bled through the wooden slats of the window, casting golden bars across the floor. The air was still, the only sound being the quiet creak of the old inn as it settled into evening.
Wooyun focused inward, just like Eun-woo had instructed. At first, there was nothing. Just the usual silence of his thoughts, the steady beat of his heart. But then… something shifted. Like the distant glow of embers in the dark, something warm stirred inside his chest.
The fire qi.
It was faint—barely a flicker—but it was there.
He concentrated on that warmth, drawing his awareness toward it. Slowly, the feeling began to grow. Threads of heat pooled within him like soft, glowing wisps, faint ribbons of crimson and gold that shimmered in the vast space of his inner core. The energy didn't move in a straight line. It curled and twisted, instinctively seeking form. The wisps drifted toward each other, trying to spiral into something whole. Like a circle or a sphere.
But just as the shape began to take form, it faltered. The heat spiked, uncontrolled. One wisp veered off, another unraveled entirely. The gathering energy scattered, the glow dimming back into faint warmth. Wooyun's breath hitched, and his chest tightened. A dull ache bloomed at his core. He exhaled shakily and opened his eyes.
Still not enough control. The fire qi refused to obey him fully, still wild and raw like an untrained beast or a child growing through their rebellious stage. It wanted to burn, not circulate.
He brought a hand to his sternum, feeling the fading warmth beneath his ribs. "Come on," he whispered to himself. "Get it together you annoying bastard." He tried again.
Closed his eyes. Slowed his breath.
The qi answered, flickering to life once more—eager, but unruly. It was like trying to form a flame in the palm of his hand while the wind threatened to blow it out. Each attempt left him drained, but he kept going. Again and again.
Why? Because this was his life now.