Published at 27th of August 2026 7:15 pm

Chapter 1120: The World of Ascension (50)

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How does this situation even make sense?

‘Namgung Jin likes the young Lady Mi.’

And Namgung Jin’s fiancee, Hyun Soyeon...

‘...had feelings for her stepbrother, The Strange?’

So, the woman presumed to be Namgung Bi-ah’s mother actually had her heart set on Namgung Hyung?

‘Wow.’

This is a total disaster.

It was an absurd situation, to say the least.

Mi Horan and Namgung Jin were a sure thing, but what was going on with Namgung Hyung and Hyun Soyeon?

Of course—

‘Lady Mi doesn’t seem to care at all, though.’

Mi Horan showed not even a shred of interest in Namgung Jin. Which made sense. If she had, she wouldn’t have married my father.

The problem was—

‘What about Namgung Hyung?’

As for Hyun Soyeon—was my guess really correct? If it was...

‘...What happened here?’

In the future, Hyun Soyeon would marry Namgung Jin. That’s how Namgung Bi-ah would be born.

Namgung Hyung—

‘Runs away.’

At some point, he leaves and joins Wudang, eventually becoming The Strange.

So, they were never meant to be together anyway.

This whole situation was strangely fascinating. So, this is what had been going on.

‘Of course, things might not unfold exactly as they did before...’

But looking at it now, it didn’t seem like there was much of a difference.

Wait. Hold on.

‘...Then shouldn’t I have kept an eye on those two?’

I had dismissed them calling each other sister-in-law and young master as nothing, but in light of this, wasn’t that kind of dangerous?

‘Not that it’s really my problem.’

As I was pondering this—

Crunch.

‘...!’

A presence approached. And I knew immediately who it was.

"What are you doing here?"

It was Hyun Soyeon.

"Why did you come down here?"

Seeing that she had come down straight from Namgung Hyung’s residence, I asked her, and she tilted her head.

"I fed you, didn’t I? What else was I supposed to do up there?"

"......."

Fair point. I had nothing to say to that.

‘She’s right, but still...’

Maybe I had just been overthinking things.

"Why?"

Hyun Soyeon asked.

Hearing that, I responded casually.

Half as a joke.

"Oh, I was just wondering if you had feelings for this young master here. I was worrying over some useless misunderstanding—"

"You’re right."

"......It’s not I’m wrong, but I’m right?"

"Yes. Why?"

Why? What do you mean, why?

"Is that strange?"

"......It’s very strange. What kind of question is that?"

She was admitting to liking her fiance’s younger brother. Of course, that was strange.

"Ahaha."

Hyun Soyeon laughed at my reaction.

"It’s possible to like someone. I just don’t let my greed get in the way. It’s not like the situation allows for it anyway."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. You’re only asking because you already noticed, aren’t you? You’re more perceptive than I expected."

Hyun Soyeon smiled, but there was something oddly unsettling about that expression.

"You and Jinlang are the only ones who have figured it out so far."

"......."

I tensed at that statement. Jinlang—she meant Namgung Jin.

That guy knew too? My expression must have given me away, because Hyun Soyeon continued.

"Do I seem like a terrible woman?"

"A little?"

"You’re not wrong. But it’s not like he’s any better, is he? He has feelings for someone else too."

She gestured toward Namgung Jin and Mi Horan. She was watching them with an unreadable expression.

Was she feeling wronged?

"Then let’s just call it even—a terrible man and a terrible woman."

"Excuse me? Ahaha."

Why was she laughing? I was being completely serious.

"...You’re amusing. Young Master Baek, you’re quite an interesting person."

"Where exactly am I unusual? I’m as normal as they come."

"You’re joking, right?"

"......."

Why does she keep making me sound ridiculous?

"You’re a curious one. Since I’m interested, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you like me?"

"...Are you insane?"

I said bluntly, recoiling in disgust. What kind of nonsense was this? Where was she even getting this from?

Seeing my reaction, Hyun Soyeon looked genuinely puzzled.

"Oh? You don’t?"

"I don’t."

"Then... is it that lady?"

"Even less so."

By that lady, she must have meant my mother.

I nearly gagged.

"Absolutely not."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really. I’ll bet everything on it."

I was willing to wager anything on this.

"Oh... then I guess not. But then what is it?"

"What exactly is your problem?"

"Then... who are you looking at through me?"

"......!"

Hyun Soyeon’s words made my body tense up. It felt like she had seen right through me.

She looked at me with clear, knowing eyes.

Who was I seeing in her?

For a moment, I had no answer.

‘She caught me.’

Because she was exactly right.

How had she figured it out? Was it that obvious?

Just like she said, I was seeing someone else in her.

And, of course, that person was Namgung Bi-ah.

I had often looked for traces of Namgung Bi-ah in Hyun Soyeon, who looked exactly like her. And she had caught me doing it.

"Am I wrong? If I were, that would be strange. Because the only other possibility is that you like me."

"......You’re not wrong."

I admitted honestly.

"If that offended you, I apologize."

"No, I’m not offended. I was just curious."

Hyun Soyeon brushed her hair aside and asked.

"Do I look a lot like her?"

"......."

A lot like her?

"Yes. Very much."

Almost like twins.

"Oh... really?"

Hyun Soyeon widened her eyes in surprise.

"Then I must be incredibly beautiful...? Young Master Baek, you have very high standards."

"......."

What was with that confidence? It was beyond bold—I was actually shocked.

Then again, she was beautiful, so I didn’t have much to argue against.

"Why? Did I come off as arrogant?"

"A little...?"

"It’s fine. I hear that all the time."

Hyun Soyeon showed no concern whatsoever. Maybe that was why? That confidence of hers seemed oddly charming.

However.

‘...She doesn’t really resemble her mother, does she?’

Looking at her like this, I wasn’t so sure Namgung Bi-ah resembled Hyun Soyeon all that much. Their faces were similar, but their personalities were completely different.

"What’s your relationship with her? A one-sided love?"

Hyun Soyeon leaned in with an interested expression.

I put some distance between us before responding.

"It’s not that."

"Then what?"

"...Do I have to answer that?"

"Of course. If you don’t, I won’t have to forgive you for looking at me strangely, will I?"

Wow, this woman was even resorting to threats.

Unbelievable.

"She’s my fiancee."

"Oh... your fiancee?"

"Yes."

"Are you close?"

"...We’re not on bad terms?"

Probably.

"If she’s your fiancee, and you’re projecting onto me because of how much we resemble each other, then... that’s love, isn’t it?"

"......."

I didn’t respond this time.

Love. What kind of cringeworthy word was that?

"Am I wrong?"

Hyun Soyeon pressed for an answer.

I couldn’t reply. More than that, I didn’t want to.

"You’re embarrassed, aren’t you, Young Master Baek?"

"Enough. Can I leave now?"

"Ahaha. Sure, I’ll let you go. This was entertaining."

Hyun Soyeon smirked and finally gave me space.

I sighed, then turned and walked away from her.

At the same time, a thought lingered in my mind.

‘Love, huh...’

The ridiculous word echoed in my ears.

Only because Hyun Soyeon had brought it up so suddenly.

"That’s love, isn’t it?"

"......."

Was seeing someone in another person really love?

I wasn’t sure.

I didn’t want to define my feelings so clearly. Or maybe—

‘If anything.’

I already knew the answer but just didn’t want to admit it.

There was too much to do. The moment I acknowledged these emotions, things would only get more complicated.

For now, the only thing I could say was—

‘I saw you in her.’

And—

‘Maybe I just wanted to see you.’

Seeing someone who looked so much like her made me want to see the real one.

For now, I would leave it at that.

That was the best I could do.

**********

The next day arrived. Today, the Namgung family’s forces were supposed to deploy to counter the Magyeong Gate.

We climbed the mountain to position our troops and monitor the gate. If our predictions were correct, the Magyeong Gate would react by tomorrow or the day after at the latest. We needed to prepare before then.

During this process, the discussion from yesterday—the decision on whether we would assist the Namgung family—had reached its conclusion.

‘We’ll help.’

My father had ultimately declared that we would cooperate with the Namgung family to stop the Magyeong Gate.

However—

‘Those who wish to return may do so.’

He wouldn’t stop those who wanted to return to Hanam.

That’s what my father had said.

‘But no one left.’

Not a single person chose to return.

Soi seemed fine with it. Doyun looked visibly uncomfortable, but he stayed.

I was the same. The real problem, however—

"...You want us to stay in the Hanam branch?"

—was Mi Horan and Hyun Soyeon.

"It would be safer for you there."

My father’s words made Mi Horan scowl.

Maybe it was his changed tone.

"Because I’m not useful here?"

"That’s right. As it stands, there’s nothing the acting leader of the Baekhwa Trading Company can contribute to the battle. If you insist on staying, it would be more appropriate for you to remain in the Martial Alliance’s Hanam branch."

You can’t help in battle, so just stay put.

Hearing that, Mi Horan frowned even deeper.

"So, what you’re really saying is—"

She bit her lip slightly before continuing.

"You just want me to go and watch over her, don’t you?"

"......."

At her words, my father’s brow twitched slightly.

"Sigh."

Seeing that, Mi Horan let out a deep sigh.

"Talking any more would just turn this into an emotional fight. I’ll go. But—"

Her eyes were slightly red as she looked at my father.

"This was something you shouldn’t have done to me."

"......."

"Just keep that in mind."

With that, Mi Horan turned and left.

That was this morning.

Afterward, we climbed the mountain. Since we had a large force, moving took some time.

We had to set up defensive lines in advance to prepare for the Magyeong Gate’s retaliation.

The Murim Alliance would also be sending reinforcements, so we needed to prepare for their arrival as well.

Everyone was tense as we ascended.

"...Huh?"

And when we finally reached the Magyeong Gate, everyone fell silent.

Moreover—

‘What the hell is that?’

Even I widened my eyes.

There was no helping it.

"Why is it white...?"

The once crimson-colored gate had turned completely white.

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