Misa Fairy Hall.

There was a famous shaman in Henan who’d been making a name for herself lately.

She called herself Misa Fairy, and people said she could nail Four Pillars Readings and Compatibility Readings so accurately it made your skin crawl.

I’d heard she was so famous that not only the wives of big merchant outfits in Henan, but even ladies from renowned families came all the way here to have their fortunes read.

As if proving that popularity, even at a time when you’d think there wouldn’t be many people, the line was packed all the way to the end of the street.

How long would it take to start from that end and get into the building?

At least two hours, minimum.

If I factored in the time it took to actually do the fortune-reading, it would be at least that long.

Ugh.

Just imagining it made me want to throw up. It’s not like I was lining up for some amazing restaurant.

Standing in line to get a fortune from a scammer—how does that make any sense?

Two hours in line at the shop of a shaman I already knew was a fraud? That was something I could never do.

So it’s a relief I’m not standing in line, at least. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Just like Murong Yeongsun said, thanks to her making a reservation by selling her clan’s name, we didn’t have to line up.

The people in line did look like they were about to get pissed when they saw us go straight in.

But that was it—they clamped their mouths shut right after.

They probably knew, vaguely.

People with the kind of power where they can walk in without lining up.

They were sharp. Instead of whining about why we weren’t lining up, they understood that picking a fight with someone important enough to be escorted in would only hurt them.

...This is why a name is the best currency, huh?

I hated coming to get my fortune read, but that was separate.

Should I hate it because it’s petty? Because it’s unfair?

...Not really.

If I wanted to nitpick, sure, I could.

But I didn’t feel that way.

Like I said, I wasn’t some righteous person.

“Please wait a moment. The Fairy is currently reading another person’s fate.”

“Okay. While we wait, could you bring us some tea?”

“I’ll prepare two cups.”

“I’m fine.”

While we sat at the table waiting, tea came out.

Since I said I wasn’t drinking, only Murong Yeongsun’s was served.

From the smell, it was probably plum tea.

Murong Yeongsun took a sip with a neat posture. Watching her, I asked with a sigh mixed into my voice.

“What did you come all the way here to see?”

And you even made a reservation.

“...You know damn well this is something the Silk King would get angry about.”

The Murong Clan Head—the Silk King.

If I considered his personality, he’d hate using the Murong Clan name for something like this more than anything.

Using the Murong Clan name just so you don’t have to stand in line at some fortune-teller’s shop?

Even if it was his precious daughter, it was still something he’d get mad about.

Hearing that, Murong Yeongsun set her tea down and spoke to me.

“Then what was I supposed to do? If I told you to stand in line, you’d make that face like you just chewed a bug.”

“...So it was because of me?”

“I’ll deal with getting scolded myself, so don’t worry about it.”

After saying that, Murong Yeongsun looked at me with a slightly strange expression and asked,

“Oh. Are you worried about me?”

“Yes.”

“...Huh?”

She looked flustered at the answer I spat out without hesitation—like she didn’t expect me to say yes.

No, seriously. How could I not worry?

“This could splash back on me if things go sideways. You think I wouldn’t worry?”

“......”

Murong Yeongsun’s face immediately crumpled. Guess she didn’t like that answer.

So what.

That was how I honestly felt.

If she got caught using her clan’s name because she was doing something with me—

Just looking at him, I can tell he’ll start giving me shit again.

With that uncle’s personality, he’d jump at the excuse and light the fuse on me.

Damn it.

This is why I don’t want to get tangled up with them.

Getting involved with a renowned family would be fine if it was only helpful.

But this isn’t like that.

I didn’t click with the Murong Clan at all. Whether it was that Clan Head bastard, or his daughter—either way.

“Ah. Now my throat’s dry.”

Thinking annoying thoughts made me thirsty.

So I raised my hand, planning to order tea late.

“Excuse me. Here—”

I froze.

Mid-sentence, I narrowed my eyes. Someone who looked like an apprentice shaman was moving around doing errands.

Would you look at that?

There was a small god stuck to their back.

It was something like the trace of a boy attendant—more like a warning from a god.

To put it simply, it was like someone had licked it and marked it.

“This kid’s mine. Don’t you dare covet them.”

It looked like they’d receive a Spirit Descent before long.

“...Hmm.”

Seeing that, I adjusted my thinking a little.

Maybe they’re not a total scam.

If an apprentice like that was walking around, this might not be some random low-level fraud.

With that thought, I finished what I was saying.

“...Please bring me a cup of tea, too.”

“Understood.”

Not long after, the same plum tea Murong Yeongsun had arrived in front of me.

I took a sip, wet my throat, then spoke to her.

“Miss Murong.”

“What.”

“Are you on bad terms with Young Lady Cheon?”

“......”

At the sudden mention of Cheon Hyein, Murong Yeongsun’s shoulders stiffened—and then she looked at me with eyes turned cold at the corners.

“Why the hell is that bi—... Young Lady Cheon coming up here?”

...You were definitely about to say bitch, weren’t you?

Just from that, I could tell their relationship was a dumpster fire.

I already knew they didn’t get along when I saw them that morning.

But it looked like it was worse than I expected.

“They were glaring at each other like their eyes were on fire, so I was wondering what the deal was.”

“If it was you, you would’ve known the second you saw us. That we’re not close.”

“...That didn’t look like something you can sum up with ‘not close.’”

It looked like they could start biting each other on the spot and it wouldn’t even be weird.

At that, Murong Yeongsun clicked her tongue quietly and said,

“It’s just bad blood. Disgustingly stubborn bad blood.”

“...Hmm.”

“Why? Are you curious?”

Honestly, I was a little curious.

But I didn’t want to ask.

If I said I was curious, I didn’t know what kind of bullshit she’d start pulling.

“I’m good.”

“Tch.”

“...Why are you disappointed.”

From the look of it, she’d been planning to use that as an excuse to start something again.

Good thing I didn’t ask.

Anyway, it means she and Cheon Hyein don’t get along.

Whatever happened between them, all I needed to burn into my head was that they didn’t get along.

No wonder.

On the road from Sichuan to Henan—

I remembered Murong Yeongsun’s attitude shifting toward Cheon Eujin.

The moment she heard Cheon Eujin was Moon-Thread Sword’s son, and Cheon Hyein’s ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) younger brother, her gaze went cold.

I was wondering why.

Was it because of Cheon Hyein?

Hmm.

I thought their vibes and their temper were kind of similar.

So is that why they hated each other?

While I was turning over that stupid guess—

“Excuse me.”

The woman who’d been moving around earlier approached us.

“The Fairy says she is ready.”

With a demure bow, she pointed toward a door.

Murong Yeongsun rose to her feet.

Ugh.

I made it obvious I didn’t want to go, and she walked up and yanked my sleeve.

“Hurry up. It’s a waste of time.”

“...Yes.”

As I got dragged along, I checked my wrist.

Not my hand—my sleeve.

Ever since that day I told her not to grab my hand—

She’d always grabbed my sleeve.

Like now.

*****

CREEEAK—!

The wooden door opened carefully, and I stepped inside.

The interior reeked of that distinct “shaman’s house” vibe.

Feeling it, I frowned.

This pisses me off.

I really hated it.

I never thought I’d see this again in this life.

With my face twisted, I walked into the room—

“Hey!”

A loud voice suddenly rang out.

“You came in wearing something truly foul, you brat!”

At the shrill voice, I turned my gaze.

In the direction I looked, a woman was sitting in a chair with a cocky posture, staring right at us.

I didn’t know her age.

She had powdered her face so excessively I couldn’t even tell what she really looked like.

“Foul... truly foul... What the hell did you bring in here!”

[Huh? Is she talking about me?]

Yoo Cheongil pointed at himself, like he felt targeted.

Ignoring him, I looked at the woman who was barking her head off.

Setting the bait, huh?

I held back a laugh. That was the usual trick.

Worthless fortune-tellers loved starting by yelling the second they saw a customer.

Acting like you’d been through something huge, like worry was oozing off you—

Then using sweet talk to drag you into an Exorcism Rite. That filthy intent.

Huge trouble or worries? Of course. If you didn’t have those, why would you come get your fortune read?

Eight out of ten people were like that.

So I thought, yeah, she’s a scammer too—

But then—

Huh?

Something was off. With just my eyes, I checked behind the fortune-teller.

There was something there.

What is that?

A god.

If I had to rank it, it was on the lower end, but it was definitely a god.

A Child Deity, maybe?

A small, child-shaped god.

It was clinging to the fortune-teller’s shoulder.

Holy shit.

There was a god.

Which meant she wasn’t a scam.

So she’s real...

Then why did she say that to Do Hyeong?

Holding that question, I stared at her—

“Why are you just standing there. Sit down.”

She snapped, pointing her fan at the floor.

I sat without a word. I was worried Murong Yeongsun would get angry at the rude attitude, but she looked calm.

If anything, she looked used to it.

That was strange. Watching her, I sat down beside her.

“You.”

The fortune-teller pointed her fan at Murong Yeongsun the moment we sat.

“You have troubles. Don’t you?”

“That’s right. That’s why I came.”

Murong Yeongsun answered in a flat voice.

At her distinct cold tone, the fortune-teller looked flustered for a moment, but quickly fixed her expression.

Oh.

She was seasoned. Her face-control wasn’t bad.

Not even close to my grandma’s level, sure.

But still—not terrible.

“Fine. What trouble brings you here.”

“What do you think my trouble is?”

“...Huh?”

At the question thrown back at her, the fortune-teller’s eyes narrowed.

A brief silence passed.

The fortune-teller stared at Murong Yeongsun like she was trying to burn through her—

Then—

“You.”

Like she’d figured something out, she was about to say it—

“Men—”

[GWAAAAAAAH—!!!]

“......!”

“......!!”

A scream exploded out of nowhere.

The sound filled the entire room, and the fortune-teller’s head snapped around.

Murong Yeongsun narrowed her eyes at the sudden commotion.

I kept my head still and checked the situation with just my eyes again.

I couldn’t turn my head. Absolutely couldn’t.

And in the place I barely managed to look—

You’ve got to be kidding me. What the hell is that old bastard doing right now?

In midair, Yoo Cheongil—

[You little brat. What are you glaring at. Do you have some complaint with this old man?]

—was pinching the Child Deity that had been attached to the fortune-teller with two fingers, lifting it up.

Not some random ghost, either.

A god—and he was handling it like it was nothing.

[GWAAAAAAAH—!!!]

At Yoo Cheongil’s move, the Child Deity howled.

And in that moment—

VMMMM—!

Ah, shit.

The air rippled.

I’m fucked.