Late at night, at the Kwangho Army’s training ground.

Eun Chae and her group laid the unconscious woman on one side of the training ground.

Lately, there had been many days of moving unconscious people.

Eun Chae looked down at the peacefully sleeping woman. She hadn’t noticed earlier due to the confusion, but upon closer inspection, Eun Chae saw that she was indeed a very beautiful woman.

Her skin was clear and transparent like glass, and her closed eyelashes were long and lush. The lines of her facial features harmoniously blended together, leaving no room for criticism. It was understandable why Daebok was so smitten by her.

“So, this woman is the supposed ‘maiden ghost’?”

“Uh-huh. That’s right,” Daebok nodded emphatically, his gaze unable to leave the sleeping woman.

“The woman saw you and fainted in shock, thinking you were a ghost?”

“That’s right…”

“How can anyone chase after a ghost, thinking it’s beautiful?”

It was fortunate that the woman was a human, but had she been an actual ghost, what was he planning to do?

Eun Chae shook her head at Daebok’s absurd behavior.

Ki Joo, agreeing with Eun Chae’s opinion, silently nodded.

“Moreover, Brother, you look like a walking ghost yourself. Look in a mirror! Anyone would faint if they saw your face in the middle of the night!”

“Uh… I made a mistake…”

Recently, Daebok had been sleep-deprived and malnourished due to lovesickness. His eyes were sunken, and his face was covered in scruffy facial hair, making him look like a goblin.

“But how did this woman end up here?”

Eun Chae wondered, tilting her head.

The thicket where the woman was found was far from any inhabited area, making it an unlikely place for someone to visit unintentionally.

Suddenly, the woman sitting on the ground woke up.

“Uhmm…”

As the woman regained consciousness, Daebok’s face lit up. But before she could gather her bearings, Ki Joo, having drawn his sword, pointed the blade at her neck.

The woman gasped at the cold metal pressing against her throat.

“Who are you to barge in here like this?”

Ki Joo demanded, his eyes emitting a fierce glare.

“Reveal your identity.”

Ki Joo, who had been attacked by assassins in the past, was on high alert. It was unusual for a civilian, especially a woman, to be found in this secluded part of the mountain.

Meanwhile, the woman, having a sword pointed at her neck immediately after waking up, turned deathly pale.

Her trembling lips barely managed to utter a response.

“I-I am Jung Cho Ah, a nursing assistant at Hyeminseo.”

Her voice was as delicate and beautiful as her appearance.

“I came to gather Wolgyeoncho, a herb that blooms only at night, for use at Hyeminseo. This area is the only known habitat for Wolgyeoncho around here… I’m sorry for intruding.”

Ki Joo kept his menacing stance, not withdrawing the blade from Cho Ah’s neck.

Cho Ah trembled, tears welling up in her eyes from fear.

Seeing the petrified Cho Ah, Eun Chae finally intervened.

“Sir, she has revealed her identity. Perhaps you could sheath your sword? The woman is terrified.”

“That’s right, Kwangho Army Commander!”

Daebok supported Eun Chae’s plea.

Ki Joo slowly scrutinized Cho Ah, still exuding an intimidating aura.
Judging by her hairstyle, typical of nursing assistants, and her attire of a jade-colored jeogori and a navy skirt, she indeed appeared to be a nursing assistant.

Her trembling like a deer terrified by a hunter didn’t seem like an act. Ki Joo, after a moment of silence, withdrew the blade from Cho Ah’s neck.

Then he turned to Eun Chae and Daebok.

“If any problems arise, both of you will be responsible.”

“Yes, I will take responsibility,” Eun Chae affirmed.

“Yep! Just leave it to us!” Daebok chimed in energetically.

With their confirmation, Ki Joo’s demeanor softened towards Cho Ah.

“Leave as soon as it gets light.”

“Th-thank you, sir…” Cho Ah stammered.

After finishing his words, Ki Joo turned and went back to the barracks.

Eun Chae reached out to Cho Ah with a concerned look.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine…” Cho Ah replied, trying to stand but her legs gave way due to the released tension.

As she staggered and nearly fell, Daebok quickly caught her.

“Be careful!”

Cho Ah looked up at Daebok and her eyes widened.

“You’re not a ghost?”

Daebok, blushing and uncharacteristically stuttering, replied, “I’m sorry for startling you earlier. I’m Daebok, a trainee.”

It appeared both had mistaken each other for ghosts and fainted.

Trying to lighten the mood, Daebok awkwardly chuckled and changed the subject.

“Haha! Did you manage to gather enough Wolgyeoncho?”

“No, I…” Cho Ah hesitated, and soon tears the size of beads rolled down her cheeks, quickly turning into a flood.

As she burst into tears, Daebok stood awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

“Miss?” he inquired.

Eun Chae glared at Daebok with a mix of reproach and concern.

“Brother! I told you, it’s because of your appearance that the lady got scared!”

“I’m sorry, miss,” Daebok apologized, deeply bowing his head. Cho Ah, embarrassed, shook her head.