“Several reports. Multiple people have found themselves..” He stammered a moment too long before finding the right words, “They were seduced by her— The ghost.” Yeong-Hwan blankly stared, this was the least amusing part about the whole situation. “Only the relevant parts, we’ve only got so much time.” He demanded. “I— Yes, Yeong-Sahyung!” The boy scrambled again. “It’s quite simple, typically this type of ghost wouldn’t be so unorthodox had it not been for the fact that she’s able to make her victims succumb to their inner fears and conflicts. To their mind.”

  “It’s become a huge rumor to the townspeople, but the disappearance of the surrounding locals and travelers has surely become a concern.”

  “Families are hurt— Obviously. I would be too if my brother was out of town, looking for rest, and suddenly got consumed. Peace to their souls, truly.” Yeong-Hwan side-eyed his junior before picking up the pace on the trail. “What a dilemma,” Yeong-Hwan sighed, “if she eats anymore, we’re sure to deal with a bigger threat.“ “I need not piece it together, you understand the severity of this.” Yeong-Hwan’s eyebrow wrinkled in thought. “Where exactly is this happening?” He asked.

  “A day's walk from here, so, way further than the outskirts.”

  When Yeong-Hwan heard that, he simply sighed. He would have to put the competition aside to eliminate this growing threat.

  -

  Mi-Gyeong and Jeong-Hui watched quietly as the crowd slowly dispersed.

  “I feel this one will be more eventful than the past ones, plenty of new faces, no?”

  Jeong-Hui sighed, flicking her wrist and flapping her fan in a frenzy. “Eventful? I seriously doubt it, they’re all contestants from last year, or greedy pigs trying to make a quick buck.”

  “That’s what makes it exciting. Some don’t even know what they’re in for. There’s nothing more entertaining than seeing a group of na?veté’s get misled.” Mi-Gyeong twirled, clasping her hands wildly. “If it’s entertaining to see people get hurt, then so be it for you.”

  “For me?” Mi-Gyeong frowned, placing her hands on Jeong-Hui’s shoulders teasingly. “You don’t think of me highly enough..” She pouted.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “Nonsense. Still— don't get too excited. We’re supposed to minimize—“ “Damage, keep it all controlled and contained. I know, I know..” Mi-Gyeong nervously smiled, keeping her hands to herself as they got slapped away.

  “So, White-Blossom Pavilion?” Mi-Gyeong asked. “I wonder what the reason for that was. Isn’t it in the territory of the Han sect?” Jeong-Hui regarded Mi-Gyeong with a glance before she nodded her head disappointedly. “It’s bigger than that. There’s been a surplus of demonic qi in the general vicinity of the pavilion that they've been neglecting.” “Neglect? They don’t seem the type to do that.” Mi-Gyeong defended, wanting to see the more positive side of things.

  “Mh..” Jeong-Hui responded, pivoting on her heel. “I never said it was intentional, they've got bigger things to worry about, their sister sect is in..shambles, currently. That’s something you don’t need to worry about right now, it has nothing to do with the Yangs unless they directly ask.”

  “I don’t know how to feel about that.” Mi-Gyeong objected.

  “If they fall, then what would the Wudang rely on?” Jeong-Hui scoffed, “They’re so full of themselves, are you concerned for them?”

  “We are in the same faction, so naturally—“

  “You talk a lot. Can’t you just keep it quiet? We only need to focus on our well-being, and that’s it. Everyone else is our last priority right now, Mi-Gyeong.” Jeong-Hui snapped, her brows creased in indignation.

  “We’ve got a carriage to catch, the others won’t wait on us for too long, okay?” Jeong-Hui’s voice softened upon the realization that she was being too harsh. “Mi-Gyeong, how about I’ll explain everything to you once you’ve gotten your medicine?” She tried, playfully pushing Mi-Gyeong ahead.

  While on their way, Mi-Gyeong indulged in a more light-hearted topic.

  “When I was going through the list of contestants, one name stood out to me.”

  “Who?” Jeong-Hui retorted attention piqued after she’d been mindlessly kicking rocks.

  “Yeong-Hwan.” Mi-Gyeong pliantly said, looking over to Jeong-Hui for her reaction.

  “Yeong-Hwan…Yeong-Hwan…” Jeong-Hui repeated over and over before the light bulb in her head flickered on. “Ah, Yeong-Hwan! It’s that one disciple belonging to the Han sect, he’s been climbing ranks, so I’ve heard.” Mi-Gyeong sighed, scratching her head. “That’s why it sounded familiar. I feel as if I know more, but I can’t seem to get past the brain fog.”

  Jeong-Hui’s eyes narrowed in worry, “You don’t need to mull over it so hard— Ah! There’s the carriage!” She pointed out, picking up her speed with Mi-Gyeong in tow.

  As they sat down, they immediately got cushioned by the padded bamboo, two windows symmetrically lay at either side, which Mi-Gyeong used to her advantage to gaze at the vanishing city. “Mi-Gyeong,” Jeong-Hui called out, looking straight ahead, hands placed in her lap. “I want you to be careful. Since you’re…ill, you won’t be able to defend yourself efficiently. The ghosts and monsters in this area are— very..brutal.” Mi-Gyeong turned her head.

  “You’re making it seem as if I’ve been inflicted with some disease that makes me a damsel in distress.” Mi-Gyeong giggled, twirling her hair.

  “Be cautious, is all.”

  Mi-Gyeong hummed in reply, glaring at the window one more time before breaking the silence again. “We’re a long way from the inn anyway, I doubt you’ll be able to brew it anytime soon, so could you explain it now?” Jeong-Hui huffed, “I’ll update you since it's been so long since you went into that coma.”

  “.. Yeah, you’re..right.”