Yi Ner handed the item Master Yan had given her to the middle-aged man. It wasn't particularly impressive. It was round in shape, with a black button in the center. The item was made of silver. In truth, it was nothing more than a simple trick designed to fool others.
Smiling, Yi Ner said, "This is a gift for you. Thank you for helping me."
She placed the item in Je's hand.
Je looked at Yi Ner in astonishment. She was smiling at him."For me...? Thank you."
Je immediately felt delighted. He smiled broadly, showing his teeth.Yi Ner looked at him with affection in her eyes."If it's alright with you, could you come with me to the fair today?" she asked, looking at him hopefully.
Hearing this, Je's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Beautiful flowers seemed to bloom all around him, making the moment feel even more wonderful.
Je agreed without hesitation. He couldn't refuse her.Yi Ner was smiling outwardly like a blooming flower, but inside, she was filled with disgust."Young Master, why did you make me do this kind of work? Just looking at his face, he seems like exactly the kind of person who would be easy to trick."
After that, the two of them spent a wonderful day together.
For Je, it was like a dream. He had never gone out with a woman before, but today, he was finally spending time with one.The two of them rode the swings, ate traditional food, and wandered around the fair together. Everything seemed to be going perfectly.
[After Noon]
Evening had arrived, and the fair had closed.
As they walked partway home, Je fell deep into thought."Is this really love? The thing I never had in my heart... the thing I felt I needed in my life... Is this what I've been searching for?"
Je sank deeper into his thoughts.Yi Ner walked beside him. Seeing his expression, she looked at him with confusion.
Some time earlier...
Shree Yan watched as Yi Ner and Je walked away.
Inside Shree Yan's mind, an astral creature resided. Curious, the shadow asked,"Kid, now that you've seen this, what's your plan?"
Shree Yan gave a faint, devilish smile."Just watch. I only need to get home quickly. After that, you'll need to help me. I've already given her enough of a hint. She'll do something by tomorrow. Even if this plan doesn't work, I have another way."He laughed loudly.
Back to Yi Ner and Je...
Je looked at Yi Ner suspiciously."Didn't that man seem strange to you?"
Yi Ner shook her head, pretending not to know anything."No. Why?"
"How would I know? You're a mortal. You can't sense anything."As he said this, Je placed his hand on her head.
Yi Ner said nothing. Lowering her head, she spoke softly."Alright, it's time for me to go now. Let's meet again tomorrow."She said it with a sweet smile.
There was something on Je's mind, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.He smiled as well."Alright."
It was already late, so tomorrow would have to do.
Yi Ner walked toward home, but halfway there, she took a different path.
Je hadn't forgotten that he needed to go to the Rana Clan. However, his feelings for Yi Ner had already awakened in his heart.
He continued forward.
He was quite anxious. The head of the Rana Clan was waiting for him. Je had already sent a letter saying that he would come to meet him, but everything that had happened had delayed him.
As he walked along the road, he came across a horse carriage.
He stopped it and climbed aboard. Je sat in the back while the driver sat in front, holding the reins.
A layer of dried grass overhead blocked the sunlight."Take me to the Rana Clan," Je said."Alright."
The driver urged the horse forward.After a while, they arrived at the Rana Clan.
[Rana Clan Mansion]
Je paid the driver two Star Stones before getting out.
The Rana Clan's mansion was enormous and magnificent. On both sides of the main gate stood statues of lion-like beasts. However, these were no ordinary lions—they were ancient beasts.
The statues themselves were made of ancient metal.
A flight of stairs led up to the entrance. They weren't excessively tall, but their height was just right.
Several guards stood beside the gate, keeping watch over the clan's security.
The horse driver soon left.
Je straightened his clothes and walked toward the entrance.
The guards immediately stopped him. Their expressions became serious."Who are you? Who gave you permission to enter?"
Je looked at them calmly."I'm the person the Clan Leader has been waiting for."
The guards' expressions turned furious."You'll die if you can't properly explain why you came so late!"
They glared at Je as they warned him.
...
Je was eventually allowed to proceed.
As he walked through the Rana Clan's grounds, he saw a small lake. Nearby stood a large training stadium with an enormous amount of open space surrounding it.
Beside it stood a towering library.
The great library had a maximum of eleven floors.
There was also another building—a two-story academy where experienced teachers instructed the younger members of the clan.
A wooden bridge stretched out in front of Je. Beneath it flowed a small stream.
He continued walking across the grounds until he finally reached the family hall.
He entered.
Je had also summoned a man named Lu Hu. Lu Hu had claimed that Master Yan himself had killed the man from his family's shop.
Lu Hu arrived as well.
The guards questioned him outside before allowing him to enter.
When Lu Hu stepped inside and saw the magnificent grounds of the Rana Clan, even he was astonished.
Je pulled him aside and asked nervously,"Hey, Lu Hu... did you really see the Young Master himself?"
"Yes. I have proof."Lu Hu spoke without hesitation.He reached into his pocket and took something out, showing it to Je.
It was a broken piece of a wall.
Je grabbed Lu Hu by the shoulder. His expression darkened.
"If this proof of yours doesn't work, we're both going to die."Hearing this, Lu Hu trembled for a moment.
But he remained certain.He had witnessed that event with his own eyes.Without saying anything further, the two of them continued forward.
Eventually, they arrived at the family hall. In Je's hand was the item Yi Ner had given him.He held onto it tightly.