Chapter 67. Preference

Sensing someone’s presence, Tang So-hwa, who had been seated at the desk, turned her gaze. As soon as their eyes met, Namgung Hyun smiled.

“I apologize. I was on my way to the Medical Hall and lost my way, ending up here.”

Tang So-hwa let out a small laugh at the obvious lie.

“There’s no need to apologize. It’s not a restricted area.”

Her soft voice answered him. Thinking it was a pleasant voice, Namgung Hyun shifted his gaze behind her. Large sheets of paper were hanging from the ceiling.

‘Is that what she wrote over the past few days?’

It looked like she had been copying martial manuals. The handwriting belonged to famous calligraphers he recognized. From the distance, he couldn’t see everything inside, but her handwriting wasn’t among them.

Concealing his disappointment, Namgung Hyun asked,

“Even from far away, they look impressive. Is this Lady Tang’s private study?”

“No. A private study wouldn’t be this nice. I share it with my siblings.”

Tang So-hwa gave a small smile.

“But since my younger siblings aren’t interested in calligraphy, and the Young Lord went off to the mountains for about two years to focus on training, I’ve been using it like my private study lately.”

“I envy you.”

The words slipped out without him realizing.

“There’s no need. I’m sure the Namgung clan’s study is nice too—what’s there to envy?”

Namgung Hyun simply curved his lips into a quiet smile instead of answering.

As the silence stretched, Tang So-hwa looked troubled, like someone who had just made a conversational misstep.

“Ah…”

Then, as if forcing a topic to keep the conversation going, she spoke at length.

“If you don’t mind, would you like me to show you around the study?”

“It would be an honor.”

Tang So-hwa curved her lips as if pleased with the response. Rising from her seat, she leaned out the window and pointed to the side.

Bathed in sunlight, her already pale face turned even whiter. A voice as clear as that radiance tickled his ears.

“If you go to the left, there’s a door. You can come in that way.”

Namgung Hyun, without realizing it, watched her for a moment.

Was it just his imagination?

She was clearly someone he had met for the first time at the Alliance of Noble Clans, yet there was a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he had seen her before.

Perhaps his stillness seemed odd, as Tang So-hwa called out to him.

“Is something wrong, Young warrior?”

“It’s nothing. You said I should go this way, correct?”

Namgung Hyun curved his lips into a smile and entered the study.

Inside the study, unlike the outside, the view was obstructed.

The sheets of paper hanging from the ceiling swayed like curtains in the breeze, blocking his sight.

Only after pushing aside the long-hanging papers did Tang So-hwa come into view.

She must have been watching him all along, for she smiled as soon as their eyes met.

“This place is called the Calligraphy Garden. I’m more interested in writing than painting, so there’s hardly any artwork, but it’s the name my aunt gave it when she passed it down to me, so I’ve kept it.”

Tang So-hwa explained without being asked as she walked toward the wall.

Perhaps because the window was open, the fragrance of flowers from the garden and the distinct ink scent of the study filled the room. It was Namgung Hyun’s favorite scent.

He spoke without thinking.

“It’s a lovely place.”

Standing in front of the bookshelf, Tang So-hwa smiled and said,

“You keep saying it’s a lovely place. It must really appeal to you.”

For some reason, the question of whether this place appealed to him lingered deep in his chest.

The aversion he once felt toward the Blood Demon’s proposal had long since faded. It seemed he was gradually growing fond of this place.

Namgung Hyun slowly turned his gaze away from the woman before his eyes.

It wasn’t unpleasant, but something about it made him uneasy.

He opened the hand he had unconsciously clenched, unfamiliar with the moisture on his palm. Letting the wind brush against his open hand, he changed the subject.

“There’s quite a variety of paper here for a place meant only for practice.”

“If you knew what I’ve collected, you’d be quite surprised.”

Namgung Hyun followed her gaze. There were many types of paper, from cheap ones to precious xuan paper. But nothing particularly surprising stood out.

Perhaps reading his expression, Tang So-hwa smiled and approached the bookshelf.

“The truly important things are kept where they can’t be seen.”

Opening a small door on the bookshelf, Tang So-hwa pulled out a single sheet of paper.

“Do you know what this is?”

Namgung Hyun instinctively furrowed his brows.

“…Isn’t it hwaji?”

“That’s right.”

“How did you obtain it?”

Hwaji was an extremely rare type of paper. It was used by the imperial family in the previous dynasty but vanished along with their fall. A few sheets had leaked out before the fall, but most of those already had writing on them.

Yet this hwaji was a clean, untouched sheet.

It was an item of immeasurable value. And yet, rather than boasting, Tang So-hwa spoke plainly.

“I’m glad you recognized it.”

“Anyone who cannot recognize hwaji has no right to speak of calligraphy or painting.”

His unguarded sincerity slipped out.

Feeling awkward at having revealed such raw emotion, Namgung Hyun cleared his throat. But Tang So-hwa reacted calmly, as though the sight were familiar to her.

“You must have seen hwaji before, to recognize it at a glance.”

“I saw it once in the Clan Head’s study. It was a palm-sized sheet of hwaji—he couldn’t bring himself to use it, and simply kept it safe.”

At that, So-hwa smiled in agreement.

“It’s been nearly three years since I came into possession of this hwaji, and I still haven’t used it. Strange, isn’t it? Paper fulfills its purpose when used, yet it’s too precious to use.”

Saying that, Lady Tang let out a small laugh.

“It’s peculiar in many ways. It’s an imperial artifact, yet only after the fall of the imperial family did it become so priceless. A paper that’s only recognized for its worth after losing its master—its fate is an amusing one.”

“Perhaps it didn’t lose its master, but has finally found its true one.”

When Namgung Hyun said this, Tang So-hwa’s gaze slowly rose to meet his.

He smiled and added,

“If it’s something made to be used, wouldn’t it only be happy in the hands of someone who would use it well?”

Tang So-hwa’s expression turned strange. She was clearly smiling, yet somehow, it felt cold.

Or was it just his imagination? In a gentle voice, she asked,

“If you were the master of the hwaji, Young warrior, how would you use it?”

Namgung Hyun was still young. He wasn’t yet adept at discerning the hidden blades concealed within a question. It was even harder to detect when his opponent had been observing him for decades, knowing him better than he knew himself.

Now, standing in a space perfectly suited to his taste, facing an object he had long dreamed of, Namgung Hyun answered without suspicion.

“To be honest, when I first saw the hwaji in the Clan Head’s study, I already thought about it. I considered writing a short phrase, like a verse of poetry, or perhaps something more martial, like a declaration of war. But in the end, I couldn’t decide. What about you, Lady Tang—how would you use it?”

Tang So-hwa gave a smile of uncertain meaning.

“I’m a bit embarrassed to say… I think you might laugh.”

“I answered sincerely—if you say that, I’ll be a bit hurt.”

Fortunately, Tang So-hwa didn’t refuse further and gave her reply.

“If I could… I would like to write down fate.”

“Fate?”

Namgung Hyun let out a small laugh without meaning to.

He thought she was joking, but Tang So-hwa seemed entirely sincere. In a calm voice, she continued.

“I’m serious. They say the will of the heavens is written in the stars. I’m not someone who will ever study imperial doctrines, but I’ve always been curious about heavenly patterns. So I’ve been studying astronomy, little by little.”

Tang So-hwa looked at Namgung Hyun and asked,

“By chance, Young warrior, are you also interested in astronomy?”

Namgung Hyun couldn’t answer right away. He hadn’t expected the topic of heavenly study to come up here.

Tang So-hwa smiled and added,

“The world often compares the Namgung Clan to the heavens, doesn’t it? I wondered if you liked books, perhaps you might also be drawn to the matters of the heavens. That’s why I asked.”

Caught off guard, Namgung Hyun spoke carefully.

“I’m a little surprised. I’ve also been studying astronomy with great interest, but no one in Namgung has ever asked me about it.”

“Truly?”

Tang So-hwa asked with her large eyes widening even more.

“Then… are you also interested in divination?”

“Yes, since learning astronomy requires understanding the calendar and time systems, I’ve studied a bit of them too.”

Tang So-hwa covered her mouth with her hand.

“What a coincidence. When I don’t have a fitting phrase for calligraphy practice, I sometimes calculate auspicious days to use instead.”

Tang So-hwa pulled out one of the papers stacked on her desk and placed it on top. Namgung Hyun, seeing the rough calculations, stifled a laugh. And then he felt a deep sense of relief.

It was because, though he knew it couldn’t be, he had been tense—wondering if Tang So-hwa might somehow know his secret.

‘An overreaction. There’s no way a Tang Clan woman would know something even the Blood Demon doesn’t.’

As he looked over what Tang So-hwa had written, Namgung Hyun pointed to one section with his hand.

“Is this, by any chance, your birth date and time, Lady Tang?”

“Yes, but it’s not exact. My birth mother gave birth to me in hiding, so no one knows the exact date.”

It was an open rumor in the murim that Tang So-hwa was born from a disgraceful union, and that her paternal grandfather had killed her mother.

Namgung Hyun didn’t flinch or show discomfort—instead, he gently curved his lips into a soft smile. He, too, often found himself in similar situations. In his experience, it was better to quietly move past such moments than to let others see him walking on eggshells.

Indifference is more welcome than sympathy. At least, that was how it was for him.

Bending over to examine the calculations more closely, Namgung Hyun spoke.

“In that case, it would be difficult to determine. If the date isn’t accurate, the results of divination can vary significantly.”

Tang So-hwa sighed as if in agreement.

“No wonder there seem to be no auspicious days in my life.”

Namgung Hyun smiled and asked,

“How about this—if I find a birth date filled with auspicious days, would you consider making that your birthday?”

“Is that even possible?”

“It’s worth a try.”

Though it was an easy task for Namgung Hyun, he made it seem like he was taking on a difficult challenge.

Tang So-hwa, seemingly innocent, appeared to believe him.

“If it’s not a burden to you, I see no reason to refuse.”

“It’s no burden at all.”

With that, Namgung Hyun picked up the brush that lay on So-hwa’s desk and began making calculations.

“Oh, so that’s how you write the formulas.”

“Yes. Even calculating this way, the result comes out the same.”

It wasn’t exactly an exciting topic, even at a glance. Yet, the conversation continued without pause.

This Tang Clan woman, whose tastes so eerily mirrored his own, not only sympathized with him but often expressed thoughts that echoed his own unspoken ones.

For the first time, Namgung Hyun felt the pleasure of conversation.

Not a conversation filled with carefully chosen words to please someone, to gain trust or favor—just thoughts spoken freely, met with genuine understanding. A strange conversation that brought mutual resonance, even through idle talk.

It was a new experience for him—to feel the same emotions through seemingly meaningless words. Because of that, he realized far too late how much time had passed.

He flinched slightly at the sound of a bird outside the window, then spoke.

“I think I should head back now.”

“Do you have to leave already?”

Tang So-hwa looked up at him, as if reluctant to see him go.

Namgung Hyun was startled to find himself not wanting to leave. He must have truly enjoyed the conversation. With a faintly bitter tone, he said,

“Actually, I was on my way to see the divine physician and just stopped by briefly, so I’m already late. I’ll probably have to visit again tomorrow, but I must report to the Elder that I haven’t seen him yet.”

“Why the divine physician? Are you ill?”

“No, I’m not the one who’s ill. Hmm… it’s a little hard to explain.”

“If you could give me a general idea, I could pass along the message. We have a personal acquaintance—he’ll do me the favor.”

“Then could you ask him if he might visit our pavilion sometime during the Alliance meeting?”

“Of course. That’s hardly a difficult request.”

“Thank you.”

“But… in order to deliver his answer, I suppose I’ll have to see you again tomorrow.”

As Tang So-hwa naturally suggested another meeting, Namgung Hyun smiled.

“Yes, then I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

With a smile, Tang So-hwa gave him a polite nod.

“Travel safely.”

Leaving the pavilion, Namgung Hyun walked the now-darkening path and looked up at the sky. In the indigo sky, a few impatient stars were already beginning to shine.

He let out a dry chuckle. It might just be a coincidence, but the auspicious date he had calculated for Tang So-hwa was tomorrow. More precisely, the time just after the moon sets and before the next sun rises.

Looking forward to the fated meeting, Namgung Hyun returned to his quarters.

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