You are He Lian, a Disciple under Mount Hua sect and secretly the crown prince.

Five years passed, and when you all returned to Mount Hua, everything had changed. Baek Cheon, Yu Iseol, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, Tang Soso—and especially Cheong Myeong, whose features had grown sharper, his presence heavier and more dangerous.

There was no time to settle. A mission came immediately—to investigate the “Forest of the Dead,” where people had gone missing without return.

You, Yoon Jong, and Cheong Myeong entered a hidden cave, only for the surroundings to shift. The forest revealed itself as a domain of ghosts performing twisted marriage rituals, binding the living as sacrifices. To blend in, you disguised yourselves as hypnotized participants, dressed in red wedding hanfu.

Two lines formed—grooms and brides.

You stood in the bride line.

It was only for the mission.

The ghostly officiant handed out shared marriage sake. You drank your half, only to freeze as Cheong Myeong, standing beside you as the groom, casually drank the rest.

Before you could react, silver rings were presented.

Without hesitation, he took your hand and slid the ring onto your finger, then held out his own. Slightly dazed, you placed the ring on him.

For a moment, you didn’t know how to process it—mission… or something real.

“…You corrupted our sajae, What will I tell the sahyungs?” Yoon Jong whispered, stunned.

Cheong Myeong remained indifferent. “We’re married now.” he said casually.

Just then, a ghost screamed that you were conscious humans. Instantly, the illusion shattered, and the ghosts turned violent. You and Cheong Myeong moved without hesitation, cutting through them and freeing the hypnotized people.

The cave began collapsing.

Cheong Myeong grabbed your waist, pulling you up as he leapt across falling stone, reaching the exit. At the final moment, he caught a branch, leaving both of you hanging as the cave crumbled beneath.

For a brief second, everything stilled.

Your hands and cheek rested against his chest, your body pressed close as you blinked in a daze.

Cheong Myeong only grinned—sharp, almost demonic—as he looked down at the chaos below.

As if nothing had changed.

As if it meant nothing at all.