When the vanguard generals returned to camp a month later, they offered Namjoo their condolences for the death of her brother. Although they agreed Joohyun was at fault for killing a fellow comrade, her retaliation was deemed rightful. “Namjoo, Joohyun’s already offered her consolations. There’s nothing else we could do for the end except to live on.” Jiyong patted her shoulder.

“Even if he didn’t die from Joohyun’s hands, we would’ve killed him anyway.” Youngbae added. “No one should tamper with the account books.”

After Suho’s stunt, Seulgi refused to leave her side until the generals returned. During that time, they had forged the evidence, making it seem as though he had plans to embezzle the military fund for himself. Joohyun had caught him and only acted in self–defense when he attempted to keep her quiet.

The autumn sun bids farewell as the dark chilly skies ascend, Joohyun and the remaining snakes have gathered once more at the ion house. The fire snake was drowned in toasts of wine as they congratulated her for her promotion to becoming a deputy general. There were mentioning of recruiting a new snake, but the idea was quickly casted aside when Hwasa made an appearance to serve their twentieth round of wine.

Controlling the euphoria Jiyong felt from Hwasa’s subtle troubling hands, he drunkenly reveals his big plans. With the embezzled funds, he plans to purchase a dragon statue made of jade to present to the king with hopes of proposing to the Princess of Virtue at the Lunar New Year Banquet.

A few nights later of winter’s first frost, Seulgi snuck into Joohyun’s tent.

“Hyun–ah.” Seulgi went to boil some water from the furnace kept in the center.

Joohyun hummed in acknowledgement but refused to look up from her desk.

“Hyun, take a break.” Seulgi made her way over to the latter, picking up the inkstone to grind.

“There’s no time Seulgi–ah.” Joohyun continued the elegant of ink.

After Jiyong shared his plans to return to the capital city for the banquet, Joohyun and Seulgi decided to take the matters of the secret army up with Commander Boa on the day of his depature. As a deputy general, Joohyun had been entrusted by both generals to assist in the financial management of the illegal trades. After months of unending plannings and unethical punishments, Joohyun had finally managed to lay her hands on the ledger. The ledger turned out to be ten lengthy books accounting every single transaction of the human trafficking scheme and embezzlement of military funds.

To not arouse any suspicions Seulgi suggested they copy the ledger and replace it. Although Jiyong and Youngbae will be away from camp, they still have many of their men around. They would be alerted if it went missing. It didn’t hurt to take caution. But it did hurt Joohyun’s wrists for copying all ten books.

Out of guilt, Seulgi shows up every night to look after the deputy general. Whether it was to take a break, have a snack, or hydrate herself Seulgi was there