Chapter 24: The Demon Sword (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 24: The Demon Sword (1)
In the early morning, as Gu Yangcheon prepared for his journey to Sichuan with a handful of servants, Wi Seol-Ah was busy with her own chores alongside the other household staff.
She had gradually grown accustomed to her duties, even beginning to find a certain enjoyment in them.
Her cleaning had become remarkably thorough, earning her praise from the other servants—a stark contrast to her normally clumsy nature.
There was, however, one glaring exception: her cooking was still a disaster.
…Se-Seol-Ah, you can’t hold a knife like that!
Someone stop her! At this rate, she’ll cut her hand off!!!
-Smack!-
Heavens, she just split the chopping board in half!!!
The fire! Put out the fire first!! Fetch some water, hurry!!!
Nooooo!!! The potatoes have turned to charcoal!!!
The incident had become a well-known story among those who weren't there. The Wi Seol-Ah who usually received compliments was forced to stand against a wall with her hands raised as punishment.
After that day, the servants were given strict orders: Wi Seol-Ah was never to cook again.
She was downcast for a while, but her spirits lifted when the older servants promised to teach her properly when she was a bit older.
“Seol-Ah, could you bring the laundry out?”
“Yes!”
Today seemed like any other day, beginning with the familiar task of laundry.
As Wi Seol-Ah carried the basket outside, she spotted a carriage. It looked familiar—exactly like the one she had taken to the Nine Dragons Day festival.
Huh…?
But as she looked closer, she saw a whole line of carriages behind the first. That meant either a large group was traveling, or the journey would be very long… or both.
Wi Seol-Ah skipped over to a nearby servant.
“Hongwa, what are all those carriages for?”
“Hm? Oh, the Young Master is departing for Sichuan.”
“Eh? The Young Master is leaving?”
“Yes. The Second Elder arranged them in a hurry.”
A few other servants, overhearing the conversation, chimed in.
“You didn’t know, Seol-Ah? Strange that no one told the Young Master’s personal attendant…”
“She’s still young and has much to learn. And they’ll be gone for a full month, so perhaps that’s why.”
“Ah… that makes sense.”
“A-A whole m-month…?”
A month…? An entire month?
Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes widened in shock. The Young Master would be gone for a whole month?
But… that was normal, wasn’t it?
Yet, she couldn’t understand the sudden, frustrating ache in her chest.
“W-When are they leaving?”
“They said the Young Master will depart after he wakes, so it should be very soon.”
The servant was right; it was around the time Gu Yangcheon usually rose.
Wi Seol-Ah stood frozen, as if she’d been struck by devastating news. Noticing her distress, the servant gently stroked her hair to comfort her.
“Seol-Ah, after we finish the laundry, would you like to help me move provisions from the storeroom to the carriages?”
“…Yes.”
“I’ll give you a yakgwa.”
“Yes!”
Once the laundry was done, Wi Seol-Ah joined the servants in stocking the carriages with food.
“Is this enough? It is a long journey.”
“Won’t they stop to resupply along the way?”
“I’m not sure if the Young Master will be alright for a full month.”
“Hey, have you noticed the Young Master’s temperament has softened a bit since Seol-Ah arrived?”
“It’s true! The other day, I accidentally bumped into him while cleaning, and he asked if I was hurt.”
“You actually made contact? And he didn’t strike you?”
“I know! I feel so much more at ease working these days… Is it right to feel this comfortable?”
As the servants gossiped and worked, the carriages were soon adequately supplied.
Wi Seol-Ah turned to Hongwa. “Is this carriage going with the Young Master?”
“Yes. Now we just need to prepare their cloth—"
“Hongwa! The Second Elder is calling for you!”
“Ah, I’m coming! Let’s go, Seol-Ah.”
“Yes!”
Hongwa hurried off, and Wi Seol-Ah was about to follow when—
[Wait.]
A sudden voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned back toward the carriage.
She glanced around, but no one was nearby.
“Wh-Who’s there?”
There was no answer. Wondering if the voice had come from the carriage, Wi Seol-Ah peered inside. It was packed with food, but otherwise empty. There was just enough space for someone to hide, but even that was vacant.
Puzzled, she was about to leave when a sudden shove sent her tumbling forward.
“Ahh!”
With nothing to grab onto, Wi Seol-Ah fell helplessly into the carriage. She landed with a soft “oww,” then struggled to her knees in the cramped space. She whirled around, but saw only carrots—no sign of whoever had pushed her.
Fear gripped her heart after this bizarre sequence of events. She scrambled to get out, but then—
“So, when do I depart?”
The Young Master!
From inside the carriage, she heard the voices of Gu Yangcheon and the Second Elder. She remembered that the Young Master was leaving for a month today.
A sudden, reckless thought occurred to her: if she stayed quiet, she could go to Sichuan with him.
She was confident in her hide-and-seek skills; even her grandfather, who was good at the game, often had trouble finding her.
Sh-Should I just stay here?
She wanted to, but she shook her head. It would be wrong to go somewhere without telling her grandfather. The thought of spending a month in an unknown place without him was terrifying.
If I wait patiently, the Young Master will come back.
Having steeled her resolve, she prepared to stand up.
[Wait.]
“…!”
Startled by the sudden voice—the same one as before—Wi Seol-Ah slipped and collapsed.
Who-Who is it??
Again, there was no response. The voice was hauntingly familiar, but she couldn’t place it.
“Go! This old man has seen to everything. Now, depart!”
“What a farewell...”
-Neighhh!-
“Hieee!”
While Wi Seol-Ah was distracted by the voice, the carriage jolted into motion with the horse’s cry.
Feeling the carriage carry her further and further from the clan, Wi Seol-Ah began to panic.
W-What do I do? What do I do?!
In her panic, she felt a familiar sensation—a hand gently patting her head. Strangely soothed, her eyelids grew heavy.
[Sorry, but take care.]
When Wi Seol-Ah awoke, she found herself staring at a pile of carrots. It was already night.
* * *
“So,” Gu Yangcheon began, after hearing her out. “You claim a ghost possessed you, which is why you stowed away in the carriage, and that it’s not your fault. Is that it?”
“Yes! That’s exactly it!”
“Then what about the carrot in your mouth?”
“…I was hungry, and there were only carrots.”
Sigh.
Wi Seol-Ah averted her eyes guiltily at his sigh.
Having heard her entire story, I slowly clenched my fist.
“So…”
“…Yes?”
“Do you honestly believe a single word of that makes any sense?!”
A sharp bonk landed on Wi Seol-Ah’s head, accompanied by my furious shout.
“Owww!”
* * *
What was I supposed to do now?
Before me was a little troublemaker, squatting on the floor and clutching her head in pain.
What do I do with this child? How did she even get in the carriage?
We had left in a hurry. How was this possible?
I wasn't certain of the exact capabilities of those acknowledged as the world's strongest. But I knew they could effortlessly erase a clan if they wished.
I didn't know what the Sword Venerable was thinking, but at his level, shouldn't he have been able to perceive every corner of the clan compound?
So… did that mean he knew Wi Seol-Ah had hidden herself in the carriage?
“It hurts…”
“It’s supposed to.”
I was partly to blame for leaving without a word, but everything had happened too fast. I hadn't expected the Second Elder to bundle me into a carriage and send us off so abruptly.
“Why did you follow us? Seriously.”
“I wasn’t trying to… The ghost really—"
Seeing me raise my hand for another bonk as she launched into her ghost story again, Wi Seol-Ah immediately ducked, covered her head, and mumbled an apology.
“I’m sorry…”
I sighed at her pitiful appearance and lowered my fist.
What should I do? Do I need to send her back?
I couldn’t send a carriage back. I was already short on time.
“Perhaps I can send her back with an escort…?”
If they walked, it would take them several days to return. But the thought of sending them back on foot didn’t sit right with me; it would likely cost me more than a few sleepless nights.
Noticing my conflicted expression, Wi Seol-Ah grabbed my clothes.
“C-Can’t I come with you…? I’ll work hard! I promise I’ll work really hard! So please, Young Master, let me stay…”
As she finished speaking, Wi Seol-Ah hung her head, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.
“We’ll be gone a long time. Your grandfather will worry.”
“Grandpa said I can do anything as long as I listen to you and work hard!”
Well, the problem is you’re not listening right now…
“It will also be troublesome for the other servants if they have to look after y—"
Just as I was about to finish, I glanced at the servants. The words died in my throat.
Their eyes and body language were screaming: Go on, Seol-Ah! Beg harder! and Thank goodness… at least Seol-Ah will be with us!
So, I’m the villain here, is that it?
I massaged my temples as a headache began to creep in.
Why do I always end up dealing with these problems? Is my luck really this bad?
“So, tell me the real reason you followed.”
Wi Seol-Ah hesitated before finally answering. “I feel uneasy when you’re not there… my heart aches. So please, may I come with you?”
The tears in her eyes were more evident now, threatening to spill over at any moment.
Her words made my heart feel strangely ticklish.
But I wondered why Wi Seol-Ah felt this way. True, I had given her plenty of yakgwa in this life. But I had also made sure to keep my distance.
So why? I didn't know. It definitely wasn't love. Even if it was, it was surely just a childish infatuation.
I told myself it would change with time. No, it had to change.
Wi Seol-Ah clung to me, her face looking like a lost kitten's. She was on the verge of crying.
Even so, I had to send her back. How could I bring her to Sichuan without knowing what dangers awaited? It was too risky, no matter how I looked at it.
I had to find a way to send her back, whether with escorts or by having clansmen retrieve her.
I couldn't let my actions be constantly swayed by Wi Seol-Ah. That wasn't why I had returned.
I spoke to her in a decisive tone.
“…Just know that if you cause any trouble, I’m sending you back immediately.”
…Fucking moron.
