Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Return (3)
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Geum Yeongyeong boarded the flying vessel without a second thought when they suggested going for some five-fragrance braised meat.
And just like that, she was forcibly enrolled in the talisman workshop.
It was basically kidnapping.
Geum Yeongyeong was dragged all the way to her workplace.
Finally, they arrived at a solitary room without even a single window.
It was infamously known as the "room you can't leave until you meet your quota."
The workshop master, Elder Seol, spoke up.
"Oh dear, it's been unused for a while, so it's a bit dusty. I'll have some cleaning tools brought over later. The materials for the dharma artifacts are already inside. Is there anything else you need?"
"I want to... go home..."
"You're just saying the obvious. I get it—everyone feels that way at first. But Investigator Geum will get used to it in no time. I'm busy, so I'll be off. Fill your quota, and the door will open."
Elder Seol exited the solitary room as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Geum Yeongyeong snapped to her senses and hurriedly chased after him.
But Elder Seol's movements were far more nimble.
Standing before the mercilessly shut iron door, Geum Yeongyeong shouted.
"I need the bathroom!"
The observation slit in the iron door clicked open.
Elder Seol's eyes peered through the bars.
He wore a kindly smile.
Elder Seol nodded toward the opposite side.
"The bathroom's right beyond that door. It's even got a flush toilet. Just in case you were wondering, you'll be taking your meals in this room too. See the serving hatch down below?"
Click. The observation slit shut again.
Geum Yeongyeong collapsed to the floor in a daze.
She couldn't believe this situation at all.
It felt just like a dream.
At that moment, there was a clanging sound.
Color returned to Geum Yeongyeong's pale face.
Maybe they were letting her out?
What opened wasn't the iron door, but the serving hatch.
A duster whooshed through the gap.
The hatch closed again as if nothing had happened.
Left in the solitary room were Geum Yeongyeong, a single duster, and a mountain of piled-up dharma artifact materials.
In the utter silence, a growl rumbled from Geum Yeongyeong's empty stomach.
She had skipped breakfast, planning to stuff herself with five-fragrance braised meat.
In a dejected voice, Geum Yeongyeong said.
"Um, I'm so hungry it hurts—could I eat first and then work?"
There was no reply.
With no one to hear her, she had no choice.
Clutching her starving belly, Geum Yeongyeong sat down in a chair.
And so began the "Like it, like it, Minor Sects" life of the fallen young lady Geum Yeongyeong.
*****
Her first day on the job.
Geum Yeongyeong barely managed to meet her quota.
Unlike the others, she hadn't started until around noon.
Even so, it was quick work for a late start.
Elder Seol opened the door, marveling.
"As expected of the Geum Clan—blood will tell. I figured you'd be stuck with overtime for sure..."
Geum Yeongyeong indulged in a brief fantasy.
She unleashed a flurry of punches at Elder Seol's face.
He was at Core Formation, so she couldn't actually do it.
Elder Seol escorted Geum Yeongyeong to the dormitory.
"This is where Investigator Geum will be staying from today onward."
"Y-Yes?"
"You must be tired, so get some rest. Tomorrow's work awaits. Good night."
Elder Seol glided away.
But Geum Yeongyeong was far from good night.
A single question haunted her mind, with nowhere to go.
'People actually live in a room like this?'
The cramped space held only a few pieces of furniture crammed together.
Bed, nightstand, wardrobe—all jammed in tight.
Geum Yeongyeong lay down on the bed with a blank expression.
She had to wake up early, so she needed to sleep soon.
"Come on, sleep... Come on..."
But sleep wouldn't come, no matter what.
There were two main reasons.
The bed was rock-hard, and her stomach was empty.
Geum Yeongyeong tossed and turned.
But no position helped.
Every one felt just as uncomfortable.
Then, old memories surfaced.
It was back when she traveled the whole Yu Nation with Seoran.
She could sleep anywhere then.
Her best friend was right by her side.
Of course, she was alone in this tiny room.
And starving to boot.
All she'd eaten that day was a meager dinner.
Suddenly, sorrow welled up to her eyes.
"I want to go home..."
Geum Yeongyeong was softer-hearted than she seemed.
Tears plopped onto the pillowcase.
After sniffling through the night, she finally fell asleep.
And then the morning reveille blared.
Geum Yeongyeong ate breakfast with hollow eyes.
After the meal, she returned to the solitary room.
Twice as many materials awaited her as the day before.
Elder Seol spoke through the observation slit.
"Your talisman-making speed was faster than expected, so I upped the quota. You're a rising star in our workshop now. Alright, let's get to work with some energy today."
Now he was even speaking casually.
Geum Yeongyeong couldn't take it anymore.
She threw a punch straight at the observation slit.
The bars were sturdier than they looked.
Fallen young lady Geum Yeongyeong: approximately 4,300 days until resignation.
*****
Twelve years later, Geum Yeongyeong returned home.
Her parents' faces, come to greet her, were etched with worry.
From their perspective, it had been for her own good—but whether she saw it that way was questionable.
Their concerns turned out to be unfounded, however.
The reformed young lady Geum Yeongyeong hugged her parents tightly.
"Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father. Thanks to you, I finally realized the laziness that was rotting away my life. From today, I'll be a dutiful daughter."
Her parents' tear ducts overloaded instantly.
"Yeongyeong, well done..."
"Our girl's face is half its size now..."
It was a moving reunion.
Geum Yeongyeong shared a meal with her family for the first time in ages.
Then she immediately began her training.
Seeing her daughter act so out of character, her mother fretted.
"Yeongyeong, can't you rest for even a day?"
Geum Yeongyeong replied with a diligent expression.
"No, Mother. I have to work extra hard to catch up."
"But darling..."
At that moment, her father spoke.
"Dear, let's watch and trust her."
"Will she be alright?"
"Of course—who's her father?"
Geum Yeongyeong entered the training room, bearing her parents' expectations.
She sat cross-legged on the floor and focused her mind.
It was textbook meditation.
With a mind as clear as a mirror, Geum Yeongyeong reflected.
How had she lived so lazily until now?
How many boxes of talismans was that mountain of delicacies worth?
Why had it taken her so long to appreciate the luxuries she'd taken for granted?
Geum Yeongyeong's training session lasted a full five hours.
Afterward, she bathed and went to bed.
But the bed was too soft, and sleep evaded her.
In the end, Geum Yeongyeong unpacked her bundle in the dead of night.
It was stuffed with countless letters.
All from her friends.
There were letters from Yi Agum, Ho Hye-mun, and even Damcheong.
The most numerous were from Seoran.
She'd sent one almost every month, except during the Southern Continent expedition.
Geum Yeongyeong gently stroked the letters.
She could feel her friends' bonds through the paper.
That's what had gotten her through those twelve years.
Geum Yeongyeong made up her mind.
Tomorrow, straight to the Black Bamboo Sect to see my friends.
And we'll chat about all sorts of nonsense to our hearts' content.
In place of all the letters I never sent.
Geum Yeongyeong rose at dawn and left the Geum Goldsmith Sect.
Of course, she didn't forget her talk of filial duty.
She'd train diligently even at the Black Bamboo Sect.
Filial piety wasn't such a big deal, after all.
That was the extent of her reformation.
*****
Seoran's estate looked vastly different after so long.
Owls perched along the walls at intervals, and behind the estate sat a massive owl the size of a mountain.
They were the purple-eyed owls and giant mottled owl she'd only heard about in letters.
Geum Yeongyeong went to the entrance and knocked.
"Seoran, I'm back!"
A stranger's voice asked from inside.
"Who is it?"
"Seoran's friend, Geum Yeongyeong."
"Ah, you're that lady!"
The gate swung wide open.
A beautiful woman of ghostly grace appeared.
It was Seoran's assistant, the puppet master Jang Seonhwa.
For some reason, she wore a puppet mask.
Jang Seonhwa welcomed her guest warmly.
"Come in! I've heard so much about you!"
"About me?"
"Yes, from the teacher or the other friends. Oh, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Jang Seonhwa."
Geum Yeongyeong knew of Jang Seonhwa too.
She appeared often in the letters.
This was their first meeting in person.
As she entered the estate, Geum Yeongyeong asked.
"By the way, Investigator Jang, what's with the puppet mask on your head?"
"No need for formalities. Just call me Seonhwa. And this mask? It's for the carp festival."
"Carp festival?"
Jang Seonhwa gestured to the lavishly decorated estate.
"Yes, the carp festival. The teacher planned it himself for the Dragon Girl. See the paper decorations hanging from the eaves, or my mask? It's like a masquerade."
"Ooh..."
"Oh, perfect timing—I've got an extra mask. Want one?"
The mask was shaped like a carp.
Now Geum Yeongyeong noticed carps everywhere.
Masks of carps, paper carp decorations under the eaves.
Geum Yeongyeong donned a mask too.
In the courtyard, familiar faces appeared.
Everyone wore waterproof masks and played by the pond.
Damcheong was, naturally, the most excited.
Suddenly, Geum Yeongyeong had a thought.
'Isn't this less a carp festival and more...?'
But seeing her friends, she decided it didn't matter.