Wildflower Smile
In the murim world of the Central Plains, it was commonplace for poor children to be sold into slavery. If they ended up as mere slaves, they could count themselves fortunate—being shipped off to a brothel to satisfy some twisted tastes wasn't uncommon either.
In that light, young Seonan considered herself lucky. Her parents hadn't sold her to a brothel, but to the Namgoong Clan.
Her assigned duty upon arrival was to attend to the girl called the young lady—a child a full head shorter than her. Seonan was shocked to learn they were the same age.
Juhee was a mature, clever child. Even as her maid, Seonan had received far more help from her than she'd given. It must feel like this to have an older sister or brother, she thought. It was only natural for Seonan to grow fond of Juhee.
So when Namgoong Juhee fell ill, it tore at Seonan's heart. Every change of season brought a cold, and she'd gaze out the window from her bed as if catching her breath.
And when she noticed Seonan's presence, she'd smile. "I'm fine," she'd say.
How frustrating that sight was. She didn't look fine at all.
Then Juhee changed. One day, she started acting like a deranged madwoman and took up martial arts training.
What on earth got into her? Seonan asked, but Juhee gave no proper answer.
Just incomprehensible nonsense about NPCs and data scraps. Seonan easily saw through it—this was her way of severing ties.
Seonan pitied her for it. She seemed ready to leave at any moment. But at least she no longer looked so stifled. Maybe that's enough, Seonan had thought back then.
Now, that thought had hardened into conviction. After six days of receiving Namgoong Juhee's sword, one thing stood clear: her smile was truly beautiful.
The smile from her sickbed hadn't been any less so. If that one was harmonious, this one was a wildflower. She looked like she enjoyed life more than anyone in the Central Plains.
Yes, if this is the life my lady wants, I have to support her. As her friend, and as her little sister.
It had been six days since Namgoong Juhee defeated Namgoong Geon. She hadn't changed a bit before or after.
She did whatever she wanted, stayed brutally honest, and wrapped up every day with booze and meat. That was the joy she'd found in the game, after all.
But the eyes around her had shifted. Before, they'd seen her as a headache of a crazy bitch. Now, honey dripped from their gazes.
The clan elders were especially bad. Ignoring others has its limits. Every time they ran into Namgoong Juhee, they'd drop a line.
"Our Juhee... how tough must it have been, putting on that ridiculous act all this time."
"Pardon? An act? What act?"
"Aigoo... you don't have to anymore. I get it, I get it. This old fool's getting sentimental. If you need anything, just say the word."
"……?"
Such exchanges happened twenty times a day. To Namgoong Juhee, it was bizarre. Just one sparring win, and this is how they treat me?
If she'd overheard the family meeting, she'd have thrown a fit. Did I ever act? You all must have data glitches or something.
Unfortunately, she lacked the ability to read hearts. She just wondered why these NPCs were acting up.
Of course, it was annoying. Even now in the training ground, a few sword swings drew murmurs from all sides. And when she sliced a wooden dummy? The fuss doubled.
"Did you see the young master's swordsmanship just now?"
"Heavens... I knew Huashan sword arts were beautiful, but I never imagined this level. As expected of the young master."
"Is it the Huashan sword arts that are beautiful? In the hands of someone as great as the young master, even a third-rate technique becomes peerless."
"Hmm. Can't argue with that."
Listening to the uproar made it impossible to focus. Ignoring others has limits. How do you just keep at it amid all this noise unless you're deaf? That was what Namgoong Juhee was grumbling inwardly when—
"Lady, it seems you've fully accustomed yourself to the speed now."
The familiar voice came from behind. It was her personal maid.
"Thanks to you. Without your help, I'd still be plastered against the wall."
"It's only what a maid should do."
"Aw, don't be so humble. Anyway, why's everything so noisy lately? Did something happen?"
"You really don't know?"
Juhee blinked as if utterly clueless. She really doesn't give a damn about others' eyes, Seonan thought, continuing.
"You're nineteen this year, aren't you, Lady?"
"Yeah?"
"And you've reached the Peak realm."
"Yep."
"As far as I know, that's the youngest Peak record in history. Especially since you didn't take any spirit pills or learn any divine arts. If this isn't shocking, nothing is."
"Hmm, that big a deal? But the whole family's making such a racket—doesn't that seem over the top?"
Not just the family. Seonan swallowed the words.
Surprisingly, Namgoong Juhee was popular with the clan's servants too. Namgoong Geon had been harsh on them; she wasn't.
My job's mine. That was her mindset—a belief most Korean men picked up in the military.
Plus, Juhee's nature was straightforward. No need to burden servants, nor to exploit them.
With her like that, the already favorable public opinion had exploded. If Seonan hadn't held them back, Juhee would've been even more swamped. Only Seonan knew why she was especially sharp with the handsome men and pretty women.
"……I brought a towel. Wipe off your sweat first."
"Oh, thanks. I'll put it to good use."
Namgoong Juhee grinned and took the towel. She scrubbed her face roughly—swish swish. Then between her armpit and chest. Wiping her whole body with one damp towel, she looked just like a middle-aged man.
The men who'd cheered earlier promptly looked away—all at once. Their eyeballs still glued to Juhee made for a comical sight, but the effort to avert their gazes was praiseworthy.
"……Lady, didn't you say a woman must always mind her deportment?"
"Huh? I'm not a woman."
"That line again. So you're a man, then?"
"Yep. Ain't no man manlier than me."
Seonan felt an odd sense of déjà vu. We've had this exact talk before, it seemed. Namgoong Juhee felt it too—she snapped her thumb and middle finger with a click!
"Ah! Didn't we have this chat just a week ago?"
"Yes, I remember. You even drew your sword right after."
"Right. Couldn't show you properly back then—body wasn't used to it yet."
With that, Namgoong Juhee hopped lightly on her toes. She drew her sword from her bosom.
"Watch close. This time, I'll show you what a real man is."
"What are you planning to—"
The maid's reprimand halted mid-sentence. She was overwhelmed by the sight of Namgoong Juhee gripping her sword.
The origin of all Huashan possesses, the sword art that holds its purest essence. Though a diluted branch family version, its subtleties remained undimmed.
Huashan's prized virtues were speed and illusion. Deceiving the eye with swiftness and feints—that was their sword.
Thus, Huashan sword arts were always flashy. So much so that the sword's dance resembled scattering petals, earning their masters the moniker of plum blossom sword users.
And one such plum blossom sword user was born on Cheonju Mountain, far from Huashan.
Graceful, pristine movements. Hadn't she said she'd show manliness?
Yet the sword flowing from Namgoong Juhee's hand carried more allure than manliness. Its swaying dance felt like a seduction of her foe.
Her very appearance was a bewitching fox. Strands of damp hair. A face brimming with joy. Sweat-soaked clothes tracing sensual curves. Her body itself seemed a feint and phantom move—the training ground fell utterly silent, breaths held.
And then—snap.
With a light, clear sound, the sword tip halted. Only then did held breaths burst forth. Among them, those who knew she'd consumed the Cheong Yong Dan inwardly exclaimed: At last, the Namgoong Clan's hidden dragon awakens.
Whatever. Namgoong Juhee panted, turning to Seonan. As if seeking an NPC's confirmation of her training gains.
"Huu... How was it?"
"……Lady, didn't you just wipe your sweat?"
"Eh."
"The towel I brought was wasted."
The maid feigned composure as she took the towel from Juhee.
"I'll fetch a fresh one."
"Sorry, making you work twice over. Thanks."
"……It's only what a maid should do."
With that, Seonan scurried out of Juhee's sight. Her earlobes tinged faintly red.