Tears, Swords, and an Unexpected Invitation
Wow...
What a jerk. He was like the living embodiment of annoyance. I almost wanted to applaud right there.
To think someone had molded a guy like that into a human being. I couldn't help but feel a fresh surge of admiration—and pity—for my father.
How much hardship must he have endured...?
My father was truly the greatest. The applause was meant for him, not this rude punk.
But in the novel, he was supposed to be childhood friends with Seo Ha-ryeong, right? Was it not yet that point?
I glanced over at Seo Ha-ryeong. She stood there with slumped shoulders, staring at the ground.
I asked carefully, "Seo Sojeo... Is there a reason you want to train with Ryu-cheong... I mean, Young Master Namgung?"
Seo Ha-ryeong kept her eyes on the floor and murmured softly, "...I want to get close to him."
"Why?"
"He's strong."
Oh. That was unexpected.
Well, it's still too early to talk about love, I guess.
Seo Ha-ryeong bit her lip and muttered, "I've sparred with him, but I've never won even once."
"Not even once?"
"Yeah. I've never lost to anyone my age back at Suhyangmun."
I praised her like it was the most impressive thing. "Whoa, that's amazing!"
"But what good is that? I couldn't even hold my own against him properly."
"Hmm... Well, you're younger than Young Master Namgung, after all..."
"It's only two years' difference. Two years is nothing to him—he beats seniors who are even older."
Well, what could you do? Namgung Ryu-cheong was the protagonist of this world... a genius on the level of ecosystem destruction. Seo Ha-ryeong would make a name for herself with her skills in the future, too.
It was heartbreaking to see this child, oblivious to her own bright path ahead, looking so dejected.
"I've heard Suhyangmun's swordsmanship is incredible."
"Yeah! Our Suhyangmun sword style is amazing! Yeah! But..."
Her voice, which had brightened at the mention of Suhyangmun, gradually grew wet.
"It's because... because I'm not good enough... I'm not good enough... Hic."
"Huh?"
"Hic... sniff."
What? Was she crying? Just like that? Out of nowhere? Why?
"S-Seo Sojeo."
"...I miss my mom. Waaah!"
Startled, I floundered and looked around. It wasn't me who made her cry! Just like how Namgung Ryu-cheong had a servant hovering nearby, we had a maid from the Namgung Clan shadowing us. It was safe inside the clan, but they wouldn't let young children wander at dusk unsupervised.
The maid, who had been lurking like a shadow, approached and offered Seo Ha-ryeong a handkerchief. But Seo Ha-ryeong slapped her hand away and wailed, "Don't touch me! Waaah!"
As the maid tried a few more times and Seo Ha-ryeong only grew more upset, she looked to me as if pleading, What do I do?
She said not to touch her. What difference would it make if I did...?
Muttering to myself inwardly, I crept toward Seo Ha-ryeong and gingerly placed a hand on her shoulder.
Surprisingly, she didn't shake me off. Gaining a bit of courage, I patted her gently. "Don't cry."
But my words seemed to hit the tear button harder, and she burst into even louder sobs.
"Waaah, waaah!"
"Ugh... Seo Sojeo, don't cry. What's so great about Young Master Namgung anyway...?"
"Huuuuwah!"
Oh no, wrong approach. Rolling my eyes, I patted her and tried again. "Seo Sojeo, don't cry... I-I want to see your swordsmanship!"
She flinched at my words. Seizing the moment, I pressed on. "Yeah? I really want to see Suhyangmun swordsmanship."
"...Su... Suhyangmun... sword?"
"Yes, yes! I do!"
I put on my best performance as an excited kid dying to see it. Sure enough, talk of swords worked wonders—Seo Ha-ryeong stopped crying almost instantly.
She wiped her face furiously, clearing away the tears, then jumped to her feet. "Alright! I'll show you!"
Brimming with enthusiasm, she dragged me to a training ground. It must have been rest time, because the place was deserted. The stone lanterns scattered around had already been extinguished, leaving only the lantern the maid held to light our feet.
Undaunted by the gloom, Seo Ha-ryeong took position in the center. As she gripped her wooden sword and assumed a serious stance, her aura grew heavy in an instant.
Definitely...
It wasn't exaggeration—there really was no one her age at Suhyangmun who could match her. Her skill far exceeded my imagination.
But what surprised me even more was something else.
I watched, mesmerized, as she demonstrated her sword forms.
What is this?
A field of vision made of light. Eyes that revealed qi. They were even more extraordinary than I'd anticipated.
Every time Seo Ha-ryeong swung her sword, I could predict exactly how the attack would come.
It wasn't coincidence that I foresaw where Cheonsan Yeomje's finger would strike.
And with each swing, lights appeared in the empty spaces. Instinctively, I knew those were her weak points.
"Hoo."
Before I knew it, she'd finished her demonstration and turned to me, breathing hard. I clapped on reflex.
"Wow, that's incredible!"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Can you do it one more time?"
I wanted to verify what I'd seen. Clutching her wooden sword, Seo Ha-ryeong beamed. "Sure!"
"Hah... hah... hah."
Ragged breaths echoed through the darkened training ground.
"I-I can't do anymore!"
Seo Ha-ryeong collapsed onto the dirt and flopped down flat. I hurried over in alarm.
"Okay, that's enough. Please stop. Get up—how can you sit on the dirt like that?"
"I don't care! I can't get up! I need a break!"
I'd gotten carried away begging her nonstop. One round was tiring enough; ten had naturally worn her out.
I sat beside her and asked, "How long are you staying at the Namgung Clan?"
"Three months. One's gone, so two left."
"Suhyangmun isn't far from here. Why not just go home?"
"But... everyone else is loving it here, learning so much."
"Everyone else?"
"Yeah, the other disciples from Suhyangmun."
"Oh, you're here for the swordsmanship exchange?"
"Yeah. If I go back, my seniors and juniors have to go too."
"I see."
An exchange with the Namgung Clan—even for Suhyangmun, it was a rare chance. Best to stay as long as possible.
After a moment's thought, I said, "I have twin cousins my age, and you're way better than them. So don't feel too pressured."
"Really? Your cousins are from the Baek Ri Clan, right?"
"Yep."
She sprang up, delighted, then pouted and flopped back down. "Then what? Ryu-cheong is..."
Dust billowed as she hit the ground.
"Cough, cough."
"Whoa, right—you're delicate."
Wait, wasn't it just the dust? And did she have to call herself delicate?
Seo Ha-ryeong shot up and yanked me to my feet by the arm. "You can't sit on the ground like this! Let's go inside!"
I stared at her blankly, then spoke. "I noticed your shoulders keep slipping."
"Huh? H-How'd you know? They always point it out."
I met her wide, rabbit-like eyes, full of surprise.
Well... a little advice like this should be fine.
"How about trying it like this?"
Fix one issue, and another popped up. Fix that, and yet another appeared.
Shouldn't have butted in when I don't know much.
Yawning hugely, I stepped out of the training ground annex. Exhausted to the point of death, while Seo Ha-ryeong still brimmed with energy.
She's the one who demonstrated sword forms—why am I more tired?
She bounced ahead, then turned back. "My quarters are this way! See you tomorrow!"
Tomorrow too?
"Uh? Y-Yeah. Good night."
Hiding my fluster, I waved back.
That was when Seo Ha-ryeong vanished from sight.
"Young Lady Baek Ri."
A mature voice called from behind. I turned to see an elderly man in neat robes regarding me. He'd been the hovering presence outside the building all along.
"I am a servant attending the Namgung Clan Head. The Lord invites you for a cup of tea."
The clan head—Namgung Mu-cheol? Stunned by the unforeseen invitation, I stared at the servant.
He bowed politely. "It's late, so if you're tired, you may come tomorrow."
"...No! I'm fine. Let's go."
I knew I'd toss and turn with curiosity if I went back now.