Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Before the Tea Gets Cold
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“A personal maid?”
“Yes. I plan on keeping her by my side from now on.”
“……”
Having come to report that they had finished preparations to leave for the next inspection site, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung wore baffled expressions as they looked at Hyang-i.
“My name is Hyang-i. I look forward to working with you.”
As she demurely folded her hands and bowed, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung replied awkwardly.
“Huh? Oh, right.”
“I look forward to it as well. I’m Ju Seung, in charge of the Waning Moon Squad.”
“I’m… Wang Cheon.”
“The Third Young Master has told me much about you both.”
Watching them exchange pleasantries, Neung Un-bi couldn't hide his bewilderment.
To see her like this…
Last night, after a long time spent clearing up the misunderstanding about his preferences, Hyang-i had agreed to act like her usual self.
But wasn’t this attitude a bit too polite? How could a person change so drastically?
Where in the world did that menacing self from yesterday go?
“Ahem, but, my lord.”
“Yes?”
“…What is all this, so suddenly?”
“...?”
Neung Un-bi tilted his head at Wang Cheon’s words.
Sudden or not, what was the problem?
And what was with that squint? Why was he whispering?
“To bring out a girl you’ve never seen before and call her your personal maid… Isn’t it a bit out of the blue?”
“I know. But, that’s just how it is.”
“……”
At the vague reply, Wang Cheon’s eyes narrowed even more.
After looking back and forth between Hyang-i and Neung Un-bi several times, he asked cautiously.
“Could it be… you’re that kind of person?”
“…Is that it? I hadn’t considered that. The lord is not so young anymore, after all.”
At Wang Cheon’s words, Ju Seung stroked his chin and nodded with a serious expression.
That kind of person? What kind?
And what did my age have to do with it?
“But this isn’t right.”
“Indeed. As loyal as I am to you, my lord, this is beyond the pale… I fear what rumors might spread.”
“...?”
As Neung Un-bi tilted his head, utterly failing to understand what the two were talking about, Wang Cheon spoke as if he had made a decision.
“My lord. It’s been a while since you came to the Central Plains, and you are at an age where you might take an interest… But this seems a bit much.”
What is this guy talking about?
His expression, his voice…
It was as if his mind was filled with wicked thoughts.
“What are you talking about right now?”
“What do I mean? Isn’t she… too young?”
Wang Cheon said, lowering his voice.
“Huh?”
“She’s a child, a child.”
“...?”
What’s wrong with a maid being young… wait, could these guys…?
Seeing Wang Cheon’s deeply furrowed brow, Neung Un-bi glanced at Hyang-i, then back at Wang Cheon.
“…Ah!”
And then he realized what they were imagining.
“You crazy bastards!”
“My lord, you shouldn’t say that.”
“Agh, that’s not it!”
“If you have needs, I could… um, find a suitable woman…”
“…!”
This time, Neung Un-bi instantly understood what Wang Cheon was saying and, horrified, glanced at Hyang-i.
The corners of her lips were slowly curling up.
Her eyes looked as if she were staring at trash, and veins were popping on the backs of her folded hands.
Th-this was not good. At this point, even an idiot would have noticed.
“My lord, rather than a child like that…”
“Th-that’s enough!”
“It’s not a matter of stopping…”
Stop it! Stop it!
Your life is in danger, you bastard! You’re going to die without a trace!
“Haha, ahahahaha!”
“Mph, mmmph…”
Eventually, Neung Un-bi clamped both hands over Wang Cheon’s mouth.
“Ha, Hyang-i. Go and prepare some tea. It seems I need to have a talk with these two.”
“……”
“What are you doing? I told you to bring tea. Quickly, now. Hmm?”
“Huuu… Very well.”
Hyang-i shot Wang Cheon a glare before bowing and excusing herself.
“Whew…”
Having barely averted disaster, Neung Un-bi let out a sigh of relief only after Hyang-i was at a distance.
“Mph, mmmph!”
“……”
Wang Cheon struggled, unable to breathe, but Neung Un-bi didn’t let go.
Damn you, Guard Captain. You might as well suffocate and die.
Of all the things to imagine…
I see now why she hates you, you bastard.
You filth…
“My lord, the Guard Captain’s face is turning red. Perhaps you should let him go…”
“Shut up.”
“…Yes?”
You’re just as bad! You pieces of trash!
And so, Neung Un-bi saved both their lives.
Though they themselves didn’t know it.
And a short while later.
“Whaat? So… that kid from before is that much of an expert?”
“Yes.”
“That Taoist was her, and she’s the one who defended the Dancheon Gate that day?”
“I told you.”
Neung Un-bi explained everything he knew to clear up the misunderstanding.
They had to leave for the next inspection site anyway.
At least until he completely mastered the incredible arts that Hyang-i possessed, he had to continue his inspection of the Central Plains as a disciple of the Demonic Cult.
During that time, they were bound to find out about her skills.
That was why he gave them a heads-up.
Wasn’t it better to get the shock over with now?
Whether they were surprised then or surprised now…
But finding it hard to believe, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung could only stare at each other in bewilderment.
Well, it was understandable.
Wasn’t she too young to be a master of such incredible skill?
“You’re joking, right?”
“It’s the truth.”
“No way…”
“I’m telling you, it’s real.”
“Nah…”
“This bastard, really! How dare you! While your lord is speaking!”
As Wang Cheon scoffed, Neung Un-bi raised a fist.
“I believe you. My… *pfft*.”
“……”
“I understand it’s a personal preference… *pfft*. You don’t have to be so ashamed… *pfft*.”
“……”
Ju Seung, you’re even worse.
“Haa, anyway, I’ve told you. So be careful. Got it? One wrong move and you’ll really die.”
“Aigoo, we get it, we get it.”
“Yeees… *pffft*.”
These guys, seriously…
Fine, I’ve told you everything.
So whatever happens to you is on you. Got it?
If you die, it’s not my problem.
Tired of explaining, Neung Un-bi just shook his head.
“Right, more importantly, are the preparations to leave ready?”
“Ah, they’re all set. I came to see you about that, actually. A small problem has come up.”
“A problem?”
“Yes.”
“...?”
“It seems you’ve drawn quite a bit of attention from this incident, my lord, haven’t you?”
“Have I?”
“Of course. Because of that, there’s an opinion that we should increase the size of the escort…”
“The escort?”
“Yes. Takbal-ryeo, the new branch chief, is insisting on it.”
Takbal-ryeo had argued that letting Neung Un-bi leave as he was would be an act of disloyalty and had reportedly drafted a large number of warriors from the branch.
Ha, as if they would be of any help.
Neung Un-bi, clicking his tongue inwardly, spoke in a placating tone.
“I’ll talk to the branch chief about that. The Waning Moon Squad is enough.”
“Ah, and there’s one more problem.”
“...?”
“Please take a look at this.”
“What is it?”
Before the curious Neung Un-bi, Wang Cheon unfolded a bundle he had brought.
“These are the clothes you will be wearing from now on.”
“Huh? Clothes?”
“Yes. Since the rumors are already out, it’s time for you to dress the part, my lord.”
What Wang Cheon spread out with a strangely pleased expression was a cape.
Just as you’d expect from the Demonic Cult, it was pitch black…
Well, he understood.
All the other disciples had designated attire, but Neung Un-bi and the Waning Moon Squad had no specific colors. Since the escort squad was somewhat hastily formed in the first place, it wasn’t that strange.
In any case, he wanted to project an air of authority now that his name was known.
“So what’s wrong with it?”
“It’s a bit… plain, wouldn’t you say?”
“Plain?”
“Yes. This crest here is a bit bothersome… I think it needs to be modified to better express your dignity, my lord. What do you think?”
“……”
“We should have it modified, right? I asked, and they said it would take about ten days to fix the attire for you and the entire Waning Moon Squad…”
“T-ten days?”
“Yes, so how about staying here for that much longer?”
“……”
As Wang Cheon asked with a serious expression, Ju Seung nodded in agreement. Neung Un-bi looked at the two of them with a pathetic expression.
Crazy fools…
Anything would have been fine to wear.
For men who called themselves the Guard Captain and the Waning Moon Squad Leader, their actions were truly pathetic.
“My lord, please make a decision. What should we do?”
“……”
Neung Un-bi stared blankly at Wang Cheon before taking the cape from him.
*Rip! Riiip!*
“M-my lord!”
“Shut up! What is this bullshit?! Just don’t wear anything!”
“Whaat? But…”
“Do you two have nothing better to do? Go train instead of worrying about crap like this!”
“……”
“A bunch of weakling guards… you probably couldn’t even beat a single maid, what’s the point of worrying about clothes!”
As Neung Un-bi yelled and fumed, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung couldn’t even protest, merely pouting.
“Third Young Master, I’ve brought the tea.”
While Neung Un-bi was seething, Hyang-i arrived with a tea set on a small tray.
But behind her, three or four children followed, hesitating.
“Who are the kids?”
“They were pestering the guards at the gate, saying they wanted to see you, so I brought them in.”
“Ah, is that so?”
At her words, Neung Un-bi looked at the children.
Judging by their wary glances, they must have seen him yelling.
“Hey! Wang Cheon, Ju Seung.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Stop with the useless nonsense and get ready to leave immediately. Understand?”
“…Yeah.”
Leaving the two to answer dejectedly, Neung Un-bi approached the children.
“Hey kids, were you scared?”
“……”
“Want to go get some sweets?”
At his winking smile, the children’s faces lit up as if they had never been afraid.
“Yes!”
“Alright, let’s go. Hyang-i, we’ll have tea next time.”
“…Then may I drink it? It’s West Lake Longjing.”
“Heh, go ahead.”
It seemed she was quite taken with the Longjing tea.
Neung Un-bi chuckled at the sight of Hyang-i’s eyes sparkling as she looked at the teapot, gave his cheerful permission, and went outside with the children.
*Trickle.*
As she poured the water, a rich aroma rose from the teapot, and Hyang-i smiled more happily than ever before.
“You, your name’s Hyang-i, right?”
“...?”
Just as Hyang-i was about to pour the tea.
Wang Cheon, having just received a scolding, called out to her with a taunting expression.
“What about it?”
“I hear you’re not actually a maid?”
“...?”
“The lord said you’re pretty good at fighting… Is that true?”
Wang Cheon asked cautiously, just in case, with Ju Seung standing staunchly behind him.
But at his attitude, which would have been believable for a street thug, Hyang-i let out a smirk.
It seemed Neung Un-bi had told them everything while she was away.
Well then, no need to hide it. It wasn’t exactly a secret anyway.
“Are you trying to pick a fight now?”
“…!”
“The tea smells nice. I’d hate for the smell of blood to mix with it, so either shut up and drink your tea, or go get ready to leave.”
“Ha! What did you say? You don’t want to see blood? Shut up and drink tea?”
“……”
“I was trying to be nice for the lord’s sake… Do you know who I am?”
“The First Young Master of Snow Mountain Manor, the Mad Dog Wang Cheon, was it?”
“Wh-what did you say?”
Wang Cheon’s eyes shot up.
His actual moniker was the ‘Raging Leopard.’ ‘Mad Dog’ was what people called him as an insult.
Seeing the furious Wang Cheon, Hyang-i dusted off her bottom and stood up.
For the sake of the future, establishing the pecking order was necessary.
Even with the difference in status between a maid and a Guard Captain, the Demonic Cult was a place where the strong ruled.
“Let’s finish this before the tea gets cold. I’ve tried it; it tastes best when it’s hot.”
“…Th-this crazy girl! Who do you think you are, Guan Yu?! What do you mean, before it gets cold?!”
Watching Wang Cheon shriek, Hyang-i glanced around, then beckoned with her finger and smiled.
“Come at me together, both of you. The tea’s getting cold.”
“……”
“……”
***
At the same time as the unexpected bloody battle (?) was unfolding at the residence, Neung Un-bi was at a candy shop in the market with the children.
The merchants who recognized him greeted him with bright smiles.
“For free?”
“Yes! Please accept it as a token of my gratitude, Third Young Master.”
At the merchant’s words, Neung Un-bi shook his head.
“Don’t do that. It’ll become a habit.”
“Pardon?”
“From now on, don’t give anything away for free. Make sure you get paid. Even if the Cult Leader himself comes, you should charge him the proper price.”
“Whaat? H-how could I…”
“That’s how business is done. If any lawless thugs try to intimidate you for money, report it to the branch office immediately. And if you receive help, then you can give them something for free. Just one.”
“……”
The owner of the candy shop stared blankly at Neung Un-bi.
“Here you go.”
Neung Un-bi smiled, took a money pouch from his robes to pay, and handed out the candy to the children.
“You all go ahead and eat.”
“Yes, Third Young Master!”
Neung Un-bi smiled back at the children’s bright laughter, and the faces of the candy shop owner and nearby merchants watching him also broke into smiles.
The thoughts running through their minds were all similar.
Unlike the other martial artists they had seen, the Third Young Master seemed to be a truly good person.
Perhaps, they thought, they had been wrong about the Demonic Cult.
And at that moment, another pair of eyes watched Neung Un-bi from the shadows, smiling.
“Interesting. The Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult, on friendly terms with the common folk… I thought it was just a baseless rumor, but it turns out to be true?”