Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Gift - 1
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Training ended at sunset, just like always. As I began stretching to cool down, Namgung Hye, who had been training beside me, stuck out her tongue and shook her head.
"Do you train like this every day?"
"Yeah."
"That's impressive. You can focus that long?"
I didn't have a ton of time on my hands. To make the most of what little I had, I had to train with total concentration.
"I've only been learning martial arts for a short while. Gotta work extra hard to catch up."
"That's really something. So, when are you making those candies?"
"Right now, I guess. Need to grab the ingredients first."
She seemed more interested in snacks than the ritual.
As we left the clearing together—she was the one showing so much enthusiasm for the Western caramel candies I'd mentioned earlier—Yu Ye-ryeon greeted me with a smile.
"How'd training go today?"
"Good."
"I see. Want to have dinner together tonight, then?"
"I have plans."
"...Plans?"
Her puzzled gaze shifted to Namgung Hye.
Namgung Hye hesitated, looking flustered, then gave a slight bow. Yu Ye-ryeon closed her eyes thoughtfully for a moment before shrugging.
"Hmmm. Fair enough. Hanging out with people your age is important too. Go on ahead. I'll eat alone."
There was some emphasis on the word "alone."
Namgung Hye, unsure what to do, hurriedly spoke up.
"Um, the Namgung Family..."
"They said they're eating separately."
"Oh... Then, Jin Hyun, maybe we could postpone our plans?"
"Sure, if that's how it is."
It wasn't anything urgent, so I just nodded.
After bowing again to Yu Ye-ryeon, who tried to wave it off as no big deal, Namgung Hye scurried away. Yu Ye-ryeon poked my side.
"Not bad, huh? Didn't think you'd get so chummy with the Namgung Family's jewel already."
"Jewel?"
"The current patriarch's only daughter. She's got talent too, so they say he dotes on her quite a bit."
So that's her backstory. The novel hadn't gone into detail, so I hadn't known.
"Hehe~. Looks like we can eat together after all."
"Guess so."
"What're you making today?"
"No idea yet. Anything you're craving?"
Yu Ye-ryeon's estate did have cooks.
But she preferred the food I made. Training was done for the day, and we had time before dinner, so no reason not to.
Our original deal was for me to do some on-site cooking for her anyway.
"That super fluffy thing from last time..."
"Soufflé Pancake?"
"Yeah. That, and whatever else you decide."
"Got it. You can head inside, then."
"I'll trust your judgment."
She talked like it was some grand event.
After sending Yu Ye-ryeon off, I headed to the kitchen. It felt familiar now after cooking there a few times. I whipped up some soufflé pancakes and a simple salad to go with them.
When I brought the finished dishes to her room, there she was, grinning from ear to ear.
"Here. Dig in."
Usually, others joined us sometimes, but whenever I cooked, it was just the two of us. Nothing special about it, but it wasn't bad for me.
I could ask her about anything puzzling from training over dinner.
Unless something came up, I trained alone in the practice yard.
Even so, Yu Ye-ryeon always knew exactly how far I'd progressed and could point out any mistakes I'd made during practice.
I had no idea how she did it, but that was the Sword Heaven's skill, I figured. Didn't ask. Felt like something I shouldn't pry into, for some reason.
"Your Mount Tai Pressing Down felt a bit different."
"Just a small insight."
Clashing with the Soaring Palace Free Sword Art had given me a better grasp of its subtleties. Still not quite at the level from when I'd sparred with Yu Ye-ryeon last time, though.
"Anything off about it?"
"Hmm. No. It was great. But you know you can't settle for that, right?"
"Yes."
"What about Sweeping Away Heavenly Armies and Immortal's Path?"
The second form of the Three Ultimates Sword Art, Sweeping Away Heavenly Armies, and the third, Immortal's Path—nothing special there yet.
But with progress on Mount Tai Pressing Down, the others would come along eventually, I thought.
"No need to rush, I think."
"Right. What did I say was most important when I was learning martial arts?"
"Steady, relentless effort."
"Perfect."
She smiled and patted my head in approval. I was used to it now, so I just took a bite of soufflé pancake without much reaction.
"Speaking of, you seemed to hit it off with Namgung Hye."
"Just chatted a bit."
Not like we were buddies or anything. We'd only met today—how close could we get?
It was no big deal to me, but it intrigued Yu Ye-ryeon. Her hand slid from my head to my cheek, giving it a light twist.
"Pretty boys like you get reactions easy. Watch your step."
"Aack!"
With both cheeks grabbed, my words came out garbled. But she caught on quick, flashing her signature dazzling smile before letting go.
"Oh yeah, you turned down the Namgung Family's invitation. You could've learned some good stuff there. Why pass?"
"What I'm learning now is plenty. And since I'm already under the Sword Heaven's guidance, I don't want another teacher."
"Hehe~. You're not even my disciple."
"Still, it's a fact you're teaching me. I'm not slick enough to look elsewhere just 'cause something sweet catches my eye."
Did my answer please her? A deep smile curved her lips.
"Fair enough. Can't argue with that. Alright. When this training's done, I'll teach you something new."
"Thank you."
Hopefully I'd get some insight on Sweeping Away Heavenly Armies by then.
...
The next day.
I'd woken at dawn for training as usual. After footwork drills, while catching my breath in the clearing, I heard footsteps approaching.
It was Namgung Hye. She approached hesitantly, giving an awkward smile. I waved lightly.
"Morning."
"Yeah. Morning. Kinda late for one, though."
True—the sun was high in the sky, so not really morning anymore.
I stopped resting and stood. She held out a piece of paper.
"What's this?"
"The schedule came out. We're heading out tonight."
It was an order for the Namgung Family's Soaring Heaven Sword Unit and the Sword Heaven to investigate traces of the aftermath near Changik Village. My name was on it, naturally.
"You and I are on standby in Changik Village."
"Hmm..."
"You look dissatisfied."
"Nah. Thought I'd be on the investigation team since it's training too."
"Standby's not slacking. We gotta handle any demon beasts chasing the survivors. Won't be easy."
"Feels understaffed for something tough like that."
Just me, Namgung Hye, and two from the Soaring Heaven Sword Unit. With most on investigation, standby did seem lighter.
"Ahaha. Can't be helped. Anyway, mind if I train here today too?"
Why not?
As I nodded to her, I snapped my fingers.
"Hold on."
I headed back to my room and returned with what I'd made the night before.
"Cup your hands."
"Huh?"
She tilted her head curiously and held out her hands. I dropped the items into her palms.
"Whoa?! What's this?!"
"Western candy."
I'd gone to the market after dinner last night for ingredients and made it.
Nothing tricky about it. I knew the recipe, and materials were plentiful.
Her white palms filled with paper-wrapped caramels. She stared silently, then slowly looked up.
"...Why?"
Her face mixed confusion and joy in equal parts. On a beauty like her, it didn't look odd.
I spoke casually to her dazed gaze.
"Don't you like it?"
"I do, but... this much?"
Better to make a big batch at once anyway.
Girls like sweets.
Isn't there a saying? Girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice.
Namgung Hye might be past "girl" age, but she was still a woman—probably liked sweet things.
"Yeah."
"Oh... I-I should pay. How much?"
How much? Ingredients were cheap. Caramel's easy once you know how.
I shook my head.
"It's a gift."
"...I didn't prepare anything."
As she fumbled awkwardly, I shrugged and reached into my pocket. In my hand was the caramel she'd given me yesterday.
"Gifts are meant to be returned."