Chapter 100
Chapter 100
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Part 25: The Great Road
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Street in front of Won-gak Pavilion's main gate,
Around noon.
The maids belonging to Won-gak Pavilion's maid unit were practically monopolizing the gazes of everyone around them.
"Heh heh. I've long heard tales of how beautiful the maids of the Luoyang Sword Clan are, but to think even a mere servant girl could be this stunning."
"They're specially selected to serve the Eldest Young Master, after all, right?"
Two men dressed in splendid silk robes were chatting when another joined in.
"Perhaps they're maids for receiving guests?"
As expected of people from merchant houses and associations, they naturally fell into easy conversation.
"Haha. That must be it."
"Surely maids like that don't clean privies, do laundry, or handle outdoor drudgery."
"Of course not. They must have servants for that—who would let hands like theirs get wet?"
The middle-aged men in silk burst into laughter—ha ha ha.
Just then, another middle-aged man with a long beard clicked his tongue and joined the conversation.
"You all must not have visited the Luoyang Sword Clan much."
It was a rather blunt jab, but in the cutthroat world of commerce, no one who took offense at that little could survive.
"You must be someone who visits the Luoyang Sword Clan often, then."
"Mind teaching us what we're missing?"
The long-bearded man stroked his beard and nodded toward the maid.
"Do you see that maid carrying a sword on her back?"
Everyone nodded.
"We have eyes too—did you think we missed the sword?"
The long-bearded man lowered his voice.
"People of the Luoyang Sword Clan never carry swords for show or decoration."
"Is that so?"
"Why is that?"
As interest sparked around him, the long-bearded man puffed up with pride.
"For the Luoyang Sword Clan, wearing a sword means they're always ready for a duel. In other words, it's a declaration that they are warriors."
Those around him let out admiring sighs.
"Then that maid is a sword wielder too?!"
"Surely not a martial artist with internal energy?"
Everyone waved their hands dismissively.
"Haha, talk sense. Why would they use a sword hand with internal energy as a mere servant?"
"Not all warriors are martial artists of the jianghu—even the mighty Luoyang Sword Clan follows that logic, no?"
A woman's voice cut in then.
"In the main house, warriors with internal energy aren't called martial artists of the jianghu—they're called martial warriors."
They whipped around in surprise to find the very maid they'd been discussing standing there.
They were startled not just because her martial arts were advanced enough to overhear their private chat.
There was something even more astonishing.
"Whoa, our apologies."
"We weren't gossiping behind your back, so please understand."
"Impressive martial prowess, though."
The spot where they'd been talking was a waiting area on the street in front of Won-gak Pavilion.
On the second floor, no less.
Incredibly, the pavilion's maid had somehow appeared at the railing on this floor and addressed them.
With a smile playing on her lips, she spoke to them.
"And since you're wondering—I am indeed a maid of Won-gak Pavilion and a martial warrior at the same time."
Her hand flashed.
No one present could track the motion of her hand.
It felt like a mere breeze had passed, yet all the colorful money pouches they'd had at their waists were now in her palm.
"Ooh! Incredible!"
"Superb technique!"
Flushed with excitement, they clapped and showered her with praise without restraint.
Onlookers nearby applauded her as well.
As they retrieved their pouches one by one, she bowed gracefully in response to their compliments.
"If she's not just any Luoyang Sword Clan maid but one serving the Eldest Young Master, this much is expected."
Everyone snorted in approval and nodded.
"As expected of the Eldest Young Master."
"A maid fitting for the Luoyang Sword Clan's great Eldest Young Master!"
They knew Yeon So-hyeon was called the Swordless One in some circles, but as merchant folk, none paid it any mind.
"Hee hee. Thank you."
With polite poise, she asked them,
"You know the master isn't receiving unscheduled guests right now, correct?"
Everyone nodded.
"We've already heard from others."
She asked them,
"Then why are you waiting here?"
Their answer wasn't much different from what she'd heard from others that day.
"Heh heh. Merchant houses like ours always dispatch people to check on important figures, even just to gauge their movements."
"Exactly. And when the Luoyang Sword Clan's Eldest Young Master has ended his seclusion, how could any house doing business in Henan Province not verify it?"
"Plus, getting acquainted with someone working inside like this? That's the icing on the cake."
They guffawed heartily.
She covered her mouth and laughed along.
"Since this is fate, I'll specially resolve one of your curiosities."
The eager gazes of those around converged on the maid.
"Oh ho! We're looking forward to hearing what curiosity you'll clear up."
With an elegant smile in her eyes, she opened her mouth.
"There are no servants at Won-gak Pavilion.
All the menial tasks are handled by my maid unit."
She added,
"We clean privies, do laundry, and handle every outdoor chore."
She had overheard their entire conversation while bustling along the great road.
"We even plow fields and herd cattle—hee hee."
As they began to look embarrassed, she bowed her head to them.
"Then I'll withdraw to attend to my duties."
She flipped gracefully through the air and landed on the great road, prompting exclamations from behind.
"Maids like that plow fields and ride cattle?!"
"She called it a maid unit, right? Are they all jianghu martial artists, every one?!"
"Only the Luoyang Sword Clan's Eldest Young Master could command maids like that!"
Then someone shouted from another waiting area.
"It's the Medicine King! The Medicine King has appeared!"
Everyone surged to the railings.
Not just that waiting area—people in every waiting spot lining the great road craned their necks to peer outside.
"Ahem. These rascals. The chance to see a renowned elder like me in person, and they've all lost their minds."
Strutting into view was the Medicine King, heading home early today.
But the crowd's reaction fell short of his expectations.
"...That old codger is the famous Medicine King?"
"He looks grimy. And ugly to boot."
"Look at him strutting—there's no way that old man's the Medicine King. I heard he's supposed to have the refined air of an immortal sage."
Harsh words flew from the buildings on either side, turning the Medicine King's face red then pale.
"Y-You lot, with eyes just for show...?!"
Just then, a woman in Won-gak Pavilion maid attire appeared gracefully before the Medicine King with elegant lightness skill and bowed deeply.
It was the very maid who'd been inquiring after the business of those in the waiting areas.
"Medicine King, you're heading home early today."
She took the small bundle from him.
His mood lifted instantly, a pleased smile gracing his lips.
"Mm mm. Looks like I have to head out again around evening."
"As expected of someone of your stature, Medicine King—you must be endlessly busy."
"Heh heh. Well, yes. A man of my standing can't help being swamped with public and private affairs."
Walking beside the maid, his eyes narrowed slyly.
"From the look of you, don't you get occasional stomach pains? Let me give it a rub—no, a quick palpation, and it'll be clear right away."
She covered her mouth and laughed.
"Our health is personally checked by the master, so we're fine. Still, thank you for your concern, elder."
"Whoa?! That brat again?!"
As they passed through the main gate leisurely, the crowd murmured.
"...Looks like it really is the Medicine King."
"Seeing him in person, he does seem a bit pervy, but rumors are always like that, aren't they?"
Some nodded for different reasons.
"Only a figure like the renowned Medicine King could receive such a welcome into Won-gak Pavilion."
"Hey, shouldn't we be shocked first that the Medicine King is staying at the Luoyang Sword Clan's Won-gak Pavilion?!"
"Ah! Now that you mention it!"
As they buzzed and exchanged views, someone shouted loudly from the far end of the great road.
"An elder of the Luoyang Sword Clan approaches! Everyone, show your respects!"
At the call, everyone straightened up and adopted reverent demeanors.
That didn't stop them from peering out, though.
Those with poor views poured outside, crowding both sides of the street.
Armed warriors arrived first, marching in perfect unison beside them.
The sight of warriors who commanded respect anywhere in the Central Plains marching in lockstep stirred the crowd.
"Heavily armed warriors...!"
"Look at their banners. One says Sword Mountain Breaker..."
"Sword Mountain Breaker Yeom Gak-chu...!"
"The Sword Mountain Breaker who defeated the Mount Hua Sword Lord after a thousand exchanges!"
"Hero of the Northern War!"
Following the warriors came Elder Yeom's maids, proceeding with demure grace.
"Those maids are beautiful too!"
"Heh heh. I'd happily take any one as a new bride."
But some reacted differently.
"...Still, doesn't that Won-gak Pavilion maid from earlier feel more special?"
"Those are just ordinary beauties, while she was a warrior."
As they whispered, their eyes suddenly widened like saucers.
"It's the White Tiger!"
"Have you ever seen a tiger that big?!"
"Look—it's keeping perfect step with the others! That has to be a spirit beast!"
And atop that White Tiger rode a sideways-mounted woman.
She wore an elegantly flawless riding outfit, her face veiled in fine silk.
"...Has anyone heard of a young lady like that in the Sword Clan? What exquisite poise."
"Probably connected to Sword Mountain Breaker—maybe his daughter or a companion traveling with him."
From the rear, people began falling silent one by one.
Soon the crowd was hushed in awe.
They dared not lift their heads, staring only at the ground.
Emerging behind the massive White Tiger with his escorts was a man whose build seemed to bundle three grown men together.
But more eye-catching than his bulk or fierce visage was the ink-black greatsword slung across his back.
It was a greatsword no ordinary man could dream of lifting—the very one said to have bested the Mount Hua Sword Lord in a mere thousand exchanges.
At last the procession reached Won-gak Pavilion's main gate, and he stepped forward himself.
The woman on the White Tiger followed behind him.
The special duty guards at the gate spotted him and clasped fists in unison, shouting,
"We greet the main house elder!"
He received their fist salutes with dignified courtesy.
"Send word inside. Elder Yeom of the main house humbly requests an audience with the Eldest Young Master, accompanied by his daughter."