Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Part 17 Dragon Eye
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The day she first met Geumju.
Jeong-a collapsed as if fainting, but in truth, that phenomenon was far from ordinary exhaustion.
"It's not mere overwork."
The only one who realized this was Yeon So-hyeon.
All the physicians who had examined her pulse earlier had said she was simply sleeping off fatigue.
He spoke to the fallen Jeong-a.
"You're hearing me, aren't you?"
She wanted to answer 'Yes,' but her body wouldn't move an inch.
"I've investigated your constitution. It actually took quite a while."
It seemed he had only reached a conclusion after completing the pulse diagnosis today.
"I thought it was a rare constitution, but it exceeded my expectations by far."
She possessed not one, but two extremely rare constitutions.
"The first is Dragon Eye, though honestly, I'm not even sure if translating it as Dragon Eye is accurate."
It was so rare that it couldn't be found in Central Plains records; he had discovered it in texts from distant lands.
"Those born with Dragon Eye are said to have bodies closer to that of a Dragon Person than a human. It's described as an extraordinarily precious constitution, but honestly, translating it in more detail was difficult."
It meant her 'eyes' were called Dragon Eye.
But the claim of it being extraordinarily precious felt a bit dubious.
Based on her experiences so far, she couldn't believe she was born with abilities worthy of such grand description.
"I know your doubts."
He explained that the Dragon Eye wasn't manifesting its true power because of the second constitution.
"The second is a type of Blocked Meridian. The name wouldn't mean anything to you anyway."
This Blocked Meridian prevented her, who was born with martial bones, from accumulating any internal energy, and it even severed the flow to her Dragon Eye, rendering its power unusable.
"From now on, I'm going to start treating that Blocked Meridian of yours. Of course, don't expect it to be fully cured in one go."
His touch was astonishingly delicate and warm.
The master who usually seemed so intimidating.
When practicing medicine, he seemed like an entirely different person.
Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
"With this treatment, we can consider the first stage completely finished."
Covered head to toe in golden needles, Jeong-a asked.
"Master."
"Why? It's best not to speak if you can help it."
But she had to ask.
"May this lowly one dare inquire what the Golden-Eyed Witch is?"
Yeon So-hyeon's hand froze in midair.
"...So you were conscious even then."
He was referring to the time she first fainted at Won-gak Pavilion.
She remembered the name he had called her by.
"It's a memory I hadn't recalled until now. It came back while receiving treatment from you, Master."
"Fine, fine. I get it, so shut your mouth now."
He inserted a golden needle near her face.
For some reason, she could sense his embarrassment.
Something she could never read before—her master's state of mind.
This must be proof that his treatment was working.
"...That's a name with nothing to do with you. So forget it."
Jeong-a wanted to hear more.
As if reading her heart, the master continued with a bit more story.
"It's the epithet of a woman who lived a profoundly unfortunate life. She hated the world so much she was willing to throw away her own life."
She sensed hesitation from him.
"...One day, in the end. I had to personally autopsy her."
After administering all the needles, he brushed aside her fallen hair with his hand.
It was the exact same touch as back then.
The touch from the day she first arrived at Won-gak Pavilion, when he stroked the head of the collapsed her.
Strong regret and sorrow transmitted from him.
...And tremendous rage as well.
That rage was too much for her to bear.
"...Sleep a little."
As he tapped her acupoint, she felt her eyes closing.
"As I said, it's a story that has nothing to do with you..."
For some reason, those words felt like he was saying them not to Jeong-a, but to himself.
"Forget it now."
* * *
Yeon So-hyeon peered into her golden eyes with a serious expression.
"The treatment effect is better than I expected. We've only taken the first step... Or perhaps Dragon Eye is far more remarkable than I thought."
He smiled at her face.
"...Now you can see exactly what I am."
He closed her eyes for her.
"Rest assured. I have no intention of commanding you to walk the same path as me."
He pulled the blanket up to cover her body.
"All I want is for you to do your utmost as this Eldest Young Master's dedicated maid."
As he left the room, he said.
"This treatment is merely a small gift to you for your loyalty to Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, so don't feel burdened."
* * *
Her older sister, Se-ah, had emptied the annex with her subordinates, leaving only the bare minimum staff.
The final assault on the Black Bone Gang was about to begin.
After preparing a late-night snack for her master, she went to find him.
"Hm...?"
She knelt before him.
"This sword is now yours forever."
He was silent for a long while.
She said nothing more, but he would understand her action.
It was a rite separate from her loyalty as a maid—a vow as a sword serving her lord.
A pledge to walk his path alongside him.
"...I accept your sword."
He took her sword somewhat awkwardly.
"But where did this sword come from?"
She smiled.
"I traded a trinket with one of the female warriors guarding the annex."
Yeon So-hyeon burst into hearty laughter.
She sensed the sorrow flowing from his laughter.
"Master. Surely..."
She could now feel his heart.
That was why she could convey these words.
"'She' would have done the same as me if she had only met you a little sooner."
Surprise appeared on his face.
And soon, a gentle smile spread across it.
* * *
"...You're not scared?"
At her sister's words, she couldn't speak for a moment.
Not scared?
Of course she was terrified.
He was more frightening than all the nightmares she had ever had combined.
But at the same time,
He was warmer-hearted than anyone she had ever met.
He was the person she most wanted to become like.
"That's why I want to become like him."
* * *
Sensing that familiar energy—demonic qi—Jeong-a woke from sleep.
She headed as quietly as possible toward where the demonic qi emanated.
Entering Yeon So-hyeon's bedroom, she saw her master lying in bed.
"...Mother."
It seemed that horrific 'thing' clinging to her master was tormenting him again.
"I'm sorry, Mother..."
She quietly approached him and brushed aside his hair.
Just as he had done for her.
Was it effective?
Soon, his expression relaxed once more.
She watched his face for a long time before quietly leaving.
She didn't go far, sitting on the veranda where the moon was visible, and began the basic breathing exercise he had taught her.
* * *
Outside Won-gak Pavilion, a chilling north wind blew as if welcoming the morning sun.
But within Won-gak Pavilion, it was merely a refreshing spring breeze brushing flower petals.
It was the power of the barrier-level formation array installed at Won-gak Pavilion.
Yeon So-hyeon sat in a chair in the clearing, dressed in comfortable casual attire.
"Do you know what the root of your problems is?"
Jeong-a, dressed not in her neat maid uniform or elegant outing clothes, but in black martial robes, had a fresh allure.
"...I believe the fundamental issue is my status as a slave girl."
Slavery was legally prohibited in the Central Plains.
Yet everywhere in the Central Plains, people lived lives tantamount to slaves.
It had been the same for her, sold to the Sword Clan as a child.
"Correct."
He nodded.
"The highest position you can rise to with that status is something equivalent to a maid."
He continued calmly.
"In the Sword Clan, being a direct blood relative's dedicated maid is a position that commands respect from most people, regardless of your origins."
He propped his knees on the chair, resting his chin on them as he looked at her.
"...But you know that's not enough."
Images of the Second Young Master's chief steward and the Third Young Master's Three Absolutes Warriors flashed in her mind.
Even to those with a modicum of power or backing, a dedicated maid position meant nothing.
A maid was just a maid, after all.
"In the Sword Clan, there's only one way to rise in status. What is it?"
"To become a warrior."
Warriors—martial artists affiliated with the Sword Clan—held that status and rank in itself.
"Exactly. So no matter how hard it is, you must follow my instruction to the best of your ability."
"This slave girl is at a loss for how to repay Master's grace."
With that, Yeon So-hyeon began her martial arts training.
"The swordsmanship you'll learn is called Flash Shadow Instant Sword. It's an advanced technique highly regarded even within the Sword Clan."
He grinned.
"But it has demanding requirements and complex principles, making it so difficult to master that even in the Sword Clan, few achieve great success."
Jeong-a swallowed dryly.
What she had learned through her 'eyes' by peeking over shoulders amounted to no more than the skills of low-grade Sword Clan warriors.
She doubted whether she could learn and master advanced martial arts.
Moreover, it was infamous for its difficulty.
"Given your constitution, you more than meet the requirements, so let's give it a try even if just out of curiosity."
"Yes, Master. This slave girl will do her utmost."
"Good. Then let's start with the basics of understanding."
He picked up a tree branch and swung it this way and that, teaching her the forms.
Without internal energy, the forms couldn't display their true nature, and the flow had many breaks.
Moreover, as he said, advanced techniques were profoundly complex.
But with Yeon So-hyeon's fluid explanations, she could somehow infer the original forms through her Dragon Eye.
Thus, though it was grueling, Jeong-a managed to learn the forms.
"Master! How is it?"
"......."
What to say to a maid who mastered the forms of an advanced technique in half a day.
Yeon So-hyeon let out a hollow laugh.
"You. From now on, stop preparing meals."