Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Part 20: Talented Women
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The three girls trembled like aspen leaves.
It wasn't because they stood naked in the dead of winter.
It was due to the single woman standing before them.
Her splendid attire and glittering jewelry, her chillingly beautiful face.
The moment they first laid eyes on her, all three had gasped in admiration without realizing it.
But now, all of it felt like a disguise concealing the woman's true nature.
“I will ask one final time.”
A radiant glow emanated from the woman's golden eyes.
Her vertically slit pupils seemed to pierce right through them.
“What can you do for the Eldest Young Master?”
Without the slightest hesitation, the three girls answered in perfect unison.
“We will simply devote everything to serving him.”
A satisfied smile curved Jeong-a's lips.
She had observed every reaction from their bodies and sensed their hearts.
Their words were sincere, without a shred of falsehood.
“Put on your uniforms. And pack your belongings.”
At her command, the girls trembled even as they failed to hide their joy.
“You will now come with me to Won-gak Pavilion.”
The smiles blooming on their lips were unmistakably ones of ecstasy.
They had been granted permission to serve their master.
* * *
“The Triplet Maids. My greatest masterpieces.”
Those were the words of the chief steward waiting outside for Jeong-a.
“Impressive.”
Jeong-a made no effort to hide her admiration.
“You mentioned they were from the special class.”
“Indeed. The special class is publicly known as a place for special training of problem children who have exceptional talents but serious flaws...”
In truth, it was where the chief steward selected and groomed children to devote everything to his lord, Yeon So-hyeon.
“Do all the Triplet Maids practice martial arts?”
“Not at a high level. That was the limit with the resources I had available.”
He smacked his lips in regret.
“But I can guarantee the children's talents, so worry not.”
Jeong-a nodded at his words.
If not for the Luoyang Sword Clan,
If not for the chief steward's mad loyalty and determination,
Where in the Central Plains could one find such talents to employ as mere maids?
“Thanks to you, I no longer need to worry about staffing Won-gak Pavilion going forward.”
He burst into hearty laughter.
“After that long wait, I can finally do something proper for my lord!”
* * *
Dressed in the uniforms issued for Won-gak Pavilion maids, the girls were so stunningly beautiful that compliments came unbidden.
A small sword hung at the small of each of their backs.
Bright smiles adorned the identical faces of the Triplet Maids.
“At last…”
It wasn't just the chief steward who had poured his all into raising them who had long awaited the day they could serve their master.
“It's time for us to shine for our master.”
“What do you think our first mission will be?”
“Tracking, assassination, sabotage, spreading terror—no field frightens us.”
“Intelligence work sounds good too. Investigation, analysis, prediction, counter-espionage—we're confident in any of it.”
“I'm looking forward to daily maid duties as well. We have to show the pavilion's elegance to honored guests.”
Strong confidence radiated from their faces.
They were the survivors of all those horrific trainings and relentless education that haunted even their dreams.
Now, the time had come for them to step into the wide world.
“Nothing to fear.”
“We're the best, after all.”
“Oh ho ho ho.”
A voice came from beyond the door.
“Have you finished preparing and now chatting away?”
Just hearing Jeong-a's voice made the napes of their necks stiffen.
In an instant, they completed their preparations and lined up in perfect order before the door.
“Maid Captain! Preparations complete!”
The door opened, and Jeong-a appeared.
Her cold gaze swept over each of them.
Cold sweat trickled down the Triplet Maids' backs under that gaze.
Jeong-a nodded once she finished her inspection.
“Let's go.”
* * *
Leading the way was Jeong-a, resplendent in her glamorous attire and radiant beauty, followed by the beautiful maids—wherever they passed, they drew stares and gasps of admiration.
“Oh my, such pretty ladies.”
“Which group are they from? So enviable.”
The Triplet Maids' noses rose higher and higher.
'Hee hee, perfect. Keep praising the beauty of Won-gak Pavilion's maids.'
'Ah, so this is the pleasure of being the center of attention. Blissful.'
'A flawless debut. Come on, gaze up at us more.'
Jeong-a gave a wry smile at the smug satisfaction emanating from the Triplet Maids behind her.
They were lively girls.
Thoroughly broken, but lively.
They walked and walked some more until Jeong-a's footsteps finally halted.
“Here lies the main gate of Won-gak Pavilion.”
The Triplet Maids' faces paled.
The gate was guarded by men in security uniforms, one of whom exuded an overwhelming presence.
'An incredible master!'
'The heart of the Sword Clan indeed!'
'We're heading to the center of power!'
Leaning against the wall with his head bowed, radiating a ferocious, demonic aura, was none other than the gatekeeper, Life-Seizing Ghost Sword.
His aura was so intimidating that even his fellow guards kept their distance.
Jeong-a instinctively sensed that her master had somehow provoked him, judging by his demeanor.
“These are Won-gak Pavilion's new maids. Please take good care of them from now on.”
After completing the entry procedures, Jeong-a pushed the frozen Triplet Maids inside the gate.
“Come on, pull yourselves together. Never stray from the paths inside here.”
As she led the dazed, gawking maids onward, a voice called from behind.
“Dedicated maid—no, Maid Captain now, I suppose.”
It was Life-Seizing Ghost Sword.
“Got a moment?”
Jeong-a nodded and had the maids wait.
Once they moved a bit further inside, he spoke first.
“What kind of man is the Eldest Young Master, exactly?”
Jeong-a smiled.
Her guess had been correct.
“He's the best master to me.”
He scratched his head roughly at her response.
“You know that's not what I'm asking.”
Jeong-a covered her mouth and laughed.
“You must be confused. I was too.”
“This isn't confusion...”
She cut him off.
“I have only one thing to tell you.”
Her earnest gaze fixed on Life-Seizing Ghost Sword.
“Cast aside all your preconceptions about him and just observe the man himself.”
“……”
She continued toward the pensive man.
“And today, a guest will arrive.”
* * *
The deeper they ventured inside, the warmer the weather grew.
Along with it, stunning scenery began to unfold, causing the Triplet Maids' expressions to shift in a rainbow of emotions.
Jeong-a's footsteps stopped before a building.
“This is the place Master currently uses as both his residence and office. Everyone, compose yourselves once more.”
Tension was plainly etched on the Triplet Maids' faces.
'F-Finally, we'll meet Master!'
'Make a good first impression! Good first impression!'
'Surely we won't get chased out after coming this far…?'
Jeong-a confirmed their readiness and announced toward the interior.
“Master, it's Jeong-a. I've brought the new girls.”
A low voice came from within.
“Come in.”
* * *
The Triplet Maids knelt on the floor before Yeon So-hyeon, who lounged against his chair.
With eyes fixed on the ground, they barely suppressed their trembling bodies.
'T-This is our master!'
'Such immense dignity!'
'Ah, Master, please accept us!'
Meanwhile, Yeon So-hyeon exuded neither presence nor dignity.
If anything, he couldn't hide the bafflement on his face.
Having read the chief steward's letter and the report on the Triplet Maids, he let out a hollow chuckle.
'Chief steward…'
He looked at Jeong-a.
His gaze said: I asked for someone to cook and do chores—what have you and the chief steward been up to?
Jeong-a widened her eyes at his look and asked.
“Master, do these girls not meet your approval?”
At her words, the prostrated girls trembled even harder, entering Yeon So-hyeon's view.
It was pitiful.
Yeon So-hyeon sighed.
Jeong-a, with her discerning eyes, couldn't possibly misread his gaze—this was her way of signaling her intent.
“Very well. I accept these girls.”
“We are immensely grateful!”
Yeon So-hyeon waved his hand.
“From now on… call these girls the 'Triplets.' Delegate full authority over the Triplets to the Maid Captain.”
“As you command.”
Jeong-a bowed deeply to Yeon So-hyeon and said to the Triplets.
“Come along. I'll assign you your first mission.”
At the words “first mission,” the girls followed Jeong-a with solemn expressions.
Yeon So-hyeon sighed and shook his head at Jeong-a's blatant playfulness in mentioning the “first mission.”
'Well, it turned out fine anyway…'
His gaze returned to the report on the Triplet Maids.
A wry smile crossed his face.
'So these are the children the chief steward raised.'
He sank deeper into his chair.
'…I see. So that's how it all came to be.'
His eyes drifted into the distance.
* * *
“Th-This feels kinda weird, doesn't it?”
One of the Triplet Maids was casting a net in the pond.
“Eek!”
Mud caked her body, and fish in the net splashed water all over her.
“Why are we doing this…?”
Another wielded a hoe, digging up crops in the field.
The mild climate of Won-gak Pavilion allowed weeds to grow with terrifying vigor.
“Why are there no servant girls or manservants in this whole pavilion?!”
The last fanned the kitchen furnace vigorously.
“Cough, cough.”
The acrid smoke stung her eyes.
'It's just the smoke making tears come…'
Jeong-a, who had been wandering about and observing them from afar, chuckled softly.
They grumbled endlessly with complaints, lips pursed in pout, yet not one slacked off.
Far from slacking, they sweated profusely and gave their all.
'Hang in there just a bit longer.'
As her master grew more active, Won-gak Pavilion's staff would expand rapidly.
When that time came, they would fulfill their true roles as senior maids.
* * *
“Do you know why the Second and Third Young Masters rage at you yet haven't made a real move?”
Jeong-a nodded.
“They fear the rumors spreading.”
The news that the maid they coveted had gone to the Swordless One would sorely wound their pride.
The chief steward solemnly cautioned her.
“They say you can block a river but not people's mouths. Inevitably, rumors will spread, and they'll have no choice but to act against you.”
Jeong-a had to complete every preparation possible by then.
* * *
As the sun dipped low.
“Maid Captain!”
Life-Seizing Ghost Sword appeared in a flash of lightness skill.
“What is it?”
She sensed surprise, urgency, and confusion from him.
“An old man is at the main gate right now.”
“The one I mentioned?”
He nodded frantically.
“Yes! It's the Medicine King himself!”
The time was drawing near when not the Dark Heaven Venerable, but Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, would begin his full stride forward.