Chapter 96
Chapter 96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Part 21: Won-gak Pavilion's Lower Maid Corps
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Outside, the clamor of massive construction work filled the air, but the inner courtyard of Won-gak Pavilion remained as serene as another world.
As everyone waited in anticipation, the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Clan, Yeon So-hyeon, made his appearance.
A lavish black silkworm silk outer robe, embroidered with golden threads, draped over his shoulders and fluttered in the wind.
Following behind him came Won-gak Pavilion's head maid, Jeong-a, and the Triplet Maids, their steps graceful and poised.
When Yeon So-hyeon ascended the makeshift low platform, the chief steward stepped forward with solemn dignity and spoke.
"Lower Maid Corps Captain, come forward."
At his command, the woman referred to as the Lower Maid Corps Captain stepped up.
She positioned herself squarely before Yeon So-hyeon with precise, measured strides.
Appearing to be in her late teens or early twenties, she gave off the impression less of a maid and more of a martial artist.
Tall and lithe with a toned physique, she was a true masterpiece, handpicked and raised by the chief steward himself—her beauty striking and refined.
The chief steward nodded to her and then spoke again.
"Pledge your loyalty to your master, the Eldest Young Master."
The Lower Maid Corps Captain drew her sword from her back and held it upright before her.
"Loyalty!"
At that moment, the forty-nine maids aligned in perfect formation behind her drew their swords in unison with identical motions.
"Loyalty!"
The sight of these fifty women wielding their blades in flawless unison resembled not maids, but a sword corps.
That might be why the chief steward had introduced them as the Lower Maid Corps.
Their impeccable synchronization brought a blooming smile to the chief steward's face.
Yeon So-hyeon descended from the platform and stood before the Lower Maid Corps Captain.
As he drew near, the woman who had seemed born a warrior suddenly faltered, at a loss.
Her long downcast lashes trembled, and a flush colored her cheeks.
Observing her reaction calmly, Yeon So-hyeon finally spoke.
"Your name?"
She parted her delicately painted vermilion lips and answered in a quivering voice.
"This servant is called Hyang."
Without warning, Yeon So-hyeon seized her hand.
"Ah..."
A warm breath escaped her lips.
"Judging by your hands, you've wielded a sword far longer than a day or two. When did you begin training?"
She bowed her head to hide her reddened face and replied.
"...From the earliest memories of my childhood, this servant has held a sword."
"As I thought."
Yeon So-hyeon released her hand.
A sigh tinged with reluctance slipped from her lips.
"Given the depth of your internal energy, your cultivation of the heart method has been thorough as well..."
Yeon So-hyeon nodded, his gaze sweeping over her form.
"Your musculature and bones are perfectly suited for martial arts, and already well-tempered."
Her body twitched and trembled under his scrutiny.
But it stemmed not from repulsion or shame.
Yeon So-hyeon reached his conclusion.
"Impressive. You are no longer lacking to be called a full-fledged warrior."
It was no exaggeration.
She alone could easily subdue any number of Black Bone Gang thugs who dared to charge.
"...This is but a humble skill, unworthy of display."
She lowered her flushed face.
A sweet fragrance wafted from her breath.
"...."
Gazing upon her like this, Yeon So-hyeon asked.
"If I were to reject you and cast you aside, what would you do?"
Her eyes shook violently, tears welling up.
"...I, I would obey the command."
Yeon So-hyeon gently wiped the corner of her eye.
"And if I demanded your life in return?"
Resolve and determination settled on her face.
"I would follow the order at any time."
Yeon So-hyeon caressed her cheek.
"And if I were to accept you?"
Unparalleled joy shone on her face.
"To serve my master is the supreme bliss."
Yeon So-hyeon took a step back from her.
She could not hide her regret at his touch leaving her.
"Hm."
Stroking his chin, Yeon So-hyeon asked.
"You... no, all of you..."
His gaze turned piercingly to the maids staring intently at him.
"Do you know that these feelings you hold for me have been thoroughly implanted?"
They answered at once.
"Yes, we know."
"That your minds have been cunningly manipulated?"
"Yes, we all know."
There was no hesitation.
"That you are mere consumables, puppets existing solely for me?"
Yeon So-hyeon pressed on.
"That your entire lives will be spent in my service, forever denied the joys of lovers, personal dreams, or families like ordinary folk?"
The Lower Maid Corps Captain met Yeon So-hyeon's eyes.
Her gaze was distant, like one beholding stars in a far-off sky.
"That is our happiness, our dream, our very reason for being."
"...."
Yeon So-hyeon looked upon them without entertaining empty prattle of ethics.
He had visited places struck by great famines alongside his mother in the past.
He had witnessed parents unable to eat their own child's corpse, resorting instead to trading neighbors' children to boil and consume.
To feel profound guilt or pity for their plight—to writhe in compassion—
He had already seen too much for that.
It would have been the same even for the past Yeon So-hyeon, not the inheritor of the Jeamjincheon Sutra.
"Impressive."
He clapped his hands.
Radiant smiles lit the maids' faces.
"I promise you here and now."
Yeon So-hyeon met the eyes of each one.
"You are tools for my sake, but I will cherish and value those tools."
He walked among them.
"You cannot know the ordinary happiness of common folk, but within my fold, you will taste joys unknown to others."
Yeon So-hyeon committed every one of their faces to memory.
"You would cast away your lives for me at any moment, but if I lost you, I would wail more bitterly than anyone in the world."
He returned to his original position.
He regarded the virgin known as Hyang, captain of the Lower Maid Corps.
"You are mine now."
The entire Lower Maid Corps dropped to their knees in unison.
"Loyalty!"
* * *
The chief steward and Jeong-a applauded the scene enthusiastically.
"As expected of our lord. No matter how painstakingly those girls crafted them, flaws are inevitable."
"Our master has added the finishing stroke. Now they are perfect masterpieces. Congratulations."
"Haha. Thank you. Hearing you say that, Jeong-a, puts my mind at ease and fills me with pride."
"You can take pride in them yourself."
It was a conversation between father and daughter, madness permeating to their very marrow.
They resembled the Lower Maid Corps to an astonishing degree—no distinction apparent between brainwasher and brainwashed.
"Wow..."
The Triplet Maids in the back clapped vigorously as well, though their expressions were somewhat awkward.
Blatantly so, in fact.
"Somehow... it feels a bit different from when we arrived, doesn't it?"
"It's because Master has now officially ended his seclusion. That's surely it. Absolutely, definitely."
"...The day we came to Won-gak Pavilion was a bountiful catch. I can still taste it on my hands. Hehe."
* * *
Yeon So-hyeon duly praised the chief steward before retiring to his chambers.
The chief steward departed Won-gak Pavilion, eyes brimming with emotion, leaving words of earnest advice.
Jeong-a stepped before the Lower Maid Corps.
Her skirt hem fluttered, and the sword at her waist clinked.
Her deep golden eyes looked down upon them.
"I am Jeong-a, the Eldest Young Master's chief personal maid and head maid of Won-gak Pavilion."
She exuded the chill of frost and the dignity of a queen.
The Lower Maid Corps gazed at her with fervent admiration shining in their eyes.
"Today is busy, so I'll keep this brief."
Jeong-a's eyes flashed coldly.
"You know full well it's only natural that you must never presume to rival our master."
They all nodded.
"Thus, anyone content to merely fulfill their role will be personally expelled by me."
Jeong-a evoked the very thing they feared most, making them tremble.
"So you must never settle—steel yourselves to make our master's name shine even brighter."
Her voice echoed across the entire courtyard.
"Understood?!"
The Lower Maid Corps replied with the greatest volume they could muster.
"Yes, Head Maid!"
Jeong-a beckoned the Triplets forward.
As the Triplets presented themselves with demure expressions, Jeong-a introduced them to the Lower Maid Corps.
"These are Won-gak Pavilion's maids, who will be in charge of you from now on: Ilryeong, Iryeong, and Samryeong."
The Triplet Maids smiled brightly and greeted the Lower Maid Corps.
"Though they are young and youthful in appearance, their skills surpass yours, and their knowledge runs deeper."
The Triplets struck haughty poses.
"Treat them as your masters. Understood?"
Another resounding chorus echoed.
Jeong-a nodded and turned to the Triplets.
"Before the next Lower Maid Corps arrives, ensure every one of them becomes a true maid corps."
Golden radiance flowed from her eyes.
"Understood?"
The Triplets nodded frantically under her terrifying gaze, cold sweat beading.
"No need to worry!"
"Leave it to us!"
"We'll drill them mercilessly!"
Jeong-a stared at them intently for a moment before turning away with a gust that chilled the air.
Everyone in the courtyard bowed deeply in salute.
Once she vanished from sight, the Triplets slyly raised their heads and chuckled lowly.
Their time had finally come.
From Master onward, then the chief steward, and now the head maid.
A long, arduous wait of patience.
Ilryeong struck a wide stance, hands on hips.
She spat on the ground.
"Hehe. Now you all are..."
But then, Jeong-a's furious shout flew from afar, unseen.
"Ilryeong! Do not forget the poise befitting Master's maid!"
Ilryeong leaped straight up in place before resuming her demure posture.
"Yes! Head Maid! This girl will keep it in mind!"
No reply came.
After freezing in place for a moment, Ilryeong sighed and shrugged at the Lower Maid Corps.
"You all saw that, right? The Head Maid is incredibly, tremendously formidable. Just assume she's watching no matter where you are or what you do."
Iryeong nodded.
"Right. Last time, when I sneaked one of Master's sweets while preparing them, she knew right away."
"And when I accidentally tore an inner robe while washing..."
"Come to think of it..."
Then Samryeong cleared her throat pointedly at Ilryeong and Iryeong.
"Is now really the time for such stories?"
At her words, Ilryeong and Iryeong reverted to sly grins.
"Hehe, true."
"From now on, we'll teach you the most basic duties of Won-gak Pavilion."
"Hehehe. This is all just the fundamentals, so don't you dare show any signs of struggle from the start."
Their wicked smiles echoed across Won-gak Pavilion's open ground.
The Lower Maid Corps shuddered at the sight.