The Hidden Dragons Emerge (4)
Singui was peering at the patient on the bed with keen interest.
"This is the second time."
A grown woman lay there on the bed. Ilhyang finally had a moment to straighten her back as the number of injured from the preliminaries had exploded. She entered the room.
"Phew~ Master, is she okay?"
Ilhyang's eyes were ringed with dark circles. Her slender arms trembled faintly, betraying her exhaustion. Yet instead of catching even a quick nap, she'd come to check on the one her young master had brought back. Willingly, no less.
Singui quickly sat the weary Ilhyang on the bed and handed her a healing pill.
"Tsk tsk, from midday till now... I told you to take it easy. Here, a vitality pill."
"I'm fine... Have you taken one, Master?"
How could she be so kind? Singui felt a swell of pride at Ilhyang worrying about him first.
"I made them, of course I have. Now you eat one too."
"Yes, thank you."
"Tsk tsk, take it easy on the patients from now on. You're not the only healer here!"
It wasn't exactly fitting talk from a divine healer, but Ilhyang beamed and replied.
"Hehe, it's okay. This much is nothing."
She knew they were all just worried about her. More than that, she had to confirm this despite the bone-deep fatigue—about the woman Namgung Daeso had picked up.
For Singui, it was the second time Namgung Daeso had brought something home, but for Ilhyang, it was a first. And this time, it was a woman.
"Is this kid crazy too?"
The woman lying there with eyes closed looked no less refined than a noble lady from a fine house. Even with her eyes shut, she seemed demure, pretty, and proper. No doubt she'd stirred the hearts of many men in her time.
But Namgung Je-cheon had looked the part of a scholar from the Hanlin Academy too—at first glance. Appearances and reality were worlds apart. After all her time in the Namgung Clan, Ilhyang knew better than to assume beauty meant a sound mind.
"Everything that kid's picked up so far hasn't been normal, has it?"
Namgung Je-cheon hadn't been. The Daegalbak hadn't been. And the rumors said those thick-headed ones were off their rockers too.
"Daegal Tong No. 1, was it?"
That's what the Red Blood Squad member who'd brought her had called her. Nickname or title, who named things like that? Singui could only shake his head in bewilderment.
Meanwhile, Ilhyang fretted over something else entirely. No, she wasn't in any state for rational thought. The day's endless patients had worn her down, but the woman before her eyes! She was the first woman the baby-like youngest young master had ever brought home.
He'd hauled in plenty before, but all men or valuables. No big deal. She couldn't explain why, but that was that.
This time was different. She had so many questions for this woman. And first off, she didn't like her looks.
Oh my!
Ilhyang quelled the sudden flare of anger, sensing it wasn't like her, and pressed on with her thoughts.
First, find out her family! Are her parents alive? Is her personality sweet? She's not toying with the young master, is she? Health check too! And most importantly, how many kids will she have!!! If she does, a daughter would be nice! One like the young master... Hohohohohohohohoho.
Oh my!
Ilhyang calmed herself again. Then she asked Singui.
"Should we wake her?"
Asking directly seemed best for mental health. But the woman had slept half the day away already. Singui had treated her himself, and a quick glance showed a big lump on her head, but nothing else wrong. She should be stirring by now.
Then—
"Hea, hea, hea, hea, HEAD!"
With a scream, she—Jegal Sua—woke up. Her doe-like eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings.
Wh-where am I?
The thick herbal scent told her she'd been brought to the Namgung Clan's Uiyakdang.
Those two?
Then the pair before her must be healers. Jegal Sua quickly straightened her clothes and bowed.
"Thank you for treating me."
Singui accepted the greeting with a dubious look.
"You just said 'head,' didn't you?"
Jegal Sua's face flushed red. She'd hoped to play it off, but he'd zeroed right in.
"Master, she said head."
The kind-faced woman beside him helpfully confirmed it. Jegal Sua's face burned hotter than a tomato, and she hung her head. She couldn't face them.
A mosquito-crawl whisper escaped her.
"It- it's my first time."
"First time for what?"
"What do you mean?"
Singui and Ilhyang leaned in close, pressing her. The scrutiny was overwhelming. This kind of attention was new.
Too close...
Jegal Sua hated how she was shrinking, but her mouth wouldn't move. What if it was rude to her saviors? But they pressed closer.
"Speak up. Your pulse is fine, that's weird."
"Master, shall I check? Might as well do a full exam."
"Good idea. I'll go tend the other patients. Ilhyang, make sure she's not crazy. Wait! She's a woman, so... not a crazy bitch. That's the key part."
That's Ilhyang?
Jegal Sua's eyes widened. She watched the elder head out.
Then he's Singui?
Everyone in the Central Plains knew Singui was staying with the Namgung Clan. But who was the "crazy bitch"?
Ilhyang closed in on Jegal Sua.
Why is she... I just said 'head'...
Pain throbbed at the unwanted memory. She shoved the rest away on purpose.
"Lift your head."
A calm voice soothed her instantly. Fitting for the famed "herbal fairy," Singui's disciple. Jegal Sua slowly raised her head.
Gasp!
Way too close. Ilhyang smiled brightly.
"You're Daegal Tong No. 1, right?"
"..."
"Strip first. Can't have any issues with your body."
"..."
"What are you waiting for? Strip."
"...Pardon?"
She must have misheard. The herbal fairy was supposed to be the world's gentlest.
"You're the young master's first woman. I'm a bit overzealous."
Th-that's not it... How am I supposed to take someone demanding I strip out of nowhere?
"Could you... explain why?"
"Ah! Right! Sorry, got ahead of myself in excitement. Ho ho."
Ilhyang's demeanor shifted. No longer gentle—fierce and wild.
"If you're a spy, I'll snap your neck."
She loomed over Jegal Sua with a terrifying glare.
"Hiding blades or poison? Burn you alive."
Her voice chilled deeper.
"After the young master's money or fame? Drown you in poison."
Uh...
Jegal Sua shivered, goosebumps rising. Ilhyang softened and continued.
"Got it? So strip. We need to check for issues."
I think... I've been dragged to a weird place, Uncle.
—That's why I told you not to tangle with the Namgung lot! Mix with them, and you're done!
Her uncle's nagging echoed in her ears. Swish. Half-willing, half-forced, Jegal Sua stripped bare. Ilhyang inspected every inch.
Moments later.
"Good. No blades or poison. Body's fine. Get dressed."
"...Yes."
Then—
BAM!
The door nearly shattered as two women burst in.
"Which bitch is it!"
Samhyang, fresh off merchant duty, zeroed in on Jegal Sua fumbling with her clothes.
"You! Seducing our cute young master, you vixen!"
What are you talking about? Seducing? My head got smashed!
She couldn't say it aloud. The follower glared murderously.
Samhyang calmed and spoke.
"Debts?"
"Pardon?"
"Got debts?!"
"N-no!"
Now Ihyang.
"Name."
"..."
"Your name."
Cool, but unyielding authority. As the Namgung Clan's deputy strategist, Ihyang had held the fort flawlessly. She was a natural with underlings now, her tone laced with dignity.
Jegal Sua finally uttered her name after waking.
"J-Jegal Sua."
"A~~~h."
Ihyang nodded.
"So you're the Daegal Tong. After Daegalbak and the thick-heads. Our young master even nails nicknames."
Really? You mean that? Sounds awful to anyone.
"Jegal Sua's four characters, bit stuffy. Daegal Tong's fine, right? We're family now anyway?"
"Family?"
First she'd heard. Family how? The neighbor kid? The one next door? Did Dad arrange a marriage behind her back? Common in martial clans. Her parents had too—and they were blissfully happy.
"Why so shocked? Young master didn't tell you?"
"Just Daegal Tong No. 1..."
And her head got smashed. She just wanted home. Night had fallen outside; hours had passed since collapsing. If she could go back, she'd never defy her uncle again.
"Then family it is. Ilhyang, she's not hurt?"
"Nah, checked her."
"Then let's take her."
Before Jegal Sua could speak, the three hoisted her up. Outside, walking with them, their blatant stares forced her head down.
Samhyang eyed her face closely.
"No debts, face... Pass!"
Ihyang next.
"Classics, Five Books, Analects, Mencius, military strategy, politics, emperor studies—all studied?"
"I-I did study them..."
Ihyang beamed.
"Great! Not an empty head. I pass!"
"But where are we going?"
Jegal Sua mustered courage. She wanted home. Dropped from preliminaries anyway.
"Home."
"Home?"
"Home."
But not this home, surely.
"Home's in Hobuk Province..."
"What? Cheonryongjeon."
"Cheonryongjeon? No such place in Hobuk..."
"Of course not. It's inside the Namgung estate."
"But I want to go to my home in Hobuk..."
"Why?"
They all asked at once, baffled. Jegal Sua poured her heart out.
"That's my home."
They stared, incredulous. She sensed it.
Maybe...
This was the moment her uncle warned of?
Sua, if those ruthless devils drag you off and you can't escape, remember one thing.
What?
Follow your heart from then on. No need to mind others. You're the priority.
Why she'd come here.
"If—if I stay here instead of Hobuk, could I learn martial arts too?"
Women are frail. Women are tools for clan management. She'd grown up hearing that.
Your role is a good marriage.
Dare learn martial arts? Hands'll roughen! Stick to So-cheon Success if you must. Great Heaven Divine Art's beyond you.
Uncle's words resurfaced.
Sua, I want you free of the Jegal chains, soaring the skies. Unlike me, you deserve it.
Uncle, I'm going to Namgung Clan.
What?! You'll break traditions someday. But not Namgung! Devil's den!
I've decided, Uncle.
What? Enter Sawangjeon? Madness! Rethink it?
Someone else: You entering Sawangjeon? Stay away from Jegal side—bad luck'll knock you out early.
Another: Hey!
Hey!
Hey! You're Daegal Tong No. 1 now.
The voices shattered the memory.
"Young master called you Daegal Tong No. 1?"
Not sure why it mattered, but she answered.
"Yes."
Not a fave, but no malice in their tone.
"Then we're good."
"Good how?"
Jegal Sua still looked doubtful.
"Whatever you want to do from now on..."
Ilhyang shared her own tale.
"Young master will help."
Ihyang spoke true from the heart.
"No worries. He's a good man."
Samhyang chimed in.
"Oh, and run? Head gets smashed."
"..."
Uncle, looks like I can't come home for a bit.