Winds of Change Amid the Gathering Crowds (1)
“Thanks for all your hard work as always. Here, have this before you go.”
“Aigoo~ No need. This is just my job. Heading out again today?”
“Yes. We’ve got a new contract, and I figured it’s best to check it out in person.”
“I see. Safe travels, then, Danju.”
“Thanks.”
After exchanging greetings with the gatekeepers, Samhyang stepped out of the Namgung estate.
In just a year and a half, she had flawlessly handled the affairs of Tianxia Jeonjang. Returning to Hoegumgak, she astonished Geum Dondong once more. Winning his favor, she learned all sorts of things from him and rose to the position of Danju in under two years.
Meanwhile, Geum Dondong was lounging comfortably at Hoegumgak—a luxury he couldn’t have imagined just two years prior.
“You really do need to pick the right people.”
Samhyang was handling most of the work he used to do himself. Today, too, it should have been Geum Dondong personally verifying the new contract.
At that moment, Namgung Je-cheon entered Hoegumgak. Everyone working there greeted him before returning to their tasks. Geum Dondong rose from his seat and bowed.
“You’re here?”
His tone carried a hint of annoyance.
Namgung Je-cheon frowned at the sight. He could guess what was going on.
“Why are you here at this hour? Did you send Samhyang out again?”
Geum Dondong grinned involuntarily.
“Send her? Who said I sent her? The girl’s just sharp—she took care of it herself.”
“Keep this up, and she’ll take over our whole operation. You rascal!”
“Take over what? She’s family. Isn’t she? Why not just name her the next deputy jeonju? I’m all for it.”
Namgung Je-cheon thumped his chest in frustration.
I can’t even argue the point.
He was the one who’d brought Samhyang here, but at Geum Dondong’s request. Strictly speaking, she was closer to Tianxia Jeonjang than the Namgung Clan.
“Ease up on the frown. I didn’t ask her to do anything I couldn’t handle myself. I get what you’re worried about, brother. It’s her background, right?”
The people here were all prodigies who shone in their fields. They might not accept a former servant girl like Samhyang.
Geum Dondong summed it up simply.
“Let me say it again: Samhyang is one of us Namgung folk.”
He’d spent two years with her, teaching her everything and sharing countless stories—mostly about the youngest young master.
Like ink soaking into blank paper.
She absorbed his lessons instantly. And her instincts? Spot on every time.
Moreover, he was certain. From their many conversations, he knew exactly what the youngest young master meant to her. As long as the young master never betrayed the Namgung, Samhyang would never leave.
“Besides, isn’t Samhyang the youngest young master’s maid? How could she not be one of ours?”
“Well... true.”
“Exactly!”
Namgung Je-cheon sighed. Even so...
The problem is how much she’s taking over at Hoegumgak lately, you fool!
This contract alone was a major deal for Hoegumgak, which was why the deputy jeonju, Geum Dondong, was supposed to handle it personally. Yet Samhyang was doing it, and no one batted an eye. Absurdly, even jeonju Namgung Je-cheon himself had felt relieved hearing she’d gone in his place.
“Argh! I’m off.”
“You just got here—where to?”
“Tsk tsk, forgotten what day it is?”
“Hm? Is it something special?”
“And you’re Hoegumgak’s deputy jeonju? It’s the day the third young master emerges from seclusion!”
Geum Dondong jolted in surprise.
“Already? Then what do we...”
“Just get ready.”
* * *
Uiyakdang.
“Aigoo~ Thank you so much.”
“No trouble at all.”
“Really, I appreciate it. I’d wake up exhausted every day, but your medicine cleared it right up.”
“I just made something to replenish the qi deficiency in your body. Come back anytime if anything feels off.”
“Yes, have a great day.”
“Thanks.”
After seeing off one of the Jeokhyeol-dan members, Ilhyang headed straight to the next patient.
“Oh dear, looks like you hurt your back?”
A man clutched his waist, barely able to move from his bed on the edge. Grimacing in pain, he said,
“Yesterday, I swung down with sword qi ten thousand times and tweaked it a bit. Woke up and it hurts so bad I can’t budge.”
“Mind if I take a look?”
“Of course. It’s an honor if uiseon-nim examines me herself.”
“U, uiseon? Oh, no, that’s too much.”
Ilhyang was called all sorts of things lately: doctor, uiseon, yakseon, teacher. Singui watched her treat the back-injured patient with a pleased smile.
Who does she take after to grow up so dutiful? Of course—me!
Ilhyang had started with herbology and alchemy, but with spare time, she began learning Singui’s medical arts.
Mastering not just alchemy but medicine too. What a disciple!
“You overworked your inner power, causing acute stagnation in your waist meridians. No wonder you can’t move—it must hurt terribly.”
The man blushed.
“N-no, it’s fine!”
Singui clicked his tongue at the sight.
Tsk tsk. Our Ilhyang’s so pretty, kind-hearted, and smart. I told her not to smile like that while tending patients.
Suddenly, Ilhyang pressed her forehead to the patient’s.
“No fever... Why’s your face so red, then?”
The man’s face turned even redder as he floundered. Unable to take it, Singui shot to his feet.
“Ilhyang, I’ll handle this one. Go prepare the recovery pills for the youngest young master.”
“You’ll do it yourself, master? I can...”
The man nodded vigorously too. Singui spoke firmly.
“Now!”
Ilhyang looked reluctant but obeyed her master. Besides, the recovery pills for Namgung Daeso were probably running low by now.
“Yes.”
As she left, the man let out a deep, regretful sigh. Singui approached and muttered curtly, low enough she wouldn’t hear.
“I’ll stick a few needles in quick—now scram.”
Unlike with Ilhyang, the man replied dryly.
“Ah, yes. Hurry it up. If I lose muscle from this, it’s on you, Singui-nim.”
Singui vowed once more in that moment.
Oh heavens! How am I supposed to protect our delicate Ilhyang from these muscle-headed idiots obsessed with martial arts?
Just then, Ilhyang returned, recovery pills packed for Namgung Daeso.
“Master, I’ll deliver these to the youngest young master.”
“Alright. Want an escort, just in case?”
“No need~ Nowhere safer than the Namgung estate.”
That’s why! The Namgung guys are the scariest ones around!
“Tsk tsk, fine. Go on.”
“Yes. I’ll be back.”
* * *
Gunsajeon.
“What’s on the schedule today?”
“Same as usual, mostly. But it’s that day.”
“That day? Time flew that fast?”
“Yes.”
Ihyang let out a short groan. The reporting subordinate tensed. Lately, she was the real power in Gunsajeon.
“Deputy military strategist, what should we do?”
Collecting her thoughts, Ihyang replied,
“Tell the gate guards to keep extra watch for Cheongpung Geomdan’s return. When the third young master emerges from seclusion, provide every courtesy, explain the past circumstances fully to avoid misunderstandings.”
“Understood.”
“Nothing else?”
“No.”
“Then go— they might already be back.”
“Yes!”
The man dashed off. Ihyang turned back to her documents. From the corner, Namgung Je-cheon, who’d been quietly observing, spoke up.
“Sister, take a break. You’ll wear yourself out.”
“No time for that. Come help.”
It had been about a year since Ihyang came to Gunsajeon—their dynamic had shifted.
“Can I step out for a bit?”
“Again? Keep it up, and I’ll tell your master!”
“But technically, I’m your master by seniority.”
“So? Spill or work?”
“N-no. Duty calls. And I meant it—rest a little. You’ve been up two nights straight. If you collapse, your real master will kill me.”
“Still tons to do. Several things need handling today, and with the third young master ending seclusion... who knows what might happen. Plus, all the direct descendants might gather for the first time in ages.”
Namgung Je-cheon approached and forcibly pulled her to her feet.
“Then at least go see the youngest young master.”
To budge her stubbornness, there was one sure way.
“Sh-should I?”
To her, Namgung Daeso was her sole sanctuary. Namgung Je-cheon felt a twinge of jealousy but smiled brightly, hiding it.
“Of course.”
“Hm...”
Ihyang’s conflicted face.
“Hurry. Or stay and pull an all-nighter with me.”
Her expression hardened as she decided.
“No slacking while I’m gone. Got it?”
“You and the youngest young master keep forgetting—I’m the Namgung deputy military strategist.”
Ihyang shot him an anxious look.
“That’s why I’m saying it: no incidents! Understand?”
“...Yes.”
Namgung Je-cheon felt like he had two masters now.
* * *
The Namgung estate’s main gate swung wide open.
A group strode in majestically. It was Cheongpung Geomdan, returning after two years, having safely completed their imperial duties.
A guard asked,
“Welcome back safely. Shall I take your report?”
The Cheongpung Geomdan leader replied instantly.
“No—we go to the third young master. I’ll report to him directly.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Suryeon-dong.
A disheveled man emerged from the cave. Squinting at the sun after so long, he turned his head aside.
Then the entire Cheongpung Geomdan bowed toward Namgung So.
“We greet our lord!”
Namgung So casually acknowledged their long-overdue salute with a wave, then asked what he’d wondered most.
“How’s the youngest?”
“...”
Caught off guard, the Cheongpung Geomdan leader looked baffled.
* * *
Jipyeongjeon, residence of Namgung Jung, the second young master.
As everyone buzzed about the third young master and Cheongpung Geomdan, he burned with a completely different topic.
“Finally, two years are up.”
How long had he waited for the proxy duel? He rose and hurried off somewhere.
“Second young master, where to?”
A close aide spotted him and asked. Namgung Jung replied,
“To the family head’s quarters. Tell Daeyeon Geomdan to prepare.”
The aide responded with a stiff face.
“Yes, sir!”
He sensed something massive might change in the Namgung starting today.
* * *
The youngest young master’s palace. Now called Cheonryongjeon.
A boy, shedding his childish look somewhat, was enjoying the fresh air outside.
“This feels great~”