assistirfilmes Book 1: Chapter 14
Book 1: Chapter 14
Book 1: Chapter 14
Jung-ah realized that she had never genuinely contemplated the concept of ‘loyalty.’ After being sold to the Sword Sect, she had encountered many people she felt grateful towards.
And she thought she had been faithful in repaying them, returning their favors. Those actions originated from the belief that she should pay back what she received.
She realized she had been approaching the Grand young master in the same way.
If she does this much for the Grand young master, he will protect her—that’s what she thought.
But how would it look from the Grand young master’s perspective?
* * *
Upon her return, Jung-ah saw Yeon So-Hyeon leisurely leaning back, engrossed in a book.
This time, it was a medical book.
Jung-ah announced her return and took out a letter from the Second young master.
“Here’s a letter from the Second young master.”
“Is that so?”
The moment he took it, he threw it into the brazier beside him.
With a crackle, the flames leapt up for a moment, and black smoke billowed out. The letter was reduced to ashes in an instant.
“G-Grand young master...?!”
Even Jung-ah couldn’t hide her surprise this time.
“Why?”
Yeon So-Hyeon turned a page of his book as if nothing happened.
“But that letter was from Second young master to you, Grand young master..”
“I heard.”
His response was indifferent.
“Ah, that, I suspect that letter may also have something to do with me.”
“With you?”
He turned another page.
“Yes... I think it was probably a letter from Second young master to you about my whereabouts.”
“I see.”
He turned another page.
Jung-ah licked her dry lips and spoke again.
“Are you sure you don’t need to read it?”
“Hmm.”
He turned yet another page.
“Ah, I see... Understood.”
It was only then that Yeon So-Hyeon added briefly.
“If it’s really important, he would come here himself.”
At his words, Jung-ah’s mouth opened in surprise and she forgot to close it.
“...”
Yeon So-Hyeon stretched his hand over the book.
“Prepare some tea. And snacks too.”
“Yes, of course, Your Grace.”
As Jung-ah was quickly gathering herself to go fetch the water, Yeon So-Hyeon asked, “If you were so curious, why didn’t you read it?”
“What do you mean...?”
Jung-ah looked at him, but he was still focused on his book.
“If you cared that much, you should have read it beforehand.”
Jung-ah hurriedly fell to her knees.
“How could I dare to do such a thing!”
His finger, which had been flipping the pages, paused for a moment. “Is that so?”
“Of course!”
Jung-ah cautiously looked up at Yeon So-Hyeon with anxious eyes.
However, his expression remained unreadable.
“Go fetch the tea.”
* * *
She couldn’t understand. As she was waiting for the water to boil, Jung-ah sighed at the complex thoughts swirling in her mind.
‘What did he mean, exactly...’
If it had been said by someone else, it would be acceptable to listen and let it slide, or be charmed by it. But it was none other than the Grand young master who said it.
She had only met him for a day, but even then, she found it hard to imagine him saying something without thinking it through.
“......”
In her wandering gaze, a dining table set in the corner caught her eye. The very table where she and the Grand young master had their meals.
“Yes.”
At some point, Yeon So-Hyeon had put down his book and was silently looking at her.
Jung-ah asked, looking into Yeon So-Hyeon’s eyes, the thoughts behind which she couldn’t discern,
“If this humble maiden vows to pledge her loyalty and offer everything to you now, would you accept?”
She hoped he would respond as simply as before with ‘right’ or ‘yes’.
“...Hmm.”
However, unlike before, a response didn’t easily escape from Yeon So-Hyeon’s lips. Instead, Yeon So-Hyeon asked Jung-ah, who seemed disheartened, a question.
“Would you be able to pledge loyalty to me, no matter what happens, what you learn, or what dangers you face?”
Jung-ah firmly nodded.
“Of course.”
However, Yeon So-hyeon added another question with a subtle smile.
“Do you know about my father?”
It was an absurd question.
“Isn’t he Grand young master’s father? He’s currently bedridden due to an illness and handling all matters both big and small from his bed......”
This was the reason why the Grand young master’s father was just a family head and not the supreme family head.
The family head, who could no longer carry out regular activities as normal, stepped back from the supreme family head’s position, which caused the highest seat of the current Luoyang Sword Sect remain vacant.
At that moment, a spark ignited in Jung-ah’s mind.
“No way......?!”
Yeon So-hyeon nodded.
“It’s not an illness. My father has been unconscious for a long time due to poisoning.”
“What......?!”
Jung-ah caught sight of the medical books Yeon So-hyeon had spread out.
“He’s not only unable to manage the big and small affairs, he’s also unconscious. The Luoyang Sword Sect is now effectively being run by the top decision-making body.”
“.......”
Jung-ah was unable to utter a word at the shocking truth she had just learned. Knowing it was a secret that only a handful of people within the Luoyang Sword Sect were allowed to know, ultimately a secret that even knowing was fatal.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve been resolving the matter of what to drink and eat in the Wongak Pavilion.”
“.......”
It was possible in the Wongak Pavilion, which boasts a vast expanse and can farm any crops at any season under extremely careful cultivation.
“But how many times do you think there have been attempts at poisoning up until now?”
“......I wouldn’t dare to guess.”
Yeon So-hyeon scoffed.
“Well, ever since I accomplished something in medical and pharmaceutical studies, poisoning became meaningless, but it became a habit.”
What’s more, he was now a cultivator of the Dark Heavens Scriptur, the monster of heaven.
He slowly sipped his cold tea and opened his mouth again.
“I didn’t even know that I’ve been eating only after others have tasted them, not until you told me.”
“.......”
He rolled the empty teacup on his palm and asked, “What I’ve just told you is only a glimpse of the darkness that this Luoyang Sword Sect holds. Would you still serve me?”
Jung-ah suppressed her trembling hand with the other and answered, “......Please allow me to serve you as my master.”
Yeon So-hyeon did not answer her words.
Instead, he took out a bundle of documents from his sleeve.
“Look at this.”
Jung-ah received the letter politely and carefully unfolded it.
The moment she saw the contents, she felt like her breath stopped.
The document was a report sent by the chief steward to Yeon So-hyeon.
In it were all the facts about Jung-ah that the chief steward understood.
Not only the facts she herself could not remember were mentioned, but it wasn’t just the facts listed.
As she flipped further, there were also contents analyzing and evaluating Jung-ah from various angles.
“Read the last page out loud.”
Jung-ah spread the last page with trembling hands.
“......Therefore, if this child confesses all the facts as mentioned above honestly, please break her like a tamed horse or ox1.”
Cold sweat flowed down Jung-ah’s forehead.
“If she cannot give up her inherent nature, and tries to make a deal with the Grand young master......”
Her voice trembled.
“......quietly kill her to prevent the Grand young master’s peace from being threatened by other princes.”
The bundle of documents fell from her hand.
馬牛 – horse, and cow, symbolizing subjugation[↩]
And just like that, a harsh truth dawned on Jung-ah, as biting and unyielding as ice locked in the heart of winter.