Surviving as the Sacheon Dang Clan’s Servant - Chapter 33

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 33
So absorbed in wondering about the secrets of the Transformation Sword Technique that I didn’t notice the performance had ended.
How did the mask keep changing? Were they layering multiple masks on top of each other?
When I couldn’t tear my gaze from the darkened stage, Namgung Hui whispered softly beside me.
“They tied threads to the mask and switched it by pulling them.”
“You could see that?”
‘His dynamic visual acuity is remarkable. I didn’t catch it at all.’
At my question, Namgung Hui puffed out his cheeks in a small pout.
“Of course I could see it. So Hye, you keep forgetting I’m a Sword Seeker.”
“No way. I watched the Clan Head deal with those gamblers so brilliantly—I mean, teach them a lesson. I just didn’t see the threads because I didn’t expect them, that’s all.”
“…Brilliant?”
Namgung Hui’s mouth corners twitched upward as he asked again.
“Absolutely. It was brilliant. That’s when I thought, ‘Ah, so this is the sword of the Namgung Clan.'”
The moment I agreed eagerly, Namgung Hui lifted his chin with a satisfied expression. The praise had clearly pleased him.
His transparent face spilled over with suppressed laughter.
“Now let’s go have dinner. I noticed people lining up outside a noodle shop earlier. The food must be good. Should we try there?”
“Yes! Let’s get noodles.”
He answered brightly and matched his pace to mine. We slipped between the crowds.
* * *
Stimulated by being called brilliant, Namgung Hui tried hard to appear more mature.
The boy’s face, waiting without a single complaint in the long line at the street vendor, was full of desire to hear more praise.
“Two bowls of noodles and one plate of dumplings.”
“Two bowls of noodles and one plate of dumplings, coming right up!”
The way he ordered with a deliberately serious expression, eyes wide and dignified, seemed to be an imitation of his father, Namgung Sang.
Of course, Namgung Hui’s awkward attempt at acting maturity fell far short of seeming grown-up. I had to think of other things to avoid laughing.
“Will you be heading back to Anhui tomorrow?”
“Yes. We’re leaving at the Hour of the Snake.”
“That’s early.”
“It’s over four thousand li. It should take about two weeks.”
“Two weeks?”
‘That takes that long?’
Surprised at the answer, Namgung Hui scratched his head awkwardly.
“It’s slow because I have to ride a horse. Father alone could do it in less than a week.”
‘The premise is wrong. It’s strange that a person would be faster than a horse.’
As I was caught off guard by the Murim folk’s warped common sense, the server shouted.
“Your food is ready!”
Next, noodles topped with finely shredded boiled chicken and fluffy dumplings were set before us on the table.
It looked as appetizing as a restaurant advertisement photo.
“You must be hungry. Please, eat up.”
“Yes. Let’s eat.”
I pushed the plate of dumplings toward him and urged him to eat, and Namgung Hui nodded before picking up his chopsticks.
Namgung Hui lifted the noodles elegantly with a single chopstick, put them in his mouth, and his cheeks trembled finely.
“Delicious.”
“Does it suit your taste?”
“Yes. So Hye, you try it too.”
The boy nodded, and his chopstick movements grew faster. Watching him eat so eagerly, I felt my mouth water too.
I dipped my own chopsticks into my bowl of noodles.
The pale broth was refreshing and full of umami.
The chewy noodles slid down smoothly, and I understood why people had lined up—it truly deserved its reputation.
“It was worth the wait.”
“Really.”
On the boy’s cheek, contentedly savoring a dumpling, there was a streak of broth. He didn’t seem to notice.
‘How does one even eat like that to get it up there?’
Stifling a laugh, I leaned forward.
“Clan Head. Just a moment.”
“Hmm?”
“Look here. Yes, just as I thought.”
As I reached out and wiped away the broth streak, Namgung Hui jumped and scooted backward in his chair.
“What, what are you doing?”
“Why? My hands are clean.”
“That’s not it…… Ugh.”
Namgung Hui whipped his head around and clamped his mouth shut. His face had flushed red as a ripe apple.
He’d spent all this time pretending to be mature, but clearly he was embarrassed at being caught with food smeared across his face like a child.
I’d let him save face by pretending not to notice.
I slipped another dumpling into my mouth as though nothing had happened.
* * *
As the saying goes, hunger is the best seasoning—we made short work of emptying our bowls. After paying for the meal, we left the stall without a backward glance.
Though the hour was late, the night market showed no signs of closing.
The bustling street stirred something in me—desires I’d long kept pressed down began to surface.
I let my craving loose, leisurely examining each vendor’s wares as we walked.
Lost in my browsing and moving slowly, I didn’t notice Namgung Hui suddenly pulling me aside.
“Watch out.”
Startled, I stumbled backward just as a horse-drawn cart rumbled past the spot where I’d been standing.
The dust kicked up by the wheels made me cough.
“Cough, cough!”
I rubbed my nose, glaring after the cart as it receded into the distance.
That driver—he’d have run me down without a second thought if I hadn’t moved. I half-considered which of his horse’s tail hairs would fetch the best price.
“Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Namgung Hui looked me over, then released a relieved breath and took my hand.
“Come here. You’ll trip if you’re not careful. Keep your eyes on the path.”
He chided me gently, drawing me along beside him.
His hand, despite its soft appearance, was warm and firm in mine. The rough calluses etched across his palm bore the unmistakable marks of sword training.
The realization struck me as oddly poignant.
Namgung Hui of the Namgung Clan hadn’t earned his epithet of Sword Emperor by chance.
It was the result of tireless practice since childhood.
I found myself staring at his open, candid face.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just… you seem remarkably impressive today.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Namgung Hui’s eyes widened in bewilderment. I let it go, redirecting his attention by pointing to a vendor. “Master Namgung, let me look at those hair ornaments over there.”
“Sure.”
He nodded and obediently slowed his pace.
A stall selling knotted cords and hair ornaments in various colors had drawn a small crowd of young women.
Watching a girl my age choose her accessories, I found my thoughts drifting to Gyeong Ah and Song Ji.
I began examining the ornaments slowly.
A yellow hair ribbon would suit Gyeong Ah well, while Song Ji would look lovely in a sky-blue knot ornament. Since she enjoyed decorating herself, perhaps a hairpin would be even better?
“How much for the hairpin?”
“One silver tael, young lady.”
“And the knot ornament?”
“That one’s a copper coin. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
…The hairpin’s expensive. Song Ji, we’ll go with the knot ornament.
“I’ll take these, then.”
“Of course, young lady. They’ll suit you wonderfully.”
The vendor offered hollow praise while handing over the hair ribbon and knot ornament I’d selected. Namgung Hui, studying the ribbon, asked, “Are you getting a new hair ribbon for yourself?”
“No, I’m giving it to a friend.”
“I see.”
He answered awkwardly, sneaking glances at me repeatedly.
He clearly wanted a gift too. Since we were out anyway, perhaps I should buy him something.
Searching for something suitable, I picked up a bright red knot ornament and held it out. “How about this one, Master Namgung?”
“Hmm?”
He examined it, his expression uncertain. True, it didn’t seem to have an obvious use.
Tying it at the waist felt wrong, it was too thin for a hair ribbon, and knotting it to a pocket cord wouldn’t work—especially not with his blue silk robes.
Scratching my head, I rolled up his sleeve, revealing his wrist. When I held the red knot against his pale skin, the contrast was striking.
“What are you—”
“Let me tie it on you. Hold still.”
I wrapped the long knot around Namgung Hui’s wrist and secured it. The result looked just like a thread bracelet, and I couldn’t help but beam with satisfaction.
“Look how perfect it is!”

“Sigh, that looks wonderful on you. The perfect color for the young lady.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Truly. Now wear it until it breaks, and they say your wish will come true.”
“Sichuan has that custom?”
Namgung Hui tilted his head as if to confirm I was serious.
……I wasn’t entirely sure. Did this place have wish-granting bracelets too?
I smoothed down his sleeve while dodging the question.
“Ha, yes. Something like that.”
Namgung Hui, blinking his round eyes, toyed with the knot ornament tied around his wrist.
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah. But aren’t you getting one for So Hye?”
At Namgung Hui’s question, the street vendor, sensing an opportunity, subtly gestured toward his stand.
“My lady, do take a look at this hairpin. I think it would suit you beautifully.”
“He’s right. It would look great on you.”
Namgung Hui chimed in his agreement.
I glanced sidelong at the hairpin the vendor was recommending. The smooth wooden pin had a cloud pattern carved into its end.
“I don’t really wear hairpins, actually.”
“Ah, have you not yet held your coming-of-age ceremony? You’ll need one soon enough, though.”
“No. I’ll just take this one. How much?”
“Three copper pieces.”
I ignored the vendor’s wistful gaze and paid him.
Once the vendor had moved on, Namgung Hui cleared his throat and asked.
“When are you planning to hold your coming-of-age ceremony?”
“I’m not sure, really.”
How could I answer when I didn’t even know what it was? What exactly was a coming-of-age ceremony? Some kind of rite of adulthood?
As I scratched my head, Namgung Hui spoke as though imparting important knowledge.
“You know, I’m planning to hold my Guan Li in two years.”
So it was some kind of adulthood rite. Apparently the male and female versions were different.
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Which means I can have my marriage ceremony two years from now.”
“Come now, fifteen is too young regardless. You should be at least eighteen, young master.”
“……Eighteen? Won’t that be too late?”
“Building a household isn’t simple. You must first become an adult capable of taking responsibility for yourself before you can be responsible for a family.”
My reproach made Namgung Hui’s expression turn serious. After moving his lips silently for a long moment, he let out a resigned sigh.
“……All right. But you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
At his tone—demanding I confess—I froze with a jolt.
Had he discovered that I’d been swindled by those gamblers?
When I laughed awkwardly, Namgung Hui lowered his voice and spoke softly.
“Yesterday I heard you calling Dok Wang grandfather.”
Ah, so that was it.
Now that I thought about it, that wasn’t the proper form of address to use for a Grand Elder. I scrambled to explain.
“Ah, well, that was because he was kind enough to take a liking to me……”
“He’s directly teaching you himself. Why would Grand Elder Dok Wang teach a servant? And last time I saw you calling me older brother too. You were looking at me with affection in your eyes.”
“That’s……”
You’re perceptive, aren’t you? I swallowed hard. I couldn’t think of an answer that would satisfy Namgung Hui.
“So Hye.”
After a meaningful pause, Namgung Hui’s eyes gleamed with certainty. He opened his mouth with confidence.
“You’re undergoing succession training, aren’t you? You have to stay hidden among the servants and earn their recognition, right?”
That’s not it at all, you fool.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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