Surviving as the Villainess’s Servant in a Martial Arts Novel - Chapter 32

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

Episode 32

 

Seo Cheong-ja’s face hardened.

 

“The Demon Cult… you say?”

 

The Demon Cult.

 

A religious group that worshipped strange gods and repeatedly committed evil deeds.

 

Long ago, after the ‘First Orthodox-Demon War’ when the Demon Cult first invaded with their eyes on the Central Plains. The Demon Cult and the Orthodox Martial World had been fighting for a long time.

 

The Demon Cult constantly revealed their ambition to devour the Central Plains martial world, and to stop them, martial artists united their forces to create an alliance called the Martial Alliance to oppose the Demon Cult.

 

Through such killing and being killed, their hatred for each other deepened over many years.

 

Eighteen years ago, tragedy repeated itself once again.

 

The ‘Second Orthodox-Demon War’ broke out.

 

The Martial Alliance masters established the Demon Extermination Corps and departed to fight the final battle against the Demon Cult. And most of them never returned.

 

After that, the Demon Cult seemed to have suffered great damage and showed no signs of activity, but the problem was that the Orthodox Martial World also suffered great losses. They had to struggle for quite some time to recover from this damage.

 

Just when they thought they could finally breathe easy after eighteen years, the Demon Cult recently showed signs of stirring again.

 

“Already, various sects and organizations in the martial world have suffered large and small damages. The Lin Family of Fujian Province, Mancolor Villa of Jiangsu Province, Tianmu Sect of Zhejiang Province…”

 

This was also why Namgung Jeong had been wandering Jianghu.

 

To eliminate the remnants of the Demon Cult that were starting to run wild everywhere and to gather information about the Demon Cult.

 

That day too, he had eliminated a black-robed man related to the Demon Cult, and found a note in his possession.

 

[Take Seo Yeon-ri of the Seo Family Estate.]

 

A note with only seven characters written on it.

 

As soon as he discovered it, Namgung Jeong hurriedly sought out his sworn brother and arrived at the present situation.

 

Seo Cheong-ja’s complexion turned pale after hearing the circumstances.

 

“How could A-ri’s name be there…?”

 

“I don’t know that much either. However, since that black-robed man was a remnant of the Demon Cult, it’s certain this was a message they were passing among themselves.”

 

“That means…”

 

Namgung Jeong’s expression also darkened.

 

“It means the Demon Cult is targeting A-ri.”

 

Seo Cheong-ja couldn’t bring himself to continue speaking. Then he soon shook his head and spoke like a sigh.

 

“I can’t understand it. How could they be targeting A-ri? Not only A-ri, but our Seo Family Estate has no connection with them whatsoever…”

 

“Isn’t there one peculiar thing about A-ri?”

 

“What kind of…”

 

Seo Cheong-ja, who suddenly realized, closed his mouth.

 

The fact that all people close to A-ri become strange. As if under some sorcery, they all become bewitched by A-ri and lose their senses.

 

Just like the fanatics of the Demon Cult…

 

“No, that can’t be. That’s impossible. That was all because of her illness. It was just because her Yin Energy was too strong and affected her surroundings, it wasn’t any kind of sorcery. If it had been sorcery, you or Master Yeong-ro would have noticed it first.”

 

Since that made sense too, Namgung Jeong nodded. However, since the uneasiness didn’t disappear, Namgung Jeong emphasized once more.

 

“…In any case, you must be careful. I’ll introduce you to trustworthy people, so it would be good to increase the guards. Also, how about relocating your residence?”

 

“A residence?”

 

“This place is too isolated. It’s perfect for any incident to be buried. It might actually be safer to stay somewhere with more people around.”

 

“But where would be good to go…?”

 

Namgung Jeong smiled brightly.

 

“How about staying at our Namgung Family Estate for a while?”

 

“…!”

 

“Isn’t sharing both joy and hardship what sworn brotherhood is about? When my elder brother is in crisis, I can’t just pretend not to know as his younger brother. I really want to help you by your side.”

 

At Namgung Jeong’s words, Seo Cheong-ja seemed deeply moved as his eyes wavered. Seo Cheong-ja reached out to grasp his sworn brother’s hand and said with a smile.

 

“I don’t know what good deeds I did in my past life to have such a wonderful younger brother. You always look after this inadequate elder brother, and I’m always grateful. I’ll consider your proposal positively.”

 

“You’re always so good to me, elder brother, so this much is only natural. However, there’s one thing I’d like to ask…”

 

“Please speak freely.”

 

Namgung Jeong casually began.

 

“I heard that A-ri recently got a servant to attend to her, is that correct?”

 

Seo Cheong-ja looked puzzled.

 

“That’s right. But how do you know about that, younger brother?”

 

“I met that servant on my way here. There was a bit of commotion, but the young fellow had spirit and knew how to stand up. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an admirable child.”

 

“I see, I see.”

 

“So this younger brother would like to raise that servant well – how about giving him to me?”

 

“Hehe.”

 

Seo Cheong-ja smiled gently. Then he subtly released Namgung Jeong’s hand and said.

 

“No.”

 

* * *

 

I actually received an offer to become a disciple from the Namgung Family Head himself.

 

My feelings about it were simple.

 

‘Hmm, not really.’

 

Honestly, I was suspicious at first.

 

I mean, normally people only take disciples when they have a special constitution worthy of inheriting their martial arts, or when they show exceptional talent in martial arts, right?

 

But I don’t have any special constitution, I’m ugly, and far from having talent in martial arts, I almost got beaten to a pulp by some common street servant. So why me?

 

‘Is this a scam?’

 

Maybe it wasn’t actually the Namgung Family Head but some fake Namgung Family Head?

 

…But that delusion was quickly dispelled when Namgung Jeong turned out to be real. When I brought him to the Seo Family Estate, the gatekeeper recognized Namgung Jeong and hurriedly brought the Chief Steward.

 

‘So he really is real… Then why really?’

 

I was still puzzled, but I immediately dismissed even that question. The truth was, whether he was real or not, my choice would have remained the same.

 

‘Things are finally going well for me now, so why would I?’

 

Of course, if this had been before I gained the Young Miss’s trust, I might have been tempted.

 

Back then, I was only holding on through sheer stubbornness. Not knowing when this conflict would end, with an uncertain future, wouldn’t I have been tempted if another lifeline appeared?

 

But now I don’t need another lifeline.

 

I’ve already grabbed a very sturdy lifeline and even wrapped my whole body around it!

 

“What, why are you smiling like that?”

 

“Just because.”

 

I grinned while looking at the Young Miss.

 

“Because you’re happy?”

 

At my answer, the Young Miss let out an exasperated laugh. But her face turned to the side didn’t look particularly displeased.

 

See, now the Young Miss has grown fond of me too.

 

But leaving behind such a cute, charming, and lovely beautiful girl to wander Jianghu forever with a sweaty-smelling old man? And suffering terribly under the pretense of learning martial arts?

 

Am I crazy!

 

“Young Miss, you can’t abandon me. Okay? I only have you now. I’ve poured all my stocks into you, so it’s either jackpot or bankruptcy! You understand? Right?”

 

“What on earth are you talking about? Get away from me!”

 

I clung to the irritated Young Miss without rhyme or reason while making a resolution inwardly.

 

Right, what martial arts.

 

Rather than living dangerously with swordplay for life, I’ll live comfortably by the Young Miss’s side, acting cute and receiving affection!

 

I definitely thought that way, but…

 

“Won’t you try becoming a master with me?”

 

“No.”

 

“Do you know how wonderful it is to become a master? Not only people’s respect, but you’ll receive good treatment wherever you go!”

 

“Not interested.”

 

“Shall I show you a sword technique? Each technique of the Namgung sword is magnificent and profound, a pleasure to watch! How about the Great Evolution Sword Technique? What about the Boundless Azure Sky Sword Technique?”

 

“Not buying.”

 

This old man just won’t give up!

 

I looked at Namgung Jeong with a fed-up expression. Back then he had backed off cleanly at my refusal, so why is he doing this now?

 

Namgung Jeong was even swinging his sword regardless of whether I refused or not. I was dumbfounded and just watched what he was doing. The constantly changing sword was cutting through the air.

 

I watched that sight quietly and asked.

 

“Do you think I’d be good at it?”

 

“What?”

 

“It looks difficult just by looking. Especially that technique where you slash horizontally nine times while thrusting in the middle – if done wrong, it would be neither here nor there. Could I do it well?”

 

At my words, Namgung Jeong asked in surprise.

 

“You saw that?”

 

I scratched my cheek.

 

“Not everything, just a few things…”

 

Honestly, I couldn’t make out most of it. I only distinguished the parts where Namgung Jeong moved leisurely, and even then I asked because it looked difficult.

 

However, Namgung Jeong spoke with admiration instead.

 

“Your eyes are better than I thought. Yes, the nine horizontal slashes were false moves, and the thrusting technique in the middle is the real move. All techniques can be said to have false moves and real moves cleverly mixed together. Discerning that is also a skill.”

 

“Yes…”

 

“Of course, it might be because I demonstrated it slowly, but someone who knows nothing would find it hard to distinguish. You really never learned from anyone?”

 

I nodded. I couldn’t very well say that until recently I lived in a place where swinging a sword would get you arrested, whether it was sword techniques or whatever.

 

Maybe my eye naturally developed from bickering with the Young Miss?

 

I was about to mention that fact, but Namgung Jeong was already stroking his chin, lost in thought.

 

“Hmm, honestly I didn’t have much expectation, but this level seems quite promising…”

 

“Huh?”

 

“If you’re interested, would you like to learn the sword from me for a bit? Of course, I’m not asking you to become my disciple. What I’d teach you wouldn’t be Namgung Martial Arts either, but third-rate martial arts from the streets. Still, it should be enough to protect yourself.”

 

“Uh…”

 

“What do you say? Want to give it a try?”

 

I pondered over it.

 

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I had no interest in martial arts at all. Even if I wouldn’t become a master, it seemed like it would be good to be able to protect myself. Since something like last time could happen again.

 

“…Should I?”

 

It had been roughly half a si-jin since I started receiving instruction from Namgung Jeong with a wooden sword.

 

Namgung Jeong said.

 

“Don’t become a disciple.”

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