Surviving as the Villainess’s Servant in a Martial Arts Novel - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 38

 

“…Dead, you say?”

 

Seo Cheong-ja’s face hardened stiffly. Chief Steward Jeok’s words continued once more.

 

“As you instructed, at first we thought that courtesan had fled and were searching the surrounding area. But while combing through the wild mountain, we found a corpse presumed to be that courtesan.”

 

“…”

 

“Based on what the pleasure house people said and the personal belongings found, it seemed certain to be that courtesan. However, the corpse was severely mutilated…”

 

As Chief Steward Jeok trailed off, Namgung Jeong quickly interjected.

 

“How severe? Were there any sword marks or other evidence on the corpse?”

 

“…It was butchered to the point where traces couldn’t be identified. The dismembered corpse was scattered throughout the wild mountain, as if deliberately done for wild beasts to devour.”

 

“What about the degree of decomposition?”

 

“It seemed to have been at least a full day. The pleasure house said that courtesan hadn’t appeared for several days, so we’re speculating she’s been dead for quite some time.”

 

“Then the possibility of Byeokdo Gate’s involvement is low. They wouldn’t have been working on this for very long…”

 

“I think the same. Then this matter…”

 

Seo Cheong-ja quietly listened to Namgung Jeong and Chief Steward Jeok’s conversation. Then he let out a deep sigh and barely managed to speak.

 

“…Brother, there’s actually something I haven’t told you.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“They say the Dream Soul Drug that Young Master Lee used contained Soul Forgetting Grass. A small amount, but if taken steadily, one loses their reason and forgets even who they are.”

 

“Soul Forgetting Grass…”

 

“That’s why I was trying even harder to find that courtesan. She was certainly acting on orders from unsavory people. But if things have come to this point…”

 

Namgung Jeong picked up the conversation.

 

“We can consider the possibility that it’s the Demon Cult’s doing.”

 

When the words ‘Demon Cult’ came up, not only Seo Cheong-ja but even Chief Steward Jeok froze.

 

For a while, a dangerous silence flowed through the study room. Namgung Jeong, who had been silent as if lost in thought, finally spoke slowly.

 

“Elder Brother, it would be best to hurry your decision.”

 

“Decision?”

 

“Yes, I have a bad feeling about this. I’ve been pursuing the Demon Cult for a long time and have seen various situations. But recently, the sects that fell victim to the Demon Cult have one thing in common.”

 

“…”

 

“If there’s any chance their tail might be caught, they immediately butcher and dispose of their spy’s corpse. As if to make an example. For the Demon Cult that used to act secretly in the past, this seems like overly bold behavior…”

 

“If what you say is correct…”

 

Namgung Jeong answered.

 

“It’s dangerous. It means they’re no longer choosing their means and methods.”

 

“…”

 

“You must move your residence as quickly as possible, even if it’s just for an hour.”

 

Seo Cheong-ja squeezed his eyes shut.

 

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered going to the Namgung Family Estate, but he didn’t expect it to become this sudden. It hadn’t been very long since he’d established himself here, yet he had to move his residence again…

 

Namgung Jeong’s face brightened considerably.

 

“That is a wise decision. Our family will also ensure that Elder Brother is treated with the utmost respect so you can live comfortably as you do now.”

 

Seo Cheong-ja only smiled bitterly.

 

“Just treating me as a guest would be sufficient. Then, will you be coming with us?”

 

“That is…”

 

Suddenly, Namgung Jeong’s face darkened.

 

“That seems difficult. Unfortunately, Father has given me a task that I must complete first.”

 

“I see.”

 

“I apologize, Elder Brother. I should escort you all the way, but I’m truly ashamed I cannot. Instead, I’ll send some of our family’s elite. They are all skilled, so they will safely escort you to our estate.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“I will also finish my task as quickly as possible and join you, Elder Brother. If that’s not possible, I’ll wait for you along the route…”

 

“Little brother.”

 

Seo Cheong-ja reached out and grasped Namgung Jeong’s hand. As always, he wore a gentle smile as he comforted Namgung Jeong.

 

“Just showing this much concern is already something to be grateful for. Focus on your own duties. This elder brother will also handle his own affairs.”

 

“Elder Brother…”

 

Namgung Jeong quietly looked at his sworn brother and nodded.

 

After that, the two continued discussing various matters about the future. When the long night passed and dawn began to break, Namgung Jeong, with somehow anxious eyes, spoke to Seo Cheong-ja.

 

“…Elder Brother, you must take care of yourself.”

 

“You be careful too. Let’s meet there next time.”

 

Seo Cheong-ja said.

 

“At the Namgung Family Estate.”

 

* * *

 

After Wang Ju-geon’s matter was settled.

 

Not long after, Namgung Jeong informed us that he would be leaving.

 

I was inwardly surprised. While I hadn’t expected Namgung Jeong to stay here for long, I still didn’t think he would leave this quickly.

 

In front of the main gate of So-nang Garden, Namgung Jeong was having a conversation with the Master. The way they embraced warmly and clasped each other’s hands tightly seemed to show how reluctant they were to part.

 

After finishing his conversation with the Master, Namgung Jeong turned toward the Young Miss and me.

 

Namgung Jeong looked at me and smiled mischievously.

 

“I heard you pulled off another feat?”

 

I tilted my head in confusion, then quickly realized that “another feat” referred to Wang Ju-geon’s incident and grinned.

 

“Of course, it’s all thanks to the Great Hero.”

 

Surprisingly, Namgung Jeong wanted to know the details of that situation.

 

Excited at the thought of finally being able to talk about my exploits, I enthusiastically explained with gestures and movements.

 

“Just then, the agitated Young Master Lee charged at me, and that’s when I used the Life-Saving Single Move that the Great Hero taught me…!”

 

“Wait.”

 

Namgung Jeong paused and spoke seriously.

 

“Tell me that part in detail.”

 

I was puzzled but eventually had to describe in detail what I had done.

 

Namgung Jeong didn’t react much when I struck behind his knees to bring him down. However, when I told him I had jumped up using a tree as a stepping stone and kicked him in the forehead, he burst into laughter.

 

“Hahaha! You rascal, you moved however you wanted even when I was teaching you martial arts, and now you’ve gone and modified techniques on your own in actual combat?”

 

“Hehe.”

 

“That’s not praise, you fool! Do you know how lucky that was? Not just against a second-rate fighter, but even against a slightly experienced third-rate fighter, that kind of trick wouldn’t have worked. You would have been counterattacked instead. There were so many openings!”

 

“Really…?”

 

“Of course. And do you know how incredible Thunder Three Blades Master Wang’s martial arts are? If that guy had learned them properly, you wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

 

“Hmph…”

 

When I became dejected, Namgung Jeong immediately chuckled and roughly ruffled my hair.

 

“Still, you did well. There aren’t many children who could show that kind of quick thinking. Even children from Noble Families panic so much in real combat.”

 

I grinned at Namgung Jeong’s words.

 

Namgung Jeong smiled back at me, then finally turned to look at the Young Miss and casually asked after her well-being.

 

“A-ri, is your body alright now? There was that unpleasant incident recently, but you’re okay with that?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine.”

 

“Good, you’ve changed quite a bit too. It feels like just yesterday you were so reluctant to show your face, but now you even come out to see people off yourself. This uncle is deeply moved. Hmm?”

 

“…”

 

“Ahem, but how long are you going to keep wearing that face veil? Isn’t it stuffy?”

 

“…”

 

“…You’re still so quiet.”

 

“Is that a problem?”

 

“It’s not a problem, but…”

 

Namgung Jeong scratched his neck awkwardly. Then he soon smiled warmly and said.

 

“You look good. Much better than before.”

 

“…”

 

“That would be because you found your person, right?”

 

At Namgung Jeong’s words, I felt embarrassed. I knew that ‘your person’ referred to me.

 

The Young Miss was silent for a moment, then answered simply.

 

“…Yes.”

 

Namgung Jeong clapped his hands with a bright expression.

 

“Good, good! Now I can leave with peace of mind.”

 

“It’s regrettable. It feels like we just met, but you’re leaving so soon…”

 

At my wistful words, Namgung Jeong spoke calmly.

 

“As they say, ‘Those who meet must part, those who leave must return.’ If there are meetings, there are partings, and if there are departures, there must be returns. If we’re alive, there will be a day when we meet again.”

 

“Those who… what?”

 

“We can see each other again, you fool.”

 

He smiled subtly as he said this.

 

“Well… we might see each other soon.”

 

I just tilted my head in confusion.

 

Namgung Jeong exchanged farewell greetings with a few more people before mounting his horse and taking the reins. Just as he was about to leave, Namgung Jeong suddenly looked back at us and said one thing.

 

“Cherish your connections.”

 

Before I could respond, Namgung Jeong left So-nang Garden.

 

We watched his retreating figure grow distant.

 

He truly was like the wind.

 

* * *

 

We returned to our daily routine.

 

I attended to the Young Miss, and she spent her time reading books or strolling through the flower garden.

 

The surroundings became a bit more bustling.

 

For some reason, the Master had greatly increased the manor’s security. Word was that they were Namgung Family Elite Warriors sent by Namgung Jeong, so people in blue clothes could often be seen around the manor grounds.

 

‘Is something happening?’

 

But since it wasn’t something a mere servant like me should worry about, I deliberately pretended not to notice.

 

My daily life continued rolling along the same as always.

 

When I opened my eyes, I would go to work at the Seo Family Estate, attend to the Young Miss until sunset when I would leave work, then return home to care for Mother.

 

There was just one thing that had changed—.

 

“Mother, I’m home!”

 

“Dan-a, welcome back.”

 

“….”

 

I stopped with the door still open.

 

Mother, who had always greeted me with a warm smile, was nowhere to be seen. Mother was simply lying in her bed chamber, sleeping as if dead.

 

I put away my smile and closed the door. Then, as always, I sat in the chair beside the bed, took Mother’s hand, and spoke.

 

“I’m here, Mother. Have you been well?”

 

At some point, Mother had fallen into a long sleep.

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