Surviving as the Villainess’s Servant in a Martial Arts Novel - Chapter 64

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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 64

 

The possibility was high.

 

In novels, it’s common for masterminds to plant moles in each clan, and if they were Demon Cult members, it would also explain their collusion with the masked men.

 

Then does Namgung Jeong know about this fact?

 

Young Miss… would she be safe at the Namgung Family Estate?

 

Would the mole in the Namgung Family leave Young Miss alone? If something had already happened…

 

‘No.’

 

After that, I was filled with nothing but impatience.

 

I tried to act as if nothing was wrong on the outside. That had always been what I was best at since long ago.

 

However, while laughing and chatting with Pyeong Hyeon and talking with Eom Father, my insides were burning black. It was even worse knowing that my recovery was slower than expected, just as Eom Father had said.

 

Still, I somehow endured it.

 

Eating when told to eat, sleeping when told to sleep, receiving acupuncture when told to receive it – somehow.

 

When two weeks had passed like that.

 

“I will be leaving.”

 

At my declaration, the two people showed different reactions.

 

Eom Father frowned grimly but seemed strangely calm as if he had expected this, while Pyeong Hyeon beside him…

 

“Already… already?”

 

I swallowed a sigh looking at Pyeong Hyeon’s face.

 

“Older Sister, can’t you reconsider? It’s too soon. Your body is still not well.”

 

“I’m fine. I’ve gotten much better. You saw it too, right? Now I can walk alone without your support. This much is enough…”

 

“It’s not enough at all!”

 

Pyeong Hyeon’s voice rose.

 

“Do you think I don’t know? Older Sister, you’re pushing yourself right now. Even now you’re forcing yourself to endure the pain!”

 

“No…”

 

“What do you mean no? Always hesitating with each step because of the pain when you walk, sometimes being in so much pain you can’t even breathe and just stand still…”

 

“…”

 

“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”

 

I was secretly surprised. Because everything Pyeong Hyeon said was true.

 

‘How did she know?’

 

My body hadn’t improved much with just two weeks of recuperation.

 

Honestly, I was flustered. In the past, I had even received admiration from physicians saying ‘This is the first time I’ve seen such a healthy body,’ but contrary to that reputation, I just wasn’t recovering.

 

Of course, Eom Father was indifferent, saying it was natural, but I couldn’t help feeling more anxious.

 

‘At this rate, it might take more than a month.’

 

From then on, I forced myself to practice walking.

 

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t painful. When even getting up from the bed chamber was difficult, suddenly trying to move – how could it not be?

 

Each step was agony, and just walking a little brought waves of tight chest pain. It was okay when I walked slowly, but sometimes when I applied force wrong, it hurt so much I almost fainted.

 

But I gritted my teeth and endured it. Partly because of Young Miss, but also because Pyeong Hyeon was always beside me, watching me with worry.

 

I didn’t want to worry her. So I hid it, but…

 

“Last time you fell while walking alone with a cane. I saw everything. You couldn’t move at all, then when it seemed like I was coming, you hurriedly got up. Then you smiled in front of me as if nothing had happened…”

 

“Pyeong Hyeon…”

 

“Do you know how I felt then? Do you know how upset I was! I pretended not to know because I thought you would be more upset than me…”

 

“…”

 

“…Older Sister, please think about it one more time. I’m not saying never to go. At least after your body has fully recovered, going then would be…”

 

“Pyeong Hyeon.”

 

I cut off Pyeong Hyeon’s words. Instead, I gazed at Pyeong Hyeon who was looking at me with wet eyes, then reached out and took her hand.

 

I spoke quietly.

 

“I’m truly grateful to you for so many things.”

 

Really.

 

Because Pyeong Hyeon had always been good to me.

 

“I’ll take care of you until Older Sister recovers…”

 

Those words she said then weren’t empty – Pyeong Hyeon did exactly as she said, no, even more than that, nursing me with sincere devotion.

 

So much so that there wasn’t a time when I wasn’t with Pyeong Hyeon.

 

She stayed with me all day, attending to my every need, to the point where Eom Father sarcastically said ‘there’s no need for a separate maid.’

 

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t burdensome at all, but it was okay because Pyeong Hyeon kept me company and helped dispel many bad thoughts.

 

“…I’ve lived disguised as a man since long ago. So even now, men’s clothes are more comfortable. Come to think of it, you were fooled once too, right?”

 

“I was really sorry about that time… But no one else noticed? That Older Sister is a woman?”

 

“No one knew? Oh, exactly one person knew. I have a friend named A-so. Except for her, no one really… But how did she know? I’m so ugly, she shouldn’t have been able to tell, right?”

 

“Wh-what do you mean ugly! You’re not ugly at all. In my eyes, Older Sister is the most beau-beau…”

 

“Beau what? Beautifully ugly? Beautifully unpredictable features? Beautifully lacking in manners? Ha, that’s really too much…”

 

“Wh-when did I ever say that…!”

 

How would I have endured without you?

 

If it weren’t for Young Miss’s situation, I might have stayed longer. I might have even followed Pyeong Hyeon to their family estate.

 

But the reason I can’t…

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“…”

 

“I made a promise to my family. To return to my family’s side no matter what happens. Even if we can’t meet right away, we would definitely find each other and be together until the last moment.”

 

“…”

 

“And probably… if I miss this opportunity, I might not be able to find them for quite a long time. I have that kind of premonition. So…”

 

I couldn’t continue speaking. Because Pyeong Hyeon started crying tears.

 

One corner of my heart felt bitter. But I couldn’t say anything and just held Pyeong Hyeon’s hand tightly. After a moment, Pyeong Hyeon shook her head and spoke earnestly.

 

“Then, then…”

 

“…”

 

“Then I want to go too. I want to go with Older Sister! I can’t let Older Sister go alone like this. If something happens to Older Sister going alone…!”

 

“Hyeon-ah.”

 

A stern voice came from beside us.

 

Eom Father, who had been quietly watching us until then, stepped forward.

 

Eom Father and Pyeong Hyeon’s eyes met. The two exchanged unknowable glances for a moment. Eom Father spoke quietly with dark eyes.

 

“Don’t you know? What burden you carry…”

 

“…”

 

“And you, child.”

 

Eom Father turned to look at me.

 

“This old man surely told you. You need to rest for at least a month, and if your body worsens during that time, it will be irreversible.”

 

“…”

 

“If you go now, I cannot guarantee your life. Will you still go?”

 

Eom Father spoke again.

 

“Think carefully. Whether you’ll die on the road and never see your family again, or reunite with your family in a healthy body even if the timing is delayed. Which would be the wise thing to do.”

 

“I…”

 

I know too.

 

That I’m being impatient. That this might become a bad choice. That I might regret it for the rest of my life.

 

Even so…

 

“I will go.”

 

“…”

 

“I’m sorry. You saved my life, yet I’m making a foolish choice…”

 

“Do you even realize?”

 

Eom Father let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

 

“It’s an incredibly foolish act. It’s a choice only the extremely ignorant would make! To try to throw away your own life – people can meet anytime, but life is only one…”

 

“…”

 

“…But because you were foolish, you risked your life to protect Hyeon-ah. Fine. I’ll stop nagging here. Do as you wish.”

 

“Eom Father, I’m truly grate…”

 

“I told you to forget the gratitude! Sigh… Anyway, if you survive and meet your family and resolve things, come visit again. You can come with your family too.”

 

“Huh?”

 

At my bewildered expression, Eom Father snorted and spoke in a gruff tone.

 

“You need to deal with that cold poison of yours! Right now, this old man is blocking the Blood Path so you’re barely holding on, but who knows how long that’ll last. Originally, this old man has a principle of never treating someone who refused treatment once, but considering your past conduct, I’ll make an exception just this once…”

 

I smiled faintly as I watched Eom Father pour out his nagging without pause.

 

Eom Father was always like that.

 

He pretended to be stern but was secretly very caring. Even though he’d threaten me for complaining that the medicine was bitter, the next day he’d quietly bring me sweets.

 

Sometimes Eom Father’s appearance reminded me of Uncle Hwang. And Mother too… I spoke with a somehow longing heart.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“…”

 

“For everything until now, and for the future too.”

 

Eom Father didn’t answer and abruptly turned his head away. However, in that silence, I read Eom Father’s affirmation.

 

I looked back and forth between the two people in front of me.

 

Pyeong Hyeon who had treated me well, and Eom Father who was secretly kind despite not showing it.

 

Somehow I felt reluctant to leave. During this time that was neither long nor particularly short, I had unknowingly grown quite attached to both of them.

 

But someone once said that if there are meetings, there are partings, and if there are departures, there are returns.

 

“Really…”

 

I stood up from my seat.

 

I felt both their gazes turn toward me. I went in front of them and knelt down. I heard Pyeong Hyeon cry out, but I paid no mind and bowed respectfully as I spoke.

 

“Thank you so much for everything. I will never forget this great kindness for the rest of my life.”

 

With sincerity, like that.

 

And then I thought.

 

I wouldn’t forget these two people for a long time.

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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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