Surviving as the Villainess’s Servant in a Martial Arts Novel - Chapter 65

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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 65

 

I decided to leave the next day.

 

Originally, I planned to pack light and leave immediately, but Eom Father said he had something to give me as a final gift, so I should leave the next day.

 

‘What could it be?’

 

Feeling sorry for Eom Father in my heart, I eventually agreed to do so.

 

That night I packed my luggage. In fact, my luggage consisted of only a few coins and some dried provisions, but Pyeong Hyeon, who saw this from the side, was shocked and packed various things for me.

 

After the story ended, Pyeong Hyeon no longer pestered or anything. However, she kept shedding tears while I packed, so I had to work hard to comfort her.

 

Eom Father went out late in the evening and didn’t return until the next morning. Then he suddenly said to me as I came out carrying my luggage.

 

“Get on.”

 

There was a carriage in front of the house.

 

“What is this…?”

 

To my surprise, Eom Father clicked his tongue and asked.

 

“Don’t tell me you were planning to just walk there with that body of yours? Without even knowing how far the village is?”

 

‘How did he know?’

 

“Didn’t this old man tell you? If you want to live, go while taking reasonable care of your body. How far could you walk with that body? It would be fortunate if you didn’t collapse and die on the way.”

 

‘That’s true.’

 

“Get on. This old man will take you there.”

 

“All the way to Anhui Province?”

 

At my expectation, Eom Father shouted angrily.

 

“Do you think this old man is some coachman! Still, I’ll take you to Nanling. From there, you’ll hire a coachman to drive the carriage to Hefei. If you travel by carriage and stay at inns along the way, your body will suffer less.”

 

“Eom Father…”

 

I looked at Eom Father with moved eyes. So that’s what the carriage was for – he had obtained it thinking of the method that would harm my body the least.

 

Eom Father just waved his hand dismissively as if annoyed. Then he climbed onto the driver’s seat and shouted.

 

“Get on quickly before I change my mind!”

 

I hurriedly climbed onto the carriage. Though to be honest, “hurriedly” meant I climbed on awkwardly with Pyeong Hyeon’s support.

 

Still, my heart was excited at the fact that I could spend even a little more time with the two of them.

 

The carriage rattled along the road.

 

On the way, we talked about various things. From everyday stories to my physical condition, future plans, trends in the martial world, and so on.

 

Then naturally the topic of the Seo Family’s destruction came up, and I carefully asked.

 

“The main culprit who destroyed the Seo Family is probably… the Demon Cult, right?”

 

For a moment, it seemed like Pyeong Hyeon’s body trembled.

 

“Why do you think that?”

 

“Well… isn’t it only the Demon Cult? The Seo Family didn’t bear grudges against anyone, and from the rumors going around, there seems to be no one as evil as the Demon Cult…”

 

“How do you know whether the Seo Family bore grudges or not? You’re talking as if you were a member of the Seo Family.”

 

I felt a pang and closed my mouth. That was right, though.

 

“It could be the work of the Demon Cult. Depending on ‘which’ Demon Cult it is, that is.”

 

“…Are there multiple Demon Cults?”

 

To my puzzled question, Eom Father answered.

 

“Shall I tell you an interesting fact? In reality, there is no organization with the name ‘Demon Cult’ in the Central Plains martial world. It’s just that the righteous faction bastards arbitrarily judge those they consider evil as demons and call them by the derogatory term ‘Demon Cult.'”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Of course, there are those who commit acts against human ethics and are called demon lords. But the righteous faction is the same. There are many who pretend to be gentlemen on the outside while committing unethical acts behind the scenes.”

 

“…”

 

“Then who is the ‘demon’? Are those in the Demon Cult who live upholding righteousness and benevolence ‘demons,’ or are those who cry out about the righteous path while committing evil acts ‘demons’?”

 

I couldn’t bring myself to answer. I felt that this was a topic I shouldn’t answer lightly.

 

I heard Eom Father’s long sigh from the front.

 

“Just as you can only know whether a person is evil or good by seeing them directly, the Seo Family matter is similar. Until you know the truth inside, you can’t determine anything. Doing so will only bring disaster…”

 

I suddenly thought.

 

‘Then what was it that I heard back then?’

 

When the Seo Family was attacked, one of the fleeing servants clearly said that the ‘Demon Cult’ had attacked.

 

The same was true for the people sent by Namgung Jeong. Didn’t they clearly say they were late because they were dealing with remnants of the ‘Demon Cult’? Even in a situation where they themselves were suspected of being in league with the Demon Cult…

 

‘Not the Demon Cult?’

 

Whether those who attacked the Seo Family were the ‘Demon Cult,’ or if there really is no such thing as the ‘Demon Cult’ as Eom Father said, then whose doing was it?

 

The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was falling into a maze, so I soon stopped thinking. The carriage was just entering a main road.

 

Soon a city surrounded by large forests appeared.

 

It was Nanling.

 

As we entered through the south gate of Nanling, a bustling district immediately appeared with countless people visible. Having lived only in small villages until then, I had never seen such a large city and my eyes widened.

 

Eom Father drove the carriage to the front of a building. Then he said ‘wait here’ and went inside the door, not coming out for quite a while.

 

I sat quietly in the carriage with Pyeong Hyeon.

 

Suddenly, Pyeong Hyeon spoke in a small voice.

 

“Older Sister, what if.”

 

“Hm?”

 

Pyeong Hyeon seemed somehow sad.

 

“I mean, if I… if I were to, well…”

 

Just as Pyeong Hyeon’s hesitation was growing longer.

 

“…Please do that.”

 

I heard signs of Eom Father coming out from outside.

 

Not long after, the carriage door opened with a creak. Eom Father was standing outside with a man. Eom Father pointed to the man and said.

 

“This is the coachman who will take you to Hefei. He said he’s worked in this area for a long time, so he’ll transport you safely. And take this too.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Eom Father held out a money pouch to me. Looking inside, there were some silver coins and copper coins.

 

“This is…”

 

“You’ll need travel expenses on the way, won’t you? I couldn’t put in too much, so use it sparingly. You can do that much, right?”

 

“I’m really grateful…”

 

“Tsk, why do you always only say thank you? I’m tired of hearing it now, so stop saying it.”

 

“Then.”

 

I said with a smile.

 

“I will definitely repay you.”

 

“…”

 

“When I safely arrive in Hefei and meet my family, I will come back. Then I will definitely repay you. All the things you have given me until now.”

 

Eom Father said nothing. Then he finally sighed deeply and nodded.

 

“…Be safe.”

 

While I was at it, I also turned to look at Pyeong Hyeon.

 

“Pyeong Hyeon, you understand, right? We’re not parting forever.”

 

“Older Sister…”

 

“I will definitely come back. You know I have no choice but to return anyway to treat the cold poison. We can meet again then. If you wait just a little, I’ll appear safe and sound.”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t be too sad… okay?”

 

At my words, Pyeong Hyeon’s eyes wavered once. However, Pyeong Hyeon didn’t cry. She just bit her lips tightly, then soon smiled faintly and said.

 

“I’ll wait.”

 

As Pyeong Hyeon got off the carriage, the man climbed up onto the driver’s seat.

 

The carriage door closes.

 

I looked out the window. At the same time, I heard a “Giddyup!” and the carriage departed.

 

Even though the carriage had departed, Pyeong Hyeon and Eom Father didn’t leave but stood still in that spot. Then they watched without taking their eyes off the departing carriage.

 

I looked at the two people, then stuck my hand out the window and waved.

 

Pyeong Hyeon also waved back at me.

 

Like that, I continued to wave my hand. Until they grew distant, until they became small dots, until they could no longer be seen at all.

 

Hoping that I would meet them again.

 

* * *

 

Thanks to Eom Father’s consideration, I was able to travel comfortably.

 

Indeed, the coachman was professional.

 

He drove the carriage all day, stopping at appropriate times to find an inn. Then he would help me up and take me into the inn so I could rest.

 

At first I felt awkward thinking ‘Is it okay to receive this much help?’ but it didn’t take long to get used to it. Of course, my gratitude toward Eom Father naturally grew even greater.

 

‘I didn’t expect him to be this considerate.’

 

At this rate we would arrive safely, so once I met Young Miss, I would definitely return to repay his kindness.

 

Really, I thought that’s how it would be.

 

Until halfway through.

 

“If you want to pass through here, pay the toll!”

 

Because we ended up encountering bandits on the way.

 

At first, the coachman wasn’t flustered. As if he had expected this, he handed over toll money he had prepared in advance.

 

However, the problem arose around then.

 

“That’s not the original price!”

 

The bandits suddenly demanded several times the toll they originally charged.

 

“This year’s harvest was terrible so the number of merchants dropped drastically. We have to make a living too!”

 

“Then you should have given notice beforehand. How can you suddenly do this? If you take everything I have, what am I supposed to live on…!”

 

“What do we care what you live on? If you value your life, you’d better listen obediently!”

 

Clang-!

 

Just as the bandit drew his sword.

 

Neigh!

 

Suddenly the carriage began racing like mad.

 

The coachman had chosen to flee.

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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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