Surviving as the Villainess’s Servant in a Martial Arts Novel - Chapter 76

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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 76

‘The person you’re looking for?’

I made an “ah” sound.

‘You’re talking about Young Miss.’

Right, come to think of it, I had told Eom Father about it before.

That I was going to find my family. That I had a feeling if I didn’t go right away, I’d never find them. So despite Eom Father’s attempts to dissuade me saying it was dangerous, I set out on the road.

But the result wasn’t good. Young Miss wasn’t at the Namgung Family Estate, nor anywhere in Hefei.

‘Young Miss is…’

Where could she be?

Thinking of Young Miss made my chest feel stuffy again.

She wasn’t anywhere I went, and I couldn’t hear any news of her anywhere. As if she had evaporated somewhere, as if her very existence had been erased.

Where could she be? Where could she have gone? What if she’s already somewhere I can’t find her…?

‘No.’

Whatever it was, I wouldn’t give up until I confirmed it with my own eyes.

And for that, it would be right to refuse this matter.

“That’s right.”

I nodded and spoke calmly.

“I told you before, didn’t I? That I’m looking for family. Actually… there was no family at the Namgung Family Estate. No, I couldn’t find them anywhere in Hefei at all.”

“…”

“So I was wandering around looking for family when I ran out of strength and collapsed… I’m truly grateful that you saved me. I’ll never forget this kindness even if I die.”

“…”

“But becoming the Head Priest… I think it would be difficult. I need to set out to find my family right away. If I’m looking for family, I’ll neglect Gwangjin-gyo’s affairs too. Rather than not being able to properly fulfill the Head Priest role, it’s better not to…”

“There’s no need to be in such a hurry. I’ve already arranged for that person to be found.”

“Not do it… What?”

Arranged? Arranged what?

I looked at Eom Father in bewilderment. Eom Father opened his mouth with a nonchalant expression.

“The person you’re looking for, Head Priest.”

Eom Father said.

“It’s the Daughter of Master of Seo Family, isn’t it?”

I froze completely.

“…What?”

But Eom Father’s surprising words continued. Eom Father calmly continued speaking.

“I’ve known all along that you came from the Seo Family Estate.”

“…How, how do you know that…?”

“You may think you covered it up well, but there were more than one or two loose ends. When I put together where you came from, the circumstances of the incident, the dates, etc., it overlaps with the Seo Family Estate incident.”

“…”

“Most of all.”

Eom Father shook his head and said.

“Your eyes change the moment the Seo Family Estate is mentioned, so how could I not know?”

Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

‘He knew everything.’

I thought it might be so.

It wasn’t like I had completely lied, and I had even confessed some facts to Lee Sa-hyeon, so I wondered if I’d be found out someday.

But hearing that he’d known from the beginning, why was I so flustered…?

While I was at a loss, Lee Sa-hyeon who was beside me quietly said.

“It wasn’t intentional that we learned the identity of the person Older Sister is looking for. You used to mutter ‘Young Miss’ to yourself whenever you were sick.”

“I did…?”

“Yes, if there was someone at the Seo Family Estate who would be called that by Older Sister, we thought it could only be the Daughter of Master of Seo Family. I’m sorry we took it upon ourselves to try to find that person. But Older Sister…”

“…”

“Could you give me a chance too?”

A chance…?

When I looked at Lee Sa-hyeon in bewilderment, Lee Sa-hyeon spoke with a more earnest expression than ever before.

“It’s not because I want Older Sister to inherit the position of Head Priest. I’ve wanted to help Older Sister for a long time. Older Sister always did her best to help me, but I couldn’t do the same…”

“You…”

“This time I want to help Older Sister. I want to do whatever I can to help Older Sister achieve what she wants.”

“…”

“…Would that not be okay?”

I hesitated at Lee Sa-hyeon’s earnest words. Then Eom Father also joined in.

“Head Priest, think carefully. At times like this, it’s better to use a group rather than searching alone. The School would be quite useful too.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“How do you think The School has managed to hide and survive until now? It’s because there were informants planted in the Central Plains from before The School fell. We used to receive information in advance and take cover.”

“…”

“Of course, the number has decreased significantly compared to when The School was flourishing, but there are still informants remaining. There are quite a few believers who live ordinary lives mixed among the Central Plains people, doing business or farming to make a living.”

“That means…?”

At my words, Eom Father nodded. Then he spoke with a confident tone.

“If we inform the believers on a large scale about the appearance and clothing of the Daughter of Master of Seo Family and have them search, we should be able to find her soon, if not immediately.”

At those words, I unconsciously drew in a breath.

Eom Father was right.

Actually, I had no real plan. I didn’t know where Young Miss was, or even where she might have headed, so what plan could I have?

I was just planning to wander the Central Plains aimlessly by myself, asking around about Young Miss.

But how long would that take?

One year? Two years? Ten years? Maybe I wouldn’t be able to find her even until I grew old and died. Even if I did find her, it might be after a very long time had passed.

It was truly like looking for a needle in a desert. But what if I received help from a large force at a time like this?

‘…I might really find her quickly.’

But would it be okay to accept the position of Head Priest for this reason? When I had no idea what kind of turmoil this might bring later…?

Noticing my wavering, Lee Sa-hyeon spoke again.

“Older Sister, I’ll really do my best. Please trust us just once.”

“…”

“If the position of Head Priest is burdensome… you don’t have to take it. It’s fine if you leave right after we find that person.”

“Hyeon-a!”

At Lee Sa-hyeon’s radical words, Eom Father’s voice rose. But Lee Sa-hyeon didn’t mind and continued speaking calmly.

“I just… want Older Sister to be happy. Since Older Sister is a good person, I want her to be filled with only good things. I’ll bear the difficult things, so if Older Sister can be happy… I couldn’t ask for more. That’s sincere.”

For a moment, I became dazed.

Somehow, the faces of various people seemed to overlap on Lee Sa-hyeon’s serious face.

“I hope you’ll be happy.”

“You must live well.”

“You’ll do well wherever you go.”

The faces of people who loved and cherished me more than anyone.

But now they’re no longer in this world.

It’s because I failed to protect them.

So I thought I’d never hear those words again. Who would say such things to me when I was alone?

But hearing those words again…

Words flowed out without me realizing.

“Actually, I hate those words. All the people who wished for my happiness ended up leaving me behind. What I wanted was to be happy together with them…”

“…”

“But I never expected to hear those words from you again. Honestly, I’m still anxious even now…”

I smiled faintly.

“But it doesn’t feel bad.”

“…”

“Alright, I’ll do it. Head Priest!”

I shouted as if I had made up my mind.

“Honestly, when you put it like that, how could I refuse? You saved my life and you’re going to help me find Young Miss too. I’m anxious about whether I’ll do well, but you’ll help me properly too…”

Of course, I was still worried.

I didn’t know what kind of trouble I might get caught up in while trying to find Young Miss, and it would be problematic if the issues spread not just to me but to Young Miss as well.

But it was also true that I needed their help.

To find Young Miss, I had to receive help from Gwangjin-gyo. And if there’s something coming, there must be something going too. I also had to give them what they needed for it to be worthwhile.

If that path meant I would suffer a little, I could do it as much as needed. And more than anything…

“And you said if I master this divine art, I’ll become strong, right? To the point where no one can approach me.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You know, I wasn’t really interested in becoming strong before? Back then what I needed was money rather than power. I thought if I just had a lot of money, everything would be solved…”

“…”

“But after losing everything, I realized. Whether it’s money or power, in the end you have to be strong yourself… If I had been a bit stronger back then, I wouldn’t have been completely helpless.”

“Older Sister…”

“…I want to become someone who can protect others too.”

I recalled the people who had died before my eyes.

One by one, their faces flashed by.

It was still painfully suffocating, but now I could pull myself together. If only to never experience such tragedy again.

“I’ll protect them.”

“…”

“You, Young Miss, everyone.”

Namgung Jeong had once said something like that.

That warriors must have conviction.

Because those who wield swords can easily kill people. If you kill without any reason, you’re just a murderer, so you must wield your weapon carefully with conviction.

I agreed with those words too.

I had no intention of becoming a murderer. But I also had no intention of becoming a gentleman. I just wanted to live according to my own conviction.

Then my conviction was…

‘Protecting those who are precious to me.’

Having made up my mind, I raised my head. Suddenly I saw Lee Sa-hyeon’s tearful figure before my eyes.

I looked at Lee Sa-hyeon and said with a bright smile.

“Do I need to help you a lot?”

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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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