Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 21

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter Twenty-One
Yongyong savored the way Samcheon’s gaze had grown overwhelmed.
The previous Heavenly Observer had been an enigmatic figure, forever wearing a smile that suggested she grasped the workings of the world entire. This one was different. Still young, her emotions played openly across her face like text upon a page.
“That’s impressive. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Gratified by Samcheon’s admiration, Yongyong preened a little.
“It’s only basic skill.”
At his swaggering words, Samcheon’s face grew brighter still. If this was merely the baseline—.
“Then the escorts of the Gemdong Trading Company must be even more skilled?”
“I’m an exception. I served as a Trading Company escort until five years ago.”
“You switched to sales five years ago?”
“No. Those five years I spent elsewhere. I only recently returned.”
Samcheon blinked.
No matter how she looked at him, he bore the unmistakable cast of youth. Yet by his own account, he should have been well past twenty.
When he caught her skeptical look, Yongyong broke into a grin, teeth flashing.
“I have a remarkably youthful appearance. No one ever guesses my real age correctly.”
Samcheon regarded him with an uncertain expression.
Her face openly wrestled with how much of his account to believe.
‘The senior brothers would say this Heavenly Observer is adorable!’
Yongyong quelled the urge to fling open the window and shout it aloud, instead reaching for the next blade.
“The second sword has a beautiful blade and excellent balance. See here?”
He held the blade up to the light to show her.
True to his words, the second sword was beautiful. The grip bore gold inlay, and along the blade ran patterns that evoked the image of dragons.
“It’s lovely.”
“That’s merely the beginning. Anyone who hefts this blade will marvel at its balance. It would be a superb gift for someone of distinction. And then there’s this third sword.”
Yongyong took up the third blade and assumed the same stance. This time, the sound of air being rent followed.
“This one I can describe simply. It has the greatest killing power. The cutting force is exceptional. It is made for severing flesh.”
Samcheon fixed her gaze on the third sword.
“Then that’s the one I want.”
Yongyong marveled that she truly had a discerning eye. Yet it was far too fine a blade for a princess to carry for mere appearance’s sake.
“The blade has two sharp edges. If the wielder lacks sufficient skill, this sword could cut down the very person it was meant to protect.”
A blade could turn on a master whose strength was insufficient—but for Gyesan to draw a real sword meant a crisis grave enough to threaten her life.
Samcheon made her decision quickly.
“I’ll take this one. I need to carry it in secretly, so wrap it so it doesn’t look like a sword. I’ll pay in gold. And I heard you can hire escorts from the Trading Company on a temporary basis. I’d like to hire two for a fortnight. What procedures are involved?”
Yongyong stroked his chin thoughtfully. The fact that she sought both a blade and escorts suggested she understood the danger she was walking into.
“We do hire escorts temporarily, yes. But only for those using our Trade Routes.”
Samcheon, who hadn’t known of this restriction, narrowed her brow.
“What if I pay more? With hazard pay on top?”
“There are principles at stake.”
“I see.”
“There’s a Labor Market frequented by small merchants setting out on minor trading expeditions. You could seek escorts there. It opens every five days—since it ran yesterday, you could time a visit right. Let me see… in four days’ time.”
Four days was cutting it dangerously close. Beyond that, she couldn’t simply hire the first mediocre escort that came along out of desperation. They might prove a liability instead—an anchor dragging her under. Abandoning the escort plan might be wiser.
As Samcheon wrestled with her thoughts, Yongyong, who had been observing her quietly, ventured forward.
“What about me?”
“You work for the Trading Company.”
“Today I just helped out. I haven’t received my assignment yet since I’ve only just returned.”
Samcheon sent him a look of profound doubt.
Yongyong lifted his shoulders with a casual shrug, then grasped the first sword. He pushed the table aside and unfurled a display of Swordsmanship. He had barely sketched the technique of the Wollang Group he belonged to when Samcheon’s jaw fell open once more.
“Is this sufficient? I’ll escort you for a fortnight in exchange for three Gold Pieces.”
“You said you’ve done other work for five years. I need a professional escort.”
When she spoke like that, it became impossible not to be serious.
Yongyong raised the blade high and brought it down through the table without ceremony. The Blue Silk draped over the surface was bisected cleanly, then fluttered slowly to the floor.
Crash.
The table itself then split with a sharp crack and toppled with a thunderous noise.
“Oh!”
Samcheon found herself drawn to examine the severed edge of the table. It was sliced as neatly as if it had been prepared by a master craftsman.
“This is harder than it looks. I can only do it because of my training.”
She had watched Gyesan’s Swordsmanship lessons often enough to recognize the feat. It was precisely because she recognized it that unease now crept over her.
Yongyong did not possess the skill level of a mere Trading Company worker. He was at the level of a royal bodyguard—someone to be measured against Juhong himself.
When Samcheon regarded him with a complicated expression, Yongyong fell back on bluster.
“I could call another escort and show you a sparring match, if you like?”
Samcheon shook her head. Her hesitation had nothing to do with his skill and everything to do with whether she could trust him.
“Why do you want to work as an escort?”
Meeting her guarded stare, Yongyong suddenly understood what he’d done wrong.
‘I came on too strong.’
Yet he couldn’t afford to lose this chance to stay close to her. Adjusting his approach, Yongyong let his eyebrows droop pathetically.
“I have older brothers above me, one after another. They cause trouble constantly, so I have to work hard to make up for them.”
“Is that your only reason?”
“Our customer is quite suspicious, aren’t you? Ultimately, money is everything.”
Samcheon, hesitating, decided to reveal some of her situation and observe his reaction. She’d have to explain it before bringing him to Byeolgung anyway.
“The person I need to protect is of royal blood. In an emergency, you might face multiple opponents.”
“Then you’ll need to pay hazard pay. At minimum, two additional Gold Pieces.”
When he demanded hazard pay, Samcheon felt oddly reassured.
The Gemdong Trading Company was known for their careful selection of personnel. Entry was difficult, but once accepted, people rarely left—the company took such good care of its people.
It seemed wiser to trust in the Company’s judgment than to hire some nameless escort off the street.
Samcheon reached into the bundle of silk at her waist and produced three Gold Pieces, extending them toward him.
“If we reach our destination safely, I’ll give you five more.”
Yongyong accepted the gold with a broad smile.
“I swear my loyalty, ma’am. The sword comes to six Gold Pieces.”
Samcheon opened her purse and withdrew more gold.
Yongyong glimpsed the full interior of the pouch and frowned.
“Ma’am, you seem to have come without any guards of your own. You shouldn’t flash that much gold so openly.”
Samcheon now realized her mistake and hurriedly tucked the purse away. She’d thought she was being careful in removing the coins, but she hadn’t accounted for their difference in height.
Seized by concern, Yongyong added advice she hadn’t asked for.
“Brigands and cutthroats will harm anyone without hesitation and steal without conscience. Someone like you, traveling alone, makes an easy target. You must be on your guard.”
“Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll be careful.”
The determined set of her small face made Yongyong’s heart catch again.
“Well then, shall we go?”
“Right now?”
“It’s best to scout the location I’ll be guarding and gather any supplies we need.”
As Yongyong followed Samcheon out, he whispered something to a staff member standing outside. Then he approached a box near the entrance, scooped up a handful of Iron Coins, and thrust them suddenly toward Samcheon.
“What’s this?”
“A courtesy discount. You’ve purchased an expensive blade, after all. Use Iron Coins if you need to buy anything.”
“All right.”
Samcheon blinked once, then slipped the Iron Coins into her pocket. There was no reason to refuse a discount.
As they stepped out of the Gemdong Trading Company and onto the main road, Yongyong asked with shameless directness.
“If you’re attending to royalty, are you a palace attendant?”
“Yes. I’m Samcheon, a palace attendant. I serve Princess Gyesan.”

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