Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 36

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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 Thirty-Six
A tattered leather shoe trampled across Gyesan’s back.
“Ugh.”
Gyesan’s stifled groan struck Samcheon’s ears. Samcheon clung to the man in tan martial robes who held him pinned.
“P-please, I’ll do anything you ask. Just let us live.”
“Don’t you dare beg for mercy, you little worm. You’ll do exactly as you’re told and that’s enough.”
“I’ll work hard at whatever you want. Please, don’t kill us.”
The pleading fell on deaf ears. The blade of a sword, pointed by a bearded man, touched the nape of Gyesan’s neck.
“Where did these brats crawl out from? Who are you?”
The man in tan robes screamed, his eyes bloodshot.
“Just kill them.”
“Killing’s a waste. Lop off an arm and we’ll put them to use tomorrow.”
“No, please. Please, save us.”
It was as Samcheon cried out at the top of his lungs.
Ding.
A clear, crisp bell sound rang out on the wind. The same sound Samcheon had heard in his dream—he jerked his head up.
In that same instant, a Short Sword buried itself in the forehead of the man holding Samcheon. The tan-robed figure shrieked and flew backward.
‘What?’
Someone blocked the path of the unsteady Samcheon.
The scent of dark ink trailed by white sandalwood brushed his nostrils, and the broad shoulders of a man in a face mask obscured Samcheon’s vision. Soon six subordinates emerged into view.
“Are you hurt?”
Samcheon was fine. But.
‘Your Highness?’
Samcheon spun around immediately to check on Gyesan’s safety.
The bearded man who had held his blade to Gyesan’s throat lay face-down in the dirt. And Gyesan, just rising to her feet, came sprinting toward Samcheon.
“Samcheon!”
Samcheon suppressed the urge to call her by an old name and caught her as she threw herself at him. When he felt her warmth against his chest, relief escaped as a long exhale.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m sturdy, remember?”
Gyesan smiled smugly. Since both were unharmed, this was enough for now.
When Samcheon turned to offer thanks, the Jade Bell hanging from the belt of the masked man swung silently.
‘This is the person Jamyeong spoke of.’
Realizing this man was their lifeline, Samcheon grabbed his sleeve.
“Help us, please.”
“You’re a reckless little one, aren’t you?”
“I’m not little—I’m Samcheon.”
When Samcheon corrected him, the man introduced himself in turn.
“I am Wolya. And why should I help you?”
His gaze held the look of a tiger watching a newborn pup.
Samcheon swallowed hard. The die was already cast; there was no turning back now. This was no time to be choosy—better to be shameless about it.
“It may sound strange, but I had a dream about a bell—and Jamyeong said you’d help us.”
Wolya’s eyes, visible above the mask, hardened. The other men, who had been standing at ease, shifted their stances.
Gyesan, who had been studying the situation carefully, pulled Samcheon behind her back.
Wolya, watching this with evident interest, asked,
“How do you expect me to help?”
Samcheon swallowed once more, then spoke.
“There are kidnappers inside the Mine. If you follow this path down the other side of the mountain, there’s a Cave where the children must be trapped.”
Wolya turned to his companions and gave his orders.
“Three of you rescue them, three of you clean up.”
Samcheon’s eyes widened at the concise command.
“Wait. There are a lot of people in there.”
Before Samcheon could finish speaking, the gang burst from the Mine. Hearing the commotion and emerging to see the fallen tan-robed man and the bearded corpse, they drew their blades in panic.
“Danger—!”
Samcheon’s warning was left unfinished.
Before the word “dangerous” could even complete itself on his lips, all the enemies were subdued. The six men, moving with perfect synchronization, efficiently dispatched the villains and divided into two groups of three as commanded.
The speed of their movements left Samcheon gaping. Words like “impressive” hardly sufficed.
“I couldn’t even see them move.”
“Then I was a frog in a well. I thought Yong was formidable, but there’s a higher sky above.”
As the situation seemed to be resolving, Samcheon turned back to Gyesan.
“That was reckless of you.”
“I know. But it was my choice.”
The absence of even a hint of regret made further words impossible.
Samcheon, pouting slightly, turned toward Wolya.
Jamyeong’s words had prompted Samcheon to make the request so boldly, but he’d never expected such an immediate response. Samcheon made an effort to ask without seeming ungrateful.
“May I ask why you’ve helped us?”
Wolya’s mask swayed gently. The moment Samcheon realized he was laughing, a pleasant, deep voice followed.
“I’m not heartless enough to turn away from children in danger.”
It was an answer he hadn’t anticipated. The obvious truth that children deserve protection had felt so distant until now, and his heart rippled with emotion.
Samcheon bowed deeply to Wolya.
“Thank you for your help.”
“Thank you for saving us.”
Gyesan added her gratitude as well.
The truth was, Wolya had never planned to reveal himself. He’d intended only to keep watch from a distance until Samcheon came of age. But wherever the boy went, trouble followed, leaving Wolya no choice but to intervene.
“You’re safe now. From here on, you’d do well to try avoiding danger.”
“Yes.”
Samcheon answered readily and pointed out the narrow path leading to where the children were held.
“May we go and look?”
“It’s not a sight for children.”
Wolya objected, but Samcheon could not back down. He needed to see how closely the dream matched reality, and where it differed.
“If it’s not dangerous, I’d like to understand the situation.”
When both Samcheon and Gyesan looked up at him with bright, earnest eyes, Wolya laughed as if defeated.
“Come along then, just to be safe. Follow behind me.”
They entered the Cave following Wolya, but found little of note. They’d heard the clash of weapons, shouts, and screams, yet only scattered bloodstains remained.
Deeper in, corpses lay stacked in a corner. They’d been covered with outer garments—a surprisingly respectful gesture.
Was it courtesy to the dead?
As Samcheon gazed quietly, Wolya added,
“Don’t dwell on it. There’s no good in becoming accustomed to such sights.”
Despite the toneless, matter-of-fact way he spoke, there was gentleness beneath.
Gyesan leaned close and whispered softly to Samcheon,
“He’s a good person.”
Samcheon nodded in agreement, then noticed something strange.
‘He didn’t question what I said.’
He had neither asked for more details nor demanded explanations—he simply gave orders.
Moreover, they’d appeared out of nowhere. This wasn’t a place many visited, and considering it was forbidden, their arrival couldn’t have been mere coincidence.
What was their purpose?
Lost in thought as they walked, Samcheon saw an arm.
Yes—a severed limb, separated from its body.
Samcheon started and stopped in his tracks. A beat too late, Wolya raised his hands urgently and covered both children’s eyes.
“It’s best we walk straight through from here.”
“I already saw it.”
“Then forget it.”
So this is what it feels like to be protected by an adult. Perhaps there was a purpose beyond pure intention, but help was help nonetheless.
They took a few more steps with their eyes covered before Wolya lowered his hands. As their vision cleared, a fork in the path appeared.
“It’s to the left.”
Wolya turned his steps without hesitation toward the left. As they rounded that corner, the sound of clashing weapons echoed from the distance.
Gyesan tensed, hand moving to her blade’s hilt, when Wolya spoke reassuringly.
“By the time we arrive, it will be finished.”
Yet Samcheon could not let his worry go.
“There must be at least ten of them.”
“Numbers don’t matter.”
As he spoke, gazing forward, Wolya seemed rather noble somehow.
A short way further, the men Wolya had sent emerged, bringing the children with them.
Five children had been rescued. The young ones, who had been reluctant to trust the promise of rescue, eased their guard slightly at the sight of someone their own age.
When Samcheon recognized the familiar faces, his heart stirred. Now there was no denying the dream.
Gyesan, standing beside him, broke into a bright smile at the sight of the children.
“You’re safe now. Let’s go down together. I’ll take you home.”

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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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