Chapter 67
“Miss, Miss. I heard that the construction of the new martial training hall will be finished tomorrow.”
Hyanga, who was helping her change into her uniform, chattered away.
“Ah, is it already that time?”
“Oh my, ‘already’? Master tends to be very meticulous, oh, I mean—”
Hyanga caught herself mid-slip and glanced at Wonyoung. Seeing no change in Wonyoung’s expression, she continued.
“Since Master is very particular, the construction period was extended. But it’s really dazzling.”
“Huh? The martial training hall is dazzling?”
Wonyoung couldn’t help but ask back. How could a martial training hall possibly be dazzling?
“You’ve seen it too, haven’t you? That aquamarine.”
“Ah, yes. Aquamarine.”
There were indeed quite a few of those expensive aquamarine stones. Wonyoung finally nodded in understanding.
“Ah, but that’s not all. You know it was built as an indoor martial training hall.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It’s no small feat, really. The building itself is enormous.”
“Really? Huh. Is that so? I should go take a look.”
“You’ll be amazed when you see it.”
Hyanga wanted to say it was covered in gold everywhere, which was why it sparkled, but she held her tongue. She wanted to see Wonyoung’s reaction. After all, she herself had been stunned the first time she saw it.
Most of the Seol family’s buildings were old, giving them a classic charm. But the new martial hall was truly something else. Only premium materials were used, and it was finished with gold, jade, and precious gems.
Workers whispered that even taking a single piece could change someone’s fortune. Wonyoung mused that she’d be furious if someone actually tried.
“Alright. Let’s go see it after training.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Hyanga, seemingly satisfied with her answer, straightened Wonyoung’s uniform and let go.
“By the way, are you really okay with the training?”
“Of course. Didn’t you hear? I have a talent for martial arts.”
“Yes, yes. I’m sure you do.”
Having never witnessed Wonyoung’s training, Hyanga nodded perfunctorily.
“Huh, she doesn’t believe me.”
“No, I do. If I didn’t believe Miss, who else would I?”
It was understandable that Hyanga couldn’t believe it. She had joined Yeonhongwon some time ago, and Wonyoung had always seemed frail, often falling ill, even recently being bedridden.
To Hyanga, Wonyoung had always seemed like a delicate young lady who needed protection. Seeing her soaked in sweat after training was pitiful.
“Hyanga, do you want to learn too?”
“Eh? Learn what?”
“…Martial arts.”
It was a spontaneous suggestion. Hyanga had recently thought it might be best to remain as she was. But now, it didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“Oh, Miss. What martial arts? I have too much work, and I’m getting old.”
“Eh? Old? Hyanga, how old are you?”
“Oh my, Miss, you didn’t know my age? I’m fifteen, soon to be sixteen.”
Hyanga proudly lifted her chin and announced her age.
Wonyoung was flabbergasted.
“Fifteen… such a little kid…”
Wonyoung had started learning martial arts at fifteen in Hwangsan. By thirty-five, none could match her with a sword, earning her the title of Sword Ghost.
“Eh? Little kid?”
“Yes. Little kid.”
“Oh my. What can I even talk about with a ten-year-old lady?”
Wonyoung realized she had forgotten that she was still so young, despite living as a ten-year-old for several months.
“Hmm. Anyway, think about it. Learning martial arts will make you incredibly strong. It’ll make your work easier too.”
Speaking of it, she found herself wanting to genuinely persuade Hyanga.
“Well, Miss, your stamina has improved a lot too.”
Hyanga nodded, looking at Wonyoung’s body.
“Yes. You don’t need to learn weapon techniques, but learning mind techniques and agility skills would be good, don’t you think?”
By mastering mind techniques, cultivating one’s energy, and learning agility skills, one becomes stronger than ordinary people and can escape dangerous situations quickly. It was important to prevent Hyanga from encountering danger, but the world was unpredictable.
Though there was no concern for So-kyo, Wonyoung wanted Hyanga to know ways to protect herself.
“I’m not sure…”
Though interested, Hyanga couldn’t answer immediately.
“I’ll get permission from your father and your nanny.”
“Hmm… wouldn’t that be difficult?”
“No. I’ll speak to them. And you said you wanted to stay with me.”
“Yes. I’ll always follow Miss wherever you go.”
Hyanga nodded firmly.
“This is a secret, though…”
“What is it?”
Lowering her voice, Wonyoung made Hyanga lean in closer.
“…I might go to the Martial Arts Academy in a few years.”
“Eh! Miss, what do you mean?”
Startled, Hyanga’s eyes widened.
“Shh. It’s a secret for now. That’s just my thought. If you want to come along, wouldn’t it be good to learn martial arts?”
“Oh, whatever the reason, I understand. Once I get permission, I’ll learn.”
“Really? Then it’s a promise.”
“Yes, a promise.”
Hyanga smiled brightly and nodded.
“Shall we go then?”
“Ah, Miss, you need your necklace.”
As Wonyoung turned to leave, Hyanga stopped her.
“Oh, right. Here.”
Wonyoung held out her necklace to Hyanga, who carefully placed it in the jewelry box. Sunlight poured onto it, making the seven-colored necklace shine even more brilliantly.
“Truly… a beautiful necklace.”
“Yes, it is.”
Wonyoung nodded, gazing at the necklace left by her mother.
“Huh? This… is strange?”
As Hyanga closed the jewelry box, she frowned.
“Huh? What’s strange?”
“The eggs… don’t they seem a bit bigger?”
Hyanga looked at the basket of eggs next to the jewelry box.
“Oh? Hyanga, you noticed too? I thought it was just me…”
“Oh my, I was surprised too. They seem bigger.”
“Then it really did grow. Let me take it with me.”
“Do you think it will hatch?”
Handing over the egg basket, Hyanga asked cautiously.
“I hope so…”
Wonyoung murmured, gently stroking the eggs, making sure to infuse them with energy. The sunlight made them glimmer in her palm.
“Have you been briefed?”
Taking a sip of tea, Deng Chaochan addressed his grandson Jinliang.
“Yes, I’ve been informed.”
Through the Hao sect, he had already been updated on the incident at the Jinwei Hall estate. It was better than hearing it from Deng Chaochan directly. Though the news of Jinwei Hall’s death had been conveyed, Deng Chaochan considered it sufficient.
“…I will escort you to Beijing.”
From Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province to Beijing in Hebei Province was a long journey.
Though he could have sought the Hao sect’s assistance, Deng Chaochan preferred to personally escort Jinliang. It was safer, and it allowed him peace of mind.
Jinliang would take the imperial examination, and if successful, he could stay safely in Beijing until the palace exam. Then Deng Chaochan could return to the Seol family estate.
“…Thank you for your offer, but I will decline.”
Jinliang’s refusal raised Deng Chaochan’s eyebrows.
“Why?”
“I do not intend to take the provincial exam.”
“…What? What did you say?”
Jinliang calmly repeated his words, and Deng Chaochan was shocked.
“As I said, I will not take the provincial exam.”
Meeting Deng Chaochan’s gaze, Jinliang spoke clearly and firmly.
“Why?”
Deng Chaochan asked urgently, but Jinliang averted his eyes, offering no answer.
His gaze fell upon the lotus pond outside.
“There was nothing I could do but read the classics. While reading, I could ignore all other words.”
After a long silence staring out the window, Jinliang finally spoke.
“My father always said, ‘You have no talent for business,’ and, ‘A merchant shouldn’t be like that.’”
Sighing, Jinliang looked at Deng Chaochan.
“It was as if having talent was forbidden. He said it repeatedly.”
Jinliang smiled bitterly and sipped his tea, while Deng Chaochan simply watched, having nothing to say.
“Really.”
Setting down his cup, Jinliang spoke again.
“Do you think so, Grandfather?”
Hearing Jinliang say something he shouldn’t know, Deng Chaochan’s eyes widened in shock.
