Chapter 5
“Hmm. That’s a good question.”
Lord Sangwan stroked his beard and smiled contentedly.
He liked the attitude of someone who, rather than clinging to unrealistic hopes, preferred to keep at least one foot on solid ground and move forward diligently.
“If you enter the palace and fail to receive the king’s favor even once over five years, you lose your rank and are demoted to common status. At that point, you can choose either to remain in the harem as a guest or leave the palace entirely to live as a regular person. In the latter case, you may even marry another man. Isn’t that a rather generous arrangement?”
Risa’s eyes widened.
‘The harem system is harsher than I imagined.’
She wasn’t sure how it was in actual dynasties, but at least in the Mage Sect’s harem, it wasn’t a lenient place that would feed and house women who never gained favor until they grew old.
If a woman showed no promise as a concubine, she could either be transferred to serve as labor at an inn or simply be released.
‘Still, allowing marriage does seem reasonable.’
From this brief conversation, Risa could sketch a rough plan for her future. She would spend a thousand days in Cheonryeon Palace, then quietly live in the harem for five years without drawing attention, and eventually leave the palace. During that time, she would diligently accumulate wealth like a squirrel gathering acorns, turning it into capital for trade.
“So, train diligently while you’re in Cheonryeon Palace. Even if you never fulfill your role as a concubine, steady effort will reveal a way to live as a commoner.”
“I will remember your words.”
Lord Sangwan nodded with satisfaction at Risa’s resolute reply.
“I won’t lie—it won’t be easy. Studying in a place with no peers your age will inevitably make you want to run away at times. But whenever that happens, remember this: whatever you do in the Ten Thousand Mountains is far better than the same thing outside.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I appreciate your guidance.”
Risa was sincerely grateful.
A few months later.
“You said there were no peers your age?”
Risa looked up at Lord Sangwan in surprise.
He avoided her gaze, coughing awkwardly. Even he hadn’t expected this outcome.
“How can you blame me for your family being loose-lipped?”
Here’s what had happened.
Rumors had spread throughout the Central Martial World that the girls entering the sect from the Sacheon family would become concubines immediately after completing training at Cheonryeon Palace.
Technically, Risa had been recommended as a concubine from the start and was only passing through Cheonryeon Palace, but the public interpreted it the other way around.
“What? Just by passing through Cheonryeon Palace, she can become Cheonma’s concubine?!”
“Cheonryeon Palace isn’t that kind of institution.”
“Exactly.”
Lord Sangwan had grown pale over the months, worn down by the persistent inquiries from influential families. No matter how much he insisted that such a system did not exist, the obstinate martial artists simply refused to listen.
“When I reluctantly granted an exception because they complained, ‘If the Sacheon family can do it, why not the Namgung family?’ then they shouted even louder, demanding that the Hebei Peng family be allowed as well.”
“You’ve endured a lot.”
One by one, the Moyong, Seomun, Jegal, Jin Jueon, Hwangbo, Shandong Ak, and Sin Changyang families sent daughters. Feeling the pressure, the Gu Pailbang also reluctantly selected young disciples.
When the orthodox sects acted in unison, the unorthodox sects were not about to remain idle.
With the Hao, Nokrim, and Janggangsu factions stirring, Lord Sangwan had no choice but to quickly establish a preparatory concubine training facility within Cheonryeon Palace.
“Hmph. Do you know who all this trouble started because of?”
“Madam Seo?”
“…That’s true, but!”
Lord Sangwan exhaled deeply, trying to calm his boiling anger.
‘Phew. Stay calm.’
Who could blame the Central Martial artists for being ignorant and reckless when they hadn’t even learned the great doctrines of the Mage Sect? It was pointless to take it out on innocent Risa.
“Anyway, it’s not a bad thing for you. Now you have companions, so your loneliness will lessen, and enduring hardship in a strange place is easier when you have someone to share it with.”
“That’s true, I suppose.”
Risa answered neutrally. She knew that having more people around didn’t always guarantee good experiences. Though generally optimistic, she was never blindly cheerful.
“What a childish answer… no, I suppose you’ve always been a bit of an old soul.”
“Me?”
Risa’s eyes widened as if hearing it for the first time. Lord Sangwan ignored her reaction.
“I must be going now. You should hurry and join the uncultured, irritating martial artists there and socialize.”
“But I come from a martial family as well.”
“You do? Hahaha!”
Lord Sangwan laughed as if he had just heard the most absurd thing, then departed.
Sacheon family had already been receiving judgmental glances, like, ‘Is that really an orthodox sect? Are those really martial artists?’ Risa thought he might be slightly irritable from all the stress.
‘Stress really is a terrifying thing,’ she mused as she trudged toward the building where the other girls were gathered.
‘Oh no. I’m late.’
Following the guide, she walked for some time before arriving at the auditorium. About thirty to forty girls were already seated, and small clusters were forming as those with similar temperaments began grouping together.
“If only I had brought some candy…”
Risa regretted not having a soft, sweet snack to break the ice with the teenage girls. Being awkward and silent now could lead to irreparable consequences later.
‘Girls from similar backgrounds will naturally stick together.’
Among the girls, a group wearing expensive-looking silk garments immediately caught her eye. They were likely from martial families.
“Hello. What’s so interesting you’re all talking about?”
Risa used her previous experience as a transfer student to adopt a cheerful, approachable tone—lively but not overwhelming, kind but not overly so.
“Huh?”
A short girl in dark blue silk scanned Risa up and down. Fortunately, Risa’s appearance passed inspection, and the girl slowly nodded.
“We were talking about whether the Sect Leader will appear at today’s banquet.”
“Oh, I see.”
A banquet, then. Of course, the first day girls from the leading martial families across the Central Plains wouldn’t be sent without some ceremonial event.
At that moment, a girl in white silk embroidered with gold and silver thread scoffed.
“Hmph. She won’t appear. According to information from the Namgung family, the Sect Leader is currently in seclusion training. I swear on my family name!”
Risa was startled by the Namgung girl’s boldness. If the Sect Leader actually appeared at the banquet, wouldn’t it embarrass the Namgung family?
“Ah, I see… but isn’t there a chance her seclusion could end today?”
Trying to ease the Namgung girl’s anxiety, Risa added a comment—but the girl immediately flared up.
“What did you say? Who do you think you are, saying such a thing?!”
