WRBFW 38

Chapter 38

“Haa, young lady. Do you really have to go?”

The nanny let out a sigh and asked again. It was the fifth time she had repeated the same question since learning that Unyeong would be going to the mountains with the guests.

Even so, her hands skillfully adjusted Unyeong’s clothes.

“It’s fine, nanny. It’s not like I’m going alone.”

“Still. You only just got out of bed recently…”

“I’m really healthy now. You know that too, nanny. I even formed a danjeon.”

Unyeong tapped her lower abdomen and looked toward Sogyo.

“Sogyo, tell nanny. Tell her what Master Geum said about me.”

“Yes, nanny. Early this morning, Master Geum praised the young lady a lot. He said she’s built up a lot of stamina now.”

“Is that true?”

The nanny’s eyes sparkled at Sogyo’s words.

“Yes, it’s true. Today she even walked ten laps around the Grand Martial Hall. Without using any internal energy.”

“Ten laps? Young lady, that’s incredible.”

The nanny’s eyes began to well with tears.

Unyeong smirked, her shoulders shaking slightly.

She really had built up her stamina. She’d been working hard, believing she needed to build her body before starting martial arts training.

The Yongacho elixir from Master Geum had helped too.

— Young lady, how about starting your martial arts training now?

— No, I’ll wait… until I’ve built up more stamina.

Even when Master Geum had suggested it, she’d insisted on holding her horse stance, saying, “Stamina first!”

After forming her danjeon, she focused on breathing exercises. Lately, she was gradually purging poison from her system, and her internal energy was increasing day by day.

“That’s why it’s fine for me to go to the mountain. If I get tired, I’ll ask my brother to carry me.”

“That sounds good. Please do ask the young master to carry you if it’s too much. And if it’s too hard, just come right back.”

“Okay, I got it, nanny.”

Everyone was so overprotective.

Unyeong pouted.

Even yesterday, when she spoke to Jegal Dam and asked permission to go hiking, it had gone like this:

— A picnic? With the young lords?

— Yes, grandfather. Jegal Gongja said there are a lot of Xiangyu mushrooms growing on the ancestral mountain. I want to see them for myself.

— Yeonga, that mountain may not look like much, but it’s pretty tall. Do you really have to go?

— Yes, Father. I won’t go too far up.

— Then I’ll go with you.

— Yes, brother. I want to go… Wait, what?

She had responded automatically and ended up agreeing to Seol Dojin’s proposal to accompany her.

— Good, that’s settled. Dojin, go with her.

Things moved quickly, and the matter was settled with Seol Dojin going along.

Though she was a little flustered by the force of the three men in her household, she had no choice if she wanted to go to the mountain.

Well, I could always have my brother carry me anyway.

It wasn’t out of spite that she let Seol Dojin come.

“Young lady, the young lords have arrived.”

“Got it, I’m coming!”

At Hyanga’s call from outside, Unyeong jumped up and rushed out like the wind to the side gate of Yeonhong Garden.

Standing by the side gate were Seol Dojin, Jegal Dam, Namgung Hwi, and two guards, Yang Cheolwoo and Nam Cheongwang. It was more people than planned.

Just as she was about to run joyfully toward them, Unyeong stopped in her tracks.

What’s going on? Why do they look like that? Did they get into a fight?

The three boys were clearly not in a good mood.

Namgung Hwi’s cheeks were puffed out, and Jegal Dam’s brow was furrowed. The two guards behind them looked uneasy.

Seol Dojin stood a bit apart from the others.

Whatever. Kids fight all the time.

Brushing it off, Unyeong approached them as if she hadn’t noticed anything.

“Yeonga, you’re here.”

“Yes, brother. The other young lords came too.”

She greeted Seol Dojin first, then turned to the other two.

“Good morning, miss.”

Namgung Hwi greeted her cheerfully with a bright smile.

“Yes, young lord. Good morning.”

“It’s the perfect day for a hike. When I heard my brother was going, I asked to come along too.”

“Oh, that’s great.”

Now she understood why the group had grown larger.

Unyeong responded with a slightly reluctant expression.

“Right? Miss, you’re happy I came too, aren’t you?”

Namgung Hwi looked at her with puppy-dog eyes, as if begging for approval.

“Uh… yes.”

“I knew it! Brother, see? Miss Seol says she’s happy I came.”

“Indeed. Good morning, miss.”

Jegal Dam finally relaxed his expression and greeted her.

Ah… So they fought because Namgung Hwi invited himself along. Makes sense. With all the natural energy around here, it’s hard to feel at ease.

After piecing together the situation, Unyeong spoke to the group.

“Shall we get going?”

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s.”

With short responses, they started moving.

The garden of Yeonhong Pavilion led directly to the back gate of the estate, which took them straight to the base of the ancestral mountain.

The group moved quickly. After all, this wasn’t really a leisurely picnic.

Beyond the trailhead, they entered a dense forest rarely visited by people. The scenery was breathtaking—so much so that even Seol Dojin, who had climbed the mountain many times, was amazed each time.

For Unyeong, this was her first time. She widened her eyes, taking in the beauty around her.

“Yeonga, are you tired?”

“Oh, come on, brother. We barely started.”

Seol Dojin had been walking right beside her since the beginning and looked at her worriedly.

“I told you, I’m healthy now. My stamina’s a lot better.”

“Still…”

He swallowed his words. She looked so much better than when she’d been bedridden.

“Was the young lady unwell?”

Apparently overhearing them, Namgung Hwi asked.

“Well, um…”

Unyeong tried to brush it off, but Seol Dojin cut in. Unyeong stared at him in surprise.

This wasn’t like the usually gentle Seol Dojin.

“Yeonga has been frail since childhood.”

“Oh no. I didn’t realize. Are you all right now?”

Namgung Hwi’s expression was full of concern, even his eyes drooping pitifully.

“Yes, I’m much better now.”

“I’m so relieved to hear that.”

Seol Dojin narrowed his eyes and glanced at Namgung Hwi, who now walked with a noticeable spring in his step.

No tail, but he’s like a dog…

Seol Dojin didn’t like these two noble sons visiting their estate.

He’d had a little hope when hearing they were heirs of the Five Great Houses, but—

— The young lady had tea with Master Jegal.

— She’s at the small martial hall with Master Namgung.

— She’s walking in the garden with Master Jegal.

Hearing these updates from the servants after his training sessions irritated him.

— I want to go on a picnic with Master Jegal. Please allow it.

Unyeong’s request had hurt a bit.

He’d looked to Seol Wonpyeong and Seol Jadan to see if he was the only one bothered—but they also wore uncomfortable expressions.

Only Unyeong, talking cheerfully about wanting to go out, was smiling brightly.

He felt a little disappointed in his sister.

They had planned to go to the market together once she recovered.

Seol Dojin glanced at her. As far as he knew, she hadn’t learned any movement techniques yet, but she climbed the mountain steadily and without issue.

Coming along really was the right call.

He flicked his eyes over to glance at Jegal Dam and Namgung Hwi.

Namgung Hwi kept throwing glances at Unyeong, while Jegal Dam silently frowned and trudged along.

The Five Great Houses really are extraordinary. Even though they’re still young, their internal skills are no joke.

Seol Dojin bit his lip hard.

The Seol Family’s secret arts—Seolcheon Rashin Technique and Cheonra Sword Technique—were by no means weak. In fact, as far as he knew, they were clearly superior-level martial arts.

And his own progress hadn’t been lacking either. Even his father, Seol Jadan, had praised him for his fast growth.

But just glimpsing the skills of these noble sons was enough to leave him stunned. This must be why people venture into the world—to gain experience.

I must train harder. And… keep people from getting too close to Yeonga. I need to become stronger.

With renewed resolve, Seol Dojin picked up his pace.

“Ah! Miss Seol, watch out—!”

At Namgung Hwi’s urgent shout, everyone turned toward Unyeong.

A small snake was flicking its tongue beneath her foot.

In the instant everyone froze in surprise, her foot crushed the snake’s neck, and before anyone noticed, the snake’s head was in her hand.

Realizing everyone was staring, Unyeong spoke.

“Oh… um, why was a snake here? Haha. It must’ve been a weak one.”

No one said a word. They all just stared blankly at her.

“Yeonga, are you okay?”