Chapter 28 —

Deep in the Mountains

Somewhere in the deep mountains, a large group of bandits stared respectfully at a single man.

He was someone with such an overwhelming presence that no one could approach him easily. This man looked down at someone kneeling before him.

Just being looked at by him felt like getting hit by an axe.

The man kneeling was Cha Hak-sang, the leader of the Ho Chi Chae bandit group. He was sweating and trembling.

The one standing in front of him was Ak Gucheon, the new King of the Green Forest, who had killed the previous king with his bare hands and taken his place.

He was tall, muscular, and had fists like iron. Even experienced martial artists would feel like nothing next to him.

Ak Gucheon sat on his throne and tapped the armrest with his huge fist.

“Did you say… Luoyang Jin Family? The rich one?”

His voice was rough and scratchy.

“Y-Yes, sir.”

“How many people came?”

“…Just one.”

That answer made some of the other leaders laugh. A single person from a merchant family had beaten Cha Hak-sang, who wasn’t even from a martial family.

Ak Gucheon raised his hand to silence the laughter and looked at Cha Hak-sang again.

“Was it a famous warrior?”

“N-No… It was the Young Master of the Jin Family.”

Ak Gucheon looked surprised. Everyone knew the name Luoyang Jin Family—they controlled the money of the entire central region.

And their young master wasn’t even an adult yet. He wasn’t known as a martial artist either.

Ak Gucheon let out a scoffing laugh.

“So you got beaten up… by a rich kid? And now you’re reporting to me about it?”

“I-I’m sorry!”

Cha Hak-sang slammed his head to the ground in apology.

For a moment, Ak Gucheon said nothing, and a heavy silence filled the room.

Then—he smiled coldly.

He was enjoying himself.

Compared to his boring hometown, the central plains were full of surprises and fun.

He never planned to become the king of the bandits. He just happened to defeat the previous leader by accident—and now he was enjoying his time here.

He looked around at the other bandits, who were all waiting for his orders.

“I, Ak Gucheon, King of the Green Forest, declare this! From now on, the Luoyang Jin Family is our enemy! Send word to all bandits—there will be no forgiveness until their leader kneels before me!”

“YEAHHHH!”

“Let’s go get them!”

The Green Forest and the Luoyang Jin Family had always had a complicated relationship. But now, they were officially at war.

Meanwhile, Back at the Jin Family Estate

I slowly opened my eyes and steadied my breathing.

I had been meditating since midnight, using the divine energy pill to build up my inner strength. Now, I could feel the energy flowing powerfully through my body.

Compared to my past life, this was a huge improvement. Back then, I had to run and hide while desperately training, never even seeing a single spiritual herb.

But now, I had everything. If I wanted, I could get more pills and herbs easily—thanks to my family’s wealth and support.

I would climb higher and stronger—and eventually destroy those who blocked my path in the past.

After washing my face, I stepped outside and noticed the maids cleaning the outer house.

But they were whispering and glancing toward the garden.

I looked too—and saw Chaesoha, sitting quietly by the pond, wearing a clean maid’s outfit instead of her old rags. She was still covering her face with a veil.

Because she wasn’t from a noble family, and now lived in the outer residence of the youngest Jin son, it was natural that people talked behind her back.

Just then, Jang Chuhyung spotted me and ran over.

“Young Master… is this really okay? I mean, it’s your choice, but… her face…”

“You’re worried about her scars?”

“W-Well… yes. I mean, I don’t mind! She saved your life, after all! But others might not be so kind…”

Chuhyung had been the one taking care of her the whole time, so his concern was genuine.

And Chaesoha knew this too. That’s why she kept her distance from others.

I looked at her quietly.

She wasn’t someone to be judged by appearance. Her talent as a doctor was unmatched—even across the central plains.

If someone in our family was seriously hurt, we would need her.

But if she stayed isolated like this, she might leave one day.

I needed to make sure she felt secure and welcome here.

I tapped the wall and got her attention.

“Young Master!”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Thanks to you, yes. Thank you.”

“Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“To eat.”

“Huh?”

“A very uncomfortable meal.”

She tilted her head in confusion.

We could’ve eaten here—so why go somewhere else?

I smiled and jumped out the window.

“Wha—?! Young Master!”

I gently tapped her back, and she followed nervously, adjusting her veil and glancing around anxiously.

“Stop worrying. Walk proudly. People might think you’ve done something wrong.”

“O-Okay…”

Her shy nature wasn’t just personality—it came from a lifetime of being judged by others.

We left the outer residence and walked through the grand courtyard toward the most luxurious building—my parents’ quarters.

As expected, they were about to have breakfast.

When we entered, my parents looked surprised.

“Oh my, what brings you here?”

Then their eyes moved to Chaesoha.

“Who is this young lady?”

“The doctor I mentioned—the one who healed me. Sit down. The food here is the best.”

“Huh?!”

I pulled her into a seat and snapped my fingers. A maid came quickly and set up a place for her.

My father turned to me.

“So, you brought her to introduce her?”

“Yes. Introduce yourself. That’s my father, and that’s my mother.”

“I… I’m Chaesoha. I owe your son my life…”

“Oh my, such a lovely voice!”

“I’m Jin Gamook, head of the Jin Family. You saved my son?”

“I… I was lucky.”

My mother smiled and pushed some food toward her.

She gulped nervously.

She had probably never seen such a feast before.

She wanted to eat, but the situation was too intimidating.

Sensing her discomfort, my mother spoke gently.

“Please feel at home. You saved my son’s life. Don’t worry about appearances.”

“Thank you…”

“Here, eat this. Actually—why don’t you take off your veil? It must be uncomfortable.”

Chaesoha froze.

She didn’t know what to do and turned to me for help.

I smiled and pulled off her veil myself.

“Ah!”

She tried to cover her face, but it was too late. My parents had already seen her scars.

They were visibly surprised—but only for a moment.

Then my mother gently patted her back.

“I won’t lie to comfort you. But as a woman, I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. You’ve suffered a lot.”

“We don’t judge people by looks,” my father added. “Especially not in this family. You saved my son—and if he trusts you, so do I.”

Then they both resumed eating, as if nothing had happened.

Even Chaesoha looked confused by how calmly they reacted. She slowly lowered her hand and began eating as well.

“Eat. The food here is the best in the house.”

“Yes, eat well. There’s more if you want.”

Her eyes started to tear up, but she wiped them quickly and looked around.

Just then—

“Family Head! Something terrible happened!”

Jang Chuhyung burst into the room, panting.

“What is it? We have guests!”

“Our convoy was attacked by the Green Forest bandits! Many are injured, and the situation is serious!”

My father stood up in shock, glanced at me, and shouted:

“Bring every doctor in Luoyang! No one else dies today!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

Chuhyung ran out again.

Even if we gathered all the doctors in the city, it might not be enough.

I quietly drank a glass of water and glanced at Chaesoha.

Her eyes trembled.

She looked at her food, sighed, picked up her veil from the ground, and put it back on.

Then she softly spoke.

“Family Head… if it’s okay, may I help?”

“You?”

“I’d like to be of assistance, if I can.”

My father glanced at me, silently asking if I was okay with it.

I nodded.

Seeing her skills firsthand wouldn’t be a bad idea.

If she helped in this crisis, everyone’s opinion of her would change.

“Alright. I’ll be counting on you.”