Chapter 16
Ah, how refreshing!
I woke up feeling unusually refreshed.
The blanket felt incredibly soft today, bringing a smile to my face.
But wait, did I wash the blanket?
I’d been so busy lately that I hadn’t had time.
Oh, So-ok must have washed it for me!
I already owe her for preparing rice balls every day—what a great friend I have.
The scent of freshly sun-dried bedding was so delightful that I didn’t want to get up.
But I’m a maid, and my job required me to stay busy.
Since yesterday, martial arts training, something far from my usual duties, had been added to my daily routine, making an already exhausting day even more grueling.
‘Huh?’
Wait!
What happened yesterday?
I was practicing Qi Circulation with Jeok I-geon’s help, and my head felt like it was about to explode… Then I think I passed out…?
“Ah!”
The memory came rushing back, and I bolted upright in bed.
Oh my god.
Where was I?
Please don’t tell me… It can’t be… It shouldn’t be.
Even as the realization hit me, I frantically shook my head in denial.
The world couldn’t be this cruel to me.
How could I, of all people, wake up in Jeok I-geon’s room?
Today must be the day I die.
I tried so hard, yet it still ended in a tragic twist.
‘I’m such an idiot. A complete idiot!’
Anger began to simmer past my fear.
“If you’re awake, come out.”
That’s when I heard Jeok I-geon’s voice outside the door.
I hadn’t expected him to be so close, and I let out a silent scream before leaping out of bed.
The best plan now was to beg for my life.
At this point, it was all I could do.
I ran outside without even fixing my disheveled appearance.
Jeok I-geon was seated at a table, seemingly in the middle of tea.
A teapot sat neatly on the table.
I dove in front of him and prostrated myself.
“Your humble servant has committed an unforgivable crime! Regardless of my state of mind, how could I dare to sleep in your room? I will accept any punishment, but I beg you to spare my life!”
“You’re begging for your life again? I don’t understand. Are you still so afraid of me?”
Afraid? Of course!
Knowing how obsessive he is about cleanliness, I had dared to occupy his room without even washing myself.
For someone like Jeok I-geon, my actions warranted severe punishment.
“That’s strange. I hear my character is considered admirable among the maids, yet you seem to disagree.”
“Not at all! You’re the most popular person in the Demonic Cult, Second Young Master! I guarantee it!”
Even if everyone else is fooled, the truth is still the truth.
“Then why is it different with you?”
“Pardon?”
“You avoid making eye contact with me and seem to always be plotting your escape. I can’t figure out why.”
Was it really that obvious?
“Don’t give me some excuse about being cautious. Clearly, you have a reason for avoiding me.”
“…There’s no such reason, Young Master. I’m simply trying my best to fulfill my role as your personal maid. Please forget what happened today. I honestly have no idea how I ended up sleeping here.”
“That was me.”
“…?”
“I moved you here myself when you passed out. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“You mean… You brought me here personally?”
“Is there a problem?”
Of course, there’s a problem!
Are you really Jeok I-geon?
Why are you acting like this?
“Although you succeeded in opening the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, I needed to monitor you in case of complications. From what I see now, the energy seems to have settled well in your dantian.”
His explanation was unusually gentle.
“You… weren’t angry?”
The Jeok I-geon I knew would never allow anyone to share his room, let alone a mere maid like me.
Anyone who read the novel would be utterly shocked by this development.
“I was a bit upset that my maid overslept and didn’t prepare breakfast. It wasn’t very good.”
“What? Breakfast?”
Only then did I glance out the window.
The sun was shining brightly—it was definitely not morning.
Oh no!
How long had I been asleep?
As I panicked, Jeok I-geon smirked and rose from his seat.
“Shall we try practicing Qi Circulation again?”
“In this situation?”
“Don’t you want to check yesterday’s results?”
“Oh, I do need to check that…”
I had successfully cleared the Ren and Du Meridians.
With all the martial arts novels I’ve read, I know exactly what this means.
Having opened the Baihui Acupoint at the crown of my head meant I could now consider myself a high-level martial artist.
I sat properly on the cold wooden floor and immediately began practicing Qi Circulation.
Wow, all my acupoints were truly open!
After completing a full cycle of qi through my meridians, I felt confident enough to think, “I probably wouldn’t lose to most opponents now.”
“How does it feel to have the internal energy equivalent to 60 years of cultivation?”
What used to be a pea-sized dantian had grown to the size of a fist overnight.
The density was solid, as though I was carrying a bottomless well of energy within me.
“I’ve gained an incredible fortune. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this favor…”
“Forget about repayment. Just keep training with me.”
“…Training again?”
“Your martial skills are still far below the level of your internal energy. Without proper training, you’re just someone with a bit more strength. Is that how you want to stay?”
No, definitely not.
If nothing else, my dream is to master Lightness Techniques and fly through the air!
“I’ve ordered more maids to be assigned to Geonyeong Pavilion starting today, so you’ll have plenty of time. Don’t waste it—dedicate yourself to training.”
“But my role is to serve you as your maid…”
I could always ask my grandmother to teach me martial arts instead.
It wouldn’t compare to the Demonic Arts Jeok I-geon practiced, but with my enhanced internal energy, I could make it work, right?
“From now on, just focus on my meals. Spend the rest of your time training. If you’ve gained internal energy equivalent to 60 years of cultivation, you need the skills to match.”
He didn’t even ask for my opinion and just gave commands, but this was clearly his way of showing care.
Jeok I-geon and “care” in the same sentence?
That combination didn’t sit right.
What was he trying to turn me into, going to such lengths?
Could it be that he wanted me to become some sort of personal bodyguard?
This unexpected favor left me unsure whether this was a good or bad thing.
Jeok I-geon was someone I should be keeping my distance from, yet it felt like we were getting closer and closer.
That made me uneasy.
“Second Young Master, the Eldest Young Master has arrived.”
At that moment, Cheon Gang announced the arrival of a guest.
“Show him in.”
The First Young Master, Jeok Wi-baek?
Why was he suddenly here?
What kind of scheme was he plotting this time?
Puzzled, I quickly stood up to prepare another teacup.
“I-geon.”
“You’re here, Brother.”
Jeok Wi-baek addressed his younger brother casually as he entered the room.
Unlike Jeok I-geon’s simple martial attire, Jeok Wi-baek wore an elegant white robe embroidered with intricate patterns.
“How have you been? Since you never visit me, I had no choice but to come to you.”
Jeok Wi-baek, like his younger brother, was quite handsome.
However, his slightly slanted eyes and overly long lips gave him a somewhat sly and untrustworthy air.
“Please, have a seat here.”
Though they were only three years apart, Jeok I-geon addressed his older brother with polite honorifics.
“Well, well, so it’s you!”
As Jeok Wi-baek plopped down in the seat prepared for him, he suddenly looked at me with recognition.
Having never spoken to him before, I was taken aback.
“To think my little brother had this side to him. I wondered why he was so quiet lately, but it seems this is his type?”
What’s with that dirty look?
His gaze swept over me, sticky and invasive.
“What a beauty you are. If I’d seen you first, you’d already be mine. What a shame, such a waste.”
Jeok Wi-baek licked his lips as if savoring a meal while staring at me.
“Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?”
“Oh, are you embarrassed now?”
Though Jeok Wi-baek seemed oblivious, Jeok I-geon was clearly furious.
His voice dropped to an eerily calm tone, and his face was devoid of expression.
“No need to act coy. If a man fancies a woman, it’s only natural to take her. That’s the way of the world, isn’t it?”
Jeok Wi-baek laughed as he sipped his tea.
“When I heard the story of how you spent the night with a maid, I was so pleased that I came to congratulate you in person.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
Was the maid he supposedly spent the night with, was me?
Had the story spread and been distorted like this?
This is insane. I’m doomed.
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