Chapter 24
I stayed up all night.
I racked my brain trying to think of a way to avoid going to Sichuan with Jeok I-geon, but I couldn’t come up with a single plausible excuse.
If only I’d been burning up with fever or at death’s door—but no, this ridiculously robust body of mine was sharper than ever, even after pulling an all-nighter.
Jeok I-geon’s sudden trip to Sichuan.
It might seem bewildering to others, but having read the original story, I recognized it instantly: “Ah, so this is that moment.”
The only strange part was why I was accompanying him.
In the novel, it was written that Jeok I-geon made the journey alone with Cheon Gang, his guard.
Did my presence alter the story’s events?
I’d never even considered the possibility, so I was slightly caught off guard.
Of course, my involvement wouldn’t significantly disrupt the novel’s flow.
Jeok I-geon’s trip to Sichuan was a brief episode, presented as a flashback in the original.
But what was a matter of just a few pages in the novel was shaping up to be a one- or two-month journey for me.
The thought alone made my head spin.
For the foreseeable future, I’d be stuck by Jeok I-geon’s side every single day.
At least at the main school, I’d had occasional breaks to catch my breath, but now I’d have nowhere to go and no place to hide.
Even the concept of “clocking out” would cease to exist.
If we camped, I’d have to sleep nearby. If we stayed at an inn, I’d inevitably end up in the room next door to his, ready to serve him.
The only silver lining was that by the time we returned, my contract would likely be over.
Maybe that’s why this whole trip felt like a farewell tour with Jeok I-geon.
“Are you ready?”
It was about an hour into our journey.
Lost in my thoughts, I snapped back to reality when Jeok I-geon addressed me.
I wasn’t feeling confident at all, but I forced a smile and answered.
“Yes, I’ve prepared everything I could think of. Is there anything you need at the moment?”
“Anything I need?”
“I even packed ice, but I’m worried it’ll melt soon.”
So could you please start with some iced water?
It’d be great to lighten my load a bit.
“Stop for a moment.”
Packing ice water for him—he’d surely find that commendable, right?
Knowing Jeok I-geon as well as I did, I wasn’t expecting much praise.
I just hoped he’d appreciate the effort.
“What… is the matter?”
But something about me must’ve irritated him again.
Jeok I-geon motioned to my bundle with a stern expression.
“Surely all of this isn’t mine, is it?”
“Not all of it. Some of it is mine.”
I’d packed small personal items like undergarments and a comb.
Maintaining a neat appearance was a basic requirement for an exclusive maid.
“Unpack it.”
For some reason, Jeok I-geon sighed as he gave the order.
“Here? Now?”
“Cheon Gang.”
When I hesitated, Jeok I-geon directed Cheon Gang to take over.
Unlike me, Cheon Gang showed no hesitation. He grabbed the bundle and spread its contents on the ground.
Out spilled quite a few items: bedding and a pillow for Jeok I-geon, several towels for his meticulous cleanliness, and even his usual toiletries.
I’d also packed plenty of food—jerky, rice balls, dried fruits—enough to stave off hunger for a while.
Though, considering his voracious appetite, I wasn’t sure how long it would last.
“Is that little pile over there all yours?”
Jeok I-geon cast a cold glance at the tiny bundle of my belongings.
Now that it was all laid out, my portion did look particularly small.
“Take only what belongs to you. Discard the rest.”
“…Pardon?”
I was sure I’d misheard.
Even knowing how much he disliked repeating himself, I still asked again.
“I’ve already packed what I need. Just take what you need and leave the rest.”
But your load is way too light for a long journey!
Jeok I-geon’s pack, as well as Cheon Gang’s, seemed far too small for a trip to Sichuan.
I’d bet the only things in their bundles were changes of clothes.
“With all due respect, everything here has a purpose. Please allow me to bring it.”
Do you have any idea how much effort I put into preparing all this in just one day?
You want me to throw it all away?
Jeok I-geon, are you out of your mind?
Barely suppressing my anger, I pleaded earnestly.
“We could’ve taken a carriage to Sichuan. But do you know why I chose not to?”
“…To arrive more quickly?”
“Correct. Lightness Techniques are faster than carriages. This journey will be an excellent opportunity for you to train in the Demonic Phoenix Sky Art.”
Ah, I hadn’t considered that.
Wait, don’t tell me he gave up the carriage option just for my training?
“I will do my utmost to follow without hindering your progress, Second Young Master.”
“Then leave those belongings behind.”
Why does the conversation always take such a turn?
“These items may be a bit bulky, but they’re not heavy at all. I can easily carry them on my back while running.”
“With internal energy equivalent to a master, of course they wouldn’t feel heavy. But you’re only just starting to learn martial arts. Don’t waste your strength on unnecessary things.”
But these aren’t unnecessary!
Jeok I-geon, you’re the one who’ll need them!
Sure, it would be easier for me to run without them.
But my duty as your maid is to attend to you.
What if you get uncomfortable while camping and decide to explode in frustration?
To me, these so-called unnecessary items are my safety net.
“I’ll stay focused and keep up. Please, allow me to bring them.”
I pleaded with desperate eyes, earnestly appealing to him.
“I’ll carry them.”
That’s when Cheon Gang stepped in.
Perhaps he felt sorry for me, as he addressed Jeok I-geon directly.
“Listening to Seol-ha, it does seem like these things could be useful. I won’t fall behind even with this load, so wouldn’t this be a fair compromise?”
“No! How could someone as distinguished as you, Sir Cheon Gang, carry such things? I absolutely can’t allow it…”
“Fine. If that’s your decision, I won’t stop you.”
Wow, he didn’t even consider my plea, but Cheon Gang says one thing, and suddenly it’s okay?
So this is the power of being the right-hand man.
“Then, I’m sorry to trouble you, Sir Cheon Gang.”
I couldn’t help but feel guilty as I repacked the scattered belongings while repeatedly apologizing to Cheon Gang.
Each time, he simply smiled and reassured me that it was fine.
His kindness was truly unmatched.
Thanks to him, I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time we sprinted with Demonic Phoenix Sky Art.
On the first day of the journey, I realized just how fortunate I was to have Cheon Gang as part of our group.
“Looks like we’ll have to camp out tonight. It’s your first time sleeping outdoors, isn’t it? Are you okay with it?”
On the seventh day of our journey, the moment of truth had finally arrived.
Traveling mostly along mountain trails, Jeok I-geon had been remarkably skilled at finding inns to stay at every night.
With proper meals and even the occasional hot bath, I’d started to doubt whether all my preparations had been for nothing.
But at last, my efforts would pay off.
“Of course. You don’t need to worry about me.”
It was a moonless night in the deep mountains, just the three of us surrounded by an eerie silence.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if wild animals had appeared out of nowhere.
But standing beside Jeok I-geon, who was far scarier than any beast, I felt surprisingly calm.
When you’re near someone terrifying, everything else feels trivial in comparison.
While Cheon Gang set up a campfire, I unpacked our belongings nearby and quickly prepared Jeok I-geon’s sleeping area.
It wasn’t as luxurious as the bedding at the main school, but out here, it was the equivalent of a five-star hotel.
I figured I’d sleep over there, right?
I found a relatively flat spot not too far from the fire and neatly spread out the blanket I’d brought for myself.
Oh, this doesn’t feel too bad!
I was oddly excited about my first night camping outdoors.
“So this will be my bedroom tonight.”
Just then, Jeok I-geon approached and inspected the area around my blanket.
“No, Second Young Master, your sleeping area is over there. I’ve already prepared it for you…”
“This will do.”
“Pardon?”
“I like it here. Go sleep over there.”
Before I could even finish speaking, Jeok I-geon plopped down beside my blanket.
Startled, I practically leaped to my feet, silently screaming in my head.
“The stars are beautiful.”
Jeok I-geon lay back on my old blanket without hesitation, using his arms as a pillow as he gazed up at the night sky.
His unexpected actions left me flustered, but as I followed his gaze upward, I couldn’t help but let out a soft exclamation.
“Wow…”
The stars seemed so close, as if they might tumble down at any moment.
It felt as though I were standing amidst a sea of stars.
Mesmerized, I stood there for a while, staring blankly at the sky.
I’m not sure how much time passed before I felt someone’s gaze on me.
When I turned, I saw Jeok I-geon watching me.
The strange thing was how he was looking at me—not with his usual sharp glare, but with deep, quiet eyes that held a distant, profound feeling.
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