The Ruler of Darkness

Book 2: Chapter 17

“In order for the light to shine so brightly, darkness must be present.”

– Francis Bacon [1561.1.22~1626.4.9]

The day Jung-ah first met Geumju.

Although Jung-ah had fainted and collapsed, the phenomenon was far from general fatigue.

“It’s not simple overexertion.”

Only Yeon So-Hyeon realized this.

All the physicians who had performed pulse diagnosis earlier said she was simply tired and sleeping.

He spoke to the fallen Jung-ah.

“Can you hear me?”

She wanted to reply with ‘Yes,’ but her body didn’t move an inch.

“I’ve investigated your constitution. It took quite some time.”

It seemed he had finally reached a conclusion after today’s pulse diagnosis.

“I suspected you had a rare constitution, but you’ve far surpassed my expectations.”

He said that she possessed not just one, but two very rare constitutions.

“The first one is Dragon’s Eye. To be honest, I’m not even sure if ‘Dragon’s Eye’ is the right translation.”

He even said that he couldn’t find any record of it in the Central Kingdom, so he had to look it up in records from far-off lands.

“Those born with Dragon’s Eye are said to have a physique closer to that of a Dragon Person. It’s a very precious constitution, but honestly, a more detailed interpretation was difficult.”

He was referring to her ‘eyes’ as Dragon’s Eye.

However, the claim that it was a ‘very precious constitution’ was somewhat questionable.

Based on her past experiences, she found it hard to believe that she had such an extraordinary ability.

“I am aware of your doubts.”

He said that her inability to fully manifest the power of Dragon’s Eye was entirely due to her second constitution.

“The second is a type of Blocked Meridian. The name won’t mean anything to you anyway.”

He said that this Blocked Meridian prevented her, born with a natural martial physique, from accumulating any inner power, and also cut off the flow to the Dragon’s Eye, making it impossible to fully manifest its power.

“I will begin treating that Blocked Meridian now. Of course, don’t expect all the treatments to be done at once.”

His touch was surprisingly delicate and warm.

Although he had always seemed so intimidating, he seemed like a completely different person while practicing medicine.

Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

“After this treatment, we can consider the first phase to be completely over,” he said.

Lying there covered in golden needles, Jung-ah asked,

“Master.”

“Why? Though it would be best not to speak if possible.”

Yet, she really wanted to ask.

“May I dare to inquire what the Golden-Eyed Witch is?”

Yeon So-Hyeon’s hand stopped in mid-air.

“…So you were conscious back then too.”

The term referred to the first time she had fainted at Wongak Pavilion.

She remembered the name Yeon So-Hyeon had called her.

“I haven’t thought about it until now. My memories returned as I received treatment from you, Master.”

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“Fine, fine. Just shut up now.”

He stuck a gold needle near Jung-ah’s face.

For some reason, she could sense that he was uncomfortable.

Until now, what she couldn’t read was her master’s mood.

Perhaps this also signifies the effectiveness of his treatment.

“… That name has nothing to do with you. You can forget it.”

Jung-ah wanted to hear more.

As if reading her mind, her master added a bit more to the story.

“It’s the pseudonym of a woman who led a very unfortunate life. She hated the world so much that she even took her own life.”

He seemed hesitant.

“… One day, I eventually had to dissect her with my own hands.”

After prescribing the needles, he brushed away strands of her loose hair.

It felt like the same touch as back then.

When she first came to Wongak Pavilion, the touch that had comforted her fallen head.

Regret and sorrow were emanating from him.

…And tremendous anger.

The anger was so overwhelming that she could hardly bear it.

“…Rest a bit.”

As he tapped the acupuncture point, she felt her eyes closing.

“As I said, it’s a story that has nothing to do with you…”

Somehow, it felt as if he was saying this not to Jung-ah but to himself.

“Forget about it now.”

* * *

Yeon So-Hyeon looked into her golden eyes with a serious expression.

“The effects of the treatment are better than I expected. You’ve just taken the first step… Or maybe, the Dragon Eyes are far more extraordinary.”

He smiled as he looked at her face.

“…Now you’ll clearly see what kind of being I am.”

He closed her eyes for her.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of making you walk the same path as me.”

He pulled up the blanket to cover her body.

“All I want is for you to do your best as the personal maid of this Grand young master.”

He said as he left the room.

“Consider this treatment a small gift for your loyalty to Grand young master Yeon So-Hyeon. Don’t feel burdened.”

* * *

Her older sister, Se-ah, left only a minimum number of people and emptied the house with her subordinates.

The final assault on the Black Bone faction was about to begin.

Having prepared a late-night snack for her Master, she went looking for him.

“Hmm…?”

She knelt before him.

“This black sword now belongs to you.”

He didn’t say anything for a while.

She didn’t say anything more, but she knew Master would understand her actions.

It was a ceremony signifying not just the loyalty of a maid, but the oath of a sword serving her lord.

“…I will accept your sword.”

He awkwardly took her sword.

“But where did this sword come from?”

She smiled.

“I exchanged it with a female warrior guarding the house, for a single arrowhead.”

Yeon So-hyeon burst into a cackling laugh.

She sensed the sorrow emanating from his laughter.

“Master. Perhaps…”

She could now feel his heart.

That’s why she could say these words.

“If ‘she’ had met Master just a little bit sooner, she would’ve acted the same as me.”

Surprise flashed across his face.

And then a gentle smile graced his face.

* * *

“……Aren’t you scared?”

At her sister’s question, she was momentarily speechless.

Scared, you say?

Of course, she was scared.

He was a being more terrifying than all the nightmares she’d ever had combined.

But at the same time,

He was warmer than anyone else she’d ever met.

He was the person she most wanted to be like.

“It’s to become like him.”

* * *

Sensing the aura, the magical energy, Jung-ah stirred awake from her sleep.

She then moved quietly towards where she felt the magical energy coming from.

Upon entering Yeon So-Hyeon’s bedroom, she saw that her master was asleep.

“……Mother.”

It seemed that the dreadful ‘thing’ clinging to her master was tormenting him again.

“I’m sorry, Mother……”

She quietly approached him and brushed his hair, just as he had done for her.

Had it worked?

His expression soon relaxed.

After watching his face for a long while, she quietly left the room.

Not going far, she sat on a porch where the moon was visible and began began the basic Qi regulation technique he had taught her.

* * *

Outside Wongak Pavilion, the morning sunlight was almost welcoming; yet, a cold northern wind was blowing.

But inside Wongak Pavilion, only a warm breeze of spring brushed past the flower petals.

It was the power of a barrier-level formation installed in Wongak Pavilion.

Yeon So-hyeon was sitting on a chair placed in the courtyard, dressed in casual everyday clothes.

“Do you know what the root cause of the issues surrounding you is?”

Jung-ah, not in her usual neat maid outfit or elegant going-out clothes, but in black martial clothes, had a different kind of charm.

“……I believe the most fundamental issue probably lies in my identity as a lowly girl.”

***

Slavery system was banned by law in the Central Kingdom.

However, wherever you went in the Central Kingdom, you could see people who were living lives akin to slaves.

She, who had been sold to the Sword House when she was young, was no different.

“Correct.”

He nodded his head.

“In terms of positions you can ascend to with your status, the most you can aim for is roles equivalent to that of a maid.”

He spoke indifferently.

“Being the personal maid of a direct descendant in the Sword House is a position where you can earn respect from most people, regardless of your original status.”

He rested his chin on his knees, looking at her.

“…But you also know well that’s not enough.”

Images of the Second Prince’s favored attendants, and the Third Prince’s personal warriors, came to her mind.

Even for those carrying a bit of power, the role of a personal maid meant nothing.

Because a maid is just a maid.

“In the Sword House, there is only one way to rise in status. Do you know what it is?”

“To become a warrior.”

A “warrior” in the Sword House meant a specific status and rank.

“Exactly. That’s why you’ll have to follow my training no matter how difficult it is.”

“I am not sure how to repay your kindness, Master.”

Yeon So-Hyeon then began her martial arts training.

“The name of the sword technique you will learn is ‘Fleeting Shadow Moment’. It’s a high-level martial art within the Sword House.”

He grinned.

“However, the requirements are strict, and the martial principles are complex. Even within the Sword House, it’s hard to find someone who has mastered it.”

Jung-ah swallowed dryly.

What she had learned by “sight” so far were merely the skills of low-level warriors of the Sword House.

She questioned whether she could learn and master advanced martial arts.

Especially one that is known to be difficult.

“Given your constitution, you more than meet the requirements for this martial art. So, let’s give it a try.”

“Yes, Master. I will do my best.”

“Good. Let’s start with the basics.”

He picked up a twig and started to swing it around, demonstrating the forms.

Without inner power, it was hard to discern the original forms, and there were many broken flows.

However, as complex as the high-level martial art was, when Yeon So-Hyeon’s eloquent explanation accompanied it, she could somehow guess the original form.

And so, though it was difficult, Jung-ah was finally able to learn the forms.

“Master! How did I do?”

“……”

What should he say to a maid who had learned the forms of a high-level martial art in just half a day?

Yeon So-Hyeon let out a hollow laugh.

“You can stop preparing meals from now on.”