"Word is, the maids heard a bloodcurdling scream at dawn."
Changa's movements stiffened at the whispering voices from behind.
"And they're saying there were, like, obvious bloodstains on the floor?"
"Nah, no way. Maybe the young lady just, like, scratched herself or something."
"Yeah, because it wasn't just any bloodstain! They said it was, like, pitch-black blood, smeared all over the floor, leading from her room... out."
At that moment, Changa thought,
'Just like Lady Soyo said, it's happening.'
'Spreading these crazy rumors... What the heck is she up to...? Ah, no. What's her game plan?'
Three days ago.
Namgung Soyo quietly summoned her and gave the following order.
"[Some wild rumors are going to start flying around among the servants. Play dumb, Changa.]"
At first, she didn't understand what it meant, but from the morning of the day before yesterday, it was impossible not to know. Some seriously interesting rumors were going around the Namgung place.
Lady Soyo told her to act like she didn't know anything, but she actually didn't.
Changa was still totally clueless about how these wild stories started while she was asleep.
"Even the night guard heard it. Something freaky's got to be going down in that room every night."
"C-could she really be, like, some kind of people-eating monster...?"
"Shh!"
The maids' eyes shifted to Changa. By then, Changa was pouting.
'Lady Soyo said not to freak out, no matter what they said, but...'
Even if it was on purpose, hearing Lady Soyo's name dragged through the mud like that made her stomach churn.
"I bet Changa knows what's really going on."
"Hey, Changa. Have you ever noticed anything... weird about your lady?"
"Nope!"
"Hmph," Changa scoffed, and grabbed the new summer bedding dramatically before getting up.
The other maids were like, 'It's not like we're making this stuff up, why's she so touchy?' whispering that Namgung Soyo definitely had some big secret.
'Idiots. A people-eating monster, my ass... They have no idea how badass a martial artist Lady Soyo is.'
Still huffing, she arrived at Namgung Soyo's room, where her lady was changing into the clothes Changa had neatly folded.
"Whoa there, Young Lady! Let me help you with that."
"I've got this. It's not like I'm blind, right?"
"But that's my job, Young Lady. A fancy lady like you shouldn't have to dress herself!"
"That's a crazy rule I've never heard of. So, perfectly good hands are just supposed to, like, turn into stone? Fancy ladies' hands are going to grow moss, I swear."
Changa hurried over and helped Namgung Soyo change.
"Young Lady, some seriously weird rumors are going around among the maids."
"Yes."
"So, uh... when do I get to know what's really up with these rumors?"
She was worried she'd get told off, like, 'maids don't need to know,' but Namgung Soyo just smiled, a really gentle smile.
"The truth is always more fun when you find out later. Just hang tight, Changa. You'll find out what's what soon enough."
Changa immediately felt better at those words. As expected, our young lady is so kind.
'She's got, like, insane sword skills, skin as white as snow, and she's gorgeous, and she's always calm and nice... For someone like her to help me? I'm so lucky.'
What on earth is the young lady's true identity?
Could she be some kind of hidden master, like that assassin guy said? Lost in thought, she suddenly felt this weird sensation in her fingertips and looked up.
'Huh?'
Thinking she was imagining things, she touched it again, and this time, instead of, like, super smooth skin, it felt slippery, like a bad burn. Right above her left shoulder blade.
"Is something wrong?"
"Ah, yeah! ... Young Lady, did you, like, hurt yourself there a long time ago?"
It looked totally normal, but it felt like touching a burn. So weird.
She waited quietly for an answer, but Namgung Soyo only quietly raised the corners of her lips and said nothing.
'Maybe she doesn't want to talk about it? Ugh, I'm such an idiot... Gotta stop sticking my foot in my mouth.'
Firmly resolving to do better, she left the room.
Just then, a figure with a somewhat familiar gait approaching caught her eye. Confirming the person's face, Changa hurriedly returned to Namgung Soyo's bedroom.
"Young Lady Soyo! Someone's here to see you!"
At the excited voice, Seolyeong, who had been dozing off by the window, opened his eyes wide.
"A visitor? Huh, guess those rumors are really working."
Seolyeong stared at the door, like, 'Who the heck is it?' And then, the moment Namgung Soyo's first visitor walked in.
"...Ugh."
He let out a sigh with a look of utter betrayal.
"Namgung Soyo."
"Master Huimyeong."
It was Namgung Huimyeong, the third son of the Namgung family, acting like he owned the place.
But something was off about him. His eyes were intense, like he was there to chew her out or something.
Seeing the sword at Namgung Huimyeong's waist, Seolyeong jumped in front of Yeoil and drew his sword. The 'visitor' scoffed.
"Who do you think you're drawing a sword on? Are you trying to die? I'm not here to hurt anyone, get out of the way, I just need to talk to her."
"Say what you need to say from over there."
"What? 'Distance'? How did such a disrespectful punk get into this family... Hah."
About to get angry, Namgung Huimyeong took a rough breath and suppressed his emotions. Just when one thought he was maintaining composure for once, the reason became clear from his next words.
"...Hey, Namgung Soyo. I need to talk to you. Remember you listened to my sword and went on about my heart and crap? Come with me and see if you can sense it again. Now."
Namgung Huimyeong, acting all bossy for someone who's supposed to be asking a favor, turned and walked out.
Seolyeong was just like, 'What the heck?'
"Sound of the sword? Heart? Did you seriously teach that little punk swordsmanship? What's so great about him?"
"He was trying so hard, I just gave him a little tip. I'm curious if it actually helped, though. Let's follow him, Seolyeong."
"Ugh... The people we actually want to see aren't showing up, and we're stuck with this swordsman dude."
Yeoil tuned out Seolyeong's complaining and, leaning on him, followed Namgung Huimyeong, keeping their distance.
Soon, the kid standing under the peach tree they'd seen before glanced back at Yeoil.
"Put her there."
He pointed right at the pavilion with the little green roof behind the pond.
As soon as they sat down in the pavilion, Namgung Huimyeong started his sword dance. Yeoil peeked at his swordsmanship with one eye, sometimes checking Seolyeong's face, and snickered quietly.
'He looks pretty fired up.'
Seolyeong, who looked all tough with his height and intense look, was actually not much older than Namgung Huimyeong.
Yeoil had only taught him enough swordsmanship so he wouldn't get his butt kicked, and Seolyeong, being a fast learner, had gotten really good, really fast.
Since he'd only been around the mountain village for the year he'd been learning swordsmanship, he probably thought he was the best around his age.
But the Namgung family was one of the big-shot martial arts families, the Five Great Families, and they were known for being the best at swordsmanship. They were way better than the random guys he'd met while traveling.
Opening Seolyeong's eyes to all this. That was one of the big reasons coming to the Namgung family was worth it.
Of course, there was a bigger reason, but...
[You've got something else up your sleeve, haven't you? How dangerous is it?]
Since Seolyeong getting involved would be a pain, Yeoil just hoped he'd get all fired up by Namgung Huimyeong, wear himself out completely, and pass out like a log every night.
Yeoil took a sip of the tea in front of her and mumbled.
"Interesting."
It was just a quick comment, but Namgung Huimyeong, who had super hearing, whipped around, eyes wide.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I was just surprised you actually listened to me. Hearing the sound of Master Huimyeong's sword, I can tell you didn't just blow me off."
"...So, does that mean I'm not hesitating as much?"
"Do you want to know?"
"If you're going to keep being all secretive, just shut up. I just wanted to know if I was improving."
"Fine."
She shut her mouth as he asked, and his other eyebrow shot up. Yeoil held back a laugh and played with her teacup.
"Is Master Huimyeong's swordsmanship the famous Namgung family style? Out of all the sword sounds I've heard, it's got a really bold, powerful feel."
"...Yeah."
"Brothers usually have similar sword sounds. The Eldest Young Master must have a similar style to Master Huimyeong."
"What? Hey, don't go around saying stupid stuff like that. Seriously? Comparing my skills to my big brother's? Are you nuts?"
As if he could handle insults to himself, but not to the Eldest Young Master, he stomped his foot and yelled, grabbing his sword. As she'd noticed before, these brothers were super close.
"Is the Eldest Young Master really that good?"
"Of course! My big brother is one of the famous Four Dragons of Changpa. Namgung Jeokmyeong, the Azure Sword Flash! Everyone calls him the Unrivaled Strike. That means he's the best swordsman in the whole martial arts world!"
Namgung Jeokmyeong, the Azure Sword Flash.
'Fancy title.'
From what she'd heard, the Four Dragons of Changpa were, like, the four best up-and-coming martial artists around.
Unrivaled Strike meant he was the top dog among those four, so Namgung Jeokmyeong was way better than Yeoil had imagined.
'But now, everyone thinks he's just a loser who's obsessed with booze and women.’
