Chapter 7
Yeon‑hwa kept getting stronger.
“Swing it cleanly!”
It wasn’t as polished as the famous Namgung family’s sword style she had seen as a child, nor as powerful as the eighteen blades of the Jiang River.
But the sword technique Samaryun taught her had speed.
“Faster!”
Quick sword.
With a balanced stance, you rush forward like a streak of light.
Clack!
Wooden swords clashed, and Yeon‑hwa’s small hands stung from the impact.
‘Strange… it feels like the sword is talking to me.’
The essence of swinging a sword—It was resonance.
Whoosh! She stepped quickly and cut through the air, aiming for her opponent’s opening.
“Not bad,” Samaryun said.
He dodged calmly, but there was a satisfied smile on his face.
Yeon‑hwa didn’t see it—she was too focused.
“Your body must move faster than your head. Let the sword become part of you.”
Swing, strike, block.
Each time she found a gap, her opponent shifted.
She could block or deflect attacks.
It was simple and complicated at the same time—and so much fun.
After two months, her arms felt like they were one with the wooden sword.
She even learned sneaky techniques.
“Roll on your back!”
“Yes!”
“If you hadn’t rolled, your head would be gone. Well done.”
It was a move righteous warriors avoided, but Samaryun taught her proudly.
“No fancy moves. In real fights, the one who strikes first survives.”
His lessons were straightforward.
In a short time, he raised her skills to the level of a wandering fighter who’d seen real battles.
It didn’t make sense.
How could a child with only weeks of practice match someone hardened by real fights?
But both teacher and student were special.
“You still can’t touch my sleeve,” he teased.
“Master! Stop dodging so much!”
“Sometimes dodging is the best attack.”
“You’re just trying to tire me out!”
“…How did you know? Sharp girl.”
Yes, they were both a little sly.
Whenever Samaryun sparred with her, Yeon‑hwa ended up covered in dirt from rolling and dodging.
The other kids stared, but she didn’t mind.
Training was the happiest thing she’d ever done.
One day, Samaryun asked:
“Don’t you ever envy the other kids?”
Yeon‑hwa blinked. “Why?”
“Being a servant is tiring, but they work in shifts, and in the evening there’s not much to do.”
“Oh.”
“You don’t regret choosing to be my student instead?”
“Hmm…”
Samaryun thought she’d take her time to think.
But she answered quickly.
“I like this, Master.”
Her pure smile left him speechless.
“I never imagined I’d wield a sword… but still…”
“…?”
“…I like swords. It feels like I finally have something on my side. No matter what happens, it moves with me.”
“You’ve thought a lot about this, haven’t you?”
“Yes! Even if you give me an allowance, this is my future. Mom always said to think a lot before choosing.”
That night, she told him about her family—
How she came to Sa‑pae‑ryeon, what hardships she faced.
Samaryun was the first to listen and was a good teacher too.
Later, under the stars, she spoke again.
“Master… don’t you think my body feels different lately?”
“How so?”
“In the mornings, I feel wide awake. I’m not tired at night, and moving feels so light!”
Of course—her stamina had grown.
Samaryun smiled proudly.
“It’s the result of your hard work. Keep training and you’ll achieve even more.”
His rough hand gently patted her head.
Yeon‑hwa grinned brighter than the stars above.
“But Master, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“If I keep training hard… can I become stronger than you?”
Her innocent face made him smile.
She was far from surpassing him, but he asked:
“Why do you want to be stronger than me?”
“So I can protect everyone—my little siblings, you, my close sisters… oh, and even the Head Madam. She’s nice too, right?”
“She’s strict, but yes, a good person. That’s a noble thought.”
“And what about you, Master? What kind of person are you?”
“Me? I…”
He hadn’t expected that question.
He hadn’t told her much about himself.
Maybe soon he’d have to tell her he was the leader of Sa‑pae‑ryeon.
For now, he gave a playful answer.
“…You’ll find out slowly.”
“Aww, Master! That’s no answer!”
“If you want to know, run twenty more laps. How about starting now?”
“That’s cheating!”
Meanwhile, Ju Oh‑yun, the strategist of Sa‑pae‑ryeon, was worried.
‘Where has the lord gone again?’
It hadn’t been long since they conquered the south, and there were still many unstable areas.
Samaryun should have been busy day and night, yet lately, he kept disappearing without telling Ju Oh‑yun.
‘I’ve checked everywhere—training grounds, office, his quarters, even the gazebo by the pond.’
The last place left was the secret garden, but ever since “that incident,” Samaryun rarely went there…
Or maybe Ju Oh‑yun just hadn’t noticed.
‘It’s not a place to slack off…’
He narrowed his eyes and went to check—and saw something completely unexpected.
“Lord.”
Whoosh! Two wooden swords cut through the air.
Ju Oh‑yun stared as a little girl darted past, sparring fiercely with Samaryun.
“Lord? Are you listening?”
“You’re too slow. At this rate, when will you even touch my sleeve?”
“…You’re not listening.”
Ju Oh‑yun wanted to collapse.
He had come to report official matters, but Samaryun was fully focused on sparring with the child.
‘At first I was surprised. Why would he take interest in some servant girl?’
Through investigations, Ju Oh‑yun learned her background.
It was strange—Samaryun never let children close, haunted by memories of his lost daughter.
The servant quarters were strictly managed, yet he had taken in this child and even trained her.
‘If the elders knew, they’d scold him badly…’
But official work couldn’t wait.
Ju Oh‑yun tried one last method.
“Lord.”
“….”
“If you don’t listen, I’ll quit.”
“…?”
Samaryun froze, looking at him like, You? Quit?
The girl also stopped, curious.
“If you won’t hear me out, I’ll step down right here.”
“…Fine. You have a report?”
Finally, Samaryun turned his head.
“Yes, sir. Today’s meeting with the Jiang River chief is ready—”
“Hiyah!”
“—I’ve arranged the location and gifts as instructed. We can move them anytime.”
The little girl lunged at him again with her wooden sword, trying to catch him off guard.
Samaryun blocked her easily and answered Ju Oh‑yun.
“Well done. He won’t complain this time.”
“Yah!”
“Don’t attack with your mouth, Yeon‑hwa. Attack with your sword.”
Ju Oh‑yun could only stare.
This was a side of Samaryun no one else would ever believe.
He thought to himself, quietly:
Who is that kid?
