Chapter 31
“Brother.”
After finishing breakfast with him in the reception hall, Namgung Hwi called out to Jegal Dam.
“Yes.”
Jegal Dam calmly replied as he took a sip of tea.
“Now, please tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“The real reason you came to the Seol family manor. Not that nonsense about mushrooms. I know you better than that. You definitely have a reason.”
“Your words are a bit rough.”
“Can you blame me? You’re not someone who would move with nothing but a letter, without a single bodyguard.”
“Wasn’t Yang Howi with me?”
Jegal Dam responded, glancing at Yang Cheol-woo standing nearby.
“Ah, come on. Don’t dodge the question.”
Namgung Hwi, looking frustrated, downed the rest of his tea in one go.
“Fine, I suppose you should know. I’ll likely have to stay a few more days.”
“You’re staying longer?”
Namgung Hwi asked in surprise, but Jegal Dam simply continued.
“Long ago, there was a man named Sun Wu in the state of Qi, which was a dominant power at the time.”
As always, Jegal Dam never explained things simply.
“Sun Wu? As in Sun Tzu, the author of The Art of War?”
“Yes, the great sage Sun Tzu. He was born in Qi but believed he could not fulfill his ambitions there.”
“I see.”
“So he looked for a place where he could make his mark and set his sights on the small state of Wu.”
“He chose a small country over a powerful one?”
Namgung Hwi was gradually getting drawn into the story.
“Sun Wu presented his military strategy manual directly to the King of Wu.”
“He must’ve immediately become a general, then. Sun Tzu was famous for being Wu’s brilliant commander.”
Jegal Dam faintly smiled at Namgung Hwi’s proud tone. His younger brother’s enthusiasm was endearing.
“No, the King of Wu did not do that.”
“Why not?”
“He wanted to see if Sun Wu was a true talent. So he summoned him to the palace and had 180 palace maids and two royal concubines assembled.”
“Palace maids and concubines? Why?”
“It was a test. The king ordered Sun Wu to train the women in military drills based on his manual.”
“Ah, that’s a clever method.”
“Sun Wu appointed the two concubines as commanders and began training.”
“I bet it didn’t go well.”
“You’re right. The women, having lived their whole lives in the palace, treated it like a game. They didn’t take his orders seriously.”
“What happened then?”
“Impatient as you are… Sun Wu admitted it was his fault for not establishing proper discipline.”
“As expected of a great general.”
“So he explained the drills again and warned them—if they didn’t follow orders, they’d be punished by military law.”
Namgung Hwi’s eyes sparkled as he listened. He seemed intrigued by the concept of military discipline.
“But it still didn’t work.”
“Even after he laid down the law?”
“So Sun Wu decided to execute the two concubine-commanders. According to military law, the commanders are responsible if the troops don’t obey.”
“Execute the concubines…?”
“Sun Wu drew his sword and held it to their necks. The King of Wu panicked and tried to stop him.”
“Well, it was just a drill, so I understand.”
But Jegal Dam shook his head firmly.
“That’s not the important part.”
“Then what is?”
“At first, the king was testing Sun Wu. But then… the roles reversed. Sun Wu insisted that in wartime, the general’s orders supersede even the king’s, and he executed the concubines.”
Jegal Dam gripped his teacup tightly.
“He was watching to see what the King would do.”
Grinding his teeth, Jegal Dam continued.
“Yes. The tester and the tested had switched roles… I thought such things only happened in ancient tales.”
Recalling his conversation with Unyeong, Jegal Dam clenched his jaw.
“…To think I, Jegal Dam, was being tested.”
His reason for coming to the Seol manor wasn’t light.
First, his suspicions about the Seol family. Second, the secrets of the martial world hinted at in Unyeong’s letter.
He came to confirm why she sent it, only to be criticized for acting carelessly.
Though he was initially shaken, he felt he’d found his path. Still, the thought of being tested by a child was something he couldn’t shake.
His suspicions about Seol Unyeong—and the irritation of being doubted himself—were real.
“Brother… what do you mean…?”
Startled by the wrath exuding from Jegal Dam, Namgung Hwi faltered.
“Oh dear, your foolish brother has shown an unworthy side.”
Regaining his composure, Jegal Dam apologized with a calm expression.
“Little brother, I don’t quite understand your words.”
“Yes. I explained poorly.”
Jegal Dam’s eyes turned cold.
“I received a letter. Its words seemed like a prank, but the content was intriguing.”
“What kind of content?”
“It involved secrets of the martial world. As ridiculous as it sounded, there were logical elements. I came to see for myself.”
“Is the Seol family connected to the martial world?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Jegal Dam let out a short breath and continued.
“The sender was a daughter of the Seol family.”
“What? Lady Seol?”
“Yes. Here, take a look.”
He handed Namgung Hwi the letter and recounted its content and his conversation with Unyeong.
After hearing it all, Namgung Hwi’s face turned cold.
“Brother, you’re too kind in how you see people.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Jegal Dam was momentarily at a loss for words.
Too kind? That’s how his brother saw him?
“She probably made all that up just to get your attention. That little lady is far too bold.”
“No…”
“It’s just nonsense. Just a child’s rhyme. I don’t think this is worth your concern, brother.”
Namgung Hwi spoke with barely concealed anger. Jegal Dam simply watched him.
He had explained the letter, but Namgung Hwi seemed to have dismissed it as a joke.
Perhaps it was in his nature—once Namgung Hwi made a judgment, he rarely changed it.
He wasn’t entirely wrong either.
Jegal Dam hadn’t yet had a proper conversation with Unyeong. And she was only ten years old.
From an outsider’s perspective, Namgung Hwi’s conclusion was natural. Even Jegal Dam wouldn’t have believed it without their direct interaction.
Only Jegal Dam seemed to sense a deeper martial-world truth embedded in that rhyme.
“A merchant’s daughter learning martial arts… I was impressed. But she’s just a rude little girl.”
“That’s not…”
“That’s your problem, brother.”
“What is?”
“Not everyone is as thoughtful as you. And you don’t seem to realize that.”
Of course Jegal Dam knew that. Yet somehow, he found himself speechless.
“Maybe you only think she tested you. Maybe you’re just reading too much into it. Try to think simply for once.”
Namgung Hwi continued confidently.
“She couldn’t possibly have the nerve to test the eldest son of the Jegal family. Trust me, brother. I’ll scold her so harshly she won’t dare pull this kind of stunt again.”
“…Very well.”
Jegal Dam nodded, slightly taken aback by Namgung Hwi’s fervor.
His original plan had been to gather information about the Seol family and Unyeong—with Namgung Hwi’s help.
Seeing things from a different angle often helps grasp the truth.
But with this reaction, Namgung Hwi would likely end up clashing with Unyeong.
That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing either.
It might be a good opportunity to observe Unyeong’s response when confronted.
“Sir. So… what happened to Sun Wu afterward?”
After Namgung Hwi left to train, Yang Cheol-woo asked.
“Are you curious?”
“You cut the story off there. Who wouldn’t be curious?”
Jegal Dam’s eyes turned toward the door where Namgung Hwi had exited.
Ahem. “Well, I’m curious.”
“After executing the concubines, the training was highly successful.”
“Of course. Seeing someone killed would do that.”
“Indeed. Sun Wu told the King, ‘They are now excellent soldiers capable of carrying out any royal order.’”
“Sounds like strict discipline was achieved.”
“Through that, Sun Wu proved the effectiveness of his manual.”
“Was he not punished for executing the concubines?”
“That was part of the test. He was measuring the King’s worth. The King and Sun Wu tested each other, and because the King chose to hire Sun Wu, the state of Wu rose to greatness.”
“A happy ending, then.”
“Is that so…”
Jegal Dam once believed it was the right path, reading about it in books.
But now…
“Maybe… the King should’ve had Sun Wu executed instead.”
Jegal Dam murmured under his breath.
“Sorry? What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“You said that you and Lady Seol tested and acknowledged each other… so what happens now?”
At Yang Cheol-woo’s question, Jegal Dam’s smooth brow furrowed.
