Chapter 10
Of course, Hong Youngryeong should choose to stand with the Geum family.
But if she did—
Word would spread that she bowed to Geum Seolha.
Madam will punish me for this.
She was trapped.
Seolha took a step forward, watching Hong Youngryeong struggle to maintain her composure.
“I don’t understand what you mean, Miss.”
Trying to avoid the question, Hong forced a smile.
Seolha flexed her fingers.
“You seem to be misunderstanding something.”
“…What?”
“Do I look like a timid, quiet child? My dear cousins tremble just seeing me.”
She sighed deliberately and loosened her hands.
Hong Youngryeong watched her nervously.
“What is she planning now…?”
“Or has it become a rumor that I obediently endure their bullying?”
“I… don’t understand.”
“It’s simple. I’m worse than the rumors. A complete troublemaker. My cousins get their hair ripped out and run from me.”
The words were spoken calmly—
But the content froze the entire area.
“And since you didn’t know that… I’ll just show you again.”
Seolha dropped all pretense of dignity.
Status alone wasn’t enough—
You needed real power.
This isn’t working as strongly as I hoped.
Then I’ll use something else.
Her hand shot forward—
Grabbing Hong Youngryeong’s hair.
She smiled brightly.
“Was it fun, bullying a child less than half your age?”
“This is a misunderstanding!”
Someone tried to stop her—
“My hand might break!”
Seolha exaggerated dramatically.
Everyone stepped back in fear.
No matter what—
She was still in the direct bloodline of the Geum family.
And the eldest grandchild.
With no one interfering—
She tightened her grip.
“Ah! Miss! Please let go!”
Hair fell out in clumps.
But Seolha remained calm.
She still has some pride left.
“I… I was mistaken!”
Still calling it a “mistake,” not admitting wrongdoing.
As expected.
Someone in her position needed at least this much backbone.
Fine. That’s enough for today.
Seolha released her.
Hong collapsed onto the ground.
But Seolha’s expression didn’t change.
The image of Eunseol still lingered.
“Do you still have nothing to say?”
“I… misunderstood.”
“That’s it?”
Seolha flexed her fingers again.
Hong flinched and stepped back.
“…I was wrong!”
“You should study the house rules properly so you don’t make such foolish claims again.”
Hong nodded frantically.
This won’t last long.
I’ll need to act again soon.
Seolha had done everything she could—for now.
And bought herself time.
It was time to step back.
“My body isn’t very strong. And my temper isn’t very good either.”
Hong tried to control her expression.
“Yes… yes!”
“If my meals remain poor, or the heating isn’t properly maintained… I might get very angry.”
Try stealing again. See what happens.
Hong stiffened.
Seolha tilted her head.
“When I get angry, I sometimes lose control.”
“…”
“And when that happens, I grab people by the hair.”
Silence.
“But I don’t take it out on innocent people. Isn’t that fortunate?”
Her gaze swept over the false witnesses.
They recoiled.
“But if this happens again… I might lose control again.”
She smiled faintly.
She then flicked off the strands of hair still clinging to her fingers.
A small gesture—
But everyone had just seen what it meant.
“…Or try it again, if you’re curious.”
With that, Seolha turned and left.
Whispers spread behind her.
“Was she always like that?”
“That’s not the point—did you see her? She looked ready to kill someone next time.”
Those who had benefited from Hong Youngryeong turned pale.
“She was memorizing faces…”
“What do we do now?!”
“Why is she acting like this now?!”
***
Far in the distance—
A group of elders had witnessed everything.
“…I feel like I just saw something terrifying.”
“Same here.”
“Why… why does she resemble him so much?!”
Their voices trembled.
“That personality—just like the Master in his youth!”
“That shameless talking, that cunning mind—she’s just like Geum Chung!”
“I was relieved none of his descendants were like him—but now?!”
“I’m packing my bags. I’m leaving!”
The elders panicked.
Working with Geum Gangseok had already been exhausting.
If she turned out like him—
“I refuse!”
Still, one elder spoke cautiously.
“…Even if her temperament is similar, her ability might not be.”
But another shook his head.
“Her thinking is exactly the same.”
“…That’s worse.”
At that moment—
One elder suddenly collapsed.
“Elder Gongsun!”
They caught him.
“If we have to deal with another one like him… I’d rather die.”
Despite their complaints—
Their eyes remained fixed on the direction Seolha had gone.
Uneasy.
***
Then someone spoke coldly.
“Even if she has talent, what does it matter? Her body is ruined. She can’t learn martial arts.”
“Elder Go!”
“The leader of Geumrin must master its martial arts. That rule has no exceptions.”
The others frowned.
“Choose your words carefully.”
“That is simply the rule.”
Elder Go looked toward where Seolha had disappeared.
A new wind was rising.
Whether it would bring fortune—
Or disaster—
No one could yet tell.
