Chapter 19
“Is that person from the Sacheondangmun…?”
“It’s the master. Be careful with your words.”
The disciples whispered to each other.
The hostile gazes were stubbornly fixed on the back of Ye-rin.
“Well, I already expected that they wouldn’t like me.”
They probably can’t accept a Sacheondangmun master like me because of their high regard for the North Ice Palace.
Ye-rin decided to think positively.
Then, a sturdy middle-aged man greeted Ye-rin.
“Nice to meet you, Master.”
Ye-rin noticed the sword at the man’s waist.
The scabbard was engraved with patterns of snowflakes and swords in a geometric design.
And the only people who could use those patterns were the elders, apart from the palace lord.
Considering the situation, the only elder who could be at this martial arts garden was probably…
“Hello, Martial Arts Garden Master.”
Ye-rin greeted calmly.
For a moment, the Martial Arts Garden Master’s eyes widened.
“How did you know that I am the Martial Arts Garden Master?”
“I saw the pattern on the sword at your waist.”
Ye-rin spoke in a composed tone.
“That pattern can only be used by the elders of the Ice Palace, right?”
Oh.
To hide his surprise, the Martial Arts Garden Master stroked his thick beard.
He had heard rumors that the Sacheondangmun master had considerable knowledge of the North Ice Palace.
“It was just a rumor, but it seems like it’s not entirely untrue.”
As a Sacheondangmun master of the North Ice Palace, he seemed to have at least some interest in the family he would be managing.
The Martial Arts Garden Master’s stiff expression softened a bit.
“I heard that you came to learn martial arts.”
He scrutinized Ye-rin up and down.
A slender body and a small build.
Her small palms looked soft and smooth, as if she had never even held a sword before.
“…It would be quite difficult to teach from scratch.”
The Martial Arts Garden Master’s gaze narrowed.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but the North Ice Palace divides its disciples based on age and skill level.”
“I know.”
“So, as someone who is completely new to martial arts, you would have to start as one of the lowest-ranking third-tier disciples.”
The Martial Arts Garden Master spoke to Ye-rin as if testing her.
“Since you’ve never learned martial arts before.”
Honestly, if he said there was no provocation in those words, it would be a lie.
The Martial Arts Garden Master taught his disciples in three tiers: first, second, and third.
Of course, the third tier was the lowest.
“Even though you’re from a prestigious family, you’re still just a Sacheondangmun woman with a high nose.”
And she was also a Sacheondangmun master of the North Ice Palace.
So, even though she couldn’t express her anger at being placed in the third tier, she couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, of course.”
Ye-rin readily nodded her head.
And the Martial Arts Garden Master was amazed by her lack of anger.
‘She doesn’t seem to get upset at all.’
Ye-rin had a completely calm expression.
There was no sign of frustration or wounded pride.
“Training is going to be tough, are you okay with that?”
“Yes, I’ll work hard.”
Ye-rin nodded her head vigorously.
The Martial Arts Garden Master motioned for her to take a seat with a strange expression on his face.
“Well then, please take a seat. I’ll check your physical condition first.”
“Oh, okay.”
Ye-rin sat down in a relaxed manner.
The Martial Arts Garden Master sat down next to her and slowly pushed his inner energy into her body.
He was checking to see if Ye-rin’s body was in a condition to accumulate inner energy and withstand rigorous training.
And at that moment.
“Uh, what?!”
As if witnessing something unbelievable, the Martial Arts Garden Master’s pupils widened.
‘What, what is it? Why is he reacting like that?’
Feeling a sense of unease, Ye-rin stiffened her shoulders.
At the same time, the Martial Arts Garden Master asked in a surprised voice.
“Ga-mo, have you really never learned martial arts before?!”
“Yes? Well, that’s true, but…”
“But how…how can your inner energy be so clear and orderly?!”
Unable to hide her surprise at his amazed muttering, Ye-rin made a puzzled expression.
No, wasn’t this supposed to be normal?!
When I was her age, I could fly around with just one sword in my hand!
“Moreover, the amount of inner energy accumulated in your body is considerable!”
…What should I do?
Ye-rin felt a cold sweat running down her spine.
She had actually put some thought into this.
She wanted to accumulate inner energy as much as possible, but she also wanted to appear modest in the realm of ‘talent’.
Of course, the Martial Arts Garden Master had to treat all his disciples fairly, but he was also human.
From the Martial Arts Garden Master’s perspective, she thought it would be more interesting to have talented disciples.
“So, I just wanted to teach her enough to make it interesting from my perspective.”
She made a mistake.
Ye-rin chewed on her lips.
She had overlooked the fact that her standards were based on the time when the Northern Ice Palace was at its peak.
Furthermore, the White Snow Lotus itself was a rare talent that only appeared once in a hundred years.
In fact, if she hadn’t been that talented, she wouldn’t have been able to establish the Northern Ice Palace, a huge family, in the first place.
Then, the Martial Arts Garden Master called her.
“Ga-mo-nim.”
“Yes, yes!”
Ye-rin, who was wallowing in self-reproach, raised her head abruptly.
The Martial Arts Garden Master had suddenly become extremely serious.
“Ga-mo-nim, you are someone with exceptional talent, one of the best in the world.”
“Uh, um. Is that so…?”
This, this can’t be happening!
Ye-rin’s pupils shook violently as if an earthquake had struck.
The Martial Arts Garden Master narrowed his eyes.
“It’s surprising that we didn’t recognize such talent at the Four Gates.”
Well, I didn’t do anything back then…
As Ye-rin was lost in thought, the Martial Arts Garden Master declared firmly.
“From now on, I will personally teach you.”
Huh?
Ye-rin’s mouth fell open.
“It’s okay, Martial Arts Garden Master, you’re such a busy person. I can’t take up your precious time…”
Ye-rin tried to quickly salvage the situation, but…
“No.”
The Martial Arts Garden Master firmly shook his head.
Cold sweat poured down Ye-rin’s forehead.
‘What should I do?’
It seems like it’s already too late to salvage the situation…
Meanwhile, completely unaware of Ye-rin’s thoughts, the Martial Arts Garden Master shouted enthusiastically.
“It’s such a waste to leave Ga-mo-nim’s talent unused!”
Ye-rin was seized with the urge to grab the Martial Arts Garden Master by the collar and shake him.
No!
I just wanted to pique your curiosity, not to be noticed like this!
As she thought this, she felt piercing gazes at her back.
Ye-rin discreetly turned around.
Suddenly, the disciples were staring at her intently.
‘I can’t live like this!’
Shocked and ashamed, facing those fierce, piercing eyes, Ye-rin couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
* * *
That evening, at the guesthouse.
“What? The Martial Arts Garden Master personally accepted the maid from the main house as his direct disciple?”
Ji-sook was so surprised she nearly fainted, jumping up from her seat.
“I-I’m sorry…”
The messenger delivering the news was trembling in fear.
“What on earth is going on here!”
Bang!
Furious at her defeat, Sukmyeong slammed the desk hard.
Then she shot a fierce glare at Sibi.
“What are you doing standing there? Just watching?”
“J-Ja Jungwon Master…!”
“What are you doing here without disappearing from my sight?!”
“Yes, yes!”
Terrified, Sibi quickly rushed out of the room.
Sukmyeong gritted her teeth.
“Martial Arts Garden Master, that picky guy, accepted the maid from the main house as his disciple.”
Who is the Martial Arts Garden Master?
He is one of the leaders of the Northern Ice Palace, inheriting and developing the martial arts of winter, and one of the elders of the Northern Ice Palace.
He was known for his sincerity, especially in martial arts, and for rarely taking in disciples.
He believed in treating all disciples fairly as the Martial Arts Garden Master.
For the Martial Arts Garden Master to recognize Ye-rin as a disciple…
“It means the maid from the main house has that much talent.”
And that was not good news for Sukmyeong at all.
The Northern Ice Palace is fundamentally martial.
It was a place that revered the strong spirit of martial arts.
And as Ye-rin began to show her potential in martial arts, Sukmyeong and Gaeun’s position would inevitably become more precarious.
“Gaeun and I… we’re not familiar with martial arts at all.”
The reason why Sukmyeong, who wasn’t even a martial artist, could take the position of Ja Jungwon Master at the Northern Ice Palace was all thanks to Jigajang’s support.
