The three young women trembled like aspen leaves in the wind. It was not because they were standing naked in the dead of winter. It was because of the single woman who stood before them.
Her magnificent dress, her glittering accessories, her face of such breathtaking beauty it was almost chilling—when they had first seen her, all three had gasped in unconscious admiration. But now, all of it felt like a disguise, a mask hiding the woman’s true nature.
“For the last time, I ask you.”
A golden light flowed from the woman’s eyes. Her vertically slit pupils seemed to pierce right through them.
“What can you do for the Grand Young Master?”
Without a shred of hesitation, the three young women answered in perfect unison. “We will simply follow, dedicating our everything.”
A satisfied smile graced Jeong-ah’s lips. Her Dragon Eye had seen every subtle reaction from their bodies, had felt the conviction in their hearts. Their words were the unvarnished truth.
“Get dressed. And pack your things.”
At her words, the women, though still trembling, could not hide their expressions of pure joy.
“You will now come with me to the Wongakjeong.”
The smiles that bloomed on their faces were ones of ecstatic bliss. They had been granted permission to serve their master.
***
“The triplets. They are my greatest masterpiece.”
The General Steward had been waiting for Jeong-ah outside.
“They are magnificent,” Jeong-ah said, not hiding her admiration. “You mentioned a special course.”
“I did. Publicly, the Special Course is known as a place for problem children—those with exceptional talent but with serious flaws that require specialized education.” In reality, it was the place where the General Steward had handpicked children and ‘created’ them into agents who would sacrifice everything for his true lord, Yeon So-hyeon.
“Do all three of them practice martial arts?”
“Not to a high level. That was the limit of the resources I had at my disposal.” He clicked his tongue in regret. “However, I can personally guarantee their other talents. You need not worry.”
Jeong-ah shook her head in amazement. If not for the Sword Clan of Luoyang, if not for the General Steward’s fanatical loyalty and obsession, where else in the Central Plains could one even conceive of raising such talents merely to serve as handmaidens?
“Thankfully, thanks to you, Elder, I will no longer have to worry about staffing the Wongakjeong.”
He let out a hearty laugh. “After all these long years of waiting, I can finally do something proper for my lord!”
***
Dressed in the Wongakjeong handmaiden uniforms they had been issued, the young women were so beautiful the word seemed to have been made for them. A smallsword was strapped to each of their backs. Identical, radiant smiles were fixed on their identical faces.
“Finally…”
The General Steward was not the only one who had poured his entire being into raising them and had waited for the day they could serve their master.
“The time has come for us to be of use to him.”
“What do you think our first mission will be?”
“Tracking, assassination, sabotage, spreading terror… I’m not afraid of any of it.”
“Intelligence work would be good, too. Investigation, analysis, prediction, counter-espionage… I am confident in any of those fields.”
“I’m also looking forward to the daily handmaiden duties. We must show the esteemed guests the dignity of the Wongakjeong.”
A powerful confidence radiated from them. They were the survivors of a hellish training regimen, of an education that had continued even in their dreams. Now, the time had finally come for them to step out into the wider world.
“There is nothing to fear.”
“Because we are the best.”
“Ohohoho.”
Just then, a voice came from beyond the door. “Are you finished with your preparations before you start your gossiping?”
The mere sound of Jeong-ah’s voice made the hairs on their necks stand on end. In an instant, they finished their preparations and lined up before the door in perfect, seamless formation.
“Head Handmaiden! We are ready!”
The door opened and Jeong-ah appeared. Her cold gaze swept over each of them. A cold sweat trickled down the triplets’ backs. After her inspection was complete, Jeong-ah nodded.
“Let’s go.”
***
The procession in which the magnificently dressed and luminously beautiful Jeong-ah, followed by the three lovely handmaidens, all drew stares and gasps of admiration wherever they went.
“Oh, my, they are so beautiful.”
“I wonder which house they belong to. I’m so envious.”
The triplets’ noses rose higher and higher in the air.
Huhu, this is excellent. Continue, continue to praise the beauty of the Wongakjeong’s handmaidens.
Ah, so this is the pleasure of being the center of attention. I’m so happy.
A perfect debut. Yes, yes, look upon us with more awe.
Jeong-ah could feel the giddy pride radiating from the triplets behind her and gave a wry smile. They were spirited children. Even if they were broken.
After walking for some time, Jeong-ah’s steps came to a halt. “Alright. This is the main gate of the Wongakjeong.”
The triplets’ faces went pale. The main gate was guarded by men in sentry uniforms, but one of them was emitting an aura of such overwhelming power that it was terrifying.
S-such an incredible master!
As expected of the heart of the Sword Clan!
We are heading into the very center of power!
The man, who was leaning against the wall with his head bowed, radiating an aura like a ferocious god of misfortune, was none other than the Gatekeeper, the Life-Stealing Ghost Sword. His presence was so intimidating that even his own comrades were keeping their distance.
Jeong-ah instinctively knew that her master must have done something to provoke him.
“These are the new handmaidens for the Wongakjeong. I ask that you look after them in the future,” she said, completing the entry procedure. She then pushed the frozen triplets through the gate. “Alright, alright, pull yourselves together. Once inside, you must not, under any circumstances, stray from the forest path.”
Just as she was about to lead the still-dazed handmaidens away, a voice called out from behind her.
“Personal Handmaiden. No, I should call you Head Handmaiden now.”
It was the Life-Stealing Ghost Sword.
“May I have a moment?”
Jeong-ah nodded and had the handmaidens wait. After they had moved a little further into the compound, he spoke first.
“The Grand Young Master… what kind of person is he?”
Jeong-ah smiled. It seemed her guess had been correct. “To me, he is the greatest of masters.”
At her answer, he roughly scratched his head. “You know that’s not what I’m asking.”
Jeong-ah covered her mouth and laughed. “It is understandable that you are confused. I was, too.”
“This isn’t confusion, this is…”
She cut him off. “There is only one thing I can tell you.” Her serious gaze met his. “Discard all of your negative preconceptions about him, and try to see him for who he truly is.”
“…”
As he stood there, lost in thought, she added, “Also, a guest will be arriving today.”
***
The further into the compound they walked, the warmer the weather became. The triplets’ expressions changed kaleidoscopically as the breathtaking scenery began to unfold around them.
Jeong-ah’s steps came to a halt before a building. “Alright. This is the building our master is currently using as his personal quarters and office. All of you, compose yourselves once more.”
A palpable tension fell over the triplets.
F-finally, we get to meet our master!
A good first impression! A good first impression!
Surely he won’t turn us away after we’ve come this far…?
After confirming they were ready, Jeong-ah announced their presence. “Master. It is Jeong-ah. I have brought the new children.”
A low voice came from within. “Enter.”
***
The triplets were kneeling before Yeon So-hyeon, who was leaning back in his chair. Their gazes were fixed on the floor, and they were struggling to suppress the trembling in their bodies.
S-so this is our master!
Such incredible dignity!
Ah, master. Please, please accept us!
Yeon So-hyeon, meanwhile, was not exuding any dignity or presence at all. In fact, he was struggling to hide the dumbfounded expression on his face. He looked down at the General Steward’s letter and the report on the triplets, and let out a hollow laugh.
General Steward…
He looked at Jeong-ah. His gaze clearly said, I told you to bring me someone to cook and do chores. What in the world is this?
Jeong-ah just widened her eyes innocently. “My lord. Are these children not to your liking?”
At her words, the kneeling girls began to tremble even more violently. It was a pathetic sight.
Yeon So-hyeon sighed. With her Dragon Eye, there was no way Jeong-ah could have misread his intentions. This was her way of making a statement.
“Very well. I will accept these children.”
“Your grace is boundless, my lord!” they cried in unison.
Yeon So-hyeon waved his hand. “These children… from now on, I will call them ‘the Triplets.’ I delegate all authority over them to the Head Handmaiden.”
“I will humbly accept your command.”
Jeong-ah bowed deeply to Yeon So-hyeon, then turned to the triplets. “Alright, follow me. I will now issue your first mission.”
At the words ‘first mission,’ the girls’ faces turned solemn as they followed Jeong-ah out.
Yeon So-hyeon sighed and shook his head at the blatant mischief in Jeong-ah’s tone.
Well, I suppose it all worked out for the best…
His gaze fell back to the report on the triplets. A bitter smile touched his lips.
So those children were the ones the General Steward raised.
He sank deeper into his chair. I see. So that’s how it was.
His gaze drifted to a point in the distance.
***
“Is… is this not a bit strange?”
One of the triplets was in a pond, casting a fishing net.
“Eek!”
She was covered in mud, and a fish caught in the net flopped about, splashing her with water.
“Why are we doing this sort of work…?”
Another triplet was in a field, digging up crops with a hoe. Thanks to the Wongakjeong’s gentle climate, the weeds had grown with a terrifying vigor.
“Why isn’t there a single servant or maid in this entire pavilion?!”
The third triplet was diligently fanning a cooking fire in a hearth.
“Cough, cough.” Her eyes stung from the acrid smoke. I-it’s just the smoke making my eyes water…
Jeong-ah, who had been checking on them from a distance, let out a soft chuckle. They were all complaining non-stop, their lips jutting out in a pout, but not a single one of them was slacking off. In fact, they were pouring their sweat and effort into their tasks, doing their absolute best.
Just endure it a little longer, children.
The more her master began to move, the more the number of personnel in the Wongakjeong would rapidly increase. When that time came, they, as the senior handmaidens, would be given their true missions and roles to fulfill.
***
“Do you know why the Second and Third Young Masters are furious with you, but have not yet made a move?”
Jeong-ah nodded. “They fear the rumors that might spread.”
A rumor that the handmaiden they had both coveted had gone to the swordless fool would be a great blow to their pride.
The General Steward’s voice was serious. “There is a saying that you can block a waterway, but you cannot block the mouths of men. Eventually, the rumors will start to spread, and they will be forced to take action against you.”
Until that day, Jeong-ah had to prepare in every way she could.
***
As the sun began to set, tinting the sky with shades of orange and purple…
“Head Handmaiden!”
The Life-Stealing Ghost Sword appeared in a flash of movement, his lightness skill like a beam of light.
“What is it?”
She could feel a sense of shock, urgency, and confusion radiating from him.
“There is an old man at the main gate.”
“Is it the man I told you to expect?”
He nodded urgently. “Yes! It’s him! The Medicine King is here!”
The time for the Venerable One of Dark Heavens to act was passing, and the time for the Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon to begin his public moves was fast approaching.