WeTried Translations

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: Abstract

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Chapter 16: Entrance Examination (3)

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Entrance Examination (3)

"Hey, get in!"

Swept up in the moment, Mumu and Yu Jin-hyeok found themselves climbing into the carriage almost before they realized it.

At first Jin-hyeok had been puzzled, not knowing who Mo Il-hwa was, but once he heard her identity from Mumu, he couldn't help feeling startled. She was the very daughter Minister of Justice Mo Yun had asked them to look after. Jin-hyeok, who had thought of her as little more than a bothersome burden, was caught off guard.

'She's trained in the martial arts properly.'

After receiving an Elixir and the Meridian Opening Technique, Jin-hyeok's Ki sense had grown even sharper, so he could at least tell she hadn't picked up the martial arts in some shallow, surface-skimming way.

"Wow. So this is a carriage? My first time riding one."

Mumu looked around the rattling interior as he spoke. At his manner of speaking, Jin-hyeok frowned, then brought his hands neatly together and spoke with full courtesy.

"My apologies, Miss Mo. This fellow has lived only in the mountains, so I'm afraid he's been rude to you."

"Forget it. We're all about the same age anyway, so why bother with formalities?"

"Pardon?"

"Just because you were asked to do this for my father, don't treat me so stiffly. Let's be like friends."

There was something bold about her, and it raised Jin-hyeok's suspicions. He wondered whether she might lull them into letting their guard down, only to turn on them the moment they grew careless. Mumu, by contrast, spoke as though intrigued.

"You're really different from how you looked. Back then you seemed so demure..."

"Oh my. That was all an act. You only just figured it out? This is what I'm really like."

"...Yeah, seems that way."

Watching Mumu chat with her so freely, Jin-hyeok grew flustered and reproached him.

"Is that any way to behave toward the daughter of His Excellency the Minister of Justice?"

"Why? She said to take it easy."

Mumu tilted his head, as if he didn't see the problem. At this, Jin-hyeok scolded him in exasperation.

"Do you really not understand what it means that she's the daughter of His Excellency the Minister of Justice? No matter how much she tells you to be casual..."

"Hey. She said it was fine to be casual."

"Pardon? But, Miss..."

"Once I become your sister-in-law, you can speak formally to me then. Eek, what do I do. I said it out loud."

Mo Il-hwa fussed, patting her reddened cheeks. The sight left Jin-hyeok dumbfounded. Speak formally once she became his sister-in-law? What on earth was she talking about?

"Miss. I have no idea what you mean."

"Why play dumb? I'm definitely going to marry Brother Yu Jin-sung. So let's get along from now on."

"...With my older brother?"

"Yes. I was so envious of you. What's it like, living with a brother like that? My own brother is such a fool he's more like a half-wit little sibling."

She was talkative beyond measure. Jin-hyeok was overwhelmed, but one thing he understood for certain: she was just one of the women who came calling at his home from time to time.

After his brother had graduated from Changcheon Martial Academy as the Second Graduate and, as an Inspector Censor, cleared their father's false charges, it was no exaggeration to say he ranked among the top three most sought-after men in Kaifeng.

"Ah... is that so."

Jin-hyeok's voice sank low. Once he knew she was a woman after his brother, his interest cooled in an instant. The truth was, Jin-hyeok found women like this far from welcome. It was his wish that his deeply respected and beloved brother would take a fitting, virtuous young lady as his wife.

Watching him, Mo Il-hwa raised one eyebrow.

"What's that reaction? You're being a little snide, aren't you?"

She was quick to read people. At her words, Jin-hyeok brought his hands together politely and answered.

"I know little of matters concerning my older brother, so if you are interested, it would be better to arrange a meeting with him directly."

He cut the conversation short. Having dealt with many women who approached pretending to be friendly because of his brother, he was drawing a line in advance. At his manner, Mo Il-hwa's lips pushed out in a pout.

'A trickier fellow than I expected.'

She had thought that once she'd secured a chance to get close, everything would go smoothly from there, but now she figured he might be an unexpectedly tough fortress to take. It vexed her, but thinking of Yu Jin-sung, she calmed herself. After all, they were set to spend two or three years together. There was still plenty of opportunity.

"Well. We'll work on that little by little. And you! You! My father may have told you to watch me and guard me and all that, but just let that stuff go in one ear and out the other."

She wanted no part of any meddling. At her words, Jin-hyeok shook his head and answered.

"That I cannot do. His Excellency the Minister of Justice asked it of our father directly."

He hadn't fully accepted the task yet, but Jin-hyeok had not the slightest wish to put his father, Yu Yeop-kyung, in a difficult spot. At his words, Mo Il-hwa snorted.

"I'm not so delicate and weak as all that, you know."

"It is His Excellency the Minister of Justice's request. There's no helping it."

"That's exactly why I, the daughter of the Minister of Justice himself, am telling you it's fine. If we're not going to be close, then stop following me around and pestering me."

Jin-hyeok, lacking any flexibility, said flatly,

"Once I make a promise, I keep it without fail. Watching over you so no harm comes to you is my duty."

"Do I look that weak to you?"

"I never said such a thing."

Chang!

Just then, Mo Il-hwa drew something from her waist. He was startled, thinking she meant to loosen her belt, but what she pulled out was none other than a Soft Sword. A Soft Sword was far thinner than an ordinary sword, and elastic enough to bend easily.

Hwirik!

Her Soft Sword sliced through the air in an instant. With its many shifting variations riding a blade that trembled far more wildly than an ordinary one, Jin-hyeok couldn't hide his astonishment.

'Close as I am, I couldn't even follow the path of two or three movements.'

He had guessed she'd trained, but her level was considerable. At this much, one could say she wasn't far behind even himself. Mo Il-hwa lifted the corner of her mouth and spoke with pride.

"Well?"

"...You're skilled."

"Right? My master is the heroine, Soft Sword of Crimson Beauty."

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