The Ruler of Darkness

Book 2: Chapter 19

In the Luoyang Sword House, there were many departments both big and small, and naturally, very few were not busy.

Among them, if one were to name the busiest department, it would undoubtedly be the Steward Department.

The Steward Department was responsible for the basic training, placement, and personnel management of all the servants and maids in the Luoyang Sword House’s main house. It also took care of the training for the prospective maids and servants.

Because of the very nature of the Steward Department, there was never a quiet day or night.

Right after lunchtime, the front of the Steward Department’s main hall was bustling like the main marketplace of Luoyang.

Of course, the Steward Department also had a main road and a back road, and the situation was a bit better on the main road side.

Still, the waiting time could exceed an hour when it became too congested.

Therefore, just by seeing how quickly someone could enter regardless of the queue, one could gauge their power and competence.

“Wow, look at that outfit. She must be a maid from a high-ranking family. I’m jealous.”

“Look over there, she’s even carrying a sword. Do you think she’s not a maid but a bodyguard?”

“Do you know any bodyguards who dress that extravagantly?”

Naturally, their subject of gossip was Jung-ah.

She wore a stunning outfit embroidered with red, emphasizing her slender waist, with a sword sheathed behind her.

Given that most of the people around the Steward Department’s main road were prospective maids and servants, Jung-ah’s outfit, jewelry, and sword stood out even more.

Of course, Jung-ah, who had been called ‘Ice Flower’ during her time in the reception hall, did not care about such gazes or murmurs.

Her mind was filled with thoughts about her training.

“Hello there.”

Approaching Jung-ah were a group of prospective maids. 

They were quite good-looking, but standing in front of Jung-ah, they seemed somewhat lacking.

Among them, the one who looked like the queen bee took a step closer.

“Since we haven’t met before, I thought we should exchange some introductions. Networking is the most important thing for us prospective maids, isn’t it?”

Jung-ah detected both curiosity and a hint of jealousy from these maids.

“Hello.”

Jung-ah responded but kept it short and formal.

The message was clear: she wasn’t interested in further conversation.

“Oh, come on, why don’t you introduce yourself? We’re supposed to be assigned to the reception hall soon.”

Indeed, given their striking appearances, they were going to be Jung-ah’s juniors.

“I haven’t seen you around in Luoyang’s social circles. Could you be from some noble family…?”

Jung-ah sighed inwardly.

Due to the nature of the maid profession, it was often filled with those who were not ashamed of their born status.

Therefore, among those newly assigned, there were always a few ‘idiots.’

“…I see.”

Jung-ah slowly approached them.

From the mere act of walking, an innate aura of authority emanated from her, making the ‘apprentices’ blanch.

The pressure they felt was something they could never experience in the circles of polite society.

“Let me give you a piece of advice, out of good will.”

Jung-ah looked down upon them with cold eyes.

“Once you’ve entered the sword house, forget about your original family and lineage.”

“Fa-family lineage, you say…?!”

Jung-ah whispered in the ear of the apprentice who still considered herself a cherished member of her family lineage.

“In this place, no one cares about your insignificant family lineage.”

Anger filled the apprentice’s eyes.

“Do you know who I am…?!”

At that moment, the voice of a servant from the steward department came from behind.

“Isn’t this Miss Jung-ah?”

Without taking her eyes off the apprentice, Jung-ah replied, “Yes.”

The servant bowed his head deeply.

“The chief steward is waiting for you.”

The mention of ‘chief steward’ paled the faces of the apprentices.

It was a name that the maids who had just been placed could never handle.

If it was the chief steward of the Luoyang Sword House, even the heads of their families would run out to greet him in their straw shoes.

Jung-ah, looking around at the pale-faced apprentices, said to the servant, “These new recruits are lacking in education.”

The servant’s face turned red in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. I’ll pass this on to the person responsible for education and take action…”

Jung-ah cut him off.

“No, that’s fine. I’ll inform the chief steward myself.”

Now, the apprentices were trembling as if they had cold water poured over them in the middle of winter.

“Consider yourself lucky. What would have happened if you behaved like this at the reception hall? If it were the reception hall master I know of…”

Jung-ah flashed a bright smile.

“You’d be disciplined so harshly that you wouldn’t be able to walk on your own feet for a while, and then you’d be demoted to a latrine maid for at least a year.”

It was not an exaggeration.

“Well, goodbye to all of you. Since we have a connection now, let’s at least exchange formal names next time.”

Jung-ah turned around without waiting for a reply.

“I will guide you.”

Jung-ah bowed her head.

“No need. I know the way. You go discipline those apprentices.”

Jung-ah strode off in the direction of the chief steward’s office.

As the onlookers who had been watching with interest saw her approaching, they quickly stepped aside to make way.

Only when she was out of sight did the servant who had been bowing his head raise it and sharply reprimand the apprentices.

“You fools! Do you even know who she is to act like this?!”

The apprentices, who were scolded, couldn’t say anything and just hung their heads in shame.

Then one of the onlookers quietly approached and asked, “Who is she to act like this?”

Then, the servant of the reception hall sighed and answered.

“That lady is the Chief Maid of Wongak Pavilion and the primary attendant for Grand Young Master.”

At his words, exclamations flowed from those around him.

The fact that the Swordless One is openly scorned in the world of swordsmanship is true.

The subordinates also secretly mock him where others cannot hear.

However, that’s merely equivalent to ‘speaking ill of the king when he’s not around.’

Therefore, how could these lowly people dare to take lightly the position of Grand Young Master of Luoyang Sword House?

“You incompetent fools!”

The young apprentices now had an expression of horror.

The servant of the reception hall spoke harshly to the apprentices.

“You should be thankful for her magnanimity. If she had demanded punishment fitting her status, you would all be dead by now! Do you understand?!”

Thus, the young apprentices were gradually learning about life in the Luoyang Sword House.

***

“…It wasn’t easy.”

Upon seeing Jung-ah sigh, the chief steward gave her a smile.

“Nevertheless, it was exemplary conduct. Excellent. You’ve demonstrated dignity worthy of your position.”

At his words, Jung-ah nodded her head.

“Isn’t it as good as showing the face of my Master? Proper dignity and conduct are necessary.”

“Exactly. You’re no longer a mere maid of the reception hall anymore. Continue to strive diligently with that mindset.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

“And you should also need to know that you have been a bit lenient on them.”

“Is that so?”

Jung-ah listened carefully.

“If it was inside Wongak Pavilion, it would have been an internal affair, and everyone would have been deeply grateful for your mercy.”

Jung-ah had intended to speak directly to the chief steward, the final person responsible for the apprentices.

But it appeared that even that was merely a mercy for which they should rightfully be thankful.

“However, this is the outside world. Therefore, it’s better to manage them more strictly. When the opportunity comes, you should make a choice to enhance the dignity of your master.”

The level of ‘decisiveness’ he was referring to wasn’t just about physical punishment.

Although the penalty for rudeness may seem severe, this place is Luoyang Sword House.

Jung-ah bowed her head in gratitude.

“I learned a lot today.”

“No, you’re doing well enough. It’s just me being old and fussy.”

The chief steward  had previously sent a letter to the Grand Young Master, stating that if she does not bend, she should be disposed of.

Despite that, there appeared to be no ill-will between the two.

With a pleased expression, the chief steward looked at Jung-ah and spoke.

“Being held in such high esteem by him, I am extremely proud of you.”

“Isn’t it all thanks to my master looking favorably upon me? It’s my master whom I should be thankful to.”

Seeing how she credited all things to the master, the chief steward couldn’t help but smile broadly.

Jung-ah now understood his feelings and shared the same sentiments.

The chief steward was greatly satisfied to see his daughter walking the same path as him.

‘Everything is for the master whom we serve.’

They were owners of a twisted sense of duty, born in the treacherous grounds of political power, Luoyang Sword House.

“So, what brings you here today?”

Jung-ah brought up the matter at hand.

“Actually, Master wishes to place more manpower in the Wongak Pavilion.”

Hearing this, the chief steward’s eyes sparkled.

“I see. Wongak Pavilion is indeed vast. You must have struggled to manage it all by yourself.”

As he continued speaking, he pulled over the inkstone and began to wield the brush.

[It seems like he’s finally making his move.]

[The Crouching Dragon, is finally waking up from a long slumber.]

“To be honest, it’s becoming too much for me alone… I’m a bit embarrassed.”

The two looked at each other and let out a meaningful laugh, ‘Huhuhuhu.’

Of course, Yeon So-Hyeon simply needed someone to cook rice, no one in the room cared about such trivialities.

After all, shouldn’t the best Master always be accompanied by the best talents?

A sense of profound emotion arose on the chief steward’s face.

[Finally, he…]

[I can’t go into details, but Master is much more amazing than you might think. The term ‘giant’ suits him well.]

“Very well, then. We must find children who are skilled in various chores.”

“Yes, I would also appreciate it if you could find someone familiar with cooking.”

Even as they spoke, their hands never stopped moving.

[I’ve kept the best talents separate for occasions like this.]

[I trust you to handle this, chief steward.]

He rose from his seat and erased all traces of their conversation.

He made sure every last piece was burned to ashes in the hearth.

“Let’s not do it this way. It’s better for us to go and make the decision together.”

“Yes, I’ll comply.”

He opened the door and called out to the maids in a loud voice.

“Hey, come here!”

The maid who had been waiting at a distance hurriedly approached and answered.

“I’m here, Chief Steward-nim“

“A request for additional staff has come in from Wongak Pavilion. I will personally select the personnel, so cancel all my subsequent schedules for now.”

Upon hearing the word ‘Wongak Pavilion,’ a look of surprise briefly crossed the maid’s face.

“Yes, I will convey the message.”

“Also, tell one of the training managers to call for the person in charge of the ‘1st-Class Special Unit’ to guide them in personally.”

The maid’s eyes widened.

“Did you say the ‘1st-Class Special Unit’?”

The Chief Steward raised his voice.

“If you understood, why are you still standing there?! Is the Steward Department really that idle?!”

“I’ll heed your words, sir!”

The maid sprinted away, as if a firecracker had been lit under her.

Confirming that she was out of sight, the Chief Steward turned his gaze towards Jung-ah.

“I say this without malice…”

His gaze shifted to the sword hanging on Jung-ah’s waist.

“You do understand the meaning of carrying a sword in the world of swordsmanship, right?”

Jung-ah smiled.

“A warrior is not appointed by others but proves oneself.”

At that answer, he nodded his head emphatically.

“Correct! Absolutely correct!”