Chapter 10: Don’t make fun of it.

What’s the difference between a clan and a family?

A clan is a faction centered around blood ties.

Of course, that doesn’t mean all clan members are blood relatives. They expand their influence through marriages with other factions or by bringing in talented children from a young age to raise as warriors.

In martial arts stories, clans typically bolster their ranks this way.

To put it another way, unless you have a certain level of talent, you won’t be accepted as a clan member, nor will you be taught their martial arts.

The Baek Clan, in particular, is one of the most prestigious families in the martial world.

To become part of such a clan, you’d need extraordinary talent…

‘And they’re suddenly offering to teach me their martial arts, with nothing proven?’

Feeling bewildered, I asked the Young Master.

“Am I… worth that?”

“Unless you’re the dullest person in the world, it doesn’t matter.”

He waved off my question.

“With the clan’s support, even a talentless child can be raised into a master.”

“…Hm.”

“And I believe you have enough talent.”

“Me?”

What part of me?

The body that couldn’t even dodge a leg trip and ended up sprawled on the floor?

My thoughts must’ve shown on my face, as the Young Master let out a small laugh.

“I’m not talking about physical talent. I value your inner qualities.”

“…”

“You know what those are better than anyone, Seoran.”

No… I really don’t.

But I wasn’t tactless enough to say that.

As I’ve said before, a servant’s virtue is not saying unnecessary things.

“However, you must remember this.”

The Young Master lowered his voice, speaking sternly.

“Learning our clan’s martial arts means you’ll belong to this clan forever.”

Oh, I’ve seen this in martial arts novels.

When leaving a sect, you have to give up everything you gained—sometimes they’d sever your meridians or destroy your dantian, turning you into a cripple.

‘…What is this, some kind of mafia?’

Back then, I thought it was romantic, but being in that position now, this world feels downright chilling.

“Even… after Yeon is gone.”

His voice trembled slightly at those last words.

I understood his feelings and didn’t let on that I noticed.

Even knowing the reality that’s coming soon… saying out loud that his daughter will die isn’t easy.

‘…Anyway.’

I clamped my mouth shut, sinking into thought.

The meaning of learning the clan’s martial arts was clear.

Allowing me to learn them meant accepting me as one of his own.

If I accepted, I’d no longer be just Baek Yeon’s maid but a member of the Baek Clan, one of the Young Master’s people.

If that happened, no one would dare openly bully me.

That’d be a direct challenge to the Young Master’s authority.

On the surface, it seems like a win-win situation…

‘But reality isn’t that simple.’

There were benefits, but also downsides.

“What will you do?”

As I chewed my lip, lost in thought, the Young Master urged me to decide.

His voice carried confidence.

He knew.

“I’ll… be in your care from now on, Young Master!”

Thud!

Joining the Baek Clan was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that outweighed any downsides.

“…Can’t you do something about that ridiculous posture?”

“It’s to show my loyalty!”

As I performed a dogeza, slamming my head to the floor, the Young Master sighed and shook his head.

“Fine… Regardless, those small fries won’t bother you anymore.”

“Oh, and separately…”

I grinned widely.

“Please thoroughly deal with those maids who messed with me. The leader’s name was Hong, by the way.”

“…You’re thorough.”

I shrugged at his exasperated tone.

Revenge has to be complete to avoid future trouble!

If they’re upset, too bad.

They should’ve been ready to face the consequences when they messed with me!

“…Teach her the clan’s martial arts?”

“Yes.”

The Young Master called Song Hwa back and directly ordered her to teach me martial arts.

‘This ended up exactly like Baek Yeon said…’

She’d said it thoughtlessly, but it’s weird how it actually happened.

After wrapping up with the Young Master, I headed back to Baekryu Hall.

“…No one’s around, right?”

Song Hwa glanced around sharply before whispering so only I could hear.

“Ran, you should rethink this.”

Her voice was laced with clear concern.

“The Baek Clan… is a scary place. For now, no one will touch you, but if this escalates into a full-blown conflict, your life could really be in danger.”

“Yeah… probably.”

I nodded in agreement.

Surprised by my calm response, Song Hwa widened her eyes before giving a bitter smile.

“…You knew? That it’s dangerous?”

“Yeah. But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me.”

Learning martial arts is like a miracle for a commoner like me.

Martial artists guard their techniques fiercely, never sharing with outsiders.

Since reincarnating into this harsh martial world, no matter how much I cursed its cruelty, deep down, I wanted to be like them.

I wasn’t cowardly enough to let such a rare opportunity slip.

Song Hwa sighed at my response.

“I thought you were mature, but you’ve got this childish side too, chasing dreams like that.”

“Call it my reverse charm.”

“Shameless.”

Thwack!

“Ow.”

Song Hwa playfully flicked my forehead.

It didn’t hurt much, but her bittersweet expression didn’t seem to lighten.

“For now… rest well today. You’ve had a lot going on.”

“Got it.”

I nodded and entered Baek Yeon’s room alone.

‘Hm, is she asleep?’

The room was quiet, and with the screen drawn, it was dim despite the afternoon sun.

I crept toward Baek Yeon’s bed and leaned down.

There she was, sleeping soundly, breathing evenly.

Probably knocked out from the medicine.

‘I’ll wait over there.’

Baek Yeon gets sulky if I’m not by her side when she wakes up.

As I thought that and started to straighten up—

“…Gasp!”

Her eyes suddenly snapped open.

‘S-Sht, that scared me.’

I flinched, instinctively stepping back.

Grab!

“!”

But faster than my retreat was Baek Yeon’s hand, pulling me toward her.

She grabbed the uninjured part of my arm, so it didn’t hurt, but… I ended up sprawled on the bed.

And just like that, I was hugged like a doll in her arms.

“Y-Young Lady?”

I… can’t move…

Trapped in her tight embrace, I could only roll my eyes to look up at her.

It was the perfect distance to say we were nose-to-nose.

Baek Yeon, staring at me with sleepy eyes, had a faint smile.

“You’re going to learn martial arts, right?”

“!”

How’d she know?

‘She couldn’t have heard yet…’

Was it a guess?

Bewildered, I slowly nodded.

Her smile deepened, and she tightened her grip.

“As expected of Father.”

…Huh?

Wait a second.

As I sensed something odd in her words, she kept talking.

“So, you’ll stay by my side forever, right?”

“Y-Young Lady…?”

“Don’t worry.”

Her smile was brighter than I’d ever seen.

“I’ll make sure those pests who bothered you are dealt with completely. They’ll pay for touching what’s mine.”

“…Hic.”

A chill ran down my spine.

‘…She knew everything?’

That not just anyone can learn the clan’s martial arts, and that someone had messed with me.

I swallowed hard.

Indeed… in this martial world, you can’t underestimate anyone.