Chapter 25: Should I give him a price?

The small sparring competition, held under the pretext of evaluating the skills of the children who would shape the Baek Clan’s future, was a showcase of talent. Despite their youth, the participants were swordsmen of the great Baek Clan, pouring their all into the matches, much to the satisfaction of the watching clan members. The banquet’s atmosphere was steadily improving…

‘…Well, damn.’

Young Master Baek Kang, however, was more bewildered than pleased. The reason? The two children who had reached the finals.

One was his nephew, the son of his fourth younger brother. As a direct descendant of the Baek Clan, he possessed exceptional martial prowess for his age—unsurprising, given the rare elixirs he’d consumed like meals since childhood. His advancement to the finals was practically predetermined. In fact, the entire competition was orchestrated by his fourth brother to flaunt his son’s abilities.

But the other finalist? No one had predicted her.

Not even Baek Kang, who could be considered her lord.

After all, she had only been training with a sword for three years and was publicly known merely as Baek Yeon’s maid, not even a formal trainee.

“Haha…”

Baek Kang, the Young Master of the Baek Clan, let out an uncharacteristic chuckle.

“Even if it’s not a serious spar, to display such overwhelming skill…”

“It seems the Young Master has picked up a gem,” muttered the elders seated behind him, unable to hide their amazement.

‘…You’re telling me.’

A gem, indeed.

He had taken her in because he saw potential, but he hadn’t expected this much.

Swallowing words he couldn’t voice aloud, Baek Kang’s eyes followed Seoran’s movements.

Swish!

Her strikes and sword path were remarkably concise.

There’s a reason advanced martial arts exist. Higher-level techniques contain more complex, sophisticated principles, allowing for greater power. Overwhelming a superior technique with a lesser one, even with equal skill, is no easy feat.

Yet Seoran was doing just that.

Though her Wolbaek Swordsmanship was only at the first stage due to her limited mastery, it was far inferior to her opponent’s technique. Still, she dominated the match completely, not allowing her nephew’s sword a single chance to land a blow.

‘…We’ll have a lot to talk about later.’

Baek Kang glanced at Song Hwa in the distance, swallowing a groan.

But the situation wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

“Tch…”

“Pfft.”

The sight of his eldest brother’s flushed, furious face was quite amusing.

—

Thwack!

The wooden sword flew from the hands of… whoever his name was.

A shadow fell over the face of my opponent, who looked a few years older than me.

“…I lost.”

“I learned well.”

Ugh, that was tough.

“Phew…”

I wiped my sweat-soaked forehead with my sleeve.

I’d dressed up nicely, and now I was a complete mess.

‘The maids are gonna nag me…’

As expected of the finals, this opponent wasn’t easy like the small fries before. Then again, he was a direct descendant of the Baek Clan—easy would’ve been odd.

I could’ve ended it faster if I wanted to, but I focused on defense to avoid getting hit, which dragged the match out.

Anyway…

‘I won it all?’

The realization hit me with a mix of reality and disbelief.

I’d defeated the Baek Clan’s prodigies, even a direct descendant.

‘Am I… a wuxia novel protagonist?’

When I first realized I’d reincarnated, I thought I’d live as a commoner’s daughter, far from the martial world.

Honestly, it felt good.

Maybe in the future, I could live the protagonist’s life I’d dreamed of.

…Of course.

“Hah.”

“What the…”

The crowd didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm.

Only murmurs and stifled laughs filled the air, the silence deafening for a victor’s moment.

Understandable. The competition was meant to showcase the direct lineage’s prestige, but some unknown girl had crushed them.

Oh well. I didn’t come up here for applause.

As I stepped off the platform, my eyes met Baek Yeon’s.

She gazed at me with a deeply satisfied smile.

‘…Phew, I’m saved.’

Relief washed over me. Her anger seemed to have subsided.

Just to be safe, I’d butter her up a bit more.

I sidled up to her.

“Young Lady, I tried so hard not to get hit…”

She nodded, pinching my cheeks.

“Good job. You’re mine, so you can’t get scratched up carelessly.”

“…Hehe.”

That feels kinda nice.

As I relaxed into a grin, Baek Yeon continued with a strange expression.

“…It’s a weird feeling.”

“What is?”

“I wanted to be the only one who knew how precious you are…”

Swish.

She stopped kneading my face, gently stroking it instead.

“Now everyone knows, so I’m a bit disappointed, but also pleased… It’s complicated.”

“…”

“But you did well.”

She smiled brightly.

“I’ll forgive your lie this time. But don’t ever try to deceive me again.”

Her smile carried a chilling edge.

“If I want to, I can uncover your lies anytime.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

‘…No more acting out on my own.’

I swallowed hard, reaffirming my resolve.

—

Normally, the competition would end with a prize ceremony and praise for the winner.

If a direct descendant had won, as planned.

But with me as the victor, that plan was out the window.

If I went up to receive a prize, the banquet’s mood would sour, and all the glares would fall on me—the easiest target.

So.

“Father, I…”

“Oh, are you feeling ill again? Clan Leader, may Yeon retire early?”

Right after I stepped off the platform, the father-daughter duo started their act in perfect sync.

The Clan Leader, with a meaningful smile, nodded.

“If you’re unwell, you should rest. Your maid should go with you.”

“…Yes, Clan Leader. I must attend to the Young Lady.”

“Your loyalty is admirable. Go on.”

The Clan Leader must have decided a ceremony wasn’t wise in this situation, so he let us go.

We practically fled the banquet hall.

“Phew… Good work, Ran.”

“It was no big deal.”

“Haha, good thing you didn’t say that in there.”

I laughed at Song Hwa’s words.

‘Come on, I’m not that clueless.’

I only say stuff like that among us.

“This’ll probably stir up the clan for a while,” Song Hwa said, shrugging with a grin. “But honestly, it’s satisfying.”

We returned to Baekryu Hall.

“Ran! We dressed you up so nicely, and look at this mess!”

“S-Sorry…”

I got an earful from the maids, was dragged off to wash up, and entered Baek Yeon’s room feeling fresh.

She’d returned earlier and was sitting on the bed, gazing out an open window.

“Aren’t you cold? Should I close it?”

“A bit… cough. It’s chilly, but leave it open. I want to watch the fireworks.”

Oh, right, the fireworks.

No Chinese New Year is complete without them.

As one of the Eight Great Clans, the Baek Clan would light up the sky with firecrackers at the stroke of the new year.

I sat beside her.

“Another New Year together.”

Three years already—time flies…

She smiled, her eyes crinkling.

“What, disappointed?”

“Nah, it’s better than forcing smiles among a crowd.”

“Hehe.”

Even my silly remark made her laugh lightly.

…She’s been laughing a lot.

I smirked. “You’re that happy I won?”

“Hm, no.”

“No? You seem pretty thrilled.”

“I am happy.”

She turned to me, smiling.

“Because you moved for me.”

The lantern by the bed cast a soft glow on her face.

Maybe it was the light, but her cheeks were faintly flushed, her eyes fixed on me.

At sixteen, she was closer to a woman than a girl.

Silence followed.

‘…’

Was it the quiet?

Thump, thump.

My palms grew sweaty, my heartbeat pounding in my head.

Her red lips parted softly.

“Seoran.”

“…Yes.”

Her voice carried an unidentifiable heat.

“You won, but haven’t received a prize, have you?”

“…”

I nodded slowly.

Her face drew closer.

Gulp.

I swallowed, my mouth dry from inexplicable tension.

In the quiet room, filled only with the sound of breathing, she continued.

“Then… as your master, I should give you one.”

Her lips curved up gently.

It was an impossibly… captivating expression for Baek Yeon.

That moment, instinct screamed.

‘…Oh.’

I’m about to be devoured.