Volume 2 Chapter 19 – Head Maid

===================

Translated by Rain

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

===================

The Administration Department .

Numerous departments, large and small, existed in the Luoyang Sword Family, and naturally, departments that were not busy were rare.

If there was the busiest department among them, everyone pointed to the Administration Department.

The Administration Department was the department in charge of basic education, placement, personnel management of all servants and maids of the Luoyang Sword Family’s Main Family , and the training of maids and attendants prior to placement, and so on.

Because it was such an Administration Department, there was never a quiet day, regardless of day or night.

Immediately after lunchtime ended, the front of the Administration Department’s pavilion resembled a marketplace in Luoyang.

Of course, since the Administration Department was also divided into a main road and a back alley, the situation on the main road side was slightly better.

Still, when the wait grew long, there were times when it exceeded one shichen.

As a result, one could guess the power and influence of someone just by watching how quickly they entered regardless of the waiting queue.

“Wow. What a tremendous outfit. She is definitely the maid of someone of high status. I’m envious.”

“Look at that. She is even carrying a sword. Could she be an escort warrior instead of a maid?”

“Oh please, have you ever seen an escort warrior dressed in such gorgeous attire?”

Of course, the subject of their chatter was Jeong-ah.

She wore a bright and beautiful outing dress with impressive red embroidery, and she carried a sword behind her highlighted slender waist.

Due to the nature of the main road of the Administration Department, almost everyone around was a maid or an attendant.

Because of that, Jeong-ah’s clothing, ornaments, and sword could not help but stand out even more.

Of course, since she was Jeong-ah, who had been called the Ice Flower since her days as a receptionist, she did not pay any mind to that level of gazes or whispering.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of training.

“Oh, hello.”

The ones approaching Jeong-ah’s side were a group of maids.

They were quite beautiful in their own right, but standing in front of Jeong-ah, they could not help but seem lacking.

The one among them who appeared to be the queen bee took a step closer.

“Since you are someone I haven’t seen before, I wanted to introduce ourselves. For maids like us, connections are the most important thing, aren’t they?”

The Dragon Eyes captured the curiosity and slight envy transmitting from the maids.

“Yes, hello.”

Jeong-ah drew a clear line.

It meant she did not really wish to converse.

“Ah, don’t be like that and please introduce yourself. We are maids scheduled to be placed in the Reception Hall this time.”

Indeed, no wonder their beauty was all outstanding”they were Jeong-ah’s juniors.

“You seem to be someone I haven’t met in the Luoyang social circle. By any chance, which family’s young lady are you…?”

Jeong-ah sighed inwardly.

By its nature, the position of a maid had many whose born status was basically respectable.

Consequently, among the newly placed ones, there were bound to be ‘fools’ like this from time to time.

“…I see.”

Jeong-ah slowly approached them.

At her majesty naturally flowing from just her walking, the complexions of the ‘chicks’ turned pale.

That pressure was a kind that could never be felt in something like a young ladies’ social circle.

“I will give you a piece of advice out of goodwill.”

Jeong-ah’s cold eyes looked down at them.

“Since you have entered the Sword Family, forget about things like your original family.”

“O-original family…?!”

Jeong-ah whispered into the ear of the chick who was still mistaking her for a young lady of some family.

“Here, no one cares about your meager family.”

Stubbornness welled up in the chick’s eyes.

“Who do you think I am…?!”

At that moment, the voice of an Administration Department attendant was heard from behind.

“Are you Lady Jeong-ah?”

Jeong-ah replied without even taking her eyes off the chick’s eyes.

“Yes.”

The attendant bowed his head deeply.

“The Head of the Administration Department is waiting for you.”

At the mention of the Head of the Administration Department, the complexions of the chicks turned pale white.

A name had come up that maids who were barely about to be placed could never dare to bear.

If it was the Head of the Administration Department of the Luoyang Sword Family, even the heads of their own families would rush out in bare feet to greet him.

Jeong-ah looking around at the pale-faced chicks, Jeong-ah spoke to the Administration Department attendant.

“The children of this batch lack education.”

The attendant’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“I am sorry. I will convey this to the training manager to take action…”

Jeong-ah cut off his words.

“No, never mind. I will deliver it to the Head of the Administration Department myself.”

Now the chicks were trembling as if doused with cold water in the dead of winter.

“You guys are lucky. What would have happened if you behaved like this in the Reception Hall? If it were the Head of the Reception Hall I know…”

Jeong-ah wore a bright smile.

“Because she would have disciplined you with a rod until you couldn’t walk on your own feet for a while, and then demoted you to latrine maids for at least a year.”

It was by no means an exaggeration.

“Then, farewell everyone. Since this is also a connection, let us exchange names next time.”

Jeong-ah turned around without even listening for an answer.

“I will guide you.”

Jeong-ah shook her head.

“Never mind. I know the way too. Just keep those chicks over there in check.”

Jeong-ah walked with long strides toward the office of the Head of the Administration Department.

Those who were watching the scene with interest quickly stepped back and opened a path as Jeong-ah approached.

The attendant, who had been bowing his head until her figure was no longer visible, burst out in anger at the chicks.

“You foolish things! Did you speak without even knowing what kind of person she is?!”

The chicks, who had lost their wits, could not say anything and kept their heads hung low.

At that, one of the onlookers subtly approached and asked.

“Who is she that you are acting like this?”

The Reception Hall attendant then sighed and replied.

“That lady is the Head Maid of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment and the chief exclusive maid of the Eldest Young Master.”

At his words, exclamations flowed out from the surroundings.

It was true that the name of the Swordless was publicly an object of contempt in the Sword Family.

The lower servants also used to speak ill of him in places where others could not hear.

However, that was nothing more than ‘cursing the king when he is not around.’

How could the lower servants dare, not knowing their place, to look lightly upon the position of the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family?

“You lacking things!”

The chicks now had expressions as if they had lost their souls.

The Reception Hall attendant spoke to the chicks in a fierce tone.

“You must be grateful for her generosity. If she had demanded a punishment befitting her status, you guys would already be dead! Do you understand?!”

The chicks were thus learning the life of the Luoyang Sword Family’s Main Family with their bodies.

* * *

“…It was not easy.”

At the sight of Jeong-ah sighing, the Head of the Administration Department showed a smile.

“Still, it was a very exemplary action. Excellent. You showed dignity fully befitting your status.”

Jeong-ah nodded at his words.

“Am I not like Master’s face? Dignity and behavior fitting the position are necessary.”

“Indeed. Since you are no longer a mere maid of the Reception Hall. With that mindset, continue to devote yourself even more in the future.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

“And you must also know that you were a bit soft.”

“Is that so?”

Jeong-ah listened intently.

“If that place had been inside Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, it would have been governing internal matters, so everyone would have thanked you from the bottom of their hearts for the mercy you showed.”

Jeong-ah had said she would speak directly to the Head of the Administration Department, the ultimate manager of the chicks.

However, it seemed that that much was merely a mercy they should naturally be grateful for.

“However, this place is the outside. In that case, it is a good judgment for you to show a more resolute manner in disciplining them. Setting up the master’s dignity grandly when an opportunity comes.”

The degree of resolute discipline he was speaking of was definitely not referring to simply flogging them.

Although it might seem harsh at first glance as a price for rudeness, this was the Luoyang Sword Family.

Jeong-ah bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.

“I have learned a great deal today as well.”

“No. You are doing well enough, but I am merely displaying an old man’s greed .”

The Head of the Administration Department had previously sent a letter to the Eldest Young Master while sending her to him, telling him to dispose of her if she did not know how to bow.

Nevertheless, there seemed to be no ill feelings remaining between the two.

The Head of the Administration Department looked at Jeong-ah with a pleased expression and spoke.

“To receive his trust so grandly, I am extremely proud of you.”

“Is not all thanks to Master looking upon me favorably? It is something to thank Master for.”

Satisfied with her attributing everything to the master’s credit, the Head of the Administration Department laughed heartily.

Jeong-ah now understood his heart, and also possessed the same heart.

The Head of the Administration Department was highly satisfied that his daughter was walking the same path as him.

‘Everything is for the sake of the master we serve.’

They were possessors of a twisted consciousness born in the Luoyang Sword Family, a hotbed of power struggles.

“Yes, what business brings you here today?”

Jeong-ah brought up her business.

“Actually, Master wishes to replenish personnel in Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.”

At her words, the eyes of the Head of the Administration Department flashed.

“I see. Indeed, Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment is extremely vast. You must have suffered a lot of hardships alone.”

As he continued speaking, he pulled over paper, brush, and ink, and scribbled with the brush.

[It seems he is finally about to move.]

[The Crouching Dragon is waking up from a long sleep.]

“Since it is too much for me alone, after all… I have become ashamed.”

The two faced each other and let out a significant laugh, ‘Fuhuhu.’

Of course, Yeon So-hyeon had merely told her to bring a child to cook food.

There was no one here who cared about such a thing.

Was it not a law that the best talent must always follow the best master?

A deep emotion appeared on the face of the Head of the Administration Department.

[I see. Finally, he…]

[Although I cannot tell you in detail, Master was a far more incredible person than you expected, Elder. He was a person who suits the word giant .]

“Good, good. Then I must gather children who are good at chores.”

“Yes, please include a child familiar with cooking as well.”

Even while exchanging words, their hands did not stop moving.

[Fearing such a day might come, I have always managed the best children separately.]

[I will leave it to the Head of the Administration Department and trust you.]

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

He made sure that even the last scrap turned to ashes in the brazier.

“Come, instead of doing this, it would be better for us to look and decide together.”

“Yes, I will follow.”

He opened the door and called a maid in a loud voice.

“Is anyone there!”

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

“Yes, Head of the Administration Department.”

“Since a request for personnel replenishment has come from Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, I will select the personnel myself. So, cancel all of my schedules after this for now.”

At the mention of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, surprise flashed across the maid’s face.

“Yes, I will convey it so.”

“And among the training managers, call the one in charge of the Class A Special Class and tell them to guide me directly.”

The maid’s eyes grew round.

“Did you say the Class A Special Class?”

The Head of the Administration Department shouted in a burst.

“Since you understood, why are you not moving quickly! Is this Administration Department such a leisurely place?!”

“I will obey your command!”

The maid ran as if her tail were on fire.

Confirming that her figure was no longer visible, the Head of the Administration Department turned his body to look at Jeong-ah.

“I say this out of an old man’s anxiety…”

His gaze turned toward the sword hanging at Jeong-ah’s waist.

“You know, don’t you? The meaning of carrying a sword in the Sword Family.”

Jeong-ah smiled.

“A warrior is not appointed by someone, but proved by oneself.”

At that reply, he nodded his head greatly.

“Right! Indeed!”