Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 56

As the bell rang to announce the morning assembly, the steps of those who had been sauntering leisurely quickened.

“Oops. We’re late!”

Hongyo also ran to the front yard with Yeoryeong. Following yesterday, this was already the second time she was running down this path. The spacious front yard looked even wider than it had at night. It seemed like it would be a good place to play ball or train when it wasn’t assembly time.

After the new recruits, the senior members also stood in the front yard, and the Gamgyeong who oversaw all the Gamhwis came out before them. Seeing a familiar face, a sense of relief and gratitude washed over her. But apart from such feelings, So Jeonghwan was a born military officer. Although he was the Gamgyeong in charge of all Gamhwis, seeing him make even the senior members, some of whom had been studying for several years longer than him, follow his instructions, it was clear he had a talent for command. That must have been why a new recruit was appointed Gamgyeong, bypassing the seniors.

As Jeonghwan skillfully finished organizing the lines, the senior member who had given them their uniforms last night came out and shouted. She hadn’t known then, but looking now, he seemed to be the Bugamgyeong.

“Ahem. New recruits, listen up! Wake-up time is at Myo-si (卯時: 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.) in the summer and Jin-si (辰時: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.) in the winter. After the assembly, you will have breakfast, and then you will either learn theory like military strategy or participate in classes you’ve signed up for, such as swordsmanship or horsemanship. Understood?”

“Yes!”

A thundering roar erupted from all sides.

“The daily routine usually ends at Shin-si (申時: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.), and after dinner, you are free to spend your time as you wish, whether it be training or studying. There is no leave during the first month, and you will be given two days off from the following month, so keep that in mind. If you receive an award or have special circumstances, you can receive additional leave, so speak to your respective dormitory supervisors.”

Hongyo diligently engraved the rules into her mind.

“However, for any unauthorized outings or overnight stays, you will be held strictly accountable, so if you don’t want to be punished for no reason, be sure to abide by the rules! Also, good exam scores or winning prizes in martial arts competitions will be of great help when you are commissioned in the future, so don’t do anything useless and devote yourselves to training. That is all!”

When the Bugamgyeong finished speaking and stepped down, Jeonghwan stood at the front again.

“It seems everything has been communicated, so now it is time to offer our greetings.”

Hongyo, who had been unable to focus on what the Gamgyeong was saying because she was busy memorizing the rules, saw a man ascending the platform and her jaw dropped.

“This is Hwayeonggyeongjang Cha Gamyoung.”

Over the same blue-grey uniform as theirs, the navy blue hem of a cheollik that only the Hwayeonggyeongjang could wear fluttered. A tiger, the symbol of the Hwayeonggyeong, was embroidered on the jeondae tied around his waist. She had seen Gamyoung in uniform countless times when they met at the dojang, as he always wore one, but this was different. He was already tall and slim, so he looked good in anything, but this appearance was truly…

“…My, he looks like a painting.”

Yeoryeong, who was standing next to her, muttered unknowingly before clamping a hand over his own mouth. No one dared to comment on the Hwayeonggyeongjang, so everyone kept their mouths shut, but anyone with eyes couldn’t help but think the same.

Hongyo also stared at Gamyoung, uncharacteristically mesmerized. She had always known the guy was handsome, but his fair, clean face in the blue silk uniform made his neat posture stand out even more. On top of that, his recently broadened shoulders and the slim waist cinched by the jeondae were, as someone had said, like a painting.

“You are now the most outstanding talents in this country. No one can deny that. However, this position does not make you better people.”

His low, dignified voice carried power without having to shout.

“The nation exists because of the people, and protecting that nation is what you will do from now on. Therefore, your being in this place means that you are to cultivate the strength to protect those you wish to protect, not to fill your selfish desires and arrogance. I hope you will keep that meaning in mind when you are one day ready to leave the Hwayeonggyeong.”

What’s this? Hongyo was genuinely impressed. For someone who had said he was forced to become the Hwayeonggyeongjang because he was taken hostage, his gaze seemed quite sincere. Although Gamyoung had always talked about leaving the palace to live freely, it crossed Hongyo’s mind that perhaps this was the right path for Gamyoung.

Just then, Gamyoung’s and Hongyo’s eyes met. Faced with the sudden eye contact, Hongyo reflexively smiled as she always did. She had always done so upon seeing Gamyoung, so this time too, she had just smiled out of gladness. However, Gamyoung, who must have seen that look, turned his gaze away without any reaction. His gaze was so calm and impersonal that for a moment, Hongyo wondered if she had gestured to a stranger, not Gamyoung. But the man right in front of her was definitely Gamyoung.

“Ah…”

A sigh escaped her unconsciously out of a subtle sense of disappointment. Of course, she knew well that Gamyoung couldn’t acknowledge her, given the official setting. But understanding it in her head was different from reality. Even if not a pleased expression, why did he have to look so cold? He wouldn’t be that indifferent even to a complete stranger.

Of course, considering Gamyoung’s current position, it was understandable, but she had never seen Gamyoung look so emotionless. The kid who used to just wear a troubled expression as if he couldn’t help it, no matter what trouble Hongyo caused, was acting like this, and it made her heart ache strangely.

But here, she and Gamyoung were not friends, but a superior and a subordinate. So Gamyoung couldn’t treat her as familiarly as he did outside. Hadn’t she considered all that before coming? But the reason she felt so disappointed, even though her head understood, was probably because her heart still regarded Gamyoung as a friend before a superior and subordinate.

Hongyo tried hard to ignore her disappointed feelings and looked at Gamyoung. Perhaps because he was dressed in such formal attire, he seemed particularly unfamiliar today. She couldn’t understand why the platform, though not far, seemed so high and distant. In the meantime, Gamyoung, who had paused for a moment, opened his mouth.

“In a fortnight, the Sigyeonghap will be held.”

At those words, the silent grounds stirred with small murmurs. Gamyoung continued.

“It is to see the skills of you who have entered the Hwayeonggyeong, so I hope you will show your abilities without holding back. The first-place winner, the jangwon, will be given the qualification to be promoted or will be recommended for commissioning to a department they particularly desire, so I expect everyone to do their best.”

And as soon as he finished speaking, Gamyoung stepped down from the platform as if there was nothing more to see. Jeonghwan then bowed to Gamyoung. Simultaneously, everyone below the platform bowed to Gamyoung. Hongyo also bowed along with them. The dirt ground, with only her own feet visible, seemed to represent her and Gamyoung’s positions.

But there was no time to be lost in thought. When Jeonghwan also dismissed them and disappeared, everyone in the front yard was busy talking about the Sigyeonghap. Watching them, Yeoryeong muttered.

“Well, it’s not like the winner isn’t already decided.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When Hongyo looked at Yeoryeong, Yeoryeong jutted his chin somewhere. Following his gaze, there was the burly man from last night.

“There’s probably no one here who can beat that guy. I heard he was called a prodigy in martial arts since he was a child, and looking at that body, it would be stranger if he wasn’t.”

Hongyo looked at Jang Daeho. Looking at that build, it was a believable story. They hadn’t exactly fought, but when the guy had grabbed her last night, she couldn’t move an inch, which meant his strength was no joke. It was fortunate that her opponent had needed to use both hands; if he had been holding a weapon, the pouch would have been snatched before she could even make a move.

In fact, the main reason she had been able to grab his collar and pull him down was that the guy had underestimated her and let his guard down. Then again, if he had the strength to grab both of her arms and lift her off the ground, she supposed anyone would look weak.

But it seemed that wasn’t the only means the guy had to win. Yeoryeong whispered.

“Besides, his father is the Pangam Lord, so who would dare try to win? Who wants to get on his bad side and have their future blocked?”

Hongyo nodded, looking at the disgusted expression on Yeoryeong’s face. No matter how ignorant she was of official positions, she at least knew of the Pangam who led the central army.

“I see.”

As Hongyo muttered, Yeoryeong said.

“You better not get on Jang Daeho’s bad side either. Though it seems it’s already too late after what happened yesterday. They say once he sinks his teeth into something, he doesn’t let go. He’s really nasty, truly nasty.”

Yeoryeong clicked his tongue softly and looked at Hongyo.

“By the way, you were pretty amazing yesterday too. How did you get a guy that big on the ground? I really see you in a new light.”

Yeoryeong seemed genuinely impressed. You’d do the same if your life were on the line. Burying her inner thoughts, Hongyo averted his gaze.

“It’s because he let his guard down. And when your opponent is bigger than you, you have to break their center of balance one way or another to have a chance. The only thing I have over him is agility, so I have to use my head.”

If the fight had lasted longer, not just for a moment, it was obvious she would have lost. Glancing at Jang Daeho, Hongyo looked back at Yeoryeong.

“Anyway, how do you know so much? About yesterday’s hazing, and being on good terms with the other recruits.”

Hongyo asked, watching a group of recruits who had just greeted Yeoryeong and walked away. Yeoryeong then grinned and said.

“A fight isn’t always fought with just your body, is it? Like you said, there are people who survive by using their heads. If you read military texts, you learn that the battlefield isn’t the only war zone. Sometimes you fight with words, you fight by making allies, and you actively use any means available, even if it’s a bit cowardly. But do you know what the best thing is?”

When Hongyo looked at him, Yeoryeong answered.

“Not making enemies. That’s what social skill is. And that’s where information comes from.”

“Oh, is that so.”

Hongyo was impressed, but her face showed she didn’t understand at all. Yeoryeong looked at Hongyo like that, then slung an arm over her shoulder.

“Anyway, let’s forget about the headaches and go get something to eat.”

“Ah, let go of me!”

“Hey now! The mighty strongman can’t break free from this?”

Hongyo was helplessly dragged along, trudging. But it wasn’t a bad feeling. On the contrary, she was excited at the thought of having a new friend besides Gamyoung. At that moment, however, the gaze of another person watching Hongyo was still icy.

“Gyeongjang-yeonggam?”

When Jeonghwan asked, Gamyoung turned around.

“Ah, so the events are…”

Gamyoung continued speaking calmly as if nothing had happened. But he had no way of knowing that for a brief moment, uncontained jealousy had flared in his ice-cold eyes.