Even My Life Is Yours Chapter 70

The innermost barracks in the Hwayeonggyeong grounds were as quiet as ever. Only the occasional shouts of soldiers undergoing grueling training drifted in through the open windows.

“How are the soldiers these days?”

He had come because she unusually suggested they finish their tea, but it was a predictable question. Jeonghwan watched Hwayeonggyeong lift her teacup and drink with impeccably neat movements, and despite being the same man as his superior, his first thought was how remarkably handsome she was. Her face wasn’t flashy or ruggedly masculine, but he agreed she was a refined and neat beauty. In particular, her smooth, white skin contrasted with her deeply black hair, which shimmered faintly green in the sunlight, creating an even more mysterious impression.

From ancient times, the imperial family had been renowned for its many beauties, so it was no surprise she was born with some of it, but the current emperor and his favored younger brother stood out among them. Of course, the emperor was more masculinely handsome, but Jeonghwan couldn’t presume to discuss the emperor’s visage, and his brother had a delicate yet composed air. Those who saw Gamyoung for the first time based on his appearance assumed his temperament would be gentle and affectionate, but from what Jeonghwan had experienced, that was absolutely not the case. On the contrary, this man had a rational side that felt a bit coldly detached.

It was just his nature not to yield an inch. He seemed affectionate and considerate at first glance, but he only showed that meticulousness when it didn’t cross the lines he had drawn. That was why Jeonghwan knew she hadn’t called him just to ask after the soldiers’ well-being.

“They’re attending classes well and following the training diligently. There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly problematic.”

“That’s a relief. Lately, even Choi Gamhwi’s gambling rings seem to have quieted down, so as Gamhwi said, there don’t appear to be any major issues.”

Even now, it was the same. Except for the assemblies where he had to step forward, he rarely left the Hwayeonggyeong barracks, making it seem like he had little particular interest in the soldiers. But from the first day of his assignment, he had already memorized their names, families, backgrounds, and martial prowess, so he clearly didn’t handle things carelessly. Moreover…

“Ah, Gobu-sik, the military instructor who taught basic military studies, is scheduled to resign this month and transfer to the army in Deokjin-hyeon. You should at least exchange greetings before he goes.”

Gobu-sik was the man who had always stuck by the side of Pangsang Daegam, Jang Daeho’s father. Despite not being a formal military officer, he was a greedy figure who had once eyed the position of Hwayeonggyeongjang due to the influence backed by Pangsang. Everyone knew he still held a position beyond his abilities, but since he was Pangsang’s man, they couldn’t just cast him out arbitrarily.

Jeonghwan thought that when Gamyoung was first assigned as Hwayeonggyeongjang, he hadn’t ousted Gobu-sik despite knowing his nature, not just because of Pangsang’s backing, but because he lacked the years and experience to command them yet. But the fact he learned today was that Gamyoung had kept Gobu-sik in place because he hadn’t crossed the lines he had set. Jeonghwan couldn’t help but wonder what kind of deal Gamyoung had struck with Pangsang that the man, who wouldn’t tolerate anyone touching his people, stayed silent even as Gobu-sik was openly demoted. The most likely possibility was that he had cut off Gobu-sik, who had served as eyes and ears in Hwayeonggyeong to cover up the trouble his son Jang Daeho had caused.

In any case, he hated these complicated matters of interests. Managing the Gamhwi as Gamhwi and helping them grow stronger was quite enjoyable, but this kind of politics, though he had learned it since childhood, just didn’t suit his temperament. And in truth, that role belonged to the Hwayeonggyeongjang.

“Yes. I’ll visit him sometime to pay my respects.”

After his brief reply, Jeonghwan gauged Gamyoung’s expression. Gamyoung, who always conveyed matters simply, was uncharacteristically treating him to tea and taking his time, so there had to be a reason for it. And as expected, after taking another sip of tea, Gamyoung casually revealed the real reason he had called Jeonghwan.

“A while ago, I saw you training the Gamhwi who failed the exam. You’ve been teaching them for quite a long time now.”

Gamyoung said calmly as he set down his teacup.

“Yes. I just couldn’t let it pass… Is there something that needs to be rectified?”

Before taking on the role of managing the Gamhwi, as a fellow military officer, he simply couldn’t let it slide. It was good that Hwayeonggyeong had expanded into a military academy and increased its numbers beyond the small elite operation, but the passing criteria for the monthly exams held at the end of each month had become even stricter. As a result, some had already been forced to leave after the first monthly exam.

And Jeonghwan couldn’t bear to watch it happen. He couldn’t help with strategy or tactics, but at least with martial arts, he wanted to offer as much aid as he could. After all, once they were commissioned, they’d fight as fellow officers, wouldn’t they? It was the same sentiment as when his father had taught him martial arts directly long ago. Of course, that only worked when they trusted and followed him.

“No. If anything, it’s something that deserves more encouragement.”

Gamyoung, with a smile playing on his lips, broached the subject gently.

“Actually, I have one request.”

He had thought there might be some casual talk over tea, but he hadn’t expected such a direct request. As Jeonghwan looked at him inquiringly, Gamyoung answered.

“Please stop by the training grounds around the hour of You.”

The hour of You was well after training had ended. By then, most would have wrapped up their day, so who…

At that moment, someone came to mind in Jeonghwan’s memory.

“Could it be because of Yeo Hongyo Gamhwi?”

To his surprise, Gamyoung readily admitted it.

“It seems like a little help from the side would improve things more than struggling alone.”

Though it was called a request, it was so plainly put that Jeonghwan was instead taken aback.

“But Yeo Gamhwi is already among the top of his peers. Didn’t he even take first place in the Sikeonghap? Wouldn’t it be more righteous to manage those who might be expelled right away instead?”

He had long known that Yeo Gamhwi and the Hwayeonggyeongjang were quite close. Otherwise, during the hunting ritual, he wouldn’t have brought a friend in his place when Jeonghwan had already been pre-designated as a partner. No matter that he was the adopted son of the military commander, bringing someone who wasn’t the child of a high-ranking noble among the aristocracy was a difficult decision unless it was someone he truly cherished. Thus, for the first time, Jeonghwan refused the Hwayeonggyeongjang’s order.

“If this request stems from personal feelings, I will decline.”

Jeonghwan was also aware that Hongyo had been the last one practicing until the very day before the Sikeonghap. He knew she was bold enough to display her skills without flinching even in front of Jang Daeho.

But regardless, simply granting the request because he was the Hwayeonggyeongjang’s friend wouldn’t be fair. His attitude was more resolute than expected, but Gamyoung nodded as if he had anticipated it.

“I won’t say there are no personal feelings at all.”

“……”

“But it doesn’t mean Yeo Gamhwi’s efforts should be undervalued just because he’s a friend.”

As Jeonghwan gazed at him silently, Gamyoung spoke.

“My request is simply to take a look around the training grounds at the hour of You.”

It was clearly his usual calm tone, but his voice carried a certain conviction.

“What happens after that is for Gamhwi to decide.”

And so now, Jeonghwan was watching Hongyo heading to the training grounds today as well, carrying two water jars on her shoulders without a word of complaint. It had already been half a month, and seeing Hongyo silently bearing the jars, even though it was his own assignment, he couldn’t help but think how inefficient she was, yet his eyes were drawn to her inevitably. Compared to the other peers, her height wasn’t particularly short, but for some reason, she gave the impression of a small frame.

Even so, there was only a head’s difference in height between them, but whether because she was so skinny or born with slender bones, she didn’t seem small at all, yet she appeared unusually petite. When sparring with Jang Daeho, she didn’t seem lacking in strength, but her stamina itself seemed weak. At first, she struggled with jars not even half full, but after about half a month, she could finally carry them fully. Of course, she still spilled half, but at that point, she should be ready to swing a spear in the air.

After observing for half a month like this, Jeonghwan thought he understood why Gamyoung had asked him to take charge of Yeo Hongyo’s training.

With such earnest effort, he couldn’t just ignore it. If even he, who had only seen her for a couple of months, could tell, how could her friend not know? Thus, Jeonghwan finally delivered a proper attack to Hongyo, who was swinging the spear in earnest for the first time. As expected, Hongyo blocked the overhead strike with both hands on the spear and looked up at him with startled eyes. Jeonghwan quickly withdrew the spear. At the same time, as he pressed the spear tip to her throat, tension crept into her startled face.

“If this were a battlefield, you’d be done here.”

Even though it was a training spear without a blade, the tip was just blunt. In a real fight, she would have been subdued long ago, but the moment Jeonghwan saw the emotions plainly revealed in her eyes, he oddly felt a sudden urge to tease her a little.

It was just that…

As he slightly lifted the spear tip under her chin, her head tilted up accordingly. Because of that, the pupils beneath her slightly lowered eyelids turned toward him. Her light-colored eyes were as transparent as beads under the winter sunlight. In that instant, Jeonghwan felt his heart drop. If this weren’t Hwayeonggyeong, where only men could enter, that moment’s Yeo Hongyo had something strangely captivating enough to mistake her for a woman.