A year has passed since then. During this time, I handled several missions and perfectly fulfilled my role as a bodyguard for the Jeong family. I also became completely accustomed to the late Goryeo period and could speak the language quite fluently, though not at a native level. Lee Joo-hee, who had been teaching me the language and writing, closed her book and said,
"That's it for today. It was fun."
"Why this sudden farewell?"
Lee Joo-hee stared at me for a moment, then suddenly pinched my cheek. Confused, I sat there blankly, and she giggled.
"You're such a fool~ but you're cute."
"......"
"Just kidding, I need to return to my main family. I've been here with the Jeong family because of my stubbornness."
"You mean the Yi family?"
"Yep."
I had heard from Lee Joo-hee about the secrets entangled between the Jeong and Yi families.
Originally, the ancestor of the Yi family, known as Yi Seong-gye, was one of the most formidable generals in Goryeo history and was also a master archer. It is said that he joined forces with the new scholar-officials, who were harboring much resentment against the tyranny of the powerful aristocracy, to overthrow the Goryeo dynasty. There is also a theory that Yi Seong-gye was planning a rebellion at the time.
However, for some reason, Yi Seong-gye did not start a rebellion. Instead, he set aside his own opinions and joined General Choi Yeong in an expedition to Liaodong, dealing a significant blow to the Ming, who were trying to attack the Northern Yuan at the time. It is said that part of the 150,000-strong army led by General Nam Ok, who was on a campaign against the Northern Yuan, intended to attack Goryeo, but for some reason, they did not move.
As a result, the Liaodong campaign was a considerable success, and the Hongwu Emperor canceled the establishment of the Iron Ridge Garrison. Goryeo's territory expanded to the vicinity of Geumsan, effectively controlling more than half of Liaodong.
It was a mystery why the Hongwu Emperor, who was the founder of the Ming dynasty and possessed great power and ambition, canceled his interference in Goryeo. The prevailing opinion was that the pressure from the leader of the White Lotus Sect was so intense that he could no longer pay attention to foreign affairs.
The subsequent developments were even more shocking. Yi Seong-gye, who had achieved remarkable military success, seized power in Goryeo a few years later and purged most of the powerful aristocracy. In this process, General Choi Yeong and his clan fell out of favor and retired to the countryside, while Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Do-jeon shared power, becoming the two major families that dominated Goryeo. King Gongmin lamented that driving away one tiger had brought in two lions, and Goryeo ended up with a system where three major forces maintained a balance of power, including the royal authority.
When Lee Joo-hee told me this story, she crossed her arms and said,
"The elders of the family say that Jeong Do-jeon achieved his current position by compromising his ideals and adapting to reality. Well, in the end, he purged the corrupt aristocracy and brought peace and prosperity to Goryeo, so it's not all bad, right?"
"That's... "
"Maybe if Goryeo had fallen at that time, a new country might have risen on this land by now."
Lee Joo-hee laughed casually.
"Hehe, but that's just a hypothetical. Hypotheticals in history have no meaning. Goryeo is now enjoying its golden age, and that's what matters."
"......"
I finished reminiscing and said,
"It will be hard to see you again once you return. You are a noble lady of the Yi family, the largest family in Goryeo."
Lee Joo-hee puffed out her cheeks.
"Hmph, why do you have to say such a sad thing? We can meet anytime. I thought we had become quite close, but maybe that was just my imagination?"
"......"
"Hehe, just kidding~ You take things too seriously~"
Seeing Lee Joo-hee laugh, I couldn't tell if she was being serious or joking. Despite her carefree appearance, she was the daughter of a powerful family in Goryeo, possessing outstanding scholarship and wisdom. She had mastered the Four Books and Five Classics by the age of four and, by the time she was ten, could compete with great scholars. Although she was a woman, she was one of the most noble beings in Goryeo.
I was also genuinely sad to part ways with Lee Joo-hee. She exuded the grace of a mature woman, and every time I saw her, I couldn't help but think of romantic feelings. I had developed quite a crush on her over the years.
'I want to marry her.'
But I shook my head. Lee Joo-hee doesn't have any feelings for me beyond that of a young friend. Moreover, our social statuses are vastly different. The mountain of tasks I need to accomplish also played a role. I sighed inwardly.
'Damn... Just once, I want to freely date the most beautiful women in the world during my reincarnation.'
Perhaps the erotic dreams shown to me by the fox were quite intense, as the suppressed desires I had been holding back were now boiling over. It was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress these thoughts, especially as my body, now in its teenage years, was experiencing strong sexual desires.
I suppressed these emotions and said,
"Have you ever met the Twelve Law Lords?"
"Hmm? You mean the supreme ruler of the Twelve Laws? Of course, the Twelve Laws are closely related to our family, so the Twelve Law Lord visits us every New Year to pay respects."
"......!!"
"From what I remember, he was very handsome. He had a look like Song Yu or Pan An. He seemed to be in his twenties, quite young. I don't know his name. He never revealed it and just called himself the Twelve Law Lord."
Lee Joo-hee smiled slyly as she looked at me. Her gaze was surprisingly mature and experienced for her age, making me flinch involuntarily.
"Are you interested in the Twelve Laws? I knew it. That's why I told you as much as I could~"
She seemed to understand why I was probing for information. After all, we had been close for the past two to three years. She had also seen through my intention to ask difficult questions as our time together came to an end.
I turned my head, feeling embarrassed.
"I'm sorry."
Lee Joo-hee smiled.
"Hehe, what are you sorry for? Uncle Jeong Chul-wook probably knows that you didn't just come to Goryeo to assimilate. He just wants to live peacefully with you because you're not a bad person and are helpful to the family."
"Um."
"Still, it's a bit disappointing. You could have asked me anytime."
Lee Joo-hee's face showed genuine sadness. I was at a loss, and she laughed.
"Hehehe! Just kidding!"
"......"
"Take care. I'll visit again when I'm bored~"
"Safe travels. It was enjoyable."
Lee Joo-hee didn't visit after the next day. She had been staying with the Jeong family to escape the confines of her own family, and during that time, she had taught me language and writing as a pastime. Now, as a noble lady of the Yi family, the most powerful family in Gaegyeong, it would be difficult for her to visit.
'She also had a great talent for martial arts.'
I had taught her martial arts for about two years. In that short time, she had developed the skill to defeat second-rate martial artists on her own. She had mastered not only the techniques of the Brain Shadow Sword Method but also its hidden meanings, far surpassing my own level. Later, I even considered teaching her the Ten Thousand Victories Sword Technique. If she had been a martial artist, she could have become one of the few outstanding female experts in the world.
Suddenly, I felt depressed. Why am I here?
'If Hae-in is protected by a powerful being like the Twelve Law Lord, there might be no need to delve deeper.'
Of course, this is just a thought. Nevertheless, I need to confirm whether Hae-in is one of the Seven Essences and locate her. Otherwise, I might lack the strength to oppose the Jin Yi Wei in the future. Despite this, the thought of spending my time as a bodyguard in a foreign land made me feel very distressed.
Jeong Chul-wook noticed my depression. About four days later, he called me aside and said,
"I understand you're sad about not seeing Joo-hee anymore. However, I'm also upset when you're down. Try to cheer up a bit."
"It's not that. I just feel frustrated because I haven't accomplished anything."
"Not accomplishing anything... How about practicing martial arts?"
I shook my head.
"My martial arts have reached the Ascension stage and are now in the Gradual Cultivation phase. I feel a wall, so it's difficult to make significant progress through individual practice."
This was the biggest problem.
I had learned most of the advanced martial arts at the Blue Dragon Martial Hall, but these advanced techniques assume a peak level of cultivation and require exceptional insight. For example, I understand the techniques of the Ten Thousand Victories Sword Technique and the Heaven Thunder Supreme Spear, but I haven't reached the unique secret technique stage.