TYDOFC 22

Chapter 22

“He’s your bodyguard. From now on, he’ll protect you.”

My father said, glancing back at me.

“He’s a disciple of Ilhwa, so his skill speaks for itself. One day, he’ll succeed Ilhwa and become the next of the Twelve Venomous Blossoms. His martial arts surpass most warriors, and since he’s not much older than you, it’ll be convenient to have him by your side.”

At my father’s words, Choyo bowed his head.

My father’s gaze turned to the young boy.

“Moreover, he’s adept at concealing his presence and highly skilled in yeokyongsul (1).”

At that moment, I recalled something my father had told me in my past life.

“All of them are among the most exceptional warriors alive — their ages, origins, and any detail that could reveal their identity are all shrouded in secrecy. So if you ever encounter a member of the Twelve Venomous Blossoms, never assume the face you see is their true one.”

My father had taught me many things in that life.
In fact, he had taught me almost everything except for poison arts.

‘And I remember hearing it back then.’

That every member of the Twelve Venomous Blossoms was skilled in yeokyongsul (art of disguise) and chukgulgong (2), the martial art of compressing bones and muscles.

So that meant Ilhwa’s face probably wasn’t her real one either.
A false face.
Perhaps even a human-skin mask.

I sneaked a glance at Ilhwa’s face.

It wasn’t quite beautiful enough to be called striking, but because I knew it wasn’t real, there was an oddly mysterious charm to it.

When our eyes met, Ilhwa smiled faintly.

For some reason, I felt embarrassed.

It was the kind of embarrassment you feel when you get caught staring at someone’s face.

I quickly averted my gaze from Ilhwa and turned to Choyo instead.

‘I had bodyguards in my past life too.’

But they had been assigned to me from among Father’s own guards. Strictly speaking, they weren’t mine.

So this time, having a guard who would work solely for me was actually a good thing.

Even so, I couldn’t help but wonder—

Why had Father suddenly decided to assign me a bodyguard?

As a daughter of the Tang family, my movements were already heavily restricted.

Until I grew older, I wouldn’t be allowed to leave the Tang estate,
and even after reaching adulthood, my freedom would remain limited.

So there shouldn’t be any danger that required a bodyguard—

‘Ah, no! Wait!’

There was Tang Paejin!

Tang Paejin was vicious, petty, cruel, and rabid.

A man who wouldn’t hesitate to harm his own blood if it meant getting what he wanted.

And right now, that man—
because of me—

‘…must be seething with venom thicker than a centipede’s after a thousand years of cultivation in a cave.’

People like him—one never knew what they might do.

Perhaps he’d even try to kill me before I grew up.

Was that why Father had assigned me a bodyguard?

“But Father, aren’t the Twelve Venomous Blossoms the private elite force that only the clan head can command?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then is it all right for the disciple of one of the Twelve to serve as my bodyguard?”

After all, the Twelve Venomous Blossoms only obey the clan head’s orders.
How had Father managed to summon Ilhwa and convince her to lend me her disciple?

There were too many questions swirling in my head.

I felt dizzy.

Father chuckled softly at my expression.

“Don’t worry. The clan head himself approved of Choyo serving as your guard.”

“Really?”

I asked again in disbelief.

“Grandfather gave his permission?”

“Yes. Even as the Lord of Dokryong Pavilion, I cannot command the Twelve at will. Ilhwa came because the clan head ordered it.”

Ilhwa smiled gently at that.

“The Second Young Master speaks the truth. I brought Choyo under the clan head’s command.”

She softly pushed Choyo’s back forward.

“Choyo is a child I’ve raised personally since infancy. Though still lacking in many ways, he’ll surely be useful by your side. I can guarantee his ability. So please, Young Miss, accept him without worry.”

I looked at Choyo.

‘He’ll definitely be of help.’

I nodded.

“All right, Ilhwa.”

Letting go of Father’s sleeve, I stepped forward toward Choyo.

“I’ll entrust my protection to him.”

Father smiled warmly, as though relieved.

I turned back to him.

“Thank you for your concern, Father. Please tell Grandfather that Bia is very happy.”

“I will.”

And I didn’t forget to thank Ilhwa, either.

“Ilhwa, thank you for bringing Choyo to me.”

“It’s nothing, Young Miss.”

“And… Choyo.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

“As you know, I’m Tang Biya. I’m eight years old, and I’ll turn nine next year. From now on, I’m also your master.”

Choyo looked at me intently, as if waiting for what I’d say next.

“And there’s something I want to tell you alone.”

At that, I noticed Father and Ilhwa exchange glances.

Choyo seemed slightly taken aback but simply nodded.

“Yes.”

I tore my gaze from him and looked at Father and Ilhwa.

“That’s all right, isn’t it? He’s my bodyguard now.”

“Do as you wish,” Father said.

Ilhwa nodded silently in agreement.

I brought Choyo into my room.

Then I dismissed everyone nearby and shut the door tightly.

As the door closed, the Manhyulsa coiled up its body and slithered out from my sleeve.

Ah, it must have been uncomfortable in there.

The snake slid smoothly across the floor and disappeared beneath my bed, just like it always did.

Choyo, meanwhile, showed no hint of surprise.

He simply watched the snake’s movements quietly, calmly.

When the serpent disappeared under the blanket, he murmured,

“That’s a Manhyulsa, isn’t it?”

“You know about it?”

“Yes, my master mentioned it recently.”

So he knew what it was, and yet didn’t flinch.

Good attitude. Good composure.

Inwardly, I gave him a passing grade.

Then I nodded and looked him in the eye.

“Choyo, I’m in a situation where I need a bodyguard. That’s probably why Father brought you here.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

“But a bodyguard who doesn’t trust his master is useless to me.”

Choyo flinched.

“Trust is crucial. Sometimes, it decides life or death. It might sound fragile, but in truth, it’s stronger and deeper than anything else in the world. I need a guard I can trust with my life, Choyo. I can’t entrust my safety to just anyone. I’m sure my father feels the same way.”

Choyo said nothing.

The room was utterly silent, my voice ringing clear in the stillness.

“Your real name isn’t Choyo, is it? The Twelve Venomous Blossoms all use aliases, so yours must be one too.”

“……”

“And that face isn’t your real face either.”

I stared hard at him.

‘This could be a test.’

From Ilhwa’s sudden appearance to Choyo’s arrival—
All of it.

It might all be a way for Father and Grandfather to test me.

Once that thought took hold, I couldn’t back down.

“So tell me your true name, Choyo.”

For a moment, the room filled with silence, a faint tension in the air.

Sensing the shift, the Manhyulsa slithered back out from under the blanket and raised its head toward Choyo.

“I want trust. Tell me your real name—and show me your real face. I can’t accept as my guard someone whose name or face I don’t even know.”

After a brief pause, I added quietly,

“If you can’t do that, you may leave. I’ll explain everything to Father myself.”