Chapter 106: Snow Flower Academy (3)
Lately, Yang Yeon-jeong’s expression had grown exceptionally bright. Her constant smiling was so uncharacteristic that the soldiers even felt awkward. It was only natural, as her two brothers, whose survival had been unknown, had joined the army. Her steps toward General Jang-yang’s office were light.
At the entrance of the modest hall located on the outskirts of the palace, two guards stood watch. Seeing Yang Yeon-jeong, one of them saluted and said, “Adjutant, you have arrived!”
“Yes, good work!”
“Adjutant So-mu is already inside.”
“I see. Keep up the good work.”
Yang Yeon-jeong nodded and vanished inside. After she went in, the guards looked at each other with blank expressions.
“Have you ever seen the Adjutant smile like that before?”
“Of course not. It’s actually a bit scary to see her smiling all of a sudden.”
“I guess she’s in a good mood because her brothers were rescued.”
One guard narrowed his eyes and said, “But did you hear? So-so was the one who found them.”
“What, So-so? Haha! She was running around exploring the palace, and she ended up doing something great.”
“Tell me about it. I heard the Adjutant carries her on her back now whenever they meet.”
“Unbelievable. To think someone so stern had that side to her.”
The guards chuckled, pleased to have a fun topic to gossip about. Meanwhile, inside the office, the three individuals were starting their discussion.
Yang Yeon-jeong asked with a bright voice, “General, there are many empty halls. Why don’t you use a wider space? It doesn’t suit your dignity as the military governor.”
“Haha. A single desk is enough to conduct state affairs. Why does the size of the room matter? I prefer the size I used back in Hanzhong.”
Today, Jang-yang’s face looked exceptionally bright.
“You seem to have good news, General.”
“Since you have good news, is it not good news for me as well? I went to see your brothers today.”
“My younger brothers?”
Jang-yang nodded and filled her teacup.
“Their condition has improved significantly. Commander Mo Cheong worked hard. Speaking with them, they seem to be excellent officers.”
“They still have a long way to go.”
“For the martial artists of the Yang family, the finest military family in the realm, to be lacking? How can you say such a thing?”
Feeling embarrassed, Yang Yeon-jeong took a sip of tea and said, “If you don’t mind, I will speak with them so they can join our army. They will follow my words implicitly.”
“Haha. If you do so, I will be grateful. It feels like gaining a thousand troops.”
“You praise us too highly. Compared to our ancestors’ achievements, we still fall far short.”
Jang-yang smiled warmly, pleased with the addition of Yang Kang and Yang So. After a moment, he pointed to the map spread across the desk.
“And there is another piece of good news. It has been confirmed that General Yue Fei has captured Hangu Pass. And he is currently moving to secure Wu Pass.”
Hangu Pass was the key gateway between Chang’an and Luoyang. The side that occupied it held the initiative in attacks, giving them an overwhelming advantage.
Staring silently at the map, So-mu said in admiration, “The momentum of the Yue family army is formidable. Compared to Hangu Pass, Wu Pass will be relatively easy.”
“He has many excellent officers under his command, but his tactics are also superb. Now, only Dasan Pass to the west remains.”
“Since that place is currently empty, can we not enter without spilling blood?”
“You are correct. If we secure these three passes, we will be able to defend the entire Shaanxi region safely.”
So-mu looked at the map and said, “However, that is on the premise that Xiangyang remains intact. Currently, Hanzhong is safe because it is in the rear, but if Xiangyang falls, Hanzhong will find itself on the front lines.”
“That is also my greatest concern. Although Military Governor Han Se-chung has been defending Xiangyang for months, the sheer difference in numbers has forced him to merely hold out inside the fortress.”
“It seems they are surrounding the fortress to starve them out.”
The defending force in Xiangyang was about fifty thousand. On the other hand, the Hui army invading the region was nearly three times that number.
“If they do not receive food supplies within a few months, they will have no choice but to collapse.”
“Is General Yu Gwang still refusing to move?”
General Yu Gwang and Military Governor Jang-yang were both of the junior second rank, the highest rank for military officers, meaning neither could command the other.
Jang-yang had previously requested General Yu Gwang to attack the rear of the Hui army besieging Xiangyang. Although he had sent messengers multiple times to request their deployment, his requests had been ignored.
“He still hasn’t deployed. I sent another messenger a few days ago. If he doesn’t move this time either, we will have to find another way.”
Yang Yeon-jeong agreed, “If the General does not move, we must find a way to support Xiangyang ourselves.”
“Yes. Let us wait for the results before making a decision. They should be able to hold out for the time being.”
“Yes, General.”
After discussing a few more details, the three concluded their meeting.
Leaving Jang-yang’s office, So-mu could not help but feel frustrated.
‘Even if he sends another messenger, General Yu Gwang will not move.’
He knew this from experience. General Yu Gwang had a history of fleeing alone with his direct division during the battle of the Namso plains. Because of that, the allied forces had been wiped out without even being able to resist. He was a figure So-mu disliked as much as the late Privy Councilor Jang Jun.
‘I must find a way…’
His steps led him past the main avenue toward Yeon Seo-hwa’s residence.
Looking around, he saw that vitality was slowly returning to the faces of the residents. Since relief supplies were being distributed, no one was starving anymore. However, it would still take a long time for the city to normalize completely.
Before long, a two-story building with a flower garden came into view. From inside, the clear melody of a tung flute and a seven-string zither playing together could be heard. It seemed So-so was there as well.
“Ahem!”
As he made his presence known, the music stopped. The door opened on its own, revealing the interior.
Creak.
“Father!”
So-so ran out and leaped into his arms.
“Have you been good?”
“Yes!”
Cradling the child in his left arm, So-mu stepped inside. Holding the zither on her lap, Yeon Seo-hwa asked with a faint smile, “What brings you here at this hour?”
“I had some free time. I wanted to see So-so’s face.”
A trace of disappointment flashed across her face. It was likely because he hadn’t mentioned her. However, he couldn’t display affection in front of the innocent child.
“How is Snow Flower Academy doing?”
“Good. Although the final preparations aren’t finished, we opened it two days ago for now. It’s all thanks to you, Yeon-mae. Even donating such a large sum…”
Yeon Seo-hwa asked in surprise, “How did you know?”
“There was the flower engraved on your sleeves in the signature column.”
“Ah… you have sharp eyes. Since it’s named after me, I should make sure it runs well. Is Cho-hee doing well?”
“Yes. She seems to have adapted quickly. The children like her, and her expression has brightened.”
“That’s a relief. At first, she was so upset that she wouldn’t even speak to me.”
“Why was she upset?”
“She has a tendency to avoid people, so I wanted to help her overcome it this time. That’s why I told her there were only a few children at Snow Flower Academy.”
So-mu couldn’t help but laugh.
“Haha. The Peace Class has the most children. There must be at least two hundred.”
Snow Flower Academy was divided into six classes. And the Peace Class was the one Yeon Cho-hee oversaw. Once they secured more teachers, they planned to divide it into ten classes.
Hearing there were two hundred children, Yeon Seo-hwa also burst into laughter.
Just then, as if remembering something, their laughter stopped at the same time. They had inadvertently overlooked one thing.
Hadn’t they been using polite speech in front of So-so? It had slipped out naturally.
Silence fell over the room. Sitting on his lap, So-so stared at her master with wide eyes.
“What is Yeon-mae?”
Startled, Yeon Seo-hwa sent a transmission.
—What do we do?
—I-I don’t know. Yeon-mae, try to handle it.
Her cheeks turning red, Yeon Seo-hwa said in confusion, “Ah… adult friends call each other that. Your father and I decided to be friends… right?”
“Yes. Friends…”
So-so blinked her large eyes a few times before giggling.
“Heehee… heeheehee.”
So-mu asked in a trembling voice, “Why… why are you laughing?”
“I know everything~”
“Wh-what…?”
Suddenly, So-so narrowed her eyes with a knowing expression.
“Are you curious?”
It was a funny situation with a tiny child looking so serious, but he couldn’t laugh. For some reason, he felt a chill. If she made a bombshell declaration here, how would he clean it up?
Yeon Seo-hwa quickly sent a transmission.
—Stop her.
Nodding, So-mu gently tickled the child’s side. So-so giggled and squirmed.
“Heehee~ that tickles~”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Yeon Seo-hwa changed the subject.
“Would my disciple like to visit Snow Flower Academy too?”
Curiosity filled So-so’s face.
“Really? I want to go~”
“Yes. Attending for an hour during the afternoon class should be suitable.”
“Can we go now?”
So-mu also agreed. She didn’t have any friends in Chang’an yet. She couldn’t very well go to Hanzhong to see Cheong-ah and A-hae.
“The timing should be about right.”
“Let’s pack her things. Hurry.”
So-mu and Yeon Seo-hwa packed snacks and drawing tools into a bundle, then slung it diagonally across the child’s back.
“Shall we hold hands and go? Let’s leave before we’re late.”
So-so offered her left hand to her father, who was walking slightly apart.
“Father’s hand too!”
Holding her father’s hand in one and her master’s in the other, they headed toward the palace. So-so could not stop smiling, clearly excited.
This was the second time the three of them were holding hands and walking together. It felt completely different from the awkward first time. There were smiles on all three of their faces.
Snow Flower Academy was one of the largest halls in the palace. It had been slightly remodeled through simple woodwork, and they could use other outdoor facilities whenever needed, so it lacked nothing.
A quarter of an hour later, at the entrance of Snow Flower Academy, So-mu said, “I’ll go and bring Teacher Cho-hee first.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
As So-mu vanished inside, Yeon Seo-hwa looked down at So-so. For some reason, So-so’s expression looked slightly stiff. Crouching down to meet her gaze, she asked, “Is my disciple nervous?”
“I-I’m trembling…”
For a sociable child to be shy—but then, hearing the boisterous voices coming from inside the hall, it was only natural.
“They are the friends you brought here. So everyone will be happy.”
“Really…?”
“Yes, of course. Since our So-so is pretty, you’ll be very popular.”
“Heehee…”
As So-so’s tension began to ease, a familiar figure emerged from the grand entrance of Snow Flower Academy alongside So-mu.
“Our So-so is here?”
“Hello~”
Cho-hee stroked So-so’s head and looked at Yeon Seo-hwa.
“You said she’d attend for an hour during the afternoon class…?”
Her tone sounded slightly blunt. It seemed her anger at being tricked by her sister had not fully subsided.
“Yes. She has to practice her instruments and martial arts, so any more than that won’t fit her schedule.”
“Then what do you do in the afternoon, Sister…?”
“I just rest. Why?”
Cho-hee muttered with a meaningful expression, “We are short-handed here. We are constantly inviting temporary teachers.”
She was implying that her sister should come and work.
Yeon Seo-hwa looked flustered. For a former Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult to care for orphans—the world would be shocked if they knew.
However, if it was just acting as a temporary teacher, she could cooperate for the sake of her husband and So-so. It was something they could discuss later.
“Let’s go inside, So-so.”
As she gently pushed So-so inside, Cho-hee looked dumbfounded.
“Making your younger sister work… while you rest…”
“It’s all for your own sake, Cho-hee.”
Within the massive hall, several classes were divided to the left and right of the central corridor. Walking to the left, the group stopped in front of a door with a plaque that read ‘Peace’. So-mu and Yeon Seo-hwa encouraged the child as they sent her in.
“Have fun, daughter.”
“You can do well, right?”
“Yes…”
Her voice lacked strength. Standing before the door, she seemed to be nervous again.
Cho-hee raised her hand, signaling So-mu and Yeon Seo-hwa not to follow any further. She then took So-so’s hand, opened the door, and entered.
Slide.
She tried to close the door, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Why won’t the door close…”
Cho-hee looked up in confusion.
Yeon Seo-hwa and So-mu were holding the door open with their qi. It was a technique applying telekinesis. Their determination to watch through the gap was firm.
“Sigh.”
How could she oppose their strength?
Inside, about two hundred children were sitting in rows. Since a sheet of paper was spread before each of them, they seemed to be learning to write. When So-so entered, curiosity filled everyone’s faces.
“Everyone! This is the friend who will join us in the afternoon starting today! You’ve all seen her before, right?”
The children cheered at once.
“Yes!”
“I’ve seen her too!”
“The strong friend who plays the flute well!”
Cho-hee stepped aside and said, “Introduce yourself to your friends.”
So-so hesitated, looking slightly flustered. With two hundred pairs of eyes focused on her, it was only natural.
After a moment, So-so’s cheeks flushed, and she said in a shy, trembling voice, “I-I… am So-so…”
Just then, her father’s transmission echoed in her ear.
—Tell them to look after you.
“…Please look after me kindly.”
Silence fell over the room.
A moment later, someone shouted, “Big Sister So-so!”
It was six-year-old So-bong, whom she had brought. Seeing a familiar face, So-so’s expression instantly brightened.
“It seems our So-so knows him. Would you like to sit next to So-bong over there?”
Although she walked over hesitantly, she would adapt in no time.
Cho-hee’s gaze shifted toward the gap in the door. There, So-mu and her sister were standing side by side, giggling as they tried to suppress their laughter.