The life of Jang Eun Sook was nothing she had ever expected. Jang Hyun had hired two masters to guide her transformation. One was his most trusted guard, named Tae Min, who trained her in hand-to-hand combat, martial arts, and the art of the sword. The other was a scholar named Master Lee, who taught her in ways unlike the skills she had learned as a Gisaeng. Master Lee educated her about the human body—its weak points, its vital points—imparting knowledge that was both clinical and deadly.
Her days were structured with military precision: study, train, bathe, eat, study, train, bathe, eat. There was no respite, no leisure, only the relentless pursuit of perfection. But Eun Sook didn't crave rest; her determination and perseverance were her driving forces. Each day, she pushed herself to the brink, her focus unyielding.
Jang Hyun watched her closely, day after day. He observed her never showing signs of fatigue, never wavering in her commitment. Her resolve impressed him, reminding him of his own arduous journey. Meanwhile, his biological daughter, Jang Yeon Woo, looked on with growing envy. Three years younger than Eun Sook, Yeon Woo was a pretty girl, but her beauty could not compare to Eun Sook's, whose ethereal looks seemed to rival those of the goddesses themselves.
Yeon Woo's jealousy stemmed not only from Eun Sook's beauty but from the attention and resources Jang Hyun devoted to her training. She felt invisible in her father's eyes, overshadowed by the girl who had arrived as an orphan and now shone brighter than anyone in the household.
Eun Sook's days were grueling. In the morning, she trained in martial arts with Jang Hyun's guard, Tae Min, learning to harness her strength and agility. Her body became a weapon, her movements precise and deadly. She spent hours perfecting her swordsmanship, the red blade with the rose emblem becoming an extension of her will.
In the afternoon, she studied with Master Lee. He taught her anatomy and physiology, turning her into a master of pinpoint strikes. She learned to incapacitate an opponent with a single blow, to kill with surgical precision. Her mind became as sharp as her sword, her intellect honed to a deadly edge.
Despite the rigorous schedule, Eun Sook thrived. Her mind and body became one, her spirit unbroken. Her determination was fueled by the memory of her past, by the need to seek justice and exact her vengeance. Each day was a step closer to her goal, a day further from the helpless girl she once was.
Jang Hyun often watched her from a distance, pride mingling with a sense of foreboding. He had given her a chance, a new identity, and the means to forge her own path. But he knew the dangers that lay ahead. The world was unforgiving, and the path of vengeance was filled with peril. Yet, he saw in her the same fire that had once driven him. She was not just a ward; she was a kindred spirit, a reflection of his own dark past.
Eun Sook's transformation did not go unnoticed. The household staff spoke in hushed tones about her progress, marveling at her dedication. The servants who tended to her needs did so with a mixture of awe and fear, recognizing the power that now resided within her.
Yeon Woo, however, saw only what she lacked. The attention, the admiration, the respect—all were given to Eun Sook, while she remained in the shadows. Her resentment grew, festering like a wound. She sought ways to prove herself, to earn her father's approval, but his gaze never shifted from Eun Sook.
The tension in the household was palpable, an undercurrent of rivalry and ambition. Eun Sook remained focused, her eyes on the future. She knew that her training was just the beginning, that the real challenges lay beyond the estate's walls. But she was ready, prepared to face whatever came her way.
In the quiet moments, when she was alone with her thoughts, Eun Sook would sometimes reflect on her journey. The girl who had once been Hae Mi Hyang was gone, replaced by a warrior forged in the crucible of pain and loss. Jang Eun Sook was a new creation, a symbol of salvation and retribution.
With each passing day, she grew stronger, her purpose clearer. The path of vengeance was a lonely one, but she was not alone. She had the support of Jang Hyun, the guidance of her masters, and the grudging respect of those who witnessed her transformation.
And so, Jang Eun Sook continued her relentless pursuit of perfection, her heart steeled against the trials to come. She was a force to be reckoned with, a storm waiting to be unleashed. And when the time came, she would be ready to reclaim her power, her dignity, and her place in the world.
Before she knew it, five years had passed. Jang Eun Sook had become a master of all her skills. Her transformation was complete; she was no longer the frightened girl she once was, but a formidable warrior. She had even bested her masters, her strength and skill surpassing theirs, especially after she had defeated Tae Min in a duel.
One evening, Jang Hyun summoned her to his study. The room was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. He sat behind his large, ornate desk, a look of grim determination on his face.
"Eun Sook," he began, his voice steady, "the time has come for you to seek your revenge."
He slid a piece of parchment across the desk towards her. "This is a list of those who were involved in your family's tragedy."
With trembling hands, Eun Sook picked up the list. As her eyes scanned the names, the room seemed to close in on her. The air grew thick, and she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The list seemed to blur before her eyes, the names intertwining with the faces of the people who had wronged her family. Each name was a dagger, reopening old wounds.
Overwhelmed, she fell to the floor in shock. Her knees hit the cold, hard surface, and the list slipped from her grasp. She pressed her hands to her face, feeling the hot sting of tears that refused to fall. Her eyes burned with a mixture of rage and sorrow. The memories she had tried so hard to bury now surged back with a vengeance, each one more painful than the last.
Jang Hyun rose from his chair and knelt beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "This is your path," he said softly. "You have trained for this moment. You are strong, and you are ready. These names... they are the beginning of your journey towards justice."
Eun Sook looked up at him, her vision blurred but her resolve clear. She nodded, her jaw set with determination. She would not let the past control her any longer. She had the skills, the strength, and the resolve to face her enemies. She would honor her family's memory by bringing those responsible to justice.
With renewed purpose, she stood up, her hand clenched around the list. The fire in her eyes was undeniable, a fierce testament to her unwavering spirit. Jang Hyun watched her, a sense of pride and trepidation filling his heart. He had asked her to become an assassin, to fulfill both their revenges. Without hesitation, she agreed. "I will bring hell to those who have wronged us," she vowed. "With my burning rage, not even God could stop me." Her new name meant salvation but one thing was for sure: she would give those who wronged her the opposite of salvation.
Five Years Later
A masked woman dressed in black stood in a dimly lit chamber, her presence casting an ominous shadow over the wounded retired general who lay at her mercy. As he pleaded for his life, she toyed with a red rose, its thorns a cruel reminder of the fate that awaited him. She turned to him, her eyes cold and unyielding, and told him to guess who she was. Then, she began to hum, a haunting melody that sent chills down his spine. Recognition dawned on his face, and he begged for mercy with renewed desperation. She had lied about sparing him, and with a swift, merciless slash of her sword, she ended his life.
The Bathhouse
The Gisaeng from before, Hye Jin, rose gracefully from the bathhouse pool, water cascading off her lithe form. The bathhouse was identical to the one at the Jang family estate, a sanctuary of both cleansing and reflection. A servant, the same one who had handed her a veil earlier, approached and draped a robe over her shoulders. She dried her hair, her movements deliberate and serene, as if preparing for a sacred ritual. She donned the elegant red hanbok, the rich fabric whispering secrets of power and vengeance. The servants meticulously styled her hair, adding the ornate rose hairpin, a symbol of her transformation and purpose.
A man entered the room. He was the same man from the forest with the horses. "Young lady Jang Eun Sook," he said with a respectful bow. "Everything is ready."
Hye Jin, now fully embracing her identity as Jang Eun Sook, nodded. The three of them departed from the Jang residence, stepping out into the heavy rain. She entered the palanquin, her face set with determination.
Just before leaving, the young man leaned in and whispered, "We will wait for you in the forest near Lord Jo's house." Eun Sook acknowledged his words with a slight nod, her mind already focused on the mission ahead. The palanquin was lifted, and she was carried away into the night. The sound of the rain against the palanquin roof mirrored her racing thoughts, each drop a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. With every step taken by the bearers, she felt the weight of her purpose settle more firmly on her shoulders. The journey through the rain-soaked night was but a prelude to the storm she was about to unleash, her resolve unshaken as she moved closer to her destiny.