The Jang Residence
Four days had passed since Lord Jang gave the cryptic letter to Eun Sook. Eun Sook had spent every waking moment since then in the training yard, her focus so intense it bordered on madness. The sound of her sword clashing against practice dummies echoed through the courtyard, each strike a desperate cry for vengeance. Sweat streamed down her face, but she pressed on, her eyes burning with a fierce, unquenchable fire.
The training yard was her sanctuary and battlefield, where every drop of sweat and every swing of her sword brought her closer to her goal. The practice dummies bore the brunt of her fury, their straw bodies slashed and battered. The air around her sizzled with the sheer intensity of her willpower, a palpable force driving her forward.
Na Bi, ever her loyal and vigilant maid servant, approached her young mistress with a mix of caution and concern. She had served Eun Sook for many years and had never seen her so consumed by a singular purpose. "Young Lady," she called out, her voice a gentle interruption to the relentless rhythm of steel on steel. "There's an urgent message from the palace."
Eun Sook halted mid-strike, her eyes narrowing to slits. "What is it?"
Na Bi took a deep breath before continuing, "A messenger has arrived. You need to hear what he has to say."
Reluctantly, Eun Sook sheathed her sword, the metal sliding into its red scabbard with a final, decisive click. She followed Na Bi back to the residence, each step heavy with the weight of unspoken thoughts. At the entrance, the palace messenger stood, his expression one of barely concealed anxiety.
"Young Lady Jang," he began with a deep bow, "I bring an invitation from the first Princess. She is holding a grand banquet to celebrate her birthday, and one member of every noble household is required to attend."
As the eldest daughter of the Jang family, it was only proper for Eun Sook to represent her house. Yet, the prospect of attending a royal banquet seemed as appealing as walking into a den of vipers to her.
Eun Sook's expression remained impassive. She waited for the messenger to depart before turning to Head Maid Servant Park. "I have no interest in such frivolities. Inform Jang Yeon Woo that she will attend in my stead."
Head Maid Servant Park hesitated, clearly uneasy with the decision, but eventually nodded. "Yes, Young Lady."
Without another word, Eun Sook returned to her training ground. Rumors swirled around her like a cloud of gnats; some said she was ugly, which explained her reclusiveness and unmarried state. Others whispered she was handicapped, displaced, or even mentally unstable. She paid these rumors no mind. Her thirst for revenge was a flame that consumed all else.
Her mind flashed back to the past, the memories as vivid as the day they happened. The betrayal, the loss, the pain—all had forged her into a weapon, honed for a singular purpose. Her enemies would not see her coming until it was too late.
A short while later, a palanquin appeared at the Jang residence. The sight of it was enough to stir curiosity and anxiety among the household staff. As it settled at the entrance, a servant rushed into the courtyard, breathless with urgency.
"My lady, there's an urgent message. Head Gisaeng Ma from the Gisaeng house is here to see you."
Eun Sook's eyes flickered with surprise. For the first time in years, the formidable Head Gisaeng Ma had come seeking her. Intrigued, she sheathed her sword, handed it to the servant to keep in her room and followed the servant to the entrance hall.
Head Gisaeng Ma, typically the picture of grace and composure, looked visibly distressed. She bowed deeply, her voice trembling with desperation. "Lady Eun Sook, I beg for your assistance. The Gisaengs are to perform two dance sessions at the Princess' banquet, but our lead dancer for the sword dance has fallen gravely ill. As you know the sword dance is difficult to learn as it takes years to master, it's impossible to learn it in a few days. You are the only person I know who knows this dance and can able to perform it. The Princess is notoriously cruel. If we fail to meet her expectations, she may punish us severely."
Eun Sook's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. She knew well the tales of the Princess' cruelty—how she had beaten her servants to death for a minor slight, burnt the face of her husband's concubine for outshining her at a festival, and disfigured a court lady for being too beautiful and grasping her husband's attention. The stakes were high, and the Gisaengs' plight was dire. Imagine what she could do to mere Gisaengs of low rank in society. But Eun Sook was not one to act without securing something in return.
"I will help you," Eun Sook said finally, her voice steady and commanding. "But on one condition, in return, you must provide me with information about the Chief Officer Seo Jin. Also, I need another sword for my dance at the banquet—one that is not as recognizable as my current one."
Head Gisaeng Ma nodded fervently. "Anything, my lady. Your aid will not be forgotten."
Eun Sook agreed, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She would dance, not just to save the Gisaengs, but to gather more pieces in the intricate puzzle of her revenge. She had been given another chance to edge closer to her ultimate goal, and she would seize it with both hands.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Jang residence's courtyard, Eun Sook returned to her training ground. The day had been long, filled with unexpected turns, but her resolve remained unshaken. She switched modes from the dangerous warrior to the exquisite dancer, her movements fluid and graceful. The dance of the sword was both a deadly art and a mesmerizing performance, each step a blend of lethal precision and enchanting beauty.
Her thoughts drifted to the upcoming banquet. The palace would be filled with nobles and courtiers, their eyes ever-watchful, their tongues sharp. But Eun Sook was prepared. She had faced greater challenges and emerged unscathed. The dance was more than just a performance; it was a statement of her resilience and determination.
As she practiced, the moon rose high in the sky, its silver light casting an ethereal glow on the courtyard. Eun Sook's silhouette moved like a shadow, her form blending seamlessly with the night. Each movement was a silent promise of what was to come—a reckoning for those who had wronged her.
The night was still, save for the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets. It was a serene backdrop for the storm brewing within Eun Sook. She was a force of nature, unyielding and unstoppable. The banquet would be her stage, and she would leave an indelible mark on those who witnessed her performance.
With a final, graceful flourish, Eun Sook completed her practice. She stood still, her breath steady, her mind clear. The path ahead was filled with danger, but she welcomed it. Each step brought her closer to her goal, and she would not be deterred.
She looked up at the moon, her eyes reflecting its cold, unfeeling light. There was a time for mercy and a time for vengeance. For Eun Sook, the time for vengeance had come.