Young Master Ding was curious about the personal bodyguard his father had hired for his little sister. Instead of returning to his studies after lunch, he stayed in the flower hall with his sister, Emily Ding, waiting for Butler Hugh to bring the woman over.
Miss Ding was twelve this year, already blooming into a lovely young lady. She wore a light pink satin robe with narrow sleeves, her hair styled into two buns adorned with pearl hairpins, and a pair of silver earrings dangled from her pierced ears.
The overall look was dainty and charming, with a pair of bright, spirited almond-shaped eyes that made her seem every bit like a sheltered young girl doted on by her father and brother.
At first glance, Clara couldn't help but think Master Ding was far too trusting—how could he leave such a delicate girl home alone?
"Master Ding, Young Master Ding, Miss Ding," Clara greeted as she stepped into the flower hall, standing with poise and offering a respectful fist salute.
Master Ding quickly gestured for her to forgo formalities, greeting her with a warm smile. "Lady Clara, you've finally arrived."
He turned to his daughter. "This is Lady Clara, the one I mentioned. Your brother and I will be heading to the provincial capital in a few days. With her guarding you, we can rest easy."
Emily studied Clara with bright eyes. Clara tilted her head slightly and looked back, their sudden eye contact piquing the girl's interest.
She took two steps forward and stood directly in front of Clara. "Are you the Lady Clara who chopped sixteen logs in one day? How do you have so much strength?"
Clara smiled politely. "I was born strong."
"Oh~" the girl nodded and then spotted the bow and blade. "You know how to use these?"
Clara shook her head and corrected her gently, "They're not for show—they're for protection."
"You mean… you really use them to defend yourself?" Emily circled behind Clara to get a closer look at the weapons, even reaching out to touch them.
Clara shifted slightly, evading the curious hand.
"Emmie!" Master Ding called out sharply, reminding her to mind her manners.
Emily didn't immediately retreat. "Lady Clara, have you ever killed a bandit?"
Clara raised an eyebrow and glanced at Master Ding, but didn't answer.
Taking her silence as a no, Emily pouted and finally returned to her father and brother.
Young Master Ding raised his chin and questioned Clara bluntly, "What skills do you have? Can you show us something?"
If this woman was to be his sister's protector, she had better be competent. Otherwise, they'd best find someone else.
Sixteen logs in one day? That didn't mean much to a boy who'd never experienced how grueling logging work could be.
Clara looked to Master Ding. "Does the young master wish to test me?"
Felix Ding didn't hide his skepticism. "I suspect you don't know any real martial arts."
Master Ding scolded lightly, "Mind your tongue."
But he didn't object. He, too, was curious what surprises Clara might have up her sleeve.
Clara figured this was fair—after all, a bodyguard applicant should prove their skills.
She said to Butler Hugh, "Please summon all the household guards for a spar."
Both Ding siblings blinked in surprise. Was she serious?
Butler Hugh hesitated. Gathering the guards was easy enough, but if she lost, it'd be a bit embarrassing.
He gave her a look, silently warning it wasn't too late to back down. Clara pretended not to see and walked outside to the courtyard, setting her bow and blade aside under the eaves.
"Barehanded?" Emily asked excitedly.
Clara smiled faintly. "So no one gets hurt by accident."
Too many years surviving in the post-apocalypse had conditioned her to strike for the kill—she was genuinely worried she might accidentally injure someone.
Well, fine then. Butler Hugh said no more and went to call the guards.
Eight men arrived—all tall and burly, exuding a strong presence.
In these times, travel wasn't safe. Master Ding had recruited these guards specifically to protect himself and his son during trips. Each had survived the chaos of recent years and had real battle experience.
Privately employed guards of the wealthy were well-fed, armed, and armored. Common thieves usually avoided them altogether.
Since Clara wasn't using weapons, the guards removed theirs too, keeping the match fair.
Trained fighters could sense pressure. And when they looked at Clara, none of them dismissed her for being a woman.
Quite the opposite—the oppressive aura she exuded made them feel like a wild beast had locked eyes on them.
Yet she wore a serene smile, calm and composed.
She was someone good at hiding her true self.
The guards exchanged looks and quietly selected their strongest among them to challenge Clara.
The Ding family trio watched with growing interest. Seeing the guards choose their best fighter right away only made them more curious.
Butler Hugh shouted, "Begin!"
The Ding family immediately turned their eyes to the courtyard.
Clara and the guard circled each other slowly, eyes locked, both on edge.
Clara always favored offense, especially once she assessed her opponent to be weaker. She would strike fast and without mercy, leaving no time to retaliate.
The guard felt a sudden chill crawl over him. Just as he wondered why he was uneasy, Clara lunged like a panther.
Thud! A dull smack echoed across the courtyard.
Two bodies collided, one slamming to the ground with a grunt.
One second. The fight was over.
Clara stood up and stepped aside calmly.
The hulking guard lay sprawled on the ground, limbs splayed out, completely unconscious.
Right now, you could stab him and he wouldn't feel a thing.
Clara's first strike had hit the side of his neck—his cervical vertebra. A vulnerable spot. Her strength far exceeded normal limits, and even with the blow pulled back, it was enough to knock him out cold.
In a real battle, that strike would've been fatal.
For Clara, killing someone with one punch was nothing out of the ordinary.
The remaining seven guards rushed forward to check on him, shaking him, slapping his face, even pressing his philtrum.
Eventually, the man groaned and cracked his eyes open, dazed. All he could register was that his neck hurt—badly.
"Hiss…" He clutched his head, curling up in pain. It took a long moment before he could sit up and stare at Clara in shock.
She was too fast.
Her strength wasn't human. Even if all eight of them ganged up on her, they wouldn't stand a chance.
"Anyone else?" Clara asked with a polite smile, though the fire in her eyes was unmistakable.
One guard took a step forward but was quickly pulled back by the first, who bowed to her. "Thank you for showing mercy. We concede. You're truly formidable, Lady Clara."
That last line was for the Ding men.
The three of them were stunned. They hadn't even seen a proper move—the fight had just… ended. Instantly.
This was nothing like the dramatic duels they'd imagined.
But Master Ding knew his guards well. Their leader was the most skilled of them all. If even he said Clara was powerful, it had to be true.
At the very least, there was no doubt—her strength was real.
Clara turned to Felix Ding and smiled. "Does the young master approve?"
Felix huffed, turned on his heel, and walked away—grudgingly accepting her as his sister's bodyguard.
(End of Chapter)
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