Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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She believed that her periodic visits to Mahu to extort money were a form of filial piety.

It wasn’t just because it could partially resolve her guilt as a mother who had neglected her only daughter due to adult circumstances.

‘I need to show her that I have no interest in martial arts so she can feel at ease.’

That’s right. If Mahu wanted to make her eldest son Cheonmu Hyeon the Junior Sect Leader, then Yakseol, another member of the Cheonma Bloodline, was also a target for restraint.

Yakseol’s enthusiasm for supporting artists rather than martial arts had the effect of easing Mahu’s wariness and making her feel relieved.

“By the way, what brings you here? You wouldn’t have business at Mahu Palace.”

“Uh… I’m looking for someone.”

Mujin scratched his head sheepishly as he spoke.

Yakseol tilted her head curiously. It was rare for the acquaintances of two people with different interests to overlap.

“It’s one of the artists you support, sister. Probably.”

“That’s too broad a clue. And it seems uncertain at that.”

This seemed like it would be a long story to discuss while walking.

When Yakseol gestured, the servants following her busily moved forward and prepared a place to sit near the lakeside.

“Let’s have tea with your elder sister after such a long time.”

Mujin nodded and obediently followed Yakseol to sit by the lakeside.

On the refreshment table that Yakseol’s servants diligently prepared, a pair of gaiwan and flower-shaped dasik were neatly arranged, with a small brazier placed beside them.

Seeing the servants about to light a fire, Mujin quickly created a flame using his Sammae True Fire.

“How thoughtful of you.”

“I’m in a hurry. That’s why.”

Mujin cleared his throat awkwardly.

When the water began to boil, the servants let it cool slightly before pouring it into the gaiwan.

“Try it. This is Songnuo tea.”

Holding the lid at an angle and tilting the gaiwan, a clear pale green stream hit the teacup, and a deep orchid fragrance reminiscent of a dense forest rose distinctly.

“Nice. It’s refreshing.”

“I’m pleased that you like it. Shall I pack some for you to take home?”

When Mujin nodded, Yakseol smiled.

“Now tell me. Besides being one of the artists, you must have more to tell your sister.”

“She’s a woman. I think she’s a singer.”

“Oh ho.”

Yakseol raised the corners of her mouth, intrigued that the person Mujin was looking for was a woman. Mujin waved his hands as if to say don’t misunderstand.

“I don’t even know her face. We just talked a bit through a wall.”

“How could such a case exist?”

“Yeah. We were cellmates.”

Yakseol’s interest quickly faded.

She had hoped that perhaps spring winds were blowing for Mujin, but it was utterly disappointing.

“With such a fine build, how can you not have a single romance? Look at Museong. Every time I see him, he’s with a different woman.”

“That’s why he’s a playboy and I’m a scoundrel.”

Mujin shrugged as if to say what’s the problem with that.

Neither the 1st Prince Cheonmu Hyeon nor the 2nd Prince Cheonmu Kang were married yet. There was no reason for the 3rd Prince Mujin to be in a hurry.

Rather, Cheonmu Seong, who was diligently pursuing romantic endeavors, was the unusual case.

“How proud you are. Are there no other clues?”

“Hmm.”

Mujin fell into thought for a long time, trying to recall clues worth telling Yakseol.

Although his conversations with Riser weren’t few, most of the content was of little use in identifying her personally.

“She said you were generous and gentle, sister.”

“Truly a proper assessment.”

Yakseol looked satisfied, then paused.

While it was pleasant to hear, it wasn’t an evaluation she heard often.

‘How strange.’

Yakseol’s generally known personality was closer to having clear standards and being strict.

For someone working in a field like art where it’s difficult to distinguish gems from stones, being called generous wasn’t a compliment. It was likely to be misunderstood as a roundabout way of saying she lacked discernment.

Anyone who knew Yakseol well wouldn’t choose such words as praise.

But if the person who said those words was an artist who had received support from Yakseol herself…

‘She must be a prospective initiate.’

Yakseol’s eyes sparkled.

“But why are you looking for her?”

“It’s nothing much. I received some kindness and want to repay it.”

Mujin didn’t want to go into too much detail, so he glossed over it.

“So can you find her? Or not?”

“I’m not sure yet. I haven’t supported just one or two female singers.”

Though she said this, Yakseol had a hunch.

She didn’t support just any artist to begin with.

Since she only provided special treatment to a very small number of artists with irreplaceable talent, there was no way she couldn’t remember their faces.

If she divided the few geniuses in half to leave only women, then filtered out all those with talents other than singing, only a handful would remain.

Among them, there was only one person who hadn’t formed preconceptions about Yakseol.

‘It must be that innovative singer.’

If she was a prospective initiate who had recently entered Cheonryeon Palace, it wouldn’t be strange for her to describe Yakseol as ‘generous and gentle.’ Though she didn’t know how she ended up in Noeok.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a matter of time. However…”

Yakseol smiled and looked at Mujin with mysterious eyes.

Sensing an ominous feeling, Mujin’s expression hardened as he stepped back about half a pace.

“…However, what.”

“If something goes, shouldn’t something come in return?”

Yakseol poured the cold tea onto the ground and tapped the empty teacup.

The servants hurriedly filled her gaiwan with hot water and began brewing the second steeping.

“Here. The second brewing is delicious.”

It was a declaration that she would thoroughly discuss this matter.

Mujin sighed as if resigned and accepted the cup. He hadn’t expected her to help for free from the beginning.

“What do you want.”

“Well.”

Slurp.

Yakseol savored the Songnuo tea from the second brewing, which had a much more elegant fragrance.

“Since the weather has been warm lately, it would be perfect refinement to enjoy viewing spring orchids while savoring the subtle fragrance of ink.”

“What are you saying… Ah, no way!”

Mujin sprang up from his seat as if bouncing.

He had realized what Yakseol’s seemingly nonsensical muttering meant.

Spring orchids meant spring orchids. Up to this point, it could be understood as a subtle wish for flowers as a gift. But hearing the following word ‘ink fragrance’ made it clear this wasn’t a request for actual orchids.

What could it mean for orchids famous for their fragrance to smell like ink?

“How disappointing. Is painting one orchid painting for your only elder sister such a difficult task?”

“Of course it’s difficult!”

Mujin showed his irritation as if it were absurd.

Though he was the precious Magong-ja, he had learned various skills like Go and music for cultivation in his childhood. Among them, it was true that Mujin’s skill at painting orchids was the best among his siblings.

“Sister, do you even know when I last painted an orchid?”

But that was all ancient history.

Now that more than ten years had passed since Mujin put down the brush and took up the sword.

Yakseol’s request to paint an orchid as a gift was a difficult favor he couldn’t fulfill even if he wanted to.

“Fine. Let’s just forget about it.”

Mujin drank the remaining tea in one gulp and put down the cup.

“Didn’t you say you needed to repay a kindness?”

“That’s all her own fortune. I’ve done what I could.”

His desire to find Riser and repay her kindness was sincere, but that didn’t mean he would do anything. Come to think of it, even if Mujin didn’t know Riser, Riser would know Mujin, so if she wanted something, couldn’t she just come find him?

“That’s unfortunate. If you ever change your mind later, come find me.”

“That won’t happen.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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