Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 35

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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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Moyong Hye chuckled and continued as if she didn’t find it too unpleasant.

“First, let me tell you that everyone finds different lectures easy. I’m not trying to avoid responsibility—I’m being sincere. Even today’s lecture ‘Understanding the Art of the Bedchamber and Conception through the Harmony of Yin-Yang and Five Elements’ was easy for me, but the other girls could barely walk properly.”

Riser nodded while listening to Moyong Hye’s words, then suddenly became curious.

“Come to think of it, why did that happen? They were all staggering as they came in…”

Then Moyong Hye glanced around as if conscious of the surrounding gazes, then whispered something in Riser’s ear.

“…! Really?”

“Why would I lie? Anyway, it’s not as theoretical a lecture as the name suggests. I was fine since I’ve done dance since I was young, but anyone lacking flexibility would suffer quite a bit. It could help in the long term, but if your goal is grades, I can’t really recommend it.”

“I understand what you mean.”

Riser let out a deep sigh.

‘I was hoping I could snag at least one easy lecture.’

Moyong Hye tilted her head as if puzzled.

“But why are you asking me about this? I feel awkward saying this myself, but obviously Jegal Lin is the expert when it comes to studying.”

“That’s because I can’t trust her.”

Riser crossed her arms firmly and her eyes flashed.

“She just watched me skip classes for ten whole days while staying in the same pavilion. Really disappointing. Does she perhaps see me as a competitor?”

“Puhaha!”

Moyong Hye burst into laughter as if she couldn’t hold it in.

“Jegal Lin is really so pitiful! Ahahaha!”

Was her usual prim yet coquettish appearance a carefully crafted mask?

Moyong Hye laughed while making very undignified sounds.

“What’s pitiful about her?”

“Haa. Ha. Now that I think about it, she doesn’t seem that pitiful. More like she got what she deserved.”

Moyong Hye recalled how Jegal Lin had tried to expose Namgung Yeonhwa’s shame during the recent poisoning incident and changed her stance.

‘Now that she puts it that way, I feel uneasy again.’

Riser quietly uncrossed her tightly folded arms.

Meanwhile, Moyong Hye was having a pleasant dilemma about what to do with this situation.

Leaving it alone wouldn’t be bad, and smoothing things over between the two wouldn’t be too difficult either.

“Young Lady Dang, what do you think of Jegal Lin?”

Riser flinched at the unexpected question and only moved her lips.

‘What do I think of Lin?’

It wasn’t easy to define in one word.

For now, she felt resentful because of the feeling of being betrayed, but she had no intention of keeping their relationship bad forever.

When Riser hesitated and couldn’t answer, Moyong Hye smiled as if she had no choice.

“She’s not a bad kid, but she’s kind of annoying, right? Frustrating too.”

“Young Lady Moyong.”

“I’m just being honest. I’m not saying this with malice.”

When Riser spoke warningly, Moyong Hye shrugged as if claiming her innocence.

‘Come to think of it, Moyong Hye, Namgung Yeonhwa, and Peng Guyeon knew each other even before entering Cheonryeon Palace.’

While the geographically distant Sichuan Dang Family couldn’t help it, most martial arts sects had active exchanges with each other.

Since they did similar work and frequently mingled, there were many married couples among them, creating an atmosphere like they were half-relatives.

Jegal Lin’s environment probably wasn’t much different.

Yet Jegal Lin was closer to Riser, whom she met at Cheonryeon Palace, than to the other young ladies from sects she’d known since childhood.

“Perhaps… Lin…”

“If you’re asking whether she was ostracized, that’s not it. It would be more accurate to say Jegal Lin ostracized the other kids.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Right. Either way, she had no friends. Hmm.”

Moyong Hye seemed awkward about what to say next, tapping her teacup with her fingernail while pretending to be distracted.

“So she’s a bit, clumsy. Young Lady Dang is the first friend she’s ever made.”

“…”

Moyong Hye recalled the moment when Jegal Lin had trembled while standing up to her to defend Riser.

‘That kid who always ran away into books or formations whenever difficult situations arose.’

Considering Jegal Lin’s personality of preferring to yield and give in rather than fight for what she wanted, it wasn’t hard to imagine how much courage that must have taken.

“I’m not saying you have to accept everything. But considering how much she treasures Young Lady Dang… the idea that she deliberately didn’t mention the class to mess with you is just. It simply doesn’t make sense.”

“Haa.”

Riser sighed and then slowly nodded.

Moyong Hye was probably right. She could tell without having to say how different Jegal Lin’s attitude toward other people was compared to her attitude toward Riser.

“Why is she so high-maintenance?”

“Oh my. Are you really saying that in front of me?”

Moyong Hye smiled slyly, alluding to her childhood friend Namgung Yeonhwa.

Thinking of the troublemaker from the Namgung family who would be hurt to be second in terms of being high-maintenance, Jegal Lin naturally seemed like an angel in comparison.

“You’re right. I was being pretentious in front of an expert.”

When Riser chuckled and agreed, Moyong Hye unconsciously bristled and retorted.

“At least Yeonhwa is cute.”

“But Lin is kind.”

Riser and Moyong Hye looked at each other and burst into laughter.

After all, they were best friends.

They could criticize their friends themselves, but they couldn’t stand to see others badmouth them.

* * *

“R-Riser. Th-this… this…”

That night, Jegal Lin came to Riser’s quarters carrying several heavy scrolls.

Riser, who had just finished washing and let her hair down to rest, frowned at the sudden visit.

“Do you know what time it is?”

Jegal Lin flinched and only then seemed to realize how late it was, becoming flustered.

“S-sorry. I was working on this and lost track of time…”

Glancing down, she could see that Jegal Lin’s hands holding the scrolls were stained with ink.

‘Did she write some kind of reflection paper?’

Surely she didn’t write “I will never again keep silent about class information” a hundred times.

“If you’re very tired, I’ll just leave it here and go…”

“Come in.”

Riser almost snatched the scrolls from Jegal Lin’s hands and strode into her quarters.

“Y-yes!”

Jegal Lin’s eyes sparkled with joy as she quickly followed Riser inside.

“So what is all this?”

Though her anger had mostly subsided, since she hadn’t officially forgiven her yet, she acted slightly more prickly than she actually felt.

“Study… guides. Study guides.”

“What are you talking about?”

Jegal Lin seemed unsure how to explain, fidgeting restlessly before suddenly grabbing one scroll and spreading it on the floor.

“This is for ‘The End of Singyeo, The Beginning of the Demon Sect’ doctrine class. Summary notes and… 100-day regular exam practice questions. List of commonly mistaken wrong answers…”

“Wait. Why do you have these?”

Jegal Lin hesitated and then answered in a very small voice.

“Because Riser was busy… I organized them myself.”

“What?!”

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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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