Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 38

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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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“What a petty bastard.”

Mujin clicked his tongue in disappointment, trying to soothe his frustration.

He desperately wanted to force the information out of him, but since Riser herself had asked to keep it secret, he couldn’t press the matter any further.

‘This is getting more and more confusing. According to my sister, she’s a singer, but listening to Museong, she seems like a physician or apothecary. And seeing her collapse walls with secret martial arts, she also seems like a martial artist.’

How could one person have such diverse talents?

Mujin let out a long sigh in frustration. It was becoming increasingly difficult to make sense of things.

However…

Once was enough for giving up.

“Bring me paper, brush, and ink.”

“Huh? Why do you suddenly need that…”

Mujin’s blue eyes gleamed with spear-like determination to find Riser no matter what.

“It’s time to stir up some trouble after a long while.”

* * *

-Miss Chang’e, it’s time for your coughing.

The low voice from beyond the door was the servant’s consideration to wake her gently without causing displeasure.

Many young girls couldn’t start their mornings with such a calm voice, but Riser was a light sleeper and quickly came to her senses.

As she slowly blinked twice to focus her vision, the servant’s voice came again. Riser threw off her blanket and cleared her sleepy voice.

“I’m awake.”

-Good morning, Miss Chang’e. Did you sleep peacefully last night?

It was a question asking if there were any particular issues she should know about.

If she had nightmares, couldn’t sleep, or caught a cold, the order of morning care would change accordingly.

“Yes. I slept well.”

-I’ll bring your washing water.

Then barely audible footsteps quickly faded away.

If nothing else, it seems like Cheonryeon Palace’s servants are much better than those at the Sichuan Dang Family.

‘Ah, more precisely, based on my servant’s standards.’

The Sichuan Dang Family was also a prestigious household, so surely they had one or two capable servants.

They just weren’t assigned to the worthless youngest daughter of the deceased fourth wife.

Thinking about it that way, Riser’s life was better now than it had been in Sichuan.

At least here, she wasn’t in a situation where she was mistreated or ignored.

Of course, that was how things had been so far.

‘I need to… get good grades.’

If she failed, then even this place wouldn’t be so comfortable anymore.

Riser pressed and massaged her tired eyes while sighing.

Just skimming through about ten percent of the scrolls Jegal Lin had organized for her had cut her sleep time in half.

-Miss Chang’e.

“Come in.”

Slide.

As the servant pushed the door from outside, the heavy wooden door panel smoothly slid inward. The door, which had been perfectly fitted to the threshold, stopped after widely dividing the inner space, and through the gap, the cool air from the corridor mixed with the warmth inside the room.

“I’ll help you wash your face.”

As the servant placed the basin on the stand, thin white steam rose from the lukewarm water. The mistress lightly splashed water on her makeup-free face, washing away the drowsiness that remained from the night.

“Since you have morning training scheduled from the Hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM), we’ll skip makeup. When sweat mixes with cosmetics, it damages the skin, so please understand even if you feel underdressed.”

“I understand.”

The servant rubbed coarsely ground jogak (soapberry) powder in her palms, creating a subtle grassy fragrance as it foamed.

After rinsing the foam with clean water and gently patting dry with a silk towel, Riser spoke.

“Even if I don’t wear makeup, I’d like to apply some jade face powder.”

“I’ll prepare it.”

“It’s fine. I carry it with me.”

Jade face powder was an ointment made by mixing finely ground pearl or shell powder with camellia oil, where the fine particles reflected sunlight to prevent skin from burning.

In other words… it was basically natural sunscreen.

‘Surprisingly, this era has pretty much everything you need.’

Riser finished her preparations for going out by carefully applying the jade face powder and neatly tying up her hair.

“What about breakfast?”

“I’m planning to eat outside. Probably lunch too. I’ll come back for dinner.”

“I understand your instructions.”

The servant answered in a slightly lighter tone.

Right. When the mistress eats out, it means less work and more comfort for the servant.

“By the way, what’s your name?”

Suddenly, Riser became curious about the name of this servant who took care of her so closely.

“I have no family name, and you may call me Mee-young (Beautiful Shadow).”

Beautiful shadow, what a fitting name for someone whose calling is to be a servant.

Riser nodded with a gentle smile.

“Got it, Mee-young. I’ll see you this evening.”

“Yes, Miss Chang’e. Please return safely.”

Mee-young bowed respectfully as she saw Riser off.

Feeling as if she had received exceptional treatment, Riser’s body and mind felt light.

The Grand Training Hall, newly established deep within the Inner Courtyard of Cheonryeon Palace.

Young girls stood in neat rows on the blue steel stone floor that clearly looked brand new.

It was a cramped space considering the number of people, but there was no choice.

They were prospective concubines, after all. They couldn’t show their sweating and panting figures to just anyone.

“A healthy body houses healthy magical energy!”

A Young Martial Artist who appeared to have been recruited from some military unit spoke in a tone full of military discipline.

‘Morning training is time for pure external martial arts training, so it’s not really related to magical energy.’

While thinking this, Riser pretended to listen attentively on the surface while half-heartedly hearing the Young Martial Artist’s words.

“A weak body can only barely handle weak magical energy! Without physical strength supporting you before mental strength, no matter how excellent your five senses are, there are limits to the level you can reach!”

The Young Martial Artist walked slowly while sharply scanning the girls with cold eyes.

“I heard that you all, er… *ahem*. I heard that the Chang’e ladies were promising rising talents in the Central Plains Martial Arts World. Is that correct!”

“That’s correct!”

The Young Martial Artist smiled contentedly at the resounding answer.

He had worried it would be troublesome to train young girls, but since they were experienced, it seemed they would follow along quite well.

“Are you curious how much the martial arts of the Central Plains will work on Mount Shiwandai!”

“We’re curious!”

“Do you want to proudly demonstrate before the demons that your sect’s teachings aren’t those of a frog in a well!”

“We want to demonstrate!”

“Excellent answer!”

“Excelleeent!”

Then someone who had been watching quickly approached and whispered in the martial artist’s ear.

The martial artist looked startled and his expression changed, then he protested something, but it didn’t get through as he reluctantly let out a deep sigh.

“The official response will be ‘We understand.'”

“We understand…”

It was an awkward response for both those saying it and those hearing it.

Just when the atmosphere was building and morale was rising, what was this?

‘This is why hasty administration is a problem.’

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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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