Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 4

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

“Still, there’s no need to see it in such a negative light.”

Dang Chingryeo pretended to comfort Riser while subtly rubbing salt in the wound.

“No matter how much of a genius you are, becoming the head of the Sichuan Dang Family without any backing was an unrealistic dream from the start. Rather, serving as a bridge between the Demon Sect and the Dang Family as the Heavenly Demon’s concubine would also be a valuable life. Of course, it might not be a position that satisfies your talents…”

“Oh my. I understand.”

Riser sighed and nodded her head.

She had been shocked at the idea of marriage at sixteen, but marriage was something she’d have to do eventually anyway. Whether now or in ten years, it wouldn’t make much difference in the grand scheme of her life.

“You understand?”

Dang Chingryeo doubted her ears.

“Yes. When do I need to go?”

As always, Riser was remarkably quick at accepting reality.

* * *

“She’s too young.”

Cheonryeon Gungju Sangkwanbaek rubbed his fan against his temple with a troubled expression.

The Sichuan Dang Family had said there was a young lady of perfect age who admired the Sect Leader and asked him to please visit, so he had come after much deliberation.

“Sixteen is the perfect age.”

“The Sect Leader has passed his fortieth year.”

Sangwan Baek glared at the First Wife with a displeased expression. He felt deceived.

‘I see they spread false rumors to establish connections with the sect.’

How could such a prestigious family as the Sichuan Dang Family resort to such petty tricks?

But since he had already come this far, he couldn’t return empty-handed.

Sangwan Baek reluctantly proposed a compromise.

“Would you consider showing me another daughter instead? I heard there are several who have passed twenty.”

“That would be the right thing to say, but there’s no child as outstanding as the ninth daughter.”

“Hmm. Not even among the First Wife’s children?”

At Sangwan Baek’s suspicious words, the First Wife’s expression stiffened slightly.

As the mother of the eldest son Dang Hyeonmin and the sisters Dang Harin and Dang Seoha, the First Wife felt uncomfortable disparaging her own daughters to send Riser away.

“…They are all intelligent, but there are differences in ability.”

Sangwan Baek snorted.

She didn’t want to give up her own daughter but wanted to create ties with the Demon Sect. It was an obvious ploy.

“If that’s truly the case, then let me at least see her face.”

The First Wife bowed her head and stepped aside.

After drinking tea and waiting briefly, the door opened and Riser entered.

‘My goodness, she’s nothing but a little child.’

Sangwan Baek clicked his tongue and shook his head.

If she were a few years older, perhaps. But no matter how talented she was, he couldn’t take such a young child as a concubine.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I am Dang Ri-seo.”

“Yes, child. Sit down and let’s just pass some time.”

“Yes.”

Riser gracefully sat in the seat where the First Wife had been sitting, then called for a servant with an elegant gesture to bring tea.

‘Why is this child so calm?’

Perhaps she didn’t even know why she had been called here.

Remembering how the First Wife had deceived him into making this pointless trip, the irritated Sangwan Baek spoke to Riser.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“I heard that I’m to become the Sect Leader’s concubine.”

“Ha. Do you know what that means?”

“Roughly.”

Riser picked up a moon cake from the plate and munched on it.

The filling packed with nuts filled her mouth with a savory aroma and sweet taste.

“You have quite the nerve. How can you swallow that in this situation?”

“They say even a ghost that dies well-fed looks better. I think there’s no harm in eating well in any situation.”

Riser took another bite.

“But I have something I’m curious about.”

“…Ask away.”

Riser lowered her voice and asked as if whispering.

“What about the salary for concubines?”

Sangwan Baek’s mouth fell open.

If nothing else, her bold spirit was not something to be dismissed as childish.

Seeing Sangwan Baek’s surprised reaction, Riser worried she had asked too direct a question and quickly added:

“Of course, I don’t think salary is everything. There’s the glorious honor of becoming the Sect Leader’s companion, and, well, the gratitude for being able to serve the great Heavenly Horse Sect…”

“There is no salary.”

“What?!”

Riser shot up from her seat.

“How can that be!”

“Instead, you can buy things anywhere without paying.”

“That’s appropriate compensation befitting such invaluable and noble duties.”

Riser sat back down.

‘Doesn’t the Sichuan Dang Family give her allowance?’

Sangwan Baek found Riser’s obsession with salary puzzling.

Looking at her noble bearing and elegant demeanor, she didn’t seem to have grown up in want.

‘Wait! Could it be…!’

Suddenly connecting the First Wife’s suspicious attitude with Riser’s obsession with money, the conclusion came naturally.

This child is mistreated!

Thinking this way, her mature and calm attitude that didn’t match her age also made sense. When life is hard, even children grow up quickly.

‘This is truly too much. What sin has this young child committed to be so oppressed?’

Sangwan Baek was disappointed in the First Wife.

He had regarded her favorably as the only wife in the Sichuan Dang Family who believed in the Demon Sect, but it turned out she was as cruel and stingy as any non-believer.

“So when should I begin joining the sect?”

Sangwan Baek guessed that Riser wanted to leave the Dang Family as soon as possible and said with pity:

“Ahem. Even if you’re truly prepared to become a concubine, you cannot enter the concubine quarters immediately. You’re too young, and you’re an outsider. Becoming a proper demon cultist comes first.”

This happened to be exactly what Sangwan Baek did at his workplace, Cheonryeon Palace.

It was the job of educating prospective demon cultists when outsiders born outside Mount Shiwandai wanted to formally become members of the Demon Sect.

“All prospective initiates must stay at Cheonryeon Palace for 1,000 days to study the doctrines of the Heavenly Horse Sect and practice basic demonic arts. There can be no exceptions, even for concubines.”

“That makes sense indeed.”

Riser thought Sangwan Baek’s words were reasonable and nodded.

It would be strange for the Heavenly Demon’s concubine not to be a Demon Sect believer.

“Next spring would be an appropriate time for initiation. By the time you leave Cheonryeon Palace, you’ll no longer be considered a child, so you can move directly to the concubine quarters.”

“I understand.”

Sangwan Baek looked at Riser with pitying eyes.

Then he advised her out of pure goodwill.

“Just because you enter the concubine quarters doesn’t mean everyone receives the Sect Leader’s favor. I’m sorry to dash your hopes, but most concubines die without ever seeing the Sect Leader’s face.”

“I figured it would be something like that.”

Riser recalled the historical dramas she had watched in her previous life.

Though a sect leader and a king weren’t exactly the same, like most cult leaders, the Heavenly Demon was revered as a god, so the power he wielded internally would be no less than an emperor’s.

‘There must be an enormous number of concubines.’

If she happened to catch the Sect Leader’s eye and receive his favor, she would enjoy wealth and power, but proportionally, the danger of death would also increase. For the safety-oriented Riser, living inconspicuously suited her temperament better.

“What happens if you don’t receive his favor?”

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