Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 44

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

The Sangwan Baek gazed as if entranced at the colorful beads adorning Riser’s entire body, then finally nodded with satisfaction.

 

“Birds of a feather flock together. There’s a reason you get along so well.”

 

Then he looked at Riser with warm eyes, as if gazing at a great-granddaughter.

 

‘Why? It definitely seems like a warm gaze.’

 

Why did it give her such a chilling feeling?

 

“S-Sangwan Baek, sir.”

 

Jegal Lin looked back and forth between the Sangwan Baek and Riser, then unable to contain her curiosity, carefully opened her mouth. She was probably curious about what was so exceptional about Riser’s martial arts or internal energy that she couldn’t read…

 

“Do we seem close…?”

 

“Lin.”

 

Of all the questions she could ask, why that one.

 

Muk-in Chongkwan seemed at a loss for words, probably not expecting such a question. Still, unable to ignore the formation genius’s curiosity, he answered with his own sincerity.

 

“I thought so, but now not so much.”

 

“Sangwan Baek, sir.”

 

Riser gave Muk-in Chongkwan a meaningful look.

 

He too seemed to realize he had answered too tactlessly and honestly, clearing his throat with a cough.

 

“It appears to be a relationship with very high potential for development.”

 

“Really?! What about compatibility…”

 

“He’s not someone who reads such things.”

 

Riser roughly restrained Jegal Lin and looked at Muk-in Chongkwan.

 

“More importantly, don’t you have something to tell me as well? About temperament or tendencies…”

 

“Ah. Of course.”

 

Muk-in Chongkwan smiled warmly and examined once more the colorful light beads illuminating Riser’s body.

 

“Good. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

What kind of meaningless advice was that.

 

Riser was dumbfounded, but when she reminded herself that he was a very, very, very high-ranking person, her mind surprisingly calmed down.

 

“This young girl is too dull to understand such profound words. I humbly request you speak a bit more specifically.”

 

“Do you want to hear praise? You have childish aspects.”

 

Excuse me, what?

 

Muk-in Chongkwan unintentionally scratched Riser’s pride slightly, then began giving more specific evaluation and advice as she requested.

 

“Your natural bone structure is excellent and your intelligence is outstanding, so whether you learn literature or martial arts, nothing will be difficult or blocked for you. Yet you’re neither arrogant nor lazy, so even if others are jealous, they won’t be able to hold you back. Thanks to being born into a good family, you opened your Conception and Governing Vessels without hardship, so your energy flow is smooth. You don’t eat selectively either, so your five elements are very well balanced. You dislike conflict but hate losing even more, so you won’t avoid fighting when necessary. You work hard at your studies but know how to rest… there’s no corner to find fault with.”

 

“…I think that’s enough.”

 

Riser’s face turned bright red from the endless stream of compliments.

 

She really looked like she had begged to hear praise.

 

Riser felt self-conscious about how the other children would see her.

 

Everyone else had heard one good thing and one bad thing.

 

Only Riser had heard nothing but praise in succession, making her feel uncomfortable instead.

 

“Weren’t you not wanting to hear it just a moment ago?”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

Riser lowered her voice so others couldn’t hear and whispered earnestly.

 

“Please, if possible, mention lacking or excessive points… I beg you…”

 

Muk-in Chongkwan understood why Riser was acting this way and burst into laughter.

 

Her considerate heart, worried that the other girls might feel deprived, seemed endearing.

 

In Riser’s true feelings, she simply didn’t want to be disliked by others, but the Sangwan Baek had no way of knowing this.

 

[I understand. I’ll make something up appropriately, so play along. It’s all made up, so don’t take it to heart.]

 

Riser nodded slightly.

 

‘I should learn telepathy later.’

 

It seemed like a very useful martial art in real life.

 

“Ahem. You’ve heard sweet words until now, so it’s time to hear bitter ones. Are you prepared?”

 

“Yes, Sangwan Baek, sir. I will listen humbly.”

 

Riser was grateful to Muk-in Chongkwan for even considering human relationships within Cheonryeon Palace.

 

“By nature, you don’t trust others and don’t expect anything from them either, so you won’t be betrayed or disappointed. However, you draw lines and push away even those who approach with goodwill, so while you may know many faces, few will share hearts with you. Remember that you must know how to show weakness to form affectionate relationships. Do you understand?”

 

Is this really made up?

 

For a fabricated story, it sounded strangely specific and plausible.

 

‘Ah. It must be the Barnum effect.’

 

Riser thought of the psychological phenomenon of interpreting all fortune-telling in a self-centered way and didn’t think much of it.

 

“Thank you for your precious words.”

 

“Ahem. Yes, work hard.”

 

Muk-in Chongkwan moved on to analyze Namgung Yeonhwa’s training results and temperament. When the Sangwan Baek nagged about Namgung Yeonhwa’s lifestyle habits, Moyong Hye excitedly chimed in from the side.

 

‘Finally caught a break.’

 

As Riser was feeling relieved, Jegal Lin gently tugged at her sleeve.

 

“Hm? What?”

 

“I, I’m… I’m ready. If Riser is okay with it, anytime…”

 

What was she saying she was ready for?

 

‘Ah. That?’

 

She had a vague idea.

 

“Are you talking about the Demonic Energy Control Studies cheat sheet? Thanks, but I’ll pass. It’s relative grading, so it would be awkward if only I benefited.”

 

Jegal Lin was slightly flustered since that wasn’t what she meant at all.

 

“N-no, that’s not it…”

 

‘I was saying you could trust me! That I wouldn’t betray you even if you showed weakness! That even if you can’t trust me right now, I could keep waiting…’

 

Clang-!

 

-It’s the Hour of the Monkey (3-5 PM)!

 

“The reading time is already over. Those who haven’t received their evaluation yet should stay, the rest may leave. Today’s discussion isn’t greatly related to subject grades, but it’s important content for reflecting on yourselves and gauging future growth directions, so chew on it and reflect multiple times. Go and practice what you’ve learned.”

 

“We are grateful for your teachings.”

 

The girls bowed their heads in respectful greeting and left the classroom chattering.

 

* * *

 

“Are you just arriving, Sangwan Baek, sir? Have you been well?”

 

At his subordinate’s obsequious greeting, Muk-in Chongkwan snorted and entered his office.

 

“It’s just Cheonryeon Palace. What trouble could there be?”

 

“That’s right, it’s Cheonryeon Palace. Isn’t it a place where all sorts of people gather?”

 

The subordinate continued speaking while skillfully setting out refreshments on the Sangwan Baek’s desk.

 

“Your superior is quite peculiar too. Is there really a need to bring in and teach Central Plains concubines? There are so many women in Mount Shiwandai who possess both intelligence and beauty.”

 

“This fellow still…”

 

Muk-in Chongkwan picked up the judge’s brush from his desk and struck his subordinate’s head.

 

“Ow, Sangwan Baek, sir! That’s made of cold iron!”

 

“Be grateful I hit you with a precious item! You’ve worked in the Office of the Sangwan Baek for years, yet you still discriminate by race! Are Mashin’s teachings only right for demons and wrong for Han Chinese? Did the Lord of the Ten Thousand Demons say Xiongnu are pretty and Xianbei are ugly?”

 

“When did I ever say anything like that? I just think demons are better, if anything. It’s personal preference. Personal preference. Ack! Stop hitting me!”

 

-Sangwan Baek, sir. The Sword Demon has arrived and requests an audience. Shall I escort him to the inner quarters?

 

“Ahem.”

 

Fortunately for the subordinate, Mukjin’s judge’s brush stopped thanks to a timely visitor.

 

“Did he give any hint about what business brings him?”

 

-He didn’t say anything in particular.

 

“I understand. Tell him I’ll arrange my attire and come out shortly.”

 

-Yes, Sangwan Baek, sir.

 

Mukjin clicked his tongue and pointed at his subordinate as if warning him to wait and see.

 

“You’d better hurry and fix that mindset. A Central Plains person might become deputy administrator.”

 

“What? What do you suddenly mean by that?”

 

“There was a child who acted quite pleasingly.”

 

Muk-in Chongkwan smiled slightly as he thought of Riser.

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