Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 69

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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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Hundreds of years ago from now.

To save the Zhao Imperial House, which had fallen into crisis due to the Jurchen uprising, volunteer armies from across the Central Plains rose up with swords and spears.

Religious sects like Taoism and Buddhism formed the main force, joined by warlord families that had built power in each region.

This was the birth of the so-called Orthodox Faction martial world.

Meanwhile, south of the Yangtze River, groups plotting to overthrow the imperial house and establish regional hegemonies were swarming.

Salt merchants who had accumulated wealth while evading the law, kings of entertainment who lit up Hangzhou’s nights, Nongrim bandits who leaped through treacherous mountain terrain like tigers, water bandits who controlled the Yangtze River waterways…

These were the predecessors of the Sapa martial world.

“I remember hearing about that too. Before the descent of the Heavenly Emperor, the mortal world was no different from hell, where people tore and devoured each other in ugly conflicts, right?”

“Ah, yes… That’s correct.”

Moyong Hye made a displeased expression at Mujin’s Demon Sect-centered historical view.

No matter how history is written by the victors, treating thousands of years of Central Plains narrative as mere prologue was too much.

“Seeing that the Zhao dynasty eventually fell, it seems Sapa was victorious.”

“How could that be possible?”

In the early stages of the war, the Orthodox Faction and Sapa joined forces against the Jurchen.

Regardless of the imperial house’s survival, they shared the desire to drive the Jurchen from the Central Plains.

However, as major battles concentrated north of the Yangtze River, damage was concentrated on the Orthodox Faction side, and the balance between the two forces quickly crumbled.

Feeling threatened by the gradually strengthening Sapa, the Zhao Imperial House secretly began supporting the Orthodox Faction.

The waiting 【Imperial House-Orthodox Faction Alliance】 immediately turned their horses around and struck Sapa from behind as soon as the Jurchen began retreating.

This was the beginning of the Great Orthodox-Sapa War.

“From Sapa’s perspective, they were stabbed in the back.”

“Wasn’t it foolish of them not to predict such an obvious development? From the nation’s standpoint, they couldn’t just leave rebels alone.”

Moyong Hye defended her side with a familiar attitude.

Since it was such an old matter, her faction’s logic had solidified firmly.

‘Still, that would be infuriating.’

Mujin could understand why Sapa-origin people constantly talked about the “despicable Orthodox Faction” at every opportunity. They had agreed to fight together, only to be plotted against from behind – it was understandably infuriating.

“So which side won?”

Mujin tilted his head, suddenly feeling puzzled.

The atmosphere suggested an Orthodox Faction victory, but ultimately the Zhao Imperial House had been destroyed.

“Hmm. That’s somewhat ambiguous…”

The subsequent developments were truly tumultuous.

The continuously defeated Sapa forces stole one imperial family member and the imperial seal from the Zhao Imperial House, established a capital in Hangzhou (their stronghold), and founded a puppet state called 【Zhao Imperial House-Final】. (It collapsed quickly)

The 【Imperial House-Orthodox Faction Alliance】, which had been holding a two-front war against both Jurchen remnants and Sapa martial world, became embroiled in legitimacy disputes as soon as the imperial seal was stolen, then pathetically collapsed due to internal strife.

Meanwhile, Khitan remnants who held grudges against the Jurchen remnants suddenly intervened, challenging them to a nomadic tribe showdown, resulting in mutual destruction.

“Wow. What a mess.”

Mujin burst into incredulous laughter.

Neither Orthodox Faction nor Sapa achieved their original goals, the Zhao Imperial House was destroyed, and both Khitan and Jurchen were ruined as well.

“Ahem…”

Even Moyong Hye couldn’t bring herself to deny it.

It was truly a strange war where no one won but countless people lost.

Mujin clicked his tongue and said:

“I understand the situation, but continuing to fight over grudges from hundreds of years ago doesn’t look good. Once you receive baptism, you’ll all become fellow demons. Let this battle be the last, and forget worldly grudges.”

“Those are proper words, but…”

Moyong Hye agreed readily, but thought Mujin’s admirable advice would be difficult to realize.

Even at this very moment, weren’t they fighting each other to the death, creating new grudges?

“Well, that’s probably true. Old grudges aren’t easily resolved… Wait. Is Dang Ri-seo fighting too?”

“Young Lady Dang?”

Mujin rested his chin on his hand and fell into thought.

‘No wonder I haven’t seen her.’

Mujin’s original purpose was to meet Dang Ri-seo, not to watch some catfight between prospective concubines.

“Young Lady Dang probably went back… Magong-ja? Are you listening?”

The reason Mujin hadn’t left this place was purely because Dang Ri-seo’s whereabouts were unclear.

‘From what I can see, she’s busy brawling with enemy factions.’

In such situations, even if he went looking for her, he’d easily be pushed to the back burner.

If the positions were reversed and Mujin was fighting someone, he would have reacted similarly.

Moreover, didn’t Dang Ri-seo have a history of intentionally hiding her identity and avoiding him? The possibility of her running away again couldn’t be completely ruled out.

‘This time, I must absolutely drag her before me…’

It was at that very moment.

A brilliant idea occurred to Mujin.

“Hey, Liaoning. Let me ask you something.”

“Huh… surely not me?”

“Yes, you. What do you think would happen if I brought final victory to Dang Ri-seo’s faction?”

Moyong Hye tilted her head at the unexpected proposal.

“Final… victory…?”

Mujin’s eyes glowed blue.

“Didn’t you say this battle would be the last?”

Hundreds of years of grudges couldn’t be settled with a single victory or defeat.

However, for the Cheonryeon Palace girls facing baptism – a ritual to be reborn as true demons beyond worldly grudges – time was very limited.

‘We can win and escape!’

Chills ran down Moyong Hye’s spine.

If that happened, at least among the Cheonryeon Palace girls, the Orthodox Faction’s victory would be permanently fixed.

“Would Dang Ri-seo come to thank me?”

Understanding the situation, Moyong Hye’s lips gradually curved upward, eventually forming the smile of a loyal schemer.

“…She would surely do so.”

Mujin also nodded with a satisfied expression.

Even if pressured by girls from the same faction, this time she wouldn’t be able to avoid him.

* * *

“You’re asking if Riser isn’t Orthodox Faction.”

Pause.

At the killing intent subtly emanating from Jegal Lin’s voice, Namgung Yeonhwa instinctively felt a sense of crisis.

‘Something… I don’t really understand what, but I think I need to watch my words…!’

Namgung Yeonhwa nervously swallowed and answered as energetically as possible.

“O-of course she’s Orthodox Faction~! What is this girl even talking about!”

“Then why won’t you accept Riser’s help?”

Jegal Lin crossed her arms and glared at Namgung Yeonhwa.

The killing intent had decreased slightly, but she still clearly showed suspicion.

‘Why is she acting like this?’

Namgung Yeonhwa was confused.

But thinking about it again, Jegal Lin was originally a bit strange. Nothing surprising there.

“I’m telling you in advance, I won’t accept the answer that it’s because the Swordmaster excluded her from the test…! If that were the case, you shouldn’t accept my help either!”

Jegal Lin clenched both fists tightly and huffed, seemingly very angry about something.

“Y-yes. I understand.”

“There’s one more thing! If… you foolish sword-wielders ‘dare’ to slander legitimate poison and hidden weapons as ‘dare’ to call them sorcery and ‘dare’ to suspect and ostracize my one and only friend as Orthodox-Sapa, I will absolutely, absolutely never forgive you…!”

“What? What are you talking about! That’s not the reason!”

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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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