Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 7

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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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When Jegal Lin said the word “scoundrel,” she lowered her voice and whispered. But seeing how all the other girls nodded in unison, it didn’t seem to be much of a secret.

“Is he that bad?”

“He’s terrible. I heard he skips training every day and only indulges in drinking and gambling.”

“He neglects the ceremonies, so he’s on bad terms with the Elders’ Council too.”

“He even spoke disrespectfully to Cheonma and was thrown in the lightning prison!”

“I usually only look at men’s faces. But Young Master Cheonmu Jin is so obviously going to make women suffer that I’ll pass.”

I had no idea his reputation had hit rock bottom this badly.

Riser was somewhat taken aback by Cheonmu Jin’s mercilessly criticized track record.

Still, he was direct lineage of the sect leader – was it really okay to manage his image so terribly?

“B-but I heard his martial arts talent is exceptional.”

Unintentionally positioning herself as a personal fan of the controversial member, Riser found herself unconsciously taking Mujin’s side.

“This girl! He doesn’t even train, just wastes his talent!”

“Hey, just leave her alone.”

Namgung Yeonhwa crossed her arms and snorted knowingly.

“Sometimes there are girls like that who only go after problematic men. It’s a peculiar taste – finding satisfaction in taming wild beasts.”

Jegal Lin flinched in surprise and took a step back.

“I-I’ll respect your preferences, Riser.”

“Wait a minute. I don’t have those kinds of preferences.”

Riser tried to clear up the misunderstanding with a coldly serious expression, but no one was listening.

At that unfortunate moment, someone walked up onto the platform.

The girls all stopped chatting at once and turned to face forward with slightly tense expressions.

“Ahem. Greetings, young ladies.”

In contrast, Riser looked particularly calm, simply because it was a familiar face.

“As for myself, I am a person called Cheonryeon Gungju Sangkwanbaek.”

Sangwan Baek kept clearing his throat awkwardly, as if using honorifics felt strange.

He probably spoke casually to the usual prospective initiates he dealt with, but the girls gathered here could have their status elevated at any time, so he couldn’t do that.

‘You have my sympathy.’

Riser looked at Sangwan Baek with a pitying expression as she listened to his explanation.

As was typical of this kind of speech, the content wasn’t particularly substantial.

True to the name Cheonryeon Palace, which came from training for a thousand days, he naturally introduced the upcoming curriculum.

“Young ladies will basically do physical training at dawn, doctrine classes in the morning, and demonic arts training in the afternoon.”

This was followed by ordinary living guidance about where to sleep, where to eat, and where to study.

Then suddenly, it developed into something a bit different.

“Additionally, we will assign a certain amount of duties considering each person’s aptitude to help with adaptation to Mount Shiwandai…”

‘Are they making us work part-time jobs?’

No. Since they’re not paying us, it wouldn’t be part-time work.

If I had to find something similar, it seemed closer to state-certified job training.

Generally, prospective initiates who entered Cheonryeon Palace had no home or job.

Since it would be difficult to make a living without Cheonryeon Palace’s guarantee and mediation, such job training would have been a necessary process.

‘But it doesn’t really concern us, does it?’

What would concubines do with job training?

I suspected that in hastily creating the training process, they just roughly copied from an existing system.

‘I guess I don’t need to participate too seriously.’

I didn’t have enough energy to spare to do my best at work that paid nothing and wouldn’t help my life.

“Finally, the opportunity has come to show my abilities to the demons.”

However, unlike Riser who was just planning to kill time, the other girls were very motivated.

“You, Sichuan Dang Family!”

Especially Namgung Yeonhwa, who seemed quite interested in becoming a concubine, was burning with enthusiasm to prove her worth through this opportunity.

“What, Namgung Clan.”

After calling her by her family name first, when Riser returned it in kind, Namgung Yeonhwa flinched slightly but quickly recovered her momentum and continued vigorously.

“You, you… what kind of duty are you going to apply for?”

“I’m thinking of just doing whatever they give me.”

“But you must have a preferred position!”

‘As long as it’s not toilet cleaning, I’m fine with anything.’

Riser really thought that way, but she didn’t bother to say it out loud.

Instead, she scanned the unpaid mandatory part-time job list spread out on the platform and chose something that seemed like it would involve less suffering.

“Well. How about poison taster?”

“Gasp!”

“Huh!”

Not only Namgung Yeonhwa but the other girls also gasped.

What’s with this reaction?

“As expected… Riser has tremendous ambition…”

“Hmm. It’s a direction I never thought of, but interesting. You could naturally make an impression by staying near the sect leader during every meal.”

“That’s not all! You’d share a little of the sect leader’s meals. They must be foods made from incredible elixirs!”

‘I chose it because it seemed comfortable – just sitting quietly and eating whatever they give you.’

Riser felt a bit wronged but had no way to explain herself, so she kept her mouth shut.

“No way! I’ll do it. Poison taster! Give it up!”

Seeing the admiring reactions around her, Namgung Yeonhwa became greedy and stubbornly insisted.

The other girls secretly shook their heads at Namgung Yeonhwa’s shamelessness.

Even though she was from the Namgung Clan, famous for their arrogance, to covet a position someone else had claimed first.

“Fine. I’ll give it up.”

“R-really…?”

When Riser accepted so readily, Namgung Yeonhwa’s momentum actually softened.

Though she had stubbornly thrown a tantrum, she hadn’t expected to receive such a gracious concession.

“Is it really okay? You’ll give it up to me?”

“Yeah. It’s fine.”

Namgung Yeonhwa was so happy that her face lit up with a bright smile.

Perhaps through this opportunity, she could build a friendly relationship with the Sichuan Dang Family too.

And a few minutes later.

“Sorry.”

“…”

“I said I’m sorry.”

Sangwan Baek confirmed Riser’s position as poison taster regardless of her wishes.

The reason was absurd.

【”You’re from the Sichuan Dang Family. Who else would do it but you?”】

Namgung Yeonhwa was thoroughly sulking.

‘I should get her some taffy later.’

I hadn’t checked whether Namgung Yeonhwa liked sweet foods, but it wouldn’t be easy for a girl that age to refuse soft, sweet taffy.

Then Jegal Lin, who had been hesitating cautiously, crept over and whispered.

“Riser. We need to prepare for the banquet…”

“Huh? Oh, I’ll go now. Miss Namgung, I’m really sorry.”

Riser whispered a final apology to Namgung Yeonhwa and hurried to catch up with Jegal Lin.

“Did they say we two are in the same hall?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

Jegal Lin pointed with her finger at the various halls arranged within Cheonryeon Palace as she spoke.

“Those halls you see over there are where we’ll be staying. Right across from us are the rooms where Miss Namgung and Miss Murong will stay, and next to that, the independent residence with a pond is for Miss Peng, Miss Ak, Miss Seomun, Miss Yang, and…”

“That independent residence must be quite bustling.”

“Right?”

Jegal Lin covered her mouth and smiled shyly.

“Is that hall across the bridge where the Nine Sects Alliance stays?”

“Mm. To be precise, the Gupa Sect. The Beggar’s Sect didn’t send any disciples.”

A wise decision. No matter how pretty they might be, immediately pushing beggars into the harem would be quite unreasonable.

I don’t know for sure, but the disciples from the Nine Sects who almost had to live alongside Beggar’s Sect disciples probably aged ten years from the stress.

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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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