Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 8

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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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“And beyond the wall in the western pavilion live the concubines from Sapa origins….”

“How do you know all that?”

Jegal Lin, who had been chattering away explaining where the Sapa-origin concubines stayed, blushed slightly.

“Well, actually… it’s an occupational hazard. I mainly use formation techniques.”

“Ah. Very fitting for the Jegal Family.”

Riser nodded as if she now understood.

She had heard that excellent formation masters always collect geographical information first wherever they go. It seemed Jegal Lin was the same way.

“Do you also know how to make mechanical formations? And illusion formations, mazes, secret passage designs – broadly speaking, those would fall under formation techniques too.”

When Riser showed interest, Jegal Lin’s eyes widened in surprise.

Most martial artists only cared about strengthening their own martial prowess, so they tended to look down on formation and mechanism creation.

“Are you interested in formation techniques?”

“Of course. Protecting money is just as important as earning it.”

“…? R-right.”

The reason seemed a bit strange, but Jegal Lin was happy that someone showed interest in formations, so she decided to let it slide.

‘Is it because she’s from the Sichuan Dang Family?’

The Sichuan Dang Family’s poison arts, like the Jegal Family’s formations, were subtly outside the mainstream martial arts, so perhaps she felt a sense of kinship from that shared experience.

While Jegal Lin secretly built internal camaraderie with Riser as fellow martial arts outcasts, the two arrived at their lodging.

The subsequent process was nothing special.

Just selecting clothes to wear to the banquet and getting ready.

‘At least I won’t need to rack my brains choosing an outfit.’

Riser thought as she looked around at the numerous evening gowns sent from the Sichuan Dang Family.

“Hmm. This one is leaf green and that one is grass green.”

Besides those, there was a very colorful array of greens spread out: light green, blue-green, jade green, emerald green, pale green, oil green, light green, verdant green, mugwort color, and more.

“This is also just a stereotype.”

Why must everyone from the Sichuan Dang Family wear green robes!

Looking closely, there were differences in material and decoration, but from a distance, one outfit looked just like another.

‘Even when I was in Sichuan, there were strict rules like official uniforms – inner family members had to dress this way, outer family members had to dress that way.’

Especially direct descendants of the Dang family head like Riser had to wear green even for pajamas and undergarments. While it was convenient not having to think much about what to wear, it could be stifling at times.

“When I have the means later, I should buy clothes in other colors too.”

However, she had no choice for now, so Riser selected a particularly frilly green robe from among the many green outfits and changed into it.

* * *

“See? What did I tell you?”

When the banquet began, the Namgung Clan’s reputation, which had plummeted due to Namgung Yeonhwa’s selfish and shameless behavior, soared high into the sky once again.

“It’s true. They say Gyoju isn’t coming.”

“As expected of the Namgung Clan. Their intelligence network is impressive.”

“Tch. What’s all this about secluded training? Then why are we even here?”

The young girls who had done their best to dress up to make an impressive first impression on the Demon Sect Leader made dejected faces.

‘No matter how much they dress up, I don’t think they could seduce a Demon Sect Leader over forty with their innocent faces not even twenty years old.’

The beautifully dressed young girls initially grumbled and complained about Gyoju’s absence, but before long, when delicious banquet foods filled the tables, their moods quickly improved.

“Have you guys tried the grapes? These are incredible!”

“Right! They’re like jewels made of honey!”

“Forget the fruit and try the lamb skewers! The spice combination is insane!”

Regardless of time and place, the stomachs of girls in their late teens were tremendous.

‘Wow. They’re devouring the food.’

Since they were all martial artists, they were eating very aggressively, with such fierce momentum that it was somewhat overwhelming to watch.

The only ones eating properly were Jegal Lin and Moyong Hye.

Additionally, far away at the Sapa martial arts dining table, one young girl from Haomun could be seen picking at her food alone. She could only feel sorry that she couldn’t rescue her.

As this atmosphere continued like some bandit den gathering.

-The noble Lady Ma Hu Munseorhwa and her son, Young Master Cheonmu Hyeon, and daughter, Young Lady Cheonyang Seol, are arriving!

As if time had stopped, the girls’ hands froze mid-motion.

Who did they just say was coming?

Peng Guyeon swallowed the lamb she was chewing and wiped her mouth on her sleeve.

“Hey, Moyong Hye.”

“Right. It’s the First Prince. He’s really handsome.”

Moyong Hye’s eyes were sparkling brightly.

In the blink of an eye, Moyong Hye tidied her disheveled hair and collar and positioned herself at the most flattering angle toward the wide-open entrance.

‘Oh.’

Impressed by the masterful movement, Riser unconsciously clapped.

Before long, the splendidly dressed Ma Hu Munseorhwa and her children, First Prince Cheonmu Hyeon and First Princess Cheonyang Seol, entered.

‘I can tell just by looking that they were dragged here against their will.’

By all appearances, only Ma Hu Munseorhwa was interested in the new concubine candidates, while her son and daughter seemed to have been forced into filial duty to accompany their mother who couldn’t come alone.

“Looking at the faces of the newly arrived concubines, they are truly fresh and welcome.”

Ma Hu Munseorhwa went on for a while with advice and nagging that no one would take to heart, then suddenly made several people stand up to perform talents.

‘Why do high-ranking people always try to turn their subordinates into entertainers?’

Riser recalled the many company parties, team-building events, and year-end ceremonies from her previous life.

The unreasonable memories of working overtime just to perform tricks in front of executives as distant as Riser and Dang Muncheon in this life were still vivid.

“Though my skills are lacking, I will show you a dance.”

Moyong Hye, who stepped forward confidently, displayed her polished dancing skills to the fullest.

While doing so, she consistently sent seductive glances toward the First Prince, though it was somewhat ambiguous whether the seduction was effective since his expression was so blank.

“Then I will perform on the pipa….”

The young girl from Haomun, having apparently received proper courtesan training, played the pipa with professional skill.

First Princess Cheonyang Seol genuinely praised the performance and even asked for and remembered the girl’s name.

Just when it seemed like one wave had passed.

“Princess of Heavenly Lotus. In your view, which child is worth noting?”

To Mahu’s question, Sangwan Baek answered without hesitation.

“Young Lady Dang Ri-seo of the Sichuan Dang Family has exceptional qualities.”

“Oh ho.”

When did that old geezer develop a grudge against me?

Riser trembled with barely contained anger.

‘I never learned anything like arts and music!’

As the neglected youngest daughter of the family head, Riser had lived desperately trying to learn even one more skill to survive.

There was no way she would invest time in singing or dancing that was utterly useless for survival.

Unaware of Riser’s feelings, Sangwan Baek sent her a look that said, ‘Don’t forget that I helped you.’

“I see. Daughter of the Sichuan Dang Family. What kind of special talent do you possess?”

To Mahu’s question, Riser hesitantly replied.

“Um. My specialty is… poisoning and then detoxifying….”

‘Wait. Wouldn’t spreading poison at a banquet be terrorism rather than a talent?’

No matter how much she premised it on detoxification, if she poisoned Mahu and Gyoju’s direct family and then went ‘Ta-da! No one died! Isn’t that amazing?’, the atmosphere might turn cold beyond repair and she could be dragged to Noeok.

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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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