Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 86

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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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“…It is quite touching, I’ll give you that.”

Ma Hu Munseorhwa wore a troubled expression.

“Haven’t you come to the wrong place? The third prince Cheonmu Jin isn’t even a child born from my womb. And I’m not particularly close to the young girl who’s supposedly cursed. Wouldn’t it be better to visit Lady Seo, who is Mujin’s birth mother?”

“Is that so.”

Peng Guyeon’s shoulders drooped dejectedly.

If she could bring Mahu along, rescuing Riser would be accomplished in no time, which made this quite disappointing.

“But it’s quite a good story, isn’t it, Mother?”

Cheonyang Seol, who happened to be extorting money from Mahu, showed interest in the novel that Peng Guyeon had written herself.

“Are you serious?”

Mahu looked down at Cheonyang Seol with disgust.

“The writing style and structure are utterly crude. Such scribbling is nothing but a waste of ink and paper, isn’t it?”

“I am truly delighted that Mother has such high standards.”

Cheonyang Seol elegantly flattered her, feeding sweet words into Mahu’s ear before beginning.

“As you say, the writing style is somewhat childish, but that can be refined. Even if it’s not a masterpiece worthy of your refined taste, wouldn’t it be quite enjoyable by common standards?”

“So you’re saying it’s trash in your eyes too?”

“When judging a writer’s talent, they commonly say the highest standard is having lofty intentions, beautiful calligraphy, appropriate use of classical allusions, while not losing the pleasure of rhythm. However, wouldn’t a true patron of the arts need to examine more important elements than such superficial criteria?”

Mahu now had an expression that said ‘What would that be, daughter?’

Cheonyang Seol hadn’t expected Mahu to understand perfectly when she brought this up.

However, she thought her mother had the ability to smoothly deflect even in situations she didn’t understand, so she wasn’t worried.

“…The ancient sages said ‘There must be a Baek Rak for there to be a thousand-li horse,’ and indeed my daughter proves this true. The discerning eye of a precious daughter well-versed in both etiquette and arts doesn’t miss the outstanding aspects even in humble stories.”

-I don’t really know what this is about, but if you like it, I should consider it good, right?

“I am overwhelmed by Mother’s generous praise.”

-Yes, yes. That’ll do.

The mother and daughter exchanged their thoughts familiarly before moving on.

It was their established procedure: when Yakseol gilded an artist’s reputation, Mahu would open her purse.

“Listen, writer.”

Yakseol turned to face Peng Guyeon and continued.

“Adventure tales of young girls overcoming difficulties through wisdom are indeed worthy of love in the marketplace. However, for this story to maintain interest until the end, the key will be who you can get as the ‘third adult.'”

“Uh… Um…”

Peng Guyeon scratched the back of her head.

‘What’s happening here?’

While Jegal Lin and Song Ha were away, Peng Guyeon, who had nothing particular to do except keep watch, took out writing materials and wrote down the current situation in prose.

Since Peng Guyeon didn’t consider herself particularly eloquent, she thought organizing the content in writing might help when going to seek adults’ help later.

But as she actually wrote, some parts seemed too verbose, and other parts might cause misunderstandings, so she couldn’t help but edit and revise.

In this process, thoughts like ‘I should insert passages praising the Cheonma Bloodline here and there to make a good impression’ were reflected, and some embellishment was added to create interest.

The result was an appeal that looked like a novel to anyone who saw it.

“I shall help you.”

Yakseol spoke to Peng Guyeon with a generous smile.

“Since Mahu will oversee this matter, everything will work out naturally.”

“Really?”

“In exchange, promise to write it to the end. Yakseol Hall will purchase the publishing and distribution rights at a high price.”

Then Mahu, who had been listening as if it were someone else’s business, was startled.

‘What is this child suddenly talking about?’

From Ma Hu Munseorhwa’s perspective, there was no reason to get involved in this situation.

The prospective concubine Dang Ri-seo was just a drifter with no connections in Mount Shiwandai, so whether she lived or died was none of her concern.

The Swordmaster and Poison Master were too big-shot to ever come under Mahu’s influence even if she helped them. In other words, there was nothing to gain.

Finally, there was no need to mention Cheonmu Jin.

‘Why should I help Magong-ja, who’s competing with Muhyeon for the Junior Sect Leader position?’

Though Mahu always indulged Yakseol, this really wasn’t acceptable.

She wanted to scold her daughter for dragging her into this without permission…

[Mother. The situation has worked out very well.]

At that moment, Yakseol’s telepathic message reached Mahu.

The content was even more frustrating.

[What do you mean it worked out well? Are you so pleased and happy to have your mother’s name mentioned in some trivial writer’s tale?]

Munseorhwa’s tone was so filled with anger that her venom came through even via telepathy. Yakseol inwardly clicked her tongue, lamenting her mother’s lack of insight.

‘You know one thing but not two.’

Rather than immediately persuading Mahu, Yakseol chose to act first and explain slowly later. No matter how telepathic, a long conversation in front of others would be hard to avoid awkwardness.

“Now withdraw and make preparations. I’ll call for you when ready.”

“Yes, my lady!”

Peng Guyeon withdrew gratefully to Mahu and Yakseol, happy that the matter had been settled.

“Listen to me, Mother.”

Yakseol quickly dismissed those around them and began appeasing Mahu as soon as they were alone.

“Hmph. Why should I listen? What’s the point of knowing the will of a mother without insight? Do as you please.”

‘She’s thoroughly sulking.’

Yakseol spoke with a quite serious expression.

“Do you truly not realize that we narrowly avoided crisis by a hair’s breadth just moments ago?”

Then Mahu’s attitude completely changed.

“Crisis?”

“I too know that the young writer’s tale is not literarily excellent. But I guarantee that story will be on many people’s lips. How interesting would it be with two of the Odae Mazong appearing?”

Mahu nodded slowly in agreement.

This generation’s Odae Mazong were heroes of the Divine Demon War and Infernal Demon War, so they were popular even doing nothing. With not just one but two such big shots appearing, and even ‘cooperating’ with each other, how much interest would people have?

“And what about Mujin? If that child, who receives all the bad reputation as a scoundrel prince, participates in the noble purpose of saving someone’s life, public opinion would completely reverse. Even infamy is a form of fame that can’t be ignored.”

“How can this be! This is far too unfair!”

Mahu was greatly agitated.

Her eldest son Cheonmu Hyeon lived his entire life as a model of proper conduct, yet only received evaluations like ‘Ah, that’s our usual First Prince.’

But the universally acknowledged scoundrel Cheonmu Jin would do one impressive good deed and open a world of reputation reversal with ‘Wow! The scoundrel prince! He was actually a good person!’?

“That’s right. It’s truly unreasonable.”

‘But isn’t that how it always is?’

While thinking different thoughts inside, Yakseol diligently catered to Mahu’s mood.

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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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