The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 12

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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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Chapter 12

“What brings Prince Lee all the way here?”

The first to speak on behalf of Cheonma was some middle-aged man.

He acknowledged Eok I-geon and walked toward us.

Who is he?

Someone who dared to speak while everyone was kneeling on the ground and bowing at Cheonma’s appearance.

There were few in Maegyo who could do such a thing. Though I didn’t know for sure, this man must also hold a significant position.

“It’s been a while, Lord of Ghost Spirit Hall.”

As expected, my thoughts were correct.

Within Maegyo, there were countless organizations, and among them, Ghost Spirit Hall was a very important group that handled information. The head of that place, the Lord of Ghost Spirit Hall, was also called Maegyo’s strategist.

A very crucial position that required reading the political situation of the Martial Arts World, grasping its flow, and preparing for various matters in advance.

Naturally, one had to be exceptionally intelligent and possess outstanding practical sense.

The current Lord of Ghost Spirit Hall would be a person named Gong Pae-cheon.

He was also the first person Eok I-geon killed before ascending to become Cheonma.

Because he considered him the greatest obstacle to seizing control of Maegyo.

That’s how outstanding a strategist Gong Pae-cheon was, and he was someone who truly served the current Cheonma with loyalty.

“You’ve become even more handsome since I last saw you. If I had met you outside the castle, I might not have recognized you.”

“You must receive daily reports about me.”

So cut the pleasantries short and get to the point quickly – Eok I-geon’s tone was quite cold.

Had their relationship already been poor from this time?

Though I couldn’t see their expressions with my head bowed, I could clearly feel that their relationship wasn’t very good.

“You are the one who will lead our headquarters in the future. As the Lord of Ghost Spirit Hall, this is my duty, so please understand graciously.”

“What about this person?”

Cutting off Gong Pae-cheon’s excuse like slicing radish, Eok I-geon asked.

“He’s a spy belonging to the Martial Arts Alliance.”

“A spy?”

“He operated in the Blood Shadow Unit for the past 5 years under a forged identity, but was caught a few days ago. We were considering using him in reverse, but he noticed and fled, causing quite a commotion.”

“I heard that Ghost Spirit Hall conducts thorough background checks before admission.”

“It was my oversight as the hall lord.”

Gong Pae-cheon readily admitted his mistake.

“More importantly, what brings Prince Lee here at this hour? May I ask why you wish to personally execute this man?”

“I didn’t know he was a spy. I simply intervened because my maid appeared to be in danger.”

“…Who appeared to be in danger?”

“My maid here. When I arrived after hearing the commotion, she was being held hostage by that man. She even got injured on her neck.”

I unconsciously brought my hand to my neck.

Though it was just a shallow cut and the bleeding had already stopped, my face naturally grimaced from the slight pain.

“I-geon, are you saying you stepped forward for this child?”

Then Cheonma, who had been silent until now, suddenly approached my side.

“…!”

At his sudden action, I nearly let out a scream.

I couldn’t believe Cheonma’s feet were right in front of my eyes.

Surely he wouldn’t speak to me directly?

Just having him so close made my mind this confused – how could I dare exchange words with Cheonma?

That was something that should absolutely never happen.

But the world never flows according to my will.

“Lift your head and look.”

Cheonma finally commanded me.

Damn, why are my ominous premonitions never wrong?

My entire body trembled with tension. Like a malfunctioning robot, I creakily and slowly lifted my head.

“Look directly at me.”

Cheonma commanded again as I couldn’t bear to meet his gaze and kept my eyes lowered.

It’s not like we’re having a staring contest, so why must I do this?

I wanted to retort like that, but naturally I couldn’t make a peep and just blankly raised my eyes as instructed.

“…!”

My impression of seeing the current Cheonma, Jeok Yeo-gwang, for the first time could be summed up in one phrase.

Scary old man.

Befitting Eok I-geon’s father, his appearance was also quite remarkable, but perhaps due to his intense gaze, just looking at him made me feel like a moth caught in his web, overwhelmed by fear.

At the same time, I felt a strange sensation.

Did he just recognize me?

The moment our eyes met, there was a brief look of surprise, as if he knew exactly who I was.

It must be just my imagination, right?

There’s no way Cheonma would know a mere maid like me.

“…What is your name?”

Suddenly, Cheonma asked for my name.

I began to feel anxious. No matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn’t find any reason why he would be curious about my name.

I wasn’t the only one puzzled.

Not only Eok I-geon, but also Gong Pae-cheon, the Lord of Ghost Spirit Hall standing beside Cheonma, looked at his lord with questioning eyes.

Huh?

But where have I seen that person before?

My gaze, which had been passing over Gong Pae-cheon, returned to him again.

This should definitely be the first time I’m seeing him, yet he looked strangely familiar.

He’s someone I have no connection with at all…

“Do you not have a name?”

When I didn’t answer, Cheonma’s voice became somewhat louder. Only then did I come to my senses and immediately respond.

“This humble one is called Shin Seolha.”

“…Shin family?”

“Yes.”

Something about my confirmation displeased him, as deep wrinkles formed on Cheonma’s brow. Though I didn’t know why, he seemed to have expected a different answer.

“Master, do you know this child?”

As a strategist, Gong Pae-cheon couldn’t neglect anyone his lord showed interest in.

He was someone who could find out my wealth and even the number of my undergarments if he set his mind to it.

Just as I was getting nervous about becoming the Lord of Ghost Spirit Hall’s target, which was naturally unwelcome for me.

“No. Someone just came to mind for a moment.”

Fortunately, Cheonma’s interest in me quickly subsided.

He quickly forgot about someone like me and called his son to attention.

“I-geon.”

“Yes, father.”

“That you stepped forward for your maid is understandable enough. However, trying to kill a fleeing spy was wrong. Shouldn’t we find out what he stole from our headquarters and what information we can extract from him?”

“I was short-sighted. Next time, I will examine the situation more carefully before acting.”

“Good. In any case, you were the one who caught the spy, so you have achieved merit. I will give you a reward befitting that achievement.”

With those words, Cheonma, Gong Pae-cheon, and the other warriors quickly left the scene.

The man who was the Martial Arts Alliance spy had fainted and was being carried away on a stretcher.

Watching that reminded me once again of Eok I-geon’s prowess.

What would have happened to me by now if Eok I-geon hadn’t come at the right time?

Though it didn’t happen, I certainly wouldn’t have been unharmed.

At worst, I should have even considered death.

The hostage taker seemed closer to being prepared for mutual destruction than having the will to survive.

Perhaps he took me hostage because I looked weak, with the intention of taking at least one more Maegyo member with him.

So I should at least express my gratitude, right?

To be saved by Eok I-geon and have to express gratitude to him for it.

It was a scene that could never be seen even once in the original work.

I suddenly thought it was good that I had fed him rice balls for dinner.

“Um, Young Master.”

Before I knew it, only Eok I-geon, myself, and Doe’s senior group remained nearby.

Though their necks weren’t cut by a blade like mine, all three had tear-stained faces, seemingly very shocked.

Senior Ji-ae, who had been knocked unconscious after hitting me, even had bruises turning blue.

“Thank you so much for today. I was able to stay safe thanks to you, Young Master.”

“Do you know what ‘safe’ means when you say that?”

“Pardon?”

“If that bastard’s dagger had been poisoned, you’d already be a dead body.”

“Ah…”

If that were the case, I would have been fine since I had the antidote.

Of course, I couldn’t answer so straightforwardly, so all I could do was smile awkwardly.

Eok I-geon looked at me as if I were utterly pathetic, then turned around sharply.

He seemed somewhat angry, but was this also my imagination?

Both Cheonma and Eok I-geon.

So difficult, so very difficult.

It was astounding that only the first day as his dedicated maid had passed.

Tomorrow would be better than today, at the very least.

My hopes were shattered to pieces by Cheonma, who came with the morning breeze at dawn.

“How old are you?”

Cheonma asked my age right off the bat.

But why was this?

It might sound crazy, but what was contained in his gaze toward me was unmistakable longing.

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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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