The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 174
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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 174
“Uhaam!”
I stretched refreshingly and got up from the bed.
“Mmm….”
Seo-ryeon was nowhere to be seen, probably having gone out for morning exercise. Only her blanket was neatly folded on one side.
Lately, Cheon-gang and Seo-ryeon had been spending frequent time together under the pretext of joint training.
It was clearly visible that they had become more comfortable with each other than before.
If this continues, affection will develop, and they’ll become lovers.
‘Great!’
Perhaps because I had successfully infiltrated the Namgung Family yesterday and safely planted the Honcheon-gi, I felt particularly refreshed.
Should I wash up first and enjoy brunch while watching how things unfold?
I grabbed a towel and left the room.
“Are you just getting up now?”
“…Cheon-yeong?”
Before I could even put on my shoes after crossing the main veranda, Cheon-yeong appeared before me.
“What brings you here so early?”
“The sun is almost at its zenith.”
“…Is that so?”
I must have slept quite long since I pushed myself somewhat yesterday.
I should have done some breathing exercises before sleeping.
“A message has arrived from Shenyang.”
“Oh, what does it say?”
Shenyang was the capital city of Liaoning Province, where the Moyong Family’s main residence was located.
If the Jinan branch leader had done his job properly, something should have happened by now.
“Yang Ja-seong’s right arm was severed.”
“…What?”
“Moryong Gil did it right in front of the main gate before he could even cross into the Moyong Family grounds. He declared that unless Yang Gun-cheol comes personally to kneel and apologize, he won’t let the Shin Chang-yang Family be.”
“Still, he showed considerable mercy. If it were me, I would have killed them all.”
Eok I-geon, who had appeared at some point, interjected with a cynical voice.
But what?
Showed mercy?
Yang Ja-seong was the young clan leader of the Shin Chang-yang Family. He was the next-generation heir to lead the family.
To say that severing such Yang Ja-seong’s arm was showing mercy.
While it was absurd, I could also understand it.
Because he was Eok I-geon.
“Anyway, there’s going to be a huge aftermath. Having severed his grandson’s arm, would Yang Gun-cheol just sit still with his personality?”
With both Moryong Gil and Yang Gun-cheol’s anger reaching the top of their heads, no one knew what would happen now.
“From the Shin Chang-yang Family’s perspective, an all-out war is still too much. Attacking the Moyong Family like this would require being prepared for annihilation. Though the Moyong Family’s losses wouldn’t be small either.”
“Then they’ll aim for an arm in return.”
“Who? Yang Gun-cheol?”
To my question, Eok I-geon spoke as if it were obvious.
“His pride won’t allow him to do nothing. Moreover, if he’s a martial artist, he must repay in kind.”
Repay in kind.
“You don’t mean the Shin Chang-yang Family will target Moyong Family’s young clan leader Mo Yong-hu?”
“Probably.”
Though Eok I-geon answered indifferently, I could never take it lightly.
In the original work, Eok I-geon often predicted the future with such extraordinary intelligence that he didn’t need strategists.
“Since attacking directly would be difficult, wouldn’t he hire assassins or bribe someone?”
“Whatever it is, another bloody storm is definitely coming.”
The conflict between the Shin Chang-yang Family and Moyong Family was exactly what I had hoped for.
While it was truly delightful that things were proceeding according to plan, I felt slightly uncomfortable on one side of my heart.
They say even bad relationships are still relationships, and Yang Ha-rin came to mind without me realizing it.
‘What is she doing right now?’
Is she grinding her teeth and fuming at the Moyong Family without understanding the situation?
I just hoped she wouldn’t get caught up in unnecessary bloodshed.
The environment made her that way, but having experienced it firsthand, she wasn’t really such a bad kid.
“Thank you, Cheon-yeong.”
Just for being the granddaughter of the Hyeon-ma Tak Family, I was receiving tremendous help since coming to Jungwon.
Being able to use the leader of Hyeon-wol-dang privately like this was also tremendous luck for me.
“I’m just doing my job.”
“Still.”
“Serving you is also atonement for me.”
Cheon-yeong called me Miss for the first time.
She had always called me First Miss, subtly keeping her distance.
“Mother’s departure was Mother’s decision. It’s not your fault, Cheon-yeong.”
I heard from Grandfather. He regretted not stopping Mother, whom he cherished like a real sister, when she left with my birth father who was the leader of Hyeon-wol-dang at the time.
He said that if he had prevented her from going then, she would have at least avoided death, and he apologized for his mistake before Grandfather.
“Do you want to atone that badly?”
“…?”
“Then please teach me stealth techniques!”
“…Stealth techniques?”
“Yes. Among the people around me, you seem to be the best at stealth techniques, Cheon-yeong.”
Cheon-yeong’s drooping shoulders straightened at the word “best.” Her expression also became much lighter.
Indeed, they say praise makes even whales dance, and it worked in the martial arts world too.
“Shall we start right away?”
“Sounds good!”
My principle was that martial arts should be learned when you can learn them, for the sake of the future.
I canceled my planned brunch and postponed my morning wash to attend the stealth technique lesson.
“This is surprisingly difficult, isn’t it?”
Stealth technique was the art of hiding oneself from the world.
Since not being noticed by others was important, controlling breathing sounds was basic, and above all, one had to assimilate with the surrounding environment.
Grasping the terrain within a short time and hiding one’s body in the optimal location.
It was easy to say, but unless you were invisible, it was never simple.
“Shall we take a break?”
Having focused without even eating, I was quite exhausted.
I sat on the edge of the main veranda and gulped down the water Eok I-geon had prepared in advance.
He had been watching only me the entire time I was receiving lessons from Cheon-yeong.
I was gradually getting used to such gazes now.
“Oh? Yu-un, hello!”
Just then, Yu-un, who had gone out, entered the annex.
“Are you training from midday?”
“Yes, I was learning stealth techniques.”
“Ah, I see.”
A bitter smile played around Yu-un’s lips as he sat next to me and replied.
It was because of the great sense of loss from no longer being able to practice Honcheon-gi.
What should I say to comfort him at times like this?
I had already said dozens of times that it was fortunate he found out before his body was ruined.
Yu-un knew that too, but accepting that the martial art he had practiced his entire life was fake would require some time.
Moreover, he was someone who had learned it while dreaming of revenge for his family.
You know that kind of face, don’t you?
The kind that just looking at it awakens protective instincts.
Yu-un’s atmosphere was exactly like that, with his delicate frame despite being a man and his large eyes.
“Cheer up. I’ll help you as much as I can.”
If things go according to the original story, Eok I-geon will teach you martial arts.
Just endure well until then.
I muttered words I couldn’t speak aloud to myself while stroking Yu-un’s head.
Since he was one of my sore spots in the novel, his dejected appearance looked particularly pitiful.
Smack!
“Ow!”
My hand reaching toward Yu-un’s head was purely instinctive movement.
I had barely touched his hair when suddenly Eok I-geon had grabbed my wrist.
“Ah, it hurts. Young Master…”
His grip was so strong that I unconsciously frowned.
Though Eok I-geon immediately released my wrist, his eyes glaring at Yu-un and me were far from normal.
‘I must have lost my mind for a moment.’
What was I doing in front of Eok I-geon?
I needed to handle this well since he might take it out on Yu-un for no reason.
“There was something stuck in Yu-un’s hair, so I was trying to remove it.”
“…”
“It’s true…”
Even with this, the intensity won’t leave his eyes?
Then I have no choice but to use my secret weapon.
“Oh? Young Master, you have something in your hair too. Why is there so much dust here?”
I got up from the wooden floor and brought my hand toward Eok I-geon’s head.
Then I pretended to brush away dust and went further to arrange his hair.
The reaction was extraordinary.
Had I ever seen Eok I-geon this flustered before?
When I held his hand, his ears just turned red, but touching his hair made him freeze as if he’d turned to ice.
‘Should I shout “freeze tag”…?’
Eok I-geon wouldn’t know about freeze tag, would he?
“Ahem.”
I swallowed a cough and lowered my hand as naturally as possible.
“…About that help.”
“Yes?”
“Instead of the.”
“Ah, you mean Yu-un?”
“Right.”
Yu-un, who had been dejected, looked up at Eok I-geon.
“I have a suitable martial art. Would you like to learn it?”
“…You mean me?”
“It’s not demonic arts. Instead, it’s a martial art that can harmonize well with the internal energy you built up from that fake you learned. It will be a good match.”
Oh!
Finally, the flow was becoming similar to the original story.
In the original work too, the martial art Eok I-geon bestowed upon Yu-un was one that could take the advantages of the fake and connect them with new martial arts.
The two martial arts would fuse to create a synergistic effect, allowing Yu-un to be reborn as a master.
“Thank you! Thank you!”
Vitality could be felt in Yu-un’s voice.
Eok I-geon gestured to Yu-un as if to say let’s begin.
Finally, something was proceeding according to the original story!
Seeing the two of them standing together made me feel pleased.
“Shall we start our lesson again too?”
Just then, Cheon-yeong came to inform us that break time was over.
And so I went to Cheon-yeong, and Yu-un to Eok I-geon.
A completely unexpected martial arts instruction session began in the guesthouse annex courtyard.
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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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